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 (Proviso Committee) to advise the Director of Commerce and the Secretary of Transportation on matters related to aviation and aerospace. The Proviso 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 Proviso 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 Proviso 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.
The Director of the Department of Commerce or the Director's designee is required to appoint and maintain an Aviation and Aerospace Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) to advise the Director of Commerce and the Secretary of Transportation on matters related to aviation and aerospace. The Advisory 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 Advisory Committee may not advise on or make recommendations relating to the siting of or exploration for a location for a new primary commercial aviation facility.
The Director of Commerce or the Director's designee must invite, at a minimum, the following individuals to be members of the Advisory Committee: certain representatives of aviation and aerospace companies and associations; county commissioners; airport officials; individuals with expertise in public health and clean transportation; and representatives from certain state agencies and statewide organizations.
The substitute bill removes the employment of unmanned propulsion systems from the matters to be advised on by the Advisory Committee. It also removes representatives of citizen groups that represent counties having a boundary on Puget Sound from the membership of the Advisory Committee. The substitute bill also removes the requirement that legislative members serve as advisory members to the Advisory Committee.
(In support) It is helpful that this bill clarifies that the Advisory Committee will not be involved with the siting of a new airport. It is important to take advantage of the aerospace expertise in Washington. The Proviso Committee created by the budget proviso is doing a very good job. The Advisory Committee membership should be expanded to include more groups representing civilian, environmental, and tribal interests. The Advisory Committee should also include members with expertise in fisheries and other groups that would make sure that the Advisory Committee's work is aligned with state efforts to combat climate change.
(Opposed) None.
(Other) It is unclear if the bill would allow the Advisory Committee to make recommendations on greenfields, or if it would cancel out the Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission's recommendations. There should be more involvement from representatives of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, as well as more meaningful inclusion of tribes, rural counties, and citizen groups, such as homeowners associations.