5:12-173.22 - Issuance of bonds by CRDA, establishment of Casino Capital Construction Fund

5:12-173.22  Issuance of bonds by CRDA, establishment of Casino Capital Construction Fund.

13. a. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority established pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1984, c.218 (C.5:12-153) shall issue bonds sufficient to generate $30 million for deposit into the Casino Capital Construction Fund created by this section, so that $10 million shall be available in each State fiscal year for designation and reserve pursuant to subsection d. of this section, except that the authority shall issue bonds to generate an amount greater than $30 million and make available more than $10 million annually as may be necessary to ensure that for each casino licensee there is designated and reserved the maximum share provided for in subsection d. of this section.  The principal and interest of such bonds shall be repaid exclusively from the revenue dedicated to the authority for this purpose pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1993, c.159 (C.5:12-173.4), as amended by section 11 of P.L.2003, c.116.

b.The authority shall establish a Casino Capital Construction Fund, into which the authority shall hold and make available for the exclusive use of casino licensees for eligible projects approved by the authority, the amount directed to be deposited into the fund pursuant to subsection a. of this section.

c.Amounts in this fund shall be distributed to a casino licensee for eligible capital construction projects approved by the membership of the authority for the following types of expansion: to increase the square footage of retail space, parking spaces or casino hotel rooms or to create a significant physical amenity or improvement.  The authority shall promulgate regulations establishing criteria governing the approval of eligible projects.

d.Of the amounts available in the fund in each State fiscal year pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the authority shall designate and reserve in State fiscal years 2004 through 2006 for each casino licensee a maximum share of the available $10 million or such greater amount as may be necessary, which maximum share shall be calculated as follows: the greater of (1)  the casino licensee's total payment of the adjusted net income tax imposed pursuant to section 5 of P.L.2003, c.116 (C.5:12-148.3) in State fiscal year 2004, 2005 or 2006, as appropriate, divided by the sum of payments by all casino licensees of that tax in State fiscal year 2004, 2005 or 2006, as appropriate, or (2) an amount equal to one half of the amount of tax paid in State fiscal year 2004, 2005, or 2006 as appropriate.  A casino licensee may receive a distribution up to the licensee's maximum share in each State fiscal year and the share of the fund so designated and reserved for a casino licensee that has not been distributed by June 30, 2014 shall be forfeited to the authority for use for its purposes pursuant to law for projects located within the boundaries of the City of Atlantic City, County of Atlantic, as approved by the membership of the authority.

e.Notwithstanding any provisions of P.L.1984, c.218 (C.5:12-153 et seq.) or any other law to the contrary, the authority shall issue bonds, the principal, interest or redemption premiums on which are to be payable in all from amounts to be deposited in the fund established pursuant to this section in the manner provided in sections 6 and 7 of P.L.1993, c.159 (C.5:12-173.6 and 173.7)

L.2003,c.116,s.13.