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Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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HB1352 • 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.

Taxes
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Representative Chris May
Last action
2026-01-08
Official status
Introduced House Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Indiana County Fire Protection Act

This act requires counties in Indiana to form boards for fire and emergency services, develop plans, and create districts by January 1, 2028, to provide fire protection.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires each county (except those with consolidated cities or entirely within a fire district) to establish a board for fire and emergency services.
  • The board must make a plan for providing fire and emergency services in the county.
  • On January 1, 2028, the board must create a service district to provide fire protection to unincorporated areas of townships that offer fire protection.
  • Townships cannot charge property taxes for fire services after December 31, 2027.
  • A fire protection district covering all unincorporated parts of a county can have a nine-member board.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Counties in Indiana
  • Townships within those counties
  • Residents and property owners in the affected areas

Terms To Know

consolidated city
A type of city that combines with a county government to form one administrative unit.
fire protection district
An area where a special board is set up to provide fire services and emergency response.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if a county fails to establish the required board or plan.
  • It's unclear how existing fire protection districts will be affected by this new legislation.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-08 House

    Authored by Representative May

  2. 2026-01-08 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety

Official Summary Text

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

Current Bill Text

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

County fire protection.

Requires each county, excluding a county containing a consolidated city or a county that is entirely within a fire protection district, to establish a county fire and emergency service board (board). Requires the board to develop a county fire and emergency service plan (county plan). Requires the board, on January 1, 2028, to establish a county fire and emergency service district (district) to provide fire protection to: (1) the unincorporated territory of each township located in the county in which the township provides fire protection; and (2) any other territory within the county that is transferred to the district in accordance with the county plan. Provides that a township, excluding a township in a county containing a consolidated city, may not impose a property tax levy for fire services for property taxes first due and payable after December 31, 2027. Provides that a fire protection district that includes all of the unincorporated area of the county may establish a nine member governing board.