Rules Committee sends bill to floor that would let bail bondsmen run for certain local offices with issuance restriction

The Rules Committee voted unanimously to send two measures — Senate Bill 16 and Senate Resolution 7 — back to the Senate floor, the committee chair said during the meeting.

The bill that drew most of the discussion, Senate Bill 16, would change existing law that currently bars bail bondsmen from holding elected office with a single exception for school board membership. Under the measure discussed in committee, bail bondsmen would be allowed to run for certain local offices — including county commission seats, city council seats and positions in consolidated local governments — but could not issue bonds in any jurisdiction where they hold office, the committee chair said.

The committee chair said the change was prompted by a recent situation in a rural county in which a woman who won election could not be sworn in after her eligibility was questioned under the current law. "She has qualified," the chair said of the candidate facing a special election, adding that "it will be, you know, if she wins again, it will be contingent on this bill passing." The chair described the aim as preserving local candidates in smaller jurisdictions while limiting conflicts of interest by prohibiting bond issuance in the elected official's jurisdiction.

When asked whether the bill would allow bail bondsmen to run for the state House or state Senate, the chair replied, "Correct. I'm not changing any of that," indicating that eligibility for state legislative offices would remain unchanged. Several senators raised concern about potential conflicts of interest and the limits of local influence; one senator noted that small-county officials are unlikely to affect bond decisions in larger counties and said the bill risks excluding otherwise eligible candidates.

Senator Albers asked specifically whether the measure would cover mayors. The chair said the bill as drafted did not expressly include mayors but that such a change could be offered as a floor amendment. "Why wouldn't we allow mayors?" Senator Albers asked during the discussion.

A motion to return the two measures to the floor was made by the committee chair and seconded by a member identified as Clint. After brief discussion, committee members voted in favor; the chair announced, "All opposed. Motion passes unanimous." The committee adjourned shortly thereafter.

Next steps: the chair said he hoped to have the measures back on the Senate floor for consideration on Monday, though the transcript did not record a formal calendaring decision from the chamber.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to send Senate Bill 16 and Senate Resolution 7 to the Senate floor: moved by Committee chair; seconded by Clint; outcome: approved (announced unanimous). Vote counts were not specified in the transcript.