(a) A general law borough or first class city may adopt a charter for its own government.

(b) [Repealed, § 31 ch 58 SLA 1994.]

(c) At an incorporation, merger, or consolidation election a municipality may adopt a charter for its own government and incorporate, merge, or consolidate as a home rule city, borough, or unified municipality.

(d) A home rule municipality may adopt a new charter.

(e) A proposed charter for an existing municipality is prepared by a charter commission of seven elected members. A charter commission election is called by filing a petition with the governing body or by resolution of the governing body. The petition shall be signed by a number of voters equal to 15 percent of the votes cast in the last regular election in the municipality. The petition shall be prepared by the municipal clerk upon receipt of an application meeting the requirements of AS 29.26.110 except that instead of containing an ordinance or resolution the application shall request a charter commission election. The petition shall be prepared in accordance with AS 29.26.120, except material required under AS 29.26.120(a)(1) and (2) shall be replaced with the question of whether a charter commission shall be formed. The signature requirements of AS 29.26.130(a), (c), and (d) apply to the petition. The completed petition shall be submitted to the clerk who shall deliver it to the governing body with a report of the number of valid signatures determined by the clerk to be on the petition.

(f) The proposed charter for a home rule municipality to be formed by incorporation, merger, or consolidation shall be prepared by the petitioners and filed with the petition to incorporate, merge, or consolidate a home rule city, borough, or unified municipality.