20 new laws hit the books with Gov. Mike Braun’s signature
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed 20 bills into law Thursday, including one that would expunge certain civil “red flag” proceedings and another impacting carbon dioxide sequestration projects.
Legislature
Articles
Indiana House committee greenlights amended Medicaid work requirements
Senate Bill 2, authored by Sen. Ryan Mishler, would quadruple the administrative workload of the Family and Social Services Administration by requiring quarterly eligibility reviews.
Bill to absorb Illinois communities advances to Indiana Senate floor
The proposal would create an Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission tasked with exploring the secession and transfer of counties that have already voted to leave the state of Illinois.
‘Predatory’ towing restrictions revived in Indiana Senate committee, despite mixed support
The legislation targets “excessive” and unreasonable charges on towing invoices, especially for commercial vehicles like semitrailers.
Bill creating transparency measures for Indiana economic development agency heads to House floor
Critics of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., which receives hundreds of millions in tax dollars each year, have wondered whether the agency has been transparent and fiscally responsible enough.
Indiana Senate committee advances marijuana billboard advertising ban
Lawmakers said they’d be open to expanding the prohibition to other forms of advertising, too.
‘Obscene performance’ ban added, official misconduct expungements weighed
An Indiana House Committee approved new language that may be an attempt to bar drag performers from reading children’s stories in public libraries or schools.
Senate committee advances hospital price bill, but expects more changes
Members of the Indiana Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services agreed with the need to address the high cost of health care. But they often disagreed with the approach of House Bill 1004.
Indiana immigration notice measure altered but opposition holds firm
The measure would mandate that Hoosier sheriffs notify federal immigration authorities when they suspect an arrestee is in the United States illegally.
Bill to reduce dollars withheld from construction contractors breezes through Senate committee
The measure seeks to reduce financial strain on construction contractors for certain state and local public work projects.
Leading House Republican introduces his own property tax plan
A third property tax plan introduced on Wednesday would further protect local units of government from cuts to property tax bills, a change that would provide little tangible relief to the average homeowner.
Police ‘buffer zone’ clarification heads to governor’s desk
The legislation follows up on contradictory court rulings over the 2023 encroachment law, under which police can tell members of the public to stand back while they perform their duties.
State senators consider funds for county prosecutors, eliminating rape kit backlog
Rep. Becky Cash said there is a six- to eight-month wait for rape kit processing in Indiana, which crime technicians and law enforcement attributed to the lack of equipment and staff.
Rural intersections sightline proposal to rack up edits
Indiana lawmakers are tapping the brakes on a bill taking aim at dangerously overgrown rural intersections.
In wake of Jamey Noel investigation, lawmakers advance bill to increase oversight over jail funds
Bipartisan momentum continued Thursday for a bill that seeks to hold Indiana sheriffs more accountable for managing jail funds.
Indiana House takes its turn on property tax discussions
Wednesday’s meeting included public testimony and a presentation from the Department of Local Government Finance, with proposed amendments and a vote pushed to another week.
Red flag expungements, police buffer zones move through Senate committee
Under House Bill 1137, “red flag” records will be sealed and expunged if a court later decides someone isn’t dangerous.
Indiana National Guard hopes legislation can staunch enlistment losses
House Bill 1111 would provide some tuition assistance and add soldiers on state active duty to the definition of a state employee for death benefits and worker’s compensation laws.
Lab-grown meat labeling bill baffles Senate committee, changes likely
An Indiana Senate committee skeptical of lab-grown meat advanced labeling legislation Monday in an 8-1 vote, with edits expected on the chamber’s floor.
Tampons, adult diapers exempt from sales tax in Indiana budget proposal
Indiana is one of 20 states that currently tax such feminine products.