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 general
provisions relative to aviation, so as to provide the Department of Transportation with
authority over vertiports; to provide for definitions; to amend Code Section 48-13-50.2 of the
Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions relative to excise tax on rooms,
lodgings, and accommodations, so as to revise the definition of the term "tourism product
development" to include air service product expansion at air carrier airports; to provide for
related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 1 of Title 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions
relative to aviation, is amended by revising Code Section 6-1-1, relating to powers and duties
of Department of Transportation — Aviation and aviation facilities generally, as follows:
"6-1-1.
<ins>(a) As used in this title, the term:
(1) 'Landing field' shall include a vertiport.
</ins>
<ins>(2) 'Vertiport' means an area specifically designated and primarily used for the landing,
takeoff, and servicing of aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of greater than 1,320
pounds that is capable of vertical takeoff and landing.
(b)</ins> The Department of Transportation shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To plan for and establish a long-term policy in regard to the establishment,
development, and maintenance of aviation, <ins>landing fields,</ins> and aviation facilities in <del>the
</del> <ins>this</ins> state;
(2) To promote and encourage the use of aviation facilities of the state for air commerce
in <del>the</del> <ins>this</ins> state and between the state, other states, and foreign countries;
(3) To cooperate, counsel, and advise with the State Transportation Board in regard to
the planning, construction, development, and maintenance of airports, landing fields, and
air navigation facilities in <del>the</del> <ins>this</ins> state;
(4) To cooperate, counsel, and advise with municipalities and other political subdivisions
of the state and with other departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, agencies, or
establishments, whether federal, state, or local, or public or private, for the purpose of
promoting and obtaining coordination in the planning for and in the establishment of
development, maintenance, and protection of a system of air routes, airports, landing
fields, and other aviation facilities in <del>the</del> <ins>this</ins> state."
SECTION 2.
Code Section 48-13-50.2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions
relative to excise tax on rooms, lodgings, and accommodations, is amended in paragraph (6)
by striking "or" at the end of subparagraph (O), by replacing the period with "; and" at the
end of subparagraph (P), and by adding a new subparagraph to read as follows:
<ins>"(Q) Air service product expansion at air carrier airports."
</ins>
SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.