State Legislation

Date

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Advocacy

| July 2, 2025

Massachusetts town voters approve illegal wingspan limit

A coalition of general aviation groups including AOPA urged town officials in Chatham, Massachusetts, to disapprove a voter-backed bylaw that seeks to limit aircraft wingspan at the town airport.

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Advocacy

| May 15, 2025

AOPA backs tax exemption for Massachusetts airports

AOPA urged Massachusetts lawmakers to back a tax exemption for privately owned airports that allow public use, noting the important benefits the owners provide by allowing public use are "easy to take for granted."

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Advocacy

| April 8, 2025

Washington state considers new aircraft 'luxury' tax

AOPA called on members in Washington state to oppose legislation approved March 29 by the state Senate that would apply a 10-percent luxury tax on the value (or market value) of noncommercial aircraft sold or leased, starting at $500,000.

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Advocacy

| March 27, 2025

Virginia aircraft maintenance sales tax exemption extended

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed an extension of the state’s sales tax exemption for aircraft maintenance into law on March 19. As a result, most aircraft owners will continue to save hundreds of dollars per year through June 30, 2030.

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Advocacy

| March 20, 2025

Montana considers ADS-B landing fee limits

A bill drafted by longtime AOPA member and newly elected Montana state Rep. Shane Klakken (R-Grass Range) would limit the use of ADS-B data to assess fees on certain aircraft. The measure would prohibit the use of ADS-B data to assess landing fees on aircraft flown under Part 91 that weigh up to 9,000 pounds.

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Advocacy

| February 12, 2025

Connecticut pilots asked to speak up for fair taxation

Legislation that would exempt all aircraft from Connecticut's sales and use tax needs support from pilots to avoid the fate of similar measures introduced only to die in committee in recent years.

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Advocacy

| January 17, 2025

Help extend Virginia's maintenance tax exemption

With Virginia's aircraft maintenance sales and use tax exemption due to expire in July, AOPA urged members to contact their representatives and support legislation to remove the end date.

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Advocacy

| January 8, 2025

Working for you

AOPA advocates in the halls of Congress and across the nation to keep general aviation accessible to all. Here’s a look back at what we accomplished in 2024.

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Advocacy

| November 7, 2024

Risky Colorado airport ballot measure defeated

On November 5, the voters of Pitkin County, Colorado, wisely chose to keep decision making regarding operations and development of Aspen-Pitkin County Airport/Sardy Field in the hands of county commissioners rather than subject to voter approval.

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Advocacy

| October 16, 2024

Pilots asked to speak up for Virginia tax exemption

With Virginia's hard-won exemption on aircraft maintenance sales and use tax set to expire, AOPA is once again working with the Virginia Aviation Business Association to marshal support for a permanent exemption to keep the commonwealth competitive.

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Advocacy

| July 29, 2024

Destined to repeat history

Despite advice from the FAA and AOPA that a proposed residential development is “incompatible” with the nearby airport environment, the city of Longmont, Colorado, Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval for the project.

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Advocacy

| July 24, 2024

AOPA calls for ‘increased communication and transparency’ in Aspen

Contract negotiations surrounding the future of Aspen-Pitkin County Airport/Sardy Field in Colorado have been largely concealed from local aeronautical users at the field—frustrating those who will be significantly impacted if unable to convey the implications of decisions made in the final contract.

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Advocacy

| July 15, 2024

Florida GA license plate moves forward

A bill approving a general aviation license plate was signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 27. Now, the dedicated Florida aviators who designed the plate to support aviation scholarships are promoting it for presale.

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Advocacy

| June 6, 2024

Airport community engaged in Santa Monica

The future of Santa Monica Municipal Airport hangs in the balance as the struggle between the city and airport supporters (including local pilots and aviation industry groups) continues. Amid calls for development, recent community engagement meetings have shown strong support for maintaining and investing in the airport.

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Advocacy

| May 23, 2024

Maryland bills extend tax break for aircraft owners

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed H.B.557 and S.B.574 into law, extending a sales tax exemption on aircraft parts through June 30, 2030. AOPA and the Maryland Aviation Council worked together to gain the extension for an additional five years, which will help keep airports and maintenance jobs in the state competitive.

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Advocacy

| May 15, 2024

‘The Last Frontier’ state holds big GA gathering

Organized by the Alaska Airmen's Association—a nonprofit organization founded in 1951 with a mission to protect, preserve, and promote general aviation in Alaska—the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering is the largest annual aviation event held in the state.

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Advocacy

| May 14, 2024

Preserving an airport community

Changes are coming to Ohio’s Cincinnati Municipal Airport/Lunken Field that will impact flight schools, based and transient aircraft owners, corporate aviation, and FBOs. AOPA is working with local partners to ensure general aviation and the robust aviation community are protected.

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Advocacy

| May 1, 2024

States declare May a month of GA

Dozens of elected officials across the United States have issued formal declarations celebrating general aviation in honor of the National Celebration of General Aviation D.C. Flyover—which coincides with AOPA’s eighty-fifth anniversary.

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Advocacy

| April 10, 2024

San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors unanimously votes to save Oceano airport

Pilots from across California rallied to defend Oceano County Airport after increased scrutiny from local opponents threatened its survival. The success of these efforts proves how vital community support can be when elected officials assess the impact of an airport.

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Advocacy

| April 10, 2024

AOPA collaborates, pilots benefit

The Maryland Aviation Council (MAC) is working with AOPA to improve conditions for pilots in the state through an extension on tax exemption legislation and a pilot survey.

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Advocacy

| April 1, 2024

Introducing a Milwaukee GA association

With assistance from AOPA, airport tenants in Wisconsin have launched the Greater Milwaukee General Aviation Association (GMGAA) to facilitate improved communication with airports, elected officials, and the greater community.

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Advocacy

| April 1, 2024

Introducing a Milwaukee GA association

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Advocacy

| March 21, 2024

A candid reflection on FAA aircraft hangar leases and hangar reversion policy

While the FAA offers extensive guidance for airport administration policy, particularly in terms of airport compliance, all too often there is much left to interpretation by both airport sponsors and airport users.

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Advocacy

| March 21, 2024

Florida GA license plate success

Thanks to efforts from passionate AOPA members in Florida, a general aviation specialty license plate will soon be available for purchase—with proceeds supporting aviation education scholarships in the state.

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Advocacy

| March 18, 2024

AOPA collaborating with government, industry on aviation legislation in Colorado

As a Colorado bill works through committee, AOPA and aviation advocacy organizations are promoting an amendment that will mitigate the negative impacts it would have on the aviation industry.

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Advocacy

| March 8, 2024

AOPA fights anti-airport bills in California

Proposed bills moving through the California Legislature would introduce a new aircraft registration program and affect the availability of avgas.

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Advocacy

| February 28, 2024

Maryland pilots asked to back tax bill

Legislation to make permanent a tax exemption that helps aviation businesses compete, and thus creates jobs, could be in peril, so AOPA asked members living in key legislative districts in Maryland to speak up.

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Advocacy

| February 23, 2024

Michigan updates aeronautics code

AOPA is advising on updates and needed changes to the Michigan Aeronautics Code, as well as suggesting reasonable and comparable pricing for aircraft registration fees.

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Advocacy

| February 15, 2024

Colorado lead studies failed to detect measurable aviation pollution

Notwithstanding the lack of detectable lead in air and surface samples taken in three Colorado communities near Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in 2023 (findings that came to light only after pilots obtained the reports via freedom of information requests), the legislature is now considering a nakedly anti-aviation bill that AOPA will vigorously oppose.

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Advocacy

| January 17, 2024

Aviation aplenty in 2024 Ohio legislative calendar

Multiple pro-aviation bills are receiving attention and support from AOPA as they work through the Ohio Legislature.

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