ElectionsBond Elections

Section § 35150

Explanation

Once an irrigation plan is finalized, the board must organize a special election to decide if bonds will be issued for funding. This election is triggered if the board decides bonds are needed or if a majority landowners, based on land area, request it through a petition.

After a plan of irrigation works has been adopted pursuant to Section 35950, the board shall, by a resolution adopted and entered in its minutes, order a special election to submit to the voters a proposal of whether or not bonds in an amount specified in the order calling the election shall be authorized when either:
(a)CA Water Code § 35150(a) The board determines that the bonds should be issued.
(b)CA Water Code § 35150(b) The board receives a petition requesting the issuance of bonds signed by persons holding title to a majority in area of the land.
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Section § 35151

Explanation

This law section says that when there's an election to vote on bonds, the notice about it must be published in a widely-read local newspaper once a week for four weeks in each county that will be impacted. Also, proof that the notice was published needs to be submitted to the secretary before the election takes place.

Notice of a bond election shall be published once a week for four weeks in a newspaper of general circulation published in each affected county. Proof of publication shall be filed with the secretary prior to the day of the election.
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Section § 35152

Explanation

This law requires that a notice for a bond election includes specific information. It must list when and where the election will be held, what the election is for, details about the bonds being proposed (including the amount, type, and what they'll fund), and the highest interest rate that will apply to these bonds.

Notice of a bond election shall specify:
(a)CA Water Code § 35152(a) The time and place of the election.
(b)CA Water Code § 35152(b) The purpose of the election.
(c)CA Water Code § 35152(c) The amount and type of bonds proposed to be issued.
(d)CA Water Code § 35152(d) The maximum interest rate to be paid.
(e)CA Water Code § 35152(e) The purpose of the bonds.
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Section § 35152.5

Explanation

Once a district bond election in California has been officially announced and the public has been notified according to the required procedures, it must be carried out in the same way as other general elections held by the district.

All district bond elections, after having been called and noticed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, shall be held and conducted in the manner provided for general district elections of the district.
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Section § 35153

Explanation

When there's an election about issuing bonds, the ballots must clearly state how much money is being requested, what the money will be used for, and the highest interest rate that will be paid on these bonds.

The ballots cast at a bond election shall specify the amount and purpose of the proposed bond issue and the maximum rate of interest to be paid on the bonds.
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Section § 35154

Explanation

If a district plans to issue revenue bonds, the election ballots must clearly state that these bonds will be paid only from the district's income, not as a claim against any property in the district.

The district cannot levy taxes or assessments to pay back these bonds, covering both the principal and interest.

If revenue bonds are proposed to be issued, the ballots cast at a bond election shall contain a statement to the effect that the bonds shall be revenue bonds payable solely from the revenues of the district or a designated portion thereof, and that whether or not all of the revenues of the district are to be applied to the bonds, the bonds shall never be a lien or charge upon any land or other property in the district, and no tax or assessment shall ever be levied or collected to pay principal or interest on the bonds.
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Section § 35155

Explanation

This law allows a board to decide when to issue bonds, either all at once or in parts, based on voter approval. If they're issuing general obligation bonds, two-thirds of voters must be in favor. For revenue bonds, just over half of the voters need to agree.

The board may, by resolution, at such time or times as it deems proper, provide for the issuance of all or any part of the bonds if:
(a)CA Water Code § 35155(a) At an election to determine whether general obligation bonds should be issued two-thirds of the votes cast favor the issuance of the bonds.
(b)CA Water Code § 35155(b) At an election to determine whether revenue bonds should be issued a majority of the votes cast favor the issuance of the bonds.
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Section § 35155.1

Explanation

This law allows the board to split the total amount of bonds they issue into multiple groups, each with its own date of issuance.

The board may divide the principal amount of any issue into two or more series and fix different dates for the bonds of each series.
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