Aviation aplenty in 2024 Ohio legislative calendar
Multiple pro-aviation bills are receiving attention and support from AOPA as they work through the Ohio Legislature.
Ohio has 176 public-use airports and more than 600 private-use airports and heliports. Additionally, aviation contributes $13.3 billion annually in economic impact to the state.
H.B.185 aims to update the Ohio Airport Protection Act, which was first enacted in the 1990s. State Reps. Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-District 99) and Jamie Callender (R-District 57) introduced the bill, which will update terminology in the current law on airport obstruction evaluation and sync Ohio’s code for tall structure permitting processes with what is found in FAR Part 77.
The proposed language includes review authority for the Ohio Department of Transportation on FAA obstruction evaluations, but also gives discretion to an airport authority to provide input on whether a tall structure permit should proceed. As the party with the greatest insight into an individual airport’s operations, the airport authority will be able to provide comments on the structure’s potential impact on the utility of the airport—indicating whether the structure might create an obstruction, raise approach minimums, or create displaced thresholds.
Airports are at risk of becoming inoperative due to obstructions and tall structures, which in turn can drive away tenants and limit operations. Callender and Fowler Arthur aim to prevent that from happening and protect Ohio airports—in which the state and FAA have invested $478 million in Airport Improvement Plan grants since 2020—through the passage of H.B.185. The bill has been assigned to the Ohio House Aviation and Aerospace Committee, awaiting a hearing.
S.B.172 was introduced by state Sen. Andrew Brenner (R-District 19) and would provide a tax exemption for sales and use tax on crewed aircraft. While casual sales are tax exempt in Ohio, any brokered aircraft sale is subject to state sales tax. This has driven sales out of the state to surrounding states that have the exemption and are more tax-friendly to buyers and sellers. S.B.172 aims to level the playing field as well as keep any associated maintenance work in the state. While a loss of tax revenue from these sales is expected, the formation of a strong network of brokers and business brought into the state would create jobs and have a positive economic impact.
The bill is expected to be rolled into state budget proposals for 2025 and 2026.
S.B.206 develops a process for the disposal of abandoned or derelict aircraft at public airports. Several airports in the state are suffering from cluttered ramp or hangar space and losing potentially increased revenues due to derelict aircraft. With a nationwide hangar shortage and high demand for ramp space, this project could have tremendous economic benefits for communities.
S.B.206 was introduced by state Sen. Bob Hackett (R-District 10), assigned to the Senate Transportation Committee, and is pending hearing.
“All three pieces of legislation have the potential for positive impacts to our members, and airports. The bills speak directly to AOPA’s core mission of protecting the freedom to fly and making aviation as cost-effective as possible,” said AOPA Great Lakes Regional Manager Kyle Lewis. “Ohio is the birthplace of aviation, and it is exciting to see interest by state policymakers to put aviation on the 2024 agenda.”
Lewis will be involved in advocating for pro-aviation legislation on behalf of AOPA and will support the Ohio Aviation Association in its advocacy for these bills.
