Indiana lawmakers aim to adjourn their session early. Here’s what’s at stake in the final week

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana lawmakers are making good on their promise to keep this year’s legislative session short, with leaders saying they plan to wrap by the end of this week.

After multiple sessions of major conservative legislation in recent years, including a near-total ban on abortion and a wide expansion on school vouchers, legislative leaders started 2024 by saying they wanted a short session of “fine tuning.” They have largely focused on education policy — from its earliest stages up to college and universities — and local control.

Here’s what’s at stake during the final week.

What bills are left?

One of the most substantial disagreements between the two chambers of the General Assembly — where Republicans hold supermajorities — focuses on a bill that would define antisemitism in education code.

The House unanimously passed the proposal almost two months ago. But an amendment in the Senate education committee opposed by some members of the Jewish community jeopardized the bill, which rose to new importance with the Israel-Hamas war after a similar version failed last year.

The Senate committee’s amendment took out explicit reference to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and its examples of antisemitism, while keeping the group’s definition of antisemitism in place. The changes were sought by supporters of Palestinians in the face of a worsening humanitarian crisis, who argued that the examples would stifle criticism of Israel at colleges and universities.

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