(a) The exercise of the powers granted by sections 22a-500 to 22a-519, inclusive, shall constitute the performance of an essential governmental function and the authority shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon or in respect of a wastewater system, or any property or moneys of the authority, levied by any municipality or political subdivision or special district having taxing powers of the state, nor shall the authority be required to pay state taxes of any kind, and the authority, its wastewater system, property and money and any bonds issued under the provisions of sections 22a-500 to 22a-519, inclusive, their transfer and the income therefrom, including revenues derived from the sale thereof, shall at all times be free from taxation, except for estate and gift taxes imposed by the state or any political subdivision thereof but the interest on such bonds shall be included in the computation of any excise or franchise tax. Nothing in this section shall prevent the authority from entering into agreements to make payments in lieu of taxes with respect to property acquired by it or by any person leasing a wastewater system from the authority or operating or managing a wastewater system on behalf of the authority and neither the authority nor its wastewater systems, properties, money or bonds shall be obligated, liable or subject to lien of any kind for the enforcement, collection or payment thereof. If and to the extent the proceedings under which the bonds authorized to be issued under the provisions of sections 22a-500 to 22a-519, inclusive, so provide, the authority may agree to cooperate with the lessee or operator of a wastewater system in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings for determining the validity or amount of such payment and may agree to appoint or designate and reserve the right in and for such lessee or operators to take all action which the authority may lawfully take in respect of such payments and all matters related thereto, providing such lessee or operator shall bear and pay all costs and expenses of the authority thereby incurred at the request of such lessee or operator or by reason of any such action taken by such lessee or operator on behalf of the authority. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any lessee or operator of a wastewater system for which a payment in lieu of taxes has been made under this section shall not be required to pay any taxes in which a payment in lieu thereof has been made to the state or to any such municipality or other political subdivision or special district having taxing powers.

(b) Any real or personal property leased by the authority in connection with the operation of a wastewater system under the provisions of sections 22a-500 to 22a-519, inclusive, which would otherwise be subject to taxation under chapter 203 shall be exempt from the assessment of property taxes permitted and required under said chapter if such real or personal property is the subject of an agreement to make payments in lieu of taxes with respect to such property between the authority or the lessee of such system and the municipality in which such system is located. Any lessee or operator of such system from such authority who has made any payment of taxes due under such agreement shall not be required to make any payment of taxes of which a payment in lieu thereof has been made to the municipality.

(P.A. 95-329, S. 24, 31.)

History: P.A. 95-329, S. 24 effective July 13, 1995.