S-0701.1
SENATE BILL 5370
State of Washington | 66th Legislature | 2019 Regular Session |
BySenators Keiser, Warnick, Saldaña, Hasegawa, Wilson, C., and Honeyford
AN ACT Relating to creating a state commercial aviation coordinating commission; adding a new chapter to Title
47 RCW; and providing expiration dates.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that with the increase in air traffic operations, combined with the projections for the rapid expansion of these operations in both the short and the long term, concerns regarding the environmental, health, social, and economic impacts of air traffic are increasing as well. The legislature also finds that advancing Washington's position as a national and international trading leader is dependent upon the development of a highly competitive, statewide passenger and cargo air transportation system. Therefore, the legislature seeks to identify a location for a new primary commercial aviation facility in Washington, taking into consideration the data and conclusions of appropriate air traffic studies, community representatives, and industry experts. It is the intent of the legislature to establish a state commercial aviation coordinating commission to provide a location recommendation by January 1, 2021.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The state commercial aviation coordinating commission is created to carry out the functions of this chapter. The commission shall consist of thirteen voting members.
(2) The governor shall appoint nine voting members to represent the following interests:
(a) Four as representatives of the ports, one of whom shall represent a port located in a county with a population of two million or more and one representing an association of ports;
(b) Three as representatives from the airline industry and the private sector;
(c) A representative from an eastern Washington metropolitan planning organization; and
(d) A representative from a western Washington metropolitan planning organization.
(3) The remaining four members shall consist of:
(a) A representative from the department of commerce;
(b) A representative from the division of aeronautics of the department of transportation;
(c) The governor or the governor's designee; and
(d) A representative from the freight mobility investment board.
(4) A representative of the federal aviation administration and a representative of the Washington state aviation alliance shall serve as nonvoting members.
(5) The governor may appoint additional nonvoting members as deemed appropriate.
(6) The commission shall select a chair from among its membership and shall adopt rules related to its powers and duties under this chapter.
(7) Nonlegislative members are not entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses if they are elected officials or are participating on behalf of an employer, governmental entity, or other organization. Any reimbursement for other nonlegislative members is subject to chapter
43.03 RCW. The commission has all powers necessary to carry out its duties as prescribed by this chapter.
(8) The department of transportation shall provide staff support for coordinating and administering the commission and technical assistance as requested by commission members.
(9) The governor or the governor's designee shall convene the initial meeting of the commission as soon as practicable.
(10) This section expires July 1, 2021.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The state commercial aviation coordinating commission shall review existing data and conduct research as needed to determine Washington's long-range commercial aviation facility needs and the site of a new commercial aviation facility. The work of the commission shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) Recommendations to the legislature on future Washington state long-range commercial aviation facility needs;
(b) Identifying a preferred location for a new commercial aviation facility. The commission shall make recommendations and shall select a single preferred location by simple majority vote using the following process:
(i) Initiating a broad review of potential sites;
(ii) Recommending a final short list of no more than six locations by January 1, 2020;
(iii) Identifying the top two locations from the final six locations by September 1, 2020; and
(iv) Identifying a single preferred location for a new commercial aviation facility by January 1, 2021.
(2) The commission shall submit findings and recommendations to the transportation commissions of the legislature by January 1, 2021.
(3) This section expires July 1, 2021.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The state commercial aviation coordinating commission shall project a timeline for the development of an additional commercial aviation facility that is completed and functional by 2040.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Sections 1 through 4 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 47 RCW. --- END ---