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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to advanced air mobility. |
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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. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Advanced air mobility" means an air |
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transportation system primarily using electric aircraft, including |
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electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and electric |
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conventional takeoff and landing aircraft, with a gross takeoff |
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weight of 300 pounds or more to transport passengers or cargo or |
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provide services in an urban or regional setting. |
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(2) "Powered lift aircraft" means an aircraft capable |
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of vertical takeoff, vertical landing, and low-speed flight that |
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depends principally on: |
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(A) engine-driven lift devices or engine thrust |
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for lift during vertical takeoff or vertical landing; and |
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(B) nonrotating airfoil for lift during |
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horizontal flight. |
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(3) "Vertiport" means an area of land, an area of |
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water, or a structure, including associated buildings and |
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facilities, that is used or intended to be used for landing or |
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takeoff of powered lift aircraft. |
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(b) A provision of this section applicable to powered lift |
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aircraft or electric aircraft, including electric vertical takeoff |
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and landing aircraft and electric conventional takeoff and landing |
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aircraft, applies only to an aircraft that: |
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(1) has a gross takeoff weight of 300 pounds or more; |
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and |
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(2) is capable of transporting passengers or cargo. |
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(c) The department shall: |
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(1) develop a statewide plan, or an update to the Texas |
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Airport System Plan, to include vertiports, electric aircraft |
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charging, and the infrastructure needs of other advances in |
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aviation technology as appropriate; |
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(2) designate a department employee as a subject |
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matter expert and resource for local and regional governmental |
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entities addressing advances in aviation technology, including |
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electric powered lift aircraft and electric aircraft and aviation; |
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(3) develop and provide to local and regional |
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governmental entities a guidebook and technical resources to |
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support uniform planning and zoning provisions across this state |
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relating to powered lift aircraft, electric aircraft and aviation, |
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and other advances in aviation technology; and |
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(4) lead a statewide education campaign for local and |
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regional public officials on the benefits of electric powered lift |
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aircraft and advancements in aviation technology. |
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(d) A political subdivision of this state may not enact, |
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adopt, or enforce a rule, ordinance, order, resolution, or other |
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regulation relating to advanced air mobility, the ownership of an |
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advanced air mobility aircraft, or the aerial operation of an |
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advanced air mobility aircraft unless: |
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(1) the political subdivision is an airport operator; |
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and |
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(2) the regulation governs: |
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(A) the operation of an advanced air mobility |
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aircraft within the geographic boundaries of the airport for which |
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the political subdivision is the airport operator; or |
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(B) the takeoff or landing of an advanced air |
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mobility aircraft at an airport described by Paragraph (A). |
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SECTION 2. Section 21.072, Transportation Code, is |
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repealed. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |