ELECTIONS ONLY IN AUGUST OR NOVEMBER

FOR CERTAIN SCHOOL FINANCE VOTES

House Bills 5115 & 5116

Sponsor:  Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons

Committee:  Elections and Ethics

Complete to 11-6-13

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILLS 5115 AND 5116 AS INTRODUCED 10-30-13

The bills would require that school officials schedule only August or November elections when they seek voter authorization to levy millages, create sinking funds, and issue bonds.

House Bill 5115 would amend the Revised School Code (MCL 380.6) to amend the definition of "special school election." 

House Bill 5116 would amend the Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.312 & 168.641) to allow a school board to submit a ballot question to the school electors at the district's regular election or at a special election held on the August or November regular election date if the ballot question involved borrowing money; establishing, increasing, or renewing a millage; creating or modifying a sinking fund (as provided in Section 1212 of the Revised School Code); or issuing or modifying a bond.

The August regular election date is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in August, and the November regular election date is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.  The term applies to both odd-numbered years and even-numbered years

FISCAL IMPACT:

As written, the bill could reduce costs for local units of government.  Cost reductions would occur to the extent that the bill decreases the number of local elections.  The bills would create savings for local school districts to the extent that it limits the number of stand-alone elections for which the ballot includes only school district questions.

 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                 Fiscal Analysts:   Adam Desrosiers

                                                                                                                           Bethany Wicksall

                                                                                                                           Karen Shapiro

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.