SENATOR STORM’S AERO ACT TAKES OFF THROUGH LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
Measure aiming to boost aviation industry approved by Senate committee
FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 1, 2024) — Sen. Brandon Storm, R-London, presented his first bill before a legislative committee on Thursday, Senate Bill 127 (SB 127). The bill is a workforce-centric proposal that would enhance the education and training pipeline for aviation professionals in Kentucky by establishing scholarship funds and collaboration between public programs and private partners within the industry. Storm is the Aviation/Aerospace legislative caucus co-chair and the Senate Transportation Committee vice chair. He also represents Laurel County, home to the London-Corbin Airport. The two leadership positions mentioned above and Storm's representation of a region experiencing vast economic growth position him well to lead on his session priority of strengthening Kentucky’s already robust aviation industry.
Kentucky is home to more than 100 aerospace-related facilities that employ nearly 100,000 people. Kentucky has announced roughly 40 aerospace-related projects since 2017, totaling more than $1.1 billion in investment and more than 2,800 jobs. In recent state reports, Kentucky exported approximately $20 billion in aerospace products and parts. According to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the overall annual impact of the aerospace and defense industry is $19.4 billion. However, federal studies project a need for almost 800,000 new pilots worldwide over the next 20 years.
“A regional airport is a sign of economic life for a community. Not only do I want to see regional airports thriving, I want to do everything we can to ensure we have a workforce prepared to take on all the career opportunities the aviation and aerospace industry have to offer,” Storm said.
Mirror legislation to SB 127, HB 345, was introduced in the Kentucky state House of Representatives by Storm’s fellow co-chair of the Aviation/Aerospace Caucus, Rep. Ken Fleming, R-Louisville.
Key provisions of SB 127 include the creation of the Kentucky Aerospace, Aviation, and Defense Investment Fund, administered by the Council on Postsecondary Education. The fund is intended to support collaborations between aviation programs, industry partners, and the commonwealth to address workforce demands. The bill intends to encourage private financial and philanthropic support for the investment fund. At least 65 percent of the fund is for partnerships between aviation programs and industry partners to provide training scholarships for Kentucky residents enrolled in aviation programs. Thirty-five percent of the fund would be reserved for aviation equipment partnership contracts between public aviation programs and industry partners to provide grants for aviation and aviation equipment for public high school vocational programs or postsecondary education institutions.
Eastern Kentucky University, other regional universities, and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System have made great strides in aviation education. EKU’s four-year aviation degree enrollment has nearly tripled over the last three to four years. KCTCS’ aviation program allows students to earn the FAA ratings required to become a professional pilot, including the private pilot certificate, instrument rating, commercial pilot certificate, multi-engine rating (airplane track), and the certified flight instructor certificate. Additionally, Morehead State University has an exciting Space Science Center and a satellite tracking station as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) network. A September release from Congressman Hal Rogers’ office said the congressman had requested a $10 million earmark to support the satellite tracking station. The university will likely receive the award, according to coverage from LEX 18 News.
“As a proud alumnus of Eastern Kentucky University, I am excited by EKU’s outstanding program with 360 students majoring in aviation and all other university and technical college programs,” Storm said. “They enable students to become trained professionals in the aviation industry. I look forward to this bill being passed and contributing to the mission of our commonwealth and higher education institutions like EKU, Morehead and KCTCS in expanding our aviation workforce.”
SB 127 passed unanimously from the Senate Economic Development, Tourism and Labor (EDTL) Committee and will now qualify for consideration by the full Senate.
Find archived footage of today’s Senate EDTL Committee meeting at KET.org/legislature/archived and the Legislative Research Commission YouTube Channel.
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Sen. Brandon J. Storm, R-London, represents the 21st Senate District, including Casey, Lincoln, Laurel, and Rockcastle Counties. He recently graduated from the esteemed Henry Toll Fellowship and was the only Kentuckian to participate in the 2023 program. Senator Storm serves as a Senate member of the Interim Joint Committees of Banking and Insurance; Economic Development and Workforce Investment; Judiciary; Local Government; State Government; Transportation; and Tourism, Small Business and Information Technology. He also serves as the co-chair of the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee; a member of the Jail and Corrections Reform Task Force; and a member of the Multimodal Freight Transportation System Improvement Task Force.
For a high-resolution .jpeg of Storm, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/Pages/Legislator-Profile.aspx?DistrictNumber=121.
Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for more information on Senate Majority Caucus members and the 2024 Legislative Session, such as committee schedules, membership, legislation, and more.
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Access archived footage of legislative meetings at ket.org/legislature/archives.
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