HB 873 - School Safety Act Summary

• Each county may create an independent special district by ordinance to provide countywide school security and mental health referral services, funded by ad valorem taxes up to 0.5 mills approved by voter referendum.

• District governed by a council whose size depends on county population: 7 members (under 100,000), 9 members (100,000-599,999), or 11 members (600,000+), composed of county commissioners, school board members, municipal representatives, and state legislators.

• Council members serve 4-year terms without compensation, must prepare annual budgets, file quarterly financial reports, maintain separate accounts, and conduct needs assessments for school security and mental health services.

• District may be dissolved by special act of the Legislature or by county ordinance with voter approval; if not subject to reauthorization, district must be resubmitted to voters every 12 years for retention or dissolution.

• All tax revenues must be deposited in qualified public depositories and expended only by check with dual signatures; financial records subject to audit and funds must supplement, not replace, existing school safety resources.