Governor and Executive Council Agenda item PDF - 2026-01-07 - agenda 6

Meeting Date

2026-01-07

Attachment Kind Label

Agenda item PDF

Attachment Relation

primary_meeting_attachment

Agenda Numbers

6

Agency Names

Department Of Transportation

Parent Meeting Title

Governor and Executive Council meeting - 2026-01-07

/W hMn-v/kW THE ST A TE OE NEW HAMPSHIREDEPAR TMENT OE ERA NSFOR TA EION

•IIDepartment of Transportation

(p David Rodrlgue, P.E.

Assistant Commissioner

William Cuss, P.E.

Commissioner,

^AN 0 7 7nyc MichelleL. Winters,cUcO Deputy Commissioner

Her Excellency, Governor Kelly A. Ayotte Executive Office

and the Honorable Council November 14, 2025

State House

Concord, New Hampshire 03301

REQUESTED ACTION

Authorize the Department of Transportation to retroactively pay membership dues in the amount of $9,857.80

for the period of October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, to the National Association of State Aviation

Officials (NASAO), Washington, DC, (Vendor Code 169076) for membership in the national aviation

organization, from the date of Governor and Council approval through September 30, 2026. 100% General

Funds.

Funding is available as follows: FY 2026

04-96-96-964010-2107 Aeronautics

026-500251 Organizational Dues $9,857.80

EXPLANATION

This request is retroactive due to a delay in obtaining the attached invoice prior to October 1, 2025, due to

staffing changes at NASAO.

There are 50 states and two (2) territories eligible to be members of NASAO. Membership in NASAO ensures

New Hampshire's voice and input on national issues affecting aviation matters and funding is well-represented

and amplified. Additionally, discounted training and registration costs are included in this membership along

with opportunities to participate in member meetings, webinars, and teleconferences at no cost to the State. There

are resources available for member states to assist in furthering education in aviation, including being a member

of an Aviation Education subcommittee that shares information and tools to assist in providing opportunities in

aviation for K-12 and college students. New Hampshire Department of Education's Learn Everywhere program

was introduced to other state members of NASAO as a cutting-edge program perfect for bringing aviation

programs to high school students. Sharing this information highlights the excellence of New Hampshire in

aviation education.

Membership in NASAO is not required to receive funding from the Federal government, but it does provide good,

advanced communications regarding funding opportunities that may be available nationwide. Given all the

change at the national level, the collective organized coordination and communication between the states has

become more important to stay informed and engaged with other states, and to having instant access to

experienced and knowledgeable NASAO staff is another valuable benefit with real, but incalculable dividends.

NASAO is a non-profit, non-partisan association that plays an important role in helping to develop and maintain

civil aviation systems that can safely and effectively serve the needs of the citizens of the State of NH and the

nation. NASAO's role in civil aviation is critical for continuing to work with the Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA) on behalf of the 50 states to ensure adequate Federal funding of the Airport Improvement Program and the

continuation of the State Block Grant Program (New Hampshire is a Block Grant State), appropriate General

JOHN O. MORTON BUILDING • 7 HAZEN DRIVE. P.O. BOX 483 • CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03302-0483

TELEPHONE: (603) 271-3734. FAX: (603) 271-3914 • TDD: RELAY NH 1-800-735-2964.WWW.NHDOT.COM

Aviation airport investments, and beneficial state apportionments. The cooperation and mutual aid among the 50

states and two U.S. territories, through NASAO, and the Federal government has been instrumental in developing

uniformity and minimizing duplication of efforts. The Department has benefitted from participation in NASAO

events, including regularly scheduled virtual meetings for both NASAO and its Block Grant Subcommittee and

annual NASAO meetings and conferences. Most importantly, the Department now has a "seat at the FAA table"

to negotiate State Block Grant Program agreements, which benefits the State of NH by ensuring that the state's

airports receive the best service from our federal partners and the funding they deserve to maintain safe

infrastructure.

