On the second day of his visit to Paris, Governor Ron DeSantis today signed two pivotal pieces of legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 1516 and SB 1662, at the Florida Activation Event. These bills are set to significantly accelerate aerospace innovation and cement Florida’s reputation as “The Aerospace State.”
The signing ceremony took place amidst a gathering of Florida and international companies, industry leaders, and business executives, all exploring future business development opportunities.
Governor DeSantis continued his proactive engagement by hosting meetings with several key Florida aerospace, aviation, military, and defense employers. Discussions focused on their long-term economic development visions, with the Governor reinforcing the state’s unwavering commitment to supporting these vital sectors and bolstering national defense.
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SB 1662 is a bill designed to reinforce Florida’s standing as “The Aerospace State.”
It establishes a comprehensive framework for Florida to lead in the integration of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), positioning the state at the cutting edge of this evolving sector. Furthermore, the legislation increases crucial investments in Florida’s spaceports, directly supporting the continued growth of the state’s vibrant space industry.
A key provision of SB 1662 is the coordination and development of the Florida Transportation Research Institute. This institute will operate in partnership with Florida’s colleges, universities, state agencies, and industry leaders, fostering collaborative research and innovation.
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The bill outlines the framework and mission for this institute, ensuring a focused approach to transportation advancements. In a move to further support workforce development in aviation, the legislation also prohibits publicly owned airports from charging landing fees for flight training and pilot certification activities associated with collegiate aviation programs in Florida.
SB 1516 is poised to transform Florida into a premier launching pad for aerospace and aviation innovation. The bill achieves this by providing robust support for startups and actively advancing research and financial investment within the sector.
A cornerstone of this legislation is the establishment of the International Aerospace Innovation Fund (IAIF), which Space Florida will administer. The IAIF is specifically designed to accelerate global aerospace innovation through the funding of collaborative research and development projects, targeted workforce development initiatives, and crucial commercialization efforts.
