Relating to advanced air mobility.
SB 1507 creates a new statutory framework in the Texas Transportation Code for “advanced air mobility,” a term that covers electric aircraft, including electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and electric conventional takeoff and landing aircraft, as well as powered lift aircraft and vertiports. The bill directs the Texas Department of Transportation to establish an office focused on advanced air mobility infrastructure, develop a statewide strategic plan, identify uniform vertiport and zoning standards, assess electric grid and fuel needs, publish guidance for local governments, and coordinate public education efforts with state education agencies and higher education institutions.
The bill also authorizes a matching-funds program to help public institutions of higher education pursue federal grants for advanced air mobility research and development. It requires state agencies to collaborate with schools, universities, and public and private stakeholders on educational opportunities related to the technology. The strategic plan must address use cases, infrastructure upgrades, regulatory best practices, and updates to the Texas Airport System Plan to account for vertiports and charging infrastructure.
SB 1507 would amend Chapter 21 of the Transportation Code by adding Section 21.073 and repealing existing Section 21.072, thereby replacing prior law with a broader advanced air mobility policy framework. It would expand the Texas Department of Transportation’s role in planning, technical assistance, and statewide coordination for electric and autonomous aviation, while also creating a state-supported grant matching mechanism for higher education research. The bill further limits local regulation by generally preempting political subdivisions from regulating advanced air mobility aircraft or their ownership, except for airport operators regulating operations, takeoff, and landing within their own airport boundaries.
The available record shows the bill was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee and there are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials. Based on the bill text, the measure appears generally supportive of emerging aviation technology and state-level coordination, with an emphasis on infrastructure planning, economic development, and education. Because no debate or vote history is included, there is no documented opposition or support beyond the bill’s policy design.
The main likely point of contention is the bill’s preemption of local authority. SB 1507 would bar cities, counties, and other political subdivisions from adopting or enforcing most regulations on advanced air mobility aircraft, ownership, or operations, except where the political subdivision is the airport operator and the rule concerns airport-specific operations. Another possible area of concern is the bill’s mandate for statewide planning and coordination around electric grid capacity, zoning, and educational outreach, which could raise questions about cost, implementation, and the scope of state involvement in a developing industry. The matching-funds program and the requirement for industry or other outside contributions may also draw scrutiny over state spending and public-private funding structure.