Bills on underused school buildings, cursive writing advance
Meanwhile, Hoosiers have their first new law for the year—and it’s a retroactive business tax deduction in time for tax season.
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Statehouse, City-County Council poised for dogfight over retail sale of pets
The Indianapolis City-County Council Public Affairs Committee voted unanimously Wednesday in favor of restricting the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits, days after the Indiana Senate voted in favor of a law that would override such an ordinance.
Indiana lawmakers back defunding Kinsey sex institute
The Indiana House voted 53-34 to block state funding toward the Kinsey Institute, which has long faced criticism from conservatives
Indiana lawmakers advance ban on gender-transition procedures for minors
The bill, which moves to the full state Senate, would ban all gender-transition care for Indiana minors. That care could range from taking puberty blockers and hormone therapy to social transition at schools.
Indiana bill to criminalize nefarious GPS tracking advances to Senate
Although the proposal advanced 8-0, lawmakers cautioned that the bill still needs more work. More amendments are expected in the full chamber.
Anti-ESG bill clears financial panel with new $5.5M price tag
House Bill 1008 seeks to block the Indiana Public Retirement System, the Indiana State Police Pension Trust and their respective publicly traded financial managers from making investment decisions based on environmental, social or corporate governmental policies, or ESG.
What is a Hoosier? Indiana bill with origin theory dies in committee.
House Bill 1143, which sought to establish “The Hoosier State” as Indiana’s official nickname, died in a House government committee Tuesday after historians raised questions about the “Hoosier” origin story outlined within the proposal.
Indiana Senate passes legislation protecting retail dog sales
If approved, the legislation would interfere with a proposal banning dog, cat and rabbit retail sales—introduced just this month—making its way through the Indianapolis City-County Council.
SALT deduction bill heading to Indiana governor’s desk
Senate Bill 2 is expected to provide a state and local tax, or SALT, deduction for what are known as pass-through entities, which are businesses that are not subject to corporate income tax.
Five ways the state can help downtown
While the state and the city have come together on major downtown projects over the years, there’s sometimes tension between what Indianapolis officials would like to see from the state and how the state views its responsibility to the capital city.
Indiana House Republicans ‘committed’ to voucher school expansion
Indiana House Republicans will seek to expand the state’s “school choice” program despite a top GOP senator’s call for more voucher school reforms.
Indiana lawmakers to discuss bill similar to Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law
The two-page bill is one of several proposals from legislators this session that address how schools must handle controversial social issues involving race and sex.
Indiana secretary of state hires brother-in-law for top post
New Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales has hired his brother-in-law for a post paying a six-figure salary, in a move that has drawn criticism as crossing an ethical line.
Prescription savings under PBMs, manufacturer rebates cause confusion
Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs, were the target of state senators Wednesday as they attempt to find solutions to decrease Indiana’s elevated health care costs.
Indiana senators nix discussion on latest bill restricting classroom topics
The abrupt change in plans by the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development came after a Tuesday rally by groups opposed to such legislation.
Republicans OK plan tightening Indiana mail-in voting rules
Bill sponsor Republican Rep. Tim Wesco of Osceola said the step was aimed at validating who was receiving mail-in ballots by putting identification requirements in line with what people must present when voting in person.
Teacher gun-training legislation passes Indiana House
The Republican-backed bill passed in a 71-24 vote predominantly on party lines, with supporters saying the training would give teachers opportunities to defend themselves and students if needed. S
Speed-limit proposal for trucks in Indiana clears first hurdle
A bill that would raise the speed limit for trucks on certain Indiana roadways advanced to the full Senate on Tuesday despite opposition from the state’s largest truck drivers group.
Legislation would require Indiana districts to share property tax revenue with charters
Proponents characterize the strategy as funding students instead of systems, while opponents argue it leaves fewer resources for students in Indiana’s traditional public schools.
Top Indiana senator rebukes voucher school program in new letter
A top Republican lawmaker threatened to hold up new state spending for Indiana’s voucher school program after he claimed to have witnessed “disgusting” behavior at a private Catholic school in Indiana.