Introduced Version






HOUSE BILL No. 1130

_____


DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL



Citations Affected: None (noncode).

Synopsis: Kernan-Shepard study committee. Establishes an interim study committee to evaluate the Kernan-Shepard report of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Local Government Reform and to report the study committee's recommendations to the general assembly. Also requires the committee to consider changes to the operation of the general assembly to make legislative functions more efficient and responsive to the needs of the people of Indiana, including consideration of the cost and other implications of making the general assembly a full-time legislature.

Effective: Upon passage.





Crooks




    January 8, 2008, read first time and referred to Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedures.







Introduced

Second Regular Session 115th General Assembly (2008)


PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts between statutes enacted by the 2007 Regular Session of the General Assembly.

HOUSE BILL No. 1130



    A BILL FOR AN ACT concerning the general assembly.

    Whereas, the Governor appointed the Blue Ribbon Commission on Local Government Reform ("the Kernan-Shepard Commission") to develop recommendations to reform and restructure local government in Indiana in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations and reduce its costs to Hoosier taxpayers;

    Whereas, the Governor appointed former Governor Joseph E. Kernan and Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard as co-chairs of the Kernan-Shepard Commission;

    Whereas, the Kernan-Shepard Commission issued a report on December 11, 2007;

    Whereas, the report of the Kernan-Shepard Commission contains twenty-seven (27) recommendations;

    Whereas, the primary focus of the 2008 Session of the Indiana General Assembly will be devoted to the important issues relating to property taxes;

    Whereas, the 2008 Session of the Indiana General Assembly must adjourn not later than March 14, 2008; and


    Whereas, there will be insufficient time to develop legislation to implement the comprehensive and far-reaching recommendations of the Kernan-Shepard Commission: Therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

SOURCE: ; (08)IN1130.1.1. -->     SECTION 1. [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE] (a) As used in this SECTION, "committee" refers to the interim study committee established by this SECTION to implement the Kernan-Shepard report.
    (b) As used in this SECTION, "report" refers to the report issued on December 11, 2007, by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Local Government Reform established by the governor.
    (c) The interim study committee to implement the Kernan-Shepard report is established.
    (d) The committee shall do the following:
        (1) Review and discuss the recommendations contained in the report.
        (2) Determine which recommendations of the report require action by the general assembly.
        (3) Draft legislation to implement those recommendations of the report that require action of the general assembly.
        (4) Consider changes to the operation of the general assembly to make legislative functions more efficient and responsive to the needs of the people of Indiana, including consideration of the cost and other implications of making the general assembly a full-time legislature.
    (e) The committee may make recommendations regarding any of the legislation drafted under subsection (d)(3) that the committee considers advisable.
    (f) The committee shall operate under the policies governing study committees adopted by the legislative council.
    (g) 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.
    (h) This SECTION expires November 1, 2008.

SOURCE: ; (08)IN1130.1.2. -->     SECTION 2. An emergency is declared for this act.