Bills to watch: Alcohol and taxes edition

S.B. 28: Alcohol consumption by a minor

The bill would make it illegal to allow underage people to consume alcohol on your property.

Specifically, it forbids renting or allowing for the use of property for the purpose of allowing people who are not 21 years old to drink.

If passed into law, such a crime would be a class B misdemeanor for a first offense, a class A misdemeanor for a later offense and a level 6 felony if serious injury or death
results from the drinking.

This would treat those who knowingly provide space for underage drinkers to drink the same way the law treats people who buy alcoholic drinks for underage friends.

Status: Will be read to the state Senate today. It passed the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee unanimously.

Sponsor: Sen. Pete Miller, R-Danville

H.B. 1001: Tax exemption for business personal property

The bill would allow county income tax councils to eliminate the business personal property tax, which taxes a business’ equipment.

Supporters tout the benefits to the economy, saying it would attract more businesses to Indiana.  

However, opponents say it would put more of a burden on regular taxpayers to make up for the lost revenue.

The state of Michigan recently passed legislation for exemptions for a similar tax. The legislation went into effect Jan. 1.

Status: Has been referred to the House Ways and Means committee.

Sponsor: Rep. P. Eric Turner, R-Cicero

— Rebecca Kimberly contributed reporting.