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Amendments, Election of 11-4-80:

1980 SJR 824 (Article XII, Section 9) {Adopted}

1980 SJR 1349 (Article III, Section 7) {Adopted}

1979 HJR 50 (Article II, Section 5; Article XI, Sections 2, 5) {Defeated}

1980 CS/HJR 387 (Article I, Section 23) {Adopted}

1980 HJR 1471 (Article VII, Section 14) {Adopted}

Florida ‘67 Tax Cap Committee Initiative (Article VII, Sections 4, 9) {Did Not Make Ballot Position}

A Proposition for Tax Relief Initiative (Article VII, Sections 4, 9) {Did Not Make Ballot Position}

Florida Taxpayer’s Association, Inc., Initiative (Article VII, Sections 1, 4, 9) {Did Not Make Ballot Position}

Save Our State, Inc., Initiative (Article VII, Section 1) {Did Not Make Ballot Position}

Peoples Demand to Quell Taxes Initiative {Did Not Make Ballot Position}

Save Our Homestead, Inc., Initiative (Article VII, Section 6) {Did Not Make Ballot Position}

Grassroots Amendment Initiative (Article VII, Section 6) {Did Not Make Ballot Position}

Citizens Amendments for Better Representation Initiative (Article III, Section 16) {Did Not Make Ballot Position}

Lee County Taxpayer’s League Initiative (Article VII, Sections 1, 4, 9) {Did Not Make Ballot Position}

Related Materials:

Supreme Court Opinion (386 So.2d 561)

{Addressing Initiative Petition Time Limits}

"Proposed Amendments to Florida Constitution to Be on Ballot on October 7, 1980,

and on November 4, 1980, Elections,"

by Manning J. Dauer, Fred Goddard and Jon L. Mills.

Civic Information Series, No. 63, Public Administration Clearing Service,

University of Florida. 1980.

 

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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 824

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to Section 9 of Article XII of the State Constitution relating to motor vehicle fuel taxes.

Be it Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

That the amendment to Section 9 of Article XII of the State Constitution set forth below is agreed to and shall be submitted to the electors of Florida for approval or rejection at the general election to be held in November 1980:

Section 9. Bonds.

(a) Additional Securities.

(1) Article IX, Section 17, of the Constitution of 1885, as amended, as it existed immediately before this Constitution, as revised in 1968, became effective, is adopted by this reference as a part of this revision as completely as thou gh incorporated herein verbatim, except revenue bonds, revenue certificates or other evidences of indebtedness hereafter issued thereunder may be issued by the agency of the state so authorized by law.

(2) That portion of Article XII, Section 9, Subsection (a) of this Constitution, as amended, which by reference adopted Article XII, Section 19 of the Constitution of 1885, as amended, as the same existed immediately before the effectiv e date of this amendment is adopted by this reference as part of this revision as completely as though incorporated herein verbatim, for the purpose of providing that after the effective date of this amendment all of the proceeds of the revenues derived f rom the gross receipts taxes, as therein defined, collected in each year shall be applied as provided therein to the extent necessary to comply with all obligations to or for the benefit of holders of bonds or certificates issued before the effective date of this amendment or any refundings thereof which are secured by such gross receipts taxes. No bonds or other obligations may be issued pursuant to the provisions of Article XII, Section 19, of the Constitution of 1885, as amended, but this provision sh all not be construed to prevent the refunding of any such outstanding bonds or obligations pursuant to the provisions of this subsection (a)(2).

Subject to the requirements of the first paragraph of this subsection (a)(2), beginning July 1, 1975, and for fifty years thereafter, all of the proceeds of the revenues derived from the gross receipts taxes collected from every person, including municipalities, as provided and levied as of the time of adoption of this subsection (a)(2) in Chapter 203, Florida Statutes, (hereinafter called "gross receipts taxes"), shall, as collected, be placed in a trust fund to be known as t he "public education capital outlay and debt service trust fund" in the state treasury (hereinafter referred to as "capital outlay fund"), and used only as provided herein.

The capital outlay fund shall be administered by the state board of education as created and constituted by Section 2 of Article IX of the Constitution of Florida as revised in 1968 (hereinafter referred to as "state board"), or by such other instrumentality of the state which shall hereafter succeed by law to the powers, duties and functions of the state board, including the powers, duties and functions of the state board provided in this subsection (a)(2). The state board s hall be a body corporate and shall have all the powers provided herein in addition to all other constitutional and statutory powers related to the purposes of this subsection (a)(2) heretofore or hereafter conferred by law upon the state board, or its pre decessor created by the Constitution of 1885, as amended.

State bonds pledging the full faith and credit of the state may be issued, without a vote of the electors, by the state board pursuant to law to finance or refinance capital projects theretofore authorized by the legislature, and any pu rposes appurtenant or incidental thereto, for the state system of public education provided for in Section 1 of Article IX of this Constitution (hereinafter referred to as "state system"), including but not limited to institutions of higher lear ning, junior colleges, vocational technical schools, or public schools, as now defined or as may hereafter be defined by law. All such bonds shall mature not later than July 1, 2025. All other details of such bonds shall be as provided by law or by the proceedings authorizing such bonds; provided, however, that no bonds, except refunding bonds, shall be issued, and no proceeds shall be expended for the cost of any capital project, unless such project has been authorized by the legislature.

Bonds issued pursuant to this subsection (a)(2) shall be primarily payable from such revenues derived from gross receipts taxes, and shall be additionally secured by the full faith and credit of the state. No such bonds shall ever be i ssued in an amount exceeding ninety percent of the amount which the state board determines can be serviced by the revenues derived from the gross receipts taxes accruing thereafter under the provisions of this subsection (a)(2), and such determination sha ll be conclusive.

The monies in the capital outlay fund in each fiscal year shall be used only for the following purposes and in the following order of priority:

a. For the payment of the principal of and interest on any bonds maturing in such fiscal year;

b. For the deposit into any reserve funds provided for in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of bonds of any amounts required to be deposited in such reserve funds in such fiscal year;

c. For direct payment of the cost or any part of the cost of any capital project for the state system theretofore authorized by the legislature, or for the purchase or redemption of outstanding bonds in accordance with the provisions of the proceedings which authorized the issuance of such bonds.

