KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

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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SB54 • 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.

Energy Land
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Senator Liz Brown
Last action
2026-01-06
Official status
Introduced Senate Bill (S)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on enforcement or penalties for non-compliance, nor does it specify the exact process if an area needs rezoning before establishing a special zone.

Rules for Solar Projects in Indiana

This bill changes how local governments can create special zones for commercial solar projects after December 31, 2025.

What This Bill Does

  • After December 31, 2025, a permit authority cannot establish zoning overlay districts specifically for commercial solar energy projects unless the existing zoning rules in those areas already allow such projects.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Local governments in Indiana
  • Companies planning to build commercial solar energy projects

Terms To Know

zoning overlay district
A special area within a city or town where certain rules apply that are different from the regular zoning rules.
commercial solar energy project (CSE project)
A business venture focused on generating electricity using solar panels for commercial purposes.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if local governments do not follow the new rules.
  • It is unclear how this will affect existing zoning districts before December 31, 2025.
  • The bill does not provide details on enforcement or penalties for non-compliance.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-06 Senate

    Senator Byrne added as second author

  2. 2025-12-08 Senate

    Authored by Senator Brown L

  3. 2025-12-08 Senate

    First reading: referred to Committee on Utilities

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.
Zoning overlay districts for solar projects.

Current Bill Text

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

Zoning overlay districts for solar projects.

Provides that after December 31, 2025, a permit authority may not establish in a unit a zoning overlay district in which one or more commercial solar energy projects (CSE projects) will be located unless each underlying zoning district across which the proposed overlay district will extend is zoned for a use that, under the unit's existing zoning ordinance at the time the overlay district is proposed, permits the location of a CSE project within that underlying district. Provides that if one or more underlying zoning districts across which the proposed overlay district will extend is not zoned for a use that permits the location of a CSE project within that underlying district, each such underlying zoning district, or part of the zoning district, must be rezoned for a use that permits the location of a CSE project within all or part of the underlying zoning district.