Refunding certificates. The commissioner from time to time may enter into a new lease-purchase agreement and issue and sell certificates of participation for the purpose of refunding any lease-purchase agreement and related certificates of participation then outstanding, including the payment of any redemption premiums, any interest accrued or that is to accrue to the redemption date, and costs related to the issuance and sale of such refunding certificates. The proceeds of any refunding certificates may, in the discretion of the commissioner, be applied to the purchase or payment at maturity of the certificates to be refunded, to the redemption of outstanding lease-purchase agreements and certificates on any redemption date, or to pay interest on the refunding lease-purchase agreements and certificates and may, pending such application, be placed in escrow to be applied to such purchase, payment, retirement, or redemption. Any escrowed proceeds, pending such use, may be invested and reinvested in obligations that are authorized investments under section 11A.24. The income earned or realized on any authorized investment may also be applied to the payment of the lease-purchase agreements and certificates to be refunded, interest or premiums on the refunded certificates, or to pay interest on the refunding lease-purchase agreements and certificates. After the terms of the escrow have been fully satisfied, any balance of proceeds and any investment income may be returned to the general fund, or if applicable, the technology lease project fund, for use in a lawful manner. All refunding lease-purchase agreements and certificates issued under the provisions of this subdivision must be prepared, executed, delivered, and secured by appropriations in the same manner as the lease-purchase agreements and certificates to be refunded.
