(a) The authority shall constitute a body corporate and shall have, in addition to those powers and responsibilities set out in this article, all powers necessary or convenient to effect the purposes for which it has been established by this article, together with all powers incidental thereto or necessary for the discharge of its powers and duties.

(b) The authority shall be a state agency and shall have exclusive control over the Governor's Mansion Complex, all improvements located thereon, and any additions constructed, created, leased, acquired, or erected in connection therewith, including the contents of the Governor's Mansion. Any change to the exterior, interior, and contents of the Governor's Mansion and Hill House requires prior approval of the authority. The private living quarters of the Governor and the family of the Governor, as designated by the authority, are excepted from this requirement for an interior change to the contents or a nonstructural decorative change other than fixtures. The authority may establish and promulgate and, from time to time, alter, amend, or repeal rules concerning the preservation, protection, and use of the Governor's Mansion Complex. The complex shall be subject to the historic preservation ordinance of the City of Montgomery.

(c) The authority shall take possession under deed of the land and other property within the Governor's Mansion Complex. By October 1, 2011, the Director of Finance or any and all other state agencies or entities owning property within the complex shall deed in fee simple such lands and appurtenances to the authority and shall transfer ownership of the entire contents of the Governor's Mansion, the Hill House, and any other structure as audited by the State Auditor, to the authority. The Director of Finance shall also sell, give, or lend any personal property necessary or convenient for the operation of the complex to the authority. The authority also may lease, accept as a gift or loan, or otherwise acquire any property, real or personal, including gifts, bequests of money, or other things of value, to be used in fulfilling the purpose for which it is established, or for any auxiliary purpose incidental or appropriate thereto.

(d) By October 1, 2011, the State Treasurer shall deposit all remaining state appropriations for the current fiscal year for the Governor's Mansion into the Governor's Mansion Preservation Fund in the State Treasury, established pursuant to subsection (d) of Section 41-9-545.