Senate Bill sb1528

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528

    By Senator Bullard





    39-817-05                                           See HB 225

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to the Florida Keys Aqueduct

  3         Authority, Monroe County; providing for

  4         codification of special laws relating to the

  5         Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority; providing

  6         legislative intent; codifying, repealing,

  7         amending, and reenacting chapters 76-441,

  8         77-604, 77-605, 80-546, 83-468, 84-483, 84-484,

  9         86-419, 87-454, 98-519, 2003-304, and 2003-327,

10         Laws of Florida; providing for liberal

11         construction; providing a savings clause in the

12         event any provision of the act is deemed

13         invalid; providing an effective date.

14  

15  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

16  

17         Section 1.  Pursuant to section 189.429, Florida

18  Statutes, this act constitutes the codification of all special

19  acts relating to the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority.  It is

20  the intent of the Legislature in enacting this law to provide

21  a single, comprehensive special act charter for the authority,

22  including all current legislative authority granted to the

23  authority by its several legislative enactments and any

24  additional authority granted by this act.  It is further the

25  intent to preserve all authority powers and authority in the

26  Florida Keys, including the authority to provide water and

27  wastewater services.

28         Section 2.  Chapters 76-441, 77-604, 77-605, 80-546,

29  83-468, 84-483, 84-484, 86-419, 98-519, 2003-304, and

30  2003-327, Laws of Florida, relating to the Florida Keys

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  Aqueduct Authority, are codified, reenacted, amended, and

 2  repealed as herein provided.

 3         Section 3.  The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority is

 4  re-created and the charter for the authority is re-created and

 5  reenacted to read:

 6         Section 1.  Creation of authority; boundaries

 7  defined.--As of September 15, 1976, the Florida Keys Aqueduct

 8  Authority, an independent special district, was re-created and

 9  thereafter was the successor agency to the Florida Keys

10  Aqueduct Authority which was abolished by chapter 76-441, Laws

11  of Florida.  The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority is not being

12  re-created by this act or for purposes of section 189.404,

13  Florida Statutes.  The primary purpose and function of this

14  authority shall be to obtain, supply, and distribute an

15  adequate water supply for the Florida Keys and to collect,

16  treat, and dispose of wastewater in the Florida Keys. The

17  geographic jurisdiction of the authority shall be as provided

18  in this act. The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority shall be an

19  autonomous public body corporate and politic and have

20  perpetual existence. All lawful debts, bonds, obligations,

21  contracts, franchises, promissory notes, audits, minutes,

22  resolutions, and other undertakings of the Florida Keys

23  Aqueduct Authority are hereby validated and shall continue to

24  be valid and binding on the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority in

25  accordance with their respective terms, conditions, covenants,

26  and tenor. Any proceedings heretofore begun by the Florida

27  Keys Aqueduct Authority for the construction of any

28  improvements, works, or facilities, for the assessment of

29  benefits and damages, or for the borrowing of money shall not

30  be impaired or voided by this act but may be continued and

31  completed in the name of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority.

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  The authority shall include within its territorial boundaries

 2  all of the lands within Monroe County, but may procure water

 3  outside its boundaries for sale within said boundaries, and

 4  may serve customers residing within 1 mile of its pipeline,

 5  from its well field at Florida City in Miami-Dade County to

 6  the territorial boundary of the authority.

 7         Section 2.  Applicability of certain provisions of

 8  Florida law to the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority.--This act

 9  shall give the authority exclusive jurisdiction over the

10  setting of rates, fees, and charges of, and the connection to

11  and disconnection from, the water system and the sewer system

12  of the authority as granted by this act and to this extent

13  shall supersede chapter 367, Florida Statutes. Decisions made

14  by the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority shall not be subject to

15  the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 120, Florida

16  Statutes.

17         Section 3.  Definitions.--Unless the context shall

18  indicate otherwise, the following words as used in this act

19  shall have the following meanings:

20         (1)  "Authority" means the Florida Keys Aqueduct

21  Authority hereby constituted or, if such authority shall be

22  abolished, any board, commission, or officer succeeding to the

23  principal functions thereof or upon whom the powers given by

24  this act to such authority shall be given by law.

25         (2)  "Board" means the board of directors of the

26  Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority or, if such authority shall be

27  abolished, the board, body, or commission succeeding to the

28  principal functions thereof or to whom the powers given by

29  this act to the board of directors shall be given by law.

30         (3)  "Department" means the Department of the Navy of

31  the United States of America.

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1         (4)  "Bond" includes certificates, and provisions

 2  applicable to bonds shall be equally applicable to

 3  certificates. "Bond" includes any obligation in the nature of

 4  bonds as are provided for in this act as the case may be.

 5         (5)  "Cost" when used with reference to any project

 6  includes, but is not limited to, the expenses of determining

 7  the feasibility or practicability of acquisition,

 8  construction, or reconstruction; the cost of surveys,

 9  estimates, plans, and specifications; the cost of acquisition,

10  construction, or reconstruction; the cost of improvements,

11  engineering, fiscal, and legal expenses and charges; the cost

12  of all labor, materials, machinery, and equipment; the cost of

13  all lands, properties, rights, easements, and franchises

14  acquired; federal, state, and local taxes and assessments;

15  financing charges; the creation of initial reserve and debt

16  service funds; working capital; interest charges incurred or

17  estimated to be incurred on moneys borrowed prior to and

18  during construction and acquisition and for such period of

19  time after completion of construction or acquisition as the

20  board of directors may determine; the cost of issuance of

21  bonds pursuant to this act, including advertisements and

22  printing; the cost of any election held pursuant to this act

23  and all other expenses of issuance of bonds; discount, if any,

24  on the sale or exchange of bonds; administrative expenses;

25  such other expenses as may be necessary or incidental to the

26  acquisition, construction, or reconstruction of any projects

27  or to the financing thereof, or the development of any lands

28  of the authority; and reimbursement of any public or private

29  body, person, firm, or corporation of any moneys advanced in

30  connection with any of the foregoing items of cost. Any

31  obligation or expense incurred prior to the issuance of bonds

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  in connection with the acquisition, construction, or

 2  reconstruction of any project or improvements thereon, or in

 3  connection with any other development of land that the board

 4  of directors of the authority shall determine to be necessary

 5  or desirable in carrying out the purposes of this act, may be

 6  treated as part of such cost.

 7         (6)  "Project" means any development, improvements,

 8  property, utility, facility, works, enterprise, service, or

 9  convenience that the authority is authorized to construct,

10  acquire, undertake, or furnish for its own use or for the use

11  of any person, firm, or corporation owning, leasing, or

12  otherwise using the same for any profit or nonprofit purpose

13  or activity and shall include without limitation such repairs,

14  replacements, additions, extensions, and betterments of and to

15  any project as may be deemed necessary or desirable by the

16  board of directors to place or to maintain such project in

17  proper condition for the safe, efficient, and economic

18  operation thereof.

