Less ‘aggressive’ legislative session coming, Statehouse leaders say
Moderate your expectations for the next legislative session, say Indiana’s lawmaking leaders: more tweaks and fine-tuning, and fewer overhauls.
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Federal court hears arguments in Haitian immigrants’ challenge to Indiana law that limits driver’s license access to certain Ukrainians
A federal judge heard arguments Friday from lawyers for a group of Indiana residents from Haiti who are suing the state over a law that allows immigrants in the U.S. on humanitarian parole to get driver’s licenses, but only if they are from Ukraine.
Biden signs a bill averting a government shutdown for now, with Israel and Ukraine aid still stalled
President Joe Biden signed a temporary spending bill a day before a potential government shutdown, pushing a fight with congressional Republicans over the federal budget into the new year, as wartime aid for Ukraine and Israel remains stalled.
Attorney General Rokita plans to appeal ruling backing IPS in lawsuit over $1 law
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita plans to appeal a Marion County judge’s ruling that grants Indianapolis Public Schools an exemption from state law requiring districts to sell closed school buildings to charter schools for $1.
Judge grants IPS exemption from state law in sale of two closed school buildings
Indianapolis Public Schools may sell two closed school buildings without first offering them to charter schools for $1, a Marion County judge ruled on Monday.
Indianapolis lawyer Eric Miller to close Advance America lobbying group
Prominent Indiana lobbyist Eric Miller, a self-described “pro-family and pro-church” advocate, announced Tuesday he will close the doors to his conservative political advocacy group by the end of the year.
Farm bill stalled amid U.S. House speaker battle, delay of spending bills
As Congress faces another pressing deadline to fund the government and the U.S. House grinds to a halt without a speaker, the reauthorization of the nation’s agriculture and hunger programs has taken a back seat.
Health care provider doesn’t retain immunity from med-mal suit for causing abuse report, COA rules in reversal
An amendment to the child abuse reporting statute represents a policy determination that a provider who hasn’t acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct doesn’t retain immunity from a medical malpractice action for causing a report of child abuse.
Actor Elliot Page files amicus brief against Indiana law banning gender-transition care for minors
The appeal involving Indiana’s law banning gender-transition procedures for minors is continuing to attract attention from amici, including from an Oscar-nominated actor.
Rep. Jerry Torr to retire from politics after 28 years in Indiana House
Rep. Jerry Torr, who has served in the Indiana House of Representatives since 1996, announced Tuesday that he will not run for reelection.
A change to retention?: Marion Co. selection committee may get expanded influence
Some judges on the Marion Superior Court want the Marion County Judicial Selection Committee to have a more prominent role in the retention process, but that would likely require a change to legislation passed in 2017.
INPRS ‘ahead of schedule’ on China divestment, laying anti-ESG investment framework
Indiana’s Public Retirement System (INPRS) says it’s “ahead of schedule” in pulling out of its Chinese investments after lawmakers approved a ban in May.
State defendants being represented by outside counsel in IPS lawsuit; commercial court consent refused
State defendants in a lawsuit brought by Indianapolis Public Schools regarding the sale of unused classroom buildings are being represented by outside counsel, rather than the Attorney General’s Office. They also refused consent to a commercial court docket.
Mandatory judicial retirement? Judiciary taking closer look at age, cognitive issues
The idea of age-out requirements has become a bigger topic of discussion recently across all levels of government, including the judiciary.
ACLU of Indiana sues IN BMV commissioner, claims new state law discriminates based on national origin
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana and the National Immigration Law Center have filed a lawsuit in federal court that challenges the constitutionality of a new state law, claiming it discriminates based on national origin.
Amici urging 7th Circuit to overturn injunction against law banning gender-transition procedures for minors
Multiple amici have filed briefs urging the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn an injunction against a new Indiana law that prohibits doctors from performing gender-transition procedures on minors.
Is paying bail ‘expressive’? Bail Project’s legal fight continues amid uncertain future
After running into another roadblock on its quest to overturn a state law that limits its operations in Indiana, The Bail Project isn’t committing one way or the other on whether it will continue working in the state.
Books, pronouns and trans athletes: What contentious education policy is coming next?
If the last few legislative sessions are any indication of what could be on the horizon for the Indiana General Assembly in 2024, one seemingly safe bet is that the state’s lawmakers will again take up controversial education policy.
Librarians concerned new law could have ‘chilling effect’: HEA 1447 creates process for book challenges, prohibits ‘obscene’ materials
A new Indiana law set to take effect in 2024 has some public school librarians feeling uneasy, as the state has put in place procedures for challenging books and will require school libraries to prepare a publicly available catalog of materials.
GOP support for gun restrictions slips a year after Congress passed firearms law
Republican support for gun restrictions is slipping a year after Congress passed the most comprehensive firearms control legislation in decades with bipartisan support, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.