Senate Bill

SB 179

Indiana department of transportation.

In plain English

Allows the Indiana Department of Transportation to take over the United States Department of Transportation's duties under certain federal environmental laws, and changes who can get local road and bridge matching grants. It limits single-trip overweight truck permits and lets a county charge a vehicle excise or wheel tax on certain vehicles. It 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

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.

Latest action: Signed by the Governor, March 12, 2026Full text and history at iga.in.gov

Authors and sponsors

Michael Crider, Blake Doriot, Jim Pressel

Co-authors and co-sponsors: Lonnie Randolph, Travis Holdman

Roll-call votes

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

Senate · Jan 27, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 179 - Crider - 3rd Reading

Passed

41 yes5 no3 did not vote

Republicans: 33 yes, 4 no, 2 did not voteDemocrats: 8 yes, 1 no, 1 did not vote

How each member voted

House · Feb 24, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 179 - Pressel - 3rd Reading

Passed

72 yes23 no5 did not vote

Republicans: 63 yes, 2 no, 4 did not voteDemocrats: 9 yes, 20 no, 1 did not voteIndependents: 0 yes, 1 no

How each member voted

Yes (72)

No (23)

Did not vote (5)

House · Feb 27, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 179 - Pressel

Passed

94 yes0 no6 did not vote

Republicans: 64 yes, 0 no, 5 did not voteDemocrats: 29 yes, 0 no, 1 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (94)

Did not vote (6)

Senate · Feb 27, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 179 - Crider

Passed

45 yes5 no

Republicans: 35 yes, 5 noDemocrats: 10 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

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.