A. Bonds issued pursuant to this act shall:

1. Be issued in one or more series;

2. Bear such date or dates;

3. Mature at such time or times not exceeding twenty-five (25) years from their date;

4. Be in such denomination or denominations;

5. Be payable in such medium of payment at such place or places;

6. Be subject to such terms of redemption with or without premium; and

7. Bear such rate or rates of interest as may be provided in the Final Project Plan; provided, however, that the average coupon rate for such bonds shall not exceed fourteen percent (14%) per annum.

B. All bonds issued hereunder, except bonds sold to the federal government or any agency thereof or to any agency of the State of Oklahoma, shall be awarded to the lowest and best bidder based upon an open competitive public offering, advertised at least once a week for two (2) successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the Participating Entity is located prior to the date on which bids are received and opened; provided, however, that the Governor may waive this requirement if the Governor determines that a lower aggregate interest cost may be obtained through a negotiated sale. In no event, however, shall any bonds issued hereunder be sold for less than ninety-six percent (96%) of par value.

C. Bonds shall have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable paper and the interest thereon shall not be subject to taxation by the State of Oklahoma.

D. Each Participating Entity may issue bonds pursuant to this act for the purpose of refunding any obligations of such entity issued pursuant to this act.

E. The bonds issued pursuant to this act shall not constitute an obligation of the State of Oklahoma, or general obligations of the issuers thereof, but shall be special, limited obligations payable solely from the taxes or other revenues described in the Final Project Plan and only to the extent authorized by the voters of each Participating Entity. The governing body of each Participating Entity is hereby authorized and directed to pledge all or any part of such revenues to the payment of principal, interest and premium, if any, on the bonds issued by such Participating Entity.

F. A Participating Entity may enter into any agreement or contracts with the United States of America or the State of Oklahoma or any agency or instrumentality thereof which it may consider advisable or necessary in order to obtain a grant of funds or other aid to be used in connection with the proceeds of the bonds.

G. Bonds issued pursuant to this act shall not be subject to the provisions of the Municipal and County Industrial Development Bonds Act, but instead, shall be issued pursuant to the provisions of this act.

H. Any bank, trust or insurance company organized under the laws of Oklahoma may invest its capital, surplus and reserves in bonds issued under the provisions of this act.

Added by Laws 2001, c. 318, § 9, eff. Nov. 8, 2002.