HB 2515 Arizona House · 57th Legislature - First Regular Session

truth in taxation; bonds; notices

HB 2515 requires Arizona school districts seeking budget increases exceeding legal limits to provide voters with detailed, neutral informational pamphlets before elections. The pamphlets must include specific financial details: the proposed tax impact on different property types (e.g., owner-occupied homes at varying valuations), the total budget amounts, funding sources (taxes vs. non-tax revenue), and the purpose of spending. It also mandates that districts prepare an alternate budget without the increase if voters reject the proposal, and strictly regulates the inclusion of written arguments for/against the increase. This bill, passed by the legislature but vetoed by the governor in April 2025, directly affects school districts and voters in those districts by standardizing disclosure requirements for tax-related budget overrides.
Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Vetoed
Apr 2025
Introduced Jan 27, 2025 Vetoed Apr 18, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Version House Engrossed Version · 8 edits · Apr 10, 2025
MODERATE
This bill strengthens transparency and voter information requirements for school district budget overrides, bond elections, and property tax increases across Arizona. It mandates more detailed financial disclosures, standardized ballot language, and expanded informational pamphlets to ensure voters can make informed decisions about tax levies and budget increases.
Scope change
The bill applies to school districts, community college districts, counties, cities, towns, and special taxing districts throughout Arizona, with specific provisions for different types of elections and tax increases.
REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for informational pamphlets to include tax rate calculations for homes valued at $100,000, $400,000, and $1,000,000 to help voters understand direct financial impact.

Added requirement for public meetings each year between September 1 and October 31 to update voters on capital improvements funded through budget overrides or bond elections.

Modified ballot language requirements to include standardized statements about whether proposed projects exceed state standards and are funded beyond state allocations.

Added requirement for county school superintendents to review factual statements in written arguments and correct inaccurate information while preserving authors' opinions.

Modified notice publication requirements for property tax increases to include specific tax rate calculations for different property values in the notice itself.

Added requirement for school districts to submit proposed ballot language to the Arizona legislative council at least 85 days before elections for certain override elections.

Modified maximum budget increase limits for small school districts with fewer than 154 or 176 students, with specific formulas for calculating limits based on student counts.

Added requirement for truth in taxation notices to be posted on official district websites and include press releases to all newspapers of general circulation.

Floor votes · House Feb 11, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
5
Committee
1
Amendments
2
Apr 18, 2025
Vetoed
Vetoed by Governor
executive
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED
upper
Mar 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
DP
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
PASSED
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
DPA
lower
Jan 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
DPA
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Justin Olson
Justin Olson
RRepublican
AZ
10