Bill Text: CT HB05486 | 2018 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: An Act Concerning The Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority.

Spectrum: Committee Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-03-26 - Motion Failed (JFS) [HB05486 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2018-HB05486-Introduced.html

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General Assembly		Raised Bill No. 5486
February Session, 2018		LCO No. 1765
		*01765_______PD_*
Referred to Committee on PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Introduced by:
(PD)

AN ACT CONCERNING THE CONNECTICUT MUNICIPAL REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) For purposes of this section and sections 2 to 12, inclusive, of this act:

(1) "Authority" means the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority established in section 2 of this act;

(2) "Authority development project" means a project occurring within the boundaries of a Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority development district;

(3) "Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority development district" or "development district" means the area determined by a memorandum of agreement between the authority and the chief executive officer of the member municipality where such development district is located, provided such area shall be considered a downtown or does not exceed a one-half-mile radius of a transit station;

(4) "Designated tier III municipality" has the same meaning as provided in section 7-560 of the general statutes;

(5) "Designated tier IV municipality" has the same meaning as provided in section 7-560 of the general statutes;

(6) "Downtown" means a central business district or other commercial neighborhood area of a community that serves as a center of socioeconomic interaction in the community, characterized by a cohesive core of commercial and mixed-use buildings, often interspersed with civic, religious and residential buildings and public spaces, that are typically arranged along a main street and intersecting side streets and served by public infrastructure;

(7) "Member municipality" means (A) any municipality with a population of seventy thousand or more that opts to join the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority in accordance with section 5 of this act, or (B) any designated tier III or tier IV municipality. "Member municipality" does not include the city of Hartford or any municipality that is considered part of the capital region, as defined in section 32-600 of the general statutes;

(8) "Project" means any or all of the following: (A) The design and construction of transit-oriented development, as defined in section 13b-79kk of the general statutes; (B) the creation of housing units through rehabilitation or new construction; (C) the demolition or redevelopment of vacant buildings; and (D) development and redevelopment;

(9) "State-wide transportation investment program" means the planning document developed and updated at least every four years by the Department of Transportation in compliance with the requirements of 23 USC 135, listing all transportation projects in the state expected to receive federal funding during the four-year period covered by the program; and

(10) "Transit station" means any passenger railroad station or bus rapid transit station that is operational, or for which the Department of Transportation has initiated planning or that is included in the state-wide transportation investment program, that is or will be located within the boundaries of a member municipality.

Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) (a) There is hereby established and created a body politic and corporate, constituting a public instrumentality and political subdivision of the state established and created for the performance of an essential public and governmental function, to be known as the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority. The authority shall not be construed to be a department, institution or agency of the state.

(b) The powers of the authority shall be vested in and exercised by a board of directors, which shall consist of the following members: (1) Two appointed jointly by the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be the chief executive officer of a member municipality in New Haven County; (2) two appointed jointly by the majority leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate, one of whom shall be the chief executive officer of a member municipality in Hartford County; (3) two appointed jointly by the minority leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate, one of whom shall be the chief executive officer of a member municipality in Fairfield County; (4) two appointed by the Governor; and (5) the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, the Labor Commissioner and the Commissioners of Transportation, Housing and Economic and Community Development, or their designees, who shall serve as ex-officio, voting members of the board.

(c) The Governor shall designate the chairperson of the board from among the members. All initial appointments shall be made not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section. All members shall be appointed by the original appointing authority for four-year terms. Any member of the board shall be eligible for reappointment. Any vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the balance of the unexpired term. The appointing authority for any member may remove such member for misfeasance, malfeasance or wilful neglect of duty.

(d) Each member of the board, before commencing such member's duties, shall take and subscribe the oath or affirmation required by article XI, section 1, of the state Constitution. A record of each such oath shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of the State.

(e) The board of directors shall maintain a record of its proceedings in such form as it determines, provided such record indicates attendance and all votes cast by each member. Any appointed member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings or who fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings held during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from the board. A majority of the members of the board then in office shall constitute a quorum, and an affirmative vote by a majority of the members present at a meeting of the board shall be sufficient for any action taken by the board. No vacancy in the membership of the board shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the board. Any action taken by the board may be authorized by resolution at any regular or special meeting and shall take effect immediately unless otherwise provided in the resolution. The board may delegate to three or more of its members, or its officers, agents or employees, such board powers and duties as it may deem proper.

(f) The board of directors shall annually elect one of its members as a vice-chairperson, and shall elect other of its members as officers, adopt a budget and bylaws, designate an executive committee, report semiannually to the appointing authorities with respect to operations, finances and achievement of its economic development objective, be accountable to and cooperate with the state whenever the state may audit the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority or an authority development project or at any other time as the state may inquire as to either, including allowing the state reasonable access to any such project and to the records of the authority.

