Sec. 5. (a) The ports of Indiana may:

(1) prepare sketches, plans, and descriptive material relating to ports or projects, as in its discretion may seem feasible, to compile data and prepare literature as to the necessity or advisability thereof, and to do other acts and things it considers necessary to promote the ports or projects and deems to be in the public interest;

(2) carry on, in its discretion, negotiations and enter into agreements and contracts with the federal government or agencies of the federal government or an authority established under IC 36-7-23 for the building and construction of public ports including terminal facilities, to be located within Indiana, on Lake Michigan, the Ohio River, the Wabash River, or in waters adjacent to Indiana;

(3) locate and acquire suitable sites for ports or projects;

(4) construct, develop, maintain, and operate the same in cooperation with the federal government, any agency of the federal government, a corporation established under IC 36-7-23, or otherwise, in such a manner and on such terms as will, in the discretion of the ports of Indiana, best serve the commercial, industrial, and agricultural interests of the state;

(5) provide adequate port and terminal facilities to accommodate water, rail, truck, and airborne transportation; and

(6) provide a traffic exchange point for all forms of transportation, giving particular attention to the benefits which may accrue to the state and its citizens by the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway and river transportation.

(b) The title to all property included in any port or project shall be taken in the name of, and shall be in, the state of Indiana.

Formerly: Acts 1961, c.11, s.5; Acts 1963, c.395, s.2; Acts 1965, c.224, s.3; Acts 1969, c.387, s.3; Acts 1971, P.L.88, SEC.3. As amended by P.L.346-1989(ss), SEC.5; P.L.224-2003, SEC.206 and P.L.271-2003, SEC.6; P.L.98-2008, SEC.14.