House of Representatives

SB 1056

charter schools; political activities; prohibition

Sponsors: Senators Hartley, Lopez J, Valdez et al.

DPA	Committee on Education
X	Caucus and COW
	As Passed the House

SB 1056 enacts a fine of one per cent of a school district’s or charter school’s administration budget for school districts or charter schools that violate the prohibition against using school resources to influence elections. (See Education Committee amendment)

History

Current law prohibits school districts from using the district’s personnel, equipment, materials, buildings or other resources for the purpose of influencing the outcome of elections. Furthermore, school district employees are prohibited from giving pupils written materials that are designed to influence the outcome of an election and from using the authority of their positions to influence the vote or political activities of subordinate employees. SB 1056 creates a fine of one per cent of a school district’s or charter school’s total administration budget. SB 1056 also adds charter schools to the prohibition. (See Education Committee amendment)

Provisions

· Includes charter schools in the prohibition against using school resources or personnel to influence the outcome of an election.

· Designates that the Attorney General shall enforce the prohibition against using school district or charter school resources to influence the election and investigate reports of school districts or charter schools that are out of compliance. (See Education Committee amendment)

· Provides that if the Attorney General finds a school district or charter school out of compliance they shall be fined one per cent of the total administration budget of the school district or charter school and shall distribute those monies to the classroom site fund. (See Education Committee amendment)

· Provides that individuals and corporations are guaranteed civil and political liberties as stated by the United States and Arizona Constitutions.

SB 1056 was amended in the Education Committee as follows:

· Provides that the penalty for using a school’s resources for the influence of elections be a civil penalty not to exceed $500.

· Provides that charter schools are included in the civil penalty.

·

·

· ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

· 44th Legislature

· Second Regular Session 2 March 13, 2001

·

· ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------