Florida Senate - 2012                        COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
       Bill No. SB 192
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Barcode 119586                          
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
                  Comm: RCS            .                                
                  02/01/2012           .                                
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       The Committee on Budget Subcommittee on Finance and Tax
       (Gardiner) recommended the following:
       
    1         Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
    2  
    3         Delete everything after the enacting clause
    4  and insert:
    5         Section 1. Section 189.4042, Florida Statutes, is amended
    6  to read:
    7         189.4042 Merger and dissolution procedures.—
    8         (1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
    9         (a) “Component independent special district” means an
   10  independent special district that proposes to be merged into a
   11  merged independent district, or an independent special district
   12  as it existed before its merger into the merged independent
   13  district of which it is now a part.
   14         (b) “Elector-initiated merger plan” means the merger plan
   15  of two or more independent special districts, a majority of
   16  whose qualified electors have elected to merge, which outlines
   17  the terms and agreements for the official merger of the
   18  districts and is finalized and approved by the governing bodies
   19  of the districts pursuant to this section.
   20         (c) “Governing body” means the governing body of the
   21  independent special district in which the general legislative,
   22  governmental, or public powers of the district are vested and by
   23  authority of which the official business of the district is
   24  conducted.
   25         (d) “Initiative” means the filing of a petition containing
   26  a proposal for a referendum to be placed on the ballot for
   27  election.
   28         (e) “Joint merger plan” means the merger plan that is
   29  adopted by resolution of the governing bodies of two or more
   30  independent special districts that outlines the terms and
   31  agreements for the official merger of the districts and that is
   32  finalized and approved by the governing bodies pursuant to this
   33  section.
   34         (f) “Merged independent district” means a single
   35  independent special district that results from a successful
   36  merger of two or more independent special districts pursuant to
   37  this section.
   38         (g) “Merger” means the combination of two or more
   39  contiguous independent special districts resulting in a newly
   40  created merged independent district that assumes jurisdiction
   41  over all of the component independent special districts.
   42         (h) “Merger plan” means a written document that contains
   43  the terms, agreements, and information regarding the merger of
   44  two or more independent special districts.
   45         (i) “Proposed elector-initiated merger plan” means a
   46  written document that contains the terms and information
   47  regarding the merger of two or more independent special
   48  districts and that accompanies the petition initiated by the
   49  qualified electors of the districts but that is not yet
   50  finalized and approved by the governing bodies of each component
   51  independent special district pursuant to this section.
   52         (j) “Proposed joint merger plan” means a written document
   53  that contains the terms and information regarding the merger of
   54  two or more independent special districts and that has been
   55  prepared pursuant to a resolution of the governing bodies of the
   56  districts but that is not yet finalized and approved by the
   57  governing bodies of each component independent special district
   58  pursuant to this section.
   59         (k) “Qualified elector” means an individual at least 18
   60  years of age who is a citizen of the United States, a permanent
   61  resident of this state, and a resident of the district who
   62  registers with the supervisor of elections of a county within
   63  which the district lands are located when the registration books
   64  are open.
   65         (2)(1)MERGER OR DISSOLUTION OF A DEPENDENT SPECIAL
   66  DISTRICT.—
   67         (a) The merger or dissolution of a dependent special
   68  district districts may be effectuated by an ordinance of the
   69  general-purpose local governmental entity wherein the
   70  geographical area of the district or districts is located.
   71  However, a county may not dissolve a special district that is
   72  dependent to a municipality or vice versa, or a dependent
   73  district created by special act.
   74         (b) The merger or dissolution of a dependent special
   75  district created and operating pursuant to a special act may be
   76  effectuated only by further act of the Legislature unless
   77  otherwise provided by general law.
   78         (c) A dependent special district that meets any criteria
   79  for being declared inactive, or that has already been declared
   80  inactive, pursuant to s. 189.4044 may be dissolved or merged by
   81  special act without a referendum.
   82         (d)(b) A copy of any ordinance and of any changes to a
   83  charter affecting the status or boundaries of one or more
   84  special districts shall be filed with the Special District
   85  Information Program within 30 days after of such activity.
   86         (3)(2)DISSOLUTION OF AN INDEPENDENT SPECIAL DISTRICT.—
   87         (a) Voluntary dissolution.If the governing board of an
   88  independent special district created and operating pursuant to a
   89  special act elects, by a majority vote plus one, to dissolve the
   90  district, the voluntary merger or dissolution of an independent
   91  special district or a dependent district created and operating
   92  pursuant to a special act may only be effectuated only by the
   93  Legislature unless otherwise provided by general law.
   94         (b) Other dissolutions.
   95         1. In order for the Legislature to dissolve an active
   96  independent special district created and operating pursuant to a
   97  special act, the special act dissolving the active independent
   98  special district must be approved by a majority of the resident
   99  electors of the district or, for districts in which a majority
  100  of governing board members are elected by landowners, a majority
  101  of the landowners voting in the same manner by which the
  102  independent special district’s governing body is elected. If a
  103  local general-purpose government passes an ordinance or
  104  resolution in support of the dissolution, the local general
  105  purpose government must pay any expenses associated with the
  106  referendum required under this subparagraph.
