The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
BILL: SB 1516
INTRODUCER: Senator Wright
SUBJECT: Aerospace Industry
DATE: March 18, 2025
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Ingram Proctor MS Favorable
2. ATD
3. FP
I. Summary:
SB 1516 establishes the International Aerospace Innovation Fund (IAIF), administered by Space
Florida, to accelerate global aerospace innovation by funding collaborative research and
development projects, workforce development initiatives, and commercialization efforts. The bill
requires the IAIF to develop partnerships between Florida-based aerospace companies and
international companies. The IAIF will also drive innovation in critical technology areas related
to aerospace and attract global investment in Florida’s aerospace ecosystem. The bill also
requires Space Florida to secure funding which may be received from the state, from private
sector investments, or from international contributions.
The bill requires Space Florida to develop eligibility criteria for projects to be funded by the
IAIF. At a minimum, a project must:
• Involve at least one aerospace company or organization that is based in this state;
• Be a partnership involving an international aerospace company, a university, a space agency,
or a research institute; and
• Be intended, and have demonstrated potential, for commercialization.
Space Florida is required to establish a panel of experts to evaluate and recommend projects
seeking funding and to establish an application process for the projects. Funding must be
competitively awarded based on merit. Space Florida is required to identify and establish
partnerships with countries with robust aerospace sectors. The bill authorizes Space Florida to
negotiate and enter into bilateral agreements for the purposes of the IAIF.
The bill may have an indeterminate fiscal impact. See Section V. Fiscal Impact Statement.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
REVISED: BILL: SB 1516 Page 2
II. Present Situation:
Space Florida
In 2006, the Legislature passed the Space Florida Act,
1
which consolidated Florida’s three
existing space entities, the Florida Space Authority, the Florida Space Research Institute, and the
Florida Aerospace Finance Corporation, into a single entity called Space Florida.
2
Space Florida
is established as an independent special district, a body politic and corporate, and a subdivision
of the state, to foster the growth and development of a sustainable and world-leading aerospace
3
industry in the state. Space Florida has all the powers, rights, privileges, and authority as
provided under the laws of this state
4
, and receives state funding through contracts with the
Florida Department of Commerce (FDC) and the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT).
5
Space Florida acts as Florida’s point of contact for state aerospace-related activities with federal
agencies, the military, state agencies, businesses, and the private sector.
6
Space Florida is
authorized to purchase or construct facilities, set rates, fees, and charges for the use of facilities,
and undertake joint financing with municipalities or private sector entities for any project.
7
A
project is:
• Any activity associated with any development, improvement, property, launch, utility,
facility, system, works, road, sidewalk, enterprise, service, or convenience, which may
include coordination with federal and state partners or agencies;
• Any rocket, capsule, module, launch facility, assembly facility, operations or control facility,
tracking facility, administrative facility, or any other type of aerospace-related transportation
vehicle, station, or facility;
• Any type of equipment or instrument to be used or useful in connection with any of the
foregoing;
• Any type of intellectual property and intellectual property protection in connection with any
of the foregoing including, without limitation, any patent, copyright, trademark, and service
mark for, among other things, computer software;
• Any water, wastewater, gas, or electric utility system, plant, or distribution or collection
system;
• Any small business incubator initiative, including any startup aerospace company, and any
aerospace business proposing to expand or locate its business in this state, research and
development company, research and development facility, education and workforce training
facility, storage facility, and consulting service; or
1
Chapter 2006-60, Laws of Fla.
2
See ss. 331.301 through 331.371, F.S.
3
Section 331.303, F.S., defines “aerospace” as the technology and industry related to the design, manufacture, maintenance,
repair, and operation of aircraft or any other device intended to be used or designed for flight or reentry, including rockets,
missiles, spacecraft, satellites, space vehicles, space stations, space and aircraft facilities or components thereof, and related
equipment, systems, facilities, simulators, programs, and activities, including, but not limited to, the application of aerospace
and aviation technologies in air-based, land-based, space-based, and sea-based platforms for commercial, civil, and defense
purposes.
4
Section 331.302, F.S.
5
Florida Accountability Contract Tracking System, Contracts Main Search, Vendor/Grantor Name - Space Florida, available
at https://facts.fldfs.com/Search/ContractSearch.aspx (last visited Mar. 10, 2025).
6
Section 331.3011, F.S.
7
Section 331.305, F.S. BILL: SB 1516 Page 3
• Any tourism initiative, including any space experience attraction, microgravity flight
program, aerospace launch-related activity, and space museum sponsored or promoted by
Space Florida.
