(Indianapolis, Ind.) - A bill to stop nepotism in Indiana’s local governments has passed the Senate.
House Bill 1005 earned approval in the Senate by a 30-19 vote on Monday, the Indianapolis Star reports.
The proposal – part of Governor Mitch Daniels local government reform wish list – would stop city, county, and other local elected officials from hiring and directly overseeing a relative. City and county employees would also give up their jobs if they win election to a city or county council or commission.
State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) wanted to see the bill defeated if it did not include an exemption for volunteer firefighters. She said more than 400 of the approximately 800 volunteer fire departments in Indiana would be affected by the conflict of interest ban.
HB 1005 heads back to the House where the changes could be approved. The House has been considering a near identical piece of legislation, Senate Bill 170, which its sponsor Rep. Kevin Mahan (R-Hartford City) said he will allow it to die in favor of HB 1005.
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