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Sunday, February 06, 2011

Ind. Gov't. - What to watch for this week in the General Assembly

Niki Kelly of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette tweeted last Friday:

Next week at the legislature brutally busy - gay marriage; budget; abortion; immigration; sentencing and local government reform; merit pay
Kevin Leininger of the Fort Wayne News Sentinel reported on Sat., Feb. 5 in a story headed "Indiana lawmakers push at least 13 abortion-related bills ." The story listed the bills the Indiana Right to Life Political Action Committee lobbyist Sue Swayze considered priorities:
♦ House Bill 1205 would prevent the state from entering into contracts with or making grants to any entity that performs abortions or operates facilities in which they are performed. * * *

♦ Senate Bill 116 would require Indiana to opt out of abortion coverage offered by any health plan under the new federal health-care reform act. * * *

♦ Senate Bill 457 is an “informed consent” law that would require women to be informed orally and in writing with information pertaining to abortion, such as adoption and fetal development. * * *

♦ House Bill 1258 would regulate chemically induced abortions [i.e. RU-486]. * * *

♦ Senate Bill 522 would ban abortion after 20 weeks * * *

There's even a bill that would outlaw abortion entirely – should the Supreme Court ever repeal its Roe vs. Wade decision.

CNHI's Maureen Hayden reported Saturday on the "Status of major legislation in the Indiana General Assembly,", listing:
Alcohol ID law

• House approves bill to revise current state alcohol ID law. Store clerks would no longer be required to card customers who appear older than 40. Bill moves onto the Senate. HB 1325 moves onto state Senate.

Education reform

• Bills on charter schools, vouchers, teacher evaluation and other issues undergoing amendments and hearings. Awaiting passage in both House and Senate. Bill to postpone school start until after Labor Day fails in Senate.

English language

• State documents would have to be published in English only under a bill that passed the House. HB 1255 now moves to the Senate.

Illegal immigration

• Hearing scheduled Wednesday for Senate bill that would require police to ask for proof of citizenship or immigration status if they had reasonable suspicion. SB 590 also provides penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.

Smoking ban

• Public smoking ban passes House, with exemptions for bars, casinos, nursing tobacco retailers and more. HB 1018 now moves to Senate for consideration.

Unemployment insurance fund

• House passes bill that would reduce unemployment benefits and increase employer premiums; includes 13 percent surcharge on businesses to repay $2 billion state owes to federal government. HB 1450 moves on to the Senate.

Voting centers

• Senate passes bill to allow counties to convert to voting centers rather than continue with the precinct system. Senate Bill 32 moves on to the House.

ILB: Senate and House committees will have at most two more meetings to hear first house bills. There are a lot of bills scheduled for committee hearings this week, here are some the ILB will be watching. I've provided the links to the video from the committee rooms, but note that legislative meetings often start late. And remember, these live committee videos unfortunately are NOT archived:

Posted by Marcia Oddi on February 6, 2011 01:39 PM
Posted to Indiana Government