HB156: HB156 Transportation, Department of; authority over vertiports; provide

25 HB 156/AP House Bill 156 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Jones of the 25th, Thomas of the 21st, Hilton of the 48th, LaHood of the 175th, and Crowe of the 118th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 1 of Title 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general1 provisions relative to aviation, so as to provide the Departmen t of Transportation with2 authority over vertiports; to provide for definitions; to amend Code Section 48-13-50.2 of the3 Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions relative to excise tax on rooms,4 lodgings, and accommodations, so as to revise the definition of the term "tourism product5 development" to include air service product expansion at air carrier airports; to provide for6 related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8 SECTION 1.9 Chapter 1 of Title 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions10 relative to aviation, is amended by revising Code Section 6-1-1, relating to powers and duties11 of Department of Transportation — Aviation and aviation facilities generally, as follows:12 "6-1-1.13 (a) As used in this title, the term:14 (1) 'Landing field' shall include a vertiport.15 H. B. 156 - 1 - 25 HB 156/AP (2) 'Vertiport' means an area specifically designated and primarily used for the landing,16 takeoff, and servicing of aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of greater than 1,32017 pounds that is capable of vertical takeoff and landing.18 (b) The Department of Transportation shall have the following powers and duties:19 (1) To plan for and establish a long-term policy in regard to the establishment,20 development, and maintenance of aviation, landing fields, and aviation facilities in the21 this state;22 (2) To promote and encourage the use of aviation facilities of the state for air commerce23 in the this state and between the state, other states, and foreign countries;24 (3) To cooperate, counsel, and advise with the State Transportation Board in regard to25 the planning, construction, development, and maintenance of airports, landing fields, and26 air navigation facilities in the this state;27 (4) To cooperate, counsel, and advise with municipalities and other political subdivisions28 of the state and with other departments, boards, bureaus, commi ssions, agencies, or29 establishments, whether federal, state, or local, or public or private, for the purpose of30 promoting and obtaining coordination in the planning for and in the establishment of31 development, maintenance, and protection of a system of air rou tes, airports, landing32 fields, and other aviation facilities in the this state."33 SECTION 2.34 Code Section 48-13-50.2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions35 relative to excise tax on rooms, lodgings, and accommodations, is amended in paragraph (6)36 by striking "or" at the end of subparagraph (O), by replacing the period with "; and" at the37 end of subparagraph (P), and by adding a new subparagraph to read as follows:38 "(Q) Air service product expansion at air carrier airports."39 H. B. 156 - 2 - 25 HB 156/AP SECTION 3.40 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.41 H. B. 156 - 3 -