(g) The chairperson of the board, with the approval of the members of the board of directors, shall appoint an executive director of the authority who shall be an employee of the authority and paid a salary prescribed by the members. The executive director shall be the chief administrative officer of the authority and shall supervise the administrative affairs and technical activities of the authority in accordance with the directives of the board. The executive director shall not be a member of the board.

(h) Each member of the board of directors shall be entitled to reimbursement for such member's actual and necessary expenses incurred during the performance of such member's official duties, but shall receive no compensation for the performance of such duties. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 2-15 of the general statutes, no member of the board of directors shall receive mileage reimbursement or a transportation allowance for traveling to a meeting of the board of directors.

(i) Each member of the board of directors of the authority and the executive director shall execute a surety bond in the penal sum of at least one hundred thousand dollars, or, in lieu thereof, the chairperson of the board shall execute a blanket position bond or procure an equivalent insurance product covering each member, the executive director and the employees of the authority. Each surety bond or equivalent insurance product shall be conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of the office or offices covered, issued by an insurance company authorized to transact business in this state for surety or such insurance product. The cost of each such bond or insurance product shall be paid by the authority.

(j) No board member, or member of his or her immediate family, as defined in section 1-91 of the general statutes, shall have or acquire any financial interest in (1) any authority development project, or (2) any property included or planned to be included in any such project or in any contract or proposed contract for materials or services to be used in such project.

(k) The authority shall have perpetual succession and shall adopt procedures for the conduct of its affairs in accordance with section 4 of this act. Such succession shall continue as long as the authority has bonds, notes or other obligations outstanding and until its existence is terminated by law, provided no such termination shall affect any outstanding contractual obligation of the authority and the state shall succeed to the obligations of the authority under any contract. Upon the termination of the existence of the authority, all its rights and properties shall pass to and be vested in the state.

Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) (a) The purposes of the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority shall be to: (1) Stimulate economic and transit-oriented development, as defined in section 13b-79kk of the general statutes, within Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority development districts; (2) encourage residential housing development within development districts; (3) manage facilities through contractual agreement or other legal instrument; (4) stimulate new investment within development districts and provide support for the creation of vibrant, multidimensional downtowns; (5) upon request of the legislative body of a member municipality in which a development district is located, work with such municipality to assist in development and redevelopment efforts to stimulate the economy of such municipality; (6) upon request of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and with the approval of the chief executive officer of a member municipality in which a development district is located, enter into an agreement to facilitate development or redevelopment within such development district; (7) encourage development and redevelopment of property within development districts; (8) engage residents of member municipalities and other stakeholders in development and redevelopment efforts; and (9) market and develop development districts as vibrant and multidimensional.

(b) For the purposes enumerated in subsection (a) of this section, the authority is authorized and empowered to:

(1) Have perpetual succession as a body politic and corporate and to adopt procedures for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business, as provided in section 4 of this act;

(2) Adopt a corporate seal and alter the same at pleasure;

(3) Maintain an office at such place or places as it may designate;

(4) Sue and be sued in its own name, plead and be impleaded;

(5) Contract and be contracted with;

(6) (A) Employ such assistants, agents and other employees as may be necessary or desirable to carry out its purposes, which employees shall be exempt from the classified service and shall not be employees, as defined in subsection (b) of section 5-270 of the general statutes; (B) establish all necessary or appropriate personnel practices and policies, including those relating to hiring, promotion, compensation, retirement and collective bargaining, which need not be in accordance with chapter 68 of the general statutes, and the authority shall not be an employer as defined in subsection (a) of section 5-270 of the general statutes; (C) for purposes of group welfare benefits and retirement, including, but not limited to, those provided under chapter 66 of the general statutes and sections 5-257 and 5-259 of the general statutes, the officers and all other employees of the authority shall be state employees; and (D) engage consultants, attorneys and appraisers as may be necessary or desirable to carry out its purposes in accordance with sections 2 to 12, inclusive, of this act;

(7) Acquire, lease, purchase, own, manage, hold and dispose of personal property, and lease, convey or deal in or enter into agreements with respect to such property on any terms necessary or incidental to carrying out the purposes set forth in this section;

(8) Procure insurance against any liability or loss in connection with its property and other assets, in such amounts and from such insurers as it deems desirable and procure insurance for employees;

(9) Invest any funds not needed for immediate use or disbursement in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States or the state, including the Short Term Investment Fund and the Tax-Exempt Proceeds Fund, and in other obligations that are legal investments for savings banks in this state, and in-time deposits or certificates of deposit or other similar banking arrangements secured in such manner as the authority determines;

(10) Enter into such memoranda of understanding as the authority deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities under this section; and

(11) Do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of, and the powers expressly granted by, this section.