19         (7)  "Water system" means any existing or proposed

20  plant, system, facility, or property and additions,

21  extensions, and improvements thereto at any future time

22  constructed or acquired as part thereof, useful or necessary

23  or having the present capacity for future use in connection

24  with the development of sources, treatment, desalination, or

25  purification and distribution of water for public or private

26  use and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,

27  includes dams, reservoirs, storage tanks, mains, lines,

28  valves, pumping stations, laterals, and pipes for the purpose

29  of carrying water to the premises connected with such system,

30  and all real and personal property and any interests therein,

31  rights, easements, and franchises of any nature whatsoever

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  relating to any such system and necessary or convenient for

 2  the operation thereof. It shall embrace wells for supplying

 3  water located or to be located on the Florida mainland,

 4  including a pipeline or aqueduct from such wells to a point at

 5  or near the City of Key West, and shall include the water

 6  distribution system acquired by the authority from the City of

 7  Key West, and any interest the authority may have in and to

 8  the water supply system or any part thereof by contract with

 9  the department.

10         (8)  "Sewer system" means any plant, system, facility,

11  or property and additions, extensions, and improvements

12  thereto at any future time constructed or acquired as part

13  thereof, useful or necessary or having the present capacity

14  for future use in connection with the collection, treatment,

15  purification, or disposal of sewage, including, without

16  limitation, industrial wastes resulting from any processes of

17  industry, manufacture, trade, or business or from the

18  development of any natural resources, and, without limiting

19  the generality of the foregoing, shall include treatment

20  plants, pumping stations, lift stations, valve, force mains,

21  intercepting sewers, laterals, pressure lines, mains, and all

22  necessary appurtenances and equipment, all sewer mains,

23  laterals, and other devices for the reception and collection

24  of sewage from premises connected therewith, and all real and

25  personal property and any interest therein, rights, easements,

26  and franchises of any nature whatsoever relating to any such

27  system and necessary or convenient for the operation thereof.

28  The terms "wastewater" and "wastewater system" shall be

29  construed as synonymous with the terms "sewer" and "sewer

30  system" for all purposes under this act.

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1         Section 4.  Board of directors; organization;

 2  qualification; term of office; quorum.--The Board of Directors

 3  of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority shall be the governing

 4  body of the authority and shall, subject to the provisions of

 5  this act, exercise the powers granted to the authority under

 6  this act. The board of directors shall consist of five members

 7  appointed by the Governor who shall each represent one of five

 8  districts which shall be conterminous with the districts of

 9  the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County. Each

10  member of the board of directors shall be a registered elector

11  within Monroe County and shall have been a resident of the

12  district for 6 months prior to the date of his or her

13  appointment. The members shall be appointed by the Governor

14  for terms of 4 years each, except that any appointment to fill

15  a vacancy shall be for the unexpired portion of the term. The

16  board shall elect any one of its members as chair and shall

17  also elect any one of its members as secretary-treasurer. A

18  majority of the members of the board shall constitute a

19  quorum. No vacancy in the board shall impair the right of a

20  quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all of the

21  duties of the board. All members of the board shall be

22  required to be bonded. Any vacancy occurring on the board

23  shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the

24  duration of the unexpired term.

25         Section 5.  Records of board of directors.--The board

26  of directors shall keep a permanent record book entitled

27  "Record of Governing Board of Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority"

28  in which shall be recorded minutes of all meetings,

29  resolutions, proceedings, certificates, and bonds given by

30  employees and any and all acts, which book shall at reasonable

31  times be open to public inspection. Such record book shall be

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  kept at an office or other regular place of business

 2  maintained by the board of directors in Monroe County. The

 3  board shall keep a current inventory of all real and tangible

 4  personal property owned or leased by the authority in the

 5  above referenced record book.

 6         Section 6.  Compensation of the board.--Each member

 7  shall be entitled to receive for such services a fee of $337

 8  per meeting, not to exceed 3 meetings per month. In addition,

 9  each board member shall receive reasonable expenses which

10  shall not be in excess of the amounts provided by law for

11  state and county officials in chapter 112, Florida Statutes.

12  The compensation amount for the members of the board provided

13  for in this section shall be adjusted annually based upon the

14  index provided for pursuant to section 287.017(2), Florida

15  Statutes.

16         Section 4.  Bonds; depositories; fiscal agent;

17  budget.--

18         (1)  Each member of the board of directors shall

19  execute a bond to the Governor in the amount of $10,000 with a

20  qualified surety to secure his or her faithful performance of

21  his or her powers and duties. The board of directors shall

22  require a certified audit of the books of the authority at

23  least once a year at the expense of the authority. Such audit

24  shall be available for public inspection and a notice of the

25  availability of the audit shall be published in a newspaper

26  published in Monroe County at least once within 6 months after

27  the end of each fiscal year. The legislative auditor may audit

28  the authority at any time.

29         (2)  The board of directors is authorized to select

30  depositories in which the funds of the board and of the

31  authority shall be deposited. Any banking corporation

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  organized under the laws of the state or under the National

 2  Banking Act doing business in the state upon such terms and

 3  conditions as to the payment of interest by such depository

 4  upon the funds so deposited as the board may deem just and

 5  reasonable.

 6         (3)  The board of directors may employ a fiscal agent

 7  who shall be either a resident of the state or a corporation

 8  organized under the laws of this or any other state and who

 9  shall assist in the keeping of the books, the collection of

10  fees, and the remitting of funds to pay maturing bonds and

11  coupons and perform such other or additional services and

12  duties as fiscal agent and receive such compensation as the

13  board of directors may determine.

14         (4)  The board of directors shall cause a copy of the

15  proposed budget of the authority to be published in a

16  newspaper published in Monroe County at least once not later

17  than 60 days prior to the date the fiscal year begins. The

18  board shall hold a public hearing and adopt such budget at

19  least 30 days prior to such date.

20         Section 5.  Powers and duties of the board of

21  directors.--Except as otherwise provided in this act, all of

22  the powers and duties of the authority shall be exercised by

23  and through the board of directors. Without limiting the

24  generality of the foregoing, the board shall have the power

25  and authority to:

26         (1)  Employ engineers, contractors, consultants,

27  attorneys, auditors, agents, employees, and representatives,

28  as the board of directors may from time to time determine, on

29  such terms and conditions as the board of directors may

30  approve, and fix their compensation and duties.

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1         (2)  Maintain an office at such place or places as it

 2  may designate.

 3         (3)  Enter or direct entry upon any lands, premises,

 4  waters, or other property subject to the requirements of due

 5  process as to privately owned property.

 6         (4)  Execute all contracts and other documents, adopt

 7  all proceedings, and perform all acts determined by the board

 8  of directors as necessary or advisable to carry out the

 9  purposes of this act. The board may authorize the chair or

10  vice chair to execute contracts and other documents on behalf

11  of the board or the authority. The board may appoint a person

12  to act as general manager of the authority having such

13  official title, functions, duties, and powers as the board may

14  prescribe. The general manager shall not be a member of the

15  board.

16         Section 6.  Powers of the authority.--In addition to

17  and not in limitation of the powers of the authority, it shall

18  have the following powers:

19         (1)  To sue and be sued by its name in any court of law

20  or in equity.

21         (2)  To adopt and use a corporate seal and to alter the

22  same at pleasure.

