Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 114 - Aeronautics and astronautics.
114.31 - Powers and duties of the secretary of transportation.

114.31 Powers and duties of the secretary of transportation.
(1) General. The secretary shall have general supervision of aeronautics in the state and promote and foster a sound development of aviation in this state, promote aviation education and training programs, assist in the development of aviation and aviation facilities, safeguard the interests of those engaged in all phases of aviation, formulate and recommend and promote reasonable regulations in the interests of safety, and coordinate state aviation activities with those of other states, the federal government, and the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority. The secretary shall have all powers that are necessary to carry out the policies of the department of transportation, including the right to require that statements made to the secretary be under oath. The secretary is especially charged with the duty of informing himself or herself regarding all federal laws that affect aeronautics and astronautics in this state, all regulations pursuant to such laws, and all pending legislation providing for a national airport system, in order that the secretary may recommend to the governor and the legislature such measures as will best enable this state to derive the maximum benefits from such legislation if and when it shall become effective. It shall be the duty of all other state boards, commissions, departments and institutions, especially the appropriate educational institutions and the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, to cooperate with the secretary.
(2) Studies, investigations, airport development plan. The secretary shall conduct studies and investigations with reference to the most effective development and operation of airports and all other aeronautical facilities, and issue reports of the findings of these studies and investigations. The secretary shall prepare and may modify in recognition of changing conditions an airport development plan.
(3) Aviation education and training.
(a) In cooperation with the appropriate educational institutions of the state, and jointly with them, the secretary shall formulate programs of aviation education and training, and disseminate information regarding such programs.
(b) From the appropriation under s. 20.395 (2) (ds), the department shall administer an aviation career education program to provide training and apprenticeship opportunities associated with aviation careers for socially and economically disadvantaged youth.
(4) Cooperation with federal aeronautical or astronautical agency. The secretary shall cooperate with and assist the federal government, the political subdivisions of this state, and others engaged in aeronautics or astronautics or the promotion of aeronautics or astronautics, and shall seek to coordinate the aeronautical or astronautical activities of these bodies. To this end, the secretary is empowered to confer with or to hold joint hearings with any federal aeronautical or astronautical agency in connection with any matter arising under this chapter, relating to the sound development of aeronautics or astronautics, and to take advantage of the cooperation, services, records and facilities of such federal agencies, as fully as may be practicable, in the administration of said sections. The secretary shall furnish to the federal agencies cooperation, and the services, records and facilities of the department, insofar as may be practicable.
(5) Air marking system. The secretary shall cooperate with the federal government in any air marking system and weather information.
(5m) Promotion of air services. In recognition of the importance of effective scheduled air service in the southeastern region of the state and the impact of that service on statewide economic development, the secretary shall, in cooperation with the appropriate airport governing bodies, promote expanded and improved air services, help provide information on available air services for potential users, develop efficient ground access to air services, monitor changes in air services and charges to passengers, and develop other programs as he or she considers advisable for the overall improvement of air services for residents of this state.
(6) Technical services to municipalities. The secretary may, insofar as is reasonably possible, offer the engineering or other technical service of the department, to any municipality desiring them in connection with the construction, maintenance or operation or proposed construction, maintenance or operation of an airport. The secretary may assess reasonable costs for services including services performed while acting as agent for a municipality. Such assessment shall include properly allocated administrative costs. Municipalities are authorized to cooperate with the secretary in the development of aeronautics and aeronautical facilities in this state. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and all agencies are authorized and directed to make available such facilities and services, and to cooperate as far as possible to promote the best interests of aeronautics of the state.
(7) State aid. The secretary shall establish, by rule, such conditions as he or she deems necessary to the grant of state aid.
(8) Priorities.
(a) On July 1 of each even-numbered year the governing body of each county, city, village or town that contemplates an airport development project in the next 6 years for which it proposes to request state or federal aid shall notify the secretary of such intention and submit such information as the secretary requires.
(b) The secretary shall establish priorities for the projects proposed under s. 114.33 (2) in relation to the overall airport development plan taking into account such factors as industrial, commercial, recreational and resources development and transportation needs.
(c) As part of the secretary's budget report, the secretary shall submit a tentative priority list of projects that the secretary recommends for state aid in the following biennium.
(9) Maps. With respect to aeronautical maps distributed by the secretary pursuant to this section, the secretary shall ensure that such maps printed on and after July 20, 1985, do not display the picture of the secretary.
History: 1971 c. 125; 1973 c. 243 s. 82; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1063, 1654 (5); 1977 c. 273; 1979 c. 361 s. 112; 1981 c. 390 s. 252; 1983 a. 27; 1985 a. 29; 1987 a. 399; 1993 a. 492; 1995 a. 27 s. 9116 (5); 1999 a. 9; 2005 a. 335; 2011 a. 32.

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