Ind. Code ch. 20-48-1

Ind. Code ch. 20-48-1
in effect

Ind. Code § 20-48-1-1 Powers; conditions and issuance of bonds; improvement of real estate

Sec. 1. (a) As used in this section, "improvement of real estate" includes: (1) construction, reconstruction, remodeling, alteration, or repair of buildings or additions to buildings; (2) equipment related to activities specified in subdivision (1); and (3) auxiliary facilities related to activities specified in subdivision (1), including facilities for: (A) furnishing water, gas, and electricity; (B) carrying and disposing of sewage and storm and surface water drainage; (C) housing of school owned buses; (D) landscaping of grounds; and (E) construction of walks, drives, parking areas, playgrounds, or facilities for physical training. (b) Subject to IC 5-1-11.5, a school corporation is authorized to issue bonds to pay the: (1) cost of acquisition and improvement of real estate for school purposes; (2) funding of judgments; (3) cost of the purchase of school buses; and (4) incidental expenses incurred in connection with and on account of the issuance of the bonds. [Pre-2006 Recodification Citation: 21-2-21-1.] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.171. Amended by P.L.184-2015, SEC.11; P.L.244-2017, SEC.112; P.L.250-2023, SEC.41.

Ind. Code § 20-48-1-2 Powers; issuance of bonds; retirement or severance liability

Sec. 2. (a) As used in this section, "retirement or severance liability" means the payments anticipated to be required to be made to employees of a school corporation upon or after termination of the employment of the employees by the school corporation under an existing or previous employment agreement. (b) This section applies to each school corporation that: (1) did not issue bonds under IC 20-5-4-1.7 before its repeal; or (2) issued bonds under IC 20-5-4-1.7 (repealed): (A) before April 14, 2003; or (B) after April 13, 2003, if an order approving the issuance of the bonds was issued by the department of local government finance before April 14, 2003. (c) In addition to the purposes set forth in section 1 of this chapter, a school corporation described in subsection (b) may issue bonds to implement solutions to contractual retirement or severance liability. The issuance of bonds for this purpose is subject to the following conditions: (1) The school corporation may issue bonds under this section only one (1) time. (2) A school corporation described in subsection (b)(1) or (b)(2)(A) must issue the bonds before July 1, 2006. (3) The solution to which the bonds are contributing must be reasonably expected to reduce the school corporation's unfunded contractual liability for retirement or severance payments as it existed on June 30, 2001. (4) The amount of the bonds that may be issued for the purpose described in this section may not exceed: (A) two percent (2%) of the true tax value of property in the school corporation, for a school corporation that did not issue bonds under IC 20-5-4-1.7 (before its repeal); or (B) the remainder of: (i) two percent (2%) of the true tax value of property in the school corporation as of the date that the school corporation issued bonds under IC 20-5-4-1.7 (before its repeal); minus (ii) the amount of bonds that the school corporation issued under IC 20-5-4-1.7 (before its repeal); for a school corporation that issued bonds under IC 20-5-4-1.7 (repealed) as described in subsection (b)(2). (5) Each year that a debt service levy is needed under this section, the school corporation shall reduce the total property tax levy for the school corporation's operations fund in an amount equal to the property tax levy needed for the debt service under this section. The property tax rate for the operations fund shall be reduced each year until the bonds are retired. (6) The school corporation shall establish a separate debt service fund for repayment of the bonds issued under this section. (d) Bonds issued for the purpose described in this section shall be issued in the same manner as other bonds of the school corporation. (e) Bonds issued under this section are not subject to the petition and remonstrance process under IC 6-1.1-20 or to the limitations contained in IC 36-1-15. [Pre-2006 Recodification Citation: 21-2-21-1.8.] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.171. Amended by P.L.1-2007, SEC.155; P.L.1-2010, SEC.83; P.L.145-2012, SEC.27; P.L.244-2017, SEC.113.

Ind. Code § 20-48-1-2.5 Status of bonds issued under prior statute; debt service levies, property tax levies

Sec. 2.5. Notwithstanding the repeal of IC 20-5-4-1.7, as added by P.L.253-2001, the following provisions apply to bonds issued under IC 20-5-4-1.7, as added by P.L.253-2001, before December 31, 2004: (1) The bonds remain valid and binding obligations of the school corporation that issued them, as if IC 20-5-4-1.7 had not been repealed. (2) Each year that a debt service levy is needed for the bonds, the school corporation that issued the bonds shall reduce its total property tax levy for the school corporation's operations fund in an amount equal to the property tax levy needed for the debt service on the bonds. As added by P.L.220-2011, SEC.340. Amended by P.L.244-2017, SEC.114.

Ind. Code § 20-48-1-3 Payment schedule; maximum term; designee of paying agent

Sec. 3. (a) Bonds authorized by this article and IC 20-26-1 through IC 20-26-5 must be payable in the amounts and at the times and places determined by the governing body. (b) Bonds issued for the funding of judgments or for the purchase of school buses shall mature not more than five (5) years from the date of the bonds. Bonds issued for other purposes must mature not more than twenty-five (25) years from the date of the bonds. (c) The governing body may provide that principal and interest of the bonds are payable at a bank in Indiana and may also be payable at the option of the holder at another bank designated by the governing body, either before or after the sale. (d) The governing body may pay the fees of the bank paying agent and shall deposit with the paying agent, if any, within a reasonable period before the date that principal and interest become due sufficient money for the payment of the principal and interest on the due date. [Pre-2006 Recodification Citation: 21-2-21-2.] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.171.

Ind. Code § 20-48-1-4 Conditions of sale; par value; public sale; negotiated sale; interest rate; approval required for certain bonds

Sec. 4. (a) Bonds issued by a school corporation shall be sold: (1) at a public sale; or (2) alternatively, at a negotiated sale. (b) If the bonds are sold at a public sale, the bonds must be sold at: (1) not less than par value; (2) a public sale as provided by IC 5-1-11; and (3) any rate or rates of interest determined by the bidding. (c) This subsection does not apply to bonds for which a school corporation: (1) after June 30, 2008, makes a preliminary determination as described in IC 6-1.1-20-3.1 or IC 6-1.1-20-3.5 or a decision as described in IC 6-1.1-20-5; or (2) in the case of bonds not subject to IC 6-1.1-20-3.1, IC 6-1.1-20-3.5, or IC 6-1.1-20-5, adopts a resolution or ordinance authorizing the bonds after June 30, 2008. If the net interest cost exceeds eight percent (8%) per year, the bonds must not be issued until the issuance is approved by the department of local government finance. [Pre-2006 Recodification Citation: 21-2-21-3.] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.171. Amended by P.L.146-2008, SEC.522; P.L.125-2018, SEC.5; P.L.38-2021, SEC.69; P.L.236-2023, SEC.157; P.L.230-2025, SEC.134.

Ind. Code § 20-48-1-5 Signatures; issuing party

Sec. 5. (a) Bonds shall be executed in the name and on behalf of the school corporation by the president and secretary of the governing body. One (1) of the signatures may be by facsimile imprinted on a bond instrument, but at least one (1) of the signatures shall be manually affixed. The secretary of the governing body shall cause the seal of the school corporation to be impressed or a facsimile of the seal printed on each bond. Interest coupons, if any, shall be executed by the facsimile signature of the treasurer of the governing body. (b) If the president, secretary, or treasurer of the governing body ceases to be the president, secretary, or treasurer for any reason after the officer has executed bonds under this section but before the bonds have been delivered to the purchaser or purchasers of the bonds, the bonds are binding and valid obligations as if the officer were in office at the time of delivery. The treasurer of the governing body shall cause the bonds to be delivered to the purchaser or purchasers and shall receive payment for the bonds. [Pre-2006 Recodification Citation: 21-2-21-4.] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.171.

