Title 3. Aircraft and Airports.

§3-1. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19. 

§3-2. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19. 

§3-3. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19. 

§3-4. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19. 

§3-5. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19. 

§3-6. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19. 

§3-7. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19. 

§3-11. Repealed by Laws 1943, p. 15, § 14. 

§3-12. Repealed by Laws 1943, p. 15, § 14. 

§3-13. Repealed by Laws 1943, p. 15, § 14. 

§3-14. Repealed by Laws 1943, p. 15, § 14. 

§3-15. Repealed by Laws 1943, p. 15, § 14. 

§3-21. Repealed by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-22. Repealed by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-23. Repealed by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-24. Repealed by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-25. Repealed by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-26. Repealed by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-27. Repealed by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-28. Repealed by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-29. Repealed by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-30. Repealed by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-31. Repealed by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-32. Repealed by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-33. Repealed by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-34. Repealed by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§361. Municipalities may acquire and operate airports Eminent domain Bonds. 

Every municipal corporation within this state shall have the right and power to acquire, own, operate, improve and maintain, within or without the corporate limits of such municipal corporation, real estate, buildings, improvements and facilities for aviation airports and rightsofway therefor. For such purposes every municipal corporation shall have the power to exercise the right of eminent domain within or without the corporate limits of such municipal corporation. For any and all of such purposes in order to carry out the same they shall have the power and authority to issue and sell bonds under and by virtue of the Constitution of this state, bearing interest not to exceed six percent (6%) per annum, maturing within twentyfive (25) years, and issued in the manner and form provided by law. 

Laws 1945, p. 20, § 1.  

§362. Leases. 

Whenever it shall be deemed impractical to issue bonds, as above provided for, such municipal corporation, when deemed necessary or advisable for the public interest, and without increasing the total indebtedness of such municipal corporation beyond the Constitutional limitation, it shall be lawful for such municipal corporation to lease at a stipulated rental any real estate for use as an airport, or any improved airport within or without the corporate limits thereof from any person, firm or corporation which will contract to lease the same; providing further that in making any such lease contract the municipal corporation may reserve to such municipal corporation the option to purchase such real estate or improved airport in the future. 

Laws 1945, p. 20, § 2.  

§3-65.1. Definitions. 

As used in this act, unless the text otherwise requires: 

(a) "Airport" means an area on land or water that is used, or intended to be used, for the landing and taking off of aircraft, and includes its buildings and facilities, if any. 

(b) "Air navigation facility" means any facility - other than one owned and operated by the United States - used in, available for use in, or designed for use in, aid of air navigation, including any structures, mechanisms, lights, beacons, markers, communicating systems, or other instrumentalities, or devices used or useful as an aid, or constituting an advantage or convenience, to the safe taking off, navigation, and landing of aircraft, or the safe and efficient operation or maintenance of an airport, and any combination of any or all of such facilities. 

(c) "Airport hazard" means any structure, object of natural growth, or use of land which obstructs the airspace required for the flight of aircraft in landing or taking off at an airport or is otherwise hazardous to such landing or taking off of aircraft. 

(d) "Helipad" means a small designated area, usually with a prepared surface, on a heliport, airport, landing or takeoff area, apron or ramp, or movement area used for takeoff, landing or parking of helicopters. 

(e) "Heliport" means an area of land, water or structure used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of helicopters and includes its buildings and facilities, if any. 

(f) "Municipality" means any county, city, or town of this state. "Municipal" means pertaining to a municipality as herein defined. 

(g) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, joint stock association, or body politic; and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee or other similar representative thereof. 

Added by Laws 1947, p. 15, § 1. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 181, § 1, eff. July 1, 1995. 

 

§365.2. General powers of municipalities in the establishment, acquisition, operation and maintenance of airports and air navigation facilities. 

(a) Establishment, Operation, Land Acquisition. Every municipality is authorized, out of any appropriations or other monies made available for such purpose, to plan, establish, develop, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, operate, regulate, protect and police airports and air navigation facilities, either within or without the territorial limits of such municipality and within or without the territorial boundaries of this state, including the construction, installation, equipment, maintenance and operation at such airports of buildings and other facilities for the servicing of aircraft or for the comfort and accommodation of air travelers, and the purchase and sale of supplies, goods and commodities as an incident to the operation of its airport properties. For such purposes the municipality may use any available property that it may now or hereafter own or control and may, by purchase, gift, devise, lease, eminent domain proceedings or otherwise, acquire property, real or personal, or any interest therein including easements in airport hazards or land outside the boundaries of an airport or airport site as are necessary to permit safe and efficient operation of the airport or to permit the removal, elimination, obstructionmarking or obstructionlighting of airport hazards or to prevent the establishment of airport hazards. 

(b) Acquisition of Existing Airports. Any municipality may by purchase, gift, devise or lease acquire existing airports and air navigation facilities, provided however it shall not acquire or take over any airport or air navigation facility without the consent of the owner thereof. 

(c) Establishment of Airports on Public Waters and Reclaimed Lands. For the purposes of this act, a municipality may establish or acquire and maintain, within or bordering upon the territorial limits of the municipality, airports in, over and upon, any public waters of this state, any submerged lands under such public waters, and any artificial or reclaimed lands which before the artificial making or reclamation thereof constituted a portion of the submerged lands under such public waters; and may construct and maintain terminal building, landing floats, causeways, roadways and bridges for approaches to or connecting with any such airport, and landing floats and breakwaters for the protection thereof. 

(d) Limitation on Design and Operation of Air Navigation Facilities. All air navigation facilities established or operated by municipalities shall be supplementary to and coordinated in design and operation with those established and operated by the federal and state governments. 

Laws 1947, p. 16, § 2.  

§365.3. Eminent domain. 

In the acquisition of property by eminent domain proceedings authorized by this act, the municipality shall proceed in the manner now provided by law for the exercise of the right of eminent domain by railroad corporations in this state. The fact that the property to be acquired by eminent domain proceedings was acquired by its owner by eminent domain proceedings shall not prevent its acquisition by such proceedings by the municipality. For the purpose of making surveys and examinations relative to any eminent domain proceedings, it shall be lawful to enter upon any land, doing no unnecessary damage. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other statute or of any applicable municipal charter, the municipality may take possession of any property to be acquired by eminent domain proceedings at such time after the commencement of such proceedings as is now provided by law. The municipality shall not be precluded from abandoning such proceedings in any case where possession of the property has not been taken. 

Laws 1947, p. 17, § 3.  

§365.4. Disposal of airport property. 

Except as may be limited by the terms and conditions of any grant, loan, or agreement pursuant to Section 13 of this act, every municipality may by sale, lease or otherwise, dispose of any airport, air navigation facility or other property, or portion thereof or interest therein, acquired pursuant to this act. Such disposal by sale, lease, or otherwise, shall be in accordance with the laws of this state, or provisions of the charter of the municipality, governing the disposition of other property of the municipality, except that in the case of the disposal of another municipality or agency of the state or federal government for aeronautical purposes incident thereto, the sale, lease, or other disposal may be effected in such manner and upon such terms as the governing body of the municipality may deem in the best interest of the municipality. 

Laws 1947, p. 17, § 4.  

§365.5. Operation and use privileges. 

(a) Under Municipal Operation. In operating an airport, air navigation facility or aircraft maintenance or manufacturing facility owned, leased or controlled by a municipality, such municipality may, except as may be limited by the terms and conditions of any grant, loan, or agreement pursuant to Section 65.13 of this title, enter into contracts, leases and other arrangements for a term not exceeding forty (40) years with any persons. 

(1) granting the privilege of using or improving such airport, air navigation facility or aircraft maintenance or manufacturing facility or any portion or facility thereof, or space therein for commercial purposes; 

(2) conferring the privilege of supplying goods, commodities, things, services or facilities at such airport, air navigation facility or aircraft maintenance or manufacturing facility; or 

(3) making available services to be furnished by the municipality or its agents at such airport, air navigation facility or aircraft maintenance or manufacturing facility. In each case the municipality may establish the terms and conditions and fix the charges, rentals or fees for the privileges or services, which shall be reasonable and uniform for the same class of privilege or service and shall be established with due regard to the property and improvements used and the expenses of operation to the municipality. 

(b) Under Other Operation. Except as may be limited by the terms and conditions of any grant, loan, or agreement pursuant to Section 65.13 of this title, a municipality may by contract, lease or other arrangement, upon a consideration fixed by it, grant to any qualified person for a term not to exceed five (5) years the privilege of operating, as agent of the municipality or otherwise, any airport owned or controlled by the municipality; provided, that no such person shall be granted any authority to operate such airport other than as a public airport or to enter into any contracts, leases, or other arrangements in connection with the operation of the airport which the municipality might not have undertaken under subsection (a) of this section. 

Laws 1947, p. 17, § 5; Laws 1991, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 1, § 1, emerg. eff. Jan. 18, 1991. 

 

§365.6. Liens. 

To enforce the payment of any charges for repairs or improvements to or storage or care of, any personal property made or furnished by the municipality or its agents in connection with the operation of an airport or air navigation facility owned or operated by the municipality, the municipality shall have a lien on such property, which shall be enforceable by the municipality as provided by law. 

Laws 1947, p. 18, § 6.  

§365.7. Delegation of authority to airport officer or board. 

Any authority vested by this act in a municipality or in the governing body thereof, for the planning, establishment, development, construction, enlargement, improvement, maintenance, equipment, operation, regulation, protection and policing of airports or other air navigation facilities established, owned or controlled, or to be established, owned or controlled by the municipality may be vested by resolution of the governing body of the municipality in an officer or board or other municipal agency whose powers and duties shall be prescribed in the resolution; provided, however, that the expense of such planning, establishment, development, construction, enlargement, improvement, maintenance, equipment, operation, regulation, protection and policing shall be a responsibility of the municipality. 

