R 420
2022 -- H 8352 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 06/30/2022

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N
RELATING TO PUBLIC CORPORATION DEBT MANAGEMENT

Introduced By: Representatives Fogarty, McEntee, Carson, and Tanzi

Date Introduced: June 16, 2022

     SECTION 1. This act consists of a Joint Resolution that is submitted pursuant to Rhode
Island General Laws ยง 35-18-1, et seq.
     SECTION 2. Brookside Apartments II -- University of Rhode Island
     WHEREAS, The University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees is proposing a project
which involves the construction of a new residence hall on the Kingston campus; and
     WHEREAS, The undergraduate student enrollment is critical to the fiscal health of the
University; and
     WHEREAS, There is high undergraduate student demand for apartment style on campus
housing; and
     WHEREAS, The University is committed to providing adequate and appropriate housing
opportunities for its students; and
     WHEREAS, The University continues to undertake significant improvements to existing
dormitory style housing facilities and has built new units that offer both suite style and apartment
living options with the goal of providing over fifty percent (50%) of its undergraduate students on
campus housing in keeping with its peer institutions; and
     WHEREAS, Apartment style housing units are critical for the on campus retention of
third and fourth year students that often seek alternative housing off campus; and
     WHEREAS, A recent market change has necessitated this additional, apartment style
campus housing; and
     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Public Corporation Debt Management Act requires the
General Assembly to provide its consent to the issuance or incurring by the State of Rhode Island
and other public agencies of certain obligations including financing guarantees or other
agreements; and
     WHEREAS, The design and construction of the project will be financed through Rhode
Island Health and Educational Building revenue bonds, with an expected term of thirty (30)
years; and
     WHEREAS, The total project costs associated with the completion of the project and
proposed financing method would be supported by auxiliary fee revenues for URI Housing and
Residential Life for the apartment building; and
     WHEREAS, The URI Auxiliary bond indenture stipulates that in order to issue new debt,
the auxiliary revenues less auxiliary enterprise expenditures, excluding capital expenditures and
debt service, must cover auxiliary debt service 1.2 times, thus ensuring that any new bonds will
be issued on a financially sound basis; and
     WHEREAS, The project is targeting a total project financing level of one hundred sixty-
three million one hundred thousand dollars ($163,100,000), which includes capitalized interest
and the associated cost of financing, with an assumed interest rate of six percent (6%) and a thirty
(30) year term, which has debt service repayments that will not exceed three hundred fifty-six
million dollars ($356,000,000).
     RESOLVED, That the General Assembly hereby approves financing in an amount not to
exceed total debt service payments of three hundred fifty-six million dollars ($356,000,000) for
construction of a new apartment style residence facility on the University of Rhode Island
Kingston Campus; and be it further
     RESOLVED, That, this Joint Resolution shall take effect upon passage by this General
Assembly.
     SECTION 3. This Joint Resolution shall take effect upon passage.
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LC006135/SUB A
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