IndianaRegional districts formed after June 30 would need counties' debt approval
Regional water, sewer, and trash districts would consult their district authority on certain decisions; those formed after June 2026 would need county approval to borrow.
What it does
Districts created after June 30, 2026, would need county approval before taking on debt under this law. If one spans counties, approval must come from the county with more than half its service area.
After a board vote, districts would consult the district authority named in state law before asking the state to change an approved plan. They would also consult it when using listed powers.
If a district board is appointed instead of elected, the officials who appoint its trustees could remove them at any time.
Argument forConsulting the district authority could help it spot problems before a district asks to change its plan or sets customer rates.
Argument againstWaiting for county approval could delay borrowing when a district formed after June 2026 needs money for utility work.
More detail
A district would need approval from county officials who handle finances before taking on debt under this law. This applies to regional water, sewer, and trash districts created after June 30, 2026. If the district spans counties, approval must come from the county containing more than half its service area. The approval rule would take effect July 1, 2026.
Districts would consult the district authority named in state law before seeking plan changes and when using their listed powers. This applies to regional water, sewer, and trash districts and to listed powers such as making contracts. A district board must vote before the district asks the state to change an approved plan. The state may approve, change, or reject that request. These consultation provisions would take effect July 1, 2026.
Officials who appoint district trustees could remove them at any time. This applies to appointed trustees on regional water, sewer, and trash district boards. This rule would take effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Feb 2Representative Jordan added as cosponsorLatest
- Feb 2Representative Pressel removed as sponsor
- Feb 2Representative Jordan added as sponsor
- Feb 2Representative Jordan removed as cosponsor
- Jan 29Representative Pressel added as sponsor
- Jan 29Representative Jordan removed as sponsor
- Jan 28First reading: referred to Committee on Environmental AffairsMinor
- Jan 27Referred to the HouseMinor
- Jan 26Third reading: passed; Roll Call 76: yeas 44, nays 0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded SB 187 - Bohacek - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 26House sponsor: Representative Jordan
- Jan 26Cosponsor: Representative Teshka
- Jan 26Senator Young M added as third author
- Jan 22Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 20Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 14Senator Baldwin added as second author
- Jan 13Committee report: amend do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Tax and Fiscal PolicyMinor
- Jan 6First reading: referred to Committee on Environmental AffairsMinor
- Jan 6Authored by Senator BohacekIntroduced
Environment & EnergyGovernment & EthicsTaxes & Budget