(c) In addition to the powers enumerated in subsection (b) of this section, the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority shall have the following powers with respect to authority development projects:

(1) (A) To acquire by gift, purchase, condemnation, lease or transfer, lands or rights-in-land and to sell and lease or sublease, as lessor or lessee or sublessor or sublessee, any portion of its real property rights, including air space above, and enter into related common area maintenance, easement, access, support and similar agreements, and own and operate facilities associated with authority development projects, provided such activity is consistent with all applicable federal tax covenants of the authority; (B) to transfer or dispose of any property or interest therein acquired by the authority at any time; and (C) to receive and accept aid or contributions from any source of money, labor, property or other thing of value, to be held, used and applied to carry out the purposes of this section, subject to the conditions upon which such grants and contributions are made, including, but not limited to, gifts or grants from any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States or this state for any purpose consistent with this section, provided (i) the authority shall provide opportunity for public comment prior to any acquisition, transfer or disposal in accordance with this subdivision, and (ii) any land or right-in-land, aid or contribution received by the authority under this subdivision shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 10 of the general statutes;

(2) In consultation with the chief executive officer of the municipality in which an authority development project is located, and after the authority has provided an opportunity for public comment, to condemn properties that may be necessary or desirable to effectuate the purposes of the authority, in accordance with the provisions of part I of chapter 835 of the general statutes;

(3) To formulate plans for, acquire, finance and develop, lease, purchase, construct, reconstruct, repair, improve, expand, extend, operate, maintain and market facilities associated with authority development projects, provided such activities are consistent with all applicable federal tax covenants of the authority;

(4) To contract and be contracted with, provided if management, operating or promotional contracts or agreements or other contracts or agreements are entered into with nongovernmental parties with respect to property financed with the proceeds of obligations, the interest on which is excluded from gross income for federal income taxation, the board of directors shall ensure that such contracts or agreements are in compliance with the covenants of the authority upon which such tax exclusion is conditioned;

(5) To fix and revise, from time to time, and to charge and collect fees, rents and other charges for the use, occupancy or operation of authority development projects, and to establish and revise from time to time procedures concerning the use, operation and occupancy of facilities associated with such projects, including parking rates, rules and procedures, provided such arrangements are consistent with all applicable federal tax covenants of the authority, and to utilize net revenues received by the authority from the operation of such facilities, after allowance for operating expenses and other charges related to the ownership, operation or financing thereof, for other proper purposes of the authority, including, but not limited to, funding of operating deficiencies or operating or capital replacement reserves for such facilities and related parking facilities, as determined to be appropriate by the authority;

(6) To engage architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants, consultants and such other independent professionals as may be necessary or desirable to carry out authority development projects;

(7) To contract for construction, development, concessions and the procurement of goods and services, and to establish and modify procurement procedures from time to time in accordance with the provisions of section 4 of this act to implement the foregoing;

(8) To borrow money and to issue bonds, notes and other obligations of the authority to the extent permitted under section 8 of this act, to fund and refund the same and to provide for the rights of the holders thereof and to secure the same by pledge of assets, revenues and notes;

(9) To do anything necessary and desirable, including executing reimbursement agreements or similar agreements in connection with credit facilities, including, but not limited to, letters of credit or policies of bond insurance, remarketing agreements and agreements for the purpose of moderating interest rate fluctuations, to render any bonds to be issued pursuant to section 8 of this act more marketable; and

(10) To engage in and contract for marketing and promotional activities for authority development projects under the operation or jurisdiction of the authority.

(d) The Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority and the Capital Region Development Authority, established pursuant to chapter 588x of the general statutes, may enter into a memorandum of understanding pursuant to which: (1) Administrative support and services, including all staff support necessary for the operations of the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority may be provided by the Capital Region Development Authority, and (2) provision is made for the coordination of management and operational activities that may include: (A) Joint procurement and contracting; (B) the sharing of services and resources; (C) the coordination of promotional activities; and (D) other arrangements designed to enhance revenues, reduce operating costs or achieve operating efficiencies. The terms and conditions of such memorandum of understanding, including provisions with respect to the reimbursement by the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority to the Capital Region Development Authority of the costs of such administrative support and services, shall be as the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority and the Capital Region Development Authority determine to be appropriate.

(e) The authority shall have the power to negotiate, and, with the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, to enter into an agreement with any private developer, owner or lessee of any building or improvement located on land in a development district providing for payments to the authority in lieu of real property taxes. Such an agreement shall be made a condition of any private right of development within the development district, and shall include a requirement that such private developer, owner or lessee make good faith efforts to hire, or cause to be hired, available and qualified minority business enterprises, as defined in section 4a-60g of the general statutes, to provide construction services and materials for improvements to be constructed within the development district in an effort to achieve a minority business enterprise utilization goal of ten per cent of the total costs of construction services and materials for such improvements. Such payments to the authority in lieu of real property taxes shall have the same lien and priority, and may be enforced by the authority in the same manner, as provided for municipal real property taxes. Such payments as received by the authority shall be used to carry out the purposes of the authority set forth in subsection (a) of this section.

(f) Nothing in sections 2 to 12, inclusive, of this act shall be construed as limiting the authority of the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority to enter into agreements to facilitate development or redevelopment of municipal property or facilities.

Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) The board of directors of the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority shall adopt written procedures, in accordance with the provisions of section 1-121 of the general statutes, for: (1) Adopting an annual budget and plan of operations, which shall include a requirement of board approval before the budget or plan may take effect; (2) hiring, dismissing, promoting and compensating employees of the authority, which shall include an affirmative action policy and a requirement of board approval before a position may be created or a vacancy filled; (3) acquiring real and personal property and personal services, which shall include a requirement of board approval for any nonbudgeted expenditure in excess of ten thousand dollars; (4) contracting for financial, legal, bond underwriting and other professional services, including a requirement that the authority solicit proposals at least once every three years for each such service that it uses; (5) issuing and retiring bonds, notes and other obligations of the authority; (6) providing loans, grants and other financial assistance, which shall include eligibility criteria, the application process and the role played by the authority's staff and board of directors; and (7) the use of surplus funds.

Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) (a) Any municipality with a population of seventy thousand or more as determined by the most recent decennial census, except the city of Hartford or any municipality that is considered part of the capital region, as defined in section 32-600 of the general statutes, may, by certified resolution of the legislative body of the municipality, opt to join the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority as a member municipality, provided such municipality holds a public hearing prior to any vote on such certified resolution. Any designated tier III or tier IV municipality, except the city of Hartford or any municipality that is considered part of the capital region as defined in section 32-600 of the general statutes, shall be deemed a member municipality.

(b) The legislative body of each member municipality shall appoint an advisory board to serve as liaison to the authority. Such advisory board (1) shall include three individuals representing the municipality and the chief executive officer of such municipality, who shall serve as chairperson of the board, and (2) may include, but need not be limited to, representatives from local health or human services organizations, local housing organizations, a local school district or education organization, and a local business organization. Such advisory board shall also include one member of the board of directors of the authority, chosen by the chairperson of the board of directors of the authority. Each legislative body shall make a good faith effort to appoint representatives of minority-owned businesses, advocates for walkable communities and members who are geographically, racially, socioeconomically and gender diverse.

(c) Any municipality that opts to join the authority as a member municipality or that is deemed a member municipality pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall enter into a memorandum of agreement with the authority for the establishment of one or more development districts.

Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) (a) In lieu of the report required under section 1-123 of the general statutes, within the first ninety days of each fiscal year of the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority, the board of directors of the authority shall submit a report to the Governor, the Auditors of Public Accounts and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding. Such report shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) A list of all bonds issued during the preceding fiscal year, including, for each such issue, the financial advisor and underwriters, whether the issue was competitive, negotiated or privately placed, and the issue's face value and net proceeds; (2) a description of each authority development project in which the authority is involved, its location and the amount of funds, if any, provided by the authority with respect to the construction of such project; (3) a list of all outside individuals and firms, including principal and other major stockholders, receiving in excess of five thousand dollars as payments for services; (4) a comprehensive annual financial report prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for governmental enterprises; (5) the cumulative value of all bonds issued, the value of outstanding bonds and the amount of the state's contingent liability; (6) the affirmative action policy adopted pursuant to section 4 of this act, a description of the composition of the work force of the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority by race, sex and occupation and a description of the affirmative action efforts of the authority; and (7) a description of planned activities for the current fiscal year.

(b) The board of directors of the authority shall annually contract with a person, firm or corporation for a compliance audit of the authority's activities during the preceding authority fiscal year. The audit shall determine whether the authority has complied with the authority's policies and procedures concerning affirmative action, personnel practices, the purchase of goods and services and the use of surplus funds. The board shall submit the audit report to the Governor, the Auditors of Public Accounts and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding.

(c) The board of directors of the authority shall annually contract with a firm of certified public accountants to undertake an independent financial audit of the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. The board shall submit the audit report to the Governor, the Auditors of Public Accounts and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding.

(d) The authority shall designate a contract compliance officer from its staff to monitor compliance of the operations of facilities and parking facilities associated with authority development projects that are under the management or control of the authority, with (1) the provisions of state law applicable to such operations, and (2) applicable requirements of contracts entered into by the authority relating to set-asides for small contractors and minority business enterprises and required efforts to hire available and qualified members of minorities, as defined in section 32-9n of the general statutes. Each year during the period of operations of facilities associated with authority development projects, such officer shall file a written report with the authority as to findings and recommendations regarding such compliance.

Sec. 7. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) (a) Any person, including, but not limited to, a state or municipal agency, requesting funds from the state, including, but not limited to, any authority created by the general statutes or any public or special act, with respect to any authority development project shall, at the time it makes such request for funds from the state, present a full and complete copy of its application or request along with any supporting documents or exhibits to the authority for its recommendation and to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. The Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority shall, not later than ninety days after receipt of such application or request, prepare and adopt an economic development statement summarizing its recommendations with respect to such application or request and deliver such statement to the state officer, official, employee or agent of the state or authority to whom such application or request was made. The recommendations in such statement shall include contract provisions regarding performance standards, including, but not limited to, project timelines.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, public or special acts, any regulation or procedure or any other law, no officer, official, employee or agent of the state or any authority created by the general statutes or any public or special act shall expend any funds on any authority development project, unless such officer, official, employee or agent has received an economic development statement prepared by the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, except that if no such statement is received by the date ninety days from the date of the initial application or request for such funds, such funds may be expended. If funds are expended pursuant to this subsection in a manner not consistent with the recommendations contained in an economic development statement for such expenditure, the officer, official, employee or agent of the state expending such funds shall respond in writing to the authority, providing an explanation of the decision with respect to such expenditure.

(c) The Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority shall coordinate the use of all state, municipal and quasi-public agency planning and financial resources that are made available for any authority development project in which the authority is involved, including any resources available from any quasi-public agency.

(d) All state agencies, departments, boards, commissions and councils and all quasi-public agencies shall cooperate with the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority in carrying out the purposes enumerated in section 3 of this act.

Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) (a) The board of directors of the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority is authorized from time to time to issue its bonds, notes and other obligations in such principal amounts as in the opinion of the board shall be necessary to provide sufficient funds for carrying out the purposes set forth in section 3 of this act, including the payment, funding or refunding of the principal of, or interest or redemption premiums on, any bonds, notes and other obligations issued by it, whether the bonds, notes or other obligations or interest to be funded or refunded have or have not become due, the establishment of reserves to secure such bonds, notes and other obligations, loans made by the authority and all other expenditures of the authority incident to and necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes set forth in section 3 of this act.

(b) Every issue of bonds, notes or other obligations shall be a general obligation of the authority payable out of any moneys or revenues of the authority and subject only to any agreements with the holders of particular bonds, notes or other obligations pledging any particular moneys or revenues. Any such bonds, notes or other obligations may be additionally secured by any grant or contributions from any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States or person or a pledge of any moneys, income or revenues of the authority from any source whatsoever.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of any law, any bonds, notes or other obligations issued by the authority pursuant to this section shall be fully negotiable within the meaning and for all purposes of title 42a of the general statutes. Any such bonds, notes or other obligations shall be legal investments for all trust companies, banks, investment companies, savings banks, building and loan associations, executors, administrators, guardians, conservators, trustees and other fiduciaries and pension, profit-sharing and retirement funds.

(d) Bonds, notes or other obligations of the authority shall be authorized by resolution of the board of directors of the authority and may be issued in one or more series and shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, in the case of any such note, or any renewal thereof, not exceeding the term of years as the board shall determine from the date of the original issue of such notes, and, in the case of bonds, not exceeding thirty years from the date thereof, bear interest at such rate or rates, be in such denomination or denominations, be in such form, either coupon or registered, carry such conversion or registration privileges, have such rank or priority, be executed in such manner, be payable from such sources in such medium of payment at such place or places within or without this state, and be subject to such terms of redemption, with or without premium, as such resolution or resolutions may provide.

(e) Bonds, notes or other obligations of the authority may be sold at public or private sale at such price or prices as the board shall determine.

(f) Bonds, notes or other obligations of the authority may be refunded and renewed from time to time as may be determined by resolution of the board, provided any such refunding or renewal shall be in conformity with any rights of the holders of such bonds, notes or other obligations.

