HOUSE FILE 2205

BY  BYRNES

A BILL FOR

An Act including natural gas facilities and electric generating facilities within the definition of a county enterprise.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 331.461, subsection 2, Code 2011, is amended by adding the following new paragraphs:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  h.  Natural gas facilities, including transmission and distribution systems, and including the acquisition, establishment, construction, purchase, equipment, improvement, extension, operation, maintenance, reconstruction, and repair of such facilities within or outside the borders of the county, and including facilities to be jointly utilized by a county and another political subdivision.
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  i.  Electric generating facilities, including generation, transmission, and distribution systems, and including the acquisition, establishment, construction, purchase, equipment, improvement, extension, operation, maintenance, reconstruction, and repair of such facilities located within or outside the borders of the county, and including facilities to be jointly utilized by a county and another political subdivision.
EXPLANATION
   This bill includes natural gas facilities and electric generating facilities within the definition of a county enterprise.
   The bill provides that a county enterprise shall include natural gas facilities and electric generating facilities, including transmission and distribution systems, and including the acquisition, establishment, construction, purchase, equipment, improvement, extension, operation, maintenance, reconstruction, and repair of such facilities within or outside the borders of the county, and including facilities to be jointly utilized by a county and another political subdivision. With respect to an electric generating facility, the bill also includes generation systems within the definition.
   Including these facilities within the definition of a county enterprise will enable projects involving such facilities to be financed pursuant to the issuance of revenue bonds by the county.