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AB-1545 Economic development projects.(2011-2012)

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AB1545:v97#DOCUMENT

Amended  IN  Assembly  May 25, 2012
Amended  IN  Assembly  April 25, 2012

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2011–2012 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 1545


Introduced  by  Assembly Member V. Manuel Pérez

January 25, 2012


An act to amend Sections 63000, 63010, 63025.1, 63045, and 63084 of, and to add Article 5.5 (commencing with Section 63047.1) to Chapter 2 of Division 1 of Title 6.7 of, the Government Code, relating to economic development, and making an appropriation therefor.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 1545, as amended, V. Manuel Pérez. Economic development projects.
The Bergeson-Peace Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank Act authorizes the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, governed by a board of directors, to make loans and provide other assistance to public and private entities for various types of economic development projects, among other things. The activities of the bank under these provisions are funded from the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank Fund, which is continuously appropriated for these purposes.
This bill would authorize the board to enter into development and financing agreements for projects within the California-Mexico border region, as defined. The bill would authorize the bank to establish and participate in a binational financing authority to facilitate and support the economic development of communities within the border region. The bill would require the bank to develop guidelines for the selection, review, and approval of border region projects and authorize the bank to issue bonds, the proceeds of which would be deposited in the Binational Development Account, which the bill would create within the fund. By expanding the purposes for which a continuously appropriated fund may be used, the bill would make an appropriation. The bill would state that certain provisions of this bill shall become operative only if the Executive Director of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank determines that there are sufficient funds available to implement those provisions and submits a letter to the Legislature to that effect.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: YES   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Mexico is California’s largest trading partner in the world. The two economies are highly integrated with a substantial dependence on cross-border trade, especially in southern California. A modern border that provides for safe and efficient movement of people and goods is therefore critical to both entities to maintain continued growth in the economy and trade.
(b) The increased security demands since September 11, 2001, have resulted in the need to have an even greater focus on the operations of border crossings and approaches so that efficiency improvements are made in concert with the implementation of enhanced safety and security measures.
(c) One barrier to the expansion of trade and binational commerce is the deficit in border infrastructure, which has not kept pace with increases in trade and transit since ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Increased federal spending on ports of entry is essential, as well as encouraging recapitalization of binational border financing entities that include the North American Development Bank. Even with increased federal funding, however, the long-term success of the binational region is attracting more private sector investment. Attracting new private capital will require new ways of financing infrastructure and other economic development-related projects and streamlining local and environmental approvals.
(d) A binational approach to economic development also serves to provide a vital, yet often overlooked, component to comprehensive immigration reform. Workers from Mexico have historically served a valuable role within many California industry sectors including the agriculture and tourism sectors. In some instances, however, immigration creates economic and social challenges to the sending and receiving countries, as well as workers and businesses. It is therefore in the interest of the state to find appropriate, cost-effective actions to limit immigration by supporting economic development and job creation.
(e) Funding business development and job creation activities along the California-Mexico border region is a practical strategy for minimizing and discouraging undocumented flows of immigration from Mexico. Economic development projects along the border and within the north-south economic corridors benefit communities on both sides of the border. Projects that stimulate job creation and strengthen the local and regional economies can serve as a cost-effective immigration control method, while strengthening the manufacturing, trade, and goods movement capacity of California communities.
(f) A coherent economic strategy for the border region, based on expediting legitimate commerce, relaxing federally imposed restrictions on what border communities can do to build new infrastructure, and endowing existing development institutions with greater authority will result in immediate and long-term benefits to the people of California.
(g) Supporting economic development activities within the border region is not in conflict with Clause 3 of Section 8 of Article 1 of the United States Constitution because facilitating economic development activities does not rise to the level of regulating commerce with foreign nations and is consistent with the prior actions of the United States Congress that have sanctioned and defined the trade and commerce relationship between the United States and Mexico through a range of legislative actions including, but not limited to, the approval of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

SEC. 2.

