BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2226 89R7490 JAM-F By: Nichols Transportation 3/27/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Under Section 21.105, Transportation Code, the Texas Transportation Commission may provide financial assistance to support the construction and repair of local aviation facilities. This is accomplished through loans or grants, which the commission must vote to authorize. To qualify for state aviation grant funding, 10 percent of the total project cost must be provided by a source other than the state. This 10 percent local match requirement often comes from the airport sponsor, which is either a county or city government. However, many general aviation airports do not have available funding from the airport sponsor, especially those in economically disadvantaged counties. This bill would lower the match local match requirement from 10 percent to five percent to qualify for state grant/loan funding for airports that are located in an economically disadvantaged county. Economically disadvantaged counties, as defined in Section 222.053, Transportation Code, are counties that have below average per capita taxable property value, below average per capita income, and above average unemployment. By lowering this threshold, this bill would expand opportunity for economically disadvantaged counties to receive much-needed state grant funding to improve local aviation infrastructure. As proposed, S.B. 2226 amends current law relating to requirements for loans or grants provided by the Texas Transportation Commission to aviation facilities located in economically disadvantaged counties. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 21.105(b), Transportation Code, as follows: (b) Requires the Texas Transportation Commission, before approving a loan or grant, to require that certain criteria be met, including, if the airport is located in an economically disadvantaged county, as defined by Section 222.053 (Relief From Local Matching Funds Requirement), that at least five percent of the total project cost be provided by sources other than the state. Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2226
89R7490 JAM-F By: Nichols
Transportation
3/27/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 2226
89R7490 JAM-F
By: Nichols
Transportation
3/27/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Under Section 21.105, Transportation Code, the Texas Transportation Commission may provide financial assistance to support the construction and repair of local aviation facilities. This is accomplished through loans or grants, which the commission must vote to authorize.
To qualify for state aviation grant funding, 10 percent of the total project cost must be provided by a source other than the state. This 10 percent local match requirement often comes from the airport sponsor, which is either a county or city government. However, many general aviation airports do not have available funding from the airport sponsor, especially those in economically disadvantaged counties.
This bill would lower the match local match requirement from 10 percent to five percent to qualify for state grant/loan funding for airports that are located in an economically disadvantaged county. Economically disadvantaged counties, as defined in Section 222.053, Transportation Code, are counties that have below average per capita taxable property value, below average per capita income, and above average unemployment. By lowering this threshold, this bill would expand opportunity for economically disadvantaged counties to receive much-needed state grant funding to improve local aviation infrastructure.
As proposed, S.B. 2226 amends current law relating to requirements for loans or grants provided by the Texas Transportation Commission to aviation facilities located in economically disadvantaged counties.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 21.105(b), Transportation Code, as follows:
(b) Requires the Texas Transportation Commission, before approving a loan or grant, to require that certain criteria be met, including, if the airport is located in an economically disadvantaged county, as defined by Section 222.053 (Relief From Local Matching Funds Requirement), that at least five percent of the total project cost be provided by sources other than the state. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.