Local efforts to limit Fourth of July festivities fizzle
Not everyone is having a blast over the explosion of fireworks use in Indiana in recent years. But local attempts so far to curb the concussions have bombed.
Indiana General Assembly
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Indiana House hires attorneys to defend public records suit
The Indiana House of Representatives has hired two outside attorneys, who bill an average of nearly $400 an hour, to defend itself from a lawsuit filed over its refusal to provide correspondence over a solar power bill under the state's public records law.
Annexation law gives landowners more clout
Forty-nine days after the start of the 2015 Indiana General Assembly, many landowners fighting municipalities around the state got what they wanted. But language ending involuntary incorporation was stripped from the bill.
Renewed fight expected over Indiana abortion clinic rules
Indiana's push to place tougher restrictions on a Lafayette Planned Parenthood clinic that provides abortions only by using drugs, not surgery, could spark a new court fight under a revised law set to take effect in July.
Legislature continues support of We the People program
Indiana’s We the People program, a civics education curriculum that teaches elementary, middle and high school students about U.S. history and government, has received another round of funding from the Statehouse.
New laws shelter attorneys-in-fact from liability in settling estates
How long heirs have to initiate an action arising from an attorney-in-fact’s final accounting of an estate has been an open question in Indiana, but a recent change in state law settles it. Mostly.
Legislative Council assigns topics to summer committees
Although a study to determine the appropriate number of courts in Pulaski County was not assigned to a summer interim committee, the Indiana Legislature may not be finished with making reductions in some state courts.
Legislature turns to attorney to lead new ethics office
A longtime legislative attorney has been tapped to lead the state’s new Office of Legislative Ethics.
Lawmakers eye changes at troubled Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Indiana lawmakers say they're looking for more changes at the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles after an independent audit found numerous troubles and that the agency might have overcharged motorists more than the $60 million previously disclosed.
Gov. Mike Pence passes law to address vacant housing
City officials in Indianapolis are applauding a law that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed last week that won't let municipalities hold banks responsible for upkeep on vacant homes.
Pence signs bill repealing Indiana construction wage law
Local boards will no longer set minimum wages for public construction projects in Indiana under a law signed Wednesday by Gov. Mike Pence.
Indiana lawmakers could meet in June for technical session
Indiana lawmakers could return to the Statehouse next month to correct errors in new statutes or override a veto by the governor.
Pence signs bill tightening Indiana’s state ethics laws
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has endorsed an overhaul of state ethics laws that requires greater financial disclosure by lawmakers and expressly prohibits elected officials from using state resources for political purposes.
Capstone of criminal code reform put in place during 2015 session
The bill establishing the funding and the mechanism to distribute the dollars needed for Indiana’s new criminal code reform had a bumpy ride through the Statehouse. But in the final hours of the 2015 legislative session, lawmakers approved language that ensured the money would be funneled through local programs and projects designed to reduce recidivism and ease overcrowding in Indiana’s prisons.
Legislation protects county assessments on big-box stores
A new measure on the taxation of big-box stores is expected to help Indiana counties avoid fiscal disaster, but national retailers aren’t happy about it.
Religious freedom turmoil likely to spill into next year
The colorful fliers passed out by aides to Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and House Speaker Brian Bosma last week highlighted what both called numerous accomplishments of this year’s legislative session.
Lawmakers pass Marion Co. small claims reforms
The General Assembly Wednesday afternoon passed modest reforms of the nine township small claims courts in Marion County, a far cry from recommendations of multiple judicial studies to restructure the courts.
Indiana lawmakers approve tougher ethics laws after lapses
Indiana legislators gave final approval Monday to a state ethics law overhaul that requires greater financial disclosure by lawmakers and expressly prohibits elected officials from using state resources for political purposes.
Indiana Senate backs bill loosening rules on wine sales
Indiana residents will have an easier time having wine shipped to their homes under a bill approved by state lawmakers.
Pence objection blocks adoptees’ birth-record access, advocates say
Gov. Mike Pence’s objections to a bill that would open the birth records for hundreds of thousands of adult Hoosiers thwarted chances it will pass the General Assembly this session, according to proponents who said they have been informed the bill will receive no further hearings in the House of Representatives.