The legislature finds that the production of oil for the energy needs of the state and the nation is of vital concern, and the safety of those who work in the offshore industry and those who transport those workers is also of vital concern; therefore, the legislature directs the director of aviation of the aviation section of the Department of Transportation and Development to participate in education, communication, and promotion of aviation safety in the offshore oil and gas industry.  The legislature’s goal is to reduce to as low as reasonably practicable the instances of helicopter accidents in the oil and gas industry by promotion of the adoption of safe practices in such operations.  The legislature recognizes that Congress has delegated the responsibility for regulation of such operators to the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”), which has promulgated regulations as published in the Code of Federal Regulations to all Part 133 and Part 135 operators, and which has further, by its issuance of Operations Specifications to such operators, required them to conduct such operations with the highest degree of safety in the public interest.

Acts 2010, No. 572, §1, eff. June 25, 2010; Acts 2011, No. 147, §1, eff. June 24, 2011.