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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill amends provisions related to changing a county form of government.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 ▸ amends definitions;
13 ▸ provides a grandfather provision for counties that have initiated the process to
14 change the county's form of government as of the effective date of this bill;
15 ▸ authorizes, without an election, the establishment of a committee to study changing
16 the county form of government after a successful petition or motion of a county
17 legislative body;
18 ▸ after a completed process to change the county form of government, prohibits the
19 county legislative body or registered voters from initiating the process again until
20 four years after the new county officers are elected;
21 ▸ removes certain procedural restrictions based on county population size;
22 ▸ amends the signature thresholds for a citizen petition to establish a study committee
23 or propose an optional plan for adoption and prohibits the use of electronic
24 signatures;
25 ▸ requires petition sponsors to file financial disclosures;
26 ▸ amends study committee membership and qualifications;
27 ▸ limits the time frame allowed for a study committee to alter its proposed optional
28 plan;
29 ▸ prohibits a proposed optional plan from including certain provisions, including
30 language specifying districts of county officials or compensation;
31 ▸ limits the citizens or the county legislative body of a county of the fifth or sixth
32 class to proposing either the county commission or expanded county commission
33 form of government;
34 ▸ requires the county to hold an election on a proposed optional plan at the next
35 regular general election that is no sooner than 65 days after the county attorney
36 submits a report on the proposed optional plan;
37 ▸ requires the county clerk to prepare a voter information pamphlet on a proposed
38 optional plan;
39 ▸ after an election in which an optional plan is adopted, requires the county legislative
40 body to adopt geographic district boundaries, compensation, and benefits for new
41 county officers;
42 ▸ repeals Title 17, Chapter 35b, Consolidation of Local Government Units and other
43 provisions; and
44 ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
45 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
46 None
47 Other Special Clauses:
48 This bill provides a special effective date.
49 This bill provides revisor instructions.
50 Utah Code Sections Affected:
51 AMENDS:
52 17-52a-102, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
53 17-52a-103, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
54 17-52a-104, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
55 17-52a-301, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
56 17-52a-302, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
57 17-52a-303, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
58 17-52a-305, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
59 17-52a-402, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
60 17-52a-403, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 136
61 17-52a-404, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
62 17-52a-405, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
63 17-52a-406, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 136
64 17-52a-501, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
65 17-52a-502, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
66 17-52a-503, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
67 20A-1-203, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 165
68 63I-2-217, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapters 136, 252, 327, 384, 510
69 and last amended by Coordination Clause, Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 384
70 REPEALS:
71 17-52a-304, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
72 17-52a-401, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
73 Utah Code Sections Affected by Revisor Instructions:
74 17-52a-103, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
75 17-52a-104, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
76
77 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
78 Section 1. Section 17-52a-102 is amended to read:
79 17-52a-102. Definitions.
80 As used in this chapter:
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107 a county as provided in Section 17-52a-404.
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112 members appointed and charged with the duties as provided in Section 17-52a-403.
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115 Section 2. Section 17-52a-103 is amended to read:
116 17-52a-103. Forms of county government -- County commission form required
117 unless another is adopted -- Restrictions on form of county government.
118 (1) Subject to Subsection (2), each county shall operate under one of the following
119 forms of county government:
120 (a) the county commission form under Section 17-52a-201;
121 (b) the expanded county commission form under Section 17-52a-202;
122 (c) the county executive and council form under Section 17-52a-203; or
123 (d) the council-manager form under Section 17-52a-204.
124 (2) Unless a county adopts another form of government as provided in this chapter, the
125 county shall operate under the county commission form of government under Section
126 17-52a-201.
127 (3) (a) In a county that operates under a form of government that is not described in
128 Subsection (2):
129 (i) the county's legislative body shall, before July 1, 2018, initiate the process under
130 Section 17-52a-302 of changing the county's form of government;
131 (ii) the county shall hold a special election [
132 November 6, 2018;
133 (iii) if the voters approve the appointment of a study committee at the special election
134 described in Subsection (3)(a)(ii):
135 (A) the study committee may not recommend under Section 17-52a-403 that the county
136 retain the county's current form of government; and
137 (B) the county shall hold an election described in Section 17-52a-501 before December
138 31, 2020, on an optional plan that the study committee creates; and
139 (iv) the registered voters of the county may not repeal an optional plan under Section
140 17-52a-505 that is adopted at an election described in Subsection (3)(a)(iii)(B).
141 (b) If the voters of a county described in Subsection (3)(a) do not approve a change in
142 the county's form of government at an election described in Subsection (3)(a)(iii)(B) before
143 December 31, 2020:
144 (i) the county shall operate under the county commission form of government under
145 Section 17-52a-201 [
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148 (ii) the county shall transition to the form of government described in Subsection
149 (3)(b)(i) in the same manner as if the voters of the county had approved the change in the form
150 of government described in Subsection (3)(b)(i) in the applicable election described in
151 Subsection (3)(b).
152 (4) In a county of the fifth or sixth class, if the county legislative body under Section
153 17-52a-302 or the registered voters under Section 17-52a-303, after the effective date of this
154 bill, initiate the process to adopt an optional plan, the proposed optional plan may only propose
155 a form of government authorized under Section 17-52a-405.
