Bill Text: PA SB1266 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Amended


Bill Title: Implementing the provisions of clause (1) of subsection (a) of section 7 of Article VIII of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania authorizing the incurring of debt for the rehabilitation of areas affected by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee; imposing duties upon the Governor, the Auditor General and the State Treasurer; prescribing the procedures for the issuance, sale and payment of general obligations bonds, the funding of debt and refunding of bonds; exempting said bonds from State and local taxation; creating certain funds; providing for allocation of proceeds; and making appropriations.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2011-11-18 - Referred to APPROPRIATIONS [SB1266 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-SB1266-Amended.html

  

 

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1616

PRINTER'S NO.  1773

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

SENATE BILL

 

No.

1266

Session of

2011

  

  

INTRODUCED BY GORDNER, BAKER, BLAKE, YAW, YUDICHAK, PILEGGI, COSTA, ARGALL, BOSCOLA, ERICKSON, FARNESE, FONTANA, GREENLEAF, PIPPY, MENSCH, RAFFERTY, SCHWANK, SMUCKER, TARTAGLIONE, BREWSTER, DINNIMAN, FERLO, HUGHES, KASUNIC, KITCHEN, LEACH, SOLOBAY, STACK, WASHINGTON, WILLIAMS, WOZNIAK, BROWNE AND BRUBAKER, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011

  

  

SENATOR CORMAN, APPROPRIATIONS, AS AMENDED, NOVEMBER 14, 2011   

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

1

Implementing the provisions of clause (1) of subsection (a) of

2

section 7 of Article VIII of the Constitution of the

3

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania authorizing the incurring of

4

debt for the rehabilitation of areas affected by Hurricane

5

Irene and Tropical Storm Lee; imposing duties upon the

6

Governor, the Auditor General and the State Treasurer;

7

prescribing the procedures for the issuance, sale and payment

8

of general obligations bonds, the funding of debt and

9

refunding of bonds; exempting said bonds from State and local

10

taxation; creating certain funds; providing for allocation of

11

proceeds and for a legislative disaster oversight committee;

<--

12

and making appropriations.

13

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

14

hereby enacts as follows:

15

Section 1.  Borrowing of money authorized.

<--

16

Pursuant to the provisions of clause (1) of subsection (a) of

17

section 7 of Article VIII of the Constitution of Pennsylvania,

18

the Commonwealth is hereby authorized and directed to borrow

19

from time to time money not exceeding in the aggregate the sum

20

of $250,000,000, not including money borrowed to refund

21

outstanding bonds, notes or replacement notes, as may be found

 


1

necessary to carry out the rehabilitation of areas affected by

2

Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

3

Section 2.  General obligation bonds authorized.

4

The indebtedness herein authorized shall be incurred from

5

time to time and shall be evidenced by one or more series of

6

general obligation bonds or notes of the Commonwealth in such

7

aggregate principal amount for each series as the Governor,

8

Auditor General and State Treasurer shall determine, but the

9

latest stated maturity date shall not exceed 20 years from the

10

date of the bond first issued for each such series.

11

Section 3.  Disposition and use of proceeds.

12

(a)  Deposit.--The proceeds from the sale of bonds and notes,

13

except refunding bonds and replacement notes, issued pursuant to

14

the provisions of this act shall be paid to the State Treasurer

15

and be held in a separate fund to be known as the Disaster

16

Relief Fund.

17

(b)  Dedication of funds.--The moneys in the Disaster Relief

18

Fund are hereby specifically dedicated to meeting the costs of

19

the rehabilitation of areas affected by Hurricane Irene and

20

Tropical Storm Lee, including, but not limited to, public

21

assistance and disaster mitigation as defined in or authorized

22

by The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency

23

Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288, 88 Stat. 143) and paying the

24

costs and expenses of issuing bonds and notes.

25

(c)  Interest earnings.--Pending their application to the

26

purposes authorized, moneys held or deposited by the State

27

Treasurer may be invested and reinvested as are other funds in

28

the custody of the State Treasurer in the manner provided by

29

law. All earnings received from the investment or deposit of

30

such funds shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit

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1

of the Disaster Relief Fund.

2

(d)  Allocation of proceeds.--Subject to the total limit of

3

$250,000,000, the funds authorized to be borrowed by section 1

4

shall be allocated as follows:

5

(1)  No more than $237,500,000 of the funds authorized to

6

be borrowed under this act shall be used to provide for the

7

State's share of all public assistance costs, including costs

8

for highways and bridges, except State-designated highways

9

and bridges, and disaster mitigation costs provided by the

10

Federal Government under The Robert T. Stafford Disaster

11

Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288, 88

12

Stat. 143).

13

(2)  (i)  No more than 5% of the funds borrowed under

14

this act shall be used for the cost of the following

15

projects pursuant to the disaster proclamation:

16

(A)  Public assistance projects for the

17

rehabilitation, construction, reconstruction, repair,

18

other than normal maintenance, or the replacement of

19

any public facility of a political subdivision in

20

counties declared as disaster areas which are not

21

funded by the Federal Government or which are funded

22

by the Federal Government at a level insufficient to

23

meet current codes and standards.

