Introduced Version « Senate Bill 612 History

OTHER VERSIONS  —  Enrolled Version - Final Version  |   |  Email
Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
Senate Bill No. 612

(By Senators Plymale, Unger, Bowman, D. Facemire,

Minard, Snyder, Kessler, Wells, Yost, Jenkins and Prezioso)

____________

[Introduced February 19, 2010; referred to the Committee on Education; and then to the Committee on Finance.]

____________
A BILL to amend and reenact §29-22-18 and §29-22-18a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §31-15-16a of said code, all relating to funding of higher education capital projects; authorizing the Governor to certify certain revised lists of capital improvement projects; authorizing the Economic Development Authority to issue bonds in certain amounts and for certain purposes; specifying that the Economic Development Authority may grant second-in- priority and third-in-priority liens on proceeds of the State Lottery Fund up to a certain amount in favor of the bonds; increasing the amount paid annually to the Higher Education Improvement Fund from $10 million to $15 million; and making other technical corrections.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §29-22-18 and §29-22-18a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted; and that §31-15-16a of said code be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:
CHAPTER 29. MISCELLANEOUS BOARDS AND OFFICERS.

ARTICLE 22. STATE LOTTERY ACT.
§29-22-18. State Lottery Fund; appropriations and deposits; not part of general revenue; no transfer of state funds after initial appropriation; use and repayment of initial appropriation; allocation of fund for prizes, net profit and expenses; surplus; State Lottery Education Fund; State Lottery Senior Citizens Fund; allocation and appropriation of net profits.

(a) There is continued a Special Revenue Fund in the State Treasury which shall be designated and known as the State Lottery Fund. The fund consists of all appropriations to the fund and all interest earned from investment of the fund and any gifts, grants or contributions received by the fund. All revenues received from the sale of lottery tickets, materials and games shall be deposited with the State Treasurer and placed into the State Lottery Fund. The revenue shall be disbursed in the manner provided in this section for the purposes stated in this section and shall not be treated by the Auditor and Treasurer as part of the general revenue of the state.
(b) No appropriation, loan or other transfer of state funds may be made to the commission or Lottery Fund after the initial appropriation.
(c) A minimum annual average of forty-five percent of the gross amount received from each lottery shall be allocated and disbursed as prizes.
(d) Not more than fifteen percent of the gross amount received from each lottery may be allocated to and may be disbursed as necessary for fund operation and administration expenses.
(e) The excess of the aggregate of the gross amount received from all lotteries over the sum of the amounts allocated by subsections (c) and (d) of this section shall be allocated as net profit. In the event that the percentage allotted for operations and administration generates a surplus, the surplus shall be allowed to accumulate to an amount not to exceed $250,000. On a monthly basis, the director shall report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance of the Legislature any surplus in excess of $250,000 and remit to the State Treasurer the entire amount of those surplus funds in excess of $250,000 which shall be allocated as net profit.
(f) After first satisfying the requirements for funds dedicated to the School Building Debt Service Fund in subsection (h) of this section to retire the bonds authorized to be issued pursuant to section eight, article nine-d, chapter eighteen of this code, then satisfying the requirements for funds dedicated to the Education, Arts, Sciences and Tourism Debt Service Fund, in subsection (i) of this section to retire the bonds authorized to be issued pursuant to section eleven-a, article six, chapter five of this code and section sixteen-a, article fifteen, chapter thirty- one of this code, and then satisfying the requirements for funds dedicated to the Community and Technical College Capital Improvement Fund in subsection (j) of this section to retire the bonds for community and technical college capital improvements authorized to be issued pursuant to section eight, article ten, chapter eighteen-b of this code, any and all remaining funds in the State Lottery Fund shall be made available to pay debt service in connection with any revenue bonds issued pursuant to section eighteen-a of this article, if and to the extent needed for such purpose from time to time. The Legislature shall annually appropriate all of the remaining amounts allocated as net profits in subsection (e) of this section, in such proportions as it considers beneficial to the citizens of this state, to: (1) The Lottery Education Fund created in subsection (g) of this section; (2) the School Construction Fund created in section six, article nine-d, chapter eighteen of this code; (3) the Lottery Senior Citizens Fund created in subsection (k) of this section; and (4) the Division of Natural Resources created in section three, article one, chapter twenty of this code and the West Virginia Development Office as created in section one, article two, chapter five-b of this code, in accordance with subsection (l) of this section. No transfer to any account other than the School Building Debt Service Fund, the Education, Arts, Sciences and Tourism Debt Service Fund, the Community and Technical College Capital Improvement Fund, the Economic Development Project Fund created under section eighteen-a, article twenty-two, chapter twenty-nine of this code, or any fund from which debt service is paid under subsection (c), section eighteen-a of this article may be made in any period of time in which a default exists in respect to debt service on bonds issued by the School Building Authority, the State Building Commission, the Higher Education Policy Commission, the Economic Development Authority or which are otherwise secured by lottery proceeds. No additional transfer may be made to any account other than the School Building Debt Service Account and the Education, Arts, Sciences and Tourism Debt Service Fund, and the Community and Technical College Capital Improvement Fund, when net profits for the preceding twelve months are not at least equal to one hundred fifty percent of debt service on bonds issued by the School Building Authority, the State Building Commission, and the Higher Education Policy Commission and the Economic Development Authority which are secured by net profits.
