Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2144 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New	Differences
1	1	S.B. No. 2144
2	2
3	3
4	4	AN ACT
5	5	relating to advanced air mobility technology.
6	6	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
7	7	SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 21, Transportation Code,
8	8	is amended by adding Section 21.0045 to read as follows:
9	9	Sec. 21.0045. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
10	10	(a) In this section, "advanced air mobility" has the meaning
11	11	assigned by Section 21.072.
12	12	(b) The commission shall appoint an advisory committee to
13	13	assess current state law and any potential changes to state law that
14	14	are needed to facilitate the implementation of advanced air
15	15	mobility technology in this state.
16	16	(c) The commission shall appoint to the advisory committee
17	17	members to represent:
18	18	(1) diverse geographic regions of the state;
19	19	(2) state and local law enforcement;
20	20	(3) the advanced air mobility industry;
21	21	(4) transportation experts;
22	22	(5) commercial airport representatives;
23	23	(6) vertical takeoff and landing operators and
24	24	vertiport operators;
25	25	(7) local governments; and
26	26	(8) the general public.
27	27	(d) The advisory committee shall:
28	28	(1) hold public hearings in locations across the state
29	29	or via electronic means; and
30	30	(2) receive comments through an Internet website, by
31	31	mail, and by other methods, if appropriate.
32	32	(e) Not later than November 1, 2024, the advisory committee
33	33	shall submit to the commission and the legislature a written report
34	34	that includes the committee's findings and recommendations on any
35	35	changes to state law that are needed to facilitate the
36	36	implementation of advanced air mobility technology in this state.
37	37	(f) The advisory committee is abolished and this section
38	38	expires January 1, 2025.
39	39	SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Transportation Code,
40	40	is amended by adding Section 21.072 to read as follows:
41	41	Sec. 21.072. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY. (a) In this section,
42	42	"advanced air mobility" means an aviation transportation system
43	43	that uses highly automated aircraft, which may be manned or
44	44	unmanned, to operate and transport passengers or cargo at lower
45	45	altitudes for commercial, public service, private, or recreational
46	46	purposes.
47	47	(b) The department shall:
48	48	(1) review existing state aviation standards and
49	49	guidelines, airport facility planning, and compatibility guidance
50	50	to ensure that the standards, guidelines, planning, and guidance
51	51	are applicable to advanced air mobility;
52	52	(2) support the development of federal and industry
53	53	standards for advanced air mobility technology that prioritize
54	54	safety as the technology develops;
55	55	(3) designate a department employee as a liaison to
56	56	the Federal Aviation Administration for purposes of Subdivision
57	57	(2);
58	58	(4) develop a statewide plan, or an update to the Texas
59	59	Airport System Plan, that specifies potential locations for and
60	60	classifications of vertiports and other associated infrastructure
61	61	to guide the future operational environment of advanced air
62	62	mobility; and
63	63	(5) provide resources and assistance on the use of
64	64	advanced air mobility technology and infrastructure to local
65	65	governments, regional councils of government, transportation
66	66	planning organizations, the advanced air mobility industry, and
67	67	other entities for the purpose of identifying governmental methods
68	68	to integrate industry innovation and community vision and help
69	69	promote advanced air mobility technology.
70	70	(c) The department, Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher
71	71	Education Coordinating Board, and Texas State Technical College
72	72	System shall jointly collaborate with school districts,
73	73	institutions of higher education, and interested public and private
74	74	stakeholders on educational opportunities related to advanced air
75	75	mobility technology.
76	76	SECTION 3. The Texas Department of Transportation, Texas
77	77	Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and
78	78	Texas State Technical College System are required to implement
79	79	Section 21.072, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, only if
80	80	the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose.
81	81	If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
82	82	purpose, the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Education
83	83	Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and Texas State
84	84	Technical College System may, but are not required to, implement
85	85	Section 21.072, Transportation Code, using other appropriations
86	86	available for that purpose.
87	87	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
88	88	______________________________ ______________________________
89	89	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
90	90	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2144 passed the Senate on
91	91	April 17, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
92	92	______________________________
93	93	Secretary of the Senate
94	94	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2144 passed the House on
95	95	April 28, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 126, Nays 20, one
96	96	present not voting.
97	97	______________________________
98	98	Chief Clerk of the House
99	99	Approved:
100	100	______________________________
101	101	Date
102	102	______________________________
103	103	Governor