Latest news with #SenateBill187
Chicago Tribune
01-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Bill establishing Indiana residency for tax assessment boards passes House
The bill requiring property tax assessment board of appeals members to live in Indiana passed unanimously out of the House Monday. Senate Bill 187, authored by State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, states the term of anyone serving on county PTABOA who isn't an Indiana resident will expire July 1. The fiscal body, which is the council in Lake County, would then be required to appoint a new member to finish out the member's term. The bill maintains Indiana's current PTABOA law that states a member has to be at least 18 years old and be 'knowledgeable in the valuation of property.' The bill also maintains that a majority of the members must have the certification of a level two or level three assessor-appraiser. The bill was amended in the Senate Local Government Committee to include language State Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, proposed to ensure that the PTABOA member lives in Indiana throughout his or her four-year term. Dernulc said he drafted the bill after learning Cook County Board of Review commissioner and Lake County PTABOA member Samantha Steele was arrested for driving under the influence in Chicago late last year. Steele wasn't reappointed to her seat and left the PTABOA board in early January, said Lake County Assessor and PTABOA secretary LaTonya Spearman. The Board of Commissioners appointed Warren Reeder, a local realtor, she said. Steele had served on the Lake County PTABOA since 2020, Spearman said. Steele declined to comment on her leaving the PTABOA board. In her Cook County Board of Review biography, Steele states she is a level three assessor and appraiser with more than 15 years of experience in property valuations. Dernulc said Monday that 'the person that this started with' had the qualifications to serve on the PTABOA, but he felt the board members should live in Indiana. 'I just want Hoosiers to be in these positions,' Dernulc said. Senate Bill 187 passed 90-0 out of the House Monday. Lake County Councilman Ted Bilski, D-Hobart, previously said conceptually the PTABOA bill makes sense, and he supports it. The members of the board should live in the community they are serving, he said. But Bilski said he hopes the bill doesn't make it more difficult to find PTABOA members because it's not always easy to find level two or level three assessor-appraisers. '(The bill) makes sense. I have no issues with it. I hope it doesn't impede our ability to fill the board,' Bilski said. Lake County Council President Christine Cid, D-East Chicago, previously said she told Dernulc she supports the bill. Cid said the county uses a state website to find level two and level three assessors, so it would be easy to find qualified people who live in the county or state that could serve on the PTABOA. 'I believe there are plenty of qualified people here, not just in Lake County but in Indiana, that could serve,' Cid said.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indiana PTABOA residency bill advances; Lake County member who inspired bill hasn't served since January
The member of the Lake County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals who inspired a PTABOA member Indiana residency bill left the board earlier this year, officials said. Samantha Steele, who is also a Cook County Board of Review commissioner, wasn't reappointed to her seat and left the board in early January, said Lake County Assessor and PTABOA secretary LaTonya Spearman. The Board of Commissioners appointed Warren Reeder, a local real estate agent, she said. Steele had served on the Lake County PTABOA since 2020, Spearman said. Steele declined to comment on her leaving the PTABOA board. In her Cook County Board of Review biography, Steele states she is a level three assessor and appraiser with more than 15 years of experience in property valuations. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 187, which changes PTABOA members' residency, passed out of the House Local Government Committee Tuesday in a 8-0 vote without committee discussion or public testimony. Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point, the House sponsor of the bill, said in committee that Lake County would be impacted by the bill because a member, Steele, lived in Illinois and served as an elected official there while serving on the Lake County PTABOA. Senate Bill 187, authored by State Sen. Dan Dernulc, states the term of anyone serving on a county PTABOA who isn't an Indiana resident will expire July 1. The fiscal body, which is the council in Lake County, would then be required to appoint a new member to finish out the member's term. The bill maintains Indiana's current PTABOA law that states a member has to be at least 18 years old and be 'knowledgeable in the valuation of property.' The bill also maintains that a majority of the members must have the certification of a level two or level three assessor-appraiser. 'This is an important piece of legislation that directly affects my district,' Dernulc said in a statement when the bill passed out of the Senate Feb. 4. Dernulc, R-Highland, said he drafted the bill after learning Steele was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence in Chicago late last year. 'Members of an Indiana PTABOA should be Indiana residents to ensure we have equal and fair property tax assessments for those who have chosen to call themselves Hoosiers. I look forward to seeing how this will change how people look at these boards and who serves on them,' Dernulc said. The bill was amended in the Senate Local Government Committee to include language proposed by State Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, to ensure that the PTABOA member lives in Indiana throughout their four-year term. Lake County Councilman Ted Bilski, D-Hobart, previously said conceptually the PTABOA bill makes sense, and he supports it. The members of the board should live in the community they are serving, he said. But Bilski said he hopes the bill doesn't make it more difficult to find PTABOA members because it's not always easy to find level two or level three assessor-appraisers. '(The bill) makes sense. I have no issues with it. I hope it doesn't impede our ability to fill the board,' Bilski said. Lake County Council President Christine Cid, D-East Chicago, previously said she told Dernulc she supports the bill. Cid said the county uses a state website to find level two and level three assessors, so it would be easy to find qualified people who live in the county or state that could serve on the PTABOA. 'I believe there are plenty of qualified people here, not just in Lake County but in Indiana, that could serve,' Cid said. akukulka@
Chicago Tribune
25-03-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Indiana PTABOA residency bill advances; Lake County member who inspired bill hasn't served since January
The member of the Lake County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals who inspired a PTABOA member Indiana residency bill left the board earlier this year, officials said. Samantha Steele, who is also a Cook County Board of Review commissioner, wasn't reappointed to her seat and left the board in early January, said Lake County Assessor and PTABOA secretary LaTonya Spearman. The Board of Commissioners appointed Warren Reeder, a local real estate agent, she said. Steele had served on the Lake County PTABOA since 2020, Spearman said. Steele declined to comment on her leaving the PTABOA board. In her Cook County Board of Review biography, Steele states she is a level three assessor and appraiser with more than 15 years of experience in property valuations. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 187, which changes PTABOA members' residency, passed out of the House Local Government Committee Tuesday in a 8-0 vote without committee discussion or public testimony. Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point, the House sponsor of the bill, said in committee that Lake County would be impacted by the bill because a member, Steele, lived in Illinois and served as an elected official there while serving on the Lake County PTABOA. Senate Bill 187, authored by State Sen. Dan Dernulc, states the term of anyone serving on a county PTABOA who isn't an Indiana resident will expire July 1. The fiscal body, which is the council in Lake County, would then be required to appoint a new member to finish out the member's term. The bill maintains Indiana's current PTABOA law that states a member has to be at least 18 years old and be 'knowledgeable in the valuation of property.' The bill also maintains that a majority of the members must have the certification of a level two or level three assessor-appraiser. 'This is an important piece of legislation that directly affects my district,' Dernulc said in a statement when the bill passed out of the Senate Feb. 4. Dernulc, R-Highland, said he drafted the bill after learning Steele was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence in Chicago late last year. 'Members of an Indiana PTABOA should be Indiana residents to ensure we have equal and fair property tax assessments for those who have chosen to call themselves Hoosiers. I look forward to seeing how this will change how people look at these boards and who serves on them,' Dernulc said. The bill was amended in the Senate Local Government Committee to include language proposed by State Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, to ensure that the PTABOA member lives in Indiana throughout their four-year term. Lake County Councilman Ted Bilski, D-Hobart, previously said conceptually the PTABOA bill makes sense, and he supports it. The members of the board should live in the community they are serving, he said. But Bilski said he hopes the bill doesn't make it more difficult to find PTABOA members because it's not always easy to find level two or level three assessor-appraisers. '(The bill) makes sense. I have no issues with it. I hope it doesn't impede our ability to fill the board,' Bilski said. Lake County Council President Christine Cid, D-East Chicago, previously said she told Dernulc she supports the bill. Cid said the county uses a state website to find level two and level three assessors, so it would be easy to find qualified people who live in the county or state that could serve on the PTABOA. 'I believe there are plenty of qualified people here, not just in Lake County but in Indiana, that could serve,' Cid said.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CAPITOL ROUNDUP: Sen. Yaw measure to establish Independent Energy Office approved by Senate
Feb. 9—WILKES-BARRE — Legislation establishing an Independent Energy Office (IEO) in Pennsylvania was approved this week by the state Senate, according to Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Williamsport, sponsor of the measure. "Pennsylvania has one of the most diverse energy portfolios in the United States," Yaw said. "I believe an Independent Energy Office can streamline our approach to responsible energy policy and ensure a more cohesive strategy for managing our vast natural resources." Senate Bill 187, Yaw said, would model the IEO after Pennsylvania's Independent Fiscal Office (IFO), which was created by Act 120 of 2010 and Act 100 of 2016. Yaw said the IFO does not support or oppose any policy it analyzes and discloses the methodologies, data sources and assumptions used in published reports and estimates. Numerous industry representatives expressed support for the bill, including the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. "Sen. Yaw's leadership on this legislation is a win for Pennsylvania's economy and our energy future," said Amy Brinton, the Chamber's director of government affairs. "Establishing an Independent Energy Office will help us collect and analyze the data and insights needed to make smart energy decisions, strengthen grid reliability and keep Pennsylvania competitive. Energy drives our economy, and this bill helps secure our position as a global energy leader." The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Rep. Meuser votes to permanently schedule fentanyl analogues U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week supported H.R. 27 — the HALT Fentanyl Act — bipartisan legislation that would permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Without congressional action, the current temporary scheduling expires on March 31, 2025. Fentanyl overdoses continue to devastate communities nationwide, including those in Pennsylvania. In 2023, fentanyl was linked to 76% of Pennsylvania's 4,721 overdose deaths. Rep. Meuser said keeping these lethal substances under Schedule I gives law enforcement the tools to go after traffickers while allowing researchers to understand fentanyl analogs better. In 2018, Meuser said the DEA, under President Trump, issued an emergency order placing all fentanyl-related substances under strict federal control. Congress has since extended this order multiple times, but the HALT Fentanyl Act would make it permanent, reinforcing efforts to combat the growing opioid crisis. In 2024, Rep. Meuser said U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more than 21,000 pounds of fentanyl at U.S. borders — enough to kill more than 4 billion people. This lethal drug is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, fueling a skyrocketing rise in overdoses across the country. "In 2023, a Pennsylvanian lost their life to a drug overdose every two hours," said Rep. Meuser. "The HALT Fentanyl Act is a commonsense, bipartisan measure that gives law enforcement the authority to target traffickers, while allowing researchers to study these dangerous substances contributing to the opioid crisis." Rep. Meuser said the HALT Fentanyl Act passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, 312 — 108, and now awaits Senate consideration. Sen. Fetterman advocates reform in mental health support for servicemembers U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, this week sent a letter to Lieutenant General Telita Crosland, Director of the Defense Health Agency, urging the Department of Defense (DoD) to consider allocating funds for new mental health care application programming and reform existing efforts. In the letter, Sen. Fetterman writes: "As DoD considers how to spend its greater than $60 billion annual budget for military health care funding in Fiscal Year 2026, I urge the Department to consider allocating funds for new mental health care application programming. We know this funding will pay for itself long term — the estimated return on investment is about $4 for every $1 spent. Prioritizing creative, preventative care measures like mobile applications will equip our service members with the tools and resources they need to navigate personal adversity and avoid mental health emergencies." In his letter, Sen. Fetterman highlighted how mental health mobile applications have proven to be effective in managing depression and reducing related symptoms among users. These types of apps are typically free or low-cost to users, discreet for use at a moment's notice, and can be used without cellular service or WiFi, which is crucial if a service member is deployed. However, despite their potential, Sen. Fetterman said DoD's existing apps are underutilized — of the mobile apps currently available to service members, only two were used by more than 1,500 individuals over a three-month period studied by DoD. Sen. McCormick announces commissions to identify U.S. Marshal, U.S. Attorney candidates