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Senate committee backs task force to study advanced air mobility in Kentucky
Summary
The Kentucky Senate Committee on Transportation voted to report Senate Joint Resolution 66 favorably, creating a legislative–agency–industry task force to study policy for advanced air mobility (AAM) such as eVTOL aircraft and related airspace management.
The Kentucky Senate Committee on Transportation on Wednesday voted to report Senate Joint Resolution 66 favorably, directing the legislature, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and industry representatives to form a task force to study advanced air mobility (AAM) and recommend policy for the Commonwealth.
Sen. Shelley Funke Promeyer (R–District 24) said AAM — including electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) — represents “the next wave of innovation in aviation.” She cited nearby manufacturing by Joby Aviation and said federal aviation certification and airspace management remain under development. “This industry is taking off,” Promeyer said.
The resolution asks the task force to review how other states are preparing for AAM and consider policies Kentucky might adopt to attract related economic development. Promeyer noted existing logistics and aviation assets in the state, including major users such as UPS and DHL and regional airports such as Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), and said aviation, aerospace and logistics generated roughly $16 billion in revenue for Kentucky in 2022.
Committee members discussed potential applications, including faster emergency medical response to remote locations. Sen. Berg asked about operational characteristics, asking, “Do you have any idea how fast they go?” Promeyer said performance depends on the model and use case and described AAM as generally smaller than conventional helicopters and fixed-wing craft.
Sen. Storm, identifying himself as co-chair of the Aviation–Aerospace Caucus, expressed support for the forward-looking approach. The committee took a voice vote, then a roll-call that recorded ayes from Senators Chambers Armstrong, Berg, Carpenter, Douglas, Elkins, Smith, Storm, Wheeler, Williams and Wilson. The committee chair announced SJR 66 was reported favorably.
Because the resolution creates a study task force rather than binding regulation, it does not itself change state law or require procurement. A task force would produce recommendations for future policy or statutory changes if members choose to pursue them.
Supporting participants included representatives from regional airports and industry who attended the hearing to answer technical questions.
The committee’s favorable report sends SJR 66 on for further consideration by the full Senate or to the next procedural step in the legislative process.
