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Airport Transportation Act of 2007, RPPL 7-35 2007

SEVENTH OLBIIL ERA KELULAU
Eighth Special Session, August 2005
RPPL No. 7-35
(Intro. as HB. No. 7-62-8S, HD1, SD2, CD1)

AN ACT

To appropriate funds to the Ministry of Commerce and Trade to develop a master plan that will help create an economical and efficient airport transportation system with resulting benefits for customers, operators, and Palau's tourism-based economy; and for other related purposes.

THE PEOPLE OF PALAU REPRESENTED IN THE OLBIIL ERA KELULAU DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Short Title. This Act may be cited as the "Airport Transportation Act of 2007".

Section 2. Legislative Findings. The Olbiil Era Kelulau finds that the Republic of Palau's airport system plays a critical role in the country's tourism-based economy by facilitating the movement of passengers in and out of the country. Being main points of entry, airports are the first places to wh ich visitors are exposed, and present the first opportunity to convey a strong impression of Palau to visitors.

An important aspect of any efficient airport operation is a well-managed reasonably-priced ground transportation system that includes a sound plan for transport services, airport parking, and traffic flow. If visitors have favorable impressions of airport-based transport, they will return to visit again, thereby helping to keep transportation costs down in the long run. Taxicab, tour bus, and transportation drivers are among the first people in Palau visitors are exposed to. Because of this, it is essential that drivers provide top-quality service by using clean, well kept vehicles; and by treating visitors courteously. The type of service received upon first arriving in Palau is crucial to a visitor's decision to return in the future.

The Olbiil Era Kelulau further finds that a sound comprehensive master plan would give taxi and transportation drivers the necessary incentives to enhance their services, thereby improving the Palauan experience for out-of-country visitors, and increasing the percentage of returning visitors. Based upon these reasons, the Olbiil Era Kelulau finds it necessary to appropriate funds to the Ministry of Commerce and Trade to develop a master plan in cooperation with the Palau Visitors Authority that will help create an economical and efficient airport transportation system with resulting benefits for customers, operators, and Palau's tourism-based economy.

Section 3. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Airport transportation services" means all transportation services available at the airport including, but not limited to, taxi cab services, shuttles, buses and vans, hotel transportation, and public transportation.

(b) "Airport transportation system" means an airport transportation plan formulated by the Ministry of Commerce and Trade through the development of a master plan for the Palau International Airport and all future airports throughout the Republic.

Section 4. Substantive Provisions.
(a) $5,000 shall be appropriated and is appropriated from the National Treasury of the Republic of Palau for fiscal year 2007 for the development of a master plan for the economical and efficient management of airport transport services. This plan shall be developed by the Ministry of Commerce and Trade with the cooperation of the Palau Visitors Authority as follows:

(1) The Ministry of Commerce and Trade shall conduct a thorough review of the airport transport services for the Palau International Airport located in the State of Airai and formulate a master management plan that addresses the issues set forth in this Act;

(2) The Ministry of Commerce and Trade shall formulate and regulate any airport transport permit fees, if any, which shall be calculated based upon a rational analysis of the costs to operate and administer the airport transportation system and shall not exceed those costs;

(3) The Ministry of Commerce and Trade shall consult with and involve members of the local transport industry, technical experts, and the Palau Visitors Authority at various strategic points during the development of the plan; and

(4) The Ministry of Commerce and Trade shall submit a report on a proposed master plan to the Olbiil Era Kelulau no later than six (6) months from the effective date of this Act.

(b) The sum appropriated shall come from local revenues and be expended by the Ministry of Commerce and Trade. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance of any appropriation made by this Act shall lapse into the National Treasury one (1) year from the effective date of this Act.

Section 5. Severability. If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect the other provisions or application of the Act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.

Section 6. Continuing Budget Authority. Pursuant to 40 PNC §327 as amended by RPPL No. 6-11, there is hereby authorized and enacted a Continuing Budget Authority for the first month of Fiscal Year 2008. The funding levels authorized for all regular budget activities are the same as those contained in RPPL. No. 7-25, the Fiscal Year 2007 Budget. This Continuing Budget Authority shall begin on October 1, 2007 and expire on October 31, 2007; however, the House and Senate agree to extend this Continuing Budget Authority should it be necessary. This Continuing Budget Authority shall take effect on October 1, 2007.

Section 7. Effective Date. This Act shall take effect upon its approval by the President of the Republic, or upon its becoming law without such approval.

PASSED: September 30, 2007
Approved this 30th day of Sept. , 2007.
/s/
Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr.
President, Republic of Palau