The port commission of any port district may by resolution, without submitting the proposition to the voters, provide for the issuance of general obligation refunding bonds, to refund any outstanding general obligation bonds of the district at or prior to maturity or the first optional redemption date. Such refunding bonds may be issued to refund parts or all of various issues or series of outstanding bonds. The principal amount of the refunding bonds may not exceed the principal amount of the bonds to be refunded. The provisions of this act relating to the form, terms, conditions, covenants, issuance and sale of general obligation bonds shall be applicable to such general obligation refunding bonds.