24

(B)  Public assistance projects for the

25

rehabilitation, construction, reconstruction, repair,

26

other than normal maintenance, or the replacement of

27

any nonprofit facility owned and operated by a

28

nonprofit organization in counties declared as

29

disaster areas which are not funded by the Federal

30

Government or which are funded at a level

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1

insufficient to meet current codes and standards.

2

(C)  Public assistance projects for the

3

rehabilitation, construction, reconstruction, repair,

4

other than normal maintenance, or the replacement of

5

a public facility or nonprofit facility in counties

6

not declared as disaster areas by the Federal

7

Government.

8

(D)  Hazard mitigation projects in counties not

9

declared as disaster areas by the Federal Government.

10

(ii)  If the funding for projects under this

11

paragraph is insufficient to provide assistance for all

12

eligible projects, the Commonwealth shall prioritize

13

projects by considering the following factors:

14

(A)  The severity of disaster-related damages to

15

be rectified by the project.

16

(B)  Whether the project will improve the health,

17

safety and welfare of the affected population.

18

(C)  Whether the project will lead to an

19

effective solution to the problem to be addressed.

20

(D)  The consistency of the project with other

21

State and regional resource management and economic

22

development plans.

23

(E)  The financial condition of the applicant,

24

including revenues, expenses, debt structure, equity

25

position and available collateral.

26

(F)  The economic and financial condition of the

27

community to be served, including the tax base,

28

annual budget and percentage of low-income and

29

moderate-income residents.

30

(G)  The inability of the applicant to secure

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1

funding from other sources.

2

(iii)  Any remaining funds under this paragraph shall

3

be transferred to the Pennsylvania Infrastructure

4

Investment Authority established under the act of March

5

1, 1988 (P.L.82, No.16), known as the Pennsylvania

6

Infrastructure Investment Authority Act, to provide funds

7

for authority projects which were damaged by Hurricane

8

Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

9

(iv)  No project shall receive more than $250,000 of

10

the total funds available under this paragraph, except as

11

defined in section 14(b)(2).

12

(v)  No project shall be funded under subparagraph

13

(i)(A) or (B) unless the Commonwealth determines that

14

there was an adequate appeal of the denial of Federal

15

funding or of the inadequate level of Federal funding.

16

(e)  Transfer of unused funds.--Moneys in the Disaster Relief

17

Fund not necessary to pay unexpired contracts or to pay

18

potential legal obligations shall be transferred by the State

19

Treasurer, with the approval of the Governor, to the Disaster

20

Relief Redemption Fund and shall be used to pay debt service on

21

the existing disaster relief bonds.

22

Section 4.  Issuance of bonds; interest; maturity.

23

(a)  Series and issues.--When bonds are issued from time to

24

time, the bonds of each issue shall constitute a separate series

25

to be designated by the issuing officials or may be combined for

26

sale as one series with other general obligation bonds of the

27

Commonwealth. Each series of bonds shall bear such rate or rates

28

of interest as may be determined by the issuing officials. The

29

bonds shall be issued in such denominations and in such form or

30

forms, whether coupon or registered as to both principal and

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1

interest, and with or without such provisions for

2

interchangeability as the issuing officials may determine. In

3

case interest coupons are attached, they shall contain the

4

facsimile signature of the State Treasurer.

5

(b)  Terms.--Except as otherwise set forth in this act, the

6

terms and conditions of issue, redemption and maturity and time

7

of payment of interest shall be as the issuing officials shall

8

specify. The issuing officials shall provide for the

9

amortization of the bonds in substantial and regular amounts

10

over the term of the debt. The first retirement of principal

11

shall be stated to mature prior to the expiration of a period of

12

time equal to one-tenth of the time from the date of the first

13

obligation issued to evidence the debt to the date of the

14

expiration of the term of the debt. Retirements of principal

15

shall be regular and substantial if made in annual or semiannual

16

amounts whether by stated serial maturities or by mandatory

17

sinking fund retirements computed in accordance with either a

18

level annual debt service plan, as nearly as may be, or upon the

19

equal annual maturities plan. The issuing officials are hereby

20

authorized to carry out the provisions of this act relating to

21

the issuance of bonds and shall determine all matters in

22

connection with the bonds subject to the provisions of this act.

23

(c)  Signatures.--All bonds issued under the authority of

24

this act shall bear the facsimile signatures of the issuing

25

officials and a facsimile of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth

26

of Pennsylvania and shall be countersigned by a duly authorized

27

officer of a duly authorized loan and transfer agent of the

28

Commonwealth.

29

Section 5.  Direct obligations; exemption from taxation; means

30

of payment.

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1

All bonds issued in accordance with this act shall be direct

2

obligations of the Commonwealth, and the full faith and credit

3

of the Commonwealth are hereby pledged for the payment of the

4

interest on the bonds as the interest becomes due and the

5

payment of the principal of the bonds at maturity. All bonds

6

issued under the provisions of this act shall be exempt from

7

taxation for State and local purposes, except as provided under

8

Article XXIX of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as

9

the Tax Reform Code of 1971. The principal of and interest on

10

the bonds shall be payable in lawful money of the United States.

11

Section 6.  Sale of bonds.

