Bill > S3316

Introduced Session

This bill establishes an "Atlantic City International Airport Spaceport Feasibility Study Commission" (study commission) in but not of the South Jersey Transportation Authority. Under the bill the study commission is to consist of nine members: (1) the Executive Director of the South Jersey Transportation Authority or the Executive Director's designee, who is required to serve ex officio; (2) an expert in federal aviation regulation, preferably an expert serving, or with past experience, as an official or executive at the Federal Aviation Administration William J. Hughes Technical Center; (3) an individual with a background in higher education who is affiliated with Stockton University and the National Aviation Research and Technology Park; (4) an individual with expertise in aerospace or astronautical engineering who is affiliated with an institution of higher education in New Jersey, other than Stockton University; (5) two individuals who reside within 10 miles of the Atlantic City International Airport (airport); (6) two business owners who operate businesses within 10 miles of the airport; and (7) an individual with expertise in the tourism sector. The bill requires the Governor to appoint the members of the study commission, except for the Executive Director of the South Jersey Transportation Authority. Under the bill, the members of the study commission are to serve for a term that commences on a member's date of appointment and ends one year after the enactment date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). The bill requires that members be appointed within 60 days following the effective date of the bill and the study commission is required to organize as soon as practicable after the appointment of a majority of members. All members are required to serve without compensation, but are eligible for reimbursement of necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the study commission for its purposes. Under the bill, the study commission is required to meet and hold public hearings at the place or places it designates. The bill requires the study commission to study the feasibility of the airport successfully pursuing, and economically maintaining, licensing as a lateral or captive carry launch site through the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Commercial Space Transportation in accordance with federal law, rules, and regulations. The study commission is specifically prohibited from investigating, studying, or otherwise considering pursuing licensing of the Atlantic City International Airport as a vertical launch site. The study commission is required to issue a report to the Governor and the Legislature no later than one year after the effective date of the bill. The report is required to include: (1) an analysis of the expected costs of pursuing licensing of a launch or reentry site at or near the airport, and being so licensed; (2) an assessment of the potential impacts that licensing would have on the economic vitality of the South Jersey region and quality of life for the region's residents; and (3) any recommendations that the study commission deems appropriate. Under the bill, the South Jersey Transportation Authority is to be responsible for the costs of the study commission and provide administrative assistance and support to the study commission.

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Committee Categories

Chris Brown (R)*,  Vin Gopal (D)*,  Jim Beach (D), 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee (on 01/15/2019)