SB 187 Indiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Regional sewer districts.

Summary

Specifies that a board of trustees of a regional water, sewage, or solid waste district (board) must notify the district authority in writing before taking certain actions. Provides that a trustee appointed to a board serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Prohibits a regional water, sewage, or solid waste district (district) created after June 30, 2026, from incurring any indebtedness without first obtaining the approval of the county fiscal body. Specifies that if a district created after June 30, 2026, contains territory in more than one county, the district must first obtain the approval of each county fiscal body in which the district contains territory before incurring any indebtedness. Establishes a timeline for the county fiscal body to approve or deny a district's request to incur indebtedness.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Jan 2026

Senate Passage

Jan 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 6, 2026 Last action Feb 2, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate Bill (S) → Senate Bill (H) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from SB 187.1 to SB 187.2 and updated with new co-sponsors. The most significant policy change is a shift in how regional districts must interact with district authorities: the requirement to 'consult' was changed to a mandatory written 'notification'. Additionally, the rules for incurring debt were expanded to require approval from every county where the district operates, rather than just the county with the majority of the service area.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding debt approval was broadened to apply to all counties within a district's territory, increasing the number of entities that must approve new debt.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the interaction between regional districts and district authorities from a 'consultation' requirement to a mandatory 'written notification' requirement.

Expanded debt approval rules to require consent from every county fiscal body where the district has territory, instead of only the county containing more than 50% of the service area.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'indebtedness' by referencing an existing code section.

TIMELINE

Updated the bill number and version dates throughout the document.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 26, 2026

How they voted

44–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 48

Jan 26, 2026

D Democratic9

7 Yea 2

77% Yea

R Republican39

37 Yea 2

94% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 76: yeas 44, nays 0

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee report: amend do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy

upper

4 primary · 1 co-sponsor