Section 267.200 - Existence, status and general powers of districtsA mass transit district shall constitute a municipal corporation of this state, and a public body, corporate and politic, exercising public power. It shall be considered a unit of local government for the purposes of ORS 190.003 to 190.130, a public employer for the purposes of ORS 236.610 to 236.640, and a political subdivision for the purposes of ORS 305.620. A district and its contractors engaged in operating motor vehicles to provide mass transportation on behalf of the district shall be entitled to tax refunds as allowed under ORS 319.831 to incorporated cities. It shall have full power to carry out the objects of its formation and to that end may:
(1) Have and use a seal, have perpetual succession, and sue and be sued in its own name.(2) Acquire by condemnation, purchase, lease, devise, gift or voluntary grant real and personal property or any interest therein, located inside the boundaries of the district and take, hold, possess and dispose of real and personal property purchased or leased from, or donated by, the United States, or any state, territory, county, city or other public body, nonprofit corporation or person for the purpose of providing or operating a mass transit system in the district and aiding in the objects of the district.(3) Contract with the United States or with any county, city, state, or public body, or any of their departments or agencies, or a nonprofit corporation, or any person, for the construction, acquisition, purchase, lease, preservation, improvement, operation or maintenance of any mass transit system.(4) Build, construct, purchase, lease, improve, operate and maintain, subject to other applicable provisions of law, all improvements, facilities or equipment necessary or desirable for the mass transit system of the district.(5) Enter into contracts and employ agents, engineers, attorneys and other persons and fix their compensation.(6) Fix and collect charges for the use of the transit system and other district facilities.(7) Construct, acquire, maintain and operate and lease, rent and dispose of passenger terminal facilities, motor vehicle parking facilities and other facilities for the purpose of encouraging use of the mass transit system within the district.(8) Enter into contracts or intergovernmental agreements under ORS chapter 190 with units of local government of the State of Oregon, whether within or without the district, or with the State of Washington or with public agencies of the State of Washington, to act jointly or in cooperation with them or to provide mass transit services to areas under their jurisdictions, provided that the party contracting to receive the services shall pay to the mass transit district not less than the proportionate share of the cost of the services that the benefits to the contracting party bear to the total benefits from the service.(9) Conduct programs and events and take other actions for the purpose of improving or maintaining employee relations.(10) Improve, construct and maintain bridges over navigable streams.(11) Do such other acts or things as may be necessary or convenient for the proper exercise of the powers granted to a district by ORS 267.010 to 267.394.1969 c.643 §8; 1973 c.116 §3; 1975 c.170 §1; 1977 c.550 §1; 1979 c.344 §1; 1979 c.877 §2; 1987 c.689 §1; 2003 c. 802, § 92; 2007 c. 531, § 16