ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 1 (1992)

| 1. Taxes for state expenses.

Sec. 1. The legislature shall impose taxes sufficient with other resources to pay the expenses of state government.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 1, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. X, | 2.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 2 (1992)

| 2. Power of taxation, relinquishment.

Sec. 2. The power of taxation shall never be surrendered, suspended or contracted away.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 2, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. X, | 9.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 3 (1994)

| 3. Property taxation; uniformity, assessments, classes.

Sec. 3. The legislature shall provide for the uniform general ad valorem taxation of real and tangible personal property not exempt by law except for taxes levied for school operating purposes. The legislature shall provide for the determination of true cas value of such property; the proportion of true cash value at which such property shall be uniformly assessed, which shall not, after January 1, 1966, exceed 50 percent; and for a system of equalization of assessments. For taxes leviied in 1995 and each year thereafter, the legislature shall provide that the taxable value of each parcel of property adjusted for additions and losses, shall not increase each year by more than the increase in the immediately preceding year in the general price level, as defined in section 33 of this article, or 5 percent, whichever is less until ownership of the parcel of property is transferred. When ownership of the parcel of property is transferred as defined by law, the parcel shall be assessed at the applicable proportion of current true cash value. The legislature may provide for alternative means of taxation of designated real and tangible personal property in lieu of general ad valorem taxation. Every tax other than the general ad valorem property tax shall be uniform upon the class or classes on which it operates. A law that increases the statutory limits in effect as of February 1, 1994 on the maximum amount of ad valorem property taxes that may be levied for school district operating purposes requires the approval of 3/4 of the members elected to and serving in the Senate and in the House of Representatives.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 3, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964;--Am. S.J.R. S, approved Mar. 15, 1994, Eff. May 1, 1994.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. X, |[SS] 3, 4, 7, 8.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 4 (1992)

| 4. Exemption of religious or educational nonprofit organizations.

Sec. 4. Property owned and occupied by non-profit religious or educational organizations and used exclusively for religious or educational purposes, as defined by law, shall be exempt from real and personal property taxes.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 4, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 5 (1992)

| 5. Assessment of property of public service businesses.

Sec. 5. The legislature shall provide for the assessment by the state of the property of those public service businesses assessed by the state at the date this constitution becomes effective, and of other property as designated by the legislature, and for the imposition and collection of taxes thereon. Property assessed by the state shall be assessed at the same proportion of its true cash value as the legislature shall specify for the property subject to the general ad valorem taxation. The rate of taxation on such property shall be the average rate levied upon other commercial, industrial, and utility property in this state under the general ad valorem tax law, or, if the legislature provides, the rate of tax applicable to the property of each business enterprise assessed by the state shall be the average rate of ad valorem taxation levied upon other commercial, industrial, and utility property in all counties in which any of such property is situated.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 5, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964;--Am. S.J.R. S, approved Mar. 15, 1994, Eff. May 1, 1994.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 6 (1992)

| 6. Real and tangible personal property; limitation on general ad valorem taxes; adoption and alteration of separate tax limitations; exceptions to limitations; property tax on school district extending intction 6. Except as otherwise provided in this constitution, the total amount of general ad valorem taxes imposed upon real and tangible personal property for all purposes in any one year shall not exceed 15 mills on each dollar of the assessed valuation of property as finallyperty as finallyperty as finally equalized. Under procedures provided by law, which shall guarantee the right of initiative, separate tax limitations for any county and for the townships and for school districts therein, the aggregate of which shall not exceed 18 mills on each dollar of such valuation, may be adopted and thereafter altered by the vote of a majority of the qualified electors of such county voting thereon, in lieu of the limitation hereinbefore established. These limitations may be increased to an aggregate of not to exceed 50 mills on each dollar of valuation, for a period of not to exceed 20 years at any one time, if approved by a majority of the electors, qualified under Section 6 of Article II of this constitution, voting on the question.

The foregoing limitations shall not apply to taxes imposed for the payment of principal and interest on bonds approved by the electors or other evidences of indebtedness approved by the electors or for the payment of assessments or contract obligations in anticipation of which bonds are issued approved by the electors, which taxes may be imposed without limitation as to rate or amount; or, subject to the provisions of Section 25 through 34 of this article, to taxes imposed for any other purpose by any city, village, charter county, charter township, charter authority or other authority, the tax limitations of which are provided by charter or by general law.

