Indiana House approves bill legalizing cremation alternative
Members of Indiana’s House of Representatives approved the measure on a 70-17 vote—a far cry from its defeat on a 34-59 vote a decade ago.
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Revised Indiana casino bill calls for study on best locations
Efforts to move the gaming license for one of Indiana’s underperforming casinos have stalled this year, but a newly filed bill seeks to carry momentum into future legislative sessions.
Bill to add judges in a few counties advances, but plan to cut elsewhere still unclear
A bill that would add two superior courts in Hamilton County and magistrates in two other counties was unanimously approved Tuesday afternoon by the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee.
Waitlists and attendant care: House lawmakers move major Medicaid bills
Indiana House lawmakers on Tuesday passed several pieces of legislation that would curb some of the Medicaid savings measures advanced by the previous gubernatorial administration.
Senate approves electronic pull tabs for charity gambling as House OKs immigration notice mandate
Also past the halfway point are bills on voting, water transfers and teacher pay. The House, meanwhile, pulled back on divorce and municipal election changes.
Former state lawmaker joins Indianapolis lobbying firm
Matt Whetstone, a former Republican state representative, has jumped back and forth between policymaking and lobbying throughout his career.
Local leaders sound alarm on Braun’s property tax overhaul legislation
Republicans and Democrats testified the bill would decrease local governments’ revenues significantly and affect the quality of some public services.
Despite pushback, lawmakers advance bill to double inspections of Indiana’s confined animal farms
Indiana farming groups argued that additional oversight requirements will come at a cost to producers.
Bills reducing early-voting period, closing primaries head to Senate floor
Hoosier voters could see in-person early voting slashed under legislation moving to the Indiana Senate’s floor.
Governor’s cabinet secretaries among state’s highest-paid employees
The eight cabinet secretaries serving under Gov. Mike Braun will each take home $275,000 annually for their new positions.
Braun’s proposed statewide school safety office earns early support in House committee
The proposed Indiana Office of School Safety was pitched by lawmakers Thursday as a cost-effective, “one-stop shop” for state and local officials to collaborate on school safety initiatives.
Eight takeaways from Gov. Mike Braun’s proposed state budget
The House Ways and Means Committee began budget hearings with members of Braun’s cabinet this week. The House will amend its version of the budget into HB 1001 closer to the session’s halfway point in February.
Legislative roundup: Priority tax, health care bills get hearings; small-scale nuclear bills clear committee
House and Senate Republicans rank this session’s top priorities as tax reform and health care reform—and several bills key to achieving their vision had their first hearings this week.
IPS board takes stand against bills that threaten district’s survival
House Bill 1136, the most extreme bill facing the district, would dissolve IPS and its elected school board and replace it with charter schools overseen by an appointed board.
Gov. Mike Braun doubles down on campaign promises in first State of the State address
On Wednesday, most of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus boycotted the event, instead opting to host their own rally.
Bill would give Indy residents choice to pay higher taxes for better roads
The measure includes a provision to allow Marion County residents to vote, through a referendum, for property-tax hikes that would be used to pay for road improvements.
Westfield seeks state support for taxing district near Grand Park
The city will need state legislators to amend existing rules for professional sports and convention development areas for one to be created at Grand Park Sports Campus.
Ahead of Royal Rumble, new Indiana bill could open door to more fighting events
House Bill 1073 would provide regulations for bare-knuckle fighting, professional wrestling, boxing and sparring through the Indiana Gaming Association.
Proposed federal rule change reflects challenges, opportunities for Indiana’s disabled workers
The state has for several years been moving toward competitive integrated employment, in which people with disabilities work alongside non-disabled people for the same wages and benefits.
Bill seeks more income tax revenue for Hamilton County cities, especially Fishers
A bill aimed at adjusting the way income taxes are distributed in Hamilton County seeks to address a disparity in revenue received by Fishers—a situation that has lingered for years.