ACA 9

Bill Subjects

Abstract

(1) The California Constitution prohibits the ad valorem tax rate on real property from exceeding 1% of the full cash value of the property, subject to certain exceptions. This measure would create an additional exception to the 1% limit for a rate imposed by a city, county, city and county, or special district to service bonded indebtedness, incurred to fund specified public improvements, facilities or buildings, and housing, and related costs, that is approved by 55% of the voters of the city, county, city and county, or special district, as applicable. This additional exception would apply only if the proposition approved by the voters results in bonded indebtedness that includes specified accountability requirements. (2) The California Constitution conditions the imposition of a special tax by a city, county, or special district upon the approval of 23 of the voters of the city, county, or special district voting on that tax, except that certain school entities may levy an ad valorem property tax for specified purposes with the approval of 55% of the voters within the jurisdiction of these entities. This measure would change the 23 voter-approval requirement for special taxes to, instead, authorize a city, county, city and county, or special district to impose a special tax with the approval of 55% of its voters voting on the tax. This measure would also make technical, nonsubstantive changes to these provisions. (3) The California Constitution prohibits a county, city, town, township, board of education, or school district from incurring any indebtedness exceeding in one year the income and revenue provided in that year, without the assent of 23 of the voters and subject to other conditions. This measure would lower to 55% the voter approval threshold for a city, county, or city and county to incur bonded indebtedness, exceeding in one year the income and revenue provided in that year, that is in the form of general obligation bonds to fund specified public improvements.