KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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HB1381 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Ben Smaltz
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
Engrossed House Bill (S)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide details on the consequences after removal or usage frequency, leaving these points as unknowns.

Removing City or Town Fiscal Officers

This bill allows city and town councils to ask a court to remove their fiscal officer if they break certain rules.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows city and town councils to petition a court for the removal of the municipality's fiscal officer.
  • Lists reasons why a council can request removal, including charging illegal fees, failing to perform official duties, not being present in the office without exceptions, and missing four consecutive meetings.

Who It Names or Affects

  • City and town councils
  • Fiscal officers of cities and towns

Terms To Know

fiscal officer
A person who manages the money for a city or town.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens after an officer is removed.
  • It's unclear how often this power will be used by councils.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB1381.02.COMH.AMH001

Filed House Bill (H) • Representative Blake Johnson

Passed

Plain English: This amendment does not provide specific changes to the bill and is marked as 'passed' without detailed content.

  • The official text of this amendment does not include any concrete changes or details, making it impossible to explain its effects.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 Senate

    First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government

  2. 2026-01-29 House

    Referred to the Senate

  3. 2026-01-28 House

    Third reading: passed; Roll Call 113: yeas 96, nays 0

  4. 2026-01-28 House

    Senate sponsor: Senator Glick

  5. 2026-01-28 House

    Representative Abbott added as coauthor

  6. 2026-01-27 House

    Representative Wesco added as coauthor

  7. 2026-01-22 House

    Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

  8. 2026-01-22 House

    Amendment #1 (Johnson B) prevailed; voice vote

  9. 2026-01-20 House

    Committee report: do pass, adopted

  10. 2026-01-08 House

    Authored by Representative Smaltz

  11. 2026-01-08 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.
Removal of city or town fiscal officer.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.

Removal of city or town fiscal officer.

Allows the legislative body of a city or town (municipality) to petition a court for removal of the municipality's fiscal officer for any of the following: (1) Charging illegal fees for services. (2) Failing to perform official duties. (3) With certain exceptions, failing to be present in the officer's office. (4) Failing to participate in four consecutive meetings of the legislative body of the municipality.