Aviation Revitalization Loans.  The Community Aviation Revitalization Loan Program was originally established by SSB 6090 in the 2018 capital budget and funded with $5 million, to provide loans for revenue-producing capital projects that help public use general aviation airports become more self-sustainable.  There are currently 137 public use airports in Washington.  SHB 1656, which passed the Legislature in 2018, but was vetoed by the Governor, would have permanently established the program in statute.  The 2019 capital budget reestablished the loan program through June 30, 2021, and made changes to the membership of the Community Aviation Revitalization Board, which governs the loan program.  In 2020, SSB 5011, which passed the Senate, but not the House, would have permanently established the program in statute. 

Airport Aid Grant Program.  The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Aviation Division administers a separate aviation grant program open to public use airports in Washington.  WSDOT Airport Aid grant funds may be used to plan, acquire, construct, improve, and maintain public use airports.  Current aeronautics statutes limit the maximum grant or loan amount WSDOT can provide from appropriations made by the Legislature at $750,000 per project.

Studies.  An Airport Investment Study Solutions report completed in 2015 by the WSDOT Aviation Division included, among its recommendations, a suggestion to establish a state-sponsored revolving aviation infrastructure loan fund.

Creation of Aviation Loan Board.  WSDOT must convene the Aviation Loan Board (board) to make direct loans to certain airports for improvements that primarily support general aviation activities.  Eligible airports may be publicly or privately owned, must be available for public use, and must have less than 75,000 annual commercial air service passenger enplanements as published by the Federal Aviation Administration. 

The board consists of the following members:

• five members appointed by the director of WSDOT to represent ports, counties, cities, airport managers, and pilots;
• a representative from WSDOT's Aviation Division;
• a representative from the Public Works Board; and
• a non-legislative member of the Community Economic Revitalization Board.

Loan Application Process and Evaluation.  Airports must apply to the board for consideration.  An application must:

• be supported by the port district, city, or county in which the project is located; or
• clearly identify the source of funds intended to repay the loan.

The board must prioritize applications providing conclusive justification that completion of the loan application project will create revenue-generating opportunities.  The board must use, but is not limited to, the following criteria when evaluating loan applications:

• a specific private development or expansion is ready to occur and will occur only if the aviation facility improvement is made;
• the loan application project results in the creation of jobs or private sector capital investment as determined by the board;
• the loan application project improves opportunities for successful maintenance, operation, or expansion of an airport or adjacent airport business park;
• the loan application project results in creating or retaining long-term economic opportunities; or
• the loan application project results in leveraging additional federal funding for an airport.

The board must develop rules to implement the program and determine the interest rate, terms and conditions of loans, and any local match.  Loan interest rates must not exceed the amount needed to cover the administrative expenses of the board and the loan program.  Loan repayment must begin within three years after a loan is awarded and loans cannot exceed 20 years. 

The board must take reasonable measures necessary to familiarize government officials and members of the public with this chapter, particularly the board's authority to make loans. 

WSDOT must staff the board and manage its fiscal and contract services.  The board must meet three times a year or as deemed necessary by WSDOT.

Loan Account and Capital Budget Codification.  The Public Use General Aviation Airport Loan Revolving Account (account) reenacted in the 2019 capital budget is codified.  Funds in the account may only be used to fund authorized loans as approved by the board, and loan repayments must be paid into the account.  Loans issued to airport sponsors of nongovernmental airports must only be made from repaid loan funds deposited into the account.