Montana Title 7. Local Government § 7-7-109. Definitions--sale of notes in anticipation of federal or state revenue or issuance of bonds

(a) “Bonds” means bonds, notes, warrants, debentures, certificates of indebtedness, and all instruments or obligations evidencing or representing indebtedness, or evidencing or representing the borrowing of money, or evidencing or representing a charge, lien, or encumbrance on specific revenue, special assessments, income, or property of a political subdivision, including all instruments or obligations payable from a special fund.

(b) “Governing body” means the board, council, commission, or other body charged with the general control of the issuance of bonds of a political subdivision.

(2)(a) When all conditions exist precedent to the offering for sale of bonds of a political subdivision in any amount and for any purpose authorized by law or the political subdivision has applied for and received a commitment for a grant or loan of state or federal funds, its governing body may by resolution issue and sell, in anticipation of the receipt of the grant, loan, or bonds in an amount not exceeding the total amount of bonds authorized or the total amount of the loan or grant that is committed, notes maturing within not more than 3 years from the date on which the notes are issued.

(b) The outstanding term of the notes issued under this section may not reduce the term of the bonds otherwise permitted by law. Before the notes are issued, the political subdivision must receive a written commitment for the purchase of the bonds or for the grant or loan in an amount that in the aggregate is not less than the principal amount of the notes and shall by resolution agree to fulfill any conditions of the commitment.

(4)(a) To the extent that proceeds described in subsection (3) are not sufficient to pay the notes and interest on those notes when due, the notes must be paid from any other funds that are legally available and appropriated by the governing body for that purpose.

(b) If the notes are issued in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, any amount of the notes that cannot be paid at maturity from the proceeds described in subsection (3) or (4)(a) must be paid from the proceeds of bonds to be issued and sold before the maturity date.

(c) If sufficient funds are not available for payment in full of the notes at maturity, the holders of the notes have the right to require the issuance of bonds in exchange for the notes, with the bonds maturing, bearing interest at a rate, and secured over a term as provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the notes.

(d) If notes are validly issued under then-applicable law in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, the political subdivision may issue bonds in a principal amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of the notes, regardless of any limitation in the then-applicable law concerning the principal amount of the bonds.

(e) If the notes are issued in anticipation of the receipt of a grant or other revenue source and cannot be paid at maturity from the proceeds described in subsection (3) or (4)(a), the political subdivision may, to the extent otherwise authorized by law, issue bonds to provide for payment of those notes.