BILL NUMBER: S7548
SPONSOR: RYAN C
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the powers of
the Syracuse regional airport
 
PURPOSE:
To classify aviation specific positions for the Syracuse Regional
Airport Authority ("SRAA") governed by Federal Aviation Administration
("FAA") regulations in the "exempt" civil service class.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends subdivision 12 of section 2799-ggg to classify SRAA
positions that are aviation specific and governed by FAA regulations 14
CFR Part 139, 49 CFR Part 1540 and 49 CFR Part 1542 in the "exempt"
class.
Section 2: Establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Hiring in the field of aviation is a very competitive and specialized.
There is a finite pool of qualified candidates nationwide to fill these
highly technical positions. In recent years, the New York State Civil
Service system has made it very difficult for New York airports to hire
aviation professionals. Current Civil Service rules only allow a person
to be hired "provisionally" for a position until they take and pass the
appropriate civil service exam. However, exams for a given position may
take years before being offered. Even then, if a person takes the test
and does not score in the "top-3" they will be out of a job despite
having years of good performance.
This system makes it extremely difficult for the Syracuse Regional
Airport Authority to recruit and retain talent. Potential candidates are
often moving from different parts of the country and will not uproot
their families and careers for a "provisional" position. The net effect
is that critical positions are going unfilled, negatively impacting
airport operations.
This legislation seeks to remedy the issue by reclassifying SRAA posi-
tions that are aviation specific and governed by FAA regulations 14 CFR
Part 139, 49 CFR Part 1540 and 49 CFR Part 1542 in the "exempt" class.
This will put the SRAA on an even competitive field with other airports
in the United States and allow them to attract top talent to the State.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.