1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education finance; eliminating the limitation on the career and 
1.3 	technical levy;amending Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 
1.4 	124D.4531, subdivision 1.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 124D.4531, subdivision 1, 
1.7 	is amended to read:
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Career and technical levy. (a) A district with a career and technical 
1.9 	program approved under this section for the fiscal year in which the levy is certified 
1.10 	may levy an amount equal to the greater of:
1.11 	(1) $80 times the district's average daily membership in grades 9 through 12 for the 
1.12 	fiscal year in which the levy is certified; or
1.13 	(2) 35 percent of approved expenditures in the fiscal year in which the levy is 
1.14 	certified for the following:
1.15 	(i) salaries paid to essential, licensed personnel providing direct instructional 
1.16 	services to students in that fiscal year, including extended contracts, for services rendered 
1.17 	in the district's approved career and technical education programs;
1.18 	(ii) contracted services provided by a public or private agency other than a Minnesota 
1.19 	school district or cooperative center under subdivision 7;
1.20 	(iii) necessary travel between instructional sites by licensed career and technical 
1.21 	education personnel;
1.22 	(iv) necessary travel by licensed career and technical education personnel for 
1.23 	vocational student organization activities held within the state for instructional purposes;
2.1 	(v) curriculum development activities that are part of a five-year plan for 
2.2 	improvement based on program assessment;
2.3 	(vi) necessary travel by licensed career and technical education personnel for 
2.4 	noncollegiate credit-bearing professional development; and
2.5 	(vii) specialized vocational instructional supplies.
2.6 	(b) Up to ten percent of a district's career and technical levy may be spent on 
2.7 	equipment purchases. Districts using the career and technical levy for equipment 
2.8 	purchases must report to the department on the improved learning opportunities for 
2.9 	students that result from the investment in equipment.
2.10 	(c) The district must recognize the full amount of this levy as revenue for the fiscal 
2.11 	year in which it is certified.
2.12 	(d) The amount of the levy certified under this subdivision may not exceed 
2.13 	$17,850,000 for taxes payable in 2012, $15,520,000 for taxes payable in 2013, and 
2.14 	$15,545,000 for taxes payable in 2014.
2.15 	(e) If the estimated levy exceeds the amount in paragraph (d), the commissioner 
2.16 	must reduce the percentage in paragraph (a), clause (2), until the estimated levy no longer 
2.17 	exceeds the limit in paragraph (d).

2.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for taxes payable in 2012 and later.

2.19 	Sec. 2. CAREER AND TECHNICAL LEVY LIMITATION, PAYABLE  IN 2012.
 2.20 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.4531, subdivision 1, the amount 
2.21 	of the levy certified under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.4531, subdivision 1, may not 
2.22 	exceed $17,850,000 for taxes payable in 2012.

2.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for taxes payable in 2012 only.