Soccer stadium, sports betting bill & more at Statehouse

The Indy Eleven wants public help to build a soccer stadium. A lawmaker wants the state to be ready for legal sports gambling if the opportunity arises.

Those are perhaps the most interesting sports-related bills in the legislature, but they're not the only ones.

Here's a summary of all of the bills (not including resolutions congratulating teams).

Battery of a sports official

Sponsor: Sen. Lonnie Randolph (D-East Chicago)

Bill number: SB 134

Summary: Increases the penalty for battery if it's committed against a certified referee, umpire or athletic official.

Sports gambling

Sponsor: Rep. Alan Morrison (R-Terre Haute)

Bill number: HB 1073

Summary: It would allow sports gambling at the state's casinos, "racinos" and off-track betting locations -- if the Indiana Gaming Commission believes it's permissible under federal law. The bill is designed to allow Indiana to act quickly if court decisions or changes in federal law allow sports wagering nationally.

Fantasy sports games at 'racinos'

Sponsor: Rep. Alan Morrison (R-Terre Haute)

Bill number: HB 1074

Summary: It would permit the state's "racinos" --- Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson and Indiana Grand Racing and Casino in Shelbyville --- to offer fantasy sports games.

Head injuries and school athletes

Sponsor: Sen. Tim Lanane (D-Anderson)

Bill number: SB 403

Summary: Expands current law on concussions and head injuries beyond high school athletes to interscholastic and intramural athletes in grades 5 through 12. Expands certification requirements for coaches on concussions, equipment fitting and heat emergency preparedness to all sports, not just football.

Football and head injuries

Sponsor: Rep. Todd Huston (R-Fishers)

Bill number: HB1272

Summary: Expands certifications required for supervisors of football being played by people under 20 years old. It would require certification for people responsible for equipment fitting and heat emergency preparedness. It would require head coaches and assistant coaches to complete a football-specific course that includes concussion awareness training.

Northwest Indiana professional sports development

Sponsor: Rep. Earl Harris (D-East Chicago)

Bill number: HB 1376

Summary: Establishes the Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission to attract professional sports franchises to northwest Indiana. The 19-member commission would include seven mayors from the area. The bill would also create a Professional Sports Development Fund for appropriations from the legislature and grants, gifts and donations.

Indy Eleven soccer stadium

Sponsor: Rep. Todd Huston (R-Fishers)

Bill number: HB 1273

Summary: The Indy Eleven soccer team, which competes in the North American Soccer League, wants lawmakers to help build an $87 million, 18,500-seat soccer stadium and concert venue by guaranteeing debt service with public money. The team will try to persuade lawmakers that the stadium will general millions annually in ticket-tax money.

Stopping construction of Kokomo baseball stadium

Sponsor: Sen. Jim Buck (R-Kokomo)

Bill number: SB 100

Summary: The emergency bill, which passed the senate last week, was promoted by a dispute among the city, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The state stands to lose millions in federal funding if the stadium is built on a site prone to flooding.

Physicals for school athletes

Sponsor: Sen. Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn)

Bill number: SB 119

Summary: School corporations would have to require athletes to have an annual physical exam or certification to participate in an interscholastic athletic event or association.

Money for promotion of horse racing

Sponsor: Sen. Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville)

Bill number: SB 252

Summary: Requires the Indiana Horse Racing Commission to promote the state's horse racing industry. Mandates annual reporting and accounting for promotional initiatives and expenses.

Contact Mark Alesia at (317) 444-6311. Follow him on Twitter: @markalesia. Read his bio page and other stories.