Indiana House committee strikes Senate’s attempt to ban ‘marijuana light’
Lawmakers in the Indiana House nixed an effort by some Senate Republicans to ban the sale of a popular derivative of hemp at levels that can give users a high.
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House committee removes ‘persuasion’ language, unanimously passes obstruction of justice bill
Language described by some lawmakers as being too broad and vague was unanimously removed from an obstruction of justice bill during an Indiana House committee meeting on Wednesday.
Bill allowing Level 6 offenders to go to DOC heads to full Indiana Senate
A bill that would roll back a major provision of Indiana criminal justice reform legislation is headed for the full Indiana Senate, but concerns still linger over whether the state is doing its part to provide treatment to criminal offenders with mental illnesses and addictions.
Indiana lawmakers step back ‘curricula transparency’ bill
Indiana lawmakers rolled back a contentious bill aimed at increasing transparency of school curricula Wednesday in response to mounting criticism from teachers and education advocates.
Indiana Senate panel waters down vaccine bill, prompting businesses to support it
Lawmakers in the Indiana Senate on Wednesday morning struck language from the House GOP’s vaccine mandates bill that would have forced employers to accept any religious exemptions without further question.
Indiana Senate committee strips all tax cuts from House proposal
Republicans in the Indiana Senate gutted House Republicans’ plan for $1 billion in tax cuts within minutes of the bill’s first hearing in the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee on Tuesday.
Opponents say curriculum bill already having ‘chilling effect’ in Indiana classrooms
A contentious Indiana bill that Republican lawmakers say would increase transparency of school curricula could undergo significant changes Wednesday in response to mounting criticism from teachers and education advocates.
Legislative fatigue reflects weariness with housing crisis
By the time the “residential eviction actions” bill was called, the Indiana Senate Judiciary Committee hearing had stretched well beyond two hours and, after hearing testimony, the session was adjourned with no vote taken on the measure. The fatigue felt by legislators and those constituents who were still in attendance on Feb. 9 is much like the tiredness gripping many Hoosiers and community agencies that have been bracing for and facing an eviction crisis since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
IndyBar: Indy Lawyer-Legislators Talk Details of Session at Esteemed Lawyer-Legislator Luncheon
Plans and updates from the 2022 Indiana General Assembly were hot topics of discussion at the Lawyer-Legislator Luncheon on Feb. 8!
Lawmakers lay groundwork for electric-vehicle infrastructure
Indiana lawmakers are working to set up the first regulatory framework for utilities to build charging stations and other wide-scale infrastructure needed to support Hoosiers’ conversion to electric vehicles. House Bill 1221 outlines parameters for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to use when considering utility company proposals for the construction of charging stations and setting […]
House committee considers obstruction of justice bill
A bill updating Indiana’s obstruction of justice statute was heard in an Indiana House committee on Wednesday, with similar questions and concerns carrying over from the Senate.
Huston exits College Board job as controversy brews over education bill
Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston has left his nonlegislative job at the College Board, the organization that administers the SAT exam.
Criticism mounts against Indiana transgender athlete ban
Opponents are continuing to ramp up pressure against an Indiana bill that would ban transgender women and girls from participating in school sports that match their gender identity, arguing that the proposal is unconstitutional, sexist and bigoted.
House, Senate remain at odds over tax, vaccine legislation at session’s halfway point
At the halfway point in this year’s legislative session, Republican leaders in the House and Senate continue to be at odds over the highest-profile issues of the session, including restrictions on employer vaccine mandates and tax cuts for businesses and individuals.
Bills supporting pro bono legal services advancing in Statehouse
After the pro bono filing fee bill failed to get even a hearing last year, two bills extending the life of the $1 surcharge have passed through their respective chambers this year as the 2022 session of the Indiana General Assembly gets to the midway mark.
Indiana Senate backs bill targeting ‘noncompliant’ prosecutors
Indiana Senate Republicans have again endorsed a proposal that would empower the state attorney general to seek appointment of special prosecutors to take over criminal cases that local authorities have decided against pursuing.
Indiana governor extends COVID-19 emergency amid debate
Gov. Eric Holcomb extended Indiana’s COVID-19 public health emergency for another month on Tuesday, though his intentions to end the declaration remained ensnarled in a legislative debate over whether the state should severely limit businesses from imposing workplace vaccination requirements.
Indiana House backs GOP bill tightening mail-in voting rules
The Indiana House approved along party lines Monday a Republican-backed proposal that would require voters who request mail-in ballots to swear under possible penalty of perjury that they won’t be able to vote in person at any time during the 28 days before Election Day.
Indiana Senate backs narrow bill to end health emergency
The Indiana Senate has approved a bill taking administrative steps that Gov. Eric Holcomb has said are needed in order for him to end the statewide COVID-19 public health emergency.
Indiana bill ensuring free speech at colleges moves forward
A bill that doubles down on free speech rights at Indiana’s public colleges and universities was advanced by state lawmakers Thursday.