89R10521 JRR-F
By: Lalani H.B. No. 3949
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to advanced air mobility.
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. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY. (a) In this section:
(1) "Advanced air mobility" means an air
transportation system primarily using electric aircraft, including
electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and electric
conventional takeoff and landing aircraft, with a gross takeoff
weight of 300 pounds or more to transport passengers or cargo or
provide services in an urban or regional setting.
(2) "Powered lift aircraft" means an aircraft capable
of vertical takeoff, vertical landing, and low-speed flight that
depends principally on:
(A) engine-driven lift devices or engine thrust
for lift during vertical takeoff or vertical landing; and
(B) nonrotating airfoil for lift during
horizontal flight.
(3) "Vertiport" means an area of land, an area of
water, or a structure, including associated buildings and
facilities, that is used or intended to be used for landing or
takeoff of powered lift aircraft.
(b) A provision of this section applicable to powered lift
aircraft or electric aircraft, including electric vertical takeoff
and landing aircraft and electric conventional takeoff and landing
aircraft, applies only to an aircraft that:
(1) has a gross takeoff weight of 300 pounds or more;
and
(2) is capable of transporting passengers or cargo.
(c) The department shall:
(1) develop a statewide plan, or an update to the Texas
Airport System Plan, to include vertiports, electric aircraft
charging, and the infrastructure needs of other advances in
aviation technology as appropriate;
(2) designate a department employee as a subject
matter expert and resource for local and regional governmental
entities addressing advances in aviation technology, including
electric powered lift aircraft and electric aircraft and aviation;
(3) develop and provide to local and regional
governmental entities a guidebook and technical resources to
support uniform planning and zoning provisions across this state
relating to powered lift aircraft, electric aircraft and aviation,
and other advances in aviation technology; and
(4) lead a statewide education campaign for local and
regional public officials on the benefits of electric powered lift
aircraft and advancements in aviation technology.
(d) A political subdivision of this state may not enact,
adopt, or enforce a rule, ordinance, order, resolution, or other
regulation relating to advanced air mobility, the ownership of an
advanced air mobility aircraft, or the aerial operation of an
advanced air mobility aircraft unless:
(1) the political subdivision is an airport operator;
and
(2) the regulation governs:
(A) the operation of an advanced air mobility
aircraft within the geographic boundaries of the airport for which
the political subdivision is the airport operator; or
(B) the takeoff or landing of an advanced air
mobility aircraft at an airport described by Paragraph (A).
SECTION 2. Section 21.072, Transportation Code, is
repealed.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.