Indiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana SB270: Township mergers.
Status: Signed into law, March 5, 2026
Requires the department of local government finance (department) not later than December 31, 2026, to compile data on each township (excluding townships in Marion County) and assign points based upon the township government's performance. Requires a township government that is assigned at least four points (designated township), with certain exceptions, to: (1) merge; or (2) for a township in which (A) at least 80% of the township's boundaries coincide with a municipality's boundaries; and (B) at least 51% of the township's population resides within the corporate boundaries of a municipality, reorganize with the municipality. Requires a merger to satisfy the following requirements: (1) A designated township must merge with at least one township that has less than four points (recipient township). (2) The merger must satisfy contiguity requirements under the township merger law. Provides that if all townships in a county have at least four points, the county executive must designate two townships to act as the recipient townships. Requires the county executive to designate which townships will merge taking into consideration: (1) the wishes of the designated townships and recipient townships; and (2) the contiguity requirements under the township merger law. Provides that all mergers in a county are effective not later than January 1, 2029. Establishes provisions for an interim township government for the new merged township government until a new township trustee and township legislative body are elected during the 2030 general election. Requires a designated township that is required to reorganize to adopt a resolution not later than October 1, 2027, that designates the municipality (recipient municipality) that will reorganize with the designated township. Requires the appointment of a joint board consisting of representatives of the designated township and the recipient municipality to prepare a plan of reorganization. Requires the county fiscal body to approve t
What the bill says
An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government. SECTION 1. IC 36-1.5-4-4.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025 (RETROACTIVE)]: Sec. 4.5. (a) This section applies to a reorganization that has begun under this chapter after November 1, 2025, and before November 30, 2025. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the legislative body of a county may not unilaterally require a unit participating in a reorganization under this chapter to be added to an existing fire protection district: (1) during negotiations regarding the reorganization among the participating units; (2) after the date on which a plan of reorganization is finally adopted by all participating units; or (3) as part of a reorganization in a finally approved plan of reorganization. (c) This section expires January 1, 2027. SECTION 2. IC 36-1.5-4-13, AS AMENDED BY P.L.202-2013, SECTION 6, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 13. (a) The legislative body of a political subdivision that receives a certified resolution under section 10 or 12 of this chapter may shall do any of the following: (1) Adopt a resolution declining to participate in a proposed SEA 270 -- Concur reorganization. The resolution must detail why the political subdivision does not wish to participate in the …
Sponsors
- Rick Niemeyer (R, SD-006) · primary sponsor
- James Buck (R, SD-021)
- Greg Walker (R, SD-041)
Latest actions
- : Public Law 134
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Signed by the President Pro Tempore
- : Signed by the President of the Senate
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 301: yeas 34, nays 15
- : Returned to the Senate with amendments
- : Motion to concur filed
- : Third reading: passed; Roll Call 353: yeas 62, nays 35
- : Representative Wesco added as cosponsor
Votes
- SB0270.06.ENGH.CON01 (February 26, 2026): 34 yea, 15 nay, passed
- SB0270.05.COMH (February 24, 2026): 62 yea, 35 nay, passed
- SB0270.03.COMS (January 28, 2026): 39 yea, 9 nay, passed
Subjects: AGENCIES; Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF), LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS; Generally, TOWNSHIPS AND TOWNSHIP OFFICERS
Common questions
- What is SB270?
- SB270 is a bill in the Indiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Township mergers.
- What does SB270 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.
- What is the status of SB270?
- Signed into law as of March 5, 2026. Latest action: Public Law 134 (March 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB270?
- Rick Niemeyer (R, SD-006), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB270?
- On the Indiana Legislature website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/270
Source: official Indiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.