Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, defends a bill limiting governor-called states of emergency during session on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muñiz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
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, Sen. Greg Walker, voting in opposition. 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.