SB 176 Indiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Shooting ranges.

Summary

Provides that the maintenance, repair, renovation, modernization, or expansion of buildings, structures, or facilities used in connection with a shooting range, including improvements to safety, security accessibility, or environmental controls, is a continuation of a permitted use and may not be treated by a local unit of government as: (1) an expansion of a nonconforming use; or (2) a basis to deny, delay, or condition approval of any permit that is otherwise required under applicable building codes or safety regulations. Provides that if an area is zoned for commercial use, a retail sporting goods store is a permitted use on each lot or parcel. Provides that if a property is zoned for commercial, industrial, or agricultural use, an indoor shooting range is permitted on any lot or parcel if certain conditions are satisfied.

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 5, 2026 Signed Mar 5, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

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

MODERATE

The bill was updated from a Senate Bill (SB) to an Engrossed Senate Bill (ES), indicating it has passed both the House and Senate with amendments. The substantive content now includes new provisions protecting shooting ranges from local zoning restrictions and clarifying that maintenance or expansion of these facilities does not trigger nonconforming use penalties. It also expands rights for retired judicial officers to carry firearms in locations where active law enforcement officers are permitted.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to explicitly include protections for shooting range facilities (such as expansions and renovations) and added specific rights for retired judicial officers regarding firearm possession.

SCOPE

New protections were added to prevent local governments from treating the maintenance, repair, or expansion of shooting range facilities as a 'nonconforming use' that could be restricted or denied permits.

New provisions were added to clarify that local units of government cannot condition permits on annexation consent or waive rights granted by the chapter.

ELIGIBILITY

The section regarding judicial officers was modified to explicitly include 'retired' judicial officers, granting them the same firearm possession rights as active law enforcement officers in specific locations.

TIMELINE

The bill's status changed from 'SB' to 'ES' and the date was updated to February 10, 2026, reflecting that the House has amended and passed the bill with new language.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 26, 2026 · House Feb 16, 2026

How they voted

38–6

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 48

Jan 26, 2026

D Democratic9

1 Yea 6 Nay 2

66% Nay

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

Amendments

Mar 5, 2026

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor

executive

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 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 403: yeas 67, nays 25

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by the Speaker

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 309: yeas 42, nays 8

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Introduced

Senate dissented from House amendments

upper

Feb 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 252: yeas 65, nays 25

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 75: yeas 38, nays 6

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee report: do pass, adopted

upper

4 primary · 12 co-sponsors