Indy Standard

Southern Indiana legislators have been appointed to serve on significant House standing committees. These appointments are made biennially by the Indiana House Speaker after the November election and remain effective for the members' two-year terms.

State Representative Stephen Bartels, a Republican from Eckerty, has been reappointed as chair of the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee. He will also serve on the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee and the House Public Policy Committee. Bartels emphasized his commitment to assisting veterans transitioning from active duty to civilian life and expressed his priority of working with Governor-elect Braun to establish an office of school safety under the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. "As a veteran, I am always looking to continue our efforts to help Hoosier service members with a successful transition from active duty to civilian life, as well as helping all veterans," Bartels stated.

Karen Engleman, a Republican representative from Georgetown, has been reappointed as chair of the House Statutory Committee on Ethics. She will also be part of the House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee and the House Local Government Committee. Engleman highlighted the importance of maintaining high ethical standards among legislators: "Legislators need to be held to the highest ethical standards with the trust voters have placed in us."

Jim Lucas, representing Seymour as a Republican, will join several committees including the House Financial Institutions Committee, House Public Policy Committee, and House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee. Lucas noted that these committees are tasked with vetting bills through public testimony and amendments: "Indiana owes so much to our veterans and public safety officials who keep our local communities safe."

Chris May, a Republican from Bedford, was reappointed as chair of the House Local Government Committee. He will also serve on both the House Financial Institutions Committee and the House Roads and Transportation Committee. May stressed the significance of local government in daily life: "Local government plays a huge role in the lives of everyday Hoosiers."

The first day of Indiana's 2025 legislative session is scheduled for January 8 at 1:30 p.m., where lawmakers will convene at the Statehouse.