(a) Creation.--There is hereby created an Aviation Advisory Committee, which shall consist of 25 members. The members shall be as follows:
(1) The Secretary of Transportation.
(2) The Secretary of Community and Economic Development.
(3) The chairman and minority chairman of the Transportation Committee of the Senate.
(4) The chairman and minority chairman of the Transportation Committee of the House of Representatives.
(5) Nineteen members of the public representing the areas of concern specified, who shall have extensive experience and knowledge of air transportation activities throughout this Commonwealth, to be appointed by the Governor as follows:
(i) Three persons from the board of directors of the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania.
(ii) Two persons from the airline industry.
(iii) One person from the aviation manufacturing/maintenance industry.
(iv) Four persons from Pennsylvania's airport system.
(v) Two persons representing general aviation fixed base operators.
(vi) One person representing the air cargo industry.
(vii) Two persons representing the metropolitan planning organizations and local development districts in this Commonwealth.
(viii) One pilot representing the pilot community in this Commonwealth.
(ix) Three members of the general public.
(b) Designees.--Each of the members of the committee may designate a representative to serve in his or her stead. A member who designates a representative shall notify the chairman in writing of the designation.
(c) Terms of appointees.--The term of all members of the committee appointed by the Governor shall be for three years. Any member of the committee may be reappointed for an additional term or terms. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term to which his predecessor was appointed shall serve only for the unexpired term. Each member shall serve until the appointment of a successor.
(d) Meetings and expenses.--
(1) The committee shall meet at least four times every 12 months but may hold such additional meetings as are called by the chairman or by petition of at least six committee members. The chairman shall provide notice at least 14 days in advance for regular meetings and provide a minimum of three days' notice for special meetings. A majority of the appointed members shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business. The secretary shall maintain a record of meeting attendance by members and shall provide written notice to members who miss two consecutive meetings. Three consecutive absences of committee meetings by a member shall be grounds for removal if affirmed by a majority vote of the committee.
(2) Minutes of meetings shall be prepared by the secretary and filed with the committee and distributed to all members. All records shall be a matter of public record.
(3) The public members of the committee shall be allowed reasonable per diem expenses to be set by the committee. The department shall provide appropriate staff support to enable the committee to properly carry out its function.
(e) Powers and duties.--The committee shall have the power and duty to:
(1) Make recommendations to promote and preserve the aviation and the air transportation system in this Commonwealth and propose methods, strategies or technologies that can be used to improve these systems.
(2) Provide guidance on aviation-related issues to the Governor, the General Assembly, the secretary and the State Transportation Commission.
(3) Promote aviation systems and capital infrastructure improvements.
(4) Review the department's capital project program prioritization process and provide recommendations on the method for determining priorities among locations.
(5) Guide the department's continuous State aviation systems planning process.
(6) Review and promote Federal and State aviation rules and regulations as may be proper and necessary to promote and develop beneficial aviation practices and operations.
(7) Promote aviation education opportunities and encourage research and development for aviation safety and security.
(8) Define intermodal opportunities for airports within this Commonwealth.
(9) Provide a forum for exchange of information concerning the users' view of needs and requirements of this Commonwealth's aviation systems.
(10) Address other appropriate aviation issues that arise from time to time.
(f) Reports.--The committee shall submit reports of its deliberations and conclusions to the Governor, members of the General Assembly and the State Transportation Commission.
(g) Chairperson.--The Governor shall appoint one member of the committee as chairperson. The members of the committee shall annually elect a vice chairperson, a secretary and a treasurer from among the members appointed to the committee.
(June 29, 2006, P.L.218, No.55, eff. 60 days)
2006 Amendment. Act 55 amended subsec. (c).