Legislative Priorities

Texas Commercial Airports Association (TCAA) supports public policies that promote the growth of efficient, safe, and secure operations of Texas commercial airports, in order to advance air service development, travel and tourism, and economic benefits for the public and the communities we serve. The Texas Commercial Airports Association supports legislative and regulatory policies that advance the following objectives:

SAFETY & SECURITY: TCAA supports the federal role in assuring safety and security at our airports and for the national and international aviation system. We are committed to working closely with our federal and state partners on enhancing safety and security and improving passenger convenience at our airports.
STATE & LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: TCAA supports public policies designed to encourage job creation and capital investment in Texas. TCAA encourages legislation that would create a state incentive program and strategies to encourage attracting new long-haul international air service to the State of Texas, and incentives and programs to help medium and small communities in the state retain or develop new air service.
SUPPORT TRAVEL & TOURISM: TCAA supports full appropriation of state funds raised under existing dedicated state taxes for purposes of marketing and promoting Texas as a business and leisure destination.
AIRPORT REVENUE PRESERVATION: TCAA supports tax policies and user fees that encourage the growth of commercial passenger and cargo air service in Texas, including current, longstanding state policies that exempt aviation fuel from sales tax. TCAA opposes legislation that may provide an unfair competitive advantage to “gig economy”, peer-to-peer, or shared economy services operating in the airport environment.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: TCAA supports initiatives by the Legislature and state agencies that highlight the importance of the workforce needs of the aviation industry in Texas, and creative partnerships between two- and four-year higher education institutions, state & local government, and aviation stakeholders to address the workforce needs of the industry.
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT: TCAA supports legislation that facilitates the development and maintenance of infrastructure to meet the needs of our growing population, foster safe communities, promote job creation, sustain our economic prosperity and minimize transit time. We support airport modernization and enhancement programs, policies that will create greater accessibility for travelers, and mobility hubs.
OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION: TCAA will monitor legislation affecting airport operations and administration, and in cooperation with our owner cities offer TCAA’s perspective to policymakers on the impact of such legislation and regulations on the operations of Texas commercial airports. TCAA opposes legislation that may have an adverse effect on the ability of airports and their owner cities to impact future legislation and regulation by disallowing certain political subdivisions from advocating before the legislature.

TCAA 89th Legislative Position Statements

Legislative Priorities

TCAA's 89th Legislative Session Priorities