Ind. Code § 36-7.5-7-1 "Commuter transportation district"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "commuter transportation district" means the northern Indiana commuter transportation district established under IC 8-5-15.
As added by P.L.195-2023, SEC.7.
Ind. Code ch. 36-7.5-7
Ind. Code ch. 36-7.5-7
in effectInd. Code § 36-7.5-7-2 "Convention center authority"
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "convention center authority" refers to the Lake County convention center authority established under section 9 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.195-2023, SEC.7.
Ind. Code § 36-7.5-7-3 "Convention fund"
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "convention fund" means the Lake County economic development and convention fund established by section 5 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.195-2023, SEC.7.
Ind. Code § 36-7.5-7-4 "Reserve fund"
Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "reserve fund" means the Lake County convention and event center reserve fund established by section 10 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.195-2023, SEC.7.
Ind. Code § 36-7.5-7-5 Lake County economic development and convention fund; deposits; transfers; report to budget committee; updated feasibility study
Sec. 5. (a) The Lake County economic development and convention fund is established. The fund shall be administered by the development authority.
(b) The convention fund consists of:
(1) deposits under IC 4-33-13-5(a)(2)(C) and IC 4-33-13-5(a)(3)(A);
(2) deposits under subsection (c);
(3) appropriations to the fund;
(4) gifts, grants, loans, bond proceeds, and other money received for deposit in the fund; and
(5) other deposits or transfers of funds from local units located in Lake County.
(c) If a proposal is approved as provided under this chapter, each state fiscal year, beginning with the first state fiscal year that begins after the proposal is approved, the approved entity shall deposit up to five million dollars ($5,000,000) in the convention fund. The obligation of the city of Gary, as the approved entity, for each state fiscal year under this subsection is satisfied by the distributions made by the state comptroller on behalf of the city of Gary under IC 4-33-13-5(a)(2)(C). However, if the total amount distributed under IC 4-33-13-5(a)(2)(C) on behalf of the city of Gary with respect to a particular state fiscal year is less than the amount required by this subsection, the fiscal officer of the city of Gary shall transfer the amount of the shortfall to the convention fund from any source of revenue available to the city of Gary other than property taxes. The state comptroller shall certify the amount of any shortfall to the fiscal officer of the city of Gary after making the distribution required by IC 4-33-13-5(a)(2)(C) on behalf of the city of Gary with respect to a particular state fiscal year.
(d) The development authority shall administer money, including determining amounts to be used and the specific purposes, from the convention fund.
(e) Except as provided in section 8(d) of this chapter, the money remaining in the convention fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund.
(f) Money in the convention fund is continuously appropriated for the purposes of this chapter.
(g) Subject to budget committee review, but except as provided in subsection (i), the development authority may receive reimbursement for expenses incurred and a reasonable and customary amount for providing administrative services from money in the convention fund.
(h) The development authority shall quarterly report to the budget committee on all uses of money in the convention fund and the status of the convention and event center project.
(i) The development authority shall conduct an updated feasibility study related to a potential convention and event center located in Lake County. The development authority shall be reimbursed for the costs of obtaining the updated feasibility study from money in the fund. Budget committee review is not required for reimbursement under this subsection.
As added by P.L.195-2023, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.157-2026, SEC.265.
Ind. Code § 36-7.5-7-6 Use of money in the fund
Sec. 6. (a) Money in the convention fund may be used only for the following:
(1) To acquire, improve, prepare, modernize, construct, repair, demolish, and equip a convention center located in Lake County.
(2) To pay the principal and interest on any obligations, including bonds or leases and development costs, incurred by the development authority for the purpose of financing or refinancing the development of a convention center located in Lake County.
(3) To establish, augment, or restore a debt service reserve for obligations described in this subsection.
(4) If the development authority determines excess money exists in the convention fund, for improvements to the convention center and around the convention center.
(b) Money in the convention fund may not be used to pay operating expenses.
As added by P.L.195-2023, SEC.7.
Ind. Code § 36-7.5-7-7 Public-private agreement
Sec. 7. A public-private agreement may be entered into for purposes of operating and maintaining a convention center located in Lake County.
As added by P.L.195-2023, SEC.7.
Ind. Code § 36-7.5-7-8 Proposals for convention and event center; contents; approval of proposal
Sec. 8. (a) Beginning July 1, 2023, the Lake County board of commissioners shall begin accepting proposals for the development, operation, and an ownership share in a Lake County convention and event center from any entity qualified to fund and operate a convention and event center, including local political subdivisions. Subject to subsection (d), timely proposals shall be submitted not later than December 1, 2024. A proposal must include at least the following:
(1) Any variance in the entity's proposal from what is described in the updated feasibility study prepared under section 5(i) of this chapter as the variance is related to a return on investment analysis, including anticipated income generated countywide, peripheral investment anticipated to result from the project, or anticipated gross retail tax revenue to be generated from the project.
