AB2: Bill Text

2001 Assembly BILL 2

January 16, 2001 - Introduced by Representatives Skindrud, Jensen, Walker, Ward, Ainsworth, Bies, Freese, Gunderson, Hahn, Hoven, Huebsch, Jeskewitz, Krawczyk, Ladwig, F. Lasee, Leibham, McCormick, D. Meyer, Nass, Rhoades, Stone, Urban, Vrakas, Albers and Friske, cosponsored by Senator Welch. Referred to Committee on Tax and Spending Limitations.

AB2,1,9 An Act to amend 7.15 (2) (d), 8.05 (3) (d) and (e), 8.06, 9.20 (4), 24.66 (3) (b), 24.66 (4), 32.72 (1), 38.15 (1), 59.08 (7) (b), 59.605 (3) (a) 1., 60.62 (2), 60.74 (5) (b), 61.187 (1), 61.46 (1), 62.09 (1) (a), 64.03 (1), 64.39 (3), 66.0101 (8), 66.0217 (7) (a) 3., 66.0219 (4) (b), 66.0227 (3), 66.0619 (2m) (b), 66.0815 (1) (c), 66.0921 (2), 66.1103 (10) (d), 67.05 (4) and (5), 67.05 (6a) (a) 2. a., 67.05 (6m) (b), 67.10 (5) (b), 67.12 (12) (e) 5., 81.01 (3) (b) (intro.), 86.21 (2) (a), 117.20, 119.48 (4) (b) and (c), 119.49 (1) (b) and (2), 121.91 (3) (a), 197.04 (1) (b) and (2), 197.10 (2) and 198.19 (1); and to create 8.065 and 15.615 of the statutes; relating to: scheduling of referenda by local governments.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, referenda are authorized or required to be held by local governments under various laws for various purposes. In some cases, these referenda are authorized or required to be held at special elections when no offices appear on the ballot. In most cases, there is no limitation upon the frequency that questions relating to the same subject matter may be submitted.

This bill provides that, unless a more restrictive limitation applies currently, a referendum by a local government may only be held concurrently with the spring primary (held in most election districts in each year), the spring election (held in each year), or on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of an odd-numbered year (no election is currently held on that date), or concurrently with the September primary (held in each even-numbered year) or general election (held in each even-numbered year). The bill also provides that, unless a more restrictive limitation applies currently, no referendum submitted by the same local government relating to substantially similar subject matter or relating to authorization for the borrowing of money may be held more than once in any 12-month period. However, the bill creates a state referendum appeal board consisting of the governor, the senate majority leader, the senate minority leader, the speaker of the assembly, and the assembly minority leader or their designees, which is empowered to permit a local government to hold a referendum on a date that is not otherwise permitted if the board finds that an emergency exists which requires the referendum to be held on a date that is not otherwise permitted.

The bill applies to all referenda, including referenda concerning direct legislation (initiative) in cities and villages.

For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB2, s. 1 Section 1. 7.15 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,2,11 7.15 (2) (d) Whenever the governing body of any municipality submits any question to a vote of the electors or whenever a proper recall petition and certificate are filed under s. 9.10, the municipal clerk shall issue a call for the election and prepare and distribute ballots as required in the authorization of submission or as provided in s. 9.10. The date of the referendum shall be established in accordance with s. 8.065, and shall be fixed by the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners unless otherwise provided by law or unless the governing body fixes a date. The ballot for any referendum shall conform to s. 5.64 (2). If there is already an official municipal referendum ballot for the election, the question may appear on the same ballot.

AB2, s. 2 Section 2. 8.05 (3) (d) and (e) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB2,3,6 8.05 (3) (d) The question of adoption of the nonpartisan primary under this subsection may be submitted to the electors at any regular election authorized under s. 8.065 to be held in the town or at a special election called for the purpose. When a petition requesting adoption of the nonpartisan primary conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40 signed by at least 20 electors of the town is filed with the town clerk as provided in s. 8.37, the question shall be submitted to a vote.

AB2,3,11 (e) Petitions requesting a vote on the question at a regular town election shall be filed in accordance with s. 8.37 no later than 5 p.m. the last Tuesday in February. When the petition is filed, the clerk shall check its sufficiency. Whether at a regular or special election, the The clerk shall give separate notice by one publication in a newspaper at least 5 days before the election.

