SB0795: SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL IN COMMITTEE (Date Completed: 3-2-22)

CONTENT

Senate Bill 795 would amend the Aeronautics Code to do the following:

-- Create the "Advanced Air Mobility Study Committee" and prescribe its membership and duties, including the review of current laws in the State that could affect the advanced air mobility industry.

-- Dissolve the Committee two years after the bill's effective date.

-- Prohibit a county, city, village, or township from enacting an ordinance, policy, or rule that related to the ownership or operation of an advanced air mobility aircraft or advanced air mobility and from engaging in the regulation or ownership of an advanced air mobility aircraft or advanced air mobility.

Senate Bill 796 would amend the Aeronautics Code to prohibit a county, city, village, or township from enacting or adopting an ordinance, policy, or rule that related to the ownership or operation of an advanced air mobility aircraft or advanced air mobility and from engaging in the regulation or ownership of an advanced air mobility aircraft or advanced air mobility.

Senate Bill 795 is discussed in greater detail below

Committee

The bill would create the Advanced Air Mobility Study Committee. "Advanced air mobility" would mean a system that transports people and property by the air between points in the United States using aircraft, including aircraft and electrical vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.

Committee Membership

The Committee would consist of the following members:

-- The Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, or his or her designee.

-- The Director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, or his or her designee.

-- The Director of the Michigan Department of Transportation, or his or her designee.

-- Three members appointed by the Senate Majority Leader.

-- Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In addition, the Committee's membership would include the following members appointed by the Governor:

-- One member representing the Michigan Municipal League.

-- Two members who were from different cities, each with a population greater than 250,000.

-- One member from a city with a population of less than 100,000.

-- One member representing the Michigan Association of Counties.

-- One member representing a metropolitan planning organization.

-- One member representing a university in the State.

-- One member representing a community college in the State.

-- Three members representing the advanced air mobility industry.

-- One member representing an organization in the State that helps individuals with disabilities.

-- Two members representing the business community.

-- One member representing an organization in the State that represented underserved transportation areas.

-- One member representing an airport located in a county with a population of more than 1.5 million.

The bill specifies that an individual with the authority to appoint a member of the Committee would have to appoint that member within 30 days after the bill's effective date. An appointed member would serve at the pleasure of the individual who appointed that member.

The Senate Majority Leader would have to designate one of the members of the Committee that he or she appointed to serve as co-chairperson of the Committee. The Speaker of the House of Representatives would have to designate one of the members of the Committee that he or she appointed to serve as co-chairperson of the Committee.

The bill specifies that a member of the Committee would not be entitled to compensation for service on the Committee but could be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in serving.

Committee Meetings

The bill would require the co-chairperson designated by the Senate Majority Leader to call the first meeting of the Committee. The Committee would have to meet at least quarterly, or more frequently at the call of a co-chairperson or at the request of 13 or more members. A majority of the members of the Committee would constitute a quorum for transacting business, and a vote of 13 or more Members serving would be required for any action of the Committee. The Committee would be subject to the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

The bill specifies that the Committee would be dissolved two years after the bill's effective date.

Committee Duties

The Committee would have to do all the following:

-- Review current laws in the State that could affect the advanced air mobility industry and discuss necessary revisions.

-- Identify potential laws in the State that would create jurisdictional consistency for advanced air mobility operations throughout the State.

-- Foster public acceptance and awareness by creating an outreach campaign to educate the general public and lawmakers about advanced air mobility technology and its benefits.

-- Collaborate with local governments to identify the best ways to integrate advanced air mobility into transportation plans.

-- Within two years after the bill's effective date, submit a report regarding the Committee's activities that included recommendations for administrative or legislative action to the Governor, the Secretary of State, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Prohibitions

The bill would prohibit, except as authorized by law, a county, city, village or township from enacting or adopting an ordinance, policy, or rule that related to the ownership or operation of an advanced air mobility aircraft or advanced air mobility. The county, city, village, or township also could not engage in the regulation or ownership of an advanced air mobility aircraft or advanced air mobility. Any ordinance, policy, or rule that violated these prohibitions, whether enacted or adopted by the county, city, village, or township before or after the bill's effective date, would be void.

Proposed MCL 259.207 (S.B. 795) Legislative Analyst: Tyler VanHuyse

Proposed MCL 259.206a (S.B. 796)

FISCAL IMPACT

Senate Bill 795

The Department of Transportation would incur costs for staff or support provided to the committee. The members would serve without compensation; however, they could be reimbursed for necessary travel and expenses consistent with current law, rules, and procedures. Typical annual costs to support these bodies (whether created legislatively or administratively) can range between $10,000 and $200,000, depending on travel expenses and staff demands. These expenses likely would be absorbed by the Department.

Senate Bill 796

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Fiscal Analyst: Michael Siracuse

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.