Chapter 079 |
2025 -- H 5961 SUBSTITUTE A Enacted 06/17/2025 |
A N A C T |
RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL BUILDING CORPORATION |
Introduced By: Representatives Serpa, McNamara, Shallcross Smith, Hull, Azzinaro, Donovan, Corvese, Baginski, Lima, and Costantino |
Date Introduced: February 28, 2025 |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
SECTION 1. Sections 45-38.1-1, 45-38.1-3, 45-38.1-4, 45-38.1-5, 45-38.1-5.1, 45-38.1- |
5.2, 45-38.1-5.3, 45-38.1-6, 45-38.1-7, 45-38.1-9, 45-38.1-11, 45-38.1-19, 45-38.1-20 and 45-38.1- |
25 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-38.1 entitled "Health and Educational Building Corporation" |
are hereby amended to read as follows: |
45-38.1-1. Declaration of policy. |
It is declared that for the benefit of the people of the state of Rhode Island, the increase of |
their commerce, welfare, and prosperity and the improvement of their health and living conditions, |
it is essential that this and future generations of youth be given the fullest opportunity to learn and |
to develop their intellectual, physical and mental capacities; that it is essential that institutions for |
higher education educational institutions within the state be provided with appropriate additional |
means to assist youth people of the state in achieving the required levels of learning and |
development of their intellectual, physical and mental capacities; that it is essential that |
municipalities within the state be provided with appropriate additional means to improve the health, |
living conditions, and welfare of their residents with expanded access to public educational or |
public recreational facilities; that it is essential that healthcare providers within the state be provided |
with appropriate additional facilities; and that it is the purpose of this chapter to provide a measure |
of assistance and an alternative method to enable institutions for higher education educational |
institutions in the state, municipalities in the state, child daycare providers within the state, and |
healthcare providers to provide the facilities and structures which are sorely needed to accomplish |
the purposes of this chapter, and to provide a measure of assistance and an alternative method to |
enable students and the families of students attending institutions for higher education educational |
institutions in the state to finance the cost or a portion of the cost of that higher education, all to the |
public benefit and good, to the extent and manner provided in this chapter. It is further declared |
that the exercise by the Rhode Island health and educational building corporation, created and |
established under § 45-38.1-4, of the powers conferred on the corporation, under this chapter, will |
constitute the performance of an essential governmental function. |
45-38.1-3. Definitions. |
As used in this chapter, the following words and terms have the following meaning unless |
the context indicates another or different meaning or intent: |
(1) “Bonds” means bonds of the corporation issued under the provisions of this chapter, |
including refunding bonds, notwithstanding that the bonds may be secured by mortgage or the full |
faith and credit of the corporation or the full faith and credit of a participating institution for higher |
education educational institution or of a participating municipality or of a participating healthcare |
provider or any other lawfully pledged security of a participating educational institution or child |
daycare center or of a participating municipality or of a participating healthcare provider. |
(2) “Borrower” means a student or a parent who has received or agreed to pay an education |
loan. |
(3) “Capital note(s)” means a note or notes of the corporation not exceeding twelve (12) |
months in duration to maturity issued for the benefit of a healthcare provider or educational |
institution or municipality or child daycare center to purchase capital assets to be used in the |
operations of the healthcare provider or educational institution or municipality or child daycare |
center. |
(4) “Child daycare center” means a child daycare center as defined in § 42-12.5-2, which |
is a not-for-profit organization. |
(5) “Cooperative hospital service organization” means a corporation created pursuant to |
chapter 6 of title 7, which meets the requirements of Section 501(e) of the Internal Revenue Code |
of 1954, 26 U.S.C. § 501(e), and is exempt from federal taxation of income in accordance with |
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3). |
(6) “Corporation” means the Rhode Island health and educational building corporation |
created and established as a nonbusiness corporation, under and pursuant to chapter 6 of title 7, as |
amended, and constituted and established as a public body corporate and agency of the state under |
§ 45-38.1-4, or any board, body, commission, department, or officer succeeding to the principal |
functions of the corporation or to whom the powers conferred upon the corporation by this chapter |
are given by law. |
(7) “Corporation loans” means loans by the corporation to an educational institution or |
child daycare center for the purpose of funding education loans. |
(8) “Cost” as applied to a project or any portion of it, financed under the provisions of this |
chapter, embraces all or any part of the cost of construction and acquisition of all lands, structures, |
real or personal property, rights, rights of way, franchises, 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 and equipment, financing charges, interest prior to, during and for a period |
after completion of the construction, provisions for working capital, reserves for principal and |
interest and for extensions, enlargements, additions, replacements, renovations and improvements, |
cost of engineering, financial and legal services, plans, specifications, studies, surveys, estimates |
of cost and of revenues, administrative expenses, expenses necessary or incident to determining the |
feasibility or practicability of constructing the project, and other expenses that may be necessary or |
incident to the construction and acquisition of the project, the financing of the construction and |
acquisition, and the placing of the project in operation. |
(9) “Default insurance” means insurance insuring education loans, corporation loans, or |
bonds or notes of the corporation against default. |
(10) “Default reserve fund” means a fund established pursuant to a resolution of the |
corporation for the purpose of securing education loans, corporation loans, or bonds or notes of the |
corporation. |
(11) “Education loan” means a loan that is made by or on behalf of an educational |
institution or child daycare center from the proceeds of a corporation loan, to a student or parents |
of a student or both, to finance the student’s attendance at the educational institution. |
(12) “Education loan series portfolio” means all education loans made by or on behalf of a |
specific educational institution or child daycare center that are funded from the proceeds of a |
corporation loan to the institution out of the proceeds of a related specific bond or note issued |
through the corporation. |
(13) “Educational institution” means: |
(i) An educational institution or local education authority participating in the school |
housing aid program as described in chapter 7 of title 16 situated within this state which, by virtue |
of law or charter, is a A public or other nonprofit educational institution empowered to provide a |
program of education at the primary, secondary, or high school level, or beyond the high school |
level, and which is accredited by a nationally recognized educational accrediting agency or |
association if required or applicable, and awards a bachelor’s or advance degree degrees, if |
applicable, or provides a program of not less than two (2) years’ duration that is accepted for full |
credit toward a bachelor’s an advanced degree; |
(ii) Any nonprofit corporation, business corporation, limited liability company, or |
partnership or limited partnership the shareholders or members or partners or limited partners of |
which are limited to those entities described in subsection (13)(i) hereof; |
(iii) Any nonprofit corporation, business corporation, limited liability company, |
partnership, or limited partnership that is a party to a public-private partnership agreement at least |
one of the parties of which is described in subsection (13)(i) hereof; |
(iv) Any museum in this state as defined by § 34-44.1-1 and that is a not-for-profit |
organization; or |
(v) Any performing arts center or theater that produces live, on-stage musical, theatrical, |
or dance performances in this state for members of the public and that is a not-for-profit |
organization; or |
(vi) A child daycare center. |
(14) “Healthcare provider” means: |
(i) Any nonprofit hospital incorporated under the laws of the state, including any nonprofit |
subsidiary corporations formed by any hospital or formed by the parent corporation of the hospital; |
(ii) Any nonprofit corporation, the member or members of which consist solely of one or |
more hospitals or their parent corporations; |
(iii) Any other hospital that is licensed as a general hospital or maternity hospital pursuant |
to chapter 17 of title 23 that is exempt from taxation; |
(iv) Any nonprofit group health association; |
(v) Any cooperative hospital service organization, or any nonprofit corporation that is |
licensed as a skilled nursing and/or intermediate care facility pursuant to chapter 17 of title 23, |
including any nonprofit subsidiary corporation formed by any of the foregoing skilled nursing |
and/or intermediate care facilities, or any nonprofit corporation eligible to receive funding, pursuant |
to chapter 8.5 of title 40.1, and/or a corporation created pursuant to chapter 6 of title 7, provided, |
that it is a real estate holding corporation created for the benefit of a nonprofit corporation eligible |
to receive funding under chapter 8.5 of title 40.1; |
(vi) Any nonprofit healthcare corporation whose purpose is to provide home care services |
or supplies to the citizens of this state including, but not limited to, nonprofit visiting nurse |
associations and nonprofit home care organizations; |
(vii) Any other not-for-profit corporation organized pursuant to chapter 6 of title 7 or |
pursuant to any special act of the general assembly and that is exempt from federal taxation of |
income in accordance with Section 501(c)(3), 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3), of the Internal Revenue Code |
and that is licensed as: |
(A) A healthcare facility pursuant to chapter 17 of title 23; |
(B) A “facility” pursuant to chapter 24 of title 40.1; |
(C) A “residential care and assisted living facility” pursuant to chapter 17.4 of title 23; |
(D) An adult daycare facility; or |
(E) A “clinical laboratory” pursuant to chapter 16.2 of title 23 and as a manufacturer of |
biological products by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug |
Administration that operates in Rhode Island; |
(viii) Any not-for-profit corporation that is exempt from federal taxation of income in |
accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3), or any |
successor section of the Internal Revenue Code, that under contract with the state educates, |
counsels, or rehabilitates young people who have come subject to the child welfare, juvenile justice, |
or mental behavioral health systems in the state; |
(ix) Any network or similar arrangement of those entities listed in subsections (14)(i) |
through (viii) of this section; |
(x)(A) Any nonprofit corporation, business corporation, limited liability company, |
partnership, or limited partnership, the shareholders or members or partners or limited partners of |
which are limited to those entities described in subsections (14)(i) through (ix) hereof; or |
(B) Any nonprofit corporation, business corporation, limited liability company, |
partnership, or limited partnership that is a party to a public-private partnership agreement at least |
one of the parties of which is described in subsections (14)(i) through (ix) hereof; |
(xi) Any not-for-profit corporation organized pursuant to chapter 6 of title 7 or pursuant to |
any special act of the general assembly, that is exempt from federal taxation of income in |
accordance with Section 501(c)(3), 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3), of the Internal Revenue Code, that |
provides individual or family behavioral health, physical health, social or human services within |
the state and that is accredited by a nationally recognized behavioral health, physical health, social |
or human services accrediting agency, if required or applicable; or |
(xii) A not-for-profit corporation or joint venture, involving a not-for-profit corporation |
organized pursuant to chapter 6 of title 7 or pursuant to any special act of the general assembly, |
that is exempt from federal taxation of income in accordance with Section 501(c)(3), 26 U.S.C. § |
501(c)(3), of the Internal Revenue Code and that provides temporary housing shelter to people |
within this state. |
(15) “Loan funding deposit” means monies or other property deposited by an educational |
institution or child daycare center with the corporation, a guarantor, or a trustee for the purpose of: |
(i) Providing security for bonds or notes; |
(ii) Funding a default reserve fund; |
(iii) Acquiring default insurance; |
(iv) Defraying costs of the corporation, the monies or properties to be in amounts as deemed |
necessary by the corporation or a guarantor as a condition for the institution’s participation in the |
corporation’s programs. |
(16) “Municipality” means any city or town located in the state with powers set forth in |
this title, or any regional school district of a group of municipalities which is or operates a local |
education agency as defined in § 16-92-3, that is eligible to participate in the school housing aid |
programs described in chapter 7 of title 16, situated within this state, and that is authorized to |
provide a program of education at the primary, secondary, or high school level, and that is |
accredited by a nationally recognized educational accrediting agency or association, if required or |
applicable. |
(17) “Nonprofit group health association” means an association or a corporation |
established by an act of the general assembly, or created pursuant to chapter 6 of title 7, to provide |
all or any part of a project or property to the citizens of this state. |
(18) “Note” means a written promise to pay, including, but not limited to, capital notes and |
revenue anticipation notes. |
(19) “Parent” means any parent, legal guardian, or sponsor of the student at an educational |
institution or child daycare center. |
(20) “Participating educational institution” means an educational institution or child |
daycare center which, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, undertakes the financing and |
construction or acquisition of a project, or undertakes the refunding or refinancing of obligations |
or of a mortgage or of advances or undertakes the financing, directly or indirectly, of education |
loans, all as provided in and permitted by this chapter. |
(21) “Participating healthcare provider” means a healthcare provider that, pursuant to the |
provisions of this chapter, undertakes the financing and construction or acquisition of a project or |
