Sec. 5. Disbursement of bond proceeds. The proceeds of the bonds must be expended as set out in section 6 under the direction and supervision of the Maine Municipal Bond Bank as designated by the Commissioner of Education in accordance with the provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, section 6006-F, governing the School Revolving Renovation Fund.

Sec. 6. Allocations from General Fund bond issue; capital repairs and improvements in public school facilities. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds must be expended as designated in the following schedule.

2002-03

EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF

Provides funds for renovation of $15,000,000

and capital repairs and improvements

to public school facilities to address

health, safety and compliance

deficiencies; general renovation

needs; and learning space upgrades

Sec. 7. Contingent upon ratification of bond issue. Sections 1 to 6 do not become effective unless the people of the State have ratified the issuance of the bonds as set forth in this Act.

Sec. 8. Appropriation balances at year-end. At the end of each fiscal year, all unencumbered appropriation balances representing state money carry forward. Bond proceeds that have not been expended within 10 years after the date of the sale of the bonds lapse to General Fund debt service.

Sec. 9. Bonds authorized but not issued. Any bonds authorized but not issued, or for which bond anticipation notes are not issued within 5 years of ratification of this Act, are deauthorized and may not be issued; except that the Legislature may, within 2 years after the expiration of that 5-year period, extend the period for issuing any remaining unissued bonds or bond anticipation notes for an additional amount of time not to exceed 5 years.

Sec. 10. Referendum for ratification; submission at general election; form of question; effective date. This Act must be submitted to the

legal voters of the State of Maine at the next general election in the month of November following passage of this Act. The municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding a general election, to vote on the acceptance or rejection of this Act by voting on the following question:

"Do you favor a $15,000,000 bond issue to capitalize the State's School Revolving Renovation Fund for repairs and improvements in public school facilities to address health, safety and compliance deficiencies; general renovation needs; and learning space upgrades?"

The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within a corresponding square below the word "Yes" or "No." The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of State in the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature. The Governor shall review the returns and, if a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of this Act, the Governor shall proclaim the result without delay, and this Act becomes effective 30 days after the date of the proclamation.

The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of this Act necessary to carry out the purpose of this referendum.

SUMMARY

This bill authorizes a General Fund bond issue in the amount of $15,000,000 to capitalize the School Revolving Renovation Fund for repairs and improvements in public school facilities to address health, safety and compliance deficiencies; general renovation needs; and learning space upgrades.