HB 1300 Summary

• Raises the population threshold for first class city status from 500,000 to 1,500,000, making second class cities those with populations between 35,000 and 1,499,999.

• Establishes a deconsolidation process triggered when a consolidated city's population falls below the first class city threshold, creating a reorganization committee with representatives from the consolidated city, county, excluded cities, schools, townships, and county officials.

• Requires the reorganization committee to develop a comprehensive restructuring plan addressing government boundaries, service areas, personnel, assets, liabilities, tax levies, and election districts for approval by county voters.

• Provides that if voters approve the reorganization plan, the consolidated city and other political subdivisions are reorganized accordingly; if voters reject it, the consolidated city becomes a second class city and standard county governance applies.

• Takes effect January 1, 2013, with certain provisions effective July 1, 2012.