(b) Refunding Bonds. Revenue bonds to finance the cost of state capital projects issued prior to the date this revision becomes effective, including projects of the Florida state turnpike authority or its successor but excluding all po rtions of the state highway system, may be refunded as provided by law without vote of the electors at a lower net average interest cost rate by the issuance of bonds maturing not later than the obligations refunded, secured by the same revenues only.

(c) Motor Vehicle Fuel Taxes.

(1) A state tax, designated "second gas tax," of two cents per gallon upon gasoline and other like products of petroleum and an equivalent tax upon other sources of energy used to propel motor vehicles as levied by Article IX, Section 16, of the Constitution of 1885, as amended, is hereby continued. The proceeds of said tax shall be placed monthly in the state roads distribution fund in the state treasury.

(2) Article IX, Section 16, of the Constitution of 1885, as amended, is adopted by this reference as a part of this revision as completely as though incorporated herein verbatim for the purpose of providing that after the effective date of this revision the proceeds of the "second gas tax" as referred to therein shall be allocated among the several counties in accordance with the formula stated therein to the extent necessary to comply with all obligations to or for the benefi t of holders of bonds, revenue certificates and tax anticipation certificates or any refundings thereof secured by any portion of the "second gas tax."

(3) No funds anticipated to be allocated under the formula stated in Article IX, Section 16, of the Constitution of 1885, as amended, shall be pledged as security for any obligation hereafter issued or entered into, except that any outs tanding obligations previously issued pledging revenues allocated under said Article IX, Section 16, may be refunded at a lower average net interest cost rate by the issuance of refunding bonds, maturing not later than the obligations refunded, secured by the same revenues and any other security authorized in paragraph (5) of this subsection.

(4) Subject to the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection and after payment of administrative expenses, the "second gas tax" shall be allocated to the account of each of the several counties in the amounts to be dete rmined as follows: There shall be an initial allocation of one-fourth in the ratio of county area to state area, one-fourth in the ratio of the total county population to the total population of the state in accordance with the latest available federal ce nsus, and one-half in the ratio of the total "second gas tax" collected on retail sales or use in each county to the total collected in all counties of the state during the previous fiscal year. If the annual debt service requirements of any ob ligations issued for any county, including any deficiencies for prior years, secured under paragraph (2) of this subsection, exceeds the amount which would be allocated to that county under the formula set out in this paragraph, the amounts allocated to o ther counties shall be reduced proportionately.

(5) Funds allocated under paragraphs (2) and (4) of this subsection shall be administered by the state board of administration created under said Article IX, Section 16, of the Constitution of 1885, as amended, and which is continued as a body corporate for the life of this subsection 9(c). The board shall remit the proceeds of the "second gas tax" in each county account for use in said county as follows: eighty per cent to the state agency supervising the state road system a nd twenty per cent to the governing body of the county. The percentage allocated to the county may be increased by general law. The proceeds of the "second gas tax" subject to allocation to the several counties under this paragraph (5) shall b e used first, for the payment of obligations pledging revenues allocated pursuant to Article IX, Section 16, of the Constitution of 1885, as amended, and any refundings thereof; second, for the payment of debt service on bonds issued as provided by this p aragraph (5) to finance the acquisition and construction of roads as defined by law; and third, for the acquisition and construction of roads and for road maintenance as authorized by law. When authorized by law, state bonds pledging the full faith and c redit of the state may be issued without any election: (i) to refund obligations secured by any portion of the "second gas tax" allocated to a county under Article IX, Section 16, of the Constitution of 1885, as amended; (ii) to finance the acqu isition and construction of roads in a county when approved by the governing body of the county and the state agency supervising the state road system; and (iii) to refund obligations secured by any portion of the "second gas tax" allocated unde r paragraph 9(c)(4). No such bonds shall be issued unless a state fiscal agency created by law has made a determination that in no state fiscal year will the debt service requirements of the bonds and all other bonds secured by the pledged portion of the "second gas tax" allocated to the county exceed seventy-five per cent of the pledged portion of the "second gas tax" allocated to that county for the preceding state fiscal year, of the pledged net tolls from existing facilities colle cted in the preceding state fiscal year, and of the annual average net tolls anticipated during the first five state fiscal years of operation of new projects to be financed, and of any other legally available pledged revenues collected in the preceding s tate fiscal year. Bonds issued pursuant to this subsection shall be payable primarily from the pledged tolls, the pledged portions of the "second gas tax" allocated to that county, and any other pledged revenue, and shall mature not later than forty years from the date of issuance.

(d) School Bonds.

(1) Article XII, Section 9, Subsection (d) of this constitution, as amended, (which, by reference, adopted Article XII, Section 18, of the Constitution of 1885, as amended) as the same existed immediately before the effective date of th is amendment is adopted by this reference as a part of this amendment as completely as though incorporated herein verbatim, for the purpose of providing that after the effective date of this amendment the first proceeds of the revenues derived from the li censing of motor vehicles as referred to therein shall be distributed annually among the several counties in the ratio of the number of instruction units in each county, the same being coterminous with the school district of each county as provided in Art icle IX, Section 4, Subsection (a) of this constitution, in each year computed as provided therein to the extent necessary to comply with all obligations to or for the benefit of holders of bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates issued befor e the effective date of this amendment or any refundings thereof which are secured by any portion of such revenues derived from the licensing of motor vehicles.

(2) No funds anticipated to be distributed annually among the several counties under the formula stated in Article XII, Section 9, Subsection (d) of this constitution, as amended, as the same existed immediately before the effective dat e of this amendment shall be pledged as security for any obligations hereafter issued or entered into, except that any outstanding obligations previously issued pledging such funds may be refunded at a lower net average interest cost rate by the issuance of refunding bonds maturing not later than the obligations refunded, secured by the same revenues and any other security authorized in paragraph (13) of this subsection (d).

