School districts currently can impose an excess tax levy (additional property tax) with a two-thirds board vote, and this bill modifies the petition process that allows taxpayers to refer such levies to a public vote. The specific changes to the petition requirements are shown in the amended section, though the bill text excerpt provided doesn't clearly display those petition-related modifications due to formatting.
The amendment increases the threshold for triggering a referendum petition on excess tax levies by requiring signatures from at least five percent of "voters who cast a vote in the most recent regular school district election or fifty voters, whichever is greater" instead of just "fifty registered voters," and extends the filing deadline from nineteen days to forty days after the first publication. This change STRENGTHENS the bill's original purpose by making it harder for citizens to force a public vote on school tax increases while giving them more time to gather signatures.
Other amendments
House of Representatives Reconsidered Failed, YEAS 31, NAYS 34. H.J. 468
House of Representatives Intent to reconsider H.J. 459
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended Failed, YEAS 32, NAYS 34. H.J. 459
Education Do Pass Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 7.
Education Scheduled for hearing
First read in House and referred to House Education H.J. 356
Senate Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 20, NAYS 14. S.J. 281
Senate Deferred to another day S.J. 245
State Affairs Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 3. S.J. 21
State Affairs Motion to amend S.J. 21
State Affairs Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
First read in Senate and referred to Senate State Affairs S.J. 179
Prime sponsor · Sen.
R
Reconsidered
Do Pass Amended
Education — Do Pass
Do Pass Amended
State Affairs — Do Pass Amended