Short title

This Act may be cited as the Standards Addressing Federal Transparency and Oversight With Evolving Recruitment Specifications Act or the SAFE TOWERS Act.

Hiring of air traffic controllers

Section 44506 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(f)

Revision of hiring practices

(1)

Consideration of applicants

(A)

Preference for AT–CTI and VRA applicants

In appointing individuals to the position of air traffic controller, the Administrator shall give preferential consideration to the following applicants: (i)An individual who— (I)has successfully completed air traffic controller training and graduated from an institution participating in the Collegiate Training Initiative program maintained under subsection (c)(1); and (II)has received an appropriate recommendation from the institution. (ii)A qualified individual who is eligible for a veterans recruitment appointment pursuant to section 4214 of title 38. (iii)A qualified individual who is an eligible veteran, as such term is defined in section 4211 of title 38, maintaining aviation experience. (B)

Consideration of general public applicants

The Administrator may consider general public applicants for the position of air traffic controller only after completing consideration of the applicants described in subparagraph (A). (2)

Elimination of biographical assessments

(A)

In general

The Administrator shall revise the hiring practices of the Administration that apply to applicants for the position of air traffic controller with the Department of Transportation to eliminate the use of a biographical assessment or any other personality test that unduly disqualifies applicants. The revision under this subparagraph shall not be subject to paragraph (3). (B)

Reconsideration of applicants disqualified on the basis of biographical assessments

(i)

In general

If an individual applied for the position of air traffic controller with the Department in response to the FG–01 Vacancy Announcement issued on February 10, 2014, and was disqualified from the position as the result of a biographical assessment, the Administrator shall provide the applicant an opportunity to reapply as soon as practicable for the position under the revised hiring practices. (ii)

Waiver of age restriction

The Administrator shall waive any maximum age restriction for the position of air traffic controller with the Department that would otherwise disqualify an individual from the position if the individual— (I)is reapplying for the position pursuant to clause (i) on or before December 31, 2016; and (II)met the maximum age requirement on the date of the individual’s previous application for the position. (3)

Participation of CTI institutions in revision of hiring practices

Before making any revision to the hiring practices that apply to applicants for the position of air traffic controller with the Department, the Administrator shall provide the Air Traffic Control Education and Training Advisory Committee established under subsection (g) and institutions of higher education participating in the Collegiate Training Initiative program with notice of the revision and an opportunity to comment.

Collegiate Training Initiative

Section 44506(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1)in the first sentence by striking may maintain and inserting shall maintain; and (2)in the second sentence by striking may establish and inserting , in consultation with the Air Traffic Control Education and Training Advisory Committee established under subsection (g), shall establish.

Air Traffic Control Education and Training Advisory Committee

Section 44506 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

(g)

Air Traffic Control Education and Training Advisory Committee

(1)

Establishment

The Administrator shall establish an Air Traffic Control Education and Training Advisory Committee (in this subsection referred to as the Committee). (2)

Duties

The Committee shall— (A)provide advice and recommendations to the Administrator about the needs, objectives, plans, and content of air traffic controller training programs; (B)review the operations of the Collegiate Training Initiative program maintained under subsection (c)(1); (C)establish standardized curriculum, required outcomes, and accreditation standards for the Collegiate Training Initiative program; and (D)annually review the air traffic controller training initiatives carried out by the Administration and provide advice and recommendations to the Administrator on whether such initiatives are appropriate to meet the needs of the air traffic controller workforce. (3)

Membership

(A)

Number and appointment

The Committee shall be composed of 9 members appointed by the Administrator as follows: (i)2 individuals based on recommendations of the Association of Collegiate Training Institutions. (ii)2 individuals based on recommendations of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. (iii)2 individuals based on recommendations of the University Aviation Association. (iv)3 individuals selected by the Administrator who meet the requirements of subparagraph (B). (B)

Qualifications

Individuals appointed pursuant to subparagraph (A)(iv)— (i)may not be employees of the Federal Aviation Administration; and (ii)shall be specifically qualified to serve on the Committee as a result of their education, training, and experience. (C)

Terms

(i)

In general

A member shall be appointed for a term of 2 years. (ii)

Terms of initial appointees

As designated by the Administrator at the time of appointment— (I)1 of the members first appointed under each of subparagraphs (A)(i), (A)(ii), and (A)(iii) shall be appointed for a term of 3 years; and (II)2 of the members first appointed under subparagraph (A)(iv) shall be appointed for terms of 3 years. (D)

Vacancies

(i)

In general

Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. (ii)

Interim service

A member may serve after the expiration of that member’s term until a successor has taken office. (iii)

Manner of appointment

A vacancy in the Committee shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. (E)

Pay; travel expenses

Members shall serve without pay but may receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, when attending meetings of the Committee in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5. (F)

Chairperson

The Chairperson of the Committee shall be elected by a majority of the members. (G)

Meetings

The Committee shall meet quarterly and may have additional meetings at the call of the Chairperson. (4)

Annual report

(A)

In general

Not later than May 31st of each year, the Committee shall submit to Congress and the Administrator an annual report containing— (i)the findings and recommendations of the Committee; and (ii)beginning with the second annual report, an assessment of whether or not the Administrator has complied with the Committee’s recommendations from the previous year. (B)

FAA comments

Not later than 60 days after the date of submission of an annual report that includes an assessment described in subparagraph (A)(ii), the Administrator shall submit to Congress and the Committee a report containing the Administrator’s written response to the assessment, including an explanation as to why the Administrator did or did not comply with each recommendation of the Committee. (5)

Termination

Section 14(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.; relating to the termination of advisory committees) shall not apply to the Committee.

Best practices for training air traffic controllers

Section 44506 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

(h)

Best practices for training

The Administrator, in consultation with the Air Traffic Control Education and Training Advisory Committee established under subsection (g), shall take into consideration any locally developed training initiatives for air traffic controllers for use in establishing best practices nationwide.