California Bill Would Require Registration Fees, Emissions Taxes for Aircraft

Commercial airlines would be exempt. The measure leaves it to the DMV to determine dollar amounts.

A single-engine aircraft over Catalina Island on March 30, 2002. P. Alejandro Díaz/Intersofia/Public Domain

Newly introduced legislation in California would mandate administration registration fees for some aircraft and taxes to account for emissions.

Senate Bill 1505, authored by state Sen. Henry Stern would require aircraft registered in California to begin paying such fees to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Zero emissions aircraft, commercial airlines, and some chartered jet services would be exempt.