§610 — Title 23 Highways | U.S. Code

Summary

Lets states set up State infrastructure banks with the approval of the Secretary of Transportation. These banks can make loans and give other credit help to public or private groups for transportation and related projects. States must sign a written cooperative agreement with the Secretary. Two or more states may join to form a multistate bank by an interstate compact. The Secretary can stop further federal deposits if a state does not run the bank under the agreement. Key defined words (one line each): "capital project" — meaning in 49 U.S.C. 5302; "other forms of credit assistance" — things like credit enhancements, reserves, interest subsidies, guarantees, lease/purchase financing, bond security, or other approved debt tools; "State" — meaning in section 401; "capitalization" — the initial deposit of funds; "cooperative agreement" — the written deal with the Secretary; "loan" — repayable financial help; "guarantee" — a promise to cover some of a borrower’s obligations; "initial assistance" — the first loans or credit help; "leverage/leveraged" — using debt to increase bank funds; "rural infrastructure project" and "rural projects fund" — meanings in section 601. States may put federal money into bank accounts for highway, transit, and rail projects for fiscal years 2022 through 2026. A State may deposit up to 10 percent of its apportioned or allocated highway funds and up to 10 percent of transit capital funds for each of those years. Rail account deposits may come from rail capital funds for those years. The bank can also receive proceeds of a secured loan for the rural projects fund (see sections 602 and 603). Federal deposits count as capitalization grants. For areas with urbanized populations over 200,000, the local metropolitan planning organization must agree in writing before bank funds are used there. Banks may make loans or other credit help from the highway, transit, and rail accounts, and loans only from the rural fund. Loans can be subordinated to other debt. Banks may fund up to 100 percent of project costs from highway, transit, or rail accounts, and up to 80 percent for rural projects. The first federal help cannot be a grant. To start a bank, a State must put in at least 25 percent of each capitalization grant from non‑federal sources (except the highway account percentage may be lower if the State’s required non‑federal share under section 120(b) is below 25 percent). Banks must keep an investment grade rating or adequate insurance, credit investment income back to the account, invest it in approved safe instruments, charge loans at or below market rates (rural loans at or below the TIFIA loan rate given to the bank), start loan repayment within 5 years after project completion or opening to traffic, limit loan terms so repayment ends within 30 years after the first payment, and send an annual report to the Secretary by September 30. Rules in this title and title 49 apply to the funds and projects, and repayments from non‑Federal sources are treated as Federal funds. Federal deposits do not make the United States a guarantor of the bank’s debts. Sections 3335 and 6503 of title 31 do not apply to these deposits. For each fiscal year 2022 through 2026, a State may use up to 2 percent of the Federal funds in its bank to pay reasonable administrative costs.

Title 23, §610

Highways — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)The term “capital project” has the meaning such term has under section 5302 of title 49.

(2)The term “other forms of credit assistance” includes any use of funds in an infrastructure bank—

(A)to provide credit enhancements;

(B)to serve as a capital reserve for bond or debt instrument financing;

(C)to subsidize interest rates;

(D)to insure or guarantee letters of credit and credit instruments against credit risk of loss;

(E)to finance purchase and lease agreements with respect to transit projects;

(F)to provide bond or debt financing instrument security; and

(G)to provide other forms of debt financing and methods of leveraging funds that are approved by the Secretary and that relate to the project with respect to which such assistance is being provided.

(3)The term “State” has the meaning such term has under section 401.

(4)The term “capitalization” means the process used for depositing funds as initial capital into a State infrastructure bank to establish the infrastructure bank.

(5)The term “cooperative agreement” means written consent between a State and the Secretary which sets forth the manner in which the infrastructure bank established by the State in accordance with this section will be administered.

(6)The term “loan” means any form of direct financial assistance from a State infrastructure bank that is required to be repaid over a period of time and that is provided to a project sponsor for all or part of the costs of the project.

(7)The term “guarantee” means a contract entered into by a State infrastructure bank in which the bank agrees to take responsibility for all or a portion of a project sponsor’s financial obligations for a project under specified conditions.

(8)The term “initial assistance” means the first round of funds that are loaned or used for credit enhancement by a State infrastructure bank for projects eligible for assistance under this section.

(9)The term “leverage” means a financial structure used to increase funds in a State infrastructure bank through the issuance of debt instruments.

(10)The term “leveraged”, as used with respect to a State infrastructure bank, means that the bank has total potential liabilities that exceed the capital of the bank.

(11)The term “rural infrastructure project” has the meaning given the term in section 601.

(12)The term “rural projects fund” has the meaning given the term in section 601.

(b)Subject to the provisions of this section, the Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with States for the establishment of State infrastructure banks for making loans and providing other forms of credit assistance to public and private entities carrying out or proposing to carry out projects eligible for assistance under this section.

(c)(1)Congress grants consent to two or more of the States, entering into a cooperative agreement under subsection (a) with the Secretary for the establishment by such States of a multistate infrastructure bank in accordance with this section, to enter into an interstate compact establishing such bank in accordance with this section.

(2)The right to alter, amend, or repeal interstate compacts entered into under this subsection is expressly reserved.

(d)(1)Subject to subsection (j), the Secretary may permit a State entering into a cooperative agreement under this section to establish a State infrastructure bank to deposit into the highway account of the bank not to exceed—

(A)10 percent of the funds apportioned to the State for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 under each of paragraphs (1), (2), and (5) of section 104(b); and

(B)10 percent of the funds allocated to the State for each of such fiscal years.

(2)Subject to subsection (j), the Secretary may permit a State entering into a cooperative agreement under this section to establish a State infrastructure bank, and any other recipient of Federal assistance under section 5307, 5309, or 5311 of title 49, to deposit into the transit account of the bank not to exceed 10 percent of the funds made available to the State or other recipient in each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 for capital projects under each of such sections.

(3)Subject to subsection (j), the Secretary may permit a State entering into a cooperative agreement under this section to establish a State infrastructure bank, and any other recipient of Federal assistance under subtitle V of title 49, to deposit into the rail account of the bank funds made available to the State or other recipient in each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 for capital projects under such subtitle.

(4)Subject to subsection (j), the Secretary may permit a State entering into a cooperative agreement under this section to establish a State infrastructure bank to deposit into the rural projects fund of the bank the proceeds of a secured loan made to the bank in accordance with section 602 and 603.

(5)(A)Federal funds deposited into a highway account of a State infrastructure bank under paragraph (1) shall constitute for purposes of this section a capitalization grant for the highway account of the bank.

(B)Federal funds deposited into a transit account of a State infrastructure bank under paragraph (2) shall constitute for purposes of this section a capitalization grant for the transit account of the bank.

(C)Federal funds deposited into a rail account of a State infrastructure bank under paragraph 3 shall constitute for purposes of this section a capitalization grant for the rail account of the bank.

(6)Funds in a State infrastructure bank that are attributed to urbanized areas of a State with urbanized populations of over 200,000 under section 133(d)(1)(A)(i) may be used to provide assistance with respect to a project only if the metropolitan planning organization designated for such area concurs, in writing, with the provision of such assistance.

(7)If the Secretary determines that a State is not implementing the State’s infrastructure bank in accordance with a cooperative agreement entered into under subsection (b), the Secretary may prohibit the State from contributing additional Federal funds to the bank.

(e)(1)A State infrastructure bank established under this section may—

(A)with funds deposited into the highway account, transit account, or rail account of the bank, make loans or provide other forms of credit assistance to a public or private entity to carry out a project eligible for assistance under this section; and

(B)with funds deposited into the rural projects fund, make loans to a public or private entity to carry out a rural infrastructure project.

(2)The amount of a loan or other form of credit assistance provided for a project described in paragraph (1) may be subordinated to any other debt financing for the project.

(3)A State infrastructure bank established under this section may—

(A)with funds deposited into the highway account, transit account, or rail account of the bank, make loans or provide other forms of credit assistance to a public or private entity in an amount up to 100 percent of the cost of carrying out a project eligible for assistance under this section; and

(B)with funds deposited into the rural projects fund, make loans to a public or private entity in an amount not to exceed 80 percent of the cost of carrying out a rural infrastructure project.

(4)Initial assistance provided with respect to a project from Federal funds deposited into a State infrastructure bank under this section may not be made in the form of a grant.

(f)Subject to subsection (e), funds in an infrastructure bank established under this section may be used only to provide assistance for projects eligible for assistance under this title and capital projects defined in section 5302 of title 49, and any other projects relating to surface transportation that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(g)In order to establish an infrastructure bank under this section, the State establishing the bank shall—

(1)deposit in cash, at a minimum, into the highway account, the transit account, and the rail account of the bank from non-Federal sources an amount equal to 25 percent of the amount of each capitalization grant made to the State and deposited into such account; except that, if the deposit is into the highway account of the bank and the State has a non-Federal share under section 120(b) that is less than 25 percent, the percentage to be deposited from non-Federal sources shall be the lower percentage of such grant;

(2)ensure that the bank maintains on a continuing basis an investment grade rating on its debt, or has a sufficient level of bond or debt financing instrument insurance, to maintain the viability of the bank;

(3)ensure that investment income derived from funds deposited to an account of the bank are—

(A)credited to the account;

(B)available for use in providing loans and other forms of credit assistance to projects eligible for assistance from the account; and

(C)invested in United States Treasury securities, bank deposits, or such other financing instruments as the Secretary may approve to earn interest to enhance the leveraging of projects assisted by the bank;

(4)ensure that any loan from the bank will bear interest at or below market interest rates, as determined by the State, to make the project that is the subject of the loan feasible, except that any loan funded from the rural projects fund of the bank shall bear interest at or below the interest rate charged for the TIFIA loan provided to the bank under section 603;

(5)ensure that repayment of any loan from the bank will commence not later than 5 years after the project has been completed or, in the case of a highway project, the facility has opened to traffic, whichever is later;

(6)ensure that the term for repaying any loan will not exceed 30 years after the date of the first payment on the loan; and

(7)require the bank to make an annual report to the Secretary on its status no later than September 30 of each year and such other reports as the Secretary may require under guidelines issued to carry out this section.

