LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6042 NOTE PREPARED: Oct 21, 2024
BILL NUMBER: SB 17 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Election of Lake County Superior Court Judges.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Randolph Lonnie M BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED: GENERAL IMPACT: Local
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: This bill provides that the superior court judges of Lake County are elected as are
other superior court judges. It provides that the change to the election of a judge does not occur until the
general election that occurs immediately before the expiration of the term of a judge sitting on the court
under current law. It also repeals superseded provisions.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures:
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: Election of Superior Court Judges: The election of judges in Lake
County would not have an impact on local expenditures. Under current law, judges in Lake County are
placed on the general election ballot every six years for a vote of retention. Given that the bill would require
the judges to be directly elected by a general election ballot every six years, the general election ballot may
need to be reorganized to accommodate the direct election of the judges.
Judicial Nominating Commission: Under the bill, the Lake County judicial nominating commission would
be repealed. Under current law, members of the commission are not directly compensated by salary, but are
compensated for actual expenses incurred in performing their duties. They could experience a slight
reduction in expenditures under this provision.
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected:
Local Agencies Affected: Lake County.
Information Sources: IC 33-33-45-41.
SB 17 1 Fiscal Analyst: Corrin Harvey, 317-234-9438.
SB 17 2