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The Florida House Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved HB 1903, a bill designed to support the development of vertiports in the state. The bill allows the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to fully fund private vertiports if no federal funds are available and to cover up to 80% of the non-federal share when federal funding is used.

It aims to provide legal protections for private vertiport operators comparable to those of public operators and establish regulations for electric aircraft charging stations and vertiport design. The bill would take effect on July 1, although costs to state or local governments remain undetermined.

An amendment removed a proposed sales tax exemption. The legislation is intended to foster economic growth in the advanced air mobility sector, which includes applications beyond flying taxis, such as medical transport and cargo. A similar Senate bill is scheduled for discussion.