Ind. Code § 20-48-1-6 Required debt service fund levy; payment of obligations

Sec. 6. (a) The governing body shall provide for the payment of principal and interest on bonds executed under section 5 of this chapter by levying annually a tax for its debt service fund that is sufficient to pay the principal and interest as the bonds become due. (b) The bodies charged with the review of budgets and tax levies shall review a levy for principal and interest described in subsection (a) to determine whether the levy is sufficient. [Pre-2006 Recodification Citation: 21-2-21-5.] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.171. Amended by P.L.244-2017, SEC.115.

Ind. Code § 20-48-1-7 Emergency loans

Sec. 7. (a) This section applies if a governing body finds by written resolution that an emergency exists that requires the expenditure of money for a lawful corporate purpose that was not included in the school corporation's existing budget and tax levy. (b) If a governing body makes a finding specified in subsection (a), the governing body may authorize making an emergency loan that may be evidenced by the issuance of the school corporation's note in the same manner and subject to the same procedure and restrictions as provided for the issuance of the school corporation's bonds, except as to purpose. (c) If a governing body authorizes an emergency loan as specified in subsection (b), the governing body shall, at the time for making the next annual budget and tax levy for the school corporation, make a levy to the credit of the fund for which the expenditure is made sufficient to pay the loan and the interest on the loan. However, the interest on the loan may be paid from the debt service fund. A governing body may not increase the debt service fund levy to pay for the interest on the loan unless: (1) the loan has been issued; and (2) the school corporation has received the loan proceeds. (d) A governing body may not authorize an emergency loan for the purpose of increasing the school corporation's property tax rate for the ensuing budget year. [Pre-2006 Recodification Citation: 21-2-21-6.] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.171. Amended by P.L.38-2021, SEC.70.

Ind. Code § 20-48-1-8 Bonds; emergency loans; compliance with other laws

Sec. 8. The provisions of all general statutes and rules relating to: (1) filing petitions requesting the issuance of bonds and giving notice of the issuance of bonds; (2) giving notice of determination to issue bonds; (3) giving notice of a hearing on the appropriation of the proceeds of the bonds and the right of taxpayers to appear and be heard on the proposed appropriation; and (4) the right of taxpayers and voters to remonstrate against or vote on, as applicable, the issuance of bonds; apply to proceedings for the issuance of bonds and the making of an emergency loan under this article and IC 20-26-1 through IC 20-26-5. An action to contest the validity of the bonds or emergency loans may not be brought later than five (5) days after the acceptance of a bid for the sale of the bonds. [Pre-2006 Recodification Citation: 21-2-21-7.] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.171. Amended by P.L.219-2007, SEC.99; P.L.146-2008, SEC.523.