Laws 1947, p. 18, § 7.  

§365.8. Regulations and jurisdiction. 

(a) Scope. A municipality, which has established or acquired or which may hereafter establish or acquire an airport or air navigation facility, is authorized to adopt, amend and repeal such reasonable ordinance, resolutions, rules, regulations and orders as it shall deem necessary for the management, government and use of such airport or air navigation facility under its control, whether situated within or without the territorial limits of the municipality. For the enforcement thereof, the municipality, may, by ordinance or resolution, as may by law be appropriate, appoint airport guards or police, with full police powers, and fix penalties, within the limits prescribed by law, for the violation of the aforesaid ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations and orders. Said penalties shall be enforced in the same manner in which penalties prescribed by other ordinances, or resolutions of the municipality are enforced. To the extent that an airport or other air navigation facility controlled and operated by a municipality is located outside the territorial limits of the municipality, it shall, subject to federal and state laws, rules and regulations, be under the jurisdiction and control of the municipality controlling or operating it, and no other municipality shall have any authority to charge or exact a license fee or occupation tax for operations thereon. 

(b) Conformity to Federal and State Law. All ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations or orders which are issued by the municipality shall be kept in substantial conformity with the laws of this state or any regulations promulgated or standards established pursuant thereto, and, as nearly as may be, with the federal laws governing aeronautics and the rules, regulations and standards duly issued thereunder. 

Laws 1947, p. 18, § 8.  

§365.9. Appropriations and taxation. 

The governing body of any municipality having power to appropriate and raise money, is hereby authorized to appropriate, and to raise by taxation or otherwise, sufficient monies to carry out the provisions of this act. 

Laws 1947, p. 19, § 9.  

§365.10. Bond issues Financing acquisitions, costs and improvements. 

The cost of planning and acquiring, establishing, developing, constructing, enlarging, improving, or equipping, an airport or air navigation facility, or the site therefor, including buildings and other facilities incidental to the operation thereof, and the acquisition or elimination of airport hazards, may be paid for wholly or partly from the proceeds of the sale of bonds or notes of the municipality, as the governing body of the municipality shall determine. For such purposes a municipality may issue general or special obligation bonds, revenue bonds or other forms of bonds or notes, secured or unsecured, including refunding bonds, in the manner and within the limitations prescribed by the laws of this state or the charter of the municipality for the authorization and issuance of bonds or notes thereof for public purposes generally. Any bonds or notes issued by a municipality pursuant to this act which are payable, as to principal and interest, solely from the revenues of an airport or air navigation facility (and such bonds or notes shall so state on their face) shall not constitute a debt of such municipality within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory debt limitation or restriction. In any suit, action or proceeding involving the security, or the validity or enforceability, of any bond or note issued by a municipality, which bond or note states on its face that it was issued pursuant to the provisions of this act and for a purpose or purposes authorized to be accomplished by this act, such bond or note shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued pursuant to this act for such purpose or purposes. 

Laws 1947, p. 19, § 10.  

§365.11. Validation of prior acquisitions, actions and bond issues. 

Any acquisition of property heretofore made, within or without the limits of any municipality of the state, for the purposes authorized by this act, and any other action heretofore taken by a municipality in furtherance of such purposes, including but not limited to the making of appropriations, the expenditure of money, the incurring of debts, the acceptance and disbursement of federal, state or other grants or loans, the issuance and payment of bonds and notes, the execution of leases and contracts, which acquisition or action would have been authorized had this act been in effect at the time of such acquisition or action, is hereby ratified and made valid. All bonds and notes heretofore issued in furtherance of purposes authorized by this act and actions ratified by this section are confirmed as legal obligations of the municipality, and, without prejudice to the general powers granted to the municipality by this act, such municipality is hereby authorized to issue further bonds and notes for such purposes up to the limit fixed in the original authorization therefor, which bonds and notes shall be legal obligations in accordance with their terms. 

Laws 1947, p. 19, § 11.  

§365.12. Application of airport revenues and sale proceeds. 

The revenues obtained by a municipality from the ownership, control or operation of any airport or air navigation facility, including proceeds from the sale of any airport or portion thereof of air navigation facility property, shall be deposited in a special fund to be designated the "Airport Fund", which revenues shall be appropriated solely to, and used by the municipality for, the purposes authorized by this act. 

Laws 1947, p. 19, § 12.  

§3-65.13. Federal and state aid. 

Acceptance Authorized, Conditions. Every municipality is authorized to accept, receive, receipt for, disburse and expend federal and state monies and other monies, public or private, made available by grant or loan or both to accomplish, in whole or in part, any of the purposes of this act. All federal monies accepted under this section shall be accepted and expended by the municipality upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by the United States and as are consistent with state law; and all state monies accepted under this section shall be accepted and expended by the municipality upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by the state. Unless otherwise prescribed by the agency from which such monies were received, the chief financial officer of the municipality shall, on its behalf deposit all monies received pursuant to this section and shall keep them, in separate funds designated according to the purposes for which the monies were made available, in trust for such purposes. 

