Ind. Code ch. 36-7-41

Ind. Code ch. 36-7-41
in effect

Ind. Code § 36-7-41-1 Definitions

Sec. 1. (a) As used in this chapter, "commission" refers to the northwest Indiana professional sports development commission established by section 2 of this chapter. (b) As used in this chapter, "fund" refers to the local professional sports development fund created by section 13 of this chapter. (c) As used in this chapter, "professional sports franchise" refers to a club, corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, association, or other legal entity operating a professional sports team that belongs to one (1) of the following: (1) A professional football league established before 1930. (2) A professional baseball league established before 1910. (3) An association of professional basketball teams established before 1960. (4) A North American hockey league that has had at least one (1) franchise in the United States since 1924. (5) A professional soccer league established in 1993. As added by P.L.119-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 36-7-41-2 Northwest Indiana professional sports development commission

Sec. 2. The northwest Indiana professional sports development commission is established. As added by P.L.119-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 36-7-41-3 Commission membership

Sec. 3. (a) The commission consists of the following seventeen (17) members: (1) The mayor of East Chicago. (2) The mayor of Gary. (3) The mayor of Hammond. (4) The mayor of Michigan City. (5) The mayor of LaPorte. (6) The mayor of Portage. (7) The mayor of South Bend. (8) Four (4) members appointed under subsection (b). (9) Four (4) members appointed under subsection (c). (10) One (1) member appointed by the executive director of the northwest Indiana regional development authority. (11) One (1) member appointed by the governor to represent the Indiana economic development corporation. (b) The board of county commissioners for each of the following counties shall appoint to the commission one (1) member from among the board's membership: (1) Lake County. (2) Porter County. (3) LaPorte County. (4) St. Joseph County. (c) The county council for each of the following counties shall appoint to the commission one (1) member from among the council's membership: (1) Lake County. (2) Porter County. (3) LaPorte County. (4) St. Joseph County. As added by P.L.119-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 36-7-41-4 Member designation

Sec. 4. A member of the commission may designate an individual to serve on the commission in the member's place. As added by P.L.119-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 36-7-41-5 Term

Sec. 5. (a) The term of each member is two (2) years and ends June 30 of an odd-numbered year. (b) A member may be reappointed. As added by P.L.119-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 36-7-41-6 Vacancy

Sec. 6. A vacancy occurring in the membership of the commission shall be filled by the appointing authority to serve the remainder of the term. As added by P.L.119-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 36-7-41-7 Quorum

Sec. 7. (a) A quorum of the commission must be present to conduct the commission's business. A quorum consists of nine (9) members of the commission. (b) The affirmative votes of nine (9) members of the commission are required for the commission to take action on any measure. As added by P.L.119-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 36-7-41-8 Initial meeting

Sec. 8. (a) The commission shall hold its initial meeting before September 1, 2025, at the call of the member appointed under section 3(a)(10) of this chapter. (b) The commission shall elect the following officers from among the members of the commission: (1) A chairperson. (2) A vice chairperson. (3) A treasurer. (c) The term of each officer elected under subsection (b): (1) is one (1) year; and (2) ends on June 30. (d) An officer may be reelected. As added by P.L.119-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 36-7-41-9 Meetings

Sec. 9. The commission shall fix the time for regular meetings. As added by P.L.119-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 36-7-41-10 Commission activities

Sec. 10. The commission may do the following: (1) Study various plans and recommendations that are proposed with respect to attracting one (1) or more professional sports franchises to northwest Indiana. (2) Prepare a comprehensive master plan for building the facilities and other infrastructure necessary for attracting and developing professional sports franchises in northwest Indiana. (3) Coordinate the implementation of the comprehensive master plan. (4) Monitor the progress of implementation of the comprehensive master plan. (5) Report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the Indiana economic development corporation, the legislative council, and the budget committee on: (A) the activities of the commission; and (B) the progress of implementation of the comprehensive master plan. A report provided under this subdivision to the legislative council must be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6. As added by P.L.119-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 36-7-41-11 Studies and advertisement

Sec. 11. When necessary to accomplish the purposes of the commission, the commission may do the following: (1) Conduct studies necessary for the performance of the commission's duties. (2) Publicize, advertise, and distribute reports on the commission's purposes, objectives, and findings. (3) Provide recommendations in matters related to the commission's functions and objectives to the following: (A) The governor and, in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6, the general assembly. (B) Political subdivisions that have territory within northwest Indiana. (C) Other public and private agencies. (4) When requested, act as a coordinating agency for programs and activities of other public and private agencies that are related to the commission's objectives. (5) Receive grants and appropriations from the following: (A) Federal, state, and local governments. (B) Individuals. (C) Foundations. (D) Other organizations. (6) Enter into agreements or contracts regarding the acceptance or use of these grants and appropriations for the purpose of carrying out the commission's activities under this chapter. (7) Acquire and dispose of real or personal property by grant, gift, purchase, lease, devise, or otherwise. (8) Hold, use, improve, maintain, operate, own, manage, or lease as lessor or lessee: (A) real or personal property; or (B) any interest in real or personal property. (9) Contract for staff services with qualified agencies or individuals. As added by P.L.119-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 36-7-41-12 Expenditures

Sec. 12. (a) After approval of the budget by the commission, money may be expended only as budgeted, unless a majority vote of the commission authorizes other expenditures. (b) The treasurer of the commission is responsible for the safekeeping and deposit of money the commission receives under this chapter. The state board of accounts shall: (1) prescribe the methods and forms for keeping; and (2) periodically audit; the accounts, records, and books of the commission. (c) The treasurer of the commission may receive, disburse, and handle money belonging to the commission, subject to the following: (1) Applicable statutes. (2) Procedures established by the commission. As added by P.L.119-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 36-7-41-13 Local professional sports development fund

Sec. 13. (a) The local professional sports development fund is created. The commission may make expenditures from the fund only to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. (b) The fund consists of the following: (1) Grants, gifts, and donations intended for deposit in the fund. (2) Interest that accrues from money in the fund. (3) Money from any other source deposited in the fund. (c) The commission shall do the following: (1) Hold the fund in the name of the commission. (2) Administer the fund. (3) Make all expenditures from the fund. As added by P.L.119-2025, SEC.1.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/36Fetched: 10/17/2026