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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
school bonds; sixty percent vote
Purpose
Subject to voter approval, constitutionally requires questions on school district bond issuance at an election to receive at least 60 percent of votes in favor of the bond issuance to be approved.
Background
A school district governing board (governing board) may, and on petition of 15 percent of the school district electors must, hold an election to decide whether school district bonds will be issued and sold to raise monies for specified purposes in the number and amount provided and payable from the school district's debt service fund. A ballot for an election to decide whether a district may issue bonds must contain outlined information, including the total amount of monies that will be raised by issuing the bonds (A.R.S. § 15-491).
The official results of a school district bond election must be delivered to the county board of supervisors (county BOS) or the appropriate county elections officer. Within 30 days of the election, the county BOS or county elections officer must canvass the results of the election (A.R.S. § 15-493).
Upon receipt of the certificate that a majority of votes cast in the school district bond election favors the issuance of bonds, the governing board must issue the bonds in the number and amount provided in the proceedings. Monies to redeem bonds and pay interest are raised by assessing secondary property taxes in the school district (A.R.S. § 15-1023).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires questions on school district bond issuance at an election to receive at least 60 percent of votes in favor of the bond issuance to be approved.
2. Makes technical and conforming changes.
3. Requires the Secretary of State to submit the proposition to the voters at the next general election.
4. Becomes effective if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 16, 2025
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