INDIANAPOLIS | In addition to the gaming study, Hoosier lawmakers this summer and fall will take a closer look at issues ranging from juvenile justice to digital privacy, and state-based health exchanges to bike trails.
It's all part of an annual practice by the Indiana General Assembly of reviewing complex topics likely to be the subject of legislation at an unhurried pace, where experts and lobbyists are called to provide information, rather than advocate for or against specific proposals.
"Study committees play an essential role in Indiana's part-time citizen legislature," said Senate President David Long, R-Fort Wayne. "The focused attention that lawmakers are able to give to important issues during the summer will guide many of the key public policy efforts we pursue in the next legislative session."
The Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate chose study committee topics in May from among dozens of suggestions made by the 100 state representatives and 50 senators.
Selected topics have been assigned to bipartisan committees made up mostly of the representatives and senators serving on the House or Senate committees that will review and rewrite legislation on the topic if a proposal is filed when the General Assembly convenes in January.
Additional topics set to be studied this year include: changes to the state's new criminal code, the economic impact of the medical device industry, regulation of fenced deer "hunting," whether long-absent fathers should have to consent to adoptions, funding for preschool education, work-sharing unemployment benefits, the effects of state tax incentives and the status of local government pension plans.
"With many important issues impacting our state, these committees provide an excellent opportunity for lawmakers and the public to work together in order to make Indiana a better place to live, work and raise a family," said House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis.