Table of Contents 

 

 

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

each a series of

 

AQUILA MUNICIPAL TRUST

 

120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600

New York, NY 10036

212-697-6666

For shareholder account inquiries, call the Funds’ Shareholder Servicing Agent at:

800-437-1000

The telephone number for Financial Professionals is:

800-437-1020

 

	Class A	Class C	Class F	Class I	Class Y
Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona	AZTFX	AZTCX	AZFFX	—	AZTYX
Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado	COTFX	COTCX	COFFX	—	COTYX
Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky	CHTFX	CHKCX	CHKFX	CHKIX	CHKYX
Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon	ORTFX	ORTCX	ORFFX	—	ORTYX
Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund	NITFX	NITCX	NIFFX	NITIX	NITYX
Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah	UTAHX	UTACX	UTAFX	—	UTAYX

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

July 27, 2023

 

This Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) has been incorporated by reference into the Prospectus for the Funds dated July 27, 2023. The SAI is not a prospectus. The SAI should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus.

 

The Prospectus may be obtained from the Funds’ Distributor, Aquila Distributors LLC

120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600, New York, NY 10036

212-697-6666

or

from Aquila Group of Funds’ website at www.aquilafunds.com,

or toll-free at:

800-437-1000

 

 

Financial Statements

The financial statements and financial highlights for Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona (File Nos. 33-1857 and 811-4503) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, which are contained in the Annual Report for that fiscal year, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5, 2023 (Accession No. 0000784056-23-000014), are hereby incorporated herein by reference into this SAI.

The financial statements and financial highlights for Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado (File Nos. 33-1857 and 811-4503) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, which are contained in the Annual Report for that fiscal year, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5, 2023 (Accession No. 0000784056-23-000014), are hereby incorporated herein by reference into this SAI.

The financial statements and financial highlights for Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky (File Nos. 33-1857 and 811-4503) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, which are contained in the Annual Report for that fiscal year, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5, 2023 (Accession No. 0000784056-23-000014), are hereby incorporated herein by reference into this SAI.

The financial statements and financial highlights for Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon (File Nos. 33-1857 and 811-4503) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, which are contained in the Annual Report for that fiscal year, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5, 2023 (Accession No. 0000784056-23-000014), are hereby incorporated herein by reference into this SAI.

The financial statements and financial highlights for Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund (File Nos. 33-1857 and 811-4503) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, which are contained in the Annual Report for that fiscal year, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5, 2023 (Accession No. 0000784056-23-000014), are hereby incorporated herein by reference into this SAI.

The financial statements and financial highlights for Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah (File Nos. 33-1857 and 811-4503) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, which are contained in the Annual Report for that fiscal year, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5, 2023 (Accession No. 0000784056-23-000014), are hereby incorporated herein by reference into this SAI.

These financial statements have been audited by Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose reports thereon are incorporated herein by reference. These Annual Reports can be obtained without charge by calling 800-437-1000 toll-free.

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	Page
FUND HISTORY	4
Investment Objectives, Investment Strategies and Risks	4
FUND Policies	13
Management of the TRUST	16
Ownership of Securities	27
Investment Advisory and Other Services	33
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices	52
Capital Stock	52
Purchase, Redemption, and Pricing of Shares	56
Additional Tax Information	65
Underwriters	71
PROXY VOTING POLICIES	72
APPENDIX A - DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS	A-1
APPENDIX B ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ARIZONA ECONOMY AND arizona OBLIGATIONS	B-1
APPENDIX c ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE COLORADO ECONOMY AND COLORADO OBLIGATIONS	C-1
APPENDIX d ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE KENTUCKY ECONOMY AND KENTUCKY OBLIGATIONS	D-1
APPENDIX E ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE OREGON ECONOMY AND OREGON OBLIGATIONS	E-1
APPENDIX F ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE RHODE ISLAND ECONOMY AND RHODE ISLAND OBLIGATIONS	F-1
APPENDIX G ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE UTAH ECONOMY AND UTAH DOUBLE-EXEMPT OBLIGATIONS	G-1

 

 

 

 

 

Fund History

Aquila Municipal Trust is a Massachusetts business trust formed in 1986. Prior to April 10, 2013, the Trust was named Tax-Free Trust of Arizona. Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona, Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon, Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah (each, a “Fund”) are series of Aquila Municipal Trust. Each Fund is an open-end, non-diversified management investment company.

Prior to October 11, 2013, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona was known as Tax-Free Trust of Arizona. Each of Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon, Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah (each, a “Successor Fund”) is a series of Aquila Municipal Trust. Each Successor Fund was established in connection with the reorganization into the Fund of a fund with identical investment objectives and principal investment strategies as the Successor Fund (each, a “Predecessor Fund”) (each, a “Reorganization”), as follows:

 

Predecessor Fund	Successor Fund	Date of Reorganization
Tax-Free Fund of Colorado	Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado	October 11, 2013
Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, a series of Churchill Tax Free Trust	Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky	October 11, 2013
Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon, a series of The Cascades Trust	Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon	June 26, 2020
Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund	Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund	October 11, 2013
Tax-Free Fund For Utah	Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah	October 11, 2013

 

Investment Objective, Investment Strategies and Risks

The Funds’ Prospectus discusses each Fund’s investment objective and strategies. The following discussion supplements the description of the Funds’ investment strategies in their Prospectus.

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona:

Investment Objective

The Fund’s objective is to provide you as high a level of current income exempt from Arizona state and regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with preservation of capital.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in municipal obligations that pay interest exempt, in the opinion of bond counsel, from Arizona state and regular Federal income taxes, the income upon which will not be subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax on individuals.

Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado:

Investment Objective

The Fund’s objective is to provide you as high a level of current income exempt from Colorado state and regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with preservation of capital.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in municipal obligations that pay interest exempt, in the opinion of bond counsel, from Colorado state and regular Federal income taxes, the income paid upon which will not be subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax on individuals.

 

 

Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

Investment Objective

The Fund’s objective is to provide you as high a level of current income exempt from Kentucky state and regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with preservation of capital.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in municipal obligations that pay interest exempt, in the opinion of bond counsel, from Kentucky income and regular Federal income taxes, the income paid upon which will not be subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax on individuals.

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon:

Investment Objective

The Fund’s objective is to provide you as high a level of current income exempt from Oregon state and regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with preservation of capital.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in municipal obligations that pay interest exempt, in the opinion of bond counsel, from Oregon state and regular Federal income taxes, the income paid upon which will not be subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax on individuals.

Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

Investment Objective

The Fund’s objective is to provide you as high a level of current income exempt from Rhode Island state and regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with preservation of capital.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in municipal obligations that pay interest exempt, in the opinion of bond counsel, from Rhode Island state and regular Federal income taxes, the income paid upon which will not be subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax on individuals.

Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

Investment Objective

The Fund’s objective is to provide you as high a level of current income exempt from Utah state and regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with preservation of capital.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in municipal obligations that pay interest exempt, in the opinion of bond counsel, from Utah state individual and regular Federal income taxes, the income paid upon which will not be subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax on individuals.

Supplemental Information Regarding Principal Investment Strategies (All Funds)

The following provides additional information about the Funds’ principal investment strategies and risks and the securities in which the Funds may invest.

 

 

 

Percentage Limitations

Each Fund’s compliance with its investment limitations and requirements is determined at the time of investment unless otherwise stated herein or in the Fund’s policies and procedures. If a percentage limitation is complied with at the time of an investment, any subsequent change in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets, or a change in credit quality, will not constitute a violation of that limitation.

Ratings

The ratings assigned by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”), nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, represent their respective opinions of the quality of the municipal bonds and notes which they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are general and not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, obligations with the same maturity, stated interest rate and rating may have different yields, while obligations of the same maturity and stated interest rate with different ratings may have the same yield.

Rating agencies consider municipal obligations that have only the fourth highest credit rating to be of medium quality. Thus, they may present investment risks which do not exist with more highly rated obligations. Such obligations possess less attractive investment characteristics. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the case for higher-grade bonds.

Credit rating or credit quality of a security is determined at the time of purchase. If, after purchase, the credit rating on a security is downgraded or the credit quality deteriorates, or if the duration of a security is extended, the Funds’ investment adviser (or, if applicable, Sub-Adviser) will decide whether the security should continue to be held or sold.

See Appendix A to this SAI for further information about the ratings of these organizations that apply to the various rated obligations which a Fund may purchase.

Additional Information About State Economies

Many complex political, social and economic forces influence each state’s economy and finances, which may in turn affect the state’s financial plan. These forces may affect a state or territory unpredictably from fiscal year to fiscal year and are influenced by governments, institutions and events that are not subject to the state’s control.

Arizona - Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona intends to invest a high proportion of its assets in Arizona municipal obligations. Payment of interest and preservation of principal is dependent upon the continuing ability of Arizona issuers and/or obligors of state, municipal and public authority debt obligations to meet their obligations thereunder.

Information concerning certain factors affecting the economy of the State of Arizona is set forth in Appendix B to this SAI.

Colorado - Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado intends to invest a high proportion of its assets in Colorado municipal obligations. Payment of interest and preservation of principal is dependent upon the continuing ability of Colorado issuers and/or obligors of state, municipal and public authority debt obligations to meet their obligations thereunder.

Information concerning certain factors affecting the economy of the State of Colorado is set forth in Appendix C to this SAI.

Kentucky - Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky intends to invest a high proportion of its assets in Kentucky municipal obligations. Payment of interest and preservation of principal is dependent upon the continuing ability of Kentucky issuers and/or obligors of state, municipal and public authority debt obligations to meet their obligations thereunder.

Information concerning certain factors affecting the economy of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is set forth in Appendix D to this SAI.

Oregon - Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon intends to invest a high proportion of its assets in Oregon municipal obligations. Payment of interest and preservation of principal is dependent upon the continuing ability of Oregon issuers and/or obligors of state, municipal and public authority debt obligations to meet their obligations thereunder.

 

 

Information concerning certain factors affecting the economy of the State of Oregon is set forth in Appendix E to this SAI.

Rhode Island- Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund intends to invest a high proportion of its assets in Rhode Island municipal obligations. Payment of interest and preservation of principal is dependent upon the continuing ability of Rhode Island issuers and/or obligors of state, municipal and public authority debt obligations to meet their obligations thereunder.

Information concerning certain factors affecting the economy of the State of Rhode Island is set forth in Appendix F to this SAI.

Utah - Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah intends to invest a high proportion of its assets in Utah municipal obligations. Payment of interest and preservation of principal is dependent upon the continuing ability of Utah issuers and/or obligors of state, municipal and public authority debt obligations to meet their obligations thereunder.

Information concerning certain factors affecting the economy of the State of Utah is set forth in Appendix G to this SAI.

There can be no assurance that current or future economic difficulties in the United States or a state and the resulting impact on that state will not adversely affect the market value of municipal obligations held by a Fund or the ability of particular issuers to make timely payments of debt service on these obligations. It should also be noted that the fiscal condition and creditworthiness of a state may not have a direct relationship to the fiscal condition or creditworthiness of other issuers or obligors of municipal obligations. There is no obligation on the part of a state to make payments on those securities in the event of default.

Municipal Bonds

The two principal classifications of municipal bonds are “general obligation” bonds and “revenue” bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue or special tax bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or projects or, in a few cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other tax, but are not supported by the issuer’s full taxing power. There are, of course, variations in the security of municipal bonds, both within a particular classification and between classifications, depending on numerous factors. The yields of municipal bonds depend on, among other things, general financial conditions, general conditions of the municipal bond market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue.

Since each Fund may invest in industrial development bonds or private activity bonds, a Fund may not be an appropriate investment for entities that are “substantial users” of facilities financed by those bonds or for investors who are “related persons” of such users. Generally, an individual will not be a “related person” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), unless such investor or his or her immediate family (spouse, brothers, sisters and lineal descendants) owns directly or indirectly in the aggregate more than 50 percent of the equity of a corporation or is a partner of a partnership which is a “substantial user” of a facility financed from the proceeds of those bonds. A “substantial user” of such facilities is defined generally as a “non-exempt person who regularly uses a part of a facility” financed from the proceeds of industrial development or private activity bonds.

As indicated in each Fund’s Prospectus, there are certain securities in which a Fund may invest the interest on which is subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax on individuals. While a Fund may purchase these obligations, it may, on the other hand, refrain from purchasing particular securities due to this tax consequence. Also, as indicated in each Fund’s Prospectus, a Fund generally will not purchase obligations of issuers the interest on which is subject to regular Federal income tax. The foregoing may reduce the number of issuers of obligations that are available to a Fund for investment.

Municipal Downgrades and Bankruptcies. Municipal bonds may be more susceptible to being downgraded, and issuers of municipal bonds may be more susceptible to default and bankruptcy, during recessions or similar periods of economic stress. Factors contributing to the economic stress on municipalities may include lower property tax collections as a result of lower home values, lower sales tax revenue as a result of consumers cutting back from spending, and lower income tax revenue as a result of a high unemployment rate. In addition, as certain municipal obligations may be secured or guaranteed by banks and other institutions, the risk to a fund could increase if the banking or financial sector suffers an economic downturn and/or if the credit ratings of the institutions issuing the guarantee are downgraded or at risk of being downgraded by a national rating organization. Such a downward revision or risk of being downgraded may have an adverse effect on the market prices of the bonds and thus the value of a fund’s investments.

 

 

Certain municipal issuers either have been unable to issue bonds or access the market to sell their issues or, if able to access the market, have issued bonds at much higher rates, which may reduce revenues available for municipal issuers to pay existing obligations. Should the State or municipalities fail to sell bonds when and at the rates projected; the State could experience significantly increased costs in the General Fund and a weakened overall cash position in the current fiscal year.

Further, an insolvent municipality may file for bankruptcy. For example, Chapter 9 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) provides a financially distressed municipality protection from its creditors while it develops and negotiates a plan for reorganizing its debts. “Municipality” is defined broadly by the Bankruptcy Code as a “political subdivision or public agency or instrumentality of a state” and may include various issuers of securities in which the fund invests. The reorganization of a municipality’s debts may be accomplished by extending debt maturities, reducing the amount of principal or interest, refinancing the debt or other measures which may significantly affect the rights of creditors and the value of the securities issued by the municipality and the value of a fund’s investments.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Obligations

Each Fund may buy obligations on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. The purchase price and the interest rate payable on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis are fixed on the transaction date. At the time a Fund makes the commitment to purchase obligations on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record the transaction and thereafter reflect the value each day of such obligations in determining its net asset value. A Fund will make commitments for such when-issued transactions only when it has the intention of actually acquiring the obligations.

Zero Coupon Securities

Each Fund may invest in zero coupon securities. Zero coupon bonds are issued and traded at a discount from their face value. They do not entitle the holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity.

The income-producing securities that a Fund might invest in include securities that make periodic interest payments as well as those that make interest payments on a deferred basis or pay interest only at maturity (e.g., Treasury bills or zero coupon bonds).

Current Federal income tax law requires holders of zero coupon securities to report the portion of the original issue discount on such securities that accrues during a given year as interest income, even though the holders receive no cash payments of interest during the year. In order to qualify for treatment as a “regulated investment company” under the Code, each Fund must generally distribute substantially all of its net income, including the original issue discount accrued on zero coupon bonds. Because a Fund would not receive cash payments on a current basis in respect of accrued original-issue discount on zero coupon bonds during the period before interest payments begin, in some years the Fund might have to distribute cash obtained from other sources in order to satisfy the distribution requirements under the Code. The Fund might obtain such cash from selling other portfolio holdings which might cause the Fund to incur capital gains or losses on the sale. Additionally, these actions would be likely to reduce the assets to which Fund expenses could be allocated and may reduce the rate of return for the Fund. In some circumstances, such sales might be necessary in order to satisfy cash distribution requirements even though investment considerations might otherwise make it undesirable for the Fund to sell the securities at the time.

Generally, the market prices of zero coupon securities are more volatile than the prices of securities that pay interest periodically and in cash and are likely to respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than other types of debt securities having similar maturities and credit quality.

Futures Contracts and Options

Although the Funds do not presently do so, each Fund is permitted to buy and sell futures contracts, including futures contracts relating to municipal security indices (“Municipal Security Index Futures”) and to U.S. Government securities (“U.S. Government Securities Futures,” together referred to as “Futures”), and exchange-traded options based on Futures as a possible means of protecting the asset value of the Fund during periods of changing interest rates. The following discussion is intended to explain briefly the workings of Futures and options on them which would be applicable if a Fund were to use them.

Unlike when a Fund purchases or sells a municipal security, no price is paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a Future. Initially, however, when such transactions are entered into, the Fund will be required to deposit with the futures commission merchant (“broker”) an amount of cash or municipal obligations equal to a varying specified

 

 

percentage of the contract amount. This amount is known as initial margin. Subsequent payments, called variation margin, to and from the broker, will be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying index or security fluctuates making the Future more or less valuable, a process known as marking to market. Insolvency of the broker may make it more difficult to recover initial or variation margin. Changes in variation margin are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Margin deposits do not involve borrowing by the Fund and may not be used to support any other transactions. At any time prior to expiration of the Future, the Fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position which will operate to terminate the Fund’s position in the Future. A final determination of variation margin is then made. Additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund and it realizes a gain or a loss. Although Futures by their terms call for the actual delivery or acceptance of cash, in most cases the contractual obligation is fulfilled without having to make or take delivery. All transactions in the futures markets are subject to commissions payable by the Fund and are made, offset or fulfilled through a clearing house associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded. Although the Fund intends to buy and sell Futures only on an exchange where there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular Future at any particular time. In such event, or in the event of an equipment failure at a clearing house, it may not be possible to close a futures position.

Municipal Security Index Futures are futures contracts based on an index of municipal bonds. Daily values are assigned to the bonds included in the index based on the independent assessment of a pricing service, and the value of the index fluctuates with changes in those constituent values. The two parties to the contract agree to take or make delivery of a cash amount based on the difference between the value of the index on the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the contract was originally struck.

There are, as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, U.S. Government Securities Futures contracts based on long-term Treasury bonds, Treasury notes, GNMA Certificates and three-month Treasury bills. U.S. Government Securities Futures have traded longer than Municipal Security Index Futures, and the depth and liquidity available in the trading markets for them are in general greater.

Call Options on Futures Contracts. Each Fund may also purchase and sell exchange-traded call and put options on Futures. The purchase of a call option on a Future is analogous to the purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending on the pricing of the option compared to either the Future upon which it is based, or upon the price of the underlying debt securities, it may or may not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract or underlying debt securities. Like the purchase of a futures contract, the Fund may purchase a call option on a Future to hedge against a market advance when the Fund is not fully invested.

The writing of a call option on a Future constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the securities, which are deliverable upon exercise of the Future. If the price at expiration of the Future is below the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the Fund’s portfolio holdings.

Put Options on Futures Contracts. The purchase of put options on a Future is analogous to the purchase of protective put options on portfolio securities. The Fund may purchase a put option on a Future to hedge the Fund’s portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates.

The writing of a put option on a Future constitutes a partial hedge against increasing prices of the securities which are deliverable upon exercise of the Future. If the Future price at expiration is higher than the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any increase in the price of securities which the Fund intends to purchase.

The writer of an option on a Future is required to deposit initial and variation margin pursuant to requirements similar to those applicable to Futures. Premiums received from the writing of an option will be included in initial margin. The writing of an option on a Future involves risks similar to those relating to Futures.

Risk Factors in Futures Transactions and Options

One risk in employing Futures or options on Futures to attempt to protect against the price volatility of the Fund’s investments in municipal and other securities is that the Manager or, if applicable, Sub-Adviser, could be incorrect in its expectations as to the extent of various interest rate movements or the time span within which the movements take place. For example, if the Fund sold a Future in anticipation of an increase in interest rates, and then interest rates went down instead, the Fund would lose money on the sale.

 

 

Another risk as to Futures or options on them arises because of the imperfect correlation between movement in the price of the Future and movements in the prices of the securities which are the subject of the hedge. The risk of imperfect correlation increases as the composition of the Fund’s portfolio diverges from the municipal securities included in the applicable index or from the securities underlying the U.S. Government Securities Futures. The price of the Future or option may move more than or less than the price of the securities being hedged. If the price of the Future or option moves less than the price of the securities which are the subject of the hedge, the hedge will not be fully effective but, if the price of the securities being hedged has moved in an unfavorable direction, a Fund would be in a better position than if it had not hedged at all. If the price of the securities being hedged has moved in a favorable direction, this advantage will be offset by the Future or option. If the price of the Future or option has moved more than the price of the securities, the Fund will experience either a loss or gain on the Future or option which will not be completely offset by movements in the price of the securities which are the subject of the hedge. To compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements in the price of the securities being hedged and movements in the price of the Futures or options, the Fund may buy or sell Futures or options in a greater dollar amount than the dollar amount of the securities being hedged if the historical volatility of the prices of the securities being hedged is less than the historical volatility of the debt securities underlying the hedge. It is also possible that, where the Fund has sold Futures or options to hedge its portfolio against decline in the market, the market may advance and the value of the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio may decline. If this occurred the Fund would lose money on the Future or option and also experience a decline in value of its portfolio securities.

Where Futures or options are purchased to hedge against a possible increase in the price of securities before the Fund is able to invest in them in an orderly fashion, it is possible that the market may decline instead; if the Fund then decides not to invest in the securities at that time because of concern as to possible further market decline or for other reasons, the Fund will realize a loss on the Futures or options that is not offset by a reduction in the price of the securities which it had anticipated purchasing.

The particular municipal securities comprising the index underlying Municipal Security Index Futures will vary from the bonds held by a Fund. The correlation of the hedge with such bonds may be affected by disparities in the average maturity, ratings, geographical mix or structure of the Fund’s investments as compared to those comprising the Index, and general economic or political factors. In addition, the correlation between movements in the value of the Municipal Security Index may be subject to change over time, as additions to and deletions from the Municipal Security Index alter its structure. The correlation between U.S. Government Securities Futures and the municipal bonds held by the Fund may be adversely affected by similar factors and the risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of such Futures and the prices of municipal obligations held by the Fund may be greater.

Trading in Municipal Security Index Futures may be less liquid than trading in other Futures. The trading of Futures and options is also subject to certain market risks, such as inadequate trading activity or limits on upward or downward price movements which could at times make it difficult or impossible to liquidate existing positions.

The “sale” of a Future means the acquisition by a Fund of an obligation to deliver an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the value of the index or government security at the close of the last trading day of the Future and the price at which the Future is originally struck (which the Fund anticipates will be lower because of a subsequent rise in interest rates and a corresponding decline in the index value). This is referred to as having a “short” Futures position. The “purchase” of a Future means the acquisition by a Fund of a right to take delivery of such an amount of cash. In this case, the Fund anticipates that the closing value will be higher than the price at which the Future is originally struck. This is referred to as having a “long” futures position. No physical delivery of the bonds making up the index or the U.S. government securities, as the case may be, is made as to either a long or a short futures position.

Each Fund will comply with Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act with respect to any investments in futures, options or other derivatives.

Supplemental Information Regarding Other Investment Strategies and Practices

The following provides additional information about other investment strategies and practices that the Funds may use.

Cash Management and Defensive Investing

Cash Management. Each Fund may invest its assets in money market funds, any type of taxable money market instrument and short-term debt securities, or may hold cash uninvested.

 

 

Defensive Investing. Each Fund may depart from its principal investment strategies in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions by taking temporary defensive positions and investing in shares of money market funds, any type of taxable money market instrument and short-term debt securities or holding cash uninvested without regard to any percentage limitations. Although a Fund has the ability to take defensive positions, the Fund’s Manager or, if applicable, Sub-Adviser, may choose not to do so for a variety of reasons, even during volatile market conditions.

Money market instruments or short-term debt securities held by a Fund for defensive investing purposes can fluctuate in value. Like other fixed income securities, they are subject to risk, including market, interest rate and credit risk. If a Fund holds cash uninvested, it will be subject to the credit risk of the depository institution holding the cash. In addition, the Fund will not earn income on the cash and the Fund’s yield will go down. If a significant amount of a Fund’s assets are used for defensive investing purposes, it will be more difficult for the Fund to achieve its investment objectives.

Supplemental Information Regarding Other Risks

Cybersecurity Issues

With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct business, each Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber attacks include, but are not limited to, attempts to gain unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, denying access, or causing other operational disruption. Cyber attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users). The Funds’ service providers regularly experience such attempts, and expect they will continue to do so. The Funds are unable to predict how any such attempt, if successful, may affect the Funds and their shareholders. While the Funds’ service providers have established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, limit or mitigate, such cyber attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, the Funds cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by service providers to the Funds such as the Sub-Adviser, The Bank of New York Mellon, the Funds’ Custodian, and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., the Funds’ Shareholder Servicing Agent. In addition, many beneficial owners of Fund shares hold them through accounts at broker-dealers, retirement platforms and other financial market participants over which neither the Funds nor the Manager exercises control. Each of these may in turn rely on service providers to them, which are also subject to the risk of cyber attacks. Cybersecurity failures or breaches at the Manager or the Funds’ service providers or intermediaries have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with a Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value (“NAV”), impediments to trading, the inability of Fund shareholders to effect share purchases, redemptions or exchanges or receive distributions, loss of or unauthorized access to private shareholder information and violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, or additional compliance costs. Such costs and losses may not be covered under any insurance. In addition, maintaining vigilance against cyber attacks may involve substantial costs over time, and system enhancements may themselves be subject to cyber attacks.

Interfund Lending

To satisfy redemption requests or to cover unanticipated cash shortfalls, a Fund may enter into lending agreements (“Interfund Lending Agreements”) under which the Fund would lend money and borrow money for temporary purposes directly to and from another fund in the Aquila Group of Funds through a credit facility (“Interfund Loan”), subject to meeting the conditions of an SEC exemptive order granted to the Funds permitting such interfund lending. All Interfund Loans will consist only of uninvested cash reserves that the Fund otherwise would invest in short-term repurchase agreements or other short-term instruments.

If a Fund has outstanding borrowings, any Interfund Loans to the Fund (a) will be at an interest rate equal to or lower than any outstanding bank loan, (b) will be secured at least on an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding bank loan that requires collateral, (c) will have a maturity no longer than any outstanding bank loan (and in any event not over seven days) and (d) will provide that, if an event of default occurs under any agreement evidencing an outstanding bank loan to the Fund, the event of default will automatically (without need for action or notice by the lending Fund) constitute an immediate event of default under the Interfund Lending Agreement entitling the lending Fund to call the Interfund Loan (and exercise all rights with respect to any collateral) and that such call will be made if the lending bank exercises its right to call its loan under its agreement with the borrowing Fund.

 

 

A Fund may make an unsecured borrowing through the credit facility if its outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the interfund borrowing total 10% or less of its total assets; provided, that if the Fund has a secured loan outstanding from any other lender, including but not limited to another fund in the Aquila Group of Funds, the Fund's interfund borrowing will be secured on at least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding loan that requires collateral. If a Fund's total outstanding borrowings immediately after an interfund borrowing would be greater than 10% of its total assets, the Fund may borrow through the credit facility on a secured basis only. A Fund may not borrow through the credit facility nor from any other source if its total outstanding borrowings immediately after the interfund borrowing would be more than 33 1∕3% of its total assets.

No Fund may lend to another Fund through the interfund lending credit facility if the loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the credit facility to exceed 15% of the lending Fund's net assets at the time of the loan. A Fund's Interfund Loans to any one Fund shall not exceed 5% of the lending Fund's net assets. The duration of Interfund Loans is limited to the time required to receive payment for securities sold, but in no event more than seven days. Loans effected within seven days of each other will be treated as separate loan transactions for purposes of this condition. Each Interfund Loan may be called on one business day’s notice by a lending Fund and may be repaid on any day by a borrowing Fund.

The limitations detailed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting interfund lending are designed to minimize the risks associated with interfund lending for both the lending Fund and the borrowing Fund. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. When a Fund borrows money from another Fund, there is a risk that the loan could be called on one day’s notice or not renewed, in which case the Fund may have to borrow from a bank at higher rates if an Interfund Loan were not available from another Fund. A delay in repayment to a lending Fund could result in a lost opportunity or additional lending costs.

Portfolio Turnover

For reporting purposes, each Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. In determining such portfolio turnover, all securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less are excluded. A 100% portfolio turnover rate would occur, for example, if all of the securities in a Fund’s investment portfolio (other than short-term money market securities) were replaced once during the fiscal year.

In the event that portfolio turnover increases, this may indicate greater transaction costs which must be paid by a Fund. To the extent the portfolio trading results in recognition of net short-term capital gains, shareholders will be taxed on distributions of such gains at ordinary tax rates (except shareholders who invest through IRAs and other retirement plans which are not taxed currently on accumulations in their accounts).

Portfolio turnover will not be a limiting factor should the Manager or Sub-Adviser, if applicable, deem it advisable to purchase or sell securities.

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona’s annual portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 was 32% and 35%, respectively.

Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado’s annual portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 was 12% and 14%, respectively.

Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky’s annual portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 was 10% and 7%, respectively.

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon’s annual portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 was 12% and 13%, respectively.

Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund’s annual portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 was 3% and 12%, respectively.

Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah’s annual portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 was 12% and 19%, respectively.

 

 

 

Fund Policies

Investment Restrictions

Each Fund has adopted certain fundamental investment policies which, along with the Fund’s investment objective, may not be changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. For this purpose, a majority of the outstanding shares of a Fund means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the dollar value of the Fund’s shares present at a meeting or represented by proxy if the holders of more than 50% of the dollar value of its shares are so present or represented; or (b) more than 50% of the dollar value of the Fund’s outstanding shares. The Board may change non-fundamental investment policies at any time. Each Fund’s fundamental policies are set forth below:

 

(1)	The Fund may not borrow money except as permitted by the 1940 Act.
(2)	The Fund may not engage in the business of underwriting the securities of other issuers except as permitted by the 1940 Act.
(3)	The Fund may lend money or other assets to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.
(4)	The Fund may not issue senior securities except as permitted by the 1940 Act.
(5)	The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate except as permitted by the 1940 Act.
(6)	The Fund may purchase or sell commodities or contracts related to commodities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.
(7)	Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona, Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah only: The Fund may not make any investment if, as a result, the Fund's investments will be concentrated in any one industry, except as permitted by the 1940 Act.
	Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon only:  Except as permitted by exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction, the Fund may not make any investment if, as a result, the Fund’s investments will be concentrated in any one industry.
(8)	Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona only:  At least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in municipal obligations that pay interest exempt, in the opinion of bond counsel, from Arizona state and regular Federal income taxes, the income paid upon which will not be subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax on individuals.
(9)	Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado only:  At least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in municipal obligations that pay interest exempt, in the opinion of bond counsel, from Colorado state and regular Federal income taxes, the income paid upon which will not be subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax on individuals.
(10)	Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky only:  At least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in municipal obligations that pay interest exempt, in the opinion of bond counsel, from Kentucky income and regular Federal income taxes, the income paid upon which will not be subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax on individuals.
(11)	Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon only:  At least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in municipal obligations that pay interest exempt in the opinion of bond counsel from Oregon state and regular Federal income taxes, the income paid upon which will not be subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax on individuals
(12)	Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund only:  At least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in municipal obligations that pay interest exempt, in the opinion of bond counsel, from Rhode Island state and regular Federal income taxes, the income paid upon which will not be subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax on individuals.
(13)	Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah only:  At least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in municipal obligations that pay interest exempt, in the opinion of bond counsel, from Utah state individual and regular Federal income taxes, the income paid upon which will not be subject to the alternative minimum tax on individuals.

