LA SB176

Authorizes the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council to create the Baton Rouge Regional Airport Authority as a special purpose political subdivision to assume operational control of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport upon FAA approval

Establishes a governing board of 5-9 members appointed by the Metropolitan Council to serve five-year staggered terms, with state legislators from districts 14, 15, 63, and 64 serving as ex officio voting members (two legislative seats terminate December 31, 2027)

Transfers all airport assets, contracts, liabilities, revenue bonds, and grant agreements from the local government to the regional authority upon FAA certification under 14 CFR 139

Grants the authority broad powers including issuing tax-exempt bonds, levying taxes, exercising eminent domain, setting airport fees, employing police and firefighters with full municipal powers, and adopting enforceable regulations

Requires airport employees to transfer to the regional authority within 180 days of FAA approval with substantially similar employment terms, and allows the authority to participate in the city-parish retirement system or establish its own pension plan