U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pittsburgh, this week announced that his office will establish independent commissions to identify U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal candidates to fill vacancies in the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Pennsylvania. The three commissions — one in each of the three districts — will be comprised of 8 to 10 members led by a chair and will be tasked with vetting candidates and making recommendations. "I want to ensure that the people of Pennsylvania have strong U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals working for them to prosecute criminals and keep our communities safe," Sen. McCormick said. "I'm establishing these commissions to ensure that the process for filling these vacancies is rigorous, fair, and produces exceptional candidates who are prepared to serve and protect all Pennsylvanians." Sen. McCormick's office will soon name the members and chairs of each commission. His office will also provide information for how to apply to be considered for the U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal positions. For questions, contact pacommission@ Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
PTABOA residency requirement bill passes Indiana Senate
The bill that would require county property tax assessment boards of appeal members to live in Indiana unanimously passed out of the Senate Tuesday. Senate Bill 187, authored by State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, states the term of anyone serving on a county property tax assessment board of appeals who isn't an Indiana resident will expire July 1. The fiscal body, which is the council in Lake County, would then be required to appoint a new member to finish out the member's term. The bill maintains Indiana's current PTABOA law that states a member has to be at least 18 years old and be 'knowledgeable in the valuation of property.' The bill also maintains that a majority of the members must have the certification of a level two or level three assessor-appraiser. 'This is an important piece of legislation that directly affects my district,' Dernulc said in a statement. 'Members of an Indiana PTABOA should be Indiana residents to ensure we have equal and fair property tax assessments for those who have chosen to call themselves Hoosiers. I look forward to seeing how this will change how people look at these boards and who serves on them.' The bill was amended in the Senate Local Government Committee to include language State Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, proposed strengthening the language to ensure that the PTABOA member lives in Indiana throughout his or her four-year term. 'If you want to make sure that their whole term that they live in Indiana, I would put that in there specifically. I wouldn't leave it open to interpretation,' Taylor said in committee. Dernulc said he drafted the bill after learning about Lake County PTABOA member Samantha Steele, who is also a Cook County Board of Review commissioner and was arrested for driving under the influence in Chicago late last year. Steele lives in Evanston, Illinois. State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores, said that in his district counties have had difficulties finding qualified members to appoint to the PTABOA. Bohacek suggested the bill be further amended to state that if someone owns property in Indiana and has the proper qualifications he or she could serve on the PTABOA. Dernulc said Bohacek was going to offer an amendment to the bill to allow for someone to own property in Indiana and serve on a PTABOA. But, after they talked, Dernulc said Bohacek agreed to pull the amendment. In Lake County, Dernulc said he reached out to council members about the bill. The council member he talked to, Dernulc said, expressed interest in the bill. Lake County Councilman Ted Biliski, D-Hobart, said conceptually the PTABOA bill makes sense, and he supports it. The members of the board should live in the community they are serving, he said. But Bilski said he hopes the bill doesn't make it more difficult to find PTABOA members because it's not always easy to find level two or three assessor-appraisers. '(The bill) makes sense. I have no issues with it. I hope it doesn't impede our ability to fill the board,' Bilski said. Lake County Council President Christine Cid, D-East Chicago, previously said she told Dernulc she supports the bill. Cid said the county uses a state website to find level two and level three assessors, so it would be easy to find qualified people who live in the county or state that could serve on the PTABOA. 'I believe there are plenty of qualified people here, not just in Lake County but in Indiana, that could serve,' Cid said. Lake County Board of Commissioners Michael Repay, D-3rd, previously said Lake County officials want to appoint the most qualified people to the PTABOA. 'There are like 101 more important things that could positively impact the citizens of Indiana and the citizens in Senator Dan Dernulc's district than a fully qualified individual who doesn't live in the county,' Repay previously said. The bill passed 50-0 Tuesday. It will be considered by the House, starting in committee. akukulka@
