§ 11-36a-705. Arbitration.

(1) A person or entity intending to challenge an impact fee under Section 11-36a-703 shall file a written request for arbitration with the local political subdivision within the time limitation described in Section 11-36a-702 for the applicable type of challenge.

(2) If a person or an entity files a written request for arbitration under Subsection (1), an arbitrator or arbitration panel shall be selected as follows:

(a) the local political subdivision and the person or entity filing the request may agree on a single arbitrator within 10 days after the day on which the request for arbitration is filed; or

(b) if a single arbitrator is not agreed to in accordance with Subsection (2)(a), an arbitration panel shall be created with the following members:

(i) each party shall select an arbitrator within 20 days after the date the request is filed; and

(ii) the arbitrators selected under Subsection (2)(b)(i) shall select a third arbitrator.

(3) The arbitration panel shall hold a hearing on the challenge no later than 30 days after the day on which:

(a) the single arbitrator is agreed on under Subsection (2)(a); or

(b) the two arbitrators are selected under Subsection (2)(b)(i).

(4) The arbitrator or arbitration panel shall issue a decision in writing no later than 10 days after the day on which the hearing described in Subsection (3) is completed.

(5) Except as provided in this section, each arbitration shall be governed by Title 78B, Chapter 11, Utah Uniform Arbitration Act.

(6) The parties may agree to:

(a) binding arbitration;

(b) formal, nonbinding arbitration; or

(c) informal, nonbinding arbitration.

(7) If the parties agree in writing to binding arbitration:

(a) the arbitration shall be binding;

(b) the decision of the arbitration panel shall be final;

(c) neither party may appeal the decision of the arbitration panel; and

(d) notwithstanding Subsection (10), the person or entity challenging the impact fee may not also challenge the impact fee under Subsection 11-36a-701(1) or Subsection 11-36a-703(2)(a) or (2)(c).

(8)

(a) Except as provided in Subsection (8)(b), if the parties agree to formal, nonbinding arbitration, the arbitration shall be governed by the provisions of Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act.

(b) For purposes of applying Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act, to a formal, nonbinding arbitration under this section, notwithstanding Section 63G-4-502, "agency" means a local political subdivision.

(9)

(a) An appeal from a decision in an informal, nonbinding arbitration may be filed with the district court in which the local political subdivision is located.

(b) An appeal under Subsection (9)(a) shall be filed within 30 days after the day on which the arbitration panel issues a decision under Subsection (4).

(c) The district court shall consider de novo each appeal filed under this Subsection (9).

(d) Notwithstanding Subsection (10), a person or entity that files an appeal under this Subsection (9) may not also challenge the impact fee under Subsection 11-36a-701(1) or Subsection 11-36a-703(2)(a) or (2)(c).

(10)

(a) Except as provided in Subsections (7)(d) and (9)(d), this section may not be construed to prohibit a person or entity from challenging an impact fee as provided in Subsection 11-36a-701(1) or Subsection 11-36a-703(2)(a) or (2)(c).

(b) The filing of a written request for arbitration within the required time in accordance with Subsection (1) tolls all time limitations under Section 11-36a-702 until the day on which the arbitration panel issues a decision.

(11) The person or entity filing a request for arbitration and the local political subdivision shall equally share all costs of an arbitration proceeding under this section.

Enacted by Chapter 47, 2011 General Session