On March 14, the second regular session of the 120^th Indiana General Assembly adjourned with several bills pending on the floor.

As a result, Gov. Eric Holcomb plans to call a special session for May. On top of the Holcomb’s list is a school safety spending bill and a bill needed to harmonize state tax code with federal tax code.

Holcomb plans to set an agenda with Republican legislators before he officially calls a special session.

The second regular session of the 120^th Indiana General Assembly adjourned sine die very late on March 14, 2018.

The final minutes of the session were hectic as lawmakers rushed through bills.

Despite the rush, several bills were left pending on the floor at the time of adjournment.

As a result, Gov. Eric Holcomb may call a special session to complete unfinished business.

The Fort Wayne City Council overrode Mayor Tom Henry’s veto of pay-to-play ordinance. Opponents of the ordinance are concerned about the constitutionality of the new law.

The ordinance will prohibit contractors who have donated more than $2,000 a year to an elected official’s campaign from bidding on city projects.

The restriction includes natural or legal persons with a 7.5 percent or more interest in the bidding entity and extends to a bidder’s spouse and any children living in the same household.

The ordinance will become effective on January 1, 2018.

The Fort Wayne City Council approved a pay-to-play ordinance on November 28. The ordinance will prohibit contractors who have donated more than $2,000 a year to an elected official’s campaign from bidding on city projects.

The restriction includes natural or legal persons with a 7.5 percent or more interest in the bidding entity and  extends to a bidder’s spouse and any children living in the same household.

Mayor Tom Henry has 10 days to sign or veto the legislation.

If approved, the ordinance will become effective on January 1, 2018.

The Fort Wayne City Council approved a pay-to-play ordinance on November 28. The ordinance will prohibit contractors who have donated more than $2,000 a year to an elected official’s campaign from bidding on city projects.

The restriction includes natural or legal persons with a 7.5 percent or more interest in the bidding entity and  extends to a bidder’s spouse and any children living in the same household.

Mayor Tom Henry has 10 days to sign or veto the legislation.

If approved, the ordinance will become effective on January 1, 2018.

Indiana State Sen. Luke Kenley is retiring effective September 30. He represented Senate District 20 for 25 years, and was re-elected in November 2016.

On September 6, a Republican caucus selected Victoria Spartz, current chief financial officer of the Attorney General’s Office, to replace Kenley and serve the remaining three years of his term.

Senate District 20 covers portions of Grant, Hamilton, Madison, and Tipton counties.

The 2017 Indiana General Assembly adjourned sine die on April 22, 2017.

Gov. Eric Holcomb has until April 29 to take action on any bills presented to him. In Indiana, if no action is taken within seven days of presentment, bills automatically become law.

Photo of the Indiana Statehouse by HstryQT on Wikimedia Commons.

Chuck Harris is retiring as the executive director and general counsel of the Indiana Lobby Registration Commission (ILRC).

Harris has served as the executive director and general counsel of the ILRC since January 2011.

Harris will retire at the end of May 2017.

Sen. Mike Delph introduced a bill prohibiting Indiana legislators from accepting gifts from lobbyists. The gift ban would include any property with value, including sporting event tickets and anything classified as entertainment.

Along with the gift ban, the bill would require lobbyists to keep a log of all communication between a lobbyist and legislator, or employees of the general assembly, about a legislative matter. The log would be public record and filed weekly. If passed, the bill would be effective January 1, 2018.

Republican Eric Holcomb defeated Democrat John R. Gregg to become the new governor of Indiana. Holcomb, currently serving as the Lt. Gov., replaced Vice President-elect Mike Pence as the Republican gubernatorial nominee on July 27, 2016.

Additionally, Indiana voters approved the only ballot measure on the November ballot. Public Question 1, also known as the Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment, made it a constitutional right to hunt and fish. Indiana is the 20th state to establish hunting and fishing as a constitutional right.

The Republican Central Committee has nominated Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb for governor.

On July 27, 2016, 22 committee members, comprised of party insiders and elected officials, choose Gov. Pence’s replacement from four potential gubernatorial candidates.

Holcomb beat out U.S. Reps. Susan Brooks and Todd Rokita and state Sen. Jim Tomes.

Photo of Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb courtesy of the State of Indiana website.

The City-County Council passed a proposal earlier this week to amend Indianapolis-Marion County ethics and lobbying laws. The proposal creates employment restrictions and post-employment restrictions for city-county employees and certain officials.

A current official, the deputy mayor, and any individual with appointment authority may not be employed by or work as a subcontractor for any person with a contract or arrangement with an agency. Moreover, former employees must wait one year before being employed as a lobbyist following termination of employment with the city or county.

All government contracts will require vendors to certify adherence to the employment restrictions. The proposal also adds things of value to the list of reportable lobbyist gifts and requires lobbyists to list the name of the official, appointee, or employee receiving a reportable gift. Lastly, the proposal amends penalties for lobbyists and their firms for registration, reporting, and ethics violations.

Mayor Joe Hogsett has introduced a proposed ordinance to the City Council, intending to update the city’s lobbying laws.

The proposed ordinance would require lobbyists to disclose any gift of $25 or more. Additionally, the ordinance would prohibit a current public official from having an employment contract with any organization doing business with the city. The ordinance would also forbid a former public employee from lobbying within one year following employment. The ordinance also would increase penalties for violations.

If the ordinance is adopted, it will become effective immediately.

The Indiana General Assembly adjourned its 2016 season sine die on March 10. Gov. Mike Pence has until March 17 to take action on any bills presented to him.

In Indiana, if no action is taken within seven days of presentment, bills automatically become law.

Photo of the Indiana Statehouse by HstryQT on Wikimedia Commons.