Video & Transcript : 'airspace' :

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OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations and Budget Transportation Subcommittee Mar 30th, 2026 at 10:00 am

A&B Transportation Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:
  • to be seen as a national hub for UAS operations, testing, and activities, given the Camp Gruber airspace
  • Yes, that is accurate, so There are different classes and categories of airspace, from like your DFW
  • really busy airspace to you know, western Oklahoma in the middle over the top of a farmer's ranch.
  • or underneath the Class B airspace, because the airspace is kind of like an upside-down wedding cake
  • It gets bigger and bigger and bigger, and it's shelved and layered well under that Class B airspace.
Committee: House A&B Transportation Subcommittee
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations and Budget Transportation Subcommittee Mar 30th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • , testing, and activities. ...for UAS operations, testing, and activities, given the Camp Gruber airspace
  • So there's different classes and categories of airspace from like your DFW really, really busy airspace
  • From like your DFW, really, really busy airspace to, you know, western Oklahoma in the middle, over the
  • or underneath the Class B airspace, because the airspace is kind of like an upside-down wedding cake
  • Well, under that Class B airspace, you have to have Mode C, which means positive control.
Summary: The committee met for an oversight update on how one-time and recurring transportation-related appropriations are being implemented. Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Director Grayson Artees reviewed ARPA and PREP-funded airport and aerospace projects, including completed or nearing-completion work at Will Rogers, Woodward, Ardmore, Tulsa’s air traffic control tower, and multiple hangar, terminal, taxiway, utility, and UAS infrastructure projects statewide. He also discussed one-time FY25 and FY26 appropriations for airport development, the repurposing of an unneeded Lufthansa project allocation into other aerospace projects, and the department’s aerospace education grants, classroom labs, aircraft-build programs, and internship support. Members asked for lists of participating schools and for a clearer overall accounting of the funding; Artees said the department would provide those materials and estimated roughly $400 million has been invested in aerospace and defense since PREP and ARPA, with about $250 million directed to airport infrastructure. The committee then heard from ODOT Secretary Tim Gatz on the Retro Fund, lake and industrial access roads, ports of entry, and the PACT Fund. Gatz said Retro, created in statute and funded with $200 million in both 2024 and FY25, is helping accelerate rural high-impact road and bridge projects; he reported $249 million awarded so far, supporting about $1.4 billion in construction, with most projects expected to be awarded by September 2027. He also described lake and industrial access projects, including work at the Port of Inola, and updated members on ports of entry, internal way stations, and the replacement of the aging OkiPROS permitting system with ProMiles. On PACT, he said the county road and bridge allocations are being administered, but the Tax Commission’s role in distributing the county road share has created unnecessary bureaucracy; he urged a statutory fix so the money can go directly to counties. Members asked for lists of approved lake/recreational projects and for clarification on the Tax Commission issue; Gatz said ODOT would provide the project list and that he would welcome Tax Commission input on a legislative remedy. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the updates and questions.
ID
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Jan 29th, 2026

Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • This restricted airspace is identified. We locked it down on the U.S.
  • He's going to discuss the threats and how many incursions they've had in their airspace.
  • But I understand the FAA is the ultimate authority on control of airspace. Sure.
  • The Boise Airport has had drones in the airspace.
  • Chairman, I think that point is not valid regarding safe airspace.
Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration
ID
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Mar 10th, 2026

Transportation and Defense

Transcript Highlights:
  • Airspace optimization is a crucial topic to our readiness, since Idaho has, in my opinion, the best airspace
  • for training in the world. ...since Idaho has, in my opinion, the best airspace for training in the
  • The expanded airspace allows our F-15Es to fly in the new airspace down to 100 feet above ground. ...
  • to fly in the new airspace down to 100 feet above ground level.
  • Airspace connections between Juniper Butte, Mountain Home Range Complex, and Utah Test and Training Range
Committee: House Transportation and Defense
FL
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

January 14, 2026 - 01:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Kevin is going to talk about his his airspace and how busy it is.
  • How we integrate am into the airspace, air traffic controllers.
  • And so how to manage that integration of airspace as one of the top issues that we have to tackle.
  • And so >> as it relates to airspace and some of the guidance that's actually out there for citing for
  • It excludes controlled airspace, right?
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Aeronautics and Transportation Feb 16th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Aeronautics and Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Capabilities of the system across the nation's airspace and secondly, some are opting to even turn off
  • Obviously, we're all interested in a much safer airspace system, but at the end of the day, this was
  • a mandate provided by Congress that we will have this ADSB information within certain airspace, not the
  • entirety of airspace, but in, member_7404 Certain airspace and so that compliance mechanism was a requirement
  • The FAA put that in place in the late teens primarily to access busier airspace.
Bills: SB1312 , SB1323 , SB1599 , SB1863 , SB1932 , SB1950 , SB1956 , SB1958 , SB1966 , SB1970 , SB2052
Committee: Senate Aeronautics and Transportation
Keywords: vehicle registration, automatic payments, Service Oklahoma, taxes, motor vehicle, prepayment program, memorial designation, highway, Sheriff Marty Grisham, transportation, Oklahoma Statutes, memorial bridge, dedication, Oklahoma, commemoration, memorial highway, road designation, John Skelley, motor carrier, administrative hearing
KY
KY

Kentucky 2025 Regular Session

Air Mobility & Aviation Economic Development Task Force (10-28-25)

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh you be integrated into Utah airspace.
  • Um, the airspace here and that when we're taking a normal plane, we're up there in Class A airspace.
  • </c> The middle there in class E airspace The middle there in class E airspace where<01:03:15.680><c>
  • </c><01:14:21.520><c> management</c> provide airspace management provide airspace management um<01:14
  • The airspace will be defined by the FAA.
Summary: The task force approved the October 14, 2025 meeting minutes and then heard a presentation from Austin Kaylor of WSP on alternative aviation fuels. Kaylor described an ongoing feasibility study focused on Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and the other four commercial airports in Kentucky, with an eye toward both near-term use of alternative aviation fuel in existing supply chains and longer-term in-state production using local feedstocks. He said Kentucky’s current jet fuel use at the five airports is about 609 million gallons annually and could approach 1 billion gallons by 2050, and he outlined potential feedstocks such as soybeans, corn, and waste oils, along with existing logistics assets like river terminals, trucking, rail, and some pipelines. He also discussed federal and state policy support, including renewable fuel credits and the recent 45Z tax credit extension, and said the study suggests significant economic-development potential if Kentucky can leverage existing infrastructure and incentives. Members asked about the cost of sustainable aviation fuel, whether taxpayers would be subsidizing it, and whether food crops would be diverted from food use. Kaylor responded that the market is increasingly using second-generation and waste-based feedstocks, that federal incentives can cover much of the price differential, and that SAF is a direct substitute for conventional jet fuel with some efficiency benefits. He said demand comes from both U.S. and foreign carriers, including major U.S. airlines that have made emissions-reduction commitments. Members also raised the possibility of locating production in Appalachia to create jobs closer to feedstock sources; Kaylor said that approach has worked in other states and could fit Kentucky’s logistics network. The committee then heard from Leif Elder of the Utah Department of Transportation, who introduced himself and said he would discuss advanced air mobility legislation in Utah. The transcript cuts off before his substantive presentation, and no further votes or actions were recorded after the question-and-answer discussion on alternative aviation fuels.
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Aeronautics and Transportation Feb 16th, 2026

