SENATE
HOUSE
JOINT
BILL STATUS
STATE LAW
REPORTS
EDUCATIONAL
CONTACT
home
home
Introduced Version Senate Bill 141 History

OTHER VERSIONS  -  Committee Substitute (1)  |  Enrolled Version - Final Version  |  Engrossed Version  |     |  Email
Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
Senate Bill No. 141

(By Senator Yoder)

____________

[Introduced January 23, 1995; referred to the Committee
on the Judiciary; and then to the Committee on Finance.]
____________




A BILL to repeal sections nine, fifteen and sixteen, article two-a, chapter twenty-nine of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended; to amend and reenact section eighteen, article fifteen, chapter eleven of said code; to amend and reenact sections one, two, three, four, five, seven, eleven, twenty and twenty-two, article two-a, chapter twenty-nine of said code; to further amend said article by adding thereto six new sections, designated sections eleven-a, eleven-b, eleven-c, eleven-d, eleven-e and eleven-f; and to amend and reenact section fifteen, article two-b of said chapter, all relating to the state aeronautics commission generally; repealing provisions providing for state airways; repealing the licensing of air schools and aeronautics instructors; repealing provisions providing for state airways; repealing certificates for airport sites and licensing airports; amending definitions; providing for creation and membership of state aeronautics commission; authorizing powers and duties of commission; providing for organization of commission, its meetings, report and offices; providing for director of aeronautics, the appointment, qualifications, compensation, power and duties and for administrative and other assistance; amending federal aid requirements; prohibiting the operation of aircraft while intoxicated; penalties; providing for implied consent to test; administration at direction of law-enforcement officer; designation of type of test; definition of law-enforcement officer; preliminary analysis of breath to determine alcoholic content of blood; how blood test administered; additional test at option of person tested; use of test results; certain immunity from liability incident to administering test; interpretation and use of chemical test; right to demand test; fee for withdrawing blood sample and making urine test; payment for fees; enforcement of aeronautics laws; authorizing commission orders; notices; providing opportunity for hearings; offenses and criminal penalties; and tax on gasoline and special fuel.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That sections nine, fifteen and sixteen, article two-a, chapter twenty-nine of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be repealed; that section eighteen, article fifteen, chapter eleven of said code be amended and reenacted; that sections one, two, three, four, five, seven, eleven, twenty and twenty-two, article two-a, chapter twenty-nine be amended and reenacted; that said article be further amended by adding thereto six new sections, designated sections eleven-a, eleven-b, eleven-c, eleven-d, eleven-e and eleven-f; and that section fifteen, article two-b of said chapter be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:
CHAPTER 11. TAXATION.

ARTICLE 15. CONSUMERS SALES TAX.

§11-15-18. Tax on gasoline and special fuel.

(a) General. -- All sales of gasoline or special fuel by distributors or importers, except when to another distributor for resale in this state, when delivery is made in this state, shall be subject to the tax imposed by this article, notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary. Sales of gasoline or special fuel by a person who paid the tax imposed by this article on his purchases of fuel, shall not thereafter be again taxed under the provisions of this article. This section shall be construed so that all gallons of gasoline or special fuel sold and delivered, or delivered, in this state are taxed one time.
(b) Measure of tax. -- The measure of tax on sales of gasoline or special fuel by distributors or importers shall be the average wholesale price as defined and determined in subsection (c), section thirteen, article fifteen-a of this chapter. For purposes of maintaining revenue for highways, and recognizing that the tax imposed by this article is generally imposed on gross proceeds from sales to ultimate consumers, whereas the tax on gasoline and special fuel herein is imposed on the average wholesale price of such gasoline and special fuel; in no case, for the purposes of taxation under this article, shall such average wholesale price be deemed to be less than ninety-seven cents per gallon of gasoline or special fuel for all gallons of gasoline and special fuel sold during the reporting period, notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary.
(c) Definitions. -- For purposes of this section:
(1) "Aircraft" shall include any airplane or helicopter that lands in this state on a regular or routine basis, and transports passengers or freight.
(2) "Aircraft fuel" shall mean gasoline and special fuel suitable for use in any aircraft engine.
(3) "Distributor" shall mean and include every person:
(A) Who produces, manufactures, processes or otherwise alters gasoline or special fuel in this state for use or for sale; or
(B) Who engages in this state in the sale of gasoline or special fuel for the purpose of resale or for distribution; or
(C) Who receives gasoline or special fuel into the cargo tank of a tank wagon in this state for use or sale by such person.
(4) "Gasoline" shall mean and include any product commonly or commercially known as gasoline, regardless of classification, suitable for use as fuel in an internal combustion engine, except special fuel as hereinafter defined, including any product obtained by blending together any one or more products, with or without other products, if the resultant product is capable of the same use.
(5) "Importer" shall mean and include every person, resident or nonresident, other than a distributor, who receives gasoline or special fuel outside this state for use, sale or consumption within this state, but shall not include the fuel in the supply tank of a motor vehicle that is not a motor carrier.
(6) "Motor carrier" shall mean and include: (A) Any passenger vehicle which has seats for more than nine passengers in addition to the driver, any road tractor, tractor truck or any truck having more than two axles, which is operated or caused to be operated, by any person on any highway in this state using gasoline or special fuel; and (B) any aircraft, barge or other watercraft, or locomotive transporting passengers or freight in or through this state.
(7) "Motor vehicle" shall mean and include automobiles, motor carriers, motor trucks, motorcycles and all other vehicles or equipment, engines or machines which are operated or propelled by combustion of gasoline or special fuel.
(8) "Retail dealer of gasoline or special fuel" shall mean and include any person not a distributor, who sells gasoline or special fuel from a fixed location in this state to users.
(9) "Special fuel" shall mean and include any gas or liquid, other than gasoline, used or suitable for use as fuel in an internal combustion engine. The term "special fuel" shall include products commonly known as natural or casinghead gasoline and shall include gasoline and special fuel for heating any private residential dwelling, building or other premises; but shall not include any petroleum product or chemical compound such as alcohol, industrial solvent, heavy furnace oil, lubricant, etc., not commonly used nor practicably suited for use as fuel in an internal combustion engine.
(10) "Supply tank" shall mean any receptacle on a motor vehicle from which gasoline or special fuel is supplied for the propulsion of the vehicle or equipment located thereon, exclusive of a cargo tank. A supply tank includes a separate compartment of a cargo tank used as a supply tank, and any auxiliary tank or receptacle of any kind or cargo tank, from which gasoline or special fuel is supplied for the propulsion of the vehicle, whether or not such tank or receptacle is directly connected to the fuel supply line of the vehicle.
(11) "Tank wagon" shall mean and include any motor vehicle or vessel with a cargo tank or cargo tanks ordinarily used for making deliveries of gasoline or special fuel, or both, for sale or use.
(12) "Taxpayer" shall mean any person liable for the tax imposed by this article.
(13) "User" shall mean any person who purchases gasoline or special fuel for use or consumption.
(d) Tax due. -- The tax on sales of gasoline and special fuel shall be paid by each taxpayer on or before the twenty-fifth day of each month, by check, bank draft, certified check or money order, payable to the tax commissioner for the amount of tax due for the preceding month, notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary.
(e) Monthly return. -- On or before the twenty-fifth day of each month, the taxpayer shall make and file a return for the preceding month showing such information as the tax commissioner may require, notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary.
(f) Compliance. -- To facilitate ease of administration and compliance by taxpayers, the tax commissioner may require distributors, importers and other persons liable for the tax imposed by this article on sales of gasoline or special fuel, to file a combined return and make a combined payment of the tax due under this article on sales of gasoline and special fuel, and the tax due under article fourteen of this chapter, on gasoline and special fuel. In order to encourage use of a combined return each month and the making of a single payment each month for both taxes, the due date of the return and tax due under article fourteen of this chapter is hereby changed from the last day of each month to the twenty-fifth day of each month, notwithstanding any provision in article fourteen of this chapter to the contrary.
(g) Dedication of tax to highways. -- All tax collected under the provisions of this section after deducting the amount of any refunds lawfully paid, shall be deposited in the "road fund" in the state treasurer's office, and shall be used only for the purpose of construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair of highways, and payment of principal and interest on state bonds issued for highway purposes:
Provided, That notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, any tax collected on the sale of aircraft fuel shall be deposited in the state treasurer's office and transferred to the state aeronautical commission to be used for the purpose of matching federal funds available for the reconstruction, maintenance and repair of public airports and airport runways purposes specified in article two-a, chapter twenty-nine of this code.
(h) Construction. -- This section shall not be construed as taxing any sale of gasoline or special fuel which this state is prohibited from taxing under the Constitution of this state or the Constitution or laws of the United States.
(i) Effective date. -- The provisions of chapter one hundred seventy-nine of the acts of the Legislature, one thousand nine hundred eighty-three, shall take effect on the first day of April, one thousand nine hundred eighty-three. The amendments to this section made by the Legislature in the regular session, one thousand nine hundred eighty-nine, shall be effective on the first day of July, one thousand nine hundred eighty-nine.
CHAPTER 29. MISCELLANEOUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

ARTICLE 2A. STATE AERONAUTICS COMMISSION.

§29-2A-1. Definitions.

As used in the statutes of West Virginia, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Aeronautics" means the art and science of flight, including, but not limited to, transportation by aircraft; the operation, construction, repair or maintenance of aircraft, aircraft power plants and accessories, including the repair, packing and maintenance of parachutes; the design, establishment, construction, extension, operation, improvement, repair or maintenance of airports or other air navigation facilities. and instruction in flying or ground subjects pertaining thereto
(b) "Aeronautics instructor" means any individual who, for hire or reward, engages in giving instruction, or offers to give instruction in aeronautics, either in flying or ground subjects, or both. It does not include any instructor in any public school, college or university of this state, or any other institution of higher learning duly accredited and approved for carrying on collegiate work, while engaged in the performance of his duties as such instructor.
(c) (b) Aircraft" means any contrivance now known, or hereafter invented, used or designed for navigation of or flight in the air.
(d) (c) "Airmen" means any individual who engages, as the person in command, or as pilot, mechanic or member of the crew, in the navigation of the aircraft while under way, and any individual who is directly in charge of the inspection, maintenance, overhauling or repair of aircraft engines, propellers or appliances, and any individual who serves in the capacity of aircraft dispatcher, or air-traffic control-tower operator. It does not include any individual employed outside the United States, or any individual employed by a manufacturer of aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers or appliances to perform duties as inspector or mechanic in connection therewith, or any individual performing inspection or mechanical duties in connection with aircraft owned or operated by him.
(e) (d) "Air navigation" or "avigation" means the operation or navigation of aircraft in the air space over this state, or upon any airport within this state.
(f) (e) "Air navigation facility" means any facility other than one owned or controlled by the federal government, used in, available for use in, or designed for use in aid of air navigation, including airports, and any structures, mechanisms, lights, beacons, markers, communications system, or other instrumentalities or devices used or useful as an aid or constituting an advantage or convenience, to the safe taking off, navigation, and landing of aircraft, or the safe and efficient operation or maintenance of an airport, and any combination of any or all of such facilities.
(g) (f) "Airport" means any area of land or water which is used, or intended for use, for the landing and take off of aircraft, and any appurtenant areas which are used, or intended for use, for airport buildings or other airport facilities or rights-of-way, together with all airport buildings and facilities located thereon.
(h) (g) "Airport hazard" means any structure, object of natural growth, or use of land, which obstructs the air space required for the flight of aircraft in landing or taking off at any airport or is otherwise hazardous to such landing or taking off.
(i) "Air school" means any person who engages in giving, or offering to give, instruction in aeronautics, either in flying or ground subjects, or both, for or without hire or reward. It does not include any public school, college, or university of this state, or any other institution of higher learning duly accredited and approved for carrying on collegiate work.
(j) (h) "Commission" means the West Virginia state aeronautics commission.
(k) (i) "Director" means the director of aeronautics of this state.
(l) (j) "Municipality" means any county, city, town, village, or other political subdivision of this state. "Municipal" means pertaining to a municipality as herein defined.
(m) (k) "Operation of aircraft" or "operate aircraft" means the use, navigation or piloting of aircraft in the airspace over this state or upon the ground within this state.
(n) (l) "Person" means any individual, firm, copartnership, corporation, company, association, joint stock association, or body politic, and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee or other similar representative thereof.
(o) (m) "State airway" means a route in the navigable airspace over and above the lands or waters of this state, designated by the commission as a route suitable for air navigation.
(p) (n) The singular of any of the above defined terms shall include the plural and plural the singular.
§29-2A-2. Creation and membership.

There is hereby created an aeronautics commission, to be known as "The West Virginia State Aeronautics Commission," to consist of five members to be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. One of such members shall be the state road commissioner secretary of transportation ex officio, whose term as such member shall continue for the period that he holds the office of state road commissioner secretary of transportation. The other four members of the commission shall be appointed by the governor, each to serve a term beginning the first day of July, one thousand nine hundred forty-seven, one to serve for a term of one year, one to serve for a term of two years, one to serve for a term of three years, and one to serve for a term of four years. The successors of the members (other than the state road commissioner secretary of transportation) initially appointed as provided herein, shall be appointed for terms of four years each in the same manner as the members originally appointed under this article, except that any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term. Each member shall serve until the appointment and qualification of his successor. No more than three members of the commission shall be members of the same political party. All members of the commission shall be citizens and residents of this state. The members of the commission who shall be appointed by the governor as provided by this section shall be selected with due regard to their fitness by reason of their aeronautical knowledge and practical experience in the field of aeronautics. In making such appointments, the governor shall, so far as may be possible and practicable, select the several members from different geographical sections of the state.
No member shall receive any salary for his or her services, but each shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties.
§29-2A-3. Powers and duties of commission.

The commission shall assume, carry on and succeed to all the duties, rights, powers, obligations and liabilities heretofore belonging to, exercised by, or assumed by the state board of aeronautics, pursuant to statutory authority heretofore existing and as changed or modified by the provisions of this article. The commission shall have general supervision and control over all airports used for commercial purposes, all state and municipal airports all air schools and over all phases of aeronautics within this state. It may enter into any contracts necessary to the execution of the powers granted to it by this article. It is empowered and directed to encourage, foster, and assist in the development of aeronautics in this state and to encourage the establishment of airports and air navigation facilities. It shall cooperate with and assist the federal government, the municipalities of this state, and other persons in the development of aeronautics, and shall act to coordinate the aeronautical activities of these bodies and persons. Municipalities are authorized to cooperate with the commission in the development of aeronautics and aeronautics facilities in this state. The commission is hereby given the power and authority to make such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary and advisable for the public safety, governing the designing, laying out, locating, building, equipping and operating of all airports the establishment and operation of all air schools and the conduct of all other phases of aeronautics. The commission is given the power and authority to make different ratings of airports and to prescribe the proper uses for which the different classes of ratings are given. The commission is given power and authority to make rules and regulations governing the personnel and operation of all air schools, for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of students therein and insuring, so far as may be, the public safety through the proper training and instruction of student aviators and mechanics. It shall adopt and enforce the provisions of the Federal Air Commerce Act, now in effect or as hereafter amended, so as to make applicable as far as possible the provisions of that act to the state of West Virginia, but the commission shall not make or promulgate any rules, regulations or orders applicable to persons engaged in interstate air commerce, in contravention of or inconsistent with the laws of the United States, or the rules, regulations or orders of the civil aeronautics board, the civil aeronautics administration, or other competent agency of the United States: Provided, however, That nothing in this article shall be construed to deprive the public service commission of West Virginia of the power to regulate air transportation for compensation.
The commission shall keep on file with the secretary of state, and at the principal office of the commission, a copy of all its rules and regulations and orders having general effect, for public inspection. It shall provide for the publication and general distribution of all its orders, rules regulations and procedures having general effect. Copies of any such orders or or rules regulations shall be delivered to any person interested, free of charge, upon request. The publication and distribution of any such order or rule regulation as provided herein, shall be sufficient notice to the public of the provisions, requirements and effect thereof. The commission has the authority to invest any funds it receives with the state board of investments.
§29-2A-4. Organization of commission; meetings; reports;
offices.

The commission shall adopt a seal, and shall make, and may from time to time amend, such rules and regulations for the administration of the powers granted to it by this article as are not inconsistent therewith and as the commission may deem expedient. The commission shall organize by electing from among its members a chairman who shall serve as such for a period of two years. Such chairman shall have the power to sign documents, execute contracts, and otherwise act for and in the name of the commission in all matters within the lawful powers of the commission and duly authorized by a majority of its members.
The commission shall determine the number, date and place of its regular meetings, but at least one such meeting shall be held annually at the commission's established offices in the city of Charleston. Whenever the convenience of the public or of interested persons may be promoted, or delay or expense may be prevented, the commission may hold meetings, hearings or proceedings at any other place designated by it.
The commission shall report in writing to the governor on or before the thirty-first day of August of each year. The report shall contain a summary of the commission's proceedings during the preceding fiscal year, a detailed and itemized statement of all revenue received and all expenditures made by or on behalf of the commission, such other information as it may deem necessary or useful, and any additional information which may be requested by the governor. The fiscal year of the commission shall conform to the fiscal year of the state.
An office shall be established and maintained by the commission in the city of Charleston. In addition, the commission may establish and maintain such other offices within the state as it may deem necessary and expedient.
§29-2A-5. Director of aeronautics; appointment, qualifications,
compensation, powers and duties; administrative and other assistants.

