A joint powers authority (JPA) is an entity permitted under the laws of some U.S. states, whereby two or more public authorities (e.g. local governments, or utility or transport districts), not necessarily located in the same state, may jointly exercise any power common to all of them. Joint powers authorities may be used where: Joint powers authorities are particularly widely used in California (where they are permitted under Section 6502 of the State Government Code), but they are also found in other states.