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 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, according to a report from the National Business Aviation Association.
Funding for the program comes from a fuel tax increase, with the avgas tax now at 13 cents a gallon, and the jet fuel tax increasing from 1 to 5 cents a gallon. According to NBAA Northwest Regional Representative Kristi Ivey, the 1-cent rate had been in place for 50 years.
The measure, which passed both the Oregon House and Senate overwhelmingly, will go into effect Jan. 1, 2016.