INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — State lawmakers approved a series of
fixes to criminal sentencing legislation they determined could not wait
until they returned for work during their 2015 session.
The
General Assembly met Tuesday for its first "technical corrections day" —
a special one-day meeting with limits placed on it so lawmakers do not
have to do a full-blown "special session." And legislative leaders who
called the one-day meeting said they would like it to remain a rare
occurrence.
Drafting errors in the extensive criminal sentencing
legislation softened penalties for child sex offenders and hindered the
ability to arrest suspected shoplifters. House Speaker Brian Bosma,
R-Indianapolis, said that they were problems that could not wait to be
fixed.
"With respect to the sentencing issue, the protection of
Hoosiers, especially young Hoosiers, is of utmost importance to this
body," Bosma said. "So it was appropriate to come back and ensure those
who are charged with crimes have the full effect of the law after July
1."
One error would have allowed some child sex offenders off with
a reduced sentence because of confusion in how the law would be
interpreted. Another error would have required police to obtain a
warrant before arresting suspected shoplifters.
Both were fixed with unanimous approval from the assembled lawmakers.
They
also signed off on a correction to tax credits that were designed for
natural gas-powered vehicles. Legislation approved earlier this year
accidentally placed caps on credits for other alternative fuels.
Tuesday’s
meeting was the first since lawmakers approved a change in 1995
allowing them to call a one-day meeting without going into the
potentially lengthier "special session." Lawmakers called for a
"technical corrections day" last year, but used it to override a pair of
vetoes from Gov. Mike Pence.
Senate President Pro Tem David Long,
R-Fort Wayne, said he understood Tuesday’s fixes could be interpreted
as making substantial changes, but said there need to be limits on how
far lawmakers go.
"One person’s technical (change) is another
person’s substantive. And we’re in a gray area when we do this," he
said. "We thought it was important to come back and we unanimously
agreed on that as leaders. But we’ve gotta be careful we don’t trip over
to a line where people say, ‘Well let’s just come back here and do
another bill or fix some bills we really weren’t happy with the
outcomes.’ We can’t do that."