Two questions will appear on the November 5, 2024, General Election Ballot. Both were referred to a vote of the people by the Oklahoma Legislature. The questions are reprinted here as they will appear on the ballot followed by a brief summary prepared by the Oklahoma Press Association.

STATE QUESTION 833 Permits creation of public infrastructure districts.

SUMMARY: State Question 833 adds a new section to Article 10 of the Oklahoma Constitution. Section 9E will permit the creation of public infrastructure districts to provide support, organization, operation and maintenance of services. The districts could only be formed by petitioning the municipality and requires approval of 100 percent of the surface property owners in the specified area. After approval from the municipality, the districts could then issue bonds to pay for all or part of the public improvements. The districts can impose a property tax not to exceed 10 mills on the real property within the district for repayment of the bonds. The sponsoring municipality can impose limitations of the district’s powers. Once it is approved, the district is governed by a board of trustees. Assessments are placed on properties and are in addition to all other levies. The principal author of the legislation in the Oklahoma House of Representatives said the measure would allow improvements to land such as sewer or water or electricity in unserved areas and sees it benefiting areas annexed by municipalities that are underserved by roads or utilities. Petitioners would first have to get permission from that sponsoring municipality to issue bonds and levy the assessment only on properties that benefited from the improvements. Unlike a Tax Increment Financing District, special districts enabled by SQ 833 continue to collect and remit property taxes for schools, libraries, fire districts