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SB 15

Elections; provide by local legislation for nonpartisan elections for county governing authorities; authorize the General Assembly

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Albers and 4 co-sponsors

SB 15 aimed to clarify and expand impeachment grounds for public officials, enhancing accountability in state government, but ultimately did not pass.

Senate Read and Referred
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 15

Summary of SB 15: Revising Grounds for Impeachment

Bill Number: SB 15
Title: Revising Grounds for Impeachment
Status: Died in Process
Introduced: January 22, 2025
Classification: Bill
Subject: Legislature, Public Officers and Employees, State Government

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of SB 15 was to revise the grounds for impeachment of public officers in the state government. The bill aimed to clarify and potentially expand the criteria under which elected officials could be impeached, thereby ensuring accountability and integrity within public office.

Key Provisions

While the specific text of the bill is not provided, the following key aspects can be inferred based on typical legislative revisions regarding impeachment:

  • Clarification of Grounds: The bill sought to define more explicitly what constitutes impeachable offenses, potentially including misconduct, abuse of power, or other forms of malfeasance.
  • Procedural Changes: It may have proposed changes to the impeachment process, including how investigations are conducted and the roles of various legislative bodies in impeachment proceedings.

Impact

The implications of SB 15 would have affected:

  • Public Officers: Elected officials at various levels of state government would have been subject to the revised standards for impeachment, potentially increasing accountability.
  • Legislative Bodies: The bill would have impacted how the legislature handles impeachment cases, possibly altering the dynamics of political accountability and oversight.

Legislative Timeline

The bill underwent several key legislative actions before ultimately dying in process:

  • January 6, 2025: First reading in the Senate.
  • January 15, 2025: Hearing held in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
  • January 24, 2025: Passed as amended by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
  • January 29, 2025: Passed the Senate and was transmitted to the House.
  • January 30, 2025: First reading in the House and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
  • March 25, 2025: Concurred by the House Judiciary Committee.
  • March 28, 2025: Failed during the third reading in the House.
  • May 23, 2025: Officially died in process.

Conclusion

SB 15 represented an effort to enhance the mechanisms of accountability for public officials through revised impeachment grounds. Despite its introduction and some progress through the legislative process, the bill ultimately did not advance to become law. The discussions surrounding it may continue to influence future legislative efforts regarding public accountability and governance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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