The session is just in its second week, but a handful of bills are already circling the drain.
That’s because they have been referred to the respective House and Senate rules committees, generally where leadership sends a bill they want to die.
They theoretically could be transferred out or heard in that committee but chances are slim. So here are the bills already in trouble:
Senate Bill 111, authored by Sen. David Vinzant, D-Hobart, would allow a renter to sue landlords to enforce a statutory obligation and pay rent to an outside account instead of the landlord until they have made repairs.
Senate Bill 158, authored by Sen. Jim Buck, R-Kokomo, would eliminate the second short session of the legislature that occurs in even-numbered years, while extending the long session in odd-numbered years until May 15.
House Bill 1168, authored by Rep. Robin Shackleford, D-Indianapolis, requests the legislative council to assign a study committee to examime the use of racial equity impact notes for a legislative bill introduced in a session of the general assembly.
House Bill 1254, authored by Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster, urges the legislative council to assign to an appropriate committee during the 2024 legislative interim the issue of applying for and implementing a Medicaid waiver to include nutrition supports for certain Medicaid recipients.
The Senate also sent dozens of vehicle bills to rules, which are empty bills that could be used for emergency legislation later in the session.