Legislative rundown: Flurry of bills, but not all, advance on final day of session
The Indiana General Assembly's annual session came to a chaotic close as lawmakers blew past their midnight deadline to adjourn with major bills still in play.
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Legislature passes cannabidiol oil sales bill amid regulatory concerns
Even as supporters cheered the measure’s passage, some warned that the bill creates burdensome regulation and warned that the legislation could find itself in similar trouble as vaping legislation the Legislature passed two years ago that wound up creating a monopoly.
State stops millions in fraudulent tax refunds
Thanks to a fraud-prevention program the Indiana Department of Revenue implemented in 2014, hackers looking to collect refunds owed to other individuals seem to be targeting Hoosiers less often.
Lawmakers don’t act to waive $50M fee in Caesars/Centaur deal
Las Vegas-based Caesars is arguing the costly transfer fee should not be applied to its $1.7 billion deal to acquire Indianapolis-based Centaur Gaming and its racinos in Anderson and Shelbyville.
Several issues unresolved as General Assembly nears ending point
Still left to address is legislation involving school safety programs, professional licensing for young immigrants referred to as “Dreamers,” sex education, school takeovers, handgun fees and workforce development leadership.
Manufacturers fear state workforce bill could put $50M from feds at risk
A day away from the end of the state legislative session, the Indiana Manufacturers Association is urging lawmakers to scuttle a workforce development proposal that it contends could put federal funding in jeopardy.
Indiana lawmakers put finishing touches on gun rights legislation
Law enforcement groups voiced serious concerns about the bill because license fees are a major source of funding for training, including active shooter response training.
State lawmakers take pass on bills aimed at wooing Amazon HQ2
Indiana lawmakers didn’t propose any measures aimed specifically at attracting Amazon’s second headquarters, nor did they pass two bills that might have enhanced central Indiana’s bid.
Indiana governor seeks $5 million boost to school security
Lawmakers allocated $10 million for the first two years of school security grants, but that funding was reduced in 2015 to $3.5 million a year under then-Gov. Mike Pence. He later added several million dollars back.
House, Senate agree on workforce changes, but critics say they don’t go far enough
The major change this year is to replace the existing State Workforce Innovation Council with a new board that legislative leaders hope will be smaller and more nimble.
State set to unleash new venture funding
The Hogsett administration and the City-County Council are weighing whether to kill a little-known organization that has quietly worked the past two decades on the redevelopment of key downtown projects.
Indiana Legislature approves bill toughening abortion rules
The Indiana Legislature on Wednesday sent a bill to Gov. Eric Holcomb's desk that would require medical providers who treat women for complications arising from abortions to report detailed patient information to the state.
Software tax-exemption bill awaits governor’s signature
A bill that exempts “software as a service” from Indiana’s 7 percent sales tax is headed to the governor, who said he’ll gladly sign it.
Indiana Legislature poised to pass sexual harassment bill
The measure would require legislators to take at least one hour of training every year.
Indiana Senate backs control shift on troubled schools
The Indiana Senate has approved a bill further reducing the power of the Gary school board while allowing Ball State University to take over Muncie's schools.
Indiana lawmakers back limits on short-term rental rules
Legislation limiting regulation of short-term rentals by local governments has been approved by Indiana lawmakers and is on its way to Gov. Eric Holcomb's desk.
Indiana House approves statewide school-safety audit
The measure passed Monday on a 96-0 vote. It comes in the wake of a Parkland, Florida, school shooting that left 17 dead.
Bill allowing ‘Dreamers’ to get licenses clears Indiana House
Young immigrants often referred to as "Dreamers" would no longer be prohibited from obtaining professional licenses under emergency legislation approved Monday.
Bill to lift Indianapolis-area ban on light rail goes off track
State Sen. Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis, declined to call up House Bill 1080, which he sponsored in the Senate, for amendments on Monday afternoon before the Senate’s deadline.
Lawmakers backpedal on some gun legislation in wake of mass shooting
Gun-related legislation became a political football after a high-profile school shooting in Florida last month, with Republicans eliminating some efforts to loosen firearms laws and Democrats calling for more gun control.