Chapter 242 - Department of Transportation

Sec. 13b-23d. Exemplary “Vision Zero” program distinction. The Department of Transportation, in consultation with the State Board of Education and the Department of Motor Vehicles, upon receipt of a request by a local or regional board of education, shall award an exemplary “Vision Zero” program distinction to those local and regional boards of education that offer a program that provides students in grades six to twelve, inclusive, with opportunities to learn about the mission of the Vision Zero Council, established pursuant to section 13b-23b, and the importance of practicing safe driving habits and learning pedestrian safety skills. Such opportunities may include, but need not be limited to, classes, extracurricular activities, presentations, symposiums, peer-to-peer education, parent involvement and parenting education and outreach. A local or regional board of education may submit, at such time and in such manner as the Department of Transportation prescribes, a request for such distinction by providing details about such board's program to the department. The Department of Transportation shall make information about the distinction available on the department's Internet web site.

(P.A. 23-116, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 23-116 effective June 27, 2023.

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Sec. 13b-23e. Program to promote use of seat safety belts among vulnerable communities. The Department of Transportation, in collaboration with the Departments of Education, Motor Vehicles, Public Health, Social Services and Veterans Affairs, shall establish a program to promote the use of seat safety belts among vulnerable communities, as identified by the Department of Transportation, that are less likely to wear a seat safety belt when in a motor vehicle. Such program may include, but need not be limited to, peer-to-peer education and outreach to parents and various community organizations.

(P.A. 23-116, S. 15.)

History: P.A. 23-116 effective June 27, 2023.

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Sec. 13b-23f. State transportation carbon dioxide reduction target. Strategic plan. (a) Not later than October 1, 2030, and biennially thereafter, the Commissioner of Transportation, in consultation with the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, shall establish a transportation carbon dioxide reduction target for the state that sets the maximum amount of carbon dioxide emissions permitted from the transportation sector. The commissioners shall consider the long-term emission reductions required by section 22a-200a when establishing the transportation carbon dioxide reduction target.

(b) The Commissioner of Transportation shall develop and implement a strategic plan to ensure transportation projects that are included in the state transportation improvement plan, developed pursuant to 49 USC 5304(g), as amended from time to time, do not exceed the maximum amount of carbon dioxide emissions established in the transportation carbon dioxide reduction target for the state pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. The strategic plan shall include, but need not be limited to, (1) a definition of “transportation project” that excludes transportation projects designated as exempt pursuant to 40 CFR 93.126 to 40 CFR 93.128, inclusive, as amended from time to time, (2) the methodology for calculating the carbon dioxide emissions expected from future transportation projects, and (3) a description of carbon dioxide mitigation transportation projects, including, but not limited to, improving public transportation, constructing bikeways, pedestrian walkways or other multiuse trails or paths and installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Not later than July 1, 2028, the commissioner shall submit, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, the strategic plan to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation and the environment.

(c) The Commissioner of Transportation, in consultation with the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, shall implement a public outreach plan to ensure sufficient public and stakeholder engagement in the development of the transportation carbon dioxide reduction target and the strategic plan required under subsection (b) of this section.

(d) On or before January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter until January 1, 2030, the Commissioner of Transportation shall submit, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, a report to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation and the environment. Such report shall include, but need not be limited to, the status of the development of the transportation carbon dioxide reduction target for the state, the strategic plan and a description and the results of any public outreach conducted pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.

(e) On or before October 1, 2030, and biennially thereafter, the Commissioner of Transportation shall submit, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation and the environment, a copy of the transportation carbon dioxide reduction target for the state and any recommendations for legislation to implement such target.

(P.A. 23-135, S. 32.)

History: P.A. 23-135 effective July 1, 2023.

