Gov Eric HolcombGov. Eric J. Holcomb Friday issued a proclamation calling a special session of the 120th Indiana General Assembly Monday, May 14. The Constitution of the State of Indiana provides that the governor may call a special session at his discretion if he believes public welfare requires it.

“I’m calling lawmakers back to take action on the critical issues of school safety and federal tax conformity,” Gov. Holcomb said. “And, with sharp focus, I’m confident they can finish this work in a single day.”

The governor’s to-do items included in the final versions of bills: SB 242, HB 1230, HB 1315 and HB 1316.  These bills address

Schools and School Safety  and deliver on the governor’s request for additional funding for the Indiana Secured School Fund by providing $5 million now and for fiscal year 2019. These additional funds will allow the state to provide increased financial support for school safety to more schools.  It also allow school corporations to obtain funding advances of up to $500,000 for school security equipment and capital purchases. Total advances may not exceed $35 million.

One of the bills also provides Muncie schools a one-time $12 million loan to remain operational and make needed capital improvements.

Federal Compliance Issues  will update the state’s tax code to conform with federal tax changes by updating state’s conformity date to Feb. 11, 2018. Indiana’s current conformity date is fixed by statute at Jan. 1, 2016. If the state’s conformity date is not updated, taxpayers will calculate their taxes twice to file—once under 2018 rules for federal taxes and once under 2016 rules for state taxes.  Comply with IRS rules to protect federal taxpayer information and assure access to federal tax data.