STATEHOUSE (April 17, 2025) – The Indiana General Assembly unanimously approved State Rep. Ethan Lawson's (R-Greenfield) legislation to ensure consistent appointment and expulsion procedures for public office, sending the bill to the governor where it could soon be signed into law.
According to a report, more than 84 percent of Americans believe that political trust can be improved. Lawson said House Enrolled Act 1197 helps with this by ensuring appointed and elected officials are eligible for the office they are seeking and accountable to the people they serve.
"The goal of this legislation is to improve accountability and transparency in government," Lawson said. "Our district has so many dedicated elected officials working hard to fulfill the responsibilities they were elected to carry out. Hoosiers deserve candidates for office and elected officials who are able and accountable to perform the duties of their elected offices."
Lawson said the bill would create a removal procedure for county commissioners in rare cases of violating an official duty, or failing or being unable to perform the duties of the office, including participating in required commissioner meetings. It empowers commissioners and county council members to adopt resolutions to expel an officeholder for misconduct, followed by a judicial review. This is similar to the existing removal process currently in law for many other local offices.
The legislation would also require candidates selected for a temporary appointment to an office to meet the same qualifications required for election to the office.
Lawson encourages all constituents to share their thoughts on this and other important legislation being considered by visiting in.gov/h53.
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State Rep. Ethan Lawson (R-Greenfield) represents House District 53,
which includes portions of Hancock and Madison counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