A director of aeronautics shall be appointed by the commission, who shall serve for an indefinite term at the pleasure of the commission. He shall be appointed with due regard to his fitness, by aeronautical education and by knowledge of and recent practical experience in aeronautics, for the efficient dispatch of the powers and duties vested in and imposed upon him by this article. He shall hold or have held a federal commercial pilot's license. He shall devote his entire time to perform the duties of his office as required and prescribed by this article, and shall may not be actively engaged or employed in any other business, vocation or employment, nor shall he have any pecuniary interest in, or any stock in, or bonds of, any civil aeronautical enterprise. He shall receive such compensation as the commission may determine, which said compensation shall, however, conform in general to the compensation received by persons occupying positions of similar importance and responsibility with other agencies of this state. He shall be reimbursed for all traveling and other expenses incurred by him in the discharge of his official duties. The director shall be the executive officer of the commission and under its supervision shall administer the provisions of this article and the rules regulations and orders established thereunder, and all other laws of the state relative to aeronautics. The director shall attend, but not vote, at all meetings of the commission. He shall act as secretary of the commission and shall be in charge of its offices and responsible to the commission for the preparation of reports and the collection and dissemination of data and other public information relating to aeronautics. At the direction of the commission he shall, together with the chairman of the commission, execute all contracts entered into by the commission which are legally authorized and for which funds are provided in any appropriations act. The commission may, by written order filed in its office, delegate to the director any of the powers or duties vested or imposed upon it by this article. Such delegated powers and duties may be exercised by such director in the name of the commission. The commission may also employ such administrative, engineering, technical and clerical assistance as may be required. The director and such other assistants may, under the supervision of the commission, insofar as is reasonably possible, make available the engineering and other technical services of the commission, without charge to any municipality, and with or without charge to any other person desiring them, in connection with the construction, maintenance or operation, or proposed construction, maintenance or operation of any airport. The commission, the director, and such other assistants as may be designated by the commission shall see that the state and federal laws governing aviation and the rules and regulations of the commission are carried out. They shall have police powers and may make arrests for the violation of this article, or the rules and regulations of the commission.
§29-2A-7. Federal aid.

(a) The commission is authorized to cooperate with the government of the United States, and any agency or department thereof, in the planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance and operation of airports and other air navigation facilities in this state, and is authorized to accept federal aid either outright or by way of matching the same, in whole or in part, as may be required, and when funds for matching are available to the commission, and to comply with the provisions of the laws of the United States and any regulations made thereunder for the expenditure of federal moneys upon such airports and other air navigation facilities.
(b) The commission is authorized to accept, receive and receipt for federal moneys and other moneys, either public or private, for and in behalf of this state, or any municipality thereof, for the planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, and operation of airports and other air navigation facilities, whether such work is to be done by the state or by such municipality, or jointly, aided by grants of aid from the United States, upon such terms and conditions as are or may be prescribed by the laws of the United States and any rules or regulations made thereunder, and it is hereby designated as the agency of the state, and is authorized to and may act as agent of any municipality of this state upon the request of such municipality, in accepting, receiving and receipting for such moneys in its behalf for airports or other air navigation facility purposes, and in contracting for the planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance or operation of airports or other air navigation facilities, financed either, in whole or in part, by federal moneys; and any such municipality is authorized to and may, and the state hereby does designate the commission as its agent for such purposes and any such municipality may enter into an agreement with the commission prescribing the terms and conditions of such agency in accordance with federal laws, rules and regulations and with this article. Such moneys as are paid over by the United States government shall be retained by the state or paid over to said municipalities under such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the United States government in making such grants.
(c) All contracts for the planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance and operation of airports, or other air navigation facilities made by the commission, either as the agent of the state or as the agent of any municipality therein, shall be made pursuant to the laws of this state governing the making of like contracts: Provided, however, That where the planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance and operation of any airport or other air navigation facility is financed wholly or partially with federal moneys, the commission, as agent of the state or of any municipality thereof, may let contracts in the manner prescribed by the federal authorities, acting under the laws of the United States, and any rules or regulations made thereunder, notwithstanding any other state law to the contrary.
(d) All moneys accepted for disbursement by the commission pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the state treasury, and, unless otherwise prescribed by the authority from which the money is received, kept in separate funds, designated according to the purposes for which the moneys were made available, and held by the state in trust for such purposes. All such moneys are hereby appropriated for the purposes for which the same were made available, shall be expended in accordance with federal laws and regulations and with this article. The commission is authorized, whether acting for this state or as the agent of any municipality therein, when requested by the United States government or any agency or department thereof, or when requested by the state or municipality for which the money has been made available, to disburse such moneys for the designated purposes, but this shall not preclude any other authorized method of disbursement.
(e) The state or any municipality therein is authorized to cooperate with the government of the United States, and any agency or department thereof, in the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance and operation of airports and other air navigation facilities in this state, and is authorized to accept federal aid, either by way of outright grant or by matching the same, in whole or in part, as may be required, and to comply with the provisions of the laws of the United States and any regulations made thereunder for the expenditure of federal moneys upon such airports and other navigation facilities.
(f) No political subdivision of this state, whether acting alone or jointly with another political subdivision or with the state, shall submit to the administrator of civil aeronautics of the United States any project application under the provisions of section nine-a of the act of Congress approved on the thirteenth day of May, one thousand nine hundred forty-six, being public law three hundred seventy-seven, seventy-ninth Congress, known and hereinafter designated as the "Federal Airport Act," or any amendment thereof, unless the project and the project application have been first approved by the commission. No such political subdivision shall directly accept, receive, receipt for, or disburse any funds granted by the United States under the Federal Airport Act, but it shall designate the commission as its agent in its behalf to accept, receive, receipt for and disburse such funds. It shall enter into an agreement with the commission prescribing the terms and conditions of such agency in accordance with federal laws, rules and regulations and applicable laws of this state. Such moneys as are paid over by the United States government shall be retained by the state or paid over to the municipality under such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the United States government in making such grant.
§29-2A-11. Operation of aircraft while intoxicated; penalty.