 

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to borrowing money set forth in (1) above, the 1940 Act permits a Fund to borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of the Fund’s total assets from banks for any purpose, and to borrow up to 5% of the Fund’s total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes (the fund’s total assets include the amounts being borrowed). To limit the risks attendant to borrowing, the 1940 Act requires a Fund to maintain at all times an

 

 

“asset coverage” of at least 300% of the amount of its borrowings. Asset coverage means the ratio that the value of the Fund’s total assets (including amounts borrowed), minus liabilities other than borrowings, bears to the aggregate amount of all borrowings. Borrowing money to increase a Fund’s investment portfolio is known as “leveraging.” Borrowing, especially when used for leverage, may cause the value of a Fund’s shares to be more volatile than if the Fund did not borrow. This is because borrowing tends to magnify the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. Borrowed money thus creates an opportunity for greater gains, but also greater losses. To repay borrowings, a Fund may have to sell securities at a time and at a price that is unfavorable to the Fund. There also are costs associated with borrowing money, and these costs would offset and could eliminate a Fund’s net investment income in any given period. Currently, no Fund contemplates borrowing for leverage, but if a Fund does so, it will not likely do so to a substantial degree. The policy in (1) above will be interpreted to permit a Fund to engage in trading practices and investments that may be considered to be borrowing to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Short-term credits necessary for the settlement of securities transactions and arrangements with respect to securities lending will not be considered to be borrowings under the policy. Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are not considered to be borrowings are not subject to the policy.

Each Fund may pledge its assets and guarantee the securities of another company without limitation, subject to the Fund’s investment policies (including the fund’s fundamental policy regarding borrowing) and applicable laws and interpretations. Pledges of assets and guarantees of obligations of others are subject to many of the same risks associated with borrowings and, in addition, are subject to the credit risk of the obligor for the underlying obligations. To the extent that pledging or guaranteeing assets may be considered the issuance of senior securities, the issuance of senior securities is governed by the Funds’ policies on senior securities. If a Fund were to pledge its assets, the Fund would take into account any then-applicable legal guidance, including any applicable SEC staff position, would be guided by the judgment of the Fund’s Board, Manager and, if applicable, Sub-Adviser, regarding the terms of any credit facility or arrangement, including any collateral required, and would not pledge more collateral than, in their judgment, is necessary for the Fund to obtain the credit sought. Shareholders should note that in 1973, the SEC staff took the position in a no-action letter that a mutual fund could not pledge 100% of its assets without a compelling business reason. In more recent no-action letters, including letters that address the same statutory provision of the 1940 Act (Section 17) addressed in the 1973 letter, the SEC staff has not mentioned any limitation on the amount of collateral that may be pledged to support credit obtained. This does not mean that the staff’s position on this issue has changed.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to underwriting set forth in (2) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a Fund from engaging in the underwriting business or from underwriting the securities of other issuers; in fact, the 1940 Act permits a Fund to have underwriting commitments of up to 25% of its assets under certain circumstances. Those circumstances currently are that the amount of the Fund’s underwriting commitments, when added to the value of the Fund’s investments in issuers where the Fund owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of those issuers, cannot exceed the 25% cap. A Fund engaging in transactions involving the acquisition or disposition of portfolio securities may be considered to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Under the 1933 Act, an underwriter may be liable for material omissions or misstatements in an issuer’s registration statement or prospectus. Securities purchased from an issuer and not registered for sale under the 1933 Act are considered restricted securities. There may be a limited market for these securities. If these securities are registered under the 1933 Act, they may then be eligible for sale but participating in the sale may subject the seller to underwriter liability. These risks could apply to a Fund investing in restricted securities. Although it is not believed that the application of the 1933 Act provisions described above would cause a Fund to be engaged in the business of underwriting, the policy in (2) above will be interpreted not to prevent a Fund from engaging in transactions involving the acquisition or disposition of portfolio securities, regardless of whether the Fund may be considered to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to lending set forth in (3) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a Fund from making loans; however, SEC staff interpretations currently prohibit funds from lending more than one-third of their total assets, except through the purchase of debt obligations or the use of repurchase agreements. (A repurchase agreement is an agreement to purchase a security, coupled with an agreement to sell that security back to the original seller on an agreed-upon date at a price that reflects current interest rates. The SEC frequently treats repurchase agreement as loans.) While lending securities may be a source of income to a Fund, as with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the underlying securities should the borrower fail financially. However, loans would be made only when the Manager or, if applicable, Sub-Adviser believes the income justifies the attendant risks. A Fund also will be permitted by this policy to make loans of money, including to other funds. The policy in (3) above will be interpreted not to prevent a Fund from purchasing or investing in debt obligations and loans. In addition, collateral arrangements with respect to options, forward currency and futures transactions and other derivative instruments, as well as delays in the settlement of securities transactions, will not be considered loans.

 

 

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to issuing senior securities set forth in (4) above, “senior securities” are defined as Fund obligations that have a priority over a Fund’s shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of Fund assets. The 1940 Act prohibits a Fund from issuing senior securities except that a Fund may borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of the Fund’s total assets from banks for any purpose. A Fund also may borrow up to 5% of the Fund’s total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes, and these borrowings are not considered senior securities. The issuance of senior securities by a Fund can increase the speculative character of the Fund’s outstanding shares through leveraging. Leveraging of a Fund’s portfolio through the issuance of senior securities magnifies the potential for gain or loss on monies, because even though the Fund’s net assets remain the same, the total risk to investors is increased. The policy in (4) above will be interpreted not to prevent collateral arrangements with respect to swaps, options, forward or futures contracts or other derivatives, or the posting of initial or variation margin.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to real estate set forth in (5) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a Fund from owning real estate; however, a Fund is limited in the amount of illiquid assets it may purchase. Investing in real estate may involve risks, including that real estate is generally considered illiquid and may be difficult to value and sell. Owners of real estate may be subject to various liabilities, including environmental liabilities. To the extent that investments in real estate are considered illiquid, rules under the 1940 act generally limit a Fund’s purchases of illiquid securities to 15% of net assets. The policy in (5) above will be interpreted not to prevent a Fund from investing in real estate-related companies, companies whose businesses consist in whole or in part of investing in real estate, instruments (like mortgages) that are secured by real estate or interests therein, or real estate investment trust securities.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to commodities set forth in (6) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a Fund from owning commodities, whether physical commodities and contracts related to physical commodities (such as oil or grains and related futures contracts), or financial commodities and contracts related to financial commodities (such as currencies and, possibly, currency futures). However, a Fund is limited in the amount of illiquid assets it may purchase. To the extent that investments in commodities are considered illiquid, rules under the 1940 Act generally limit a Fund’s purchases of illiquid securities to 15% of net assets. If a Fund were to invest in a physical commodity or a physical commodity-related instrument, the Fund would be subject to the additional risks of the particular physical commodity and its related market. The value of commodities and commodity-related instruments may be extremely volatile and may be affected either directly or indirectly by a variety of factors. There also may be storage charges and risks of loss associated with physical commodities. The policy in (6) above will be interpreted to permit investments in exchange traded funds that invest in physical and/or financial commodities.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to concentration set forth in (7) above, the 1940 Act does not define what constitutes “concentration” in an industry. The SEC has taken the position that investment of 25% or more of a Fund's total assets in one or more issuers conducting their principal activities in the same industry or group of industries constitutes concentration. It is possible that interpretations of concentration could change in the future. A Fund that invests a significant percentage of its total assets in a single industry may be particularly susceptible to adverse events affecting that industry and may be more risky than a Fund that does not concentrate in an industry. The policy in (7) above will be interpreted to refer to concentration as that term may be interpreted from time to time. The policy also will be interpreted to permit investment without limit in the following: securities of the U.S. government and its agencies or instrumentalities; tax-exempt securities of state, territory, possession or municipal governments and their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions; and repurchase agreements collateralized by any such obligations. Accordingly, issuers of the foregoing securities will not be considered to be members of any industry. The Funds characterize investments in securities the interest upon which is paid from revenues of similar type projects by the type or types of projects. Each Fund may invest more than 25% of its assets in industrial development bonds under the policy. In the case of an industrial development bond, if the bond is backed only by assets and revenues of a non-governmental user, then the non-governmental user would be deemed to be the sole issuer and such issuer would be subject to the 25% limit. The policy also will be interpreted to give broad authority to the fund as to how to classify issuers within or among industries. When identifying industries for purposes of its concentration policy, a Fund may rely upon available industry classifications.

The Funds’ fundamental policies are written and will be interpreted broadly. For example, the policies will be interpreted to refer to the 1940 Act and the related rules as they are in effect from time to time, and to interpretations and modifications of or relating to the 1940 Act by the SEC and others as they are given from time to time. When a policy provides that an investment practice may be conducted as permitted by the 1940 Act, the policy will be interpreted to mean either that the 1940 Act expressly permits the practice or that the 1940 Act does not prohibit the practice.

 

 

 

Management of the Funds

The Board of Trustees

The business and affairs of the Funds are managed under the direction and control of the Funds’ Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has authority over every aspect of the Funds’ operations, including approval of the advisory and any sub-advisory agreements and their annual renewal, contracts with all other service providers and payments under each Fund’s Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan.

The Funds have an Audit Committee, consisting of Patricia L. Moss, Heather R. Overby and Glenn P. O’Flaherty, each of whom is “independent” and not an interested person of the Funds. The Committee determines what independent registered public accounting firm will be selected by the Board of Trustees, reviews the methods, scope and result of audits and the fees charged, and reviews the adequacy of the Funds’ internal accounting procedures and controls. The Audit Committee held three meetings during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

The Funds have a Nominating Committee, consisting of all of the non-interested Trustees. The Nominating Committee held three meetings during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. The committee will consider nominees recommended by the shareholders who may send recommendations to the Trust at its principal address for the attention of the Chair of the Nominating Committee.

The Funds have a Governance Committee, consisting of Diana P. Herrmann, Ernest Calderón, Gary C. Cornia, Grady Gammage, Jr., Patricia L. Moss and Laureen L. White. The Governance Committee oversees Board governance and related Trustee matters. The Governance Committee held one meeting during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

The Funds face a number of risks, such as investment risk, counterparty risk, valuation risk, reputational risk, cybersecurity risk, risk of operational failure or lack of business continuity, and legal, compliance and regulatory risk. The Board of Trustees seeks continuously to be alert to potential risks regarding the Funds’ business and operations as an integral part of its responsibility for oversight of the Funds. The goal of risk management is to identify and address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Funds. Under the overall oversight of the Board of Trustees, the Funds and the Manager, Sub-Adviser and other service providers to the Funds, employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls in an effort to identify, address and mitigate risks. Operational or other failures, including cybersecurity failures, at any one or more of the Funds’ service providers could have a material adverse effect on the Funds and their shareholders.

The Board of Trustees has a Chair who is an Independent Trustee. The Board of Trustees and its Chair address risk management as a regular part of their oversight responsibilities through contact with the Chief Compliance Officer and other key management personnel, and through policies and procedures in place for regulation of the Funds’ activities and conduct.

In addition, a Risk Group, consisting of the Chief Compliance Officer, President and Treasurer of the Funds (who are also officers and/or employees of the Manager), as well as the Co-Presidents of the Distributor, meets and reports to the Board of Trustees as to significant risks and compliance matters. Issues raised are considered by the Board of Trustees as it deems appropriate. Service providers to the Funds, such as the Funds’ independent accountants, also make periodic reports to the Board of Trustees with respect to various aspects of risk management.

The Board of Trustees recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Funds can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Funds’ goals, that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness, and that some risks are simply beyond the control of the Funds, the Manager, a Sub-Adviser or other service providers. Because most of the Funds’ operations are carried out by various service providers, the Board’s oversight of the risk management processes of those service providers, including processes to address cybersecurity and other operational failures, is inherently limited (see “Cybersecurity Issues” above). As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board of Trustees’ risk management oversight is subject to substantial limitations.

The Board of Trustees has determined that its leadership structure is appropriate because it serves to facilitate the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Trustees from management, including the Manager and the Sub-Adviser (if applicable), and otherwise enhance the Board of Trustees’ oversight role. The Board of Trustees has also determined that its leadership structure is appropriate given the circumstances that the Funds invest primarily in municipal obligations issued by certain states, counties and various other local authorities, and the Board of Trustees uses the local knowledge of its Trustees as well as their business experience.

 

 

Trustees and Officers

The following material includes information about the Trustees and officers of the Trust.

 

Name and Year of Birth(1)		Positions Held with Trust and Length of Service (2)		Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years		Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee		Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years
Interested Trustee (3)
Diana P. Herrmann New York, NY (1958)		Vice Chair of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2014, Trustee since 1994 and President since 1998		Chair (since 2016 and previously Vice Chair since 2004) and Chief Executive Officer (since 2004) of Aquila Management Corporation, Founder and Sponsor of the Aquila Group of Funds(4) and parent of Aquila Investment Management LLC, Manager, President since 1997, Chief Operating Officer, 1997-2008, a Director since 1984, Secretary, 1986-2016, and previously its Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, 1986-1997; Chief Executive Officer (since 2004) and Chair (since 2016 and previously Vice Chair since 2004), President and Manager since 2003, and Chief Operating Officer (2003-2008), of the Manager; Chair, Vice Chair, President, Executive Vice President and/or Senior Vice President of funds in the Aquila Group of Funds since 1986; Manager of the Distributor since 1997; Governor, Investment Company Institute (the U.S. mutual fund industry trade organization dedicated to protecting shareholder interests and educating the public about investing) for various periods since 2004, and Chair of its Small Funds Committee, 2004-2009; active in charitable and volunteer organizations.		9		Director of ICI Mutual Insurance Company, a Risk Retention Group, for various periods since 2006; formerly Vice Chair and Trustee of Pacific Capital Funds of Cash Assets Trust (three money-market funds in the Aquila Group of Funds) 2004-2012
.
Non-interested Trustees
Patricia L. Moss Bend, OR (1953)		Chair of the Board of Aquila Municipal Trust effective January 1, 2023; Trustee of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2020		Vice Chairman, Cascade Bancorp and Bank of the Cascades 2012-2017, President and Chief Executive Officer 1997-2012; member, Oregon Investment Council 2018-2021; active in community and educational organizations; Trustee of various funds in the Aquila Group of Funds 2002-2005 and since 2015.		8		First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.; MDU Resources Group, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name and Year of Birth(1)		Positions Held with Trust and Length of Service (2)		Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years		Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee		Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years
Ernest Calderón Phoenix, AZ (1957)		Trustee of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2004		Attorney (currently, Partner, Calderón Law Offices, PLC); Regent emeritus and President emeritus Arizona Board of Regents; Adjunct Professor, Northern Arizona University; Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Educational Leadership, University of Southern California; served seven Arizona governors by appointment; Past President, Grand Canyon Council of Boy Scouts of America; Past President, State Bar of Arizona, 2003-2004; member, American Law Institute; Trustee of various funds in the Aquila Group of Funds since 2004.		6		None
Gary C. Cornia St. George, UT (1948)		Trustee of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2009		Emeritus Dean and Professor, Marriott School of Management, Brigham Young University 2014-present; Professor, Marriott School of Management, Brigham Young University, 1980-2014; Chair, Utah State Securities Commission, 2019-2021, Commissioner, 2013–2021; Dean, Marriott School of Management, 2008-2013; Past President, National Tax Association; Fellow, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2002-present; Trustee of various funds in the Aquila Group of Funds since 1993.		8		International Center for Land Policies and Training, Taipei, Taiwan, Director and Chair of Executive Committee.
Grady Gammage, Jr. Phoenix, AZ (1951)		Trustee of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2001		Founding partner, Gammage & Burnham, PLC, a law firm, Phoenix, Arizona, since 1983; director, Central Arizona Water Conservation District, 1992-2004; Senior Fellow, Morrison Institute for Public Policy and Kyl Institute for Water Policy; Adjunct Professor, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law; W. P. Carey School of Business; active with Urban Land Institute; Author, “The Future of the Suburban City” Island Press, 2016; Trustee of various funds in the Aquila Group of Funds since 2001.		8		None
Glenn P. O’Flaherty Granby, CO (1958)		Trustee of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2013		Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Lizard Investors, LLC, 2008; Co-Founder, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of Three Peaks Capital Management, LLC, 2003-2005; Vice President – Investment Accounting, Global Trading and Trade Operations, Janus Capital Corporation, and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Janus Funds, 1991-2002; Trustee of various funds in the Aquila Group of Funds since 2006.		9		Granby Ranch Metropolitan District (quasi-municipal corporation); formerly Trustee of Pacific Capital Funds of Cash Assets Trust (three money-market funds in the Aquila Group of Funds) 2009-2012.

 

 

 

 

Name and Year of Birth(1)		Positions Held with Trust and Length of Service (2)		Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years		Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee		Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years
Heather R. Overby Prospect, KY (1971)		Trustee of Aquila Municipal Trust since September 2022		Vice President, Finance & Accounting/Chief Financial Officer, Kentucky Municipal Energy Agency (wholesale electricity sale – governmental), June 2018 – Present; Chairman, Kentucky School Facilities Construction Commission (state commission), December 2018 – Present; Interim Chief Financial Officer, Kentucky Municipal Energy Agency (wholesale electricity sale – governmental), February 2017 – May 2018; Chief Financial Officer, Kentucky Municipal Power Agency, (wholesale electricity sale – governmental), November 2009 – May 2018.		6		None
Laureen L. White(5) North Kingstown, RI (1959)		Trustee of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2013		President, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, since 2005, Executive Vice President 2004-2005 and Senior Vice President, 1989-2002; Executive Counselor to the Governor of Rhode Island for Policy and Communications, 2003-2004; Trustee of various funds in the Aquila Group of Funds since 2005.		6		None

 

(1)

The mailing address of each Trustee is c/o Aquila Municipal Trust, 120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600, New York, NY 10036.

(2)

Each Trustee holds office until his or her successor is elected or his or her earlier retirement or removal.

(3)

Ms. Herrmann is an “interested person” of the Trust, as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an officer of the Trust, as a director, officer and shareholder of the Manager’s corporate parent, as an officer and Manager of the Manager, and as a Manager of the Distributor.

(4)

The “Aquila Group of Funds” includes: Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona, Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, Hawaiian Tax-Free Trust, Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon, Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund (Rhode Island) and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah, each of which is a tax-free municipal bond fund and are called the “Aquila Municipal Bond Funds”; Aquila Opportunity Growth Fund, which is an equity fund; and Aquila High Income Fund, which is a high-income corporate bond fund.

(5)

Keith Kelly, President of Citizens Bank, Rhode Island at Citizens Financial Group, Inc., is a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. Ms. White is the President of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. Clarfeld Financial Advisors, LLC, the Sub-Adviser of Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens Bank, N.A., a bank subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

 

 

 

Name and Year of Birth(1)		Positions Held with Trust and Length of Service (2)		Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Officers
Stephen J. Caridi New York, NY (1961)		Senior Vice President of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2013		Regional Sales Manager (since 2009) and registered representative (since 1986) of the Distributor; Vice President of the Distributor  1995-2009; Vice President, Hawaiian Tax-Free Trust since 1998; Senior Vice President, Aquila Municipal Trust (which includes Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund) since 2013; Vice President, Aquila Funds Trust since 2013; Senior Vice President, Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund 1998-2013, Vice President 1996-1997; Senior Vice President, Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado 2004-2009; Vice President, Aquila Opportunity Growth Fund 2006-2013.
Paul G. O’Brien New York, NY (1959)		Senior Vice President of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2010		President, Aquila Distributors LLC since 2019, Co-President 2010-2019, Managing Director, 2009-2010; Senior Vice President of all funds in the Aquila Group of Funds since 2010; held various positions to Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Evergreen Investments Services, Inc., 1997-2008; Mergers and Acquisitions Coordinator for Wachovia Corporation, 1994-1997.
Robert C. Arnold Peoria, AZ (1973)		Vice President of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2019		Vice President, Aquila Municipal Trust (which includes Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona) since 2019; Regional Sales Manager, Aquila Distributors LLC (since 2019); Financial Advisor, Prudential Advisors, 2017 – 2019.
Royden P. Durham Louisville, KY (1951)		Vice President of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2013; Lead Portfolio Manager of Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky (since 2011); Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona (since 2017), Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado (since 2023) and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah (since 2017)		Portfolio Manager of Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky (since 2011); Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah (since 2011); Co-Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado (since 2023); Vice President, Aquila Municipal Trust (since 2013) and Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky 2011-2013; President, advEnergy solutions LLC, 2007-2011; Vice President and Trust Advisor, JP Morgan Chase, 2005-2006; Vice President and Trust Officer, Regions Morgan Keegan Trust, 2003-2005; Vice President Fixed Income and Equity Portfolios, The Sachs Company / Louisville Trust Company, 1986-2003.
Vasilios Gerasopoulos Lakewood, CO (1973)		Assistant Vice President of Aquila Municipal Trust and Co-Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado since March 2023		Assistant Vice President of Aquila Municipal Trust, Co-Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado and Credit Analyst of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon since March 2023; Credit Analyst at Davidson Fixed Income Management, Inc., doing business as Kirkpatrick Pettis Capital Management, from 2015 to 2023; Senior Financial Analyst, Bond and Debt, for Jefferson County, Colorado from December 2012 to 2015.

 

 

 

Name and Year of Birth(1)		Positions Held with Trust and Length of Service (2)		Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Timothy Iltz Happy Valley, OR (1975)		Vice President of Aquila Municipal Trust since March 2023; Co-Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado since December 2022  and Lead Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon since December 2022; Effective August 1, 2023, Co-Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah		Vice President of Aquila Municipal Trust since March 2023, Co-Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado since December 2022  and Lead Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon since December 2022; Effective August 1, 2023, Co-Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah; Vice President and Municipal Bond Credit Analyst at Davidson Fixed Income Management, Inc., doing business as Kirkpatrick Pettis Capital Management, from 2011 to 2018.  Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Davidson Fixed Income Management, Inc., doing business as Kirkpatrick Pettis Capital Management, from 2018 to 2023.
Troy Miller Louisville, KY (1971)		Vice President of Aquila Municipal Trust since March 2022		Vice President, Aquila Municipal Trust (which includes Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky) since March 2022; Regional Sales Manager of the Distributor since January 2022; Financial Consultant, Fidelity Investments (wealth management), May 2020 – February 2021; Vice President, Manager-Life Planning Strategies, June 2017 – October 2019, and Vice President, Manager-Retirement Products, April 2010 – June 2017, Baird Trust Company (formerly known as Hilliard Lyons Trust Company) (wealth management).
Christine L. Neimeth Portland, OR (1964)		Vice President of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2020		Vice President of Aquila Funds Trust since 2013 and Aquila Municipal Trust (which includes Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon) since 2020; formerly Vice President, Aquila Opportunity Growth Fund 1999 – 2013 and Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon 1998 – 2020; Regional Sales Manager and/or registered representative of the Distributor since 1999.
Anthony A. Tanner Phoenix, AZ (1960)		Vice President of Aquila Municipal Trust, Lead Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona; Portfolio Manager of Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky (since 2018), Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon (since 2023) and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah (since 2018)		Vice President of Aquila Municipal Trust (since 2018); Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona, Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah (since 2018); Co-Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon (since 2023); Senior Portfolio Manager at BNY Mellon Wealth Management from 2016 to 2018; a Senior Client Advisor at BMO Private Bank from 2014 to 2015; and Senior Fixed Income Manager at Wells Fargo Private Bank from 2010 to 2014.

 

 

 

Name and Year of Birth(1)		Positions Held with Trust and Length of Service (2)		Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
James T. Thompson Bountiful, Utah (1955)		Vice President of Aquila Municipal Trust and Lead Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah since 2009; Portfolio Manager, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona (since 2017), Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky (since 2017) and Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon (since 2023)		Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah, Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky and Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona (since 2009); Co-Portfolio Manager of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon (since 2023); Vice President Aquila Municipal Trust (since 2013) and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah (2009 – 2013); Senior Vice President, First Security Bank/Wells Fargo Brokerage Services LLC, Salt Lake City, Utah 1991-2009.
M. Kayleen Willis South Jordan, UT (1963)		Vice President of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2013		Vice President, Aquila Municipal Trust (which includes Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah) since 2013; Vice President, Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah 2003-2013, Assistant Vice President, 2002-2003; Vice President, Aquila Opportunity Growth Fund, 2004-2013 and Aquila Funds Trust since 2013.
Eric D. Okerlund Highland, UT (1961)		Assistant Vice President of Aquila Municipal Trust since March 2021		Assistant Vice President, Aquila Municipal Trust (which includes Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah) since March 2021; Credit Analyst (for Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah and Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado), Aquila Investment Management LLC, since January 2021; Budget Officer, City of West Jordan, Utah, 2000-2020; Senior Accountant, Provo City Corporation, Provo, Utah, 1989-2000; Auditor, Defense Contract Audit Agency, Anaheim, California, 1989; Revenue Agent, Internal Revenue Service, Los Angeles, California, 1987-1989.
Randall S. Fillmore New York, NY (1960)		Chief Compliance Officer of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2012		Chief Compliance Officer of all funds in the Aquila Group of Funds, the Manager and the Distributor since 2012; Managing Director, Fillmore & Associates, 2009-2012; Fund and Adviser Chief Compliance Officer (2002-2009), Senior Vice President - Broker Dealer Compliance (2004-2009), Schwab Funds Anti Money Laundering Officer and Identity Theft Prevention Officer (2004-2009), Vice President - Internal Audit (2000-2002), Charles Schwab Corporation; National Director, Information Systems Risk Management - Consulting Services (1999-2000), National Director, Investment Management Audit and Business Advisory Services (1992-1999), Senior Manager, Manager, Senior and Staff Roles (1983-1992), PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
Joseph P. DiMaggio New York, NY (1956)		Chief Financial Officer of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2003 and Treasurer since 2000		Chief Financial Officer of all funds in the Aquila Group of Funds since 2003 and Treasurer since 2000.

 

 

 

Name and Year of Birth(1)		Positions Held with Trust and Length of Service (2)		Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Anita Albano, CPA New York, NY (1973)		Secretary of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2020, Assistant Secretary 2018-2019		Secretary of all funds in the Aquila Group of Funds since 2020, Assistant Secretary 2018 – 2019; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Aquila Investment Management LLC and Aquila Management Corporation since 2018; Treasurer of Aquila Investment Management LLC and Aquila Management Corporation since 2005.
Yolonda S. Reynolds New York, NY (1960)		Assistant Treasurer of Aquila Municipal Trust since 2010		Assistant Treasurer of all funds in the Aquila Group of Funds since 2010; Director of Fund Accounting for the Aquila Group of Funds since 2007.
Lori A. Vindigni New York, NY (1966)		Assistant Treasurer of Aquila Municipal since 2000		Assistant Treasurer of all funds in the Aquila Group of Funds since 2000; Assistant Vice President of the Manager or its predecessor and current parent since 1998; Fund Accountant for the Aquila Group of Funds, 1995-1998.

 

(1)

The mailing address of each officer is c/o Aquila Municipal Trust, 120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600, New York, NY 10036.

(2)

The term of office of each officer is one year.

 

 

 

The specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led to the conclusion that these persons should serve as Trustees of the Funds in light of the Funds’ business and structure, in addition to those listed above, were as follows.

 

Diana P. Herrmann:	Over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry, 35 of which have been in mutual fund management, most recently as the Chair, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of Aquila Management Corporation (“Aquila”), Founder and Sponsor of the Aquila Group of Funds and parent of the adviser, manager or administrator of each fund of the Aquila Group of Funds, and previously as the Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President of Aquila.
Ernest Calderón:	Knowledgeable about economic and governmental affairs as a lawyer and educator active in public affairs in the region as detailed above; knowledgeable about operation and governance of mutual funds as an investment company board member for over 18 years.
Gary C. Cornia:	Experienced educator knowledgeable about business and finance as a business school dean as detailed above; knowledgeable about operation and governance of mutual funds as an investment company board member for 30 years.
Grady Gammage, Jr.:	Knowledgeable about economic and governmental affairs as a lawyer, and educator active in land use, water issues and other public affairs in the state and region as detailed above; knowledgeable about operation and governance of mutual funds as an investment company board member for 21 years.
Patricia L. Moss:	Experience in and knowledgeable about banking, finance, business development and management through her positions as an executive as detailed above; knowledgeable about the Oregon economy and local, state and regional issues; experience as a board member of various organizations as detailed above, including public companies; knowledgeable about the operation and governance of mutual funds as a Trustee of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon from 2003 to 2005 and from June, 2015 until present.
Glenn P. O’Flaherty:	Knowledgeable about financial markets and operation of mutual funds as a chief financial officer, chief operating officer and chief compliance officer of various investment management firms as detailed above and as an investment company board member for 16 years.
Heather R. Overby:	Knowledgeable about economic and local government affairs as a chief financial officer of various state agencies and commissions as detailed above.
Laureen L. White:	Knowledgeable about local government affairs as a chamber of commerce executive as detailed above; knowledgeable about operation and governance of mutual funds as an investment company board member for over 17 years.

 

References to the qualifications, attributes and skills of Trustees are pursuant to the requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Trustee as having special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.

 

 

Securities Holdings of the Trustees

(as of 6/30/23)

Following is information regarding the holdings of each Trustee in the Funds. All shares listed as held by a Trustee are Class A Shares unless indicated otherwise.

 

Name of Trustee

Dollar Range of Ownership in Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona(1)

Dollar Range of Ownership in Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado(1)

Dollar Range of Ownership in Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky(1)

Dollar Range of Ownership in Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon(1)

Dollar Range of Ownership in Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund(1)

Dollar Range of Ownership in Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah(1)

Aggregate Dollar Range of Ownership in funds in the Aquila Group of Funds(1)

Interested Trustee

Diana P. Herrmann

C

C

C

C

C

C

E

Non-interested Trustees

Ernest Calderón

C

C

C

C

C

C

E

Gary C. Cornia

C

C

C

C

C

E

E

Grady Gammage, Jr.

E

C

C

C

C

C

E

Patricia L. Moss

B

B

B

E

B

B

E

Glenn P. O’Flaherty

B

C

B

B

B

B

E

Heather R. Overby

B

B

C

B

B

B

C

Laureen L. White

B

B

B

B

C

B

C

 

(1)	A. None
	B. $1-$10,000
	C. $10,001-$50,000
	D. $50,001-$100,000
	E. Over $100,000

 

None of the non-interested Trustees or their immediate family members holds of record or beneficially any securities of the Manager, the Sub-Adviser or the Distributor.

Trustee Compensation

The Funds do not currently pay fees to any of the Trust’s officers or to Trustees affiliated with the Manager or a Sub-Adviser.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona paid a total of $72,075 in compensation to the Trustees, Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado paid a total of $67,681 in compensation to the Trustees, Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky paid a total of $57,728 in compensation to the Trustees, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon paid a total of $153,189 in compensation to the Trustees, Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund paid a total of $72,895 in compensation to the Trustees and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah paid a total of $116,949 in compensation to the Trustees.

Each Fund is a fund in the Aquila Group of Funds, which, as of the date of this SAI, consist of seven tax-free municipal bond funds, a high-income corporate bond fund and an equity fund. The following table lists the compensation of all non-interested Trustees who received compensation from the Funds and the compensation they received during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 from each of the Funds and from other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds. None of such Trustees has any pension or retirement benefits from any of the funds in the Aquila Group of Funds.

 

 

 

Name of Trustee		Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona - Compensation as Trustee from the Fund for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2023		Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado - Compensation as Trustee from the Fund for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2023		Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky - Compensation as Trustee from the Fund for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2023		Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon - Compensation as Trustee from the Fund for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2023		Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund Compensation as Trustee from the Fund for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2023		Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah Compensation as Trustee from the Fund for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2023		Compensation as Trustee from All Funds in the Aquila Group of Funds for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2023		Number of Funds in the Aquila Group of Funds Overseen by the Trustee for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2023
Ernest Calderón		$8,579.20		$8,053.87		$6,880.44		$18,176.55		$8,681.68		$13,902.61		$64,274.36		6
Thomas A. Christopher(1)		$11,455.96		$10,762.64		$9,070.87		$24,602.92		$11,592.83		$18,765.61		$86,250.83		6
Gary C. Cornia		$7,647.84		$7.142.73		$6,012.99		$16,947.52		$7,744.08		$12,778.06		$99,407.68		8
Grady Gammage, Jr.		$7,830.07		$7,315.02		$6,147.59		$17,291.75		$7,928.56		$13,099.67		$101,808.28		8
James A. Gardner(2)		$2,789.28		$2,645.33		$2,117.89		$6,099.17		$2,802.22		$4,629.97		$21,083.86		6
Patricia L. Moss		$8,800.21		$8,211.11		$6,941.14		$19,558.21		$8,910.10		$14,739.01		$109,294.55		8
Glenn P. O’Flaherty		$11,831.64		$11,249.03		$9,900.91		$22,742.96		$11,941.59		$17,861.88		$218,581.68		9
Heather R. Overby(3)		$4,609.04		$4,285.13		$3,814.52		$9,643.68		$4,662.95		$7,356.22		$34,371.54		6
Laureen L. White		$8,277.80		$7,781.99		$6,651.58		$17,625.13		$8,369.78		$13,372.12		$62,078.41		6

 

(1)

Mr. Christopher retired as a Trustee of the Trust effective March 31, 2023.

(2)

Mr. Gardner retired as a Trustee of the Trust on June 30, 2022.

(3)

Ms. Overby became a Trustee of the Trust effective September 10, 2022.

 

Class A Shares of each Fund may be purchased without a sales charge by the Fund’s Trustees and officers. (See “Reduced Sales Charges for Certain Purchases of Class A Shares,” below.)

 

 

Ownership of Securities

 

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

Institutional 5% Shareholders

 

On June 30, 2023, the following persons held 5% or more of any class of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona’s outstanding shares. On the basis of information received from the institutional holders, the Trust’s management believes that all of the shares indicated are held by them for the benefit of clients.

 

Record Holder		Share Class		Number of Shares		Percent of Class
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.		Class A		1,225,977.073		7.90%
Special Custody Account FBO Customers		Class Y		359,098.461		6.88%
Attn Mutual Funds
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA  94105
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody Account FBO Customers Attn Mutual Funds 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA  94104-4122		Class Y		1,434,251.768		27.49%
Edward D. Jones & Co. For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers 12555 Manchester Road St. Louis, MO  63131-3729		Class A		1,336,994.243		8.62%
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC		Class A		3,104,183.205		20.01%
Special Custody Acct		Class C		160,529.178		73.58%
For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers		Class Y		519,468.042		9.96%
2801 Market Street
St. Louis, MO  63103
LPL Financial 4707 Executive Drive San Diego, CA  92121		Class Y		512,985.192		9.83%
Pershing LLC 1 Pershing Plaza Jersey City, NJ  07399-0002		Class Y		453,385.302		8.69%

 

Additional 5% Shareholders

Record Holder		Share Class		Number of Shares		Percent of Class
Eugenia S H Pang Trustee Hester Chu Pang Rlt Agmt 5104 North 32nd St, Unit 150 Phoenix, AZ  85018-0000		Class C		18,560.591		8.51%

 

The Trust’s management is not aware of any other person beneficially owning more than 5% of any class of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona’s outstanding shares as of such date.

Management Ownership

As of the date of this SAI, all of the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona’s outstanding shares.

 

 

Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

Institutional 5% Shareholders

On June 30, 2023, the following persons held 5% or more of any class of Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado’s outstanding shares. On the basis of information received from the institutional holders, the Trust’s management believes that all of the shares indicated are held by them for the benefit of clients.

 

Record Holder		Share Class		Number of Shares		Percent of Class
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.		Class A		1,636,269.530		12.76%
Special Custody Account FBO Customers		Class Y		329,175.063		7.96%
Attn Mutual Funds
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA  94105
Edward D. Jones & Co. For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers 12555 Manchester Road St. Louis, MO  63131-3729		Class A		1,407,575.488		10.98%
LPL Financial		Class A		1,437,797.625		11.22%
4707 Executive Drive		Class Y		613,285.048		14.82%
San Diego, CA  92121
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC		Class A		1,073,101.079		8.37%
For the Exclusive Benefit of Its Customers		Class C		65,264.414		29.71%
1 New York Plaza, Fl. 12		Class Y		376,890.657		9.11%
New York, NY  10004-1901
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC		Class A		2,220,293.228		17.32%
Special Custody Acct		Class C		78,945.965		35.94%
For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers		Class Y		1,029,255.888		24.88%
2801 Market Street
St. Louis, MO  63103
Raymond James & Associates, Inc. FBO Rodney Lee Page 1535 Vivian Street Longmont, CO  80501-2526353		Class C		28,345.325		12.90%
UBS WM USA Spec Cdy A/C Exl Ben Customers of UBSFI 1000 Harbor Blvd Weehawken, NJ  07086		Class Y		310,205.026		7.50%

 

Additional 5% Shareholders

The Trust’s management is not aware of any other person beneficially owning more than 5% of any class of Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado’s outstanding shares as of such date.

Management Ownership

As of the date of this SAI, all of the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado’s outstanding shares.

 

 

Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

Institutional 5% Shareholders

On June 30, 2023, the following persons held 5% or more of any class of Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky’s outstanding shares. On the basis of information received from the institutional holders, the Trust’s management believes that all of the shares indicated are held by them for the benefit of clients.

 

Record Holder		Share Class		Number of Shares		Percent of Class
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.		Class A		3,937,557.292		34.78%
Special Custody Account		Class C		75,349.374		40.23%
FBO Customers		Class I		612,488.696		98.97%
Attn Mutual Funds		Class Y		1,633,583.237		36.18%
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA  94105
Edward D. Jones & Co.		Class A		1,908,383.966		16.86%
For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers		Class C		46,131.279		24.63%
12555 Manchester Road		Class F		80,313.041		98.13%
St. Louis, MO  63131-3729
Pershing LLC 1 Pershing Plaza Jersey City, NJ  07399-0002		Class C		27,009.915		14.42%
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC		Class A		1,051,827.536		9.29%
Special Custody Acct
For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers
2801 Market Street
St. Louis, MO  63103
National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ  07310		Class Y		1,063,402.636		23.55%

 

Additional 5% Shareholders

Record Holder		Share Class		Number of Shares		Percent of Class
Jennifer R Stumph and James D Stumph JTWROS 807 Kurtz Street Bardstown, KY  40004-1226		Class C		11,280.654		6.02%

 

The Trust’s management is not aware of any other person beneficially owning more than 5% of any class of Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky’s outstanding shares as of such date.

Management Ownership

As of the date of this SAI, all of the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky’s outstanding shares.

 

 

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

Institutional 5% Shareholders

On June 30, 2023, the following persons held 5% or more of any class of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon’s outstanding shares. On the basis of information received from the institutional holders, the Fund’s management believes that all of the shares indicated are held by them for the benefit of clients.

 

Record Holder		Share Class		Number of Shares		Percent of Class
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.		Class A		5,216,890.499		19.41%
Special Custody Account FBO Customers		Class C		21,505.254		7.08%
Attn Mutual Funds
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA  94105
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody Account FBO Customers Attn Mutual Funds 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA  94104-4122		Class Y		2,548,648.981		14.87%
Pershing LLC		Class A		2,679,816.016		9.97%
1 Pershing Plaza		Class C		47,711.643		15.71%
Jersey City, NJ  07399-0002		Class Y		1,575,600.738		9.19%
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC For the Exclusive Benefit of Its Customers 1 New York Plaza, Fl. 12 New York, NY  10004-1901		Class A		2,284,133.949		8.50%
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC Special Custody Acct For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers 2801 Market Street St. Louis, MO  63103		Class C		36,842.389		12.13%
Edward D. Jones & Co.		Class A		6,472,397.169		24.08%
For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers		Class C		41,070.498		13.52%
12555 Manchester Road		Class F		664,011.413		99.79%
St. Louis, MO  63131-3729
Band & Co. c/o US Bank NA 1555 N. Rivercenter Drive Ste 302 Milwaukee, WI  53212		Class Y		4,924,427.458		28.74%
UBS WM USA Spec Cdy A/C Exl Ben Customers of UBSFSI 1000 Harbor Blvd Weehawken, NJ  07086		Class C		29,465.235		9.70%

 

Additional 5% Shareholders

Record Holder		Share Class		Number of Shares		Percent of Class
James L Bela TOD Cheryl I Bela Subject to Fund TOD Rules 3412 SE 160th Avenue Portland, OR  97236-1759		Class C		36,870.325		12.14%

 

The Trust’s management is not aware of any other person beneficially owning more than 5% of any class of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon’s outstanding shares as of such date.

Management Ownership

As of the date of this SAI, all of the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Oregon’s outstanding shares.

 

 

Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

Institutional 5% Shareholders

On June 30, 2023, the following persons held 5% or more of any class of Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund’s outstanding shares. On the basis of information received from the institutional holders, the Trust’s management believes that all of the shares indicated are held by them for the benefit of clients.

 

Record Holder		Share Class		Number of Shares		Percent of Class
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc.		Class A		1,430,210.462		14.99%
For the Sole Benefit of Its Customers		Class C		14,152.922		15.29%
4800 Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL  32246-6484
Edward D. Jones & Co.		Class A		2,912,230.960		30.53%
For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers		Class C		22,009.853		23.77%
12555 Manchester Road		Class F		505,236.550		100.00%
St. Louis, MO  63131-3729
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC		Class C		12,187.030		13.16%
For the Exclusive Benefit of Its Customers		Class I		502.455		7.26%
1 New York Plaza, Fl. 12
New York, NY  10004-1901
SEI Private Trust Company		Class I		1,672.545		24.15%
One Freedom Valley Drive		Class Y		777,466.542		8.00%
Oaks, PA  19456		Class Y		489,879.775		5.04%
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC Special Custody Acct For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers 2801 Market Street St. Louis, MO  63103		Class I		4,748.809		68.57%
National Financial Services LLC		Class C		4,962.991		5.36%
499 Washington Blvd.		Class Y		2,526,441.144		25.99%
Jersey City, NJ  07310
LPL Financial 4707 Executive Drive San Diego, CA  92121		Class C		9,234.006		9.97%
Pershing LLC 1 Pershing Plaza Jersey City, NJ  07399-0002		Class C		6,429.792		6.94%

 

Additional 5% Shareholders

Record Holder		Share Class		Number of Shares		Percent of Class
Michael Absi & Barbara Santilli-Absi TTees Michael A Absi & Barbara H Santilli-Absi Rev Tr 6 Kiwanis Road West Warwick, RI  02893-5522		Class C		6,547.758		7.07%
Michael J Carpenter PO Box 5047 Newport, RI  02841-0100		Class C		5,794.777		6.26%

 

The Trust’s management is not aware of any other person beneficially owning more than 5% of any class of Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund’s outstanding shares as of such date.

Management Ownership

As of the date of this SAI, all of the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund’s outstanding shares.

 

 

Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

Institutional 5% Shareholders

On June 30, 2023, the following persons held 5% or more of any class of Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah’s outstanding shares. On the basis of information received from the institutional holders, the Trust’s management believes that all of the shares indicated are held by them for the benefit of clients.

 

Record Holder		Share Class		Number of Shares		Percent of Class
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc. For the Sole Benefit of Its Customers 4800 Deer Lake Drive East Jacksonville, FL  32246-6484		Class A		1,122,866.858		6.30%
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody Account FBO Customers Attn Mutual Funds 211 Main Street San Francisco, CA  94105		Class A		1,490,990.108		8.36%
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody Account FBO Customers Attn Mutual Funds 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA  94104-4122		Class Y		959,503.610		6.85%
Pershing LLC		Class A		1,485,288.253		8.33%
1 Pershing Plaza		Class C		49,424.318		5.42%
Jersey City, NJ  07399-0002		Class Y		1,161,348.512		8.29%
Edward D. Jones & Co.		Class A		3,490,579.882		19.58%
For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers		Class C		58,564.420		6.43%
12555 Manchester Road		Class F		590,860.007		99.62%
St. Louis, MO  63131-3729
LPL Financial 4707 Executive Drive San Diego, CA  92121		Class C		201,325.250		22.09%
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC		Class A		3,871,526.065		21.71%
Special Custody Acct		Class C		325,807.528		35.75%
For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers		Class Y		1,427,263.077		10.19%
2801 Market Street
St. Louis, MO  63103
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC		Class A		978,341.025		5.49%
For the Exclusive Benefit of Its Customers		Class C		82,545.589		9.06%
1 New York Plaza, Fl. 12
New York, NY  10004-1901

 

Additional 5% Shareholders

 

The Trust’s management is not aware of any other person beneficially owning more than 5% of any class of Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah’s outstanding shares as of such date.

Management Ownership

As of the date of this SAI, all of the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah’s outstanding shares.

 

 

Investment Advisory and Other Services

 

Information About the Manager, the Sub-Advisors and the Distributor

 

Management Fees

 

During the fiscal years listed below, the Funds incurred management fees (investment advisory fees) as follows:

 

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

Year		Fee		Waivers
March 31, 2023		$870,840		$0 was waived.
March 31, 2022		$1,125,093		$0 was waived.
March 31, 2021		$1,087,718		$0 was waived.

 

Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

Year		Fee		Waivers
March 31, 2023		$1,003,420		$40,137 was waived.
March 31, 2022		$1,350,722		$54,029 was waived.
March 31, 2021		$1,393,867		$55,755 was waived.

 

Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

Year		Fee		Waivers
March 31, 2023		$675,688		$0 was waived.
March 31, 2022		$757,430		$0 was waived.
March 31, 2021		$722,623		$0 was waived.

 

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

Year		Fee		Waivers
March 31, 2023		$1,993,417		$19,671 was waived.
March 31, 2022		$2,678,046		$53,902 was waived.
March 31, 2021		$2,655,851		$52,793 was waived.

 

Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Year		Fee		Waivers
March 31, 2023		$1,105,787		$165,867 was waived.
March 31, 2022		$1,324,370		$198,656 was waived.
March 31, 2021		$1,243,754		$188,823 was waived.

 

Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

Year		Fee		Waivers
March 31, 2023		$1,849,882		$74,503 was waived.
March 31, 2022		$2,401,124		$112,090 was waived.
March 31, 2021		$2,266,360		$101,309 was waived.

 

 

 

The management fees are treated as Fund expenses and, as such, are allocated to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of that class.

Aquila Distributors LLC, 120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600, New York, NY  10036 is each Fund’s Distributor. The Distributor currently handles the distribution of the shares of the funds in the Aquila Group of Funds, including the Fund. Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor is responsible for the payment of certain printing and distribution costs relating to prospectuses and reports as well as the costs of supplemental sales literature, advertising and other promotional activities.

The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aquila Management Corporation (“AMC”), founder and sponsor of each fund in the Aquila Group of Funds.

The Advisory and Administration Agreement

Each Fund’s Advisory and Administration Agreement provides that, subject to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees, the Manager shall:

(i)

supervise continuously the investment program of the Fund and the composition of its portfolio;

(ii)

determine what securities shall be purchased or sold by the Fund;

(iii)

arrange for the purchase and the sale of securities held in the portfolio of the Fund; and

(iv)

at its expense provide for pricing of the Fund’s portfolio daily using a pricing service or other source of pricing information satisfactory to the Fund and, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Trustees, provide for pricing of the Fund’s portfolio at least quarterly using another such source satisfactory to the Fund.

Each Fund’s Advisory and Administration Agreement provides that the Manager shall give to the Fund the benefit of its best judgment and effort in rendering services hereunder, but the Manager shall not be liable for any loss sustained by reason of the adoption of any investment policy or the purchase, sale or retention of any security, whether or not such purchase, sale or retention shall have been based upon (i) its own investigation and research or (ii) investigation and research made by any other individual, firm or corporation, if such purchase, sale or retention shall have been made and such other individual, firm or corporation shall have been selected in good faith by the Manager. Nothing therein contained shall, however, be construed to protect the Manager against any liability to the Fund or its security holders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Agreement.

Each Fund’s Advisory and Administration Agreement provides that nothing in it shall prevent the Manager or any affiliated person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Manager from acting as investment adviser or manager for any other person, firm or corporation and shall not in any way limit or restrict the Manager or any such affiliated person from buying, selling or trading any securities for its own or their own accounts or for the accounts of others for whom it or they may be acting, provided, however, that the Manager expressly represents that, while acting as Manager, it will undertake no activities which, in its judgment, will adversely affect the performance of its obligations to the Fund under the Agreement. It is agreed that the Manager shall have no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the Fund’s Registration Statement under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, except for information supplied by the Manager for inclusion therein. The Manager shall promptly inform the Fund as to any information concerning the Manager appropriate for inclusion in such Registration Statement, or as to any transaction or proposed transaction, which might result in an assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Agreement. To the extent that the Manager is indemnified under the Fund’s Declaration of Trust with respect to the services provided by the Manager, the Fund agrees to provide the benefits of such indemnification.

Each Fund’s Advisory and Administration Agreement provides that, subject to the termination provisions described below, the Manager may at its own expense delegate to a qualified organization (“Sub-Adviser”), affiliated or not affiliated with the Manager, any or all of the above duties. Any such delegation of the duties set forth in (i), (ii) or (iii) above shall be by a written agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) approved as provided in Section 15 of the 1940 Act. With respect to Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon and Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund, the Manager has delegated all of such functions to the Sub-Adviser in the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

 

Each Fund’s Advisory and Administration Agreement also provides that, subject to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the Manager shall provide all administrative services to the Fund other than those relating to its investment portfolio which have been delegated to a Sub-Adviser of the Fund under the Sub-Advisory Agreement; as part of such administrative duties, the Manager shall:

(i)                  provide office space, personnel, facilities and equipment for the performance of the following functions and for the maintenance of the headquarters of the Fund;

(ii)                oversee all relationships between the Fund and any sub-adviser, transfer agent, custodian, legal counsel, auditors and principal underwriter, including the negotiation of agreements in relation thereto, the supervision and coordination of the performance of such agreements, and the overseeing of all administrative matters which are necessary or desirable for the effective operation of the Fund and for the sale, servicing or redemption of the Fund’s shares;

(iii)              maintain the Fund’s books and records, and prepare (or assist counsel and auditors in the preparation of) all required proxy statements, reports to the Fund’s shareholders and Trustees, reports to and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any other governmental agencies, and tax returns, and oversee the insurance relationships of the Fund;

(iv)               prepare, on behalf of the Fund and at the Fund’s expense, such applications and reports as may be necessary to register or maintain the registration of the Fund and/or its shares under the securities or “Blue-Sky” laws of all such jurisdictions as may be required from time to time; and

(v)                respond to any inquiries or other communications of shareholders of the Fund and broker/dealers, or if any such inquiry or communication is more properly to be responded to by the Fund’s shareholder servicing and transfer agent or distributor, oversee such shareholder servicing and transfer agent’s or distributor’s response thereto.

In addition, the Advisory and Administration Agreement for each of Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado and Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon provides that the Manager shall either keep the accounting records of the Fund, including the computation of net asset value per share and the dividends (provided that if there is a Sub-Adviser, daily pricing of the Fund’s portfolio shall be the responsibility of the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement) or, at its expense and responsibility, delegate such duties in whole or in part to a company satisfactory to the Fund.

Each Fund’s Advisory and Administration Agreement provides that any investment program furnished by the Manager shall at all times conform to, and be in accordance with, any requirements imposed by: (1) the 1940 Act and any rules or regulations in force thereunder; (2) any other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (3) the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Fund as amended from time to time; (4) any policies and determinations of the Board of Trustees of the Fund; and (5) the fundamental policies of the Fund, as reflected in its registration statement under the 1940 Act or as amended by the shareholders of the Fund.

Each Fund’s Advisory and Administration Agreement provides that nothing in it shall prevent the Manager or any affiliated person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Manager from acting as investment adviser or manager for any other person, firm or corporation and shall not in any way limit or restrict the Manager or any such affiliated person from buying, selling or trading any securities for its own or their own accounts or for the accounts of others for whom it or they may be acting, provided, however, that the Manager expressly represents that, while acting as Manager, it will undertake no activities which, in its judgment, will adversely affect the performance of its obligations to the Fund under the Agreement. It is agreed that the Manager shall have no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the Fund’s Registration Statement under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, except for information supplied by the Manager for inclusion therein. The Manager shall promptly inform the Fund as to any information concerning the Manager appropriate for inclusion in such Registration Statement, or as to any transaction or proposed transaction which might result in an assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Agreement. To the extent that the Manager is indemnified under the Fund’s Declaration of Trust with respect to the services provided by the Manager, the Manager agrees to provide the sub-adviser, if any, the benefits of such indemnification.

Each Fund’s Advisory and Administration Agreement provides that the Manager shall, at its own expense, pay all compensation of Trustees, officers, and employees of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Manager.

 

 

Each Fund’s Advisory and Administration Agreement provides that the Fund bears the costs of preparing and setting in type its prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports to its shareholders, and the costs of printing or otherwise producing and distributing those copies of such prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports as are sent to its shareholders. All costs and expenses not expressly assumed by the Manager under the agreement or otherwise by the Manager, administrator or principal underwriter or by any sub-adviser shall be paid by the Fund, including, but not limited to (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions; (iii) insurance premiums; (iv) compensation and expenses of its Trustees other than those affiliated with the Manager or such sub-adviser, administrator or principal underwriter except for certain expenses of those who are officers of the Fund; (v) legal and audit expenses; (vi) custodian and transfer agent, or shareholder servicing agent, fees and expenses; (vii) expenses incident to the issuance of its shares (including issuance on the payment of, or reinvestment of, dividends); (viii) fees and expenses incident to the registration under Federal or State securities laws of the Fund or its shares; (ix) expenses of preparing, printing and mailing reports and notices and proxy material to shareholders of the Fund; (x) all other expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Fund’s shareholders; and (xi) such non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation affecting the Fund and the legal obligations for which the Fund may have to indemnify its officers and Trustees. In addition, each Fund except for Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado bears the expenses of keeping the Fund’s accounting records including the computation of net asset value per share and the dividends.

Each Fund’s Advisory and Administration Agreement provides that it may be terminated by the Manager at any time without penalty upon giving the Fund sixty days’ written notice (which notice may be waived by the Fund) and may be terminated by the Fund at any time without penalty upon giving the Manager sixty days’ written notice (which notice may be waived by the Manager), provided that such termination by the Fund shall be directed or approved by a vote of a majority of its Trustees in office at the time or by a vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the voting securities of the Fund outstanding and entitled to vote. The specific portions of the Advisory and Administration Agreement which relate to providing investment advisory services will automatically terminate in the event of the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Advisory and Administration Agreement, but all other provisions relating to providing services other than investment advisory services will not terminate, provided however, that upon such an assignment: with respect to Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona, the annual fee payable monthly and computed on the net asset value of the Fund as of the close of business each business day shall be reduced to the annual rate of 0.25 of 1% of such net asset value and provided further, that for any day that the Fund pays or accrues a fee under the Distribution Plan of the Fund based upon the assets of the Fund, the annual fee shall be payable at the annual rate of 0.20 of 1% of such asset value; with respect to Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, the annual fee payable monthly and computed on the net asset value of the Fund as of the close of business each business day shall be reduced to the annual rate of 0.30 of 1% from current fees of 0.50 of 1% of such net asset value; with respect to Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, the annual fee payable monthly and computed on the net asset value of the Fund as of the close of business each business day shall be reduced to the annual rate of 0.33 of 1% of such net asset value and provided further, that for any day that the Fund pays or accrues a fee under the Distribution Plan of the Fund based upon the assets of the Fund, the annual fee shall be payable at the annual rate of 0.26 of 1% of such asset value; with respect to Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon, the annual fee payable monthly and computed on the net asset value of the Fund as of the close of business each business day shall be reduced to the annual rate of 0.27 of 1% of such net asset value and provided further, that for any day that the Fund pays or accrues a fee under the Distribution Plan of the Fund based upon the assets of the Fund, the annual fee shall be payable at the annual rate of 0.22 of 1% of such asset value; with respect to Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund, the annual fee payable monthly and computed on the net asset value of the Fund as of the close of business each business day shall be reduced to the annual rate of 0.27 of 1% of such net asset value; and with respect to Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah, the annual fee payable monthly and computed on the net asset value of the Fund as of the close of business each business day shall be reduced to the annual rate of 0.27 of 1% of such net asset value.

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona: For its services with respect to Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona, the Manager is entitled to receive a fee which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each business day at the annual rate of 0.50 of 1% of such net asset value; provided, however, that for any day that the Trust pays or accrues a fee under the Distribution Plan of the Fund based upon the assets of the Fund, the annual fee shall be payable at the annual rate of 0.40 of 1% of such net asset value.

Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado: For its services with respect to Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, the Manager is entitled to receive a fee which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each day at the annual rate of 0.50 of 1% of net assets of the Fund.

 

 

Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky: For its services with respect to Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, the Manager is entitled to receive a fee which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each business day at the annual rate of 0.50 of 1% of such net asset value; provided, however, that for any day that the Trust pays or accrues a fee under the Distribution Plan of the Fund based upon the assets of the Fund, the annual fee shall be payable at the annual rate of 0.40 of 1% of such net asset value.

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon: For its services with respect to Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon, the Manager is entitled to receive a fee which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each business day at the annual rate of 0.50 of 1% of such net asset value; provided, however, that for any day that the Trust pays or accrues a fee under the Distribution Plan of the Fund based upon the assets of the Fund, the annual fee shall be payable at the annual rate of 0.40 of 1% of such net asset value.

Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund: For its services with respect to Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund, the Manager is entitled to receive a fee which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each day at the annual rate of 0.50 of 1% of net assets of the Fund.

Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah: For its services with respect to Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah, the Manager is entitled to receive a fee which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each day at the annual rate of 0.50 of 1% of net assets of the Fund.

Expense Waiver and Reimbursement - Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

The Manager has contractually undertaken to waive its fees so that management fees are equivalent to 0.48 of 1% of net assets of the Fund up to $400,000,000; 0.46 of 1% of net assets above $400,000,000 up to $1,000,000,000; and 0.44 of 1% of net assets above $1,000,000,000 through September 30, 2024. The Manager may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Expense Waiver and Reimbursement - Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

The Manager has contractually undertaken to waive its fees so that management fees are equivalent to 0.40 of 1% of net assets of the Fund up to $400,000,000; 0.38 of 1% of net assets above $400,000,000 up to $1,000,000,000; and 0.36 of 1% of net assets above $1,000,000,000 through September 30, 2024. The Manager may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Expense Waiver and Reimbursement - Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

Manager has contractually undertaken to waive its fees so that management fees are equivalent to 0.48 of 1% of net assets of the Fund up to $400,000,000; 0.46 of 1% of net assets above $400,000,000 up to $1,000,000,000; and 0.44 of 1% of net assets above $1,000,000,000 through September 30, 2024. The Manager may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Expense Waiver and Reimbursement - Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

The Manager has contractually undertaken to waive its fees so that management fees are equivalent to 0.48 of 1% of net assets of the Fund up to $400,000,000; 0.46 of 1% of net assets above $400,000,000 up to $1,000,000,000; and 0.44 of 1% of net assets above $1,000,000,000 through September 30, 2024. The Manager may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Sub-Advisory Fees - Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

Davidson Fixed Income Management Inc. doing business in Colorado as Kirkpatrick Pettis Capital Management (“Kirkpatrick Pettis”) served as the sub-adviser of the Fund until March 5, 2023. For its services to the Fund, Kirkpatrick Pettis was entitled to receive a fee from the Manager at the annual rate of 0.20 of 1% of the net asset value of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser contractually agreed to waive its fees so that sub-advisory fees were equivalent to 0.16 of 1% of net assets of the Fund up to $400,000,000; 0.14 of 1% of net assets above $400,000,000 up to $1,000,000,000; and 0.12 of 1% of net assets above $1,000,000,000. During the fiscal years listed, the Manager accrued sub-advisory fees to the Sub-Adviser as follows:

 

 

 

Year		Fee		Waivers
2023		$338,617		$37,624
2022		$486,260		$54,029
2021		$501,792		$55,755

 

Sub-Advisory Fees - Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

Davidson Fixed Income Management Inc. doing business in Oregon as Kirkpatrick Pettis Capital Management (“Kirkpatrick Pettis”) served as the sub-adviser of the Fund until March 5, 2023. For its services to the Fund, Kirkpatrick Pettis was entitled to receive a fee from the Manager at the annual rates of 0.18 of 1% of the net asset value of the Fund on net assets of the Fund up to $400,000,000; 0.16 of 1% of the Fund’s net assets above that amount to $1,000,000,000 and 0.14 of 1% of the Fund's net assets above $1,000,000,000. The Sub-Adviser contractually agreed to waive its fees so that sub-advisory fees were equivalent to 0.16 of 1% of net assets of the Fund up to $400,000,000; 0.14 of 1% of net assets above $400,000,000 up to $1,000,000,000; and 0.12 of 1% of net assets above $1,000,000,000. During the fiscal years listed, the Manager accrued sub-advisory fees to the Sub-Adviser as follows:

 

Year		Fee		Waivers
2023		$743,799		$18,673
2022		$1,071,219		$53,902
2021		$1,062,341		$52,793

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Fees - Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

The services of Clarfeld Financial Advisors, LLC, the Sub-Adviser for Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund, are rendered under the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, which provides, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, for investment supervision and at the Sub-Adviser’s expense for pricing of the Fund’s portfolio daily using a pricing service or other source of pricing information satisfactory to the Fund and, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Trustees, for pricing of the Fund’s portfolio at least quarterly using another such source satisfactory to the Fund.

The Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that any investment program furnished by the Sub-Adviser shall at all times conform to, and be in accordance with, any requirements imposed by: (1) the 1940 Act and any rules or regulations in force thereunder; (2) any other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (3) the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Fund as amended from time to time; (4) any policies and determinations of the Board of Trustees of the Fund; and (5) the fundamental policies of the Fund, as reflected in its registration statement under the 1940 Act or as amended by the shareholders of the Fund.

The Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that the Sub-Adviser shall give to the Manager, and to the Fund the benefit of its best judgment and effort in rendering services thereunder, but the Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any loss sustained by reason of the adoption of any investment policy or the purchase, sale or retention of any security, whether or not such purchase, sale or retention shall have been based upon (i) its own investigation and research or (ii) investigation and research made by any other individual, firm or corporation, if such purchase, sale or retention shall have been made and such other individual, firm or corporation shall have been selected in good faith by the Sub-Adviser.

Nothing therein contained shall, however, be construed to protect the Sub-Adviser against any liability to the Fund or its security holders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Agreement.

The Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that nothing in it shall prevent the Sub-Adviser or any affiliated person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Sub-Adviser from acting as investment adviser or manager for any other person, firm or corporation and shall not in any way limit or restrict the Sub-Adviser or any such affiliated person from buying, selling or trading any securities for its own or their own accounts or for the accounts of others for whom it or they may be acting, provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser expressly represents that, while acting as Sub-Adviser, it will undertake no activities which, in its judgment, will adversely affect the performance of its obligations to the Fund under the Agreement. It is agreed that the Sub-Adviser shall have no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the Fund’s Registration Statement under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, except for information supplied by the Sub-Adviser for inclusion therein. The Sub-Adviser shall promptly inform the Fund as to any information concerning the Sub-Adviser

 

 

appropriate for inclusion in such Registration Statement, or as to any transaction or proposed transaction which might result in an assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Agreement. To the extent that the Manager is indemnified under the Fund’s Declaration of Trust with respect to the services provided by the Sub-Adviser, the Manager agrees to provide the Sub-Adviser the benefits of such indemnification.

The Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that the Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain, and to preserve for the periods prescribed, such books and records with respect to the portfolio transactions of the Fund as are required by applicable law and regulation, and agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund on behalf of the Manager shall be the property of the Fund and shall be surrendered promptly to the Fund or the Manager upon request. The Sub-Adviser agrees to furnish to the Manager and to the Board of Trustees of the Fund such periodic and special reports as each may reasonably request.

The Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that the Sub-Adviser shall bear all of the expenses it incurs in fulfilling its obligations under the Agreement. In particular, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing: the Sub-Adviser shall furnish the Fund, at the Sub-Adviser’s expense, all office space, facilities, equipment and clerical personnel necessary for carrying out its duties under the Agreement. The Sub-Adviser shall supply, or cause to be supplied, to any investment adviser, administrator or principal underwriter of the Fund all necessary financial information in connection with such adviser’s, administrator’s or principal underwriter’s duties under any agreement between such adviser, administrator or principal underwriter and the Fund. The Sub-Adviser at its expense will provide for pricing of the Fund's portfolio daily using a pricing service or other source of pricing information satisfactory to the Fund and, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Trustees, will provide for pricing of the Fund's portfolio at least quarterly using another such source satisfactory to the Fund. The Sub-Adviser at its expense will provide for pricing of the Fund's portfolio daily using a pricing service or other source of pricing information satisfactory to the Fund and, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Trustees, will provide for pricing of the Fund's portfolio at least quarterly using another such source satisfactory to the Fund. The Sub-Adviser will also pay all compensation of the Fund’s officers, employees, and Trustees, if any, who are affiliated persons of the Sub-Adviser.

The Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that it shall, unless terminated as therein provided, continue in effect from year to year so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (1) by a vote of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, including a vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, with votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, or (2) by a vote of the holders of a “majority” (as so defined) of the dollar value of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and by such a vote of the Trustees.

The Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that it may be terminated by the Sub-Adviser at any time without penalty upon giving the Manager and the Fund sixty days’ written notice (which notice may be waived). It may be terminated by the Manager or the Fund at any time without penalty upon giving the Sub-Adviser sixty days’ written notice (which notice may be waived by the Sub-Adviser), provided that such termination by the Manager or the Fund shall be directed or approved by a vote of a majority of its Trustees in office at the time or by a vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the dollar value of the voting securities of the Fund outstanding and entitled to vote. The Sub-Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or the termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement.

For its services, the Sub-Adviser is entitled to receive a fee from the Manager which is payable monthly and computed on the net asset value of the Fund as of the close of business each business day at the annual rates of 0.23 of 1% of such net asset value. The Sub-Adviser has contractually undertaken to waive its fees to the extent necessary so that the annual sub-advisory fee rate is equivalent to 0.175% of 1% of the Fund’s average annual net assets. This contractual undertaking is in effect until September 30, 2024.

During the fiscal years listed, the Manager accrued sub-advisory fees to the Sub-Adviser as follows:

Year		Fee		Waivers
2023		$508,662		$121,637
2022		$463,530		$145,681
2021		$572,127		$136,813

 

 

 

Information about the Manager and the Sub-Adviser

The Funds’ Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aquila Management Corporation (“AMC”), founder and sponsor of each fund in the Aquila Group of Funds. As of May 31, 2023, the Aquila Group of Funds consisted of seven tax-free municipal bond funds, a high income corporate bond fund and an equity fund, with aggregate assets of approximately $2.25 billion, of which approximately $2.03 billion consisted of assets of the tax-free municipal bond funds. AMC’s address is the same as that of the Manager. AMC was founded in 1984 and is owned by Diana P. Herrmann and members of her family. Ms. Herrmann is Vice Chair, a Trustee and the President of the Trust and Chair and Chief Executive Officer of AMC.

Clarfeld Financial Advisors, LLC, 520 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens Bank, N.A., a bank subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (“CFG”). The Sub-Adviser has approximately $7.6 billion in assets under management and $4.2 billion in assets under advisement as of March 31, 2023. CFG is a commercial bank holding company with total assets of $222.3 billion. It is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, and, through its subsidiaries, has 1,100 branches and nearly 19,000 employees. It operates its branch network in 14 states and has non-branch retail and commercial offices in select markets nationwide.

Additional Information About the Portfolio Managers

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona: The portfolio management team consists of Mr. Tony Tanner, Mr. James Thompson, Mr. Royden Durham, and Mr. Timothy Iltz (effective August 1, 2023), who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Thompson plans to retire as a portfolio manager on December 31, 2023. Members of the portfolio management team also manage Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah. The portfolio managers do not manage any other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles or separate accounts.

There are in general no situations where the Fund’s opportunities or the execution of its investment program may be compromised or limited by the investments of the other accounts (funds), except that there may be occurrences where a scarcity of bonds of Arizona issuers hinders the execution of the Fund’s investment program.

The portfolio managers are each employed and compensated by the Manager, not the Fund. They receive a fixed salary, with a discretionary bonus. Their compensation is not performance-based. Like all of the Manager’s employees, they are eligible to participate in the Manager’s 401(k) Plan and are participants in the Manager’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The Manager’s overall compensation and benefits program is designed to attract and retain highly qualified investment management professionals and to motivate such individuals to align their interests with those of the Fund’s shareholders. Mr. Tanner owns securities of the Fund in the range of $10,001 - $50,000. Mr. Durham and Mr. Thompson each own securities of the Fund in the range of $1 - $10,000. Mr. Iltz does not own securities of the Fund.

Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado: The portfolio management team consists of Mr. Royden Durham, Mr. Vasilios Gerasopoulos and Mr. Timothy Iltz, who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Members of the portfolio management team also manage Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona, Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah. The portfolio managers do not manage any other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles or separate accounts.

There are in general no situations where the Fund’s opportunities or the execution of its investment program may be compromised or limited by the investments of the other accounts (funds), except that there may be occurrences where a scarcity of bonds of Colorado issuers hinders the execution of the Fund’s investment program.

The portfolio managers are each employed and compensated by the Manager, not the Fund. They receive a fixed salary, with a discretionary bonus. Their compensation is not performance-based. Like all of the Manager’s employees, they are eligible to participate in the Manager’s 401(k) Plan and are participants in the Manager’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The Manager’s overall compensation and benefits program is designed to attract and retain highly qualified investment management professionals and to motivate such individuals to align their interests with those of the Fund’s shareholders. Mr. Gerasopoulos owns securities of the Fund in the range of $10,001-$50,000. Mr. Durham and Mr. Iltz each own securities of the Fund in the range of $1-$10,000.

Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky: The portfolio management team consists of Mr. Royden Durham, Mr. Tony Tanner, and Mr. James Thompson, who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Thompson plans to retire as a portfolio manager on December 31, 2023. Members of the portfolio management team also

 

 

manage Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona, Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah. The portfolio managers do not manage any other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles or separate accounts.

There are in general no situations where the Fund’s opportunities or the execution of its investment program may be compromised or limited by the investments of the other accounts (funds), except that there may be occurrences where a scarcity of bonds of Kentucky issuers hinders the execution of the Fund’s investment program.

The portfolio managers are each employed and compensated by the Manager, not the Fund. They receive a fixed salary, with a discretionary bonus. Their compensation is not performance-based. Like all of the Manager’s employees, they are eligible to participate in the Manager’s 401(k) Plan and are participants in the Manager’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The Manager’s overall compensation and benefits program is designed to attract and retain highly qualified investment management professionals and to motivate such individuals to align their interests with those of the Fund’s shareholders. Mr. Durham owns securities of the Fund in the range of $10,001 - $50,000. Mr. Tanner and Mr. Thompson each own securities of the Fund in the range of $1 - $10,000.

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon: The portfolio management team consists of Mr. Timothy Iltz (lead portfolio manager), Mr. Anthony Tanner and Mr. James Thompson, who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Thompson plans to retire as a portfolio manager on December 31, 2023. Members of the portfolio management team also manage Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona, Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah. The portfolio managers do not manage any other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles or separate accounts.

There are in general no situations where the Fund’s opportunities or the execution of its investment program may be compromised or limited by the investments of the other accounts (funds), except that there may be occurrences where a scarcity of bonds of Oregon issuers hinders the execution of the Fund’s investment program.

The portfolio managers are each employed and compensated by the Manager, not the Fund. They receive a fixed salary, with a discretionary bonus. Their compensation is not performance-based. Like all of the Manager’s employees, they are eligible to participate in the Manager’s 401(k) Plan and are participants in the Manager’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The Manager’s overall compensation and benefits program is designed to attract and retain highly qualified investment management professionals and to motivate such individuals to align their interests with those of the Fund’s shareholders. Mr. Iltz owns securities of the Fund in the range of $10,001-$50,000. Mr. Tanner does not own securities of the Fund. Mr. Thompson owns securities of the Fund in the range of $1-$10,000.

Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund: Mr. Jeffrey K. Hanna is the portfolio manager responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.

Mr. Hanna also manages approximately 75 other relationships, with aggregate assets of $696,228,152 as of May 31, 2023. Mr. Hanna does not manage other investment company portfolios or pooled investment vehicles.

The compensation paid by the clients varies, based on the type of account and services provided, and, in some situations, it is individually negotiated. Generally, compensation by these clients and the funds is computed as a percentage of assets under management. No account or fund has performance based fees.

There are in general no situations where the Fund’s opportunities or the execution of its investment program may be compromised or limited by the investments of the other accounts, except that there may be occurrences where a scarcity of bonds of Rhode Island issuers hinders the execution of the Fund’s investment program. The minimum block sizes and maturity requirements of purchases for the Fund typically differ from the investment requirements of other accounts managed by the portfolio manager.

Mr. Hanna is employed and compensated by Citizens Bank, N.A., of which the Sub-Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary. As of May 31, 2023, Mr. Hanna received fixed compensation not based upon the value of assets or the investment performance of the Fund and accounts that he manages. Mr. Hanna may be eligible to receive a bonus which is not dependent upon the value of assets or the performance of the Fund or the performance of other accounts he manages. The method of determining compensation of the portfolio manager is the same for the Fund as for all other accounts he manages.

In addition, as of May 31, 2023, Mr. Hanna’s compensation included a participation in the Bank’s Retirement Savings Plan. Like all employees of the Bank, Mr. Hanna is eligible to participate in the Bank’s Retirement Savings Plan and

 

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Under the Retirement Savings Plan, various types of contributions are made for employees by the Bank including profit sharing, value sharing, and matching contributions.

Currently, Mr. Hanna has an interest or owns securities of the Fund in the range of $10,001 - $50,000.

Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah: The portfolio management team consists of Mr. James Thompson, Mr. Royden Durham, Mr. Tony Tanner, and Mr. Timothy Iltz (effective August 1, 2023), who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Thompson plans to retire as a portfolio manager on December 31, 2023. Members of the portfolio management team also manage Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona, Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah. The portfolio managers do not manage any other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles or separate accounts.

There are in general no situations where the Fund’s opportunities or the execution of its investment program may be compromised or limited by the investments of the other accounts (funds), except that there may be occurrences where a scarcity of bonds of Utah issuers hinders the execution of the Fund’s investment program.

The portfolio managers are each employed and compensated by the Manager, not the Fund. They receive a fixed salary, with a discretionary bonus. Their compensation is not performance-based. Like all of the Manager’s employees, they are eligible to participate in the Manager’s 401(k) Plan and are participants in the Manager’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The Manager’s overall compensation and benefits program is designed to attract and retain highly qualified investment management professionals and to motivate such individuals to align their interests with those of the Fund’s shareholders. Mr. Thompson owns securities of the Fund in the range of $10,001 - $50,000. Mr. Durham and Mr. Tanner each own securities of the Fund in the range of $1 - $10,000. Mr. Iltz does not own securities of the Fund.

Underwriting Commissions

During the fiscal years listed, the aggregate dollar amount of sales charges on sales of Class A shares of each Fund and the amount retained by the Distributor, respectively, were as follows:

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

		Sales Charges		Retained by Distributor
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023		$18,398		$4,317
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022		$45,457		$15,156
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2021		$51,349		$15,483

 

Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado:

 

		Sales Charges		Retained by Distributor
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023		$10,648		$8,607
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022		$14,557		$12,921
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2021		$44,629		$12,591

 

Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky:

 

		Sales Charges		Retained by Distributor
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023		$14,634		$3,393
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022		$27,399		$6,340
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2021		$46,566		$6,980

 

 

 

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

		Sales Charges		Retained by Distributor
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023		$18,598		$9,852
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022		$62,008		$19,613
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2021		$120,752		$29,599

 

Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund:

 

		Sales Charges		Retained by Distributor
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023		$23,944		$8,720
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022		$81,115		$18,270
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2021		$103,121		$18,697

 

Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah:

 

		Sales Charges		Retained by Distributor
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023		$38,442		$12,423
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022		$80,830		$21,283
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2021		$175,565		$29,876

 

Class A Shares - In connection with sales of Class A Shares, the Distributor pays a portion of the sales charge on such shares to dealers in the form of discounts and to brokers in the form of agency commissions (together, “Commissions”), in amounts that vary with the size of the sales charge as follows:

 

Amount of Purchase Plus Value of All Other Shares Held by a Single Purchaser		Sales Charge as Percentage of Public Offering Price		Commissions as Percentage of Offering Price
Less than $50,000		3.00%		2.50%
$50,000 to $99,999		2.50%		2.00%
$100,000 to $249,999		2.00%		1.50%

 

Since the offering price is calculated to two decimal places using standard rounding methodology, the dollar amount of the sales charge as a percentage of the offering price and the net amount invested (the amount of your investment less the sales charge) for any particular purchase of Fund shares may be higher or lower due to rounding.

Distribution Plan

Each Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Each Fund’s Distribution Plan has four parts, relating respectively to distribution payments with respect to Class A Shares (Part I), to distribution payments relating to Class C Shares (Part II), to distribution payments relating to Class I Shares (Part III) (if the Fund offers Class I Shares), and to certain defensive provisions (Part IV).

For purposes of Parts I, II and III, the Distributor will consider shares which are not Qualified Holdings of broker/dealers unaffiliated with the Manager, Sub-Adviser or Distributor to be Qualified Holdings of the Distributor and will authorize Permitted Payments to the Distributor with respect to such shares whenever Permitted Payments are being made under the Plan.

Provisions Relating to Class A Shares (Part I)

Part I of the Plan applies only to the Front-Payment Class Shares (“Class A Shares”) of each Fund (regardless of whether such class is so designated or is redesignated by some other name).

As used in Part I of the Plan, “Qualified Recipients” shall mean broker/dealers or others selected by Aquila Distributors LLC (the “Distributor”), including but not limited to any principal underwriter of the Fund, with which the Fund or the Distributor has entered into written agreements in connection with Part I (“Class A Plan Agreements”) and which have

 

 

rendered assistance (whether direct, administrative, or both) in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund’s Front-Payment Class Shares or servicing of shareholder accounts with respect to such shares. “Qualified Holdings” shall mean, as to any Qualified Recipient, all Front-Payment Class Shares beneficially owned by such Qualified Recipient, or beneficially owned by its brokerage customers, other customers, other contacts, investment advisory clients, or other clients, if the Qualified Recipient was, in the sole judgment of the Distributor, instrumental in the purchase and/or retention of such shares and/or in providing administrative assistance or other services in relation thereto.

Subject to the direction and control of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, the Fund may make payments (“Class A Permitted Payments”) to Qualified Recipients, which Class A Permitted Payments may be made directly, or through the Distributor or shareholder servicing agent as disbursing agent, which may not exceed, for any fiscal year of the Fund (as adjusted for any part or parts of a fiscal year during which payments under the Plan are not accruable or for any fiscal year which is not a full fiscal year), up to 0.15 of 1% of the average annual net assets of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona, Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon and Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund represented by the Front-Payment Class Shares, and up to 0.20 of 1% of the average annual net assets of Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah represented by the Front-Payment Class Shares. Such payments shall be made only out of the Fund’s assets allocable to the Front-Payment Class Shares. With respect to Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, the Board of Trustees has currently authorized a distribution fee of 0.075 of 1% of all of the average annual net assets of the Fund represented by the Front-Payment Shares class of shares.

The Distributor shall have sole authority (i) as to the selection of any Qualified Recipient or Recipients; (ii) not to select any Qualified Recipient; and (iii) as to the amount of Class A Permitted Payments, if any, to each Qualified Recipient provided that the total Class A Permitted Payments to all Qualified Recipients do not exceed the amount set forth above. The Distributor is authorized, but not directed, to take into account, in addition to any other factors deemed relevant by it, the following: (a) the amount of the Qualified Holdings of the Qualified Recipient; (b) the extent to which the Qualified Recipient has, at its expense, taken steps in the shareholder servicing area with respect to holders of Front-Payment Class Shares, including without limitation, any or all of the following activities: answering customer inquiries regarding account status and history, and the manner in which purchases and redemptions of shares of a Fund may be effected; assisting shareholders in designating and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; providing necessary personnel and facilities to establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records; assisting in processing purchase and redemption transactions; arranging for the wiring of funds; transmitting and receiving funds in connection with customer orders to purchase or redeem shares; verifying and guaranteeing shareholder signatures in connection with redemption orders and transfers and changes in shareholder designated accounts; furnishing (either alone or together with other reports sent to a shareholder by such person) monthly and year-end statements and confirmations of purchases and redemptions; transmitting, on behalf of a Fund, proxy statements, annual reports, updating prospectuses and other communications from the Fund to its shareholders; receiving, tabulating and transmitting to the Fund proxies executed by shareholders with respect to meetings of shareholders of a Fund; and providing such other related services as the Distributor or a shareholder may request from time to time; and (c) the possibility that the Qualified Holdings of the Qualified Recipient would be redeemed in the absence of its selection or continuance as a Qualified Recipient. Notwithstanding the foregoing two sentences, a majority of the Independent Trustees (as defined below) may remove any person as a Qualified Recipient. Amounts within the above limits accrued to a Qualified Recipient but not paid during a fiscal year may be paid thereafter; if less than the full amount is accrued to all Qualified Recipients, the difference will not be carried over to subsequent years.

While Part I is in effect, the Funds’ Distributor shall report at least quarterly to the Funds’ Trustees in writing for their review on the following matters: (i) all Class A Permitted Payments made under the Plan, the identity of the Qualified Recipient of each payment, and the purposes for which the amounts were expended; and (ii) all fees of the Fund paid to the Manager, Sub-Adviser or Distributor or accrued during such quarter. In addition, if any such Qualified Recipient is an affiliated person, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund, Manager, Sub-Adviser or Distributor, such person shall agree to furnish to the Distributor for transmission to the Board of Trustees of the Fund an accounting, in form and detail satisfactory to the Board of Trustees, to enable the Board of Trustees to make the determinations of the fairness of the compensation paid to such affiliated person, not less often than annually.

Part I will, unless terminated as hereinafter provided, continue in effect from year to year so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by each Fund’s Trustees and its Independent Trustees with votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such continuance. Part I may be terminated at any time by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of the holders of a “majority” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the dollar value of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund to which Part I applies. Part I may not be amended to increase materially the amount of payments to be made without shareholder approval of the class or classes of shares affected by Part I, and all material amendments must be approved by each Fund’s Trustees and its Independent Trustees in the manner set forth above.

 

 

In the case of a Qualified Recipient which is a principal underwriter of a Fund, the Class A Plan Agreement shall be the agreement contemplated by Section 15(b) of the 1940 Act since each such agreement must be approved in accordance with, and contain the provisions required by, the Rule. In the case of Qualified Recipients which are not principal underwriters of the Fund, the Class A Plan Agreements with them shall be (i) their agreements with the Distributor with respect to payments under the Fund’s Distribution Plan in effect prior to April 1, 1996 or (ii) Class A Plan Agreements entered into thereafter.

Provisions Relating to Class C Shares (Part II)

Part II of the Plan applies only to the Level-Payment Class Shares (“Class C Shares”) of each Fund (regardless of whether such class is so designated or is redesignated by some other name).

As used in Part II of the Plan, “Qualified Recipients” shall mean broker/dealers or others selected by the Distributor, including but not limited to any principal underwriter of a Fund, with which the Fund or the Distributor has entered into written agreements in connection with Part II (“Class C Plan Agreements”) and which have rendered assistance (whether direct, administrative, or both) in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund’s Level-Payment Class Shares or servicing of shareholder accounts with respect to such shares. “Qualified Holdings” shall mean, as to any Qualified Recipient, all Level-Payment Class Shares beneficially owned by such Qualified Recipient, or beneficially owned by its brokerage customers, other customers, other contacts, investment advisory clients, or other clients, if the Qualified Recipient was, in the sole judgment of the Distributor, instrumental in the purchase and/or retention of such shares and/or in providing administrative assistance or other services in relation thereto.

Subject to the direction and control of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, each Fund may make payments (“Class C Permitted Payments”) to Qualified Recipients, which Class C Permitted Payments may be made directly, or through the Distributor or shareholder servicing agent as disbursing agent, which may not exceed, for any fiscal year of the Fund (as adjusted for any part or parts of a fiscal year during which payments under the Plan are not accruable or for any fiscal year which is not a full fiscal year), 0.75 of 1% of the average annual net assets of the Fund represented by the Level-Payment Class Shares. Such payments shall be made only out of the Fund’s assets allocable to the Level-Payment Class Shares. The Distributor shall have sole authority (i) as to the selection of any Qualified Recipient or Recipients; (ii) not to select any Qualified Recipient; and (iii) as to the amount of Class C Permitted Payments, if any, to each Qualified Recipient provided that the total Class C Permitted Payments to all Qualified Recipients do not exceed the amount set forth above. The Distributor is authorized, but not directed, to take into account, in addition to any other factors deemed relevant by it, the following: (a) the amount of the Qualified Holdings of the Qualified Recipient; (b) the extent to which the Qualified Recipient has, at its expense, taken steps in the shareholder servicing area with respect to holders of Level-Payment Class Shares, including without limitation, any or all of the following activities: answering customer inquiries regarding account status and history, and the manner in which purchases and redemptions of shares of the Fund may be effected; assisting shareholders in designating and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; providing necessary personnel and facilities to establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records; assisting in processing purchase and redemption transactions; arranging for the wiring of funds; transmitting and receiving funds in connection with customer orders to purchase or redeem shares; verifying and guaranteeing shareholder signatures in connection with redemption orders and transfers and changes in shareholder designated accounts; furnishing (either alone or together with other reports sent to a shareholder by such person) monthly and year-end statements and confirmations of purchases and redemptions; transmitting, on behalf of the Fund, proxy statements, annual reports, updating prospectuses and other communications from the Fund to its shareholders; receiving, tabulating and transmitting to the Fund proxies executed by shareholders with respect to meetings of shareholders of the Fund; and providing such other related services as the Distributor or a shareholder may request from time to time; and (c) the possibility that the Qualified Holdings of the Qualified Recipient would be redeemed in the absence of its selection or continuance as a Qualified Recipient. Notwithstanding the foregoing two sentences, a majority of the Independent Trustees (as defined below) may remove any person as a Qualified Recipient. Amounts within the above limits accrued to a Qualified Recipient but not paid during a fiscal year may be paid thereafter; if less than the full amount is accrued to all Qualified Recipients, the difference will not be carried over to subsequent years.

While Part II is in effect, the Funds’ Distributor shall report at least quarterly to the Funds’ Trustees in writing for their review on the following matters: (i) all Class C Permitted Payments made under the Plan, the identity of the Qualified Recipient of each payment, and the purposes for which the amounts were expended; and (ii) all fees of the Fund paid to the Manager, Sub-Adviser or Distributor or accrued during such quarter. In addition, if any such Qualified Recipient is an affiliated person, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, of the Funds, Manager, Sub-Adviser or Distributor such person shall agree to furnish to the Distributor for transmission to the Board of Trustees of the Funds an accounting, in form and detail satisfactory to the Board of Trustees, to enable the Board of Trustees to make the determinations of the fairness of the compensation paid to such affiliated person, not less often than annually.

 

 

Part II will, unless terminated as therein provided, continue in effect from year to year so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by each Fund’s Trustees and its Independent Trustees with votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such continuance. Part II may be terminated at any time by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of the holders of a “majority” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the dollar value of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund to which Part II applies. Part II may not be amended to increase materially the amount of payments to be made without shareholder approval of the class or classes of shares affected by Part II, and all material amendments must be approved by each Fund’s Trustees and its Independent Trustees in the manner set forth above.

In the case of a Qualified Recipient which is a principal underwriter of a Fund, the Class C Plan Agreement shall be the agreement contemplated by Section 15(b) of the 1940 Act since each such agreement must be approved in accordance with, and contain the provisions required by, the Rule. In the case of Qualified Recipients which are not principal underwriters of the Fund, the Class C Plan Agreements with them shall be (i) their agreements with the Distributor with respect to payments under the Fund’s Distribution Plan in effect prior to April 1, 1996 or (ii) Class C Plan Agreements entered into thereafter.

Provisions Relating to Class I Shares (Part III) (Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky and Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund only)

Part III of the Plan applies only to the Financial Intermediary Class Shares (“Class I Shares”) of Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky and Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund (regardless of whether such class is so designated or is redesignated by some other name).

As used in Part III of the Plan, “Qualified Recipients” shall mean broker/dealers or others selected by the Distributor, including but not limited to any principal underwriter of a Fund, with which the Fund or the Distributor has entered into written agreements in connection with Part III (“Class I Plan Agreements”) and which have rendered assistance (whether direct, administrative, or both) in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund’s Class I Shares or servicing of shareholder accounts with respect to such shares. “Qualified Holdings” shall mean, as to any Qualified Recipient, all Class I Shares beneficially owned by such Qualified Recipient, or beneficially owned by its brokerage customers, other customers, other contacts, investment advisory clients, or other clients, if the Qualified Recipient was, in the sole judgment of the Distributor, instrumental in the purchase and/or retention of such shares and/or in providing administrative assistance or other services in relation thereto.

Subject to the direction and control of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, each Fund may make payments (“Class I Permitted Payments”) to Qualified Recipients, which Class I Permitted Payments may be made directly, or through the Distributor or shareholder servicing agent as disbursing agent, which may not exceed, for any fiscal year of the Fund (as adjusted for any part or parts of a fiscal year during which payments under the Plan are not accruable or for any fiscal year which is not a full fiscal year), 0.25 of 1% of the average annual net assets of the Fund represented by Class I Shares. A distribution fee of up to 0.15 of 1% of the average annual net assets of each Fund represented by Class I Shares is currently authorized by the Trustees. Such payments shall be made only out of a Fund’s assets allocable to Class I Shares. The Distributor shall have sole authority (i) as to the selection of any Qualified Recipient or Recipients; (ii) not to select any Qualified Recipient; and (iii) as to the amount of Class I Permitted Payments, if any, to each Qualified Recipient provided that the total Class I Permitted Payments to all Qualified Recipients do not exceed the amount set forth above. The Distributor is authorized, but not directed, to take into account, in addition to any other factors deemed relevant by it, the following: (a) the amount of the Qualified Holdings of the Qualified Recipient; (b) the extent to which the Qualified Recipient has, at its expense, taken steps in the shareholder servicing area with respect to holders of Class I Shares, including without limitation, any or all of the following activities: answering customer inquiries regarding account status and history, and the manner in which purchases and redemptions of shares of the Fund may be effected; assisting shareholders in designating and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; providing necessary personnel and facilities to establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records; assisting in processing purchase and redemption transactions; arranging for the wiring of funds; transmitting and receiving funds in connection with customer orders to purchase or redeem shares; verifying and guaranteeing shareholder signatures in connection with redemption orders and transfers and changes in shareholder designated accounts; furnishing (either alone or together with other reports sent to a shareholder by such person) monthly and year-end statements and confirmations of purchases and redemptions; transmitting, on behalf of the Fund, proxy statements, annual reports, updating prospectuses and other communications from the Fund to its shareholders; receiving, tabulating and transmitting to the Fund proxies executed by shareholders with respect to meetings of shareholders of the Fund; and providing such other related services as the Distributor or a shareholder may request from time to time; and (c) the possibility that the Qualified Holdings of the Qualified Recipient would be redeemed in the absence of its selection or continuance as a Qualified Recipient. Notwithstanding the foregoing two sentences, a majority of the Independent Trustees (as defined below) may remove any person as a Qualified Recipient. Amounts within the above limits accrued to a Qualified

 

 

Recipient but not paid during a fiscal year may be paid thereafter; if less than the full amount is accrued to all Qualified Recipients, the difference will not be carried over to subsequent years.

While Part III is in effect, the Funds’ Distributor shall report at least quarterly to the Funds’ Trustees in writing for their review on the following matters: (i) all Class I Permitted Payments made under the Plan, the identity of the Qualified Recipient of each payment, and the purposes for which the amounts were expended; and (ii) all fees of the Fund paid to the Manager, Sub-Adviser or Distributor or accrued during such quarter. In addition, if any such Qualified Recipient is an affiliated person, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, of the Funds, Manager, Sub-Adviser or Distributor such person shall agree to furnish to the Distributor for transmission to the Board of Trustees of the Funds an accounting, in form and detail satisfactory to the Board of Trustees, to enable the Board of Trustees to make the determinations of the fairness of the compensation paid to such affiliated person, not less often than annually.

Part III will, unless terminated as thereinafter provided, continue in effect from year to year so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by each Fund’s Trustees and its Independent Trustees with votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such continuance. Part III may be terminated at any time by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of the holders of a “majority” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the dollar value of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund to which Part III applies. Part III may not be amended to increase materially the amount of payments to be made without shareholder approval of the class or classes of shares affected by Part III, and all material amendments must be approved by each Fund’s Trustees and its Independent Trustees in the manner set forth above.

In the case of a Qualified Recipient which is a principal underwriter of a Fund, the Class I Plan Agreement shall be the agreement contemplated by Section 15(b) of the 1940 Act since each such agreement must be approved in accordance with, and contain the provisions required by, the Rule. In the case of Qualified Recipients which are not principal underwriters of the Fund, the Class I Plan Agreements with them shall be (i) their agreements with the Distributor with respect to payments under the Fund’s Distribution Plan in effect prior to April 1, 1996 or (ii) Class I Plan Agreements entered into thereafter.

Defensive Provisions (Part IV)

Another part of each Plan (Part IV) states that if and to the extent that any of the payments listed below are considered to be “primarily intended to result in the sale of” shares issued by a Fund within the meaning of Rule 12b-1, such payments are authorized under the Plan: (i) the costs of the preparation of all reports and notices to shareholders and the costs of printing and mailing such reports and notices to existing shareholders, irrespective of whether such reports or notices contain or are accompanied by material intended to result in the sale of shares of the Fund or other funds or other investments; (ii) the costs of the preparation and setting in type of all prospectuses and statements of additional information and the costs of printing and mailing all prospectuses and statements of additional information to existing shareholders; (iii) the costs of preparation, printing and mailing of any proxy statements and proxies, irrespective of whether any such proxy statement includes any item relating to, or directed toward, the sale of the Fund’s shares; (iv) all legal and accounting fees relating to the preparation of any such reports, prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxies and proxy statements; (v) all fees and expenses relating to the registration or qualification of the Fund and/or its shares under the securities or “Blue-Sky” laws of any jurisdiction; (vi) all fees under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act, including fees in connection with any application for exemption relating to or directed toward the sale of the Fund’s shares; (vii) all fees and assessments of the Investment Company Institute or any successor organization, irrespective of whether some of its activities are designed to provide sales assistance; (viii) all costs of the preparation and mailing of confirmations of shares sold or redeemed or share certificates, and reports of share balances; and (ix) all costs of responding to telephone or mail inquiries of investors or prospective investors.

The Plan states that while it is in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees of a Fund who are not “interested persons” of the Fund shall be committed to the discretion of such disinterested Trustees but that nothing in the Plan shall prevent the involvement of others in such selection and nomination if the final decision on any such selection and nomination is approved by a majority of such disinterested Trustees.

The Plan defines as a Fund’s Independent Trustees those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan. The Plan, unless terminated as therein provided, continues in effect from year to year only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by each Fund’s Board of Trustees and its Independent Trustees with votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such continuance. In voting on the implementation or continuance of the Plan, those Trustees who vote to approve such implementation or continuance must conclude that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders. The Plan may be terminated at any time by

 

 

vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of the holders of a “majority” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the dollar value of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of payments to be made without shareholder approval and all amendments must be approved in the manner set forth above as to continuance of the Plan.

The Plan and each Part of it shall also be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act as now in force or hereafter amended. Specifically, but without limitation, the provisions of Part V shall be deemed to be severable, within the meaning of and to the extent required by Rule 18f-3, with respect to each outstanding class of shares of a Fund.

Payments Under the Plan

During its fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, payments were made by the Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona under Part I and Part II of the Plan. All payments were to Qualified Recipients and were for compensation. No payments were made by Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona under Part III of the Plan because no Class I Shares were outstanding during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

During its fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, payments were made by Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado under Part I and Part II of the Plan. All payments were to Qualified Recipients and were for compensation. No payments were made by Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado under Part III of the Plan because no Class I Shares were outstanding during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

During its fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, payments were made by Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky under Part I, Part II and Part III of the Plan. All payments were to Qualified Recipients and were for compensation.

During its fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, payments were made by Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon under Part I and Part II of the Plan. All payments were to Qualified Recipients and were for compensation. No payments were made by Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon under Part III of the Plan because no Class I Shares were outstanding during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

During its fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, payments were made by Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund under Part I, Part II and Part III of the Plan. All payments were to Qualified Recipients and were for compensation.

During its fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, payments were made by Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah under Part I and Part II of the Plan. All payments were to Qualified Recipients and were for compensation. No payments were made under Part III of the Plan because no Class I Shares were outstanding during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

Payments to Qualified Recipients

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, payments to Qualified Recipients by the Funds under each part of the Plan and the amounts of such payments to the Distributor and others were as follows:

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

		To All Qualified Recipients		To the Distributor		To Other Qualified Recipients
Part I		$241,542		$27,307		$214,235
Part II		$25,361		$8,376		$16,985

 

Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

		To All Qualified Recipients		To the Distributor		To Other Qualified Recipients
Part I		$77,618		$5,545		$72,073
Part II		$23,758		$8,033		$15,725

 

 

 

Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

		To All Qualified Recipients		To the Distributor		To Other Qualified Recipients
Part I		$173,066		$9,635		$163,431
Part II		$21,979		$8,236		$13,743
Part III		$6,149		$0		$6,149

 

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

		To All Qualified Recipients		To the Distributor		To Other Qualified Recipients
Part I		$462,704		$21,489		$441,215
Part II		$37,627		$13,783		$23,844

 

Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

		To All Qualified Recipients		To the Distributor		To Other Qualified Recipients
Part I		$157,614		$11,029		$146,585
Part II		$10,210		$3,844		$6,366
Part III		$247		$0		$247

 

Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

		To All Qualified Recipients		To the Distributor		To Other Qualified Recipients
Part I		$392,394		$15,278		$377,116
Part II		$91,315		$29,883		$61,432

 

All payments to Other Qualified Recipients, most of whom are broker/dealers, and to the Distributor, were for compensation. Payments with respect to Class C Shares during the first year after purchase are paid to the Distributor and thereafter to Other Qualified Recipients.

Amounts paid under the Plan as compensation to Qualified Recipients, including the Distributor, are not based on the recipient’s expenses in providing distribution, retention and/or shareholder servicing assistance to the Fund and, accordingly, are not regarded as reimbursement of such expenses.

Shareholder Services Plan

Separate from the Fund’s Distribution Plan, each Fund has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan (the “Services Plan”) to provide for the payment with respect to Class C Shares and Class I Shares of the Fund (if the Fund offers Class I Shares) of “Service Fees” within the meaning of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers (as incorporated in the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)). The Services Plan applies only to the Class C Shares and Class I Shares of each Fund (regardless of whether such class is so designated or is redesignated by some other name).

Provisions for Level-Payment Class Shares (Class C Shares) (Part I)

As used in Part I of each Fund’s Services Plan, “Qualified Recipients” shall mean broker/dealers or others selected by the Distributor, including but not limited to the Distributor and any other principal underwriter of a Fund, who have, pursuant to written agreements with the Fund or the Distributor, agreed to provide personal services to shareholders of Level-Payment Class Shares and/or maintenance of Level-Payment Class Shares shareholder accounts. “Qualified Holdings” shall mean, as to any Qualified Recipient, all Level-Payment Class Shares beneficially owned by such Qualified Recipient’s customers, clients or other contacts. “Manager” shall mean Aquila Investment Management LLC or any successor serving as manager or administrator of the Fund.

 

 

Subject to the direction and control of each Fund’s Board of Trustees, the Fund may make payments (“Service Fees”) to Qualified Recipients, which Service Fees (i) may be paid directly or through the Distributor or shareholder servicing agent as disbursing agent and (ii) may not exceed, for any fiscal year of the Fund (as adjusted for any part or parts of a fiscal year during which payments under the Services Plan are not accruable or for any fiscal year which is not a full fiscal year), 0.25 of 1% of the average annual net assets of the Fund represented by the Level-Payment Class Shares. Such payments shall be made only out of the Fund’s assets allocable to the Level-Payment Class Shares. The Distributor shall have sole authority with respect to the selection of any Qualified Recipient or Recipients and the amount of Service Fees, if any, paid to each Qualified Recipient, provided that the total Service Fees paid to all Qualified Recipients may not exceed the amount set forth above and provided, further, that no Qualified Recipient may receive more than 0.25 of 1% of the average annual net asset value of shares sold by such Recipient. The Distributor is authorized, but not directed, to take into account, in addition to any other factors deemed relevant by it, the following: (a) the amount of the Qualified Holdings of the Qualified Recipient and (b) the extent to which the Qualified Recipient has, at its expense, taken steps in the shareholder servicing area with respect to holders of Level-Payment Class Shares, including without limitation, any or all of the following activities: answering customer inquiries regarding account status and history, and the manner in which purchases and redemptions of shares of the Fund may be effected; assisting shareholders in designating and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; providing necessary personnel and facilities to establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records; assisting in processing purchase and redemption transactions; arranging for the wiring of funds; transmitting and receiving funds in connection with customer orders to purchase or redeem shares; verifying and guaranteeing shareholder signatures in connection with redemption orders and transfers and changes in shareholder designated accounts; and providing such other related services as the Distributor or a shareholder may request from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing two sentences, a majority of the Independent Trustees (as defined below) may remove any person as a Qualified Recipient. Amounts within the above limits accrued to a Qualified Recipient but not paid during a fiscal year may be paid thereafter; if less than the full amount is accrued to all Qualified Recipients, the difference will not be carried over to subsequent years. Service Fees with respect to Class C Shares will be paid to the Distributor.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, $8,454 was paid to the Distributor under Part I of the Plan with respect to Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona; $7,919 was paid to the Distributor under Part I of the Plan with respect to Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado; $7,326 was paid to the Distributor under Part I of the Plan with respect to Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky; $12,543 was paid to the Distributor under Part I of the Plan with respect to Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon; $3,403 was paid to the Distributor under Part I of the Plan with respect to Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund; and $30,439 was paid to the Distributor under Part I of the Plan with respect to Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah.

Provisions for Financial Intermediary Class Shares (Class I Shares) (Part II) (Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky and Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund only)

As used in Part II of the Services Plan for Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky and Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund, “Qualified Recipients” shall mean broker/dealers or others selected by the Distributor, including but not limited to the Distributor and any other principal underwriter of the Fund, who have, pursuant to written agreements with the Fund or the Distributor, agreed to provide personal services to shareholders of Financial Intermediary Class Shares, maintenance of Financial Intermediary Class Shares shareholder accounts and/or pursuant to specific agreements entering confirmed purchase orders on behalf of customers or clients. “Qualified Holdings” shall mean, as to any Qualified Recipient, all Financial Intermediary Class Shares beneficially owned by such Qualified Recipient’s customers, clients or other contacts. “Manager” shall mean Aquila Investment Management LLC or any successor serving as manager or administrator of the Fund.

Subject to the direction and control of each Fund’s Board of Trustees, the Fund may make payments (“Service Fees”) to Qualified Recipients, which Service Fees (i) may be paid directly or through the Distributor or shareholder servicing agent as disbursing agent and (ii) may not exceed, for any fiscal year of the Fund (as adjusted for any part or parts of a fiscal year during which payments under the Services Plan are not accruable or for any fiscal year which is not a full fiscal year), 0.25 of 1% of the average annual net assets of the Fund represented by the Financial Intermediary Class Shares. Such payments shall be made only out of the Fund’s assets allocable to the Financial Intermediary Class Shares. The Distributor shall have sole authority with respect to the selection of any Qualified Recipient or Recipients and the amount of Service Fees, if any, paid to each Qualified Recipient, provided that the total Service Fees paid to all Qualified Recipients may not exceed the amount set forth above and provided, further, that no Qualified Recipient may receive more than 0.25 of 1% of the average annual net asset value of shares sold by such Recipient. The Distributor is authorized, but not directed, to take into account, in addition to any other factors deemed relevant by it, the following: (a) the amount of the Qualified Holdings of the Qualified Recipient and (b) the extent to which the Qualified Recipient has, at its expense, taken steps in the shareholder servicing area with respect to holders of Financial Intermediary Class Shares, including without limitation, any or

 

 

all of the following activities: answering customer inquiries regarding account status and history, and the manner in which purchases and redemptions of shares of the Fund may be effected; assisting shareholders in designating and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; providing necessary personnel and facilities to establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records; assisting in processing purchase and redemption transactions; arranging for the wiring of funds; transmitting and receiving funds in connection with customer orders to purchase or redeem shares; verifying and guaranteeing shareholder signatures in connection with redemption orders and transfers and changes in shareholder designated accounts; and providing such other related services as the Distributor or a shareholder may request from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing two sentences, a majority of the Independent Trustees (as defined below) may remove any person as a Qualified Recipient. Amounts within the above limits accrued to a Qualified Recipient but not paid during a fiscal year may be paid thereafter; if less than the full amount is accrued to all Qualified Recipients, the difference will not be carried over to subsequent years.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, payments made to Qualified Recipients under Part II of the Plan with respect to Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky’s Class I Shares amounted to $15,373. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, payments made to Qualified Recipients under Part of the Plan with respect to Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund’s Class I Shares, together with amounts paid with respect to the same shares under Part III of the Fund’s Distribution Plan, amounted to $616. No Class I Shares of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona, Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon or Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah were outstanding during such Funds’ fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

General Provisions

While each Fund’s Services Plan is in effect, the Funds’ Distributor shall report at least quarterly to the Funds’ Trustees in writing for their review on the following matters: (i) all Service Fees paid under the Services Plan, the identity of the Qualified Recipient of each payment, and the purposes for which the amounts were expended; and (ii) all fees of the Fund paid to the Distributor or accrued during such quarter. In addition, if any Qualified Recipient is an “affiliated person,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund, Manager, Sub-Adviser or Distributor, such person shall agree to furnish to the Distributor for transmission to the Board of Trustees of the Fund an accounting, in form and detail satisfactory to the Board of Trustees, to enable the Board of Trustees to make the determinations of the fairness of the compensation paid to such affiliated person, not less often than annually.

Each Fund’s Services Plan has been approved by a vote of the Trustees, including those Trustees who, at the time of such vote, were not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund and had no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Services Plan or in any agreements related to the Services Plan (the “Independent Trustees”), with votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Services Plan. It will continue in effect for a period of more than one year from its original effective date only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually as set forth in the preceding sentence. It may be amended in like manner and may be terminated at any time by vote of the Independent Trustees.

Each Fund’s Services Plan shall also be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act as now in force or hereafter amended.

While each Fund’s Services Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees of the Fund who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, shall be committed to the discretion of such disinterested Trustees. Nothing therein shall prevent the involvement of others in such selection and nomination if the final decision on any such selection and nomination is approved by a majority of such disinterested Trustees.

Codes of Ethics

Each Fund, the Manager, each Sub-Adviser, and the Distributor have adopted codes of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. The codes permit personnel of these organizations who are subject to the codes to purchase securities, including the types of securities in which the Fund invests, but only in compliance with the provisions of the codes.

Transfer Agent, Custodian and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Each Fund’s Shareholder Servicing Agent (transfer agent and dividend-paying agent) is BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 118 Flanders Road, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581.

 

 

Each Fund’s Custodian, The Bank of New York Mellon, 240 Greenwich Street, New York 10286, is responsible for holding the Fund’s assets.

Each Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, Two Liberty Place, 50 South 16th Street, Suite 2900, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102 performs an annual audit of the Fund’s financial statements.

Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices

During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, all of the Funds’ portfolio transactions were principal transactions and no brokerage commissions were paid.

The Manager or Sub-Adviser (with respect to Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund and Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon) shall select such broker/dealers (“dealers”) as shall, in the Manager or Sub-Adviser’s judgment, as applicable, implement the policy of the Fund to seek to achieve “best execution,” i.e., prompt, efficient, and reliable execution of orders at the most favorable net price. Municipal obligations, including state obligations, purchased and sold by a Fund are generally traded in the over-the-counter market on a net basis (i.e., without commission) through broker-dealers and banks acting for their own account rather than as brokers, or otherwise involve transactions directly with the issuer of such obligations. Such firms attempt to profit from such transactions by buying at the bid price and selling at the higher asked price of the market for such obligations, and the difference between the bid and asked price is customarily referred to as the spread. A Fund may also purchase municipal obligations from underwriters, and dealers in fixed-price offerings, the cost of which may include undisclosed fees and concessions to the underwriters. On occasion it may be necessary or appropriate to purchase or sell a security through a broker on an agency basis, in which case a Fund will incur a brokerage commission. In allocating transactions to dealers, the Manager or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, is authorized to consider, in determining whether a particular dealer will provide best execution, the dealer’s reliability, integrity, financial condition and risk in positioning the securities involved, as well as the difficulty of the transaction in question, and thus need not pay the lowest spread or, if applicable, commission available if the Manager or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, determines in good faith that the amount of the spread or, if applicable, commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) provided by the dealer, viewed either in terms of the particular transaction or the Manager or Sub-Adviser’s overall responsibilities. If, on the foregoing basis, the transaction in question could be allocated to two or more dealers, the Manager or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, is authorized, in making such allocation, to consider whether a dealer has provided such brokerage or research services. Each Fund recognizes that no dollar value can be placed on such brokerage or research services and that such brokerage or research services may or may not be useful to the Fund and may be used for the benefit of the Manager or Sub-Adviser or their other clients.

The Sub-Adviser to Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado and Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon may use its affiliated broker-dealer, D.A. Davidson & Co. to execute a portion of the Fund’s portfolio securities transactions. Any such transactions are subject to compliance with the 1940 Act and with the requirement that the Sub-Adviser seek to achieve “best execution” for such transactions, as discussed above. None of the Funds engaged in any such affiliated brokerage transactions during its fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.

Capital Stock

The Funds currently offer the following classes of shares.

* Front-Payment Class Shares (“Class A Shares”) are offered to investors at net asset value plus a sales charge, paid at the time of purchase, at the maximum rate of 3.0% of the public offering price, with lower rates for larger purchases including previous purchases of shares of any class of any of the funds in the Aquila Group of Funds. There is no sales charge on purchases of $250,000 or more, but redemptions of shares so purchased are generally subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”). Class A Shares of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona, Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon and Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund are subject to a fee under the Fund’s Distribution Plan at the rate of up to 0.15 of 1% of the average annual net assets represented by the Class A Shares. Class A Shares of Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado are subject to a fee under the Fund’s Distribution Plan at the rate of up to 0.15 of 1% (currently 0.075 of 1%) of the average annual net assets represented by the Class A Shares. Class A Shares of Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah are subject to a fee under the Fund’s Distribution Plan at the rate of 0.20 of 1% of the average annual net assets represented by the Class A Shares.

 

 

* Level-Payment Class Shares (“Class C Shares”) are offered to investors at net asset value with no sales charge payable at the time of purchase but with a level charge for service and distribution fees for six years after the date of purchase at the aggregate annual rate of 1% of the average annual net assets of the Class C Shares of each Fund. Six years after the date of purchase, Class C Shares are automatically converted to Class A Shares. If you redeem Class C Shares before you have held them for 12 months from the date of purchase you will pay a CDSC; this charge is 1%, calculated on the net asset value of the Class C Shares at the time of purchase or at redemption, whichever is less. There is no CDSC after Class C Shares have been held beyond the applicable period. For purposes of applying the CDSC and determining the time of conversion, the 12-month and six-year holding periods are considered modified by up to one month depending upon when during a month your purchase of such shares is made. Class C Shares are subject to a fee under each Fund’s Distribution Plan at the rate of 0.75 of 1% of the average annual net assets represented by the Class C Shares and a service fee of 0.25 of 1% of such assets.

* Fiduciary Class Shares (“Class F Shares”) are offered and sold only through financial intermediaries with which the Distributor has entered into sales agreements, and are not offered directly to retail customers. Class F Shares are offered at net asset value with no sales charge, no contingent deferred sales charge, and no distribution fee.

*Financial Intermediary Class Shares (“Class I Shares”) (Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky and Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund only) are offered and sold only through financial intermediaries with which Aquila Distributors LLC has entered into sales agreements, and are not offered directly to retail customers. Class I Shares of each Fund are offered at net asset value with no sales charge and no redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, although a financial intermediary may charge a fee for effecting a purchase or other transaction on behalf of its customers. Class I Shares may carry a distribution fee of up to 0.25 of 1% of average annual net assets allocable to Class I Shares. A distribution fee of up to 0.15 of 1% of such net assets is currently authorized by the Board of Trustees of each Fund. In addition, Class I Shares of each Fund may pay a service fee of up to 0.25 of 1% of such assets.

*Institutional Class Shares (“Class Y Shares”) are offered and sold only through institutions acting for investors in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity, and are not offered directly to retail customers. Class Y Shares of each Fund are offered at net asset value with no sales charge, no redemption fee, no contingent deferred sales charge and no distribution fee.

As an open-end management investment company, each Fund continuously offers its shares to the public and under normal conditions must redeem its shares upon the demand of any shareholder at the next determined net asset value per share less any applicable CDSC. See “Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares.” When issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the prospectus and statement of additional information, shares of each Fund are fully paid and non-assessable. Shares will remain on deposit with the Funds’ transfer agent and certificates are no longer issued.

Each Fund is a series of Aquila Municipal Trust, a Massachusetts business trust. The Trustees have authorized the issuance of the following classes of shares of each Fund, designated as Class A, Class C, Class F, Class I and Class Y shares. Each share of a class of a Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets of the Fund allocable to that class. Upon liquidation of a Fund, shareholders of each class of the Fund are entitled to share pro rata in the Fund’s net assets allocable to such class available for distribution to shareholders. The Trust reserves the right to create and issue additional series or classes of shares, in which case the shares of each class of a series would participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets allocable to that class of the particular series.

The shares of each class of a Fund represent an interest in the same portfolio of investments of the Fund. Each class has identical rights (based on relative net asset values) to assets and liquidation proceeds. Share classes can bear different class-specific fees and expenses such as transfer agent and distribution fees. Differences in class-specific fees and expenses will result in differences in net investment income and, therefore, the payment of different dividends by each class. Share classes have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters affecting only that class, including with respect to the distribution plan for that class.

The Funds’ Declaration of Trust provides for shareholder voting as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable laws. The Funds are not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders, but a Fund will call special meetings of shareholders whenever required by the 1940 Act or by the terms of the Declaration. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each dollar value of net asset value (number of shares owned times net asset value per share) represented by the shareholder’s shares in the Funds, on each matter on which that shareholder is entitled to vote. All shareholders of all series and classes of the Trust vote together, except where required by the 1940 Act to vote separately by series or by class, or when the trustees have determined that a matter affects only the interests of one or more series or classes of shares.

 

 

The Trustees may establish the number of Trustees and that vacancies on the Board may be filled by the remaining Trustees, except when election of Trustees by the shareholders is required under the 1940 Act. Trustees are then elected by a plurality of votes cast by shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The Declaration also provides that a mandatory retirement age may be set by action of two-thirds of the Trustees and that Trustees may be removed from office (a) with or without cause by action of the holders of the majority of shares of the Funds present in person or by proxy at any meeting of shareholders, provided that a quorum is present or (b) for cause by action of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the remaining Trustees. A Trustee also may be removed from office without cause by unanimous action of the remaining Trustees.

The Trustees are authorized to amend the Declaration of Trust without the vote of shareholders under certain circumstances. However, the Trustees are required to submit a future amendment to a vote of shareholders if such a vote were required by applicable law or if the amendment diminishes or eliminates any voting rights of shareholders under the Declaration. The Declaration provides that shareholders generally have the power to vote (a) with respect to the merger, reorganization or sale of assets of a Fund, (b) under certain circumstances, with respect to the termination of the Trust or a series or a class of the Trust, and (c) for the election or removal of Trustees. The Trust or a series or a class of the Trust may be terminated (i) if such action is recommended by the vote of a majority of the Trustees, by vote of at least a majority of shares present in person or by proxy at any meeting of shareholders, provided that a quorum is present; or (ii) by unanimous vote of the Trustees with notice to, but without the approval of, shareholders.

Each Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares for such consideration and on such terms as the Trustees may determine. Shareholders are not entitled to any appraisal, preemptive, conversion, exchange or similar rights, except as the Trustees may determine. Each Fund may involuntarily redeem a shareholder’s shares upon certain conditions as may be determined by the Trustees, including, for example, if the shareholder fails to provide a Fund with identification required by law, if a Fund is unable to verify the information received from the shareholder, or if a determination is made that direct or indirect ownership of shares has become concentrated in a shareholder to an extent that would disqualify a Fund as a regulated investment company under the Code. Additionally, as discussed below, shares may be redeemed in connection with the closing of small accounts.

The Declaration of Trust specifically requires shareholders, upon demand, to disclose to a Fund information with respect to the direct and indirect ownership of shares in order to comply with various laws or regulations, and the Fund may disclose such ownership if required by law or regulation.

The Declaration of Trust provides that a Fund may close out a shareholder’s account by redeeming all of the shares in the account if the account falls below a minimum account size (which may vary by class) that may be set by the Trustees from time to time. Alternately, the Declaration of Trust permits a Fund to assess a fee for small accounts (which may vary by class) and redeem shares in the account to cover such fees, or convert the shares into another share class that is geared to smaller accounts.

The Declaration of Trust gives broad authority to the Trustees to establish additional series and classes and to determine the rights and preferences of the shares of the series and classes, and to change those rights and preferences from time to time. The Declaration of Trust provides that shares of a series represent an interest in that series only and not in the assets of any other series or the Trust generally.

The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a “Massachusetts business trust.” Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Fund, may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the Trust. For shareholder protection, however, an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of a Fund is contained in the Declaration of Trust, which requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by a Fund or the Trustees. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of a Fund’s property of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust also provides that a Fund shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the Fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to the relatively remote circumstances in which a Fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations.

The Declaration of Trust provides that no Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust shall owe any duty, or have any related liability to any person (including without limitation any shareholder) other than to the Trust or any series of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides that no Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust shall be liable to a Fund or to any shareholder for any action or failure to act except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or

 

 

reckless disregard of his or her duties involved in the conduct of the individual’s office, and for nothing else, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Declaration of Trust requires the Funds to indemnify each Trustee, director, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust to the extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which the Trustee, officer or employee becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of being or having been such a Trustee, director, officer, employee, or agent and against amounts paid or incurred in settlement thereof. The 1940 Act currently provides that no officer or director shall be protected from liability to a Fund or shareholders for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties of office. The Declaration of Trust extends to trustees, officers and employees of the Fund, the full protection from liability that the law allows. The Declaration of Trust provides that the appointment, designation or identification of a Trustee as chairperson, a member of a committee, an expert, lead independent trustee, or any other special appointment, designation or identification shall not impose any heightened standard of care or liability on such Trustee.

The Declaration of Trust provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative or direct actions by shareholders in order to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction and other harm that can be caused to a Fund or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand by three unrelated shareholders must first be made on a Fund’s Trustees. The Declaration of Trust details various information, certifications, undertakings and acknowledgements that must be included in the demand. Following receipt of the demand, the trustees have a period of 90 days, which may be extended by an additional 60 days, to consider the demand. If a majority of the Trustees who are considered independent for the purposes of considering the demand determine that maintaining the suit would not be in the best interests of the Fund, the Trustees are required to reject the demand and the complaining shareholders may not proceed with the derivative action unless the shareholders are able to prove to a court that the decision of the Trustees was not a good faith exercise of their business judgment on behalf of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust further provides that shareholders owning shares representing at least 10% of the voting power of the Fund or class of shares of the Fund must join in bringing the derivative action. If a demand is rejected, the complaining shareholders will be responsible for the costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Fund in connection with the consideration of the demand, if a court determines that the demand was made without reasonable cause or for an improper purpose. If a derivative action is brought in violation of the procedures required by the Declaration of Trust, the shareholders bringing the action may be responsible for the Fund’s costs, including attorneys’ fees, if a court determines that the action was brought without reasonable cause or for an improper purpose.

The Declaration of Trust provides that no shareholder may bring a direct action claiming injury as a shareholder of the Trust or any series or class thereof, where the matters alleged (if true) would give rise to a claim by the Trust or by the Trust on behalf of a series or class, unless the shareholder has suffered an injury distinct from that suffered by shareholders of the Trust, or the series or class, generally. Under the Declaration of Trust, a shareholder bringing a direct claim must be a shareholder of the series or class with respect to which the direct action is brought at the time of the injury complained of, or have acquired the shares afterwards by operation of law from a person who was a shareholder at that time.

The Declaration of Trust further provides that a Fund shall be responsible for payment of attorneys’ fees and legal expenses incurred by a complaining shareholder only if required by law, and any attorneys’ fees that a Fund is obligated to pay shall be calculated using reasonable hourly rates. The Declaration of Trust also requires that any direct or derivative shareholder action against or on behalf of the Trust, its trustees, officers or employees must be brought in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, in Boston, Massachusetts, or if such action cannot be brought in such court, then in Massachusetts Superior Court, Business Litigation Session, in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition, shareholders have no right to jury trial for such an action.

The Declaration of Trust also provides that shareholders have no rights, privileges, claims or remedies under any contract or agreement entered into by the Trust with any service provider or other agent or contract with the Trust, including, without limitation, any third party beneficiary rights, except as may be expressly provided in any service contract or agreement.

 

 

Purchase, Redemption, and Pricing of Shares

The following supplements the information about purchase, redemption and pricing of shares set forth in the Prospectus.

The availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts may depend on whether you purchase your shares directly from a Fund or through a financial intermediary. Specific intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales load waivers or contingent deferred (back-end) sales load (“CDSC”) waivers, which are discussed below. In all instances, it is the purchaser’s responsibility to notify the Fund or the purchaser’s financial intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying the purchaser for sales charge waivers or discounts. For waivers and discounts not available through a particular intermediary, shareholders will have to purchase Fund shares directly from a Fund or through another intermediary to receive these waivers or discounts. Please see the section “Broker-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies” in the Prospectus to determine any sales charge discounts and waivers that may be available to you through your financial intermediary.

Sales Charges for Purchases of $250,000 or More of Class A Shares

You will not pay a sales charge at the time of purchase when you purchase “CDSC Class A Shares.” CDSC Class A Shares include:

(i)

Class A Shares issued in a single purchase of $250,000 or more by a single purchaser; and

(ii)

Class A Shares issued when the value of the purchase, together with the value (based on purchase cost or current net asset value, whichever is higher) of shares of the Fund or any other fund in the Aquila Group of Funds that are owned by the purchaser, is $250,000 or more.

CDSC Class A Shares do not include Class A Shares purchased without a sales charge as described under “General” below.

Broker/Dealer Compensation - Class A Shares

Upon notice to all selected dealers, the Distributor may distribute up to the full amount of the applicable sales charge to broker/dealers. Under the Securities Act of 1933, broker/dealers may be deemed to be underwriters during periods when they receive all, or substantially all, of the sales charge.

Redemption of CDSC Class A Shares

Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund only:

If you redeem all or part of your CDSC Class A Shares during the two years after you purchase them, you may have to pay a special CDSC upon redemption of those shares. CDSC Class A Shares purchased without a sales charge pursuant to a Letter of Intent are subject to the CDSC (see “Reduced Sales Charges for Certain Purchases of Class A Shares” below). The CDSC will not apply to shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or distributions on CDSC Class A Shares.

When a CDSC is calculated, it will be applied to the lower of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or the current market value of those shares. Therefore, you do not pay a sales charge on amounts representing appreciation or depreciation. The rate used to calculate the CDSC is based on the value of all shares of funds in the Aquila Group of Funds (“Aquila Fund Shares”) that you own at the time the shares being redeemed were originally purchased and will vary based on the time elapsed since the CDSC Class A Shares were purchased.

The CDSC rate and holding period applicable to the redemption of CDSC Class A Shares is set forth in the following table:

 

Value of All Aquila Fund Shares at Time Shares Being Redeemed were Originally Purchased		CDSC Rate on Shares Redeemed
		During First Year After Purchase		During Second Year After Purchase
$250,000 and up to $2,499,999		0.75%		0.50%
$2.5 million and up to $4,999,999		0.50%		0.25%
$5 million and more		0.25%		None

 

The CDSC will not apply to CDSC Class A Shares held for longer than two years.

 

 

Each time you place a request to redeem shares, the Fund will first redeem any shares in your account that are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, and then will redeem shares in your account that are subject to the lowest CDSC rate, unless otherwise instructed. A series of investments may increase the total value of all shares of funds in the Aquila Group of Funds that you own so that subsequent purchases may qualify for a shorter holding period and a lower CDSC rate, as described in the table above, without altering the holding period or CDSC rate for shares acquired when the total value of Aquila Fund Shares you owned was lower.

The Fund will treat all CDSC Class A Share purchases made during a calendar month as if they were made on the first business day of that month at the average cost of all purchases made during that month. Therefore, the two-year holding period will end on the first business day of the 24th calendar month after the date of those purchases. Accordingly, the holding period may, in fact, be almost one month less than the full 24 months depending on when your actual purchase was made.

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona, Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah only:

If you redeem all or part of your CDSC Class A Shares during the one-year period after you purchase them, you may have to pay a special CDSC upon redemption of those shares. CDSC Class A Shares purchased without a sales charge pursuant to a Letter of Intent are subject to the CDSC (see “Reduced Sales Charges for Certain Purchases of Class A Shares” below). The CDSC will not apply to shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or distributions on CDSC Class A Shares.

When a CDSC is calculated, it will be applied to the lower of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or the current market value of those shares. Therefore, you do not pay a sales charge on amounts representing appreciation or depreciation. The rate used to calculate the CDSC is based on the value of all shares of funds in the Aquila Group of Funds (“Aquila Fund Shares”) that you own at the time the shares being redeemed were originally purchased and will vary based on the time elapsed since the CDSC Class A Shares were purchased.

The CDSC rate and holding period applicable to the redemption of CDSC Class A Shares is set forth in the following table:

 

Value of All Aquila Fund Shares at Time Shares Being Redeemed were Originally Purchased		CDSC Rate on Shares Redeemed
		During First Year After Purchase		During 13 to 18 Months After Purchase
$250,000 and up to $2,499,999		0.75%		0.50%
$2.5 million and up to $4,999,999		0.50%		None
$5 million and more		0.25%		None

 

The CDSC will not apply to CDSC Class A Shares held for longer than 18 months.

Each time you place a request to redeem shares, the Fund will first redeem any shares in your account that are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, and then will redeem shares in your account that are subject to the lowest CDSC rate, unless otherwise instructed. A series of investments may increase the total value of all shares of funds in the Aquila Group of Funds that you own so that subsequent purchases may qualify for a shorter holding period and a lower CDSC rate, as described in the table above, without altering the holding period or CDSC rate for shares acquired when the total value of Aquila Fund Shares you owned was lower.

The Fund will treat all CDSC Class A Share purchases made during a calendar month as if they were made on the first business day of that month at the average cost of all purchases made during that month. Therefore, the period will end on the first business day of the 18th calendar month after the date of those purchases. Accordingly, the holding period may, in fact, be almost one month less than the full 18 months depending on when your actual purchase was made.

 

 

Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado and Aquila Tax Free Trust of Oregon – Shares Originally Purchased Prior to April 14, 2023:

The CDSC rate and holding period applicable to the redemption of CDSC Class A Shares of Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado and Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon originally purchased prior to April 14, 2023 is set forth in the following table:

 

Value of All Aquila Fund Shares at Time Shares Being Redeemed were Originally Purchased		CDSC Rate on Shares Redeemed
		During First Year After Purchase		During Second Year After Purchase
$250,000 and up to $2,499,999		0.75%		0.50%
$2.5 million and up to $4,999,999		0.50%		0.25%
$5 million and more		0.25%		None

 

The CDSC will not apply to CDSC Class A Shares held for longer than two years.

All Funds:

The CDSC will be waived for:

·

Redemption following the death of the shareholder or beneficial owner.

·

Redemption by the Fund when an account falls below the minimum required account size.

·

Redemption by an investor who purchased $250,000 or more without an initial sales charge if the securities dealer of record waived or deferred its commission in connection with the purchase, with notice to the investor and the Fund at the time of purchase.

The availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts may depend on whether you purchase your shares directly from a Fund or through a financial intermediary. Please see “Broker-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies” in the Prospectus more information.

Broker/Dealer Compensation-CDSC Class A Shares

The Distributor currently intends to pay any dealer executing a purchase of CDSC Class A Shares as follows:

 

Amount of Purchase		Amount Distributed to Broker/Dealer as a Percentage of Purchase Price
$250,000 and up to $2,499,999		0.75%
$2.5 million and up to $4,999,999		0.50%
$5 million and more		0.25%

 

Reduced Sales Charges for Certain Purchases of Class A Shares

Rights of Accumulation

“Single purchasers” may qualify for a reduced sales charge in accordance with the schedule set forth in the Prospectus when making subsequent purchases of Class A Shares. A reduced sales charge applies if the cumulative value (based on purchase cost or current net asset value, whichever is higher) of shares previously purchased, together with Class A Shares of your subsequent purchase, amounts to $25,000 or more.

Letters of Intent

“Single purchasers” may also qualify for reduced sales charges, in accordance with the same schedule, after a written Letter of Intent (included in the New Account Application) is received by the Distributor. The Letter of Intent confirms that you intend to purchase, with a sales charge, within a thirteen-month period, Class A Shares of the Fund through a single selected dealer or the Distributor. Class A Shares of the Fund which you previously purchased, also with a sales charge, and which you still own may also be included in determining the applicable reduction. For more information, including escrow provisions, see the Letter of Intent provisions of the New Account Application.

 

 

General

As noted above, availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts may depend on whether you purchase your shares directly from a Fund or through a financial intermediary. Specific intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales load waivers or, if applicable, CDSC waivers, from those set forth below. Please see “Broker-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies” in the Prospectus more information.

Class A Shares may be purchased without a sales charge by:

·

current and former Trustees and officers of any funds in the Aquila Group of Funds;

·

the directors, managers, officers and certain employees, former employees and representatives of the Manager, the Distributor, and the sub-adviser of any fund in the Aquila Group of Funds and the parents and/or affiliates of such companies;

·

broker dealers, their officers and employees and other investment professionals;

·

certain persons connected with firms providing legal, advertising or public relations assistance to the Funds;

·

certain family members of, and plans for the benefit of, the foregoing; and

·

plans for the benefit of trust or similar clients of banking institutions over which these institutions have full investment authority.

Purchasers must give written assurance that the purchase is for investment and that the Class A Shares will not be resold except through redemption. Since there may be tax consequences of these purchases, your tax advisor should be consulted.

Class A Shares may also be issued without a sales charge in a merger, acquisition or exchange offer made pursuant to a plan of reorganization to which a Fund is a party.

Each Fund permits the sale of its Class A Shares at prices that reflect the elimination of the sales charge to investors who are members of certain qualified groups.

A qualified group is a group or association that

(i)

satisfies uniform criteria which enable the Distributor to realize economies of scale in its costs of distributing shares;

(ii)

gives its endorsement or authorization (if it is a group or association) to an investment program to facilitate solicitation of its membership by a broker or dealer; and

(iii)

complies with the conditions of purchase that make up an agreement between the Fund and the group, representative or broker or dealer.

At the time of purchase, the Distributor must receive information sufficient to permit verification that the purchase qualifies for a reduced sales charge, either directly or through a broker or dealer.

Examples of a qualified group include, but are not limited to:

·

certain wrap accounts, asset allocation programs or other fee-based arrangements for the benefit of clients of investment professionals or other financial intermediaries; and

·

certain retirement plans that are part of a retirement plan or platform offered by banks, broker-dealers, financial advisors or insurance companies, or serviced by recordkeepers.

Class A Shares may be purchased without a sales charge by investors who purchase shares through a self-directed brokerage account program offered by an intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the fund’s distributor. Intermediaries offering such programs may or may not charge transaction fees.

Class A purchases at net asset value may be available to group employer-sponsored retirement plans. Waivers for group employer-sponsored retirement plans do not apply to traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, KEOGHs, individual 401(k) or individual 403(b) plans, or to shares held in commission-based broker-dealer accounts.

 

 

The foregoing sales charge waivers are generally available for qualified purchases through all financial intermediaries that offer shares of the Funds, except as set forth under “Broker-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies” in the Prospectus.

Investors may exchange securities acceptable to the Manager and Sub-Adviser (if applicable) for shares of the Fund. The Funds believe such exchange provides a means by which holders of certain securities may invest in a Fund without the expense of selling the securities in the open market. The investor should furnish, either in writing or by FAX or e-mail, to the Manager a list with a full and exact description (including CUSIP numbers) of all securities proposed for exchange. The Manager will then notify the investor as to whether the securities are acceptable and, if so, will send a letter of transmittal to be completed and signed by the investor. The Manager has the right to reject all or any part of the securities offered for exchange. The securities must then be sent in proper form for transfer with the letter of transmittal to the Custodian of the Fund’s assets. The investor must certify that there are no legal or contractual restrictions on the free transfers and sale of the securities. Upon receipt by the Custodian of the securities and all required documents for transfer, the securities will be valued as of the close of business on that day in the same manner as the Fund’s portfolio securities are valued each day. Shares of the Fund having an equal net asset value as of the close of the same day will be registered in the investor’s name. Applicable sales charges, if any, will apply, but there is no charge for making the exchange and no brokerage commission on the securities accepted, although applicable stock transfer taxes, if any, may be deducted. The exchange of securities by the investor pursuant to this offer may constitute a taxable transaction and may result in a gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes. The tax treatment experienced by investors may vary depending upon individual circumstances. Each investor should consult a tax adviser to determine Federal, state and local tax consequences.

Additional Compensation for Financial Intermediaries

The Distributor and/or its related companies may pay compensation out of their own assets to certain broker/dealers and other financial intermediaries (“financial advisors”) above and beyond sales commissions, 12b-1 or certain service fees and certain recordkeeping/sub-transfer agency fees paid by the Funds, in connection with the sale, servicing or retention of Fund shares. This compensation, which may be significant in dollar amounts to the Distributor and/or its related companies, could create an incentive for a financial advisor to sell Fund shares. You should ask your financial advisor to obtain more information on how this additional compensation may have influenced your advisor’s recommendation of a Fund.

Such additional compensation (which is sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing”) is paid out of the Distributor’s (or related company’s) own resources, without additional charge to a Fund or its shareholders, although such resources may include profits derived from services provided to the Funds. Additional cash payments may be based on a percentage of gross sales, a percentage of assets or number of accounts maintained or serviced by the financial advisor, and/or a fixed dollar amount, and is different for different financial advisors.

At its discretion, the Distributor determines whether to pay additional compensation and the amount of any such payments based on factors the Distributor deems relevant. Factors considered by the Distributor generally include the financial advisor’s reputation, training of the financial advisor’s sales force, quality of service, ability to attract and retain assets for the Funds, expertise in distributing a particular class of shares of the Fund, and/or access to target markets. The Distributor (or related companies) may pay additional compensation for services with respect to the Funds and other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds without allocation for services provided to particular funds.

Typically, additional compensation in the form of education and/or marketing support payments is made towards one or more of the following:

·

assistance in training and educating the financial advisor’s personnel;

·

participation in the financial advisor’s conferences and meetings;

·

advertising of the Funds’ shares;

·

payment of travel expenses, including lodging, for attendance at sales seminars by qualifying registered representatives;

·

other incentives or financial assistance to financial advisors in connection with promotional, training or educational seminars or conferences;

·

shareholder education events;

·

exhibit space or sponsorships at regional or national events of financial intermediaries;

 

 

·

participation in special financial advisor programs;

·

continued availability of the Fund’s shares through the financial advisor’s automated trading platform;

·

access to the financial advisor’s sales representatives and national sales management personnel by the Distributor or Fund representatives;

·

inclusion of the Funds and/or the Aquila Group of Funds on preferred or recommended sales lists; and

·

other comparable expenses at the discretion of the Distributor.

The financial advisors to whom the Distributor may pay, or has paid additional compensation in the form of education and/or marketing support payments since January 1, 2023 include: 1st Global Capital Corp., American Enterprise Investment, AXA Advisors LLC, Bankoh Investment Services Inc., Cetera Advisor Network, Charles Schwab, CUSO Financial Services, Edward D Jones & Co LP, Farm Bureau Financial Services, Fidelity / National Financial Services LLC, Hilltop Securities Inc., Independent Wealth Network Inc, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, JP Morgan, LPL Financial, Merrill, Morgan Stanley, Pershing LLC, Raymond James & Associates, Raymond James Financial, RBC Capital Markets LLC, Roosevelt & Cross Inc., Stifel Nicolaus & Company Inc., TD Ameritrade Inc., UBS Financial Services Inc., US Bancorp Investments Inc., Vanguard, Voya Financial Advisors Inc., Waddell & Reed Inc., Wedbush Securities Inc., Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, and Western International Securities Inc.

The Distributor and/or related companies may compensate financial advisors not listed above. The Distributor and/or related companies may enter into additional compensation arrangements or change arrangements at any time without notice.

The Distributor and/or its related companies currently compensate financial advisors on a case by case basis. Any of the foregoing payments to be made by the Distributor may be made instead by the Manager out of its own funds, directly or through the Distributor.

Class F Shares are only available in cases where the intermediary will not receive additional compensation with respect to Class F Shares.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (Class A Shares Only)

You may establish a Systematic Withdrawal Plan if you own or purchase Class A Shares of the Fund having a net asset value of at least $5,000. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan is not available for Class C Shares, Class F Shares, Class I Shares (if the Fund offers Class I Shares) or Class Y Shares.

Under a Systematic Withdrawal Plan you will receive a monthly or quarterly check in a stated amount, not less than $50. If such a plan is established, all dividends and distributions must be reinvested in your shareholder account. Redemption of shares to make payments under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan will generally give rise to a gain or loss for tax purposes. (See the Systematic Withdrawal Plan provisions of the New Account Application.)

Purchases of additional Class A Shares concurrently with withdrawals are undesirable because of sales charges when purchases are made. Accordingly, you may not maintain a Systematic Withdrawal Plan while simultaneously making regular purchases. While an occasional lump sum investment may be made, such investment should normally be an amount at least equal to three times the annual withdrawal or $5,000, whichever is less.

Share Certificates

The Funds no longer issues share certificates. If you own certificated shares and have lost the certificates, you may incur delay and expense when redeeming the shares.

Reinvestment Privilege (Class A and C Shares Only)

If you reinvest proceeds of a redemption of Class A or Class C Shares within 120 days of the redemption, you will not have to pay any additional sales charge on the reinvestment, and any CDSC deducted upon the redemption will be refunded. You must reinvest in the same class as the shares redeemed. You may exercise this privilege only once a year, unless otherwise approved by the Distributor.

 

 

The Distributor will refund to you any CDSC deducted at the time of redemption by adding it to the amount of your reinvestment. The Class C or CDSC Class A Shares purchased upon reinvestment will be deemed to have been outstanding from the date of your original purchase of the redeemed shares, less the period from redemption to reinvestment.

Exchanging Shares

Shareholders of each Fund have an exchange privilege as set forth below. Exchanges can be made among this Fund and other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds. All exchanges are subject to certain conditions described below.

Generally, you can exchange shares of any class of a Fund for shares of the same class of another Fund in the Aquila Group of Funds without the payment of a sales charge or any other fee.

Because excessive trading in Fund shares can be harmful to the Fund and its other shareholders, the right is reserved to revise or terminate the exchange privilege, to limit the number of exchanges or to reject any exchange if (i) the Fund or any of the other Funds in the Aquila Group of Funds believe that it or they would be harmed or be unable to invest effectively or (ii) it or they receive or anticipate receiving simultaneous orders that may significantly affect the Fund or any other Fund in the Aquila Group of Funds.

The following important information should be noted:

CDSCs Upon Redemptions of Shares Acquired Through Exchanges. If you exchange shares subject to a CDSC, no CDSC will be imposed at the time of exchange, but the shares you receive in exchange for them will be subject to the applicable CDSC if you redeem them before the requisite holding period has expired.

Each of the funds in the Aquila Group of Funds reserves the right to reject any exchange into its shares, if shares of the fund into which exchange is desired are not available for sale in your state of residence. The Fund may also modify or terminate this exchange privilege at any time on not less than 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

All exercises of the exchange privilege are subject to the conditions that (i) the shares being acquired are available for sale in your state of residence; (ii) the aggregate net asset value of the shares surrendered for exchange is at least equal to the minimum investment requirements of the investment company whose shares are being acquired; (iii) the ownership of the accounts from which and to which the exchange is made are identical; and (iv) the exchange privilege is available with the share class owned.

To make a telephone exchange, please call 800-437-1000.

Note: Aquila Group of Funds, the Distributor and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., the Funds’ transfer agent, will not be responsible for any losses resulting from unauthorized telephone transactions if reasonable procedures are followed to verify the identity of the caller. Some or all of the following information may be requested: account name(s) and number, name of the caller, the social security number registered to the account and personal identification. Calls may be recorded. You should verify the accuracy of confirmation statements immediately upon receipt.

Exchanges will be effected at the relative exchange prices of the shares being exchanged next determined after receipt by the transfer agent of your exchange request. The exchange prices will be the respective net asset values of the shares.

An exchange is generally treated for Federal tax purposes as a redemption and purchase of shares and will generally result in the realization of a short- or long-term capital gain or loss, depending on the value of the shares received in the exchange, the cost or other tax basis of the shares exchanged and the holding period. Should any capital loss be realized, no representation is made as to its deductibility.

Dividends paid by a fund whose shares you receive in an exchange may be taxable to you. You should consult your tax adviser before acquiring shares of another fund under the exchange privilege arrangement.

If you are considering an exchange into one of the other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds, you should obtain a copy of and carefully read its Prospectus.

 

 

Same Fund Exchanges

Certain shareholders may be eligible to exchange their shares for shares of another class of the same Fund. If eligible, no sales charges or other charges will apply to any such exchange. Generally, shareholders will not recognize a gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes upon such an exchange. Investors should contact their financial intermediary to learn more about same fund exchanges.

Conversion of Class C Shares

Class C Shares automatically convert to Class A Shares six years after the date of purchase. Conversion of Class C Shares into Class A Shares will be effected at relative net asset values after the sixth anniversary of your purchase of Class C Shares, on the 15^th day of the month (or the next business day thereafter), except as noted below. Accordingly, if the sixth anniversary of your purchase of Class C Shares occurs on or after the 15th day of the month, conversion will be effected on the 15th day of the following month. Thus, the holding period applicable to your Class C Shares may be up to five weeks more than the six years depending upon when your actual purchase was made during a month. Because the per share value of Class A Shares may be higher than that of Class C Shares at the time of conversion, you may receive fewer Class A Shares than the number of Class C Shares converted. If you have made one or more exchanges of Class C Shares among the Aquila Group of Funds under the Exchange Privilege, the six-year holding period is deemed to have begun on the date you purchased your original Class C Shares of the Fund or of another of the Aquila Group of Funds.

“Transfer on Death” Registration (Not Available for Class I Shares (if the Fund offers Class I Shares) or Class Y Shares)

Each of the funds in the Aquila Group of Funds permits registration of its shares in beneficiary form, subject to the funds’ rules governing Transfer on Death (“TOD”) registration, if the investor resides in a state that has adopted the Uniform Transfer on Death Security Registration Act (a “TOD State”; for these purposes, Missouri is deemed to be a TOD State). This form of registration allows you to provide that, on your death, your shares are to be transferred to the one or more persons that you specify as beneficiaries. To register shares of a Fund in TOD form, complete the special TOD Registration Request Form and review the Rules Governing TOD Registration on the back of the form. A TOD Registration Request Form is available on www.aquilafunds.com or through your financial intermediary. The Rules, which are subject to amendment upon 60 days’ notice to TOD account owners, contain important information regarding TOD accounts with the Funds; by opening such an account you agree to be bound by them, and failure to comply with them may result in your shares’ not being transferred to your designated beneficiaries. If you open a TOD account with the Fund that is otherwise acceptable but, for whatever reason, neither the Fund nor the transfer agent receives a properly completed TOD Registration Request Form from you prior to your death, the Fund reserves the right not to honor your TOD designation, in which case your account will become part of your estate.

You are eligible for TOD registration only if, and as long as, you reside in a TOD State. If you open a TOD account and your account address indicates that you do not reside in a TOD State, your TOD registration will be ineffective and the Fund may, in its discretion, either open the account as a regular (non-TOD) account or redeem your shares. Such a redemption may result in a gain or loss to you and may have tax consequences. Similarly, if you open a TOD account while residing in a TOD State and later move to a non-TOD State, your TOD registration will no longer be effective. In both cases, should you die while residing in a non-TOD State the Fund reserves the right not to honor your TOD designation. At the date of this SAI, almost all states are TOD States, but you should consult your tax advisor regarding the circumstances in your state of residence.

An investor in Class F, Class I or Class Y should discuss the availability of TOD registration with the investor’s financial intermediary.

Computation of Net Asset Value

The net asset value of the shares of each Fund’s classes is determined on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open, as of the scheduled close of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m., New York time), by dividing the value of the Fund’s net assets allocable to each class by the total number of its shares of such class then outstanding. Portfolio securities generally are valued on the basis of market valuations furnished by a pricing service, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of fair valuation techniques and methodologies to determine valuation. Any securities or assets for which pricing services are unable to supply prices, or if the prices supplied are determined to be unreliable are valued at their fair value. The Adviser has been designated as each Fund’s Valuation Designee, with responsibility for fair valuation subject to oversight by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.

 

 

As indicated above, the net asset value per share of each Fund’s shares will be determined on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. The New York Stock Exchange annually announces the days on which it will not be open. The most recent announcement indicates that it will not be open on the following days: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. However, the Exchange may close on days not included in that announcement.

Purchases and Redemptions of Shares

Each Fund has authorized one or more financial intermediaries to receive on its behalf purchase and redemption orders for shares of the Fund; one or more of those financial intermediaries are also authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on a Fund’s behalf. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized financial intermediary or, if applicable, the financial intermediary’s authorized designee receives the order. Such orders will be priced at the Fund’s net asset value next determined after they are received by the authorized financial intermediary or, if applicable, its authorized designee and accepted by the Fund.

Purchases and Redemptions Through Financial Intermediaries

A financial intermediary may charge its customers a processing or service fee in connection with the purchase or redemption of Fund shares. The amount and applicability of such a fee is determined and should be disclosed to its customers by each individual financial intermediary. These processing or service fees are typically fixed, nominal dollar amounts and are in addition to the sales and other charges described in the Prospectus and this SAI. Your financial intermediary should provide you with specific information about any processing or service fees you will be charged.

Limitation of Redemptions in Kind

Each Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, pursuant to which the Fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1 percent of the net asset value of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. Should redemptions by any shareholder exceed such limitation, a Fund will have the option of redeeming the excess in cash or in kind. If shares are redeemed in kind, the redeeming shareholder might incur brokerage costs in converting the assets into cash. The method of valuing securities used to make redemptions in kind will be the same as the method of valuing portfolio securities described under “Net Asset Value Per Share” in the Prospectus, and such valuation will be made as of the same time the redemption price is determined.

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

Under Fund policies, the Manager publicly discloses the complete schedule of each Fund’s portfolio holdings, as reported at the end of each calendar quarter, generally by the 15th day after the end of each calendar quarter. Such information will remain accessible until the next schedule is made publicly available. It may also publicly disclose other portfolio holdings as of a specified date. You may obtain a copy of each Fund’s schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recently completed period by accessing the information on the Fund’s website at www.aquilafunds.com.

In addition, the Manager may share a Fund’s non-public portfolio holdings information with pricing services and other service providers to the Fund who require access to such information in order to fulfill their contractual duties to the Fund. The Manager may also disclose non-public information regarding a Fund’s portfolio holdings to certain mutual fund analysts and rating and tracking entities, or to other entities that have a legitimate business purpose in receiving such information on a more frequent basis. Exceptions to the frequency and recipients of the disclosure may be made only with the advance authorization of the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer upon a determination that such disclosure serves a legitimate business purpose and is in the best interests of the Fund and will be reported to the Board of Trustees at the next regularly scheduled board meeting. Any permitted release of non-public holdings information is provided in accordance with the then-current policy on approved methods or arrangements for communicating confidential information.

Whenever portfolio holdings disclosure made pursuant to these procedures involves a possible conflict of interest between a Fund’s shareholders and the Fund’s Manager, Sub-Adviser (if applicable), Distributor or any affiliated person of the Fund, the disclosure may not be made unless a majority of the independent Trustees or a majority of a board committee consisting solely of independent Trustees approves such disclosure. The Funds, the Manager and a Sub-Adviser shall not enter into any arrangement providing for the disclosure of non-public portfolio holdings information for the receipt of compensation or benefit of any kind. Any material changes to the policies and procedures for the disclosure of portfolio holdings will be reported to the Board on at least an annual basis.

 

 

Each Fund currently provides holdings information to the following service providers with which it has ongoing relationships:

1.

Intercontinental Exchange (pricing services and liquidity classification vendor) on a daily basis with no lag;

2.

Innocap (co-liquidity asset classification firm) on a daily basis on a one day lag.

3.

Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, its independent registered public accounting firm, as soon as practicable following the Fund's fiscal year-end and on an as-needed basis;

4.

Bloomberg L.P. (tracking and pricing entity) on a daily basis with no lag;

5.

The Bank of New York Mellon (custodian, fund accountant and liquidity classification vendor) on a daily basis with no lag;

6.

The Distributor on a daily basis with no lag;

7.

InvestorTools (portfolio analytics service) on a daily basis with no lag;

8.

Fitch Group, its financial printer, as soon as practicable following each fiscal quarter-end;

9.

Investment Company Institute following each fiscal quarter-end;

10.

ComplySci (compliance platform) on a daily basis with a two day lag; and

Each Fund also currently provides holdings information to Morningstar, Fact Set and Lipper Analytical Services (analysts, rating and tracking entities) on a quarterly basis with a 15-day lag.

Additional Tax Information

The following is a summary of certain material U.S. Federal income tax considerations affecting each Fund and its shareholders. The discussion is very general. Current and prospective shareholders are therefore urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the specific Federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in a Fund. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this SAI and existing judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.

Each Fund and Its Investments

Each Fund will be treated as a separate taxpayer for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. Each Fund has elected to be treated, and intends to qualify each year, as a “regulated investment company” or “RIC” under Subchapter M of the Code. To so qualify, each Fund must, among other things: (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (i.e., partnerships that are traded on an established securities market or tradable on a secondary market, other than partnerships that derive 90% of their income from interest, dividends, capital gains, and other traditionally permitted mutual fund income); and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash, securities of other regulated investment companies, U.S. Government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the Fund’s assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, in the securities (other than the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses, or in the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships.”

As a regulated investment company, a Fund will not be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on the portion of its taxable investment income and capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders, provided that it satisfies a minimum distribution requirement. To satisfy the minimum distribution requirement, each Fund must distribute to its shareholders at least the sum of (i) 90% of its “investment company taxable income” for the taxable year (i.e., generally, the taxable income of a RIC other than its net capital gain, plus or minus certain other adjustments) computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction, and (ii) 90% of its net tax-exempt income for the taxable year. Each Fund will be subject to income tax at the regular corporate tax rate on any taxable income or gains that it does not distribute to its shareholders.

 

 

If, for any taxable year, a Fund were to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code or were to fail to meet the distribution requirement, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation, and distributions to its shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In addition, in the event of a failure to qualify, a Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from current or accumulated earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividend income for Federal income tax purposes. However, such dividends would be eligible, subject to any generally applicable limitations, (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. Moreover, if a Fund were to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company in any year, it would be required to pay out its earnings and profits accumulated in that year in order to qualify again as a regulated investment company. Under certain circumstances, a Fund may cure a failure to qualify as a regulated investment company, but in order to do so the Fund may incur significant Fund-level taxes and may be forced to dispose of certain assets. If a Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company for a period greater than two taxable years, the Fund would generally be required to recognize any net built-in gains with respect to certain of its assets upon a disposition of such assets within ten years of qualifying as a regulated investment company in a subsequent year.

The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on a Fund to the extent it does not distribute by the end of any calendar year at least the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income for that year and (ii) 98.2% of its capital gain net income (both long-term and short-term) for the one-year period ending, as a general rule, on October 31 of that year. For this purpose, however, any ordinary income or capital gain net income that is retained by a Fund and subject to corporate income tax will be considered to have been distributed by year-end. In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any year to avoid the excise tax will be increased or decreased to reflect any under-distribution or over-distribution, as the case may be, from the previous year. Each Fund anticipates that it will pay such dividends and will make such distributions as are necessary to avoid the application of this excise tax.

Each Fund’s transactions in zero coupon securities, foreign currencies, forward contracts, options and futures contracts (including options and futures contracts on foreign currencies), if any, will be subject to special provisions of the Code (including provisions relating to “hedging transactions” and “straddles”) that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by the Fund (i.e., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund, and defer Fund losses. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also (a) will require each Fund to “mark to market” certain types of the positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out at the end of each year) and (b) may cause a Fund to recognize income prior to the receipt of cash with which to pay dividends or make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise taxes. In order to distribute this income and avoid a tax on the Fund, a Fund might be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss. Each Fund intends to monitor its transactions, make the appropriate tax elections and make the appropriate entries in its books and records when it acquires any zero coupon securities, foreign currency, forward contract, option, futures contract or hedged investment in order to mitigate the effect of these rules and maintain qualification for treatment as a regulated investment company.

A Fund may be required to treat amounts as taxable income or gain, subject to the distribution requirements referred to above, even though no corresponding amounts of cash are received concurrently, as a result of (1) mark-to-market rules, constructive sale rules or rules applicable to certain options, futures or forward contracts, or “appreciated financial positions” or (2) tax rules applicable to debt obligations acquired with “original issue discount,” including zero-coupon or deferred payment bonds and pay-in-kind debt obligations, or to market discount if an election is made with respect to such market discount. In order to distribute this income and avoid a tax on the Fund, a Fund might be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss. A Fund might also meet the distribution requirements by borrowing the necessary cash, thereby incurring interest expense.

For U.S. Federal income tax purposes, net short- and long-term capital losses may generally be carried forward without limit. Carryforwards are available to offset future net realized gains on securities transactions to the extent provided for in the Code. Under certain circumstances, a Fund may elect to treat certain losses as though they were incurred on the first day of the taxable year immediately following the taxable year in which they were actually incurred.

Under Section 163(j) of the Code, a taxpayer’s business interest expense is generally deductible to the extent of its business interest income plus certain other amounts. If a Fund earns business interest income, it may report a portion of its dividends as “Section 163(j) interest dividends,” which its shareholders may be able to treat as business interest income for purposes of Section 163(j) of the Code. Each Fund’s “Section 163(j) interest dividend” for a tax year will be limited to the excess of its business interest income over the sum of its business interest expense and other deductions properly allocable to

 

 

its business interest income. In general, a Fund’s shareholders may treat a distribution reported as a Section 163(j) interest dividend as interest income only to the extent the distribution exceeds the sum of the portions of the distribution reported as other types of tax-favored income (which would generally include exempt-interest income). To be eligible to treat a Section 163(j) interest dividend as interest income, a shareholder may need to meet certain holding period requirements in respect of the shares and must not have hedged its position in the shares in certain ways.

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona: At March 31, 2023, the Fund had short-term capital loss carryforwards and long-term capital loss carryforwards as follows:

 

Carryforward		Character
$1,998,542		Short-term
$642,882		Long-term

 

Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado: At March 31, 2023, the Fund had short-term and long-term capital loss carryforwards as follows:

 

Carryforward		Character
$3,512,376		Short-term
$2,706,961		Long-term

 

Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky: At March 31, 2023, the Fund had short-term and long-term capital loss carryforwards as follows:

 

Carryforward		Character
$675,352		Short-term
$18,959		Long-term

 

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon: At March 31, 2023, the Fund had short-term and long-term capital loss carryforwards as follows:

 

Carryforward		Character
$4,399,507		Short-term
$7,915,754		Long-term

 

Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund: At March 31, 2023, the Fund had short-term and long-term capital loss carryforwards as follows:

 

Carryforward		Character
$996,256		Short-term
$467,494		Long-term

 

Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah: At March 31, 2023, the Fund had short-term and long-term capital loss carryforwards as follows:

 

Carryforward		Character
$4,108,410		Short-term
$5,722,176		Long-term

 

Taxation of U.S. Shareholders

Dividends and other distributions by a Fund are generally treated under the Code as received by the shareholders at the time the dividend or distribution is made. However, if any dividend or distribution is declared by a Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month but is actually paid during the following January, such dividend or distribution will be deemed to have been received by each shareholder of that Fund on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

 

 

Each Fund intends to distribute annually to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction), and any net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryforwards). If, however, a Fund retains for investment an amount equal to all or a portion of its net long-term capital gains in excess of its net short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryforwards), it will be subject to a corporate tax on the amount retained. In that event, the applicable Fund will designate such retained amounts as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who (a) will be required to include in income for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gains, their proportionate shares of the undistributed amount, (b) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the income tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. Federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent their credits exceed their liabilities, if any, and (c) will be entitled to increase their tax basis, for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, in their shares by an amount equal to the excess of the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in their respective income over their respective income tax credits. Organizations or persons not subject to U.S. Federal income tax on such capital gains will be entitled to a refund of their pro rata share of such taxes paid by a Fund upon timely filing appropriate returns or claims for refund with the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”).

Exempt-interest dividends paid by a Fund are exempt from regular Federal income taxes. Distributions of taxable net investment income and net realized short-term capital gains are taxable to a U.S. shareholder as ordinary income, whether paid in cash or in shares. Distributions of net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, that a Fund reports as capital gain dividends are taxable as long-term capital gains, whether paid in cash or in shares, and regardless of how long a shareholder has held shares of the Fund. None of a Fund’s distributions are expected to be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders or for any favorable tax rate that may apply to “qualified dividend income” in the hands of an individual shareholder.

Dividends and distributions from a Fund (other than exempt-interest dividends) and net gains from redemptions of Fund shares are generally taken into account in determining a shareholder’s “net investment income” for purposes of the Medicare contribution tax applicable to certain individuals, estates and trusts.

Certain tax-exempt educational institutions will be subject to a 1.4% tax on net investment income. For these purposes, certain dividends (other than exempt-interest dividends) and capital gain distributions, and certain gains from the disposition of a Fund’s shares (among other categories of income), are generally taken into account in computing a shareholder’s net investment income.

Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will, as to each shareholder, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a shareholder’s basis in his or her shares of the Fund, and as a capital gain thereafter (if the shareholder holds his or her shares of the Fund as capital assets). Each shareholder who receives distributions in the form of additional shares will generally be treated for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of money that the shareholder would have received if he or she had instead elected to receive cash distributions. The shareholder’s aggregate tax basis in shares of the applicable Funds will be increased by such amount.

Investors considering buying shares just prior to a capital gain distribution should be aware that, although the price of shares purchased at that time may reflect the amount of the forthcoming distribution, such dividend or distribution may nevertheless be taxable to them.

Because each Fund will distribute exempt-interest dividends, interest on indebtedness incurred by shareholders, directly or indirectly, to purchase or carry shares in a Fund is not deductible for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. Investors receiving social security or railroad retirement benefits should be aware that exempt-interest dividends may, under certain circumstances, cause a portion of such benefits to be subject to Federal income tax. Furthermore, a portion of any exempt-interest dividend paid by a Fund that represents income derived from certain revenue or private activity bonds held by the Fund may not retain its tax-exempt status in the hands of a shareholder who is a “substantial user” of a facility financed by such bonds, or a “related person” thereof. Moreover, some or all of the exempt-interest dividends distributed by a Fund may be a specific preference item, or a component of an adjustment item, for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax.

Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors as to whether they are (i) “substantial users” with respect to a facility or “related” to such users within the meaning of the Code or (ii) subject to a Federal alternative minimum tax, the Federal “branch profits” tax, or the Federal “excess net passive income” tax.

 

 

Sales of Shares

Upon the sale or exchange of his or her shares (other than an exchange for shares of another share class of the same Fund), a shareholder will generally recognize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and his or her basis in the shares. A redemption of shares by a Fund will normally be treated as a sale for this purpose. Such gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholder’s hands, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for more than one year and short-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for one year or less. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced, including replacement through the reinvesting of dividends and capital gains distributions in a Fund, within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of the shares. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be increased to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss realized by a shareholder on the sale of Fund shares held by the shareholder for six months or less will be treated for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions or deemed distributions of long-term capital gains received by the shareholder (including amounts credited to the shareholder as undistributed capital gains) with respect to such shares.

If a shareholder incurs a sales charge in acquiring shares of a Fund, disposes of those shares within 90 days and then acquires, before February 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year of the disposition, shares in a mutual fund for which the otherwise applicable sales charge is reduced by reason of a reinvestment right (e.g., an exchange privilege), the original sales charge will not be taken into account in computing gain or loss on the original shares to the extent the subsequent sales charge is reduced. Instead, the disregarded portion of the original sales charge will be added to the tax basis in the newly acquired shares. Furthermore, the same rule also applies to a disposition of the newly acquired shares made within 90 days of the second acquisition. This provision prevents a shareholder from immediately deducting the sales charge by shifting his or her investment within a family of mutual funds.

If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to a Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. The fact that a loss is so reportable does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper.

Backup Withholding

A Fund may be required in certain circumstances to apply backup withholding on dividends (including exempt-interest dividends), distributions and redemption proceeds payable to non-corporate shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. The backup withholding rate is currently 24%. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. Federal income tax liabilities.

Notices

Shareholders will receive, if appropriate, various written notices after the close of a Fund’s taxable year regarding the U.S. Federal income tax status of certain dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds that were paid (or that are treated as having been paid) by the Fund to its shareholders during the preceding taxable year.

Non-U.S. Shareholders

Ordinary dividends (other than certain dividends reported by the Fund as (i) interest-related dividends, to the extent such dividends are derived from the Fund’s “qualified net interest income,” or (ii) short-term capital gain dividends, to the extent such dividends are derived from the Fund’s “qualified short-term gain”) and certain other payments made by a Fund to non-U.S. shareholders are generally subject to Federal withholding tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be determined in accordance with any applicable treaty. “Qualified net interest income” is the Fund’s net income derived from U.S.-source interest and original issue discount, subject to certain exceptions and limitations. “Qualified short-term gain” generally means the excess of the net short-term capital gain of the Fund for the taxable year over its net long-term capital loss, if any. In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or similar form certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty. This 30% withholding tax generally does not apply to exempt-interest dividends, capital gain dividends or redemption proceeds. The withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid to a non-U.S. shareholder who provides an IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead, the

 

 

effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. Federal income tax as if the non-U.S. shareholder were a U.S. shareholder. A non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to additional “branch profits tax” imposed at a rate of 30% (or a lower treaty rate). A non-U.S. shareholder who fails to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form may be subject to backup withholding at the appropriate rate. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that have already been subject to the 30% withholding tax.

Unless certain non-U.S. entities that hold Fund shares comply with IRS requirements that will generally require them to report information regarding U.S. persons investing in, or holding accounts with, such entities, a 30% withholding tax may apply to Fund distributions (other than exempt-interest dividends) payable to such entities. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers on these matters and on state, local, foreign and other applicable tax laws.

Basis Reporting

Each Fund or your broker will report to the IRS the amount of proceeds that a shareholder receives from a redemption or exchange of Fund shares. For redemptions or exchanges of shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012, each Fund will also report the shareholder’s basis in those shares and the character of any gain or loss that the shareholder realizes on the redemption or exchange (i.e., short-term or long-term), and certain related tax information. For purposes of calculating and reporting basis, shares acquired prior to January 1, 2012 and shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012 will generally be treated as held in separate accounts. If a shareholder has a different basis for different shares of a Fund held in the same account (e.g., if a shareholder purchased Fund shares held in the same account when the shares were at different prices), the Fund will calculate the basis of the share sold using its default method unless the shareholder has properly elected to use a different method. Each Fund’s default method for calculating basis is the average basis method, under which the basis per share is reported as an average of the bases of the shareholder’s Fund shares in the account.

Shareholders may instruct a Fund to use a method other than average basis for an account, but the application of that other method will depend on whether shares have previously been redeemed or exchanged. Shareholders who hold shares through a broker should contact the broker for further assistance or for information regarding the broker’s default method for calculating basis and procedures for electing to use an alternative method. Prior to redeeming shares, shareholders should consult their tax advisers concerning the tax consequences of applying the average basis method or electing another method of basis calculation.

The foregoing is only a summary of certain material U.S. Federal income tax consequences (and, where noted, state and local tax consequences) affecting each Fund and its shareholders. Current and prospective shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a Fund.

 

 

Underwriters

The Distributor acts as each Fund’s principal underwriter in the continuous public offering of all of the Fund’s classes of shares. The Distributor is not obligated to sell a specific number of shares. Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor is responsible for the payment of certain printing and distribution costs relating to prospectuses and reports as well as the costs of supplemental sales literature, advertising and other promotional activities.

Payments of the amounts listed below for each of the Funds for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 were as follows:

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

Name of Principal Underwriter		Net Underwriting Discounts and Commissions		Compensation on Redemptions and Repurchases		Brokerage Commissions		Other Compensation
Aquila Distributors LLC		$4,317		None		None		None*

 

* Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Fund’s Distribution Plan are for compensation.

 

Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado:

 

Name of Principal Underwriter		Net Underwriting Discounts and Commissions		Compensation on Redemptions and Repurchases		Brokerage Commissions		Other Compensation
Aquila Distributors LLC		$8,607		None		None		None*

 

* Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Fund’s Distribution Plan are for compensation.

 

Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky:

 

Name of Principal Underwriter		Net Underwriting Discounts and Commissions		Compensation on Redemptions and Repurchases		Brokerage Commissions		Other Compensation
Aquila Distributors LLC		$3,393		None		None		None*

 

* Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Fund’s Distribution Plan are for compensation.

 

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon:

 

Name of Principal Underwriter		Net Underwriting Discounts and Commissions		Compensation on Redemptions and Repurchases		Brokerage Commissions		Other Compensation
Aquila Distributors LLC		$9,852		None		None		None*

 

* Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Fund’s Distribution Plan are for compensation.

 

Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund:

 

Name of Principal Underwriter		Net Underwriting Discounts and Commissions		Compensation on Redemptions and Repurchases		Brokerage Commissions		Other Compensation
Aquila Distributors LLC		$8,720		None		None		None*

 

* Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Fund’s Distribution Plan are for compensation.

 

 

 

Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah:

 

Name of Principal Underwriter		Net Underwriting Discounts and Commissions		Compensation on Redemptions and Repurchases		Brokerage Commissions		Other Compensation
Aquila Distributors LLC		$12,423		None		None		None*

 

* Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Fund’s Distribution Plan are for compensation.

 

Proxy Voting Policies

Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is publicly available without charge (1) by calling Aquila Group of Funds at 800-437-1000, (2) at www.aquilafunds.com, and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Manager’s proxy voting policies and procedures follow:

Background and Scope of Applicability: The purposes of these proxy voting policies and procedures is to set forth the principles, guidelines and procedures by which Aquila Investment Management LLC (the “Firm” or “AIM”) votes the securities for which the AIM exercises voting authority and discretion (“Proxies”).Generally, Aquila Municipal Trust (the “Trust”) does not purchase or hold voting securities. As a result, it is not likely that the Trust will hold securities whose issuers issue proxies. However, the Trust is permitted to invest in money market funds whose issuers may periodically issue proxies pursuant to requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Because of the nature of voting subject matters that might arise in the context of a money market fund proxy, AIM perceives relatively less risk with money market fund proxies in contrast to the proxies of corporate operating companies. Accordingly, this procedure has been designed and implemented to address matters that might arise in conjunction with voting money market fund proxies.

It is the general policy of the Firm to vote on all matters presented to security holders in any money market fund proxy in which the Trust is eligible to vote, and these policies and procedures have been designed with that in mind. However, the Firm reserves the right to abstain on any particular vote or otherwise withhold its vote on any matter if in the judgment of the Firm, the costs associated with voting such Proxy outweigh the benefits to the Trust, or if the circumstances make such an abstention or withholding otherwise advisable and in the best interests of the Trust.

In the event the Trust holds a voting security and is eligible to vote in a proxy solicitation, these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures will be used in determining how to cast a vote, whether to abstain from casting a vote, casting actual votes, maintaining required records and publicly disclosing the results of proxy voting.

Philosophy Governing Guidelines: AIM believes that shareholders will do best investing in companies in which the interests of corporate management are properly aligned with the long term interests of shareholders. In addition, AIM believes that investors are best served by managements and boards of directors that exhibit sound corporate governance. AIM does not support company managements and boards of directors that attempt to enrich themselves disproportionately at the expense of shareholders or that do not exhibit sound governance practices. AIM has established these proxy voting guidelines, but believes they cannot anticipate all situations that may arise. These proxy voting guidelines are guidelines, not rigid rules. There may be instances in which the specific situation requires a vote that does not follow the guidelines. However, generally, proxies will be voted in the best interests of Fund shareholders in a manner designed to maximize shareholder value and/ or promote strong mutual fund governance practices.

Proxy Voting Procedures: The “named” Portfolio Manager of each respective Fund with the Trust will receive, read and vote proxies using the philosophies and guidelines as described herein. AIM will work with the Trust’s Custodian to identify voting securities, receive relevant proxy materials, if any, and distribute such proxy materials to the respective Portfolio Manager. Proxies may be voted either electronically or manually via paper ballots delivered via the U. S. Mail.

Generally, the factor(s) considered in voting proxies may include:

·

Does the proposed action help or hurt long-term shareholder value?

·

Does the proposed action help or hurt mutual fund governance practices?

·

Is the proposed action otherwise in the best interest of Fund shareholders?

·

Other relevant factors.

 

 

If the Portfolio Manager needs further input on a voting matter, they may consult with the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, Fund officers or Fund legal counsel. Voting records will be maintained in a dedicated file for proxy votes in AIM’s headquarters

In cases where votes may require additional analysis, the Portfolio Manager may document the reasoning for the vote and supplement the Fund’s voting records. AIM will rely on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval) system to provide proxy statement documentation. AIM will make all required Form N-PX filings with the SEC and will post the Trust’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and proxy voting results on the Aquila Group of Funds website located at www.aquilafunds.com.

 

 

APPENDIX A

DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS

The ratings of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings represent their opinions as to the quality of various debt obligations. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, debt obligations with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while debt obligations of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield. As described by the rating agencies, ratings are generally given to securities at the time of issuances. While the rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no obligation to do so.

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. Global Rating Scales

Ratings assigned on Moody’s global long-term and short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Moody’s defines credit risk as the risk that an entity may not meet its contractual financial obligations as they come due and any estimated financial loss in the event of default or impairment. The contractual financial obligations¹ addressed by Moody’s ratings are those that call for, without regard to enforceability, the payment of an ascertainable amount, which may vary based upon standard sources of variation (e.g., floating interest rates), by an ascertainable date. Moody’s rating addresses the issuer’s ability to obtain cash sufficient to service the obligation, and its willingness to pay.² Moody’s ratings do not address non-standard sources of variation in the amount of the principal obligation (e.g., equity indexed), absent an express statement to the contrary in a press release accompanying an initial rating.³ Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. Short-term ratings are assigned for obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment.^4,5

Moody’s issues ratings at the issuer level and instrument level on both the long-term scale and the short-term scale. Typically, ratings are made publicly available although private and unpublished ratings may also be assigned.⁶

Moody’s differentiates structured finance ratings from fundamental ratings (i.e., ratings on nonfinancial corporate, financial institution, and public sector entities) on the global long-term scale by adding (sf) to all structured finance ratings.⁷ The addition of (sf) to structured finance ratings should eliminate any presumption that such ratings and fundamental ratings at the same letter grade level will behave the same. The (sf) indicator for structured finance security ratings indicates that otherwise similarly rated structured finance and fundamental securities may have different risk characteristics. Through its current methodologies, however, Moody’s aspires to achieve broad expected equivalence in structured finance and fundamental rating performance when measured over a long period of time.

 

(1)	In the case of impairments, there can be a financial loss even when contractual obligations are met.
(2)	In some cases the relevant credit risk relates to a third party, in addition to, or instead of the issuer. Examples include credit-linked notes and guaranteed obligations.
(3)	Because the number of possible features or structures is limited only by the creativity of issuers, Moody’s cannot comprehensively catalogue all the types of non-standard variation affecting financial obligations, but examples include indexed values, equity values and cash flows, prepayment penalties, and an obligation to pay an amount that is not ascertainable at the inception of the transaction.
(4)	For certain structured finance, preferred stock and hybrid securities in which payment default events are either not defined or do not match investors’ expectations for timely payment, long-term and short-term ratings reflect the likelihood of impairment and financial loss in the event of impairment.
(5)	Debts held on the balance sheets of official sector institutions – which include supranational institutions, central banks and certain government-owned or controlled banks – may not always be treated the same as debts held by private investors and lenders. When it is known that an obligation is held by official sector institutions as well as other investors, a rating (short-term or long-term) assigned to that obligation reflects only the credit risks faced by non-official sector investors.
(6)	For information on how to obtain a Moody’s credit rating, including private and unpublished credit ratings, please see Moody’s Investors Service Products.
(7)	Like other global scale ratings, (sf) ratings reflect both the likelihood of a default and the expected loss suffered in the event of default. Ratings are assigned based on a rating committee’s assessment of a security’s expected loss rate (default probability multiplied by expected loss severity), and may be subject to the constraint that the final expected loss rating assigned would not be more than a certain number of notches, typically three to five notches, above the rating that would be assigned based on an assessment of default probability alone.  The magnitude of this constraint may vary with the level of the rating, the seasoning of the transaction, and the uncertainty around the assessments of expected loss and probability of default.

 

 

 

Description of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.’s Global Long-Term Ratings:

Aaa—Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

Aa—Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A—Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa—Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba—Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B—Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa—Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca—Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C—Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.

By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.

Description of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.’s Global Short-Term Ratings:

P-1—Ratings of Prime-1 reflect a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-2—Ratings of Prime-2 reflect a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-3—Ratings of Prime-3 reflect an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

NP—Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

Description of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.’s US Municipal Ratings:

U.S. Municipal Short-Term Obligation Ratings:

Moody’s uses the global short-term Prime rating scale for commercial paper issued by US municipalities and nonprofits. These commercial paper programs may be backed by external letters of credit or liquidity facilities, or by an issuer’s self-liquidity. For other short-term municipal obligations, Moody’s uses one of two other short-term rating scales, the Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and Variable Municipal Investment Grade (VMIG) scales discussed below.

Moody’s uses the MIG scale for US municipal cash flow notes, bond anticipation notes and certain other short-term obligations, which typically mature in three years or less. Under certain circumstances, Moody’s uses the MIG scale for bond anticipation notes with maturities of up to five years.

MIG 1—This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

MIG 2—This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

 

 

MIG 3—This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

SG—This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

Demand Obligation Ratings:

In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned. The components are a long-term debt rating and a short-term demand obligation rating. The long-term rating addresses the issuer’s ability to meet scheduled principal and interest payments. The short-term demand obligation rating addresses the ability of the issuer or the liquidity provider to make payments associated with the purchase-price-upon-demand feature (“demand feature”) of the VRDO. The short-term demand obligation rating uses the VMIG scale. VMIG ratings with l liquidity support use an input the short-term Counterparty Risk Assessment of the support provider, or the long-term rating of the underlying obligor in the absence of third party liquidity support. Transitions of VMIG ratings of demand obligations with conditional liquidity support differ from transitions on the Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade.

Moody’s typically assigns the VMIG short-term demand obligation rating if the frequency of the demand feature is less than every three years. If the frequency of the demand feature is less than three years but the purchase price is payable only with remarketing proceeds, the short-term demand obligation rating is “NR”.

VMIG 1—This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

VMIG 2—This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

VMIG 3—This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

SG-This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

Description of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.’s National Scale Long-Term Ratings:

Moody’s long-term National Scale Ratings (NSRs) are opinions of the relative creditworthiness of issuers and financial obligations within a particular country. NSRs are not designed to be compared among countries; rather, they address relative credit risk within a given country. Moody’s assigns national scale ratings in certain local capital markets in which investors have found the global rating scale provides inadequate differentiation among credits or is inconsistent with a rating scale already in common use in the country.

In each specific country, the last two characters of the rating indicate the country in which the issuer is located or the financial obligation was issued (e.g., Aaa.ke for Kenya).

Long-Term NSR Scale

Aaa.n   Issuers or issues rated Aaa.n demonstrate the strongest creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

Aa.n   Issuers or issues rated Aa.n demonstrate very strong creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

A.n   Issuers or issues rated A.n present above-average creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

Baa.n   Issuers or issues rated Baa.n represent average creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

 

 

Ba.n   Issuers or issues rated Ba.n demonstrate below-average creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

B.n   Issuers or issues rated B.n demonstrate weak creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

Caa.n   Issuers or issues rated Caa.n demonstrate very weak creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

Ca.n   Issuers or issues rated Ca.n demonstrate extremely weak creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

C.n   Issuers or issues rated C.n demonstrate the weakest creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

Description of S&P Global Ratings’ Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings:

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P Global Ratings’ analysis of the following considerations: (1) the likelihood of payment—the capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on a financial obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation; (2) the nature and provisions of the financial obligation, and the promise S&P Global Ratings imputes; and (3) the protection afforded by, and relative position of, the financial obligation in the event of a bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

An issue rating is an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

AAA—An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA—An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.

A—An obligation rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong.

BBB—An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C—Obligations rated “BB”, “B”, “CCC”, “CC”, and “C” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “C” the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions.

BB—An obligation rated “BB” is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

B—An obligation rated “B” is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated “BB”, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

CCC—An obligation rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event

 

 

of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

CC—An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

The “CC” rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

C—An obligation rated “C” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.

D—An obligation rated “D” is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

Ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (–) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.

Description of S&P Global Ratings’ Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings:

A-1—A short-term obligation rated “A-1” is rated in the highest category by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2—A short-term obligation rated “A-2” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory.

A-3—A short-term obligation rated “A-3” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

B—A short-term obligation rated “B” is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

C—A short-term obligation rated “C” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent on favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

D—A short-term obligation rated “D” is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings’ believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

Description of S&P Global Ratings’ Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings Definitions:

An S&P Global Ratings U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P Global Ratings opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P Global Ratings’ analysis will review the following considerations: (1) amortization schedule—the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and (2) source of payment—the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

SP-1-Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

 

 

SP-2-Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

SP-3-Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

D—“D” is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed debt restructuring, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.

Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings

AAA   An obligor rated “AAA” has extremely strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. “AAA” is the highest issuer credit rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings.

AA   An obligor rated “AA” has very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. It differs from the highest-rated obligors only to a small degree.

A   An obligor rated “A” has strong capacity to meet its financial commitments but is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in higher-rated categories.

BBB   An obligor rated “BBB” has adequate capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments.

BB, B, CCC, and CC Obligors rated “BB”, “B”, “CCC”, and “CC” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “CC” the highest. While such obligors will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions.

BB   An obligor rated “BB” is less vulnerable in the near term than other lower-rated obligors. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties and exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

B   An obligor rated “B” is more vulnerable than the obligors rated “BB”, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments.

CCC   An obligor rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet its financial commitments.

CC   An obligor rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable. The “CC” rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

SD and D An obligor is rated “SD” (selective default) or “D” if S&P Global Ratings considers there to be a default on one or more of its financial obligations, whether long- or short-term, including rated and unrated obligations but excluding hybrid instruments classified as regulatory capital or in nonpayment according to terms. A “D” rating is assigned when S&P Global Ratings believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An “SD” rating is assigned when S&P Global Ratings believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. A rating on an obligor is lowered to “D” or “SD” if it is conducting a distressed debt restructuring. Ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.

Description of S&P Global Ratings’ Dual Ratings:

Dual ratings may be assigned to debt issues that have a put option or demand feature. The first component of the rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second component of the rating addresses only the demand feature. The first component of the rating can relate to either a short-term or long-term transaction and accordingly use either short-term or long-term rating symbols. The second component of the rating relates to the put option and is assigned a short-term rating symbol (for example, “AAA/A-1+” or “A-1+/A-1”). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, the U.S. municipal short-term note rating symbols are used for the first component of the rating (for example, “SP-1+/A-1+”).

 

 

Description of S&P Global Ratings’ Active Qualifiers:

S&P Global Ratings uses the following qualifiers that limit the scope of a rating. The structure of the transaction can require the use of a qualifier such as a “p” qualifier, which indicates the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only. A qualifier appears as a suffix and is part of the rating.

Federal deposit insurance limit: “L” qualifier. Ratings qualified with “L” apply only to amounts invested up to federal deposit insurance limits.

Principal: “p” qualifier. This suffix is used for issues in which the credit factors, the terms, or both, that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of principal are different from the credit factors, terms or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of interest on the obligation. The “p” suffix indicates that the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only and that the interest is not rated.

Preliminary ratings: “prelim” qualifier. Preliminary ratings, with the “prelim” suffix, may be assigned to obligors or obligations, including financial programs, in the circumstances described below. Assignment of a final rating is conditional on the receipt by S&P Global Ratings of appropriate documentation. S&P Global Ratings reserves the right not to issue a final rating. Moreover, if a final rating is issued, it may differ from the preliminary rating.

·

Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations, most commonly structured and project finance issues, pending receipt of final documentation and legal opinions.

·

Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations that will likely be issued upon the obligor’s emergence from bankruptcy or similar reorganization, based on late-stage reorganization plans, documentation and discussions with the obligor. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligors. These ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the reorganized or post-bankruptcy issuer as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s).