Aeronautics and Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Obviously, we're all interested in a much safer airspace system, but at the end of the day, this was
  • a mandate provided by Congress that we will have this ADS-B information within certain airspace, not
  • the entirety of airspace, within certain airspace.
  • Yeah, the FAA put that in place in the late teens, primarily to access busier airspace.
  • So you'd have to have it to access the airspace here in Oklahoma City, Dallas, and a lot of the other
Bills: SB1312 , SB1323 , SB1599 , SB1863 , SB1932 , SB1950 , SB1956 , SB1958 , SB1966 , SB1970 , SB2052
Committee: Senate Aeronautics and Transportation
Summary: The Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee heard several memorial highway and bridge designation bills and one substantive aviation/tax bill. The committee advanced SB 1323 (Marty Grisham memorial signage), SB 1863 (John Skelly Memorial Highway), SB 1932 (allowing a trucking company owner or other designated representative to appear without a lawyer in certain Corporation Commission administrative hearings), SB 1956 (Captain David Ward Neely Memorial Highway), SB 1970 (Private Earl Maggerton Memorial Bridge), and SB 1599 (Arlen Francis Wetzel Memorial Bridge). These measures were generally presented as honorary designations or procedural changes, with brief questions mainly about mileage or fiscal impact, and they all passed committee by voice or roll-call votes. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 1950, which would prohibit government entities or private vendors from using ADS-B aircraft tracking data to calculate, generate, or collect fees. Supporters argued that using the federally required safety system for fee collection encourages pilots to turn off ADS-B, undermining air safety, and said airports can collect fees through other methods. Opponents and committee members raised concerns that the bill could hinder lawful tax and fee collection, including aircraft excise taxes and landing fees, and that it might reduce revenue for airports and the state. After testimony from the bill author, an aviation association representative, and the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics director, the committee laid the bill over at the author’s request. The committee also heard SB 1312, which would have allowed owners of electric and hybrid vehicles to prepay the annual road-use fee over time rather than paying it in one lump sum. The author said the goal was to reduce the burden on low-income drivers and small businesses, but concerns were raised about fiscal impact and implementation. After title was stricken to allow further work, the bill failed on a 5-6 vote. The chair also announced that some items would be laid over and that the committee would not meet the following week.
AZ
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/10/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's used for about 99% of airspace in the United States; it's voluntary to have that equipment in the
  • It's most for about 99% of airspace in the United States, it's voluntary to have that equipment in the
  • It's about 99% of the airspace in the United States that you do not need to have this equipment.
  • , which is mostly rural areas, some E airspace below 10,000 feet, and many rural airports.
  • And in that kind of crowded airspace, they want every airplane to be able to see every other airplane
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2003, which would lower the instruction-permit eligibility age for Class D, G, and M licenses from 15½ to 15, while increasing supervised driving requirements for minors and extending the permit-holding period before licensure. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill builds on Arizona’s graduated driver licensing system and would improve teen safety based on data from other states; one senator raised concerns about parents certifying driving hours and another cited a study suggesting higher crash risk from lowering the permit age. After discussion, the bill received a do pass recommendation by a 9-1 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 2063, appropriating $1.5 million from the General Fund to the Corrections Oversight Fund, and heard emotional testimony from a mother describing her son’s mental illness, incarceration, and death in prison, along with support from advocates who said the oversight office is needed, especially in light of federal receivership over prison health care. The sponsor emphasized prison transparency, public safety, and accountability. The bill passed unanimously, 10-0. The committee also heard House Bill 2210, which would prohibit state, local, and private entities from using ADS-B aircraft surveillance data to calculate or collect landing fees. Pilots argued the technology is meant for safety and that using it for billing could discourage compliance, while airport representatives and city officials opposed the bill as an unnecessary statewide restriction on local fee-setting. After extensive debate over safety, federal law, and local control, the bill received a narrow 4-4 do pass recommendation. Later, the committee heard House Bill 2116, which appropriates $1 million to the Colorado River litigation fund. The sponsor said the money is needed to prepare for possible litigation over Colorado River cuts and to signal Arizona’s seriousness in negotiations; members discussed whether the funding should come from the General Fund or WIFA resources. The bill passed 8-0. Finally, HCM 2007, a memorial urging renaming sections of State Route 69 to honor veterans of multiple wars, was approved 5-4 after some members objected to emphasizing war memorialization. The committee also briefly noted that House Bill 2111 was held, and after the votes, a pilot and flight instructor offered additional testimony on HB 2210, reiterating safety concerns about turning off ADS-B and saying the bill addresses a real risk even though Arizona airports are not currently using the technology for fee collection.
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Select Committee on Homeland and Border Security Aug 12th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Every sensor has to sort the drone out of all of that that's in the airspace.
  • Every sensor has to sort the drone out of all of that that's in the airspace.
  • We detect more than 5,000 drones in and around DFW airspace every month.
  • For instance, we can't touch them until they cross the U.S. airspace.
  • If that tells you how busy the airspace is, 5,300.
Summary: The Select Committee on Homeland and Border Security convened with a quorum, adopted its standard committee rules, and began its interim work on the charge of keeping Texas skies safe. Members introduced staff and emphasized the committee’s focus on drone threats, border security, fuel trafficking, critical infrastructure, and public safety. The chair outlined that the committee would hear invited and public testimony over the interim to evaluate current law and recommend legislative action for the next session. The first invited witness, Dr. Michael McGee, gave extensive testimony on the rapid spread of drone technology and the difficulty of detecting and countering drones across multiple threat tiers. He argued that criminal organizations and hostile actors already use drones for surveillance, smuggling, and attacks, and that Texas now has new federal authority to counter drones but lacks enough trained personnel and statewide capacity. He recommended expanding Texas training pipelines, creating a statewide task force led by DPS, building a shared statewide data picture, pursuing federal and state coordination, and supporting lower-cost sensor development and Texas-based manufacturing. Members questioned him about airport vulnerabilities, critical infrastructure costs, commercial delivery drones, and the need for universal protection against evolving threats. A Texas Department of Public Safety panel then described current drone and counter-drone operations. DPS officials said drones are widely used for crash reconstruction, search and rescue, tactical overwatch, and critical infrastructure monitoring, while counter-UAS capabilities remain limited and layered, with only a small number of officers certified through the FBI’s two-week counter-drone course. They said DPS used federal coordination and grant-funded equipment successfully during FIFA-related events and is developing regional counter-UAS teams, but state law still needs updates on FAA alignment, weapons on drones, critical infrastructure definitions, altitude restrictions, sporting venues, and public education. The panel also described DPS’s drone first responder program, including rooftop-launched drones at the Capitol, the Alamo, and other sites, and said current mitigation authority depends on federal certification, policies, and coordination with FAA and air traffic control; without mitigation authority, officers mainly rely on visual detection and ground teams to locate operators.
LA
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drone Advisory Committee Jun 17th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the strategic plan will look toward the NASS, the National Airspace System, and how we integrate there
  • we're not only looking at FAA federal regulation, DOT regs, we're looking at ICAO international airspace
  • Twelve miles from Louisiana's border is when you are in international airspace, and you have a whole
  • puts them squarely against ICAO's Annex 2 and their requirements to operate in the international airspace
  • going to inform ICAO and the FAA and help the whole industry move forward, open up international airspace
Summary: The Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drones Advisory Committee met and was told this would likely be its final meeting because the committee sunsets after the 2026 regular session unless legislation reconstitutes it. Members discussed the need to reduce the committee’s size and adjust quorum rules so it can function more reliably, and they later adopted a motion supporting reconstitution of LADAC with a smaller membership and new appointments effective July 1, 2027. The committee also approved the June 2025 minutes and added a legislative briefing item to the agenda. Under subcommittee and project updates, members heard about the new counter-drone effort tied to House Bill 940 and the “Let’s Go” initiative, which would create a joint task force of State Police, sheriffs, and municipal police chiefs to develop training standards and equipment standards for counter-UAS work. The committee also received a briefing on the state’s advanced air mobility work from newly named Advanced Aeronautics Director Josh Deplanis, including Louisiana’s selection for the FAA’s eVTOL/AAM Integration Pilot Program, branded “Lift Off Louisiana,” and the development of a statewide strategic plan covering airspace integration, vertiport infrastructure, charging networks, economic development, education, and community engagement. Deplanis and members emphasized that Louisiana is among a small number of national EIPP sites and that the state’s proposal is notable for also addressing international airspace and “high seas” operations beyond 12 miles offshore, which could help inform FAA and ICAO policy. Members praised the state’s leadership, the work of DOTD, OMC, GOSEP, State Police, and legislative partners, and noted the potential economic importance for oil and gas logistics and other advanced aviation uses. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned after the committee’s votes and updates.
NH
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Fiscal Committee (03/21/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, so there's nothing—airspace is sovereign—so you can fly over anything.
  • Like, we can never stop anything from actually flying over the airspace.
  • airspace is sovereign so<00:08:43.360><c> you</c><00:08:43.519><c> can</c><00:08:43.680><c> fly</c><
  • So, as far as flying over the airspace.
  • </c><00:11:23.600><c> are</c> that that is in um no air airspace are that that is in um no air airspace
Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on March 21, 2025, accepted the February 21 minutes, and approved a shortened consent calendar after removing Department of Safety item 2565 for separate discussion. That item concerned drone/UAS detection for special events and critical infrastructure. Department staff said the system would help locate drones and operators and support enforcement around temporary flight restrictions, but members pressed them on privacy versus security, and the department acknowledged the issue was primarily about security. The committee ultimately approved the item after discussion. Members also approved Department of Transportation item 2572 after a question about whether increased transfer requests would affect paving; DOT said the paving program would continue as normal. Judicial Council items 2566 and 2567 were also approved without discussion. During informational items, members asked for follow-up on Fish and Game’s Hike Safe card revenues versus search-and-rescue costs, and on DHHS reporting issues, including nursing home bed counts and declining community mental health center client numbers; DHHS said it would verify the bed-count methodology and provide a written update on the mental health data. The committee then entered non-public session to discuss an ongoing legal matter and related funding process. After returning, it considered a request under RSA 21-M:11 for an additional $5 million general fund appropriation for fiscal year 2025. Several members said they would have preferred the full $15 million request, but supported the smaller amount as a temporary step during the budget process, with expectations of monthly reporting back to the committee. The motion to approve $5 million passed 6-3. The committee set its next meeting for Friday, April 18 at 11:00 a.m. and adjourned.
AZ
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/10/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's used for about 99% of airspace in the United States.
  • It's most for about 99% of airspace in the United States, it's voluntary to have that equipment in the
  • It's about 99% of the airspace in the United States that you do not need to have this equipment.
  • , which is mostly rural areas, some E airspace below 10,000 feet, and many rural airports.
  • In that kind of crowded airspace, they want every airplane to be able to see every other airplane and
Bills: HB2003 , HB2063 , HB2111 , HB2116 , HB2210 , HCM2007
Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Keywords: driver education, instruction permit, underage drivers, motorcycle licenses, traffic regulations, corrections oversight, appropriation, independent office, public safety, funding, driver license, examinations, motorcycle awareness, traffic laws, HB2116, Colorado River, litigation fund, water rights, Arizona water law, general fund appropriation
FL
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

