Senate Bill

SB 176

Shooting ranges.

In plain English

Says that maintaining, repairing, renovating, or expanding shooting range buildings counts as a continuation of a permitted use, so local governments cannot treat it as an expansion of a nonconforming use or use it to deny, delay, or add conditions to required permits. Allows retail sporting goods stores on any commercially zoned lot. Allows indoor shooting ranges on commercial, industrial, or agricultural land if certain conditions are met.

Written by AI from the official digest below, and checked only by automated rules. If they differ, the official digest and bill text control.

Official digest

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.

Latest action: Signed by the Governor, March 5, 2026Full text and history at iga.in.gov

Authors and sponsors

Jim Tomes, Jim Buck, Mike Young, Ben Smaltz

Co-authors and co-sponsors: Michael Crider, Randy Maxwell, Gary Byrne, Tyler Johnson, Mike Bohacek, Liz Brown, Blake Doriot, Eric Koch, Aaron Freeman, Jim Pressel, Matt Commons, Jim Lucas

Roll-call votes

4 recorded votes, oldest first. Third-reading votes decide whether a bill passes a chamber; amendment votes and procedural motions are listed too.

Senate · Jan 26, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 176 - Tomes - 3rd Reading

Passed

38 yes6 no5 did not vote

Republicans: 37 yes, 0 no, 2 did not voteDemocrats: 1 yes, 6 no, 3 did not vote

How each member voted

House · Feb 16, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 176 - Smaltz - 3rd Reading

Passed

65 yes25 no10 did not vote

Republicans: 58 yes, 2 no, 9 did not voteDemocrats: 6 yes, 23 no, 1 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (65)

No (25)

Did not vote (10)

House · Feb 27, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 176 - Smaltz

Passed

67 yes25 no8 did not vote

Republicans: 61 yes, 1 no, 7 did not voteDemocrats: 5 yes, 24 no, 1 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (67)

No (25)

Did not vote (8)

Senate · Feb 27, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 176 - Tomes

Passed

42 yes8 no

Republicans: 40 yes, 0 noDemocrats: 2 yes, 8 no

How each member voted

Source: Open States, compiled from the Indiana General Assembly's official roll calls. The official record at iga.in.gov controls. Spot an error? Let us know.