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HomeEducation CodeCh. 5Art. 4§ 74290 Bond Debt Reallocation Rules

§ 74290 Bond Debt Reallocation Rules

Education Code·California
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§ 74290 Bond Debt Reallocation Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •This law only applies to old debt (before July 1, 1978) when school districts are changed or combined.
  • •If a district is merged with others, the new district must pay all the old debt from the original districts.
  • •If land moves from one district to another, the new district takes on part of the old debt based on the land's value.
  • •If the land has school buildings, the new district must pay the bigger of two amounts: either the land's share of the old debt or the debt used to build or improve those schools.

Example

Imagine two school districts, District A and District B. District A has old debt from building a school. A piece of land with a school building moves from District A to District B.

District B must now pay part of District A's old debt. They have to pay the bigger amount between: 1) the land's share of District A's total debt, or 2) the debt used to build or improve the school on that land.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 74290 Bond Debt Reallocation Rules

(a) This article shall apply only to the reallocation of bonded indebtedness incurred prior to July 1, 1978. (b) When a district is reorganized, the liability for taxation for the outstanding bonded indebtedness of the district or the territory affected thereby is as provided in this article. The authorities whose duty it is to levy taxes for the payment of principal and interest on the outstanding bonds shall levy the taxes upon the districts affected in such proportions as are provided in, or are determined under, the authority of this article. (c) No territory shall be taken from any district having any outstanding bonded indebtedness and made a part of another district where the action, if taken, would so reduce the last equalized assessed valuation of a district from which the territory was taken that the outstanding bonded indebtedness of the district would exceed 5 percent of the assessed valuation remaining in the district for the level maintained, on the date the reorganization is effective. (d) When any district is in any manner merged with one or more districts so as to form a single district by any procedure, the district so formed is liable for all of the outstanding bonded indebtedness of the districts united or merged. (e) When territory is taken from one district and transferred to another district and the area transferred contains no college property or buildings, the territory shall drop any liability for outstanding bonded indebtedness in the district of which it was formerly a part and shall automatically assume its proportionate share of the outstanding bonded indebtedness of the district of which it becomes a part. (f) When territory is taken from one district and transferred to another district by any procedure and the area transferred contains college buildings or property, the district to which the territory is annexed shall take possession of the building and the equipment on the day when the annexation becomes effective for all purposes. The territory transferred shall cease to be liable for the bonded indebtedness of the district of which it was formerly a part and shall automatically assume its proportionate share of the outstanding bonded indebtedness of any district of which it becomes a part. (g) The acquiring district shall pay the original district the greatest of the amounts determined under paragraph (1) or (2). (1) The proportionate share of the outstanding bonded indebtedness of the original district, which proportionate share shall be in the ratio which the total assessed valuation of the transferring territory bears to the total assessed valuation of the original district in the year immediately preceding the date on which the annexation is effective for all purposes. This ratio shall be used each year until the bonded indebtedness for which the acquiring district is liable has been repaid. (2) That portion of the outstanding bonded indebtedness of the original district which was incurred for the acquisition or improvement of school lots or buildings, or fixtures located therein, and situated in the territory transferred. (h) The county board of supervisors shall compute for the reorganized districts an annual tax rate for bond interest and redemption which will include the bond interest and redemption on the outstanding bonded indebtedness specified in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (g). The tax rate shall be levied in excess of any other ad valorem property tax authorized or required by law and shall not be included in the computation of the limitation specified in subdivision (a) or Section 1 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution. (Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1372, Sec. 409.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

liabilitydutypossessionportschoolpropertyvaluationreallocation

Related Statutes

  • § 45203 Classified Employee Paid Holidays
  • § 35576 School District Property Transfer
  • § 17566 School District Risk Funds
  • § 17609 Pesticide Use Definitions
  • § 60640 California Student Performance Assessment

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 74290.
View Official Source