Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB00993 Latest Draft

Bill / Comm Sub Version Filed 04/05/2023

                             
 
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General Assembly  Substitute Bill No. 993  
January Session, 2023  
 
 
 
AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 
CONNECTICUT AIRPORT AUTHORITY.  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General 
Assembly convened: 
 
Section 1. Section 13b-39a of the general statutes is repealed and the 1 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 2 
[(a) The executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority shall 3 
establish a program of registration for all aircraft in the state, in 4 
accordance with which the] The owner of any aircraft, as defined in 5 
subdivision (5) of section 15-34, which is based or primarily used at any 6 
airport facility, heliport, air navigation facility, restricted landing area 7 
or seaplane base in a municipality within this state shall, not later than 8 
October 1, 1993, and annually thereafter, be required to register with the 9 
municipality in which such aircraft is based or primarily used, by filing 10 
an application form, or renewal thereof, and paying the appropriate 11 
registration fee, as provided for in section 12-71, this section and section 12 
13b-39b, as amended by this act. The owner of any aircraft which is 13 
based or primarily used at any such air navigation facility or restricted 14 
landing area in this state shall register such aircraft not later than July 1, 15 
1994, and annually thereafter not later than the first of October. Any 16 
aircraft shall be deemed to be based or primarily used in a municipality 17 
when in the normal course of its use, it leaves from and returns to or 18 
remains at one or more points within the municipality more often or 19  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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longer than at any other single location outside of the municipality. 20 
[(b) The executive director, subject to the provisions of section 1-121, 21 
shall adopt such rules and procedures as deemed necessary by said 22 
executive director to implement the provisions of section 12-71, this 23 
section and sections 13b-39b to 13b-39g, inclusive.] 24 
Sec. 2. Section 13b-39b of the general statutes is repealed and the 25 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 26 
The executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority shall 27 
prepare and distribute to each municipality in which aircraft are based 28 
or primarily used, forms and decals for the registration of aircraft and 29 
the renewal of such registrations. [The registration forms shall contain 30 
such information as the authority may prescribe, including, but not 31 
limited to, information concerning (1) the form and identity of 32 
ownership, including information as to whether such ownership is by 33 
an individual, partnership, corporation or other entity, (2) the type of 34 
aircraft, including the year of manufacture, the manufacturer, the model 35 
and the certified gross weight, (3) the Federal Aviation Certificate 36 
number, and (4) the location at which such aircraft is based or primarily 37 
used in this state.] Each municipality shall designate a municipal 38 
registration official who may be an official or employee of the 39 
municipality or of any airport facility, heliport or seaplane base located 40 
within the municipality, to utilize the information obtained pursuant to 41 
section 13b-49a, as amended by this act, and perform the duties of 42 
registration of aircraft as set forth in sections 13b-39a to 13b-39g, 43 
inclusive, as amended by this act, and shall furnish to the executive 44 
director, in writing, the name, address and telephone number of each 45 
such official. The municipality shall immediately notify the executive 46 
director upon any changes relative to the municipal registration official. 47 
Sec. 3. Section 13b-39d of the general statutes is repealed and the 48 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 49 
The owner shall pay a fee to the municipal registration official for 50  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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each aircraft so numbered or registered in accordance with the 51 
following schedule: 52 
T1  Gross Weight (lbs.) Fee 
T2  Less than 3,000 	$90.00 
T3  3,001 - 4,500  250.00 
T4  4,501 - 8,000  700.00 
T5  8,001 - 12,500 1,500.00 
T6   12,501 and over 2,500.00 
 
Aircraft manufactured before 1946 shall pay the lesser of one hundred 53 
dollars or the fee as required on the basis of gross weight as set forth in 54 
this section. [The executive director may establish, by procedures 55 
adopted in accordance with the provisions of section 1-121, a uniform 56 
schedule for the expiration and renewal of registrations and may 57 
prorate the fees in this section accordingly.] Any person or firm that 58 
acquires ownership of an aircraft shall obtain a new registration in the 59 
name of such owner within thirty days of the date of such acquisition, 60 
provided no additional registration fee shall be payable in cases where 61 
one or more new ownership interests are being added to the registration 62 
or in cases of legal change of name of the registrant. All registrations 63 
shall be renewed within thirty days of the date of expiration as stated in 64 
the certificate. If a valid certificate or number decal is lost, mutilated or 65 
destroyed, the aircraft owner shall notify the municipal registration 66 
official within fifteen days, and such owner shall be issued a duplicate 67 
certificate or number decal upon payment of a fee of five dollars. 68 
Sec. 4. Section 13b-39g of the general statutes is repealed and the 69 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 70 
Each municipality which issues and renews registrations for aircraft 71 
