POWERS OF AN AUTHORITY.

(a) An authority may:

(1) construct, improve, maintain, repair, or operate a project;

(2) conduct research necessary for efficient operation of a parking facility;

(3) establish a permanent coordinated system of parking facilities;

(4) plan, design, locate, hold, construct, improve, maintain, operate, own, or lease land and facilities for the parking of vehicles;

(5) sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, and complain and defend in court;

(6) adopt, use, and alter a corporate seal;

(7) acquire, purchase, hold, lease as lessee, or use a franchise, property, or an interest in property, as necessary or desirable for carrying out the purpose of this subchapter;

(8) sell, lease as lessor, exchange, transfer, or dispose of property or an interest in property;

(9) contract and execute instruments necessary or convenient to carry on its business;

(10) borrow money, accept a grant, and enter into a contract, lease, or other transaction with a federal agency, the state, a municipality, a corporation, or another authority;

(11) exercise the power of eminent domain;

(12) pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise encumber the revenue or receipts of the authority as security for the obligations of the authority;

(13) enter into a contract of group insurance for the benefit of its employees and set up a retirement or pension fund for the employees;

(14) on consent of the municipality, use an appointed officer, agent, employee, and facility of the municipality and pay the municipality for the use;

(15) dedicate its real property to the public purposes for a street or highway;

(16) invest that part of the proceeds received from the sale of bonds or other funds that the authority considers available in direct obligations of the United States; and

(17) act as necessary to accomplish its purpose, the promotion of its business, and its general welfare.

(b) An authority may not pledge the credit or taxing power of the state or a political subdivision of the state. The obligations of an authority are not the obligations of the state or a political subdivision of the state. The state or a political subdivision of the state is not liable for the payment of the principal of or interest on the obligations.

(c) An authority may not sell goods or provide services other than those necessary for the parking of vehicles in a facility of the authority.