  107         2. If an independent special district was created by a
  108  county or municipality by referendum or any other procedure, the
  109  county or municipality that created the district may dissolve
  110  the district pursuant to a referendum or any other procedure by
  111  which the independent special district was created. However, if
  112  the independent special district has ad valorem taxation powers,
  113  the same procedure required to grant the independent special
  114  district ad valorem taxation powers is required to dissolve the
  115  district.
  116         (c) Inactive independent special districts.—An independent
  117  special district that meets any criteria for being declared
  118  inactive, or that has already been declared inactive, pursuant
  119  to s. 189.4044 may be dissolved by special act without a
  120  referendum. If an inactive independent special district was
  121  created by a county or municipality through a referendum, the
  122  county or municipality that created the district may dissolve
  123  the district after publishing notice as described in s.
  124  189.4044. If an independent district was created by a county or
  125  municipality by referendum or any other procedure, the county or
  126  municipality that created the district may merge or dissolve the
  127  district pursuant to the same procedure by which the independent
  128  district was created. However, for any independent district that
  129  has ad valorem taxation powers, the same procedure required to
  130  grant such independent district ad valorem taxation powers shall
  131  also be required to dissolve or merge the district.
  132         (d) Debts and assets.—Financial allocations of the assets
  133  and indebtedness of a dissolved independent special district
  134  shall be pursuant to s. 189.4045.
  135         (4) LEGISLATIVE MERGER OF INDEPENDENT SPECIAL DISTRICTS.
  136  The Legislature, by special act, may merge independent special
  137  districts created and operating pursuant to special act.
  138         (5) VOLUNTARY MERGER OF INDEPENDENT SPECIAL DISTRICTS.—Two
  139  or more contiguous independent special districts created by
  140  special act which have similar functions and elected governing
  141  bodies may elect to merge into a single independent district
  142  through the act of merging the component independent special
  143  districts.
  144         (a) Initiation.—Merger proceedings may commence by:
  145         1. A joint resolution of the governing bodies of each
  146  independent special district which endorses a proposed joint
  147  merger plan; or
  148         2. A qualified elector initiative.
  149         (b) Joint merger plan by resolution.—The governing bodies
  150  of two or more contiguous independent special districts may, by
  151  joint resolution, endorse a proposed joint merger plan to
  152  commence proceedings to merge the districts pursuant to this
  153  subsection.
  154         1. The proposed joint merger plan must specify:
  155         a. The name of each component independent special district
  156  to be merged;
  157         b. The name of the proposed merged independent district;
  158         c. The rights, duties, and obligations of the proposed
  159  merged independent district;
  160         d. The territorial boundaries of the proposed merged
  161  independent district;
  162         e. The governmental organization of the proposed merged
  163  independent district insofar as it concerns elected and
  164  appointed officials and public employees, along with a
  165  transitional plan and schedule for elections and appointments of
  166  officials;
  167         f. A fiscal estimate of the potential cost or savings as a
  168  result of the merger;
  169         g. Each component independent special district’s assets,
  170  including, but not limited to, real and personal property, and
  171  the current value thereof;
  172         h. Each component independent special district’s
  173  liabilities and indebtedness, bonded and otherwise, and the
  174  current value thereof;
  175         i. Terms for the assumption and disposition of existing
  176  assets, liabilities, and indebtedness of each component
  177  independent special district jointly, separately, or in defined
  178  proportions;
  179         j. Terms for the common administration and uniform
  180  enforcement of existing laws within the proposed merged
  181  independent district;
  182         k. The times and places for public hearings on the proposed
  183  joint merger plan;
  184         l. The times and places for a referendum in each component
  185  independent special district on the proposed joint merger plan,
  186  along with the referendum language to be presented for approval;
  187  and
  188         m. The effective date of the proposed merger.
  189         2. The resolution endorsing the proposed joint merger plan
  190  must be approved by a majority vote of the governing bodies of
  191  each component independent special district and adopted at least
  192  60 business days before any general or special election on the
  193  proposed joint merger plan.
  194         3. Within 5 business days after the governing bodies
  195  approve the resolution endorsing the proposed joint merger plan,
  196  the governing bodies must:
  197         a. Cause a copy of the proposed joint merger plan, along
  198  with a descriptive summary of the plan, to be displayed and be
  199  readily accessible to the public for inspection in at least
  200  three public places within the territorial limits of each
  201  component independent special district, unless a component
  202  independent special district has fewer than three public places,
  203  in which case the plan must be accessible for inspection in all
  204  public places within the component independent special district;
  205         b. If applicable, cause the proposed joint merger plan,
  206  along with a descriptive summary of the plan and a reference to
  207  the public places within each component independent special
  208  district where a copy of the merger plan may be examined, to be
  209  displayed on a website maintained by each district or on a
  210  website maintained by the county or municipality in which the
  211  districts are located; and
  212         c. Arrange for a descriptive summary of the proposed joint
  213  merger plan, and a reference to the public places within the
  214  district where a copy may be examined, to be published in a
  215  newspaper of general circulation within the component
  216  independent special districts at least once each week for 4
  217  successive weeks.
