110 HR 6355 IH: Air Service Improvement Act of 2008
U.S. House of Representatives
2008-06-24
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Air Service Improvement Act of 2008
.
(b)
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Amendments to title 49, United States Code.
Title I—Air service improvements
Sec. 101. Monthly air carrier reports.
Sec. 102. Air passenger service improvements.
Sec. 103. Review of air carrier flight delays, cancellations, and associated causes.
Sec. 104. European Union rules for passenger rights.
Sec. 105. Establishment of advisory committee for aviation consumer protection.
Sec. 106. Denied boarding compensation.
Sec. 107. Expansion of DOT airline consumer complaint investigations.
Title II—FAA employees
Sec. 201. Federal Aviation Administration personnel management system.
2.Amendments to title 49, United States CodeExcept as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or a repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 49, United States Code.
<enum>I</enum><header>Air service improvements</header>
<section id="HAE5353491BE4423DAD7778C17F006EEE" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>101.</enum><header>Monthly air carrier reports</header>
<subsection id="H2B97E7CF036B43B78B976DFBC6C3EDF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/49/41708">Section 41708</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="HBA00EE06D2274B93B37EC9DAB68D7FAC" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H5A7A6041B0DF4E5C849BFFF79CF30019"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Diverted and cancelled flights</header>
<paragraph id="H4539A5A0F5CE451EAFC9FD32C269CB00"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Monthly reports</header><text>The Secretary shall require an air carrier referred to in paragraph (2) to file with the Secretary a monthly report on each flight of the air carrier that is diverted from its scheduled destination to another airport and each flight of the air carrier that departs the gate at the airport at which the flight originates but is cancelled before wheels-off time.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8D5F75B463344892BF3B0172E7C20705"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Applicability</header><text>An air carrier that is required to file a monthly airline service quality performance report under subsection (b) shall be subject to the requirement of paragraph (1).</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF22D3137E6BE4BAEB700B42CAFA19C41"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>A monthly report filed by an air carrier under paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum, the following information:</text>
<subparagraph id="HCD4B682CA2A242B8A53D38A1D9356900"><enum>(A)</enum><text>For a diverted flight—</text>
<clause id="H70A43C29E78E4482B72628B2192C3D7"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the flight number of the diverted flight;</text> </clause>
<clause id="H36244BBC13B14E40A08F09C847B75264"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the scheduled destination of the flight;</text> </clause>
<clause id="H1E184332CE7D400C9BB344A5CF5E5E38"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the date and time of the flight;</text> </clause>
<clause id="H9A1BAD24A6864887A102CA790047DD93"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the airport to which the flight was diverted;</text> </clause>
<clause id="HD3D57B3EFA5E4E5E88434645787F3569"><enum>(v)</enum><text>wheels-on time at the diverted airport;</text> </clause>
<clause id="HDF2CA37B454E4D13B937EC93422992BE"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>the time, if any, passengers deplaned the aircraft at the diverted airport; and</text> </clause>
<clause id="H56A0C0DD9B2D429C8DA117A7B62B3DC"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>if the flight arrives at the scheduled destination airport—</text>
<subclause id="H2037682CBAEE45F09D0016B0EE854CD1"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the gate-departure time at the diverted airport;</text> </subclause>
<subclause id="H1361317B4A6F4705B0378419DBA7CA25"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the wheels-off time at the diverted airport;</text> </subclause>
<subclause id="H908D46EC0F6D4E9B8D9423B01289EC45"><enum>(III)</enum><text>the wheels-on time at the scheduled arrival airport; and</text> </subclause>
<subclause id="H19DB518B9F1742EABBE11F79A535007F"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>the gate arrival time at the scheduled arrival airport.</text> </subclause></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H863555C7EB8641C08B66E47604846BA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>For flights cancelled after gate departure—</text>
<clause id="H1881E70C3F064BC3B985B5693904D2CD"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the flight number of the cancelled flight;</text> </clause>
<clause id="HDBC754A932FD42FC00201E23F6BC3FEC"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the scheduled origin and destination airports of the cancelled flight;</text> </clause>
<clause id="H1D0C26B1EECE4FA3B6FB62B80038125D"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the date and time of the cancelled flight;</text> </clause>
<clause id="HAB6CF155476E47DD964C71557B7FF717"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the gate-departure time of the cancelled flight; and</text> </clause>
<clause id="HCCDF750275224B6AAE7979664F761CB0"><enum>(v)</enum><text>the time the aircraft returned to the gate.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD71EE22200BA459EBB8671537BA4EA8"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Publication</header><text>The Secretary shall compile the information provided in the monthly reports filed pursuant to paragraph (1) in a single monthly report and publish such report on the Web site of the Department of Transportation.</text> </paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection>
<subsection id="H1BC0BF15C55B47CAA1A9F59F41999BCC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Transportation shall require monthly reports pursuant to the amendment made by subsection (a) beginning not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.</text> </subsection></section>
<section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD105D222C42B4D50BEACC951884EE627" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>102.</enum><header>Air passenger service improvements</header>
<subsection id="HE70113E402864FFB9B53209D9600965D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subtitle VII is amended by inserting after chapter 421 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF7F06D37475747E9A1E372C7EEB963D5" style="USC">
<chapter id="H00FA220F00094147A6E4A7A7A5312DF5"><enum>423</enum><header>Air passenger service improvements</header>
<toc container-level="chapter-container" idref="H00FA220F00094147A6E4A7A7A5312DF5" lowest-bolded-level="division-lowest-bolded" lowest-level="section" quoted-block="no-quoted-block" regeneration="yes-regeneration">
<toc-entry idref="H021F94987461464CB9E5B33BBE235EF" level="section">Sec.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="H021F94987461464CB9E5B33BBE235EF" level="section">42301. Emergency contingency plans.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="HF999B6AFB7BD416D9B08EBD35DBD196" level="section">42302. Consumer complaints.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="HC7584013198347FB97C66000375823B" level="section">42303. Use of insecticides in passenger aircraft.</toc-entry> </toc>
<section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H021F94987461464CB9E5B33BBE235EF"><enum>42301.</enum><header>Emergency contingency plans</header>
<subsection id="H8C7A81BC388F413D8CEB5297831FFE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Submission of air carrier and airport plans</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, each air carrier providing covered air transportation at a large hub airport or medium hub airport and each operator of a large hub airport or medium hub airport shall submit to the Secretary of Transportation for review and approval an emergency contingency plan in accordance with the requirements of this section.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H1E6DEEC778484003886BF5F0C76292C5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered air transportation defined</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the term <quote>covered air transportation</quote> means scheduled passenger air transportation provided by an air carrier using aircraft with more than 60 seats.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H88F02966AA764BAD9E76C1FB62CFBE78"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Air carrier plans</header>
<paragraph id="H825F6B40AC1B4A3C00FABC663388027"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Plans for individual airports</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An air carrier shall submit an emergency contingency plan under subsection (a) for—</text>
<subparagraph id="H1C444DB79FC24834BF6F956B5E2D6C5E"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">each large hub airport and medium hub airport at which the carrier provides covered air transportation; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBF7B5078E28A4B2EB2C9E6EB842F8600"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">each large hub airport and medium hub airport at which the carrier has flights for which it has primary responsibility for inventory control.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF056B54FB8D848328FB6391F0342CBD"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>An emergency contingency plan submitted by an air carrier for an airport under subsection (a) shall contain a description of how the air carrier will—</text>
<subparagraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6A258D17075F4003A46B35404BEA519E"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide food, water that meets the standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/300f">42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.</external-xref>), restroom facilities, cabin ventilation, and access to medical treatment for passengers onboard an aircraft at the airport that is on the ground for an extended period of time without access to the terminal;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H079E219475D441DE9383B542F47BA4D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>allow passengers to deplane following excessive delays; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H732EE748890943F8A867170126DEC3F1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>share facilities and make gates available at the airport in an emergency.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HCFB43CF898764753AC714D00A988A9C"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Airport plans</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An emergency contingency plan submitted by an airport operator under subsection (a) shall contain a description of how the airport operator, to the maximum extent practicable, will provide for the deplanement of passengers following excessive delays and will provide for the sharing of facilities and make gates available at the airport in an emergency.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H3BFE7666515546DA8C940043C6777930"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Updates</header>
<paragraph id="H6340C56E32EE4BDAA170FE959CA752B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Air carriers</header><text>An air carrier shall update the emergency contingency plan submitted by the air carrier under subsection (a) every 3 years and submit the update to the Secretary for review and approval.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H04AB8E824F2D43308E7421DE1B4023AA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Airports</header><text>An airport operator shall update the emergency contingency plan submitted by the airport operator under subsection (a) every 5 years and submit the update to the Secretary for review and approval.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD2DB8D2511F94ED6A7F742AC6380F355"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Approval</header>
<paragraph id="HAE11B7DBCF9D43398593D092509F8D6E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall review and approve or require modifications to emergency contingency plans submitted under subsection (a) and updates submitted under subsection (e) to ensure that the plans and updates will effectively address emergencies and provide for the health and safety of passengers.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7FDBA88BDE594C90A37F1173128F7FD9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Civil penalties</header><text>The Secretary may assess a civil penalty under section 46301 against an air carrier or airport that does not adhere to an emergency contingency plan approved under this subsection.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HED634A438DE24D46846975D2DB4E3F1D"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Minimum standards</header><text>The Secretary may establish, as necessary or desirable, minimum standards for elements in an emergency contingency plan required to be submitted under this section.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H608859912D2441E5B6BD9B018EF108C8"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Public access</header><text>An air carrier or airport required to submit emergency contingency plans under this section shall ensure public access to such plan after its approval under this section on the Internet Web site of the carrier or airport or by such other means as determined by the Secretary.</text> </subsection></section>
<section id="HF999B6AFB7BD416D9B08EBD35DBD196"><enum>42302.</enum><header>Consumer complaints</header>
<subsection id="H1D548E2ED9DA4209BD31130027A2C8B5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Consumer complaints hotline telephone number</header><text>The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a consumer complaints hotline telephone number for the use of passengers in air transportation.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H53E0FAA39199421DB51EB1EBD5F2E749"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Public notice</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall notify the public of the telephone number established under subsection (a).</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H2326FBB9A5AF4DFC8993EA145278F3DC"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. Such sums shall remain available until expended.</text> </subsection></section>
<section id="HC7584013198347FB97C66000375823B"><enum>42303.</enum><header>Use of insecticides in passenger aircraft</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">No air carrier, foreign air carrier, or ticket agent may sell in the United States a ticket for air transportation for a flight on which a insecticide has been applied in the aircraft within the last 60 days or on which an insecticide is planned to be used in the aircraft while passengers are on board the aircraft unless the air carrier, foreign air carrier, or ticket agent selling the ticket first informs the person purchasing the ticket of the application, application, or planned use of the insecticide, including the name of the insecticide.</text> </section></chapter><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection>
<subsection id="H9E269FD306E948C3935DB6FDBBAFDCB0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The analysis for subtitle VII is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 421 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H04C13C4A35A44AAEBCCC106D0088DE00" style="USC">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<multi-column-toc-entry level="chapter"><toc-enum>423.</toc-enum><level-header level="chapter">Air Passenger Service Improvements</level-header><target>42301</target></multi-column-toc-entry> </toc> <after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection>
<subsection commented="no" id="H5CB5F4BA94314D05B597A2BBF518E68"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Penalties</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/49/46301">Section 46301</external-xref> is amended in subsections (a)(1)(A) and (c)(1)(A) by inserting <quote>chapter 423,</quote> after <quote>chapter 421,</quote>.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="HDE07AB57E923405E000055E8F383EAF8"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Applicability of requirements</header><text>Except as otherwise specifically provided, the requirements of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/49/423">chapter 423</external-xref> of title 49, United States Code, as added by this section, shall begin to apply 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.</text> </subsection></section>
