Indiana lawmakers are back to work; the 2018 legislative session kicked off this week. There's no single issue that's expected to dominate the session, but a number of contentious topics have already come up.
Government and Politics reporter Brandon Smith joined us to recap the first week of the legislative session.
Get all our coverage of the session HERE. Follow Brandon Smith on Twitter for live updates from the Statehouse at @brandonjsmith5.
Department of Child Services
In her resignation letter last month, former DCS Director Mary Beth Bonaventura warned of dire consequences if the department doesn't make major changes. This prompted Gov. Eric Holcomb to have an independent consultant examine the agency. House Speaker Brian Bosma says the issue needs addressed.
"We literally have more than double the children in our child welfare system, using the same definition, than Ohio and Illinois combined," Bosma says. "We spend more money on child welfare than Ohio and Illinois combined."
But GOP lawmakers also say the legislature is not the place to do that.
"I don't think the legislature should be out there with major hearings going on until the end of session," says Senate President Pro Tem David Long. "I don't think we're equipped to do it; I don't think we're effective in doing that."
Statehouse Democrats say they are troubled by what they call Republican "secrecy."
"It needs to be in the sunlight, not in the darkness," Democratic House Minority Leader Terry Goodin said in an interview Thursday. "They are creating more questions with secrecy."
At-risk kids, DCS mess prompt letter from House Democratic Leader @terry_goodin to governor requesting legislative participation in solutions. https://t.co/vQinwLlDaZ #IHDC #INLegis pic.twitter.com/x2jBVy4D6x
- Indiana House Democrats (@inhsedems) January 5, 2018
GOP leaders promise to review the consultants' report, but that won't be until after session.
Cold Beer, Sunday Alcohol Sales
The question of cold beer sales seemed to come to head during last year's session because of a loophole the convenience store chain Ricker's found that allowed it to sell cold beer. And Sen. Phil Boots (R-Crawfordsville) has already introduced a bill to allow the sale of cold beer at grocery and convenience stores.
Cold beer expansion faces an uphill battle. There's general agreement, at this point, around legalized Sunday sales. But lawmakers are much less enthusiastic about cold beer.
So right now it's a bit of a long shot. There's a sense among some that putting cold beer in convenience and grocery stores will increase over consumption and underage drinking.
Opioid Epidemic
The opioid epidemic is an ongoing issue. The legislature passed several measures last year aimed at addressing the problem. House Minority Leader Terry Goodin is from Austin, one of the places hardest hit by the epidemic.
"We need to do everything in our power to make sure officials have the tools they need to fight this disorder."
"For those who have seen their communities destroyed by drugs, a battle I have witnessed first hand, I will say we will do everything in our power to make sure officials have the tools they need to fight this disaster," Goodin says.
With support from Governor Holcomb and legislators, what are they looking at doing to stem the tide of opioids in the state.
House Republicans detailed their agenda this week, which will include a bill to help create nine new drug treatment centers around the state. And the caucus will push legislation to streamline licensing requirements for mental health and addiction professionals.
Cannabidiol
Cannabidiol has also been a hot button issue in the state this year. One state senator has already filed a bill that would make CBD available to more Hoosiers. And Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) is on a crusade to legalize the substance.
"The more I learned about medical cannabis, the more I kept asking myself, 'Why isn't Indiana doing this?'"
"The more I learned about medical cannabis, the more I kept asking myself 'Why isn't Indiana doing this?'" Lucas says. "Why aren't we one of the 29 states that don't criminalize their citizens for seeking a better quality of life?"
What's legal under the current CBD law varies depending on who you ask. There's a sense among lawmakers that they need to clarify the law.
And Speaker Brian Bosma gave some indication that he'd support making CBD available to everyone – as long as it doesn't contain any THC, which is the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.
Learn More: Watch 'Cannabidiol, Kids & Politics'
Other Issues This Session
All four caucuses are definitely focused on workforce development issues – helping ensure Hoosiers have the skills necessary for jobs now and in the future.
And there's always the little surprise issues that pop up and take over the session for a few days, or even weeks, at a time. This year, that might be guns, or abortion, or any number of things.
Some lawmakers want to spread the use of "baby boxes," devices designed to allow Hoosiers to drop off unwanted infants anonymously.
A Democratic lawmaker from Bloomington will push for legalizing assisted suicide under very limited circumstance.
The debate over requiring cursive writing instruction in schools is back. Lawmakers will also debate whether to allow kids to carry sunscreen at school.
Follow comprehensive coverage of the 2018 legislative session HERE.
