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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to advanced air mobility technology. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 21, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 21.0045 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.0045. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE. |
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(a) In this section, "advanced air mobility" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 21.072. |
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(b) The commission shall appoint an advisory committee to: |
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(1) assess current state law and any potential changes |
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to state law that are needed to facilitate the implementation of |
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advanced air mobility technology in this state; and |
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(2) develop a statewide plan, including a proposed |
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timeline, for the implementation of advanced air mobility |
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technology in this state. |
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(c) The commission shall appoint to the advisory committee |
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members to represent: |
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(1) diverse geographic regions of the state; |
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(2) state and local law enforcement; |
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(3) the advanced air mobility industry; |
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(4) transportation experts; |
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(5) commercial airport representatives; |
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(6) vertiport operators; |
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(7) local governments; and |
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(8) the general public. |
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(d) The advisory committee shall: |
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(1) hold public hearings in locations across the state |
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or via electronic means; and |
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(2) receive comments through an Internet website, by |
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mail, and by other methods, if appropriate. |
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(e) Not later than September 1, 2024, the advisory committee |
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shall submit to the commission and the legislature a written report |
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that includes: |
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(1) the committee's findings and recommendations on |
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any changes to state law that are needed to facilitate the |
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implementation of advanced air mobility technology in this state; |
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and |
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(2) the statewide plan developed under Subsection |
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(b)(2). |
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(f) The advisory committee is abolished and this section |
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expires January 1, 2025. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 21.072 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.072. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY. (a) In this section, |
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"advanced air mobility" means an aviation transportation system |
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that uses highly automated aircraft, which may be manned or |
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unmanned, to operate and transport passengers or cargo at lower |
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altitudes for commercial, public service, private, or recreational |
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purposes. |
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(b) The department shall: |
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(1) review existing state aviation standards and |
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guidelines, airport facility planning, and compatibility guidance |
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to ensure that the standards, guidelines, planning, and guidance |
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are applicable to advanced air mobility; |
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(2) support the development of federal and industry |
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standards for advanced air mobility technology that prioritize |
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safety as the technology develops; |
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(3) designate a department employee as a liaison to |
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the Federal Aviation Administration for purposes of Subdivision |
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(2); |
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(4) develop a statewide plan, or an update to the Texas |
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Airport System Plan, that specifies potential locations for and |
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classifications of vertiports and other associated infrastructure |
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to guide the future operational environment of advanced air |
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mobility; and |
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(5) provide resources and assistance on the use of |
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advanced air mobility technology and infrastructure to local |
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governments, regional councils of government, transportation |
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planning organizations, the advanced air mobility industry, and |
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other entities for the purpose of identifying governmental methods |
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to integrate industry innovation and community vision and help |
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promote advanced air mobility technology. |
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(c) The department, Texas Education Agency, and Texas |
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Higher Education Coordinating Board shall jointly collaborate with |
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school districts, institutions of higher education, and interested |
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public and private stakeholders on educational opportunities |
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related to advanced air mobility technology. |
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SECTION 3. The Texas Department of Transportation, Texas |
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Education Agency, and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board are |
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required to implement Section 21.072, Transportation Code, as added |
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by this Act, only if the legislature appropriates money |
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specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not |
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appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the Texas |
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Department of Transportation, Texas Education Agency, and Texas |
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Higher Education Coordinating Board may, but are not required to, |
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implement Section 21.072, Transportation Code, using other |
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appropriations available for that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |