(a)  Before circulating any petition, the proponents shall publish a notice of intention that includes a written statement not to exceed 500 words in length, setting forth the reasons for forming the district and the methods by which the district will be financed. The notice shall be published pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code in one or more newspapers of general circulation within the territory proposed to be included in the district. If the territory proposed to be included in the district is located in more than one county, publication of the notice shall be made in at least one newspaper of general circulation in each of the counties.

(b)  The following shall be signed by a representative of the proponent, and shall be in substantially the following form:

“Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition

“Notice is hereby given of the intention to circulate a petition proposing to form the _______________ (name of the district). The reasons for forming the proposed district are: _______________. The method(s) by which the proposed district will be financed are: _______________.”

(c)  Within five days after the date of publication, the proponents shall file with the executive officer of the local agency formation commission of the principal county a copy of the notice together with an affidavit made by a representative of the newspaper in which the notice was published certifying to the fact of the publication.

(d)  After the filing required pursuant to subdivision (c), the petition may be circulated for signatures.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 395, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2003.)