(2) The uses that the convention and event center will accommodate.
(3) Acknowledgment that in order to secure money from the convention fund and reserve fund, the Lake County convention center authority, as described in section 9 of this chapter, will share in ownership of the convention and event center.
(4) An operating plan, including information concerning:
(A) any third party entity expected to manage and operate the facility;
(B) any professional experience with convention center operations;
(C) any professional experience with facility management; and
(D) any experience with efficiency programs used for managing operating costs and capital expenditures.
(5) An anticipated operating budget for the facility, including the financing of any operational shortfall and pro forma operating statements for the first five (5) years of operations.
(6) Any documents related to vendor agreements, leases, partnerships, and financing plans and commitments.
(7) Any proposed or available hotel accommodations that may be dedicated for the promotion and sales of the convention and event center, and not for promotional uses for any other associated facility.
(8) Any other information considered necessary by the Lake County board of commissioners.
(b) Proposals shall be submitted to the Lake County board of commissioners and reviewed for completeness, adherence to the requirements under this section, and evaluation of the materials submitted.
(c) The Lake County board of commissioners shall hold public hearings concerning proposals submitted and for the selection of any professional advisers to be used in approval of a proposal.
(d) If a proposal is approved, the Lake County board of commissioners shall adopt a resolution to that effect. If no proposal is approved before June 1, 2025, proposals may continue to be submitted to the Lake County board of commissioners for review. However, if no proposal is approved before January 1, 2028, no additional proposals may be accepted, and any money in the fund reverts to the state general fund.
As added by P.L.195-2023, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.102-2024, SEC.4.
Ind. Code § 36-7.5-7-9 Establishment of Lake County convention center authority; appointment of members; terms
Sec. 9. (a) If a proposal is approved under section 8 of this chapter, following the approval of the proposal, and when the construction of the convention and event center is substantially completed so that the convention and event center can be used for its intended purpose, the Lake County convention center authority is established for the purpose of holding an equal share of ownership of the Lake County convention and event center with the entity whose proposal is approved and for providing general oversight of the upkeep, improvements, and management team as outlined in the accepted proposal. Subject to subsection (e), the convention center authority consists of seven (7) members, appointed as follows:
(1) Three (3) members appointed by the entity whose proposal is approved under section 8 of this chapter.
(2) Three (3) members appointed by the Lake County board of commissioners.
(3) One (1) member appointed by the governor.
Individuals appointed to the convention center authority must be Indiana residents and have professional experience in commercial facility management. An appointing authority may not appoint an attorney in active standing as a member of the authority.
(b) The term of office for a member of the board is two (2) years. The term begins July 1 of the year in which the member is appointed and ends on June 30 of the second year following the member's appointment. A member may be reappointed after the member's term has expired.
(c) A vacancy in membership must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Appointments made to fill a vacancy that occurs before the expiration of a term are for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(d) The member appointed under subsection (a)(3) shall serve as the chairperson of the convention center authority. The convention center authority shall meet at the call of the chairperson.
(e) An individual may not be appointed to the convention center authority if the individual is a party to a contract or agreement with the entity whose proposal is approved, is employed by the entity whose proposal is approved, or otherwise has a direct or indirect financial interest in the entity whose proposal is approved under this chapter.
As added by P.L.195-2023, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.157-2026, SEC.266.
Ind. Code § 36-7.5-7-10 Lake County convention and event center reserve fund; administration
Note: This version of section effective until 3-12-2026. See also following version of this section, effective 3-12-2026.
Sec. 10. (a) A local county fund known as the Lake County convention and event center reserve fund is established to pay for:
(1) additions;
(2) refurbishment; and
(3) budget shortfalls or other unusual costs;
of a convention and event center that is constructed using money from the convention fund under this chapter.
(b) The reserve fund consists of:
(1) transfers under IC 6-9-2-1.5(c) (as in effect before amendment in the 2026 session of the general assembly); and
(2) gifts, grants, donations, or other contributions from any other public or private source.
(c) The convention center authority shall administer the reserve fund.
As added by P.L.195-2023, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.44-2026, SEC.28.
Ind. Code § 36-7.5-7-10 Lake County convention and event center reserve fund; administration
Note: This version of section effective 3-12-2026. See also preceding version of this section, effective until 3-12-2026.
Sec. 10. (a) A local county fund known as the Lake County convention and event center reserve fund is established to pay for:
(1) additions;
(2) refurbishment; and
(3) budget shortfalls or other unusual costs;
of a convention and event center that is constructed using money from the convention fund under this chapter.
