The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today thanked NY Gov. Kathy Hochul for vetoing the “Stop the Chop” act, which would have allowed anyone to sue a pilot, flight department, line service personnel or company employee operating in the state for alleged helicopter noise pollution, even if the operation was legal.
NBAA also thanked its members and other stakeholders who answered the association’s call to action and contacted the governor about the detrimental legislation.
The bill passed the NY state assembly on June 3, 2022. NBAA worked with its New York partners to oppose the legislation, arguing that the bill as written could have far-reaching detrimental impacts on business aviation across the state.
In her statement vetoing the bill, Hochul noted, “Regulation of aircraft and airspace is primarily a federal responsibility, and federal law significantly constrains the state’s ability to legislate in this area. Certain elements of this legislation run counter to the federal scheme regulating New York’s airports and airspace.”
“We thank Gov. Hochul for her swift action in vetoing this obstructive bill,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “In New York, the general aviation industry is responsible for 43,200 jobs and more than $8.6 billion in total economic output, and this proposed legislation would have done great harm to our industry.
“We also thank the many NBAA members who reached out to the governor over the past few months to let her know the harm this bill would cause to business aviation across the state of New York,” he added.
