Designation of operator; publication of notice; execution of public-private agreement; action to contest validity

Sec. 3. (a) After the procedures required in this chapter have been completed, the department shall make a determination as to whether the successful offeror should be designated as the operator for the project and shall submit its decision to the governor. (b) The governor may accept or reject the determination of the department. If the governor accepts the determination of the department, the governor shall designate the successful offeror as the operator for the project. The department shall publish notice of the designation of the operator one (1) time, in accordance with IC 5-3-1. (c) After the designation of the successful offeror as the operator for the project, the department may execute the public-private agreement. (d) An action to contest the validity of a public-private agreement entered into under this chapter may not be brought after the fifteenth day following the publication of the notice of the designation of the operator under the public-private agreement under subsection (b).