Committee backs resolution to continue aviation and advanced air mobility task force

The committee voted to report House Concurrent Resolution 16 favorably after Representative Stephanie Dietz described the interim Air Mobility and Aviation Economic Development Task Force’s findings and urged continuation through the next interim.

Dietz, who co‑chaired the task force during the 2025 interim, said the group held six meetings and heard from airports, the Aviation Museum, Eastern Kentucky University’s aviation program, Kentucky Community and Technical College System, FAME Aero, DHL, Amazon and other stakeholders. She told the committee the task force determined there is not a clear statewide strategic plan for advanced air mobility (AAM) and recommended that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Cabinet for Economic Development study infrastructure needs and identify gaps.

Representative King asked whether drone‑related airport disruptions—citing a recent incident in El Paso—were part of the task force’s review. Dietz said the task force reviewed such risks and was surprised to find there was no established plan for drone operations or management statewide; that finding informed the recommendation to continue the task force and call for targeted study.

Representative Grossell spoke in support and urged including regional airports in continued work. The committee recorded a favorable roll call to advance the resolution.