[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1170 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1170

     To improve aviation safety in Alaska, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              June 3, 2009

 Ms. Murkowski introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
   referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
     To improve aviation safety in Alaska, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Alaska Omnibus Aviation Improvement 
Act''.

SEC. 2. IDITAROD AIR FORCE.

    (a) Rulemaking.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall promulgate regulations that exempt Iditarod Air 
Force pilots, for at least 5 years beginning on the date on which such 
regulations are promulgated, from the provisions of sections 61.113(a) 
and 119.21(a)(1) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to allow 
such pilots to accept nonmonetary compensation for costs directly 
related to flying in support of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.
    (b) Considerations.--In promulgating regulations under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall consider--
            (1) the unique nature of the race and its operation;
            (2) the necessity of safe and efficient air transport;
            (3) the public interest served;
            (4) the appropriate level of safety;
            (5) the availability of cost-effective commercial 
        substitutes;
            (6) the inapplicability of many provisions under part 135 
        of title 14, United States Code, to the activities described in 
        subsection (a); and
            (7) limitations that the Administrator determines to be 
        necessary for the safety of the pilots and passengers.

SEC. 3. ALASKA FLIGHT SERVICE STATIONS.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
develop, implement, and submit to Congress a plan for the future of 
flight service stations in Alaska that includes--
            (1) the establishment of a formal training and hiring 
        program for flight service specialists; and
            (2) a schedule for necessary inspection, upgrades, and 
        modernization of stations and equipment.

SEC. 4. MEDALLION FOUNDATION.

    Section 106(k)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
                    ``(H) Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal 
                years 2009 through 2012, to carry out the Medallion 
                Program in Alaska.''.

SEC. 5. ALASKA AVIATION SAFETY PROJECT.

    Section 106(k)(2)(F) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``2004 through 2007'' and inserting ``2009 through 2012''.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF TRAINEE POSITIONS.

    Grant amounts received by airports located in Alaska under the 
Airport Improvement Program, authorized under chapter 471 of title 49, 
United States Code, may be used for trainee positions in the same 
manner as such positions are authorized for Federal-aid highway 
projects under section 230.111 of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations 
(or successor regulations).
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