Indiana House Bill HB1027

Indiana 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/8/25

Caption

County treasurer fees.

Impact

The impact of HB 1027 on state laws involves the amendments to the Indiana Code concerning state offices and administration. By capping the fees for receiving property tax receipts, the bill ensures that local governments cannot impose excessive charges, thereby promoting accountability and fairness in financial dealings between the county and its constituents. This change will likely simplify the process for taxpayers wishing to obtain proof of payment without incurring prohibitive fees.

Summary

House Bill 1027 aims to regulate the fees that county treasurers may charge for providing receipts of property tax payments. According to the bill, the fee approved by a county fiscal body cannot exceed the greater of $1 or the actual cost of copying the receipt document. This legislation is designed to enhance transparency in government fees and reduce financial burdens on citizens regarding public record requests related to property tax payments.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HB 1027 may arise from local governments facing limitations on their ability to generate revenue from document fees. While proponents argue that it protects taxpayers and enhances accessibility of public records, some local officials could contend that restricting fee levels may impede their operational budgets, particularly in smaller counties where every dollar in fees could support the administrative costs of record-keeping and service delivery. This debate highlights the tension between governmental transparency and fiscal sustainability at the local level.