Share of women in Indiana legislative chambers hits record high
The number of women holding an elected legislative office at the Indiana Statehouse hit a record high of 40 following the outcomes of last week’s elections.
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Lawmakers: Giving AG power over prosecutors ‘least preferred’ route in dispute
A bipartisan group of lawmakers and justice system leaders that assembled on Thursday to consider how best to address county prosecutors with “blanket” nonprosecution policies agreed that handing authority to Indiana’s attorney general isn’t the route to go.
Indiana GOP adds to supermajorities, reelects chamber leadership
Indiana Senate Republicans picked up a seat while the House GOP appears to have improved its advantage pending final tallies in Tuesday’s General Election — a red victory that strengthened supermajorities and led to reelection of leadership in both chambers.
Indiana GOP keeps Legislature control amid abortion debate
Indiana’s Republican legislators didn’t pay a political price for enacting a state abortion ban despite Democrats trying to capitalize on anger among voters who support abortion rights.
Early voting numbers down from last midterm election
Statewide, according to the Indiana Secretary of State’s office, nearly 685,000 early votes have been cast, including more than 515,000 in person. That’s down from about 756,000 early ballots in 2018.
Task force recommends crackdown on bad landlords, more funding to ease housing woes
An interim study committee examining solutions to Indiana’s housing crisis has approved a lengthy list of recommendations for future legislation.
Indiana Democrats pin legislative gains on abortion debate
Even before Republican legislators this summer made Indiana the first state to pass an abortion ban since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Democrats started urging angry voters to take their revenge at the ballot box.
Can Democrats put dent in Indiana GOP’s legislative supermajority?
Indiana Democrats would like to puncture the GOP’s overwhelmingly dominating grip in the Nov. 8 election, but that will be a tall order.
RFRA challenge to Indiana abortion ban goes before Marion Superior Court
Arguments were held in court Friday morning between several women and the state of Indiana as to whether the latter’s new abortion law clashes with the Hoosiers’ sincerely held religious beliefs under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Freeman named chair of IN Senate corrections committee, replacing Young
Indiana State Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, has been appointed the new chair of the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee.
Lawmakers recommend lessening HIV criminal penalties
A group of lawmakers on Tuesday recommended that the Indiana General Assembly develop legislation lessening criminal penalties specific to the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, as well as to help psychiatric patients ready for release.
Lawmakers eye next budget session with $5B in reserves
Indiana’s revenues continue to outperform projections, bolstering swollen coffers as stakeholders prepare to draft the 2023 budget amid ongoing inflation and economic concerns.
Indiana legislators hear testimony for, against legalizing marijuana
Lawmakers considered the advantages and shortcomings of legalizing certain cannabinoids Tuesday, potentially as a precursor to legalizing the plant itself for recreational use.
First day of new abortion law brings diverse reactions
With Indiana’s new abortion ban in effect starting today, the state’s Democratic senators, representatives and candidates spent the day decrying the law passed by the Legislature earlier this summer while Republicans remained mostly quiet.
Web Exclusive: Recent COA opinions prompt more questions for future of marijuana laws in Indiana
While debates over the legalization of marijuana are nothing new, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has given the Indiana Legislature’s Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services a new wrinkle.
Study committee weighs HIV laws, funding for mental health in Indiana
Lawmakers and other stakeholders on Tuesday discussed possible changes to Indiana laws concerning HIV-specific criminal penalties and sentence enhancements.
Indiana panel to consider driving cards for undocumented immigrants
For the roughly 100,000 undocumented immigrants living in Indiana, getting a driver’s license isn’t possible. Some Hoosier lawmakers are looking to change that.
Panel to recommend what could be next for marijuana
Marijuana advocates have little hope of persuading a legislative study committee to recommend legalization of the drug in Indiana this year, but they are hopeful the committee’s work could set up a regulatory system to oversee its decriminalization in the not-too-distant future.
Indiana agencies start sending new round of tax rebates
Indiana state tax rebate payments have started to be made by direct bank deposit or printed checks, although some taxpayers will have to wait until October to receive the money.
SEA 1 raises questions, fears over criminal penalties
Although Indiana Republican legislators have been adamant that the state’s new abortion ban does not criminalize women, attorneys who have been reading the statute maintain the language is vague and prosecutors still have discretion.