This week, NATA led a coalition of six business and general aviation associations in endorsing state legislation that would curb decades of aviation fuel tax diversion by the state of California. SB 661 would take a positive step toward compliance with federal requirements that state and local aviation fuel taxes remain within the aviation system. In particular, the associations expressed support for the bill’s balanced revenue allocation for both commercial and general aviation airports.
“The state’s 214 general aviation airports offer tremendous public benefit, providing essential support for firefighting, disaster relief, medical care, and law enforcement services; enabling local business development and job creation; and providing air transportation in communities without scheduled air service,” the associations wrote in a letter to bill sponsor Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield). “Therefore, we strongly support SB 661’s twenty percent revenue allocation to general aviation airports, recognizing their economic and societal benefit to hundreds of communities across the state.”
NATA’s Managing Director of Industry Affairs Juliet Jordan was in Sacramento yesterday to testify before the California Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee, which advanced the bill unanimously. SB 661 now heads to the Appropriations Committee before consideration by the full Assembly. Read the full letter from NATA, AOPA, EAA, GAMA, NBAA, and VAI.