Congress expands tax-free college savings for aviation training

What it does

This bill allows families to use 529 college savings plans to pay for aviation maintenance technician and commercial pilot training courses at FAA-regulated schools. Currently, 529 plans are limited to traditional higher education expenses; this expands them to cover aviation workforce training, letting account holders withdraw funds tax-free for these specific courses.

Why we flagged it

The bill is a straightforward tax-code amendment that expands an existing savings vehicle (529 plans) to cover a specific workforce-development sector (aviation). It is neither a subsidy nor a carve-out for a private party — it is a policy choice to treat aviation training like higher education for tax purposes.

What the text implies

• Expands the universe of 'qualified higher education expenses' by regulatory reference (14 CFR parts 61, 141, 147), meaning future FAA rule changes could alter what qualifies without legislative amendment.
• May increase demand for FAA-regulated aviation schools, potentially benefiting flight schools and maintenance technician programs that meet the regulatory criteria.
• Creates a tax incentive for families to invest in aviation training, which may increase the supply of commercial pilots and maintenance technicians — a workforce goal but one achieved through tax expenditure rather than direct appropriation.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

Ordinary families with 529 accounts gain expanded tax-advantaged savings options for a workforce-critical skill (aviation maintenance and commercial pilot training). The bill removes a tax barrier to entry for these careers without imposing new costs on citizens or restricting existing rights.

Who stands to gain

• aviation maintenance technician schools (FAA Part 147)
• flight schools (FAA Part 61 and Part 141 certified)
• families with 529 accounts seeking aviation training

Named in the bill

Internal Revenue Code Section 529, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), 14 CFR Part 147 (aviation maintenance technician schools), 14 CFR Part 61 (flight training), 14 CFR Part 141 (pilot school certificates)

Where it stands

27 cosponsors: 20 Republicans, 7 Democrats.

• Mar 3, 2025 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Mar 3, 2025 — Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Money around this bill

4 lobbying clients named this bill on 6 disclosure filings across 2 quarters, Dec 2025 to Jun 2026. Those filings disclosed $3,141,100 in lobbying spend. A filing names 17 bills on average, so that figure is what each filing reported, not a share belonging to this bill.

More lobbying clients named this bill than 72% of bills with at least one filing.

Mike Collins, the sponsor, reported $554,500 in PAC receipts in the 2026 cycle.

• Air Transport Association of America, Inc. (d/b/a Airlines for America) — $2,301,100 on 2 filings
• Alaska Airlines Inc — $500,000 on 1 filing
• Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association — $320,000 on 1 filing
• College Savings Foundation — $20,000 on 2 filings

Lobbying Disclosure Act filings through Jul 20, 2026. A filing shows who paid to lobby on a bill it names, not what changed.