Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 7. LOCAL GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER 14. TRANSPORTATION

Part 11. Port Authorities

General Powers Of Authority

7-14-1111. General powers of authority. An authority has all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this part, including but not limited to the power to:

(1) subject to 15-10-420, request annually the amount of tax to be levied by the governing body for port purposes, which request the governing body may in its discretion approve for port purposes;

(2) sue and be sued, have a seal, and have perpetual succession;

(3) execute contracts and other instruments and take other action that may be necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this part;

(4) plan, establish, acquire, develop, construct, purchase, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, operate, regulate, and protect transportation, storage, or other facilities. For these purposes an authority may, by purchase, gift, devise, lease, or otherwise, acquire real or personal property or any interest in property, including easements.

(5) establish comprehensive port zoning regulations in accordance with the laws of this state;

(6) acquire, by purchase, gift, devise, lease, or otherwise, existing transportation, storage, or other facilities that may be necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this part. However, an authority may not acquire or take over any transportation, storage, or other facility owned or controlled by another authority, county, municipality, or public agency without the consent of the authority, county, municipality, or public agency.

(7) provide financial and other support to organizations in its jurisdiction, including corporations organized under the provisions of the development corporation act in Title 32, chapter 4, whose purpose is to promote, stimulate, develop, and advance the general welfare, economic development, and prosperity of its jurisdiction and of the state and its citizens by stimulating, assisting in, and supporting the growth of all kinds of economic activity, including the creation, expansion, modernization, retention, and relocation of new and existing businesses and industry in the state, all of which will tend to promote business development, maintain the economic stability and prosperity of the state, and thus provide maximum opportunities for employment and improvement in the standards of living of citizens of the state; and

(8) for an authority with a truck/train transloading facility, receive grants pursuant to 80-11-105 to enhance the transportation of agricultural goods and to meet the purposes of this part.

History: En. Sec. 6, Ch. 456, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 507, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 640, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 34, Ch. 584, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 564, L. 2021.