Authority established

(a) General rule.--A body corporate and politic to be known as the Regional Renaissance Authority is established as a special purpose areawide unit of local government under section 7 of Article IX of the Constitution of Pennsylvania exercising powers as a unit of local government under this chapter and having territorial limits that encompass the geographic areas of the participating counties. The exercise by the authority of the powers conferred by this chapter is the performance of an essential public function. (b) Time.--The authority shall be established at the time set forth in section 17154(e) (relating to referenda levying additional taxes). Once established, the authority shall continue in existence perpetually. (c) Sovereign immunity.--The following apply: (1) The authority and its board members, officers and employees shall have sovereign immunity as provided in 1 Pa.C.S. § 2310 (relating to sovereign immunity reaffirmed; specific waiver). (2) The authority and its board members, officers and employees shall remain immune from suit except as provided by and subject to 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 85 Subchs. A (relating to general provisions) and B (relating to actions against Commonwealth parties). (3) Notwithstanding 42 Pa.C.S. § 8525 (relating to legal assistance), the authority, through its legal counsel, shall defend actions brought against the authority or its board members, officers and employees when acting within the scope of their official duties. (d) Liability.--Members of the board may not be held personally liable for the bonds or other obligations of the authority, and the rights of creditors shall be solely against the authority.