The bill amends various sections of the North Dakota Century Code to enhance the processes surrounding school district debt limits and municipal bond elections. It permits 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 amendments clarify voter notification requirements and establish conditions under which municipalities can incur debt, including a limit of five percent of the assessed value of taxable property, with provisions for additional increases under certain circumstances. Notably, the bill removes specific language regarding election notices and introduces new provisions detailing the bond issuance process and protest requirements, while ensuring that property owners' rights are protected.

Additionally, the bill allows cities with populations of 25,000 or more to utilize specific provisions for funding the construction and improvement of bypass routes and other highway intersections outside their corporate limits, contingent upon a resolution from the city governing body. It also enables municipalities affected by disasters to issue general obligation bonds without an election, allowing for tax levies for bond retirement without typical legal constraints. The bill further refines the election process for general obligation bonds, mandating that elections for various entities coincide with statewide elections and clarifying notification and election material sharing requirements. It modifies ballot requirements for bond elections, ensuring separate ballots while removing the provision that excluded spoiled or blank ballots from being counted.

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