summary
Introduced
02/24/2025
02/24/2025
In Committee
02/24/2025
02/24/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill eliminates recurring operating referenda and limits a nonrecurring operating referendum to no more than four years. Current law generally limits the total amount of revenue a school district may receive from general school aids and property taxes in a school year. However, there are several exceptions to the revenue limit. One exception is for excess revenue approved by referendum for recurring and nonrecurring purposes. This type of referendum is often referred to as an operating referendum. If the operating referendum is for a nonrecurring purpose, a school district[s authority to raise excess revenue is approved only for specific school years. If the operating referendum is for a recurring purpose, the school district[s authority to raise excess revenue is permanent. Under the bill, an operating referendum to exceed a school district[s revenue limit may be only for nonrecurring purposes and the referendum may not apply to more than four years.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the rules for school district operating referenda, which are special elections that allow school districts to exceed their normal revenue limits. Currently, school districts can hold referenda for both recurring (permanent) and nonrecurring (temporary) purposes. The bill eliminates recurring operating referenda entirely and restricts nonrecurring referenda to a maximum of four years. Under the new provisions, when a school board wants to exceed its revenue limit, it must adopt a resolution specifying the nonrecurring purpose and the exact number of school years the excess revenue will be used, with a strict limit of no more than four years. The ballot for such a referendum will clearly state that the excess revenue is for a nonrecurring purpose. After the approved referendum period expires, the excess revenue will not be included in the base calculation for determining the district's revenue limit in subsequent years. This change aims to provide more fiscal predictability and control over school district spending by preventing permanent increases in revenue limits through referenda.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (21)
Scott Allen (R)*,
Elijah Behnke (R)*,
Lindee Brill (R)*,
Barbara Dittrich (R)*,
Robert Donovan (R)*,
Cindi Duchow (R)*,
Joy Goeben (R)*,
Chanz Green (R)*,
Brent Jacobson (R)*,
Dan Knodl (R)*,
Rob Kreibich (R)*,
Dave Maxey (R)*,
Dave Murphy (R)*,
Amanda Nedweski (R)*,
Adam Neylon (R)*,
Jerry O'Connor (R)*,
Chuck Wichgers (R)*,
Shannon Zimmerman (R)*,
Chris Kapenga (R),
Steve Nass (R),
Cory Tomczyk (R),
Last Action
Public hearing held (on 06/12/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab71 |
| AB71 ROCP for Committee on Education | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/education/1925109.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB71.pdf |
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