House Bill 1573 Summary

• After December 31, 2012, the county board of commissioners becomes the county executive and the county council becomes the county legislative body in all counties except Marion County.

• County officers, courts, and departments must submit budget estimates to the county executive, who reviews them and adopts a consolidated budget estimate for presentation to the county auditor and fiscal body.

• Each county executive (except Marion County) must adopt a policy and procedures manual by January 1, 2013, that includes a county ethics policy addressing conflicts of interest, use of government property, confidential information, open meetings compliance, and other ethics issues.

• The Attorney General must develop a model ethics policy by July 1, 2012, to assist county executives in creating their county ethics policies.

• Effective dates: July 1, 2011 for most provisions and January 1, 2012 for budget and fiscal procedures.