Oklahoma 2025 Regular Session

Oklahoma Senate Bill SB920 Compare Versions

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3		-	SB920 HFLR Page 1
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	3	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 920 Page 1 1
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29		-	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION
30		-
31		-	STATE OF OKLAHOMA
32		-
33		-	1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
34	27
35	28		ENGROSSED SENATE
36	29		BILL NO. 920 By: Rosino of the Senate
37	30
38	31		and
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40	33		Miller of the House
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45	38		An Act relating to aerospace infrastructure; amending
46	39		3 O.S. 2021, Section s 101 and 102.1, as amended by
47	40		Section 12, Chapter 126, O.S.L. 2023 (3 O.S. Supp.
48	41		2024, Section 102.1), which relate to the Airport
49	42		Zoning Act; defining terms; requiring certain permit
50	43		for construction within certain radius of a heliport
51	44		or vertiport; amending 3 O.S. 2021, Section 421, as
52	45		last amended by Section 15, Chapter 135, O.S.L. 2024
53	46		(3 O.S. Supp. 2024, Section 421), which relates to
54	47		the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aer onautics
55	48		as the clearinghouse for unmanned aircraft systems ;
56	49		granting Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and
57	50		Aeronautics certain authority; updating statutory
58	51		language; and providing an effective date .
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63	56		BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
64	57		SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 3 O.S. 2021, Section 101, is
65	58		amended to read as follows:
66	59		Section 101. As used in this act, unless the context other wise
67	60		requires:
	61	+	(1) 1. “Airport” means an area of land or water that is used or
	62	+	intended to be used for the landing and taking off of aircraft
	63	+	including its buildings and facilities, if any .;
	64	+	(2) 2. “Airport hazard” means any structure, object of natural
	65	+	growth or use of land which obstr ucts the airspace required for the
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69		-	SB920 HFLR Page 2
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	67	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 920 Page 2 1
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95		-	(1) 1. “Airport” means an area of land or water that is used or
96		-	intended to be used for the landing and taking off of aircraft
97		-	including its buildings and facilities, if any .;
98		-	(2) 2. “Airport hazard” means any structure, object of natural
99		-	growth or use of land which obstructs the airspace required for the
100	92		flight of aircraft in landing or taking off at an airport or is
101	93		otherwise hazardous to such landing or taking off of aircraft .;
102	94		(3) 3. “Airport hazard area” means any area of land or wate r
103	95		upon which an airport hazard might be established if not prevented
104	96		as provided in this act .;
105	97		(4) 4. “Heliport” means an area of land, water, or a structure
106	98		used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of
107	99		helicopters;
108	100		5. “Political subdivisio n” means any municipality, city, town,
109	101		village, or county.;
110	102		(5) 6. “Person” means any individual, firm, copartnership,
111	103		corporation, company, association, joint stock association, or body
112	104		politic, and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, or other
113	105		similar representative thereof .;
114	106		(6) 7. “Structure” means any object constructed or installed by
115	107		man, including, but without limitation, buildings, towers,
116	108		smokestacks, and overhead transmission lines .;
117	109		(7) 8. “Tree” means any object of natural growth .; and
	110	+	9. “VTOL aircraft” means an aircraft which has vertical takeoff
	111	+	and landing capability.
	112	+	SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 3 O.S. 2021, Section 102.1, as
	113	+	amended by Section 12, Chapter 126, O.S.L. 2023 (3 O.S. Supp. 2024,
	114	+	Section 102.1), is a mended to read as follows:
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119		-	SB920 HFLR Page 3
120		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	116	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 920 Page 3 1
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145		-	9. “VTOL aircraft” means an aircraft which has vertical takeoff
146		-	and landing capability.
147		-	SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 3 O.S. 2021, S ection 102.1, as
148		-	amended by Section 12, Chapter 126, O.S.L. 2023 (3 O.S. Supp. 2024,
149		-	Section 102.1), is a mended to read as follows:
150	141		Section 102.1. A. In order to prevent the erection of
151	142		structures dangerous to air navigation, subject to the provisions of
152	143		subsections B, C and D of this section, each person shall secure
153	144		from the local airport zoning authority , or in the absence of a
154	145		local airport zoning authority, the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace
155	146		and Aeronautics, a permit for the erection, alteration, or
156	147		modification of any structure the result of which would exceed the
157	148		federal obstruction standards as con tained in 14 CFR, Part 77.
