State Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, is doubling down on her mission to jumpstart Florida’s electric-aircraft sector, winning unanimous backing Wednesday from the Senate Transportation Committee for her bill, SB 266.
The measure offers a sales-tax exemption for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, aiming to lure manufacturers and operators to the Sunshine State with a financial carrot set to kick in July 1, 2025.
Harrell’s proposal amends Florida’s tax code (Section 212.08) to exempt the lease, sale, or transfer of eVTOL aircraft from manufacturers to operators, a niche but growing industry pitched as the future of urban mobility and short-haul transport.
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eVTOL aircraft—think electric-powered, helicopter-like vehicles that take off and land vertically—promise quieter, greener alternatives to traditional aviation. Companies like Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, already testing models elsewhere, could see Florida as a prime hub if the tax break becomes law.
Harrell’s push isn’t new; she’s championed similar incentives before, arguing the state’s flat terrain and tourism-heavy economy make it an ideal proving ground.
The exemption, tucked into a “miscellaneous exemptions” section of the bill, comes with strings: buyers need a sales-tax exemption certificate from the Department of Revenue, and misuse could trigger tax liability. However, it’s a small price for big gains—potentially billions in investment.
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Florida’s aviation sector, already robust with firms like Embraer in Melbourne, could get a futuristic boost if SB 266 clears the full Senate and House.
Harrell’s betting it will, framing it as a no-brainer for a state that thrives on cutting-edge industry.
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