Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 7. LOCAL GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER 10. REGIONAL RESOURCE AUTHORITIES

Part 1. Creation -- Expansion -- Powers

Regional Resource Authority -- Powers -- Limits

7-10-115. Regional resource authority -- powers -- limits. (1) A regional resource authority has power to:

(a) sue and be sued;

(b) purchase and hold lands within its limits;

(c) make contracts and purchase and hold personal property that may be necessary to the exercise of its powers;

(d) make orders for the disposition or use of its property that the interests of its inhabitants require; and

(e) subject to 15-10-420, levy and collect taxes for public or governmental purposes, as described in 7-6-2527, under its exclusive jurisdiction unless prohibited by law;

(f) impose fees or assessments for services provided;

(g) pay debts and expenses;

(h) solicit and accept bequests, donations, or grants of money, property, services, or other advantages and comply with any condition that is not contrary to the public interest;

(i) execute documents necessary to receive money, property, services, or other advantages from the state government, the federal government, or any other source;

(j) make grants and loans of money, property, and services for public purposes;

(k) require the attendance of witnesses and production of documents relevant to matters being considered by the governing body;

(l) hire, direct, and discharge employees and appoint and remove members of boards;

(m) ratify any action of the regional resource authority or its officers or employees that could have been approved in advance;

(n) acquire by eminent domain, as provided in Title 70, chapter 30, any interest in property for a public use authorized by law;

(o) initiate a civil action to restrain or enjoin an action adverse to the regional resource authority;

(p) enter private property, obtaining warrants when necessary, for the purpose of enforcing its authority that affects the general welfare and public safety;

(q) conduct preparatory studies;

(r) purchase insurance and establish self-insurance plans;

(s) exercise powers not inconsistent with law necessary for effective administration of authorized services and functions;

(t) enter into interlocal agreements or other agreements with the federal government or its agencies; and

(u) issue bonds and notes for the purpose of funding projects as provided in part 2 of this chapter.

(2) A regional resource authority may not:

(a) authorize a tax on income or the sale of goods or services;

(b) regulate private activity beyond its geographic limits;

(c) impose a duty on another unit of local government, except that nothing in this limitation affects the right of a regional resource authority to enter into and enforce an agreement on interlocal cooperation;

(d) exercise any judicial function, except as an incident to the exercise of an administrative power; or

(e) exercise any power enumerated in 7-1-111.

History: En. Sec. 8, Ch. 351, L. 2009.