AOPA helps strike down proposed aviation fuel bans

New Mexico S.B.238 proposed a leaded aviation fuel sale ban to begin January 1, 2028, and Washington H.B.1554 proposed banning the sale and distribution of leaded aviation gasoline in the state in phases beginning in 2026.

During the 2023 legislative session, AOPA Central Southwest Regional Manager Tom Chandler organized a coalition of aviation organizations, testified before the New Mexico Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee, and lobbied key lawmakers. The bill was ultimately defeated.

AOPA Northwest Mountain Regional Manager Brad Schuster testified twice in front of Washington House committees and worked with a number of Washington state aviation industry stakeholders and legislators to oppose the bill, which failed to advance out of the Senate Transportation Committee.

Either bill becoming law would have had serious negative economic and safety impacts on aviation and airports and would have set a bad precedent affecting the entire aviation ecosystem.

The failure of these proposed bills indicates that New Mexico and Washington see the importance of a safe and smart transition to an unleaded fuel and understand the FAA, AOPA, and the industry are working diligently to find a replacement fuel for the more than 200,000 aircraft in the fleet.

If you become aware of a bill that hurts or helps aviation, please contact AOPA's Pilot Information Center at 800-872-2672.