SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 5337
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Passed Senate, March 3, 2011
Title: An act relating to financial assistance to privately owned airports available for general use of the public.
Brief Description: Authorizing the provision of financial assistance to privately owned airports available for general use of the public.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Stevens, Pflug, Honeyford, Swecker and Roach).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/02/11, 2/08/11 [DPS].
Passed Senate: 3/03/11, 46-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5337 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; White, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Minority Member; Fain, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Delvin, Eide, Ericksen, Hill, Hobbs, Litzow, Nelson, Ranker, Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.
Staff: Amanda Cecil (786-7429)
Background: Aircraft owners and dealers pay a variety of taxes and fees that are deposited in whole or in part to the Aeronautics Account. Sources of revenue in the Aeronautics Account also include federal airport development grants, federal airport planning grants, and other federal sources. State levied taxes and fees include:
Aircraft Excise Tax, between $20 and $125 annually;
Aircraft Fuel Tax, $0.11 per gallon;
Aircraft Dealers License Fee, $75 annually; and
Aircraft Registration Fee, $15 annually.
The Washington State Department of Transportation, Aviation Division (WSDOT-Aviation) uses funds in the Aeronautics Account to make grants or loans to municipalities and federally recognized Indian tribes for the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, or operation of an airport that is available for general use of the public.
Summary of Substitute Bill: Allows privately-owned airports that are available for general use of the public to be eligible for grants or loans from WSDOT-Aviation. Additionally, WSDOT is directed to establish, through rule, criteria for grants and loans administered by WSDOT-Aviation.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: The Washington State Department of Transportation needs to include conditions in the rules that require airports which receive grants to hold the airport available for general use of the public.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Ryan Zulauf, Washington Airport Management Association; John Dobson, Washington Pilots Association.