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PART II

HIGHWAYS

Sec. 13b-26b. Intersection control evaluation policy. Not later than July 1, 2024, the Commissioner of Transportation shall adopt an intersection control evaluation policy to be used by the Department of Transportation when evaluating the construction of a new intersection or the modification of an existing intersection. Such policy shall (1) provide a decision-making framework to screen intersection alternatives with specific performance-based criteria in order to identify an optimal solution, (2) require the use of consistent documentation for each evaluation of a new or existing intersection, and (3) be revised as the commissioner deems necessary.

(P.A. 23-116, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 23-116 effective June 27, 2023.

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Sec. 13b-31g. Implementation of wrong-way driving countermeasures. (a) For the purposes of this section, (1) “wrong-way driving detection and notification system” means a system capable of alerting a motor vehicle operator with the use of flashing lights when such operator is driving in the wrong direction and notifying a law enforcement unit when a wrong-way operator is detected, and (2) “law enforcement unit” has the same meaning as provided in section 7-294a.

(b) The Department of Transportation shall expand efforts to implement wrong-way driving countermeasures throughout the state. Such efforts shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) The installation of wrong-way driving detection and notification systems on at least one hundred twenty highway exit ramps that the department determines are at high risk for motor vehicle operators driving in the wrong direction; and (2) a public awareness campaign to educate the public concerning ways to reduce incidents of operators driving in the wrong direction and actions to take when an operator encounters a motor vehicle being operated in the wrong direction.

(P.A. 23-51, S. 1.)

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Sec. 13b-31h. Guidelines re tree and vegetation management, removal and replacement along state highways. (a) The Department of Transportation shall develop, and thereafter revise as necessary, guidelines governing tree and vegetation management, removal and replacement along state highways for use by its employees and contractors when undertaking maintenance and construction projects. The goal of the guidelines shall be to ensure the impacts of maintenance and construction projects on the environment, landscape and noise pollution are balanced or outweighed by measures taken to avoid and minimize the impacts.

(b) Such guidelines shall include, but need not be limited to, provisions addressing (1) the safety of the traveling public; (2) general roadside vegetation management activities performed by the department, including, but not limited to, mowing, herbicide application, grassing, replanting with native species whenever practicable, limb management, tree removal and debris removal; (3) beautification, enhancements and the effect on scenic roads designated pursuant to section 13b-31c; (4) visibility enhancement; and (5) the environmental impact of such work, including (A) preventing invasive tree, brush or plant species' growth and impact, (B) storm water run-off, (C) erosion, (D) replanting of vegetation species to expand and improve pollinator habitats, as described in section 22-90b, and (E) reduced mowing. Such guidelines shall apply to construction projects financed, in whole or in part, with federal funds to the extent such guidelines do not conflict with federal laws and regulations.

(c) Such guidelines shall not apply to the removal of any trees or vegetation necessary to maintain public safety or that is performed because of a weather-related civil preparedness emergency declared pursuant to section 28-9.

(d) On or before January 1, 2024, the Commissioner of Transportation shall submit such guidelines to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation and the environment, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. The committees shall hold a joint public hearing on such guidelines and the commissioner shall present such guidelines at the public hearing.

(P.A. 23-135, S. 33.)

History: P.A. 23-135 effective June 26, 2023.

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PART III

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Sec. 13b-38ff. Modernization and maintenance of bus stops and shelters. (a) The Commissioner of Transportation and each transit district established under chapter 103a or any special act shall jointly develop a plan to modernize and maintain bus stops and shelters throughout the state. The plan shall: (1) Ensure all bus stops and shelters are constructed and maintained in compliance with physical accessibility guidelines, as applicable, under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 USC 12101, et seq., as amended from time to time, (2) conveniently and safely serve users of all ages and abilities with the inclusion of sidewalks, appropriate curb cuts and ramps, shelter from weather conditions, lighting and signage that provides real-time information concerning transportation services, (3) consider the installation of solar photovoltaic systems at such bus stops and shelters to operate the lights and permit the charging of mobile electronic devices, and (4) include ways to ensure the maintenance and safety of such bus stops and shelters after construction. The commissioner shall submit the plan regarding bus stops and shelters owned by the Department of Transportation and the plan regarding bus stops and shelters owned by transit districts not later than July 1, 2024, with the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.

