89R10522 JRR-F
By: Cook H.B. No. 2521
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the regulation of vertiports.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 21.073 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.073. REGULATION OF VERTIPORTS. (a) In this
section:
(1) "Advanced air mobility" has the meaning assigned
by Section 21.072.
(2) "Vertiport" means infrastructure or a system with
supporting services and equipment intended for landing,
ground-handling, and takeoff of manned or unmanned vertical takeoff
and landing aircraft.
(b) This section applies only to a vertiport that is
available for public use by an advanced air mobility operator
authorized by the United States Department of Transportation or
Federal Aviation Administration to engage in passenger or cargo
services in scheduled or unscheduled service in or affecting
interstate commerce.
(c) Each vertiport subject to this section must comply with
any applicable Federal Aviation Administration rule or advisory
circular containing standards for vertiport design and performance
characteristics.
(d) An owner or operator of a vertiport subject to this
section:
(1) shall submit a vertiport layout plan to the
Federal Aviation Administration in the form and manner prescribed
by the Federal Aviation Administration; and
(2) may not conduct any operations at the vertiport
unless the Federal Aviation Administration approves the plan
submitted under Subdivision (1).
(e) A political subdivision of this state, in exercising the
political subdivision's zoning and land use authority:
(1) may not grant or permit an exclusive right to one
or more vertiport owners or operators; and
(2) shall use that authority to promote reasonable
access to vertiports located within the jurisdiction of the
political subdivision by advanced air mobility operators.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.