Repeals certain provisions relating to the airport security registration fee

1 Co-sponsor

• Thomas Croci

Title of bill

An act to repeal subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 14-m of the transportation law relating to the airport security registration fee

Purpose

To eliminate the unnecessary General Aviation Airport Registration Renewal and Security Plan Submission fee that airports must pay every three years when filing plans with the NYSDOT Bureau of Aviation

Summary of provisions

Section 1 repeals subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (a) of subdivision (2) of section 14-m of the transportation law.

Section 2 is the effective date.

Justification

The 2004 New York State Anti-Terrorism Preparedness Act (Article 2, Section 14-m of NY Transportation Law) requires that all General Aviation (GA) airports register with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and renew their registration every three years by submitting an up-to-date registration form and a current airport security plan. The registration fee for private-use airports is $25; for public-use airports $50.

These statutory requirements apply to all GA airports (including: airports, airstrips, heliports, seaplane bases, and other aviation facilities) in New York State that do not have regularly scheduled commercial air carrier service. These requirements apply to all such private-use and public-use GA airports of either public or private ownership, regardless of flight operation activity levels.

The fees for registration, while small, are an unfunded mandate on local governments that own airports. The fees generate approximately $4000 per year to the state, are not dedicated for any airport purposes and are deposited to the state general fund. Under this bill, the airports will still be required to file registration forms and security plans with the NYSDOT and with local law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction over such airport including the New York state police and the New York state office of homeland security. Eliminating the registration fee would lift a gratuitous financial liability from these small GA airports while relieving the state of an administrative burden and collection effort that results in the use of staff time and resources costing much more than what is eventually collected each year. In addition, repealing theses fees may increase compliance with the requirements of this section.

Legislative history

New bill

Fiscal implication

De minimis to the state; net savings in administrative costs

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately