Supreme Court to consider sentence modification question
The Indiana Supreme Court will consider a sentence modification question that is also getting attention from the Indiana General Assembly when it hears oral arguments this week.
Indiana General Assembly
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Indiana Senate panel backs redistricting ‘baby step’
An Indiana Senate panel has advanced a bill what would set criteria for redrawing electoral districts. But the measure approved on an 8-0 vote Monday fell far short of a comprehensive redistricting overhaul that good government groups have sought for years.
Senate defeats amendment allowing full-day Sunday sales
The Indiana Senate has defeated an amendment that would have allowed for Sunday sales nearly all day in Indiana.
Indiana Senate panel votes against expanded cold beer sales
Indiana will likely remain the only state that restricts who can sell cold beer after a Senate panel voted Wednesday to uphold a closely guarded law that protects the interests of liquor stores.
Future of CBD sales still unclear after 2-hour testimony
The future of the sale of cannabidiol, or CBD, oil in Indiana remains unknown after an Indiana senator declined to call for a vote on two bills that would legalize the sale of the substance if certain specifications are met.
Advocates: Indiana’s prosperity depends on hate crime law
Emphasizing the economic as well as social benefits of hate crime laws, an energic and diverse crowd rallied inside the Indiana Statehouse Tuesday in support of two bills that would add penalties for crimes motivated by bias.
House to consider stricter definition of out-of-state Level 6 felony
A bill that would change how Indiana’s courts treat out-of-state felonies during sentencing will come before the full Indiana House of Representatives for a vote Tuesday.
Lawmakers seek to consolidate about 300 Indiana townships
Some Indiana lawmakers are looking to consolidate township government in the state after multiple instances of corruption.
Statehouse rally set as push for hate crime legislation renewed
With two hate crime bills introduced in the Indiana Legislature this session, proponents are hoping the third time will be the charm for finally getting a measure to the governor’s desk. Advocates plan a rally at the Statehouse on Tuesday.
Indiana lawmakers not governed by sexual harassment policy
As state legislatures across the county take steps toward updating their sexual harassment policies, Republican lawmakers who dominate the Indiana General Assembly appear to be adopting a wait-and-see approach.
Bill would allow whistleblower complaints against state
Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, has filed a bill that would extend whistleblower protections to state employees who speak up about government misdeeds or fiscal malfeasance. The legislation is in response to a split decision from the Indiana Supreme Court, which found the state whistleblower statute did not include workers in the public sector.
Bill proposes court OK CHINS removal from foster care
A bill pending before an Indiana Senate committee would place additional requirements on the Department of Child Services before removing a child from long-term foster care, though DCS representatives object to the bill on the basis of court caseloads and child safety.
Bill restricting CBD oil set for hearing; legalization proposals wait
The fight over CBD oil in Indiana has led lawmakers to introduce numerous bills that would legalize sale of the product derived from marijuana plants, but the only measure currently scheduled for a hearing at the Statehouse would limit CBD sales to people who put their names on a state registry. The bill will be heard next week.
Senate committee advances Sunday alcohol sales bill
For the first time in Indiana history, a Senate committee has approved a bill allowing Sunday alcohol sales, moving the measure to the full Senate.
Rush discusses ‘hope-filled future’ during State of the Judiciary
A complete turnover in the Supreme Court bench, an expansion of judicial training options and a continued commitment to court technology has poised the Indiana judiciary in a state of hope for the future, Chief Justice Loretta Rush said today in her State of the Judiciary address.
Testimony begins on Sunday alcohol sales legislation
The Indiana House Public Policy Committee received overwhelming support for proposed legislation that would allow for Sunday carryout alcohol sales during testimony on Wednesday, with retailers from both the liquor store and big-box retailers supporting the measure. A Senate panel also was to consider its Sunday sales bill.
Indiana governor pledges ‘transparent’ DCS review
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb pledged in his State of the State address Tuesday night to conduct a “transparent” review of the Department of Child Services, but offered little more than platitudes about an agency that his critics say is enveloped in crisis. “I’ll state right now: There’s no one who cares more about Hoosier children than I do, and I’ll do whatever is necessary to ensure the success of our agency and its mission.”
Pyrz officially retired from ISBA
After more than 25 years leading the Indiana State Bar Association, Tom Pyrz left the office for the last time Jan. 5.
Sentence modification bill inspired by COA ruling
A recent Indiana Court of Appeals decision that prosecutors say went against longstanding practices in the sentence modification process has sparked a conversation in the Indiana legislature about courts’ discretion to modify sentences stemming from fixed-sentence plea agreements.
Lawmaker proposes bill to count dead people’s votes
A Republican Indiana state senator wants the votes of dead people to count.