Senate Bill 2417

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-59-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OR 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES FOR A ONE-YEAR PERIOD WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF AN ELECTION ON THE QUESTIONS IN THE ABSENCE OF A PETITION CALLING FOR SUCH AN ELECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 37-59-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-59-11. (1) Before any money shall be borrowed under the provisions of this chapter, the school board of the school district shall adopt a resolution declaring the necessity for borrowing such money, declaring its intention to borrow such money and to issue the negotiable bonds of the school district as evidence of same, specifying the approximate amount to be so borrowed, and how such indebtedness is to be evidenced. Such resolution shall also set forth the nature and approximate cost of the alterations, additions and repairs to be made, and shall declare in said resolution that no funds are available in the school funds of the district or from any other source with which to make such repairs, alterations, additions, purchases, erections or improvements.

(2) Whenever a resolution is adopted by the school board as provided in subsection (1), or a petition signed by not less than ten percent (10%) of the qualified electors of a school district, fixing the maximum amount of such school bonds and the purpose or purposes for which they are to be issued, the school board shall adopt a resolution calling an election to be held within such school district for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors thereof the question of the issuance of bonds in the amount and for the purpose or purposes as set forth in such resolution or petition. The resolution calling such election shall designate the date upon which the election shall be held and the place or places within such district at which such election shall be held, which place or places may or may not be the schoolhouse or schoolhouses in such district.

(3) Provided, however, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no election shall be required for approval of bonds issued after July 1, 1987, and prior to July 1, 1988, or within one (1) year after the final favorable termination of any litigation affecting the issuance of such bonds, and as to which the resolution of necessity and intent to issue by the school board of the school district is passed and publication thereof commenced on or before June 30, 1987, unless a petition calling for such election is filed meeting the requirements and within the time provided by this Section 37-59-11 as in effect between April 15, 1986, and June 30, 1987.

(4) Provided, however, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no election shall be required for approval of bonds issued after July 1, 2003, and prior to July 1, 2004, or within one (1) year after the final favorable termination of any litigation affecting the issuance of such bonds, and as to which the resolution of necessity and intent to issue by the school board of the school district is passed and publication thereof commenced on or before June 30, 2003, unless a petition calling for such election is filed meeting the requirements and within the time provided by this Section 37-59-11 as in effect on July 1, 2003.

SECTION 2. The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall submit this act, immediately upon approval by the Governor, or upon approval by the Legislature subsequent to a veto, to the Attorney General of the United States or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the date it is effectuated under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.