IN HB1148

Establishes the northwest Indiana professional sports development commission with 19 members including mayors from seven cities (East Chicago, Gary, Hammond, Michigan City, LaPorte, Portage, South Bend) and representatives from four counties, state departments, and the redevelopment authority.

Authorizes the commission to study plans and recommendations for attracting professional sports franchises (including football leagues established before 1930, baseball leagues established before 1910, basketball associations established before 1960, North American hockey leagues with U.S. franchises since 1924, and soccer leagues established in 1993) to northwest Indiana.

Requires the commission to prepare a comprehensive master plan for building facilities and infrastructure necessary to attract and develop professional sports franchises in the region and to coordinate and monitor implementation progress.

Creates the professional sports development fund consisting of general assembly appropriations, grants, gifts, donations, and interest accrued from fund money, with expenditures limited to accomplishing the commission's purposes.

Effective July 1, 2018; requires the commission to hold its initial meeting before September 1, 2018, and mandates reporting to the governor, lieutenant governor, Indiana economic development corporation, and legislature on commission activities and implementation progress.