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SF2713 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

School board renewal of an expiring referendum requirements clarification provision

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to clarify the requirements for school boards in Minnesota when renewing an expiring referendum related to education finance. It addresses the procedures and limitations for such renewals.

Main Provisions

  • Renewal Without Election: School boards may renew expiring referendums through board action instead of holding an election, given certain conditions are met.
  • Conditions for Renewal:
    1. The per pupil amount proposed for renewal must match the expiring amount or be adjusted for inflation if previously adjusted.
    2. The renewal period cannot exceed the initial term approved by voters.
    3. The school board must adopt a written resolution authorizing the renewal after a public meeting and recorded vote.
    4. A referendum that has been renewed once under this provision cannot be renewed again without voter approval.
  • Timing and Effectiveness:
    • The resolution for renewal must be passed between July 1 of the year that's two fiscal years before the expiry and June 15 of the year before the fiscal year the referendum expires.
    • The resolution becomes effective 60 days after its adoption.
    • The school board can renew an expiring referendum up to two fiscal years before its expiration.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Establishes a clearer timeline and conditions under which a school board can renew an expiring referendum without needing a voter election, provided certain criteria are fulfilled.
  • Specifies documentation submission requirements, including submitting the board's resolution to the commissioner and county auditor by August 15 of the year in which the resolution was adopted.

Relevant Terms

  • School board
  • Education finance
  • Expiring referendum
  • Per pupil amount
  • Inflation adjustment
  • Written resolution
  • Public testimony
  • Commissioner
  • County auditor

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 19, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 19, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toEducation Finance

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Added provisions specifying the timing for the adoption of a resolution by the school board."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends the procedures for renewal of an expiring referendum by a school board under Minnesota Statutes section 126C.17, subdivision 9b.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification on the term limits of the renewed referendum.",
        "Adjusted submission deadlines for the adopted resolution to the commissioner and county auditor."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "126C.17",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 9b"
  }
]

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