STATEHOUSE (Jan. 16, 2026) – State Rep. Dave Hall's (R-Norman) legislation to bolster public safety and support for counties with state parks, recreation areas, lakes and reservoirs recently passed out of committee.
Hall said House Bill 1204 would help counties that host state parks, recreation areas, lakes and reservoirs pay for public safety and needed improvements by adding a $1 fee to park entry.
"House Bill 1204 is a commonsense step to address the unique needs of counties that host Indiana’s beautiful state parks and reservoirs," said Hall, who serves on the House Natural Resources Committee. "It recognizes the value these lands bring to our state’s economy, environment and quality of life, while ensuring local communities have the resources they need to sustain public safety and their infrastructure."
Hall said that counties with significant state or federally-owned lands lose out on property tax revenue that private ownership would generate. At the same time, they bear the cost of providing essential services, such as law enforcement, emergency response and infrastructure maintenance, for both residents and visitors. House Bill 1204 would provide them with a new tool to support these services.
House Bill 1204 recently passed the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously and was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee for consideration.
To learn more about HB 1204 and other bills this session, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Dave Hall (R-Norman) represents House District 62,
which includes all of Brown County, and portions of Monroe and Jackson counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
