1. (1) An optional plan proposing an alternate form of government for a county may be adopted as provided in this chapter.

2. (2) The process to adopt an optional plan establishing an alternate form of county government may be initiated by:

   1. (a) the county legislative body as provided in Section 17-62-302; or
   2. (b) registered voters of the county as provided in Section 17-62-303.

3. (3)

   1. (a) If the process to adopt an optional plan is initiated under Laws of Utah 1973, Chapter 26, Section 3, 4, or 5, or Section 17-62-302 or 17-62-303, the county legislative body may not initiate the process again under Section 17-62-302, and registered voters may not initiate the process again under Section 17-62-303, until:

      1. (i) the first initiated process concludes with an election under Section 17-62-501;
      2. (ii) the first initiated process concludes under Subsection 17-62-402(7) because the study committee recommended that the county's form of government not change; or
      3. (iii) the first initiated process concludes because registered voters fail to submit a sufficient number of valid signatures for a petition before the deadline described in Subsection 17-62-303(2)(c).
   2. (b) A county legislative body may not initiate the process to adopt an optional plan under Section 17-62-302 within four years of an election at which voters first elect elected county officials in accordance with Section 17-62-503 and as specified in an optional plan proposed as a result of a process initiated by the county legislative body.
   3. (c) Registered voters of a county may not initiate the process to adopt an optional plan under Section 17-62-303 within four years of an election at which voters first elect elected county officials in accordance with Section 17-62-503 and as specified in an optional plan proposed as a result of a process initiated by registered voters.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 13, 2025 Special Session 1