Bill Text: IN HB1011 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Public mass transportation.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2013-05-13 - Public Law 212 [HB1011 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2013-HB1011-Introduced.html
Citations Affected: IC 4-4-11-15.6; IC 5-1.5-1-8; IC 5-11-10;
IC 6-3.5; IC 36-9; IC 36-9.1.
Synopsis: Public mass transportation. Specifies that a county or city
council (other than the city-county council of Marion County) may
elect by ordinance to provide revenue to a public transportation
corporation from the city's or the county's distributive share of county
adjusted gross income taxes, county option income taxes, or county
economic development income taxes. Authorizes the establishment of
a metropolitan transit district by specified eligible counties through
local public questions. Authorizes the metropolitan transit district to:
(1) construct or acquire any public transportation facility; (2) provide
public transportation service by operating public transportation
facilities; and (3) issue bonds and otherwise incur indebtedness.
Authorizes the Indiana finance authority to issue bonds and use the
proceeds to acquire any obligations issued by a metropolitan transit
district. Provides that in a county that has approved the local public
question, an additional county economic development income tax
(CEDIT) rate of not more than 0.3% may be imposed to pay the
county's contribution to the funding of the metropolitan transit district.
Specifies that the CEDIT rate may not exceed the recommended tax.
Effective: July 1, 2013.
January 7, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Roads and Transportation.
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
transportation.
(1) issue bonds under terms and conditions determined by the authority and use the proceeds of the bonds to acquire obligations issued by any entity authorized to acquire, finance, construct, or lease capital improvements under IC 5-1-17;
(2) issue bonds under terms and conditions determined by the authority and use the proceeds of the bonds to acquire any obligations issued by the northwest Indiana regional development authority established by IC 36-7.5-2-1;
(3) after December 31, 2009, issue bonds under terms and conditions determined by the authority and use the proceeds of the bonds to acquire any obligations issued by either the commuter rail service board established under IC.8-24-5 or the regional demand and scheduled bus service board established
under IC.8-24-6; and
(4) issue bonds under terms and conditions determined by the
authority and use the proceeds of the bonds to acquire any
obligations issued by a metropolitan transit district
established under IC 36-9.1-2.
(1) a political subdivision (as defined in IC 36-1-2-13);
(2) a state educational institution;
(3) a leasing body (as defined in IC 5-1-1-1(a));
(4) a not-for-profit utility (as defined in IC 8-1-2-125);
(5) any rural electric membership corporation organized under IC 8-1-13;
(6) any corporation that was organized in 1963 under Acts 1935, c. 157 and that engages in the generation and transmission of electric energy;
(7) any telephone cooperative corporation formed under IC 8-1-17;
(8) any commission, authority, or authorized body of any qualified entity;
(9) any organization, association, or trust with members, participants, or beneficiaries that are all individually qualified entities;
(10) any commission, authority, or instrumentality of the state;
(11) any other participant (as defined in IC 13-11-2-151.1);
(12) a charter school established under IC 20-5.5 (before its repeal) or IC 20-24 that is not a qualified entity under IC 5-1.4-1-10;
(13) a volunteer fire department (as defined in IC 36-8-12-2);
(14) a development authority (as defined in IC 36-7.6-1-8); or
(15) a metropolitan transit district established under IC 36-9.1-2.
(1) A state educational institution, including Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana.
(2) A municipality (as defined in IC 36-1-2-11).
(3) A county.
(4) An airport authority operating in a consolidated city.
(5) A capital improvements board of managers operating in a consolidated city.
(6) A board of directors of a public transportation corporation operating in a consolidated city.
(7) A municipal corporation organized under IC 16-22-8-6.
(8) A public library.
(9) A library services authority.
(10) A hospital organized under IC 16-22 or a hospital organized under IC 16-23.
(11) A school corporation (as defined in IC 36-1-2-17).
(12) A regional water or sewer district organized under IC 13-26 or under IC 13-3-2 (before its repeal).
(13) A municipally owned utility (as defined in IC 8-1-2-1).
(14) A board of an airport authority under IC 8-22-3.
(15) A conservancy district.
(16) A board of aviation commissioners under IC 8-22-2.
(17) A public transportation corporation under IC 36-9-4.
(18) A commuter transportation district under IC 8-5-15.
(19) A solid waste management district established under IC 13-21 or IC 13-9.5 (before its repeal).
(20) A county building authority under IC 36-9-13.
(21) A soil and water conservation district established under IC 14-32.
(22) The northwestern Indiana regional planning commission established by IC 36-7-7.6-3.
(23) The commuter rail service board established under IC.8-24-5.
(24) The regional demand and scheduled bus service board established under IC.8-24-6.
(25) A metropolitan transit district established under IC 36-9.1-2.
(b) No warrant or check shall be drawn by a disbursing officer in payment of any claim unless the same has been fully itemized and its correctness properly certified to by the claimant or some authorized person in the claimant's behalf, and filed and allowed as provided by law.
(c) The certificate provided for in subsection (b) is not required for:
(1) claims rendered by a public utility for electric, gas, steam, water, or telephone services, the charges for which are regulated by a governmental body;
(2) a warrant issued by the auditor of state under IC 4-13-2-7(b);
(3) a check issued by a special disbursing officer under IC 4-13-2-20(g); or
(4) a payment of fees under IC 36-7-11.2-49(b) or IC 36-7-11.3-43(b).
(d) The disbursing officer shall issue checks or warrants for all claims which meet all of the requirements of this section. The disbursing officer does not incur personal liability for disbursements:
(1) processed in accordance with this section; and
(2) for which funds are appropriated and available.
(e) The certificate provided for in subsection (b) must be in the following form:
I hereby certify that the foregoing account is just and correct, that the amount claimed is legally due, after allowing all just credits, and that no part of the same has been paid.
(1) A municipality (as defined in IC 36-1-2-11).
(2) A school corporation (as defined in IC 36-1-2-17), including a school extracurricular account.
(3) A county.
(4) A regional water or sewer district organized under IC 13-26 or under IC 13-3-2 (before its repeal).
(5) A municipally owned utility that is subject to IC 8-1.5-3 or IC 8-1.5-4.
(6) A board of an airport authority under IC 8-22-3.
(7) A board of aviation commissioners under IC 8-22-2.
(8) A conservancy district.
(9) A public transportation corporation under IC 36-9-4.
(10) A commuter transportation district under IC 8-5-15.
(11) The state.
(12) A solid waste management district established under IC 13-21 or IC 13-9.5 (before its repeal).
(13) A levee authority established under IC 14-27-6.
(14) A county building authority under IC 36-9-13.
(15) A soil and water conservation district established under IC 14-32.
(16) The northwestern Indiana regional planning commission established by IC 36-7-7.6-3.
(17) The commuter rail service board established under IC.8-24-5.
(18) The regional demand and scheduled bus service board established under IC.8-24-6.
(19) A metropolitan transit district established under IC 36-9.1-2.
(b) As used in this section, "claim" means a bill or an invoice submitted to a governmental entity for goods or services.
(c) The fiscal officer of a governmental entity may not draw a warrant or check for payment of a claim unless:
(1) there is a fully itemized invoice or bill for the claim;
(2) the invoice or bill is approved by the officer or person receiving the goods and services;
(3) the invoice or bill is filed with the governmental entity's fiscal officer;
(4) the fiscal officer audits and certifies before payment that the invoice or bill is true and correct; and
(5) payment of the claim is allowed by the governmental entity's legislative body or the board or official having jurisdiction over allowance of payment of the claim.
This subsection does not prohibit a school corporation, with prior approval of the board having jurisdiction over allowance of payment of the claim, from making payment in advance of receipt of services as allowed by guidelines developed under IC 20-20-13-10. This subsection does not prohibit a municipality from making meal expense advances to a municipal employee who will be traveling on official municipal business if the municipal fiscal body has adopted an ordinance allowing the advance payment, specifying the maximum amount that may be paid in advance, specifying the required invoices and other documentation that must be submitted by the municipal employee, and providing for reimbursement from the wages of the municipal employee if the municipal employee does not submit the required invoices and documentation.
(d) The fiscal officer of a governmental entity shall issue checks or warrants for claims by the governmental entity that meet all of the requirements of this section. The fiscal officer does not incur personal liability for disbursements:
(1) processed in accordance with this section; and
(2) for which funds are appropriated and available.
(e) The certification provided for in subsection (c)(4) must be on a form prescribed by the state board of accounts.
section, "attributed allocation amount" of a civil taxing unit for a
calendar year means the sum of:
(1) the allocation amount of the civil taxing unit for that calendar
year; plus
(2) the current ad valorem property tax levy of any special taxing
district, authority, board, or other entity formed to discharge
governmental services or functions on behalf of or ordinarily
attributable to the civil taxing unit; plus
(3) in the case of a county, an amount equal to the welfare
allocation amount.
The welfare allocation amount is an amount equal to the sum of the
property taxes imposed by the county in 1999 for the county's welfare
fund and welfare administration fund and, if the county received a
certified distribution under this chapter or IC 6-3.5-6 in 2008, the
property taxes imposed by the county in 2008 for the county's county
medical assistance to wards fund, family and children's fund, children's
psychiatric residential treatment services fund, county hospital care for
the indigent fund, and children with special health care needs county
fund.
(b) The part of a county's certified distribution that is to be used as
certified shares shall be allocated only among the county's civil taxing
units. Each civil taxing unit of a county is entitled to receive a certified
share during a calendar year in an amount determined in STEP TWO
of the following formula:
STEP ONE: Divide:
(A) the attributed allocation amount of the civil taxing unit
during that calendar year; by
(B) the sum of the attributed allocation amounts of all the civil
taxing units of the county during that calendar year.
STEP TWO: Multiply the part of the county's certified
distribution that is to be used as certified shares by the STEP
ONE amount.
(c) The department of local government finance shall determine the
attributed levies of civil taxing units that are entitled to receive certified
shares during a calendar year. If the ad valorem property tax levy of
any special taxing district, authority, board, or other entity is attributed
to another civil taxing unit under subsection (a)(2), then the special
taxing district, authority, board, or other entity shall not be treated as
having an attributed allocation amount of its own. The department of
local government finance shall certify the attributed allocation amounts
to the appropriate county auditor. The county auditor shall then allocate
the certified shares among the civil taxing units of the auditor's county.
(d) Certified shares received by a civil taxing unit shall be treated as additional revenue for the purpose of fixing its budget for the calendar year during which the certified shares will be received. The certified shares may be allocated to or appropriated for any purpose, including:
(1) property tax relief;
(2) providing revenue to a public transportation corporation as provided in an election, if any, made by a county or city fiscal body under IC 36-9-4-42(d); or
(3) a transfer of funds to another civil taxing unit whose levy was attributed to the civil taxing unit in the determination of its attributed allocation amount.
(1) replace the amount, if any, of property tax revenue lost due to the allowance of an increased homestead credit within the county;
(2) fund the operation of a public communications system and computer facilities district as provided in an election, if any, made by the county fiscal body under IC 36-8-15-19(b);
(3) fund the operation of a public transportation corporation as provided in an election, if any, made by the county fiscal body under
(4) fund the operation of a public library in a county containing a consolidated city as provided in an election, if any, made by the county fiscal body under IC 36-3-7-6;
(5) make payments permitted under IC 36-7-14-25.5 or IC 36-7-15.1-17.5;
(6) make payments permitted under subsection (i);
(7) make distributions of distributive shares to the civil taxing units of a county; and
(8) make the distributions permitted under sections 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33 of this chapter.
(b) The county auditor shall retain from the payments of the county's certified distribution an amount equal to the revenue lost, if any, due to the increase of the homestead credit within the county. This money shall be distributed to the civil taxing units and school corporations of the county as though they were property tax collections and in such a manner that no civil taxing unit or school corporation shall suffer a net revenue loss due to the allowance of an increased homestead credit.
(c) The county auditor shall retain:
(1) the amount, if any, specified by the county fiscal body for a particular calendar year under subsection (i), IC 36-3-7-6, IC 36-7-14-25.5, IC 36-7-15.1-17.5, IC 36-8-15-19(b), and
(2) the amount of an additional tax rate imposed under section 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, or 33 of this chapter.