January 20, 2026 - 03:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • So this bill is focused on bringing Florida into the next generation of airspace.
  • expand our aerospace footprint here in Florida, primarily, focus on the FAA, military, and commercial airspace
  • In return, the current congressman, we met with, and our airspace partners gave us some actionable items
  • aerospace footprint here in 26 Florida, primarily float, focus on the FAA, military and 27 commercial airspace
  • In return, the current congressman, 28 we met with an our airspace partners, gave us some 29 actionable
Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met to consider several bills, beginning with HB 335 by Representative Kendall, which sought to recognize space as a fifth mode of transportation, give voting rights to ex officio Space Florida board members, and reduce what the sponsor described as unnecessary state oversight of spaceport operations. The bill was presented as a response to feedback from NASA, Space Force, and other federal partners about clarifying the state’s role at federally owned facilities like Kennedy Space Center. Members raised questions about terminology, authority over federal property, and the role of Space Florida; the sponsor said an amendment would remove the voting-rights provision and instead require spaceports to provide an annual list of shovel-ready projects. The amendment was adopted, and HB 335 passed favorably. The committee then unanimously passed HB 885, which designates a road in Baker County near the courthouse in honor of former Representative and Judge John Cruz, and HB 403, which names a portion of the road leading into NAS Pensacola as Warriors Way to honor the sailors killed in the 2019 Pensacola attack and the broader naval community there. Both bills drew brief supportive remarks and no opposition. The committee also considered HB 25, a bridge designation for Coach Wilks, a longtime local basketball coach, and adopted a Senate amendment adding the Dickey Betts Memorial Highway designation on U.S. 41 in Sarasota County. HB 25, as amended, passed unanimously. The meeting concluded with adjournment after all measures on the agenda were reported favorably.
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Mar 5th, 2025

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • And that airspace can't be replicated in other states.
  • So it's incumbent upon us, the state and local communities, to protect that airspace from encroachment
  • Encroachment in airspace was one of those issues.
  • So a wind developer can go look and see where airspace is vital to those training installations and to
  • But potentially that is an issue is encroachment on air on airspace And I think there's several bills
Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
NM
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Economic and Rural Development Aug 12th, 2025

Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • White Sands Missile Range airspace.
  • So on that map, the blue map on page 8, the blue represents the airspace that's completely controlled
  • And we're under White Sands airspace.
  • Time-lapse of airline flights over that same airspace.
  • Because that airspace is active, they use the word "active" meaning White Sands Missile Range is doing
Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
ID
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Mar 11th, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Airspace optimization is a crucial topic to our readiness, since Idaho has, in my opinion, the best airspace
  • Airspace for training in the world, particularly given the ease of access and rapid integration of the
  • The expanded airspace allows our F-15Es to fly in new airspace at all altitudes down to 100 feet above
  • Airspace connections between Juniper Butte, Mountain Home Range Complex, and Utah Test and Training Range
Committee: Senate State Affairs
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Committee on Economic Development May 19th, 2025

Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • any sort of air safety of flight issues because that is handled by the Obstacle Evaluation Airport Airspace
  • their information for issuing NOTAMs and conducting safety flight evaluations to impact the National Airspace
  • Then they make the notifications as part of their evaluation for the airspace process.
  • TxDOT right now has no role in airspace management. ...the domain of the FAA.
  • But as far as route management or low-level airspace, we have no role whatsoever right now in that domain
Bills: HB2564 , HB2760 , HB2765 , HB2898 , HB3260 , HB3800 , HB4341 , HB4396 , HB5195
Committee: Senate Economic Development
NM
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 13th, 2026 at 09:32 am

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have to work with White Sands Missile Range to clear the airspace and do things that we haven't had
  • I see the airspace. How do you put a price on the airspace at Spaceport America?
  • We don't have to elbow our way into airspace because we have it. White Sands Missile Range is in.
  • We do have a few drawbacks, which is that they get priority of the airspace, so we do get to do these
  • Airspace and the low population density near the spaceport—that's huge.
Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance
AL
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Jan 21st, 2026

Public Safety and Homeland Security