When it has been determined by the governing body of any such county, by resolution in the exercise of its discretion that in the exercise of the powers conferred by this article it is expedient to create a bridge commission, the board of chosen freeholders of such county shall pass a resolution creating such commission and appointing three persons who shall constitute a bridge commission, which shall be a public body corporate and politic of the State, under the name of (insert name of county) bridge commission, and shall have perpetual succession and power to contract, to sue and be sued and to adopt a seal and alter same at pleasure, but shall not have power to pledge the credit or taxing power of the county. No officer or employee of the county, whether holding a paid or unpaid office, shall be eligible for membership on the commission. Such appointees shall be originally appointed for terms of one year, two years, three years, respectively. Upon the expiration of such terms appointments shall be made in like manner except that the terms of the three appointees shall be for three years. Not more than two of such appointees shall be members of the same political party. Vacancies shall be filled for any unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

Each bridge and all approaches and other property of any commission are hereby declared to be public property of a public body corporate and politic and political subdivision of the State and devoted to an essential public and governmental purpose and shall be exempt from all taxes and special assessments by the State or any subdivision thereof and exempt from any lien, levy, sale or other charge by virtue of any judgment, execution or other process except in favor of the holder or holders of any bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness outstanding pursuant to a resolution adopted by the commission under authority of section 27:19-32 of this article. All such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of such commission are hereby declared to be issued by a public body corporate and politic and political subdivision of the State, and for an essential public and governmental purpose and to be public instrumentalities and, together with the interest thereon and any income therefrom, shall be exempt from taxes.

Amended by L.1941, c. 71, p. 158, s. 1; L.1946, c. 318, p. 1038, s. 6.