52:27D-483. Guarantee of bonds

35. The municipal governing body may provide for the guarantee of any such bonds and may issue general obligation bonds to provide for the funding of such guarantee which shall be authorized pursuant to the provisions of the "Local Bond Law," N.J.S.40A:2-1 et seq. Such guarantees shall be set forth in the final revenue allocation plan approved pursuant to section 23 of P.L.2001, c.310 (C.52:27D-471). To the extent that the municipality provides for a full faith and credit guarantee of any loan to a redeveloper or any bonds but determines not to authorize the issuance of bonds or notes to provide for the funding source thereof, it may do so by resolution approved by a majority of the full governing body. To the extent that bonds or notes are authorized as provided above, such bonds or notes shall be authorized pursuant to the provisions of the "Local Bond Law," N.J.S.40A:2-1 et seq., and shall be deductible from the gross debt of the municipality until such time as such bonds or notes are actually issued, and only up to the amount actually issued, to fund such guarantee.

The district agent may file an application with the board to qualify an issue of its bonds pursuant to the "Municipal Qualified Bond Act," P.L.1976, c.38 (C.40A:3-1 et seq.) provided, however, that only municipal qualified bonds issued by a municipality, as defined in the "Municipal Qualified Bond Act," P.L.1976, c.38 (C.40A:3-1 et seq.) shall constitute debt of such municipality and be secured by the full faith and credit of such municipality. Intention to file such an application shall be set forth in the final revenue allocation plan approved pursuant to section 23 of P.L.2001, c.310 (C.52:27D-471). Bonds may be issued by the district agent as municipal qualified bonds upon the review and approval of the board as provided in the "Municipal Qualified Bond Act," P.L.1976, c.38 (C.40A:3-1 et seq.). In considering the ordinance, the board may require the governing body to adopt resolutions restricting or limiting any future issuance of bonds for any purpose.

Upon the issuance of such bonds and certification to the State Treasurer of the name and address of the paying agent, the maturity schedule, interest rates and dates of payment of debt service, the State Treasurer shall withhold municipal qualified revenues payable to the municipality in amounts sufficient to pay debt service on such bonds as the same shall mature and become due. The State Treasurer shall on or before each principal and interest payment date forward such withheld amounts to the paying agent for the sole purpose of paying debt service on such bonds. As such withheld amounts are forwarded to the paying agent, the district agent shall return a like amount of eligible revenues received by the district agent, if any, which may be applied to the payment of municipal operating expenses.

Any financial instrument issued by a district agent that is secured in whole or in part by eligible revenues shall be subject to the review and approval of the board. That review and approval shall be made prior to approval of a resolution or agreement authorizing the financing. The board shall be entitled to receive from the applicant an amount sufficient to provide for all reasonable professional and other fees and expenses incurred by it for the review, analysis and determination with respect thereto. As part of its review, the board shall specifically solicit comments from the Office of State Planning in addition to comments from the public. As part of the board's review and approval, it shall consider where appropriate one or more of the following: whether the redevelopment project or plan promotes approaches and concepts to reduce congestion; enhance mobility; assist in the redevelopment of our municipalities; and otherwise improve the quality of life our citizens.

L.2001,c.310,s.35.