<section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA4AE7FBEADB14E41AC7063EA826109F7" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>103.</enum><header>Review of air carrier flight delays, cancellations, and associated causes</header>
<subsection id="HA0311B18DCB94AB3851DB3DD6A755F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Review</header><text>The Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall conduct a review regarding air carrier flight delays, cancellations, and associated causes to update its 2000 report numbered CR–2000–112 and entitled <quote>Audit of Air Carrier Flight Delays and Cancellations</quote>.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H3166497FE6FA4DC1B6C3CDB51D5FDB77"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Assessments</header><text>In conducting the review under subsection (a), the Inspector General shall assess—</text>
<paragraph id="H44706105FFC6489BBDA291E01EBE6046"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the need for an update on delay and cancellation statistics, such as number of chronically delayed flights and taxi-in and taxi-out times;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4116BF7F13FB473885D2459EE0CC4C1D"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">air carriers’ scheduling practices;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3BF7F902926C47178F08EA79011D31F8"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the need for a re-examination of capacity benchmarks at the Nation’s busiest airports; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1940D43366A6460EB4B9DC2E006EFA04"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the impact of flight delays and cancellations on air travelers, including recommendations for programs that could be implemented to address the impact of flight delays on air travelers.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H727B57CCD4B04BF689DD7BF0014D914"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the review conducted under this section, including the assessments described in subsection (b).</text> </subsection></section>
<section id="H55EE7409446C4DF0B8D37C5E129165DC" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>104.</enum><header>European Union rules for passenger rights</header>
<subsection id="HC0AD4FDF264C43CD0048543FB87BEA9C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Comptroller General shall conduct a study to evaluate and compare the regulations of the European Union and the United States on compensation and other consideration offered to passengers who are denied boarding or whose flights are cancelled or delayed.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H33D67C5003654D54A2102C158F74E135"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Specific Study Requirements</header><text>The study shall include an evaluation and comparison of the regulations based on costs to the air carriers, preferences of passengers for compensation or other consideration, and forms of compensation. In conducting the study, the Comptroller General shall also take into account the differences in structure and size of the aviation systems of the European Union and the United States.</text> </subsection>
<subsection commented="no" id="HA303C31824BB4018B8E8AB76D14FB1D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress on the results of the study.</text> </subsection></section>
<section id="H67DC29AAEDB14797B1AA6FADA0BCCEC3" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>105.</enum><header>Establishment of advisory committee for aviation consumer protection</header>
<subsection id="HE3BDB15C81A840AEB63BEFA340F6F303"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Transportation shall establish an advisory committee for aviation consumer protection (in this section referred to as the <quote>advisory committee</quote>) to advise the Secretary in carrying out air passenger service improvements, including those required by <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/49/423">chapter 423</external-xref> of title 49, United States Code.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H5D873BC06AD04BE4B4F1283702FB066"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The Secretary shall appoint 8 members to the advisory committee as follows:</text>
<paragraph id="H8E24BF9C7AA3412583F94D09FF04B9DC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Two representatives of air carriers required to submit emergency contingency plans pursuant to <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/49/42301">section 42301</external-xref> of title 49, United States Code.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4FE3FA8EDE4D44BA8CC2DE50D22FCEB0"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Two representatives of the airport operators required to submit emergency contingency plans pursuant to <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/49/42301">section 42301</external-xref> of such title.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD20D2469900F4653BF48B94C9D45FA50"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Two representatives of State and local governments who have expertise in aviation consumer protection matters.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD674FA87E28446DDA2C6C9FB0816E62"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Two representatives of nonprofit public interest groups who have expertise in aviation consumer protection matters.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H99EA3B9B635D479FBB96305650243FEC"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Vacancies</header><text>A vacancy in the advisory committee shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H9CEC951AD06941A08D84E0CBB2894DFB"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Travel expenses</header><text>Members of the advisory committee shall serve without pay but shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/57">chapter 57</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H7D92BB7172F744E0AD2C79FA8100D276"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Chairperson</header><text>The Secretary shall designate, from among the individuals appointed under subsection (b), an individual to serve as chairperson of the advisory committee.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H208AAE55642D4BAFB0B345007CB296C6"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>The duties of the advisory committee shall include the following:</text>
<paragraph id="HAF6BC3B1A36041B3A2409C20E5E58B73"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Evaluating existing aviation consumer protection programs and providing recommendations for the improvement of such programs, if needed.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2DD95629B34B43F7AD9F573303D31781"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Providing recommendations to establish additional aviation consumer protection programs, if needed.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H0D0E858A0C7D42F3B2331042BAF1139E"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than February 1 of each of the first 2 calendar years beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report containing—</text>
<paragraph id="H24C0315178A4483EAB0798F1FB22783F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>each recommendation made by the advisory committee during the preceding calendar year; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0DC71C0FA5AB442787D1FA9082F87E0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an explanation of how the Secretary has implemented each recommendation and, for each recommendation not implemented, the Secretary’s reason for not implementing the recommendation.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HBBBA9D0134534E6CA3D4D6679394BBEA" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>106.</enum><header>Denied boarding compensation</header>
<subsection id="H773D7FADA97C4512A223CF008DD02870"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue a final regulation to modify <external-xref legal-doc="regulation" parsable-cite="cfr/14/250">section 250</external-xref> of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, regarding denied boarding compensation, to appropriately adjust the amount of such compensation for an aircraft with 30 or more seats.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H817F4B275A274413BD2715864CC15200"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Evaluation</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the date of issuance of the final regulation under this section and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall evaluate the amount provided for denied boarding compensation and issue a regulation to adjust such compensation as necessary.</text> </subsection></section>
<section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE1DE15E6258443978DA06B56002461DD" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>107.</enum><header>Expansion of DOT airline consumer complaint investigations</header>
<subsection id="H3E438120F9264000B6BE681954F03770"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of Transportation shall investigate consumer complaints regarding—</text>
<paragraph id="HA1E254A0721F4C449F2F4E416471D3E6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>flight cancellations;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7EABFDD3AB8D421CB88C684D000049A4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>compliance with Federal regulations concerning overbooking seats flights;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB399E8FC92C745D0A692468BF642B13B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>lost, damaged, or delayed baggage, and difficulties with related airline claims procedures;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB50E872B21174C9D84F1D21188D54892"><enum>(4)</enum><text>problems in obtaining refunds for unused or lost tickets or fare adjustments;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC865E9368EBE4D03BE6347273B2FFA88"><enum>(5)</enum><text>incorrect or incomplete information about fares, discount fare conditions and availability, overcharges, and fare increases;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H205BD5EAAB0B4788904ED00201BAF6E"><enum>(6)</enum><text>the rights of passengers who hold frequent flier miles or equivalent redeemable awards earned through customer-loyalty programs; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF0C4926CED5A41258992A247478EFD8D"><enum>(7)</enum><text>deceptive or misleading advertising.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H9BCDD97C1B00408D84BD4DC21E7691E6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Budget needs report</header><text>The Secretary shall provide, as an annex to its annual budget request, an estimate of resources which would have been sufficient to investigate all such claims the Department of Transportation received in the previous fiscal year. The annex shall be transmitted to Congress when the President submits the budget of the United States to the Congress under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/31/1105">section 1105</external-xref> of title 31, United States Code.</text> </subsection></section>
<enum>II</enum><header>FAA employees</header>
