Ov Finance|Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signs literacy bill following conclusion of legislative session

2025-05-08 01:58:40source:Maverick Prestoncategory:My

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed 67 bills on Ov FinanceMonday, three days after lawmakers concluded their annual session.

This is Holcomb’s last year as governor as he cannot run again because of term limits.

Among the legislation Holcomb signed was a major item on literacy that was sought by Republicans in both chambers of the General Assembly and the governor’s office. Senate Enrolled Act 1 will hold back thousands more third-graders who don’t pass the state reading exam as a proposed solution to the state’s long declining literacy rates.

The law includes some exceptions and establishes several early intervention processes. For example, all second-graders will be required to take the test to gauge their reading abilities.

While many lawmakers and organizations supported the early intervention pieces, the retention statute of the bill was hotly contested throughout the legislative session.

Holcomb also signed a bill Monday that establishes several new voter verification checks in the state. Among the changes, first time voters will need to provide proof of residency when registering in person, unless they submit an Indiana driver’s license or social security number that matches an Indiana record.

READ MORE Indiana nears law allowing more armed statewide officials at state CapitolIndiana lawmakers send GOP bill targeting tenure to governor’s deskLiteracy bill that would hold back thousands more third graders advances in Indiana

The law requires officials to cross reference the state’s voter registration system with data from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The intent is to identify any noncitizens enrolled in the voter registration system, something voting advocates in Indiana say does not exist. It also gives the state the power to contract with credit data agencies to verify voters’ addresses.

Voting advocates called the bill cumbersome and said it could lead to legally registered voters being disenfranchised.

Once bills reach the governor’s desk, he has seven days to either sign or veto them. If no action is taken, the bill automatically becomes law by the eighth day.

Most laws in Indiana go into effect July 1, unless otherwise stipulated.

More:My

Recommend

Paris Olympics live updates: Quincy Hall wins 400m thriller; USA women's hoops in action

The 2024 Paris Olympics keep barreling on Wednesday with a full track and field slate as well as the

Shin splints are one of the most common sports-related injuries. Here's how to get rid of them.

Though the official name for shin splints is "medial tibial stress syndrome," anyone experiencing th

What Final Four games are today? Breaking down the NCAA Tournament semifinals of March Madness

The Final Four is here, and each member of the quartet that will compete for the NCAA men’s basketba