Advanced Air Mobility Infrastructure Act., the official text

An act to add Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 21720) to Part 1 of Division 9 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to aviation.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

Existing law, the State Aeronautics Act, governs various matters relative to aviation in the state, and authorizes the Department of Transportation to adopt, administer, and enforce rules and regulations for the administration of the act.
This bill, the Advanced Air Mobility Infrastructure Act, would require the department, in coordination with specified agencies, to include advanced air mobility, as defined, in the next update to the California Transportation Plan prepared after January 1, 2027, and to establish a statewide working group to facilitate ongoing collaboration to explore California’s role as a leader in the development and implementation of advanced air mobility, as specified. The bill would prohibit its provisions from being construed to (1) interfere with or suspend the authority of the Federal Aviation Administration or any other federal department or agency, or state zoning laws or regulations, as specified, or (2) limit or interfere with the jurisdiction, authority, rights, or responsibilities of any airport sponsor or operator, as specified.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) If developed and deployed at scale, the development of advanced air mobility can provide economic and environmental benefits to the state and the nation.
(b) The use of advanced air mobility can aid in California’s progress toward its statutory renewable energy and climate mandates.
(c) Diversity in technologies lowers overall costs. Advanced air mobility technology adds diversity to the state’s transportation portfolio.
(d) The development of advanced air mobility presents an opportunity to California by providing a tremendous opportunity for economic growth, including the development and preservation of a skilled and trained construction workforce to carry out projects and long-term job creation, all while improving mobility and accessibility for all Californians.
(e) Advanced air mobility improves multimodal transportation and access to destinations by providing transportation opportunities that improve access to jobs, services, educational opportunities, and emergency and medical services.
(f) Advanced air mobility will allow all Californians to traverse densely populated areas in a matter of minutes instead of hours, expanding accessibility while reducing traffic congestion on our roadways.
(g) Investment in advanced air mobility can offer career pathways and workforce training in clean energy development. Advanced air mobility will provide additional blue collar industrial work opportunities and support apprenticeship opportunities for a diverse labor pool.

SEC. 2.
Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 21720) is added to Part 1 of Division 9 of the Public Utilities Code, to read:
9.
Advanced Air Mobility Infrastructure Act21720.
This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the “Advanced Air Mobility Infrastructure Act.”

21721.
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(a) “Advanced air mobility” means an air transportation system primarily using electric aircraft, including eVTOL and eCTOL aircraft, to carry passengers, cargo, or provide services in an urban or regional setting, with a gross takeoff weight of 300 pounds or more.
(b) “eCTOL” means an electric conventional takeoff and landing aircraft.
(c) “eVTOL” means an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
(d) “Powered-lift aircraft” means the same as that term is defined in Part 1 (commencing with Section 1.1) of Subchapter A of Chapter I of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(e) “Vertiport” means an area of land, water, or a structure used or intended to be used for the landing or takeoff of powered-lift aircraft and includes associated buildings and facilities.

21722.
This chapter only applies to electric aircraft, including eVTOL and eCTOL aircraft, and powered-lift aircraft that satisfy either of the following criteria:
(a) Have a gross takeoff weight of 300 pounds or more.
(b) Are capable of carrying humans or an equivalent amount of cargo.

21723.
(a) The department, in coordination with the Transportation Agency, shall include advanced air mobility in the next update to the California Transportation Plan prepared after January 1, 2027.
(b) The department, in coordination with the Transportation Agency, the Energy Commission, the State Air Resources Board, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, and the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, shall establish a statewide working group to facilitate ongoing collaboration among state agencies, local offices of emergency management, and industry stakeholders to explore California’s role as a leader in the development and implementation of advanced air mobility, supporting technology, and economic development, including job creation.

21724.
(a) This chapter shall not be construed to interfere with or suspend either of the following:
(1) The authority of the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other federal department or agency, including, but not limited to, federal authority related to the governance of federal airspace, air traffic control, and aviation safety, or any other federal regulations, laws, or policies governing the operation of airports or air transportation.
(2) State zoning laws or regulations, including, but not limited to, zoning laws or regulations related to land use, development, or the construction of facilities within the jurisdiction of the local zoning authority.
(b) This chapter shall not be construed to limit or interfere with the jurisdiction, authority, rights, or responsibilities of any airport sponsor or airport operator with respect to the operation, maintenance, management, or capital development of any airport within the state.