Senate Bill 81 proposes significant changes to the regulations surrounding school district operating referenda in Wisconsin. The bill eliminates the option for recurring operating referenda, which previously allowed school districts to permanently exceed their revenue limits. Instead, it restricts operating referenda to nonrecurring purposes only, with a maximum duration of four years. This means that any excess revenue approved through a referendum can only be utilized for a limited time frame, thereby altering the financial planning and budgeting strategies of school districts.

The bill also amends the language regarding the resolution process for exceeding revenue limits. It requires school boards to specify that the proposed excess revenue is for a nonrecurring purpose and to indicate the number of school years the resolution will apply to. Additionally, it clarifies that if any excess revenue is approved for nonrecurring purposes, it will not be included in the base for determining future revenue limits. These changes aim to provide more stringent controls on school district funding and ensure that any additional revenue is temporary rather than permanent.

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