Added by Laws 1947, p. 19, § 13. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 98, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1997. 

 

§365.14. Contracts. 

A municipality may enter into any contracts or agreements necessary to the execution of the powers granted it, and for the purposes provided by this act. 

Laws 1947, p. 20, § 14.  

§365.15. Joint operations. 

(a) Authorization. For the purposes of this section, unless otherwise qualified, the term "public agency" includes municipality, as defined in this act, an agency of the state government and of the United States, and any municipality, political subdivision and agency of another state, but shall not include institutions of higher education constituting the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education under Section 1, Article 13A, Constitution of the State of Oklahoma; or other institutions coordinated with the State System of Higher Education under Section 4, Article 13A, Constitution of the State of Oklahoma; and the term "governing body" means the governing body of a county or municipality, and the head of the agency if the public agency is other than a county or municipality. All powers, privileges and authority granted to any municipality by this act may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any public agency of this state, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that the laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment. If not otherwise authorized by law, any agency of the state government when acting jointly with any municipality, may exercise and enjoy all of the powers, privileges and authority conferred by this act upon a municipality. 

(b) Agreement. Any two or more public agencies may enter into agreements with each other for joint action pursuant to the provisions of this section. Concurrent action by ordinance, resolution or otherwise or the governing bodies of the participating public agencies shall constitute joint action. Each such agreement shall specify its duration, the proportionate interest which each public agency shall have in the property, facilities and privileges involved, the proportion to be borne by each public agency of preliminary costs and costs of acquisition, establishment, construction, enlargement, improvement, and equipment of the airport or air navigation facility, the proportion of the expenses of maintenance, operation, regulation and protection thereof to be borne by each, and such other terms as are required by the provisions of this section. The agreement may also provide for; amendments thereof, and conditions and methods of termination of the agreement; the disposal of all or any of the property, facilities and privileges jointly owned upon said property, facilities and privileges, or any part thereof, ceasing to be used for the purposes provided by this act, or upon termination of the agreement; the distribution of the proceeds received upon any such disposal, and of any funds or other property jointly owned and undisposed of; the assumption or payment of any indebtedness arising from the joint venture which remains unpaid upon the disposal of all assets or upon a termination of the agreement; and such other provisions as may be necessary or convenient. 

(c) Joint Board. Public agencies acting jointly pursuant to this section shall create a joint board which shall consist of members appointed by the governing board of each participating public agency. The number to be appointed, their term and compensation, if any, shall be provided for in the joint agreement. Each such joint board shall organize, select officers for terms to be fixed by the agreement, and adopt and amend from time to time rules for its own procedure. The joint board shall have power to plan, acquire, establish, develop, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, operate, regulate, protect, and police any airport or air navigation facility or airport hazard to be jointly acquired, controlled and operated, and such board may exercise on behalf of its constituent public agencies all the powers of each with respect to such airport, air navigation facility or airport hazard, subject to the limitations of subsection (d) of this section. 

(d) Limitations on Joint Board. (1) Expenditures. The total expenditures to be made by the joint board for any purpose in any fiscal year shall be determined by a budget approved by the governing bodies of its constituent public agencies. 

(2) Acquisitions Beyond Sums Allotted. No airport, air navigation facility, airport hazard, or real or personal property, the cost of which is in excess of sums therefor fixed by the joint agreement or allotted in the annual budget, may be acquired by the joint board without the approval of the governing bodies of its constituent public agencies. 

(3) Eminent Domain. Eminent domain proceedings under this section may be instituted only by authority of the governing bodies of the constituent public agencies of the joint board. If so authorized, such proceedings shall be instituted in the names of the constituent public agencies jointly, and the property so acquired shall be held by said public agencies as tenants in common until conveyed by them to the joint board. 

(4) Disposal of Real Property. The joint board shall not dispose of any airport, air navigation facility or real property under its jurisdiction except with the consent of the governing bodies of its constituent public agencies, provided that the joint board may, without such consent, enter into contracts, leases, or other arrangements contemplated by Section 5 of this act. 

(5) Police Regulations. Any resolutions, rules, regulations or orders of the joint board dealing with subjects authorized by Section 8 of this act shall become effective only upon approval of the governing bodies of the constituent public agencies provided that upon such approval, the resolutions, rules, regulations or orders of the joint board shall have the same force and effect in the territories or jurisdictions involved as the ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations, or orders of each public agency would have in its own territory or jurisdiction. 

(e) Joint Fund. For the purpose of providing a joint board with moneys for the necessary expenditures in carrying out the provisions of this section, a joint fund shall be created and maintained, into which shall be deposited the share of each of the constituent public agencies as provided by the joint agreement. Each of the constituent public agencies shall provide its share of the fund from sources available to each. Any federal, state or other contributions or loans, and the revenues obtained from the joint ownership, control and operation of any airport or air navigation facility under the jurisdiction of the joint board shall be paid into the joint fund, which said joint fund shall be kept and maintained at such place or places as shall be mutually agreed between the constituent agencies. Disbursements from such fund shall be made by order of the board, subject to the limitations prescribed in subsection (d) of this section. 

Laws 1947, p. 20, § 15.  

§365.16. Public purpose, county and municipal purpose. 

The acquisition of any land or interest therein pursuant to this act, the planning, acquisition, establishment, development, construction, improvement, maintenance, equipment, operation, regulation, protection and policing of airports and air navigation facilities, including the acquisition or elimination of airport hazards, and the exercise of any other powers herein granted to municipalities and other public agencies, to be severally or jointly exercised, are hereby declared to be public and governmental functions, exercised for a public purpose, and matters of public necessity; and in the case of any county, are declared to be county functions and purposes as well as public and governmental; and in the case of any municipality other than a county, are declared to be municipal functions and purposes as well as public and governmental. All land and other property and privileges acquired and used by or on behalf of any municipality or other public agency in the manner and for the purposes enumerated in this act shall and are hereby declared to be acquired and used for public and governmental purposes and as a matter of public necessity, and, in the case of a county or municipality, for county or municipal purposes, respectively. 

Laws 1947, p. 22, § 16.  

§365.17. Airport property and income exempt from taxation. 

Any property in this state acquired by municipality for airport purposes pursuant to the provisions of this act, and any income derived by such municipality from the ownership, operation or control thereof, shall be exempt from taxation to the same extent as other property used for public purposes. Any municipality is authorized to exempt from municipal taxation any property, acquired within its boundaries by a public agency of another state for airport purposes, and any income derived from such property, to the extent that such other state authorizes similar exemptions from taxation to municipalities of this state. 

Laws 1947, p. 22, § 17.  

§365.18. Supplementary authority. 

In addition to the general and special powers conferred by this act, every municipality is authorized to exercise such powers as are necessarily incidental to the exercise of such general and special powers. 

Laws 1947, p. 23, § 18.  

§365.19. Saving clause Airport zoning. 

Nothing contained in this act shall be construed to limit any right, power or authority of a municipality to regulate airport hazards by zoning. 

Laws 1947, p. 23, § 19.  

§365.20. Interpretation and construction. 

This act shall be so interpreted and construed as to make uniform so far as possible the laws and regulations of this state and other states and of the government of the United States having to do with the subject of municipal airports. 

Laws 1947, p. 23, § 20.  

§3-65.21. Repealed by Laws 1989, c. 154, § 2, operative July 1, 1989. 

§365.22. Short title. 

This act may be cited as the "Municipal Airports Act." 

Laws 1947, p. 23, § 23.  

§3-71. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19. 

§3-72. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19; Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-73. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19; Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-74. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19; Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-75. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19; Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-76. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19; Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-77. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19; Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-78. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19; Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-79. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19; Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§3-80. Repealed by Laws 1947, p. 31, § 19; Laws 1963, c. 354, § 13, eff. June 22, 1963. 

§381. Citation. 

This act may be cited as the "Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission Act." 

Laws 1963, c. 354, § 1, emerg. eff. June 22, 1963.  

§3-82. Definitions. 

As used in the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission Act, unless the context otherwise requires: 

(a) "Aeronautics" means the science, art, and practice of flight including, but not limited to, transportation by aircraft and matters relating to air commerce; the operation, construction, repair, or maintenance of aircraft, aircraft power plants and accessories, including the repair, packing, and maintenance of parachutes; the design, establishment, construction, extension, operation, improvement, repair, or maintenance of airports, restricted landing areas, or other air navigation facilities; and instruction in flying or ground subjects pertaining thereto. 

(b) "Aircraft" means any contrivance now known, or hereafter invented, used, or designed for navigation of or flight in the air or airspace. 

(c) "Airport" means an area of land or water that is used, or intended to be used, for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, and buildings and facilities, if any. 

(d) "Airspace" means that portion of the atmosphere overlying a designated geographical area considered as subject to territorial jurisdiction or international law in respect to its use by aircraft, guided missiles, and rockets. 

(e) "Commission" means the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. 

(f) "Director" means the Director of Aeronautics of Oklahoma. 

(g) "State" or "this state" means the State of Oklahoma. 

(h) "Air navigation facility" means any facility used in, available for use in, or designed for use in, aid of air navigation, including landing areas, any structures, mechanisms, lights, beacons, markers, communicating systems, or other instrumentalities or devices used or useful as an aid, or constituting an advantage or convenience, to the safe taking off, navigation, and landing of aircraft, or the safe and efficient operation or maintenance of an airport, and any combination of any or all of such facilities. 

(i) "Operation of aircraft" or "operate aircraft" means the use, navigation, or piloting of aircraft in the airspace over this state or upon any airport within this state. 

