LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6760 NOTE PREPARED: Dec 29, 2024
BILL NUMBER: SB 282 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Leaves of Absence for Local Officeholders.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Byrne BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED: GENERAL IMPACT: Local
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: Leave of Absence– The bill allows a local officeholder to take a leave of absence
from office when the local officeholder: (1) is caring for a child after the birth of the child or placement of
the child with the local officeholder for adoption or foster care; (2) is caring for a spouse, child, or parent
who has a serious health condition; (3) has a serious health condition and is unable to perform the duties of
the office; (4) is called into active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States or National Guard; and (5)
is eligible for qualifying exigency leave arising out of the fact that the local officeholder's spouse, child, or
parent is ordered into active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States or National Guard.
Miscellaneous Provisions– The bill sets forth notice requirements. The bill provides that the local
officeholder's office must be filled by a temporary appointment in the same manner as a vacancy created by
a resignation is filled. The bill makes corresponding changes.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures:
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: Leave of Absence– The provision would affect the following elected
local offices:
1) County commissioner,
2) County council,
3) City council,
4) Town council,
5) Township advisory board, and
6) School board.
The bill specifies that a local officeholder listed above that takes a leave of absence would not be eligible
SB 282 1 to receive their established compensation, but would be able to retain their health insurance benefit as
provided by the locality. Their replacement would be eligible to receive presumably, the same established
compensation as the elected official taking the leave of absence. However, the replacement would not be
eligible for the position’s health insurance benefit. Given these conditions, it is likely the provision would
not significantly impact local expenditures.
Miscellaneous Provisions– The administrative workload of county clerks would increase to process notices
of temporary absences under the bill. County auditors, town and township clerks may see an increase in
workload to provide notice of caucus to appoint a temporary replacement for a local officeholder taking a
leave of absence. There may be need to notify caucus members by first class mail of the meeting to elect a
temporary replacement. Additionally the replacement candidate would need to file a statement of economic
interest and the proper paperwork that a candidate would when seeking the office. The additional paperwork
would need to be filed with the appropriate local election official, which would present a minor increase in
workload for those officials.
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected:
Local Agencies Affected: Local units of government; circuit court clerks; county auditors; town and
township clerks.
Information Sources: IC 3-13-11.
Fiscal Analyst: Chris Baker, 317-232-9851.
SB 282 2