SB 421

Official digest

Amends within the Indiana Code chapter governing publication procedures for political subdivisions the provision governing the publication of a notice of a hearing by the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) to reference the publication procedures for hearings set forth in the Indiana Code chapter governing the IURC. Amends the publication procedures within the statute governing the IURC to provide that if any newspaper of general circulation in which the IURC publishes a notice does not publish a print edition at least three times a week, the IURC may publish the notice in either: (1) the print edition; or (2) an electronic edition; of the newspaper or a locality newspaper that circulates within the county. Adds a definition of "court reporter" to the Indiana Code chapter governing the regulation of utilities. Replaces references to a "stenographer" with references to a "court reporter" throughout that chapter and in other instances in the Indiana Code in which a "stenographer" or "reporter" is referenced in the context of an IURC proceeding. Repeals all remaining provisions in the Indiana Code chapter concerning alternative energy projects by rural electric membership corporations following the repeal by the general assembly in 2024 of other provisions in that chapter that established a fund to provide incentives under a program that is no longer operational. Increases the civil penalties for violations of the state statute or rules governing pipeline safety: (1) from $25,000 to $200,000 per violation per day; and (2) from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 for the maximum civil penalty for a related series of violations; so as to conform Indiana's civil penalties with those prescribed by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.