Ind. Code § 20-48-1-9 Anticipation warrants

Sec. 9. (a) If the governing body of a school corporation finds and declares that an emergency exists to borrow money with which to pay current expenses from a particular fund before the receipt of revenues from taxes levied or state tuition support distributions for the fund, the governing body may issue warrants in anticipation of the receipt of the revenues. (b) The principal of warrants issued under subsection (a) is payable solely from the fund for which the taxes are levied or from the school corporation's education fund in the case of anticipated state tuition support distributions. However, the interest on the warrants may be paid from the debt service fund, from the operations fund, or the education fund in the case of anticipated state tuition support distributions. A governing body may not increase the debt service fund levy to pay for the interest on the warrants unless the warrants have been authorized by the governing body in a resolution adopted at a public meeting in the year immediately preceding the year in which the warrants will be issued. (c) The amount of principal of temporary loans maturing on or before June 30 for any fund may not exceed eighty percent (80%) of the amount of taxes and state tuition support distributions estimated to be collected or received for and distributed to the fund at the June settlement. (d) The amount of principal of temporary loans maturing after June 30 and on or before December 31 may not exceed eighty percent (80%) of the amount of taxes and state tuition support distributions estimated to be collected or received for and distributed to the fund at the December settlement. (e) The county auditor or the auditor's deputy shall determine the estimated amount of taxes and state tuition support distributions to be collected or received and distributed. The warrants evidencing a loan in anticipation of tax revenue or state tuition support distributions may not be delivered to the purchaser of the warrant and payment may not be made on the warrant before January 1 of the year the loan is to be repaid. However, the proceedings necessary for the loan may be held and carried out before January 1 and before the approval. The loan may be made even though a part of the last preceding June or December settlement has not been received. (f) Proceedings for the issuance and sale of warrants for more than one (1) fund may be combined. Separate warrants for each fund must be issued, and each warrant must state on the face of the warrant the fund from which the warrant's principal is payable. An action to contest the validity of a warrant may not be brought later than fifteen (15) days after the first publication of notice of sale. (g) An issue of tax or state tuition support anticipation warrants may not be made if the total of all tax or state tuition support anticipation warrants exceeds twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) until the issuance is advertised for sale, bids are received, and an award is made by the governing body as required for the sale of bonds, except that the publication of notice of the sale is not necessary: (1) outside the county; or (2) more than ten (10) days before the date of sale. [Pre-2006 Recodification Citation: 21-2-21-8.] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.171. Amended by P.L.146-2008, SEC.524; P.L.244-2017, SEC.116; P.L.38-2021, SEC.71; P.L.136-2021, SEC.8; P.L.165-2021, SEC.169.

Ind. Code § 20-48-1-10 Temporary transfers among funds

Sec. 10. Temporary transfers of funds by a school corporation may be made as authorized under IC 36-1-8-4. [Pre-2006 Recodification Citation: 21-2-21-9.] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.171.

Ind. Code § 20-48-1-11 Annual review of obligations; department of local government finance; increase in levy to pay obligations; intercept of state distributions to pay obligations