(j) "Airman" means any individual who engages, as the person in command, or as pilot, mechanic, or member of the crew, in the navigation of aircraft while under way, and any individual who is directly in charge of the inspection, maintenance, overhauling, or repair of aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, and appliances. 

(k) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, joint stock association, or body politic; and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, or other similar representative thereof. 

(l) "Municipality" means any incorporated city, village, or town of this state and any county or political subdivision or district in this state, or any public trust thereof, which is, or may be, authorized by law to acquire, establish, construct, maintain, improve, and operate airports, airstrips, and aeronautical navigation facilities. 

(m) "Aeronautical hazard" means any structure, object of natural growth, or use of land, which obstructs the airspace required for the flight of aircraft in landing or taking off at an airport that is otherwise hazardous to the operation and navigation of aircraft. 

(n) "Resources" means services, facilities, funds, equipment, property, personnel, and such other activities as are customarily included within the term. 

(o) "Helipad" means a small, designated area, usually with a prepared surface, on a heliport, airport, landing or takeoff area, apron or ramp, or movement area used for takeoff, landing or parking of helicopters. 

(p) "Heliport" means an area of land, water or structure used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of helicopters and includes its buildings and facilities, if any. 

(q) "Commercial service airport" means an airport meeting the current Federal Aviation Administration definition for commercial service airport. 

(r) "Primary commercial service airport" means an airport meeting the current Federal Aviation Administration definition for primary commercial service airport. 

(s) "Reliever airport" means an airport designated by the Federal Aviation Administration as a reliever airport and which provides substantial capacity or instrument training relief to a primary commercial service airport. 

(t) "General aviation airport" means an airport not meeting the criteria for definition as a commercial service or reliever airport. 

Added by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 2, emerg. eff. June 22, 1963. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 181, § 2, eff. July 1, 1995; Laws 1996, c. 344, § 1, eff. July 1, 1996. 

 

§383. Purpose of act. 

It is hereby declared that the purpose of this act is to further the public interest in aeronautical progress: 

(a) by granting to a state agency such powers and imposing upon it such duties that the state may properly perform its functions relative to aeronautics; effectively assist in the development of a statewide system of airports, cooperate with and assist the municipalities of this state and others engaged in aeronautics, and encourage and develop aeronautics in all its phases in this state; 

(b) by providing for the protection of persons and property through the promotion of safety in aeronautics; and 

(c) by providing for cooperation with federal authorities in the development of a national system of civil aviation and for coordination of the aeronautical activities of those authorities and the authorities of this state by assisting in accomplishing the purposes of federal legislation and eliminating costly and unnecessary duplication of functions in the province of federal agencies. 

Laws 1963, c. 354, § 3, emerg. eff. June 22, 1963. 

 

§3-84. Creation of Commission - Membership - Director of Aeronautics - Rules and regulations - Meetings - Office space. 

A. There is hereby created the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, which shall be the successor to the Oklahoma Aviation Commission created by Section 81 et seq. of this title. The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission shall consist of seven (7) members, who shall be appointed by the Governor and who shall continue in office, as designated by the Governor at the time of appointment, through the last day of the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh calendar years, respectively, following the passage of this act, with the initial seventh member remaining in office until the end of the calendar year 1979. The successors of the members initially appointed shall be appointed for terms of six (6) years in the same manner as the members originally appointed under this act, except that any person appointed to fill a vacancy shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term. Each member shall serve until the appointment and qualification of a successor. One member shall be appointed from each congressional district and any remaining members shall be appointed from the state at large. However, when congressional districts are redrawn each member appointed prior to July 1 of the year in which such modification becomes effective shall complete the current term of office and appointments made after July 1 of the year in which such modification becomes effective shall be based on the redrawn districts. Appointments made after July 1 of the year in which such modification becomes effective shall be from any redrawn districts which are not represented by a board member until such time as each of the modified congressional districts are represented by a board member. No appointments may be made after July 1 of the year in which such modification becomes effective if such appointment would result in more than two members serving from the same modified district. To qualify for appointment to the Commission, an appointee shall have the following minimum qualifications: 

1. A citizen and bona fide resident of the state; 

2. Three (3) years' experience in aeronautical activities, such as general aviation, agricultural aviation, airport management, or air carrier operation. 

Members of the Commission shall receive no salary but shall be entitled to be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses pursuant to the State Travel Reimbursement Act. The members of the Commission may be removed by the Governor for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office in the manner provided by law for the removal of officers not subject to impeachment. 

B. 1. A Director of Aeronautics shall be appointed by the Commission, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Commission. The Director shall be appointed with due regard to such person's fitness, by aeronautical education and by knowledge of and recent practical experience in aeronautics for the efficient dispatch of the powers and duties duly vested in and imposed upon the Director. The Director shall devote full time to the duties of the office and shall not be actively engaged or employed in any other business, vocation, or employment, nor shall the Director have any pecuniary interest in or any stock in or bonds of any civil aeronautics enterprise. The Director shall be reimbursed for all traveling and other expenses incurred in the discharge of the official duties of the Director, subject to general statutory limitations on such expenses as contained in the State Travel Reimbursement Act. 

2. The Director shall be the executive officer of the Commission and under its supervision shall administer the provisions of this act and rules, regulations, and orders established thereunder and all other laws of the state relative to aeronautics. The Director shall attend all meetings of the Commission, but shall have no vote. The Director shall be in charge of the offices of the Commission and responsible to the Commission for the preparation of reports and the collection and dissemination of data and other public information relating to aeronautics. The Director is hereby empowered to execute all contracts entered into by the Commission. 

3. The Commission may, by written order filed in its office, delegate to the Director any of the powers or duties vested in or imposed upon it by this act. Such delegated powers and duties may be exercised by the Director in the name of the Commission. 

4. The Director shall appoint, subject to the approval of the Commission, such experts, field and office assistants, clerks, and other employees as may be required and authorized for the proper discharge of the functions of the Commission. 

C. The Commission shall, within thirty (30) days after its appointment, organize, adopt a seal, and make such rules and regulations for its administration, not inconsistent herewith, nor inconsistent with, or contrary to, any act of the Congress of the United States or regulations promulgated or standards established pursuant thereto, as it may deem expedient and from time to time amend such rules and regulations. At such organizational meeting it shall elect from among its members a chair, a vice chair, and a secretary, to serve for one (1) year, and annually thereafter shall elect such officers, all to serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. The Commission shall schedule meetings at a convenient time and place as they become necessary. Four (4) members shall constitute a quorum, and no action shall be taken by less than a majority of the Commission. Special meetings may be called as provided by the rules and regulations of the Commission. Regular meetings shall be held at the established offices of the Commission, but, whenever the convenience of the public or of the parties may be promoted, or delay or expense may be prevented, the Commission may hold meetings, hearings, or proceedings at any other place designated by it. The Commission shall report in writing to the Governor on or about January 31 of each year. The report shall contain a summary of the proceedings of the Commission during the preceding fiscal year, a detailed and itemized statement of all revenue and of all expenditures made by or in behalf of the Commission, such other information as it may deem necessary or useful, and any additional information which may be requested by the Governor. 

D. Suitable office space shall be provided by the Department of Central Services for the Commission in the City of Oklahoma City, and the Commission may incur the necessary expense for office rent, furniture, stationery, printing, incidental expenses, and other necessary expenses needed for the administration of this act. 

Added by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 4, emerg. eff. June 22, 1963. Amended by Laws 1967, c. 146, § 1, emerg. eff. April 27, 1967; Laws 1974, c. 195, § 4, emerg. eff. May 15, 1974; Laws 1983, c. 304, § 2, eff. July 1, 1983; Laws 1985, c. 178, § 6, operative July 1, 1985; Laws 1995, c. 181, § 3, eff. July 1, 1995; Laws 2002, c. 375, § 1, eff. Nov. 5, 2002; Laws 2005, c. 100, § 1, eff. July 1, 2005. 

 

§3-84.1. Repealed by Laws 2001, c. 211, § 4, emerg. eff. May 14, 2001. 

§3-84.2. Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission - Detachment from Department of Transportation - Unclassified employees - Transfer of personnel, property and records - Funding. 

A. Beginning July 1, 2002, the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission shall cease to be part of or a division of the Department of Transportation and shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct agency, to be known as the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, and not under the Merit System of Personnel Administration. The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission and the Director of Aeronautics shall continue to exercise their statutory powers, duties, and responsibilities. All records, property, equipment, assets, monies, matters pending, and funds of the division shall be transferred to the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. 

B. 1. The number of full-time-equivalent employees for the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission shall not be less than ten, nor more than the number of employees currently allowed by law for the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission division of the Department of Transportation and who transfer to the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission pursuant to this section. In no event shall the total full-time-equivalent employees of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission transferring or electing to remain with the Department of Transportation exceed eighteen full-time-equivalent positions. 

2. All full-time-equivalent employee positions for the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission shall not be under the Merit System of Personnel Administration and shall be considered unclassified service. All employees shall serve at the pleasure of the Director of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. 

3. The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission and the Department of Transportation may enter into an agreement for the transfer of personnel from the Department of Transportation to the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. No employee shall be transferred to the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission except on the freely given written consent of the employee. All classified employees under the Merit System of Personnel Administration who are not transferred to the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission shall retain the status in the class to which the position occupied by the employee on July 1, 2002, is allocated by the Office of Personnel Management. The salary of such an employee shall not be reduced as a result of such position allocation. All employees who are transferred to the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission shall not be required to accept a lesser grade or salary than presently received. All employees shall retain leave, sick and annual time earned, and any retirement and longevity benefits which have accrued during their tenure with the Department of Transportation. The transfer of personnel between the state agencies shall be coordinated with the Office of Personnel Management. 

C. The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission shall be authorized to rent, lease, or own the appropriate office space and property in order to conduct its business. The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission is authorized to accept gifts, bequests, devises, contributions, and grants, public or private, including federal funds or funds from any other source for use in furthering the purpose of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. 

D. Funding for the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission shall be provided for in the appropriation process of the Legislature, in addition to any other funding provided by law. The expenses incurred by the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission as a result of the transfer required by this section shall be paid by the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. 

E. The division within the Department of Transportation known as the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission shall be abolished by the Transportation Commission after the transfer has been completed. 

F. The Director of State Finance is directed to coordinate the transfer of assets, funds, allotments, purchase orders, liabilities, outstanding financial obligations or encumbrances provided for in this section. The Department of Central Services shall coordinate the transfer of property and records provided for in this section. 

Added by Laws 2002, c. 269, § 1, eff. July 1, 2002. Amended by Laws 2005, c. 100, § 2, eff. July 1, 2005. 

 

§3-85. Powers and duties of Commission. 

A. The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission and its Director acting under its authority is empowered and directed to encourage, foster, and assist in the development of aeronautics in this state and to encourage the establishment of airports and air navigation facilities. It shall cooperate with and assist the federal government, the municipalities of this state, and other persons in the development of aeronautics, and shall seek to coordinate the aeronautical activities of these bodies and persons. Municipalities are authorized to cooperate with the Commission in the development of aeronautics and aeronautical facilities in this state. 

B. The Commission may organize and administer a voluntary program of air-age education in cooperation with the schools, colleges, and for the general public, and may prepare and conduct voluntary flight clinics for airmen and issue such bulletins and publications as may be required. 

C. The Commission shall assist in all aeronautical matters related to emergency management actions in conformance with federal directions and with the Emergency Operations Plan of the state. 

D. The Commission may establish air markers throughout the state. 

E. The Commission may purchase and install roadside signs directing highway traffic to airports, subject to approval of the State Transportation Commission. 

F. The Commission shall: 

1. Draft and recommend necessary legislation to advance the interests of the state in aeronautics; 

2. Represent the state in aeronautical matters before federal agencies and other state agencies; and 

3. Participate as party plaintiff or defendant or as intervener on behalf of the state or any municipality or citizen thereof in any proceeding which involves the interest of the state in aeronautics. 

G. 1. The Commission may, insofar as is reasonably possible, make available its engineering and other technical services to any municipality or person desiring them in connection with the planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, or operation of airports or navigation facilities. 

2. The Commission may render financial assistance by grant or loan or both to any municipality or municipalities acting jointly in the planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, or operation of an airport owned or controlled, or to be owned or controlled, by such municipality or municipalities, out of appropriations or other monies made available by the Legislature for such purposes. Such financial assistance may be furnished in connection with federal or other financial aid for the same purposes. 

3. The Commission shall be designated as the agent of this state or political subdivision of this state for the purpose of applying for, receiving, administering and disbursing federal funds and other public monies for the benefit of general aviation airports, except reliever airports, as may be available under applicable federal law or other laws. If requested by a political subdivision, the Commission may act as its or their agent in contracting for and supervising such planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, or operation; and all political subdivisions are authorized to designate the Commission as their agent for the foregoing purposes. The Commission, as principal on behalf of the state, may enter into any contracts with the United States or with any person, which may be required in connection with a grant or loan of federal monies for municipal airport or air navigation facility purposes. All federal monies accepted under this section shall be accepted and transferred or expended by the Commission upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by the United States. All monies received by the Commission pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission Fund in the State Treasury and shall be paid out by the Commission in accordance with the terms and conditions of any agreement entered into under the provisions of this section. 

H. 1. The Commission is authorized on behalf of and in the name of the state, out of appropriations and other monies made available for such purposes, to plan, zone, establish, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, operate, regulate, protect, and police airports and air navigation facilities, either within or without the state, including the construction, installation, equipping, maintenance, and operation at such airports of buildings and other facilities for the servicing of aircraft or for the comfort and accommodation of air travelers. However, the regulatory authority shall not extend to any airman employed by, nor to any aeronautics facility or aircraft under the exclusive possession, operation, or control of, a person holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by any agency of the United States to operate as a common carrier by air of persons and/or property in interstate commerce. For such purposes the Commission may, by purchase, gift, devise, or lease, acquire property, real or personal, or any interest therein including easements in aeronautical hazards or land outside the boundaries of an airport or airport site, as are necessary to permit safe and efficient operation of the state airports or to permit the removal, elimination, obstruction-marking or obstruction-lighting of airport hazards, or to prevent the establishment of airport hazards. In like manner the Commission may acquire existing airports and air navigation facilities. However, the Commission shall not acquire or take over any airport or air navigation facility owned or controlled by a municipality of this or any other state without th