Senate approves bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday
The bill would lead to Juneteenth becoming the 12th federal holiday. It is expected to easily pass the House, which would send it to President Joe Biden for his signature.
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IBJ Podcast: Sen. Todd Young on how his Endless Frontier Act could boost innovation in Indiana
David Johnson, the president and CEO of the Central Indiana Community Partnership, also joins the podcast talk about how Indiana should prepare for the act’s passage.
Taxpayer files second legal challenge to new emergency-powers law
The suit challenges a new law that gives the Legislature the power to call itself into a special session whenever the governor declares a state of emergency that “the legislative council determines has a statewide impact.”
Lawmakers to return to Statehouse with chance to override two vetoes
Lawmakers are set to return to the Indiana Statehouse on Monday to make technical corrections—a session in which they could also vote to overturn two vetoes by Gov. Eric Holcomb, including one affecting orders issued by local health departments during a public health emergency.
Businesses applaud Legislature’s ‘wow’ initiatives
State lawmakers came through in big ways for business and manufacturing interests this year.
Governor signs controversial wetlands bill into law
The bill, which scales back protections on Indiana wetlands, had gained support from the Indiana Builders Association, but numerous environmental, conservation and civic groups opposed it.
Recap: A glance at key issues during Indiana legislative session
The Indiana General Assembly concluded the year’s regular session late last week in Indianapolis. Here’s a look at some major issues debated during the nearly four-month session.
Scrutiny grows over whether officials enforced ‘red flag’ law in case of FedEx shooter
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has not said whether it sought to have Brandon Hole declared a dangerous person after a 2020 incident in which his mother told police he was suicidal. If a court had ruled he was dangerous, state law could have prevented him from buying another gun.
Equal pay bill passed by House, but faces long odds in Senate
The bill would make it easier to sue employers over pay discrimination, curb the ability of companies to retaliate and include a requirement that businesses submit detailed pay data to the federal government for use in policing pay discrimination laws.
Wetlands deregulation bill advances to Indiana governor
Lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to a disputed bill seeking to remove protections from Indiana’s already diminished wetlands amid mounting criticism that the legislation could cause damage to the state’s waterways, wildlife and vegetation.
Proposed new Indiana vaping products tax blasted as ‘measly’
The president of the state’s largest business organization says the Senate’s proposed tax amounts to “a measly one-tenth” of the state’s cigarette tax and is “arguably worse than no increase at all.”
Lawmakers adopt penalties for failing to protect monuments
The Indiana Legislature passed a bill Thursday that allows the state to withhold funding to cities that fail to protect public monuments and memorials from vandalism.
Bill that could strip funding from IndyGo hits roadblock in House
Rep. Jim Pressel, who chairs the House Roads and Transportation Committee, will not schedule the measure for a vote by Thursday’s deadline, his spokesman said Wednesday, effectively killing the bill, which has already passed the Senate.
Indiana Senate OKs optional pregnant worker accommodations
The proposal allows a pregnant employee to request accommodations and requires the employer to respond in a reasonable time frame, but it does not mandate that managers grant any of the requests.
Holcomb signs police reform, school funding bills into law
Bills aimed at increasing police accountability and ensuring Indiana’s public schools receive full funding for all students during the coronavirus pandemic were among 19 measures signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday.
Holcomb says he will veto legislation that allows lawmakers to call ’emergency sessions’
The final version of House Bill 1123, which would create what would be called an “emergency session,” could pass out of both chambers as early as Thursday.
State Senate passes legislation to create new emergency session
The Indiana Senate has passed legislation that would give lawmakers the power to convene at any time during a statewide public emergency and more oversight over federal stimulus dollars.
Gambling bill could help bars recover
Senate Bill 245 would double the prize limits for certain pull-tab games and allow the 1,242 bars and taverns with Type II gaming licenses to offer sports-themed pull-tab games and tip boards.
Biden formulating $3T plan for infrastructure, schools, family leave
The infrastructure portion of the package would include roughly $1 trillion for roads, bridges, rail lines, electrical vehicle charging stations and the cellular network, among other items.
Indiana Senate doubles funding for small-biz grant program, sends bill back to House
The legislation, authored by Rep. Shane Lindauer, R-Jasper, would provide grants of $10,000 per month, with a maximum award amount of $50,000.