Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves bill removing partisan requirement for small airport boards, 6-2
Summary
The Senate Local Government Committee voted 6-2 to advance House Bill 11-96, which removes the statutory partisan balance requirement for airport/aviation boards in jurisdictions with populations of 38,000 or fewer, prompting debate about expertise, political balance and local appointment authority.
The Senate Local Government Committee on Monday approved House Bill 11-96 by a 6-2 vote to remove a statutory requirement that airport authority and aviation-board appointments in jurisdictions of 38,000 people or fewer include members from different political parties.
Supporters said the change would broaden the pool of qualified applicants in smaller, rural communities where officials struggle to fill volunteer aviation boards. Representative Tony Isot, the bill’s House sponsor who testified before the committee, said the measure was straightforward: “This is probably the easiest bill you guys are gonna get a chance to vote on,” and that the intent is to prioritize qualifications over party label.
The bill’s sponsor and witnesses told the committee there are roughly 60 airports listed in the state system plan and that about 40 of those would fall under the 38,000-population threshold. Bart Giesler, representing Aviation Indiana, said the partisan cap excludes many otherwise-qualified candidates, arguing the change would “allow us to make sure we get the best people we can to serve on airport boards.”
Opponents warned the change removes an institutional safeguard for political diversity on boards that award contracts and set policy. Senator Taylor called the proposal “simply political,” saying it eliminates a requirement for diverse political representation and cautioned about opening a “slippery slope” that could allow single-party control of local authorities. Senator Yoder raised the concept of “preference fabrication,” arguing that mandatory cross-party representation helps ensure members feel free to dissent rather than voting with a majority to “go along”.
Committee members also discussed how appointments are made: county-owned airport board members are appointed by county commissioners, and city-owned airports’ members are appointed by the mayor, with budgets for unelected airport boards typically approved by county councils or city councils. Senator Schmidt expressed concern that removing party-balance rules could concentrate appointment power in a single executive and unintentionally politicize boards.
After discussion the committee voted to pass the bill. The roll call recorded known individual votes: Senator Taylor voted yes; Senator Yoder voted no; Senator Schmidt explained and recorded a no vote. The measure passed by a 6-to-2 margin.
If enacted, the change would apply only to the defined population band in the bill text; it does not alter appointment authority or budget-approval processes described in current law.
Votes at a glance: House Bill 11-96 — committee vote 6 yes, 2 no (known roll-call names recorded where stated in committee).
The committee moved the bill forward; further floor action and potential amendments were discussed but not resolved at this hearing.