 Section 63000 of the Government Code is amended to read:

63000.
 The Legislature finds and declares the following:
(a) Economic revitalization, future development, and a healthy climate for jobs in California will depend upon a well-conceived system of public improvements that are essential to the economic well-being of the citizens of the state and are necessary to maintain, as well as create, employment within the state for business.
(b) It is necessary for public policy to support the efforts of businesses attempting to expand, businesses seeking to locate in California, and local economic development organizations, public agencies, and new entrepreneurs by dedicating public fiscal resources to confront obstacles and barriers that impede economic growth.
(c) Existing mechanisms that coordinate federal, state, local, and private financial resources are inadequate to attract and sustain that the level of private investment that is essential to a growth economy.
(d) In order to secure and enhance the economic well-being of Californians, promote economic development in the state, and provide a healthy climate for the creation of jobs, it is necessary for public policy to support the efforts of expanding businesses, businesses seeking to locate in California, local development organizations, public bodies, and new entrepreneurs to gain access to capital through current and potential operations of financial markets.
(e) The high cost and the lack of availability of industrial loans for small- and medium-size businesses is making it difficult for thousands of these enterprises to get established, to maintain their present employment levels, or to expand employment.
(f) The problem of access to capital is acute in the high technology industry clusters because companies must often finance large capital expenditures early in their development cycle, and cannot obtain financing sufficient to cover the cost of those expenditures. Consideration should be given to industry clusters that may include the following:
(1) Health care technology.
(2) Multimedia.
(3) Environmental technology.
(4) Information technology.
(g) The high cost and limited availability of loans and capital has led a number of states to take action to remedy these conditions through concerted public and private investment programs that include efforts to do the following:
(1) Use the state’s access to capital markets more effectively for economic development.
(2) Create financing pools to access national and international capital markets or help government sponsors and public-private economic development organizations obtain credit enhancement on their own.
(3) Facilitate credit enhancement for selected specific projects.
(4) Provide or arrange for loan insurance.
(5) Create and support secondary markets for loan portfolios of urban and rural economic development corporations and others.
(6) Improve access to international capital markets.
(7) Provide opportunities for public pension funds and other institutional investors to play a larger role in state economic development.
(8) Arrange for or provide subordinated debt for selected projects.
(9) Increase support for local, regional, and state infrastructure development.
(10) Improve access to global markets by supporting manufacturing-linked goods and movement-related infrastructure within state, national, and international transportation corridors.
(h) Local governments in California bear a primary responsibility for the business of promoting job creation and economic development efforts. California’s continued reliance on autonomous local entities often fails to adequately consider regional impacts of business expansion. Projects of a regional nature need the benefit of a state coordinating function to augment and enhance local economic development and environmental efforts.
(i) The State of California has not embarked on a major infrastructure financing effort since the decade of the 1960’s 1960s, despite persistent unemployment and soaring population growth.
(j) California’s ability to compete in a global economy depends upon its capacity to implement policies that take maximum advantage of public and private resources at the local, regional, state, and national levels. These policies should be coordinated with any future legislative plan involving growth management strategies designed to make economic growth compatible with environmental protections. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this act to create a mechanism to finance projects needed to implement economic development and job creation and growth management strategies, and to provide a secure and stable funding source for implementation of this act in order to meet critical economic, social, and environmental concerns.
(k) The State of California needs a financing entity structured with broad authority to issue bonds, provide guarantees, and leverage state and federal funds using techniques that will target public investment to facilitate private sector economic growth. The goal is to expand private sector investment within the state and produce more private sector jobs with less public sector investment.
(l) The mechanisms for financing public improvements and private job creation strategies provided for in this act are in the public interest, serve a public purpose, and will promote the health, welfare, and safety of the citizens of the state.
(m) The lack of economic development along the border region with Mexico has caused economic challenges to the state. The existence of an economic development authority that addresses economic development needs in these areas serves a public purpose and promotes the health, welfare, and safety of the citizens of the state.
(n) The public policies and responsibilities of the state, including all of the above purposes and functions, cannot be fully obtained without the use of financing assistance and can be most effectively furthered by the creation of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank.

SEC. 3.

 Section 63010 of the Government Code is amended to read:

63010.
 For purposes of this division, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates or requires another or different meaning or intent:
(a) “Act” means the Bergeson-Peace Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank Act.
(b) “Bank” means the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank.
(c) “Board” or “bank board” means the Board of Directors of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank.
(d) “Bond purchase agreement” means a contractual agreement executed between the bank and a sponsor, or a special purpose trust authorized by the bank or a sponsor, or both, whereby the bank or special purpose trust authorized by the bank agrees to purchase bonds of the sponsor for retention or sale.
(e) (1) “Bonds” means bonds, including structured, senior, and subordinated bonds or other securities; loans; notes, including bond, revenue, tax, or grant anticipation notes; commercial paper; floating rate and variable maturity securities; and any other evidences of indebtedness or ownership, including certificates of participation or beneficial interest, asset backed certificates, or lease-purchase or installment purchase agreements, whether taxable or excludable from gross income for federal income taxation purposes.
(2) “Border region” means the area within 125 miles on each side of the California-Mexico border, including areas along the north-south and east-west transportation networks on both sides of the border.
(f) “Cost,” as applied to a project or portion thereof financed under this division, means all or any part of the cost of construction, renovation, and acquisition of all lands, structures, real or personal property, rights, rights-of-way, franchises, licenses, easements, and interests acquired or used for a project; the cost of demolishing or removing any buildings or structures on land so acquired, including the cost of acquiring any lands to which the buildings or structures may be moved; the cost of all machinery, equipment, and financing charges; interest prior to, during, and for a period after completion of construction, renovation, or acquisition, as determined by the bank; provisions for working capital; reserves for principal and interest and for extensions, enlargements, additions, replacements, renovations, and improvements; and the cost of architectural, engineering, financial and legal services, plans, specifications, estimates, administrative expenses, and other expenses necessary or incidental to determining the feasibility of any project or incidental to the construction, acquisition, or financing of any project, and transition costs in the case of an electrical corporation.
(g) “Economic development facilities” means real and personal property, structures, buildings, equipment, and supporting components thereof that are used to provide industrial, recreational, research, commercial, utility, goods movement, or service enterprise facilities, community, educational, cultural, or social welfare facilities and any parts or combinations thereof, and all facilities or infrastructure necessary or desirable in connection therewith, including provision for working capital, but shall not include any housing.
(h) “Electrical corporation” has the meaning set forth in Section 218 of the Public Utilities Code.
(i) “Executive director” means the Executive Director of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank appointed pursuant to Section 63021.
(j) “Financial assistance” in connection with a project, includes, but is not limited to, any combination of grants, loans, the proceeds of bonds issued by the bank or special purpose trust, insurance, guarantees or other credit enhancements or liquidity facilities, and contributions of money, property, labor, or other things of value, as may be approved by resolution of the board or the sponsor, or both; the purchase or retention of bank bonds, the bonds of a sponsor for their retention or for sale by the bank, or the issuance of bank bonds or the bonds of a special purpose trust used to fund the cost of a project for which a sponsor is directly or indirectly liable, including, but not limited to, bonds, the security for which is provided in whole or in part pursuant to the powers granted by Section 63025; bonds for which the bank has provided a guarantee or enhancement, including, but not limited to, the purchase of the subordinated bonds of the sponsor, the subordinated bonds of a special purpose trust, or the retention of the subordinated bonds of the bank pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 63060); or any other type of assistance deemed appropriate by the bank or the sponsor, except that no direct loans shall be made to nonpublic entities other than in connection with the issuance of rate reduction bonds pursuant to a financing order or in connection with a financing for an economic development facility located within the state or the border region, or both. Financial assistance within areas outside of California shall meet the requirements under Article 5.5 (commencing with Section 63047.1).
