Governor signs controversial wetlands bill into law
The bill, which scales back protections on Indiana wetlands, had gained support from the Indiana Builders Association, but numerous environmental, conservation and civic groups opposed it.
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Recap: A glance at key issues during Indiana legislative session
The Indiana General Assembly concluded the year’s regular session late last week in Indianapolis. Here’s a look at some major issues debated during the nearly four-month session.
Scrutiny grows over whether officials enforced ‘red flag’ law in case of FedEx shooter
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has not said whether it sought to have Brandon Hole declared a dangerous person after a 2020 incident in which his mother told police he was suicidal. If a court had ruled he was dangerous, state law could have prevented him from buying another gun.
Equal pay bill passed by House, but faces long odds in Senate
The bill would make it easier to sue employers over pay discrimination, curb the ability of companies to retaliate and include a requirement that businesses submit detailed pay data to the federal government for use in policing pay discrimination laws.
Wetlands deregulation bill advances to Indiana governor
Lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to a disputed bill seeking to remove protections from Indiana’s already diminished wetlands amid mounting criticism that the legislation could cause damage to the state’s waterways, wildlife and vegetation.
Proposed new Indiana vaping products tax blasted as ‘measly’
The president of the state’s largest business organization says the Senate’s proposed tax amounts to “a measly one-tenth” of the state’s cigarette tax and is “arguably worse than no increase at all.”
Lawmakers adopt penalties for failing to protect monuments
The Indiana Legislature passed a bill Thursday that allows the state to withhold funding to cities that fail to protect public monuments and memorials from vandalism.
Bill that could strip funding from IndyGo hits roadblock in House
Rep. Jim Pressel, who chairs the House Roads and Transportation Committee, will not schedule the measure for a vote by Thursday’s deadline, his spokesman said Wednesday, effectively killing the bill, which has already passed the Senate.
Indiana Senate OKs optional pregnant worker accommodations
The proposal allows a pregnant employee to request accommodations and requires the employer to respond in a reasonable time frame, but it does not mandate that managers grant any of the requests.
Holcomb signs police reform, school funding bills into law
Bills aimed at increasing police accountability and ensuring Indiana’s public schools receive full funding for all students during the coronavirus pandemic were among 19 measures signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday.
Holcomb says he will veto legislation that allows lawmakers to call ’emergency sessions’
The final version of House Bill 1123, which would create what would be called an “emergency session,” could pass out of both chambers as early as Thursday.
State Senate passes legislation to create new emergency session
The Indiana Senate has passed legislation that would give lawmakers the power to convene at any time during a statewide public emergency and more oversight over federal stimulus dollars.
Gambling bill could help bars recover
Senate Bill 245 would double the prize limits for certain pull-tab games and allow the 1,242 bars and taverns with Type II gaming licenses to offer sports-themed pull-tab games and tip boards.
Biden formulating $3T plan for infrastructure, schools, family leave
The infrastructure portion of the package would include roughly $1 trillion for roads, bridges, rail lines, electrical vehicle charging stations and the cellular network, among other items.
Indiana Senate doubles funding for small-biz grant program, sends bill back to House
The legislation, authored by Rep. Shane Lindauer, R-Jasper, would provide grants of $10,000 per month, with a maximum award amount of $50,000.
Legislation to extend timeline for Indy Eleven stadium heads to governor
The Indiana House on Thursday voted 83-6 to approve Senate Bill 385, which adds two years to a 2019 bill that had called for a new special tax district—known as a professional sports development area, or PSDA—to be established in Marion County by mid-2022.
Battling bigness: Congress eyes action against monopolies
The battle against bigness is building. Whether it’s beer, banks or book publishing, lawmakers are targeting major industries they say have become so concentrated that they’re hurting competition, consumers and the economy. The economic dislocation of the pandemic has laid bare the struggles of small businesses unable to compete with corporate giants that have been […]
Police reform bill heads to governor’s desk after 49-0 Senate vote
House Bill 1006, which would largely ban the use of chokeholds, penalize police officers for intentionally turning off body and vehicle cameras, and make it easier for the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board to decertify bad-acting officers.
Senate committee passes legislation to establish regional crime gun task force
The task force would expand on a partnership between the Fishers Police Department and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department that officials say has already helped reduce crime in the area.
Holcomb administration disagrees with lawmakers on how to handle emergency powers
During the occasionally tense hearing on House Bill 1123, a slew of officials from Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration tried to convince lawmakers that the governor’s ability to make quick decisions has been key to the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.