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2018 Indiana legislative session

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2018 legislative sessions coverage
Indiana General Assembly

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General information
Type:   State legislature
Term limits:   None
Session start:   January 2, 2018
Session end:   March 16, 2018
Website:   Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President:   Suzanne Crouch (R)
House Speaker:  Brian Bosma (R)
Majority Leader:   Senate: Rodric D. Bray (R)
House: Matthew Lehman (R)
Minority Leader:   Senate: Timothy Lanane (D)
House: Terry Goodin (D)
Structure
Members:  50 (Senate), 100 (House)
Length of term:   4 years (Senate), 2 years (House)
Authority:   Art 4, Indiana Constitution
Salary:   $25,435.98/year + per diem
Elections
Redistricting:  Indiana Legislature has control

During 2018, Ballotpedia tracked notable stories from the Indiana General Assembly. The timeline on this page shows the major events that we tracked during 2018, including events in the regular session and in any special sessions that occurred after the regular session adjourned.

If you know of any additional events that should be added to this page, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

Overview

In 2018, the Indiana General Assembly was in session from January 2, 2018, through March 16, 2018. The General Assembly convened in a one-day special session on May 14, 2018.

Partisan control

Indiana was one of 26 Republican state government trifectas in 2018. A state government trifecta occurs when one political party holds the governor's office, a majority in the state Senate, and a majority in the state House. For more information about state government trifectas, click here.

The following tables show the partisan breakdown of the Indiana General Assembly.

Senate

Party As of July 2018
     Democratic Party 9
     Republican Party 41
     Vacancies 0
Total 50

House

Party As of July 2018
     Democratic Party 30
     Republican Party 70
     Vacancies 0
Total 100

Leadership in 2018

Senate

House

Regular session

Status of legislation at the end of the regular session

This table details the status of legislation covered on this page at the end of the regular session.

Status of legislation at the end of the 2018 regular session
Legislation Subject area Actions during the regular session Status at the end of the regular session
SB 326 Criteria for congressional and state legislative redistricting Passed Senate
 Did not see further action
SB 33 Allowing firearms in a house of worship Passed Senate Did not see further action
SB 1 Alcohol sales on Sunday Passed House
Passed Senate 		Governor signed
SB 340 Abortion data bill Passed Senate
Passed House
Senate agreed to amendments 		Governor signed

Federal judge blocked implementation
HB 1241 Amended to contain provisions from Senate Bill 33 (related to firearms),

Originally a hemp-related bill 		Amended by legislature Did not see further action
HB 1001 Supplemental education funding Passed House
Passed Senate 		Governor signed
SB 419 Requiring DACA recipients to obtain professional licenses Passed legislature Governor signed
HB 1309 Sexual harassment policy for lawmakers Passed legislature Governor signed
Status of legislation at the end of the 2018 special session
Legislation Subject area Actions during the special session Status at the end of the special session
HB 1230 Funding for school safety grant program Passed legislature Governor signed
HB 1242 Tax bill Passed legislature Governor signed
HB 1315 Changing Muncie and Gary school boards Passed legislature Governor signed
HB 1316 Aligning state and federal tax codes Passed legislature Governor signed
HB 1457 Correcting errors in Indiana code enacted in 2018 Passed legislature Governor signed

February 5, 2018

Indiana State Senate passes redistricting criteria legislation
The Senate passed Senate Bill 326, which would establish redistricting criteria for congressional and state legislative redistricting. It would add provisions for compact, contiguous districts that coincide with political boundaries where possible. The bill was sent to the state House for consideration.

Update: Senate Bill 326 was sent to the Indiana House of Representatives, where it did not see further action.
See also: Indiana Senate Bill 326 (2018)

February 6, 2018

Indiana Senate approves bill related to houses of worship, firearms
The Indiana State Senate approved 43 to 5 a bill that would allow individuals to carry firearms in a house of worship with a school located on the property unless the property prohibited it. At the time of the bill's passage, carrying a firearm at a church was a felony if the church was located on school grounds. The bill was sent to the Indiana House of Representatives for approval.[1]

Update: The legislation, SB 33, was sent to the Indiana House of Representatives, where it did not see further action.

February 22, 2018

Indiana Senate approves bill allowing for Sunday alcohol sales
On February 22, 2018, the Indiana State Senate voted 38 to 10 to approve an amended version of Senate Bill 1, which would allow alcohol sales on Sunday. The House had approved the legislation by a vote of 82-10 on February 20, 2018.[2]

Update: On February 28, 2018, Governor Eric Holcomb (R) signed the bill into law; its provisions took effect immediately. As a result of the enactment of Senate Bill 1, Sunday alcohol sales became legal for the first time in state history.[2]

February 28, 2018

Indiana House approves abortion-related bill
The Indiana House of Representatives approved a measure that would require healthcare providers treating women for complications arising from an abortion to report new information to the state Department of Health. The bill defined abortion complications as uterine perforation, hemorrhaging, blood clots, shock, and cardiac arrest, among others. The measure would also require healthcare providers to report personal information about the woman that was not previously mandated by law, such as age, race, number of children, and last menstrual cycle. At the time the bill was written, Indiana law already required healthcare providers to supply certain data to the health department.[3] The Senate approved the measure 38 to 11 in January. It advanced in the state House on a 67-26 vote, with two Republicans joining Democrats in opposition.

Update: The Indiana State Senate approved House amendments on March 7, 2018, and Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed the legislation on March 25, 2018. On June 28, 2018, a federal judge blocked implementation of the bill.

March 1, 2018

Firearm-related bill dies in Indiana House
Senate Bill 33 would have allowed firearms in a house of worship with a school located on the property unless the property prohibited it. Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-District 88) declined to pursue action on the bill on the last day that amendments could be considered in the state House, effectively killing the bill.[4] The state Senate passed Senate Bill 33 on February 6, 2018.

March 7, 2018

Abortion-related bill heads to governor's desk
The Indiana State Senate approved an abortion-related measure by a vote of 37 to 9. The House approved the measure on February 28, 2018. The bill would require healthcare providers to report to the state health department instances in which a patient suffered from complications resulting from an abortion. It would also mandate annual inspections of abortion clinics. The bill was sent to Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb's desk. A spokeswoman for the governor did not say if he would sign the bill.[5] Read more here.

Update: Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed the legislation on March 25, 2018. On June 28, 2018, a federal judge blocked implementation of the bill.

March 12, 2018

Indiana General Assembly changes hemp bill, inserts firearm-related provisions
House Bill 1214 would have legalized hemp products and established requirements for the manufacture, labeling, and sale of cannabidiol hemp (CBD) oil, until lawmakers changed the bill, inserting language related to gun license fees and allowing firearms in churches that have schools. The amended bill would eliminate the state's four-year handgun license and remove application fees for lifetime handgun licenses. It would also allow individuals to carry firearms in a house of worship with a school located on the property.

The language reflected proposals from Senate Bill 33 and House Bill 1424, which were not called for discussion before the deadline to amend legislation. However, bills that have passed out of one chamber can be discussed and amended in a conference committee. House Bill 1214 was sent to caucus members for a decision on whether the legislature will vote on the bill.[6][7]

Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane (D) opposed the new language, saying that gun legislation "calls for extreme care."[7] Konnie Couch, founder of Women Armed and Ready, supported the bill, saying it would allow church members to protect themselves. Women Armed and Ready is a group that describes itself as providing "education in firearms training, safe firearms storage, state and local conceal and carry laws, second amendment of the US Constitution, recognizing and reacting to harmful situations."[8]

Update: After the amendments were made, the legislation did not see further action.

March 13, 2018

Indiana House approves supplemental education funding
The Indiana House of Representatives unanimously approved a supplemental education funding bill that would transfer up to $25 million from the state's tuition reserve fund to the state general fund for the 2018 fiscal year and would increase that amount to $75 million in the 2019 fiscal year. School corporations would be required to report information about virtual schools, and the cut-off date for five-year-old kindergarten enrollment would be August 1. The bill was sent to the Indiana State Senate for a vote.[9]

The bill allocated extra funds towards education after public school enrollment for the 2017-2018 school year was higher than expected. The increase in student enrollment resulted in a $16 million education shortfall.[9]

Update: The legislation passed the Senate on March 14, 2018, and Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed it on March 19, 2018.

