ORS 284.746: Revenue bonds for financing innovation-based economic development; issuance; use of proceeds; nature of revenue bonds; bondholders’ liens; statute as contract with bondholders; powers of council.

(1)(a) The Oregon Innovation Council, in consultation with the Oregon Business Development Department, shall determine eligibility for revenue bond financing of proposals for funding under ORS 284.742 pursuant to rules adopted by the council in consultation with the department. (b) After determining that a proposal, grant, loan or equity investment is eligible for revenue bond financing under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the department shall forward a request for the issuance of revenue bonds to the State Treasurer. (2) The State Treasurer may issue revenue bonds subject to the budget authorization for bond issuance established under ORS 286A.035 for the department and the council for the purpose of financing or refinancing, in whole or part, grants, loans and equity investments made under ORS 284.742, plus an additional amount to be estimated by the State Treasurer for payment of bond-related costs. (3) Net proceeds of the revenue bonds issued pursuant to this section must be deposited in the Oregon Innovation Bond Fund established under ORS 284.747 for disbursement to the council to finance the making of grants, loans and equity investments under ORS 284.742. (4) Bond-related costs must be paid from the gross proceeds of the revenue bonds issued under this section and from moneys deposited in an account or subaccount of the Oregon Innovation Fund that has been established by the council specifically for this purpose. (5) The department and the council, with the approval of the State Treasurer, may irrevocably pledge and assign all or a portion of the moneys deposited in an account or subaccount of the Oregon Innovation Fund that has been established by the council specifically for the purpose of securing revenue bonds issued under this section or credit enhancements obtained for the revenue bonds issued under this section. (6) Revenue bonds issued under this section: (a) Are payable from the moneys deposited in an account or subaccount of the Oregon Innovation Fund that has been established by the council specifically for the purpose of making payments on revenue bonds issued under this section. (b) Do not constitute a debt or general obligation of the state, the Legislative Assembly or a political subdivision of this state but are secured solely by: (A) The moneys deposited in an account or subaccount of the Oregon Innovation Fund that has been established by the council specifically for the purpose of making payments on revenue bonds issued under this section; (B) Amounts in a debt service reserve account established with respect to revenue bonds issued under this section; or (C) A credit enhancement obtained for the revenue bonds issued under this section. (7) The State Treasurer, the department and the council have no obligation to pay bond-related costs except as provided in this section. A holder of revenue bonds or other similar obligations issued under this section does not have the right to compel the exercise of the taxing power of the state to pay bond-related costs. (8) The holders of revenue bonds issued under this section, upon the issuance of the revenue bonds, have a perfected lien on the moneys deposited in an account or subaccount of the Oregon Innovation Fund that has been established by the council specifically for the purpose of securing and making payments on revenue bonds issued under this section or credit enhancements obtained for the revenue bonds issued under this section. The lien and pledge are valid and binding from the date of issuance of the revenue bonds and are automatically perfected without physical delivery, filing or other act. The lien and pledge are superior to subsequent claims or liens on the moneys deposited in the Oregon Innovation Fund. (9) As long as any revenue bonds issued under this section are outstanding, the provisions of this section and the provisions of a security document related to the revenue bonds are deemed to be contracts between the state and holders of the revenue bonds. The state: (a) May not create a lien, encumbrance or any other obligation that is superior to the liens authorized by subsection (8) of this section on the moneys in the Oregon Innovation Fund that are pledged and assigned to the payment of the revenue bonds; and (b) May not give force or effect to a statute or initiative or referendum measure approved by the electors of this state if doing so would unconstitutionally impair existing covenants made with the holders of existing revenue bonds or would unconstitutionally impair other obligations or agreements regarding the security of revenue bonds to which the moneys deposited in the Oregon Innovation Fund are pledged and assigned. (10) The council is authorized to establish separate accounts or subaccounts within the Oregon Innovation Fund for separate bond issues. (11) The council may: (a) Make all contracts, execute all instruments and do all things necessary or convenient in the exercise of the powers granted by this section, in the performance of its covenants or duties, or in order to secure the payment of revenue bonds issued under this section; and (b) Enter into covenants for the benefit of bond holders regarding the use and expenditure of moneys in the Oregon Innovation Fund. (12) The State Treasurer, the department or the council may appoint bond counsel as prescribed in ORS 286A.130. [2011 c.610 §12; 2019 c.131 §12]