159.706 Grandfather clause.—Each county designated as a research and development authority on June 30, 1979, or designated by the 1Board of Regents as a research and development authority prior to July 1, 2001, shall be entitled to continue to be designated and shall be accorded all powers conferred to designated authorities by ss. 159.701-159.7095, except that any authority not constituted and designated under the provisions of ss. 159.701-159.7095 shall be prohibited from exercising any power to issue revenue bonds or other debt obligations pursuant to s. 159.705(6) and (7).