AI-assisted research summary: This section requires state officials to build and finance a building for the utilities commission and the consumer advocate division, and sets rules for how the project costs and financing must be handled.
1. For the purposes of this section, “building project expenses” means expenses that have been approved by the utilities commission for the building and related improvements and furnishings developed under this section and that are considered part of the regulatory expenses charged by the utilities commission and the consumer advocate division of the department of justice for carrying out duties under section 476.10. 2. The department of administrative services, in consultation with the utilities commission and the consumer advocate division of the department of justice, shall provide for the construction of a building to house the utilities commission and the consumer advocate division of the department of justice. A building developed under this subsection shall be a model energy-efficient building that may be used as a public example for similar efforts. The building shall comply with the life cycle cost provisions developed pursuant to section 72.5. The building shall be located on the capitol complex grounds or at another convenient location in the vicinity of the capitol complex grounds. 3. Building project expenses shall include but are not limited to the costs associated with construction, maintenance, and operation of the building that are approved by the utilities commission and shall also include principal of, premium, if any, and interest on indebtedness to finance the building. 4. The department of administrative services’ costs associated with construction, maintenance, and operation of the building as provided under chapter 8A are building project expenses. 5. A cost-effective approach for financing construction of the building shall be utilized, which may include but is not limited to lease, lease-purchase, bonding, or installment acquisition arrangement, or a financing arrangement under section 12.28. If financing for the building is implemented under section 12.28, the limitation on principal under that section does not apply. This subsection is not a qualification of any other powers which the utilities commission and the consumer advocate division of the department of justice may possess and the authorizations and powers granted under this subsection are not subject to the terms, requirements, or limitations of any other provisions of law. The department of administrative services must comply with the provisions of section 12.28 when entering into financing agreements for the purchase of real or personal property. 6. a. If financing for the building is implemented through bonding, the provisions of section 12.91 shall apply. In order to assure maintenance of the bond reserve funds established in connection with the financing, the treasurer of state shall, on or before January 1 of each calendar year, make and deliver to the governor the treasurer’s certificate stating the sum, if any, required to restore each bond reserve fund to the bond reserve fund requirement for that fund. b. Within thirty days after the beginning of the session of the general assembly next following the delivery of the certificate, the governor shall submit to both houses of the general assembly printed copies of a budget including the sum, if any, required to restore each bond reserve fund to the bond reserve fund requirement for that fund. Any sums appropriated by the general assembly and paid to the treasurer of state shall be deposited by the treasurer of state in the applicable bond reserve fund. 7. The department of administrative services, in consultation with the utilities commission and the consumer advocate division of the department of justice, shall secure architectural services, contract for construction, engineering, and construction oversight and management, and control the funding associated with the building construction and the building’s operation and maintenance. The department of administrative services may utilize consultants or other expert assistance to address feasibility, planning, or other considerations connected with construction of the building or decision making regarding the building. The department of administrative services, on behalf of the utilities commission and the consumer advocate division of the department of justice, shall consult with the office of the governor, appropriate legislative bodies, and the capitol planning commission. 2006 Acts, ch 1179, §73; 2024 Acts, ch 1043, §93; 2024 Acts, ch 1170, §369 Referred to in §12.91