BILL REQ. #:  Z-0506.1 

Read first time 01/24/2005.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to the disposition of pilot, airman, and airwoman fees; reenacting and amending RCW 47.68.233 and 47.68.234; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 47.68.233 and 2003 c 375 s 1 and 2003 c 53 s 263 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall require that every pilot who is a resident of this state and every nonresident pilot who regularly operates any aircraft in this state be registered with the department. The department shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for each registration. ((For the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2005,)) Seven dollars of each registration fee collected shall be deposited into the aeronautics account, to be used solely for airport maintenance. All registration certificates issued under this section shall be renewed annually during the month of the registrant's birthdate.
     (2) Except as provided in the paragraph above, the registration fee imposed by this section shall be used by the department for the purpose of (a) search and rescue of lost and downed aircraft and airmen under the direction and supervision of the secretary, (b) safety and education, and (c) volunteer recognition and support.
     (3) Registration shall be effected by filing with the department a certified written statement that contains the information reasonably required by the department. The department shall issue certificates of registration and in connection therewith shall prescribe requirements for the possession and exhibition of the certificates.
     (4) The provisions of this section do not apply to:
     (a) A pilot who operates an aircraft exclusively in the service of any government or any political subdivision thereof, including the government of the United States, any state, territory, or possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia;
     (b) A pilot registered under the laws of a foreign country;
     (c) A pilot engaged exclusively in commercial flying constituting an act of interstate or foreign commerce;
     (d) A person piloting an aircraft equipped with fully functioning dual controls when a licensed instructor is in full charge of one set of the controls and the flight is solely for instruction or for the demonstration of the aircraft to a bona fide prospective purchaser.
     (5) Failure to register as provided in this section is a violation of RCW 47.68.230 and subjects the offender to the penalties set forth in RCW 47.68.240(2).

Sec. 2   RCW 47.68.234 and 2003 c 375 s 2 and 2003 c 53 s 264 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall require that every airman or airwoman that is not registered under RCW 47.68.233 and who is a resident of this state, or every nonresident airman or airwoman who is regularly performing duties as an airman or airwoman within this state, be registered with the department. The department shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for each registration((. For the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2005)), seven dollars of which shall be deposited into the aeronautics account, to be used solely for airport maintenance. A registration certificate issued under this section is to be renewed annually during the month of the registrant's birthdate.
     (2) Except as provided in the paragraph above, the department shall use the registration fee imposed under this section for the purposes of: (a) Search and rescue of lost and downed aircraft and airmen or airwomen under the direction and supervision of the secretary; and (b) safety and education.
     (3) Registration is effected by filing with the department a certified written statement that contains the information reasonably required by the department. The department shall issue certificates of registration and, in connection with the certificates, shall provide requirements for the possession and exhibition of the certificates.
     (4) Failure to register as provided in this section is a violation of RCW 47.68.230 and subjects the offender to the penalties set forth in RCW 47.68.240(2).

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect June 30, 2005.