H 4339 General Bill, By J.W. Johnson
 A Bill to amend Act 171 of 1967, as amended, relating to Laurens County School
 Districts Fifty-five and Fifty-six and the annual operating budgets and tax
 levy therefor, so as to revise the authorized annual tax levies beginning with
 the year 1992.

   02/04/92  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-16
   02/04/92  House  Referred to delegation from Laurens Delegation HJ-1
   03/26/92  House   Delegation Report: No recommendation HJ-34
   03/26/92  House  Tabled HJ-34

A BILL

TO AMEND ACT 171 OF 1967, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO LAURENS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS FIFTY-FIVE AND FIFTY-SIX AND THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGETS AND TAX LEVY THEREFOR, SO AS TO REVISE THE AUTHORIZED ANNUAL TAX LEVIES BEGINNING WITH THE YEAR 1992.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Act 171 of 1967, as last amended by Act 241 of 1983, is further amended to read:

"Section 1. On or before the fifteenth day of April 1967, and on or before the first day of July for each succeeding year thereafter, the board of trustees of School Districts Fifty-five and Fifty-six in Laurens County shall annually prepare operating budgets and recommend to the county auditor the amount of tax levy necessary to defray the cost of the budgets. The board of trustees of each school district in preparing the budgets may grant to teachers fringe benefits, in lieu of salaries, in forms as it may determine. Budgets shall must further be submitted to the county board of education for its review. Certified copies of the budgets signed by a majority of the board of trustees of the districts shall must be filed with the auditor and treasurer. Copies of the budget shall must also be furnished to the county legislative delegation and a summary of the budgets published in a newspaper having general circulation within the district. Beginning with tax year 1983-1984 and for For each tax year thereafter, an annual uniform millage for operating purposes must be levied on all taxable property in School Districts Fifty-five and Fifty-six of Laurens County. Monies derived from the levy must first be distributed to each school district to provide the amount necessary under the Act 163 of 1977 South Carolina Education Finance Act of 1977 for required local support. Any monies not paid for required local support must be distributed to the school districts according to the current year's one hundred thirty-five day EFA weighted pupil units. All forestry funds in lieu of taxes shall be retained by Laurens County School District Fifty-six for two years following the effective date of this act. Thereafter, School District Fifty-five and School District Fifty-six of Laurens County shall share the forestry funds according to the current year's one hundred thirty-five day EFA weighted pupil units. The sharing of all forestry funds shall be phased in over a three year period, with one-third of all forestry funds to be shared the first year and an additional one-third to be shared each subsequent year until all such funds are available for distribution to both districts. Subsequent to June 30, 1968, the For the year 1992 only, the boards of trustees of School Districts Fifty-five and Fifty-six may recommend a tax levy increase of up to three seven mills in any two year period. A above that levied for 1991. Beginning in 1993, the boards may recommend a tax levy increase of up to five mills in any one year and not more than a total of twelve mills in any three-year period, and a tax increase of more than three twelve mills in any two three year period with 1993 being the first year must be approved at a referendum by the people electors of both school districts prior to its levy. The referendum shall must be ordered by the board of trustees and held at places as the boards may designate in each attendance area of the school districts. Notice must be given by publication in all of the newspapers in the county at least once a week for three consecutive weeks prior to the referendum. The notice must give the date of the referendum, the question to be voted upon, and any other information which would aid the voters to understand the question being presented. The boards shall order the referendum to be held not later than the fourth Tuesday in May. If the recommended levy is within the limits provided, the county auditor shall levy and the treasurer collect the amount specified."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.