The proposed bill introduces the West Virginia Aerospace Growth Act and the West Virginia Aviation & Aerospace Job Development Investment Grant Program, aimed at bolstering the state's aerospace industry. It establishes a comprehensive Aerospace Development Program within the Department of Commerce, which will be responsible for identifying impactful aerospace projects, maintaining records, and providing assistance through a designated Aerospace Development Liaison. The bill ensures that qualifying aerospace projects are informed about and can access various tax and non-tax incentives available under current law. Additionally, it creates a structured grant program to support job creation and investment in the aerospace sector, prioritizing projects in lower-tier development counties and setting limitations on grant amounts based on employer withholdings.

Significant amendments to the Aviation and Aerospace Job Development Investment Grant Program are also included, focusing on the application process and grant evaluation criteria. Businesses must submit detailed applications under oath, including project location, financial statements, and the number of eligible positions to be created, while ensuring that these positions are not created by transferring existing roles. The bill establishes the Aviation and Aerospace Job Development Investment Grant Program Fund and the Aviation and Aerospace Utility Development Fund, both administered by the Department of Commerce, to manage state income tax withholdings and support economically distressed counties. Furthermore, the bill introduces the West Virginia Aerospace MRO Workforce and Aviation Maintenance Education Act, which aims to develop workforce pipelines in aviation and aerospace, overseen by the Council for Community and Technical College Education, with a focus on accountability and effectiveness in meeting workforce needs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 11-6F-1, 11-6F-2, 11-6F-4, 5B-12-1, 5B-12-2, 5B-12-3, 5B-13-1, 5B-13-2, 5B-13-3, 5B-13-4, 5B-13-5, 5B-13-6, 5B-13-7, 5B-13-8, 5B-13-9, 5B-13-10, 5B-13-11, 5B-13-12, 5B-14-1, 5B-14-2, 5B-14-3, 5B-14-4, 5B-14-5, 5B-14-6, 5B-14-7, 18B-23-1, 18B-23-2, 18B-23-3, 18B-23-4, 18B-23-5, 18B-23-6, 18B-23-7, 18B-23-8, 18B-23-9, 18B-23-10
Committee Substitute: 11-6F-1, 11-6F-2, 11-6F-4, 5B-12-1, 5B-12-2, 5B-12-3, 5B-13-1, 5B-13-2, 5B-13-3, 5B-13-4, 5B-13-5, 5B-13-6, 5B-13-7, 5B-13-8, 5B-13-9, 5B-13-10, 5B-13-11, 5B-13-12, 5B-13-13, 18B-23-1, 18B-23-2, 18B-23-3, 18B-23-4, 18B-23-5, 18B-23-6, 18B-23-7, 18B-23-8, 18B-23-9
Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute: 5B-12-1, 5B-12-2, 5B-12-3, 5B-13-1, 5B-13-2, 5B-13-3, 5B-13-4, 5B-13-5, 5B-13-6, 5B-13-7, 5B-13-8, 5B-13-9, 5B-13-10, 5B-13-11, 5B-13-12, 5B-13-13, 18B-23-1, 18B-23-2, 18B-23-3, 18B-23-4, 18B-23-5, 18B-23-6, 18B-23-7, 18B-23-8, 18B-23-9
Engrossed Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute: 5B-12-1, 5B-12-2, 5B-12-3, 5B-13-1, 5B-13-2, 5B-13-3, 5B-13-4, 5B-13-5, 5B-13-6, 5B-13-7, 5B-13-8, 5B-13-9, 5B-13-10, 5B-13-11, 5B-13-12, 5B-13-13, 18B-23-1, 18B-23-2, 18B-23-3, 18B-23-4, 18B-23-5, 18B-23-6, 18B-23-7, 18B-23-8, 18B-23-9