HB 1265

                                                            Introduced Version
           HOUSE BILL No. 1265
                 _____
              DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 14-8-2; IC 14-19-3-6.5.
Synopsis: Natural resource entrance fees. Allows counties to adopt an
ordinance to impose a surcharge of not more than $2 in addition to the
fees charged by the department of natural resources (department) for
entry into state parks and state recreation areas. Requires the
department to collect the surcharge and to report and pay the surcharge
to each county treasurer. Provides that the revenue collected is to be
used for purposes related to first responders and infrastructure
improvements. Provides that the surcharge may not be imposed on a
person who holds an annual pass.
Effective: July 1, 2026.
                               Yocum
   January 6, 2026, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources.
2026  IN 1265—LS 6780/DI 150
                                                                                       Introduced
            Second Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2026)
 PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
 Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
 additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
   Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
 provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
 word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
 a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
  Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
 between statutes enacted by the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
                   HOUSE BILL No. 1265
    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
 natural and cultural resources.
     Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1     SECTION 1. IC 14-8-2-87.8 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
2 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
3 1, 2026]: Sec. 87.8. "Fees", for purposes of IC 14-19-3-6.5, means
4 entrance or admission fees that are paid in a county upon or after
5 entering a state park or state recreation area located in the county.
6     SECTION 2. IC 14-8-2-91.6 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
7 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
8 1, 2026]: Sec. 91.6. "First responder", for purposes of
9 IC 14-19-3-6.5, refers to:
10      (1) a law enforcement officer (as defined in IC 5-2-1-2(1));
11      (2) a firefighter, including a volunteer firefighter; or
12      (3) an emergency medical technician, emergency medical
13      responder, or paramedic.
14     SECTION 3. IC 14-19-3-6.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
15 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
16 1, 2026]: Sec. 6.5. (a) A county fiscal body may adopt an ordinance
17 to impose a surcharge on the fees paid in the county for entry into
 2026  IN 1265—LS 6780/DI 150
                                   2
1 a state park or state recreation area located in the county. A
2 county fiscal body that adopts an ordinance under this section shall
3 notify the director of the department. The department shall report
4 the surcharge collected under the ordinance on forms approved by
5 the county treasurer.
6    (b) The surcharge is equal to an amount of not more than two
7 dollars ($2) in addition to any fees charged by the department for
8 entry into the state park or state recreation area. However, the
9 surcharge may not be imposed on:
10      (1) a veteran (as defined in IC 10-17-13.5-3);
11      (2) an individual serving on active duty in any branch of the
12      armed forces of the United States;
13      (3) an individual who is at least sixty-five (65) years of age; or
14      (4) a person who holds an annual pass issued under section 5
15      of this chapter and members of the person's immediate
16      family.
17    (c) The department shall:
18      (1) begin collecting the surcharge not later than sixty (60)
19      days after receiving notice under subsection (a) of the
20      adoption of an ordinance; and
21      (2) pay the surcharge collected during a month to the county
22      treasurer not later than the end of the following month.
23    (d) The surcharge collected by the department and paid to the
24 county treasurer must, as applicable, be used for one (1) or both of
25 the following in accordance with the ordinance adopted under
26 subsection (a):
27      (1) For purposes related to first responders in the county,
28      including:
29(A) compensation;
30(B) purchases of equipment; and
31(C) updating of equipment.
32      (2) Infrastructure improvements, including water quality
33      improvements.
34    (e) If:
35      (1) the state park or state recreation area is located in more
36      than one (1) county; and
37      (2) each county in which the state park or state recreation
38      area is located has passed an ordinance under subsection (a);
39 the department shall prorate the surcharge and pay a prorated
40 share to the county treasurer for each county in which the state
41 park or state recreation area is located.
 2026  IN 1265—LS 6780/DI 150