A.  To prevent impairment of the bonds of the seven deepwater ports as defined in La. Const. Art. VI, § 43 , other non-deepwater ports, harbors, and related authorities, and the deepwater terminal facility of the offshore terminal authority, and to recognize the existing authority of and functions performed by the established ports and harbors of Louisiana, it is hereby recognized that the function, power and authority of the various existing port authorities established pursuant to Article 14, Section 31 of thethe Louisiana Constitution of 1921, and La. Const. Art. VI, § 43 , the offshore terminal authority, and other non-deepwater ports, harbors, and related authorities established by specific constitutional provision or by state law are not to be diminished by the jurisdiction and powers exercised by the authority except as provided in this Chapter.

B.  The authority may enter into intergovernmental contract agreements with existing port authorities, individually, with the offshore terminal authority, or with any other parish, city, municipality, or subdivision of the state, and may engage jointly in the exercise of any power or the making of any improvements which each of the participating authorities may exercise or undertake individually under any provision of general or special law.

Acts 2008, No. 699, §1, eff. July 1, 2008.