The Indiana Statehouse appears on May 5, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Indiana state Sen. Jim Tomes (R-Wadesville) has introduced Senate Bill 204, a bill to allow lobbyists to carry firearms in the state capitol building.

According to the bill’s text, it would allow the “Right of lobbyist to carry handgun in capitol” as long as the individual meets certain training and licensing requirements. On Tuesday, Sen. Blake Doriot (R-Goshen) joined Tomes as a co-author of the bill, which has been referred to the Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law.

Tomes’ office did not respond to a Heartland Signal request to comment on why he introduced the bill and what impact it would have on the state of Indiana.

“In an inherently politically, and emotionally, charged environment, public safety should be at the top of mind,” said state Sen. Andrea Hunley (D-Indianapolis, the Senate’s Assistant Minority Leader. “During a crucial budget session, where we are staring down decisions on what we can do as a General Assembly to guarantee every Hoosier has access to the basic needs of healthcare, education and housing, it is discouraging to see the focus shift to legislation that does nothing to benefit the average Hoosier.”

The Indiana Senate Democrats announced their list of priorities last week, which includes lowering health care costs, strengthening renter protections and bolstering education funding. That education funding includes a minimum salary of $65,000 for K-12 teachers and $50 million of funding for staffing shortages in schools.

Minority Leader Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington) criticized the GOP for failing to address education during its opening press conference.

“Hoosiers deserve more than silence on these critical issues,” Yoder said. “Our caucus is committed to doing the work and passing the policies that families need to thrive — not just survive.”

The Indiana GOP released its agenda last week, which included property tax reform, containing Medicaid fraud, lowering health care costs and maintaining fiscal integrity.

The 76-year-old Tomes has been a member of the Indiana state Senate since 2010 after a 33-year career as a truck driver. In 1999, Tomes founded the 2nd Amendment Patriots, an organization that opposes gun safety policies like red flag laws.