An outspoken voice on issues including economic development, education, consumer protection, health care and courts and criminal justice matters, Lanane has proven his ability to reach across party lines to get things done.

Appointed to the Senate in 1997, and elected to a full term in 1998, Lanane was elected to serve as the Assistant Democrat Leader by the Senate Democrat Caucus in 2008. In addition to leadership duties, he serves as ranking Democrat on the Senate's Elections Committee and the Joint Rules Committee. He is also a member of the Homeland Security, Transportation and Veterans Affairs; Judiciary; Public Policy; and Rules and Legislative Procedure standing committees as well as the Courts and Juvenile Justice; Probate Code and Trusts; and Transportation Subcommittees.

Lanane has also been appointed to serve on the Redistricting and Elections Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories.

In the Senate, Lanane was one of the primary authors of legislation creating the Indiana telemarketers 'no call list,' the 'truth in taxation' law which simplifies residents property tax bills, the Indiana Home Owner Protection Act which protects homeowners from deceptive and abusive practices known as predatory lending, and legislation authorizing Anderson's Hoosier Park Casino, creating thousands of new employment opportunities.

A practicing attorney, Lanane earned his undergraduate degree from Ball State University and his law degree from Indiana University. Lanane and his wife Cynthia have three children and live in Anderson.