Virginia Law

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Public Recreational Facilities Authorities Act."

Code 1950, § 15-714.13; 1962, c. 393, § 1, § 15.1-1271; 1997, c. 587.

As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall mean, unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Authority" means an authority created under the provisions of § 15.2-5602 or, if any such authority shall be abolished the entity succeeding to the principal functions thereof.

"Bonds" or "revenue bonds" means bonds, notes, certificates or other evidences of borrowing.

"Cost" means, as applied to any project, all or any part of the cost of acquisition, construction, alteration, enlargement, reconstruction and remodeling of a project or portion thereof, including the cost of the acquisition of all land, rights-of-way, property, rights, easements and interests acquired by the authority for such construction, additions or expansion, the cost of demolishing or removing any building or structure on land so acquired, including the cost of acquiring any lands to which such building or structures may be removed, the cost of all labor, materials, machinery and equipment, financing charges, insurance, interest on all bonds prior to and during such construction, and during the construction of any addition or expansion, and if deemed advisable by the authority, for a period not exceeding one year after completion of such construction, addition or expansion, reserves for principal and interest and for extensions, enlargements, additions, replacements, renovations and improvements, provisions for working capital, the cost of surveys, engineering and architectural expenses, borings, plans and specifications and other engineering and architectural services, legal expenses, studies, estimates of cost and revenues, administrative expenses and such other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the construction of the project, and of such subsequent additions thereto or expansion thereof, the cost of financing such construction, additions or expansion and placing the project and such additions or expansion in operation.

"Federal agency" means the United States of America and any department, bureau, agency or instrumentality thereof.

"Project" or "projects" means any one or more of the following: auditorium, theater, concert or entertainment hall, coliseum, convention center, arena, field house, stadium, fairground, campground, land conservation project, including but not limited to the holding of conservation easements, sports facilities, including racetracks, amusement park or center, garden, park, zoo and museum, as such terms are generally used, and parking, transportation, utility and restaurant facilities and concessions in connection with any of the foregoing, including any and all buildings, structures, approaches, roadways, and other facilities and appurtenances thereto which the authority may deem necessary or desirable, together with all property, rights, easements and interests which may be acquired by the authority for the construction, improvement and operation of any of the foregoing. The transportation facilities hereinabove mentioned may be principally for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of the locality creating the authority so long as they are incidentally related to the acquisition and construction of any of the foregoing and may be financed contemporaneously with, prior to or subsequent to the acquisition and construction of any of the foregoing.

Code 1950, § 15-714.14; 1962, c. 393, § 2, § 15.1-1272; 1973, c. 238; 1974, c. 132; 1986, c. 442; 1997, c. 587; 1999, cc. 502, 528.

A. A locality may by ordinance or resolution, or two or more localities, may by concurrent ordinances or resolutions, signify their intention to create an authority under an appropriate name and title containing the word "authority." Each participating locality shall hold a public hearing, notice of which shall be given by publication at least once, not less than seven days prior to the date fixed for the hearing, in a newspaper having general circulation in the locality. The notice shall contain a brief statement of the substance of the proposed authority, shall set forth the proposed articles of incorporation of the authority and shall state the time and place of the public hearing. The locality, by resolution, may call for a referendum on the question of the creation of an authority, which shall be held as provided by § 24.2-681 et seq. When a referendum is to be held in more than one locality, the referendum shall be held on the same date in all of such localities.

B. The articles of incorporation shall set forth:

1. The name of the authority and address of its principal office.

2. A statement that the authority is created under this chapter.

3. The name of each participating locality.

4. The names, addresses and terms of office of the first members of the authority.

5. The purpose or purposes for which the authority is to be created.

C. Passage of such ordinance or resolution by the governing body or governing bodies shall constitute the authority a body politic and corporate of the Commonwealth.

D. Any locality may become a member of an existing authority, and any locality which is a member of an existing authority may withdraw therefrom, but no locality shall be permitted to withdraw from any authority that has outstanding obligations unless United States securities have been deposited for their payment or without the unanimous consent of all holders of the outstanding obligations.

E. Having specified the initial purpose or purposes of the authority in the articles of incorporation, the governing bodies of the participating localities may, from time to time by subsequent ordinance or resolution, after public hearing, modify the articles of incorporation and the purpose or purposes specified therein. Such modification may be made either with or without a referendum.

Code 1950, § 15-714.15; 1962, c. 393, § 3, § 15.1-1273; 1975, c. 517; 1996, c. 1021; 1997, c. 587; 2023, cc. 506, 507.

The powers of each authority created hereunder shall be exercised by a board which shall consist of not less than five nor more than seventeen members who shall be appointed by the participating localities and who shall be selected in the manner and for the terms provided by the ordinance or resolution creating the authority. Officers and employees of the participating localities may be appointed to the board and may constitute a majority of the members of the board. The members of the board shall elect one of their number chairman and shall elect a secretary and treasurer who need not be members of the board. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be combined. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum and the vote of a majority of such members shall be necessary for any action taken by the authority. No vacancy in the membership of the board shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the authority. The members of the board shall be reimbursed for the amount of actual expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties. The localities may provide for compensation of the members of the board; provided no compensation shall be paid for meetings not attended.

Alternate members of the board may also be selected. Such alternates shall be selected in the same manner as the members. The term of each alternate shall be the same as the term of the member for whom each serves as an alternate; however, the alternate's term shall not expire because of the member's death, disqualification, resignation or termination of employment with the member's locality. If a member is not present at a meeting of the authority, the alternate for the member shall have all the voting and other rights of a member and shall be counted for purposes of determining a quorum at any meeting of the authority.

Code 1950, § 15-714.16; 1962, c. 393, § 4, § 15.1-1274; 1974, c. 132; 1986, c. 442; 1995, c. 626; 1996, c. 1021; 1997, c. 587.

Each authority created hereunder shall be a political subdivision of the Commonwealth Virginia and shall be an instrumentality exercising public and essential governmental functions to provide for the public health and welfare. Each authority is authorized and empowered:

1. To have existence for such term of years as specified by the participating localities;

2. To contract and be contracted with; to sue and be sued; to make and from time to time amend and repeal bylaws, rules and regulations not inconsistent with general law to carry out its purposes; and to adopt a corporate seal and alter the same at its pleasure;

3. To acquire, purchase, lease as lessee, construct, reconstruct, improve, extend, operate and maintain projects within or outside any of the participating localities; and to acquire by gift or purchase lands or rights in land in connection therewith and to sell, lease as lessor, transfer or dispose of any property or interest therein acquired by it, at any time;

4. To lease all or any part of any project upon any such terms or conditions and for such term of years as it may deem advisable to carry out the provisions of this chapter;

5. To regulate the uses of all lands and facilities under control of the authority;

6. To fix and revise from time to time and to charge and collect fees, rents and other charges for the use of any project or facilities thereof owned or controlled, and to establish and revise from time to time regulations in respect of the use, operation and occupancy of any such project or facilities thereof;

7. To enter into contracts with any participating locality, the Commonwealth, or any other political subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, any federal agency or with any person providing for or relating to any project, including contracts for the management or operation of all or any part of a project;

8. To accept grants and gifts from any participating locality, the Commonwealth or any other political subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, any federal agency and from any person;

9. To issue bonds and refunding bonds of the authority, such bonds to be payable solely from funds of the authority; and from such other sources of payment as are authorized by § 15.2-5607;

10. To make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this chapter, including a trust agreement or trust agreements securing any bonds or refunding bonds issued hereunder; and

11. To do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers granted by this chapter.

Code 1950, § 15-714.17; 1962, c. 393, § 5, § 15.1-1275; 1973, c. 238; 1986, c. 442; 1997, c. 587.

Each participating locality is authorized and empowered:

1. To transfer jurisdiction over, to lease, lend, grant or convey to the authority at its request, with or without consideration, such real or personal property as may be necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of the authority, upon such terms and conditions as such participating locality shall determine to be for its best interests;

2. To make appropriations and to provide funds for any purpose of the authority, including the acquisition, construction, improvement and operation of any project or facilities thereof and payment of principal and interest on its indebtedness;

3. To enter into contracts agreeing to carry out any of the provisions set forth in subdivisions 1 or 2, providing for the operation and maintenance of all or any part of a project or otherwise facilitating the construction, development, operation or financing of all or any part of a project; and

4. To enter into leases with the authority pursuant to which a project or any part thereof is leased to the locality. The lease may be for a term ending not later than the end of the then current fiscal year of the locality and renewable for additional terms of one fiscal year each or as may be agreed upon by the parties provided that the total of the original term and any renewals shall in no event exceed fifty years. Each renewal shall be at the option of such locality and the lease may provide that it is renewed for an additional term if the locality fails to cancel the lease in writing on or prior to sixty days before the end of the then current term. Rentals under such lease may be computed at fixed amounts or by a formula based on any factors provided therein and the rentals payable may include provision for all or any part of or a share of the amounts necessary (i) to pay or provide for the expenses of operation and maintenance of a project, (ii) to provide for the payment of principal and interest on any bonds of the authority, and (iii) to maintain such reserves or sinking funds as may be required by the terms of any contract of the authority or as may be deemed necessary or desirable by the authority. Such payments shall be payable only from revenues of the locality available during the fiscal year during which the lease is in effect. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 15.2-5606 or any other provision hereof the authority or the locality leasing the project may contract with a person as sublessee or operator of the project at a compensation to be agreed upon by the parties.

Code 1950, § 15-714.18; 1962, c. 393, § 6, § 15.1-1276; 1973, c. 238; 1975, c. 109; 1997, c. 587.

The authority may acquire or construct and maintain and operate any one or more projects under this chapter in such manner as the authority may determine, and the authority may operate each project separately or it may operate one or more projects together. The authority shall have exclusive control over the revenues derived from its operations and may use revenues from one project in connection with any other project. No person shall receive any profit or dividend from the revenues, earnings or other funds or assets of the authority other than for debts contracted, for services rendered, for materials and supplies furnished and for other value actually received by the authority.

Code 1950, § 15-714.19; 1962, c. 393, § 7, § 15.1-1277; 1997, c. 587.

The authority is authorized to issue bonds from time to time in its discretion for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of acquiring, purchasing, constructing, reconstructing, improving or extending any project and acquiring necessary land and equipment therefor. The authority may issue such types of bonds as it may determine, including (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) bonds payable as to principal and interest: (i) from its revenues generally; (ii) exclusively from the income and revenues of a particular project; or (iii) exclusively from the income and revenues of certain designated projects, whether or not they are financed in whole or in part from the proceeds of such bonds.

Any such bonds may be additionally secured by a pledge of any grant or contribution from a participating locality, the Commonwealth or any political subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, any federal agency or any unit, private corporation, copartnership, association, or individual, or a pledge of any income or revenues of the authority, or a mortgage on any project or other property of the authority, or any contract obligation or undertaking, whether in the nature of a guaranty or otherwise, of any participating locality. However, any such contract obligation or undertaking by any participating locality which is a city or town shall not be considered an indebtedness within the meaning of any debt limitation or restriction and that any such contract obligation or undertaking by a participating locality which is a county shall be authorized in accordance with the provisions of Article VII, Section 10 (b) of the Constitution of Virginia.

Neither the members of the board of the authority nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally on the bonds by reason of the issuance thereof. The bonds and other obligations of the authority (and such bonds and obligations shall so state on their face) shall not be a debt of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof other than the participating localities which have entered into contract obligations or other undertakings with respect to the repayment thereof as authorized in the preceding paragraph, and neither the Commonwealth nor any political subdivision thereof other than the authority and, to the extent provided in the preceding paragraph, participating localities, shall be liable thereon, nor shall such bonds or obligations be payable out of any funds or properties other than those of the authority and those created by contract obligations or undertakings of any participating localities entered into pursuant to the preceding paragraph. The bonds shall not constitute an indebtedness within the meaning of any debt limitation or restriction. Bonds of the authority are declared to be issued for an essential public and governmental purpose.

