Legislative roundup: public access counselor, child labor and birth control bills finalized
The Indiana House and Senate both moved priority bills, with a dwindling number of measures left to finalize before an anticipated adjournment on Friday.
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Indiana lawmakers revive restaurant carry-out alcohol in finalized legislation
Expect to see happy hours and the option to add a cocktail to your carry-out restaurant order as soon as July, under finalized legislation approved Thursday. It now goes to the governor.
Indiana Supreme Court issues 3-2 opinion upholding party affiliation statute in Rust case
The case was brought by John Rust, who wanted to run for U.S. Senate as a Republican. But he didn’t meet either of the party affiliation parameters—his last two primary votes weren’t Republican and his county chairman wouldn’t sign off on his candidacy.
Senators spar over looser teenage labor laws; plus: pensions, land buys and more
Senate Democrats maintained fierce opposition on Tuesday to legislation loosening Indiana’s child labor laws, while their Republican colleagues took the opportunity to shore up their conservative credentials.
Hoosier lawmakers decline to remove public records chief restrictions
The proposed changes largely neuter the public access counselor position and were inserted into an unrelated bill with little warning or public testimony.
Senate moves foreign ownership of farmland bill despite economic development concerns
House Bill 1183 would prohibit entities or people from six “adversarial countries” — a list that the U.S. Department of Commerce defines as Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, Cuba and Venezuela — from owning or leasing Hoosier farmland along with mineral, riparian or water rights.
Gov. Holcomb signs controversial pet sales bill
House Enrolled Act 1412 invalidates 21 local ordinances limiting pet sales and establishes care standards for dog breeders and pet stores.
Bills on antisemitism, school chaplains hang in balance as legislative session nears end
Indiana’s lawmakers have just days to finalize legislation in key areas like health and education — from literacy and antisemitism to ambulances and a Medicaid shortfall. And some continued attempts to increase legislative oversight of the executive branch are on track for passage, but others appear dead.
State Senate axes 13th check for public retirees, favors long-term plan
Indiana’s lawmakers have traditionally offered public retirees a 13th check or a cost-of-living adjustment to supplement pension benefits that lag inflation. The ad hoc bonuses have become a sticking point between the House, which favors them, and the Senate, which has desired a long-term solution.
State lawmakers advance resolution that strongly opposes assisted suicide
A Senate resolution penned by Sen. Tyler Johnson, R-Leo, emphasizes that the legalization of assisted suicide “sends a message that suicide is a socially acceptable response to aging, terminal illnesses, disabilities, and depression” and subsequently imposes a “duty to die.”
John Rust challenges denial of placement on GOP ballot
Rust’s petition for judicial review was filed in Marion County Superior Court on Wednesday, one day after the Indiana Election Division voted unanimously to block his Republican candidacy for U.S. Senate.
Madison County prosecutor considering challenge to Attorney General Todd Rokita
Attorney Todd Rokita may have a GOP challenger at the Indiana Republican Party’s state convention in June.
House members place transparency requirements on FSSA following Medicaid snafu
A bill dealing with state fiscal matters attracted a bevy of amendments in the House Ways and Means Committee Tuesday, ranging from a tax exemption for feminine hygiene products to enhanced reporting on Medicaid spending.
House keeps retention mandate in literacy overhaul bill; makes tweaks to higher ed measures
A mandate to require reading-deficient third graders to be held back a year in school withstood challenges from Democrats on Monday — though some Republican lawmakers joined in opposing stricter retention.
Key lawmakers once balked at bills affecting active lawsuits. Is the ‘default’ approach dying?
Open lawsuits are off-limits to some Indiana lawmakers, while others consider the unwritten ban on legislative interference an unnecessary barrier to policy goals.
Attorney general discipline targeted in amendment
The Senate Elections Committee on Monday added an amendment to a bill that could block some Hoosiers from running for Attorney General.
Bills, bills, bills. What could still pass — and what might die — in Indiana’s 2024 session
Another round of deadlines looms over numerous bills still in limbo at the Indiana Statehouse.
Changes to Indiana antisemitism bill drains support from many in Hoosier Jewish community
A major change to a bill that would define and ban antisemitism at Indiana’s public education institutions led to a reversal of support and opposition among those who testified on the proposal at the Statehouse on Wednesday.
Dog breeders, pet stores bill clears Senate
A bill establishing care standards for dog breeders and pet stores that would simultaneously strike local ordinances banning dog sales moves back to the House after passing through the Senate on a 31-18 vote on Monday.
Amendment could affect who is eligible to run for state attorney general
The Senate Elections Committee on Monday added an amendment to a bill that could block some Hoosiers from running for state attorney general.