(a) It is the purpose of this act to promote, stimulate and develop the general welfare, economic development and prosperity of the state of Kansas by fostering the growth of intrastate and interstate commerce within the state; to promote the advancement and retention of ports within the state; to encourage and assist in the location of new business and industry in this state and the expansion, relocation or retention of existing business and industry when so doing will help maintain existing levels of commerce within the state or increase the movement of commodities, goods and products produced, manufactured or grown within or without the state through existing ports within the state or lead to the development of new ports within the state; and to promote the economic stability of the state by maintaining and providing employment opportunities, thus promoting the general welfare of the citizens of this state, by authorizing port authorities to be established in each city and in each county of the state.

A port authority shall be a public body corporate and politic which if established shall be known as the “port authority” of the city or of the county. Joint port authorities may be created under authority of this act by cooperative agreement executed by the governing bodies of any city or county or cities or counties. Such joint authorities formed by such cooperative agreement shall have all the powers and jurisdiction enumerated in this act. Such creation shall be by ordinance or resolution. Except for port authorities created prior to April 1, 1981, no port authority shall be created without approval of the legislature by concurrent resolution. The authority shall not transact any business or exercise powers hereunder until the passage of a concurrent resolution by the legislature as hereinbefore provided.

No port authority located in Cowley county shall modify, amend or extend the port authority’s official plan as originally adopted by the port authority to change the purpose for which it was created or alter the character of the work to be undertaken, as provided by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 12-3406, and amendments thereto, without approval of the legislature by concurrent resolution. The port authority shall not transact any business or exercise powers hereunder concerning any business or actions related to such modification, amendment or extension of the original plan.

A cooperative agreement creating a joint port authority may be amended by the governing bodies of the cities and counties which comprise such port authority. Any amendment to such a cooperative agreement, including amendments which allow other cities located within counties which are parties to the original agreement to join in such agreement, shall not require approval by the legislature.

No member of the authority shall serve as such who owns land, other than a residence, or represents in a fiduciary capacity or as agent any person who owns land surveyed or examined for port locations, except that this prohibition shall not prevent a user of a port facility from serving as a member of the authority.

A port authority may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, subject to the limitations and other provisions of the Kansas tort claims act. The exercise by such port authority of the powers conferred upon it shall be deemed to be essential governmental functions of the creating city or county.

(b) Any city or county creating or participating in the creation of a port authority, before any taxes are levied shall submit the question of whether an annual tax levy may be made on the assessed taxable tangible property of such city, county, or a combination thereof, and the amount thereof to the electors of such city or county comprising such authority. If a majority of those voting on the question vote in favor of such tax levy, the same may be made for such purpose and to pay a portion of the principal and interest on bonds issued under the authority of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 12-1774, and amendments thereto, by cities located in the county, and otherwise such tax levy shall not be made. If such tax levy is approved, the authority may expend funds not otherwise appropriated to defray the expense of surveys and examinations incidental to the purposes of the port authority and may expend funds for any of the purposes as set forth in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 12-3406, and amendments thereto.

(c) Subject to making due provisions for payment and performance of its obligations, a port authority may be dissolved by the city or county, or combination thereof, comprising it. If the port authority is dissolved, the properties of the port authority shall be transferred to the subdivision comprising it, or, if comprised by more than one city or county, to the city or county comprising it in such manner as may be agreed upon by them. Obligations of the authority shall not be obligations of the state of Kansas, nor of any city or county which creates the authority, unless the obligations are specifically approved by a majority vote of the electors of such city or county voting on the issue. Notice of such election shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties once each week for two consecutive weeks. The first publication shall be not less than 21 days prior to such election. Such notice shall set forth the time and place of holding the election and the issue which the vote is to determine.