SJ0006

Proposes a constitutional amendment transferring primary responsibility for school capital construction from the state to local school districts, with mandatory state equalization funding and optional additional state assistance.

• Establishes that each local school district shall be primarily responsible for providing school facilities through bonds or other means. (Article 7, Section 24(a)(i))
• Requires that voter decisions in elections authorizing school capital expenditures are final, and neither school districts nor the state must fund capital projects rejected by voters. (Article 7, Section 24(a)(ii))
• Mandates equalization of bond costs and interest so that a school district's required mill levy does not exceed what the levy would be if the district had assessed valuation equal to the state average per person, using federal census data for population. (Article 7, Section 24(a)(iii))
• Allows equalization funding to come from legislative appropriations or dedicated revenue sources, and authorizes a statewide mill levy if necessary, with compliance with state debt limits determined using only the school district's share of payment. (Article 7, Section 24(a)(iv))
• Requires the legislature to establish a system to determine which capital facilities are not needed for education and therefore exempt from equalization requirements. (Article 7, Section 24(a)(v))
• Authorizes the legislature to appropriate funds to relieve hardship experienced by school districts. (Article 7, Section 24(a)(vi))
• Directs the Secretary of State to endorse a statement explaining that the amendment reverses the 2001 State v. Campbell County School District decision and restores local school capital construction financing with state equalization aid. (Section 2)

AI-generated summary · Verify against the official text (PDF) · Notice a problem? Let us know