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Bond Counsel Can Ensure Compliance During Pandemic Uncertainty

3 min read

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape for many, including those who issue tax-exempt bonds.

Many state and local governments rely on tax-exempt bonds to fund major projects for their communities. In order to remain compliant as well as identify opportunities, issuers should be aware of situations and matters that may arise during the pandemic.

Impact on Interest Rates

Because of the pandemic’s effect on the financial markets, tax-exempt bond interest rates are at an all-time low — one of the few positives resulting from the pandemic. Lower interest rates provide issuers with the opportunity to fund projects at a lower than anticipated cost, making them more affordable.

Additionally, issuers may be able to refund outstanding debt at lower rates. Discussing these options with bond counsel may provide issuers with opportunities for significant savings. However, issuers should anticipate that their investment bankers will make sure that the pandemic has not adversely impacted the issuer’s ability to repay the bonds.

Public Hearings Guidelines

Under Arkansas law, before issuing bonds for new improvements, a hearing providing the public an opportunity to express their views and the issuance of bonds must be held. Social distancing requirements and other limitations make it difficult to hold public hearings.

If a locality is permitting in-person meetings, then public hearings can proceed with a few extra precautions. Issuers can provide an opportunity for submitting written comments prior to the hearing as well as access to a hearing via toll-free telephone numbers.

Issuers must require any person attending an in-person public hearing to comply with any applicable mandate like wearing a mask. Other guidelines encourage the posting of signs at entrances advising attendees not to enter if they have COVID-19 symptoms or been exposed, as well as marking off 6-foot increments for distancing.

Following the guidelines and mandates in the applicable jurisdiction ensures a safe public hearing that meets the requirements under Arkansas law.

Disclosure Requirements

Issuers with outstanding bonds frequently have an obligation to provide certain disclosures. Disclosure requirements may include the filing of notices of the pandemic’s effect on revenues and operations through the Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA). Late annual filings of financial statements or delinquencies in principal and interest payments are obvious disclosures.

Some non-payment related defaults, such as sales tax receipts or other revenues falling below a certain threshold, may also trigger a disclosure obligation. If an issuer takes advantage of resources related to COVID-19 relief that involve repayment, this may be a financial obligation that should be disclosed. Issuers should review their disclosure requirements and covenants with this in mind.

Requirement to Spend

For bonds recently issued to finance capital projects, issuers should remember that proceeds need to be spent within certain time periods. On the date the bonds were issued, an issuer may have reasonably expected that at least 85% of the proceeds will be spent for the capital project within three years. In the case of bonds issued before the pandemic, delays in proceeds spending my result from unforeseen supply chain disruptions, stay at home orders or labor disruptions that are all outside the issuer’s control. While spending delays resulting from these events should not be treated as a failure to comply with federal tax law, the delays should be documented and monitored.

When issuing bonds in the midst of the pandemic, an issuer should work with bond counsel so that expectations and certifications made with respect to spending of bond proceeds are reasonable, considering the pandemic and its possible effects on the capital project.

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting all aspects of our lives, and municipal finance projects are not immune from these impacts. Being aware is the first step toward ensuring compliance with the applicable laws and regulations as well as any covenants contained in the bond documents.

Working with bond counsel can help issuers maintain compliance with these laws, regulations and covenants.

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