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.

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 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.

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.

President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance were officially sworn into office on Monday, January 20, 2025.  Among many Executive Orders one in particular entitled "Unleashing American Energy" prescribed limitations on disbursements of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds.  It directed federal agencies to "immediately pause the disbursement of funds" from the IRA and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). 

On Wednesday, January 22, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clarified that the pause "only applies to funds supporting programs, projects or activities that may be implicated by the policy established in Section 2 of the order."  This includes funding related to climate mitigation and incentives for electric vehicle charging - not road, bridge or airport projects.

On January 27, 2025, OMB released a memorandum further detailing the temporary pause of agency grant, loan, and other financial assistance programs.  The temporary pause was intended to give the Administration time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of the funding of those programs consistent with the law and the President's priorities.  All agencies were instructed to submit to OMB detailed information on any programs, projects or activities subject to the pause no later than February 10, 2025.  They subsequently asked for the information requested by February 7, 2025.

On January 29, 2025 the original OMB memo had been rescinded.  Therefore, existing funding for airport improvement projects should not be affected.  But, this does mean the new administration will be scrutinizing funding through all agencies in the coming months.

Those of us who are "The" Ohio State University Buckeye fans could not be more proud of the season our football coaches and players had this year.  Through adversity and perseverance our beloved Buckeyes came out on top as National Champions. 

But these teams don't play to empty stadiums.  They play for fans both far and wide across the state, country and even those traveling in from other parts of the world.  The only way that is possible is with our state and nation's vast network of airports.  Whether traveling on a commercial airline, business aviation or personal aircraft our airports are always ready to serve the traveling public.  That level of service involves thousands of hard working employees across the state at our 104 public-owned, public use airports.

One of the primary focuses of the Ohio Aviation Association is to work with our state elected officials on airport infrastructure funding and policies to enhance the traveling publics experience around the state.  We also work with the staff in the ODOT-Office of Aviation and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fund projects that protect pilots and passengers and provide world-class airports.  So whether its college or professional football as well as other sports the path to championships run through both roads and runways.

President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance were officially sworn into office on Monday, January 20, 2025.  Among many Executive Orders one in particular entitled "Unleashing American Energy" prescribed limitations on disbursements of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds.  It directed federal agencies to "immediately pause the disbursement of funds" from the IRA and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). 

On Wednesday, January 22, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clarified that the pause "only applies to funds supporting programs, projects or activities that may be implicated by the policy established in Section 2 of the order."  This includes funding related to climate mitigation and incentives for electric vehicle charging - not road, bridge or airport projects.

The Ohio Aviation Association is proud to support the future of Ohio’s aviation community through the Norman J. Crabtree Memorial Aviation Scholarship.  OAA, through the Ohio Aviation Foundation, raises funds to provide scholarships to aviation degree-seeking students at one of Ohio's colleges or universities and certificate-seeking A&P students at one of Ohio's technical colleges, universities, or technical trade schools.  The application fee is $25, but students applying from OAA member aviation education programs have this application fee waived.

As an added benefit, the OAA Board of Directors will invite scholarship recipients to serve a one-year term as ad-hoc, non-voting members of the Board of Directors.  This term would begin at the 2025 OAA Annual Business Meeting (held at the hotel on May 6, 2025) through the 2026 OAA Business Meeting.

Click here to learn more about the Norman J. Crabtree Memorial Aviation Scholarships or for students to apply.  The flyer sent to all Ohio aviation education programs is attached below.

The Ohio Aviation Association invites you to submit a proposal for a session presentation at the upcoming annual conference. Please submit your proposal by completing the information below.  Sessions will be 1 hour in length. Click here to submit a presentation abstract. The deadline for submissions is Monday, February 10, 2024. Primary contacts will be notified of proposal status on or before Monday, March 10, 2025.

The Ohio Aviation Association is proud to support the future of Ohio’s aviation community through the Norman J. Crabtree Memorial Aviation Scholarship.  OAA, through the Ohio Aviation Foundation, raises funds to provide scholarships to aviation degree-seeking students at one of Ohio's colleges or universities and certificate-seeking A&P students at one of Ohio's technical colleges, universities, or technical trade schools.  The application fee is $25, but students applying from OAA member aviation education programs have this application fee waived.

