(1) This act specifically prohibits the Department of Transportation from regulating commercial air carriers operating within the state pursuant to federal authority and regulations; from participating in or exercising control in the management and operation of a sponsor’s airport, except when officially requested by the sponsor; or from expanding the design or operational capability of the department in the area of airport and aviation consultants’ contract work, other than to provide technical assistance as requested.
(2)(a) Notwithstanding subsection (1), upon the declaration of a state of emergency issued by the Governor in preparation for or in response to a natural disaster, airports shall, at no cost to the state, provide the Department of Transportation with the opportunity to use any property that is not subject to an existing lease agreement with a third party and that is not within the air navigation facility as defined in s. 332.01(4) for the staging of equipment and personnel to support emergency preparedness and response operations. (b) After 60 days of use under paragraph (a), any further use of airport property by the Department of Transportation must be conducted pursuant to a written agreement between the airport and the department.
