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
Summary
Allows the Indiana department of transportation (department) to assume the responsibilities and duties of the United States Department of Transportation with respect to certain federal environmental laws. Provides that the department waives its civil immunity and consents to the jurisdiction of the federal courts for responsibilities and duties assumed under certain federal environmental laws. Amends language regarding a local unit's eligibility for: (1) a grant from the local road and bridge matching grant fund (fund); and (2) a distribution from the fund based on the local unit's share of total lane mileage. Provides limitations for an overweight truck permit that is issued for a single trip. Provides for the use of the Indiana Plane Coordinate System as a means to describe real property. Provides that the department may give preference in awarding grants from the fund to local units that have adopted an enhanced asset management plan. Provides that a county may impose a vehicle excise tax or wheel tax on a vehicle that is registered in the county and not registered in a municipality in the county where a vehicle excise tax or wheel tax went into effect after December 31, 2026. Amends certain requirements for township capital improvement plans.
homeland security and transportationappropriationsthe houseroads and transportation
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
12 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 3 costs, 4 mixed.
Some drivers avoid overlapping county taxes
Vehicles registered in a city or town are exempt from county vehicle excise tax when its municipal excise tax starts after December 31, 2026. The same exemption applies to county wheel tax when the municipal wheel tax starts after that date. Each exemption applies to the matching type of tax; it does not remove the municipal tax.
Local road grants get money and limits
Indiana's transportation department runs a matching grant fund for eligible local road and bridge projects. By June 30, 2025, it must allocate unpaid prior commitments plus $100 million for July 2025 through June 2026. During that fiscal year, awards cannot exceed $175 million, and each local government can receive only one grant. Beginning June 30, 2026, the first $100 million is allocated each year for the next fiscal year's grants. The department must favor projects with the greatest regional economic importance and may favor enhanced road plans submitted to it and Purdue's local technical assistance program.
Marion street money requires growing matches
Beginning June 30, 2027, Marion County's consolidated city receives $50 million annually for local street construction, rebuilding, and preservation. Required city matches are $50 million in 2027, $70 million in 2028, $80 million in 2029, $90 million in 2030, and $100 million each year from 2031. New revenue must supply $50 million in 2027, $20 million in 2028, and $10 million each year thereafter. Matching money cannot come from public safety allocations; the 2027 match also cannot include other distributions under the transportation title. The city must confirm its match by December 31 before each transfer, and transfers stop without the match; neither state nor matching money can reduce road capacity or fund greenways, bike lanes, bike trails, or sidewalks.
State road reviews allow federal lawsuits
Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana's transportation department can take on specified federal environmental review duties for transportation projects. It can sign federal agreements covering categorical exclusions and surface transportation project delivery. For covered actions, the department gives up immunity from civil lawsuits, including in federal court. Its liability cannot exceed what federal law allows under these programs.
Railroad crossing upgrades get scheduled funding
The law schedules road and bridge grant fund transfers for a railroad crossing upgrade project after required allocations. On June 30 of 2026, 2027, and 2028, the general fund receives certified state tax-credit amounts for 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively. On each date, the transportation department receives $20 million minus that certified amount for the project. On June 30, 2029, and June 30, 2030, the department receives $20 million for the project each time.
Smaller towns pay lower road matches
Cities and towns with fewer than 12,500 people pay 20% of an eligible road or bridge project's total cost. Those with at least 12,500 people pay 50%. Raising the cutoff from 10,000 lowers the required share for communities with 10,000 through 12,499 people. County matching rates stay unchanged.
Truck operators gain weight and permit flexibility
Vehicles using natural gas or mainly powered by batteries get an extra 2,000 pounds under applicable weight limits. Single-trip oversize or overweight permits last five days from issuance. They last ten days when the tractor-semitrailer and load require a law enforcement escort. Construction vehicles with towbar connections are exempt from the general 60-foot combination limit when towing trailers carrying heavy equipment or construction materials.
Recorded land maps need coordinate details
Beginning July 1, 2026, recorded land-boundary documents using coordinates must explain their link to the National Spatial Reference System. They must list the coordinate system, zone, reference frame or datum, datum realization, epoch, and units. Multizone land descriptions must use the official zone name. A single tract crossing adjacent zones must reference all boundary points to the named zone. When the same document also uses an original survey, public land survey, or subdivision description, that description controls any conflict.
Local road funding requires timely taxes
Counties qualify for the road fund's remaining-balance distributions only after adopting both county vehicle excise and wheel taxes. Both taxes must be adopted by May 1, 2026, for the 2026 distribution. For later distributions, the deadline is September 1 of the prior year. Local entities must also send the Bureau of Motor Vehicles their approved transportation asset management plan by those deadlines.
