Bill would criminalize DNA sampling denial during booking on felony charges
The measure was both applauded as a “fix” to an eight-year-old oversight and criticized as infringing on “genetic privacy.”
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Legislative leaders talk post-moratorium gambling expansions, more bills reach halfway point
Just six months after a former Indiana lawmaker was sentenced to a year in federal prison for gambling-related corruption, industry expansion proposals are moving through the Legislature.
Indiana casino relocation nixed without a vote
After two hours of testimony from roughly three dozen people, a committee chair opted not to advance a proposal to move a casino license from a southeastern Indiana community to a city 160 miles north—an idea that pitted neighbor against neighbor in the casino’s potential new home.
Greg Weaver: Indiana lawmakers need to close a corruption loophole
State Rep. Hal Slager is rightfully trying to close a loophole that stems from a complicated U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a federal public corruption case involving former Portage Mayor James Snyder.
Senate bill would criminalize the use of devices to jam security alarms, police radios
An Evansville burglary that disabled home security systems led a state lawmaker to draft legislation that would criminalize the manufacturing, selling, and use of jamming devices.
Indiana bill would ban state contracts with foreign adversaries, give AG’s office more oversight
House Bill 1032, authored by Rep. Craig Haggard, R-Mooresville, would double down on restrictions already in effect for investors located in China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela — all countries currently labeled as foreign adversaries in state and federal code.
Elections bill would strike down student IDs as voting option
Some worry the measure will discourage college students from voting and add additional duties to local county voter registration offices.
Indy leaders support bill that could lead to roads-focused tax increase
The measure includes a provision to allow Marion County residents to vote, through a referendum, for property-tax hikes that would be used to pay for road improvements.
Vaccine bills stack up in statehouses across the US
Vaccination bills are popping up in more than 15 states as lawmakers aim to potentially resurrect or create new religious exemptions from immunization mandates, establish state-level vaccine injury databases or dictate what providers must tell patients about the shots.
Indiana House proposal on immigration raises profiling fears
The measure would require local law enforcement to give federal authorities notice when they arrest people who are reasonably believed to be in the country illegally.
Social media ban for Hoosiers under 16 gets Indiana Senate greenlight
A bill prohibiting some Hoosier minors from using social media without their parents’ permission received bipartisan support in the Indiana Senate on Thursday and moved to the House for further consideration.
Anti-DEI bills take heat but pass committee
For four hours on Wednesday, and with tempers flaring throughout, Indiana lawmakers and plenty of constituents debated whether diversity, equity and inclusion efforts combat or constitute discrimination.
Libraries fire back on bill to remove taxing authority
A proposal from Republican Sen. Gary Byrne of Byrnesville would remove taxing authority from library boards and give it to the county.
Indiana Legal Services raises concerns about ‘squatter’ legislation
Some advocates warn Senate Bill 157—which would require police to remove “squatters” within 48 hours—would allow landlords to skip the court, chipping away at tenants’ rights.
Indiana House Republicans’ agenda includes effort to absorb disgruntled Illinois counties
House Republicans also introduced a slew of bills addressing trademark issues such as education, housing and health care.
Large law firms say lobbying is a key element to providing full array of services
Bose Public Affairs and Taft Stettinius & Hollister have the largest lobbying presence of any law firms or independent multi-client lobbying practices this year at the Indiana General Assembly, which kicked off its 2025 legislative session last week. See our list of the top 10.
April Jay: Legislature puts renewed focus on fiscal responsibility
It appears from the flurry of proposed bills filed before the start of the Indiana General Assembly, lawmakers will be focused on trying to improve fiscal responsibility in 2025.
Berkshire, Brown, Garver: A look at the Indiana Legislature’s big-ticket items
Beyond the issues, the political dynamics will also be interesting to watch, as Gov. Mike Braun navigates his first session from the second floor of the Statehouse.
Proposal would ease primary election candidates’ path to landing poll watchers
Lawmakers want to make it easier for candidates in primary elections to name election observers, also known as poll watchers.
Lawmakers propose transparency measures for Indiana Economic Development Corp.
After a year of public scrutiny of the Indiana Economic Development Corp.’s operations, state lawmakers have filed bills seeking to increase transparency and oversight at the agency.