For purposes of this subdivision, “grant” does not include grants made by the bank except when acting as an agent or intermediary for the distribution or packaging of financing available from federal, private, or other public sources.
(k) “Financing order” has the meaning set forth in Section 840 of the Public Utilities Code.
(l) “Guarantee trust fund” means the California Infrastructure Guarantee Trust Fund.
(m) “Infrastructure bank fund” means the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank Fund.
(n) “Loan agreement” means a contractual agreement executed between the bank or a special purpose trust and a sponsor that provides that the bank or special purpose trust will loan funds to the sponsor and that the sponsor will repay the principal and pay the interest and redemption premium, if any, on the loan.
(o) “Participating party” means any person, company, corporation, association, state, international, or municipal governmental entity, partnership, firm, or other entity or group of entities, whether organized for profit or not for profit, engaged in business or operations within the state or border region and that applies for financing from the bank in conjunction with a sponsor for the purpose of implementing a project. However, in the case of a project relating to the financing of transition costs or the acquisition of transition property, or both, on the request of an electrical corporation, or in connection with a financing for an economic development facility, or for the financing of insurance claims, the participating party shall be deemed to be the same entity as the sponsor for the financing.
(p) “Project” means designing, acquiring, planning, permitting, entitling, constructing, improving, extending, restoring, financing, and generally developing public development facilities or economic development facilities within the state or border region or financing transition costs or the acquisition of transition property, or both, upon approval of a financing order by the Public Utilities Commission, as provided in Article 5.5 (commencing with Section 840) of Chapter 4 of Part 1 of Division 1 of the Public Utilities Code. Projects within areas outside of California shall meet the requirements under Article 5.5 (commencing with Section 63047.1).
(q) “Public development facilities” means real and personal property, structures, conveyances, equipment, thoroughfares, buildings, and supporting components thereof, excluding any housing, that are directly related to providing the following:
(1) “City streets” including any street, avenue, boulevard, road, parkway, drive, or other way that is any of the following:
(A) An existing municipal roadway.
(B) Is shown upon a plat approved pursuant to law and includes the land between the street lines, whether improved or unimproved, and may comprise pavement, bridges, shoulders, gutters, curbs, guardrails, sidewalks, parking areas, benches, fountains, plantings, lighting systems, and other areas within the street lines, as well as equipment and facilities used in the cleaning, grading, clearance, maintenance, and upkeep thereof.
(2) “County highways” including any county highway as defined in Section 25 of the Streets and Highways Code, that includes the land between the highway lines, whether improved or unimproved, and may comprise pavement, bridges, shoulders, gutters, curbs, guardrails, sidewalks, parking areas, benches, fountains, plantings, lighting systems, and other areas within the street lines, as well as equipment and facilities used in the cleaning, grading, clearance, maintenance, and upkeep thereof.
(3) “Drainage, water supply, and flood control” including, but not limited to, ditches, canals, levees, pumps, dams, conduits, pipes, storm sewers, and dikes necessary to keep or direct water away from people, equipment, buildings, and other protected areas as may be established by lawful authority, as well as the acquisition, improvement, maintenance, and management of floodplain areas and all equipment used in the maintenance and operation of the foregoing.
(4) “Educational facilities” including libraries, child care facilities, including, but not limited to, day care facilities, and employment training facilities.
(5) “Environmental mitigation measures” including required construction or modification of public infrastructure and purchase and installation of pollution control and noise abatement equipment.
(6) “Parks and recreational facilities” including local parks, recreational property and equipment, parkways, and property.
(7) “Port facilities” including airports, landports, waterports, railports, docks, harbors, ports of entry, piers, ships, small boat harbors and marinas, and any other facilities, additions, or improvements in connection therewith, that transport goods or persons.
(8) “Power and communications” including facilities for the transmission or distribution of electrical energy, natural gas, and telephone and telecommunications service.
(9) “Public transit” including air and rail transport, airports, guideways, vehicles, rights-of-way, passenger stations, maintenance and storage yards, and related structures, including public parking facilities, and equipment used to provide or enhance transportation by bus, rail, ferry, or other conveyance, either publicly or privately owned, that provides to the public general or special service on a regular and continuing basis.