New municipal taxes end county shares
Cities and towns receive $0 from county vehicle excise tax distributions when their municipal excise tax starts after December 31, 2026. The same rule applies to county wheel tax distributions when their municipal wheel tax starts after that date. For each affected distribution, the formula counts the municipality's population and street mileage as zero.
Indiana mapping gets shared coordinate standards
Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana establishes the Indiana Plane Coordinate System, with statewide and multizone layers. The statewide layer serves mapping and emergency planning, not original land retracement or major facility design; multizone layers serve surveying, land descriptions, and design. Users must follow zone alignment and reference-point rules, use international feet or meters, and reference official National Spatial Reference System datums. Documents can use the system's name only for coordinates based on its standards. The law also permits the latest or earlier State Plane Coordinate System versions and Indiana's 1983 coordinate system.
Local road payouts reduce grant ceilings
Beginning June 30, 2026, eligible local governments share the road fund's remaining balance after required transfers, based on lane mileage. They must adopt both vehicle excise and wheel taxes and submit an updated road asset plan to Purdue's local technical assistance program within the prior 12 months. The money can pay only for eligible projects. For state fiscal years starting after June 30, 2026, recipients can also qualify for matching grants. Their grant ceiling is reduced by the distribution received, but only for that calendar year; other grant limits still apply.
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
House vote • 2/27/2026
Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House
Yes: 94 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate
Yes: 45 • No: 5
House vote • 2/24/2026
Third reading: passed
Yes: 72 • No: 23
Senate vote • 1/27/2026
Third reading: passed
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 House; Roll Call 428: yeas 94, nays 0
2/27/2026HouseRules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 321: yeas 45, nays 5
2/27/2026SenateCCR # 1 filed in the House
2/27/2026HouseCCR # 1 filed in the Senate
2/27/2026SenateSenator Qaddoura added as conferee
2/27/2026SenateSenate conferees appointed: Crider, Ford J.D.
2/26/2026SenateSenate advisors appointed: Doriot, Spencer, Holdman
2/26/2026SenateHouse conferees appointed: Pressel, Harris
2/26/2026HouseMotion to dissent filed
2/26/2026SenateSenate dissented from House amendments
2/26/2026SenateHouse advisors appointed: Lawson, Haggard, Patterson, Hamilton, Dant Chesser
2/26/2026HouseReturned to the Senate with amendments
2/25/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 345: yeas 72, nays 23
2/24/2026HouseAmendment #1 (Pressel) prevailed; voice vote
2/23/2026HouseSecond reading: amended, ordered engrossed
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)
Related Bills
SB 239, Various education matters.
Requires the department of education (department) to: (1) compile a list of business and industry partners that provide guaranteed incentives to high school students who earn the honors employment plus seal; and (2) publish the list on the department's website. Provides that, in addition to conditions established in current law to convert an existing public elementary or secondary school, an existing public elementary or secondary school may be converted into a charter school if certain other conditions apply. Allows, if the conditions are met, the governing body of a school corporation to: (1) convert more than one existing public elementary or secondary school within the school corporation; and (2) operate two or more conversion charter schools under a single charter. Allows participating innovation network charter schools to enter into an agreement with more than one school corporation. Establishes the following for or with regard to participating innovation network charter schools that entered into an agreement with more than one school corporation: (1) Requirements regarding the location of a participating innovation network charter school. (2) Terms of a participating innovation network charter school agreement. (3) Duties of the department. Amends certain requirements and procedures that apply to the closure and transfer of covered school buildings. Provides that a lease or sale of a covered school building to a charter school or state educational institution includes certain assets. Requires parental notification if a school determines a student is at risk of not achieving grade level proficiency in mathematics.
SB 204, Various education matters.
Provides that an individual who has obtained a license to teach in a charter school may be eligible to obtain an initial practitioner professional educator license under certain conditions. Removes a requirement that an individual must hold a bachelor's degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics as a component of certain pathways to receive an initial practitioner license. Provides that academic needs based salary increases may not: (1) apply to all eligible teachers in a bargaining unit uniformly; or (2) be based on certain other factors. Repeals the: (1) state educational institution (institution) annual report to the legislative council (council) and commission for higher education (commission) concerning financial aid; (2) commission report to the general assembly concerning certain institution information; (3) student athlete cardiac arrest provisions; and (4) Ivy Tech Community College report to the budget committee concerning campus information. Expires certain physical facilities reporting requirements on June 30, 2029. Provides that a state educational institution that has been denied approval to continue a degree program may: (1) permit students to enroll in the degree program until June 1 of the year following the denial; and (2) provide students enrolled in the degree program with the opportunity to finish their degree prior to the degree program's closure. Requires the commission to submit an annual report concerning degree program closures to the general assembly. Changes the reporting of disclosable gifts to January 31 and July 31 of a given year (current law requires disclosure on January 1 and July 1 of a given year). Changes certain amounts concerning construction, land purchases, and repair and rehabilitation by an institution to $3,000,000. Voids a provision in the Indiana Administrative Code. Requires each institution to submit a report annually to the budget committee and the commission for higher education listing certain capital projects for the immediately preceding full calendar year that did not receive review by the commission. Specifies the contents of the report. Provides that a student enrolled in a health profession education program may not be required to receive an immunization as a condition of: (1) participating in; or (2) obtaining; clinical training or clinical experience required by the program if a parent of the student or student objects on religious grounds. Adds requirements regarding the principles of the core transfer library.
