AFP-Indiana Commends State House Committee for Advancing Occupational Licensing Bill

Feb 20, 2018 by AFP

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Americans for Prosperity-Indiana (AFP-IN) today applauded the House Employment, Labor, and Pensions Committee for passing Senate Bill 399 by a vote of 7-5. The bill would curb the growth of burdensome and unnecessary occupational licensing regulations. AFP-IN, the state’s leading grassroots organization, has been at the forefront of opposing unnecessary occupational licenses without a compelling public need. The group now urges the full House to swiftly approve the bill.

“Hoosiers shouldn’t need a government permission slip to earn an honest living or support their family. Burdensome occupational licenses just make it harder to succeed,” said AFP-IN State Director Justin Stevens. “Today’s vote is a huge step toward breaking down barriers to economic opportunity. Occupational licenses should only exist to protect the health and safety of the public, not protect certain industries from competition.”

S.B. 399, introduced by state Senators Travis Holdman and Eric Koch, requires regulators to review any proposed rules and review existing regulations once every seven years to ensure that licensing is the most appropriate form of regulation to use in each case. In addition, the bill will offer second chances to formerly incarcerated Hoosiers who have paid their debt to society by making it easier for them to rejoin the workforce in fields unrelated to their convictions.

Background:

Early February, AFP-IN State Director testified before the Senate Commerce and Technology Committee in support of S.B. 399, which passed committee by a 7-2 vote.

A 2015 report by the Obama Administration found there are no improvements in quality or health and safety from more onerous occupational licensing.

For further information or an interview, reach Lorenz Isidro at LIsidro@afphq.org or (703) 887-7724.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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