HB 348

Relating to Marion County; to provide for the compensation of the Judge of Probate on a salary basis; to provide for staff and expenses of the office of the Judge of Probate; to relieve the Judge of Probate from duties relating to the issuance of motor vehicle license plates in the county by providing for the one-stop issuance of motor vehicle license plates by the Revenue Commissioner; and providing additional compensation to the Revenue Commissioner for assuming the duties of the one-stop issuance of motor vehicle license plates.

Section 1

Effective with the term of office beginning in January, 2019, the Judge of Probate of Marion County shall be compensated on a salary basis paid in equal monthly installments from the general fund of the county. The annual salary of the Judge of Probate shall be equal to 71 percent of the annual compensation based upon years of service as shall from time to time be paid by the state to the Marion County District Judge pursuant to law, along with retirement benefits and insurance benefits as a Marion County official.

Section 2

(a) The County Commission of Marion County shall provide the Judge of Probate with office personnel, clerks, and deputies, as shall be determined by the Judge of Probate, whose salaries and benefits shall be paid from the General Fund of Marion County. The initial salaries and benefits shall be as recommended by the Judge of Probate, but shall not exceed the salaries of employees of comparable duties, responsibilities, and comparable length of employment in the Office of the Revenue Commissioner of Marion County, and employees shall be entitled to all the rights and benefits of other employees of Marion County. (b) The Marion County Commission shall also provide the Judge of Probate with quarters, books, stationery, furniture, equipment, and other supplies as shall be determined from time to time by the Judge of Probate for the proper and efficient conduct of the office of the Judge of Probate, and for such other expenses and allowances as are now or hereinafter provided by law. (c) All fees, commissions, allowances, percentages, and other charges allowable to the Judge of Probate of Marion County shall be collected and shall be paid into the general fund of the county.

Section 3

(a) The Judge of Probate is relieved of all duties and responsibilities relating to the assessment and collection of taxes, commissions and issuance fee on motor vehicles. The Revenue Commissioner shall receive the commissions and fees currently allocated to the Judge of Probate for performing these functions, and those fees and commissions shall be remitted to the county general fund. Reporting and remitting the collections of those fees shall be made by the Revenue Commissioner or as otherwise required by law. (b) The Revenue Commissioner of Marion County shall perform all duties relating to the issuance of motor vehicle license plates in the county and shall perform all duties relating to the assessment and collection of ad valorem taxes, commissions, fees or other charges imposed by law on motor vehicles, which have heretofore been performed jointly by the Revenue Commissioner and the Judge of Probate. (c) The Revenue Commissioner of Marion County shall be compensated an additional $5,000.00 per year, paid in equal monthly installments from the general fund of the county for performing all of the duties relating to the assessments, collections and issuance of motor vehicle license plates in Marion County.

Section 4

All local Acts in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Section 5

This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.