New Texas laws benefit GA

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a number of general-aviation-friendly bills into law after the state legislature adjourned June 1.

Thanks to advocacy efforts from AOPA and other aviation stakeholders who tracked 54 bills throughout the session, pilots can enjoy many of the benefits being afforded to GA. The bills from the eighty-fourth session that Abbott signed into law provide:

• $84 million to support and promote GA services and airports for each of the fiscal years ending Aug. 31, 2016 and 2017;
• Free Texas Department of Transportation Airport Directory and aeronautical chart (the directory previously cost $6);
• A requirement to mark and register meteorological evaluation towers to mitigate safety-of-flight hazards for pilots;
• Clarification of how GA aircraft leasing and business practices operate so that sales and use tax changes don’t affect the industry’s positive contribution to the state’s economy;
• The ability for repossession agents to file a petition in a justice court for a writ of assistance to receive help from law enforcement officials when repossessing an aircraft.

“We had a very busy but productive legislative session in Texas,” said AOPA Central Southwest Regional Manager Yasmina Platt, “and AOPA members will reap the benefits.”

Platt met and talked with staff in Abbott’s offices to ensure GA pilots’ voices were heard.

Platt said support from Reps. Paul Workman (47^th District), Armando Martinez (39^th District), Chris Paddie (9^th District), Rick Miller (26^th District), and John Otto (18^th District), and Sens. Charles Perry (28^th District), Van Taylor (8^th District), Royce West (23^rd District), and Jane Nelson (12^th District) helped push the positive legislation through the session.