Signed by Governor Tom Corbett

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that repeals certain exemptions from the requirement that a school district submit certain proposed property tax increases to the voters through a public referendum, during which voters in the district shall vote to approve or disapprove of the proposed tax increase.

Highlights:

• Repeals the following reason for exemption from the requirement that school districts seek voter approval for property tax rate increases in excess of the inflation index (Sec. 1):
• The revenue generated by increasing the rate of tax by more than the inflation index will be used to pay for certain expenses including, but not limited to, the following:
• Costs incurred from responding to or recovering from an emergency or disaster;
• Costs incurred from a response to conditions posing an immediate threat of physical harm to students, staff, or residents of the school district, provided that that the conditions causing the threat have been resolved;
• Costs associated with indebtedness, including both interest and principal, incurred to finance the construction of academic and non-academic buildings; or
• The cost of providing health care related benefits in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that repeals certain exemptions from the requirement that a school district submit certain proposed property tax increases to the voters through a public referendum, during which voters in the district shall vote to approve or disapprove of the proposed tax increase.

Highlights:

• Repeals the following reason for exemption from the requirement that school districts seek voter approval for property tax rate increases in excess of the inflation index (Sec. 1):
• The revenue generated by increasing the rate of tax by more than the inflation index will be used to pay for certain expenses including, but not limited to, the following:
• Costs incurred from responding to or recovering from an emergency or disaster;
• Costs incurred from a response to conditions posing an immediate threat of physical harm to students, staff, or residents of the school district, provided that that the conditions causing the threat have been resolved;
• Costs associated with indebtedness, including both interest and principal, incurred to finance the construction of academic and non-academic buildings; or
• The cost of providing health care related benefits in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement.

Full Bill Text