SUMMARY:  LC 33 6843S  LC 33 6843S (SCS)

A Constitutional amendment to change how an e-SPLOST can be called and the funds distributed when one or more independent school districts are located within a county

Intent is to address the possible situation of one district refusing to join in the call for the SPLOST and to address the ability of one district to force another into sharing the SPLOST proceeds in an unequal manner

The enabling legislation is SB 76 

PROVISIONS:

When a county school district has one or more independent school districts within the county, the district or combination of districts with a majority of the students enrolled, based on the latest FTE count, shall be authorized to call for a SPLOST referendum.  (The current requirement is that they concurrently call for the referendum.  For example, Fulton, DeKalb, Atlanta Public Schools, and the City of Decatur Schools must all agree to call for a referendum.  Under this provision, one of the districts could opt out and the others could still move forward.)

The proceeds of the SPLOST would be distributed according to an agreement between the county and independent school district(s) OR, if no agreement can be reached, according to the ratio of student enrollment in each district, based on the latest FTE count prior to the referendum.  This eliminates the current option for a formula for distribution as authorized by local law. 

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Requires a 2/3 vote of each chamber and a majority of the voters in November 2018