Statehouse update: Wine sales, cell-phone searches, historic tax credits, concussion safety, more
Numerous bills were weighed Thursday at the Indiana Statehouse. Here’s a rundown.
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Senate passes bill allowing state fair alcohol sales
Senate Bill 168 would allow Indiana breweries and wineries to sell their beverages in a designated area. Those under 21 would not be allowed into the barred off section.
House, Senate OK corporate tax plans despite protests
The House and Senate easily approved separate bills Thursday to reduce the business property taxes just hours after local government officials from across the state joined to protest the legislation.
Lawmakers begin to shift focus beyond HJR 3
Following the initial rounds of jockeying surrounding HJR 3, the definition of marriage constitutional amendment, lawmakers can redirect their attention to other matters of substance for a few weeks. This week marks the initial third reading deadline, the final stage for passage of legislation in its chamber of origin, and many important pieces of legislation […]
IPS boss supports cooperating with charter schools
A pending bill could usher in unprecedented cooperation between Indianapolis Public Schools and the city’s charter schools, resulting in significant financial benefits for both.
Committee pushes gambling discussion to summer
A Senate bill that would give the state’s riverboat casinos tax breaks and authorize table gambling in racinos was sent to a summer study committee Wednesday.
Speedway stores cited for beer sales on Christmas
Indiana State Excise Police have cited 109 Speedway convenience stores in Indiana, accusing them of illegally selling beer on Christmas.
Statehouse update: School safety, Common Core, teacher incentives, abortion and more
State lawmakers on Wednesday weighed in on legislation involving mobile-phone snooping, education issues, abortion restrictions, sex trafficking, guns, abandoned houses, veteran injuries and several more topics. Here’s a rundown.
Bill limiting environmental rules heads to Indiana Senate
Indiana regulators would be barred from adopting environmental rules tougher than federal standards under a bill that's advancing in the General Assembly that has drawn criticism that it would hamper efforts to protect the state's environment and public health.
Preservation tax credit gets makeover in House bill
The Indiana House is set to consider legislation that would shift the state’s historical preservation tax cut program into one that relies on grants instead.
Indiana House gatekeeper open to soccer stadium
House Ways and Means Chairman Tim Brown said lawmakers will consider a plan by the IndyEleven soccer team to finance an $87 million stadium. The proposal is likely to be attached to an existing Senate bill.
Statehouse update: Distance treatment, biological drugs, charter schools, and more
State lawmakers on Tuesday weighed in on legislation involving state fair school-skipping, charity gambling prizes, out-of-office medical treatment, charity gambling, help for military bases, meth home disclosures, bus inspections, and more. Here’s a rundown.
Plan to require welfare drug testing passes to Senate
House Bill 1351, authored by Rep. Jud McMillin, R-Brookville, would require some recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families to undergo drug testing. The bill passed 71-22.
House passes bill to end hiring discrimination for veterans
House Bill 1242 would make it illegal to refuse a person employment based on military veteran status.
Senate amends corporate tax bill, rejects Democrats’ efforts to strip key provisions
Financial institutions would have to wait an additional three years to fully feel the effects of a statewide tax cut under changes made Tuesday to Indiana Senate Bill 1.
Bill to let wineries sell to stores moves to full House
House Bill 1387 will amend the previous law and allow wineries to distribute up to 5,000 gallons of wine to grocery stores, restaurants, bars and other establishments.
Indiana House passes revised gay-marriage ban
The proposed amendment, which cleared the chamber on 57-40 vote, now heads to the Indiana Senate, where members of the Senate Judiciary Committee could amend the measure back to its original form.
Proposal would cut sales tax for propane users
Republicans say they will offer an amendment to Senate Bill 1 to eliminate the sales tax on any propane that costs more than $2.50 per gallon.
Mass-transit bill clears Senate committee, with changes
A mass-transit bill for metro Indianapolis cleared a key Senate committee Tuesday morning, but left open many questions about how such a system would be funded. An amendment to the bill nixed the use of light rail.
State unemployment rate shrinks to 6.9 percent
The improvement came despite a small decline in private-sector employment of 4,800 jobs during the month.