(b) On and after July 1, 2024, each bus stop or shelter constructed by the Department of Transportation or a transit district shall (1) be in accordance with the plan developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, and (2) comply with physical accessibility guidelines, as applicable, under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 USC 12101, et seq., as amended from time to time.

(P.A. 23-137, S. 22.)

History: P.A. 23-137 effective June 27, 2023.

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Sec. 13b-38gg. Notice concerning certain training programs funded by Department of Transportation. Not later than January 1, 2024, the Department of Transportation shall develop, and thereafter revise as necessary, a notice concerning the availability of training programs funded by the department that provide instruction on how to safely use commuter railroad systems and public transit services and submit such notice to the Department of Developmental Services and the State Education Resource Center, established under section 10-357a. The Department of Developmental Services shall provide such notice to the department's service providers. The State Education Resource Center shall publish such notice on its Internet web site.

(P.A. 23-137, S. 24.)

History: P.A. 23-137 effective June 27, 2023.

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PART IV

AERONAUTICS

Sec. 13b-39a. Registration of aircraft. The owner of any aircraft, as defined in subdivision (5) of section 15-34, which is based or primarily used at any airport facility, heliport, air navigation facility, restricted landing area or seaplane base in a municipality within this state shall, not later than October 1, 1993, and annually thereafter, be required to register with the municipality in which such aircraft is based or primarily used, by filing an application form, or renewal thereof, and paying the appropriate registration fee, as provided for in section 12-71, this section and section 13b-39b. The owner of any aircraft which is based or primarily used at any such air navigation facility or restricted landing area in this state shall register such aircraft not later than July 1, 1994, and annually thereafter not later than the first of October. Any aircraft shall be deemed to be based or primarily used in a municipality when in the normal course of its use, it leaves from and returns to or remains at one or more points within the municipality more often or longer than at any other single location outside of the municipality.

(P.A. 86-393, S. 1, 3; P.A. 93-433, S. 9, 26; P.A. 94-175, S. 10, 32; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4, S. 27, 80, 85; P.A. 95-160, S. 64, 69; P.A. 15-192, S. 8; P.A. 23-135, S. 16.)

History: P.A. 93-433 amended Subsec. (a) to require the registration of all aircraft with and the payment of registration fees to the municipality where the aircraft is primarily based or used, deleting prior provisions re registration with transportation commissioner, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-175 made a technical change in the statutory internal reference, effective June 2, 1994; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4 extended registration to aircraft based or primarily used at air navigation facilities or restricted landing areas, effective June 9, 1994, and revised effective date of P.A. 94-175 but without affecting this section; P.A. 95-160 revised effective date of May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4 but without affecting this section; (Revisor's note: In 2013, a reference in Subsec. (b) to repealed Sec. 13b-39h was changed editorially by the Revisors to Sec. 13b-39g for clarity); P.A. 15-192 amended Subsec. (a) to change responsibility for registration from Commissioner of Transportation to executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority and amended Subsec. (b) to change provision re adoption of regulations to provision re adoption of rules and procedures and make conforming changes, effective July 2, 2015; P.A. 23-135 deleted Subsec. (a) designator, deleted provision re executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority to establish aircraft registration program and deleted Subsec. (b) re adoption of rules and procedures, effective July 1, 2023.

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Sec. 13b-39b. Aircraft registration forms and decals. The executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority shall prepare and distribute to each municipality in which aircraft are based or primarily used, forms and decals for the registration of aircraft and the renewal of such registrations. Each municipality shall designate a municipal registration official who may be an official or employee of the municipality or of any airport facility, heliport or seaplane base located within the municipality, to utilize the information obtained pursuant to section 13b-49a, and perform the duties of registration of aircraft as set forth in sections 13b-39a to 13b-39g, inclusive, and shall furnish to the executive director, in writing, the name, address and telephone number of each such official. The municipality shall immediately notify the executive director upon any changes relative to the municipal registration official.

