(a) If the board does not adopt supervisorial district boundaries by the deadlines set forth in Section 21501, the board shall immediately petition the superior court of the county for an order adopting supervisorial district boundaries. If the board does not petition the superior court within five days after the deadline, any resident of the county may file that petition and shall be entitled to recover the resident’s reasonable attorney’s fees and costs from the county for doing so.

(b) (1) Upon finding that a petition filed pursuant to subdivision (a) is valid, the superior court shall adopt supervisorial district boundaries in accordance with the criteria set forth in Section 21500, which shall be used in the county’s next regular election. The superior court may also order the adjustment of electoral deadlines as necessary to implement the new supervisorial district boundaries in the next regular election.

(2) The superior court may appoint a special master to assist the court with adopting the supervisorial district boundaries. The county shall pay the cost for the special master and associated costs.

(3) The superior court or the special master shall hold one or more public hearings before the superior court adopts the supervisorial district boundaries.

(4) Subject to the approval of the superior court, the special master may employ redistricting experts or other consultants or counsel, independent experts in the field of redistricting and computer technology, and other necessary personnel to assist them in their work. In addition, the special master may seek the full cooperation of the county in producing and using whatever data, computer models and programs, and technical assistance that was made available to the board and county personnel who are knowledgeable in the mechanics of drafting redistricting legislation. The superior court may assist the special master in securing the necessary personnel and the physical facilities required for their work, and to prepare for the prompt submission to the county of a request for county funding for the necessary expenses of the special master and the special master’s staff.

(5) The supervisorial district boundaries adopted by the superior court shall be immediately effective in the same manner as if the court’s order were an enacted resolution or ordinance of the board.

(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 557, Sec. 13. (AB 849) Effective January 1, 2020.)