in accordance with this section and sections 13b-39a to [13b-39g] 13b-72 
39f, inclusive, as amended by this act, may retain for its own use and 73 
purposes, as a grant in lieu of property taxes, all revenue received from 74 
the receipt of aircraft registration fees. [Each] On or before February 1, 75  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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2024, and annually thereafter, each such [participating] municipality 76 
shall furnish the executive director with [such reports] a report 77 
concerning [the total amount of fees received pursuant to sections 12-71 78 
and 13b-39a to 13b-39g, inclusive,] the number of registrations issued, 79 
the names of registrants and the descriptions of aircraft registered 80 
during the preceding calendar year. 81 
Sec. 5. Section 13b-50 of the general statutes is repealed and the 82 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 83 
(a) The executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority is 84 
authorized to cooperate with the government of the United States or any 85 
agency or department thereof in the acquisition, construction, 86 
improvement, maintenance and operation of airports, heliports, landing 87 
fields and other aeronautical facilities in this state where federal 88 
financial aid is received and to comply with the provisions of the laws 89 
of the United States and any regulations made thereunder for the 90 
expenditure of federal moneys upon such airports, heliports and 91 
facilities. The executive director is authorized to accept, receive and 92 
receipt for federal or other moneys for and on behalf of this state or any 93 
political subdivision thereof for the acquisition, construction, 94 
improvement, maintenance and operation of facilities within this state. 95 
All moneys accepted for disbursement by the executive director 96 
pursuant to this subsection shall be [deposited in the state treasury and] 97 
disbursed in accordance with the provisions of the respective grants. 98 
(b) Any municipality is authorized to accept, receive and receipt for 99 
federal moneys and other moneys, either public or private, for the 100 
acquisition, construction, enlargement, improvement, maintenance, 101 
equipment or operation of airports and other air navigation facilities 102 
and sites therefor and to comply with the provisions of the laws of the 103 
United States and any rules and regulations made thereunder for the 104 
expenditure of federal moneys upon such airports and facilities. No 105 
municipality shall submit to the administrator of civil aeronautics of the 106 
United States any project application under the provisions of Section 107 
9(a) of Public Law 377, 79th Congress, or any amendment thereof, unless 108  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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the project and the project application have been approved by the 109 
executive director. 110 
(c) Any municipality is authorized to designate by ordinance the 111 
executive director as its agent to accept, receive and receipt for federal 112 
moneys in its behalf for airport purposes and to contract for the 113 
acquisition, construction, enlargement, improvement, maintenance, 114 
equipment or operation of such airports or other air navigation facilities, 115 
and may enter into an agreement with the executive director prescribing 116 
the terms and conditions of such agency in accordance with federal 117 
laws, rules and regulations and applicable laws of this state. Such 118 
moneys as are paid by the United States government shall be paid to 119 
such municipality under such terms and conditions as may be imposed 120 
by the United States in making such grant. 121 
(d) All contracts for the acquisition, construction, enlargement, 122 
improvement, maintenance, equipment or operation of airports or other 123 
air navigation facilities, made by the municipality itself or through the 124 
executive director, shall be made pursuant to the laws of this state 125 
governing the making of like contracts; provided, where such 126 
acquisition, construction, improvement, enlargement, maintenance, 127 
equipment or operation is financed wholly or partly with federal 128 
moneys, the municipality, or the executive director as its agent, may let 129 
contracts in the manner prescribed by the federal authorities, acting 130 
under the laws of the United States, and any rules or regulations made 131 
thereunder, notwithstanding any other state law to the contrary. 132 
(e) The executive director may render financial assistance by grant of 133 
funds to any municipality or municipalities acting jointly in the 134 
planning, acquisition, construction or improvement of an airport owned 135 
or controlled, or to be owned or controlled, by such municipality or 136 
municipalities. [, out of appropriations made by the General Assembly 137 
for such purposes.] Such financial assistance may be furnished in 138 
connection with federal or other financial aid for the same purposes for 139 
not more than seventy-five per cent of the cost exclusive of federal aid. 140 
The executive director may establish procedures to be followed in 141  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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granting funds under this subsection and may prescribe forms to be 142 
used in connection therewith. 143 
(f) The executive director may, whenever the executive director 144 
considers such assistance desirable or feasible, make available 145 
engineering and other technical services of the executive director, with 146 
or without charge, to any municipality or owner of a commercial airport 147 
requesting such services in connection with the planning, acquisition, 148 
construction, improvement, maintenance or operation of airports or 149 
aeronautical facilities. 150 
(g) Any town, city or borough may lease any airport or contract for 151 
