summary
Introduced
01/06/2026
01/06/2026
In Committee
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
Crossed Over
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Passed
Dead
02/27/2026
02/27/2026
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Land use and development. Requires a development that is sited on land: (1) in an area zoned agricultural; and (2) comprised of certain capability classes of soils; to be a permitted use. Extends governmental immunity to a private entity or nonprofit entity that has executed certain agreements under the Indiana brownfields program. Provides that before a qualified data center user may use a specific transaction award certificate issued after June 30, 2026, to purchase qualified data center equipment eligible for the state gross retail tax exemption, the qualified data center user and a local unit that issues after June 30, 2026, a permit authorizing the development, construction, or operation of the qualified data center in the unit shall enter into a written agreement that includes a commitment by the qualified data center user to contribute to the local unit an amount equal to at least 1% of the amount of taxes that are not paid on each purchase of qualified data center equipment that is made: (1) using the specific transaction award certificate; and (2) during the duration of the specific transaction award certificate. For purposes of the statute concerning energy production zones: (1) redesignates the term "electric generation facility" as "electric generation or storage facility"; and (2) provides that the term includes a utility scale battery energy storage system (BESS). Provides that if a planned electric generation or storage facility will include a BESS, the project owner must include in the required statutory notice to the local planning authority: (1) the emergency response plan required under the statute governing the approval of a BESS by the department of homeland security (department); and (2) documentation of the department's approval of the BESS. Makes conforming changes. Allows a plan commission, board of zoning appeals, or county or municipal legislative body (body) to require a person to provide their name and address in writing in order to speak at a public hearing regarding certain matters. Allows the body's presiding officer to give consideration to whether a person is a county resident or has an interest as an owner, lessor, lessee, or life tenant in real property within the county in deciding: (1) the order of speakers; and (2) the amount of time allotted to speakers; at a hearing.
AI Summary
This bill makes several changes to Indiana law regarding land use and development. It establishes that certain developments on land zoned agricultural and comprised of specific soil capability classes are permitted uses, meaning they don't require special zoning approval. The bill also extends governmental immunity, which protects government entities from certain lawsuits, to private or nonprofit entities that have entered into agreements under the Indiana brownfields program, a program designed to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites. For data centers, it requires that before a qualified data center user can use a specific tax exemption certificate for equipment purchased after June 30, 2026, they must agree in writing to contribute at least 1% of the exempted taxes back to the local government unit that issued the permit for the data center. The bill also redefines "electric generation facility" to include "electric generation or storage facility," specifically including utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), and mandates that project owners must provide emergency response plans and proof of approval from the department of homeland security when a BESS is part of the project. Finally, it allows local planning commissions, boards of zoning appeals, and legislative bodies to require speakers at public hearings to provide their name and address in writing and allows presiding officers to consider a speaker's residency or property ownership within the county when determining the order and length of their speaking time.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
First reading: referred to Committee on Utilities (on 02/05/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...