State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Indiana > Title6 > Ar1.1 > Ch20

IC 6-1.1-20
     Chapter 20. Procedures for Issuance of Bonds and Other Evidences of Indebtedness by Political Subdivisions

IC 6-1.1-20-1
"Bonds" defined
    
Sec. 1. For purposes of this chapter, the term "bonds" means any bonds or other evidences of indebtedness payable from property taxes, but does not include:
        (1) notes representing loans under IC 36-2-6-18, IC 36-3-4-22, IC 36-4-6-20, or IC 36-5-2-11 which are payable within five (5) years after issuance;
        (2) warrants representing temporary loans which are payable out of taxes levied and in the course of collection;
        (3) a lease;
        (4) obligations; or
        (5) funding, refunding, or judgment funding bonds of political subdivisions.
(Formerly: Acts 1975, P.L.47, SEC.1.) As amended by P.L.37-1988, SEC.8; P.L.25-1995, SEC.39; P.L.146-2008, SEC.187.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.1
"Controlled project" defined
    
Sec. 1.1. As used in this chapter, "controlled project" means any project financed by bonds or a lease, except for the following:
        (1) A project for which the political subdivision reasonably expects to pay:
            (A) debt service; or
            (B) lease rentals;
        from funds other than property taxes that are exempt from the levy limitations of IC 6-1.1-18.5 or (before January 1, 2009) IC 20-45-3. A project is not a controlled project even though the political subdivision has pledged to levy property taxes to pay the debt service or lease rentals if those other funds are insufficient.
        (2) A project that will not cost the political subdivision more than the lesser of the following:
            (A) Two million dollars ($2,000,000).
            (B) An amount equal to one percent (1%) of the total gross assessed value of property within the political subdivision on the last assessment date, if that amount is at least one million dollars ($1,000,000).
        (3) A project that is being refinanced for the purpose of providing gross or net present value savings to taxpayers.
        (4) A project for which bonds were issued or leases were entered into before January 1, 1996, or where the state board of tax commissioners has approved the issuance of bonds or the execution of leases before January 1, 1996.
        (5) A project that is required by a court order holding that a federal law mandates the project.         (6) A project that:
            (A) is in response to:
                (i) a natural disaster;
                (ii) an accident; or
                (iii) an emergency;
            in the political subdivision that makes a building or facility unavailable for its intended use; and
            (B) is approved by the county council of each county in which the political subdivision is located.
        (7) A project that was not a controlled project under this section as in effect on June 30, 2008, and for which:
            (A) the bonds or lease for the project were issued or entered into before July 1, 2008; or
            (B) the issuance of the bonds or the execution of the lease for the project was approved by the department of local government finance before July 1, 2008.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.40. Amended by P.L.178-2002, SEC.30; P.L.2-2006, SEC.51; P.L.146-2008, SEC.188.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.2
"Debt service" defined
    
Sec. 1.2. As used in this chapter, "debt service" means principal of and interest on bonds. The term includes the repayment of an advance from the common school fund under IC 20-49-4-8.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.41. Amended by P.L.2-2006, SEC.52.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.3
"Lease" defined
    
Sec. 1.3. As used in this chapter, "lease" means a lease by a political subdivision of any project with lease rentals payable from property taxes that are exempt from the levy limitations of IC 6-1.1-18.5 or (before January 1, 2009) IC 20-45-3.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.42. Amended by P.L.2-2006, SEC.53; P.L.146-2008, SEC.189.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.4
"Lease rentals" defined
    
Sec. 1.4. As used in this chapter, "lease rentals" means the payments required under a lease.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.43.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.5
"Obligations" defined
    
Sec. 1.5. As used in this chapter, "obligations" refers to a contract or promise to pay of a political subdivision that would be considered a bond or lease under this chapter but for the fact that it is payable solely from funds other than property taxes.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.44.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.6 "Property taxes" defined
    
Sec. 1.6. As used in this chapter, "property taxes" means a property tax rate or levy to pay debt service or to pay lease rentals, but does not include taxes allocated for an allocation area under IC 6-1.1-39-5, IC 8-22-3.5-9, IC 36-7-14-39, IC 36-7-15.1-26, or IC 36-7-15.1-53.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.45. Amended by P.L.102-1999, SEC.1.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.7
"Project" defined
    
Sec. 1.7. As used in this chapter, "project" means any project or purpose for which a political subdivision may issue bonds or enter into leases, including a sale-lease back of an existing building.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.46.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.8
"County voter registration office" defined
    
Sec. 1.8. As used in this chapter, "county voter registration office" means the following:
        (1) A board of registration established under IC 3-7-12 or by a county executive acting under IC 3-7-12.
        (2) A board of elections and registration established under IC 3-6-5.2 or IC 3-6-5.4.
        (3) The office of the circuit court clerk of a county in which a board has not been established as described in subdivision (1) or (2).
As added by P.L.219-2007, SEC.58.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.9
"Registered voter", "eligible voter", and "owner of property" defined
    
Sec. 1.9. (a) As used in this chapter, "registered voter" means the following:
        (1) In the case of a petition under section 3.1 of this chapter to initiate a petition and remonstrance process, an individual who is registered to vote in the political subdivision on the date the county voter registration board makes the determination under section 3.1(b)(8) of this chapter regarding whether persons who signed the petition are registered voters.
        (2) In the case of:
            (A) a petition under section 3.2 of this chapter in favor of the proposed debt service or lease payments; or
            (B) a remonstrance under section 3.2 of this chapter against the proposed debt service or lease payments;
        an individual who is registered to vote in the political subdivision on the date the county voter registration board makes the determination under section 3.2(b)(5) of this chapter regarding whether persons who signed the petition or remonstrance are registered voters.         (3) In the case of a petition under section 3.5 of this chapter requesting the application of the local public question process under section 3.6 of this chapter concerning proposed debt service or lease payments, an individual who is registered to vote in the political subdivision on the date the county voter registration board makes the determination under section 3.5(b)(8) of this chapter regarding whether persons who signed the petition are registered voters.
    (b) As used in this chapter, in the case of an election on a public question held under section 3.6 of this chapter, "eligible voter" means an individual who:
        (1) is eligible to vote in the election in the political subdivision in which the public question will be held, as determined under IC 3; and
        (2) resides within the boundaries of the political subdivision for which the public question is being considered.
    (c) As used in this chapter, "owner of property" means a person that owns:
        (1) real property;
        (2) a mobile home assessed as personal property, used as a principal place of residence, and receiving the standard property tax deduction under IC 6-1.1-12-37; or
        (3) a manufactured home assessed as personal property, used as a principal place of residence, and receiving the standard property tax deduction under IC 6-1.1-12-37.
As added by P.L.219-2007, SEC.59. Amended by P.L.146-2008, SEC.190; P.L.182-2009(ss), SEC.142; P.L.41-2010, SEC.1.

IC 6-1.1-20-2
Lease obligations and issuance of instruments authorized
    
Sec. 2. A political subdivision may, subject to the limitations provided by law, issue any bonds, notes, or warrants, or enter into any leases or obligations that it considers necessary.
(Formerly: Acts 1975, P.L.47, SEC.1.) As amended by P.L.25-1995, SEC.47.

IC 6-1.1-20-3
Repealed
    
(Repealed by P.L.25-1995, SEC.94.)

IC 6-1.1-20-3.1 Version a
Procedures to be completed by political subdivision before imposing property taxes for bonds or lease for certain projects
    
Note: This version of section amended by P.L.41-2010, SEC.2. See also following version of this section amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.33.
    Sec. 3.1. (a) This section applies only to the following:
        (1) A controlled project (as defined in section 1.1 of this chapter as in effect June 30, 2008) for which the proper officers of a political subdivision make a preliminary determination in

the manner described in subsection (b) before July 1, 2008.
        (2) An elementary school building, middle school building, or other school building for academic instruction that:
            (A) is a controlled project;
            (B) will be used for any combination of kindergarten through grade 8;
            (C) will not be used for any combination of grade 9 through grade 12; and
            (D) will not cost more than ten million dollars ($10,000,000).
        (3) A high school building or other school building for academic instruction that:
            (A) is a controlled project;
            (B) will be used for any combination of grade 9 through grade 12;
            (C) will not be used for any combination of kindergarten through grade 8; and
            (D) will not cost more than twenty million dollars ($20,000,000).
        (4) Any other controlled project that:
            (A) is not a controlled project described in subdivision (1), (2), or (3); and
            (B) will not cost the political subdivision more than the lesser of the following:
                (i) Twelve million dollars ($12,000,000).
                (ii) An amount equal to one percent (1%) of the total gross assessed value of property within the political subdivision on the last assessment date, if that amount is at least one million dollars ($1,000,000).
    (b) A political subdivision may not impose property taxes to pay debt service on bonds or lease rentals on a lease for a controlled project without completing the following procedures:
        (1) The proper officers of a political subdivision shall:
            (A) publish notice in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and
            (B) send notice by first class mail to any organization that delivers to the officers, before January 1 of that year, an annual written request for such notices;
        of any meeting to consider adoption of a resolution or an ordinance making a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease and shall conduct a public hearing on a preliminary determination before adoption of the resolution or ordinance.
        (2) When the proper officers of a political subdivision make a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease for a controlled project, the officers shall give notice of the preliminary determination by:
            (A) publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and
            (B) first class mail to the organizations described in subdivision (1)(B).
        (3) A notice under subdivision (2) of the preliminary

determination of the political subdivision to issue bonds or enter into a lease for a controlled project must include the following information:
            (A) The maximum term of the bonds or lease.
            (B) The maximum principal amount of the bonds or the maximum lease rental for the lease.
            (C) The estimated interest rates that will be paid and the total interest costs associated with the bonds or lease.
            (D) The purpose of the bonds or lease.
            (E) A statement that any owners of property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision who want to initiate a petition and remonstrance process against the proposed debt service or lease payments must file a petition that complies with subdivisions (4) and (5) not later than thirty (30) days after publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1.
            (F) With respect to bonds issued or a lease entered into to open:
                (i) a new school facility; or
                (ii) an existing facility that has not been used for at least three (3) years and that is being reopened to provide additional classroom space;
            the estimated costs the school corporation expects to incur annually to operate the facility.
            (G) A statement of whether the school corporation expects to appeal for a new facility adjustment (as defined in IC 20-45-1-16 before January 1, 2009) for an increased maximum permissible tuition support levy to pay the estimated costs described in clause (F).
            (H) The political subdivision's current debt service levy and rate and the estimated increase to the political subdivision's debt service levy and rate that will result if the political subdivision issues the bonds or enters into the lease.
        (4) After notice is given, a petition requesting the application of a petition and remonstrance process may be filed by the lesser of:
            (A) one hundred (100) persons who are either owners of property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision; or
            (B) five percent (5%) of the registered voters residing within the political subdivision.
        (5) The state board of accounts shall design and, upon request by the county voter registration office, deliver to the county voter registration office or the county voter registration office's designated printer the petition forms to be used solely in the petition process described in this section. The county voter registration office shall issue to an owner or owners of property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision the number of petition forms requested by the owner or owners or the registered voter. Each

form must be accompanied by instructions detailing the requirements that:
            (A) the carrier and signers must be owners of property or registered voters;
            (B) the carrier must be a signatory on at least one (1) petition;
            (C) after the signatures have been collected, the carrier must swear or affirm before a notary public that the carrier witnessed each signature; and
            (D) govern the closing date for the petition period.
        Persons requesting forms may be required to identify themselves as owners of property or registered voters and may be allowed to pick up additional copies to distribute to other owners of property or registered voters. Each person signing a petition must indicate whether the person is signing the petition as a registered voter within the political subdivision or is signing the petition as the owner of property within the political subdivision. A person who signs a petition as a registered voter must indicate the address at which the person is registered to vote. A person who signs a petition as an owner of property must indicate the address of the property owned by the person in the political subdivision.
        (6) Each petition must be verified under oath by at least one (1) qualified petitioner in a manner prescribed by the state board of accounts before the petition is filed with the county voter registration office under subdivision (7).
        (7) Each petition must be filed with the county voter registration office not more than thirty (30) days after publication under subdivision (2) of the notice of the preliminary determination.
        (8) The county voter registration office shall determine whether each person who signed the petition is a registered voter. The county voter registration office shall not more than fifteen (15) business days after receiving a petition forward a copy of the petition to the county auditor. Not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the copy of the petition, the county auditor shall provide to the county voter registration office a statement verifying:
            (A) whether a person who signed the petition as a registered voter but is not a registered voter, as determined by the county voter registration office, is the owner of property in the political subdivision; and
            (B) whether a person who signed the petition as an owner of property within the political subdivision does in fact own property within the political subdivision.
        (9) The county voter registration office shall not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the statement from the county auditor under subdivision (8) make the final determination of the number of petitioners that are registered voters in the political subdivision and, based on the statement provided by

the county auditor, the number of petitioners that own property within the political subdivision. Whenever the name of an individual who signs a petition form as a registered voter contains a minor variation from the name of the registered voter as set forth in the records of the county voter registration office, the signature is presumed to be valid, and there is a presumption that the individual is entitled to sign the petition under this section. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in determining whether an individual is a registered voter, the county voter registration office shall apply the requirements and procedures used under IC 3 to determine whether a person is a registered voter for purposes of voting in an election governed by IC 3. However, an individual is not required to comply with the provisions concerning providing proof of identification to be considered a registered voter for purposes of this chapter. A person is entitled to sign a petition only one (1) time in a particular petition and remonstrance process under this chapter, regardless of whether the person owns more than one (1) parcel of real property, mobile home assessed as personal property, or manufactured home assessed as personal property or a combination of those types of property within the subdivision and regardless of whether the person is both a registered voter in the political subdivision and the owner of property within the political subdivision. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a petition is presented to the county voter registration office within forty-five (45) days before an election, the county voter registration office may defer acting on the petition, and the time requirements under this section for action by the county voter registration office do not begin to run until five (5) days after the date of the election.
        (10) The county voter registration office must file a certificate and each petition with:
            (A) the township trustee, if the political subdivision is a township, who shall present the petition or petitions to the township board; or
            (B) the body that has the authority to authorize the issuance of the bonds or the execution of a lease, if the political subdivision is not a township;
        within thirty-five (35) business days of the filing of the petition requesting a petition and remonstrance process. The certificate must state the number of petitioners that are owners of property within the political subdivision and the number of petitioners who are registered voters residing within the political subdivision.
If a sufficient petition requesting a petition and remonstrance process is not filed by owners of property or registered voters as set forth in this section, the political subdivision may issue bonds or enter into a lease by following the provisions of law relating to the bonds to be issued or lease to be entered into.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.48. Amended by P.L.53-1996, SEC.2;

P.L.56-1997, SEC.1; P.L.178-2002, SEC.31; P.L.1-2004, SEC.30 and P.L.23-2004, SEC.33; P.L.2-2006, SEC.54; P.L.219-2007, SEC.60; P.L.146-2008, SEC.191; P.L.182-2009(ss), SEC.143; P.L.41-2010, SEC.2.

IC 6-1.1-20-3.1 Version b
Procedures required before imposing property taxes for bonds or lease for certain projects; petition requesting initiation of petition and remonstrance process
    
Note: This version of section amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.33. See also preceding version of this section amended by P.L.41-2010, SEC.2.
    Sec. 3.1. (a) This section applies only to the following:
        (1) A controlled project (as defined in section 1.1 of this chapter as in effect June 30, 2008) for which the proper officers of a political subdivision make a preliminary determination in the manner described in subsection (b) before July 1, 2008.
        (2) An elementary school building, middle school building, or other school building for academic instruction that:
            (A) is a controlled project;
            (B) will be used for any combination of kindergarten through grade 8;
            (C) will not be used for any combination of grade 9 through grade 12; and
            (D) will not cost more than ten million dollars ($10,000,000).
        (3) A high school building or other school building for academic instruction that:
            (A) is a controlled project;
            (B) will be used for any combination of grade 9 through grade 12;
            (C) will not be used for any combination of kindergarten through grade 8; and
            (D) will not cost more than twenty million dollars ($20,000,000).
        (4) Any other controlled project that:
            (A) is not a controlled project described in subdivision (1), (2), or (3); and
            (B) will not cost the political subdivision more than the lesser of the following:
                (i) Twelve million dollars ($12,000,000).
                (ii) An amount equal to one percent (1%) of the total gross assessed value of property within the political subdivision on the last assessment date, if that amount is at least one million dollars ($1,000,000).
    (b) A political subdivision may not impose property taxes to pay debt service on bonds or lease rentals on a lease for a controlled project without completing the following procedures:
        (1) The proper officers of a political subdivision shall:
            (A) publish notice in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and             (B) send notice by first class mail to the circuit court clerk and to any organization that delivers to the officers, before January 1 of that year, an annual written request for such notices;
        of any meeting to consider adoption of a resolution or an ordinance making a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease and shall conduct a public hearing on a preliminary determination before adoption of the resolution or ordinance.
        (2) When the proper officers of a political subdivision make a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease for a controlled project, the officers shall give notice of the preliminary determination by:
            (A) publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and
            (B) first class mail to the circuit court clerk and to the organizations described in subdivision (1)(B).
        (3) A notice under subdivision (2) of the preliminary determination of the political subdivision to issue bonds or enter into a lease for a controlled project must include the following information:
            (A) The maximum term of the bonds or lease.
            (B) The maximum principal amount of the bonds or the maximum lease rental for the lease.
            (C) The estimated interest rates that will be paid and the total interest costs associated with the bonds or lease.
            (D) The purpose of the bonds or lease.
            (E) A statement that any owners of real property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision who want to initiate a petition and remonstrance process against the proposed debt service or lease payments must file a petition that complies with subdivisions (4) and (5) not later than thirty (30) days after publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1.
            (F) With respect to bonds issued or a lease entered into to open:
                (i) a new school facility; or
                (ii) an existing facility that has not been used for at least three (3) years and that is being reopened to provide additional classroom space;
            the estimated costs the school corporation expects to incur annually to operate the facility.
            (G) A statement of whether the school corporation expects to appeal for a new facility adjustment (as defined in IC 20-45-1-16 before January 1, 2009) for an increased maximum permissible tuition support levy to pay the estimated costs described in clause (F).
            (H) The political subdivision's current debt service levy and rate and the estimated increase to the political subdivision's debt service levy and rate that will result if the political subdivision issues the bonds or enters into the lease.         (4) After notice is given, a petition requesting the application of a petition and remonstrance process may be filed by the lesser of:
            (A) one hundred (100) persons who are either owners of real property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision; or
            (B) five percent (5%) of the registered voters residing within the political subdivision.
        (5) The state board of accounts shall design and, upon request by the county voter registration office, deliver to the county voter registration office or the county voter registration office's designated printer the petition forms to be used solely in the petition process described in this section. The county voter registration office shall issue to an owner or owners of real property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision the number of petition forms requested by the owner or owners or the registered voter. Each form must be accompanied by instructions detailing the requirements that:
            (A) the carrier and signers must be owners of real property or registered voters;
            (B) the carrier must be a signatory on at least one (1) petition;
            (C) after the signatures have been collected, the carrier must swear or affirm before a notary public that the carrier witnessed each signature; and
            (D) govern the closing date for the petition period.
        Persons requesting forms may be required to identify themselves as owners of real property or registered voters and may be allowed to pick up additional copies to distribute to other property owners or registered voters. Each person signing a petition must indicate whether the person is signing the petition as a registered voter within the political subdivision or is signing the petition as the owner of real property within the political subdivision. A person who signs a petition as a registered voter must indicate the address at which the person is registered to vote. A person who signs a petition as a real property owner must indicate the address of the real property owned by the person in the political subdivision.
        (6) Each petition must be verified under oath by at least one (1) qualified petitioner in a manner prescribed by the state board of accounts before the petition is filed with the county voter registration office under subdivision (7).
        (7) Each petition must be filed with the county voter registration office not more than thirty (30) days after publication under subdivision (2) of the notice of the preliminary determination.
        (8) The county voter registration office shall determine whether each person who signed the petition is a registered voter. The county voter registration office shall not more than fifteen (15)

business days after receiving a petition forward a copy of the petition to the county auditor. Not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the copy of the petition, the county auditor shall provide to the county voter registration office a statement verifying:
            (A) whether a person who signed the petition as a registered voter but is not a registered voter, as determined by the county voter registration office, is the owner of real property in the political subdivision; and
            (B) whether a person who signed the petition as an owner of real property within the political subdivision does in fact own real property within the political subdivision.
        (9) The county voter registration office shall not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the statement from the county auditor under subdivision (8) make the final determination of the number of petitioners that are registered voters in the political subdivision and, based on the statement provided by the county auditor, the number of petitioners that own real property within the political subdivision. Whenever the name of an individual who signs a petition form as a registered voter contains a minor variation from the name of the registered voter as set forth in the records of the county voter registration office, the signature is presumed to be valid, and there is a presumption that the individual is entitled to sign the petition under this section. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in determining whether an individual is a registered voter, the county voter registration office shall apply the requirements and procedures used under IC 3 to determine whether a person is a registered voter for purposes of voting in an election governed by IC 3. However, an individual is not required to comply with the provisions concerning providing proof of identification to be considered a registered voter for purposes of this chapter. A person is entitled to sign a petition only one (1) time in a particular petition and remonstrance process under this chapter, regardless of whether the person owns more than one (1) parcel of real property within the subdivision and regardless of whether the person is both a registered voter in the political subdivision and the owner of real property within the political subdivision. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a petition is presented to the county voter registration office within forty-five (45) days before an election, the county voter registration office may defer acting on the petition, and the time requirements under this section for action by the county voter registration office do not begin to run until five (5) days after the date of the election.
        (10) The county voter registration office must file a certificate and each petition with:
            (A) the township trustee, if the political subdivision is a township, who shall present the petition or petitions to the township board; or             (B) the body that has the authority to authorize the issuance of the bonds or the execution of a lease, if the political subdivision is not a township;
        within thirty-five (35) business days of the filing of the petition requesting a petition and remonstrance process. The certificate must state the number of petitioners that are owners of real property within the political subdivision and the number of petitioners who are registered voters residing within the political subdivision.
If a sufficient petition requesting a petition and remonstrance process is not filed by owners of real property or registered voters as set forth in this section, the political subdivision may issue bonds or enter into a lease by following the provisions of law relating to the bonds to be issued or lease to be entered into.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.48. Amended by P.L.53-1996, SEC.2; P.L.56-1997, SEC.1; P.L.178-2002, SEC.31; P.L.1-2004, SEC.30 and P.L.23-2004, SEC.33; P.L.2-2006, SEC.54; P.L.219-2007, SEC.60; P.L.146-2008, SEC.191; P.L.182-2009(ss), SEC.143; P.L.113-2010, SEC.33.

IC 6-1.1-20-3.2 Version a
Petition and remonstrance process for bonds or lease for certain projects
    
Note: This version of section amended by P.L.41-2010, SEC.3. See also following version of this section amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.34.
    Sec. 3.2. (a) This section applies only to controlled projects described in section 3.1(a) of this chapter.
    (b) If a sufficient petition requesting the application of a petition and remonstrance process has been filed as set forth in section 3.1 of this chapter, a political subdivision may not impose property taxes to pay debt service on bonds or lease rentals on a lease for a controlled project without completing the following procedures:
        (1) The proper officers of the political subdivision shall give notice of the applicability of the petition and remonstrance process by:
            (A) publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and
            (B) first class mail to the organizations described in section 3.1(b)(1)(B) of this chapter.
        A notice under this subdivision must include a statement that any owners of property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision who want to petition in favor of or remonstrate against the proposed debt service or lease payments must file petitions and remonstrances in compliance with subdivisions (2) through (4) not earlier than thirty (30) days or later than sixty (60) days after publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1.
        (2) Not earlier than thirty (30) days or later than sixty (60) days after the notice under subdivision (1) is given:
            (A) petitions (described in subdivision (3)) in favor of the

bonds or lease; and
            (B) remonstrances (described in subdivision (3)) against the bonds or lease;
        may be filed by an owner or owners of property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision. Each signature on a petition must be dated, and the date of signature may not be before the date on which the petition and remonstrance forms may be issued under subdivision (3). A petition described in clause (A) or a remonstrance described in clause (B) must be verified in compliance with subdivision (4) before the petition or remonstrance is filed with the county voter registration office under subdivision (4).
        (3) The state board of accounts shall design and, upon request by the county voter registration office, deliver to the county voter registration office or the county voter registration office's designated printer the petition and remonstrance forms to be used solely in the petition and remonstrance process described in this section. The county voter registration office shall issue to an owner or owners of property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision the number of petition or remonstrance forms requested by the owner or owners or the registered voter. Each form must be accompanied by instructions detailing the requirements that:
            (A) the carrier and signers must be owners of property or registered voters;
            (B) the carrier must be a signatory on at least one (1) petition;
            (C) after the signatures have been collected, the carrier must swear or affirm before a notary public that the carrier witnessed each signature;
            (D) govern the closing date for the petition and remonstrance period; and
            (E) apply to the carrier under section 10 of this chapter.
        Persons requesting forms may be required to identify themselves as owners of property or registered voters and may be allowed to pick up additional copies to distribute to other owners of property or registered voters. Each person signing a petition or remonstrance must indicate whether the person is signing the petition or remonstrance as a registered voter within the political subdivision or is signing the petition or remonstrance as the owner of property within the political subdivision. A person who signs a petition or remonstrance as a registered voter must indicate the address at which the person is registered to vote. A person who signs a petition or remonstrance as an owner of property must indicate the address of the property owned by the person in the political subdivision. The county voter registration office may not issue a petition or remonstrance form earlier than twenty-nine (29) days after the

notice is given under subdivision (1). The county voter registration office shall certify the date of issuance on each petition or remonstrance form that is distributed under this subdivision.
        (4) The petitions and remonstrances must be verified in the manner prescribed by the state board of accounts and filed with the county voter registration office within the sixty (60) day period described in subdivision (2) in the manner set forth in section 3.1 of this chapter relating to requests for a petition and remonstrance process.
        (5) The county voter registration office shall determine whether each person who signed the petition or remonstrance is a registered voter. The county voter registration office shall not more than fifteen (15) business days after receiving a petition or remonstrance forward a copy of the petition or remonstrance to the county auditor. Not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the copy of the petition or remonstrance, the county auditor shall provide to the county voter registration office a statement verifying:
            (A) whether a person who signed the petition or remonstrance as a registered voter but is not a registered voter, as determined by the county voter registration office, is the owner of property in the political subdivision; and
            (B) whether a person who signed the petition or remonstrance as an owner of property within the political subdivision does in fact own property within the political subdivision.
        (6) The county voter registration office shall not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the statement from the county auditor under subdivision (5) make the final determination of:
            (A) the number of registered voters in the political subdivision that signed a petition and, based on the statement provided by the county auditor, the number of owners of property within the political subdivision that signed a petition; and
            (B) the number of registered voters in the political subdivision that signed a remonstrance and, based on the statement provided by the county auditor, the number of owners of property within the political subdivision that signed a remonstrance.
        Whenever the name of an individual who signs a petition or remonstrance as a registered voter contains a minor variation from the name of the registered voter as set forth in the records of the county voter registration office, the signature is presumed to be valid, and there is a presumption that the individual is entitled to sign the petition or remonstrance under this section. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in determining whether an individual is a registered voter, the county voter registration office shall apply the requirements and procedures used under IC 3 to determine whether a person is a registered

voter for purposes of voting in an election governed by IC 3. However, an individual is not required to comply with the provisions concerning providing proof of identification to be considered a registered voter for purposes of this chapter. A person is entitled to sign a petition or remonstrance only one (1) time in a particular petition and remonstrance process under this chapter, regardless of whether the person owns more than one (1) parcel of real property, mobile home assessed as personal property, or manufactured home assessed as personal property or a combination of those types of property within the subdivision and regardless of whether the person is both a registered voter in the political subdivision and the owner of property within the political subdivision. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a petition or remonstrance is presented to the county voter registration office within forty-five (45) days before an election, the county voter registration office may defer acting on the petition or remonstrance, and the time requirements under this section for action by the county voter registration office do not begin to run until five (5) days after the date of the election.
        (7) The county voter registration office must file a certificate and the petition or remonstrance with the body of the political subdivision charged with issuing bonds or entering into leases within thirty-five (35) business days of the filing of a petition or remonstrance under subdivision (4), whichever applies, containing ten thousand (10,000) signatures or less. The county voter registration office may take an additional five (5) days to review and certify the petition or remonstrance for each additional five thousand (5,000) signatures up to a maximum of sixty (60) days. The certificate must state the number of petitioners and remonstrators that are owners of property within the political subdivision and the number of petitioners who are registered voters residing within the political subdivision.
        (8) If a greater number of persons who are either owners of property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision sign a remonstrance than the number that signed a petition, the bonds petitioned for may not be issued or the lease petitioned for may not be entered into. The proper officers of the political subdivision may not make a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease for the controlled project defeated by the petition and remonstrance process under this section or any other controlled project that is not substantially different within one (1) year after the date of the county voter registration office's certificate under subdivision (7). Withdrawal of a petition carries the same consequences as a defeat of the petition.
        (9) After a political subdivision has gone through the petition and remonstrance process set forth in this section, the political subdivision is not required to follow any other remonstrance or objection procedures under any other law (including section 5

of this chapter) relating to bonds or leases designed to protect owners of property within the political subdivision from the imposition of property taxes to pay debt service or lease rentals. However, the political subdivision must still receive the approval of the department of local government finance if required by:
            (A) IC 6-1.1-18.5-8; or
            (B) IC 20-46-7-8, IC 20-46-7-9, and IC 20-46-7-10.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.49. Amended by P.L.53-1996, SEC.3; P.L.54-1996, SEC.1; P.L.2-1997, SEC.20; P.L.56-1997, SEC.2; P.L.2-1998, SEC.20; P.L.90-2002, SEC.192; P.L.178-2002, SEC.32; P.L.1-2004, SEC.31 and P.L.23-2004, SEC.34; P.L.2-2006, SEC.55; P.L.219-2007, SEC.61; P.L.224-2007, SEC.31; P.L.3-2008, SEC.47; P.L.146-2008, SEC.192; P.L.182-2009(ss), SEC.144; P.L.41-2010, SEC.3.

IC 6-1.1-20-3.2 Version b
Petition and remonstrance process for bonds or lease for certain projects
    
Note: This version of section amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.34. See also preceding version of this section amended by P.L.41-2010, SEC.3.
    Sec. 3.2. (a) This section applies only to controlled projects described in section 3.1(a) of this chapter.
    (b) If a sufficient petition requesting the application of a petition and remonstrance process has been filed as set forth in section 3.1 of this chapter, a political subdivision may not impose property taxes to pay debt service on bonds or lease rentals on a lease for a controlled project without completing the following procedures:
        (1) The proper officers of the political subdivision shall give notice of the applicability of the petition and remonstrance process by:
            (A) publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and
            (B) first class mail to the circuit court clerk and to the organizations described in section 3.1(b)(1)(B) of this chapter.
        A notice under this subdivision must include a statement that any owners of real property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision who want to petition in favor of or remonstrate against the proposed debt service or lease payments must file petitions and remonstrances in compliance with subdivisions (2) through (4) not earlier than thirty (30) days or later than sixty (60) days after publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1.
        (2) Not earlier than thirty (30) days or later than sixty (60) days after the notice under subdivision (1) is given:
            (A) petitions (described in subdivision (3)) in favor of the bonds or lease; and
            (B) remonstrances (described in subdivision (3)) against the bonds or lease;         may be filed by an owner or owners of real property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision. Each signature on a petition must be dated, and the date of signature may not be before the date on which the petition and remonstrance forms may be issued under subdivision (3). A petition described in clause (A) or a remonstrance described in clause (B) must be verified in compliance with subdivision (4) before the petition or remonstrance is filed with the county voter registration office under subdivision (4).
        (3) The state board of accounts shall design and, upon request by the county voter registration office, deliver to the county voter registration office or the county voter registration office's designated printer the petition and remonstrance forms to be used solely in the petition and remonstrance process described in this section. The county voter registration office shall issue to an owner or owners of real property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision the number of petition or remonstrance forms requested by the owner or owners or the registered voter. Each form must be accompanied by instructions detailing the requirements that:
            (A) the carrier and signers must be owners of real property or registered voters;
            (B) the carrier must be a signatory on at least one (1) petition;
            (C) after the signatures have been collected, the carrier must swear or affirm before a notary public that the carrier witnessed each signature;
            (D) govern the closing date for the petition and remonstrance period; and
            (E) apply to the carrier under section 10 of this chapter.
        Persons requesting forms may be required to identify themselves as owners of real property or registered voters and may be allowed to pick up additional copies to distribute to other property owners or registered voters. Each person signing a petition or remonstrance must indicate whether the person is signing the petition or remonstrance as a registered voter within the political subdivision or is signing the petition or remonstrance as the owner of real property within the political subdivision. A person who signs a petition or remonstrance as a registered voter must indicate the address at which the person is registered to vote. A person who signs a petition or remonstrance as a real property owner must indicate the address of the real property owned by the person in the political subdivision. The county voter registration office may not issue a petition or remonstrance form earlier than twenty-nine (29) days after the notice is given under subdivision (1). The county voter registration office shall certify the date of issuance on each petition or remonstrance form that is distributed under this

subdivision.
        (4) The petitions and remonstrances must be verified in the manner prescribed by the state board of accounts and filed with the county voter registration office within the sixty (60) day period described in subdivision (2) in the manner set forth in section 3.1 of this chapter relating to requests for a petition and remonstrance process.
        (5) The county voter registration office shall determine whether each person who signed the petition or remonstrance is a registered voter. The county voter registration office shall not more than fifteen (15) business days after receiving a petition or remonstrance forward a copy of the petition or remonstrance to the county auditor. Not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the copy of the petition or remonstrance, the county auditor shall provide to the county voter registration office a statement verifying:
            (A) whether a person who signed the petition or remonstrance as a registered voter but is not a registered voter, as determined by the county voter registration office, is the owner of real property in the political subdivision; and
            (B) whether a person who signed the petition or remonstrance as an owner of real property within the political subdivision does in fact own real property within the political subdivision.
        (6) The county voter registration office shall not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the statement from the county auditor under subdivision (5) make the final determination of:
            (A) the number of registered voters in the political subdivision that signed a petition and, based on the statement provided by the county auditor, the number of owners of real property within the political subdivision that signed a petition; and
            (B) the number of registered voters in the political subdivision that signed a remonstrance and, based on the statement provided by the county auditor, the number of owners of real property within the political subdivision that signed a remonstrance.
        Whenever the name of an individual who signs a petition or remonstrance as a registered voter contains a minor variation from the name of the registered voter as set forth in the records of the county voter registration office, the signature is presumed to be valid, and there is a presumption that the individual is entitled to sign the petition or remonstrance under this section. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in determining whether an individual is a registered voter, the county voter registration office shall apply the requirements and procedures used under IC 3 to determine whether a person is a registered voter for purposes of voting in an election governed by IC 3. However, an individual is not required to comply with the provisions concerning providing proof of identification to be

considered a registered voter for purposes of this chapter. A person is entitled to sign a petition or remonstrance only one (1) time in a particular petition and remonstrance process under this chapter, regardless of whether the person owns more than one (1) parcel of real property within the subdivision and regardless of whether the person is both a registered voter in the political subdivision and the owner of real property within the political subdivision. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a petition or remonstrance is presented to the county voter registration office within forty-five (45) days before an election, the county voter registration office may defer acting on the petition or remonstrance, and the time requirements under this section for action by the county voter registration office do not begin to run until five (5) days after the date of the election.
      &nb

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Indiana > Title6 > Ar1.1 > Ch20

IC 6-1.1-20
     Chapter 20. Procedures for Issuance of Bonds and Other Evidences of Indebtedness by Political Subdivisions

IC 6-1.1-20-1
"Bonds" defined
    
Sec. 1. For purposes of this chapter, the term "bonds" means any bonds or other evidences of indebtedness payable from property taxes, but does not include:
        (1) notes representing loans under IC 36-2-6-18, IC 36-3-4-22, IC 36-4-6-20, or IC 36-5-2-11 which are payable within five (5) years after issuance;
        (2) warrants representing temporary loans which are payable out of taxes levied and in the course of collection;
        (3) a lease;
        (4) obligations; or
        (5) funding, refunding, or judgment funding bonds of political subdivisions.
(Formerly: Acts 1975, P.L.47, SEC.1.) As amended by P.L.37-1988, SEC.8; P.L.25-1995, SEC.39; P.L.146-2008, SEC.187.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.1
"Controlled project" defined
    
Sec. 1.1. As used in this chapter, "controlled project" means any project financed by bonds or a lease, except for the following:
        (1) A project for which the political subdivision reasonably expects to pay:
            (A) debt service; or
            (B) lease rentals;
        from funds other than property taxes that are exempt from the levy limitations of IC 6-1.1-18.5 or (before January 1, 2009) IC 20-45-3. A project is not a controlled project even though the political subdivision has pledged to levy property taxes to pay the debt service or lease rentals if those other funds are insufficient.
        (2) A project that will not cost the political subdivision more than the lesser of the following:
            (A) Two million dollars ($2,000,000).
            (B) An amount equal to one percent (1%) of the total gross assessed value of property within the political subdivision on the last assessment date, if that amount is at least one million dollars ($1,000,000).
        (3) A project that is being refinanced for the purpose of providing gross or net present value savings to taxpayers.
        (4) A project for which bonds were issued or leases were entered into before January 1, 1996, or where the state board of tax commissioners has approved the issuance of bonds or the execution of leases before January 1, 1996.
        (5) A project that is required by a court order holding that a federal law mandates the project.         (6) A project that:
            (A) is in response to:
                (i) a natural disaster;
                (ii) an accident; or
                (iii) an emergency;
            in the political subdivision that makes a building or facility unavailable for its intended use; and
            (B) is approved by the county council of each county in which the political subdivision is located.
        (7) A project that was not a controlled project under this section as in effect on June 30, 2008, and for which:
            (A) the bonds or lease for the project were issued or entered into before July 1, 2008; or
            (B) the issuance of the bonds or the execution of the lease for the project was approved by the department of local government finance before July 1, 2008.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.40. Amended by P.L.178-2002, SEC.30; P.L.2-2006, SEC.51; P.L.146-2008, SEC.188.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.2
"Debt service" defined
    
Sec. 1.2. As used in this chapter, "debt service" means principal of and interest on bonds. The term includes the repayment of an advance from the common school fund under IC 20-49-4-8.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.41. Amended by P.L.2-2006, SEC.52.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.3
"Lease" defined
    
Sec. 1.3. As used in this chapter, "lease" means a lease by a political subdivision of any project with lease rentals payable from property taxes that are exempt from the levy limitations of IC 6-1.1-18.5 or (before January 1, 2009) IC 20-45-3.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.42. Amended by P.L.2-2006, SEC.53; P.L.146-2008, SEC.189.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.4
"Lease rentals" defined
    
Sec. 1.4. As used in this chapter, "lease rentals" means the payments required under a lease.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.43.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.5
"Obligations" defined
    
Sec. 1.5. As used in this chapter, "obligations" refers to a contract or promise to pay of a political subdivision that would be considered a bond or lease under this chapter but for the fact that it is payable solely from funds other than property taxes.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.44.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.6 "Property taxes" defined
    
Sec. 1.6. As used in this chapter, "property taxes" means a property tax rate or levy to pay debt service or to pay lease rentals, but does not include taxes allocated for an allocation area under IC 6-1.1-39-5, IC 8-22-3.5-9, IC 36-7-14-39, IC 36-7-15.1-26, or IC 36-7-15.1-53.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.45. Amended by P.L.102-1999, SEC.1.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.7
"Project" defined
    
Sec. 1.7. As used in this chapter, "project" means any project or purpose for which a political subdivision may issue bonds or enter into leases, including a sale-lease back of an existing building.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.46.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.8
"County voter registration office" defined
    
Sec. 1.8. As used in this chapter, "county voter registration office" means the following:
        (1) A board of registration established under IC 3-7-12 or by a county executive acting under IC 3-7-12.
        (2) A board of elections and registration established under IC 3-6-5.2 or IC 3-6-5.4.
        (3) The office of the circuit court clerk of a county in which a board has not been established as described in subdivision (1) or (2).
As added by P.L.219-2007, SEC.58.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.9
"Registered voter", "eligible voter", and "owner of property" defined
    
Sec. 1.9. (a) As used in this chapter, "registered voter" means the following:
        (1) In the case of a petition under section 3.1 of this chapter to initiate a petition and remonstrance process, an individual who is registered to vote in the political subdivision on the date the county voter registration board makes the determination under section 3.1(b)(8) of this chapter regarding whether persons who signed the petition are registered voters.
        (2) In the case of:
            (A) a petition under section 3.2 of this chapter in favor of the proposed debt service or lease payments; or
            (B) a remonstrance under section 3.2 of this chapter against the proposed debt service or lease payments;
        an individual who is registered to vote in the political subdivision on the date the county voter registration board makes the determination under section 3.2(b)(5) of this chapter regarding whether persons who signed the petition or remonstrance are registered voters.         (3) In the case of a petition under section 3.5 of this chapter requesting the application of the local public question process under section 3.6 of this chapter concerning proposed debt service or lease payments, an individual who is registered to vote in the political subdivision on the date the county voter registration board makes the determination under section 3.5(b)(8) of this chapter regarding whether persons who signed the petition are registered voters.
    (b) As used in this chapter, in the case of an election on a public question held under section 3.6 of this chapter, "eligible voter" means an individual who:
        (1) is eligible to vote in the election in the political subdivision in which the public question will be held, as determined under IC 3; and
        (2) resides within the boundaries of the political subdivision for which the public question is being considered.
    (c) As used in this chapter, "owner of property" means a person that owns:
        (1) real property;
        (2) a mobile home assessed as personal property, used as a principal place of residence, and receiving the standard property tax deduction under IC 6-1.1-12-37; or
        (3) a manufactured home assessed as personal property, used as a principal place of residence, and receiving the standard property tax deduction under IC 6-1.1-12-37.
As added by P.L.219-2007, SEC.59. Amended by P.L.146-2008, SEC.190; P.L.182-2009(ss), SEC.142; P.L.41-2010, SEC.1.

IC 6-1.1-20-2
Lease obligations and issuance of instruments authorized
    
Sec. 2. A political subdivision may, subject to the limitations provided by law, issue any bonds, notes, or warrants, or enter into any leases or obligations that it considers necessary.
(Formerly: Acts 1975, P.L.47, SEC.1.) As amended by P.L.25-1995, SEC.47.

IC 6-1.1-20-3
Repealed
    
(Repealed by P.L.25-1995, SEC.94.)

IC 6-1.1-20-3.1 Version a
Procedures to be completed by political subdivision before imposing property taxes for bonds or lease for certain projects
    
Note: This version of section amended by P.L.41-2010, SEC.2. See also following version of this section amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.33.
    Sec. 3.1. (a) This section applies only to the following:
        (1) A controlled project (as defined in section 1.1 of this chapter as in effect June 30, 2008) for which the proper officers of a political subdivision make a preliminary determination in

the manner described in subsection (b) before July 1, 2008.
        (2) An elementary school building, middle school building, or other school building for academic instruction that:
            (A) is a controlled project;
            (B) will be used for any combination of kindergarten through grade 8;
            (C) will not be used for any combination of grade 9 through grade 12; and
            (D) will not cost more than ten million dollars ($10,000,000).
        (3) A high school building or other school building for academic instruction that:
            (A) is a controlled project;
            (B) will be used for any combination of grade 9 through grade 12;
            (C) will not be used for any combination of kindergarten through grade 8; and
            (D) will not cost more than twenty million dollars ($20,000,000).
        (4) Any other controlled project that:
            (A) is not a controlled project described in subdivision (1), (2), or (3); and
            (B) will not cost the political subdivision more than the lesser of the following:
                (i) Twelve million dollars ($12,000,000).
                (ii) An amount equal to one percent (1%) of the total gross assessed value of property within the political subdivision on the last assessment date, if that amount is at least one million dollars ($1,000,000).
    (b) A political subdivision may not impose property taxes to pay debt service on bonds or lease rentals on a lease for a controlled project without completing the following procedures:
        (1) The proper officers of a political subdivision shall:
            (A) publish notice in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and
            (B) send notice by first class mail to any organization that delivers to the officers, before January 1 of that year, an annual written request for such notices;
        of any meeting to consider adoption of a resolution or an ordinance making a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease and shall conduct a public hearing on a preliminary determination before adoption of the resolution or ordinance.
        (2) When the proper officers of a political subdivision make a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease for a controlled project, the officers shall give notice of the preliminary determination by:
            (A) publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and
            (B) first class mail to the organizations described in subdivision (1)(B).
        (3) A notice under subdivision (2) of the preliminary

determination of the political subdivision to issue bonds or enter into a lease for a controlled project must include the following information:
            (A) The maximum term of the bonds or lease.
            (B) The maximum principal amount of the bonds or the maximum lease rental for the lease.
            (C) The estimated interest rates that will be paid and the total interest costs associated with the bonds or lease.
            (D) The purpose of the bonds or lease.
            (E) A statement that any owners of property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision who want to initiate a petition and remonstrance process against the proposed debt service or lease payments must file a petition that complies with subdivisions (4) and (5) not later than thirty (30) days after publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1.
            (F) With respect to bonds issued or a lease entered into to open:
                (i) a new school facility; or
                (ii) an existing facility that has not been used for at least three (3) years and that is being reopened to provide additional classroom space;
            the estimated costs the school corporation expects to incur annually to operate the facility.
            (G) A statement of whether the school corporation expects to appeal for a new facility adjustment (as defined in IC 20-45-1-16 before January 1, 2009) for an increased maximum permissible tuition support levy to pay the estimated costs described in clause (F).
            (H) The political subdivision's current debt service levy and rate and the estimated increase to the political subdivision's debt service levy and rate that will result if the political subdivision issues the bonds or enters into the lease.
        (4) After notice is given, a petition requesting the application of a petition and remonstrance process may be filed by the lesser of:
            (A) one hundred (100) persons who are either owners of property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision; or
            (B) five percent (5%) of the registered voters residing within the political subdivision.
        (5) The state board of accounts shall design and, upon request by the county voter registration office, deliver to the county voter registration office or the county voter registration office's designated printer the petition forms to be used solely in the petition process described in this section. The county voter registration office shall issue to an owner or owners of property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision the number of petition forms requested by the owner or owners or the registered voter. Each

form must be accompanied by instructions detailing the requirements that:
            (A) the carrier and signers must be owners of property or registered voters;
            (B) the carrier must be a signatory on at least one (1) petition;
            (C) after the signatures have been collected, the carrier must swear or affirm before a notary public that the carrier witnessed each signature; and
            (D) govern the closing date for the petition period.
        Persons requesting forms may be required to identify themselves as owners of property or registered voters and may be allowed to pick up additional copies to distribute to other owners of property or registered voters. Each person signing a petition must indicate whether the person is signing the petition as a registered voter within the political subdivision or is signing the petition as the owner of property within the political subdivision. A person who signs a petition as a registered voter must indicate the address at which the person is registered to vote. A person who signs a petition as an owner of property must indicate the address of the property owned by the person in the political subdivision.
        (6) Each petition must be verified under oath by at least one (1) qualified petitioner in a manner prescribed by the state board of accounts before the petition is filed with the county voter registration office under subdivision (7).
        (7) Each petition must be filed with the county voter registration office not more than thirty (30) days after publication under subdivision (2) of the notice of the preliminary determination.
        (8) The county voter registration office shall determine whether each person who signed the petition is a registered voter. The county voter registration office shall not more than fifteen (15) business days after receiving a petition forward a copy of the petition to the county auditor. Not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the copy of the petition, the county auditor shall provide to the county voter registration office a statement verifying:
            (A) whether a person who signed the petition as a registered voter but is not a registered voter, as determined by the county voter registration office, is the owner of property in the political subdivision; and
            (B) whether a person who signed the petition as an owner of property within the political subdivision does in fact own property within the political subdivision.
        (9) The county voter registration office shall not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the statement from the county auditor under subdivision (8) make the final determination of the number of petitioners that are registered voters in the political subdivision and, based on the statement provided by

the county auditor, the number of petitioners that own property within the political subdivision. Whenever the name of an individual who signs a petition form as a registered voter contains a minor variation from the name of the registered voter as set forth in the records of the county voter registration office, the signature is presumed to be valid, and there is a presumption that the individual is entitled to sign the petition under this section. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in determining whether an individual is a registered voter, the county voter registration office shall apply the requirements and procedures used under IC 3 to determine whether a person is a registered voter for purposes of voting in an election governed by IC 3. However, an individual is not required to comply with the provisions concerning providing proof of identification to be considered a registered voter for purposes of this chapter. A person is entitled to sign a petition only one (1) time in a particular petition and remonstrance process under this chapter, regardless of whether the person owns more than one (1) parcel of real property, mobile home assessed as personal property, or manufactured home assessed as personal property or a combination of those types of property within the subdivision and regardless of whether the person is both a registered voter in the political subdivision and the owner of property within the political subdivision. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a petition is presented to the county voter registration office within forty-five (45) days before an election, the county voter registration office may defer acting on the petition, and the time requirements under this section for action by the county voter registration office do not begin to run until five (5) days after the date of the election.
        (10) The county voter registration office must file a certificate and each petition with:
            (A) the township trustee, if the political subdivision is a township, who shall present the petition or petitions to the township board; or
            (B) the body that has the authority to authorize the issuance of the bonds or the execution of a lease, if the political subdivision is not a township;
        within thirty-five (35) business days of the filing of the petition requesting a petition and remonstrance process. The certificate must state the number of petitioners that are owners of property within the political subdivision and the number of petitioners who are registered voters residing within the political subdivision.
If a sufficient petition requesting a petition and remonstrance process is not filed by owners of property or registered voters as set forth in this section, the political subdivision may issue bonds or enter into a lease by following the provisions of law relating to the bonds to be issued or lease to be entered into.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.48. Amended by P.L.53-1996, SEC.2;

P.L.56-1997, SEC.1; P.L.178-2002, SEC.31; P.L.1-2004, SEC.30 and P.L.23-2004, SEC.33; P.L.2-2006, SEC.54; P.L.219-2007, SEC.60; P.L.146-2008, SEC.191; P.L.182-2009(ss), SEC.143; P.L.41-2010, SEC.2.

IC 6-1.1-20-3.1 Version b
Procedures required before imposing property taxes for bonds or lease for certain projects; petition requesting initiation of petition and remonstrance process
    
Note: This version of section amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.33. See also preceding version of this section amended by P.L.41-2010, SEC.2.
    Sec. 3.1. (a) This section applies only to the following:
        (1) A controlled project (as defined in section 1.1 of this chapter as in effect June 30, 2008) for which the proper officers of a political subdivision make a preliminary determination in the manner described in subsection (b) before July 1, 2008.
        (2) An elementary school building, middle school building, or other school building for academic instruction that:
            (A) is a controlled project;
            (B) will be used for any combination of kindergarten through grade 8;
            (C) will not be used for any combination of grade 9 through grade 12; and
            (D) will not cost more than ten million dollars ($10,000,000).
        (3) A high school building or other school building for academic instruction that:
            (A) is a controlled project;
            (B) will be used for any combination of grade 9 through grade 12;
            (C) will not be used for any combination of kindergarten through grade 8; and
            (D) will not cost more than twenty million dollars ($20,000,000).
        (4) Any other controlled project that:
            (A) is not a controlled project described in subdivision (1), (2), or (3); and
            (B) will not cost the political subdivision more than the lesser of the following:
                (i) Twelve million dollars ($12,000,000).
                (ii) An amount equal to one percent (1%) of the total gross assessed value of property within the political subdivision on the last assessment date, if that amount is at least one million dollars ($1,000,000).
    (b) A political subdivision may not impose property taxes to pay debt service on bonds or lease rentals on a lease for a controlled project without completing the following procedures:
        (1) The proper officers of a political subdivision shall:
            (A) publish notice in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and             (B) send notice by first class mail to the circuit court clerk and to any organization that delivers to the officers, before January 1 of that year, an annual written request for such notices;
        of any meeting to consider adoption of a resolution or an ordinance making a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease and shall conduct a public hearing on a preliminary determination before adoption of the resolution or ordinance.
        (2) When the proper officers of a political subdivision make a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease for a controlled project, the officers shall give notice of the preliminary determination by:
            (A) publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and
            (B) first class mail to the circuit court clerk and to the organizations described in subdivision (1)(B).
        (3) A notice under subdivision (2) of the preliminary determination of the political subdivision to issue bonds or enter into a lease for a controlled project must include the following information:
            (A) The maximum term of the bonds or lease.
            (B) The maximum principal amount of the bonds or the maximum lease rental for the lease.
            (C) The estimated interest rates that will be paid and the total interest costs associated with the bonds or lease.
            (D) The purpose of the bonds or lease.
            (E) A statement that any owners of real property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision who want to initiate a petition and remonstrance process against the proposed debt service or lease payments must file a petition that complies with subdivisions (4) and (5) not later than thirty (30) days after publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1.
            (F) With respect to bonds issued or a lease entered into to open:
                (i) a new school facility; or
                (ii) an existing facility that has not been used for at least three (3) years and that is being reopened to provide additional classroom space;
            the estimated costs the school corporation expects to incur annually to operate the facility.
            (G) A statement of whether the school corporation expects to appeal for a new facility adjustment (as defined in IC 20-45-1-16 before January 1, 2009) for an increased maximum permissible tuition support levy to pay the estimated costs described in clause (F).
            (H) The political subdivision's current debt service levy and rate and the estimated increase to the political subdivision's debt service levy and rate that will result if the political subdivision issues the bonds or enters into the lease.         (4) After notice is given, a petition requesting the application of a petition and remonstrance process may be filed by the lesser of:
            (A) one hundred (100) persons who are either owners of real property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision; or
            (B) five percent (5%) of the registered voters residing within the political subdivision.
        (5) The state board of accounts shall design and, upon request by the county voter registration office, deliver to the county voter registration office or the county voter registration office's designated printer the petition forms to be used solely in the petition process described in this section. The county voter registration office shall issue to an owner or owners of real property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision the number of petition forms requested by the owner or owners or the registered voter. Each form must be accompanied by instructions detailing the requirements that:
            (A) the carrier and signers must be owners of real property or registered voters;
            (B) the carrier must be a signatory on at least one (1) petition;
            (C) after the signatures have been collected, the carrier must swear or affirm before a notary public that the carrier witnessed each signature; and
            (D) govern the closing date for the petition period.
        Persons requesting forms may be required to identify themselves as owners of real property or registered voters and may be allowed to pick up additional copies to distribute to other property owners or registered voters. Each person signing a petition must indicate whether the person is signing the petition as a registered voter within the political subdivision or is signing the petition as the owner of real property within the political subdivision. A person who signs a petition as a registered voter must indicate the address at which the person is registered to vote. A person who signs a petition as a real property owner must indicate the address of the real property owned by the person in the political subdivision.
        (6) Each petition must be verified under oath by at least one (1) qualified petitioner in a manner prescribed by the state board of accounts before the petition is filed with the county voter registration office under subdivision (7).
        (7) Each petition must be filed with the county voter registration office not more than thirty (30) days after publication under subdivision (2) of the notice of the preliminary determination.
        (8) The county voter registration office shall determine whether each person who signed the petition is a registered voter. The county voter registration office shall not more than fifteen (15)

