§168-5  Irrigation systems account. (a)  There shall be a special account in the irrigation system revolving fundof the board of agriculture to be known as the "irrigation systemsaccount".  The director of finance may make temporary use of any portion orall of the money not immediately needed for construction and operation of anirrigation system for the purpose of paying warrants drawn on the treasury forcurrent indebtedness of the State, or for deposit in the state sinking fund forthe repayment of bonds, or for investment in state bonds; provided thatsufficient of the sums so taken, deposited or invested shall be redeposited tothe credit of the irrigation systems account prior to the time when anyengagement for the payment from the account falls due.

The moneys from the account shall be expendedupon warrants drawn by the comptroller for the purposes of this chapter.

(b)  In connection with the construction,operation, or maintenance of a project, the board may use such contributions oflabor, materials, and property, including money, as may be allocated orotherwise made available by any person or instrumentality whatsoever, if in thejudgment of the board the acceptance thereof, will not limit the scope ofconstruction or operation of a project provided for by this chapter.

(c)  Money received and accepted under thissection shall be available for expenditure for the purposes for whichcontributed in like manner as if the sums had been specifically appropriatedfor such purposes.

(d)  Any provision of this chapter or any otherstate law to the contrary notwithstanding, it is expressly provided that, inthe event that it is found possible to secure federal funds made availableunder any act of Congress to be expended in connection with or for theconstruction of a project authorized by this chapter, the board may enter intosuch undertakings with the proper officers or agencies of the federalgovernment, agree to such conditions, and do and perform such other acts andthings as may be necessary, or be required by such acts of Congress or anyregulations or requirements of the federal government, as a condition tosecuring the federal funds for the project.

(e)  Any other provision of law to the contrarynotwithstanding, any bonds issued under this chapter may, with the approval ofthe governor, be deposited with and pledged to, or be otherwise disposed of to,the United States or any board, agency, or instrumentality of the United Statesgovernment, to secure the repayment, or in actual payment, of any loans oradvances made or to be made, under any act or acts of Congress authorizing theloans or advances, by the United States or any such board, agency, orinstrumentality to the State for the construction, in whole or in part, of aproject authorized under this chapter or the cost of which, or any portionthereof, would be payable or could legally be paid, out of the proceeds of thebonds if sold.

(f)  Any other provision of law to the contrarynotwithstanding, the board may use moneys from the irrigation [systems] accountto contract for operation or maintenance of the project facilities if the boarddeems such action to be in the public interests. [L 1987, c 306, pt of §2; am L1998, c 289 §2]