Published: 2015
Key Benefits:
[Repealed, 1983 Initiative Proposal No. 2, sec. 6].
Chapter 02.10. ALASKA AERONAUTICS ACT OF 1937Sec. 02.10.010. Supervision over aeronautics and communication.
(a) The department shall supervise aeronautics and communications inside the state, and shall make recommendations for the establishment, location, maintenance, operation and use of airports, landing fields, air markings, air beacons, and other navigation facilities, and for the establishment, operation, management, and equipment of all air schools, flying clubs, and other persons giving air instruction.
(b) The department shall, whenever it considers the action necessary in the interest of general safety or the safety of those engaged in aeronautics, adopt regulations establishing minimum standards with which all air navigation facilities, air schools and flying clubs shall comply, and shall adopt and enforce regulations to safeguard from accident and to protect the safety of persons operating or using aircraft and persons and property on the ground, and to develop and promote aeronautics and communications in the state. However, the regulations may not duplicate or conflict with the aeronautical and communications regulations in force by the Department of Commerce of the United States, the Federal Communications Commission or the provisions of the Federal Air Commerce Act of 1926.
Sec. 02.10.020. Investigations and hearings.
(a) The department may conduct investigations, inquiries and hearings concerning matters covered by the provisions of this chapter, and accidents or injuries incident to the operation of aircraft occurring within the state.
(b) The department may administer oaths and affirmations, certify to all official acts, issue subpoenas, compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of papers, books and documents.
(c) If a person fails to comply with a subpoena or order issued under this chapter, the department may invoke the aid of any court in this state. The court may order that person to comply with the requirements of the subpoena, or order of the department, or to give evidence upon the matter in question. Failure to obey the order of the court is punishable by the court as contempt.
Sec. 02.10.030. Use of reports of or testimony in investigations as evidence and department employees as witnesses.
The reports of or testimony given in investigations and hearings may not be admitted in evidence or used for any purpose in a suit, action, or proceeding growing out of a matter referred to in that investigation, hearing, or report, except in criminal or other proceedings instituted under this chapter. The commissioner and employees of the department may not be required to testify to facts ascertained in or information gained by reason of their official capacity and they may not be required to testify as expert witnesses in a suit, action, or proceeding involving aircraft.
Sec. 02.10.040. Regulations governing radio ground stations.
The department shall adopt regulations governing the following:
(1) requirements governing the installation of two-way radio receivers and transmitters on all passenger-carrying airplanes operating 25 air miles or more from their immediate landing fields;
(2) the establishment of ground radio transmitters, adapted to the use of phone or code, of the power and on the frequencies needed, and for which permits can be obtained from the Federal Communications Commission, at or in the cities of Ketchikan, Juneau, Cordova, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Nome, or as many of the cities as the department considers necessary for thorough communications coverage;
(3) the establishment of schedules for operation of the ground stations, together with the necessary arrangements for the stations to receive weather and other data available through other communication agencies;
(4) the use of the ground stations for commercial purposes, other than aviation, where no other communications service is available, provided that commercial use shall be limited to communications to the nearest United States Signal Corps station, or to its destination where no Signal Corps station is located;
(5) other uses to which the ground stations can be put, on the frequencies, and under the licenses, on which they are authorized to operate;
(6) the proper protection of the records of the proceedings of the department and the filing and publicizing of its regulations so that they are accessible to and generally known by the interested public;
(7) the fixing of tolls to be charged for use of ground stations for commercial purposes, and the manner and method of accounting for the tolls;
(8) the establishment of additional radio telephone stations, or the relocation of stations already established, which, in the opinion of the department are necessary, and from which the benefits and advantages expected to be derived, justify the cost of installation and maintenance.
Sec. 02.10.050. Use of revenue [Repealed, sec. 2 ch 8 SLA 1968].
Repealed or Renumbered
Sec. 02.10.060. Community and private cooperation.
It is the obligation of the aviation concerns that use the service provided for in AS 02.10.040 , or the municipalities in which the radio telephone stations are located, to furnish suitable space without cost to the state, where the radio transmitting and receiving equipment may be installed and operated. A radio telephone station may not be established or operated at any place, except the six major stations provided for in AS 02.10.040 , unless the inhabitants of the community in which it is to be established, or the community residing adjacent thereto, provide for as much operation and maintenance of the station as the department requires.