AB2, s. 3 Section 3. 8.06 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,3,16 8.06 Special elections may be called. Towns, cities, villages and school districts may call special elections for any purpose whenever such action is authorized or required by law. If an election is called for a special referendum, the election shall be called and noticed under as provided in s. 8.55.

AB2, s. 4 Section 4. 8.065 of the statutes is created to read:

AB2,3,19 8.065 Scheduling of referenda. (1) In this section, "local governmental unit" has the meaning given in s. 16.97 (7).

AB2,4,3 (2) Unless otherwise required by law or unless authorized under sub. (3), a referendum held by any local governmental unit that is authorized or required by law to hold a referendum may only be held concurrently with the spring primary, spring election, September primary, or general election, or on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November of an odd-numbered year. Unless otherwise required by law or unless authorized under sub. (3), no referendum submitted by the same local governmental unit relating to substantially similar subject matter or relating to authorization for the borrowing of money may be held more than once in any 12-month period.

AB2,4,17 (3) If a local governmental unit wishes to hold a special referendum on a date that is not concurrent with an election specified in s. 5.02 (5), (18), (21), or (22) or on a date other than the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of an odd-numbered year, the local governmental unit may petition the referendum appeal board for a determination that an emergency exists with respect to a particular question. The referendum appeal board shall make a determination within 10 days after receipt of a petition under this subsection. If the referendum appeal board finds, with the concurrence of at least 4 members, that an emergency exists which requires a special referendum to be held by a local governmental unit on a date that is not concurrent with an election specified in s. 5.02 (5), (18), (21), or (22) or on a date other than the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of an odd-numbered year, the board may permit a referendum relating to the question specified in the petition to be held on a date determined by the local governmental unit.

AB2, s. 5 Section 5. 9.20 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,5,5 9.20 (4) The common council or village board shall, without alteration, either pass the ordinance or resolution within 30 days following the date of the clerk's final certificate, or submit it to the electors at the next spring or general election authorized under s. 8.065, if the election is more than 6 weeks after the date of the council's or board's action on the petition or the expiration of the 30-day period, whichever first occurs. If there are 6 weeks or less before the election, the ordinance or resolution shall be voted on at the next election authorized under s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3) thereafter. The council or board by a three-fourths vote of the members-elect may order a special election for the purpose of voting on the ordinance or resolution at any time prior to the next election, but not more than one special election for direct legislation may be ordered in any 6-month period.

AB2, s. 6 Section 6. 15.615 of the statutes is created to read:

AB2,5,7 15.615 Same; attached boards.

AB2,5,12 (2) Referendum appeal board. There is created a referendum appeal board which is attached to the elections board under s. 15.03. The referendum appeal board shall consist of the governor, the senate majority leader, the senate minority leader, the speaker of the assembly, and the assembly minority leader or the designees of these persons. Members of the board shall serve for indefinite terms.

AB2, s. 7 Section 7. 24.66 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,5,20 24.66 (3) (b) For long-term loans by unified school districts. Every application for a loan, the required repayment of which exceeds 10 years, shall be approved and authorized for a unified school district by a majority vote of the members of the school board at a regular or special meeting of the school board. Every vote so required shall be by ayes and noes duly recorded. In addition, the application shall be approved for a unified school district by a majority vote of the electors of the school district at a special election referendum as provided under sub. (4).

AB2, s. 8 Section 8. 24.66 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,6,4 24.66 (4) Popular vote, when required. If any municipality is not empowered by law to incur indebtedness for a particular purpose without first submitting the question to its electors, the application for a state trust fund loan for that purpose must be approved and authorized by a majority vote of the electors at a special election referendum called, in accordance with s. 8.065, and noticed and held in the manner provided for other special elections referenda. The question to be voted on shall be filed as provided in s. 8.37. The notice of the election referendum shall state the amount of the proposed loan and the purpose for which it will be used.

AB2, s. 9 Section 9. 32.72 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,6,12 32.72 (1) Sections 32.50 to 32.71 do not take effect in any city until the following question is submitted to the electors of the city at a special election referendum called in accordance with s. 8.065 and adopted by a majority vote of the electors voting: "Shall subchapter II of chapter 32, Wisconsin Statutes, be effective in the city of ................, thus allowing the city to acquire and condemn property for street widening and similar purposes, financed through assessments of benefits and damages?". The question shall be filed as provided in s. 8.37.