The county auditor shall distribute amounts retained under this subsection to the county.
(d) All certified distribution revenues that are not retained and distributed under subsections (b) and (c) shall be distributed to the civil taxing units of the county as distributive shares.
(e) The amount of distributive shares that each civil taxing unit in a county is entitled to receive during a month equals the product of the following:
(1) The amount of revenue that is to be distributed as distributive shares during that month; multiplied by
(2) A fraction. The numerator of the fraction equals the allocation amount for the civil taxing unit for the calendar year in which the month falls. The denominator of the fraction equals the sum of the allocation amounts of all the civil taxing units of the county for the calendar year in which the month falls.
(f) The department of local government finance shall provide each county auditor with the fractional amount of distributive shares that each civil taxing unit in the auditor's county is entitled to receive monthly under this section.
(g) Notwithstanding subsection (e), if a civil taxing unit of an adopting county does not impose a property tax levy that is first due and payable in a calendar year in which distributive shares are being distributed under this section, that civil taxing unit is entitled to receive a part of the revenue to be distributed as distributive shares under this section within the county. The fractional amount such a civil taxing unit is entitled to receive each month during that calendar year equals the product of the following:
(1) The amount to be distributed as distributive shares during that month; multiplied by
(2) A fraction. The numerator of the fraction equals the budget of that civil taxing unit for that calendar year. The denominator of the fraction equals the aggregate budgets of all civil taxing units of that county for that calendar year.
(h) If for a calendar year a civil taxing unit is allocated a part of a county's distributive shares by subsection (g), then the formula used in
subsection (e) to determine all other civil taxing units' distributive
shares shall be changed each month for that same year by reducing the
amount to be distributed as distributive shares under subsection (e) by
the amount of distributive shares allocated under subsection (g) for that
same month. The department of local government finance shall make
any adjustments required by this subsection and provide them to the
appropriate county auditors.
(i) Notwithstanding any other law, a county fiscal body may pledge
revenues received under this chapter (other than revenues attributable
to a tax rate imposed under section 30, 31, or 32 of this chapter) to the
payment of bonds or lease rentals to finance a qualified economic
development tax project under IC 36-7-27 in that county or in any other
county if the county fiscal body determines that the project will
promote significant opportunities for the gainful employment or
retention of employment of the county's residents.
(b) In determining the amount of distributive shares a civil taxing unit is entitled to receive under section 18(g) of this chapter, the department of local government finance shall consider only the percentage of the civil taxing unit's budget that equals the ratio that the total assessed valuation that lies within the civil taxing unit and the county that has adopted the county option tax bears to the total assessed valuation that lies within the civil taxing unit.
(c) The distributive shares to be allocated and distributed under this chapter:
(1) shall be treated by each civil taxing unit as additional revenue for the purpose of fixing the civil taxing unit's budget for the budget year during which the distributive shares are to be distributed to the civil taxing unit; and
(2) may be used for any lawful purpose of the civil taxing unit, including providing revenue to a public transportation corporation as provided in an election, if any, made by a county or city fiscal body under IC 36-9-4-42(d).
(d) In the case of a civil taxing unit that includes a consolidated city,
its fiscal body may distribute any revenue it receives under this chapter
to any governmental entity located in its county except an excluded
city, a township, or a school corporation.
(1) impose, increase, decrease, or rescind a tax or tax rate; or
(2) grant, increase, decrease, rescind, or change a homestead credit or property tax replacement credit authorized under this chapter;
may be exercised at any time in a year before November 1 of that year.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter and except as provided in subsection (e), an ordinance authorized by this chapter that imposes or increases a tax or a tax rate takes effect as follows:
(1) An ordinance adopted after December 31 of the immediately preceding year and before October 1 of the current year takes effect October 1 of the current year.
(2) An ordinance adopted after September 30 and before October 16 of the current year takes effect November 1 of the current year.
(3) An ordinance adopted after October 15 and before November 1 of the current year takes effect December 1 of the current year.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an ordinance authorized by this chapter that decreases or rescinds a tax or a tax rate takes effect as follows:
(1) An ordinance adopted after December 31 of the immediately preceding year and before October 1 of the current year takes effect on the later of October 1 of the current year or the first day of the month in the current year as the month in which the last increase in the tax or tax rate occurred.
(2) An ordinance adopted after September 30 and before October 16 of the current year takes effect on the later of November 1 of the current year or the first day of the month in the current year as the month in which the last increase in the tax or tax rate occurred.
(3) An ordinance adopted after October 15 and before November 1 of the current year takes effect December 1 of the current year.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an ordinance authorized by this chapter that grants, increases, decreases, rescinds, or changes a homestead credit or property tax replacement credit authorized under this chapter takes effect for and applies to
property taxes first due and payable in the year immediately following
the year in which the ordinance is adopted.
(e) The power granted by this chapter to adopt an ordinance
imposing a tax rate under section 23.5 of this chapter may be
exercised at any time in a year. Subsection (b) applies to the
effective date of an ordinance adopted under section 23.5 of this
chapter. In addition, an ordinance adopted under section 23.5 of
this chapter after October 31 of a year and before the following
January 1 takes effect on the later of:
(1) December 15 of the year; or
(2) thirty (30) days after the ordinance is adopted.
(1) the county income tax council (as defined in IC 6-3.5-6-1) if the county option income tax is in effect on October 1 of the year the county economic development income tax is imposed;
(2) the county council if the county adjusted gross income tax is in effect on October 1 of the year the county economic development tax is imposed; or
(3) the county income tax council or the county council, whichever acts first, for a county not covered by subdivision (1) or (2).
To impose the county economic development income tax, a county income tax council shall use the procedures set forth in IC 6-3.5-6 concerning the imposition of the county option income tax.
(b) Except as provided in this section and
(1) one-tenth percent (0.1%);
(2) two-tenths percent (0.2%);
(3) twenty-five hundredths percent (0.25%);
(4) three-tenths percent (0.3%);
(5) thirty-five hundredths percent (0.35%);
(6) four-tenths percent (0.4%);
(7) forty-five hundredths percent (0.45%); or
(8) five-tenths percent (0.5%);
on the adjusted gross income of county taxpayers.
(c) Except as provided in this section and section 23.5 of this
chapter, the county economic development income tax rate plus the
county adjusted gross income tax rate, if any, that are in effect on
January 1 of a year may not exceed one and twenty-five hundredths
percent (1.25%). Except as provided in this section and section 23.5
of this chapter, the county economic development tax rate plus the
county option income tax rate, if any, that are in effect on January 1 of
a year may not exceed one percent (1%).
(d) To impose, increase, decrease, or rescind the county economic
development income tax, the appropriate body must adopt an
ordinance.
(e) The ordinance to impose the tax must substantially state the
following:
"The ________ County _________ imposes the county economic
development income tax on the county taxpayers of _________
County. The county economic development income tax is imposed at
a rate of _________ percent (____%) on the county taxpayers of the
county.".
(f) The auditor of a county shall record all votes taken on ordinances
presented for a vote under the authority of this chapter and shall, not
more than ten (10) days after the vote, send a certified copy of the
results to the commissioner of the department, the director of the
budget agency, and the commissioner of the department of local
government finance by certified mail or in an electronic format
approved by the director of the budget agency.
(g) For Jackson County, except as provided in subsection (o), the
county economic development income tax rate plus the county adjusted
gross income tax rate that are in effect on January 1 of a year may not
exceed one and thirty-five hundredths percent (1.35%) if the county has
imposed the county adjusted gross income tax at a rate of one and
one-tenth percent (1.1%) under IC 6-3.5-1.1-2.5.
(h) For Pulaski County, except as provided in subsection (o), the
county economic development income tax rate plus the county adjusted
gross income tax rate that are in effect on January 1 of a year may not
exceed one and fifty-five hundredths percent (1.55%).
(i) For Wayne County, except as provided in subsection (o), the
county economic development income tax rate plus the county adjusted
gross income tax rate that are in effect on January 1 of a year may not
exceed one and five-tenths percent (1.5%).
(j) This subsection applies to Randolph County. Except as provided
in subsection (o), in addition to the rates permitted under subsection
(b):
(1) the county economic development income tax may be imposed
at a rate of twenty-five hundredths percent (0.25%); and
(2) the sum of the county economic development income tax rate
and the county adjusted gross income tax rate that are in effect on
January 1 of a year may not exceed one and five-tenths percent
(1.5%);
if the county council makes a determination to impose rates under this
subsection and section 22.5 of this chapter.
(k) For Daviess County, except as provided in subsection (o), the
county economic development income tax rate plus the county adjusted
gross income tax rate that are in effect on January 1 of a year may not
exceed one and five-tenths percent (1.5%).
(l) For:
(1) Elkhart County; or
(2) Marshall County;
except as provided in subsection (o), the county economic development
income tax rate plus the county adjusted gross income tax rate that are
in effect on January 1 of a year may not exceed one and five-tenths
percent (1.5%).
(m) For Union County, except as provided in subsection (o), the
county economic development income tax rate plus the county adjusted
gross income tax rate that are in effect on January 1 of a year may not
exceed one and five-tenths percent (1.5%).
(n) This subsection applies to Knox County. Except as provided in
subsection (o), in addition to the rates permitted under subsection (b):
(1) the county economic development income tax may be imposed
at a rate of twenty-five hundredths percent (0.25%); and
(2) the sum of the county economic development income tax rate
and:
(A) the county adjusted gross income tax rate that are in effect
on January 1 of a year may not exceed one and five-tenths
percent (1.5%); or
(B) the county option income tax rate that are in effect on
January 1 of a year may not exceed one and twenty-five
hundredths percent (1.25%);
if the county council makes a determination to impose rates under this
subsection and section 24 of this chapter.
(o) In addition:
(1) the county economic development income tax may be imposed
at a rate that exceeds by not more than twenty-five hundredths
percent (0.25%) the maximum rate that would otherwise apply
under this section; and
(2) the:
(A) county economic development income tax; and
(B) county option income tax or county adjusted gross income tax;
may be imposed at combined rates that exceed by not more than twenty-five hundredths percent (0.25%) the maximum combined rates that would otherwise apply under this section.
However, the additional rate imposed under this subsection may not exceed the amount necessary to mitigate the increased ad valorem property taxes on homesteads (as defined in IC 6-1.1-20.9-1 (repealed) before January 1, 2009, or IC 6-1.1-12-37 after December 31, 2008) or residential property (as defined in section 26 of this chapter), as appropriate under the ordinance adopted by the adopting body in the county, resulting from the deduction of the assessed value of inventory in the county under IC 6-1.1-12-41 or IC 6-1.1-12-42 or from the exclusion in 2008 of inventory from the definition of personal property in IC 6-1.1-1-11.
(p) If the county economic development income tax is imposed as authorized under subsection (o) at a rate that exceeds the maximum rate that would otherwise apply under this section, the certified distribution must be used for the purpose provided in section 26 of this chapter to the extent that the certified distribution results from the difference between:
(1) the actual county economic development tax rate; and
(2) the maximum rate that would otherwise apply under this section.
(q) This subsection applies only to a county described in section 27 of this chapter. Except as provided in subsection (o), in addition to the rates permitted by subsection (b), the:
(1) county economic development income tax may be imposed at a rate of twenty-five hundredths percent (0.25%); and
(2) county economic development income tax rate plus the county option income tax rate that are in effect on January 1 of a year may equal up to one and twenty-five hundredths percent (1.25%);
if the county council makes a determination to impose rates under this subsection and section 27 of this chapter.
(r) Except as provided in subsection (o), the county economic development income tax rate plus the county adjusted gross income tax rate that are in effect on January 1 of a year may not exceed one and five-tenths percent (1.5%) if the county has imposed the county adjusted gross income tax under IC 6-3.5-1.1-3.3.
(s) This subsection applies to Howard County. Except as provided in subsection (o), the sum of the county economic development income
tax rate and the county option income tax rate that are in effect on
January 1 of a year may not exceed one and twenty-five hundredths
percent (1.25%).
(t) This subsection applies to Scott County. Except as provided in
subsection (o), the sum of the county economic development income
tax rate and the county option income tax rate that are in effect on
January 1 of a year may not exceed one and twenty-five hundredths
percent (1.25%).
(u) This subsection applies to Jasper County. Except as provided in
subsection (o), the sum of the county economic development income
tax rate and the county adjusted gross income tax rate that are in effect
on January 1 of a year may not exceed one and five-tenths percent
(1.5%).
(v) An additional county economic development income tax rate
imposed under section 28 of this chapter may not be considered in
calculating any limit under this section on the sum of:
(1) the county economic development income tax rate plus the
county adjusted gross income tax rate; or
(2) the county economic development tax rate plus the county
option income tax rate.
(w) The income tax rate limits imposed by subsection (c) or (x) or
any other provision of this chapter do not apply to:
(1) a county adjusted gross income tax rate imposed under
IC 6-3.5-1.1-24, IC 6-3.5-1.1-25, or IC 6-3.5-1.1-26; or
(2) a county option income tax rate imposed under IC 6-3.5-6-30,
IC 6-3.5-6-31, or IC 6-3.5-6-32.
For purposes of computing the maximum combined income tax rate
under subsection (c) or (x) or any other provision of this chapter that
may be imposed in a county under IC 6-3.5-1.1, IC 6-3.5-6, and this
chapter, a county's county adjusted gross income tax rate or county
option income tax rate for a particular year does not include the county
adjusted gross income tax rate imposed under IC 6-3.5-1.1-24,
IC 6-3.5-1.1-25, or IC 6-3.5-1.1-26 or the county option income tax rate
imposed under IC 6-3.5-6-30, IC 6-3.5-6-31, or IC 6-3.5-6-32.
(x) This subsection applies to Monroe County. Except as provided
in subsection (o), if an ordinance is adopted under IC 6-3.5-6-33, the
sum of the county economic development income tax rate and the
county option income tax rate that are in effect on January 1 of a year
may not exceed one and twenty-five hundredths percent (1.25%).
(y) This subsection applies to Perry County. Except as provided in
subsection (o), if an ordinance is adopted under section 27.5 of this
chapter, the county economic development income tax rate plus the
county option income tax rate that is in effect on January 1 of a year
may not exceed one and seventy-five hundredths percent (1.75%).
(z) This subsection applies to Starke County. Except as provided in
subsection (o), if an ordinance is adopted under section 27.6 of this
chapter, the county economic development income tax rate plus the
county adjusted gross income tax rate that is in effect on January 1 of
a year may not exceed two percent (2%).
(b) Before August 2 of each calendar year, the budget agency shall certify to the county auditor of each adopting county the sum of the amount of county economic development income tax revenue that the budget agency determines has been:
(1) received from that county for a taxable year ending before the calendar year in which the determination is made; and
(2) reported on an annual return or amended return processed by the department in the state fiscal year ending before July 1 of the calendar year in which the determination is made;
as adjusted for refunds of county economic development income tax made in the state fiscal year plus the amount of interest in the county's account that has been accrued and has not been included in a certification made in a preceding year. The amount certified is the county's certified distribution, which shall be distributed on the dates specified in section 16 of this chapter for the following calendar year.
(c) The amount certified under subsection (b) shall be adjusted under subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g). The budget agency shall provide the county council with an informative summary of the calculations used to determine the certified distribution. The summary of calculations must include:
(1) the amount reported on individual income tax returns processed by the department during the previous fiscal year;
(2) adjustments for over distributions in prior years;
(3) adjustments for clerical or mathematical errors in prior years;
(4) adjustments for tax rate changes; and
(5) the amount of excess account balances to be distributed under IC 6-3.5-7-17.3.
(d) The budget agency shall certify an amount less than the amount determined under subsection (b) if the budget agency determines that the reduced distribution is necessary to offset overpayments made in a
calendar year before the calendar year of the distribution. The budget
agency may reduce the amount of the certified distribution over several
calendar years so that any overpayments are offset over several years
rather than in one (1) lump sum.
(e) The budget agency shall adjust the certified distribution of a
county to correct for any clerical or mathematical errors made in any
previous certification under this section. The budget agency may
reduce the amount of the certified distribution over several calendar
years so that any adjustment under this subsection is offset over several
years rather than in one (1) lump sum.
(f) The budget agency shall adjust the certified distribution of a
county to provide the county with the amount of any tax increase
imposed under section 26 of this chapter to provide additional
homestead credits as provided in those provisions.
(g) This subsection applies to a county that:
(1) imposes, increases, decreases, or rescinds a tax or tax rate
under this chapter before November 1 in the same calendar year
in which the budget agency makes a certification under this
section; or
(2) adopts an ordinance imposing a tax rate under section 23.5
of this chapter in the same calendar year in which the budget
agency makes a certification under this section.
The budget agency shall adjust the certified distribution of a county to
provide for a distribution in the immediately following calendar year
and in each calendar year thereafter. The budget agency shall provide
for a full transition to certification of distributions as provided in
subsection (b)(1) through (b)(2) in the manner provided in subsection
(d). If the county imposes, increases, decreases, or rescinds a tax or tax
rate under this chapter after the date for which a certification under
subsection (b) is based, the budget agency shall adjust the certified
distribution of the county after August 1 of the calendar year. The
adjustment shall reflect any other adjustment authorized under
subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f). The adjusted certification shall be
treated as the county's certified distribution for the immediately
succeeding calendar year. The budget agency shall certify the adjusted
certified distribution to the county auditor for the county and provide
the county council with an informative summary of the calculations
that revises the informative summary provided in subsection (c) and
reflects the changes made in the adjustment.
(h) The budget agency shall before May 1 of every odd-numbered
year publish an estimate of the statewide total amount of certified
distributions to be made under this chapter during the following two (2)
calendar years.
(i) The budget agency shall before May 1 of every even-numbered
year publish an estimate of the statewide total amount of certified
distributions to be made under this chapter during the following
calendar year.
(j) The estimates under subsections (h) and (i) must specify the
amount of the estimated certified distributions that are attributable to
any additional rates authorized under this chapter.
(b) As used in this subsection, "homestead" means a homestead that is eligible for a standard deduction under IC 6-1.1-12-37. Except as provided in sections 15, 23, 26, 27, 27.5, and 27.6 of this chapter, revenues from the county economic development income tax may be used as follows:
(1) By a county, city, or town for economic development projects, for paying, notwithstanding any other law, under a written agreement all or a part of the interest owed by a private developer or user on a loan extended by a financial institution or other lender to the developer or user if the proceeds of the loan are or are to be used to finance an economic development project, for the retirement of bonds under section 14 of this chapter for economic development projects, for leases under section 21 of this chapter, or for leases or bonds entered into or issued prior to the date the economic development income tax was imposed if the purpose of the lease or bonds would have qualified as a purpose under this chapter at the time the lease was entered into or the bonds were issued.
(2) By a county, city, or town for:
(A) the construction or acquisition of, or remedial action with respect to, a capital project for which the unit is empowered to issue general obligation bonds or establish a fund under any statute listed in IC 6-1.1-18.5-9.8;
(B) the retirement of bonds issued under any provision of Indiana law for a capital project;
(C) the payment of lease rentals under any statute for a capital project;
(D) contract payments to a nonprofit corporation whose primary corporate purpose is to assist government in planning and implementing economic development projects;
(E) operating expenses of a governmental entity that plans or implements economic development projects;
(F) to the extent not otherwise allowed under this chapter, funding substance removal or remedial action in a designated unit; or
(G) funding of a revolving fund established under IC 5-1-14-14.
(3) By a county, city, or town for any lawful purpose for which money in any of its other funds may be used.
(4) By a city or county described in IC 36-7.5-2-3(b) for making transfers required by IC 36-7.5-4-2. If the county economic development income tax rate is increased after April 30, 2005, in Porter County, the first three million five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000) of the tax revenue that results each year from the tax rate increase shall be used by the county or by eligible municipalities (as defined in IC 36-7.5-1-11.3) in the county only to make the county's transfer required by IC 36-7.5-4-2. The first three million five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000) of the tax revenue that results each year from the tax rate increase shall be paid by the county treasurer to the treasurer of the northwest Indiana regional development authority under IC 36-7.5-4-2 before certified distributions are made to the county or any cities or towns in the county under this chapter from the tax revenue that results each year from the tax rate increase. If Porter County ceases to be a member of the northwest Indiana regional development authority under IC 36-7.5 but two (2) or more municipalities in the county have become members of the northwest Indiana regional development authority as authorized by IC 36-7.5-2-3(i), the county treasurer shall continue to transfer the three million five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000) to the treasurer of the northwest Indiana regional development authority under IC 36-7.5-4-2 before certified distributions are made to the county or any cities or towns in the county. In Porter County, all of the tax revenue that results each year from the tax rate increase that is in excess of the first three million five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000) that results each year from the tax rate increase must be used by the county and cities and
towns in the county for homestead credits under subdivision (5).
(5) This subdivision applies only in Porter County. All of the tax
revenue that results each year from a tax rate increase described
in subdivision (4) that is in excess of the first three million five
hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000) that results each year from
the tax rate increase must be used by the county and cities and
towns in the county for homestead credits under this subdivision.
The following apply to homestead credits provided under this
subdivision:
(A) The homestead credits must be applied uniformly to
provide a homestead credit for homesteads in the county, city,
or town.
(B) The homestead credits shall be treated for all purposes as
property tax levies.
(C) The homestead credits shall be applied to the net property
taxes due on the homestead after the application of all other
assessed value deductions or property tax deductions and
credits that apply to the amount owed under IC 6-1.1.
(D) The department of local government finance shall
determine the homestead credit percentage for a particular
year based on the amount of county economic development
income tax revenue that will be used under this subdivision to
provide homestead credits in that year.
(6) This subdivision applies only in Lake County. The county or
a city or town in the county may use county economic
development income tax revenue to provide homestead credits in
the county, city, or town. The following apply to homestead
credits provided under this subdivision:
(A) The county, city, or town fiscal body must adopt an
ordinance authorizing the homestead credits. The ordinance
must specify the amount of county economic development
income tax revenue that will be used to provide homestead
credits in the following year.
(B) The county, city, or town fiscal body that adopts an
ordinance under this subdivision must forward a copy of the
ordinance to the county auditor and the department of local
government finance not more than thirty (30) days after the
ordinance is adopted.
(C) The homestead credits must be applied uniformly to
increase the homestead credit under IC 6-1.1-20.9 (repealed)
for homesteads in the county, city, or town (for property taxes
first due and payable before January 1, 2009) or to provide a
homestead credit for homesteads in the county, city, or town
(for property taxes first due and payable after December 31,
2008).
(D) The homestead credits shall be treated for all purposes as
property tax levies.
(E) The homestead credits shall be applied to the net property
taxes due on the homestead after the application of all other
assessed value deductions or property tax deductions and
credits that apply to the amount owed under IC 6-1.1.
(F) The department of local government finance shall
determine the homestead credit percentage for a particular
year based on the amount of county economic development
income tax revenue that will be used under this subdivision to
provide homestead credits in that year.
(7) For a regional venture capital fund established under section
13.5 of this chapter or a local venture capital fund established
under section 13.6 of this chapter.
(8) This subdivision applies only to LaPorte County, if:
(A) the county fiscal body has adopted an ordinance under
IC 36-7.5-2-3(e) providing that the county is joining the
northwest Indiana regional development authority; and
(B) the fiscal body of the city described in IC 36-7.5-2-3(e) has
adopted an ordinance under IC 36-7.5-2-3(e) providing that
the city is joining the development authority.