156 Section 3. Section 17-52a-104 is amended to read:
157 17-52a-104. Applicability of former provisions to pending process.
158 (1) (a) If, on March 15, 2018, a county is under a pending process described in
159 Subsection [
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161 Chapter 68 do not apply to that pending process; and
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165 the day on which this bill takes effect;
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167 immediately before the day on which this bill takes effect; and
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169 day on which this bill takes effect.
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171 Subsection (1)(a) if, as of March 15, 2018:
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173 provisions of law that were in effect on March 14, 2018 to change the county's form of
174 government; or
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176 provisions of law that were in effect on March 14, 2018 for a petition to change the county's
177 form of government; and
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179 Subsection [
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181 (1)(b)(i)(B), registered voters that initiated the process shall submit a sufficient number of valid
182 signatures to the county clerk within 180 days after March 15, 2018.
183 [
184 pending process is concluded under Subsection 17-52a-301(3)(a)[
185 (2) (a) If, on the effective date of this bill, a county is under a pending process
186 described in Subsection (2)(b) to change the county's form of government:
187 (i) except as provided in this Subsection (2), the provisions of this bill do not apply to
188 that pending process; and
189 (ii) that pending process is governed by:
190 (A) the provisions of law that were in effect on the day immediately before the day on
191 which this bill takes effect; and
192 (B) Subsection (2)(c).
193 (b) A process of changing a county's form of government is pending under Subsection
194 (1) if, on the effective date of this bill:
195 (i) (A) the county legislative body had adopted a resolution in accordance with the
196 provisions of law that were in effect on the day immediately before the day on which this bill
197 takes effect to change the county's form of government; or
198 (B) registered voters had begun collecting signatures in accordance with the provisions
199 of law that were in effect on the day immediately before the day on which this bill takes effect
200 for a petition to change the county's form of government; and
201 (ii) the process of changing the county's form of government initiated under Subsection
202 (2)(b)(i) has not concluded.
203 (c) (i) To continue a pending process described in Subsection (2)(b)(i)(B), registered
204 voters that initiated the process shall submit a sufficient number of valid signatures to the
205 county clerk within 180 days after the effective date of this bill.
206 (ii) If the registered voters fail to comply with Subsection (2)(c)(i), the pending process
207 is concluded under Subsection 17-52a-301(3)(a)(v)(A).
208 Section 4. Section 17-52a-301 is amended to read:
209 17-52a-301. Procedure for initiating adoption of optional plan -- Limitations --
210 Pending proceedings.
211 (1) An optional plan proposing an alternate form of government for a county may be
212 adopted as provided in this chapter.
213 (2) The process to adopt an optional plan establishing an alternate form of county
214 government may be initiated by:
215 (a) the county legislative body as provided in Section 17-52a-302; or
216 (b) registered voters of the county as provided in Section 17-52a-303.
217 (3) (a) If the process to adopt an optional plan is initiated under Laws of Utah 1973,
218 Chapter 26, Section 3, 4, or 5, or Section 17-52a-302 or 17-52a-303, or under a provision
219 described in Subsection 17-52a-104[
220 initiate the process again under Section 17-52a-302, and registered voters may not initiate the
221 process again under Section 17-52a-303, until:
222 (i) the first initiated process concludes with an election under Section 17-52a-501;
223 (ii) the first initiated process concludes under Subsection 17-52a-403(7) because the
224 study committee recommended that the county's form of government not change;
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231 sufficient number of valid signatures for a petition before the deadline described in Subsection
232 17-52a-303(2)(c); or
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234 concludes:
235 (A) because registered voters fail to submit a sufficient number of valid signatures for a
236 petition before the deadline described in Subsection 17-52a-104[
237 (B) under a provision described in Subsection 17-52a-104(1)[
238 (b) A county legislative body may not initiate the process to adopt an optional plan
239 under Section 17-52a-302 within four years of an election at which voters [
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241 specified in an optional plan proposed as a result of a process initiated by the county legislative
242 body.
243 (c) Registered voters of a county may not initiate the process to adopt an optional plan
244 under Section 17-52a-303 within four years of an election at which voters [
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246 specified in an optional plan proposed as a result of a process initiated by registered voters.
247 Section 5. Section 17-52a-302 is amended to read:
248 17-52a-302. County legislative body initiation of adoption of optional plan --
249 Procedure.
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270 (1) (a) A county legislative body may only initiate the process of adopting an optional
271 plan by:
272 (i) approving a motion to establish a study committee to study changing the form of
273 government; and
274 (ii) adopting a resolution to submit to the voters the question of whether the county
275 should adopt an optional plan proposed by the study committee described in Subsection
276 (1)(a)(i).
277 (b) The county legislative body may not submit to the voters an optional plan unless
278 the optional plan complies with the requirements of Sections 17-52a-404 and 17-52a-405.
279 (2) (a) No later than 10 days after the day on which the county legislative body
280 approves a motion as described in Subsection (1)(a)(i), the county legislative body shall notify
281 the county executive of the county legislative body's approval to establish a study committee.
282 (b) No later than 10 days after the day on which the county legislative body adopts a
283 resolution as described in Subsection (1)(a)(ii), the legislative body shall send a copy of the
284 optional plan that the legislative body recommends to:
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288 Section 6. Section 17-52a-303 is amended to read:
289 17-52a-303. Registered voter initiation of adoption of optional plan -- Procedure.
290 (1) (a) Registered voters of a county may initiate the process of adopting an optional
291 plan by filing with the county clerk a notice of intent to gather signatures for a petition:
292 (i) for the establishment of a study committee described in Section [
293 17-52a-403; or
294 (ii) [
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296 (A) accompanies the petition [
297 signature gathering process and accompanies the petition in the submission to the county clerk
298 under Subsection (2)(b); and
299 (B) complies with the requirements described in Sections 17-52a-404 and 17-52a-405.
300 (b) A notice of intent described in Subsection (1)(a) shall:
301 (i) designate five sponsors for the petition;
302 (ii) designate a contact sponsor to serve as the primary contact for the petition
303 sponsors;
304 (iii) list the mailing address and telephone number of each of the sponsors; and
305 (iv) be signed by each of the petition sponsors.
306 (c) Registered voters of a county may not file a notice of intent to gather signatures in
307 bad faith.
308 (2) (a) The sponsors of a petition may circulate the petition after filing a notice of
309 intent to gather signatures under Subsection (1).
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314 petition is valid if the petition contains the number of legal signatures required under
315 Subsection 20A-7-501(2).
316 (ii) For a county of the fifth or sixth class, the petition is valid if the petition contains at
317 least the number of legal signatures equal to 30% of the number of active voters, as defined in
318 Section 20A-7-501, in the county.
319 (iii) The county clerk may not count a signature that was collected for the petition
320 before the petition sponsors filed a notice of intent under Subsection (1)(a).
321 (iv) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual may not sign a petition
322 circulated under this section by electronic signature as defined in Section 20A-1-202.
323 (c) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(b)(ii), the sponsors of the petition shall submit
324 the completed petition and any amended or supplemental petition described in Subsection (4)
325 with the county clerk not more than 180 days after the day on which the sponsors file the notice
326 described in Subsection (1).
327 (d) (i) Within 30 days after the day on which the sponsors submit a petition, the
328 sponsors shall submit financial disclosures to the county clerk that include:
329 (A) a list of each contribution received by the sponsors and the name of the donor; and
330 (B) a list of each expenditure for purposes of furthering or sponsoring the petition and
331 the recipient of each expenditure.
332 (ii) The county clerk shall publish the financial disclosures described in Subsection
333 (2)(d)(i).
334 (iii) All sponsors of a petition shall date and sign each list described in Subsection
335 (2)(d)(i).
336 (3) Within 30 days after the day on which the sponsors submit a petition under
337 Subsection (2)(c) or an amended or supplemental petition under Subsection (4), the county
338 clerk shall:
339 (a) determine whether the petition or amended or supplemental petition has been
340 signed by the required number of registered voters;
341 (b) (i) if the petition was signed by a sufficient number of registered voters:
342 (A) certify the petition;
343 (B) deliver the petition to the county legislative body and county executive; and
344 (C) notify the contact sponsor in writing of the certification; or
345 (ii) if the petition was not signed by a sufficient number of registered voters:
346 (A) reject the petition; and
347 (B) notify the county legislative body and the contact sponsor in writing of the
348 rejection and the reasons for the rejection; and
349 (c) for a petition described in Subsection (1)(a)(ii), [
350 the day on which the county clerk certifies the petition under Subsection (3)(b)(i), the county
351 clerk shall send a copy of the optional plan that accompanied the petition to the county attorney
352 [
353 accordance with Section 17-52a-406.
354 (4) The sponsors of a petition circulated under this section may submit supplemental
355 signatures for the petition:
356 (a) if the county clerk rejects the petition under Subsection (3)(b)(ii); and
357 (b) before the earlier of:
358 (i) the deadline described in Subsection (2)(c); or
359 (ii) 20 days after the day on which the county clerk rejects the petition under
360 Subsection (3)(b)(ii).
361 (5) With the unanimous approval of petition sponsors, a petition filed under this
362 section may be withdrawn at any time within 90 days after the day on which the county clerk
363 certifies the petition under Subsection (3)(b)(i) and no later than 45 days before an election
364 under Section 17-52a-501 if[
365 conspicuous language and in a conspicuous location, that the petition sponsors are authorized
366 to withdraw the petition[
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383 Section 7. Section 17-52a-305 is amended to read:
384 17-52a-305. Public hearings.
385 The county legislative body shall hold four public hearings on a proposed optional plan
386 within 45 days after the day on which:
387 (1) the county legislative body adopts a resolution that proposes an optional plan under
388 Subsection 17-52a-302[
389 (2) the county clerk certifies, in accordance with Subsection 17-52a-303(3), a petition
390 that proposes an optional plan under Subsection 17-52a-303(1)(a)(ii).
391 Section 8. Section 17-52a-402 is amended to read:
392 17-52a-402. Convening of first meeting of study committee.
393 (1) The county executive shall convene the first meeting of the study committee
394 [
395 notification [
396
397 (a) of the establishment of a study committee by the county legislative body as
398 described in Section 17-52a-302; or
399 (b) of a certified petition from the county clerk as described in Section 17-52a-303.
400 (2) (a) At the study committee's first meeting, the study committee shall select a chair
401 from among the members of the study committee.
402 (b) The chair of the study committee is responsible for convening each future meeting
403 of the study committee.
404 Section 9. Section 17-52a-403 is amended to read:
405 17-52a-403. Study committee -- Members -- Powers and duties -- Proposed plan
406 and report -- Services provided by county.
407 (1) (a) A study committee consists of [
408 (i) for a study committee established by the county legislative body under Section
409 17-52a-302, five members appointed by the county legislative body; or
410 (ii) for a study committee established by the registered voters through a petition under
411 Section 17-52a-303:
412 (A) two members appointed by the sponsors of the petition;
413 (B) two members appointed by the county legislative body; and
414 (C) one member appointed by the county's council of governments.
415 (b) A member of a study committee:
416 (i) may not receive compensation for service on the study committee[
417 (ii) may not hold an elected county office or have filed a current declaration of
418 candidacy for an elected county office; and
419 (iii) shall be a registered voter.
420 (c) The county legislative body shall reimburse each member of a study committee for
421 necessary expenses incurred in performing the member's duties on the study committee.
422 (2) A study committee may:
423 (a) adopt rules for the study committee's own organization and procedure and to fill a
424 vacancy in its membership;
425 (b) establish advisory boards or committees and include on the advisory boards or
426 committees persons who are not members of the study committee; and
427 (c) request the assistance and advice of any officers or employees of any agency of
428 state or local government.
429 (3) (a) A study committee shall:
430 (i) study the form of government within the county and compare it with other forms
431 available under this chapter;
432 (ii) determine whether the administration of local government in the county could be
433 strengthened, made more clearly responsive or accountable to the people, or significantly
434 improved in the interest of economy and efficiency by a change in the form of county
435 government;
436 (iii) hold public hearings and community forums and other means the committee
437 considers appropriate to disseminate information and stimulate public discussion of the
438 committee's purposes, progress, and conclusions; and
439 (iv) file a written report of the study committee's findings and recommendations with
440 the county executive, the county legislative body, and the county clerk no later than one year
441 after the convening of the study committee's first meeting under Section 17-52a-402.
442 (b) Within 10 days after the day on which the study committee submits the study
443 committee's report under Subsection (3)(a)(iv) [
444 recommends a change in the form of county government, the county clerk shall send to the
445 county attorney [
446 copy of [
447 Section 17-52a-406.
448 (4) Each study committee report under Subsection (3)(a)(iv) shall include:
449 (a) the study committee's recommendation as to whether the form of county
450 government should be changed to another form authorized under this chapter;
451 (b) if the study committee recommends changing the form of government, a complete
452 detailed draft of a proposed optional plan to change the form of county government, including
453 all necessary implementing provisions; and
454 (c) any additional recommendations the study committee considers appropriate to
455 improve the efficiency and economy of the administration of local government within the
456 county.
457 (5) (a) If the study committee's report recommends a change in the form of county
458 government, the study committee may conduct additional public hearings after filing the report
459 under Subsection (3)(a)(iv) and, following the hearings and subject to Subsection (5)(b), alter
460 the report or proposed optional plan.
461 (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (5)(a), the study committee may not make an alteration
462 to the report or proposed optional plan:
463 (i) that would recommend the adoption of an optional form different from that
464 recommended in the original report; or
465 (ii) within the [
466 (6) Each meeting that the study committee holds shall be open to the public.
467 (7) If the study committee's report does not recommend a change in the form of county
468 government, the report is final, the study committee is dissolved, and the process to change the
469 county's form of government is concluded.
470 (8) The county legislative body shall provide for the study committee:
471 (a) suitable meeting facilities;
472 (b) necessary secretarial services;
473 (c) necessary printing and photocopying services;
474 (d) necessary clerical and staff assistance; and
475 (e) adequate funds for the employment of independent legal counsel and professional
476 consultants that the study committee reasonably determines to be necessary to help the study
477 committee fulfill its duties.
478 (9) The county legislative body may not interfere with the work of the study
479 committee.
480 Section 10. Section 17-52a-404 is amended to read:
481 17-52a-404. Contents of proposed optional plan.
482 (1) The study committee[
483
484 17-52a-303(1)(a)(ii) shall ensure that [
485 or registered voters propose under this chapter, respectively:
486 (a) proposes the adoption of one of the forms of county government [
487 in Subsection 17-52a-405(1)(a);
488 (b) contains detailed provisions relating to the transition from the existing form of
489 county government to the form proposed in the optional plan, including provisions relating to
490 the:
491 (i) election or appointment of officers specified in the optional plan for the new form of
492 county government;
493 (ii) retention, elimination, or combining of existing offices and, if an office is
494 eliminated, the division or department of county government responsible for performing the
495 duties of the eliminated office;
496 (iii) continuity of existing ordinances and regulations;
497 (iv) continuation of pending legislative, administrative, or judicial proceedings;
498 (v) making of interim and temporary appointments; and
499 (vi) preparation, approval, and adjustment of necessary budget appropriations;
500 (c) specifies the date the optional plan becomes effective if adopted, which may not be
501 earlier than the first day of January next following the election of officers under the new plan;
502 and
503 (d) notwithstanding any other provision of this title and except with respect to an
504 optional plan that proposes the adoption of the county commission or expanded county
505 commission form of government, with respect to the county budget provides that:
506 (i) the county executive's role is to prepare and present a proposed budget to the county
507 legislative body; and
508 (ii) the county legislative body's role is to adopt a final budget.
509 (2) Subject to Subsection (3), an optional plan may include provisions that are
510 considered necessary or advisable to the effective operation of the proposed optional plan.
511 (3) An optional plan may not:
512 (a) include any provision that is inconsistent with or prohibited by the Utah
513 Constitution or any statute[
514 (b) specify compensation, including benefits, for any appointed or elected county
515 official;
516 (c) specify the full or part-time status of any appointed or elected county official; or
517 (d) if the optional plan specifies that county council or commission members are to be
518 elected from districts, establish, divide, abolish, alter, change, or otherwise attempt to draw
519 boundaries of election districts or impair the duties of the county legislative body as described
520 in Section 17-52a-503.
521 (4) The optional plan proponent described in Subsection (1) shall ensure that [
522 optional plan proposing to change the form of government to the county executive-council
523 form under Section 17-52a-203 or the council-manager form under Section 17-52a-204:
524 (a) provides for the same executive and legislative officers as are specified in the
525 applicable section for the form of government that the optional plan proposes;
526 (b) provides for the election of the county council;
527 (c) specifies the number of county council members, which shall be an odd number
528 from three to nine;
529 (d) subject to Subsection (3)(d), specifies whether the members of the county council
530 are to be elected from districts, at large, or by a combination of at large and by district;
531 (e) specifies county council members' qualifications and terms and whether the terms
532 are to be staggered; and
533 (f) contains procedures for filling vacancies on the county council, consistent with the
534 provisions of Section 20A-1-508[
535 [
536
537 (5) The optional plan proponent described in Subsection (1) shall ensure that [
538 optional plan proposing to change the form of government to the county commission form
539 under Section 17-52a-201 or the expanded county commission form under Section 17-52a-202
540 specifies:
541 (a) (i) for the county commission form of government, that the county commission
542 shall have three members; or
543 (ii) for the expanded county commission form of government, whether the county
544 commission shall have five or seven members;
545 (b) the terms of office for county commission members and whether the terms are to be
546 staggered;
547 (c) subject to Subsection (3)(d), whether members of the county commission are to be
548 elected from districts, at large, or by a combination of at large and from districts;
549 (d) if any members of the county commission are to be elected from districts, the
550 district residency requirements for those commission members; and
551 (e) if any members of the county commission are to be elected at large, whether the
552 election of county commission members is subject to the provisions of Subsection
553 17-52a-201(6) or Subsection 17-52a-202(6).
554 Section 11. Section 17-52a-405 is amended to read:
555 17-52a-405. Plan may propose changing forms of county government -- Partisan
556 elections.
557 (1) (a) The optional plan proponent described in Subsection 17-52a-404(1) shall ensure
558 that each optional plan proposes changing the form of county government to:
559 (i) for a county of the first, second, third, or fourth class:
560 (A) the county commission form under Section 17-52a-201;
561 [
562 [
563 [
564 (ii) for a county of the fifth or sixth class:
565 (A) the county commission form under Section 17-52a-201; or
566 (B) the expanded county commission form under Section 17-52a-202.
567 (b) The optional plan proponent described in Subsection 17-52a-404(1) may not
568 recommend an optional plan that:
569 (i) proposes changing the form of government to a form not [
570 Subsection (1)(a);
571 (ii) provides for the nonpartisan election of elected officers;
572 (iii) imposes a limit on the number of terms or years that an elected officer may serve;
573 (iv) provides for elected officers to be subject to a recall election; or
574 (v) provides, in a county with a population of 225,000 or more, for a full-time county
575 commission in an expanded county commission form of government under Section
576 17-52a-202.
577 [
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579
580
581 [
582 a partisan election may not change to a process that provides for the election of the county's
583 elected officers through a nonpartisan election.
584 Section 12. Section 17-52a-406 is amended to read:
585 17-52a-406. County attorney review of proposed optional plan -- Conflict with
586 statutory or constitutional provisions -- Processing of optional plan after attorney review.
587 (1) As used in this section:
588 (a) "Proposed optional plan" means an optional plan that is submitted to the county
589 attorney for review in accordance with a provision of this chapter.
590 (b) "Requesting entity" means the person who submits a proposed optional plan to the
591 county attorney for review in accordance with a provision of this chapter.
592 [
593 receives [
594
595
596
597
598 (i) the requesting entity; and
599 (ii) (A) the petition sponsors, if the proposed optional plan was recommended under
600 Section 17-52a-303; or
601 (B) the study committee, if the proposed optional plan was recommended under
602 Section 17-52a-403.
603 [
604 shall:
605 [
606 proposed optional plan [
607 applicable statutory or constitutional provision;
608 [
609 [
610 implementation of the proposed optional plan would violate;
611 [
612 that would result in a statutory or constitutional violation if the proposed optional plan is
613 implemented; and
614 [
615 statutory or constitutional violation.
616 [
617
618
619 (3) (a) The proposed optional plan may not be the subject of an election under Section
620 17-52a-501 if:
621 (i) the county attorney has not reviewed and submitted a written report in accordance
622 with this section; or
623 (ii) the county attorney concludes that implementation of the proposed optional plan
624 would result in a violation of an applicable statutory or constitutional provision.
625 (b) The study committee may:
626 (i) modify [
627 accordance with Section 17-52a-403 to avoid a violation that a county [
628 report describes under Subsection (2); and
629 (ii) file a new report under Subsection 17-52a-403(3)(a)(iv).
630 (c) A county legislative body may:
631 (i) modify [
632 accordance with [
633 violation that a county [
634 (ii) within 10 days of modifying the proposed optional plan, send the modified
635 proposed optional plan to:
636 (A) the county clerk, if the proposed optional plan was proposed in accordance with
637 Section 17-52a-302; and
638 (B) the county [
639 (d) (i) The petition sponsors may:
640 (A) modify [
641 Subsection 17-52a-303(1)(a)(ii) to avoid a violation that a county [
642 describes under Subsection (2); and
643 (B) submit the modified proposed optional plan to the county clerk.
644 (ii) Upon receipt of a modified proposed optional plan described in Subsection
645 (3)(d)(i), the county clerk shall send the modified proposed optional plan to the county[
646
647 (4) The county executive, county legislative body, county [
648 county clerk shall treat the following as an original:
649 (a) a new report that a study committee files under Subsection 17-52a-403(3)(a)(iv);
650 (b) a modified proposed optional plan that a county legislative body sends under
651 Subsection (3)(c); and
652 (c) a modified proposed optional plan that petition sponsors submit to the county clerk
653 and that the county clerk sends under Subsection (3)(d).
654 (5) If the county attorney's written report under Subsection (2)(b) does not identify any
655 provisions or features of the proposed optional plan that, if implemented, would violate a
656 statutory or constitutional provision, the proposed optional plan is subject to the provisions
657 described in Section 17-52a-501.
658 Section 13. Section 17-52a-501 is amended to read:
659 17-52a-501. Election on recommended optional plan.
660 [
661
662
663
664 [
665
666
667 [
668
669
670 [
671
672 [
673 [
674
675
676
677 [
678 [
679
680
681 [
682
683 [
684 [
685
686 [
687 [
688
689
690 [
691 attorney finds under Section 17-52a-406 that a proposed optional plan does not violate a
692 statutory or constitutional provision, a county shall hold an election on the optional plan at the
693 next regular general [
694
695
696
697
698
699
700
701 [
702
703 [
704 [
705 [
706 that the question on the ballot states substantially the following:
707 "Shall ___________________ County adopt the alternate form of government known
708 as the (insert the proposed form of government) [
709 as recommended in the proposed optional plan?"
710 [
711 (a) publish the complete text of the proposed optional plan in a newspaper of general
712 circulation within the county at least once during two different calendar weeks within the
713 30-day period immediately before the date of the election described in Subsection (1);
714 (b) post the complete text of the proposed optional plan in a conspicuous place on the
715 county's website during the 45-day period that immediately precedes the election on the
716 optional plan; and
717 (c) make a complete copy of the optional plan and the study committee report available
718 free of charge to any member of the public who requests a copy.
719 [
720 majority of voters voting on the optional plan vote in favor of the optional plan.
721 Section 14. Section 17-52a-502 is amended to read:
722 17-52a-502. Voter information pamphlet.
723 (1) In anticipation of an election under Section 17-52a-501, the county clerk [
724 shall prepare a voter information pamphlet to inform the public of the proposed optional plan
725 in accordance with the provisions of Title 20A, Chapter 7, Part 7, Voter Information Pamphlet.
726 (2) In preparing a voter information pamphlet under this section, the county clerk
727 [
728 (a) allow proponents and opponents of the proposed optional plan to provide written
729 statements to be included in the pamphlet; and
730 (b) [
731
732 font style and point size.
733 (3) A county clerk [
734 cause the publication and distribution of the pamphlet in a manner that the county clerk
735 determines is adequate.
736 Section 15. Section 17-52a-503 is amended to read:
737 17-52a-503. Adoption of optional plan -- Election of new county officers -- Effect
738 of adoption.
