IndianaSB 176Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)Senate

Shooting ranges.

Sponsored By: James Tomes (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Provides that the maintenance, repair, renovation, modernization, or expansion of buildings, structures, or facilities used in connection with a shooting range, including improvements to safety, security accessibility, or environmental controls, is a continuation of a permitted use and may not be treated by a local unit of government as: (1) an expansion of a nonconforming use; or (2) a basis to deny, delay, or condition approval of any permit that is otherwise required under applicable building codes or safety regulations. Provides that if an area is zoned for commercial use, a retail sporting goods store is a permitted use on each lot or parcel. Provides that if a property is zoned for commercial, industrial, or agricultural use, an indoor shooting range is permitted on any lot or parcel if certain conditions are satisfied.

corrections and criminal lawthe houselocal government

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Easier improvement permits for shooting ranges

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana local governments must treat shooting-range repairs, renovations, upgrades, and facility expansions as continued permitted use. They cannot label this work an expansion of a nonconforming use to deny, delay, or add permit conditions. They must use the same objective standards and procedures applied to similar commercial, industrial, or agricultural properties. They cannot demand consent to annexation or a waiver of legal rights as a permit condition. Neutral building, fire, and safety codes remain enforceable, but cannot be adopted or applied to hinder or close a range.

Broader zoning access for sporting goods stores

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana sporting goods stores are permitted on commercially zoned lots without discretionary zoning approval. Historic areas and districts, flood plains, and qualifying commercial areas zoned for mixed-use housing are excluded. The mixed-use definition requires housing above ground-floor business space, with business uses occupying less than half the total floor space. Local governments may require written assurance of water and sewer service and an application fee; the law sets no fee amount. Permit applications filed before July 1, 2026, remain under the prior process.

More indoor range sites, with safety requirements

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana permits indoor shooting ranges in commercial, industrial, and agricultural zones without discretionary zoning approval. Walls, ceilings, floors, and backstops must contain all projectiles, and ranges must make reasonable efforts to limit noise affecting neighbors. Indoor ranges must also have ventilation and sound controls; state and federal firearm-safety, environmental, and workplace-health laws still apply. Historic areas and districts, flood plains, and commercial areas zoned for mixed-use housing are generally excluded. An exception covers ranges lawfully established and operating before July 1, 2026, on land zoned commercial by that date. Those ranges can seek indoor development after June 30, 2026, within their July 1, 2026, boundaries. Local governments may require written assurance of water and sewer service and an application fee, with no amount set. Permit applications filed before July 1, 2026, remain under the prior process.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • James Tomes

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Aaron Freeman

    Republican • Senate

  • Ben Smaltz

    Republican • House

  • Blake Doriot

    Republican • Senate

  • Eric Koch

    Republican • Senate

  • Gary Byrne

    Republican • Senate

  • James Buck

    Republican • Senate

  • Jim Lucas

    Republican • House

  • Jim Pressel

    Republican • House

  • Liz Brown

    Republican • Senate

  • Matt Commons

    Republican • House

  • Michael Crider

    Republican • Senate

  • Michael Young

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Bohacek

    Republican • Senate

  • Randy Maxwell

    Republican • Senate

  • Tyler Johnson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 212 • No: 64

House vote • 2/27/2026

Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House

Yes: 67 • No: 25

Senate vote • 2/27/2026

Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate

Yes: 42 • No: 8

House vote • 2/16/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 65 • No: 25

Senate vote • 1/26/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 38 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    3/5/2026Senate
  2. Public Law 117

    3/5/2026Senate
  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    2/27/2026Senate
  4. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    2/27/2026Senate
  5. Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 403: yeas 67, nays 25

    2/27/2026House
  6. Signed by the Speaker

    2/27/2026House
  7. Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 309: yeas 42, nays 8

    2/27/2026Senate
  8. CCR # 1 filed in the House

    2/26/2026House
  9. CCR # 1 filed in the Senate

    2/26/2026Senate
  10. Senator Freeman added as coauthor

    2/26/2026Senate
  11. Senator Doriot removed as conferee

    2/25/2026Senate
  12. Senator Taylor G removed as conferee

    2/25/2026Senate
  13. Senator Koch added as coauthor

    2/25/2026Senate
  14. Senator Doriot added as conferee

    2/25/2026Senate
  15. Senator Garten added as conferee

    2/25/2026Senate
  16. Representative Commons added as conferee

    2/24/2026House
  17. Representative Commons removed as advisor

    2/24/2026House
  18. Representative Johnson B removed as conferee

    2/24/2026House
  19. Senate advisors appointed: Pol, Buck

    2/19/2026Senate
  20. Senate conferees appointed: Tomes, Taylor G

    2/19/2026Senate
  21. House advisors appointed: Commons, Lucas, Smith V

    2/18/2026House
  22. House conferees appointed: Smaltz, Johnson B

    2/18/2026House
  23. Senate dissented from House amendments

    2/17/2026Senate
  24. Concurrence withdrawn

    2/17/2026Senate
  25. Motion to concur filed

    2/17/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled Senate Bill (S)

  • Introduced Senate Bill (S)

  • Senate Bill (H)

  • Senate Bill (S)

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