GA Groups Laud House Panel’s FAA Reauthorization

The House Transportation Committee’s attempt at an FAA reauthorization and funding bill has received praise and backing from general aviation interests, but they warn that the fight for passage without user fees is far from over. While the committee recommended raising the jet fuel tax from 21.8 cents per gallon to 30.7 cents per gallon and avgas from 19.3 to 24.1, its bill does not contain the $25 “user fee” that appears in the version passed by the Senate Transportation Committee. Both bills have been sent to the respective finance committees, which will determine the final taxes and proposed user fees, after which they will go to the full House and Senate for votes. Although GA leaders commended the House panel for retaining excise taxes in lieu of “foreign-style” user fees, they warn that the airlines will increase their efforts to have GA user fees inserted in the final bill.