8
According to Space Florida’s 2024 Annual Operations Report, as of June 30, 2024, Space
Florida had 161 total projects in development with an estimated value of $5.6 billion in capital
investment, and provided $101.9 million in funding for 30 research projects, partnerships, and
grants.
9
Powers of Space Florida
In furtherance of its duties, Space Florida is given certain powers, including, but not limited to:
10
• Using a corporate seal;
• Using patents, copyrights, and trademarks;
• Lending and investing money;
• Acquiring certain properties;
• Executing contracts;
• Issuing revenue bonds;
• Making expenditures for entertainment and travel expenses and business clients, guests, and
other authorized persons; and
• Fixing and collecting fees, loan payments, rental payments, and other charges in connection
with financing agreements.
Duties of Space Florida
In order to implement the Space Florida Act and carry out spaceport operations, Space Florida is
given certain duties, including, but not limited to, creating a business plan, entering into
agreements and cooperating with other state agencies, and consulting with appropriate federal
agencies.
11
Specifically, Space Florida is required to:
• Enter into agreement with the Department of Education (DOE), the DOT, the FDC, and
CareerSource Florida, Inc. (CSF).
12
• In cooperation with the FDC, develop a plan to retain, expand, attract, and create aerospace
industry entities, public or private, which results in the creation of high-value-added
businesses and jobs in this state.
13
• Develop, in cooperation with the FDC, a plan to provide financing assistance to aerospace
businesses.
14
8
Section 331.303(14), F.S.
9
Space Florida, Space Florida Annual Report 2024, available https://cdn.prod.website-
files.com/66c8a3fe36eef11411f2b1ef/674749d0769077b041d100ff_Annual-Report-2024-Final_compressed.pdf (last visited
Mar. 10, 2025).
10
Section 331.305, F.S.
11
Section 331.3051, F.S.
12
Section 331.3051(2), F.S.
13
Section 331.3051(3), F.S.
14
Section 331.3051(6), F.S. BILL: SB 1516 Page 4
• Carry out its responsibilities for spaceport operations by:
15
o Seeking federal support and developing partnerships to renew and upgrade the
infrastructure and technologies at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the John F.
Kennedy Space Center, and the Eastern Range.
o Supporting federal efforts to clarify roles and responsibilities of federal agencies in an
effort to streamline access for commercial launch users.
o Pursuing the development of commercial spaceports in the state in partnership with
counties or municipalities, the Federal Government, or private entities.
o Promoting and facilitating launch activity within the state by supporting and assisting
commercial launch operators’ interactions with federal agencies for launching from
Florida.
o Consulting, as necessary, with the appropriate federal, state, and local authorities,
including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of Defense, the DOT, Florida National Guard, and
industry on establishing and operating spaceport infrastructure and facilities in the state.
In 2023, the Legislature expanded those duties by requiring Space Florda to conduct the
following collaborative measures:
• Solicit input regularly on Space Florida plans and activities from the aerospace industry,
private sector spaceport territory stakeholders, each entity that owns or has ownership
interest in a facility within spaceport territory, and other political subdivisions within
spaceport territory.
• Partner with the Board of Governors to foster technological advancement and economic
development for spaceport activities by strengthening higher education programs and
supporting aerospace activities.
• Partner with the FDC’s Division of Workforce Services, CSF, and local workforce
development boards to support initiatives that address the high technology skills and staff
resources needed to better promote the state’s efforts in becoming the nation’s leader in
aerospace and space exploration.
• Partner with the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council to coordinate and
specify how aerospace planning and programming will be part of the state's cooperative
transportation planning process.
16
Contracts, Grants, and Contributions
Space Florida is authorized to:
• Make and enter all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its
functions and execution of its powers.
• Contract with, and accept and receive grants or loans of money, material, or property from,
any person, private or public as the Space Florida Board determines necessary or desirable to
carry out the purposes of the Space Florida Act.
• In connection with any such contract, grant, or loan, stipulate and agree to such covenants,
terms, and conditions as the Space Florida board of directors deems appropriate.
17
15
Section 331.3051(7), F.S.
16
Ch. 2023-200, s. 5 Laws of Fla. Section 331.3051(11), (12), (13), and (14), F.S.
17
Section 331.324, F.S. BILL: SB 1516 Page 5
Board of Directors
Under general law, Space Florida is governed by an independent board of directors (Space
Florida Board), which consists of the Governor, or the Governor’s designee, who is a voting
member and serves as the chair and the following appointed members:
18
• The Secretary of Transportation or his or her designee.
