Toll bridge revenue bonds shall be issued pursuant to a resolution adopted at any time, and from time to time, by the authority by a majority vote of all members of the authority.
(a)
The authority may from time to time issue bonds in accordance with the Revenue Bond Law of 1941 (Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 54300) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code), for the purpose of constructing, improving, or equipping any of the bridges or for any of the purposes authorized by this chapter, Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 30910), or Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 31000). Operation of the bridges or any grouping or units thereof shall constitute an “enterprise” within the meaning of Section 54309 of the Government Code, and the authority shall constitute a “local agency” within the meaning of Section 54307 of the Government Code. Article 3 (commencing with Section 54380) of Chapter 6 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code shall not apply to the issuance and sale of bonds pursuant to this chapter. Instead, the authority shall authorize the issuance of bonds by resolution, and that resolution shall specify all of the following:
(1)
The purposes for which the bonds are to be issued.
(2)
The maximum principal amount of the bonds.
(3)
The maximum term for the bonds or commercial paper.
(4)
The maximum rate of interest to be payable upon the bonds or commercial paper. That interest rate shall not exceed the maximum rate specified in Section 53531 of the Government Code. The rate may be either fixed or variable and shall be payable at the times and in the manner specified in the resolution.
(b)
The authority shall keep full and complete accounts for toll revenues and expenses of the toll bridges and shall annually prepare balance sheets showing the financial condition of the entire toll bridge enterprise as well as toll revenues and operating costs for each toll bridge. The accounts and related reports shall be maintained and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices and shall be subject to an annual audit conducted by an independent certified public accountancy firm licensed to practice in the state.
(c)
The authority may issue toll bridge revenue bonds to provide the department with sufficient funds to combine with the unspent proceeds of outstanding obligations of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank under Chapter 4.6 (commencing with Section 31070) to establish that those obligations are no longer outstanding, as that term is defined in the constituent instruments defining the rights of the holders of those obligations.
(d)
As and when requested by the authority, the department and the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank shall take all actions necessary or appropriate to promptly establish that obligations of the bank under Chapter 4.6 (commencing with Section 31070) are no longer outstanding and to effect the consolidation of toll revenues in accordance with Section 188.6.