HB 7319 Summary

• Local and regional school districts with average daily membership of 15,000 pupils or less become separate educational services taxing districts effective for fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, independent from municipal authority.

• School district boards of education gain power to assess, levy, and collect taxes directly on property and to borrow money for educational services without municipal involvement.

• School district boards must adopt annual budgets, lay taxes, and fix tax rates at least 30 days before the fiscal year begins (July 1 to June 30).

• Municipalities served by qualifying school districts are prohibited from assessing, levying, or collecting taxes for educational services or borrowing money for educational purposes.

• Amendments to sections 7-148, 7-324, and 12-122a clarify that educational services taxing districts are excluded from municipal tax authority and uniform mill rate provisions, effective October 1, 2019.