Companion Bill Without Amendment Passes Florida House Transportation Committee

The Baker amendment to a bill in the Florida Senate (SB 1500) was withdrawn during a Transportation Committee meeting Wednesday. The amendment would have put fuel pricing at some Florida FBOs in the hands of the state government. Even though this was just the first step, and the fight would not have been over if it had passed this committee, now that it has been withdrawn, the issue will not be brought up again.

Florida Aviation Trades Association (FATA) Executive Director Paula Raeburn and Barry Bratton, Airport Director for Page Field, Ft. Myers, FL testified before the committee. Arguments were presented against the Amendment which would have required the State Aviation Office to set the cost of fuel at airports with only one FBO and also ban ramp fees if an aircraft is there less than 90 minutes. "We thank Senator Baker for withdrawing this Amendment that he introduced as a courtesy to Senator Bennett," FATA said in a statement on the their website.

Earlier in the day, an identical bill (HB 173) passed unanimously at the Florida House Economic Development Policy Committee. "Our thanks to Representative Poppell for his continued efforts. There is more work to be done but we are off to a great start. Our thanks to AOPA for their continued support. The AOPA Florida Representative, Nelson Rhodes was present at yesterday's Committee Meeting," the statement said.

FMI: www.fata.net