[104th Congress Public Law 184] [From the U.S. Government Printing Office] <DOC> [DOCID: f:publ184.104] [[Page 1695]] DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY ACT OF 1996 [[Page 110 STAT. 1696]] Public Law 104-184 104th Congress An Act To amend the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to permit the Council of the District of Columbia to authorize the issuance of revenue bonds with respect to water and sewer facilities, and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Aug. 6, 1996 - [H.R. 3663]>> Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority Act of 1996.>> SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority Act of 1996''. SEC. 2. PERMITTING ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT ACTIVITIES. (a) Authority to Issue Bonds.-- (1) In general.--The first sentence of section 490(a)(1) of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act (sec. 47-334(a)(1), D.C. Code) is amended-- (A) by striking ``and industrial'' and inserting ``industrial''; and (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: ``, and water and sewer facilities (as defined in paragraph (5)).''. (2) Water and sewer facilities defined.--Section 490(a) of such Act (sec. 47-334(a), D.C. Code) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(5) In paragraph (1), the term `water and sewer facilities' means facilities for the obtaining, treatment, storage, and distribution of water, the collection, storage, treatment, and transportation of wastewater, storm drainage, and the disposal of liquids and solids resulting from treatment.''. (b) Use of Revenues to Make Payments on Bonds.--The second sentence of section 490(a)(3) of such Act (sec. 47-334(a)(3), D.C. Code) is amended by inserting after ``property'' each place it appears in subparagraphs (A) and (B) the following: ``(including water and sewer enterprise fund revenues, assets, or other property in the case of bonds, notes, or obligations issued with respect to water and sewer facilities)''. (c) Permitting Delegation of Authority To Issue Revenue Bonds to Water and Sewer Authority.-- (1) In general.--Section 490 of such Act (sec. 47-334, D.C. Code) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(h)(1) The Council may delegate to the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority established pursuant to the Water [[Page 110 STAT. 1697]] and Sewer Authority Establishment and Department of Public Works Reorganization Act of 1996 the authority of the Council under subsection (a) to issue revenue bonds, notes, and other obligations to borrow money to finance or assist in the financing or refinancing of undertakings in the area of utilities facilities, pollution control facilities, and water and sewer facilities (as defined in subsection (a)(5)). The Authority may exercise authority delegated to it by the Council as described in the first sentence of this paragraph (whether such delegation is made before or after the date of the enactment of this subsection) only in accordance with this subsection. ``(2) Revenue bonds, notes, and other obligations issued by the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority under a delegation of authority described in paragraph (1) shall be issued by resolution of the Authority, and any such resolution shall not be considered to be an act of the Council. ``(3) The fourth sentence of section 446 shall not apply to-- ``(A) any amount (including the amount of any accrued interest or premium) obligated or expended from the proceeds of the sale of any revenue bond, note, or other obligation issued pursuant to this subsection; ``(B) any amount obligated or expended for the payment of the principal of, interest on, or any premium for any revenue bond, note, or other obligation issued pursuant to this subsection; ``(C) any amount obligated or expended to secure any revenue bond, note, or other obligation issued pursuant to this subsection; or ``(D) any amount obligated or expended for repair, maintenance, and capital improvements to facilities financed pursuant to this subsection.''. (2) Conforming amendment.--The fourth sentence of section 446 of such Act (sec. 47-304, D.C. Code) is amended by striking ``(f) and (g)(3)'' and inserting ``(f), (g)(3), and (h)(3)''. SEC. 3. TREATMENT OF REVENUES AND OBLIGATIONS. (a) Exclusion of Revenues for Purposes of Cap on Aggregate District Debt.--Paragraphs (1) and (3)(A) of section 603(b) of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act (sec. 47- 313(b), D.C. Code) are each amended by inserting after ``revenue bonds,'' the following: ``any revenues, charges, or fees dedicated for the purposes of water and sewer facilities described in section 490(a) (including fees or revenues directed to servicing or securing revenue bonds issued for such purposes),''. (b) Exclusion of Obligations Relating to Debt Servicing Payments on Certain General Obligation Bonds.-- (1) In general.--Section 603(b)(2) of such Act (sec. 47- 313(b)(2), D.C. Code) is amended-- (A) by striking ``and obligations'' and inserting ``obligations''; and (B) by inserting after ``establishment,'' the following: ``and obligations incurred pursuant to general obligation bonds of the District of Columbia issued prior to October 1, 1996, for the financing of Department of Public Works, Water and Sewer Utility Administration capital projects,''. [[Page 110 STAT. 1698]] (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 603(b)(3)(B) of such Act (sec. 47-313(b)(3)(B), D.C. Code) is amended by inserting after ``bonds'' the following: ``(less the allocable portion of principal and interest to be paid during the year on general obligation bonds of the District of Columbia issued prior to October 1, 1996, for the financing of Department of Public Works, Water and Sewer Utility Administration capital projects)''. SEC. 4. TREATMENT OF BUDGET OF WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY. (a) Preparation of Independent Budget.--Subpart 1 of part D of title IV of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act is amended by inserting after section 445 the following new section: ``water and sewer authority budget ``Sec. 445A. The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority established pursuant to the Water and Sewer Authority Establishment and Department of Public Works Reorganization Act of 1996 shall prepare and annually submit to the Mayor, for inclusion in the annual budget, annual estimates of the expenditures and appropriations necessary for the operation of the Authority for the year. All such estimates shall be forwarded by the Mayor to the Council for its action pursuant to sections 446 and 603(c), without revision but subject to his recommendations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Council may comment or make recommendations concerning such annual estimates, but shall have no authority under this Act to revise such estimates.''. (b) Exemption From Reductions of Budgets of Independent Agencies.-- Section 453(c) of such Act (sec. 47-304.1(c), D.C. Code) is amended-- (1) by striking ``courts or the Council, or to'' and inserting ``courts, the Council,''; and (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: ``, or the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority established pursuant to the Water and Sewer Authority Establishment and Department of Public Works Reorganization Act of 1996.''. (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 442(b) of such Act (sec. 47- 301(b), D.C. Code) is amended-- (1) by striking ``and the Commission'' and inserting ``the Commission''; and (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: ``, and the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority.''. (d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of subpart 1 of part D of title IV of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 445 the following new item: ``Sec. 445A. Water and Sewer Authority budget.''. SEC. 5. CLARIFICATION OF COMPENSATION OF CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS. The first sentence of section 205(b)(2) of the Water and Sewer Authority Establishment and Department of Public Works Reorganization Act of 1996 (sec. 43-1675(b)(2), D.C. Code) is amended by striking ``duties)'' and inserting ``duties, and except as may [[Page 110 STAT. 1699]] otherwise be provided under the personnel system developed pursuant to subsection (a)(4) or a collective bargaining agreement entered into after the date of the enactment of this Act)''. Approved August 6, 1996. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 3663: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOUSE REPORTS: No. 104-635 (Comm. on Government Reform and Oversight). CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 142 (1996): June 27, considered and passed House. July 30, considered and passed Senate. WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 32 (1996): Aug. 6, Presidential statement. <all>