By the time you receive this newsletter, the 77th session of the Texas Legislature will be history. Several aviation issues were addressed during the session including:
(1) Development of a State Airport in Central Texas: The Texas Department of Transportation was directed to establish and maintain an airport open to the public in Central Texas. Funding for the airport is limited to federal matching funds, federal grants, in kind contributions, private sector funds, non- profit grants and local government funds. The act specifically prohibits the consideration of the former Robert Mueller Airport as a location for the new airport. Also, any site to be considered must have the approval of the local governing body. This act was passed in an attempt to address the aircraft dislocation problem that occurred some two years ago with the closure of Robert Mueller and Austin Executive Airports.
(2) Notice and Requirements for Certain Antenna Structures: This bill provided for notice and marking requirements for antenna structures at a height of more than 100 feet and less than 200 feet above the surface that are planned for erection in cultivated fields by commercial wireless telecommunications companies. Towers in excess of 200 feet are currently governed by federal requirements. The intent of this bill was to increase the visibility and awareness of these structures for pilots who operate at very low altitudes.
(3) Airport Loan Program: A rider was attached to TxDOT’s budget to provide $5M in general revenue funds for each year of the biennium to be used for loans to communities for airport development needs. The funds were slated to be used for projects that are not eligible for state and federal funds, such as hangars and fuel farms, as well as for the local match for state and federal grants. The rider survived all the way through the process until the final step, approval by the Appropriations Conference Committee, at which point it died. Hopefully, this effort will resurface during the next session of the legislature as this program could prove extremely beneficial to communities in the development of their airports.
(4) Aviation Education: A new aviation education program was approved under which TxDOT will conduct a study leading to the development of a four year degree program in the field of aviation for women and minorities. The program will also develop a K-12 aviation indoctrination program for students.
(5) Lien on aircraft: Legislation was passed which places a lien on aircraft for failure to pay fuel bills. This provision added to existing law which provides for placing a lien on aircraft for failure to pay for storage, repair, or maintenance.
The interest in aviation was significantly greater this session than any in recent history which speaks well for the heightened awareness within the Texas Legislature of the importance of air transportation.