12

(a)  Requirements.--Whenever bonds are issued in accordance

13

with this act, they shall be offered for sale at not less than

14

98% of the principal amount of the bonds and accrued interest

15

and shall be sold by the issuing officials to the highest and

16

best bidder or bidders after public advertisement on such terms

17

and conditions and upon such open competitive bidding as the

18

issuing officials shall direct. The manner and times of

19

advertising shall be prescribed by the issuing officials.

20

(b)  Private sale.--Any portion of a bond issue so offered

21

and not sold or subscribed for may be disposed of by private

22

sale by the issuing officials in such manner and at such prices,

23

not less than 98% of the principal amount of the bonds and

24

accrued interest, as the Governor shall direct. No commission

25

may be allowed or paid for the sale of any bonds issued under

26

the authority of this act.

27

(c)  Temporary bonds.--Until permanent bonds can be prepared,

28

the issuing officials may in their discretion issue in lieu of

29

the permanent bonds, temporary bonds in such form and with such

30

privileges as to registration and exchange for permanent bonds

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1

as may be determined by the issuing officials.

2

Section 7.  Temporary financing authorization.

3

(a)  Temporary borrowing.--Pending the issuance of bonds of

4

the Commonwealth as authorized, the issuing officials are hereby

5

authorized, in accordance with the provisions of this act and on

6

the credit of the Commonwealth, to make temporary borrowings,

7

through public or private sale, not to exceed three years in

8

anticipation to the issue of bonds in order to provide funds in

9

such amounts as may from time to time be deemed advisable prior

10

to the issue of bonds. In order to provide for and in connection

11

with the temporary borrowings, the issuing officials are hereby

12

authorized in the name and on behalf of the Commonwealth to

13

enter into purchase, loan or credit agreements or other

14

agreements with banks or trust companies or other lending

15

institutions, investment banking firms or persons in the United

16

States having power to enter into the same, which agreements may

17

contain such provisions not inconsistent with this act as may be

18

authorized by the issuing officials.

19

(b)  Evidence of debt.--All temporary borrowings made under

20

the authorization of this section shall be evidenced by notes of

21

the Commonwealth, which shall be issued from time to time for

22

amounts not exceeding in the aggregate the applicable statutory

23

and constitutional debt limitation, in a form and in

24

denominations and subject to terms and condition of sale and

25

issue, prepayment or redemption and maturity, rate or rates of

26

interest and time of payment of interest that the issuing

27

officials authorize and direct and in accordance with this act.

28

The authorization and direction may provide for the subsequent

29

issuance of replacement notes to refund outstanding notes or

30

replacement notes, which replacement notes shall, upon issuance,

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1

evidence the borrowing, and may specify other terms and

2

conditions with respect to the notes and replacement notes

3

thereby authorized for issuance that the issuing officials may

4

determine and direct.

5

(c)  Replacement notes.--When the authorization and direction

6

of the issuing officials provide for the issuance of replacement

7

notes, the issuing officials are hereby authorized in the name

8

and on behalf of the Commonwealth to issue, enter into or

9

authorize and direct the State Treasurer to enter into

10

agreements with any banks, trust companies, investment banking

11

firms or other institutions or persons in the United States

12

having the power to enter the same:

13

(1)  To purchase or underwrite an issue or series of

14

issues of notes.

15

(2)  To credit, to enter into purchase, loan or credit

16

agreements, to draw moneys pursuant to the agreement on the

17

terms and conditions set forth in the agreement and to issue

18

notes as evidence of borrowings made under the agreement.

19

(3)  To appoint an issuing and paying agent or agents

20

with respect to notes.

21

(4)  To do such other acts as may be necessary or

22

appropriate to provide for the payment, when due, of the

23

interest on and the principal of the notes.

24

An agreement may provide for the compensation of any purchasers

25

or underwriters of notes or replacement notes by discounting the

26

purchase price of the notes or by payment of a fixed fee or

27

commission at the time of issuance of the notes, and all other

28

costs and expenses, including fees for agreements related to the

29

notes, issuing and paying agent costs and costs and expenses of

30

issuance, may be paid from the proceeds of the notes.

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1

(d)  Duties of State Treasurer.--When the authorization and

2

direction of the issuing officials provide for the issuance of

3

replacement notes, the State Treasurer shall, at or prior to the

4

time of delivery of these notes or replacement notes, determine

5

the principal amounts, dates of issue, interest rate or rates or

6

procedures for establishing interest rates from time to time,

7

rates of discount, denominations and all other terms and

8

conditions relating to the issuance and shall perform all acts

9

and things necessary to pay or cause to be paid, when due, all

10

principal of and interest on the notes being refunded by

11

replacement notes and to assure that the replacement notes may

12

draw upon any moneys available for that purpose pursuant to any

13

purchase, loan or credit agreements established with respect to

14

the replacement notes, all subject to the authorization and

15

direction of the issuing officials.

16

(e)  Retirement of outstanding notes.--Outstanding notes

17

evidencing the borrowings may be funded and retired by the

18

issuance and sale of the bonds of the Commonwealth as authorized

19

under this act. The refunding bonds must be issued and sold not

20

later than a date three years after the date of issuance of the

21

first notes evidencing the borrowings to the extent that payment

22

of the notes has not otherwise been made or provided for by

23

sources other than proceeds of replacement notes.

24

(f)  Disposition of proceeds.--The proceeds of all the

25

temporary borrowing shall be paid to the State Treasurer to be

26

held and disposed of in accordance with this act.

