(a) Notwithstanding a provision of a metropolitan government charter or § 7-2-108 to the contrary, the membership of a metropolitan council must not exceed twenty (20) voting members.
(b) If the membership of a metropolitan council is required to be reduced in order to comply with subsection (a), then:(1) [Deleted by 2026 amendment.](2) [Deleted by 2026 amendment.](3) [Deleted by 2026 amendment.](4) The metropolitan council shall take any legislative action required to effectuate this section by resolution receiving an affirmative majority vote of those present and voting, regardless of any provision of a charter or private act to the contrary.
(1) [Deleted by 2026 amendment.]
(2) [Deleted by 2026 amendment.]
(3) [Deleted by 2026 amendment.]
(4) The metropolitan council shall take any legislative action required to effectuate this section by resolution receiving an affirmative majority vote of those present and voting, regardless of any provision of a charter or private act to the contrary.
(c) With respect to metropolitan governments formed after March 9, 2023, the metropolitan council must not be composed of more than twenty (20) voting members. The adopted charter of a newly formed metropolitan government may provide for the initial election of the members of its governing body on a date as set by the charter; provided, that the initial terms do not exceed four (4) years and expire on August 31 after the next subsequent general election held.
(d) This section does not preempt a metropolitan government from specifying in its charter the manner in which to hold a special election to fill a vacancy on the metropolitan council.
(e) This section does not preempt a future change in the size of a metropolitan council through an amendment to the metropolitan charter; provided, that the size of a metropolitan council does not exceed twenty (20) members.