Florida Senate - 2022                              CS for SB 728
       
       
        
       By the Committee on Rules; and Senator Harrell
       
       
       
       
       
       595-03058-22                                           2022728c1
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to advanced air mobility; creating the
    3         Advanced Air Mobility Study Task Force adjunct to the
    4         Department of Transportation; specifying the
    5         composition of the task force; providing that task
    6         force members serve at the pleasure of their
    7         appointing authority; providing that task force
    8         members shall serve without compensation but are
    9         entitled to certain reimbursement; requiring the
   10         department to provide staff, assistance, and
   11         facilities; providing for funding for the task force
   12         from the State Transportation Trust Fund; specifying
   13         duties of the task force and requirements for its
   14         meetings; defining the term “eVTOL aircraft”;
   15         requiring the task force to submit a certain report to
   16         the Governor and the Legislature by a specified date;
   17         providing for abolishment of the task force; providing
   18         for expiration; providing an effective date.
   19          
   20  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   21  
   22         Section 1. Advanced Air Mobility Study Task Force.—
   23         (1) The Advanced Air Mobility Study Task Force, a task
   24  force as defined in s. 20.03(8), Florida Statutes, is created
   25  adjunct to the Department of Transportation. The task force is
   26  composed of the following members:
   27         (a) The secretary of the Department of Transportation or
   28  the secretary’s designee, who shall serve as chair of the task
   29  force.
   30         (b) One member of the Senate appointed by the President of
   31  the Senate.
   32         (c) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by
   33  the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
   34         (d) The executive director of the Florida League of Cities
   35  or the director’s designee.
   36         (e) The executive director of the Florida Association of
   37  Counties or the director’s designee.
   38         (f) The president of Space Florida or the president’s
   39  designee.
   40         (g) Appointed by the Governor:
   41         1. Two members, each representing a different city having a
   42  population of more than 250,000 persons.
   43         2. One member representing a city having a population of
   44  fewer than 250,000 persons.
   45         3. One member representing a metropolitan planning
   46  organization.
   47         4. One member representing the State University System.
   48         5. Three members representing the advanced air mobility
   49  industry.
   50         6. One member representing an organization in this state
   51  which advocates for persons with disabilities.
   52         7.Two members representing the business community.
   53         8. One member representing an organization in this state
   54  which advocates for underserved transportation areas.
   55         9. One member representing a public airport located in a
   56  county having a population of more than 1 million persons.
   57         10. One member representing a public airport located in a
   58  county having a population of fewer than 1 million persons.
   59         (2) Appointed members shall serve at the pleasure of the
   60  appointing authority.
   61         (3) Task force members shall serve without compensation but
   62  are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable and necessary per
   63  diem and travel expenses incurred in the performance of their
   64  duties as provided in s. 112.061, Florida Statutes.
   65         (4)The Department of Transportation shall provide staff,
   66  assistance, and facilities as are deemed necessary for the task
   67  force to perform its duties. Funding for the task force shall be
   68  paid from the State Transportation Trust Fund.
   69         (5)The task force shall meet at the time and location as
   70  the chair determines. The task force shall hold public hearings
   71  and receive public comment in locations throughout this state,
   72  or by electronic means such as teleconference, provided that a
   73  means for active participation is accommodated.
   74         (6)The task force shall:
   75         (a) Assess and describe the current state of development of
   76  the advanced air mobility industry, specifically the deployment
   77  of eVTOL aircraft. As used in this section, the term “eVTOL
   78  aircraft” means a type of aircraft that uses electric power to
   79  hover, take off, and land vertically without a runway.
   80         (b)Identify federal, state, and local laws, rules,
   81  regulations, and other requirements that may impact the
   82  development of the advanced air mobility industry in this state,
   83  including the potential deployment of eVTOL aircraft and
   84  infrastructure.
   85         (c)Recommend any changes to state laws and regulations
   86  necessary to facilitate the continued development of the
   87  advanced air mobility industry and deployment of eVTOL aircraft
   88  and infrastructure in this state.
   89         (d)Evaluate the potential integration of advanced air
   90  mobility into local government transportation plans.
   91         (7) By October 1, 2023, the task force shall submit to the
   92  Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
   93  House of Representatives a report including the information,
   94  findings, and recommendations required pursuant to subsection
   95  (6) and any other relevant material deemed appropriate by the
   96  task force. Upon submission of the report, the task force is
   97  abolished.
   98         (8) This section expires December 31, 2023.
   99         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022.