House Bill

HB 1161

Local government matters.

In plain English

Requires county and city or town executives to preapprove certain large park board actions, such as buying property or signing contracts, when the cost exceeds the lesser of $500,000 or 10% of the park district's annual budget. Requires most county executives to adopt a written employee conduct policy and lets them set a county administrator's salary within limits. Also makes other changes.

Written by AI from the official digest below, and checked only by automated rules. If they differ, the official digest and bill text control.

Official digest

Provides that individuals who are appointed to certain boards, committees, or other bodies in a county that does not have a consolidated city, serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority as long as: (1) the officeholder who appointed the individual continues to hold the office; or (2) the board, committee, or body that appointed the individual retains all of the same members who served when the individual was appointed. Provides that, in the case of a reorganized political subdivision, the oath of office of the town board of police commissioners is administered by any of the individuals granted notary powers. Staggers the terms of a nine member local board of health. Provides that the county executive, excluding a county containing a consolidated city, may set the salary of a county administrator subject to: (1) salary parameters established; or (2) approval; by the county fiscal body. Provides that each county executive, excluding a county containing a consolidated city and certain employees, shall adopt and maintain a written personnel policy, employee handbook, or equivalent document establishing minimum standards for county employee conduct, performance, and workplace expectations. Requires the executive of a county or municipality (unit) to preapprove any of the following actions of the unit's park and recreation board, if the cost exceeds the lesser of $500,000 or 10% of the park district's annual budget: (1) Exercising eminent domain powers. (2) Entering into a contract. (3) Acquiring real or personal property. (4) Making capital improvements. Adds public defenders to those officials whose home addresses may be restricted from public property data base websites.

Latest action: Public Law 40, February 26, 2026Full text and history at iga.in.gov

Authors and sponsors

Ethan Lawson, Brett Clark, Mike Bohacek

Co-authors and co-sponsors: Alex Zimmerman, Jenny Meltzer, Justin Moed

Roll-call votes

3 recorded votes, oldest first. Third-reading votes decide whether a bill passes a chamber; amendment votes and procedural motions are listed too.

House · Jan 20, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: HB 1161 - Lawson - 3rd Reading

Passed

90 yes0 no10 did not vote

Republicans: 62 yes, 0 no, 7 did not voteDemocrats: 27 yes, 0 no, 3 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (90)

Did not vote (10)

Senate · Feb 17, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: HB 1161 - Clark - 3rd Reading

Passed

45 yes0 no5 did not vote

Republicans: 37 yes, 0 no, 3 did not voteDemocrats: 8 yes, 0 no, 2 did not vote

How each member voted

House · Feb 19, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: HB 1161 - Lawson

Passed

93 yes1 no6 did not vote

Republicans: 64 yes, 1 no, 4 did not voteDemocrats: 28 yes, 0 no, 2 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (93)

No (1)

Did not vote (6)

Source: Open States, compiled from the Indiana General Assembly's official roll calls. The official record at iga.in.gov controls. Spot an error? Let us know.