The Senate Standing Committee on Transportation convened on February 19, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 87, a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at enhancing the efficiency of procurement processes at Kentucky's three largest commercial airports. The bill, sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Froehmeyer, received unanimous support from the committee, signaling a strong commitment to improving aviation infrastructure in the state.

Senator Froehmeyer introduced the bill, emphasizing its importance in streamlining procurement by aligning state acquisition thresholds with those set by the Federal Aviation Administration. This change is expected to facilitate quicker and more efficient capital improvements, which are crucial as Kentucky's airports face hundreds of millions of dollars in necessary upgrades over the coming years.

Seth Cutter from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport elaborated on the bill's provisions, highlighting the need for a more agile procurement process to address the significant capital improvements required. The committee adopted a substitute version of the bill, which includes provisions aimed at addressing workforce shortages in the aviation sector, particularly the need for more trained air traffic controllers.

President Stivers underscored the urgency of addressing the lack of qualified air traffic controllers, linking it to recent safety incidents in the aviation industry. He called for collaboration with post-secondary institutions to explore pathways for training and credentialing air traffic controllers in Kentucky, potentially establishing a second site for certification.

The committee's approval of Senate Bill 87 marks a significant step toward bolstering Kentucky's aviation capabilities and addressing workforce challenges in the sector. With no fiscal impact anticipated from the bill, the committee expressed optimism about its potential to enhance the state's position in aviation and aeronautics. The bill will now move forward for further consideration in the legislative process.