Stay Informed

Earlier this year, the Indiana General Assembly created the legislative continuity committee – made up of legislators from the Senate and House of Representatives – to help the legislative branch prepare for emergencies that impede normal Statehouse activities. Particularly this year, the committee was tasked with developing plans to ensure the legislative branch can operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those plans also affect the way constituent groups, such as Indiana Farm Bureau, can operate in the Statehouse.

As of now, the committee has met four times and developed initial plans to accommodate lawmakers during the legislative session.

Senate

Senators will conduct business in the Senate chamber, using the public gallery for additional seating. The Senate also will use regular committee rooms to conduct hearings. Public testimony will be remote via an empty committee room.

House of Representatives  

Representatives, on the other hand, will conduct business in Government Center South (IGCS), using auditoriums for sessions and conference rooms for committee hearings. Similar to the Senate, public testimony will be remote via another conference room.

The committee also has recommended expanded committee schedules, more Legislative Services Agency staff and for committee chairs to be thoughtful when deciding which bills to consider.

Public visitors

The legislative continuity committee has a late-October meeting scheduled with Dr. Kristina Box, commissioner of the Indiana State Department of Health, who will discuss public health concerns and provide guidance for the legislature to accommodate the amount of people in and out of the Statehouse during the session.

Indiana Farm Bureau will continue to monitor the changes with the upcoming session, especially those concerning visitors.

INFB will pass along any details released about the 2021 legislative session. Be on the lookout for more information in the Dispatch and the December Hoosier Farmer.

Questions can be sent to Andy Tauer, director of public policy, at atauer@infb.org.