(1) Upon completion of both the statewide assessment and analysis required under RCW 47.68.390 and 47.68.400, and to the extent funds are appropriated to the department for this purpose, the governor shall appoint an aviation planning council to consist of the following members: (a) The director of the aviation division of the department of transportation, or a designee; (b) the director of the department of community, trade, and economic development, or a designee; (c) a member of the transportation commission, who shall be the chair of the council; (d) two members of the general public familiar with airport issues, including the impacts of airports on communities, one of whom must be from western Washington and one of whom must be from eastern Washington; (e) a technical expert familiar with federal aviation administration airspace and control issues; (f) a commercial airport operator; (g) a member of a growth management hearings board; (h) a representative of the Washington airport management association; and (i) an airline representative. The chair of the council may designate another councilmember to serve as the acting chair in the absence of the chair. The department of transportation shall provide all administrative and staff support for the council.

     (2) The purpose of the council is to make recommendations, based on the findings of the assessment and analysis completed under RCW 47.68.390 and 47.68.400, regarding how best to meet the statewide commercial and general aviation capacity needs, as determined by the council. The council shall determine which regions of the state are in need of improvement regarding the matching of existing, or projected, airport facilities, and the long-range capacity needs at airports within the region expected to reach capacity before the year 2030. After determining these areas, the council shall make recommendations regarding the placement of future commercial and general aviation airport facilities designed to meet the need for improved aviation planning in the region. The council shall include public input in making final recommendations.

     (3) The council shall submit its recommendations to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature, the governor, the transportation commission, and applicable regional transportation planning organizations.

     (4) This section expires July 1, 2009.

[2005 c 316 § 3.]