HJR 65 - OPPOSING PROPOSED FAA REGULATIONS Number 1524 CHAIRMAN GARY DAVIS announced that the next item on the agenda was HJR 65, relating to proposed Federal Aviation Administration regulations establishing crew member flight time limitations. He said this issue was brought to his attention by several people and read the sponsor statement into the record, "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing to implement regulations which would limit the number of hours air taxi pilots would be allowed to fly in a month. Research indicates that most air taxi operators in Alaska utilize their pilots in excess of this proposed limit on a regular basis. As can be seen in the whereas clauses of the resolution, these regulations will have a drastic impact on air taxi operations in Alaska. These businesses are operating safely and this requirement would be over restrictive and costly. In essence, these regulations will be detrimental to the livelihood of Alaska pilots and air taxi business owners alike." Number 1573 CHAIRMAN GARY DAVIS said the proposed regulations are included in the committee packet and the amount of hours would be restricted to 100 hours in a calendar month. He said currently pilots are flying in excess of this amount, with some pilots flying 180 to 200 hours a month. He said this limitation is being proposed as a safety measure, but other places in the nation do not have the same summer season with the long daylight hours and the excess volume of seasonal business. Number 1626 REPRESENTATIVE TOM BRICE asked if there was a current limitation on how many hours someone can fly. A discussion ensued about this question. CHAIRMAN GARY DAVIS said pilots, currently, were acting within the law. He said this issue is being fought at the national level by Senator Stevens who is trying to make an exception with the state of Alaska. Number 1754 REPRESENTATIVE BRICE asked if it was appropriate to name specific private, non-profit associations within HJR 65. He said he would not hold up this resolution to get that addressed as it can be addressed before the floor. CHAIRMAN GARY DAVIS said upon checking with the legal department, the did not have a problem with the inclusion of those specific organizations. He said he would verify that question again before it came up to the floor. Number 1831 REPRESENTATIVE BRICE said he might want to add language which would depict the uniqueness of Alaskan geography. He made a motion to move HJR 65 with individual recommendations. Hearing no objections HJR was moved from the House Standing Committee on Transportation.