August 10, 2015 •
Indiana Governor Ends Contract and Seeks Ethics Investigation
Gov. Mike Pence has cancelled a contract between the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and Express MVA and requested an investigation due to possible ethics violations. Shawn Walters, formerly the BMV chief of staff, had approved Express MVA’s opening […]
Gov. Mike Pence has cancelled a contract between the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and Express MVA and requested an investigation due to possible ethics violations.
Shawn Walters, formerly the BMV chief of staff, had approved Express MVA’s opening of a private license branch in 2010. However, when Walters moved from state employment to become the chief operating officer of Express MVA in 2014, he did not ask the state Ethics Commission if such a move would violate the state’s law requiring a one-year cooling-off period.
In addition to ending the contract, Pence has asked the inspector general to determine if Walters violated any ethics law by accepting a job with Express MVA.
May 6, 2015 •
Indiana Governor Signs Ethics Bill into Law
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed House Bill 1002 into law on Monday, May 4. The ethics bill makes changes in the laws governing legislative ethics, lobbyist and legislative liaison reporting, and executive agency ethics. Some changes include expanding disclosure requirements […]
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed House Bill 1002 into law on Monday, May 4. The ethics bill makes changes in the laws governing legislative ethics, lobbyist and legislative liaison reporting, and executive agency ethics.
Some changes include expanding disclosure requirements on legislators’ statements of economic interests, requiring both houses of the Legislature to adopt a code of ethics, requiring lobbyists to report the name of any legislator who is a close relative, limiting the circumstances in which post-employment restrictions on employees of the executive branch may be waived, and changing post-employment restrictions for state officers, employees, and special state appointees.
All provisions are effective July 1, 2015.
April 30, 2015 •
Indiana General Assembly Adjourns Sine Die
The 119th Indiana General Assembly adjourned its first regular session sine die on Wednesday, April 29. Lawmakers worked until the final minutes to shift authority over education policy matters and to pass a new two-year state budget. Despite its many […]
The 119th Indiana General Assembly adjourned its first regular session sine die on Wednesday, April 29. Lawmakers worked until the final minutes to shift authority over education policy matters and to pass a new two-year state budget.
Despite its many successes, however, the session will perhaps best be remembered for the March 26 signing of the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Photo of the Indiana Statehouse by HstryQT on Wikimedia Commons.
February 23, 2015 •
Indiana House Passes Bipartisan Ethics Bill
Indiana House legislators unanimously approved a bipartisan ethics bill aimed at maximizing transparency in the General Assembly. The reform bill broadens what legislators must disclose on financial interest statements and expands reporting requirements regarding lawmakers’ relationships with lobbyists. The bill […]
Indiana House legislators unanimously approved a bipartisan ethics bill aimed at maximizing transparency in the General Assembly.
The reform bill broadens what legislators must disclose on financial interest statements and expands reporting requirements regarding lawmakers’ relationships with lobbyists. The bill also tightens the control over state employees seeking employment in the private sector with a company involved with the state.
The bill now heads to the Senate.
Photo of the Indiana Statehouse by HstryQT on Wikimedia Commons.
January 19, 2015 •
Indiana Ethics Bill Introduced with Bipartisan Support
Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma and House Minority Leader Scott Pelath have co-sponsored an ethics bill aimed at improving transparency and reducing conflicts of interest. The proposal would tighten the rules on waivers for the one-year “cooling off” period for […]
Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma and House Minority Leader Scott Pelath have co-sponsored an ethics bill aimed at improving transparency and reducing conflicts of interest.
The proposal would tighten the rules on waivers for the one-year “cooling off” period for state agency officials taking private-sector jobs dealing with their former departments.
It would also expand the financial disclosure requirements for legislators and require them to disclose any relatives who are lobbyists.
October 15, 2014 •
Marion Superior Judge Selection Ruled Unconstitutional
A federal judge in Indianapolis ruled the statute delineating how Marion Superior judges are elected is unconstitutional. The election of Marion Superior judges is unique, as Republican and Democratic parties may nominate up to half of the open positions. Furthermore, […]
A federal judge in Indianapolis ruled the statute delineating how Marion Superior judges are elected is unconstitutional. The election of Marion Superior judges is unique, as Republican and Democratic parties may nominate up to half of the open positions.
Furthermore, once a judge wins in the primary, he or she will automatically be elected in the general because there are as many candidates as there are open seats. Because primaries are restricted to the two major parties, only those eligible to vote in the primary elections are able to cast meaningful votes for the open judgeships, and those who do not declare a party have no say in the election of the judges.
The court found the statute severely burdens the right to vote. The ruling is stayed and will not affect next month’s election.
May 9, 2013 •
Indiana Governor Signs Legislative Lobbying Law
Enrolled Act 1222 changes regulations for registration and reporting
Governor Mike Pence has signed a bill to change legislative lobbying regulations. Enrolled Act 1222 expands the definition of lobbying to include communications with any employee of the legislative branch and requires lobbyists to file registration statements and activity reports electronically.
The bill also increases the annual lobbyist registration fee from $100 to $200 and makes the lobbyist registration year match the current lobbyist reporting periods. Lobbyist registration statements issued for 2013 will expire November 1, 2013.
Most of the bill’s provisions become effective July 1, 2013.
April 29, 2013 •
Indiana Legislature Passes Lobbying Bill Before Adjourning
Enrolled Act 1222 awaits Governor’s approval
The Legislature adjourned Saturday, April 27, 2013, shortly after passing a bill to change lobbying regulations. Enrolled Act 1222 expands the definition of lobbying to include communications with any legislative employee and requires lobbyists to file registration statements and activity reports electronically.
The bill also increases the annual lobbyist registration fee from $100 to $200 and makes the lobbyist registration year match the current lobbyist reporting periods. Lobbyist registration statements issued for 2013 will expire November 1, 2013.
Most of the bill’s provisions will become effective July 1, 2013, following approval by the Governor.
Photo of the Indiana State House by Jasont82 on Wikipedia.
March 4, 2013 •
Indiana Considers Increase and Expansion of Lobbying Regulation
House Bill 1222 had no problem making it to Senate committee
A bill to change lobbying regulations has passed the House and is currently in the Senate Committee on Public Policy.
House Bill 1222 expands the definition of lobbying to include communications with any legislative employee and requires lobbyists to file registration statements and activity reports electronically.
The bill also increases the annual lobbyist registration fee from $100 to $200 and makes the lobbyist registration year match the current lobbyist reporting period.
The bill passed the House 94-0 on February 25, 2013.
November 26, 2012 •
Indiana General Assembly Holds Organization Day
Legislative session to begin January 7, 2013
On November 20, 2012, lawmakers met for Organization Day, the first official day of the 118th General Assembly.
Lawmakers will reconvene on January 7 for the start of the legislative session, which must be adjourned by April 29, 2013.
Organization Day is largely procedural, including the ceremonial swearing in of new and reelected members.
Photo of the Indiana State House by Jasont82 in Wikipedia Creative Commons.
March 12, 2012 •
State Legislative Sessions Update
Four state legislatures report end to sessions
FLORIDA: The 2012 session of the Florida legislature adjourned on Friday, March 9th. Governor Rick Scott now has 15 days to sign or veto legislation, or the legislation will become law without his signature. Additionally, Governor Scott has called the legislature back to Tallahassee for a special session, set to begin Wednesday, March 14th. The session is slated to deal with the Florida Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the legislature’s redistricting plan for the state Senate.
INDIANA: Lawmakers concluded the 2012 legislative session at nearly 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 10th.
VIRGINIA: The General Assembly concluded the 2012 legislative session on Saturday, March 10, 2012. The assembly introduced 2,875 bills during the 60-day legislative session. Nearly 1,600 passed, and the Governor has already signed over 200 into law.
WEST VIRGINIA: The legislature of West Virginia adjourned sine die shortly before midnight on Saturday, March 10, 2012. The legislature then reconvened shortly thereafter on Sunday, March 11, 2012, to begin work on the 2012 extended budget session.
January 16, 2012 •
Indiana Bill To Exempt Groups From Lobbying Law
Legislation would expand loophole in lobbying restrictions
Senate Bill 244 proposes adding the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses and the State Agriculture and Rural Leaders Association to a statutory list of lobbyist exemptions. If the bill passes, the groups will be exempt from the gift disclosures and paid travel bans imposed on lobbyists, regardless of whether lobbying occurs at their events. This is the latest attempt at carving out exceptions to the 2010 ethics reform bill which banned lobbyist-funded, out-of-state travel for legislators.
Although lobbyists cannot directly pay for a state legislator’s trip, by simply paying for membership in an exempt group like the American Legislative Exchange Council, the lobbyists gain access to legislators. Giving a group an exemption allows legislators to travel to the group’s conferences and hunting trips, at the group’s expense, without violating the lobbying rules or having to disclose the trips.
Exempt groups claim to be established for the education and support of legislators.
Photo of the Indiana State Senate Chamber by Charles Edward on Wikipedia.
October 5, 2011 •
IN.gov’s Success Story
Indiana’s digital communications reach 1 million people
Indiana’s government website, IN.gov, now boasts 1 million registered users – people who receive emails, text messages, and RSS feeds from the site. IN.gov links to 82 state agency websites and there are 1600 topics to which anyone can subscribe.
Govtech.com reports today about the landmark in the article “1 Million Users Register for Indiana Digital Updates” by Sarah Rich. The article says, “According to Indiana, the state is the first in the country to reach 1 million registered users through GovDelivery.”
It is easy to see why In.gov is such a success. The site is clean, nice-looking, and easily navigable. You can readily find social media links, a subscription menu, transparency information, links for offering suggestions and sending email, and even a QR code.
I couldn’t help but be impressed with the degree to which Indiana’s Office of Technology has done its homework. They have analyzed the usage of the website by monitoring whether the agencies are releasing information regularly for each subscription topic and whether anyone is subscribing to the feed. If not, the topic is removed. They have determined the program has saved them over $200,000 in costs by reducing the need to print and mail information.
State and local governments, take note!
September 23, 2011 •
Indianapolis Purchasing Department Software Change
Complete by October 3
Today the Indianapolis Office of Finance and Management begins implementation of its new Enterprise Resource Planning software, which will cause a temporary halt on generating request for bids or quotes, and vendor payments.
The new system will allow informal quotes to be e-mailed as long as the Office has a vendor’s current contact information and a valid e-mail address. Invitations to bid will be formatted differently but contain the same information. The vendor notification of this change can be found here and the Purchasing Division home page can be found here.
The conversion is expected to be complete by October 3.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.