Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2678 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New	Differences
1	1	88R21212 JRR-D
2	2	By: Cook, Capriglione, Guerra, Bucy, Noble, H.B. No. 2678
3	3	et al.
4	4	Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2678:
5	5	By: Canales C.S.H.B. No. 2678
6	6
7	7
8	8	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
9	9	AN ACT
10	10	relating to advanced air mobility technology.
11	11	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
12	12	SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 21, Transportation Code,
13	13	is amended by adding Section 21.0045 to read as follows:
14	14	Sec. 21.0045. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
15	15	(a) In this section, "advanced air mobility" has the meaning
16	16	assigned by Section 21.072.
17	17	(b) The commission shall appoint an advisory committee to
18	18	assess current state law and any potential changes to state law that
19	19	are needed to facilitate the implementation of advanced air
20	20	mobility technology in this state.
21	21	(c) The commission shall appoint to the advisory committee
22	22	members to represent:
23	23	(1) diverse geographic regions of the state;
24	24	(2) state and local law enforcement;
25	25	(3) the advanced air mobility industry;
26	26	(4) transportation experts;
27	27	(5) commercial airport representatives;
28	28	(6) vertical takeoff and landing operators and
29	29	vertiport operators;
30	30	(7) local governments; and
31	31	(8) the general public.
32	32	(d) The advisory committee shall:
33	33	(1) hold public hearings in locations across the state
34	34	or via electronic means; and
35	35	(2) receive comments through an Internet website, by
36	36	mail, and by other methods, if appropriate.
37	37	(e) Not later than November 1, 2024, the advisory committee
38	38	shall submit to the commission and the legislature a written report
39	39	that includes the committee's findings and recommendations on any
40	40	changes to state law that are needed to facilitate the
41	41	implementation of advanced air mobility technology in this state.
42	42	(f) The advisory committee is abolished and this section
43	43	expires January 1, 2025.
44	44	SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Transportation Code,
45	45	is amended by adding Section 21.072 to read as follows:
46	46	Sec. 21.072. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY. (a) In this section,
47	47	"advanced air mobility" means an aviation transportation system
48	48	that uses highly automated aircraft, which may be manned or
49	49	unmanned, to operate and transport passengers or cargo at lower
50	50	altitudes for commercial, public service, private, or recreational
51	51	purposes.
52	52	(b) The department shall:
53	53	(1) review existing state aviation standards and
54	54	guidelines, airport facility planning, and compatibility guidance
55	55	to ensure that the standards, guidelines, planning, and guidance
56	56	are applicable to advanced air mobility;
57	57	(2) support the development of federal and industry
58	58	standards for advanced air mobility technology that prioritize
59	59	safety as the technology develops;
60	60	(3) designate a department employee as a liaison to
61	61	the Federal Aviation Administration for purposes of Subdivision
62	62	(2);
63	63	(4) develop a statewide plan, or an update to the Texas
64	64	Airport System Plan, that specifies potential locations for and
65	65	classifications of vertiports and other associated infrastructure
66	66	to guide the future operational environment of advanced air
67	67	mobility; and
68	68	(5) provide resources and assistance on the use of
69	69	advanced air mobility technology and infrastructure to local
70	70	governments, regional councils of government, transportation
71	71	planning organizations, the advanced air mobility industry, and
72	72	other entities for the purpose of identifying governmental methods
73	73	to integrate industry innovation and community vision and help
74	74	promote advanced air mobility technology.
75	75	(c) The department, Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher
76	76	Education Coordinating Board, and Texas State Technical College
77	77	System shall jointly collaborate with school districts,
78	78	institutions of higher education, and interested public and private
79	79	stakeholders on educational opportunities related to advanced air
80	80	mobility technology.
81	81	SECTION 3. The Texas Department of Transportation, Texas
82	82	Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and
83	83	Texas State Technical College System are required to implement
84	84	Section 21.072, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, only if
85	85	the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose.
86	86	If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
87	87	purpose, the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Education
88	88	Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and Texas State
89	89	Technical College System may, but are not required to, implement
90	90	Section 21.072, Transportation Code, using other appropriations
91	91	available for that purpose.
92	92	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.