any airport facilities or privileges from any person, firm or corporation, 152 
municipal or private, operating a municipal or private airport in any 153 
location which has been approved by the executive director. 154 
Sec. 6. Section 13b-47 of the general statutes is repealed and the 155 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 156 
(a) In determining whether to issue a certificate of approval or license 157 
for the use or operation of any proposed [commercial] public use air 158 
navigation facility, the executive director of the Connecticut Airport 159 
Authority shall take into consideration (1) its proposed location, size 160 
and layout, (2) its relationship to any comprehensive plan for state-wide 161 
and nation-wide development, (3) the availability of areas suitable for 162 
safe future expansion, (4) the freedom of adjoining areas from 163 
obstructions based on a proper glide ratio, (5) the nature of the terrain 164 
and of the uses to which the proposed [airport] facility will be put, and 165 
(6) the possibilities for future development. Prior to the issuance of a 166 
certificate of approval, license or license renewal, each proposed or 167 
existing public use air navigation facility shall provide documentation 168 
to the authority, in such form as the executive director may prescribe, 169 
that the factors described in subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of this 170 
subsection demonstrate that such facility will provide or currently 171 
provides for safe aircraft operations. 172  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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(b) In determining whether to issue a certificate of approval or license 173 
for the use or operation of any proposed private use air navigation 174 
facility, the executive director shall take into consideration: (1) Its 175 
proposed location, size and layout; (2) the freedom of adjacent areas 176 
from obstructions based on a proper glide ratio; (3) the nature of the 177 
terrain and the uses to which the proposed air navigation facility will be 178 
put; (4) the type of equipment to be utilized and the flight experience of 179 
the operator; (5) the amount of noise to be produced at such facility; and 180 
(6) such other factors as the executive director deems appropriate. Prior 181 
to the issuance of a certificate of approval, license or license renewal, 182 
each proposed or existing private use air navigation facility shall 183 
provide documentation to the authority, in such form as the executive 184 
director may prescribe, that the factors described in subdivisions (1) to 185 
(6), inclusive, of this subsection demonstrate that such facility will 186 
provide or currently provides for safe aircraft operations. 187 
Sec. 7. Section 13b-49a of the general statutes is repealed and the 188 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 189 
(a) Not later than July thirty-first annually, the owner or operator of 190 
any airport, heliport, restricted landing area, seaplane base or other air 191 
navigation facility licensed under the provisions of section 13b-46 shall 192 
submit to the executive director and the municipality in which the 193 
aircraft is based, the following information with respect to an aircraft 194 
which is based or primarily used at such facility as of July first of such 195 
year: (1) The [name] identity and address of the owner [thereof] and 196 
form of ownership, including information as to whether the owner is an 197 
individual, partnership, corporation or other entity; (2) the type of 198 
aircraft, including the year of manufacture, the manufacturer, the model 199 
and the certified gross weight; and (3) the Federal Aviation Aircraft 200 
Registration number. [The executive director shall forward such 201 
information to the municipality in which an aircraft is based.] 202 
(b) The executive director, after notice and opportunity for hearing, 203 
may suspend or revoke the license of any such facility in the event the 204 
owner or operator thereof knowingly or intentionally fails to comply 205  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. 206 
Sec. 8. Section 13b-50a of the general statutes is repealed and the 207 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 208 
The following initiatives shall be established to preserve 209 
Connecticut's licensed privately owned, publicly used airports which 210 
have a paved runway and a minimum of five thousand operations per 211 
year: (1) The state shall have the right of first refusal to purchase, via fair 212 
market value and state property acquisition procedures, an airport, if 213 
that airport is threatened with sale or closure, for the express purpose of 214 
preserving the airport; (2) the executive director may acquire the 215 
development rights, based on fair market value for such rights, of such 216 
airports, provided the airport remains a public airport; (3) the state 217 
[shall] may fund capital improvements to private airports, in which case 218 
the state [shall participate in] may fund not more than ninety per cent of 219 
the eligible costs and the balance by the sponsor, with budget and 220 
priorities to be determined by the executive director, and engineering in 221 
accordance with Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circulars; 222 
and (4) the establishment of a new airport zoning category for the 223 
airport's imaginary surfaces as defined by Federal Aviation Regulations 224 
and a program to mitigate noise in airport neighborhoods in which the 225 
noise exceeds applicable Federal Aviation Administration standards. 226 
Such program may be combined with existing energy conservation 227 
programs. Funding for such program shall be from available federal 228 
resources. 229 
Sec. 9. Section 15-44 of the general statutes is repealed and the 230 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 231 
