80132
. (a) Bonds may be issued by the department upon authorization
by written determination of the director of the department with the
approval of the Director of Finance and the State Treasurer. The
Department of Finance shall notify the Chairperson of the Joint
Legislative Budget Committee and the chairperson of the committee in
each house that considers appropriations of its written
determination. The bonds shall be sold at such prices and in such
manner, and on such terms and conditions, as shall be specified in
such determination, and such determination may contain or authorize
any other provision, condition, or limitation not inconsistent
herewith and such provisions as may be deemed reasonable and proper
for the security of the bondholders. Bonds may mature at such time or
times, and bear interest at such rate or rates, which may be fixed
or variable and be determined by reference to an index or such other
method, as shall be specified in such determination. Neither the
person executing the determination to issue bonds nor any person
executing bonds shall be personally liable therefor or be subject to
any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance
thereof.
(b) In the discretion of the department, any bonds may be secured
by a trust agreement by and between the department and a corporate
trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having trust powers
within or without the state, or the State Treasurer. Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, the State Treasurer shall not be deemed
to have a conflict of interest by reason of acting as such trustee.
The department may enter into such contracts or arrangements as it
shall deem to be necessary or appropriate for the issuance and
further security of the bonds.
(c) Bonds shall be legal investments for all trust funds, the
funds of all insurance companies, banks both commercial and savings,
trust companies, executors, administrators, trustees, and other
fiduciaries, for state school funds, pension funds, and, for any
funds that may be invested in county, school, or municipal bonds.
(d) Notwithstanding that bonds may be payable from a special fund,
they shall be deemed to be negotiable instruments for all purposes.
(e) Any and all bonds, their transfer and the income therefrom
shall at all times be free from taxation of every kind by the state
and by all political subdivisions of the state.
(f) Bonds shall not be deemed to constitute a debt or liability of
the state or of any political subdivision thereof, other than the
department, or a pledge of the faith and credit of the state or of
any such political subdivision but shall be payable solely from the
funds herein provided for. All bonds shall contain a statement to the
following effect: "Neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power
of the State of California is pledged to the payment of the
principal of or interest on this bond." The issuance of bonds shall
not directly or indirectly or contingently obligate the state or any
political subdivision thereof to levy or to pledge any form of
taxation whatever therefor or to make any appropriation for their
payment.
(g) The department may pledge or assign any revenues under any
obligation entered into, and rights to receive the same, and moneys
on deposit in the fund and income or revenue derived from the
investment thereof, as security for the department's obligations
hereunder. It is the intention of the Legislature that any pledge of
moneys, revenues, or property made by the department shall be valid
and binding from the time when the pledge is made; that the moneys,
revenues, or property so pledged and thereafter collected from retail
end use customers, or paid directly or indirectly to or for the
account of the department, is hereby made, and shall immediately be,
subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery
thereof or further act; that the lien of any such pledge shall be
valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in
tort, contract, or otherwise against the department irrespective of
whether such parties have notice thereof, and that no resolution or
instrument by which such pledge or lien created pursuant to this
subdivision is expressed, confirmed, or approved need be filed or
recorded in order to perfect such pledge or lien. The provisions
hereof shall in all respects govern the creation, perfection,
priority, and enforcement of any lien created hereby or hereunder.