Local voters would use updated rules to challenge government decisions

Registered voters would be able to refer certain county and municipal ordinances, resolutions, and decisions to a public vote by filing a petition. The rules apply to county and municipal voters, including voters in areas proposed for annexation or special zoning areas. Petitions generally would need signatures from at least 5% of registered voters or 2,500 registered voters, whichever is fewer. Voters could not refer decisions needed for immediate public safety or government support, plans already adopted by the governing body or Legislature, or supervision of programs, employees, or officials, unless another law allows it. A decision referred to voters would not take effect until the referendum process ends. Petitions generally would be due within 20 days after publication of the decision; special zoning area petitions would also use a 20-day publication period.

School district and taxing district voters would be able to petition for referendums on certain tax levies and school board decisions. The provisions cover excess tax levies, school board term changes, early school openings, school sentinel programs, capital outlay agreements or certificates, and certain taxing district levies. Petitions generally would require signatures from at least 5% of registered voters or 2,500 voters, whichever is fewer. The petition would be filed with the school business manager, finance officer, governing body, or election official named for the decision. Capital outlay agreement or certificate questions would require at least 60% approval from voters who vote on the question. Most petitions would be due within 20 days after the decision's first publication or adoption, while some provisions use 30 days; tax levy elections generally would occur by October 1 before the taxes are payable.

Four existing referendum sections would be repealed. The repealed sections concern county legislative and administrative decisions, county referendum filing, general governing-body decisions, and school board or school sentinel program referendum filing. The bill text also contains replacement procedures in other sections, but the supplied text does not establish how those provisions would interact after the repeals. The repeals would apply if the measure is enacted and becomes effective; the supplied text does not state an effective date.