Welfare drug screening bill divides lawmakers
Welfare abuse is driving an Indiana effort to require recipients to be screened for the likelihood of addiction and limit food stamps to the purchase of only “nutritional foods.”
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Pence: Session ‘productive’ so far, agenda largely intact
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said Thursday he’s pleased with the way his agenda is faring at the halfway point of the 2014 session of the General Assembly.
Legislators advancing tighter Indiana scooter rules
Sen. Tom Wyss, R-Fort Wayne, said he expects to take up the bill the House approved this week that would require scooters to have license plates and their drivers pass a road-sign test.
Industry providing cash advances for lawsuit payoffs fights bill
The director of a group of financing companies warned Wednesday that lawmakers “would eliminate this industry from Indiana” should they approve a measure targeting companies that provide cash advances to people awaiting payoffs in personal injury lawsuits.
Senator steers clear of beer wholesaler legal battle
Sen. Ron Alting stripped language from a bill that could have derailed a federal court case brought by Indianapolis-based Monarch Beverage Co.
Statehouse update: Fenced hunting, phone privacy, barn preservation, more
Lawmakers in the Indiana General Assembly voted on several pieces of legislation Tuesday at the Statehouse, including bills involving teacher preparation, gun penalties and veteran brain injuries. Here’s a rundown.
Indiana Senate sends bill to kill Common Core to House
The state would move away from controversial Common Core education standards and replace them with curriculum guides written by Indiana officials under a bill that passed the Senate on Tuesday.
U.S. Senate sends massive farm bill to Obama
The sweeping farm bill that Congress sent to President Obama Tuesday has something for almost everyone, from the nation's 47 million food stamp recipients to Southern peanut growers, Midwest corn farmers and the maple syrup industry in the Northeast.
Statehouse update: Teacher evaluations, Christmas, meth disclosure, more
Indiana lawmakers made decisions on a number of bills Monday at the Statehouse, including legislation involving hunting and fishing, home health care, cardiac arrest and more.
Bill to free $400M for highways passed by House
House Bill 1002 transfers the balance of the Major Moves 2020 Trust Fund to the state highway fund before July 1, 2015. The legislation received support from both parties and passed 91-2.
House sends Indiana winery bill to Senate
HB 1387 would allow wineries to sell 5,000 gallons per year to retailers located within the same county as the winery or in neighboring counties.
Senate sends hemp-production bill to House for debate
The Senate voted unanimously Monday to pass legislation that would legalize the farming and production of industrial hemp in Indiana.
House lawmakers advance pair of Pence measures
The House voted in favor of measures increasing personal income tax exemptions and establishing an adoption tax credit. Both measures won broad bipartisan support.
Privacy protection bill passed in Indiana House
A bill that would restrict law-enforcement access to surveillance drones, GPS trackers and unwarranted mobile phone searches has cleared the Indiana House.
Privacy protection bill up for Indiana House vote
A bill that would restrict law enforcement access to surveillance drones, GPS trackers and unwarranted cellphone searches is up for a vote before Indiana lawmakers.
Locals to get $25M from highway bill, under House changes
Indiana communities could get a sliver of the $400 million proposed for state highway projects, under an amendment from the Indiana House on Thursday.
Statehouse update: Wine sales, cell-phone searches, historic tax credits, concussion safety, more
Numerous bills were weighed Thursday at the Indiana Statehouse. Here’s a rundown.
Senate passes bill allowing state fair alcohol sales
Senate Bill 168 would allow Indiana breweries and wineries to sell their beverages in a designated area. Those under 21 would not be allowed into the barred off section.
House, Senate OK corporate tax plans despite protests
The House and Senate easily approved separate bills Thursday to reduce the business property taxes just hours after local government officials from across the state joined to protest the legislation.
Committee pushes gambling discussion to summer
A Senate bill that would give the state’s riverboat casinos tax breaks and authorize table gambling in racinos was sent to a summer study committee Wednesday.