(a) Notwithstanding 20469, if after receiving the approximate contribution quotation the governing body of a county and the presiding officer of a trial court located in the same county intend to approve a proposed joint contract, both shall adopt a resolution giving notice of that intention. Each resolution shall contain a summary of the major provisions of the proposed retirement plan. The contract shall not be approved unless an election has been held to permit the employees proposed to be included in this system to express by secret ballot their approval or disapproval of the retirement proposal. Prior to the election the county governing body and the trial court presiding officer shall be furnished with a schedule of rates of contribution of members, which shall be made available by the governing body and the presiding officer to each employee proposed to be included in this system. The ballot at the election shall include the summary of the retirement plan as set forth in the resolution. The election shall be conducted in the manner prescribed by the governing body and the presiding officer which shall be such as to permit the firefighters, the police officers, the county peace officers, and the other employees proposed to be included in this system to express separately their approval or disapproval.

(b) For all counties that participate in this system by contract with the board as of the implementation date of the Trial Court Employment Protection and Governance Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 71600) of Title 8), the trial court located in the county shall be deemed to elect to participate in this system jointly with the county pursuant to the terms and conditions of the county’s contract with the board. The county’s contract shall be amended to add the trial court as a contracting party. The amended contract shall be deemed adopted by the county. This amendment shall establish a joint contract.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1010, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2001.)