Committee member downed an amended bill that would have set precedent in the bond elections of school districts.

 

On a 6-0 vote, Senate Education committee members defeated House Bill 1263, which requires school district bond elections to have 30 percent voter turnout to be valid.

 

ASBSD opposed the bill.

 

“This is a huge precedent in election law,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany testified in opposition of the bill.

 

Pogany noted he was unaware of any vote in the state “where there’s a threshold for voter turnout” and the bill “could create a situation where it’s (the bond) almost impassable.”

 

Rep. Tim Goodwin, the bill’s prime sponsor, said any vote “would not count” if it does not receive 30 percent of eligible voter turnout.

 

Initially, the bill required capital outlay certificate referendum votes be held in conjunction with “the primary election” or “on the date of the general election” and if the referendum takes place in an off-year “the special election may also be held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in June or on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November in odd-numbered years.”

 

Sen. Jim Bolin did not concur with the new requirement attached to HB 1263.

 

“I don’t think you can mandate how many people are going to vote,” Sen. Bolin said.

 

For updates on everything related to K-12 education, check the ASBSD Blog.