July 27, 2015
Oregon has dedicated $20 million to aviation infrastructure needs over the next six years, with the passage of House Bill 2075, which was signed by Gov. Kate Brown on July 20.
Oregon now has funds for projects such as airport safety and maintenance improvements, aviation-related economic development, emergency management operations and other general and commercial aviation infrastructure needs.
Funding for the program comes from a fuel tax increase, with the avgas tax now at 13 cents per gallon, and the jet fuel tax increasing from 1 to 5 cents per gallon. According to NBAA Northwest Regional Representative Kristi Ivey, the 1-cent rate had been in place for 50 years.
Earlier this year, NBAA was instrumental in getting the word out about HB 2075, and polled all NBAA members in Oregon last March about the proposal. Oregon Aviation Industries (ORAVI), of which NBAA is a member, advanced the effort to create a dedicated revenue source for aviation infrastructure. The measure, which passed both the Oregon House and Senate overwhelmingly, will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2016.
“Business aircraft operators in Oregon should soon start seeing the benefits of a dedicated aviation fund,” said Ivey. “Support for the state’s aviation infrastructure and aviation economic development is a positive development for all aviation interests in Oregon.”
According to ORAVI, once the details of the program are announced by the Oregon Department of Aviation, applications may be written to request funding assistance.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.