IndianaIndiana cities must hold meetings before certain annexations
Starting July 1, 2026, Indiana municipalities must hold public meetings and give advance notice before certain annexations.
What it does
Before certain annexations, municipalities must hold at least six public meetings for some types and at least three for others. They must share proposed boundary maps, service plans, and expected tax or fee effects.
Municipalities must publish meeting details and notify affected landowners and local officials. Landowners must be told that their property is included in the proposed annexation.
Argument forResidents could learn about proposed boundaries, services, and possible tax or fee effects before a municipality introduces an annexation ordinance.
Argument againstHolding several meetings and sending notices could take staff time from other local work, especially for annexations that need six meetings.
More detail
Municipalities must hold public information meetings about certain proposed annexations. The rule applies to annexation ordinances adopted after June 30, 2015. Annexations under sections 3 or 4 need at least six meetings; those under sections 5 or 5.2 need at least three. This section does not apply to annexations under section 5.1 of the chapter. The meetings must happen no earlier than six months before the municipality introduces the annexation ordinance. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
Municipalities must publish and send advance notice of the outreach meetings. Notices go to landowners in the proposed annexation area, the affected county and township officials, and any affected plan commission. Landowner notices must say the property is in the proposed annexation and give the meeting dates, times, and locations. Notices to landowners must go to the address listed on the tax records. If the municipality proves it sent notice as required, the landowner does not have to accept it. Meeting details must be published at least 30 days before each meeting. Notices to landowners and local officials must be sent at least 30 days before the first meeting.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Feb 24Signed by the Governor Mike BraunBecame Law
- Feb 24Public Law 10Major
- Feb 23Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Feb 18Signed by the SpeakerMajor
- Feb 17Returned to the Senate without amendmentsMinor
- Feb 17Signed by the President Pro TemporeMajor
- Feb 16Third reading: passed; Roll Call 248: yeas 89, nays 0Passed House
- Vote recorded SB 59 - Slager - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Feb 10Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 20First reading: referred to Committee on Local GovernmentMinor
- Jan 14Referred to the HouseMinor
- Jan 13Third reading: passed; Roll Call 20: yeas 49, nays 0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded SB 59 - Niemeyer - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 13Senator Schmitt added as third author
- Jan 13House sponsor: Representative Slager
- Jan 13Cosponsors: Representatives Olthoff, Aylesworth
- Jan 12Second reading: amended, ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 12Amendment #1 (Niemeyer) prevailed; voice voteMajor
- Jan 12Senator Dernulc added as second author
- Jan 8Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- 2025
- Dec 8Authored by Senator Niemeyer
- Dec 8First reading: referred to Committee on Local GovernmentIntroduced
Government & Ethics