Think property taxes are the only thing legislators are discussing? According to the Indianapolis Star, Indiana Lawmakers filed 770 bills and resolutions this cycle. The story correctly points out most will not get past the filing stage and fewer still through committee. They point out a few, such as;
SB3: Pharmacist Refusal
Pharmacists could refuse to fill a prescription for contraceptives or a drug that induces abortion under Senate Bill 3, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Drozda, R-Westfield. The bill was approved 6-5 by the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee and is now ready for action by the full Senate.
would require that people buying a home get all the papers they must sign 48 hours before closing, so that they have a chance to read all the fine print. Among other steps, the lengthy bill would require lenders to make reasonable inquiries into someone’s ability to repay the loan, and require lenders to work with homeowners to avoid foreclosure if the mortgage payment is 60 days overdue.
So-called “fire-safe” cigarettes would be sold in Indiana under Senate Bill 28, which passed the Senate Commerce, Public Policy and Interstate Cooperation Committee 6-0.The bill, authored by Drozda, would make Indiana the 23rd state to require that cigarettes be self-extinguishing if dropped or left unattended.Another piece of legislation, HB 1057, would ban smoking in all public places, with the exception of bars, bowling alleys and casinos. But the bill’s author, Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, said he plans to change the bill so a ban would apply to bowling alley and bars. He said he hasn’t decided whether to include casinos.“Smoking, is smoking, is smoking. In those three places, I’m more concerned about the employees and the majority of people who frequent those places who aren’t smokers,” Brown said. “So why do we give in to the minority and say we need to smoke in this given place?”The bill will get a hearing at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the House Public Policy Committee. State law already allows local jurisdictions to pass smoking bans.
Flags would be flown at half-staff for 24 hours at the Indiana Capitol to honor each Indiana member of the military who is killed while on active duty, under Senate Bill 56. The bill was approved 7-0 by the Senate Commerce, Public Policy and Interstate Cooperation committee and is awaiting a vote by the full Senate.