Tex. Transportation Code § 283.003: GENERAL AUTHORITY TO ACT.

(a) Except as provided in Subsection (b), a county acting through its commissioners court may:

(1) construct, acquire, improve, operate, and maintain a project;

(2) authorize by resolution and issue revenue bonds, including interim bonds, to pay the cost of construction, acquisition, or improvement of the project; and

(3) accept a loan, gift, or grant from this state or the United States and enter into any agreement necessary to obtain the loan, gift, or grant.

(b) A county may not construct a bridge that traverses a ship channel or waterway with a maintained depth of 20 feet or more.

(c) Except as provided by Section 283.104, a county may act as authorized by this chapter without the consent, approval, supervision, or regulation of the state.

(d) A county performs an essential governmental function when it acts as authorized by this chapter.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.