HB3949 - Relating to advanced air mobility.

  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.