Section 4-NEW - [Newly enacted section not yet numbered] [Effective 10/1/2024] Advanced air mobility generally(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) POWERED-LIFT AIRCRAFT. A heavier-than-air aircraft capable of vertical takeoff, vertical landing, and low speed flight that depends principally on engine drive lift devices or engine thrust for lift.(2) VERTIPORT. An area of land or water, or a structure, used or intended to be used for the takeoff or landing of powered-lift aircraft.(b) The Department of Transportation shall do all of the following: (1) Develop a statewide plan to include vertiports, electric aviation charging, and the infrastructure needs of other advances in aviation technology. No existing state revenues accruing to the department in the Public Road and Bridge Fund, the Rebuild Alabama Fund, or other state revenues used for the purpose of matching federal funds shall be used for the purpose of developing or updating this statewide plan.(2) Designate a liaison for advanced air mobility within the department as a resource for local and regional jurisdictions navigating advances in aviation technology.(3) Coordinate with experts in the public and private sector to provide local and regional jurisdictions with educational and technical resources to support uniform planning and zoning language across the state regarding powered-lift aircraft, electric aviation, and other advances in aviation technology. No existing state revenues accruing to the department in the Public Road and Bridge Fund, the Rebuild Alabama Fund, or other state revenues used for the purpose of matching federal funds shall be used for the purpose of providing local or regional jurisdictions with educational or technical resources to support uniform planning or zoning language across the state.(c)(1) Except as otherwise provided by law, a political subdivision of this state, other than an airport operator, shall not enact any law, ordinance, regulation, or rule relating to advanced air mobility.(2) An airport operator may only enact a law, rule, regulation, or ordinance relating to advanced air mobility that applies within the geographical boundaries over which the airport operator has authority.Added by Act 2024-396,§ 1, eff. 10/1/2024.