Replace the effective dates in SECTIONS 1 through 13 with
"[EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016]".
AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
UPON PASSAGE]:
Chapter 7. Local Government Efficiency and Reorganization
Study Committee
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "committee" refers to the local
government efficiency and reorganization study committee
established by section 2 of this chapter.
Sec. 2. (a) There is established the local government efficiency
and reorganization study committee. The committee consists of the
following members:
(1) Three (3) members appointed by the president pro
tempore of the senate.
(2) Three (3) members appointed by the minority leader of the
senate.
(3) Three (3) members appointed by the speaker of the house
of representatives.
(4) Three (3) members appointed by the minority leader of the
house of representatives.
(b) Two (2) of the members appointed under subsection (a)(1),
two (2) of the members appointed under subsection (a)(2), two (2)
of the members appointed under subsection (a)(3), and two (2) of
the members appointed under subsection (a)(4) must hold a local
office (as defined in IC 3-5-2-29). The other member appointed
under subsection (a)(1), the other member appointed under
subsection (a)(2), the other member appointed under subsection
(a)(3), and the other member appointed under subsection (a)(4)
must be a past holder of a local office (as defined in IC 3-5-2-29)
that is not a current holder of a local office (as defined in
IC 3-5-2-29).
(c) A member serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
Sec. 3. (a) The chairperson of the legislative council shall
appoint the chairperson of the committee from among the
members of the committee.
(b) The chairperson of the committee may not be the executive
of a consolidated city.
(c) The chairperson of the committee serves at the pleasure of
the chairperson of the legislative council.
Sec. 4. (a) The committee shall make recommendations to the
general assembly concerning the structure and administration of
political subdivisions that result in a reduction in the differences in
election and appointment procedures, responsibilities, approval
procedures, and other administrative structures and
administrative characteristics:
(1) among counties;
(2) among cities;
(3) among towns;
(4) among townships; and
(5) among political subdivisions not described in subdivisions
(1) through (4) that have similar functions or purposes.
(b) In carrying out its functions, the committee shall consider
how best to organize political subdivisions to promote efficiency
and effectiveness.
(c) The recommendations of the committee must seek to reduce
the extent to which the general assembly must enact permissible
special legislation to carry out the functions of government and
obviate the need for unconstitutional special legislation.
Sec. 5. The legislative services agency shall staff the committee.
Sec. 6. All funds necessary for the committee to carry out its
functions shall be paid from appropriations to the legislative
council and the legislative services agency.
Sec. 7. Each member of the committee who is not a state
employee is entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by
IC 4-10-11-2.1(b). The member is also entitled to reimbursement
for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other
expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties
as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the
Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget
agency.
Sec. 8. Each member of the committee who is a state employee
but who is not a member of the general assembly is entitled to
reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under
IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection
with the member's duties as provided in the state policies and
procedures established by the Indiana department of
administration and approved by the budget agency.
Sec. 9. Each member of the committee who is a member of the
general assembly is entitled to receive the same per diem, mileage,
and travel allowances paid to legislative members of interim study
committees established by the legislative council. Per diem,
mileage, and travel allowances paid under this section shall be paid
from appropriations made to the legislative council or the
legislative services agency.
Sec. 10. The affirmative votes of a majority of the voting
members appointed to the committee are required for the
committee to take action on any measure, including final reports.
Sec. 11. The committee shall operate under the policies and
rules of the legislative council.
Sec. 12. The committee may meet at any time of the year at the
call of the chairperson.
Sec. 13. The committee shall hold at least nine (9) meetings each
calendar year, with at least one (1) meeting each calendar year held
in each congressional district in Indiana.
Sec. 14. The committee shall submit interim, final, and other
reports to the legislative council as directed by the legislative
council in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6. The committee
shall submit its final report to the legislative council before
November 1, 2015.
Sec. 15. The committee expires January 1, 2016.
Sec. 16. The legislative council shall provide for the introduction
of legislation recommended by the committee.
Sec. 17. When legislation recommended by the committee is
being considered by the house of representatives, the speaker of the
house of representatives shall assign the legislation to the house
select committee on government reduction (or its successor
committee) for a hearing and its consideration before the second
reading of the legislation in the house of representatives.
Sec. 18. This chapter expires July 1, 2016.".