MDM 19498
MDM 19498
MDM 19498
S. ll
116TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
A BILL
To facilitate efficient investments and financing of infrastruc-
ture projects and new, long-term job creation through
the establishment of an Infrastructure Financing Author-
ity, and for other purposes.
2
1 (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for
2 this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Purpose.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 201. Eligibility criteria for assistance from IFA and terms and limitations
of loans.
Sec. 202. Loan terms and repayment.
Sec. 203. Project Delivery Task Force.
Sec. 204. Compliance and enforcement.
Sec. 205. Audits; reports to the President and Congress.
Sec. 206. Effect on other laws.
3 SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
3
1 that are in the public interest in a manner that com-
2 plements existing Federal, State, local, and private fund-
3 ing sources for these projects and introduces a merit-based
4 system for financing those projects, in order to mobilize
5 significant private sector investment, create long-term
6 jobs, and ensure United States competitiveness through
7 a self-sustaining institution that limits the need for ongo-
8 ing Federal funding.
9 SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
10 In this Act:
11 (1) BLIND TRUST.—The term ‘‘blind trust’’
12 means a trust in which the beneficiary has no knowl-
13 edge of the specific holdings and no rights over how
14 those holdings are managed by the fiduciary of the
15 trust prior to the dissolution of the trust.
16 (2) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—The term ‘‘Board
17 of Directors’’ means the Board of Directors of IFA.
18 (3) CHAIRPERSON.—The term ‘‘Chairperson’’
19 means the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of
20 IFA.
21 (4) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.—The term
22 ‘‘Chief Executive Officer’’ means the chief executive
23 officer of IFA, appointed under section 103.
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4
1 (5) COST.—The term ‘‘cost’’ has the meaning
2 given the term in section 502 of the Federal Credit
3 Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a).
4 (6) DIRECT LOAN.—The term ‘‘direct loan’’ has
5 the meaning given the term in section 502 of the
6 Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a).
7 (7) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
8 ty’’ means—
9 (A) an individual;
10 (B) a corporation;
11 (C) a partnership, including a public-pri-
12 vate partnership;
13 (D) a joint venture;
14 (E) a trust;
15 (F) a State or any other governmental en-
16 tity, including a political subdivision or any
17 other instrumentality of a State; or
18 (G) a revolving fund.
19 (8) ELIGIBLE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT.—
5
1 equipment, and intercity freight rail facili-
2 ties or equipment.
3 (ii) Intercity passenger bus facilities
4 or equipment.
5 (iii) Public transportation facilities or
6 equipment.
7 (iv) Highway facilities, including
8 bridges and tunnels.
9 (v) Airports and air traffic control
10 systems.
11 (vi) Port or marine terminal facilities,
12 including approaches to marine terminal
13 facilities or inland port facilities, and port
14 or marine equipment, including fixed
15 equipment to serve approaches to marine
16 terminals or inland ports.
17 (vii) Transmission or distribution
18 pipelines.
19 (viii) Inland waterways.
20 (ix) Intermodal facilities or equipment
21 related to 2 or more of the sectors de-
22 scribed in clauses (i) through (viii).
23 (x) Water treatment and solid waste
24 disposal facilities.
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1 (xi) Storm water management sys-
2 tems.
3 (xii) Dams and levees.
4 (xiii) Facilities or equipment for en-
5 ergy transmission, distribution or storage.
6 (B) AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIREC-
7
1 (12) OTRA.—The term ‘‘OTRA’’ means the
2 Office of Technical and Rural Assistance created
3 pursuant to section 106.
4 (13) PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.—The
8
1 Securities and Exchange Commission as a nationally
2 recognized statistical rating organization (as defined
3 in section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
4 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a))).
5 (15) REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE ACCEL-
9
1 (18) SENIOR MANAGEMENT.—The term ‘‘senior
2 management’’ means the chief financial officer, chief
3 risk officer, chief compliance officer, general counsel,
4 chief lending officer, and chief operations officer of
5 IFA, and such other officers as the Board of Direc-
6 tors may, by majority vote, add to senior manage-
7 ment.
8 (19) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means—
9 (A) each of the several States of the
10 United States; and
11 (B) the District of Columbia.
12 (20) TASK FORCE.—The term ‘‘Task Force’’
13 means the Project Delivery Task Force established
14 under section 203.
15 TITLE I—INFRASTRUCTURE
16 FINANCING AUTHORITY
17 SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT AND GENERAL AUTHORITY OF
18 IFA.
10
1 nomically viable, in the public interest, and of re-
2 gional or national significance; and
3 (2) carry out any other activities and duties au-
4 thorized under this Act.
5 (c) INCORPORATION.—
6 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Board of Directors first
7 appointed shall be deemed the incorporator of IFA,
8 and the incorporation shall be held to have been ef-
9 fected from the date of the first meeting of the
10 Board of Directors.
11 (2) CORPORATE OFFICE.—IFA shall—
12 (A) maintain an office in Washington, DC;
13 and
14 (B) for purposes of venue in civil actions,
15 be considered to be a resident of Washington,
16 DC.
17 (d) RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SECRETARY.—The Sec-
18 retary shall take such action as may be necessary to assist
19 in implementing IFA and in carrying out the purpose of
20 this Act.
