Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to revise the approval thresholds for bond and mill levy elections in Montana by amending several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA). The bill raises the required percentage of qualified electors voting in favor of a bond proposition from 40% to 50% for approval and introduces a tiered approval system. Under this system, if voter turnout is between 40% and 50%, a bond proposition can still be approved if 60% or more of those who voted are in favor. The bill also modifies the approval process for local government tax levies and bond issuances, ensuring that the determination of approval is based on the percentage of qualified electors who voted.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the authority of county sheriffs over search and rescue units, allowing counties to levy taxes to support these units with voter approval. It establishes limitations on the use of obligation proceeds for acquiring real property or constructing facilities, requiring voter approval for such projects. The bill also introduces provisions for establishing building reserve funds and outlines a new method for determining the approval of bond propositions based on voter turnout. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the election processes for bond and mill levy propositions while ensuring proper oversight and accountability in the management of local funding initiatives.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 7-6-2512, 7-6-4431, 7-7-2237, 7-7-4235, 7-12-4244, 7-14-1134, 7-15-4218, 7-16-2102, 7-16-2109, 7-22-2142, 7-31-110, 7-32-235, 7-34-2414, 15-10-425, 20-9-353, 20-9-428, 20-9-471, 20-9-502, 20-9-533, 67-11-303, 76-15-506
SB0205_1(1): 7-6-2512, 7-6-4431, 7-7-2237, 7-7-4235, 7-12-4244, 7-14-1134, 7-15-4218, 7-16-2102, 7-16-2109, 7-22-2142, 7-31-110, 7-32-235, 7-34-2414, 15-10-425, 20-9-353, 20-9-428, 20-9-471, 20-9-502, 20-9-533, 67-11-303, 76-15-506
SB0205_1(2): 7-6-2512, 7-6-4431, 7-7-2237, 7-7-4235, 7-12-4244, 7-14-1134, 7-15-4218, 7-16-2102, 7-16-2109, 7-22-2142, 7-31-110, 7-32-235, 7-34-2414, 15-10-425, 20-9-353, 20-9-428, 20-9-471, 20-9-502, 20-9-533, 67-11-303, 76-15-506
SB0205_1(3): 7-6-2512, 7-6-4431, 7-7-2237, 7-7-4235, 7-12-4244, 7-14-1134, 7-15-4218, 7-16-2102, 7-16-2109, 7-22-2142, 7-31-110, 7-32-235, 7-34-2414, 15-10-425, 20-9-353, 20-9-428, 20-9-471, 20-9-502, 20-9-533, 67-11-303, 76-15-506
SB0205_1(4): 7-6-2512, 7-6-4431, 7-7-2237, 7-7-4235, 7-12-4244, 7-14-1134, 7-15-4218, 7-16-2102, 7-16-2109, 7-22-2142, 7-31-110, 7-32-235, 7-34-2414, 15-10-425, 20-9-353, 20-9-428, 20-9-471, 20-9-502, 20-9-533, 67-11-303, 76-15-506
SB0205_1(5): 7-6-2512, 7-6-4431, 7-7-2237, 7-7-4235, 7-12-4244, 7-14-1134, 7-15-4218, 7-16-2102, 7-16-2109, 7-22-2142, 7-31-110, 7-32-235, 7-34-2414, 15-10-425, 20-9-353, 20-9-428, 20-9-471, 20-9-502, 20-9-533, 67-11-303, 76-15-506
SB0205_1(6): 7-6-2512, 7-6-4431, 7-7-2237, 7-7-4235, 7-12-4244, 7-14-1134, 7-15-4218, 7-16-2102, 7-16-2109, 7-22-2142, 7-31-110, 7-32-235, 7-34-2414, 15-10-425, 20-9-353, 20-9-428, 20-9-471, 20-9-502, 20-9-533, 67-11-303, 76-15-506
SB0205_1: 7-6-2512, 7-6-4431, 7-7-2237, 7-7-4235, 7-12-4244, 7-14-1134, 7-15-4218, 7-16-2102, 7-16-2109, 7-22-2142, 7-31-110, 7-32-235, 7-34-2414, 15-10-425, 20-9-353, 20-9-428, 20-9-471, 20-9-502, 20-9-533, 67-11-303, 76-15-506