Assigned to ED                                                                                                                                     FOR COMMITTEE

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1247

 

charter schools; political activities; prohibition

 

Purpose

 

Prohibits charter schools from using school resources to influence the outcome of elections, and provides the Attorney General enforcement authority to impose a penalty on school districts and charter schools that are out of compliance with laws prohibiting the use of school resources to influence elections.

 

Background

 

Arizona law currently prohibits school districts from using personnel, equipment, materials, buildings or other resources to influence the outcome of elections (A.R.S. 15-511). Charter schools are not specifically mentioned in statute.

 

S.B. 1247 includes charter schools to this section of the law.  Additionally, S.B. 1247 requires the Attorney General to investigate and impose a penalty on school districts or charter schools that are found to be out of compliance with this section.  The amount of the fine would be one percent of the total administration budget and must be deposited in the classroom site fund established pursuant to Laws 2000, Fifth Special Session, Chapter 1 and the passage of Proposition 301.

 

There is no discernible fiscal impact to the state general fund associated with this bill.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Prohibits charter schools from using school resources or employees to influence the outcomes of elections.

 

2.      Provides the Attorney General enforcement authority to investigate reports of school districts or charter schools that are out of compliance with laws prohibiting the use of school resources to influence the outcomes of elections.

 

3.      Requires the Attorney General to impose a penalty on school districts or charter schools that are out of compliance that is equal to one percent of the total administration budget.  Requires any of these monies to be deposited in the classroom site fund.

 

4.      Adds individuals and corporations to the existing statute that prohibits anything in this section of law from being construed to deny the civil and political liberties guaranteed by the U.S. and Arizona Constitutions.

 

5.      Makes technical and conforming changes.

 

6.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

February 4, 2002