On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the Ohio House passed the Governor’s proposed transportation budget as HB 54 (Stewart).  The vote was 97-0.

Tony Fiore, Executive Director of the OAA, provided proponent testimony on  February 12, 2025 in the House Transportation Committee.  Fiore cited the existing funding in the transportation budget, HB 54, and the general operating budget, HB 96 (see chart above). Mr. Fiore provided the committee with a proposed amendment that would require all aviation fuel tax collected by the state go back into airport infrastructure projects.

The House adopted the amendment prior to HB 54 being voted out of the House.  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. 

Click here for a copy of the OAA testimony.

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

House Finance Committee Chair Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) said the plan is to adopt the Operating budget amendments are due on Friday, March 14, Stewart said, noting his goal is for the budget to pass on the House floor on Wednesday, April 9.