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HB 1265INDIANASession 2026State Billdead
Did Not Advance

Indiana bill allows counties to add a $2 entry surcharge at state parks and recreation areas for local infrastructure and first responders

Original title: Natural resource entrance fees.

Last action · January 6, 2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Natural ResourcesSponsor: Tim Yocum

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Counties in Indiana would be authorized to adopt an ordinance imposing up to a $2 surcharge on state park and recreation area entry fees, starting July 1, 2026. The Department of Natural Resources would collect the fee and remit it monthly to county treasurers to fund first responders and infrastructure improvements. Veterans, active-duty military, individuals aged 65 and older, and annual pass holders are exempt from the surcharge.

Why it matters

Park visitors without annual passes, military exemptions, or senior status face higher entry costs at state facilities when visiting parks located in participating counties, while local emergency services and infrastructure projects receive new revenue streams.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

State park and recreation area visitors

Visitors entering state parks in participating counties face an additional fee of up to $2 unless they meet specific exemption criteria.

Directly affected

First responders

First responders in participating counties may receive funding from the surcharge for compensation, equipment purchases, or equipment updates.

Directly affected

Department of Natural Resources

The department is required to collect the county surcharges, report them on county-approved forms, begin collection within 60 days of notice, and remit funds monthly.

Key Facts

  • County fiscal bodies may adopt an ordinance to impose a surcharge of up to $2 on entry fees for state parks and state recreation areas located within their county.
  • The Department of Natural Resources must begin collecting the surcharge within 60 days of receiving notice of a county ordinance adoption.
  • Collected surcharges must be paid by the department to the county treasurer no later than the end of the following month.
  • Revenue from the surcharge must be used for first responder compensation and equipment or for infrastructure improvements including water quality.
Show all 7 facts
  • Exemptions from the surcharge apply to veterans, active-duty armed forces members, individuals at least 65 years old, and annual pass holders with their immediate family.
  • If a park spans multiple counties that have all passed ordinances, the department must prorate and divide the surcharge among the counties.
  • The bill defines first responders to include law enforcement officers, firefighters including volunteers, emergency medical technicians, emergency medical responders, and paramedics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has to pay the county park surcharge?
Visitors entering a state park or state recreation area in a participating county who do not qualify for an exemption must pay the surcharge.
Are annual pass holders required to pay the $2 surcharge?
No, holders of an annual pass issued under IC 14-19-3-5 and their immediate family members are exempt from the surcharge.
What can counties do with the money collected from the surcharge?
Counties must use the revenue for first responder purposes—such as compensation and equipment purchases or updates—or for infrastructure improvements, including water quality improvements.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

2 actions
  1. Jan 6, 2026HouseIntroduced
    First reading: referred to Committee on Natural Resources
  2. Jan 6, 2026House
    Authored by Representative Yocum

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Tim YocumHouse · District 42RepublicanAuthor

Connected Entities

Department of Natural Resources, General Assembly
OrganizationDepartment of Natural Resources“State agency responsible for collecting park entry fees and surcharges”Map →
OrganizationGeneral Assembly“Legislative body considering the bill”Map →

Sources

Open source document

iga.in.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance20
    Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 45)
  • Controversy30
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz25
    Current news / social attention level

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