(g) Bonds, notes or other obligations of the authority issued under the provisions of this section shall not be deemed to constitute a debt or liability of the state or of any political subdivision thereof other than the authority, or a pledge of the faith and credit of the state or of any such political subdivision other than the authority, and shall not constitute bonds or notes issued or guaranteed by the state within the meaning of section 3-21 of the general statutes, but shall be payable solely from the funds as provided in this section. All such bonds, notes or other obligations shall contain on the face thereof a statement to the effect that neither the state of Connecticut nor any political subdivision thereof other than the authority shall be obligated to pay the same or the interest thereof except from revenues or other funds of the authority and that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the state of Connecticut or of any political subdivision thereof other than the authority is pledged to the payment of the principal of, or the interest on, such bonds, notes or other obligations.

(h) Any resolution or resolutions authorizing the issuance of bonds, notes or other obligations may contain provisions, except as limited by existing agreements with the holders of bonds, notes or other obligations, which shall be a part of the contract with the holders thereof, as to the following: (1) The pledging of all or any part of the moneys received by the authority to secure the payment of the principal of and interest on any bonds, notes or other obligations or of any issue thereof; (2) the pledging of all or part of the assets of the authority to secure the payment of the principal and interest on any bonds, notes or other obligations or of any issue thereof; (3) the establishment of reserves or sinking funds, the making of charges and fees to provide for the same, and the regulation and disposition thereof; (4) limitations on the purpose to which the proceeds of sale of bonds, notes or other obligations may be applied and pledging such proceeds to secure the payment of the bonds, notes or other obligations, or of any issues thereof; (5) limitations on the issuance of additional bonds, notes or other obligations, the terms upon which additional bonds, bond anticipation notes or other obligations may be issued and secured, the refunding or purchase of outstanding bonds, notes or other obligations of the authority; (6) the procedure, if any, by which the terms of any contract with the holders of any bonds, notes or other obligations of the authority may be amended or abrogated, the amount of bonds, notes or other obligations the holders of which must consent thereto and the manner in which such consent may be given; (7) limitations on the amount of moneys to be expended by the authority for operating, administrative or other expenses of the authority; (8) the vesting in a trustee or trustees of such property, rights, powers and duties in trust as the authority may determine, which may include any or all of the rights, powers and duties of any trustee appointed by the holders of any bonds, notes or other obligations and limiting or abrogating the right of the holders of any bonds, notes or other obligations of the authority to appoint a trustee or limiting the rights, powers and duties of such trustee; (9) provision for a trust agreement by and between the authority and a corporate trustee which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or without the state, which agreement may provide for the pledging or assigning of any assets or income from assets to which or in which the authority has any rights or interest, and may further provide for such other rights and remedies exercisable by the trustee as may be proper for the protection of the holders of any bonds, notes or other obligations of the authority and not otherwise in violation of law. Such agreement may provide for the restriction of the rights of any individual holder of bonds, notes or other obligations of the authority. All expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of such trust agreement may be treated as a part of the cost of operation of the authority. The trust agreement may contain any further provisions which are reasonable to delineate further the respective rights, duties, safeguards, responsibilities and liabilities of the authority, individual and collective holders of bonds, notes and other obligations of the authority and the trustees; (10) covenants to do or refrain from doing such acts and things as may be necessary or convenient or desirable in order to better secure any bonds, notes or other obligations of the authority, or which, in the discretion of the authority, will tend to make any bonds, notes or other obligations to be issued more marketable, notwithstanding that such covenants, acts or things may not be enumerated herein; and (11) any other matters of like or different character, which in any way affect the security or protection of the bonds, notes or other obligations.

(i) Any pledge made by the authority of income, revenues or other property shall be valid and binding from the time the pledge is made. The income, revenue, such state taxes as the authority shall be entitled to receive or other property so pledged and thereafter received by the authority shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract or otherwise against the authority, irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof.

(j) The board of directors of the authority is authorized and empowered to obtain from any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States any insurance or guarantee as to, or of or for the payment or repayment of, interest or principal or both, or any part thereof, on any bonds, notes or other obligations issued by the authority pursuant to the provisions of this section and, notwithstanding any other provisions of sections 2 to 12, inclusive, of this act, to enter into any agreement, contract or any other instrument whatsoever with respect to any such insurance or guarantee except to the extent that such action would in any way impair or interfere with the authority's ability to perform and fulfill the terms of any agreement made with the holders of the bonds, bond anticipation notes or other obligations of the authority.

(k) Neither the members of the board of directors of the authority nor any person executing bonds, notes or other obligations of the authority issued pursuant to this section shall be liable personally on such bonds, notes or other obligations or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof, nor shall any director, officer or employee of the authority be personally liable for damage or injury caused in the performance of such director, officer or employee's duties and within the scope of employment or appointment as such director, officer or employee, provided the conduct of such director, officer or employee was found not to have been wanton, reckless, wilful or malicious. The authority shall protect, save harmless and indemnify its directors, officers or employees from financial loss and expense, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any claim, demand, suit or judgment by reason of alleged negligence or alleged deprivation of any person's civil rights or any other act or omission resulting in damage or injury, if the director, officer or employee is found to have been acting in the discharge of his or her duties or within the scope of his or her employment and such act or omission is found not to have been wanton, reckless, wilful or malicious.

