Aeronautics Account: California Aid to Airports Program.

Existing federal law authorizes airport sponsors to submit applications to the Secretary of Transportation for financial assistance for airport improvement projects. Under federal law, upon approval by the Secretary of Transportation, the United States government may pay for certain project costs. Existing law establishes the Aeronautics Account in the State Transportation Fund, and continuously appropriates the moneys in the account for expenditure by the Division of Aeronautics within the Department of Transportation and the California Transportation Commission. Existing law requires that funds in the account be paid to certain public entities owning and operating airports for projects for airport and aviation purposes, as defined, or operation and maintenance purposes, as defined. Existing law authorizes any balance remaining in the account to be used as a portion of the local match for federal Airport Improvement Program grants for certain airports. Existing law prohibits the California Transportation Commission from allocating funds until the federal grant offer is accepted by the public entity and authorizes the division, upon allocation of the funds by the commission, to pay a public entity 5% of the amount of a federal Airport Improvement Program grant. This bill would require the department to certify that, at the time a grant is issued, the department has all statements, resolutions, and other documentation required for fulfillment of grant terms and conditions. This bill would allow the recipient of the grant to begin the project for which the grant was awarded upon receipt of this certification. If, after transmitting this certification, the department determines additional documentation is required, this bill would allow the recipient of the grant 45 days to submit additional required documentation. The bill would prevent the applicant from losing eligibility for the grant due to the need for additional documentation during this 45–day period.