After airport operational control transfers, the local government must avoid interfering with the regional authority, keep the airport running normally during the transition, maintain certain roads, and handle title defects; it may also provide transitional services if asked.
§710. Operational jurisdiction; transfers A. The transfer of the operational jurisdiction over the airport to the regional authority shall not in any way impair any contract with an airline, vendor, tenant, bondholder, or other party in privity with the local government. B. Upon the transfer of operational jurisdiction over the airport, the local government is relieved from all further costs and responsibility arising from or associated with control, operation, development, and maintenance of the airport, except as otherwise required under obligations retained by the local government pursuant to this Chapter or as otherwise agreed by the local government. C. The local government shall comply with all of the following: (1) Refrain from any action that would impair the regional authority's exercise of the powers granted to the regional authority pursuant to this Chapter or that could cause the regional authority to violate its rate or bond covenants. (2) Refrain from any action to sell, transfer, or otherwise encumber or dispose of airport facilities owned by the local government without the consent of the regional authority and, if necessary, the FAA. (3) Take all action reasonably necessary to cure any defects in title to airport facilities transferred to the regional authority. (4) Upon incorporation of the regional authority and before the FAA approval date, conduct operations of the airport in the ordinary and usual course of business. (5) Maintain, repair, and keep clear, including providing debris and snow removal for, any road that provides ingress and egress to the airport over which responsibility for maintenance and repair is retained by the local government pursuant to agreement or law. D. At the request of the regional authority, the local government may provide the regional authority with transitional services previously performed by the local government and related to the operation of the airport until the date the regional authority elects to assume the services. The regional authority shall pay the cost of the services in compliance with its obligations under applicable federal law, regulations, and assurances associated with accepting grants from the FAA or another agency of the United States or this state including but not limited to policies of the FAA that prohibit revenue diversion or the payment of fees that exceed the value of services provided by a governmental agency. Acts 2025, No. 118, §1, eff. June 8, 2025.