Lawmakers continue fight over landlord-tenant legislation
Under a change made Thursday, a controversial provision to preempt local ordinances that deal with landlord-tenant rights would take effect immediately instead of July 1.
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Legislature proves it’s unafraid to meddle in Indianapolis affairs
Just in the past month or so, lawmakers have debated proposals to prohibit cities from regulating landlord-tenant relations, allow the attorney general to step in when a local prosecutor decides not to pursue a case, and cut funding to IndyGo—which might stop construction of future bus rapid-transit lines.
IPL gets OK to spend $1.2B on grid upgrade, setting stage for seven years of rate increases
IPL said a typical household customer would likely pay an extra $1.50 a month in the first year. That monthly amount would increase by $1.50 each year, or by a total of $10.50 a month by the seventh year.
Legislation aimed at health care costs moves forward
The Indiana General Assembly moved forward remaining bills aimed at reducing health care costs on Tuesday, but the pieces of legislation still have hurdles to clear before heading to the governor.
Indiana Senate approves bill that could cut IndyGo funding
House Bill 1279, authored by Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, initially only addressed a regional development group in northwest Indiana. But an amendment sought to put teeth in a 2014 state law that required IndyGo to raise private dollars to help finance its mass transit operations.
Liquor superstore planned for former Marsh location in Nora hits legal snag
The Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission ruled Tuesday that state law prohibits it from approving permits to out-of-state residents, potentially setting up a legal challenge based on a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that such requirements are unconstitutional.
Indiana lawmakers back dropping tests in teacher evaluations
Indiana legislators have voted to end the mandatory use of student standardized test results in teacher evaluations, dropping a requirement long opposed by teachers.
Lawmakers remove site-of-service billing requirement from health legislation
Hospital executives said the initial site-of-service regulation would have resulted in significant cuts in staff and services because revenue would drop by millions of dollars.
Indiana House supports language that could remove AG Hill from office
Indiana lawmakers are trying to send a message to Republican Attorney General Curtis Hill: If he loses his law license, even through a temporary suspension, he could be forced out of office and prevented from seeking re-election.
Lawmakers to debate bill change that could determine whether AG Hill stays in office
The move comes in response to questions over whether Hill can remain as the state government’s top lawyer if his law license is suspended for disciplinary reasons.
Hospitals threaten widespread cuts if site-of-service legislation passes
The Indiana Hospital Association gathered several hundred health care professionals at the Statehouse on Monday morning to urge the Indiana Senate to change language in House Bill 1004, which would require hospitals to determine charges based on where a procedure takes place.
Ed Feigenbaum: State’s longest-serving House speaker prepares to turn over gavel
House Speaker Brian Bosma is turning control over to Rep. Todd Huston, who isn’t wedded to policies of the past simply because they were justified when enacted and once worked.
GOP lawmakers push to broaden definition of panhandling
The new language, which was added to a bill this week, would effectively make it illegal to panhandle in all of downtown Indianapolis.
Bill could strip IndyGo of millions of dollars, halt future work on Purple, Blue lines
Sen. Aaron Freeman, the Indianapolis Republican and former city councilor who authored the legislation, said his goal is not to cripple the bus system’s operations but to hold IndyGo accountable to a 2014 law that required it to fund some of its operations with private funds.
Lawmakers consider regulation to hospital billing
As Indiana lawmakers wrestle with various ideas to reduce health care costs, one proposal that businesses say would have an immediate impact has drawn opposition from hospitals.
Indiana lawmakers agree on tougher tobacco sales penalties
Indiana lawmakers are poised to double the fines stores could face for selling smoking or vaping products to anyone younger than 21 years old.
City moves ahead with tenant rights ordinances while Legislature debates regulation
The city of Indianapolis is charging ahead with a plan to protect tenants from bad landlords despite a bill moving through the Indiana General Assembly that would limit the city’s authority on the issue.
Indiana Senate passes ban on holding cell phones while driving
House Bill 1070, authored by Rep. Holli Sullivan, R-Evansville, would prohibit individuals from using a mobile device while driving unless using hands-free or voice-operated technology.
Some doctors worried by Indiana ‘surprise’ billing proposal
Indiana doctors are raising fears about possible loss of emergency services under a plan to limit “surprise” bills for patients unknowingly treated by providers from outside their insurance networks.
Lawmakers move bill that updates rules for employing minors
Senate Bill 409, authored by Sen. Mark Messmer, R-Jasper, eliminates the work permit requirement for minors and tweaks some of the hours they can work.