House committee substitute replaces the content of the 3rd edition with the following.

Creates the Washington-Warren Airport Authority (AA) as a body corporate and politic. Provides for appointment of seven members to staggered three-year terms by the Washington City Council (Council). Provides for member qualifications and compensation, oaths of office requirements, filling of vacancies, meetings and leadership. Enumerates 14 powers and duties of the AA, including those related to real property, contracts, rulemaking, and the operation of municipal airports. Deems the AA to have the same exemptions in respect to payment of taxes and license fees and eligibility for sales and use tax refunds to the same extent as provided for municipal corporations under State law. Authorizes the AA to acquire, and the City of Washington (City) to grant or convey by gift or consideration to the AA at the City's discretion, any real or personal property necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of any airport located in Beaufort County. Transfers any project that the Washington-Warren Airport Advisory Board is engaged in to the AA on the date the act becomes law. Authorizes the City to convey its rights, title, and interests in real property upon which the Washington-Warren Airport is situated upon the AA being deemed financially solvent by the FAA. 

Deems any lands acquired, owned, controlled, or occupied by the AA declared to be for a public purpose. Allows for private property needed by the AA for any airport, landing field, or as facilities of an airport or landing field to be acquired by gift or devise, or by private purchase or by the exercise of eminent domain as a public condemnor under GS 40A-3(c). Requires the AA to annually report its operations and transactions to the council. Prohibits the AA from pledging City credit or imposing obligations upon the City. Grants the AA all rights and powers granted to counties or municipalities by general law relating to the development, regulation, and control of municipal airports and the regulation of aircraft except as specified by the act, and allows the City to delegate any or all of its rights and powers under general law to the AA. Authorizes the AA to contract with and accept grants from the FAA, the State, or any of their agencies or representatives relating to the purchase of land and air easements and to the grading, constructing, equipping, improving, maintaining, or operating of an airport or its facilities or both. Authorizes the AA to employ professionals deemed necessary and useful in carrying out the act. Authorizes the council to appropriate funds from any source to implement the act, and authorizes the AA to expend any funds appropriated by the City for airport purposes. 

Requires the council to appoint each of the six individuals serving on the Washington-Warren Airport Advisory Board on July 1, 2022, to the AA, to serve until their respective terms expire, with subsequent appointments to establish staggered terms. 

Includes a severability clause. 

Changes the act's titles.