Bill > SB0179

This bill allows the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to assume certain environmental responsibilities from the U.S. Department of Transportation, waiving its civil immunity and consenting to federal court jurisdiction for these assumed duties, which involves compliance with federal environmental laws like the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. It also modifies eligibility for grants from the local road and bridge matching grant fund, prioritizing local units that adopt enhanced asset management plans, which are detailed data-driven plans for managing transportation assets. The bill further allows counties to impose a vehicle excise tax or wheel tax on vehicles registered in the county but not in a municipality within that county where such a tax was enacted after December 31, 2026, and sets new deadlines for local units to adopt these taxes to remain eligible for distributions from the fund. Additionally, it provides limitations for overweight truck permits issued for a single trip, specifying their validity periods, and establishes the use of the Indiana Plane Coordinate System (INPCS) as a method for describing real property, outlining its zones and how coordinates should be recorded. Finally, the bill makes changes to township capital improvement plans and adjusts matching grant percentages for cities and towns applying for funds from the local road and bridge matching grant fund.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/179/details