HB 1534 Summary

• Eliminates township boards in all counties except Marion County effective January 1, 2015; transfers township legislative and fiscal powers to county fiscal bodies.

• Establishes county boards of trustees (composed of all township trustees) to oversee township assistance and fire protection/emergency services planning in non-consolidated counties.

• Transfers fire protection and emergency services responsibilities from townships to counties effective January 1, 2015, including assets, debts, equipment, and personnel; creates county firefighting funds with uniform tax rates.

• Centralizes township assistance administration under counties with uniform assistance tax rates and standards; township trustees administer assistance in their townships subject to county board oversight.

• Requires employees of political subdivisions who assume elected executive office or become elected members of legislative/fiscal bodies after June 30, 2012 to resign from employment.