The state shall protect, save harmless and indemnify the Capital Region Development Authority and its directors, officers and employees from financial loss and expense, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any claim, demand, suit or judgment based upon any alleged act or omission of the authority or any such director, officer or employee in connection with, or any other legal challenge to, the overall project, as defined in section 32-651, stadium facility operations, as defined in section 32-651, public act 98-1 of the December special session*, public act 99-241* or public act 00-140*, including without limitation the preparation by the authority of the environmental impact evaluation contemplated by subsection (j) of section 32-664, provided any such director, officer or employee is found to have been acting in the discharge of such director, officer or employee’s duties or within the scope of such director, officer or employee’s employment and any such act or omission is found not to have been wanton, reckless, wilful or malicious.