Indiana General Assembly

Indiana Gov. Pence Issues First Vetoes of Term

Associated Press — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:59:24 +0000

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has vetoed his first legislation since taking office in January, rejecting two bills with new licensing requirements.

Pence vetoed a bill requiring licenses for diabetes educators and a measure creating new license requirements for anesthesiologist assistants and dietitians, as well as state certification for music therapists.

Gov. Pence Signs Indiana Budget Bill Into Law

Associated Press and Rick Howlett — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:29:44 +0000

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has signed the state's new two-year, $30 billion budget into law.

Pence says the plan includes $600 million a year in tax relief for Indiana residents and will boost investment in the state.

The budget approved April 27 by the Republican-led General Assembly includes a modest increase in school funding, new money for roads and highways and roughly $350 million in income tax cuts.

Court Challenge to Indiana Abortion Pill Law 'Very Likely'

Associated Press — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:35:38 +0000

Planned Parenthood officials say they anticipate a court challenge to a bill signed into law by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence today that tightens the state's regulations on distribution of the abortion pill.

The bill cleared the Republican-controlled legislature last month. The new law will also require clinics that provide only drug-induced abortions to meet the same standards as clinics that perform surgical abortions.

Pence says the new law will ensure that the abortion pill is given under proper medical care.

Indiana General Assembly Ends With Budget Approval

Associated Press — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:38:17 +0000

The Indiana General Assembly has approved a two-year, $30 billion budget that gives Gov. Mike Pence a partial victory in his quest for an income tax cut and restores some money cut from education and transportation.

Lawmakers worked into early Saturday to reach final agreement on the budget and other issues, including an expansion of the state's school voucher program and changes to sentencing laws that would require those convicted of the most serious crimes to spend more time in prison.

Update: Indiana General Assembly Winds Down; "Ag-Gag" Bill Fails

Associated Press and Rick Howlett — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 03:44:17 +0000

A proposal making it illegal to secretly take videos or photographs that could make a business look bad has failed in the Indiana egislature.

Bill sponsor Sen. Travis Holdman said Friday night he wouldn't try to advance another version of the bill a few hours after it was withdrawn in the House. That followed a lengthy debate during which several opponents criticized it for exposing industrial whistleblowers or even unhappy restaurant customers to possible criminal charges.

"Ag-Gag" Bill Apparently Dies in Indiana General Assembly

Rick Howlett — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:57:40 +0000

A bill that would have made it a crime to secretly videotape the operations of a farm or factory with the intent to harm the business may have died in the Indiana General Assembly.

Without comment, House Speaker Brian Bosma abruptly withdrew the measure during floor debate today, the final day of the session.

The heavily amended legislation had earlier won Senate approval, but some lawmakers raised concerns about its constitutionality.

Indiana Lawmakers Approve Criminal Code Overhaul

Rick Howlett and Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:04:20 +0000

The Indiana Senate has given final approval to a bill that would overhaul the state’s criminal code, with the aim of sending fewer nonviolent, low-level offenders to prison.

The measure calls for most felons to serve at least 75 percent of their sentences. Current law allows most felons with good behavior in prison to be released after serving half of their sentences.

But the overhaul would also direct many people convicted of drug or property offenses to work release or other local programs.

Indiana Gov. Pence Praises Legislative Budget Deal

Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:18:38 +0000

Indiana taxpayers will see their personal income tax rate reduced by 5 percent over the next four years under a budget plan agreed to by a conference committee of state lawmakers.

Gov. Mike Pence had sought a 10 percent cut as one of his signature campaign proposals, but lawmakers were initially cool to the idea.

Improved tax collection estimates earlier this month improved Pence's chances in the waning days of the session.

Bill That Would Change Indiana School Supt. Requirements Wins Final Approval

Associated Press — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:42:46 +0000

Indiana's local school superintendents would no longer have to hold a state superintendent's or teacher's license under a proposal that has won final legislative approval.

The Indiana House voted 55-40 today to approve the bill that cleared the Senate this month, but only after Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann cast a tie-breaking vote in favor of it.

Indiana Lawmakers Could Wrap Up Session This Week

Rick Howlett and Associated Press — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:20:35 +0000

The 2013 Indiana General Assembly is winding down, with legislative leaders saying they may be able to wrap up business early.

The Indiana General Assembly faces an April 29 deadline to wrap up its business, including adoption of a new, two-year state budget.

Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma said last week that he thought the legislature might be able to finish its work by the end of this week. If that happens, lawmakers would not have to return to the Statehouse for a final day on Monday, April 29.