23         (3)  To acquire property, real, personal, or mixed

24  within or without its territorial limits in fee simple or any

25  lesser interest or estate by purchase, gift, devise, or lease

26  on such terms and conditions as the board of directors may

27  deem necessary or desirable and by condemnation (subject to

28  limitations herein below). The authority shall provide

29  information and assistance to Monroe County for use in

30  preparing its comprehensive plan with respect to the

31  availability of water and wastewater facilities. Except in

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  cases of emergency, the purchase of sole source items, or when

 2  the board determines that delay would be detrimental to the

 3  interests of the authority, equipment shall be purchased in

 4  accordance with part I of chapter 287, Florida Statutes. All

 5  provided that the board of directors determines that the use

 6  or ownership of such property be necessary in the furtherance

 7  of a designated lawful purpose authorized under the provisions

 8  of this act. However, the authority may purchase equipment or

 9  material without competitive bid, regardless of price, when

10  the manufacturer of such equipment or material refuses to bid

11  on the equipment or material and the board determines that the

12  public interest would be served and substantial savings would

13  result if the equipment or material were purchased directly

14  from the manufacturer. In all such cases the board shall enter

15  a record of such purchase in the "Record of Governing Board of

16  Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority." The authority is

17  specifically excluded from the provisions of section

18  253.03(6), Florida Statutes, and has the authority to hold

19  title to property in its own name and to acquire easements or

20  rights-of-way, with or without restrictions, within or without

21  the limits of the authority. The state may convey to the

22  authority rights-of-way over any of the lands and structures

23  belonging to the state or any of its agencies for the purpose

24  of constructing, maintaining, supplying, establishing, and

25  regulating the works and projects involved in the wastewater

26  system or the water supply and distribution systems authorized

27  by this act. To mortgage, hold, manage, control, convey,

28  lease, sell, grant, or otherwise dispose of the same and any

29  of the assets and properties of the authority without regard

30  to chapter 273, Florida Statutes.

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1         (4)  Whenever deemed necessary or desirable by the

 2  board of directors, to lease as lessor or lessee, to or from

 3  any person, firm, corporation, association, or body, public or

 4  private, any projects of the type that the authority is

 5  authorized to undertake and facilities or property of any

 6  nature for the use of the authority to carry out any of the

 7  purposes of the authority.

 8         (5)  The authority shall in its discretion have the

 9  power upon resolution duly passed to insure its property in

10  accordance with the State Risk Management Trust Fund as

11  provided by chapter 284, Florida Statutes.

12         (6)  To exercise within or without the territorial

13  limits of the authority the right and power of eminent domain

14  in all cases and under all circumstances provided for in

15  chapter 73, Florida Statutes, and amendments thereto. In

16  addition to and not in limitation of the foregoing, the

17  authority may also exercise the right and power of eminent

18  domain for the purpose of condemning any real, personal, or

19  mixed property, public or private, including, without

20  limitation, the property owned by any political body or

21  municipal corporation which the board of directors shall deem

22  necessary for the use of, construction, or operation of any of

23  the projects of the authority or otherwise to carry out any of

24  the purposes of the authority. The power of condemnation shall

25  be exercised in the same manner as now provided by the general

26  laws of the state. In any proceeding under this act or under

27  chapter 73, Florida Statutes, for the taking of property by

28  eminent domain or condemnation, the board of directors is

29  authorized to file declaration of taking immediate possession

30  of the property before the final trial by making deposit as to

31  value as provided by the general statutes, and shall have all

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  of the benefits provided by chapters 73 and 74, Florida

 2  Statutes, and amendments thereto, or any other statutes of the

 3  state which give the right to immediate taking and possession.

 4  No public or private body and no agency or authority of the

 5  state or any political subdivision thereof shall exercise the

 6  power of eminent domain or condemnation with respect to any of

 7  the properties, easements, or rights owned by the authority

 8  and lying within the authority's jurisdiction, except with the

 9  concurrence of the board of directors of the authority which

10  shall not be unreasonably withheld.

11         (7)  To own, acquire, construct, reconstruct, equip,

12  operate, maintain, extend, and improve water systems; to

13  regulate the use of and supply of water including rationing,

14  and regulations to enforce rationing, within the authority

15  boundaries, and pipes and water mains, conduits or pipelines,

16  in, along, or under any street, alley, highway, or other

17  public places or ways within or without the boundaries of the

18  authority when deemed necessary or desirable by the board of

19  directors in accomplishing the purposes of this act.

20         (8)  To issue bonds or other obligations authorized by

21  the provisions of this act or any other law or any combination

22  of the foregoing to pay all or part of the cost of the

23  acquisition or construction, reconstruction, extension,

24  repair, improvement, maintenance, or operation or any project

25  or combination of projects. To provide for any facility,

26  service, or other activity of the authority and to provide for

27  the retirement or refunding of any bonds or obligations of the

28  authority or for any combination of the foregoing purposes.

29         (9)(a)  To purchase, construct, and otherwise acquire

30  and to improve, extend, enlarge, and reconstruct a sewage

31  disposal system or systems and to purchase or construct or

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  reconstruct sewer improvements and to operate, manage, and

 2  control all such systems so purchased or constructed and all

 3  properties pertaining thereto and to furnish and supply sewage

 4  collection and disposal services to any municipalities and any

 5  persons, firms, or corporations, public or private; to

 6  prohibit or regulate the use and maintenance of outhouses,

 7  privies, septic tanks, or other sanitary structures or

 8  appliances within the authority boundaries, provided that

 9  prior to prohibiting the use of any such facilities adequate

10  new facilities must be available; to prescribe methods of

11  pretreatment of waste not amenable to treatment; to refuse to

12  accept such waste when not sufficiently pretreated as may be

13  prescribed and to prescribe penalties for the refusal of any

14  person or corporation to so pretreat such waste; to sell or

15  otherwise dispose of the effluent, sludge, or other

16  by-products as a result of sewage treatment and to construct

17  and operate connecting or intercepting outlets, sewers and

18  sewer mains and pipes and water mains, conduits, or pipelines

19  in, along, or under any street, alley, or highway, within or

20  without the authority boundaries when deemed necessary or

21  desirable by the board of directors in accomplishing the

22  purposes of this act, with the consent of the agency owning or

23  controlling same. All such regulation herein authorized shall

24  comply with the standards and regulations pertaining to same

25  as promulgated by the Department of Health and by the

26  Department of Environmental Protection.

27         (b)  The authority shall have the power to create sewer

28  districts comprising any area within the geographic boundaries

29  of the authority. However, the boundaries of any such sewer

30  district shall not be established until approved by majority

31  vote of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  after a public hearing duly noticed and advertised. Any

 2  portion or portions of the sewer system within a district and

 3  of benefit to the premises or land served thereby shall be

 4  deemed improvements and shall include, without being limited

 5  to, laterals and mains for the collection and reception of

 6  sewage from premises connected therewith, local or auxiliary

 7  pumping or lift stations, treatment plants or disposal plants,

 8  and other pertinent facilities and equipment for the

 9  collection, treatment, and disposal of sewage. The board may

10  impose fees and charges sufficient to obtain bond or other

11  financing for sewer projects. Such charges shall be a lien

12  upon any such parcel of property superior and paramount to any

13  interest except the lien of county or municipal taxes and

14  shall be on a parity with any such taxes. All operational and

15  financial records of each district shall be separately

16  maintained and open to public inspection.

17         (c)  To exercise exclusive jurisdiction, control, and

18  supervision over any sewer systems owned or operated and

19  maintained by the authority and to make and enforce such rules

20  and regulations for the maintenance and operation of any sewer

21  systems as may be in the judgment of the authority necessary

22  or desirable. However, such jurisdiction shall not conflict

23  with chapter 403, Florida Statutes, and rules of the

24  Department of Environmental Protection.

25         (d)  To restrain, enjoin, or otherwise prevent the

26  violation of this law or of any resolution, rules, or

27  regulations adopted pursuant to the powers granted by this

28  law.

29         (e)  To require and enforce the use of its facilities

30  whenever and wherever they are accessible.

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1         (f)  To approve or disapprove all subdivision plats and

 2  to provide for compliance with sewer standards, rules, and

 3  regulations. No subdivision plat or property located within

 4  the geographic boundaries of the authority shall be recorded

 5  until approval of the board is obtained. The board shall have

 6  the power to require a surety bond from any developer to

 7  ensure compliance with sewer requirements of the board.

 8         (g)  In addition to the other provisions and

 9  requirements of this law, any resolution authorizing the

10  issuance of revenue bonds, assessment bonds, or any other

11  obligations issued hereunder may contain provisions and the

12  board is authorized to provide and make covenants and agree

13  with several holders of such bonds as to:

14         1.  Reasonable deposits with the authority in advance

15  to ensure the payments of rates, fees, or charges for the

16  facilities of the system.

17         2.  Discontinuance of the services and facilities of

18  any water system for delinquent payments for sewer services

19  and the terms and conditions of the restoration of such

20  service.

21         3.  Contracts with private or public owners of sewer

22  systems not owned and operated by the authority for the

23  discontinuance of service to any users of the sewer systems.

24         4.  Regulate the construction, acquisition, or

25  operation of any plant, structure, facility, or property which

26  may compete with any sewer system.

27         5.  The manner and method of paying service charges and

28  fees and the levying of penalties for delinquent payments.

29         6.  Any other matters necessary to secure such bonds

30  and the payment of such principal and interest thereof.

31  

                                  16

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1         (h)  In the event that fees, rates, and charges for

 2  services and facilities of any sewer system shall not be paid

 3  as and when due, the authority shall be empowered to

 4  discontinue furnishing water services as provided in section

 5  16 of this act.

 6         (i)  Any sewer systems within the geographic boundaries

 7  of the authority may be combined into a single consolidated

 8  system for purposes of financing or of operation and

 9  administration or both. However, no water system may be

10  combined with any sewer system for purposes of financing.

11         (j)  The authority is hereby authorized to adopt by

12  reference and utilize or take advantage of any of the

13  provisions of chapters 100, 153, 159, and 170, Florida

14  Statutes.

15         (k)  The authority shall have power to contract with

16  any person, private or public corporation, the State of

17  Florida, or any agency, instrumentality or county,

18  municipality, or political subdivision thereof, or any agency,

19  instrumentality or corporation of or created by the United

20  States of America, with respect to such wastewater system or

21  any part thereof.  The authority shall also have power to

22  accept and receive grants or loans from the same, and in

23  connection with any such contract, grant or loan, to stipulate

24  and agree to such covenants, terms, and conditions as the

25  governing body of the authority shall deem appropriate.

26         (l)  To make or cause to be made such surveys,

27  investigations, studies, borings, maps, drawings, and

28  estimates of cost and revenues as it may deem necessary, and

29  to prepare and adopt a comprehensive plan or plans for the

30  location, relocation, construction, improvement, revision and

31  development of the wastewater system.

                                  17

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1         (m)  That subject to covenants or agreement with

 2  bondholders contained in proceedings authorizing the issuance

 3  of bonds pursuant to this act, the authority shall have the

 4  power to lease said wastewater system or any part or parts

 5  thereof, to any person, firm, corporation, association, or

 6  body, upon such terms and conditions and for such periods of

 7  time as shall be determined by the governing body.  The

 8  authority shall also, whenever desirable, have power to grant

 9  permits or licenses in connection with any of the facilities

10  of such wastewater system, and shall have full and complete

11  power to do all things necessary and desirable for the proper

12  and efficient administration and operation of such wastewater

13  system and all parts thereof.  The authority shall also have

14  power, whenever deemed necessary or desirable and subject to

15  covenants and agreements with bondholders, to lease from any

16  person, firm, corporation, association, or body, any

17  facilities of any nature for such wastewater system.

18         (n)  That charges shall be levied by the authority

19  against its own books or against Monroe County with respect to

20  providing any facilities or services rendered by such

21  wastewater system to the authority or to Monroe County or to

22  any other political subdivision or public body or agency which

23  receives wastewater system services, or to any department or

24  works thereof, at the rate or rates applicable to other

25  customers or users taking facilities or services under similar

26  conditions.  Revenues derived from such facilities or services

27  so furnished shall be treated as all other revenues of the

28  wastewater system.

29         (o)  Neither Monroe County, nor any municipality or

30  special district therein, shall exercise any present or future

31  power, pursuant to law, to interfere with the authority's

                                  18

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  jurisdiction and operation of the wastewater system in such a

 2  manner as to impair or adversely affect the covenants and

 3  obligations of the authority under agreement relating to its

 4  bonds or other debts.

 5         (p)  The authority shall have exclusive jurisdiction

 6  over the administration, maintenance, development, and

 7  provision of wastewater system services in Monroe County with

 8  the exception of the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District

 9  as defined in chapter 2002-337, Laws of Florida, consisting of

10  Key Largo, including all lands east of Tavernier Creek,

11  including Tavernier, Key Largo, and Cross Key, but excluding

12  Ocean Reef, the City of Key West, the City of Key Colony

13  Beach, the City of Layton, and Islamorada, Village of Islands

14  unless such areas shall choose to grant the authority such

15  jurisdiction, and the authority's wastewater system authorized

16  hereunder shall be the exclusive provider of wastewater system

17  services and no franchise or grant of power to any other

18  entity or provider shall be lawful unless preapproved by the

19  authority. The authority shall have the power to regulate the

20  use of, including prohibiting the use of or mandating the use

21  of, specific types of wastewater facilities and,

22  notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, shall be

23  authorized to prescribe the specific type of wastewater

24  treatment facility or measures required to be utilized within

25  the boundaries of the authority, including, but not limited

26  to, requiring the use of septic tanks in lieu of cess pits,

27  the mandatory hook up to specific wastewater treatment plants,

28  requiring upgrades be undertaken to on site wastewater

29  systems, and any other combination of the foregoing in order

30  to manage effluent disposal and wastewater matters.

31  

                                  19

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1         (10)  In addition to the powers specifically provided

 2  in this chapter, the authority shall have the power to own,

 3  acquire, construct, reconstruct, equip, operate, maintain,

 4  extend, and improve such other related projects as the board

 5  of directors may in its discretion find necessary or desirable

 6  to accomplish the primary purpose of this act which is to

 7  supply water and sewer services and facilities to the Florida

 8  Keys. The authority is hereby authorized to adopt by reference

 9  and utilize or take advantage of any of the relevant

10  provisions of chapter 100, chapter 153, chapter 159, or

11  chapter 170, Florida Statutes.

12         Section 7.  Rules.--Upon reasonable advance notice to

13  the public and an opportunity for all persons to be heard on

14  the matter, the board shall adopt bylaws, rules, resolutions,

15  regulations, and orders prescribing the powers, duties, and

16  functions of the members of the board and employees of the

17  authority, the conduct of the business of the authority, the

18  maintenance of records of the authority, and shall adopt

19  administrative rules and regulations with respect to any of

20  the projects of the authority.

