INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Supreme Court is set to hear arguments over whether a state lawmaker’s emails and other correspondence with utility company officials about proposed legislation can remain private.
Attorneys will present oral arguments Thursday in an appeal of a Marion County judge’s decision in a lawsuit filed against Republican Rep. Eric Koch of Bedford and the House GOP caucus. Judge James Osborn ruled in August that he couldn’t interfere in legislative branch operations.
The Citizens Action Coalition and other groups argue Koch’s correspondence should be available under the state’s public records law.
Koch’s unsuccessful bill last year would have cut how much utilities must pay for excess electricity generated by home solar power systems.
Legislative leaders maintain that the General Assembly is exempt from the public records law.