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HB1315 • 2026
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.
Technology
Passed Legislature
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
- Sponsor
- Representative Alaina Shonkwiler
- Last action
- 2026-02-05
- Official status
- Engrossed House Bill (S)
- Effective date
- Not listed
Plain English Breakdown
The official source does not specify the exact requirements and processes after January 1, 2028, for reorganized units.
Indiana Township Reorganization Act
This act requires certain townships to dissolve and transfer their duties, offices, and property to a municipality or county by January 1, 2028.
What This Bill Does
- Requires townships to adopt a resolution designating a city or county (designated unit) for reorganization before June 1, 2026.
- Establishes a joint board consisting of township and designated unit representatives to plan the reorganization.
- Specifies that if a township does not designate a unit by June 1, 2026, it must join the county instead.
- Requires municipalities or counties to respond to resolutions naming them as participants in proposed reorganizations.
- Exempts townships operating fire departments from dissolution.
Who It Names or Affects
- Township governments in Indiana
- Municipalities and counties that may merge with townships
Terms To Know
- Joint board
- A group of people from the township and chosen unit who plan how to reorganize.
- Designated unit
- The city or county that a township decides to merge with.
Limits and Unknowns
- Does not specify what happens if a township does not have enough time to choose a designated unit.
- Does not explain how the transition will affect local services and residents.
- Does not provide details on financial support for townships during reorganization.
Amendments
These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.
Plain English: This amendment changes how fire protection territories can be created in Indiana.
- It allows a county legislative body to create or expand fire protection territories without needing approval from the local governing body if certain conditions are met.
- The specific conditions under which a county legislative body can act without local governing body approval are not detailed in this amendment text, making it unclear exactly when this provision would apply.
Plain English: This amendment proposes changes to the Indiana Code regarding township reorganization.
- The amendment would modify the rules for how townships can be combined or reorganized in Indiana.
- The specific details of how townships will be affected by this change are not provided, making it hard to explain further concrete impacts.
Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to allow townships to use certain funds for technology upgrades.
- Allows townships to spend money from their general fund on technology improvements.
- The exact types of technology improvements that are allowed are not specified in the provided text.
Plain English: This amendment would change how local governments in Indiana can manage certain aspects of their operations.
- The amendment modifies the Indiana Code to allow local governments more flexibility in managing specific areas under their jurisdiction.
- The exact details and implications of this amendment are not fully explained, making it hard to understand all the changes it would bring.
- Since the amendment failed, it did not become part of the bill and has no current legal effect.
Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to allow local governments more flexibility in managing public parks and recreational areas.
- Allows local governments to make rules about how public parks and recreational areas are used and maintained.
- Gives local governments the power to enter into agreements with other entities for the management of these areas.
- The amendment does not specify what types of agreements can be made or how they will be regulated.
Bill History
-
2026-02-05
Senate
First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government
-
2026-02-03
House
Referred to the Senate
-
2026-02-02
House
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 194: yeas 55, nays 44
-
2026-02-02
House
Senate sponsors: Senators Garten, Johnson T
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2026-01-29
House
Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed
-
2026-01-29
House
Amendment #2 (Shonkwiler) prevailed; voice vote
-
2026-01-27
House
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
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2026-01-13
House
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
-
2026-01-13
House
Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3
-
2026-01-12
House
Representative Miller D added as coauthor
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2026-01-06
House
Authored by Representative Shonkwiler
-
2026-01-06
House
Coauthored by Representatives May, Lauer
-
2026-01-06
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.
Township reorganization.
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.
Township reorganization.
Provides that on January 1, 2028, certain townships are dissolved and their powers, duties, offices, and property are transferred to a municipality or county. Requires a township to adopt a resolution not later than June 1, 2026, that designates the municipality or county (designated unit) that will reorganize with the township. Requires the appointment of a joint board consisting of representatives of the township and the designated unit to prepare a plan of reorganization. Provides that a township must reorganize with the county if: (1) the township does not adopt a resolution by June 1, 2026; or (2) the municipality that the township designated in its resolution does not adopt a reorganization plan by December 31, 2026. Provides that if: (1) the designated unit is a municipality; and (2) part of a township is located outside the municipality; the municipality must establish an urban township services district and a rural township services district. Requires the county fiscal body to approve the budget, tax rate, and tax levy imposed by the municipality within the boundaries of the rural township services district. Provides that a designated unit has all of the powers of the government modernization act in reorganizing the township. Amends the government modernization act to require a political subdivision to respond to a resolution that names the political subdivision as a participant in a proposed reorganization. Provides that a township that operates a fire department is not subject to dissolution. Provides that a township does not operate a fire department if the township is a participating unit (not a provider unit) in a fire protection territory (territory) or is within a fire protection district (district). Provides that after a reorganization: (1) the area within the boundaries of the dissolved township remains in the territory or district; and (2) the designated unit succeeds the dissolved township in its role in the territory or district.