Sec. 6. (a) An operating agent must post a bond with the commission at least sixty (60) days before the commencement of regular riverboat operations in the historic hotel district.

     (b) The bond must be furnished in:

(1) cash or negotiable securities;

(2) a surety bond:

(A) with a surety company approved by the commission; and

(B) guaranteed by a satisfactory guarantor; or

(3) an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a banking institution of Indiana acceptable to the commission.

     (c) If a bond is furnished in cash or negotiable securities, the principal shall be placed without restriction at the disposal of the commission, but income inures to the benefit of the operating agent.

     (d) The bond:

(1) is subject to the approval of the commission;

(2) must be in an amount that the commission determines will adequately reflect the amount that a local community will expend for infrastructure and other facilities associated with a riverboat operation; and

(3) must be payable to the commission as obligee for use in payment of the riverboat’s financial obligations to the local community, the state, and other aggrieved parties, as determined by the rules of the commission.

Any bond proceeds remaining after the payments shall be deposited in the West Baden Springs historic hotel preservation and maintenance fund established by IC 36-7-11.5-11.

     (e) If after a hearing (after at least five (5) days written notice) the commission determines that the amount of an operating agent’s bond is insufficient, the operating agent shall, upon written demand of the commission, file a new bond.

     (f) The commission may require an operating agent to file a new bond with a satisfactory surety in the same form and amount if:

(1) liability on the old bond is discharged or reduced by judgment rendered, payment made, or otherwise; or

(2) in the opinion of the commission any surety on the old bond becomes unsatisfactory.

     (g) If a new bond obtained under subsection (e) or (f) is unsatisfactory, the commission shall cancel the operating agent’s contract. If the new bond is satisfactorily furnished, the commission shall release in writing the surety on the old bond from any liability accruing after the effective date of the new bond.

     (h) A bond is released on the condition that the operating agent remains at the site of the riverboat operating within the historic hotel district:

(1) for five (5) years; or

(2) until the date the commission enters into a contract with another operating agent to operate from the site for which the bond was posted;

whichever occurs first.

     (i) An operating agent who does not meet the requirements of subsection (h) forfeits a bond filed under this section. The proceeds of a bond that is in default under this subsection are paid to the commission and used in the same manner as specified in subsection (d).

     (j) The total liability of the surety on a bond is limited to the amount specified in the bond, and the continuous nature of the bond may not be construed as allowing the liability of the surety under a bond to accumulate for each successive approval period during which the bond is in force.

     (k) A bond filed under this section is released sixty (60) days after:

(1) the time specified under subsection (h); and

(2) a written request is submitted by the operating agent.

As added by P.L.92-2003, SEC.31. Amended by P.L.234-2007, SEC.279.