Revenue from the county economic development income tax may
be used by a county or a city described in this subdivision for
making transfers required by IC 36-7.5-4-2. In addition, if the
county economic development income tax rate is increased after
June 30, 2006, in the county, the first three million five hundred
thousand dollars ($3,500,000) of the tax revenue that results each
year from the tax rate increase shall be used by the county only to
make the county's transfer required by IC 36-7.5-4-2. The first
three million five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000) of the
tax revenue that results each year from the tax rate increase shall
be paid by the county treasurer to the treasurer of the northwest
Indiana regional development authority under IC 36-7.5-4-2
before certified distributions are made to the county or any cities
or towns in the county under this chapter from the tax revenue
that results each year from the tax rate increase. All of the tax
revenue that results each year from the tax rate increase that is in
excess of the first three million five hundred thousand dollars
($3,500,000) that results each year from the tax rate increase must
be used by the county and cities and towns in the county for
homestead credits under subdivision (9).
(9) This subdivision applies only to LaPorte County. All of the tax
revenue that results each year from a tax rate increase described
in subdivision (8) that is in excess of the first three million five
hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000) that results each year from
the tax rate increase must be used by the county and cities and
towns in the county for homestead credits under this subdivision.
The following apply to homestead credits provided under this
subdivision:
(A) The homestead credits must be applied uniformly to
provide a homestead credit for homesteads in the county, city,
or town.
(B) The homestead credits shall be treated for all purposes as
property tax levies.
(C) The homestead credits shall be applied to the net property
taxes due on the homestead after the application of all other
assessed value deductions or property tax deductions and
credits that apply to the amount owed under IC 6-1.1.
(D) The department of local government finance shall
determine the homestead credit percentage for a particular
year based on the amount of county economic development
income tax revenue that will be used under this subdivision to
provide homestead credits in that year.
(10) By a county or city to provide revenue to a public
transportation corporation as provided in an election, if any,
made by a county or city fiscal body under IC 36-9-4-42(d).
(c) As used in this section, an economic development project is any
project that:
(1) the county, city, or town determines will:
(A) promote significant opportunities for the gainful
employment of its citizens;
(B) attract a major new business enterprise to the unit; or
(C) retain or expand a significant business enterprise within
the unit; and
(2) involves an expenditure for:
(A) the acquisition of land;
(B) interests in land;
(C) site improvements;
(D) infrastructure improvements;
(E) buildings;
(F) structures;
(G) rehabilitation, renovation, and enlargement of buildings and structures;
(H) machinery;
(I) equipment;
(J) furnishings;
(K) facilities;
(L) administrative expenses associated with such a project, including contract payments authorized under subsection (b)(2)(D);
(M) operating expenses authorized under subsection (b)(2)(E); or
(N) to the extent not otherwise allowed under this chapter, substance removal or remedial action in a designated unit;
or any combination of these.
(d) If there are bonds outstanding that have been issued under section 14 of this chapter or leases in effect under section 21 of this chapter, the county or a city or town may not expend money from its economic development income tax fund for a purpose authorized under subsection (b)(3) in a manner that would adversely affect owners of the outstanding bonds or payment of any lease rentals due.
(1) the county income tax council, if the county option income tax is in effect in the county; or
(2) the county council, if the county adjusted gross income tax is in effect in the county;
may adopt an ordinance imposing a county economic development income tax rate to pay the county's contribution to the funding of the metropolitan transit district established under IC 36-9.1-2.
(b) The following apply in a county in which an ordinance has been adopted under subsection (a):
(1) The county economic development income tax rate imposed under subsection (a) may not exceed the lesser of:
(A) three-tenths of one percent (0.3%) on the adjusted gross income of resident county taxpayers of the county; or
(B) the recommended tax rate approved in the local public question under IC 36-9.1-2-2.
(2) A county economic development income tax rate imposed under subsection (a) is in addition to any other tax rate
imposed under this chapter.
(3) For purposes of computing the maximum combined
income tax rate under section 5 of this chapter that may be
imposed in a county under IC 6-3.5-1.1, IC 6-3.5-6, and this
chapter, a county's county economic development income tax
rate for a particular year does not include a tax rate imposed
under subsection (a).
(4) For purposes of computing the maximum income tax rate
that may be imposed in a county under section 5 of this
chapter, a county's county economic development income tax
rate for a particular year does not include a tax rate imposed
under subsection (a).
(1) two (2) members appointed by the executive of each county in the authority;
(2) one (1) member appointed by the executive of the largest municipality in each county in the authority;
(3) one (1) member appointed by the executive of each second class city in a county in the authority; and
(4) one (1) member from any other political subdivision that has public transportation responsibilities in a county in the authority.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (d), an authority that includes a consolidated city is under the control of a board consisting of the following:
(1) Two (2) members appointed by the executive of the county having the consolidated city.
(2) One (1) member appointed by the board of commissioners of the county having the consolidated city.
(3) One (1) member appointed by the executive of each other county in the authority.
(4) Two (2) members appointed by the governor from a list of at least five (5) names provided by the Indianapolis regional transportation council.
(5) One (1) member representing the four (4) largest municipalities in the authority located in a county other than a county containing a consolidated city. The member shall be appointed by the executives of the municipalities acting jointly.
(6) One (1) member representing the excluded cities located in a
county containing a consolidated city that are members of the
authority. The member shall be appointed by the executives of the
excluded cities acting jointly.
(7) One (1) member of a labor organization representing
employees of the authority who provide public transportation
services within the geographic jurisdiction of the authority. The
labor organization shall appoint the member.
(c) After December 31, 2009, this subsection applies if both a
county having a population of more than four hundred thousand
(400,000) but less than seven hundred thousand (700,000) and a county
having a population of more than one hundred fifty thousand (150,000)
but less than one hundred seventy thousand (170,000) are not members
of the northern Indiana regional transportation district established
under IC 8-24. An authority that includes a county having a population
of more than four hundred thousand (400,000) but less than seven
hundred thousand (700,000) is under the control of a board consisting
of the following twenty-one (21) members:
(1) Three (3) members appointed by the executive of a city with
a population of more than eighty thousand (80,000) but less than
eighty thousand four hundred (80,400).
(2) Two (2) members appointed by the executive of a city with a
population of more than eighty thousand five hundred (80,500)
but less than one hundred thousand (100,000).
(3) One (1) member jointly appointed by the executives of the
following municipalities located within a county having a
population of more than four hundred thousand (400,000) but less
than seven hundred thousand (700,000):
(A) A city with a population of more than four thousand nine
hundred fifty (4,950) but less than five thousand (5,000).
(B) A city with a population of more than twenty-nine
thousand six hundred (29,600) but less than twenty-nine
thousand nine hundred (29,900).
(4) One (1) member who is jointly appointed by the fiscal body of
the following municipalities located within a county with a
population of more than four hundred thousand (400,000) but less
than seven hundred thousand (700,000):
(A) A town with a population of more than sixteen thousand
five hundred (16,500) but less than twenty thousand (20,000).
(B) A town with a population of more than twenty-three
thousand seven hundred (23,700) but less than twenty-four
thousand (24,000).
(C) A town with a population of more than twenty thousand
(20,000) but less than twenty-three thousand seven hundred
(23,700).
(5) One (1) member who is jointly appointed by the fiscal body of
the following municipalities located within a county with a
population of more than four hundred thousand (400,000) but less
than seven hundred thousand (700,000):
(A) A town with a population of more than fourteen thousand
(14,000) but less than sixteen thousand (16,000).
(B) A town with a population of more than twenty-four
thousand (24,000) but less than thirty thousand (30,000).
(C) A town with a population of more than sixteen thousand
(16,000) but less than sixteen thousand five hundred (16,500).
(6) One (1) member who is jointly appointed by the following
authorities of municipalities located in a county having a
population of more than four hundred thousand (400,000) but less
than seven hundred thousand (700,000):
(A) The executive of a city with a population of more than
twenty-five thousand (25,000) but less than twenty-nine
thousand (29,000).
(B) The fiscal body of a town with a population of more than
ten thousand (10,000) but less than fourteen thousand
(14,000).
(C) The fiscal body of a town with a population of more than
five thousand (5,000) but less than ten thousand (10,000).
(D) The fiscal body of a town with a population of less than
one thousand five hundred (1,500).
(E) The fiscal body of a town with a population of more than
two thousand two hundred (2,200) but less than five thousand
(5,000).
(7) One (1) member appointed by the fiscal body of a town with
a population of more than thirty thousand (30,000) located within
a county with a population of more than four hundred thousand
(400,000) but less than seven hundred thousand (700,000).
(8) One (1) member who is jointly appointed by the following
authorities of municipalities that are located within a county with
a population of more than four hundred thousand (400,000) but
less than seven hundred thousand (700,000):
(A) The executive of a city having a population of more than
twenty-nine thousand (29,000) but less than twenty-nine
thousand five hundred (29,500).
(B) The executive of a city having a population of more than
twelve thousand five hundred (12,500) but less than twelve
thousand seven hundred (12,700).
(C) The fiscal body of a town having a population of more
than one thousand five hundred (1,500) but less than two
thousand two hundred (2,200).
(9) Three (3) members appointed by the fiscal body of a county
with a population of more than four hundred thousand (400,000)
but less than seven hundred thousand (700,000).
(10) One (1) member appointed by the county executive of a
county with a population of more than four hundred thousand
(400,000) but less than seven hundred thousand (700,000).
(11) One (1) member of a labor organization representing
employees of the authority who provide public transportation
services within the geographic jurisdiction of the authority. The
labor organization shall appoint the member. If more than one (1)
labor organization represents the employees of the authority, each
organization shall submit one (1) name to the governor, and the
governor shall appoint the member from the list of names
submitted by the organizations.
(12) The executive of a city with a population of more than
thirty-one thousand seven hundred twenty-five (31,725) but less
than thirty-five thousand (35,000), or the executive's designee.
(13) The executive of a city with a population of more than
thirty-six thousand eight hundred twenty-five (36,825) but less
than forty thousand (40,000), or the executive's designee.
(14) One (1) member of the board of commissioners of a county,
with a population of more than one hundred fifty thousand
(150,000) but less than one hundred seventy thousand (170,000),
appointed by the board of commissioners, or the member's
designee.
(15) One (1) member appointed jointly by the township executive
of the township containing the following towns:
(A) Chesterton.
(B) Porter.
(C) Burns Harbor.
(D) Dune Acres.
The member appointed under this subdivision must be a resident
of a town listed in this subdivision.
(16) One (1) member appointed jointly by the township
executives of the following townships located in Porter County:
(A) Washington Township.
(B) Morgan Township.
(C) Pleasant Township.
(D) Boone Township.
(E) Union Township.
(F) Porter Township.
(G) Jackson Township.
(H) Liberty Township.
(I) Pine Township.
The member appointed under this subdivision must be a resident of a township listed in this subdivision.
If a county or city becomes a member of the authority under section 3.5 of this chapter, the executive of the county or city shall appoint one (1) member to serve on the board.
(d) This subsection applies to an authority that includes a consolidated city in a county that is a member of a metropolitan transit district established under IC 36-9.1. The authority is under the control of a board consisting of the following:
(1) Each member of the board of the metropolitan transit district.
(2) One (1) member appointed by the executive of each county in the authority that is not also a member of the metropolitan transit district.
(3) One (1) member to represent the three (3) largest municipalities in the authority located in a county other than a county that is a member of the metropolitan transit district. The executives of the municipalities shall jointly appoint the member.
(4) One (1) member of a labor organization representing employees of the authority who provide public transportation services within the geographic jurisdiction of the authority. The labor organization shall appoint the member.
(1) exercise the executive and legislative powers of the authority as provided by this chapter;
(2) as a municipal corporation, sue and be sued in its name;
(3) sell, lease, or otherwise contract for advertising in or on the facilities of the authority;
(4) protect all property owned or managed by the board;
(5) adopt an annual budget;
(6) incur indebtedness in the name of the authority in accordance with this chapter;
(7) acquire real, personal, or mixed property by deed, purchase, or lease and dispose of it for use in connection with or for
administrative purposes;
(8) receive gifts, donations, bequests, and public trusts, agree to
conditions and terms accompanying them, and bind the authority
to carry them out;
(9) receive federal or state aid and administer that aid;
(10) erect the buildings or structures needed to administer and
carry out this chapter;
(11) determine matters of policy regarding internal organization
and operating procedures not specifically provided for by law;
(12) adopt a schedule of reasonable charges and rents, and collect
them from all users of facilities and services within the
jurisdiction of the authority;
(13) purchase supplies, materials, and equipment to carry out the
duties and functions of the board, in accordance with procedures
adopted by the board and under applicable statutes;
(14) employ the personnel necessary to carry out the duties,
functions, and powers of the board;
(15) sell any surplus or unneeded real and personal property in
accordance with procedures adopted by the board and under
applicable statutes;
(16) adopt rules governing the duties of its officers, employees,
and personnel, and the internal management of the affairs of the
board;
(17) fix the compensation of the various officers and employees
of the authority, within the limitations of the total personal
services budget;
(18) purchase public transportation services from public or
private transportation agencies upon the terms and conditions set
forth in purchase of service agreements between the authority and
the transportation agencies;
(19) acquire, establish, construct, improve, equip, operate,
maintain, subsidize, and regulate public transportation systems
within the jurisdiction of the authority;
(20) after receiving a request for assistance from a public
transportation system, enter into agreements with government
agencies, political subdivisions, private transportation companies,
railroads, and other persons providing for:
(A) construction, operation, and use by the other party of any
public transportation system and equipment held or later
acquired by the authority; and
(B) acquisition of any public transportation system and
equipment of another party if all or part of the operations of
that party take place within the jurisdiction of the authority;
(21) rent or lease any real property, including air rights above real
property owned or leased by a transportation system, for
transportation or other purposes, with the revenues from those
rentals to accrue to the authority and to be used exclusively for the
purposes of this chapter;
(22) negotiate and execute contracts of sale, purchase, or lease, or
contracts for personal services, materials, supplies, equipment, or
passenger transportation services;
(23) establish at or near its terminals and stations the off-street
parking facilities and access roads that are necessary and
desirable, and charge fees for or allow free use of those facilities;
(24) enter into agreements with other persons for the purpose of
participating in transportation planning activities;
(25) administer any rail services or other use of rail rights-of-way
that may be the responsibility of state or local government under
the Federal Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973, as
amended (45 U.S.C. sections 701-794);
(26) determine the level and kind of public transportation services
that should be provided by the authority; and
(27) accept revenue provided under IC 36-9-4-42; and
(27) (28) do all other acts necessary or reasonably incident to
carrying out the purposes of this chapter.
(b) This subsection applies to an authority whose members have
established a metropolitan transit district under IC 36-9.1. The
board may not take any action or exercise any power over the
metropolitan transit district, which is a separately governed body
corporate and politic.
(1) more than four hundred thousand (400,000) but less than seven hundred thousand (700,000); or
(2) more than one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) but less than one hundred seventy thousand (170,000).
(b) The following apply if a metropolitan transit district is established under IC 36-9.1-2:
(1) Except as provided in subdivision (5), the powers and
duties under this chapter and under any other law of the
Indianapolis public transportation corporation and its board
of directors are transferred to the metropolitan transit
district effective thirty (30) days after the metropolitan transit
district board initially meets and organizes itself under
IC 36-9.1-4. Except as provided in subdivision (5), the
metropolitan transit district may exercise throughout Marion
County any of the powers and duties of a public
transportation corporation.
(2) The Indianapolis public transportation corporation is
abolished upon the transfer of powers and duties to the
metropolitan transit district as provided in subdivision (1).
However, the taxing district established for the public
transportation corporation continues in existence for
purposes of any property taxes imposed by the county fiscal
body for transfer to the metropolitan transit district to pay
the district's costs of carrying out the powers and duties of a
public transportation corporation.
(3) Except as specifically provided, all:
(A) assets;
(B) property rights;
(C) equipment;
(D) records;
(E) personnel;
(F) contracts;
(G) indebtedness; and
(H) lease rental obligations;
of the Indianapolis public transportation corporation and its
board of directors are transferred to the metropolitan transit
district.
(4) Upon the transfer of powers and duties to the metropolitan
transit district as provided in subdivision (1), the board of
directors of the Indianapolis public transportation
corporation:
(A) is no longer the governing body of the public
transportation corporation;
(B) shall serve as an advisory board to the metropolitan
transit district for the first six (6) months after the
metropolitan transit district is established; and
(C) is abolished at the end of the six (6) month period
described in clause (B).
(5) The following apply after the powers and duties of the
Indianapolis public transportation corporation are
transferred to the metropolitan transit district:
(A) The metropolitan transit district shall each year submit
to the fiscal body of Marion County a proposed budget and
proposed property tax levy for the ensuing calendar year
for purposes of operating an urban mass transportation
system as a public transportation corporation, including
payment or satisfaction of indebtedness and lease rental
obligations transferred to the metropolitan transit district.
The metropolitan transit district shall submit the proposed
budget and proposed property tax levy in the form and at
the time determined by the fiscal body of Marion County.
(B) The fiscal body of Marion County:
(i) shall review the proposed budget and proposed
property tax levy submitted under clause (A); and
(ii) shall adopt the property tax levy for the ensuing
calendar year to enable the metropolitan transit district
to carry out the powers and duties of a public
transportation corporation.
The fiscal body of Marion County shall adopt the property
tax levy under this subdivision in the same manner that
other county property tax levies are adopted.
(C) The department of local government finance shall
increase the maximum permissible ad valorem property
tax levy of Marion County by an amount equal to:
(i) the maximum permissible ad valorem property tax
levy of the public transportation corporation for the year
preceding the year in which the powers and duties of the
public transportation corporation are transferred to the
metropolitan transit district; multiplied by
(ii) the assessed value growth quotient determined under
IC 6-1.1-18.5-2.
(D) At the time of each semiannual settlement of property
taxes under IC 6-1.1-27, the county treasurer shall transfer
to the fiscal officer of the metropolitan transit district:
(i) the amount of property taxes collected from the
property tax levy imposed under this subdivision; and
(ii) any excise taxes or other taxes distributed to the
county on account of the property taxes collected from a
property tax levy imposed under this subdivision.
(E) The county may exercise any power of a public
transportation corporation to issue bonds as provided
under IC 36-9-4 and to levy a tax to pay the principal and
interest on the bonds.
(F) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, any
reference:
(i) in the Indiana Code;
(ii) in the Indiana Administrative Code;
(iii) in an ordinance or resolution; or
(iv) in any deed, lease, contract, or other legal document
or instrument;
to the Indianapolis public transportation corporation is
considered to be a reference to the metropolitan transit
district.
(b) Directors must be residents of the taxing district of the corporation.
(b) If the board of directors consists of five (5) directors, they are:
(1) two (2) directors appointed by the city executive, for terms of one (1) and two (2) years, respectively; and
(2) three (3) directors appointed by the city legislative body, for terms of two (2), three (3), and four (4) years, respectively.
(c) If the board of directors consists of seven (7) directors, they are:
(1) three (3) directors appointed by the city executive, for terms of one (1), two (2), and three (3) years, respectively; and
(2) four (4) directors appointed by the city legislative body, for terms of one (1), two (2), three (3), and four (4) years, respectively.
(1) by issuing bonds under section 43 or 44 of this chapter;
(2) by borrowing money made available for such purposes by any source;
(3) by accepting grants or contributions made available for such purposes by any source;
(4) in the case of a municipality, by appropriation from the general fund of the municipality, or from a special fund that the municipal legislative body includes in the municipality's budget; or
(5) in the case of a public transportation corporation, by levying a tax under section 49 of this chapter or by recommending an election to use revenue from the county option income taxes, as provided in subsection (c).
(b) Money may be acquired under this section for the purpose of exercising any of the powers granted by or incidental to this chapter, including:
(1) studies under section 4, 9, or 11 of this chapter;
(2) grants in aid;
(3) the purchase of buses or real property by a municipality for lease to an urban mass transportation system, including the payment of any amount outstanding under a mortgage, contract of sale, or other security device that may attach to the buses or real property;
(4) the acquisition by a public transportation corporation of property of an urban mass transportation system, including the payment of any amount outstanding under a mortgage, contract of sale, or other security device that may attach to the property;
(5) the operation of an urban mass transportation system by a public transportation corporation, including the acquisition of additional property for such a system; and
(6) the retirement of bonds issued and outstanding under this chapter.
(c) This subsection applies only to a public transportation corporation located in a county having a consolidated city. In order to provide revenue to a public transportation corporation during a year, the public transportation corporation board may recommend and the county fiscal body may elect to provide revenue to the corporation from part of the certified distribution, if any, that the county is to receive during that same year under IC 6-3.5-6-17. To make the election, the county fiscal body must adopt an ordinance before November 1 of the preceding year. The county fiscal body must specify in the ordinance the amount of the certified distribution that is to be used to provide revenue to the corporation. If such an ordinance is adopted, the county
fiscal body shall immediately send a copy of the ordinance to the
county auditor.
(d) This subsection does not apply to a county having a
consolidated city. A county or city fiscal body may, upon the
recommendation of the public transportation corporation board,
elect to provide revenue to the corporation from part of the
distributive share of the tax revenue that the county or city is to
receive under IC 6-3.5-1.1-15, IC 6-3.5-6-19, or IC 6-3.5-7-13.1
during a particular calendar year. To make the election, the county
or city fiscal body must adopt an ordinance before September 1 of
the preceding calendar year. The county or city fiscal body must
specify in the ordinance the amount of the distributive share that
the fiscal body will provide to the public transportation
corporation in the following calendar year. If an ordinance is
adopted under this subsection, the county or city fiscal body shall
immediately send a copy of the ordinance to the county auditor.
The county auditor shall distribute the amount of the election to
the public transportation corporation on the same schedule that
the county auditor distributes distributive shares to the civil taxing
units of the county.
ARTICLE 9.1. METROPOLITAN TRANSIT DISTRICT
Chapter 1. Purpose of Article; Definitions
Sec. 1. The purpose of this article is to provide for the planning, designing, acquiring, constructing, enlarging, improving, renovating, maintaining, equipping, financing, operating, and supporting of public transportation systems in central Indiana.
Sec. 2. The definitions in this chapter apply throughout this article.
Sec. 3. "Authorizing body" means a:
(1) county income tax council (as defined in IC 6-3.5-6-1) in a county in which the county option income tax is in effect; or
(2) county council in a county in which the county adjusted gross income tax is in effect.
Sec. 4. "Authorizing county" means a county that has approved a local public question under IC 36-9.1-2-2.
Sec. 5. "Bonds" means, except as otherwise provided, bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness. The term includes obligations (as defined in IC 8-9.5-9-3) and swap agreements (as defined in IC 8-9.5-9-4).
Sec. 6. "District" means, except as otherwise provided, a metropolitan transit district established under IC 36-9.1-2-3.
Sec. 7. "Eligible county" means any of the following counties:
(1) Boone County.
(2) Delaware County.
(3) Hamilton County.
(4) Hancock County.
(5) Hendricks County.
(6) Johnson County.
(7) Madison County.
(8) Marion County.
(9) Morgan County.
(10) Shelby County.
Sec. 8. "Project" refers to an action taken to:
(1) plan;
(2) design;
(3) acquire;
(4) construct;
(5) enlarge;
(6) improve;
(7) renovate;
(8) maintain;
(9) equip; or
(10) operate;
a public transportation system.
Sec. 9. "Public transportation agency" has the meaning set forth in IC.36-9-1-5.5.
Sec. 10. "Public transportation system" means a common carrier of passengers for hire.
Chapter 2. Establishment of the Metropolitan Transit District
Sec. 1. Subject to the requirements of this article, a metropolitan transit district may be established as provided in this chapter.
Sec. 2. (a) The authorizing body of an eligible county may adopt an ordinance to place on the ballot a local public question concerning the authority to become a member of a metropolitan transit district. The authorizing body shall include in the ordinance a recommended county economic development income tax rate that will be dedicated to pay the county's contribution to the funding of the metropolitan transit district. The recommended tax rate may not exceed a rate of three-tenths of one percent (0.3%).
(b) If an authorizing body adopts an ordinance under subsection (a), the county auditor shall certify the ordinance to the county
election board, and the county election board shall place the
following question on the election ballot in accordance with
IC 3-10-9:
"Shall _________ County have the ability to impose a county
economic development income tax rate, not to exceed a rate of
_________ (insert recommended rate included in the
ordinance under subsection (a)), to pay for improved transit
service in the county, including increased local bus service,
express buses, rapid transit lines, and light rail service as part
of a metropolitan transit district?".
(c) Except as provided in subsection (f), if the county auditor
certifies the ordinance as provided in subsection (b), the county
election board shall place the local public question on the ballot at
the earlier of:
(1) the next general election for which the question may be
certified under IC 3-10-9-3 and for which all voters of the
county are entitled to vote; or
(2) a special election held on November 5, 2013.
(d) After an election on the local public question, the circuit
court clerk of the county shall:
(1) make a certified copy of the election returns; and
(2) not later than five (5) days after the election, file the copy
with:
(A) the department of state revenue; and
(B) the authorizing body of the county.
(e) The local public question is approved by a county if a
majority of the county voters voting on the local public question
vote "yes". The local public question is defeated by a county if a
majority of the county voters voting on the local public question
vote "no".
(f) If the local public question is defeated in a county, the
authorizing body may adopt an ordinance under this section to
place another local public question on the ballot as provided in this
section at a subsequent general election in the county. However, a
local public question under this section may not be placed on the
ballot more than two (2) times in any seven (7) year period.
Sec. 3. (a) A metropolitan transit district is established on
January 1 of the year following the year in which a local public
question under section 2 of this chapter is approved in one (1) or
more of the following combination of counties:
(1) By the voters in Marion County only.
(2) By the voters in Marion County and at least one (1) county
that is contiguous to Marion County.
(3) By the voters in Marion County, Madison County, and at
least one (1) county that is contiguous to both Marion County
and Madison County.
(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), the
metropolitan transit district consists of all of the counties in which
a local public question under section 2 of this chapter is approved.
Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), the territory of a
metropolitan transit district must be contiguous and consists of all
of the territory of the counties authorizing the district in a local
public question under section 2 of this chapter.
(c) If the voters in Madison County approve a local public
question under section 2 of this chapter:
(1) Madison County is not included in a metropolitan transit
district; and
(2) the territory of Madison County is not included in the
territory of the metropolitan transit district;
until the combination of approvals described in subsection (a)(3)
occurs.
(d) If the voters in Delaware County approve a local public
question under section 2 of this chapter:
(1) Delaware County is not included in a metropolitan transit
district; and
(2) the territory of Delaware County is not included in the
territory of the metropolitan transit district;
until the combination of approvals described in subsection (a)(3)
occurs.
(e) The approval of voters in a combination of counties required
by this section to establish a metropolitan transit district may
occur in separate elections.
Sec. 4. The following apply if a metropolitan transit district is
established under section 3 of this chapter:
(1) An eligible county that does not become a member of the
metropolitan transit district at the time the metropolitan
transit district is established may become a member of the
metropolitan transit district at a later date if a local public
question under section 2 of this chapter is approved in the
county at a subsequent general election. If a local public
question under section 2 of this chapter is approved in a
county, the county becomes a member of the metropolitan
transit district on January 1 of the following year.
(2) A county that is not an eligible county may not become a
member of the metropolitan transit district.
Chapter 3. Status of the Metropolitan Transit District
Sec. 1. (a) The metropolitan transit district is a body corporate
and politic. The metropolitan transit district is separate from the
state and any other political subdivision, but the exercise of powers
by the metropolitan transit district is an essential governmental
function.
(b) The metropolitan transit district may sue and be sued in the
name of the district.
Sec. 2. A pledge or mortgage by the metropolitan transit district
does not create an obligation of the state or a political subdivision
within the meaning of the Constitution of the State of Indiana or
any statute.
Sec. 3. All:
(1) property owned by the metropolitan transit district;
(2) revenue of the metropolitan transit district; and
(3) bonds issued by the metropolitan transit district, the
interest on the bonds, the proceeds received by a holder from
the sale of bonds to the extent of the holder's cost of
acquisition, proceeds received upon redemption before
maturity, proceeds received at maturity, and the receipt of
interest in proceeds;
are exempt from taxation in Indiana for all purposes except the
financial institutions tax imposed under IC 6-5.5 or a state
inheritance tax imposed under IC 6-4.1.
Sec. 4. All securities issued under this article are exempt from
the registration requirements of IC 23-19 and other securities
registration statutes.
Sec. 5. Service provided by the metropolitan transit district is
exempt from regulation by the department of state revenue under
IC.8-2.1. This exemption applies to transportation services
provided by the metropolitan transit district directly or by grants
or purchase of service agreements.
Chapter 4. Metropolitan Transit District Board
Sec. 1. The power to govern the metropolitan transit district is
vested in a board.
Sec. 2. (a) The board consists of the following members
appointed by the authorizing counties as follows:
(1) In a county containing a consolidated city, three (3)
members appointed as follows:
(A) Two (2) members appointed by the county executive.
(B) One (1) member appointed by the county authorizing
body.
(2) In a county that does not contain a consolidated city and
becomes a member of the district before January 1, 2015,
three (3) members appointed as follows:
(A) One (1) member appointed by the county
commissioners.
(B) One (1) member appointed by the county authorizing
body.
(C) One (1) member jointly appointed by the executives of
the four (4) largest municipalities located in the county.
(3) In a county that does not contain a consolidated city and
becomes a member of the district after December 31, 2014,
two (2) members appointed as follows:
(A) One (1) member appointed by the county
commissioners.
(B) One (1) member appointed by the county authorizing
body.
(b) No more than two (2) members appointed in a county may
be from the same political party.
Sec. 3. (a) A member of the board appointed under this chapter:
(1) shall serve for a term of four (4) years, but is eligible for
reappointment for any number of successive terms; and
(2) serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority that
appointed the member.
(b) A member of the board is not entitled to receive
compensation for performance of the member's duties. However,
a member of the board is entitled to reimbursement from the
district for actual expenses and mileage.
Sec. 4. A member of the board appointed under this chapter
must have knowledge and at least five (5) years professional work
experience, with a for profit or nonprofit entity, in at least one (1)
of the following:
(1) Business or finance.
(2) Regional economic development.
(3) Transportation.
Sec. 5. (a) As soon as practical, but not more than ninety (90)
days after the district is established, the county executive of
Marion County shall:
(1) call the first meeting of the board; and
(2) designate a member of the board to preside over the
meeting until the officers of the board are elected.
(b) A majority of the members appointed to the board
constitutes a quorum for a meeting of the board.
(c) The board shall annually elect a chairperson, a vice
chairperson, and a secretary-treasurer from the members of the
board. If the district is comprised of more than one (1) county, the
chairperson and the vice chairperson of the board must reside in
different counties.
(d) The board shall meet at least quarterly. The chairperson of
the board or any two (2) members of the board may call a meeting
of the board.
Sec. 6. The board may adopt the bylaws and rules that the board
considers necessary to carry out the board's powers and duties.
Sec. 7. (a) When voting on matters that are related to the
metropolitan transit district, the board has a total of one hundred
(100) votes. Every member of the board is allocated a percentage
of the total one hundred (100) votes that may be cast by the board.
(b) The number of votes that a member of the board has when
voting on matters that are related to the metropolitan transit
district is determined in the following STEPS:
STEP ONE: Determine the financial contributions to the
metropolitan transit district that are made by the authorizing
county that appointed the member.
STEP TWO: Determine the financial contributions to the
metropolitan transit district that are made by all authorizing
counties.
STEP THREE: Multiply:
(A) one hundred (100); by
(B) the result of:
(i) the STEP ONE result; divided by
(ii) the STEP TWO result.
STEP FOUR: Determine the total number of members
appointed to the board by the authorizing county that
appointed the member to the board.
STEP FIVE: Divide:
(A) the result determined under STEP THREE; by
(B) the STEP FOUR result.
(c) For purposes of determining votes under this section, an
authorizing county's financial contributions to the metropolitan
transit district are considered to be equal to the sum of:
(1) the amount of county economic development income tax
revenue distributed during the preceding year to the
authorizing county from a tax rate under IC 6-3.5-7-23.5 and
transferred to the metropolitan transit district;
(2) any amounts transferred by the county to the metropolitan
transit district under IC 36-9-4-1(b) to fund the metropolitan
transit district's exercise of the powers and duties of a public
transportation corporation as provided in IC 36-9-4-1(b); and
(3) any additional financial contributions made from the
county to the metropolitan transit district, as determined
according to the bylaws of the board.
However, during the first year after the district is established, an
authorized county's financial contributions to the metropolitan
transit district for purposes of determining votes under this section
are considered to be equal to the amount of county economic
development income tax revenue that the budget agency estimates
will be distributed during the year to the authorizing county from
a tax rate under IC 6-3.5-7-23.5, plus the amount the county
auditor of Marion County estimates will be transferred under
subdivision (2) during that first year.
(d) The board shall, as necessary, specify in its bylaws which
matters are, for purposes of this section, considered to be matters
related to the metropolitan transit district.
Sec. 8. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) through (d), at
least fifty-one (51) affirmative votes of the one hundred (100) votes
allocated to the board under section 7 of this chapter are necessary
to authorize any action of the board.
(b) The number of affirmative votes specified in subsection (c)
is required for the board to authorize any of the following actions:
(1) Issuing any debt or entering into a capital lease.
(2) The hiring of a chief executive officer, technical experts,
legal counsel, or consultants.
(3) Acquiring real property, including the condemning of real
property under IC.32-24-1 or any other law.
(4) Entering into a contract with a cost of at least one million
dollars ($1,000,000).
(5) Adopting or amending bylaws.
(6) Approving the formula developed under section 9(a) of
this chapter.
(7) Adopting the findings required under section 9(b) of this
chapter.
(8) Adopting the capital improvement plan under
IC 36-9.1-8-7.
(c) The number of affirmative votes required for the board to
authorize any of the actions listed in subsection (b) is equal to the
greater of:
(1) the number of affirmative votes equal to the sum of:
(A) the total number of votes allocated under section 7 of
this chapter to the authorizing county with the greatest
population; plus
(B) one (1) vote; or
(2) fifty-one (51) affirmative votes.
(d) The board's bylaws may include voting requirements that
require:
(1) for approval of an action listed in subsection (b); or
(2) for approval of any other action;
a greater number of affirmative votes than is otherwise required
under subsection (c).
Sec. 9. (a) The board shall, based on the findings required by
subsection (b), develop a formula for determining the allocation of
financial contributions to be made to the metropolitan transit
district.
(b) The board shall make written findings concerning the
following:
(1) The value of the public transportation facilities that the
board proposes to put in service and to be allocated to each
authorizing county.
(2) The total amount of the capital needs of the metropolitan
transit district.
(3) The annual amount of capital costs that the board
proposes to be allocated to each authorizing county. In
determining the amount of capital costs to be allocated to each
authorizing county, the board shall allocate the capital costs
according to a formula established by the board that reflects
the benefit received by the authorizing county from the
capital costs in facilitating public transportation in the
authorizing county and to and from the authorizing county.
(4) The total amount of the operating needs of the
metropolitan transit district.
(5) The annual amount of operating expenses that the board
proposes to be allocated to each authorizing county, using:
(A) the total number of passengers and total miles traveled
by individuals using public transportation that:
(i) is within each authorizing county; and
(ii) is provided by the metropolitan transit district; and
(B) other factors that the board considers to be
appropriate.
Sec. 10. The metropolitan transit district and its board are:
(1) subject to the requirements of IC 5-14-1.5 (open door law)
and IC 5-14-3 (public records law); and
(2) subject to audit by the state board of accounts under
IC.5-11-1.
Chapter 5. General Powers
Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the metropolitan
transit district may:
(1) do any and all acts necessary, proper, or convenient to
carry out the metropolitan transit district's powers and duties
under this article concerning the metropolitan transit district;
(2) exercise for and on behalf of the metropolitan transit
district any of the powers that may be exercised by a regional
transportation authority under IC 36-9-3 or any other law;
and
(3) exercise, in Marion County, for and on behalf of the
metropolitan transit district, any of the powers that may be
exercised by a public transportation corporation under
IC 36-9-4 or any other law.
(b) The metropolitan transit district may not impose any tax.
Sec. 2. The metropolitan transit district may determine matters
of policy regarding internal organization and operating procedures
not specifically provided for by law.
Sec. 3. The metropolitan transit district may employ the
personnel necessary to carry out the duties, functions, and powers
of the district.
Sec. 4. The board shall fix the compensation of the various
officers and employees of the metropolitan transit district, within
the limitations of the district's total personal services budget.
Sec. 5. The board may adopt rules and policies governing the
duties of its officers, employees, and personnel and the internal
management of the affairs of the district.
Sec. 6. The metropolitan transit district may protect all
property owned or managed by the district and procure insurance
against any losses in connection with its property, operations, or
assets in amounts and from insurers as it considers desirable.
Sec. 7. Subject to the requirements and limitations of this article
and IC 36-9-4-1(b)(5)(E), the metropolitan transit district may
borrow money, make guaranties, issue bonds, issue debentures,
notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, and otherwise incur
indebtedness (whether secured or unsecured) for any of the
district's purposes.
Sec. 8. The metropolitan transit district may acquire and
dispose of any real or personal property in connection with or for
the purposes of the district, including supplies, materials, and
equipment to carry out the duties and functions of the district.
Sec. 9. The metropolitan transit district may receive gifts,
donations, bequests, and public trusts, agree to conditions and
terms accompanying them, and bind the district to carry them out.
Sec. 10. (a) The metropolitan transit district may receive federal
or state aid and administer that aid.
(b) The metropolitan transit district shall comply with federal
statutes and rules concerning the expenditure of federal money for
public transportation systems. The board may apply to state and
federal agencies for grants for public transportation development,
make or execute representations, assurances, and contracts, and
enter into covenants and agreements with any state or federal
agency relative to public transportation systems. The metropolitan
transit district shall comply with federal and state statutes and
rules concerning the acquisition, development, operation, and
administration of public transportation systems.
(c) The metropolitan transit district may use money received by
the district that is not pledged or restricted for another purpose to
provide a local match required for the receipt of any federal funds.
Sec. 11. The metropolitan transit district may adopt a schedule
of reasonable charges and rents, and collect them from all users of
facilities and services operated by or on behalf of the district.
Sec. 12. The metropolitan transit district may purchase public
transportation services from public or private transportation
agencies upon the terms and conditions set forth in purchase of
service agreements between the district and the transportation
agencies.
Sec. 13. The metropolitan transit district may acquire, establish,
construct, renovate, improve, equip, operate, maintain, finance,
subsidize, lease, and regulate public transportation systems serving
the district.
Sec. 14. The metropolitan transit district may make, execute,
and enforce contracts and all other instruments, including
public-private agreements (as defined in IC 5-23-2-13), that are
necessary, convenient, or desirable for the purposes of the district
or pertaining to:
(1) a purchase, acquisition, or sale of securities or other
investments related to a project; or
(2) the performance of the district's duties and execution of
any of the district's powers.
Sec. 15. The metropolitan transit district may enter into agreements with government agencies, political subdivisions, private transportation companies, railroads, and other persons providing for:
(1) construction, improvement, renovation, operation, maintenance, and use by the other party of any public transportation system and equipment held or later acquired by the district; and
(2) acquisition of any public transportation system and equipment of another party if all or part of the operations of that party take place within the jurisdiction of the district.
Sec. 16. The metropolitan transit district may lease to others for development or operation all or any part of the property of the district on the terms and conditions as the board considers advisable.
Sec. 17. The metropolitan transit district may invest money not immediately needed for a project as provided in a resolution, agreement, or trust agreement of the board.
Sec. 18. The metropolitan transit district may enter into an agreement with another district or any other entity to:
(1) jointly equip, own, lease, and finance projects and facilities; or
(2) otherwise carry out the purposes of the district;
in any location.
Sec. 19. The metropolitan transit district may rent or lease any real property, including air rights above real property owned or leased by a transportation system, for transportation or other purposes, with the revenues from those rentals to accrue to the district and to be used exclusively for the purposes of this article.
Sec. 20. The metropolitan transit district may sell, lease, or otherwise contract for advertising in or on the facilities of the district.
Sec. 21. The metropolitan transit district may create a tax increment financing district within five-tenths (0.5) of a mile of a fixed guideway transit corridor (as defined in 49 U.S.C. 5309) if:
(1) the tax increment financing district is also approved by the local governing body authorized to create tax increment financing districts in that jurisdiction; and
(2) the metropolitan transit district and the local jurisdiction agree to allocate the incremental revenue of the tax increment financing district between the metropolitan transit district and the local jurisdiction.
Sec. 22. The metropolitan transit district may administer any rail services or other use of rail rights-of-way that may be the responsibility of state or local government under the Federal Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973, as amended (45 U.S.C. 701 through 45 U.S.C. 794).
Sec. 23. The metropolitan transit district may determine the level and type of public transportation services to be provided by the district.
Sec. 24. The metropolitan transit district may make grants and loans to and purchase securities of any public transportation agency to carry out the public transportation purposes of the district.
Sec. 25. Except as provided in section 1(b) of this chapter, the metropolitan transit district may do all other acts necessary or reasonably incident to carrying out the purposes of this article.
Chapter 6. Administration
Sec. 1. (a) The board shall adopt an annual budget for the metropolitan transit district.
(b) Before adopting the annual budget of the metropolitan transit district, the board shall submit a copy of its proposed budget to the fiscal body of each authorizing county for review. The board must submit the proposed budget at least thirty (30) days before the board takes final action on the metropolitan transit district's budget. Each county fiscal body shall review the proposed budget submitted by the board.
Sec. 2. The board may establish the funds and accounts that the board determines are necessary.
Sec. 3. The board shall, before April 1 of each year, issue a report to the legislative council, the budget committee, and the governor concerning the operations and activities of the metropolitan transit district during the preceding calendar year. The report to the legislative council must be in an electronic format under IC.5-14-6.
Sec. 4. The board shall appoint a chief executive officer to manage the metropolitan transit district.
Sec. 5. The board may establish any advisory committees that the board determines to be advisable.
Sec. 6. All employees of the metropolitan transit district:
(1) must be employed solely on the basis of ability, taking into account their qualifications to perform the duties of their positions;
(2) must be employed regardless of political affiliation;
(3) may not be appointed, promoted, reduced, removed, or in any way favored or discriminated against because of their political affiliation, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, or ancestry; and
(4) may not be required to make contributions for or participate in political activities.
Chapter 7. Procurement
Sec. 1. The metropolitan transit district shall comply with the following:
(1) IC 5-22 (public purchasing).
(2) IC 36-1-12 (public work projects).
(3) IC 5-16-7 (common construction wage).
(4) All applicable federal bidding statutes and regulations.
Sec. 2. An entity that receives a loan, a grant, or other financial assistance from the metropolitan transit district or enters into a lease with the metropolitan transit district must comply with applicable federal, state, and local public purchasing and bidding laws and regulations. However, a purchasing agency (as defined in IC.5-22-2-25) of a political subdivision may:
(1) assign or sell a lease for property to the metropolitan transit district; or
(2) enter into a lease for property with the metropolitan transit district;
at any price and under any other terms and conditions as may be determined by the entity and the metropolitan transit district. However, before making an assignment or a sale of a lease or entering into a lease under this section that would otherwise be subject to IC.5-22, the political subdivision or its purchasing agent must obtain or cause to be obtained a purchase price for the property to be subject to the lease from the lowest responsible and responsive bidder in accordance with the requirements for the purchase of supplies under IC.5-22.
Sec. 3. Except where 49 CFR 26 applies, the board shall set a goal for participation by minority business enterprises and women's business enterprises in consultation with the county fiscal bodies of the authorizing counties. The goals must be consistent with the goals of delivering the project on time and within the budgeted amount and, insofar as possible, using Indiana businesses for employees, goods, and services.
Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), if the metropolitan transit district is unable to agree with the owners, lessees, or occupants of any real property selected for the purposes
of this article, the metropolitan transit district may proceed under
IC.32-24-1 to procure the condemnation of the property. The
metropolitan transit district may not institute a proceeding until
the board has adopted a resolution that:
(1) describes the real property sought to be acquired and the
public purposes for which the real property is to be used;
(2) declares that the public interest and necessity require the
acquisition by the district of the property involved; and
(3) sets out any other facts the district considers necessary or
pertinent.
(b) The metropolitan transit district may proceed under
IC.32-24-1 to procure the condemnation of property only if that
property is necessary for a fixed guideway transit corridor, a
terminal, or another public transportation facility.
Chapter 8. Planning
Sec. 1. After reviewing the transportation plans of the Indiana
department of transportation and the plans of regional and other
planning agencies, the board shall develop, continuously update,
and implement a long range comprehensive transportation plan to
ensure the orderly development and maintenance of an efficient
system of public transportation in the district. The board shall
periodically amend and update the plan as appropriate.
Sec. 2. The plan developed under section 1 of this chapter must
identify goals and objectives with respect to the following:
(1) Increasing ridership and passenger miles on public
transportation funded by the metropolitan transit district.
(2) Coordination of public transportation services and the
investment in public transportation facilities to enhance the
integration of public transportation throughout the
metropolitan transit district territory.
(3) Coordination of fare and transfer policies to promote
transfers by riders among public transportation agencies and
public transportation modes, which may include goals and
objectives for development of a universal fare instrument that
riders may use interchangeably on all public transportation
funded by the metropolitan transit district, and methods to be
used to allocate revenues from transfers.
(4) Improvements in public transportation facilities to bring
those facilities into a state of good repair, enhancements that
attract ridership and improve customer service, and
expansions needed to serve areas with sufficient demand for
public transportation.
(5) Access for transit dependent populations, including access by low income communities to places of employment, using analyses provided by the department of workforce development and other planning agencies regarding employment and transportation availability, and giving consideration to the location of employment centers in each county and the availability of public transportation at off peak hours and on weekends.
(6) The financial viability of the public transportation system, including both operating and capital programs.
(7) Limiting road congestion within the metropolitan transit district territory, and enhancing transit options to improve mobility.
(8) Other goals and objectives that advance adequate, efficient, and coordinated public transportation in the metropolitan transit district territory.
Sec. 3. The plan developed under section 1 of this chapter must establish the process and criteria by which proposals for capital improvements by the metropolitan transit district will be evaluated by the board for inclusion in the metropolitan transit district's capital program. The plan may include criteria for the following:
(1) Allocating funds among maintenance, enhancement, and expansion improvements.
(2) Projects to be funded.
(3) Projects intended to improve or enhance ridership or customer service.
(4) Design and location of station or transit improvements intended to promote transfers, increase ridership, and support transit oriented land development.
(5) Assessing the impact of projects on the ability to operate and maintain the existing transit system.
(6) Other criteria that advance the goals and objectives of the plan.
Sec. 4. The plan developed under section 1 of this chapter must establish performance standards and measurements regarding the adequacy, efficiency, and coordination of public transportation services in the region and the implementation of the goals and objectives in the plan. At a minimum, the standards and measurements must include customer related performance data measured by line, route, or subregion, as determined by the district, on the following:
(1) Travel times and on time performance.
(2) Ridership data.
(3) Equipment failure rates.
(4) Employee and customer safety.
(5) Customer satisfaction.
Sec. 5. The plan developed under section 1 of this chapter must describe the expected financial condition of public transportation in the metropolitan transit district territory prospectively over a ten (10) year period, which may include information about the cash position and all known obligations of the metropolitan transit district, including operating expenditures, debt service, contributions for payment of pension and other postemployment benefits, the expected revenues from fares, tax receipts, grants from the federal, state, and local governments for operating and capital purposes and issuance of debt, the availability of working capital, and the resources needed to achieve the goals and objectives described in the plan.
Sec. 6. The board may adopt corridor plans for specific geographic areas of the metropolitan transit district territory to improve the adequacy, efficiency, and coordination of existing, or the delivery of new, public transportation. The plans also may address areas outside the metropolitan transit district territory that may affect public transportation use in the metropolitan transit district territory. In preparing a corridor plan, the board may identify changes in operating practices or capital investment in the corridor that could increase ridership, reduce costs, improve coordination, or enhance transit oriented development.
Sec. 7. The board shall annually establish a capital improvement plan to govern the distribution of funds. The capital improvement plan must cover at least a five (5) year period. The capital improvement plan must be based on the formula developed under IC 36-9.1-4-9(a) and the written findings made under IC 36-9.1-4-9(b).
Sec. 8. The board shall cooperate with the various public agencies charged with responsibility for long range or comprehensive planning for the metropolitan transit district territory. The board may, before the adoption of any plan under this chapter, submit its proposals to these agencies for review and comment. The board may use existing studies, surveys, plans, data, and other materials in the possession of any state agency or department, any planning agency, or any unit of local government.
Chapter 9. Acquisition and Construction of Public Transportation Facilities
Sec. 1. The powers granted under this chapter supplement any other powers granted by another law.
Sec. 2. (a) The metropolitan transit district may:
(1) construct or enter into an agreement to acquire any public transportation facility for use by the district; and
(2) acquire funds and interests in and materials for transportation facilities from any public transportation agency, including:
(A) reserve funds;
(B) employees' pension or retirement funds;
(C) special funds;
(D) franchises;
(E) licenses;
(F) patents;
(G) permits; and
(H) papers and records of the agency.
(b) In making acquisitions from a public transportation agency, the metropolitan transit district may assume the obligations of the transportation agency regarding its property or public transportation operations.
Sec. 3. The metropolitan transit district may acquire, improve, maintain, lease, and rent facilities, including air rights, that are within one hundred (100) yards of a terminal, fixed guideway transit corridor, station, or other facility of the district. If these facilities generate revenues that exceed their cost to the metropolitan transit district, the metropolitan transit district must use the excess revenues exclusively for the purposes of this article.
Chapter 10. Operation of Public Transportation Facilities
Sec. 1. The powers granted under this chapter supplement any other powers granted by another law.
Sec. 2. The metropolitan transit district may provide public transportation service by operating public transportation facilities.
Sec. 3. The metropolitan transit district may enter into operating agreements with any private or public person to operate transportation facilities on behalf of the district.
Sec. 4. Whenever the metropolitan transit district provides any public transportation service by operating public transportation facilities, the metropolitan transit district shall establish the level and nature of fares or charges to be made for public transportation services, and the nature and standards of public transportation service to be provided within the jurisdiction of the metropolitan transit district.
Sec. 5. The board shall, to the extent it considers feasible, adopt uniform standards for the making of grants and purchase of service agreements. These grant contracts or purchase of service agreements may be for the number of years or duration agreed to by the metropolitan transit district and the transportation agency.
Sec. 6. If the metropolitan transit district provides grants for operating expenses or participates in any purchase of service agreement, the purchase of service agreement or grant contract must state the level and nature of fares or charges to be made for public transportation services, and the nature and standards of public transportation to be so provided. In addition, any purchase of service agreements or grant contracts must provide, among other matters, for:
(1) the terms or cost of transfers or interconnections between different public transportation agencies;
(2) schedules or routes of transportation service;
(3) changes that may be made in transportation service;
(4) the nature and condition of the facilities used in providing service;
(5) the manner of collection and disposition of fares or charges;
(6) the records and reports to be kept and made concerning transportation service; and
(7) interchangeable tickets or other coordinated or uniform methods of collection of charges.
Chapter 11. Coordination of Programs
Sec. 1. (a) The metropolitan transit district may construct or enter into an agreement to acquire any public transportation facility for use by any transportation agency and may acquire any facilities from any transportation agency, including also without limitation any reserve funds, employees' pension or retirement funds, special funds, franchises, licenses, patents, permits, papers, documents, and records of the agency. In connection with any acquisition from a transportation agency, the metropolitan transit district may assume obligations of the transportation agency with regard to the facilities or property or public transportation operations of the agency.
(b) In connection with any construction or acquisition under this section, the metropolitan transit district shall make relocation payments as may be required by federal law or by the requirements of any federal agency authorized to administer any federal program of aid.
Sec. 2. The metropolitan transit district shall develop coordinated and consolidated sales, marketing, advertising, and public information programs that promote the use and coordination of, and transfers among, public transportation services in the district territory.
Sec. 3. To provide or assist any transportation of members of the public between points in the metropolitan transit district territory and points outside the metropolitan transit district territory, the district may enter into agreements with any unit of local government, individual, corporation, or other person or public agency in or of any state or with any private entity for service. The agreements may provide for participation by the metropolitan transit district in providing the service and for grants by the metropolitan transit district in connection with the service, and may, subject to federal and state law, set forth any terms relating to the service, including coordinating the service with public transportation in the metropolitan transit district territory. The agreement may be for the number of years or duration as the parties agree. In regard to the agreements or grants, the district shall consider the benefit to the metropolitan transit district territory and the financial contribution with regard to the service made or to be made from public funds in the areas served outside the metropolitan transit district territory.
Chapter 12. Bonds
Sec. 1. (a) The district may borrow money, make guaranties, issue bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, whether secured or unsecured, to any person (including the Indiana finance authority established by IC 4-4-11), and otherwise incur indebtedness for any of the metropolitan transit district's purposes, including:
(1) acquiring real or personal property, including existing capital improvements;
(2) acquiring, constructing, improving, reconstructing, or renovating one (1) or more projects;
(3) paying the costs of:
(A) planning and development of equipment or a facility and all buildings, facilities, structures, equipment, and improvements related to the facility;
(B) acquisition of a site and clearing and preparing the site for construction;
(C) equipment, facilities, structures, and improvements that are necessary or desirable to make the project suitable
for use and operations;
(D) architectural, engineering, consultant, and attorney's
fees;
(E) incidental expenses in connection with the issuance and
sale of bonds;
(F) reserves for principal and interest;
(G) interest during construction;
(H) financial advisory fees;
(I) insurance during construction; and
(J) bond insurance, debt service reserve insurance, letters
of credit, or other credit enhancement; and
(4) funding or refunding bonds or other evidences of
indebtedness.
(b) The indebtedness under subsection (a) is payable solely
from:
(1) the lease rentals from the lease of the projects for which
the bonds were issued, insurance proceeds, and any other
funds pledged or available; and
(2) to the extent designated in the agreements for the bonds,
revenue received by the board and amounts deposited in
funds established for the metropolitan transit district.
(c) The indebtedness must be authorized by a resolution of the
board.
(d) The terms and form of the indebtedness must either be set
out in the resolution or in a form of trust indenture approved by
the resolution.
(e) The indebtedness must mature within twenty-five (25) years.
Sec. 2. This article contains full and complete authority for the
issuance of bonds. No law, procedure, proceedings, publications,
notices, consents, approvals, orders, or acts by the board or any
other officer, department, agency, or instrumentality of the state
or of any political subdivision is required to issue any bonds, except
as prescribed in this article.
Sec. 3. (a) Bonds issued under this article may be secured by a
trust indenture between the metropolitan transit district and a
corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or national or
state bank in Indiana that has trust powers.
(b) The trust indenture under subsection (a) may:
(1) pledge or assign revenue received by the metropolitan
transit district, amounts deposited in a metropolitan transit
district fund, and lease rentals, receipts, and income from
leased projects, but may not mortgage land or projects;
(2) contain reasonable and proper provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders, including covenants setting forth the duties of the metropolitan transit district and the board;
(3) set forth the rights and remedies of bondholders and trustees; and
(4) restrict the individual right of action of bondholders.
(c) Any pledge or assignment made by the metropolitan transit district under this section is valid and binding in accordance with IC.5-1-14-4 from the time that the pledge or assignment is made, against all persons whether they have notice of the lien. Any trust indenture by which a pledge is created or an assignment made need not be filed or recorded. The lien is perfected against third parties in accordance with IC.5-1-14-4.
Sec. 4. The total amount of bonds issued by the metropolitan transit district under this article and scheduled to be paid during any year may not exceed an amount equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the total operating and capital revenues of the metropolitan transit district in the year preceding the year in which the bonds are issued.
Sec. 5. Bonds issued under this article are legal investments for private trust funds and the funds of banks, trust companies, insurance companies, building and loan associations, credit unions, savings banks, private banks, loan and trust and safe deposit companies, rural loan and savings associations, guaranty loan and savings associations, mortgage guaranty companies, small loan companies, industrial loan and investment companies, and other financial institutions organized under Indiana law.
Sec. 6. An action to contest the validity of bonds to be issued under this article may not be brought after the time limitations set forth in IC.5-1-14-13.
Sec. 7. The general assembly covenants that it will not:
(1) repeal or amend this article in a manner that would adversely affect owners of outstanding bonds, or the payment of lease rentals, secured by the amounts pledged under this article; or
(2) in any way impair the rights of owners of bonds of the metropolitan transit district, or the owners of bonds secured by lease rentals or by a pledge of revenues under this article.
Chapter 13. Leases and Agreements With Public Transportation Agencies
Sec. 1. (a) Before a lease may be entered into by the
metropolitan transit district, the board must find that the lease
rental provided for is fair and reasonable.
(b) A lease of land or a project by the metropolitan transit
district:
(1) may not have a term exceeding twenty-five (25) years;
(2) may not require payment of lease rentals for a newly
constructed project or for improvements to an existing
project until the project or improvements to the project have
been completed and are ready for occupancy or use;
(3) may contain provisions:
(A) allowing the metropolitan transit district to continue to
operate an existing project until completion of the
acquisition, improvements, reconstruction, or renovation
of that project or any other project; and
(B) requiring payment of lease rentals for land, for an
existing project being used, reconstructed, or renovated, or
for any other existing project;
(4) may contain an option to renew the lease for the same or
a shorter term on the conditions provided in the lease;
(5) must contain an option for the metropolitan transit district
to purchase the project upon the terms stated in the lease
during the term of the lease for a price equal to the amount
required to pay all indebtedness incurred on account of the
project, including indebtedness incurred for the refunding of
that indebtedness;
(6) may be entered into before acquisition or construction of
a project;
(7) may provide that the metropolitan transit district shall
agree to:
(A) pay any taxes and assessments on the project;
(B) maintain insurance on the project;
(C) assume responsibility for utilities, repairs, alterations,
and any costs of operation; and
(D) pay a deposit or series of deposits to the lessor from
any funds available to the metropolitan transit district
before the commencement of the lease to secure the
performance of the metropolitan transit district's
obligations under the lease; and
(8) must provide that the lease rental payments by the
metropolitan transit district shall be made from:
(A) net revenues of the project;
(B) any other funds available to the metropolitan transit
district; or
(C) both sources described in clauses (A) and (B).
Sec. 2. This article contains full and complete authority for
leases by a metropolitan transit district. No law, procedure,
proceedings, publications, notices, consents, approvals, orders, or
acts by the metropolitan transit district or any other officer,
department, agency, or instrumentality of the state or any political
subdivision is required to enter into any lease, except as prescribed
in this article.
Sec. 3. If a lease provides for a project or improvements to a
project to be constructed by the metropolitan transit district, the
plans and specifications shall be submitted to and approved by all
state agencies designated by law to pass on plans and specifications
for public buildings.
Sec. 4. The metropolitan transit district may enter into common
wall (party wall) agreements or other agreements concerning
easements or licenses. These agreements shall be recorded with the
recorder of the county in which the project is located.
Chapter 14. Use of Money by the Metropolitan Transit District
Sec. 1. Subject to section 3 of this chapter, the metropolitan
transit district shall use the money received by the district for the
capital and operating expenses of the district.
Sec. 2. The money must be used in accordance with the
metropolitan transit district's transportation plan.
Sec. 3. Federal highway revenues received from a metropolitan
planning organization or the Indianapolis regional transportation
council:
(1) must be used for route and station infrastructure; and
(2) may not be used for the purchase of vehicles.