Legislative Council approves interim study topics, study policies and 5% cut to national dues invoices

The Legislative Council voted unanimously Thursday to adopt three resolutions that assign interim study topics to legislative committees, set the rules and budgets for summer study committees, and authorize paying national legislative organizations 95% of this year’s invoices amid fiscal concerns.

The council’s action approved Resolution 25-01, which assigns study topics to interim committees; Resolution 25-02, which sets policies and budget allocations for those committees; and Resolution 25-03, which directs payment of national organizational dues at 95% of invoiced amounts pending possible future adjustment. All three measures passed by voice roll call, 16-0.

George, Legislative Services Agency staff, told the council that leaders began with about 100 proposals and some 300 agency-report review items and, through a bipartisan leaders’ process, narrowed that list to 22 topics that appear in Resolution 25-01. He said the process required approval by at least three of the four leaders for a topic to appear on the resolution. "They began with, 100, proposals for, study committees' topics this summer plus, 300, agency report, reviews possibilities and, through a, bipartisan process narrowed it down to, 22 that you that appear in this, resolution," he said.

Representative Carrie Hamilton (House District 87) pressed for transparency about the original proposal list and whether the requests and letters that generated study topics would be made public. George said the letters are considered the property of the House and Senate but that the letters forming the basis for topics "will be public and made available to all the members of the particular committee that has been charged with that particular topic." Hamilton asked the council to consider publishing all requests online for public access.

On Resolution 25-02, George said the policy language mirrors last year’s resolution except for a provision addressing meetings held outside Indianapolis and a reference to the lobby registration commission. He described how the resolution allocates larger budgets to larger committees, limits the number of interim meetings, and allows additional meetings or funds only if approved by the speaker and the president pro tempore. Reports from the interim committees remain due Nov. 1, 2025.

Discussion of Resolution 25-03 focused on national membership dues. George said leaders proposed paying invoices at 95% "because of the fiscal condition that is affecting the state and the possibility for shortfalls in revenue," noting the council took a similar step in 2011. "The general concept is that we would pay, 5% less than the invoiced amount," he said. He added the 2011 reduction was later reconciled when the council paid deficit amounts in a future year, but the current resolution does not itself provide for future payment of the withheld 5 percent.

Representative Cherish Prior (House District 94) asked whether a 5% reduction would affect the legislature’s access to services from the national organizations; George replied that on the previous occasion the legislature negotiated with the organizations and retained full membership. Representative Prior and others also asked whether other states were taking the same approach; George said he did not have current information on that question and that he was aware other states have not paid full dues from time to time.

Each resolution was moved, seconded and adopted on roll-call votes. The chair announced each measure "passes 16 to 0." The meeting adjourned after the three measures were approved.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25-01 (Interim study topics): Passed 16-0. Assigns 22 study topics to interim committees after a leaders’ bipartisan review process; basis documents (letters) will be provided to the assigned committees; additional topics may be added with approval of at least three of four leaders.

- Resolution 25-02 (Study policies and budgets): Passed 16-0. Adopts policies and budget allocations for interim committees consistent with last year, allows extra meetings/funding only with speaker and pro tem approval, includes provision for meetings outside Indianapolis and references the lobby registration commission; reports due Nov. 1, 2025.

- Resolution 25-03 (National organizational dues): Passed 16-0. Authorizes paying 95% of invoices to five national organizations that bill the entire legislature, citing fiscal constraints and invoking a 2011 precedent; does not itself obligate future payment of the withheld 5%.