Joint Powers Authority

A joint powers authority (JPA) is an entity permitted under the laws of some U.S. states, whereby two or more public authorities (e.g. local governments, or utility or transport districts), not necessarily located in the same state, may jointly exercise any power common to all of them. Joint powers authorities may be used where:

Joint powers authorities are particularly widely used in California (where they are permitted under Section 6502 of the State Government Code), but they are also found in other states.

A joint powers authority is distinct from the member authorities; they have separate operating boards of directors. These boards can be given any of the powers inherent in all of the participating agencies. The authorizing agreement states the powers the new authority will be allowed to exercise. The term, membership, and standing orders of the board of the authority must also be specified. The joint authority may employ staff and establish policies independently of the constituent authorities.

Joint powers authorities receive existing powers from the creating governments; thus, they are distinct from special districts, which receive new delegations of sovereign power from the state.

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