  218         4. The governing body of each component independent special
  219  district shall set a time and place for one or more public
  220  hearings on the proposed joint merger plan. Each public hearing
  221  shall be held on a weekday at least 7 business days after the
  222  day the first advertisement is published on the proposed joint
  223  merger plan. The hearing or hearings may be held jointly or
  224  separately by the governing bodies of the component independent
  225  special districts. Any interested person residing in the
  226  respective district shall be given a reasonable opportunity to
  227  be heard on any aspect of the proposed merger at the public
  228  hearing.
  229         a. Notice of the public hearing addressing the resolution
  230  for the proposed joint merger plan must be published pursuant to
  231  the notice requirements in s. 189.417 and must provide a
  232  descriptive summary of the proposed joint merger plan and a
  233  reference to the public places within the component independent
  234  special districts where a copy of the plan may be examined.
  235         b. After the final public hearing, the governing bodies of
  236  each component independent special district may amend the
  237  proposed joint merger plan if the amended version complies with
  238  the notice and public hearing requirements provided in this
  239  subsection. Thereafter, the governing bodies may approve a final
  240  version of the joint merger plan or decline to proceed further
  241  with the merger. Approval by the governing bodies of the final
  242  version of the joint merger plan must occur within 60 business
  243  days after the final hearing.
  244         5. After the final public hearing, the governing bodies
  245  shall notify the supervisors of elections of the applicable
  246  counties in which district lands are located of the adoption of
  247  the resolution by each governing body. The supervisors of
  248  elections shall schedule a separate referendum for each
  249  component independent special district. The referenda may be
  250  held in each district on the same day, or on different days, but
  251  no more than 20 days apart.
  252         a. Notice of a referendum on the merger of independent
  253  special districts must be provided pursuant to the notice
  254  requirements in s. 100.342. At a minimum, the notice must
  255  include:
  256         (I) A brief summary of the resolution and joint merger
  257  plan;
  258         (II) A statement as to where a copy of the resolution and
  259  joint merger plan may be examined;
  260         (III) The names of the component independent special
  261  districts to be merged and a description of their territory;
  262         (IV) The times and places at which the referendum will be
  263  held; and
  264         (V) Such other matters as may be necessary to call, provide
  265  for, and give notice of the referendum and to provide for the
  266  conduct thereof and the canvass of the returns.
  267         b. The referenda must be held in accordance with the
  268  Florida Election Code and may be held pursuant to ss. 101.6101
  269  101.6107. All costs associated with the referenda shall be borne
  270  by the respective component independent special district.
  271         c. The ballot question in such referendum placed before the
  272  qualified electors of each component independent special
  273  district to be merged must be in substantially the following
  274  form:
  275  
  276         “Shall (...name of component independent special
  277  district...) and (...name of component independent special
  278  district or districts...) be merged into (...name of newly
  279  merged independent district...)?
  280         _____YES
  281         _____NO”
  282  
  283         d. If the component independent special districts proposing
  284  to merge have disparate millage rates, the ballot question in
  285  the referendum placed before the qualified electors of each
  286  component independent special district must be in substantially
  287  the following form:
  288  
  289         “Shall (...name of component independent special
  290  district...) and (...name of component independent special
  291  district or districts...) be merged into (...name of newly
  292  merged independent district...) if the voter-approved maximum
  293  millage rate within each independent special district will not
  294  increase absent a subsequent referendum?
  295         _____YES
  296         _____NO”
  297  
  298         e. In any referendum held pursuant to this subsection, the
  299  ballots shall be counted, returns made and canvassed, and
  300  results certified in the same manner as other elections or
  301  referenda for the component independent special districts.
  302         f. The merger may not take effect unless a majority of the
  303  votes cast in each component independent special district are in
  304  favor of the merger. If one of the component districts does not
  305  obtain a majority vote, the referendum fails, and merger does
  306  not take effect.
  307         g. If the merger is approved by a majority of the votes
  308  cast in each component independent special district, the merged
  309  independent district is created. Upon approval, the merged
  310  independent district shall notify the Special District
  311  Information Program pursuant to s. 189.418(2) and the local
  312  general-purpose governments in which any part of the component
  313  independent special districts is situated pursuant to s.
  314  189.418(7).
  315         h. If the referendum fails, the merger process under this
  316  paragraph may not be initiated for the same purpose within 2
  317  years after the date of the referendum.
  318         6. Component independent special districts merged pursuant
  319  to a joint merger plan by resolution shall continue to be
  320  governed as before the merger until the effective date specified
  321  in the adopted joint merger plan.
  322         (c) Qualified elector-initiated merger plan.—The qualified
  323  electors of two or more contiguous independent special districts
  324  may commence a merger proceeding by each filing a petition with
  325  the governing body of their respective independent special
  326  district proposing to be merged. The petition must contain the
  327  signatures of at least 40 percent of the qualified electors of
  328  each component independent special district and must be
  329  submitted to the appropriate component independent special
  330  district governing body no later than 1 year after the start of
  331  the qualified elector-initiated merger process.
  332         1. The petition must comply with, and be circulated in, the
  333  following form:
  334  
  335         PETITION FOR INDEPENDENT SPECIAL DISTRICT MERGER
  336  
  337         We, the undersigned electors and legal voters of (...name
  338  of independent special district...), qualified to vote at the
  339  next general or special election, respectfully petition that
  340  there be submitted to the electors and legal voters of (...name
  341  of independent special district or districts proposed to be
  342  merged...), for their approval or rejection at a referendum held
  343  for that purpose, a proposal to merge (...name of component
  344  independent special district...) and (...name of component
  345  independent special district or districts...).
  346  
  347         In witness thereof, we have signed our names on the date
  348  indicated next to our signatures.
  349  
  350         Date Name (print under signature) Home Address
  351         ___________________________________________________________
  352         ___________________________________________________________
  353  
  354         2. The petition must be validated by a signed statement by
  355  a witness who is a duly qualified elector of one of the
  356  component independent special districts, a notary public, or
  357  another person authorized to take acknowledgements.
  358         a. A statement that is signed by a witness who is a duly
  359  qualified elector of the respective district shall be accepted
  360  for all purposes as the equivalent of an affidavit. Such
  361  statement must be in substantially the following form:
  362  
  363         “I, (...name of witness...), state that I am a duly
  364  qualified voter of (...name of independent special district...).
  365  Each of the (...insert number...) persons who have signed this
  366  petition sheet has signed his or her name in my presence on the
  367  dates indicated above and identified himself or herself to be
  368  the same person who signed the sheet. I understand that this
  369  statement will be accepted for all purposes as the equivalent of
  370  an affidavit and, if it contains a materially false statement,
  371  shall subject me to the penalties of perjury.”
  372  
  373         Date Signature of Witness
  374  
  375         b. A statement that is signed by a notary public or another
  376  person authorized to take acknowledgements must be in
  377  substantially the following form:
  378  
  379         “On the date indicated above before me personally came each
  380  of the (...insert number...) electors and legal voters whose
  381  signatures appear on this petition sheet, who signed the
  382  petition in my presence and who, being by me duly sworn, each
  383  for himself or herself, identified himself or herself as the
  384  same person who signed the petition, and I declare that the
  385  foregoing information they provided was true.”
  386  
  387         Date Signature of Witness
  388  
  389         c. An alteration or correction of information appearing on
  390  a petition’s signature line, other than an uninitialed signature
  391  and date, does not invalidate such signature. In matters of
  392  form, this paragraph shall be liberally construed, not
  393  inconsistent with substantial compliance thereto and the
  394  prevention of fraud.
  395         d. The appropriately signed petition must be filed with the
  396  governing body of each component independent special district.
  397  The petition must be submitted to the supervisors of elections
  398  of the counties in which the district lands are located. The
  399  supervisors shall, within 30 business days after receipt of the
  400  petitions, certify to the governing bodies the number of
  401  signatures of qualified electors contained on the petitions.
  402         3. Upon verification by the supervisors of elections of the
  403  counties within which component independent special district
  404  lands are located that 40 percent of the qualified electors have
  405  petitioned for merger and that all such petitions have been
  406  executed within 1 year after the date of the initiation of the
  407  qualified-elector merger process, the governing bodies of each
  408  component independent special district shall meet within 30
  409  business days to prepare and approve by resolution a proposed
  410  elector-initiated merger plan. The proposed plan must include:
  411         a. The name of each component independent special district
  412  to be merged;
  413         b. The name of the proposed merged independent district;
  414         c. The rights, duties, and obligations of the merged
  415  independent district;
  416         d. The territorial boundaries of the proposed merged
  417  independent district;
  418         e. The governmental organization of the proposed merged
  419  independent district insofar as it concerns elected and
  420  appointed officials and public employees, along with a
  421  transitional plan and schedule for elections and appointments of
  422  officials;
  423         f. A fiscal estimate of the potential cost or savings as a
  424  result of the merger;
  425         g. Each component independent special district’s assets,
  426  including, but not limited to, real and personal property, and
  427  the current value thereof;
  428         h. Each component independent special district’s
  429  liabilities and indebtedness, bonded and otherwise, and the
  430  current value thereof;
  431         i. Terms for the assumption and disposition of existing
  432  assets, liabilities, and indebtedness of each component
  433  independent special district, jointly, separately, or in defined
  434  proportions;
  435         j. Terms for the common administration and uniform
  436  enforcement of existing laws within the proposed merged
  437  independent district;
  438         k. The times and places for public hearings on the proposed
  439  joint merger plan; and
  440         l. The effective date of the proposed merger.
  441         4. The resolution endorsing the proposed elector-initiated
  442  merger plan must be approved by a majority vote of the governing
  443  bodies of each component independent special district and must
  444  be adopted at least 60 business days before any general or
  445  special election on the proposed elector-initiated plan.
