Some stuff that happened yesterday in Indianapolis:
HB 1158 – Reported out of committee – Use of handheld wireless communications device while operating a motor vehicle. For purposes of determining whether a person has committed criminal recklessness or has recklessly killed another human being, the trier of fact may consider, in addition to other relevant factors, whether the person used a handheld wireless communications device while operating a moving motor vehicle.
HB 1203 – passed out of committee. This seems to be anti-card check legislation. To the extent permitted by federal law, this prevents union organization through the card check method and only allows union organization through secret ballots.
HB 1210 concerning abortion – Passed out of committee. Requires a physician to inform the pregnant woman that the fetus might feel pain. Requires a pregnant woman seeking an abortion to view fetal ultrasound imaging unless the pregnant woman states in writing that the pregnant woman does not want to view the fetal ultrasound imaging. Requires a physician who performs an abortion to: (1) have admitting privileges at a hospital in the county or in a county adjacent to the county where the abortion is performed; and (2) notify the patient of the hospital location where the patient can receive follow-up care by the physician. Prohibits qualified health plans under the federal health care reform law from providing coverage for abortion.
HB 1474 – passed out of committee. Abortion information reports. Provides that the information forms to be completed by medical facilities where abortions are performed must: (1) elicit disclosure of the age of the father; (2) include the date the pregnancy was terminated; and (2) include the date the form was received by the state department of health (department). Provides that if an abortion is performed on a female who is less than 14 years of age, the physician who performed the abortion shall transmit the information form to the department not less than three days after the abortion is performed.
HB 1538 – Passed out of committee. Minimum wage by local government. Prohibits local government from establishing a minimum wage within its jurisdiction unless otherwise permitted by state or federal law.
HB 1543 – Passed out of committee. Landlord-Tenant regulation by local government. Adds additional notice requirements to provide notice to landlords that a regulation is being considered. Prohibits a requirement that landlords be licensed or registered. Prohibits fees for many inspections. Prohibits inspections of rental property without probable cause.
SB 18 – Handheld devices while driving. Passed the Senate by a vote of 29-21. Makes texting (or reading) from a handheld device while driving a Class C infraction.
SB 97. Third party funding of lawsuits. Passed the house 36 – 14. It requires the funding agency to be registered, for its contract with the plaintiff to be written and disclose fees, it must allow the plaintiff to cancel the agreement, and it has to include a statement that the funding agency does not have a right to control the litigation.
SB 463 – Mandatory retirement age for judges. Passed the Senate by a vote of 43-7. Repeals provisions with retirement ages for superior and county court judges.
SB 495 – Lawsuits by school corporations. Passed the Senate by a vote of 33 – 16. Prohibits schools from using state funds to sue the state.
SB 500 – Massage therapists. Requires massage therapists to be licensed by the state. (Currently, they are permitted to be certified by the state which allows them to advertise their certification.) Prohibits local government from regulating massage therapists.
SB 506 – handgun possession. Passed the Senate by a vote of 43 – 7. Expands the conditions under which a person may possess a handgun without a valid license.
SB 520 – Foreign law. Passed the Senate 60 – 0. Prohibits the enforcement of a foreign law or a contractual provision calling for the enforcement of a foreign law if doing so would violate a right conferred by the Indiana or U.S. Constitution. Voids contractual provisions calling for the application of foreign law or transfer to a foreign venue unless the contract explicitly provides for a choice of laws.
SB 590 – Illegal Immigration matters. Passed out of committee. This bill does a lot of things that get the State more deeply involved in the immigration business.
There were a lot of other things, but I just flat ran out of time.
HB 1158 – wireless communications device
Wired communication devices are exempt?
HB 1538 – local minimum wages laws.
This appears to target the Bloomington area where local minimum wages have been established.
Black Bart: What kind of wired communication device could you use while operating a motor vehicle?
So, this is the legislative environment Mitch Daniels was seeking for Indiana? Really?
Where are the republicans here? Where’s the tea party? What about the economy? What about jobs? What about more individual freedom and less government intrusion?
I am watching the Wisconsin situation involving public employee bargaining rights very closely because I have several relatives there, not all of whom would be of the same view on this. Is there any legislation affecting primarily public employees on the agenda here in Indiana? I believe they have already been relieved of their collective bargaining rights here, but is there more that can be done “to them”? And, if so, what is it, and who wants to do it?
Not sure if you count teachers and their unions when you’re thinking of public employees; but they are being targeted this year.
Idran asks, “What kind of wired . . . device could you use while operating a motor vehicle?”
1. Hair dryer
2. Nasal hair remover
3. Power sander (toenails)
4. Drill (attached to crank window; makes it “automatic”)
5. George Foreman Grill
6. Mr. Microphone. Oops. This one’s wireless.
7. Chatty Cathy (Has a string. That counts.)
8. Comcast (requires very, very long wire)
9. Paddle ball (Again. Has a string. That counts.)
10. Yo Yo
Hang on, who pays for these required ultrasounds? The patient and their insurance? (which means my insurance) Or taxes?
In either case, screw them. I’ll happily spend my tax dollars on sex ed, not forced morality.