March 14, 2018

Bill allowing DACA recipients to obtain professional licenses sent to governor
The Republican-controlled Indiana State Legislature sent to the governor's desk a bill that would allow DACA recipients, often referred to as Dreamers, to obtain professional licenses for 70 occupations. The bill was a response to changes by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency that would have blocked DACA recipients from obtaining select occupational licenses. The agency said they implemented the changes following a 2011 state law. Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb supported the bill: "Indiana state law should allow DACA recipients to skill up and work here in Indiana. While Indiana’s Professional Licensing Agency acted appropriately and in line with what our current laws require, I am encouraged to see there is legislative intent to fix this."[10]

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was an immigration policy established by the Obama administration that allowed individuals brought to the United States without legal permission as children to reside, study, and work in the United States if they met certain criteria.

Update: Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the bill on March 21, 2018.
See also: Federal policy on DACA and DAPA, 2017-2020

March 22, 2018

Gov. Holcomb signs law requiring sexual harassment policy for lawmakers
Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed House Bill 1309 into law. HB 1309 mandated that lawmakers establish a sexual harassment policy by November 20, 2018, that included protocols for investigating allegations and a requirement that lawmakers complete one hour of sexual harassment training per year.

The policy is the first of its kind for Indiana lawmakers, according to the Indy Star.[11]

March 25, 2018

Gov. Holcomb signs abortion-related legislation
Gov. Holcomb signed Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 340, an act which:

  • required healthcare providers to report complications resulting from abortion procedures to the state health department.
  • required annual inspections of abortion clinics.
  • authorized fire departments to set up newborn safety devices in which individuals can leave unwanted children.

Opponents of the bill said the law was an attempt to prevent access to abortions. Rep. Sue Errington (D) said, "It seems to me that this is an attempt to make this appear like a dangerous procedure, and it's not." Gov. Holcomb responded that the bill was similar to legislation in other states: "This bill does what 27 other states have done to gather information on these procedures without restricting access to them."[12]

The bill passed the Indiana House of Representatives on February 28 by a 67-26 vote, and the Senate agreed to House amendments in a 37-9 vote on March 7. Read more here.

Update: On June 28, 2018, a federal judge blocked implementation of the bill.

Special session on May 14, 2018

March 19, 2018

Gov. Holcomb calls special session
Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb announced on March 19, 2018, that he would call a special session to begin in May, after the 2018 primary election. The governor said he wanted lawmakers "to complete funding for schools and school safety & align state and federal tax policy."[13]

April 20, 2018

Special session to begin May 14
Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) announced that the special session would begin on May 14, 2018. Republican lawmakers said they were ready to approve legislation in what they hoped would be a one-day session.[14]

Lawmakers said they would consider legislation to address state conformity with federal tax codes, a bill to allocate $5 million to the Indiana Secured School Fund, and a bill to provide Muncie schools with a one-time $12 million loan.[15]

Democrats expressed opposition to one piece of legislation that would allow Ball State University to take over Gary and Muncie school districts. House Minority Leader Terry Goodin (D) said the legislation would "take the education of our children out of the hands of local school boards and parents and plac[e] it under the control of Big Brother."[14] Republican lawmakers said the plan would allow both districts to reassert themselves after years of mismanagement.[16]

May 2, 2018

Lawmaker expresses concern that special session process is undemocratic
Rep. Edward DeLaney (D) expressed concern that the special session process was undemocratic by not providing state residents with ample time to review bills and communicate with lawmakers: "How can we consider legislation without testimony, without committee hearings and without the possibility of amendment?" he asked.

House Speaker Brian Bosma (R) said four of the five bills to be considered were in the same form as at the end of the regular session. Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R) also said the special session process was transparent and open.

According to TheStatehouseFile.com, the legislation, motions, and fiscal notes of the bills were made publicly available on April 30. The four bills were:

  • House Bill 1230, which would allocate $5 million for school safety.
  • Senate Bill 242, which would exempt certain vehicles from paying the state's 7 percent sales tax.
  • House Bill 1315, which would allow the state to take control of Gary and Muncie schools and authorize a $12 million loan to Muncie school corporations.
  • House Bill 1316, which would change the state tax code to comply with federal changes signed into law on December 22, 2017.[17]

May 14, 2018

Governor signs all five bills approved during one-day special session
Lawmakers passed all five bills on the docket for the one-day special session and Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed them into law.[18]

  • HB 1230 passed 96-1 in the state House and 47-1 in the state Senate. The bill provided $5 million for a school safety grant program administered by the state Board of Education and the Secured Safety School Board. Funding from the grant was meant to assist schools in making school security improvements. The bill also required an audit of school safety plans, expanded the definition of cyberbullying to include cell phones and wireless devices, and authorized teachers to barricade doors for three minutes if a fire alarm sounded.[19][20]
  • HB 1242 passed 74-20 in the House and 41-7 in the Senate. HB 1242 was a tax bill with several provisions including a change to state income tax laws (changing tax due dates, refund claims, and tax preparer requirements) and a sales tax exemption for hot mix asphalt plants.[21]
  • HB 1315 passed 63-30 in the state House and 34-14 in the state Senate. According to The Journal Gazette, the bill was the most-discussed in both chambers. HB 1315 allowed Ball State University to appoint a school board to the Muncie school system, which previously had an elected school board, and made Gary schools' governing school board advisory-only.[19] According to WTHR, previous local officials in Gary and Muncie mismanaged money.[22]
Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R) said, "We do feel that we’re doing the right thing for the school children there. These are two school entities that year after year ignore all the requests from the legislature to get their fiscal house in order."[23]
Rep. Sue Errington (D), a Muncie representative, said the bill sent a negative message to constituents and took away their right to vote for a school board.[21]
Rep. Charlie Brown (D) said the bill was too punitive and set a dangerous precedent.[19]
  • HB 1316 passed 75-22 in the House and 40-8 in the Senate. The bill aligned the state tax code with the federal tax code.[21]
  • HB 1457 passed unanimously in the House and 46-2 in the Senate. It corrected discrepancies or errors amended or added to the Indiana code in 2018. Read more here.

Noteworthy events

Federal judge strikes down law requiring doctors to report on abortion complications

On June 28, U.S. District Judge Richard Young issued an injunction prohibiting Indiana from implementing Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 340, which requires healthcare providers to report 26 types of abortion complications to the state health department. Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed SEA 340 on March 25, 2018. Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky sued in May 2018. Judge Young said the law was too vague and violated Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky's right to due process.[12][24]

Sexual misconduct in the state capitol

Allegations against attorney general

Attorney General Curtis Hill (R) was accused of inappropriately touching a lawmaker and three staff members at a party on March 15, 2018. The accusations became public on July 1, 2018. Hill denied the allegations, saying, "At no time was my behavior inappropriate nor did I touch anyone in an inappropriate manner." One of the alleged victims, speaking anonymously to IndyStar, responded to Hill's denial: "This was a pattern of behavior that was witnessed by many."[25]

Prior to the accusations' becoming public, legislative leadership commissioned attorney Blake Burgan to complete a report on the allegations. In an eight-page memo dated June 18, 2018, Burgan concluded that Hill's actions may have been inappropriate but could not have created a hostile work environment because Hill does not work for the General Assembly.[25]

Kyle Hupfer, chairman of the Indiana Republican Party, said in a statement on July 1, 2018, that the party has "zero tolerance for sexual harassment" and the alleged actions "have no place in public life or anywhere else."

On July 6, 2018, state Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon (D) and Gabrielle McLemore, the communications director for the Indiana Senate Democrats, said publicly that they had been groped by Hill at the March 15 party. Hill responded in a statement that he would not resign and called on an independent investigator to look into the allegations.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[26] Indiana Inspector General Lori Torres announced that she would investigate the allegations, but Hill said she could not be independent because of her appointment by Gov. Eric Holcomb (R), who called for Hill's resignation on July 5. Hill instead called on Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry to investigate the allegations.[27]

Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry filed a motion for a special prosecutor on July 10, 2018, which was immediately granted by county Judge Lisa Borges.[28]

On July 12, 2018, Niki DaSilva, a legislative assistant to state Sen. Ryan Mishler (R) announced publicly she was one of the four women accusing Hill of sexual misconduct.[29]

Calls for Hill's resignation

See also

Elections Indiana State Government State Legislatures State Politics
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External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Fox59.com, "Indiana Senate passes bill allowing guns in churches at schools," February 7, 2018
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Indy Star, "It's official: You can now buy alcohol at stores on Sunday in Indiana," February 28, 2018
  3. ↑ The Republic, "Indiana House passes abortion information bill," March 1, 2018
  4. ↑ Indy Star, "Indiana GOP avoids floor fight on bills reducing gun restrictions, in wake of Parkland shooting," March 1, 2018
  5. ↑ U.S. News & World Report, "Indiana Legislature Approves Bill Toughening Abortion Rules," March 7, 2018
  6. ↑ The Herald Bulletin, "Gun debate continues in legislature," March 13, 2018
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 TheStatehouseFile.com, "Gun debate continues in Indiana legislature," March 12, 2018
  8. ↑ Women Armed and Ready, "About Us," accessed March 13, 2018
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 TheStatehouseFile.com, "Additional money added to school funding bill," March 13, 2018
  10. ↑ Fox59.com, "Bill allowing DACA recipients to obtain professional licenses passes, heading to governor’s desk," March 14, 2018
  11. ↑ Indy Star, "For the first time, Indiana lawmakers will be subject to a sexual harassment policy," March 22, 2018
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Indy Star, "Holcomb signs measure requiring doctors to report abortion complications," March 26, 2018
  13. ↑ Twitter, "Eric Holcomb on March 19, 2018," accessed March 19, 2018
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 The News & Observer, "Special session to debate school safety, tax changes," April 20, 2018
  15. ↑ Wane.com, "Statehouse special session may include $12 million for Muncie schools," April 20, 2018
  16. ↑ Chalkbeat, "Indiana lawmakers are bringing back a plan to expand takeover for Gary and Muncie schools," April 20, 2018
  17. ↑ TheStatehouseFile.com, "Special session includes tax and school bills," May 2, 2018
  18. ↑ IN.gov, "Gov. Holcomb Statement on 2018 Special Session of the Indiana General Assembly," May 14, 2018
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 The Journal Gazette, "School safety, takeovers dominate session," May 15, 2018
  20. ↑ Indiana General Assembly, "Fiscal impact statement: HB 1230," May 14, 2018
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Indy Star, "Indiana's $30K special session: Who were the winners, losers on tax breaks, school safety?" May 14, 2018
  22. ↑ WTHR, "Indiana lawmakers returning to clean up session's mess," May 12, 2018
  23. ↑ Goshen News, "INDIANA LEGISLATURE: Special session to debate school safety, tax changes," April 20, 2018
  24. ↑ TheStatehouseFile.com, "Federal judge strikes down Indiana’s latest abortion law," June 28, 2018
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 IndyStar, "4 women allege Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill touched them inappropriately at bar," July 2, 2018
  26. ↑ IndyStar, "Second woman allegedly touched by Curtis Hill speaks: 'I will no longer be silent,'" July 6, 2018
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 UPDATE: Indiana Attorney General demands independent investigation of groping claims amid growing calls for his resignation," July 6, 2018
  28. ↑ NWI.com, "Special prosecutor to be appointed for Indiana attorney general groping investigation," July 10, 2018
  29. ↑ South Bend Tribune, "Aide to Bremen state senator becomes third woman to publicly accuse Curtis Hill of groping," July 13, 2018
  30. ↑ IndyStar, "Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill faces call for resignation amid groping allegations," July 3, 2018
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 The Bismarck Tribune, "Indiana governor, legislative leaders call for AG to resign," July 5, 2018
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