Indiana House kills bill that would have jeopardized IndyGo funding
After the Indiana Senate passed a compromise on the IndyGo funding feud Wednesday night, the Indiana House killed the measure by not voting on it before adjourning for the year.
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Indiana set to raise smoking age, impose harsher penalties for selling tobacco to minors
The House and Senate on Wednesday both passed Senate Bill 1, which increases the legal tobacco age and doubles the fines stores could face for selling smoking or vaping products to anyone younger than 21.
Legislature passes controversial bill to block new Indy landlord-tenant rules
The provision emerged at the Statehouse last month as a last-minute attempt to block the Indianapolis City-County Council from implementing two ordinances designed to protect tenants from predatory landlords.
Bill to expand panhandling definition passes both chambers
The Indiana House and Senate both passed a measure Tuesday night that would make panhandling illegal within 50 feet of any ATM; entrance or exit of a bank, business or restaurant; public monument; or place where any “financial transaction” occurs.
Distracted driving legislation approved by both chambers, heads to Holcomb
Legislation that bans drivers from holding or using cell phones while operating a motor vehicle passed the Indiana House and Senate on Tuesday and awaits Gov. Eric Holcomb’s signature.
Big liquor chain sues Indiana for denying permit for Nora superstore
The Maryland-based company, which is the nation’s largest liquor retailer, claims Indiana’s residency requirement is unconstitutional and amounts to economic protectionism.
Compromise on IndyGo legislation could cut fundraising requirement in half
The new language offered on Monday afternoon would gradually phase in how much IndyGo has to fundraise and would require a new traffic study on the impact of the proposed Blue Line.
UPDATE: Indiana House leadership changes as session nears end
House Speaker Brian Bosma, the longest-serving House speaker in state history, stepped down Monday and was replaced by Rep. Todd Huston.
Indiana governor backs path for forcing out attorney general
Gov. Eric Holcomb said in a statement Thursday that he supports a bill endorsed by the Indiana House that would prohibit anyone whose law license has been suspended for at least 30 days from serving as attorney general.
Senate passes bill that regulates employment of minors
Senate Bill 409, authored by Sen. Mark Messmer, R-Jasper, eliminates the work-permit requirement for minors and tweaks some of the hours they can work.
Lawmakers continue fight over landlord-tenant legislation
Under a change made Thursday, a controversial provision to preempt local ordinances that deal with landlord-tenant rights would take effect immediately instead of July 1.
Legislature proves it’s unafraid to meddle in Indianapolis affairs
Just in the past month or so, lawmakers have debated proposals to prohibit cities from regulating landlord-tenant relations, allow the attorney general to step in when a local prosecutor decides not to pursue a case, and cut funding to IndyGo—which might stop construction of future bus rapid-transit lines.
IPL gets OK to spend $1.2B on grid upgrade, setting stage for seven years of rate increases
IPL said a typical household customer would likely pay an extra $1.50 a month in the first year. That monthly amount would increase by $1.50 each year, or by a total of $10.50 a month by the seventh year.
Legislation aimed at health care costs moves forward
The Indiana General Assembly moved forward remaining bills aimed at reducing health care costs on Tuesday, but the pieces of legislation still have hurdles to clear before heading to the governor.
Indiana Senate approves bill that could cut IndyGo funding
House Bill 1279, authored by Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, initially only addressed a regional development group in northwest Indiana. But an amendment sought to put teeth in a 2014 state law that required IndyGo to raise private dollars to help finance its mass transit operations.
Liquor superstore planned for former Marsh location in Nora hits legal snag
The Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission ruled Tuesday that state law prohibits it from approving permits to out-of-state residents, potentially setting up a legal challenge based on a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that such requirements are unconstitutional.
Indiana lawmakers back dropping tests in teacher evaluations
Indiana legislators have voted to end the mandatory use of student standardized test results in teacher evaluations, dropping a requirement long opposed by teachers.
Lawmakers remove site-of-service billing requirement from health legislation
Hospital executives said the initial site-of-service regulation would have resulted in significant cuts in staff and services because revenue would drop by millions of dollars.
Indiana House supports language that could remove AG Hill from office
Indiana lawmakers are trying to send a message to Republican Attorney General Curtis Hill: If he loses his law license, even through a temporary suspension, he could be forced out of office and prevented from seeking re-election.
Lawmakers to debate bill change that could determine whether AG Hill stays in office
The move comes in response to questions over whether Hill can remain as the state government’s top lawyer if his law license is suspended for disciplinary reasons.