LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 7217 NOTE PREPARED: Feb 7, 2025
BILL NUMBER: SB 468 BILL AMENDED: Feb 6, 2025
SUBJECT: Midwest Continental Divide Commission.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Niezgodski BILL STATUS: 2nd Reading - 1st House
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State & Local
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: The bill allows an eligible county and city to establish by ordinance, a Midwest
Continental Divide Commission and District for the purpose of acquiring, developing, funding, constructing,
equipping, owning, leasing, and financing economic improvement projects in or serving the district.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures: (Revised) The bill provides that of the five members of the
Commission, one is appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one is appointed by the
President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The legislative members of the board would receive a salary per diem
and reimbursement for travel expenses, which would be paid from the appropriation made to the Legislative
Services Agency. The nonlegislative members of the board would receive reimbursement for any necessary
expenses for carrying out their duties, which would be paid from the Commission Fund.
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: The bill authorizes the creation of the Midwest Continental Divide
Commission. The Commission is established through the adoption of an ordinance approved by St. Joseph
County and the city of South Bend. The Commission is governed by a board comprised of five members: one
appointed by St. Joseph County, one appointed by South Bend, one appointed by the Speaker of the House
of Representatives, one appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and one appointed by the
Chair of the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi. The enabling ordinances will also designate the boundaries
of the district.
The Commission has the authority to buy and sell land, exercise eminent domain, enter into contracts, and
issue debt to finance economic improvement projects defined in the bill. The bill requires the creation of
a Commission Fund and for the Commission to establish a general and debt account in the fund.
St. Joseph County and South Bend may enter into interlocal agreement to provide money for the repayment
SB 468 1 of bonds issued by the Commission. The expenditures will depend on the financing of economic
improvement projects and the terms of any agreements.
Explanation of Local Revenues: The Commission is allowed to receive revenue through agreements with
St. Joseph County, South Bend, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, and other eligible participants. It can also
receive revenue through donations, gifts, state appropriations, federal funding, and the sale of assets.
State Agencies Affected: General Assembly.
Local Agencies Affected: St. Joseph County, South Bend.
Information Sources: U.S. Department of the Interior
https://www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/dup/assets/public/oig/pdf/idc2-056228.pdf
Fiscal Analyst: Qian Li, 317-232-9671.
SB 468 2