154.201 – Short title.

154.201 Short title.—This part shall be known and cited as the “Health Facilities Authorities Law.” History.—s. 1, ch. 74-323.

154.203 – Findings and declaration of necessity.

154.203 Findings and declaration of necessity.—It is declared that for the benefit of the people of this state, the increase of their commerce, welfare, and prosperity, and the improvement of their health and living conditions it is essential that the people of this state have access to adequate medical care and health facilities and that it […]

154.205 – Definitions.

154.205 Definitions.—The following terms, whenever used in this part, shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context: (1) “Areawide council” means an advisory comprehensive health planning council, as described and approved under all pertinent federal and state laws and rules and regulations. (2) “Authority” or “health facilities authority” means any of the […]

154.207 – Creation of health facilities authorities.

154.207 Creation of health facilities authorities.— (1) In each local agency there may be created a public body corporate and politic to be known as the “  (name of local agency)   Health Facilities Authority.” Each of said authorities shall be constituted as a public instrumentality, and the exercise by an authority of the powers conferred by this part […]

154.209 – Powers of authority.

154.209 Powers of authority.—The purpose of the authority shall be to assist health facilities in the acquisition, construction, financing, and refinancing of projects in any incorporated or unincorporated area within the geographical limits of the local agency. For this purpose, the authority is authorized and empowered: (1) To adopt an official seal and alter the same at […]

154.211 – Payment of expenses.

154.211 Payment of expenses.—All expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of this part shall be payable solely from funds provided under the provisions of this part, and no liability or obligation shall be incurred by an authority, a local agency, or the state hereunder beyond the extent to which moneys shall have been provided under […]

154.213 – Agreements of lease.

154.213 Agreements of lease.—In undertaking any project pursuant to this part, the authority shall first obtain a valid certificate of need evidencing need for the project and a statement that the project serves a public purpose by advancing the commerce, welfare, and prosperity of the local agency and its people. No project financed under the provisions […]

154.215 – Construction contracts.

154.215 Construction contracts.—Contracts for the construction of any project shall be awarded by the authority upon a competitive or negotiated basis, as it determines will most effectively serve the purposes of this part. The authority may, by written contract, engage the services of the lessee or prospective lessee of any project in the construction of such […]

154.217 – Notes of authority.

154.217 Notes of authority.—The authority is authorized from time to time to issue its negotiable notes for any corporate purposes and renew from time to time any notes by the issuance of new notes, whether the notes to be renewed have or have not matured. Except as otherwise provided herein or in s. 154.219, the maximum […]

154.219 – Revenue bonds.

154.219 Revenue bonds.— (1) The authority is authorized from time to time to issue its negotiable revenue bonds for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of any project or projects for which a certificate of need has been obtained, or pursuant to subsections (12) and (13) of s. 154.209 for the purpose […]

154.221 – Security of bondholders.

154.221 Security of bondholders.—In the discretion of the authority, any bonds issued under the provisions of this part may be secured 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 without the state. Such trust […]

154.223 – Payment of bonds.

154.223 Payment of bonds.—Revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this part shall not be deemed to constitute a debt, liability, or obligation of the local agency or the state or any political subdivision thereof, or a pledge of the faith and credit of the local agency or the state or any political subdivision thereof, but […]

154.225 – Revenues.

154.225 Revenues.— (1) The authority is hereby authorized to fix and to collect fees, rents, and charges for the use of any project or projects and any part or section thereof. The authority may require that the lessee of any project or part thereof shall operate, repair, and maintain the project and bear the cost thereof and […]

154.227 – Trust funds.

154.227 Trust funds.—Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, all money received pursuant to the provisions of this part, whether as proceeds from the sale of bonds, sale of property, insurance, or condemnation awards, or as revenues, shall be deemed to be trust funds, to be held and applied solely as provided in this […]

154.229 – Remedies.

154.229 Remedies.—Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of this part or of any of the coupons appertaining thereto, and the trustee under any trust agreement, except to the extent the rights herein given may be restricted by such trust agreement or the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds, may, either at law or […]

154.231 – Negotiability of bonds.

154.231 Negotiability of bonds.—All bonds issued under the provisions of this part shall have, and are hereby declared to have, all the qualities and incidents, including negotiability, of investment securities under the Uniform Commercial Code, but no provision of such code respecting the filing of a financing statement to perfect a security interest shall be deemed […]

154.2331 – Tax exemption.

154.2331 Tax exemption.— (1) The exercise of the powers granted by this part will be in all respects for the benefit of the people of this state, for the increase of their commerce, welfare, and prosperity, and for the improvement of their health and living conditions. Because the operation and maintenance of a project by a health […]

154.235 – Refunding bonds.

154.235 Refunding bonds.— (1) The authority is hereby authorized to provide for the issuance of revenue bonds for the purpose of refunding any of its revenue bonds then outstanding, including the payment of any redemption premium thereon and any interest accrued or to accrue to the earliest or subsequent date of redemption, purchase, or maturity of such […]

154.237 – Legal investment.

154.237 Legal investment.—Bonds issued by the authority under the provisions of this part are hereby made securities in which all public officers and public bodies of the state and its political subdivisions and all insurance companies, trust companies, banking associations, investment companies, executors, administrators, trustees, and other fiduciaries may properly and legally invest funds, including capital […]

154.238 – Authorization to deal with financial institution which employs a member of the authority.

154.238 Authorization to deal with financial institution which employs a member of the authority.—Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule, regulation, or ordinance to the contrary, including ss. 112.311-112.326, an authority may sell its bonds to a financial institution, as defined in s. 655.005, which employs a member of the authority as an officer, director, or […]