[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 636 Engrossed Amendment Senate (EAS)]

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                  In the Senate of the United States,

                                                        April 19, 2016.
    Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R. 
636) entitled ``An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 
permanently extend increased expensing limitations, and for other 
purposes.'', do pass with the following

                              AMENDMENTS:

            Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
      following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Aviation 
Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 49, United States Code.
Sec. 3. Definition of appropriate committees of Congress.
Sec. 4. Effective date.

                        TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS

                  Subtitle A--Funding of FAA Programs

Sec. 1001. Airport planning and development and noise compatibility 
                            planning and programs.
Sec. 1002. Air navigation facilities and equipment.
Sec. 1003. FAA operations.
Sec. 1004. FAA research and development.
Sec. 1005. Funding for aviation programs.
Sec. 1006. Extension of expiring authorities.

         Subtitle B--Airport Improvement Program Modifications

Sec. 1201. Small airport regulation relief.
Sec. 1202. Priority review of construction projects in cold weather 
                            States.
Sec. 1203. State block grants updates.
Sec. 1204. Contract Tower Program updates.
Sec. 1205. Approval of certain applications for the contract tower 
                            program.
Sec. 1206. Remote towers.
Sec. 1207. Midway Island airport.
Sec. 1208. Airport road funding.
Sec. 1209. Repeal of inherently low-emission airport vehicle pilot 
                            program.
Sec. 1210. Modification of zero-emission airport vehicles and 
                            infrastructure pilot program.
Sec. 1211. Repeal of airport ground support equipment emissions 
                            retrofit pilot program.
Sec. 1212. Funding eligibility for airport energy efficiency 
                            assessments.
Sec. 1213. Recycling plans; safety projects at unclassified airports.
Sec. 1214. Transfers of instrument landing systems.
Sec. 1215. Non-movement area surveillance pilot program.
Sec. 1216. Amendments to definitions.
Sec. 1217. Clarification of noise exposure map updates.
Sec. 1218. Provision of facilities.
Sec. 1219. Contract weather observers.
Sec. 1220. Federal share adjustment.
Sec. 1221. Miscellaneous technical amendments.
Sec. 1222. Mothers' rooms at airports.
Sec. 1223. Eligibility for airport development grants at airports that 
                            enter into certain leases with components 
                            of the Armed Forces.
Sec. 1224. Clarification of definition of aviation-related activity for 
                            hangar use.
Sec. 1225. Use of airport improvement program funds for runway safety 
                            repairs.
Sec. 1226. Definition of small business concern.

                 Subtitle C--Passenger Facility Charges

Sec. 1301. PFC streamlining.
Sec. 1302. Intermodal access projects.
Sec. 1303. Use of revenue at a previously associated airport.
Sec. 1304. Future aviation infrastructure and financing study.

                            TITLE II--SAFETY

              Subtitle A--Unmanned Aircraft Systems Reform

Sec. 2001. Definitions.

                    PART I--Privacy and Transparency

Sec. 2101. Unmanned aircraft systems privacy policy.
Sec. 2102. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 2103. Federal Trade Commission authority.
Sec. 2104. National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
                            multi-stakeholder process.
Sec. 2105. Identification standards.
Sec. 2106. Commercial and governmental operators.
Sec. 2107. Analysis of current remedies under Federal, State, and local 
                            jurisdictions.

                   PART II--Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Sec. 2121. Definitions.
Sec. 2122. Utilization of unmanned aircraft system test sites.
Sec. 2123. Additional research, development, and testing.
Sec. 2124. Safety standards.
Sec. 2125. Unmanned aircraft systems in the Arctic.
Sec. 2126. Special authority for certain unmanned aircraft systems.
Sec. 2127. Additional rulemaking authority.
Sec. 2128. Governmental unmanned aircraft systems.
Sec. 2129. Special rules for model aircraft.
Sec. 2130. Unmanned aircraft systems aeronautical knowledge and safety.
Sec. 2131. Safety statements.
Sec. 2132. Treatment of unmanned aircraft operating underground.
Sec. 2133. Enforcement.
Sec. 2134. Aviation emergency safety public services disruption.
Sec. 2135. Pilot project for airport safety and airspace hazard 
                            mitigation.
Sec. 2136. Contribution to financing of regulatory functions.
Sec. 2137. Sense of Congress regarding small UAS rulemaking.
Sec. 2138. Unmanned aircraft systems traffic management.
Sec. 2139. Emergency exemption process.
Sec. 2140. Public UAS operations by tribal governments.
Sec. 2141. Carriage of property by small unmanned aircraft systems for 
                            compensation or hire.
Sec. 2142. Collegiate Training Initiative program for unmanned aircraft 
                            systems.
Sec. 2143. Incorporation of Federal Aviation Administration occupations 
                            relating to unmanned aircraft into veterans 
                            employment programs of the Administration.

              PART III--Transition and Savings Provisions

Sec. 2151. Senior advisor for unmanned aircraft systems integration.
Sec. 2152. Effect on other laws.
Sec. 2153. Spectrum.
Sec. 2154. Applications for designation.
Sec. 2155. Use of unmanned aircraft systems at institutions of higher 
                            education.
Sec. 2156. Transition language.

                        PART IV--Operator Safety

Sec. 2161. Short title.
Sec. 2162. Findings; sense of Congress.
Sec. 2163. Unsafe operation of unmanned aircraft.

              Subtitle B--FAA Safety Certification Reform

                       PART I--General Provisions

Sec. 2211. Definitions.
Sec. 2212. Safety oversight and certification advisory committee.

                 PART II--Aircraft Certification Reform

Sec. 2221. Aircraft certification performance objectives and metrics.
Sec. 2222. Organization designation authorizations.
Sec. 2223. ODA review.
Sec. 2224. Type certification resolution process.
Sec. 2225. Safety enhancing technologies for small general aviation 
                            airplanes.
Sec. 2226. Streamlining certification of small general aviation 
                            airplanes.

                   PART III--Flight Standards Reform

Sec. 2231. Flight standards performance objectives and metrics.
Sec. 2232. FAA task force on flight standards reform.
Sec. 2233. Centralized safety guidance database.
Sec. 2234. Regulatory Consistency Communications Board.
Sec. 2235. Flight standards service realignment feasibility report.
Sec. 2236. Additional certification resources.

                       PART IV--Safety Workforce

Sec. 2241. Safety workforce training strategy.
Sec. 2242. Workforce study.

                     PART V--International Aviation

Sec. 2251. Promotion of United States aerospace standards, products, 
                            and services abroad.
Sec. 2252. Bilateral exchanges of safety oversight responsibilities.
Sec. 2253. FAA leadership abroad.
Sec. 2254. Registration, certification, and related fees.

          Subtitle C--Airline Passenger Safety and Protections

Sec. 2301. Pilot records database deadline.
Sec. 2302. Access to air carrier flight decks.
Sec. 2303. Aircraft tracking and flight data.
Sec. 2304. Automation reliance improvements.
Sec. 2305. Enhanced mental health screening for pilots.
Sec. 2306. Flight attendant duty period limitations and rest 
                            requirements.
Sec. 2307. Training to combat human trafficking for certain air carrier 
                            employees.
Sec. 2308. Report on obsolete test equipment.
Sec. 2309. Plan for systems to provide direct warnings of potential 
                            runway incursions.
Sec. 2310. Laser pointer incidents.
Sec. 2311. Helicopter air ambulance operations data and reports.
Sec. 2312. Part 135 accident and incident data.
Sec. 2313. Definition of human factors.
Sec. 2314. Sense of Congress; pilot in command authority.
Sec. 2315. Enhancing ASIAS.
Sec. 2316. Improving runway safety.
Sec. 2317. Safe air transportation of lithium cells and batteries.
Sec. 2318. Prohibition on implementation of policy change to permit 
                            small, non-locking knives on aircraft.
Sec. 2319. Aircraft cabin evacuation procedures.
Sec. 2320. GAO study of universal deployment of advanced imaging 
                            technologies.

                  Subtitle D--General Aviation Safety

Sec. 2401. Automated weather observing systems policy.
Sec. 2402. Tower marking.
Sec. 2403. Crash-resistant fuel systems.
Sec. 2404. Requirement to consult with stakeholders in defining scope 
                            and requirements for Future Flight Service 
                            Program.
Sec. 2405. Heads-up guidance system technologies.

                     Subtitle E--General Provisions

Sec. 2501. Designated agency safety and health officer.
Sec. 2502. Repair stations located outside United States.
Sec. 2503. FAA technical training.
Sec. 2504. Safety critical staffing.
Sec. 2505. Approach control radar in all air traffic control towers.
Sec. 2506. Airspace management advisory committee.

   Subtitle F--Third Class Medical Reform and General Aviation Pilot 
                              Protections

Sec. 2601. Short title.
Sec. 2602. Medical certification of certain small aircraft pilots.
Sec. 2603. Expansion of pilot's bill of rights.
Sec. 2604. Limitations on reexamination of certificate holders.
Sec. 2605. Expediting updates to NOTAM program.
Sec. 2606. Accessibility of certain flight data.
Sec. 2607. Authority for legal counsel to issue certain notices.

                  TITLE III--AIR SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 3001. Definitions.

             Subtitle A--Passenger Air Service Improvements

Sec. 3101. Causes of airline delays or cancellations.
Sec. 3102. Involuntary changes to itineraries.
Sec. 3103. Additional consumer protections.
Sec. 3104. Addressing the needs of families of passengers involved in 
                            aircraft accidents.
Sec. 3105. Emergency medical kits.
Sec. 3106. Travelers with disabilities.
Sec. 3107. Extension of Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer 
                            Protection.
Sec. 3108. Extension of competitive access reports.
Sec. 3109. Refunds for delayed baggage.
Sec. 3110. Refunds for other fees that are not honored by a covered air 
                            carrier.
Sec. 3111. Disclosure of fees to consumers.
Sec. 3112. Seat assignments.
Sec. 3113. Lasting improvements to family travel.
Sec. 3114. Consumer complaint process improvement.
Sec. 3115. Online access to aviation consumer protection information.
Sec. 3116. Study on in cabin wheelchair restraint systems.
Sec. 3117. Training policies regarding assistance for persons with 
                            disabilities.
Sec. 3118. Advisory committee on the air travel needs of passengers 
                            with disabilities.
Sec. 3119. Report on covered air carrier change, cancellation, and 
                            baggage fees.
Sec. 3120. Enforcement of aviation consumer protection rules.
Sec. 3121. Dimensions for passenger seats.
Sec. 3122. Cell phone voice communications.
Sec. 3123. Availability of slots for new entrant air carriers at Newark 
                            Liberty International Airport.

                   Subtitle B--Essential Air Service

Sec. 3201. Essential air service.
Sec. 3202. Small community air service development program.
Sec. 3203. Small community program amendments.
Sec. 3204. Waivers.
Sec. 3205. Working group on improving air service to small communities.

                 TITLE IV--NEXTGEN AND FAA ORGANIZATION

Sec. 4001. Definitions.

         Subtitle A--Next Generation Air Transportation System

Sec. 4101. Return on investment assessment.
Sec. 4102. Ensuring FAA readiness to use new technology.
Sec. 4103. NextGen annual performance goals.
Sec. 4104. Facility outage contingency plans.
Sec. 4105. ADS-B mandate assessment.
Sec. 4106. Nextgen interoperability.
Sec. 4107. NextGen transition management.
Sec. 4108. Implementation of NextGen operational improvements.
Sec. 4109. Cybersecurity.
Sec. 4110. Securing aircraft avionics systems.
Sec. 4111. Defining NextGen.
Sec. 4112. Human factors.
Sec. 4113. Major acquisition reports.
Sec. 4114. Equipage mandates.
Sec. 4115. Workforce.
Sec. 4116. Architectural leadership.
Sec. 4117. Programmatic risk management.
Sec. 4118. NextGen prioritization.

         Subtitle B--Administration Organization and Employees

Sec. 4201. Cost-saving initiatives.
Sec. 4202. Treatment of essential employees during furloughs.
Sec. 4203. Controller candidate interviews.
Sec. 4204. Hiring of air traffic controllers.
Sec. 4205. Computation of basic annuity for certain air traffic 
                            controllers.
Sec. 4206. Air traffic services at aviation events.
Sec. 4207. Full annuity supplement for certain air traffic controllers.
Sec. 4208. Inclusion of disabled veteran leave in Federal Aviation 
                            Administration personnel management system.

                         TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 5001. National Transportation Safety Board investigative officers.
Sec. 5002. Performance-Based Navigation.
Sec. 5003. Overflights of national parks.
Sec. 5004. Navigable airspace analysis for commercial space launch site 
                            runways.
Sec. 5005. Survey and report on spaceport development.
Sec. 5006. Aviation fuel.
Sec. 5007. Comprehensive Aviation Preparedness Plan.
Sec. 5008. Advanced Materials Center of Excellence.
Sec. 5009. Interference with airline employees.
Sec. 5010. Secondary cockpit barriers.
Sec. 5011. GAO evaluation and audit.
Sec. 5012. Federal Aviation Administration performance measures and 
                            targets.
Sec. 5013. Staffing of certain air traffic control towers.
Sec. 5014. Critical airfield markings.
Sec. 5015. Research and deployment of certain airfield pavement 
                            technologies.
Sec. 5016. Report on general aviation flight sharing.
Sec. 5017. Increase in duration of general aviation aircraft 
                            registration.
Sec. 5018. Modification of limitation of liability relating to 
                            aircraft.
Sec. 5019. Government Accountability Office study of illegal drugs 
                            seized at international airports in the 
                            United States.
Sec. 5020. Sense of Congress on preventing the transportation of 
                            disease-carrying mosquitoes and other 
                            insects on commercial aircraft.
Sec. 5021. Work plan for the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia metroplex 
                            program.
Sec. 5022. Report on plans for air traffic control facilities in the 
                            New York City and Newark region.
Sec. 5023. GAO study of international airline alliances.
Sec. 5024. Treatment of multi-year lessees of large and turbine-powered 
                            multiengine aircraft.
Sec. 5025. Evaluation of emerging technologies.
Sec. 5026. Student outreach report.
Sec. 5027. Right to privacy when using air traffic control system.
Sec. 5028. Conduct of security screening by the Transportation Security 
                            Administration at certain airports.
Sec. 5029. Aviation cybersecurity.
Sec. 5030. Prohibitions against smoking on passenger flights.
Sec. 5031. National multimodal freight advisory committee.
Sec. 5032. Technical and conforming amendments.
Sec. 5033. Visible Deterrent.
Sec. 5034. Law enforcement training for mass casualty and active 
                            shooter incidents.
Sec. 5035. Assistance to airports and surface transportation systems.
Sec. 5036. Authorization of certain flights by Stage 2 airplanes.

       TITLE VI--TRANSPORTATION SECURITY AND TERRORISM PREVENTION

       Subtitle A--Airport Security Enhancement and Oversight Act

Sec. 6101. Short title.
Sec. 6102. Findings.
Sec. 6103. Definitions.
Sec. 6104. Threat assessment.
Sec. 6105. Oversight.
Sec. 6106. Credentials.
Sec. 6107. Vetting.
Sec. 6108. Metrics.
Sec. 6109. Inspections and assessments.
Sec. 6110. Covert testing.
Sec. 6111. Security directives.
Sec. 6112. Implementation report.
Sec. 6113. Miscellaneous amendments.

                 Subtitle B--TSA PreCheck Expansion Act

Sec. 6201. Short title.
Sec. 6202. Definitions.
Sec. 6203. PreCheck Program authorization.
Sec. 6204. PreCheck Program enrollment expansion.

 Subtitle C--Securing Aviation From Foreign Entry Points and Guarding 
             Airports Through Enhanced Security Act of 2016

Sec. 6301. Short title.
Sec. 6302. Last point of departure airport security assessment.
Sec. 6303. Security coordination enhancement plan.
Sec. 6304. Workforce assessment.
Sec. 6305. Donation of screening equipment to protect the United 
                            States.
Sec. 6306. National cargo security program.

                       Subtitle D--Miscellaneous

Sec. 6401. International training and capacity development.
Sec. 6402. Checkpoints of the future.

 TITLE VII--AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND PROVISIONS AND RELATED TAXES

Sec. 7101. Expenditure authority from Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
Sec. 7102. Extension of taxes funding Airport and Airway Trust Fund.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or 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.

SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.

    In this Act, unless expressly provided otherwise, the term 
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.

SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, this Act and the amendments 
made by this Act shall take effect on the date of enactment of this 
Act.

                        TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS

                  Subtitle A--Funding of FAA Programs

SEC. 1001. AIRPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AND NOISE COMPATIBILITY 
              PLANNING AND PROGRAMS.

    (a) Authorization.--Section 48103(a) is amended by striking 
``section 47505(a)(2), and carrying out noise compatibility programs 
under section 47504(c) $3,350,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 
through 2015 and $2,652,083,333 for the period beginning on October 1, 
2015, and ending on July 15, 2016'' and inserting ``section 
47505(a)(2), carrying out noise compatibility programs under section 
47504(c), for an airport cooperative research program under section 
44511, for Airports Technology-Safety research, and Airports 
Technology-Efficiency research, $3,350,000,000 for fiscal year 2016 and 
$3,750,000,000 for fiscal year 2017''.
    (b) Obligational Authority.--Section 47104(c) is amended in the 
matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``July 15, 2016'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

SEC. 1002. AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.

    Section 48101(a) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) through (5) 
and inserting the following:
            ``(1) $2,855,241,025 for fiscal year 2016.
            ``(2) $2,862,020,524 for fiscal year 2017.''.

SEC. 1003. FAA OPERATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 106(k)(1) is amended by striking 
subparagraphs (A) through (E) and inserting the following:
                    ``(A) $9,910,009,314 for fiscal year 2016; and
                    ``(B) $10,025,361,111 for fiscal year 2017.''.
    (b) Authorized Expenditures.--Section 106(k)(2) is amended by 
striking ``for fiscal years 2012 through 2015'' each place it appears 
and inserting ``for fiscal years 2016 through 2017''.
    (c) Authority To Transfer Funds.--Section 106(k)(3) is amended by 
striking ``2012 through 2015 and for the period beginning on October 1, 
2015, and ending on July 15, 2016'' and inserting ``2016 through 
2017''.

SEC. 1004. FAA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 48102 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``44511-44513'' and 
                        inserting ``44512-44513''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``and, for each of fiscal 
                        years 2012 through 2015, under subsection 
                        (g)'';
                    (B) in paragraph (8), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by striking paragraph (9) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(9) $166,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
            ``(10) $169,000,000 for fiscal year 2017.''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (3).

SEC. 1005. FUNDING FOR AVIATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Airport and Airway Trust Fund Guarantee.--Section 
48114(a)(1)(A) is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(A) In general.--The total budget resources made 
                available from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund each 
                fiscal year under sections 48101, 48102, 48103, and 
                106(k)--
                            ``(i) shall in each of fiscal years 2016 
                        through 2017, be equal to the sum of--
                                    ``(I) 90 percent of the estimated 
                                level of receipts plus interest 
                                credited to the Airport and Airway 
                                Trust Fund for that fiscal year; and
                                    ``(II) the actual level of receipts 
                                plus interest credited to the Airport 
                                and Airway Trust Fund for the second 
                                preceding fiscal year minus the total 
                                amount made available for obligation 
                                from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund 
                                for the second preceding fiscal year; 
                                and
                            ``(ii) may be used only for the aviation 
                        investment programs listed in subsection 
                        (b)(1).''.
    (b) Enforcement of Guarantees.--Section 48114(c)(2) is amended by 
striking ``2016'' and inserting ``2017''.

SEC. 1006. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES.

    (a) Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.--Section 47115(j) is 
amended by striking ``2015 and for the period beginning on October 1, 
2015, and ending on July 15, 2016,'' and inserting ``2017''.
    (b) Extension of Compatible Land Use Planning and Projects by State 
and Local Governments.--Section 47141(f) is amended by striking ``July 
15, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
    (c) Inspector General Report on Participation in FAA Programs by 
Disadvantaged Small Business Concerns.--
            (1) In general.--For each of fiscal years 2016 through 
        2017, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation 
        shall submit to Congress a report on the number of new small 
        business concerns owned and controlled by socially and 
        economically disadvantaged individuals, including those owned 
        by veterans, that participated in the programs and activities 
        funded using the amounts made available under this Act.
            (2) New small business concerns.--For purposes of paragraph 
        (1), a new small business concern is a small business concern 
        that did not participate in the programs and activities 
        described in paragraph (1) in a previous fiscal year.
            (3) Contents.--The report shall include--
                    (A) a list of the top 25 and bottom 25 large and 
                medium hub airports in terms of providing opportunities 
                for small business concerns owned and controlled by 
                socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to 
                participate in the programs and activities funded using 
                the amounts made available under this Act;
                    (B) the results of an assessment, to be conducted 
                by the Inspector General, on the reasons why the top 
                airports have been successful in providing such 
                opportunities; and
                    (C) recommendations to the Administrator of the 
                Federal Aviation Administration and Congress on methods 
                for other airports to achieve results similar to those 
                of the top airports.
    (d) Extension of Pilot Program for Redevelopment of Airport 
Properties.--Section 822(k) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 
2012 (49 U.S.C. 47141 note) is amended by striking ``July 15, 2016'' 
and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

         Subtitle B--Airport Improvement Program Modifications

SEC. 1201. SMALL AIRPORT REGULATION RELIEF.

    Section 47114(c)(1)(F) is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(F) Special rule for fiscal years 2016 through 
                2017.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
                shall apportion to a sponsor of an airport under that 
                subparagraph for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2017 
                an amount based on the number of passenger boardings at 
                the airport during calendar year 2012 if the airport--
                            ``(i) had 10,000 or more passenger 
                        boardings during calendar year 2012;
                            ``(ii) had fewer than 10,000 passenger 
                        boardings during the calendar year used to 
                        calculate the apportionment for fiscal year 
                        2016 or 2017 under subparagraph (A); and
                            ``(iii) had scheduled air service in the 
                        calendar year used to calculate the 
                        apportionment.''.

SEC. 1202. PRIORITY REVIEW OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN COLD WEATHER 
              STATES.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration, to the extent practicable, shall schedule the 
Administrator's review of construction projects so that projects to be 
carried out in the States in which the weather during a typical 
calendar year prevents major construction projects from being carried 
out before May 1 are reviewed as early as possible.
    (b) Report.--The Administrator shall update the appropriate 
committees of Congress annually on the effectiveness of the review and 
prioritization.

SEC. 1203. STATE BLOCK GRANTS UPDATES.

    Section 47128(a) is amended by striking ``9 qualified States for 
fiscal years 2000 and 2001 and 10 qualified States for each fiscal year 
thereafter'' and inserting ``15 qualified States for fiscal year 2016 
and each fiscal year thereafter''.

SEC. 1204. CONTRACT TOWER PROGRAM UPDATES.

    (a) Special Rule.--Section 47124(b)(1)(B) is amended by striking 
``after such determination is made'' and inserting ``after the end of 
the period described in subsection (d)(6)(C)''.
    (b) Contract Air Traffic Control Tower Cost-Share Program; 
Funding.--Section 47124(b)(3)(E) is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(E) Funding.--Of the amounts appropriated under 
                section 106(k)(1), such sums as may be necessary may be 
                used to carry out this paragraph.''.
    (c) Cap on Federal Share of Cost of Construction.--Section 
47124(b)(4)(C) is amended by striking ``$2,000,000'' and inserting 
``$4,000,000''.
    (d) Cost Benefit Ratio Revision.--Section 47124 is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Cost Benefit Ratios.--
            ``(1) Contract air traffic control tower program at cost-
        share airports.--Beginning on the date of enactment of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016, if 
        an air traffic control tower is operating under the Cost-share 
        Program, the Secretary shall annually calculate a new benefit-
        to-cost ratio for the tower.
            ``(2) Contract tower program at non-cost-share airports.--
        Beginning on the date of enactment of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016, if a tower is 
        operating under the Contract Tower Program and continued under 
        subsection (b)(1), the Secretary shall not calculate a new 
        benefit-to-cost ratio for the tower unless the annual aircraft 
        traffic at the airport where the tower is located decreases by 
        more than 25 percent from the previous year or by more than 60 
        percent over a 3-year period.
            ``(3) Considerations.--In establishing a benefit-to-cost 
        ratio under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2), the Secretary may 
        consider only the following costs:
                    ``(A) The Federal Aviation Administration's actual 
                cost of wages and benefits of personnel working at the 
                tower.
                    ``(B) The Federal Aviation Administration's actual 
                telecommunications costs of the tower.
                    ``(C) Relocation and replacement costs of equipment 
                of the Federal Aviation Administration associated with 
                the tower, if paid for by the Federal Aviation 
                Administration.
                    ``(D) Logistics, such as direct costs associated 
                with establishing or updating the tower's interface 
                with other systems and equipment of the Federal 
                Aviation Administration, if paid for by the Federal 
                Aviation Administration.
            ``(4) Exclusions.--In establishing a benefit-to-cost ratio 
        under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2), the Secretary may not 
        consider the following costs:
                    ``(A) Airway facilities costs, including labor and 
                other costs associated with maintaining and repairing 
                the systems and equipment of the Federal Aviation 
                Administration.
                    ``(B) Costs for depreciating the building and 
                equipment owned by the Federal Aviation Administration.
                    ``(C) Indirect overhead costs of the Federal 
                Aviation Administration.
                    ``(D) Costs for utilities, janitorial, and other 
                services paid for or provided by the airport or the 
                State or political subdivision of a State having 
                jurisdiction over the airport where the tower is 
                located.
                    ``(E) The cost of new or replacement equipment, or 
                construction of a new or replacement tower, if the 
                costs incurred were incurred by the airport or the 
                State or political subdivision of a State having 
                jurisdiction over the airport where the tower is or 
                will be located.
                    ``(F) Other expenses of the Federal Aviation 
                Administration not directly associated with the actual 
                operation of the tower.
            ``(5) Margin of error.--The Secretary shall add a 5 percent 
        margin of error to a benefit-to-cost ratio determination to 
        acknowledge and account for any direct or indirect factors that 
        are not included in the criteria the Secretary used in 
        calculating the benefit-to-cost ratio.
            ``(6) Procedures.--The Secretary shall establish 
        procedures--
                    ``(A) to allow an airport or the State or political 
                subdivision of a State having jurisdiction over the 
                airport where the tower is located not less than 90 
                days following the receipt of an initial benefit-to-
                cost ratio determination from the Secretary--
                            ``(i) to request the Secretary reconsider 
                        that determination; and
                            ``(ii) to submit updated or additional data 
                        to the Secretary in support of the 
                        reconsideration;
                    ``(B) to allow the Secretary not more than 90 days 
                to review the data submitted under subparagraph (A)(ii) 
                and respond to the request under subparagraph (A)(i);
                    ``(C) to allow the airport, State, or political 
                subdivision of a State, as applicable, 30 days 
                following the date of the response under subparagraph 
                (B) to review the response before any action is taken 
                based on a benefit-to-cost determination; and
                    ``(D) to provide, after the end of the period 
                described in subparagraph (C), an 18-month grace period 
                before cost-share payments are due from the airport, 
                State, or political subdivision of a State if as a 
                result of the benefit-to-cost ratio determination the 
                airport, State, or political subdivision, as 
                applicable, is required to transition to the Cost-share 
                Program.
    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Contract tower program.--The term `Contract Tower 
        Program' means the level I air traffic control tower contract 
        program established under subsection (a) and continued under 
        subsection (b)(1).
            ``(2) Cost-share program.--The term `Cost-share Program' 
        means the cost-share program established under subsection 
        (b)(3).''.
    (e) Conforming Amendments.--Section 47124(b) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking ``the program 
        established under paragraph (3)'' and inserting ``the Cost-
        share Program'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``Contract air 
                traffic control tower program'' and inserting ``Cost-
                share program'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``contract 
                tower program established under subsection (a) and 
                continued under paragraph (1) (in this paragraph 
                referred to as the `Contract Tower Program')'' and 
                inserting ``Contract Tower Program'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``In carrying 
                out the program'' and inserting ``In carrying out the 
                Cost-share Program'';
                    (D) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``participate 
                in the program'' and inserting ``participate in the 
                Cost-share Program'';
                    (E) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``under the 
                program'' and inserting ``under the Cost-share 
                Program''; and
                    (F) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``the program 
                continued under paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``the 
                Contract Tower Program''; and
            (3) in paragraph (4)(B)(i)(I), by striking ``contract tower 
        program established under subsection (a) and continued under 
        paragraph (1) or the pilot program established under paragraph 
        (3)'' and inserting ``Contract Tower Program or the Cost-share 
        Program''.
    (f) Exemption.--Section 47124(b)(3)(D) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: ``Airports with both Part 121 air service and more 
than 25,000 passenger enplanements in calendar year 2014 shall be 
exempt from any cost share requirement under the Cost-share Program.''.
    (g) Savings Provision.--Notwithstanding the amendments made by this 
section, the towers for which assistance is being provided under 
section 41724 of title 49, United States Code, on the day before the 
date of enactment of this Act may continue to be provided such 
assistance under the terms of that section as in effect on that day.

SEC. 1205. APPROVAL OF CERTAIN APPLICATIONS FOR THE CONTRACT TOWER 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--If the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration has not implemented a revised cost-benefit methodology 
for purposes of determining eligibility for the Contract Tower Program 
before the date that is 30 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, any air traffic control tower with an application for 
participation in the Contract Tower Program pending as of January 1, 
2016, shall be approved for participation in the Contract Tower Program 
if the Administrator determines the tower is eligible under the 
criteria set forth in the Federal Aviation Administration report, 
Establishment and Discontinuance Criteria for Airport Traffic Control 
Towers, dated August 1990 (FAA-APO-90-7).
    (b) Requests for Additional Authority.--The Administrator shall 
respond not later than 30 days after the date the Administrator 
receives a formal request from an airport and air traffic control 
contractor for additional authority to expand contract tower 
operational hours and staff to accommodate flight traffic outside of 
current tower operational hours.
    (c) Definition of Contract Tower Program.--In this section, the 
term ``Contract Tower Program'' has the meaning given the term in 
section 47124(e) of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 1206. REMOTE TOWERS.

    (a) Pilot Program.--
            (1) Establishment.--The Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall establish--
                    (A) in consultation with airport operators and 
                general aviation users, a pilot program at public-use 
                airports to construct and operate remote towers; and
                    (B) a selection process for participation in the 
                pilot program.
            (2) Safety considerations.--In establishing the pilot 
        program, the Administrator shall consult with operators of 
        remote towers in foreign countries to design the pilot program 
        in a manner that leverages as many safety and airspace 
        efficiency benefits as possible.
            (3) Requirements.--In selecting the airports for 
        participation in the pilot program, the Administrator shall--
                    (A) to the extent practicable, ensure that at least 
                2 different vendors of remote tower systems 
                participate;
                    (B) include at least 1 airport currently in the 
                Contract Tower Program and at least 1 airport that does 
                not have an air traffic control tower; and
                    (C) clearly identify the research questions that 
                will be addressed at each airport.
            (4) Research.--In selecting an airport for participation in 
        the pilot program, the Administrator shall consider--
                    (A) how inclusion of that airport will add research 
                value to assist the Administrator in evaluating the 
                feasibility, safety, and cost-benefits of remote 
                towers;
                    (B) the amount and variety of air traffic at an 
                airport; and
                    (C) the costs and benefits of including that 
                airport.
            (5) Data.--The Administrator shall clearly identify and 
        collect air traffic control information and data from 
        participating airports that will assist the Administrator in 
        evaluating the feasibility, safety, and cost-benefits of remote 
        towers.
            (6) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date the first 
        remote tower is operational, and annually thereafter, the 
        Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report--
                    (A) detailing any benefits, costs, or safety 
                improvements associated with the use of the remote 
                towers; and
                    (B) evaluating the feasibility of using remote 
                towers, particularly in the Contract Tower Program and 
                for airports without any air traffic control tower, or 
                to improve safety at airports with towers.
            (7) Deadline.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall select airports 
        for participation in the pilot program.
            (8) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    (A) Contract tower program.--The term ``Contract 
                Tower Program'' has the meaning given the term in 
                section 47124(e) of title 49, United States Code.
                    (B) Remote tower.--The term ``remote tower'' means 
                a system whereby air traffic services are provided to 
                operators at an airport from a location that may not be 
                on or near the airport.
    (b) AIP Funding Eligibility.--For purposes of the pilot program 
under subsection (a), and after certificated systems are available, 
constructing a remote tower or acquiring and installing air traffic 
control, communications, or related equipment for a remote tower shall 
be considered airport development (as defined in section 47102 of title 
49, United States Code) for purposes of subchapter I of chapter 471 of 
that title if components are installed and used at the airport, except 
for off-airport sensors installed on leased towers, as needed.

SEC. 1207. MIDWAY ISLAND AIRPORT.

    Section 186(d) of the Vision 100--Century of Aviation 
Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-176; 117 Stat. 2518) is amended by 
striking ``and for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 
on July 15, 2016,'' and inserting ``and for fiscal years 2016 through 
2017''.

SEC. 1208. AIRPORT ROAD FUNDING.

    (a) Airport Development Grant Assurances.--Section 47107(b) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) This subsection does not prevent the use of airport 
        revenue for the maintenance and improvement of the on-airport 
        portion of a surface transportation facility providing access 
        to an airport and non-airport locations if the surface 
        transportation facility is owned or operated by the airport 
        owner or operator and the use of airport revenue is prorated to 
        airport use and limited to portions of the facility located on 
        the airport. The Secretary shall determine the maximum 
        percentage contribution of airport revenue toward surface 
        transportation facility maintenance or improvement, taking into 
        consideration the current and projected use of the surface 
        transportation facility located on the airport for airport and 
        non-airport purposes. The de minimus use, as determined by the 
        Secretary, of a surface transportation facility for non-airport 
        purposes shall not require prorating.''.
    (b) Restrictions on the Use of Airport Revenue.--Section 47133(c) 
is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``Nothing'' and indenting 
        appropriately; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Nothing in this section may be construed to prevent 
        the use of airport revenue for the prorated maintenance and 
        improvement costs of the on-airport portion of the surface 
        transportation facility, subject to the provisions of section 
        47107(b)(4).''.

SEC. 1209. REPEAL OF INHERENTLY LOW-EMISSION AIRPORT VEHICLE PILOT 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) Repeal.--Section 47136 is repealed.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The table of contents for 
chapter 471 is amended by striking the item relating to section 47136 
and inserting the following:

``47136. [Reserved].''.

SEC. 1210. MODIFICATION OF ZERO-EMISSION AIRPORT VEHICLES AND 
              INFRASTRUCTURE PILOT PROGRAM.

    Section 47136a is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``, including'' and 
        inserting ``used exclusively for transporting passengers on-
        airport or for employee shuttle buses within the airport, 
        including''; and
            (2) in subsection (f), by inserting ``, as in effect on the 
        day before the date of enactment of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016,'' after ``section 
        47136''.

SEC. 1211. REPEAL OF AIRPORT GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT EMISSIONS 
              RETROFIT PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) Repeal.--Section 47140 is repealed.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The table of contents for 
chapter 471 is amended by striking the item relating to section 47140 
and inserting the following:

``47140. [Reserved].''.

SEC. 1212. FUNDING ELIGIBILITY FOR AIRPORT ENERGY EFFICIENCY 
              ASSESSMENTS.

    (a) Cost Reimbursements.--Section 47140a(a) is amended by striking 
``airport.'' and inserting ``airport, and to reimburse the airport 
sponsor for the costs incurred in conducting the assessment.''.
    (b) Safety Priority.--Section 47140a(b)(2) is amended by inserting 
``, including a certification that no safety projects would be deferred 
by prioritizing a grant under this section,'' after ``an application''.

SEC. 1213. RECYCLING PLANS; SAFETY PROJECTS AT UNCLASSIFIED AIRPORTS.

    Section 47106(a) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (6)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                striking ``for an airport that has an airport master 
                plan, the master plan addresses'' and inserting ``a 
                master plan project, it will address''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) if the project is at an unclassified airport, the 
        project will be funded with an amount apportioned under 
        subsection 47114(d)(3)(B) and is--
                    ``(A) for maintenance of the pavement of the 
                primary runway;
                    ``(B) for obstruction removal for the primary 
                runway;
                    ``(C) for the rehabilitation of the primary runway; 
                or
                    ``(D) a project that the Secretary considers 
                necessary for the safe operation of the airport.''.

SEC. 1214. TRANSFERS OF INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEMS.

    Section 44502(e) is amended by striking the first sentence and 
inserting ``An airport may transfer, without consideration, to the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration an instrument 
landing system consisting of a glide slope and localizer that conforms 
to performance specifications of the Administrator if an airport 
improvement project grant was used to assist in purchasing the system, 
and if the Federal Aviation Administration has determined that a 
satellite navigation system cannot provide a suitable approach.''.

SEC. 1215. NON-MOVEMENT AREA SURVEILLANCE PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 471 is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
``Sec. 47143. Non-movement area surveillance surface display systems 
              pilot program
    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration may carry out a pilot program to support non-Federal 
acquisition and installation of qualifying non-movement area 
surveillance surface display systems and sensors if--
            ``(1) the Administrator determines that acquisition and 
        installation of qualifying non-movement area surveillance 
        surface display systems and sensors improve safety or capacity 
        in the National Airspace System; and
            ``(2) the non-movement area surveillance surface display 
        systems and sensors are supplemental to existing movement area 
        systems and sensors at the selected airports established under 
        other programs administered by the Administrator.
    ``(b) Project Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of carrying out the pilot 
        program, the Administrator may make a project grant out of 
        funds apportioned under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of 
        section 47114(c) to not more than 5 eligible sponsors to 
        acquire and install qualifying non-movement area surveillance 
        surface display systems and sensors. The Administrator may 
        distribute not more than $2,000,000 per sponsor from the 
        discretionary fund. The airports selected to participate in the 
        pilot program shall have existing Federal Aviation 
        Administration movement area systems and airlines that are 
        participants in Federal Aviation Administration's Airport 
        Collaborative Decision Making process.
            ``(2) Procedures.--In accordance with the authority under 
        section 106, the Administrator may establish procurement 
        procedures applicable to grants issued under this subsection. 
        The procedures may permit the sponsor to carry out the project 
        with vendors that have been accepted in the procurement 
        procedure or using Federal Aviation Administration contracts. 
        The procedures may provide for the direct reimbursement 
        (including administrative costs) of the Administrator by the 
        sponsor using grant funds under this subsection, for the 
        ordering of system-related equipment and its installation, or 
        for the direct ordering of system-related equipment and its 
        installation by the sponsor, using such grant funds, from the 
        suppliers with which the Administrator has contracted.
            ``(3) Data exchange processes.--The Administrator may 
        establish data exchange processes to allow airport 
        participation in the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport 
        Collaborative Decision Making process and fusion of the non-
        movement surveillance data with the Administration's movement 
        area systems.
    ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Non-movement area.--The term `non-movement area' is 
        the portion of the airfield surface that is not under the 
        control of air traffic control.
            ``(2) Non-movement area surveillance surface display system 
        and sensors.--The term `non-movement area surveillance surface 
        display system and sensors' is a non-Federal surveillance 
        system that uses on-airport sensors that track vehicles or 
        aircraft that are equipped with transponders in the non-
        movement area.
            ``(3) Qualifying non-movement area surveillance surface 
        display system and sensors.--The term `qualifying non-movement 
        area surveillance surface display system and sensors' is a non-
        movement area surveillance surface display system that--
                    ``(A) provides the required transmit and receive 
                data formats consistent with the National Airspace 
                System architecture at the appropriate service delivery 
                point;
                    ``(B) is on-airport; and
                    ``(C) is airport operated.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The table of contents of 
chapter 471 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
47142 the following:

``47143. Non-movement area surveillance surface display systems pilot 
                            program.''.

SEC. 1216. AMENDMENTS TO DEFINITIONS.

    Section 47102 is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (10) through (28) as 
        paragraphs (12) through (30), respectively;
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (9) as 
        paragraphs (8) through (10), respectively;
            (3) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) by redesignating clauses (iii) through 
                        (x) as clauses (iv) through (xi), respectively; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking clause (ii) and inserting 
                        the following:
                                    ``(II) security equipment owned and 
                                operated by the airport, including 
                                explosive detection devices, universal 
                                access control systems, perimeter 
                                fencing, and emergency call boxes, 
                                which the Secretary may require by 
                                regulation for, or approve as 
                                contributing significantly to, the 
                                security of individuals and property at 
                                the airport;
                                    ``(III) safety apparatus owned and 
                                operated by the airport, which the 
                                Secretary may require by regulation 
                                for, or approve as contributing 
                                significantly to, the safety of 
                                individuals and property at the 
                                airport, and integrated in-pavement 
                                lighting systems for runways and 
                                taxiways and other runway and taxiway 
                                incursion prevention devices;'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (K), by striking ``such project 
                will result in an airport receiving appropriate'' and 
                inserting ``the airport would be able to receive''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (L)--
                            (i) by striking ``or conversion of vehicles 
                        and'' and inserting ``of vehicles used 
                        exclusively for transporting passengers on-
                        airport, employee shuttle buses within the 
                        airport, or'';
                            (ii) by striking ``airport, to'' and 
                        inserting ``airport and equipped with''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``7505a) and if such 
                        project will result in an airport receiving 
                        appropriate'' and inserting ``7505a)) and if 
                        the airport would be able to receive'';
            (4) in paragraph (5), by striking ``regulations'' and 
        inserting ``requirements'';
            (5) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
            ``(7) `categorized airport' means a nonprimary airport that 
        has an identified role in the National Plan of Integrated 
        Airport Systems.'';
            (6) in paragraph (9), as redesignated, by striking 
        ``public'' and inserting ``public-use'';
            (7) by inserting after paragraph (10), as redesignated, the 
        following:
            ``(11) `joint use airport' means an airport owned by the 
        Department of Defense, at which both military and civilian 
        aircraft make shared use of the airfield.'';
            (8) in paragraph (24), as redesignated, by amending 
        subparagraph (B)(i) to read as follows:
                            ``(i) determined by the Secretary to have 
                        at least--
                                    ``(I) 100 based aircraft that are 
                                currently registered with the Federal 
                                Aviation Administration under chapter 
                                445 of this title; and
                                    ``(II) 1 based jet aircraft that is 
                                currently registered with the Federal 
                                Aviation Administration where, for the 
                                purposes of this clause, `based' means 
                                the aircraft or jet aircraft overnights 
                                at the airport for the greater part of 
                                the year; or''; and
            (9) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(31) `unclassified airport' means a nonprimary airport 
        that is included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport 
        Systems that is not categorized by the Administrator of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration in the most current report 
        entitled General Aviation Airports: A National Asset.''.

SEC. 1217. CLARIFICATION OF NOISE EXPOSURE MAP UPDATES.

    Section 47503(b) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``a change in the operation of the airport 
        would establish'' and inserting ``there is a change in the 
        operation of the airport that would establish''; and
            (2) by inserting after ``reduction'' the following: ``if 
        the change has occurred during the longer of--
            ``(1) the noise exposure map period forecast by the airport 
        operator under subsection (a); or
            ``(2) the implementation timeframe of the operator's noise 
        compatibility program''.

SEC. 1218. PROVISION OF FACILITIES.

    Section 44502 is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Airport Space.--
            ``(1) Restriction.--The Administrator may not require an 
        airport owner or sponsor (as defined in section 47102) to 
        provide to the Federal Aviation Administration without cost any 
        of the following:
                    ``(A) Building construction, maintenance, 
                utilities, or expenses for services relating to air 
                traffic control, air navigation, or weather reporting.
                    ``(B) Space in a facility owned by the airport 
                owner or sponsor for services relating to air traffic 
                control, air navigation, or weather reporting.
            ``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may 
        be construed to affect--
                    ``(A) any agreement the Secretary may have or make 
                with an airport owner or sponsor for the airport owner 
                or sponsor to provide any of the items described in 
                subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) 
                at below-market rates; or
                    ``(B) any grant assurance that requires an airport 
                owner or sponsor to provide land to the Administration 
                without cost for an air traffic control facility.''.

SEC. 1219. CONTRACT WEATHER OBSERVERS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report--
            (1) which includes public and stakeholder input, and 
        examines all safety risks, hazard effects, efficiency and 
        operational effects on airports, airlines, and other 
        stakeholders that could result from loss of contract weather 
        observer service at the 57 airports targeted for the loss of 
        this service;
            (2) detailing how the Federal Aviation Administration will 
        accurately report rapidly changing severe weather conditions at 
        these airports, including thunderstorms, lightning, fog, 
        visibility, smoke, dust, haze, cloud layers and ceilings, ice 
        pellets, and freezing rain or drizzle without contract weather 
        observers;
            (3) indicating how airports can comply with applicable 
        Federal Aviation Administration orders governing weather 
        observations given the current documented limitations of 
        automated surface observing systems; and
            (4) identifying the process through which the Federal 
        Aviation Administration analyzed the safety hazards associated 
        with the elimination of the contract weather observer program.
    (b) Continued Use of Contract Weather Observers.--The Administrator 
may not discontinue the contract weather observer program at any 
airport until October 1, 2017.
    (c) Report on Golden Triangle Initiative of NOAA.--
            (1) Report required.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Administrator of 
        the Federal Aviation Administration shall jointly submit to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress a report on the Golden 
        Triangle Initiative of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration.
            (2) Elements.--The report shall include the following:
                    (A) An assessment of the impacts of enhanced 
                aviation forecast services provided as part of the 
                Golden Triangle Initiative on weather-related air 
                traffic delays.
                    (B) A description of the costs of providing such 
                enhanced aviation forecast services.
                    (C) A description of potential alternative 
                mechanisms to provide enhanced aviation forecast 
                services comparable to such enhanced aviation forecast 
                services for airports in rural or low population 
                density areas.

SEC. 1220. FEDERAL SHARE ADJUSTMENT.

    Section 47109(a)(5) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(5) 95 percent for a project at an airport for which the 
        United States Government's share would otherwise be capped at 
        90 percent under paragraph (2) or paragraph (3) if the 
        Administrator determines that the project is a successive phase 
        of a multi-phased construction project for which the sponsor 
        received a grant in fiscal year 2011 or earlier.''.

SEC. 1221. MISCELLANEOUS TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Airport Security Program.--Section 47137 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Transportation'' and 
        inserting ``Homeland Security'';
            (2) in subsection (e), by striking ``Homeland Security'' 
        and inserting ``Transportation''; and
            (3) in subsection (g), by inserting ``of Transportation'' 
        after ``Secretary'' the first place it appears.
    (b) Section 516 Property Conveyance Releases.--Section 817(a) of 
the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 47125 note) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``or section 23'' and inserting ``, section 
        23''; and
            (2) by inserting before the period at the end the 
        following: ``, or section 47125 of title 49, United States 
        Code''.

SEC. 1222. MOTHERS' ROOMS AT AIRPORTS.

    (a) Lactation Area Defined.--Section 47102, as amended by section 
1216 of this Act, is further amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (12) through (31) as 
        paragraphs (13) through (32), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (11) the following:
            ``(12) `lactation area' means a room or other location in a 
        commercial service airport that--
                    ``(A) provides a location for members of the public 
                to express breast milk that is shielded from view and 
                free from intrusion from the public;
                    ``(B) has a door that can be locked;
                    ``(C) includes a place to sit, a table or other 
                flat surface, and an electrical outlet;
                    ``(D) is readily accessible to and usable by 
                individuals with disabilities, including individuals 
                who use wheelchairs; and
                    ``(E) is not located in a restroom.''.
    (b) Project Grants Written Assurances for Large and Medium Hub 
Airports.--
            (1) In general.--Section 47107(a) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (20), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in paragraph (21), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(22) with respect to a medium or large hub airport, the 
        airport owner or operator will maintain a lactation area in 
        each passenger terminal building of the airport in the sterile 
        area (as defined in section 1540.5 of title 49, Code of Federal 
        Regulations) of the building.''.
            (2) Applicability.--
                    (A) In general.--The amendment made by paragraph 
                (1) shall apply to a project grant application 
                submitted for a fiscal year beginning on or after the 
                date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of 
                this Act.
                    (B) Special rule.--The requirement in the 
                amendments made by paragraph (1) that a lactation area 
                be located in the sterile area of a passenger terminal 
                building shall not apply with respect to a project 
                grant application for a period of time, determined by 
                the Secretary of Transportation, if the Secretary 
                determines that construction or maintenance activities 
                make it impracticable or unsafe for the lactation area 
                to be located in the sterile area of the building.
    (c) Terminal Development Costs.--Section 47119(a) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Lactation areas.--In addition to the projects 
        described in paragraph (1), the Secretary may approve a project 
        for terminal development for the construction or installation 
        of a lactation area at a commercial service airport.''.
    (d) Pre-existing Facilities.--On application by an airport sponsor, 
the Secretary of Transportation may determine that a lactation area in 
existence on the date of enactment of this Act complies with the 
requirement of paragraph (22) of section 47107(a) of title 49, United 
States Code, as added by subsection (b), notwithstanding the absence of 
one of the facilities or characteristics referred to in the definition 
of the term ``lactation area'' in paragraph (12) of section 47102 of 
such title, as added by subsection (a).

SEC. 1223. ELIGIBILITY FOR AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT GRANTS AT AIRPORTS THAT 
              ENTER INTO CERTAIN LEASES WITH COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED 
              FORCES.

    Section 47107, as amended by section 1208 of this Act, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(t) Airports That Enter Into Certain Leases With the Armed 
Forces.--The Secretary of Transportation may not disapprove a project 
grant application under this subchapter for an airport development 
project at an airport solely because the airport renews a lease for the 
use, at a nominal rate, of airport property by a regular or reserve 
component of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard, without 
regard to whether that component operates aircraft at the airport.''.

SEC. 1224. CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITION OF AVIATION-RELATED ACTIVITY FOR 
              HANGAR USE.

    Section 47107, as amended by section 1223 of this Act, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(u) Construction of Recreational Aircraft.--
            ``(1) In general.--The construction of a covered aircraft 
        shall be treated as an aeronautical activity for purposes of--
                    ``(A) determining an airport's compliance with a 
                grant assurance made under this section or any other 
                provision of law; and
                    ``(B) the receipt of Federal financial assistance 
                for airport development.
            ``(2) Covered aircraft defined.--In this subsection, the 
        term `covered aircraft' means an aircraft--
                    ``(A) used or intended to be used exclusively for 
                recreational purposes; and
                    ``(B) constructed or under construction, repair, or 
                restoration by a private individual at a general 
                aviation airport.''.

SEC. 1225. USE OF AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDS FOR RUNWAY SAFETY 
              REPAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 471, as amended by this 
subtitle, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 47144. Use of funds for repairs for runway safety repairs
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation may make project 
grants under this subchapter to an airport described in subsection (b) 
from funds under section 47114 apportioned to that airport or funds 
available for discretionary grants to that airport under section 47115 
to conduct airport development to repair the runway safety area of the 
airport damaged as a result of a natural disaster in order to maintain 
compliance with the regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration 
relating to runway safety areas, without regard to whether construction 
of the runway safety area damaged was carried out using amounts the 
airport received under this subchapter.
    ``(b) Airports Described.--An airport is described in this 
subsection if--
            ``(1) the airport is a public-use airport;
            ``(2) the airport is listed in the National Plan of 
        Integrated Airport Systems of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration;
            ``(3) the runway safety area of the airport was damaged as 
        a result of a natural disaster;
            ``(4) the airport was denied funding under the Robert T. 
        Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
        U.S.C. 4121 et seq.) with respect to the disaster;
            ``(5) the operator of the airport has exhausted all legal 
        remedies, including legal action against any parties (or 
        insurers thereof) whose action or inaction may have contributed 
        to the need for the repair of the runway safety area;
            ``(6) there is still a demonstrated need for the runway 
        safety area to accommodate current or imminent aeronautical 
        demand; and
            ``(7) the cost of repairing or replacing the runway safety 
        area is reasonable in relation to the anticipated operational 
        benefit of repairing the runway safety area, as determined by 
        the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for chapter 471, 
as amended by this subtitle, is further amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 47143 the following:

``47144. Use of funds for repairs for runway safety repairs.''.

SEC. 1226. DEFINITION OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN.

    Section 47113(a)(1) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(1) `small business concern'--
                    ``(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), has 
                the same meaning given that term in section 3 of the 
                Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632); and
                    ``(B) in the case of a concern in the construction 
                industry, a concern shall be considered a small 
                business concern if the concern meets the size standard 
                for the North American Industry Classification System 
                Code 237310, as adjusted by the Small Business 
                Administration;''.

                 Subtitle C--Passenger Facility Charges

SEC. 1301. PFC STREAMLINING.

    (a) Passenger Facility Charges; General Authority.--Section 
40117(b)(4) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
        ``, if the Secretary finds--'' and inserting a period; and
            (2) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B).
    (b) Pilot Program for Passenger Facility Charge Authorizations at 
Nonhub Airports.--Section 40117(l) is amended--
            (1) in the heading by striking ``Nonhub'' and inserting 
        ``Certain''; and
            (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``nonhub'' and inserting 
        ``nonhub, small hub, medium hub, and large hub''.

SEC. 1302. INTERMODAL ACCESS PROJECTS.

    Section 40117 is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(n) PFC Eligibility for Intermodal Ground Access Projects.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may authorize a passenger 
        facility charge imposed under subsection (b)(1) to be used to 
        finance the eligible capital costs of an intermodal ground 
        access project.
            ``(2) Definition of intermodal ground access project.--In 
        this subsection, the term `intermodal ground access project' 
        means a project for constructing a local facility owned or 
        operated by an eligible agency that--
                    ``(A) is located on airport property; and
                    ``(B) is directly and substantially related to the 
                movement of passengers or property traveling in air 
                transportation.
            ``(3) Eligible capital costs.--The eligible capital costs 
        of an intermodal ground access project shall be the lesser of--
                    ``(A) the total capital cost of the project 
                multiplied by the ratio that the number of individuals 
                projected to use the project to gain access to or 
                depart from the airport bears to the total number of 
                individuals projected to use the local facility; or
                    ``(B) the total cost of the capital improvements 
                that are located on airport property.
            ``(4) Determinations.--The Secretary shall determine the 
        projected use and cost of a project for purposes of paragraph 
        (3) at the time the project is approved under this subsection, 
        except that, in the case of a project to be financed in part 
        using funds administered by the Federal Transit Administration, 
        the Secretary shall use the travel forecasting model for the 
        project at the time the project is approved by the Federal 
        Transit Administration to enter preliminary engineering to 
        determine the projected use and cost of the project for 
        purposes of paragraph (3).
            ``(5) Nonattainment areas.--For airport property, any area 
        of which is located in a nonattainment area (as defined under 
        section 171 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7501)) for 1 or 
        more criteria pollutant, the airport emissions reductions from 
        less airport surface transportation and parking as a direct 
        result of the development of an intermodal project on the 
        airport property would be eligible for air quality emissions 
        credits.''.

SEC. 1303. USE OF REVENUE AT A PREVIOUSLY ASSOCIATED AIRPORT.

    Section 40117, as amended by section 1302 of this Act, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(o) Use of Revenues at a Previously Associated Airport.--
Notwithstanding the requirements relating to airport control under 
subsection (b)(1), the Secretary may authorize use of a passenger 
facility charge under subsection (b) to finance an eligible airport-
related project if--
            ``(1) the eligible agency seeking to impose the new charge 
        controls an airport where a $2.00 passenger facility charge 
        became effective on January 1, 2013; and
            ``(2) the location of the project to be financed by the new 
        charge is at an airport that was under the control of the same 
        eligible agency that had controlled the airport described in 
        paragraph (1).''.

SEC. 1304. FUTURE AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND FINANCING STUDY.

    (a) Future Aviation Infrastructure and Financing Study.--Not later 
than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall enter into an agreement with the Transportation 
Research Board of the National Academies to conduct a study and make 
recommendations on the actions needed to upgrade and restore the 
national aviation infrastructure system to its role as a premier system 
that meets the growing and shifting demands of the 21st century, 
including airport infrastructure needs and existing financial resources 
for commercial service airports.
    (b) Consultation.--In carrying out the study, the Transportation 
Research Board shall convene and consult with a panel of national 
experts, including--
            (1) nonhub airports;
            (2) small hub airports;
            (3) medium hub airports;
            (4) large hub airports;
            (5) airports with international service;
            (6) non-primary airports;
            (7) local elected officials;
            (8) relevant labor organizations;
            (9) passengers;
            (10) air carriers; and
            (11) representatives of the tourism industry.
    (c) Considerations.--In carrying out the study, the Transportation 
Research Board shall consider--
            (1) the ability of airport infrastructure to meet current 
        and projected passenger volumes;
            (2) the available financial tools and resources for 
        airports of different sizes;
            (3) the current debt held by airports, and its impact on 
        future construction and capacity needs;
            (4) the impact of capacity constraints on passengers and 
        ticket prices;
            (5) the purchasing power of the passenger facility charge 
        from the last increase in 2000 to the year of enactment of this 
        Act;
            (6) the impact to passengers and airports of indexing the 
        passenger facility charge for inflation;
            (7) how long airports are constrained with current 
        passenger facility charge collections;
            (8) the impact of passenger facility charges to promote 
        competition;
            (9) the additional resources or options to fund terminal 
        construction projects;
            (10) the resources eligible for use toward noise reduction 
        and emission reduction projects;
            (11) the gap between AIP-eligible projects and the annual 
        Federal funding provided;
            (12) the impact of regulatory requirements on airport 
        infrastructure financing needs;
            (13) airline competition;
            (14) airline ancillary fees and their impact on ticket 
        pricing and taxable revenue; and
            (15) the ability of airports to finance necessary safety, 
        security, capacity, and environmental projects identified in 
        capital improvement plans.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 15 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Transportation Research Board shall submit to the 
Secretary and the appropriate committees of Congress a report on its 
findings and recommendations.
    (e) Funding.--The Secretary is authorized to use such sums as are 
necessary to carry out the requirements of this section.

                            TITLE II--SAFETY

              Subtitle A--Unmanned Aircraft Systems Reform

SEC. 2001. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) In General.--Unless expressly provided otherwise, the terms 
used in this subtitle have the meanings given the terms in section 
44801 of title 49, United States Code, as added by section 2121 of this 
Act.
    (b) Definition of Civil Aircraft.--The term ``civil aircraft'' has 
the meaning given the term in section 40102 of title 49, United States 
Code.

                    PART I--PRIVACY AND TRANSPARENCY

SEC. 2101. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS PRIVACY POLICY.

    It is the policy of the United States that the operation of any 
unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system shall be carried out in a 
manner that respects and protects personal privacy consistent with the 
United States Constitution and Federal, State, and local law.

SEC. 2102. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) each person that uses an unmanned aircraft system for 
        compensation or hire, or in the furtherance of a business 
        enterprise, except for news gathering, should have a written 
        privacy policy consistent with section 2101 that is appropriate 
        to the nature and scope of the activities regarding the 
        collection, use, retention, dissemination, and deletion of any 
        data collected during the operation of an unmanned aircraft 
        system;
            (2) each privacy policy described in paragraph (1) should 
        be periodically reviewed and updated as necessary; and
            (3) each privacy policy described in paragraph (1) should 
        be publicly available.

SEC. 2103. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AUTHORITY.

    A violation of a privacy policy by a person that uses an unmanned 
aircraft system for compensation or hire, or in the furtherance of a 
business enterprise, in the national airspace system shall be an unfair 
and deceptive practice in violation of section 5(a) of the Federal 
Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(a)).

SEC. 2104. NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION 
              MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PROCESS.

    Not later than July 31, 2016, the Administrator of the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the industry privacy 
best practices developed through the multi-stakeholder engagement 
process (established under Presidential Memorandum of February 15, 2015 
(80 Fed. Reg. 9355)) on unmanned aircraft systems transparency and 
accountability. In addition to the agreed upon best practices, this 
report shall include relevant stakeholder recommendations for 
legislative or regulatory action regarding privacy, accountability, and 
transparency, including ways to encourage the adoption of privacy 
policies by companies that use unmanned aircraft systems for 
compensation or hire, or in the furtherance of a business enterprise. 
The report shall take into account existing rights protected under the 
First Amendment to the United States Constitution in public spaces and 
the First Amendment rights of journalists to control their archives.

SEC. 2105. IDENTIFICATION STANDARDS.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology, in collaboration with the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration, and in consultation with the 
Secretary of Transportation, the President of RTCA, Inc., and the 
Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration, shall convene industry stakeholders to facilitate the 
development of consensus standards for remotely identifying operators 
and owners of unmanned aircraft systems and associated unmanned 
aircraft.
    (b) Considerations.--As part of the standards developed under 
subsection (a), the Director shall consider--
            (1) requirements for remote identification of unmanned 
        aircraft systems;
            (2) appropriate requirements for different classifications 
        of unmanned aircraft systems operations, including public and 
        civil;
            (3) the role of manufacturers, the Federal Aviation 
        Administration, and the owners of the systems described in 
        paragraphs (1) and (2) in reporting and verifying 
        identification data; and
            (4) the feasibility of the development and operation of a 
        publicly searchable online database to further enable the 
        immediate remote identification of any unmanned aircraft and 
        its operator by the general public and potential exceptions to 
        inclusion in the online database.
    (c) Deadline.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Director shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report on the consensus identification standards.
    (d) Guidance.--Not later than 1 year after the date that the 
Director submits the report on the consensus identification standards 
under subsection (c), the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall issue regulatory guidance based on the consensus 
identification standards.

SEC. 2106. COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENTAL OPERATORS.

    (a) In General.--Except for model aircraft under section 44808 of 
title 49, United States Code, in authorizing the operation of any 
public unmanned aircraft system or the operation of any unmanned 
aircraft system by a person conducting civil aircraft operations, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, to the extent 
practicable and consistent with applicable law and without compromising 
national security, homeland defense, or law enforcement, shall make the 
identifying information in subsection (b) available to the public via 
an easily searchable online database. The Administrator shall place a 
clear and conspicuous link to the database on the home page of the 
Federal Aviation Administration's website.
    (b) Contents.--The database described in subsection (a) shall 
contain the following:
            (1) The name of each individual, or agency, as applicable, 
        authorized to conduct civil or public unmanned aircraft systems 
        operations described in subsection (a).
            (2) The name of each owner of an unmanned aircraft system 
        described in paragraph (1).
            (3) The expiration date of any authorization related to a 
        person identified in paragraph (1) or paragraph (2).
            (4) The contact information for each person identified in 
        paragraphs (1) and (2), including a telephone number and an 
        electronic mail address, in accordance with applicable privacy 
        laws.
            (5) The tail number or specific identification number of 
        all unmanned aircraft authorized for use that links each 
        unmanned aircraft to the owner of that aircraft.
            (6) For any unmanned aircraft system that will collect 
        personally identifiable information about individuals, 
        including the use of facial recognition--
                    (A) the circumstance under which the system will be 
                used;
                    (B) the specific kinds of personally identifiable 
                information that the system will collect about 
                individuals; and
                    (C) how the information referred to in subparagraph 
                (B), and the conclusions drawn from such information, 
                will be used, disclosed, and otherwise handled, 
                including--
                            (i) how the collection or retention of such 
                        information that is unrelated to the specific 
                        use will be minimized;
                            (ii) under what circumstances such 
                        information might be sold, leased, or otherwise 
                        provided to third parties;
                            (iii) the period during which such 
                        information will be retained;
                            (iv) when and how such information, 
                        including information no longer relevant to the 
                        specified use, will be destroyed; and
                            (v) steps that will be used to protect 
                        against the unauthorized disclosure of any 
                        information or data, such as the use of 
                        encryption methods and other security features.
            (7) With respect to public unmanned aircraft systems--
                    (A) the locations where the unmanned aircraft 
                system will operate;
                    (B) the time during which the unmanned aircraft 
                system will operate;
                    (C) the general purpose of the flight; and
                    (D) the technical capabilities that the unmanned 
                aircraft system possesses.
    (c) Records.--Each person described in subsection (b)(1), to the 
extent practicable without compromising national security, homeland 
defense, or law enforcement shall maintain and make available to the 
Administrator for not less than 1 year a record of the name and contact 
information of each person on whose behalf the unmanned aircraft system 
has been operated.
    (d) Deadline.--The Administrator shall make the database available 
not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (e) Termination.--The Administrator may cease the operation of such 
database on September 30, 2017.

SEC. 2107. ANALYSIS OF CURRENT REMEDIES UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL 
              JURISDICTIONS.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct and submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a review of the privacy issues 
and concerns associated with the operation of unmanned aircraft systems 
in the national airspace system that--
            (1) examines and identifies the existing Federal, State, or 
        local laws, including constitutional law, that address an 
        individual's personal privacy;
            (2) identifies specific issues and concerns that may limit 
        the availability of existing civil or criminal legal remedies 
        regarding inappropriate operation of unmanned aircraft systems 
        in the national airspace system;
            (3) identifies any deficiencies in current Federal, State, 
        or local privacy protections; and
            (4) recommends legislative or other actions to address the 
        limitations and deficiencies identified in paragraphs (2) and 
        (3).

                   PART II--UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

SEC. 2121. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) In General.--Part A of subtitle VII is amended by inserting 
after chapter 447 the following:

                ``CHAPTER 448--UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

``Sec.
``44801. Definitions.
``Sec. 44801. Definitions
    ``In this chapter--
            ``(1) `appropriate committees of Congress' means the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
        of the House of Representatives.
            ``(2) `Arctic' means the United States zone of the Chukchi 
        Sea, Beaufort Sea, and Bering Sea north of the Aleutian chain.
            ``(3) `certificate of waiver' and `certificate of 
        authorization' mean a Federal Aviation Administration grant of 
        approval for a specific flight operation.
            ``(4) `permanent areas' means areas on land or water that 
        provide for launch, recovery, and operation of small unmanned 
        aircraft.
            ``(5) `public unmanned aircraft system' means an unmanned 
        aircraft system that meets the qualifications and conditions 
        required for operation of a public aircraft (as defined in 
        section 40102(a)).
            ``(6) `sense and avoid capability' means the capability of 
        an unmanned aircraft to remain a safe distance from and to 
        avoid collisions with other airborne aircraft.
            ``(7) `small unmanned aircraft' means an unmanned aircraft 
        weighing less than 55 pounds, including the weight of anything 
        attached to or carried by the aircraft.
            ``(8) `test range' means a defined geographic area where 
        research and development are conducted as authorized by the 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
            ``(9) `test site' means any of the 6 test ranges 
        established by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration under section 332(c) of the FAA Modernization 
        and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note), as in effect on 
        the day before the date of enactment of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016, and any public 
        entity authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration as an 
        unmanned aircraft system flight test center before January 1, 
        2009.
            ``(10) `unmanned aircraft' means an aircraft that is 
        operated without the possibility of direct human intervention 
        from within or on the aircraft.
            ``(11) `unmanned aircraft system' means an unmanned 
        aircraft and associated elements (including communication links 
        and the components that control the unmanned aircraft) that are 
        required for the operator to operate safely and efficiently in 
        the national airspace system.''.
    (b) Table of Chapters.--The table of chapters for subtitle VII is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 447 the 
following:

``448. Unmanned Aircraft Systems............................   44801''.

SEC. 2122. UTILIZATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM TEST SITES.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as designated by section 2121 of this 
Act, is amended by inserting after section 44801 the following:
``Sec. 44802. Unmanned aircraft system test sites
    ``(a)(1) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall establish and update, as appropriate, a program 
for the use of the 6 test sites established under section 332(c) of the 
FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note), and 
any public entity authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration as 
an unmanned aircraft system flight test center before January 1, 2009, 
to facilitate the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into 
the national airspace system.
    ``(2) Termination.--The program shall terminate on September 30, 
2022.
    ``(b) Program Requirements.--In establishing the program under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall--
            ``(1) designate airspace for safely testing the integration 
        of unmanned flight operations in the national airspace system;
            ``(2) develop operational standards and air traffic 
        requirements for unmanned flight operations at test sites, 
        including test ranges;
            ``(3) coordinate with and leverage the resources of the 
        National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the 
        Department of Defense;
            ``(4) address both civil and public unmanned aircraft 
        systems;
            ``(5) ensure that the program is coordinated with relevant 
        aspects of the Next Generation Air Transportation System;
            ``(6) provide for verification of the safety of unmanned 
        aircraft systems and related navigation procedures as it 
        relates to continued development of standards for integration 
        into the national airspace system;
            ``(7) engage each test site operator in projects for 
        research, development, testing, and evaluation of unmanned 
        aircraft systems to facilitate the Federal Aviation 
        Administration's development of standards for the safe 
        integration of unmanned aircraft into the national airspace 
        system, which may include solutions for--
                    ``(A) developing and enforcing geographic and 
                altitude limitations;
                    ``(B) classifications of airspace where 
                manufacturers must prevent flight of an unmanned 
                aircraft system;
                    ``(C) classifications of airspace where 
                manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems must alert 
                the operator to hazards or limitations on flight;
                    ``(D) sense and avoid capabilities;
                    ``(E) beyond-line-of-sight, nighttime operations 
                and unmanned traffic management, or other critical 
                research priorities; and
                    ``(F) improving privacy protections through the use 
                of advances in unmanned aircraft systems technology;
            ``(8) coordinate periodically with all test site operators 
        to ensure test site operators know which data should be 
        collected, what procedures should be followed, and what 
        research would advance efforts to safely integrate unmanned 
        aircraft systems into the national airspace system;
            ``(9) allow a test site to develop multiple test ranges 
        within the test site;
            ``(10) streamline the approval process for test sites when 
        processing unmanned aircraft certificates of waiver or 
        authorization for operations at the test sites;
            ``(11) require each test site operator to protect 
        proprietary technology, sensitive data, or sensitive research 
        of any civil or private entity when using that test site 
        without the need to obtain an experimental or special 
        airworthiness certificate;
            ``(12) evaluate options for the operation of 1 or more 
        small unmanned aircraft systems beyond the visual line of sight 
        of the operator for testing under controlled conditions that 
        ensure the safety of persons and property, including on the 
        ground; and
            ``(13) allow test site operators to receive Federal 
        funding, other than from the Federal Aviation Administration, 
        including in-kind contributions, from test site participants in 
        the furtherance of research, development, and testing 
        objectives.
    ``(c) Test Site Locations.--In determining the location of a test 
site under subsection (a), the Administrator shall--
            ``(1) take into consideration geographic and climatic 
        diversity;
            ``(2) take into consideration the location of ground 
        infrastructure and research needs; and
            ``(3) consult with the Administrator of the National 
        Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Secretary of 
        Defense.
    ``(d) Report to Congress.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2016, the Administrator shall submit to 
        the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
        establishment and implementation of the program under 
        subsection (a).
            ``(2) Briefings.--Beginning 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2016, and every 180 days thereafter 
        until September 30, 2017, the Administrator shall provide to 
        the appropriate committees of Congress a briefing that 
        includes--
                    ``(A) a current summary of unmanned aircraft 
                systems operations at the test sites since the last 
                briefing to Congress;
                    ``(B) a description of all of the data generated 
                from the operations described in subparagraph (A), and 
                shared with the Federal Aviation Administration through 
                a cooperative research and development agreement 
                authorized in section 2123 of the Federal Aviation 
                Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016, that relate 
                to unmanned aircraft systems research priorities, 
                including beyond-line-of-sight, unmanned traffic 
                management, nighttime operations, and sense and avoid 
                technology;
                    ``(C) a description of how the data described in 
                subparagraph (B) will be or is used--
                            ``(i) to advance Federal Aviation 
                        Administration priorities;
                            ``(ii) to validate the safety of unmanned 
                        aircraft systems and related technology; and
                            ``(iii) to inform future rulemaking related 
                        to the integration of unmanned aircraft systems 
                        into the national airspace;
                    ``(D) an evaluation of the activities and specific 
                outcomes from activities at the test sites that support 
                the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems under 
                this chapter; and
                    ``(E) recommendations for future Federal Aviation 
                Administration test site operations that would generate 
                data necessary to inform future rulemaking related to 
                unmanned aircraft systems.
    ``(e) Review of Operations by Test Site Operators.--The operator of 
each test site under subsection (a) shall--
            ``(1) review the operations of unmanned aircraft systems 
        conducted at the test site, including--
                    ``(A) ongoing or completed research; and
                    ``(B) data regarding operations by private and 
                public operators; and
            ``(2) submit to the Administrator, in such form and manner 
        as specified by the Administrator, the results of the review, 
        including recommendations to further enable private research 
        and development operations at the test sites that contribute to 
        the Federal Aviation Administration's safe integration of 
        unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system, on 
        a quarterly basis until the program terminates.
    ``(f) Testing.--The Secretary may authorize an operator of a test 
site described in subsection (a) to administer testing requirements 
established by the Administrator for unmanned aircraft systems 
operations.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Table of contents.--The table of contents for chapter 
        448, as added by section 2121 of this Act, is further amended 
        by inserting after the item relating to section 44801 the 
        following:

``44802. Unmanned aircraft system test sites.''.
            (2) Pilot projects.--Section 332 of the FAA Modernization 
        and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended by 
        striking subsection (c).

SEC. 2123. ADDITIONAL RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND TESTING.

    (a) Research Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration and the United States Unmanned Aircraft System Executive 
Committee, jointly, and in coordination with industry, users, the 
Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and test site 
operators, shall develop a research plan to identify ongoing research 
into the broad range of technical, procedural, and policy concerns 
arising from the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the 
national airspace system, and research needs regarding those concerns. 
In developing the plan, the Administrator shall determine and engage 
the appropriate entities to meet the research needs identified in the 
plan.
    (b) Collaborative Research and Development Agreements.--The 
Administrator may use the other transaction authority under section 
106(l)(6) of title 49, United States Code, and enter into collaborative 
research and development agreements, to direct research related to 
unmanned aircraft systems, including at any test site under section 
44802(a) of that title, and in coordination with the Center of 
Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
    (c) Use of Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.--The 
Administrator, in carrying out research necessary to establish the 
consensus safety standards and certification requirements in section 
44803 of title 49, United States Code, as added by section 2124, shall, 
to the maximum extent practicable, leverage the research and testing 
capacity and capabilities of the Center of Excellence for Unmanned 
Aircraft Systems and the test sites (as defined in 44801 of such title, 
as added by section 2121).

SEC. 2124. SAFETY STANDARDS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2122 of this 
Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44802 the following:

``SEC. 44803. AIRCRAFT SAFETY STANDARDS.

    ``(a) Consensus Aircraft Safety Standards.--Not later than 60 days 
after the date of enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
Reauthorization Act of 2016, the Director of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration, in consultation with government and industry 
stakeholders and appropriate standards-setting organizations, shall 
initiate a collaborative process to develop risk-based, consensus 
industry airworthiness standards related to the safe integration of 
small unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system.
    ``(b) Considerations.--In developing the consensus aircraft safety 
standards, the Director and Administrator shall consider the following:
            ``(1) Technologies or standards related to geographic 
        limitations, altitude limitations, and sense and avoid 
        capabilities.
            ``(2) Using performance-based standards.
            ``(3) Predetermined action to maintain safety in the event 
        that a communications link between a small unmanned aircraft 
        and its operator is lost or compromised.
            ``(4) Detectability and identifiability to pilots, the 
        Federal Aviation Administration, and air traffic controllers, 
        as appropriate.
            ``(5) Means to prevent tampering with or modification of 
        any system, limitation, or other safety mechanism or standard 
        under this section or any other provision of law, including a 
        means to identify any tampering or modification that has been 
        made.
            ``(6) Consensus identification standards under section 
        2105.
            ``(7) How to update or modify a small unmanned aircraft 
        system that was commercially distributed prior to the 
        development of the consensus aircraft safety standards so that, 
        to the greatest extent practicable, such systems meet the 
        consensus aircraft safety standards.
            ``(8) Any technology or standard related to small unmanned 
        aircraft systems that promotes aviation safety.
    ``(c) Consultation.--In developing the consensus aircraft safety 
standards under subsection (a), the Director and Administrator shall 
consult with--
            ``(1) the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and 
        Space Administration;
            ``(2) the President of RTCA, Inc.;
            ``(3) the Secretary of Defense;
            ``(4) each operator of a test site under section 44802;
            ``(5) the Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft 
        Systems;
            ``(6) unmanned aircraft systems stakeholders; and
            ``(7) community-based aviation organizations.
    ``(d) FAA Approval.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 
2016, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
establish a process for the approval of small unmanned aircraft systems 
make and models based upon the consensus aircraft safety standards 
developed under subsection (a). The consensus aircraft safety standards 
developed under subsection (a) shall allow the Administrator to approve 
small unmanned aircraft systems for operation within the national 
airspace system without requiring the type certification process in 
parts 21 and 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
    ``(e) Eligibility.--The consensus aircraft safety standards for 
approval of small unmanned aircraft systems developed under this 
section shall set eligibility requirements for an airworthiness 
approval of a small unmanned aircraft system which shall include the 
following:
            ``(1) An applicant must provide the Federal Aviation 
        Administration with--
                    ``(A) the aircraft's operating instructions; and
                    ``(B) the manufacturer's statement of compliance as 
                described in subsection (f) of this section.
            ``(2) A sample aircraft must be inspected by the Federal 
        Aviation Administration and found to be in a condition for safe 
        operation and in compliance with the consensus aircraft safety 
        standards required by the Administrator in subsection (d).
    ``(f) Manufacturer's Statement of Compliance for Small UAS.--The 
manufacturer's statement of compliance shall--
            ``(1) identify the aircraft make and model, and consensus 
        aircraft safety standard used;
            ``(2) state that the aircraft make and model meets the 
        provisions of the standard identified in paragraph (1);
            ``(3) state that the aircraft make and model conforms to 
        the manufacturer's design data, using the manufacturer's 
        quality assurance system that meets the identified consensus 
        standard adopted by the Administrator in subsection (d), and is 
        manufactured in way that ensures consistency in the production 
        process so that every unit produced meets the applicable 
        consensus aircraft safety standards;
            ``(4) state that the manufacturer will make available to 
        any interested person--
                    ``(A) the aircraft's operating instructions, that 
                meet the standard identified in paragraph (1); and
                    ``(B) the aircraft's maintenance and inspection 
                procedures, that meet the standard identified in 
                paragraph (1);
            ``(5) state that the manufacturer will monitor and correct 
        safety-of-flight issues through a continued airworthiness 
        system that meets the standard identified in paragraph (1);
            ``(6) state that at the request of the Administration, the 
        manufacturer will provide access by the Administration to its 
        facilities; and
            ``(7) state that the manufacturer, in accordance with a 
        production acceptance test procedure that meets an applicable 
        consensus aircraft safety standard has--
                    ``(A) ground and flight tested random samples of 
                the aircraft;
                    ``(B) found the sample aircraft performance 
                acceptable; and
                    ``(C) determined that the make and model of 
                aircraft is suitable for safe operation.
    ``(g) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any person to 
introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce any 
unmanned aircraft manufactured after the date that the Administrator 
adopts consensus aircraft safety standards under this section, unless 
the manufacturer has received approval under subsection (d) for each 
make and model.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 448, as 
amended by section 2122 of this Act, is further amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 44802 the following:

``44803. Aircraft safety standards.''.

SEC. 2125. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS IN THE ARCTIC.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2124 of this 
Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44803 the following:
``Sec. 44804. Unmanned aircraft systems in the Arctic
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall develop a 
plan and initiate a process to work with relevant Federal agencies and 
national and international communities to designate permanent areas in 
the Arctic where small unmanned aircraft may operate 24 hours per day 
for research and commercial purposes.
    ``(b) Plan Contents.--The plan under subsection (a) shall include 
the development of processes to facilitate the safe operation of 
unmanned aircraft beyond line of sight.
    ``(c) Requirements.--Each permanent area designated under 
subsection (a) shall enable over-water flights from the surface to at 
least 2,000 feet in altitude, with ingress and egress routes from 
selected coastal launch sites.
    ``(d) Agreements.--To implement the plan under subsection (a), the 
Secretary may enter into an agreement with relevant national and 
international communities.
    ``(e) Aircraft Approval.--Not later than 1 year after the entry 
into force of an agreement necessary to effectuate the purposes of this 
section, the Secretary shall work with relevant national and 
international communities to establish and implement a process, or may 
apply an applicable process already established, for approving the use 
of unmanned aircraft in the designated permanent areas in the Arctic 
without regard to whether an unmanned aircraft is used as a public 
aircraft, a civil aircraft, or a model aircraft.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Table of contents.--The table of contents for chapter 
        448, as amended by section 2124 of this Act, is further amended 
        by inserting after the item relating to section 44803 the 
        following:

``44804. Unmanned aircraft systems in the Arctic.''.
            (2) Expanding use of unmanned aircraft systems in arctic.--
        Section 332 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 
        U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended by striking subsection (d).

SEC. 2126. SPECIAL AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2125 of this 
Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44804 the following:
``Sec. 44805. Special authority for certain unmanned aircraft systems
    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other requirement of this 
chapter, the Secretary of Transportation shall use a risk-based 
approach to determine if certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate 
safely in the national airspace system notwithstanding completion of 
the comprehensive plan and rulemaking required by section 332 of the 
FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) or the 
guidance required by section 44807.
    ``(b) Assessment of Unmanned Aircraft Systems.--In making the 
determination under subsection (a), the Secretary shall determine, at a 
minimum--
            ``(1) which types of unmanned aircraft systems, if any, as 
        a result of their size, weight, speed, operational capability, 
        proximity to airports and populated areas, and operation within 
        or beyond visual line of sight, or operation during the day or 
        night, do not create a hazard to users of the national airspace 
        system or the public; and
            ``(2) whether a certificate under section 44703 or section 
        44704 of this title, or a certificate of waiver or certificate 
        of authorization, is required for the operation of unmanned 
        aircraft systems identified under paragraph (1) of this 
        subsection.
    ``(c) Requirements for Safe Operation.--If the Secretary determines 
under this section that certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate 
safely in the national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish 
requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft systems in the 
national airspace system, including operation related to research, 
development, and testing of proprietary systems.
    ``(d) Pilot Certification Exemption.--If the Secretary proposes, 
under this section, to require an operator of an unmanned aircraft 
system to hold an airman certificate, a medical certificate, or to have 
a minimum number of hours operating a manned aircraft, the Secretary 
shall set forth the reasoning for such proposal and seek public notice 
and comment before imposing any such requirements.
    ``(e) Sunset.--The authority under this section for the Secretary 
to determine if certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in 
the national airspace system terminates effective September 30, 2017.
    ``(f) Operation by Owners and Operators of Critical 
Infrastructure.--
            ``(1) In general.--Any application process established 
        under subsection (a) shall allow for a covered person to apply 
        to the Administrator to operate an unmanned aircraft system to 
        conduct activities described in paragraph (2)--
                    ``(A) beyond the visual line of sight of the 
                individual operating the unmanned aircraft system; and
                    ``(B) operation during the day or at night.
            ``(2) Activities described.--The activities described in 
        this paragraph that a covered person may use an unmanned 
        aircraft system to conduct are the following:
                    ``(A) Activities for which compliance with current 
                law or regulation can be accomplished by the use of 
                manned aircraft, including--
                            ``(i) conducting activities to ensure 
                        compliance with Federal or State regulatory, 
                        permit, or other requirements, including to 
                        conduct surveys associated with applications 
                        for permits for new pipeline or pipeline 
                        systems construction or maintenance or 
                        rehabilitation of existing pipelines or 
                        pipeline systems; or
                            ``(ii) conducting activities relating to 
                        ensuring compliance with--
                                    ``(I) the requirements of part 192 
                                or 195 of title 49, Code of Federal 
                                Regulations; or
                                    ``(II) any Federal, State, or local 
                                governmental or regulatory body or 
                                industry best practice pertaining to 
                                the construction, ownership, operation, 
                                maintenance, repair, or replacement of 
                                covered facilities.
                    ``(B) Activities to inspect, repair, construct, 
                maintain, or protect covered facilities, including to 
                respond to a pipeline, pipeline system, or electric 
                energy infrastructure incident, or in response to or in 
                preparation for a natural disaster, man-made disaster, 
                severe weather event, or other incident beyond the 
                control of the covered person that may cause material 
                damage to a covered facility.
            ``(3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Covered facility.--The term `covered 
                facility' means a pipeline, pipeline system, electric 
                energy generation, transmission, or distribution 
                facility (including renewable electric energy), oil or 
                gas production, refining, or processing facility, or 
                other critical infrastructure.
                    ``(B) Covered person.--The term `covered person' 
                means a person that--
                            ``(i) owns or operates a covered facility;
                            ``(ii) is the sponsor of a covered facility 
                        project;
                            ``(iii) is an association of persons 
                        described by clause (i) or (ii) and is seeking 
                        programmatic approval for an activity in 
                        accordance with this subsection; or
                            ``(iv) is an agent of any person described 
                        in clause (i), (ii), or (iii).
                    ``(C) Critical infrastructure.--The term `critical 
                infrastructure' has the meaning given that term in 
                section 2339D of title 18.
            ``(4) Deadline.--Within 90 days from the date of enactment 
        of the FAA Reauthorization of 2016 the Administrator must 
        certify to the appropriate committees of Congress that a 
        process has been established to facilitate applications for 
        operations provided for under this subsection. If the 
        Administrator cannot provide this certification, the 
        Administrator, within 180 days of from the due date of that 
        certification, shall update the process under (a) to provide 
        for such applications.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Table of contents.--The table of contents for chapter 
        448, as amended by section 2125 of this Act, is further amended 
        by inserting after the item relating to section 44804 the 
        following:

``44805. Special rules for certain unmanned aircraft systems.''.
            (2) Special rules for certain unmanned aircraft systems.--
        Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 
        U.S.C. 40101 note) and the item relating to that section in the 
        table of contents under section 1(b) of that Act (126 Stat. 13) 
        are repealed.

SEC. 2127. ADDITIONAL RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) beyond visual line of sight and nighttime operations of 
        unmanned aircraft systems have tremendous potential--
                    (A) to enhance research and development both 
                commercially and in academics;
                    (B) to spur economic growth and development through 
                innovative applications of this emerging technology; 
                and
                    (C) to improve emergency response efforts as it 
                relates to assessing damage to critical infrastructure 
                such as roads, bridges, and utilities, including water 
                and power, ultimately speeding response time;
            (2) advancements in miniaturization of safety technologies, 
        including for aircraft weighing under 4.4 pounds, have 
        increased economic opportunities for using unmanned aircraft 
        systems while reducing kinetic energy and risk compared to 
        unmanned aircraft that may weigh as much as 55 pounds;
            (3) advancements in unmanned technology will have the 
        capacity to ultimately improve manned aircraft safety; and
            (4) integrating unmanned aircraft systems safely into the 
        national airspace, including beyond visual line of sight and 
        nighttime operations on a routine basis should remain a top 
        priority for the Federal Aviation Administration as it pursues 
        additional rulemakings under the amendments made by this 
        section.
    (b) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2126 of this 
Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44805 the following:
``Sec. 44806. Additional rulemaking authority
    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding the rulemaking required by 
section 332 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 
40101 note) or the guidance required by section 44807 of this title and 
subject to subsection (b)(2) of this section and section 44808, the 
Administrator may issue regulations under which a person may operate 
certain unmanned aircraft systems (as determined by the Administrator) 
in the United States--
            ``(1) without an airman certificate;
            ``(2) without an airworthiness certificate for the 
        associated unmanned aircraft; or
            ``(3) that are not registered with the Federal Aviation 
        Administration.
    ``(b) Micro Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operational Rules.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding the rulemaking required 
        by section 332 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 
        (49 U.S.C. 40101 note), the Administrator shall issue 
        regulations not later than 270 days after the date of enactment 
        of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 
        2016 under which any person may operate a micro unmanned 
        aircraft system classification of unmanned aircraft systems, 
        the aircraft component of which weighs 4.4 pounds or less, 
        including payload, without the person operating the system 
        being required to pass any airman certification requirement, 
        including any requirements under section 44703 of this title, 
        part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or any other 
        rule or regulation relating to airman certification.
            ``(2) Operational rules.--The rulemaking required by 
        paragraph (1) relating to micro unmanned aircraft systems shall 
        consider the following rules, or any appropriate modifications 
        thereof concerning altitude, airspeed, geographic location, and 
        time of day as the Administrator considers appropriate, for 
        operation of such systems:
                    ``(A) Operation an altitude of less than 400 feet 
                above ground level.
                    ``(B) Operation with an airspeed of not greater 
                than 40 knots.
                    ``(C) Operation within the visual line of sight of 
                the operator.
                    ``(D) Operation during the hours between sunrise 
                and sunset.
                    ``(E) Operation not less than 5 statute miles from 
                the geographic center of an airport with an operational 
                air traffic control tower or an airport denoted on a 
                current aeronautical chart published by the Federal 
                Aviation Administration, except that a micro unmanned 
                aircraft system may be operated within 5 statute miles 
                of such an airport if the operator of the system--
                            ``(i) provides notice to the airport 
                        operator; and
                            ``(ii) in the case of an airport with an 
                        operational air traffic control tower, receives 
                        approval from the air traffic control tower.
    ``(c) Scope of Regulations.--
            ``(1) In general.--In determining whether a person may 
        operate an unmanned aircraft system under 1 or more of the 
        circumstances described under paragraphs (1) through (3) of 
        subsection (a), the Administrator shall use a risk-based 
        approach and consider, at a minimum, the physical and 
        functional characteristics of the unmanned aircraft system.
            ``(2) Limitation.--The Administrator may only issue 
        regulations under this section for unmanned aircraft systems 
        that the Administrator determines may be operated safely in the 
        national airspace system.
    ``(d) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
construed--
            ``(1) to prohibit a person from operating an unmanned 
        aircraft system under a circumstance described under paragraphs 
        (1) through (3) of subsection (a) if--
                    ``(A) the circumstance is allowed by regulations 
                issued under this section; and
                    ``(B) the person operates the unmanned aircraft 
                system in a manner prescribed by the regulations; and
            ``(2) to limit or affect in any way the Administrator's 
        authority to conduct a rulemaking, make a determination, or 
        carry out any activity related to unmanned aircraft or unmanned 
        aircraft systems under any other provision of law.''.
    (c) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 448, as 
amended by section 2126 of this Act, is further amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 44805 the following:

``44806. Additional rulemaking authority.''.

SEC. 2128. GOVERNMENTAL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2127 of this 
Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44806 the following:
``Sec. 44807. Public unmanned aircraft systems
    ``(a) Guidance.--The Secretary of Transportation shall issue 
guidance regarding the operation of a public unmanned aircraft system--
            ``(1) to streamline the process for the issuance of a 
        certificate of authorization or a certificate of waiver;
            ``(2) to provide for a collaborative process with public 
        agencies to allow for an incremental expansion of access to the 
        national airspace system as technology matures and the 
        necessary safety analyses and data become available, and until 
        standards are completed and technology issues are resolved;
            ``(3) to facilitate the capability of public agencies to 
        develop and use test ranges, subject to operating restrictions 
        required by the Federal Aviation Administration, to test and 
        operate public unmanned aircraft systems; and
            ``(4) to provide guidance on a public agency's 
        responsibilities when operating an unmanned aircraft without a 
        civil airworthiness certificate issued by the Administration.
    ``(b) Standards for Operation and Certification.--The Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall develop and implement 
operational and certification requirements for the operation of a 
public unmanned aircraft system in the national airspace system.
    ``(c) Agreements With Government Agencies.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into an 
        agreement with each appropriate public agency to simplify the 
        process for issuing a certificate of waiver or a certificate of 
        authorization with respect to an application for authorization 
        to operate a public unmanned aircraft system in the national 
        airspace system.
            ``(2) Contents.--An agreement under paragraph (1) shall--
                    ``(A) with respect to an application described in 
                paragraph (1)--
                            ``(i) provide for an expedited review of 
                        the application;
                            ``(ii) require a decision by the 
                        Administrator on approval or disapproval not 
                        later than 60 business days after the date of 
                        submission of the application;
                            ``(iii) allow for an expedited appeal if 
                        the application is disapproved; and
                            ``(iv) if applicable, include verification 
                        of the data minimization policy required under 
                        subsection (d);
                    ``(B) allow for a one-time approval of similar 
                operations carried out during a fixed period of time; 
                and
                    ``(C) allow a government public safety agency to 
                operate an unmanned aircraft weighing 25 pounds or less 
                if that unmanned aircraft is operated--
                            ``(i) within or beyond the line of sight of 
                        the operator;
                            ``(ii) less than 400 feet above the ground;
                            ``(iii) during daylight conditions;
                            ``(iv) within Class G airspace; and
                            ``(v) outside of 5 statute miles from any 
                        airport, heliport, seaplane base, spaceport, or 
                        other location with aviation activities.
    ``(d) Data Minimization for Certain Public Unmanned Aircraft System 
Operators.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the 
Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016 each 
Federal agency authorized by the Secretary to operate an unmanned 
aircraft system shall develop and update a data minimization policy 
that requires, at a minimum, that--
            ``(1) prior to the deployment of any new unmanned aircraft 
        system technology, and at least every 3 years, existing 
        policies and procedures relating to the collection, use, 
        retention, and dissemination of information obtained by an 
        unmanned aircraft system must be examined to ensure that 
        privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties are protected;
            ``(2) if the unmanned aircraft system is the platform for 
        information collection, information must be collected, used, 
        retained, and disseminated consistent with the Constitution, 
        Federal law, and other applicable regulations and policies, 
        such as the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a);
            ``(3) the Federal agency or person operating on its behalf, 
        only collect information using the unmanned aircraft system, or 
        use unmanned aircraft system-collected information, to the 
        extent that the collection or use is consistent with and 
        relevant to an authorized purpose as determined by the head of 
        a Federal agency and consistent with the law;
            ``(4) any information collected, using an unmanned aircraft 
        or an unmanned aircraft system, that may contain personal 
        information will not be retained by any Federal agency for more 
        than 180 days after the date of collection unless--
                    ``(A) the head of the Federal agency determines 
                that retention of the information is directly relevant 
                and necessary to accomplish the specific purpose for 
                which the Federal agency used the unmanned aircraft 
                system;
                    ``(B) that Federal agency maintains the information 
                in a system of records under section 552a of title 5; 
                or
                    ``(C) the information is required to be retained 
                for a longer period under other applicable law, 
                including regulations;
            ``(5) any information collected, using an unmanned aircraft 
        or unmanned aircraft system, that is not maintained in a system 
        of records under section 552a of title 5, will not be 
        disseminated outside of that Federal agency unless--
                    ``(A) dissemination is required by law; or
                    ``(B) dissemination satisfies an authorized purpose 
                and complies with that Federal agency's disclosure 
                requirements;
            ``(6) to the extent it does not compromise law enforcement 
        or national security a Federal agency shall--
                    ``(A) provide notice to the public regarding where 
                in the national airspace system the Federal agency is 
                authorized to operate the unmanned aircraft system;
                    ``(B) keep the public informed about the Federal 
                agency's unmanned aircraft system program, including 
                any changes to that program that would significantly 
                affect privacy, civil rights, or civil liberties;
                    ``(C) make available to the public, on an annual 
                basis, a general summary of the Federal agency's 
                unmanned aircraft system operations during the previous 
                fiscal year, including--
                            ``(i) a brief description of types or 
                        categories of missions flown; and
                            ``(ii) the number of times the Federal 
                        agency provided assistance to other agencies or 
                        to State, local, tribal, or territorial 
                        governments; and
                    ``(D) make available on a public and searchable 
                Internet website the data minimization policy of the 
                Federal agency;
            ``(7) ensures oversight of the Federal agency's unmanned 
        aircraft system use, including--
                    ``(A) the use of audits or assessments that comply 
                with existing Federal agency policies and regulations;
                    ``(B) the verification of the existence of rules of 
                conduct and training for Federal Government personnel 
                and contractors who work on programs, and procedures 
                for reporting suspected cases of misuse or abuse of 
                unmanned aircraft system technologies;
                    ``(C) the establishment of policies and procedures, 
                or confirmation that policies and procedures are in 
                place, that provide meaningful oversight of individuals 
                who have access to sensitive information, including 
                personal information, collected using an unmanned 
                aircraft system;
                    ``(D) ensuring that any data-sharing agreements or 
                policies, data use policies, and record management 
                policies applicable to an unmanned aircraft system 
                conform to applicable laws, regulations, and policies;
                    ``(E) the establishment of policies and procedures, 
                or confirmation that policies and procedures are in 
                place, to authorize the use of an unmanned aircraft 
                system in response to a request for unmanned aircraft 
                system assistance in support of Federal, State, local, 
                tribal, or territorial government operations; and
                    ``(F) a requirement that State, local, tribal, and 
                territorial government recipients of Federal grant 
                funding for the purchase or use of unmanned aircraft 
                systems for their own operations have in place policies 
                and procedures to safeguard individuals' privacy, civil 
                rights, and civil liberties prior to expending such 
                funds; and
            ``(8) ensures the protection of civil rights and civil 
        liberties, including--
                    ``(A) ensuring that policies are in place to 
                prohibit the collection, use, retention, or 
                dissemination of data in any manner that would violate 
                the First Amendment or in any manner that would 
                discriminate against persons based upon their 
                ethnicity, race, gender, national origin, religion, 
                sexual orientation, or gender identity, in violation of 
                law;
                    ``(B) ensuring that unmanned aircraft system 
                activities are performed in a manner consistent with 
                the Constitution and applicable laws, Executive Orders, 
                and other Presidential directives; and
                    ``(C) ensuring that adequate procedures are in 
                place to receive, investigate, and address, as 
                appropriate, privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties 
                complaints.
    ``(e) Law Enforcement and National Security.--Each Federal agency 
shall effectuate a requirement under subsection (d) only to the extent 
it does not compromise law enforcement or national security.
    ``(f) Definition of Federal Agency.--In subsections (d) and (e), 
the term `Federal agency' has the meaning given the term `agency' in 
section 552(f) of title 5, United States Code.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Table of contents.--The table of contents for chapter 
        448, as amended by section 2127 of this Act, is further amended 
        by inserting after the item relating to section 44806 the 
        following:

``44807. Public unmanned aircraft systems.''.
            (2) Public unmanned aircraft systems.--Section 334 of the 
        FAA Modernization and reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) 
        and the item relating to that section in the table of contents 
        under section 1(b) of that Act (126 Stat. 13) are repealed.

SEC. 2129. SPECIAL RULES FOR MODEL AIRCRAFT.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2128 of this 
Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44807 the following:
``Sec. 44808. Special rules for model aircraft
    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law 
relating to the incorporation of unmanned aircraft systems into Federal 
Aviation Administration plans and policies, including this chapter, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may not promulgate 
any new rule or regulation specific only to an unmanned aircraft 
operating as a model aircraft if--
            ``(1) the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or 
        recreational use;
            ``(2) the aircraft is operated in accordance with a 
        community-based set of safety guidelines and within the 
        programming of a nationwide community-based organization;
            ``(3) not flown beyond visual line of sight of persons co-
        located with the operator or in direct communication with the 
        operator;
            ``(4) the aircraft is operated in a manner that does not 
        interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft;
            ``(5) when flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator 
        of the aircraft provides the airport operator, where 
        applicable, and the airport air traffic control tower (when an 
        air traffic facility is located at the airport) with prior 
        notice and receives approval from the tower, to the extent 
        practicable, for the operation from each (model aircraft 
        operators flying from a permanent location within 5 miles of an 
        airport should establish a mutually agreed upon operating 
        procedure with the airport operator and the airport air traffic 
        control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the 
        airport));
            ``(6) the aircraft is flown from the surface to not more 
        than 400 feet in altitude, except under special conditions and 
        programs established by a community-based organization; and
            ``(7) the operator has passed an aeronautical knowledge and 
        safety test administered by the Federal Aviation Administration 
        online for the operation of unmanned aircraft systems subject 
        to the requirements of section 44809 and maintains proof of 
        test passage to be made available to the Administrator or law 
        enforcement upon request.
    ``(b) Updates.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator, in collaboration with 
        government and industry stakeholders, including nationwide 
        community-based organizations, shall initiate a process to 
        update the operational parameters under subsection (a), as 
        appropriate.
            ``(2) Considerations.--In updating an operational parameter 
        under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consider--
                    ``(A) appropriate operational limitations to 
                mitigate aviation safety risk and risk to the 
                uninvolved public;
                    ``(B) operations outside the membership, 
                guidelines, and programming of a nationwide community-
                based organization;
                    ``(C) physical characteristics, technical 
                standards, and classes of aircraft operating under this 
                section;
                    ``(D) trends in use, enforcement, or incidents 
                involving unmanned aircraft systems; and
                    ``(E) ensuring, to the greatest extent practicable, 
                that updates to the operational parameters correspond 
                to, and leverage, advances in technology.
            ``(3) Savings clause.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
        construed as expanding the authority of the Administrator to 
        require operators of model aircraft under the exemption of this 
        subsection to be required to seek permissive authority of the 
        Administrator prior to operation in the national airspace 
        system.
    ``(c) Statutory Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to limit the authority of the Administrator to pursue 
enforcement action against persons operating model aircraft.
    ``(d) Model Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the term `model 
aircraft' means an unmanned aircraft that--
            ``(1) is capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere; and
            ``(2) is limited to weighing not more than 55 pounds, 
        including the weight of anything attached to or carried by the 
        aircraft, unless otherwise approved through a design, 
        construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety 
        program administered by a community-based organization.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Table of contents.--The table of contents for chapter 
        448, as amended by section 2128 of this Act, is further amended 
        by inserting after the item relating to section 44807 the 
        following:

``44808. Special rules for model aircraft.''.
            (2) Special rule for model aircraft.--Section 336 of the 
        FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) 
        and the item relating to that section in the table of contents 
        under section 1(b) of that Act (126 Stat. 13) are repealed.

SEC. 2130. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS AERONAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SAFETY.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2129 of this 
Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44808 the following:
``Sec. 44809. Aeronautical knowledge and safety test
    ``(a) In General.--An individual may not operate an unmanned 
aircraft system unless--
            ``(1) the individual has successfully completed an 
        aeronautical knowledge and safety test under subsection (c);
            ``(2) the individual has authority to operate an unmanned 
        aircraft under other Federal law; or
            ``(3) the individual is a holder of an airmen certificate 
        issued under section 44703.
    ``(b) Exception.--This section shall not apply to the operation of 
an unmanned aircraft system that has been authorized by the Federal 
Aviation Administration under section 44802, 44805, 44806, or 44807. 
The Administrator may waive the requirements of this section for 
operators of aircraft weighing less than 0.55 pounds or for operators 
under the age of 13 operating the unmanned aircraft system under the 
supervision of an adult as determined by the Administrator.
    ``(c) Aeronautical Knowledge and Safety Test.--Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
Reauthorization Act of 2016, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration, in consultation with manufacturers of unmanned aircraft 
systems, other industry stakeholders, and community-based aviation 
organizations, shall develop an aeronautical knowledge and safety test 
that can be administered electronically.
    ``(d) Requirements.--The Administrator shall ensure that the 
aeronautical knowledge and safety test is designed to adequately 
demonstrate an operator's--
            ``(1) understanding of aeronautical safety knowledge, as 
        applicable; and
            ``(2) knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration 
        regulations and requirements pertaining to the operation of an 
        unmanned aircraft system in the national airspace system.
    ``(e) Record of Compliance.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each operator of an unmanned aircraft 
        system described under subsection (a) shall maintain and make 
        available for inspection, upon request by the Administrator or 
        a Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer, a record of 
        compliance with this section through--
                    ``(A) an identification number, issued by the 
                Federal Aviation Administration certifying passage of 
                the aeronautical knowledge and safety test;
                    ``(B) if the individual has authority to operate an 
                unmanned aircraft system under other Federal law, the 
                requisite proof of authority under that law; or
                    ``(C) an airmen certificate issued under section 
                44703.
            ``(2) Coordination.--The Administrator may coordinate the 
        identification number under paragraph (1)(A) with an operator's 
        registration number to the extent practicable.
            ``(3) Limitation.--No fine or penalty may be imposed for 
        the initial failure of an operator of an unmanned aircraft 
        system to comply with paragraph (1) unless the Administrator 
        finds that the conduct of the operator actually posed a risk to 
        the national airspace system.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 448, as 
amended by section 2129 of this Act, is further amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 44808 the following:

``44809. Aeronautical knowledge and safety test.''.

SEC. 2131. SAFETY STATEMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2130 of this 
Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44809 the following:
``Sec. 44810. Safety statements
    ``(a) Prohibition.--Beginning on the date that is 1 year after the 
date of publication of the guidance under subsection (b)(1), it shall 
be unlawful for any person to introduce or deliver for introduction 
into interstate commerce any unmanned aircraft manufactured unless a 
safety statement is attached to the unmanned aircraft or accompanying 
the unmanned aircraft in its packaging.
    ``(b) Safety Statement.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2016, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall issue guidance for implementing 
        this section.
            ``(2) Requirements.--A safety statement described in 
        subsection (a) shall include--
                    ``(A) information about laws and regulations 
                applicable to unmanned aircraft systems;
                    ``(B) recommendations for using unmanned aircraft 
                in a manner that promotes the safety of persons and 
                property;
                    ``(C) the date that the safety statement was 
                created or last modified; and
                    ``(D) language approved by the Administrator 
                regarding the following:
                            ``(i) A person may operate the unmanned 
                        aircraft as a model aircraft (as defined in 
                        section 44808) or otherwise in accordance with 
                        Federal Aviation Administration authorization 
                        or regulation, including requirements for the 
                        completion of the aeronautical knowledge and 
                        safety test under section 44809.
                            ``(ii) The definition of a model aircraft 
                        under section 44808.
                            ``(iii) The requirements regarding a model 
                        aircraft under paragraphs (1) through (7) of 
                        section 44808(a).
                            ``(iv) The Administrator of the Federal 
                        Aviation Administration may pursue enforcement 
                        action against a person operating model 
                        aircraft who endangers the safety of the 
                        national airspace system.
    ``(c) Civil Penalty.--A person who violates subsection (a) shall be 
liable for each violation to the United States Government for a civil 
penalty described in section 46301(a).''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 448, as 
amended by section 2130 of this Act, is further amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 44809 the following:

``44810. Safety statements.''.

SEC. 2132. TREATMENT OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT OPERATING UNDERGROUND.

    An unmanned aircraft system that is operated underground for mining 
purposes shall not be subject to regulation or enforcement by the 
Federal Aviation Administration under chapter 448 of title 49, United 
States Code.

SEC. 2133. ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) UAS Safety Enforcement.--The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall establish a program to utilize available 
remote detection and identification technologies for safety oversight, 
including enforcement actions against operators of unmanned aircraft 
systems that are not in compliance with applicable Federal aviation 
laws, including regulations.
    (b) Civil Penalties.--
            (1) In general.--Section 46301 is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(1)(A), by inserting ``chapter 
                448,'' after ``chapter 447 (except sections 44717 and 
                44719-44723),'';
                    (B) in subsection (a)(5), by inserting ``chapter 
                448,'' after ``chapter 447 (except sections 44717-
                44723),'';
                    (C) in subsection (d)(2), by inserting ``chapter 
                448,'' after ``chapter 447 (except sections 44717 and 
                44719-44723),''; and
                    (D) in subsection (f), by inserting ``chapter 
                448,'' after ``chapter 447 (except 44717 and 44719-
                44723),''.
            (2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
        be construed to limit the authority of the Administrator to 
        pursue an enforcement action for a violation of this Act, a 
        regulation prescribed or order or authority issued under this 
        Act, or any other applicable provision of aviation safety law 
        or regulation.
    (c) Reporting.--As part of the program, the Administrator shall 
establish and publicize a mechanism for the public and Federal, State, 
and local law enforcement to report a suspected abuse or a violation of 
chapter 448 of title 49, United States Code, for enforcement action.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section, 
there is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the 
fiscal years 2016 through 2017.

SEC. 2134. AVIATION EMERGENCY SAFETY PUBLIC SERVICES DISRUPTION.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 463 is amended--
            (1) in section 46301(d)(2), by inserting ``section 46320,'' 
        after ``section 46319,''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 46320. Interference with firefighting, law enforcement, or 
              emergency response activities
    ``(a) Prohibition.--No person may operate an aircraft so as to 
interfere with firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency response 
activities.
    ``(b) Definition.--For purposes of this section, an aircraft 
interferes with the activities specified in subsection (a) when its 
operation prevents the initiation of, interrupts, or endangers a person 
or property engaged in those activities.
    ``(c) Civil Penalty.--A person violating subsection (a) shall be 
liable for a civil penalty of not more than $20,000.
    ``(d) Compromise and Setoff.--The United States Government may 
deduct the amount of a civil penalty imposed or compromised under this 
section from the amounts the Government owes the person liable for the 
penalty.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 463 is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 46319 the 
following:

``46320. Interference with firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency 
                            response activities.''.

SEC. 2135. PILOT PROJECT FOR AIRPORT SAFETY AND AIRSPACE HAZARD 
              MITIGATION.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall carry out a pilot program for airspace hazard 
mitigation at airports and other critical infrastructure.
    (b) Consultation.--In carrying out the pilot program under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall work with the Secretary of 
Defense, Secretary of Homeland Security, and the heads of relevant 
Federal agencies for the purpose of ensuring technologies that are 
developed, tested, or deployed by those departments and agencies to 
mitigate threats posed by errant or hostile unmanned aircraft system 
operations do not adversely impact or interfere with safe airport 
operations, navigation, and air traffic services.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to carry out this 
section $6,000,000, to remain available until expended.

SEC. 2136. CONTRIBUTION TO FINANCING OF REGULATORY FUNCTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2131 of this 
Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44810 the following:
``Sec. 44811. Regulatory and administrative fees
    ``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the Administrator may 
assess and collect regulatory and administrative fees to recover the 
costs of regulatory and administrative activities under this chapter 
related to authorization to operate unmanned aircraft systems for 
compensation or hire, or in the furtherance of a business enterprise.
    ``(b) Limitations.--Fees authorized under subsection (a) shall be 
reasonable, cost-based relative to the regulatory or administrative 
activity, and may not be discriminatory or a deterrent to compliance.
    ``(c) Receipts Credited to Account.--Notwithstanding section 3302 
of title 31, all fees and amounts collected under this section shall be 
credited to the separate account established under section 45303(c). 
Section 41742 shall not apply to fees and amounts collected under this 
section.
    ``(d) Regulations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 
2016, the Administrator shall issue regulations to carry out this 
section.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 448, as 
amended by section 2131 of this Act, is further amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 44810 the following:

``44811. Regulatory and administrative fees.''.

SEC. 2137. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING SMALL UAS RULEMAKING.

    It is the sense of the Congress that the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration and Secretary of Transportation should 
take every necessary action to expedite final action on the notice of 
proposed rulemaking dated February 23, 2015 (80 Fed. Reg. 9544), 
entitled ``Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft 
Systems''.

SEC. 2138. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT.

    (a) Research Plan for UTM Development.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration, in coordination with the Administrator of the 
        National Aeronautics and Space Administration, shall develop a 
        research plan for unmanned aircraft systems traffic management 
        (referred to in this section as ``UTM'') development.
            (2) Requirements.--In developing the research plan under 
        paragraph (1), the Administrator shall--
                    (A) identify research goals related to:
                            (i) operational parameters related to 
                        altitude, geographic coverage, classes of 
                        airspace, and critical infrastructure;
                            (ii) avionics capability requirements or 
                        standards;
                            (iii) operator identification and 
                        authentication requirements and capabilities;
                            (iv) communication protocols with air 
                        traffic control facilities that will not 
                        interfere with existing responsibility to 
                        deconflict manned aircraft in the national 
                        airspace system;
                            (v) collision avoidance requirements;
                            (vi) separation standards for manned and 
                        unmanned aircraft; and
                            (vii) spectrum needs;
                    (B) evaluate options for the administration and 
                management structure for the traffic management of low 
                altitude operations of small unmanned aircraft systems; 
                and
                    (C) ensure the plan is consistent with the broader 
                Federal Aviation Administration regulatory and 
                operational framework encompassing all unmanned 
                aircraft systems operations expected to be authorized 
                in the national airspace system.
            (3) Assessment.--The research plan under paragraph (1) 
        shall include an assessment of--
                    (A) the ability to allow near-term small unmanned 
                aircraft system operations without need of an automated 
                UTM system;
                    (B) the full range of operational capability any 
                automated UTM system should possess;
                    (C) the operational characteristics and metrics 
                that would drive incremental adoption of automated 
                capability and procedures consistent with a rising 
                aggregate community demand for service for low altitude 
                operations of small unmanned aircraft systems; and
                    (D) the integration points for small unmanned 
                aircraft system traffic management with the existing 
                national airspace system planning and traffic 
                management systems.
            (4) Deadlines.--The Administrator shall--
                    (A) initiate development of the research plan not 
                later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
                Act; and
                    (B) not later than 180 days after the date of 
                enactment of this Act--
                            (i) complete the research plan;
                            (ii) submit the research plan to the 
                        appropriate committees of Congress; and
                            (iii) publish the research plan on the 
                        Federal Aviation Administration's Web site.
    (b) Pilot Program.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date the 
        research plan under subsection (a) is submitted under paragraph 
        (4)(B) of that subsection, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall coordinate with the Administrator 
        of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the 
        small unmanned aircraft systems industry to develop operational 
        concepts and top-level system requirements for a UTM system 
        pilot program, consistent with subsection (a).
            (2) Solicitation.--The Administrator shall issue a 
        solicitation for operational prototype systems that meet the 
        necessary objectives for use in a pilot program to demonstrate, 
        validate, or modify, as appropriate, the requirements developed 
        under paragraph (1).
    (c) Comprehensive Plan.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 270 days after the date the 
        pilot program under subsection (b) is complete, the 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in 
        coordination with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics 
        and Space Administration, and in consultation with the head of 
        each relevant Federal agency, shall develop a comprehensive 
        plan for the deployment of UTM systems in the national 
        airspace.
            (2) System requirements.--The comprehensive plan under 
        paragraph (1) shall include requirements or standards 
        consistent with established or planned rulemaking for, at a 
        minimum--
                    (A) the flight of small unmanned aircraft systems 
                in controlled and uncontrolled airspace;
                    (B) communications, as applicable--
                            (i) among small unmanned aircraft systems;
                            (ii) between small unmanned aircraft 
                        systems and manned aircraft operating in the 
                        same airspace; and
                            (iii) between small unmanned aircraft 
                        systems and air traffic control as considered 
                        necessary; and
                    (C) air traffic management for small unmanned 
                aircraft systems operations.
    (d) System Implementation.--Based on the comprehensive plan under 
subsection (c), including the requirements under paragraph (2) of that 
subsection, and the pilot program under subsection (b), the 
Administrator shall determine the operational need and implementation 
schedule for evolutionary use of automation support systems to separate 
and deconflict manned and unmanned aircraft systems.

SEC. 2139. EMERGENCY EXEMPTION PROCESS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall publish guidance for applications for, and procedures for the 
processing of, on an emergency basis, exemptions or certificates of 
authorization or waiver for the use of unmanned aircraft systems by 
civil or public operators in response to a catastrophe, disaster, or 
other emergency to facilitate emergency response operations, such as 
firefighting, search and rescue, and utility and infrastructure 
restoration efforts. This guidance shall outline procedures for 
operations under both sections 44805 and 44807, of title 49, United 
States Code, with priority given to applications for public unmanned 
aircraft systems engaged in emergency response activities.
    (b) Requirements.--In providing guidance under subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall--
            (1) make explicit any safety requirements that must be met 
        for the consideration of applications that include requests for 
        beyond visual line of sight, nighttime operations, or the 
        suspension of otherwise applicable operating restrictions, 
        consistent with public interest and safety; and
            (2) explicitly state the procedures for coordinating with 
        an incident commander, if any, to ensure operations granted 
        under procedures developed under subsection (a) do not 
        interfere with manned catastrophe, disaster, or other emergency 
        response operations or otherwise impact response efforts.
    (c) Review.--In processing applications on an emergency basis for 
exemptions or certificates of authorization or waiver for unmanned 
aircraft systems operations in response to a catastrophe, disaster, or 
other emergency, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall act on such applications as expeditiously as 
practicable and without requiring public notice and comment.

SEC. 2140. PUBLIC UAS OPERATIONS BY TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS.

    (a) Public UAS Operations by Tribal Governments.--Section 
40102(a)(41) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(F) An unmanned aircraft that is owned and 
                operated by or exclusively leased for at least 90 
                consecutive days by an Indian tribal government (as 
                defined in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford 
                Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
                5122)), except as provided in section 40125(b).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 40125(b) is amended by striking 
``or (D)'' and inserting ``(D), or (F)''.

SEC. 2141. CARRIAGE OF PROPERTY BY SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FOR 
              COMPENSATION OR HIRE.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2136 of this 
Act, is further amended by adding after section 44811 the following:
``Sec. 44812. Carriage of property by small unmanned aircraft systems 
              for compensation or hire
    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue 
a final rule authorizing the carriage of property by operators of small 
unmanned aircraft systems for compensation or hire within the United 
States.
    ``(b) Contents.--The final rule required under subsection (a) shall 
provide for the following:
            ``(1) Small uas air carrier certificate.--The Administrator 
        of the Federal Aviation Administration, at the direction of the 
        Secretary, shall establish a certificate (to be known as a 
        `small UAS air carrier certificate') for persons that undertake 
        directly, by lease, or other arrangement the operation of small 
        unmanned aircraft systems to carry property in air 
        transportation, including commercial fleet operations with 
        highly automated unmanned aircraft systems. The requirements to 
        operate under a small UAS air carrier certificate shall--
                    ``(A) consider the unique characteristics of highly 
                automated, small unmanned aircraft systems; and
                    ``(B) include requirements for the safe operation 
                of small unmanned aircraft systems that, at a minimum, 
                address--
                            ``(i) airworthiness of small unmanned 
                        aircraft systems;
                            ``(ii) qualifications for operators and the 
                        type and nature of the operations; and
                            ``(iii) operating specifications governing 
                        the type and nature of the unmanned aircraft 
                        system air carrier operations.
            ``(2) Small uas air carrier certification process.--The 
        Administrator, at the direction of the Secretary, shall 
        establish a process for the issuance of small UAS air carrier 
        certificates established pursuant to paragraph (1) that is 
        performance-based and ensures required safety levels are met. 
        Such certification process shall consider--
                    ``(A) safety risks and the mitigation of those 
                risks associated with the operation of highly 
                automated, small unmanned aircraft around other manned 
                and unmanned aircraft, and over persons and property on 
                the ground;
                    ``(B) the competencies and compliance programs of 
                manufacturers, operators, and companies that 
                manufacture, operate, or both small unmanned aircraft 
                systems and components; and
                    ``(C) compliance with the requirements established 
                pursuant to paragraph (1).
            ``(3) Small uas air carrier classification.--The Secretary 
        shall develop a classification system for persons issued small 
        UAS air carrier certificates pursuant to this subsection to 
        establish economic authority for the carriage of property by 
        small unmanned aircraft systems for compensation or hire. Such 
        classification shall only require--
                    ``(A) registration with the Department of 
                Transportation; and
                    ``(B) a valid small UAS air carrier certificate 
                issued pursuant to this subsection.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 448, as 
amended by section 2136 of this Act, is further amended by adding after 
the item relating to section 44811 the following:

``44812. Carriage of property by small unmanned aircraft systems for 
                            compensation or hire.''.

SEC. 2142. COLLEGIATE TRAINING INITIATIVE PROGRAM FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 
              SYSTEMS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall establish a Collegiate Training Initiative program 
relating to unmanned aircraft systems by making new agreements or 
continuing existing agreements with institutions of higher education 
(as defined by the Administrator) under which the institutions prepare 
students for careers involving unmanned aircraft systems. The 
Administrator may establish standards for the entry of such 
institutions into the program and for their continued participation in 
the program.
    (b) Unmanned Aircraft System Defined.--In this section, the term 
``unmanned aircraft system'' has the meaning given that term by section 
44801 of title 49, United States Code, as added by section 2121 of this 
Act.

SEC. 2143. INCORPORATION OF FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION OCCUPATIONS 
              RELATING TO UNMANNED AIRCRAFT INTO VETERANS EMPLOYMENT 
              PROGRAMS OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of 
Defense, and the Secretary of Labor, shall determine whether 
occupations of the Administration relating to unmanned aircraft systems 
technology and regulations can be incorporated into the Veterans 
Employment Program of the Administration, particularly in the 
interaction between such program and the New Sights Work Experience 
Program and the Vet-Link Cooperative Education Program.

              PART III--TRANSITION AND SAVINGS PROVISIONS

SEC. 2151. SENIOR ADVISOR FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS INTEGRATION.

    (a) In General.--There shall be in the Federal Aviation 
Administration a Senior Advisor for Unmanned Aircraft Systems 
Integration.
    (b) Qualifications.--The Senior Advisor for Unmanned Aircraft 
Systems Integration shall have a demonstrated ability in management and 
knowledge of or experience in aviation.
    (c) Responsibilities.--Unless otherwise determined by the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration--
            (1) the Senior Advisor shall report directly to the Deputy 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration; and
            (2) the responsibilities of the Senior Advisor shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) Providing advice to the Administrator and 
                Deputy Administrator related to the integration of 
                unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace 
                system.
                    (B) Reviewing and evaluating Federal Aviation 
                Administration policies, activities, and operations 
                related to unmanned aircraft systems.
                    (C) Facilitating coordination and collaboration 
                among components of the Federal Aviation Administration 
                with respect to activities related to unmanned aircraft 
                systems integration.
                    (D) Interacting with Congress, and Federal, State, 
                or local agencies, and stakeholder organizations whose 
                operations and interests are affected by the activities 
                of the Federal Aviation Administration on matters 
                related to unmanned aircraft systems integration.

SEC. 2152. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.

    (a) Federal Preemption.--No State or political subdivision of a 
State may enact or enforce any law, regulation, or other provision 
having the force and effect of law relating to the design, manufacture, 
testing, licensing, registration, certification, operation, or 
maintenance of an unmanned aircraft system, including airspace, 
altitude, flight paths, equipment or technology requirements, purpose 
of operations, and pilot, operator, and observer qualifications, 
training, and certification.
    (b) Preservation of State and Local Authority.--Nothing in this 
subtitle shall be construed to limit a State or local government's 
authority to enforce Federal, State, or local laws relating to 
nuisance, voyeurism, privacy, data security, harassment, reckless 
endangerment, wrongful death, personal injury, property damage, or 
other illegal acts arising from the use of unmanned aircraft systems if 
such laws are not specifically related to the use of an unmanned 
aircraft system.
    (c) No Preemption of Common Law or Statutory Causes of Action.--
Nothing in this subtitle, nor any standard, rule, requirement, standard 
of performance, safety determination, or certification implemented 
pursuant to this subtitle, shall be construed to preempt, displace, or 
supplant any State or Federal common law rights or any State or Federal 
statute creating a remedy for civil relief, including those for civil 
damage, or a penalty for a criminal conduct. Notwithstanding any other 
provision of this subtitle, nothing in this subtitle, nor any 
amendments made by this subtitle, shall preempt or preclude any cause 
of action for personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, or 
other injury based on negligence, strict liability, products liability, 
failure to warn, or any other legal theory of liability under any State 
law, maritime law, or Federal common law or statutory theory.

SEC. 2153. SPECTRUM.

    (a) In General.--Small unmanned aircraft systems may operate 
wireless control link, tracking, diagnostics, payload communication, 
and collaborative-collision avoidance, such as vehicle-to-vehicle 
communication, and other uses, if permitted by and consistent with the 
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.), Federal 
Communications Commission rules, and the safety-of-life determination 
made by the Federal Aviation Administration, and with carrier consent, 
whether they are operating within the UTM system under section 2138 of 
this Act or outside such a system.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, the 
National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the 
Federal Communications Commission, shall submit to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a 
report--
            (1) on whether small unmanned aircraft systems operations 
        should be permitted to operate on spectrum designated for 
        aviation use, on an unlicensed, shared, or exclusive basis, for 
        operations within the UTM system or outside of such a system;
            (2) that addresses any technological, statutory, 
        regulatory, and operational barriers to the use of such 
        spectrum; and
            (3) that, if it is determined that spectrum designated for 
        aviation use is not suitable for operations by small unmanned 
        aircraft systems, includes recommendations of other spectrum 
        frequencies that may be appropriate for such operations.

SEC. 2154. APPLICATIONS FOR DESIGNATION.

    (a) Applications for Designation.--Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation 
shall establish a process to allow applicants to petition the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to prohibit or 
otherwise limit the operation of an aircraft, including an unmanned 
aircraft, over, under, or within a specified distance from a fixed site 
facility.
    (b) Review Process.--
            (1) Application procedures.--
                    (A) In general.--The Administrator shall establish 
                the procedures for the application for designation 
                under subsection (a).
                    (B) Requirements.--The procedures shall--
                            (i) allow individual fixed site facility 
                        applications; and
                            (ii) allow for a group of similar 
                        facilities to apply for a collective 
                        designation.
                    (C) Considerations.--In establishing the 
                procedures, the Administrator shall consider how the 
                process will apply to--
                            (i) critical infrastructure, such as energy 
                        production, transmission, and distribution 
                        facilities and equipment;
                            (ii) oil refineries and chemical 
                        facilities;
                            (iii) amusement parks; and
                            (iv) other locations that may benefit from 
                        such restrictions.
            (2) Determination.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for a 
                determination under the review process established 
                under subsection (a) not later than 90 days from the 
                date of application, unless the applicant is provided 
                with written notice describing the reason for the 
                delay.
                    (B) Affirmative designations.--An affirmative 
                designation shall outline--
                            (i) the boundaries for unmanned aircraft 
                        operation near the fixed site facility; and
                            (ii) such other limitations that the 
                        Administrator determines may be appropriate.
                    (C) Considerations.--In making a determination 
                whether to grant or deny an application for a 
                designation, the Administrator may consider--
                            (i) aviation safety;
                            (ii) personal safety of the uninvolved 
                        public;
                            (iii) national security; or
                            (iv) homeland security.
                    (D) Opportunity for resubmission.--If an 
                application is denied and the applicant can reasonably 
                address the reason for the denial, the Administrator 
                may allow the applicant to reapply for designation.
    (c) Public Information.--Designations under subsection (a) shall be 
published by the Federal Aviation Administration on a publicly 
accessible website.

SEC. 2155. USE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER 
              EDUCATION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall establish procedures and standards, as applicable, 
to facilitate the safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems by 
institutions of higher education, including faculty, students, and 
staff.
    (b) Standards.--The procedures and standards required under 
subsection (a) shall outline risk-based operational parameters to 
ensure the safety of the national airspace system and the uninvolved 
public that facilitates the use of unmanned aircraft systems for 
educational or research purposes.
    (c) Unmanned Aircraft System Approval.--The procedures required 
under subsection (a) shall allow unmanned aircraft systems operated 
under this section to be modified for research purposes without 
iterative approval from the Administrator.
    (d) Additional Procedures.--The Administrator shall establish a 
procedure to provide for streamlined, risk-based operational approval 
for unmanned aircraft systems operated by institutions of higher 
education, including faculty, students, and staff, outside of the 
parameters or purposes set forth in subsection (b).
    (e) Deadlines.--
            (1) In general.--If, by the date that is 270 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator has not set 
        forth standards and procedures required under subsections (a), 
        (b), and (c), an institution of higher education may--
                    (A) without specific approval from the Federal 
                Aviation Administration, operate small unmanned 
                aircraft at model aircraft fields approved by the 
                Academy of Model Aeronautics and with the permission of 
                the local club of the Academy of Model Aeronautics; and
                    (B) submit to the Federal Aviation Administration 
                applications for approval of the institution's 
                designation of 1 or more outdoor flight fields.
            (2) Consequence of failure to approve.--If the 
        Administrator does not take action with respect to an 
        application submitted under paragraph (1)(B) within 30 days of 
        the submission of the application, the failure to do so shall 
        be treated as approval of the application.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given that 
        term by section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001(a)).
            (2) Unmanned aircraft system.--The term ``unmanned aircraft 
        system'' has the meaning given the term in section 44801 of 
        title 49, United States Code, as added by section 2121 of this 
        Act.
            (3) Educational or research purposes.--The term 
        ``educational or research purposes'', with respect to the 
        operation of an unmanned aircraft system by an institution of 
        higher education, includes--
                    (A) instruction of students at the institution;
                    (B) academic or research related use of unmanned 
                aircraft systems by student organizations recognized by 
                the institution, if such use has been approved by the 
                institution;
                    (C) activities undertaken by the institution as 
                part of research projects, including research projects 
                sponsored by the Federal Government; and
                    (D) other academic activities at the institution, 
                including general research, engineering, and robotics.

SEC. 2156. TRANSITION LANGUAGE.

    (a) Regulations.--Notwithstanding the repeals under sections 
2122(b)(2), 2125(b)(2), 2126(b)(2), 2128(b)(2), and 2129(b)(2) of this 
Act, all orders, determinations, rules, regulations, permits, grants, 
and contracts, which have been issued under any law described under 
subsection (b) of this section on or before the effective date of this 
Act shall continue in effect until modified or revoked by the Secretary 
of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, as applicable, by a court of competent 
jurisdiction, or by operation of law other than this Act.
    (b) Laws Described.--The laws described under this subsection are 
as follows:
            (1) Section 332(c) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act 
        of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).
            (2) Section 332(d) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act 
        of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).
            (3) Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 
        2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).
            (4) Section 334 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 
        2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).
            (5) Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 
        2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).
    (c) Effect on Pending Proceedings.--This Act shall not affect 
administrative or judicial proceedings pending on the effective date of 
this Act.

                        PART IV--OPERATOR SAFETY

SEC. 2161. SHORT TITLE.

    This part may be cited as the ``Drone Operator Safety Act''.

SEC. 2162. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    (a) Finding.--Congress finds that educating operators of unmanned 
aircraft about the laws and regulations that govern such aircraft helps 
to ensure their safe operation.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration should continue to 
prioritize the education of operators of unmanned aircraft through 
public outreach efforts like the ``Know Before You Fly'' campaign.

SEC. 2163. UNSAFE OPERATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 2 of title 18, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in section 31--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) by redesignating paragraph (10) as 
                        paragraph (11); and
                            (ii) by inserting after paragraph (9) the 
                        following:
            ``(10) Unmanned aircraft.--The term `unmanned aircraft' has 
        the meaning given such term in section 44801 of title 49.''; 
        and
                    (B) in subsection (b), by inserting ```airport','' 
                before ```appliance'''; and
            (2) by inserting after section 39A the following:
``Sec. 39B. Unsafe operation of unmanned aircraft
    ``(a) Offense.--Any person who operates an unmanned aircraft and, 
in so doing, knowingly or recklessly interferes with, or disrupts the 
operation of, an aircraft carrying 1 or more occupants operating in the 
special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, in a manner that 
poses an imminent safety hazard to such occupants, shall be punished as 
provided in subsection (b).
    ``(b) Penalty.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        punishment for an offense under subsection (a) shall be a fine 
        under this title, imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or 
        both.
            ``(2) Serious bodily injury or death.--Any person who 
        attempts to cause, or knowingly or recklessly causes, serious 
        bodily injury or death during the commission of an offense 
        under subsection (a) shall be fined under this title, 
        imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both.
    ``(c) Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to 
Airports.--
            ``(1) In general.--The operation of an unmanned aircraft 
        within a runway exclusion zone shall be considered a violation 
        of subsection (a) unless such operation is approved by the 
        airport's air traffic control facility or is the result of a 
        circumstance, such as a malfunction, that could not have been 
        reasonably foreseen or prevented by the operator.
            ``(2) Runway exclusion zone defined.--In this subsection, 
        the term `runway exclusion zone' means a rectangular area--
                    ``(A) centered on the centerline of an active 
                runway of an airport immediately around which the 
                airspace is designated as class B, class C, or class D 
                airspace at the surface under part 71 of title 14, Code 
                of Federal Regulations; and
                    ``(B) the length of which extends parallel to the 
                runway's centerline to points that are 1 statute mile 
                from each end of the runway and the width of which is 
                \1/2\ statute mile.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 2 of 
title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 39A the following:

``39B. Unsafe operation of unmanned aircraft.''.

              Subtitle B--FAA Safety Certification Reform

                       PART I--GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 2211. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
            (2) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory Committee'' 
        means the Safety Oversight and Certification Advisory Committee 
        established under section 2212.
            (3) FAA.--The term ``FAA'' means the Federal Aviation 
        Administration.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Transportation.
            (5) Systems safety approach.--The term ``systems safety 
        approach'' means the application of specialized technical and 
        managerial skills to the systematic, forward-looking 
        identification and control of hazards throughout the lifecycle 
        of a project, program, or activity.

SEC. 2212. SAFETY OVERSIGHT AND CERTIFICATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a Safety Oversight 
and Certification Advisory Committee in accordance with this section.
    (b) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall provide advice to the 
Secretary on policy-level issues facing the aviation community that are 
related to FAA safety oversight and certification programs and 
activities, including the following:
            (1) Aircraft and flight standards certification processes, 
        including efforts to streamline those processes.
            (2) Implementation and oversight of safety management 
        systems.
            (3) Risk-based oversight efforts.
            (4) Utilization of delegation and designation authorities, 
        including organization designation authorization.
            (5) Regulatory interpretation standardization efforts.
            (6) Training programs.
            (7) Expediting the rulemaking process and prioritizing 
        safety-related rules.
            (8) Enhancing global competitiveness of U.S. manufactured 
        and FAA type-certificate aircraft products and services 
        throughout the world.
    (c) Functions.--In carrying out its duties under subsection (b) 
related to FAA safety oversight and certification programs and 
activities, the Advisory Committee shall--
            (1) foster aviation stakeholder collaboration in an open 
        and transparent manner;
            (2) consult with, and ensure participation by--
                    (A) the private sector, including representatives 
                of--
                            (i) general aviation;
                            (ii) commercial aviation;
                            (iii) aviation labor;
                            (iv) aviation, aerospace, and avionics 
                        manufacturing; and
                            (v) unmanned aircraft systems industry; and
                    (B) the public;
            (3) recommend consensus national goals, strategic 
        objectives, and priorities for the most efficient, streamlined, 
        and cost-effective safety oversight and certification processes 
        in order to maintain the safety of the aviation system while 
        allowing the FAA to meet future needs and ensure that aviation 
        stakeholders remain competitive in the global marketplace;
            (4) provide policy recommendations for the FAA's safety 
        oversight and certification efforts;
            (5) periodically review and provide recommendations 
        regarding the FAA's safety oversight and certification efforts;
            (6) periodically review and evaluate registration, 
        certification, and related fees;
            (7) provide appropriate legislative, regulatory, and 
        guidance recommendations for the air transportation system and 
        the aviation safety regulatory environment;
            (8) recommend performance objectives for the FAA and 
        aviation industry;
            (9) recommend performance metrics for the FAA and the 
        aviation industry to be tracked and reviewed as streamlining 
        certification reform, flight standards reform, and regulation 
        standardization efforts progress;
            (10) provide a venue for tracking progress toward national 
        goals and sustaining joint commitments;
            (11) recommend recruiting, hiring, staffing levels, 
        training, and continuing education objectives for FAA aviation 
        safety engineers and aviation safety inspectors;
            (12) provide advice and recommendations to the FAA on how 
        to prioritize safety rulemaking projects;
            (13) improve the development of FAA regulations by 
        providing information, advice, and recommendations related to 
        aviation issues;
            (14) encourage the validation of U.S. manufactured and FAA 
        type-certificate aircraft products and services throughout the 
        world; and
            (15) any other functions as determined appropriate by the 
        chairperson of the Advisory Committee and the Administrator.
    (d) Membership.--
            (1) Voting members.--The Advisory Committee shall be 
        composed of the following voting members:
                    (A) The Administrator, or the Administrator's 
                designee.
                    (B) At least 1 representative, appointed by the 
                Secretary, of each of the following:
                            (i) Aircraft and engine manufacturers.
                            (ii) Avionics and equipment manufacturers.
                            (iii) Aviation labor organizations, 
                        including collective bargaining representatives 
                        of FAA aviation safety inspectors and aviation 
                        safety engineers.
                            (iv) General aviation operators.
                            (v) Air carriers.
                            (vi) Business aviation operators.
                            (vii) Unmanned aircraft systems 
                        manufacturers and operators.
                            (viii) Aviation safety management experts.
            (2) Nonvoting members.--
                    (A) In general.--In addition to the members 
                appointed under paragraph (1), the Advisory Committee 
                shall be composed of nonvoting members appointed by the 
                Secretary from among individuals representing FAA 
                safety oversight program offices.
                    (B) Duties.--A nonvoting member may--
                            (i) take part in deliberations of the 
                        Advisory Committee; and
                            (ii) provide input with respect to any 
                        report or recommendation of the Advisory 
                        Committee.
                    (C) Limitation.--A nonvoting member may not 
                represent any stakeholder interest other than that of 
                an FAA safety oversight program office.
            (3) Terms.--Each voting member and nonvoting member of the 
        Advisory Committee shall be appointed for a term of 2 years.
            (4) Rule of construction.--Public Law 104-65 (2 U.S.C. 1601 
        et seq.) may not be construed to prohibit or otherwise limit 
        the appointment of any individual as a member of the Advisory 
        Committee.
    (e) Committee Characteristics.--The Advisory Committee shall have 
the following characteristics:
            (1) Each voting member under subsection (d)(1)(B) shall be 
        an executive that has decision authority within the member's 
        organization and can represent and enter into commitments on 
        behalf of that organization in a way that serves the entire 
        group of organizations that member represents under that 
        subsection.
            (2) The ability to obtain necessary information from 
        experts in the aviation and aerospace communities.
            (3) A membership size that enables the Advisory Committee 
        to have substantive discussions and reach consensus on issues 
        in an expeditious manner.
            (4) Appropriate expertise, including expertise in 
        certification and risk-based safety oversight processes, 
        operations, policy, technology, labor relations, training, and 
        finance.
    (f) Chairperson.--
            (1) In general.--The chairperson of the Advisory Committee 
        shall be appointed by the Secretary from among the voting 
        members under subsection (d)(1)(B).
            (2) Term.--Each member appointed under paragraph (1) shall 
        serve a term of 2 years as chairperson.
    (g) Meetings.--
            (1) Frequency.--The Advisory Committee shall convene at 
        least 2 meetings a year at the call of the chairperson.
            (2) Public attendance.--Each meeting of the Advisory 
        Committee shall be open and accessible to the public.
    (h) Special Committees.--
            (1) Establishment.--The Advisory Committee may establish 1 
        or more special committees composed of private sector 
        representatives, members of the public, labor representatives, 
        and other relevant parties in complying with consultation and 
        participation requirements under subsection (c)(2).
            (2) Rulemaking advice.--A special committee established by 
        the Advisory Committee may--
                    (A) provide rulemaking advice and recommendations 
                to the Advisory Committee;
                    (B) provide the FAA additional opportunities to 
                obtain firsthand information and insight from those 
                persons that are most affected by existing and proposed 
                regulations; and
                    (C) assist in expediting the development, revision, 
                or elimination of rules in accordance with, and without 
                circumventing, established public rulemaking processes 
                and procedures.
            (3) Federal advisory committee act.--The Federal Advisory 
        Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to a special 
        committee under this subsection.
    (i) Sunset.--The Advisory Committee shall cease to exist on 
September 30, 2017.

                 PART II--AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION REFORM

SEC. 2221. AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES AND METRICS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date the 
Advisory Committee is established under section 2212, the Administrator 
shall establish performance objectives and apply and track performance 
metrics for the FAA and the aviation industry relating to aircraft 
certification in accordance with this section.
    (b) Collaboration.--The Administrator shall carry out this section 
in collaboration with the Advisory Committee and update agency 
performance objectives and metrics after considering the proposals 
recommended by the Advisory Committee under paragraphs (8) and (9) of 
section 2212(c).
    (c) Performance Objectives.--In establishing performance objectives 
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure progress is made 
toward, at a minimum--
            (1) eliminating certification delays and improving cycle 
        times;
            (2) increasing accountability for both FAA and the aviation 
        industry;
            (3) achieving full utilization of FAA delegation and 
        designation authorities, including organizational designation 
        authorization;
            (4) fully implementing risk management principles and a 
        systems safety approach;
            (5) reducing duplication of effort;
            (6) increasing transparency;
            (7) developing and providing training, including recurrent 
        training, in auditing and a systems safety approach to 
        certification oversight;
            (8) improving the process for approving or accepting the 
        certification actions between the FAA and bilateral partners;
            (9) maintaining and improving safety;
            (10) streamlining the hiring process for--
                    (A) qualified systems safety engineers at staffing 
                levels to support the FAA's efforts to implement a 
                systems safety approach; and
                    (B) qualified systems safety engineers to guide the 
                engineering of complex systems within the FAA; and
            (11) maintaining the leadership of the United States in 
        international aviation and aerospace.
    (d) Performance Metrics.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall--
            (1) apply and track performance metrics for the FAA and the 
        aviation industry; and
            (2) transmit to the appropriate committees of Congress an 
        annual report on tracking the progress toward full 
        implementation of the recommendations under section 2212.
    (e) Data.--
            (1) Baselines.--Not later than 1 year after the date the 
        Advisory Committee recommends initial performance metrics under 
        section 2212(c)(9), the Administrator shall generate initial 
        data with respect to each of the performance metrics applied 
        and tracked under this section.
            (2) Benchmarks.--The Administrator shall use the 
        performance metrics applied and tracked under this section to 
        generate data on an ongoing basis and to measure progress 
        toward the consensus national goals, strategic objectives, and 
        priorities recommended under section 2212(c)(3).
    (f) Publication.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the 
        Administrator shall make data generated using the performance 
        metrics applied and tracked under this section available in a 
        searchable, sortable, and downloadable format through the 
        Internet Web site of the FAA or other appropriate methods.
            (2) Limitations.--The Administrator shall make the data 
        under paragraph (1) available in a manner that--
                    (A) protects from disclosure identifying 
                information regarding an individual or entity; and
                    (B) protects from inappropriate disclosure 
                proprietary information.

SEC. 2222. ORGANIZATION DESIGNATION AUTHORIZATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 447 is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
``Sec. 44736. Organization designation authorizations
    ``(a) Delegations of Functions.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), in 
        the oversight of an ODA holder, the Administrator of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration, in accordance with Federal 
        Aviation Administration standards, shall--
                    ``(A) require, based on an application submitted by 
                the ODA holder and approved by the Administrator (or 
                the Administrator's designee), a procedures manual that 
                addresses all procedures and limitations regarding the 
                specified functions to be performed by the ODA holder 
                subject to regulations prescribed by the Administrator;
                    ``(B) delegate fully to the ODA holder each of the 
                functions specified in the procedures manual, unless 
                the Administrator determines, after the date of the 
                delegation and as a result of an inspection or other 
                investigation, that the public interest and safety of 
                air commerce requires a limitation with respect to 1 or 
                more of the functions; and
                    ``(C) conduct oversight activities, including by 
                inspecting the ODA holder's delegated functions and 
                taking action based on validated inspection findings.
            ``(2) Duties of oda holders.--An ODA holder shall--
                    ``(A) perform each specified function delegated to 
                the ODA holder in accordance with the approved 
                procedures manual for the delegation;
                    ``(B) make the procedures manual available to each 
                member of the appropriate ODA unit; and
                    ``(C) cooperate fully with oversight activities 
                conducted by the Administrator in connection with the 
                delegation.
            ``(3) Existing oda holders.--With regard to an ODA holder 
        operating under a procedures manual approved by the 
        Administrator before the date of enactment of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016, the 
        Administrator shall--
                    ``(A) at the request of the ODA holder, and in an 
                expeditious manner, consider revisions to the ODA 
                holder's procedures manual;
                    ``(B) delegate fully to the ODA holder each of the 
                functions specified in the procedures manual, unless 
                the Administrator determines, after the date of the 
                delegation and as a result of an inspection or other 
                investigation, that the public interest and safety of 
                air commerce requires a limitation with respect to 1 or 
                more of the functions; and
                    ``(C) conduct oversight activities, including by 
                inspecting the ODA holder's delegated functions and 
                taking action based on validated inspection findings.
    ``(b) ODA Office.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the 
        date of enactment of Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2016, the Administrator shall identify, 
        within the Office of Aviation Safety, a centralized policy 
        office to be responsible for the organization designation 
        authorization (referred to in this subsection as the ODA 
        Office). The Director of the ODA Office shall report to the 
        Director of the Aircraft Certification Service.
            ``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the ODA Office shall be to 
        provide oversight and ensure consistency of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration audit functions under the ODA program 
        across the agency.
            ``(3) Functions.--The ODA Office shall--
                    ``(A)(i) at the request of an ODA holder, eliminate 
                all limitations specified in a procedures manual in 
                place on the date of enactment of the Federal Aviation 
                Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016 that are low 
                and medium risk as determined by a risk analysis using 
                criteria established by the ODA Office and disclosed to 
                the ODA holder, except where an ODA holder's 
                performance warrants the retention of a specific 
                limitation due to documented concerns about inadequate 
                current performance in carrying out that authorized 
                function;
                    ``(ii) require an ODA holder to establish a 
                corrective action plan to regain authority for any 
                retained limitations;
                    ``(iii) require an ODA holder to notify the ODA 
                Office when all corrective actions have been 
                accomplished;
                    ``(iv) make a reassessment to determine if 
                subsequent performance in carrying out any retained 
                limitation warrants continued retention and, if such 
                reassessment determines performance meets objectives, 
                lift such limitation immediately;
                    ``(B) improve the Administration and the ODA holder 
                performance and ensure full use of the authorities 
                delegated under the ODA program;
                    ``(C) develop a more consistent approach to audit 
                priorities, procedures, and training under the ODA 
                program;
                    ``(D) expeditiously review a random sample of 
                limitations on delegated authorities under the ODA 
                program to determine if the limitations are 
                appropriate;
                    ``(E) review and approve new limitations to ODA 
                functions; and
                    ``(F) ensure national consistency in the 
                interpretation and application of the requirements of 
                the ODA program, including any limitations, and in the 
                performance of the ODA program.
    ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) ODA or organization designation authorization.--The 
        term `ODA' or `organization designation authorization' means an 
        authorization under section 44702(d) to perform approved 
        functions on behalf of the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration under subpart D of part 183 of title 
        14, Code of Federal Regulations.
            ``(2) ODA holder.--The term `ODA holder' means an entity 
        authorized under section 44702(d)--
                    ``(A) to which the Administrator of the Federal 
                Aviation Administration issues an ODA letter of 
                designation under subpart D of part 183 of title 14, 
                Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding 
                similar regulation or ruling); and
                    ``(B) that is responsible for administering 1 or 
                more ODA units.
            ``(3) ODA program.--The term `ODA program' means the 
        program to standardize Federal Aviation Administration 
        management and oversight of the organizations that are approved 
        to perform certain functions on behalf of the Administration 
        under section 44702(d).
            ``(4) ODA unit.--The term `ODA unit' means a group of 2 or 
        more individuals under the supervision of an ODA holder who 
        perform the specified functions under an ODA.
            ``(5) Organization.--The term `organization' means a firm, 
        a partnership, a corporation, a company, an association, a 
        joint-stock association, or a governmental entity.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The table of contents of 
chapter 447 is amended by adding after the item relating to section 
44735 the following:

``44736. Organization designation authorizations.''.

SEC. 2223. ODA REVIEW.

    (a) Expert Review Panel.--
            (1) Establishment.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the FAA shall 
        convene a multidisciplinary expert review panel (referred to in 
        this section as the ``Panel'').
            (2) Composition.--
                    (A) In general.--The Panel shall be composed of not 
                more than 20 members appointed by the Administrator.
                    (B) Qualifications.--The members appointed to the 
                Panel shall--
                            (i) each have a minimum of 5 years of 
                        experience in processes and procedures under 
                        the ODA program; and
                            (ii) include representatives of ODA 
                        holders, aviation manufacturers, safety 
                        experts, and FAA labor organizations, including 
                        labor representatives of FAA aviation safety 
                        inspectors and aviation safety engineers.
    (b) Survey.--The Panel shall survey ODA holders and ODA program 
applicants to document FAA safety oversight and certification programs 
and activities, including the FAA's use of the ODA program and the 
speed and efficiency of the certification process. In carrying out this 
subsection, the Administrator shall consult with the appropriate survey 
experts and the Panel to best design and conduct the survey.
    (c) Assessment.--The Panel shall--
            (1) conduct an assessment of--
                    (A) the FAA's processes and procedures under the 
                ODA program and whether the processes and procedures 
                function as intended;
                    (B) the best practices of and lessons learned by 
                ODA holders and the FAA personnel who provide oversight 
                of ODA holders;
                    (C) the performance incentive policies, related to 
                the ODA program for FAA personnel, that do not conflict 
                with the public interest;
                    (D) the training activities related to the ODA 
                program for FAA personnel and ODA holders; and
                    (E) the impact, if any, that oversight of the ODA 
                program has on FAA resources and the FAA's ability to 
                process applications for certifications outside of the 
                ODA program; and
            (2) make recommendations for improving FAA safety oversight 
        and certification programs and activities based on the results 
        of the survey under subsection (b) and each element of the 
        assessment under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date the Panel is 
convened under subsection (a), the Panel shall submit to the 
Administrator, the Advisory Committee established under section 2212, 
and the appropriate committees of Congress a report on results of the 
survey under subsection (b) and the assessment and recommendations 
under subsection (c).
    (e) Definitions.--The terms used in this section have the meanings 
given the terms in section 44736 of title 49, United States Code.
    (f) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Panel.
    (g) Sunset.--The Panel shall terminate on the date the report is 
submitted under subsection (d).

SEC. 2224. TYPE CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION PROCESS.

    (a) In General.--Section 44704(a) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
            ``(6) Type certification resolution process.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 15 months after 
                the date of enactment of Federal Aviation 
                Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016, the 
                Administrator shall establish an effective, 
                expeditious, and milestone-based issue resolution 
                process for type certification activities under this 
                subsection.
                    ``(B) Process requirements.--The resolution process 
                shall provide for--
                            ``(i) the resolution of technical issues at 
                        preestablished stages of the certification 
                        process, as agreed to by the Administrator and 
                        the type certificate applicant;
                            ``(ii) the automatic escalation to 
                        appropriate management personnel of the Federal 
                        Aviation Administration and the type 
                        certificate applicant of any major 
                        certification process milestone that is not 
                        completed or resolved within a specific period 
                        of time agreed to by the Administrator and the 
                        type certificate applicant; and
                            ``(iii) the resolution of a major 
                        certification process milestone escalated under 
                        clause (ii) within a specific period of time 
                        agreed to by the Administrator and the type 
                        certificate applicant.
                    ``(C) Definition of major certification process 
                milestone.--In this paragraph, the term `major 
                certification process milestone' means a milestone 
                related to a type certification basis, type 
                certification plan, type inspection authorization, 
                issue paper, or other major type certification activity 
                agreed to by the Administrator and the type certificate 
                applicant.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Section 44704 is amended 
in the heading by striking ``airworthiness certificates,,'' and 
inserting ``airworthiness certificates,''.

SEC. 2225. SAFETY ENHANCING TECHNOLOGIES FOR SMALL GENERAL AVIATION 
              AIRPLANES.

    (a) Policy.--In a manner consistent with the Small Airplane 
Revitalization Act of 2013 (49 U.S.C. 44704 note), not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
establish and begin implementing a risk-based policy that streamlines 
the installation of safety enhancing technologies for small general 
aviation airplanes in a manner that reduces regulatory delays and 
significantly improves safety.
    (b) Inclusions.--The safety enhancing technologies for small 
general aviation airplanes described in subsection (a) shall include, 
at a minimum, the replacement or retrofit of primary flight displays, 
auto pilots, engine monitors, and navigation equipment.
    (c) Collaboration.--In carrying out this section, the Administrator 
shall collaborate with general aviation operators, general aviation 
manufacturers, and appropriate FAA labor organizations, including 
representatives of FAA aviation safety inspectors and aviation safety 
engineers, certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code.
    (d) Definition of Small General Aviation Airplane.--In this 
section, the term ``small general aviation airplane'' means an airplane 
that--
            (1) is certified to the standards of part 23 of title 14, 
        Code of Federal Regulations;
            (2) has a seating capacity of not more than 9 passengers; 
        and
            (3) is not used in scheduled passenger-carrying operations 
        under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 2226. STREAMLINING CERTIFICATION OF SMALL GENERAL AVIATION 
              AIRPLANES.

    (a) Final Rulemaking.--Not later than December 31, 2016, the 
Administrator shall issue a final rulemaking to comply with section 3 
of the Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013 (49 U.S.C. 44704 
note).
    (b) Government Review.--The Federal Government's review process 
shall be streamlined to meet the deadline in subsection (a).

                   PART III--FLIGHT STANDARDS REFORM

SEC. 2231. FLIGHT STANDARDS PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES AND METRICS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date the 
Advisory Committee is established under section 2212, the Administrator 
shall establish performance objectives and apply and track performance 
metrics for the FAA and the aviation industry relating to flight 
standards activities in accordance with this section.
    (b) Collaboration.--The Administrator shall carry out this section 
in collaboration with the Advisory Committee and update agency 
performance objectives and metrics after considering the 
recommendations of the Advisory Committee under paragraphs (8) and (9) 
of section 2212(c).
    (c) Performance Objectives.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall ensure that progress is made toward, at a minimum--
            (1) eliminating delays with respect to such activities;
            (2) increasing accountability for both FAA and the aviation 
        industry;
            (3) fully implementing risk management principles and a 
        systems safety approach;
            (4) reducing duplication of effort;
            (5) promoting appropriate compliance activities and 
        eliminating inconsistent regulatory interpretations and 
        inconsistent enforcement activities;
            (6) improving and providing greater opportunities for 
        training, including recurrent training, in auditing and a 
        systems safety approach to oversight;
            (7) developing and allowing the use of a single master 
        source for guidance;
            (8) providing and using a streamlined appeal process for 
        the resolution of regulatory interpretation questions;
            (9) maintaining and improving safety; and
            (10) increasing transparency.
    (d) Performance Metrics.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall--
            (1) apply and track performance metrics for the FAA and the 
        aviation industry; and
            (2) transmit to the appropriate committees of Congress an 
        annual report tracking the progress toward full implementation 
        of the performance metrics under section 2212.
    (e) Data.--
            (1) Baselines.--Not later than 1 year after the date the 
        Advisory Committee recommends initial performance metrics under 
        section 2212(c)(9), the Administrator shall generate initial 
        data with respect to each of the performance metrics applied 
        and tracked that are approved based on the recommendations 
        required under this section.
            (2) Benchmarks.--The Administrator shall use the 
        performance metrics applied and tracked under this section to 
        generate data on an ongoing basis and to measure progress 
        toward the consensus national goals, strategic objectives, and 
        priorities recommended under section 2212(c)(3).
    (f) Publication.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the 
        Administrator shall make data generated using the performance 
        metrics applied and tracked under this section available in a 
        searchable, sortable, and downloadable format through the 
        Internet Web site of the FAA or other appropriate methods.
            (2) Limitations.--The Administrator shall make the data 
        under paragraph (1) available in a manner that--
                    (A) protects from disclosure identifying 
                information regarding an individual or entity; and
                    (B) protects from inappropriate disclosure 
                proprietary information.

SEC. 2232. FAA TASK FORCE ON FLIGHT STANDARDS REFORM.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish the FAA Task 
Force on Flight Standards Reform (referred to in this section as the 
``Task Force'').
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Appointment.--The membership of the Task Force shall be 
        appointed by the Administrator.
            (2) Number.--The Task Force shall be composed of not more 
        than 20 members.
            (3) Representation requirements.--The membership of the 
        Task Force shall include representatives, with knowledge of 
        flight standards regulatory processes and requirements, of--
                    (A) air carriers;
                    (B) general aviation;
                    (C) business aviation;
                    (D) repair stations;
                    (E) unmanned aircraft systems operators;
                    (F) flight schools;
                    (G) labor unions, including those representing FAA 
                aviation safety inspectors and those representing FAA 
                aviation safety engineers; and
                    (H) aviation safety experts.
    (c) Duties.--The duties of the Task Force shall include, at a 
minimum, identifying cost-effective best practices and providing 
recommendations with respect to--
            (1) simplifying and streamlining flight standards 
        regulatory processes;
            (2) reorganizing the Flight Standards Service to establish 
        an entity organized by function rather than geographic region, 
        if appropriate;
            (3) FAA aviation safety inspector training opportunities;
            (4) FAA aviation safety inspector standards and 
        performance; and
            (5) achieving, across the FAA, consistent--
                    (A) regulatory interpretations; and
                    (B) application of oversight activities.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Task Force shall submit to the Administrator, Advisory 
Committee established under section 2212, and appropriate committees of 
Congress a report detailing--
            (1) the best practices identified and recommendations 
        provided by the Task Force under subsection (c); and
            (2) any recommendations of the Task Force for additional 
        regulatory action or cost-effective legislative action.
    (e) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Task Force.
    (f) Sunset.--The Task Force shall cease to exist on the date that 
the Task Force submits the report required under subsection (d).

SEC. 2233. CENTRALIZED SAFETY GUIDANCE DATABASE.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the FAA shall establish a 
centralized safety guidance database for all of the regulatory guidance 
issued by the FAA Office of Aviation Safety regarding compliance with 1 
or more aviation safety-related provisions of the Code of Federal 
Regulations.
    (b) Requirements.--The database under subsection (a) shall--
            (1) for each guidance, include a link to the specific 
        provision of the Code of Federal Regulations;
            (2) subject to paragraph (3), be accessible to the public; 
        and
            (3) be provided in a manner that--
                    (A) protects from disclosure identifying 
                information regarding an individual or entity; and
                    (B) protects from inappropriate disclosure 
                proprietary information.
    (c) Data Entry Timing.--
            (1) Existing documents.--Not later than 14 months after the 
        date the database is established, the Administrator shall have 
        completed entering into the database any applicable regulatory 
        guidance that are in effect and were issued before that date.
            (2) New regulatory guidance and updates.--Beginning on the 
        date the database is established, the Administrator shall 
        ensure that any applicable regulatory guidance that are issued 
        on or after that date are entered into the database as they are 
        issued.
    (d) Consultation Requirement.--In establishing the database under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult and collaborate with 
appropriate stakeholders, including labor organizations (including 
those representing aviation workers, FAA aviation safety engineers, and 
FAA aviation safety inspectors) and aviation industry stakeholders.
    (e) Definition of Regulatory Guidance.--In this section, the term 
``regulatory guidance'' means all forms of written information issued 
by the FAA that an individual or entity may use to interpret or apply 
FAA regulations and requirements, including information an individual 
or entity may use to determine acceptable means of compliance with such 
regulations and requirements, such as an order, manual, circular, 
policy statement, legal interpretation memorandum, and rulemaking 
documents.

SEC. 2234. REGULATORY CONSISTENCY COMMUNICATIONS BOARD.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the FAA shall establish a 
Regulatory Consistency Communications Board (referred to in this 
section as the ``Board'').
    (b) Consultation Requirement.--In establishing the Board, the 
Administrator shall consult and collaborate with appropriate 
stakeholders, including FAA labor organizations (including labor 
organizations representing FAA aviation safety inspectors and labor 
organizations representing FAA aviation safety engineers) and aviation 
industry stakeholders.
    (c) Membership.--The Board shall be composed of FAA 
representatives, appointed by the Administrator, from--
            (1) the Flight Standards Service;
            (2) the Aircraft Certification Service; and
            (3) the Office of the Chief Counsel.
    (d) Functions.--The Board shall carry out the following functions:
            (1) Recommend, at a minimum, processes by which--
                    (A) FAA personnel and persons regulated by the FAA 
                may submit regulatory interpretation questions without 
                fear of retaliation;
                    (B) FAA personnel may submit written questions as 
                to whether a previous approval or regulatory 
                interpretation issued by FAA personnel in another 
                office or region is correct or incorrect; and
                    (C) any other person may submit anonymous 
                regulatory interpretation questions.
            (2) Meet on a regular basis to discuss and resolve 
        questions submitted under paragraph (1) and the appropriate 
        application of regulations and policy with respect to each 
        question.
            (3) Provide to a person that submitted a question under 
        subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) an 
        expeditious written response to the question.
            (4) Recommend a process to make the resolution of common 
        regulatory interpretation questions publicly available to FAA 
        personnel and the public in a manner that--
                    (A) does not reveal any identifying data of the 
                person that submitted a question; and
                    (B) protects any proprietary information.
            (5) Ensure that responses to questions under this 
        subsection are incorporated into regulatory guidance (as 
        defined in section 2233(e)).
    (e) Performance Metrics, Timelines, and Goals.--Not later than 180 
days after the date that the Advisory Committee recommends performance 
objectives and performance metrics for the FAA and the aviation 
industry under paragraphs (8) and (9) of section 2212(c), the 
Administrator, in collaboration with the Advisory Committee, shall--
            (1) establish performance metrics, timelines, and goals to 
        measure the progress of the Board in resolving regulatory 
        interpretation questions submitted under subsection (d)(1); and
            (2) implement a process for tracking the progress of the 
        Board in meeting the performance metrics, timelines, and goals 
        under paragraph (1).

SEC. 2235. FLIGHT STANDARDS SERVICE REALIGNMENT FEASIBILITY REPORT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with relevant industry 
stakeholders, shall--
            (1) determine the feasibility of realigning flight 
        standards service regional field offices to specialized areas 
        of aviation safety oversight and technical expertise; and
            (2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
        report on the findings under paragraph (1).
    (b) Considerations.--In making a determination under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall consider a flight standards service 
regional field office providing support in the area of its technical 
expertise to flight standards district offices and certificate 
management offices.

SEC. 2236. ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATION RESOURCES.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and 
subject to the requirements of subsection (b), the Administrator may 
enter into a reimbursable agreement with an applicant or certificate 
holder for the reasonable travel and per diem expenses of the FAA 
associated with official travel to expedite the acceptance or 
validation by a foreign authority of an FAA certificate or design 
approval.
    (b) Conditions.--The Administrator may enter into an agreement 
under subsection (a) only if--
            (1) the travel covered under the agreement is determined to 
        be necessary, by both the Administrator and the applicant or 
        certificate holder, to expedite the acceptance or validation of 
        the relevant certificate or approval;
            (2) the travel is conducted at the request of the applicant 
        or certificate holder;
            (3) the travel plans and expenses are approved by the 
        applicant or certificate holder prior to travel; and
            (4) the agreement requires payment in advance of FAA 
        services and is consistent with the processes under section 
        106(l)(6) of title 49, United States Code.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on--
            (1) the number of occasions on which the Administrator 
        entered into reimbursable agreements under this section;
            (2) the number of occasions on which the Administrator 
        declined a request by an applicant or certificate holder to 
        enter into a reimbursable agreement under this section;
            (3) the amount of reimbursements collected in accordance 
        with agreements under this section; and
            (4) the extent to which reimbursable agreements under this 
        section assisted in reducing the amount of time necessary for 
        foreign authorities' validations of FAA certificates and design 
        approvals.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Applicant.--The term ``applicant'' means a person that 
        has applied to a foreign authority for the acceptance or 
        validation of an FAA certificate or design approval.
            (2) Certificate holder.--The term ``certificate holder'' 
        means a person that holds a certificate issued by the 
        Administrator under part 21 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations.

                       PART IV--SAFETY WORKFORCE

SEC. 2241. SAFETY WORKFORCE TRAINING STRATEGY.

    (a) Safety Workforce Training Strategy.--Not later than 60 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the FAA 
shall review and revise its safety workforce training strategy to 
ensure that it--
            (1) aligns with an effective risk-based approach to safety 
        oversight;
            (2) best utilizes available resources;
            (3) allows FAA employees participating in organization 
        management teams or conducting ODA program audits to complete, 
        expeditiously, appropriate training, including recurrent 
        training, in auditing and a systems safety approach to 
        oversight;
            (4) seeks knowledge-sharing opportunities between the FAA 
        and the aviation industry in new technologies, best practices, 
        and other areas of interest related to safety oversight;
            (5) fosters an inspector and engineer workforce that has 
        the skills and training necessary to improve risk-based 
        approaches that focus on requirements management and auditing 
        skills; and
            (6) includes, as appropriate, milestones and metrics for 
        meeting the requirements of paragraphs (1) through (5).
    (b) Report.--Not later that 270 days after the date the strategy is 
established under subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the implementation of 
the strategy and progress in meeting any milestones or metrics included 
in the strategy.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) ODA holder.--The term ``ODA holder'' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 44736 of title 49, United States 
        Code.
            (2) ODA program.--The term ``ODA program'' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 44736(c)(3) of title 49, United 
        States Code, as added by this Act.
            (3) Organization management team.--The term ``organization 
        management team'' means a group of FAA employees consisting of 
        FAA aviation safety engineers, flight test pilots, and aviation 
        safety inspectors overseeing an ODA holder and its specified 
        function delegated under section 44702 of title 49, United 
        States Code.

SEC. 2242. WORKFORCE STUDY.

    (a) Workforce Study.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall conduct a study to assess the workforce and training needs of the 
Office of Aviation Safety of the Federal Aviation Administration and 
take into consideration how those needs could be met.
    (b) Contents.--The study under subsection (a) shall include--
            (1) a review of the current staffing levels and 
        requirements for hiring and training, including recurrent 
        training, of aviation safety inspectors and aviation safety 
        engineers;
            (2) an analysis of the skills and qualifications required 
        of aviation safety inspectors and aviation safety engineers for 
        successful performance in the current and future projected 
        aviation safety regulatory environment, including an analysis 
        of the need for a systems engineering discipline within the 
        Federal Aviation Administration to guide the engineering of 
        complex systems, with an emphasis on auditing an ODA holder (as 
        defined in section 44736(c) of title 49, United States Code);
            (3) a review of current performance incentive policies of 
        the Federal Aviation Administration, as applied to the Office 
        of Aviation Safety, including awards for performance;
            (4) an analysis of ways the Federal Aviation Administration 
        can work with the aviation industry and FAA labor force to 
        establish knowledge-sharing opportunities between the Federal 
        Aviation Administration and the aviation industry in new 
        technologies, best practices, and other areas that could 
        improve the aviation safety regulatory system; and
            (5) recommendations on the best and most cost-effective 
        approaches to address the needs of the current and future 
        projected aviation safety regulatory system, including 
        qualifications, training programs, and performance incentives 
        for relevant agency personnel.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on the results of the study required 
under subsection (a).

                     PART V--INTERNATIONAL AVIATION

SEC. 2251. PROMOTION OF UNITED STATES AEROSPACE STANDARDS, PRODUCTS, 
              AND SERVICES ABROAD.

    Section 40104 is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Promotion of United States Aerospace Standards, Products, and 
Services Abroad.--The Secretary shall take appropriate actions--
            ``(1) to promote United States aerospace-related safety 
        standards abroad;
            ``(2) to facilitate and vigorously defend approvals of 
        United States aerospace products and services abroad;
            ``(3) with respect to bilateral partners, to use bilateral 
        safety agreements and other mechanisms to improve validation of 
        United States type certificated aeronautical products and 
        services and enhance mutual acceptance in order to eliminate 
        redundancies and unnecessary costs; and
            ``(4) with respect to the aeronautical safety authorities 
        of a foreign country, to streamline that country's validation 
        of United States aerospace standards, products, and 
        services.''.

SEC. 2252. BILATERAL EXCHANGES OF SAFETY OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITIES.

    Section 44701(e) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Foreign airworthiness directives.--
                    ``(A) Acceptance.--The Administrator shall accept 
                an airworthiness directive (as defined in section 39.3 
                of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations) issued by an 
                aeronautical safety authority of a foreign country, and 
                leverage that aeronautical safety authority's 
                regulatory process, if--
                            ``(i) the country is the state of design 
                        for the product that is the subject of the 
                        airworthiness directive;
                            ``(ii) the United States has a bilateral 
                        safety agreement relating to aircraft 
                        certification with the country;
                            ``(iii) as part of the bilateral safety 
                        agreement with the country, the Administrator 
                        has determined that the aeronautical safety 
                        authority has an aircraft certification system 
                        relating to safety that produces a level of 
                        safety equivalent to the level produced by the 
                        system of the Federal Aviation Administration; 
                        and
                            ``(iv) the aeronautical safety authority 
                        utilizes an open and transparent public notice 
                        and comment process in the issuance of 
                        airworthiness directives.
                    ``(B) Alternative approval process.--
                Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Administrator may 
                issue a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness 
                directive instead of accepting the airworthiness 
                directive issued by the aeronautical safety authority 
                of a foreign country if the Administrator determines 
                that such issuance is necessary for safety or 
                operational reasons due to the complexity or unique 
                features of the Federal Aviation Administration 
                airworthiness directive or the United States aviation 
                system.
                    ``(C) Alternative means of compliance.--The 
                Administrator may--
                            ``(i) accept an alternative means of 
                        compliance, with respect to an airworthiness 
                        directive under subparagraph (A), that was 
                        approved by the aeronautical safety authority 
                        of the foreign country that issued the 
                        airworthiness directive; or
                            ``(ii) notwithstanding subparagraph (A), 
                        and at the request of any person affected by an 
                        airworthiness directive under that 
                        subparagraph, the Administrator may approve an 
                        alternative means of compliance with respect to 
                        the airworthiness directive.''.

SEC. 2253. FAA LEADERSHIP ABROAD.

    (a) In General.--To promote United States aerospace safety 
standards, reduce redundant regulatory activity, and facilitate 
acceptance of FAA design and production approvals abroad, the 
Administrator shall--
            (1) attain greater expertise in issues related to dispute 
        resolution, intellectual property, and export control laws to 
        better support FAA certification and other aerospace regulatory 
        activities abroad;
            (2) work with United States companies to more accurately 
        track the amount of time it takes foreign authorities, 
        including bilateral partners, to validate United States type 
        certificated aeronautical products;
            (3) provide assistance to United States companies who have 
        experienced significantly long foreign validation wait times;
            (4) work with foreign authorities, including bilateral 
        partners, to collect and analyze data to determine the 
        timeliness of the acceptance and validation of FAA design and 
        production approvals by foreign authorities and the acceptance 
        and validation of foreign-certified products by the FAA;
            (5) establish appropriate benchmarks and metrics to measure 
        the success of bilateral aviation safety agreements and to 
        reduce the validation time for United States type certificated 
        aeronautical products abroad; and
            (6) work with foreign authorities, including bilateral 
        partners, to improve the timeliness of the acceptance and 
        validation of FAA design and production approvals by foreign 
        authorities and the acceptance and validation of foreign-
        certified products by the FAA.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report that--
            (1) describes the Administrator's strategic plan for 
        international engagement;
            (2) describes the structure and responsibilities of all FAA 
        offices that have international responsibilities, including the 
        Aircraft Certification Office, and all the activities conducted 
        by those offices related to certification and production;
            (3) describes current and forecasted staffing and travel 
        needs for the FAA's international engagement activities, 
        including the needs of the Aircraft Certification Office in the 
        current and forecasted budgetary environment;
            (4) provides recommendations, if appropriate, to improve 
        the existing structure and personnel and travel policies 
        supporting the FAA's international engagement activities, 
        including the activities of the Aviation Certification Office, 
        to better support the growth of United States aerospace 
        exports; and
            (5) identifies policy initiatives, regulatory initiatives, 
        or cost-effective legislative initiatives needed to improve and 
        enhance the timely acceptance of United States aerospace 
        products abroad.
    (c) International Travel.--The Administrator of the FAA, or the 
Administrator's designee, may authorize international travel for any 
FAA employee, without the approval of any other person or entity, if 
the Administrator determines that the travel is necessary--
            (1) to promote United States aerospace safety standards; or
            (2) to support expedited acceptance of FAA design and 
        production approvals.

SEC. 2254. REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, AND RELATED FEES.

    Section 45305 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by striking ``Subject to subsection 
        (b)'' and inserting ``Subject to subsection (c)'';
            (2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections 
        (c) and (d), respectively; and
            (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
    ``(b) Certification Services.--Subject to subsection (c), and 
notwithstanding section 45301(a), the Administrator may establish and 
collect a fee from a foreign government or entity for services related 
to certification, regardless of where the services are provided, if the 
fee--
            ``(1) is established and collected in a manner consistent 
        with aviation safety agreements; and
            ``(2) does not exceed the estimated costs of the 
        services.''.

          Subtitle C--Airline Passenger Safety and Protections

SEC. 2301. PILOT RECORDS DATABASE DEADLINE.

    Section 44703(i)(2) is amended by striking ``The Administrator 
shall establish'' and inserting ``Not later than April 30, 2017, the 
Administrator shall establish and make available for use''.

SEC. 2302. ACCESS TO AIR CARRIER FLIGHT DECKS.

    The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
collaborate with other aviation authorities to advance a global 
standard for access to air carrier flight decks and redundancy 
requirements consistent with the flight deck access and redundancy 
requirements in the United States.

SEC. 2303. AIRCRAFT TRACKING AND FLIGHT DATA.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall assess current performance standards, and as appropriate, conduct 
a rulemaking to revise the standards to improve near-term and long-term 
aircraft tracking and flight data recovery, including retrieval, 
access, and protection of such data after an incident or accident.
    (b) Considerations.--In revising the performance standards under 
subsection (a), the Administrator may consider--
            (1) various methods for improving detection and retrieval 
        of flight data, including--
                    (A) low frequency underwater locating devices; and
                    (B) extended battery life for underwater locating 
                devices;
            (2) automatic deployable flight recorders;
            (3) triggered transmission of flight data, and other 
        satellite-based solutions;
            (4) distress-mode tracking; and
            (5) protections against disabling flight recorder systems.
    (c) Coordination.--If the performance standards under subsection 
(a) are revised, the Administrator shall coordinate with international 
regulatory authorities and the International Civil Aviation 
Organization to ensure that any new international standard for aircraft 
tracking and flight data recovery is consistent with a performance-
based approach and is implemented in a globally harmonized manner.

SEC. 2304. AUTOMATION RELIANCE IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) Modernization of Training.--Not later than October 1, 2017, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall review, and 
update as necessary, recent guidance regarding pilot flight deck 
monitoring that an air carrier can use to train and evaluate its pilots 
to ensure that air carrier pilots are trained to use and monitor 
automation systems while also maintaining proficiency in manual flight 
operations consistent with the final rule entitled, ``Qualification, 
Service, and Use of Crewmembers and Aircraft Dispatchers'', published 
on November 12, 2013 (78 Fed. Reg. 67799).
    (b) Considerations.--In reviewing and updating the guidance, the 
Administrator shall--
            (1) consider casualty driven scenarios during initial and 
        recurrent simulator instruction that focus on automation 
        complacency during system failure, including flight segments 
        when automation is typically engaged and should result in hand 
        flying the aircraft into a safe position while employing crew 
        resource management principles;
            (2) consider the development of metrics or measurable tasks 
        an air carrier may use to evaluate the ability of pilots to 
        appropriately monitor flight deck systems;
            (3) consider the development of metrics an air carrier may 
        use to evaluate manual flying skills and improve related 
        training;
            (4) convene an expert panel, including members with 
        expertise in human factors, training, and flight operations--
                    (A) to evaluate and develop methods for training 
                flight crews to understand the functionality of 
                automated systems for flight path management;
                    (B) to identify and recommend to the Administrator 
                the most effective training methods that ensure that 
                pilots can apply manual flying skills in the event of 
                flight deck automation failure or an unexpected event; 
                and
                    (C) to identify and recommend to the Administrator 
                revision in the training guidance for flight crews to 
                address the needs identified in subparagraphs (A) and 
                (B); and
            (5) develop any additional standards to be used for 
        guidance the Administrator considers necessary to determine 
        whether air carrier pilots receive sufficient training 
        opportunities to develop, maintain, and demonstrate manual 
        flying skills.
    (c) DOT IG Review.--Not later than 2 years after the date the 
Administrator reviews the guidance under subsection (a), the Inspector 
General of the Department of Transportation shall review the air 
carriers implementation of the guidance and the ongoing work of the 
expert panel.

SEC. 2305. ENHANCED MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING FOR PILOTS.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall consider 
the recommendations of the Pilot Fitness Aviation Rulemaking Committee 
in determining whether to implement, as part of a comprehensive medical 
certification process for pilots with a first- or second-class airman 
medical certificate, additional screening for mental health conditions, 
including depression and suicidal thoughts or tendencies, and assess 
treatments that would address any risk associated with such conditions.

SEC. 2306. FLIGHT ATTENDANT DUTY PERIOD LIMITATIONS AND REST 
              REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Modification of Final Rule.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall revise the flight attendant duty period 
limitations and rest requirements under section 121.467 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations.
    (b) Contents.--Except as provided in subsection (c), in revising 
the rule under subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure that a 
flight attendant scheduled to a duty period of 14 hours or less is 
given a scheduled rest period of at least 10 consecutive hours.
    (c) Exception.--The rest period required under subsection (b) may 
be scheduled or reduced to 9 consecutive hours if the flight attendant 
is provided a subsequent rest period of at least 11 consecutive hours.
    (d) Fatigue Risk Management Plan.--
            (1) Submission of plan by part 121 air carriers.--Not later 
        than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, each air 
        carrier operating under part 121 of title 13, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (referred to in this subsection as a ``part 121 air 
        carrier''), shall submit a fatigue risk management plan for the 
        carrier's flight attendants to the Administrator for review and 
        acceptance.
            (2) Contents of plan.--Each fatigue risk management plan 
        submitted under paragraph (1) shall include--
                    (A) current flight time and duty period 
                limitations;
                    (B) a rest scheme that is consistent with such 
                limitations and enables the management of flight 
                attendant fatigue, including annual training to 
                increase awareness of--
                            (i) fatigue;
                            (ii) the effects of fatigue on flight 
                        attendants; and
                            (iii) fatigue countermeasures; and
                    (C) the development and use of methodology that 
                continually assesses the effectiveness of 
                implementation of the plan, including the ability of 
                the plan--
                            (i) to improve alertness; and
                            (ii) to mitigate performance errors.
            (3) Review.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--
                    (A) review each fatigue risk management plan 
                submitted under this subsection; and
                    (B)(i) accept the plan; or
                    (ii) reject the plan and provide the part 121 air 
                carrier with suggested modifications to be included 
                when the plan is resubmitted.
            (4) Plan updates.--
                    (A) In general.--Not less frequently than once 
                every 2 years, each part 121 air carrier shall--
                            (i) update the fatigue risk management plan 
                        submitted under paragraph (1); and
                            (ii) submit the updated plan to the 
                        Administrator for review and acceptance.
                    (B) Review.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
                on which an updated plan is submitted under 
                subparagraph (A)(ii), the Administrator shall--
                            (i) review the updated plan; and
                            (ii)(I) accept the updated plan; or
                            (II) reject the updated plan and provide 
                        the part 121 air carrier with suggested 
                        modifications to be included when the updated 
                        plan is resubmitted.
            (5) Compliance.--Each part 121 air carrier shall comply 
        with its fatigue risk management plan after the plan is 
        accepted by the Administrator under this subsection.
            (6) Civil penalties.--A violation of this subsection by a 
        part 121 air carrier shall be treated as a violation of chapter 
        447 of title 49, United States Code, for the purpose of 
        applying civil penalties under chapter 463 of such title.

SEC. 2307. TRAINING TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING FOR CERTAIN AIR CARRIER 
              EMPLOYEES.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 417 is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
``Sec. 41725. Training to combat human trafficking
    ``(a) In General.--Each air carrier providing passenger air 
transportation shall provide flight attendants who are employees or 
contractors of the air carrier with training to combat human 
trafficking in the course of carrying out their duties as employees or 
contractors of the air carrier.
    ``(b) Elements of Training.--The training an air carrier is 
required to provide under subsection (a) to flight attendants shall 
include training with respect to--
            ``(1) common indicators of human trafficking; and
            ``(2) best practices for reporting suspected human 
        trafficking to law enforcement officers.
    ``(c) Materials.--An air carrier may provide the training required 
by subsection (a) using modules and materials developed by the 
Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security, 
including the training module and associated materials of the Blue 
Lightning Initiative and modules and materials subsequently developed 
and recommended by such Departments with respect to combating human 
trafficking.
    ``(d) Interagency Coordination.--The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall coordinate with the Secretary of Homeland 
Security to ensure that appropriate training modules and materials are 
available for air carriers to conduct the training required by 
subsection (a).
    ``(e) Human Trafficking Defined.--In this section, the term `human 
trafficking' means 1 or more severe forms of trafficking in persons (as 
defined in section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 
2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102)).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for chapter 417 is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 41724 the 
following:

``41725. Training to combat human trafficking.''.
    (c) Report Required.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report that includes--
            (1) an assessment of the status of compliance of air 
        carriers with section 41725 of title 49, United States Code, as 
        added by subsection (a); and
            (2) in collaboration with the Attorney General and the 
        Secretary of Homeland Security, recommendations for improving 
        the identification and reporting of human trafficking by air 
        carrier personnel while protecting the civil liberties of 
        passengers.
    (d) Immunity for Reporting Human Trafficking.--Section 44941(a) is 
amended by striking ``or terrorism, as defined by section 3077 of title 
18, United States Code,'' and inserting ``human trafficking (as defined 
by section 41725), or terrorism (as defined by section 3077 of title 
18)''.

SEC. 2308. REPORT ON OBSOLETE TEST EQUIPMENT.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
National Test Equipment Program (referred to in this section as the 
``Program'').
    (b) Contents.--The report shall include--
            (1) a list of all known outstanding requests for test 
        equipment, cataloged by type and location, under the Program;
            (2) a description of the current method under the Program 
        of ensuring calibrated equipment is in place for utilization;
            (3) a plan by the Administrator for appropriate inventory 
        of such equipment; and
            (4) the Administrator's recommendations for increasing 
        multifunctionality in future test equipment to be developed and 
        all known and foreseeable manufacturer technological advances.

SEC. 2309. PLAN FOR SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE DIRECT WARNINGS OF POTENTIAL 
              RUNWAY INCURSIONS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than June 30, 2016, the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall--
            (1) assess available technologies to determine whether it 
        is feasible, cost-effective, and appropriate to install and 
        deploy, at any airport, systems to provide a direct warning 
        capability to flight crews and air traffic controllers of 
        potential runway incursions; and
            (2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
        report on the assessment under paragraph (1), including any 
        recommendations.
    (b) Considerations.--In conducting the assessment under subsection 
(a), the Administration shall consider National Transportation Safety 
Board findings and relevant aviation stakeholder views relating to 
runway incursions.

SEC. 2310. LASER POINTER INCIDENTS.

    (a) In General.--Beginning 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in 
coordination with the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 
shall provide quarterly updates to the appropriate committees of 
Congress regarding--
            (1) the number of incidents involving the beam from a laser 
        pointer (as defined in section 39A of title 18, United States 
        Code) being aimed at, or in the flight path of, an aircraft in 
        the airspace jurisdiction of the United States;
            (2) the number of civil or criminal enforcement actions 
        taken by the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of 
        Transportation, or Department of Justice with regard to the 
        incidents described in paragraph (1), including the amount of 
        the civil or criminal penalties imposed on violators;
            (3) the resolution of any incidents that did not result in 
        a civil or criminal enforcement action; and
            (4) any actions the Department of Transportation or 
        Department of Justice has taken on its own, or in conjunction 
        with other Federal agencies or local law enforcement agencies, 
        to deter the type of activity described in paragraph (1).
    (b) Civil Penalties.--The Administrator shall revise the maximum 
civil penalty that may be imposed on an individual who aims the beam of 
a laser pointer at an aircraft in the airspace jurisdiction of the 
United States, or at the flight path of such an aircraft, to be 
$25,000.

SEC. 2311. HELICOPTER AIR AMBULANCE OPERATIONS DATA AND REPORTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, 
in collaboration with helicopter air ambulance industry stakeholders, 
shall assess the availability of information to the general public 
related to the location of heliports and helipads used by helicopters 
providing air ambulance services, including helipads and helipads 
outside of those listed as part of any existing databases of Airport 
Master Record (5010) forms.
    (b) Requirements.--Based on the assessment under subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall--
            (1) update, as necessary, any existing guidance on what 
        information is included in the current databases of Airport 
        Master Record (5010) forms to include information related to 
        heliports and helipads used by helicopters providing air 
        ambulance services; or
            (2) develop, as appropriate and in collaboration with 
        helicopter air ambulance industry stakeholders, a new database 
        of heliports and helipads used by helicopters providing air 
        ambulance services.
    (c) Reports.--
            (1) Assessment.--Not later than 30 days after the date the 
        assessment under subsection (a) is complete, the Administrator 
        shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
        on the assessment, including any recommendations on how to make 
        information related to the location of heliports and helipads 
        used by helicopters providing air ambulance services available 
        to the general public.
            (2) Implementation.--Not later than 30 days after 
        completing action under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of 
        subsection (b), the Administrator shall submit to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
        implementation of that action.
    (d) Incident and Accident Data.--Section 44731 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``not later than 1 year after the date of 
                enactment of this section, and annually thereafter'' 
                and inserting ``annually'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``flights and 
                hours flown, by registration number, during which 
                helicopters operated by the certificate holder were 
                providing helicopter air ambulance services'' and 
                inserting ``hours flown by the helicopters operated by 
                the certificate holder'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) by striking ``of flight'' and inserting 
                        ``of patients transported and the number of 
                        patient transport'';
                            (ii) by inserting ``or'' after 
                        ``interfacility transport,''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``, or ferry or 
                        repositioning flight'';
                    (D) in paragraph (5)--
                            (i) by striking ``flights and''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``while providing air 
                        ambulance services''; and
                    (E) by amending paragraph (6) to read as follows:
            ``(6) The number of hours flown at night by helicopters 
        operated by the certificate holder.'';
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) by striking ``Not later than 2 years after the 
                date of enactment of this section, and annually 
                thereafter, the Administrator shall submit'' and 
                inserting ``The Administrator shall submit annually''; 
                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following: ``The 
                report shall include the number of accidents 
                experienced by helicopter air ambulance operations, the 
                number of fatal accidents experienced by helicopter air 
                ambulance operations, and the rate, per 100,000 flight 
                hours, of accidents and fatal accidents experienced by 
                operators providing helicopter air ambulance 
                services.'';
            (3) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
            (4) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
    ``(e) Implementation.--In carrying out this section, the 
Administrator, in collaboration with part 135 certificate holders 
providing helicopter air ambulance services, shall--
            ``(1) propose and develop a method to collect and store the 
        data submitted under subsection (a), including a method to 
        protect the confidentiality of any trade secret or proprietary 
        information submitted; and
            ``(2) ensure that the database under subsection (c) and the 
        report under subsection (d) include data and analysis that will 
        best inform efforts to improve the safety of helicopter air 
        ambulance operations.''.

SEC. 2312. PART 135 ACCIDENT AND INCIDENT DATA.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall--
            (1) determine, in collaboration with the National 
        Transportation Safety Board and Part 135 industry stakeholders, 
        what, if any, additional data should be reported as part of an 
        accident or incident notice to more accurately measure the 
        safety of on-demand Part 135 aircraft activity, to pinpoint 
        safety problems, and to form the basis for critical research 
        and analysis of general aviation issues; and
            (2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
        report on the findings under paragraph (1), including a 
        description of the additional data to be collected, a timeframe 
        for implementing the additional data collection, and any 
        potential obstacles to implementation.

SEC. 2313. DEFINITION OF HUMAN FACTORS.

    Section 40102(a), as amended by section 2140 of this Act, is 
further amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (24) through (47) as 
        paragraphs (25) through (48), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (23) the following:
            ``(24) `human factors' means a multidisciplinary field that 
        generates and compiles information about human capabilities and 
        limitations and applies it to design, development, and 
        evaluation of equipment, systems, facilities, procedures, jobs, 
        environments, staffing, organizations, and personnel management 
        for safe, efficient, and effective human performance, including 
        people's use of technology.''.

SEC. 2314. SENSE OF CONGRESS; PILOT IN COMMAND AUTHORITY.

    It is the sense of Congress that the pilot in command of an 
aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, 
the operation of that aircraft, as set forth in section 91.3(a) of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation 
thereto).

SEC. 2315. ENHANCING ASIAS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, 
in consultation with relevant aviation industry stakeholders, shall 
assess what, if any, improvements are needed to develop the predictive 
capability of the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing 
program (referred to in this section as ``ASIAS'') with regard to 
identifying precursors to accidents.
    (b) Contents.--In conducting the assessment under subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall--
            (1) determine what actions are necessary--
                    (A) to improve data quality and standardization; 
                and
                    (B) to increase the data received from additional 
                segments of the aviation industry, such as small 
                airplane, helicopter, and business jet operations;
            (2) consider how to prioritize the actions described in 
        paragraph (1); and
            (3) review available methods for disseminating safety trend 
        data from ASIAS to the aviation safety community, including the 
        inspector workforce, to inform in their risk-based decision 
        making efforts.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date the assessment 
under subsection (a) is complete, the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the assessment, 
including recommendations regarding paragraphs (1) through (3) of 
subsection (b).

SEC. 2316. IMPROVING RUNWAY SAFETY.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall expedite the development of metrics--
            (1) to allow the Federal Aviation Administration to 
        determine whether runway incursions are increasing; and
            (2) to assess the effectiveness of implemented runway 
        safety initiatives.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the progress in developing the metrics 
described in subsection (a).

SEC. 2317. SAFE AIR TRANSPORTATION OF LITHIUM CELLS AND BATTERIES.

    (a) Restrictions on Transportation of Lithium Batteries on 
Aircraft.--
            (1) Adoption of icao instructions.--
                    (A) In general.--Pursuant to section 828 of the FAA 
                Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 44701 
                note), not later than 90 days after the date of 
                enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Department 
                of Transportation shall conform United States 
                regulations on the air transport of lithium cells and 
                batteries with the lithium cells and battery 
                requirements in the 2015-2016 edition of the 
                International Civil Aviation Organization's (referred 
                to in this subsection as ``ICAO'') Technical 
                Instructions (to include all addenda) including the 
                revised standards adopted by ICAO which became 
                effective on April 1, 2016.
                    (B) Further proceedings.--Beginning on the date the 
                revised regulations under subparagraph (A) are 
                published in the Federal Register, any lithium cell and 
                battery rulemaking action or update commenced on or 
                after that date shall continue to comply with the 
                requirements under section 828 of the FAA Modernization 
                and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note).
            (2) Review of other regulations.--Pursuant to section 828 
        of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 
        44701 note), the Secretary of Transportation may initiate a 
        review of other existing regulations regarding the air 
        transportation, including passenger-carrying and cargo 
        aircraft, of lithium batteries and cells.
            (3) Medical device batteries.--
                    (A) In general.--For United States applicants, the 
                Secretary of Transportation shall consider and either 
                grant or deny, within 45 days, applications submitted 
                in compliance with part 107 of title 49, Code of 
                Federal Regulations for special permits or approvals 
                for air transportation of lithium ion cells or 
                batteries specifically used by medical devices. Not 
                later than 30 days after the date of application, the 
                Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 
                shall provide a draft special permit based on the 
                application to the Federal Aviation Administration. The 
                Federal Aviation Administration shall conduct an on-
                site inspection for issuance of the special permit not 
                later than 10 days after the date of receipt of the 
                draft special permit from the Pipeline and Hazardous 
                Materials Safety Administration.
                    (B) Definition of medical device.--In this 
                paragraph, the term ``medical device'' has the meaning 
                given the term ``device'' in section 201 of the Federal 
                Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
            (4) Savings clause.--Nothing in this section shall be 
        construed as expanding or constricting any other authority the 
        Secretary of Transportation has under section 828 of the FAA 
        Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note).
    (b) Lithium Battery Safety Working Group.--Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall establish 
a lithium battery safety working group to promote and coordinate 
efforts related to the promotion of the safe manufacture, use, and 
transportation of lithium batteries and cells.
            (1) Composition.--
                    (A) In general.--The working group shall be 
                composed of at least 1 representative from each of the 
                following:
                            (i) Consumer Product Safety Commission.
                            (ii) Department of Transportation.
                            (iii) National Institute on Standards and 
                        Technology.
                            (iv) Food and Drug Administration.
                    (B) Additional members.--The working group may 
                include not more than 4 additional members with 
                expertise in the safe manufacture, use, or 
                transportation of lithium batteries and cells.
                    (C) Subcommittees.--The President, or members of 
                the working group, may--
                            (i) establish working group subcommittees 
                        to focus on specific issues related to the safe 
                        manufacture, use, or transportation of lithium 
                        batteries and cells; and
                            (ii) include in a subcommittee the 
                        participation of nonmember stakeholders with 
                        expertise in areas that the President or 
                        members consider necessary.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date it is 
        established under subsection (b), the working group shall--
                    (A) research--
                            (i) additional ways to decrease the risk of 
                        fires and explosions from lithium batteries and 
                        cells;
                            (ii) additional ways to ensure uniform 
                        transportation requirements for both bulk and 
                        individual batteries; and
                            (iii) new or existing technologies that 
                        could reduce the fire and explosion risk of 
                        lithium batteries and cells; and
                    (B) transmit to the appropriate committees of 
                Congress a report on the research under subparagraph 
                (A), including any legislative recommendations to 
                effectuate the safety improvements described in clauses 
                (i) through (iii) of that subparagraph.
            (3) Exemption from faca.--The Federal Advisory Committee 
        Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the working group.
            (4) Termination.--The working group, and any working group 
        subcommittees, shall terminate 90 days after the date the 
        report is transmitted under paragraph (2).

SEC. 2318. PROHIBITION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY CHANGE TO PERMIT 
              SMALL, NON-LOCKING KNIVES ON AIRCRAFT.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on and 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland 
Security may not implement any change to the prohibited items list of 
the Transportation Security Administration that would permit passengers 
to carry small, non-locking knives through passenger screening 
checkpoints at airports, into sterile areas at airports, or on board 
passenger aircraft.
    (b) Prohibited Items List Defined.--In this section, the term 
``prohibited items list'' means the list of items passengers are 
prohibited from carrying as accessible property or on their persons 
through passenger screening checkpoints at airports, into sterile areas 
at airports, and on board passenger aircraft pursuant to section 
1540.111 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 2319. AIRCRAFT CABIN EVACUATION PROCEDURES.

    (a) Review.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall review--
            (1) evacuation certification of transport-category aircraft 
        used in air transportation, with regard to--
                    (A) emergency conditions, including impacts into 
                water;
                    (B) crew procedures used for evacuations under 
                actual emergency conditions;
                    (C) any relevant changes to passenger demographics 
                and legal requirements, including the Americans with 
                Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), 
                that affect emergency evacuations; and
                    (D) any relevant changes to passenger seating 
                configurations, including changes to seat width, 
                padding, reclining, size, pitch, leg room, and aisle 
                width; and
            (2) recent accidents and incidents in which passengers 
        evacuated such aircraft.
    (b) Consultation; Review of Data.--In conducting the review under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall--
            (1) consult with the National Transportation Safety Board, 
        transport-category aircraft manufacturers, air carriers, and 
        other relevant experts and Federal agencies, including groups 
        representing passengers, airline crew members, maintenance 
        employees, and emergency responders; and
            (2) review relevant data with respect to evacuation 
        certification of transport-category aircraft.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the 
review under subsection (a) and related recommendations, if any, 
including recommendations for revisions to the assumptions and methods 
used for assessing evacuation certification of transport-category 
aircraft.

SEC. 2320. GAO STUDY OF UNIVERSAL DEPLOYMENT OF ADVANCED IMAGING 
              TECHNOLOGIES.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study of the costs that would be incurred--
            (1) to redesign airport security areas to fully deploy 
        advanced imaging technologies at all commercial airports at 
        which security screening operations are conducted by the 
        Transportation Security Administration or through the Screening 
        Partnership Program; and
            (2) to fully deploy advanced imaging technologies at all 
        airports not described in paragraph (1).
    (b) Cost Analysis.--As a part of the study conducted under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall identify the costs that 
would be incurred--
            (1) to purchase the equipment and other assets necessary to 
        deploy advanced imaging technologies at each airport;
            (2) to install such equipment and assets in each airport; 
        and
            (3) to maintain such equipment and assets.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit the results 
of the study conducted under subsection (a) to the appropriate 
committees of Congress.

                  Subtitle D--General Aviation Safety

SEC. 2401. AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEMS POLICY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall--
            (1) update automated weather observing systems standards to 
        maximize the use of new technologies that promote the reduction 
        of equipment or maintenance cost for non-Federal automated 
        weather observing systems, including the use of remote 
        monitoring and maintenance, unless demonstrated to be 
        ineffective;
            (2) review, and if necessary update, existing policies in 
        accordance with the standards developed under paragraph (1); 
        and
            (3) establish a process under which appropriate on site 
        airport personnel or an aviation official may, with appropriate 
        manufacturer training or alternative training as determined by 
        the Administrator, be permitted to conduct the minimum tri-
        annual preventative maintenance checks under the advisory 
        circular for non-Federal automated weather observing systems 
        (AC 150/5220-16D).
    (b) Permission.--Permission to conduct the minimum tri-annual 
preventative maintenance checks described under subsection (a)(3) shall 
not be withheld but for specific cause.
    (c) Standards.--In updating the standards under subsection (a)(1), 
the Administrator shall--
            (1) ensure the standards are performance-based;
            (2) use risk analysis to determine the accuracy of the 
        automated weather observing systems outputs required for pilots 
        to perform safe aircraft operations; and
            (3) provide a cost benefit analysis to determine whether 
        the benefits outweigh the cost for any requirement not directly 
        related to safety.
    (d) Report.--Not later than September 30, 2017, the Administrator 
shall provide a report to the appropriate committees of Congress on the 
implementation of requirements under this section.

SEC. 2402. TOWER MARKING.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall issue regulations to require the marking of covered towers.
    (b) Marking Required.--The regulations under subsection (a) shall 
require that a covered tower be clearly marked in a manner that is 
consistent with applicable guidance under the Federal Aviation 
Administration Advisory Circular issued December 4, 2015 (AC 70/7460-
1L) or other relevant safety guidance, as determined by the 
Administrator.
    (c) Application.--The regulations issued under subsection (a) shall 
ensure that--
            (1) all covered towers constructed on or after the date on 
        which such regulations take effect are marked in accordance 
        with subsection (b); and
            (2) a covered tower constructed before the date on which 
        such regulations take effect is marked in accordance with 
        subsection (b) not later than 1 year after such effective date.
    (d) Definition of Covered Tower.--
            (1) In general.--In this section, the term ``covered 
        tower'' means a structure that--
                    (A) is self-standing or supported by guy wires and 
                ground anchors;
                    (B) is 10 feet or less in diameter at the above-
                ground base, excluding concrete footing;
                    (C) at the highest point of the structure is at 
                least 50 feet above ground level;
                    (D) at the highest point of the structure is not 
                more than 200 feet above ground level;
                    (E) has accessory facilities on which an antenna, 
                sensor, camera, meteorological instrument, or other 
                equipment is mounted; and
                    (F) is located--
                            (i) outside the boundaries of an 
                        incorporated city or town; or
                            (ii) on land that is--
                                    (I) undeveloped; or
                                    (II) used for agricultural 
                                purposes.
            (2) Exclusions.--The term ``covered tower'' does not 
        include any structure that--
                    (A) is adjacent to a house, barn, electric utility 
                station, or other building;
                    (B) is within the curtilage of a farmstead;
                    (C) supports electric utility transmission or 
                distribution lines;
                    (D) is a wind powered electrical generator with a 
                rotor blade radius that exceeds 6 feet; or
                    (E) is a street light erected or maintained by a 
                Federal, State, local, or tribal entity.
    (e) Database.--The Administrator shall--
            (1) develop a database that contains the location and 
        height of each covered tower;
            (2) keep the database current to the extent practicable;
            (3) ensure that any proprietary information in the database 
        is protected from disclosure in accordance with law; and
            (4) ensure access to the database is limited to 
        individuals, such as airmen, who require the information for 
        aviation safety purposes only.

SEC. 2403. CRASH-RESISTANT FUEL SYSTEMS.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall evaluate and 
update, as necessary, standards for crash-resistant fuel systems for 
civilian rotorcraft.

SEC. 2404. REQUIREMENT TO CONSULT WITH STAKEHOLDERS IN DEFINING SCOPE 
              AND REQUIREMENTS FOR FUTURE FLIGHT SERVICE PROGRAM.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall consult 
with general aviation stakeholders in defining the scope and 
requirements for any new Future Flight Service Program of the 
Administration to be used in a competitive source selection for the 
next flight service contract with the Administration.

SEC. 2405. HEADS-UP GUIDANCE SYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall initiate a review of heads-up guidance system 
displays (in this section referred to as ``HGS'').
    (b) Contents.--The review required by subsection (a) shall--
            (1) evaluate the impacts of single- and dual-installed HGS 
        technology on the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations 
        within the national airspace system;
            (2) review a sufficient quantity of commercial aviation 
        accidents or incidents in order to evaluate if HGS technology 
        would have produced a better outcome in that accident or 
        incident; and
            (3) update previous HGS studies performed by the Flight 
        Safety Foundation in 1991 and 2009.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the results of 
the review required by subsection (a).

                     Subtitle E--General Provisions

SEC. 2501. DESIGNATED AGENCY SAFETY AND HEALTH OFFICER.

    (a) In General.--Section 106 is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(u) Designated Agency Safety and Health Officer.--
            ``(1) Appointment.--There shall be a Designated Agency 
        Safety and Health Officer appointed by the Administrator who 
        shall exclusively fulfill the duties prescribed in this 
        subsection.
            ``(2) Responsibilities.--The Designated Agency Safety and 
        Health Officer shall have responsibility and accountability 
        for--
                    ``(A) auditing occupational safety and health 
                issues across the Administration;
                    ``(B) overseeing Administration-wide compliance 
                with relevant Federal occupational safety and health 
                statutes and regulations, national industry and 
                consensus standards, and Administration policies; and
                    ``(C) encouraging a culture of occupational safety 
                and health to complement the Administration's existing 
                safety culture.
            ``(3) Reporting structure.--The Designated Agency Safety 
        and Health Officer shall occupy a full-time, senior executive 
        position and shall report directly to the Assistant 
        Administrator for Human Resource Management.
            ``(4) Qualifications and removal.--
                    ``(A) Qualifications.--The Designated Agency Safety 
                and Health Officer shall have demonstrated ability and 
                experience in the establishment and administration of 
                comprehensive occupational safety and health programs 
                and knowledge of relevant Federal occupational safety 
                and health statutes and regulations, national industry 
                and consensus standards, and Administration policies.
                    ``(B) Removal.--The Designated Agency Safety and 
                Health Officer shall serve at the pleasure of the 
                Administrator.''.
    (b) Deadline for Appointment.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall appoint an individual to serve as the 
Designated Agency Safety and Health Officer under section 106(u) of 
title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 2502. REPAIR STATIONS LOCATED OUTSIDE UNITED STATES.

    (a) Risk-based Oversight.--Section 44733 is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g);
            (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
    ``(f) Risk-based Oversight.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2016, the Administrator shall take 
        measures to ensure that the safety assessment system 
        established under subsection (a)--
                    ``(A) places particular consideration on 
                inspections of part 145 repair stations located outside 
                the United States that conduct scheduled heavy 
                maintenance work on part 121 air carrier aircraft; and
                    ``(B) accounts for the frequency and seriousness of 
                any corrective actions that part 121 air carriers must 
                implement to aircraft following such work at such 
                repair stations.
            ``(2) International agreements.--The Administrator shall 
        take the measures required under paragraph (1)--
                    ``(A) in accordance with the United States 
                obligations under applicable international agreements; 
                and
                    ``(B) in a manner consistent with the applicable 
                laws of the country in which a repair station is 
                located.
            ``(3) Access to data.--The Administrator may access and 
        review such information or data in the possession of a part 121 
        air carrier as the Administrator may require in carrying out 
        paragraph (1)(B).''; and
            (3) in subsection (g), as redesignated--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
                paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as 
                redesignated, the following:
            ``(1) Heavy maintenance work.--The term `heavy maintenance 
        work' means a C-check, a D-check, or equivalent maintenance 
        operation with respect to the airframe of a transport-category 
        aircraft.''.
    (b) Alcohol and Controlled Substances Testing.--The Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall ensure that--
            (1) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, a notice of proposed rulemaking required pursuant to 
        section 44733(d)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is 
        published in the Federal Register; and
            (2) not later than 1 year after the date on which the 
        notice of proposed rulemaking is published in the Federal 
        Register, the rulemaking is finalized.
    (c) Background Investigations.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall ensure that each employee of a repair 
station certificated under part 145 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, who performs a safety-sensitive function on an air carrier 
aircraft has undergone a preemployment background investigation 
sufficient to determine whether the individual presents a threat to 
aviation safety, in a manner that is--
            (1) determined acceptable by the Administrator;
            (2) consistent with the applicable laws of the country in 
        which the repair station is located; and
            (3) consistent with the United States obligations under 
        international agreements.

SEC. 2503. FAA TECHNICAL TRAINING.

    (a) E-learning Training Pilot Program.--Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration, in collaboration with the exclusive 
bargaining representatives of covered FAA personnel, shall establish an 
e-learning training pilot program in accordance with the requirements 
of this section.
    (b) Curriculum.--The pilot program shall--
            (1) include a recurrent training curriculum for covered FAA 
        personnel to ensure that the covered FAA personnel receive 
        instruction on the latest aviation technologies, processes, and 
        procedures;
            (2) focus on providing specialized technical training for 
        covered FAA personnel, as determined necessary by the 
        Administrator;
            (3) include training courses on applicable regulations of 
        the Federal Aviation Administration; and
            (4) consider the efficacy of instructor-led online 
        training.
    (c) Pilot Program Termination.--The pilot program shall terminate 1 
year after the date of establishment of the pilot program.
    (d) E-learning Training Program.--Upon termination of the pilot 
program, the Administrator shall assess and establish or update an e-
learning training program that incorporates lessons learned for covered 
FAA personnel as a result of the pilot program.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Covered faa personnel.--The term ``covered FAA 
        personnel'' means airway transportation systems specialists and 
        aviation safety inspectors of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration.
            (2) E-learning training.--The term ``e-learning training'' 
        means learning utilizing electronic technologies to access 
        educational curriculum outside of a traditional classroom.

SEC. 2504. SAFETY CRITICAL STAFFING.

    (a) Audit by DOT Inspector General.--Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the 
Department of Transportation shall conduct and complete an audit of the 
staffing model used by the Federal Aviation Administration to determine 
the number of aviation safety inspectors that are needed to fulfill the 
mission of the Federal Aviation Administration and adequately ensure 
aviation safety.
    (b) Contents.--The audit shall include, at a minimum--
            (1) a review of the staffing model and an analysis of how 
        consistently the staffing model is applied throughout the 
        Federal Aviation Administration's aviation safety lines of 
        business;
            (2) a review of the assumptions and methods used in 
        devising and implementing the staffing model to assess the 
        adequacy of the staffing model to predict the number of 
        aviation safety inspectors needed to properly fulfill the 
        mission of the Federal Aviation Administration and meet the 
        future growth of the aviation industry; and
            (3) a determination on whether the current staffing model 
        takes into account the Federal Aviation Administration's 
        authority to fully utilize designees.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 30 days after the date of completion of 
the audit, the Inspector General shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on the results of the audit.

SEC. 2505. APPROACH CONTROL RADAR IN ALL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWERS.

    The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall--
            (1) identify airports that are currently served by Federal 
        Aviation Administration towers with non-radar approach and 
        departure control (Type 4 tower); and
            (2) develop an implementation plan, including budgetary 
        considerations, to provide the facilities identified under 
        paragraph (1) with approach control radar.

SEC. 2506. AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish an advisory 
committee to carry out the duties described in subsection (b).
    (b) Duties.--The advisory committee shall--
            (1) conduct a review of the practices and procedures of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration for developing proposals with 
        respect to changes in regulations, policies, or guidance of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration relating to airspace that 
        affect airport operations, airport capacity, the environment, 
        or communities in the vicinity of airports, including--
                    (A) an assessment of the extent to which there is 
                consultation, or a lack of consultation, with respect 
                to such proposals--
                            (i) between and among the affected elements 
                        of the Federal Aviation Administration, 
                        including the Air Traffic Organization, the 
                        Office of Airports, the Flight Standards 
                        Service, the Office of NextGen, and the Office 
                        of Energy and Environment; and
                            (ii) between the Federal Aviation 
                        Administration and affected entities, including 
                        airports, aircraft operators, communities, and 
                        State and local governments;
            (2) recommend revisions to such practices and procedures to 
        improve communications and coordination between and among 
        affected elements of the Federal Aviation Administration and 
        with other affected entities with respect to proposals 
        described in paragraph (1) and the potential effects of such 
        proposals;
            (3) conduct a review of the management by the Federal 
        Aviation Administration of systems and information used to 
        evaluate data relating to obstructions to air navigation or 
        navigational facilities under part 77 of title 14, Code of 
        Federal Regulations; and
            (4) make recommendations to ensure that the data described 
        in paragraph (3) is publicly accessible and streamlined to 
        ensure developers, airport operators, and other interested 
        parties may obtain relevant information concerning potential 
        obstructions when working to preserve and create a safe and 
        efficient navigable airspace.
    (c) Membership.--The membership of the advisory committee 
established under subsection (a) shall include representatives of--
            (1) air carriers, including passenger and cargo air 
        carriers;
            (2) general aviation, including business aviation and fixed 
        wing aircraft and rotocraft;
            (3) airports of various sizes and types;
            (4) air traffic controllers; and
            (5) State aviation officials.
    (d) Report Required.--Not later than one year after the 
establishment of the advisory committee under subsection (a), the 
advisory committee shall submit to Congress a report on the actions 
taken by the advisory committee to carry out the duties described in 
subsection (b).

   Subtitle F--Third Class Medical Reform and General Aviation Pilot 
                              Protections

SEC. 2601. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Pilot's Bill of Rights 2''.

SEC. 2602. MEDICAL CERTIFICATION OF CERTAIN SMALL AIRCRAFT PILOTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall issue or revise regulations to ensure that an 
individual may operate as pilot in command of a covered aircraft if--
            (1) the individual possesses a valid driver's license 
        issued by a State, territory, or possession of the United 
        States and complies with all medical requirements or 
        restrictions associated with that license;
            (2) the individual holds a medical certificate issued by 
        the Federal Aviation Administration on the date of enactment of 
        this Act, held such a certificate at any point during the 10-
        year period preceding such date of enactment, or obtains such a 
        certificate after such date of enactment;
            (3) the most recent medical certificate issued by the 
        Federal Aviation Administration to the individual--
                    (A) indicates whether the certificate is first, 
                second, or third class;
                    (B) may include authorization for special issuance;
                    (C) may be expired;
                    (D) cannot have been revoked or suspended; and
                    (E) cannot have been withdrawn;
            (4) the most recent application for airman medical 
        certification submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration 
        by the individual cannot have been completed and denied;
            (5) the individual has completed a medical education course 
        described in subsection (c) during the 24 calendar months 
        before acting as pilot in command of a covered aircraft and 
        demonstrates proof of completion of the course;
            (6) the individual, when serving as a pilot in command, is 
        under the care and treatment of a physician if the individual 
        has been diagnosed with any medical condition that may impact 
        the ability of the individual to fly;
            (7) the individual has received a comprehensive medical 
        examination from a State-licensed physician during the previous 
        48 months and--
                    (A) prior to the examination, the individual--
                            (i) completed the individual's section of 
                        the checklist described in subsection (b); and
                            (ii) provided the completed checklist to 
                        the physician performing the examination; and
                    (B) the physician conducted the comprehensive 
                medical examination in accordance with the checklist 
                described in subsection (b), checking each item 
                specified during the examination and addressing, as 
                medically appropriate, every medical condition listed, 
                and any medications the individual is taking; and
            (8) the individual is operating in accordance with the 
        following conditions:
                    (A) The covered aircraft is carrying not more than 
                5 passengers.
                    (B) The individual is operating the covered 
                aircraft under visual flight rules or instrument flight 
                rules.
                    (C) The flight, including each portion of that 
                flight, is not carried out--
                            (i) for compensation or hire, including 
                        that no passenger or property on the flight is 
                        being carried for compensation or hire;
                            (ii) at an altitude that is more than 
                        18,000 feet above mean sea level;
                            (iii) outside the United States, unless 
                        authorized by the country in which the flight 
                        is conducted; or
                            (iv) at an indicated air speed exceeding 
                        250 knots.
    (b) Comprehensive Medical Examination.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop a 
        checklist for an individual to complete and provide to the 
        physician performing the comprehensive medical examination 
        required in subsection (a)(7).
            (2) Requirements.--The checklist shall contain--
                    (A) a section, for the individual to complete that 
                contains--
                            (i) boxes 3 through 13 and boxes 16 through 
                        19 of the Federal Aviation Administration Form 
                        8500-8 (3-99);
                            (ii) a signature line for the individual to 
                        affirm that--
                                    (I) the answers provided by the 
                                individual on that checklist, including 
                                the individual's answers regarding 
                                medical history, are true and complete;
                                    (II) the individual understands 
                                that he or she is prohibited under 
                                Federal Aviation Administration 
                                regulations from acting as pilot in 
                                command, or any other capacity as a 
                                required flight crew member, if he or 
                                she knows or has reason to know of any 
                                medical deficiency or medically 
                                disqualifying condition that would make 
                                the individual unable to operate the 
                                aircraft in a safe manner; and
                                    (III) the individual is aware of 
                                the regulations pertaining to the 
                                prohibition on operations during 
                                medical deficiency and has no medically 
                                disqualifying conditions in accordance 
                                with applicable law;
                    (B) a section with instructions for the individual 
                to provide the completed checklist to the physician 
                performing the comprehensive medical examination 
                required in subsection (a)(7); and
                    (C) a section, for the physician to complete, that 
                instructs the physician--
                            (i) to perform a clinical examination of--
                                    (I) head, face, neck, and scalp;
                                    (II) nose, sinuses, mouth, and 
                                throat;
                                    (III) ears, general (internal and 
                                external canals), and eardrums 
                                (perforation);
                                    (IV) eyes (general), 
                                ophthalmoscopic, pupils (equality and 
                                reaction), and ocular motility 
                                (associated parallel movement, 
                                nystagmus);
                                    (V) lungs and chest (not including 
                                breast examination);
                                    (VI) heart (precordial activity, 
                                rhythm, sounds, and murmurs);
                                    (VII) vascular system (pulse, 
                                amplitude, and character, and arms, 
                                legs, and others);
                                    (VIII) abdomen and viscera 
                                (including hernia);
                                    (IX) anus (not including digital 
                                examination);
                                    (X) skin;
                                    (XI) G-U system (not including 
                                pelvic examination);
                                    (XII) upper and lower extremities 
                                (strength and range of motion);
                                    (XIII) spine and other 
                                musculoskeletal;
                                    (XIV) identifying body marks, 
                                scars, and tattoos (size and location);
                                    (XV) lymphatics;
                                    (XVI) neurologic (tendon reflexes, 
                                equilibrium, senses, cranial nerves, 
                                and coordination, etc.);
                                    (XVII) psychiatric (appearance, 
                                behavior, mood, communication, and 
                                memory);
                                    (XVIII) general systemic;
                                    (XIX) hearing;
                                    (XX) vision (distant, near, and 
                                intermediate vision, field of vision, 
                                color vision, and ocular alignment);
                                    (XXI) blood pressure and pulse; and
                                    (XXII) anything else the physician, 
                                in his or her medical judgment, 
                                considers necessary;
                            (ii) to exercise medical discretion to 
                        address, as medically appropriate, any medical 
                        conditions identified, and to exercise medical 
                        discretion in determining whether any medical 
                        tests are warranted as part of the 
                        comprehensive medical examination;
                            (iii) to discuss all drugs the individual 
                        reports taking (prescription and 
                        nonprescription) and their potential to 
                        interfere with the safe operation of an 
                        aircraft or motor vehicle;
                            (iv) to sign the checklist, stating: ``I 
                        certify that I discussed all items on this 
                        checklist with the individual during my 
                        examination, discussed any medications the 
                        individual is taking that could interfere with 
                        their ability to safely operate an aircraft or 
                        motor vehicle, and performed an examination 
                        that included all of the items on this 
                        checklist. I certify that I am not aware of any 
                        medical condition that, as presently treated, 
                        could interfere with the individual's ability 
                        to safely operate an aircraft.''; and
                            (v) to provide the date the comprehensive 
                        medical examination was completed, and the 
                        physician's full name, address, telephone 
                        number, and State medical license number.
            (3) Logbook.--The completed checklist shall be retained in 
        the individual's logbook and made available on request.
    (c) Medical Education Course Requirements.--The medical education 
course described in this subsection shall--
            (1) be available on the Internet free of charge;
            (2) be developed and periodically updated in coordination 
        with representatives of relevant nonprofit and not-for-profit 
        general aviation stakeholder groups;
            (3) educate pilots on conducting medical self-assessments;
            (4) advise pilots on identifying warning signs of potential 
        serious medical conditions;
            (5) identify risk mitigation strategies for medical 
        conditions;
            (6) increase awareness of the impacts of potentially 
        impairing over-the-counter and prescription drug medications;
            (7) encourage regular medical examinations and 
        consultations with primary care physicians;
            (8) inform pilots of the regulations pertaining to the 
        prohibition on operations during medical deficiency and 
        medically disqualifying conditions;
            (9) provide the checklist developed by the Federal Aviation 
        Administration in accordance with subsection (b); and
            (10) upon successful completion of the course, 
        electronically provide to the individual and transmit to the 
        Federal Aviation Administration--
                    (A) a certification of completion of the medical 
                education course, which shall be printed and retained 
                in the individual's logbook and made available upon 
                request, and shall contain the individual's name, 
                address, and airman certificate number;
                    (B) subject to subsection (d), a release 
                authorizing the National Driver Register through a 
                designated State Department of Motor Vehicles to 
                furnish to the Federal Aviation Administration 
                information pertaining to the individual's driving 
                record;
                    (C) a certification by the individual that the 
                individual is under the care and treatment of a 
                physician if the individual has been diagnosed with any 
                medical condition that may impact the ability of the 
                individual to fly, as required under (a)(6);
                    (D) a form that includes--
                            (i) the name, address, telephone number, 
                        and airman certificate number of the 
                        individual;
                            (ii) the name, address, telephone number, 
                        and State medical license number of the 
                        physician performing the comprehensive medical 
                        examination required in subsection (a)(7);
                            (iii) the date of the comprehensive medical 
                        examination required in subsection (a)(7); and
                            (iv) a certification by the individual that 
                        the checklist described in subsection (b) was 
                        followed and signed by the physician in the 
                        comprehensive medical examination required in 
                        subsection (a)(7); and
                    (E) a statement, which shall be printed, and signed 
                by the individual certifying that the individual 
                understands the existing prohibition on operations 
                during medical deficiency by stating: ``I understand 
                that I cannot act as pilot in command, or any other 
                capacity as a required flight crew member, if I know or 
                have reason to know of any medical condition that would 
                make me unable to operate the aircraft in a safe 
                manner.''.
    (d) National Driver Register.--The authorization under subsection 
(c)(10)(B) shall be an authorization for a single access to the 
information contained in the National Driver Register.
    (e) Special Issuance Process.--
            (1) In general.--An individual who has qualified for the 
        third-class medical certificate exemption under subsection (a) 
        and is seeking to serve as a pilot in command of a covered 
        aircraft shall be required to have completed the process for 
        obtaining an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical 
        Certificate for each of the following:
                    (A) A mental health disorder, limited to an 
                established medical history or clinical diagnosis of--
                            (i) personality disorder that is severe 
                        enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by 
                        overt acts;
                            (ii) psychosis, defined as a case in which 
                        an individual--
                                    (I) has manifested delusions, 
                                hallucinations, grossly bizarre or 
                                disorganized behavior, or other 
                                commonly accepted symptoms of 
                                psychosis; or
                                    (II) may reasonably be expected to 
                                manifest delusions, hallucinations, 
                                grossly bizarre or disorganized 
                                behavior, or other commonly accepted 
                                symptoms of psychosis;
                            (iii) bipolar disorder; or
                            (iv) substance dependence within the 
                        previous 2 years, as defined in section 
                        67.307(a)(4) of title 14, Code of Federal 
                        Regulations.
                    (B) A neurological disorder, limited to an 
                established medical history or clinical diagnosis of 
                any of the following:
                            (i) Epilepsy.
                            (ii) Disturbance of consciousness without 
                        satisfactory medical explanation of the cause.
                            (iii) A transient loss of control of 
                        nervous system functions without satisfactory 
                        medical explanation of the cause.
                    (C) A cardiovascular condition, limited to a one-
                time special issuance for each diagnosis of the 
                following:
                            (i) Myocardial infraction.
                            (ii) Coronary heart disease that has 
                        required treatment.
                            (iii) Cardiac valve replacement.
                            (iv) Heart replacement.
            (2) Special rule for cardiovascular conditions.--In the 
        case of an individual with a cardiovascular condition, the 
        process for obtaining an Authorization for Special Issuance of 
        a Medical Certificate shall be satisfied with the successful 
        completion of an appropriate clinical evaluation without a 
        mandatory wait period.
            (3) Special rule for mental health conditions.--
                    (A) In the case of an individual with a clinically 
                diagnosed mental health condition, the third-class 
                medical certificate exemption under subsection (a) 
                shall not apply if--
                            (i) in the judgment of the individual's 
                        State-licensed medical specialist, the 
                        condition--
                                    (I) renders the individual unable 
                                to safely perform the duties or 
                                exercise the airman privileges 
                                described in subsection (a)(8); or
                                    (II) may reasonably be expected to 
                                make the individual unable to perform 
                                the duties or exercise the privileges 
                                described in subsection (a)(8); or
                            (ii) the individual's driver's license is 
                        revoked by the issuing agency as a result of a 
                        clinically diagnosed mental health condition.
                    (B) Subject to subparagraph (A), an individual 
                clinically diagnosed with a mental health condition 
                shall certify every 2 years, in conjunction with the 
                certification under subsection (c)(10)(C), that the 
                individual is under the care of a State-licensed 
                medical specialist for that mental health condition.
            (4) Special rule for neurological conditions.--
                    (A) In the case of an individual with a clinically 
                diagnosed neurological condition, the third-class 
                medical certificate exemption under subsection (a) 
                shall not apply if--
                            (i) in the judgment of the individual's 
                        State-licensed medical specialist, the 
                        condition--
                                    (I) renders the individual unable 
                                to safely perform the duties or 
                                exercise the airman privileges 
                                described in subsection (a)(8); or
                                    (II) may reasonably be expected to 
                                make the individual unable to perform 
                                the duties or exercise the privileges 
                                described in subsection (a)(8); or
                            (ii) the individual's driver's license is 
                        revoked by the issuing agency as a result of a 
                        clinically diagnosed neurological condition.
                    (B) Subject to subparagraph (A), an individual 
                clinically diagnosed with a neurological condition 
                shall certify every 2 years, in conjunction with the 
                certification under subsection (c)(10)(C), that the 
                individual is under the care of a State-licensed 
                medical specialist for that neurological condition.
    (f) Identification of Additional Medical Conditions for the Caci 
Program.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall review and 
        identify additional medical conditions that could be added to 
        the program known as the Conditions AMEs Can Issue (CACI) 
        program.
            (2) Consultations.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Administrator shall consult with aviation, medical, and union 
        stakeholders.
            (3) Report required.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
        to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
        the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report listing 
        the medical conditions that have been added to the CACI program 
        under paragraph (1).
    (g) Expedited Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical 
Certificate.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall implement 
        procedures to expedite the process for obtaining an 
        Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate 
        under section 67.401 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
            (2) Consultations.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Administrator shall consult with aviation, medical, and union 
        stakeholders.
            (3) Report required.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
        of the House of Representatives a report describing how the 
        procedures implemented under paragraph (1) will streamline the 
        process for obtaining an Authorization for Special Issuance of 
        a Medical Certificate and reduce the amount of time needed to 
        review and decide special issuance cases.
    (h) Report Required.--Not later than 5 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in coordination with the 
National Transportation Safety Board, shall submit to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a 
report that describes the effect of the regulations issued or revised 
under subsection (a) and includes statistics with respect to changes in 
small aircraft activity and safety incidents.
    (i) Prohibition on Enforcement Actions.--Beginning on the date that 
is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
may not take an enforcement action for not holding a valid third-class 
medical certificate against a pilot of a covered aircraft for a flight, 
through a good faith effort, if the pilot and the flight meet the 
applicable requirements under subsection (a), except paragraph (5) of 
that subsection, unless the Administrator has published final 
regulations in the Federal Register under that subsection.
    (j) Covered Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the term ``covered 
aircraft'' means an aircraft that--
            (1) is authorized under Federal law to carry not more than 
        6 occupants; and
            (2) has a maximum certificated takeoff weight of not more 
        than 6,000 pounds.
    (k) Operations Covered.--The provisions and requirements covered in 
this section do not apply to pilots who elect to operate under the 
medical requirements under subsection (b) or subsection (c) of section 
61.23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
    (l) Authority To Require Additional Information.--
            (1) In general.--If the Administrator receives credible or 
        urgent information, including from the National Driver Register 
        or the Administrator's Safety Hotline, that reflects on an 
        individual's ability to safely operate a covered aircraft under 
        the third-class medical certificate exemption in subsection 
        (a), the Administrator may require the individual to provide 
        additional information or history so that the Administrator may 
        determine whether the individual is safe to continue operating 
        a covered aircraft.
            (2) Use of information.--The Administrator may use credible 
        or urgent information received under paragraph (1) to request 
        an individual to provide additional information or to take 
        actions under section 44709(b) of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 2603. EXPANSION OF PILOT'S BILL OF RIGHTS.

    (a) Appeals of Suspended and Revoked Airman Certificates.--Section 
2(d)(1) of the Pilot's Bill of Rights (Public Law 112-153; 126 Stat. 
1159; 49 U.S.C. 44703 note) is amended by striking ``or imposing a 
punitive civil action or an emergency order of revocation under 
subsections (d) and (e) of section 44709 of such title'' and inserting 
``suspending or revoking an airman certificate under section 44709(d) 
of such title, or imposing an emergency order of revocation under 
subsections (d) and (e) of section 44709 of such title''.
    (b) De Novo Review by District Court; Burden of Proof.--Section 
2(e) of the Pilot's Bill of Rights (Public Law 112-153; 126 Stat. 1159; 
49 U.S.C. 44703 note) is amended--
            (1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
            ``(1) In general.--In an appeal filed under subsection (d) 
        in a United States district court with respect to a denial, 
        suspension, or revocation of an airman certificate by the 
        Administrator--
                    ``(A) the district court shall review the denial, 
                suspension, or revocation de novo, including by--
                            ``(i) conducting a full independent review 
                        of the complete administrative record of the 
                        denial, suspension, or revocation;
                            ``(ii) permitting additional discovery and 
                        the taking of additional evidence; and
                            ``(iii) making the findings of fact and 
                        conclusions of law required by Rule 52 of the 
                        Federal Rules of Civil Procedure without being 
                        bound to any findings of fact of the 
                        Administrator or the National Transportation 
                        Safety Board.'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) Burden of proof.--In an appeal filed under subsection 
        (d) in a United States district court after an exhaustion of 
        administrative remedies, the burden of proof shall be as 
        follows:
                    ``(A) In an appeal of the denial of an application 
                for the issuance or renewal of an airman certificate 
                under section 44703 of title 49, United States Code, 
                the burden of proof shall be upon the applicant denied 
                an airman certificate by the Administrator.
                    ``(B) In an appeal of an order issued by the 
                Administrator under section 44709 of title 49, United 
                States Code, the burden of proof shall be upon the 
                Administrator.''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Applicability of administrative procedure act.--
        Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection or 
        subsection (a)(1) of section 554 of title 5, United States 
        Code, section 554 of such title shall apply to adjudications of 
        the Administrator and the National Transportation Safety Board 
        to the same extent as that section applied to such 
        adjudications before the date of enactment of the Pilot's Bill 
        of Rights 2.''.
    (c) Notification of Investigation.--Subsection (b) of section 2 of 
the Pilot's Bill of Rights (Public Law 112-153; 126 Stat. 1159; 49 
U.S.C. 44703 note) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``and the specific 
        activity on which the investigation is based'' after ``nature 
        of the investigation'';
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``timely''; and
            (3) in paragraph (5), by striking ``section 44709(c)(2)'' 
        and inserting ``section 44709(e)(2)''.
    (d) Release of Investigative Reports.--Section 2 of the Pilot's 
Bill of Rights (Public Law 112-153; 126 Stat. 1159; 49 U.S.C. 44703 
note) is further amended by inserting after subsection (e) the 
following:
    ``(f) Release of Investigative Reports.--
            ``(1) In general.--
                    ``(A) Emergency orders.--In any proceeding 
                conducted under part 821 of title 49, Code of Federal 
                Regulations, relating to the amendment, modification, 
                suspension, or revocation of an airman certificate, in 
                which the Administrator issues an emergency order under 
                subsections (d) and (e) of section 44709, section 
                44710, or section 46105(c) of title 49, United States 
                Code, or another order that takes effect immediately, 
                the Administrator shall provide to the individual 
                holding the airman certificate the releasable portion 
                of the investigative report at the time the 
                Administrator issues the order. If the complete Report 
                of Investigation is not available at the time the 
                Emergency Order is issued, the Administrator shall 
                issue all portions of the report that are available at 
                the time and shall provide the full report within 5 
                days of its completion.
                    ``(B) Other orders.--In any non-emergency 
                proceeding conducted under part 821 of title 49, Code 
                of Federal Regulations, relating to the amendment, 
                modification, suspension, or revocation of an airman 
                certificate, in which the Administrator notifies the 
                certificate holder of a proposed certificate action 
                under subsections (b) and (c) of section 44709 or 
                section 44710 of title 49, United States Code, the 
                Administrator shall, upon the written request of the 
                covered certificate holder and at any time after that 
                notification, provide to the covered certificate holder 
                the releasable portion of the investigative report.
            ``(2) Motion for dismissal.--If the Administrator does not 
        provide the releasable portions of the investigative report to 
        the individual holding the airman certificate subject to the 
        proceeding referred to in paragraph (1) by the time required by 
        that paragraph, the individual may move to dismiss the 
        complaint of the Administrator or for other relief and, unless 
        the Administrator establishes good cause for the failure to 
        provide the investigative report or for a lack of timeliness, 
        the administrative law judge shall order such relief as the 
        judge considers appropriate.
            ``(3) Releasable portion of investigative report.--For 
        purposes of paragraph (1), the releasable portion of an 
        investigative report is all information in the report, except 
        for the following:
                    ``(A) Information that is privileged.
                    ``(B) Information that constitutes work product or 
                reflects internal deliberative process.
                    ``(C) Information that would disclose the identity 
                of a confidential source.
                    ``(D) Information the disclosure of which is 
                prohibited by any other provision of law.
                    ``(E) Information that is not relevant to the 
                subject matter of the proceeding.
                    ``(F) Information the Administrator can demonstrate 
                is withheld for good cause.
                    ``(G) Sensitive security information, as defined in 
                section 15.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations 
                (or any corresponding similar ruling or regulation).
            ``(4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
        shall be construed to prevent the Administrator from releasing 
        to an individual subject to an investigation described in 
        subsection (b)(1)--
                    ``(A) information in addition to the information 
                included in the releasable portion of the investigative 
                report; or
                    ``(B) a copy of the investigative report before the 
                Administrator issues a complaint.''.

SEC. 2604. LIMITATIONS ON REEXAMINATION OF CERTIFICATE HOLDERS.

    (a) In General.--Section 44709(a) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Administrator'' and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator'';
            (2) by striking ``reexamine'' and inserting ``, except as 
        provided in paragraph (2), reexamine''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Limitation on the reexamination of airman 
        certificates.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator may not 
                reexamine an airman holding a student, sport, 
                recreational, or private pilot certificate issued under 
                section 44703 of this title if the reexamination is 
                ordered as a result of an event involving the fault of 
                the Federal Aviation Administration or its designee, 
                unless the Administrator has reasonable grounds--
                            ``(i) to establish that the airman may not 
                        be qualified to exercise the privileges of a 
                        particular certificate or rating, based upon an 
                        act or omission committed by the airman while 
                        exercising those privileges, after the 
                        certificate or rating was issued by the Federal 
                        Aviation Administration or its designee; or
                            ``(ii) to demonstrate that the airman 
                        obtained the certificate or the rating through 
                        fraudulent means or through an examination that 
                        was substantially and demonstrably inadequate 
                        to establish the airman's qualifications.
                    ``(B) Notification requirements.--Before taking any 
                action to reexamine an airman under subparagraph (A), 
                the Administrator shall provide to the airman--
                            ``(i) a reasonable basis, described in 
                        detail, for requesting the reexamination; and
                            ``(ii) any information gathered by the 
                        Federal Aviation Administration, that the 
                        Administrator determines is appropriate to 
                        provide, such as the scope and nature of the 
                        requested reexamination, that formed the basis 
                        for that justification.''.
    (b) Amendment, Modification, Suspension, or Revocation of Airman 
Certificates After Reexamination.--Section 44709(b) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 
        and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting 
        appropriately;
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
        subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting 
        appropriately;
            (3) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), as 
        redesignated, by striking ``The Administrator'' and inserting 
        the following:
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        Administrator''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Amendments, modifications, suspensions, and 
        revocations of airman certificates after reexamination.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator may not issue 
                an order to amend, modify, suspend, or revoke an airman 
                certificate held by a student, sport, recreational, or 
                private pilot and issued under section 44703 of this 
                title after a reexamination of the airman holding the 
                certificate unless the Administrator determines that 
                the airman--
                            ``(i) lacks the technical skills and 
                        competency, or care, judgment, and 
                        responsibility, necessary to hold and safely 
                        exercise the privileges of the certificate; or
                            ``(ii) materially contributed to the 
                        issuance of the certificate by fraudulent 
                        means.
                    ``(B) Standard of review.--Any order of the 
                Administrator under this paragraph shall be subject to 
                the standard of review provided for under section 2 of 
                the Pilot's Bill of Rights (49 U.S.C. 44703 note).''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 44709(d)(1) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``subsection 
        (b)(1)(A)'' and inserting ``subsection (b)(1)(A)(i)''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``subsection 
        (b)(1)(B)'' and inserting ``subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii)''.

SEC. 2605. EXPEDITING UPDATES TO NOTAM PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration may not take any enforcement action 
        against any individual for a violation of a NOTAM (as defined 
        in section 3 of the Pilot's Bill of Rights (49 U.S.C. 44701 
        note)) until the Administrator certifies to the appropriate 
        congressional committees that the Administrator has complied 
        with the requirements of section 3 of the Pilot's Bill of 
        Rights, as amended by this section.
            (2) In this subsection, the term ``appropriate 
        congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Transportation and 
                Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
    (b) Amendments.--Section 3 of the Pilot's Bill of Rights (Public 
Law 112-153; 126 Stat. 1162; 49 U.S.C. 44701 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``this Act'' and inserting 
                        ``the Pilot's Bill of Rights 2''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``begin'' and inserting 
                        ``complete the implementation of'';
                    (B) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as 
                follows:
                    ``(B) to continue developing and modernizing the 
                NOTAM repository, in a public central location, to 
                maintain and archive all NOTAMs, including the original 
                content and form of the notices, the original date of 
                publication, and any amendments to such notices with 
                the date of each amendment, in a manner that is 
                Internet-accessible, machine-readable, and 
                searchable;'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) to specify the times during which temporary 
                flight restrictions are in effect and the duration of a 
                designation of special use airspace in a specific 
                area.''; and
            (2) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
    ``(d) Designation of Repository as Sole Source for NOTAMs.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator--
                    ``(A) shall consider the repository for NOTAMs 
                under subsection (a)(2)(B) to be the sole location for 
                airmen to check for NOTAMs; and
                    ``(B) may not consider a NOTAM to be announced or 
                published until the NOTAM is included in the repository 
                for NOTAMs under subsection (a)(2)(B).
            ``(2) Prohibition on taking action for violations of notams 
        not in repository.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), beginning on the date that the 
                repository under subsection (a)(2)(B) is final and 
                published, the Administrator may not take any 
                enforcement action against an airman for a violation of 
                a NOTAM during a flight if--
                            ``(i) that NOTAM is not available through 
                        the repository before the commencement of the 
                        flight; and
                            ``(ii) that NOTAM is not reasonably 
                        accessible and identifiable to the airman.
                    ``(B) Exception for national security.--
                Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case of an 
                enforcement action for a violation of a NOTAM that 
                directly relates to national security.''.

