AG Hill: State agencies can’t use nonbinary gender marker
Indiana agencies are not allowed to use an “X” gender designation on identification documents for residents who don’t identify as male or female, the state attorney general said.
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Indiana lawmakers pass controversial coal bill
A controversial bill that would prohibit Indiana utilities from shutting down coal-fired power plants before May 2021 has passed both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly and is on its way to Gov. Eric Holcomb for his signature.
Bill to effectively ban panhandling in Indianapolis passes both chambers
Indiana lawmakers have taken steps to significantly expand the definition of panhandling in a measure that effectively bans the activity throughout downtown Indianapolis.
Distracted driving legislation approved by both chambers, heads to Holcomb
Get ready to put your cell phones down in the car. Legislation that bans drivers from holding or using cellphones while operating a motor vehicle passed the Indiana House and Senate on Tuesday and heads to Gov. Eric Holcomb, who is expected to sign it into law.
Housing amendment that would bar local ordinances protested at Legislature
Pushing what legislators have so far not been able to stop, housing advocates arrived at the Statehouse Monday hoping to derail an amendment that opponents say would not only further disadvantage Indiana renters but also possibly preempt cities from regulating rental properties.
Indiana House sees leadership change as session nears end
The top leadership position in the Indiana House changed hands Monday for the first time in a decade in an unusual transition just as this year’s legislative session is about to wrap up.
Indiana governor backs path for forcing out attorney general
Indiana’s governor is endorsing a proposal that could force the state’s attorney general from office if his law license is suspended over allegations he drunkenly groped a state legislator and three other women.
COA reverses for Madison County commissioners in redistricting ordinance dispute
A redistricting dispute initially resolved in favor of two citizens has been reversed in favor of the local Madison County government after the Indiana Court of Appeals found that an ordinance meant to more evenly distribute the population did not run afoul of the controlling redistricting statute. The ruling comes as Indiana prepares for the 2020 election season.
Indiana hospital bill proposal rolled back amid protest
Indiana lawmakers on Monday rolled back a proposal that could cut how much insurance companies pay for medical services performed at offices located away from a hospital’s main campus.
Indiana lawmakers back dropping tests in teacher evaluations
Indiana legislators have voted to end the mandatory use of student standardized test results in teacher evaluations, dropping a requirement long opposed by teachers.
IndyBar: Indy Lawyer-Legislators Talk Details of Session at Esteemed Lawyer-Legislator Luncheon
Plans and updates from the 2020 Indiana General Assembly were hot topics of discussion at the Lawyer-Legislator Luncheon on February 25. More than 20 key players in this year’s session spoke about important pending legislation and answered questions from fellow IndyBar members and lawyers.
Indiana’s ‘IDEA’ touted as replacement for Crosscheck
After a federal appellate court stopped Indiana’s process for removing ineligible voters from the registration rolls, the state is still looking for a way to clean its voter lists. But a new system being considered by the Legislature is not gaining support among voting rights groups and could spark more litigation.
Roughly 1 in 5 current Indiana legislators initially sent to Statehouse by party caucus
From 2017 through 2019, nine legislators exited the Statehouse before their terms expired, requiring the state’s caucus system to ramp up to handle the large number of vacancies and bringing renewed attention to political party processes that choose who will represent voters. At present, 21.3% of Indiana legislators first entered the Statehouse through a caucus election.
Lawmakers honor retiring Judge Baker with jokes, well wishes
A staple of the Indiana judiciary for more than 40 years, Indiana Court of Appeals Judge John G. Baker was honored by members of the Legislature ahead of his impending retirement.
DTCI: Indiana Employers, Out of State Employees, and Legal Marijuana Use
Currently, Indiana employers must cautiously navigate a maze of different marijuana laws affecting their employees working across state lines. This is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.
Legislation, lawsuits used to combat Indiana’s lead problem as contamination cases persist
Organizations and individuals around Indiana have been pushing for a solution to the lead problem. The toxin is everywhere and exposure, especially in very young children, can cause lifelong cognitive impairment.
House adopts amendment that could boot AG Hill from office, campaign trail
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s ability to remain in office could be even further in jeopardy now that the Indiana House has adopted language that would disqualify for the office any attorney whose law license is suspended for 30 days or more.
Lawmakers to debate bill change that could determine whether AG Hill stays in office
The Republican-controlled Indiana House on Monday afternoon is expected to consider an amendment to a bill that would force Attorney General Curtis Hill out of office if he loses his law license or is suspended from office for 30 days or more.
Indiana Senate panel advances controversial coal bill with some changes
A bill that could slow Indiana utilities from shutting down coal-fired plants is advancing to the Senate floor, after a panel voted Thursday to approve the measure — but with changes that could save money for ratepayers compared with the original bill.
Lawmakers consider hospital billing regulations
As Indiana lawmakers wrestle with various ideas to reduce health care costs, one proposal that business groups say would have an immediate impact has drawn opposition from hospitals.