Two legislative proposals likely to produce positive outcomes for Northwest Indiana in the years ahead were among the final measures to win approval during the 2024 session of the Indiana General Assembly.

Hoosier lawmakers adjourned their nine-week annual session Friday night after a marathon day of revising, debating and approving the final texts of dozens of anticipated new laws, including some percolating since Jan. 8 when the Republican-controlled House and Senate solemnly convened to implement what they believed was the will of the people.

The tone was considerably less formal as the final votes were cast and state representatives, at 8:54 p.m. Indianapolis time, and state senators, at 9:35 p.m. Indianapolis time, finally were able to head home without a definite date for returning to the Statehouse on their calendars.

Although returning to the Statehouse still will be on the minds of most lawmakers in the short-term as all 100 members of the House and half of the 50-member Senate must stand for renomination at their political party's primary election in just 8 weeks, and then compete at the Nov. 5 general election for new terms.

One person who won't be back next year in her role as presiding officer of the Senate, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, was heartily applauded at the end of the night by Hoosier senators— even by those not supporting her campaign for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

"You have presided over and run our chamber continually for these two terms with grace and strength, and we are grateful for that," said Senate President Rod Bray, R-Martinsville.

Meanwhile, across the rotunda, shortly before slamming his gavel to adjourn the chamber, House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, used the same gavel to ratify overwhelming approval for House Enrolled Act 1121, a measure authorizing the city of Hammond to impose a food and beverage tax.

Under the plan, which soon is expected to be signed into law by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, the Hammond city council may enact an additional 1% tax — on top of the 7% state sales tax — on all dine-in and take-home prepared food and drinks sold at Hammond eateries, bars and similar outlets, as soon as July 1.

A 1% tax would add an extra 1 cent for every dollar spent. So a $20 restaurant tab would increase by 20 cents if the tax is put into effect.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. estimates Hammond could raise up to $2 million a year in new revenue if the tax is imposed at the 1% rate. The plan also permits the city council to consider enacting the tax at a rate of 0.25%, 0.5%, or 0.75%.

According to the legislation, all the money collected through a Hammond food and beverage tax must be spent in connection with the West Lake commuter rail project, downtown redevelopment, and expansion or improvement of the Hammond Sportsplex or Wolf Lake Pavilion.