In the case of registered voter districts or cities, where a change of organization or reorganization consists solely of annexations, detachments, the exercise of new or different functions or class of services or the divestiture of the power to provide particular functions or class of services within all or part of the jurisdictional boundaries of a special district, or any combination of those proposals, the commission, not more than 30 days after the conclusion of the hearing, shall make a finding regarding the value of written protests filed and not withdrawn, and take one of the following actions, except as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 57002:

(a) In the case of inhabited territory, take one of the following actions:

(1) Terminate proceedings if a majority protest exists in accordance with Section 57078.

(2) Order the change of organization or reorganization subject to confirmation by the registered voters residing within the affected territory if written protests have been filed and not withdrawn by either of the following:

(A) At least 25 percent, but less than 50 percent, of the registered voters residing in the affected territory.

(B) At least 25 percent of the number of owners of land who also own at least 25 percent of the assessed value of land within the affected territory.

(3) Order the change of organization or reorganization without an election if paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subdivision do not apply.

(b) In the case of uninhabited territory, take either of the following actions:

(1) Terminate proceedings if a majority protest exists in accordance with Section 57078.

(2) Order the change of organization or reorganization if written protests have been filed and not withdrawn by owners of land who own less than 50 percent of the total assessed value of land within the affected territory.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 114, Sec. 15. (AB 1532) Effective January 1, 2016.)