Indiana state lawmakers are entering the final days of the 2012 Indiana General Assembly. The short session which occurs in even-numbered years must adjourn by March 14th by state law but there is an agreement to adjourn early by Friday, March 9th.
The Indiana State Senate just passed HB 1072 with little more than 5 minutes of debate on third reading or final passage. Sen. Brandt Hershman said shortly after noon today "This is a grab bag tax bill". He also stated "This bill is going to conference."
For the first time on the floor of the Indiana Senate, Hershman stated that "the solar power deduction is in it". He had indicated that a large portion of SB 344 had been amended into HB 1072 but in response to a question from Sen. Hume Hershman indicated that the previous controversial language concerning a tax credit for the Indiana Gasification LLC or coal gasification project at Rockport was not in the bill.
HB 1072 passed third reading in the Indiana Senate by a vote of 47-3. The bill now returns to its House author Rep. Jeff Espich. Earlier in the House Ways and means Committee, Espich who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee and is the House sponsor of SB 344 removed the solar photovoltaic (pv) property tax exemption language on 2/22/2012.
SB 344 is now on the House Second Reading Calendar where 31 proposed amendments have been filed, however, none of the proposed amendments would restore the solar pv property tax exemption language.
The House has recessed for lunch and caucus meetings. They are scheduled to reconvene at 2:30 pm today (2/29/2012) to address bills on second reading or eligible for amendments including SB 344.
More detailed information on this issue and the legislation enacted last year changing the property tax exemption for wind devices will be posted soon.