A. The authority, acting by and through its board, shall have and exercise all powers of a political subdivision necessary or convenient for the carrying out of its objects and purposes, including but not limited to the following rights and powers:

            (1) To sue and be sued.

            (2) To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.

            (3) To acquire by donation, grant, purchase, or lease all property, including servitudes or rights of use; to hold and use any property, immovable or movable, corporeal or incorporeal, or any interest therein, necessary or desirable for carrying out the objects and purposes of the authority, including but not limited to the establishment, maintenance, and operation of industrial parks.

            (4) To receive any sum of money, or property, aid, or assistance from the United States, the state of Louisiana, or any political subdivision thereof, or any person, firm, or corporation.

            (5) To enter into contracts for the purchase, acquisition, construction, maintenance, and improvement of works and facilities necessary in connection with the purposes of the authority.

            (6) To grant rights-of-way to erect, construct, lay, operate, and maintain gas, water, sewer, electric, or other utility systems and equipment for the purposes of providing such utilities to persons and entities located within industrial parks, industrial plant buildings, and subordinate and related facilities constructed or acquired by the authority. The authority may select utility service providers, subject to the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. 33:4160.1 and 4160.2 and La. Rev. Stat. 45:123 and all applicable orders of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, for facilities constructed or acquired by the authority.

            (7) In its own name and on its own behalf to incur debt and to issue general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, certificates, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness and to levy and cause to be collected ad valorem taxes as provided in this Subpart and as may be provided by general law.

            (8) To require and issue licenses with respect to its properties and facilities.

            (9) To regulate the imposition of fees and rentals charged by the authority for its facilities and for services rendered by it.

            (10) To mortgage properties constructed or acquired and to borrow money and pledge all or part of its revenues, leases, rents, or other advantages as security for such loans.

            (11) To sell immovable property owned by the authority.

            (12) To appoint officers, agents, and employees, prescribe their duties, and fix their compensation.

            (13) To contract, upon such terms as it may agree upon, for legal, financial, engineering, and other professional services necessary or expedient in the conduct of its affairs.

            (14) To utilize the services of the executive departments of the state upon mutually agreeable terms and conditions.

            (15) To do any and all things necessary or proper for the government, regulation, development, and control of the business of the district.

            B. The legislature may confer additional powers upon the authority not inconsistent with the provisions of this Subpart, provided that no such provisions shall impair any contract lawfully entered into by the authority.

            Acts 2008, No. 918, §1; Acts 2015, No. 363, §1; Acts 2018, No. 333, §1.