In any school district which extends into two or more counties, property taxes at the highest rate available in the county which contains the greatest part of the area of the district may be imposed and collected for school purposes throughout the district.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 6, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964;--Am. Initiated Law, approved Nov. 7, 1978, Eff. Dec. 23, 1978.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. X, | 21.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 7 (1992)

| 7. Income tax.

Sec. 7. No income tax graduated as to rate or base shall be imposed by the state or any of its subdivisions.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 7, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 8 (1992)

| 8. Sales and use taxes.

Sec. 8. Except as provided in this section, the Legislature shall not impose a sales tax on retailers at a rate of more than 4% of their gross taxable sales of tangible personal property.

Beginning May 1, 1994, the sales tax shall be imposed on retailers at an additional rate of 2% of their gross taxable sales of tangible personal property not exempt by law and the use tax at an additional rate of 2%. The proceeds of the sales and use taxes imposed at the additional rate of 2% shall be deposited in the state school aid fund established in section 11 of this article. The allocation of sales tax revenue required or authorized by sections 9 and 10 of this article does not apply to the revenue from the sales tax imposed at the additional rate of 2%.

No sales tax or use tax shall be charged or collected from and after January 1, 1975 on the sale or use of prescription drugs for human use, or on the sale or use of food for human consumption except in the case of prepared food intended for immediate consumption as defined by law. This provision shall not apply to alcoholic beverages.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 8, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964;--Am. Initiated Law,

approved Nov. 5, 1974, Eff. Dec. 21, 1974;--Am. S.J.R. S, approved Mar. 15, 1994, Eff. May 1, 1994.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. X, | 23.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 9 (1992)

| 9. Use of specific taxes on fuels for transportation purposes; authorization of indebtedness and issuance of obligations.

Sec. 9. All specific taxes, except general sales and use taxes and regulatory fees, imposed directly or indirectly on fuels sold or used to propel motor vehicles upon highways and to propel aircraft and on registered motor vehicles and aircraft shall, after the payment of necessary collection expenses, be used exclusively for transportation purposes as set forth in this section.

Not less than 90 percent of the specific taxes, except general sales and use taxes and regulatory fees, imposed directly or indirectly on fuels sold or used to propel motor vehicles upon highways and on registered motor vehicles shall, after the payment of necessary collection expenses, be used exclusively for the transportation purposes of planning, administering, constructing, reconstructing, financing, and maintaining state, county, city, and village roads, streets, and bridges designed primarily for the use of motor vehicles using tires, and reasonable appurtenances to those state, county, city, and village roads, streets, and bridges.

The balance, if any, of the specific taxes, except general sales and use taxes and regulatory fees, imposed directly or indirectly on fuels sold or used to propel motor vehicles upon highways and on registered motor vehicles, after the payment of necessary collection expenses; 100 percent of the specific taxes, except general sales and use taxes and regulatory fees, imposed directly or indirectly on fuels sold or used to propel aircraft and on registered aircraft, after the payment of necessary collection expenses; and not more than 25 percent of the general sales taxes, imposed directly or indirectly on fuels sold to propel motor vehicles upon highways, on the sale of vehicles, and on the sale of the parts and accessories of motor vehicles, after the payment of necessary collection expenses; shall be used exclusively for the transportation purposes of comprehensive transportation purposes as defined by law.

The legislature may authorize the incurrence of indebtedness and the issuance of obligations pledging the taxes allocated or authorized to be allocated by this section, which obligations shall not be construed to be evidences of state indebtedness under this constitution.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 9, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964;--Am. H.J.R. F, approved Nov. 7, 1978, Eff. Dec. 23, 1978.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. X, | 22.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 10 (1992)

| 10. Sales tax, distribution to local governments.

Sec. 10. Fifteen percent of all taxes imposed on retailers on taxable sales at retail of tangible personal property at a rate of not more than 4% shall be used exclusively for assistance to townships, cities and villages, on a population basis as provided by law. In determining population the legislature may exclude any portion of the total number of persons who are wards, patients or convicts in any tax supported institution.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 10, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964;--Am. S.J.R. S, approved Mar. 15, 1994, Eff. May 1, 1994.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. X, | 23.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 11 (1992)

| 11. State school aid fund, source and distribution.

Sec. 11. There shall be established a state school aid fund which shall be used exclusively for aid to school districts, higher education, and school employees' retirement systems, as provided by law. Sixty percent of all taxes imposed at a rate of 4% on retailers on taxable sales at retail of tangible personal property, 100% of the proceeds of the sales and use taxes imposed at the additional rate of 2% provided for in section 8 of this article, and other tax revenues provided by law, shall be dedicated to this fund. Payments from this fund shall be made in full on a scheduled basis, as provided by law. Beginning in the 1995-96 state fiscal year and each state fiscal year after 1995-96, the state shall guarantee that the total state and local per pupil revenue for school operating purposes for each local school district shall not be less than the 1994-95 total state and local per pupil revenue for school operating purposes for that local school district, as adjusted for consolidations, annexations, or other boundary changes. However, this guarantee does not apply in a year in which the local school district levies a millage rate for the school district operating purposes less than it levied in 1994.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 11, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964;--Am. S.J.R. S, approved Mar. 15, 1994, Eff. May 1, 1994.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 12 (1992)

| 12. Evidence of state indebtedness.

Sec. 12. No evidence of state indebtedness shall be issued except for debts authorized pursuant to this constitution.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 12, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. X, | 11.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 13 (1992)

| 13. Public bodies, borrowing power.

Sec. 13. Public bodies corporate shall have power to borrow money and to issue their securities evidencing debt, subject to this constitution and law.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 13, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 14 (1992)

| 14. State borrowing; short term.

Sec. 14. To meet obligations incurred pursuant to appropriations for any fiscal year, the legislature may by law authorize the state to issue its full faith and credit notes in which case it shall pledge undedicated revenues to be received within the same fiscal year for the repayment thereof. Such indebtedness in any fiscal year shall not exceed 15 percent of undedicated revenues received by the state during the preceding fiscal year and such debts shall be repaid at the time the revenues so pledged are received, but not later than the end of the same fiscal year.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 14, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 15 (1992)

| 15. Long term borrowing by state.

Sec. 15. The state may borrow money for specific purposes in amounts as may be provided by acts of the legislature adopted by a vote of two-thirds of the members elected to and serving in each house, and approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at any general election. The question submitted to the electors shall state the amount to be borrowed, the specific purpose to which the funds shall be devoted, and the method of repayment.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 15, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 16 (1992)

| 16. State loans to school districts.

Sec. 16. The state, in addition to any other borrowing power, may borrow from time to time such amounts as shall be required, pledge its faith and credit and issue its notes or bonds therefor, for the purpose of making loans to school districts as provided in this section.

Amount of loans. If the minimum amount which would otherwise be necessary for a school district to levy in any year to pay principal and interest on its qualified bonds, including any necessary allowances for estimated tax delinquencies, exceeds 13 mills on each dollar of its assessed valuation as finally equalized, or such lower millage as the legislature may prescribe, then the school district may elect to borrow all or any part of the excess from the state. In that event the state shall lend the excess amount to the school district for the payment of principal and interest. If for any reason any school district will be or is unable to pay the principal and interest on its qualified bonds when due, then the school district shall borrow and the state shall lend to it an amount sufficient to enable the school district to make the payment.

Qualified bonds. The term "qualified bonds" means general obligation bonds of school districts issued for capital expenditures, including refunding bonds, issued prior to May 4, 1955, or issued thereafter and qualified as provided by law pursuant to Section 27 or Section 28 of Article X of the Constitution of 1908 or pursuant to this section.

Repayment of loans, tax levy by school district. After a school district has received loans from the state, each year thereafter it shall levy for debt service, exclusive of levies for nonqualified bonds, not less than 13 mills or such lower millage as the legislature may prescribe, until the amount loaned has been repaid, and any tax collections therefrom in any year over and above the minimum requirements for principal and interest on qualified bonds shall be used toward the repayment of state loans. In any year when such levy would produce an amount in excess of the requirements and the amount due to the state, the levy may be reduced by the amount of the excess.

Bonds, state loans, repayment. Subject to the foregoing provisions, the legislature shall have the power to prescribe and to limit the procedure, terms and conditions for the qualification of bonds, for obtaining and making state loans, and for the repayment of loans.

Power to tax unlimited. The power to tax for the payment of principal and interest on bonds hereafter issued which are the general obligations of any school district, including refunding bonds, and for repayment of any state loans made to school districts, shall be without limitation as to rate or amount.

Rights and obligations to remain unimpaired. All rights acquired under Sections 27 and 28 of Article X of the Constitution of 1908, by holders of bonds heretofore issued, and all obligations assumed by the state or any school district under these sections, shall remain unimpaired.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 16, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. X, |[SS] 27, 28.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 17 (1992)

| 17. Payments from state treasury.

Sec. 17. No money shall be paid out of the state treasury except in pursuance of appropriations made by law.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 17, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. X, | 16.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 18 (1992)

| 18. State credit.

Sec. 18. The credit of the state shall not be granted to, nor in aid of any person, association or corporation, public or private, except as authorized in this constitution.

Investment of public funds. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the investment of public funds until needed for current requirements or the investment of funds accumulated to provide retirement or pension benefits for public officials and employees, as provided by law.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 18, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. X, | 12.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 19 (1992)

| 19. Subscription to or interest in stock by state prohibited; exceptions.

Sec. 19. The state shall not subscribe to, nor be interested in the stock of any company, association or corporation, except that funds accumulated to provide retirement or pension benefits for public officials and employees may be invested as provided by law; and endowment funds created for charitable or educational purposes may be invested as provided by law governing the investment of funds held in trust by trustees and other state funds or money may be invested in accounts of a bank, savings and loan association, or credit union organized under the laws of this state or federal law, as provided by law.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 19, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964;--Am. H.J.R. GG, approved Nov. 7, 1978, Eff. Dec. 23, 1978.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. X, | 13.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 20 (1992)

| 20. Deposit of state money in certain financial institutions; requirements.

Sec. 20. No state money shall be deposited in banks, savings and loans associations, or credit unions, other than those organized under the law of this state or federal law. No state money shall be deposited in any bank, savings and loan association, or credit union, in excess of 50 percent of the net worth of the bank, savings and loan association, or credit union. Any bank, savings and loan association, or credit union, receiving deposits of state money shall show the amount of state money so deposited as a separate item in all published statements.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 20, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964;--Am. H.J.R. GG, approved Nov. 7, 1978, Eff. Dec. 23, 1978.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. X, | 15.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 21 (1992)

| 21. Accounting for public moneys.

Sec. 21. The legislature shall provide by law for the annual accounting for all public moneys, state and local, and may provide by law for interim accounting. Accounting and auditing for local governments. The legislature shall provide by law for the maintenance of uniform accounting systems by units of local government and the auditing of county accounts by competent state authority and other units of government as provided by law.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 21, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. X, | 18.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 22 (1992)

| 22. Examination and adjustment of claims against state.

Sec. 22. Procedures for the examination and adjustment of claims against the state shall be prescribed by law.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 22, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. VI, | 20.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 23 (1992)

| 23. Financial records; statement of revenues and expenditures.

Sec. 23. All financial records, accountings, audit reports and other reports of public moneys shall be public records and open to inspection. A statement of all revenues and expenditures of public moneys shall be published and distributed annually, as provided by law.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 23, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

NOTES:

Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. X, | 17.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 24 (1992)

| 24. Public pension plans and retirement systems, obligation.

Sec. 24. The accrued financial benefits of each pension plan and retirement system of the state and its political subdivisions shall be a contractual obligation thereof which shall not be diminished or impaired thereby. Financial benefits, annual funding. Financial benefits arising on account of service rendered in each fiscal year shall be funded during that year and such funding shall not be used for financing unfunded accrued liabilities.

HISTORY: Const. 1963, Art. IX, | 24, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 25 (1992)

| 25. Voter approval of increased local taxes; prohibitions; emergency conditions; repayment of bonded indebtedness guaranteed; implementation of section.

Sec. 25. Property taxes and other local taxes and state taxation and spending may not be increased above the limitations specified herein without direct voter approval. The state is prohibited from requiring any new or expanded activities by local governments without full state financing, from reducing the proportion of state spending in the form of aid to local governments, or from shifting the tax burden to local government. A provision for emergency conditions is established and the repayment of voter approved bonded indebtedness is guaranteed. Implementation of this section is specified in Sections 26 through 34, inclusive, of this Article.

HISTORY: Add. Initiated Law, approved Nov. 7, 1978, Eff. Dec. 23, 1978.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 26 (1992)

| 26. Limitation on taxes; revenue limit; refunding or transferring excess revenues; exceptions to revenue limitation; adjustment of state revenue and spending limits.

Sec. 26. There is hereby established a limit on the total amount of taxes which may be imposed by the legislature in any fiscal year on the taxpayers of this state. This limit shall not be changed without approval of the majority of the qualified electors voting thereon, as provided for in Article 12 of the Constitution. Effective with fiscal year 1979-1980, and for each fiscal year thereafter, the legislature shall not impose taxes of any kind which, together with all other revenues of the state, federal aid excluded, exceed the revenue limit established in this section. The revenue limit shall be equal to the product of the ratio of Total State Revenues in fiscal year 1978-79 divided by the Personal Income of Michigan in calendar year 1977 multiplied by the Personal Income of Michigan in either the prior calendar year or the average of Personal Income of Michigan in the previous three calendar years, whichever is greater.

For any fiscal year in the event that Total State Revenues exceed the revenue limit established in this section by 1% or more, the excess revenues shall be refunded pro rata based on the liability reported on the Michigan income tax and single business tax (or its successor tax or taxes) annual returns filed following the close of such fiscal year. If the excess is less than 1%, this excess may be transferred to the State Budget Stabilization Fund.

The revenue limitation established in this section shall not apply to taxes imposed for the payment of principal and interest on bonds, approved by the voters and authorized under Section 15 of this Article, and loans to school districts authorized under Section 16 of this Article.

If responsibility for funding a program or programs is transferred from one level of government to another, as a consequence of constitutional amendment, the state revenue and spending limits may be adjusted to accommodate such change, provided that the total revenue authorized for collection by both state and local governments does not exceed that amount which would have been authorized without such change.

HISTORY: Add. Initiated Law, approved Nov. 7, 1978, Eff. Dec. 23, 1978.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 27 (1992)

| 27. Exceeding revenue limit; conditions.

Sec. 27. The revenue limit of Section 26 of this Article may be exceeded only if all of the following conditions are met: (1) The governor requests the legislature to declare an emergency; (2) the request is specific as to the nature of the emergency, the dollar amount of the emergency, and the method by which the emergency will be funded; and (3) the legislature thereafter declares an emergency in accordance with the specific of the governor's request by a two-thirds vote of the members elected to and serving in each house. The emergency must be declared in accordance with this section prior to incurring any of the expenses which constitute the emergency request. The revenue limit may be exceeded only during the fiscal year for which the emergency is declared.

In no event shall any part of the amount representing a refund under Section 26 of this Article be the subject of an emergency request.

HISTORY: Add. Initiated Law, approved Nov. 7, 1978, Eff. Dec. 23, 1978.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 28 (1992)

| 28. Limitation on expenses of state government.

Sec. 28. No expenses of state government shall be incurred in any fiscal year which exceed the sum of the revenue limit established in Sections 26 and 27 of this Article plus federal aid and any surplus from a previous fiscal year.

HISTORY: Add. Initiated Law, approved Nov. 7, 1978, Eff. Dec. 23, 1978.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 29 (1992)

| 29. State financing of activities or services required of local government by state law.

Sec. 29. The state is hereby prohibited from reducing the state financed proportion of the necessary costs of any existing activity or service required of units of Local Government by state law. A new activity or service or an increase in the level of any activity or service beyond that required by existing law shall not be required by the legislature or any state agency of units of Local Government, unless a state appropriation is made and disbursed to pay the unit of Local Government for any necessary increased costs. The provision of this section shall not apply to costs incurred pursuant to Article VI, Section 18.

HISTORY: Add. Initiated Law, approved Nov. 7, 1978, Eff. Dec. 23, 1978.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 30 (1992)

| 30. Reduction of state spending paid to units of local government.

Sec. 30. The proportion of total state spending paid to all units of Local Government, taken as a group, shall not be reduced below that proportion in effect in fiscal year 1978-79.

HISTORY: Add. Initiated Law, approved Nov. 7, 1978, Eff. Dec. 23, 1978.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 31 (1992)

| 31. Levying tax or increasing rate of existing tax; maximum tax rate on new base; increase in assessed valuation of property; exceptions to limitations.

Sec. 31. Units of Local Government are hereby prohibited from levying any tax not authorized by law or charter when this section is ratified or from increasing the rate of an existing tax above that rate authorized by law or charter when this section is ratified, without the approval of a majority of the qualified electors of that unit of Local Government voting thereon. If the definition of the base of an existing tax is broadened, the maximum authorized rate of taxation on the new base in each unit of Local Government shall be reduced to yield the same estimated gross revenue as on the prior base. If the assessed valuation of property as finally equalized, excluding the value of new construction and improvements, increases by a larger percentage than the increase in the General Price Level from the previous year, the maximum authorized rate applied thereto in each unit of Local Government shall be reduced to yield the same gross revenue from existing property, adjusted for changes in the General Price Level, as could have been collected at the existing authorized rate on the prior assessed value.

The limitations of this section shall not apply to taxes imposed for the payment of principal and interest on bonds or other evidence of indebtedness or for the payment of assessments on contract obligations in anticipation of which bonds are issued which were authorized prior to the effective date of this amendment.

