5510.1 - Management of authority funds in cities of the first class.
§ 5510.1. Management of authority funds in cities of the first class. (a) General rule.-- (1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all funds of an authority received from any source shall be delivered to the treasurer of the authority or to such other agent of the authority as the board may designate. (2) The funds shall be promptly deposited in the name of the authority in a bank or banks, bank and trust company or bank and trust companies, trust company or trust companies in this Commonwealth chosen by the authority. (3) The moneys in the account or accounts may be withdrawn or paid out only by check or draft upon the bank, bank and trust company or trust company, signed by the treasurer or other designated agent of the authority on warrant of the treasurer of the authority and countersigned by the chairman of the board or by such persons as the board may authorize. Moneys in the account or accounts may be withdrawn or paid out by electronic funds transfer on instructions signed and countersigned in the manner provided for checks or drafts. (4) The board may designate any of its members or any officer or employee of the authority to affix the signature of the chairman to any check or draft for payment of salaries or wages and for the payment of any other obligation of not more than $100,000. The executive director may designate any officer or employee of the authority to affix the signature of the treasurer to any check or draft for payment of salaries or wages and for the payment of any other obligation of not more than $100,000. (b) Management of funds.-- (1) All bank, bank and trust company or trust company balances of the authority, to the extent the same are not insured, shall be continuously secured by a pledge of direct obligations of the United States, of the Commonwealth or of any municipality or municipalities in the metropolitan area having an aggregate market value exclusive of accrued interest at all times at least equal to the balance on deposit in such bank, bank and trust company or trust company. The securities shall either be deposited with the treasurer of the authority or be held by a trustee or agent satisfactory to the authority. All depository institutions are authorized to give security for the deposits. (2) In the case of money collected or received by the authority on behalf of a municipality under section 5505(d)(21) (relating to purposes and powers), the money shall be pledged to the use of the municipality and disbursed to the municipality as provided by ordinance or resolution. (3) Subject to the provisions of any agreements with obligees of the authority, the authority shall have full power to invest and reinvest its funds as provided in this chapter, subject, however, to the exercise of that degree of judgment and care under the circumstances then prevailing which persons of prudence, discretion and intelligence who are familiar with such matters exercise in the management of their own affairs, not in regard to speculation, but in regard to the permanent disposition of the funds, considering the probable income to be derived and the probable safety of the capital. (4) The board shall provide for an investment program subject to restrictions contained in this chapter and in any other applicable statute and any resolutions on this subject adopted by the board. (c) Authorized investments.--The authorized types of investments for authority funds shall be any of the following: (1) Government obligations. (2) Debt obligations issued by any of the following Federal agencies or such other like Federal agencies which may be designated by the board: Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Financing Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank System, Federal National Mortgage Association, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Farmers Home Administration, Resolution Funding Corporation, Small Business Administration, Student Loan Marketing Association, Inter-American Development Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Federal Land Banks or Government National Mortgage Association, and their predecessor or successor agencies. (3) Short-term or long-term debt obligations of any state or political subdivision thereof or any agency or instrumentality of such a state or political subdivision or of any municipal corporation, provided that the obligations are rated by a rating agency in any of the three highest rating categories, without reference to subcategories, assigned by the rating agency. (4) Rights to receive the principal of or the interest on obligations of states, political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities meeting the requirements set forth in paragraphs (2) and (3), whether through direct ownership as evidenced by physical possession of the obligations or unmatured interest coupons or by registration as to ownership on the books of the issuer or its duly authorized paying agent or transfer agent or through the purchase of certificates or other instruments evidencing an undivided ownership interest in payments of the principal of or interest on the obligations. (5) Negotiable and nonnegotiable certificates of deposit, time deposits or other similar banking arrangements which are issued by banks, bank and trust companies, trust companies or savings and loan associations, provided that, unless issued by a qualified financial institution, any such certificate, deposit or other arrangement shall be continuously secured as to principal in the manner and to the extent provided in subsection (d). (6) Repurchase agreements for investment securities described in paragraph (1) or (2) with a qualified financial institution or with dealers in government bonds which report to, trade with and are recognized as primary dealers by a Federal Reserve Bank and are members of the Securities Investors Protection Corporation, provided that the repurchase price payable under any agreement shall be continuously secured in the manner and to the extent provided in subsection (d). (7) Investment agreements with qualified financial institutions. (8) Commercial paper rated in the highest rating category, without reference to subcategories, by a rating agency. (9) Shares or certificates in any short-term investment fund rated in the highest rating category, without reference to subcategories, by a rating agency, which short-term investment fund invests solely in obligations described in paragraphs (1) and (2). (10) Debt obligations of any foreign government or political subdivision thereof or any agency or instrumentality of foreign government or political subdivision, provided that the obligations are rated by a rating agency, without reference to subcategories, in the highest rating category assigned by the rating agency. (11) Such other investments which at the time of the acquisition thereof shall be listed as permissible investments for trust funds in an indenture or resolution with respect to indebtedness which is incurred under this chapter. (d) Security for investment securities.--Any security required to be maintained as collateral for investment securities in the form of certificates of deposit, time deposits, other similar banking arrangements and repurchase agreements described in subsection (c)(5) and (6) shall be subject to the following requirements: (1) The collateral shall be in the form of obligations described in subsection (c)(1) and (2), except that the security for certificates of deposit, time deposits or other similar banking arrangements may include other marketable securities which are eligible as security for trust funds under applicable regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency of the United States of America or under applicable state laws and regulations. (2) The collateral shall have an aggregate market value, calculated not less frequently than monthly, at least equal to the principal amount (less any portion insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any comparable insurance corporation chartered by the United States of America) or the repurchase price secured thereby, as the case may be. The instruments governing the issuance of and security for the Investment Securities shall designate the person responsible for making the foregoing calculations. (3) The authority shall have a perfected security interest in the collateral securing certificates of deposit, time deposits or other similar banking arrangements, and the collateral shall be held free and clear of the claims of third parties. The collateral shall be deposited with the authority, with a Federal Reserve Bank for the account of the authority or with a bank, bank and trust company or trust company (other than the obligor) which is acting solely as agent for the authority and has a combined net capital and surplus equal to at least $100,000,000. (4) Collateral for repurchase agreements shall be held free and clear of the claims of third parties by the authority, or by a Federal Reserve Bank for the account of the authority, or by a bank, bank and trust company or trust company which is acting solely as agent for the authority and has a combined net capital and surplus at least equal to $100,000,000. A perfected first priority security interest for the benefit of the authority shall be created in the collateral under Title 13 (relating to commercial code) or book-entry procedures prescribed by applicable Federal regulations. (e) Audit.--An authority shall have at least an annual examination of its books, accounts and records by a certified public accountant. A copy of the audit shall be delivered to the parent municipality, the Governor, the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives. The controller, auditor or accountant designated by the municipality is authorized to perform an annual examination of the receipts, disbursements, contracts, leases, sinking funds, investments relating to the administration of a system of on-street parking regulations in a city of the first class pursuant to section 5508.1(q.1) (relating to special provisions for authorities in cities of the first class). (f) Financial statement.--A concise financial statement shall be published annually at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality where the principal office of the authority is located. If publication is not made by the authority, the municipality shall publish such statement at the expense of the authority. (g) Attorney General.--The Attorney General shall have the right to examine the books, accounts and records of an authority. (h) Applicability.--This section shall only apply to authorities in cities of the first class. (Dec. 30, 2002, P.L.2001, No.230, eff. 60 days; July 16, 2004, P.L.758, No.94, eff. imd.) 2004 Amendment. Act 94 reenacted and amended section 5510.1. See sections 20(3) and 21(3) of Act 94 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission contracts and preservation of rights, obligations, duties and remedies. 2002 Amendment. See sections 11(3) and 12(2) of Act 230 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission contracts and preservation of rights, obligations, duties and remedies.