158	149		Permits from the local airport zoning authority will be required
159	150		only within an airport hazard area where federal standards are
160	151		exceeded and if the proposed construction is within:
161	152		1. A 10-nautical mile radius of the geographic al center of a
162	153		publicly owned or operated airport, a military airport, or an
163	154		airport open for public use which has a published instrument
164	155		approach procedure;
165	156		2. A 6-nautical mile radius of the geographical center of a
166	157		publicly owned or operated airport, a military airport, or an
167	158		airport open for public use which has no published instrument
	159	+	approach procedure and has runways in excess of three thousand two
	160	+	hundred (3,200) feet in length; or
	161	+	3. A 2.5-nautical mile radius of the geographical center of a
	162	+	publicly owned or operated airport, a military airport, or an
	163	+	airport open for public use which has no published instrument
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169		-	SB920 HFLR Page 4
170		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	165	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 920 Page 4 1
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195		-	approach procedure and has runways in excess of three thousand t wo
196		-	hundred (3,200) feet in length; or
197		-	3. A 2.5-nautical mile radius of the geographical center of a
198		-	publicly owned or operated airport, a military airport, or an
199		-	airport open for public use which has no published instrument
200	190		approach and has runways three thousand two hundred (3,200) feet or
201	191		less in length; or
202	192		4. A 1-nautical mile radius of the geographic al center of a
203	193		publicly owned or operated heliport or vertiport .
204	194		B. Affected airports will be considered as having those
205	195		facilities which are programmed in the Federal Aviation
206	196		Administration’s Regional Aviation System Plan or the Oklahoma
207	197		Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics ’ Oklahoma Airport System
208	198		Plan and will be so protected.
209	199		C. Permit requirements of subsection A of this section shall
210	200		not apply to projects which received construction permits from the
211	201		Federal Communications Commission for structures exceeding federal
212	202		obstruction standards prior to May 20, 1975; nor shall it apply to
213	203		previously approved structures now existing, or any necessary
214	204		replacement or repairs to such existing structures, so long as the
215	205		height and location is unchanged.
216	206		D. In determining whether to issue or de ny a permit, the local
217	207		airport zoning authority shall consider:
218	208		1. The nature of the terrain and height of existing structures;
	209	+	2. Public and private interests and investments;
	210	+	3. The character of flying operations and p lanned developments
	211	+	of airports, heliports, and vertiports ;
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220		-	SB920 HFLR Page 5
221		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	213	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 920 Page 5 1
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246		-	2. Public and private interests and investments;
247		-	3. The character of flying operations and p lanned developments
248		-	of airports, heliports, and vertiports ;
249	238		4. Federal airways as designated by the Federal Aviation
250	239		Administration that lie within the radii described in paragraphs 1
251	240		through 3 of subsection A of this section;
252	241		5. Whether the construction of the proposed structure would
253	242		cause an increase in the minimum descent altitude or the decision
254	243		height at the affected airport;
255	244		6. Technological advances;
256	245		7. The safety of persons on the ground and in the air; and
257	246		8. Land use density.
258	247		E. In order to promote the health, safety , and welfare of the
259	248		public and to protect persons and property by promoting safety in
260	249		aeronautics, the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics
261	250		may review any structure erected, altered, or modified since January
262	251		1, 1996, in which no permit was secured from the local airport
263	252		zoning authority because of the absence of a local airport
264	253		authority. The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics
265	254		shall determine whether such structures meet the requirements set
266	255		forth in this section. If the structures do not meet the
267	256		requirements as set forth in this section, the Oklahoma Department
268	257		of Aerospace and Aeronautics may request the owners of such
269	258		structure to make any necessary modifications to protect the health,
	259	+	safety, and welfare of the public, including, but not limited to,
	260	+	altering, marking, mapping, or identifying such structure. The
	261	+	Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics may assist the
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271		-	SB920 HFLR Page 6
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	263	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 920 Page 6 1
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297		-	safety, and welfare of the public, including, but not limited to,
298		-	altering, marking, mapping, or identifying such structure. The
299		-	Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics may assist the
300	288		owner of such structure in any manner deemed feasible by the
301	289		Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics.
