INDIANAPOLIS | A plan to eliminate municipal apartment inspection and registration requirements was changed Tuesday by a House committee into a one-year moratorium on new inspection and registration ordinances.
House Bill 1313, which now goes to the full chamber, prohibits any city or town without a rental registration ordinance from enacting one until at least July 1, 2014.
Localities with an existing ordinance, such as Hammond, Merrillville and Crown Point, could continue to enforce it, but would be blocked from increasing any associated fees if the proposal becomes law.
The measure also assigns a legislative study committee meeting this summer to review issues relating to rental registration and inspection requirements.
State Rep. Mike Speedy, R-Indianapolis, said he was inspired to seek the elimination of rental inspection ordinances after Merrillville announced it would use landlord fees to pay for new police officers.
Merrillville officials have since dropped that plan.
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