Indiana lawmakers advance rules for e-cigarette liquids
Several owners of vaping-related businesses told Senate committee members it would cost them thousands of dollars to comply with the proposed regulations.
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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.
Consultants map out steps to avoid repeat of testing uproar
Indiana needs to improve communication between its education leaders, hire more staff and take other steps to prevent a repeat of the “thorny issues” surrounding the length of this year’s ISTEP+ exam, two consultants hired by the state say.
GOP pushes budget plan, contentious issues
Lawmakers have reached the midway point of the General Assembly's four-month session, during which they’ve moved legislation on school funding, casinos, education oversight and religious objections.
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.
Anti-crime bills imposing longer sentences advance to House
Indiana prosecutors and law enforcement officials are backing a package of anti-crime bills that would impose harsher sentences for violent offenders.
UPDATE: FEMA suspends hazard mitigation funds for Indiana
Federal officials have frozen about $5.5 million in hazard mitigation grants for Indiana in response to unresolved compliance issues with a baseball stadium project in Kokomo.
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.
State park nears deal to acquire GM land for concert venue
The White River State Park intends to buy part of the former General Motors stamping plant site and might build a concert venue there to replace The Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn.
Indiana ports set records in 2014
Ports operated by the state set shipping records last year, according to Ports of Indiana, the quasi-government body that operates ports at Burns Harbor on Lake Michigan, and at Jeffersonville and Mount Vernon on the Ohio River.
State unveils design plans for Bicentennial Plaza
The Indiana Department of Administration unveiled renderings Friday morning of a Bicentennial Plaza that includes an interactive fountain and large sculpture that’s supposed to be reminiscent of a torch flame.
Senate leader puts fenced-hunting bill on hold
The leader of the Indiana Senate said Wednesday that a bill to legalize and regulate fenced deer hunting will remain in the rules committee he controls until the GOP caucus finds a solution “that’s fair and reasonable.”
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.
UPDATE: House votes to allow inland moves for riverboat casinos
The Indiana House has approved a proposal that would permit the state's riverboat casinos to move onto land and allow live dealers for table games at the two horse track casinos near Indianapolis.