Speaker kills bill criticized as detrimental to solar usage
House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, has killed a bill that critics say would have depressed the use of solar and other alternative energies.
The Statehouse File
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Bill aimed at reducing meth problems advances
The Indiana Senate passed a bill 46-3 on Tuesday that would make it more difficult for criminals to purchase products used in the production of meth.
Senate passes measure to regulate e-liquids
The liquids, often referred to as “e-liquids,” are used in vapor pens and are similar to products such as e-cigarettes and hookah pens.
Locals get to keep casino revenue under House bill changes
The House has stripped language out of a controversial gambling bill that would have cut millions of dollars in funding that goes to communities where casinos are located.
Bosma sidelines gambling bill for more work
Speaker Brian Bosma pulled a controversial gambling bill off the Indiana House calendar on Monday in part as an attempt to reduce the financial hit communities with casinos would suffer under the proposal.
Bosma surprised as Internet gambling bill races ahead
State lawmakers are advancing a measure that allows Hoosiers to legally place bets on horse racing from their computers or phones.
Sunday alcohol sales bill is dead, key legislator says
Bill author Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte, said Tuesday morning that he doesn’t have the votes to move the bill to the Senate, largely because it includes new restrictions on the way alcohol could be sold at drug stores, big-box stores and other retailers.
UPDATE: Pence signs bill trimming ISTEP times
The changes are expected to shave at least three hours off the test for all grades plus an additional hour in 5th and 7th grades.
Bill that trims funding to shrinking districts advances
The changes, combined with declining enrollments in a number of schools, mean that 91 of the state’s 289 traditional districts would receive less overall funding in 2016 than this year.
Vaping retailers face regulation under advancing bill
Indiana is one step closer to placing regulations on e-liquids used in electronic cigarettes and vapor pens after a House committee passed a bill on Wednesday, sending it to the full House for debate.
Bill that riles solar industry passes House committee
A controversial bill to change the guidelines governing Hoosiers using alternative energy sources – including solar and wind power – passed a House Committee on Wednesday.
UPDATE: House panel backs repeal of public projects wage law
The Republican-controlled House Labor Committee voted 8-4 Tuesday in favor of eliminating the boards that set construction wages for each state or local project costing more than $350,000.
House approves ethics bill requiring more financial disclosure
The Indiana Housed passed ethics legislation Monday that would require lawmakers to be more transparent about their finances and strengthen laws meant to keep elected officials from using state resources for political gain.
Ritz says ISTEP testing time can be cut by 3 hours
Indiana’s schools superintendent says a plan is in the works to cut about three hours from the maximum time that students will take the state’s standardized tests.
Long, Bosma say they’ll do what’s needed to shorten ISTEP
Indiana legislative leaders said they’re prepared to ram through legislation to make the state’s ISTEP test shorter, but they won’t consider Superintendent Glenda Ritz’s proposal to pause the school grading system for one year.
Massage therapy legislation passed by Indiana House
House Bill 1360, authored by Rep. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, applies the standards of practice of health professions to certified massage therapists.
Energy-conservation legislation easily passes Senate
The bill, authored by Sen. Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis, would replace the Energizing Indiana program, which the General Assembly canceled last year over the objection of environmental groups.
House OKs bill to let businesses seize tax refunds
The Indiana House passed a bill Monday that would let businesses pay the state to take or reduce an individual’s tax return check to settle private debt.
House passes bill that would oust Ritz as education board chair
The State Board of Education could be working under a new chair as soon as this summer under a bill that passed the Indiana House largely along party lines Monday.
Pence acts to shorten ISTEP, but may lack authority to do it
The governor said he expects state Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz to fully cooperate with the effort, although he acknowledged he can’t force her to do so.