Florida Senate - 2017                                     SB 422
       
       
        
       By Senator Lee
       
       20-00544-17                                            2017422__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to municipal conversion of independent
    3         special districts; amending s. 165.0615, F.S.; adding
    4         a minimum population standard for qualified electors
    5         of an independent special district to commence a
    6         certain municipal conversion proceeding; providing an
    7         effective date.
    8          
    9  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   10  
   11         Section 1. Subsection (1) of section 165.0615, Florida
   12  Statutes, is amended to read:
   13         165.0615 Municipal conversion of independent special
   14  districts upon elector-initiated and approved referendum.—
   15         (1) The qualified electors of an independent special
   16  district may commence a municipal conversion proceeding by
   17  filing a petition with the governing body of the independent
   18  special district proposed to be converted if the district meets
   19  all of the following criteria:
   20         (a) It was created by special act of the Legislature.
   21         (b) It is designated as an improvement district and created
   22  pursuant to chapter 298 or is designated as a stewardship
   23  district and created pursuant to s. 189.031.
   24         (c) Its governing board is elected.
   25         (d) Its governing board agrees to the conversion.
   26         (e) It provides at least four of the following municipal
   27  services: water, sewer, solid waste, drainage, roads,
   28  transportation, public works, fire and rescue, street lighting,
   29  parks and recreation, or library or cultural facilities.
   30         (f) No portion of the district is located within the
   31  jurisdictional limits of a municipality.
   32         (g) It meets minimum population standards as provided in s.
   33  165.061(1)(b).
   34         Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.