Listed below are the answers to standard questions required for Governor and Council organization dues and

membership approval submissions:

1. How long has this organization been in existence and how long has this agency been a member of this

organization?

The National Association ofState Aviation Officials (NASAO) was chartered in 1931. The Department,

previously the Aeronautics Commission, had been a member of NASAO for over 50 years, but this

membership ceased in 2013 due to funding limitations. During that time, the Department was cut offfrom

coordinated discussions with the 50 states and lacked the ability to understand the national issues and to

respond to them. The Department reinstated its membership in 2024 but wa5 unable to pay the membership

last year due to timing of the invoice and coordinated response time.

The Department had limited coordination with NASAO and the other states in 2025, with the exception of the

State Block Grant Program (SBGP) subcommittee. NH is one of 10 SBG states that act on behalf of the FAA

for the general aviation airports in the state. Programming, planning, and engineering ofairport

infrastructure, land/easement acquisition, environmental and equipment purchasing is coordinated and

process through the NHDOT, Bureau of Aeronautics.

An example of a lost opportunity, the Airport Engineering subcommittee group just met with FAA

Headquarters to discuss FAA Order 5100.38D (current version), regarding the Airport Improvement

Program (AlP) Handbook and NH did not attend this meeting. The AlP handbook is FAA policy that is

required to be followed to be in compliance with all FAA grant conditions and assurances. Having a seat at

the table would have benefited the State of NH to ensure the policy being developed did not hinder or limit

the development of the state's airports in any way. This meeting was the first of its kind regarding the AlP

handbook that was coordinated by NASAO to have a seat at the table.

2. Is there any other organization which provides the same or similar benefits that your agency belongs to?

NASAO is the only organization that represents the collective interests of the states and the public on

aviation issues; there are no other organizations that provide these aviation benefits to the Department or

State ofNH

3. How many other states belong to this organization and is your agency the sole New Hampshire state agency

that is a member?

NASAO represents all 50 U.S. states. The Department is the only NH state agency that would be a member.

4. How is the due's structure established? (Standard fee for all states, based on population, based on other

criteria, etc.)

The annual membership dues are prescribed by NASAO and are not prescribed at a flat rate. The state's

share of the annual NASAO operating cost is assessed annually based on a population and Consumer Price

Index (CPl) formula determined by the NASAO Board of Directors and approved by the members.

5. What benefit does the state receive from participating in this membership?

While there are no major direct major financial gains to be a member of NASAO, there are member

discounts applied to conferences and educational material hosted and provided by NASAO.

NASAO plays an important role in helping to develop and maintain civil aviation systems that can safely and

effectively serve the needs of the citizens of the states. NASAO's role in civil aviation is critical for

continuing to work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of the states, and US

territories, to ensure adequate Federalfunding of the Airport Improvement Program and the continuation of

the State Block Grant Program, appropriate General Aviation airport investments, and beneficial state

apportionments. NASAO has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the FAA to foster cooperation

and mutual support among the states, federal and local governments to be responsive to the regional, state

and national needs in support of the National Air Transportation System. NASAO works collaboratively

with the FAA in the development of aviation rules and regulations by incorporating the needs of the states.

In addition to working with the FAA, NASAO works with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

to develop safety regulations and guidelines to protect general aviation airports.

The organization and collaboration between the states is the biggest non-monetary benefit of being a part of

NASAO. Without the membership the Department staff must research and collect information on their own

without collective weigh-in by the other states. The are many NASAO subcommittees that quickly provide the

latest on national and regional issues to its member states.

The State of New Hampshire was a major participant in developing the SBGP Memorandum ofAgreement

(MOA) with FAA to manage the FAA AIP Program. The MOA was stalledfor over 8 years, however, once

the State Block Grant states worked together as a collective, led by NH and the State of Texas, the states

collectively rejected the FAA- presented MOA that did not serve the states and airports in the block grant

program: the states then worked with FAA, over a short period of time, to develop a MOA that would be

more beneficial to the states and the airports they serve. NASAO coordinated and administratively managed

this effort, but if NH had not been a dues-paying member the state would not have had a seat at the

negotiation table. NH would have then had to rely on the other states to negotiate the final MOA that would

then be required to enter into to receive FAA funding. The MOA is a living document and is reviewed yearly

to continue to collaborate with FAA as a partner in managing the FAA AIP program.

