Bill Sponsor
Indiana House Bill 1315
Session 2026
Township reorganization.
Active
Active
Passed House on Feb 2, 2026
Sponsors
First Action
Jan 6, 2026
Latest Action
Feb 5, 2026
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill Number
1315
State
Indiana
Session
2026
Sponsorship by Party
Republican
Sponsor
Republican
Sponsor
Republican
Coauthor
Republican
Coauthor
Republican
Coauthor
House Votes (1)
checkPassed on February 2, 2026
Motion Text
HB 1315 - Shonkwiler - 3rd Reading
House Roll Call Votes
Unknown
Johnson, B
No
Didn't Vote
Summary
Provides that on January 1, 2028, certain townships are dissolved and their powers, duties, offices, and property are transferred to a municipality or county. Requires a township to adopt a resolution not later than June 1, 2026, that designates the municipality or county (designated unit) that will reorganize with the township. Requires the appointment of a joint board consisting of representatives of the township and the designated unit to prepare a plan of reorganization. Provides that a township must reorganize with the county if: (1) the township does not adopt a resolution by June 1, 2026; or (2) the municipality that the township designated in its resolution does not adopt a reorganization plan by December 31, 2026. Provides that if: (1) the designated unit is a municipality; and (2) part of a township is located outside the municipality; the municipality must establish an urban township services district and a rural township services district. Requires the county fiscal body to approve the budget, tax rate, and tax levy imposed by the municipality within the boundaries of the rural township services district. Provides that a designated unit has all of the powers of the government modernization act in reorganizing the township. Amends the government modernization act to require a political subdivision to respond to a resolution that names the political subdivision as a participant in a proposed reorganization. Provides that a township that operates a fire department is not subject to dissolution. Provides that a township does not operate a fire department if the township is a participating unit (not a provider unit) in a fire protection territory (territory) or is within a fire protection district (district). Provides that after a reorganization: (1) the area within the boundaries of the dissolved township remains in the territory or district; and (2) the designated unit succeeds the dissolved township in its role in the territory or district.
Actions (13)
02/05/2026
Senate
First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government
02/03/2026
House
Referred to the Senate
02/02/2026
House
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 194: yeas 55, nays 44
02/02/2026
House
Senate sponsors: Senators Garten, Johnson T
01/29/2026
House
Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed
01/29/2026
House
Amendment #2 (Shonkwiler) prevailed; voice vote
01/27/2026
House
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
01/13/2026
House
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
01/13/2026
House
Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3
01/12/2026
House
Representative Miller D added as coauthor
01/06/2026
House
First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government
01/06/2026
House
Coauthored by Representatives May, Lauer
01/06/2026
House
Authored by Representative Shonkwiler
Sources
Record Created
Jan 6, 2026 12:43:44 AM
Record Updated
Feb 5, 2026 8:57:12 PM