2026-01-26-minutes-public-works-study-session

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KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: January 26, 2026 TOPIC: Washington State 2026 Aviation Legislation ACTION REQUESTED: Information only LEAD STAFF: Josh Fredrickson RECOMMENDATION: Informational briefing — no action required by the Board BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Washington State Legislative session for 2026 began January 12 • House and Senate Bills have been introduced, or will be introduced, with potential impact to general aviation airport • Washington Airport Management Association (WAMA) has developed informational sheets related to proposed legislation BACKGROUND: Kittitas County owns and operates Bowers Field as a General Aviation airport. Funding for operations and maintenance comes through land leases and the County General Fund. Capital projects are funded through grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Washington Department of Transportation Aviation Division. Grant assurances are required when accepting funds through the FAA. In the current Legislative session bills have been introduced, or are anticipated, which may have an effect on Bowers Field. A Senate bill will be introduced that directs local sales and use taxes on aviation fuel back to the airport. House Bill 1730 and Senate Bill 5898 direct the deposit of proceeds from taxes on aircraft fuel to the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) aeronautics account. House Bill 1083 or Senate Bill 5989 are related to the distribution of aircraft fuel tax revenue. Legislation is also anticipated to amend Senate Bill 5801 related to the luxury tax provision on new aircraft. DISCUSSION: FAA Grant Assurance 25 states that any local taxes on aviation fuel established after 12/30/1987 will be expended by the airport and the FAA Policy and Procedures Concerning the use of Airport Revenue indicates the same. Under current RCW 82.14,