SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5885

BYSenators Rinehart and Gaspard

Authorizing the construction or renovation of community school facilities.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 27, 1989

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-74220

AS OF FEBRUARY 27, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, school districts, but not community college districts or the state college or universities, may levy property taxes or issue general obligation bonds, subject to voter approval, for capital purposes.  It is suggested that providing higher education institutions with voter approved levy and bonding authority for the purpose of building multipurpose community facilities would enhance curriculum opportunities for students in the common schools and colleges and universities, and promote greater collaboration between higher education institutions and common schools.

SUMMARY:

A community school facility is defined as a multipurpose community facility which can be used for preschool through grade 12, community college, or state college or university programs, or any combination, can be offered and which can support community education programs.

School districts are required to lease for a reasonable fee vacant school plant facilities from a community college district or a state college or university subject to certain conditions.

Any combination of a state college or university board of trustees or regents, a community college district board of trustees, and a school district board of directors may submit jointly to the voters of the school district, and the voters of the community college district in which the school district is located, and the voters of the congressional district in which the state college or university campus, program or facility is located, a ballot proposition for a levy or bond issue for the construction, renovation or repair of a community school facility.

The state college and universities are authorized with the community colleges and school districts to enter into agreements for the use of each other's services, facilities, or equipment to present courses to each other's students.

Bonds issued by a school district to provide funds for community college facilities or community school facilities are not indebtedness in determining the district's maximum allowance indebtedness.  Such bonds may be issued only once by a school district in a ten-year period.

Community college districts may levy an ad valorem property tax, in excess of the 1 percent limitation, upon the property in the district, for a one-year period for capital purposes, subject to approval by the voters residing in the district.

Community college districts, subject to voter approval, may issue general obligation bonds, together with any outstanding general obligation indebtedness, not to exceed 2.5 percent of the value of the taxable property in the district, for the construction of a community school facility, or the modernization, renovation, or repair of a facility to be used as a community school facility.

Community college districts may retire voter approved general obligation bonds for capital purposes, by, subject to voter approval, levying bond retirement ad valorem property tax levies in excess of the 1 percent limitation.

A state college of university may levy an ad valorem property tax, in excess of the 1 percent limitation, upon the property in the district, for a one-year period for capital purposes, subject to approval by the voters residing in the district.

A state college or university, subject to voter approval, may issue general obligation bonds, together with any outstanding general obligation indebtedness, not to exceed 2.5 percent of the value of the taxable property in the district, for the construction of a community school facility, or the modernization, renovation, or repair of a facility to be used as a community school facility.

A state college or university may retire voter approved general obligation bonds for capital purposes, by, subject to voter approval, levying bond retirement ad valorem property tax levies in excess of the 1 percent limitation.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 27, 1989

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.