89th General Assembly
Relating to airport registration and site approval by the department of transportation
Sponsored by the House Transportation Committee
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 18, 2022
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 18, 2022
- Done: House committeeJanuary 25, 2022
- Done: Passes the HouseFebruary 21, 202295–0
- Done: Senate committeeMarch 17, 2022
- Done: Passes the SenateMarch 22, 202249–0
- Done: To the GovernorApril 21, 2022
- Done: Signed into lawApril 21, 2022
Signed into law What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary The Iowa Department of Transportation will no longer require airports to get state approval for their locations or air traffic patterns. These responsibilities will now be handled by the federal aviation administration instead. This change affects people and government groups who want to build or run public airports in Iowa.1
Read the official explanation
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. Under current law, the department of transportation (DOT) is required to promulgate rules regarding the issuance and renewal of certificates of registration to airports which are open for public use. The rules must require that an airport applying for a certificate of registration or for a renewal must comply with minimum standards of safety as promulgated by the DOT, adopt safe air traffic patterns, and demonstrate that such air traffic patterns are safely coordinated with those of all existing airports and approved airport sites in its vicinity. This bill strikes the requirement that the DOT’s rules ensure the airport adopts safe air traffic patterns and demonstrates that such air traffic patterns are safely coordinated, as those matters are currently handled by the federal aviation administration. The bill also strikes the following: the requirement that the DOT promulgate rules governing the issuance of certificates of airport site approval, which under current law provide that any person or governmental subdivision desiring or planning to construct or establish an airport must obtain a certificate of site approval prior to acquiring the site or prior to the construction or establishment of the airport; the requirement that the DOT charge a reasonable site safety inspection fee for the issuance of a certificate of site approval; the requirement that the DOT investigate whether the site is adequate for the proposed airport, whether such proposed airport will conform to minimum standards of safety, and whether safe air traffic patterns are established for the proposed airport and safely coordinated; provisions governing when a certificate of site approval remains in effect; a prohibition against requiring a certificate of site approval for an existing airport; and an authorization for the DOT to hold a related hearing. The bill makes miscellaneous organizational and language changes to enhance readability and conform to current style.
Why it matters. People or local governments planning to build or establish new airports would no longer need to obtain a certificate of site approval from the Iowa Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation would also stop requiring airports to follow state rules regarding safe air traffic patterns and coordination, as those responsibilities are now handled by the federal aviation administration.2
House subcommittee
Named January 18, 2022 (as HSB 548). On January 20, 2022 it recommended passage. Vote Total: 3-0.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
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89th General Assembly