IndianaIndiana towns may annex certain land across railroad tracks
Starting July 1, 2026, Indiana municipalities may count certain land across railroad tracks as connected for annexation, without annexing the tracks themselves.
What it does
A municipality may count certain land on both sides of railroad tracks as connected for annexation. The land on one side must touch the municipality, and the municipality cannot annex the tracks or right-of-way.
Argument forMunicipalities could annex qualifying land on both sides of railroad tracks without getting consent from people who own, lease, operate, or use the tracks.
Argument againstPeople on the far side of railroad tracks could have their land included in a municipality, changing which local government serves them.
More detail
A municipality may count qualifying land on both sides of railroad tracks as connected for an annexation. The rule covers proposed annexation areas where land touching the municipality abuts at least part of one side of the tracks, and separate land across the tracks abuts at least part of the opposite side. The municipality does not need consent from anyone who owns, leases, operates, or uses the tracks or railroad right-of-way. The municipality may not annex the railroad tracks or right-of-way themselves. The section takes effect July 1, 2026.
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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 24Public Law 22Latest
- Feb 24Signed by the Governor Mike BraunBecame Law
- Feb 18Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Feb 12Signed by the SpeakerMajor
- Feb 12Signed by the President Pro TemporeMajor
- Feb 11Returned to the House without amendmentsMinor
- Feb 10Third reading: passed; Roll Call 150: yeas 50, nays 0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded HB 1058 - Clark - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 9Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Feb 5Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 27First reading: referred to Committee on Local GovernmentMinor
- Jan 13Referred to the SenateMinor
- Jan 12Senate sponsor: Senator Clark
- Vote recorded HB 1058 - Steuerwald - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 12Third reading: passed; Roll Call 34: yeas 94, nays 0Passed House
- Jan 12Representative Hall added as coauthor
- Jan 8Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 6Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 5Representative Meltzer added as coauthor
- 2025
- Dec 5Authored by Representative Steuerwald
- Dec 5First reading: referred to Committee on Local GovernmentIntroduced
Government & Ethics