As an added benefit, the OAA Board of Directors will invite scholarship recipients to serve a one-year term as ad-hoc, non-voting members of the Board of Directors.  This term would begin at the 2025 OAA Annual Business Meeting (held at the hotel on May 6, 2025) through the 2026 OAA Business Meeting.

APPLY NOW!

Click here to learn more about the Norman J. Crabtree Memorial Aviation Scholarships or for students to apply.  

The Senate Transportation Committee amended HB 77 (Willis) to include the As Passed by the Senate version of SB 206 (Hackett).  

HB 77 prohibits a person from operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a manner that:  (1) knowingly endangers any person or property (as opposed to in a careless or reckless manner); or  (2) purposely disregards the rights or safety of others (as opposed to with willful or wanton disregard) along with penalties for certain offenses.  The language amended in HB 77 from SB 206 (1) establishes specific notification procedures that apply before the director of a public-use airport may perfect a lien on an abandoned aircraft for storage costs and for labor on or furnishing materials for the abandoned aircraft, and (2) establishes a process to dispose of a derelict aircraft located on a public-use airport’s property through either public auction or through an aircraft salvage or scrap metal dealer.  I’ve attached the OAA testimony with more detail on why this language is necessary.  We appreciate all the work that Rep. Willis and Sen. Hackett and committees in both the House and Senate have done on both bills.

HB 77 passed out of the House 89-2

SB 206 passed out of the Senate 32-1.

Both issues above now included in Am. HB 77 are important to aviation and airports in Ohio.  Therefore, the Ohio Aviation Association strongly supports passage by the full Senate and favorable House concurrence vote before the end of the 135th General Assembly.

Related Document:

• Testimony on SB 206

On Wednesday, December 4, the Ohio Aviation Association held its annual Advocacy Day.  OAA Board members and commercial service airport executives began the day meeting with Lt. Governor Jon Husted to discuss aviation and airport issues of importance, including:

1. increasing state airport infrastructure funding to access more federal dollars that will go to other states without more funding at the state level, 
2. protecting the airspace around Ohio airports and the local, state and federal investments that have gone into them, and
3. efforts by OAA and its members to provide world-class service and facilities for Ohioans and others traveling for business or personal reasons. 

OAA members in attendance then had the opportunity to meet several members of the 136th General Assembly leadership for the majority and minority caucuses in both the House and the Senate. 

A clear message from Lt. Governor Husted and legislators for OAA members was to build relationships with legislators representing each airport and make sure they understand the importance about supporting OAA's public policy agenda.  This can be accomplished by inviting your elected officials to visit the airport, airport sponsor or airport authority meeting to discuss these important aviation issues.  The OAA is trying to help facility these discussions with the regional airport events each month corresponding with the OAA Board of Director meetings.

At the end of the day OAA members made their way to the museum gallery in the Ohio Statehouse for the legislative reception from 5-7p.m.

OAA President, Amanda McGee, kicked off the reception and welcomed those in attendance.  Attendees heard from State Senator Andrew Brenner, member of the Senate Transportation Committee and Rep. Bernie Willis, Vice Chair of the House Aviation and Aerospace Committee.  Both provided thoughts on the future of aviation. 

Next OAA Advocacy Chair, Jeff Bonecutter, provided attendees with an overview of the Legislator(s) of the Year Award.  This year the OAA selected Senator Bob Hackett for his work on SB 206 related to airports dealing with derelict or abandoned aircraft.  Click here for the OAA testimony on the bill.  Click here for OAA member Wilmington Air Park and Alex Beres's testimony.  Mr. Bere's provided some comments about Sen. Hackett and all the work he has done to support airports and SB 206.

The program was wrapped up by OAA's Executive Director, Tony Fiore, unveiling the 2025-26 Public Policy Agenda.  Primary areas of focus for the association are: 1) airport infrastructure funding, 2) airspace protection, 3) air service development, and 4) aviation workforce development.