Sec. 02.10.070. Penalties.
A person who fails to comply with the requirements, or who violates any of the provisions of this chapter, or the regulations adopted by the department is guilty of a misdemeanor, and punishable by a fine of not more than $500, or by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or by both.
Sec. 02.10.080. Department defined.
In this chapter "department" means the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
Sec. 02.10.090. Short title.
This chapter may be cited as the Alaska Aeronautics Act of 1937.
Chapter 02.15. ALASKA AERONAUTICS ACT OF 1949
Article 01. AERONAUTICS FUNCTIONS
Sec. 02.15.010. Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to
(1) further the public interest in aeronautical progress by providing for the protection of persons and promotion of safety in aeronautics through appropriate measures consistent with and supplementary to but not duplicating federal aeronautics laws and regulations, with a view to the least possible interference with aviation activity compatible with the general welfare;
(2) encourage and develop aeronautics and the establishment and operation of a state system of airports through cooperation with municipalities, and otherwise, including cooperation with the federal government and acceptance and utilization of federal funds allotted for this purpose.
Sec. 02.15.020. Powers of department.
(a) The department may perform acts, issue and amend orders, and adopt reasonable general or special regulations and procedures, and establish minimum standards, consistent with the provisions of this chapter, as it considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
(b) The department may enter into contracts necessary or advisable to the execution of the powers granted it by this chapter. Where the planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, or operation of an airport or air navigation facility is financed wholly or partially with federal money, the department, as agent of the state, or of a municipality, or person, may let contracts in the manner prescribed by the federal authorities acting under the laws and rules and regulations of the United States.
(c) The department may accept federal money and money from other public or private sources to accomplish in whole or in part any of the purposes of this chapter. All federal money accepted under this chapter shall be accepted and expended by the department upon the terms and conditions prescribed by the United States.
Sec. 02.15.030. Conformity to federal law.
The department may not adopt a regulation, order or standard that is inconsistent or contrary to any act of the Congress of the United States or regulations promulgated or standards established. A regulation, order or standard may not be adopted that duplicates any current rules or regulations issued by a federal agency, or that applies to aircraft, airports or air navigation facilities owned or operated by the federal government.
Sec. 02.15.040. Cooperation with federal agencies.
The department shall cooperate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the armed forces of the United States government and the Federal Aviation Agency for the purpose of coordinating aviation activities in carrying out the Civil Defense Program.
Sec. 02.15.050. Miscellaneous powers and duties of department.
(a) The department may confer with and hold joint hearings with agencies of the United States in connection with matters arising under this chapter or relating to the sound development of aeronautics.
(b) The department may avail itself of the cooperation, services, records and facilities of the agencies of the United States as fully as may be practicable in the administration and enforcement of this chapter. The department shall, upon request, furnish to the agencies of the United States its cooperation, services, records and facilities, insofar as may be practicable.
(c) The department or a state or municipal police officer shall report to the appropriate agency of the United States all accidents in aeronautics in this state of which it or the police officer is informed, and shall, insofar as practicable, preserve, protect and prevent the removal of the component parts of an aircraft involved in an accident being investigated until the federal agency institutes an investigation.
(d) An aircraft operator is not required to make periodic reports to the department but an additional copy of a report rendered to another governmental department or agency may be required of an operator.
(e) The department may report to the appropriate federal agencies and agencies of states proceedings instituted charging violation of any sections of this chapter and penalties, of which it has knowledge, imposed upon an airman or the owner or operator of an aircraft for violation of the law of this state relating to aeronautics, or for violation of the regulations or orders of the department. The department may receive reports of penalties and other data from agencies of the federal government and states and, when necessary, enter into agreements with federal agencies and the agencies of states governing the delivery, receipt, exchange and use of reports and data. The department may make the reports and data available to a court of this state and to a state or municipal officer authorized to enforce the aeronautics laws.
(f) The department may draft and recommend suitable legislation to advance the interests of the state in aeronautics; represent the state in aeronautical matters before the federal agencies and other state agencies; and participate as party plaintiff or defendant on behalf of the state or as intervenor in any controversy that involves the interests of the state in aeronautics.
(g) The department may acquire data on passenger enplanements from air carriers; however, the department may not obtain passenger manifests from air carriers except for matters concerning public safety.
Article 02. STATE AIRPORTS