SB 185, Alcohol and tobacco matters.
Specifies, with respect to a tobacco sales certificate (certificate), that a permitted premises may not include sleeping or living quarters. Provides that a person may not sell a tobacco product or electronic cigarette at wholesale without a certificate. Adds additional information an applicant must provide to the alcohol and tobacco commission (commission) when applying for a certificate. Provides, with one exception, that the commission shall not issue a certificate to a retail location where a certificate was revoked within one year prior to the application. Specifies the circumstances under which the commission must either suspend or revoke a certificate if the certificate holder's employees violate employee identification requirements three or more times in one year. Makes it a Class C infraction for a certificate holder or employee to violate particular identification requirements. Modifies the application of certain statutes concerning vapor pens and e-liquid. Establishes various requirements and penalties applicable to e-liquid, e-liquid products, and vapor devices, including restrictions on the manufacture, sourcing, possession, sale, and distribution of foreign adversary products. Specifies that certain provisions concerning vapor pens and e-liquid do not authorize the manufacturing, sale, possession, or use of a controlled substance or any product containing a controlled substance. Amends the requirements for an initial and renewal application to manufacture e-liquids or e-liquid products. Requires, in a provision concerning the sale of cigarettes, that a buydown be considered in determining the cost to the retailer or cost to the distributor. Specifies an exception. Adds the sale of alcohol without a permit to the violations which may constitute racketeering activity. Changes the infraction of the habitual illegal sale of tobacco products from six violations in a year to three violations in a year. Changes the infraction of the habitual illegal entrance by a minor from six violations to three violations in a year. Specifies that a prohibition on the sale, use, or distribution of flavored nitrous oxide does not apply to a law enforcement agency disposing of flavored nitrous oxide by donation to a nonprofit organization.
SB 200, Public school matters.
Provides that certain: (1) indemnity; (2) choice of law; and (3) automatic renewal; provisions contained in contracts entered into, amended, or renewed after June 30, 2026, between the governing body of a school corporation or the equivalent authority for a charter school and a vendor are against public policy and are void and unenforceable. Provides that certain youth organizations may submit a grievance to the department of education if a public school refuses to allow the organization to provide information to students under certain conditions. Provides that, if a public school allows a postsecondary educational institution to provide certain information to students, the public school shall allow military personnel to provide certain information to students.
SB 80, Code publication.
Addresses unresolved amend-repeal conflicts created during the 2025 legislative session. Repeals and relocates the specific definitions chapters for organization of defined terms by alphabetical order and to provide for future expansion of those chapters. Makes conforming cross-reference updates. Resolves technical conflicts between SB 80-2025 and HB 1088-2025 (the annual Technical Corrections bill) and technical conflicts between various enrolled acts passed during the 2026 legislative session. Makes no substantive change to law.
HB 1424, Farm and homestead food sales.
Allows the executive board of the Indiana department of health to adopt rules concerning time temperature control for food safety, but provides that the rules may not be applied to a homestead vendor or small farm vendor. Provides that homestead vendors and small farm vendors are exempt from specified health regulations applicable to food establishments. Provides that the Indiana department of health, a local unit of government, the health and hospital corporation of Marion County, or a local health department may not impose any rules, regulations, certifications, or licensing requirements on a homestead vendor or small farm vendor that are not required under federal law, but may investigate complaints against a homestead vendor or small farm vendor regarding a foodborne illness derived from the homestead vendor's or small farm vendor's food products. Permits homestead vendors and small farm vendors to sell specified meat products and other foods from: (1) the property of the homestead vendor or small farm vendor; or (2) a farmers market. Requires a homestead vendor or small farm vendor to provide consumers with specified information regarding the homestead vendor's or small farm vendor's food products through signage or labeling. Provides for conditions under which a homestead vendor or small farm vendor may ship or deliver a food product directly to a consumer. Imposes handling, refrigeration, transportation, and storage requirements for homestead vendor and small farm vendor food products. Provides that public buildings used by homestead vendors and small farm vendors are exempt from certain public building and safety regulations. Provides that buildings, structures, or stands used for sale of homestead vendor or small farm vendor food products are subject to specified fire safety, building, and equipment laws.