Existing law creates the Nevada Air Service Development Commission within the Office of Economic Development and provides that the Commission consists of the Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development and a member of the Commission on Tourism of the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. (NRS 231.680) Section 6 of this bill creates the Office of Aerospace and requires the Governor to appoint a Director to head the Office. Sections 2-5 of this bill define certain terms relating to the Office.
Section 7 of this bill sets forth the duties of the Office, which include: (1) developing and expanding state planning relating to air service, airspace and airport and heliport infrastructure; (2) creating a system for automated weather observation; (3) creating a certification program for airport lighting and maintenance; (4) developing a program to distribute surplus property to airports; (5) implementing a statewide network of crew cars to support rural airports; and (6) establishing a comprehensive aviation support network.
Existing law creates the Nevada Air Service Development Fund as a special revenue fund in the State Treasury and provides for the Nevada Air Service Development Commission to award grants of money from the Nevada Air Service Development Fund to air carriers that meet certain requirements. (NRS 231.690-231.720) Sections 8 and 19 of this bill: (1) move and rename the Nevada Air Service Development Fund to the Nevada Aerospace Development Fund; and (2) require the Director of the Office to administer the Fund and make grants of money to air carriers that meet certain requirements. Sections 9 and 19 of this bill move the responsibility for developing the grant program from the Nevada Air Service Development Commission to the Office. Section 9 also sets forth the requirements for air carriers to be awarded a grant of money from the Office.
Sections 10 and 19 of this bill: (1) rename the Nevada Air Service Development Commission the Nevada Aerospace Commission; and (2) move the Commission to the Office of Aerospace. Section 10 requires the Nevada Aerospace Commission to advise the Governor and the Office on the priorities for aerospace development in this State.
Existing law creates the Fund for Aviation as a trust fund administered by the Director of the Department of Transportation and authorizes the Director of the Department of Transportation to award grants of money from the Fund for Aviation to counties, cities or other local governments in this State to obtain matching money for federal programs and certain other programs relating to airports. (NRS 494.048) Section 12 of this bill requires the Director of the Office of Aerospace to administer the Fund for Aviation and authorizes the Director of the Office of Aerospace to award such grants of money.
Section 11 of this bill requires the Office to submit an annual report to be transmitted to the Legislature or Legislative Commission detailing certain information for the immediately preceding calendar year relating to the grants awarded from the Nevada Aerospace Development Fund and the Fund for Aviation.