The executive director [, and] of the Connecticut Airport Authority, 232 
aeronautics inspectors of the authority, [and] each state, county and 233 
municipal officer charged with the enforcement of state and municipal 234 
laws and each special police officer, appointed under section 29-19, shall 235 
enforce and assist in the enforcement of this chapter and of all 236 
regulations made pursuant thereto, and of all other laws of this state 237  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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relating to aeronautics. 238 
Sec. 10. Subsection (a) of section 15-76 of the general statutes is 239 
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 240 
2023): 241 
(a) The executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority, any 242 
employee of the authority, any officer attached to an organized police 243 
department, any state police officer or any constable, within his or her 244 
precinct, upon discovery of any aircraft apparently abandoned, whether 245 
situated within or without any airport or landing field in this state, shall 246 
take such aircraft into custody and may cause the same to be taken to 247 
and stored in a suitable place. All charges necessarily incurred by such 248 
person in the performance of such duty shall be a lien upon such aircraft. 249 
The owner or keeper of any hangar or other place where such aircraft is 250 
stored shall have a lien upon the same for storage charges. If such 251 
aircraft has been so stored for a period of ninety days, such owner or 252 
keeper may sell the same at public auction for cash, at such owner's or 253 
keeper's place of business, and apply the avails of such sale toward the 254 
payment of such owner's or keeper's charges and the payment of any 255 
debt or obligation incurred by the person who placed the same in 256 
storage, provided such sale shall be advertised three times in a 257 
newspaper published or having a circulation in the town where such 258 
hangar or other place is located, such advertisement to commence at 259 
least five days before such sale; and, if the last place of abode of the 260 
owner of such aircraft is known to or may be ascertained by such hangar 261 
owner or keeper by the exercise of reasonable diligence, notice of the 262 
time and place of sale shall be given such owner by mailing such notice 263 
to the owner in a registered or certified letter, postage paid, at such last 264 
usual place of abode, at least five days before the time of sale. The 265 
proceeds of such sale, after deducting the amount due such hangar 266 
owner or keeper and all expenses connected with such sale, including 267 
the expenses of the officer who placed such aircraft in storage, shall be 268 
paid to the owner of such aircraft or the owner's legal representatives, if 269 
claimed by such owner or representatives, at any time within one year 270  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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from the date of such sale. If such balance is not claimed within [said] 271 
such period, it shall escheat to the [state] authority. 272 
Sec. 11. Section 15-90 of the general statutes is repealed and the 273 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 274 
[The executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority is 275 
directed to] Each publicly owned airport owner or operator shall 276 
formulate and adopt, and [from time to time as may be] revise as 277 
necessary, [revise,] an airport approach plan. [for each publicly owned 278 
airport in the state.] Each such plan shall indicate the circumstances in 279 
which structures or trees or both are or would be airport hazards, the 280 
area within which measures for the protection of the airport's aerial 281 
approaches should be taken and what the height limits and other 282 
objectives of such measures should be. In adopting or revising any such 283 
plan, [the executive director] such owner or operator shall consider, 284 
among other things, the character of the flying operations expected to 285 
be conducted at the airport, the nature of the terrain, the height of 286 
existing structures and trees above the level of the airport, the 287 
practicability of lowering or removing existing obstructions and all 288 
other material matters. [, and the executive director] Such owner or 289 
operator may obtain and consider the views of the agency of the federal 290 
government charged with the fostering of civil aeronautics as to the 291 
aerial approaches necessary to safe flying operations at the airport. 292 
Sec. 12. Section 15-101m of the general statutes is repealed and the 293 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 294 
[(a)] Subject to the provisions of the general statutes and resolution 295 
authorizing the issuance of bonds pursuant to subsection (a) of section 296 
15-101l, the [Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to] executive 297 
director of the Connecticut Airport Authority shall fix, revise, charge 298 
and collect rates, rents, fees and charges for the use of and for the 299 
services furnished or to be furnished by the facilities of Bradley 300 
International Airport and to contract with any person, partnership, 301 
association or corporation, or other body, public or private, in respect 302  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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thereof. [except that, the commissioner shall not impose any fee, charge 303 
or commission on the gross revenues of off-airport parking operators 304 
for the right to access said airport that exceeds five per cent of such gross 305 
revenues for calendar quarters commencing on or after July 1, 1997, and 306 
prior to July 1, 1998, and four per cent of such gross revenues for 307 
calendar quarters commencing on or after July 1, 1998.] Such rates, rents, 308 
fees and charges shall be fixed and adjusted in respect of the aggregate 309 