21         Section 8.  Exercise by authority of powers within

22  municipalities.--The authority shall have the power to

23  exercise any of its rights, powers, privileges, and

24  authorities in any and all portions of the geographical limits

25  of the authority lying within the boundaries of any municipal

26  corporation or other political subdivision, heretofore or

27  hereafter created or organized, whose boundaries lie wholly or

28  partly within the geographic limits of the authority, to the

29  same extent and in the same manner as in areas of the

30  authority not incorporated as part of a municipality or other

31  political subdivision.

                                  20

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1         Section 9.  Furnishing facilities and services within

 2  the authority territory.--

 3         (1)  The authority shall have the power to construct,

 4  maintain, and operate its projects within the geographic

 5  limits of the authority, including any portions of the

 6  authority located inside the boundaries of any incorporated

 7  municipalities or other political subdivisions and to offer,

 8  supply, and furnish the facilities and services provided for

 9  in this act.

10         (2)  The authority shall have the power to collect

11  fees, rentals, and other charges from persons, firms,

12  corporations, municipalities, counties, the Federal

13  Government, the department, political subdivisions, and other

14  public or private agencies or bodies within the geographic

15  limits of the authority and for the use of the authority

16  itself.

17         Section 10.  Maintenance of projects across

18  rights-of-way.--The authority shall have the power to

19  construct and operate its projects in, along, or under any

20  streets, alleys, highways, or other public places or ways, and

21  across any drain, ditch, canal, floodwater, holding basin,

22  excavation, railroad right-of-way, track, grade, fill, or cut.

23  However, just compensation shall be paid by the authority for

24  any private property taken or damaged by the exercise of such

25  power.

26         Section 11.  Fees, rentals, and charges; procedure for

27  adoption and modification; minimum revenue requirements.--

28         (1)  The authority shall have the power to prescribe,

29  fix, establish, and collect rates, fees, rentals, or other

30  charges (hereinafter sometimes referred to as revenue) and to

31  revise the same from time to time for the facilities and

                                  21

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  services furnished or to be furnished by the authority and to

 2  provide for reasonable penalties against any user for any such

 3  rates, fees, rentals, or other charges that are delinquent.

 4         (2)  Such rates, fees, rentals, and charges shall be

 5  just and equitable and, except as provided herein, uniform for

 6  users of the same class and, where appropriate, may be based

 7  or computed either upon the amount of service furnished or

 8  upon the number or average number of persons working or

 9  residing or working or otherwise occupying the premises served

10  or upon any other factor affecting the use of the facilities

11  furnished, or upon any combination of the foregoing factors as

12  may be determined by the board of directors on an equitable

13  basis.  The authority may prescribe, fix, and establish a

14  special lower rate, fee, rental, or other charge on the

15  residential account of any person who is 60 years of age or

16  older or a totally and permanently disabled American veteran

17  on the date of application, who meets the low income standards

18  adopted by the board and who applies for such special lower

19  rate, fee, rental, or other charge between the months of

20  January and December, inclusive, of each year.  As used in

21  this section "residential account" means an account for a

22  person residing in a house, mobile home, condominium,

23  apartment, or other housing unit.  The application shall

24  include the submission of an affidavit stating that the

25  applicant is 60 years of age or older or a totally and

26  permanently disabled American veteran. The submission of the

27  affidavit shall be prima facie evidence of the applicant's age

28  or disability.  The application shall also include the annual

29  income of the applicant.

30         (3)  The rates, fees, rentals, or other charges

31  prescribed shall be such as will produce revenues at least

                                  22

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  sufficient to provide for the items hereinafter listed but not

 2  necessarily in the order stated:

 3         (a)  To provide for all costs, expenses of operation,

 4  and maintenance of such facility or service for such purpose.

 5         (b)  To pay, when due, all bonds and interest thereon

 6  for the payment of which such revenues are or shall have been

 7  pledged or encumbered, including reserves for such purposes.

 8         (c)  To provide for any other funds which may be

 9  required on the resolution or resolutions authorizing issuance

10  of bonds pursuant to this act.

11         (4)  No rate, fee, rental, or other charge may be

12  established resulting in increased costs for service to the

13  customer nor may any rate, fee, rental, or other charge be

14  increased by the authority until a public hearing has been

15  held relating to the proposed increase in the City of Key

16  West, and in the Marathon and the upper Keys areas.  However,

17  if the proposed rule affects wastewater only in a single

18  wastewater district and affects rates, fees, or other charges

19  that could result in increased costs of service to the

20  customer, no rate, fee, rental, or other charge may be

21  increased by the authority until two advertised public

22  hearings have been held relating to the proposed increase at a

23  site convenient to the public located in the district

24  area.  Such public hearings shall not occur within 15 days of

25  each other.

26         Section 12.  Recovery of delinquent charges.--In the

27  event that any of the rates, fees, rentals, charges, or

28  delinquent penalties shall not be paid as when due and shall

29  be in default for 30 days or more, the unpaid balance thereof

30  and all interest accrued thereon together with attorney's fees

31  and costs may be recovered by the authority in a civil action

                                  23

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  and in accordance with any covenant in any bond indenture of

 2  the authority.  The board shall have the authority to impose a

 3  service charge in accordance with section 832.07(1)(a),

 4  Florida Statutes upon the maker or drawer of any check, draft,

 5  or order in payment of any such rate, fee, rental, charge or

 6  delinquent penalty, for which payment is refused by the drawee

 7  because of lack of funds or credit.

 8         Section 13.  Discontinuance of service.--In the event

 9  that the fees, rentals, or other charges for the services and

10  facilities of any project are not paid when due, the board of

11  directors shall have the power to discontinue and shut off the

12  same until such fees, rentals, or other charges, including

13  interest, penalties, and charges for the shutting off or

14  discontinuance and the restoration of such services and

15  facilities, are fully paid, and for such purposes may enter on

16  any lands, waters, and premises of any person, firm,

17  corporation, or other body, public or private.  Such

18  delinquent fees, rentals, or other charges together with

19  interest, penalties, and charges for the shutting off and

20  discontinuance and the restoration of such services and

21  facilities and reasonable attorney's fees and other expenses

22  may be recovered by the authority by suit in any court of

23  competent jurisdiction.  The authority may also enforce

24  payment of such delinquent fees, rentals, or other charges by

25  any other lawful method of enforcement.

26         Section 14.  Remedies.--Any holder of bonds issued

27  under the provisions of this act or of any of the coupons

28  appertaining thereto, and the trustee under the trust

29  indenture, if any, except to the extent the rights herein

30  given may be restricted by resolution passed before the

31  issuance of the bonds or by the trust indenture, may, either

                                  24

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus, or other

 2  proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights under the

 3  laws of the State of Florida or granted hereunder or under

 4  such resolution or trust indenture, and may enforce or compel

 5  performance of all duties required by this act or by such

 6  resolution or trust indenture to be performed by the authority

 7  or any officer thereof, including the fixing, charging, and

 8  collecting of rates and other charges for both water furnished

 9  by the waterworks system and wastewater treatment furnished by

10  the wastewater system.

