Lawmakers vote to restrict local Airbnb bans
The bill comes on the heels of Carmel’s recent decision to send letters to 28 residents who rent out their homes on Airbnb, stating that they are in violation of city zoning laws.
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Gun licensing legislation sent to summer study committee
An Indiana House committee voted Tuesday to create a special summer committee to study the possibility of repealing an Indiana law requiring people to get a license before carrying a handgun.
Lawmakers weigh requiring helmets for minors on ATVs
An 11-year-old Indiana girl died in an all-terrain vehicle crash in 2015, and her mother has been pushing to change laws on helmets and safety education.
Lawmakers advance plan for ‘competency-based’ CPA license renewal
Currently, the 10,000 CPAs in Indiana do 120 hours of continuing professional education every three years to renew their CPA licenses. The proposal could reduce learning time and boost comprehension.
Widely supported work-sharing bill dumped—again
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce, organized labor groups and a bipartisan group of lawmakers have for years pushed the Legislature to implement a work-sharing program.
House passes pre-K bill that expands access to vouchers
Supporters of expanding state-funded preschool said they are frustrated the bill includes what they view as an expansion of the private school voucher program.
House Dems offer road funding plan as alternative to GOP’s
They’re calling the plan “No New Taxes” and arguing Indiana can pay for major road-funding improvements without raising the gas tax.
State health advocates hope proposed cigarette tax reduces smoking
Public health officials say the increase is a proactive approach toward reducing the smoking rate and would serve as a deterrent for young people to even begin.
Bill would slap tax on online retailers
Lawmakers are advancing a bill that would compel large, online retailers to collect and send sales taxes to the state—injecting Indiana into a national tussle over the issue.
State GOP leaders ready to make another run at Sunday sales
Grocery chains, convenience stores and pharmacies have pushed for years to have Indiana's eight decades-old ban lifted and be able to sell alcohol on Sundays, but a compromise has been elusive.
House approves merit-selection system for Marion County judges
Judges would be selected by a nominating commission and the governor—rather than through elections—under the proposal that is supported by Republicans and opposed by some Democrats.
House panel exempts Tesla from state ban on direct auto sales
The author of the bill, Rep. Ed Soliday, said he believed the amended measure would make people on both sides of the bill “equally happy and equally unhappy.”
Terre Haute casino could keep Hoosiers gambling in Indiana, supporters say
Senate Bill 354 would let Rising Star Casino Resort in Southern Indiana’s Ohio County move 740 gaming positions to Terre Haute.
State committee passes bill to raise cigarette tax, hike smoking age
The measure also removes employment protections for smokers, raises the age for purchasing cigarettes to 21 and directs more money to tobacco-cessation programs.
Indiana House transportation chairman pledges to rework Tesla bill
A House committee will make changes to a bill after critics charged that the measure would have blocked car maker Tesla from doing business in Indiana.
State lawmakers add voucher access to preschool expansion bill
The voucher language has injected some controversy into a bill that has received bipartisan support.
Federal appeals court overturns parts of vaping law, granting win to out-of-state manufacturers
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday found that parts of the law violate the dormant commerce clause of the constitution.
Indiana medical marijuana backers take hope in bill hearing
When the Indiana Legislature allowed a Senate committee to hear testimony on a medical marijuana-related bill, some proponents saw a glimmer of hope.
Lawmakers propose bill to expand venture capital tax credit
The bill would increase the cap on the amount of tax credits investors could claim, as well as make the credits useful for out-of-state investors.
Abortion ban bill won’t be heard in Indiana House committee
A key Indiana House panel won't consider a contentious attempt to ban abortions, its chairman said Thursday, meaning the measure likely is dead this session.