HB1205 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.

Land Taxes

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Representative Dave Hall
Last action: 2026-01-05
Official status: Introduced House Bill (H)
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide detailed information about the bill's effective date, which could affect its implementation timeline.

Indiana Annexation Law Changes

This bill changes the requirements for cities to add new areas to their boundaries in Indiana.

What This Bill Does

Requires a city to get signatures from at least 51% of landowners or owners with 75% assessed valuation of non-tax exempt land before it can annex an area.
Eliminates the need for remonstrances and waivers, and stops reimbursing people who oppose annexation.
Reduces the number of outreach meetings from six to three.
Allows cities to annex noncontiguous areas if they agree on utilities with landowners and get county approval.
Permits gathering signatures by mail after December 31, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

Cities in Indiana that want to expand their boundaries.
Landowners whose property may be annexed.
County executives who approve annexation petitions.

Terms To Know

annexation: The process of adding new land or territory to an existing city or town.
remonstrance: A formal objection made by someone against a proposed annexation.

Limits and Unknowns

It does not specify what happens if the bill is signed into law after March 30, 2026.
The exact impact on current and future annexations is unclear without further details.

Bill History

2026-01-05 House
Authored by Representative Hall
2026-01-05 House
Coauthored by Representative Meltzer
2026-01-05 House
First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.
Annexation.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.

Annexation.

Requires a municipality that initiates an annexation to file an annexation petition (petition) with a court signed by: (1) at least 51% of the owners of non-tax exempt land in the annexation territory; or (2) the owners of at least 75% in assessed valuation of non-tax exempt land in the annexation territory. Eliminates: (1) remonstrances and waivers; (2) reimbursement of remonstrator's attorney's fees and costs; (3) settlement agreements in lieu of annexation; (4) contiguity of a public highway provisions; and (5) a required fiscal plan for certain super voluntary annexations. Reduces the number of outreach meetings from six to three. For super voluntary annexations, requires a municipality to: (1) hold a hearing on the petition within 90 (instead of 30) days; (2) adopt an annexation ordinance within 120 (instead of 60) days. Allows a super voluntary annexation of noncontiguous land for business, industrial, or residential development, if: (1) the landowner and municipal utility agree on the provision of gas, electric, water, or sewer service to the property; and (2) the county executive timely approves the petition. Allows noncontiguous land annexed in a super voluntary annexation to be used for additional voluntary or super voluntary annexations of contiguous land. After December 31, 2026, allows signatures on petitions to be gathered by mail. Provides that annexation territory that is divided by railroad tracks satisfies contiguity requirements, if the territory on at least one side of the railroad tracks is contiguous to the municipality. Grandfathers in annexations that adopt: (1) a fiscal plan before March 30, 2026; or (2) an annexation ordinance before March 30, 2026 (if a fiscal plan is not required by current law). Removes obsolete provisions.