The governor’s office has signed a contract paying a law firm up to nearly $200,000 for challenging the increased power state legislators gave themselves to intervene during public health emergencies.

The law, HEA 1123, allows the legislature to call itself into session during a public emergency -- like, for instance, the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Eric Holcomb sued, arguing the law is a breach of separation of powers.

Gov. Eric Holcomb, Attorney General Todd Rokita and the General Assembly will square off in court again Friday, the latest hearing in an ongoing lawsuit over a new emergency powers law.

The Indiana Supreme Court denied Attorney General Todd Rokita's effort to halt a lawsuit between the governor and the General Assembly over emergency powers.

Attorney General Todd Rokita petitioned the Indiana Supreme Court last month after a Marion County judge ruled against arguments from his office that he alone has the legal authority to represent the state in court and can decide whether the new law is allowed under the state constitution.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is asking the Indiana Supreme Court to step in after his previous attempts to bury the suit failed.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita's effort to prolong a court battle over an emergency powers law was prevented by a Marion County judge Tuesday.

John Whitaker sued the General Assembly over the law allowing legislators to call themselves into special session during a public emergency, arguing it violates the Indiana Constitution.

Legislators passed a law this year that allows them to call themselves into special session during a public emergency. Holcomb's lawsuit contends that power belongs, via the Indiana Constitution, solely to the governor.

Attorneys for Gov. Eric Holcomb and Attorney General Todd Rokita faced off in court Wednesday over an emergency powers lawsuit.