Bill Text: NJ S471 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Prohibits tourist helicopter operations in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-12 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee [S471 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-S471-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
217th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2016 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator NICHOLAS J. SACCO
District 32 (Bergen and Hudson)
Senator SANDRA B. CUNNINGHAM
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits tourist helicopter operations in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning certain helicopter operations in New Jersey and supplementing Title 6 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. As used in P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill):
"Airport" means a designated area of land, water, or both, which is licensed by the Department of Transportation for the landing and takeoff of airplanes and other aircraft, and which may provide facilities for shelter, security, and service of aircraft.
"Emergency medical transportation" shall have the same meaning as provided in section 1 of P.L.1986, c.106 (C.26:2K-35).
"Helicopter" means a rotary wing aircraft that depends principally upon the lift generated by engine-driven rotors rotating on a substantially vertical axis for its primary means of propulsion.
"Heliport" means a dedicated area of defined dimensions, either at ground level or elevated on a structure, designated for the landing or takeoff of helicopters and used solely for that purpose.
"Helistop" means an area of defined dimensions, either at ground level or elevated on a structure designated for the landing or take off of helicopters, but not limited in use to that sole purpose.
"Tourist helicopter" means a helicopter that operates for the purpose of providing sightseeing tours to patrons in areas including, but not limited to, the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York City, the Statute of Liberty, and Ellis Island.
2. In order to eliminate the noise, safety hazards, and other negative impacts on the quality of life of New Jersey residents caused by tourist helicopters, the Commissioner of Transportation shall prohibit all tourist helicopter operations at all aviation facilities licensed by the State including, but not limited to, airports, helipads, and heliports. Flights by helicopters owned or operated by a federal or military authority or the State government and helicopters providing emergency medical transportation shall not be included in the prohibition.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation to prohibit tourist helicopter operations at aviation facilities licensed by the State. Tourist helicopter is defined to mean a helicopter that operates for the purpose of providing sightseeing tours to patrons in areas including, but not limited to, the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York City, the Statute of Liberty, and Ellis Island.
Flights by helicopters owned or operated by a federal or military authority or the State government and helicopters providing emergency medical transportation are not included in the prohibition.
