HB23-1156 Summary

• Modernizes the Public Airport Authority Act by updating governance procedures, including changing quorum requirements from 60% to 50% and establishing clearer authority termination procedures requiring assumption of bonds, contracts, and airport operations.

• Establishes an inflation definition based on the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Consumer Price Index and implements automatic inflation adjustments to the $250,000 expenditure threshold (previously $10,000) beginning January 1, 2029, with adjustments every five years thereafter.

• Expands airport authority powers to request local tax levies and zoning modifications regarding air navigation hazards, compatible land uses, and navigational marking, subject to Federal Aviation Administration guidelines.

• Updates board member compensation rules, conduct standards, and meeting procedures to comply with open meeting requirements and local government ethics standards under Title 24, Article 18.

• Clarifies procurement requirements for capital projects to follow competitive bidding procedures outlined in Article 91 of Title 24, and exempts tenants and users from airport tax exemptions while maintaining exemptions for the authorities themselves.