HJR 5 -- SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND ELECTIONS (Barry)

This proposed constitutional amendment exempts school district
bond elections from the present super-majorities required for
passage and allows a simple majority vote.

FISCAL NOTE:  Cost to General Revenue Fund of $43,000 in FY 2001.

HJR 5 -- SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND ELECTIONS

CO-SPONSORS:  Barry, Treadway, Hendrickson

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Education-Elementary and Secondary by a vote of 21 to 1.

This proposed constitutional amendment exempts school district
bond elections from the present super-majorities required for
passage and allows a simple majority vote.

FISCAL NOTE:  Cost to General Revenue Fund of $43,000 in FY 2001.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the current constitutional
requirement for a 2/3 super-majority on bond votes dates
unchanged from the 1875 Constitution until 1988, when the 4/7
requirement was added for issues voted upon on municipal
election day and primary and general election days.  Only 8
other states have super-majority requirements for school bonds.
In the last 5 years, about 50 bond issues have failed with more
than a 50% vote.  Super-majorities contradict the principle of
"one person, one vote."

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Barry and
Hendrickson; Senator Anita Yeckel; Mehlville School District;
Hannibal School District; Cooperating School Districts of
Greater Kansas City; Missouri School Board Association; Missouri
Council of School Administrators; Missouri NEA; Missouri State
Teachers Association; Missouri Federation of Teachers; El Dorado
Springs R-2 School District; Cooperating School Districts of
Greater St. Louis; and Missouri AFL-CIO.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Becky DeNeve, Legislative Analyst

HJR 5 -- School District Bond Elections

Co-Sponsors:  Barry, Treadway, Hendrickson

This proposed constitutional amendment exempts school district
bond elections from the present super-majorities required for
passage and allows a simple majority vote.