(a) The Legislature finds that airports, restricted landing areas, and other air navigation facilities shall be suitable for the purposes for which they are designated and licensed, and the advantages of uniform regulation make it desirable that airports, restricted landing areas, and other air navigation facilities shall be constructed and maintained in conformity, as nearly as may be, with current federal laws, rules, and regulations governing civil aeronautics in the United States.

(b) The department shall approve sites for airports and restricted landing areas, and shall license airports, restricted landing areas, and air navigation facilities in accordance with this article and the rules and regulations promulgated by the department at the recommendation of the commission. The licenses issued shall be renewed annually by the department. Licenses granted to airports, restricted landing areas, and other air navigation facilities prior May 13, 2000, and pursuant to Section 4-2-72 and Section 4-2-73, shall remain in force, subject to renewal by the department. Licenses shall be granted for airports and restricted landing areas which were being actively operated on July 9, 1945, without the requirement of a certificate of approval, unless the department determines that the operation of an airport or restricted landing area is hazardous to persons operating, using, or traveling in aircraft, or to persons and property on the ground. The department shall not charge a fee for site approval certificates of proposed property acquisitions for airport or restricted landing area purposes or for the issuance of original licenses or renewals thereof for airports or restricted landing areas.