HF 1940

2nd Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to airports; creating an advisory task force to study airport funding issues
and the state airports fund; authorizing agreement relating to Willmar airport;
requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin AIRPORT FUNDING ADVISORY TASK FORCE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Task force established. new text end

new text begin An advisory task force on airport funding
issues is established to study and make recommendations regarding the best methods for
funding airports in the state and the state airports fund. The task force shall study:
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new text begin (1) the adequacy of current sources of revenue for the state airports fund and airports
in the state;
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new text begin (2) policy considerations regarding the use of the sales tax on aircraft as a potential
source of revenue for airports;
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new text begin (3) how other states fund airports;
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new text begin (4) projected aviation needs of the future, including required investments in aviation
infrastructure;
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new text begin (5) aircraft registration taxes; and
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new text begin (6) other issues relating to the funding of airports as determined by the task force.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force is comprised of the following members:
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new text begin (1) two members of the senate tax committee, appointed by the chair of the tax
committee; and
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new text begin (2) two members of the house of representatives tax committee, appointed by the
chair of the tax committee.
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new text begin The appointing authorities must select members based on knowledge and experience
in taxes or aviation funding issues. All appointments required by this paragraph must
be completed by September 1, 2007. The chair of the task force shall be elected by
the members appointed by the chairs of the house of representatives and senate tax
committees at the first meeting of the task force.
new text end

new text begin (b) The chair of the task force may appoint additional nonvoting members to the
task force, including, but not limited to, representatives of the following organizations
or entities:
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new text begin (1) a person appointed by the commissioner from the Department of Transportation
Office of Aeronautics;
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new text begin (2) the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association;
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new text begin (3) the Experimental Aircraft Association/ACAA;
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new text begin (4) the Metropolitan Airports Commission;
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new text begin (5) the Minnesota Aviation Trades Association;
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new text begin (6) the Minnesota Business Aviation Association;
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new text begin (7) the Minnesota Council of Airports;
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new text begin (8) the Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association;
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new text begin (9) the National Business Aviation Association; and
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new text begin (10) municipalities that own or operate airports.
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new text begin (c) The director of the Office of Aeronautics in the Department of Transportation
shall convene the first meeting of the task force.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By February 15, 2008, the task force shall report its
recommendations to the chairs of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over airports
and aviation issues and to the legislature as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Expenses. new text end

new text begin Per diem and expenses for legislative members of the task force
are as provided for under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059. Other members of the task
force may not receive per diem or expenses.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires after the submission of the report as
required under subdivision 3.
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Sec. 2. new text begin WILLMAR AIRPORT.
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new text begin (a) Notwithstanding any law, rule, or agreement to the contrary, the commissioner
of transportation may enter into an agreement with the city of Willmar to allow funds
granted by the state for land acquisition purposes at the city's former airport to instead
be used by June 30, 2012, as the state's share of funds for eligible aeronautical purposes
at the city's new airport.
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new text begin (b) Funds not spent pursuant to paragraph (a) by June 30, 2012, must be paid to the
commissioner of transportation and deposited in the state airports fund.
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Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $200,000 is appropriated from the state airports fund in fiscal year 2008 to the
Legislative Coordinating Commission for the administrative expenses of the task force
created in section 1 and for other costs relating to the preparation of the report required
under section 1, including the costs of hiring a consultant, if needed. Any remaining
amount of this appropriation shall revert to the state airports fund.
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Sec. 4. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
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new text begin Sections 1 and 3 are effective the day following final enactment.
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