SB2491sam001 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. Mattie Hunter

Filed: 1/27/2012

09700SB2491sam001 LRB097 12732 HEP 61940 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 2491

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 2491 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 5. The Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 2705-605 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2705/2705-605 new)

Sec. 2705-605. Disadvantaged business revolving loan program.

(a) For the purposes of this Section:

"Contractor" means one who participates, through a contract or subcontract at any tier, in a United States Department of Transportation-assisted highway, transit, or airport program.

"Fund Control Agency" means an entity who establishes agreements with well-established financial institutions to act as an escrow Agent in conjunction with its Funds Control service.

(b) The Department has the power to enter into agreements to make low-interest loans to minority-owned businesses, female-owned businesses, and disadvantaged business enterprises certified by the Department for participation on Department-procured construction and construction-related contracts. For purposes of this Section, the terms "minority-owned business" and "female-owned business" have the meanings ascribed to them by Section 2 of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act. For purposes of this Section, the term "disadvantaged business enterprise" has the meaning ascribed to it by 49 CFR part 26.

(c) Grant and loan funds shall be expended, subject to appropriation, from the Working Capital Loan Repayment Fund established as a special fund in the State Treasury. Loaned funds that are repaid to the Department shall be deposited into the fund from which expended. Other appropriations, grants, awards, and donations to the Department for the purpose of the revolving loan program established by this Section shall be deposited into the Working Capital Loan Repayment Fund.

(d) A funds control process will be established to serve as an intermediary between the Department and the contractor to verify payments and to ensure paperwork is properly filed. The Fund Control Agency and contractor shall enter into an agreement regarding the control and disbursement of all payments to be made by the Department under the contract. The Department will authorize and direct the Fund Control Agency to review all disbursement requests and supporting documents received from the contractor and direct the funds control agency to disburse escrow funds to the contractor, subcontractor, material supplier, etc. by written request for such disbursement.

(e) Loan assistance funds shall be allowed for current liabilities or working capital expenses associated with participation in the performance of contracts procured by the Department for transportation construction and construction-related purposes. Contracts providing for mobilization payments to a certified business are not eligible for loan assistance. Loan funds shall not be used for (1) refinancing or payment of existing long-term debt; (2) payment of non-current taxes; (3) payments, advances, or loans to stockholders, officers, directors, partners, or member owners of limited liability companies; or (4) the purchase or lease of non-construction motor vehicles or equipment. The loan agreement shall provide for the terms and conditions of repayment which shall not extend repayment longer than one year after completion and acceptance of the work authorized for loan assistance under the program. The funds may be loaned with or without interest.

(f) The Department shall establish the requirements for eligibility and criteria for loan applications, approved use of funds, amount of loans, interest rates, collateral, and terms. The Department is authorized to adopt rules to implement this Section.

(g) Nothing in this Section is intended nor shall be construed to vest applicants denied funds by the Department in accordance with this Section a right to challenge, protest, or contest the awarding of funds by the Department to successful applicants or any loan or agreement executed in connection therewith.

Section 10. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Sections 5.811 and 8r as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.811 new)

Sec. 5.811. The Working Capital Loan Repayment Fund.

(30 ILCS 105/8r new)

Sec. 8r. Transfer to the Working Capital Loan Repayment Fund. Upon the written request of the Secretary of Transportation, the State Comptroller shall order and the State Treasurer shall transfer amounts not to exceed $3,000,000 in aggregate during a fiscal year, for a period of 10 years, from the Road Fund to the Working Capital Loan Repayment Fund at such times as requested by the Secretary of Transportation or as soon thereafter as may be practical.".