MPA LEGISLATION REPORT
May 2008

GREETINGS! First, Here is an update from Washington, D.C. The Senate has defeated a “cloture” motion that would have limited debate on its FAA Reauthorization Bill. A successful cloture motion would have significantly speeded up the discussion on the debate but with all the controversy surrounding the FAA these days that was probably unrealistic.

Members on both sides of aisle were lining up to offer their amendments, ranging from airspace restructuring to the availability of peanuts on airliners, and enough of them insisted on being heard that the hurry-up motion was defeated. Aviation leaders were particularly anxious to see the current version of the bill passed quickly because it does not contain user fees as a method to fund air traffic control modernization.

A compromise between the Senate Finance Committee and the Aviation Subcommittee last week eliminated the $25-per-leg user fee that was proposed for turbine-powered general aviation aircraft in favor of a 65 percent tax increase on jet fuel (the tax on 100 LL would have remained the same). National Business Aviation Association President Ed Bolen said discussion of the bill has been “suspended after a procedural vote unrelated to FAA reauthorization and funding” but he’s hopeful the funding compromise will survive whatever discussions ensue in the future. “Given the importance of air transportation to our nation’s economy and citizens’ quality of life, we hope the Senate will recommit itself to passing an FAA reauthorization bill this year,” he said. The FAA is operating on a temporary financing measure that lasts another two months.

Secondly, FAA releases its fiscal year 2008-2025 forecast for commercial and general aviation, as well as cargo transportation and FAA workload. Acting Administrator Robert Sturgell predicts a “definite pause in growth” for domestic airlines, with traffic reaching the 1 billion level in 2016. Passenger levels are predicted to rise an average of 3 percent each year, with regional carriers growing faster than mainline airlines. FAA forecasts a 4.5 percent annual increase for total international passengers flown by U.S. and foreign flag airlines. Domestic cargo revenue ton miles (RTMs) are expected to increase an average of 209 percent annually, compared with 5 percent in total RTMs.

Here's an update concerning Missouri Aviation. The only Airport and Aviation Bills are as follows:

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session (2008)
Bills Indexed by Subject
AIRCRAFT AND AIRPORTS

HB 1495 --- Sponsor: Bruns, Mark J. --- CoSponsor: Sater, David
Changes the laws regarding the Aviation Trust Fund and the funding for certain air traffic control towers

HB 1639 --- Sponsor: Bruns, Mark J. --- CoSponsor: Richard, Ron
Changes the laws regarding the Aviation Trust Fund and air traffic control towers

HB 1760 --- Sponsor: Storch, Rachel --- CoSponsor: Oxford, Jeanette Mott
Requires statewide elected officials and members of the General Assembly to report any use of a private plane, the cost of the flight, and all the passengers within 72 hours after the flight

HB 1888 --- Sponsor: Schoeller, Shane --- CoSponsor: Lampe, Sara
Allows cities to annex land within airport zones in Greene County if cities agree to enforce Springfield's airport zoning ordinance

HB 2221 --- Sponsor: St. Onge, Neal C.
Revises the definition of "commercial aircraft" as it relates to the taxation of aircraft by lowering the maximum certified gross take-off weight from 7,000 to 1,000 pounds

HCR 10 --- Sponsor: Scharnhorst, Dwight
Urges Congress to enact legislation to protect airline customers

HCR 43 --- Sponsor: Funderburk, Doug --- CoSponsor: Wells, Don
Urges the United States Air Force to reconsider its decision to replace a Boeing-made refueling tanker with a tanker supplied by a foreign country

HCR 46 --- Sponsor: Darrough, Bruce --- CoSponsor: Smith, Jason
Urges the United States Air Force to reconsider its decision to replace a Boeing-made refueling tanker with a tanker supplied by a foreign country

SB 930 --- Sponsor: Stouffer, Bill
Removes cap on amount of aviation generated revenue that may be deposited in state aviation trust fund and expands purposes for which moneys in the aviation trust fund may be used

SB 943 --- Sponsor: Clemens, Dan
Allows cities to annex land within airport zones in Greene County if cities agree to enforce Springfield's airport zoning ordinance

SB 947 --- Sponsor: Kennedy, Harry
Increases the cap on amount of aviation generated revenue that may be deposited in state aviation trust fund and expands purposes for which moneys in the aviation trust fund may be used

SB 1049 --- Sponsor: Kennedy, Harry
Expands sales tax exemption purchases of tangible personal property used in the repair and maintenance of aircraft

SB 1073 --- Sponsor: Dempsey, Tom
Creates a state and local sales and use tax exemption for defense articles sold to foreign governments

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Note: Here's your web site address for Texas Legislation: www.texas.gov.
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all Aviation Bills.

Note: Here's your web site address for Illinois Legislation: www.illinois.gov.
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all Aviation Bills.

Now, In Conclusion, Remember, we as USPA, MPA, EAA, AOPA, or any other State Pilot Associations of which you may be a member, all have a powerful voice, be it here in Missouri, Indiana, Texas, or whatever state you may represent. Every group of pilots and taxpayers carries a strong voice to Washington, D.C., and on the State and Local Level.

So Let's not forget to exercise our privileges, and continue to make a "Difference for General Aviation."

SAFE FLYING!