1274                               Laws of Maryland                          Ch. 529

(h) Acquisition and disposition of property.—In the exercise of
its powers and the performance of its duties under this article, to
acquire, subject to the provisions of this article, and to hold in its
own name, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of real and personal
property of every kind and description and any right, title, interest,
franchise, or privilege therein, within its territorial jurisdiction.
[But] Other than airport facilities, whenever the Authority sells or
leases an interest in land to any private entity or entities such land
or facilities thereon shall be subject to State and local property taxes
from the time of the sale or lease.

(i) Investigations and surveys.—To make directly, or through
the hiring of expert consultants, investigations and surveys of what-
ever nature, including studies of traffic volumes, airport rates and
charges, airport services, physical surveys of the conditions of struc-
tures, and the necessity for additional airport facilities for the
development and improvement of air carrier services and general
aviation activities and for the more expeditious handling of such
services and to make such studies, surveys and estimates as neces-
sary for the execution of its powers under this article.

(j) Issuance of bonds; combination of projects.—To issue its
revenue bonds as hereinafter provided and to combine [projects]
airport facilities for financing purposes.

(k) Fixing and collection of charges.—To fix and revise from
time to time and charge and collect rates, fees, rentals or other
charges for the use of any airport facility under its control.

(1) Appearance before government agencies, etc.—To appear in
its own behalf before boards, commissions, departments, or other
agencies of the federal government or of any state or international
conference and before committees of the Congress of the United
States and the General Assembly of Maryland in all matters relating
to the design, establishment, construction, extension, operations, im-
provement, repair, or maintenance of any project operated and
maintained by the Authority under this article, and to appear be-
fore any federal or state agencies in matters relating to airline
schedules, airport services and charges, discriminations, labor rela-
tions, trade practices, and all other matters affecting the physical
development of and the business interest of the Authority and those
it serves.

(m) [Federal agency] Grants[;] and/or contributions.—To
make application for, receive, and accept from any federal, state,
city or other agency grants for or in aid of the planning, construc-
tion, operations, or financing of any airport facility, and to receive
and accept contributions from any source of either money, property,
labor, or other things of value, to be held, used, and applied for the
purposes for which made[.] , under such terms and conditions as
the Authority may deem appropriate.

(n) Executive Director; General Counsel.—To appoint an execu-
tive director, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Authority, be
responsible to it, and receive such salary as may be fixed by the
Authority from time to time; he shall be the chief administrative
officer of the Authority and the Authority may delegate to him any
of its administrative powers and authorizations; he shall be a [man]
person of good character, integrity and airport or broad business