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HB1327 • 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.

Housing
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Representative David Abbott
Last action
2026-01-06
Official status
Introduced House Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Indiana Annexation Law

This bill allows towns in Indiana to annex noncontiguous residential developments and their connecting public highway right-of-way under certain conditions.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows a town to add a new area that is not next to the existing town if it's a housing development.
  • Includes adding the road space (right-of-way) of any public highway that connects this new housing area to the town.
  • Requires the owner of the housing development to start the process by filing a petition asking for annexation.
  • Needs the town’s leaders to agree and pass a resolution before moving forward with the annexation process.
  • Requiring towns to follow rules, like making a plan about money and passing an ordinance (law) about annexation.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Owners of noncontiguous residential developments
  • Towns in Indiana that want to expand their boundaries

Terms To Know

Annexation
The process by which a town or city adds new land, including housing areas and roads, to its official territory.
Right-of-way
The area of road that is used for driving and walking, owned by the government but open to public use.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens if the town does not follow all the rules.
  • It's unclear how this will affect existing laws about annexation in Indiana.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-06 House

    Authored by Representative Abbott

  2. 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.
Annexation.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.

Annexation.

Allows a town to annex: (1) a noncontiguous residential development; and (2) the right-of-way of a public highway connecting the development to the city. Provides that annexation is initiated by: (1) the filing of a petition requesting annexation by the owner of the residential development; and (2) the town legislative body adopting a resolution approving initiation of the annexation process. Requires the town to satisfy statutory requirements for annexation, including adopting a written fiscal plan and annexation ordinance.