Indiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana SB179: Indiana department of transportation.
Status: Signed into law, March 12, 2026
Allows the Indiana department of transportation (department) to assume the responsibilities and duties of the United States Department of Transportation with respect to certain federal environmental laws. Provides that the department waives its civil immunity and consents to the jurisdiction of the federal courts for responsibilities and duties assumed under certain federal environmental laws. Amends language regarding a local unit's eligibility for: (1) a grant from the local road and bridge matching grant fund (fund); and (2) a distribution from the fund based on the local unit's share of total lane mileage. Provides limitations for an overweight truck permit that is issued for a single trip. Provides for the use of the Indiana Plane Coordinate System as a means to describe real property. Provides that the department may give preference in awarding grants from the fund to local units that have adopted an enhanced asset management plan. Provides that a county may impose a vehicle excise tax or wheel tax on a vehicle that is registered in the county and not registered in a municipality in the county where a vehicle excise tax or wheel tax went into effect after December 31, 2026. Amends certain requirements for township capital improvement plans.
What the bill says
An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning transportation.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning transportation. SECTION 1. IC 6-3.5-4-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.173-2025, SECTION 3, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 2. (a) An adopting entity of any county may, subject to the limitation imposed by subsection (e), adopt an ordinance to impose a county vehicle excise tax in accordance with this chapter on each vehicle that is subject to the vehicle excise tax under IC 6-6-5 and that and (2) not registered in an adopting municipality of the county where a municipal vehicle excise tax went into effect after December 31, 2026, in the adopting municipality. (b) If a county does not use a transportation asset management plan approved by the Indiana department of transportation, the adopting entity of the county may impose the surtax either: (1) at a rate of not less than two percent (2%) nor more than ten percent (10%); or (2) at a specific amount of at least seven dollars and fifty cents ($7.50) and not more than twenty-five dollars ($25). However, the surtax on a vehicle may not be less than seven dollars and fifty cents ($7.50). The adopting entity shall state the surtax rate or amount in the ordinance which imposes the tax. (c) Except as provided in subsection (i), if a county uses a …
Sponsors
- Michael Crider (R, SD-028) · primary sponsor
- Blake Doriot (R, SD-012)
- Lonnie Randolph (D, SD-002)
- Travis Holdman (R, SD-019)
Latest actions
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Public Law 147
- : Signed by the President Pro Tempore
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : Signed by the President of the Senate
- : Senator Ford J.D. removed as conferee
- : Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 428: yeas 94, nays 0
- : Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 321: yeas 45, nays 5
- : CCR # 1 filed in the House
- : CCR # 1 filed in the Senate
Votes
- SB0179.07.ENGH.CCS001 (February 27, 2026): 45 yea, 5 nay, passed
- SB0179.07.ENGH.CCH001 (February 27, 2026): 94 yea, 0 nay, passed
- SB0179.06.COMH (February 24, 2026): 72 yea, 23 nay, passed
- SB0179.04.ENGS (January 27, 2026): 41 yea, 5 nay, passed
Subjects: AGENCIES; Department of Transportation (INDOT), TRANSPORTATION; Aircraft, STATE GOVERNMENT; Contracts, Procurements, and Purchases, TRANSPORTATION; Infrastructure; Highways, Roads, and Streets, PROPERTY; Generally, TAXES; Fuel and Vehicle Taxes, TRANSPORTATION; Traffic Rules, Regulations, Penalties, and Violations, CIVIL LAW AND PROCEDURE; Liabilities, Damages, and Penalties
Common questions
- What is SB179?
- SB179 is a bill in the Indiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Indiana department of transportation.
- What does SB179 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning transportation.
- What is the status of SB179?
- Signed into law as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: Signed by the Governor (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB179?
- Michael Crider (R, SD-028), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB179?
- On the Indiana Legislature website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/179
Source: official Indiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.