This bill amends various sections of the North Dakota Century Code related to school district debt limits, municipal bond elections, and ballot content. It allows school district boards to present questions about increasing their debt limits during regular or special elections, either through a resolution or in response to a petition from qualified electors. The bill clarifies voter notification requirements and sets conditions for municipalities to incur debt, capping it at five percent of the assessed value of taxable property, with potential for increases under certain circumstances. Key changes include the removal of specific language regarding election notices and the introduction of new provisions requiring municipalities to publish initial resolutions for bond issuance in official newspapers.

Additionally, the bill permits cities with populations of 25,000 or more to fund improvements on federal or state highways outside their corporate limits, provided the governing body determines it is in the city's best interest. It also allows municipalities affected by disasters to issue general obligation bonds without an election for emergency costs and to levy taxes for bond retirement without legal limitations. The amendments further specify that elections for approving general obligation bonds must align with statewide primary or general elections, clarify protest procedures against bond resolutions, and outline the timing and content of ballots. Notably, the bill removes the provision that spoiled or blank ballots cannot be counted for or against the proposed bond issue.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 21-03-04, 21-03-07
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Wagner: 15.1-07-03, 15.1-07-04, 21-03-04, 21-03-07, 21-03-11, 21-03-13
Enrollment: 15.1-07-03, 15.1-07-04, 21-03-04, 21-03-07, 21-03-11, 21-03-13