17:9A-175.3 - Revenue bonds of governmental unit payable from revenues of utility operated by unit

17:9A-175.3.  Revenue bonds of governmental unit payable from revenues of utility operated by unit
    A savings bank may, in addition to other investments, presently or from time  to time hereafter authorized by law (including specifically revenue bonds so  authorized, notwithstanding such bonds do not qualify as legal investments  under this act invest in revenue bonds of a unit;  provided that

    (a) The utility, on account of which such revenue bonds shall have been issued, shall have been in operation (whether or not owned by said unit) for at  least 5 years prior to the investment;  and

    (b) the consolidated net revenues derived from the utility and available for  debt service for the 5 fiscal years of the unit next preceding the investment  have averaged not less than (1) 125% in the case of gas, water, electrical and  sewer utilities, or (2) 150% in the case of bridges, tunnels, turnpike and  highway utilities, of the average debt service requirements for the same period  on the revenue bonds and other obligations of the unit having a lien or charge  on such revenues equal or prior to the lien or charge thereon of such revenue  bonds;  and

    (c) said bonds are not in default at the time of investment and were not within 5 years prior to the time of investment in default for a period of more than 6 months in the payment of any part of the principal or interest thereon; and

    (d) the enabling legislation contains provisions or covenants

     (1) requiring the unit issuing such revenue bonds to fix, maintain and collect charges for the services furnished by the utility adequate to provide revenues sufficient to pay its debt service and the proper operation and maintenance of the utility;  and

     (2) pledging a sufficient amount of such revenues for the payment of debt service and other obligations of the unit having a lien or charge on such revenues equal or prior to the lien or charge thereon of such revenue bonds; and

    (e) if the enabling legislation permits sale of the utility in whole or in any substantial part, then the enabling legislation shall prohibit the sale of the utility as a whole or any substantial part thereof unless, at the time of such sale, provision shall be made for the continuance of debt service on the revenue bonds or for payment thereof;  and

    (f) in the case of a unit outside of the State of New Jersey, it had outstanding at the time of the investment at least $5,000,000.00 of debt secured by the revenues pledged to secure said revenue bonds.

     L.1955, c. 251, p. 930, s. 2.