No person shall operate an aircraft in the air over, or on the ground or water within this state while intoxicated or under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs or narcotics controlled substances, or with any alcohol concentration in his or her blood of ten one hundredths of one percent or more by weight; nor shall the owner of such aircraft, knowingly permit the same to be so operated by a person who is intoxicated, or under the influence of controlled substances, intoxicating liquor, drugs or narcotics or has any alcohol concentration in his or her blood of ten one hundredths of one percent or more by weight.
A person violating any of the provisions of this section shall, for the first offense, be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by confinement in jail for not more than one year, or both. For a second and subsequent offense, he shall be guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in the penitentiary not less than one nor more than three years. Any person who, while intoxicated, or under the influence of a controlled substance or intoxicating liquor drugs or narcotics or who has any alcohol concentration in his or her blood of ten one hundredths of one percent or more by weight, operates an aircraft, and while so operating the aircraft, does serious bodily injury to another, shall be guilty of felonious assault, and upon conviction thereof shall, for the first offense be punished at the discretion of the court, either by confinement in the penitentiary for not less than one nor more than five years or by confinement in jail for not more than one year and by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars. For a second and subsequent such offense, he shall be guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by confinement in the penitentiary for not less than one nor more than five years. Any conviction under this section shall be reported to the aeronautics commission and the federal aviation administration.
§29-2A-11a. Implied consent to test; administration at

direction of law-enforcement officer; designation of type of test; definition of law-enforcement officer.

Any person who operates an aircraft in this state shall be deemed to have given his or her consent by the operation thereof, to a preliminary breath analysis and a secondary chemical test of either his or her blood, breath or urine for the purposes of determining the alcoholic content of his or her blood. A preliminary breath analysis may be administered in accordance with the provisions of section eleven-b of this article whenever a law-enforcement officer has reasonable cause to believe a person to have committed an offense prohibited by section eleven of this article. A secondary test of blood, breath or urine shall be incidental to a lawful arrest and shall be administered at the direction of the arresting law-enforcement officer having reasonable grounds to believe the person to have committed an offense prohibited by section eleven of this article. The law-enforcement agency by which such law-enforcement officer is employed shall designate which one of the aforesaid secondary tests shall be administered:
Provided, That if the test so designated is a blood test and the person so arrested refuses to submit to such blood test, then the law-enforcement officer making such arrest shall designate in lieu thereof, either a breath or urine test to be administered.
For the purpose of this article the term "law-enforcement officer" or "police officer" means and is limited to: (1) Any member of the division of public safety of this state; (2) any sheriff and any deputy sheriff of any county; (3) any member of a police department in any municipality as defined in section two, article one, chapter eight of this code; and (4) any conservation officer of the division of natural resources. If any municipality or the division of natural resources does not have available to its law-enforcement officers the testing equipment or facilities necessary to conduct any secondary test which a law-enforcement officer may administer under this article, any member of the division of public safety, the sheriff of the county wherein the arrest is made or any deputy of such sheriff or any municipal law-enforcement officer of another municipality within the county wherein the arrest is made may, upon the request of such arresting law-enforcement officer and in his or her presence, conduct such secondary test and the results of such test may be used in evidence to the same extent and in the same manner as if such test had been conducted by such arresting law-enforcement officer. Only the person actually administering or conducting such test shall be competent to testify as to the results and the veracity of such test.
§29-2A-11b. Preliminary analysis of breath to determine

alcoholic content of blood.

When a law-enforcement officer has reason to believe a person has committed an offense prohibited by section eleven of this article, the law-enforcement officer may require such person to submit to a preliminary breath analysis for the purpose of determining such person's blood alcohol content. Such breath analysis must be administered as soon as possible after the law-enforcement officer has a reasonable belief that the person has been operating an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or drugs. Any preliminary breath analysis required under this section must be administered with a devise and in a manner approved by the bureau of public health for that purpose. The results of a preliminary breath analysis shall be used solely for the purpose of guiding the officer in deciding whether an arrest should be made. When an operator is arrested following a preliminary breath analysis, the tests as hereinafter provided in this article shall be administered in accordance with the provisions thereof.
§29-2A-11c. How blood test administered; additional test at

option of person tested; use of test results; certain immunity from liability incident to administering test.

Only a doctor of medicine or osteopathy, or registered nurse, or trained medical technician at the place of his or her employment, acting at the request and direction of the law-enforcement officer, may withdraw blood for the purpose of determining the alcoholic content thereof. These limitations shall not apply to the taking of a breath test or a urine specimen. In withdrawing blood for the purpose of determining the alcoholic content thereof, only a previously unused and sterile needle and sterile vessel may be utilized and the withdrawal shall otherwise be in strict accord with accepted medical practices. A nonalcoholic antiseptic shall be used for cleansing the skin prior to venapuncture. The person tested may, at his or her own expense, have a doctor of medicine or osteopathy, registered nurse or trained medical technician at the place of his or her employment, of his or her own choosing, administer a chemical test in addition to the test administered at the direction of the law-enforcement officer. Upon the request of the person who is tested, full information concerning the test taken at the direction of the law-enforcement officer shall be made available to him or her. No person who administers any such test upon the request of a law-enforcement officer as herein defined, no hospital in or with which such person is employed or is otherwise associated or in which such test is administered, and no other person, firm or corporation by whom or with which such person is employed or is in any way associated, may be in anyway criminally liable for the administration of such test, or civilly liable in damages to the person tested unless for gross negligence or willful or wanton injury.
§29-2A-11d. Interpretation and use of chemical test.
Upon trial for the offense of operating an aircraft in this state while under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or drugs, or upon the trial of any civil or criminal action arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by any person operating an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or drugs, evidence of the amount of alcohol in the person's blood at the time of the arrest or of the acts alleged, as shown by a chemical analysis of his or her blood, breath or urine, is admissible, if the sample or specimen was taken within two hours from and after the time of arrest or of the acts alleged, and shall give rise to the following presumptions or have the following effect:
(a) Evidence that there was, at that time, five hundredths of one percent or less, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood, shall be prima facie evidence that the person was not under the influence of alcohol;
(b) Evidence that there was, at that time, more than five hundredths of one percent and less than ten hundredths of one percent, by weight, of alcohol in the person's blood shall be relevant evidence, but it is not to be given prima facie effect in indicating whether the person was under the influence of alcohol;
(c) Evidence that there was, at that time, ten hundredths of one percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood, shall be admitted as prima facie evidence that the person was under the influence of alcohol.
Percent by weight of alcohol in the blood shall be based upon milligrams of alcohol per one hundred cubic centimeters of blood.
A chemical analysis of a person's blood, breath or urine, in order to give rise to the presumptions or to have the effect provided for in subdivisions (a), (b) and (c) of this section, must be performed in accordance with methods and standards approved by the state bureau of public health. A chemical analysis of blood or urine to determine the alcoholic content of blood shall be conducted by a qualified laboratory or by the state police scientific laboratory of the criminal identification bureau of the bureau of public safety.
The provisions of this article shall not limit the introduction in any administrative or judicial proceeding of any other competent evidence bearing on the question of whether the person was under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or drugs.
§29-2A-11e. Right to demand test.

Any person lawfully arrested for operating an aircraft in this state while under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or drugs shall have the right to demand that a sample or specimen of his or her blood, breath or urine be taken within two hours from and after the time of arrest, and that a chemical test thereof be made. The analysis disclosed by such chemical test shall be made available to such arrested person forthwith upon demand.
§29-2A-11f. Fee for withdrawing blood sample and making urine

test; payment of fees.

A reasonable fee shall be allowed to the person withdrawing a blood sample or administering a urine test at the request and direction of a law-enforcement officer in accordance with the provisions of this article. If the person whose blood sample was withdrawn or whose urine was tested was arrested and charged with a violation of section eleven of this article, the county having venue of such charge shall pay said fee, and if said person is subsequently convicted of such charge, such fee shall be taxed as a part of the costs of the criminal proceeding and shall be paid, notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, into the general fund of said county.
§29-2A-20. Enforcement of aeronautics laws.

It shall be the duty of the commission, its members, the director, officers and such employees of the commission as may be designated by it, and every state and municipal officer charged with the enforcement of state and municipal laws, to enforce and assist in the enforcement of this article and of all rules, regulations and orders issued pursuant thereto and of all other laws of this state relating to aeronautics; and in that connection each of the aforesaid persons is authorized to inspect and examine at reasonable hours any aircraft, the credentials of any airman or other person engaged in aeronautics required by the laws of this state or of the United States to have in his or her possession credentials evidencing his or her authority or permission to engage in aeronautics, any premises, and the buildings and other structures thereon, where airports, air navigation facilities, air schools or other aeronautical activities are operated or conducted. In aid of the enforcement of this article, the rules, regulations and orders issued pursuant thereto and of all other laws of the state relating to aeronautics, general police powers are hereby conferred upon the commission, each of its members, the director, and such other officers and employees of the commission as may be designated by it to exercise such powers.
The commission is authorized in the name of the state to enforce the provisions of this article and the rules, regulations and orders issued pursuant thereto by injunction or other legal process in the courts of this state.
§29-2A-22. Commission orders, notices and opportunity for

hearings.

Every order of the commission requiring performance of certain acts or compliance with certain requirements and any denial or revocation of an approval certificate or license shall set forth the reasons and shall state the acts to be done or requirements to be met before approval by the commission will be given or the approval license or certificate granted or restored or the order modified or changed. Orders issued by the commission pursuant to the provisions of this article shall be served upon the persons affected either by registered mail or in the manner provided by chapter fifty-six, article two, section one, code of one thousand nine hundred thirty-one. In every case where notice and opportunity for hearing are required under the provisions of this article, the order of the commission shall, on not less than ten days' notice, specify a time when and place where the person affected may be heard, or the time within which he may request hearing, and such order shall become effective upon the expiration of the time for exercising such opportunity for hearing unless a hearing is held or requested within the time provided, in which case the order shall be suspended until the commission shall affirm, disaffirm or modify such order after hearing held or default by the person affected.
ARTICLE 2B. WEATHER MODIFICATION.

§29-2B-15. Offenses and penalties.

(a) Any airplane pilot who flies an airplane with numbers invisible to escape identification under this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, have his license revoked for a period of five years.
(b) Any airport owner or operator who knowingly boards cloud seeding planes to seed clouds or who operates as a cloud seeder without a license shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, have his airport permit revoked for one year and be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than five hundred dollars and for a second or subsequent offense, he shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.
(c) Any person knowingly having in his possession without registering the same with the commission any cloud seeding equipment shall, on conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of fined ten thousand dollars.
(d) Any person who makes any false statement to secure a license under this article shall, on conviction thereof, have his license revoked permanently.
(e) Any person who violates any other provision of this article shall be is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned in the county jail not more than one year, or both fined and imprisoned.



NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to update the Aeronautics Commission law, provide provisions for implied consent of persons operating aircraft for testing for alcohol, controlled substances and drugs, establishing presumptions of testing that are same as those used for drunk drivers and providing revenue from tax on sale of aircraft fuel to be used for purposes other than matching federal aid.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.

§§29-2A-11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e and 11f are new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.
This Web site is maintained by the West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information.  |  Terms of Use  |   Email WebmasterWebmaster   |   © 2024 West Virginia Legislature **


X

Print On Demand

Name:
Email:
Phone:

Print