2001 House Bill 5408 / 2002 Public Act 62

Introduced in the House

Nov. 1, 2001

Introduced by Rep. Jim Howell (R-94)

To amend the bonding authority contained in the Revised School Code so that it conforms to the changes in the law caused by Senate Bill 29, now Public Act 34 of 2001. Among other things that bill authorized local units of government, school districts, and other bonding authorities, to issue debt without prior Department of Treasury approval if they file an annual audit report demonstrating financial soundness. It also authorizes “budget bonds,” now prohibited, which are paid out of the operating budget and do not require a vote of the people, and negotiated bond sales, rather than competitive sales, now required for larger issues. The bill limits the issuance of refunding bonds and zero-coupon bonds to instances where they actually save taxpayer dollars. See also House Bills 5404 to 5423. This bill also changes an existing bond cap, which limits certain borrowing to a percentage of the state equalized value of all property in a district, to a percentage of taxable value, which is a lower amount.

Referred to the Committee on Commerce

Jan. 30, 2002

Substitute offered by Rep. Jim Howell (R-94)

To replace the previous version of the bill with a version recommended by the committee which reported it. The substitute removes a provision of the bill changing an existing bond cap that limits certain borrowing to a percentage of the value of all property in the municipality, to a percentage of taxable value, which is a lower amount.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Feb. 5, 2002

Passed in the House 103 to 0 (details)

To amend the bonding authority contained in the Revised School Code so that it conforms to the changes in the law caused by Senate Bill 29, now Public Act 34 of 2001. Among other things that law authorized local units of government, school districts, and other bonding authorities, to issue debt without prior Department of Treasury approval if they file an annual audit report demonstrating financial soundness. That law authorizes “budget bonds,” now prohibited, which are paid out of the operating budget and do not require a vote of the people, and negotiated bond sales, rather than competitive sales, now required for larger issues. The new law also limits the issuance of refunding bonds and zero-coupon bonds to instances where they actually save taxpayer dollars. See also House Bills 5404 to 5423.

Received in the Senate

Feb. 5, 2002

March 5, 2002

Passed in the Senate 36 to 0 (details)

Received in the House

March 5, 2002

Signed by Gov. John Engler

March 14, 2002