SB 227 Indiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Counter action against unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

Summary
Provides that the state police department is the statewide coordinating agency for counter-UAS activities authorized under federal law. Provides that the bill's provisions apply: (1) if a federal law is enacted that authorizes state or local law enforcement personnel to detect, track, identify, or mitigate a UAS under federal approval, certification, or oversight; and (2) after the governor publishes a notice in the Indiana Register that includes a description of the authorization and identifies the federal statute or program that provides the authorization. Provides that the state police department may designate a law enforcement agency of a political subdivision as a participating agency if the agency satisfies federal requirements for personnel training and operational readiness. Provides that the state police department may designate Indianapolis as a pilot project location due to the concentration of high-risk sites and special event assessment rating events. Provides that mitigation activities may not be performed unless expressly authorized under federal law.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 8, 2026 Signed Mar 4, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate Bill (H) Senate Bill (S) · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was updated from a Senate version to an Engrossed version, incorporating changes made by the House of Representatives. The primary substantive change is the addition of new sponsors to the House side of the bill, indicating it has successfully passed both chambers. Several dates were updated to reflect the legislative timeline, including the bill's passage by the Senate and its subsequent referral to the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety committee.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on Counter-UAS systems, but the legislative process has advanced to include House sponsors and committee referrals.
TIMELINE

Added dates for the bill's second reading, engrossment, third reading, and passage by the Senate, as well as its referral to the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety committee.

ELIGIBILITY

Added new House sponsors (Bartels, Culp, Lauer) and a new sponsor to the Senate side (Schmitt, Koch), reflecting the bill's progression through the legislative process.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill identifiers from 'SB0227.1' to 'ES0227.1' and changed the date from January 21, 2026, to February 19, 2026, to reflect the engrossed status.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 26, 2026 · House Feb 24, 2026

How they voted

440
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
22
Key actions
8
Committee
2
Mar 4, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Feb 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by the Speaker
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President of the Senate
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President Pro Tempore
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 349: yeas 97, nays 0
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee report: do pass, adopted
lower
Jan 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 78: yeas 44, nays 0
upper
Jan 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee report: do pass, adopted
upper
4 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors