S-3176

   Amend  the amendment, S-3169, to House File 650, as amended, passed, and reprinted by the House, as follows:
   1.  Page 4, after line 3 by inserting: 

   <It is the intent of the general assembly that the state invest wisely in necessary infrastructure improvements in general aviation airports across the state and avoid costly future maintenance payments to airports with limited aviation activity.

   The department of transportation shall adopt a process for a political subdivision of the state to submit an application to the department to close an airport and cease operations if the political subdivision determines that the cost of operating an airport far exceeds the benefits received from that airport. The application shall include a cost benefit analysis performed by the applicable political subdivision, plans and a timeline for closing of the facility, and plans for the future use of the facility. The process adopted by the department shall provide that if the future use of the facility results in a project that creates jobs and expands the economy, the department shall forgive any required repayment of financial assistance that may be owed to the state as a result of the closure of the airport provided that the amount of private investment in the project for the future use of the facility is equal to at least two times the amount estimated to be repaid to the state.>

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JASON SCHULTZ