SF2713

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to clarify and outline the conditions under which a school board in Minnesota can renew an expiring referendum without holding an election.

Main Provisions

• Renewal Requirements: The school board may renew a referendum if the per pupil funding amount remains the same as the expiring referendum. If the expiring referendum was adjusted for inflation each year, the renewed amount should also include similar inflation adjustments.
• Term Limit: The renewed referendum cannot have a term longer than the one initially approved by voters.
• Adoption Process: The school board must adopt the renewal through a recorded vote with a written resolution. This process should include a public meeting where testimony on the renewal can be heard.
• Renewal Frequency: A referendum that has already been renewed under this provision cannot be renewed again through the same process.
• Timing of Resolution: The resolution for renewal must be adopted by the school board not earlier than July 1, two fiscal years before the referendum expires, and not later than June 15 of the fiscal year prior to expiration.
• Submission Requirement: The adopted resolution must be submitted to the commissioner and county auditor by August 15 of the calendar year the resolution is adopted, which should be before the fiscal year when the referendum expires.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill specifies that a school board can renew an expiring referendum under specific conditions without requiring an election.
• It establishes exact timeframes and formalities for the adoption and submission of the renewal resolution, providing clearer guidance than previous statutes.

Relevant Terms

• Referendum renewal, school board action, inflation adjustment, recorded vote, public testimony, fiscal year, commissioner submission.