Leases; findings

Sec. 7. (a) Before a lease may be entered into by an eligible political subdivision under this chapter, the eligible political subdivision must find that the lease rental provided for is fair and reasonable. (b) A lease of land or a project from a development authority to an eligible political subdivision: (1) may not have a term exceeding forty (40) years; (2) may not require payment of lease rentals for a newly constructed project or for improvements to an existing project until the project or improvements to the project have been completed and are ready for occupancy or use; (3) may contain provisions: (A) allowing the eligible political subdivision to continue to operate an existing project until completion of the acquisition, improvements, reconstruction, or renovation of that project or any other project; and (B) requiring payment of lease rentals for land, for an existing project being used, reconstructed, or renovated, or for any other existing project; (4) may contain an option to renew the lease for the same or a shorter term on the conditions provided in the lease; (5) must contain an option for the eligible political subdivision to purchase the project upon the terms stated in the lease during the term of the lease for a price equal to the amount required to pay all indebtedness incurred on account of the project, including indebtedness incurred for the refunding of that indebtedness; (6) may be entered into before acquisition or construction of a project; (7) may provide that the eligible political subdivision shall agree to: (A) pay any taxes and assessments on the project; (B) maintain insurance on the project for the benefit of the development authority; (C) assume responsibility for utilities, repairs, alterations, and any costs of operation; and (D) pay a deposit or series of deposits to the development authority from any funds available to the eligible political subdivision before the commencement of the lease to secure the performance of the eligible political subdivision's obligations under the lease; and (8) must provide that the lease rental payments by the eligible political subdivision shall be made from the development authority fund established under section 1 of this chapter and may provide that the lease rental payments by the eligible political subdivision shall be made from: (A) net revenues of the project; (B) any other funds available to the eligible political subdivision; or (C) both sources described in clauses (A) and (B).