Committee advances bill limiting legislators from holding certain local offices

Representative Barbara Ehart told the House State Affairs Committee that House Bill 362 aims to reduce conflicts and “consolidation of power” by preventing a legislator from also serving as a mayor, city council member, school board member or in some highway district offices. “This change will ensure that whoever, whatever office we're serving in, we're giving our attention to that office,” Ehart said.

The bill includes carve-outs for very small jurisdictions: city populations under 1,000; school districts with fewer than five students; and highway districts located primarily in counties with populations under 10,000 (as drafted). It phases in the rule, taking effect January 1, 2026, to allow current officeholders time to plan.

Committee members debated whether existing disclosure and recusal rules (Rule 80) already address divided loyalties and whether the measure creates unequal treatment of officeholders in small versus larger jurisdictions. Representative Achilles asked why recusal rules were insufficient; Ehart said that frequent recusals would undermine the legislative role.

Representative Scogg moved that the committee send House Bill 362 to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation; the motion carried by voice vote. Representative Joe Alfieri spoke against the bill on constitutional and equal-protection grounds, saying the measure “effectively creates a new eligibility requirement for holding public office,” and said he would vote against it. Representative Akiles raised similar equal-protection concerns, and Representative Green asked whether the bill allows current officeholders to finish their terms; the sponsor replied that the chosen January 1, 2026 start gave time to plan.

The committee recorded no roll-call tally in the transcript; the chair announced the motion carried. House Bill 362 now proceeds to the full House.