Legislation impacting judiciary awaiting final approval
Several bills that may alter the look of the Indiana judiciary await final approval during the waning days of the 2011 legislative session.
proposed legislation
Articles
House committee passes altered immigration bill
The Indiana House Public Policy Committee has passed Senate Bill 590, a contentious piece of legislation that aims to tackle illegal immigration in the state.
Lawmakers resume debate on issues impacting state courts
Both federal and state lawmakers seem to be letting the clock tick down to the final seconds.
Judge dismisses civil forfeiture suit against state prosecutors
A Marion Superior judge has tossed a lawsuit against 78 county prosecutors being accused of breaking the law by not turning over seized assets from criminals to a school construction fund. In doing so, the judge expressed concern about the lack of reasoning and consistency demonstrated by prosecutors throughout the state.
4 Indiana justices testify on state budget
Four of the Indiana Supreme Court justices testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee Monday night, talking to lawmakers specifically about the need for an appellate case management system, more funding for public defense, and continued fairness in how judicial officers and prosecutors are paid throughout the state.
Lawmaker asks General Assembly to study creation of state patent law
An Indiana lawmaker wants to explore whether the state should create its own patent law, focusing on specific business method processes that aren’t covered by the federal patent system.
Would bill make immigrants feel unwelcome?
As a contentious immigration law that went into effect in Arizona last summer continues to be challenged and further changes are being considered by Arizona lawmakers, similar bills at the state and local level, including one in the Indiana Statehouse, have been gaining traction.
Environmental bills to watch
A number of bills with environmental impact have been introduced in both houses of the Indiana Legislature for 2011.
JTAC fee bill amended, other bills moving
The Senate bill aimed at increasing the automated record-keeping fee to pay for a statewide case management system made it out of committee, but not before legislators decreased the fee beginning this year.
JTAC fee, Clark County courts bills before committees
A bill that would increase the automated record-keeping fee to pay for implementation of a statewide case-management system and a bill that proposes to create a unified Circuit Court in Clark County are just two of the bills before committees this week in the Indiana General Assembly.
Unified courts, judicial nomination bills move
Several bills of impact on the courts saw action this week before the Indiana General Assembly shut down for two days after a winter storm hit the state.
ALJ, problem-solving courts bills moving
A House bill dealing with problem-solving courts and a Senate bill that involves administrative proceedings and administrative law judge disqualifications have made it out of their respective judiciary committees.
Statewide case management system is a third of the way plugged in
Three years in, and Indiana’s case management system is plugged into about one-third of the state’s courts.
Last day for legislators to file bills
Today is the deadline for state senators to file Senate bills to be considered during the 2011 session. State representatives’ deadline for filing House bills was Tuesday and they have until today to file vehicle bills.
JTAC fee, court-reporter licensing bills proposed
Court reporters would need licenses, there would be more money to implement the statewide case management system in trial courts, and convicted sex offenders would be banned from public libraries if these bills introduced this session become law.
General Assembly returns for 2011 session
The Indiana Senate and House of Representatives reconvened this afternoon to begin the 2011 long session. The legislators still have time to file bills, but there are already several bills introduced that may affect Indiana courts and the legal community.
Lawmakers vote on COA panel, Lake County fee
Both houses of the Indiana General Assembly took action on court-related legislation Thursday.
No vote yet on St. Joe judges bill
An Indiana Senate committee debated this morning a bill that would make it so St. Joseph Superior judges are elected rather than chosen by merit selection and later retained by voters.
House committee split, justice election bill stuck
Legislation aimed at changing how the Indiana Supreme Court justices are chosen hasn't gotten enough support to make it out of committee for now, getting a split vote from lawmakers that means it won't be going to the full House for consideration.
Coverage for unborn children up in air
Lawmakers failed to act on a bill that would have amended Indiana's child wrongful death statute to cover unborn children, thus defeating it for this legislative session in its current form.