Indiana lawmakers weigh bills aimed at prosecutors, riot penalties
The endorsed proposal ensures Indiana prosecutors can’t create lists of crimes they won’t prosecute, said bill sponsor Sen. Mike Young.
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Senate taking different approach to tighten governor’s executive powers
The Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee on Tuesday night voted 12-0 to approve Senate Bill 407, which would prevent the governor from continuously renewing statewide emergency orders without the approval of the Indiana General Assembly.
Lawmakers kill bill that would have stripped control of IMPD away from city
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday amended Senate Bill 168, which would have created a five-member board to oversee and govern the Indianapolis police department, to recommend the issue be discussed in a summer study committee.
AG Rokita keeping private sector job while in elected office
Republican Todd Rokita was sworn into office as attorney general in January, but he continues to serve as strategic policy adviser for Apex Benefits, a decision that is being questioned by a government-accountability watchdog group.
COVID-19 lawsuit immunity bill heads to Holcomb
Senate Bill 1, authored by Sen. Mark Messmer, R-Jasper, gives businesses, not-for-profits, schools and religious institutions immunity from COVID-19 civil liability lawsuits.
Lawmakers advance bill to prevent governor, commission from election changes
Senate Bill 353 would give only the Indiana General Assembly the authority to change the date, time or place of an election.
Indiana Secretary of State Lawson announces resignation
Connie Lawson, 71, is the longest-serving secretary of state in Indiana history. She said she was stepping down to focus on her health and family.
IBJ Podcast: Why business execs are pushing back against legislative interference in Indy
More than 60 business and not-for-profit executives have signed a letter telling lawmakers to back off proposals that would restrict or usurp power from city government in Indianapolis.
Indiana ‘missed big’ by not adopting work share, report says
Researchers who have studied work-share programs—which have been implemented in 28 states—say thousands of Indiana workers have been unnecessarily laid off.
Indiana House budget would expand vouchers, limit poverty aid for schools
The budget proposal, which was presented to and passed by the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday, would increase state funding for K-12 education by $378 million over the next two years—a 3.8% boost from this school year.
House Republicans opt to invest in one-time grant programs in budget proposal
The $36.3 billion two-year budget proposed by the House GOP on Thursday would make a handful of one-time investments in small businesses, regional projects, student learning loss, health initiatives, broadband and police training.
State lawmakers advance bill to allow curbside pickup of alcohol
A wide-reaching alcohol policy bill would allow for curbside pickup of alcoholic beverages, plus carryout beverages at the new food hall at the Bottleworks development in downtown Indianapolis.
Indiana panel OKs bill that sets statewide standards on renewable-energy projects
The vote followed a passionate debate between renewable energy advocates and a group of residents and local officials who said legislation would take away local control.
Indiana lawmakers take next step to require FAFSA submission
A bill that would require students at public schools to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid advanced to the Indiana House after lawmakers approved the measure in a Senate vote Tuesday.
House panel advances pregnancy accommodations bill with virtually no mandates
If it becomes law, House Bill 1309, authored by Republican Rep. Karen Engleman of Georgetown, will allow employees to request accommodations from their employer—something pregnant workers are already allowed to do.
Indiana lawmakers could end school takeovers for test performance
A proposal winning early support in the House would eliminate many of the consequences for poor test performance that typically loom over Indiana public schools.
Indiana Senate votes to override Holcomb’s veto of landlord-tenant bill
If it becomes law, Senate Enrolled Act 148 would prevent all local governments from regulating any aspect of landlord-tenant relationships and would block tenant protections that the city of Indianapolis had put in place last spring.
Project to place overdose antidote kits in every Indiana county
Overdose Lifeline intends to purchase and place 215 NaloxBox units across the state. The $58,000 cost of the NaloxBox units and shipping will be paid for through a federal grant to the state.
Indiana lawmakers propose using cigarette tax for Medicaid
A House committee made significant changes Thursday to the way Indiana would spend proceeds from a proposal to hike the state’s cigarette tax for the first time in more than a decade and impose a new state tax on vaping liquids.
State lawmakers consider new emergency session rules
The House Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee on Thursday amended a bill to create what would be called an “emergency session,” which would allow lawmakers to convene at any time during a statewide emergency.