Indiana lawmaker facing felony charge drops reelection bid
A state legislator from Indianapolis facing charges of threatening police officers who stopped him on suspicion of drunken driving is dropping his re-election bid.
Indiana General Assembly
Articles
Senator drops push to force Indiana marijuana prosecutions
A Republican state senator has dropped a proposal attacking what he called “social justice prosecution” by empowering Indiana’s attorney general to appoint special prosecutors to take over criminal cases that local authorities decide they won’t pursue.
Justice by geography? Bill aims to bring uniformity to indigency determinations
Across Indiana, lawyers say judges in different counties often take different approaches to making an indigency determination. That’s led to what some call “justice by geography” — that is, a person facing charges might be deemed indigent in one county, but the same person facing the same charges in another county might be found to have the ability to pay. A Senate bill seeks a statewide standard.
Late-night hearing approves adult penalties for youths
A bill increasing the penalties for juvenile offenders passed a Senate committee on the night of Jan. 28 despite more than an hour of testimony from judges, attorneys, social workers, pastors and former inmates who all voiced strong and sometimes emotional opposition.
Indiana House backs slowing coal power plant closures
The Indiana House narrowly endorsed Monday a proposal aimed at making it more difficult for Indiana electric companies to close more coal-fired power plants.
Indiana push for pregnant worker protections gets sidelined
Republican lawmakers on Monday threw a roadblock in front of a proposal that would require more Indiana businesses to allow pregnant women to take longer breaks, transfer to less physical work and take unpaid time off after childbirth. The Indiana Senate voted 34-15 to delete the requirement from the bill and, instead, send the issue to a special committee following this year’s legislative session.
Push dropped for Indiana law requiring youth bicycle helmets
An Indiana legislator is dropping his push for a new law requiring all youthsto wear protective helmets while riding a bicycle, skateboard or skates on public property.
Scrap over old Indiana gay marriage ban derails popular bill
A potential fight over whether to repeal Indiana’s obsolete ban on same-sex marriages has sidetracked a widely supported proposal to raise the state’s minimum age for getting married.
Misdemeanor summonses, small claims filing limit bills pass House
Bills that would allow for summonses to appear instead of arrests in misdemeanor cases and that would raise the small claims filing limit statewide have passed the Indiana House of Representatives.
Indiana Justices hear arguments in Right to Farm dispute
A Hendricks County battle over whether a hog farming operation is protected by Indiana’s Right to Farm Act arrived at the Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday with opposing counsel arguing the limits and the intent of the statute.
Ban on drivers using handheld phones clears Indiana House
The Indiana House endorsed a proposal Wednesday that would ban motorists from using handheld cellphones, a step supporters say is aimed at combating distracted driving.
Bill mandating harsher penalties for juveniles passes Senate committee
A bill increasing the penalties for juvenile offenders passed a Senate committee Tuesday night despite more than an hour of testimony from judges, attorneys, social workers, pastors and former inmates who all voiced strong and sometimes emotional opposition.
Senate passes bill restricting depositions of child sex crime victims
Alleged child sex crime victims would be subjected to discovery depositions only in rare circumstances under a bill that passed the Indiana Senate on a nearly unanimous vote. Adoption of the legislation would remove Indiana from the handful of states that do not shield child sex crimes victims from pretrial depositions.
Lawmakers consider change to business personal property tax
Indiana lawmakers are considering making another change to the state’s business personal property tax — a move that could affect tens of thousands of small businesses.
Speedway Democrat not seeking re-election to Statehouse
An Indianapolis area Democrat who at one point had considered making a run for governor will not seek re-election to her Statehouse office. Indiana Rep. Karlee Macer, of Speedway, announced Tuesday that she won’t run for re-election for House District 92 this year.
‘Social justice prosecuting’ bill advances despite widespread opposition
Despite unanimous opposition from nearly all of the organizations and individuals who testified, a bill that would allow the attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor over certain cases that a local prosecutor declines to prosecute has advanced out of an Indiana Senate committee.
Indiana measure looks to limit marriage for those under 18
Indiana lawmakers could make it more difficult for anyone younger than 18 to get married. A bill moving through the General Assembly would increase the current minimum age for matrimony from 15.
Indiana lawmakers consider protections for pregnant workers
More Indiana businesses would have to allow pregnant women to take longer breaks, transfer to less physical work and take unpaid time off after childbirth under a proposal state lawmakers are considering.
Longest serving rep, ex-Indiana House Speaker Bauer retiring
Former Indiana House Speaker Patrick Bauer has decided to retire after 50 years in the Legislature, ending the Democrat’s career known for his clashes with former Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels and leading a five-week legislative boycott trying to block passage of a state right-to-work law.
Bill allowing 12-year-olds to be charged as adults headed to Senate committee
A bill mandating tougher penalties for juvenile defendants, including allowing 12-year-olds to be waived to adult court for attempted murder, is scheduled to be heard in a legislative committee Tuesday, but already strong opposition is mounting with both state and national organizations warning of the consequences.