Measures to modernize State Comptroller title signed into law

Submitted by Office of State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla

Indiana State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla is a step closer to making history as key legislation she supported advanced previous efforts to modernize the state office name and officeholder’s title.

On Wednesday, Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 221 reached Gov. Mike Braun’s desk, marking the culmination of a multiyear initiative to clarify the office’s name and responsibilities for Indiana taxpayers.

“Today was an important milestone to reduce confusion and promote consistency throughout Indiana Code and our State Constitution,” Comptroller Nieshalla said. “While our name may change, our mission to deliver financial transparency and efficiency on behalf of Hoosier taxpayers remains the same. Moving away from Auditor of State to State Comptroller appropriately matches the true function of the office in present day.”

• SJR 17 proposes an amendment to the Indiana Constitution requiring the election of a State Comptroller instead of an Auditor of State to align the constitutional title with the fiduciary duties of the office.
• SEA 221 complements this resolution by updating language in Indiana code, ensuring uniform references to “State Comptroller (Auditor of State)” and requiring this designation to appear on the 2026 general election ballot.

SEA 221 and SJR 17 were authored by Sens. Cyndi Carrasco (R-Indianapolis) and Linda Rogers (R- Granger) and sponsored by Reps. Greg Steuerwald (R-Avon), Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) and Ethan Lawson (R-Greenfield). SEA 221 will take effect July 1, 2025, while SJR 17 must pass two consecutive sessions of the Indiana General Assembly before being placed on the ballot for the 2028 election.