Indiana bills · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana HB 1161
Local government matters.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- Mike Bohacek (Republican)
- Brett Clark (Republican)
- Ethan Lawson (Republican)
Cosponsors (3)
- Justin Moed (Democratic)
- Jennifer Meltzer (Republican)
- Alex Zimmerman (Republican)
Summary
Official abstract published by the Indiana legislature· Digest
Provides that individuals who are appointed to certain boards, committees, or other bodies in a county that does not have a consolidated city, serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority as long as: (1) the officeholder who appointed the individual continues to hold the office; or (2) the board, committee, or body that appointed the individual retains all of the same members who served when the individual was appointed. Provides that, in the case of a reorganized political subdivision, the oath of office of the town board of police commissioners is administered by any of the individuals granted notary powers. Staggers the terms of a nine member local board of health. Provides that the county executive, excluding a county containing a consolidated city, may set the salary of a county administrator subject to: (1) salary parameters established; or (2) approval; by the county fiscal body. Provides that each county executive, excluding a county containing a consolidated city and certain employees, shall adopt and maintain a written personnel policy, employee handbook, or equivalent document establishing minimum standards for county employee conduct, performance, and workplace expectations. Requires the executive of a county or municipality (unit) to preapprove any of the following actions of the unit's park and recreation board, if the cost exceeds the lesser of $500,000 or 10% of the park district's annual budget: (1) Exercising eminent domain powers. (2) Entering into a contract. (3) Acquiring real or personal property. (4) Making capital improvements. Adds public defenders to those officials whose home addresses may be restricted from public property data base websites.
Text versions
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 14, 2026, 12:15 PM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 19, 2026 House | HB 1161 - Lawson | pass | Set your home in Indiana to see |
| Feb 17, 2026 Senate | HB 1161 - Clark - 3rd Reading | pass | Set your home in Indiana to see |
| Jan 20, 2026 House | HB 1161 - Lawson - 3rd Reading | pass | Set your home in Indiana to see |
Actions
- Feb 26, 2026 · House
Public Law 40 - Feb 26, 2026
Signed by the Governor - Feb 25, 2026 · Senate
Signed by the President of the Senate - Feb 24, 2026 · Senate
Signed by the President Pro Tempore - Feb 23, 2026 · House
Signed by the Speaker - Feb 18, 2026 · Senate
Returned to the House with amendments - Feb 19, 2026 · House
House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 297: yeas 93, nays 1 - Feb 18, 2026 · House
Motion to concur filed - Feb 17, 2026 · Senate
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 180: yeas 45, nays 0 - Feb 16, 2026 · Senate
Second reading: ordered engrossed - Feb 12, 2026 · Senate
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted - Feb 5, 2026 · Senate
Senator Bohacek added as second sponsor - Jan 26, 2026 · Senate
First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government - Jan 21, 2026 · House
Referred to the Senate - Jan 20, 2026 · House
Senate sponsor: Senator Clark - Jan 20, 2026 · House
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 58: yeas 90, nays 0 - Jan 15, 2026 · House
Second reading: ordered engrossed - Jan 13, 2026 · House
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted - Jan 13, 2026 · House
Representative Moed added as coauthor - Jan 5, 2026 · House
Authored by Representative Lawson - Jan 5, 2026 · House
Representative Meltzer added as coauthor - Jan 5, 2026 · House
Coauthored by Representative Zimmerman - Jan 5, 2026 · House
First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government