Thread by @EricBermanIN

An #INLegis study committee is holding its first meeting to discuss how to hold the next session if the #CoronavirusPandemic is still raging. The Constitution requires the legislature to meet, but Rep. Matthew Lehman, who's chairing the panel, says there's flexibility on how.

Of the 6 committee members, Sen. @JD4IN29 is participating virtually. Sen. @cpgarten is unmasked but keeping double the recommended distance from the other four legislators in the room, who are masked up.

Lehman notes there's a paradox: #INLegis can decide to meet virtually, but would first have to meet in person to pass that bill. That would likely happen in the 1-day organizational session in November, which normally is just ceremonial.

Some changes could be made through rules changes rather than passing a law, but #INLegis would still have to pass them.

.@JD4IN29 says he's participating virtually because he had contact with someone who tested positive. He says #INLegis should discuss whether legislators need to be tested during session.

Ford floats the idea of holding #INLegis session at the convention center instead of the statehouse to allow #socialdistancing. Desks in the House and Senate chamber aren't 6 feet apart, and committee rooms are even more cramped.

.@cpgarten suggests caucus leaders should talk to members to get a sense of how many would participate virtually vs. in person, to get clearer idea of how many people would be on hand and whether the number would be low enough for distancing.

Lehman: #KYLegis finished its session in April, with legislators participating from their offices; the only person on the House floor was the person presenting a bill. Members texted their votes to the clerk.

Several legislators note it's not just about how many #INLegis members are in attendance, but staffers and members of the public.

First real-world illustration of the challenges of a virtual session: @JD4IN29 just lost his Internet connection. Brief recess while they try to reconnect him.

#tbt: the 2020 #INLegis session ended the same day @tomhanks and @RitaWilson tested positive, and the @NBA and @FinalFour halted play after @utahjazz center Rudy Gobert's positive test. IN lockdown began 11 days later.

Hearing has reconvened.