(a) The department may enter into an agreement with a public entity to permit the entity, independently or jointly with the department, to design, develop, finance, construct, maintain, repair, or operate a toll project.
(b) An agreement entered into under this section with a regional tollway authority governed by Chapter 366 may provide that a function described by Subsection (a) that is performed by a regional tollway authority is governed by the provisions of Chapter 366 applicable to the performance of the same function for a turnpike project under that chapter and the rules and procedures adopted by the regional tollway authority under that chapter, in lieu of the laws, rules, or procedures applicable to the department for the performance of the same function.