27

Section 8.  Disaster Relief Redemption Fund.

28

(a)  Establishment.--All bonds issued under the authority of

29

this act shall be paid at maturity and all interest due from

30

time to time on the bonds and on all notes issued under this act

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1

shall be paid from the Disaster Relief Redemption Fund. The

2

General Assembly shall appropriate annually the moneys necessary

3

to pay the interest on the bonds and notes and the principal of

4

the bonds and notes at maturity for which other provision is not

5

made. All moneys so appropriated shall be paid into the Disaster

6

Relief Redemption Fund by the State Treasurer. All of the moneys

7

so received prior to the date for disbursement of the moneys

8

shall be invested by the State Treasurer pending disbursement in

9

such securities as are provided by law for the investment of

10

surplus moneys of the Commonwealth.

11

(b)  Use of fund.--The investment of the moneys and the

12

accumulations on the moneys in the Disaster Relief Redemption

13

Fund shall be devoted to and be used exclusively for the payment

14

of the interest accruing on the bonds and notes and for the

15

redemption of the bonds and notes at maturity or upon the

16

redemption date, if called for prior redemption. The State

17

Treasurer, with the approval of the Governor, is authorized at

18

any time to use any of those funds for the purchase and

19

retirement of all or any part of the bonds issued under this

20

act. No purchase may be made that will reduce the moneys in the

21

Disaster Relief Redemption Fund below the amount necessary to

22

pay all principal and interest still to become due in the fiscal

23

year of the purchase. In the event that all or any part of the

24

bonds shall be purchased by the Commonwealth, they shall be

25

canceled and returned to the State Treasurer as canceled and

26

paid bonds and thereafter all payments of interest on the bonds

27

shall cease and the canceled bonds and coupons shall be

28

destroyed as promptly as possible after cancellation but not

29

later than two years after cancellation. A certificate

30

evidencing the destruction of the canceled bonds, notes and

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1

coupons shall be provided by the loan and transfer agent to the

2

issuing officials. All canceled bonds, notes and coupons shall

3

be so mutilated as to make the canceled bonds, notes and coupons

4

nonnegotiable.

5

Section 9.  Refunding bonds.

6

The issuing officials are authorized to provide by resolution

7

for the issuance of refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding

8

any debt issued under this act and then outstanding, either by

9

voluntary exchange with the holders of the outstanding debt or

10

to provide funds to redeem and retire the outstanding debt with

11

accrued interest, any premium payable thereon and the costs of

12

issuance and retirement of the debt, at maturity or at any call

13

date. The issuance of the refunding bonds, the maturities and

14

other details of the refunding bonds, the rights of the holders

15

of the refunding bonds and the duties of the issuing officials

16

in respect to the refunding bonds shall be governed by the

17

provisions of this section insofar as they may be applicable.

18

Refunding bonds that are not subject to the aggregate limitation

19

of $250,000,000 of debt to be issued pursuant to this act may be

20

issued by the issuing officials to refund debt originally issued

21

or to refund bonds previously issued for refunding purposes.

22

Section 10.  Reporting requirements.

23

The State Treasurer shall determine and report to the

24

Secretary of the Budget by November of each year the amount of

25

money necessary for the payment of interest on outstanding

26

obligations and the principal of the obligations, if any, for

27

the following fiscal year and the times and amounts of those

28

payments.

29

Section 11.  Registration of bonds.

30

The Auditor General shall prepare the necessary registry

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1

books to be kept in the office of the duly authorized loan and

2

transfer agent of the Commonwealth for the registration of any

3

bonds of the Commonwealth at the request of the owner of the

4

bonds according to the terms and conditions of issue specified

5

by the issuing officials. All bonds that are issued without

6

interest coupons attached shall be registered in the registry

7

books kept by the duly authorized loan and transfer agent of the

8

Commonwealth.

9

Section 12.  Voting requirements.

10

Whenever in this act any action is to be taken or decision

11

made by the issuing officials, and the three officers shall not

12

be able to agree unanimously, the action or decision of the

13

Governor and either the Auditor General or State Treasurer shall

14

be binding and final.

15

Section 13.  Appropriation.

16

(a)  Appropriation to Governor.--The net proceeds, less the

17

costs and expenses of issuing the obligations, of the sale of

18

the $250,000,000 of obligations authorized under this act are

19

hereby appropriated from the Disaster Relief Fund to the

20

Governor for allocation by the Secretary of the Budget as

21

provided in section 3(d) to the Pennsylvania Emergency

22

Management Agency for public assistance to non-State and other

23

eligible entities and to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management

24

Agency and to other State agencies for public assistance costs

25

incurred by those agencies and to the Department of

26

Environmental Protection or other State agencies as deemed

27

appropriate for hazard mitigation.

28

(b)  Appropriation to State Treasurer.--There is hereby

29

appropriated to the State Treasurer from the fund as much money

30

as may be necessary for all costs and expenses in connection

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1

with the issue of and sale and registration of the bonds and

2

notes in connection with this act and the payment of interest

3

arbitrage rebates on proceeds of the bonds and notes.

4

Section 14.  State and local participation levels.

5

(a)  Public assistance.--The required non-Federal

6

contribution of 25% necessary to secure Federal public

7

assistance funding, including costs for highways and bridges,

8

except State-designated highways and bridges, shall be divided

9

between the State and the affected local political subdivision

10

or nonprofit organization where applicable. The State share will

11

be 22% and the political subdivision or nonprofit organization

12

share will be 3%.

13

(b)  Additional public assistance.--The State contribution to

14

any political subdivision or nonprofit organization seeking

15

additional public assistance for projects qualifying under

16

section 3(d)(2)(i) shall be as follows:

17

(1)  If the project is located in a county that was

18

declared as a disaster area by the Federal Government and the

19

project is not eligible for Federal funding or receives

20

funding at an inadequate level, the Commonwealth shall

21

contribute 22% of the amount not eligible for Federal

22

funding, and the political subdivision or nonprofit

23

organization shall contribute 78% of the amount not eligible

24

for Federal funding.

25

(2)  If the project is located in a county that was not

26

declared as a disaster area by the Federal Government and the

27

project would have been eligible for Federal funding if

28

located in a county declared as a disaster area by the

29

Federal Government, the Commonwealth shall contribute 22% of

30

the cost of the project, and the political subdivision or

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1

nonprofit organization shall contribute 78% of the cost of

2

the project.

3

(3)  If the project is located in a county that was not

4

declared as a disaster area by the Federal Government and the

5

project would not have been eligible for Federal funding or

6

would have received funding at an inadequate level if located

7

in a county declared as a disaster area by the Federal

8

Government, the Commonwealth shall contribute 22% of the

9

amount not eligible for Federal funding, and the political

10

subdivision or nonprofit organization shall contribute 78% of

11

the amount not eligible for Federal funding.

12

(c)  Local waiver.--The Commonwealth may reduce the share of

13

an affected political subdivision if the tax base of that

14

political subdivision was substantially reduced as a direct

15

result of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee or if payment

16

of the local share exceeds 40% of the most recently adopted

17

annual budget of the political subdivision. The Commonwealth may

18

require the adoption of appropriate flood control or storm water

19

management plans as a condition of the waiver if the adoption of

20

the plan does not present additional financial hardship.

21

(d)  Definition.--As used in this act, the term "political

22

subdivision" means any county, city, borough, incorporated town,

23

township, school district, vocational school district, county

24

institution district or municipal authority.

25

Section 15.  Legislative Disaster Oversight Committee.

26

(a)  Establishment.--There is hereby created a special

27

legislative committee to be known as the Legislative Disaster

28

Oversight Committee that shall be composed of the following:

29

(1)  The Majority Leader of the Senate.

30

(2)  The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives.

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1

(3)  The Minority Leader of the Senate.

2

(4)  The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

3

(5)  The Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency

4

Management Agency.

5

(b)  Powers and duties.--The Legislative Disaster Oversight

6

Committee may recommend policies for implementation of this act

7

to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and may inquire

8

into delays and issues related to distribution of public

9

assistance and other grants authorized under this act.

10

Section 16.  Constitutional construction.

11

The provisions of this act shall be severable and, if any of

12

the provisions thereof shall be held unconstitutional, such

13

decisions shall not affect the validity of any of the remaining

14

provisions of this act. It is hereby declared as the legislative

15

intent that this act would have been adopted had such

16

unconstitutional provisions not been included therein.

17

Section 17.  Effective date.

18

This act shall take effect immediately.

19

Section 1.  Borrowing of money authorized.

<--

20

Pursuant to the provisions of clause (1) of subsection (a) of

21

section 7 of Article VIII of the Constitution of Pennsylvania,

22

the Commonwealth is hereby authorized and directed to borrow

23

from time to time money not exceeding in the aggregate the sum

24

of $150,000,000, not including money borrowed to refund

25

outstanding bonds, notes or replacement notes, as may be found

26

necessary to carry out the rehabilitation of areas affected by

27

Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

28

Section 2.  General obligation bonds authorized.

29

The indebtedness authorized under section 1 shall be incurred

30

from time to time and shall be evidenced by one or more series

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1

of general obligation bonds or notes of the Commonwealth in such

2

aggregate principal amount for each series as the Governor,

3

Auditor General and State Treasurer shall determine, but the

4

latest stated maturity date shall not exceed 20 years from the

5

date of the bond first issued for each such series.

6

Section 3.  Disposition and use of proceeds.

7

(a)  Deposit.--The proceeds from the sale of bonds and notes,

8

except refunding bonds and replacement notes, issued pursuant to

9

the provisions of this act shall be paid to the State Treasurer

10

and be held in a separate fund to be known as the Disaster

11

Relief Fund.

12

(b)  Dedication of funds.--The moneys in the Disaster Relief

13

Fund are hereby specifically dedicated to meeting the costs of

14

the rehabilitation of areas affected by Hurricane Irene and

15

Tropical Storm Lee, including, but not limited to, projects that

16

are defined in or authorized by The Robert T. Stafford Disaster

17

Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288, 88 Stat.

18

143) and paying the costs and expenses of issuing bonds and

19

notes.

20

(c)  Interest earnings.--Pending their application to the

21

purposes authorized, moneys held or deposited by the State

22

Treasurer may be invested and reinvested as are other funds in

23

the custody of the State Treasurer in the manner provided by

24

law. All earnings received from the investment or deposit of

25

those funds shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit

26

of the Disaster Relief Fund.

27

(d)  Allocation of proceeds.--Subject to the total limit of

28

$150,000,000, the funds authorized to be borrowed under section

29

1 shall be allocated as follows:

30

(1)  An amount not to exceed 75% of the funds shall be

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1

used to provide for the Commonwealth's share of all costs,

2

including costs for highways and bridges, flood control and

3

disaster mitigation costs provided by the Federal Government

4

under The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency

5

Assistance Act.

6

(2)  (i)  At least 25% of the funds shall be used for the

7

cost of the following projects pursuant to the disaster

8

proclamation:

9

(A)  Projects for the rehabilitation,

10

construction, reconstruction, repair, other than

11

normal maintenance, or the replacement of highways

12

and bridges, flood control and disaster mitigation

13

not funded by the Federal Government or funded by the

14

Federal Government at a level insufficient to meet

15

current codes and standards.

16

(B)  Projects for the rehabilitation,

17

construction, reconstruction, repair, other than

18

normal maintenance, or the replacement of any public

19

facility of a political subdivision in counties

20

declared as disaster areas that are not funded by the

21

Federal Government or are funded by the Federal

22

Government at a level insufficient to meet current

23

codes and standards.

24

(C)  Projects for the rehabilitation,

25

construction, reconstruction, repair, other than

26

normal maintenance, or the replacement of any

27

nonprofit facility owned and operated by a nonprofit

28

organization in counties declared as disaster areas

29

that are not funded by the Federal Government or are

30

funded at a level insufficient to meet current codes

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1

and standards.

2

(ii)  If the funding for projects under this

3

paragraph is insufficient to provide assistance for all

4

eligible projects, the Commonwealth shall prioritize

5

projects by considering the following factors:

6

(A)  The severity of disaster-related damages to

7

be rectified by the project.

8

(B)  Whether the project will improve the health,

9

safety and welfare of the affected population.

10

(C)  The consistency of the project with other

11

State and regional resource management and economic

12

development plans.

13

(D)  The financial condition of the applicant,

14

including revenues, expenses, debt structure, equity

15

position and available collateral.

16

(E)  The economic and financial condition of the

17

community to be served, including the tax base,

18

annual budget and percentage of low-income and

19

moderate-income residents.

20

(F)  The inability of the applicant to secure

21

funding from other sources.

22

(iii)  No project may be funded under subparagraph

23

(i)(A) or (B) unless the Commonwealth determines that

24

there was an adequate appeal of the denial of Federal

25

funding or of the inadequate level of Federal funding.

26

(e)  Transfer of unused funds.--Moneys in the Disaster Relief

27

Fund not necessary to pay unexpired contracts or to pay

28

potential legal obligations shall be transferred by the State

29

Treasurer, with the approval of the Governor, to the Disaster

30

Relief Redemption Fund and shall be used to pay debt service on

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1

the existing disaster relief bonds.

2

Section 4.  Issuance of bonds, interest and maturity.

3

(a)  Series and issues.--When bonds are issued from time to

4

time, the bonds of each issue shall constitute a separate series

5

to be designated by the issuing officials or may be combined for

6

sale as one series with other general obligation bonds of the

7

Commonwealth. Each series of bonds shall bear such rate or rates

8

of interest as may be determined by the issuing officials. The

9

bonds shall be issued in the denominations and in the forms,

10

whether coupon or registered as to both principal and interest,

11

and with or without provisions for interchangeability, as the

12

issuing officials may determine. In case interest coupons are

13

attached, they shall contain the facsimile signature of the

14

State Treasurer.

15

(b)  Terms.--Except as otherwise set forth in this act, the

16

terms and conditions of issue, redemption and maturity and time

17

of payment of interest shall be as the issuing officials shall

18

specify. The issuing officials shall provide for the

19

amortization of the bonds in substantial and regular amounts

20

over the term of the debt. The first retirement of principal

21

shall be stated to mature prior to the expiration of a period of

22

time equal to one-tenth of the time from the date of the first

23

obligation issued to evidence the debt to the date of the

24

expiration of the term of the debt. Retirements of principal

25

shall be regular and substantial if made in annual or semiannual

26

amounts whether by stated serial maturities or by mandatory

27

sinking fund retirements computed in accordance with either a

28

level annual debt service plan, as nearly as may be, or upon the

29

equal annual maturities plan. The issuing officials are hereby

30

authorized to carry out the provisions of this act relating to

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1

the issuance of bonds and shall determine all matters in

2

connection with the bonds subject to the provisions of this act.

3

(c)  Signatures.--All bonds issued under the authority of

4

this act shall bear the facsimile signatures of the issuing

5

officials and a facsimile of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth

6

of Pennsylvania and shall be countersigned by a duly authorized

7

officer of a duly authorized loan and transfer agent of the

8

Commonwealth.

9

Section 5.  Direct obligations, exemption from taxation and

10

means of payment.

11

All bonds issued under this act shall be direct obligations

12

of the Commonwealth, and the full faith and credit of the

13

Commonwealth are hereby pledged for the payment of the interest

14

on the bonds as the interest becomes due and the payment of the

15

principal of the bonds at maturity. All bonds issued under the

16

provisions of this act shall be exempt from taxation for State

17

and local purposes, except as provided under Article XXIX of the

18

act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code

19

of 1971. The principal of and interest on the bonds shall be

20

payable in lawful money of the United States.

