UPDATE: House panel passes bill banning powdered alcohol
Supporters of a ban say Palcohol would encourage underage drinking and could easily be concealed at school events.
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Indiana House backs 3-year ban on building nursing homes
Indiana would have a three-year moratorium on construction of most new nursing homes under a proposal the state House narrowly approved Tuesday.
Education roundup: One bill reducing super’s power left
The Senate Education Committee is considering numerous pieces of education-related legislation, including a bill aimed at removing the state superintendent of public instruction as chair of the Indiana State Board of Education.
State rep from Indy apologizes for Weiner-like behavior
Rep. Justin Moed, D-Indianapolis, issued an apology Tuesday for what he calls “poor judgment” following an online report that he sent nude photographs of himself and gifts to a woman tied to a 2013 sexting scandal involving a former New York congressman.
Key lawmakers draw scrutiny for ties to soccer team
House Speaker Brian Bosma and House Ethics Committee Chairman Rep. Greg Steurwald did legal work for the Indy Eleven and owner Ersal Ozdemir's Keystone Construction Corp.
Veteran advocates say issues have been tabled in Legislature
Dozens of proposals have been sidelined, including one that would create a $2 million program to treat those with traumatic brain injuries.
State tax revenue misses expectations again
For the first eight months of fiscal year 2015, Indiana tax revenue is down 1 percent, or about $91 million. Tax receipts have missed expectations in six out of those eight months.
Analysis: New nursing homes didn’t cause glut
An IBJ analysis of occupancy data from nursing homes built since 2012 and open at least one year found that newer facilities are filling their skilled-nursing beds at a lower rate than established nursing homes statewide.
Senate panel advances bill to ban microbeads
Senate Commerce and Technology Committee members voted 6-0 Thursday to advance the measure that would gradually phase out the sale and production of cosmetics with microbeads. The House unanimously passed the legislation last month.
Senate panel considers ‘right-to-try’ trial drugs bill
An Indiana Senate committee is considering a bill that would give terminally ill patients easier access to experimental drugs that have not received full federal approval. Indiana is one of nearly two dozen states that are considering the legislation.
Bill would educate students about their college loans
Students using loans to pay for college might get some extra help when it comes to gathering information about their debt load if an Indiana House bill becomes law.
Zoeller to lawmakers: Pay attention to health risks of e-cigarettes
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller told lawmakers he wants to see Indiana do more when it comes to “the issues of e-cigarette and liquid nicotine” use, and he wants to see legislators address the issue this session.
Lawmakers slash funding for economic development plan
The Regional Cities initiative, an economic development proposal focused on Indiana’s struggling metropolitan areas, will come before the Senate with less than a quarter of the funding proposed by Gov. Mike Pence.
Debate on common wage repeal lingers during contractor event
A proposal to repeal the state law that sets wages for public construction projects requires further study instead of a quick vote, opponents of the measure said Monday at the Indiana Statehouse.
Bill would put bigger burden on cities seeking annexations
Supporters say the only way a city should be able to annex property is if the majority of landowners agree. Opponents, though, are worried legislators are gutting a key tool that municipalities use for growth and economic development.
Pence not saying exactly where he stands on gambling bill
Gov. Mike Pence has been firm that he doesn’t want an expansion of gambling operations in the state. But he has not been clear about what he means by “expansion.”
Pence, legislators open to ditching ISTEP for cheaper alternative
Two bills already have passed the Senate that push the state in the direction of a national test.
Debate on cold medicine prescriptions lingers
Lawmakers involved in the debate over how to curb Indiana's methamphetamine problem say a bill that would require drug felons to get a prescription before buying common cold medicine is likely just another step toward an eventual prescription requirement for all consumers.
Indiana lawmakers taking mid-session break
Members of the House and Senate wrapped up business on Wednesday and are scheduled to return Monday to the Statehouse in Indianapolis.
Speaker kills bill criticized as detrimental to solar usage
House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, has killed a bill that critics say would have depressed the use of solar and other alternative energies.