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SB188 • 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.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Senator Mike Bohacek
Last action
2026-01-12
Official status
Introduced Senate Bill (S)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide specific details on the consequences for municipalities that fail to meet the requirements but still wish to charge parking fees.

Parking Fees at Lake Michigan Beaches

This bill stops cities from charging parking fees at beaches on Lake Michigan unless they have lifeguards and rescue equipment, with some exceptions for existing financial obligations.

What This Bill Does

  • Stops a city from collecting parking money at its beach lots on Lake Michigan if it does not have a lifeguard watching the water when people can swim.
  • Requires cities to put public rescue gear like life rings or ropes on piers and access points where people can enter the water.
  • Allows cities to charge for parking even without lifeguards if they need money from old loans, leases, or other debts that were made before July 1, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Cities and towns in Indiana with beaches on Lake Michigan
  • People who visit these beaches

Terms To Know

lifeguard
A person trained to watch over swimmers at a beach or pool to help keep them safe.
public rescue equipment
Items like life rings, ropes, and buoys that are placed in public places to help save someone who is drowning.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not say what happens if a city wants to charge parking fees but does not have the required lifeguards or rescue equipment.
  • It's unclear how this will affect cities that need money from old debts to pay for things like roads, schools, or other public services.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-12 Senate

    Withdrawn

  2. 2026-01-06 Senate

    Authored by Senator Bohacek

  3. 2026-01-06 Senate

    First reading: referred to Committee on Natural Resources

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.
Parking at Lake Michigan beaches.

Current Bill Text

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

Parking at Lake Michigan beaches.

Prohibits a municipality from charging parking fees at a municipally owned parking lot at a municipal park beach on Lake Michigan, unless the municipality has: (1) a lifeguard on duty at the beach during the hours that swimming is allowed; and (2) public rescue equipment installed on any pier or public access site of the municipality. Allows a municipality to charge parking fees without satisfying the lifeguard requirement while notes, bonds, leases, or other obligations are outstanding that the municipality: (1) issued, incurred, or entered into before July 1, 2026; and (2) pays or pledged to pay from parking fee revenues. Prohibits a municipality from pledging or using parking fees to pay bonds, leases, or other debt obligations issued, incurred, or entered into after June 30, 2026.