Indiana House OKs bill to ban texting while driving
Indiana drivers would not be allowed to send or read text messages on mobile phones under legislation that cleared the Indiana House on Tuesday.
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House panel backs cuts to jobless benefits
An Indiana House committee split along party lines to approve a bill that would cut jobless benefits for some people starting next year as the state tries to fix its insolvent unemployment insurance system.
Committee explores ways to reduce government
Charging not-for-profits for government services, eliminating certain paper records and trimming how much counties pay to mental-health institutions are among the ways local officials say the cost of government could be reduced.
Arizona-style immigration bill slated for hearing
The proposal from Sen. Mike Delph of Carmel would require police to ask for proof of citizenship or immigration status if they had a reasonable suspicion that a person is illegally in the country.
State lawmakers to take on unemployment insurance
Businesses with a history of laying off employees would pay more in unemployment insurance costs, and workers in industries where layoffs occur regularly would receive lower benefits under a bill Indiana lawmakers are preparing to take up.
State House exempts bars from smoking ban bill
Casinos were already exempt from the proposal, but on Monday the House voted 56-33 to also exempt bars that don't allow anyone under age 21 to enter.
Some big bills on back burner in Indiana Legislature
Three weeks into Indiana's legislative session, Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma is touting the hard work being done on major issues. Democratic House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer contends the session is off to a slow start.
Legislators put vote center bill on fast track
Indiana lawmakers are moving quickly to advance an election bill that would allow any Indiana county to create centralized vote centers to replace traditional neighborhood polling precincts.
Legislation seeks RFP option for selling state land
The bill would allow the Indiana Department of Administration to sell real estate using a request for proposals, in addition to existing options for competitive bids or an auction.
State lawmakers consider repealing alcohol ID bill
An Indiana law that requires all people—regardless of age—to show identification when buying alcohol has caused headaches for some shoppers, but liquor store representatives are urging lawmakers not to repeal it.
Statewide smoking ban bill clears House committee
The Indiana House Public Health Committee voted 9-3 to endorse the bill prohibiting smoking in public places and indoor work sites—after it exempted casinos and pari-mutuel horse tracks from the ban.
Indiana House panel backs texting ban for all drivers
Drivers wouldn’t be allowed to send or read text messages on cell phones under a bill approved by an Indiana House committee.
Bill would make Indiana schools start after Labor Day
Republican Sen. Mike Delph of Carmel said it makes sense to start school after Labor Day because families would have more summer vacation time together.
Daniels’ budget proposal wouldn’t cut hearing aids
State budget director Adam Horst said he misspoke when he told the State Budget Committee last week that Daniels&’ proposal would eliminate Medicaid coverage for hearing aids.
GOP lawmakers push plan to expand charters
The House Education Committee is considering a bill to allow more charter schools, which are public schools that are free of certain state regulations. The bill also allows charters to share state transportation funds with traditional public schools.
Panel OKs adding cell numbers to no-call list
An Indiana House committee has endorsed a bill that would allow residents to add their cell phone numbers to the state's do-not-call list for unwanted telemarketing calls.
State lobbying commission sidelines executive director
The Indiana Lobby Registration Commission placed Executive Director and general counsel Sarah Nagy on paid leave Monday, the day before a busy filing day for the state's lobbyists.
Indiana House panel head expects few budget changes
The chairman of the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee says he expects the panel to make at most modest changes to Gov. Mitch Daniels’ state budget proposal
Indiana officials hope to capitalize on Illinois’ tax woes
Governor, economic development officials look to lure companies to Indiana that now may find doing business in Illinois too costly. But a few experts question whether the state will see any immediate benefits.
Police support cold medicine prescriptions
Some Indiana police officers are backing a push for a change in state law to restrict access to cold medicines used in making methamphetamine by requiring prescriptions for those with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.