Bill Summary for H 1088 (2019-2020)

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Summary date: 

May 14 2020

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2019-2020 Session
House Bill 1088 (Public) Filed Thursday, May 14, 2020
AN ACT TO ENACT THE INVEST NC BOND ACT OF 2020.
Intro. by Harris, von Haefen, R. Smith, K. Smith.

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Bill summary

Titles the act as the Invest NC Bond Act of 2020. States the act's purpose and legislative findings, and provides seven defined terms.

Subject to voter approval at the statewide election on November 3, 2020, authorizes the State Treasurer to issue and sell, either at one time or from time to time, general obligation bonds and notes up to $3.9 billion, subject to consent of the Council of State. Restricts use of the proceeds of the public improvement bonds and notes to specified projects and amounts, with general total amounts totals of: $2 billion for public instruction, $800 million for water and sewer infrastructure, $500 million for community colleges, $500 million for the University of North Carolina, and $100 million for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Details special allocation provisions applicable to the following uses of bond and note proceeds.

Concerning proceeds used for public schools capital assistance, requires (1) equal allocation among counties of $1 billion; (2) allocation of $250 million among local administrative units located in counties whose wealth is less than the State average wealth, as specified; (3) allocation of $750 million among local administrative units on the basis of average daily membership for the 2018-19 fiscal year, as specified; (4) except for low-wealth counties, local matching of proceeds at a $1 match for every $3 of proceeds for units in development tier one areas, $1 match for every $2 of proceeds for units in development tier two areas, and $1 match for every $1 of proceeds for units in development tier three areas, with periodic reports on matching to the State Board of Education and annual reports on the impact of funds provided on the property tax rate, and provisions for reallocating unmatched funds; and (5) guarantees proceeds received are used for acquisition of real property and construction, acquisition, reconstruction, enlargement, renovation or replacement of buildings and other structures, and that proceeds only supplement and do not decrease local funds for those projects.

Concerning proceeds used for water and sewer infrastructure, requires the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to create a grant and loan program within the Wastewater Reserve and the Drinking Water Reserve, with priority for (1) requests to substantially increase a water and/or sewer infrastructure system's financial system viability, (2) requests used to promote increased resiliency of systems at risk of catastrophic damages from flooding or storm events, and (3) requests allowed for loans from the Drinking Water Reserve under GS 159G-34. Details program administration.

Concerning proceeds used for the Community College Prosperity Zone Projects, requires the NC State Board of Community Colleges to create a grant program for allocation of funds labeled as such Prosperity Zone Projects to fund large construction projects or substantial renovations of existing facilities for majority use in the training and education areas of advanced health sciences, information technology, public safety, and transportation. Requires collaboration of at least two colleges in the prosperity zone on the use of the requested facility. Requires participating colleges to document an operation plan in its loan application. Specifies that no match is required.

Concerning proceeds used for community colleges for new construction, repairs, and renovations, requires the proceeds be used for new construction or rehabilitation of existing facilities and repairs and renovations only. Requires all such purchases and replacements to have a useful life of at least 10 years and any renovation must extend the useful life of the facility at least 10 years. Requires matching of proceeds for new construction projects only at $1 match for every $3 of proceeds for projects in development tier one areas, $1 match for every $2 of proceeds for projects in development tier two areas, and $1 match for every $1 of proceeds for projects in development tier three areas. 

Details the allocation and accounting of improvement bond proceeds. Allows for investment by the State Treasurer and use of investment earnings as specified. Sets forth further parameters regarding use of proceeds with other available monies and disbursement. Requires the State Treasurer or a designee to set up a comprehensive system of tracking the proceeds to account for use and compliance. Allows the State Treasurer to withhold proceeds for not complying with tracking requirements.

Details the procedure and requirements for issuance of the improvement bonds and notes, including: required terms and conditions; required signatures, forms, and registration; the manner of sale and expenses; notes and repayment; refunding of bonds and notes; tax exemption; investment eligibility; faith and credit of the State pledged; and other agreements the State Treasurer can provide for bond insurance and other derivative products. 

Provides for the variable rate demand authority of the State Treasurer of the bonds and notes and sets restrictions concerning the aggregate principal amounts payable by the State under a credit facility, as defined by the act.

Provides guidance for the act's interpretation, including that the act is meant to provide an additional or alternative financing method, statutory cross references may be amended, the act is to be construed broadly, the act supersedes other conflicting law; and the act's provisions are severable.