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HomePublic Utilities CodeDiv. 6Ch. 6Art. 6§ 12841 District Bond Approval Rules

§ 12841 District Bond Approval Rules

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

§ 12841 District Bond Approval Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •A district can borrow money or issue bonds, but usually can't borrow more than its yearly income unless most voters agree.
  • •If the district already got approval for a bond issue, it can borrow more without asking voters again, as long as it stays within the approved amount.
  • •If the district runs a utility (like water or electricity), it can make deals to pay back people who helped expand services, using future money.

Example

A small town wants to build a new school but doesn't have enough money.

The town can borrow money by selling bonds, but if the loan is bigger than what the town makes in a year, most voters must agree. If voters already said yes to a bond for schools before, the town can borrow more without asking again, as long as it doesn’t go over the original amount.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12841 District Bond Approval Rules

A district may borrow money and incur indebtedness, and may issue bonds or other evidences of indebtedness. No indebtedness shall be incurred exceeding the ordinary annual income and revenue of the district without the approval of two-thirds of the voters voting on the proposition to incur such indebtedness except as follows: (a) A further vote of the voters is not required for any indebtedness heretofore or hereafter incurred within the purposes and not exceeding the available amount of any previously authorized bond issue, and as to such indebtedness the proceeds of any of the bonds unexpended in the treasury of the district, or the par value of any of the bonds which are unsold shall be deemed a part of the ordinary annual income and revenue of the district. (b) Any district operating a utility under rules requiring applicants for extensions to advance the expenses of such extensions and facilities for serving additional territory may enter into agreements to refund to the applicants in a subsequent year the whole or any part of the expenses so advanced, and the refunds may be paid out of the revenues of subsequent years. (Amended by Stats. 1974, Ch. 761.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

borrow moneyincur indebtednessissue bondsordinary annual income and revenuetwo-thirds of the voterspreviously authorized bond issuerefund agreementsutility extensions

Related Statutes

  • § 25841 District Bond Approval Rules
  • § 25841.5 District Short-Term Borrowing Limits
  • § 16571 District Bond Issuance Authority
  • § 101220 District Short-Term Borrowing Limits
  • § 101260 District Service Reimbursement Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Public Utilities Code. Section 12841.
View Official Source