(3) Subject to the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection (d) beginning July 1, 1973, and for thirty-five years thereafter, the first proceeds of the revenues derived from the licensing of motor vehicles to the extent necessar y to comply with the provisions of this amendment, shall, as collected, be placed monthly in the school district and junior college district capital outlay and debt service fund in the state treasury and used only as provided in this amendment. Such reve nue shall be distributed annually among the several school districts and junior college districts in the ratio of the number of instruction units in each school district or junior college district in each year computed as provided herein. The amount of t he first revenues derived from the state motor vehicle license taxes to be so set aside in each year and distributed as provided herein shall be an amount equal in the aggregate to the product of six hundred dollars ($600) multiplied by the total number o f instruction units in all the school districts of Florida for the school fiscal year 1967-68, plus an amount equal in the aggregate to the product of eight hundred dollars ($800) multiplied by the total number of instruction units in all the school distr icts of Florida for the school fiscal year 1972-73 and for each school fiscal year thereafter which is in excess of the total number of such instruction units in all the school districts of Florida for the school fiscal year 1967-68, such excess units bei ng designated "growth units." The amount of the first revenues derived from the state motor vehicle license taxes to be so set aside in each year and distributed as provided herein shall additionally be an amount equal in the aggregate to the p roduct of four hundred dollars ($400) multiplied by the total number of instruction units in all junior college districts of Florida. The number of instruction units in each school district or junior college district in each year for the purposes of this amendment shall be the greater of (1) the number of instruction units in each school district for the school fiscal year 1967-68 or junior college district for the school fiscal year 1968-69 computed in the manner heretofore provided by general law, or ( 2) the number of instruction units in such school district, including growth units, or junior college district for the school fiscal year computed in the manner heretofore or hereafter provided by general law and approved by the state board of education ( hereinafter called the state board), or (3) the number of instruction units in each school district, including growth units, or junior college district on behalf of which the state board has issued bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates unde r this amendment which will produce sufficient revenues under this amendment to equal one and twelve-hundredths (1.12) times the aggregate amount of principal of and interest on all bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates issued under this am endment which will mature and become due in such year, computed in the manner heretofore or hereafter provided by general law and approved by the state board.

(4) Such funds so distributed shall be administered by the state board as now created and constituted by Section 2 of Article IX of the State Constitution as revised in 1968, or by such other instrumentality of the state which shall her eafter succeed by law to the powers, duties and functions of the state board, including the powers, duties and functions of the state board provided in this amendment. For the purposes of this amendment, said state board shall be a body corporate and sha ll have all the powers provided in this amendment in addition to all other constitutional and statutory powers related to the purposes of this amendment heretofore or hereafter conferred upon said state board.

(5) The state board shall, in addition to its other constitutional and statutory powers, have the management, control and supervision of the proceeds of the first part of the revenues derived from the licensing of motor vehicles provide d for in this subsection (d). The state board shall also have power, for the purpose of obtaining funds for the use of any school board of any school district or board of trustees of any junior college district in acquiring, building, constructing, alter ing, remodeling, improving, enlarging, furnishing, equipping, maintaining, renovating, or repairing of capital outlay projects for school purposes to issue bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates, and also to issue such bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates to pay, fund or refund any bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates theretofore issued by said state board. All such bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates shall bear interest at not exceeding five per centum per annum, or such higher interest rate as may be authorized by statute heretofore or hereafter passed by a three-fifths (3/5) vote of each house of the legislature. All such bonds shall mature serially in annual installments commencing not m ore than three (3) years from the date of issuance thereof and ending not later than thirty (30) years from the date of issuance, or July 1, 2007, A.D., whichever is earlier. All such motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates shall mature prior to July 1, 2007, A.D. The state board shall have power to determine all other details of said bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates and to sell at public sale after public advertisement, or exchange said bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation ce rtificates, upon such terms and conditions as the state board shall provide.

(6) The state board shall also have power to pledge for the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates, including refunding bonds or refunding motor vehicle tax anticipation cer tificates, all or any part from the anticipated revenues to be derived from the licensing of motor vehicles provided for in this amendment and to enter into any covenants and other agreements with the holders of such bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipatio n certificates at the time of the issuance thereof concerning the security thereof and the rights of the holders thereof, all of which covenants and agreements shall constitute legally binding and irrevocable contracts with such holders and shall be fully enforceable by such holders in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(7) No such bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates shall ever be issued by the state board until after the adoption of a resolution requesting the issuance thereof by the school board of the school district or board of tru stees of the junior college district on behalf of which the obligations are to be issued. The state board of education shall limit the amount of such bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates which can be issued on behalf of any school distric t or junior college district to ninety percent (90%) of the amount which it determines can be serviced by the revenue accruing to the school district or junior college district under the provisions of this amendment, and such determination shall be conclu sive. All such bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates shall be issued in the name of the state board of education but shall be issued for and on behalf of the school board of the school district or board of trustees of the junior college di strict requesting the issuance thereof, and no election or approval of qualified electors shall be required for the issuance thereof.

(8) The state board shall in each year use the funds distributable pursuant to this amendment to the credit of each school district or junior college district only in the following manner and in order of priority:

a. To comply with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection (d).

b. To pay all amounts of principal and interest maturing in such year on any bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates issued under the authority hereof, including refunding bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificate s, issued on behalf of the school board of such school district or board of trustees of such junior college district; subject, however, to any covenants or agreements made by the state board concerning the rights between holders of different issues of suc h bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates, as herein authorized.