  446         5. Within 5 business days after the governing bodies of
  447  each component independent special district approve the proposed
  448  elector-initiated merger plan, the governing bodies shall:
  449         a. Cause a copy of the proposed elector-initiated merger
  450  plan, along with a descriptive summary of the plan, to be
  451  displayed and be readily accessible to the public for inspection
  452  in at least three public places within the territorial limits of
  453  each component independent special district, unless a component
  454  independent special district has fewer than three public places,
  455  in which case the plan must be accessible for inspection in all
  456  public places within the component independent special district;
  457         b. If applicable, cause the proposed elector-initiated
  458  merger plan, along with a descriptive summary of the plan and a
  459  reference to the public places within each component independent
  460  special district where a copy of the merger plan may be
  461  examined, to be displayed on a website maintained by each
  462  district or otherwise on a website maintained by the county or
  463  municipality in which the districts are located; and
  464         c. Arrange for a descriptive summary of the proposed
  465  elector-initiated merger plan, and a reference to the public
  466  places within the district where a copy may be examined, to be
  467  published in a newspaper of general circulation within the
  468  component independent special districts at least once each week
  469  for 4 successive weeks.
  470         6. The governing body of each component independent special
  471  district shall set a time and place for one or more public
  472  hearings on the proposed elector-initiated merger plan. Each
  473  public hearing shall be held on a weekday at least 7 business
  474  days after the day the first advertisement is published on the
  475  proposed elector-initiated merger plan. The hearing or hearings
  476  may be held jointly or separately by the governing bodies of the
  477  component independent special districts. Any interested person
  478  residing in the respective district shall be given a reasonable
  479  opportunity to be heard on any aspect of the proposed merger at
  480  the public hearing.
  481         a. Notice of the public hearing on the proposed elector
  482  initiated merger plan must be published pursuant to the notice
  483  requirements in s. 189.417 and must provide a descriptive
  484  summary of the elector-initiated merger plan and a reference to
  485  the public places within the component independent special
  486  districts where a copy of the plan may be examined.
  487         b. After the final public hearing, the governing bodies of
  488  each component independent special district may amend the
  489  proposed elector-initiated merger plan if the amended version
  490  complies with the notice and public hearing requirements
  491  provided in this subsection. The governing bodies must approve a
  492  final version of the merger plan within 60 business days after
  493  the final hearing.
  494         7. After the final public hearing, the governing bodies
  495  shall notify the supervisors of elections of the applicable
  496  counties in which district lands are located of the adoption of
  497  the resolution by each governing body. The supervisors of
  498  elections shall schedule a date for the separate referenda for
  499  each district. The referenda may be held in each district on the
  500  same day, or on different days, but no more than 20 days apart.
  501         a. Notice of a referendum on the merger of the component
  502  independent special districts must be provided pursuant to the
  503  notice requirements in s. 100.342. At a minimum, the notice must
  504  include:
  505         (I) A brief summary of the resolution and elector-initiated
  506  merger plan;
  507         (II) A statement as to where a copy of the resolution and
  508  petition for merger may be examined;
  509         (III) The names of the component independent special
  510  districts to be merged and a description of their territory;
  511         (IV) The times and places at which the referendum will be
  512  held; and
  513         (V) Such other matters as may be necessary to call, provide
  514  for, and give notice of the referendum and to provide for the
  515  conduct thereof and the canvass of the returns.
  516         b. The referenda must be held in accordance with the
  517  Florida Election Code and may be held pursuant to ss. 101.6101
  518  101.6107. All costs associated with the referenda shall be borne
  519  by the respective component independent special district.
  520         c. The ballot question in such referendum placed before the
  521  qualified electors of each component independent special
  522  district to be merged must be in substantially the following
  523  form:
  524  
  525         “Shall (...name of component independent special
  526  district...) and (...name of component independent special
  527  district or districts...) be merged into (...name of newly
  528  merged independent district...)?
  529         _____YES
  530         _____NO”
  531  
  532         d. If the component independent special districts proposing
  533  to merge have disparate millage rates, the ballot question in
  534  the referendum placed before the qualified electors of each
  535  component independent special district must be in substantially
  536  the following form:
  537  
  538         “Shall (...name of component independent special
  539  district...) and (...name of component independent special
  540  district or districts...) be merged into (...name of newly
  541  merged independent district...) if the voter-approved maximum
  542  millage rate within each independent special district will not
  543  increase absent a subsequent referendum?
  544         _____YES
  545         _____NO”
  546  
  547         e. In any referendum held pursuant to this subsection, the
  548  ballots shall be counted, returns made and canvassed, and
  549  results certified in the same manner as other elections or
  550  referenda for the component independent special districts.
  551         f. The merger may not take effect unless a majority of the
  552  votes cast in each component independent special district are in
  553  favor of the merger. If one of the component independent special
  554  districts does not obtain a majority vote, the referendum fails,
  555  and merger does not take effect.
  556         g. If the merger is approved by a majority of the votes
  557  cast in each component independent special district, the merged
  558  district shall notify the Special District Information Program
  559  pursuant to s. 189.418(2) and the local general-purpose
  560  governments in which any part of the component independent
  561  special districts is situated pursuant to s. 189.418(7).
  562         h. If the referendum fails, the merger process under this
  563  paragraph may not be initiated for the same purpose within 2
  564  years after the date of the referendum.
