Hearings, Hearings Everywhere… But Not a Vote to Take

Legislative Updates Archive

As the Indiana General Assembly completed the second week of its 2014 short session, few bills had moved beyond the committee stage. Wednesday and Thursday were packed with hearings as legislators considered expert testimony on opposing sides of key issues.

The House Judiciary committee recessed after four hours of testimony Monday without taking votes on HJR3 (the proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage) and its companion bill HB1153 – a clear sign many committee members remained undecided.
 
Additionally, the House Ways & Means committee heard from various business interests, mayors and local government officials in regards to the potential elimination of the tax on new business personal property.

One exception to the slow initial pace was HB1004, which provides for an early education voucher pilot program. This Indy Chamber priority legislation passed the House Thursday with broad bipartisan support and will be considered by the Senate during the second half of session.

Look for the House Judiciary committee to reconvene for votes on HJR3 and HB1153 shortly after the legislature returns to the Statehouse Tuesday, and the Senate Tax & Fiscal Policy committee to schedule a hearing on SB176, Senator Pat Miller’s transit bill.

View a full listing of our priority bills and bills to watch by category by clicking here.