CS/SB 968 — Spaceport Territory
by Rules Committee and Senators Calatayud and Trumbull
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee (MS)
The bill revises the definition of “spaceport discretionary capacity improvement projects” to mean capacity improvements that enhance space transportation capacity at any spaceport or on spaceport territory. The bill removes the requirement that a spaceport or spaceport territory must have had at least one orbital flight or suborbital flight within the previous calendar year or have an agreement in writing for installation of one or more regularly scheduled orbital or suborbital flights for the commitment of funds for spaceport discretionary capacity improvement projects.
In addition, the bill broadens the scope of the strategic space infrastructure investment funding eligibility and authorizes the Florida Department of Transportation, in consultation with Space Florida, to fund spaceport discretionary capacity improvement projects, instead of strategic spaceport launch facilities, at up to 100 percent of the project’s cost. The revised eligibility criteria includes the provision that the project provide important access and on-spaceport-territory space transportation capacity improvements.
The bill expands spaceport territory to include certain real property in Miami-Dade County consisting of property which was formerly included within the boundaries of Homestead Air Force Base and is included in the Homestead Air Reserve Base or deeded to Miami-Dade County or the City of Homestead. The bill also delineates the Homestead Air Force Base property.
The bill also expands spaceport territory to include certain real property in Bay County which is included within the boundaries of Tyndall Air Force Base.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2024.
Vote: Senate 36-0; House 111-0