LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 7074 NOTE PREPARED: Dec 31, 2020
BILL NUMBER: HB 1297 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Citizen Review Board.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Smith V BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED: GENERAL IMPACT: Local
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: This bill requires: (1) counties; and (2) municipalities that have police
departments; to establish a Citizen Review Board not later than December 31, 2021, to review complaints
filed by citizens having personal knowledge of alleged misconduct by a police officer.
Effective Date: July 1, 2021.
Explanation of State Expenditures:
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: Local Units: The provisions of this bill will require significant new
expenditures for local units. Legislative bodies and executives will have the additional workload of
appointing and providing training for members of the Board. The bill does not specify if or how Board
members will be paid or reimbursed for expenses, or who will provide administrative support to the Board.
The bill also permits a Board to retain the services of investigators and legal counsel to assist in the
investigation of a citizen complaint. These expenses will likely need to be covered with appropriations by
the legislative body the bill requires to create the Board.
The bill’s requirements represent an additional workload and expenditures on local units outside their routine
administrative functions, and existing staffing and resource levels, if currently being used to capacity, may
be insufficient for full implementation. The additional funds and resources required could be supplied
through existing staff and resources currently being used in another program or with new appropriations.
Ultimately, the source of funds and resources required to satisfy the requirements of this bill will depend on
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legislative and administrative actions.
Law Enforcement Agencies: This bill creates certain reporting and oversight requirements that law
enforcement agencies must fulfill in order to support the function of their respective Citizen Review Boards.
For some agencies, these functions will significantly parallel or overlap current support to Merit Boards.
These requirements will be within most agencies’ routine administrative functions and should be able to be
implemented with no additional appropriations, assuming near customary agency staffing and resource levels.
Courts: This bill makes subpoenas issued by the court enforceable by county circuit and superior courts. The
enforcement of subpoenas represents an increase in workload for the courts, but these functions are within
the court’s routine administrative functions and should be able to be implemented with no additional
appropriations, assuming near customary agency staffing and resource levels.
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected:
Local Agencies Affected: Civil units with police or sheriff’s departments, county circuit and superior courts,
law enforcement agencies.
Information Sources:
Fiscal Analyst: Alexander Raggio, 317-234-9485.
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