Up to 75 seats for Department staff are included with the cost of membership. Typically, the Commissioner,

Deputy Commissioner, Director ofAeronautics, Rail and Transit and the entire Bureau of Aeronautics may

receive all membership benefits.

6. Are training or educational/research materials included in the membership? If so, is the cost included? Explain

in detail.

The cost for research and information materials from NASAO, the other 50 states and two U.S. territories

are included with the membership fee. Training costs and registration discounts are included in this

membership fee. NASAO members can also partake in (free) member meetings, webinars, and

teleconferences. NASAO offers more than 30 courses and up to 75 seats for Department staff are included

with the cost of membership.

1. Is the membership required to receive any federal grants or required in order to receive or participate in

licensing or certification exams? Explain.

This membership is not required to receive federal grants, participate in licensing or certification of exams;

however, membership benefits, including training, conferences, meetings and regularly disseminated

information about discretionary funding opportunities that would help the state better prepare for and

compete for such funding opportunities. Not being a member would put the State of NH at a disadvantage

when applying for certain discretionary aviation funds as they become available; the member states and

other partners routinely discuss funding opportunities, the eligibility requirements, and information to assist

in grant applications.

8. Is there any travel included with this membership fee? Explain in detail any travel including the number of

employees involved, the number of trips, destination of known and purposes of membership-supported trips.

Travel costs are not included in this membership, but there are NASAO annual meetings, conferences, and

training held throughout the US, in addition to web-based opportunities; host locations andfrequency ofin-

person attendance can vary year-to-year based on several factors. Discount registration fees are available

for conferences. Several meals are included in the registration fees.

9. Which state agency employees are directly involved with this organization? (Indicate if they are members,

voting members, committee members, and /or officers of the organization).

The Director of Aeronautics, Rail and Transit, or their representative, would be a voting member of NASAO.

(Note: the Director is also a member of the NASAO Airport Block Grant Program Committee.) Additionally,

all seven (7) fulltime personnel within the Bureau of Aeronautics would also benefit from and would be

eligible to participate in various NASAO meetings, conferences, and activities. In fact, up to 75 seats for

Department staff are included with the cost of membership and the Department's Deputy Commissioner was

an active participant in the past.

10. Explain in detail any negative impact to the state if the Agency did not belong to this organization.

Should the Department continue to not be a member ofNASAO, New Hampshire would not have a vote in

aviation initiatives set forth by NASAO, and the other participating states and U.S. territories, which include

actions involving the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Additionally, the

Department will not receive timely information regarding federal funding, regulations, security, and all

other aviation matters for which NASAO members receive a weekly members-only electronic newsletter

(NASAO Briefs) which provides industry updates, a round-up ofstate aviation issues, etc. The Department

will also not be able to participate in the joint NASAO/FAA teleconferences or other NASAO-sponsored

events that provide insights into national-level rulemaking, legislation, policy, and products and networking

opportunities amongst members to discuss issues and solve problems.

In closing, given the current state of aviation and the immediate focus of maintaining the safety of the system and

ensuring that the flying public can trust this efficient mode of transportation, collective coordination between the

states through NASAO is essential. New Hampshire's system of airports cannot operate in a silo; there must be

connectivity and coordination with airports nationwide.

In addition to managing the existing aviation system, the aviation industry is currently on the brink of a major

beneficial technological change. The next generation of aircraft are currently being designed to serve a different

facet of aviation need than what currently exists today. FAA is currently working on separating airspace to

accommodate these aircraft which fall under the umbrella term called Advance Air Mobility (AAM). AAM are

aircraft that are typically automated, electrically, or powered by other means and have a vertical take-off and

landing capability. AAM aircraft will be the next exciting phase of aviation where they can be used to transport

cargo, including medical supplies, and passengers, help with firefighting and provide search and rescue

operations.

While initially AAM operations will use existing infrastructure like airports and public and private heliports (with

modifications), an entirely new infrastructure will need to be developed for this system to operate efficiently

meeting the needs of the next generation transportation. A vertiport design (similar to a heliport), with associated

systems (electrification chargers or other energy sources) will be the infrastructure required which will be

designed and located in strategic locations in communities for fast efficient transport of people and goods. AAM,

similar to the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones), technology is evolving faster than the infrastructure

development and the regulatory environment can keep up. To strategically position the State of NH to be ready

for this new technological aviation advancement in the near future, connecting to other states through NASAO

would be beneficial to the transportation system and the people of NH.

Your approval of this resolution is respectfully requested.

Sincerely,

William J. Cass, P.E.

Commissioner

Attachments

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE AVIATION

OFFICIALS

1390 Chain Bridge Road

#A106

McLean, VA 22101

(202) 925-7345

National Association of State Aviation Officials

BILL TO

New Hampshire Department of Transportation

Bureau of Aeronautics, Rail and Transit

John O. Morton Building,

7 Hazen Drive, PO Box 483

Concord, NH 03302-0483

ATTN: Michelle Winters

Invoice

DATE INVOICE#

11/14/2025 Ml 089-26

DESCRIPTION QTY RATE AMOUNT

NASAO Membership October 1, 2025 - September

30, 2026

9857.80 9857.80

Total $9,857.80

Payments/Credits $0.00

Balance Due $9,857.80

SEPTEMBER 2025 National Association of State Aviation Officials

Dear State Director;

Thank you for your continued engagement as a valued member of NASAO! Attached please find

your NASAO dues invoice for 2025-2026. As you know, the year before last, at the Annual

Meeting of the States our membership agreed to look to the future and approve a 5% increase in

the annual dues. For the coming year, dues will remain the same, but we anticipate a small

increase for 2026-2027, so please plan accordingly.

With your active engagement and financial support, NASAO's team of officers and staff have

continued to build our Association as a recognized and respected voice on national aviation

policy, while providing valuable services to you as a member. We have increased our visibility on

Capitol Hill, in the FAA, and within the aviation community, and our effective engagement with

federal policymakers has grown in value and effectiveness.

NASAO continues to host informative and engaging events that have been well-attended by state

members and other aviation stakeholders. Our Washington Conference last February set another

record for attendance, and our 94*^ Annual Convention in Anchorage will be also be extremely

well attended and productive. We are busy planning the 2026 Washington Conference taking

place February 25-27, 2026, and our 95*^ Annual Convention next September in Grand Forks,

North Dakota. We are also pleased to have had the opportunity to partner with the FAA, NASA,

and several of our Business Partners to bring you webinars on topics of contemporary interest.

We look forward to continuing to enhance these events to best serve your needs.

NASAO's communications to you continue to be a priority for our team. In addition to the weekly

NASAO Brief, we have also worked hard to bring you timely updates on policy issues and our

advocacy through our Legislative Alerts. The team also makes every effort to be available to you

for all our NASAO Committee meetings and regional teleconferences. We've also been able to

visit a few of you for your state aviation conferences. We're also excited about the continuing

growth of our Airport Partners Program

Of course, our greatest strength remains your active participation and engagement. We are

excited that so many of you take on active roles in your Association... as officers, regional

directors, and committee members. We are also pleased that many of you give your staff the

opportunity to participate as well. Remember, NASAO remains the only association solely

dedicated to serving you and your colleagues working in state aviation. Our work together

ensures the future is one in which state perspectives on the important issues are heard and

understood; and that the policies we support, and all the initiatives we undertake, better enable

states to perform their critical role in the aviation system.

We look forward to another great year, and your continuing participation!

Sincerely,

(2—--

Gregory Pecoraro

NASAO President & CEO

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE AVIATION OFFICIALS