1     
ENERGY FACILITY AMENDMENTS

2     
2018 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: J. Stuart Adams

5     
House Sponsor: Stephen G. Handy

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill allows the delegation of certain authority regarding an energy assessment.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     defines terms;
13          ▸     allows the governing body of a local entity to adopt a certain resolution to delegate
14     to an officer of the entity the authority to:
15               •     designate an energy assessment area;
16               •     levy an energy assessment;
17               •     approve certain terms of energy assessment bonds; and
18               •     issue energy assessment bonds;
19          ▸     amends Title 11, Chapter 42a, Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Act, to
20     provide for the delegation of energy assessment authority; and
21          ▸     makes technical and conforming changes.
22     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
23          None
24     Other Special Clauses:
25          None
26     Utah Code Sections Affected:
27     AMENDS:

28          11-42a-102, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 470
29          11-42a-104, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 470
30          11-42a-201, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 470
31          11-42a-204, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 470
32          11-42a-205, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 470
33          11-42a-301, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 470
34          11-42a-401, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 470
35     

36     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
37          Section 1. Section 11-42a-102 is amended to read:
38          11-42a-102. Definitions.
39          (1) (a) "Assessment" means the assessment that a local entity or the C-PACE district
40     levies on private property under this chapter to cover the costs of an energy efficiency upgrade,
41     a renewable energy system, or an electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
42          (b) "Assessment" does not constitute a property tax but shares the same priority lien as
43     a property tax.
44          (2) "Assessment fund" means a special fund that a local entity establishes under
45     Section 11-42a-206.
46          (3) "Benefitted property" means private property within an energy assessment area that
47     directly benefits from improvements.
48          (4) "Bond" means an assessment bond and a refunding assessment bond.
49          (5) (a) "Commercial or industrial real property" means private real property used
50     directly or indirectly or held for one of the following purposes or activities, regardless of
51     whether the purpose or activity is for profit:
52          (i) commercial;
53          (ii) mining;
54          (iii) agricultural;
55          (iv) industrial;
56          (v) manufacturing;
57          (vi) trade;
58          (vii) professional;

59          (viii) a private or public club;
60          (ix) a lodge;
61          (x) a business; or
62          (xi) a similar purpose.
63          (b) "Commercial or industrial real property" includes:
64          (i) private real property that[: (i)] is used as or held for dwelling purposes[;] and
65     contains:
66          [(ii) contains] (A) more than four rental units[.]; or
67          (B) one or more owner-occupied or rental condominium units affiliated with a hotel;
68     and
69          (ii) real property that the military installation development authority, created in Section
70     63H-1-201, owns.
71          (6) "Contract price" means:
72          (a) up to 100% of the cost of installing, acquiring, refinancing, or reimbursing for an
73     improvement, as determined by the owner of the property benefitting from the improvement; or
74          (b) the amount payable to one or more contractors for the assessment, design,
75     engineering, inspection, and construction of an improvement.
76          (7) "C-PACE" means commercial property assessed clean energy.
77          (8) "C-PACE district" means the statewide authority established in Section 11-42a-106
78     to implement the C-PACE Act in collaboration with governing bodies, under the direction of
79     OED.
80          (9) "Electric vehicle charging infrastructure" means equipment that is:
81          (a) permanently affixed to commercial or industrial real property; and
82          (b) designed to deliver electric energy to a qualifying electric vehicle or a qualifying
83     plug-in hybrid vehicle, as those terms are defined in Section 59-7-605.
84          (10) "Energy assessment area" means an area:
85          (a) within the jurisdictional boundaries of a local entity that approves an energy
86     assessment area or, if the C-PACE district or a state interlocal entity levies the assessment, the
87     C-PACE district or the state interlocal entity;
88          (b) containing only the commercial or industrial real property of owners who have
89     voluntarily consented to an assessment under this chapter for the purpose of financing the costs

