Georgia committee unanimously backs bill to align local zoning with federally protected airport airspace

Representative Jenkins presented House Bill 1434, saying the measure would require airports to notify adjacent governments about federally protected airspace defined by 14 CFR Part 77 and encourage local zoning to prevent obstructions that could jeopardize federal grant funding. "This requirement exists, but it will just make managing this protected airspace a much smoother process in Georgia," Jenkins said.

Supporters from the aviation sector urged the committee to adopt the bill as a way to provide clarity for landowners and protect airport infrastructure. Dawood Stevenson, president of the Georgia Airports Association, told the committee the measure "would give us some teeth to...protect the airports that we spent a lot of money on," while Andrew Wiersma, an airport manager, emphasized the need for interjurisdictional cooperation so counties that benefit economically but do not own airports still participate in zoning.

Senators pressing Jenkins focused on private property rights and enforcement. Senator Gann asked whether the bill would amount to a taking and how jurisdictions without existing zoning would be compelled to act; Jenkins said the bill defers to federally protected airspace and does not create new protected airspace, and he noted that compensation mechanisms (including eminent domain or reimbursement for mitigation such as tree removal) would remain unchanged. Senator Mello asked specifically about eminent domain; Jenkins confirmed local governments retain those powers and that compensation processes would not change.

The committee voted to amend language in Section B to narrow GDOT’s role to "provide assistance and guidance to the airport-affected governing body with respect to compliance" with FAA rules; the amendment was moved and seconded and carried unanimously. The committee then moved to pass HB 1434 as amended; the motion carried unanimously. The sponsor said he would identify a senate sponsor and the committee agreed to have a senator carry the bill to the other chamber.

The bill aims to reduce conflicts that can lead to runway closures or loss of federal funds when obstacles penetrate protected approach surfaces, while leaving compensation and eminent-domain tools intact. The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the chair stated the motions carried unanimously. The committee also asked the sponsor to coordinate with GDOT on the final language going forward.