Port authority; powers generally.

Sec. 8. (1) An authority may do 1 or more of the following: (a) Adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business. (b) Sue and be sued on the same basis as this state. (c) Adopt and register with the secretary of state an official seal and alter that seal at its pleasure. (d) Maintain offices at a place or places, either within or without its jurisdiction, as it may determine. (e) Acquire, construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate, improve, maintain, finance, lease as lessor or as lessee, repair, or operate facilities within its territorial jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, the dredging of ship channels and turning basins and the filling and grading of land related to these improvements. An authority may operate a leased facility, owned by the authority, if the lessee defaults and a new lease is negotiated or competitively bid. (f) Designate the location and character of the facilities that the authority may hold, own, finance, or operate, or over which it is authorized to act, and regulate all matters related to the location and character of those facilities. (g) Acquire, hold, and dispose of real and personal property. (h) Make directly, or through the hiring of expert consultants, investigations and surveys of whatever nature, including studies of business conditions, freight rates, port services, physical surveys of the conditions of channels and structures, and the necessity for additional facilities for the development and improvement of commerce and recreation and for the more expeditious handling of that commerce and recreation, and make studies, surveys, and estimates, as necessary for the execution of its powers under this act. (i) Promulgate all necessary rules to fulfill the purposes of this act. (j) Issue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness as provided in this act. (k) Fix, revise from time to time, charge, and collect rates, fees, rentals, or other charges for the use of a facility owned or operated by the authority. (l) Enter into public-private partnerships or other agreements necessary or useful to accomplish the purposes of this act. (2) The powers granted under this act are in addition to those powers granted by charter or other statute.