Bob Behning

Establishes the Indianapolis public education corporation (corporation) and board (corporation board). Establishes the duties and powers of the corporation and corporation board. Provides that the Indianapolis public schools school corporation (school city) is not subject to building closure or certain transfer of school building laws. Allows only certain authorizers to grant or renew charters for charter schools located within the geographic boundaries of the school city. Specifies authority and duties of the corporation related to imposition of property taxes. Provides that the corporation is authorized to pursue a controlled project, operating referendum, or school safety referendum (instead of the school city). Requires the county auditor to transfer to the corporation a percentage of the amount of revenue collected from the operations fund property tax levy that would otherwise be distributed to the school city and applicable charter schools. Establishes the corporation operations fund and corporation debt service fund. Provides that the corporation may issue bonds, enter leases, or otherwise incur indebtedness after March 31, 2026, and before July 1, 2027, only if the board of school commissioners of the school city first adopts a resolution approving the issuance of the bonds, entering into the lease, or incurring of indebtedness. Provides, beginning April 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, the reduction of distributions to pay for debt service obligations issued by the corporation must be made from reductions of distributions to the school city for failure to pay debt service obligations.