HISTORY: Add. Initiated Law, approved Nov. 7, 1978, Eff. Dec. 23, 1978.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 32 (1992)

| 32. Suit to enforce sections 25 to 31.

Sec. 32. Any taxpayer of the state shall have standing to bring suit in the Michigan State Court of Appeals to enforce the provisions of Sections 25 through 31, inclusive, of this Article and, if the suit is sustained, shall receive from the applicable unit of government his costs incurred in maintaining such suit.

HISTORY: Add. Initiated Law, approved Nov. 7, 1978, Eff. Dec. 23, 1978.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 33 (1992)

| 33. Definitions applicable to sections 25 to 32.

Sec. 33. Definitions. The definitions of this section shall apply to Section 25 through 32 of Article IX, inclusive. "Total State Revenues" includes all general and special revenues, excluding federal aid, as defined in the budget message of the governor for fiscal year 1978-1979. Total State Revenues shall exclude the amount of any credits based on actual tax liabilities or the imputed tax components of rental payments, but shall include the amount of any credits not related to actual tax liabilities. "Personal Income of Michigan" is the total income received by persons in Michigan from all sources, as defined and officially reported by the United States Department of Commerce or its successor agency. "Local Government" means any political subdivision of the state, including, but not restricted to, school districts, cities, villages, townships, charter townships, counties, charter counties, authorities created by the state, and authorities created by other units of local government. "General Price Level" means the Consumer Price Index for the United States as defined and officially reported by the United States Department of Labor or its successor agency.

HISTORY: Add. Initiated Law, approved Nov. 7, 1978, Eff. Dec. 23, 1978.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 34 (1992)

| 34. Implementation of sections 25 to 33.

Sec. 34. The Legislature shall implement the provisions of Sections 25 through 33, inclusive, of this Article.

HISTORY: Add. Initiated Law, approved Nov. 7, 1978, Eff. Dec. 23, 1978.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 35 (1992)

| 35. Michigan natural resources trust fund.

Sec. 35. There is hereby established the Michigan natural resources trust fund. The trust fund shall consist of all bonuses, rentals, delayed rentals, and royalties collected or reserved by the state under provisions of leases for the extraction of nonrenewable resources from state owned lands, except such revenues accruing under leases of state owned lands acquired with money from state or federal game and fish protection funds or revenues accruing from lands purchased with such revenues. The trust fund may receive appropriations, money, or other things of value.

All money in the state recreational land acquisition trust and the heritage trust shall be transferred to the trust fund. The legislature may provide by law that revenues otherwise dedicated to the trust fund be distributed to the Michigan economic development authority under the terms and in amounts not to exceed the distributions allowed by law on March 30, 1984. The legislature shall provide by law that all rights acquired by holders of bonds heretofore issued by the Michigan economic development authority shall remain unimpaired.

The amount accumulated in the trust fund in any state fiscal year shall not exceed $ 200,000,000.00, exclusive of interest and earnings, except that this limitation may be increased by law.

The interest and earnings of the trust fund shall be expended for the acquisition of land or rights in land for recreational uses or protection of the land because of its environmental importance or its scenic beauty, for the development of public recreation facilities, and for the administration of the trust fund, which may include payments in lieu of taxes on state owned land purchased through the trust fund. The trust fund may provide grants to units of local government or public authorities which shall be used for the purposes of this section. The legislature shall provide that a portion of the cost of a project funded by such grants be provided by the local unit of government or public authority.

The legislature may provide that a portion, not to exceed 33-1/3 percent, of the revenues received by the trust fund during a fiscal year may be expended during the following fiscal year for the purposes of this section. Not less than 25 percent of the total expenditures from the trust fund in any fiscal year shall be expended for acquisition of land and rights in land and not more than 25 percent of the total expenditures from the trust fund in any fiscal year shall be expended for development of public recreation facilities.

The legislature shall provide by law for the establishment of a trust fund board within the department of natural resources. The trust fund board shall recommend the projects to be funded. The board shall submit its recommendations to the governor who shall submit the board's recommendations to the legislature in an appropriations bill.

The legislature shall provide by law for the implementation of this section.

HISTORY: Add. H.J.R. M, approved Nov. 6, 1984, Eff. Dec. 22, 1984.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE AND TAXATION

MCL Const. 1963, Art. 9, | 36 (1994)

| 36.

Sec. 36. Six percent of the proceeds of the tax on tobacco products shall be dedicated to improving the quality of health care of the residents of this state.

HISTORY: Add. S.J.R. S, approved Mar. 1, 1994, Eff. May 1, 1994.

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