Last Updated 4 weeks by Amnon J. Jobi | Amnon Front Page
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana lawmakers face a deadline of the end of the day Monday to determine which bills they will advance this year.
Any bill not slated for a hearing by the end of Monday will be shelved for the session.
Among the hot topics up for discussion in Monday’s hearings is House Bill 1662, which would make it illegal for people to sleep on state-owned land unless the land has been approved for that use.
The proposed legislation has drawn sharp criticism from advocates for the homeless, who argue that it fails to address the root causes of homelessness and could further criminalize those without shelter.
Another contentious proposals on the table Monday involve property tax relief, birth control access, and the expansion of school vouchers and teacher pay.
These issues are expected to spark heated debate, as lawmakers balance the interests of various groups, including educators, healthcare providers, and taxpayers.
As the day progresses, lawmakers will continue to weigh their options and negotiate over which bills to push forward.
If a bill doesn’t get a hearing by Monday’s deadline, it will not advance on its own.
However, legislators often find ways to revive “dead” bills by tacking them on as amendments to other pieces of legislation, keeping the door open for future consideration.