Restoring humanity and dignity to those wrongly convicted
Legislation in the Indiana General Assembly Bill would compensate people who have been exonerated after a wrongful conviction, but only if they don’t sue the state.
Indiana House of Representatives
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Indiana Senate backs tougher law on passing stopped buses
Indiana drivers could face tougher penalties for passing stopped school buses under a bill advancing in the Legislature.
Indiana Senate committee moves bias crimes bill forward
After more than three hours of testimony and discussion on Monday morning, the Senate Public Policy Committee voted to send a bias crimes bill to the full Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 12 would give judges the ability to consider whether a crime was committed out of hate or bias toward specific groups of individuals as an aggravating circumstance at sentencing.
Impeachment investigation sought of Indiana attorney general
An Indiana legislator wants an investigation into the possible impeachment of state Attorney General Curtis Hill over allegations he drunkenly groped a female lawmaker and three female legislative staffers at a bar. Democratic Rep. Ed DeLaney of Indianapolis said he submitted the request Thursday asking that the House Judiciary Committee investigate Hill’s conduct and whether he should remain in office.
Alcohol bills move to full House for consideration after changes
State lawmakers on Wednesday made changes to two major bills addressing alcohol issues before moving both pieces of legislation to the full House for consideration.
House approves bill to lift light-rail ban in central Indiana
A bill that would end the prohibition on light-rail construction in Marion and six other central Indiana counties passed the Indiana House on Tuesday.
Election panel won’t probe Bosma’s use of campaign funds
A state election panel won’t investigate Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma’s use of campaign funds to collect information on a woman who says she performed oral sex on the married Republican lawmaker when she was a legislative intern in 1992.
Indiana GOP seeks abortion ban blocked in 7 other states
Indiana Republicans eager for a rare legal victory in their efforts to restrict abortion rights are seeking to outlaw a second-trimester procedure, hopeful an increasingly conservative U.S. Supreme Court will back a ban that courts have blocked in seven other states.
Public Defender Commission seeks funds for misdemeanors, appellate office
Guided by a task force report that calls for major reforms to Indiana’s indigent defense system, the Indiana Public Defender Commission is seeking additional funds in the state’s next biennial budget to improve defense services for indigent clients.
Rallies at Statehouse show divide over Roe still wide after 46 years
On the 46th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, supporters and opponents scheduled rallies at the Indiana Statehouse, underscoring the deep divide over the ruling that remains more than four decades later. Advocates of reproductive rights gathered on the fourth floor of the Statehouse Tuesday to begin their push for Senate Bill 589, while Indiana Right to Life had a rally scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Web exclusive: Hoosier legislators make second attempt at regulating hemp
In 1943, an Indiana farmer grew hemp on Hoosier soil to produce manufactured fibers, contributing to the efforts of World War II. More than 70 years later, his son is now poised to grow that same hemp legally in the state for the first time since.
Bill proposes notice for trains blocking crossings 10 minutes
After the Indiana Supreme Court struck down a state law allowing railroads to be fined for lengthy blockages of train crossings, legislation filed in the 2019 General Assembly seeks another avenue of relief for Hoosier motorists held up by trains, especially motorists driving emergency responders.
Sexual harassment bills target public official misconduct
After sexual misconduct and harassment allegations were leveled at Attorney General Curtis Hill and House Speaker Brian Bosma, harassment-related legislation is again being considered by the General Assembly, this year taking specific aim at accused elected officials.
House Ethics Committee to vote on sexual harassment policy
Indiana lawmakers will meet tomorrow to vote on proposed language that would make it an ethical violation for state representatives to commit sexual harassment, a move that comes as high-ranking elected officials are facing harassment allegations of their own. The House Statutory Committee on Ethics will vote on amended language of the House Code of Ethics upon adjournment of the House session on Tuesday.
Panel backs moving up appointment of Indiana schools chief
Indiana voters wouldn’t decide anymore who serves as the state schools superintendent under a proposal being pushed by legislative Republicans.
Indiana lawmaker seeks tighter management of veterans fund
An Indiana lawmaker is seeking to tighten up management of a grant program meant to help struggling veterans after revelations that the state agency that oversees it awarded some of the grants to its own employees.
Hill accuser Reardon files bills to oust officials guilty of sexual misconduct
The Indiana lawmaker who publicly accused Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill of drunkenly groping her in early 2018 has filed a series of bills allowing for the removal of elected officials who commit sexual misconduct and enhancing the penalties for such conduct.
Rush to give 2019 State of the Judiciary next week
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush announced she will present the 2019 State of the Judiciary next week to Gov. Eric Holcomb and a joint session of the Indiana General Assembly.
Lawmaker expects Indianapolis to be considered for casino
The Indiana General Assembly is expected to consider a proposal that would allow Gary’s two casino licenses to relocate this year — one would stay in Gary, while the other could move to another city.
House panel OKs new Howard, Vanderburgh magistrate judges
Two counties seeking funding for additional magistrate judges from the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee got their wish Wednesday when the panel advanced the legislation to the House floor.