Authority: Title 5.1, Chapters 3 and 5; Title 58.1, Chapter 6, Code of Virginia.
A. It is declared to be legislative intent that the Department of Aviation match federal funds for Airport Assistance to the maximum extent possible. However, the legislative intent expressed herein shall not be construed to prohibit the Virginia Aviation Board from allocating funds for promotional activities in the event that federal matching funds are unavailable.
B. Out of the amounts for Financial Assistance to Airports, the Department of Aviation is authorized to transfer from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund an amount not to exceed $3 million to the Smithsonian Institution to assist in planning, marketing, fundraising, and design of the expansion of the National Air and Space Museum at Washington Dulles International Airport.
The transfer shall be made only under the following conditions:
1. The Department of Aviation shall have received certification from the Smithsonian Institution that Washington Dulles International Airport has been selected as the site for the expanded Museum. Any funds not required from the appropriation for planning, marketing, fundraising and design shall be spent for no other purpose and shall revert to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund on June 30, 2001.
2. The Department of Aviation and the Smithsonian Institution shall have executed an agreement providing for the repayment of the state funds expended under the provisions of this Item, from bond proceeds, Congressional appropriations or any other source of funds, the repayment to be accomplished not later than June 30, 2002.
3. The Governor shall have given his prior written approval, which shall be granted only after consultation with the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees, and only after the two preceding requirements shall have been satisfied.
C. The Department of Aviation shall assist the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport in preparation for the 2003 Aviation World's Fair and the 400th anniversary celebration of the Jamestown Settlement. Such assistance shall include, but not be limited to, purusing funding opportunities for new baggage claim facilities and aircraft boarding gates.