Committee favors nonbinding resolution backing advanced air mobility pilots and infrastructure, 9–2

The House Transportation Standing Committee on Thursday favorably recommended SCR 10, a concurrent, nonbinding resolution expressing Utah’s interest in supporting advanced air mobility technologies such as air taxis and vertiports. The committee adopted a clarifying amendment to change the text from "senate" to "legislature" and approved the resolution by a recorded 9–2 vote.

Senator Harper, presenting the resolution, said stakeholders requested a clear signal of state intent so they can move forward with investments and pilots. "This resolution goes through and says we are committed to it. We're gonna make sure that we have the vertiports," he said, and added state work with the Federal Aviation Administration would be required on airspace and safety.

Representative Sawyer raised safety and practicality concerns, saying he would not personally trust an unmanned aircraft in winter conditions and questioned the extent to which air taxis would reduce congestion on main corridors like I‑15. Harper acknowledged the concerns and described the resolution as enabling limited pilots: "I believe this resolution will go through and get an impetus where we can start in about 2 years, a pilot program during the winter to go through and actually do some of these in a test point." He also said private companies would likely make most capital investments for vertiports and chargers, while the state’s role would center on regulation, FAA coordination and ensuring safe, designated air corridors.

The chair noted SCR 10 is nonbinding and will appear on the consent calendar on the House floor. Representatives Dominguez and Sawyer were recorded as the two nays; the motion passed 9–2.