8. a. There is created a dedicated, nonlapsing room fund to be held by the State Treasurer, which shall be the repository for all moneys required to be deposited therein under section 6 of P.L.2001, c.221 (C. 5:12-173.14) and any moneys appropriated or otherwise made available to the room fund.

b. All moneys deposited in the room fund shall be held and disbursed, subject to the requirements of section 11 of P.L.2001, c.221 (C. 5:12-173.19), in the form of district projects grants as follows:

(1) an amount from the room fund equivalent to the incremental luxury tax for a district project approved by the authority pursuant to a project grant agreement or for a district project sponsored by the authority, shall be rebated in the form of annual grants from the room fund to the authority for disbursement to the casino licensee with an approved district project, or to the authority for an authority sponsored district project, and shall be payable annually for 20 years from the date of completion of the district project, or until such time as the combined total of grants disbursed under this section and under section 7 of P.L.2001, c.221 (C. 5:12-173.15) equals the approved cost of the district project, as determined by the authority, whichever is earlier;

(2) the balance of the revenues in the room fund shall be deposited in the special fund established pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1991, c.376 (C. 40:48-8.47) if the authority, in consultation with the State Treasurer, determines that the revenues are no longer needed for the purposes of the room fund or for the uses prescribed in P.L.2001, c.221 (C. 5:12-173.9 et al.).

c. The State Treasurer may invest and reinvest any moneys in the room fund, or any portion thereof, in legal obligations of the United States or of the State or any political subdivision thereof. Any income from, interest on, or increment to moneys so invested or reinvested shall be included in the room fund.

L.2001,c.221,s.8; amended 2004, c.129, s.9.