Indiana Lawmakers Aiming To Wrap Up This Year's Session

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana lawmakers are aiming to reach final agreements on numerous bills Wednesday during the expected final day of this year's legislative session.

Talks were continuing on a proposal that would force the state attorney general from office if his law license is suspended over allegations that he drunkenly groped four women. Final votes in the House and Senate are expected on a bill blocking all Indiana cities and counties from regulating rental properties and another that would double the fines stores could face for selling smoking or vaping products to anyone younger than 21 years old.

Republicans who dominated the House and Senate had not as of midday reached agreement on a proposal endorsed by the House in an 83-9 vote last week that would prohibit anyone whose law license has been suspended for at least 30 days from serving as attorney general.

That action came as Republican Attorney General Curtis Hill awaits a decision from the state Supreme Court on whether he’ll face any punishment for the alleged professional misconduct. A hearing officer last month recommended that Hill’s law license be suspended for at least 60 days, writing that his “conduct was offensive, invasive, damaging and embarrassing” to the women.

Democrats, meanwhile, are objecting to a Republican-backed bill that would prohibit local regulations on any aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship, including the screening process for renters or requiring notification of tenants’ rights, unless allowed by state law.