Legislature sends new rules for Indy downtown tax district to governor
The bill, now headed to Gov. Eric Holcomb for consideration, would let some property owners opt out of paying the tax and cap the revenue but let the city expand the district.
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Senate moves foreign ownership of farmland bill over economic development concerns
Senate sponsors on Monday pushed back against exemptions for a specific agricultural project in northern Indiana, noting that 11 Chinese companies are currently seeking projects within Indiana.
Lawmakers likely to study state takeover of Washington, Meridian streets in Indianapolis
The discussion comes amid a debate over plans by IndyGo—the city’s public transportation agency—to create bus-only lanes on Washington Street (previously U.S. 40) as part of its planned Blue Line rapid-transit service.
Despite changes, bill to end ‘viewpoint discrimination’ still draws ire from college faculty
Faculty councils at multiple Hoosier schools, including Indiana, Purdue and Ball State universities said Wednesday they remain vehemently opposed to the bill.
College faculty overwhelmingly opposed to bill seeking to end ‘viewpoint discrimination’
Sen. Spencer Deery, R-West Lafayette, has called his Senate Bill 202 a reform effort intended to reverse “declining views” of higher education.
Banks, credit unions turn to Legislature after stinging court losses
The revival of a bill that would allow banks to change contract terms without explicit consent from their users rang alarm bells for consumer advocates but faced little opposition in the Indiana House. Additionally, the proposal would override two recent opinions from the Indiana Supreme Court.
Bill further rolling back Indiana wetland protections is first to land on governor’s desk
The Senate approved the measure 32-17 on Tuesday — with eight Republicans joining the opposition. It’s not clear where Gov. Eric Holcomb stands on the bill, however.
Indiana FSSA agency bill dies after proposed Medicaid amendments
An agency bill that passed unanimously out of committee died Thursday in an unusual move following the addition of several bipartisan amendments seeking transparency and accountability on a $1 billion Medicaid funding shortfall.
Lawmakers consider protections for kid-run lemonade stands
A bill in the Indiana House would ban local regulations on lemonade stands, making it easier for children to operate such small enterprises without fear of running afoul of the law.
Senate passes reading skills bill despite bipartisan concerns
The bill would require schools to administer the statewide literacy test—IREAD—in second grade, a year earlier than current requirements. It also would give students three chances to pass the exam during third grade before being denied promotion to fourth grade, with some exceptions.
Senate passes IEDC land notification bill as water regulation attempts die
Indiana’s Senate on Thursday approved a bill forcing the state’s economic development entity to disclose large land buys. Legislation on chaplains in schools, mobile integrated health programs, farmland ownership and school referenda also passed the Legislature’s chambers.
Bill clarifies exemption to law requiring school districts to give closed buildings to charters for $1
Senate Bill 270 clarifies language added in the last legislative session that led to two different interpretations of the law by Indianapolis Public Schools and the state.
Indiana lawmakers struggle to find fix for absenteeism
Members of the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development advanced a heavily amended bill on Wednesday that in its original form would have referred more students to juvenile court.
State Rep. Jim Lucas defends showing handgun to students, says episode ‘blown out of proportion’
Young gun safety advocates clashed with an avowed gun-rights lawmaker on Tuesday in a 10-minute exchange at the Indiana Statehouse that featured a brief flash of a holstered handgun.
Bills striking some child care regulations pass the Senate, House
But while the Senate passed its bill—a priority for the Republican caucus—with almost the full support of the chamber, the House version faced adversity from Democrats.
Bill to undo Mile Square property tax passes House with support from Speaker Todd Huston
As an alternative, the House approved a separate measure that would allow the City-County Council to increase the countywide local income tax by .02% to help pay for the operating costs of a homeless shelter and various improvements in the city’s Mile Square.
Bill to limit foreign ‘adversaries’ from buying Indiana farmland advances in House
The proposal builds on a previous measure passed in the 2022 Indiana legislative session, which limited foreign entities from buying more than 320 acres in Indiana for crop farming or timber production, among other restrictions.
Legislation to regulate huge water withdrawals won’t get a hearing, but farmers could win some protections
Bills inspired to regulate potential plans to withdraw as much as 100 million gallons of water a day from Wabash River aquifers won’t get a hearing in the Indiana House or Senate, but Republican leadership appears open to adding some protections for farmers’ water wells.
Indiana legislation would add extra verification steps to prove voters are eligible
Voting advocates say the proposal approved by the House could make it even tougher for some people to vote.
Bill that targets Blue Line clears Indiana Senate, casting doubt on planned bus route
Republican Sen. Aaron Freeman said the bill will give a state task force the chance to study the benefits of shared bus-car lanes versus dedicated bus lanes, but opponents say it’s a deliberate attempt to kill the project.