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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
vertiports; design; zoning
Purpose
Requires each public vertiport or electric aircraft charging station and any separate infrastructure project for advanced air mobility to open for public bid with no preference given to existing public vertiport owners or operators.
Background
Beginning September 1, 2026, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) must consult with stakeholders to develop a plan or update the statewide aviation plan to include public vertiports and electric aircraft charging stations and the infrastructure needs of advanced air mobility. ADOT must designate a person with expertise in advanced air mobility within ADOT as a resource for local and regional jurisdictions that are developing or implementing advanced air mobility.
A political subdivision, in compliance with federal law, including laws that apply to the Federal Aviation Administration's and the U.S. Department of Transportation's safety standards, may establish the location of public and private vertiports, electric aircraft charging stations and the infrastructure needs of advanced air mobility (A.R.S. § 28-8602).
A vertiport is an area of land or water or a structure that is primarily used for the takeoff or landing of a powered lift aircraft, including associated buildings or facilities (A.R.S. § 28-8601).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires each public vertiport or electric aircraft charging station and any separate infrastructure project for advanced air mobility to be open for public bid with no preference given to existing public vertiport owners or operators.
2. Specifies that a political subdivision may establish the location of public and private vertiports and electric aircraft charging stations and the infrastructure needs of advanced air mobility after approval of the vertiport layout plan by the Federal Aviation Administration.
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 19, 2026
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