739 (1) If a proposed optional plan is approved at an election held under Section
740 17-52a-501:
741 (a) on or before November 1 of the year immediately following the year of the election
742 described in Section 17-52a-501 in which the optional plan is approved, the county legislative
743 body shall:
744 (i) if the proposed optional plan under Section 17-52a-404 specifies that one or more
745 members of the county legislative body are elected from districts, adopt the geographic
746 boundaries of each council or commission member district; and
747 (ii) adopt the compensation, including benefits, for each member of the county
748 legislative body;
749 [
750 regular general election following the election under Section 17-52a-501, according to the
751 procedure and schedule established under Title 20A, Election Code, for the election of county
752 officers;
753 [
754 (i) becomes effective according to the optional plan's terms;
755 (ii) subject to Subsection 17-52a-404(1)(c), at the time specified in the optional plan, is
756 a public record open to inspection by the public; and
757 (iii) is judicially noticeable by all courts;
758 [
759 the lieutenant governor a copy of the optional plan, certified by the clerk to be a true and
760 correct copy;
761 [
762 between forms of county government; and
763 [
764 bring about an orderly transition to the new form of government, including any transfer of
765 power, records, documents, properties, assets, funds, liabilities, or personnel that are consistent
766 with the approved optional plan and necessary or convenient to place it into full effect.
767 (2) An action by the county legislative body under Subsection (1)(a) is not an
768 amendment for purposes of Section 17-52a-504.
769 [
770
771
772 functions of any:
773 (a) school district;
774 (b) justice court;
775 (c) local district under Title 17B, Limited Purpose Local Government Entities - Local
776 Districts;
777 (d) special service district under Title 17D, Chapter 1, Special Service District Act;
778 (e) city or town; or
779 (f) entity created by an interlocal agreement under Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal
780 Cooperation Act.
781 (4) (a) After adoption of the optional plan, the county legislative body may adopt a
782 change to the geographic boundaries of a council or commission member's district.
783 (b) An action by the county legislative body under Subsection (4)(a) is not an
784 amendment for purposes of Section 17-52a-504.
785 [
786 powers and duties vested generally in counties by statute.
787 Section 16. Section 20A-1-203 is amended to read:
788 20A-1-203. Calling and purpose of special elections -- Two-thirds vote
789 limitations.
790 (1) Statewide and local special elections may be held for any purpose authorized by
791 law.
792 (2) (a) Statewide special elections shall be conducted using the procedure for regular
793 general elections.
794 (b) Except as otherwise provided in this title, local special elections shall be conducted
795 using the procedures for regular municipal elections.
796 (3) The governor may call a statewide special election by issuing an executive order
797 that designates:
798 (a) the date for the statewide special election; and
799 (b) the purpose for the statewide special election.
800 (4) The Legislature may call a statewide special election by passing a joint or
801 concurrent resolution that designates:
802 (a) the date for the statewide special election; and
803 (b) the purpose for the statewide special election.
804 (5) (a) The legislative body of a local political subdivision may call a local special
805 election only for:
806 (i) a vote on a bond or debt issue;
807 (ii) a vote on a voted local levy authorized by Section 53F-8-402 or 53F-8-301;
808 (iii) an initiative authorized by Chapter 7, Part 5, Local Initiatives - Procedures;
809 (iv) a referendum authorized by Chapter 7, Part 6, Local Referenda - Procedures;
810 (v) if required or authorized by federal law, a vote to determine whether Utah's legal
811 boundaries should be changed;
812 (vi) a vote authorized or required by Title 59, Chapter 12, Sales and Use Tax Act;
813 (vii) a vote to elect members to school district boards for a new school district and a
814 remaining school district, as defined in Section 53G-3-102, following the creation of a new
815 school district under Section 53G-3-302;
816 (viii) a vote on a municipality providing cable television services or public
817 telecommunications services under Section 10-18-204;
818 (ix) a vote to create a new county under Section 17-3-1;
819 [
820
821 [
822 [
823 10-2a-210; or
824 [
825 (b) The legislative body of a local political subdivision may call a local special election
826 by adopting an ordinance or resolution that designates:
827 (i) the date for the local special election as authorized by Section 20A-1-204; and
828 (ii) the purpose for the local special election.
829 (c) A local political subdivision may not call a local special election unless the
830 ordinance or resolution calling a local special election under Subsection (5)(b) is adopted by a
831 two-thirds majority of all members of the legislative body, if the local special election is for:
832 (i) a vote on a bond or debt issue as described in Subsection (5)(a)(i);
833 (ii) a vote on a voted leeway or levy program as described in Subsection (5)(a)(ii); or
834 (iii) a vote authorized or required for a sales tax issue as described in Subsection
835 (5)(a)(vi).
836 Section 17. Section 63I-2-217 is amended to read:
837 63I-2-217. Repeal dates -- Title 17.
838 (1) Section 17-22-32.2, regarding restitution reporting, is repealed January 1, 2021.
839 (2) Section 17-22-32.3, regarding the Jail Incarceration and Transportation Costs Study
840 Council, is repealed January 1, 2021.
841 (3) Subsection 17-27a-102(1)(b), the language that states "or a designated mountainous
842 planning district" is repealed June 1, 2021.
