HB 1204 Indiana House · 2026 Regular Session

Natural resource entrance fees.

Summary

Allows counties that meet certain criteria to adopt an ordinance to impose a surcharge of not more than $1 in addition to the fees charged by the department of natural resources (department) for entry into certain state parks and recreation areas. Provides that the surcharge may not be imposed on an annual state park pass holder. Requires the department to collect and to report and pay the surcharge to each county treasurer. Provides that the surcharge collected is to be used for certain purposes.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 5, 2026 Last action Feb 16, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Bill (H) → House Bill (S) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from HB 1204 to EH 1204 and updated to reflect its passage by the Senate. The most significant substantive change adds specific restrictions on how collected surcharge funds can be used, requiring them to directly impact state park visitation or benefit the park's natural resources and adjacent communities.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding fund usage was narrowed by adding new criteria that restrict how counties can spend the collected surcharges.

FISCAL

Added requirements that surcharge funds must be used for infrastructure projects that either impact state park visitation or benefit the park's natural resources and adjacent communities.

DEFINITION

Changed the section number for the new definition of 'Fees' from 87.8 to 87.9.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill status from House Bill to Engrossed House Bill and adjusted dates to reflect Senate action and final passage.

Floor votes · House Feb 2, 2026

How they voted

70–7

Passed · 22 other

Total votes 99

Feb 2, 2026

D Democratic29

22 Yea 7

75% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican69

47 Yea 7 Nay 15

68% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee report: amend do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 174: yeas 71, nays 7

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Amendment #1 (Hall) prevailed; voice vote

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee report: do pass, adopted

lower

Jan 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee report: do pass, adopted

lower

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3

lower

4 primary · 10 co-sponsors