c. To establish and maintain a sinking fund or funds to meet future requirements for debt service or reserves therefor, on bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates issued on behalf of the school board of such school district or board of trustees of such junior college district under the authority hereof, whenever the state board shall deem it necessary or advisable, and in such amounts and under such terms and conditions as the state board shall in its discretion determine.< /P>

d. To distribute annually to the several school boards of the school districts or the boards of trustees of the junior college districts for use in payment of debt service on bonds heretofore or hereafter issued by any such school board s of the school districts or boards of trustees of the junior college districts where the proceeds of the bonds were used, or are to be used, in the acquiring, building, constructing, altering, remodeling, improving, enlarging, furnishing, equipping, main taining, renovating, or repairing of capital outlay projects in such school districts or junior college districts and which capital outlay projects have been approved by the school board of the school district or board of trustees of the junior college di strict, pursuant to the most recent survey or surveys conducted under regulations prescribed by the state board to determine the capital outlay needs of the school district or junior college district. The state board shall have power at the time of issua nce of any bonds by any school board of any school district or board of trustees of any junior college district to covenant and agree with such school board or board of trustees as to the rank and priority of payments to be made for different issues of bo nds under this subparagraph d., and may further agree that any amounts to be distributed under this subparagraph d. may be pledged for the debt service on bonds issued by any school board of any school district or board of trustees of any junior college d istrict and for the rank and priority of such pledge. Any such covenants or agreements of the state board may be enforced by any holders of such bonds in any court of competent jurisdiction.

e. To distribute annually to the several school boards of the school districts or boards of trustees of the junior college districts for the payment of the cost of acquiring, building, constructing, altering, remodeling, improving, enla rging, furnishing, equipping, maintaining, renovating, or repairing of capital outlay projects for school purposes in such school district or junior college district as shall be requested by resolution of the school board of the school district or board o f trustees of the junior college district.

f. When all major capital outlay needs of a school district or junior college district have been met as determined by the state board, on the basis of a survey made pursuant to regulations of the state board and approved by the state bo ard, all such funds remaining shall be distributed annually and used for such school purposes in such school district or junior college district as the school board of the school district or board of trustees of the junior college district shall determine , or as may be provided by general law.

(9) Capital outlay projects of a school district or junior college district shall be eligible to participate in the funds accruing under this amendment and derived from the proceeds of bonds and motor vehicle tax anticipation certificat es and from the motor vehicle license taxes, only in the order of priority of needs, as shown by a survey or surveys conducted in the school district or junior college district under regulations prescribed by the state board, to determine the capital outl ay needs of the school district or junior college district and approved by the state board; provided that the priority of such projects may be changed from time to time upon the request of the school board of the school district or board of trustees of th e junior college district and with the approval of the state board; and provided further, that this paragraph (9) shall not in any manner affect any covenant, agreement or pledge made by the state board in the issuance by said state board of any bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates, or in connection with the issuance of any bonds of any school board of any school district, or board of trustees of any junior college district.

(10) The state board may invest any sinking fund or funds created pursuant to this amendment in direct obligations of the United States of America or in the bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates, issued by the state board on behalf of the school board of any school district or board of trustees of any junior college district.

(11) The state board shall have power to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary to the full exercise of the powers herein granted and no legislation shall be required to render this amendment of full force and operating ef fect. The legislature shall not reduce the levies of said motor vehicle license taxes during the life of this amendment to any degree which will fail to provide the full amount necessary to comply with the provisions of this amendment and pay the necessa ry expenses of administering the laws relating to the licensing of motor vehicles, and shall not enact any law having the effect of withdrawing the proceeds of such motor vehicle license taxes from the operation of this amendment and shall not enact any l aw impairing or materially altering the rights of the holders of any bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates issued pursuant to this amendment or impairing or altering any covenant or agreement of the state board, as provided in such bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates.

(12) The state board shall have power to appoint such persons and fix their compensation for the administration of the provisions of this amendment as it shall deem necessary, and the expenses of the state board in administering the pro visions of this amendment shall be prorated among the various school districts and junior college districts and paid out of the proceeds of the bonds or motor vehicle tax anticipation certificates or from the funds distributable to each school district or junior college district on the same basis as such motor vehicle license taxes are distributable to the various school districts or junior college districts under the provisions of this amendment. Interest or profit on sinking fund investments shall acc rue to the school districts or junior college districts in proportion to their respective equities in the sinking fund or funds.

(13) Bonds issued by the state board pursuant to this subsection (d) shall be payable primarily from said motor vehicle license taxes as provided herein, and if heretofore or hereafter authorized by law, may be additionally secured by p ledging the full faith and credit of the state without an election. When heretofore or hereafter authorized by law, bonds issued pursuant to Article XII, Section 18 of the Constitution of 1885, as amended prior to 1968, and bonds issued pursuant to Artic le XII, Section 9, subsection (d) of the Constitution as revised in 1968, and bonds issued pursuant to this subsection (d), may be refunded by the issuance of bonds additionally secured by the full faith and credit of the state only at a lower net average interest cost rate.

(e) Debt Limitation. Bonds issued pursuant to this Section 9 of Article XII which are payable primarily from revenues pledged pursuant to this section shall not be included in applying the limits upon the amount of state bonds containe d in Section 11, Article VII, of this revision.

(f) If, at the general election at which this amendment is adopted, there is also adopted an amendment to this section wherein the proposed language of subsection (a) differs from that contained herein, then such other language as to su bsection (a) shall prevail over the language of subsection (a) as contained herein.

(g) If, at the general election at which this amendment is adopted, there is also adopted an amendment to this section wherein the proposed language of subsection (d) differs from that contained herein, then such other language shall pr evail over the language of subsection (d) as contained herein.

(h) If, at the general election at which this amendment is adopted, there is also adopted an amendment to this section wherein the proposed language of subsection (c) differs from that contained herein, then such other language as to su bsection (c) shall prevail over the language of subsection (c) as contained herein. This amendment shall take effect as of July 1, 1975.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in accordance with the requirements of section 101.161, Florida Statutes, the substance of the amendment proposed herein shall appear on the ballot as follows:

Proposing an amendment to Section 9 of Article XII of the State Constitution replacing the 40-year limitation on the use of the "second gas tax" to finance bonds for roads with a 40-year limitation upon the bonds secured and p ayable by revenues from the tax. Proposing to authorize counties to utilize such revenues for road maintenance as authorized by law rather than just for the acquisition or construction of roads. Proposing to allow the use of revenues other than those fr om the tax and pledged tolls to pay bonds secured by the tax. Proposing to include within the formula used to determine the debt service requirements on such bonds legally available pledged revenues other than those from the tax and from tolls.

