2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY › Chapter 56 - Municipal Authorities › Section 5609 - Bondholders

§ 5609. Bondholders.
(a) Rights and remedies.--
The rights and the remedies conferred upon bondholders under this section shall be in addition to and not in limitation of rights and remedies lawfully granted them by the resolution for the bond issue or by any deed of trust, indenture or other agreement under which the bond is issued.
(b) Trustee.--
(1) The holders of 25% of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding bonds may appoint a trustee to represent the bondholders for purposes of this chapter if any of the following apply:
(i) The authority defaults in the payment of principal or interest on a bond at maturity or upon call for redemption, and the default continues for 30 days.
(ii) The authority fails to comply with this chapter.
(iii) The authority defaults in an agreement made with the bondholders.
(2) The trustee must be appointed by instrument:
(i) filed in the office of the recorder of deeds of the county where the authority is located; and
(ii) proved or acknowledged in the same manner as a deed to be recorded.
(3) A trustee under this subsection and a trustee under any deed of trust, indenture or other agreement may and, upon written request of the holders of 25% of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding bonds or such other percentage specified in the deed of trust, indenture or other agreement, shall in the trustee's name do any of the following:
(i) By action at law or in equity enforce rights of the bondholders. This subparagraph includes the right to require the authority to:
(A) collect rates, rentals or other charges adequate to carry out any agreement as to or pledge of revenues or receipts of the authority;
(B) carry out any other agreements with or for the benefit of bondholders; and
(C) perform its and their duties under this chapter.
(ii) Bring suit upon the bond.
(iii) By action in equity require the authority to account as if it were the trustee of an express trust for the bondholders.
(iv) Enjoin an action which may be unlawful or in violation of the rights of the bondholders.
(v) By notice in writing to the authority, declare all bonds due and payable and, if all defaults are made good, with the consent of the bondholders of 25% of the principal amount of outstanding bonds or such other percentage specified in the deed of trust, indenture or other agreement, to annul such declaration and its consequences.
(4) A trustee under this subsection or a trustee under any deed of trust, indenture or other agreement, whether or not all bonds have been declared due and payable, shall be entitled to the appointment of a receiver.
(5) A receiver under paragraph (4):
(i) may enter and take possession of a facility of the authority or any part of a facility the revenues or receipts from which are or may be applicable to the payment of the bonds in default;
(ii) may operate and maintain the facility or part of the facility;
(iii) may collect and receive all rentals and other revenues arising from the facility after entry and possession in the same manner as the authority or the board might do; and
(iv) shall deposit money collected under subparagraph (iii) in a separate account and apply the money as the court directs.
(6) Nothing in this chapter authorizes a receiver appointed under paragraph (4) to sell, assign, mortgage or otherwise dispose of assets of whatever kind and character belonging to the authority. It is the intention of this chapter to limit the powers of the receiver to the operation and maintenance of the facilities of the authority as the court directs. No bondholder or trustee shall have the right in an action at law or in equity to compel a receiver, nor shall a receiver be authorized or a court empowered to direct the receiver, to sell, assign, mortgage or otherwise dispose of assets of whatever kind or character belonging to the authority.
(7) The trustee has all powers necessary or appropriate for the exercise of functions specifically set forth in this subsection or incident to the general representation of the bondholders in the enforcement or protection of their rights.
(c) Jurisdiction.--
The court of common pleas of the judicial district in which the authority is located shall have jurisdiction of an action by the trustee on behalf of the bondholders.
(d) Costs and fees.--
In an action by the trustee the court costs, attorney fees and expenses of the trustee and of the receiver and all costs and disbursements alloted by the court shall be a first charge on revenue and receipts derived from the facilities of the authority, the revenue or receipts from which are or may be applicable to the payment of the bonds so in default.
(e) Definition.--
(Deleted by amendment).
(Dec. 17, 2001, P.L.926, No.110, eff. imd.)
2001 Amendment.
Act 110 amended subsec. (b)(5)(ii) and (7) and deleted subsec. (e), retroactive to June 19, 2001.