114.62 Powers of authority. The authority has all of the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes and provisions of this chapter. In addition to all other powers granted by this chapter, the authority may do any of the following:

(1) Adopt bylaws and policies and procedures for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business.

(2) Sue and be sued. The authority has a direct right of action against any 3rd party to enforce any provision of this subchapter or to carry out any power provided to it under this subchapter or to protect its interests as authorized under this subchapter.

(3) Have a seal and alter the seal at pleasure; have perpetual existence; and maintain an office.

(4) Hire employees, define their duties, and fix their rate of compensation and benefits. The authority may also employ any agent or special advisor that the authority finds necessary and fix his or her compensation. The amount of reimbursement to any employee, agent, or special advisor shall be limited to the uniform travel schedule amounts approved under s. 20.916 (8).

(5) Appoint any technical or professional advisory committee that the authority finds necessary to assist the authority in exercising its duties and powers; define the duties of any committee; and provide reimbursement for the expenses of any committee. The amount of reimbursement under this subsection shall be limited to the uniform travel schedule amounts approved under s. 20.916 (8).

(6) Buy, sell, lease as lessor or lessee, or otherwise acquire any interest in or dispose of any interest in property, including real property, personal property, and intangible property rights.

(7) Make and execute contracts and other legal instruments necessary or convenient for the conduct of its business or to the exercise of its powers, including: procurement contracts; lease or rental agreements; lease-purchase, purchase and sale, and option to purchase agreements; consulting agreements; loan agreements; financing agreements; security agreements; contractual services agreements; affiliation agreements; and cooperative agreements with any governmental unit or other person, including agreements for any jointly provided service or jointly developed or operated facility.

(8) Accept gifts, bequests, contributions, and other financial assistance, in the form of money, property, or services, from any person, for the conduct of its business or for any other authorized purpose.

(9) Apply for and accept loans, grants, advances, aid, and other forms of financial assistance or funding, in the form of money, property, or services, from any person, including federal aid, for the conduct of its business or for any other authorized purpose.

(10) Acquire, own, lease, construct, develop, plan, design, establish, create, improve, enlarge, reconstruct, equip, finance, operate, manage, and maintain:

(a) Any spaceport, spaceport territory, spaceport facility, aerospace facility, or other facility or site within this state related to conducting the business or exercising the powers of the authority, including establishing a spaceport in the city of Sheboygan in Sheboygan County.

(b) Any spacecraft or other vehicle or aircraft related to conducting the business or exercising the powers of the authority.

(c) Any program or project related to conducting the business or exercising the powers of the authority.

(d) Any intangible property right, including any patent, trademark, service mark, copyright, trade secret, certification mark, or other right acquired under federal or state law, common law, or the law of any foreign country. The authority may utilize such rights for any permissible purpose under law, including licensing such rights in exchange for payment of royalties.

(11) Offer, provide, furnish, or manage, and enter into contracts related to, any service or facility of the authority.

(12) Establish and collect fees, rents, rates, tolls, and other charges and revenues in connection with any service provided by the authority or the use of any facility of the authority.

(13) Issue bonds in accordance with ss. 114.70 to 114.76 and fund any spaceport, facility, or service of the authority with bond proceeds.

(14) Borrow money or incur debt other than through bond issuance, and pledge property or revenues or provide other security for such debt.

(15) Invest funds held by the authority, including investments under s. 25.50.

(16) Procure liability insurance covering its officers, employees and agents, insurance against any loss in connection with its operations, property, and assets, and insurance on its debt obligations.

(17) Exercise the right of eminent domain in the manner provided by ch. 32.

(18) Provide for and maintain wildlife conservation areas, and prohibit or control the pollution of air and water, in any spaceport or spaceport territory, beyond what is required under state or federal law.

(19) Specify the location of any utility facilities in any spaceport or spaceport territory.

(20) Divide any spaceport or spaceport territory into zones or districts of any number or shape.

(21) Prohibit any person from using the words “WISCONSIN SPACEPORT" or “SPACEPORT WISCONSIN" in any corporate or business-related name without prior written approval of the authority.

(22) Subject to any requirement of federal law and to any duty of the department specified under this chapter, maintain exclusive jurisdiction over spaceports of the authority.

History: 2005 a. 335.