21 (e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Chapter 91 of title
22 31, United States Code, does not apply to IFA, unless oth-
23 erwise specifically provided in this Act.
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1 SEC. 102. VOTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIREC-
2 TORS.
12
1 shall give consideration to the geographic areas of
2 the United States in which the members of the
3 Board of Directors live and work, particularly to en-
4 sure that the infrastructure priorities and concerns
5 of each region of the country, including rural areas
6 and small communities, are represented on the
7 Board of Directors.
8 (b) VOTING RIGHTS.—Each voting member of the
9 Board of Directors shall have an equal vote in all decisions
10 of the Board of Directors.
11 (c) QUALIFICATIONS OF VOTING MEMBERS.—Each
12 voting member of the Board of Directors shall—
13 (1) be a citizen of the United States; and
14 (2) have significant demonstrated expertise in—
15 (A) the management and administration of
16 a financial institution relevant to the operation
17 of IFA; or
18 (B) the financing, development, or oper-
19 ation of infrastructure projects, including in the
20 evaluation and selection of eligible infrastruc-
21 ture projects based on the purposes, goals, and
22 objectives of this Act.
23 (d) TERMS.—
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1 (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise pro-
2 vided in this Act, each voting member of the Board
3 of Directors shall be appointed for a term of 5 years.
4 (2) INITIAL STAGGERED TERMS.—Of the voting
5 members first appointed to the Board of Directors—
6 (A) the initial Chairperson and 3 of the
7 other voting members shall each be appointed
8 for a term of 5 years; and
9 (B) the remaining 3 voting members shall
10 each be appointed for a term of 2 years.
11 (3) DATE OF INITIAL NOMINATIONS.—The ini-
12 tial nominations for the appointment of all voting
13 members of the Board of Directors shall be made
14 not later than 60 days after the date of enactment
15 of this Act.
16 (4) BEGINNING OF TERM.—The term of each of
17 the initial voting members appointed under this sec-
18 tion shall commence immediately upon the date of
19 appointment, except that, for purposes of calculating
20 the term limits specified in this subsection, the ini-
21 tial terms shall each be construed as beginning on
22 January 22 of the year following the date of the ini-
23 tial appointment.
24 (5) VACANCIES.—
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1 (A) IN GENERAL.—A vacancy in the posi-
2 tion of a voting member of the Board of Direc-
3 tors shall be filled by the President, by and
4 with the advice and consent of the Senate.
5 (B) TERM.—A member appointed to fill a
6 vacancy on the Board of Directors occurring be-
7 fore the expiration of the term for which the
8 predecessor was appointed shall be appointed
9 only for the remainder of that term.
10 (e) MEETINGS.—
11 (1) OPEN TO THE PUBLIC; NOTICE.—Except as
12 provided in paragraph (3), all meetings of the Board
13 of Directors shall be—
14 (A) open to the public; and
15 (B) preceded by reasonable public notice.
16 (2) FREQUENCY.—The Board of Directors shall
17 meet—
18 (A) not later than 60 days after the date
19 on which all members of the Board of Directors
20 are first appointed;
21 (B) at least quarterly after the date de-
22 scribed in subparagraph (A); and
23 (C) at the call of the Chairperson or 3 vot-
24 ing members of the Board of Directors.
25 (3) EXCEPTION FOR CLOSED MEETINGS.—
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1 (A) IN GENERAL.—The voting members of
2 the Board of Directors may, by majority vote,
3 close a meeting to the public if, during the
4 meeting to be closed, there is likely to be dis-
5 closed proprietary or sensitive information re-
6 garding an eligible infrastructure project under
7 consideration for assistance under this Act.
8 (B) AVAILABILITY OF MINUTES.—The
16
1 the member is engaged in the performance of the duties
2 of the Board of Directors.
3 (g) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.—A voting member of
4 the Board of Directors may not participate in any review
5 or decision affecting an eligible infrastructure project
6 under consideration for assistance under this Act, if the
7 member has or is affiliated with an entity who has a finan-
8 cial interest in that project.
9 SEC. 103. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
17
1 (A) IN GENERAL.—Any vacancy in the of-
2 fice of the Chief Executive Officer shall be filled
3 by the President, by and with the advice and
4 consent of the Senate.
5 (B) TERM.—The person appointed to fill a
6 vacancy in the Chief Executive Officer position
7 that occurs before the expiration of the term for
8 which the predecessor was appointed shall be
9 appointed only for the remainder of that term.
10 (c) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Chief Executive Offi-
11 cer—
12 (1) shall have significant expertise in manage-
13 ment and administration of a financial institution,
14 or significant expertise in the financing and develop-
15 ment of infrastructure projects; and
16 (2) may not—
17 (A) hold any other public office;
18 (B) have any financial interest in an eligi-
19 ble infrastructure project then being considered
20 by the Board of Directors, unless that interest
21 is placed in a blind trust; or
22 (C) have any financial interest in an in-
23 vestment institution or its affiliates or any
24 other entity seeking or likely to seek financial
25 assistance for any eligible infrastructure project
MDM19498 S.L.C.
