TagWSDOT(123)

Washington Senate Bill 5898 proposes redirecting tax revenues collected on aircraft fuel — specifically from the hazardous substance tax, petroleum products tax, and oil spill response tax — into the state aeronautics account, which is dedicated exclusively to aviation-related purposes. Supporters argue the change is needed to comply with federal Airport Grant Assurance requirements and to better fund Washington's airports, which contribute over $107 billion in business revenue and 410,000 jobs statewide. Opponents warn the shift could drain funding from the Model Toxics Control accounts that support environmental cleanup programs benefiting local governments and tribes.

A senate bill report analyzing SB5989, which would direct a portion of state sales and use tax on aviation fuel to the aeronautics account instead of the general fund. The bill starts with 0.5% in fiscal year 2027, increasing to 1% beginning in fiscal year 2028, and requires DOT reporting on funded airport projects.

A comprehensive transportation bill from the 2026 Washington State Legislature addressing mobile driver’s licenses, fee increases, and a large carve out for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The bill also introduces mobile credentials for driver’s licenses and ID cards, and implements a $1 annual fee increase starting July 2028.

Executive summary of WSDOT’s statewide aviation system plan evaluating Washington’s public-use airport system performance and 20-year needs. The 2025 update examines airport roles, facilities, aviation activity, forecasts, capacity, access, emerging technologies, system performance, policy direction, and implementation costs for 133 airports.

WSDOT presentation on the Puget Sound Gateway Program, focusing on the SR 509 Completion Project. The program includes two projects (SR 167 and SR 509) to provide essential connections to the ports of Tacoma and Seattle, with various stages of construction progress.

The Commercial Aviation Work Group’s 2025 annual report to the Washington Legislature detailing four meetings held in 2025, membership status, and interim recommendations. The group strongly recommends that the Legislature encourage Sound Transit to locate a Link station near the Paine Field passenger terminal to maximize public investments and minimize climate impacts.

The FAA sent a letter to Washington State's Aviation Director in October 2025 reviewing how the state collects and spends aviation fuel taxes, noting that despite having an approved compliance plan, the state has still not provided actual tax collection figures after 11 years. The FAA flagged concerns about three types of taxes — aircraft fuel tax, sales and use taxes, and environmental taxes (HST and PPT) — questioning whether the environmental tax revenues are being properly directed toward aviation purposes. The agency also reviewed over $97 million in state appropriations claimed as offsets, finding more than $82 million ineligible and nearly $15 million requiring further justification before a final compliance determination can be made.