A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.
HB 1150 is a broad local-government preemption bill that limits the authority of counties, municipalities, and property owners associations in several areas. It creates new rules protecting the display of the U.S. flag and Indiana state flag in homeowners and similar associations, while allowing reasonable restrictions on flag size, placement, maintenance, lighting, and compliance with zoning and setback rules. It also bars homeowners associations from restricting the use of motor vehicles or outdoor equipment based on fuel source, and prohibits associations from installing or operating automated license plate readers except in narrow law-enforcement-controlled circumstances.
The bill also restricts local governments from adopting utility usage data ordinances, from regulating vehicles or machines based on energy source, and from banning certain natural-gas-powered appliances and outdoor equipment. In addition, it limits local energy-related building requirements and preserves some procurement and public works flexibility for government-owned projects. Finally, it requires certain political subdivisions near major airports to adopt airspace overlay zoning ordinances consistent with FAA guidance and state airspace protections, and it declares an emergency for the act, making part of it effective immediately and the rest effective July 1, 2026.
HB 1150 amends Indiana law by adding new chapters and sections in Title 32 and Title 36 that significantly narrow local regulatory authority and HOA rulemaking power. It affects property owners associations, homeowners, condominium, cooperative, and subdivision associations, as well as counties and municipalities with planning, zoning, energy, utility, and building-related powers. The bill also creates a new airport-related zoning mandate for certain political subdivisions near publicly owned, public-use airports. Its practical effect is to standardize or preempt local and private restrictions in areas involving flags, fuel-source-based regulation, utility data reporting, energy-related building standards, and surveillance technology.
The voting history suggests the bill had generally favorable support but not unanimous backing. It passed the House and Senate with clear majorities and then returned to the House for concurrence, where it again passed by a substantial margin. That pattern indicates broad legislative approval for the bill’s emphasis on limiting local and HOA restrictions, though the sizable minority of no votes shows meaningful opposition remained.
The main points of contention appear to center on the bill’s preemption of local control and private association authority. Opponents are likely to object to restricting counties and municipalities from adopting energy-related, utility-data, or fuel-source-based ordinances, as well as limiting HOA rules on flags, vehicles, outdoor equipment, and license plate readers. Supporters likely view these provisions as protecting property rights, uniformity, and individual choice, while the airport zoning requirement may draw concern from affected local governments because it imposes a new planning obligation tied to FAA-compatible land use.