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1 from IFA, unless any such interest is placed in
2 a blind trust for the tenure of the service of the
3 Chief Executive Officer plus 2 additional years.
4 (d) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Chief Executive Officer
5 shall have such executive functions, powers, and duties as
6 may be prescribed by this Act, the bylaws of IFA, or the
7 Board of Directors, including—
8 (1) responsibility for the development and im-
9 plementation of the strategy of IFA, including—
10 (A) the development and submission to the
11 Board of Directors of the annual business plans
12 and budget;
13 (B) the development and submission to the
14 Board of Directors of a long-term strategic
15 plan; and
16 (C) the development, revision, and submis-
17 sion to the Board of Directors of internal poli-
18 cies; and
19 (2) responsibility for the management and over-
20 sight of the daily activities, decisions, operations,
21 and personnel of IFA.
22 (e) COMPENSATION.—
23 (1) IN GENERAL.—Any compensation assess-
24 ment or recommendation by the Chief Executive Of-
25 ficer under this section shall be without regard to
MDM19498 S.L.C.
19
1 the provisions of chapter 51 or subchapter III of
2 chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code.
3 (2) CONSIDERATIONS.—The compensation as-
4 sessment or recommendation required under this
5 subsection shall take into account merit principles,
6 where applicable, as well as the education, experi-
7 ence, level of responsibility, geographic differences,
8 and retention and recruitment needs in determining
9 compensation of personnel.
10 SEC. 104. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIREC-
11 TORS.
20
1 members of the Board of Directors, other than
2 the Chief Executive Officer;
3 (C) develop and approve, in consultation
4 with senior management, a conflict-of-interest
5 policy for the Board of Directors and for senior
6 management;
7 (D) approve or disapprove internal policies
8 that the Chief Executive Officer shall submit to
9 the Board of Directors, including—
10 (i) policies regarding the loan applica-
11 tion and approval process, including appli-
12 cation procedures and project approval
13 processes; and
14 (ii) operational guidelines; and
15 (E) approve or disapprove a 1-year busi-
16 ness plan and budget for IFA;
17 (3) ensure that IFA is at all times operated in
18 a manner that is consistent with this Act, by—
19 (A) monitoring and assessing the effective-
20 ness of IFA in achieving its strategic goals;
21 (B) reviewing and approving internal poli-
22 cies, annual business plans, annual budgets,
23 and long-term strategies submitted by the Chief
24 Executive Officer;
MDM19498 S.L.C.
21
1 (C) reviewing and approving annual re-
2 ports submitted by the Chief Executive Officer;
3 (D) engaging 1 or more external auditors,
4 as set forth in this Act; and
5 (E) reviewing and approving all changes to
6 the organization of senior management;
7 (4) appoint and fix, by a vote of not less than
8 5 of the 7 voting members of the Board of Direc-
9 tors, and without regard to the provisions of chapter
10 51 or subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United
11 States Code, the compensation and adjustments to
12 compensation of all IFA personnel, provided that in
13 appointing and fixing any compensation or adjust-
14 ments to compensation under this paragraph, the
15 Board shall—
16 (A) consult with, and seek to maintain
17 comparability with, other comparable Federal
18 personnel, as the Board of Directors may deter-
19 mine to be appropriate;
20 (B) consult with the Office of Personnel
21 Management; and
22 (C) carry out those duties consistent with
23 merit principles, where applicable, as well as the
24 education, experience, level of responsibility, ge-
25 ographic differences, comparability to private
MDM19498 S.L.C.
22
1 sector positions, and retention and recruitment
2 needs in determining compensation of per-
3 sonnel;
4 (5) serve as the primary liaison for IFA in
5 interactions with Congress, the Secretary of Trans-
6 portation and other executive branch officials, and
7 State and local governments, and to represent the
8 interests of IFA in those interactions and others;
9 (6) approve by a vote of not less than 5 of the
10 7 voting members of the Board of Directors any
11 changes to the bylaws or internal policies of IFA;
12 (7) have the authority and responsibility—
13 (A) to oversee entering into and carrying
14 out such contracts, leases, cooperative agree-
15 ments, or other transactions as are necessary to
16 carry out this Act;
17 (B) to approve of the acquisition, lease,
18 pledge, exchange, and disposal of real and per-
19 sonal property by IFA and otherwise approve
20 the exercise by IFA of all of the usual incidents
21 of ownership of property, to the extent that the
22 exercise of those powers is appropriate to and
23 consistent with the purposes of IFA;
24 (C) to determine the character of, and the
25 necessity for, the obligations and expenditures
MDM19498 S.L.C.
23
1 of IFA, and the manner in which the obliga-
2 tions and expenditures will be incurred, allowed,
3 and paid, subject to this Act and other Federal
4 law specifically applicable to wholly owned Fed-
5 eral corporations;
6 (D) to execute, in accordance with applica-
7 ble bylaws and regulations, appropriate instru-
8 ments;
9 (E) to approve other forms of credit en-
10 hancement that IFA may provide to eligible
11 projects, as long as the forms of credit enhance-
12 ments are consistent with the purposes of this
13 Act and terms set forth in title II;
14 (F) to exercise all other lawful powers
15 which are necessary or appropriate to carry out,
16 and are consistent with, the purposes of IFA;
17 (G) to sue or be sued in the corporate ca-
18 pacity of IFA in any court of competent juris-
19 diction;
20 (H) to indemnify the members of the
21 Board of Directors and officers of IFA for any
22 liabilities arising out of the actions of the mem-
23 bers and officers in that capacity, in accordance
24 with, and subject to the limitations contained in
25 this Act;
MDM19498 S.L.C.
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1 (I) to review all financial assistance pack-
2 ages to all eligible infrastructure projects, as
3 submitted by the Chief Executive Officer and to
4 approve, postpone, or deny the same by major-
5 ity vote;
6 (J) to review all restructuring proposals
7 submitted by the Chief Executive Officer, in-
8 cluding assignation, pledging, or disposal of the
9 interest of IFA in a project, including payment
10 or income from any interest owned or held by
11 IFA, and to approve, postpone, or deny the
12 same by majority vote;
13 (K) to enter into binding commitments, as
14 specified in approved financial assistance pack-
15 ages;
16 (L) to determine whether—
17 (i) to obtain a lien on the assets of an
18 eligible entity that receives assistance
19 under this Act; and
20 (ii) to subordinate a lien under clause
21 (i) to any other lien securing project obli-
22 gations; and
23 (M) to ensure a measurable public benefit
24 in the selection of eligible infrastructure
MDM19498 S.L.C.
25
1 projects and to provide for reasonable public
2 input in the selection of such projects;
3 (8) delegate to the Chief Executive Officer
4 those duties that the Board of Directors determines
5 to be appropriate, to better carry out the powers and
6 purposes of the Board of Directors under this sec-
7 tion; and
8 (9) to approve a maximum aggregate amount of
9 principal exposure of IFA at any given time.
10 SEC. 105. SENIOR MANAGEMENT.
26
1 (d) REMOVAL OF SENIOR MANAGEMENT.—Any mem-
2 ber of senior management may be removed—
3 (1) by a majority of the voting members of the
4 Board of Directors at the request of the Chief Exec-
5 utive Officer; or
6 (2) by a vote of not fewer than 5 voting mem-
7 bers of the Board of Directors.
8 (e) SENIOR MANAGEMENT.—
9 (1) IN GENERAL.—Each member of senior
10 management shall report directly to the Chief Exec-
11 utive Officer, other than the chief risk officer, who
12 shall report directly to the Board of Directors.
13 (2) CHIEF RISK OFFICER.—The chief risk offi-
14 cer shall be responsible for all functions of IFA re-
15 lating to—
16 (A) the creation of financial, credit, and
17 operational risk management guidelines and
18 policies;
19 (B) the establishment of guidelines to en-
20 sure diversification of lending activities by re-
21 gion, infrastructure project type, and project
22 size;
23 (C) the creation of conforming standards
24 for infrastructure finance agreements;
MDM19498 S.L.C.
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1 (D) the monitoring of the financial, credit,
2 and operational exposure of IFA; and
3 (E) risk management and mitigation ac-
4 tions, including by reporting those actions, or
5 recommendations of actions to be taken, di-
6 rectly to the Board of Directors.
7 (f) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.—No individual ap-
8 pointed to senior management may—
9 (1) hold any other public office;
10 (2) have any financial interest in an eligible in-
11 frastructure project then being considered by the
12 Board of Directors, unless that interest is placed in
13 a blind trust; or
14 (3) have any financial interest in an investment
15 institution or its affiliates, IFA or its affiliates, or
16 other entity then seeking or likely to seek financial
17 assistance for any eligible infrastructure project
18 from IFA, unless any such interest is placed in a
19 blind trust during the term of service of that indi-
20 vidual in a senior management position, and for a
21 period of 2 years thereafter.
22 SEC. 106. OFFICE OF TECHNICAL AND RURAL ASSISTANCE.
28
1 (b) DUTIES.—The OTRA shall—
2 (1) in consultation with the Secretary of Trans-
3 portation and the heads of other relevant Federal
4 agencies, as determined by the Chief Executive Offi-
5 cer, provide technical assistance to State and local
6 governments and parties in public-private partner-
7 ships in the development and financing of eligible in-
8 frastructure projects, including rural infrastructure
9 projects;
10 (2) assist the entities described in paragraph
11 (1) with coordinating loan and loan guarantee pro-
12 grams available through Federal agencies, including
13 the Department of Transportation and other Federal
14 agencies, as appropriate;
15 (3) work with the entities described in para-
16 graph (1) to identify and develop a pipeline of
17 projects suitable for financing through innovative
18 project financing and performance based project de-
19 livery, including those projects with the potential for
20 financing through IFA; and
21 (4) establish a regional infrastructure accel-
22 erator demonstration program to assist the entities
23 described in paragraph (1) in developing improved
24 infrastructure priorities and financing strategies, for
25 the accelerated development of covered infrastruc-
MDM19498 S.L.C.
29
1 ture projects, including those projects with the po-
2 tential for financing through IFA.
3 (c) DESIGNATION OF REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE
4 ACCELERATORS.—In carrying out the program estab-
5 lished pursuant to subsection (b)(3), the OTRA is author-
6 ized to designate regional infrastructure accelerators that
7 will—
8 (1) serve a defined geographic area; and
9 (2) act as a resource in such area to entities de-
10 scribed in subsection (b)(1), in accordance with this
11 subsection.
12 (d) APPLICATION PROCESS.—To be eligible for a des-
13 ignation under subsection (c), regional infrastructure ac-
14 celerators shall submit a proposal to the OTRA at such
15 time, in such form, and containing such information as
16 the OTRA determines is appropriate.
17 (e) CONSIDERATIONS.—In evaluating proposals sub-
18 mitted pursuant to subsection (d), the OTRA shall con-
19 sider—
20 (1) the need for geographic diversity among re-
21 gional infrastructure accelerators; and
22 (2) promoting investment in covered infrastruc-
23 ture projects, which shall include a plan—
MDM19498 S.L.C.
30
1 (A) to evaluate and promote innovative fi-
2 nancing methods for local projects, including
3 the use of IFA;
4 (B) to build capacity of governments to
5 evaluate and structure projects involving the in-
6 vestment of private capital;
7 (C) to provide technical assistance and in-
8 formation on best practices with respect to fi-
9 nancing such projects;
10 (D) to increase transparency with respect
11 to infrastructure project analysis and utilizing
12 innovative financing for public infrastructure
13 projects;
14 (E) to deploy predevelopment capital pro-
15 grams designed to facilitate the creation of a
16 pipeline of infrastructure projects available for
17 investment;
18 (F) to bundle smaller-scale and rural
19 projects into larger proposals that may be more
20 attractive for investment; and
21 (G) to reduce transaction costs for public
22 project sponsors.
23 (f) ANNUAL REPORT.—The OTRA shall submit an
24 annual report to Congress that describes the findings and
MDM19498 S.L.C.
31
1 effectiveness of the infrastructure accelerator demonstra-
2 tion program.
3 SEC. 107. SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR IFA.
4 (a) IN GENERAL.—
5 (1) INITIAL PERIOD.—During the 5-year period
6 beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act,
7 the Inspector General of the Department of the
8 Treasury shall serve as the Special Inspector Gen-
9 eral for IFA in addition to the existing duties of the
10 Inspector General of the Department of the Treas-
11 ury.
12 (2) OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR GEN-
32
1 (2) BASIS OF APPOINTMENT.—The appoint-
2 ment of the Special Inspector General shall be made
3 on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability in
4 accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, man-
5 agement analysis, public administration, or inves-
6 tigations.
7 (3) TIMING OF NOMINATION.—The nomination
8 of an individual as Special Inspector General shall
9 be made as soon as practicable after the date of en-
10 actment of this Act.
11 (4) REMOVAL.—The Special Inspector General
12 shall be removable from office in accordance with
13 the provisions of section 3(b) of the Inspector Gen-
14 eral Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
15 (5) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—For purposes of
16 section 7324 of title 5, United States Code, the Spe-
17 cial Inspector General shall not be considered an em-
18 ployee who determines policies to be pursued by the
19 United States in the nationwide administration of
20 Federal law.
21 (6) RATE OF PAY.—The annual rate of basic
22 pay of the Special Inspector General shall be the an-
23 nual rate of basic pay for an Inspector General
24 under section 3(e) of the Inspector General Act of
25 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
MDM19498 S.L.C.
33
1 (c) DUTIES.—The Special Inspector General shall—
2 (1) conduct, supervise, and coordinate audits
3 and investigations of the business activities of IFA;
4 (2) establish, maintain, and oversee such sys-
5 tems, procedures, and controls as the Special Inspec-
6 tor General considers appropriate to discharge the
7 duty under paragraph (1); and
8 (3) carry out any other duties and responsibil-
9 ities of inspectors general under the Inspector Gen-
10 eral Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
11 (d) POWERS AND AUTHORITIES.—
12 (1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the duties
13 specified in subsection (c), the Special Inspector
14 General shall have the authorities provided in section
15 6 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C.
16 App.).
17 (2) ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY.—The Special In-
18 spector General shall carry out the duties specified
19 in subsection (c)(1) in accordance with section
20 4(b)(1) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5
21 U.S.C. App.).
22 (e) PERSONNEL, FACILITIES, AND OTHER RE-
23 SOURCES.—
34
1 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Special Inspector
2 General may select, appoint, and employ such
3 officers and employees as may be necessary for
4 carrying out the duties of the Special Inspector
5 General, subject to the provisions of title 5,
6 United States Code, governing appointments in
7 the competitive service, and the provisions of
8 chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of
9 such title, relating to classification and General
10 Schedule pay rates.
11 (B) EMPLOYMENT AND COMPENSATION.—
35
1 ices with public agencies and with private persons,
2 and make such payments as may be necessary to
3 carry out the duties of the Special Inspector Gen-
4 eral.
5 (4) REQUEST FOR INFORMATION.—
36
1 President and appropriate committees of Congress a
2 report summarizing the activities of the Special In-
3 spector General during the previous 1-year period
4 ending on the date of that report.
5 (2) PUBLIC DISCLOSURES.—Nothing in this
6 subsection authorizes the public disclosure of infor-
7 mation that is—
8 (A) specifically prohibited from disclosure
9 by any other provision of law;
10 (B) specifically required by Executive order
11 to be protected from disclosure in the interest
12 of national defense or national security or in
13 the conduct of foreign affairs; or
14 (C) a part of an ongoing criminal inves-
15 tigation.
16 SEC. 108. OTHER PERSONNEL.
37
1 (b) COORDINATION IN IDENTIFYING QUALIFICA-
2 TIONS AND EXPERTISE.—In appointing qualified per-
3 sonnel pursuant to subsection (a), the Chief Executive Of-
4 ficer shall coordinate with, and seek assistance from, the
5 Secretary of Transportation in identifying the appropriate
6 qualifications and expertise in infrastructure project fi-
7 nance.
8 SEC. 109. COMPLIANCE.
38
1 cient revenue stream to finance the loan that will be
2 used to pay for such project.
3 (b) FINANCIAL CRITERIA.—If the project meets the
4 requirements under subsection (a), an applicant for finan-
5 cial assistance under this Act shall demonstrate, to the
6 satisfaction of the Board of Directors, that—
7 (1) for public-private partnerships, the project
8 has received contributed capital or commitments for
9 contributed capital equal to not less than 10 percent
10 of the total cost of the eligible infrastructure project
11 for which assistance is being sought if such contrib-
12 uted capital includes—
13 (A) equity;
14 (B) deeply subordinate loans or other cred-
15 it and debt instruments, which shall be junior
16 to any IFA assistance provided for the project;
17 (C) appropriated funds or grants from gov-
18 ernmental sources other than the Federal Gov-
19 ernment; or
20 (D) irrevocable private contributions of
21 funds, grants, property (including rights-of-
22 way), and other assets that directly reduce or
23 offset project costs; and
24 (2) the eligible infrastructure project for which
25 assistance is being sought—
MDM19498 S.L.C.
39
1 (A) is not for the refinancing of an exist-
2 ing infrastructure project; and
3 (B) meets—
4 (i) any pertinent requirements set
5 forth in this Act;
6 (ii) any criteria established by the
7 Board of Directors under subsection (c) or
8 by the Chief Executive Officer in accord-
9 ance with this Act; and
10 (iii) the definition of an eligible infra-
11 structure project.
12 (c) CONSIDERATIONS.—The criteria established by
13 the Board of Directors under this subsection shall provide
14 adequate consideration of—
15 (1) the economic, financial, technical, environ-
16 mental, and public benefits and costs of each eligible
17 infrastructure project under consideration for finan-
18 cial assistance under this Act, prioritizing eligible in-
19 frastructure projects that—
20 (A) demonstrate a clear and measurable
21 public benefit;
22 (B) offer value for money to taxpayers;
23 (C) contribute to regional or national eco-
24 nomic growth;
25 (D) lead to long-term job creation; and
MDM19498 S.L.C.
40
1 (E) mitigate environmental concerns;
2 (2) the means by which development of the eli-
3 gible infrastructure project under consideration is
4 being financed, including—
5 (A) the terms, conditions, and structure of
6 the proposed financing;
7 (B) the creditworthiness and standing of
8 the project sponsors, providers of equity, and
9 cofinanciers;
10 (C) the financial assumptions and projec-
11 tions on which the eligible infrastructure project
12 is based; and
13 (D) whether there is sufficient State or
14 municipal political support for the successful
15 completion of the eligible infrastructure project;
16 (3) the likelihood that the provision of assist-
17 ance by IFA will cause the development to proceed
18 more promptly and with lower costs for financing
19 than would be the case without IFA assistance;
20 (4) the extent to which the provision of assist-
21 ance by IFA maximizes the level of private invest-
22 ment in the eligible infrastructure project or sup-
23 ports a public-private partnership, while providing a
24 significant public benefit;
MDM19498 S.L.C.
41
1 (5) the extent to which the provision of assist-
2 ance by IFA can mobilize the participation of other
3 financing partners in the eligible infrastructure
4 project;
5 (6) the technical and operational viability of the
6 eligible infrastructure project;
7 (7) the proportion of financial assistance from
8 IFA;
9 (8) the geographical location of the project,
10 prioritizing geographical diversity of projects funded
11 by IFA;
12 (9) the size of the project and the impact of the
13 project on the resources of IFA; and
14 (10) the infrastructure sector of the project,
15 prioritizing projects from more than 1 sector funded
16 by IFA.
17 (d) APPLICATION.—
18 (1) IN GENERAL.—Any eligible entity seeking
19 assistance from IFA under this Act for an eligible
20 infrastructure project shall submit an application to
21 IFA at such time, in such manner, and containing
22 such information as the Board of Directors or the
23 Chief Executive Officer may require.
24 (2) REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS.—
MDM19498 S.L.C.
42
1 (A) IN GENERAL.—IFA shall review appli-
2 cations for assistance under this Act on an on-
3 going basis.
4 (B) PREPARATION.—The Chief Executive
5 Officer, in cooperation with the senior manage-
6 ment, shall prepare eligible infrastructure
7 projects for review and approval by the Board
8 of Directors.
9 (3) DEDICATED REVENUE SOURCES.—The Fed-
10 eral credit instrument shall be repayable, in whole or
11 in part, from tolls, user fees, or other dedicated rev-
12 enue sources derived from users or beneficiaries that
13 also secure the eligible infrastructure project obliga-
14 tions.
15 (e) ELIGIBLE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT COSTS.—
16 (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
17 graph (2), to be eligible for assistance under this
18 Act, an eligible infrastructure project shall have
19 project costs that are reasonably anticipated to equal
20 or exceed $50,000,000.
21 (2) RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.—To
43
1 (f) LOAN ELIGIBILITY AND MAXIMUM AMOUNTS.—
2 (1) IN GENERAL.—The amount of a direct loan
3 or loan guarantee under this Act shall not exceed
4 the lesser of—
5 (A) 49 percent of the reasonably antici-
6 pated eligible infrastructure project costs; and
7 (B) the amount of the senior project obli-
8 gations, if the direct loan or loan guarantee
9 does not receive an investment grade rating.
10 (2) MAXIMUM ANNUAL LOAN AND LOAN GUAR-
44
1 and requirements (including requirements for audits) as
2 the Chief Executive Officer determines appropriate.
3 (b) TERMS.—A direct loan or loan guarantee under
4 this Act—
5 (1) shall—
6 (A) be payable, in whole or in part, from
7 tolls, user fees, or other dedicated revenue
8 sources derived from users or beneficiaries; and
9 (B) include a rate covenant, coverage re-
10 quirement, or similar security feature sup-
11 porting the project obligations; and
12 (2) may be secured by a lien—
13 (A) on the assets of the obligor, including
14 revenues described in paragraph (1); and
15 (B) which may be subordinated to any
16 other lien securing project obligations.
17 (c) BASE INTEREST RATE.—The base interest rate
18 on a direct loan under this Act shall be not less than the
19 yield on Treasury obligations of a similar maturity to the
20 maturity of the direct loan on the date of execution of
21 the loan agreement.
22 (d) RISK ASSESSMENT.—Before entering into an
23 agreement for assistance under this Act, the Chief Execu-
24 tive Officer, in consultation with the Director of the Office
25 of Management and Budget and each rating agency pro-
MDM19498 S.L.C.
45
1 viding a preliminary rating opinion letter under this sec-
2 tion, shall determine an appropriate Federal credit subsidy
3 amount for each direct loan and loan guarantee, taking
4 into account that preliminary rating opinion letter, as well
5 as any comparable market rates available for such a loan
6 or loan guarantee, should any exist.
7 (e) CREDIT FEE.—
8 (1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to each agree-
9 ment for assistance under this Act, the Chief Execu-
10 tive Officer shall charge a credit fee to the recipient
11 of that assistance to pay for, over time, all or a por-
12 tion of the Federal credit subsidy determined under
13 subsection (d), with the remainder paid by the ac-
14 count established for IFA.
15 (2) DIRECT LOANS.—In the case of a direct
16 loan, the credit fee described in paragraph (1) shall
17 be in addition to the base interest rate established
18 under subsection (c).
19 (f) MATURITY DATE.—The final maturity date of a
20 direct loan or loan guaranteed by IFA under this Act shall
21 be not later than 35 years after the date of substantial
22 completion of the eligible infrastructure project, as deter-
23 mined by the Chief Executive Officer.
24 (g) PRELIMINARY RATING OPINION LETTER.—
MDM19498 S.L.C.
46
1 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Chief Executive Officer
2 shall require each applicant for assistance under this
3 Act to provide a preliminary rating opinion letter
4 from at least 1 rating agency, indicating that the
5 senior obligations of the eligible infrastructure
6 project, which may be the Federal credit instrument,
7 have the potential to achieve an investment-grade
8 rating.
9 (2) RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.—With
47
1 (2) RATING OF IFA OVERALL PORTFOLIO.—The
18 LOANS.—
48
1 Chief Executive Officer may allow the obligor to
2 add unpaid principal and interest to the out-
3 standing balance of the direct loan, if the result
4 would benefit the taxpayer.
5 (B) INTEREST.—Any payment deferred
6 under subparagraph (A) shall—
7 (i) continue to accrue interest, in ac-
8 cordance with the terms of the obligation,
9 until fully repaid; and
10 (ii) be scheduled to be amortized over
11 the remaining term of the loan.
12 (C) CRITERIA.—
13 (i) IN GENERAL.—Any payment defer-
14 ral under subparagraph (A) shall be con-
15 tingent on the eligible infrastructure
16 project meeting criteria established by the
17 Board of Directors.
18 (ii) REPAYMENT STANDARDS.—The
49
1 gible infrastructure project obligations and di-
2 rect loan and all deposit requirements under the
3 terms of any trust agreement, bond resolution,
4 or similar agreement securing project obliga-
5 tions under this Act may be applied annually to
6 prepay the direct loan, without penalty.
7 (B) USE OF PROCEEDS OF REFI-
50
1 the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C.
2 661 et seq.).
3 (2) EXCEPTION.—Section 504(b) of the Federal
4 Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661c(b)) shall
5 not apply to a loan or loan guarantee under this
6 Act.
7 (l) POLICY OF CONGRESS.—It is the policy of Con-
8 gress that IFA shall only make a direct loan or loan guar-
9 antee under this Act if IFA determines that IFA is rea-
10 sonably expected to recover the full amount of the direct
11 loan or loan guarantee.
12 SEC. 203. PROJECT DELIVERY TASK FORCE.
51
1 (2) coordinate concurrent permitting reviews by
2 all necessary agencies; and
3 (3) coordinate with relevant State agencies and
4 regional infrastructure development agencies to en-
5 sure—
6 (A) adequate participation; and
7 (B) the timely provision of necessary docu-
8 mentation to allow any State review to proceed
9 without delay.
10 (c) CONCURRENT REVIEWS.—Each agency, to the
11 greatest extent permitted by law, shall—
12 (1) carry out the obligations of the agency
13 under other applicable law concurrently, and in con-
14 junction with other reviews being conducted by other
15 participating agencies, including environmental re-
16 views required under the National Environmental
17 Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), unless such
18 concurrent reviews would impair the ability of the
19 agency to carry out its statutory obligations; and
20 (2) formulate and implement administrative,
21 policy, and procedural mechanisms to enable the
22 agency to ensure the completion of the environ-
23 mental review process in a timely, coordinated, and
24 environmentally responsible manner.
MDM19498 S.L.C.
52
1 SEC. 204. COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT.
53
1 (2) to accelerate the repayment terms of any
2 outstanding obligation.
3 SEC. 205. AUDITS; REPORTS TO THE PRESIDENT AND CON-
4 GRESS.
54
1 (C) the status of eligible infrastructure
2 projects receiving funding or other assistance
3 pursuant to this Act during that fiscal year, in-
4 cluding—
5 (i) all nonperforming loans; and
6 (ii) disclosure of all entities with a de-
7 velopment, ownership, or operational inter-
8 est in those eligible infrastructure projects;
9 (D) a description of the successes and
10 challenges encountered in lending to rural com-
11 munities, including the role of the Office of
12 Technical and Rural Assistance established
13 under this Act; and
14 (E) an assessment of the risks of the port-
15 folio of IFA, which shall be prepared by an
16 independent source.
17 (2) GAO.—Not later than 5 years after the
18 date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller Gen-
19 eral of the United States shall conduct an evaluation
20 of, and submit to the Committee on Commerce,
21 Science, and Transportation of the Senate and to
22 the Committees on Transportation and Infrastruc-
23 ture and Energy and Commerce of the House of
24 Representatives a report on the activities of IFA for
25 the fiscal years covered by the report that includes—
MDM19498 S.L.C.
55
1 (A) an assessment of the impact and bene-
2 fits of each funded eligible infrastructure
3 project, including a review of how effectively
4 each eligible infrastructure project accomplished
5 the goals prioritized by the eligible infrastruc-
6 ture project criteria of IFA; and
7 (B) an evaluation of the effectiveness of,
8 and challenges facing, loan programs at the De-
9 partment of Transportation and Department of
10 Energy, and an analysis of the advisability of
11 consolidating those programs within IFA.
12 (c) BOOKS AND RECORDS.—
13 (1) IN GENERAL.—IFA shall maintain adequate
14 books and records to support the financial trans-
15 actions of IFA, with a description of financial trans-
16 actions and eligible infrastructure projects receiving
17 funding, and the amount of funding for each project
18 maintained on a publically accessible database.
19 (2) AUDITS BY THE SECRETARY AND GAO.—
56
1 SEC. 206. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.
57
1 SEC. 302. SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF IFA.
58
1 than 5 percent shall be used to offset subsidy costs associ-
2 ated with rural infrastructure projects.
3 SEC. 304. CONTRACT AUTHORITY.
59
1 Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record
2 by the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, pro-
3 vided that such statement has been submitted prior to the
4 vote on passage.