843 (4) (a) Subsection 17-27a-103(18)(b), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
844 repealed June 1, 2021.
845 (b) Subsection 17-27a-103(42), regarding a mountainous planning district, is repealed
846 June 1, 2021.
847 (5) Subsection 17-27a-210(2)(a), the language that states "or the mountainous planning
848 district area" is repealed June 1, 2021.
849 (6) (a) Subsection 17-27a-301(1)(b)(iii), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
850 repealed June 1, 2021.
851 (b) Subsection 17-27a-301(1)(c), regarding a mountainous planning district, is repealed
852 June 1, 2021.
853 (c) Subsection 17-27a-301(2)(a), the language that states "described in Subsection
854 (1)(a) or (c)" is repealed June 1, 2021.
855 (7) Section 17-27a-302, the language that states ", or mountainous planning district"
856 and "or the mountainous planning district," is repealed June 1, 2021.
857 (8) Subsection 17-27a-305(1)(a), the language that states "a mountainous planning
858 district or" and ", as applicable" is repealed June 1, 2021.
859 (9) (a) Subsection 17-27a-401(1)(b)(ii), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
860 repealed June 1, 2021.
861 (b) Subsection 17-27a-401(7), regarding a mountainous planning district, is repealed
862 June 1, 2021.
863 (10) (a) Subsection 17-27a-403(1)(b)(ii), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
864 repealed June 1, 2021.
865 (b) Subsection 17-27a-403(1)(c)(iii), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
866 repealed June 1, 2021.
867 (c) Subsection 17-27a-403(2)(a)(iii), the language that states "or the mountainous
868 planning district" is repealed June 1, 2021.
869 (d) Subsection 17-27a-403(2)(c)(i), the language that states "or mountainous planning
870 district" is repealed June 1, 2021.
871 (11) Subsection 17-27a-502(1)(d)(i)(B), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
872 repealed June 1, 2021.
873 (12) Subsection 17-27a-505.5(2)(a)(iii), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
874 repealed June 1, 2021.
875 (13) Subsection 17-27a-602(1)(b), the language that states "or, in the case of a
876 mountainous planning district, the mountainous planning district" is repealed June 1, 2021.
877 (14) Subsection 17-27a-604(1)(b)(i)(B), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
878 repealed June 1, 2021.
879 (15) Subsection 17-27a-605(1), the language that states "or mountainous planning
880 district land" is repealed June 1, 2021.
881 (16) Title 17, Chapter 27a, Part 9, Mountainous Planning District, is repealed June 1,
882 2021.
883 (17) On June 1, 2021, when making the changes in this section, the Office of
884 Legislative Research and General Counsel shall:
885 (a) in addition to its authority under Subsection 36-12-12(3):
886 (i) make corrections necessary to ensure that sections and subsections identified in this
887 section are complete sentences and accurately reflect the office's understanding of the
888 Legislature's intent; and
889 (ii) make necessary changes to subsection numbering and cross references; and
890 (b) identify the text of the affected sections and subsections based upon the section and
891 subsection numbers used in Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 448.
892 (18) Subsection 17-34-1(5)(d), regarding county funding of certain municipal services
893 in a designated recreation area, is repealed June 1, 2021.
894 (19) Title 17, Chapter 35b, Consolidation of Local Government Units, is repealed
895 January 1, 2022.
896 [
897 (a) Section 17-52a-104 is repealed;
898 (b) in Subsection 17-52a-301(3)(a), the language that states "or under a provision
899 described in Subsection 17-52a-104[
900 (c) Subsection 17-52a-301(3)(a)[
901 repealed[
902 [
903
904
905 [
906
907
908
909
910 [
911 certain counties to initiate a change of form of government process by July 1, 2018, is repealed.
912 Section 18. Repealer.
913 This bill repeals:
914 Section 17-52a-304, Election to determine whether study committee should be
915 established.
916 Section 17-52a-401, Procedure for appointing members to study committee.
917 Section 19. Effective date.
918 If approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, this bill takes effect
919 upon approval by the governor, or the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah
920 Constitution, Article VII, Section 8, without the governor's signature, or in the case of a veto,
921 the date of veto override.
922 Section 20. Revisor instructions.
923 The Legislature intends that the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, in
924 preparing the Utah Code database for publication, replace the following references in:
925 (1) Subsections 17-52a-103(4), 17-52a-104(2)(a), 17-52a-104(2)(b), and
926 17-52a-104(2)(c)(i) from "the effective date of this bill" to the bill's actual effective date;
927 (2) Subsection 17-52a-104(2)(a)(i), from "this bill" to the bill's designated chapter
928 number in the Laws of Utah; and
929 (3) Subsections 17-52a-104(1)(a)(ii)(B), (1)(a)(ii)(C), (1)(a)(ii)(D), (2)(a)(ii)(A),
930 (2)(b)(i)(A), and (2)(b)(i)(B), from "the day immediately before the day on which this bill takes
931 effect" to the actual date before the day that the bill takes effect.