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HomeEducation CodeCh. 1.5Art. 3§ 15284 Bond Fund Expenditure Challenges

§ 15284 Bond Fund Expenditure Challenges

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

§ 15284 Bond Fund Expenditure Challenges

This law lets a property‑taxpayer in a school or community‑college district sue to stop the district from spending bond money in ways that aren’t allowed.

Key Takeaways

  • •Any local taxpayer can sue if bond money is spent for a purpose not listed in the Constitution.
  • •The lawsuit can also be filed if the spending breaks the rules or would cause waste or serious harm.
  • •The court gives this case top priority, can stop the spending, and may order the district to pay attorney fees.

Example

A school district sells bonds to build a new library, but then tries to use the money to buy a fancy sports arena that isn’t part of the library plan.

Because the taxpayer who pays property taxes in that district can show the money is being used for something not approved, they can file a “School Bond Waste Prevention Action” to ask a court to block the spending and maybe get the district to pay the lawyer’s fees.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 15284 Bond Fund Expenditure Challenges

(a) An action to obtain an order restraining and preventing any expenditure of funds received by a school district or community college district through the sale of bonds authorized by this chapter pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 1 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution and subdivision (b) of Section 18 of Article XVI of the California Constitution may be maintained against any officer, agent, or other person acting on behalf of, that school district or community college district, by a citizen residing in the school or community college district who is assessed and is liable to pay an ad valorem tax on real property within the school or community college district, or who has paid an ad valorem tax on real property within the school or community college district within one year before the commencement of the action if it appears by the complaint or affidavits that any of the following conditions are present: (1) An expenditure of funds received by a school district or community college district through the sale of bonds authorized by this chapter is for purposes other than those specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 1 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution. (2) The expenditure is not in compliance with paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 1 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution. (3) That an expenditure in violation of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 1 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution will be made or will continue to be made during the litigation that would produce waste or great or irreparable injury. (4) The governing board of a school district or community college has willfully failed to appoint the citizens’ oversight committee in violation of the requirements of Section 15278. (b) An action brought pursuant to this section shall take special precedence over all civil matters on the calendar of the court except those matters granted equal precedence by law. (c) The rights, remedies, or penalties established by this section are cumulative to the rights, remedies, or penalties established under other laws, including subdivision (a) of Section 526 of Chapter 3 of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (d) If an order is obtained to restrain and prevent an expenditure of funds pursuant to subdivision (a), a court may award attorneys’ fees pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1021.5) of Title 14 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (e) The action authorized by this section shall be known as a “School Bond Waste Prevention Action.” (Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 44, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2001.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

School Bond Waste Prevention Actionad valorem tax

Related Statutes

  • § 15286 School District Audit Deadlines
  • § 15288 Bond Fund Misuse Investigation
  • § 18020 Foundation Program Funding Adjustments
  • § 18021 Library Population Certification
  • § 18022 Public Library Funding Calculation

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 15284.
View Official Source