COLUMBUS, Ind. — How much power Indiana’s governor can indefinitely maintain during a lengthy, statewide emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic was the most discussed topic at Third House.
Sponsored by the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, about 55 people participated in the video conference Monday that allows those in the Columbus area to hear directly from lawmakers about pending legislation in the Indiana General Assembly. As in the previous two sessions, State Rep. Ryan Lauer, R-Columbus, and Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, participated.
After hearing several complaints about Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s COVID-19 restrictions, some members of the House and Senate have taken different approaches seeking to limit the governor’s executive powers during emergencies.
Proposals are Senate Bill 407, authored by three senators — Susan Glick, R-LaGrange, Mark Messmer, R-Jasper and Erin Houchin, R-Salem – and House Bill 1123, authored by State Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne. Lauer is listed as one of more than 50 co-authors of the House version.
HB 1123 passed 69-27 in the House, while SB 407 passed 38-8 in the Senate.
“The main focus of (HB 1123) is to allow the legislative branches to convene under a statewide emergency, and allow the legislative body to be involved,” Lauer said. “That’s something we were unable to do during most of the pandemic. We are looking at the future, and whether the representatives of the people should be involved when you have an ongoing long term emergency. The answer, I believe, is yes.”
For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.
