SB 332 - Current law authorizes bonds issued by political subdivisions to be issued in bearer form at the best price obtainable, but not less than 95% of the par value. The act provides that bonds, notes, or other forms of indebtedness may be issued in book-entry form, rather than bearer form, and bear interest at the current rate of 10% or at a rate up to 250 basis points above the longest maturity United States Treasury bond, whichever is greater. Such bonds may be sold at a competitive market yield not less than 50% rather than the current 95% of the par value. Such bonds may bear interest at 14% or at a rate up to 250 basis points above the longest maturity United States Treasury bond, whichever is greater, if sold at the lowest true interest cost bid received. Similar requirements are specified for industrial development revenue bonds, bonds issued by any housing authority, and revenue bonds issued for airport purposes. Provisions are repealed providing for a political subdivision to have an unenhanced bond rating of AA+ or higher or comparable rating, and replaces it with a bond rating that is one of the two highest long-term ratings or the highest short-term rating issued by a nationally recognized rating agency on its outstanding general obligation. The principal amount of general obligation bonds, currently $12.5 million, is increased to $20 million. This provision is identical to provisions in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 835 (2024), the perfected HCS/HB 1726 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 1725 (2024), and provisions in HCS/HB 2087 (2024).
JOSH NORBERG