Indiana hunting measure pits animal versus gun rights
Indiana voters will decide next month whether to follow 19 other states in adopting a constitutional amendment to protect the right to hunt and fish.
Indiana General Assembly
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Vaping bill sponsor admits ‘it did’ put people out of business
Indiana State Sen. Ron Alting, the Lafayette lawmaker who sponsored the controversial vaping law that essentially put a single private security firm—located in his town and run by his high school classmate—in charge of selecting winners and losers in the e-liquid manufacturing industry, is now admitting the law created an unfair playing field.
Necessary judicial appointments may come at other courts’ expense
The short-staffing illustrated in the largest and most thorough weighted caseload study of the state’s trial courts may be met in the future, but not likely without cuts elsewhere. Rep. Greg Steuerwald, R-Danville, told a legislative study committee Sept. 22 that appointment of new state-paid judicial officers should be tied to reducing numbers of officers where they are underutilized.
Panel endorses new magistrates for Clark, Shelby County courts
Clark County, Indiana’s perennially busiest judicial circuit on a weighted-caseload basis, and Shelby County will get new magistrates next year if the General Assembly follows Thursday’s recommendation of a judicial study panel.
Lawyers blast bias in ALJ system; urge technical adjudicators remain
Lawyers who practice before Indiana administrative law judges painted a picture Wednesday of a rigged, onerous system that overwhelmingly favors the government when parties appeal state agency actions.
Lawmakers OK more background checks for Indiana teachers
A panel of Indiana lawmakers has endorsed recommendations to strengthen the state's background checks system for educators and streamline the process for revoking a teacher's license.
Indiana senator to introduce bill extending civil filing fee
The sunset may be longer in coming for the $1 fee that was tacked onto civil legal filings to help shore up pro bono and legal services programs.
Legislative panel to consider administrative law reforms
Lawyers who practice before administrative law judges will be among those who testify this week before a General Assembly study committee that will consider reforms that could include establishment of administrative law panels.
Lawmaker takes job with firm at center of vaping controversy
An Indiana lawmaker who voted two years in a row for legislation that put one private company in control of who could manufacture e-liquid for sale in Indiana has now gone to work for a division of that firm.
Some police departments shelve body cameras, cite data costs
Police departments in at least two states that outfitted their officers with body cameras have now shelved them, blaming new laws requiring videos to be stored longer, which they say would significantly increase the cost.
Indiana video gambling fans to plan legislative strategy
Advocates of legalized video gambling in Indiana will plot legislative strategy this week in Indianapolis.
Committee to weigh new courts, changes for existing courts
The next meeting of the General Assembly’s Interim Study Committee on Courts and the Judiciary will consider requests for new courts and changes to existing courts when it meets Sept. 22.
Longtime attorney named to fill open IURC position
A longtime Indiana attorney has been named to serve on a state commission that approves utility rates for millions of residents and businesses.
Both sides remain divided on LGBT rights ahead of session
Advocates on both sides of Indiana's debate over the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents remained divided and were unable to make recommendations Tuesday to a committee of lawmakers considering the topic ahead of the upcoming legislative session.
FBI probing for possible corruption in vaping law
The FBI is probing whether any illegal activity led to the creation and passage of Indiana’s contentious new vaping law.
Cities call for change in Indiana redistricting
The Anderson City Council has become the sixth Indiana municipal legislative body to pass a resolution calling for a citizen panel to take over the drawing of district lines for seats in the U.S. Congress and the Indiana General Assembly.
Committee to look at unauthorized immigrant college attendance
The Senate Select Committee on Immigration Issues meets for the fourth time Wednesday, where the committee will discuss national security issues and attendance at Indiana colleges and universities by unauthorized immigrants.
Indiana education committee looks at sexual misconduct
A group of Indiana lawmakers is looking at sexual misconduct in schools to see if legislation is needed in 2017 to help curb abuse.
Legislative panel on judiciary to discuss LGBT civil rights
“Civil rights issues related to gender identity and sexual orientation” is the lone subject on the agenda for the Interim Study Committee on Courts and the Judiciary’s initial meeting on Aug. 30.
Legislator plans to introduce hate crime bill this session
A state senator from Indianapolis announced Tuesday his intention to again file legislation to enact a hate crime statute in Indiana, one of only five states that does not have this kind of law on the books.