Governor signs bill for Indiana COVID-19 lawsuit shield
Indiana businesses and others now have broad protections from lawsuits by people blaming them for contracting COVID-19 under a new state law.
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Indiana voucher plan could take 1/3 of school-funding boost
Republicans tout their proposal as giving parents more choices over how to educate their children, while Democrats and other opponents argue that it further drains funding from traditional school districts.
Senate committee narrowly approves bill that strips funding from IndyGo
Senate Bill 141, authored by Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, would withhold 10% of local income tax revenue from IndyGo until it meets a private fundraising threshold established in a 2014 law.
House passes pregnancy accommodations bill that lacks requirements
House Bill 1309, authored by Rep. Karen Engleman, R-Georgetown, will allow employees to request accommodations from their employer—something pregnant workers are already permitted to do.
House votes to override governor’s veto of landlord-tenant bill, allowing it to become law
Senate Enrolled Act 148 prevents all local governments from regulating any aspect of landlord-tenant relationships and blocks tenant protections that the city of Indianapolis had put in place last spring.
Indiana rolling out pandemic rental-assistance program
The state of Indiana is preparing to launch a new rental and utility assistance program after receiving an additional $372 million in federal funding for that purpose.
AG Rokita declined to sign bipartisan letter condemning Capitol attack
Separately, Indiana’s attorney general is facing calls for records surrounding his decision to remain employed as an adviser to a private company while also holding statewide elected office.
Indiana Senate panel advances bill that would pass along drug rebates to consumers
The bill pitted the two largest companies headquartered in Indianapolis—drugmaker Eli Lilly and Co. and health insurer Anthem Inc.—on opposite sides of the issue.
Committee fails to vote on work-share bill, despite business support
The Senate Pensions and Labor Committee on Wednesday discussed Senate Bill 44, which would authorize the Indiana Department of Workforce Development to implement a work-sharing program, but the chairman of the committee refused to vote on the bill.
Indiana lawmakers weigh bills aimed at prosecutors, riot penalties
The endorsed proposal ensures Indiana prosecutors can’t create lists of crimes they won’t prosecute, said bill sponsor Sen. Mike Young.
Senate taking different approach to tighten governor’s executive powers
The Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee on Tuesday night voted 12-0 to approve Senate Bill 407, which would prevent the governor from continuously renewing statewide emergency orders without the approval of the Indiana General Assembly.
Lawmakers kill bill that would have stripped control of IMPD away from city
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday amended Senate Bill 168, which would have created a five-member board to oversee and govern the Indianapolis police department, to recommend the issue be discussed in a summer study committee.
AG Rokita keeping private sector job while in elected office
Republican Todd Rokita was sworn into office as attorney general in January, but he continues to serve as strategic policy adviser for Apex Benefits, a decision that is being questioned by a government-accountability watchdog group.
COVID-19 lawsuit immunity bill heads to Holcomb
Senate Bill 1, authored by Sen. Mark Messmer, R-Jasper, gives businesses, not-for-profits, schools and religious institutions immunity from COVID-19 civil liability lawsuits.
Lawmakers advance bill to prevent governor, commission from election changes
Senate Bill 353 would give only the Indiana General Assembly the authority to change the date, time or place of an election.
Indiana Secretary of State Lawson announces resignation
Connie Lawson, 71, is the longest-serving secretary of state in Indiana history. She said she was stepping down to focus on her health and family.
IBJ Podcast: Why business execs are pushing back against legislative interference in Indy
More than 60 business and not-for-profit executives have signed a letter telling lawmakers to back off proposals that would restrict or usurp power from city government in Indianapolis.
Indiana ‘missed big’ by not adopting work share, report says
Researchers who have studied work-share programs—which have been implemented in 28 states—say thousands of Indiana workers have been unnecessarily laid off.
Indiana House budget would expand vouchers, limit poverty aid for schools
The budget proposal, which was presented to and passed by the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday, would increase state funding for K-12 education by $378 million over the next two years—a 3.8% boost from this school year.
House Republicans opt to invest in one-time grant programs in budget proposal
The $36.3 billion two-year budget proposed by the House GOP on Thursday would make a handful of one-time investments in small businesses, regional projects, student learning loss, health initiatives, broadband and police training.