Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to bond election requirements and limitations applicable to school districts
Sponsored by Rep. Zach Dieken (R), Rep. Samantha Fett (R)
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 28, 2026
- Stopped: SubcommitteeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: House committeeFunnel: by February 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary To pass a bond for a new project, school districts would now need at least 80 percent of voters to say yes. Before holding this vote, the district must also set aside at least half of the project's total cost in a special fund. If the voters reject the bond, the school district cannot try to pass another one for four years.1
Read the official explanation
This bill makes changes relating to election requirements and limitations for the issuance of bonds by a school district. The bill requires that a proposition to authorize the issuance of bonds by a school district receive the affirmative vote of at least 80 percent of the total votes cast for and against the proposition at the election. The bill retains the existing requirement that propositions to authorize the issuance of bonds by a county, city, school corporation that is not a school district, township, or other local board or commission receive the affirmative vote of at least 60 percent of the total votes cast for and against the proposition. 1 that fails to gain approval of the voters, the school district is then prohibited from submitting another bond proposal to voters for a period of four years. As a condition of and prior to calling an election for the issuance of bonds under Code chapter 296, the bill requires the school district to designate and deposit in one or more funds of the school district an amount equal to or greater than 50 percent of the total cost of the project or purpose for which the bonds are proposed to be issued. The amount so deposited and designated shall be used solely for the project or purpose unless the proposition of issuing the bonds fails at election or the proposal to issue bonds is abandoned by the school board.6.
Why it matters. School districts would be required to receive at least 60 percent of the votes cast for a bond proposition to pass, and they would be prohibited from submitting another bond proposal for four years if a vote fails. Before calling an election, school districts must also designate and deposit an amount equal to or greater than 10 percent of the total project cost into a specific fund.2