  565         8. Component independent special districts merged pursuant
  566  to an elector-initiated merger plan shall continue to be
  567  governed as before the merger until the effective date specified
  568  in the adopted elector-initiated merger plan.
  569         (d) Effective date.—The effective date of the merger shall
  570  be as provided in the joint merger plan or elector-initiated
  571  merger plan, as appropriate, and is not contingent upon the
  572  future act of the Legislature.
  573         1. However, as soon as practicable, the merged independent
  574  district shall, at its own expense, submit a unified charter for
  575  the merged district to the Legislature for approval. The unified
  576  charter must make the powers of the district consistent within
  577  the merged independent district and repeal the special acts of
  578  the districts which existed before the merger.
  579         2. Within 30 business days after the effective date of the
  580  merger, the merged independent district’s governing body, as
  581  indicated in this subsection, shall hold an organizational
  582  meeting to implement the provisions of the joint merger plan or
  583  elector-initiated merger plan, as appropriate.
  584         (e) Restrictions during transition period.—Until the
  585  Legislature formally approves the unified charter pursuant to a
  586  special act, each component independent special district is
  587  considered a subunit of the merged independent district subject
  588  to the following restrictions:
  589         1. During the transition period, the merged independent
  590  district is limited in its powers and financing capabilities
  591  within each subunit to those powers that existed within the
  592  boundaries of each subunit which were previously granted to the
  593  component independent special district in its existing charter
  594  before the merger. The merged independent district may not,
  595  solely by reason of the merger, increase its powers or financing
  596  capability.
  597         2. During the transition period, the merged independent
  598  district shall exercise only the legislative authority to levy
  599  and collect revenues within the boundaries of each subunit which
  600  was previously granted to the component independent special
  601  district by its existing charter before the merger, including
  602  the authority to levy ad valorem taxes, non-ad valorem
  603  assessments, impact fees, and charges.
  604         a. The merged independent district may not, solely by
  605  reason of the merger or the legislatively approved unified
  606  charter, increase ad valorem taxes on property within the
  607  original limits of a subunit beyond the maximum millage rate
  608  approved by the electors of the component independent special
  609  district unless the electors of such subunit approve an increase
  610  at a subsequent referendum of the subunit’s electors. Each
  611  subunit may be considered a separate taxing unit.
  612         b. The merged independent district may not, solely by
  613  reason of the merger, charge non-ad valorem assessments, impact
  614  fees, or other new fees within a subunit which were not
  615  otherwise previously authorized to be charged.
  616         3. During the transition period, each component independent
  617  special district of the merged independent district must
  618  continue to file all information and reports required under this
  619  chapter as subunits until the Legislature formally approves the
  620  unified charter pursuant to a special act.
  621         4. The intent of this section is to preserve and transfer
  622  to the merged independent district all authority that exists
  623  within each subunit and was previously granted by the
  624  Legislature and, if applicable, by referendum.
  625         (f) Effect of merger, generally.—On and after the effective
  626  date of the merger, the merged independent district shall be
  627  treated and considered for all purposes as one entity under the
  628  name and on the terms and conditions set forth in the joint
  629  merger plan or elector-initiated merger plan, as appropriate.
  630         1. All rights, privileges, and franchises of each component
  631  independent special district and all assets, real and personal
  632  property, books, records, papers, seals, and equipment, as well
  633  as other things in action, belonging to each component
  634  independent special district before the merger shall be deemed
  635  as transferred to and vested in the merged independent district
  636  without further act or deed.
  637         2. All property, rights-of-way, and other interests are as
  638  effectually the property of the merged independent district as
  639  they were of the component independent special district before
  640  the merger. The title to real estate, by deed or otherwise,
  641  under the laws of this state vested in any component independent
  642  special district before the merger may not be deemed to revert
  643  or be in any way impaired by reason of the merger.
  644         3. The merged independent district is in all respects
  645  subject to all obligations and liabilities imposed and possesses
  646  all the rights, powers, and privileges vested by law in other
  647  similar entities.
  648         4. Upon the effective date of the merger, the joint merger
  649  plan or elector-initiated merger plan, as appropriate, is
  650  subordinate in all respects to the contract rights of all
  651  holders of any securities or obligations of the component
  652  independent special districts outstanding at the effective date
  653  of the merger.
  654         5. The new registration of electors is not necessary as a
  655  result of the merger, but all elector registrations of the
  656  component independent special districts shall be transferred to
  657  the proper registration books of the merged independent
  658  district, and new registrations shall be made as provided by law
  659  as if no merger had taken place.
  660         (g) Governing body of merged independent district.
  661         1. From the effective date of the merger until the next
  662  general election, the governing body of the merged independent
  663  district shall be comprised of the governing body members of
  664  each component independent special district, with such members
  665  serving until the governing body members elected at the next
  666  general election take office.
  667         2. Beginning with the next general election following the
  668  effective date of merger, the governing body of the merged
  669  independent district shall be comprised of five members. The
  670  office of each governing body member shall be designated by
  671  seat, which shall be distinguished from other body member seats
  672  by an assigned numeral: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. The governing body
  673  members that are elected in this initial election following the
  674  merger shall serve unequal terms of 2 and 4 years in order to
  675  create staggered membership of the governing body, with:
  676         a. Member seats 1, 3, and 5 being designated for 4-year
  677  terms; and
  678         b. Member seats 2 and 4 being designated for 2-year terms.
  679         3. In general elections thereafter, all governing body
  680  members shall serve 4-year terms.
  681         (h) Effect on employees.—Except as otherwise provided by
  682  law and except for those officials and employees protected by
  683  tenure of office, civil service provisions, or a collective
  684  bargaining agreement, upon the effective date of merger, all
  685  appointive offices and positions existing in all component
  686  independent special districts involved in the merger are subject
  687  to the terms of the joint merger plan or elector-initiated
  688  merger plan, as appropriate. Such plan may provide for instances
  689  in which there are duplications of positions and for other
  690  matters such as varying lengths of employee contracts, varying
  691  pay levels or benefits, different civil service regulations in
  692  the constituent entities, and differing ranks and position
  693  classifications for similar positions. For those employees who
  694  are members of a bargaining unit certified by the Public
  695  Employees Relations Commission, the requirements of chapter 447
  696  apply.
  697         (i) Effect on debts, liabilities, and obligations.
  698         1. All valid and lawful debts and liabilities existing
  699  against a merged independent district, or which may arise or
  700  accrue against the merged independent district, which but for
  701  merger would be valid and lawful debts or liabilities against
  702  one or more of the component independent special districts, are
  703  debts against or liabilities of the merged independent district
  704  and accordingly shall be defrayed and answered to by the merged
  705  independent district to the same extent, and no further than,
  706  the component independent special districts would have been
  707  bound if a merger had not taken place.
  708         2. The rights of creditors and all liens upon the property
  709  of any of the component independent special districts shall be
  710  preserved unimpaired. The respective component districts shall
  711  be deemed to continue in existence to preserve such rights and
  712  liens, and all debts, liabilities, and duties of any of the
  713  component districts attach to the merged independent district.
  714         3. All bonds, contracts, and obligations of the component
  715  independent special districts which exist as legal obligations
  716  are obligations of the merged independent district, and all such
  717  obligations shall be issued or entered into by and in the name
  718  of the merged independent district.
  719         (j) Effect on actions and proceedings.—In any action or
  720  proceeding pending on the effective date of merger to which a
  721  component independent special district is a party, the merged
  722  independent district may be substituted in its place, and the
  723  action or proceeding may be prosecuted to judgment as if merger
  724  had not taken place. Suits may be brought and maintained against
  725  a merged independent district in any state court in the same
  726  manner as against any other independent special district.
  727         (k) Effect on annexation.—Chapter 171 continues to apply to
  728  all annexations by a city within the component independent
  729  special districts’ boundaries after merger occurs. Any moneys
  730  owed to a component independent special district pursuant to s.
  731  171.093, or any interlocal service boundary agreement as a
  732  result of annexation predating the merger, shall be paid to the
  733  merged independent district after merger.
  734         (l) Effect on millage calculations.—The merged independent
  735  special district is authorized to continue or conclude
  736  procedures under chapter 200 on behalf of the component
  737  independent special districts. The merged independent special
  738  district shall make the calculations required by chapter 200 for
  739  each component individual special district separately.
  740         (m) Determination of rights.—If any right, title, interest,
  741  or claim arises out of a merger or by reason thereof which is
  742  not determinable by reference to this subsection, the joint
  743  merger plan or elector-initiated merger plan, as appropriate, or
  744  otherwise under the laws of this state, the governing body of
  745  the merged independent district may provide therefor in a manner
  746  conforming to law.
  747         (n) Exemption.—This subsection does not apply to
  748  independent special districts whose governing bodies are elected
  749  by district landowners voting the acreage owned within the
  750  district.
  751         (o) Preemption.—This subsection preempts any special act to
  752  the contrary.
  753         (6) INVOLUNTARY MERGER OF INDEPENDENT SPECIAL DISTRICTS.—
  754         (a) Independent special districts created by special act.
  755  In order for the Legislature to merge an active independent
  756  special district or districts created and operating pursuant to
  757  a special act, the special act merging the active independent
  758  special district or districts must be approved at separate
  759  referenda of the impacted local governments by a majority of the
  760  resident electors or, for districts in which a majority of
  761  governing board members are elected by landowners, a majority of
  762  the landowners voting in the same manner by which each
  763  independent special district’s governing body is elected. The
  764  special act merging the districts must include a plan of merger
  765  that addresses transition issues such as the effective date of
  766  the merger, governance, administration, powers, pensions, and
  767  assumption of all assets and liabilities. If a local general
  768  purpose government passes an ordinance or resolution in support
  769  of the merger of an active independent special district, the
  770  local general-purpose government must pay any expenses
  771  associated with the referendum required under this paragraph.
  772         (b) Independent special districts created by a county or
  773  municipality.—A county or municipality may merge an independent
  774  special district created by the county or municipality pursuant
  775  to a referendum or any other procedure by which the independent
  776  special district was created. However, if the independent
  777  special district has ad valorem taxation powers, the same
  778  procedure required to grant the independent special district ad
  779  valorem taxation powers is required to merge the district. The
  780  political subdivisions proposing the involuntary merger of an
  781  active independent special district shall pay any expenses
  782  associated with the referendum required under this paragraph.
  783         (c) Inactive independent special districts.—An independent
  784  special district that meets any criteria for being declared
  785  inactive, or that has already been declared inactive, pursuant
  786  to s. 189.4044 may by merged by special act without a
  787  referendum.
  788         (7)(3)EXEMPTIONS.—The provisions of This section does
  789  shall not apply to community development districts implemented
  790  pursuant to chapter 190 or to water management districts created
  791  and operated pursuant to chapter 373.
  792         Section 2. Section 191.014, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  793  read:
  794         191.014 District creation and, expansion, and merger.—
  795         (1) New districts may be created only by the Legislature
  796  under s. 189.404.
  797         (2) The boundaries of a district may be modified, extended,
  798  or enlarged upon approval or ratification by the Legislature.
  799         (3) The merger of a district with all or portions of other
  800  independent special districts or dependent fire control
  801  districts is effective only upon ratification by the
  802  Legislature. A district may not, solely by reason of a merger
  803  with another governmental entity, increase ad valorem taxes on
  804  property within the original limits of the district beyond the
  805  maximum established by the district’s enabling legislation,
  806  unless approved by the electors of the district by referendum.
  807         Section 3. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection
  808  (4) of section 189.4044, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  809         189.4044 Special procedures for inactive districts.—
  810         (1) The department shall declare inactive any special
  811  district in this state by documenting that:
  812         (a) The special district meets one of the following
  813  criteria:
  814         1. The registered agent of the district, the chair of the
  815  governing body of the district, or the governing body of the
  816  appropriate local general-purpose government notifies the
  817  department in writing that the district has taken no action for
  818  2 or more years;
  819         2. Following an inquiry from the department, the registered
  820  agent of the district, the chair of the governing body of the
  821  district, or the governing body of the appropriate local
  822  general-purpose government notifies the department in writing
  823  that the district has not had a governing board or a sufficient
  824  number of governing board members to constitute a quorum for 2
  825  or more years or the registered agent of the district, the chair
  826  of the governing body of the district, or the governing body of
  827  the appropriate local general-purpose government fails to
  828  respond to the department’s inquiry within 21 days;
  829         3. The department determines, pursuant to s. 189.421, that
  830  the district has failed to file any of the reports listed in s.
  831  189.419; or
  832         4. The district has not had a registered office and agent
  833  on file with the department for 1 or more years; or
  834         5. The governing body of a special district provides
  835  documentation to the department that it has unanimously adopted
  836  a resolution declaring the special district inactive. The
  837  special district shall be responsible for payment of any
  838  expenses associated with its dissolution.
  839         (4) The entity that created a special district declared
  840  inactive under this section must dissolve the special district
  841  by repealing its enabling laws or by other appropriate means.
  842  Any special district declared inactive pursuant to subparagraph
  843  (1)(a)5. may be dissolved without a referendum.
  844         Section 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 2012.
  845  
  846  ================= T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================
  847         And the title is amended as follows:
  848         Delete everything before the enacting clause
  849  and insert:
  850                        A bill to be entitled                      
  851         An act relating to special districts; amending s.
  852         189.4042, F.S.; revising provisions relating to merger
  853         and dissolution procedures for special districts;
  854         providing definitions; requiring the merger or
  855         dissolution of dependent special districts created by
  856         a special act to be effectuated by the Legislature;
  857         providing for the merger or dissolution of inactive
  858         special districts by special act without referenda;
  859         providing dissolution procedures for active
  860         independent special districts by special acts and
  861         referenda; providing for the dissolution of inactive
  862         independent special districts by special act;
  863         providing for local governments to assume indebtedness
  864         of, and receive title to property owned by, special
  865         districts under certain circumstances; providing for
  866         the merger of certain independent special districts by
  867         the Legislature; providing procedures and requirements
  868         for the voluntary merger of contiguous independent
  869         special districts; limiting the authority of the
  870         merged district to levy and collect revenue until a
  871         unified charter is approved by the Legislature;
  872         providing for the effect of the merger on employees,
  873         legal liabilities, obligations, proceedings, and
  874         annexation; providing for the determination of certain
  875         rights by the governing body of the merged district;
  876         providing that such provisions preempt certain special
  877         acts; providing procedures and requirements for the
  878         involuntary merger of independent special districts;
  879         providing exemptions from merger and dissolution
  880         procedures; amending s. 191.014, F.S.; deleting a
  881         provision relating to the conditions under which the
  882         merger of independent special districts or dependent
  883         fire control districts with other special districts is
  884         effective and the conditions under which a merged
  885         district is authorized to increase ad valorem taxes;
  886         amending s. 189.4044, F.S.; revising criteria by which
  887         special districts are declared inactive by a governing
  888         body; authorizing such districts to be dissolved
  889         without a referendum; providing an effective date.