Vertiport bill flies through House floor vote with unanimous support

The House has unanimously passed a bill to set up infrastructure as Florida gets ready to welcome flying vertiports — aerial taxis, if you will — to transport people from city to city.

Rep. Leonard Spencer’s legislation (HB 1093) adds vertiports and its charging systems as official projects that can qualify for public-private partnerships.

“HB 1093 is a forward-looking infrastructure bill that’s designed to ensure Florida remains the national leader in aerospace and aviation,” said Spencer, a first-term Gotha Democrat whose district covers Orange and Osceola counties.

“HB 1093 is about positioning Florida not just for today’s transportation needs, but for tomorrow’s economy, driving innovation and creating high-paying jobs in our state.”

Under the bill, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) could fully fund a vertiport if no federal dollars exist. If federal government support is there, FDOT would be allowed to fund up to 80%.

The most controversial parts of Spencer’s bill were stripped out throughout the Committee process. Originally, the bill protected vertiport operators for any liability including wrongful death or property damage unless “gross negligence or willful misconduct” existed.

During the debate on vertiports this Session, Florida Justice Association Director Laura Youmans previously voiced concerns about any extra legal protections being granted considering vertiports are new technology involving high voltage charging infrastructure, battery storage systems, fire hazards and more potential danger.

Rep. Chip LaMarca praised Spencer for his handling of the bill and its amendments during the Committee process.

“You’ve worked it tremendously hard,” LaMarca, a Lighthouse Point Republican, told Spencer.

“And most importantly, when you presented it to our Committee, you were able to mention that you knew all of the members of the Jetson family,” LaMarca added in jest.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue have teased that flying cars are coming to Florida soon. By late 2027 or 2028, the technology could be a reality and jump start an estimated multimillion-dollar industry, officials said earlier this year at a House panel.

Demonstration flights could take place as soon as this year.

“There’s a lot of anticipation. There’s a lot of excitement. There’s a lot of private equity to get this moving forward quickly,” said Will Watts, the Assistant Secretary and Chief Operating Officer at FDOT.

The state is developing an aerial network and prioritizing which communities could first see vertiports carrying passengers, transporting micro-freight, or helping with emergency management.

The Interstate 4 corridor — which runs through Leonard’s district — is the first priority, officials have said.

“As advanced air mobility moves from research and testing to real world deployment, this legislation will provide the necessary physical and financial foundation for this industry to take flight in our state,” Spencer said.

An identical Senate companion bill (SB 1362) filed by Sen. Gayle Harrell is ready to go to the full Senate floor after winning unanimous support Monday from the Senate Appropriations Committee.