(h)(1)The requirements of this title and title 49 that would otherwise apply to funds made available under this title or such title and projects assisted with those funds shall apply to—

(A)funds made available under this title or such title and contributed to an infrastructure bank established under this section, including the non-Federal contribution required under subsection (g); and

(B)projects assisted by the bank through the use of the funds,

(2)The requirements of this title and title 49 shall apply to repayments from non-Federal sources to an infrastructure bank from projects assisted by the bank. Such a repayment shall be considered to be Federal funds.

(i)The deposit of Federal funds into an infrastructure bank established under this section shall not be construed as a commitment, guarantee, or obligation on the part of the United States to any third party, nor shall any third party have any right against the United States for payment solely by virtue of the contribution. Any security or debt-financing instrument issued by the infrastructure bank shall expressly state that the security or instrument does not constitute a commitment, guarantee, or obligation of the United States.

(j)section 3335 and 6503 of title 31 shall not apply to funds deposited into an infrastructure bank under this section.

(k)For each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, a State may expend not to exceed 2 percent of the Federal funds contributed to an infrastructure bank established by the State under this section to pay the reasonable costs of administering the bank.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (d)(1)(A), (2), (3). Pub. L. 117–58, § 12001(k)(1), substituted “fiscal years 2022 through 2026” for “fiscal years 2016 through 2020”. Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 117–58, § 12001(k)(2), substituted “fiscal years 2022 through 2026” for “fiscal years 2016 through 2020”. 2015—Subsec. (a)(11), (12). Pub. L. 114–94, § 2001(i)(1), added pars. (11) and (12). Subsec. (d)(1)(A). Pub. L. 114–94, § 2001(i)(2)(A), substituted “each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020 under each of paragraphs (1), (2), and (5) of section 104(b); and” for “fiscal years 2005 through 2009 under each of section 104(b)(1), 104(b)(3), 104(b)(4), and 144; and”. Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 114–94, § 1446(d)(5)(B), amended Pub. L. 112–141, div. A, title I, § 1519(c). See 2012 Amendment note below. Subsec. (d)(2), (3). Pub. L. 114–94, § 2001(i)(2)(B), (C), substituted “fiscal years 2016 through 2020” for “fiscal years 2005 through 2009”. Subsec. (d)(4) to (7). Pub. L. 114–94, § 2001(i)(2)(D)–(F), added par. (4), redesignated former pars. (4) to (6) as (5) to (7), respectively, and substituted “section 133(d)(1)(A)(i)” for “section 133(d)(3)” in par. (6). Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 114–94, § 2001(i)(3), added subsec. (e) and struck out former subsec. (e) which related to forms of assistance from infrastructure banks. Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 114–94, § 2001(i)(4)(A), substituted “the highway account, the transit account, and the rail account” for “each account”. Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 114–94, § 2001(i)(4)(B), inserted “, except that any loan funded from the rural projects fund of the bank shall bear interest at or below the interest rate charged for the TIFIA loan provided to the bank under section 603” after “feasible”. Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 114–94, § 2001(i)(5), substituted “fiscal years 2016 through 2020” for “fiscal years 2005 through 2009”. 2012—Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 112–141, § 1519(c)(11), formerly § 1519(c)(12), as renumbered by Pub. L. 114–94, § 1446(d)(5)(B), struck out “under section 105” before period at end. 2008—Pub. L. 110–244 amended Pub. L. 109–59, § 1602(d). See 2005 Amendment note below. 2005—Pub. L. 109–59, as amended by Pub. L. 110–244, renumbered section 190 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2021 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 117–58 effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 10003 of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date

of 2015 AmendmentExcept as otherwise provided, amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, § 1446(d), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1438, provided that the amendment made by section 1446(d)(5)(B) is effective as of July 6, 2012, and as if included in Pub. L. 112–141 as enacted.

Effective Date

of 2012 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date

of 2008 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 110–244 effective as of the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–59 (Aug. 10, 2005) and to be treated as included in Pub. L. 109–59 as of that date, and provisions of Pub. L. 109–59, as in effect on the day before June 6, 2008, that are amended by Pub. L. 110–244 to be treated as not enacted, see section 121(b) of Pub. L. 110–244, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

§610 State Infrastructure Bank Program

Summary

Title 23, §610

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Effective Date

Effective Date

Effective Date

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