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 mandates that the election question be clearly stated in the notice. Additionally, it modifies municipal borrowing powers, stipulating that municipalities cannot incur debt exceeding five percent of the assessed value of taxable property without voter approval, and introduces new provisions for bond issuance, including a two-thirds voter approval requirement for certain improvements.

Moreover, the bill permits cities with populations of 25,000 or more to fund construction and 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 process for calling elections regarding general obligation bonds is refined, requiring that these elections coincide with statewide primary or general elections, and it clarifies the requirements for written protests against bond resolutions. The bill also modifies ballot requirements for bond elections, ensuring ballots are separate but may be on the same paper or electronic format, and removes the restriction on counting spoiled or blank ballots.

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