• Five members appointed by the Governor and subject to Senate confirmation.
19
• One member appointed by the President of the Senate.
20
• One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
21
• A representative of each of the following entities, appointed by the Governor, who shall
serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the board:
o An employee or official of a port district or port authority.
22
o The Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority.
o The Jacksonville Aviation Authority.
23
The duties of the Space Florida Board include:
• Adopting rules and orders to conduct the business of Space Florida, the maintenance of
records, and the form of all documents and records of Space Florida.
• Maintaining an executive office and Space Florida offices in close proximity to the John F.
Kennedy Space Center.
• Appointing a president of Space Florida, and determining his or her title, functions, duties,
powers, and salary.
• Abiding by all applicable federal labor laws in the construction and day-to-day operations of
Space Florida and any spaceport.
• Preparing the annual report of operations as a supplement to its annual report, which is also
required by law.
24
The Space Florida Board is authorized to exercise the following powers:
• Enter, and authorize any agent or employee of Space Florida to enter, upon any lands, waters,
and premises, upon giving reasonable notice and due process to the land owner, for the
purposes of making surveys, soundings, drillings, appraisals, and examinations necessary to
perform its duties and functions.
18
Section 331.3081(1), F.S.
19
Section 331.3081(1)(b), F.S. specifies that the five members must each reflect the state’s interests in the aerospace sector
and represent the intent, duties, and purpose of Space Florida or have at least 5 years of relevant experience at least one of the
following areas: The aerospace industry, such member may not be currently employed by an entity that is under contract with
Space Florida; bond financing; academic experience in aerospace, aviation, or a relevant science; or an aircraft facilities
manager, a fixed-based operator, or a commercial airport operator.
20
The appointed member must have at least 5 years of experience as provided in s. 331.3081(1)(b), F.S.
21
Id.
22
Section 315.02(2), F.S., defines “port authority” to mean any port authority in Florida created by or pursuant to the
provisions of any general or special law or any district or board of county commissioners acting as a port authority under or
pursuant to the provisions of any general or special law.
23
Section 331.3081(1), F.S.
24
Section 331.310(2), F.S. BILL: SB 1516 Page 6
• Execute all contracts and other documents, adopt all proceedings, and perform all acts
determined by the Space Florida Board to be necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes
of the Space Florida Act.
• Establish and create such departments, committees, or other entities as from time to time the
Space Florida Board deems necessary or desirable in the performance of any acts or other
things necessary to the exercise of the powers provided in statute.
• Provide financial services to support aerospace-related business development within the
state. Financial services may include, but are not limited to:
o Insuring, coinsuring, or originating for sale direct aerospace-related loans.
o Direct lending.
o Guaranteeing and collateralizing loans.
o Creating accounts.
o Capitalizing, underwriting, leasing, selling, or securing funding for aerospace-related
infrastructure.
o Investing in permissible securities.
o Organizing financial institutions and international bank syndicates.
o Acquiring, accepting, or administering grants, contracts, and fees from other
organizations to perform activities that are consistent with the purposes of Space
Florida’s business plan. If the Space Florida Board deems a financial services entity is
necessary, the Space Florida Board may create, form, or contract with one or more such
entities.
• Examine, and authorize any officer or agent of Space Florida to examine, the county tax rolls
with respect to the assessed valuation of the real and personal property within any spaceport
territory.
• Engage in the planning and implementation of space-related economic and educational
development within the state.
• Provide the strategic direction for the aerospace-related research priorities of the state and its
aerospace-related businesses.
• Execute intergovernmental agreements and development agreements consistent with
prevailing statutory provisions, including, but not limited to, special benefits or tax increment
financing initiatives.
• Establish reserve funds for future Space Florida Board operations.
• Adopt rules to carry out the purposes of the Space Florida Act.
25
Florida Opportunity Fund
In 2007 the Legislature passed the Capital Formation Act (Act),
26
a multi-faceted approach to
nurturing entrepreneurs and emerging companies in the state, with the intent to mobilize private
investment in a broad variety of partnerships in diversified industries and geographies.
27
One
component of the Act was the creation of the Florida Opportunity Fund as an investor in seed
and early stage businesses, infrastructure projects, venture capital funds, and angel funds.
28
Designed to mobilize investment in a broad variety of Florida-based, new technology companies
25
Section 331.310(1), F.S. Sections 288.9621-288.96255, F.S.
26
Chapter 2007-189, Laws of Fla.
27
Section 288.9622, F.S.
28
Id. BILL: SB 1516 Page 7
and to generate a return sufficient to continue reinvestment, the Florida Opportunity Fund, the
private, not-for profit corporation, is required to:
• Invest in certain seed and early stage venture capital funds. The fund also may make direct
investments, including loans, in individual businesses and infrastructure projects. While not
precluded from investing in venture capital funds that have investments outside this state, the
fund must require a venture capital fund to show a record of successful investment in this
state, to be based in this state, or to have an office in this state staffed with a full-time,
professional venture investment executive in order to be eligible for investment.
• Negotiate for investment capital or loan proceeds from private, institutional, or banking
sources.
• Negotiate any and all terms and conditions for its investments.
• Invest only in funds, businesses, and infrastructure projects that have raised capital from
other sources so that the amount invested in such funds, businesses, or infrastructure projects
is at least twice the amount invested by the fund. Direct investments must be made in Florida
infrastructure projects or businesses that are Florida-based or have significant business
activities in Florida and operate in technology sectors that are strategic to Florida, including,
but not limited to, enterprises in life sciences, information technology, advanced
manufacturing processes, aviation and aerospace, and homeland security and defense, as well
as other strategic technologies.
• Form or operate other entities and accept additional funds from other public and private
sources to further its purpose.
29
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
The bill amends s. 331.3051, F.S., revising Space Florida’s duties to include administering the
International Aerospace Innovation Fund (IAIF).
The bill also amends s. 331.310, F.S., conforming a cross-reference to incorporate Space
Florida’s duty to administer the IAIF.
The bill creates s. 331.372, F.S., establishing the IAIF, administered by Space Florida, to
accelerate global aerospace innovation by funding collaborative research and development
projects, workforce development initiatives, and commercialization efforts.
As part of funding such projects, initiatives, and commercialization efforts, the IAIF will develop
partnerships between Florida-based aerospace companies and international aerospace companies,
drive innovation in critical technology areas related to aerospace, including, but not limited to,
space exploration, advanced manufacturing, and space infrastructure, and attract global
investment in this state’s aerospace ecosystem.
Space Florida is required to secure funding for the IAIF, which may be received from:
• The state, in the form of direct appropriations to Space Florida for purposes of the
International Aerospace Innovation Fund, investment by the Florida Opportunity Fund,
30
and
any other investment, loan, or grant funds for which projects of the IAIF qualify.
29
Sections 288.9622 and 288.9624, F.S.
30
Section 288.9624, F.S. BILL: SB 1516 Page 8
• Private sector investments. Space Florida may solicit matching funds from and partner with
private aerospace companies and venture capital funds.
• International contributions. To the extent permitted under state law, Space Florida may
collaborate with foreign industry development organizations or innovation authorities to co-
fund IAIF projects.
The bill requires Space Florida to establish an application process for projects seeking funding
from the IAIF and develop eligibility criteria for projects that may be funded by the IAIF. Space
Florida must also establish a panel of aerospace experts to evaluate and recommend projects.
The eligibility criteria for projects must include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
• The project must involve at least one aerospace company or organization that is based in this
state.
• The project must be a partnership that involves at least one of the following:
o An international aerospace company.
o A university.
o A space agency.
o A research institute.
• The project must be intended, and have demonstrated potential, for commercialization.
Funding by the IAIF must be competitively awarded to eligible projects based on merit.
In addition, the bill requires Space Florida to identify and establish partnerships, to the extent
possible, with countries that have robust aerospace sectors.
The bill authorizes Space Florida to negotiate and enter into bilateral agreements for the purposes
of the IAIF, which may include, but are not limited to, the establishment of co-funding
commitments, intellectual property rights, and collaboration terms.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None. BILL: SB 1516 Page 9
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None identified.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
Funding for the IAIF may be derived from private sector investments and international
contributions, as secured by Space Florida. The impact on the private sector is
indeterminate. However, the bill may have a positive impact on funding for Florida
aerospace companies or organizations, since the bill requires that a project must involve
at least one aerospace company or organization that is based in this state.
C. Government Sector Impact:
Funding for the IAIF from the state, as secured by Space Florida, may be in the form of
direct appropriation for the purposes of the IAIF, investment by the Florida Opportunity
Fund, and other investment, loan, or grant funds for which the IAIF projects qualify.
Therefore, the bill may have an indeterminate fiscal impact.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends the following sections of the Florida Statutes: 331.3051 and
331.310.
This bill creates section 331.372 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None. BILL: SB 1516 Page 10
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.