HB1161Introduced in the House
Local government matters.
Introduced by Ethan Lawson, District 53
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Local government matters. 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.
Where it stands
Public Law 40
February 26, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
1 recorded vote · each counted separately
HouseStage: House - House concurred with Senate amendments · February 19, 2026
93
Yes
1
No
6
Absent or Not Voting
100 representatives recorded in this House vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each representative voted
| Representative | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Carolyn Jackson | 1 | Yes |
| Earl Harris | 2 | Yes |
| Ragen Hatcher | 3 | Yes |
| Edmond Soliday | 4 | Absent |
| Dale DeVon | 5 | Yes |
| Maureen Bauer | 6 | Yes |
| Jake Teshka | 7 | Yes |
| Ryan Dvorak | 8 | Yes |
| Randy Novak | 9 | Yes |
| Charles Moseley | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Representative Meltzer added as coauthor
Coauthored by Representative Zimmerman
Authored by Representative Lawson
First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government
Representative Moed added as coauthor
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
Second reading: ordered engrossed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 58: yeas 90, nays 0
Senate sponsor: Senator Clark
Referred to the Senate
First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government
Senator Bohacek added as second sponsor
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
Second reading: ordered engrossed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 180: yeas 45, nays 0
Motion to concur filed
Returned to the House with amendments
House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 297: yeas 93, nays 1
Signed by the Speaker
Signed by the President Pro Tempore
Signed by the President of the Senate
Signed by the Governor
Public Law 40
Verify the information
- Official page on the Indiana Legislature website
- House Local Government Amendment #2 (amendment)
- House Local Government Amendment #5 (amendment)
- House Local Government Amendment #4 (amendment)
- House Local Government Amendment #4 (amendment)
- House Local Government Amendment #2 (amendment)
- Senate Local Government Amendment #7 (amendment)
- Senate Local Government Amendment #6 (amendment)
- Senate Local Government Amendment #9 (amendment)
- Fiscal Note (supplement)
- Vote Sheet (supplement)
- Committee Report (supplement)
- Fiscal Note (supplement)
- Fiscal Note (supplement)
- Fiscal Note (supplement)
- Vote Sheet (supplement)
- Committee Report (supplement)
- Fiscal Note (supplement)
- Fiscal Note (supplement)
- Fiscal Note (supplement)
- Fiscal Note (supplement)
- Introduced (text)
- Comm Sub (text)
- Comm Sub (text)
- Enrolled (text)
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