Minnesota SF5279: Operating referendum ballot notice modification

What the bill says

A bill for an act relating to education finance; modifying the operating referendum ballot notice; eliminating the authority for the school board to renew a referendum without seeking voter approval unless notice requirements are met; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 126C.17, subdivision 9, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 126C.17, subdivision 9b.

From the introduced text, May 8, 2026:

A bill for an act relating to education finance; modifying the operating referendum ballot notice; eliminating the authority for the school board to renew a referendum without seeking voter approval unless notice requirements are met; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 126C.17, subdivision 9, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 126C.17, subdivision 9b. Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 126C.17, subdivision 9, is amended to read: Subd. 9. Referendum revenue. (a) The revenue authorized by section 126C.10, subdivision 1, may be increased in the amount approved by the voters of the district at a referendum called for the purpose. The referendum may be called by the board. The referendum must be conducted one or two calendar years before the increased levy authority, if approved, first becomes payable. Only one election to approve an increase may be held in a calendar year. Unless the referendum is conducted by mail under subdivision 11, paragraph (a), the referendum must be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The ballot must state the maximum amount of the increased revenue per adjusted pupil unit. The ballot may state a schedule, determined by the board, of increased revenue per adjusted pupil unit that differs from year to year over the number of years for which the increased revenue is authorized …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Mark Koran (R) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. May 11, 2026: Referred to Education Finance
2. May 11, 2026: Introduction and first reading

Common questions

What is SF5279?

SF5279 is a bill in the Minnesota Legislature (94th Legislature 2025-2026): Operating referendum ballot notice modification.

What does SF5279 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act relating to education finance; modifying the operating referendum ballot notice; eliminating the authority for the school board to renew a referendum without seeking voter approval unless notice requirements are met; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 126C.17, subdivision 9, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 126C.17, subdivision 9b.

What is the status of SF5279?

In committee as of May 11, 2026. Latest action: Referred to Education Finance (May 11, 2026).

Who sponsored SF5279?

Mark Koran (R).

Where is the official record for SF5279?

On the Minnesota Legislature website: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?f=SF5279&y=2025&ssn=0&b=senate