§ 10-3-201 — Powers and duties generally

(a) The commission shall cooperate with:
(i) The federal aviation administration;
(ii) Any existing federal aviation commission;
(iii) The cities and counties in Wyoming;
(iv) The chambers of commerce, commercial clubs and
all aviation and business concerns interested in the development
of aeronautics within the state.
(b) In lieu of the requirements of this subsection, any
airport sponsor may directly apply for, receive or disburse
federal airport funds, and may also direct all construction and
maintenance of the airport. The aeronautics commission may
designate the airports to be built and maintained with the
assistance of state or federal funds and is the sole authority
to determine the disbursement of funds for the state's airports.
The aeronautics commission through the department shall be the
authority in the state to apply for, or directly accept,
receive, receipt for or disburse any funds granted by the United
States government for airport construction or maintenance. A
county, city, town or joint powers board may enter into an
agreement with the division describing the terms and conditions
of the agency in accordance with federal laws, rules and
regulations and applicable laws of this state. The division may
enforce the proper maintenance of these airports by the
counties, cities and towns or joint powers boards as agreed in
the contracts existing between the sponsors of the airports and
the federal government. All construction and maintenance of
these airports shall be under the direction of the department.
(c) The department may offer engineering or other
technical advice to any municipality, county, joint powers board
or other qualified party in connection with the construction,
maintenance or operation of airports. The commission shall
encourage:
(i) Development of private aviation schools;
(ii) Interest in private flying and privately-owned
planes;
(iii) Study of aerospace engineering and allied
subjects in the various schools of Wyoming and assist in forming
classes in aviation;
(iv) Repealed By Laws 2003, Ch. 104, § 2.
(v) Sponsorship and participation in aerospace
education workshops.
(d) The commission shall establish policies as may be
appropriate for the division to implement the decisions of the
commission and the aeronautical purposes of this title and for
the exercise of duties of the division. The commission shall
provide assistance and advice to the director of the department
regarding the division's budget. The commission shall nominate
candidates for the position of administrator of the division and
upon request shall advise the department in regards to
appointments within the division.
(e) The commission shall assist communities in
coordinating efforts, facilitating, recruiting and attracting
and promoting the development, improvement and retention of
commercial air service and accommodating military air service in
the state. The assistance may include studying airline,
aircraft, unmanned aircraft and vertical takeoff and landing
aircraft profitability, route analysis, air fare monitoring and
recommendations for legislative changes to enhance air services
in the state.
(f) There is created a new position in the office of the
governor that shall coordinate with the commission to market and
advocate airline service in Wyoming pursuant to subsection (e)
of this section. The person appointed by the governor may be an
at-will employee or an at-will contract employee and may be
removed by the governor as provided in W.S. 9-1-202.
(g) The commission may promulgate reasonable rules,
regulations and procedures and establish standards as necessary
to carry out the functions of the division.
(h) Repealed By Laws 2008, Ch. 44, § 2.
(j) The commission shall promulgate reasonable rules
governing where unmanned aircraft or vertical takeoff and
landing aircraft may take off and land, giving consideration to
public health and safety, aesthetics and the general welfare.
Unless otherwise prohibited by or previously provided for in
federal law, the commission may also promulgate reasonable rules
governing the operation of unmanned aircraft or vertical takeoff
and landing aircraft. In promulgating any rules under this
subsection, the commission shall coordinate with the appropriate
industry in Wyoming and political subdivisions of the state. The
commission shall not have the power to regulate unmanned
aircraft or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft operation in
navigable airspace.