The commission has broad powers over the port area, but it may not grant an exclusive franchise to any carrier.
§3153. Rights and powers of the board The commission shall exercise the powers herein conferred upon it, within the port area, consisting of the entire parish of Natchitoches as the boundaries and limits of said parish are presently fixed by law. The commission may authorize a reasonable travel allowance for its members in the performance of their official duties, and it may employ such officers, or agents, and employees, as it may find necessary in the performance of its duties, and may prescribe their duties, powers and compensation of such officers, agents and employees. The commission may, upon such terms as it may agree upon, contract for legal, financial, engineering, and other professional services necessary or expedient in the conduct of its affairs, and may upon terms and conditions mutually agreeable, utilize the services of the other executive departments of the state. The commission shall regulate the commerce, and traffic, within such port area in such a manner as may, in its judgment, be for the best interest of the state. It shall have charge of and administer public wharves, docks, sheds and landings, and shall have authority to construct or acquire and equip wharves and landings, and other structures useful for the commerce of the port area, and provide mechanical facilities therefor; to erect sheds or other structures on said wharves and landings; to maintain proper depths of water at all such wharves and landings; to provide light, water, police protection, and other services for its facilities as it may deem advisable; to construct or acquire, maintain and operate basins, locks, canals, warehouses, and elevators; to charge for the use of all facilities administered by it, and for all services rendered by it, such fees, rates, tariffs, or other charges as it may establish; to establish harbor lines within the port area by agreement with the Corps of Engineers; and to construct, own, operate and maintain terminal rail facilities, and other common carrier rail facilities for the purpose of rendering rail transportation to and from the facilities to be erected, owned and operated by the commission in both intrastate and interstate commerce. The legislature may confer additional powers upon the commission not inconsistent with the provisions hereof; provided, however, that it shall not impair any contracts lawfully entered into by the commission. Title to all property and improvements thereon operated by the commission shall vest in the state of Louisiana. The commission may charge a reasonable fee to each vessel arriving in the port area in ballast or carrying cargo of any kind. It may also charge for each copy of any certificate issued by it, or by any of its officers or employees for inspecting hatches, surveying cargo, or making other surveys or inspections of vessels in the port area, but shall furnish, without charge, to the master of each such vessel, one copy of all surveys upon his vessel or cargo. The commission shall have authority to make and enter into contracts, leases, and other agreements with railroads, trucking companies, barge lines, and with any and all companies interested in the transportation, storage, and shipping of goods and other products, whether by rail, truckline, bargeline, oceangoing vessels, or otherwise for the use of facilities administered by the commission or any part or portion thereof for a period of time not exceeding forty years. No exclusive franchise, however, shall be granted to any carrier. Added by Acts 1975, No. 40, §1.