The Indiana Publisher

Page 5 January 2021 once in print and subsequent notices on government websites. As with H.B. 1498, HSPA doesn't know the genesis of this bill. S.B. 409, authored by Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Crown Point. This bill would eliminate the inclusion of the abstract listing all payments by townships, which is included as part of the annual financial report. This is a requirement not shared by any other public agency that publishes an annual report. HSPA will reach out to Sen. Niemeyer on this bill. H.B. 1395, authored by Rep. Sean Eberhart, R-Shelbyville, would allow the Department of Natural Resources to eliminate the publication requirement of notices of new rules – replacing the publication requirement with post- ing "electronically." HSPA will reach out to Rep. Eberhart to discuss the provision in this DNR bill. S.B. 188, authored by Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford. This bill would eliminate the publication of unclaimed property lists by the state Attorney General in local newspa- pers. The publication would be replaced by a twice-a-year notice of the AG's contact information for the program. HSPA has talked to Sen. Koch and the staff of new AG Todd Rokita about our concern. The language comes from a national uniform code commission model. We're hopeful that Koch and Rokita will support the preservation of the current public notice. H.B. 1312, authored by Rep. John Prescott, R-Union City. This bill would impose a surcharge tax on social media providers. The tax components include a percentage of the providers' advertising revenue in Indiana. HSPA trying to ascertain the danger of this concept as an opening for a future tax on advertising in general, which would directly impact newspapers. H.B. 1459, authored by Rep. Bruce Borders, R-Jasonville, repeals the state's anti-SLAPP statute and replaces it with new language. HSPA has asked Indiana Broadcasters Association counsel Dan Byron to weigh in on whether this bill should be supported or opposed. Dan has used this statute to successfully protect newspapers and TV stations from libel lawsuits. S.B. 369, authored by Sen. Linda Rogers, R-Granger. This bill would allow members of local governing bodies to be counted as part of a meeting quorum and partake of votes while participating electronically. Sen. Rogers has indicated her willingness to work with HSPA on requirements that should be tied to this change in the Open Door Law. An informal survey of members resulted in a near 50-50 split as to the benefits and issues of electronic meetings in general held during Governor Eric Holcomb's emergency order tied to the pandemic. We haven't tracked it down yet, but HSPA believes there may be a similar bill filed in the Indiana House of Representatives. S.B. 69, authored by Sen. Stacey Donato, R-Logansport. This bill would allow conservancy district board to have members participate in meetings electronically and count as part of the quorum and vote. HSPA is working with Sen. Donato on this bill to ensure it contains appropriate guardrails to preserve the public's ability to hold these districts accountable. Annual local government reports schedule for 2021 The schedule for publication of local government unit's annual reports is as follows: County Following the second regular meeting of the county commissioners, the report should be posted and published (IC 36-2-2-19). According to the state Board of Accounts, newspapers should expect those reports in February. The annual financial report output that will meet the requirement of the receipts and disbursement portion for IC 36-2-2-19 is called Cash & Investments Combined, according to the state Board of Accounts. Counties often use the 100R report for the total compensation paid to each of the county officers, deputies and employees. Township Within four weeks after the third Tuesday following the first Monday in February (deadline - Tuesday, March 16), the township trustee is to publish an abstract of receipts and disbursements (IC 36-6-4- 13). To avoid squabbles over publication costs, township trustees and newspaper should note that budget lines with $0 amounts do not have to be included in the published report. This will serve to condense the size of the publication. Cities & Towns Within 60 days after the end of the calendar year (deadline – Monday, March 1), the fiscal officer is to publish an annual report of receipts and disburse- ments (IC 5-3-1-3). School Corporations No earlier than Aug. 1 nor later than Aug. 15, the secre- tary of each school corporation must publish an annual financial report (IC 5-3-1-3). Other Political Subdivisions (as defined under IC 36-1-2-13) For those political subdivi- sions with an annual budget of at least $300,000 and the power to levy taxes, and do not have a requirement to publish an annual report under another statute, an annual report of receipts and disbursements is required to be published not later than 60 days after year end – Monday, March 1. (IC 5-3-1-3.5). Update Continued from Page 1 HSPA executive director and general counsel Steve Key is reaching out to the authors of high priority bills to see what can be done about language we oppose. Any staff updates at your paper? Launching an innovative project? Let us know. Email your news to news@hspa.com.

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