Senate greenlights bill to help Carmel build new hotel, conference center complex
State senators passed a measure to help Carmel fund a new hotel and conference center by rearranging collections from the Hamilton County Innkeepers’ tax.
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Tort reform effort clears House committee, but without Uber protections
Under the original bill, individuals would have been prohibited from suing ride-hailing companies for damages caused by a driver’s behavior, even including sexual assault against a passenger.
Indiana Senate set to vote on Bears stadium bill this week
Senate Bill 27 creates the framework for a stadium deal by establishing a public body that can issue bonds, acquire land, finance capital improvements and enter into leases.
Immigration enforcement bill clears Indiana Senate amid national ICE controversy
The vote comes as immigration enforcement—particularly actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE—has sparked protests, clashes with law enforcement and heightened political tensions in several states, especially in Minnesota.
Trump endorses Republican challenger to Indiana redistricting foe
President Trump has vowed political revenge against Republican legislators who helped defeat the redistricting bill.
Legislative roundup: Here’s what IBJ is following as the session’s halfway point approaches
The halfway point of the 2026 legislative session is fast approaching, with next week marking key deadlines for bills to get through their respective chambers.
Indiana’s latest attempt to rein in THC heads to Senate floor, but business owners worry it will ban the market
Business owners say Indiana’s Senate Bill 250 would effectively ban the growing delta-8 market—which was estimated to have generated more than $1 billion in economic impact in 2023—and urge caution amid changing federal rules.
UPDATE: Key lawmaker wants Bears commitment before finalizing stadium bill
Gov. Mike Braun told IBJ on Thursday that he hopes more concrete developments regarding the Chicago Bears’ potential move to northwest Indiana could come “within 10 days or a couple weeks.”
Trump sues JPMorgan for $5 billion, alleges bank closed his accounts for political reasons
The lawsuit, filed in Miami-Dade County court in Florida, alleges that JPMorgan abruptly closed multiple accounts in February 2021 with just 60 days notice and no explanation.
DeKalb, Steuben, Wayne counties join hunt for new Indiana casino
These counties join Allen County as possible sites for a new casino under changes to House Bill 1038. Some Indianapolis-area lawmakers are still pushing for Marion County to be included in that group.
Bill allowing Hoosier Lottery online sales won’t win in Legislature this year
The plug has been pulled on a bill that would give the Hoosier Lottery permission to sell tickets online and host instant games on its website.
Legislative committee sends amended Bears stadium bill to full Senate
The vote came after little discussion and no testimony—no one from the public signed up to talk about the bill.
Trump backs down on Greenland, cancels tariff threat after NATO agrees to future Arctic deal
President Donald Trump on Wednesday scrapped the tariffs that he threatened to impose on eight European nations to press for U.S. control over Greenland.
Democrat House Rep. Ed DeLaney calls for legislative probe into IEDC activities
Rep. Ed DeLaney announced Wednesday that he plans to file a resolution that calls for creating a House select committee to investigate the IEDC—the state’s lead agency for business attraction and expansion efforts.
Local Democrats create contested primary for almost 20-year incumbent
Indianapolis City-County Councilor Keith Graves and Lawrence Common Council member Tyrell Giles will challenge incumbent Indiana House District 95 Rep. John L. Bartlett in the May primary.
Indiana Senate advances bell-to-bell school cellphone limits despite bipartisan concerns
Under current state law, students are prohibited from using phones during instructional time, but they can use them during lunch and passing periods.
Congress moves toward funding government, dodging shutdown
The longest shutdown in U.S. history ended in November when lawmakers funded the government through the end of January, and members in both parties seemed wary of another one now.
Bill to address electric service affordability moves to Indiana House floor
House Bill 1002 requires the state’s investor-owned utilities to start low-income-customer assistance programs, bans service shutoffs in the summer and moves all customers to “levelized” billing plans.
China meets initial soybean purchase goal, but Trump’s shifting trade policy could disrupt deal
Beijing paused any purchase of U.S. soybeans last summer during its trade war with Washington, D.C., but agreed to resume buying from American soybean farmers after President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met in South Korea and agreed to a truce.
Senate committee approves 1-year state tax cut for overtime, tips
Lawmakers will decide during budget negotiations in 2027 whether to make it permanent.