(P.A. 93-433, S. 10, 26; P.A. 94-175, S. 11, 32; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4, S. 80, 85; P.A. 95-160, S. 64, 69; P.A. 15-192, S. 9; P.A. 23-135, S. 17.)

History: P.A. 93-433 effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-175 made a technical change in the statutory internal reference, effective June 2, 1994; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4 and P.A. 95-160 revised effective date of P.A. 94-175 but without affecting this section; (Revisor's note: In 2013, a reference to repealed Sec. 13b-39h was changed editorially by the Revisors to Sec. 13b-39g for clarity); P.A. 15-192 replaced references to Commissioner and Department of Transportation with references to executive director and authority, effective July 2, 2015; P.A. 23-135 deleted provision re information contained on registration forms, added reference to Sec. 13b-49a and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2023.

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Sec. 13b-39d. Registration fee. The owner shall pay a fee to the municipal registration official for each aircraft so numbered or registered in accordance with the following schedule:

Gross Weight (lbs.)	Fee
Less than 3,000	$90.00
3,001 – 4,500	250.00
4,501 – 8,000	700.00
8,001 – 12,500	1,500.00
12,501 and over	2,500.00

Aircraft manufactured before 1946 shall pay the lesser of one hundred dollars or the fee as required on the basis of gross weight as set forth in this section. Any person or firm that acquires ownership of an aircraft shall obtain a new registration in the name of such owner within thirty days of the date of such acquisition, provided no additional registration fee shall be payable in cases where one or more new ownership interests are being added to the registration or in cases of legal change of name of the registrant. All registrations shall be renewed within thirty days of the date of expiration as stated in the certificate. If a valid certificate or number decal is lost, mutilated or destroyed, the aircraft owner shall notify the municipal registration official within fifteen days, and such owner shall be issued a duplicate certificate or number decal upon payment of a fee of five dollars.

(P.A. 93-433, S. 12, 26; P.A. 94-175, S. 12, 32; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4, S. 80, 85; P.A. 95-160, S. 64, 69; P.A. 03-115, S. 50; P.A. 15-192, S. 11; P.A. 23-135, S. 18.)

History: P.A. 93-433 effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-175 made a technical change in the statutory internal reference, effective June 2, 1994; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4 and P.A. 95-160 revised effective date of P.A. 94-175 but without affecting this section; P.A. 03-115 made technical changes; P.A. 15-192 replaced “commissioner” with “executive director”, “regulations” with “procedures” and “chapter 54” with “section 1-121”, effective July 2, 2015; P.A. 23-135 deleted provision re procedures establishing uniform schedule for registrations and provision re prorating fees, effective July 1, 2023.

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Sec. 13b-39g. Municipality may retain fees. Each municipality which issues and renews registrations for aircraft in accordance with this section and sections 13b-39a to 13b-39f, inclusive, may retain for its own use and purposes, as a grant in lieu of property taxes, all revenue received from the receipt of aircraft registration fees. On or before February 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, each such municipality shall furnish the executive director with a report concerning the number of registrations issued, the names of registrants and the descriptions of aircraft registered during the preceding calendar year.

(P.A. 93-433, S. 15, 26; P.A. 94-175, S. 13, 32; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4, S. 80, 85; P.A. 95-160, S, 64, 69; P.A. 15-192, S. 12; P.A. 23-135, S. 19.)

History: P.A. 93-433 effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-175 made a technical change in the statutory internal reference, effective June 2, 1994; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4 and P.A. 95-160 revised effective date of P.A. 94-175 but without affecting this section; (Revisor's note: In 2013, references to repealed Sec. 13b-39h were changed editorially by the Revisors to Sec. 13b-39g for clarity); P.A. 15-192 replaced “commissioner” with “executive director”, effective July 2, 2015; P.A. 23-135 replaced provision re reports with provision re report on or before February 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, deleted provision re reporting of fees received by municipality pursuant to Secs. 12-71 and 13b-39a to 13b-39g and made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 2023.

