Urging the Indiana Department of Transportation to rename that portion of State Highway 558 between U.S. Highway 231 and the Northwest Gate of Naval Support Activity Crane the “Commodore Crane Highway”.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Eric Bassler and 1 co-sponsor

HCR 10 asks INDOT to rename a segment of SH-558 the “Commodore Crane Highway” to honor Commodore Crane and Naval Support Activity Crane.

Referred to the Senate

#resolutions;roadrenaming

Purpose and Intent

HCR 10 is a House Concurrent Resolution urging the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to rename a specific segment of State Highway 558 (SH-558).

The requested name for the segment is the “Commodore Crane Highway.”

The resolution emphasizes honoring Commodore William Montgomery Crane, the U.S. Navy’s first Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, and recognizing Naval Support Activity Crane and its tenant commands (collectively “Team Crane”) as a significant Indiana asset.

Key Provisions

Section 1: The Indiana General Assembly urges INDOT to rename:

The portion of State Highway 558 between U.S. Highway 231 and the Northwest Gate of Naval Support Activity Crane
To be designated the “Commodore Crane Highway.”

Section 2: Directs the Principal Clerk of the House to transmit copies of the resolution to the INDOT Commissioner.

What is Affected

Geographic/local impact: A segment of SH-558 located between US-231 and the Northwest Gate of Naval Support Activity Crane.

Targeted audience and stakeholders:

INDOT (the agency responsible for road naming and signage)
Naval Support Activity Crane and its tenant commands (Team Crane)
Local communities and businesses that rely on SH-558 for access and navigation
Indiana taxpayers and state government as stewards of public recognition for national defense-related assets

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

Sponsorship and referral:

Authored by Representative Chris May.
Co-sponsors: Senator Eric Bassler and Representative May (as primary sponsor) with bipartisan support implied by approval history.

Legislative action timeline:

January 13, 2026: First reading and referral to the Committee on Roads and Transportation.
January 27, 2026: Committee reported “do pass” and adopted.
January 29, 2026: Senate sponsor designated (Senator Bassler); second reading adopted (Roll Call 165: yeas 86, nays 0).
January 30, 2026: Referred to the Senate for consideration.

Nature of bill: As a concurrent resolution, it expresses the General Assembly’s stance and urging, not a binding statute. It does not itself rename a road; rather, it requests INDOT to proceed with the naming.

Potential Impact and Rationale

Administrative impact: The resolution, if acted upon by INDOT, could lead to signage changes along the specified SH-558 segment, requiring funding, permitting, and coordination with the Navy facility for appropriate naming and display.

Symbolic impact: Enhances public recognition of Commodore Crane and strengthens state-level support for Naval Support Activity Crane and its strategic role.

Local/operational impact: May improve wayfinding for military personnel, civilians, and visitors accessing Naval Support Activity Crane.

Summary

HCR 10 requests INDOT to designate a defined stretch of SH-558 as the “Commodore Crane Highway” in honor of Commodore Crane and to acknowledge the importance of Naval Support Activity Crane and its tenant commands. The measure has clear procedural steps and, as a concurrent resolution, serves as a formal expression of the General Assembly’s intent rather than imposing immediate statutory changes.

Bill