FL H1303

Creates the Northeast Florida Regional Spaceport Authority as an independent special district covering Clay, Duval, and Nassau Counties to foster commercial aerospace industry growth, including spaceport operations, business financing, workforce development, and research and development.

Establishes a 9-member board of directors with 3 members appointed by the Governor, 3 by the Mayor of Jacksonville, 2 by Clay County, and 1 by Nassau County, each serving 4-year terms with no compensation but travel expense reimbursement.

Grants the authority broad powers to acquire property, construct and operate launch pads, landing areas, utilities, transportation facilities, and public safety infrastructure; issue revenue bonds (not backed by state full faith and credit) with maturities up to 30 years; and collect fees, rentals, and charges from spaceport users.

Transfers spaceport facilities and projects currently owned by the Jacksonville Airport Authority at Cecil Airport and Cecil Commerce Center to the new authority upon enactment, and requires the authority to develop a spaceport master plan for submission to the Department of Transportation and metropolitan planning organizations.

Exempts the authority from state and local taxes on its property, projects, and bond income, while requiring compliance with federal and state environmental laws and encouraging participation by women, minorities, and disadvantaged business enterprises in all phases of spaceport development.