Section 68.065 - Powers of state highways and transportation commissionThe state highways and transportation commission is hereby granted, has and may exercise all powers necessary or convenient to effectuate its purposes, including the following:
(1) To develop a statewide plan for waterborne commerce and to review the plans of local or regional port authorities for major public capital improvements to encourage coordination with a state plan;(2) To establish procedures and standards for applications by one or more local political subdivisions for the creation of local or regional port authorities;(3) To review locally or regionally determined port authority boundaries, and to mediate any disagreements on such matters that cannot be resolved locally;(4) To petition any interstate commerce commission (or like body), public service commission, public utilities commission (or like body), or any other federal, state, local or municipal authority, administrative, judicial or legislative, having jurisdiction, for the adoption and execution of any physical improvements, which, in the opinion of the state highways and transportation commission, may be designed to improve the handling of commerce or terminal and transportation facilities on or adjacent to the navigable rivers of the state;(5) To represent the state in any programs to achieve financial assistance for waterborne commerce;(6) To provide for official membership by the state highways and transportation commission and designated employees in any industrial, commercial or trade association, or any other organization concerned with waterborne commerce and the purposes of sections 68.010 to 68.065;(7) To enter into agreements consistent with its lawful activities and purposes with the United States or any agency thereof; the state of Missouri or any agency thereof; other states or agencies thereof under applicable provisions of law; any local port district, municipality, county or other political subdivision of this or any other state; any agency created by interstate compact; any person, firm, partnership, corporation, trust or foundation, either public or private; or with any foreign government, partnership, firm or corporation under any conditions prescribed by state or federal law;(8) To contract and to sue and be sued thereon;(9) To receive for its lawful activities any contributions, moneys, gifts, grants, or loans from the United States; the state of Missouri; any other state; any local port district, municipality, county, or other political subdivision or agency of this or any other state; any agency created by interstate compact; or any public or private person, firm, corporation, trust or foundation for purposes consistent with the provisions of this chapter;(10) To employ staff as the state highways and transportation commission shall recommend and the governor and the general assembly shall approve through the annual appropriation of the state department of transportation;(11) To provide technical advice and assistance to local and regional port authorities in their activities, including planning, issuing bonds, financing port facilities, availability of state and federal grants, interagency coordination, and related matters of importance in port development.