(a)    (1)    The Department has primary responsibility for preparing proposed amendments to the Plan.

(2)    For the purpose of updating the Plan, the Department and the Commission shall together consider draft amendments to the Plan at least once every 5 years starting with October 1, 1995.

(3)    In preparing a proposed amendment, the Department shall consult with local jurisdictions and appropriate units of the State government, who shall:

(i)    provide the Department with pertinent information, including information on implementation of the Plan; and

(ii)    cooperate with and assist the Department in preparing the proposed amendment.

(b)    Before the Department presents a proposed amendment to the Plan to local jurisdictions for their approval, the Commission shall:

(1)    review and comment on the proposed amendment and work with the Department in making any modifications to the proposed amendment that the Commission considers necessary;

(2)    distribute copies of the proposed amendment to the Governor, appropriate members of the General Assembly, the local jurisdictions entitled to voting representation on the Commission, other affected local jurisdictions, and appropriate units of the State government, for their information and comments; and

(3)    conduct at least 1 public hearing on the proposed amendment.

(c)    After a proposed amendment to the Plan has been acted on by the Commission, the Department may present the proposed amendment to the governing bodies of the local jurisdictions entitled to voting representation on the Commission, for their approval, by resolution. The Department shall include any comments made by the Commission.

(d)    (1)    If the governing bodies of 6 of the 8 local jurisdictions entitled to voting representation on the Commission approve the proposed amendment, the Department shall present the proposed amendment to the General Assembly. The Department shall include any comments made by the Commission or by the governing bodies.

(2)    If the General Assembly, by joint resolution, approves the proposed amendment, the effective date of the amendment is immediate, unless otherwise specified in the amendment.