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Committee hears bill expanding removal procedures for local officials to presiding regional judge
Summary
House Bill 27 15 would broaden grounds and change process for removing local elected officials, directing petitions to the presiding regional judge and requiring out‑of‑county judges and prosecutors; committee discussion included concerns that a regional process could politicize impartiality.
The committee considered House Bill 27 15, a proposal to expand removal provisions for local elected officials who refuse to enforce state law or neglect duties.
Sen. Parker, explaining the bill in place of the senate sponsor, said the measure ‘‘expands removal provisions under Chapter 87 to include a broader range of officials such as county attorneys, judges, commissioners, and school board trustees’’ and directs petitions for removal to the presiding judge of the administrative region so oversight comes from outside the affected county.
During discussion, committee members debated the move to a regional presiding judge. One senator said choosing a regional process ‘‘makes it political as opposed to making certain that the person that's chosen is in fact impartial,’’ and said that is his reason for opposing the change. Supporters said the change mirrors procedures adopted in prior legislation for district attorneys and adds safeguards by requiring judges and prosecutors from outside the affected county.
The committee opened public testimony and received none; it left the bill pending and later recorded that HB 27 15 was left pending subject to call of the chair.
The bill, as described in committee, does not increase criminal penalties but would change the forum and process for seeking removal or investigation of local officials under the cited chapter.
