← All Indiana bills

HB1161Introduced in the House

Local government matters.

Passed

Introduced by Ethan Lawson, District 53

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.

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

Bill history

  1. Representative Meltzer added as coauthor

  2. Coauthored by Representative Zimmerman

  3. Authored by Representative Lawson

  4. First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government

  5. Representative Moed added as coauthor

  6. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  7. Second reading: ordered engrossed

  8. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 58: yeas 90, nays 0

  9. Senate sponsor: Senator Clark

  10. Referred to the Senate

  11. First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government

  12. Senator Bohacek added as second sponsor

  13. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  14. Second reading: ordered engrossed

  15. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 180: yeas 45, nays 0

  16. Motion to concur filed

  17. Returned to the House with amendments

  18. House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 297: yeas 93, nays 1

  19. Signed by the Speaker

  20. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

  21. Signed by the President of the Senate

  22. Signed by the Governor

  23. Public Law 40

Verify the information

Our commitment to neutrality

We provide factual information only. We never tell you which politicians or bills to support, and we do not rank, score, or endorse anyone.