(b) The reserve fund consists of:
(1) transfers under IC 6-9-2-1.5(c) (as in effect before amendment in the 2026 session of the general assembly); and
(2) gifts, grants, donations, or other contributions from any other public or private source.
(c) The Lake County commissioners shall administer the reserve fund until the convention center authority is established. Thereafter, the convention center authority shall administer the reserve fund.
As added by P.L.195-2023, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.44-2026, SEC.28; P.L.145-2026, SEC.305; P.L.157-2026, SEC.267.
Ind. Code § 36-7.5-7-11 Goals for the participation of minority business enterprises and women's business enterprises; hiring
Sec. 11. (a) With respect to projects undertaken by the development authority under this chapter, the development authority shall set a goal for participation by minority business enterprises of fifteen percent (15%) and women's business enterprises of five percent (5%), consistent with the goals of delivering the project on time and within the budgeted amount and, insofar as possible, using Indiana businesses for employees, goods, and services. In fulfilling the goal, the development authority shall take into account historical precedents in the same market.
(b) In addition to the provisions of subsection (a), with respect to construction and demolition projects undertaken by the development authority under this chapter, the development authority shall set a goal for hiring at least twenty percent (20%) of employees from local units:
(1) located within the boundaries of the development authority; and
(2) with an unemployment rate that exceeds the statewide unemployment rate by more than twenty percent (20%).
As added by P.L.195-2023, SEC.7.
Ind. Code § 36-7.5-7-11.5 Lake County convention and event center authorizations
Sec. 11.5. (a) Notwithstanding any other law:
(1) the northwest Indiana regional development authority is authorized to issue and sell bonds to the Indiana finance authority under chapter 4 of this article for the purpose of financing the Lake County convention and event center, to pay such bonds from lease rental payments received from the City of Gary, and to construct the Lake County convention and event center for lease to the City of Gary and the Lake County convention center authority;
(2) the City of Gary is authorized to lease the Lake County convention and event center from the northwest Indiana regional development authority for construction of the Lake County convention and event center and pledge amounts for payment of lease rentals;
(3) the Indiana finance authority is authorized to purchase bonds of the northwest Indiana regional development authority for the Lake County convention and event center; and
(4) the northwest Indiana regional development authority, the City of Gary, and the Indiana finance authority are authorized to enter into a governance agreement for the Lake County convention and event center.
(b) No action may be brought challenging any:
(1) lease;
(2) resolution;
(3) ordinance;
(4) contract;
(5) issuance of bonds;
(6) issuance of notes;
(7) issuance of obligations;
(8) decision; or
(9) other action taken under this article;
more than fifteen (15) days after the adoption of a resolution or ordinance approving an item described under this subsection.
(c) Upon the expiration of the fifteen (15) day period described in subsection (b), any item described in subsection (b) shall be conclusively presumed to be fully authorized under the laws of the state and any person shall be estopped from challenging the authorization, validity, execution of, delivery of, or issuance of any of the items described in subsection (b).
As added by P.L.157-2026, SEC.268.
Ind. Code § 36-7.5-7-11.7 Obligations legalized and validated
Sec. 11.7. (a) All bonds, notes, evidences of indebtedness, leases, or other written obligations issued, incurred, or executed under this article for the Lake County convention and event center, and subject to budget committee review, by or in the name of the:
(1) Indiana finance authority;
(2) the northwest Indiana regional development authority; or
(3) the City of Gary;
are hereby legalized and declared valid after budget committee review.
(b) Any pledge, dedication, or designation of revenues, conveyance, or mortgage securing the bonds, notes, evidence of indebtedness, leases, or other written legal obligations issued, incurred or executed under this article for the Lake County convention and event center, and subject to budget committee review, by or in the name of the:
(1) Indiana finance authority;
(2) the northwest Indiana regional development authority; or
(3) the City of Gary;
are hereby legalized and declared valid after budget committee review.
(c) Any resolutions, proceedings, or actions taken or adopted under this article or IC 5-1.2 under which the bonds, notes, evidence of indebtedness, leases, or other written legal obligations were or will be issued or incurred or under which the pledge, dedication, or designation of revenues, conveyance, or mortgage was or will be granted for the financing, construction, or operation of the Lake County convention and event center, and subject to budget committee review, by or in the name of the:
(1) Indiana finance authority;
(2) the northwest Indiana regional development authority; or
(3) the City of Gary;
are hereby legalized and declared valid after budget committee review.
As added by P.L.157-2026, SEC.269.
Ind. Code § 36-7.5-7-12 Expiration
Sec. 12. This chapter expires July 1, 2050.
As added by P.L.195-2023, SEC.7.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/36Fetched: 10/17/2026