25 LC 62 0171/AP
House Bill 763 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representatives Stephens of the 164
th
, Petrea of the 166
th
, and Franklin of the 160
th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To create and establish the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority, a new airport
1
authority in and for the County of Bryan and the City of Richmond Hill; to authorize such2
authority to acquire, construct, equip, maintain, operate, own, and improve airports and3
landing fields for the use of aircraft which shall include related buildings, equipment, and the4
usual and convenient facilities appertaining to such undertaking; to authorize the authority5
to acquire, lease, own, and hold a fee simple title, or any interest therein, to all necessary6
property therefor, both real and personal, within and outside the confines of Bryan County7
and to convey, lease, and sell any and all such facilities including real property; to confer8
powers and to impose duties on the authority; to provide for the membership and for the9
appointment of members of the authority and their term of tenure and their compensation;10
to authorize the authority to contract with others, both within and outside the confines of11
Bryan County, pertaining to airports and landing fields for the use of aircraft and to execute12
leases of such facilities and to do all things deemed necessary or convenient for the operation13
of such undertaking; to authorize the issuance of revenue bonds or obligations of the14
authority payable from the revenues, tolls, fees, charges, and earnings of the authority,15
including, but not limited to, earnings derived from leases and the use of the facilities, to pay16
the costs of such undertakings and to authorize the collection and pledging of the revenues17
and earnings of the authority for the payment of such bonds or obligations or to secure the18
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payment thereof by contract, mortgage, deed to secure debt, security deed note, or trust deed
19
and to define the rights of the holders of such bonds and securities; to provide that no liability20
or debt against the aforementioned city or county shall be incurred in the exercise of any21
powers granted by this Act; to make the bonds, securities, or obligations of the authority22
exempt from taxation; to authorize the issuance of refunding bonds, securities, or other23
obligations; to provide that such bonds, securities, or other obligations be validated as24
authorized by the "Revenue Bond Law"; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting25
laws; and for other purposes.26
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:27
SECTION 1.28
Short title.29
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport30
Authority Act."31
SECTION 2.32
Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority; creation.33
There is created a body corporate and politic to be known as the Richmond Hill-Bryan34
County Airport Authority, which shall be deemed to be a political subdivision of the State35
of Georgia and a public corporation by that name, style, and title, and said body may contract36
and be contracted with, bring and defend actions, implead and be impleaded, and complain37
and defend in all courts of law and equity, except that the authority of the trustee acting under38
the trust indenture herein provided for shall in no event be liable for any torts committed by39
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any of the officers, agents, and employees of the authority. The authority shall have
40
perpetual existence.41
SECTION 3.42
Membership.43
(a) The Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority shall be composed of 11 members.44
(b) Seven members shall be appointed by the governing authorities of the County of Bryan45
and City of Richmond Hill. Within 60 days after the approval of this Act, it shall be the duty46
of said governing authorities to appoint the members of the authority to Post No. 1, Post47
No. 2, Post No. 3, Post No. 4, Post No. 5, Post No. 6, and Post No. 7 as follows:48
(1) The County Manager of Bryan County or his or her designee shall be appointed to49
Post No. 1;50
(2) The City Manager for the City of Richmond Hill or his or her designee shall be51
appointed to Post No. 2;52
(3) The members from Post No. 3 and Post No. 5 shall be appointed by the governing53
authority of Bryan County;54
(4) The members from Post No. 4 and Post No. 6 shall be appointed by the governing55
authority of the City of Richmond Hill; and56
(5) The initial member from Post No. 7 shall be appointed by the governing authority of57
the City of Richmond Hill; thereafter, such member from Post No. 7 shall be appointed58
by the governing authority of Bryan County. Future appointments to Post No. 7 shall59
alternate between the governing authority of the City of Richmond Hill and the governing60
authority of Bryan County.61
(c) Four members of the authority shall by appointed by the legislative delegation of Bryan62
County. The members appointed by the legislative delegation of Bryan County may be63
residents or nonresidents of Bryan County. The term of the members appointed by the64
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legislative delegation of Bryan County shall be four years and until a successor is appointed
65
and qualified. Members appointed by the legislative delegation of Bryan County may66
succeed themselves.67
(d) For Posts No. 1 and 2, the term of office shall be as long as the member holds the68
position of county manager and city manager, respectively. For Posts No. 3 through 7, the69
term of office of each member shall be four years and until a successor is appointed and70
qualified. Following initial appointments, vacancies in each post shall be filled by the71
governing authority making the appointment. Vacancies for the offices of the members72
appointed by the legislative delegation shall be filled by the legislative delegation appointing73
a member to the vacancy. Members appointed to fill vacancies shall serve for the remainder74
of the vacant member's term.75
SECTION 4.76
Meetings.77
The authority shall hold its first organizational meeting on or before April 30, 2026, at 10:0078
A.M. in the City Hall, 40 Richmond R. Davis Drive, Richmond Hill, Georgia. Notice of such79
meeting shall be given to the legal organ of the County of Bryan not less than 15 days prior80
thereto, and a notice shall be posted on the website for the County of Bryan and the City of81
Richmond Hill. Thereafter, the authority shall meet at such times as may be necessary to82
transact the business coming before it, but not less than quarterly. All meetings shall be83
called, noticed, and conducted in accordance with Chapter 14 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A.,84
the "Open Meetings Law." At its first organizational meeting and its first regular meeting85
in January of each year thereafter, the authority shall elect one of its members as its86
chairperson and another member as secretary-treasurer. It shall be the duty of the87
secretary-treasurer to prepare or oversee the preparation of written minutes of all meetings88
of the authority. Only one person shall hold the office of secretary-treasurer. These officers89
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shall be elected for a term ending on December 31 of the year in which they were elected or
90
until their successors are elected and qualified. Four members of the authority shall91
constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business coming before it. The members of the92
authority may be compensated as determined from time to time by said governing93
authorities; however, it is expressly provided that they shall be reimbursed for all actual,94
reasonable, and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.95
SECTION 5.96
Vacancies in office.97
In the event of a vacancy on the authority by reason of death, resignation, or otherwise, the98
vacancy shall be filled by the governing authority which appointed such member, and the99
person so appointed shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.100
SECTION 6.101
Definitions.102
(a) As used in this Act, the term:103
(1) "Authority" means the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority created in104
Section 2 of this Act.105
(2) "Cost of the project" means the cost of construction; the cost of all lands, properties,106
rights, easements, and franchises acquired; the cost of all machinery, equipment,107
financing charges, and interest prior to and during construction; the cost of engineering,108
architectural, fiscal, and legal expenses; the cost of plans and specifications; and such109
other expenses as may be necessary or incidental to the financing herein authorized, the110
construction or improvement of any project, and the placing of the same in operation.111
Any obligation or expense incurred for any of the foregoing purposes shall be regarded112
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as a part of the cost of the project and may be paid or reimbursed as such out of any funds
113
of the authority including the proceeds from any revenue bonds issued under the114
provisions of this Act for any such project or projects.115
(3) "Project" means and includes the leasing, acquisition, construction, equipping,116
maintenance, improving, and operation of public airports and landing fields for the use117
of aircraft, related buildings, and the usual and convenient facilities appertaining to such118
undertakings; extensions and improvements of such facilities; the acquisition of necessary119
property, both real and personal; and the lease and sale of any part of or all of such120
facilities, including real and personal property, so as to assure the efficient and proper121
development, maintenance, and operation of such airports and landing fields for the use122
of aircraft, deemed by the authority to be necessary, convenient, or desirable for the123
operation of such airports and landing fields anywhere within Bryan County.124
(4) "Revenue bonds," "bonds," or "obligations" mean revenue bonds as defined and125
provided for in Article 3 of Chapter 82 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., the "Revenue Bond126
Law," and such type of obligations may be issued by the authority as authorized under127
said "Revenue Bond Law" and any amendments thereto, and in addition shall also mean128
obligations of the authority the issuance of which are hereinafter authorized in this Act.129
(b) Any project shall be deemed "self-liquidating" if, in the judgment of the authority, the130
revenues and earnings to be derived by the authority therefrom and all properties used,131
leased, and sold in connection therewith will be sufficient to pay the cost of constructing,132
operating, maintaining, repairing, improving, and extending the project and to pay the133
principal and interest of the revenue bonds which may be issued to finance, in whole or in134
part, the cost of such project or projects.135
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SECTION 7.
136
Powers.137
(a) The authority shall have power:138
(1) To have a seal and alter the same at its pleasure;139
(2) To acquire by purchase, lease, or otherwise and to hold, lease, and dispose of real and140
personal property of every kind and character for its corporate purposes;141
(3) To acquire in its own name by purchase, gift, or otherwise on such terms and142
conditions and in such manner as it may deem proper, real property or rights or easements143
therein or franchises necessary or convenient for its corporate purposes, and to use the144
same so long as its corporate existence shall continue, and to lease or make contracts with145
respect to the use of or disposition of the same in any manner it deems to the best146
advantage of the authority;147
(4) To appoint, select, and employ officers and employees, or, in the alternative, the148
authority may contract with the City of Richmond Hill for its officers and employees or149
may contract with the city for personnel services and benefits, including payroll,150
insurance, and retirement programs. The authority may enter into contracts with151
consultants and independent contractors, including engineering, architectural, and152
construction experts, fiscal agents, and attorneys, and fix their respective compensation;153
(5) To make contracts and leases and to execute all instruments necessary or convenient154
including contracts for construction of projects or leases of projects or contracts with155
respect to the use of projects which it causes to be erected or acquired and any and all156
persons, firms, and corporations and any and all political subdivisions, departments,157
institutions, or agencies of the state are authorized to enter into contracts, leases, or158
agreements with the authority upon such terms and for such purposes as they may deem159
advisable; the authority is further granted the authority to make contracts, leases, and to160
execute all instruments necessary or convenient with the United States government or any161
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agency or department thereof concerning the projects of the authority, subject to the
162
rights and interests of the holder of any of the bonds or obligations authorized to be163
issued hereunder, and by the resolution or trust indenture of the authority authorizing the164
issuance of any of its bonds or obligations as provided for in this Act;165
(6) To construct, erect, acquire, own, repair, remodel, maintain, add to, extend, improve,166
equip, operate, and manage projects, as hereinabove defined, the cost of any such project167
to be paid in whole or in part from the proceeds of revenue bonds or other funds of the168
authority or from such proceeds or other funds and any grant from the United States of169
America, State of Georgia, County of Bryan, City of Richmond Hill, or any agency or170
instrumentality thereof;171
(7) To accept loans and grants, or to accept loans or grants of money or materials or172
property of any kind from the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality173
or political subdivision thereof or from any other source, upon such terms and conditions174
as the United States of America or such agency or instrumentality or other source may175
impose;176
(8) To accept loans and grants, or to accept loans or grants of money or materials or177
property of any kind from the State of Georgia or any agency or instrumentality or178
political subdivision thereof or from any other source, upon such terms and conditions179
as the State of Georgia or such agency or instrumentality or political subdivision or any180
other source may impose;181
(9) To borrow money for any of its corporate purposes and to execute evidence of such182
indebtedness by promissory notes, or otherwise, and to secure the same and to issue183
negotiable revenue bonds payable solely from funds pledged for that purpose, and to184
provide for the payment of the same and for the rights of the holders thereof;185
(10) To exercise any power usually possessed by private corporations performing similar186
functions, which is not in conflict with the Constitution and laws of this state, except the187
right of eminent domain;188
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(11) The authority and the trustee acting under the trust indenture are specifically
189
authorized from time to time to sell, lease, grant, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any190
surplus property, both real or personal, or interest therein not required in the normal191
operation of and usable in the furtherance of the purpose for which the authority was192
created;193
(12) To do all things necessary or convenient to exercise and carry out the powers194
especially given in this Act;195
(13) To make rules and bylaws for the orderly operation of the authority; and196
(14) To request the city or county to exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire197
any private real property or any rights or interests therein including any easements, as198
necessary or convenient for the accomplishment of the purposes of this Act, in199
accordance with the provisions of any and all existing laws applicable to the exercise of200
such power. The authority shall pay the condemning authority for any property201
condemned under this power, including legal fees and expenses (such as surveys and202
appraisals), from its own funds and in proceedings to condemn pursuant to this section,203
the court having jurisdiction of the suit, action, or proceeding may enter such orders204
regarding the payment for such property or interest therein as may be fair and just to the205
city or county, the authority, and the owners of the property being condemned. Any such206
procedure may suggest the method of payment by the authority to persons who shall own207
or have an interest in the property.208
(b) The authority, notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, is authorized209
to exercise each and every power conferred upon it by this Act, specifically including the210
issuance of revenue bonds, both within and outside the confines of Bryan County, and to211
contract with any other entity, governmental or otherwise, for the joint acquisition,212
construction, use, or operation of airports and related facilities outside the limits of Bryan213
County. Prior to exercising any of said powers outside the limits of Bryan County, said214
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authority shall be required to obtain the approval of the governing authorities of both the City
215
of Richmond Hill and Bryan County.216
SECTION 8.217
Revenue bonds.218
The authority, or any authority or body which has or which may in the future succeed to the219
powers, duties, and liabilities vested in the authority created hereby, shall have power and220
is authorized at one time, or from time to time, to provide by resolution for the issuance of221
negotiable revenue bonds, for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost as herein222
defined of any one or more projects. The principal and interest of such revenue bonds shall223
be payable solely from the special fund herein provided for such payment. The bonds of224
each issue shall be dated, shall bear interest at such rate or rates as may be authorized by the225
authority from time to time, shall be payable as provided by resolution of the authority, shall226
mature at such time or times not exceeding 30 years from their date or dates, shall be payable227
in such medium of payment as to both principal and interest as may be determined by the228
authority, and may be made redeemable before maturity at the option of the authority, at such229
price or prices and under such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the authority in the230
resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds. Such revenue bonds or obligations shall231
be issued pursuant to and in conformity with Article 3 of Chapter 82 of Title 36 of the232
O.C.G.A., the "Revenue Bond Law," and all procedures pertaining to such issuance and the233
conditions thereof shall be the same as those contained in said "Revenue Bond Law" and any234
amendments thereof.235
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SECTION 9.
236
Form, denominations, registration, place of payment.237
The authority shall determine the form of the bonds, shall fix the denomination or238
denominations of the bonds, and the place or places of payment of principal and interest239
thereof, which may be at any bank or trust company within or outside the state. The bonds240
may be issued in coupon or registered form, or both, as the authority may determine, and241
provision may be made for the registration of any coupon bond as to principal alone and also242
as to both the principal and interest.243
SECTION 10.244
Signatures, seal.245
In case any officer whose signature shall appear on any bonds or whose facsimile signature246
shall appear on any coupon shall cease to be such officer before the delivery of such bonds,247
such signature shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if he or248
she had remained in office until such delivery. All such bonds shall be signed by the249
chairperson of the authority and attested by the secretary-treasurer of the authority, and the250
official seal of the authority shall be affixed thereto, and any coupons attached thereto shall251
bear the facsimile signatures of the chairperson and secretary-treasurer of the authority. Any252
bond may be signed, sealed, and attested on behalf of the authority by such persons as at the253
actual time of the execution of such bonds shall be duly authorized or hold the proper office,254
although at the date of delivery and payment of such bonds such persons may not have been255
so authorized or shall not have held such office.256
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SECTION 11.
257
Negotiability, exemption from taxation.258
All revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this Act shall have and are declared to have259
all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the negotiable instrument law260
of the state. Such bonds are declared to be issued for an essential public and governmental261
purpose and the said bonds, their transfer, and the income thereof shall be exempt from all262
taxation within the state.263
SECTION 12.264
Sale, price.265
The authority may sell such bonds in such manner and for such price as it may determine to266
be in the best interest of the authority.267
SECTION 13.268
Proceeds of bonds.269
The proceeds of such bonds shall be used solely for the payment of the cost of the project or270
projects, and unless otherwise provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the271
bonds or in the trust indenture, additional bonds may in like manner be issued to provide the272
amount of any deficit for the cost of the project or projects which, unless otherwise provided273
in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust indenture, shall be274
deemed to be of the same issue and shall be entitled to payment from the same fund without275
preference or priority of the bonds first issued for the same purposes. If the proceeds of the276
bonds of any issue shall exceed the amount required for the purpose for which such bonds277
are issued, the surplus shall be paid into a sinking fund or used for additional construction278
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as may be provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust
279
indenture.280
SECTION 14.281
Interim receipts and certificates or temporary bonds.282
Prior to the preparation of definitive bonds, the authority may, under like restrictions, issue283
interim receipts, interim certificates, or temporary bonds, with or without coupons284
exchangeable for definitive bonds upon the issuance of the latter.285
SECTION 15.286
Replacement of lost or mutilated bonds.287
The authority may also provide for the replacement of any bond which shall become288
mutilated or be destroyed or lost.289
SECTION 16.290
Conditions precedent to issuance, object of issuance.291
Such revenue bonds may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any292
conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions, and things which are specified293
or required by this Act. In the discretion of the authority, revenue bonds of a single issue294
may be issued for the purpose of any particular project. Any resolution providing for the295
issuance of revenue bonds under the provisions of this Act shall become effective296
immediately upon its passage and need not be published or posted, and any such resolution297
may be passed at any regular or special or adjourned meeting of the authority by a majority298
of the quorum as in this Act provided.299
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SECTION 17.
300
Credit not pledged.301
Revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this Act shall not be deemed to constitute a302
debt of either the City of Richmond Hill or Bryan County, or any municipality therein, but303
such bonds shall be payable solely from the fund hereinafter provided for and the issuance304
of such revenue bonds shall not directly, indirectly, or contingently obligate the said city or305
county, or any municipality therein, to levy or to pledge any form of taxation whatever306
therefor or to make any appropriation for such payment, and all such bonds shall contain307
recitals on their face covering substantially the foregoing provisions of this section.308
SECTION 18.309
Trust indenture as security.310
In the discretion of the authority, any issue of such revenue bonds may be secured by a trust311
indenture by and between the authority and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust312
company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or outside of the state. Such313
trust indenture may pledge or assign fees, tolls, revenues, and earnings to be received by the314
authority, including the proceeds derived from the sale from time to time of any surplus315
property of the authority, both real and personal. Either the resolution providing for the316
issuance of revenue bonds or such trust indenture may contain such provisions for protecting317
and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as may be reasonable and proper318
and not in violation of law, including covenants setting forth the duties of the authority in319
relation to the acquisition of property, the construction of the project, the maintenance,320
operation, repair, and insuring of the property, and the custody, safeguarding, and application321
of all moneys, including the proceeds derived from the sale or lease of property of the322
authority, both real and personal, and may also provide that any project shall be constructed323
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and paid for under the supervision and approval of consulting engineers or architects
324
employed or designated by the authority, and satisfactory to the original purchasers of the325
bonds issued therefor and may also require that the security given by contractors and by any326
depository of the proceeds of the bonds or revenues or other moneys be satisfactory to such327
purchasers, and may also contain provisions concerning the conditions, if any, upon which328
additional revenue bonds may be issued. It shall be lawful for any bank or trust company329
incorporated under the laws of this state to act as such depository and to furnish such330
indemnifying bonds or pledge such securities as may be required by the authority. Such331
indenture may set forth the rights and remedies of the bondholders and of the trustee and may332
restrict the individual right of action of bondholders as is customary in trust indentures333
securing bonds and debentures of corporations. In addition to the foregoing, such trust334
indenture may contain such other provisions as the authority may deem reasonable and335
proper for the security of the bondholders. All expenses incurred in carrying out such trust336
indenture may be treated as a part of the cost of maintenance, operation, and repair of the337
project affected by such indenture.338
SECTION 19.339
To whom proceeds of bonds shall be paid.340
The authority shall, in the resolution providing for the issuance of revenue bonds or in the341
trust indenture, provide for the payment of the proceeds of the sale of the bonds to any officer342
or person who, or any agency, bank, or trust company which, shall act as trustee of such343
funds to hold and apply the same to the purposes thereof, subject to such regulations as this344
Act and such resolutions or trust indentures may provide.345
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SECTION 20.
346
Sinking fund.347
The revenues, fees, tolls, and earnings derived from any particular project or projects,348
regardless of whether or not such fees, earnings, and revenues were produced by a particular349
project for which bonds have been issued and any moneys derived from the sale or lease of350
any properties, both real and personal, of the authority, unless otherwise pledged and351
allocated, may be pledged and allocated by the authority to the payment of the principal and352
interest on such revenue bonds of the authority as the resolution authorizing the issuance of353
the bonds or the trust instrument may provide, and such funds so pledged from whatever354
source received, which said pledge may include funds received from one or more or all355
sources, shall be set aside at regular intervals as may be provided in the resolution or trust356
indenture into a sinking fund, which said sinking fund shall be pledged to, and charged with,357
the payment of:358
(1) The interest upon such revenue bonds as such interest shall fall due;359
(2) The principal of the bonds as the same shall fall due;360
(3) The necessary charges of a paying agent or agents for paying interest and principal;361
(4) Any premium upon bonds retired by call or purchase as hereinabove provided; and362
(5) Any other reasonable or necessary costs or expenses relating to such bond issue.363
The use and disposition of such sinking fund shall be subject to such regulations as may be364
provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the revenue bonds or in the trust365
indenture, however, except as may otherwise be provided in such resolution or trust366
indenture, such sinking fund shall be a fund for the benefit of all revenue bonds without367
distinction or priority of one over another. Subject to the provisions of the resolution368
authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust indenture, surplus moneys in the sinking369
fund may be applied to the purchase or redemption of bonds and any such bonds so370
purchased or redeemed shall forthwith be canceled and shall not again be issued.371
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SECTION 21.
372
Remedies of bondholders.373
Any holder of revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this Act or any of the coupons374
appertaining thereto, and the trustee under the trust indenture, if any, except to the extent the375
rights herein given may be restricted by resolution passed before the issuance of the bonds376
or by the trust indenture, may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus, or other377
proceedings protect and enforce any and all rights under the laws of the State of Georgia or378
granted hereunder or under such resolution or trust indenture, and may enforce and compel379
performance of all duties required by this Act or by such resolution or trust indenture, to be380
performed by the authority, or any officer thereof, including the fixing, charging, and381
collecting of revenues, fees, tolls, and other charges for the use of the facilities and services382
furnished.383
SECTION 22.384
Refunding bonds.385
The authority is authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of revenue refunding386
bonds of the authority for the purpose of refunding any revenue bonds issued under the387
provisions of this Act and then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon. The388
issuance of such revenue refunding bonds, the maturities, and all other details thereof, the389
rights of the holders thereof, and the duties of the authority in respect to the same shall be390
governed by the foregoing provisions of this Act insofar as the same may be applicable.391
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SECTION 23.
392
Validation.393
Bonds of the authority shall be confirmed and validated in accordance with said "Revenue394
Bond Law." The petition for validation shall also make party defendant to such action any395
municipality, county, authority, subdivision, or instrumentality of the State of Georgia or the396
United States government or any department or agency of the United States government, if397
subject to be sued, which has contracted with the authority for the services and facilities of398
the project for which bonds are to be issued and sought to be validated and such399
municipality, county, authority, subdivision, or instrumentality shall be required to show400
cause, if any, why such contract or contracts and the terms and conditions thereof should not401
be inquired into by the court and the validity of the terms thereof be determined and the402
contract or contracts adjudicated as security for the payment of any such bonds of the403
authority. The bonds when validated and the judgment of validation shall be final and404
conclusive with respect to such bonds against the authority issuing the same, and any405
municipality, county, authority, subdivision, or instrumentality of this state or the United406
States government if a party to the validation proceedings, contracting with the said407
Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority.408
SECTION 24.409
Venue and jurisdiction.410
Any action to protect or enforce any rights under the provisions of this Act or any suit or411
action against such authority shall be brought in the Superior Court of Bryan County,412
Georgia, and any action pertaining to validation of any bonds issued under the provisions of413
this Act shall likewise be brought in said court.414
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SECTION 25.
415
Interest of bondholders protected.416
While any of the bonds issued by the authority remain outstanding, the powers, duties, or417
existence of said authority or of its officers, employees, or agents shall not be diminished or418
impaired in any manner that will affect adversely the interest and rights of the holders of such419
bonds, and no other entity, department, agency, or authority shall be created which will420
compete with the authority to such an extent as to affect adversely the interest and rights of421
the holders of such bonds and, upon the issuance of bonds hereunder, the provisions hereof422
shall constitute a contract with the holders of such bonds.423
SECTION 26.424
Moneys received considered trust funds.425
All moneys received pursuant to the authority of this Act, whether as proceeds from the sale426
of revenue bonds, as grants or other contributions, or as revenues, income, fees, and earnings427
shall be deemed to be trust funds to be held and applied solely as provided in this Act.428
SECTION 27.429
Purpose of the authority.430
Without limiting the generality of any provisions of this Act, the general purpose of the431
authority is declared to be that of acquiring, constructing, equipping, maintaining, improving,432
and operating new public use, general aviation airports and landing fields for the use of433
aircraft, including any related buildings and the usual and convenient facilities appertaining434
to such undertakings and extensions and improvements of such facilities, acquiring the435
necessary property therefor, both real and personal, and to lease or sell any or all of such436
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facilities including real property, and to do any and all things deemed by the authority
437
necessary, convenient, or desirable for and incident to the efficient and proper development438
and operation of such types of undertakings.439
SECTION 28.440
Rates, charges, and revenues; use.441
The authority is authorized to prescribe and fix and collect rates, fees, tolls, and charges, and442
to revise, from time to time, and collect such rates, fees, tolls, and charges for the services,443
facilities, or commodities furnished, including leases, concessions, or subleases of its lands444
or facilities in accordance with assurances set forth in airport improvement and assistance445
agreements entered into between the authority and the Federal Aviation Administration, the446
Georgia Department of Transportation, or the United States Department of Transportation.447
This authority assumes no liability for obligations assumed by the Richmond Hill-Bryan448
County Airport Authority under prior agreements entered into between the County of Bryan449
or City of Richmond Hill with the Federal Aviation Administration. This authority shall450
maintain a fee and rental structure for the use of its land and facilities sufficient to make any451
airport or landing field operated by the authority as self-sustaining as possible under the452
circumstances existing at the particular airport, consistent with the obligation to operate such453
airports or landing fields for public use, on reasonable terms and without unjust454
discrimination, to all types, kinds, and classes of aeronautical activities, including455
commercial aeronautical activities offering services to the public at such airport or landing456
field.457
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SECTION 29.
458
Rules and regulations for operation of projects.459
It shall be the duty of the authority to prescribe rules and regulations for the operation of the460
project or projects constructed under the provisions of this Act, including the basis on which461
airports and landing fields for the use of aircraft shall be furnished. Before undertaking462
performance of any airport or landing field operations, the authority shall procure and463
maintain in force at all times sufficient liability insurance covering aviation related risks for464
their operations. At all times relevant hereto, the authority shall operate its airports and465
landing fields in accordance with grant assurances entered into with the Federal Aviation466
Administration, the Georgia Department of Transportation, or the United States Department467
of Transportation.468
SECTION 30.469
Powers declared supplemental and additional.470
The foregoing sections of this Act shall be deemed to provide an additional and alternative471
method for the doing of the things authorized thereby and shall be regarded as supplemental472
and additional to powers conferred by other laws and shall not be regarded as in derogation473
of any powers now existing.474
SECTION 31.475
Liberal construction of Act.476
This Act being for the purpose of promoting the health, morals, and general welfare of the477
citizens of the United States, of the State of Georgia, of Bryan County and of the City of478
Richmond Hill shall be liberally construed to effect the purposes hereof.479
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SECTION 32.
480
Effective date.481
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law482
without such approval.483
SECTION 33.484
Repealer.485
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.486
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