SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1018
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 Reported by Senate Committee On:
Transportation, March 14, 2017
Title: An act relating to modifying the maximum amount for grants provided to airports and air navigation facilities.
Brief Description: Modifying the maximum amount for grants provided to airports and air navigation facilities.
Sponsors: Representatives Dent, Gregerson, Hargrove, Tarleton, Pike and Klippert.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/01/17, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/13/17, 3/14/17 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators King, Chair; Hobbs, Ranking Minority Member; Liias, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cleveland, Hawkins, O'Ban, Saldaña, Takko, Van De Wege, Walsh and Wilson.
Staff: Hayley Gamble (786-7452)
Background: The WSDOT Aviation Division currently administers an aviation grant program, open to public use airports in Washington. There are currently 137 public use airports in Washington. Under the aviation grant program, WSDOT solicits grant applications and awards funds once per year. WSDOT Airport Aid grant funds may be used for the planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, and maintenance of public use airports. Airport sponsors applying for grants must own or have a long-term lease for the land upon which the project will be completed. Current law limits the maximum grant amount WSDOT can provide to an individual project to $250,000. The WSDOT Aviation Division does not currently offer loans, but if such a program was developed, current law would limit the maximum loan per project to $250,000. In the 2015-17 biennium, the WSDOT Aviation Division awarded over $3.8 million in state funding for 96 projects at public-use airports.
An Airport Investment Study Solutions report completed in 2015 by the WSDOT Aviation Division included among its recommendations a suggestion to increase or remove the $250,000 cap on the amount of funding that could be provided to aviation projects by WSDOT.
Summary of Bill: The maximum amount the WSDOT can provide to an individual sponsor in a single Airport Aid Grant Program grant is increased from $250,000 to $750,000.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is a simple bill that increases the grant award amount that DOT can offer from $250,000 to $750,000. This will allow bigger jobs to be completed more efficiently, rather than extending them out. An inflation adjustment has not been made for over 35 years to this program. This will especially help smaller airports. This bill will also help maximize opportunities in successfully seeking federal funds.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Tom Dent, Prime Sponsor; John Dobson, Washington Pilots Association; Warren Hendrickson, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association; Mike Ennis, Association of Washington Business; Tristan Atkins, Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation Division.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.