undertakes the refunding or refinancing of obligations or of a mortgage or of advances as provided |
in and permitted by this chapter. |
(22) “Participating municipality” means a municipality that, pursuant to the provisions of |
this chapter, undertakes the financing and construction or acquisition of a project or undertakes the |
refunding or refinancing of obligations or of a mortgage or of advances as provided in and permitted |
by this chapter. |
(23) “Project,” in the case of a participating educational institution or child daycare center |
means a structure suitable for use as a dormitory or other housing facility, dining hall, student |
union, administration building, academic building, school housing project, library, laboratory, |
research facility, classroom, athletic facility, healthcare facility, and maintenance, storage or utility |
facility, and other structures or facilities related to the educational institution or child daycare center |
or required or useful for the instruction of students or the conducting of research or the operation |
of an educational institution or child daycare center including parking and other ancillary facilities |
or structures essential or convenient for the orderly conduct of the educational institution or child |
daycare center and also includes equipment and machinery and other similar items necessary or |
convenient for the operation of a particular facility or structure in the manner for which its use is |
intended, but does not include such items as books, fuel, supplies, or other items which are |
customarily deemed to result in a current operating charge; and in the case of a participating |
municipality means a structure suitable for use as a an educational facility, academic building, |
administration building, public library, gymnasium, recreational facility, park, playground, and |
maintenance, storage, or utility facility and other structures required or useful for the operation of |
the project, including parking and other ancillary facilities or structures essential or convenient for |
the orderly operation of the project, and also includes equipment and machinery and other similar |
items necessary or convenient for the operation of the project in the manner for which its use is |
intended, but does not include such items as books, fuel, supplies, or other items that are |
customarily deemed to result in a current operating charge; and, in the case of a participating |
healthcare provider, means a structure suitable for use as a hospital, clinic, nursing home, |
congregate housing for the elderly and/or infirm, mental assisted living, behavioral health service |
unit, or other healthcare facility, laboratory, laundry, nurses’, interns’, or clients’ residence, |
administration building, office building, research facility, and maintenance, storage, or utility |
facility, and other structures or facilities related to the healthcare provider or required or useful for |
the operation of the project, including parking and other ancillary facilities or structures essential |
or convenient for the orderly operation of the project, and also includes equipment and machinery |
and other similar items necessary or convenient for the operation of the project in the manner for |
which its use is intended, but does not include such items as fuel, supplies, or other items which |
are customarily deemed to result in a current operating charge. |
(24) “Public-private partnership agreement” means an arrangement or agreement pursuant |
to which a nonprofit corporation, business corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or |
limited partnership undertakes or develops a project for an educational institution, municipality, or |
a healthcare provider including, but not limited to, a lease arrangement, wherein pursuant to such |
arrangement or agreement at the conclusion of such arrangement or agreement the ownership of |
the bond-financed or note-financed project is transferred to the educational institution, |
municipality, or healthcare provider for no additional consideration. |
(25) “Recreational facility” means a system of public recreation established by as described |
in § 32-3-2. |
(26) “Revenue anticipation note(s)” means a note or notes of the corporation not exceeding |
twelve (12) months in duration to maturity issued for the benefit of a healthcare provider or |
educational institution in anticipation of revenues reasonably expected to be collected by the |
healthcare provider or educational institution within twelve (12) months from the date of the note |
or notes. |
(27) “School housing project” means an “approved project,” as defined in § 16-7-36. |
(28) “School housing project financing” means bonds issued through the corporation to |
fund school housing projects as provided in and permitted by § 16-7-44. |
(29) “State” means the state of Rhode Island. |
(30) “State reimbursement” shall mean the state’s share of school housing project cost as |
determined in accordance with §§ 16-7-35 — 16-7-47. |
45-38.1-4. Corporation established. |
(a) There is hereby created a public body corporate and agency of the state to be known as |
the “Rhode Island health and educational building corporation” as successor to the Rhode Island |
educational building corporation, previously created as a nonbusiness corporation under and |
pursuant to chapter 6 of title 7, as amended by chapter 121 of the Public Laws of 1966, and |
constituted and established as a public body corporate and agency of the state for the exercising of |
the powers conferred on the corporation under and pursuant to §§ 45-38.1-1 — 45-38.1-24. |
(b) All of the powers of the corporation are vested in the board of directors of the |
corporation elected at the first meeting of the incorporators of the Rhode Island educational |
building corporation, and the members of the board shall continue to serve for the duration of the |
terms for which they were originally elected. Successors to the members of the board of directors |
shall be appointed by the governor, as follows: prior to the month of June in each year, commencing |
in the year 1968, the governor shall appoint a member to serve on the board of directors for a term |
of five (5) years to succeed the member whose term will expire in June of that year. In the event of |
a vacancy occurring in the membership of the board of directors, the governor shall appoint a new |
member of the board of directors for the unexpired term. Any member of the board of directors is |
eligible for reappointment. |
(c) Each member of the board of directors, before entering upon his or her duties, shall take |
an oath to administer the duties of his or her office faithfully and impartially, and the oath shall be |
filed in the office of the secretary of state. |
(d) The board of directors shall elect two (2) of its members as chairperson and vice |
chairperson, and also elect a secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, and assistant treasurer, who |
need not be members of the board. Three (3) members of the board of directors of the corporation |
shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of the majority of the directors present and |
entitled to vote at any regular or special meeting at which a quorum is present, is necessary for any |
action to be taken by the corporation; except, however, that the affirmative vote of three (3) |
members of the board of directors is necessary for the election of officers of the corporation and to |
amend the bylaws of the corporation. No vacancy in the membership of the board of directors of |
the corporation impairs the right of a quorum to exercise all the powers of and perform the duties |
of the corporation. |
(e) Any action taken by the corporation under the provisions of this chapter may be |