(g) There is continued a special revenue fund in the State Treasury which shall be designated and known as the Lottery Education Fund. The fund shall consist of the amounts allocated pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, which shall be deposited into the Lottery Education Fund by the State Treasurer. The Lottery Education Fund shall also consist of all interest earned from investment of the Lottery Education Fund and any other appropriations, gifts, grants, contributions or moneys received by the Lottery Education Fund from any source. The revenues received or earned by the Lottery Education Fund shall be disbursed in the manner provided below and may not be treated by the Auditor and Treasurer as part of the general revenue of the state. Annually, the Legislature shall appropriate the revenues received or earned by the Lottery Education Fund to the state system of public and higher education for these educational programs it considers beneficial to the citizens of this state.
(h) On or before the twenty-eighth day of each month, as long as revenue bonds or refunding bonds are outstanding, the lottery director shall allocate to the School Building Debt Service Fund created pursuant to the provisions of section six, article nine-d, chapter eighteen of this code, as a first priority from the net profits of the lottery for the preceding month, an amount equal to one tenth of the projected annual principal, interest and coverage ratio requirements on any and all revenue bonds and refunding bonds issued, or to be issued, on or after April 1, 1994, as certified to the lottery director in accordance with the provisions of section six, article nine-d, chapter eighteen of this code. In no event shall the monthly amount allocated exceed $1.8 million nor may the total allocation of the net profits to be paid into the School Building Debt Service Fund, as provided in this section, in any fiscal year exceed the lesser of the principal and interest requirements certified to the lottery director or $18 million. In the event there are insufficient funds available in any month to transfer the amount required to be transferred pursuant to this subsection to the School Debt Service Fund, the deficiency shall be added to the amount transferred in the next succeeding month in which revenues are available to transfer the deficiency. A lien on the proceeds of the State Lottery Fund up to a maximum amount equal to the projected annual principal, interest and coverage ratio requirements, not to exceed $27 million annually, may be granted by the School Building Authority in favor of the bonds it issues which are secured by the net lottery profits. When the school improvement bonds, secured by profits from the lottery and deposited in the School Debt Service Fund, mature, the profits shall become available for debt service on additional school improvement bonds as a first priority from the net profits of the lottery or may at the discretion of the authority be placed into the School Construction Fund created pursuant to the provisions of section six, article nine-d, chapter eighteen of this code.
(i) Beginning on or before July 28, 1996, and continuing on or before the twenty-eighth day of each succeeding month thereafter, as long as revenue bonds or refunding bonds issued in accordance with section eleven-a, article six, chapter five or section sixteen-a, article fifteen, chapter thirty-one of this code are outstanding, the lottery director shall allocate to the Education, Arts, Sciences and Tourism Debt Service Fund, created pursuant to the provisions of section eleven-a, article six, chapter five of this code, as a second priority from the net profits of the lottery for the preceding month, an amount equal to one tenth of the projected annual principal, interest and coverage ratio requirements on any and all revenue bonds and refunding bonds issued, or to be issued, on or after April 1, 1996, as certified to the lottery director in accordance with the provisions of section eleven-a, article six, chapter five or section sixteen-a, article fifteen, chapter thirty-one of this code. In no event may the monthly amount allocated exceed $1 million nor may the total allocation paid into the Education, Arts, Sciences and Tourism Debt Service Fund, as provided in this section, in any fiscal year exceed the lesser of the principal and interest requirements certified to the lottery director or $10 million. In the event there are insufficient funds available in any month to transfer the amount required pursuant to this subsection to the Education, Arts, Sciences and Tourism Debt Service Fund, the deficiency shall be added to the amount transferred in the next succeeding month in which revenues are available to transfer the deficiency. A second- in-priority lien on the proceeds of the State Lottery Fund up to a maximum amount equal to the projected annual principal, interest and coverage ratio requirements, not to exceed $15 million annually, may be granted by the State Building Commission or the Economic Development Authority in favor of the bonds it issues which are secured by the net lottery profits issued in accordance with section eleven-a, article six, chapter five or section sixteen-a, article fifteen, chapter thirty-one of this code.
(j) Beginning on or before July 28, 2008, and continuing on or before the twenty-eighth day of each succeeding month thereafter, as long as revenue bonds or refunding bonds are outstanding, the lottery director shall allocate to the Community and Technical College Capital Improvement Fund, created pursuant to section eight, article ten, chapter eighteen-b of this code, as a third priority from net profits of the lottery for the preceding month, an amount equal to one tenth of the projected annual principal, interest and coverage ratio requirements on any and all revenue bonds and refunding bonds issued or to be issued, on or after April 1, 2008, as certified by the lottery director in accordance with the provisions of that section. In no event may the monthly amount allocated exceed $500,000 nor may the total allocation paid to the Community and Technical Capital Improvement Fund, as provided in this section, in any fiscal year exceed the lesser of the principal and interest requirements certified to the lottery director or $5 million. In the event there are insufficient funds available in any month to transfer the amount required pursuant to this subsection to the Community and Technical College Capital Improvement Fund, the deficiency shall be added to the amount transferred in the next succeeding month in which revenues are available to transfer the deficiency.
(1) A third-in-priority lien on the proceeds of the State Lottery Fund up to a maximum amount equal to the projected annual principal, interest and coverage ratio requirements, not exceeding $7.5 million annually, may be granted by the Higher Education Policy Commission in favor of the bonds it issues which are secured by the net lottery profits.
(2) When the community and technical college capital improvement bonds secured by profits from the lottery and deposited in the Community and Technical College Capital Improvement Fund mature, the profits shall become available for debt service on additional community and technical college capital improvement bonds as a second third priority from the net profits of the lottery.
(3) The Council for Community and Technical College Education shall approve all community and technical college capital improvement plans projects prior to the distribution of bond proceeds.
(4) Prior to the issuance of community and technical college revenue bonds pursuant to this subsection, the lottery director shall transfer $5 million to the Community and Technical College Improvement Fund, less any amounts needed for initial debt service payments, to be used on a cash basis for community and technical college capital improvements and capital projects.
(k) There is continued a special revenue fund in the State Treasury which shall be designated and known as the Lottery Senior Citizens Fund. The fund shall consist of the amounts allocated pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, which amounts shall be deposited into the Lottery Senior Citizens Fund by the State Treasurer. The Lottery Senior Citizens Fund shall also consist of all interest earned from investment of the Lottery Senior Citizens Fund and any other appropriations, gifts, grants, contributions or moneys received by the Lottery Senior Citizens Fund from any source. The revenues received or earned by the Lottery Senior Citizens Fund shall be distributed in the manner provided below and may not be treated by the Auditor or Treasurer as part of the general revenue of the state. Annually, the Legislature shall appropriate the revenues received or earned by the Lottery Senior Citizens Fund to any senior citizens medical care and other programs it considers beneficial to the citizens of this state.
(l) The Division of Natural Resources and the West Virginia Development Office, as appropriated by the Legislature, may use the amounts allocated to them pursuant to subsection (f) of this section for one or more of the following purposes: (1) The payment of any or all of the costs incurred in the development, construction, reconstruction, maintenance or repair of any project or recreational facility, as these terms are defined in section four, article five, chapter twenty of this code, pursuant to the authority granted to it under article five, chapter twenty of this code; (2) the payment, funding or refunding of the principal of, interest on or redemption premiums on any bonds, security interests or notes issued by the parks and recreation section of the Division of Natural Resources under article five, chapter twenty of this code; or (3) the payment of any advertising and marketing expenses for the promotion and development of tourism or any tourist facility or attraction in this state.
 §29-22-18a. State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund.
(a) The State Lottery Fund in the State Treasury which is designated and known as the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund is continued. The fund consists of all appropriations to the fund and all interest earned from investment of the fund and any gifts, grants or contributions received by the fund. All revenues received under the provisions of sections ten-b and ten-c, article twenty-two-a of this chapter and under article twenty-two-b of this chapter, except the amounts due the commission under subdivision (1), subsection (a), section one thousand four hundred eight, article twenty-two-b of this chapter, shall be deposited in the State Treasury and placed into the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund. The revenue shall be disbursed in the manner provided in this section for the purposes stated in this section and shall not be treated by the State Auditor and the State Treasurer as part of the general revenue of the state.
(b) For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2002, the commission shall deposit: (1) $65 million into the subaccount of the state Excess Lottery Revenue Fund hereby created in the State Treasury to be known as the General Purpose Account to be expended pursuant to appropriation of the Legislature; (2) $10 million into the Education Improvement Fund for appropriation by the Legislature to the PROMISE Scholarship Fund created in section seven, article seven, chapter eighteen-c of this code; (3) $19 million into the Economic Development Project Fund created in subsection (e) of this section for the issuance of revenue bonds and to be spent in accordance with the provisions of said subsection; (4) $20 million into the School Building Debt Service Fund created in section six, article nine-d, chapter eighteen of this code for the issuance of revenue bonds; (5) $40 million into the West Virginia Infrastructure Fund created in section nine, article fifteen-a, chapter thirty-one of this code to be spent in accordance with the provisions of said article; (6) $10 million into the Higher Education Improvement Fund for Higher Education; and (7) $5 million into the State Park Improvement Fund for Park Improvements. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2003, the commission shall deposit: (1) $65 million into the General Purpose Account to be expended pursuant to appropriation of the Legislature; (2) $17 million into the Education Improvement Fund for appropriation by the Legislature to the PROMISE Scholarship Fund created in section seven, article seven, chapter eighteen-c of this code; (3) $19 million into the Economic Development Project Fund created in subsection (e) of this section for the issuance of revenue bonds and to be spent in accordance with the provisions of said subsection; (4) $20 million into the School Building Debt Service Fund created in section six, article nine-d, chapter eighteen of this code for the issuance of revenue bonds; (5) $40 million into the West Virginia Infrastructure Fund created in section nine, article fifteen-a, chapter thirty-one of this code to be spent in accordance with the provisions of said article; (6) $10 million into the Higher Education Improvement Fund for Higher Education; and (7) $7 million into the State Park Improvement Fund for Park Improvements.
(c) For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2004, and subsequent fiscal years through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, the commission shall deposit: (1) $65 million into the General Purpose Account to be expended pursuant to appropriation of the Legislature; (2) $27 million into the Education Improvement Fund for appropriation by the Legislature to the PROMISE Scholarship Fund created in section seven, article seven, chapter eighteen-c of this code; (3) $19 million into the Economic Development Project Fund created in subsection (e) of this section for the issuance of revenue bonds and to be spent in accordance with the provisions of said subsection; (4) $19 million into the School Building Debt Service Fund created in section six, article nine-d, chapter eighteen of this code for the issuance of revenue bonds: Provided, That for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008, and subsequent fiscal years, no moneys shall be deposited in the School Building Debt Service Fund pursuant to this subsection and instead $19 million shall be deposited into the Excess Lottery School Building Debt Service Fund; (5) $40 million into the West Virginia Infrastructure Fund created in section nine, article fifteen-a, chapter thirty-one of this code to be spent in accordance with the provisions of said article; (6) $10 million into the Higher Education Improvement Fund for Higher Education; and (7) $5 million into the State Park Improvement Fund for Park Improvements. No portion of the distributions made as provided in this subsection and subsection (b) of this section, except distributions made in connection with bonds issued under subsection (e) of this section, may be used to pay debt service on bonded indebtedness until after the Legislature expressly authorizes issuance of the bonds and payment of debt service on the bonds through statutory enactment or the adoption of a concurrent resolution by both houses of the Legislature. Until subsequent legislative enactment or adoption of a resolution that expressly authorizes issuance of the bonds and payment of debt service on the bonds with funds distributed under this subsection and subsection (b) of this section, except distributions made in connection with bonds issued under subsection (d) of this section, the distributions may be used only to fund capital improvements that are not financed by bonds and only pursuant to appropriation of the Legislature.
(d) For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, and subsequent fiscal years, the commission shall deposit: (1) $65 million into the General Purpose Account to be expended pursuant to appropriation of the Legislature; (2) $29 million into the Education Improvement Fund for appropriation by the Legislature to the PROMISE Scholarship Fund created in section seven, article seven, chapter eighteen-c of this code; (3) $19 million into the Economic Development Project Fund created in subsection (e) of this section for the issuance of revenue bonds and to be spent in accordance with the provisions of said subsection; (4) $19 million into the Excess Lottery School Building Debt Service Fund created in section six, article nine-d, chapter eighteen of this code; (5) $40 million into the West Virginia Infrastructure Fund created in section nine, article fifteen-a, chapter thirty-one of this code to be spent in accordance with the provisions of said article; (6) $10 million into the Higher Education Improvement Fund for Higher Education; and (7) $5 million into the State Park Improvement Fund for Park Improvements. The deposit of $10 million into the Higher Education Improvement Fund for Higher Education set forth above is for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, only. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010, and subsequent fiscal years, the commission shall d eposit $15 million into the Higher Education Improvement Fund for Higher Education. No portion of the distributions made as provided in this subsection and subsection (b) of this section, except distributions made in connection with bonds issued under subsection (e) of this section, may be used to pay debt service on bonded indebtedness until after the Legislature expressly authorizes issuance of the bonds and payment of debt service on the bonds through statutory enactment or the adoption of a concurrent resolution by both houses of the Legislature. Until subsequent legislative enactment or adoption of a resolution that expressly authorizes issuance of the bonds and payment of debt service on the bonds with funds distributed under this subsection and subsection (b) of this section, except distributions made in connection with bonds issued under subsection (e) of this section, the distributions may be used only to fund capital improvements that are not financed by bonds and only pursuant to appropriation of the Legislature.
(e) The Legislature finds and declares that in order to attract new business, commerce and industry to this state, to retain existing business and industry providing the citizens of this state with economic security and to advance the business prosperity of this state and the economic welfare of the citizens of this state, it is necessary to provide public financial support for constructing, equipping, improving and maintaining economic development projects, capital improvement projects and infrastructure which promote economic development in this state.
(1) The West Virginia Economic Development Authority created and provided for in article fifteen, chapter thirty-one of this code shall, by resolution, in accordance with the provisions of this article and article fifteen, chapter thirty-one of this code, and upon direction of the Governor, issue revenue bonds of the Economic Development Authority in no more than two series to pay for all or a portion of the cost of constructing, equipping, improving or maintaining projects under this section or to refund the bonds at the discretion of the authority. Any revenue bonds issued on or after July 1, 2002, which are secured by state excess lottery revenue proceeds shall mature at a time or times not exceeding thirty years from their respective dates. The principal of and the interest and redemption premium, if any, on the bonds shall be payable solely from the special fund provided in this section for the payment.
(2) The special revenue fund named the Economic Development Project Fund into which shall be is deposited the amounts to be deposited in the fund as specified in subsections (b), (c) and (d) of this section is continued. The Economic Development Project Fund shall consist of all such moneys, all appropriations to the fund, all interest earned from investment of the fund and any gifts, grants or contributions received by the fund. All amounts deposited in the fund shall be pledged to the repayment of the principal, interest and redemption premium, if any, on any revenue bonds or refunding revenue bonds authorized by this section, including any and all commercially customary and reasonable costs and expenses which may be incurred in connection with the issuance, refunding, redemption or defeasance of the bonds. The West Virginia Economic Development Authority may further provide in the resolution and in the trust agreement for priorities on the revenues paid into the Economic Development Project Fund that are necessary for the protection of the prior rights of the holders of bonds issued at different times under the provisions of this section. The bonds issued pursuant to this subsection shall be separate from all other bonds which may be or have been issued, from time to time, under the provisions of this article.
(3) After the West Virginia Economic Development Authority has issued bonds authorized by this section and after the requirements of all funds have been satisfied, including any coverage and reserve funds established in connection with the bonds issued pursuant to this subsection, any balance remaining in the Economic Development Project Fund may be used for the redemption of any of the outstanding bonds issued under this subsection which, by their terms, are then redeemable or for the purchase of the outstanding bonds at the market price, but not to exceed the price, if any, at which redeemable, and all bonds redeemed or purchased shall be immediately canceled and shall not again be issued.
(4) Bonds issued under this subsection shall state on their face that the bonds do not constitute a debt of the State of West Virginia; that payment of the bonds, interest and charges thereon cannot become an obligation of the State of West Virginia; and that the bondholders' remedies are limited in all respects to the Special Revenue Fund established in this subsection for the liquidation of the bonds.
(5) The West Virginia Economic Development Authority shall expend the bond proceeds from the revenue bond issues authorized and directed by this section for projects certified under the provision of this subsection: Provided, That the bond proceeds shall be expended in accordance with the requirements and provisions of article five-a, chapter twenty-one of this code and either article twenty-two or twenty-two-a, chapter five of this code, as the case may be: Provided, however, That if the bond proceeds are expended pursuant to article twenty-two-a, chapter five of this code and if the Design-Build Board created under said article determines that the execution of a design-build contract in connection with a project is appropriate pursuant to the criteria set forth in said article and that a competitive bidding process was used in selecting the design builder and awarding the contract, the determination shall be conclusive for all purposes and shall be considered to satisfy all the requirements of said article.
(6) For the purpose of certifying the projects that will receive funds from the bond proceeds, a committee is hereby established and comprised of the Governor, or his or her designee, the Secretary of the Department of Revenue, the Executive Director of the West Virginia Development Office and six persons appointed by the Governor: Provided, That at least one citizen member must be from each of the state's three congressional districts. The committee shall meet as often as necessary and make certifications from bond proceeds in accordance with this subsection. The committee shall meet within thirty days of the effective date of this section.
(7) Applications for grants submitted on or before July 1, 2002, shall be considered refiled with the committee. Within ten days from the effective date of this section as amended in the year 2003, the lead applicant shall file with the committee any amendments to the original application that may be necessary to properly reflect changes in facts and circumstances since the application was originally filed with the committee.
(8) When determining whether or not to certify a project, the committee shall take into consideration the following:
(A) The ability of the project to leverage other sources of funding;
(B) Whether funding for the amount requested in the grant application is or reasonably should be available from commercial sources;
(C) The ability of the project to create or retain jobs, considering the number of jobs, the type of jobs, whether benefits are or will be paid, the type of benefits involved and the compensation reasonably anticipated to be paid persons filling new jobs or the compensation currently paid to persons whose jobs would be retained;
(D) Whether the project will promote economic development in the region and the type of economic development that will be promoted;
(E) The type of capital investments to be made with bond proceeds and the useful life of the capital investments; and
(F) Whether the project is in the best interest of the public.
(9) A grant may not be awarded to an individual or other private person or entity. Grants may be awarded only to an agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of this state or to an agency or instrumentality of a political subdivision of this state.
The project of an individual or private person or entity may be certified to receive a low-interest loan paid from bond proceeds. The terms and conditions of the loan, including, but not limited to, the rate of interest to be paid and the period of the repayment, shall be determined by the Economic Development Authority after considering all applicable facts and circumstances.
(10) Prior to making each certification, the committee shall conduct at least one public hearing, which may be held outside of Kanawha County. Notice of the time, place, date and purpose of the hearing shall be published in at least one newspaper in each of the three congressional districts at least fourteen days prior to the date of the public hearing.
(11) The committee may not certify a project unless the committee finds that the project is in the public interest and the grant will be used for a public purpose. For purposes of this subsection, projects in the public interest and for a public purpose include, but are not limited to:
(A) Sports arenas, fields, parks, stadiums and other sports and sports-related facilities;
(B) Health clinics and other health facilities;
(C) Traditional infrastructure, such as water and wastewater treatment facilities, pumping facilities and transmission lines;
(D) State-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure;
(E) Biotechnical incubators, development centers and facilities;
(F) Industrial parks, including construction of roads, sewer, water, lighting and other facilities;
(G) Improvements at state parks, such as construction, expansion or extensive renovation of lodges, cabins, conference facilities and restaurants;
(H) Railroad bridges, switches and track extension or spurs on public or private land necessary to retain existing businesses or attract new businesses;
(I) Recreational facilities, such as amphitheaters, walking and hiking trails, bike trails, picnic facilities, restrooms, boat docking and fishing piers, basketball and tennis courts, and baseball, football and soccer fields;
(J) State-owned buildings that are registered on the National Register of Historic Places;
(K) Retail facilities, including related service, parking and transportation facilities, appropriate lighting, landscaping and security systems to revitalize decaying downtown areas; and
(L) Other facilities that promote or enhance economic development, educational opportunities or tourism opportunities thereby promoting the general welfare of this state and its residents.
(12) Prior to the issuance of bonds under this subsection, the committee shall certify to the Economic Development Authority a list of those certified projects that will receive funds from the proceeds of the bonds. Once certified, the list may not thereafter be altered or amended other than by legislative enactment.
(13) If any proceeds from sale of bonds remain after paying costs and making grants and loans as provided in this subsection, the surplus may be deposited in an account in the State Treasury known as the Economic Development Project Bridge Loan Fund administered by the Economic Development Authority created in article fifteen, chapter thirty-one of this code. Expenditures from the fund are not authorized from collections but are to be made only in accordance with appropriation by the Legislature and in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twelve of this code and upon fulfillment of the provisions of article two, chapter five-a of this code. Loan repayment amounts, including the portion attributable to interest, shall be paid into the fund created in this subdivision.
(f) If the commission receives revenues in an amount that is not sufficient to fully comply with the requirements of subsections (b), (c), (d) and (i) of this section, the commission shall first make the distribution to the Economic Development Project Fund; second, make the distribution or distributions to the other funds from which debt service is to be paid; third, make the distribution to the Education Improvement Fund for appropriation by the Legislature to the PROMISE Scholarship Fund; and fourth, make the distribution to the General Purpose Account: Provided, That, subject to the provisions of this subsection, to the extent the revenues are not pledged in support of revenue bonds which are or may be issued, from time to time, under this section, the revenues shall be distributed on a pro rata basis.
(g) Each fiscal year, the commission shall, after meeting the requirements of subsections (b), (c), (d) and (i) of this section and after transferring to the State Lottery Fund created under section eighteen of this article an amount equal to any transfer from the State Lottery Fund to the Excess Lottery Fund pursuant to subsection (f), section eighteen of this article, deposit fifty percent of the amount by which annual gross revenue deposited in the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund exceeds $225 million in a fiscal year in a separate account in the state Lottery Fund to be available for appropriation by the Legislature.
(h) When bonds are issued for projects under subsection (d) or (e) of this section or for the School Building Authority, infrastructure, higher education or park improvement purposes described in this section that are secured by profits from lotteries deposited in the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund, the Lottery Director shall allocate first to the Economic Development Project Fund an amount equal to one tenth of the projected annual principal, interest and coverage requirements on any and all revenue bonds issued, or to be issued as certified to the Lottery Director; and second, to the fund or funds from which debt service is paid on bonds issued under this section for the School Building Authority, infrastructure, higher education and park improvements an amount equal to one tenth of the projected annual principal, interest and coverage requirements on any and all revenue bonds issued, or to be issued as certified to the Lottery Director. In the event there are insufficient funds available in any month to transfer the amounts required pursuant to this subsection, the deficiency shall be added to the amount transferred in the next succeeding month in which revenues are available to transfer the deficiency.
(i) Prior to the distributions provided in subsection (d) of this section, the Lottery Commission shall deposit into the General Revenue Fund amounts necessary to provide reimbursement for the refundable credit allowable under section twenty-one, article twenty-one, chapter eleven of this code.
(j) (1) The Legislature considers the following as priorities in the expenditure of any surplus revenue funds:
(A) Providing salary and/or increment increases for professional educators and public employees;
(B) Providing adequate funding for the Public Employees Insurance Agency; and
(C) Providing funding to help address the shortage of qualified teachers and substitutes in areas of need, both in number of teachers and in subject matter areas.
(2) The provisions of this subsection may not be construed by any court to require any appropriation or any specific appropriation or level of funding for the purposes set forth in this subsection.
(k) The Legislature further directs the Governor to focus resources on the creation of a prescription drug program for senior citizens by pursuing a Medicaid waiver to offer prescription drug services to senior citizens; by investigating the establishment of purchasing agreements with other entities to reduce costs; by providing discount prices or rebate programs for seniors; by coordinating programs offered by pharmaceutical manufacturers that provide reduced cost or free drugs; by coordinating a collaborative effort among all state agencies to ensure the most efficient and cost-effective program possible for the senior citizens of this state; and by working closely with the state's congressional delegation to ensure that a national program is implemented. The Legislature further directs that the Governor report his or her progress back to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on an annual basis until a comprehensive program has been fully implemented.
CHAPTER 31. CORPORATIONS.

ARTICLE 15. WEST VIRGINIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
§31-15-16a. Bonds for capital improvements at institutions of higher education, state parks, the State Capitol complex, other state facilities or tourism sites; limitations; authority to issue revenue bonds; use of funds to pay for projects.

(a)(1) The economic development authority shall, in accordance with the provisions of this article, issue revenue bonds from time to time, to pay for a portion of the cost of constructing, equipping, improving or maintaining capital improvement projects under this section or to refund the bonds, at the discretion of the authority. The principal amount of the bonds issued under this section shall not exceed, in the aggregate, $150 million an amount that, in the opinion of the authority, is necessary to provide sufficient funds for achievement of the purposes of this section and is within the limits of moneys pledged for the repayment of the principal, interest and redemption premium, if any, on any revenue bonds or refunding bonds authorized by this section. Any revenue bonds issued on or after the effective date of this section which are secured by lottery proceeds shall mature at a time or times not exceeding thirty years from their respective dates. The principal of, and the interest and redemption premium, if any, on the bonds shall be payable solely from the Education, Arts, Sciences and Tourism Debt Service Fund established in section eleven-a, article six, chapter five and continued by this section.
(2) All amounts deposited in the fund shall be pledged to the repayment of the principal, interest and redemption premium, if any, on any revenue bonds or refunding revenue bonds authorized by this section. The authority may further provide in the trust agreement for priorities on the revenues paid into the Education, Arts, Sciences and Tourism Debt Service Fund as may be necessary for the protection of the prior rights of the holders of bonds issued at different times under the provisions of this section or section eleven-a, article six, chapter five of this code. The bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be separate from all other bonds which may be or have been issued from time to time under the provisions of section eleven-a, article six, chapter five of this code. The Education, Arts, Sciences and Tourism Debt Service Fund shall be pledged solely for the repayment of bonds issued pursuant to this section and section eleven-a, article six, chapter five of this code. On or prior to May 1 of each year, commencing May 1, 2010, the authority shall certify to the state lottery director the principal and interest and coverage ratio requirements for the following fiscal year on any revenue bonds or refunding revenue bonds issued pursuant to this section, and for which moneys deposited in the Education, Arts, Sciences and Tourism Debt Service Fund have been pledged, or will be pledged, for repayment pursuant to this section.
(3) After the authority has issued bonds authorized by this section, and after the requirements of all funds have been satisfied, including coverage and reserve funds established in connection with the bonds issued pursuant to this section, any balance remaining in the Education, Arts, Sciences and Tourism Debt Service Fund may be used for the redemption of any of the outstanding bonds issued under this section which, by their terms, are then redeemable or for the purchase of the outstanding bonds at the market price, but not to exceed the price, if any, at which redeemable, and all bonds redeemed or purchased shall be immediately canceled and shall not again be issued.
(b) The authority shall expend sixty percent of the bond proceeds, net of issuance costs, reserve funds and refunding costs, for certified capital improvement projects at state institutions of higher education. The Higher Education Policy Commission shall submit a proposed list of capital improvement projects which will receive funds from the bond proceeds to the Governor on or before January 1, 2010. Thereafter, the Governor shall certify to the authority on or before February 1, 2010, a list of those capital improvement projects at state institutions of higher education which that will receive funds from the proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section.
Once certified, the list may not thereafter be altered or amended other than by legislative enactment. At any time prior to the issuance of bonds under this section, the Governor may certify to the authority a revised list of capital improvement projects at state institutions of higher education that will receive funds from the proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section. The Governor shall consult with the Higher Education Policy Commission prior to certifying a revised list of capital improvement projects to the authority.
(c) The authority shall expend the balance of the bond proceeds for certified projects at state parks, the capitol complex, other state facilities or tourism sites.
(1) A committee comprised of the secretary of the Department of Administration, the director of the Division of Natural Resources, the director of the West Virginia Development Office and a representative of the capitol building commission, other than the secretary of the Department of Administration, who shall be selected by the capitol building commission, shall submit a proposed list of capital improvement projects which will receive funds from the bond proceeds to the Governor on or before January 1, 2010. Thereafter, the Governor shall certify to the authority on or before February 1, 2010, a list of those capital improvement projects at state parks, the State Capitol complex, other state facilities or tourism sites which that will receive funds from the proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section. Once certified, the list may not thereafter be altered or amended other than by legislative enactment.
(2) At any time prior to the issuance of bonds under this section, the Governor may certify to the authority a revised list of capital improvement projects at state parks, the State Capitol Complex, other state facilities or tourism sites that will receive funds from the proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section. The Governor shall consult with the committee established by this subsection prior to certifying a revised list of capital improvement projects to the authority.

__________

(NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Governor to certify a revised list of capital improvement projects that will receive funding from the proceeds of bonds issued by the West Virginia Economic Development Authority. The bill also increases the amount deposited into the Higher Education Improvement Fund annually from $10 million to $15 million and permits the Authority to sell bonds in an amount that is necessary to accomplish the purposes of the bonds and is within the limit of funds available for debt service. The current limit on the amount of bonds that may be issued by the Authority is $150 million. The bill clarifies that the Authority may grant second-in-priority and third-in- priority liens on State Lottery Fund moneys in favor of the bonds.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.)
X

Print On Demand

Name:
Email:
Phone:
Print