As used in this part, the term:(1) “Component independent special district” means an independent special district that proposes to be merged into a merged independent district, or an independent special district as it existed before its merger into the merged independent district of which it is now a part.
(2) “Elector-initiated merger plan” means the merger plan of two or more independent special districts, a majority of whose qualified electors have elected to merge, which outlines the terms and agreements for the official merger of the districts and is finalized and approved by the governing bodies of the districts pursuant to this part.
(3) “Governing body” means the governing body of the independent special district in which the general legislative, governmental, or public powers of the district are vested and by authority of which the official business of the district is conducted.
(4) “Initiative” means the filing of a petition containing a proposal for a referendum to be placed on the ballot for election.
(5) “Joint merger plan” means the merger plan that is adopted by resolution of the governing bodies of two or more independent special districts that outlines the terms and agreements for the official merger of the districts and that is finalized and approved by the governing bodies pursuant to this part.
(6) “Merged independent district” means a single independent special district that results from a successful merger of two or more independent special districts pursuant to this part.
(7) “Merger” means the combination of two or more contiguous independent special districts resulting in a newly created merged independent district that assumes jurisdiction over all of the component independent special districts.
(8) “Merger plan” means a written document that contains the terms, agreements, and information regarding the merger of two or more independent special districts.
(9) “Proposed elector-initiated merger plan” means a written document that contains the terms and information regarding the merger of two or more independent special districts and that accompanies the petition initiated by the qualified electors of the districts but that is not yet finalized and approved by the governing bodies of each component independent special district pursuant to this part.
(10) “Proposed joint merger plan” means a written document that contains the terms and information regarding the merger of two or more independent special districts and that has been prepared pursuant to a resolution of the governing bodies of the districts but that is not yet finalized and approved by the governing bodies of each component independent special district pursuant to this part.
(11) “Qualified elector” means an individual at least 18 years of age who is a citizen of the United States, a permanent resident of this state, and a resident of the district who registers with the supervisor of elections of a county within which the district lands are located when the registration books are open.
