Section 50-23-7. Lease agreements

   (a) For the purposes of this article, the term "lease agreement" shall mean and include a lease, operating lease rental agreement, usufruct, sale and lease back, or any other lease agreement having a term of not more than 50 years and concerning real, personal, or mixed property, any right, title, or interest therein by and between the state, the authority, a local government, or any combination thereof.

(b) A local government by resolution of its governing body may enter into a lease agreement for the provision of environmental services utilizing facilities owned by the authority upon such terms and conditions as the authority shall determine to be reasonable including, but not limited to, the reimbursement of all costs of construction and financing and claims arising therefrom.

(c) No lease agreement shall be deemed to be a contract subject to any law requiring that contract shall be let only after receipt of competitive bids.

(d) Any lease agreement may provide for the construction of such environmental facility by the local government as agent for the authority. In such event, all contracts for such construction shall be let by such local government in accordance with the provisions of law otherwise applicable to the letting of such contracts by such local government and with the provisions of state law pertaining to prevailing wages, labor standards, and working hours. Any such lease agreement may contain provisions by which such local government shall indemnify the authority against any and all damages resulting from acts or omissions to act on the part of such local government or its officers, agents, or employees in constructing such facility or facilities, in letting any contracts in connection therewith, or in operating and maintaining the same.

(e) Any lease agreement executed by the authority directly with any local government may provide at the termination thereof that title to the environmental facility project shall vest in the local government or its successor in interest, if any, free and clear of any liens or encumbrances created in connection with any contract or bonds, revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations involving the authority.

(f) Any lease agreement directly between the state or authority and a local government may contain provisions requiring the local government to perform any or all of the following:

   (1) As appropriate and otherwise permitted by law, establish and collect taxes, rents, rates, fees, and charges so as to produce revenues sufficient to pay all or a specified portion of:

      (A) The costs of operation, maintenance, renewal, replacement, and repairs of any project of such local government; and

      (B) Outstanding bonds, revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations incurred for the purposes of such project and to provide for the payment of all amounts as they shall become due and payable under the terms of such lease agreement, including amounts for the creation and maintenance of any required reserves;

   (2) Create and maintain reasonable reserves or other special funds;

   (3) Create and maintain a special fund or funds as additional security for the punctual payment of any rentals due under such lease agreement and for the deposit of such revenues as shall be sufficient to pay rentals and any other amounts becoming due under such lease agreements as the same shall become due and payable; and

   (4) Such other acts and take such other action as may be deemed necessary and desirable by the authority to secure the complete and punctual performance by such local government of such lease agreements and to provide for the remedies of the authority in the event of a default by such local government in such payment.

Code 1981, § 50-23-7, enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 569, § 1; Ga. L. 1989, p. 1289, § 5; Ga. L. 1994, p. 1108, § 6; Ga. L. 2006, p. 267, § 4/HB 1319.