Last-minute attempt to revive hemp drug ban fails in final hours
Efforts in Indiana have consistently failed amid a House-Senate stalemate on how expansive or limiting the state’s approach should be.
Regulation
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Toxic fallout: Remediation and lawsuits continuing at USS Lead Superfund site in East Chicago
The pictures of sun-drenched homes and neatly trimmed lawns in East Chicago showcase what is perhaps the best outcome. However, the images belie the nightmare many residents are still living. The homes along with the neighboring West Calumet Housing Project and Carrie Gosch Elementary School were all built on the USS Lead Superfund site.
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Draining protection: Deregulation bill sends conservationists scrambling to save Indiana wetlands
A controversial bill that would do away with state regulation of Indiana’s wetlands is on the fast track to becoming law, throwing environmental agencies and conservation advocates into a frenzy. Farmers and land developers support the legislation, arguing wetland regulations are burdensome.
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Taft builds new lobby group with Ice Miller transplants
Taft Stettinius & Hollister is making a big push into public affairs and lobbying in both Indianapolis and Washington, D.C., and has nabbed seven attorneys and nonlawyer professionals — including several big names in Indiana politics — from rival Ice Miller to do it.
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Taking a stand for lemonade
A bill in the 2021 Indiana General Assembly would make clear that lemonade stands are legal in the Hoosier state, thanks to two LaPorte boys who wanted to tackle an issue near to their hearts.
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Articles
Shein faces EU investigation over illegal products, addictive design features
Shein may be required to alter its actions or pay a hefty fine if a so-called non-compliance decision is reached following an in-depth investigation, the European Commission said.
Indianapolis finds energy-use benchmarking policy is a tall order
It’s been almost five years since the city joined sustainability-minded municipalities in passing an ordinance that requires owners of large buildings to report their annual utility use. Today, most building owners aren’t complying.
One attorney among nine finalists for IURC openings
Indiana officials on Thursday named nine finalists for three open seats on the powerful Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, which oversees electric, gas, water and telecommunications rates across the state.
Top Fannie Mae officials ousted after sounding alarm on sharing confidential housing data
A confidant of Bill Pulte, the Trump administration’s top housing regulator, provided confidential mortgage pricing data from Fannie Mae to a principal competitor.
Ratepayer protection agency recommends against Duke’s coal-to-gas push
The state agency tasked with protecting utility consumers has asked regulators to reject Duke Energy Indiana’s “ill-advised” plan to retire two coal-powered units — and replace them with new natural gas units — at the Cayuga Generating Station in west-central Indiana.
In blow to Democrats, federal appeals court strikes down net neutrality
The net neutrality issue revolves around how heavily federal regulators should control the companies that build and operate the internet. Democrats favor heavier oversight along the lines of how traditional telephone networks are regulated, while Republicans have argued for a lighter touch.
U.S. to require passenger vehicles to have alarms for rear seat belts
Starting in September 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don’t buckle up.
Coalition-backed survey finds ‘overwhelming’ number of Hoosiers support cannabis regulations
A coalition pushing for “safe and regulated” cannabis reform published survey findings from a conservative-linked pollster in which an “overwhelming” number of Hoosiers supported legalization.
Airline CEOs, Buttigieg fight over regulations even after election
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg snapped back Thursday at criticism from airline executives who say the Biden administration over-regulated them, pointing out that some of those airlines are making large profits despite new passenger-protection rules.
Elon Musk says he and Trump have ‘mandate to delete’ regulations. Ethics laws could limit Musk role
In picking billionaire Elon Musk to be “our cost cutter” for the U.S. government, President-elect Donald Trump won’t be the first American president to empower a business tycoon to look for ways to dramatically cut federal regulations.
FTC’s rule banning fake online reviews goes into effect
The Federal Trade Commission issued a rule in August banning the sale or purchase of online reviews. The rule, which went into effect Monday, allows the agency to seek civil penalties against those who knowingly violate it.
FTC adopts rule to make it easier for consumers to cancel unwanted subscriptions
The Federal Trade Commission adopted a final rule Wednesday that will require businesses to make it easy for consumers to cancel unwanted subscriptions and memberships.
Supreme Court rules for truck stop in new blow to federal regulations
The Supreme Court opened the door Monday to new, broad challenges to regulations long after they take effect, the third blow in a week to federal agencies. The justices ruled 6-3 in favor of a truck stop in North Dakota that wants to sue over a regulation on debit card swipe fees that the federal appeals court in Washington upheld 10 years ago.
United Airlines says regulators plan to increase oversight of company following issues
Federal regulators are increasing their oversight of United Airlines, the company announced Friday, following a series of recent issues including a piece of the outer fuselage falling off one jet, an engine fire and a plane losing a tire during takeoff.
AI’s future could be ‘open-source’ or closed. Tech giants are divided as they lobby regulators
Facebook parent Meta and IBM on Tuesday launched a new group called the AI Alliance that’s advocating for an “open science” approach to AI development that puts them at odds with rivals Google, Microsoft and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI.
Pilots flying tourists over national parks face new rules. None are stricter than at Mount Rushmore
Fewer planes and helicopters will be flying tourists over Mount Rushmore and other national monuments and parks as new regulations take effect that are intended to protect the serenity of some of the most beloved natural areas in the United States.
With gambling legislation on pause, some push for reform
The leaders of the Statehouse’s dual Republican supermajorities have been clear: after recent gambling industry scandals involving former lawmakers, next year’s legislative session will include no expansion.
Dentists and state regulators at odds over compliance fund spending
Indiana dentists and hygienists have for a decade paid a $20 compliance fee every other year as part of license renewals. But that changes this year, after a long-simmering dispute between dentists and state regulators boiled over.
U.S. regulators aiming at illegal and anticompetitive mergers
U.S. competition regulators have mounted an effort to tighten enforcement against illegal mergers, in line with President Joe Biden’s mandate for greater scrutiny to big business combinations.