21

Section 6.  Sale of bonds.

22

(a)  Requirements.--Whenever bonds are issued under this act,

23

they shall be offered for sale at not less than 98% of the

24

principal amount of the bonds and accrued interest and shall be

25

sold by the issuing officials to the highest and best bidder or

26

bidders after public advertisement on such terms and conditions

27

and upon such open competitive bidding as the issuing officials

28

shall direct. The manner and times of advertising shall be

29

prescribed by the issuing officials.

30

(b)  Private sale.--Any portion of a bond issue so offered

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1

and not sold or subscribed for may be disposed of by private

2

sale by the issuing officials in such manner and at such prices,

3

not less than 98% of the principal amount of the bonds and

4

accrued interest, as the Governor shall direct. No commission

5

may be allowed or paid for the sale of any bonds issued under

6

the authority of this act.

7

(c)  Temporary bonds.--Until permanent bonds can be prepared,

8

the issuing officials may in their discretion issue in lieu of

9

the permanent bonds, temporary bonds in such form and with such

10

privileges as to registration and exchange for permanent bonds

11

as may be determined by the issuing officials.

12

Section 7.  Temporary financing authorization.

13

(a)  Temporary borrowing.--Pending the issuance of bonds of

14

the Commonwealth as authorized, the issuing officials are hereby

15

authorized, in accordance with the provisions of this act and on

16

the credit of the Commonwealth, to make temporary borrowings,

17

through public or private sale, not to exceed three years in

18

anticipation to the issue of bonds in order to provide funds in

19

such amounts as may from time to time be deemed advisable prior

20

to the issue of bonds. In order to provide for and in connection

21

with the temporary borrowings, the issuing officials may, in the

22

name and on behalf of the Commonwealth, enter into purchase,

23

loan or credit agreements or other agreements with banks or

24

trust companies or other lending institutions, investment

25

banking firms or persons in the United States having power to

26

enter into the same, which agreements may contain such

27

provisions not inconsistent with this act as may be authorized

28

by the issuing officials.

29

(b)  Evidence of debt.--All temporary borrowings made under

30

this section shall be evidenced by notes of the Commonwealth,

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1

which shall be issued from time to time for amounts not

2

exceeding in the aggregate the applicable statutory and

3

constitutional debt limitation, in a form and in denominations

4

and subject to terms and condition of sale and issue, prepayment

5

or redemption and maturity, rate or rates of interest and time

6

of payment of interest that the issuing officials authorize and

7

direct in accordance with this act. The authorization and

8

direction may provide for the subsequent issuance of replacement

9

notes to refund outstanding notes or replacement notes, which

10

replacement notes shall, upon issuance, evidence the borrowing,

11

and may specify other terms and conditions with respect to the

12

notes and replacement notes authorized for issuance that the

13

issuing officials may determine and direct.

14

(c)  Replacement notes.--When the authorization and direction

15

of the issuing officials provide for the issuance of replacement

16

notes, the issuing officials may, in the name and on behalf of

17

the Commonwealth, issue, enter into or authorize and direct the

18

State Treasurer to enter into agreements with any banks, trust

19

companies, investment banking firms or other institutions or

20

persons in the United States having the power to enter

21

agreements:

22

(1)  To purchase or underwrite an issue or series of

23

issues of notes.

24

(2)  To credit, to enter into purchase, loan or credit

25

agreements, to draw moneys pursuant to the agreement on the

26

terms and conditions set forth in the agreement and to issue

27

notes as evidence of borrowings made under the agreement.

28

(3)  To appoint an issuing and paying agent or agents

29

with respect to notes.

30

(4)  To do such other acts as may be necessary or

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1

appropriate to provide for the payment, when due, of the

2

interest on and the principal of the notes.

3

An agreement may provide for the compensation of any purchasers

4

or underwriters of notes or replacement notes by discounting the

5

purchase price of the notes or by payment of a fixed fee or

6

commission at the time of issuance of the notes, and all other

7

costs and expenses, including fees for agreements related to the

8

notes, issuing and paying agent costs and costs and expenses of

9

issuance, may be paid from the proceeds of the notes.

10

(d)  Duties of State Treasurer.--When the authorization and

11

direction of the issuing officials provide for the issuance of

12

replacement notes, the State Treasurer shall, at or prior to the

13

time of delivery of these notes or replacement notes, determine

14

the principal amounts, dates of issue, interest rate or rates or

15

procedures for establishing interest rates from time to time,

16

rates of discount, denominations and all other terms and

17

conditions relating to the issuance and shall perform all acts

18

and things necessary to pay or cause to be paid, when due, all

19

principal of and interest on the notes being refunded by

20

replacement notes and to assure that the replacement notes may

21

draw upon any moneys available for that purpose pursuant to any

22

purchase, loan or credit agreements established with respect to

23

the replacement notes, all subject to the authorization and

24

direction of the issuing officials.

