Indiana lawmakers pass package of business tax cuts
The corporate income tax and state banking tax would be reduced to 4.9 percent and local governments would be left to decide whether to cut the business equipment tax.
The Statehouse File
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Statehouse update: Abandoned houses, hemp, daycare, addicted moms and more
Numerous bills advanced Wednesday at the Indiana Statehouse, including several that were sent to the governor for approval. Here's a rundown:
Deal on mass-transit legislation headed for vote
The compromise language does not include a provision to establish a light-rail system or an increase in corporate taxes. However, the legislation would still allow for an increase in individual income taxes pending voter approval.
Bill legalizing hemp advances after changes
A Senate agricultural committee has reached a compromise on a bill geared toward legalizing the production of industrial hemp in Indiana.
Senate leader says pre-K pilot program still possible
The pilot program would come in addition to a comprehensive study of preschool programs that was part of the bill as it left the Senate.
Digital privacy legislation awaits action by Pence
The Indiana House has sent the governor legislation that’s meant to protect the privacy of Hoosiers even as digital surveillance becomes easier and more sophisticated.
Bill to excuse students for state fair heads to governor
Senate Bill 114 would let students have up to five excused absences from school to participate in the Indiana State Fair.
Mass-transit supporters hopeful for compromise
Supporters of competing plans to expand mass transit in central Indiana say they’ve got differences to work out before the General Assembly wraps up March 14 but they’re confident they can find resolution.
Statehouse roundup: Drug testing, metro areas, abortion insurance, more
State lawmakers on Tuesday advanced legislation on drug-testing for welfare recipients, metro-area promotion, abortion insurance, hearing aids, teacher preparation and cardiac care precautions.
Bill to protect vets from discrimination passes Senate
Indiana House Bill 1242, authored by Rep. Martin Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne, would ban an employer from refusing to hire anyone because of his or her status as a veteran of the U.S. military.
House sends industrial hemp bill back to Senate
The Indiana House approved a bill Monday that would allow farmers to grow hemp – a non-intoxicating cousin of marijuana – if the federal government lifts restrictions on the crop.
Mass transit bill headed to conference committee
The Indiana House passed legislation to authorize new taxes for an expanded bus system but the bill is headed to a conference committee where lawmakers will try to find a compromise on the issue.
House passes moratorium on nursing home construction
The bill passed 55-40 and now returns to the Indiana Senate, which has already passed the bill and can now approve changes made by the House or send the bill to a conference committee for further consideration.
Technical diploma bill headed to full Senate
A bill that would create a career and technical diploma for high school students passed the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.
Modified hemp legalization bill moves to full House
The legalization of the production of industrial hemp is a step closer to reality in Indiana after the House Agricultural Committee passed an amended bill Tuesday.
Biosimilars bill passes House, heads to governor
Pharmacists would be able to substitute an interchangeable biosimilar drug for a prescribed name-brand product under a bill passed by the Indiana House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Bill allowing state fair alcohol sales heads to governor
The bill, authored by Sen. James Merritt, R-Indianapolis, seeks to end a nearly 70-year old ban on beer and alcohol sales at the state fair.
Indiana Senate amends pre-K education bill
The Indiana Senate shot down two proposed amendments to the pre-K education bill Monday, before finally accepting an amendment to add another member to the study commission.
Do Not Call expansion advances with exemptions
A House committee unanimously passed a bill Monday that would expand restrictions on telephone solicitation – after adding an amendment to exempt some types of organizations.
‘Indiana Grown’ bill passes General Assembly
House Bill 1039, authored by Matt Lehman, R-Berne, would create an 11-member commission to continue to endorse the current “Indiana Grown” initiative.