of rates, rents, fees and charges from the operation of Bradley 310 
International Airport so as to provide funds sufficient with other 311 
revenues or moneys available therefor, if any, (1) to pay the cost of 312 
maintaining, repairing and operating the facilities of Bradley 313 
International Airport and each and every portion thereof, to the extent 314 
that the payment of such cost has not otherwise been adequately 315 
provided for, (2) to pay the principal of and the interest on any 316 
outstanding revenue obligations of the state or the authority issued in 317 
respect of the project as the same shall become due and payable, and (3) 318 
to create and maintain reserves and sinking funds required or provided 319 
for in any resolution authorizing, or trust agreement securing, such 320 
bonds. A sufficient amount of the revenues as may be necessary to pay 321 
the cost of maintenance, repair and operation and to provide reserves 322 
and for renewals, replacements, extensions, enlargements and 323 
improvements as may be provided for in the resolution authorizing the 324 
issuance of any bonds or in the trust agreement securing the same, shall 325 
be set aside at such regular intervals as may be provided in such 326 
resolution or trust agreement in a reserve, sinking or other similar fund 327 
which is hereby pledged to, and charged with, the payment of the 328 
principal of and the interest on such bonds as the same shall become 329 
due, and the redemption price or the purchase price of bonds retired by 330 
call or purchase as therein provided. The use and disposition of moneys 331 
to the credit of such reserve, sinking or other similar fund shall be 332 
subject to the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of 333 
such bonds or of such trust agreement. 334 
[(b) The Department of Transportation shall designate the beginning 335 
and ending dates of the fiscal year for the operation of Bradley 336  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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International Airport. Each year, within ninety days prior to the 337 
beginning of the next ensuing fiscal year, the Department of 338 
Transportation shall prepare and submit to the Secretary of the Office of 339 
Policy and Management an annual operating budget for Bradley 340 
International Airport for such fiscal year, providing for (1) payment of 341 
the costs of maintaining, repairing and operating the facilities of Bradley 342 
International Airport and each and every portion thereof during such 343 
fiscal year, to the extent that the payment of such costs has not otherwise 344 
been adequately provided for, (2) the payment of the principal of and 345 
interest on any outstanding revenue obligations of the state issued in 346 
respect of the project and becoming due and payable in such fiscal year 347 
and (3) the creation and maintenance of reserves and sinking funds 348 
required or provided for in any resolution authorizing, or trust 349 
agreement securing, such bonds. Such annual operating budget shall 350 
include an estimate of revenues from the rates, rents, fees and charges 351 
fixed by the Department of Transportation pursuant to subsection (a), 352 
and from any and all other sources, to meet the estimated expenditures 353 
of Bradley International Airport for such fiscal year. Within thirty days 354 
prior to the first day of such fiscal year the Secretary of the Office of 355 
Policy and Management shall approve said annual operating budget, 356 
with such changes, amendments, additions and deletions as shall be 357 
agreed upon prior to that date by the Department of Transportation and 358 
the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. The annual 359 
operating budget of Bradley International Airport as so approved shall 360 
take effect as of the date of its approval. On or before the twentieth day 361 
of each month, including the month next preceding the first month of 362 
the fiscal year to which the annual operating budget applies, the 363 
Treasurer or the trustee under any trust indenture securing the bonds 364 
issued under subsection (a) of section 15-101l shall pay to the 365 
Department of Transportation out of the funds available for such 366 
purpose such amount as may be necessary to make the amount then 367 
held by said department for the payment of operating expenses of 368 
Bradley International Airport equal to such amount as shall be 369 
necessary for the payment of such operating expenses during the next 370 
ensuing two months, as shown by the annual operating budget for such 371  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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fiscal year. Except as otherwise provided in sections 15-101k to 15-101p, 372 
inclusive, either expressly or by implication, all provisions of the general 373 
statutes governing state employees and state property, and all other 374 
provisions of the general statutes applicable to Bradley International 375 
Airport, shall continue in effect. All pension, retirement or other similar 376 
benefits vested or acquired at any time before or after July 1, 1981, with 377 
respect to any state employees shall continue unaffected and as if the 378 
salaries and wages of such employees continued to be paid out of the 379 
general funds of the state. 380 
(c) On the day the Department of Transportation submits an annual 381 
operating budget for Bradley International Airport to the Secretary of 382 
the Office of Policy and Management pursuant to subsection (b) of this 383 
section, the department shall submit a copy of such budget to the joint 384 
standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 385 
matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, 386 
through the legislative Office of Fiscal Analysis. Upon the approval of 387 
the annual operating budget, the department shall submit a copy of the 388 
