IndianaCounties could charge up to $1 more for park entry
County leaders could vote to charge visitors up to $1 extra to enter a state park or recreation area, except those with annual passes.
What it does
County leaders could vote to charge up to $1 extra at state parks or recreation areas in their county where the state collects entry fees. Annual pass holders would be exempt.
The state would send collected money to counties. Counties would spend it on public safety or infrastructure tied to tourism, including water quality work.
Argument forCounties that adopt the charge could use money from park entry fees for public safety or water quality work.
Argument againstVisitors without annual passes could pay up to $1 more to enter a covered park, while annual pass holders would not.
More detail
County leaders could vote to charge up to $1 on top of state entry fees. It would apply at state parks and recreation areas in counties where the state collects entry fees. People with annual state park passes would not pay the charge. This provision would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
The state natural resources department would collect the charge and send the money to county treasurers. This would cover charges collected at state parks and recreation areas in counties that adopt the charge. The county's local rule would direct spending on public safety or on infrastructure affected by or benefiting tourism, including water quality work. If a park crosses county lines and every county involved adopts the charge, the state would divide the money among them. The state would start collecting within 60 days after notice of a county's rule and send each month's collections by the end of the next month.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Feb 16Senator Schmitt added as cosponsorLatest
- Feb 10Committee report: amend do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Feb 9Senator Maxwell added as cosponsor
- Feb 5Senator Donato added as cosponsor
- Feb 5First reading: referred to Committee on Natural ResourcesMinor
- Feb 5Senator Holdman added as cosponsor
- Feb 5Senator Charbonneau added as cosponsor
- Feb 3Referred to the SenateMinor
- Feb 2Cosponsors: Senators Deery, Yoder
- Vote recorded HB 1204 - Hall - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 2Third reading: passed; Roll Call 174: yeas 71, nays 7Passed House
- Feb 2Senate sponsors: Senators Koch, Glick, Leising
- Jan 29Second reading: amended, ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 29Amendment #1 (Hall) prevailed; voice voteMajor
- Jan 27Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 14Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 14Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3
- Jan 5First reading: referred to Committee on Natural ResourcesMinor
- Jan 5Authored by Representative Hall
- Jan 5Coauthored by Representatives Bartels, Patterson, Pierce MIntroduced
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