Advocating for You: A Strategic Approach to State and National Policy VAI’s advocacy efforts yield notable victories for vertical aviation. By Cade Clark and Katia Veraza VAI’s Government Affairs Team was very active during the first half of this year, working diligently to safeguard and promote the interests of the vertical flight industry. Our team has tracked more than 800 aviation-related bills across all 50 states, engaging strategically to either support or oppose legislation depending on its potential impact on our industry. This activity has led to several significant victories, including the successful opposition to Hawaii Senate Bill 2747. This bill, if passed, would have required air tour operators in that state to carry a minimum of $20 million in liability insurance per person per incident—a mandate that could have forced those companies to close their doors. Through collaboration with state legislators, we were able to halt the bill, securing the future of these businesses while also demonstrating our industry’s commitment to safety. As part of that commitment, VAI hosted the Air Tour Safety Conference on Sep. 23–24, 2024, at the Hawaii Convention Center on Oahu. The event brought together US aerial tour operators, state and local government officials, and other stakeholders to discuss critical safety issues, including the recent FAA mandate for safety management systems. The December 2024 issue of POWER UP will feature more news from the conference. Success in Multiple States VAI has successfully opposed and helped amend several key bills across multiple states, including California, Florida, Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin. These bills, if passed in their original form, could have posed significant challenges to several VAI priorities, including the continued evolution of the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector, the availability of leaded fuels, the safe transition to unleaded fuels, and the preservation of vertical flight infrastructure. Through targeted advocacy and collaboration with state legislators and industry stakeholders, VAI was able to protect and promote the interests of general aviation. We’ve also taken steps to advance AAM within Texas, having chaired the Infrastructure Subcommittee of the Texas legislature’s AAM Advisory Committee. In this role, VAI worked closely with the Texas Department of Transportation and key AAM stakeholders to help develop a comprehensive AAM roadmap for the state. This roadmap will serve as a critical tool for legislators as they consider new laws to facilitate the integration and adoption of AAM technologies in Texas. VAI’s involvement in this process underscores our commitment to fostering a legislative environment that supports innovation and growth in the vertical flight industry. As mentioned above, much of our focus during the first six months of the year was on fighting to stop legislation that could harm the vertical flight industry. Now, with most state legislatures out of session for the rest of the year, we have a valuable opportunity to take an even more active role in advancing the interests of vertical aviation. Over the next few months, VAI will explore, and advocate for, model legislation and policy recommendations that will promote the industry in upcoming legislative sessions. Election Season Fast Approaching With election season just around the corner, we’re closely monitoring the stakes for vertical aviation at both the national and state levels. While the upcoming presidential and congressional elections are attracting significant attention, state and local elections are equally critical to the future of the vertical flight industry. In 2024, 85 state legislative chambers across 44 states will hold regular elections, with 5,793 of the country’s 7,386 state legislative seats—nearly 80%—up for grabs. These elections will determine the makeup of state legislatures, which play a crucial role in shaping policy that affects our industry. Recognizing the importance of state and local policymakers, VAI is preparing to engage with newly elected officials following the elections. It is essential that we introduce ourselves and our industry’s interests to new state and congressional legislators, educating them about the benefits and needs of the vertical flight industry. By fostering positive relationships with policymakers at all levels of government, we will create a legislative environment that supports innovation, growth, and safety in vertical flight. We also ask VAI members to continue their own outreach to their local elected officials. If you’d like assistance in connecting with your representatives, please contact the VAI advocacy team at Advocacy@verticalavi.org. As we continue to develop our strategic plans and outreach initiatives for the remainder of 2024, hearing from you is critical to our efforts. We encourage you to share your invaluable insights and feedback on how we can better support the industry in your state. If you have suggestions or would like to discuss specific needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out at Advocacy@verticalavi.org. Your participation—and success—is crucial to our collective success. Cade Clark is VAI’s chief government affairs officer. Katia Veraza is VAI’s manager of government affairs and regional relations.