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Sec. 13b-44a. Filing of documents with the Properties Review Board. Section 13b-44a is repealed, effective July 1, 2023.

(P.A. 75-425, S. 39, 57; P.A. 77-614, S. 73, 610; P.A. 85-427, S. 2; P.A. 23-135, S. 53.)

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Sec. 13b-47. Criteria for approval. (a) In determining whether to issue a certificate of approval or license for the use or operation of any proposed public use air navigation facility, the executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority shall take into consideration (1) its proposed location, size and layout, (2) its relationship to any comprehensive plan for state-wide and nation-wide development, (3) the availability of areas suitable for safe future expansion, (4) the freedom of adjoining areas from obstructions based on a proper glide ratio, (5) the nature of the terrain and of the uses to which the proposed facility will be put, and (6) the possibilities for future development. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of approval, license or license renewal, each proposed or existing public use air navigation facility shall provide documentation to the authority, in such form as the executive director may prescribe, that the factors described in subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of this subsection demonstrate that such facility will provide or currently provides for safe aircraft operations.

(b) In determining whether to issue a certificate of approval or license for the use or operation of any proposed private use air navigation facility, the executive director shall take into consideration: (1) Its proposed location, size and layout; (2) the freedom of adjacent areas from obstructions based on a proper glide ratio; (3) the nature of the terrain and the uses to which the proposed air navigation facility will be put; (4) the type of equipment to be utilized and the flight experience of the operator; (5) the amount of noise to be produced at such facility; and (6) such other factors as the executive director deems appropriate. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of approval, license or license renewal, each proposed or existing private use air navigation facility shall provide documentation to the authority, in such form as the executive director may prescribe, that the factors described in subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of this subsection demonstrate that such facility will provide or currently provides for safe aircraft operations.

(1969, P.A. 768, S. 42; P.A. 85-427, S. 3; P.A. 13-277, S. 28; P.A. 15-192, S. 17; P.A. 23-135, S. 21.)

History: P.A. 85-427 applied previously existing provisions to commercial use facilities and added Subsec. (b) re issuance of certificate of approval or license for private use facilities; (Revisor's note: In 2003 a reference in Subsec. (b) to “… glide ratio and (3) …” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “… glide ratio; (3) …”); P.A. 13-277 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provision re relationship of proposed commercial use air navigation facility to the master transportation plan, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 15-192 replaced “commissioner” with “executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority” and “executive director” and made technical changes, effective July 2, 2015; P.A. 23-135 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “commercial” with “public” re air navigation facility and adding provision re submission of documentation demonstrating safe aircraft operations by proposed or existing public use air navigation facility, amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision re submission of documentation demonstrating safe aircraft operations by proposed or existing private use air navigation facility and made a technical change, effective July 1, 2023.

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Sec. 13b-49a. Owner or operator of airport or other air navigation facility to submit information re aircraft based or primarily used at such facility. Penalty. (a) Not later than July thirty-first annually, the owner or operator of any airport, heliport, restricted landing area, seaplane base or other air navigation facility licensed under the provisions of section 13b-46 shall submit to the executive director and the municipality in which the aircraft is based, the following information with respect to an aircraft which is based or primarily used at such facility as of July first of such year: (1) The identity and address of the owner and form of ownership, including information as to whether the owner is an individual, partnership, corporation or other entity; (2) the type of aircraft, including the year of manufacture, the manufacturer, the model and the certified gross weight; and (3) the Federal Aviation Aircraft Registration number.

(b) The executive director, after notice and opportunity for hearing, may suspend or revoke the license of any such facility in the event the owner or operator thereof knowingly or intentionally fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

(P.A. 97-304, S. 1, 31; P.A. 15-192, S. 20; P.A. 23-135, S. 22.)

History: P.A. 97-304 effective July 8, 1997; P.A. 15-192 replaced “Commissioner of Transportation” and “commissioner” with “executive director”, effective July 2, 2015; P.A. 23-135 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re submission of information to municipality where aircraft is based, adding provision re form of ownership in Subdiv. (1), adding provision re year of manufacture, manufacturer, model and certified gross weight in Subdiv. (2) and deleting provision re executive director to forward information to municipality, effective July 1, 2023.

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Sec. 13b-50. Cooperation with federal government. State assistance to municipalities and owners of commercial airports. (a) The executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority is authorized to cooperate with the government of the United States or any agency or department thereof in the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance and operation of airports, heliports, landing fields and other aeronautical facilities in this state where federal financial aid is received and to comply with the provisions of the laws of the United States and any regulations made thereunder for the expenditure of federal moneys upon such airports, heliports and facilities. The executive director is authorized to accept, receive and receipt for federal or other moneys for and on behalf of this state or any political subdivision thereof for the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance and operation of facilities within this state. All moneys accepted for disbursement by the executive director pursuant to this subsection shall be disbursed in accordance with the provisions of the respective grants.

(b) Any municipality is authorized to accept, receive and receipt for federal moneys and other moneys, either public or private, for the acquisition, construction, enlargement, improvement, maintenance, equipment or operation of airports and other air navigation facilities and sites therefor and to comply with the provisions of the laws of the United States and any rules and regulations made thereunder for the expenditure of federal moneys upon such airports and facilities. No municipality shall submit to the administrator of civil aeronautics of the United States any project application under the provisions of Section 9(a) of Public Law 377, 79th Congress, or any amendment thereof, unless the project and the project application have been approved by the executive director.

(c) Any municipality is authorized to designate by ordinance the executive director as its agent to accept, receive and receipt for federal moneys in its behalf for airport purposes and to contract for the acquisition, construction, enlargement, improvement, maintenance, equipment or operation of such airports or other air navigation facilities, and may enter into an agreement with the executive director prescribing the terms and conditions of such agency in accordance with federal laws, rules and regulations and applicable laws of this state. Such moneys as are paid by the United States government shall be paid to such municipality under such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the United States in making such grant.

(d) All contracts for the acquisition, construction, enlargement, improvement, maintenance, equipment or operation of airports or other air navigation facilities, made by the municipality itself or through the executive director, shall be made pursuant to the laws of this state governing the making of like contracts; provided, where such acquisition, construction, improvement, enlargement, maintenance, equipment or operation is financed wholly or partly with federal moneys, the municipality, or the executive director as its agent, may let contracts in the manner prescribed by the federal authorities, acting under the laws of the United States, and any rules or regulations made thereunder, notwithstanding any other state law to the contrary.

(e) The executive director may render financial assistance by grant of funds to any municipality or municipalities acting jointly in the planning, acquisition, construction or improvement of an airport owned or controlled, or to be owned or controlled, by such municipality or municipalities. Such financial assistance may be furnished in connection with federal or other financial aid for the same purposes for not more than seventy-five per cent of the cost exclusive of federal aid. The executive director may establish procedures to be followed in granting funds under this subsection and may prescribe forms to be used in connection therewith.

(f) The executive director may, whenever the executive director considers such assistance desirable or feasible, make available engineering and other technical services of the executive director, with or without charge, to any municipality or owner of a commercial airport requesting such services in connection with the planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance or operation of airports or aeronautical facilities.

(g) Any town, city or borough may lease any airport or contract for any airport facilities or privileges from any person, firm or corporation, municipal or private, operating a municipal or private airport in any location which has been approved by the executive director.

(1969, P.A. 768, S. 45; P.A. 77-472; P.A. 85-262, S. 4; 85-427, S. 4; P.A. 10-32, S. 41; P.A. 15-192, S. 21; P.A. 23-135, S. 20.)

History: P.A. 77-472 provided for application of authorized assistance to owners of commercial airports in Subsec. (f); P.A. 85-262 extended the provisions of this section to heliports; P.A. 85-427 amended Subsec. (e) by limiting the amount the commissioner may grant municipalities to no more than 75% of the cost exclusive of federal aid, where previously amount was calculated on 75% state share and 25% local share matching basis; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective May 10, 2010; P.A. 15-192 replaced references to commissioner and department with references to executive director and, in Subsec. (e), replaced provision re regulations with provision re procedures, effective July 2, 2015; P.A. 23-135 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting “deposited in the state treasury and”, amended Subsec. (e) by deleting provision re appropriations made by General Assembly and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2023.

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Sec. 13b-50a. Initiatives for the preservation of airports. The following initiatives shall be established to preserve Connecticut's licensed privately owned, publicly used airports which have a paved runway and a minimum of five thousand operations per year: (1) The state shall have the right of first refusal to purchase, via fair market value and state property acquisition procedures, an airport, if that airport is threatened with sale or closure, for the express purpose of preserving the airport; (2) the executive director may acquire the development rights, based on fair market value for such rights, of such airports, provided the airport remains a public airport; (3) the state may fund capital improvements to private airports, in which case the state may fund not more than ninety per cent of the eligible costs and the balance by the sponsor, with budget and priorities to be determined by the executive director, and engineering in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circulars; and (4) the establishment of a new airport zoning category for the airport's imaginary surfaces as defined by Federal Aviation Regulations and a program to mitigate noise in airport neighborhoods in which the noise exceeds applicable Federal Aviation Administration standards. Such program may be combined with existing energy conservation programs. Funding for such program shall be from available federal resources.

(P.A. 07-232, S. 50; P.A. 10-32, S. 42; P.A. 12-138, S. 1; P.A. 15-192, S. 22; P.A. 23-135, S. 23.)

History: P.A. 07-232 effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 10-32 made technical changes, effective May 10, 2010; P.A. 12-138 deleted provisions re notices for proposed construction and construction of obstructions and added provisions re a program to mitigate noise in airport neighborhoods, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 15-192 replaced references to Commissioner and Department of Transportation with “executive director”, effective July 2, 2015; P.A. 23-135 amended Subdiv. (3) by replacing “shall” with “may” re state funding of capital improvements and replacing “shall participate in” with “may fund not more than”, effective July 1, 2023.

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Sec. 13b-50b. Set aside for veterans with service in time of war. Section 13b-50b is repealed, effective July 1, 2023.

(P.A. 12-138, S. 2; P.A. 15-192, S. 23; P.A. 16-167, S. 18; P.A. 23-135, S. 53.)

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Sec. 13b-50c. Connecticut airport and aviation account. (a) There is established an account to be known as the “Connecticut airport and aviation account” which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the Grants and Restricted Accounts Fund established pursuant to section 4-31c. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account shall be expended by the executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority, with the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, for airport and aviation-related purposes.

(b) (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 13b-61a, on and after October 31, 2017, the Commissioner of Revenue Services shall deposit into said account seventy-five and three-tenths per cent of the amounts received by the state from aviation fuel sources from the tax imposed under section 12-587.

(2) On and after July 1, 2025, the Commissioner of Revenue Services shall deposit into said account one hundred per cent of the amounts received by the state from the tax imposed under section 12-477aa.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 672; P.A. 19-123, S. 2; P.A. 23-204, S. 371.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 effective October 31, 2017; P.A. 19-123 amended Subsec. (a) to replace “Commissioner of Transportation” with “executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority” and made a technical change, effective July 9, 2019; P.A. 23-204 amended Subsec. (b) to redesignate existing provision re deposit into account as Subdiv. (1) and replace “effective date of this section” with “October 31, 2017”, and add Subdiv. (2) re deposit of tax imposed under Sec. 12-477aa into account on and after July 1, 2025, effective July 1, 2023.

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