Susan Brooks to step down from Congress after fourth term
Indiana Rep. Susan Brooks, a Republican who has represented Indiana’s 5th District since 2013, announced Friday morning that she will not run for a fifth term in Congress.
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Anniversary of equality: LGBTQ community reflects 5 years after state legalized same-sex marriage
In the five years since same-sex marriage became legal in Indiana, married same-sex couples say acceptance has grown, but some are concerned about pushback and the potential rollback of hard-won rights.
Lawmaker: Recording at famed Indiana farm politically driven
Video exposing alleged animal abuse at a famous northwestern Indiana dairy farm is politically motivated, said an Indiana lawmaker who drafted legislation in 2013 that would have barred undercover video filming at the state’s agricultural operations.
Illinois poised to be 11th state to allow recreational marijuana
Illinois is likely to become the 11th state to allow small amounts of marijuana for recreational use after the Democratic-controlled House on Friday sent a legalization plan to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The move further isolates Indiana’s criminalization of marijuana nationally and among its neighboring states.
Indiana fetal disposition law upheld by U.S. Supreme Court
Indiana’s law mandating that fetal remains be either buried or cremated has been upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States in a per curiam opinion issued Tuesday that found the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals had “clearly erred” in overturning the law. However, in the same opinion, the Supreme Court let stand a ruling which blocked another Indiana law that would have prevented abortions based on the gender, race or genetic abnormality of the fetus.
Crime sentences, vaping tax up for Indiana lawmaker panels
Indiana lawmakers will be looking at prescription drug prices, crime sentences and taxes on vaping liquids in the coming months. Those are among the more than 40 topics that leaders have assigned to committees ahead of next year’s General Assembly session.
Gary lawsuit against gun makers may proceed, COA rules
A unanimous appellate panel has revived the city of Gary’s lawsuit against 10 handgun manufacturers, enabling the municipality to survive the Indiana General Assembly’s attempt to derail the legal action by amending the state’s Immunity Statute in 2015.
Alabama governor invokes God in banning nearly all abortions
Alabama's Republican governor has signed the most stringent abortion legislation in the nation, making performing an abortion a felony in nearly all cases. The development comes as two Indiana petitions challenging abortion laws linger before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Sicuso & Miranda: What the omnibus gaming bill means for Hoosier casinos
Late into the evening on April 24, the Indiana General Assembly voted to approve what may fairly be referred to as the most significant omnibus gaming bill in a decade. Here’s a high-level breakdown of what the final version of HEA 1015 does.
Holcomb signs bill that loosens car dealership rules on document-prep fees
Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a bill this week that loosens the rules under which car dealerships can charge consumers document fees, a practice that a flurry of recent class-action lawsuits have alleged is unfair.
Holcomb signs bill to legalize sports betting, allow Terre Haute casino
Gov. Eric Holcomb signed gambling legislation into law Wednesday — the last day the bill was eligible for action — bringing significant changes to Indiana’s casino industry this year.
What lawmakers did — and didn’t do — in the 2019 session
The 2019 legislative session ended April 24 — five days ahead of the statutory deadline — with hundreds of bills sent to Gov. Eric Holcomb for his consideration. Here’s a look at some of the top issues.
Local car dealers hit with flurry of lawsuits over document-prep fees
Indiana auto dealership owners are being hit with a slew of lawsuits from customers who say they have been charged exorbitant document-preparation fees in the car-buying process just as the rules for charging such fees are poised to loosen under a change in state law.
General Assembly passes DCS reforms
As Senate Enrolled Act 1 was heading for its third and final reading in the Indiana House of Representatives, Rep. Vanessa Summers reminded her colleagues that their work in helping reform the Department of Child Services is not finished.
Holcomb signs bill strengthening ‘stand your ground’ law
The National Rifle Association praised Gov. Eric Holcomb for signing legislation strengthening Indiana’s “stand your ground” laws and removing the fee for certain firearm carry permits.
ACLU sues to block new law banning second-trimester abortion procedure
The American Civil Liberties Union has once again filed a federal lawsuit challenging an Indiana abortion law, this time filing a complaint against recently signed legislation that would place new restrictions on second-trimester abortions.
Indiana traffic fine amnesty bill approved by lawmakers
Indiana residents with suspended driver’s licenses or unpaid traffic fines will have the chance to have the fees they face cut in half by petitioning a court. An estimated 185,000 drivers could be eligible for the penalty reductions.
Bill to try 12-year-olds as adults for attempted murder fails
An effort to change Indiana law so that children as young as 12 could face attempted murder charges in adult court has failed in the state Legislature.
Bill allowing sports betting, casino moves passes General Assembly
The Indiana General Assembly approved legislation Wednesday night that allows Hoosiers to place wagers on professional and college sports as soon as Sept. 1. The legislation heads to Gov. Eric Holcomb, who can sign it into law, veto it or let it become law without his signature.
Lawmakers approve $34.6B budget to wrap up session
The Indiana General Assembly has approved the state’s $34.6 billion budget for the next two years, sending it to Gov. Eric Holcomb for his signature days ahead of the legislative deadline.