(a) The department may advance funds in the State Highway Account in the State Transportation Fund to a local agency for all or a portion of the cost of a project approved for bond funding pursuant to Part 11.5 (commencing with Section 99600) of Division 10 of the Public Utilities Code. The director shall first make a finding that there are adequate funds for the advancement without delaying or adversely affecting any other project. The total amount advanced shall not exceed the amount of the unsold bonds which the committee created by § 99692 of the Public Utilities Code has, by resolution, authorized to be sold.

(b) All advances shall be subject to the terms and conditions of an agreement between the department and a local agency. The agreement shall contain provisions for reimbursement of the State Highway Account from the proceeds of the next bond sale for funds advanced pursuant to this section. Any amounts advanced pursuant to this section shall be repaid with interest at the rate being earned by the Pooled Money Investment Account at the time of the advance. Interest payments shall be made from funds of the local agency other than from the proceeds of bonds authorized by Part 11.5 (commencing with Section 99600) of Division 10 of the Public Utilities Code.

(Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 25, Sec. 3. Effective April 1, 1992.)