By: Parker  S.B. No. 2144
         (In the Senate - Filed March 9, 2023; March 21, 2023, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Transportation;
  April 11, 2023, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
  Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 8, Nays 0; April 11, 2023,
  sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 2144 By:  Parker
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to advanced air mobility technology.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 21, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 21.0045 to read as follows:
         Sec. 21.0045.  ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
  (a) In this section, "advanced air mobility" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 21.072.
         (b)  The commission shall appoint an advisory committee to
  assess current state law and any potential changes to state law that
  are needed to facilitate the implementation of advanced air
  mobility technology in this state.
         (c)  The commission shall appoint to the advisory committee
  members to represent:
               (1)  diverse geographic regions of the state;
               (2)  state and local law enforcement;
               (3)  the advanced air mobility industry;
               (4)  transportation experts;
               (5)  commercial airport representatives;
               (6)  vertical takeoff and landing operators and
  vertiport operators;
               (7)  local governments; and
               (8)  the general public.
         (d)  The advisory committee shall:
               (1)  hold public hearings in locations across the state
  or via electronic means; and
               (2)  receive comments through an Internet website, by
  mail, and by other methods, if appropriate.
         (e)  Not later than November 1, 2024, the advisory committee
  shall submit to the commission and the legislature a written report
  that includes the committee's findings and recommendations on any
  changes to state law that are needed to facilitate the
  implementation of advanced air mobility technology in this state.
         (f)  The advisory committee is abolished and this section
  expires January 1, 2025.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 21.072 to read as follows:
         Sec. 21.072.  ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY. (a) In this section,
  "advanced air mobility" means an aviation transportation system
  that uses highly automated aircraft, which may be manned or
  unmanned, to operate and transport passengers or cargo at lower
  altitudes for commercial, public service, private, or recreational
  purposes. 
         (b)  The department shall:
               (1)  review existing state aviation standards and
  guidelines, airport facility planning, and compatibility guidance
  to ensure that the standards, guidelines, planning, and guidance
  are applicable to advanced air mobility;
               (2)  support the development of federal and industry
  standards for advanced air mobility technology that prioritize
  safety as the technology develops; 
               (3)  designate a department employee as a liaison to
  the Federal Aviation Administration for purposes of Subdivision
  (2); 
               (4)  develop a statewide plan, or an update to the Texas
  Airport System Plan, that specifies potential locations for and
  classifications of vertiports and other associated infrastructure
  to guide the future operational environment of advanced air
  mobility; and
               (5)  provide resources and assistance on the use of
  advanced air mobility technology and infrastructure to local
  governments, regional councils of government, transportation
  planning organizations, the advanced air mobility industry, and
  other entities for the purpose of identifying governmental methods
  to integrate industry innovation and community vision and help
  promote advanced air mobility technology.
         (c)  The department, Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board, and Texas State Technical College
  System shall jointly collaborate with school districts,
  institutions of higher education, and interested public and private
  stakeholders on educational opportunities related to advanced air
  mobility technology.
         SECTION 3.  The Texas Department of Transportation, Texas
  Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and
  Texas State Technical College System are required to implement
  Section 21.072, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, only if
  the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose.
  If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
  purpose, the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Education
  Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and Texas State
  Technical College System may, but are not required to, implement
  Section 21.072, Transportation Code, using other appropriations
  available for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
 
  * * * * *