2018 Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE BILL NO. 426 BY SENATOR LAFLEUR 1 AN ACT 2 To amend and reenact R.S. 39:562(C) and (D) and to enact Subparts A and B of Part II of 3 Chapter 4 of Subtitle II of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be 4 comprised of R.S. 39:501 through 517, and 521 through 531, and to repeal R.S. 5 17:98, R.S. 39:563 through 578, 611 through 618, and Subpart C, comprised of R.S. 6 39:661 through 672, Subpart D, comprised of R.S. 39:681 through 684, Subpart E, 7 comprised of R.S. 39:691 through 697, Subpart F, comprised of R.S. 39:698.1 8 through 698.13, all as part of Part III of Chapter 4 of Subtitle II of Title 39 of the 9 Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, R.S. 39:741 through 742.2, 743 through 748, 10 and Part VII, comprised of R.S. 39:821 through 842, Part IX, comprised of R.S. 11 39:911 through 914, Part X, comprised of R.S. 39:931 through 934, Part XI, 12 comprised of R.S. 39:971 through 974, all as part of Chapter 4 of Subtitle II of Title 13 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, R.S. 39:1011 through 1024, and 14 Chapter 14-B, comprised of R.S. 39:1460.1 and 1460.2, and Chapter 18, comprised 15 of R.S. 39:1801 through 1811, all as part of Subtitle III of Title 39 of the Louisiana Page 1 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 Revised Statutes of 1950, relative to the Consolidated Local Government 2 Indebtedness Act; to consolidate and make uniform local government laws relative 3 to the issuance of certain bonds and other evidences of indebtedness; to provide 4 definitions; to provide for the statutory lien; to provide relative to the authorization, 5 sale, execution, and registration of bonds; to provide relative to the rights of 6 bondholders; to provide relative to the validity of bonds; to provide for the 7 applicability of general bond laws; to provide for peremption; to provide for notice 8 of default; to provide for the bonds to be exempt from taxation and to be legal 9 investments; to provide for the negotiability and incontestability of the bonds; to 10 provide for the application of proceeds; to provide for bond validation; to provide 11 relative to lost, destroyed, or cancelled bonds; to provide relative to counsel fees; to 12 provide relative to general obligation bonds; to provide relative to limited tax bonds 13 and bonds payable from the general alimony tax; to provide relative to sales tax 14 bonds; to provide relative to revenue bonds; to provide relative to limited revenue 15 bonds; to provide relative to excess revenue bonds and certificates of indebtedness; 16 to provide relative to bond anticipation notes; to provide relative to grant anticipation 17 notes; to provide relative to assessment certificates; to provide relative to refunding 18 bonds; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters. 19 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: 20 Section 1. R.S. 39:562(C) and (D) are hereby amended and reenacted and Subparts 21 A and B of Part II of Chapter 4 of Subtitle II of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes 22 of 1950, comprised of R.S. 39:501 through 517, and 521 through 531, are hereby enacted 23 to read as follows: 24 PART II. CONSOLIDATED LOCAL 25 GOVERNMENT PUBLIC FINANCE ACT 26 SUBPART A. GENERAL PROVISIONS 27 §501. Designation 28 This Part may be referred to as the "Consolidated Local Government 29 Public Finance Act". 30 §502. Purposes, rules of construction Page 2 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 A. The purposes of this Part are to clarify, modernize, and make uniform 2 the laws relating to the powers of parishes, municipalities, school boards, school 3 districts, and other political subdivisions of the state to incur debt and to issue 4 bonds and other evidences of indebtedness. 5 B. This Part shall be liberally construed so as to give effect to its intended 6 purposes. 7 C. Except as provided in Subsection D of this Section, any parish, 8 municipality, school board, school district, or other political subdivision of the 9 state, acting through its governing authority, is authorized to employ the 10 provisions of this Part, including the laws referenced in this Part relating to the 11 issuance of bonds, as a complete and additional method for the issuance of 12 bonds. 13 D. This Part shall not apply to nor be utilized by the city of New Orleans 14 or its agencies, boards, authorities, and commissions, including the Sewerage 15 and Water Board of New Orleans, except as specifically provided herein. 16 E. Bonds issued under any provision of Subpart B of this Part shall be 17 entitled to the rights and benefits conferred generally by Subpart A of this Part. 18 F. The issuer, owner, or holder of any bond issued by any governmental 19 entity prior to July 1, 2018, shall be subject to the provisions of prior law under 20 which the bond was originally issued. 21 §503. Definitions 22 As used in this Part, the following words, terms, and phrases shall have 23 the meanings ascribed to them in this Section, except where the context clearly 24 indicates a different meaning: 25 (1) "Bond" or "bonds" means any bonds, notes, warrants, certificates 26 of indebtedness, certificates of participation or other written contracts, 27 agreements, or instruments evidencing the obligation of a governmental entity 28 to repay borrowed money, regardless of the designation thereof. 29 (2) "Costs of issuance" means all items of expense related to the 30 authorization, sale and issuance of bonds, including but not limited to printing Page 3 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 costs, costs of preparation and reproduction of documents, filing and recording 2 fees, fees and charges of any fiduciary, legal fees and charges of any counsels 3 necessary in connection with the issuance of bonds, costs of preparation, 4 printing, and distribution of official statements or other disclosure documents, 5 fees and disbursements of consultants and professionals in connection with the 6 issuance of bonds, costs of credit ratings, fees and charges for preparation, 7 execution, transportation, and safekeeping of bonds, costs and expenses of 8 refunding, underwriters discount or placement fees, costs of any credit 9 enhancement, costs of any financial products agreement, and any other cost, 10 charge, or fee in connection with the issuance of bonds. 11 (3) "Credit enhancement" means any letter of credit, insurance policy, 12 surety bond, standby bond purchase agreement, reserve fund surety bond, or 13 similar facility as used for the purpose of enhancing the security or credit 14 quality of bonds. 15 (4) "Financial products agreement" means an interest rate swap, cap, 16 collar, floor, other hedging agreement, arrangement or security, however 17 denominated, entered into by a governmental entity not for investment purposes 18 but with respect to a series of bonds for the purpose of reducing or otherwise 19 managing the risk of interest rate changes, or effectively converting a 20 governmental entity's interest rate exposure, in whole or in part, from a fixed 21 rate exposure to a variable rate exposure, or from a variable rate exposure to 22 a fixed rate exposure. 23 (5) "Governing authority" means the elected or appointed body that 24 exercises the legislative functions of a parish, municipality, school board, school 25 district, or other political subdivision, including: 26 (a) A sheriff in the case of a law enforcement district. 27 (b) An assessor in the case of an assessment district. 28 (c) A district attorney in the case of a judicial enforcement district. 29 (6) "Governmental entity" means any parish, municipality, school board, 30 school district, or other political subdivision of the state, other than the city of Page 4 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 New Orleans and its agencies, boards, authorities, and commissions, and other 2 than the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans. However, any other 3 discrete political subdivision coterminous with or wholly within the city of New 4 Orleans created by the Constitution of Louisiana, the legislature, or the Home 5 Rule Charter of the city of New Orleans or by the New Orleans City Council, 6 shall be a governmental entity within the meaning of this Part and may utilize 7 the authority provided in this Part through its governing authority. 8 (7) "State" means the state of Louisiana. 9 (8) "Total assessed value" means the assessed valuation of all property, 10 including both homestead-exempt property, which shall be included on the 11 assessment roll for the purposes of total assessed value, and nonexempt 12 property as shown on the most recent assessment of the parish in which the 13 governmental entity is located. 14 §504. Statutory lien 15 A. It is the intention of the legislature that bonds issued by a 16 governmental entity under this Part, or under any other statutory authority 17 referenced herein, shall be secured debt entitled to the highest possible 18 protection and priority afforded by the bankruptcy laws of the United States 19 and this state. Therefore, the owner or owners of any such bonds are hereby 20 granted and shall have a statutory lien on and a security interest in such taxes, 21 income, revenues, net revenues, monies, payments, receipts, agreements, 22 contract rights, funds, or accounts as are pledged to the payment of such bonds, 23 to the fullest extent and in the manner stated in this Part and in the proceedings 24 authorizing such bonds, and any pledge or grant of a lien or security interest in 25 such taxes, income, revenues, net revenues, monies, payments, receipts, 26 agreements, contract rights, funds, or accounts made by a governmental entity 27 in connection with the issuance of bonds shall be valid, binding, and perfected 28 from the time when the pledge or grant of lien or security interest is made. Such 29 taxes, income, revenues, net revenues, monies, payments, receipts, agreements, 30 contract rights, funds, or accounts shall immediately be subject to the lien of Page 5 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 such pledge and security interest without any physical delivery therefor or 2 further act and the lien of such pledge and security interest shall be first 3 priority and valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind 4 in tort, contract, bankruptcy, or otherwise against the governmental entity, 5 whether or not such parties have notice thereof. The owner or owners of bonds 6 shall be secured creditors with respect to such taxes, income, revenues, net 7 revenues, monies, payments, receipts, agreements, contract rights, funds, or 8 accounts, as the case may be. 9 B. Any bond issued under this Part or any other statutory authority 10 referenced herein may contain a recital that refers to the statutory lien created 11 by this Section and describes the taxes, income, revenues, net revenues, monies, 12 payments, receipts, agreements, contract rights, funds, or accounts to which 13 such statutory lien applies; however, the failure to include the aforesaid recital 14 shall not affect the validity or efficacy of the statutory lien granted by this 15 Section and by the proceeds authorizing such bonds. 16 C. No notice, filing, or other proceedings under Chapter 9 of the 17 Louisiana Commercial Laws, R.S. 10:9-101 et seq., or any other provision of law 18 for the perfection or priority of such pledge and security interest shall be 19 necessary to perfect the statutory lien granted by this Section and by the 20 proceedings authorizing such bonds. 21 D. The statutory lien shall also apply to and secure any administrative 22 fees owed to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund or the Drinking Water 23 Revolving Loan Fund, in connection with bonds that evidence an obligation to 24 repay a loan from one of said revolving funds. 25 §505. Authorization, sale, execution, and registration of bonds 26 A. Each governing authority shall have authority to adopt all 27 proceedings necessary for the authorization, sale, and delivery of bonds, 28 including the right to enter into all contractual arrangements as may be 29 necessary to effectuate the purpose for which the bonds are being issued upon 30 terms determined by the governing authority. Bonds issued under this Part may Page 6 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 be issued by either resolution or ordinance, unless the use of a resolution or the 2 use of an ordinance is specifically required by law or home rule charter. 3 B. Bonds issued under this Part may be sold at a public or private sale 4 upon such terms, in the manner and by following such procedures as may be 5 determined by the governing authority of the governmental entity. No bond 6 issued under this Part shall be required to be registered with the secretary of 7 state or any other office or official. 8 C. Bonds issued under this Part may be secured additionally by credit 9 enhancement, or be entitled to the benefits of a financial products agreement, 10 the cost of which, upon a finding of benefit therefrom by the governing 11 authority, may be paid from the proceeds of the bonds or other lawfully 12 available funds. Bonds may also be secured by a trust agreement or trust 13 indenture by and between the governmental entity and one or more corporate 14 trustees. 15 D. In addition to the foregoing, the proceedings authorizing the issuance 16 of bonds may provide that such bonds will be of such series, bear such date or 17 dates, mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or rates payable 18 at such times, be in such denominations, be in such form, carry such 19 registration and exchangeability privileges, be payable in such medium and at 20 such place or places within or without the state, be subject to such terms of 21 prepayment or redemption, be entitled to such priorities on the pledged taxes, 22 revenues, or other source of security, as such proceedings may provide. Bonds 23 shall be executed in the name of the governmental entity by the manual or 24 facsimile signatures of such official or officials of the governmental entity 25 designated by the governing authority in said proceedings. At least one 26 signature on each bond shall be a manual signature, which manual signature 27 may be an authenticating signature by a designated bank or other financial 28 institution or person, and facsimile signatures may be used in the manner 29 provided by law. The seal, or a facsimile thereof, of the governmental entity 30 may, but is not required to be affixed, imprinted, engraved, or otherwise Page 7 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 reproduced upon each bond. The delivery of any bonds so executed at any time 2 thereafter shall be valid, although before the date of delivery, any person or 3 persons signing the bonds shall cease to hold office. 4 §506. Rights of bondholders 5 A. Any owner of bonds issued under this Part may by suit, action, 6 mandamus, or other proceedings, protect and enforce the statutory lien 7 provided by this Part as well as the security provided for such bonds or the 8 repayment thereof by the proceedings authorizing such bonds, and may by suit, 9 action, mandamus, or other proceedings enforce and compel performance of all 10 of the duties required to be performed by the governing authority of the issuer 11 of such bonds or as may be provided for in the proceedings authorizing the 12 issuance of such bonds. 13 B. No member of the governing authority or any officer or employee of 14 the governmental entity that has issued bonds, or any person executing such 15 bonds shall be personally liable on such bonds. 16 C. The governing authority may in the proceedings authorizing bonds 17 provide for the respective priorities of its separate series of bonds, and may 18 provide for the issuance of additional parity bonds in the future pursuant to 19 such procedure or restrictions as may be specified in such proceedings, or as 20 may be agreed to by the owners of any series of bonds. In the absence of such 21 provision, or agreement of the owners, if more than one series of bonds, other 22 than general obligation bonds, shall be issued hereunder payable from the same 23 taxes or other revenues, then the priority of lien on such revenues shall depend 24 on the time of the delivery of such series of bonds, each series enjoying a lien 25 prior and superior to that enjoyed by any series of bonds subsequently 26 delivered, except that as to any series of bonds which may be authorized as a 27 unit but delivered from time to time in tranches or separate series, the 28 governing authority may in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such 29 bonds provide that all of the bonds of such series or issue shall be coequal as to 30 lien regardless of the time of delivery. Page 8 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 D. Proceedings authorizing the issuance of bonds may contain such 2 covenants with the future owner or owners of the bonds as to the taxes or 3 revenues that secure such bonds, the disposition of such taxes or revenues, the 4 issuance of future bonds, and such other pertinent matters as the governing 5 authority may desire to assure the marketability of such bonds, provided such 6 covenants are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Part. 7 E. Any proceedings authorizing the issuance of bonds may contain such 8 provisions to assure the enforcement, collection, and proper application of the 9 taxes or revenues pledged as security for the bonds as the governing authority 10 may think proper, where not inconsistent with the provisions of this Part. When 11 any bonds shall have been issued pursuant to this Part, the proceedings of the 12 governing authority relating to the pledged taxes or revenues, and the obligation 13 of the governing authority to continue to collect and allocate such pledged taxes 14 or revenues and to apply such pledged taxes or revenues in accordance with the 15 provisions of said proceedings, shall be irrevocable until such bonds have been 16 paid in full as to principal and interest, and shall not be subject to amendment 17 in any manner which would impair the rights of the owners from time to time 18 of such bonds or which would in any way jeopardize the prompt payment of 19 principal thereof or interest thereon. 20 §507. Validity of bonds; recital of regularity 21 Before bonds are issued under this Part, the governing authority shall 22 investigate and determine the regularity of the proceedings. The proceedings 23 authorizing the bonds may direct that the bonds contain the following recital: 24 "It is certified that this indebtedness is authorized by and is 25 issued in conformity with the requirements of the Constitution 26 and statutes of Louisiana." 27 Such recital shall be deemed to be an authorized declaration of the 28 governing authority and to import that there is constitutional and statutory 29 authority for issuing the bonds and imposing the pledged tax or providing for 30 the collection of the pledged revenues; that all the proceedings therefor are Page 9 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 regular; that all acts, conditions, and things required to exist, happen and be 2 performed precedent to and in the issuance of the bonds and imposition of any 3 pledged tax or providing for the collection of the pledged revenues have existed, 4 have happened and have been performed in due time, form, and manner as 5 required by law; that the amount of the bonds, together with all other 6 indebtedness of the governmental entity does not exceed any limit or limits 7 prescribed by the constitution or statutes of Louisiana; and that the required 8 notices have been duly and regularly given in the manner required by law. If 9 any bonds are issued containing the above recital, the same shall be construed 10 according to the import herein declared, and it shall be conclusively presumed 11 that the recital is true, and neither the governing authority nor any taxpayer 12 shall be permitted to question the validity or regularity of the bonds, 13 obligations, or tax in any court or in any action or proceeding. 14 §508. Applicability of general bond laws 15 Bonds issued under this Part shall be further subject to R.S. 39:244, 16 Chapters 13, 13-A, and 14 of Subtitle III all of this Title 39 of the Louisiana 17 Revised Statutes of 1950, provided that in the event of any conflict between this 18 Part and the provisions of said R.S. 39:244, Chapters 13, 13-A, or 14, then the 19 provisions of this Part shall apply to any bonds issued under this Part. 20 §509. Peremption 21 Every ordinance or resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds under 22 this Part shall be published at least once in the official journal of the 23 governmental entity issuing the bonds, or in a newspaper having general 24 circulation therein. Exhibits to any such ordinance or resolution need not be 25 published if the exhibits are enumerated in the publication and it is stated in the 26 publication that such exhibits are available for public inspection at the office of 27 the governing authority during regular business hours. For thirty days after the 28 date of publication, any person in interest may contest the legality of the 29 ordinance or resolution and of any provision therein made for the security and 30 payment of the bonds. After that time, no one shall have any cause of action to Page 10 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 test the regularity, formality, legality, or effectiveness of the ordinance or 2 resolution, and provisions thereof for any cause whatsoever. Thereafter, it shall 3 be conclusively presumed that every legal requirement for the issuance of the 4 bonds, including all things pertaining to the election, if any, at which the bonds 5 were authorized, has been complied with. No court shall have authority to 6 inquire into any of these matters after the thirty days. 7 §510. Notice of default 8 Any governmental entity that has issued bonds under this Part shall 9 notify the State Bond Commission in writing when: 10 (1) Any required deposit to any debt service sinking fund in connection 11 with such bonds has not been made within five business days of when due. 12 (2) The principal, interest, premium, or any other payment due on such 13 bonds has not been made within five business days of when due. 14 §511. Exemption from taxation; legal investments 15 A. All bonds issued under this Part and the interest or other income 16 thereon or with respect thereto shall be exempt from all income tax and other 17 taxation in Louisiana. 18 B. All bonds issued under this Part shall be legal and authorized 19 investments for banks, savings banks, insurance companies, homestead and 20 building loan associations, trustees, and other fiduciaries and may be used for 21 deposit with any officer, board, or political subdivision, in any case where, by 22 present or future laws, deposit or security is required. 23 §512. Bonds negotiable and incontestable 24 Bonds issued under this Part shall have all the qualities of negotiable 25 paper and shall not be invalid for any irregularity or defect in the proceedings 26 for their issuance and sale, and shall be incontestable in the hands of bona fide 27 purchasers or owners for value. 28 §513. Application of proceeds 29 A. The proceeds of bonds issued under this Part shall be used exclusively 30 for the purpose or purposes for which the bonds are authorized to be issued, Page 11 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 including but not limited to the payment of costs of issuance, the cost of funding 2 any required debt service reserves, the cost of credit enhancement or the cost 3 of a financial products agreement. The purchaser of the bonds shall not be 4 obliged to see to the application thereof. In the event that the governing 5 authority of the governmental entity that issued bonds determines that all or 6 part of the proceeds of the sale of such bonds are no longer needed or required 7 for the purpose for which the bonds were originally issued, the governing 8 authority may rededicate such unexpended proceeds for a different purpose, 9 provided that such different purpose is one for which the bonds could have been 10 originally issued, or it may utilize the unexpended proceeds to prepay or redeem 11 such bonds. 