Sec. 22.011. GENERAL POWERS REGARDING AIRPORTS AND AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES

(a) A local government may plan, establish, construct, improve, equip, maintain, operate, regulate, protect, and police an airport or air navigation facility in or outside:

(1) the territory of the local government; or

(2) the territory of this state.

(b) The power granted under Subsection (a) includes:

(1) constructing, installing, equipping, maintaining, and operating at an airport a building or other facility, including a building or other facility for:

(A) the landing and takeoff of aircraft;

(B) cargo, freight, and mail handling, storage, and processing;

(C) the servicing or retrofitting of aircraft, aerospace aircraft, and other equipment and vehicles related to air transportation or aerospace flight; and

(D) the comfort and accommodation of air travelers, including a facility commonly found and provided at an airport; and

(2) buying and selling goods as an incident to the operation of the local government's airport.

(c) A local government, by eminent domain or any other method, may acquire an interest in property, including an easement in an airport hazard or land outside the boundaries of an airport or airport site:

(1) for a purpose described by Subsection (a); and

(2) as necessary to permit the safe and efficient operation of the airport or to prevent, eliminate, or mark an airport hazard.

(d) A local government may acquire an existing airport or air navigation facility but may not acquire or take over an airport or air navigation facility owned or controlled by another local government or public agency of this state or another state without the consent of the other local government or the public agency.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.