Senate Bill 473 Summary

• Local Government Commission may require units that underwent State Auditor investigations to select their annual auditors from a Commission-provided list of three certified public accountants for up to three fiscal years following the investigative report.

• Finance officers of counties and cities shall garnish compensation of board chairs, commissioners, and council members to collect unpaid debts owed to the local government, without the standard 10% per-pay-period limitation that applies to tax garnishment.

• Creates a Class H felony for elected officials of political subdivisions who solicit or receive personal financial gain through intimidation, undue influence, or misuse of employees, effective January 1, 2022.

• Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for public officials who knowingly participate in making or administering contracts (including grants, loans, or appropriations) with nonprofits where they serve as a director, officer, or governing board member, effective January 1, 2022.

• Voids contracts entered into in violation of the nonprofit conflict-of-interest provision, though continuation may be approved by the Local Government Commission chair if immediate termination would harm public health or welfare.