Sec. 335.071.  GENERAL POWERS OF DISTRICT.  (a)  A district may:
(1)  perform any act necessary to the full exercise of the district's powers;
(2)  accept a gift, grant, or loan from a:
(A)  department or agency of the United States;
(B)  department, agency, or political subdivision of this state;  or
(C)  public or private person;
(3)  acquire, sell, lease, convey, or otherwise dispose of property or an interest in property, including a right-of-way or easement or an approved venue project, under terms and conditions determined by the district;
(4)  employ necessary personnel;  and
(5)  adopt rules to govern the operation of the district and its employees and property.
(b)  A district may contract with a public or private person, including one or more political subdivisions that created the district or a sports team, club, organization, or other entity, to:
(1)  plan, acquire, establish, develop, construct, or renovate an approved venue project;  or
(2)  perform any other act the district is authorized to perform under this chapter, other than conducting an election under this chapter.
(c)  A district may contract with or enter into an interlocal agreement with a school district, junior or community college district, or an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, for a purpose described by Subsection (b).  The contract or interlocal agreement may provide for joint ownership and operation or joint use.
(d)  The competitive bidding laws, including Chapter 271, do not apply to the planning, acquisition, establishment, development, construction, or renovation of an approved venue project.
(e)  A district may impose any tax a municipality or county may impose under Chapter 334, subject to approval of the voters of the district as prescribed by this chapter and Chapter 334.  The district shall impose the tax in the same manner as a county or municipality and may issue bonds in lieu of a county or municipality as required by Chapter 334.
(f)  A district may not levy an ad valorem tax.
(g)  In a transaction with another public entity that is made as provided by Subsection (a)(3), the public purpose found by the legislature under Section 335.074 is adequate consideration for the district and the other public entity.
(h)  A district has the right and power of eminent domain under Chapter 21, Property Code, to acquire and condemn any interest, including a fee simple interest, in real property in the district, in connection with the planning, acquisition, establishment, development, construction, renovation, repair, maintenance, or operation of an approved venue project.  A district is not required to provide bond for appeal or bond for costs under Section 21.021(a)(2) or (3), Property Code, in any lawsuit to which the district is a party and is not required to deposit more than the amount of the award in a suit.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 551, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.