(10) “Sewage collection and treatment” including pipes, pumps, and conduits that collect wastewater from residential, manufacturing, and commercial establishments, the equipment, structures, and facilities used in treating wastewater to reduce or eliminate impurities or contaminants, and the facilities used in disposing of, or transporting, remaining sludge, as well as all equipment used in the maintenance and operation of the foregoing.
(11) “Solid waste collection and disposal” including vehicles, vehicle-compatible waste receptacles, transfer stations, recycling centers, sanitary landfills, and waste conversion facilities necessary to remove solid waste, except that which is hazardous as defined by law, from its point of origin.
(12) “Water treatment and distribution” including facilities in which water is purified and otherwise treated to meet residential, manufacturing, or commercial purposes and the conduits, pipes, and pumps that transport it to places of use.
(13) “Defense conversion” including, but not limited to, facilities necessary for successfully converting military bases consistent with an adopted base reuse plan.
(14) “Public safety facilities” including, but not limited to, police stations, fire stations, court buildings, jails, juvenile halls, and juvenile detention facilities.
(15) “State highways” including any state highway as described in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 230) of Division 1 of the Streets and Highways Code, and the related components necessary for safe operation of the highway.
(16) (A) Military infrastructure, including, but not limited to, facilities on or near a military installation, that enhance the military operations and mission of one or more military installations in this state. To be eligible for funding, the project shall be endorsed by the Office of Military and Aerospace Support established pursuant to Section 13998.2.
(B) For purposes of this subdivision, “military installation” means any facility under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (e) of Section 2687 of Title 10 of the United States Code.
(17) “Goods movement-related infrastructure” including port facilities, roads, rail, and other facilities and projects that move goods, energy, and information.
(r) “Rate reduction bonds” has the meaning set forth in Section 840 of the Public Utilities Code.
(s) “Revenues” means all receipts, purchase payments, loan repayments, lease payments, and all other income or receipts derived by the bank or a sponsor from the sale, lease, or other financing arrangement undertaken by the bank, a sponsor, or a participating party, including, but not limited to, all receipts from a bond purchase agreement, and any income or revenue derived from the investment of any money in any fund or account of the bank or a sponsor and any receipts derived from transition property. Revenues shall not include moneys in the General Fund of the state.
(t) “Special purpose trust” means a trust, partnership, limited partnership, association, corporation, nonprofit corporation, or other entity authorized under the laws of the state to serve as an instrumentality of the state to accomplish public purposes and authorized by the bank to acquire, by purchase or otherwise, for retention or sale, the bonds of a sponsor or of the bank made or entered into pursuant to this division and to issue special purpose trust bonds or other obligations secured by these bonds or other sources of public or private revenues. Special purpose trust also means any entity authorized by the bank to acquire transition property or to issue rate reduction bonds, or both, subject to the approvals by the bank and powers of the bank as are provided by the bank in its resolution authorizing the entity to issue rate reduction bonds.
(u) “Sponsor” means any subdivision of the state or local government including departments, agencies, commissions, cities, counties, nonprofit corporations formed on behalf of a sponsor, special districts, assessment districts, and joint powers authorities within the state or any combination of these subdivisions that makes an application to the bank for financial assistance in connection with a project in a manner prescribed by the bank. This definition shall not be construed to require that an applicant have an ownership interest in the project. In addition, an electrical corporation shall be deemed to be the sponsor as well as the participating party for any project relating to the financing of transition costs and the acquisition of transition property on the request of the electrical corporation and any person, company, corporation, partnership, firm, or other entity or group engaged in business or operation within the state that applies for financing of any economic development facility, shall be deemed to be the sponsor as well as the participating party for the project relating to the financing of that economic development facility.
(v) “State” means the State of California.
(w) “Transition costs” has the meaning set forth in Section 840 of the Public Utilities Code.
(x) “Transition property” has the meaning set forth in Section 840 of the Public Utilities Code.

SEC. 4.

 Section 63025.1 of the Government Code is amended to read:

63025.1.
 The bank board may do or delegate the following to the executive director:
(a) Sue and be sued in its own name.
(b) As provided in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 63070), issue bonds and authorize special purpose trusts to issue bonds, including, at the option of the board, bonds bearing interest that is taxable for the purpose of federal income taxation, or borrow money to pay all or any part of the cost of any project, or to otherwise carry out the purposes of this division.
(c) Engage the services of private consultants to render professional and technical assistance and advice in carrying out the purposes of this division.
(d) Employ attorneys, financial consultants, and other advisers as may, in the bank’s judgment, be necessary in connection with the issuance and sale, or authorization of special purpose trusts for the issuance and sale, of any bonds, notwithstanding Sections 11042 and 11043.
(e) Contract for engineering, architectural, accounting, or other services of appropriate state agencies as may, in its judgment, be necessary for the successful development of a project.
(f) Pay the reasonable costs of consulting engineers, architects, accountants, and construction, land use, recreation, and environmental experts employed by any sponsor or participating party if, in the bank’s judgment, those services are necessary for the successful development of a project.
(g) Acquire, take title to, and sell by installment sale or otherwise, lands, structures, real or personal property, rights, rights-of-way, franchises, easements, and other interests in lands that are located within the state, or transition property as the bank may deem necessary or convenient for the financing of the project, upon terms and conditions that it considers to be reasonable.
(h) Receive and accept from any source, including, but not limited to, the federal government, the state, or any agency thereof, loans, contributions, or grants, in money, property, labor, or other things of value, for, or in aid of, a project, or any portion thereof.
(i) Make loans to any sponsor or participating party, either directly or by making a loan to a lending institution, in connection with the financing of a project in accordance with an agreement between the bank and the sponsor or a participating party, either as a sole lender or in participation with other lenders. However, no loan shall exceed the total cost of the project as determined by the sponsor or the participating party and approved by the bank.
(j) Make loans to any sponsor or participating party, either directly or by making a loan to a lending institution, in accordance with an agreement between the bank and the sponsor or participating party to refinance indebtedness incurred by the sponsor or participating party in connection with projects undertaken and completed prior to any agreement with the bank or expectation that the bank would provide financing, either as a sole lender or in participation with other lenders.
(k) Mortgage all or any portion of the bank’s interest in a project and the property on which any project is located, whether owned or thereafter acquired, including the granting of a security interest in any property, tangible or intangible.
(l) Assign or pledge all or any portion of the bank’s interests in transition property and the revenues therefrom, or assets, things of value, mortgages, deeds of trust, bonds, bond purchase agreements, loan agreements, indentures of mortgage or trust, or similar instruments, notes, and security interests in property, tangible or intangible and the revenues therefrom, of a sponsor or a participating party to which the bank has made loans, and the revenues therefrom, including payment or income from any interest owned or held by the bank, for the benefit of the holders of bonds.
(m) Make, receive, or serve as a conduit for the making of, or otherwise provide for, grants, contributions, guarantees, insurance, credit enhancements or liquidity facilities, or other financial enhancements to a sponsor or a participating party as financial assistance for a project.
(n) Lease the project being financed to a sponsor or a participating party, upon terms and conditions that the bank deems proper but shall not be leased at a loss; charge and collect rents therefor; terminate any lease upon the failure of the lessee to comply with any of the obligations thereof; include in any lease, if desired, provisions that the lessee shall have options to renew the lease for a period or periods, and at rents determined by the bank; purchase any or all of the project; or, upon payment of all the indebtedness incurred by the bank for the financing of the project, the bank may convey any or all of the project to the lessee or lessees.
(o) Charge and equitably apportion among sponsors and participating parties the bank’s administrative costs and expenses incurred in the exercise of the powers and duties conferred by this division.
(p) Issue, obtain, or aid in obtaining, from any department or agency of the United States, from other agencies of the state, or from any private company, any insurance or guarantee to, or for, the payment or repayment of interest or principal, or both, or any part thereof, on any loan, lease, or obligation or any instrument evidencing or securing the same, made or entered into pursuant to this division.
(q) Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, enter into any agreement, contract, or any other instrument with respect to any insurance or guarantee; accept payment in the manner and form as provided therein in the event of default by a sponsor or a participating party; and issue or assign any insurance or guarantee as security for the bank’s bonds.
(r) Enter into any agreement or contract, execute any instrument, and perform any act or thing necessary or convenient to, directly or indirectly, secure the bank’s bonds, the bonds issued by a special purpose trust, or a sponsor’s obligations to the bank or to a special purpose trust, including, but not limited to, bonds of a sponsor purchased by the bank or a special purpose trust for retention or sale, with funds or moneys that are legally available and that are due or payable to the sponsor by reason of any grant, allocation, apportionment or appropriation of the state or agencies thereof, to the extent that the Controller shall be the custodian at any time of these funds or moneys, or with funds or moneys that are or will be legally available to the sponsor, the bank, or the state or any agencies thereof by reason of any grant, allocation, apportionment, or appropriation of the federal government or agencies thereof; and in the event of written notice that the sponsor has not paid or is in default on its obligations to the bank or a special purpose trust, direct the Controller to withhold payment of those funds or moneys from the sponsor over which it is or will be custodian and to pay the same to the bank or special purpose trust or their assignee, or direct the state or any agencies thereof to which any grant, allocation, apportionment or appropriation of the federal government or agencies thereof is or will be legally available to pay the same upon receipt by the bank or special purpose trust or their assignee, until the default has been cured and the amounts then due and unpaid have been paid to the bank or special purpose trust or their assignee, or until arrangements satisfactory to the bank or special purpose trust have been made to cure the default.
(s) Enter into any agreement or contract, execute any instrument, and perform any act or thing necessary, convenient, or appropriate to carry out any power expressly given to the bank by this division, including, but not limited to, agreements for the sale of all or any part, including principal, interest, redemption rights or any other rights or obligations, of bonds of the bank or of a special purpose trust, liquidity agreements, contracts commonly known as interest rate swap agreements, forward payment conversion agreements, futures or contracts providing for payments based on levels of, or changes in, interest rates or currency exchange rates, or contracts to exchange cashflows or a series of payments, or contracts, including options, puts or calls to hedge payments, rate, spread, currency exchange, or similar exposure, or any other financial instrument commonly known as a structured financial product.
(t) Purchase, with the proceeds of the bank’s bonds, transition property or bonds issued by, or for the benefit of, any sponsor in connection with a project, pursuant to a bond purchase agreement or otherwise. Bonds or transition property purchased pursuant to this division may be held by the bank, pledged or assigned by the bank, or sold to public or private purchasers at public or negotiated sale, in whole or in part, separately or together with other bonds issued by the bank, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, may be bought by the bank at private sale.
(u) (1) Enter into purchase and sale agreements with all entities, public and private, including state and local government pension funds, with respect to the sale or purchase of bonds or transition property.
(2) Enter into development and financing agreements for projects within the border region, as prescribed in Article 5.5 (commencing with Section 63047.1).
(v) Invest any moneys held in reserve or sinking funds, or any moneys not required for immediate use or disbursement, in obligations that are authorized by law for the investment of trust funds in the custody of the Treasurer.
(w) Authorize a special purpose trust or trusts to purchase or retain, with the proceeds of the bonds of a special purpose trust, transition property or bonds issued by, or for the benefit of, any sponsor in connection with a project or issued by the bank or a special purpose trust, pursuant to a bond purchase agreement or otherwise. Bonds or transition property purchased pursuant to this title may be held by a special purpose entity, pledged or assigned by a special purpose entity, or sold to public or private purchasers at public or negotiated sale, in whole or in part, with or without structuring, subordination or credit enhancement, separately or together with other bonds issued by a special purpose trust, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, may be bought by the bank or by a special purpose trust at private sale.
(x) Approve the issuance of any bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness by the Rural Economic Development Infrastructure Panel, established pursuant to Section 15373.7.
(y) Approve the issuance of rate reduction bonds by an entity other than the bank or a special purpose trust to acquire transition property upon approval of the transaction in a financing order by the Public Utilities Commission, as provided in Article 5.5 (commencing with Section 840) of Chapter 4 of Part 1 of Division 1 of the Public Utilities Code.
(z) Apply for and accept subventions, grants, loans, advances, and contributions from any source of money, property, labor, or other things of value. The sources may include bond proceeds, dedicated taxes, state appropriations, federal appropriations, federal grant and loan funds, public and private sector retirement system funds, and proceeds of loans from the Pooled Money Investment Account.
(aa) Do all things necessary and convenient to carry out its purposes and exercise its powers, provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed to authorize the bank to engage directly in the business of a manufacturing, industrial, real estate development, or nongovernmental service enterprise. Further, the bank shall not be organized to accept deposits of money for time or demand deposits or to constitute a bank or trust company.

SEC. 5.

 Section 63045 of the Government Code is amended to read:

63045.
 In order to provide or arrange for the financing of economic development facilities, the bank may:
(a) Issue taxable revenue bonds pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 63070) to provide financing for economic development projects compatible with the public interest as specified in Section 63046.
(b) Issue taxable revenue bonds pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 63070) to provide financing for the revolving loan funds and economic development projects of small business development corporations, local economic development corporations, community development corporations, community development financial institutions, and nonprofit organizations, which revolving loan funds and economic development projects shall be compatible with the public interest.
(c) Issue tax-exempt revenue bonds pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 63070) to provide financing for economic development facilities as permitted by federal law and in accordance with applicable California law relating to the distribution of state allocations for private activity bonds. Projects so financed shall be compatible with the public interest as specified in Section 63046.
(d) Issue tax-exempt revenue bonds pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 63070) for economic development facilities of public sector and nonprofit organizations qualifying for exemption under federal law.

SEC. 6.

 Article 5.5 (commencing with Section 63047.1) is added to Chapter 2 of Division 1 of Title 6.7 of the Government Code, to read:
Article  5.5. Binational Financing Authority

63047.1.
 The bank is hereby authorized to establish and participate in a binational financing authority for the purpose of facilitating and supporting the economic development of communities within both sides of the border region, thereby advancing job opportunities for the economic well-being of the people of California. Other participants in the authority may include, but are not limited to, cities, counties, and other local government entities within the Imperial Valley, San Diego County, the Coachella Valley, the North American Development Bank, and governmental entities within the border region of Mexico.

63047.2.
 (a) The bank may enter into an agreement with any federal, state, local, or foreign economic and infrastructure authority for the purpose of developing projects that include, but are not limited to, predevelopment, economic development, and goods movement-related infrastructure that benefit communities within the border region. The bank’s purpose is to serve a role that is similar to the North American Development Bank.
(b) All projects funded pursuant to this article shall be consistent with and included within an economic development plan that has been jointly developed with participation from government, business, and other stakeholders from the State of California and the States of Baja and Sonora, Mexico. Participation by federal representatives is encouraged but not required. The purpose of the plan shall be to identify synergistic opportunities to address existing problems and to meet the future needs of border crossings along the California and Mexico border in order to support trade and tourism.
(c) The bank shall develop guidelines for the selection, review, and approval of projects within the border region.
(d) The bank shall report on its activities under this article as part of its report pursuant to Section 63035.
(e) The bank shall have all of the powers that it has under Section 63025.1 to implement this article, including, but not limited to, the authority to receive and accept from any public or private source, loans, contributions, or grants, in money, property, labor, or other things of value, for, of in aid of, a project, or any portion thereof.
(f) Bank funds under this article shall not be used to finance the construction of a project outside of California unless those moneys have come from a source other than the bank, including, but not limited to, the North American Development Bank, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, or the United States Department of State.
(g) Funds from the state General Fund shall not be used to finance the activities authorized by this article.

63047.3.
 (a) The bank may issue taxable or tax-exempt revenue bonds pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 63070) and deposit the proceeds from the bonds into the Binational Development Account, which is hereby created, within the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank Fund, established pursuant to Section 63050. The bank may use the proceeds to refund bonds previously issued under this article. Bond proceeds may also be used to fund necessary reserves, capitalized interest, or costs of issuance.
(b) Except as may be provided in the governing documents with respect to bond anticipation notes, each of the bonds issued under this article shall, to the extent provided in the governing documents, be payable from, and secured by, all or a portion of the revenues in the account and the assets of the fund, to the extent the revenues and assets are pledged by the board for those purposes.
(c) Bonds issued under this article shall not be deemed to constitute a debt or liability of the state or of any political subdivision thereof, other than the bank, or a pledge of the faith and credit of the state or of any political subdivision, but shall be payable solely from the revolving fund and the assets of the revolving fund, and the security provided by the revolving fund. All bonds issued under this article shall contain on the face of the bonds a statement to the same effect.

63047.4.
 Sections 63047.1, 63047.2, 63047.3 shall become operative only if the executive director determines that there are sufficient funds available to implement this article and submits a letter to that effect to the Legislature.

SEC. 7.

 Section 63084 of the Government Code is amended to read:

63084.
 (a) Any issue of revenue bonds by the bank may be secured and made more attractive to capital markets through financial instruments, including, but not limited to:
(1) Deeds of trust on the resources, facilities, and revenues of the projects.
(2) Credit enhancements, including, but not limited to, letters of credit, bond insurance, and surety bonds provided by private financial institutions.
(3) Insurance and guarantees provided by the bank itself.
(b) The bank may make loans to help establish and support the revolving loan funds of small business development corporations, economic development corporations, community development corporations, and nonprofit corporations. The loans may be made from any appropriate account or subaccount of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank Fund and as determined by the bank. Loans may be made to a joint powers authority and any binational development authority undertaking economic and infrastructure development work within the border region to the extent that at least one of the participants in the authority is a nonprofit entity in good standing in California.