News

The Indiana General Assembly is now moving into the second half of the 2021 legislative session, where proposed bills passed out of the House and Senate swap chambers for further consideration. Bills moving through the legislative process include the House version of the proposed two-year state budget, which makes strong investments in Hoosier law enforcement and rural broadband.

The Indiana House of Representatives recently advanced legislation to allow lawful carry in Indiana, which would allow law-abiding Hoosier adults to carry a firearm without having to first obtain a government-issued license, according to State Reps. Jeff Ellington (R-Bloomington) and Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper).

The Indiana House of Representatives recently voted in support of legislation that would incorporate civics education into Hoosier students' middle school curriculum, according to State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford).

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 26, 2021) – The Indiana House of Representatives recently voted in support of legislation establishing a new public health grant program, according to State Reps. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) and Holli Sullivan (R-Evansville).

The 2021 session has reached the halfway point, meaning House bills are now being heard by the Senate, and the House is considering Senate bills. This session, I am working on legislation that would cut red tape for Hoosiers, specifically for small-business owners, local health care providers and law-abiding citizens.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 25, 2021) – Gov. Eric Holcomb recently signed legislation into law supported by House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers), and State Reps. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) and Jerry Torr (R-Carmel) to provide COVID-19 liability protections to businesses, organizations and individuals. 

From fully funding our students to passing a balanced budget, lawmakers have been working tirelessly this session to craft legislation addressing issues that matter most to Hoosiers. Now that the Indiana General Assembly session has reached its halfway point, it is time for bills to switch chambers and allow members in the House to consider Senate bills and the Senate to examine House bills. As a former teacher and school superintendent, supporting students continues to be a priority of mine as I author bills that would incorporate civics education into the middle school curriculum and increase transparency of school performance.  

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 24, 2021) — State Reps. Randy Lyness (R-West Harrison) and Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville) encourage local businesses in operation for at least 100 or 50 years to apply for the Governor's Century and Half Century Business Awards before the March 31 deadline

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 24, 2021) – The Indiana House of Representatives advanced legislation co-authored by State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) supporting lawful carry in Indiana, which would allow law-abiding Hoosier adults to carry a firearm without having to first obtain a government-issued license.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 24, 2021) – State Rep. Ethan Manning's (R-Denver) bill to break down barriers for local communities to expand broadband took a step forward after the Indiana House of Representatives recently voted to approve it.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 25, 2021) – Legislation aiming to better inform Hoosier parents about school performance heads to the Senate after the Indiana House of Representatives voted unanimously in support of the bill, according to State Rep. Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper).

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 23, 2021) – The Indiana House of Representatives yesterday advanced State Rep. Ed Soliday's (R-Valparaiso) legislation that would prioritize access to broadband internet for schools, students and rural clinics.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 23, 2021) – The Indiana House of Representatives advanced legislation State Rep. Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne) authored that would benefit children and adults with autism.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 23, 2021) – The Indiana House of Representatives voted recently in support of legislation establishing a new public health grant program, according to State Reps. Steve Davisson (R-Salem) and Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown).

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 23, 2021) – The Indiana House of Representatives advanced legislation authored by State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) to allow lawful carry in Indiana, which would allow law-abiding Hoosier adults to carry a firearm without having to first obtain a government-issued license.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 23, 2021) – The Indiana House of Representatives recently supported State Rep. Wendy McNamara's (R-Evansville) legislation, which would help combat human trafficking and expand protections for young Hoosier victims.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 23, 2021) – State Rep. Ann Vermilion (R-Marion) was recently elected president of POWER, the Indiana women’s caucus working to improve the quality of life for all women and citizens of the state. As president of the Political Organization for Women’s Education and Representation known as POWER, Vermilion will help lead

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 22, 2021) – "During the fast pace of the first half, we worked extremely hard to complete the people's business while safely managing through the pandemic. House Republicans successfully passed all of our top legislative priorities, and we look forward to seeing those bills clear the Senate in the second half.

Our law enforcement officers work hard every day to ensure Hoosiers are safe. They run toward danger when others flee, and in many cases, they are the first on the scene during emergencies. I know our community is grateful for our local police officers and all they do to protect us. This session, I am co-authoring legislation further supporting our law enforcement, and boosting accountability and transparency in policing.

My colleagues and I are hard at work discussing legislation that will move Indiana forward. We have now reached the point referred to as "halftime" in our state legislature, where bills voted out of the House and Senate swap chambers for further consideration. During the first half we passed a number of bills supporting our law enforcement officers, helping students combat learning loss and providing more educational options for Hoosier children.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 22, 2021) – State Rep. Tony Cook's (R-Cicero) bill that would incorporate civics education into Hoosier students' middle school curriculum recently passed out of the Indiana House of Representatives.

The Indiana House of Representatives voted in support of legislation that would establish a new $50 million grant program targeting the state's most critical health challenges, according to State Reps. Steve Davisson (R-Salem) and Chris May (R-Bedford).

The Indiana House of Representatives voted unanimously in support of legislation authored by State Rep. Beau Baird's (R-Greencastle) addressing surprise nonemergency ambulance bills.

Whether you're at home, work or school, Hoosiers expect to be able to connect to the internet from wherever they are. The web has changed how we conduct business, learn, and keep in touch with our friends and loved ones. While it may seem like this technology is readily available to everyone, many are still struggling to find access to reliable broadband. I joined fellow lawmakers this session to work on legislation to address this gap and support additional investments to connect more Hoosiers in rural and underserved areas.

Indiana is home to thousands of Hoosiers who make their living by selling homegrown, homemade and locally produced goods. Home-based vendors make everything from baked goods to honey, jams and jellies. Right now, they can only sell their products at farmers markets and roadside stands, which limits their customer base and timeframe. To help them expand and succeed, I am authoring legislation this session so home-based vendors can sell their goods in person, remotely or through a third party.