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7 LONG TITLE
8 Committee Note:
9 The Political Subdivisions Interim Committee recommended this bill.
10 Legislative Vote: 12 voting for 0 voting against 4 absent
11 General Description:
12 This bill amends provisions related to changing a county form of government.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This bill:
15 ▸ amends definitions;
16 ▸ provides a grandfather provision for counties that have initiated the process to
17 change the county's form of government as of the effective date of this bill;
18 ▸ authorizes, without an election, the establishment of a committee to study changing
19 the county form of government after a successful petition or motion of a county
20 legislative body;
21 ▸ after a completed process to change the county form of government, prohibits the
22 county legislative body or registered voters from initiating the process again until
23 four years after the new county officers are elected;
24 ▸ removes certain procedural restrictions based on county population size;
25 ▸ amends the signature thresholds for a citizen petition to establish a study committee
26 or propose an optional plan for adoption and prohibits the use of electronic
27 signatures;
28 ▸ requires petition sponsors to file financial disclosures;
29 ▸ amends study committee membership and qualifications;
30 ▸ limits the time frame allowed for a study committee to alter its proposed optional
31 plan;
32 ▸ authorizes a county legislative body to amend an optional plan proposed by a study
33 committee within a certain time frame;
34 ▸ prohibits a proposed optional plan from including certain provisions, including
35 language specifying districts of county officials or compensation;
36 ▸ limits the citizens or the county legislative body of a county of the fifth or sixth
37 class to proposing either the county commission or expanded county commission
38 form of government;
39 ▸ requires the county to hold an election on a proposed optional plan at the next
40 regular general election that is no sooner than 65 days after the county attorney
41 submits a report on the proposed optional plan;
42 ▸ requires the county clerk to prepare a voter information pamphlet on a proposed
43 optional plan;
44 ▸ after an election in which an optional plan is adopted, requires the county legislative
45 body to adopt geographic district boundaries, compensation, and benefits for new
46 county officers;
47 ▸ repeals Title 17, Chapter 35b, Consolidation of Local Government Units and other
48 provisions; and
49 ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
50 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
51 None
52 Other Special Clauses:
53 This bill provides a special effective date.
54 This bill provides revisor instructions.
55 Utah Code Sections Affected:
56 AMENDS:
57 17-52a-102, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
58 17-52a-103, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
59 17-52a-104, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
60 17-52a-301, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
61 17-52a-302, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
62 17-52a-303, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
63 17-52a-305, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
64 17-52a-402, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
65 17-52a-403, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 136
66 17-52a-404, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
67 17-52a-405, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
68 17-52a-406, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 136
69 17-52a-501, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
70 17-52a-502, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
71 17-52a-503, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
72 20A-1-203, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 165
73 63I-2-217, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapters 136, 252, 327, 384, 510
74 and last amended by Coordination Clause, Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 384
75 REPEALS:
76 17-52a-304, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
77 17-52a-401, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
78 Utah Code Sections Affected by Revisor Instructions:
79 17-52a-103, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
80 17-52a-104, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 68
81
82 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
83 Section 1. Section 17-52a-102 is amended to read:
84 17-52a-102. Definitions.
85 As used in this chapter:
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112 a county as provided in Section 17-52a-404.
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117 members appointed and charged with the duties as provided in Section 17-52a-403.
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120 Section 2. Section 17-52a-103 is amended to read:
121 17-52a-103. Forms of county government -- County commission form required
122 unless another is adopted -- Restrictions on form of county government.
123 (1) Subject to Subsection (2), each county shall operate under one of the following
124 forms of county government:
125 (a) the county commission form under Section 17-52a-201;
126 (b) the expanded county commission form under Section 17-52a-202;
127 (c) the county executive and council form under Section 17-52a-203; or
128 (d) the council-manager form under Section 17-52a-204.
129 (2) Unless a county adopts another form of government as provided in this chapter, the
130 county shall operate under the county commission form of government under Section
131 17-52a-201.
132 (3) (a) In a county that operates under a form of government that is not described in
133 Subsection (2):
134 (i) the county's legislative body shall, before July 1, 2018, initiate the process under
135 Section 17-52a-302 of changing the county's form of government;
136 (ii) the county shall hold a special election [
137 November 6, 2018;
138 (iii) if the voters approve the appointment of a study committee at the special election
139 described in Subsection (3)(a)(ii):
140 (A) the study committee may not recommend under Section 17-52a-403 that the county
141 retain the county's current form of government; and
142 (B) the county shall hold an election described in Section 17-52a-501 before December
143 31, 2020, on an optional plan that the study committee creates; and
144 (iv) the registered voters of the county may not repeal an optional plan under Section
145 17-52a-505 that is adopted at an election described in Subsection (3)(a)(iii)(B).
146 (b) If the voters of a county described in Subsection (3)(a) do not approve a change in
147 the county's form of government at an election described in Subsection (3)(a)(iii)(B) before
148 December 31, 2020:
149 (i) the county shall operate under the county commission form of government under
150 Section 17-52a-201 [
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152
153 (ii) the county shall transition to the form of government described in Subsection
154 (3)(b)(i) in the same manner as if the voters of the county had approved the change in the form
155 of government described in Subsection (3)(b)(i) in the applicable election described in
156 Subsection (3)(b).
157 (4) In a county of the fifth or sixth class, if the county legislative body under Section
158 17-52a-302 or the registered voters under Section 17-52a-303, after the effective date of this
159 bill, initiate the process to adopt an optional plan, the proposed optional plan may only propose
160 a form of government authorized under Section 17-52a-405.
161 Section 3. Section 17-52a-104 is amended to read:
162 17-52a-104. Applicability of former provisions to pending process.
163 (1) (a) If, on March 15, 2018, a county is under a pending process described in
164 Subsection [
165 [
166 Chapter 68 do not apply to that pending process; and
167 [
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170 the day on which this bill takes effect;
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172 immediately before the day on which this bill takes effect; and
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174 day on which this bill takes effect.
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176 Subsection (1)(a) if, as of March 15, 2018:
177 [
178 provisions of law that were in effect on March 14, 2018 to change the county's form of
179 government; or
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181 provisions of law that were in effect on March 14, 2018 for a petition to change the county's
182 form of government; and
183 [
184 Subsection [
185 [
186 (1)(b)(i)(B), registered voters that initiated the process shall submit a sufficient number of valid
187 signatures to the county clerk within 180 days after March 15, 2018.
188 [
189 pending process is concluded under Subsection 17-52a-301(3)(a)[
190 (2) (a) If, on the effective date of this bill, a county is under a pending process
191 described in Subsection (2)(b) to change the county's form of government:
192 (i) except as provided in this Subsection (2), the provisions of this bill do not apply to
193 that pending process; and
194 (ii) that pending process is governed by:
195 (A) the provisions of law that were in effect on the day immediately before the day on
196 which this bill takes effect; and
197 (B) Subsection (2)(c).
198 (b) A process of changing a county's form of government is pending under Subsection
199 (1) if, on the effective date of this bill:
200 (i) (A) the county legislative body had adopted a resolution in accordance with the
201 provisions of law that were in effect on the day immediately before the day on which this bill
202 takes effect to change the county's form of government; or
203 (B) registered voters had begun collecting signatures in accordance with the provisions
204 of law that were in effect on the day immediately before the day on which this bill takes effect
205 for a petition to change the county's form of government; and
206 (ii) the process of changing the county's form of government initiated under Subsection
207 (2)(b)(i) has not concluded.
208 (c) (i) To continue a pending process described in Subsection (2)(b)(i)(B), registered
209 voters that initiated the process shall submit a sufficient number of valid signatures to the
210 county clerk within 180 days after the effective date of this bill.
211 (ii) If the registered voters fail to comply with Subsection (2)(c)(i), the pending process
212 is concluded under Subsection 17-52a-301(3)(a)(v)(A).
213 Section 4. Section 17-52a-301 is amended to read:
214 17-52a-301. Procedure for initiating adoption of optional plan -- Limitations --
215 Pending proceedings.
216 (1) An optional plan proposing an alternate form of government for a county may be
217 adopted as provided in this chapter.
218 (2) The process to adopt an optional plan establishing an alternate form of county
219 government may be initiated by:
220 (a) the county legislative body as provided in Section 17-52a-302; or
221 (b) registered voters of the county as provided in Section 17-52a-303.
222 (3) (a) If the process to adopt an optional plan is initiated under Laws of Utah 1973,
223 Chapter 26, Section 3, 4, or 5, or Section 17-52a-302 or 17-52a-303, or under a provision
224 described in Subsection 17-52a-104[
225 initiate the process again under Section 17-52a-302, and registered voters may not initiate the
226 process again under Section 17-52a-303, until:
227 (i) the first initiated process concludes with an election under Section 17-52a-501;
228 (ii) the first initiated process concludes under Subsection 17-52a-403(7) because the
229 study committee recommended that the county's form of government not change;
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236 sufficient number of valid signatures for a petition before the deadline described in Subsection
237 17-52a-303(2)(c); or
238 [
239 concludes:
240 (A) because registered voters fail to submit a sufficient number of valid signatures for a
241 petition before the deadline described in Subsection 17-52a-104[
242 (B) under a provision described in Subsection 17-52a-104(1)[
243 (b) A county legislative body may not initiate the process to adopt an optional plan
244 under Section 17-52a-302 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 the county legislative
247 body.
248 (c) Registered voters of a county may not initiate the process to adopt an optional plan
249 under Section 17-52a-303 within four years of an election at which voters [
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251 specified in an optional plan proposed as a result of a process initiated by registered voters.
252 Section 5. Section 17-52a-302 is amended to read:
253 17-52a-302. County legislative body initiation of adoption of optional plan --
254 Procedure.
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275 (1) (a) A county legislative body may only initiate the process of adopting an optional
276 plan by:
277 (i) approving a motion to establish a study committee to study changing the form of
278 government; and
279 (ii) adopting a resolution to submit to the voters the question of whether the county
280 should adopt an optional plan proposed by the study committee described in Subsection
281 (1)(a)(i), including any amendments to the proposed optional plan by the county legislative
282 body in accordance with Section 17-52a-403.
283 (b) The county legislative body may not submit to the voters an optional plan unless
284 the optional plan complies with the requirements of Sections 17-52a-404 and 17-52a-405.
285 (2) (a) No later than 10 days after the day on which the county legislative body
286 approves a motion as described in Subsection (1)(a)(i), the county legislative body shall notify
287 the county executive of the county legislative body's approval to establish a study committee.
288 (b) No later than 10 days after the day on which the county legislative body adopts a
289 resolution as described in Subsection (1)(a)(ii), the legislative body shall send a copy of the
290 optional plan that the legislative body recommends to:
291 [
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294 Section 6. Section 17-52a-303 is amended to read:
295 17-52a-303. Registered voter initiation of adoption of optional plan -- Procedure.
296 (1) (a) Registered voters of a county may initiate the process of adopting an optional
297 plan by filing with the county clerk a notice of intent to gather signatures for a petition:
298 (i) for the establishment of a study committee described in Section [
299 17-52a-403; or
300 (ii) [
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302 (A) accompanies the petition [
303 signature gathering process and accompanies the petition in the submission to the county clerk
304 under Subsection (2)(b); and
305 (B) complies with the requirements described in Sections 17-52a-404 and 17-52a-405.
306 (b) A notice of intent described in Subsection (1)(a) shall:
307 (i) designate five sponsors for the petition;
308 (ii) designate a contact sponsor to serve as the primary contact for the petition
309 sponsors;
310 (iii) list the mailing address and telephone number of each of the sponsors; and
311 (iv) be signed by each of the petition sponsors.
312 (c) Registered voters of a county may not file a notice of intent to gather signatures in
313 bad faith.
314 (2) (a) The sponsors of a petition may circulate the petition after filing a notice of
315 intent to gather signatures under Subsection (1).
316 (b) (i) [
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320 number of legal signatures required under Subsection 20A-7-501(2).
321 (ii) The county clerk may not count a signature that was collected for the petition
322 before the petition sponsors filed a notice of intent under Subsection (1)(a).
323 (iii) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual may not sign a petition
324 circulated under this section by electronic signature as defined in Section 20A-1-202.
325 (c) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(b)(ii), the sponsors of the petition shall submit
326 the completed petition and any amended or supplemental petition described in Subsection (4)
327 with the county clerk not more than 180 days after the day on which the sponsors file the notice
328 described in Subsection (1).
329 (d) (i) Within 30 days after the day on which the sponsors submit a petition, the
330 sponsors shall submit financial disclosures to the county clerk that include:
331 (A) a list of each contribution received by the sponsors and the name of the donor; and
332 (B) a list of each expenditure for purposes of furthering or sponsoring the petition and
333 the recipient of each expenditure.
334 (ii) The county clerk shall publish the financial disclosures described in Subsection
335 (2)(d)(i).
336 (iii) All sponsors of a petition shall date and sign each list described in Subsection
337 (2)(d)(i).
338 (3) Within 30 days after the day on which the sponsors submit a petition under
339 Subsection (2)(c) or an amended or supplemental petition under Subsection (4), the county
340 clerk shall:
341 (a) determine whether the petition or amended or supplemental petition has been
342 signed by the required number of registered voters;
343 (b) (i) if the petition was signed by a sufficient number of registered voters:
344 (A) certify the petition;
345 (B) deliver the petition to the county legislative body and county executive; and
346 (C) notify the contact sponsor in writing of the certification; or
347 (ii) if the petition was not signed by a sufficient number of registered voters:
348 (A) reject the petition; and
349 (B) notify the county legislative body and the contact sponsor in writing of the
350 rejection and the reasons for the rejection; and
351 (c) for a petition described in Subsection (1)(a)(ii), [
352 the day on which the county clerk certifies the petition under Subsection (3)(b)(i), the county
353 clerk shall send a copy of the optional plan that accompanied the petition to the county attorney
354 [
355 accordance with Section 17-52a-406.
356 (4) The sponsors of a petition circulated under this section may submit supplemental
357 signatures for the petition:
358 (a) if the county clerk rejects the petition under Subsection (3)(b)(ii); and
359 (b) before the earlier of:
360 (i) the deadline described in Subsection (2)(c); or
361 (ii) 20 days after the day on which the county clerk rejects the petition under
362 Subsection (3)(b)(ii).
363 (5) With the unanimous approval of petition sponsors, a petition filed under this
364 section may be withdrawn at any time within 90 days after the day on which the county clerk
365 certifies the petition under Subsection (3)(b)(i) and no later than 45 days before an election
366 under Section 17-52a-501 if[
367 conspicuous language and in a conspicuous location, that the petition sponsors are authorized
368 to withdraw the petition[
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385 Section 7. Section 17-52a-305 is amended to read:
386 17-52a-305. Public hearings.
387 The county legislative body shall hold four public hearings on a proposed optional plan
388 within 45 days after the day on which:
389 (1) the county legislative body adopts a resolution that proposes an optional plan under
390 Subsection 17-52a-302[
391 (2) the county clerk certifies, in accordance with Subsection 17-52a-303(3), a petition
392 that proposes an optional plan under Subsection 17-52a-303(1)(a)(ii).
393 Section 8. Section 17-52a-402 is amended to read:
394 17-52a-402. Convening of first meeting of study committee.
395 (1) The county executive shall convene the first meeting of the study committee
396 [
397 notification [
398
399 (a) of the establishment of a study committee by the county legislative body as
400 described in Section 17-52a-302; or
401 (b) of a certified petition from the county clerk as described in Section 17-52a-303.
402 (2) (a) At the study committee's first meeting, the study committee shall select a chair
403 from among the members of the study committee.
404 (b) The chair of the study committee is responsible for convening each future meeting
405 of the study committee.
406 Section 9. Section 17-52a-403 is amended to read:
407 17-52a-403. Study committee -- Members -- Powers and duties -- Proposed plan
408 and report -- Services provided by county -- Legislative body amendment of study
409 committee plan.
410 (1) (a) A study committee consists of [
411 (i) for a study committee established by the county legislative body under Section
412 17-52a-302, five members appointed by the county legislative body; or
413 (ii) for a study committee established by the registered voters through a petition under
414 Section 17-52a-303:
415 (A) two members appointed by the sponsors of the petition;
416 (B) two members appointed by the county legislative body; and
417 (C) one member appointed by the county's council of governments.
418 (b) A member of a study committee:
419 (i) may not receive compensation for service on the study committee[
420 (ii) may not hold an elected county office or have filed a current declaration of
421 candidacy for an elected county office; and
422 (iii) shall be a registered voter.
423 (c) The county legislative body shall reimburse each member of a study committee for
424 necessary expenses incurred in performing the member's duties on the study committee.
425 (2) A study committee may:
426 (a) adopt rules for the study committee's own organization and procedure and to fill a
427 vacancy in its membership;
428 (b) establish advisory boards or committees and include on the advisory boards or
429 committees persons who are not members of the study committee; and
430 (c) request the assistance and advice of any officers or employees of any agency of
431 state or local government.
432 (3) (a) A study committee shall:
433 (i) study the form of government within the county and compare it with other forms
434 available under this chapter;
435 (ii) determine whether the administration of local government in the county could be
436 strengthened, made more clearly responsive or accountable to the people, or significantly
437 improved in the interest of economy and efficiency by a change in the form of county
438 government;
439 (iii) hold public hearings and community forums and other means the committee
440 considers appropriate to disseminate information and stimulate public discussion of the
441 committee's purposes, progress, and conclusions; and
442 (iv) file a written report of the study committee's findings and recommendations with
443 the county executive, the county legislative body, and the county clerk no later than one year
444 after the convening of the study committee's first meeting under Section 17-52a-402.
445 (b) Within 10 days after the day on which the study committee submits the study
446 committee's report under Subsection (3)(a)(iv) [
447 recommends a change in the form of county government, the county clerk shall send to the
448 county attorney [
449 copy of [
450 Section 17-52a-406.
451 (4) Each study committee report under Subsection (3)(a)(iv) shall include:
452 (a) the study committee's recommendation as to whether the form of county
453 government should be changed to another form authorized under this chapter;
454 (b) if the study committee recommends changing the form of government, a complete
455 detailed draft of a proposed optional plan to change the form of county government, including
456 all necessary implementing provisions; and
457 (c) any additional recommendations the study committee considers appropriate to
458 improve the efficiency and economy of the administration of local government within the
459 county.
460 (5) (a) If the study committee's report recommends a change in the form of county
461 government, the study committee may conduct additional public hearings after filing the report
462 under Subsection (3)(a)(iv) and, following the hearings and subject to Subsection (5)(b), alter
463 the report or proposed optional plan.
464 (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (5)(a), the study committee may not make an alteration
465 to the report or proposed optional plan:
466 (i) that would recommend the adoption of an optional form different from that
467 recommended in the original report; or
468 (ii) within the [
469 (6) Each meeting that the study committee holds shall be open to the public.
470 (7) If the study committee's report does not recommend a change in the form of county
471 government, the report is final, the study committee is dissolved, and the process to change the
472 county's form of government is concluded.
473 (8) The county legislative body shall provide for the study committee:
474 (a) suitable meeting facilities;
475 (b) necessary secretarial services;
476 (c) necessary printing and photocopying services;
477 (d) necessary clerical and staff assistance; and
478 (e) adequate funds for the employment of independent legal counsel and professional
479 consultants that the study committee reasonably determines to be necessary to help the study
480 committee fulfill its duties.
481 (9) (a) The county legislative body may not interfere with the work of the study
482 committee.
483 (b) After the study committee files the study committee's report in accordance with
484 Subsection (3)(a)(iv), the county legislative body may amend the study committee's proposed
485 optional plan by adopting a resolution that clearly identifies the amendments to the proposed
486 optional plan.
487 (c) The county legislative body may not adopt a resolution described in Subsection
488 (9)(b) unless:
489 (i) the amended proposed optional plan:
490 (A) complies with the provisions of this chapter; and
491 (B) is first submitted to and reviewed by the county attorney in accordance with
492 Section 17-52a-406; and
493 (ii) the resolution is adopted no later than 120 days before the day on which the
494 election under Section 17-52a-501 occurs.
495 Section 10. Section 17-52a-404 is amended to read:
496 17-52a-404. Contents of proposed optional plan.
497 (1) The study committee[
498
499 17-52a-303(1)(a)(ii) shall ensure that [
500 or registered voters propose under this chapter, respectively:
501 (a) proposes the adoption of one of the forms of county government [
502 in Subsection 17-52a-405(1)(a);
503 (b) contains detailed provisions relating to the transition from the existing form of
504 county government to the form proposed in the optional plan, including provisions relating to
505 the:
506 (i) election or appointment of officers specified in the optional plan for the new form of
507 county government;
508 (ii) retention, elimination, or combining of existing offices and, if an office is
509 eliminated, the division or department of county government responsible for performing the
510 duties of the eliminated office;
511 (iii) continuity of existing ordinances and regulations;
512 (iv) continuation of pending legislative, administrative, or judicial proceedings;
513 (v) making of interim and temporary appointments; and
514 (vi) preparation, approval, and adjustment of necessary budget appropriations;
515 (c) specifies the date the optional plan becomes effective if adopted, which may not be
516 earlier than the first day of January next following the election of officers under the new plan;
517 and
518 (d) notwithstanding any other provision of this title and except with respect to an
519 optional plan that proposes the adoption of the county commission or expanded county
520 commission form of government, with respect to the county budget provides that:
521 (i) the county executive's role is to prepare and present a proposed budget to the county
522 legislative body; and
523 (ii) the county legislative body's role is to adopt a final budget.
524 (2) Subject to Subsection (3), an optional plan may include provisions that are
525 considered necessary or advisable to the effective operation of the proposed optional plan.
526 (3) An optional plan may not:
527 (a) include any provision that is inconsistent with or prohibited by the Utah
528 Constitution or any statute[
529 (b) specify compensation, including benefits, for any appointed or elected county
530 official;
531 (c) specify the full or part-time status of any appointed or elected county official; or
532 (d) if the optional plan specifies that county council or commission members are to be
533 elected from districts, establish, divide, abolish, alter, change, or otherwise attempt to draw
534 boundaries of election districts or impair the duties of the county legislative body as described
535 in Section 17-52a-503.
536 (4) The optional plan proponent described in Subsection (1) shall ensure that [
537 optional plan proposing to change the form of government to the county executive-council
538 form under Section 17-52a-203 or the council-manager form under Section 17-52a-204:
539 (a) provides for the same executive and legislative officers as are specified in the
540 applicable section for the form of government that the optional plan proposes;
541 (b) provides for the election of the county council;
542 (c) specifies the number of county council members, which shall be an odd number
543 from three to nine;
544 (d) subject to Subsection (3)(d), specifies whether the members of the county council
545 are to be elected from districts, at large, or by a combination of at large and by district;
546 (e) specifies county council members' qualifications and terms and whether the terms
547 are to be staggered; and
548 (f) contains procedures for filling vacancies on the county council, consistent with the
549 provisions of Section 20A-1-508[
550 [
551
552 (5) The optional plan proponent described in Subsection (1) shall ensure that [
553 optional plan proposing to change the form of government to the county commission form
554 under Section 17-52a-201 or the expanded county commission form under Section 17-52a-202
555 specifies:
556 (a) (i) for the county commission form of government, that the county commission
557 shall have three members; or
558 (ii) for the expanded county commission form of government, whether the county
559 commission shall have five or seven members;
560 (b) the terms of office for county commission members and whether the terms are to be
561 staggered;
562 (c) subject to Subsection (3)(d), whether members of the county commission are to be
563 elected from districts, at large, or by a combination of at large and from districts;
564 (d) if any members of the county commission are to be elected from districts, the
565 district residency requirements for those commission members; and
566 (e) if any members of the county commission are to be elected at large, whether the
567 election of county commission members is subject to the provisions of Subsection
568 17-52a-201(6) or Subsection 17-52a-202(6).
569 Section 11. Section 17-52a-405 is amended to read:
570 17-52a-405. Plan may propose changing forms of county government -- Partisan
571 elections.
572 (1) (a) The optional plan proponent described in Subsection 17-52a-404(1) shall ensure
573 that each optional plan proposes changing the form of county government to:
574 (i) for a county of the first, second, third, or fourth class:
575 (A) the county commission form under Section 17-52a-201;
576 [
577 [
578 [
579 (ii) for a county of the fifth or sixth class:
580 (A) the county commission form under Section 17-52a-201; or
581 (B) the expanded county commission form under Section 17-52a-202.
582 (b) The optional plan proponent described in Subsection 17-52a-404(1) may not
583 recommend an optional plan that:
584 (i) proposes changing the form of government to a form not [
585 Subsection (1)(a);
586 (ii) provides for the nonpartisan election of elected officers;
587 (iii) imposes a limit on the number of terms or years that an elected officer may serve;
588 (iv) provides for elected officers to be subject to a recall election; or
589 (v) provides, in a county with a population of 225,000 or more, for a full-time county
590 commission in an expanded county commission form of government under Section
591 17-52a-202.
592 [
593
594
595
596 [
597 a partisan election may not change to a process that provides for the election of the county's
598 elected officers through a nonpartisan election.
599 Section 12. Section 17-52a-406 is amended to read:
600 17-52a-406. County attorney review of proposed optional plan -- Conflict with
601 statutory or constitutional provisions -- Processing of optional plan after attorney review.
602 (1) As used in this section:
603 (a) "Proposed optional plan" means an optional plan, including any amendments to the
604 optional plan proposed in accordance with this chapter, that is submitted to the county attorney
605 for review in accordance with a provision of this chapter.
606 (b) "Requesting entity" means the person who submits a proposed optional plan to the
607 county attorney for review in accordance with a provision of this chapter.
608 [
609 receives [
610
611
612
613
614 (i) the requesting entity; and
615 (ii) (A) the petition sponsors, if the proposed optional plan was recommended under
616 Section 17-52a-303; or
617 (B) the study committee, if the proposed optional plan was recommended under
618 Section 17-52a-403.
619 [
620 shall:
621 [
622 proposed optional plan [
623 applicable statutory or constitutional provision;
624 [
625 [
626 implementation of the proposed optional plan would violate;
627 [
628 that would result in a statutory or constitutional violation if the proposed optional plan is
629 implemented; and
630 [
631 statutory or constitutional violation.
632 [
633
634
635 (3) (a) The proposed optional plan may not be the subject of an election under Section
636 17-52a-501 if:
637 (i) the county attorney has not reviewed and submitted a written report in accordance
638 with this section; or
639 (ii) the county attorney concludes that implementation of the proposed optional plan
640 would result in a violation of an applicable statutory or constitutional provision.
641 (b) The study committee may:
642 (i) modify [
643 accordance with Section 17-52a-403 to avoid a violation that a county [
644 report describes under Subsection (2); and
645 (ii) file a new report under Subsection 17-52a-403(3)(a)(iv).
646 (c) A county legislative body may:
647 (i) modify [
648 accordance with [
649 violation that a county [
650 (ii) within 10 days of modifying the proposed optional plan, send the modified
651 proposed optional plan to:
652 (A) the county clerk, if the proposed optional plan was proposed in accordance with
653 Section 17-52a-302; and
654 (B) the county [
655 (d) (i) The petition sponsors may:
656 (A) modify [
657 Subsection 17-52a-303(1)(a)(ii) to avoid a violation that a county [
658 describes under Subsection (2); and
659 (B) submit the modified proposed optional plan to the county clerk.
660 (ii) Upon receipt of a modified proposed optional plan described in Subsection
661 (3)(d)(i), the county clerk shall send the modified proposed optional plan to the county[
662
663 (4) The county executive, county legislative body, county [
664 county clerk shall treat the following as an original:
665 (a) a new report that a study committee files under Subsection 17-52a-403(3)(a)(iv);
666 (b) a modified proposed optional plan that a county legislative body sends under
667 Subsection (3)(c); and
668 (c) a modified proposed optional plan that petition sponsors submit to the county clerk
669 and that the county clerk sends under Subsection (3)(d).
670 (5) If the county attorney's written report under Subsection (2)(b) does not identify any
671 provisions or features of the proposed optional plan that, if implemented, would violate a
672 statutory or constitutional provision, the proposed optional plan is subject to the provisions
673 described in Section 17-52a-501.
674 Section 13. Section 17-52a-501 is amended to read:
675 17-52a-501. Election on recommended optional plan.
676 [
677
678
679
680 [
681
682
683 [
684
685
686 [
687
688 [
689 [
690
691
692
693 [
694 [
695
696
697 [
698
699 [
700 [
701
702 [
703 [
704
705
706 [
707 attorney finds under Section 17-52a-406 that a proposed optional plan does not violate a
708 statutory or constitutional provision, a county shall hold an election on the optional plan at the
709 next regular general [
710
711
712
713
714
715
716
717 [
718
719 [
720 [
721 [
722 that the question on the ballot states substantially the following:
723 "Shall ___________________ County adopt the alternate form of government known
724 as the (insert the proposed form of government) [
725 as recommended in the proposed optional plan?"
726 [
727 (a) publish the complete text of the proposed optional plan in a newspaper of general
728 circulation within the county at least once during two different calendar weeks within the
729 30-day period immediately before the date of the election described in Subsection (1);
730 (b) post the complete text of the proposed optional plan in a conspicuous place on the
731 county's website during the 45-day period that immediately precedes the election on the
732 optional plan; and
733 (c) make a complete copy of the optional plan and the study committee report available
734 free of charge to any member of the public who requests a copy.
735 [
736 majority of voters voting on the optional plan vote in favor of the optional plan.
737 Section 14. Section 17-52a-502 is amended to read:
738 17-52a-502. Voter information pamphlet.
739 (1) In anticipation of an election under Section 17-52a-501, the county clerk [
740 shall prepare a voter information pamphlet to inform the public of the proposed optional plan.
741 (2) In preparing a voter information pamphlet under this section, the county clerk
742 [
743 (a) allow proponents and opponents of the proposed optional plan to provide written
744 statements to be included in the pamphlet; and
745 (b) use as a guideline the provisions of Title 20A, Chapter 7, Part 7, Voter Information
746 Pamphlet.
747 (3) A county clerk [
748 cause the publication and distribution of the pamphlet in a manner that the county clerk
749 determines is adequate.
750 Section 15. Section 17-52a-503 is amended to read:
751 17-52a-503. Adoption of optional plan -- Election of new county officers -- Effect
752 of adoption.
753 (1) If a proposed optional plan is approved at an election held under Section
754 17-52a-501:
755 (a) on or before November 1 of the year immediately following the year of the election
756 described in Section 17-52a-501 in which the optional plan is approved, the county legislative
757 body shall:
758 (i) if the proposed optional plan under Section 17-52a-404 specifies that one or more
759 members of the county legislative body are elected from districts, adopt the geographic
760 boundaries of each council or commission member district; and
761 (ii) adopt the compensation, including benefits, for each member of the county
762 legislative body;
763 [
764 regular general election following the election under Section 17-52a-501, according to the
765 procedure and schedule established under Title 20A, Election Code, for the election of county
766 officers;
767 [
768 (i) becomes effective according to the optional plan's terms;
769 (ii) subject to Subsection 17-52a-404(1)(c), at the time specified in the optional plan, is
770 a public record open to inspection by the public; and
771 (iii) is judicially noticeable by all courts;
772 [
773 the lieutenant governor a copy of the optional plan, certified by the clerk to be a true and
774 correct copy;
775 [
776 between forms of county government; and
777 [
778 bring about an orderly transition to the new form of government, including any transfer of
779 power, records, documents, properties, assets, funds, liabilities, or personnel that are consistent
780 with the approved optional plan and necessary or convenient to place it into full effect.
781 (2) An action by the county legislative body under Subsection (1)(a) is not an
782 amendment for purposes of Section 17-52a-504.
783 [
784
785
786 functions of any:
787 (a) school district;
788 (b) justice court;
789 (c) local district under Title 17B, Limited Purpose Local Government Entities - Local
790 Districts;
791 (d) special service district under Title 17D, Chapter 1, Special Service District Act;
792 (e) city or town; or
793 (f) entity created by an interlocal agreement under Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal
794 Cooperation Act.
795 (4) (a) After adoption of the optional plan, the county legislative body may adopt a
796 change to the geographic boundaries of a council or commission member's district.
797 (b) An action by the county legislative body under Subsection (4)(a) is not an
798 amendment for purposes of Section 17-52a-504.
799 [
800 powers and duties vested generally in counties by statute.
801 Section 16. Section 20A-1-203 is amended to read:
802 20A-1-203. Calling and purpose of special elections -- Two-thirds vote
803 limitations.
804 (1) Statewide and local special elections may be held for any purpose authorized by
805 law.
806 (2) (a) Statewide special elections shall be conducted using the procedure for regular
807 general elections.
808 (b) Except as otherwise provided in this title, local special elections shall be conducted
809 using the procedures for regular municipal elections.
810 (3) The governor may call a statewide special election by issuing an executive order
811 that designates:
812 (a) the date for the statewide special election; and
813 (b) the purpose for the statewide special election.
814 (4) The Legislature may call a statewide special election by passing a joint or
815 concurrent resolution that designates:
816 (a) the date for the statewide special election; and
817 (b) the purpose for the statewide special election.
818 (5) (a) The legislative body of a local political subdivision may call a local special
819 election only for:
820 (i) a vote on a bond or debt issue;
821 (ii) a vote on a voted local levy authorized by Section 53F-8-402 or 53F-8-301;
822 (iii) an initiative authorized by Chapter 7, Part 5, Local Initiatives - Procedures;
823 (iv) a referendum authorized by Chapter 7, Part 6, Local Referenda - Procedures;
824 (v) if required or authorized by federal law, a vote to determine whether Utah's legal
825 boundaries should be changed;
826 (vi) a vote authorized or required by Title 59, Chapter 12, Sales and Use Tax Act;
827 (vii) a vote to elect members to school district boards for a new school district and a
828 remaining school district, as defined in Section 53G-3-102, following the creation of a new
829 school district under Section 53G-3-302;
830 (viii) a vote on a municipality providing cable television services or public
831 telecommunications services under Section 10-18-204;
832 (ix) a vote to create a new county under Section 17-3-1;
833 [
834
835 [
836 [
837 10-2a-210; or
838 [
839 (b) The legislative body of a local political subdivision may call a local special election
840 by adopting an ordinance or resolution that designates:
841 (i) the date for the local special election as authorized by Section 20A-1-204; and
842 (ii) the purpose for the local special election.
843 (c) A local political subdivision may not call a local special election unless the
844 ordinance or resolution calling a local special election under Subsection (5)(b) is adopted by a
845 two-thirds majority of all members of the legislative body, if the local special election is for:
846 (i) a vote on a bond or debt issue as described in Subsection (5)(a)(i);
847 (ii) a vote on a voted leeway or levy program as described in Subsection (5)(a)(ii); or
848 (iii) a vote authorized or required for a sales tax issue as described in Subsection
849 (5)(a)(vi).
850 Section 17. Section 63I-2-217 is amended to read:
851 63I-2-217. Repeal dates -- Title 17.
852 (1) Section 17-22-32.2, regarding restitution reporting, is repealed January 1, 2021.
853 (2) Section 17-22-32.3, regarding the Jail Incarceration and Transportation Costs Study
854 Council, is repealed January 1, 2021.
855 (3) Subsection 17-27a-102(1)(b), the language that states "or a designated mountainous
856 planning district" is repealed June 1, 2021.
857 (4) (a) Subsection 17-27a-103(18)(b), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
858 repealed June 1, 2021.
859 (b) Subsection 17-27a-103(42), regarding a mountainous planning district, is repealed
860 June 1, 2021.
861 (5) Subsection 17-27a-210(2)(a), the language that states "or the mountainous planning
862 district area" is repealed June 1, 2021.
863 (6) (a) Subsection 17-27a-301(1)(b)(iii), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
864 repealed June 1, 2021.
865 (b) Subsection 17-27a-301(1)(c), regarding a mountainous planning district, is repealed
866 June 1, 2021.
867 (c) Subsection 17-27a-301(2)(a), the language that states "described in Subsection
868 (1)(a) or (c)" is repealed June 1, 2021.
869 (7) Section 17-27a-302, the language that states ", or mountainous planning district"
870 and "or the mountainous planning district," is repealed June 1, 2021.
871 (8) Subsection 17-27a-305(1)(a), the language that states "a mountainous planning
872 district or" and ", as applicable" is repealed June 1, 2021.
873 (9) (a) Subsection 17-27a-401(1)(b)(ii), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
874 repealed June 1, 2021.
875 (b) Subsection 17-27a-401(7), regarding a mountainous planning district, is repealed
876 June 1, 2021.
877 (10) (a) Subsection 17-27a-403(1)(b)(ii), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
878 repealed June 1, 2021.
879 (b) Subsection 17-27a-403(1)(c)(iii), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
880 repealed June 1, 2021.
881 (c) Subsection 17-27a-403(2)(a)(iii), the language that states "or the mountainous
882 planning district" is repealed June 1, 2021.
883 (d) Subsection 17-27a-403(2)(c)(i), the language that states "or mountainous planning
884 district" is repealed June 1, 2021.
885 (11) Subsection 17-27a-502(1)(d)(i)(B), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
886 repealed June 1, 2021.
887 (12) Subsection 17-27a-505.5(2)(a)(iii), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
888 repealed June 1, 2021.
889 (13) Subsection 17-27a-602(1)(b), the language that states "or, in the case of a
890 mountainous planning district, the mountainous planning district" is repealed June 1, 2021.
891 (14) Subsection 17-27a-604(1)(b)(i)(B), regarding a mountainous planning district, is
892 repealed June 1, 2021.
893 (15) Subsection 17-27a-605(1), the language that states "or mountainous planning
894 district land" is repealed June 1, 2021.
895 (16) Title 17, Chapter 27a, Part 9, Mountainous Planning District, is repealed June 1,
896 2021.
897 (17) On June 1, 2021, when making the changes in this section, the Office of
898 Legislative Research and General Counsel shall:
899 (a) in addition to its authority under Subsection 36-12-12(3):
900 (i) make corrections necessary to ensure that sections and subsections identified in this
901 section are complete sentences and accurately reflect the office's understanding of the
902 Legislature's intent; and
903 (ii) make necessary changes to subsection numbering and cross references; and
904 (b) identify the text of the affected sections and subsections based upon the section and
905 subsection numbers used in Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 448.
906 (18) Subsection 17-34-1(5)(d), regarding county funding of certain municipal services
907 in a designated recreation area, is repealed June 1, 2021.
908 (19) Title 17, Chapter 35b, Consolidation of Local Government Units, is repealed
909 January 1, 2022.
910 [
911 (a) Section 17-52a-104 is repealed;
912 (b) in Subsection 17-52a-301(3)(a), the language that states "or under a provision
913 described in Subsection 17-52a-104[
914 (c) Subsection 17-52a-301(3)(a)[
915 repealed[
916 [
917
918
919 [
920
921
922
923
924 [
925 certain counties to initiate a change of form of government process by July 1, 2018, is repealed.
926 Section 18. Repealer.
927 This bill repeals:
928 Section 17-52a-304, Election to determine whether study committee should be
929 established.
930 Section 17-52a-401, Procedure for appointing members to study committee.
931 Section 19. Effective date.
932 If approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, this bill takes effect
933 upon approval by the governor, or the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah
934 Constitution, Article VII, Section 8, without the governor's signature, or in the case of a veto,
935 the date of veto override.
936 Section 20. Revisor instructions.
937 The Legislature intends that the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, in
938 preparing the Utah Code database for publication, replace the following references in:
939 (1) Subsections 17-52a-103(4), 17-52a-104(2)(a), 17-52a-104(2)(b), and
940 17-52a-104(2)(c)(i) from "the effective date of this bill" to the bill's actual effective date;
941 (2) Subsection 17-52a-104(2)(a)(i), from "this bill" to the bill's designated chapter
942 number in the Laws of Utah; and
943 (3) Subsections 17-52a-104(1)(a)(ii)(B), (1)(a)(ii)(C), (1)(a)(ii)(D), (2)(a)(ii)(A),
944 (2)(b)(i)(A), and (2)(b)(i)(B), from "the day immediately before the day on which this bill takes
945 effect" to the actual date before the day that the bill takes effect.