Legislature - The Indiana Lawyer

Lawmakers, citizens groups gird for redistricting session

July 27, 2021 | Emily Ketterer and Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

In years past, the Indiana Legislature has been able to shroud the redistricting process with budget debates and other pending issues. But due to a pandemic-related delay in the census data needed to redraw the maps this year, lawmakers are expected to return to the Statehouse in September to deal exclusively with redistricting. Several voter groups are promising to closely monitor the process, even though most of the wheeling and dealing could still occur behind closed doors amid sporadic public hearings.

Rokita asks Supreme Court to stop proceedings in Holcomb lawsuit against General Assembly

July 26, 2021 | IL Staff

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is asking the Indiana Supreme Court to order a trial court to stop proceedings in the governor’s lawsuit challenging a new law that allows Indiana legislators to call themselves into a special legislative session.

Hoosiers invited to provide comments, suggestions at redistricting meetings

July 22, 2021 | Associated Press and IL Staff

The Indiana General Assembly will be hosting a series of meetings around the state in August to get public input on the upcoming redistricting process prior to the congressional and state legislative maps being redrawn.

Trial court rejects AG’s motion in fight with governor

July 20, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

The Marion Superior Court has denied Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s attempt to stop Gov. Eric Holcomb from continuing his lawsuit against the Legislature in the dispute over who can call the General Assembly into a special session.

Redistricting plans brings renewed call for public participation

July 12, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

A coalition of voting rights organizations are criticizing the outline Republican leaders provided on the process they intended to follow for redrawing Indiana’s legislative and congressional maps, claiming Hoosiers are being left in the dark on redistricting.

State reports slight increase in Indiana abortions for 2020

July 12, 2021 | Associated Press

The number of abortions performed in Indiana grew slightly last year, with a new state report showing that drug-induced abortions made up a majority of the procedures for the first time.

3 women ask 7th Circuit to revive Title VII claims against state in Curtis Hill harassment case

July 8, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Three of the four women who in 2018 accused former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill of sexual misconduct are asking the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals to reinstate their federal claims for Title VII violations against the state of Indiana.

Willett, Speck: Legislative, policy changes to telehealth post-COVID

July 7, 2021 | Isaac Willett and Virginia Speck

Although the practice of telehealth well preceded COVID-19, the pandemic sparked a substantial boom in the use of telehealth services. Along with this boom came legislative and policy changes both at the state and federal levels.

Rokita seeks appeal of order allowing governor’s lawsuit against General Assembly to proceed

July 6, 2021 | IL Staff

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has filed an appeal just days after a Marion County judge denied his request to do away with a complaint filed by Gov. Eric Holcomb against the Indiana General Assembly.

Judge letting Indiana’s governor sue to block emergency law

July 6, 2021 | IL Staff and Associated Press

Attorneys for Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita faced off last month during oral arguments about whether the governor could hire his own legal counsel to represent him in a lawsuit he filed against the state’s legislative body. A Marion County Superior Court judge, in an order posted Saturday, ruled that he could.

Cox, Friedman: Federal, state protections for manufacturers of COVID-19 products

June 23, 2021

In order to protect and encourage innovation in the pandemic response effort, both the secretary of Health and Human Services and the Indiana Legislature have enacted protections from liability for those making products aimed at helping in the fight against COVID-19.

New law establishes process for removing no-show elected officials from office

June 23, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

Motivated by a Lake County recorder who did not show up for work for more than a year, the Indiana General Assembly took an unusual step during the 2021 session and created a narrow pathway for local governments to remove one of their own instead of waiting for the voters to take action.

New laws: Legislature makes moves despite COVID

June 23, 2021 | IL Staff

The Indiana General Assembly convened in-person for its 2021 session with COVID-19 protocols in place. Here’s the full list of legislation it enacted this year.

Attorneys for Rokita, Holcomb face off in court over governor’s right to sue

June 17, 2021 | Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office got its day in court Wednesday to argue why it thinks Gov. Eric Holcomb shouldn’t have been allowed to hire his own attorneys to sue the Indiana General Assembly.

Indiana rushes to spend virus relief aid on new jobs program

June 15, 2021 | Associated Press

Indiana legislators scrambled in the final days of their session to make decisions on spending the state’s $3 billion share of the $350 billion in federal coronavirus relief money approved this year for state and local governments.

Judges appointed to St. Joseph Superior, Terre Haute City Court benches

June 9, 2021 | IL Staff

A St. Joseph County magistrate has been appointed to the St. Joseph Superior Court bench, the governor’s office announced this month. A judge has also been appointed to the Terre Haute City Court.

Hearing set on whether Indiana governor may sue Legislature

June 4, 2021 | Associated Press

A judge will hear arguments later this month over whether Indiana’s governor can go ahead with a lawsuit challenging the power state legislators have given themselves to intervene during public emergencies.

Attorney general argues governor exceeding authority

May 26, 2021 | Associated Press

Attorney General Todd Rokita argues in new legal filings that Gov. Eric Holcomb is wrongly trying to use the courts to expand his powers with a lawsuit challenging the authority state legislators have given themselves to intervene during public emergencies.

AG argues governor not allowed to override Legislature’s veto

May 25, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is doubling down on his argument that the governor cannot turn to the courts to settle the dispute over House Enrolled Act 1123, asserting the executive branch is attempting to use the judiciary to demand a “super” veto of the Legislature.

Activists seek 30-day review of Indiana redistricting plan

May 19, 2021 | Associated Press

Voting rights activists are calling on Indiana legislative leaders to give the public a month for reviewing proposed new congressional and state election district maps before they are finalized.

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