Airport districts have broad powers to run airports, acquire property, set fees, make regulations, and enter agreements, but they cannot expropriate property outside the district and need local concurrence in certain formation cases.
§326. Authority of airport district A. An airport district is a public corporation and has all powers of public corporations including the right and power to incur debt and contract obligations, to sue and be sued, to have a corporate seal, and to perform in its corporate capacity and in its corporate name all acts necessary and proper for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, maintaining, and operating airports and airport facilities, including both movable and immovable property. B. An airport district may expropriate property for the purpose of acquiring the necessary land and rights of way for the construction of airports and for the construction of roads, drains, or other facilities necessary or incidental to the construction and operation of airports. No airport district shall expropriate property outside the boundaries of said district. If the district was formed by a single municipality or political subdivision, no property shall be expropriated by the district without the concurrence of the governing authority of said municipality or political subdivision. If an airport district was formed by two or more municipalities or political subdivisions, no property shall be expropriated in any one thereof without the concurrence of the governing authority of that municipality or political subdivision. C. An airport district, through its governing authority, may by resolution or ordinance establish, maintain, and collect proper and reasonable rates, charges, rents, or other fees for the use of the facilities of the airport. The governing authority may provide for the housing of any airplane at suitable facilities within a district. An airport district may adopt and enforce regulations necessary for the protection of the safety of persons using airports constructed and maintained by the district. D. An airport district may enter into agreements with the United States or with any state or federal agency necessary to procure aid and grants to assist the district in carrying out the purposes for which it was created. Amended by Acts 1975, No. 659, §1. Acts 1983, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 26, §1, eff. Jan. 19, 1983; Acts 1993, No. 984, §1.