The bill proposes amendments to the General Laws of Rhode Island, specifically in chapters related to airports, landing fields, and aeronautical regulations. It changes references from "director" to "president and CEO" throughout the text, reflecting a shift in the titles and responsibilities of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation's leadership. The president and CEO is given authority over state airports, including the enforcement of chapter provisions, rulemaking, cooperation with federal agencies, and the hiring and firing of assistants. The bill also addresses land acquisition for airport purposes, airport expansion processes, and leasing to the U.S. government, as well as directing the president and CEO to issue operating procedures for noise and emission minimization at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport.

The bill centralizes aeronautics oversight to the president and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation by replacing references to the "chief aeronautics inspector" and "director" with the "Rhode Island airport corporation operations department" and "president and CEO." It mandates immediate notification of aircraft accidents to the operations department, changes the registration requirements for aircraft, and sets forth registration fees and reimbursement schedules. The bill also updates the requirements for carrying and presenting pilot licenses and aircraft certificates, reassigns various duties to the president and CEO, and outlines prohibitions related to aircraft operation. Additionally, it introduces a new section giving the president and CEO authority over abandoned aircraft, updates enforcement responsibilities, and includes changes to the "Permanent Noise Monitoring Act" and the "Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights" to reflect the updated titles and responsibilities. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7712  SUB A: 1-5-1
7712: 1-5-1, 42-28.6-1