AB2, s. 10 Section 10. 38.15 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,7,2 38.15 (1) Subject to sub. (3), if the district board intends to make a capital expenditure in excess of $500,000, excluding moneys received from gifts, grants or federal funds, for the acquisition of sites, purchase or construction of buildings, the lease/purchase of buildings if costs exceed $500,000 for the lifetime of the lease, building additions or enlargements or the purchase of fixed equipment relating to any such activity, it shall adopt a resolution stating its intention to do so and identifying the anticipated source of revenue for each project and shall submit the resolution to the electors of the district for approval. The referendum may be held at any election authorized under s. 8.065 and shall be noticed, called and conducted as provided in s. 67.05 (3) insofar as applicable. For the purposes of this section, all projects located on a single campus site within one district which are bid concurrently or which are approved by the board under s. 38.04 (10) within a 2-year period shall be considered as one capital expenditure project.

AB2, s. 11 Section 11. 59.08 (7) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,7,14 59.08 (7) (b) The question of the consolidation of the counties shall be submitted to the voters at the next election authorized under s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3) to be held on the first Tuesday in April, or the next regular election, or at a special election to be held on the day fixed in a date specified in the order which shall be no sooner than 45 days after the date of the order issued under par. (a), which day date shall be the same in each of the counties proposing to consolidate. A copy of the order shall be filed with the county clerk of each of the counties as provided in s. 8.37. If the question of consolidation is submitted at a special election, it shall be held not less than 42 days nor more than 60 days from the completion of the consolidation agreement, but not within 60 days of any spring or general election.

AB2, s. 12 Section 12. 59.605 (3) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,8,3 59.605 (3) (a) 1. If the governing body of a county wishes to exceed the operating levy rate limit otherwise applicable to the county under this section, it shall adopt a resolution to that effect. The resolution shall specify either the operating levy rate or the operating levy that the governing body wishes to impose for either a specified number of years or an indefinite period. The governing body shall call a special referendum for the purpose of submitting the resolution to the electors of the county for approval or rejection. In lieu of a special referendum, the governing body may specify that provide for the referendum to be held at the next succeeding spring primary or election or September primary or general election to be held authorized under s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3) that occurs not earlier than 42 days after the adoption of the resolution of the governing body. The governing body shall file the resolution to be submitted to the electors as provided in s. 8.37.

AB2, s. 13 Section 13. 60.62 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,8,9 60.62 (2) If the county in which the town is located has enacted a zoning ordinance under s. 59.69, the exercise of the authority under sub. (1) is subject to approval by the town meeting or by a referendum vote of the electors of the town to be held at the time of any regular or special election in accordance with s. 8.065. The question for the referendum vote shall be filed as provided in s. 8.37.

AB2, s. 14 Section 14. 60.74 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,8,22 60.74 (5) (b) A petition conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40 signed by qualified electors of the district equal to at least 20% of the vote cast for governor in the district at the last gubernatorial election, requesting a change to appointment of commissioners, may be submitted to the town board, subject to sub. (5m) (a). The petition shall be filed as provided in s. 8.37. Upon receipt of the petition, the town board shall submit the question to a referendum at the next regular spring election or general election, or shall call a special election for that purpose authorized under s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3) to be held not sooner than 45 days after receipt of the petition by the town board. The inspectors shall count the votes and submit a statement of the results to the commission. The commission shall canvass the results of the election and certify the results to the town board which has authority to appoint commissioners.

AB2, s. 15 Section 15. 61.187 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,9,8 61.187 (1) Procedure. Whenever a petition conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40, signed by at least one-third as many electors of any village as voted for village officers at the next preceding election therefor, shall be presented to the village board, and filed as provided in s. 8.37, praying for dissolution of the village corporation, such board shall submit to the electors of such village, for determination by ballot in substantially the manner provided by ss. 5.64 (2) and 10.02, at a general election or at a special election called by them for that purpose the next election authorized under s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3) to be held not sooner than 45 days after presentation of the petition, the question whether or not such village corporation shall be dissolved.

