INDIANAPOLIS — Legislation aimed at reducing blight by improving the tax sale process for some abandoned Lake County properties is headed to Gov. Mike Pence for his signature or veto.
The Indiana Senate voted 44-0 Friday to accept the three-year "new opportunity area" pilot program inserted by the House into Senate Enrolled Act 310.
"I'm just grateful to have the opportunity to be able to take this legislation home as we try in Gary, and all of Lake County, to make certain that we can turn some of these blocks of (abandoned) houses into either green areas or something else useful to the city," said state Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, the sponsor.
Under the plan, a city redevelopment commission can establish new opportunity areas composed of multiple abandoned properties that would be auctioned as a group for redevelopment, instead of forcing developers to acquire lots individually at tax sales.
"We can make these properties available to prospective developers and turn a blighted area into some valuable property," said state Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, the House sponsor.
The legislation, which includes provisions to reduce abuses by tax sale speculators, also was sponsored by state Sens. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, and state Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary.
Other measures advancing to the governor's desk Friday included:
Fantasy sports — Senate Enrolled Act 339, sponsored by state Sen. Jim Arnold, D-LaPorte, state Rep. Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte, and Randolph, clarifies that fantasy sports wagering is not considered gambling and regulates the industry through the Indiana Gaming Commission to assure fair play, appropriate advertising and a prohibition on participation by children.
Health workers — Senate Enrolled Act 350, sponsored by Randolph and state Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, requires home health care workers undergo a national criminal background check at the time of hire, instead of an Indiana-only search for misdeeds.
Drug crimes — House Enrolled Act 1235, sponsored by Arnold, sets a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years for a person convicted of dealing methamphetamine or heroin who has a prior conviction for dealing controlled substances.
Voting — Senate Enrolled Act 61 requires voters who select the "straight party" option on their ballots to separately choose candidates in election contests for at-large county, township and municipal offices.
Traffic enforcement — Senate Enrolled Act 216 permits landlords of apartment complexes to contract with local police to provide enforcement of traffic laws on privately-owned streets.