Indiana lawmakers to convene in December to address redistricting

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INDIANA (WPTA) - Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) announced on Monday that Indiana lawmakers will address “time sensitive issues” in December, rather than convening for a special session.

Last Monday, Gov. Mike Braun called for a special legislative session for the General Assembly to convene on Monday, Nov. 3, to consider both redistricting and a state tax compliance issue.

BACKGROUND: Gov. Braun formally announces plans for special session on redistricting, tax issues | Story continues below previous report

While Braun called for the special session to convene on Nov. 3, Indiana law states the General Assembly has up to 40 calendar days to conduct business once the special session has begun.

On Monday, Speaker Huston announced that the General Assembly will “address any time sensitive issues” during the first two weeks of December during the regular session, which begins on Nov. 18 for Organization Day.

After Organization Day, lawmakers typically don’t return for business until January. But this year, Huston says lawmakers will return to the statehouse on Dec. 1.

He says the decision was made to save taxpayer dollars typically incurred during special sessions.

According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, Indiana’s last special session, held in 2022 to address abortion laws, cost taxpayers about $240,000 in per-diem and travel expenses.

You can read Huston’s full statement below.

“In working with our House Republican caucus members and our counterparts in the Senate, we have determined that the General Assembly will address any time sensitive issues during the first two weeks of December (Dec. 1 through Dec. 12).
“The meeting days in December would be part of the 2026 regular session that officially starts on Organization Day on Nov. 18. Because of this calendar alignment, starting the regular session early would be the most cost effective and efficient way to address the Governor’s call for a special session.
“Our goal is to avoid any added session-related costs, and we will continue to look for ways to save taxpayer dollars as we work through and finalize the schedule.
“More details on December session days will be made available in the coming weeks with a full calendar expected on Organization Day.”
Huston wrote.

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Speaker of the House Todd Huston, R-Fishers, speaks during the first day of the legislative... — Speaker of the House Todd Huston, R-Fishers, speaks during the first day of the legislative session at the the Statehouse, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)(AP)

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) sent the following statement about the session:

The Indiana Capital Chronicle previously reported that Molly Swigart, Indiana Senate Republican caucus spokeswoman, said they did not have the votes necessary to redraw the state’s congressional map.

In contrast, Indiana House Republican Communications Director Molly Gillaspie said in a statement to 21Alive News on Oct. 28 that they believe they do have the necessary votes to support the proposal.

Of Indiana’s nine congressional seats, seven are held by Republicans.