The Indiana House will once again invite clergy members and other guests to give opening prayers before legislative work begins.

A U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled last year that taxpayers who sued over the prayers did not have the legal standing. So as lawmakers gathered for an organization day at the Statehouse Tuesday, the House started its business with a prayer.

One new rule, though, puts the prayer before the period when Representatives register their presence.

House speaker Patrick Bauer says that makes the prayer optional and voluntary.

The ACLU of Indiana represented the taxpayers in the previous lawsuit and says it could bring another lawsuit if sectarian prayers continue.