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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the regulation of vertiports. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 21.073 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.073. REGULATION OF VERTIPORTS. (a) In this |
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section: |
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(1) "Advanced air mobility" has the meaning assigned |
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by Section 21.072. |
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(2) "Vertiport" means infrastructure or a system with |
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supporting services and equipment intended for landing, |
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ground-handling, and takeoff of manned or unmanned vertical takeoff |
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and landing aircraft. |
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(b) This section applies only to a vertiport that is |
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available for public use by an advanced air mobility operator |
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authorized by the United States Department of Transportation or |
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Federal Aviation Administration to engage in passenger or cargo |
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services in scheduled or unscheduled service in or affecting |
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interstate commerce. |
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(c) Each vertiport subject to this section must comply with |
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any applicable Federal Aviation Administration rule or advisory |
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circular containing standards for vertiport design and performance |
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characteristics. |
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(d) An owner or operator of a vertiport subject to this |
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section: |
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(1) shall submit a vertiport layout plan to the |
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Federal Aviation Administration in the form and manner prescribed |
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by the Federal Aviation Administration; and |
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(2) may not conduct any operations at the vertiport |
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unless the Federal Aviation Administration approves the plan |
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submitted under Subdivision (1). |
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(e) A political subdivision of this state, in exercising the |
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political subdivision's zoning and land use authority: |
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(1) may not grant or permit an exclusive right to one |
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or more vertiport owners or operators; and |
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(2) shall use that authority to promote reasonable |
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access to vertiports located within the jurisdiction of the |
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political subdivision by advanced air mobility operators. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |