Governor signs bill to boost aviation infrastructure investment
Editorial StaffThe Facts -
- Governor Laura Kelly signed House Bill 2498, investing more in Kansas public airports.
- The bill increases funding for the Kansas Airport Improvement Program from $5 million to $15 million.
- The increased funding will support initiatives like safety enhancements and modernization of infrastructure.
Kansas Governor Signs House Bill 2498 for Airport Investment
Governor Laura Kelly has enacted House Bill 2498, a bipartisan initiative for strengthening Kansas public airports through increased investment. The bill aims to enhance airport safety, accessibility, and contribute to economic growth across Kansas.
"This bill is essential for enhancing our state’s aviation infrastructure. It ensures our public use general aviation airports have the resources to thrive", says Governor Kelly. The funding boost to the Aviation Fund will significantly impact safety and economic development.
The new bill triples the annual funds for the Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP) from $5 million to $15 million. This will allow public airports statewide to modernize and respond to infrastructure needs.
The Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary, Calvin Reed, expressed support for the bill, citing ongoing collaboration with the Kansas Association of Airports and partners at local and federal levels. He mentioned that the state's 109 public airports contribute over $9 billion in annual economic output, making them vital for the economy and the residents' quality of life.
The bill will support key initiatives such as improving pavement conditions, enhancing safety, and installing automated weather observation systems crucial for air ambulance services in rural areas.
State Senators Mike Petersen and Ethan Corson highlight the importance of this additional funding for maintaining general aviation airports, improving travel experience, creating jobs, and increasing passenger safety.
Besides House Bill 2498, Governor Kelly also signed several bills, including Senate Substitute for House Bill 2124, allowing microbreweries to distribute their products to various entities, and House Bill 2481, recognizing the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe No. 3415 as the official state steam locomotive.
Other bills include House Bill 2527, encouraging capital investment in Kansas utilities, and House Bill 2577, letting the state treasurer transfer unclaimed property money to the KPERS board. House Bills 2588 and 2607 establish standards for county governments issuing permits to telecommunications providers and update Kansas pesticide law, respectively.
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