A.  All drainage districts within the parish of Assumption heretofore or hereafter created under the provisions of this Part shall have and are hereby vested with full power and authority, acting through their governing authorities, to:

(1)  Drain and reclaim lands in said drainage districts by the construction, maintenance, and operation of gravity and forced drainage facilities, including canals, ditches, pumps, levees and other related works.

(2)  Incur debt and issue general obligation bonds for the purpose of constructing drainage works and acquiring the necessary lands, equipment and machinery therefor.  Said bonds shall be secured by and payable from ad valorem taxation and may be issued to an amount not exceeding ten percent of the assessed valuation of the property of such districts in the manner provided for the issuance of bonds by other political subdivisions under Subpart A, Part III, Chapter 4, Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 and other constitutional and statutory authority supplemental thereto.  Such bonds shall be issued only after being approved at an election ordered by the board of commissioners of the drainage district and held in accordance with the provisions of law.  

(3)  Levy special taxes on all the property within such drainage districts for the purpose of maintaining, operating, constructing and/or improving the drainage works in such drainage districts after having been authorized to do so at a special election held in accordance with the provisions of law.  

(4)  Expropriate property for the purpose of acquiring sites for pumping stations and land for any other necessary public purposes of the drainage districts; provided, however, the drainage districts shall not have the right to expropriate minerals or mineral rights.  

(5)  Acquire machinery and maintain pumping plants or any machinery whatever that may be found necessary for the purpose of draining or reclaiming any of the lands embraced within the drainage districts.  

(6)  Cut and open any drains and canals and open, deepen, and enlarge natural drains within or without the drainage districts and perform all work in connection therewith which may be deemed necessary to provide drainage for lands in the drainage districts, and perform all other acts necessary to drain the land in the drainage districts and maintain the drainage when established.  

(7)  To cooperate with and enter into cooperative agreements and arrangements with agencies of the United States of America, the state of Louisiana and its various departments and political subdivisions, on a matching fund or any other basis in any drainage and reclamation projects.  Purchase servitudes and rights-of-way for their own uses or for the use of any state or federal agency with which they may cooperate in connection with some work of improvement.  

(8)  Accept gifts and grants of money, property, or services.  

(9)  Extend canals or ditches or both canals and ditches beyond the limits of the drainage districts but within the boundaries of Assumption Parish for the purpose of securing a proper outlet for the waters of the drainage districts.  

B.  The authority herein granted may be exercised and the works of improvement herein authorized may be constructed within or without the limits of the districts.  

C.  The powers, rights, and authority granted in this Section shall be in addition to any powers now or hereafter conferred on drainage districts by the provisions of this Part and shall not be limited or restricted by any other provisions of said Part, and in particular the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. 38:1678.  

Acts 1985, No. 499, §1, eff. July 12, 1985.