authorized by resolution at any regular or special meeting, and each resolution takes effect |
immediately and need not be published or posted. |
(f) The members of the board of directors shall receive compensation at the rate of fifty |
dollars ($50.00) per meeting attended; however, the compensation shall not exceed one thousand |
five hundred dollars ($1,500) per fiscal year per member. |
(g) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, it shall not be or constitute a conflict of |
interest for a trustee, director, officer, or employee of an institution for higher education educational |
institution or municipality or child daycare center or a healthcare provider to serve as a member of |
the board of directors of the corporation; provided, that the trustee, director, officer, or employee |
abstains from deliberation, action, and vote by the board under this chapter in specific respect to |
the institution for higher education educational institution or municipality or child daycare center |
or the healthcare provider of which the member is a trustee, director, officer, or employee. |
(h) The board and corporation shall comply with provisions of chapter 155 of title 42, the |
quasi-public corporations accountability and transparency act. |
45-38.1-5. General grant of powers. |
The corporation has the following powers, together with all powers incidental or necessary |
for the performance of the following: |
(1) To have perpetual succession as a public body corporate and agency of the state and to |
adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business; |
(2) To adopt an official seal and alter the seal at pleasure; |
(3) To maintain an office at a place or places that it may designate; |
(4) To sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded; |
(5) To determine the location and character of any project to be financed under the |
provisions of this chapter, and to construct, reconstruct, renovate, replace, maintain, repair, operate, |
lease, as lessee or lessor, and regulate the project to pay its costs, to enter into contracts for any or |
all of those purposes, to enter into contracts for the management and operation of a project, and to |
designate a participating educational institution or child daycare center or a participating |
municipality or a participating healthcare provider as its agent to determine the location and |
character of a project undertaken by the participating educational institution or child daycare center |
or a participating municipality or by a participating healthcare provider under the provisions of this |
chapter, and as the agent of the corporation, to acquire, construct, reconstruct, renovate, replace, |
maintain, repair, operate, lease, as lessee or lessor, and regulate the project, and, as the agent of the |
corporation, to enter into contracts for any or all of those purposes, including contracts for the |
management and operation of the project; |
(6) To issue bonds, notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, capital notes, |
and other obligations of the corporation including, but not limited to, interest rate exchange |
agreements and contracts to hedge interest rates, for any of its corporate purposes, and to fund or |
refund the bonds, all as provided in this chapter; |
(7) Generally, to fix and revise from time to time and charge and collect rates, rents, fees, |
and charges for the use of and for the services furnished or to be furnished by a project or any |
portion of it, and to contract with any person, partnership, association, or corporation or other body |
public or private in respect to the project; |
(8) To establish rules and regulations for the use of a project or any portion of it and to |
designate a participating educational institution or child daycare center, or a participating healthcare |
provider or a participating municipality as its agent to establish rules and regulations for the use of |
a project undertaken by the participating educational institution or child daycare center or by the |
participating healthcare provider or by the participating municipality; |
(9) Employ consulting engineers, architects, attorneys, accountants, construction and |
financial experts, superintendents, managers, and other employees and agents as may be necessary |
in its judgment, and to fix their compensation; |
(10) To receive and accept from any public agency, loans or grants for or in aid of the |
construction of a project or any portion of it, and to receive and accept loans, grants, aid, or |
contributions from any source of either money, property, labor, or other things of value, to be held, |
used, and applied only for the purposes for which those loans, grants, aid, and contributions are |
made; |
(11) To mortgage any project, and the site of the project, for the benefit of the holders of |
bonds issued to finance the project; |
(12) To make loans to any participating educational institution or child daycare center and |
to any participating healthcare provider or to a any participating municipality for the cost of a |
project in accordance with an agreement, and any other security instrument required by the |
corporation between the corporation and the participating educational institution or child daycare |
center or the participating healthcare provider; or the participating municipality; provided that, no |
loan exceeds the total cost of the projects as determined by the participating educational institution |
or child daycare center or the participating healthcare provider or the participating municipality and |
approved by the corporation; |
(13) To make loans to a participating educational institution, or child daycare center or to |
a participating healthcare provider or to the a participating municipality to refund outstanding |
obligations, mortgages, or advances issued, made or given by the participating educational |
institution, or child daycare center or the participating healthcare provider or to a the participating |
municipality for the cost of a project; |
(14) To charge to and equitably apportion, among a participating educational institution or |
child daycare center and a participating healthcare provider and a participating municipality, its |
administrative costs and expenses incurred in the exercise of the powers and duties conferred by |
this chapter; |
(15) To accept any gifts or grants or loans of funds or property or financial or other aid in |
any form from the federal government or any agency or instrumentality of the federal government, |
or from the state or any agency or instrumentality of the state, or from any other source and to |
comply, subject to the provisions of this chapter, with the terms and conditions of the gifts, grants, |
or loans; |
(16) To do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter. In |
carrying out the purposes of this chapter, the corporation may undertake a project for two (2) or |
more participating healthcare providers jointly, two (2) or more participating educational |
institutions jointly, or for any combination of providers, and, thereupon, all other provisions of this |
chapter shall apply to and for the benefit of the corporation and those joint participants; |
(17) To enter into contracts for the purpose of guaranteeing or insuring loans to any |
participating educational institution, or child daycare center or to any participating healthcare |
provider or to any participating municipality to carry out the purposes of the corporation, and to |
pledge, encumber, or advance funds of the corporation in connection with the loans; and |
(18) To make and effectuate gifts or grants of corporation funds for or in aid of the |
construction of or development of any project or any portion of a project or in furtherance of the |
