Pelath stepping down as Indiana House minority leader
Indiana House minority leader Scott Pelath says he’s giving up that post and won’t seek re-election next year.
Indiana General Assembly
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Alcohol review panel set to meet at Indiana Statehouse
A legislative commission created to review Indiana’s antiquated booze laws will meet just days after two powerful lobbying groups presented their own alcohol plan as one that will win lawmakers’ approval.
2 groups make deal on Sunday booze sales after past disputes
Two powerful lobbying groups that have scuttled attempts to legalize carryout Sunday alcohol sales in Indiana with their past disagreements announced a deal Friday that could clear a path forward.
Indiana allowing rifle hunting on public land despite law error
Indiana's wildlife agency says it will allow deer hunters to use rifles on state or federal property despite a legislative error that banned the use of such weapons. The Department of Natural Resources said an emergency state rule will allow rifles during the firearms deer-hunting season that begins Nov. 18.
Indiana prosecutors vehemently oppose medical marijuana
Indiana’s county prosecutors remain vehemently opposed to any form of marijuana legalization and insist the plant “is not medicine” amid a push by a conservative state lawmaker to have it recognized as such.
Panel backs banning local restrictions on Airbnb rentals
The Indiana Legislature could again consider prohibiting cities and towns from putting restrictions on short-term rental services such as Airbnb.
Justices rule state immune to ex-IDEM worker’s whistleblower claim
A divided Indiana Supreme Court has found that the state is immune from a non-tort claim made by a former state employee under the Indiana False Claims and Whistleblower Protection Act.
Probate bar proposes legislation to permit electronic signatures on wills
In an increasingly digital world, the legal ritual of a person signing a last will and testament before two witnesses who attest to the signer’s capacity may be evolving. Lawmakers next year will consider a proposal to allow electronic signatures on wills and other trust and estate documents.
Committee to continue discussions on impact of criminal code reform
Indiana lawmakers will continue to learn more about the effect criminal code reform has had on the state’s criminal justice system when the Interim Study Committee on Corrections and Criminal Code meets for its third meeting this week.
Draft civil forfeiture reform bill gets committee endorsement, but with opposition
A preliminary draft of proposed legislation that would revamp Indiana’s civil forfeiture law has been endorsed by members of a summer study committee, but not without concerns raised by lawmakers.
4 counties receive initial approval for new magistrates, courts
Four Indiana counties will be able to make their case to the Indiana General Assembly for additional judicial resources after a legislative study committee gave a positive recommendation to their requests for additional judges and courts.
Committee members to discuss need for new courts, judicial officers at final meeting
Indiana lawmakers will gather for the final meeting of the Interim Study Committee on Courts and the Judiciary this week, when they will address the need for new courts or judicial officers throughout the state.
Public defenders decry growing caseloads
As the number of children in need of services cases continues to rise, public defenders across Indiana are stretching themselves to be able to offer competent representation while also serving as many clients as possible. Defenders are likewise feeling a strain on their misdemeanor caseloads.
New limits proposed for civil forfeiture
After a federal judge ruled part of Indiana’s civil forfeiture framework unconstitutional, state lawmakers are now reviewing proposed legislation to bring that framework in compliance with federal mandates and prosecutors’ suggestions.
Lawmakers hear proposals for increased indigent defense funding
Public defenders from across the state came to the Indiana Statehouse Thursday to share their concerns about what they see as crisis in the state’s judiciary – the increasing difficulty their offices face to comply with caseload suggestions as more and more filings hit their desks.
Report: Sentencing overhaul hasn’t meant big Indiana savings
A report to Indiana lawmakers shows the state hasn't seen significant savings from an overhaul of criminal sentencing laws aimed at sending fewer people convicted of nonviolent crimes to prison.
Untested rape exam kits number thousands in Indiana
Like many states, Indiana has a problem — mountains of untested rape exam kits in local law enforcement agencies that contain DNA evidence potentially identifying sex offenders. Indiana’s backlog of untested kits is certainly in the thousands. Victim advocates say the question is, how many thousands?
Criminal code reform packs jails with Level 6 felony inmates
Nearly half the people housed in Indiana jails were there on a low-level felony charge, and in some counties, this population by itself exceeded the capacity of local jails.
Study committees to look at cost savings for DOC, indigent defense services
Indiana lawmakers will continue their discussions about various topics affecting the legal profession and law enforcement when two interim study committees reconvene next week.
Indiana officials consider ridding of handgun carry licenses
Indiana police officials say a proposal to eliminate the state's handgun carry license requirement for civilians could result in a loss of revenue.