Panel unanimously backs pilot program to fund advanced air mobility infrastructure

The appropriations and budget subcommittee for transportation unanimously approved House Bill 4392, which would establish a pilot program to support infrastructure for advanced air mobility operations. Chairwoman Miller presented the PCS and the subcommittee adopted the working draft and voted 9-0 to advance the bill.

"This bill develops the policy framework to establish a pilot program, which is called the sustainable emerging aviation services investment program or CSIP," Chairwoman Miller said. She described the measure as a public-private partnership that would enable communities to apply for infrastructure investments from the state agency (referred to in the presentation as ODAA/ODAA) to support advanced air mobility. Miller said the program would be structured to encourage a credible path to self-sustainment and allow the agency to collect revenues and fees so projects could become user-funded.

Miller compared the program to existing airport construction grant programs and said the agencys approach would likely mirror prior investment frameworks used to support aviation growth. No questions or debate were recorded; the subcommittee voted and the clerk recorded nine ayes and zero nays.

Next steps: the bill passed the subcommittee and will continue through the committee process.