Draft EPA rule could impact nearly 50 Indiana coal ash dumps
The Environmental Protection Agency’s new rule—released last week—would extend monitoring, closure, and cleanup provisions to certain landfills, ponds and other sites for the first time.
Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle
Articles
Utilities notch legislative victories in Indiana
New laws are set to let the state’s existing utilities get first dibs on a billion-dollar slate of new transmission projects, put natural gas plant costs into rates before construction ends, and more easily recoup other costs.
After passing gas tax increase, lawmakers to tackle long-term road funding
Officially dubbed the “Funding Indiana’s Roads for a Stronger, Safer Tomorrow Task Force,” the body is charged with creating plans for both state and local road and bridge needs. A report is due to the legislature by Jan. 1, 2024.
The big wins—and some losses—of Indiana’s 2023 legislative session
Of the 1,154 bills filed, Indiana lawmakers approved 252 of those in the 2023 legislative session, with many still waiting for a final signature from the governor. Here’s a recap.
Indiana legislature backtracks, offers some property-tax relief
House lawmakers resuscitated several provisions meant to help homeowners struggling with high tax bills—after Senators removed them earlier this month—in a finalized compromise bill.
Time running out for state lawmakers to deliver on health, education and tax promises
Indiana’s lawmakers are nearing the end of a grueling nearly four-month legislative session, but three of their biggest priorities—aside from the budget—remain unresolved.
IEDC battles $3M mask lawsuit involving federal sting operation
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. said it was helping federal agents organize an October 2020 seizure of what they said was a counterfeit product. That hasn’t stopped the company from suing the IEDC for the mask shipment’s full purchase price.
Donor privacy or secrecy? Not-for-profit disclosure bill nears law.
Indiana’s state and local governments wouldn’t be able to require the public disclosure of not-for-profit donor data in many cases under a proposal that is nearing law.
Committee deadline fatal for many bills in Indiana Statehouse
Legislation related to Kratom, picketing, birth control and speed limits appear to be among the casualties of this session, although some of the language could be revived in so-called “zombie bills.”
Lawmakers strip key bill of most property tax relief
A Senate committee removed provisions from House Bill 1499 that would have temporarily lowered Indiana’s property tax caps, increased state income tax deductions and limited local tax levy boosts.
Lawmakers step back from Indy takeover, add $8M in road funding
An Indiana House committee on Tuesday voted to send additional road funding to Indianapolis and to consider a give-back of numerous former state highways.
Indiana’s annual population increase smallest since 2015
Indiana added fewer than 20,000 residents in 2022, according to an analysis of federal data by Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
Wholesalers battle over bill on mixed beverages like White Claw, Truly
Mixed alcoholic beverages like hard seltzers have exploded in popularity, and wholesalers all want a piece of the pie. Senate Bill 1544 would open sales to all wholesale types—and has already reopened industry squabbles over who gets to sell what.
Indiana pension system contracts with conservative anti-ESG firm
The contract with anti-ESG firm Strive Advisory, LLC and its co-founder Vivek Ram is capped at $150,000 — with conservative Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy set to earn $4,000 per hour for ad hoc work.
Lawmakers push controversial military trial rights bill through to governor
The Indiana Senate on Thursday passed a much-disputed proposal barring Indiana National Guard members from demanding a military trial—or court-martial—in lieu of non-judicial punishment.
Transgender disputes, tax reform dominate first half of General Assembly
While hundreds of bills made it to the halfway point, two major themes have risen to the forefront at the Indiana Statehouse this legislative session.
Two-thirds of filed Senate bills dead, including immigrant help and marijuana legalization
Just one in three of the Indiana Senate’s filed bills—about 160 of 489 total—survived do-or-die deadlines this week.
Townships try to prove worth—and get more support—with new report
Indiana’s 1,000-plus townships have largely survived nearly three-dozen legislative attempts to reorganize or extinguish them since 2004—and they’re hoping to deter future tries with a report that attempts to substantiate their value.
Bill targeting ESG investing for public pensions passes Indiana House
A controversial proposal cracking down on alleged ESG investing in public pensions—while supporting “discriminated” businesses in contentious industries—passed the House mostly along party lines Monday.
Hoosiers would earn more for jury duty under proposal
Hoosiers haven’t seen a pay increase for jury duty in at least two decades, but that could change—even double—under a bill advancing steadily through the Statehouse.