House releases 2020 legislative study topics
INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) – Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston has released the list of topics to be discussed in this year’s interim study committees. Among the topics will be a review of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the state and recommending best practices for the future.
The Legislative Council created a new six-member Legislative Continuity Committee that will focus on how the legislative branch can better prepare for future emergencies. According to Huston, the committee is tasked with finding alternate communication methods, safeguarding vital legislative records and the continuity of legislative functions during a crisis.
“As Indiana continues to fight COVID-19, we want to work together with our state agencies so we can build upon what we learned from this pandemic,” said Huston. “It’s important that we hear from agencies on what legislative changes are needed to help better equip them moving forward, and whether we should permanently modify or repeal laws that were suspended during the outbreak.”
The House minority leader and Senate minority leader will each appoint one member to serve on the Legislative Continuity Committee, and the chair and vice chair of Legislative Council will each appoint two members of which two committee co-chairs will be selected.
The committee will also make recommendations for legislation to help ensure the General Assembly is prepared and equipped to better address emergencies in the future.
Huston said lawmakers are considering new procedures to host meetings virtually due to the pandemic. Details are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
The Legislative Council is comprised of eight members of the Indiana Senate and eight members of the Indiana House of Representatives with the chamber leaders alternating as chair each year.
You can connect with the resolution and the full list of assigned study topics by clicking here.