Filed in Office Secretary of State June 23, 1980.

 

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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 1349

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to Section 7, Article III of the State Constitution, relating to passage of bills by the Legislature.

Be it Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

That the following amendment to Section 7 of Article III of the State Constitution is hereby agreed to and shall be submitted to the electors of this state for approval or rejection at the general election to be held in November 198 0:

Section 7. Passage of Bills. Any bill may originate in either house and after passage in one may be amended in the other. It shall be read in each house on three separate days, unless this rule is waived by two-thirds vote; provide d the publication of its title in the journal of a house shall satisfy the requirement for the first reading in that house. On each reading, it shall be read by title only, unless one-third of the members present desire it read in full. On final passage , the vote of each member voting shall be entered on the journal. Passage of a bill shall require a majority vote in each house. Each bill and joint resolution passed on both houses shall be signed by the presiding officers of the respective houses and by the secretary of the senate and the clerk of the house of representatives during the session or as soon as practicable after its adjournment sine die.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following statement be placed on the ballot:

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

ARTICLE III, SECTION 7

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to provide that the publication of the title of a bill in the legislative journals shall serve as the first of the three readings required by the State Constitution.

Filed in Office Secretary of State June 2, 1980.

 

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 50

A joint resolution proposing amendments to Section 5 of Article II and Sections 2 and 5 of Article XI of the State Constitution abolishing the Constitutional* Revision Commission.

Be it Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

That the amendments to Section 5 of Article II and Sections 2 and 5 of Article XI of the State Constitution set forth below are agreed to and shall be submitted to the electors of Florida for approval or rejection at the general ele ction to be held in November 1980:

 

ARTICLE II

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 5. Public Officers.

(a) No person holding any office of emolument under any foreign government, or civil office of emolument under the United States or any other state, shall hold any office of honor or of emolument under the government of this state. No person shall hold at the same time more than one office under the government of the state and the counties and municipalities therein, except that a notary public or military officer may hold another office, and any officer may be a member of a constituti onal convention, or statutory body having only advisory powers.

(b) Each state and county officer, before entering upon the duties of the office, shall give bond as required by law, and shall swear or affirm:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States and of the State of Florida; that I am duly qualified to hold office under the Constitution of the state ; and that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of . . . (title of office) . . . on which I am now about to enter. So help me God.",

and thereafter shall devote personal attention to the duties of the office, and continue in office until his successor qualifies.

(c)s The powers, duties, compensation and method of payment of state and county officers shall be fixed by law.

 

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS

[Section 2 to be deleted.]

Section 5. Amendment or Revision Election.

(a) A proposed amendment to or revision of this constitution, or any part of it, shall be submitted to the electors at the next general election held more than ninety days after the joint resolution, initiative petition or report of con stitutional convention proposing it is filed with the secretary of state, unless, pursuant to law enacted by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the membership of each house of the legislature and limited to a single amendment or revision, it is subm itted at an earlier special election held more than ninety days after such filing.

(b) Once in the tenth week, and once in the sixth week immediately preceding the week in which the election is held, the proposed amendment or revision, with notice of the date of election at which it will be submitted to the electors, shall be published in one newspaper of general circulation in each county in which a newspaper is published.

(c) If the proposed amendment or revision is approved by vote of the electors, it shall be effective as an amendment to or revision of the constitution of the state on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January following the el ection, or on such other date as may be specified in the amendment or revision.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in accordance with the requirements of section 101.161, Florida Statutes, the substance of the amendments proposed herein shall appear on the ballot as follows:

Proposing amendments to Section 5 of Article II and Sections 2 and 5 of Article XI of the State Constitution to abolish the Constitution Revision Commission.

Filed in Office Secretary of State June 14, 1979.

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COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 387

A joint resolution proposing the creation of Section 23 of Article I of the State Constitution relating to the right of privacy.

Be it Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

That the creation of Section 23 of Article I of the State Constitution set forth below is agreed to and shall be submitted to the electors of Florida for approval or rejection at the general election to be held in November 1980:

 

ARTICLE I

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS

Section 23. Right of Privacy. Every natural person has the right to be let alone and free from governmental intrusion into his private life except as otherwise provided herein. This section shall not be construed to limit the publi c’s right to access to public records and meetings as provided by law.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in accordance with the requirements of section 101.161, Florida Statutes, the substance of the amendment proposed herein shall appear on the ballot as follows:

Proposing the creation of Section 23 of Article I of the State Constitution establishing a constitutional right of privacy.

Filed in Office Secretary of State May 19, 1980.

 

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 1471

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to Section 14 of Article VII of the State Constitution, relating to bonds for water facilities.

Be it Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

That the following amendment to Section 14 of Article VII of the State Constitution set forth below is agreed to and shall be submitted to the electors of Florida for approval or rejection at the general election to be held in Novem ber 1980:

Section 14. Bonds for Pollution Control and Abatement and Other Water Facilities.

(a) When authorized by law, state bonds pledging the full faith and credit of the state may be issued without an election to finance the construction of air and water pollution control and abatement and solid waste disposal facilities a nd other water facilities authorized by general law (herein referred to as "facilities") to be operated by any municipality, county, district or authority, or any agency thereof (herein referred to as "local governmental agencies"), or by any agency of the State of Florida. Such bonds shall be secured by a pledge of and shall be payable primarily from all or any part of revenues to be derived from operation of such facilities, special assessments, rentals to be received under lease-pu rchase agreements herein provided for, any other revenues that may be legally available for such purpose, including revenues from other facilities, or any combination thereof (herein collectively referred to as "pledged revenues"), and shall be additionally secured by the full faith and credit of the State of Florida.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in accordance with the requirements of section 101.161, Florida Statutes, the substance of the amendment proposed herein shall appear on the ballot as follows:

Proposing an amendment to Section 14 of Article VII of the State Constitution to allow the issuance of state bonds for water facilities as authorized by general law.

Filed in Office Secretary of State June 19, 1980.

 

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FLORIDA ‘67 TAX CAP COMMITTEE INITIATIVE

PROPERTY ASSESSMENT CAP

If any portion of this Amendment is found to be invalid, it shall not invalidate the remaining portions of the Amendment.

Section 4 of Article VII is amended to read:

 

ARTICLE VII

FINANCE AND TAXATION

Section 4. Taxation; Assessments. By general law regulations shall be prescribed which shall secure a just valuation of all property for ad valorem taxation, provided:

(a) Agricultural land or land used exclusively for non-commercial recreational purposes may be classified by general law and assessed solely on the basis of character or use.

(b) Pursuant to general law tangible personal property held for sale as stock in trade and livestock may be valued for taxation at a specified percentage of its value.

(c) Real property shall be assessed at the assessed value of equivalent property of similar character or use on January 1, 1977, plus no more than one percent per year after the effective date of this subsection. Equalization of assess ments shall not increase total assessments.

 

 

PROPERTY MILLAGE CAP

If any portion of this Amendment is found to be invalid, it shall not invalidate the remaining portions of the Amendment.

Section 9 of Article VII is amended to read:

 

ARTICLE VII

FINANCE AND TAXATION

Section 9. Local Taxes.

(a) Counties, school districts, and municipalities shall, and special districts may, be authorized by law to levy ad valorem taxes and may be authorized by general law to levy other taxes, for their respective purposes, except ad valore m taxes on intangible personal property and taxes prohibited by this constitution.

(b) Ad valorem taxes, exclusive of taxes levied for the payment of bonds and taxes levied for periods not longer than two years when authorized by vote of the electors who are the owners of freeholds therein not wholly exempt from taxat ion, shall not be levied in excess of the following millages upon the assessed value of real estate and tangible personal property for all county purposes, five mills; for all municipal purposes, five mills; for all school purposes, five mills; for water management purposes for the northwest portion of the state lying west of the line between ranges two and three east, 0.05 mill; for water management purposes for the remaining portions of the state, 1.0 mill; and for all other special districts a millage authorized by law approved by vote of the electors who are owners of freeholds therein not wholly exempt from taxation. A county furnishing municipal services may, to the extent authorized by law, levy additional taxes within the limits fixed for municip al purposes.

 

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A PROPOSITION FOR TAX RELIEF INITIATIVE

I. Article VII, Section 4 is amended to read:

Section 4. Taxation; Assessments. By general law regulations shall be prescribed which shall determine a just valuation of all property, provided that property shall be assessed for ad valorem taxation at 65% of its just value; and< /P>

(a) Agricultural land or land used exclusively for non-commercial recreational purposes may be classified by general law and assessed solely on the basis of character or use; provided that when so classified such property shall be asses sed for ad valorem taxation at 65% of its value based on character and use.

(b) Pursuant to general law tangible personal property held for sale as stock in trade and livestock may be valued for taxation at a specified percentage of its value.

II. Article VII, Section 9 is amended to add subsection (c) as follows:

(c) In addition to the limitations imposed by subsection (b) of this section, counties, school districts, municipalities and special districts shall not levy ad valorem taxes for operating purposes, exclusive of taxes imposed upon impro vements to real property by new construction that are subject to assessment for the first time, which exceed by more than 5% the ad valorem taxes levied for operating purposes for the prior year, unless such levy has been approved by referendum.

III. This amendment shall take effect upon approval and apply to assessments and taxes levied on the assessment rolls for the year 1981 and each year thereafter.

 

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FLORIDA TAXPAYER’S ASSOCIATION, INC., INITIATIVE

PROPERTY OWNERS AND TENANTS DEMAND TO QUELL TAXES

If any amended portion of this Amendment is found to be invalid by the Courts it shall not invalidate the remaining amended portions of the Amendment. Sections 1, 4, and 9, Article VII, are amended to read:

ARTICLE VII

FINANCE AND TAXATION

Section 1. Taxation, Appropriations; State Expenses.

(a) No tax shall be levied except in pursuance of law enacted by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the membership of each house of the legislature. No state ad valorem taxes shall be levied upon real property or tangible personal pr operty. All other forms of taxation shall be preempted to the state except as provided by general law.

(b) Motor vehicles, boats, airplanes, trailers, trailer coaches and mobile homes, as defined by law, shall be subject to a license tax for their operation in the amounts and for the purposes prescribed by law, but shall not be subject t o ad valorem taxes.

(c) No money shall be drawn from the treasury except in pursuance of appropriation made by law.

(d) Provision shall be made by law for raising sufficient revenue to defray the expenses of the state for each fiscal period, providing that the revenue and appropriations from all sources shall not exceed 5% over the preceding fiscal y ears revenue and appropriations from all sources, or that the revenue and appropriations from all sources SHALL NOT exceed 8% of the Gross Personal Income of the residents of the State of Florida for the prior budget year, whichever is less. Any and all revenues in excess of the preceding limitations shall be used to defray part of the expenses of the state in the following fiscal period.

(e) Only at such time that a State of Emergency is declared, shall the Governor with the approval of two-thirds of each house of legislature levy additional taxes to raise revenue to compensate for the Emergency.

Section 4. Taxation; Assessments. By general law regulations shall be prescribed which shall secure a just valuation of all property for ad valorem taxation, provided:

(a) Agricultural land or land used exclusively for non-commercial recreational purposes may be classified by general law and assessed solely on the basis of character or use.

(b) Pursuant to general law tangible personal property held for sale as stock in trade and livestock may be valued for taxation at a specified percentage of its value.

(c) The assessment for any parcel of real property shall not be increased in any year more than 1% over the assessment for the preceding year, exclusive of any increase attributable to new construction or new improvements made thereon a nd subject to assessment for the first time. Transfer of ownership shall not negate nor alter this section.

(d) The assessment for any parcel of real property used exclusively as homestead, shall not be increased, from such time as head of household reaches age 61, over the preceding year, exclusive of any increase attributable to new constru ction or new improvements made thereon and subject to assessment for the first time.

(e) The assessment for any parcel of real property used exclusively as homestead, shall be rolled back to the 1977 tax roll assessment value of said property.

Section 9. Local Taxes.

(a) Counties, school districts, and municipalities shall, and special districts may be authorized by law to levy ad valorem taxes and, until January 1, 1981, may be authorized by general law to levy other taxes, for their respective pur poses, except ad valorem taxes on intangible personal property and taxes prohibited by this constitution.

(b) Ad valorem taxes, exclusive of taxes levied for the payment of bonds and taxes levied for periods not longer than two years when authorized by vote of the electors who are the owners of freeholds therein not wholly exempt from taxat ion, shall not be levied in excess of the following millages upon the assessed value of real property and tangible personal property: for all county purposes, five mills; for all municipal purposes, five mills; for all school purposes, five mills; for wa ter management purposes for the northwest portion of the state lying west of the line between ranges two and three east, 0.05 mill; for water management purposes for the remaining portions of the state, 1.0 mill; and for all other special districts a mill age authorized by law approved by vote of the electors who are owners of freeholds therein not wholly exempt from taxation. A county furnishing municipal services may, to the extent authorized by law, levy additional taxes within the limits fixed for mun icipal purposes.

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SAVE OUR STATE, INC., INITIATIVE

An amendment to Section 1 of Article VII of the State Constitution by adding the following sections:

(e) In no year shall the rate of increase in appropriations from state general tax revenues exceed the estimated rate of growth of the economy of the state as determined by law. No appropriation in excess of this limitation shall be ma de unless the legislature shall, by law containing no other subject matter, set forth the dollar amount and the rate by which the limit will be exceeded. No appropriation in excess of this limitation shall be made without a three-fifths vote of the membe rship of each house of the legislature.

(f) All revenue in any one year in excess of the amount necessary to fund the appropriations for that period, shall be deposited into a working capital fund which shall be maintained in an amount fixed by law. Any revenue in excess of the amount necessary to maintain the working capital fund shall be used for tax relief.

 

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PEOPLES DEMAND TO QUELL TAXES INITIATIVE

PDQ TAXES . . . A TAX REVOLT

That the constitution of the State of Florida be amended so as to include the following sections:

Section 1.

(a) The maximum amount of any ad valorem tax on real property shall not exceed ten (10) mills based on the full cash value of such property. The ten (10) mill tax to be collected by the counties and apportioned according to law to the districts within the counties;

(b) The limitation provided for herein shall not apply to ad valorem taxes or special assessments to pay the interest and redemption charges on any indebtedness approved by the voters prior to the time this section becomes effective.

Section 2.

(a) The full cash value means the county assessors valuation of real property as determined by the most recent appraisal made prior to 1978;

(b) After 1980 the Fair market value base may reflect from year to year a rate of increase or decrease. The percentage of such an increase or decrease shall not exceed the maximum percentage of change in the National Consumer Price Ind ex using 1980 as a base year and no changes may be made which might be considered to be retroactive to a date prior to 1980;

(c) Transfer of ownership shall not negate nor alter this section.

Section 3.

From and after the effective date of this article, any changes in State taxes for the purpose of increasing revenues collected pursuant thereto whether by increased rates or changes in methods of computation must be imposed by an Act pa ssed by not less than two-thirds of all members elected to each of the two houses of the Legislature, except that no new ad valorem taxes on real property, or sales or transaction taxes on the sales of real property, may be imposed under any circumstances .

Section 4.

Cities, Counties, and special districts, by a two-thirds vote of the qualified electors of such district, may impose special taxes on such district, except ad valorem taxes on real property or a transaction tax or sales tax on the sale of real property within such City, County, or special district.

Section 5.

Nothing contained herein shall be construed to contravene any existing individual property right or rights or contravene any rights to exemptions under present law.

Section 6.

This article shall take effect for the tax year beginning January 1 following the passage of this Amendment, except Section 3 which shall become effective upon the passage of this article.

Section 7.

If any section, part, clause or phrase hereof is for any reason held to be invalid, the remaining sections shall not be affected but will remain in full force and effect.

 

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SAVE HOUR HOMESTEAD, INC., INITIATIVE

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION

ARTICLE VII

Section 6.

(a) Every person who has the legal or equitable title to real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the owner or another legally or naturally dependent upon the owner, shall be exempt from all ad valorem taxation there on.

The real estate may be held by legal or equitable title, by the entireties, jointly, in common, as a condominium, or indirectly by stock ownership or membership representing the owner’s or member’s proprietary interest in a corporation owning a fee or leasehold initially in excess of ninety-eight years.

(b) Not more than one exemption shall be allowed any individual or family unit or with respect to any residential unit.

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GRASSROOTS AMENDMENT INITIATIVE

ARTICLE VII

Section 6. Provision shall be made by the legislature to permit the cultivation, possession, sale, licensing, and taxation of cannabis directing all taxes generated by this action to be appropriated to the several counties based on t he number of homestead exemptions in each, mandating a reduction in homeowners property taxes no later than January 1, 1982.

 

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CITIZENS AMENDMENT FOR BETTER REPRESENTATION INITIATIVE

Section 16 of Article III of the State Constitution shall be amended to read:

Section 16. Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment.

(a) Reapportionment Mandate. In each year ending in one, the state shall be divided into: as many congressional districts as there are United States Representatives apportioned to the state; not less than thirty or more than forty sena te districts; and not less than eighty or more than one hundred and twenty representative districts. All legislative districts shall be single-member districts.

(b) Reapportionment Commission. In each year ending in one and at any other time of court-ordered reapportionment, a commission shall be established to prepare a reapportionment plan for congressional and state legislative districts. The commission shall consist of seven electors, none of whom may be elected public or party officers or employees of the state legislature. The president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the minority leader of the senate, the m inority leader of the house of representatives, and the chairperson of the political party which received the second highest vote in the last gubernatorial election shall each submit to the governor and make public a list of not less than three persons. By July 1 of the same year, the governor shall appoint one person from each list and one additional person. In making his appointments, the governor shall give due consideration to the appointment of a commission that is broadly representative of the peo ple of the state. Within thirty days after appointments have been made, the six commissioners shall select by a vote of at least four commissioners a seventh commissioner, who shall serve as chairperson. Failure to select the seventh commissioner within the time prescribed shall constitute an impasse which shall automatically discharge the commission. A new commission shall then be appointed in the same manner as the original commission. The legislature shall establish by law the qualifications of com missioners, the procedures for their selection and for the filling of vacancies, and the duties and powers of the commission. The legislature shall appropriate funds to enable the commission to carry out its duties.