90     of improvements that benefit property within the energy assessment area; and
91          (c) in which the proposed benefitted properties in the area are:
92          (i) contiguous; or
93          (ii) located on one or more contiguous or adjacent tracts of land that would be
94     contiguous or adjacent property but for an intervening right-of-way, including a sidewalk,
95     street, road, fixed guideway, or waterway.
96          (11) "Energy assessment bond" means a bond:
97          (a) issued under Section 11-42a-401; and
98          (b) payable in part or in whole from assessments levied in an energy assessment area.
99          (12) "Energy assessment lien" means a lien on property within an energy assessment
100     area that arises from the levy of an assessment in accordance with Section 11-42a-301.
101          (13) "Energy assessment ordinance" means an ordinance that a local entity adopts
102     under Section 11-42a-201 that:
103          (a) designates an energy assessment area;
104          (b) levies an assessment on benefitted property within the energy assessment area; and
105          (c) if applicable, authorizes the issuance of energy assessment bonds.
106          (14) "Energy assessment resolution" means one or more resolutions adopted by a local
107     entity under Section 11-42a-201 that:
108          (a) designates an energy assessment area;
109          (b) levies an assessment on benefitted property within the energy assessment area; and
110          (c) if applicable, authorizes the issuance of energy assessment bonds.
111          (15) "Energy efficiency upgrade" means an improvement that is:
112          (a) permanently affixed to commercial or industrial real property; and
113          (b) designed to reduce energy or water consumption, including:
114          (i) insulation in:
115          (A) a wall, roof, floor, or foundation; or
116          (B) a heating and cooling distribution system;
117          (ii) a window or door, including:
118          (A) a storm window or door;
119          (B) a multiglazed window or door;
120          (C) a heat-absorbing window or door;

121          (D) a heat-reflective glazed and coated window or door;
122          (E) additional window or door glazing;
123          (F) a window or door with reduced glass area; or
124          (G) other window or door modifications;
125          (iii) an automatic energy control system;
126          (iv) in a building or a central plant, a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning and
127     distribution system;
128          (v) caulk or weatherstripping;
129          (vi) a light fixture that does not increase the overall illumination of a building, unless
130     an increase is necessary to conform with the applicable building code;
131          (vii) an energy recovery system;
132          (viii) a daylighting system;
133          (ix) measures to reduce the consumption of water, through conservation or more
134     efficient use of water, including installation of:
135          (A) low-flow toilets and showerheads;
136          (B) timer or timing systems for a hot water heater; or
137          (C) rain catchment systems;
138          (x) a modified, installed, or remodeled fixture that is approved as a utility cost-saving
139     measure by the governing body or executive of a local entity;
140          (xi) measures or other improvements to effect seismic upgrades;
141          (xii) structures, measures, or other improvements to provide automated parking or
142     parking that reduces land use;
143          (xiii) the extension of an existing natural gas distribution company line;
144          (xiv) an energy efficient elevator, escalator, or other vertical transport device;
145          (xv) any other improvement that the governing body or executive of a local entity
146     approves as an energy efficiency upgrade; or
147          (xvi) any improvement that relates physically or functionally to any of the
148     improvements listed in Subsections (15)(b)(i) through (xv).
149          (16) "Governing body" means:
150          (a) for a county, city, town, or metro township, the legislative body of the county, city,
151     town, or metro township;

152          (b) for a local district, the board of trustees of the local district;
153          (c) for a special service district:
154          (i) if no administrative control board has been appointed under Section 17D-1-301, the
155     legislative body of the county, city, town, or metro township that established the special service
156     district; or
157          (ii) if an administrative control board has been appointed under Section 17D-1-301, the
158     administrative control board of the special service district; and
159          (d) for the military installation development authority created in Section 63H-1-201,
160     the board, as that term is defined in Section 63H-1-102.
161          (17) "Improvement" means a publicly or privately owned energy efficiency upgrade,
162     renewable energy system, or electric vehicle charging infrastructure that:
163          (a) a property owner has requested; or
164          (b) has been or is being installed on a property for the benefit of the property owner.
165          (18) "Incidental refunding costs" means any costs of issuing a refunding assessment
166     bond and calling, retiring, or paying prior bonds, including:
167          (a) legal and accounting fees;
168          (b) charges of financial advisors, escrow agents, certified public accountant verification
169     entities, and trustees;
170          (c) underwriting discount costs, printing costs, and the costs of giving notice;
171          (d) any premium necessary in the calling or retiring of prior bonds;
172          (e) fees to be paid to the local entity to issue the refunding assessment bond and to
173     refund the outstanding prior bonds;
174          (f) any other costs that the governing body determines are necessary and proper to incur
175     in connection with the issuance of a refunding assessment bond; and
176          (g) any interest on the prior bonds that is required to be paid in connection with the
177     issuance of the refunding assessment bond.
178          (19) "Installment payment date" means the date on which an installment payment of an
179     assessment is payable.
180          (20) "Jurisdictional boundaries" means:
181          (a) for the C-PACE district or any state interlocal entity, the boundaries of the state;
182     and

183          (b) for each local entity, the boundaries of the local entity.
184          (21) "Local district" means a local district under Title 17B, Limited Purpose Local
185     Government Entities - Local Districts.
186          (22) (a) "Local entity" means:
187          (i) a county, city, town, or metro township;
188          (ii) a special service district, a local district, or an interlocal entity as that term is
189     defined in Section 11-13-103;
190          (iii) a state interlocal entity;
191          (iv) the military installation development authority created in Section 63H-1-201; or
192          (v) any political subdivision of the state.
193          (b) "Local entity" includes the C-PACE district solely in connection with:
194          (i) the designation of an energy assessment area;
195          (ii) the levying of an assessment; and
196          (iii) the assignment of an energy assessment lien to a third-party lender under Section
197     11-42a-302.
198          (23) "Local entity obligations" means energy assessment bonds and refunding
199     assessment bonds that a local entity issues.
200          (24) "OED" means the Office of Energy Development created in Section 63M-4-401.
201          (25) "Overhead costs" means the actual costs incurred or the estimated costs to be
202     incurred in connection with an energy assessment area, including:
203          (a) appraisals, legal fees, filing fees, facilitation fees, and financial advisory charges;
204          (b) underwriting fees, placement fees, escrow fees, trustee fees, and paying agent fees;
205          (c) publishing and mailing costs;
206          (d) costs of levying an assessment;
207          (e) recording costs; and
208          (f) all other incidental costs.
209          (26) "Parameters resolution" means a resolution or ordinance that a local entity adopts
210     in accordance with Section 11-42a-201.
211          [(26)] (27) "Prior bonds" means the energy assessment bonds refunded in part or in
212     whole by a refunding assessment bond.
213          [(27)] (28) "Prior energy assessment ordinance" means the ordinance levying the

214     assessments from which the prior bonds are payable.
215          [(28)] (29) "Prior energy assessment resolution" means the resolution levying the
216     assessments from which the prior bonds are payable.
217          [(29)] (30) "Property" includes real property and any interest in real property, including
218     water rights and leasehold rights.
219          [(30)] (31) "Public electrical utility" means a large-scale electric utility as that term is
220     defined in Section 54-2-1.
221          [(31)] (32) "Reduced payment obligation" means the full obligation of an owner of
222     property within an energy assessment area to pay an assessment levied on the property after the
223     local entity has reduced the assessment because of the issuance of a refunding assessment
224     bond, in accordance with Section 11-42a-403.
225          [(32)] (33) "Refunding assessment bond" means an assessment bond that a local entity
226     issues under Section 11-42a-403 to refund, in part or in whole, energy assessment bonds.
227          [(33)] (34) (a) "Renewable energy system" means a product, system, device, or
228     interacting group of devices that is permanently affixed to commercial or industrial real
229     property not located in the certified service area of a distribution electrical cooperative, as that
230     term is defined in Section 54-2-1, and:
231          (i) produces energy from renewable resources, including:
232          (A) a photovoltaic system;
233          (B) a solar thermal system;
234          (C) a wind system;
235          (D) a geothermal system, including a generation system, a direct-use system, or a
236     ground source heat pump system;
237          (E) a microhydro system;
238          (F) a biofuel system; or
239          (G) any other renewable source system that the governing body of the local entity
240     approves;
241          (ii) stores energy, including:
242          (A) a battery storage system; or
243          (B) any other energy storing system that the governing body or chief executive officer
244     of a local entity approves; or

245          (iii) any improvement that relates physically or functionally to any of the products,
246     systems, or devices listed in Subsection [(33)] (34)(a)(i) or (ii).
247          (b) "Renewable energy system" does not include a system described in Subsection
248     [(33)] (34)(a)(i) if the system provides energy to property outside the energy assessment area,
249     unless the system:
250          (i) (A) existed before the creation of the energy assessment area; and
251          (B) beginning before January 1, 2017, provides energy to property outside of the area
252     that became the energy assessment area; or
253          (ii) provides energy to property outside the energy assessment area under an agreement
254     with a public electrical utility that is substantially similar to agreements for other renewable
255     energy systems that are not funded under this chapter.
256          [(34)] (35) "Special service district" means the same as that term is defined in Section
257     17D-1-102.
258          [(35)] (36) "State interlocal entity" means:
259          (a) an interlocal entity created under Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act,
260     by two or more counties, cities, towns, or metro townships that collectively represent at least a
261     majority of the state's population; or
262          (b) an entity that another state authorized, before January 1, 2017, to issue bonds,
263     notes, or other obligations or refunding obligations to finance or refinance projects in the state.
264          [(36)] (37) "Third-party lender" means a trust company, savings bank, savings and loan
265     association, bank, credit union, or any other entity that provides loans directly to property
266     owners for improvements authorized under this chapter.
267          Section 2. Section 11-42a-104 is amended to read:
268          11-42a-104. Action to contest assessment or proceeding -- Requirements --
269     Exclusive remedy -- Bonds and assessment incontestable.
270          (1) (a) A person may commence a civil action against a local entity to contest an
271     assessment, a proceeding to designate an energy assessment area, or a proceeding to levy an
272     assessment.
273          (b) The remedies available in a civil action described in Subsection (1)(a) are:
274          (i) setting aside the proceeding to designate an energy assessment area; or
275          (ii) enjoining the levy or collection of an assessment.

276          (2) (a) A person bringing an action under Subsection (1) shall bring the action in the
277     district court with jurisdiction in the county in which the energy assessment area is located.
278          (b) A person may not begin the action against or serve a summons relating to the action
279     on the local entity more than 30 days after the earlier of:
280          (i) the date of publication or posting of the notice of the adoption of a parameters
281     resolution that the local entity adopts in accordance with Section 11-42a-201;
282          (ii) the effective date of the energy assessment resolution[, the energy assessment] or
283     ordinance[,]; or
284          (iii) the written agreement between a local entity and a third-party lender, described in
285     Section 11-42a-302.
286          (3) An action under Subsection (1) is the exclusive remedy of a person:
287          (a) claiming an error or irregularity in an assessment, a proceeding to designate an
288     energy assessment area, or a proceeding to levy an assessment; or
289          (b) challenging a bondholder's or third-party lender's right to repayment.
290          (4) A court may not set aside, in part or in whole or declare invalid an assessment, a
291     proceeding to designate an energy assessment area, or a proceeding to levy an assessment
292     because of an error or irregularity that does not relate to the equity or justice of the assessment
293     or proceeding.
294          (5) Except as provided in Subsection (6), after the expiration of the 30-day period
295     described in Subsection (2)(b):
296          (a) the following become incontestable against any person that has not commenced an
297     action and served a summons as provided in this section:
298          (i) the written agreement entered into or to be entered into under Section 11-42a-302;
299          (ii) the energy assessment bonds and refunding assessment bonds:
300          (A) that a local entity has issued or intends to issue; or
301          (B) with respect to the creation of an energy assessment area; and
302          (iii) assessments levied on property in the energy assessment area; and
303          (b) a court may not inquire into and a person may not bring a suit to enjoin or
304     challenge:
305          (i) the issuance or payment of an energy assessment bond or a refunding assessment
306     bond;