·

Preliminary ratings may be assigned to entities that are being formed or that are in the process of being independently established when, in S&P Global Ratings’ opinion, documentation is close to final. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligations of these entities.

·

Preliminary ratings may be assigned when a previously unrated entity is undergoing a well-formulated restructuring, recapitalization, significant financing or other transformative event, generally at the point that investor or lender commitments are invited. The preliminary rating may be assigned to the entity and to its proposed obligation(s). These preliminary ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the obligor, as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s), assuming successful completion of the transformative event. Should the transformative event not occur, S&P Global Ratings would likely withdraw these preliminary ratings.

·

A preliminary recovery rating may be assigned to an obligation that has a preliminary issue credit rating.

Termination structures: “t” qualifier. This symbol indicates termination structures that are designed to honor their contracts to full maturity or, should certain events occur, to terminate and cash settle all their contracts before their final maturity date.

Counterparty instrument rating: “cir” qualifier. This symbol indicates a counterparty instrument rating (CIR), which is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an issuer in a securitization structure with respect to a specific financial obligation to a counterparty (including interest rate swaps, currency swaps, and liquidity facilities). The CIR is determined on an ultimate payment basis; these opinions do not take into account timeliness of payment.

Description of Fitch Ratings’ Corporate Finance Obligation Ratings:

Ratings of individual securities or financial obligations of a corporate issuer address relative vulnerability to default on an ordinal scale. In addition, for financial obligations in corporate finance, a measure of recovery given default on that liability is also included in the rating assessment. This notably applies to covered bonds ratings, which incorporate both an indication of the probability of default and of the recovery given a default of this debt instrument. On the contrary, ratings of debtor-in-possession (DIP) obligations incorporate the expectation of full repayment.

 

 

The relationship between the issuer scale and obligation scale assumes a generic historical average recovery. Individual obligations can be assigned ratings, higher, lower, or the same as that entity’s issuer rating or Issuer Default Rating (IDR), based on their relative ranking, relative vulnerability to default or based on explicit Recovery Ratings. As a result, individual obligations of entities, such as corporations, are assigned ratings higher, lower, or the same as that entity’s issuer rating or IDR, except DIP obligation ratings that are not based off an IDR. At the lower end of the ratings scale, Fitch publishes explicit Recovery Ratings in many cases to complement issuer and obligation ratings.

AAA: Highest credit quality. “AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA: Very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A: High credit quality. “A” ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB: Good credit quality. “BBB” ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

BB: Speculative. “BB” ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.

B: Highly speculative. “B” ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.

CCC: Substantial credit risk. “CCC” ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present.

CC: Very high levels of credit risk. “CC” ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk.

C: Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. “C” indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

The ratings of corporate finance obligations are linked to Issuer Default Ratings (or sometimes Viability Ratings for banks) by i) recovery expectations, including as often indicated by Recovery Ratings assigned in the case of low speculative grade issuers and ii) for banks an assessment of non-performance risk relative to the risk captured in the Issuer Default Rating or Viability Rating (e.g. in respect of certain hybrid securities).

For performing obligations, the obligation rating represents the risk of default and takes into account the effect of expected recoveries on the credit risk should a default occur.

If the obligation rating is higher than the rating of the issuer, this indicates above average recovery expectations in the event of default. If the obligations rating is lower than the rating of the issuer, this indicates low expected recoveries should default occur.

Ratings in the categories of “CCC”, “CC” and “C” can also relate to obligations or issuers that are in default. In this case, the rating does not opine on default risk but reflects the recovery expectation only.

Description of Fitch Ratings’ Issuer Default Ratings:

Rated entities in a number of sectors, including financial and non-financial corporations, sovereigns, insurance companies and certain sectors within public finance, are generally assigned Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs). IDRs are also assigned to certain entities or enterprises in global infrastructure, project finance and public finance. IDRs opine on an entity’s relative vulnerability to default (including by way of a distressed debt exchange) on financial obligations. The threshold default risk addressed by the IDR is generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, IDRs also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts.

In aggregate, IDRs provide an ordinal ranking of issuers based on the agency’s view of their relative vulnerability to default, rather than a prediction of a specific percentage likelihood of default.

 

 

AAA: Highest credit quality. “AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA: Very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A: High credit quality. “A” ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB: Good credit quality. “BBB” ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

BB: Speculative. “BB” ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists that supports the servicing of financial commitments.

B: Highly speculative. “B” ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

CCC: Substantial credit risk. Default is a real possibility.

CC: Very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.

C: Near default. A default or default-like process has begun, or the issuer is in standstill, or for a closed funding vehicle, payment capacity is irrevocably impaired. Conditions that are indicative of a “C” category rating for an issuer include:

·

the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation;

·

the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation;

·

the formal announcement by the issuer or their agent of a distressed debt exchange;

·

a closed financing vehicle where payment capacity is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default is imminent

RD: Restricted default. “RD” ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has experienced:

·

an uncured payment default or distressed debt exchange on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation, but

·

has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation, or other formal winding-up procedure, and has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include:

·

the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;

·

the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation;

·

the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; ordinary execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

D: Default. “D” ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure or that has otherwise ceased business.

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

 

 

In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice.

Description of Fitch Ratings’ Structured Finance Long-Term Obligation Ratings:

Ratings of structured finance obligations on the long-term scale consider the obligations’ relative vulnerability to default. These ratings are typically assigned to an individual security or tranche in a transaction and not to an issuer.

AAA: Highest credit quality.

“AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA: Very high credit quality.

“AA” ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A: High credit quality.

“A” ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB: Good credit quality.

“BBB” ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

BB: Speculative.

“BB” ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time.

B: Highly speculative.

“B” ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

CCC: Substantial credit risk.

Default is a real possibility.

CC: Very high levels of credit risk.

Default of some kind appears probable.

C: Exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

Default appears imminent or inevitable.

D: Default.

Indicates a default. Default generally is defined as one of the following:

·

failure to make payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of the rated obligation;

·

bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of the business of an issuer/obligor; or

·

distressed exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation to avoid a probable payment default.

 

 

Description of Fitch Ratings’ Country Ceilings Ratings:

Country Ceilings are expressed using the symbols of the long-term issuer primary credit rating scale and relate to sovereign jurisdictions also rated by Fitch on the Issuer Default Rating (IDR) scale. They reflect the agency’s judgment regarding the risk of capital and exchange controls being imposed by the sovereign authorities that would prevent or materially impede the private sector’s ability to convert local currency into foreign currency and transfer to non-resident creditors — transfer and convertibility (T&C) risk. They are not ratings but expressions of a cap for the foreign currency issuer ratings of most, but not all, issuers in a given country. Given the close correlation between sovereign credit and T&C risks, the Country Ceiling may exhibit a greater degree of volatility than would normally be expected when it lies above the sovereign Foreign Currency Rating.

Description of Fitch Ratings’ Public Finance and Global Infrastructure Obligation Ratings:

Ratings of public finance obligations and ratings of infrastructure and project finance obligations on the long-term scale, including the financial obligations of sovereigns, consider the obligations’ relative vulnerability to default. These ratings are assigned to an individual security, instrument or tranche in a transaction. In some cases, considerations of recoveries can have an influence on obligation ratings in infrastructure and project finance. In limited cases in U.S. public finance, where Chapter 9 of the Bankruptcy Code provides reliably superior prospects for ultimate recovery to local government obligations that benefit from a statutory lien on revenues, Fitch reflects this in a security rating with limited notching above the IDR. Recovery expectations can also be reflected in a security rating in the U.S. during the pendency of a bankruptcy proceeding under the Code if there is sufficient visibility on potential recovery prospects.

AAA: Highest credit quality. “AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA: Very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A: High credit quality. “A” ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB: Good credit quality. “BBB” ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

BB: Speculative. “BB” ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time.

B: Highly speculative. “B” ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

CCC: Substantial credit risk. Default is a real possibility.

CC: Very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.

C: Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default appears imminent or inevitable.

D: Default. Indicates a default. Default generally is defined as one of the following:

·

failure to make payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of the rated obligation;

·

bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of the business of an issuer/obligor where payment default on an obligation is a virtual certainty; or

·

distressed exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation to avoid a probable payment default.

Notes: In U.S. public finance, obligations may be pre-refunded, where funds sufficient to meet the requirements of the respective obligations are placed in an escrow account. When obligation ratings are maintained based on the escrowed funds and their structural elements, the ratings carry the suffix “pre” (e.g. “AAApre”, “AA+pre”).

 

 

Structured Finance Defaults

“Imminent” default, categorized under “C”, typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.

Additionally, in structured finance transactions, where analysis indicates that an instrument is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full in accordance with the terms of the obligation’s documentation during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default in accordance with the terms of the documentation is imminent, the obligation will typically be rated in the “C” category.

Structured Finance Write-downs

Where an instrument has experienced an involuntary and, in Fitch Ratings’ opinion, irreversible “write-down” of principal (i.e., other than through amortization, and resulting in a loss to the investor), a credit rating of “D” will be assigned to the instrument. Where Fitch Ratings believes the “write-down” may prove to be temporary (and the loss may be “written up” again in future if and when performance improves), then a credit rating of “C” will typically be assigned. Should the “write-down” then later be reversed, the credit rating will be raised to an appropriate level for that instrument. Should the “write-down” later be deemed as irreversible, the credit rating will be lowered to “D”.

Notes: In the case of structured and project finance, while the ratings do not address the loss severity given default of the rated liability, loss severity assumptions on the underlying assets are nonetheless typically included as part of the analysis. Loss severity assumptions are used to derive pool cash flows available to service the rated liability.

The suffix “sf” denotes an issue that is a structured finance transaction.

Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (EETCs) are corporate-structured hybrid debt securities that airlines typically use to finance aircraft equipment. Due to the hybrid characteristics of these bonds, Fitch's rating approach incorporates elements of both the structured finance and corporate rating methodologies. Although rated as asset-backed securities, unlike other structured finance ratings, EETC ratings involve a measure of recovery given default akin to ratings of financial obligations in corporate finance, as described above.

Description of Fitch Ratings’ Short-Term Ratings Assigned to Issuers and Obligations:

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention.⁸ Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

F1—Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

 

 

(8)	A long-term rating can also be used to rate an issuer with short maturity.

 

 

 

 

F2—Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

F3—Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

B—Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

C—High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

RD—Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.

D—Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of all short-term obligations.

 

 

 

APPENDIX B

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ARIZONA ECONOMY AND ARIZONA OBLIGATIONS

The following information is a summary of certain factors affecting the credit and financial condition of the State of Arizona (“Arizona” or the “State”). The sources of payment for Arizona municipal obligations and the marketability thereof may be affected by financial or other difficulties experienced by the State and certain of its municipalities and public authorities. This summary does not purport to be a complete description and is derived solely from information contained in publicly available documents, including reports prepared by State government and budget officials and statements of issuers of Arizona municipal obligations, as available on the date of this Statement of Additional Information. Any characterizations of fact, assessments of conditions, estimates of future results and other projections are statements of opinion made by the State in, and as of the date of, such reports and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. The Fund is not responsible for information contained in such reports and has not independently verified the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of information contained in such reports. Such information is included herein without the express authority of any Arizona issuer and is provided without regard to any events that have occurred since the date of the most recent publicly available report.

Economic and Demographic Information

General

Located in the country’s sunbelt, Arizona continues to be one of the fastest growing areas in the United States. Based on 2010 census figures, Arizona ranked 16th in U.S. population. Over the last several decades, Arizona has outpaced most other regions of the country in virtually every major category of growth, including population, personal income, gross state product and job creation.

Geographically, Arizona is the nation’s sixth largest state in terms of area (113,909 square miles). It is divided into three distinct topographic regions: northern Arizona - high plateau country traversed by deep canyons such as the Grand Canyon National Park; central Arizona - rugged, mountainous and heavily forested; and southern Arizona - encompassing desert areas and flat, fertile agricultural lands in valleys between mountains rich in mineral deposits. These topographic areas all have different climates, which have distinctively influenced development in each region. Land ownership is vested largely in the federal and State governments: 42.1 percent is owned by the federal government, 27.6 percent is held as Federal Trust Land (Indian), 17.6 percent is privately owned and 12.7 percent is held by the State.

Arizona is divided into 15 counties. Two of these counties, Maricopa County, Arizona (“Maricopa County”) and Pima County, Arizona (“Pima County”), are more urban in nature and account for over 75 percent of total population and over 84 percent of total wage and salary employment in Arizona, based on 2018 estimates. Located within Maricopa County is the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, which consists of the City of Phoenix, the sixth largest city in the United States, and surrounding cities including Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale, Chandler, Peoria, Gilbert and Avondale. Located within Pima County is the Tucson metropolitan area, which is dominated by the City of Tucson, Arizona, the State’s second most populous city.

Economic Condition and Outlook

Summary of Outlook

The Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) projects that employment in Arizona will increase from 3,241,387 to 3,332,012 jobs in from the 2^nd Quarter of 2022 through the 2^nd quarter of 2024. This represents an increase of 90,625 jobs, or 1.4% annualized growth.

Job gains are projected for 10 of the 11 Arizona supersectors, with Manufacturing (3.4% annualized growth) and Information (3.3% annualized growth) projected to record the fastest job growth rates. Trade, Transportation and Utilities (18,557 jobs) and Leisure and Hospitality (17,458 jobs) are projected to record the largest job gains.

Supersectors projected to record the lowest rates of growth include Natural Resources and Mining (0.3% annualized growth) and Government (0.4% annualized growth). Natural Resources and Mining (248 jobs) and Government (1,392 jobs) also are projected to record the fewest job gains over the two-year period. Financial Activities is the only supersector projected to record a loss (-2,796 jobs, or -0.6%).

Ten of 11 supersectors are projected to gain jobs in Arizona from Q2 2022 to Q2 2024. Highlights of this job growth include the following:

 

 

·

Manufacturing employment is projected to grow by 13,300 jobs (3.4% annually). Much of this job growth is projected to be driven by the Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing industry, which is projected to grow by 3,567 (5.2% annually). This represents 26.8% of job growth in the Manufacturing supersector. Transportation Equipment Manufacturing is projected to gain 2,509 jobs (3.2% annually), representing 18.9% of Manufacturing job growth over the two-year period.

·

Information employment is projected to increase by 3,514 jobs (3.3% annually). Within the Information supersector, the Motion Picture and Sound Recording industry is projected to gain 1,548 (13.7% annually), representing 44.1% of growth in the supersector.

·

Leisure and Hospitality employment is projected to grow by 17,458 jobs (2.4% annually) to 373,675 in Q2 2024 from 356,217 in Q2 2022. The Food Services and Drinking Places industry is projected to grow by 8,681 (1.7% annually), representing 49.7% of projected job growth in the Leisure and Hospitality supersector.

·

Professional and Business Services employment is projected to grow by 17,457 jobs (1.8% annually). Most of this growth is projected to be driven by the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry, which is projected to gain 10,353 jobs (2.9% annually), representing 59.3% of projected growth in the Professional and Business Services supersector.

·

Trade, Transportation and Utilities employment is projected to grow by 18,557 jobs (1.5% annually). Much of this job growth is projected to be driven by the Warehousing and Storage industry, which is projected to gain 4,505 jobs (4.4% annually). This represents 24.3% of job growth in the Trade, Transportation and Utilities supersector.

·

Education and Health Services employment is projected to grow by 15,822 jobs (1.2% annually). Most of this job growth is projected to be driven by the Ambulatory Health Care Services industry, which is projected to gain 12,126 jobs (3.1% annually), representing 76.6% of projected growth in the Education and Health Services supersector.

Each of the 15 Arizona counties is projected to gain jobs over the two-year projected period. Greenlee County (3.6% annualized growth), Pinal County (1.8% annualized growth), and Graham County (1.6% annualized growth) are projected to record the largest job growth rates. Maricopa County (72,670 jobs), Pima County (6,009 jobs), and Pinal County (2,694 jobs) are projected to record the largest job gains. Maricopa County is projected to account for 80.2% of the jobs gained in the state over the two-year projected period, while Pima County is projected to account for 6.6% and Pinal County is projected to account for 3.0%.

Employment

For the five years leading up to the pandemic, Arizona was among the nation’s leaders in job creation. That momentum helped the state’s job market weather the pandemic and recover lost jobs relatively quickly.

Looking ahead to 2023, the pace of job growth in the state will be heavily influenced by, first, whether the Federal Reserve can achieve its “soft landing” objectives and, second, the depth of a slowdown in the housing sector.

Arizona’s housing shortage should work to the housing sector’s advantage, but tighter monetary policy is likely to suppress new-home prices and sales volume, which would dampen employment prospects in residential construction and related sectors.

Manufacturing

Arizona has prospered in attracting manufacturers looking to relocate.

In 2022, growth in manufacturing jobs exploded, as the state was on pace to add about 15,000 manufacturing jobs – the highest growth in decades.

The health of manufacturing in Arizona is important for overall job growth, because of manufacturing’s distinctive ability to sustain a net flow of income into the state and provide residual benefits to other businesses and sectors.

Since the turn of the century, one of the most important growth drivers for Arizona has been its strength in aerospace and electronics manufacturing. In recent years, the manufacturing sector has seen both a resurgence in traditional segments and diversification with a blossoming automobile sector.

 

 

Looking ahead, the national political climate and recently passed federal legislation, which includes a focus on green energy initiatives and domestic semiconductor production, aligns well with Arizona’s business climate and should continue to drive capital investment in 2023 and beyond.

At the same time, competition for new facilities incorporating advanced manufacturing capabilities will require a knowledge-based workforce equipped with analytical skills required to operate and maintain complex production operations. States that are successful in this competition will have workforces trained and ready to meet this challenge.

Construction

In 2023, the pace of construction job growth will be greatly influenced by how the overall housing sector responds to the Fed’s fiscal moves, relatively high mortgage rates, rising labor costs, and implementation of the federal Infrastructure and Jobs Act.

In contrast to 2019, when the state’s 12,000 new construction jobs ranked Arizona among the top five states, job growth fell in 2022 to about 6,000 on a year-over-year basis. That is a significant shortfall from expectations at the start of the year, when many economists and industry leaders predicted that the housing sector and the injection of infrastructure investments would underpin the sector.

The bright picture that the sector projected just a year ago has dimmed, and construction job creation for 2023 is likely to continue to fall short of recent expectations.

Personal Income

Historically, nominal personal income growth has been a reliable barometer of overall economic growth in the state, as it encompasses both overall employment and income growth. Arizona has regularly been among the nation’s leaders in this measurement.

However, 2020 and 2021 were unusual years. Large federal transfer payments in the second quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021 led to personal-income surges despite relatively high unemployment rates. With the loss of this injection in 2022, overall personal income growth slowed to about 3%, even though wages and salaries alone surged by nearly 10%. Consequently, overall personal income will be less of a reliable measure of economic performance until later in 2023 and beyond.

In assessing the overall income figure, the volatility of both capital gains income and income from the real estate sector merits consideration. Current estimates suggest that Arizona capital gains realizations in 2021 surged to more than $33 billion, by far the highest on record and over $15 billion higher than average gains realizations in the years leading up to the pandemic.

Moreover, the 2021 real estate boom buoyed incomes for individuals and businesses that rely on real estate-related sales. The likely decline in capital gains income and income from real estate transactions will adversely affect overall income in Arizona throughout 2023.

In-migration

Arizona has historically been a people magnate for both domestic and international immigrants, and, according to decades-long IRS data, the state continues to rank among the nation’s leaders in domestic in-migration.

More recent census data suggests that Arizona ranked third in net domestic migration in 2021 and has been among the top five for much of the past decade. Among major metropolitan areas, the Phoenix area has held the top position for five of the past six years.

Since the middle of the 20th century, Arizona’s consistent attraction has stemmed from plentiful job opportunities, affordable housing, pleasant weather, beautiful scenery, and the opportunity to enjoy a Southwest lifestyle. While many of these attributes remain in place, income growth is not keeping pace with the cost of housing.

Nonetheless, recent statistics suggest that the state and, in particular, metro Phoenix remain top destinations for all categories of new residents, including young adults.

 

 

Risks

In contrast to late 2021, when the economic picture looked very bright, 2023 is ushered in by concerns and uncertainties ranging from recessionary prospects at home to global energy strains stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

As a result, considerable caution influences Arizona’s economic outlook. There are also some reasons to be optimistic.

Pessimistic economists point to Arizona’s historical tendency to do well in the upswing in the real estate cycle and to struggle through the downswing. Fed tightening has taken mortgage rates from 3% to 7%, and it appears resolved to eliminate inflation even if it requires higher rates. More aggressive action on inflation will most likely lead to more slowing in the real estate sector and delayed plans for business expansion.

While potential impacts of drought and climate change are both short term and long term in nature, any increase in the threats of these factors will dampen prospects for growth, as with many other states.

On a more positive note, Arizona is well positioned for business expansion, with its attractiveness as an in-migration destination for movers and the continued interest in Arizona by relocating businesses. Maintaining a stable, predictable business climate that is attractive to young and innovative workers can help sustain growth for years to come.

Revenue Outlook

While forecasting the State’s General Fund revenue is never a sure thing, the current cycle offers a particular set of uncertainties.

First, the future trajectory of the economy is debatable. There is a high probability – though not a certainty – of recession. The strength of the Arizona economy heading into any recession may help buffer some of the negative consequences, but the degree to which sales tax collections and other revenues were inflated by atypical consumption patterns during the pandemic, inflationary increases, and the 2021 surge in real estate transactions, is still unclear.

Similarly, data now suggest that FY 2022 revenues were significantly boosted by record levels of capital gains and the unprecedented federal stimulus, which make it difficult, prior to any downturn considerations, to determine the true nature of the State’s revenue base.

Finally, State tax cuts enacted in calendar years 2021 and 2022 have further reductions slated for 2023, which will further erode revenues. The State is likely to see significant slowing in personal income tax revenue collections in the spring of 2023 and continuing through the calendar year, with implications for FY 2023 and FY 2024. The speed and magnitude of a post-recessionary rebound in FY 2024 and beyond will depend on the strength and duration of a possible economic downturn and the pace at which inflation rates decline.

Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity Employment Report – March 2023

The Arizona seasonally adjusted (SA) unemployment rate decreased to 3.7% in February 2023 from 3.8% in January 2023. The U.S. SA unemployment rate increased to 3.6% in February 2023 from 3.4% in January 2023. Month over month, Arizona’s SA labor force increased by 5,015 individuals, or 0.1%. Year over year, the SA labor force increased by 78,292 individuals, or 2.2%. Month over month, Arizona not-seasonally adjusted (NSA) total nonfarm employment increased by 18,300 jobs. Year over year, NSA total nonfarm employment increased by 71,000 jobs, or 2.3%. Arizona SA total nonfarm employment increased by 5,700 individuals, or 0.2%, month over month.

Month Over Month - Arizona NSA nonfarm employment increased by 18,300 jobs in February. Prior to the pandemic (2010-2019), NSA nonfarm employment gained 25,100 jobs on average in February. The government sector recorded a gain of 7,200 jobs in February, less than the pre-pandemic (2010-2019) average gain of 11,200 jobs. Employment gains in the government sector occurred primarily within Local Government (4,800 jobs). The private sector recorded a gain of 11,100 jobs in February, led by gains in Leisure & Hospitality (5,400 jobs) and Private Education & Health Services (4,400 jobs). Prior to the pandemic (2010-2019), private sector employment averaged a gain of 13,800 jobs in February.

Employment gains were reported in the following sectors: Government (7,200 jobs); Leisure & Hospitality (5,400 jobs); Private Education & Health Services (4,400 jobs); Construction (2,400 jobs); Other Services (1,800 jobs); Trade, Transportation & Utilities (700 jobs); and Natural Resources & Mining (200 jobs).

 

 

Employment losses were reported in the following sectors: Professional & Business Services (-3,100 jobs); Information (-300 jobs); Manufacturing (-200 jobs); and Financial Activities (-200 jobs).

Year Over Year - Arizona NSA nonfarm employment increased by 71,000 jobs or 2.3% in February year over year. Private sector employment increased by 62,600 jobs year over year, while government employment increased by 8,400 jobs year over year.

Employment gains were reported in the following sectors: Private Education & Health Services (24,700 jobs); Leisure & Hospitality (14,200 jobs); Professional & Business Services (10,000 jobs); Government (8,400 jobs); Manufacturing (6,700 jobs); Construction (5,000 jobs); Financial Activities (3,400 jobs); Other Services (1,400 jobs); and Natural Resources & Mining (1,200 jobs).

Employment losses were reported in the following sectors: Trade, Transportation & Utilities (-3,800 jobs); and Information (-200 jobs).

Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee Staff Report – March 2023

Economic Indicators – National

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’ (BEA) second estimate for the U.S. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the 4th quarter of 2022 is an annual growth rate of 2.7%. This estimate was revised from their preliminary estimate of 2.9%.

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index, declined to 102.9 in February, a decrease of (2.9)% from the previous month. Consumers’ perspective of the present situation improved for the 3^rd straight month because of a favorable view of labor market conditions. However, this was offset by declining future expectations due to escalating recession concerns. The consumer confidence index is (2.6)% below what it was in February 2022.

The U.S. Leading Economic Index (LEI), published by the Conference Board, decreased by (0.3)% to 110.3 points in January, marking the 11^th consecutive month of decline. Strong labor markets and stock market growth were offset by reduced manufacturing orders, consumer expectations, and rising interest rates. Over the past 6 months, the LEI has decreased (3.6)%. The Conference Board’s February press release states that it “expects high inflation, rising interest rates, and contracting consumer spending to tip the U.S. economy into recession in 2023”.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.4% month-over-month (after seasonal adjustment) in February. Increased shelter and food prices offset a decline in energy prices during the month. Compared to last February, the overall CPI has increased 6.0%; food prices increased 9.5%; energy prices rose 5.2% (including a (2.0)% decrease for gasoline and 9.2% increase for oil); and shelter costs increased 8.1%. Excluding food and energy, the year-over-year “core” CPI increased by 5.5% in February.

Economic Indicators – Arizona

Housing

In January, Arizona’s 12-month total of single-family building permits was 34,948. This was a reduction of (6.6)% from December and (25.0)% below January 2022’s 12-month total. January was the 20th consecutive month with a year-over-year decline.

In January, Arizona’s 12-month total of 22,083 multi-family building permits was 16.4% greater than the same 12-month period ending in January 2022. January 2023 is the 17^th consecutive month with an annual growth rate greater than 10%.

The median home price in Maricopa County fell to $445,000 in January, representing a (1.1)% decrease from December’s median sale price and a (3.1)% decrease below January 2022’s figure. This is the first month since at least 2014 to have a lower median home sale price than the same month in the prior year.

Tourism

In January, revenue per available room increased to $104.16, representing a 19.2% gain over December’s figure and a 23.9% increase over last January’s revenue per room.

 

 

Hotel occupancy was 63.7% in January, which is 3.0% greater than December’s occupancy rate and 4.7% above that of January 2022.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Ridership was about 3.9 million in January, which is a (0.6)% decrease from December’s figure and 0.3% above January 2020 ridership. This is the fourth month since September 2022 with higher ridership than for the same month in 2019 (i.e., before start of the pandemic).

Employment

As a result of the annual benchmarking revision of establishment survey data, the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) reported in March that Arizona’s nonfarm employment was revised upward for 2021 and 2022. The revised 2021 annual average employment level was 2,970,700 jobs, an upward revision of 13,100 jobs. The revised 2022 annual average employment level was 3,095,400, an upward revision of 28,100 jobs. As a result of this benchmark revision, the 2022 average annual net employment gain was increased from 109,700 jobs to 124.700 jobs, or from an annual growth rate of 3.7% to 4.2%, which is the largest percentage gain since 2006.

According to the latest employment report released by OEO, the state lost (32,600) nonfarm jobs in January compared to the prior month. Prior to the pandemic, nonfarm employment recorded an average loss of (51,000) jobs in January (2010-2019).

Compared to the same month in the prior year, the state gained 98,400 jobs, an increase of 3.2%. Job gains were reported in all 11 employment categories, with the largest gains recorded in Private Education & Health Services (+26,100 jobs) and Professional & Business Services (+18,700 jobs).

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.8% in January from 4.0% in December. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined from 3.5% in December to 3.4% in January.

OEO reported that a total of 3,121 initial claims for unemployment insurance were filed in Arizona in the week ending on March 4^th. For the same week in the prior year, 2,508 initial claims were filed, which is an increase of 24.4%. Compared to the same week in 2022, the number of initial claims has been trending up since the start of the current calendar year.

According to OEO, for the week ending on February 25^th, there were a total of 19,712 continued claims for unemployment insurance in Arizona. At this time last year, the number of continued claims was 13,199, which represents an increase of 49.3%. Compared to the same week in the prior year, the number of continued claims has been trending up since November of 2022.

State Agency Data

As of March 1, 2023, the total AHCCCS caseload was 2.47 million members. Total monthly enrollment increased 0.5% in March over February and increased 6.8% compared to a year ago. Parent and child enrollment in the Traditional population increased by 0.1% in March or 4.2% higher than a year ago.

Other Acute Care enrollment, including Prop 204 Childless Adults, Other Prop 204, Adult Expansion, and KidsCare, was 1,125,807 – an increase of 0.9% over February and 10.0% above last year. For March 2023, the Elderly, Physically Disabled and Developmental Disabilities Long-Term Care population increased by 0.2%. At 67,452, this population is 3.1% higher than a year ago.

There were 11,341 TANF Cash Assistances cases in February 2023, representing a 0.1% increase from January 2023. The year-over-year number of cash benefit recipients has decreased by (11.8)%.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, provides assistance to low-income households to purchase food. In February 2023, 892,197 people received food stamp assistance. This was a (1.1)% decrease from January 2023 and a 7.9% increase from February 2022.

The Arizona Department of Correction’s inmate population was 33,745 as of February 28, 2023. This was a (0.2)% decrease from January 31, 2023 and a 0.6% increase since February 2022.

 

 

Based on information the Department of Child Safety provided for January 2023, reports of child maltreatment totaled 46,712 over the last 12 months, a decrease of (5.6)% from the prior year. There were 11,633 children in out-of-home care as of January 2023, or (12.5)% less than in January 2022. Compared to the prior month, the number of out-of-home children decreased by (0.8)%.

FY 2024 Baseline Summary Prepared by the Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) Staff

Summary of the General Fund Budget Outlook

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After a 17% increase in FY 2022, base General Fund revenue growth is expected to moderate to 7.5% in FY 2023 and 2.0% in FY 2024.

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The declining growth rate is related to recession concerns as the Federal Reserve Board attempts t