ARTICLE 6. Indebtedness [12841. - 12844.]

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC 6.

in effect

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 12841. Section 12841.

A district may borrow money and incur indebtedness, and may issue bonds or other evidences of indebtedness. No indebtedness shall be incurred exceeding the ordinary annual income and revenue of the district without the approval of two-thirds of the voters voting on the proposition to incur such indebtedness except as follows: (a) A further vote of the voters is not required for any indebtedness heretofore or hereafter incurred within the purposes and not exceeding the available amount of any previously authorized bond issue, and as to such indebtedness the proceeds of any of the bonds unexpended in the treasury of the district, or the par value of any of the bonds which are unsold shall be deemed a part of the ordinary annual income and revenue of the district. (b) Any district operating a utility under rules requiring applicants for extensions to advance the expenses of such extensions and facilities for serving additional territory may enter into agreements to refund to the applicants in a subsequent year the whole or any part of the expenses so advanced, and the refunds may be paid out of the revenues of subsequent years.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 12842. Section 12842.

No district shall incur an indebtedness for public works which in the aggregate exceeds 20 percent of the assessed value of all the real and personal property within the district.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 12843. Section 12843.

Indebtedness which has been incurred for the construction and operation of a public utility, where the revenue from the utility for three years or more next preceding has been sufficient to pay the interest and principal due on any bonds issued for its construction or acquisition, in addition to the cost of operation and maintenance, shall not be counted and included in ascertaining the limit of indebtedness, and any indebtedness incurred for the acquisition, construction or operation of a public utility within any special district shall be excluded in ascertaining the aggregate indebtedness specified in Section 12842.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 12844. Section 12844.

A district may accept, without limitation by any other provisions of this division requiring approval of indebtedness, contributions or loans from the United States, or any department, instrumentality, or agency thereof, for the purpose of financing the construction, maintenance, and operation of any enterprise in which the district is authorized to engage, and may enter into contracts and cooperate with, and accept cooperation from, the United States, or any department, instrumentality, or agency thereof, in the construction, maintenance, and operation, and in financing the construction, maintenance, and operation, of any such enterprise in accordance with any legislation which Congress may have heretofore adopted or may hereafter adopt, under which aid, assistance, and cooperation may be furnished by the United States in the construction, maintenance, and operation or in financing the construction, maintenance, and operation of any such enterprise. A district may do any and all things necessary in order to avail itself of such aid, assistance, and cooperation under any federal legislation now or hereafter enacted. Any evidence of indebtedness issued under this section shall constitute a negotiable instrument.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026