Sec. 23.5. This section does not apply to a final plan of reorganization that is adopted and rescinded by the legislative body of a political subdivision under section 27.5 of this chapter. If the legislative bodies of all political subdivisions that have been presented with (before January 1, 2014) an initial plan of reorganization prepared under section 18 of this chapter or that have prepared (after December 31, 2013) an initial plan of reorganization under section 18 of this chapter, have not adopted a final plan of reorganization within one (1) year after the initial plan of reorganization is presented, the registered voters of a political subdivision in which the initial plan of reorganization was presented to a legislative body (before January 1, 2014) or prepared by a legislative body (after December 31, 2013) but not adopted may submit a petition to the clerk of the circuit court approving a final plan of reorganization and requesting that a public question be held on the final plan of reorganization. The petition must be submitted not later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the date that is one (1) year after the initial plan of reorganization was presented to the legislative body (before January 1, 2014) or prepared by the legislative body (after December 31, 2013). A petition submitted after December 31, 2013, must meet the requirements of section 11(a)(3) of this chapter. In certifying the number of voters, the clerk shall disregard any signature on the petition that is dated under section 11(a)(3)(D) of this chapter more than one hundred eighty (180) days before the date the petition was filed with the clerk. If the petition is signed by at least ten percent (10%) of the voters of the political subdivision, as determined by the vote cast in the political subdivision for secretary of state at the most recent general election:

(1) the political subdivision is considered to have approved the holding of the public question on the final plan of reorganization, notwithstanding the vote by the legislative body rejecting the final plan of reorganization; and

(2) the clerk of the circuit court shall certify approval of the final plan of the reorganization and the holding of the public question in the manner specified in section 23 of this chapter.

As added by P.L.186-2006, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.202-2013, SEC.15.