12 B. Any premium received by a governmental entity in connection with 13 the sale of bonds shall be expended for: 14 (1) Any purpose for which the bonds are being issued and deposited in 15 the same account into which the bond proceeds are deposited for such purpose. 16 (2) The payment of the principal or the interest on the bonds and shall 17 be deposited in a sinking fund or debt service fund established for such purpose. 18 C. Any accrued interest received by a governmental entity in connection 19 with the sale of bonds shall be applied to the payment of principal or interest on 20 such bonds, and deposited in a sinking fund or debt service fund established for 21 such purpose. 22 §514. Bond validation 23 Bonds issued under this Part may be validated in accordance with Part 24 XVI of Chapter 32 of Title 13 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, or any 25 successor laws relating to suits to determine validity of governmental bonds. 26 §515. Lost, destroyed, or cancelled bonds 27 A. Whenever any bond is lost, destroyed, or improperly cancelled, the 28 issuing governmental entity may, by resolution of its governing body, authorize 29 the issuance of new bonds to replace them, upon proof of such loss, destruction, 30 or cancellation satisfactory to the governmental entity and upon the giving to Page 12 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 the governmental entity an indemnity bond in such amount as the governmental 2 entity thereof may require. The new bond shall in all respects be identical with 3 those lost, destroyed, or cancelled except that it shall bear on its face the 4 following additional clause: 5 "This bond is issued to replace a lost, cancelled, or destroyed 6 bond under the authority of R.S. 39:515." 7 B. Such new bond shall be signed by the same officers who signed the 8 original bond, provided, however, that in the event the officers who signed the 9 original bonds are no longer in office, then the new bond shall be signed by the 10 officers then in office. 11 C. If the original bond was registered in the office of the secretary of 12 state, and bore a certificate evidencing such registration signed by the secretary 13 of state, then the new bond shall not be required to be registered in the office of 14 the secretary of state. 15 D. The obligation of the governmental entity upon the new bond shall be 16 identical with its obligation upon the original bond, and the rights of the owner, 17 including any statutory lien granted by this Part or the proceedings authorizing 18 the original bond, shall be the same as those conferred by the original bond. 19 §516. Employment of counsel; fees 20 The employment of counsel by a governmental entity in conjunction with 21 the issuance of bonds under this Part, and the fees and compensation of such 22 counsel shall be subject to approval by the attorney general and shall not exceed 23 the attorney general fee schedule or other statutory limitations for fees and 24 compensation. 25 §517. No other statutes applicable 26 This Part shall be a complete and additional method for the issuance and 27 sale of bonds by any governmental entity, and this Part shall constitute full 28 authority for the issuance and sale of the bonds authorized herein. No 29 ordinance, resolution, filing, registration, approval, publication, election, or 30 right of referendum in respect to the issuance of any bonds hereunder or for the Page 13 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 perfection of the statutory lien provided herein shall be necessary, except such 2 as may be required by this Part. The recordation of any resolution, ordinance, 3 or other proceeding relating to the issuance of bonds, except for any mortgage 4 securing bonds, shall not be required by this Part. Any publication prescribed 5 hereby may be made in the official journal or in any newspaper of general 6 circulation within the governmental entity. 7 SUBPART B. AUTHORITY FOR SPECIFIC BONDS 8 §521. General obligation bonds 9 A. Any governmental entity may incur debt and issue general obligation 10 bonds under the authority of Article VI, Section 33 of the Constitution of 11 Louisiana and this Part, for the purpose of financing any capital expenditures 12 related to the lawful purposes of the governmental entity, title to which shall be 13 in the public. Such bonds may be issued only after having been approved by a 14 majority of the electors who vote in an election held in accordance with the 15 Louisiana Election Code for the purpose of approving the issuance of the bonds. 16 The proposition submitted to the electors shall state the maximum principal 17 amount of bonds to be issued, the maximum term, which shall not exceed forty 18 years, the maximum interest rate, the purposes for which the bonds are 19 proposed to be issued, and the estimated millage rate to be levied for the 20 repayment of such bonds in the first year of issue. 21 B. After the results of the election have been promulgated in accordance 22 with the Louisiana Election Code, the governing authority of the governmental 23 entity may proceed to issue the bonds within the parameters approved by the 24 electors. 25 C.(1) The principal amount of bonds to be issued under this Section, 26 together with the principal amount of outstanding general obligation bonds of 27 the governmental entity, as calculated on the total assessed value of the 28 governmental entity, as shown on the most recent assessment prior to the 29 delivery of the bonds, regardless of the date on which the election was held, shall 30 not exceed: Page 14 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 (a) For school boards and school districts thirty-five percent. 2 (b) For municipalities and parishes ten percent for each authorized 3 purpose or thirty-five percent in the aggregate for all purposes. 4 (c) For all other governmental entities twenty percent in the aggregate 5 for all purposes. 6 (2) In the event that the total assessed value of the governmental entity 7 does not appear on the most recent assessment prior to the delivery of the 8 bonds, or if the boundaries of the government entity have been enlarged or 9 significant property added to the total assessed value since the most recent 10 assessment, then the parish or municipal assessor for such governmental entity 11 shall certify the total assessed value of the governmental entity as of the date of 12 delivery of the bonds and such certification shall be used for calculating the 13 debt limits set forth in this Section. 14 (3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any governmental entity with a 15 general obligation debt limit under any other provision of law that is in excess 16 of the debt limit set forth in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection may issue general 17 obligation bonds under this Part using such higher debt limit. 18 D.(1) The full faith and credit of the government entity is hereby pledged 19 to the payment of general obligation bonds issued by such governmental entity 20 under this Part. The governing authority of any governmental entity issuing 21 general obligation bonds under this Part shall impose and collect annually, for 22 as long as any of its general obligation bonds are outstanding and unpaid, in 23 excess of all other taxes and without limit as to rate or amount, a tax on all 24 property subject to taxation by the governmental entity sufficient to pay the 25 interest and the principal falling due each year, or such amount as may be 26 required for any sinking fund necessary to retire said bonds at maturity. The 27 tax shall be levied and collected, for as long as any of its general obligation 28 bonds are outstanding and unpaid by the same officers, at the same time, and 29 in the same manner as the general taxes of the governmental entity and, except 30 as provided in Paragraph (6) of this Subsection, may be expended solely for Page 15 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 payment of debt service on such bonds and administrative expenses relating 2 thereto, such as trustee or paying agent fees and other costs directly related to 3 the administration of such bonds. Should the governmental entity neglect or 4 fail for any reason to impose or collect sufficient taxes for the payment of the 5 principal or interest of any bonds issued hereunder, any person in interest may 6 enforce imposition and collection thereof in any court having jurisdiction of the 7 subject matter, and any suit, action, or proceeding brought by such person in 8 interest shall be a preferred cause, and shall be heard and disposed of without 9 delay. 10 (2) For the purpose of reducing the overall tax burden on taxpayers and 11 easing the administrative burden of accounting for separate tax levies, any 12 governmental entity with more than one outstanding issue or series of general 13 obligation bonds shall levy a single unified tax for the payment of all of such 14 issues or series. 15 (3) As additional security for the owners of general obligation bonds 16 issued by any special service district that has been created by a parish or 17 municipal governing authority pursuant to a general state law, if there is any 18 default in the imposition and collection of any tax required for the payment of 19 the principal or interest of any general obligation bonds issued by such special 20 service district, then the governing authority of the municipality or parish that 21 created the special service district shall impose and the taxing officers of the 22 parish in which the special service district is situated shall collect at the same 23 time and in the same manner as taxes for parish purposes are imposed and 24 collected, such tax on the taxable property of the special service district as shall 25 be necessary for the payment of the principal and interest on the general 26 obligation bonds of such special service district. 27 (4) All the articles and provisions of the Constitution of Louisiana, and 28 all the laws in force or that may be enacted on and after July 1, 2018, regulating 29 and relating to the collection of taxes and tax sales shall also apply to and 30 regulate the collection of the special taxes imposed under the provisions of this Page 16 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 Part, through the officer whose duty it is to collect the taxes and monies due the 2 subdivision imposing the special taxes. 3 (5) As additional security for the owners of all general obligation bonds 4 issued by any governmental entity, in the event of any default in the imposition 5 and collection of the taxes required for the payment of such bonds the taxing 6 officers of the state are further authorized and directed to impose and collect 7 the taxes, and shall certify them, and cause them to be imposed and collected at 8 the same time and in the same manner as the taxes for state purposes are 9 imposed and collected in the subdivision incurring the debt. 10 (6) Upon the payment in full of general obligation bonds, if any excess 11 monies remain in the sinking fund or debt service fund for such bonds, such 12 monies shall be retained therein for the payment of any other outstanding 13 general obligation bonds of the governmental entity, or if the governmental 14 entity has no other outstanding general obligation bonds then such monies may 15 be expended for capital projects similar to those for which the bonds were 16 originally issued. 17 §522. Limited tax bonds secured by special ad valorem taxes 18 A. Any governmental entity may anticipate the revenues to be realized 19 from special ad valorem taxes that are authorized to be levied pursuant to 20 provisions of the constitution and laws of Louisiana by borrowing money to be 21 used only for the purpose for which such a tax may be levied. Such a borrowing 22 shall be evidenced by limited tax bonds of the governmental entity, such limited 23 tax bonds to be payable solely from and secured by an irrevocable pledge and 24 dedication of the revenues of such tax. 25 B. The principal and interest due in any year on limited tax bonds issued 26 under this Section shall not exceed seventy-five percent of the revenues 27 estimated to be realized from the levy of the tax so pledged for the calendar year 28 in which such limited tax bonds are issued, regardless of the date on which the 29 revenues are anticipated to be received. A governmental entity shall not 30 anticipate such revenues for a period that exceeds the remaining number of Page 17 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 years for which the special ad valorem or limited tax, as the case may be, is 2 authorized to be levied. 3 C. The principal of limited tax bonds issued under this Section shall be 4 made due and payable annually not later than June first of each future year in 5 which principal falls due. 6 §523. Sales tax bonds 7 A. A governmental entity that is authorized to levy and collect a sales tax 8 or a municipality or school board that receives an allocation of a sales tax levied 9 by a parish, may fund sales tax revenues into bonds and issue the bonds from 10 time to time for the purpose or purposes for which such tax may be levied, the 11 bonds to be payable from and secured by an irrevocable pledge and dedication 12 of sales tax revenues subject only to the prior payment of the costs and expenses 13 of collection and administration of such tax. 14 B. Any governmental entity, including the city of New Orleans, 15 previously authorized to issue sales tax bonds under the provisions of Subpart 16 F of Part III of Chapter 4 of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, 17 is specifically authorized to issue sales tax bonds pursuant to this Section in the 18 alternative, without the necessity of any further authorization or voter 19 approval. 20 C. The maturities of sales tax bonds shall be so arranged that the total 21 amount of principal and interest falling due in any fiscal year of the 22 governmental entity, together with principal and interest falling due in such 23 fiscal year on all bonds payable from the same sales tax theretofore issued and 24 then outstanding, shall never exceed seventy-five percent of the amount of sales 25 tax revenues estimated by the governing authority to be received by it in the 26 fiscal year in which the bonds are issued. The final maturity of sales tax bonds 27 shall be no later than twenty-five years from the date of issuance or the ninety 28 days following the expiration date of the pledged sales tax, whichever occurs 29 first. 30 D. Bonds issued under this Section shall constitute a borrowing solely Page 18 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 upon the credit of the sales tax revenues received or to be received by the 2 governmental entity and shall not constitute an indebtedness or pledge of the 3 general credit of the governmental entity within the meaning of any 4 constitutional or statutory provision relating to the incurring of indebtedness, 5 and the bonds shall contain a recital to that effect. 6 E. As specified by Article VI, Section 29 of the Constitution of Louisiana, 7 when any bonds shall have been issued under this Section, neither the 8 legislature, the governing authority, nor any other authority shall discontinue 9 or decrease the sales tax or permit to be discontinued or decreased the sales tax 10 in anticipation of the collection of which such bonds have been issued, or in any 11 way make any change in the allocation and dedication of the proceeds of such 12 sales tax which would diminish the amount of the sales tax revenues to be 13 received by the governmental entity until all of such bonds shall have been 14 retired as to principal and interest, and there is hereby vested in the owners and 15 holders from time to time of such bonds a contractual right under the 16 provisions of this Part. 17 §524. Revenue bonds 18 A. Any governmental entity may issue revenue bonds to construct, 19 acquire, extend, or improve any system or work of public improvement. Such 20 bonds may be secured by a mortgage on the lands, buildings, machinery, and 21 equipment so improved as well as by the pledge of the income and revenues 22 derived or to be derived from the system or work of public improvement owned, 23 leased, or operated by such governmental entity, sufficient in amount to pay the 24 principal of and the interest on such bonds as they severally mature, and such 25 bonds and other debt obligations shall not be a charge upon the other income 26 and revenues of the governmental entity as prohibited under the provisions of 27 Article VI, Section 37 of the Constitution of Louisiana. Any project or 28 undertaking by any such governmental entity from which revenue is or will be 29 derived, whether by lease, rents, fees, charges, or otherwise, shall be considered 30 a revenue-producing work of public improvement within the meaning of this Page 19 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 Section. 2 B. Revenue bonds issued under this Section shall mature at such time or 3 times not exceeding thirty years from their respective dates, except that revenue 4 bonds sold exclusively to any governmental agency of the United States may 5 mature at such time or times not exceeding forty years from their respective 6 dates. 7 C. Revenue bonds issued under this Section shall be payable solely from 8 the revenues derived from the system or work of public improvement, 9 constructed, acquired, extended, or improved with the proceeds thereof, 10 sufficient in amount at all times to meet the required debt service, subject only 11 to prior payment of reasonable and necessary expenses of operating and 12 maintaining such system or work of public improvement. In connection with the 13 construction, acquisition, extension, or improvement of any such 14 revenue-producing system or work of public improvement, any governmental 15 entity is authorized to accept, receive, receipt for, disburse, and expend federal 16 and state monies and other monies, public or private, whether available by 17 grant or loan, or both, for such purposes. Without creating a charge on such 18 revenues, the governmental entity may, in the proceedings authorizing the 19 issuance of revenue bonds under this Section, provide for the use of other taxes 20 or revenues either for the payment of the required debt service on such revenue 21 bonds, or for the payment of reasonable and necessary expenses of operating 22 and maintaining such system or work of public improvement. 23 D. The system or work of public improvement shall remain subject to 24 such pledge of revenues or mortgage as may have been authorized by the 25 governing authority under the authority of this Part until the payment in full 26 of the principal and interest on said bonds, and the mortgage or pledge may be 27 foreclosed by seizure and sale of the encumbered property in a manner 28 provided by law for the foreclosure of conventional mortgages including the 29 right to executory process. 30 E. When any sale of the mortgaged property is held under the provisions Page 20 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 of this Section, the purchaser at the sale, and his successor or assigns, shall be 2 vested with any necessary permit and franchise to maintain and operate the 3 property purchased, and to continue to supply to the public the commodities, 4 products, or services previously supplied by the work of public improvement, 5 with the same powers and privileges previously enjoyed by the governmental 6 entity in the operation of said work of public improvement. This franchise shall 7 continue for such period, not exceeding thirty years, as may be fixed by the 8 governing authority in the resolution authorizing the bonds and shall be subject 9 to all statutory limitations pertaining to the granting of permits or franchises. 10 F. Any proceedings authorizing the issuance of bonds under this Section 11 may provide for creation of a sinking fund into which shall be paid from the 12 pledged revenues of the system or work of public improvement, subject only to 13 prior payment of the reasonable and necessary expenses of operating and 14 maintaining the system or work of public improvement, sums sufficient to pay 15 principal of and interest on such bonds and to create such reserve for 16 contingencies as may be provided in such proceedings. The monies in the 17 sinking fund may be applied to the payment of interest on and principal of the 18 bonds or to the purchase or retirement of the bonds prior to maturity in such 19 manner as may be provided in the proceedings. 20 G. The proceedings authorizing the issuance of bonds under this Section 21 may contain such covenants with the future owners of the bonds as to the 22 management and operation of the system or work of public improvement, the 23 imposition and collection of fees and charges for the products, commodities, or 24 services furnished thereby, the disposition of fees and revenues, the issuance of 25 future bonds, and the creation of future liens and encumbrances against the 26 system or work of public improvement and the revenues thereof, the carrying 27 of insurance on the properties constituting such work of system or work of 28 public improvement, the disposition of the proceeds of the insurance, and other 29 pertinent matters, as may be deemed necessary by the governing authority to 30 assure the marketability of the bonds, provided these covenants are not Page 21 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 inconsistent with the provisions of this Section. 2 H. When any governmental entity has issued revenue bonds and pledged 3 the revenues of any system or work of public improvement in whole or in part 4 for payment thereof, it shall impose and collect fees and charges for the 5 products, commodities, and services furnished by such system or work of public 6 improvement, including those furnished to the subdivision itself and its various 7 agencies and departments, in such amounts and at rates as shall be sufficient at 8 all times to pay the expenses of operating and maintaining the system or work 9 of public improvement; provide a sinking fund sufficient to assure the prompt 10 payment of principal and interest on the bonds as each falls due; provide such 11 a reasonable fund for contingencies as may be required by the proceedings 12 authorizing the bonds or other debt obligation and provide an adequate 13 depreciation fund for those repairs, extensions, and improvements to the system 14 or work of public improvement as may be necessary to assure adequate and 15 efficient service to the public. No board or commission other than the governing 16 authority of the governmental entity shall have authority to fix or supervise 17 making of such fees and charges. 18 I. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a governing authority, in its discretion, 19 may authorize bonds payable from the revenues to be derived from two or more 20 systems or works of public improvement owned by the governmental entity, and 21 bonds may be so issued for the purpose of constructing, acquiring, extending, 22 or improving any one or more of those systems or works of public 23 improvements. Any bonds so issued shall be secured in the manner provided in 24 this Part on the property of such systems or works of public improvement in the 25 same manner as provided in those instances where bonds are issued payable 26 from the revenues of one system or work of public improvement only. 27 J. Revenue bonds shall not be issued under this Section until the 28 governing authority of the governmental entity has adopted an appropriate 29 resolution giving notice of its intention to issue such revenue bonds, including 30 a general description thereof and the security and source of repayment therefor, Page 22 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 and notice of this intention has been published in four consecutive weekly issues 2 of a newspaper of general circulation in the parish where the governmental 3 entity is located, setting forth a date and time when the governing authority will 4 meet in open and public session to hear any objections to the proposed issuance 5 of such bonds. If at such hearing a petition duly signed by electors of the 6 governmental entity in a number not less than five percent of the number of 7 electors voting at the last election held in the governmental entity object to the 8 issuance of the proposed bonds, then such bonds shall not be issued until 9 approved by a vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the governmental 10 entity who vote at a special election held for such purpose in the manner 11 provided by Chapter 6-A of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950. 12 Any such petition shall be accompanied by a certificate of the parish registrar 13 of voters certifying that the signers of the petition are registered electors of the 14 governmental entity and the number of signers amount to not less than five 15 percent of the registered electors that voted in the last election held in said 16 governmental entity. 17 §525. Limited revenue bonds secured by a parcel fee or service charge 18 A. Any governmental entity that is authorized to levy a parcel fee or 19 service charge may anticipate the revenues to be realized from such parcel fee 20 or service charge voted pursuant to provisions of the constitution and laws of 21 Louisiana by borrowing money to be used only for the purpose for which such 22 parcel fee or service charge was voted; however, a governmental entity may not 23 anticipate such revenues for a period that exceeds the remaining number of 24 years for which the parcel fee or service charge, as the case may be, is 25 authorized to be levied. Such a borrowing shall be evidenced by limited revenue 26 bonds of the governmental entity, which limited revenue bonds shall be payable 27 solely from and secured by an irrevocable pledge and dedication of the revenues 28 of such parcel fee or service charge, as the case may be. 29 B. The principal and interest due in any fiscal year of the governmental 30 entity on such limited revenue bonds shall not exceed eighty percent of the Page 23 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 revenues estimated to be realized from the levy of such parcel fee or service 2 charge, as the case may be, for the fiscal year in which such limited revenue 3 bonds are issued. In applying the aforesaid test, all revenues estimated to be 4 realized from the levy of the parcel fee or service charge for the fiscal year in 5 which the bonds are issued, regardless of the date on which the revenues are 6 anticipated to be received, will be included in the estimated revenues for such 7 fiscal year. 8 C. The principal of the limited revenue bonds shall be made due and 9 payable annually not later than June first of each future year in which principal 10 falls due; provided that such limited revenue bonds shall mature not later than 11 June first in the year following the last year in which the parcel fee or service 12 charge, as the case may be, securing the borrowing is authorized to be levied. 13 D. Limited revenue bonds issued under this Section are not revenue 14 bonds within the meaning of Article VI, Section 37 of the Constitution of 15 Louisiana. 16 §526. Excess revenue bonds and certificates of indebtedness 17 A. Any governmental entity may issue excess revenue bonds or 18 certificates of indebtedness under this Section for the purpose of acquiring, 19 constructing, extending, or improving any work of public improvement, or for 20 acquiring movable vehicles or equipment, or for the payment of judgments, 21 noncapital contractual obligations, or employee benefits. 22 B. Bonds or certificates of indebtedness issued under this Section shall 23 be payable out of the revenues of subsequent years, after the payment from such 24 revenues of: 25 (1) All charges required by law or regulation. 26 (2) All contractual obligations. 27 (3) All necessary and usual charges provided for by ordinance or 28 resolution, excluding depreciation. 29 (4) All payments in respect of bonds for which a pledge or dedication of 30 specified taxes or revenues has been provided by law or in proceedings Page 24 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 authorizing such bonds, regardless of the date of issue of such bonds. 2 C. Bonds or certificates of indebtedness issued under this Section shall 3 have a maximum term not to exceed ten years. 4 §527. Revenue anticipation notes 5 Any governmental entity, in order to pay its current expenses for any 6 fiscal year, may issue revenue anticipation notes for the purpose of anticipating 7 the revenues for such fiscal year. Such revenue anticipation notes shall mature 8 not later than three months after the end of the fiscal year of the governmental 9 entity. The amount so borrowed by any governmental entity shall not exceed the 10 estimated income of the governmental entity as shown by the budget adopted 11 prior to such borrowing, and the income collected as shown by the adopted 12 budget shall be dedicated and set aside to the payment of the revenue 13 anticipation notes as they mature. 14 §528. Bond anticipation notes 15 A. Any governmental entity may authorize the issuance of bond 16 anticipation notes in one or more series in anticipation of the issuance of bonds 17 which it has duly and lawfully authorized. The proceeds of the sale of such 18 notes, exclusive of accrued interest, shall be used for the purpose of paying 19 capitalized interest on such notes for renewing the principal amount of 20 previously issued bond anticipation notes, and for the purpose for which the 21 anticipated bonds were authorized. 22 B. Bond anticipation notes shall be payable in principal from the 23 proceeds of the sale of the duly authorized bonds, from the sale of additional 24 bond anticipation notes, from revenue sources from which the anticipated bonds 25 securities are payable when issued, or from other lawfully available funds. 26 Interest on bond anticipation notes may be capitalized and paid from the 27 proceeds of the issue, paid from the revenue source from which the anticipated 28 bonds are payable when issued, or paid from other lawfully available funds. 29 C. The total amount of bond anticipation notes issued and outstanding 30 at any one time shall not exceed the principal amount of authorized bonds in Page 25 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 anticipation of which the bond anticipation notes were issued. 2 §529. Grant anticipation notes 3 A. A governmental entity may issue a grant anticipation note or notes in 4 anticipation of and upon the security of specified accounts receivable from the 5 state or the federal government, including without limitation, grants, loans, or 6 a combination of both, for which the governing authority of the governmental 7 entity finds and determines that funds have been appropriated and committed 8 to the governmental entity. 9 B. Grant or loan funds from the state or federal government for any 10 construction and improvement for which the governmental entity is authorized 11 to expend monies shall be pledged for the payment of the note or notes and the 12 interest thereon. The note or notes and the interest thereon shall be a first lien 13 upon and charge against such grant or loan funds. Any notes issued pursuant 14 to this Section, to the extent not paid from grant or loan funds of the 15 governmental entity pledged for the payment thereof, at the discretion of the 16 governing authority of the governmental entity, may be paid as to principal and 17 interest from any taxes, income, revenue, cash receipts, or other monies of the 18 governmental entity lawfully available therefor and in accordance with the 19 provisions provided therefor in the resolution or ordinance authorizing their 20 issuance. 