TAPE/#

Speaker

Comments

TAPE 55, A

003

Chair Verger

Calls the committee to order at 3:17 p.m.  Opens a public hearing on SB 680.

SB 680 – PUBLIC HEARING

015

Judith Callens

Committee Administrator.  Explains the provisions of the measure.  Describes the differences between the -3 (EXHIBIT A) and -5 amendments before the committee (EXHIBIT B).

045

Sen. Prozanski

Requests additional clarification on the -5 amendments.

050

Chair Verger

Asks that Sen. Johnson come forward to testify and answer Sen. Prozanski’s question.

055

Sen. Betsy Johnson

Senate District 16.  Testifies in favor of SB 680 and the -5 amendments.  Provides greater detail on “through-the-fence” airport operations. 

090

Sen. Johnson

Details the advantages presented for rural airports.

119

Sen. Metsger

Clarifies that she is talking about the bill with the -5 amendments.

121

Sen. Johnson

Replies that she is testifying on SB 680 with the -5 amendments.  Continues to detail the measure.

157

Sen. Johnson

Explains the importance of development of airports across the state.

179

Sen. Whitsett

Notes concerns of the FFA in regards to this measure.

190

Sen. Johnson

Relates that the FFA will not take away the funding.  States that “through-the-fence” is not the FFA’s preference.

227

Sen. B. Starr

Expresses confusion on what the measure does and asks if it would apply to the Hillsboro airport.

233

Sen. Johnson

Replies that airports have to request to be included in this measure.

240

Sen. B. Starr

Asks for clarification regarding what the measure proposes for Hillsboro.

244

Sen. Johnson

Clarifies what the measure does.

270

Sen. Johnson

Talks about the federal grant process and the agreements with local airports.

279

Sen. Prozanski

Asks for clarification regarding page three, lines ten through twelve of the -3 amendments.

290

Sen. Johnson

Explains what it means.

297

Sen. Metsger

Wonders about Columbia Helicopters.

300

Sen. Johnson

Replies that they are “through-the-fence”. Clarifies that they may have some lease holding as well.

325

Gary Oxley

Oxley and Associates. Testifies in favor of SB 680.  Notes that this measure is not a mandate and stresses that it is entirely voluntary.  Feels this bill addresses the development of local businesses near rural airports.

375

Oxley

Asks for specific individuals to come forward to testify.

399

Jerry Dale

Chairman, Oregon Aviation Business Association (OABA). Testifies in favor of SB 680. 

TAPE 56, A

005

Dale

Notes that “through-the-fence” simply allows use of public airport facilities by private citizens.

035

Dale

Advocates the need for more private operations at public airports.   

040

Sen. Prozanski

Questions if the measure would require a public facility to sell some of its land for private ownership.

045

Dale

Replies no.

050

Chair Verger

Asks for clarity of the ownership.

053

Dale

Responds.

059

Ted Millar

Westwood Development, Aurora.  Testifies in favor of SB 680.  Discusses his business operations in rural communities and the need for airports in economic development.

095

Millar

Talks about Oregon creating a successful model for expanding rural airport operations.

101

Chair Verger

Remarks on the size of Aurora airport.

105

Millar

Relays the size and investment in the airport.

122

Sen. Metsger

Clarifies the location of the potential growth of Aurora.

125

Millar

Explains.

130

Richard Van Grunsven

Van’s Aircraft, Inc.  Presents written testimony in favor of SB 680 (EXHIBIT C).

175

Van Grunsven

Talks about the needs of independent, small business people.

203

Chair Verger

Remarks on the enthusiasm of those working in aviation.

219

Sen. Metsger

Observes that many of his airplane kits are still being assembled.

224

Van Grunsven

Comments on the time consuming nature of building an airplane.

237

Chair Verger

Congratulates Mr. Van Grunsven on his “Freedom of Flight” Award.  Asks about his background.

245

Van Grunsven

Talks about his service in the United States Air Force and aviation career.

263

Joel Scoggins

Columbia Helicopters.  Offers background of the company and the operation of private, heavy-lift, helicopters. 

300

Scoggins

Discusses Port-of-Portland requiring them to move from Swan Island to Aurora.  Notes the reluctance to invest in a location with the fear of being forced to move.

340

Scoggins

Speaks in favor of SB 680 and the issues it will help address.

370

Chair Verger

Points out her take on the language of the measure.

379

Scoggins

Offers that the -3 amendments had stronger language.  Hopes for additional cooperation from counties.

TAPE 55, B

005

Scoggins

Feels this measure makes positive changes for all parties.

035

Bob Hidley

Director, Oregon Department of Aviation.  Remarks that the board does not have an official position on SB 680.  Feels they are already doing what is contained in the bill.

053

Bob Rindy

Oregon Department of Land Conservation Development (LCDC).  Remarks that the department does not have a position, but feels LCDC will have to adapt its rules to accommodate SB 680.  Asks for additional clarity in what they are being asked to do in the measure.

090

Rindy

Notes the technical issues they have on the measure.  Feels there is a lack of clarity in some of the language.

103

Chair Verger

Asks if he is familiar with what the bill is aimed at.

109

Rindy

Replies to question.

135

Robert Noble

Manager, Eugene Airport, City of Eugene.  Presents written testimony in opposition to SB 680 (EXHIBIT D).

180

Noble

Opposes SB 680 and feels it would disrupt previous airport planning efforts.

210

Noble

Relates “through-the-fence” airport security and fee concerns.

225

Chair Verger

Points out the language he is referring to has changed in the -5 amendments.

227

Noble

Concurs, but feels it is still similar.

241

Chair Verger

Asks if he feels the current system is effective for economic development.

247

Noble

Notes the process at Aurora Airport.  Relates how the Eugene Airport had to deal with this issue. 

260

Sen. Metsger

Recalls his testimony on security.  Wonders how this measure would compromise airport security.

271

Noble

Replies that it would not change security procedures, but it would make it harder to regulate airport users.

279

Sen. Metsger

Asks how security would be compromised by the measure.

280

Noble

Responds.

283

Sen. B. Starr

Asks about his perceived inconsistency with the measure.

295

Noble

Responds to question.

321

Sen. Prozanski

Wonders if there are any “through-the-fence” operations in Eugene.

322

Noble

Replies there are none at the Eugene Airport.

340

Daren Griffin

President, Oregon Airport Management Association.  Provides written testimony in opposition to SB 680 (EXHIBIT E).

TAPE 56, B

010

Griffin

Notes the amount of land available for development around rural airports.

022

Chair Verger

Mentions Sen. Johnson’s testimony that it is not aimed at commercial air service. Clarifies that Griffin is referring to general aviation specifically.

026

Griffin

Clarifies that his remarks are focused on general aviation airports in Oregon.

027

Sen. Metsger

Wonders how much has been invested in general aviation airports that do not have commercial service.

030

Griffin

Replies that it is less than half.

039

Sen. Metsger

Asks if there is a history of how “through-the-fence” has worked at airports.

043

Griffin

Responds.

052

Sen. Prozanski

Asks what the guidelines are for long term leases.

054

Griffin

Replies that the FAA guidelines for long term leases is thirty years.

072

Dennis Winningstad

General Manager, Central Oregon Coast Air Services. Testifies in favor of SB 680.

077

Gina Thompson

Scappoose Airport.  Testifies in favor SB 680.  Talks about improving aviation.

116

Sen. Prozanski

Questions the impact of the measure on her operations.

120

Thompson

Replies it will assist in creating jobs.

135

John Cox

Oregon Pilots. Presents written testimony in favor of SB 680 (EXHIBIT F).

200

Cox

Feels this measure is a viable business tool.

217

Sen. Whitsett

Considers the impact of a sunset on potential development.

220

Cox

Responds to question regarding the sunset.

226

Aron Faegre

Aron Faegre and Associates.  Replies in regards to the sunset.  Presents written testimony (EXHIBIT G) and a booklet (EXHIBIT H).

354

Chair Verger

Closes public hearing on SB 680.  Opens public hearing on HB 2106 A.

HB 2106 A – PUBLIC HEARING

361

Judith Callens

Committee Administrator. Explains the measure.

367

Robin Freeman

Oregon Department of Transportation. Testifies in favor of HB 2106 A.

393

Chair Verger

Requests an example of where it would occur.

397

Freeman

Illustrates where it would occur.

TAPE 57, A

001

Sen. B. Starr

Questions the emergency clause in the measure.

005

Freeman

States the need to correct this quickly.

011

Chair Verger

Closes public hearing and opens work session on HB 2106 A.

HB 2106 A – WORK SESSION

013

Sen. Whitsett

MOTION:  Moves HB 2106 A to the floor with a DO PASS recommendation.

VOTE:  5-0-0

Chair Verger

Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.

SEN. WHITSETT will lead discussion on the floor.

018

Chair Verger

Closes work session and opens a public hearing on HB 2267.

HB 2267 – PUBLIC HEARING

021

Judith Callens

Committee Administrator. Gives overview of HB 2267.

026

Paul Donheffner

State Marine Board. Presents written testimony submitted for the record (EXHIBIT I).

057

Chair Verger

Asks if they applied for federal funds.

065

Donheffner

Replies it relates back to a court case.  Notes the convolution in the current statute.

075

Sen. Prozanski

Asks if there is a need for an emergency clause.

082

Donheffner

Responds that an emergency clause is not needed.

090

Chair Verger

Closes public hearing and opens work session on HB 2267.

HB 2267 – WORK SESSION

092

Sen. Whitsett

MOTION:  Moves HB 2267 to the floor with a DO PASS recommendation.

VOTE:  5-0-0

Chair Verger

Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.

SEN. PROZANSKI will lead discussion on the floor.

097

Chair Verger

Closes work session and adjourns the committee at 5:12 p.m.