budget as so approved to said joint standing committee, through the 389 
Office of Fiscal Analysis.] 390 
Sec. 13. Subsection (b) of section 15-120ii of the general statutes is 391 
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 392 
2023): 393 
(b) The authority shall designate the beginning and ending dates of 394 
the fiscal year for the operation of Bradley, the general aviation airports 395 
and any other airports. [Each year, within thirty days prior to the 396 
beginning of the next ensuing fiscal year, the] The authority shall 397 
approve an annual operating budget for Bradley, the general aviation 398 
airports and any other airports for each such fiscal year, providing for 399 
(1) payment of the costs of maintaining, repairing and operating the 400 
facilities of Bradley, the general aviation airports and any other airports 401 
and each and every portion thereof during such fiscal year, to the extent 402 
that the payment of such costs has not otherwise been adequately 403 
provided for, (2) the payment of the principal of and interest on any 404  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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outstanding revenue obligations of the authority, including obligations 405 
of the state that may be assumed by the authority, becoming due and 406 
payable in such fiscal year, and (3) the creation and maintenance of 407 
reserves and sinking funds, and compliance with rate covenants, 408 
required, permitted or provided for in any resolution authorizing, or 409 
trust agreement securing, such obligations. Such annual operating 410 
budget shall include an estimate of revenues from the rates, rents, fees 411 
and charges fixed by the authority pursuant to subsection (a) of this 412 
section, and from any and all other sources, to meet the estimated 413 
expenditures of Bradley, the general aviation airports and any other 414 
airports for such fiscal year. The annual operating budget of Bradley, 415 
the general aviation airports and any other airports as so approved shall 416 
take effect as of the date of its approval. On or before the twentieth day 417 
of each month, including the month next preceding the first month of 418 
the fiscal year to which the annual operating budget applies, the 419 
authority or the trustee under any trust indenture securing the bonds 420 
issued under section 15-120ff, at the direction of the authority, shall 421 
transfer to operating advance accounts established by the authority 422 
from the funds available for such purpose such amount as may be 423 
necessary to make the amount then held within such accounts for the 424 
payment of operating expenses of Bradley, the general aviation airports 425 
and any other airports equal to such amount as shall be necessary for 426 
the payment of such operating expenses during the next ensuing two 427 
months, as shown by the annual operating budget for such fiscal year. 428 
Except as otherwise provided in sections 15-120aa to 15-120oo, 429 
inclusive, either expressly or by implication, all provisions of the general 430 
statutes governing state employees and state property, and all other 431 
provisions of the general statutes applicable to Bradley, the general 432 
aviation airports and any other airports, shall continue in effect. All 433 
pension, retirement or other similar benefits vested or acquired at any 434 
time before or after July 1, 1981, with respect to any state employees 435 
shall continue unaffected and as if the salaries and wages of such 436 
employees continued to be paid out of the general funds of the state. 437 
Sec. 14. Subsection (d) of section 13b-97 of the general statutes is 438  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 439 
2023): 440 
(d) Any person, association, limited liability company or corporation 441 
which has obtained a certificate under subsection (a) of this section, after 442 
providing proof that service has been active [, adequate within the 443 
territory specified in such certificate] and in compliance with all relevant 444 
statutes and regulations, [for a period of not less than two years since 445 
such certificate was obtained,] may solicit, receive and discharge taxicab 446 
passengers at Bradley International Airport, subject to formal 447 
agreement with the [Commissioner of Transportation provided such 448 
agreement shall not take precedence over its obligation to provide 449 
taxicab service within the territory specified in such certificate] 450 
executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority. Any such 451 
person, association, limited liability company or corporation may 452 
discharge taxicab passengers received at such airport within a territory 453 
other than the territory specified in its certificate. The [commissioner] 454 
executive director may charge and collect a reasonable fee from any 455 
such person, association, limited liability company or corporation for 456 
the privilege of solicitation of such passengers. 457 
Sec. 15. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2023) (a) No person shall operate, 458 
nor any owner permit operation of, an aircraft based or hangered in this 459 
state unless there is a liability insurance policy on such aircraft that 460 
covers the owner and pilot for claims by passengers or other persons for 461 
any injuries to such passengers or other persons or their property that 462 
might arise out of the operation of such aircraft. 463 
(b) The liability insurance shall provide coverage of at least (1) five 464 
hundred thousand dollars for damages by reason of bodily injury or 465 
death or for property damages per accident, and (2) one hundred 466 
thousand dollars for damages by reason of bodily injury or death or for 467 
property damages per passenger seat. 468 
(c) Each owner or operator of an air navigation facility in the state 469 
shall maintain a list of aircraft based or hangered at such air navigation 470  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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facility. Such list shall include for each such aircraft: (1) The registration 471 
number, type and model of the aircraft, (2) the name and address of the 472 
owner or operator of the aircraft, (3) the period of time the aircraft has 473 
been based or hangered at the air navigation facility, (4) the liability 474 
insurance policy or binder number, (5) the name of the insurance 475 
company as shown on the liability insurance policy, and (6) the name of 476 
the liability insurance agent or broker. 477 
(d) The owner or operator of an aircraft based or hangered in the state 478 
shall provide proof of aircraft liability insurance satisfying the coverage 479 
required pursuant to this section upon request of the executive director 480 
of the Connecticut Airport Authority, any official of the authority or a 481 
law enforcement officer. 482 
(e) The provisions of this section shall not apply to aircraft regulated 483 
under 14 CFR 205, as amended from time to time. 484 
Sec. 16. Section 15-120bb of the general statutes is repealed and the 485 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 486 
(a) There is hereby established and created a body politic and 487 
corporate, constituting a public instrumentality and political 488 
subdivision of the state of Connecticut established and created for the 489 
performance of an essential public and governmental function, to be 490 
known as the Connecticut Airport Authority. The authority shall not be 491 
construed to be a department, institution or agency of the state. 492 
(b) The powers of the authority shall be vested in and exercised by a 493 
board of directors, which shall consist of eleven members, appointed as 494 
follows: (1) (A) The Treasurer or the Treasurer's designee, (B) the 495 
Commissioner of Transportation or the commissioner's designee, and 496 
(C) the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or 497 
the commissioner's designee, each serving ex officio; (2) one appointed 498 
by the speaker of the House of Representatives for a term of four years; 499 
(3) one appointed by the minority leader of the Hou se of 500 
Representatives for a term of four years; (4) one appointed by the 501  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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president pro tempore of the Senate for a term of four years; and (5) one 502 
appointed by the minority leader of the Senate for a term of four years. 503 
Thereafter, such members of the General Assembly shall appoint 504 
members of the board to succeed such appointees whose terms expire 505 
and each member so appointed shall hold office for a period of four 506 
years from the first day of July in the year of his or her appointment. The 507 
Governor shall appoint four members to the board as follows: (A) Two 508 
members for two years; and (B) two members for four years. Thereafter, 509 
the Governor shall appoint members of the board to succeed such 510 
appointees whose terms expire and each member so appointed shall 511 
hold office for a period of four years from July first in the year of his or 512 
her appointment. Appointed directors shall have business and 513 
management experience and shall include individuals who have 514 
experience and expertise in one or more of the following areas: (i) 515 
Financial planning, (ii) budgeting and assessment, (iii) marketing, (iv) 516 
master planning, (v) aviation, and (vi) transportation management. 517 
(c) Appointed directors may not designate a representative to 518 
perform in their absence their respective duties under this section. Any 519 
appointed director who fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the 520 
board or who fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings of the board 521 
held during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from 522 
the board. Any vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall 523 
be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the balance 524 
of the unexpired term. 525 
(d) The board of directors of the authority shall appoint an executive 526 
director who shall not be a member of the board and who shall serve at 527 
the pleasure of the board and receive such compensation as shall be 528 
fixed by the board. The executive director shall be the chief 529 
administrative officer of the authority and shall direct and supervise 530 
administrative affairs and technical activities in accordance with the 531 
directives of the board. The executive director shall approve all accounts 532 
for salaries, allowable expenses of the authority or of any employee or 533 
consultant thereof, and expenses incidental to the operation of the 534  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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authority. The executive director shall perform such other duties as may 535 
be directed by the board in carrying out the purposes of subdivision (12) 536 
of section 1-79, sections 1-120, 1-124 and 1-125, subsection (f) of section 537 
4b-3, sections 13b-4 and 13b-42, subsection (a) of section 13b-44 and 538 
sections 15-101aa and 15-120aa to 15-120oo, inclusive. The executive 539 
director shall be exempt from the classified service. The executive 540 
director shall attend all meetings of the board, keep a record of the 541 
proceedings of the authority and shall maintain and be custodian of all 542 
books, documents and papers filed with the authority and of the minute 543 
book or journal of the authority and of its official seal. The executive 544 
director may cause copies to be made of all minutes and other records 545 
and documents of the authority and may give certificates under the 546 
official seal of the authority to the effect that such copies are true copies, 547 
and all persons dealing with the authority may rely upon such 548 
certificates. 549 
(e) Each director shall be entitled to reimbursement for such director's 550 
actual and necessary expenses incurred during the performance of such 551 
director's official duties. 552 
(f) Directors may engage in private employment, or in a profession or 553 
business, subject to any applicable laws, rules and regulations of the 554 
state or federal government regarding official ethics or conflict of 555 
interest. 556 
(g) Six directors of the authority shall constitute a quorum for the 557 
transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the authority. 558 
For the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the 559 
authority, and except as otherwise provided in this section, the 560 
authority may act by a majority of the directors present at any meeting 561 
at which a quorum is in attendance. 562 
(h) The board may delegate to six or more directors such board 563 
powers and duties as it may deem necessary and proper in conformity 564 
with the provisions of this section and its bylaws. 565  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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(i) The appointing authority for any director may remove such 566 
director for inefficiency, neglect of duty or misconduct in office after 567 
giving the director a copy of the charges against the director and an 568 
opportunity to be heard, in person or by counsel, in the director's 569 
defense, upon not less than ten days' notice. If any director shall be so 570 
removed, the appointing authority for such director shall file in the 571 
office of the Secretary of the State a complete statement of charges made 572 
against such director and the appointing authority's findings on such 573 
statement of charges, together with a complete record of the 574 
proceedings. 575 
(j) The authority shall continue as long as it has bonds or other 576 
obligations outstanding and until its existence is terminated by law. 577 
Upon the termination of the existence of the authority, all its rights and 578 
properties shall pass to and be vested in the state of Connecticut. 579 
(k) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, it shall not 580 
constitute a conflict of interest for a trustee, director, partner or officer 581 
of any person, firm or corporation, or any individual having a financial 582 
interest in a person, firm or corporation, to serve as a director of the 583 
authority, provided such trustee, director, partner, officer or individual 584 
shall abstain from deliberation, action or vote by the authority in specific 585 
respect to such person, firm or corporation. 586 
(l) The Governor shall appoint the chairperson of the board, who shall 587 
serve for a term of four years. The board shall elect from its members a 588 
vice chairperson and such other officers as it deems necessary. 589 
Vacancies among any officers shall be filled within thirty days following 590 
the occurrence of such vacancy in the same manner as the original 591 
selection. Said board shall establish bylaws to govern its procedures and 592 
shall appoint such committees and advisory boards as may be 593 
convenient or necessary in the transaction of its business. 594 
(m) The initial members of the board may begin service immediately 595 
upon appointment, but shall not serve past the sixth Wednesday of the 596 
next regular session of the General Assembly unless qualified in the 597  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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manner provided in section 4-7. Thereafter, all appointments shall be 598 
made with the advice and consent of both houses of the General 599 
Assembly, in the manner provided in section 4-19. 600 
[(n) The executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority shall 601 
establish an advisory committee to consult with on matters relating to 602 
Bradley International Airport and business related to said airport. The 603 
committee may consist of not more than six members, one of whom 604 
shall be appointed by the cochairpersons of the joint standing committee 605 
of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 606 
transportation, and one of whom shall be appointed by the ranking 607 
members of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly 608 
having cognizance of matters relating to transportation. The advisory 609 
committee shall consist of residents of and representatives of businesses 610 
located in the Bradley Airport development zone, as well as one or more 611 
representatives from western Massachusetts. Members of such advisory 612 
committee may attend public meetings of the Connecticut Airport 613 
Authority and monthly managers' meetings of the Connecticut Airport 614 
Authority.] 615 
Sec. 17. Sections 13b-44a, 13b-50b, 15-101t and 15-101pp of the general 616 
statutes are repealed. (Effective July 1, 2023) 617 
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following 
sections: 
 
Section 1 July 1, 2023 13b-39a 
Sec. 2 July 1, 2023 13b-39b 
Sec. 3 July 1, 2023 13b-39d 
Sec. 4 July 1, 2023 13b-39g 
Sec. 5 July 1, 2023 13b-50 
Sec. 6 July 1, 2023 13b-47 
Sec. 7 July 1, 2023 13b-49a 
Sec. 8 July 1, 2023 13b-50a 
Sec. 9 July 1, 2023 15-44 
Sec. 10 July 1, 2023 15-76(a) 
Sec. 11 October 1, 2023 15-90  Substitute Bill No. 993 
 
 
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Sec. 12 July 1, 2023 15-101m 
Sec. 13 July 1, 2023 15-120ii(b) 
Sec. 14 July 1, 2023 13b-97(d) 
Sec. 15 October 1, 2023 New section 
Sec. 16 July 1, 2023 15-120bb 
Sec. 17 July 1, 2023 Repealer section 
 
Statement of Legislative Commissioners:   
In Section 2, "13a-49a" was changed to "13b-49a, as amended by this act" 
for accuracy; and in Sections 6(a) and 6(b), "proposed public use air 
navigation facility and public use air navigation facility" was changed 
to "proposed or existing public use air navigation facility" for clarity. 
 
TRA Joint Favorable Subst. -LCO