Bills that passed, failed in this year’s General Assembly
A look at some major legislation considered this year by the Indiana General Assembly.
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Daniels to sign bill defunding Planned Parenthood
Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels said Friday he will sign restrictive abortion legislation and make Indiana the first state to cut off all government funding for Planned Parenthood, a move likely to boost his credentials among social conservatives as he considers whether to run for president.
Lawmakers approve 40 as Indiana alcohol ID age
Indiana's law requiring everyone—regardless of age—to provide identification when buying carry-out alcohol would be changed under a proposal approved by state legislators.
Criminal checks on Indiana medical workers wins OK
A bill requiring criminal background checks for anyone seeking new Indiana licenses as a doctor, dentist, nurse or several other health care jobs is heading to the governor for approval.
Indiana Senate narrowly OKs ban on texting while driving
A proposal making it illegal for drivers to send or read text messages narrowly cleared the Indiana Senate on Friday after several senators argued that the ban wouldn't be enforceable.
New Indiana congressional districts clear Legislature
The Indiana House voted 62-31 mostly along party lines Thursday to give final legislative approval to the redistricting plan and send it to Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels, who is expected to sign it.
Indiana budget deal includes Daniels-backed refund
Indiana lawmakers are set to vote Friday on a new $28 billion state budget that would give slight funding increases to schools without raising taxes, leave the state with more than $1 billion in reserves and give taxpayers refunds if the state takes in more money than it needs.
KENNEDY: Legislature’s bottom line is political
Many Indiana citizens have been hit hard by the recession, and the General Assembly has reacted by kicking them while they’re down.
Indiana Legislature OKs redistricting proposal
Maps for new Indiana legislative election districts have gained final approval from the General Assembly and go to Gov. Mitch Daniels for consideration.
Indiana poised to cut Planned Parenthood funding
The Indiana House voted 66-32 Wednesday to approve a bill cutting the $3 million in federal money the state distributes to the organization for family planning and health programs. The Senate approved the measure earlier this month.
Key Indiana lawmakers optimistic about budget deal
Legislative leaders think they are on track to reach a budget deal by the time the legislative session ends Friday.
Nation’s broadest voucher plan passes final hurdle
The Indiana House voted 55-43 to give final approval to a bill creating the controversial voucher program. It would allow even middle-class families to use taxpayer money to send their children to private schools.
Indiana lawmakers OK bill to expand charter schools
A bill aimed at spurring more charter schools in Indiana has cleared its final legislative hurdle, marking another piece of Gov. Mitch Daniels' aggressive education agenda to pass.
Real estate-related bills still alive in Legislature
The bill with perhaps the best chance of emerging is the so-called dinosaur buildings bill, which would make it easier to win tax incentives for renovating obsolete industrial buildings.
Judge orders Indiana recount chief into court
A judge Monday ordered the head of the Indiana Recount Commission to appear before him this week to explain why the panel has not moved more quickly in considering whether Republican Secretary of State Charlie White was a valid candidate when he won election last fall.
Budget could spur talks of school consolidation
Indiana lawmakers may have found a way to spur the consolidation of small school districts without jumping into the politically unpopular issue: Starve small districts of state funding to financially push them toward merger talks.
Indiana lawmakers face busy final week
Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma says Indiana lawmakers are on track to finish their work on time as the legislative session draws to an end this week despite a five-week boycott by House Democrats.
State slow to move to money-saving home health care
Indiana taxpayers are paying about $300 million a year in nursing home costs despite a state law that would allow the state to save millions while keeping many elderly and disabled Hoosiers in their homes or with family members.
State House OKs watered-down immigration bill
Businesses that hire illegal immigrants could have some state tax credits revoked under a proposal that has cleared the Indiana House.
Final negotiations on Indiana budget start next week
A $28 billion budget proposal that cleared the Indiana Senate on Thursday includes a way to fine boycotting lawmakers — a provision Democrats oppose — and doesn't include an automatic taxpayer refund that the Republican governor wants.