Summary of Aviation Legislation

in California

Prepared by: Caltrans, Division of Aeronautics

Regular Session: 2007-2008; Updated: October 1, 2008

 

*************************************************************************************

September 30th was the last day for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign into law (or allow to become law without his signature) or veto bills passed by both houses of the Legislature. The 2007-2008 Regular Session is now adjourned.

On September 30, 2008, President Bush signed H.R. 6984, the "Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2008," which extends through March 31, 2009, authorities to: collect taxes that fund the Airport and Airway Trust Fund; make expenditures from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund; and make grants to airports under the Airport Improvement Program.

*************************************************************************************************************

SB 1118, Senator Negrete McLeod-Chino, District 32 (Airports: airport land use commissions)
This bill would delete some sections of airport land use law leaving fewer ways for
counties to establish an airport land use commission (ALUC). Some counties would be
required to establish a new, so-called single-entity airport land use commission or
designate an established countywide body for airport planning responsibilities. No county
would be exempt from the airport land use requirements.
The latest - As of 09/24/2008 - This bill is dead.

AB 1407, Assemblyman Lieu-Santa Monica, District 53 (Airports: delayed flights: runway incursions)
This bill would require airports that serve at least one million passengers per year to post
information related to frequently delayed flights and runway incursions on their website.
The latest - 09/30/08 - Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed this bill.

SB 1510, Senator Christine Kehoe-San Diego, District 39 (San Diego County Regional Airport Authority)
In the wake of the airport authority's overhaul from the passage of SB 10 (Kehoe) last year, minor changes to the selection, wages and benefits of its board of directors are proposed.
Minor changes to rental car facility charges and unclaimed property are also in the bill.
The latest - 09/30/08 - Bill approved by Governor Schwarzenegger. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 620, Statutes of 2008.

SB 1141, Senator Bob Margett-Glendora, District 29 (Emergency Medical Services)
This bill would add a section to the Health and Safety Code which would allow the use of public aircraft for rescue services.
The latest - 08/25/08 - Bill approved by Governor Schwarzenegger. Chaptered by Secretary of State, Chapter 289, Statutes of 2008.

AB 1943, Assemblyman Mark Leno-San Francisco, District 13 (Commercial airlines: passenger rights)
Airline passengers stranded in an airplane on the ground for more than three hours will have their plane serviced with electrical power, restroom services, and adequate refreshments by the air carrier according to this bill. The air carrier must also post information in airports to facilitate consumer complaints to air carriers and US DOT.
The latest - 09/24/08 - This bill is dead.

AJR 37, Assemblyman Lieu-Santa Monica, District 53 (Santa Monica Municipal Airport)
This Assembly Joint Resolution would respectfully memorialize the FAA to review operation safety at SMO and examine the role that the airport plays in the regional aviation transportation system.
The latest - This AJR was adopted by the Assembly and Senate and filed with the Secretary of State on September 5, 2008.

SB 1462, Senator Abel Maldonado Jr.-Santa Maria, District 15 (Navigable waters:Seaplanes)
The latest - This bill is dead.

SB 1577, Senator Dean Florez-Shafter, District 16 (Airports: security checkpoint donation programs)
The latest - This bill is dead.

AB 700, Assembly Member Lieu-Torrance, District 53 (Co-Author: Assembly Member Brownley), (Santa Monica Airport)
The latest - This bill is dead.