Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 67. AERONAUTICS

CHAPTER 11. AIRPORT AUTHORITIES

Part 2. Powers

General Powers Of Authority

67-11-201. General powers of authority. An authority has all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including, subject to 15-10-420, the power to certify annually to the governing bodies creating it the amount of tax to be levied by the governing bodies for airport purposes. Authority powers include but are not limited to the power to:

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

(2) execute contracts, including alternative project delivery contracts as provided for in Title 18, chapter 2, part 5, and other instruments and take other action that may be necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

(3) plan, establish, acquire, develop, construct, purchase, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, operate, regulate, and protect airports and air navigation facilities, within this state and within any adjoining state, including the acquisition, construction, installation, equipment, maintenance, and operation at the airports or buildings and other facilities for the servicing of aircraft or for comfort and accommodation of air travelers and the purchase and sale of supplies, goods, and commodities that are incident to the operation of its airport properties. For the authorized purposes, an authority may, by purchase, gift, devise, lease, eminent domain proceedings pursuant to Title 70, chapter 30, or otherwise, acquire property, real or personal, or any interest in property, including easements in airport hazards or land outside the boundaries of an airport or airport site, that is necessary to permit the removal, elimination, obstruction-marking, or obstruction-lighting of airport hazards or to prevent the establishment of airport hazards.

(4) establish airport affected area regulations in accordance with this title;

(5) acquire, by purchase, gift, devise, lease, eminent domain proceedings, or otherwise, existing airports and air navigation facilities. However, an authority may not acquire or take over any airport or air navigation facility owned or controlled by another authority, a municipality, or a public agency of this or any other state without the consent of the authority, municipality, or public agency.

(6) establish or acquire and maintain airports in, over, and upon any public waters of this state or any submerged lands under public waters, provided that the authority has obtained the approval of the owner or agency that controls the water, and construct and maintain terminal buildings, landing floats, causeways, roadways, and bridges for approaches to or connecting with any airport and landing floats and breakwaters for the protection of the airport.

History: En. 1-909 by Sec. 8, Ch. 433, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 1-909(part); amd. Sec. 133, Ch. 584, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 44, Ch. 125, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 26, Ch. 300, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 574, L. 2005.