INDIANAPOLIS – Still reeling over a slew of executive orders issued by Gov. Eric Holcomb during the pandemic, Senate Republicans advanced a bill Tuesday that seeks to limit the governor’s emergency powers.
The clapback legislation, Senate Bill 234, removes a Hoosier governor’s ability to extend a state of disaster emergency after 30 days — or declare a new emergency — unless it is “wholly unrelated” to the first one. A longer disaster declaration would require approval from the General Assembly.
Critics worry it could delay responses in emergencies, while supporters argue it’s about representation.
The measure advanced from the Senate 38-10, with all Democrats and one Republican voting in opposition, The Republican who voted against it was Sen. Greg Walker, who represents portions of Bartholomew and Johnson Counties. The bill now heads to the House.
“If we hit an emergency disaster declaration when we’re not in session, Hoosiers’ voices cannot be represented by its elected body here today. That’s what this bill does,” said Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, lead author of the proposal.
“Supporting this bill ensures that every constituent in your district, Democrat or Republican, that elected you — or maybe didn’t — has their voice be heard during an emergency disaster,” he continued. “That may be the most critical time for a constituent’s voice to be heard by its elected representative body.”
Read the whole Indiana Capital Chronicle article here.
