Manufacturer-friendly ‘forever chemicals’ bill abandoned by Indiana Senate committee
The proposal sought to proactively exempt the chemicals in case state or federal regulators try to ban them in the future.
Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle
Articles
Bills, bills, bills. What could still pass—and what might die—in Indiana’s 2024 session
Among the measures awaiting further action are those dealing with property taxes, 13th checks, foreign ownership of agricultural land, limits to the governor’s executive powers and expanded firearm carry rights in the state capitol complex.
Despite changes, bill to end ‘viewpoint discrimination’ still draws ire from college faculty
Faculty councils at multiple Hoosier schools, including Indiana, Purdue and Ball State universities said Wednesday they remain vehemently opposed to the bill.
Bills on ambulance insurance, alcohol, bobcat hunting advance at Indiana Statehouse
Legislation that would require health plans to pay out-of-network ambulance providers for transports at rates set by local units has passed the Indiana Senate.
Indiana environmentalists, manufacturers at odds over bill to protect toxic ‘forever’ chemicals
HB 1399 seeks to carve out more than 5,000 “forever chemicals” from being defined as such by the state and its environmental rules board. That means chemicals deemed harmful in other states would no longer carry the same designation in Indiana.
Indiana Supreme Court blocks injunction, opening door for Rust to be kept off May ballot
The stay issued Thursday puts an earlier ruling on hold and allows challenges to U.S. Senate hopeful John Rust’s candidacy.
College faculty overwhelmingly opposed to bill seeking to end ‘viewpoint discrimination’
Sen. Spencer Deery, R-West Lafayette, has called his Senate Bill 202 a reform effort intended to reverse “declining views” of higher education.
Rokita’s office begins updates to “Eyes on Education” portal with responses from Indiana schools
After pushback from a dozen Indiana school districts, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office is making changes to its new “Eyes on Education” portal that publicizes alleged examples of “indoctrination” in Hoosier schools.
Bill further rolling back Indiana wetland protections is first to land on governor’s desk
The Senate approved the measure 32-17 on Tuesday — with eight Republicans joining the opposition. It’s not clear where Gov. Eric Holcomb stands on the bill, however.
Rokita’s new ‘Eyes on Education’ portal prompts pushback from Indiana school officials
Multiple districts indicated they were not made aware of submissions to the public portal—and that many documents are out of date.
Bill to limit foreign ‘adversaries’ from buying Indiana farmland advances in House
The proposal builds on a previous measure passed in the 2022 Indiana legislative session, which limited foreign entities from buying more than 320 acres in Indiana for crop farming or timber production, among other restrictions.
Bills on puppy sales, child labor, happy hours, firearms and more advance from House
Amid a fleet of bills passing to the Senate, Indiana’s House of Representatives on Monday narrowly approved a bill setting state regulations for dog breeding and sales—including random pet store and dog breeder inspections.
Republican lawmakers advance new attempt to limit Indiana governor’s executive powers
Senate Bill 234, removes a Hoosier governor’s ability to extend a state of disaster emergency after 30 days—or declare a new emergency—unless it is “wholly unrelated” to the first one.
Banks, Rust spar over residency as battle for U.S. Senate seat heats up
U.S. Senate candidate John Rust’s actual address is the latest point of contention raised by his challenger, GOP favorite U.S. Rep. Jim Banks.
Indiana senator eyes 2025 for ‘school choice’ overhaul
A top GOP state senator wants to completely overhaul Indiana’s private school vouchers with a grant program that would allow all Hoosier families—regardless of income—to choose where their students get educated.
Indiana lawmakers seem unlikely to tackle school consolidation in 2024 session
A new statewide report is fueling discussions about consolidating Indiana’s smallest school districts, but state lawmakers continue to lack an appetite for action—at least for now.
Indiana Senate Republicans prioritize literacy, health in five-part agenda
A bill to require earlier interventions for students struggling with literacy is top-of-list for Indiana Senate Republicans, who unveiled their 2024 agenda Thursday morning.
Indiana lawmakers move forward with bill to ban antisemitism in public education settings
Critics of the proposal maintain it limits free speech and conflates criticism of a foreign government with anti-Jewish rhetoric.
Suspended license? Indiana lawmakers commit to ‘fix’ BMV insurance verification notices
Hundreds of Hoosiers each year unknowingly have their licenses suspended after auto accidents—specifically for failing to respond to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ mailed requests for insurance verification.
Indiana teacher salaries on rise, but averages still fall short of governor’s goal
New data shows Indiana’s teacher pay is ticking up—but still trails averages in neighboring states—as the debate over Hoosier educator salaries continues.