NBAA OPPOSES WA BILL’S PUNITIVE TAX HIKE FOR GA AIRCRAFT OPENING LINES Source: https://nbaa.org/, News Editor, First published April 09th, 2025 NBAA recently expressed its opposition to a proposed measure in the Washington state legislature that would not only harm general aviation (GA) users, including small business owners and other entrepreneurs, but also detrimentally impact the state’s “strong legacy” of leadership in aviation and business. Currently under consideration by the state’s House Transportation Committee, Senate Bill 5801’s supporters claim the proposal will bolster the Evergreen State’s transportation infrastructure through multiple new funding mechanisms. That includes an additional 10% tax on so-called “recreational vessels” valued above $500,000, which the bill questionably defines as “luxury” highend motor homes, recreational vessels and noncommercial aircraft. In an April 9 letter to the committee, NBAA Western Regional Director Phil Derner noted many GA aircraft are “critical tools, not luxury items,” including those used by small businesses, air ambulance operators and flight schools. “Imposing this tax would [also] affect those who use aircraft for business-supporting activities, such as employee travel, training and logistics, reducing their ability to compete and grow on both national and global scales,” Derner added. Read the full letter to the Washington House Transportation Committee. Derner further noted the measure, “would unintentionally penalize a wide range of vital aviation activities that contribute significantly to Washington’s economy, workforce development and transportation infrastructure.” Citing a 2020 Washington Aviation Economic Impact Study, the letter noted the state’s aviation industry supports more than 407,000 jobs and a payroll exceeding $26.8 billion, generating more than $107 billion in annual business revenue. “These numbers highlight how deeply integrated aviation is in Washington’s economic and workforce 11 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 04
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx