Public Utilities Code section 13371

A district may borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purposes of this chapter by the issuance of bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness by a majority vote of its board of directors and without the necessity of calling and holding an election in the district. Such evidences of indebtedness shall constitute general obligations of the district or shall be payable solely from the revenues of the district as the board may determine in the resolution authorizing their issuance; provided, that if the board determines that the evidences of indebtedness shall constitute general obligations of the district, their issuance shall be approved by a four-fifths vote of the board. Such indebtedness may be incurred for any of the following purposes:

(a)

The purchase, processing, storage, and disposal of fuel to be used for the generation and transmission of electricity, of materials to be used in the manufacture of such fuel, and of the products of such fuel, the purchase of real property and manufacturing and processing facilities from which such fuel or materials may be obtained, or interests therein.

(b)

The planning, design, engineering, and licensing of facilities for the generation or transmission of electricity, and the preparation of sites and the purchase of equipment for such facilities.

(c)

The planning, design, engineering, acquisition, or construction of facilities for the storage, transmission, or distribution of water.

(d)

The planning, design, engineering, acquisition, or construction of facilities for the storage, transmission, or treatment of sewage or byproducts of sewage treatment.

(e)

The replacement of works of the district that have been damaged or demolished by reason of fire, flood, earthquake, sabotage, or acts of God or the public enemy.

(f)

Any expenses or charges incurred in connecton with the foregoing purposes, and to reimburse the district for expenditures incurred for any of such purposes.
The indebtedness incurred under this chapter shall be evidenced by bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness maturing in not to exceed seven years from their date, shall not result in interest costs exceeding such limits as may be fixed by the board, and may be sold either by public or by private sale. All other terms and conditions of such evidences of indebtedness shall be fixed by the board. The district may arrange for bank credit for the purposes of this section or to provide an additional source of repayment for indebtedness incurred under this chapter. The maximum principal amount of all indebtedness outstanding under this article, including the amounts drawn on available bank lines of credit, shall not at any one time exceed the lesser of either (1) the annual average of the total revenue for the three preceding years or (2) 25 percent of the district’s total outstanding bonds issued pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 12701), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 13201), and Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 13451).
The authority contained in this chapter shall be in addition to the authority contained in Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 12701), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 13201), and Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 13451), and any indebtedness incurred pursuant to this chapter shall not be included in ascertaining the aggregate indebtedness permitted by Section 12842.

Source: Section 13371, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=PUC§ionNum=13371.­ (accessed Apr. 24, 2025).

Last Updated

Apr. 24, 2025

§ 13371’s source at ca​.gov