Indiana GOP Pushes 'Anti-bolting' Law to Block Walkouts

Indiana Republican lawmakers are pushing an “anti-bolting” law as a step to prevent lawmakers from walking out to shut down legislative business as Democrats did earlier this year, the Indianapolis Star reported Thursday.

The law, which passed the Senate Wednesday, would bar minority party lawmakers from leaving in order to keep the majority party from doing business.

Indiana's Statehouse

Legislators who are away for more than three days without a legitimate excuse, such as illness, could face a civil lawsuit filed by a constituent and fines of up to $1,000 a day plus attorney fees. The fines would go into the state’s general fund.

Earlier this year, state House Democrats fled to Illinois as the Legislature considered proposed laws to limit collective bargaining for public employees.

Indiana’s Constitution requires two-thirds for a quorum in the House and Senate each for the chamber to conduct business.

In the past, both parties have walked out to deny quorum to the other. But Democrats took the maneuver to an unprecedented level this year by stay away for five weeks.