(a) The authority and all contracts made by it shall be exempt from the laws of the State of Alabama requiring competitive bids for any contract to be entered into by municipalities or public corporations authorized by them, including, but without limitation to, Article 3 of Chapter 16 of Title 41, as it may at any time be amended.
(b) Provided, however, that the authority shall comply with the laws of the State of Alabama requiring competitive bids for any contract made by it to be paid for with tax revenues received from the city, any county, or the state or federal governments.