Tax exemption bill gets big lift from Maryland Senate

As the bill is taken up by the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Delegates, AOPA credits the local advocacy of aircraft owners and pilots for helping to deliver the 47-0 Senate vote. The association urges supporters to remain active in contacting lawmakers and requesting backing for the legislation to level the playing field for aviation repair and maintenance businesses and create new jobs in the sector.

“Similar targeted tax incentives are abundant across Eastern Region states from Virginia to Maine for the simple reason that they work as job creators and revenue producers for the states,” said Sean Collins, AOPA Eastern regional manager. “We know aircraft are mobile assets. AOPA works with local organizations to produce positive transportation policy that supports local aviation businesses and their host airports.”

Jared Esselman, AOPA director of state government affairs, noted that tax-exemption measures such as the Maryland bill were among about 30 state-level legislative initiatives AOPA planned to focus on in 2017.

“This type of legislation is all about supporting local aviation industries and capitalizing on the asset that is our airports for creating jobs and producing additional revenue for our states,” he said.

In an email to constituents, the sponsor of Senate Bill 159, Sen. Steve Waugh (R-District 29), noted that “tax cuts are possible if you put some work into it.”

Waugh added that although there are 200 airports and 2,800 aircraft flown by 6,700 pilots in the state, only 26 Maryland shops perform aircraft maintenance.

AOPA’s advocacy team urges members to emphasize the economic benefits of the aircraft parts and equipment tax cuts in their communications with members of the Maryland House of Delegates, and to thank those in the Senate who helped give the bill its overwhelming support in that chamber.