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HF1550 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

School district authorized to reauthorize a capital projects referendum by board action.

Related bill: SF1460

AI Generated Summary

This bill, H.F. No. 1550, proposes amendments to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 123B.63, subdivision 3, concerning capital projects levy referendums for school districts.

Key Provisions:

  1. School Board Authority to Renew Levy

    • Allows a school board to renew an expiring capital projects referendum without voter approval under certain conditions:
      • The renewal amount is not higher than the expiring referendum.
      • The renewed term does not exceed the original referendum term.
      • The school board holds a public meeting, allows public testimony, and formally adopts a written resolution approving the renewal.
      • The expiring referendum has not previously been renewed by board action.

  2. Timing and Notification Requirements

    • The school board must adopt the renewal resolution by June 15 of the year it takes effect.
    • The renewal becomes effective 60 days after adoption.
    • The referendum can be renewed no earlier than two fiscal years before its scheduled expiration.
    • Copies of the resolution must be submitted to the Commissioner of Education and county auditor by September 1 of the year the resolution is adopted.

  3. Existing Referendum Rules Remain

    • It maintains that a referendum can still be approved by voter election, either separately or in conjunction with issuing bonds.
    • Ballot requirements include a description of the project, cost, tax impact, and duration of the levy.
    • The ballot must indicate if the levy is a renewal at the same tax rate.

Impact:

  • Gives school boards more flexibility to continue capital project funding without the cost and uncertainty of holding an election.
  • Limits board authority by capping renewal terms and prohibiting multiple board-initiated renewals.
  • Increases transparency by requiring public meetings and official notifications.

The bill aims to streamline school funding processes while maintaining accountability to taxpayers.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 25, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toEducation Finance
February 25, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toEducation Finance

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allows school boards to renew expiring capital projects referendums by board action under certain conditions."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 123B.63 subdivision 3 to authorize a school district to reauthorize a capital projects referendum by board action.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the conditions under which a school board can renew a referendum directly without voter approval."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "123B.63",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Refers to the authorized dates for holding referendums.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "205A.05",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section refers to requirements that must be met for projects funded under the capital project levy.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "123B.71",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Details conditions requiring a positive review and comment by the commissioner for certain projects.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "123B.71",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 8"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section relates to the ballot notice modification for renewing capital project referendums.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "275.60",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

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