302	290		SECTION 3. AMENDATORY 3 O.S. 2021, Section 421, as last
303	291		amended by Section 15, Chapter 135, O.S.L. 2024 (3 O.S. Supp. 2024,
304	292		Section 421), is amended to read as follows:
305	293		Section 421. A. The Ok lahoma Department of Aerospace an d
306	294		Aeronautics is hereby established as the clearinghouse for unmanned
307	295		aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM) in this state
308	296		and shall be designated as the agency of this state for the
309	297		promotion, enhancement , and development of UAS and AAM as well as
310	298		any associated infrastructure necessary to ensure the safe
311	299		integration and use of this new technology within the state. The
312	300		purpose of this clearinghouse is to create a partnership between
313	301		those entities that curr ently operate UAS, those that des ire to use
314	302		this technology in the future and other entities that can support
315	303		the research and development of UAS to ensure that this state can
316	304		more effectively respond to the needs of this critical sector of the
317	305		aviation and aerospace industry. In the operation of this
318	306		clearinghouse, the Department shall cooperate, assist and coordinate
319	307		with the federal government, agencies of this state, tribal
320	308		entities, municipalities , and other persons in the development of
	309	+	unmanned aircraft systems throughout the state to ensure the
	310	+	acceptance of this technology and the successful integration of UAS
	311	+	into the National Airspace System. Contingent upon the availability
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348		-	unmanned aircraft systems throughout the state to ensure the
349		-	acceptance of this technology and the successful integration of UAS
350		-	into the National Airspace System. Contingent upon the availability
351	338		of funds, the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics may
352	339		use established program processes or may contract with other
353	340		qualified entities to carry out the duties and responsibilities of
354	341		the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Development Act of 2021.
355	342		B. The primary goal of the clearinghouse within the Department
356	343		is to establish a central point within state g overnment to develop
357	344		and implement the strategy for how this state can become a leader in
358	345		the UAS and AAM industry. It will focus the collective resources,
359	346		knowledge, information , and assets within state government to ensu re
360	347		coordinated efforts amongst all parties. The clearinghouse will
361	348		have the authority to :
362	349		1. Conduct research on what other states and localities are
363	350		doing insofar as their UAS rules and regulations so that it can
364	351		provide recommendations to ensure this s tate is in the best position
365	352		within the industry;
366	353		2. Organize and coordinate the application for any UAS and AAM
367	354		test site, integration opportunity, pilot program or grant funding
368	355		on behalf of this state;
369	356		3. Maintain a registry of UAS being operated by s tate agencies,
370	357		except those UAS that are part of a university -affiliated research
371	358		program;
	359	+	4. Maintain a registry of educational institutions that offer
	360	+	training programs for users of UAS; and
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373		-	SB920 HFLR Page 8
374		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	362	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 920 Page 8 1
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399		-	4. Maintain a registry of educational institutions that off er
400		-	training programs for users of UAS; and
401	387		5. Investigate the development of, and if necessary, create a
402	388		statewide system plan that will provide the framework for the
403	389		construction, development, siting, and potential partnerships
404	390		required for vertiports and other infrastructure needed to integrate
405	391		AAM and UAS into the existing air transportation system of the
406	392		state;
407	393		6. Develop a statewide network of UAS and AAM detection systems
408	394		as necessary to support the safe integration of these technologies
409	395		into the state’s existing air transportation system; and
410	396		7. Create statewide or regional command, control, and rada r
411	397		systems or centers to carry out the provisions of paragraph 6 of
412	398		this subsection and the Department ’s efforts to bring UAS and AAM
413	399		testing and development to the state. These systems or centers can
414	400		be stand-alone or in partnership with other federal, st ate, local,
415	401		tribal, or non-profit entities.
416	402		C. The Department is authorized to enter into partnerships with
417	403		any city or town of this state and any county or political
418	404		subdivision or district in this state, or any public trust thereof,
419	405		or any federal gover nment entity for the purpose of i nvesting in and
420	406		operating infrastructure and any other items necessary to safely and
421	407		effectively integrate AAM and UAS into the existing air
	408	+	transportation system of this state as well as the testing and
	409	+	development of these aeronautical technologies.
	410	+	SECTION 4. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.
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423		-	SB920 HFLR Page 9
424		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	412	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 920 Page 9 1
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449		-	transportation system of this state as well as the testing and
450		-	development of these aeronautical technologies.
451		-	SECTION 4. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.
	437	+	Passed the Senate the 25th day of March, 2025.
452	438
453		-	COMMITTEE REPORT BY: OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC
454		-	DEVELOPMENT, dated - 04/17/2025 – DO PASS.
	439	+
	440	+
	441	+	Presiding Officer of the Senate
	442	+
	443	+
	444	+	Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________,
	445	+	2025.
	446	+
	447	+
	448	+
	449	+	Presiding Officer of the House
	450	+	of Representatives
	451	+