<section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H64FBCD0450E0493D9B93CCB6AC178DE1" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>201.</enum><header>Federal Aviation Administration personnel management system</header>
<subsection id="HCE71E7D962BC4A2489F2095648BDC6F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Dispute resolution</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/49/40122">Section 40122(a)</external-xref> is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HCDE1FAE779D74B16A67C9169138D5BC4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H57AE996B82C94937853506FCB04BCA8D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H6B98371C13D54047BF9C00A14878C4FF" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="HCBFA0E7B0BF14035BA4E195960190787"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Dispute resolution</header>
<subparagraph id="H99B6EED42E424AC49D6D9BCD1716595E"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Mediation</header><text>If the Administrator does not reach an agreement under paragraph (1) or the provisions referred to in subsection (g)(2)(C) with the exclusive bargaining representative of the employees, the Administrator and the bargaining representative—</text>
<clause id="H2D38574547A84BC5969F366CABA4B15B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall use the services of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to attempt to reach such agreement in accordance with part 1425 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this clause); or</text> </clause>
<clause id="H916AD68722DF47B9B8E5A6123F7C7034"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>may by mutual agreement adopt alternative procedures for the resolution of disputes or impasses arising in the negotiation of the collective-bargaining agreement.</text> </clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H662398571F494ABABEFFE6027D39967F"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Binding arbitration</header>
<clause id="H2F6F36B735A04B5E82B1CAD5F8B9FCA"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Assistance from Federal Service Impasses Panel</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the services of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service under subparagraph (A)(i) do not lead to an agreement, the Administrator and the exclusive bargaining representative of the employees (in this subparagraph referred to as the <quote>parties</quote>) shall submit their issues in controversy to the Federal Service Impasses Panel. The Panel shall assist the parties in resolving the impasse by asserting jurisdiction and ordering binding arbitration by a private arbitration board consisting of 3 members.</text> </clause>
<clause id="H7E9E519E80304F279063E2B31F505909"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Appointment of arbitration board</header><text>The Executive Director of the Panel shall provide for the appointment of the 3 members of a private arbitration board under clause (i) by requesting the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to prepare a list of not less than 15 names of arbitrators with Federal sector experience and by providing the list to the parties. Within 10 days of receiving the list, the parties shall each select one person from the list. The 2 arbitrators selected by the parties shall then select a third person from the list within 7 days. If either of the parties fails to select a person or if the 2 arbitrators are unable to agree on the third person within 7 days, the parties shall make the selection by alternately striking names on the list until one arbitrator remains.</text> </clause>
<clause commented="no" id="H423F9DAAAC614A0FAD00D364EF88CF5C"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Framing issues in controversy</header><text>If the parties do not agree on the framing of the issues to be submitted for arbitration, the arbitration board shall frame the issues.</text> </clause>
<clause id="HA32DC7ECFF6D48A9B935EF73FDDB0788"><enum>(iv)</enum><header>Hearings</header><text>The arbitration board shall give the parties a full and fair hearing, including an opportunity to present evidence in support of their claims and an opportunity to present their case in person, by counsel, or by other representative as they may elect.</text> </clause>
<clause id="H091267DD3D454E23ABDACC8EAFE3C1D"><enum>(v)</enum><header>Decisions</header><text>The arbitration board shall render its decision within 90 days after the date of its appointment. Decisions of the arbitration board shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties.</text> </clause>
<clause id="H417F92AAC2354F3EB4B561A311DC7716"><enum>(vi)</enum><header>Costs</header><text>The parties shall share costs of the arbitration equally.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF9938453A7124A8A812DFBB57685BB88"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Ratification of agreements</header><text>Upon reaching a voluntary agreement or at the conclusion of the binding arbitration under paragraph (2)(B), the final agreement, except for those matters decided by an arbitration board, shall be subject to ratification by the exclusive bargaining representative of the employees, if so requested by the bargaining representative, and approval by the head of the agency in accordance with the provisions referred to in subsection (g)(2)(C).</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5664C02A01D845C49C95D6DB71B018A6"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Enforcement</header>
<subparagraph id="H474D628528D348B8B4C9C68E385DDF46"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Enforcement actions in United States courts</header><text>Each United States district court and each United States court of a place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States shall have jurisdiction of enforcement actions brought under this section. Such an action may be brought in any judicial district in the State in which the violation of this section is alleged to have been committed, the judicial district in which the Federal Aviation Administration has its principal office, or the District of Columbia.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3103A821AAD9470C9E5728AC45B344C0"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Attorney fees</header><text>The court may assess against the Federal Aviation Administration reasonable attorney fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in any case under this section in which the complainant has substantially prevailed.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" id="HF90C9BEB362C4B80BC801FE7007756E5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Application</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">On and after the date of enactment of this Act, any changes implemented by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration on and after July 10, 2005, under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/49/40122">section 40122(a)</external-xref> of title 49, United States Code (as in effect on the day before such date of enactment), without the agreement of the exclusive bargaining representative of the employees of the Administration certified under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/7111">section 7111</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code, shall be null and void and the parties shall be governed by their last mutual agreement before the implementation of such changes. The Administrator and the bargaining representative shall resume negotiations promptly, and, subject to subsection (c), their last mutual agreement shall be in effect until a new contract is adopted by the Administrator and the bargaining representative. If an agreement is not reached within 45 days after the date on which negotiations resume, the Administrator and the bargaining representative shall submit their issues in controversy to the Federal Service Impasses Panel in accordance with <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/7119">section 7119</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code, for binding arbitration in accordance with paragraphs (2)(B), (3), and (4) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/49/40122">section 40122(a)</external-xref> of title 49, United States Code (as amended by subsection (a) of this section).</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H8738082F301144FABFADA774E44BE9B0"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Savings clause</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">All cost of living adjustments and other pay increases, lump sum payments to employees, and leave and other benefit accruals implemented as part of the changes referred to in subsection (b) may not be reversed unless such reversal is part of the calculation of back pay under subsection (d). The Administrator shall waive any overpayment paid to, and not collect any funds for such overpayment, from former employees of the Administration who received lump sum payments prior to their separation from the Administration.</text> </subsection>
<subsection commented="no" id="H09A4E921AE3F470993DC44ACE274646"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Back pay</header>
<paragraph id="H4553FB5B5E214C7DAC4B84FE90258044"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Employees subject to changes referred to in subsection (b) that are determined to be null and void under subsection (b) shall be eligible for pay that the employees would have received under the last mutual agreement between the Administrator and the exclusive bargaining representative of such employees before the date of enactment of this Act and any changes were implemented without agreement of the bargaining representative. The Administrator shall pay the employees such pay subject to the availability of amounts appropriated to carry out this subsection. If the appropriated funds do not cover all claims of the employees for such pay, the Administrator and the bargaining representative, pursuant to negotiations conducted in accordance with <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/49/40122">section 40122(a)</external-xref> of title 49, United States Code (as amended by subsection (a) of this section), shall determine the allocation of the appropriated funds among the employees on a pro rata basis.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8229A68C0CF1435B82BC7FB2D1334741"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 to carry out this subsection.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" id="HAC10BEED9782491B953662C1787900D1"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Interim agreement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Administrator and the exclusive bargaining representative of the employees subject to the changes referred to in subsection (b) reach a final and binding agreement with respect to such changes before the date of enactment of this Act, such agreement shall supersede any changes implemented by the Administrator under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/49/40122">section 40122(a)</external-xref> of title 49, United States Code (as in effect on the day before such date of enactment), without the agreement of the bargaining representative, and subsections (b) and (c) shall not take effect.</text> </subsection></section>