The proposed bill would update current statutes related to school district budget override elections and bond issuance by introducing new requirements for ballot information. Specifically, the bill mandates that ballots for budget override continuation elections must include the estimated average secondary property tax reduction if the override is not authorized, along with the date this reduction would begin. This requirement applies to both general budget overrides and those funded by a secondary property tax levy. Additionally, ballots for bond issuance elections would also need to state the estimated average secondary property tax reduction without bond authorization and the date on which this reduction would commence. These changes aim to enhance voter transparency regarding the financial implications of their decisions. Moreover, the bill proposes updates to the Arizona Revised Statutes by clarifying the requirements for arguments submitted for and against proposed budget increases, including the necessity for sworn statements and the inclusion of submitters' names in an informational pamphlet. It also modifies existing language to ensure consistency in terminology, such as changing "person" to "individual," and updates the maximum allowable budget increase without an election from "fifty thousand dollars" to "$50,000." Overall, these updates are designed to improve the clarity and effectiveness of the election process for school budget increases.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-481, 15-491, 15-949, 16-204, 15-905, 42-12003, 42-12001, 15-422, 15-423, 15-424, 15-426, 15-403, 15-947, 15-482, 15-971, 15-447, 15-342, 15-493, 15-401, 15-402
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-481, 15-491, 15-949, 16-204, 15-905, 42-12003, 42-12001, 15-422, 15-423, 15-424, 15-426, 15-403, 15-947, 15-482, 15-971, 15-447, 15-342, 15-493, 15-401, 15-402