Bill Text: HI SB1369 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 1369 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Airports.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-02-05 - Re-Referred to TRS/PSM, WAM/JDC. [SB1369 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2021-SB1369-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1369
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to airports.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Kawaihapai Airfield, also known as Dillingham Airfield, has been a vital economic and tourism contributor to the economy of Oahu's north shore. In 2019, the airfield had 33,805 aircraft operations, more than Kapalua, Lanai, and Kalaupapa regional airports combined. The legislature further finds that the small business tenants at Kawaihapai Airfield generate over $12,000,000 in yearly revenues and employ over one hundred and thirty people, which include flight instructors, pilots, aircraft maintenance personnel, tour operators, office staff, and more.

The legislature further finds that the department of transportation leases Kawaihapai Airfield from the United States Department of the Army. The department of transportation has announced that it plans to exercise the early termination provision of its lease agreement with the U.S. Army as of June 30, 2021, which will put the jobs and future revenues from airport operations in jeopardy.

The purpose of this Act is to allow any county the authority to operate and maintain airfields and airports.

SECTION 2. Section 261-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§261-4 Airports, general. (a) Establishment, operation, maintenance. The department of transportation may, on behalf of and in the name of the State, or any county, out of appropriations and other moneys available or made available for such purposes, plan, acquire, establish, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, install, operate, regulate, and protect, airports, air navigation facilities, buildings, and other facilities to provide for the servicing of aircraft; to provide for the comfort, accommodation, and convenience of air travelers; and to protect against airport hazards.

(b) Acquisition of property. By purchase, gift, devise, lease, or condemnation in accordance with chapter 101, the department or any county may acquire property, real or personal, or any interest therein, including the property rights, estates, and interests mentioned in section 262-11. The department or any county may acquire rights and interests in airports owned or controlled by others, for the purpose of meeting a civilian need which is within the scope of its functions, even though it does not have the exclusive control and operation of such airports. The department or any county may also acquire excess federal lands as permitted by federal law.

(c) Structures and improvements. All structures and improvements to land, to be used for airport purposes, may be planned, designed, and constructed by the department or any county.

(d) Use of state and municipal facilities and services. In carrying out this chapter, the department or any county may use the facilities and services of other agencies of the State and of the municipalities of the State and the agencies and municipalities shall make available their facilities and services.

(e) Fire and safety inspection. The State shall conduct fire and safety inspections at all state-owned airport facilities at least once a year, as provided in section 132‑6(b)."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Airports; Department of Transportation; Dillingham Airfield

Description:

Allows any county to operate or maintain an airport or airfield.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.