11         Section 15.  Receiver.--

12         (1)  In the event that the authority shall default in

13  the payment of the principal of or the interest on any of the

14  bonds as the same shall become due, whether at maturity or

15  upon call for redemption, and such default shall continue for

16  a period of 45 days, or in the event that the authority or the

17  officers, agents, or employees of the authority shall fail or

18  refuse to comply with the provisions of this act or shall

19  default in any agreement made with the holders of the bonds,

20  any holder of bonds, subject to the provisions of the

21  resolution authorizing the same or the trust indenture, or the

22  trustee therefor, shall have the right to apply in any

23  appropriate judicial proceeding to the circuit court in any

24  court of competent jurisdiction, for the appointment of a

25  receiver of the waterworks system, excluding however, the

26  aqueduct, whether or not all bonds shall have been declared

27  due and payable and whether or not such holder or trustee is

28  seeking or has sought to enforce any other right or to

29  exercise any other remedy in connection with such bonds, and,

30  upon such application, the court may appoint such receiver.

31  

                                  25

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1         (2)  The receiver so appointed shall forthwith,

 2  directly or by his agents and attorneys, enter into and upon

 3  and take possession of such portion of the waterworks system

 4  and may exclude the authority, its officers, agents, and

 5  employees and all persons claiming under them, wholly

 6  therefrom and shall have, hold, use, operate, manage, and

 7  control the same in the name of the authority or otherwise, as

 8  the receiver may deem best, and shall exercise all the rights

 9  and powers of the authority with respect thereto as the

10  authority itself might do.  Whenever all defaults shall have

11  been cured and made good, the court may, in its discretion,

12  and after such notice and hearing as it deems reasonable and

13  proper, direct the receiver to surrender possession of such

14  property to the authority.  The same right to secure the

15  appointment of a receiver shall exist upon any subsequent

16  default as hereinabove provided.

17         (3)  Notwithstanding anything in this section to the

18  contrary, any such receiver shall have no power to sell,

19  assign, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of any assets of

20  whatever kind or character belonging to the authority and

21  useful for the waterworks system, and the authority of any

22  such receiver shall be limited to the operation and

23  maintenance of such portion of the system as may be placed in

24  receivership and no court shall have jurisdiction to enter any

25  order or decree requiring or permitting such receiver to sell,

26  mortgage, or otherwise dispose of any such assets.

27         Section 16.  Agreements with public and private parties

28  concerning the furnishing of facilities and services.--The

29  authority shall have the power to enter into agreements with

30  any person, firm, or corporation, public or private, for the

31  furnishing by such person, firm, or corporation of any

                                  26

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  facilities and services of the type provided for in this act

 2  to the authority, and for or on behalf of the authority to

 3  persons, firms, corporations, and other public or private

 4  bodies and agencies to whom the authority is empowered under

 5  this act to furnish facilities and services.

 6         Section 17.  Exclusive jurisdiction of projects and

 7  finances.--

 8         (1)  The board of directors shall have exclusive

 9  jurisdiction and control, except as otherwise provided herein

10  and as to the quality and manner of discharge of effluent,

11  over the projects of the authority without limitation as to

12  expenditures and appropriations except to the extent otherwise

13  provided in this act and to the extent that the board of

14  directors may by agreement with any other public or private

15  body authorize the same to exercise jurisdiction or control of

16  any of the projects of the authority. It shall not be

17  necessary for the authority to obtain any certificate of

18  convenience or necessity, franchise, license, permit, or

19  authorization from any bureau, board, commission, or like

20  instrumentality of the state or any political subdivision

21  thereof in order to construct, reconstruct, acquire, extend,

22  repair, improve, maintain, or operate any project and the

23  rates, fees, or other charges to be fixed and collected with

24  respect to the facilities and service of the authority shall

25  not be subject to supervision, regulation, or the rate-setting

26  power of any bureau, board, commission, or other agency of the

27  state or any political subdivision thereof.

28         (2)  Except as otherwise provided in this act, the

29  budget and finances of the authority, including, without

30  limitation, expenditures and appropriations, and the exercise

31  by the board of directors of the powers herein provided, shall

                                  27

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  not be subject to the requirements or limitations of chapter

 2  216, Florida Statutes.

 3         Section 18.  Revenue bonds.--

 4         (1)  The authority shall have the power to issue

 5  revenue bonds from time to time without limitation as to

 6  amount.  Such revenue bonds may be secured by or payable from

 7  the gross amount or net pledge of the revenues to be derived

 8  from any project or combination of projects from the rates,

 9  fees, or other charges to be collected from the users of any

10  project or projects from any revenue-producing undertaking or

11  activity of the authority or from any other source or pledged

12  security.  Such bond shall not constitute an indebtedness of

13  the authority.

14         (2)  Any two or more projects may be combined and

15  consolidated into a single project and may thereafter be

16  operated and maintained as a single project.  The revenue

17  bonds authorized herein may be issued to finance any one or

18  more such projects separately or to finance two or more such

19  projects regardless of whether such projects have been

20  combined and consolidated into a single project.  If the board

21  of directors deems it advisable, the proceedings authorizing

22  such revenue bonds may provide that the authority may

23  thereafter combine the projects then being financed or

24  theretofore financed with other projects to be subsequently

25  financed by the authority, and that revenue bonds to be

26  thereafter issued by the authority shall be on parity with the

27  revenue bonds then being issued, all on such terms,

28  conditions, and limitations as shall be provided and may

29  further provide that the revenues to be derived from the

30  subsequent projects shall at the time of the issuance of such

31  parity revenue bonds be also pledged to the holders of any

                                  28

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  revenue bonds theretofore issued to finance the revenue

 2  undertakings which are later combined with such subsequent

 3  projects.  The authority may pledge for the security of the

 4  revenue bonds a fixed amount without regard to any proportion

 5  of the gross revenues of any project.

 6         Section 19.  Refunding bonds.--The authority shall have

 7  the power to issue bonds to provide for the retirement or

 8  refunding of any bonds or obligations of the authority that at

 9  the time of such issuance are or subsequently thereto become

10  due and payable or that at the time of issuance have been

11  called or will be subject to call for redemption within 10

12  years thereafter or the surrender of which can be procured

13  from the holders thereof at prices satisfactory to the board

14  of directors.  Refunding bonds may be issued at any time when

15  in the judgment of the board of directors such issuance will

16  be advantageous to the authority.  The board of directors may,

17  by resolution, confer upon the holders of such refunding bonds

18  all rights, powers, and remedies to which the holders would be

19  entitled if they continued to be the owners and had possession

20  of the bonds for the refinancing of which said refunding bonds

21  are issued.

22         Section 20.  Lien of pledges.--All pledges of revenues

23  and assessments made pursuant to the provisions of this act

24  shall be valid and binding from the time when such pledges are

25  made.  All such revenues and assessments so pledged and

26  thereafter collected shall immediately be subject to the lien

27  of such pledges without any physical delivery thereof or

28  further action and the lien of such pledges shall be valid and

29  binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in

30  tort, contract, or otherwise against the authority

31  irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof.

