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Lebanon farmer to be state’s new ag chief
A second-generation farmer from Lebanon, Don Lamb, will be the Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s next executive director, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Wednesday. He hails from the the site of a proposed innovation district that has some farmers worried. “Don truly cares about the Hoosier ag community and securing Indiana’s place as a global leader […]
Senate passes bill inspired by conversion therapy dispute
Indiana’s Senate plodded through more than two-dozen bills during a marathon eight-hour stretch to meet a Tuesday deadline. The body passed several major measures, including a bill originally intended to prevent communities from banning conversion therapy that has since gone much broader. Proposals cracking down on GPS stalking and hospital costs also made the cut, […]
$5.5 million anti-ESG pensions bill passes House
A controversial proposal cracking down on alleged ESG investing in public pensions — while supporting “discriminated” businesses in contentious industries — passed the House mostly along party lines Monday. It was a redemption for a bill nearly tanked by its own previous price tag. “House Bill 1008 is about freedom and fairness in financial markets,” […]
‘Grossly underpaid’: Hoosiers would earn more for jury duty under proposal
Hoosiers haven’t seen a pay increase for jury duty in at least two decades, but that could change — even double — under a bill advancing steadily through the Statehouse. But corresponding fee increases have sparked debate on how to fund the criminal justice system: as a public service, or through the people using it. […]
Just 25% of House bills have survived session so far. Here’s what didn’t.
House lawmakers filed 673 bills this year – but only about 178 survived key deadlines this week. Some of the bills that aren’t advancing have been woven into the budget instead, like a proposal eliminating public school textbook fees. But the language often looks a little different — the budget simply requires schools to waive […]
House passes bill supporting parents in transgender DCS cases
The Indiana House on Wednesday approved a bill banning courts from removing transgender children from their parents based only on parent refusal to seek gender-affirming care or otherwise support transitions. The legislation centers on one Hoosier family — and its estranged transgender daughter — whose case is still in court. “All’s I’m trying to do […]
Anti-ESG bill clears financial panel with new $5.5 million price tag
A substantially altered bill cracking down on Indiana’s public pensions and external investment managers cleared a key financial panel Tuesday — with a new projected fiscal impact of $5.5 million over the next decade. That’s much less than a previous $6.7 billion estimate, though Democrats still weren’t appeased. House Bill 1008 seeks to block the […]
Commercial dog breeders win out as Senate passes pet store measure
Indiana’s senators approved a bill Wednesday blocking cities and towns from banning the retail sale of dogs by state-approved sellers. It was a win for a frustrated national pet store chain but went against the wishes of animal welfare advocates. The 29-18 vote was close for a chamber that usually has larger margins. Ordinances in […]
Birth control access and tax deductions bills progress through Statehouse
A Republican-backed bill that would make it easier for Hoosiers to access birth control advanced 86-12 from the House on Monday and now heads to the Senate. House Bill 1568, authored by Rep. Elizabeth Rowray, R-Yorktown, would allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal birth control to people 18 and older without an appointment. That includes contraceptive […]
Bill boosting “distressed” wastewater infrastructure draws mixed testimony
A Senate panel on Thursday approved a bill that would let utility companies ask the state for permission to pass some wastewater infrastructure costs to regular water ratepayers. “Senate Bill 180 … creates a tool for the [Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission] to use as, essentially, a last resort option when all other solutions won’t work […]
Bill bringing voter ID to mail-in ballot applications advances
A Republican-led House committee on Wednesday approved a heavily amended bill adding voter identification requirements to mail-in ballot applications, among other restrictions. Proponents said the legislation would boost election confidence and push in-person voting, while opponents said it could lead to confusion and disenfranchisement for Hoosier voters. “The desired intent of this bill is not […]
House passes state-funded gun training for teachers
The Indiana House on Tuesday passed a bill providing state funding to train teachers who carry guns in classrooms after an emotional debate. School districts can already authorize the arming of teachers, but there isn’t a specific training curriculum — or much money — to go with it. “This is just a standardized [training] format […]