What AB 431 does
An act to add Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 21720) to Part 1 of Division 9 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to aviation.
Existing law, the State Aeronautics Act, governs various matters relative to aviation in the state, and authorizes the Department of Transportation to adopt, administer, and enforce rules and regulations for the administration of the act.
This bill, the Advanced Air Mobility Infrastructure Act, would require the department, in coordination with specified agencies, to include advanced air mobility, as defined, in the next update to the California Transportation Plan prepared after January 1, 2027, and to establish a statewide working group to facilitate ongoing collaboration to explore California’s role as a leader in the development and implementation of advanced air mobility, as specified. The bill would prohibit its provisions from being construed to (1) interfere with or suspend the authority of the Federal Aviation Administration or any other federal department or agency, or state zoning laws or regulations, as specified, or (2) limit or interfere with the jurisdiction, authority, rights, or responsibilities of any airport sponsor or operator, as specified.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the enrolled text, August 26, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Assemblymember Wilson introduced AB 431 on February 5, 2025, with coauthors Assembly Members Davies and Harabedian. The text was amended 2 times, 1 in the Assembly and 1 in the Senate, and heard in 6 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Assembly Floor, June 2, 2025: 79 ayes, 0 noes.
- Senate Floor, August 20, 2026: 39 ayes, 0 noes.
- Assembly Floor, August 24, 2026: 78 ayes, 0 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Assembly Transportation, April 28, 2025: Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 15-0.
- Assembly Appropriations, May 23, 2025: Do pass., 14-0.
- Senate Transportation, June 9, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar, 13-0.
- Senate Appropriations, June 22, 2026: Placed on suspense file, 6-0.
- Senate Appropriations, August 13, 2026: Do pass, 7-0.
Who supports and opposes AB 431
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 14, 2026 lists 21 organizations in support and 1 in opposition. When Assembly Transportation first listed positions on April 25, 2025, the count was 9 in support and 0 opposed. By the Senate Floor Analyses analysis of August 14, 2026 it was 21 to 1.
In support: Aerospace and Defense Alliance of California; Airlines for America; Archer Aviation; Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International; Association of California Airports; California Airports Council; California Chamber of Commerce; California Manufacturers and Technology Association; and 13 more.
Opposed: City of Newport Beach.
Read the Senate Floor Analyses analysis.
What happens next
It reached the Governor's desk on August 28, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
The Governor can sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until the decision, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect. If signed, most provisions take effect January 1, and implementation moves to the agencies named in the bill.
What it means for transportation organizations
Two decisions follow from a bill at this stage. The first is whether to weigh in with the Governor's office before the thirty-day window closes. The second is how to prepare for implementation if it becomes law: which agency writes the rules, when the comment period opens, and which obligations begin January 1.
The transportation group at Capitol Axis handles that for transportation clients.
Questions about AB 431
What does AB 431 do?
This bill, the Advanced Air Mobility Infrastructure Act, would require the department, in coordination with specified agencies, to include advanced air mobility, as defined, in the next update to the California Transportation Plan prepared after January 1, 2027, and to establish a statewide working group to facilitate ongoing collaboration to explore California’s role as a leader in the development and implementation of advanced air mobility, as specified. The bill would prohibit its provisions from being construed to (1) interfere with or suspend the authority of the Federal Aviation Administ
Has AB 431 passed the California Legislature?
It reached the Governor's desk on August 28, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
Who supports and opposes AB 431?
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 14, 2026 lists 21 organizations in support and 1 in opposition. Supporters include Aerospace and Defense Alliance of California; Airlines for America; Archer Aviation. Opponents include City of Newport Beach.
What happens next with AB 431?
The Governor can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until then, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect.