Bill Text: IN SB0372 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Minimum turnout for local public questions.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-12 - First reading: referred to Committee on Elections [SB0372 Detail]

Download: Indiana-2010-SB0372-Introduced.html


Introduced Version






SENATE BILL No. 372

_____


DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL



Citations Affected: IC 3-10-9-7; IC 3-12; IC 4-31-4-3; IC 4-33-6; IC 6-1.1-20-3.6; IC 8-1.5; IC 20-23; IC 20-26-8-2; IC 20-46-1; IC 36-5; IC 36-7-4-1212; IC 36-10-4-5.

Synopsis: Minimum turnout for local public questions. Provides that at least 15% of the registered voters must vote in an election that includes a local public question on the ballot in order for the county election board to certify the election results for the local public question.

Effective: July 1, 2010.





Tallian




    January 12, 2010, read first time and referred to Committee on Elections.







Introduced

Second Regular Session 116th General Assembly (2010)


PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts between statutes enacted by the 2009 Regular and Special Sessions of the General Assembly.

SENATE BILL No. 372



    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning elections.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

SOURCE: IC 3-10-9-7; (10)IN0372.1.1. -->     SECTION 1. IC 3-10-9-7 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 7. (a) This section applies to an election conducted after June 30, 2010, that includes a public question on the ballot as provided by this chapter. However, this section does not apply to a referendum held under IC 36-1.5-4 (reorganization of political subdivisions by referendum).
    (b) At least fifteen percent (15%) of the registered voters must vote in the election in order for the vote on the public question to be certified as provided by IC 3-12-4-9.

SOURCE: IC 3-12-4-9; (10)IN0372.1.2. -->     SECTION 2. IC 3-12-4-9 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 9. (a) This subsection applies to:
        (1) a local or school board office with an election district located entirely within one (1) county, except for an office for which a declaration of candidacy is filed with the election division under IC 3-8-2; and
        (2) a political party office, such as precinct committeeman or state

convention delegate, elected at a primary election.
After the county election board has tabulated the vote, the board shall declare the candidate receiving the highest number of votes for each office to be elected.
    (b) The county election board shall tabulate the votes cast for and against each local public question placed on the ballot by the county election board under IC 3-10-9-2 and, if the local public question is placed on the ballot only in that county, declare the public question approved or rejected.
    (c) The county election board shall tabulate the votes cast for and against each public question voted on by the electorate of the whole state.
    (d) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, the board shall certify the election results in a statement prepared by the circuit court clerk.

SOURCE: IC 3-12-4-10; (10)IN0372.1.3. -->     SECTION 3. IC 3-12-4-10 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 10. (a) The statement prepared under section 9 of this chapter must contain:
        (1) the name of each candidate;
        (2) the elected offices;
        (3) the total number of votes received by each candidate;
        (4) the total number of votes received by each candidate and cast for and against each public question in each precinct; and
        (5) the total number of votes cast at the election; and
        (6) a statement as to whether:
            (A) the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 have been met; and
            (B) the vote on each local public question is certified.

    (b) Notwithstanding IC 33-37-5-1, upon request by a candidate, the circuit court clerk shall prepare a copy of the statement for the candidate at a fee not to exceed twenty-five cents ($0.25) per page.
SOURCE: IC 3-12-5-2; (10)IN0372.1.4. -->     SECTION 4. IC 3-12-5-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 2. (a) Whenever a candidate is elected:
        (1) to a local or school board office other than:
            (A) one for which a town clerk-treasurer issues a certificate of election under IC 3-10-7-34; or
            (B) one commissioned by the governor under IC 4-3-1-5; or
        (2) a precinct committeeman or state convention delegate;
the circuit court clerk shall, when permitted under section 16 of this chapter, prepare and deliver to the candidate on demand a certificate of the candidate's election.
    (b) This subsection applies to a local or school board office

described in subsection (a) with an election district located in more than one (1) county and a local public question placed on the ballot in more than one (1) county. The circuit court clerk of the county that contains the greatest percentage of the population of the election district shall, upon demand of the candidate or a person entitled to request a recount of the votes cast on a public question under IC 3-12-12:
        (1) obtain the certified statement of the votes cast for that office or on that question that was prepared under IC 3-12-4-9 from the circuit court clerk in each other county in which the election district is located;
        (2) tabulate the total votes cast for that office or on that question as shown on the certified statement of each county in the election district; and
        (3) issue a certificate of election to the candidate when permitted under section 16 of this chapter, or if the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 were met, a certificate declaring the local public question approved or rejected.

SOURCE: IC 4-31-4-3; (10)IN0372.1.5. -->     SECTION 5. IC 4-31-4-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 3. (a) This section does not apply to either of the following:
        (1) A permit holder who satisfies all of the following:
            (A) The permit holder was issued a permit before January 2, 1996.
            (B) The permit holder conducted live racing before January 2, 1996.
            (C) The permit holder is currently operating under the permit.
        (2) A person who satisfies all of the following:
            (A) The person was issued a satellite facility license before January 2, 1996.
            (B) The person operated a satellite facility before January 2, 1996.
            (C) The person is currently operating the satellite facility under the license.
    (b) This section applies if either of the following apply:
        (1) Both of the following are satisfied:
            (A) An ordinance is adopted under section 2 or 2.5 of this chapter.
            (B) The ordinance requires the voters of the county to approve either of the following:
                (i) The conducting of horse racing meetings in the county.
                (ii) The operation of a satellite facility in the county.
        (2) A local public question is required to be held under section 2.7 of this chapter following the filing of a petition with the circuit court clerk:
            (A) signed by at least the number of registered voters of the county required under IC 3-8-6-3 to place a candidate on the ballot; and
            (B) requesting that the local public question set forth in subsection (d) be placed on the ballot.
    (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the commission may not issue a recognized meeting permit under IC 4-31-5 to allow the conducting of or the assisting of the conducting of a horse racing meeting unless the voters of the county in which the property is located have approved conducting recognized meetings in the county.
    (d) For a local public question required to be held under subsection (c), the county election board shall place the following question on the ballot in the county during the next general election:
        "Shall horse racing meetings at which pari-mutuel wagering occurs be allowed in _____________ County?".
    (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the commission may not issue a satellite facility license under IC 4-31-5.5 to operate a satellite facility unless the voters of the county in which the satellite facility will be located approve the operation of the satellite facility in the county.
    (f) For a local public question required to be held under subsection (e), the county election board shall place the following question on the ballot in the county during the next general election:
        "Shall satellite facilities at which pari-mutuel wagering occurs be allowed in _____________ County?".
    (g) A public question under this section must be certified in accordance with IC 3-10-9-3 and shall be placed on the ballot in accordance with IC 3-10-9.
    (h) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, the circuit court clerk of a county holding an election under this chapter shall certify the results determined under IC 3-12-4-9 to the commission and the department of state revenue.
    (i) If a public question is placed on the ballot under subsection (d) or (f) in a county and the voters of the county do not vote in favor of the public question or the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, a second public question under that subsection may not be held in the county for at least two (2) years. If the voters of the county vote to reject the public question or the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not

met a second time, a third or subsequent public question under that subsection may not be held in the county until the general election held during the tenth year following the year of the previous public question held under that subsection.

SOURCE: IC 4-33-6-19; (10)IN0372.1.6. -->     SECTION 6. IC 4-33-6-19 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 19. (a) This section applies to:
        (1) a county contiguous to the Ohio River;
        (2) a county containing a historic hotel district; and
        (3) a county contiguous to Lake Michigan that has a population of less than four hundred thousand (400,000).
    (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the commission may not:
        (1) issue a license under this article to allow a riverboat to operate in the county; or
        (2) enter into a contract with an operating agent under IC 4-33-6.5;
unless the voters of the county have approved the conducting of gambling games on riverboats in the county.
    (c) If the docking of a riverboat in the county is approved by an ordinance adopted under section 18 of this chapter, or if at least the number of the registered voters of the county required under IC 3-8-6-3 for a petition to place a candidate on the ballot sign a petition submitted to the circuit court clerk requesting that a local public question concerning riverboat gaming be placed on the ballot, the county election board shall place the following question on the ballot in the county during the next primary or general election:
        "Shall riverboat gambling be permitted in ____ County?".
    (d) A public question under this section shall be placed on the ballot in accordance with IC 3-10-9 and must be certified in accordance with IC 3-10-9-3.
    (e) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, the clerk of the circuit court of a county holding an election under this chapter shall certify the results determined under IC 3-12-4-9 to the commission and the department of state revenue.
    (f) If a public question under this section is placed on the ballot in a county and the voters of the county do not vote in favor of permitting riverboat gambling under this article or the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, a second public question under this section may not be held in that county for at least two (2) years. If the voters of the county vote to reject riverboat gambling or the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met a second time, a third or subsequent public

question under this section may not be held in that county until the general election held during the tenth year following the year that the previous public question was placed on the ballot.