(l) The board of directors of the authority shall have power to purchase bonds, notes or other obligations of the authority out of any funds available for such purpose. The authority may hold, cancel or resell such bonds, notes or other obligations subject to and in accordance with agreements with holders of its bonds, notes and other obligations.

(m) All moneys received pursuant to the authority of this section, whether as proceeds from the sale of bonds or as revenues, shall be deemed to be trust funds to be held and applied solely as provided in this section. Any officer with whom, or any bank or trust company with which, such moneys shall be deposited shall act as trustee of such moneys and shall hold and apply the same for the purposes of section 3 of this act, and the resolution authorizing the bonds of any issue or the trust agreement securing such bonds may provide.

(n) Any holder of bonds, notes or other obligations issued under the provisions of this section, and the trustee or trustees under any trust agreement, except to the extent the rights herein given may be restricted by any resolution authorizing the issuance of or any such trust agreement securing such bonds, may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights under the laws of the state or granted under this section or under such resolution or trust agreement and may enforce and compel the performance of all duties required by this section or by such resolution or trust agreement to be performed by the authority or by any officer, employee or agent of the authority, including the fixing, charging and collecting of the rates, rents, fees and charges herein authorized and required by the provisions of such resolution or trust agreement to be fixed, established and collected.

(o) The authority may make representations and agreements for the benefit of the holders of any bonds, notes or other obligations of the state which are necessary or appropriate to ensure the exclusion from gross income for federal income tax purposes of interest on bonds, notes or other obligations of the state from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, including agreement to pay rebates to the federal government of investment earnings derived from the investment of the proceeds of the bonds, notes or other obligations of the authority. Any such agreement may include: (1) A covenant to pay rebates to the federal government of investment earnings derived from the investment of the proceeds of the bonds, notes or other obligations of the authority; (2) a covenant that the authority will not limit or alter its rebate obligations until its obligations to the holders or owners of such bonds, notes or other obligations are finally met and discharged; and (3) provisions to (A) establish trust and other accounts which may be appropriate to carry out such representations and agreements, (B) retain fiscal agents as depositories for such funds and accounts, and (C) provide that such fiscal agents may act as trustee of such funds and accounts.

Sec. 9. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) The state of Connecticut does hereby pledge to and agree with the holders of any bonds, notes and other obligations issued under section 8 of this act and with those parties who may enter into contracts with the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority or its successor agency, that the state will not limit or alter the rights hereby vested in the authority or in the holders of any bonds, notes or other obligations of the authority to which contract assistance is pledged pursuant to this section until such bonds, notes or obligations, together with the interest thereon, are fully met and discharged and such contracts are fully performed on the part of the authority, provided nothing contained herein shall preclude such limitation or alteration if and when adequate provision shall be made by law for the protection of the holders of such bonds, notes and other obligations of the authority or those entering into contracts with the authority. The authority is authorized to include this pledge and undertaking for the state in such bonds, notes and other obligations or contracts.

Sec. 10. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) The state shall protect, save harmless and indemnify the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority and its directors, officers and employees from financial loss and expenses, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any claim, demand, suit or judgment based upon any alleged act or omission of the authority or any such director, officer or employee in connection with, or any other legal challenge to, authority development projects within a Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority development district, provided any such director, officer or employee is found to have been acting in the discharge of such director, officer or employee's duties or within the scope of such director, officer or employee's employment and any such act or omission is found not to have been wanton, reckless, wilful or malicious.

Sec. 11. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) (a) Prior to execution of a memorandum of agreement between the authority and the chief executive officer of a member municipality establishing a development district, the authority shall review and approve such member municipality's economic development master plan approved by the legislative body of such member municipality. Each member municipality shall provide for community and stakeholder input and a public comment process in the development of its economic development master plan.

(b) In determining whether to approve a member municipality's economic development master plan, the authority shall consider whether such plan includes a clear and feasible path towards achieving as many of the purposes of the authority, as set forth in subsection (a) of section 3 of this act, as are practical and appropriate in the context of the unique characteristics of such member municipality. The authority shall offer support to such member municipality in creating the economic development master plan, if requested by such member municipality.

