Ohio Transportation Bond Programs

The Ohio Treasurer issues the State's transportation bonds for the Ohio Department of Transportation through two programs: the Highway Capital Improvement Program and the Major New State Infrastructure (GARVEE) Program. 

Highway Capital Improvement Program

The Ohio Treasurer issues the Highway Capital Improvement bonds for the purpose of paying the costs of construction, reconstruction, or improvements of highways throughout the State of Ohio. 

The Highway Capital Improvement bonds are general obligations of the State. The full faith and credit, revenue (except for State lottery proceeds), and taxing power of the State, as well as certain fees, excises, and license taxes relating to the registration, operation, and use of vehicles on the public highways, and the fuels used for propelling those vehicles ("Highway User Receipts"), are pledged to the payment of the principal and interest on the Highway Capital Program Bonds. Payment of debt service is not dependent on the completion or operation of projects financed by the Highway Capital Improvement bonds.

The Highway Capital Improvements bonds are the highest rated bonds issued by the Ohio Treasurer. 

Features

Two-Pronged Bondholder Security

Highway User Receipts pledge: FY 2023 Coverage of 24.89x

General obligation pledge of the State (excluding State lottery proceeds)

Ohio Constitution prohibits use of Highway User Receipts for payment of debt service on bonds issued for any non-highway purpose

Ohio Constitution limits total par outstanding at any time to $1.2 billion

Debt service is funded approximately two-months in advance of payment

Authority

Ohio Constitution, Article VIII, Section 2m
Ohio Revised Code, Section 151.01
Ohio Revised Code, Section 151.06

Major New State Infrastructure (GARVEE) Program

The Ohio Treasurer issues Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (or GARVEE) bonds to finance highway construction projects that are eligible for federal funding under Title 23 of the United States Code. The debt service charges are secured by and paid from the federal transportation funds allocated to the State, subject to biennial appropriation.  The State has also covenanted to use for the payment of debt service, if necessary, other State transportation moneys that have been appropriated to the Ohio Department of Transportation.  

Features

The Ohio GARVEE Program is well established, spanning 20 years and 17 series

Additional Bonds Test requires 5x Maximum Annual Debt Service based on Obligation Authority

ODOT prefunds debt service by depositing motor vehicle fuel tax dollars in the Federal Fiscal Year preceding that in which debt service payments are due

Federal funding received cannot be used to reimburse the State for transportation projects until the GARVEE debt service has been fully set aside

Authority
Ohio Constitution, Article VIII, Section 13
Ohio Revised Code, Section 5531.09
Ohio Revised Code, Section 5531.10 

Link to the Ohio Department of Transportation

www.dot.state.oh.us