SB2135 - Local Government Inspector General Act

• Creates the Local Government Ethics Commission (9 members appointed by Governor with Senate consent) and the Office of the Local Government Inspector General to investigate allegations of incompetence, neglect of duty, malfeasance, corruption, or official misconduct by local officials and government units.

• Applies only to units of local government that do not have their own inspector general; defines local officials as elected or appointed officials of counties, municipalities, townships, special districts, or other local government units.

• Inspector General investigates allegations, issues summary reports to affected jurisdictions, and may file complaints with the Ethics Commission if the Attorney General finds reasonable cause of a violation (with a one-year statute of limitations, extendable for fraudulent concealment).

• Ethics Commission conducts closed hearings on complaints and may dismiss, recommend discipline, impose administrative fines, or issue injunctive relief; standard of proof is preponderance of the evidence.

• Requires public disclosure of investigation records and final decisions where violations resulted in suspension of at least 3 days or termination; mandates referral of criminal matters to law enforcement and matters involving $5,000+ in lost public funds to the Attorney General.