Brief ⁽¹⁾

SB 171 requires the Governor, if he elects to travel by state-owned vehicles or aircraft for political or personal business, and if such state provided transportation is not deemed necessary for security, to reimburse the state for such use. Reimbursement would be subject to approval by the federal aviation administration of an exemption from applicable federal aviation administration regulations.

The bill authorizes the superintendent of the Highway Patrol or his designee to designate the mode of transportation to the Governor or the Governor's family if security is an issue. Under current law, the cost of such transportation would be the responsibility of the Highway Patrol.

The bill requires the Secretary of Administration to fix, by rules and regulations, the fees and provide for the collection of such fees for travel by the Governor or the Governor's family.

Background

SB 171 was sponsored by Senator Adkins. He testified that implementation of the bill would allow the Governor to travel as safely as possible in official state aircraft piloted by experienced tested pilots. Lindsay Olsen, a private pilot who often flies the Governor to political events, testified in support of the bill.

The Senate Committee on Elections and Local Government recommended a substitute bill be passed to include a provision that the Highway Patrol shall provide transportation to the Governor for security reasons. This provision was suggested by the Governor's Office.

The fiscal note from the Division of the Budget indicates that the passage of SB 171 would have some minor administrative costs from billing for aircraft use, but no budget resources would be necessary.

The House Committee on Ethics and Elections amended the bill to authorize the superintendent or his designee to designate the mode of transportation. This amendment was suggested by the Governor's Office. The House Committee also made reimbursement subject to an exemption from federal aviation administration regulations.

1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/fulltext.cgi