HF 1940

as introduced - 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; 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 on what, if any, changes should
be made to the funding methods currently in place for airports in the state and for 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) the possibility of directing proceeds from the sales tax on aircraft as an additional
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.
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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, one appointed by the majority leader and one
appointed by the minority leader;
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new text begin (2) two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of
the house and one appointed by the minority leader; and
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new text begin (3) one legislator appointed jointly by the chair of the senate Transportation
Committee and the chair of the house Transportation Finance Division of the Finance
Committee to serve as chair of the task force, selected based on knowledge and experience
in aviation funding issues.
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new text begin (b) The chair of the task force may appoint additional members to the task force,
including, but not limited to, representatives of the following organizations:
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new text begin (1) the Department of Transportation Aeronautics Office;
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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; and
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new text begin (9) the National Business Aviation Association.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report by February 2008. new text end

new text begin The task force shall report its recommendations
to the chairs and members of the house of representatives and senate committees with
jurisdiction over airports and aviation issues by February 15, 2008. The task force shall
also provide a copy of its recommendations to the Legislative Reference Library.
new text end

Sec. 2. 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 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. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
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new text begin Sections 1 and 2 are effective the day following final enactment.
new text end