Four Indiana cities sued several video streaming service providers for failing to obtain franchises under the Video Service Franchises Act.  While the lawsuit was pending, the Indiana General Assembly amended the Act to exempt video streaming service providers from the Act’s franchise requirement.  Based on the amendment, the video streaming service providers filed a motion to dismiss the cities’ complaint, which the trial court granted.  The cities now appeal, arguing the amendment to the Act is unconstitutional because (1) it had no connection to the other provisions of H.E.A. 1454 in which it was passed, which violates Article 4, Section 19 of the Indiana Constitution; (2) it is a special law regarding fees, which violates Article 4, Section 22 of the Indiana Constitution; and (3) it is a special law where a general law can be made applicable, which violates Article 4, Section 23 of the Indiana Constitution.

The scheduled panelists are Judge May, Judge Tavitas, and Judge Felix.