On April 9, 2025 a new law to address derelict and abandoned aircraft around Ohio will become effective. The bill, HB 77, also addresses the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in Ohio.
This is a significant win for the Ohio Aviation Association and the 104 public-owned, public use airports OAA represents. For years (in some cases decades) derelict and abandoned aircraft have been plaguing airports across Ohio.
Some of these aircraft have become hazards on our public-owned, public-use airports. They also detract from operations resulting in lost revenue. These aircraft stall efforts to attract businesses to locate their operation at a public airport. SB 206 provides reasonable timeframe for the airport and aircraft owners, robust notification procedures, and reasonable criteria to ensure that only aircraft that are abandoned or derelict can be disposed of by public airports.
Click here for a copy of HB 77.
Click here for a copy of OAA's testimony on SB 206, the bill originally introduced to address derelict and abandoned aircraft.
On Thursday, March 13, 2025, the Ohio Aviation Association testified in support of HB 96 (Stewart), the general operating budget, in the House Finance Committee.
Tony Fiore, Executive Director of the OAA, provided testimony summarizing the existing funding in the the general operating budget, HB 96, and transportation budget, HB 54 (see chart above). Mr. Fiore asked the committee to keep the existing $10 million allocated to the Ohio Airport Improvement Program (AIP). He also asked the committee to include several amendments to address many issues facing airports.
The first amendment would adopt language that the House passed in the transportation budget to require all aviation fuel tax collected by the state go back into airport infrastructure projects. The second would increase the AIP funding by $5 million to be used for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act projects. The third amendment would allocate $4 million into the Ohio Department of Commerce - Bureau of Underground Storage Tanks (BUSTR) to be used by Ohio airports to replace and remediate existing underground aviation fuel tanks. The forth would add $10 million for ODOT-Office of Aviation to use for hanger and tarmac development on Ohio airports. The final amendment would create a $10 million fund in the Ohio Department of Development for commercial service airports to enhance baggage claims, ticketing, retail and security areas within the airport.
The aviation fuel tax fund language is of critical importance for Ohio airports and the infrastructure projects to maintain the state's aviation assets. The fund will 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 House is expected to adopt changes to HB 96 and pass it out of the committee and full House within the next few weeks before sending the bill to the Senate for additional hearings. The Senate is expected to hold hearings on the bill in late April through the end of May or early June before passing its version. Any differences in the House and Senate version will be worked out in a conference committee in mid-June. The final version is expected to be considered and passed by both the House and Senate before the end of June and sent to Governor DeWine for his signature before June 30, 2025.
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 around the 4 hour mark, but was not available at the time of this publication.
Airport Managers, Sponsors, and Consultants! ODOT - Office of Aviation has opened the window for the Fiscal Year 2026 Ohio Airport Improvement Program – Direct Grant Application for General Aviation Airports.
To access the New Application Procedure through the Office of Aviation home page, select “Direct Grant Application” that includes eligibility and selection criteria and instructions for applying for a Grant. All grant selection criteria and application material can be downloaded from the web page or is also available from within the State’s BlackCat Aviation Data and Grant Management portal.
The deadline to submit applications to the Office of Aviation is May 1, 2025.
The Adams County Board of Commissioners anticipates receipt of funds through the Federal Aviation Administration, Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Aviation, State of Ohio for improvement at the Alexander Salamon Airport. It is anticipated that the proposed project will be accomplished over a period of up to five years. Qualified design professional interested in being considered for this work are invited to submit a State of Qualifications to provide professional engineering and planning services. Click here for full details.
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 to view a video recording of the House hearing. The OAA testimony begins at the start of the hearing through minute 22:33.
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.
The Ohio Aviation Association relies heavily on a Board of Directors to provide guidance and hands-on effort at events, webinars, etc. There will be a few board positions available for a 3-year term beginning at the OAA Annual Conference May 6-8, 2025. If you would like to be considered for an open Director position on the Board, please complete the application before April 1, 2025 and submit it to Tony Fiore, OAA Executive Director at tony@ohioaviation.organd Lisa Dalpiaz, with the Akron-Canton Airport and Chair of the OAA Administration and Finance Committee at ldalpiaz@akroncantonairport.com.
Click here for more information and to to apply.
The Ohio Aviation Association is happy to announce that the Federal Aviation Administration-Area District Office in Detroit will be scheduling individual airport meetings at the annual conference again this year. But don’t delay.
Step 1 – Register for the annual conference (see links above)
Step 2 – E-mail the FAA-ADO at the following address to schedule a time during the conference May 6-8, 2025: 9ACEDETADOMailI@faa.gov.
We cannot wait to see you in a few months at the conference. We appreciate the FAA-ADO staff for taking the time to provide this convenient way to schedule time with airports during the conference.
On February 12, 2025, Tony Fiore, Executive Director of the Ohio Aviation Association provided proponent testimony in the Ohio House Transportation Committee on the Ohio House introduced the Governor’s proposed transportation budget as HB 54 (Stewart).
Mr. Fiore cited the existing funding in the transportation budget, HB 54, and the general operating budget, HB 96.
ALI 777471 – Airport Improvements – State – appropriates $10 million in each fiscal year (no change)
ALI 777472 – Aviation Improvements – Federal – This is flat funded at $405,000 in each fiscal year.
ALI 777475 – Aviation Administration has a modest increase in FY26 to $6,973,124 and $7,106,246 in FY27.
ALI 777615 – County Airport Maintenance – $620,000 in FY26 and $620,000 in FY27.
ALI 772456 – Unmanned Aerial Systems Center – appropriates $500,000 in FY26 and $500,000 in FY27. This is a 102% increase from FY25.
ALI 777477 – Aviation Infrastructure Bank – State DOT – appropriates $2.4 million in each fiscal year. This is flat funded from the current fiscal year.
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.
House Finance Committee Chair Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) said the plan is to adopt the transportation budget sub bill on Tuesday, Feb. 18. 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.
OAA members: Visit the members only page for a more detailed analysis of the budget provisions.
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