Government conflict of interest bill clears committee
By Chelsea Schneider Kirk cschneider@post-trib.com February 8, 2012 4:34PM
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Updated: March 11, 2012 8:37AM
INDIANAPOLIS — Legislation aimed at preventing conflicts of interest in local government cleared an Indiana Senate committee on Wednesday.
The bill already approved by the Indiana House restricts individuals from holding office in the same local government where they are employed.
Earlier this week, a House committee heard testimony but didn’t vote on a separate Senate bill that’s also meant to stem conflicts of interest. Bills must pass both chambers to become eligible for law.
State Sen. Connie Lawson, R-Danville, said lawmakers were trying to keep the Senate and House versions identical to avoid the legislation landing in conference committee, which Lawson described as a “killing ground” for similar legislation over the years.
The bill doesn’t impact the winners of the 2012 elections or current officeholders from serving out their terms.
Additionally, the bill also seeks to prevent new instances of nepotism in local government by banning individuals from directly supervising their relatives after July 1.
The Senate committee amended the bill to clarify that local governments can adopt stricter nepotism policies than set forth in the bill.
State Rep. Kevin Mahan, R-Hartford City, noted that the legislation doesn’t prohibit local government employees from running for office.
“If you are a city police officer, you want to run for mayor, you want to run for city council, you can do that. I think that’s the American way,” Mahan said. “It’s once you are successfully elected you have to make a decision.”
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