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.
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 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, members of the Legislature, certain representatives of aviation and aerospace companies and associations, county commissioners, airport officials, and representatives from certain state agencies and statewide organizations.
The substitute bill adds planning, funding, and community integration of advanced air mobility to the list of topics to be included in recommendations from the aviation and aerospace advisory committee (committee). The substitute bill also adds that the establishment and maintenance of the committee is subject to amounts appropriated for that specific purpose and adds an effective date of July 1, 2023.
The substitute bill adds the following individuals as members of the committee:
(In support) The aviation and aerospace industry is a cornerstone of the Washington economy. Washington is home to aviation and aerospace companies that have created amazing and innovative technologies. Washington should be the leader in aviation and aerospace. This bill will help the Legislature put good ideas into action and continue the work started by the 2021 budget proviso. This bill will bring together industry experts to give the Legislature advice on how to support and grow the aviation and aerospace industry in Washington. Complex regulations make it essential for partnership and coordination between different stakeholders. This bill will help the needs of the aviation and aerospace industry be conveyed to the Legislature. The membership of the committee will ensure that diverse perspectives are represented. The work of the committee should extend beyond the time frame of the 2021 budget proviso. The membership should include representatives from organizations that represent workers in the aviation and aerospace industry.
(Other) The Department of Commerce has already engaged a facilitator as a strategic partner to help launch an advisory committee very similar to the one in the bill. There is some overlap between the efforts of this committee and other Department of Commerce efforts, but it is distinct from those other efforts.
(Opposed) None.