FAA Reauthorization

In July of 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 extended federal aviation funding near existing levels through September 2017. The Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport is in the process of developing plans for several key capital projects in the near future. Since most of these projects rely heavily on the availability of federal funding through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), it is critical to ensure that the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) bill be reauthorized, updated, and modernized.

• Modernize the Passenger Facility Charge. Urge Congress to modernize the federal cap on the locally set Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) user fee by setting it at $8.50 (compared to the current maximum of $4.50) and adjusting it annually to offset the impact of inflation. Congress has not increased the PFC since 2000. With an increase in PFCs, the Airport would use the increased funds for projects such as the terminal upgrades and enhancements.
• Protect the AIP Grant Program. Urge Congress to fully protect and increase the AIP funding levels, as this grant program helps finance critical safety, security, and capacity projects at airports. Congress has funded the AIP program at $3.35 billion for the last few years, which is well short of the FAA estimates for AIP eligible projects.
• Preserve Tax Exempt Bonds. Urge Congress to preserve and restore tax exempt financing for airport bonds and eliminate the alternative minimum tax burden on private activity bonds so that these tools can be used to access low cost financing.
• Protect the Public Interest in Air Traffic Control. Previous reauthorization proposals in the legislature proposed to separate the Air Traffic Organization from the FAA and create a not-for-profit corporation to operate and modernize the Air Traffic Control system. Any new system should guarantee a voice for public interest.

Breakdown of Projects Through 2021, Total: $28,725,000