By CHRIS JETER
State Representative
The 2024 session recently crossed the halfway point, meaning House bills are now being heard by the Senate, and Senate bills are being considered by the House. This session, I joined my House Republican colleagues in focusing our legislative priorities on supporting Hoosier taxpayers and students.
According to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, Indiana’s postsecondary going rate has steadily declined in recent years and flattened at 53 percent. We want to give all Hoosier students pathways to success no matter what they decide to pursue after high school. That’s why I supported legislation that would expand the Frank O’Bannon Grant and the 21st Century Scholarship beyond traditional college coursework to include job training. This effort would be a critical step toward helping our students get connected to and pay for the skills they need for in-demand careers.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, reports of antisemitic events have increased by nearly 360 percent since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023. To support our Hoosier Jewish students, I authored legislation that would clearly define antisemitism for our public education institutions, which would ensure the concept doesn’t wind up in K-12 classrooms or on college campuses.
I also supported legislation providing a supplemental payment also known as a 13th check to the state’s nearly 100,000 retired public servants, like law enforcement and teachers, to help with increasing costs for daily necessities. Payments would be based on an employee’s number of years vested in their retirement plan. Indiana already has existing resources available to give these payments, which would average about $360 per recipient.
To better support taxpayers and business owners who interact with state agencies, I co-authored House Bill 1003 to create a more efficient and balanced appeals process that is presided over by administrative law judges. This legislation would make rulings by the Office of Administrative Law Proceeding final for disputes between agencies and Hoosiers and would increase consistency and efficiency in the resolution of these cases. Currently, these rulings are not final and still have to back to the agency for approval, placing them in limbo.
House Bill 1001, House Bill 1002, House Bill 1003 and House Bill 1004 all recently advanced to the Indiana Senate for further consideration. As we move ahead, I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues on our efforts to support Hoosier students and taxpayers.
To follow the legislative process, visit iga.in.gov. To stay in touch, sign up for my e-newsletter at in.gov/h88.
State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) represents House District 88, which includes portions of Hamilton, Hancock, Madison, and Marion counties.