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The U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 2170, the Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012, a bipartisan bill that includes a provision from legislation introduced by Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) to allow state and local law enforcement officers to run for the office of sheriff without having to quit their current place of employment.

“Local law enforcement officials are highly qualified individuals that have the expertise and practical background to perform duties required by the office of sheriff,” said Congressman Latta. “Citizens in communities throughout the nation deserve to elect the best candidate, including deputy sheriffs and other state and local law enforcement officials, as their local sheriff.”

Currently, the Hatch Act, which was enacted more than six decades ago, restricts the political activity of individuals principally employed by state, county or municipal executive agencies who have duties connected to federal funds in whole or in part. Today, there is virtually no local law enforcement agency that does not receive some amount or type of federal funds to enhance its anti-terrorism and emergency response activities.

“Updating the Hatch Act is vital in ensuring more qualified candidates are able to run for the office of sheriff. It is also important that sheriffs are able to participate in the political process once they are elected. I commend Congressman Latta for all his work and efforts to correct this,” said Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn, Board of Director of National Sheriff’s Association and Treasurer of the Buckeye Sheriff’s Association.

“This legislation provides the much needed, commonsense solution that allows for committed public servants to have the opportunity to run for sheriff without requiring them to leave their current position,” Latta concluded.

Latta worked with his colleagues in the House and Senate to ensure language from his legislation, H.R. 498, the State and Local Law Enforcement Hatch Act Reform Act of 2011, permitting state and local law enforcement officers covered under the Hatch Act to be a candidate for sheriff, was included in the Hatch Act Modernization Act.  Latta plans to introduce legislation in the 113^th Congress addressing the final two provisions of H.R. 498, clarifying the allowable political activities of a sheriff, and instituting a statute of limitations.

To view Congressman Latta speaking on the House floor about the Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012, click here.

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