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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study on electric unmanned aircraft capable of or |
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designed for vertical take-off and landing and the facilities |
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needed to develop that technology in this state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 437, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 437.120 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 437.120. STUDY ON eVTOL AIRCRAFT; EXPIRATION. (a) In |
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this section: |
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(1) "AFWERX" means the division of the United States |
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Department of the Air Force charged with researching, developing, |
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and implementing new technologies for military use. |
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(2) "eVTOL aircraft" means an unmanned aircraft that |
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is capable of or is designed for vertical take-off and landing using |
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electric power. |
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(b) The department shall conduct a study on the resources |
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available for the research, development, validation, and |
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implementation of eVTOL aircraft and similar technologies in this |
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state. |
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(c) The study must include recommendations for the creation |
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of an integrated network of facilities to research, develop, field |
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test, validate, and implement the use and manufacture of eVTOL |
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aircraft and similar technologies in this state. The |
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recommendations regarding an integrated network of facilities must |
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specify that the facilities meet or exceed the research and |
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development capabilities of AFWERX. |
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(d) Not later than June 1, 2026, the department shall submit |
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a written report to the governor and the legislature on the study |
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conducted under this section, including the recommendations |
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required by Subsection (c). |
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(e) This section expires September 1, 2027. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |