Commission on Courts ponders money issues
Money matters took up the most time for an interim legislative committee this morning, as members considered issues delving into the balance between fiscal responsibility and judicial efficiency.
Indiana General Assembly
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Insurance presents first-impression issue
The Indiana Court of Appeals determined today for the first time that post-retirement health insurance premiums paid by a former employer aren't a marital asset subject to a division.
Governor likely to soon get St. Joe judges bill
Gov. Mitch Daniels will likely receive legislation today aimed primarily at scrapping judicial merit selection in St. Joseph County and creating a new Indiana Court of Appeals panel starting 2011.
Paternity, election bills go to governor
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels received 34 enrolled bills Tuesday awaiting his signature to make them law.
House committee split, justice election bill stuck
Legislation aimed at changing how the Indiana Supreme Court justices are chosen hasn't gotten enough support to make it out of committee for now, getting a split vote from lawmakers that means it won't be going to the full House for consideration.
Bill: Legal aid services can assess indigency
Indiana lawmakers want the state's legal aid and pro bono programs to have one less hurdle to navigate through when representing indigent clients, agreeing that there's no need to always tie up court time in establishing indigency.
New legislation streaming in
An Indiana Court of Appeals expansion, executing the mentally ill, and how judges find representation in mandate litigation are just a few proposals already on tap for the General Assembly to consider this session.
Township assessor loses appeal
The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled against a township assessor who filed a suit last year after the General Assembly enacted a bill that eliminated her office and transferred her duties to the county assessor.
Forum to focus on energy policy and progress
The 2009 Environmental Policy Forum Spring Symposium at Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis will feature professors, members of the Indiana General Assembly and various environmental and energy organizations who will examine Indiana's energy policy and the progress and prospects for legislation.
Judicial merit-selection override a possibility
The state's top executive has rejected the idea of scrapping merit selection in St. Joseph County, but it remains unclear whether lawmakers will attempt to override that veto during a special session.
2010 Organization Day for lawmakers today
Lawmakers returned to the Indiana Statehouse today for Organization Day, a traditionally ceremonial time spent electing leaders and organizing priorities for its second regular session – the short session – that starts in January. More coverage will be in the Nov. 25 issue of Indiana Lawyer.
Coverage for unborn children up in air
Lawmakers failed to act on a bill that would have amended Indiana's child wrongful death statute to cover unborn children, thus defeating it for this legislative session in its current form.
Senate passes new COA panel bill
The Indiana Senate has given its OK to add three judges to the state's second highest appellate court.
Senate gets St. Joe judges bill, with twist
The full Indiana Senate will consider in the next week whether St. Joseph Superior judges should be elected or merit-selected and retained by voters. A Senate committee wants the full legislative body to consider that issue, but with a twist: An amendment has been attached to the controversial House Bill 1491.
Indiana delegation attending ABA summit
Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard is heading an Indiana delegation that will attend the American Bar Association's national summit to foster cooperation and communication among the three branches of state government.
Lawyer attacks state representative
The lawyer accused of attacking attorney and state representative Edward DeLaney faces five counts, including attempted murder.
Committee ponders DCS authority of juveniles
An interim legislative committee is deciding what it should do about a last-minute, special session addition giving the Department of Child Services even more control over juvenile justice decisions that judges have historically been entrusted to make.
Lawmakers: No Gitmo detainees to Indiana
A Northern Indiana lawmaker doesn't want any Guantanamo Bay Naval Base detainees to be sent to a high-security prison in Terre Haute once the Guantanamo camp is closed within a year.
Governor gives teachers more legal protection
Hoping to curb frivolous lawsuits against teachers and schools, Gov. Mitch Daniels signed into law today legislation that he describes as being the strongest in the nation on protecting teachers from student discipline litigation.
House OKs feticide bill, sends back to Senate
Legislation that would increase the penalty for fetal homicide has made it through the Indiana House of Representatives, and now must go back for approval in the Senate where it originated since some changes were made.