Substitute Senate Bill No. 1003 Summary

• Establishes the Connecticut Airport Authority as a public instrumentality to manage Bradley International Airport, general aviation airports (Danielson, Groton/New London, Hartford Brainard, Waterbury-Oxford, Windham), and other state airports, effective July 1, 2011.

• Creates an 11-member board of directors consisting of three ex officio members (Treasurer, Transportation Commissioner, Economic Development Commissioner) and eight appointed members from legislative leaders and the Governor, with specific expertise requirements in aviation, finance, and transportation management.

• Grants the Authority broad powers to operate airports, set rates and fees, issue bonds, enter contracts, manage federal funds, and establish rules and regulations independent of state agency approval and the Properties Review Board.

• Transfers existing airport employees to the Authority while preserving collective bargaining agreements and state employee benefits; allows the Authority to create new unclassified positions outside union contracts.

• Requires the Transportation Department to establish a Bureau of Aviation to manage the transition of Bradley and general aviation airports to the Authority through memoranda of understanding with the Treasurer and Commissioner of Transportation.