QUALIFIED AIRPORTS; FEDERAL FUNDING        S.B. 269:

        SUMMARY OF BILL

        REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Bill 269 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor: Senator Darrin Camilleri

Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure

 

 

CONTENT

 

The bill would amend Chapter VII of the Aeronautics Code to exempt Federal funds awarded to Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (DTW) from the requirement that an airport's authority designate the Michigan Aeronautics Commission (Commission) as its agent to accept, receive, receipt for, or disburse any Federal funds granted to acquire, maintain, or improve airports, landing fields, or other aeronautical facilities.

 

MCL 259.135

 

BRIEF RATIONALE

 

Out of Michigan’s 494 public and private airports, 95 are members of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). This enables airports to receive Federal grants under the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program, the primary source of Federal aviation funding. Currently, the Code requires the Commission to process FAA funding before it can be given to airport recipients. Some believe this process is unnecessary and time-consuming. For example, in 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act authorized $256.0 million in grant funding for 90 Michigan airports.¹ This included $141.8 million for DTW. Testimony before the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure indicates that airports in other states received these needed funds in days; however, DTW received its funding six months after it was appropriated. As DTW is the State’s busiest airports, it has been suggested that the law be amended to exempt it from the Code's requirement.

 

        Legislative Analyst: Abby Schneider

 

FISCAL IMPACT

 

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

 

Date Completed: 6-11-25        Fiscal Analyst: Bobby Canell

floor\sb269                Bill Analysis @ www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.