Code 1950, § 15-714.20; 1962, c. 393, § 8, § 15.1-1278; 1986, c. 442; 1997, c. 587.

Bonds of the authority shall be authorized by resolution of the board and may be issued in one or more series, shall be dated, shall mature at such time or times not exceeding forty years from their date or dates and shall bear interest at such rate or rates, as may be determined by the authority, and may be made redeemable before maturity, at the option of the authority at such price or prices and under such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the authority prior to the issuance of the bonds. The authority shall determine the form of the bonds, including any interest coupons to be attached thereto, and the manner of execution of the bonds, and shall fix the denomination or denominations of the bonds and the place or places of payment of principal and interest, which may be at any bank or trust company within or outside the Commonwealth. In case any officer whose signature or a facsimile of whose signature shall appear on any bonds or coupons shall cease to be such officer before delivery of such bond, such signature or such facsimile shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if he had remained in office until such delivery. Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this chapter or any recitals in any bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter, all such bonds shall be deemed to be negotiable instruments under the laws of the Commonwealth. The bonds may be issued in coupon or registered form or both, as the authority may determine, and provision may be made for the registration of any coupon bonds as to principal alone and also as to both principal and interest, and for the reconversion into coupon bonds of any bonds registered as to both principal and interest. The authority may sell such bonds in such manner, either at public or private sale, and for such price, as it may determine to be for the best interests of the authority.

Prior to the preparation of definitive bonds, the authority may, under like restrictions, issue interim receipts or temporary bonds, with or without coupons, exchangeable for definitive bonds when such bonds shall have been executed and are available for delivery. The authority may also provide for the replacement of any bonds which shall become mutilated or shall be destroyed or lost.

Bonds may be issued under the provisions of this chapter without obtaining the consent of any commission, board, bureau or agency of the Commonwealth or of any political subdivision thereof, and without any other proceedings or the happening of other conditions or things than those proceedings, conditions or things which are specifically required by this chapter.

Code 1950, § 15-714.21; 1962, c. 393, § 9, § 15.1-1279; 1973, c. 238; 1997, c. 587.

In the discretion of the authority, any bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter may be secured by a trust indenture by way of conveyance, deed of trust or mortgage of any project or any other property of the authority, whether or not financed in whole or in part from the proceeds of such bonds, or by a trust agreement by and between the authority and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or outside the Commonwealth or by both such conveyance, deed of trust or mortgage and indenture or trust agreement. Such trust indenture or agreement, or the resolution providing for the issuance of such bonds may pledge or assign fees, rents, charges and receipts, collected by, payable to or otherwise derived by the authority, and all other moneys and income of whatever kind or character collected by, payable to or otherwise derived from any project. Such trust indenture or agreement, or resolution providing for the issuance of such bonds, may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as may be reasonable and proper and not in violation of law, including covenants setting forth the duties of the authority in relation to the acquisition of property and the construction, improvement, maintenance, repair, operation and issuance of any project or other property of the authority, and the rates of fees, rents and other charges to be charged, and the custody, safeguarding and application of all moneys of the authority, and conditions or limitations with respect to the issuance of additional bonds. It shall be lawful for any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth which may act as depository of the proceeds of such bonds or of other revenues of the authority to furnish indemnifying bonds or to pledge such securities as may be required by the authority. Such trust indenture or agreement or resolution may set forth the rights and remedies of the bondholders and of the trustee, and may restrict the individual right of action by bondholders.

In addition to the foregoing, such trust indenture or agreement or resolution may contain such other provisions as the authority may deem reasonable and proper for the security of the bondholders. All expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of such trust indenture or agreement or resolution may be treated as a part of the cost of a project.

Code 1950, § 15-714.22; 1962, c. 393, § 10, § 15.1-1280; 1973, c. 238; 1997, c. 587.

The authority is authorized to fix, revise, charge and collect fees, rents and other charges for the use of any project and the facilities thereof. The fees, rents and other charges shall be fixed and adjusted so as to provide funds, which when added to other funds, are sufficient to pay: (i) the cost of maintaining, repairing and operating the project and (ii) the principal and any interest on the bonds as the same shall become due and payable. Reserves may be accumulated and maintained out of the revenues and receipts of the authority for extraordinary repairs and expenses and for such other purposes as may be provided in any resolution authorizing a bond issue or in any trust indenture securing the authority's bonds. Such fees, rents and charges shall not be subject to supervision or regulation by any commission, board, bureau or agency of the Commonwealth or any participating locality.

Code 1950, § 15-714.23; 1962, c. 393, § 11, § 15.1-1281; 1973, c. 238; 1986, c. 442; 1997, c. 587.

All moneys received pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, whether as proceeds from the sale of bonds or as revenues, shall be deemed to be trust funds to be held and applied solely as provided in this chapter.

Code 1950, § 15-714.24; 1962, c. 393, § 12, § 15.1-1282; 1997, c. 587.

Any holder of bonds, notes, certificates or other evidences of borrowing or any coupons appertaining thereto issued under the provisions of this chapter and the trustee under any trust indenture or agreement, except to the extent of the rights herein given may be restricted by such trust indenture, or agreement may protect and enforce their rights under (i) the laws of the Commonwealth; (ii) this chapter; (iii) the trust indenture or agreement; or (iv) the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds, notes or certificates. Such holder and trustee may enforce and compel the performance of all duties required by this chapter or by such trust indenture or agreement or resolution to be performed by the authority or by any officer or agent thereof, including the fixing, charging and collection of fees, rents and other charges.

Code 1950, § 15-714.25; 1962, c. 393, § 13, § 15.1-1283; 1997, c. 587.

The exercise of the powers granted by this chapter shall be in all respects for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Commonwealth, for the increase of their commerce, and for the promotion of their safety, health, welfare, convenience and prosperity, and as the operation and maintenance of any project which the authority may undertake will constitute the performance of an essential governmental function, no authority shall be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon any project acquired and constructed by it under the provisions of this chapter. The bonds, notes, certificates or other evidences of debt issued under the provisions of this chapter, their transfer and the income therefrom including any profit made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be free and exempt from taxation by the Commonwealth and by any political subdivision thereof.

Code 1950, § 15-714.26; 1962, c. 393, § 14, § 15.1-1284; 1997, c. 587.

Bonds issued by the authority are securities in which all public officers and public bodies of the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions, all insurance companies, trust companies, banking associations, investment companies, executors, administrators, trustees and other fiduciaries may properly and legally invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them. Such bonds are securities which legally may be deposited with and received by any state or municipal officer or any agency or political subdivision of the Commonwealth for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or obligations is, or may hereafter be, authorized by law.

Code 1950, § 15-714.27; 1962, c. 393, § 15, § 15.1-1285; 1997, c. 587.

This chapter shall constitute full and complete authority, without regard to the provisions of any other law, for the doing of the acts and things herein authorized. This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the Commonwealth and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to effect the purposes hereof.

Code 1950, § 15-714.28; 1962, c. 393, § 16, § 15.1-1286; 1973, c. 238; 1997, c. 587; 2015, c. 709.

Whenever the board of the authority shall by resolution determine that the purposes for which the authority was formed have been substantially complied with and all bonds therefore issued and all obligations theretofore incurred by the authority have been fully paid or adequate provisions have been made for the payment, the board shall execute and file for record with the participating localities a resolution declaring such facts. If the participating localities are of the opinion that the facts stated in the authority's resolution are true and the authority should be dissolved, they shall so resolve and the authority shall stand dissolved as of the date on which the last participating locality adopts such resolution. Upon such dissolution, the title to all funds and properties owned by the authority at the time of such dissolution shall vest in the participating localities.

1986, c. 442, § 15.1-1286.1; 1997, c. 587.