Indiana Governor, Legislation Making Waves in RV Industry – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a communication from the Indiana Manufactured Housing Council-RV Indiana Council (IMHA-RVIC) and the Indiana Campground Owners Association (ICOA) to its members.
Gov. Mike Braun detailed his first budget proposal prioritizing small education increases and covering Medicaid while demanding big savings from agencies and cuts to a public health program.
Braun challenged his eight cabinet secretaries to identify 5% savings — “on average” — across the state agencies they oversee to pay for priorities like education spending, universal vouchers, and tax reform. HB 1001 will face many changes as hearings begin in the House Ways and Means Committee. Several bills have been filed on tax credits for Hoosiers and more specifically property tax relief.
Speaking of property tax relief, SB 1 by Senator Travis Holdman (R-Markle), Chair of the Senate Tax & Fiscal Committee, amends the homestead standard deduction amount to equal either: (1) 60% of the homestead’s assessed value (AV), in the case of a homestead with an AV that exceeds $125,000; or (2) $48,000 plus 60% of the remaining AV, in the case of a homestead with an AV of $125,000 or less. Repeals the supplemental homestead deduction. The bill provides a maximum property tax liability credit for all taxable real property. Specifies the credit amount for homesteads and specifies the credit amount for all other taxable property. SB 1 is scheduled for a committee hearing on Tuesday, February 3, 2025, and will be the bill to watch on property tax relief.
Our RV industry is seeing progress on its legislative agenda. SB 484, authored by State Senator Blake Doriot (R-Goshen), establishes recreational vehicle dealer/manufacturer agreements for the sale of recreational vehicles in Indiana. SB 484 successfully passed the Indiana State Senate by a 47-1 vote and is headed to the Indiana House of Representatives for further consideration.
This is the first effort to provide an RV specific dealer/manufacturer agreement in Indiana law. In the past, you have seen auto manufacturer/dealer agreement legislation that didn’t include RVs. The reason is the RV industry has a completely different business model for manufacturer/dealer relationships. Auto dealerships have specific franchise agreements with a specific brand. RV dealers have relationships with multiple manufacturers and brands.
This is good for consumers, Manufacturers and Dealers as it guarantees fair and equitable treatment for all entities. We have had input and received the endorsement of this legislation from the RV Indiana Council, the RV Industry Association representing manufacturers, and the national RV Dealer Association.
SB 73, authored by State Senator Dan Dernulc (R-Highland), addresses the sale of utility trailers. It amends the definition of “motor vehicle” for purposes of dealer services provisions governing unfair practices and the succession to franchise by designated family members. It amends the definition of “trailer” and states that the requirement that a dealer does not have to have an established place of business; unless the dealer is required to be licensed for another purpose. Provides that a dealer selling trailers does not have to file certain information with the secretary of state. The bill is on the calendar for a final vote in the State Senate next week.
SB37, authored by State Senator Sue Glick (R-LaGrange), addresses tort reform for the commercial trucking industry. It creates a procedure to bifurcate a trial of a civil action filed against the operator of a commercial motor vehicle and the employer of the operator or the owner of the commercial motor vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident. Allows a defendant to file a motion to bifurcate within a specified period of time. Provides that certain evidence may be presented in the first phase of a bifurcated trial. Allows a plaintiff to pursue punitive damages in the second phase of a bifurcated trial. This bill has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. At this time, it is awaiting a hearing.
HB1688, authored by State Representative Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne), addresses sales a sales tax exemption on recreation vehicles. Provides that the purchase of a recreational vehicle or cargo trailer that is transported out of Indiana for registration and use in another state or foreign country is exempt from the state gross retail tax regardless of whether the destination state or country provides a similar exemption for Indiana residents. The bill is assigned to the House Committee on Ways and Means and awaits a hearing.
