2003 House Bill 4054

Introduced in the House

Jan. 28, 2003

Introduced by Rep. Gretchen Whitmer (D-69)

To allow school districts to use “sinking fund” taxes for a wider variety of purposes. Under current law, sinking funds are permanent funds from which may be used only for the purchase of land, or the construction or repair of school buildings. Regular school bonds may be used to fund a wide array of activities. Schools may levy up to five mills for sinking fund debt. The expanded uses proposed by the bill potentially include items considered operating expenses. Since new operating expense millages were prohibited by a vote of the people in the 1994 Proposal A initiative, it is likely that the bill would require a 3/4 majority vote in the House and Senate. This supermajority is required by the Constitution on any bill amending an initiative adopted by popular vote.

Referred to the Committee on Education