(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) "Aircraft" means any machine, whether heavier or lighter than air, used or designed for navigation of or flight in the air.

(2) "Airport" means any area of land, water, or mechanical structure which is used for the landing and takeoff of aircraft and is open to the general public for such use without prior permission or restrictions and includes any appurtenant structures and areas which are used or intended to be used for airport buildings, other airport facilities, rights of way, or easements, provided that the term "airport" shall not include the following facilities used as airports:

(A) Facilities owned or operated by the United States government or an agency thereof;

(B) Privately owned facilities not open to the general public when such airports do not interfere with the safe and efficient use of air space of an airport for which a license or an airport operating certificate issued under Part 139 of the regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration or any successor regulation has been granted;

(C) Facilities being operated pursuant to a current airport operating certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration or any successor agency of the United States government; and

(D) Any facility served by a scheduled air carrier operating under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board or any successor agency of the United States government.

(3) "Person" means an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, company, association, joint-stock association, municipality, county, or state agency, authority, or political subdivision and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, or other similar representative thereof.

(b) It is declared that the operation of airports used by the public for general aviation purposes but which are operated without regulation as to minimum and uniform safety requirements endangers the lives and property of persons operating aircraft at these facilities, the passengers of aircraft operated by such persons, and the occupants of lands in the vicinity of such facilities. For the purpose of establishing and improving a system of safer airports and to foster safer operating conditions at these airports, the department is authorized and directed to provide for the licensing of airports. The department may charge a license fee of $10.00 for each original license and each renewal thereof. All licenses shall be renewed biennially. In promulgating the rules and regulations establishing minimum standards, the department shall consult with the Georgia Aviation Trades Association.

(c) The department shall issue a permit or renewal thereof to any owner of an airport who applies for a permit or renewal thereof, if, upon investigation, the department determines that the airport meets minimum standards, prescribed by the department in its rules and regulations, in the areas of geometric layout, navigational aids, lighting, approach surfaces, landing surfaces, runway markings, and separation between airport sites, provided that no permit shall be denied the owner or operator of an airport in existence on July 1, 1978, because of the failure to meet minimum standards prescribed with regard to geometric layout and separation between airport sites.

(d) Within nine months after July 1, 1978, the department shall promulgate and publish reasonable rules and regulations establishing the minimum standards provided for in subsection (c) of this Code section, the procedure for obtaining, renewing, and revoking a license, and such other procedures and conditions as are reasonable and necessary to carry out this Code section.

(e) Within six months after the effective date of the rules and regulations adopted by the department, the owner of each airport in this state shall apply, on forms prescribed by the department, for a license to operate the airport. Within 60 days after the receipt of a properly filled out application for a license, with appropriate fee, the department shall act upon the application.

(f) All applications for renewal of a license shall be made to the department no later than 60 days prior to the expiration of the existing license.

(g) Applications for a license or renewal thereof may be denied, or a license may be revoked, by the department, after notice and opportunity for hearing to the licensee, when the department shall reasonably determine:

(1) That the licensee has failed to comply with the conditions of the license or renewal thereof;

(2) That the licensee has failed to comply with the minimum standards prescribed by the department pursuant to this Code section; or

(3) That because of changed physical or legal conditions or circumstances the airport has become either unsafe or unusable for the purposes for which the license or renewal was issued.

(h) The decision of the department to deny or revoke any license or renewal thereof shall be subject to review in the manner prescribed for the review of contested cases as prescribed by Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act."

(i) After September 30, 1979, it shall be unlawful for any person to own or operate an airport without a valid license as required by this Code section. Any person owning or operating an airport without a valid license as prescribed by this Code section shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $100.00, to be imposed by the commissioner.