policies, purposes, and powers of the corporation set forth in this chapter, and to retain or appoint |
any agents or consultants deemed necessary or desirable by the corporation to effectuate, make, |
and administer the gifts or grants. |
45-38.1-5.1. Powers relative to education loan financing programs. |
(a) The corporation has all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate |
the purposes and provisions of this chapter, including the following powers in addition to others |
granted by this chapter: |
(1) To determine criteria and guidelines encompassing the type of, and qualifications for, |
education loan financing programs and issuance of bonds or notes by the corporation, including |
eligibility standards for borrowers that the corporation determines are necessary or desirable in |
order to effectuate the purposes of this chapter; |
(2) To establish specific criteria governing the eligibility of institutions for higher |
education educational institutions to participate in its programs and for the making of corporation |
loans and education loans, the issuance of bonds or notes by the corporation, provisions for default, |
the establishment of default reserve funds, the purchase of default insurance, the provision by the |
institutions of prudent debt service reserves, and the furnishing, by participating institutions for |
higher education educational institutions and others, of additional guarantees of the education |
loans, corporation loans, or bonds as the corporation determines; |
(3) To establish rules and regulations with respect to corporation loans, education loans, |
and education loan series portfolios; |
(4) To receive and accept from any source, loans, contributions, or grants for or in aid of a |
corporation education loan financing program, or any portion of it, and, when desirable, to use the |
funds, property, or labor only for the purposes for which it was loaned, contributed, or granted; |
(5) To contract with guarantors, financial institutions, or other qualified loan origination |
and servicing organizations, which shall assist in prequalifying borrowers for education loans and |
service and administer each education loan. The corporation may require that each borrower be |
charged a fee to defray the costs of origination, servicing, and administration of education loans. |
The amount and method of collection of the fee shall be determined by the corporation. |
Participating institutions for higher education educational institutions may perform these acts if |
authorized by the corporation; |
(6) To contract with a guarantor to provide security for the payment of education loans |
through the issuance of insurance against default, or to provide a guarantee of payment covering |
all or a portion of each education loan made by or on behalf of the corporation or by or on behalf |
of an institution for higher education educational institution from the proceeds of a corporation |
loan; |
(7) To make corporation loans to participating institutions for higher education educational |
institutions and require that the proceeds be used for making education loans and paying costs and |
fees in connection with the loans; |
(8) To charge and equitably apportion, among participating institutions for higher |
education educational institutions, its administrative costs and expenses incurred in the exercise of |
the powers and duties granted by this section; |
(9) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this chapter, to commingle and pledge as |
security for a series or issue of bonds, only with the consent of all of the institutions for higher |
education educational institutions which are participating in the series or issue: |
(i) The education loan series portfolios and some or all future education loan series |
portfolios of the institutions for higher education educational institutions; and |
(ii) The loan funding deposits of the institutions; provided, that education loan series |
portfolios and other security and monies set aside in any fund or funds pledged for any series of |
bonds or issue of bonds are held for the sole benefit of the series or issues, separate and apart from |
education loan series portfolios and other security and monies pledged for any other series or issue |
of bonds of the corporation. Bonds may be issued in series under one or more resolutions or trust |
agreements in the discretion of the corporation; |
(10) To examine records and financial reports of participating institutions for higher |
education educational institutions, and to examine records and financial reports of any person, |
organization, or institution retained under subsections (a)(5) or (a)(6); |
(11) To do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter. |
(b) In carrying out the purposes of this chapter, the corporation may issue bonds, the |
proceeds of which are loaned to two (2) or more participating institutions for higher education |
educational institutions or for any combination of participating institutions for higher education |
educational institutions and, thereupon, all other provisions of this chapter apply to and for the |
benefit of the corporation and the participants in the joint program or programs. Any joint |
participation requires the express approval of all participants. |
(c) The corporation shall require that corporation loans be used solely for the purpose of |
education loans and in an amount not to exceed the total cost of attendance, as defined by the |
corporation, less other forms of student assistance that the corporation may determine. The |
corporation shall require that institutions for higher education educational institutions insist that |
each borrower under an education loan use the proceeds solely for educational purposes and |
purposes reasonably related to education, and that each borrower shall so certify. |
(d) Whenever refunding bonds are issued to refund bonds, the proceeds of which were used |
to make corporation loans, the corporation may reduce or increase the amount it is owed by the |
institution for higher education educational institution which had received corporation loans from |
the proceeds of the refunded bonds. The institutions for higher education educational institutions |
may reduce or increase the amount of interest being paid on education loans which the institution |
has made pursuant to the corporation loans from the proceeds of the refunded bonds. |
45-38.1-5.2. Acquisition of certain monies, endowments, properties, and guarantees. |
The corporation is authorized and empowered to establish specific guidelines relating to |
the deposits of certain monies, endowments, or properties by institutions for higher education |
educational institutions which would provide security for education loan funding programs, |
corporation loans, education loans, or for bonds or notes, and to establish guidelines relating to |
guarantees of or contracts to purchase education loans or bonds by the institutions or by financial |
institutions or others. A default reserve fund may be established for each series or issue of bonds. |
In this regard, the corporation is empowered to receive monies, endowments, properties, and |
guarantees as it deems appropriate and, if necessary, to take title in the name of the corporation or |
in the name of a participating institution for higher education educational institution or a trustee. |
45-38.1-5.3. Conveyance of loan funding deposit after payment of bonds. |
When the principal of, interest on, and premium, if any, due in connection with bonds or |
notes of the corporation issued to finance the cost of an education loan financing program or |
programs, including any refunding bonds or notes issued to refund and refinance those bonds or |
notes have been fully paid and retired, or when adequate provision has been made to fully pay and |
retire the bonds or notes, and all other conditions of the bond or note resolution authorizing the |
bonds or notes, have been satisfied and the security interest or lien created by the bond or note |
resolution has been released in accordance with the provisions of the resolution, the corporation |
shall promptly do those things and execute deeds and conveyances that are necessary and required |
to convey any remaining monies, properties, and other assets, comprising loan funding deposits, to |
the participating institutions for higher education educational institutions which furnished the |
monies, properties, and other assets in proportion to the amounts furnished by the respective |
participating institutions for higher education educational institutions. |
45-38.1-6. Acquisition of property. |
The corporation is authorized and empowered, directly, or by and through a participating |
institution for higher education educational institution, or a participating municipality or a |
participating child daycare center or a participating healthcare provider, as its agent, to acquire by |
purchase or by gift or devise any lands, structures, property, real or personal, rights, rights of way, |
franchises, easements, and other interests in lands, including lands lying under water and riparian |
rights, which are located within or without the state as it may deem necessary or convenient for the |
construction or operation of a project, upon terms and at prices that may be considered by it to be |
reasonable and can be agreed upon between it and the owner of the property, and to take title to the |
property in the name of the corporation or in the name of a participating institution for higher |
education educational institution or a participating municipality or a participating child daycare |
center or a participating healthcare provider as its agent. |
45-38.1-7. Title to project. |
When the principal of and interest on bonds of the corporation issued to finance the cost of |
a particular project or projects for a participating institution for higher education educational |
institution, or for a participating municipality or a participating child daycare center or for a |
participating healthcare provider, including any refunding bonds or notes issued to refund and |
refinance the bonds or notes, have been fully paid and retired, or when adequate provision has been |
made to fully pay and retire the bonds or notes, and all other conditions of the resolution or trust |
agreement authorizing and securing the bonds or notes have been satisfied and the lien of the |
resolution or trust agreement has been released in accordance with its provisions, the corporation |
shall promptly do things and execute deeds and conveyances that are necessary and required to |
convey title to the project or projects to the participating institution for higher education educational |
institution, or the participating municipality or the participating child daycare center or the |
participating healthcare provider, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, all to the extent that |
title to the project or projects shall not, at the time, then be vested in the participating institution for |
higher education educational institution, or the participating municipality or the participating child |
daycare center or the participating healthcare provider. |
45-38.1-9. Bonds of the corporation. |
(a) The corporation is authorized from time to time to issue its negotiable bonds for any |
corporate purpose or project. In anticipation of the sale of the bonds the corporation may issue |
negotiable bond anticipation notes and may renew those notes from time to time, but maximum |
maturity of the notes, including renewals of those notes, shall not exceed forty (40) years from the |
date of issue of the original notes. The notes shall be paid from any revenues of the corporation or |
other moneys available for payment and not otherwise pledged, or from the proceeds of the sale of |
the bonds of the corporation in anticipation of which they were issued. The notes shall be issued in |
the same manner as the bonds. The notes and the resolution, or resolutions authorizing the notes, |
may contain any provisions, conditions, or limitations which a bond resolution of the corporation |
may contain. |
(b) The bonds, notes, or other obligations are payable from any revenues or moneys of the |
corporation available for payment and not otherwise pledged, subject only to any agreements with |
the holders of particular bonds, notes, or other obligations pledging any particular revenues or |
moneys, and subject to any agreements with any participating institution for higher education |
educational institution, or any participating municipality or participating child daycare center or |
any participating hospital, notwithstanding that the bonds, notes, or other obligations may be |
payable from a special fund, they shall be and be deemed to be for all purposes negotiable |
instruments, subject only to the provisions of the bonds, notes, or other obligations for registration. |
(c) The bonds may be issued as serial bonds or as term bonds, or the corporation, in its |
discretion, may issue bonds of both types. The bonds shall be authorized by resolution of the |
corporation and bear a date or dates, mature at a time or times, not exceeding sixty-five (65) years |
from their respective dates, bear interest at rate or rates, be payable at a time or times, be in |
denominations, be in a form, either coupon or registered, carry registration privileges, be executed |
in a manner, be payable in lawful money of the United States of America at a place or places, and |
be subject to terms of redemption, that the resolution or resolutions may provide. In the event term |
bonds are issued, the resolution authorizing the term bonds may make provisions for the |
establishment and management of adequate sinking reserve funds for their payment as the |
corporation may deem necessary. The bonds or notes may be sold at public or private sale for a |
price or prices as the corporation determines. Pending preparation of the definitive bonds, the |
corporation may issue interim receipts or certificates which shall be exchanged for the definitive |
bonds. |
(d) Any resolution or resolutions authorizing any bonds or any issue of bonds may contain |
provisions, which are a part of the contract with the holders of the bonds to be authorized, as to: |
(1) Pledging the full faith and credit of a participating institution for higher education |
educational institution, or of a participating municipality or participating child daycare center or of |
a participating healthcare provider, all or any part of the revenues of a project of any revenue |
producing contract or contracts made by the corporation with any individual, partnership, |
corporation, or association or other body, public or private, or pledging all or any part of the |
revenues derived from corporation loans, education loans, payments by participating institutions |
for higher education educational institutions, banks, guarantors, insurers, or others pursuant to |
letters of credit or purchase agreements, investment earnings, insurance proceeds, loan funding |
deposits, proceeds from the sale of education loans, proceeds of refunding bonds and fees, charges, |
and other revenues of the corporation, to secure the payment of the bonds or of any particular issue |
of bonds, subject to agreements with bondholders as may then exist; |
(2) The rentals, revenues, fees, and other charges to be charged, and the amounts to be |
raised in each year, and the use and disposition of the revenues; |
(3) The setting aside of reserves or sinking funds, loan funding deposits, and their |
regulation and disposition; |
(4) Limitations on the right of the corporation or its agent to restrict and regulate the use of |
the project or of education loans; |
(5) Limitations on the purpose to which the proceeds of the sale of any issue, of bonds then |
or thereafter to be issued, may be applied and pledging the proceeds to secure the payment of the |
bonds or any issue of the bonds; |
(6) Limitations on the issuance of additional bonds, the terms upon which additional bonds |
may be issued and secured, and the refunding of outstanding bonds; |
(7) The procedure, if any, by which the terms of any contract with bondholders may be |
amended or abrogated, the amount of bonds the holders of which must consent thereto, and the |
manner in which the consent may be given; |
(8) Limitations on the amount of moneys derived from the project or education loan |
program to be expended for operating, administrative, or other expenses of the corporation; |
(9) Defining the acts or omissions to act which constitute a default in the duties of the |
corporation to holders of its obligations, and providing the rights and remedies of those holders in |
the event of a default; |
(10) The mortgaging of a project and its site for the purpose of securing the bondholders; |
(11) Any other additional covenants, agreements, and provisions that are deemed desirable |
or necessary by the corporation for the security of the holders of the bonds; and |
(12) Providing for guarantees, pledges of endowment, letters of credit, property, or other |
security for the benefit of the holders of the bonds. |
(e) Neither the members of the corporation nor any person executing the bonds or notes |
are personally liable on the bonds or notes, or are subject to any personal liability or accountability |
by reason of the issuance of the bonds or notes. |
(f) The corporation has power out of any available funds, to purchase its bonds or notes. |
The corporation may hold, pledge, cancel, or resell the bonds, subject to and in accordance with |
agreements with bondholders. |
45-38.1-11. Revenues. |
(a) The corporation is authorized to fix, revise, charge, and collect rates, rents, fees, and |
charges for the use of and for the services furnished by each project, and to contract with any |
person, partnership, association, or corporation, or other body, public or private, in this respect. |
The rates, rents, fees, and charges shall be fixed and adjusted in respect of the aggregate of rates, |
rents, fees, and charges from the project so as to provide funds sufficient with other revenues, if |
any: (1) To pay the cost of maintaining, repairing, and operating the project and each and every |
portion of it, to the extent that the corporation has not adequately provided for the payment of the |
cost; (2) to pay the principal of and the interest on outstanding revenue bonds of the corporation |
issued in respect of the project as the bonds become due and payable; and (3) to create and maintain |
reserves required or provided for in any resolution authorizing, or trust agreement securing, the |
revenue bonds of the corporation. The rates, rents, fees, and charges are not subject to supervision |
or regulation by any department, commission, board, body, bureau, or agency of the state other |
than the corporation. A sufficient amount of the revenues as may be necessary to pay the cost of |
maintenance, repair, and operation and to provide reserves and for renewals, replacements, |
extensions, enlargements, and improvements as may be provided for in the resolution authorizing |
the issuance of any revenue bonds of the corporation or in the trust agreement securing the revenue |
bond, shall be set aside at regular intervals as may be provided for in the resolution or trust |
agreement in a sinking or other similar fund which is pledged to, and charged with, the payment of |
the principal of and the interest on the revenue bonds as the revenue bonds become due, and the |
redemption price or the purchase price of bonds retired by call or purchase as provided in the |
resolution or trust agreement. The pledge is valid and binding from the time when the pledge is |
made; the rates, rents, fees, and charges and other revenue or other moneys pledged and thereafter |
received by the corporation immediately subject to the lien of the pledge without any physical |
delivery or further act, and the lien of the pledge valid and binding against all parties having claims |
of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the corporation, irrespective of whether the parties |
have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any trust agreement, nor any other agreement, nor |
any lease by which a pledge is created, need be filed or recorded except in the records of the |
corporation. The use and disposition of moneys to the credit of a sinking or other similar fund are |
subject to the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or of the trust |
agreement. Except as may otherwise be provided in the resolution or the trust agreement, the |
sinking or other similar fund may be a fund for all the bonds issued to finance projects, as a |
particular institution for higher education educational institution, municipality or a particular health |
care provider, without distinction or priority of one over another; provided, that the corporation in |
the resolution or trust agreement may provide that the sinking or other similar fund is the fund for |
a particular project at an institution for higher education educational institution, municipality or a |
health care provider and for the bonds issued to finance a particular project, and may, additionally, |
permit and provide for the issuance of bonds having a subordinate lien in respect of the security |
authorized in this chapter to other bonds of the corporation and, in that case, the corporation may |
create separate sinking or other similar funds in respect of the subordinate lien bonds. |
(b) In connection with any education loan program, the corporation shall fix, revise, charge, |
and collect fees, and is empowered to contract with any person, partnership, association, or |
corporation, or other body, public or private, in this respect. Each agreement entered into by the |
corporation with a participating institution or institutions for higher education educational |
institutionsinstitution shall provide that the fees and other amounts payable by the institution or |
institutions with respect to any program or programs of the corporation are sufficient: (1) toTo pay |
its or their share of the administrative costs and expenses of the program; (2) toTo pay the principal |
of, the premium, if any, and the interest on outstanding bonds or notes of the corporation issued in |
respect of the program to the extent that other revenues of the corporation pledged for the payment |
of the bonds or notes are insufficient to pay the bonds or notes as they become due and payable; |
(3) toTo create and maintain reserves which may, but need not be, required or provided for in the |
bond resolution relating to the bonds or notes of the corporation; and (4) toTo establish and |
maintain whatever education loan servicing, control, or audit procedures are deemed necessary to |
the operations of the corporation. |
(c) The corporation shall pledge the revenues from each program, as described in § 45- |
38.1-9(d)(1), as security for the issue of bonds or notes relating to the program. The pledge is valid |
and binding from the time when the pledge is made; the revenues so pledged by the corporation |
shall immediately be subject to the lien of the pledge without any physical delivery or further act, |
and the lien of the pledge is valid and binding against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, |
contract, or otherwise against the corporation or any participating institution for higher education |
educational institution, whether the parties have notice. Neither the bond resolution nor any |
financing statement, continuation statement, or other instrument by which a pledge or security |
interest is created or by which the corporation’s interest in revenues is assigned need be filed in any |
public records in order to perfect the security interest or lien against third parties, except in the |
records of the corporation. The use and disposition of monies to the credit of a sinking or other |
similar fund are subject to the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or |
notes or of the trust agreement. Except as provided in the resolution, or the trust agreement, the |
sinking or other similar fund shall be a fund for all revenue bonds or notes issued to finance an |
educational program or programs at one or more participating institutions for higher education |
educational institutions, without distinction or priority of one over another; provided, that the |
corporation in the resolution or trust agreement may provide that the sinking or other similar fund |
is the fund for a particular educational program or programs at a participating institution or |
institutions for higher education educational institutions and for the revenue bonds or notes issued |
to finance a particular educational program or programs, and may, additionally, permit and provide |
for the issuance of revenue bonds or notes having a subordinate lien in respect of the security |
authorized in this chapter, to other revenue bonds or notes of the corporation and, in that case, the |
corporation may create separate or other similar funds in respect of the subordinate lien bonds or |
notes. |
45-38.1-19. State not liable. |
(a) Except with regard to state reimbursement related to school housing project financing, |
the state is not liable for the payment of the principal of or interest on any bonds or notes of the |
corporation, or for the performance of any pledge, mortgage, obligation, or agreement of any kind |
whatsoever which may be undertaken by the corporation, and none of the bonds or notes of the |
corporation nor any of its agreements or obligations, except for state reimbursement related to |
school housing project financing, are construed to constitute an indebtedness of the state within the |
meaning of any constitutional or statutory provision whatsoever, nor shall the issuance of bonds or |
notes, under the provisions of this chapter, directly or indirectly or contingently obligate the state |
or any municipality or political subdivision of the state to levy or to pledge any form of taxation |
for them or to make any appropriation for their payment, except for state reimbursement for school |
housing projects. All of the revenue bonds or notes shall contain on the face a statement to the |
effect that neither the state nor the corporation are obligated to pay the revenue bonds or notes, or |
their interest except from revenues of the project or projects for which they are issued, and that |
neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the state or of any municipality or political |
subdivision of the state is pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on those bonds |
or notes; provided, however, that in connection with any state housing project financing, the |
statement on the face of the bonds shall also include an exception for state reimbursement. |
(b) Nothing contained in this section shall prevent nor be construed to prevent the |
corporation from pledging its full faith and credit or the full faith and credit of a participating |
institution for higher education educational institution or health care provider to the payment of |
bonds or notes, or issue of bonds or notes authorized pursuant to this chapter. |
45-38.1-20. Procedure before issuance of bonds or notes. |
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the corporation is not empowered to |
undertake any project authorized by this chapter unless, prior to the issuance of any bonds or notes |
under this chapter, it has determined that: |
(1) The acquisition, construction, or financing of the cost of the project will: |
(i) With respect to an institution for higher education or child daycare center educational |
institution, enable or assist the institution to fulfill its obligations in providing education or child |
daycare center care to the youth of this state; |
(ii) With respect to a healthcare provider, enable the healthcare provider to improve the |
health of the people it serves by means of expanded health care, healthcare provider, and other |
related services; or |
(iii) With respect to a municipality, enable the municipality to improve the health or living |
conditions or welfare of its residents by means of expanded access to public educational or public |
recreational facilities; |
(2) The project is leased to, or owned by, a financially responsible institution for higher |
education or child daycare center educational institution, ormunicipality, or healthcare provider |
within the state; |
(3) Adequate provision has been, or will be, made for the payment of the cost of the |
construction and/or acquisition of the project, and, except with regard to those bonds issued through |
the corporation related to school housing project financing, that under no circumstances will the |
state be obligated, directly or indirectly, for the payment of the cost of the construction and/or |
acquisition of the project, or for the payment of the principal of, or interest on, any obligations |
issued to finance the construction and/or acquisition; and |
(4) Adequate provision has been, or will be made in any agreement with respect to or lease |
of the project for payment of all costs of operation, maintenance, and upkeep of the project by the |
lessee, sublessee, or occupant so that under no circumstances is the state obligated, directly or |
indirectly, for the payment of the costs except with regard to state reimbursement for school |
housing projects; provided, that no findings shall be made and no financing effected under this |
chapter, with respect to healthcare providers, unless the proposed healthcare providers have first |
been approved by any state agency empowered to approve the construction of any healthcare |
providers in the manner provided in its general laws. |
45-38.1-25. Institution for higher education powers Educational institution powers. |
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any participating institution for higher |
education educational institution has the power to borrow money from the corporation, make |
education loans, and take all other actions and do those things that are necessary or convenient to |
consummate the transactions contemplated under this chapter. It is lawful for the corporation to |
establish, charge, contract for, and receive any amount or rate of interest or compensation with |
respect to corporation loans or education loans, and it shall also be lawful, notwithstanding any |
other provision of law, to make corporation loans or education loans at a rate of interest which may, |
during the life of the loans, be varied or revised upon terms or conditions that may be established |
by the corporation. It is also lawful for any institution of higher education to charge, contract for, |
and receive any amount or rate of interest or compensation, including amounts or rates of interest |
which may be varied or revised upon those terms or conditions that may be established by the |
institution, with respect to education loans. |
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC001314/SUB A |
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