BILL NUMBER: AJR 33INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Fuller (Coauthors: Assembly Members Conway and Gilmore) FEBRUARY 17, 2010 Relative to aviation. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AJR 33, as introduced, Fuller. General aviation. This measure would respectfully memorialize the Congress and President of the United States to recognize the vital role general aviation plays in the economy, health, safety, and protection of the nation, and abstain from legislation and policies that impact this industry's ability to continue to function effectively. Fiscal committee: no. WHEREAS, General aviation in America supports more than 1.2 million jobs, many of them in small and medium-sized businesses, and generates $150 billion in economic activity; and WHEREAS, Many of the 5,200 general aviation airports in the United States are located at the center of clusters of the small and medium-sized businesses and communities that are driving the nation's economic recovery; and WHEREAS, Private aircraft that help these businesses create and maintain jobs have been mistakenly characterized as "toys for the rich," rather than as vital tools that allow business to operate and thrive; and WHEREAS, General aviation aircraft are used around the clock by law enforcement officers, medical professionals, disaster relief personnel, and others to reach people in need; and WHEREAS, General aviation aircraft are also used by researchers to gather data and map terrain in efforts to help governments, businesses, and nongovernmental organizations improve and protect the quality of life; and WHEREAS, America's agriculture industry uses general aviation in its efforts to feed and clothe a hungry world; and WHEREAS, The nation's public utilities use general aviation to install and maintain infrastructure vital to keeping the nation functioning; and WHEREAS, General aviation faces challenges from a federal budget proposal that would impose costly new user fees and dramatically increase taxes; and WHEREAS, Insufficient funding of Federal Aviation Administration operations and airport and airspace infrastructure imposes challenges on the ability of general aviation operators to operate effectively; and WHEREAS, General aviation faces increasing and onerous security regulations; and WHEREAS, Planning and zoning pressures and urban encroachment contribute to reducing the number and availability of airports throughout California and the United States, which annually reduces the number of airports available to public and private users; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature respectfully memorializes the Congress and President of the United States to recognize the vital role general aviation plays in the economy, health, safety, and protection of the nation, and abstain from legislation and policies that impact this industry's ability to continue to function effectively; and be it further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Congress of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.