Private activity bonds

The IRS has informally responded to a letter from NABL asking for a reduction in the high fee it charged for private letter rulings.

More private money would be invested in infrastructure if Congress expands the use of PABs and P3s.

Some muni market members don’t see hope for an infrastructure bill passing in 2020, even though Trump called for it in his address.

The $760 billion, 5-year plan also calls for expanding qualified private activity bonds, reinstating tax credit bonds, and more bond-friendly provisions.

The California Debt Limit Allocation Committee wants more information on the request for $600 million of private activity bond allocation.

Indian River County won’t pursue the federal litigation further, but it will proceed with a lawsuit in state court over the use of its railroad crossings.

The challenge this year will be biggest in the three states that were found by the Council of Development Finance Agencies to be closest to using their 2018 limits — California, New York and Massachusetts.

The U.S. Department of Transportation reasonably determined the Florida’s passenger train owners were qualified to receive private activity bond financing.

Another round of tax legislation is not expected to emerge until the very end of the year after the presidential election or in 2021 after a new Congress is sworn in.

The issuance limit on tax-exempt private activity bonds for Industrial Development Bonds would be raised to $30 million from the current $10 million while the limitation for first-time farmers using so-called Aggie Bonds would be raised to $552,500 from $450,000.