307          (ii) the payment under the written agreement between a local entity and a third-party
308     lender described in Section 11-42a-302;
309          (iii) the levy, collection, or enforcement of an assessment;
310          (iv) the legality of an energy assessment bond, a refunding assessment bond, or a
311     written agreement between a local entity and a third-party lender described in Section
312     11-42a-302; or
313          (v) an assessment.
314          (6) (a) A person may bring a claim of misuse of assessment funds through a mandamus
315     action regardless of the expiration of the 30-day period described in Subsection (2)(b).
316          (b) This section does not prohibit the filing of criminal charges against or the
317     prosecution of a party for the misuse of assessment funds.
318          Section 3. Section 11-42a-201 is amended to read:
319          11-42a-201. Resolution or ordinance designating an energy assessment area,
320     levying an assessment, and issuing an energy assessment bond.
321          (1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, and subject to the requirements of
322     this part, at the request of a property owner on whose property or for whose benefit an
323     improvement is being installed or being reimbursed, a governing body of a local entity may
324     adopt an energy assessment resolution or an energy assessment ordinance that:
325          (i) designates an energy assessment area;
326          (ii) levies an assessment within the energy assessment area; and
327          (iii) if applicable, authorizes the issuance of an energy assessment bond.
328          (b) The governing body of a local entity may, by adopting a parameters resolution,
329     delegate to an officer of the local entity, in accordance with the parameters resolution, the
330     authority to:
331          (i) execute an energy assessment resolution or ordinance that:
332          (A) designates an energy assessment area;
333          (B) levies an energy assessment lien; and
334          (C) approves the final interest rate, price, principal amount, maturities, redemption
335     features, and other terms of the energy assessment bonds; and
336          (ii) approve and execute all documents related to the designation of the energy
337     assessment area, the levying of the energy assessment lien, and the issuance of the energy

338     assessment bonds.
339          [(b)] (c) The boundaries of a proposed energy assessment area may:
340          (i) include property that is not intended to be assessed; and
341          (ii) overlap, be coextensive with, or be substantially coterminous with the boundaries
342     of any other energy assessment area or an assessment area created under Title 11, Chapter 42,
343     Assessment Area Act.
344          [(c)] (d) The energy assessment resolution or ordinance described in Subsection (1)(a)
345     is adequate for purposes of identifying the property to be assessed within the energy assessment
346     area if the resolution or ordinance describes the property to be assessed by legal description and
347     tax identification number.
348          (2) (a) A local entity that adopts an energy assessment resolution or ordinance under
349     Subsection (1)(a) or a parameters resolution under Subsection (1)(b) shall give notice of the
350     adoption of the energy assessment resolution or ordinance or the parameters resolution by:
351          (i) publishing a copy or a summary of the resolution or ordinance once in a newspaper
352     of general circulation where the energy assessment area is located; or
353          (ii) if there is no newspaper of general circulation where the energy assessment area is
354     located, posting a copy of the resolution or ordinance in at least three public places within the
355     local entity's jurisdictional boundaries for at least 21 days.
356          (b) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(a), a local entity is not required to make any
357     other publication or posting of the resolution or ordinance.
358          (3) Notwithstanding any other statutory provision regarding the effective date of a
359     resolution or ordinance, each energy assessment resolution or ordinance takes effect on the
360     later of:
361          (a) the date on which the governing body of the local entity adopts the energy
362     assessment resolution or ordinance;
363          [(a) on] (b) the date of publication or posting of the notice [under] of adoption of
364     either the energy assessment resolution or ordinance or the parameters resolution described in
365     Subsection (2); or
366          [(b)] (c) at a later date as provided in the resolution or ordinance.
367          (4) (a) The governing body of each local entity that has adopted an energy assessment
368     resolution or ordinance under Subsection (1) shall, within five days after the effective date of

369     the resolution or ordinance, file a notice of assessment interest with the recorder of the county
370     in which the property to be assessed is located.
371          (b) Each notice of assessment interest under Subsection (4)(a) shall:
372          (i) state that the local entity has an assessment interest in the property to be assessed;
373     and
374          (ii) describe the property to be assessed by legal description and tax identification
375     number.
376          (c) A local entity's failure to file a notice of assessment interest under this Subsection
377     (4) has no effect on the validity of an assessment levied under an energy assessment resolution
378     or ordinance adopted under Subsection (1).
379          Section 4. Section 11-42a-204 is amended to read:
380          11-42a-204. Limit on amount of assessment.
381          (1) An assessment levied within an energy assessment area may not, in the aggregate,
382     exceed the sum of:
383          (a) the contract price or estimated contract price;
384          (b) overhead costs not to exceed 15% of the sum of the contract price or estimated
385     contract price;
386          (c) an amount for contingencies of not more than 10% of the sum of the contract price
387     or estimated contract price, if the assessment is levied before the completion of the
388     construction of the improvements in the energy assessment area;
389          (d) capitalized interest; or
390          (e) an amount sufficient to fund a reserve fund.
391          (2) A local entity may only use the proceeds of an energy assessment bond or any
392     third-party financing to refinance or reimburse the costs of improvements authorized under this
393     chapter if the property owner incurred or financed the costs no earlier than three years before
394     the day on which the local entity [issues the energy assessment bond or]:
395          (a) adopts a parameters resolution;
396          (b) adopts an energy assessment resolution or ordinance; or
397          (c) assigns the energy assessment lien.
398          Section 5. Section 11-42a-205 is amended to read:
399          11-42a-205. Installment payment of assessments.

