INDIANAPOLIS — Local ordinances regulating short-term property rentals, such as the bans in place in Beverly Shores and Long Beach, ultimately may not be usurped by the General Assembly this year.
On Wednesday, the Indiana House failed to garner the 51 votes needed to concur with Senate changes to House Bill 1133 and advance the measure to the governor for his signature or veto. The vote was 50-46.
That doesn't mean the proposal is dead. It only means that the sponsor, state Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne, will need to win over at least one additional supporter in the hours remaining before lawmakers adjourn their annual session, likely Friday or Saturday.
The legislation would preempt local limitations on short-term rentals and open the door for more Hoosiers to list their homes on AirBnB and similar websites for vacationers and others to rent for periods of 30 days or less.
Lehman said the proposal appropriately embraces new technologies and ensures Hoosiers are free to use their property however they see fit.
Opponents said because every Indiana municipality is different, it should be local leaders deciding whether short-term rental regulations are needed in their community.
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