All Roll Calls
Yes: 252 • No: 33
IndianaSB 179Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)SenateWALLET
Indiana department of transportation.
Sponsored By: Michael Crider (Republican)
Signed by Governor
homeland security and transportationappropriationsthe houseroads and transportation
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Marion County gets $50M yearly for roads
Beginning June 30, 2027, the state sends $50 million each year to the consolidated city in Marion County for city streets. The city must match the transfer: $50M in 2027 (all new), $70M in 2028 (at least $20M new), $80M in 2029 (at least $10M new), $90M in 2030 (at least $10M new), and $100M in 2031 and later (at least $10M new). The city must notify the comptroller by December 31 of the prior year that it can provide the match; transfers stop if it cannot. Money can only fund construction, reconstruction, and preservation of local streets, not lane reductions, greenways, bike lanes or trails, or sidewalks.
Local road grants: more money, new rules
The state sets aside major money for local road and bridge grants: $100 million (plus carryover) for the year starting July 1, 2025, with a $175 million cap and one award per local unit that year; and at least $100 million each year after. Eligible projects include work in a local asset plan and fixes that lower risk at low water crossings. Local matches are 50% for counties with 55,000+ people and for cities/towns with 12,500+ people, and 20% for smaller places. The department prefers projects with the biggest regional economic impact and may favor applicants with an enhanced, data‑driven asset plan posted online; it also shares information on federal and private funding for low water crossings. If a local unit gets a distribution under section 2(k) that year, its maximum grant is cut by that amount, and the law standardizes the term “transportation asset management plan” across statutes.
INDOT takes on some federal reviews
Starting July 1, 2026, INDOT may take over some federal environmental review duties under NEPA through agreements with USDOT. For those actions, INDOT accepts limited federal court liability tied to that role and can use federal program delivery tools. The department may adopt rules to carry this out.
Where county vehicle tax money goes
Counties must keep surtax and wheel tax money in two county funds. By the 20th each month the auditor allocates shares to the county and to cities and towns that did not adopt their own taxes; by the 25th the treasurer pays them. Cities or towns that adopt their own vehicle or wheel tax after December 31, 2026 get no county allocation. Money can only fund road and bridge construction, reconstruction, repair, or maintenance, certain authority contributions, or matching for state local road and bridge grants.
County vehicle fees: higher caps, new rules
The law lets counties charge extra vehicle registration taxes, but they must adopt the surtax and the wheel tax at the same time. The base surtax is 2%–10% or $7.50–$25; with an INDOT‑approved asset plan it can be up to 20% or $50, and in a county with a consolidated city starting July 1, 2025 it can be up to $150. The wheel tax is $5–$40, or $5–$80 with an approved plan; in a consolidated‑city county after July 1, 2025 it can be up to $240. If your city or town adopts its own vehicle or wheel tax after December 31, 2026, the county taxes do not apply to vehicles registered there. Counties must send ordinances to the BMV by September 1 for a January 1 start, and may repeal after January 1 and before September 1 if no listed loans or bonds are outstanding.
Rail crossing upgrades get set-asides
On June 30, 2026 the comptroller sends to the state general fund the amount of 2025 tax credits the revenue department certified, and sends to INDOT $20 million minus that certified amount. On June 30, 2029 and June 30, 2030 the comptroller sends $20 million to INDOT. These transfers support a railroad crossing upgrade project.
New rules for map coordinates in deeds
Starting July 1, 2026, Indiana adopts the Indiana Plane Coordinate System for recorded coordinates. Any recorded document using those coordinates must list the method that ties them to the national reference, the system name and zone, the units (feet or meters), and metadata like datum, realization, and epoch. If a tract crosses zones, points must use the zone named in the description.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Michael Crider
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Blake Doriot
Republican • Senate
Jim Pressel
Republican • House
Lonnie Randolph
Democratic • Senate
Travis Holdman
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Roll Call 321 on SB0179.07.ENGH.CCS001
Yes: 45 • No: 5
House vote • 2/27/2026
Roll Call 428 on SB0179.07.ENGH.CCH001
Yes: 94 • No: 0 • Other: 1
House vote • 2/24/2026
Roll Call 345 on SB0179.06.COMH
Yes: 72 • No: 23 • Other: 3
Senate vote • 1/27/2026
Roll Call 99 on SB0179.04.ENGS
Yes: 41 • No: 5
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
3/12/2026SenatePublic Law 147
3/12/2026SenateSigned by the President Pro Tempore
3/5/2026SenateSigned by the Speaker
3/3/2026HouseSigned by the President of the Senate
3/2/2026SenateSenator Ford J.D. removed as conferee
2/27/2026SenateRules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 321: yeas 45, nays 5
2/27/2026SenateCCR # 1 filed in the Senate
2/27/2026SenateRules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 428: yeas 94, nays 0
2/27/2026HouseCCR # 1 filed in the House
2/27/2026HouseSenator Qaddoura added as conferee
2/27/2026SenateHouse advisors appointed: Lawson, Haggard, Patterson, Hamilton, Dant Chesser
2/26/2026HouseHouse conferees appointed: Pressel, Harris
2/26/2026HouseMotion to dissent filed
2/26/2026SenateSenate dissented from House amendments
2/26/2026SenateSenate advisors appointed: Doriot, Spencer, Holdman
2/26/2026SenateSenate conferees appointed: Crider, Ford J.D.
2/26/2026SenateReturned to the Senate with amendments
2/25/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 345: yeas 72, nays 23
2/24/2026HouseSecond reading: amended, ordered engrossed
2/23/2026HouseAmendment #1 (Pressel) prevailed; voice vote
2/23/2026HouseCommittee report: amend do pass, adopted
2/18/2026HouseCommittee report: amend do pass, adopted
2/16/2026HouseRecommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3
2/16/2026HouseFirst reading: referred to Committee on Roads and Transportation
1/29/2026House
Bill Text
Engrossed Senate Bill (H)
Engrossed Senate Bill (S)
Enrolled Senate Bill (S)
Introduced Senate Bill (S)
Senate Bill (H)
Senate Bill (S)