Report: States could help prevent natural gas explosions
Three powerful accidents in recent years highlight weaknesses in oversight of how natural gas providers maintain their largest pipelines, the National Transportation Safety Board reported.
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House panel OKs much-revised Sunday alcohol sales bill
The proposal to legalize Sunday carry-out alcohol sales in Indiana now could force grocery stores and pharmacies to follow the same regulations as liquor stores.
UPDATE: Senate panel OKs bill to let education board elect leader
The legislation would overturn the current law in which the state's elected superintendent of public instruction – now Democrat Glenda Ritz – automatically chairs the board.
State panel backs legalizing fenced-in hunting preserves
Indiana’s four current high-fenced deer-hunting preserves would be the only ones allowed in the state under a bill endorsed by a legislative committee.
Senate panel taking up Indiana religious freedom bill
On Monday afternoon, lawmakers will debate broadly worded proposals that opponents fear would give businesses the justification to discriminate against customers who don’t share the same beliefs.
House backs off Pence plan to cut higher ed tax credit
The Indiana House is dropping one unpopular part of Gov. Mike Pence’s proposed tax overhaul – and another key section that would help some businesses is in jeopardy.
FEIGENBAUM: Legislative battles looming over religious expression
Republican leaders haven’t put religious expression measures on their agenda for the session, but they aren’t inclined to stand in the way.
Tax ‘simplification’ bill raises numerous questions
Indiana lawmakers are considering legislation that would eliminate $21 million in annual tax cuts for businesses and individuals, bolster a break for the working poor, and expand a sales tax exemption for businesses.
Statehouse roundup: Bills tackle audits, religious hiring, massage therapy, divorce waiting times
Lawmakers on Monday advanced or considered legislation regarding religious hiring decisions, massage therapy, divorce waiting times, audit frequency, death benefits for EMS workers and how to treat school board members convicted of felonies.
Bill would treat massage therapists as health care providers
A bill that would impose stricter regulations on massage therapists passed the Indiana House Public Health Committee on Monday.
Telecom firms fight over bill altering state powers
Opponents of the bill say it would give big companies more leverage in negotiating connection agreements with smaller firms. Supporters say it just reduces redundancy in laws already on the books.
Legislators look at cutting college tax credit, other breaks
One of the 29 tax breaks targeted for elimination allows up to a $200 credit for contributions to Indiana universities or colleges.
Hotly debated bill to regulate e-cigarette liquid advances
A large group came to protest Senate Bill 539, authored by Sen. Carlin Yoder, R-Middlebury, which would establish regulations on e-liquid – the fluid used in electronic cigarettes.
Medical-marijuana bill won’t fly this session, but attitudes shift
Indiana won’t put itself on the marijuana-friendly map this year, as a medical marijuana bill authored by Democratic Sen. Karen Tallian is unlikely to go further than a committee hearing.
Panel backs shifting power to Indiana state education board
An Indiana House committee has advanced a Republican-led proposal for shifting authority over education policy away from the elected state superintendent of public instruction.
Nearly 80 schools, districts could face takeover under bill
House Bill 1638 would give significant new powers to the State Board of Education to intervene in schools earning a D or F grade for at least four straight years—even creating new schools within a school district.
Legislation would allow alcohol at retirement, nursing homes
A group of residents at a Bloomington retirement home are spearheading a legislative push to allow alcohol to be served at Indiana's nursing homes and retirement communities.
House panel passes bill for Amish exemption on photo IDs
Bill sponsor Rep. Robert Morris, R-Fort Wayne, said it was created to give Indiana's Amish population more access to outside businesses such as banks and pharmacies that require a state-issued ID.
Indiana Senate committee approves ‘crime-reduction’ bills
An Indiana Senate committee on Tuesday approved a set of bills intended to fight crime that among other things would impose harsher sentences for violent offenders and provide funding for police overtime.
State redistricting issue headed to a study committee
House Bill 1032 would create a redistricting commission to hold hearings, take public comment and recommend plans to redraw legislative and congressional districts. But leaders plan to send the issue to a study committee first.