Indiana, other states eye allowing concealed carry of guns without permit
Fifteen states already allow concealed carry without a permit, and lawmakers in nine others have proposed allowing or expanding the practice.
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Voucher expansion, education savings account plan could cost Indiana $100M
Indiana politicians are seizing on the upheaval caused by the pandemic to push forward a vast expansion of taxpayer funding for private education.
Push for Indiana minimum wage increase likely stalled again
A Democratic-backed proposal that would unlink Indiana from the current federal minimum wage that’s remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009 is unlikely to get traction in the General Assembly.
House Republicans propose $30M for small businesses, $150M for learning loss grants
The two grant programs were initially announced last week as part of the House GOP legislative agenda, but the exact funding amounts were not shared at that time.
Indiana Senate committee advances COVID-19 legal immunity bill
The bill would shield businesses and individuals from coronavirus civil liability lawsuits unless there was gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct that could be proven with “clear and convincing evidence.”
Law enforcement reform bill easily advances in Indiana House
The bill, authored by Republican Rep. Greg Steuerwald, would largely ban the use of chokeholds, penalize officers for intentionally turning off body and vehicle cameras, and make it easier for the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board to decertify bad acting officers.
Coronavirus relief legislation could end ‘surprise’ medical bills
Although lawmakers of both parties long agreed that the practice amounted to abusive billing, a lobbying war between doctors and insurers had thwarted a compromise.
Legislative priorities for tech industry include focus on diversity, inclusion
The Indiana Technology and Innovation Association, which represents more than 100 members from large technology companies and small startups, announced its legislative agenda on Thursday and about a quarter of the items are focused on equity and inclusion.
Congress deeply unpopular again as gridlock on coronavirus relief has real-life consequences
Over the past two months, congressional approval ratings have crashed downward, after a sudden previous bump in approval. Fewer than 1 in 5 voters say they like what lawmakers are doing on Capitol Hill, according to the Gallup Poll.
Democrats pledge to transform law enforcement through Justice in Policing Act
The act would ban chokeholds, establish a national database to track police misconduct, prohibit some no-knock warrants and enact other initiatives. The bill contains several provisions that would make it easier to hold officers accountable for misconduct in civil and criminal court.
Union-connected PAC spends thousands to defeat candidate who represents non-union contractors
Believe in Indiana, a political action committee connected to the Indiana State Building & Construction Trades Council, has spent more than $51,000 to run TV commercials that criticize JR Gaylor, CEO of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana and Kentucky, who is running against Scott Baldwin in the Senate District 20 primary.
Holcomb vetoes controversial landlord-tenant legislation
The governor’s decision to block the bill from becoming law allows tenant protections the city of Indianapolis recently put in place to remain in force.
Holcomb signs coal, panhandling and teacher evaluation bills into law
The governor also signed legislation that will eventually put more money into the state’s unemployment trust fund, a move that comes as the coronavirus outbreak has led to a jump in unemployment claims.
Holcomb signs bills related to health care, distracted driving
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed 84 bills on Wednesday, but has not made decisions yet on several pieces of controversial legislation.
Legislation aimed at reducing health care costs passes, but impact could be weak
Despite lengthy debates on reducing health care costs this year, Indiana lawmakers completely eliminated the provision that business leaders said was likely to have the most impact.
Indiana set to raise smoking age, impose harsher penalties for selling tobacco to minors
The House and Senate on Wednesday both passed Senate Bill 1, which increases the legal tobacco age and doubles the fines stores could face for selling smoking or vaping products to anyone younger than 21.
Senate passes bill that regulates employment of minors
Senate Bill 409, authored by Sen. Mark Messmer, R-Jasper, eliminates the work-permit requirement for minors and tweaks some of the hours they can work.
Lawmakers continue fight over landlord-tenant legislation
Under a change made Thursday, a controversial provision to preempt local ordinances that deal with landlord-tenant rights would take effect immediately instead of July 1.
Legislation aimed at health care costs moves forward
The Indiana General Assembly moved forward remaining bills aimed at reducing health care costs on Tuesday, but the pieces of legislation still have hurdles to clear before heading to the governor.
Hospitals threaten widespread cuts if site-of-service legislation passes
The Indiana Hospital Association gathered several hundred health care professionals at the Statehouse on Monday morning to urge the Indiana Senate to change language in House Bill 1004, which would require hospitals to determine charges based on where a procedure takes place.