Committee advances Advanced Air Mobility bill after industry support and legal concerns
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Summary
The committee reported HB 1093 favorably after the sponsor removed a targeted sales-tax exemption; industry witnesses backed the bill while the Florida Justice Association raised concerns about immunity language and Representative Bankston urged continued coordination with FDOT. Vote recorded as unanimous in the transcript.
Representative Spencer presented the committee substitute for HB 1093, the Advanced Air Mobility and Infrastructure Act, saying the bill would accelerate infrastructure for vertiports and charging systems, support public-private partnerships, and help Florida capture jobs and investment in emerging vertical-lift aviation uses such as medical transport, cargo and emergency response.
Spencer explained an amendment (barcode 945505) that removed a targeted sales-tax exemption originally in the bill; members adopted the amendment without objection. Industry witnesses including Jeff Sharkey (Skydance/Volocopter) and Trey Price (Kissimmee Place Development) waved in support and said Florida is well positioned to host AAM investment and operations.
Laurie Yeomans of the Florida Justice Association acknowledged the sponsor’s changes but warned that immunity language in the bill could, as written, extend sovereign‑immunity protections to private companies co‑located on airports, and she offered to work with sponsors to refine the language to protect residents while enabling industry development. "The immunity section in the bill has moved to a place where these private companies would receive sovereign immunity if they're co‑located on an airport," Yeomans said.
Representative Bankston said she had previously pulled similar AAM legislation on the House floor because of posture concerns and asked whether the Florida Department of Transportation had been sufficiently consulted; Spencer said the bill team has had several conference conversations with FDOT and will continue that engagement.
The clerk recorded the committee vote as unanimous in the transcript. The bill was reported favorably and will move forward for further consideration.