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.
Legislature
Articles
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.
Lawmakers want IEDC to disclose more information
As the Republican-led agency faces calls from critics for more transparency, legislators from both political parties have filed legislation aimed at requiring the job-creation agency to disclose more about its activities.
Indy Democrats strategize ways to defeat state Senate Republican nemesis Aaron Freeman
Aaron Freeman, a Senate Republican and former Indianapolis city-county councilor, has become known for frequent legislation that seeks to derail policies and plans implemented by Democrat-controlled city-county government in Indianapolis.
Bill requiring IEDC to disclose large land purchases moves forward
Bill author Sen. Brian Buchanan, a Republican from Lebanon, said the legislation is intended to “streamline the process of economic development in Indiana by making sure all stakeholders are involved.”
Grant programs establishing, sustaining local health responses move forward
Author Sen. Scott Baldin, R-Noblesville, said he saw Senate Bill 10 as a way to reduce public safety expenses by creating programs for non-emergency calls often routed to first responders.
Indiana House committee votes to repeal downtown tax district, offers county-wide income tax as alternative
The Republican-controlled Indiana House Ways and Means Committee voted to advance a bill that would repeal the economic enhancement district that Democrat-controlled Indianapolis city government approved last month. The committee chairman offered a new Marion County income tax as an alternative.
Indiana lawmakers pump brakes on proposal to raise speed limit
A House roads committee on Tuesday did move long-sought legislation allowing jurors to know when someone in a car crash wasn’t wearing a seat belt.
Republican lawmakers advance new attempt to limit Indiana governor’s executive powers
Senate Bill 234, removes a Hoosier governor’s ability to extend a state of disaster emergency after 30 days—or declare a new emergency—unless it is “wholly unrelated” to the first one.
Irvington businesses switch stance on Blue Line bill after public backlash
After initially voicing their opposition to IndyGo’s plans to construct a dedicated bus line along Washington Street for the Blue Line, three Irvington business owners are changing their tune.
Editorial: It’s past time for the Legislature to increase the cigarette tax
It is understandable that it might be politically difficult for lawmakers to consider any sort of tax increase in an election year in which 125 of the 150 state legislators will have to face voters. But it represents an issue of such import that we believe they should put their own political livelihoods aside.
Ronak Shah: Better transit means real options for high school students
The bus rapid-transit system is one of the best tools in ensuring all students have equitable access to high school options.
State lawmakers advance bill IndyGo says would kill Blue Line project
Should the bill pass the Senate chamber, it will move to the House, where Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, has indicated it has support.
Moving ahead too quickly with Blue Line ‘would be a mistake,’ House speaker says
House Speaker Todd Huston says legislation that would bar IndyGo from using dedicated bus lanes for the Blue Line merits consideration.
Indiana Senate Republicans prioritize literacy, health in five-part agenda
A bill to require earlier interventions for students struggling with literacy is top-of-list for Indiana Senate Republicans, who unveiled their 2024 agenda Thursday morning.
Statehouse Democrats’ agenda targets child care, drug prices, more
Indiana Statehouse Democrats from both the Senate and House came together Thursday afternoon to release a bicameral agenda, which they said underlined their commitment to big-ticket issues even in a short session.