3APPENDIX V.S.A. § 4

WHEREAS, the State of Vermont has substantial public investment in its airports and air navigation system; and

WHEREAS, maintenance and modernization of this infrastructure continues to impose significant demands on the limited federal, state, local, and private funds available; and

WHEREAS, making sound decisions regarding investment in Vermont's aviation infrastructure requires coordination among all parties with a stake in aviation; and

WHEREAS, the quality of decision making can be enhanced by providing a forum to bring together input and insight from a broad spectrum of the aviation community, as well as from the consumers of aviation services;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, James H. Douglas, by virtue of the power vested in me as Governor, do hereby establish a Vermont Aviation Advisory Council and designate its membership and duties as follows:

1. The Council shall be composed of not more than 15 persons appointed by the Governor, plus the Vermont Secretary of Transportation or designee, who shall serve as Chair. Members may include representatives of general aviation, regional chambers of commerce, regional planning commissions, municipal airports, the House and Senate transportation committees, airport users, and private airports. To the extent that funds permit, members shall receive reimbursement of expenses and a per diem pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 1010. The Council is authorized to obtain administrative assistance from the Vermont Agency of Transportation, and the Secretary of Transportation is directed to provide such assistance as required. The council may have additional members, to be appointed by the Secretary of Transportation subject to the Governor's approval, who shall not vote or receive expense reimbursement or per diem but who may otherwise participate in Council business and assist in the Council's efforts.

2. The Council shall meet no less than four times a year, excluding meetings of subcommittees. By December 31st of each year, the Council shall make a report of its activities, findings and recommendations to the Governor.

3. The Council is charged with the following responsibilities:

A. Recommending an aviation policy for Vermont;

B. Recommending an investment program for Vermont airports;

C. Recommending airport classifications;

D. Recommending air project priorities;

E. Recommending actions to enhance the linkage between Vermont's aviation industry and the State's economic vitality;

F. Serving as a forum for aviation-related issues, including policy makers, aviation industry representatives, airport users, and others; and

G. Encouraging cooperative relationships between the Agency of Transportation and airport business operators.

4. The terms of the members of the Council, other than the term of the Vermont Secretary of Transportation, shall be as follows: initially, not more than seven members appointed for one year and not more than eight members appointed for two years; all subsequent appointments (except those to the unexpired term of a former member) shall be for a period of two years.

This Executive Order shall take effect upon execution.

Dated August 5, 2003.