S.Amdt. 1578

1. Strikes title III

   Strikes

   In S. 1813 · Reported to Senate

   Struck: TITLE III--AMERICA FAST FORWARD FINANCING INNOVATION

   Struck: SEC. 3001. SHORT TITLE.

   Struck: This title may be cited as the "America Fast Forward Financing Innovation Act of 2011".

   Struck: SEC. 3002. TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE AND INNOVATION ACT AMENDMENTS.

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   Struck: Sections 601 through 609 of title 23, United States Code, are amended to read as follows:

   Struck: "Sec. 601. Generally applicable provisions

   Struck: "(a) Definitions.--In this chapter, the following definitions apply:

   Struck: "(1) Eligible project costs.--The term 'eligible project costs' means amounts substantially all of which are paid by, or for the account of, an obligor in connection with a project, including the cost of--

   Struck: "(A) development phase activities, including planning, feasibility analysis, revenue forecasting, environmental review, permitting, preliminary engineering and design work, and other preconstruction activities;

   Struck: "(B) construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, replacement, and acquisition of real property (including land relating to the project and improvements to land), environmental mitigation, construction contingencies, and acquisition of equipment; and

   Struck: "(C) capitalized interest necessary to meet market requirements, reasonably required reserve funds, capital issuance expenses, and other carrying costs during construction.

   Struck: "(2) Federal credit instrument.--The term 'Federal credit instrument' means a secured loan, loan guarantee, or line of credit authorized to be made available under this chapter with respect to a project.

   Struck: "(3) Investment-grade rating.--The term 'investment-grade rating' means a rating of BBB minus, Baa3, bbb minus, BBB (low), or higher assigned by a rating agency to project obligations.

   Struck: "(4) Lender.--The term 'lender' means any non-Federal qualified institutional buyer (as defined in section 230.144A(a) of title 17, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), known as Rule 144A(a) of the Securities and Exchange Commission and issued under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.)), including--

   Struck: "(A) a qualified retirement plan (as defined in section 4974(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) that is a qualified institutional buyer; and

   Struck: "(B) a governmental plan (as defined in section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) that is a qualified institutional buyer.

   Struck: "(5) Letter of interest.--The term 'letter of interest' means a letter submitted by a potential applicant prior to an application for credit assistance in a format prescribed by the Secretary on the website of the TIFIA program, which--

   Struck: "(A) describes the project and the location, purpose, and cost of the project;

   Struck: "(B) outlines the proposed financial plan, including the requested credit assistance and the proposed obligor;

   Struck: "(C) provides a status of environmental review; and

   Struck: "(D) provides information regarding satisfaction of other eligibility requirements of the TIFIA program.

   Struck: "(6) Line of credit.--The term "'line of credit"' means an agreement entered into by the Secretary with an obligor under section 604 to provide a direct loan at a future date upon the occurrence of certain events.

   Struck: "(7) Limited buydown.--The term 'limited buydown' means, subject to the conditions described in section 603(b)(4)(C), a buydown of the interest rate by the Secretary and by the obligor if the interest rate has increased between--

   Struck: "(A)(i) the date on which a project application acceptable to the Secretary is submitted; or

   Struck: "(ii) the date on which the Secretary entered into a master credit agreement; and

   Struck: "(B) the date on which the Secretary executes the Federal credit instrument.

   Struck: "(8) Loan guarantee.--The term 'loan guarantee' means any guarantee or other pledge by the Secretary to pay all or part of the principal of and interest on a loan or other debt obligation issued by an obligor and funded by a lender.

   Struck: "(9) Master credit agreement.--The term 'master credit agreement' means an agreement to extend credit assistance for a program of projects secured by a common security pledge (which shall receive an investment grade rating from a rating agency), or for a single project covered under section 602(b)(2) that would--

   Struck: "(A) make contingent commitments of 1 or more secured loans or other Federal credit instruments at future dates, subject to the availability of future funds being made available to carry out this chapter;

   Struck: "(B) establish the maximum amounts and general terms and conditions of the secured loans or other Federal credit instruments;

   Struck: "(C) identify the 1 or more dedicated non-Federal revenue sources that will secure the repayment of the secured loans or secured Federal credit instruments;

   Struck: "(D) provide for the obligation of funds for the secured loans or secured Federal credit instruments after all requirements have been met for the projects subject to the master credit agreement, including--

   Struck: "(i) completion of an environmental impact statement or similar analysis required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); "(ii) compliance with such other requirements as are specified in section 602(c); and

   Struck: "(iii) the availibility of funds to carry out this chapter; and

   Struck: "(E) require that contingent commitments result in a financial close and obligation of credit assistance not later than 3 years after the date of entry into the master credit agreement, or release of the commitment, unless otherwise extended by the Secretary.

   Struck: "(10) Obligor.--The term 'obligor' means a party that--

   Struck: "(A) is primarily liable for payment of the principal of or interest on a Federal credit instrument; and

   Struck: "(B) may be a corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or governmental entity, agency, or instrumentality.

   Struck: "(11) Project.--The term 'project' means--

   Struck: "(A) any surface transportation project eligible for Federal assistance under this title or chapter 53 of title 49;

   Struck: "(B) a project for an international bridge or tunnel for which an international entity authorized under Federal or State law is responsible;

   Struck: "(C) a project for intercity passenger bus or rail facilities and vehicles, including facilities and vehicles owned by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation and components of magnetic levitation transportation systems; and

   Struck: "(D) a project that--

   Struck: "(i) is a project--

   Struck: "(I) for a public freight rail facility or a private facility providing public benefit for highway users by way of direct freight interchange between highway and rail carriers;

   Struck: "(II) for an intermodal freight transfer facility;

   Struck: "(III) for a means of access to a facility described in subclause (I) or (II);

   Struck: "(IV) for a service improvement for a facility described in subclause (I) or (II) (including a capital investment for an intelligent transportation system); or

   Struck: "(V) that comprises a series of projects described in subclauses (I) through (IV) with the common objective of improving the flow of goods;

   Struck: "(ii) may involve the combining of private and public sector funds, including investment of public funds in private sector facility improvements;

   Struck: "(iii) if located within the boundaries of a port terminal, includes only such surface transportation infrastructure modifications as are necessary to facilitate direct intermodal interchange, transfer, and access into and out of the port; and

   Struck: "(iv) is composed of related highway, surface transportation, transit, rail, or intermodal capital improvement projects eligible for assistance under this subsection in order to meet the eligible project cost threshold under section 602, by grouping related projects together for that purpose, on the condition that the credit assistance for the projects is secured by a common pledge.

   Struck: "(12) Project obligation.--The term 'project obligation' means any note, bond, debenture, or other debt obligation issued by an obligor in connection with the financing of a project, other than a Federal credit instrument.

   Struck: "(13) Rating agency.--The term 'rating agency' means a credit rating agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as that term is defined in section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a))).

   Struck: "(14) Rural infrastructure project.--The term 'rural infrastructure project' means a surface transportation infrastructure project located in any area other than an urbanized area that has a population of greater than 200,000 inhabitants.

   Struck: "(15) Secured loan.--The term 'secured loan' means a direct loan or other debt obligation issued by an obligor and funded by the Secretary in connection with the financing of a project under section 603.

   Struck: "(16) State.--The term 'State' has the meaning given the term in section 101.

   Struck: "(17) Subsidy amount.--The term 'subsidy amount' means the amount of budget authority sufficient to cover the estimated long-term cost to the Federal Government of a Federal credit instrument, calculated on a net present value basis, excluding administrative costs and any incidental effects on governmental receipts or outlays in accordance with the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).

   Struck: "(18) Substantial completion.--The term 'substantial completion' means--

   Struck: "(A) the opening of a project to vehicular or passenger traffic; or

   Struck: "(B) a comparable event, as determined by the Secretary and specified in the credit agreement.

   Struck: "(19) TIFIA program.--The term 'TIFIA program' means the transportation infrastructure finance and innovation program of the Department.

   Struck: "(20) Contingent commitment.--The term 'contingent commitment' means a commitment to obligate an amount from future available budget authority that is--

   Struck: "(A) contingent upon those funds being made available in law at a future date; and

   Struck: "(B) not an obligation of the Federal Government.

   Struck: "(b) Treatment of Chapter.--For purposes of this title, this chapter shall be treated as being part of chapter 1.

