Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Community & Economic Development Committee
HB 1538
Brief Description: Establishing an aviation and aerospace advisory committee.
Sponsors: Representatives Dent, Orwall, Boehnke, Sutherland, Ryu, Jacobsen, Wicks, Eslick, Lovick, Hoff, Chambers, Chandler and Slatter.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Director of the Department of Commerce to appoint and maintain an aviation and aerospace advisory committee to advise the Director of the Department of Commerce and the Secretary of the Department of Transportation on matters related to aviation and aerospace.
Hearing Date: 1/25/22
Staff: Emily Poole (786-7106).
Background:

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is responsible for promoting community and economic development statewide by assisting communities to improve the quality of citizens' lives and supporting the state's businesses to increase economic vitality and competitiveness.


The Department of Transportation (Transportation) is the state agency charged with providing safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation options to improve communities and economic opportunities for people and businesses. 


As part of the 2021-2023 Operating Budget, the Legislature enacted a budget proviso that requires Commerce to appoint and maintain an aviation and aerospace advisory committee (committee) to advise the Director of Commerce and the Secretary of Transportation on matters related to aviation and aerospace.  The committee must develop recommendations regarding budget requests relating to aviation and aerospace, as well as strategies to enhance the effective use of public use airports and aerospace facilities.  The committee must also make recommendations on matters including emerging technologies, new federal regulations, funding priorities, policy considerations, methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and workforce development opportunities. 


The budget proviso specifies the members that must be included on the committee, at a minimum, including certain representatives of aviation and aerospace companies and associations, county commissioners, airport officials, and representatives from certain state agencies and statewide organizations.


The budget proviso also requires Commerce to develop a strategic plan regarding Commerce's aerospace, aviation, and airport economic development program, which must be submitted to the Legislature by June 30, 2023.  The strategic plan must identify changing market conditions and strategies to diversify and grow Washington's aerospace sector and related employment opportunities.  
Summary of Bill:

The Director of the Department of Commerce (Commerce), or the Director's designee, is required to appoint and maintain an aviation and aerospace advisory committee (committee) to advise the Director of Commerce and the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (Transportation) on matters related to aviation and aerospace.  The committee must make recommendations on matters including emerging technologies, new federal regulations, funding priorities, policy considerations, methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and workforce development opportunities. 


The members of the committee must include, at a minimum, certain representatives of aviation and aerospace companies and associations, county commissioners, airport officials, and representatives from certain state agencies and statewide organizations.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 18, 2022.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.