21 C. The proceeds of grant anticipation notes may be used and expended 22 by the governmental entity solely for the purpose for which the grant or loan is 23 to be received or for the retirement of the notes, except that income from the 24 investment of such proceeds may be used to pay costs associated with the facility 25 or improvements being financed from such grant or loan. 26 D. No grant anticipation note shall be issued if the grant or loan to be 27 received is for the construction of a facility or work of public improvement 28 unless the grant or loan agreement is in existence at the time of issuance of the 29 grant anticipation note. 30 E. Grant anticipation notes issued under this Section shall be payable not Page 26 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 later than five years after the date of issue. 2 F. No grant anticipation note or notes shall be issued by a governmental 3 entity pursuant to this Section in an amount which, when added to the amount 4 of any other such type note or notes outstanding at the time and issued in 5 anticipation of the same grant or loan, shall exceed ninety-five percent of the 6 grant or loan funds committed and appropriated to the governmental entity by 7 the granting or loaning authorities and payable within a thirty-six month period 8 from the date of issuance of such note or notes then being issued. 9 §530. Assessment certificates 10 Governmental entities are authorized to issue bonds to finance works of 11 public improvement secured by local or special assessments imposed pursuant 12 to the provisions of Article VI, Section 36 of the Constitution of Louisiana. The 13 certificates shall be issued in accordance with the procedures set forth in 14 Subpart A or Subpart B of Part I of Chapter 7 of Title 33 of the Louisiana 15 Revised Statutes of 1950. 16 §531. Refunding bonds 17 A. In addition to any other authority therefor, any governmental entity 18 is authorized to issue refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding, readjusting, 19 restructuring, refinancing, extending, or unifying the whole or any part of its 20 outstanding bonds in an amount sufficient to provide the funds necessary to 21 effectuate the purpose for which the refunding bonds are being issued and to 22 pay all costs associated therewith. Refunding bonds may be issued as part of a 23 multi-purpose issue. 24 B. Notwithstanding any general obligation debt limit established by law, 25 general obligation refunding bonds may be issued to refund outstanding general 26 obligation bonds at the same or at a lower effective rate of interest in 27 accordance with Article VI, Section 33(A) of the Constitution of Louisiana 28 without the necessity of further voter approval, provided that the term of the 29 outstanding bonds refunded shall not be extended and the principal and interest 30 payments on the refunding bonds is less in each calendar year than the principal Page 27 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 and interest in such calendar year on the outstanding bonds being refunded. 2 C. Refunding bonds issued to refund any bonds other than general 3 obligation bonds may be secured in the same manner as the bonds being 4 refunded or may be secured in such other manner as may be prescribed by the 5 governing authority of the governmental entity. If refunding bonds issued under 6 this Subsection are proposed to be additionally secured by the full faith and 7 credit of the governmental entity then they must be authorized at an election 8 held by the governmental entity in accordance with the requirements of the 9 constitution and laws of Louisiana pertaining to elections for the issuance of 10 general obligation bonds. 11 D. The refunded bonds shall not be considered outstanding for the 12 purpose of debt limitation laws restricting the amount of bonds that may be 13 issued by any governmental entity. 14 * * * 15 §562. Limit of indebtedness 16 * * * 17 C. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Section or of any other 18 law, the Except as otherwise provided by law, the governing authority of 19 parishwide school districts and of special school districts, including the city school 20 boards of the cities of Bogalusa and Monroe, which cities shall be treated as special 21 school districts, may incur debt and issue bonds therefor for the purposes set out in 22 R.S. 39:554 which, including the existing bonded debt of the subdivision for such 23 purposes, may exceed ten percentum percent but shall not exceed twenty-five 24 percentum thirty-five percent of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of 25 such subdivision, including both (1) homestead exempt homestead-exempt 26 property, which shall be included on the assessment roll for the purposes of 27 calculating debt limitation, and (2) nonexempt property, as ascertained by the last 28 assessment for the parish or local purposes prior to delivery of the bonds 29 representing such debt, regardless of the date of the election at which said bonds 30 were approved. Page 28 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 D. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Section or of any other 2 law, the Except as otherwise provided by law, the governing authority of the 3 parishwide school districts and of special school districts in the parishes of DeSoto, 4 Livingston, and Sabine may incur debt and issue bonds therefor for the purposes set 5 out in R.S. 39:554 which, including the existing bonded debt of such subdivision for 6 such purposes, may exceed ten percent but shall not exceed thirty-five percent of the 7 assessed valuation of the taxable property of such subdivision, including both (1) 8 homestead exempt homestead-exempt property, which shall be included on the 9 assessment roll for the purposes of calculating debt limitation, and (2) nonexempt 10 property, as ascertained by the last assessment for the parish for local purposes prior 11 to delivery of the bonds representing such debt, regardless of the date of the election 12 at which said bonds were approved. 13 * * * 14 Section 2. R.S. 17:98, R.S. 39:563 through 578, 611 through 618, Subpart C of Part 15 III of Chapter 4 of Subtitle II of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, 16 comprised of R.S. 39:661 through 672, Subpart D of Part III of Chapter 4 of Subtitle II of 17 Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, comprised of R.S. 39:681 through 684, 18 Subpart E of Part III of Chapter 4 of Subtitle II of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes 19 of 1950, comprised of R.S. 39:691 through 697, Subpart F of Part III of Chapter 4 of Subtitle 20 II of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, comprised of R.S. 39:698.1 through 21 698.13, R.S. 39:741 through 742.2, R.S. 39:743 through 748, Part VII of Chapter 4 of 22 Subtitle II of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, comprised of R.S. 39:821 23 through 842, Part IX of Chapter 4 of Subtitle II of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes 24 of 1950, comprised of R.S. 39:911 through 914, Part X of Chapter 4 of Subtitle II of Title 25 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, comprised of R.S. 39:931 through 934, Part 26 XI of Chapter 4 of Subtitle II of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, 27 comprised of R.S. 39:971 through 974, R.S. 39:1011 through 1024, Chapter 14-B of Subtitle 28 III of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, comprised of R.S. 39:1460.1 and 29 1460.2, and Chapter 18 of Subtitle III of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, 30 comprised of R.S. 39:1801 through 1811, are hereby repealed in their entirety. Page 29 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426 ENROLLED 1 Section 3. The provisions of Sections 1 and 3 of this Act shall become effective on 2 July 1, 2018; if vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this 3 Act shall become effective on July 1, 2018, or on the day following such approval by the 4 legislature, whichever is later. The provisions of Section 2 of this Act shall become effective 5 on July 1, 2021. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED: Page 30 of 30 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions.