Assembly Bill 71 proposes significant changes to the regulations surrounding school district operating referenda in Wisconsin. The bill eliminates the option for recurring operating referenda, which currently allows school districts to permanently exceed their revenue limits through voter approval. Instead, it restricts operating referenda to nonrecurring purposes only, with a maximum duration of four years. This means that any excess revenue approved by referendum can only be utilized for a limited time frame, thereby altering the financial planning and budgeting processes for school districts.

The bill also amends specific sections of the statutes to reflect these changes. For instance, it requires school boards to specify that any proposed excess revenue is for a nonrecurring purpose and limits the resolution to apply for no more than four school years. Additionally, the language regarding the ballot for the referendum is updated to clarify that it must indicate the amount allocated for nonrecurring purposes. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that excess revenue approved for nonrecurring purposes will not be included in the base for determining future revenue limits, ensuring that these funds do not have a lasting impact on the district's financial framework.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 121.91(3)(a)1, 121.91, 121.91(3)(c), 121.91(7)