Midwest Flyer Magazine

STATE LEGISLATIONsmall percentage actually survive.Having these two legislators carry thebill was one of the best things we couldhave done. When problems arose (asthey inevitably do), these experiencedlegislators enlisted the assistance ofRep. McNamara (Chair of the NaturalResource Committee), and Rep. Beard(where it was attached in the House).Bills often take strange turns on the wayto passage, and an experienced legislatorthat really believes in a bill makes all thedifference in the world.Lesson Learned #2: Introduce bills inboth houses. The probability of passageincreases greatly. If one bill runs intodifficulty, the other proceeds. If thereis a difference in the bills, it can beworked out in a conference committee.Lesson Learned #3: Provide multiplecopies of your position to yourlegislators. In the Minnesota case, Iprovided RUS information from theRAF, with their permission. I providedtext from states that had recentlyamended their RUS documents to useas an example. I provided examplesof those who would benefit from thechange STATEWIDE, not just fromtheir districts. Examples includedFlying Farmers, airpark communities,resorts, seaplane bases, heliports, gliderports, and aeromedical evacuations. Ithen provided a single-page summarylegislators could use. Finally, I providedthem with the RAF website, and beingconscientious legislators, they did useit to verify the information I had giventhem.Lesson Learned #4: Have anexperienced and savvy legislator thatbelieves in your cause. Though the billwent through the House with littleopposition (Rep. Hancock actuallypicked up co-sponsors along the way!),it had some questions in the Senate.Sen. Carlson met with a representativeof the Minnesota Association forJustice (formerly Minnesota TrialLawyers Association) to discuss theirinitial concerns – most of whichcentered on what the definition of“non-commercial aviation” was. Wesuggested that we simply use thedefinition of “commercial operation”from the Minnesota Department ofTransportation, Office of Aeronautics,as what constituted a commercialoperation. Afterall, if it was goodenough for the regulatory agency forcommercial operations, it should sufficefor this bill. The Bar Association wassatisfied with that.Both Representative Hancockand Senator Carlson stayed inconstant contact. Because time untiladjournment was waning, Sen. Carlsonattached the bill to an omnibusGame and Fish bill for a vote. He wasable to do that because the RUS inMinnesota (like so many other states)originated as a Game and Fish billwhen it was first introduced, makingit “germane” to a Game and Fish bill.That was a smart move on his part,and another indication of why it isso important to have an experiencedlegislator on your side. When timecame for testimony in the House-SenateConference Committee to reconciledifferences in the House and Senateon the differing bills, I addressed thecommittee to answer questions. Therewas a call from one member to addadditional clarifying language. Therepresentative from the Bar Associationactually sat down next to me and said,“Mr. Hanson’s short definition of thebill hit it out of the park. We havereviewed the language from MN/DOTAeronautics, and have no objections toit. We feel that no additional languageis warranted.” Imagine that…because ofSen. Carlson’s foresight and planning,a potential problem was averted, and apotential adversary became an ally!The bill cleared the conferencecommittee, and the omnibus bill waspassed by the legislature and signed intolaw by the governor in May 2012.What Does This Mean For MinnesotaPilots & Airstrip Owners? may allow other pilots to use a privateairstrip without fear of legal issues,subject to the limitations previouslystated. list their airstrips for inclusion onaeronautical charts and databases. their airport, bringing more business. now allow customers to use theirairports and seaplane bases. for emergency flights (aeromedicalflights, for example). their aircraft by landing closer to theirdestination if they secure permissionto do so. This is also good for nearbycommunities. needs an airport in a hurry due to anemergency or bad weather, the numberof options will be greatly increased.All of This Is At No Cost ToTaxpayers. That’s good legislation!./""#$%$&'(&)*')+,)-"./0.""+123)&'"456)-"+#%#718)"""Untitled-1 12/23/12 3:21 PMACTION1. If you would like to consideramending the Recreational Use Statutesin your state, look up the RecreationalAviation Foundation at www.theraf.org.