Proposal would cut sales tax for propane users
Republicans say they will offer an amendment to Senate Bill 1 to eliminate the sales tax on any propane that costs more than $2.50 per gallon.
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Mass-transit bill clears Senate committee, with changes
A mass-transit bill for metro Indianapolis cleared a key Senate committee Tuesday morning, but left open many questions about how such a system would be funded. An amendment to the bill nixed the use of light rail.
Proposed hunting, fishing amendment to start over
A Senate committee passed a proposed constitutional amendment Monday that would protect Hoosiers’ right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife – but without language to protect farming that was included three years ago.
Statehouse update: Deer hunting, miscarriages, veteran education, Indiana-grown, and more
State lawmakers on Monday weighed in on legislation involving canned deer hunting, college credit for veterans, parental options after miscarriages, out-of-state seedling sales, and more. Here’s a rundown.
Panel delays vote on bill to require prescription for cold meds
A committee heard two hours of testimony Monday on a bill that would make medicine containing pseudoephedrine a schedule III drug. The committee did not vote.
Voucher students who never tried public school on the rise
Four in 10 students using vouchers never attended an Indiana public school, even though the original 2011 law that authorized the program required it.
House expands nutrition requisite to all food-stamp recipients
Legislation to require Indiana food-stamp recipients buy only products deemed nutritious was expanded Monday to include all Hoosiers who participate in the program.
Indiana bill would limit use of drone surveillance
The bill introduced by Republican Rep. Eric Koch of Bedford would strictly regulate police use of unmanned aircraft and prohibit their use to conduct surveillance without a court warrant.
Senator drops bill to create Statehouse souvenir shop
Sen. Thomas Wyss, R-Fort Wayne, has withdrawn a bill that would have allowed the construction of a souvenir shop in the Indiana Statehouse over concerns about the cost.
Bill would keep state’s annuity system in-house
The Indiana House is set to consider legislation that will prevent the state from privatizing one part of public employee and teacher retirement funds.
Judges could carry firearms under proposed law
Senate Bill 3 would allow judges to carry firearms when they are on duty. The bill passed 47-1 in the Senate.
Lawmakers advance bill allowing industrial hemp crops
Hemp plants could start appearing in Indiana fields if a state Senate bill to allow growing the crop gains support from lawmakers.
Nursing home construction measure passes Senate
Senate Bill 173 would prohibit the State Department of Health from approving the development of new nursing homes.
Senate OKs ban on tanning for those under 16
A bill that would ban young people from using beds at tanning salons passed 30-17 Thursday in the state Senate.
Teachers could get help with expenses under House bill
House Bill 1349 would establish a Classroom Expense Fund, from which money would be advanced to educators across the state.
Senate passes bill to protect agricultural rights
Senate Bill 186 provides that it is the responsibility of the state to conserve, protect, and encourage the development and improvement of agriculture. The goal is to guide the courts to interpret state laws to be sympathetic toward farmers.
Personal property tax cut heads to full House
House Bill 1001, authored by Rep. Eric Turner, R-Cicero, would allow county income tax councils to exempt businesses from paying the business personal property tax on any new equipment they purchased.
Legislation aims to expand high school internships
The bill would add an intern-hiring incentive to the Economic Development for a Growing Economy program, commonly known as EDGE.
Biological drug bill advances to full Senate
The Indiana Senate is set to consider legislation that could give patients access to more options for drug treatments that derive from biological organisms.
Tougher penalties sought for drug ‘look-a-likes’
The intent of Senate Bill 305 is to deter retailers and dealers from selling “look-a-like” drugs that are potentially more dangerous than the drugs they mimic.