Senate joins House in passing Indiana cannabis oil bill
The Indiana Legislature is poised to allow anyone to purchase and use a cannabis-derived extract believed to have therapeutic benefits, following a key vote by the state Senate on Monday.
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Township merger bill fails without legislative vote
A proposal that would have forced government mergers on about 300 small Indiana townships has died in the Legislature without a vote.
Push for merging small Indiana townships nears House vote
Hundreds of Indiana’s least-populated townships face forced mergers with their neighbors in what would be the most significant overhaul of the local governments since a gubernatorial commission called for their elimination a decade ago.
Senate panel advances bill allowing more guns in church
An Indiana Senate panel has advanced a bill that would allow churches to let people to carry guns in more circumstances. The measure by Republican Sen. Jack Sandlin of Indianapolis was approved 5-2 Wednesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Civil forfeiture reform bill passes Senate
A bill that would overhaul Indiana’s civil forfeiture framework has passed the Indiana Senate. The legislation is in response to a federal court ruling that struck down part of Indiana’s civil forfeiture statute as unconstitutional.
Hate crime bill dies in Senate committee
Hate crime legislation has again failed in the Indiana Statehouse after Senate Republicans could not reach a consensus on what the bill should include.
House passes bill allowing for e-signing of probate documents
A bill that would allow testators to electronically sign their wills, trusts and powers of attorney documents has received approval from the Indiana House of Representatives.
Bill would limit sex offenders’ access to churches on school property
Serious sex offenders who attend church on a property that also houses an educational institution would be restricted in the amount of time they can spend at that church through a bill that passed an Indiana Senate committee Tuesday.
Senate panel to take up hate crimes bill — again
An Indiana Senate committee will take up a bill targeting hate crimes — again.
Bill expanding AG’s standing in settlements divides committee
A bill expanding the Indiana Attorney General’s ability to intervene in certain settlements that do not involve constitutional issues cleared a Statehouse committee Monday on a party-line vote. The measure advances to the full Senate.
Eliminating Indiana handgun carry permit fee could cost $11M
An Indiana legislative report estimates state and local governments would lose nearly $11 million a year in revenue under the proposed elimination of fees for lifetime handgun permits.
Indiana House panel backs bill raising smoking age to 21
Indiana's legal age for buying tobacco products would increase from 18 to 21 under a bill backed by a House panel.
Justices hear plea modification case as Senate acts on similar bill
Before 2014, it was a cut-and-dry issue: fixed-sentence plea agreements meant an offender would serve out the terms of their plea, with no chance to change it. But after 2014 legislation and a 2016 Indiana Court of Appeals decision, the Indiana Supreme Court must now decide whether such agreements may be modified.
Holcomb extends CBD oil order through legislative session
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Friday extended the moratorium on seizures of CBD oil from retailers’ shelves — as well Indiana State Excise Police’s education period on products derived from cannabis — while lawmakers consider bills regulating those products.
Senate committee advances civil forfeiture bill
A long-discussed civil forfeiture reform bill has cleared its first hurdle in the Indiana statehouse. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday passed Senate Bill 99, which tightens due process procedures when prosecutors seek to confiscate property allegedly connected with crimes.
Senate approves new judges for Putnam, Kosciusko counties
As judicial resources continue to be stretched thin across Hoosier courtrooms, the Indiana Senate has approved two measures that would provide relief for two Indiana counties.
Senate committee passes billing legalizing sale of CBD oil
A bill that would allow Hoosiers to purchase a marijuana-derived product over-the-counter from any retailer is headed to the full Senate floor.
IndyBar: 2018 — The Year of the Short Session and the Distinguished Lawyer-Legislator Luncheon
If you are even a little bit curious about a specific bill or the legislative process, please join us for the Lawyer-Legislator Luncheon. In my biased opinion, it is the best legislative CLE around!
Fixed plea modifications at heart of legislation, Supreme Court case
When a court accepts a fixed-sentence plea agreement, prosecutors and defenders alike say the long-standing practice has been for courts to uphold the exact terms of that sentence, absent an agreement between the parties. A recent Indiana Court of Appeals ruling, however, has seemingly put an end to that practice, leading to both a legislative and judicial review of the sentencing issue.
Rush: Courts ready for hope-filled future
It’s no secret the ongoing opioid epidemic has ravaged nearly every corner of the Hoosier state, sending thousands to court on drug charges, ballooning the number of children in need of services and more. But even as the drug crisis strains Indiana’s judicial resources, Chief Justice Loretta Rush said new court programs and technology have positioned the judiciary to meet the crisis head-on and lead the state into a “hope-filled future.”