400          (1) In an energy assessment resolution or ordinance that a local entity adopts under
401     Subsection 11-42a-201(1)(a), the governing body may provide that some or all of the
402     assessment be paid in installments:
403          (a) in accordance with the resolution or ordinance; and
404          (b) over a period not to exceed 30 years from the effective date of the resolution or
405     ordinance.
406          (2) (a) Each governing body that adopts an energy assessment resolution or ordinance
407     that provides for the assessment to be paid in installments shall ensure that the resolution or
408     ordinance provides that the unpaid balance of the assessment bears interest at a fixed rate, a
409     variable rate, or a combination of fixed and variable rates, as determined by the governing
410     body, from the effective date of the resolution or ordinance or another date that the resolution
411     or ordinance specifies.
412          (b) Each governing body that adopts an energy assessment resolution or ordinance that
413     provides for the unpaid balance of the assessment to bear interest at a variable rate shall ensure
414     that the resolution or ordinance specifies:
415          (i) the basis upon which the rate is to be determined from time to time;
416          (ii) the manner in which and schedule upon which the rate is to be adjusted; and
417          (iii) a maximum rate that the assessment may bear.
418          (3) Interest payable on assessments may include:
419          (a) interest on energy assessment bonds;
420          (b) ongoing costs that the local entity incurs for administration of the energy
421     assessment area; [and]
422          (c) a trustee's fees and expenses; and
423          [(c)] (d) any costs that the local entity incurs with respect to:
424          (i) securing a letter of credit or other instrument to secure payment or repurchase of
425     bonds; or
426          (ii) retaining a marketing agent or an indexing agent.
427          (4) A property owner shall pay interest imposed in an energy assessment resolution or
428     ordinance annually or at more frequent intervals as the resolution or ordinance provides, in
429     addition to the amount of each installment.
430          (5) (a) At any time, a property owner may prepay some or all of the assessment levied

431     against the owner's property.
432          (b) A local entity may require that a prepayment of an installment include:
433          (i) an amount equal to the interest that would accrue on the assessment to the next date
434     on which interest is payable on a bond issued or a loan made in anticipation of the collection of
435     the assessment; and
436          (ii) the amount necessary, as determined by the governing body or the officer that the
437     governing body designates, to ensure the availability of money to pay:
438          (A) interest that becomes due and payable on a bond or loan described in Subsection
439     (5)(b)(i); and
440          (B) any premiums that become payable on a loan that is prepaid or on a bond that is
441     called for redemption in order to use the money from the prepaid assessment installment.
442          Section 6. Section 11-42a-301 is amended to read:
443          11-42a-301. Assessment constitutes a lien -- Characteristics of an energy
444     assessment lien.
445          (1) Each assessment levied under this chapter, including any installment of an
446     assessment, interest, and any penalties and costs of collection, constitutes a lien against the
447     assessed property, beginning on the effective date of the energy assessment resolution or
448     ordinance that the local entity adopts under Subsection 11-42a-201(1)(a).
449          (2) An energy assessment lien under this section:
450          (a) is superior to the lien of a trust deed, mortgage, mechanic's or materialman's lien, or
451     other encumbrances;
452          (b) has the same priority as, but is separate and distinct from:
453          (i) a lien for general property taxes; [or]
454          (ii) any other energy assessment lien levied under this chapter; or
455          (iii) an assessment lien levied under Title 11, Chapter 42, Assessment Area Act;
456          (c) applies to any reduced payment obligations without interruption, change in priority,
457     or alteration in any manner; and
458          (d) continues until the assessment and any related reduced payment obligations,
459     interest, penalties, and costs are paid, regardless of:
460          (i) a sale of the property for or on account of a delinquent general property tax, special
461     tax, or other assessment; or

462          (ii) the issuance of a tax deed, an assignment of interest by the county, or a sheriff's
463     certificate of sale or deed.
464          Section 7. Section 11-42a-401 is amended to read:
465          11-42a-401. Local entity may authorize the issuance of energy assessment bonds
466     -- Limit on amount of bonds -- Features of energy assessment bonds.
467          (1) A local entity may, subject to the requirements of this chapter, authorize the
468     issuance of a bond to pay, refinance, or reimburse the costs of improvements in an energy
469     assessment area, and other related costs, against the funds that the local entity will receive
470     because of an assessment in an energy assessment area.
471          (2) A local entity may, by adoption of a parameters resolution [or ordinance], delegate
472     to one or more officers of the issuer the authority to:
473          (a) in accordance with the parameters [in the] resolution [or ordinance], approve the
474     final interest rate or rates, price, principal amount, maturity or maturities, redemption features,
475     and other terms of the bond; and
476          (b) approve and execute all documents relating to the issuance of a bond.
477          (3) The aggregate principal amount of a bond authorized under Subsection (1) may not
478     exceed:
479          (a) the unpaid balance of assessments at the time the bond is issued; or
480          (b) the total costs of the improvements to be refinanced or reimbursed if the property
481     owner incurred the costs of improvements to be refinanced or reimbursed no earlier than three
482     years before the date [of issuance of the energy assessment bond, the total costs of the
483     improvements to be refinanced or reimbursed.] on which the local entity:
484          (i) adopted a parameters resolution;
485          (ii) adopted an energy assessment resolution or ordinance; or
486          (iii) assigned the energy assessment lien.
487          (4) The issuer of an energy assessment bond issued under this section shall ensure that:
488          (a) the energy assessment bond:
489          (i) is fully negotiable for all purposes;
490          (ii) matures at a time that does not exceed the period that installments of assessments
491     in the assessment area are due and payable, plus one year;
492          [(iii) bears interest at the lowest rate or rates reasonably obtainable;]

493          [(iv)] (iii) is issued in registered form as provided in Title 15, Chapter 7, Registered
494     Public Obligations Act;
495          [(v)] (iv) provides that interest be paid semiannually, annually, or at another interval as
496     specified by the governing body; and
497          [(vi)] (v) is not dated earlier than the effective date of the assessment ordinance; and
498          (b) the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bond defines the place where the bond
499     is payable, the form of the bond, and the manner in which the bond is sold.
500          (5) (a) A local entity may:
501          (i) (A) provide that an energy assessment bond may be called for redemption before
502     maturity; and
503          (B) fix the terms and conditions of redemption, including the notice to be given and
504     any premium to be paid;
505          (ii) subject to Subsection (5)(b), require an energy assessment bond to bear interest at a
506     fixed or variable rate, or a combination of fixed and variable rates;
507          (iii) specify the terms and conditions under which:
508          (A) an energy assessment bond bearing interest at a variable interest rate may be
509     converted to bear interest at a fixed interest rate; and
510          (B) the local entity agrees to repurchase the bonds;
511          (iv) engage a remarketing agent and indexing agent, subject to the terms and conditions
512     to which the governing body agrees; and
513          (v) include all costs associated with an energy assessment bond, including any costs
514     resulting from any of the actions the local entity is authorized to take under this section, in an
515     assessment levied under Section 11-42a-203.
516          (b) If an energy assessment bond carries a variable interest rate, the local entity shall
517     specify:
518          (i) the basis upon which the variable rate is to be determined over the life of the bond;
519          (ii) the manner in which and schedule upon which the rate is to be adjusted; and
520          (iii) a maximum rate that the bond may carry.
521          (6) A local entity may only use the proceeds of an energy assessment bond to refinance
522     or reimburse costs of improvements authorized under this chapter if the property owner
523     incurred the costs no earlier than three years before the date [of issuance of the energy

524     assessment bond.] on which the local entity:
525          (a) adopted a parameters resolution;
526          (b) adopted an energy assessment resolution or ordinance; or
527          (c) assigned the energy assessment lien.






Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel