The Indiana House has approved a bill introduced by State Representative Ethan Lawson aimed at standardizing appointment and expulsion procedures for public office. The legislation mandates that candidates selected for temporary appointments must meet the same qualifications as those required for election to the office.
"Hoosiers deserve a government that is trustworthy at all times, and we must continue to ensure public officials meet the same standards, whether elected or appointed," said Lawson. "This bill strengthens accountability and establishes a fair, consistent process for appointments and removals when necessary, in rare cases."
The bill also outlines a procedure for removing county commissioners in specific instances of misconduct or inability to perform official duties. This would require a two-thirds vote from both county commissioners and county council members. The process mirrors existing removal protocols for other public offices such as county council members and state legislators.
House Bill 1197 received bipartisan support in the House and will now proceed to the Senate. Senators Gaskill and Crider are sponsoring it there. For more information on this legislative session, visit iga.in.gov.
State Rep. Ethan Lawson represents House District 53, covering parts of Hancock and Madison counties.
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