25

(e)  Retirement of outstanding notes.--Outstanding notes

26

evidencing the borrowings may be funded and retired by the

27

issuance and sale of the bonds of the Commonwealth as authorized

28

under this act. The refunding bonds must be issued and sold not

29

later than a date three years after the date of issuance of the

30

first notes evidencing the borrowings to the extent that payment

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1

of the notes has not otherwise been made or provided for by

2

sources other than proceeds of replacement notes.

3

(f)  Disposition of proceeds.--The proceeds of all the

4

temporary borrowing shall be paid to the State Treasurer to be

5

held and disposed of in accordance with this act.

6

Section 8.  Disaster Relief Redemption Fund.

7

(a)  Establishment.--All bonds issued under the authority of

8

this act shall be paid at maturity and all interest due from

9

time to time on the bonds and on all notes issued under this act

10

shall be paid from the Disaster Relief Redemption Fund. The

11

General Assembly shall appropriate annually the moneys necessary

12

to pay the interest on the bonds and notes and the principal of

13

the bonds and notes at maturity for which other provision is not

14

made. All moneys so appropriated shall be paid into the Disaster

15

Relief Redemption Fund by the State Treasurer. All moneys so

16

received prior to the date for disbursement of the moneys shall

17

be invested by the State Treasurer pending disbursement in such

18

securities as are provided by law for the investment of surplus

19

moneys of the Commonwealth.

20

(b)  Use of fund.--The investment of the moneys and the

21

accumulations on the moneys in the Disaster Relief Redemption

22

Fund shall be devoted to and be used exclusively for the payment

23

of the interest accruing on the bonds and notes and for the

24

redemption of the bonds and notes at maturity or upon the

25

redemption date, if called for prior redemption. The State

26

Treasurer, with the approval of the Governor, is authorized at

27

any time to use any of those funds for the purchase and

28

retirement of all or any part of the bonds issued under this

29

act. No purchase may be made that will reduce the moneys in the

30

Disaster Relief Redemption Fund below the amount necessary to

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1

pay all principal and interest still to become due in the fiscal

2

year of the purchase. In the event that all or any part of the

3

bonds shall be purchased by the Commonwealth, they shall be

4

canceled and returned to the State Treasurer as canceled and

5

paid bonds, and thereafter all payments of interest on the bonds

6

shall cease and the canceled bonds and coupons shall be

7

destroyed as promptly as possible after cancellation but not

8

later than two years after cancellation. A certificate

9

evidencing the destruction of the canceled bonds, notes and

10

coupons shall be provided by the loan and transfer agent to the

11

issuing officials. All canceled bonds, notes and coupons shall

12

be so mutilated as to make the canceled bonds, notes and coupons

13

nonnegotiable.

14

Section 9.  Refunding bonds.

15

The issuing officials may provide by resolution for the

16

issuance of refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding any

17

debt issued under this act and then outstanding, either by

18

voluntary exchange with the holders of the outstanding debt or

19

may provide funds to redeem and retire the outstanding debt with

20

accrued interest, any premium payable thereon and the costs of

21

issuance and retirement of the debt at maturity or at any call

22

date. The issuance of the refunding bonds, the maturities and

23

other details of the refunding bonds, the rights of the holders

24

of the refunding bonds and the duties of the issuing officials

25

in respect to the refunding bonds shall be governed by the

26

provisions of this section insofar as they may be applicable.

27

Refunding bonds that are not subject to the aggregate limitation

28

of $150,000,000 of debt to be issued under this act may be

29

issued by the issuing officials to refund debt originally issued

30

or to refund bonds previously issued for refunding purposes.

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1

Section 10.  Reporting requirements.

2

The State Treasurer shall determine and report to the

3

Secretary of the Budget by November of each year the amount of

4

money necessary for the payment of interest on outstanding

5

obligations and the principal of the obligations, if any, for

6

the following fiscal year and the times and amounts of those

7

payments.

8

Section 11.  Registration of bonds.

9

The Auditor General shall prepare the necessary registry

10

books to be kept in the office of the duly authorized loan and

11

transfer agent of the Commonwealth for the registration of any

12

bonds of the Commonwealth at the request of the owner of the

13

bonds according to the terms and conditions of issue specified

14

by the issuing officials. All bonds that are issued without

15

interest coupons attached shall be registered in the registry

16

books kept by the duly authorized loan and transfer agent of the

17

Commonwealth.

18

Section 12.  Voting requirements.

19

Whenever in this act an action is to be taken or decision

20

made by the issuing officials, and the three officers shall not

21

be able to agree unanimously, the action or decision of the

22

Governor and either the Auditor General or State Treasurer shall

23

be binding and final.

24

Section 13.  Appropriation.

25

(a)  Appropriation to Governor.--The net proceeds, less the

26

costs and expenses of issuing the obligations, of the sale of

27

the $150,000,000 of obligations authorized under this act are

28

appropriated from the Disaster Relief Fund to the Governor for

29

allocation by the Secretary of the Budget as provided under

30

section 3(d) to State agencies for projects authorized under

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1

this act.

2

(b)  Appropriation to State Treasurer.--There is appropriated

3

to the State Treasurer from the fund as much money as may be

4

necessary for all costs and expenses in connection with the

5

issue of and sale and registration of the bonds and notes in

6

connection with this act and the payment of interest arbitrage

7

rebates on proceeds of the bonds and notes.

8

Section 14.  Effective date.

9

This act shall take effect immediately.

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