SOURCE: IC 4-33-6-20; (10)IN0372.1.7. -->     SECTION 7. IC 4-33-6-20 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 20. (a) This section applies to a city that:
        (1) has a population of less than one hundred thousand (100,000); and
        (2) is located in a county contiguous to Lake Michigan that has a population of more than four hundred thousand (400,000) but less than seven hundred thousand (700,000).
    (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the commission may not issue a license under this article to allow a riverboat to operate from a city to which this section applies unless the voters of the city have approved the conducting of gambling games on riverboats in the city.
    (c) If the legislative body of the city approves the docking of a riverboat under section 19 of this chapter, or if at least the number of the registered voters of the city required under IC 3-8-6-3 for a petition to place a candidate on the ballot sign a petition submitted to the circuit court clerk requesting that a local public question concerning riverboat gaming be placed on the ballot, the county election board shall place the following question on the ballot in the city during the next general election:
        "Shall licenses be issued to permit riverboat gambling in the City of _______?".
    (d) A public question under this section shall be placed on the ballot in accordance with IC 3-10-9 and must be certified in accordance with IC 3-10-9-3.
    (e) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, the clerk of the circuit court of a county holding an election under this chapter shall certify the results determined under IC 3-12-4-9 to the commission and the department of state revenue.
    (f) If a public question under this section is placed on the ballot in a city and the voters of the city do not vote in favor of permitting riverboat gambling under this article or the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, another public question under this section may not be held in that city for at least two (2) years.
SOURCE: IC 6-1.1-20-3.6; (10)IN0372.1.8. -->     SECTION 8. IC 6-1.1-20-3.6, AS AMENDED BY P.L.182-2009(ss), SECTION 146, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 3.6. (a) Except as provided in section 3.7 of this chapter, this section applies only to a

controlled project described in section 3.5(a) of this chapter.
    (b) If a sufficient petition requesting the application of the local public question process has been filed as set forth in section 3.5 of this chapter, a political subdivision may not impose property taxes to pay debt service on bonds or lease rentals on a lease for a controlled project unless the political subdivision's proposed debt service or lease rental is approved in an election on a local public question held under this section.
    (c) Except as provided in subsection (j), the following question shall be submitted to the eligible voters at the election conducted under this section:
        "Shall ________ (insert the name of the political subdivision) issue bonds or enter into a lease to finance ___________ (insert a brief description of the controlled project), which is estimated to cost not more than _______ (insert the total cost of the project) and is estimated to increase the property tax rate for debt service by ___________ (insert increase in tax rate as determined by the department of local government finance)?".
The public question must appear on the ballot in the form approved by the county election board. If the political subdivision proposing to issue bonds or enter into a lease is located in more than one (1) county, the county election board of each county shall jointly approve the form of the public question that will appear on the ballot in each county. The form approved by the county election board may differ from the language certified to the county election board by the county auditor.
    (d) The county auditor shall certify the public question described in subsection (c) under IC 3-10-9-3 to the county election board of each county in which the political subdivision is located. The certification must occur not later than noon:
        (1) sixty (60) days before a primary election if the public question is to be placed on the primary or municipal primary election ballot; or
        (2) August 1 if the public question is to be placed on the general or municipal election ballot.
Subject to the certification requirements and deadlines under this subsection and except as provided in subsection (j), the public question shall be placed on the ballot at the next primary election, general election, or municipal election in which all voters of the political subdivision are entitled to vote. However, if a primary election, general election, or municipal election will not be held during the first year in which the public question is eligible to be placed on the ballot under this section and if the political subdivision requests the public question

to be placed on the ballot at a special election, the public question shall be placed on the ballot at a special election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May or November of the year. The certification must occur not later than noon sixty (60) days before a special election to be held in May (if the special election is to be held in May) or noon on August 1 (if the special election is to be held in November). However, in 2009, a political subdivision may hold a special election under this section on any date scheduled for the special election if notice of the special election was given before July 1, 2009, to the election division of the secretary of state's office as provided in IC 3-10-8-4. The fiscal body of the political subdivision that requests the special election shall pay the costs of holding the special election. The county election board shall give notice under IC 5-3-1 of a special election conducted under this subsection. A special election conducted under this subsection is under the direction of the county election board. The county election board shall take all steps necessary to carry out the special election.
    (e) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, the circuit court clerk shall certify the results of the public question to the following:
        (1) The county auditor of each county in which the political subdivision is located.
        (2) The department of local government finance.
    (f) Subject to the requirements of IC 6-1.1-18.5-8, the political subdivision may issue the proposed bonds or enter into the proposed lease rental if a majority of the eligible voters voting on the public question vote in favor of the public question.
    (g) If the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met or a majority of the eligible voters voting on the public question vote in opposition to the public question, both of the following apply:
        (1) The political subdivision may not issue the proposed bonds or enter into the proposed lease rental.
        (2) Another public question under this section on the same or a substantially similar project may not be submitted to the voters earlier than one (1) year after the date of the election.
    (h) IC 3, to the extent not inconsistent with this section, applies to an election held under this section.
    (i) A political subdivision may not artificially divide a capital project into multiple capital projects in order to avoid the requirements of this section and section 3.5 of this chapter.
    (j) This subsection applies to a political subdivision for which a petition requesting a public question has been submitted under section 3.5 of this chapter. The legislative body (as defined in IC 36-1-2-9) of

the political subdivision may adopt a resolution to withdraw a controlled project from consideration in a public question. If the legislative body provides a certified copy of the resolution to the county auditor and the county election board not later than forty-nine (49) days before the election at which the public question would be on the ballot, the public question on the controlled project shall not be placed on the ballot and the public question on the controlled project shall not be held, regardless of whether the county auditor has certified the public question to the county election board. If the withdrawal of a public question under this subsection requires the county election board to reprint ballots, the political subdivision withdrawing the public question shall pay the costs of reprinting the ballots. If a political subdivision withdraws a public question under this subsection that would have been held at a special election and the county election board has printed the ballots before the legislative body of the political subdivision provides a certified copy of the withdrawal resolution to the county auditor and the county election board, the political subdivision withdrawing the public question shall pay the costs incurred by the county in printing the ballots. If a public question on a controlled project is withdrawn under this subsection, a public question under this section on the same controlled project or a substantially similar controlled project may not be submitted to the voters earlier than one (1) year after the date the resolution withdrawing the public question is adopted.
    (k) If a public question regarding a controlled project is placed on the ballot to be voted on at a public question under this section, the political subdivision shall submit to the department of local government finance, at least thirty (30) days before the election, the following information regarding the proposed controlled project for posting on the department's Internet web site:
        (1) The cost per square foot of any buildings being constructed as part of the controlled project.
        (2) The effect that approval of the controlled project would have on the political subdivision's property tax rate.
        (3) The maximum term of the bonds or lease.
        (4) The maximum principal amount of the bonds or the maximum lease rental for the lease.
        (5) The estimated interest rates that will be paid and the total interest costs associated with the bonds or lease.
        (6) The purpose of the bonds or lease.
        (7) In the case of a controlled project proposed by a school corporation:


            (A) the current and proposed square footage of school building space per student;
            (B) enrollment patterns within the school corporation; and
            (C) the age and condition of the current school facilities.
SOURCE: IC 8-1.5-2-5; (10)IN0372.1.9. -->     SECTION 9. IC 8-1.5-2-5, AS AMENDED BY P.L.103-2008, SECTION 3, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 5. (a) Each appraiser appointed as provided by section 4 of this chapter must:
        (1) by education and experience, have such expert and technical knowledge and qualifications as to make a proper appraisal and valuation of the property of the type and nature involved in the sale;
        (2) be a disinterested person; and
        (3) not be a resident or taxpayer of the municipality.
    (b) The appraisers shall:
        (1) be sworn to make a just and true valuation of the property; and
        (2) return their appraisal, in writing, to the municipal legislative body within the time fixed by the ordinance or resolution appointing them.
    (c) If all three (3) appraisers cannot agree as to the appraised value, the appraisal, when signed by two (2) of the appraisers, constitutes a good and valid appraisal.
    (d) If, after the return of the appraisal by the appraisers to the legislative body, the legislative body decides to proceed with the sale or disposition of the nonsurplus municipally owned utility property, the legislative body shall, not later than forty-five (45) days after the return of the appraisal, hold a public hearing to do the following:
        (1) Review and explain the appraisal.
        (2) Receive public comment on the proposed sale or disposition of the nonsurplus municipally owned utility property.
        (3) Adopt an ordinance providing for the sale or disposition of the nonsurplus municipally owned utility property. The legislative body is not required to adopt an ordinance under this subdivision if, after the hearing, the legislative body determines it is not in the interest of the municipality to proceed with the sale or disposition.
Notice of the hearing shall be published in the manner prescribed by IC 5-3-1.
    (e) The hearing on the ordinance providing for sale or disposition may not be held for thirty (30) days after notice is given as required by subsection (d).
    (f) If:
        (1) the legislative body adopts an ordinance under subsection

(d)(3); and
        (2) within the thirty (30) day period described in subsection (e), at least the number of the registered voters of the municipality required under IC 3-8-6-3 for a petition to place a candidate on the ballot sign and present a petition to the legislative body opposing the sale or disposition;
the legislative body shall submit the question as to whether the sale or disposition shall be made to the voters of the municipality at a special or general election. In submitting the public question to the voters, the legislative body shall certify the question to the county election board of the county containing the greatest percentage of population of the municipality under IC 3-10-9-3. The county election board shall adopt a resolution setting forth the text of the public question and shall submit the question as to whether the sale or disposition shall be made to the voters of the municipality at a special or general election on a date specified by the municipal legislative body. Pending the results of an election under this subsection, the municipality may not take further action to sell or dispose of the property as provided in the ordinance.
    (g) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, if a majority of the voters voting on the question vote for the sale or disposition, the legislative body shall proceed to sell the property as provided in the ordinance.
    (h) If a majority of the voters voting on the question vote against the sale or disposition or the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, the sale may not be made.
    (i) If:
        (1) the legislative body adopts an ordinance under subsection (d)(3); and
        (2) after the expiration of thirty (30) days as provided in subsection (e), a petition is not filed;
the municipal legislative body may proceed to sell the property as provided in the ordinance.

SOURCE: IC 8-1.5-3-3; (10)IN0372.1.10. -->     SECTION 10. IC 8-1.5-3-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 3. (a) The legislative body of a municipality may, by ordinance, provide for the control of any or all of its municipally owned utilities by:
        (1) the municipal works board;
        (2) a board consisting of the members of the municipal legislative body;
        (3) a utility service board established under subsection (f) or established before January 1, 1983, under IC 8-1-2-100 (repealed); or
        (4) the board of directors of a department of waterworks established under IC 8-1.5-4.
The legislative body of a third class city also may adopt an ordinance under this subsection to provide for the control of any or all of its storm water facilities by a board described in subdivisions (1) through (4). An ordinance granting control of any or all of a third class city's storm water facilities to a board described in this subsection may be separate from or combined with an ordinance granting control of the third class city's municipally owned utilities to a board described in this subsection.
    (b) If, at the time an ordinance is adopted under subsection (a) to grant control of any or all of a third class city's storm water facilities to a board described in subsection (a) the third class city has a department of storm water management under IC 8-1.5-5, the ordinance must specify a procedure for the transition of control of the affected storm water facilities from the board of directors of the department of storm water management to the board described in subsection (a).
    (c) The registered voters of a municipality may file a petition addressed to the legislative body requesting that the question of the creation of a utility service board be submitted to a referendum. The petition must be signed by at least the number of the registered voters of the municipality required under IC 3-8-6-3 to place a candidate on the ballot.
    (d) Within thirty (30) days after a petition is filed, the municipal clerk shall certify to the legislative body and to the county election board that a sufficient petition has been filed.
    (e) Following certification, the legislative body shall submit the question of the creation of a utility service board to a referendum at the next election. The question shall be submitted to the registered voters of the municipality by placement on the ballot in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4 and must state:
    "Shall the legislative body of the municipality of _____________ adopt an ordinance providing for the appointment of a utility service board to operate ____________ (Insert name of utility here)?".
    (f) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, if a majority of the voters voting on the question vote for the creation of a utility service board, the legislative body shall, by ordinance, establish a utility service board consisting of not less than three (3) nor more than seven (7) members. Not more than two-thirds (2/3) of the members may be of the same political party. All members must be residents of the area served by the board. The ordinance must provide for:
        (1) a majority of the members to be appointed by the executive

and a minority of the members to be appointed by the legislative body;
        (2) the terms of the members, which may not exceed four (4) years, with initial terms prescribed so that the members' terms will be staggered;
        (3) the salaries, if any, to be paid to the members; and
        (4) the selection by the board of a chairman, who shall not be considered the head of a department for purposes of IC 36-4-9-2.
    (g) The registered voters of the municipality may also file a petition requesting that the question of the abolition of the utility service board be submitted to a referendum. The procedure for filing of the petition and the referendum is the same as that prescribed by subsections (c) through (e).
     (h) If the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met by a referendum held under this section, the legislative body may not create or abolish a utility service board under this section as a result of the referendum.

SOURCE: IC 8-1.5-3-9; (10)IN0372.1.11. -->     SECTION 11. IC 8-1.5-3-9 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 9. (a) This subsection applies to a municipally owned utility that before June 1, 1987, was taken out of the jurisdiction of the commission for the approval of rates and charges. A utility to which this subsection applies is removed from the jurisdiction of the commission for approval of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness.
    (b) Except as provided in subsection (a), a municipal legislative body that wants to be taken out of the jurisdiction of the commission for approval of rates and charges and of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness may submit the following public question to the registered voters of the municipality at the next election in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4:
        "Shall the municipally owned utility be taken out of the jurisdiction of the utility regulatory commission for approval of rates and charges and of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness?".
    (c) A municipal legislative body shall certify the public question to the county election board of the county that contains the greatest percentage of population of the municipality under IC 3-10-9-3 and submit the question under subsection (b) if it receives a petition that:
        (1) is signed by at least the number of the registered voters of the municipality required under IC 3-8-6-3 to place a candidate on the ballot; and
        (2) requests that the municipally owned utility be removed from

the jurisdiction of the commission for approval of rates and charges and of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness.
    (d) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, if a majority of those voting favor taking the municipally owned utility out of the jurisdiction of the commission, the utility:
        (1) is removed from the jurisdiction of the commission for approval of rates and charges and of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness; and
        (2) shall mail written notice of the withdrawal from commission jurisdiction to the commission within thirty (30) days after the utility's withdrawal.
     (e) If the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, the municipally owned utility may not be taken out of the jurisdiction of the utility regulatory commission for approval of rates and charges and of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness.

SOURCE: IC 8-1.5-3-9.1; (10)IN0372.1.12. -->     SECTION 12. IC 8-1.5-3-9.1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 9.1. (a) This section applies to the following:
        (1) Water utilities that are owned or operated by second class cities.
        (2) Third class cities.
        (3) Towns.
    (b) In addition to section 9 of this chapter, a municipally owned utility to which this section applies may be removed from the jurisdiction of the commission for the approval of rates and charges and of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness, if the municipal legislative body adopts an ordinance removing the utility from commission jurisdiction. The municipal legislative body shall, at least thirty (30) days before the final vote on the ordinance, mail written notice of the meeting to all ratepayers of the utility and to the commission. For a second class city the municipal legislative body must hold two (2) public meetings before the final vote on an ordinance removing the utility from commission jurisdiction may be adopted. An explanation of the removal process must be provided at each public meeting under this section. Each public meeting must be held in a different location.
    (c) The ordinance described in subsection (b) takes effect sixty (60) days after adoption by the municipal legislative body.
    (d) The question of removal from commission jurisdiction shall be submitted to the registered voters of the municipality if, within the sixty

(60) day period described in subsection (c), the legislative body receives a petition:
        (1) that is signed by at least the number of the registered voters of the municipality required under IC 3-8-6-3 to place a candidate on the ballot; and
        (2) that requests the legislative body to submit the question of removal from commission jurisdiction to the registered voters of the municipality at the next election.
The municipal legislative body shall certify the public question in subsection (e) to the county election board of the county that contains the greatest percentage of population of the municipality under IC 3-10-9-3.
    (e) If the legislative body receives a petition described in subsection (d) in the proper form, the legislative body shall submit the following public question to the registered voters of the municipality at the next election in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4:
        "Shall the municipally owned utility be taken out of the jurisdiction of the Indiana utility regulatory commission for the approval of rates and charges and of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness?".
The legislative body shall mail written notice of the referendum to the commission at least ten (10) days before the date of the election.
    (f) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, if a majority of those voting on the question described in subsection (e) favor taking the municipally owned utility out of the jurisdiction of the commission, the utility is removed from the jurisdiction of the commission for approval of rates and charges and of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness.
    (g) If the legislative body receives a petition in proper form under subsection (d), the ordinance does not take effect until after removal is approved by a majority of those voting. If a majority of those voting vote against removal or the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, the utility remains under the jurisdiction of the commission and the ordinance does not take effect.
    (h) In addition to the notice required by subsection (b), if the municipal legislative body adopts the ordinance, described in subsection (b), the municipal legislative body shall mail written notice of the withdrawal from commission jurisdiction to the commission within thirty (30) days after the ordinance becomes effective.
    (i) Notwithstanding this section or section 9 of this chapter, the commission may require a municipally owned utility that generates electric power to provide information to the permanent forecasting

group under IC 8-1-8.5-3.5.
    (j) This section does not affect the obligations of a municipally owned utility under IC 8-1-2.3, IC 8-1-8.5, IC 8-1-22.5, or IC 8-1.5-3-14.

SOURCE: IC 8-1.5-3-9.5; (10)IN0372.1.13. -->     SECTION 13. IC 8-1.5-3-9.5 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 9.5. (a) This section applies to municipally owned utilities that are withdrawn from commission jurisdiction under section 9 of this chapter, including a municipally owned utility described in section 9(a) of this chapter.
    (b) A municipal legislative body that wants to return a municipally owned utility to the jurisdiction of the commission for approval of rates and charges and of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness may submit the following public question to the registered voters of the municipality at the next election in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4:
        "Shall the municipally owned utility be returned to the jurisdiction of the utility regulatory commission for approval of rates and charges and of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness?".
    (c) A municipal legislative body shall certify the public question to the county election board of the county that contains the greatest percentage of population of the municipality under IC 3-10-9-3. The county election board shall submit the question under subsection (b) if it receives a petition that:
        (1) is signed by at least the number of the registered voters of the municipality required under IC 3-8-6-3 to place a candidate on the ballot; and
        (2) requests that the municipally owned utility be returned to the jurisdiction of the commission for approval of rates and charges and of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness.
    (d) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, if a majority of those voting favor returning the municipally owned utility to the jurisdiction of the commission, the utility is returned to the jurisdiction of the commission for approval of rates and charges and of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness. If a majority of those voting disapprove of returning the municipally owned utility to the jurisdiction of the commission or the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, an election may not be conducted on the public question of returning to the jurisdiction of the commission for four (4) years from the date of the last election on that public question.
    (e) The public question of returning to the jurisdiction of the

commission may not be submitted to the registered voters of the municipality at an election conducted within four (4) years after the date the municipally owned utility was last withdrawn from commission jurisdiction.
    (f) If a municipally owned utility is returned to the jurisdiction of the commission under this section, the municipal legislative body shall mail written notice to the commission.

SOURCE: IC 8-1.5-3-9.6; (10)IN0372.1.14. -->     SECTION 14. IC 8-1.5-3-9.6 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 9.6. (a) This section applies to municipally owned utilities that are withdrawn from commission jurisdiction under section 9.1 of this chapter.
    (b) The municipal legislative body may adopt an ordinance returning the municipally owned utility to the jurisdiction of the commission for the approval of rates and charges and of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness if it receives a petition:
        (1) that is signed by at least the number of the registered voters of the municipality required under IC 3-8-6-3 to place a candidate on the ballot; and
        (2) that requests the legislative body to adopt an ordinance returning the municipally owned utility to the jurisdiction of the commission.
If the municipal legislative body fails to adopt an ordinance under this subsection within ninety (90) days after receipt of the petition, a petition requesting the adoption of an ordinance to return to commission jurisdiction may not be submitted for four (4) years from the date the last petition was submitted under this subsection.
    (c) If the municipal legislative body fails to adopt the ordinance described in subsection (b) within ninety (90) days after receipt of the petition, the public question of the return to commission jurisdiction shall be submitted to the registered voters of the municipality if the legislative body receives a second petition:
        (1) that is signed by at least the number of the registered voters of the municipality required under IC 3-8-6-3 to place a candidate on the ballot;
        (2) that requests the legislative body to submit the question of the return to commission jurisdiction to the registered voters of the municipality at the next election; and
        (3) that is submitted to the legislative body after the expiration of the ninety (90) day period described in this subsection.
The municipal legislative body shall certify the public question described in subsection (d) to the county election board of the county

that contains the greatest percentage of population of the municipality under IC 3-10-9-3.
    (d) If the legislative body receives a petition described in subsection (c) in the proper form, the legislative body shall submit the following public question to the registered voters of the municipality at the next election in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4:
        "Shall the municipally owned utility be returned to the jurisdiction of the utility regulatory commission for the approval of rates and charges and of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness?".
The legislative body shall mail written notice of the referendum to the commission at least ten (10) days before the date of the election.
    (e) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, if a majority of those voting on the question described in subsection (d) favor returning the municipally owned utility to the jurisdiction of the commission, the utility is returned to the jurisdiction of the commission for approval of rates and charges and of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness. If a majority of those voting disapprove of returning the municipally owned utility to the jurisdiction of the commission or the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, an election may not be conducted on the public question of returning to the jurisdiction of the commission for four (4) years from the date of the last election on that public question.
    (f) The public question of returning to the jurisdiction of the commission may not be submitted to the registered voters of the municipality at an election conducted within four (4) years after the date the municipally owned utility was last withdrawn from commission jurisdiction. In addition, a petition requesting the adoption of an ordinance under subsection (b) may not be submitted within four (4) years after the date the municipally owned utility was last withdrawn from commission jurisdiction.
    (g) If a municipally owned utility is returned to commission jurisdiction under this section, the municipal legislative body shall mail written notice to the commission.

SOURCE: IC 20-23-4-21; (10)IN0372.1.15. -->     SECTION 15. IC 20-23-4-21, AS ADDED BY P.L.1-2005, SECTION 7, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 21. (a) If the chairperson of the county committee does not receive the certification or combined certifications under section 20(f) of this chapter not later than ninety (90) days after the receipt by the county committee of the plan referred to in section 20(a) of this chapter, the judge of the circuit court of the county from which the county committee submitting the plan was appointed shall:
        (1) certify the public question under IC 3-10-9-3; and
        (2) order the county election board to conduct a special election in which the registered voters residing in the proposed community school corporation may vote to determine whether the corporation will be created.
    (b) If:
        (1) a primary election at which county officials are nominated; or
        (2) a general election at which county officials are elected;
and for which the question can be certified in compliance with IC 3-10-9-3 is to be held not later than six (6) months after the receipt by the chairperson of the county committee of the plan referred to in section 20(a) of this chapter, regardless of whether the ninety (90) day period referred to in subsection (a) has expired, the judge shall order the county election board to conduct the special election to be held in conjunction with the primary or general election.
    (c) If a primary or general election will not be held in the six (6) month period referred to in subsection (b), the special election shall be held:
        (1) not earlier than sixty (60) days; and
        (2) not later than one hundred twenty (120) days;
after the expiration of the ninety (90) day period referred to in subsection (a).
    (d) The county election board shall give notice under IC 5-3-1 of the special election referred to in subsection (a).
    (e) The notice referred to in subsection (d) of a special election must:
        (1) clearly state that the election is called to afford the registered voters an opportunity to approve or reject a proposal for the formation of a community school corporation;
        (2) contain:
            (A) a general description of the boundaries of the community school corporation as set out in the plan;
            (B) a statement of the terms of adjustment of:
                (i) property;
                (ii) assets;
                (iii) debts; and
                (iv) liabilities;
            of an existing school corporation that is to be divided in the creation of the community school corporation;
            (C) the name of the community school corporation;
            (D) the number of members comprising the board of school trustees; and
            (E) the method of selecting the board of school trustees of the community school corporation; and
        (3) designate the date, time, and voting place or places at which the election will be held.
    (f) A special election referred to in subsection (a) is under the direction of the county election board in the county. The election board shall take all steps necessary to carry out the special election. If the special election is not conducted at a primary or general election, the cost of conducting the election is:
        (1) charged to each component school corporation embraced in the community school corporation in the same proportion as the component school corporation's assessed valuation is to the total assessed valuation of the community school corporation; and
        (2) paid:
            (A) from any current operating fund not otherwise appropriated of; and
            (B) without appropriation by;
        each component school corporation.
If a component school corporation is to be divided and its territory assigned to two (2) or more community corporations, the component school corporation's cost of the special election is in proportion to the corporation's assessed valuation included in the community school corporation.
    (g) The county election board shall place the public question on the ballot in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4. The public question must state "Shall the (here insert name) community school corporation be formed as provided in the Reorganization Plan of the County Committee for the Reorganization of School Corporations?". Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the election is governed by IC 3.
    (h) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, if a majority of the votes cast at a special election referred to in subsection (a) on the public question are in favor of the formation of the corporation, a community school corporation is created and takes effect on the earlier of:
        (1) the July 1; or
        (2) the January 1;
that next follows the date of publication of the notice referred to in subsection (d). If the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, the community school corporation may not be created.
    (i) If a public official fails to perform a duty required of the official under this section within the time prescribed in this section, the omission does not invalidate the proceedings taken under this section.
    (j) An action:
        (1) to contest the validity of the formation or creation of a community school corporation under this section;
        (2) to declare that a community school corporation:
            (A) has not been validly formed or created; or
            (B) is not validly existing; or
        (3) to enjoin the operation of a community school corporation;
may not be instituted later than thirty (30) days after the date of the special election referred to in subsection (a).
SOURCE: IC 20-23-6-5; (10)IN0372.1.16. -->     SECTION 16. IC 20-23-6-5, AS AMENDED BY P.L.1-2006, SECTION 315, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 5. (a) If a petition is filed in one (1) or more of the school corporations protesting consolidation as provided in this chapter by the legal voters of any school corporation the governing body of which proposes to consolidate, the governing body in each school corporation in which a protest petition is filed shall certify the public question to each county election board of the county in which the school corporation is located. The county election board shall call an election of the voters of the school corporation to determine if a majority of the legal voters of the corporation is in favor of consolidating the school corporations.
    (b) If a protest is filed in more than one (1) school corporation, the elections shall be held on the same day. Each county election board shall give notice by publication once each week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the school corporation. If a newspaper is not published in the:
        (1) township;
        (2) town; or
        (3) city;
the notice shall be published in the nearest newspaper published in the county or counties, that on a day and at an hour to be named in the notice, the polls will be open at the usual voting places in the various precincts in the corporation for taking the vote of the legal voters upon whether the school corporation shall be consolidated with the other school corporations joining in the resolution.
    (c) The public question shall be placed on the ballot in the form provided by IC 3-10-9-4 and must state: "Shall (insert name of school corporation) be consolidated with (insert names of other school corporations)?".
    (d) Notice shall be given not later than thirty (30) days after the petition is filed. The election shall be held not less than ten (10) days or more than twenty (20) days after the last publication of the notice.
    (e) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, the governing body of each school corporation in which an election is held is bound by the majority vote of those voting. However, if the election falls within a period of not more than six (6) months before a primary or general election, the election shall be held concurrently with the primary or general election.
    (f) If a majority of those voting in any one (1) school corporation votes against the plan of consolidation or the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, the plan fails. However, the failure does not prevent any or all the school corporations from taking further initial action for the consolidation of school corporations under this chapter.
    (g) Whenever twenty percent (20%) of the legal voters residing in any school corporation, jointly with twenty percent (20%) of the legal voters in each of one (1) or more other school corporations:
        (1) prepare a resolution; and
        (2) petition the trustees of their respective school corporations to consolidate the school corporations, as set out in the resolution;
each governing body petitioned shall call the school election provided for in this chapter in its school corporations.
    (h) Notice of the election shall be published within thirty (30) days after the filing of the resolution with the governing body of the school corporation where it is last filed. However, if any of the petitioned governing bodies agrees to the consolidation as set out in the resolution, an election in that school corporation may not be required under the resolution.
    (i) Notice as set out in this section shall be given, and a protest requesting an election may be filed in conformity with section 3 of this chapter.
SOURCE: IC 20-23-6-6; (10)IN0372.1.17. -->     SECTION 17. IC 20-23-6-6, AS AMENDED BY P.L.2-2006, SECTION 95, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 6. (a) On the day and hour named in the notice filed under section 5 of this chapter, polls shall be opened and the votes of the registered voters shall be taken upon the public question of consolidating school corporations. The election shall be governed by IC 3, except as provided in this chapter.
    (b) The county election board shall conduct the election. The public question shall be placed on the ballot in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4 and must state "Shall (here insert the names of the school corporations that the resolution proposes to consolidate) be consolidated into a consolidated school corporation?".
    (c) A brief statement of the provisions in the resolution for appointment or election of a governing body may be placed on the

ballot in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4. A certificate of the votes cast for and against the consolidation of the school corporations shall be filed with:
        (1) the governing body of the school corporations subject to the election;
        (2) the state superintendent; and
        (3) the county recorder of each county in which a consolidated school corporation is located;
together with a copy of the resolution.
    (d) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, if a majority of the votes cast at each of the elections is in favor of the consolidation of two (2) or more school corporations, the trustees of the school corporations shall proceed to consolidate the schools and provide the necessary buildings and equipment. If the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, the school corporations may not be consolidated. In any school corporation where a petition was not filed and an election was not held, the failure on the part of the voters to file a petition for an election shall be considered to give the consent of the voters of the school corporation to the consolidation as set out in the resolution.
    (e) If the special election is not conducted at a primary or general election, the expense of the election shall be borne by the school corporation or each of the school corporations subject to the election and shall be paid out of the school general fund.

SOURCE: IC 20-23-7-2; (10)IN0372.1.18. -->     SECTION 18. IC 20-23-7-2, AS ADDED BY P.L.1-2005, SECTION 7, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 2. (a) In any county or adjoining counties at least two (2) school corporations, including school townships, school towns, school cities, consolidated school corporations, joint schools, metropolitan school districts, township school districts, or community school corporations, regardless of whether the consolidating school corporations are of the same or of a different character, may consolidate into one (1) metropolitan school district. Subject to subsection (h), the consolidation must be initiated by following either of the following procedures:
        (1) The township trustee, board of school trustees, board of education, or other governing body (the trustee, board, or other governing body is referred to elsewhere in this section as the "governing body") of each school corporation to be consolidated shall:
            (A) adopt substantially identical resolutions providing for the consolidation; and
            (B) publish a notice setting out the text of the resolution one

(1) time under IC 5-3-1.
        The resolution must set forth any provision for staggering the terms of the board members of the metropolitan school district elected under this chapter. If, not more than thirty (30) days after publication of the resolution, a petition of protest, signed by at least twenty percent (20%) of the registered voters residing in the school corporation is filed with the clerk of the circuit court of each county where the voters who are eligible to sign the petition reside, a referendum election shall be held as provided in subsection (c).
        (2) Instead of the adoption of substantially identical resolutions in each of the proposed consolidating school corporations under subdivision (1), a referendum election under subsection (c) shall be held on the occurrence of all of the following:
            (A) At least twenty percent (20%) of the registered voters residing in a particular school corporation sign a petition requesting that the school corporation consolidate with another school corporation (referred to in this subsection as "the responding school corporation").
            (B) The petition described in clause (A) is filed with the clerk of the circuit court of each county where the voters who are eligible to sign the petition reside.
            (C) Not more than thirty (30) days after the service of the petition by the clerk of the circuit court to the governing body of the responding school corporation under subsection (b) and the certification of signatures on the petition occurs under subsection (b), the governing body of the responding school corporation adopts a resolution approving the petition and providing for the consolidation.
            (D) An approving resolution has the same effect as the substantially identical resolutions adopted by the governing bodies under subdivision (1), and the governing bodies shall publish the notice provided under subdivision (1) not more than fifteen (15) days after the approving resolution is adopted. However, if a governing body that is a party to the consolidation fails to publish notice within the required fifteen (15) day time period, a referendum election still must be held as provided in subsection (c).
        If the governing body of the responding school corporation does not act on the petition within the thirty (30) day period described in clause (C), the governing body's inaction constitutes a disapproval of the petition request. If the governing body of the

responding school corporation adopts a resolution disapproving the petition or fails to act within the thirty (30) day period, a referendum election as described in subsection (c) may not be held and the petition requesting the consolidation is defeated.
    (b) Any petition of protest under subsection (a)(1) or a petition requesting consolidation under subsection (a)(2) must show in the petition the date on which each person has signed the petition and the person's residence on that date. The petition may be executed in several counterparts, the total of which constitutes the petition. Each counterpart must contain the names of voters residing within a single county and shall be filed with the clerk of the circuit court of the county. Each counterpart must have attached to it the affidavit of the person circulating the counterpart that each signature appearing on the counterpart was affixed in that person's presence and is the true and lawful signature of each person who made the signature. Any signer may file the petition or any counterpart of the petition. Each signer on the petition may before and may not after the filing with the clerk withdraw the signer's name from the petition. A name may not be added to the petition after the petition has been filed with the clerk. After the receipt of any counterpart of the petition, each circuit court clerk shall certify:
        (1) the number of persons signing the counterpart;
        (2) the number of persons who are registered voters residing within that part of the school corporation located within the clerk's county, as disclosed by the voter registration records in the office of the clerk or the board of registration of the county, or wherever registration records may be kept;
        (3) the total number of registered voters residing within the boundaries of that part of the school corporation located within the county, as disclosed in the voter registration records; and
        (4) the date of the filing of the petition.
Certification shall be made by each clerk of the circuit court not more than thirty (30) days after the filing of the petition, excluding from the calculation of the period any time during which the registration records are unavailable to the clerk, or within any additional time as is reasonably necessary to permit the clerk to make the certification. In certifying the number of registered voters, the clerk of the circuit court shall disregard any signature on the petition not made within the ninety (90) days immediately before the filing of the petition with the clerk as shown by the dates set out in the petition. The clerk of the circuit court shall establish a record of the certification in the clerk's office and shall serve the original petition and a copy of the certification on the county

election board under IC 3-10-9-3 and the governing bodies of each affected school corporation. Service shall be made by mail or manual delivery to the governing bodies, to any officer of the governing bodies, or to the administrative office of the governing bodies, if any, and shall be made for all purposes of this section on the day of the mailing or the date of the manual delivery.
    (c) The county election board in each county where the proposed metropolitan school district is located, acting jointly where the proposed metropolitan school district is created and where it is located in more than one (1) county, shall cause any referendum election required under either subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) to be held in the entire proposed metropolitan district at a special election. The special election shall be not less than sixty (60) days and not more than ninety (90) days after the service of the petition of protest and certification by each clerk of the circuit court under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) or after the occurrence of the first action requiring a referendum under subsection (a)(2). However, if a primary or general election at which county officials are to be nominated or elected, or at which city or town officials are to be elected in those areas of the proposed metropolitan school district that are within the city or town, is to be held after the sixty (60) days and not more than six (6) months after the service or the occurrence of the first action, each election board may hold the referendum election with the primary or general election.
    (d) Notice of the special election shall be given by each election board by publication under IC 5-3-1.
    (e) Except where it conflicts with this section or cannot be practicably applied, IC 3 applies to the conduct of the referendum election. If the referendum election is not conducted at a primary or general election, the cost of conducting the election shall be charged to each component school corporation included in the proposed metropolitan school district in the same proportion as its assessed valuation bears to the total assessed valuation of the proposed metropolitan school district and shall be paid from any current operating fund of each component school corporation not otherwise appropriated, without appropriation.
    (f) The question in the referendum election shall be placed on the ballot in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4 and must state "Shall the school corporations of _________ be formed into one (1) metropolitan school district under IC 20-23-7?" (in which blanks the respective name of the school districts concerned will be inserted).
    (g) If:
        (1) a protest petition with the required signatures is not filed after

the adoption of substantially identical resolutions of the governing bodies providing for or approving the consolidation as described in subsection (a)(1); or
        (2) subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, a referendum election occurs in the entire proposed metropolitan district and a majority of the voters in each proposed consolidating school corporation vote in the affirmative;
a metropolitan school district is created and comes into existence in the territory subject to the provisions and under the conditions described in this chapter. The boundaries include all of the territory within the school corporations, and it shall be known as "Metropolitan School District of _______, Indiana" (the name of the district concerned will be inserted in the blank). The name of the district shall be decided by a majority vote of the metropolitan governing board of the metropolitan school district at the first meeting. The metropolitan governing board of the new metropolitan school district shall be composed and elected under this chapter. The failure of any public official or body to perform any duty within the time provided in this chapter does not invalidate any proceedings taken by that official or body, but this provision shall not be construed to authorize a delay in the holding of a referendum election under this chapter.
    (h) If the governing body of a school corporation is involved in a consolidation proposal under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) that fails to result in a consolidation or the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, the:
        (1) governing body of the school corporation may not initiate a subsequent consolidation with another school corporation under subsection (a)(1); and
        (2) residents of the school corporation may not file a petition requesting a consolidation with another school corporation under subsection (a)(2);
for one (1) year after the date on which the prior consolidation proposal failed.

SOURCE: IC 20-23-7-12; (10)IN0372.1.19. -->     SECTION 19. IC 20-23-7-12, AS AMENDED BY P.L.1-2007, SECTION 143, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 12. (a) As used in this section, "county" means the county in which the school township is located.
    (b) As used in this section, "school township" means a school township in Indiana that:
        (1) for the last full school semester immediately preceding:
            (A) the adoption of a preliminary resolution by the township trustee and the township board under subsection (f); or
            (B) the adoption of a resolution of disapproval by the township trustee and the township board under subsection (g);
        had an ADM of at least six hundred (600) students in kindergarten through grade 12 in the public schools of the school township; or
        (2) is part of a township in which there were more votes cast for township trustee outside the school township than inside the school township in the general election at which the trustee was elected and that preceded the adoption of the preliminary or disapproving resolution.
    (c) As used in this section, "township board" means the township board of a township in which the school township is located.
    (d) As used in this section, "township trustee" means the township trustee of the township in which the school township is located.
    (e) In a school township, a metropolitan school district may be created by complying with this section. A metropolitan school district created under this section shall have the same boundaries as the school township. After a district has been created under this section, the school township that preceded the metropolitan school district is abolished. The procedures or provisions governing the creation of a metropolitan school district under another section of this chapter do not apply to the creation of a district under this section. After a metropolitan school district is created under this section, the district shall, except as otherwise provided in this section, be governed by and operate in accordance with this chapter governing the operation of a metropolitan school district as established under section 2 of this chapter.
    (f) Except as provided in subsection (g), a metropolitan school district provided for in subsection (e) may be created in the following manner:
        (1) The township trustee shall call a meeting of the township board. At the meeting, the township trustee and a majority of the township board shall adopt a resolution that a metropolitan school district shall be created in the school township. The township trustee shall then give notice:
            (A) by two (2) publications one (1) week apart in a newspaper of general circulation published in the school township; or
            (B) if there is no newspaper as described in clause (A), in a newspaper of general circulation in the county;
        of the adoption of the resolution setting forth the text of the resolution.
        (2) On the thirtieth day after the date of the last publication of the

notice under subdivision (1) and if a protest has not been filed, the township trustee and a majority of the township board shall confirm their preliminary resolution. If, however, on or before the twenty-ninth day after the date of the last publication of the notice, a number of registered voters of the school township, equal to five percent (5%) or more of the number of votes cast in the school township for secretary of state at the last preceding general election for that office, sign and file with the township trustee a petition requesting an election in the school township to determine whether or not a metropolitan school district must be created in the township in accordance with the preliminary resolution, then an election must be held as provided in subsection (h). The preliminary resolution and confirming resolution provided in this subsection shall both be adopted at a meeting of the township trustee and township board in which the township trustee and each member of the township board received or waived a written notice of the date, time, place, and purpose of the meeting. The resolution and the proof of service or waiver of the notice shall be made a part of the records of the township board.
    (g) Except as provided in subsection (f), a metropolitan school district may also be created in the following manner:
        (1) A number of registered voters of the school township, equal to five percent (5%) or more of the votes cast in the school township for secretary of state at the last general election for that office, shall sign and file with the township trustee a petition requesting the creation of a metropolitan school district under this section.
        (2) The township trustee and a majority of the township board shall, not more than ten (10) days after the filing of a petition:
            (A) adopt a preliminary resolution that a metropolitan school district shall be created in the school township and proceed as provided in subsection (f); or
            (B) adopt a resolution disapproving the creation of the district.
        (3) If either the township trustee or a majority of township board members vote in favor of disapproving the resolution, an election must be held to determine whether or not a metropolitan school district shall be created in the school township in the same manner as is provided in subsection (f) if an election is requested by petition.
    (h) An election required under subsection (f) or (g) may, at the option of the township trustee, be held either as a special election or in

conjunction with a primary or general election to be held not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the filing of a petition under subsection (f) or the adoption of the disapproving resolution under subsection (g). The township trustee shall certify the question to the county election board under IC 3-10-9-3 and give notice of an election:
        (1) by two (2) publications one (1) week apart in a newspaper of general circulation in the school township; or
        (2) if a newspaper described in subdivision (1) does not exist, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county.
The notice must provide that on a day and time named in the notice, the polls shall be opened at the usual voting places in the various precincts in the school township for the purpose of taking the vote of the registered voters of the school township regarding whether a metropolitan school district shall be created in the township. The election shall be held not less than twenty (20) days and not more than thirty (30) days after the last publication of the notice unless a primary or general election will be conducted not more than six (6) months after the publication. In that case, the county election board shall place the public question on the ballot at the primary or general election. If the election is to be a special election, the township trustee shall give notice not more than thirty (30) days after the filing of the petition or the adoption of the disapproving resolution.
    (i) On the day and time named in the notice, the polls shall be opened and the votes of the voters shall be taken regarding whether a metropolitan school district shall be created in the school township. IC 3 governs the election except as otherwise provided in this chapter. The county election board shall conduct the election. The public question shall be placed on the ballot in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4 and must state, "Shall a metropolitan school district under IC 20-23-7 be formed in the ____________ School Township of _____________ County, Indiana?". The name of the school township shall be inserted in the blanks.
    (j) The votes cast in the election shall be canvassed at a place in the school township determined by the county election board. Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, the certificate of the votes cast for and against the creation of a metropolitan school district shall be filed in the records of the township board and recorded with the county recorder. If the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, a metropolitan school corporation may not be created. If the special election is not conducted at a primary or general election, the school township shall pay the expense of holding the election out of the school general fund that is appropriated for this purpose.


    (k) A metropolitan school district shall, subject to section 7 of this chapter, be created on the thirtieth day after the date of the adoption of the confirming resolution under subsection (f) or an election held under subsection (h). If a public official fails to do the official's duty within the time prescribed in this section, the failure does not invalidate the proceedings taken under this section. An action to contest the validity of the creation of a metropolitan school district under this section or to enjoin the operation of a metropolitan school district may not be instituted later than the thirtieth day following the date of the adoption of the confirming resolution under subsection (f) or of the election held under subsection (h). Except as provided in this section, an election under this subsection may not be held sooner than twelve (12) months after another election held under subsection (h).
    (l) A metropolitan school district is known as "The Metropolitan School District of ____________ Township, ____________ County, Indiana". The first metropolitan board of education in a metropolitan school district created under this section consists of five (5) members. The township trustee and the township board members are ex officio members of the first board, subject to the laws concerning length of their respective terms of office, manner of election or appointment, and the filling of vacancies applicable to their respective offices. The ex officio members serve without compensation or reimbursement for expenses, other than that which they may receive from their respective offices. The township board shall, by a resolution recorded in its records, appoint the fifth member of the metropolitan board of education. The fifth member shall meet the qualifications of a member of a metropolitan board of education under this chapter, with the exception of the board member district requirements provided in sections 4, 5, and 8 of this chapter.
    (m) A fifth board member shall be appointed not more than fifteen (15) days after the date of the adoption of the confirming resolution under subsection (f)(2) or an election held under subsection (h). The first board shall hold its first meeting not more than fifteen (15) days after the date when the fifth board member is appointed or elected, on a date established by the township board in the resolution in which it appoints the fifth board member. The first board shall serve until July 1 following the election of a metropolitan school board at the first primary election held more than sixty (60) days following the creation of the metropolitan school district.
    (n) After the creation of a metropolitan school district under this section, the president of the metropolitan school board of the district shall serve as a member of the county board of education and perform

the duties on the county board of education that were previously performed by the township trustee. The metropolitan school board and superintendent of the district may call upon the assistance of and use the services provided by the county superintendent of schools. This subsection does not limit or take away the powers, rights, privileges, or duties of the metropolitan school district or the board or superintendent of the district provided in this chapter.

SOURCE: IC 20-23-8-19; (10)IN0372.1.20. -->     SECTION 20. IC 20-23-8-19, AS ADDED BY P.L.1-2005, SECTION 7, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 19. (a) A plan shall be adopted in the following circumstances:
        (1) At the expiration of one hundred twenty (120) days after the publication of notice by the governing body if:
            (A) the governing body has initiated or approved the plan;
            (B) a petition has not been filed either protesting the plan or setting forth an alternative plan; and
            (C) the state board has reviewed and certified the plan.
        (2) If only one (1) plan is on the ballot and, subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, it receives more affirmative than negative votes, the plan is adopted at the expiration of thirty (30) days following the special election.
        (3) If more than one (1) plan is on the ballot and subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, the plan receiving the most votes is adopted at the expiration of thirty (30) days after the special election.
    (b) The plan is effective:
        (1) at the time provided in the plan; or
        (2) if a time is not provided or if the time provided is inapplicable due to the lapse of time of the proceedings under this chapter, either on the January 1 or July 1 following the time of adoption of the plan.
     (c) If the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, the plan may not be adopted.
SOURCE: IC 20-26-8-2; (10)IN0372.1.21. -->     SECTION 21. IC 20-26-8-2, AS ADDED BY P.L.1-2005, SECTION 10, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 2. (a) If:
        (1) a petition is filed with:
            (A) the clerk of a municipality; or
            (B) the trustee of any township;
        that is signed by at least ten percent (10%) of the number of voters voting at the last general election held in the city; or
        (2) a petition is presented that contains the signatures of at least

one hundred (100) freeholders living in a town or township;
that sets forth a question in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4 and a date for an election on the question, the question of exercising the powers granted for any of the purposes enumerated in section 1 of this chapter shall be submitted to the electors of the municipalities or townships.
    (b) The clerk or trustee shall certify the public question to the county election board of each county in which the school corporation is located. The county election board shall place the public question on the ballot at the first primary or general election conducted after certification under IC 3-10-9-3. If the first primary or general election will be conducted more than six (6) months after certification, the county election board shall conduct the election not later than thirty (30) days after certification.
    (c) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, if a majority of the votes cast upon the question are affirmative:
        (1) the board of school trustees of the municipality; or
        (2) the school trustee of the school township;
shall exercise the powers in accordance with the petition under this chapter.
     (d) If the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met:
        (1) the board of school trustees of the municipality; or
        (2) the school trustee of the school township;
may not exercise the powers in accordance with the petition under this chapter.

SOURCE: IC 20-46-1-9; (10)IN0372.1.22. -->     SECTION 22. IC 20-46-1-9, AS AMENDED BY P.L.146-2008, SECTION 496, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 9. A referendum tax levy under this chapter may be put into effect only if the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are met and a majority of the individuals who vote in a referendum that is conducted in accordance with this section and sections 10 through 19 of this chapter approves the appellant school corporation's making a levy for the ensuing calendar year.
SOURCE: IC 20-46-1-17; (10)IN0372.1.23. -->     SECTION 23. IC 20-46-1-17, AS AMENDED BY P.L.146-2008, SECTION 501, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 17. Each precinct election board shall count the affirmative votes and the negative votes cast in the referendum and shall certify those two (2) totals to the county election board of each county in which the referendum is held. The circuit court clerk of each county shall, immediately after the votes cast in the referendum have been counted and if the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 have been met, certify the results of the referendum to the

county fiscal body. Upon receiving the certification of all the votes cast in the referendum, the county fiscal body shall promptly certify the result of the referendum to the department of local government finance. If the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 have been met and a majority of the individuals who voted in the referendum voted "yes" on the referendum question:
        (1) the county fiscal body shall promptly notify the school corporation that the school corporation is authorized to collect, for the calendar year that next follows the calendar year in which the referendum is held, a levy not greater than the amount approved in the referendum;
        (2) the levy may be imposed for the number of calendar years approved by the voters following the referendum for the school corporation in which the referendum is held; and
        (3) the school corporation shall establish a fund under IC 20-40-3-1.

SOURCE: IC 20-46-1-19; (10)IN0372.1.24. -->     SECTION 24. IC 20-46-1-19, AS AMENDED BY P.L.146-2008, SECTION 503, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 19. If the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 have not been met or a majority of the persons who voted in the referendum did not vote "yes" on the referendum question:
        (1) the school corporation may not make any levy for its referendum tax levy fund; and
        (2) another referendum under this section may not be held for one (1) year after the date of the referendum.
SOURCE: IC 36-5-1.1-10.6; (10)IN0372.1.25. -->     SECTION 25. IC 36-5-1.1-10.6 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 10.6. (a) This section applies to included towns.
    (b) The dissolution of a town under this section may be instituted by filing a petition with the county board of registration. The petition must be signed by at least the number of the registered voters of the town required to place a candidate on the ballot under IC 3-8-6-3. The petition must be filed not later than June 1 of a year in which a general or municipal election will be held.
    (c) If a petition meets the criteria set forth in subsection (b), the county board of registration shall certify the public question to the county election board under IC 3-10-9-3. The county election board shall place the question of dissolution on the ballot provided for voters in the included town at the first general or municipal election following certification. The question shall be placed on the ballot in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4 and must state "Shall the town of ________ dissolve?".
    (d) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, if the public question is approved by a majority of the voters voting on the question, the county election board shall file a copy of the certification prepared under IC 3-12-4-9 concerning the public question described by this section with the following:
        (1) The circuit court clerk of the county.
        (2) The office of the secretary of state.
If the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, the county election board may not prepare a certification under IC 3-12-4-9, and a dissolution under this section may not occur.
    (e) Except as provided in subsection (f), dissolution occurs:
        (1) at least sixty (60) days after certification under IC 3-12-4-9; and
        (2) when the certification is filed under subsection (d).
    (f) A dissolution under this section may not take effect during the year preceding a year in which a federal decennial census is conducted. A dissolution under this section that would otherwise take effect during the year preceding a year in which the federal decennial census is conducted takes effect January 2 of the year in which a federal decennial census is conducted.
    (g) When a town is dissolved under this section:
        (1) the territory included within the town when the ordinance was adopted becomes a part of the consolidated city;
        (2) the books and records of the town become the property of the county executive;
        (3) the property owned by the town after payment of debts and liabilities shall be disposed of by the county executive; and
        (4) the county executive shall deposit any proceeds remaining after payment of debts and liabilities into the county general fund.
    (h) The dissolution of a town under this section does not affect the validity of a contract to which the town is a party.
SOURCE: IC 36-5-2-4.2; (10)IN0372.1.26. -->     SECTION 26. IC 36-5-2-4.2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 4.2. (a) This section applies to the alteration of the number of members of a legislative body.
    (b) The legislative body may adopt a resolution to submit a public question on the number of legislative body members to the voters of the town. The resolution must state the following:
        (1) The proposed number of legislative body members, which must be at least three (3) and not more than seven (7).
        (2) The date of the general, municipal, or special election at which the public question will appear on the ballot.
        (3) That the following question will be placed on the ballot in the form provided by IC 3-10-9-4:
            "Shall the number of town council members be increased (or decreased, if applicable) from ___________ (insert the current number of members provided for) to _________ (insert the number of members proposed in the resolution)?".
    (c) IC 3 applies to an election conducted under subsection (b). If the county election board will conduct the election at which the public question will be submitted, the question must be certified to the board under IC 3-10-9-3.
    (d) If a majority of the votes cast on the question under subsection (b) are in the negative or the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, the legislative body may not adopt a resolution under subsection (b) for at least one (1) year following the date the prior resolution was adopted.
    (e) Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, if a majority of votes cast on the question under subsection (b) are in the affirmative, the legislative body shall adopt an ordinance at its next regular meeting following the election altering the number of legislative body members to the number specified in the public question. The legislative body may also alter existing districts and establish new districts in the manner prescribed by IC 36-5-1-10.1. An ordinance adopted under this subsection becomes effective January 1 following its adoption.
    (f) If the number of legislative body members is increased, the legislative body shall fill any resulting vacancy under IC 3-13-9-4. The legislative body may fill the vacancy before the ordinance described in subsection (e) takes effect. However, a town legislative body member appointed under this subsection does not assume office until the beginning of the term specified in section 3 of this chapter.
SOURCE: IC 36-7-4-1212; (10)IN0372.1.27. -->     SECTION 27. IC 36-7-4-1212 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 1212. ADVISORY. Because long range planning studies of population, land use, schools, recreation, and public ways involve substantial expenditures, a township that joins with a municipality or county may not withdraw from the joinder, unless:
        (1) the municipality or county has consolidated on an area basis its planning and zoning activity under other law; or
        (2) a petition, requesting a referendum on the question "Shall the township withdraw from joinder with (the municipality), or (the county), for planning and zoning purposes?", is sent to the township executive and is signed by at least the number of the voters of the township required under IC 3-8-6-3 to place a

candidate on the ballot.
If the petition is received, the township executive shall certify the petition to the county election board under IC 3-10-9-3. The board shall place the question on a ballot to be submitted at the next general election for the township in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4. If the township repays the amount expended for planning and zoning purposes that exceeds the amount contributed by the township and, subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, a majority of the voters voting in the election vote in the affirmative, the township may withdraw from its joinder with the municipality or county. If the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, the township may not withdraw from its joinder with the municipality or county based on the results of the election.

SOURCE: IC 36-10-4-5; (10)IN0372.1.28. -->     SECTION 28. IC 36-10-4-5 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 5. (a) In a second class city, the board may adopt a resolution to extend the boundaries of the district to the county boundaries unless the county has already established a park district under IC 36-10-3. The board must file a certified copy of the resolution with the county auditor and county treasurer. Notice of the adoption of the resolution shall be given by publication once each week for two (2) weeks in accordance with IC 5-3-1.
    (b) Whenever the board has adopted a resolution under subsection (a), remonstrances may be filed by the affected voters within ninety (90) days after the last publication under subsection (a). Remonstrances must be signed in ink by the voter in person and state the address of each signer and that the signer is a registered voter. A person who signs a remonstrance when he is not a registered voter commits a Class D felony. More than one (1) voter may sign the same remonstrance.
    (c) A vote on the public question shall be held if at least the number of the registered voters of the county required under IC 3-8-6-3 to place a candidate on the ballot file remonstrances under subsection (b) with the county clerk protesting the extension of the district.
    (d) The county clerk shall certify to the county election board in accordance with IC 3-10-9-3 whether or not the required number of registered voters of the county have filed remonstrances. If sufficient remonstrances have been filed, the county election board shall publish a notice of the election once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in accordance with IC 5-3-1-4, the first publication to be at least thirty (30) days before the date of the election. The question presented to the voters at the election shall be placed on the ballot in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4 and must state "Shall the county park district

be established?". The election is governed by IC 3 whenever not in conflict with this chapter. Subject to the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7, the county election board shall make a return of the votes cast at the referendum.
    (e) If a majority of the votes cast are against the extension of the district or the requirements of IC 3-10-9-7 are not met, the district is not extended. If sufficient remonstrances are not filed or if a majority of the votes cast support the extension of the district, the district is extended.
    (f) The extension of the district is effective on January 1 of the year following the adoption of the resolution or, if an election is held, on January 1 of the year following the date of the election.
    (g) A municipality that becomes part of a district by reason of the extension of the district under this section may continue to establish, maintain, and operate parks and other recreational facilities under any other law. The parks and other recreational facilities shall be operated by the municipality separate from the parks and other recreational facilities under the jurisdiction of the board in the same manner as they would be operated by the municipality if it was not within the district.
    (h) The operation of separate parks or recreational facilities by a municipality does not affect the obligation of property owners within the municipality to pay all taxes imposed on property within the district.
    (i) The legislative body of a municipality may elect that the separate parks or other recreational facilities of the municipality be maintained or operated as a part of the district by adopting a resolution or an ordinance to that effect. The separate park or other recreational facility comes under the jurisdiction of the board at the time specified in the resolution or ordinance.

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