The bill amends Section 85 of the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, enhancing the Department's responsibilities regarding airport infrastructure development. It mandates the creation of a five-year Airport Construction Program that outlines available federal and state funding for airport projects, as well as a statewide airport system plan with a twenty-year planning horizon for publicly owned airports. This plan must be publicly accessible and is crucial for airports to qualify for funding. The bill also modifies the qualifications for financial assistance, requiring that projects be included in both the five-year program and the statewide plan to receive funding. Additionally, the Department is tasked with incorporating public input into the program's development and ensuring realistic project delivery schedules.

Moreover, the bill updates the Department's authority by changing the designation of a section and introducing provisions for collaboration with federal agencies on aerospace matters. It empowers the Department to report aeronautics accidents and preserve evidence until federal investigations begin. A new section allows the Department to manage an aerospace education program in partnership with educational institutions and mandates a triennial airport inspection program for public-use airports, with written reports provided to airport owners. The bill is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
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Floor (Senate):
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