On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the Ohio Aviation Association testified in support of the transportation budget as HB 54 (Stewart) in the Senate Transportation Committee.  

Tony Fiore, Executive Director of the OAA, provided testimony citing the existing funding in the transportation budget, HB 54, and the general operating budget, HB 96 (see chart above). Mr. Fiore asked the committee to keep the House adopted amendment that would require all aviation fuel tax collected by the state go back into airport infrastructure projects.

The provision, found in Section 4561.03, creates the Ohio Airport improvement fund in the state treasury.  The fund shall consist of money appropriated to it by the general assembly and transfers from the petroleum activity tax fund.  It also states that the fund shall be used by the office of aviation to support the Ohio airport improvement program that provides financial support to publicly owned-public use airports in Ohio.  In addition, all revenue from the tax as measured by calculated gross receipts derived from the sale of motor fuel used exclusively in the operation of aircraft shall be used to fund airport improvements. 

The Senate is expected to adopt changes to HB 54 and pass it out of the committee and full Senate next week.  Any differences in the House and Senate version will be worked out in a conference committee.  The final version is expected to be considered and passed by both the House and Senate before the end of March and sent to Governor DeWine for his signature before April 1, 2025.

Click here for a copy of the OAA Senate testimony.

Click here to view a video recording of the Senate hearing.  The OAA testimony begins at 1:14:14 and runs through 1:27:55.

Click here for a copy of the OAA House testimony.

Click here to view a video recording of the House hearing.  The OAA testimony begins at the start of the hearing through minute 22:33.