A.(1) Any governing body of a subdivision may, by resolution, create a public body to be known as an airport authority which shall be authorized to exercise its functions upon the appointment and qualification of the first commissioners thereof. Upon the adoption of a resolution creating an airport authority, the governing body of the subdivision shall, pursuant to the resolution, appoint not less than five persons but not more than nine persons as commissioners of the authority. The commissioners shall be appointed to serve staggered terms of no less than one year, but not more than five years, except that vacancies occurring otherwise than by the expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

            (2) The Iberia Parish Airport Authority shall have six members, one of whom shall be an Iberia Parish citizen residing at a location with a Jeanerette address as established by the United States Postal Service.

            (3) At the expiration of a term occurring after August 1, 2022, the Shreveport Airport Authority shall appoint at least one commissioner who has a Federal Aviation Administration private pilot’s license or has served as a required aviation crew member in the United States. Documentation shall be provided to comply with this requirement. Thereafter, the Shreveport Airport Authority shall make appointments in a manner to ensure that at least one member who either has a Federal Aviation Administration private pilot’s license or has served as a required aviation crew member in the United States is always seated.

            (4) Where the governing body of a subdivision creates an airport authority by resolution, such authority shall be perpetually in existence until revoked by resolution of the governing body. Any airport district created by a special act of the legislature shall be able to adopt a resolution or ordinance or take other action by vote of a majority of the quorum.

            B. The governing body may, at its discretion, submit the proposition of whether or not it should create an airport authority hereunder to the electorate and should the proposition be favorable, then and in that event, it shall become mandatory for the governing body to create such an authority by resolution and same shall be perpetual in existence until revoked by the electorate in the same manner as the creation thereof. The election shall be ordered by resolution and submitted to the qualified electors at an election to be conducted in accordance with the general election laws of the state of Louisiana, a majority of those voting in said election shall have voted in favor of the creation of an airport authority.

            Acts 1952, No. 531, §3. Acts 1983, No. 725, §1; Acts 1999, No. 836, §1; Acts 2001, No. 92, §1; Acts 2022, No. 378, §1.