AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The Texas Airport Directory is printed to provide aeronautical information for the approximately 400 airports that are open to the public. This Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) publication includes more information than the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) directory, such as rental car, lodging, restaurant, and FBO (fixed-base operator) information, and improved airport diagrams. The cost for removing the fee can easily be absorbed through TxDOT-Aviation's current funding levels. In 2012, only about 100 of the 400 printed were sold and the rest were given out complimentary to FAA offices. By removing the fee, the goal is to encourage more general aviation interest, knowledge, and safety. H.B. 1605 removes the fee charged for the Texas Airport Directory.

 

H.B. 1605 amends current law relating to the issuance of the Texas Airport Directory and eliminates a fee.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 21.067, Transportation Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 21.067. TEXAS AIRPORT DIRECTORY. (a) Authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to:

 

(1) issue the Texas Airport Directory;

 

(2) sell advertising in the directory; and

 

(3) advertise the directory, rather than advertise the sale of the directory, in other publications.

 

(b) Prohibits TxDOT from charging a fee for furnishing the Texas Airport Directory, rather than requiring TxDOT to charge not less than $5 for the Texas Airport Directory.

 

(c) Provides that TxDOT is not required to issue more than 110 percent of the number of Texas Airport Directories issued in the preceding state fiscal year.

 

SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 21.004 (Texas Aviation Operating Account), Transportation Code.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2015.