AB2, s. 16 Section 16. 61.46 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,9,22 61.46 (1) General; limitation. The village board shall, on or before December 15 in each year, by resolution to be entered of record, determine the amount of corporation taxes to be levied and assessed on the taxable property in such village for the current year. Before levying any tax for any specified purpose, exceeding one percent of the assessed valuation aforesaid, the village board shall, and in all other cases may in its discretion, submit the question of levying the same to the village electors at any general or special the next election authorized under s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3) to be held no sooner than 45 days after adoption of the resolution by giving 10 days' notice thereof prior to such election by publication in a newspaper published in the village, if any, and if there is none, then by posting notices in 3 public places in said village, setting forth in such notices the object and purposes for which such taxes are to be raised and the amount of the proposed tax. The village board shall file the question as provided in s. 8.37.

AB2, s. 17 Section 17. 62.09 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,9,25 62.09 (1) (a) The officers shall be a mayor, treasurer, clerk, comptroller, attorney, engineer, one or more assessors unless the city is assessed by a county assessor under s. 70.99, one or more constables as determined by the common council, a local health officer, as defined in s. 250.01 (5), or local board of health, as defined in s. 250.01 (3), street commissioner, board of police and fire commissioners except in cities where not applicable, chief of police, chief of the fire department, board of public works, 2 alderpersons from each aldermanic district, and such other officers or boards as are created by law or by the council. If one alderperson from each aldermanic district is provided under s. 66.0211 (1), the council may, by ordinance adopted by a two-thirds vote of all its members and approved by the electors at a general or special any election authorized under s. 8.065, provide that there shall be 2 alderpersons from each aldermanic district.

AB2, s. 18 Section 18. 64.03 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,10,17 64.03 (1) Every ordinance or resolution for the adoption of ss. 64.01 to 64.15, and every petition for a special election referendum on the same, shall state the number of members of which the council herein provided for shall be composed, the term of office of its members, which term shall not exceed 2 years, whether they shall be nominated and elected from aldermanic districts or from the city at large, and the compensation, if any, which they shall receive.

AB2, s. 19 Section 19. 64.39 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,10,24 64.39 (3) Upon filing such petition, the mayor shall, by proclamation, submit the questions prescribed in sub. (1) at a special the next election authorized under s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3) to be held at a time specified therein and within 2 months not sooner than 45 days after such petition is filed. The election upon such question shall be conducted, the vote canvassed, and the result declared in the same manner as provided by law for other city elections.

AB2, s. 20 Section 20. 66.0101 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,11,9 66.0101 (8) A charter ordinance enacted or approved by a vote of the electors controls over any prior or subsequent act of the legislative body of the city or village. If the electors of any city or village by a majority vote have adopted or determined to continue to operate under either ch. 62 or 64, or have determined the method of selection of members of the governing board, the question shall not again be submitted to the electors, nor action taken on the question, within a period of 2 years. Any election to change or amend the charter of any city or village, other than a special an election as provided in called under s. 9.20 (4), shall be held at the time provided by statute for holding the spring election.

AB2, s. 21 Section 21. 66.0217 (7) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,12,5 66.0217 (7) (a) 3. If the notice indicates that the petition is for a referendum on the question of annexation, the clerk of the city or village shall file the notice as provided in s. 8.37. If the notice indicates that the petition is for a referendum on the question of annexation, the town clerk shall give notice as provided in par. (c) of a referendum of the electors residing in the area proposed for annexation to be held at the next election permitted under s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3), but not less than 42 days nor more than 72 days after the date of personal service or mailing of the notice required under this paragraph. If the notice indicates that the petition is for direct annexation, no referendum shall be held unless within 30 days after the date of personal service or mailing of the notice required under this paragraph, a petition conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40 requesting a referendum is filed with the town clerk as provided in s. 8.37, signed by at least 20% of the electors residing in the area proposed to be annexed. If a petition requesting a referendum is filed, the clerk shall give notice as provided in par. (c) of a referendum of the electors residing in the area proposed for annexation to be held at the next election permitted under s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3), but not less than 42 days nor more than 72 days after the receipt of the petition and shall mail a copy of the notice to the clerk of the city or village to which the annexation is proposed. The referendum shall be held at a convenient place within the town to be specified in the notice.

AB2, s. 22 Section 22. 66.0219 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,12,14 66.0219 (4) (b) The referendum election shall be held at the next election permitted under s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3), but not less than 42 days nor more than 72 days after the filing of the order as provided in s. 8.37, in the territory proposed for annexation, by the electors of that territory as provided in s. 66.0217 (7), so far as applicable. The ballots shall contain the words "For Annexation" and "Against Annexation". The certification of the election inspectors shall be filed with the clerk of the court, and the clerk of any municipality involved, but need not be filed or recorded with the register of deeds.

AB2, s. 23 Section 23. 66.0227 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,13,9 66.0227 (3) The governing body of a city, village or town involved may, or if a petition conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40 signed by a number of qualified electors equal to at least 5% of the votes cast for governor in the city, village or town at the last gubernatorial election, demanding a referendum, is presented to it within 30 days after the passage of either of the ordinances under sub. (2) shall, submit the question to the electors of the city, village or town whose electors petitioned for detachment, at a referendum election called for that purpose held at the next election permitted under s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3) but not less than 42 days nor more than 72 days after the filing of the petition, or after the enactment of either ordinance. The petition shall be filed as provided in s. 8.37. If a number of electors cannot be determined on the basis of reported election statistics, the number shall be determined in accordance with s. 60.74 (6). The governing body of the municipality shall appoint 3 election inspectors who are resident electors to supervise the referendum. The ballots shall contain the words "For Detachment" and "Against Detachment". The inspectors shall certify the results of the election by their attached affidavits and file a copy with the clerk of each town, village or city involved, and none of the ordinances may take effect nor be in force unless a majority of the electors approve the question. The referendum election shall be conducted in accordance with chs. 6 and 7 to the extent applicable.

AB2, s. 24 Section 24. 66.0619 (2m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,13,17 66.0619 (2m) (b) If a referendum is to be held on a resolution, the municipal governing body shall file the resolution as provided in s. 8.37 and shall direct the municipal clerk to call a special election for the purpose of submitting submit the resolution to the electors for approval of the electors at a referendum on approval or rejection. In lieu of a special election, the municipal governing body may specify that the election be held at the next succeeding spring primary or election or September primary or general election called in accordance with s. 8.065.

AB2, s. 25 Section 25. 66.0815 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,14,6 66.0815 (1) (c) An ordinance under sub. (1) may not take effect until 60 days after passage and publication unless sooner approved by a referendum. Within the 60-day period electors equal in number to 20% of those voting at the last regular municipal election may file a petition requesting for a referendum. The petition shall be in writing and filed with the clerk and as provided in s. 8.37. The petition shall conform to the requirements of s. 8.40, except that each signer shall also state his or her. Each signer shall state his or her residence and signatures shall be verified by the affidavit of an elector. The referendum shall be held at the next regular municipal election, or at a special election within 90 days of the authorized under s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3) to be held not sooner than 45 days after filing of the petition. The ordinance may not take effect unless approved by a majority of the votes cast. This paragraph does not apply to extensions by a utility previously franchised by the village, city or town.

AB2, s. 26 Section 26. 66.0921 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,14,14 66.0921 (2) Facilities authorized. A municipality may enter into a joint contract with a nonprofit corporation organized for civic purposes and located in the municipality to construct or otherwise acquire, equip, furnish, operate and maintain a facility to be used for municipal and civic activities if a majority of the voters voting in a referendum at a special election or at a spring primary or election or September primary or general an election authorized under s. 8.065 approve the question of entering into the joint contract.

AB2, s. 27 Section 27. 66.1103 (10) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,15,3 66.1103 (10) (d) The governing body may issue bonds under this section without submitting the proposition to the electors of the municipality for approval unless within 30 days from the date of publication of notice of adoption of the initial resolution for the bonds, a petition conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40, and signed by a number of electors of the municipality equal to not less than 5% of the registered electors of the municipality, or, if there is no registration of electors in the municipality, by 10% of the number of electors of the municipality voting for the office of governor at the last general election as determined under s. 115.01 (13), is filed with the clerk of the municipality and as provided in s. 8.37 requesting a referendum upon the question of the issuance of the bonds. If such a petition is filed, the bonds may not be issued until approved by a majority of the electors of the municipality voting on the referendum at a general or special election referendum called in accordance with s. 8.065.

AB2, s. 28 Section 28. 67.05 (4) and (5) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB2,15,18 67.05 (4) Permissive referendum in counties. If a county board adopts an initial resolution for an issue of county bonds to provide for the original construction or for the improvement and maintenance of highways, to provide railroad aid, or to construct, acquire or maintain, or to aid in constructing, acquiring or maintaining a bridge over or across any stream or other body of water bordering upon or intersecting any part of the county, the county clerk is not required to submit the resolution for approval to the electors of the county at a special election referendum unless within 30 days after the adoption thereof there is filed with the clerk a petition conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40 and requesting such submission, signed by electors numbering at least 10% of the votes cast in the county for governor at the last general election. If a petition is filed, the question submitted shall be whether the resolution shall be or shall not be approved. No such resolution of a county board other than those specified in this subsection need be submitted to county electors, except as provided otherwise in sub. (7).