(c) Any authority development project that receives support from the authority shall be consistent with (1) the economic development master plan of the member municipality in which such project is located, (2) the plan of conservation and development, adopted under section 8-23 of the general statutes, of the member municipality in which such project is located, and (3) the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy prepared under section 32-742 of the general statutes.

Sec. 12. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) The authority and member municipalities shall encourage businesses, as appropriate, to hire local employees. Any business that receives financial assistance from the authority shall enter into an agreement with the Workforce Training Authority established in public act 17-207 for assistance with the training and recruitment of workers.

Sec. 13. Subdivision (12) of section 1-79 of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(12) "Quasi-public agency" means Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, the Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority, the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority, the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the State Housing Authority, the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority, the Capital Region Development Authority, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, the Connecticut Airport Authority, the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, the Connecticut Green Bank, the Connecticut Retirement Security Authority, the Connecticut Port Authority, the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority and the State Education Resource Center.

Sec. 14. Subdivision (1) of section 1-120 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(1) "Quasi-public agency" means Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority, the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Connecticut Housing Authority, the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority, the Capital Region Development Authority, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, the Connecticut Airport Authority, the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, the Connecticut Green Bank, the Connecticut Retirement Security Authority, the Connecticut Port Authority, the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority and the State Education Resource Center.

Sec. 15. Section 1-124 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority, the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Connecticut Housing Authority, the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority, the Connecticut Airport Authority, the Capital Region Development Authority, the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, the Connecticut Green Bank, the Connecticut Retirement Security Authority, the Connecticut Port Authority, the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority and the State Education Resource Center shall not borrow any money or issue any bonds or notes which are guaranteed by the state of Connecticut or for which there is a capital reserve fund of any kind which is in any way contributed to or guaranteed by the state of Connecticut until and unless such borrowing or issuance is approved by the State Treasurer or the Deputy State Treasurer appointed pursuant to section 3-12. The approval of the State Treasurer or said deputy shall be based on documentation provided by the authority that it has sufficient revenues to (1) pay the principal of and interest on the bonds and notes issued, (2) establish, increase and maintain any reserves deemed by the authority to be advisable to secure the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds and notes, (3) pay the cost of maintaining, servicing and properly insuring the purpose for which the proceeds of the bonds and notes have been issued, if applicable, and (4) pay such other costs as may be required.

(b) To the extent Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority, the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Connecticut Housing Authority, the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority, the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, the Connecticut Airport Authority, the Capital Region Development Authority, the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, the Connecticut Green Bank, the Connecticut Retirement Security Authority, the Connecticut Port Authority, the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority or the State Education Resource Center is permitted by statute and determines to exercise any power to moderate interest rate fluctuations or enter into any investment or program of investment or contract respecting interest rates, currency, cash flow or other similar agreement, including, but not limited to, interest rate or currency swap agreements, the effect of which is to subject a capital reserve fund which is in any way contributed to or guaranteed by the state of Connecticut, to potential liability, such determination shall not be effective until and unless the State Treasurer or his or her deputy appointed pursuant to section 3-12 has approved such agreement or agreements. The approval of the State Treasurer or his or her deputy shall be based on documentation provided by the authority that it has sufficient revenues to meet the financial obligations associated with the agreement or agreements.

Sec. 16. Section 1-125 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

The directors, officers and employees of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority, the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Connecticut Housing Authority, the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority, including ad hoc members of the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority, the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, the Capital Region Development Authority, the Connecticut Airport Authority, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, the Connecticut Green Bank, the Connecticut Retirement Security Authority, the Connecticut Port Authority, the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority and the State Education Resource Center and any person executing the bonds or notes of the agency shall not be liable personally on such bonds or notes or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof, nor shall any director or employee of the agency, including ad hoc members of the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority, be personally liable for damage or injury, not wanton, reckless, wilful or malicious, caused in the performance of his or her duties and within the scope of his or her employment or appointment as such director, officer or employee, including ad hoc members of the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority. The agency shall protect, save harmless and indemnify its directors, officers or employees, including ad hoc members of the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority, from financial loss and expense, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any claim, demand, suit or judgment by reason of alleged negligence or alleged deprivation of any person's civil rights or any other act or omission resulting in damage or injury, if the director, officer or employee, including ad hoc members of the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority, is found to have been acting in the discharge of his or her duties or within the scope of his or her employment and such act or omission is found not to have been wanton, reckless, wilful or malicious.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 2	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 3	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 4	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 5	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 6	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 7	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 8	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 9	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 10	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 11	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 12	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 13	October 1, 2018	1-79(12)
Sec. 14	October 1, 2018	1-120(1)
Sec. 15	October 1, 2018	1-124
Sec. 16	October 1, 2018	1-125

Statement of Purpose:

To establish the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]