Pennsylvania Act 1999-58 — TRANSPORTATION (74 PA.C.S.) - AMEND AVIATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Act text

Session of 1999

No. 1999-58

SB 19

AN ACT

Amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, empowering the Governor to create an Aviation Advisory Committee to provide guidance to the Governor, the General Assembly, the Secretary of Transportation and the State Transportation Commission on aviation matters; and providing for the committee's powers and duties.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Title 74 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:

CHAPTER 63

AVIATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Sec.

6301. Short title of chapter.

6302. Findings and declaration of policy.

6303. Definitions.

6304. Aviation Advisory Committee.

§ 6301. Short title of chapter.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Aviation Advisory Committee Act.

§ 6302. Findings and declaration of policy.

(a) Findings.--It is hereby determined and declared as a matter of legislative findings that:

(1) The welfare and vitality of this Commonwealth, the satisfactory movement of people and goods within this Commonwealth and the economic health of Commonwealth industries must be preserved and enhanced.

(2) Federal and State assistance for the preservation, rehabilitation and improvement of efficient and coordinated aviation transportation services, systems and facilities is essential.

(3) The aviation transportation issues within this Commonwealth necessitate that a continuous aviation systems planning process be implemented concerning this Commonwealth's aviation transportation services, systems and facilities and concerning their preservation and improvement.

(4) Cooperative efforts between the aviation industry and State government can be useful in addressing issues of common concern.

(b) Policy declaration.--The purpose of this chapter is to further the public interest and aeronautical progress by providing for the protection, promotion and development of aeronautics within this Commonwealth.

§ 6303. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Committee." The Aviation Advisory Committee created by this chapter.

"Department." The Department of Transportation of the Commonwealth.

"Secretary." The Secretary of Transportation of the Commonwealth.

"State Transportation Commission." The commission created in section 2011 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, or any successor organization.

§ 6304. Aviation Advisory Committee.

(a) Creation.--There is hereby created an Aviation Advisory Committee, which shall consist of 25 members. The members shall be as follows:

(1) The Secretary of Transportation.

(2) The Secretary of Community and Economic Development.

(3) The chairman and minority chairman of the Transportation Committee of the Senate.

(4) The chairman and minority chairman of the Transportation Committee of the House of Representatives.

(5) Nineteen members of the public representing the areas of concern specified, who shall have extensive experience and knowledge of air transportation activities throughout this Commonwealth, to be appointed by the Governor as follows:

(i) Three persons from the board of directors of the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania.

(ii) Two persons from the airline industry.

(iii) One person from the aviation manufacturing/maintenance industry.

(iv) Four persons from Pennsylvania's airport system.

(v) Two persons representing general aviation fixed base operators.

(vi) One person representing the air cargo

industry.

(vii) Two persons representing the metropolitan planning organizations and local development districts in this Commonwealth.

(viii) One pilot representing the pilot community in thisCommonwealth.

(ix) Three members of the general

public.

(b) Designees.--Each of the members of the committee may designate a representative to serve in his or her stead. A member who designates a representative shall notify the chairman in writing of the designation.

(c) Terms of appointees.--The term of all members of the committee appointed by the Governor shall be for three years. Any member of the committee may be reappointed for no more than two full successive terms. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term to which his predecessor was appointed shall serve only for the unexpired term. Each member shall serve until the appointment of a successor.

(d) Meetings and expenses.--

(1) The committee shall meet at least four times every 12 months but may hold such additional meetings as are called by the chairman or by petition of at least six committee members. The chairman shall provide notice at least 14 days in advance for regular meetings and provide a minimum of three days' notice for special meetings. A majority of the appointed members shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business. The secretary shall maintain a record of meeting attendance by members and shall provide written notice to members who miss two consecutive meetings. Three consecutive absences of committee meetings by a member shall be grounds for removal if affirmed by a majority vote of the committee.

(2) Minutes of meetings shall be prepared by the secretary and filed with the committee and distributed to all members. All records shall be a matter of public record.

(3) The public members of the committee shall be allowed reasonable per diem expenses to be set by the committee. The department shall provide appropriate staff support to enable the committee to properly carry out its function.

(e) Powers and duties.--The committee shall have the power and duty to:

(1) Make recommendations to promote and preserve the aviation and the air transportation system in this Commonwealth and propose methods, strategies or technologies that can be used to improve these systems.

(2) Provide guidance on aviation-related issues to the Governor, the General Assembly, the secretary and the State Transportation Commission.

(3) Promote aviation systems and capital infrastructure improvements.

(4) Review the department's capital project program prioritization process and provide recommendations on the method for determining priorities among locations.

(5) Guide the department's continuous State aviation systems planning process.

(6) Review and promote Federal and State aviation rules and regulations as may be proper and necessary to promote and develop beneficial aviation practices and operations.

(7) Promote aviation education opportunities and encourage research and development for aviation safety and security.

(8) Define intermodal opportunities for airports within this Commonwealth.

(9) Provide a forum for exchange of information concerning the users' view of needs and requirements of this Commonwealth's aviation systems.

(10) Address other appropriate aviation issues that arise from time to time.

(f) Reports.--The committee shall submit reports of its deliberations and conclusions to the Governor, members of the General Assembly and the State Transportation Commission.

(g) Chairperson.--The Governor shall appoint one member of the committee as chairperson. The members of the committee shall annually elect a vice chairperson, a secretary and a treasurer from among the members appointed to the committee.

Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

APPROVED--The 15th day of December, A. D. 1999.

THOMAS J. RIDGE