All Roll Calls
Yes: 228 • No: 1
IndianaHB 1161Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)HouseWALLET
Local government matters.
Sponsored By: Ethan Lawson (Republican)
Became Law
local governmentthe senate
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Park taxes capped; big projects reviewed
Beginning July 1, 2026, the area park district tax rate may not exceed $0.0167 per $100 of assessed value. For example, $200,000 assessed is $33.40 a year. Before a parks board uses eminent domain, or signs a contract, purchase, or capital project over the lesser of $500,000 or 10% of its annual budget, it must get executive approval. The board must provide the project description, total cost, and how it will be paid. Executives appoint park commissioners by February 1 for four‑year terms starting January 1. Recreation boards, if created, have five resident freeholders, including one school board member, with four‑year staggered terms. Area park district boards must appoint county‑resident members within 30 days of formation; terms are four years.
Counties need board to get aid
Beginning July 1, 2026, a county must create a community corrections advisory board to qualify for state financial aid under IC 11‑12‑2. The county executive adopts it by resolution, or the city‑county council does so in a consolidated city county. The board must include the sheriff or a designee and the prosecuting attorney or a designee.
Planning and zoning terms standardized
Beginning July 1, 2026, citizen members on municipal, county, and area plan commissions get four‑year terms. Metropolitan plan commission citizen terms are three years. Metropolitan development commission citizen terms are one to three years as set by the appointing authority. For removals, the appointing authority must mail written reasons, and a removed member may appeal in county court within 30 days. Boards of zoning appeals use four‑year terms for area divisions and one‑year terms for metropolitan divisions, with similar removal notice and appeal rules.
Tourism boards add industry voices
Beginning July 1, 2026, counties that levy the IC 6-9-18-3 tax must create a tourism commission. Neighboring counties may form one joint commission. Commissions must have an odd number of members, with a majority from tourism businesses. If people are willing, at least two members must be from lodging or short‑term rental businesses. No more than one member may be from the same business. Owners or executive‑level employees of county‑based tourism firms may serve even if they live in another Indiana county. The largest city or town gets seats based on its share of county population, rounded. Hospitality and visitor boards have seven members, no more than four from one party, and two‑year staggered terms.
New rules on removing appointees
Beginning July 1, 2026, in counties without a consolidated city, appointed local board members serve at the appointing official’s pleasure while that official stays in office. After that, they may be removed only for good cause. In counties with a consolidated city, appointed members may be removed only for good cause. For removals for cause, the board must give written charges and set a hearing at least five days later. Economic development commissioners may be removed for neglect, incompetence, inability, or other good cause, and may seek court review. In certain municipalities (over 25,000 people in a county of 300,000–350,000), a four‑member municipal board is appointed and members serve at the executive’s pleasure while that executive remains.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ethan Lawson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Alex Zimmerman
Republican • House
Brett Clark
Republican • Senate
Jennifer Meltzer
Republican • House
Justin Moed
Democratic • House
Mike Bohacek
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/19/2026
Roll Call 297 on HB1161.03.COMS.CON01
Yes: 93 • No: 1 • Other: 1
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Roll Call 180 on HB1161.03.COMS
Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 4
House vote • 1/20/2026
Roll Call 58 on HB1161.02.COMH
Yes: 90 • No: 0 • Other: 1
Actions Timeline
Public Law 40
2/26/2026HouseSigned by the Governor
2/26/2026HouseSigned by the President of the Senate
2/25/2026SenateSigned by the President Pro Tempore
2/24/2026SenateSigned by the Speaker
2/23/2026HouseHouse concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 297: yeas 93, nays 1
2/19/2026HouseReturned to the House with amendments
2/18/2026SenateMotion to concur filed
2/18/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 180: yeas 45, nays 0
2/17/2026SenateSecond reading: ordered engrossed
2/16/2026SenateCommittee report: amend do pass, adopted
2/12/2026SenateSenator Bohacek added as second sponsor
2/5/2026SenateFirst reading: referred to Committee on Local Government
1/26/2026SenateReferred to the Senate
1/21/2026HouseSenate sponsor: Senator Clark
1/20/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 58: yeas 90, nays 0
1/20/2026HouseSecond reading: ordered engrossed
1/15/2026HouseCommittee report: amend do pass, adopted
1/13/2026HouseRepresentative Moed added as coauthor
1/13/2026HouseAuthored by Representative Lawson
1/5/2026HouseRepresentative Meltzer added as coauthor
1/5/2026HouseCoauthored by Representative Zimmerman
1/5/2026HouseFirst reading: referred to Committee on Local Government
1/5/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled House Bill (H)
House Bill (H)
House Bill (S)
Introduced House Bill (H)