business days after receiving a petition forward a copy of the petition to the county auditor. Not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the copy of the petition, the county auditor shall provide to the county voter registration office a statement verifying:
            (A) whether a person who signed the petition as a registered voter but is not a registered voter, as determined by the county voter registration office, is the owner of real property in the political subdivision; and
            (B) whether a person who signed the petition as an owner of real property within the political subdivision does in fact own real property within the political subdivision.
        (9) The county voter registration office shall not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the statement from the county auditor under subdivision (8) make the final determination of the number of petitioners that are registered voters in the political subdivision and, based on the statement provided by the county auditor, the number of petitioners that own real property within the political subdivision. Whenever the name of an individual who signs a petition form as a registered voter contains a minor variation from the name of the registered voter as set forth in the records of the county voter registration office, the signature is presumed to be valid, and there is a presumption that the individual is entitled to sign the petition under this section. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in determining whether an individual is a registered voter, the county voter registration office shall apply the requirements and procedures used under IC 3 to determine whether a person is a registered voter for purposes of voting in an election governed by IC 3. However, an individual is not required to comply with the provisions concerning providing proof of identification to be considered a registered voter for purposes of this chapter. A person is entitled to sign a petition only one (1) time in a particular petition and remonstrance process under this chapter, regardless of whether the person owns more than one (1) parcel of real property within the subdivision and regardless of whether the person is both a registered voter in the political subdivision and the owner of real property within the political subdivision. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a petition is presented to the county voter registration office within forty-five (45) days before an election, the county voter registration office may defer acting on the petition, and the time requirements under this section for action by the county voter registration office do not begin to run until five (5) days after the date of the election.
        (10) The county voter registration office must file a certificate and each petition with:
            (A) the township trustee, if the political subdivision is a township, who shall present the petition or petitions to the township board; or             (B) the body that has the authority to authorize the issuance of the bonds or the execution of a lease, if the political subdivision is not a township;
        within thirty-five (35) business days of the filing of the petition requesting a petition and remonstrance process. The certificate must state the number of petitioners that are owners of real property within the political subdivision and the number of petitioners who are registered voters residing within the political subdivision.
If a sufficient petition requesting a petition and remonstrance process is not filed by owners of real property or registered voters as set forth in this section, the political subdivision may issue bonds or enter into a lease by following the provisions of law relating to the bonds to be issued or lease to be entered into.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.48. Amended by P.L.53-1996, SEC.2; P.L.56-1997, SEC.1; P.L.178-2002, SEC.31; P.L.1-2004, SEC.30 and P.L.23-2004, SEC.33; P.L.2-2006, SEC.54; P.L.219-2007, SEC.60; P.L.146-2008, SEC.191; P.L.182-2009(ss), SEC.143; P.L.113-2010, SEC.33.

IC 6-1.1-20-3.2 Version a
Petition and remonstrance process for bonds or lease for certain projects
    
Note: This version of section amended by P.L.41-2010, SEC.3. See also following version of this section amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.34.
    Sec. 3.2. (a) This section applies only to controlled projects described in section 3.1(a) of this chapter.
    (b) If a sufficient petition requesting the application of a petition and remonstrance process has been filed as set forth in section 3.1 of this chapter, a political subdivision may not impose property taxes to pay debt service on bonds or lease rentals on a lease for a controlled project without completing the following procedures:
        (1) The proper officers of the political subdivision shall give notice of the applicability of the petition and remonstrance process by:
            (A) publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and
            (B) first class mail to the organizations described in section 3.1(b)(1)(B) of this chapter.
        A notice under this subdivision must include a statement that any owners of property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision who want to petition in favor of or remonstrate against the proposed debt service or lease payments must file petitions and remonstrances in compliance with subdivisions (2) through (4) not earlier than thirty (30) days or later than sixty (60) days after publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1.
        (2) Not earlier than thirty (30) days or later than sixty (60) days after the notice under subdivision (1) is given:
            (A) petitions (described in subdivision (3)) in favor of the

bonds or lease; and
            (B) remonstrances (described in subdivision (3)) against the bonds or lease;
        may be filed by an owner or owners of property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision. Each signature on a petition must be dated, and the date of signature may not be before the date on which the petition and remonstrance forms may be issued under subdivision (3). A petition described in clause (A) or a remonstrance described in clause (B) must be verified in compliance with subdivision (4) before the petition or remonstrance is filed with the county voter registration office under subdivision (4).
        (3) The state board of accounts shall design and, upon request by the county voter registration office, deliver to the county voter registration office or the county voter registration office's designated printer the petition and remonstrance forms to be used solely in the petition and remonstrance process described in this section. The county voter registration office shall issue to an owner or owners of property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision the number of petition or remonstrance forms requested by the owner or owners or the registered voter. Each form must be accompanied by instructions detailing the requirements that:
            (A) the carrier and signers must be owners of property or registered voters;
            (B) the carrier must be a signatory on at least one (1) petition;
            (C) after the signatures have been collected, the carrier must swear or affirm before a notary public that the carrier witnessed each signature;
            (D) govern the closing date for the petition and remonstrance period; and
            (E) apply to the carrier under section 10 of this chapter.
        Persons requesting forms may be required to identify themselves as owners of property or registered voters and may be allowed to pick up additional copies to distribute to other owners of property or registered voters. Each person signing a petition or remonstrance must indicate whether the person is signing the petition or remonstrance as a registered voter within the political subdivision or is signing the petition or remonstrance as the owner of property within the political subdivision. A person who signs a petition or remonstrance as a registered voter must indicate the address at which the person is registered to vote. A person who signs a petition or remonstrance as an owner of property must indicate the address of the property owned by the person in the political subdivision. The county voter registration office may not issue a petition or remonstrance form earlier than twenty-nine (29) days after the

notice is given under subdivision (1). The county voter registration office shall certify the date of issuance on each petition or remonstrance form that is distributed under this subdivision.
        (4) The petitions and remonstrances must be verified in the manner prescribed by the state board of accounts and filed with the county voter registration office within the sixty (60) day period described in subdivision (2) in the manner set forth in section 3.1 of this chapter relating to requests for a petition and remonstrance process.
        (5) The county voter registration office shall determine whether each person who signed the petition or remonstrance is a registered voter. The county voter registration office shall not more than fifteen (15) business days after receiving a petition or remonstrance forward a copy of the petition or remonstrance to the county auditor. Not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the copy of the petition or remonstrance, the county auditor shall provide to the county voter registration office a statement verifying:
            (A) whether a person who signed the petition or remonstrance as a registered voter but is not a registered voter, as determined by the county voter registration office, is the owner of property in the political subdivision; and
            (B) whether a person who signed the petition or remonstrance as an owner of property within the political subdivision does in fact own property within the political subdivision.
        (6) The county voter registration office shall not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the statement from the county auditor under subdivision (5) make the final determination of:
            (A) the number of registered voters in the political subdivision that signed a petition and, based on the statement provided by the county auditor, the number of owners of property within the political subdivision that signed a petition; and
            (B) the number of registered voters in the political subdivision that signed a remonstrance and, based on the statement provided by the county auditor, the number of owners of property within the political subdivision that signed a remonstrance.
        Whenever the name of an individual who signs a petition or remonstrance as a registered voter contains a minor variation from the name of the registered voter as set forth in the records of the county voter registration office, the signature is presumed to be valid, and there is a presumption that the individual is entitled to sign the petition or remonstrance under this section. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in determining whether an individual is a registered voter, the county voter registration office shall apply the requirements and procedures used under IC 3 to determine whether a person is a registered

voter for purposes of voting in an election governed by IC 3. However, an individual is not required to comply with the provisions concerning providing proof of identification to be considered a registered voter for purposes of this chapter. A person is entitled to sign a petition or remonstrance only one (1) time in a particular petition and remonstrance process under this chapter, regardless of whether the person owns more than one (1) parcel of real property, mobile home assessed as personal property, or manufactured home assessed as personal property or a combination of those types of property within the subdivision and regardless of whether the person is both a registered voter in the political subdivision and the owner of property within the political subdivision. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a petition or remonstrance is presented to the county voter registration office within forty-five (45) days before an election, the county voter registration office may defer acting on the petition or remonstrance, and the time requirements under this section for action by the county voter registration office do not begin to run until five (5) days after the date of the election.
        (7) The county voter registration office must file a certificate and the petition or remonstrance with the body of the political subdivision charged with issuing bonds or entering into leases within thirty-five (35) business days of the filing of a petition or remonstrance under subdivision (4), whichever applies, containing ten thousand (10,000) signatures or less. The county voter registration office may take an additional five (5) days to review and certify the petition or remonstrance for each additional five thousand (5,000) signatures up to a maximum of sixty (60) days. The certificate must state the number of petitioners and remonstrators that are owners of property within the political subdivision and the number of petitioners who are registered voters residing within the political subdivision.
        (8) If a greater number of persons who are either owners of property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision sign a remonstrance than the number that signed a petition, the bonds petitioned for may not be issued or the lease petitioned for may not be entered into. The proper officers of the political subdivision may not make a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease for the controlled project defeated by the petition and remonstrance process under this section or any other controlled project that is not substantially different within one (1) year after the date of the county voter registration office's certificate under subdivision (7). Withdrawal of a petition carries the same consequences as a defeat of the petition.
        (9) After a political subdivision has gone through the petition and remonstrance process set forth in this section, the political subdivision is not required to follow any other remonstrance or objection procedures under any other law (including section 5

of this chapter) relating to bonds or leases designed to protect owners of property within the political subdivision from the imposition of property taxes to pay debt service or lease rentals. However, the political subdivision must still receive the approval of the department of local government finance if required by:
            (A) IC 6-1.1-18.5-8; or
            (B) IC 20-46-7-8, IC 20-46-7-9, and IC 20-46-7-10.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.49. Amended by P.L.53-1996, SEC.3; P.L.54-1996, SEC.1; P.L.2-1997, SEC.20; P.L.56-1997, SEC.2; P.L.2-1998, SEC.20; P.L.90-2002, SEC.192; P.L.178-2002, SEC.32; P.L.1-2004, SEC.31 and P.L.23-2004, SEC.34; P.L.2-2006, SEC.55; P.L.219-2007, SEC.61; P.L.224-2007, SEC.31; P.L.3-2008, SEC.47; P.L.146-2008, SEC.192; P.L.182-2009(ss), SEC.144; P.L.41-2010, SEC.3.