Sec. 11. (a) The following definitions apply throughout this section: (1) "Debt service obligations" refers to the principal and interest payable: (A) on a school corporation's general obligation bonds and lease rentals under IC 20-47-2 and IC 20-47-3; or (B) to a school corporation's designated paying agent under a written agreement entered into in connection with the issuance of the school corporation's general obligation bonds. (2) Beginning April 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, and subject to subsection (f), "school corporation" means the following: (A) A school corporation (as defined in IC 20-18-2-16(a)). (B) The Indianapolis public education corporation established by IC 20-25.3-3-1. This subdivision expires July 1, 2027. (b) Before the end of each calendar year, the department of local government finance shall review the bond and lease rental levies, or any levies that replace bond and lease rental levies, of each school corporation that are payable in the next succeeding calendar year and the appropriations from the levies from which the school corporation is to pay the amount, if any, of the school corporation's debt service obligations for that next succeeding calendar year. If the levies and appropriations of the school corporation are not sufficient to pay the debt service obligations for the next succeeding calendar year, the department of local government finance shall establish for each school corporation: (1) bond or lease rental levies, or any levies that replace the bond and lease rental levies; and (2) appropriations; that are sufficient to pay the debt service obligations for that next succeeding calendar year. (c) Upon the failure of a school corporation to pay any of the school corporation's debt service obligations when due, the treasurer of state, upon being notified of the failure by a claimant, shall within five (5) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, pay the unpaid debt service obligations that are due from the funds of the state in an amount equal to the amount of the unpaid debt service obligations that are due to the claimant, but only to the extent that amounts described in subsection (d) are available to the treasurer of state to fulfill the requirements of this subsection. Notwithstanding IC 4-13-2-18, IC 20-43-2-1, or any other law, administrative rule, policy, or schedule to the contrary, upon the treasurer of state receiving a request from a claimant as described in this subsection the treasurer of state shall immediately contact the school corporation and the claimant to confirm whether the school corporation is unable to make the required payment on the date on which it is due, and, if confirmed, the treasurer of state shall provide notice of the request to the budget director, the state comptroller, and any department or agency of the state responsible for distributing funds appropriated by the general assembly for distribution to the school corporation from state funds. A department or agency of the state shall, not later than three (3) days after receiving the treasurer of state's notice, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, transfer the funds and make the funds available to the treasurer of state in order for the treasurer of state to fulfill the obligations of this subsection. (d) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, amounts made available to the treasurer of state for purposes of subsection (c) shall be made from the following sources, in the following amounts, and in the following order of priority: (1) First, from amounts appropriated by the general assembly for the state fiscal year for distribution to the school corporation from state funds. (2) Second, and to the extent that the amounts described in subdivision (1) are insufficient, from any remaining amounts appropriated by the general assembly for distribution for tuition support in each state fiscal year in excess of the aggregate amount of tuition support needed for distribution to school corporations in accordance with the schedule set and approved in accordance with IC 20-43-2-1. (3) Third, and to the extent that the amounts described in subdivisions (1) and (2) are insufficient and the general assembly has adopted a biennial budget appropriating amounts in the immediately succeeding state fiscal year for distribution to the school corporation from state funds, then from such fund or account, as determined by the state budget director, from which fund or account there is appropriated to the treasurer of state in the current state fiscal year an amount equal to the lesser of: (A) the unpaid debt service obligations not paid from sources described in subdivisions (1) and (2); or (B) the amount appropriated by the general assembly for the immediately succeeding state fiscal year for distribution to the school corporation from state funds, subject to IC 4-13-2-18(i). (e) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, if any amounts are transferred to the treasurer of state under subsection (c), the applicable department or agency shall recover those amounts by: (1) deducting an amount equal to the transfer from any future amounts to be distributed to the school corporation from state funds appropriated by the general assembly; and (2) transferring any amount deducted under subdivision (1) to the treasurer of state for the purpose of allowing the treasurer of state to reimburse the fund or account from which the transfer was made. (f) A reduction of distributions to a school corporation under subsection (e) must be made: (1) first, from all funds except state tuition support; and (2) second, from state tuition support. (g) This section shall be interpreted liberally so that the state shall to the extent legally valid ensure that the debt service obligations of each school corporation are paid. However, this section does not create a debt of the state. (h) Notwithstanding subsections (e) and (f), beginning April 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, the reduction of distributions under subsections (e) and (f) to pay for debt service obligations issued by the Indianapolis public education corporation must be made from the reduction of distributions to the school city (as defined in IC 20-25-2-12). This subsection expires July 1, 2027. [Pre-2006 Recodification Citation: 21-2-21-10.] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.171. Amended by P.L.146-2008, SEC.525; P.L.167-2017, SEC.1; P.L.9-2024, SEC.403; P.L.101-2026, SEC.64.

Ind. Code § 20-48-1-12 Status of bonds issued under prior statute; debt service levies, property tax levies

Sec. 12. Notwithstanding the repeal of IC 20-5-4-1.5, the following provisions apply to bonds issued under IC 20-5-4-1.5, before December 2, 2000: (1) The bonds remain valid and binding obligations of the school corporation that issued them, as if IC 20-5-4-1.5 had not been repealed. (2) Each year that a debt service levy is needed for the bonds, the school corporation that issued the bonds shall reduce its total property tax levy for the school corporation's other funds in an amount equal to the property tax levy needed for the debt service on the bonds. As added by P.L.220-2011, SEC.341.

Ind. Code § 20-48-1-13 Sale of certain refunding bonds

Sec. 13. A school corporation may: (1) issue bonds to refund bonds or other obligations that were issued or entered into by a school corporation before that school corporation completed a consolidation or merger under IC 20-23 or any other law; and (2) sell the bonds at a negotiated, private sale to the Indiana bond bank. As added by P.L.140-2014, SEC.2.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/20Fetched: 10/17/2026

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