The bill would require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to establish an office within its Aviation Division to provide technical support for advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure and airports in Texas and develop a statewide strategic plan for AAM in collaboration with the United States Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, commercial air carriers, certain political subdivisions, and other relevant stakeholders. The bill would require TxDOT to identify methods to encourage the use of consensus-based vertiport standards and support uniform planning and zoning enabling provisions relating to certain types of aircraft and aviation technology.
The bill would require TxDOT, in conjunction with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) and a certified independent organization, to estimate the required electric generation and transmission capacity for the different implementation phases of AAM in Texas and evaluate the use of other fuel sources with respect to AAM. The bill would require TxDOT to collaborate with the Office of the Governor (OOG), Texas Education Agency (TEA), and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to develop and lead a statewide education campaign on the benefits of AAM technology.
The bill would require TxDOT to develop and publish on the department's Internet website materials to inform the public about AAM and related technological developments. The bill would require TxDOT to establish and administer a program to provide matching funds on behalf of Texas public institutions of higher education to receive federal grants related to AAM research and development. The bill would require TxDOT, OOG, TEA, and THECB to collaborate with school districts, institutions of higher education, including public and private stakeholders on educational opportunities related to AAM technology. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.