TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Tuesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two more bills into law, adding to the bevy of new rules taking effect this year.
In fact, both of Tuesday’s new laws are set to take effect on July 1, alongside over 90 other laws. For the full list, click here.
Meanwhile, the two newest laws make changes regarding space and transportation infrastructure in the state.
Read below for a summary of each:
SB 1516 — Aerospace Industry
Senate Bill 1516 creates the International Aerospace Innovation Fund to help fund aerospace-related research and development projects in the state.
The program is aimed at driving innovation in Florida’s aerospace industry, though it requires projects to meet the following three criteria for funding:
- Be involved in at least one aerospace company/organization based in Florida
- Be a partnership involving an international aerospace company, university, space agency or research institute
- Be intended (or demonstrate potential) for commercialization
SB 1662 — Transportation
Senate Bill 1662 makes several rule changes related to transportation. Some of these new rules include the following:
- Allows certain disabled veterans to receive a special license plate embossed with “DV” in the top left-hand corner
- Prohibits camping on the right-of-way in the Florida State Highway System, except on the Florida National Scenic Trail with an appropriate permit
- Prohibits the FDOT from providing funds to transportation-related entities for projects that are inconsistent with the state’s energy policy
- Requires seaports to submit semiannual reports to the FDOT about their operations
- Prohibits airports from charging new landing fees for aircraft operations related to flight training conducted by certain academic institutions
- Requires airports to provide the FDOT with the opportunity to use certain airport property as a staging area during declared states of emergency