Senate prepares for possible winter storm
With an impending winter storm taking aim at Indiana this weekend, the Indiana Senate passed a motion Thursday just in case session has to be cancelled Monday.
Indiana Senate
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Bills heading to governor’s desk
As the legislative session heads toward its March 14 close, several bills have passed both houses and are on their way to Gov. Mike Pence for his signature.
Same-sex marriage amendment passes Senate
The resolution seeking to ban same-sex marriage in the Indiana Constitution passed the Senate Monday, meaning the soonest voters may have a say in the matter is 2016.
Lawmakers fly through bills to meet deadlines, beat weather
The Indiana General Assembly has adjourned for the week after working quickly to move bills out of the House of Representatives and Senate by their respective deadlines. The legislators also kept an eye on a winter storm heading toward Indiana Tuesday.
Marion County Small Claims bill may be headed for study committee
Legislation that would require Marion County Small Claims judges to select among themselves an administrative judge to carry out the duties currently performed by the Marion Circuit judge passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday. The committee also is asking for a study committee to look at Small Claims court administration.
Sen. Long sends marriage amendment to rules committee
Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long announced Thursday morning that House Joint Resolution 3 – which seeks to amend Indiana’s Constitution to ban gay marriage – will be heard by the Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee.
Bill proposes modest Marion County small claims reforms
Modest reforms to the derided Marion County township small claims courts are proposed in a bill scheduled to get a committee hearing Wednesday.
Lifeline Law expansion clears Senate committee
Indiana’s Lifeline Law that provides immunity for minors who report dangerous underage intoxication would expand to cover reporting of any medical crisis, sexual assault or crime if a bill that cleared a Senate committee Wednesday is enacted.
Magistrate, expungement bills pass committee
Legislation updating Indiana’s expungement law – including language specifying where a petition for expungement must be filed – is now eligible for consideration by the full House. The expungement bill is one of several that moved out of committee Thursday.
Bill pledges greater gun immunity, protection for judges
Judicial officers would be granted the same ability to carry firearms and immunity as law enforcement officers under a bill introduced by the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Criminal code study committee sets 2 December meeting dates
The Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee will hold two final meetings in December – Dec. 10 and 19 – to look at funding and sentencing.
Indiana House speaker outlines agenda for 2014 legislative session
Addressing the Indiana House of Representatives, Speaker Brian Bosma encouraged legislators to move forward with the new criminal code and to provide the funding for community corrections programs.
Second session of 118th General Assembly begins Tuesday
The Indiana General Assembly will mark the official start of the 2014 legislative session with Organization Day on Nov. 19.
Sen. Landske diagnosed with lung cancer, will stay in office
Indiana State Sen. Sue Landske (R-Cedar Lake) announced Wednesday that she will undergo treatment for lung cancer but intends to continue to serve after almost 30 years in the Senate.
Indiana psychologists question qualifications for insanity evaluations
The Indiana Psychological Association tried to convince members of the Indiana General Assembly to make a key change to state law governing insanity evaluations Sept. 24, but legislators seemed skeptical of the need for a revision.
Indiana General Assembly to review ISTEP debacle next week
Review of the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress moves to the Statehouse next week with the Indiana General Assembly’s Commission on Education scheduled to hear testimony about the ISTEP testing debacle that occurred in April.
House, Senate override veto of HEA 1546
Indiana legislators gathered Wednesday on the first regular technical session of the 118th General Assembly to vote on whether to override Gov. Mike Pence’s veto of House Enrolled Act 1546, a bill concerning tax administration matters. Pence vetoed the bill over concerns about retroactive approval of taxes collected in Jackson and Pulaski counties.
Legislative Council approves interim committees but concedes number becoming unwieldy
While Indiana’s Legislative Council passed by consent Thursday the resolution creating 18 commissions and interim study committees, leaders in the Indiana House of Representatives voiced concerns over the growing number of summer study committees and unwieldy list of topics to review.
Session wraps up, bills await governor’s signature
The Indiana General Assembly completed its 2013 legislative session late Friday, passing a two-year budget that retroactively eliminates the state inheritance tax and increases funding for the Department of Child Services.
Criminal code overhaul goes to Pence
The Indiana Senate Friday passed the legislation that is the first comprehensive reform of the state’s criminal code in more than 35 years. It now goes to Gov. Mike Pence for his signature.