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HomePublic Utilities CodeDiv. 10Pt. 14Ch. 7Art. 1§ 102501 District Bond Issuance Process

§ 102501 District Bond Issuance Process

Public Utilities Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 102501 District Bond Issuance Process

This law says the school district can borrow money by selling bonds, but only if two‑thirds of the board agree and the voters approve it, and the total borrowing can’t be more than 15% of the value of all taxable property in the district.

Key Takeaways

  • •Board must approve a bond proposal with a two‑thirds vote.
  • •Voters must vote yes on the bond measure.
  • •Total bonds can’t be more than 15% of the district’s taxable property value.
  • •Bonds can’t last longer than 50 years and can’t charge more than 7% interest per year.

Example

The district wants to build a new gym for its schools.

The board would first vote 2/3 to propose a bond, then they would tell voters about the plan. If the voters say yes, the district can sell bonds to raise the money, as long as the total bonds don’t go over 15% of the district’s property value.

How to Calculate

Maximum bond amount = 0.15 × Assessed value of taxable property

  1. Find the total assessed value of all taxable property in the district (from the latest equalized assessment rolls).
  2. Multiply that number by 0.15 (or 15%).
  3. The result is the most money the district can borrow through bonds.

The district’s property is assessed at $200,000,000.

Result: Maximum bond amount = 0.15 × $200,000,000 = $30,000,000. The district cannot issue bonds worth more than $30 million.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 102501 District Bond Issuance Process

Whenever the board deems it necessary for the district to incur a bonded indebtedness for the acquisition, construction, or repair of any or all improvements, works, property or facilities, authorized by this part or necessary or convenient for the carrying out of the powers of the district, or for any other purpose authorized by this part, it shall, by ordinance, adopted by a two-thirds vote of the board, so declare and call an election to be held in the district for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters thereof the proposition of incurring indebtedness by the issuance of bonds of the district; provided the total amount of bonds issued and outstanding pursuant to this article shall not exceed 15 percent of the assessed value of the taxable property of the district as shown by the last equalized assessment rolls of the counties of Sacramento, Placer, and Yolo. The ordinance shall state: (a) The purposes for which the proposed debt is to be incurred, which may include all costs and estimated costs incidental to or connected with the accomplishment of those purposes, including, without limitation, engineering, inspection, legal, fiscal agents, financial consultant and other fees, bond and other reserve funds, working capital, bond interest estimated to accrue during the construction period and for a period not to exceed three years thereafter, and expenses of all proceedings for the authorization, issuance, and sale of the bonds. (b) The estimated cost of accomplishing those purposes. (c) The amount of the principal of the indebtedness. (d) The maximum term the bonds proposed to be issued shall run before maturity, which shall not exceed 50 years from the date thereof or the date of each series thereof. (e) The maximum rate of interest to be paid, which shall not exceed 7 percent per annum. (f) The proposition to be submitted to the voters, which may include one or more purposes. (g) The date of the election. (h) The manner of holding the election and the procedure for voting for or against the measure. (i) The ordinance may also contain any other matters authorized by this part or any other law. (Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 272, Sec. 35. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

bonded indebtednesstwo-thirds vote15 percent of the assessed value50 years7 percent per annum

Related Statutes

  • § 103500 District Bond Issuance Authority
  • § 100400 Vta Bond Approval Process
  • § 30900 District Bond Authorization Process
  • § 13202 Bonded Indebtedness For Utilities
  • § 26202 Bonded Indebtedness For Transit

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Public Utilities Code. Section 102501.
View Official Source