89R10522 JRR-F     By: Cook H.B. No. 2521       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the regulation of vertiports.          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.  REGULATION OF VERTIPORTS. (a) In this   section:                (1)  "Advanced air mobility" has the meaning assigned   by Section 21.072.                (2)  "Vertiport" means infrastructure or a system with   supporting services and equipment intended for landing,   ground-handling, and takeoff of manned or unmanned vertical takeoff   and landing aircraft.          (b)  This section applies only to a vertiport that is   available for public use by an advanced air mobility operator   authorized by the United States Department of Transportation or   Federal Aviation Administration to engage in passenger or cargo   services in scheduled or unscheduled service in or affecting   interstate commerce.          (c)  Each vertiport subject to this section must comply with   any applicable Federal Aviation Administration rule or advisory   circular containing standards for vertiport design and performance   characteristics.          (d)  An owner or operator of a vertiport subject to this   section:                (1)  shall submit a vertiport layout plan to the   Federal Aviation Administration in the form and manner prescribed   by the Federal Aviation Administration; and                (2)  may not conduct any operations at the vertiport   unless the Federal Aviation Administration approves the plan   submitted under Subdivision (1).          (e)  A political subdivision of this state, in exercising the   political subdivision's zoning and land use authority:                (1)  may not grant or permit an exclusive right to one   or more vertiport owners or operators; and                (2)  shall use that authority to promote reasonable   access to vertiports located within the jurisdiction of the   political subdivision by advanced air mobility operators.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.