The authority is a public corporation of the State of California, independent of the agencies from which its board is appointed and in carrying out its corporate purpose as provided in this title, will be performing an essential governmental function. The powers and duties of the authority are those granted or imposed by this chapter, and the powers granted by this chapter are not restricted or qualified by Title 2 (commencing at Section 8000) of this code. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the provisions of Chapter 3 (commencing at Section 13290) of Part 3 of Division 3 of Title 2 of this code shall not be applicable to the authority. The authority shall not be deemed a “state agency” as that term is defined by Section 11000 of this code; provided that if the authority itself undertakes the work of developing, designing and construction of the regional transit terminal the provisions of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 14250) of Part 5 of Division 3 of Title 2 which are applicable to public bidding and award of contracts shall apply to the authority insofar as they can be made applicable thereto. The authority shall be deemed a “state agency” for purposes of Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1, Division 3, Title 2.

(Added by Stats. 1974, Ch. 1373.)