Ind. Code ch. 2-5-1.3

Ind. Code ch. 2-5-1.3
in effect

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-1 "Interim"

Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "interim" refers to the following: (1) For calendar year 2021, the period beginning May 1, 2021, and ending November 15, 2021. (2) For a calendar year beginning after December 31, 2021, that part of the year that begins immediately after the day that a regular session of the general assembly adjourns sine die and ends immediately before the day that the next regular session of the general assembly convenes. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.133-2021, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-2 "Standing committee"

Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "standing committee" means the following: (1) A standing committee established under the rules of the senate to consider bills during a regular session of the general assembly. (2) A standing committee established under the rules of the house of representatives to consider bills during a regular session of the general assembly. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-3 "Study committee"

Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "study committee" means an interim study committee established by section 4 of this chapter. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-4 Establishment; permanent interim study committees

Sec. 4. The following interim study committees are established: (1) Agriculture and Natural Resources. (2) Commerce and Economic Development. (3) Corrections and Criminal Code. (4) Courts and the Judiciary. (5) Education. (6) Elections. (7) Employment and Labor. (8) Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications. (9) Environmental Affairs. (10) Financial Institutions and Insurance. (11) Government. (12) Public Safety and Military Affairs. (13) Pension Management Oversight. (14) Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services. (15) Public Policy. (16) Roads and Transportation. (17) Fiscal Policy. (18) Child Services. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.123-2016, SEC.1; P.L.231-2019, SEC.1; P.L.148-2021, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-5 Membership

Sec. 5. Except as provided in section 5.1 of this chapter, a study committee has the following members: (1) Four (4) members of the senate, appointed by the president pro tempore, who preferably are members of the standing committee of the senate that has subject matter jurisdiction most closely relating to the subject matter for the study committee, as determined by the president pro tempore. (2) Three (3) members, appointed by the minority leader of the senate, who preferably are members of the standing committee of the senate that has subject matter jurisdiction most closely relating to the subject matter for the study committee, as determined by the president pro tempore. (3) Four (4) members, appointed by the speaker, who preferably are members of the standing committee of the house of representatives that has subject matter jurisdiction most closely relating to the subject matter for the study committee, as determined by the speaker. (4) Three (3) members, appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives, who preferably are members of the standing committee of the house of representatives that has subject matter jurisdiction most closely relating to the subject matter for the study committee, as determined by the speaker. (5) The members (if any) appointed under section 6 of this chapter. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.148-2021, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-5.1 Membership of interim study committee on child services

Sec. 5.1. (a) The interim study committee on child services consists of sixteen (16) members appointed as follows: (1) Three (3) members of the senate appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate. (2) Two (2) members of the senate appointed by the minority leader of the senate. (3) Three (3) members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. (4) Two (2) members of the house of representatives appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives. (5) Two (2) individuals who are not members of the general assembly, appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate. (6) Two (2) individuals who are not members of the general assembly, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. (7) A juvenile court judge appointed by the chief justice. (8) One (1) individual appointed by the governor. The members of the general assembly appointed under this subsection must be members of either the senate committee on family and children services or the house committee on family, children, and human affairs. The individuals appointed under subdivisions (5) and (6) must be experts in the area of family and child services. (b) If a legislative member of the interim study committee on child services ceases to be a member of the chamber from which the member was appointed, the member also ceases to be a member of the committee. As added by P.L.148-2021, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-6 Appointment of lay members

Sec. 6. (a) The legislative council may authorize the addition of lay members to one (1) or more study committees in accordance with this section. (b) If the legislative council authorizes the appointment of lay members to a study committee, four (4) lay members shall be appointed as follows: (1) One (1) individual, appointed by the president pro tempore, who resides in Indiana and has experience, education, or training in the subject matter for the study committee but who is not a member of the general assembly. (2) One (1) individual, appointed by the minority leader of the senate, who resides in Indiana and has experience, education, or training in the subject matter for the study committee but who is not a member of the general assembly. (3) One (1) individual, appointed by the speaker, who resides in Indiana and has experience, education, or training in the subject matter for the study committee but who is not a member of the general assembly. (4) One (1) individual, appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives, who resides in Indiana and has experience, education, or training in the subject matter for the study committee but who is not a member of the general assembly. (c) If the legislative council authorizes the appointment of lay members to a study committee, the legislative council may provide for the appointment to the study committee of lay members in addition to the lay members appointed under subsection (b). (d) If the legislative council authorizes the appointment of lay members to a study committee, the legislative council may make the lay members appointed to the study committee voting members of the study committee. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-7 Legislator eligibility for appointment

Sec. 7. This chapter does not prohibit an appointing authority from appointing a legislator who is not a member of a standing committee that has subject matter jurisdiction most closely relating to the subject matter for the study committee. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-8 Limitation; size of committee

Sec. 8. Except as provided by this chapter, additional voting members, advisory members, or lay members may not be appointed to serve on a study committee. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-9 Member's term

Sec. 9. The term of a member appointed to a study committee is two (2) consecutive interims. However, an appointing authority may replace a member at any time during the member's term. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.85-2017, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-10 Appointments; committee chair; committee vice-chair

Sec. 10. IC 2-5-1.2-8.5 applies to the appointment of a chair and vice-chair for a study committee. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-11 Compliance; policies of legislative council

Sec. 11. A study committee shall operate, as required in IC 2-5-1.2-13, under the policies and rules of the legislative council. However, a study committee may meet only during the interim period in a year. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-12 Subcommittees

Sec. 12. (a) The chair of a study committee may establish not more than two (2) subcommittees in an interim to assist the study committee. The chair of a study committee establishing a subcommittee shall appoint the members of the subcommittee from among the members of the study committee. Notwithstanding IC 2-5-1.2-8.5, the chair of the study committee shall appoint the chair of the subcommittee. A nonvoting member on the study committee is a nonvoting member on a subcommittee. A subcommittee established by a chair of a study committee exists for the duration of only (1) interim. (b) The expenses of a subcommittee, including per diem, mileage, and travel allowances payable under IC 2-5-1.2-11, shall be paid from money authorized by the legislative council for operation of the study committee. The amount authorized by the legislative council for expenditures of a study committee may not be increased to pay for the operation of a subcommittee. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.123-2016, SEC.2; P.L.231-2019, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-13 Authority to study issues

Sec. 13. (a) A study committee shall study the issues assigned by the legislative council that are within the subject matter for the study committee, as described in section 4 of this chapter. (b) In addition to the issues assigned under subsection (a), the interim study committee on roads and transportation shall advise the bureau of motor vehicles regarding the suitability of a special group (as defined in IC 9-13-2-170) to receive a special group recognition license plate for the special group (as defined in IC 9-13-2-170) for the first time under IC 9-18.5-12-4 and the suitability of a special group (as defined in IC 9-13-2-170) to continue participating in the special group recognition license plate program under IC 9-18.5-12-5. (c) In addition to the issues assigned under subsection (a), the interim study committee on corrections and criminal code shall review current trends with respect to criminal behavior, sentencing, incarceration, and treatment and may: (1) identify particular needs of the criminal justice system that can be addressed by legislation; and (2) prepare legislation to address the particular needs found by the committee. (d) In each even-numbered year, in addition to the issues assigned under subsection (a), the interim study committee on courts and the judiciary shall review, consider, and make recommendations concerning all requests for new courts, new judicial officers, and changes in jurisdiction of existing courts. A request under this subsection must include at least the following information to receive full consideration by the committee: (1) The level of community support for the change, including support from the local fiscal body. (2) The results of a survey that shall be conducted by the county requesting the change, sampling members of the bar, members of the judiciary, and local officials to determine needs and concerns of existing courts. (3) Whether the county is already using a judge or magistrate from an overserved area of the judicial district. (4) The relative severity of need based on the most recent weighted caseload measurement system report published by the office of judicial administration. (5) Whether the county is using any problem solving court as described in IC 33-23-16-11, and, if so, the list of problem solving courts established in the county, and any evaluation of the impact of the problem solving courts on the overall judicial caseload. (6) A description of the: (A) county's population growth in the ten (10) years before the date of the request; and (B) projected population growth in the county for the ten (10) years after the date of the request, to the extent available; and any documentation to support the information provided under this subdivision. (7) A description of the county's use of pre-incarceration diversion services and post-incarceration reentry services in an effort to decrease recidivism. (8) If the request is a request for a new court or new courts, an acknowledgment from the county fiscal body (as defined in IC 36-1-2-6) with the funding sources and estimated costs the county intends to pay toward the county's part of the operating costs associated with the new court or new courts. The office of judicial administration shall post the list of required information provided under this subsection on its website. (e) In each even-numbered year, in addition to the issues assigned under subsection (a), the interim study committee on courts and the judiciary shall review the most recent weighted caseload measurement system report published by the office of judicial administration and do the following: (1) Identify each county in which the number of courts or judicial officers exceeds the number used by the county in that report year. (2) Determine the number of previous report years in which the number of courts or judicial officers in a county identified in subdivision (1) exceeded the number used by the county in that particular report year. (3) Make a recommendation on whether the number of courts or judicial officers in the county should be decreased. The office of judicial administration shall post a list of the number of courts or judicial officers used in each county for each report year, and the number of years in which the number of courts or judicial officers in the county has exceeded the number used by the county, on its website. (f) In addition to studying the issues assigned under subsection (a), the interim study committee on child services shall: (1) review the annual reports submitted by: (A) each local child fatality review team under IC 16-49-3-7; (B) the statewide child fatality review committee under IC 16-49-4-11; and (C) the department of child services under IC 31-25-2-24; during the immediately preceding twelve (12) month period, and may make recommendations regarding changes in policies or statutes to improve child safety; and (2) report to the legislative council before November 1 of each interim, in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6, the results of: (A) the committee's review under subdivision (1); and (B) the committee's study of any issue assigned to the committee under subsection (a). (g) In each even-numbered year, in addition to the issues assigned under subsection (a), the interim study committee on government shall do the following: (1) Determine whether a group has met in the immediately preceding two (2) years. (2) Review reports submitted to the committee in accordance with IC 1-1-15.5-4. (3) Identify all interstate compacts that have been fully operational for at least two (2) years to which the state is a party. (4) Consider whether to: (A) remain a party to; or (B) withdraw from; each interstate compact. (5) If the committee determines that the state should withdraw from an interstate compact, identify the steps needed to withdraw. (6) Report before November 1 to the legislative council, in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 the committee's: (A) recommendations for proposed legislation to repeal groups: (i) after determining that the groups have not met during the immediately preceding two (2) years; or (ii) after reviewing a group's report under subdivision (2); and (B) findings and recommendations regarding the interstate compacts. As used in this subsection, "group" refers to an authority, a board, a commission, a committee, a council, a delegate, a foundation, a panel, or a task force that is established by statute, has at least one (1) legislator assigned to it, and is not staffed by the legislative services agency. (h) In each odd-numbered year, in addition to the issues assigned under subsection (a), the interim study committee on government shall: (1) identify each group that has been operational for at least two (2) state fiscal years; (2) review the statutory duties and recent activities of each group identified under subdivision (1); (3) for each group identified under subdivision (1), determine whether the group should be: (A) retained because the group has ongoing statutory duties and it remains the most appropriate group to fulfill those duties; (B) repealed because the group has fulfilled its statutory duties; (C) repealed because the group's statutory duties could be more efficiently fulfilled after transferring them to another group or state agency; or (D) repealed because the group's statutory duties are redundant because the duties also belong to another group or state agency; and (4) report before November 1 to the legislative council, in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6, the committee's findings and recommendations regarding the groups evaluated under this subsection. As used in this subsection, "group" refers to an authority, a board, a commission, a committee, a council, a delegate, a foundation, a panel, or a task force that is established by statute and not staffed by the legislative services agency. (i) In 2026 and 2027, in addition to the issues assigned under subsections (a) and (f), the interim study committee on child services shall review the report submitted by the child welfare task force under IC 2-5-55.7-8. This subsection expires December 31, 2027. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.257-2017, SEC.2; P.L.2-2018, SEC.1; P.L.138-2020, SEC.1; P.L.148-2021, SEC.4; P.L.114-2022, SEC.1; P.L.9-2024, SEC.6; P.L.161-2025, SEC.2; P.L.162-2025, SEC.1; P.L.186-2025, SEC.270; P.L.152-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-14 Establishment of additional temporary study committees

Sec. 14. In addition to the study committees established under section 4 of this chapter, the legislative council by resolution may establish one (1) or more additional interim study committees. An interim study committee established by the legislative council: (1) shall study only the specific topics assigned by the legislative council; (2) exists for the duration of only one (1) interim period; (3) has the membership determined by the legislative council; and (4) is subject to IC 2-5-1.2. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-15 Transfer of study topics among study committees

Sec. 15. The legislative council may transfer the study of a legislative topic from the board, commission, or other committee that is directed by law to study the legislative topic to a study committee with subject matter jurisdiction closely relating to the subject matter of the proposed study, as determined by the chairman of the legislative council, or to an interim study committee established under section 14 of this chapter. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 2-5-1.3-16 Statutory construction; technical conflicts between this chapter and other legislation enacted in 2014

Sec. 16. The general assembly recognizes that SEA 80-2014 repeals IC 2-5-3, IC 2-5-20, IC 2-5-28.5, IC 2-5-33.4, IC 2-5-38.1, IC 13-13-7, IC 33-23-10, and other statutes that establish study committees and that other acts of the 2014 regular session of the general assembly add or amend provisions that are repealed by SEA 80-2014. The general assembly intends to repeal the provisions described in this section, including the additions and amendments to the repealed provisions enacted in other acts of the 2014 regular session of the general assembly. As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/2Fetched: 10/17/2026