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Bill > A3110


NJ A3110

NJ A3110
Authorizes local units to refinance general obligation bonds irrespective of present value savings for period of one year.


summary

Introduced
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would amend the "Local Bond Law," N.J.S.40A:2-1 et seq., to authorize local units of government, for a period of one year commencing on the effective date of the bill, to refinance general obligation bonds irrespective of any present value savings that may be required pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Local Finance Board. N.J.A.C.5:30-2.5 currently requires that one of the conditions for the issuance of refunding bonds by counties or municipalities is that the present value savings of issuing the refunding bonds would be at least three percent. This requirement was apparently intended to prevent counties and municipalities from continually expending public money on professional fees related to issuing refunding bonds and to allow counties and municipalities to achieve savings on interest costs. However, as interest rates are currently very low, if a county or municipality is able to save taxpayers money by issuing refunding bonds to eliminate debt having higher interest rates, it should be able to do so, regardless of that condition in the regulation.

AI Summary

This bill would amend the Local Bond Law in New Jersey to authorize local government units to refinance general obligation bonds for a period of one year, regardless of whether there are any present value savings, as currently required by regulations promulgated by the Local Finance Board. The current regulations aim to prevent local governments from continuously incurring professional fees related to issuing refunding bonds, unless they can achieve significant savings on interest costs. However, with interest rates currently very low, this bill would allow local governments to refinance existing debt with higher rates, even if the present value savings are less than the minimum threshold set by the regulations.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee (on 01/09/2024)

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