Indiana lawmaker wants political maps drawn independently
A northwestern Indiana lawmaker wants an independent commission to draw political-district maps instead of politicians.
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Indiana senator pushes for CBD oil legalization
A state senator has filed a bill that would officially legalize the sale and possession of cannabis oil in Indiana.
Top Indiana lawmakers targeting opioid abuse, job training
Republican legislative leaders are casting the Indiana General Assembly’s upcoming session as one they want to focus on taking action toward fighting opioid abuse and improving job training opportunities.
Indiana prosecutors vehemently oppose medical marijuana
Indiana’s county prosecutors remain vehemently opposed to any form of marijuana legalization and insist the plant “is not medicine” amid a push by a conservative state lawmaker to have it recognized as such.
Probate bar proposes legislation to permit electronic signatures on wills
In an increasingly digital world, the legal ritual of a person signing a last will and testament before two witnesses who attest to the signer’s capacity may be evolving. Lawmakers next year will consider a proposal to allow electronic signatures on wills and other trust and estate documents.
Untested rape exam kits number thousands in Indiana
Like many states, Indiana has a problem — mountains of untested rape exam kits in local law enforcement agencies that contain DNA evidence potentially identifying sex offenders. Indiana’s backlog of untested kits is certainly in the thousands. Victim advocates say the question is, how many thousands?
Law allowing marijuana-derived oil spurs Indiana crackdown
A new Indiana law that allows people with certain types of epilepsy to use a marijuana-derived oil for treatment has spurred a statewide crackdown, making it more difficult for those seeking the product to obtain it.
Study committee to discuss civil forfeiture, indigent defense
Indiana lawmakers are preparing to return to the statehouse and consider legal issues such as civil forfeiture and indigent defense services when the Interim Study Committee on Courts and the Judiciary meets for the first time next week.
Trump backs GOP plan to push legal immigration changes
President Donald Trump on Wednesday embraced legislation from two Republican senators that would place new limits on legal immigration and seek to create an system based more on merit and skills than family ties.
Rewrite of business organization laws provides uniformity, clarity
All it took to simplify Indiana’s business organization laws was a 149-page bill.
Treatment seen as antidote for opioid crisis
The Indiana Legislature approved several measures to expand recovery programs and prevent spread of opioid epidemic.
Prosecutors hail new DNA, anti-drug laws
Indiana prosecutors joined Gov. Eric Holcomb Thursday as he signed two bills prosecutors said are essential to law enforcement’s ability to build criminal cases.
Bloomington files lawsuit over last-minute annexation amendment
The city of Bloomington has filed a lawsuit against Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, claiming an amendment dropped into the state’s biennial budget at 2 a.m. April 21 and approved less than 24 hours later is specifically targeting the municipality to prevent it from annexing seven unincorporated areas near the city limits.
Holcomb’s executive order expected to ‘ban the box’ in state job applications
A bill prohibiting communities from enacting their own ban the box ordinances stirred divisions in the Indiana Legislature with supporters arguing for employers’ rights and opponents citing the need for individuals to have equal opportunities for jobs. However, when Gov. Eric Holcomb announced his intention to sign Senate Enrolled Act 312, he brought some rare unity between the two sides. Along with enacting the new law, the governor also said he would sign an executive order that will essentially ban the box for state agencies.
GOP-led House panel votes to overhaul Dodd-Frank
House Republicans took a major step toward their long-promised goal of unwinding the stricter financial rules created after the 2008 crisis, pushing forward sweeping legislation that would undo much of President Barack Obama's landmark banking law.
Holcomb signs bill sunsetting solar-power net metering
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb Tuesday signed a bill on solar and alternative energy that some lawmakers called the session’s most contentious — a bill that eventually will slash the guaranteed price rooftop solar users are paid for selling excess energy to the grid.
Unique Indy merit-selection system replaces voided elections, faces likely challenges
Judges in Indianapolis won’t have to worry about running for election in the future, but they will face up-or-down retention votes under a bill signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb April 27. The system to replace the current one ruled unconstitutional was adopted by lawmakers despite warnings that the new system also is spoiling for a fight in court.
Holcomb faces deadline on ‘sanctuary campus’ bill
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has just one day left to decide whether he will sign a controversial bill that would prohibit Indiana colleges and universities from adopting “sanctuary campus” policies.
Lawmakers’ push to avoid social issues draws ire from some
A push from GOP leaders in the Indiana Legislature to set aside divisive social issues this session has frustrated some social conservative groups who suggest Republican lawmakers ignored what their constituents care about.
Indiana governor says he will sign several contested bills
Statehouse employees will be able to carry guns at the Statehouse, people with epilepsy will be able to use marijuana-derived oil as medicine and parents will see a modest increase in abortion notification rights when it comes to their minor children, under measures Gov. Eric Holcomb on Tuesday said he will sign into law.