IN SB0127

Legislative Description

Referendum for school safety levy. Allows a school corporation to adopt a resolution to place a referendum on the ballot to impose a school safety referendum tax levy to improve school safety. Allows a school corporation to impose a school safety referendum tax levy if approved by a majority of the voters. Requires a school corporation to certify a copy of: (1) the resolution to place a referendum for a school safety referendum tax levy on the ballot; and (2) the language for the question; to the department of local government finance (department) for review and approval. Provides that voters may not approve a school safety referendum tax levy that is imposed for more than 8 years. Provides that a school safety referendum tax levy may be reimposed or extended. Requires a county auditor to distribute proceeds attributable to property taxes imposed after being approved by the voters in a referendum to the school corporation. Specifies when a referendum is to be held. Requires the circuit court clerk of each county to certify the results of the referendum for a school safety referendum tax levy to the department. Provides that if a school safety referendum tax levy is approved by the voters in a school corporation in a calendar year, another school safety referendum levy question may not be placed on the ballot in the school corporation in the following calendar year. Provides that if a school corporation imposes a school safety referendum tax levy approved in a referendum, the school corporation may not simultaneously impose more than one additional school safety referendum tax levy approved in a subsequent referendum. Provides that during the period beginning with the adoption of a resolution by a school corporation to place a school safety referendum tax levy question on the ballot and continuing through the day on which the referendum is submitted to the voters, the school corporation may not promote a position on the referendum by taking certain actions. Provides that a school board member, school corporation superintendent, school corporation assistant superintendent, or chief school business official of a school corporation may discuss and personally advocate a position on a referendum for a school safety referendum tax levy outside a regular school day as long as public funds are not used. Requires the governing body of a school corporation for which a school safety referendum tax levy is approved to establish a school safety referendum tax levy fund (fund). Specifies purposes for which money from the fund may be used. Requires the governing body of a school corporation for which a school safety referendum tax levy is approved to establish a school safety referendum debt service fund. Specifies purposes for which money from the school safety referendum debt service fund may be used. Provides that if a school safety referendum tax levy has been approved by the voters in a school corporation at any time in the previous three years, the school corporation may not adopt a resolution to place a school referendum tax levy on the ballot. Requires a school corporation to include in a controlled project any capital improvements necessary to complete components of the most recent threat assessment of the buildings within the school corporation or school safety plan that have not been completed or that require additional funding to be completed. Expands the use of a matching grant from the Indiana secured school fund by a school corporation or charter school (school) to allow the school to use the matching grant to provide a response to a threat in a manner that the school sees fit, including the use of firearms training or other self-defense training. Requires that a school resource officer participate in the development of programs designed to identify, assess, and provide assistance to troubled youth.

Last Action

Committee Referrals