                                  29

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1         Section 21.  Issuance of bond anticipation notes.--In

 2  addition to the other powers applied for in this act and not

 3  in limitation thereof, the authority shall have the power at

 4  any time and from time to time after the issuance of any bonds

 5  of the authority shall have been authorized, to borrow money

 6  for the purposes for which such bonds are to be issued in

 7  anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds of the sale of

 8  such bonds and to issue bond anticipation notes in a principal

 9  amount not in excess of the authorized maximum amount of such

10  bond issues. Such notes shall be in such denominations and

11  bear interest at such rate or rates, mature at such time or

12  times not later than 5 years from the date of issuance and be

13  in such form and executed in such manner as the board of

14  directors shall prescribe. Such notes may be sold at either

15  public or private sale or if such notes shall be renewable,

16  notes may be exchanged for notes then outstanding on such

17  terms as the board of directors shall determine.  Said notes

18  shall be paid from the proceeds of such bonds when issued.

19         Section 22.  Short term borrowing.--The authority at

20  any time may obtain loans in such amount and on such terms and

21  conditions as the board of directors may approve for the

22  purpose of paying any of the expenses of the authority or any

23  costs incurred or that may be incurred in connection with any

24  of the projects of the authority, which loan shall have a term

25  not exceeding 3 years from the date of issuance thereof and

26  may be renewable for a like term or terms, shall bear interest

27  not in excess of the prevailing rate available for loans of

28  similar terms and amounts at commercial lending institutions

29  licensed by the Federal Government or the state, may be

30  payable from and secured by a pledge of such funds, revenues,

31  and assessments as the board of directors may determine.  For

                                  30

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  the purpose of defraying such costs and expenses the authority

 2  may issue negotiable notes, warrants, and other evidences of

 3  debts signed on behalf of the authority by any one of the

 4  board of directors to be authorized by the board.

 5         Section 23.  Trust agreements.--In the discretion of

 6  the board of directors, any issue of bonds may be secured by a

 7  trust agreement by and between the authority and a corporate

 8  trustee or trustees which may be any trust company or bank

 9  having the powers of a trust company within or without the

10  state.  The resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds

11  or such trust agreements may pledge the revenues to be

12  received from any projects of the authority and may contain

13  such provision for protecting and enforcing the rights and

14  remedies of the bondholders as the board of directors may

15  approve, including without limitation covenants setting forth

16  the duties of the authority in relation to the acquisition,

17  construction, reconstruction, improvement, maintenance,

18  repair, operation, and insurance of any project, the fixing

19  and revising of the rates, fees, and charges and the custody

20  safeguarding and application of all moneys, and for the

21  employment of counseling engineers in connection with such

22  acquisition, construction, reconstruction, improvement,

23  maintenance, repair, and operation.  It shall be lawful for

24  any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the

25  state which may act as a depository of the proceeds of bonds

26  or of revenues to furnish such indemnifying bonds or to pledge

27  such securities as may be required by the authority.  Such

28  resolution or trust agreement may set forth the rights and

29  remedies of the bondholders and of the trustee, if any, and

30  may restrict the individual right of action by

31  bondholders.  The board of directors may provide for the

                                  31

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  payment of proceeds from the sale of the bonds and the

 2  revenues of any project to such officer, board, or

 3  depositories as it may designate for the custody thereof, and

 4  for the method of disbursement thereof with such safeguards

 5  and restrictions as it may determine.  All expenses incurred

 6  in carrying out the provision of such resolution or trust

 7  agreement may be treated as part of the cost of operation of

 8  the project to which such trust agreement pertains.

 9         Section 24.  Sale of bonds.--Bonds may be sold in

10  blocks or installments at different times, or an entire issue

11  or series may be sold at one time. Bonds shall be sold at

12  public sale after advertisement, but not in any event at less

13  than 95 percent of the par value thereof, together with

14  accrued interest thereon.  Bonds may be sold or exchanged for

15  refunding bonds. Bonds may be delivered as payment by the

16  authority of the purchase price or lease of any project or

17  part thereof or a combination of projects or parts thereof or

18  as the purchase price or exchanged for any property, real,

19  personal or mixed, including franchises or services rendered

20  by any contractor, engineer, or other person at one time or in

21  blocks from time to time and in such manner and upon such

22  terms as the board of directors in its discretion shall

23  determine.

24         Section 25.  Authorization and form of bonds.--The

25  board may by resolution authorize the issuance of bonds on

26  either a negotiated or competitive bid basis, fix the

27  aggregate amount of bonds to be issued, the purpose or

28  purposes for which the moneys derived therefrom shall be

29  expended, and the rate or rates of interest.  The denomination

30  of bonds, whether or not the bonds are to be issued in one or

31  more series, the date or dates thereof, the date or dates of

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  maturity, which shall not exceed 40 years from their

 2  respective dates of issuance, the medium of payment, place or

 3  places within or without the state where payment shall be

 4  made, registration, privileges (whether with or without

 5  premium), the manner of execution, the form of the bonds,

 6  including any interest coupons to be attached thereto, the

 7  manner of execution of bonds and coupons, and any and all

 8  other terms, covenants and conditions thereof, and the

 9  establishment of reserve or other funds.

10         Section 26.  Interim certificates, replacement

11  certificates.--Pending the preparation of definitive bonds,

12  the board of directors may issue interim certificates or

13  receipts or temporary bonds, in such form and with such

14  provision as the board of directors may determine,

15  exchangeable for definitive bonds when such bonds have been

16  executed and are available for delivery.  The board of

17  directors may also provide for the replacement of any bonds

18  which shall become mutilated or be lost or destroyed.

19         Section 27.  Negotiability of bonds.--Any bond issued

20  under this act and any interim certificate, receipt, or

21  temporary bond shall, in the absence of an express recital on

22  the face thereof that it is nonnegotiable, shall be and

23  constitute a negotiable instrument within the meaning and for

24  all purposes of the law merchant, the U.C.C., and the laws of

25  the state.

26         Section 28.  Bonds as legal investment or

27  security.--Notwithstanding any provisions of any other law to

28  the contrary, all bonds issued under provisions of this act

29  shall constitute legal investments for savings banks, trust

30  companies, insurance companies, executors, administrators,

31  trustees, guardians, and other fiduciaries, and for any board,

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  body, agency, instrumentality, county, municipality, or other

 2  political subdivision of the state and shall be and constitute

 3  securities which may be deposited by banks or trust companies

 4  as security for deposit of the state, county, municipal, or

 5  other public funds, or by insurance companies.

 6         Section 29.  Validity of bonds.--Any bonds issued by

 7  the authority shall be incontestable in the hands of bona fide

 8  purchasers or holders for value and shall not be invalid

 9  because of any irregularity or defects in the proceedings for

10  the issue and sales thereof.  However, the authority is not

11  required to obtain approval of the Bond Review Board as

12  provided by chapter 215, Florida Statutes.

13         Section 30.  Pledge by the State of Florida to the

14  bondholders of the authority and to the Federal

15  Government.--The state pledges to the holders of any bonds

16  issued under this act that it will not limit or alter the

17  rights of the authority to own, acquire, construct,

18  reconstruct, improve, maintain, operate, or furnish the

19  projects or to levy rentals, rates, fees, or other charges

20  provided for herein and to fulfill the terms of any agreement

21  made with the holders of such bonds or other obligations, that

22  it will not in any way impair the rights or remedies of the

23  holders, and that it will not modify in any way the exemption

24  for taxation provided in the act, until all such bonds,

25  together with interest thereon, and all costs and expenses in

26  connection with any action or proceeding by or on behalf of

27  such holders, are fully met and discharged.  The state pledges

28  to and agrees with the Federal Government that in the event

29  the Federal Government or any agency or authority thereof

30  shall construct or contribute any funds, materials, or

31  property for the construction, acquisition, extension,

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  improvement, enlargement, maintenance, operation, or

 2  furnishing of any project of the authority, or any part

 3  thereof, the state will not alter or limit the rights and

 4  powers of the authority in any manner which would be

 5  inconsistent with the continued maintenance and operation of

 6  such project, or any part thereof, on the improvement thereof,

 7  or which would be inconsistent with due performance of any

 8  agreement between the authority and the Federal Government,

 9  and the authority shall continue to have, and may exercise,

10  all powers herein granted so long as the board of directors

11  may deem the same necessary or desirable for carrying out the

12  purposes of this act and the purposes of the Federal

13  Government in the construction, acquisition, extension,

14  improvement, enlargement, maintenance, operation, or

15  furnishing of any projects of the authority or any part

16  thereof.

17         Section 31.  Contracts, grants, and contributions.--The

18  authority shall have the power to make and enter into all

19  contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the

20  performance or functions of the authority and the execution of

21  its powers, and to contract with, and to accept and receive

22  grants or loans of money, material, or property from any

23  person, private or public corporation, the state, or any

24  agency or instrumentality thereof, any county, municipality,

25  or other political subdivision, or any agency,

26  instrumentality, or corporation of or created by the United

27  States of America, or the United States of America, as the

28  board of directors shall determine to be necessary or

29  desirable to carry out the purpose of this act, and in

30  connection with any such contract, grant, or loan to stipulate

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  and agree to such covenants, terms, and conditions as the

 2  board of directors shall deem appropriate.

 3         Section 32.  Tax exemption.--As the exercise of the

 4  powers conferred by this act to effect the purposes of this

 5  act constitute the performance of essential public functions,

 6  and as the projects of the authority will constitute public

 7  property used for public purposes, all assets and properties

 8  of the authority and all bonds issued hereunder and interest

 9  paid thereon and all fees, charges, and other revenues derived

10  by the authority from the projects provided for by this act

11  shall be exempt from all taxes by the state or any political

12  subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, except that

13  this exemption shall not apply to interest earnings subject to

14  taxation under chapter 220, Florida Statutes.

15         Section 33.  Construction of authority projects.--The

16  board of directors shall have the power and authority to

17  acquire, construct, reconstruct, extend, repair, improve,

18  maintain, and operate any of the projects of the authority,

19  and to that end to employ contractors, to purchase machinery,

20  to employ men to operate the same, and directly to have charge

21  of and construct the projects of the authority in such manner

22  as the board of directors may determine . The authority may

23  undertake any such construction work with its own facilities,

24  without public advertisement for bids.  The board of directors

25  shall not be permitted to let contracts for projects of the

26  authority or for purchases without public advertising and the

27  receiving of bids in accordance with such terms and conditions

28  of chapter 287, Florida Statutes.  The board of directors

29  shall let contracts to the lowest responsible

30  bidder.  However, the board may, in its discretion, reject any

31  and all bids.

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1         Section 34.  Enforcement and penalties.--The board of

 2  directors or any aggrieved person may have recourse to such

 3  remedies in law and equity as may be necessary to ensure

 4  compliance with the provisions of this act, including

 5  injunctive relief to enjoin or restrain any person violating

 6  the provisions of this act and any bylaws, resolutions,

 7  regulations, rules, codes, and orders adopted under this act,

 8  and the court shall, upon proof of such violation, have the

 9  duty to issue forthwith such temporary and permanent

10  injunctions as are necessary to prevent such further

11  violations thereof.

12         Section 35.  Investment of funds.--The board of

13  directors may, in its discretion, invest funds of the

14  authority in:

15         (1)  Direct obligations of or obligations guaranteed by

16  the United States of America or for the payment of principal

17  and interest of which the faith and credit of the United

18  States is pledged;

19         (2)  Bonds or notes issued by any of the following

20  Federal agencies: Bank for Cooperatives; Federal Intermediate

21  Credit Banks; Federal Home Loan Banks System; Federal Land

22  Banks; or the Federal National Mortgage Loan Association

23  (including the debentures or participating certificates issued

24  by such association);

25         (3)  Public housing bonds issued by public housing

26  authorities and secured by a pledge of annual contributions

27  under an annual contribution contract or contracts with the

28  United States of America;

29         (4)  Bonds or other interest-bearing obligations of any

30  county, district, city, or town located in the State of

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  Florida for which the credit of such political subdivision is

 2  pledged; or

 3         (5)  Any investment authorized for insurers by chapter

 4  625, Florida Statutes, inclusive, and amendments thereto.

 5         Section 36.  Fiscal year of the authority.--The board

 6  of directors has the power to establish and from time to time

 7  redetermine the fiscal year of the authority.

 8         Section 37.  Severability of provision.--If any

 9  section, clause, sentence, amendment, or provision of this act

10  or the application of such section, clause, sentence,

11  amendment, or provision to any person or bodies or under any

12  circumstances shall be held to be inoperative, invalid, or

13  unconstitutional, the invalidity of such section, clause,

14  sentence, amendment, or provision shall not be deemed held or

15  taken to affect the validity or constitutionality of any of

16  the remaining parts of this act, or amendments hereto, or the

17  application of any of the provisions of this act to persons,

18  bodies or in circumstances other than those as to which it or

19  any part thereof shall have been held inoperative, invalid, or

20  unconstitutional, and it is intended that this act shall be

21  construed and applied as if any section, clause, sentence,

22  amendment, or provision held inoperative, invalid, or

23  unconstitutional had not been included in this act.

24         Section 38.  Liberal construction.--The provisions of

25  this act shall be liberally construed to effect its purposes

26  and shall be deemed cumulative, supplemental, and alternative

27  authority for the exercise of the powers provided herein.

28         Section 39.  Notice.--It is found and determined that

29  notice of intention to apply for this legislation was given in

30  the time, form, and manner required by the Constitution and

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2005        (NP)                      SB 1528
    39-817-05                                           See HB 225




 1  laws of the State of Florida. Said notice is found to be

 2  sufficient and is hereby validated and approved.

 3         Section 40.  All actions of the authority occurring

 4  prior to the effective date of this act are hereby ratified.

 5         Section 41.  Chapters 76-441, 77-604, 77-605, 80-546,

 6  83-468, 84-483, 84-484, 86-419, 98-519, 2003-304, and

 7  2003-327, Laws of Florida, are repealed.

 8         Section 42.  Rulemaking.--The Florida Keys Aqueduct

 9  Authority Board, as constituted herein, and any successor

10  agency or board may adopt rules necessary to meet

11  environmental requirements imposed by federal agencies as a

12  condition of funding.  Rules adopted by the Florida Keys

13  Aqueduct Authority prior to effective date of this act,

14  contained in Part 7 of the Rules of the Florida Keys Aqueduct

15  Authority, are hereby affirmed as a valid exercise of

16  delegated legislative authority.

17         Section 43.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a

18  law.

19  

20  

21  

22  

23  

24  

25  

26  

27  

28  

29  

30  

31  

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