This bill provides school districts that have transitioned their annual elections to November with the ability to submit separate proposals for additional funding for both the current and subsequent budget years. It allows these districts to seek voter approval for distinct proposals aimed at raising the general fund tax levy for specific purposes. Notably, if a district's proposal for the subsequent budget year is approved, it is restricted from increasing its adjusted tax levy for that year by any amount authorized in the proposal. The bill also mandates that districts demonstrate administrative efficiency before requesting additional funds, ensuring that such proposals are justified.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws related to budget submissions and the approval process for additional funding. It requires districts to submit the final budget to the commissioner within 15 days if a funding proposal is approved, while a temporary budget will serve as the final budget if the proposal is rejected. Additionally, it clarifies that proposals for tax levy increases must exclude programs necessary for students to meet core curriculum standards and mandates that all proposals include interpretive statements regarding the intended use of funds and the nature of the tax levy increase. The bill is set to take effect immediately, applying first to the 2019-2020 school year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:7F-5, 18A:7F-5.4, 18A:7F-5.5, 18A:7F-5.6, 18A:7F-37, 18A:7F-39