MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama Legislature has given final approval to legislation to boost aircraft maintenance businesses by exempting some of the parts they use from the state sales tax.
The Senate voted 34-0 for the bill Thursday. It passed the House earlier 92-0. The next step is signing by Gov. Robert Bentley, who pushed the legislation.
The bill waives the 4 percent state sales tax on parts that aircraft maintenance firms use on commercial and military planes and helicopters that are brought to Alabama from other states for maintenance or renovation.
Republican Sen. Ben Brooks of Mobile said it will make Alabama competitive with other Southern states that offer similar tax breaks. Fiscal experts estimate it will reduce states tax collections by $2.4 million to $3.5 million annually.