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Bill Summary · SB 1270

Summary — SB 1270: Local Government Chairperson Term Limit Review Act

Status: Introduced (Referred to Assignments)
Introduced: February 13, 2025
Primary sponsor: Sen. Seth Lewis
Companion: HB 216

Purpose

SB 1270 (the "Local Government Chairperson Term Limit Review Act") requires local elected governing bodies (including school districts) that do not already have chairperson term limits to periodically consider whether to adopt such limits. The intent is to ensure regular review and a formal decision-making process about imposing term limits on the chair/president/executive of local governing boards.

Key provisions

  • Definitions

    • "Chairperson" — the chairperson, president, or executive (by whatever title) of a governing board.
    • "Governmental unit" — a unit of local government or a school district.

  • Biennial review requirement

    • No later than December 31, 2025, and at least every two years thereafter, any governmental unit governed by an elected governing body that has not enacted chairperson term limits must consider and decide whether to impose term limits for the chairperson.
    • The decision may be made by verbal or written vote, ordinance, resolution, or by referendum of the governmental unit’s electors.

  • Procedure before electing a chairperson (when a term-limit policy exists)

    • If a governmental unit already has a term-limit policy for its chairperson, the unit’s clerk or secretary must determine which members are eligible to serve under that policy before the chairperson is elected.
    • The clerk/secretary must submit an eligibility report listing eligible and ineligible members to the governing body prior to the meeting where the chairperson is elected.
    • The governing body may not elect a chairperson until it has received the eligibility report.

  • Applicability and exceptions

    • The requirement does not apply to governing/administrative bodies whose members are appointed (rather than elected).
    • Home rule units are limited: a home rule unit may not adopt regulation of chairperson term limits inconsistent with this Act (the Act is a statewide limit on concurrent home rule power).

  • Effective date

    • The Act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Who is affected

  • Elected local governing bodies (municipalities, counties, special districts with elected boards) and school districts that do not already have chairperson term-limit provisions.
  • Clerks/secretaries of such units, who will have an administrative duty to determine and report eligibility when a term-limit policy exists.
  • Electors of local governmental units (if a referendum is used).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Administrative: clerks/secretaries must track members’ service relative to any local term-limit policy and produce eligibility reports before chair elections.
  • Governance: may lead some local boards to adopt term limits for chairpersons or to reaffirm the absence of limits on a regular schedule.
  • Legal/charter issues: constrains home rule units from adopting inconsistent term-limit rules; local charters and ordinances may need review to ensure compliance.
  • Implementation timeline: first required consideration must occur by Dec. 31, 2025 (then at least every two years).

This summary reflects the bill text and requirements as introduced.

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

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