(c) Reapportionment Standards.

(1) Congressional districts and state legislative districts for each respective house shall be as nearly equal in population as is practicable, based on the population reported in the federal census taken each year ending in zero. In n o case shall a congressional district have a population which varies by more than one percent from the average population of all congressional districts in the state. In no case shall a single state legislative district have a population which varies by more than five percent from the average population of all districts of a house. In no case shall the average of the absolute values of the population deviations of all districts of the respective house exceed two percent of the average population of all districts. Any population variance must be justifiable as necessary for compliance with one or more of the other standards set forth in this section. The commission shall have the burden of justifying any variance between the population of a district an d the average population of all districts.

(2) Districts shall be composed of convenient contiguous territory and, consistent with paragraph (1), shall be drawn to coincide with the boundaries of local political subdivisions.

(3) Districts shall be compact in form. The aggregate length of all district boundaries shall be as short as practicable consistent with the standards contained in paragraphs (1) and (2). In no case shall the aggregate length of the b oundaries of all districts of a house, as well as of all districts within a local political subdivision that has a population sufficient to establish two or more districts, exceed by more than five percent the shortest possible aggregate length of all the districts under any other plan that is consistent with the other standards contained in this constitution.

(4) The commission shall prepare a plan that is equitable to all electors. In preparing a plan, the commission shall not use demographic information or information about incumbent legislators, the political affiliations of registered v oters, or previous election results for the purpose of favoring any political party, incumbent legislator, or any other person or group.

(5) No district shall be drawn for the purpose of diluting the voting strength of any language or racial minority group.

(d) Judicial Review of Apportionment. Within fifteen days after the submission of an apportionment plan by the commission, the attorney general shall petition the supreme court of the state for a declaratory judgment determining the va lidity of the apportionment plan. The supreme court, in accordance with its rules, shall permit adversary interests to present their views, and, within sixty days from the filing of the petition, shall enter its judgment. Should the supreme court determ ine the apportionment plan to be invalid in whole or in part, the governor shall reconvene the commission which shall, within thirty days, adopt an apportionment plan conforming to the judgment of the supreme court. A revised plan shall be subject to jud icial review by the supreme court in the same manner as the original plan.

(e) Schedule to Article III, Section 16. The first election pursuant to this apportionment shall be held at the general election in 1982.

 

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LEE COUNTY TAXPAYER’S LEAGUE INITIATIVE

TAX CAP PROPOSITION

Property Owners and Tenants Tax Relief Amendment

If any amended portion of this Amendment is found to be invalid by the Courts it shall not invalidate the remaining amended portions of the Amendment. Sections 1, 4, and 9, Article VII, are amended to read:

ARTICLE VII

FINANCE AND TAXATION

Section 1. Taxation, Appropriations; State Expenses.

(a) No tax shall be levied except in pursuance of law enacted by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the membership of each house of the legislature. No state ad valorem taxes shall be levied upon real property or tangible personal pr operty. All other forms of taxation shall be preempted to the state except as provided by general law.

(b) Motor vehicles, boats, airplanes, trailers, trailer coaches and mobile homes, as defined by law, shall be subject to a license tax for their operation in the amounts and for the purposes prescribed by law, but shall not be subject t o ad valorem taxes.

(c) No money shall be drawn from the treasury except in pursuance of appropriation made by law.

(d) Provision shall be made by law for raising sufficient revenue to defray the expenses of the state for each fiscal period.

Section 4. Taxation; Assessments. By general law regulations shall be prescribed which shall secure a just valuation of all property for ad valorem taxation, provided:

(a) Agricultural land or land used exclusively for non-commercial recreational purposes may be classified by general law and assessed solely on the basis of character or use.

(b) Pursuant to general law tangible personal property held for sale as stock in trade and livestock may be valued for taxation at a specified percentage of its value.

(c) The assessment for any parcel of real property shall not be increased in any year more than 1% over the assessment for the preceding year, exclusive of any increase attributable to new construction or new improvements made thereon a nd subject to assessment for the first time. Transfer of ownership shall not negate nor alter this section.

(d) The assessment for any parcel of real property used exclusively as homestead, shall not be increased, from such time as head of household reaches age 61, over the preceding year, exclusive of any increase attributable to new constru ction or new improvements made thereon and subject to assessment for the first time.

(e) The assessment for any parcel of real property used exclusively as homestead, shall be rolled back to the 1977 tax roll assessment value of said property.

Section 9. Local Taxes.

(a) Counties, school districts, and municipalities shall, and special districts may be authorized by law to levy ad valorem taxes and, until January 1, 1981, may be authorized by general law to levy other taxes, for their respective pur poses, except ad valorem taxes on intangible personal property and taxes prohibited by this constitution.

(b) Ad valorem taxes, exclusive of taxes levied for the payment of bonds and taxes levied for periods not longer than two years when authorized by vote of the electors who are the owners of freeholds therein not wholly exempt from taxat ion, shall not be levied in excess of the following millages upon the assessed value of real property and tangible personal property; for all county purposes, five mills; for all municipal purposes, five mills; for all school purposes, five mills; for wat er management purposes for the northwest portion of the state lying west of the line between ranges two and three east, 0.05 mill; for water management purposes for the remaining portions of the state, 1.0 mill; and for all other special districts a milla ge authorized by law approved by vote of the electors who are owners of freeholds therein not wholly exempt from taxation. A county furnishing municipal services may, to the extent authorized by law, levy additional taxes within the limits fixed for muni cipal purposes.

 

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