LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 7521 NOTE PREPARED: Mar 25, 2025
BILL NUMBER: HB 1466 BILL AMENDED: Mar 20, 2025
SUBJECT: Various Agency Administrative Procedures.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Meltzer BILL STATUS: As Passed Senate
FIRST SPONSOR: Sen. Carrasco
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: Department of Natural Resources (DNR): This bill provides that the Department
of Natural Resources (DNR) is subject to the jurisdiction of the Office of Administrative Law Proceedings
(OALP).
Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA): The bill provides that the Secretary of Family and Social
Services Administration (FSSA) is the ultimate authority for Medicaid applicants and recipient eligibility
appeals. The bill provides that in Medicaid applicant eligibility cases, except in certain circumstances, the
order from the administrative law judge is final after 61 days without further affirmation from the ultimate
authority.
Professional Licensing Agency (PLA): The bill provides that the review of certain professional disciplinary
reviews are not subject to the OALP. It sets forth the process to select a hearing officer for the professional
disciplinary reviews.
Secretary of State (SOS): The bill makes changes to motor vehicle dealer services statutes to be consistent
with the jurisdiction of the OALP.
Department of Child Services (DCS): The bill provides that the Department of Child Services (DCS) is the
ultimate authority of the review of decisions concerning residential child care base rates. It removes the duty
of DCS to adopt rules concerning the administrative review by DCS of a proposed or approved substantiated
report of child abuse or neglect, before or after an administrative hearing is available or conducted.
The bill also makes conforming changes and technical corrections and conforming amendments required by
HEA 1003-2024 concerning the office of administrative law proceedings.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures: Summary - The bill eliminates the Division of Hearings, transferring
workload and expenditures from the DNR to the OALP. The OALP will become the ultimate authority in
HB 1466 1 these administrative adjudications. The overall impact will depend on staffing decisions made by the DNR
and the OALP.
This bill will minimally reduce the workload of the DCS to adopt administrative rules. The bill would also
minimally reduce the workload of the OALP to hear disputes between child services providers and the DCS.
Additional Information -
Secretary of State (SOS): The SOS reports that all auto dealer cases currently utilizes the Office of
Administrative Law Proceedings. The bill codifies existing practice for the Dealer Services Division of the
Secretary of State.
Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA): The provisions affecting the FSSA are expected to have
no fiscal impact.
Department of Child Services (DCS): The DCS reports 7 administrative rules would be impacted by the bill.
These rules were first adopted in 2012, reauthorized in 2018, and most recently reauthorized in 2024. These
rules are scheduled to be reauthorized again in 2030.
Professional Licensing Agency (PLA): The provision may increase the workload of the Professional
Licensing Agency (PLA) to staff personal appearance hearings with hearing officers and produce minutes
under the bill. Additionally, the PLA may need to hire or contract additional stenographer/court reporter
services to record the proceedings of certain hearings conducted (probation withdrawals, reinstatements,
order-to-show-cause hearings). It is likely that the Agency would be able to implement these provisions
within the PLA’s current resource and staffing levels.
Department of Natural Resources (DNR): The bill transfers workload and expenditures from the DNR to the
OALP. The OALP will have jurisdiction over administrative adjudications and become the ultimate authority
for appeals regarding of decisions of the DNR, the Natural Resources Commission, the Historic Preservation
Review Board, the Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists, and the Board of Registration for Soil
Scientists. These appeals are currently heard by an administrative law judge from the Division of Hearings.
The bill eliminates the Division of Hearings. The Division currently has four employees. The overall impact
will depend on staffing decisions made by the DNR and the OALP.
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures:
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: OALP; Secretary of State, DCS; DNR; NRC; PLA.
Local Agencies Affected:
Information Sources: Kate Collins, DCS; Kyle Bonick, Secretary of State; Marie Castetter, Secretary of
State; State Staffing Tables;
https://www.in.gov/nrc/administrative-review/administrative-guide/
https://www.in.gov/nrc/files/Information-Bulletin-42.pdf
HB 1466 2 https://www.in.gov/nrc/aopa-committee/
https://www.in.gov/nrc/files/IB-1.pdf
Fiscal Analyst: Bill Brumbach, 317-232-9559; Heather Puletz, 317-234-9484; Karen Rossen, 317-234-
2106; Chris Baker, 317-232-9851.
HB 1466 3