IC 6-1.1-20-3.2 Version b
Petition and remonstrance process for bonds or lease for certain projects
    
Note: This version of section amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.34. See also preceding version of this section amended by P.L.41-2010, SEC.3.
    Sec. 3.2. (a) This section applies only to controlled projects described in section 3.1(a) of this chapter.
    (b) If a sufficient petition requesting the application of a petition and remonstrance process has been filed as set forth in section 3.1 of this chapter, a political subdivision may not impose property taxes to pay debt service on bonds or lease rentals on a lease for a controlled project without completing the following procedures:
        (1) The proper officers of the political subdivision shall give notice of the applicability of the petition and remonstrance process by:
            (A) publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and
            (B) first class mail to the circuit court clerk and to the organizations described in section 3.1(b)(1)(B) of this chapter.
        A notice under this subdivision must include a statement that any owners of real property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision who want to petition in favor of or remonstrate against the proposed debt service or lease payments must file petitions and remonstrances in compliance with subdivisions (2) through (4) not earlier than thirty (30) days or later than sixty (60) days after publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1.
        (2) Not earlier than thirty (30) days or later than sixty (60) days after the notice under subdivision (1) is given:
            (A) petitions (described in subdivision (3)) in favor of the bonds or lease; and
            (B) remonstrances (described in subdivision (3)) against the bonds or lease;         may be filed by an owner or owners of real property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision. Each signature on a petition must be dated, and the date of signature may not be before the date on which the petition and remonstrance forms may be issued under subdivision (3). A petition described in clause (A) or a remonstrance described in clause (B) must be verified in compliance with subdivision (4) before the petition or remonstrance is filed with the county voter registration office under subdivision (4).
        (3) The state board of accounts shall design and, upon request by the county voter registration office, deliver to the county voter registration office or the county voter registration office's designated printer the petition and remonstrance forms to be used solely in the petition and remonstrance process described in this section. The county voter registration office shall issue to an owner or owners of real property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision the number of petition or remonstrance forms requested by the owner or owners or the registered voter. Each form must be accompanied by instructions detailing the requirements that:
            (A) the carrier and signers must be owners of real property or registered voters;
            (B) the carrier must be a signatory on at least one (1) petition;
            (C) after the signatures have been collected, the carrier must swear or affirm before a notary public that the carrier witnessed each signature;
            (D) govern the closing date for the petition and remonstrance period; and
            (E) apply to the carrier under section 10 of this chapter.
        Persons requesting forms may be required to identify themselves as owners of real property or registered voters and may be allowed to pick up additional copies to distribute to other property owners or registered voters. Each person signing a petition or remonstrance must indicate whether the person is signing the petition or remonstrance as a registered voter within the political subdivision or is signing the petition or remonstrance as the owner of real property within the political subdivision. A person who signs a petition or remonstrance as a registered voter must indicate the address at which the person is registered to vote. A person who signs a petition or remonstrance as a real property owner must indicate the address of the real property owned by the person in the political subdivision. The county voter registration office may not issue a petition or remonstrance form earlier than twenty-nine (29) days after the notice is given under subdivision (1). The county voter registration office shall certify the date of issuance on each petition or remonstrance form that is distributed under this

subdivision.
        (4) The petitions and remonstrances must be verified in the manner prescribed by the state board of accounts and filed with the county voter registration office within the sixty (60) day period described in subdivision (2) in the manner set forth in section 3.1 of this chapter relating to requests for a petition and remonstrance process.
        (5) The county voter registration office shall determine whether each person who signed the petition or remonstrance is a registered voter. The county voter registration office shall not more than fifteen (15) business days after receiving a petition or remonstrance forward a copy of the petition or remonstrance to the county auditor. Not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the copy of the petition or remonstrance, the county auditor shall provide to the county voter registration office a statement verifying:
            (A) whether a person who signed the petition or remonstrance as a registered voter but is not a registered voter, as determined by the county voter registration office, is the owner of real property in the political subdivision; and
            (B) whether a person who signed the petition or remonstrance as an owner of real property within the political subdivision does in fact own real property within the political subdivision.
        (6) The county voter registration office shall not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the statement from the county auditor under subdivision (5) make the final determination of:
            (A) the number of registered voters in the political subdivision that signed a petition and, based on the statement provided by the county auditor, the number of owners of real property within the political subdivision that signed a petition; and
            (B) the number of registered voters in the political subdivision that signed a remonstrance and, based on the statement provided by the county auditor, the number of owners of real property within the political subdivision that signed a remonstrance.
        Whenever the name of an individual who signs a petition or remonstrance as a registered voter contains a minor variation from the name of the registered voter as set forth in the records of the county voter registration office, the signature is presumed to be valid, and there is a presumption that the individual is entitled to sign the petition or remonstrance under this section. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in determining whether an individual is a registered voter, the county voter registration office shall apply the requirements and procedures used under IC 3 to determine whether a person is a registered voter for purposes of voting in an election governed by IC 3. However, an individual is not required to comply with the provisions concerning providing proof of identification to be

considered a registered voter for purposes of this chapter. A person is entitled to sign a petition or remonstrance only one (1) time in a particular petition and remonstrance process under this chapter, regardless of whether the person owns more than one (1) parcel of real property within the subdivision and regardless of whether the person is both a registered voter in the political subdivision and the owner of real property within the political subdivision. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a petition or remonstrance is presented to the county voter registration office within forty-five (45) days before an election, the county voter registration office may defer acting on the petition or remonstrance, and the time requirements under this section for action by the county voter registration office do not begin to run until five (5) days after the date of the election.
      &nb


State Codes and Statutes

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Indiana > Title6 > Ar1.1 > Ch20

IC 6-1.1-20
     Chapter 20. Procedures for Issuance of Bonds and Other Evidences of Indebtedness by Political Subdivisions

IC 6-1.1-20-1
"Bonds" defined
    
Sec. 1. For purposes of this chapter, the term "bonds" means any bonds or other evidences of indebtedness payable from property taxes, but does not include:
        (1) notes representing loans under IC 36-2-6-18, IC 36-3-4-22, IC 36-4-6-20, or IC 36-5-2-11 which are payable within five (5) years after issuance;
        (2) warrants representing temporary loans which are payable out of taxes levied and in the course of collection;
        (3) a lease;
        (4) obligations; or
        (5) funding, refunding, or judgment funding bonds of political subdivisions.
(Formerly: Acts 1975, P.L.47, SEC.1.) As amended by P.L.37-1988, SEC.8; P.L.25-1995, SEC.39; P.L.146-2008, SEC.187.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.1
"Controlled project" defined
    
Sec. 1.1. As used in this chapter, "controlled project" means any project financed by bonds or a lease, except for the following:
        (1) A project for which the political subdivision reasonably expects to pay:
            (A) debt service; or
            (B) lease rentals;
        from funds other than property taxes that are exempt from the levy limitations of IC 6-1.1-18.5 or (before January 1, 2009) IC 20-45-3. A project is not a controlled project even though the political subdivision has pledged to levy property taxes to pay the debt service or lease rentals if those other funds are insufficient.
        (2) A project that will not cost the political subdivision more than the lesser of the following:
            (A) Two million dollars ($2,000,000).
            (B) An amount equal to one percent (1%) of the total gross assessed value of property within the political subdivision on the last assessment date, if that amount is at least one million dollars ($1,000,000).
        (3) A project that is being refinanced for the purpose of providing gross or net present value savings to taxpayers.
        (4) A project for which bonds were issued or leases were entered into before January 1, 1996, or where the state board of tax commissioners has approved the issuance of bonds or the execution of leases before January 1, 1996.
        (5) A project that is required by a court order holding that a federal law mandates the project.         (6) A project that:
            (A) is in response to:
                (i) a natural disaster;
                (ii) an accident; or
                (iii) an emergency;
            in the political subdivision that makes a building or facility unavailable for its intended use; and
            (B) is approved by the county council of each county in which the political subdivision is located.
        (7) A project that was not a controlled project under this section as in effect on June 30, 2008, and for which:
            (A) the bonds or lease for the project were issued or entered into before July 1, 2008; or
            (B) the issuance of the bonds or the execution of the lease for the project was approved by the department of local government finance before July 1, 2008.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.40. Amended by P.L.178-2002, SEC.30; P.L.2-2006, SEC.51; P.L.146-2008, SEC.188.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.2
"Debt service" defined
    
Sec. 1.2. As used in this chapter, "debt service" means principal of and interest on bonds. The term includes the repayment of an advance from the common school fund under IC 20-49-4-8.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.41. Amended by P.L.2-2006, SEC.52.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.3
"Lease" defined
    
Sec. 1.3. As used in this chapter, "lease" means a lease by a political subdivision of any project with lease rentals payable from property taxes that are exempt from the levy limitations of IC 6-1.1-18.5 or (before January 1, 2009) IC 20-45-3.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.42. Amended by P.L.2-2006, SEC.53; P.L.146-2008, SEC.189.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.4
"Lease rentals" defined
    
Sec. 1.4. As used in this chapter, "lease rentals" means the payments required under a lease.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.43.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.5
"Obligations" defined
    
Sec. 1.5. As used in this chapter, "obligations" refers to a contract or promise to pay of a political subdivision that would be considered a bond or lease under this chapter but for the fact that it is payable solely from funds other than property taxes.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.44.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.6 "Property taxes" defined
    
Sec. 1.6. As used in this chapter, "property taxes" means a property tax rate or levy to pay debt service or to pay lease rentals, but does not include taxes allocated for an allocation area under IC 6-1.1-39-5, IC 8-22-3.5-9, IC 36-7-14-39, IC 36-7-15.1-26, or IC 36-7-15.1-53.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.45. Amended by P.L.102-1999, SEC.1.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.7
"Project" defined
    
Sec. 1.7. As used in this chapter, "project" means any project or purpose for which a political subdivision may issue bonds or enter into leases, including a sale-lease back of an existing building.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.46.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.8
"County voter registration office" defined
    
Sec. 1.8. As used in this chapter, "county voter registration office" means the following:
        (1) A board of registration established under IC 3-7-12 or by a county executive acting under IC 3-7-12.
        (2) A board of elections and registration established under IC 3-6-5.2 or IC 3-6-5.4.
        (3) The office of the circuit court clerk of a county in which a board has not been established as described in subdivision (1) or (2).
As added by P.L.219-2007, SEC.58.

IC 6-1.1-20-1.9
"Registered voter", "eligible voter", and "owner of property" defined
    
Sec. 1.9. (a) As used in this chapter, "registered voter" means the following:
        (1) In the case of a petition under section 3.1 of this chapter to initiate a petition and remonstrance process, an individual who is registered to vote in the political subdivision on the date the county voter registration board makes the determination under section 3.1(b)(8) of this chapter regarding whether persons who signed the petition are registered voters.
        (2) In the case of:
            (A) a petition under section 3.2 of this chapter in favor of the proposed debt service or lease payments; or
            (B) a remonstrance under section 3.2 of this chapter against the proposed debt service or lease payments;
        an individual who is registered to vote in the political subdivision on the date the county voter registration board makes the determination under section 3.2(b)(5) of this chapter regarding whether persons who signed the petition or remonstrance are registered voters.         (3) In the case of a petition under section 3.5 of this chapter requesting the application of the local public question process under section 3.6 of this chapter concerning proposed debt service or lease payments, an individual who is registered to vote in the political subdivision on the date the county voter registration board makes the determination under section 3.5(b)(8) of this chapter regarding whether persons who signed the petition are registered voters.
    (b) As used in this chapter, in the case of an election on a public question held under section 3.6 of this chapter, "eligible voter" means an individual who:
        (1) is eligible to vote in the election in the political subdivision in which the public question will be held, as determined under IC 3; and
        (2) resides within the boundaries of the political subdivision for which the public question is being considered.
    (c) As used in this chapter, "owner of property" means a person that owns:
        (1) real property;
        (2) a mobile home assessed as personal property, used as a principal place of residence, and receiving the standard property tax deduction under IC 6-1.1-12-37; or
        (3) a manufactured home assessed as personal property, used as a principal place of residence, and receiving the standard property tax deduction under IC 6-1.1-12-37.
As added by P.L.219-2007, SEC.59. Amended by P.L.146-2008, SEC.190; P.L.182-2009(ss), SEC.142; P.L.41-2010, SEC.1.

IC 6-1.1-20-2
Lease obligations and issuance of instruments authorized
    
Sec. 2. A political subdivision may, subject to the limitations provided by law, issue any bonds, notes, or warrants, or enter into any leases or obligations that it considers necessary.
(Formerly: Acts 1975, P.L.47, SEC.1.) As amended by P.L.25-1995, SEC.47.

IC 6-1.1-20-3
Repealed
    
(Repealed by P.L.25-1995, SEC.94.)

IC 6-1.1-20-3.1 Version a
Procedures to be completed by political subdivision before imposing property taxes for bonds or lease for certain projects
    
Note: This version of section amended by P.L.41-2010, SEC.2. See also following version of this section amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.33.
    Sec. 3.1. (a) This section applies only to the following:
        (1) A controlled project (as defined in section 1.1 of this chapter as in effect June 30, 2008) for which the proper officers of a political subdivision make a preliminary determination in

the manner described in subsection (b) before July 1, 2008.
        (2) An elementary school building, middle school building, or other school building for academic instruction that:
            (A) is a controlled project;
            (B) will be used for any combination of kindergarten through grade 8;
            (C) will not be used for any combination of grade 9 through grade 12; and
            (D) will not cost more than ten million dollars ($10,000,000).
        (3) A high school building or other school building for academic instruction that:
            (A) is a controlled project;
            (B) will be used for any combination of grade 9 through grade 12;
            (C) will not be used for any combination of kindergarten through grade 8; and
            (D) will not cost more than twenty million dollars ($20,000,000).
        (4) Any other controlled project that:
            (A) is not a controlled project described in subdivision (1), (2), or (3); and
            (B) will not cost the political subdivision more than the lesser of the following:
                (i) Twelve million dollars ($12,000,000).
                (ii) An amount equal to one percent (1%) of the total gross assessed value of property within the political subdivision on the last assessment date, if that amount is at least one million dollars ($1,000,000).
    (b) A political subdivision may not impose property taxes to pay debt service on bonds or lease rentals on a lease for a controlled project without completing the following procedures:
        (1) The proper officers of a political subdivision shall:
            (A) publish notice in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and
            (B) send notice by first class mail to any organization that delivers to the officers, before January 1 of that year, an annual written request for such notices;
        of any meeting to consider adoption of a resolution or an ordinance making a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease and shall conduct a public hearing on a preliminary determination before adoption of the resolution or ordinance.
        (2) When the proper officers of a political subdivision make a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease for a controlled project, the officers shall give notice of the preliminary determination by:
            (A) publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and
            (B) first class mail to the organizations described in subdivision (1)(B).
        (3) A notice under subdivision (2) of the preliminary

determination of the political subdivision to issue bonds or enter into a lease for a controlled project must include the following information:
            (A) The maximum term of the bonds or lease.
            (B) The maximum principal amount of the bonds or the maximum lease rental for the lease.
            (C) The estimated interest rates that will be paid and the total interest costs associated with the bonds or lease.
            (D) The purpose of the bonds or lease.
            (E) A statement that any owners of property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision who want to initiate a petition and remonstrance process against the proposed debt service or lease payments must file a petition that complies with subdivisions (4) and (5) not later than thirty (30) days after publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1.
            (F) With respect to bonds issued or a lease entered into to open:
                (i) a new school facility; or
                (ii) an existing facility that has not been used for at least three (3) years and that is being reopened to provide additional classroom space;
            the estimated costs the school corporation expects to incur annually to operate the facility.
            (G) A statement of whether the school corporation expects to appeal for a new facility adjustment (as defined in IC 20-45-1-16 before January 1, 2009) for an increased maximum permissible tuition support levy to pay the estimated costs described in clause (F).
            (H) The political subdivision's current debt service levy and rate and the estimated increase to the political subdivision's debt service levy and rate that will result if the political subdivision issues the bonds or enters into the lease.
        (4) After notice is given, a petition requesting the application of a petition and remonstrance process may be filed by the lesser of:
            (A) one hundred (100) persons who are either owners of property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision; or
            (B) five percent (5%) of the registered voters residing within the political subdivision.
        (5) The state board of accounts shall design and, upon request by the county voter registration office, deliver to the county voter registration office or the county voter registration office's designated printer the petition forms to be used solely in the petition process described in this section. The county voter registration office shall issue to an owner or owners of property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision the number of petition forms requested by the owner or owners or the registered voter. Each

form must be accompanied by instructions detailing the requirements that:
            (A) the carrier and signers must be owners of property or registered voters;
            (B) the carrier must be a signatory on at least one (1) petition;
            (C) after the signatures have been collected, the carrier must swear or affirm before a notary public that the carrier witnessed each signature; and
            (D) govern the closing date for the petition period.
        Persons requesting forms may be required to identify themselves as owners of property or registered voters and may be allowed to pick up additional copies to distribute to other owners of property or registered voters. Each person signing a petition must indicate whether the person is signing the petition as a registered voter within the political subdivision or is signing the petition as the owner of property within the political subdivision. A person who signs a petition as a registered voter must indicate the address at which the person is registered to vote. A person who signs a petition as an owner of property must indicate the address of the property owned by the person in the political subdivision.
        (6) Each petition must be verified under oath by at least one (1) qualified petitioner in a manner prescribed by the state board of accounts before the petition is filed with the county voter registration office under subdivision (7).
        (7) Each petition must be filed with the county voter registration office not more than thirty (30) days after publication under subdivision (2) of the notice of the preliminary determination.
        (8) The county voter registration office shall determine whether each person who signed the petition is a registered voter. The county voter registration office shall not more than fifteen (15) business days after receiving a petition forward a copy of the petition to the county auditor. Not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the copy of the petition, the county auditor shall provide to the county voter registration office a statement verifying:
            (A) whether a person who signed the petition as a registered voter but is not a registered voter, as determined by the county voter registration office, is the owner of property in the political subdivision; and
            (B) whether a person who signed the petition as an owner of property within the political subdivision does in fact own property within the political subdivision.
        (9) The county voter registration office shall not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the statement from the county auditor under subdivision (8) make the final determination of the number of petitioners that are registered voters in the political subdivision and, based on the statement provided by

the county auditor, the number of petitioners that own property within the political subdivision. Whenever the name of an individual who signs a petition form as a registered voter contains a minor variation from the name of the registered voter as set forth in the records of the county voter registration office, the signature is presumed to be valid, and there is a presumption that the individual is entitled to sign the petition under this section. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in determining whether an individual is a registered voter, the county voter registration office shall apply the requirements and procedures used under IC 3 to determine whether a person is a registered voter for purposes of voting in an election governed by IC 3. However, an individual is not required to comply with the provisions concerning providing proof of identification to be considered a registered voter for purposes of this chapter. A person is entitled to sign a petition only one (1) time in a particular petition and remonstrance process under this chapter, regardless of whether the person owns more than one (1) parcel of real property, mobile home assessed as personal property, or manufactured home assessed as personal property or a combination of those types of property within the subdivision and regardless of whether the person is both a registered voter in the political subdivision and the owner of property within the political subdivision. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a petition is presented to the county voter registration office within forty-five (45) days before an election, the county voter registration office may defer acting on the petition, and the time requirements under this section for action by the county voter registration office do not begin to run until five (5) days after the date of the election.
        (10) The county voter registration office must file a certificate and each petition with:
            (A) the township trustee, if the political subdivision is a township, who shall present the petition or petitions to the township board; or
            (B) the body that has the authority to authorize the issuance of the bonds or the execution of a lease, if the political subdivision is not a township;
        within thirty-five (35) business days of the filing of the petition requesting a petition and remonstrance process. The certificate must state the number of petitioners that are owners of property within the political subdivision and the number of petitioners who are registered voters residing within the political subdivision.
If a sufficient petition requesting a petition and remonstrance process is not filed by owners of property or registered voters as set forth in this section, the political subdivision may issue bonds or enter into a lease by following the provisions of law relating to the bonds to be issued or lease to be entered into.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.48. Amended by P.L.53-1996, SEC.2;

P.L.56-1997, SEC.1; P.L.178-2002, SEC.31; P.L.1-2004, SEC.30 and P.L.23-2004, SEC.33; P.L.2-2006, SEC.54; P.L.219-2007, SEC.60; P.L.146-2008, SEC.191; P.L.182-2009(ss), SEC.143; P.L.41-2010, SEC.2.

IC 6-1.1-20-3.1 Version b
Procedures required before imposing property taxes for bonds or lease for certain projects; petition requesting initiation of petition and remonstrance process
    
Note: This version of section amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.33. See also preceding version of this section amended by P.L.41-2010, SEC.2.
    Sec. 3.1. (a) This section applies only to the following:
        (1) A controlled project (as defined in section 1.1 of this chapter as in effect June 30, 2008) for which the proper officers of a political subdivision make a preliminary determination in the manner described in subsection (b) before July 1, 2008.
        (2) An elementary school building, middle school building, or other school building for academic instruction that:
            (A) is a controlled project;
            (B) will be used for any combination of kindergarten through grade 8;
            (C) will not be used for any combination of grade 9 through grade 12; and
            (D) will not cost more than ten million dollars ($10,000,000).
        (3) A high school building or other school building for academic instruction that:
            (A) is a controlled project;
            (B) will be used for any combination of grade 9 through grade 12;
            (C) will not be used for any combination of kindergarten through grade 8; and
            (D) will not cost more than twenty million dollars ($20,000,000).
        (4) Any other controlled project that:
            (A) is not a controlled project described in subdivision (1), (2), or (3); and
            (B) will not cost the political subdivision more than the lesser of the following:
                (i) Twelve million dollars ($12,000,000).
                (ii) An amount equal to one percent (1%) of the total gross assessed value of property within the political subdivision on the last assessment date, if that amount is at least one million dollars ($1,000,000).
    (b) A political subdivision may not impose property taxes to pay debt service on bonds or lease rentals on a lease for a controlled project without completing the following procedures:
        (1) The proper officers of a political subdivision shall:
            (A) publish notice in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and             (B) send notice by first class mail to the circuit court clerk and to any organization that delivers to the officers, before January 1 of that year, an annual written request for such notices;
        of any meeting to consider adoption of a resolution or an ordinance making a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease and shall conduct a public hearing on a preliminary determination before adoption of the resolution or ordinance.
        (2) When the proper officers of a political subdivision make a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease for a controlled project, the officers shall give notice of the preliminary determination by:
            (A) publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and
            (B) first class mail to the circuit court clerk and to the organizations described in subdivision (1)(B).
        (3) A notice under subdivision (2) of the preliminary determination of the political subdivision to issue bonds or enter into a lease for a controlled project must include the following information:
            (A) The maximum term of the bonds or lease.
            (B) The maximum principal amount of the bonds or the maximum lease rental for the lease.
            (C) The estimated interest rates that will be paid and the total interest costs associated with the bonds or lease.
            (D) The purpose of the bonds or lease.
            (E) A statement that any owners of real property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision who want to initiate a petition and remonstrance process against the proposed debt service or lease payments must file a petition that complies with subdivisions (4) and (5) not later than thirty (30) days after publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1.
            (F) With respect to bonds issued or a lease entered into to open:
                (i) a new school facility; or
                (ii) an existing facility that has not been used for at least three (3) years and that is being reopened to provide additional classroom space;
            the estimated costs the school corporation expects to incur annually to operate the facility.
            (G) A statement of whether the school corporation expects to appeal for a new facility adjustment (as defined in IC 20-45-1-16 before January 1, 2009) for an increased maximum permissible tuition support levy to pay the estimated costs described in clause (F).
            (H) The political subdivision's current debt service levy and rate and the estimated increase to the political subdivision's debt service levy and rate that will result if the political subdivision issues the bonds or enters into the lease.         (4) After notice is given, a petition requesting the application of a petition and remonstrance process may be filed by the lesser of:
            (A) one hundred (100) persons who are either owners of real property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision; or
            (B) five percent (5%) of the registered voters residing within the political subdivision.
        (5) The state board of accounts shall design and, upon request by the county voter registration office, deliver to the county voter registration office or the county voter registration office's designated printer the petition forms to be used solely in the petition process described in this section. The county voter registration office shall issue to an owner or owners of real property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision the number of petition forms requested by the owner or owners or the registered voter. Each form must be accompanied by instructions detailing the requirements that:
            (A) the carrier and signers must be owners of real property or registered voters;
            (B) the carrier must be a signatory on at least one (1) petition;
            (C) after the signatures have been collected, the carrier must swear or affirm before a notary public that the carrier witnessed each signature; and
            (D) govern the closing date for the petition period.
        Persons requesting forms may be required to identify themselves as owners of real property or registered voters and may be allowed to pick up additional copies to distribute to other property owners or registered voters. Each person signing a petition must indicate whether the person is signing the petition as a registered voter within the political subdivision or is signing the petition as the owner of real property within the political subdivision. A person who signs a petition as a registered voter must indicate the address at which the person is registered to vote. A person who signs a petition as a real property owner must indicate the address of the real property owned by the person in the political subdivision.
        (6) Each petition must be verified under oath by at least one (1) qualified petitioner in a manner prescribed by the state board of accounts before the petition is filed with the county voter registration office under subdivision (7).
        (7) Each petition must be filed with the county voter registration office not more than thirty (30) days after publication under subdivision (2) of the notice of the preliminary determination.
        (8) The county voter registration office shall determine whether each person who signed the petition is a registered voter. The county voter registration office shall not more than fifteen (15)

business days after receiving a petition forward a copy of the petition to the county auditor. Not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the copy of the petition, the county auditor shall provide to the county voter registration office a statement verifying:
            (A) whether a person who signed the petition as a registered voter but is not a registered voter, as determined by the county voter registration office, is the owner of real property in the political subdivision; and
            (B) whether a person who signed the petition as an owner of real property within the political subdivision does in fact own real property within the political subdivision.
        (9) The county voter registration office shall not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the statement from the county auditor under subdivision (8) make the final determination of the number of petitioners that are registered voters in the political subdivision and, based on the statement provided by the county auditor, the number of petitioners that own real property within the political subdivision. Whenever the name of an individual who signs a petition form as a registered voter contains a minor variation from the name of the registered voter as set forth in the records of the county voter registration office, the signature is presumed to be valid, and there is a presumption that the individual is entitled to sign the petition under this section. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in determining whether an individual is a registered voter, the county voter registration office shall apply the requirements and procedures used under IC 3 to determine whether a person is a registered voter for purposes of voting in an election governed by IC 3. However, an individual is not required to comply with the provisions concerning providing proof of identification to be considered a registered voter for purposes of this chapter. A person is entitled to sign a petition only one (1) time in a particular petition and remonstrance process under this chapter, regardless of whether the person owns more than one (1) parcel of real property within the subdivision and regardless of whether the person is both a registered voter in the political subdivision and the owner of real property within the political subdivision. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a petition is presented to the county voter registration office within forty-five (45) days before an election, the county voter registration office may defer acting on the petition, and the time requirements under this section for action by the county voter registration office do not begin to run until five (5) days after the date of the election.
        (10) The county voter registration office must file a certificate and each petition with:
            (A) the township trustee, if the political subdivision is a township, who shall present the petition or petitions to the township board; or             (B) the body that has the authority to authorize the issuance of the bonds or the execution of a lease, if the political subdivision is not a township;
        within thirty-five (35) business days of the filing of the petition requesting a petition and remonstrance process. The certificate must state the number of petitioners that are owners of real property within the political subdivision and the number of petitioners who are registered voters residing within the political subdivision.
If a sufficient petition requesting a petition and remonstrance process is not filed by owners of real property or registered voters as set forth in this section, the political subdivision may issue bonds or enter into a lease by following the provisions of law relating to the bonds to be issued or lease to be entered into.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.48. Amended by P.L.53-1996, SEC.2; P.L.56-1997, SEC.1; P.L.178-2002, SEC.31; P.L.1-2004, SEC.30 and P.L.23-2004, SEC.33; P.L.2-2006, SEC.54; P.L.219-2007, SEC.60; P.L.146-2008, SEC.191; P.L.182-2009(ss), SEC.143; P.L.113-2010, SEC.33.

IC 6-1.1-20-3.2 Version a
Petition and remonstrance process for bonds or lease for certain projects
    
Note: This version of section amended by P.L.41-2010, SEC.3. See also following version of this section amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.34.
    Sec. 3.2. (a) This section applies only to controlled projects described in section 3.1(a) of this chapter.
    (b) If a sufficient petition requesting the application of a petition and remonstrance process has been filed as set forth in section 3.1 of this chapter, a political subdivision may not impose property taxes to pay debt service on bonds or lease rentals on a lease for a controlled project without completing the following procedures:
        (1) The proper officers of the political subdivision shall give notice of the applicability of the petition and remonstrance process by:
            (A) publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and
            (B) first class mail to the organizations described in section 3.1(b)(1)(B) of this chapter.
        A notice under this subdivision must include a statement that any owners of property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision who want to petition in favor of or remonstrate against the proposed debt service or lease payments must file petitions and remonstrances in compliance with subdivisions (2) through (4) not earlier than thirty (30) days or later than sixty (60) days after publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1.
        (2) Not earlier than thirty (30) days or later than sixty (60) days after the notice under subdivision (1) is given:
            (A) petitions (described in subdivision (3)) in favor of the

bonds or lease; and
            (B) remonstrances (described in subdivision (3)) against the bonds or lease;
        may be filed by an owner or owners of property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision. Each signature on a petition must be dated, and the date of signature may not be before the date on which the petition and remonstrance forms may be issued under subdivision (3). A petition described in clause (A) or a remonstrance described in clause (B) must be verified in compliance with subdivision (4) before the petition or remonstrance is filed with the county voter registration office under subdivision (4).
        (3) The state board of accounts shall design and, upon request by the county voter registration office, deliver to the county voter registration office or the county voter registration office's designated printer the petition and remonstrance forms to be used solely in the petition and remonstrance process described in this section. The county voter registration office shall issue to an owner or owners of property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision the number of petition or remonstrance forms requested by the owner or owners or the registered voter. Each form must be accompanied by instructions detailing the requirements that:
            (A) the carrier and signers must be owners of property or registered voters;
            (B) the carrier must be a signatory on at least one (1) petition;
            (C) after the signatures have been collected, the carrier must swear or affirm before a notary public that the carrier witnessed each signature;
            (D) govern the closing date for the petition and remonstrance period; and
            (E) apply to the carrier under section 10 of this chapter.
        Persons requesting forms may be required to identify themselves as owners of property or registered voters and may be allowed to pick up additional copies to distribute to other owners of property or registered voters. Each person signing a petition or remonstrance must indicate whether the person is signing the petition or remonstrance as a registered voter within the political subdivision or is signing the petition or remonstrance as the owner of property within the political subdivision. A person who signs a petition or remonstrance as a registered voter must indicate the address at which the person is registered to vote. A person who signs a petition or remonstrance as an owner of property must indicate the address of the property owned by the person in the political subdivision. The county voter registration office may not issue a petition or remonstrance form earlier than twenty-nine (29) days after the

notice is given under subdivision (1). The county voter registration office shall certify the date of issuance on each petition or remonstrance form that is distributed under this subdivision.
        (4) The petitions and remonstrances must be verified in the manner prescribed by the state board of accounts and filed with the county voter registration office within the sixty (60) day period described in subdivision (2) in the manner set forth in section 3.1 of this chapter relating to requests for a petition and remonstrance process.
        (5) The county voter registration office shall determine whether each person who signed the petition or remonstrance is a registered voter. The county voter registration office shall not more than fifteen (15) business days after receiving a petition or remonstrance forward a copy of the petition or remonstrance to the county auditor. Not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the copy of the petition or remonstrance, the county auditor shall provide to the county voter registration office a statement verifying:
            (A) whether a person who signed the petition or remonstrance as a registered voter but is not a registered voter, as determined by the county voter registration office, is the owner of property in the political subdivision; and
            (B) whether a person who signed the petition or remonstrance as an owner of property within the political subdivision does in fact own property within the political subdivision.
        (6) The county voter registration office shall not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the statement from the county auditor under subdivision (5) make the final determination of:
            (A) the number of registered voters in the political subdivision that signed a petition and, based on the statement provided by the county auditor, the number of owners of property within the political subdivision that signed a petition; and
            (B) the number of registered voters in the political subdivision that signed a remonstrance and, based on the statement provided by the county auditor, the number of owners of property within the political subdivision that signed a remonstrance.
        Whenever the name of an individual who signs a petition or remonstrance as a registered voter contains a minor variation from the name of the registered voter as set forth in the records of the county voter registration office, the signature is presumed to be valid, and there is a presumption that the individual is entitled to sign the petition or remonstrance under this section. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in determining whether an individual is a registered voter, the county voter registration office shall apply the requirements and procedures used under IC 3 to determine whether a person is a registered

voter for purposes of voting in an election governed by IC 3. However, an individual is not required to comply with the provisions concerning providing proof of identification to be considered a registered voter for purposes of this chapter. A person is entitled to sign a petition or remonstrance only one (1) time in a particular petition and remonstrance process under this chapter, regardless of whether the person owns more than one (1) parcel of real property, mobile home assessed as personal property, or manufactured home assessed as personal property or a combination of those types of property within the subdivision and regardless of whether the person is both a registered voter in the political subdivision and the owner of property within the political subdivision. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a petition or remonstrance is presented to the county voter registration office within forty-five (45) days before an election, the county voter registration office may defer acting on the petition or remonstrance, and the time requirements under this section for action by the county voter registration office do not begin to run until five (5) days after the date of the election.
        (7) The county voter registration office must file a certificate and the petition or remonstrance with the body of the political subdivision charged with issuing bonds or entering into leases within thirty-five (35) business days of the filing of a petition or remonstrance under subdivision (4), whichever applies, containing ten thousand (10,000) signatures or less. The county voter registration office may take an additional five (5) days to review and certify the petition or remonstrance for each additional five thousand (5,000) signatures up to a maximum of sixty (60) days. The certificate must state the number of petitioners and remonstrators that are owners of property within the political subdivision and the number of petitioners who are registered voters residing within the political subdivision.
        (8) If a greater number of persons who are either owners of property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision sign a remonstrance than the number that signed a petition, the bonds petitioned for may not be issued or the lease petitioned for may not be entered into. The proper officers of the political subdivision may not make a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease for the controlled project defeated by the petition and remonstrance process under this section or any other controlled project that is not substantially different within one (1) year after the date of the county voter registration office's certificate under subdivision (7). Withdrawal of a petition carries the same consequences as a defeat of the petition.
        (9) After a political subdivision has gone through the petition and remonstrance process set forth in this section, the political subdivision is not required to follow any other remonstrance or objection procedures under any other law (including section 5

of this chapter) relating to bonds or leases designed to protect owners of property within the political subdivision from the imposition of property taxes to pay debt service or lease rentals. However, the political subdivision must still receive the approval of the department of local government finance if required by:
            (A) IC 6-1.1-18.5-8; or
            (B) IC 20-46-7-8, IC 20-46-7-9, and IC 20-46-7-10.
As added by P.L.25-1995, SEC.49. Amended by P.L.53-1996, SEC.3; P.L.54-1996, SEC.1; P.L.2-1997, SEC.20; P.L.56-1997, SEC.2; P.L.2-1998, SEC.20; P.L.90-2002, SEC.192; P.L.178-2002, SEC.32; P.L.1-2004, SEC.31 and P.L.23-2004, SEC.34; P.L.2-2006, SEC.55; P.L.219-2007, SEC.61; P.L.224-2007, SEC.31; P.L.3-2008, SEC.47; P.L.146-2008, SEC.192; P.L.182-2009(ss), SEC.144; P.L.41-2010, SEC.3.

IC 6-1.1-20-3.2 Version b
Petition and remonstrance process for bonds or lease for certain projects
    
Note: This version of section amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.34. See also preceding version of this section amended by P.L.41-2010, SEC.3.
    Sec. 3.2. (a) This section applies only to controlled projects described in section 3.1(a) of this chapter.
    (b) If a sufficient petition requesting the application of a petition and remonstrance process has been filed as set forth in section 3.1 of this chapter, a political subdivision may not impose property taxes to pay debt service on bonds or lease rentals on a lease for a controlled project without completing the following procedures:
        (1) The proper officers of the political subdivision shall give notice of the applicability of the petition and remonstrance process by:
            (A) publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1; and
            (B) first class mail to the circuit court clerk and to the organizations described in section 3.1(b)(1)(B) of this chapter.
        A notice under this subdivision must include a statement that any owners of real property within the political subdivision or registered voters residing within the political subdivision who want to petition in favor of or remonstrate against the proposed debt service or lease payments must file petitions and remonstrances in compliance with subdivisions (2) through (4) not earlier than thirty (30) days or later than sixty (60) days after publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1.
        (2) Not earlier than thirty (30) days or later than sixty (60) days after the notice under subdivision (1) is given:
            (A) petitions (described in subdivision (3)) in favor of the bonds or lease; and
            (B) remonstrances (described in subdivision (3)) against the bonds or lease;         may be filed by an owner or owners of real property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision. Each signature on a petition must be dated, and the date of signature may not be before the date on which the petition and remonstrance forms may be issued under subdivision (3). A petition described in clause (A) or a remonstrance described in clause (B) must be verified in compliance with subdivision (4) before the petition or remonstrance is filed with the county voter registration office under subdivision (4).
        (3) The state board of accounts shall design and, upon request by the county voter registration office, deliver to the county voter registration office or the county voter registration office's designated printer the petition and remonstrance forms to be used solely in the petition and remonstrance process described in this section. The county voter registration office shall issue to an owner or owners of real property within the political subdivision or a registered voter residing within the political subdivision the number of petition or remonstrance forms requested by the owner or owners or the registered voter. Each form must be accompanied by instructions detailing the requirements that:
            (A) the carrier and signers must be owners of real property or registered voters;
            (B) the carrier must be a signatory on at least one (1) petition;
            (C) after the signatures have been collected, the carrier must swear or affirm before a notary public that the carrier witnessed each signature;
            (D) govern the closing date for the petition and remonstrance period; and
            (E) apply to the carrier under section 10 of this chapter.
        Persons requesting forms may be required to identify themselves as owners of real property or registered voters and may be allowed to pick up additional copies to distribute to other property owners or registered voters. Each person signing a petition or remonstrance must indicate whether the person is signing the petition or remonstrance as a registered voter within the political subdivision or is signing the petition or remonstrance as the owner of real property within the political subdivision. A person who signs a petition or remonstrance as a registered voter must indicate the address at which the person is registered to vote. A person who signs a petition or remonstrance as a real property owner must indicate the address of the real property owned by the person in the political subdivision. The county voter registration office may not issue a petition or remonstrance form earlier than twenty-nine (29) days after the notice is given under subdivision (1). The county voter registration office shall certify the date of issuance on each petition or remonstrance form that is distributed under this

subdivision.
        (4) The petitions and remonstrances must be verified in the manner prescribed by the state board of accounts and filed with the county voter registration office within the sixty (60) day period described in subdivision (2) in the manner set forth in section 3.1 of this chapter relating to requests for a petition and remonstrance process.
        (5) The county voter registration office shall determine whether each person who signed the petition or remonstrance is a registered voter. The county voter registration office shall not more than fifteen (15) business days after receiving a petition or remonstrance forward a copy of the petition or remonstrance to the county auditor. Not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the copy of the petition or remonstrance, the county auditor shall provide to the county voter registration office a statement verifying:
            (A) whether a person who signed the petition or remonstrance as a registered voter but is not a registered voter, as determined by the county voter registration office, is the owner of real property in the political subdivision; and
            (B) whether a person who signed the petition or remonstrance as an owner of real property within the political subdivision does in fact own real property within the political subdivision.
        (6) The county voter registration office shall not more than ten (10) business days after receiving the statement from the county auditor under subdivision (5) make the final determination of:
            (A) the number of registered voters in the political subdivision that signed a petition and, based on the statement provided by the county auditor, the number of owners of real property within the political subdivision that signed a petition; and
            (B) the number of registered voters in the political subdivision that signed a remonstrance and, based on the statement provided by the county auditor, the number of owners of real property within the political subdivision that signed a remonstrance.
        Whenever the name of an individual who signs a petition or remonstrance as a registered voter contains a minor variation from the name of the registered voter as set forth in the records of the county voter registration office, the signature is presumed to be valid, and there is a presumption that the individual is entitled to sign the petition or remonstrance under this section. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in determining whether an individual is a registered voter, the county voter registration office shall apply the requirements and procedures used under IC 3 to determine whether a person is a registered voter for purposes of voting in an election governed by IC 3. However, an individual is not required to comply with the provisions concerning providing proof of identification to be

considered a registered voter for purposes of this chapter. A person is entitled to sign a petition or remonstrance only one (1) time in a particular petition and remonstrance process under this chapter, regardless of whether the person owns more than one (1) parcel of real property within the subdivision and regardless of whether the person is both a registered voter in the political subdivision and the owner of real property within the political subdivision. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a petition or remonstrance is presented to the county voter registration office within forty-five (45) days before an election, the county voter registration office may defer acting on the petition or remonstrance, and the time requirements under this section for action by the county voter registration office do not begin to run until five (5) days after the date of the election.
      &nb