Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two pieces of legislation furthering his state’s position as an aerospace and transportation leader.
DeSantis signed the legislation at the Florida Activation Event in Paris, France – a trade mission focused on attracting foreign direct investment into the state. The legislation, Senate Bill 1516 and Senate Bill 1662, would strengthen the state’s aerospace innovation initiatives and enact reforms to the state’s transportation infrastructure and workforce.
“Florida continues to set the national standard for economic growth, workforce development, and innovation,” DeSantis said. “With these bills, we are building on our state’s strong foundation to ensure that Florida remains at the forefront of aerospace and transportation advancement for decades to come.”
SB 1516 creates the International Aerospace Innovation Fund, which will be administered by Space Florida, an aerospace commerce hub, to drive global aerospace research, commercialization and workforce development in Florida. The fund will work to create strategic partnerships between Florida-based aerospace companies, international businesses, research institutions and space agencies as a way to attract projects, companies and jobs to the state.
SB 1662 enacts updates to the state’s transportation, seaport, airport and logistics sectors by establishing the Florida Transportation Research Institute as a center for the state’s universities and aerospace industries to conduct research and innovation; providing new funding mechanisms for projects involving spaceports and manufacturing; protecting aerospace interests by prohibiting space-designated land at seaports from being repurposed for non-space activities; establishing plans for next-generation aviation technologies and providing the Florida Department of Transportation with the framework to invest in vertiports.
“By signing this bill today, Governor DeSantis showed his continued support of investing in transportation and solidified Florida’s commitment to propel innovation, enhance safety, and increase efficiency to best serve Florida communities,” Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E., said. “FDOT is especially proud of this legislation and looks forward to turning bold ideas into action that maintains Florida’s position as a world-class transportation leader.”