   Struck: "Sec. 602. Determination of eligibility and project selection

   Struck: "(a) Eligibility.--A project shall be eligible to receive credit assistance under this chapter if the entity proposing to carry out the project submits a letter of interest prior to submission of a formal application for the project, and the project meets the following criteria:

   Struck: "(1) Creditworthiness.--

   Struck: "(A) In general.--The project shall satisfy applicable creditworthiness standards, which, at a minimum, includes--

   Struck: "(i) a rate covenant, if applicable;

   Struck: "(ii) adequate coverage requirements to ensure repayment;

   Struck: "(iii) an investment grade rating from at least 2 rating agencies on debt senior to the Federal credit instrument; and

   Struck: "(iv) a rating from at least 2 rating agencies on the Federal credit instrument, subject to the condition that, with respect to clause (iii), if the senior debt and Federal credit instrument is for an amount less than $75,000,000 or for a rural infrastructure project or intelligent transportation systems project, 1 rating agency opinion for each of the senior debt and Federal credit instrument shall be sufficient.

   Struck: "(B) Senior debt.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), in a case in which the Federal credit instrument is the senior debt, the Federal credit instrument shall be required to receive an investment grade rating from at least 2 rating agencies, unless the credit instrument is for a rural infrastructure project or intelligent transportation systems project, in which case 1 rating agency opinion shall be sufficient.

   Struck: "(2) Inclusion in transportation plans and programs.--The project shall satisfy the applicable planning and programming requirements of sections 134 and 135 at such time as an agreement to make available a Federal credit instrument is entered into under this chapter.

   Struck: "(3) Application.--A State, local government, public authority, public-private partnership, or any other legal entity undertaking the project and authorized by the Secretary, shall submit a project application acceptable to the Secretary.

   Struck: "(4) Eligible project costs.--

   Struck: "(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), to be eligible for assistance under this chapter, a project shall have eligible project costs that are reasonably anticipated to equal or exceed the lesser of--

   Struck: "(i)(I) $50,000,000; or

   Struck: "(II) in the case of a rural infrastructure project, $25,000,000; or

   Struck: "(ii) 33\1/3\ percent of the amount of Federal highway assistance funds apportioned for the most recently completed fiscal year to the State in which the project is located.

   Struck: "(B) Intelligent transportation system projects.-- In the case of a project principally involving the installation of an intelligent transportation system, eligible project costs shall be reasonably anticipated to equal or exceed $15,000,000.

   Struck: "(5) Dedicated revenue sources.--The Federal credit instrument shall be repayable, in whole or in part, from tolls, user fees, or other dedicated revenue sources that also secure the project obligations.

   Struck: "(6) Public sponsorship of private entities.--In the case of a project that is undertaken by an entity that is not a State or local government or an agency or instrumentality of a State or local government, the project that the entity is undertaking shall be publicly sponsored as provided in paragraph (2).

   Struck: "(b) Selection Among Eligible Projects.--

   Struck: "(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a rolling application process in which projects that are eligible to receive credit assistance under subsection (a) shall receive credit assistance on terms acceptable to the Secretary, if adequate funds are available to cover the subsidy costs associated with the Federal credit instrument.

   Struck: "(2) Adequate funding not available.-- " In general</DELETED>.--If the Secretary fully obligates funding to eligible projects in a given fiscal year, and adequate funding is not available to fund a credit instrument, a project sponsor of an eligible project may elect to enter into a master credit agreement and wait until the following fiscal year or until additional funds are available to receive credit assistance.

   Struck: "(3) Preliminary rating opinion letter.--The Secretary shall require each project applicant to provide a preliminary rating opinion letter from at least 1 rating agency--

   Struck: "(A) indicating that the senior obligations of the project, which may be the Federal credit instrument, have the potential to achieve an investment-grade rating; and

   Struck: "(B) including a preliminary rating opinion on the Federal credit instrument.

   Struck: "(c) Federal Requirements.--

   Struck: "(1) In general.--In addition to the requirements of this title for highway projects, chapter 53 of title 49 for transit projects, and section 5333(a) of title 49 for rail projects, the following provisions of law shall apply to funds made available under this chapter and projects assisted with the funds:

   Struck: "(A) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.).

   Struck: "(B) The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).

   Struck: "(C) The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.).

   Struck: "(2) NEPA.--No funding shall be obligated for a project that has not received an environmental Categorical Exclusion, Finding of No Significant Impact, or Record of Decision under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).

   Struck: "Sec. 603. Secured loans

   Struck: "(a) In General.--

   Struck: "(1) Agreements.--Subject to paragraphs (2) through (4), the Secretary may enter into agreements with 1 or more obligors to make secured loans, the proceeds of which shall be used--

   Struck: "(A) to finance eligible project costs of any project selected under section 602;

   Struck: "(B) to refinance interim construction financing of eligible project costs of any project selected under section 602; "(C) to refinance existing loan agreements for rural infrastructure projects; or

   Struck: "(D) to refinance long-term project obligations or Federal credit instruments if the refinancing provides additional funding capacity for the completion, enhancement, or expansion of any project that--

   Struck: "(i) is selected under section 602; or

   Struck: "(ii) otherwise meets the requirements of section 602.

   Struck: "(2) Limitation on refinancing of interim construction financing.--A loan under paragraph (1) shall not refinance interim construction financing under paragraph (1)(B) later than 1 year after the date of substantial completion of the project.

   Struck: "(3) Risk assessment.--Before entering into an agreement under this subsection, the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall determine an appropriate capital reserve subsidy amount for each secured loan, taking into account each rating letter provided by an agency under section 602(b)(3)(B).

   Struck: "(b) Terms and Limitations.--

   Struck: "(1) In general.--A secured loan under this section with respect to a project shall be on such terms and conditions and contain such covenants, representations, warranties, and requirements (including requirements for audits) as the Secretary determines appropriate.

   Struck: "(2) Maximum amount.--The amount of the secured loan shall not exceed the lesser of 49 percent of the reasonably anticipated eligible project costs or, if the secured loan does not receive an investment grade rating, the amount of the senior project obligations.

   Struck: "(3) Payment.--The secured loan--

   Struck: "(A) shall--

   Struck: "(i) be payable, in whole or in part, from tolls, user fees, or other dedicated revenue sources that also secure the senior project obligations; and

   Struck: "(ii) include a rate covenant, coverage requirement, or similar security feature supporting the project obligations; and

   Struck: "(B) may have a lien on revenues described in subparagraph (A) subject to any lien securing project obligations.

   Struck: "(4) Interest rate.--

   Struck: "(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the interest rate on the secured loan shall be not less than the yield on United States Treasury securities of a similar maturity to the maturity of the secured loan on the date of execution of the loan agreement.

   Struck: "(B) Rural infrastructure projects.--A loan offered to a rural infrastructure project under this chapter shall be at \1/2\ of the Treasury Rate.

   Struck: "(C) Limited buydowns.--A limited buydown is subject to the following conditions:

   Struck: "(i) The interest rate under the agreement may not be lowered by more than the lower of--

   Struck: "(I) 1\1/2\ percentage points (150 basis points); or

   Struck: "(II) the amount of the increase in the interest rate.

   Struck: "(ii) The Secretary may pay up to 50 percent of the cost of the limited buydown, and the obligor shall pay the balance of the cost of the limited buydown.

   Struck: "(iii) Not more than 5 percent of the funding made available annually to carry out this chapter may be used to carry out limited buydowns.

   Struck: "(5) Maturity date.--The final maturity date of the secured loan shall be the lesser of--

   Struck: "(A) 35 years after the date of substantial completion of the project; or

   Struck: "(B) if the useful life of the capital asset being financed is of a lesser period, the useful life of the asset.

   Struck: "(6) Nonsubordination.--

   Struck: "(A) In general.--Except as provided in

   Struck: subparagraph (B), the secured loan shall not be subordinated to the claims of any holder of project obligations in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency, or liquidation of the obligor.

   Struck: "(B) Pre-existing indenture.--

   Struck: "(i) In general.--The Secretary shall waive subparagraph (A) for public agency borrowers that are financing ongoing capital programs and have outstanding senior bonds under a pre-existing indenture, if--

   Struck: "(I) the secured loan is rated in the A-category or higher;

   Struck: "(II) the secured loan is secured and payable from pledged revenues not affected by project performance, such as a tax-backed revenue pledge or a system-backed pledge of project revenues; and

   Struck: "(III) the TIFIA program share of eligible project costs is 33 percent or less.

   Struck: "(ii) Limitation.--If the Secretary waives the nonsubordination requirement under this subparagraph--

   Struck: "(I) the maximum credit subsidy that will be paid by the Federal Government shall be limited to 10 percent of the principal amount of the secured loan; and

   Struck: "(II) the obligor shall be responsible for paying the remainder of the subsidy cost.

   Struck: "(7) Fees.--The Secretary may establish fees at a level sufficient to cover all or a portion of the costs to the Federal Government of making a secured loan under this section.

   Struck: "(8) Non-federal share.--The proceeds of a secured loan under this chapter may be used for any non-Federal share of project costs required under this title or chapter 53 of title 49, if the loan is repayable from non-Federal funds.

   Struck: "(9) Maximum federal involvement.--The total Federal assistance provided on a project receiving a loan under this chapter shall not exceed 80 percent of the total project cost.

   Struck: "(c) Repayment.--

   Struck: "(1) Schedule.--The Secretary shall establish a repayment schedule for each secured loan under this section based on the projected cash flow from project revenues and other repayment sources, and the useful life of the project.

   Struck: "(2) Commencement.--Scheduled loan repayments of principal or interest on a secured loan under this section shall commence not later than 5 years after the date of substantial completion of the project.

   Struck: "(3) Deferred payments.--

   Struck: "(A) Authorization.--If, at any time after the date of substantial completion of the project, the project is unable to generate sufficient revenues to pay the scheduled loan repayments of principal and interest on the secured loan, the Secretary may, subject to subparagraph (C), allow the obligor to add unpaid principal and interest to the outstanding balance of the secured loan.

   Struck: "(B) Interest.--Any payment deferred under subparagraph (A) shall--

   Struck: "(i) continue to accrue interest in accordance with subsection (b)(4) until fully repaid; and

   Struck: "(ii) be scheduled to be amortized over the remaining term of the loan.

   Struck: "(C) Criteria.--

   Struck: "(i) In general.--Any payment deferral under subparagraph (A) shall be contingent on the project meeting criteria established by the Secretary.

   Struck: "(ii) Repayment standards.--The criteria established under clause (i) shall include standards for reasonable assurance of repayment.

   Struck: "(4) Prepayment.--

   Struck: "(A) Use of excess revenues.--Any excess revenues that remain after satisfying scheduled debt service requirements on the project obligations and secured loan and all deposit requirements under the terms of any trust agreement, bond resolution, or similar agreement securing project obligations may be applied annually to prepay the secured loan without penalty.

   Struck: "(B) Use of proceeds of refinancing.--The secured loan may be prepaid at any time without penalty from the proceeds of refinancing from non-Federal funding sources.

   Struck: "(d) Sale of Secured Loans.--

   Struck: "(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), as soon as practicable after substantial completion of a project and after notifying the obligor, the Secretary may sell to another entity or reoffer into the capital markets a secured loan for the project if the Secretary determines that the sale or reoffering can be made on favorable terms.

   Struck: "(2) Consent of obligor.--In making a sale or reoffering under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not change the original terms and conditions of the secured loan without the written consent of the obligor.

   Struck: "(e) Loan Guarantees.--

   Struck: "(1) In general.--The Secretary may provide a loan guarantee to a lender in lieu of making a secured loan if the Secretary determines that the budgetary cost of the loan guarantee is substantially the same as that of a secured loan.

   Struck: "(2) Terms.--The terms of a guaranteed loan shall be consistent with the terms set forth in this section for a secured loan, except that the rate on the guaranteed loan and any prepayment features shall be negotiated between the obligor and the lender, with the consent of the Secretary.

   Struck: "Sec. 604. Lines of credit

   Struck: "(a) In General.--

   Struck: "(1) Agreements.--Subject to paragraphs (2) through (4), the Secretary may enter into agreements to make available lines of credit to 1 or more obligors in the form of direct loans to be made by the Secretary at future dates on the occurrence of certain events for any project selected under section 602.

   Struck: "(2) Use of proceeds.--The proceeds of a line of credit made available under this section shall be available to pay debt service on project obligations issued to finance eligible project costs, extraordinary repair and replacement costs, operation and maintenance expenses, and costs associated with unexpected Federal or State environmental restrictions.

   Struck: "(3) Risk assessment.--Before entering into an agreement under this subsection, the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and each rating agency providing a preliminary rating opinion letter under section 602(b)(3), shall determine an appropriate capital reserve subsidy amount for each line of credit, taking into account the rating opinion letter.

   Struck: "(4) Investment-grade rating requirement.--The funding of a line of credit under this section shall be contingent on the senior obligations of the project receiving an investment-grade rating from 2 rating agencies.

   Struck: "(b) Terms and Limitations.--

   Struck: "(1) In general.--A line of credit under this section with respect to a project shall be on such terms and conditions and contain such covenants, representations, warranties, and requirements (including requirements for audits) as the Secretary determines appropriate.

   Struck: "(2) Maximum amounts.--The total amount of the line of credit shall not exceed 33 percent of the reasonably anticipated eligible project costs.

   Struck: "(3) Draws.--Any draw on the line of credit shall represent a direct loan and shall be made only if net revenues from the project (including capitalized interest but not including reasonably required financing reserves) are insufficient to pay the costs specified in subsection (a)(2).

   Struck: "(4) Interest rate.--Except as otherwise provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 603(b)(4), the interest rate on a direct loan resulting from a draw on the line of credit shall be not less than the yield on 30-year United States Treasury securities as of the date of execution of the line of credit agreement.

   Struck: "(5) Security.--The line of credit--

   Struck: "(A) shall--

   Struck: "(i) be payable, in whole or in part, from tolls, user fees, or other dedicated revenue sources that also secure the senior project obligations; and

   Struck: "(ii) include a rate covenant, coverage requirement, or similar security feature supporting the project obligations; and

   Struck: "(B) may have a lien on revenues described in subparagraph (A) subject to any lien securing project obligations.

   Struck: "(6) Period of availability.--The full amount of the line of credit, to the extent not drawn upon, shall be available during the period beginning on the date of substantial completion of the project and ending not later than 10 years after that date.

   Struck: "(7) Rights of third-party creditors.--

   Struck: "(A) Against federal government.--A third-party creditor of the obligor shall not have any right against the Federal Government with respect to any draw on the line of credit.

   Struck: "(B) Assignment.--An obligor may assign the line of credit to 1 or more lenders or to a trustee on the behalf of the lenders.

   Struck: "(8) Nonsubordination.--

   Struck: "(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), a direct loan under this section shall not be subordinated to the claims of any holder of project obligations in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency, or liquidation of the obligor.

   Struck: "(B) Pre-existing indenture.--

   Struck: "(i) In general.--The Secretary shall waive subparagraph (A) for public agency borrowers that are financing ongoing capital programs and have outstanding senior bonds under a pre-existing indenture, if--

   Struck: "(I) the line of credit is rated in the A-category or higher;

   Struck: "(II) the TIFIA program loan resulting from a draw on the line of credit is payable from pledged revenues not affected by project performance, such as a tax-backed revenue pledge or a system-backed pledge of project revenues; and

   Struck: "(III) the TIFIA program share of eligible project costs is 33 percent or less.

   Struck: "(ii) Limitation.--If the Secretary waives the nonsubordination requirement under this subparagraph--

   Struck: "(I) the maximum credit subsidy that will be paid by the Federal Government shall be limited to 10 percent of the principal amount of the secured loan; and

   Struck: "(II) the obligor shall be responsible for paying the remainder of the subsidy cost.

   Struck: "(9) Fees.--The Secretary may establish fees at a level sufficient to cover all or a portion of the costs to the Federal Government of providing a line of credit under this section.

   Struck: "(10) Relationship to other credit instruments.--A project that receives a line of credit under this section shall not also receive a secured loan or loan guarantee under section 603 in an amount that, combined with the amount of the line of credit, exceeds 49 percent of eligible project costs.

   Struck: "(c) Repayment.--

   Struck: "(1) Terms and conditions.--The Secretary shall establish repayment terms and conditions for each direct loan under this section based on the projected cash flow from project revenues and other repayment sources, and the useful life of the asset being financed.

   Struck: "(2) Timing.--All repayments of principal or interest on a direct loan under this section shall be scheduled to commence not later than 5 years after the end of the period of availability specified in subsection (b)(6) and to conclude, with full repayment of principal and interest, by the date that is 25 years after the end of the period of availability specified in subsection (b)(6).

   Struck: "Sec. 605. Program administration

   Struck: "(a) Requirement.--The Secretary shall establish a uniform system to service the Federal credit instruments made available under this chapter.

   Struck: "(b) Fees.--The Secretary may collect and spend fees, contingent upon authority being provided in appropriations Acts, at a level that is sufficient to cover--

   Struck: "(1) the costs of services of expert firms retained pursuant to subsection (d); and

   Struck: "(2) all or a portion of the costs to the Federal Government of servicing the Federal credit instruments.

   Struck: "(c) Servicer.--

   Struck: "(1) In general.--The Secretary may appoint a financial entity to assist the Secretary in servicing the Federal credit instruments.

   Struck: "(2) Duties.--The servicer shall act as the agent for the Secretary.

   Struck: "(3) Fee.--The servicer shall receive a servicing fee, subject to approval by the Secretary.

   Struck: "(d) Assistance From Expert Firms.--The Secretary may retain the services of expert firms, including counsel, in the field of municipal and project finance to assist in the underwriting and servicing of Federal credit instruments.

   Struck: "Sec. 606. State and local permits "The provision of credit assistance under this chapter with respect to a project shall not--

   Struck: "(1) relieve any recipient of the assistance of any obligation to obtain any required State or local permit or approval with respect to the project;

   Struck: "(2) limit the right of any unit of State or local government to approve or regulate any rate of return on private equity invested in the project; or

   Struck: "(3) otherwise supersede any State or local law (including any regulation) applicable to the construction or operation of the project.

   Struck: "Sec. 607. Regulations "The Secretary may promulgate such regulations as the Secretary determines appropriate to carry out this chapter.

   Struck: "Sec. 608. Funding

   Struck: "(a) Funding.--

   Struck: "(1) Spending and borrowing authority.--Spending and borrowing authority for a fiscal year to enter into Federal credit instruments shall be promptly apportioned to the Secretary on a fiscal year basis.

   Struck: "(2) Reestimates.--When the estimated cost of a loan or loans is reestimated, the cost of the reestimate shall be borne by or benefit the general fund of the Treasury, consistent with section 661c(f) of title 2, United States Code.

   Struck: "(3) Rural set-aside.--

   Struck: "(A) In general.--Of the total amount of funds made available to carry out this chapter for each fiscal year, 10 percent shall be set aside for rural infrastructure projects.

   Struck: "(B) Reobligation.--Any amounts set aside under subparagraph (A) that remain unobligated by June 1 of the fiscal year for which the amounts were set aside shall be available for obligation by the Secretary on projects other than rural infrastructure projects.

   Struck: "(4) Redistribution of authorized funding.--

   Struck: "(A) In general.--Beginning in the second fiscal year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, on August 1 of that fiscal year, and each fiscal year thereafter, if the unobligated and uncommitted balance of funding available exceeds 150 percent of the amount made available to carry out this chapter for that fiscal year, the Secretary shall distribute to the States the amount of funds and associated obligation authority in excess of that amount.

   Struck: "(B) Distribution.--The amounts and obligation authority distributed under this paragraph shall be distributed, in the same manner as obligation authority is distributed to the States for the fiscal year, based on the proportion that--

   Struck: "(i) the relative share of each State of obligation authority for the fiscal year; bears to "(ii) the total amount of obligation authority distributed to all States for the fiscal year.

   Struck: "(C) Purpose.--Funds distributed under subparagraph (B) shall be available for any purpose described in section 133(c).

   Struck: "(5) Availability.--Amounts made available to carry out this chapter shall remain available until expended.

   Struck: "(6) Administrative costs.--Of the amounts made available to carry out this chapter, the Secretary may use not more than 1 percent for each fiscal year for the administration of this chapter.

   Struck: "(b) Contract Authority.--

   Struck: "(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, execution of a term sheet by the Secretary of a Federal credit instrument that uses amounts made available under this chapter shall impose on the United States a contractual obligation to fund the Federal credit investment.

   Struck: "(2) Availability.--Amounts made available to carry out this chapter for a fiscal year shall be available for obligation on October 1 of the fiscal year.

   Struck: "Sec. 609. Reports to Congress "On June 1, 2012, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report summarizing the financial performance of the projects that are receiving, or have received, assistance under this chapter (other than section 610), including a recommendation as to whether the objectives of this chapter (other than section 610) are best served--

   Struck: "(1) by continuing the program under the authority of the Secretary;

   Struck: "(2) by establishing a Federal corporation or federally sponsored enterprise to administer the program; or

   Struck: "(3) by phasing out the program and relying on the capital markets to fund the types of infrastructure investments assisted by this chapter (other than section 610) without Federal participation.".

   Struck: SEC. 3003. STATE INFRASTRUCTURE BANKS.

   Struck: Section 610(d)(1)(A) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by striking "sections 104(b)(1)" and all that follows though the semicolon and inserting "paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 104(b)".

   Original wording

   Strike title III

Read automatically from the Congressional Record. Check the original before relying on it.

As printed