Establishing the West Virginia Aviation Access and Tourism Growth Act

HB 4151 establishes the West Virginia Aviation Access and Tourism Growth Act to improve air travel infrastructure and boost tourism. It creates a $15 million state fund (with annual review) to provide matching grants for airport upgrades, revenue guarantees for new flight routes, and tax incentives like sales tax exemptions on jet fuel and property tax breaks for aviation facilities. The bill directly affects regional airports (prioritizing Yeager, North Central WV, Greenbrier Valley, and Eastern WV airports), tourism businesses through co-branded marketing programs, and aviation workers via new workforce training at community colleges. Key provisions include funding for airport modernization, tax credits for aviation employers creating jobs, and a 13-member task force to develop a 10-year aviation access plan. The act aims to enhance air connectivity to tourism destinations like national parks and rural communities.