AB2,16,6 (5) Referendum in towns, villages and cities. (a) Whenever an initial resolution has been so adopted by the governing body of a town, the clerk of the municipality shall immediately record the resolution and call a special election referendum in accordance with s. 8.065 for the purpose of submitting the resolution to the electors of the municipality for approval. This paragraph does not apply to bonds issued to finance low-interest mortgage loans under s. 62.237, unless a number of electors equal to at least 15% of the votes cast for governor at the last general election in their town sign and file a petition conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40 with the town clerk requesting submission of the resolution. Whenever a number of electors cannot be determined on the basis of reported statistics, the number shall be determined in accordance with s. 60.74 (6). If a petition is filed, the question submitted shall be whether the resolution shall or shall not be approved. This paragraph is limited in its scope by sub. (7).

AB2,17,15 (b) No city or village may issue bonds for any purposes other than for water systems, lighting works, gas works, bridges, street lighting, street improvements, street improvement funding, hospitals, airports, harbor improvements, river improvements, breakwaters and protection piers, sewerage, garbage disposal, rubbish or refuse disposal, any combination of sewage, garbage or refuse or rubbish disposal, parks and public grounds, swimming pools and band shells, veterans housing projects, paying the municipality's portion of the cost of abolishing grade crossings, for the construction of police facilities and combined fire and police safety buildings, for the purchase of sites for engine houses, for fire engines and other equipment of the fire department, for construction of engine houses, and for pumps, water mains, reservoirs and all other reasonable facilities for fire protection apparatus or equipment for fire protection, for parking lots or other parking facilities, for school purposes, for libraries, for buildings for the housing of machinery and equipment, for acquiring and developing sites for industry and commerce as will expand the municipal tax base, for financing the cost of low-interest mortgage loans under s. 62.237, for providing financial assistance to blight elimination, slum clearance, community development, redevelopment and urban renewal programs and projects under ss. 66.1105, 66.1301 to 66.1329 and 66.1331 to 66.1337 or for University of Wisconsin System college campuses, as defined in s. 36.05 (6m), until the proposition for their issue for the special purpose has been submitted to the electors of the city or village and adopted by a majority vote. Except as provided under sub. (15), if the common council of any city or the village board of a village declares its purpose to raise money by issuing bonds for any purpose other than those specified in this subsection, it shall direct by resolution, which shall be recorded at length in the record of its proceedings, the clerk to call a special election referendum in accordance with s. 8.065 for the purpose of submitting the question of bonding to the city or village electors. If a number of electors of a city or village equal to at least 15% of the votes cast for governor at the last general election in their city or village sign and file a petition conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40 with the city or village clerk requesting submission of the resolution, the city or village may not issue bonds for financing the cost of low-interest mortgage loans under s. 62.237 without calling a special election to submit the question of bonding to unless the issuance is approved by the city or village electors for their approval at a referendum called in accordance with s. 8.065.

AB2, s. 29 Section 29. 67.05 (6a) (a) 2. a. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,17,24 67.05 (6a) (a) 2. a. Direct the school district clerk to call a special election referendum in accordance with s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3) for the purpose of submitting the resolution to the electors for approval or rejection, or direct that the resolution be submitted at the next regularly scheduled primary or election permitted under s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3) to be held not earlier than 45 days after the adoption of the resolution. The resolution shall not be effective unless adopted by a majority of the school district electors voting at the referendum.

AB2, s. 30 Section 30. 67.05 (6m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,18,6 67.05 (6m) (b) If a referendum is to be held on an initial resolution, the district board shall direct the technical college district secretary to call a special election referendum in accordance with s. 8.065 for the purpose of submitting the initial resolution to the electors for a referendum on approval or rejection. In lieu of a special election, the district board may specify that the election be held at the next succeeding spring primary or election or September primary or general election.

AB2, s. 31 Section 31. 67.10 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,18,11 67.10 (5) (b) Any city having voted approved the issuance of bonds at a special referendum election held in accordance with s. 8.065 and having sold a portion thereof may negotiate, sell or otherwise dispose of the same in the manner provided by statute within 9 years of the date of the election voting the same.

AB2, s. 32 Section 32. 67.12 (12) (e) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,19,22 67.12 (12) (e) 5. Within 10 days of the adoption by a technical college district board of a resolution under subd. 1. to issue a promissory note for a purpose under s. 38.16 (2), the secretary of the district board shall publish a notice of such adoption as a class 1 notice, under ch. 985. The notice need not set forth the full contents of the resolution, but shall state the amount proposed to be borrowed, the method of borrowing, the purpose thereof, that the resolution was adopted under this subsection and the place where and the hours during which the resolution is available for public inspection. If the amount proposed to be borrowed is for building remodeling or improvement and does not exceed $500,000 or is for movable equipment, the district board need not submit the resolution to the electors for approval unless, within 30 days after the publication or posting, a petition conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40 is filed with the secretary of the district board requesting a referendum at a special election to be called for that purpose. Such petition shall be signed by electors from each county lying wholly or partially within the district. The number of electors from each county shall equal at least 1.5% of the population of the county as determined under s. 16.96 (2) (c). If a county lies in more than one district, the technical college system board shall apportion the county's population as determined under s. 16.96 (2) (c) to the districts involved and the petition shall be signed by electors equal to the appropriate percentage of the apportioned population. In lieu of a special election, the district board may specify that the referendum shall be held at the next succeeding spring primary or election or September primary or general election. Any resolution to borrow amounts of money in excess of $500,000 for building remodeling or improvement shall be submitted to the electors of the district for approval. Any referendum under this subdivision shall be called at the next election authorized under s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3) occurring not sooner than 45 days after filing of a petition or adoption of a resolution requiring the referendum. If a referendum is held or required under this subdivision, no promissory note may be issued until the issuance is approved by a majority of the district electors voting at such referendum. The referendum shall be noticed, called and conducted under s. 67.05 (6a) insofar as applicable, except that the notice of special election referendum and ballot need not embody a copy of the resolution and the question which shall appear on the ballot shall be "Shall .... (name of district) be authorized to borrow the sum of $.... for (state purpose) by issuing its general obligation promissory note (or notes) under section 67.12 (12) of the Wisconsin Statutes?".

AB2, s. 33 Section 33. 81.01 (3) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,20,4 81.01 (3) (b) (intro.) The town board by resolution submits to the electors of the town as a referendum at a general or special town an election authorized under s. 8.065 the question of exceeding the $10,000 limit set under this subsection. A copy of the resolution shall be filed as provided in s. 8.37. The board shall abide by the majority vote of the electors of the town on the question. The question shall read as follows:

AB2, s. 34 Section 34. 86.21 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB2,21,6 86.21 (2) (a) Before any such toll bridge is constructed or acquired under this section, a resolution authorizing the construction or acquisition thereof, and specifying the method of payment therefor, shall be adopted by a majority of the members of the governing body of such county, town, village or city at a regular meeting, after publication of said resolution, as a class 2 notice, under ch. 985. The resolution shall include a general description of the property it is proposed to acquire or construct. Any county, town, village or city constructing or acquiring a toll bridge under this section may provide for the payment of the same or any part thereof from the general fund, from taxation, or from the proceeds of either municipal bonds, revenue bonds or as otherwise provided by law. Such resolution shall not be effective until 15 days after its passage and publication. If within said 15 days a petition conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40 is filed with the clerk of such municipality, and filed as provided in s. 8.37, signed by at least 20% of the electors thereof requesting that the question of acquiring such toll bridge be submitted to the said electors, such question shall be submitted at any general or regular municipal the next election authorized under s. 8.065 (2) or an election authorized under s. 8.065 (3) that is held not sooner than 42 days from the date of filing such petition. In case no such general or regular municipal election is to be held within such stated period, then the governing body of such municipality shall order a special election to be held within 30 days from the filing of such petition upon the question of whether such toll bridge shall be acquired by said municipality. The question submitted to the electors shall specify the method of payment for such toll bridge as provided in the resolution for the acquisition thereof. If no such petition is filed, or if the majority of votes cast at such referendum election are in favor of the acquisition of such toll bridge, then the resolution of the governing body for the acquisition of such toll bridge shall be in effect.

AB2, s. 35 Section 35. 117.20 of the statutes is amended to read: