(a) The governing bodies of two (2) or more local governmental entities, may create a regional jail authority in the manner provided for in this chapter. The authority shall be subject to all rights, privileges, and obligations contained in §§ 41-4-139, 41-4-140, 41-7-103, and chapter 8 of this title.

(b)

(1) Each governing body of a governmental entity proposing to create an authority shall adopt, and its executive officer shall approve, a resolution calling a joint public hearing involving all interested local governmental entities in the enterprise to create a regional jail authority on the question of creating an authority.

(2) Notice of the date, hour, place and purpose of the hearing shall be published at least once each week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the jurisdictional bounds of the governmental entity proposing to create an authority, the last publication to be at least one (1) week prior to the date set for the hearing.

(c) The hearing shall be had before the combined governing bodies of the respective local governmental entities pursuing the creation of a regional jail authority and all interested persons shall have an opportunity to be heard.

(d)

(1) After the hearing, if at least two (2) governing bodies determine that the public convenience and necessity require the creation of an authority, the governing bodies shall individually adopt, and their executive officers shall approve, a resolution or an ordinance, in the case of a municipality, so declaring and creating an authority, which resolution or ordinance shall reference this chapter as the governing statute to create the authority and include the names of the creating governmental entities, the name of the authority and also designate the name and principal office address of the authority.

(2) A certified copy of the resolution or ordinance shall be filed with the secretary of state, along with the resolution approving the appointment of the board of commissioners as provided for in § 41-12-106, and upon that adoption and filing, the authority shall constitute a body politic and corporate, with all the powers provided in this chapter.

(e) Whenever an authority is created under this chapter, the creating governmental entity and any participating governmental entity shall enter into an agreement with the authority for the orderly transfer of jail or correctional employees of the governmental entities to the authority.

(f) Each governmental entity participating in the authority shall pay its pro rata share of all expenses and costs of the authority.