SEC. 2606. ACCESSIBILITY OF CERTAIN FLIGHT DATA.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 471 is amended by 
inserting after section 47124 the following:
``Sec. 47124a. Accessibility of certain flight data
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Administration.--The term `Administration' means the 
        Federal Aviation Administration.
            ``(2) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
            ``(3) Applicable individual.--The term `applicable 
        individual' means an individual who is the subject of an 
        investigation initiated by the Administrator related to a 
        covered flight record.
            ``(4) Contract tower.--The term `contract tower' means an 
        air traffic control tower providing air traffic control 
        services pursuant to a contract with the Administration under 
        the contract air traffic control tower program under section 
        47124(b)(3).
            ``(5) Covered flight record.--The term `covered flight 
        record' means any air traffic data (as defined in section 
        2(b)(4)(B) of the Pilot's Bill of Rights (49 U.S.C. 44703 
        note)), created, maintained, or controlled by any program of 
        the Administration, including any program of the Administration 
        carried out by employees or contractors of the Administration, 
        such as contract towers, flight service stations, and 
        controller training programs.
    ``(b) Provision of Covered Flight Record to Administration.--
            ``(1) Requests.--Whenever the Administration receives a 
        written request for a covered flight record from an applicable 
        individual and the covered flight record is not in the 
        possession of the Administration, the Administrator shall 
        request the covered flight record from the contract tower or 
        other contractor of the Administration in possession of the 
        covered flight record.
            ``(2) Provision of records.--Any covered flight record 
        created, maintained, or controlled by a contract tower or 
        another contractor of the Administration that maintains covered 
        flight records shall be provided to the Administration if the 
        Administration requests the record pursuant to paragraph (1).
            ``(3) Notice of proposed certificate action.--If the 
        Administrator has issued, or subsequently issues, a Notice of 
        Proposed Certificate Action relying on evidence contained in 
        the covered flight record and the individual who is the subject 
        of an investigation has requested the record, the Administrator 
        shall promptly produce the record and extend the time the 
        individual has to respond to the Notice of Proposed Certificate 
        Action until the covered flight record is provided.
    ``(c) Implementation.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of enactment of the Pilot's Bill of Rights 2, the Administrator 
        shall promulgate regulations or guidance to ensure compliance 
        with this section.
            ``(2) Compliance by contractors.--
                    ``(A) Compliance with this section by a contract 
                tower or other contractor of the Administration that 
                maintains covered flight records shall be included as a 
                material term in any contract between the 
                Administration and the contract tower or contractor 
                entered into or renewed on or after the date of 
                enactment of the Pilot's Bill of Rights 2.
                    ``(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any 
                contract or agreement in effect on the date of 
                enactment of the Pilot's Bill of Rights 2 unless the 
                contract or agreement is renegotiated, renewed, or 
                modified after that date.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The table of contents for 
chapter 471 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
47124 the following:

``47124a. Accessibility of certain flight data.''.

SEC. 2607. AUTHORITY FOR LEGAL COUNSEL TO ISSUE CERTAIN NOTICES.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall revise 
section 13.11 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to authorize 
legal counsel of the Federal Aviation Administration to close 
enforcement actions covered by that section with a warning notice, 
letter of correction, or other administrative action.

                  TITLE III--AIR SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 3001. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Covered air carrier.--The term ``covered air carrier'' 
        means an air carrier or a foreign air carrier as those terms 
        are defined in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code.
            (2) Online service.--The term ``online service'' means any 
        service available over the Internet, or that connects to the 
        Internet or a wide-area network.
            (3) Ticket agent.--The term ``ticket agent'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 40102 of title 49, United 
        States Code.

             Subtitle A--Passenger Air Service Improvements

SEC. 3101. CAUSES OF AIRLINE DELAYS OR CANCELLATIONS.

    (a) Review.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall 
        review the categorization of delays and cancellations with 
        respect to air carriers that are required to report such data.
            (2) Considerations.--In conducting the review under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum--
                    (A) whether delays and cancellations attributed by 
                an air carrier to weather were unavoidable due to an 
                operational or air traffic control issue, or due to the 
                air carrier's preference in determining which flights 
                to delay or cancel during a weather event;
                    (B) whether and to what extent delays and 
                cancellations attributed by an air carrier to weather 
                disproportionately impact service to smaller airports 
                and communities; and
                    (C) whether it is an unfair or deceptive practice 
                in violation of section 41712 of title 49, United 
                States Code, for an air carrier to inform a passenger 
                that a flight is delayed or cancelled due to weather, 
                without any other context or explanation for the delay 
                or cancellation, when the air carrier has discretion as 
                to which flights to delay or cancel.
            (3) Advisory committee for aviation consumer protection.--
        The Secretary may use the Advisory Committee for Aviation 
        Consumer Protection, established under section 411 of the FAA 
        Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. 
        note), to assist in conducting the review and providing 
        recommendations.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date the review under 
subsection (a) is complete, the Secretary shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the review under 
subsection (a), including any recommendations.
    (c) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section shall be construed 
as affecting the decision of an air carrier to maximize its system 
capacity during weather-related events to accommodate the greatest 
number of passengers.

SEC. 3102. INVOLUNTARY CHANGES TO ITINERARIES.

    (a) Review.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall 
        review whether it is an unfair or deceptive practice in 
        violation of section 41712 of title 49, United States Code, for 
        an air carrier to change the itinerary of a passenger, more 
        than 24 hours before departure, if the new itinerary involves 
        additional stops or departs 3 hours earlier or later and 
        compensation or other more suitable air transportation is not 
        offered.
            (2) Advisory committee for aviation consumer protection.--
        The Secretary may use the Advisory Committee for Aviation 
        Consumer Protection, established under section 411 of the FAA 
        Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. 
        note), to assist in conducting the review and providing 
        recommendations.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date the review under 
subsection (a) is complete, the Secretary shall submit to appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on the review under subsection (a), 
including any recommendations.

SEC. 3103. ADDITIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTIONS.

    Not later than 180 days after the date that the reviews under 
sections 3101 and 3102 of this Act are complete, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall issue a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking 
to its notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register 
on May 23, 2014 (DOT-OST-2014-0056) (relating to the transparency of 
airline ancillary fees and other consumer protection issues) to 
consider the following:
            (1) Requiring an air carrier to provide notification and 
        refunds or other consideration to a consumer who is impacted by 
        delays or cancellations when an air carrier has a choice as to 
        which flights to cancel or delay during a weather-related 
        event.
            (2) Requiring an air carrier to provide notification and 
        refunds or other consideration to a consumer who is impacted by 
        involuntary changes to the consumer's itinerary.

SEC. 3104. ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES OF PASSENGERS INVOLVED IN 
              AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS.

    (a) Air Carriers Holding Certificates of Public Convenience and 
Necessity.--Section 41113 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``a major'' and 
        inserting ``any'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (9), by striking ``(and any other 
                victim of the accident)'' and inserting ``(and any 
                other victim of the accident, including any victim on 
                the ground)'';
                    (B) in paragraph (16), by striking ``major'' and 
                inserting ``any''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (17)(A), by striking 
                ``significant'' and inserting ``any''; and
            (3) by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:
    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) `Aircraft accident' means any aviation disaster, 
        regardless of its cause or suspected cause, for which the 
        National Transportation Safety Board is the lead investigative 
        agency.
            ``(2) `Passenger' has the meaning given the term in section 
        1136.''.
    (b) Foreign Air Carriers Providing Foreign Air Transportation.--
Section 41313 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``a major'' and 
        inserting ``any''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``a significant'' 
                and inserting ``any'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``a significant'' 
                and inserting ``any'';
                    (C) in paragraph (16), by striking ``major'' and 
                inserting ``any''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (17)(A), by striking 
                ``significant'' and inserting ``any''.
    (c) National Transportation Safety Board.--Section 1136(a) is 
amended by striking ``aircraft accident within the United States 
involving an air carrier or foreign air carrier and resulting in a 
major loss of life'' and inserting ``aircraft accident involving an air 
carrier or foreign air carrier, resulting in any loss of life, and for 
which the National Transportation Safety Board will serve as the lead 
investigative agency''.

SEC. 3105. EMERGENCY MEDICAL KITS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall evaluate and revise, as appropriate, the regulations under part 
121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, regarding the emergency 
medical equipment requirements, including the contents of the first-aid 
kit, applicable to all certificate holders operating passenger-carrying 
airplanes under that part.
    (b) Considerations.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall consider whether the minimum contents of approved 
emergency medical kits, including approved first-aid kits, include 
appropriate medications and equipment to meet the emergency medical 
needs of children, including consideration of an epinephrine auto-
injector, as appropriate.

SEC. 3106. TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITIES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall--
            (1) conduct a study of airport accessibility best practices 
        for individuals with disabilities; and
            (2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
        report on the study, including the Comptroller General's 
        findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
    (b) Contents.--The study under subsection (a) shall include 
accessibility best practices beyond those recommended under the 
Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.), 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), Air Carrier Access 
Act of 1986 (100 Stat. 1080; Public Law 99-435), or Americans with 
Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), that improve 
infrastructure and communications, such as with regard to wayfinding, 
amenities, and passenger care.

SEC. 3107. EXTENSION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AVIATION CONSUMER 
              PROTECTION.

    (a) Termination.--Section 411(h) of the FAA Modernization and 
Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95; 49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) is 
amended by striking ``July 15, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 
2017''.
    (b) Financial Disclosure.--Section 411 of the FAA Modernization and 
Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95; 49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) is 
further amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
            (2) by inserting before subsection (i), the following:
    ``(h) Conflict of Interest Disclosure.--Beginning on the date of 
enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 
2016, each member of the advisory committee who is not a government 
employee shall disclose, on an annual basis, any potential conflicts of 
interest, including financial conflicts of interest, to the Secretary 
in such form and manner as prescribed by the Secretary.''.
    (c) Recommendations.--Section 411(g) of the FAA Modernization and 
Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95; 49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``of the first 2 calendar years beginning 
        after the date of enactment of this Act'' and inserting 
        ``calendar year''; and
            (2) by inserting ``and post on the Department of 
        Transportation Web site'' after ``Congress''.

SEC. 3108. EXTENSION OF COMPETITIVE ACCESS REPORTS.

    Section 47107(r)(3) is amended by striking ``July 16, 2016'' and 
inserting ``October 1, 2017''.

SEC. 3109. REFUNDS FOR DELAYED BAGGAGE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue final 
regulations to require a covered air carrier to promptly provide an 
automatic refund to a passenger in the amount of any applicable 
ancillary fees paid if the covered air carrier has charged the 
passenger an ancillary fee for checked baggage but the covered air 
carrier fails to deliver the checked baggage to the passenger not later 
than 6 hours after the arrival of a domestic flight or 12 hours after 
the arrival of an international flight.
    (b) Exception.--If as part of the rulemaking the Secretary makes a 
determination on the record that a requirement under subsection (a) is 
unfeasible and will negatively affect consumers in certain cases, the 
Secretary may modify 1 or both of the deadlines in that subsection for 
such cases, except that--
            (1) the deadline relating to a domestic flight may not 
        exceed 12 hours after the arrival of the domestic flight; and
            (2) the deadline relating to an international flight may 
        not exceed 24 hours after the arrival of the international 
        flight.

SEC. 3110. REFUNDS FOR OTHER FEES THAT ARE NOT HONORED BY A COVERED AIR 
              CARRIER.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Transportation shall promulgate regulations that require 
each covered air carrier to promptly provide an automatic refund to a 
passenger of any ancillary fees paid for services that the passenger 
does not receive, including on the passenger's scheduled flight, on a 
subsequent replacement itinerary if there has been a rescheduling, or 
for a flight not taken by the passenger.

SEC. 3111. DISCLOSURE OF FEES TO CONSUMERS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue final 
regulations requiring--
            (1) each covered air carrier to disclose to a consumer the 
        baggage fee, cancellation fee, change fee, ticketing fee, and 
        seat selection fee of that covered air carrier in a 
        standardized format; and
            (2) notwithstanding the manner in which information 
        regarding the fees described in paragraph (1) is collected, 
        each ticket agent to disclose to a consumer such fees of a 
        covered air carrier in the standardized format described in 
        paragraph (1).
    (b) Requirements.--The regulations under subsection (a) shall 
require that each disclosure--
            (1) if ticketing is done on an Internet Web site or other 
        online service--
                    (A) be prominently displayed to the consumer prior 
                to the point of purchase; and
                    (B) set forth the fees described in subsection 
                (a)(1) in clear and plain language and a font of easily 
                readable size; and
            (2) if ticketing is done on the telephone, be expressly 
        stated to the consumer during the telephone call and prior to 
        the point of purchase.

SEC. 3112. SEAT ASSIGNMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 15 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall complete 
such actions as may be necessary to require each covered air carrier 
and ticket agent to disclose to a consumer that seat selection for 
which a fee is charged is an optional service, and that if a consumer 
does not pay for a seat assignment, a seat will be assigned to the 
consumer from available inventory at the time the consumer checks in 
for the flight or prior to departure.
    (b) Requirements.--The disclosure under subsection (a) shall--
            (1) if ticketing is done on an Internet Web site or other 
        online service, be prominently displayed to the consumer on 
        that Internet Web site or online service during the selection 
        of seating or prior to the point of purchase; and
            (2) if ticketing is done on the telephone, be expressly 
        stated to the consumer during the telephone call and prior to 
        the point of purchase.

SEC. 3113. LASTING IMPROVEMENTS TO FAMILY TRAVEL.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Lasting 
Improvements to Family Travel Act'' or the ``LIFT Act''.
    (b) Accompanying Minors for Security Screening.--The Administrator 
of the Transportation Security Administration shall formalize security 
screening procedures that allow for one adult family caregiver to 
accompany a minor child throughout the entirety of the security 
screening process.
    (c) Special Accommodations for Pregnant Women.--Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall review and, if appropriate, prescribe regulations 
that direct all air carriers to include pregnant women in their 
policies with respect to preboarding or advance boarding of aircraft.
    (d) Family Seating.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall review and, if appropriate, 
establish a policy directing all air carriers to ensure that, if a 
family is traveling on a reservation with a child under the age of 13, 
that child is able to sit in a seat adjacent to the seat of an 
accompanying family member over the age of 13, to the maximum extent 
practicable, at no additional cost.

SEC. 3114. CONSUMER COMPLAINT PROCESS IMPROVEMENT.

    (a) In General.--Section 42302 is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections 
        (c) and (d), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after subsection (a), the following:
    ``(b) Point of Sale.--Each air carrier, foreign air carrier, and 
ticket agent shall inform each consumer of a carrier service, at the 
point of sale, that the consumer can file a complaint about that 
service with the carrier and with the Aviation Consumer Protection 
Division of the Department of Transportation.'';
            (3) by amending subsection (c), as redesignated, to read as 
        follows:
    ``(c) Internet Web Site or Other Online Service Notice.--Each air 
carrier and foreign air carrier shall include on its Internet Web site, 
any related mobile device application, and online service--
            ``(1) the hotline telephone number established under 
        subsection (a) or for the Aviation Consumer Protection Division 
        of the Department of Transportation;
            ``(2) an active link and the email address, telephone 
        number, and mailing address of the air carrier or foreign air 
        carrier, as applicable, for a consumer to submit a complaint to 
        the carrier about the quality of service;
            ``(3) notice that the consumer can file a complaint with 
        the Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Department of 
        Transportation;
            ``(4) an active link to the Internet Web site of the 
        Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Department of 
        Transportation for a consumer to file a complaint; and
            ``(5) the active link described in paragraph (2) on the 
        same Internet Web site page as the active link described in 
        paragraph (4).''; and
            (4) in subsection (d), as redesignated--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``An air carrier or foreign air carrier 
                providing scheduled air transportation using any 
                aircraft that as originally designed has a passenger 
                capacity of 30 or more passenger seats'' and inserting 
                ``Each air carrier and foreign air carrier'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``air carrier'' 
                and inserting ``carrier''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``air carrier'' 
                and inserting ``carrier''.
    (b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall promulgate 
regulations to implement the requirements of section 42302 of title 49, 
United States Code, as amended.

SEC. 3115. ONLINE ACCESS TO AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION INFORMATION.

    (a) Internet Web Site.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall--
            (1) complete an evaluation of the aviation consumer 
        protection portion of the Department of Transportation's public 
        Internet Web site to identify any changes to the user interface 
        that will improve usability, accessibility, consumer 
        satisfaction, and Web site performance;
            (2) in completing the evaluation under paragraph (1)--
                    (A) consider the best practices of other Federal 
                agencies with effective Web sites; and
                    (B) consult with the Federal Web Managers Council;
            (3) develop a plan, including an implementation timeline, 
        for--
                    (A) making the changes identified under paragraph 
                (1); and
                    (B) making any necessary changes to that portion of 
                the Web site that will enable a consumer--
                            (i) to access information regarding each 
                        complaint filed with the Aviation Consumer 
                        Protection Division of the Department of 
                        Transportation;
                            (ii) to search the complaints described in 
                        clause (i) by the name of the air carrier, the 
                        dates of departure and arrival, the airports of 
                        origin and departure, and the type of 
                        complaint; and
                            (iii) to determine the date a complaint was 
                        filed and the date a complaint was resolved; 
                        and
            (4) submit the evaluation and plan to appropriate 
        committees of Congress.
    (b) Mobile Application Software.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall--
            (1) implement a program to develop application software for 
        wireless devices that will enable a user to access information 
        and perform activities related to aviation consumer protection, 
        such as--
                    (A) information regarding airline passenger 
                protections, including protections related to lost 
                baggage and baggage fees, disclosure of additional 
                fees, bumping, cancelled or delayed flights, damaged or 
                lost baggage, and tarmac delays; and
                    (B) file an aviation consumer complaint, including 
                a safety and security, airline service, disability and 
                discrimination, or privacy complaint, with the Aviation 
                Consumer Protection Division of the Department of 
                Transportation; and
            (2) make the application software available to the public 
        at no cost.

SEC. 3116. STUDY ON IN CABIN WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.

    Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall conduct a 
study to determine the ways in which particular individuals with 
significant disabilities who use wheelchairs, including power 
wheelchairs, can be accommodated through in cabin wheelchair restraint 
systems.

SEC. 3117. TRAINING POLICIES REGARDING ASSISTANCE FOR PERSONS WITH 
              DISABILITIES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to Congress a report describing--
            (1) each air carrier's training policy for its personnel 
        and contractors regarding assistance for persons with 
        disabilities, as required by Department of Transportation 
        regulations;
            (2) any variations among the air carriers in the policies 
        described in paragraph (1);
            (3) how the training policies are implemented to meet the 
        Department of Transportation regulations;
            (4) how frequently an air carrier must train new employees 
        and contractors due to turnover in positions that require such 
        training;
            (5) how frequently, in the prior 10 years, the Department 
        of Transportation has requested, after reviewing a training 
        policy, that an air carrier take corrective action; and
            (6) the action taken by an air carrier under paragraph (5).
    (b) Best Practices.--After the date the report is submitted under 
subsection (a), the Secretary of Transportation, based on the findings 
of the report, shall develop and disseminate to air carriers such best 
practices as the Secretary considers necessary to improve the training 
policies.

SEC. 3118. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE AIR TRAVEL NEEDS OF PASSENGERS 
              WITH DISABILITIES.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Transportation shall establish 
an advisory committee for the air travel needs of passengers with 
disabilities (referred to in this section as the ``Advisory 
Committee'').
    (b) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall advise the Secretary with 
regard to the implementation of the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 
(Public Law 99-435; 100 Stat. 1080), including--
            (1) assessing the disability-related access barriers 
        encountered by passengers with disabilities;
            (2) determining the extent to which the programs and 
        activities of the Department of Transportation are addressing 
        the barriers described in paragraph (1);
            (3) recommending improvements to the air travel experience 
        of passengers with disabilities; and
            (4) such activities as the Secretary considers necessary to 
        carry out this section.
    (c) Membership.--
            (1) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall be comprised 
        of at least 1 representative of each of the following groups:
                    (A) Passengers with disabilities.
                    (B) National disability organizations.
                    (C) Air carriers.
                    (D) Airport operators.
                    (E) Contractor service providers.
            (2) Appointment.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
        appoint each member of the Advisory Committee.
            (3) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Advisory Committee shall 
        be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was 
        made.
    (d) Chairperson.--The Secretary of Transportation shall designate, 
from among the members appointed under subsection (c), an individual to 
serve as chairperson of the Advisory Committee.
    (e) Travel Expenses.--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 chapter 57 of 
title 5, United States Code.
    (f) Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than February 1 of each year, 
        the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Secretary of 
        Transportation a report on the needs of passengers with 
        disabilities in air travel, including--
                    (A) an assessment of disability-related access 
                barriers, both those that were evident in the preceding 
                year and those that will likely be an issue in the next 
                5 years;
                    (B) an evaluation of the extent to which the 
                Department of Transportation's programs and activities 
                are eliminating disability-related access barriers;
                    (C) a description of the Advisory Committee's 
                actions during the prior calendar year;
                    (D) a description of activities that the Advisory 
                Committee proposed to undertake in the succeeding 
                calendar year; and
                    (E) any recommendations for legislation, 
                administrative action, or other action that the 
                Advisory Committee considers appropriate.
            (2) Report to congress.--Not later than 60 days after the 
        date the Secretary receives the report under subparagraph (A), 
        the Secretary shall submit to Congress a copy of the report, 
        including any additional findings or recommendations that the 
        Secretary considers appropriate.
    (g) Termination.--The Advisory Committee shall terminate 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3119. REPORT ON COVERED AIR CARRIER CHANGE, CANCELLATION, AND 
              BAGGAGE FEES.

    (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study of existing airline industry change, cancellation, and 
bag fees and the current industry practice for handling changes to or 
cancellation of ticketed travel on covered air carriers.
    (b) Considerations.--In conducting the study, the Comptroller 
General shall consider, at a minimum--
            (1) whether and how each covered air carrier calculates its 
        change fees, cancellation fees, and bag fees; and
            (2) the relationship between the cost of the ticket and the 
        date of change or cancellation as compared to the date of 
        travel.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on the study, including the Comptroller 
General's findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

SEC. 3120. ENFORCEMENT OF AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION RULES.

    (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study to consider and evaluate Department of Transportation 
enforcement of aviation consumer protection rules.
    (b) Contents.--The study under subsection (a) shall include an 
evaluation of--
            (1) available enforcement mechanisms;
            (2) any obstacles to enforcement; and
            (3) trends in Department of Transportation enforcement 
        actions.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on the study, including the Comptroller 
General's findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

SEC. 3121. DIMENSIONS FOR PASSENGER SEATS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall initiate a 
proceeding to study the minimum seat pitch for passenger seats on 
aircraft operated by air carriers (as defined in section 40102 of title 
49, United States Code).
    (b) Considerations.--In reviewing any minimum seat pitch under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider the safety of passengers, 
including passengers with disabilities.

SEC. 3122. CELL PHONE VOICE COMMUNICATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 417, as amended by section 
2307 of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following:
``Sec. 41726. Cell phone voice communications
    ``(a) Prohibition Authority.--The Secretary of Transportation may 
issue regulations--
            ``(1) to prohibit an individual on an aircraft from 
        engaging in voice communications using a mobile communications 
        device during a flight of that aircraft in scheduled passenger 
        interstate or intrastate air transportation; and
            ``(2) that exempt from the prohibition described in 
        paragraph (1)--
                    ``(A) any member of the flight crew on duty on an 
                aircraft;
                    ``(B) any flight attendant on duty on an aircraft; 
                and
                    ``(C) any Federal law enforcement officer acting in 
                an official capacity.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Flight.--The term `flight' means, with respect to an 
        aircraft, the period beginning when the aircraft takes off and 
        ending when the aircraft lands.
            ``(2) Mobile communications device.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `mobile communications 
                device' means any portable wireless telecommunications 
                equipment utilized for the transmission or reception of 
                voice data.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--The term `mobile communications 
                device' does not include a phone installed on an 
                aircraft.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents at the beginning of 
chapter 417, as amended by section 2307 of this Act, is further amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 41725 the following:

``41726. Cell phone voice communications.''.

SEC. 3123. AVAILABILITY OF SLOTS FOR NEW ENTRANT AIR CARRIERS AT NEWARK 
              LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

    (a) Definitions.--The terms ``new entrant air carrier'' and 
``slot'' have the meanings given those terms in section 41714(h) of 
title 49, United States Code.
    (b) Slots for New Entrant Air Carriers.--The Secretary shall, 
annually, by granting exemptions from the requirements under part 93 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or by other means, make not less 
than 8 slots at Newark Liberty International Airport available to 
enable new entrant air carriers to provide air transportation.
    (c) Applicability.--Subsection (a) shall not apply in any year--
            (1) new entrant air carriers operate 5 percent or more of 
        the total number of slots at Newark Liberty International 
        Airport; or
            (2) the Secretary makes a determination that making slots 
        available to enable new entrant air carriers to provide air 
        transportation at that airport is not in the public interest 
        and doing so would significantly increase operational delays.
    (d) Report to Congress.--The Secretary shall notify the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives not later than 14 calendar days after the date a 
determination is made under subsection (c)(2), including the reasons 
for that determination.

                   Subtitle B--Essential Air Service

SEC. 3201. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE.

    (a) Authorization Extension.--Section 41742(a) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$150,000,000'' and all 
        that follows though ``July 15, 2016'' and inserting 
        ``$155,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2017''; 
        and
            (2) by striking paragraph (3).
    (b) Definitions.--Section 41731(a)(1)(A) is amended by striking 
clause (ii) and inserting the following:
                            ``(ii) was determined, on or after October 
                        1, 1988, and before December 1, 2012, under 
                        this subchapter by the Secretary of 
                        Transportation to be eligible to receive 
                        subsidized small community air service under 
                        section 41736(a);''.
    (c) Seasonal Service.--The Secretary of Transportation may consider 
the flexibility of current operational dates and airport accessibility 
to meet local community needs when issuing requests for proposal of 
essential air service at seasonal airports.

SEC. 3202. SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) Extension of Authorization.--Section 41743(e)(2) is amended to 
read as follows:
            ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to the Secretary $10,000,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2016 through 2017 to carry out this section. Such 
        sums shall remain available until expended.''.
    (b) Eligibility.--Section 41743(c)(1) is amended to read as 
follows:
            ``(1) Size.--On the date of the most recent notice of order 
        soliciting community proposals issued by the Secretary under 
        this section, the airport serving the community or consortium--
                    ``(A) was not larger than a small hub airport, as 
                determined using the Department of Transportation's 
                most recent published classification; and
                    ``(B)(i) had insufficient air carrier service; or
                    ``(ii) had unreasonably high air fares.''.

SEC. 3203. SMALL COMMUNITY PROGRAM AMENDMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 41743(c)(4) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(B) Same projects.--'' before the second 
        sentence and indenting appropriately;
            (2) by inserting ``(A) In general.--'' before the first 
        sentence and indenting appropriately;
            (3) in subparagraph (B), as designated by this subsection, 
        by striking ``No community'' and inserting ``Except as provided 
        in subparagraph (C)''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Exception.--The Secretary may waive the 
                limitation under subparagraph (B) related to projects 
                that are the same if the Secretary determines that the 
                community or consortium spent little or no money on its 
                previous project or encountered industry or 
                environmental challenges, due to circumstances that 
                were reasonably beyond the control of the community or 
                consortium.''.
    (b) Authority To Make Agreements.--Section 41743(e)(1) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: ``The Secretary may amend the scope 
of a grant agreement at the request of the community or consortium and 
any participating air carrier, and may limit the scope of a grant 
agreement to only the elements using grant assistance or to only the 
elements achieved, if the Secretary determines that the amendment is 
reasonably consistent with the original purpose of the project.''.

SEC. 3204. WAIVERS.

    Section 41732 is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Waivers.--Notwithstanding section 41733(e), upon request by 
an eligible place, the Secretary may waive, in whole or in part, 
subsections (a) and (b) of this section or subsections (a) through (c) 
of section 41734. A waiver issued under this subsection shall remain in 
effect for a limited period of time, as determined by the Secretary.''.

SEC. 3205. WORKING GROUP ON IMPROVING AIR SERVICE TO SMALL COMMUNITIES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation and the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish a 
working group--
            (1) to identify obstacles to attracting and maintaining air 
        transportation service to and from small communities; and
            (2) to develop recommendations for maintaining and 
        improving air transportation service to and from small 
        communities.
    (b) Outreach.--In carrying out the requirements under paragraphs 
(1) and (2) of subsection (a), the working group shall consult with--
            (1) interested Governors;
            (2) representatives of State and local agencies, and other 
        officials and groups, representing rural States and other rural 
        areas;
            (3) other representatives of relevant State and local 
        agencies; and
            (4) members of the public with experience in aviation 
        safety, pilot training, economic development, and related 
        issues.
    (c) Considerations.--In carrying out the requirements under 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a), the working group shall--
            (1) consider whether funding for, and terms of, current or 
        potential new programs is sufficient to help ensure 
        continuation of or improvement to air transportation service to 
        small communities, including the Essential Air Service Program 
        and the Small Community Air Service Development Program;
            (2) identify initiatives to help support pilot training to 
        provide air transportation service to small communities;
            (3) consider whether Federal funding for airports serving 
        small communities, including airports that have lost air 
        transportation services or had decreased enplanements in recent 
        years, is adequate to ensure that small communities have access 
        to quality, affordable air transportation service;
            (4) consider potential improvements in pilot training and 
        any constraints affecting pilot career pathways that, if 
        addressed, would increase both aviation safety and pilot 
        supply;
            (5) identify innovative State or local efforts that have 
        established public-private partnerships that are successful in 
        attracting and retaining air transportation service in small 
        communities; and
            (6) consider such other issues as the Secretary and 
        Administrator consider appropriate.
    (d) Composition.--
            (1) In general.--The working group shall be facilitated 
        through the Administrator or the Administrator's designee.
            (2) Membership.--Members of the working group shall be 
        appointed by the Administrator and shall include 
        representatives of--
                    (A) State and local government, including State and 
                local aviation officials;
                    (B) State Governors;
                    (C) aviation safety experts;
                    (D) economic development officials; and
                    (E) the traveling public from small communities.
    (e) Report and Recommendations.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Administrator 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report, 
including--
            (1) a summary of the views expressed by the participants in 
        the outreach under subsection (b);
            (2) a description of the working group's findings, 
        including the identification of any areas of general consensus 
        among the non-Federal participants in the outreach under 
        subsection (b); and
            (3) any recommendations for legislative or regulatory 
        action that would assist in maintaining and improving air 
        transportation service to and from small communities.

                 TITLE IV--NEXTGEN AND FAA ORGANIZATION

SEC. 4001. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the 
        Federal Aviation Administration.
            (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
            (3) ADS-B.--The term ``ADS-B'' means automatic dependent 
        surveillance-broadcast.
            (4) ADS-B out.--The term ``ADS-B Out'' means automatic 
        dependent surveillance-broadcast with the ability to transmit 
        information from the aircraft to ground stations and to other 
        equipped aircraft.
            (5) Nextgen.--The term ``NextGen'' means the Next 
        Generation Air Transportation System.

         Subtitle A--Next Generation Air Transportation System

SEC. 4101. RETURN ON INVESTMENT ASSESSMENT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on the Administrator's assessment of 
each NextGen program.
    (b) Contents.--The report under subsection (a) shall include--
            (1) an estimate of the date that each NextGen program will 
        have a positive return on investment;
            (2) an assessment of the impacts of each such program for--
                    (A) the Federal Government; and
                    (B) the users of the national airspace system;
            (3) a description of how each such program directly 
        contributes to a more safe and efficient air traffic control 
        system; and
            (4) the status of NextGen programs and of the projected 
        return on investment for each such program.
    (c) NextGen Priority List.--Based on the assessment under 
subsection (a) the Administrator shall--
            (1) develop, in coordination with the NextGen Advisory 
        Committee and considering the need for a balance between long-
        term and near-term user benefits, a prioritization of each 
        NextGen program;
            (2) include the priority list in the report under 
        subsection (b); and
            (3) prepare budget submissions to reflect the current 
        status of NextGen programs and projected returns on investment 
        for each program.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Key milestones.--The term ``key milestones'' includes 
        cost and deployment schedule, and benefits anticipated in the 
        most recent baseline.
            (2) Return on investment.--The term ``return on 
        investment'' means the cost associated with technologies that 
        are required by law or policy as compared to the benefits 
        derived from such technologies by a government or a user of 
        airspace.
    (e) Repeal of NextGen Priorities.--Section 202 of the FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95; 49 U.S.C. 
40101 note) and the item relating to that section in the table of 
contents under section 1(b) of that Act are repealed.

SEC. 4102. ENSURING FAA READINESS TO USE NEW TECHNOLOGY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than December 31, 2017, the 
Administrator shall--
            (1) ensure the capability of the Administration to receive 
        space-based ADS-B data; and
            (2) use the data described under paragraph (1) to provide 
        positive air traffic control, including separation of aircraft 
        over the oceans and other specific regions not covered by 
        radar.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and biannually thereafter until the date that the 
Administrator certifies that the Administration has the capability to 
receive space-based ADS-B data, the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report that--
            (1) details the actions the Administrator has taken to 
        ensure 2018 readiness and usage;
            (2) details the actions that remain to be taken to 
        implement such capability;
            (3) includes a schedule for expected completion of each 
        outstanding action described in paragraph (2); and
            (4) includes a detailed description of the investment 
        decisions and requests for funding made by the Administrator 
        that are consistent with the terrestrial ADS-B implementation 
        to ensure a sustained program beyond 2018.

SEC. 4103. NEXTGEN ANNUAL PERFORMANCE GOALS.

    (a) Annual Performance Goals.--Section 214 of the FAA Modernization 
and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
    ``(d) Annual Performance Goals.--The Administrator shall establish 
annual NextGen performance goals for each of the performance metrics 
set forth in subsection (a) to meet the performance metric baselines 
identified under subsection (b). Such goals shall be consistent with 
the annual performance objectives established by the senior policy 
committee (commonly known as the `NextGen Advisory Committee') 
established under section 710 of the Vision 100--Century of Aviation 
Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-176; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note).''.
    (b) NextGen Metrics Report.--Section 710(e)(2) of the Vision 100--
Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-176; 49 U.S.C. 
40101 note) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting a semicolon;
            (2) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(F) a description of the progress made in meeting 
                the annual NextGen performance goals relative to the 
                performance metrics established under section 214 of 
                the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public 
                Law 112-95; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note).''.
    (c) Chief NextGen Officer.--Section 106(s)(3) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)(B), by adding at the end the 
        following: ``In evaluating the performance of the Chief NextGen 
        Officer for the purpose of awarding a bonus under this 
        subparagraph, the Administrator shall consider the progress 
        toward meeting the NextGen performance goals established 
        pursuant to section 214(d) of the FAA Modernization and Reform 
        Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note).''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following: 
        ``The annual performance goals set forth in the agreement shall 
        include quantifiable NextGen airspace performance objectives 
        regarding efficiency, productivity, capacity, and safety, which 
        shall be established by the senior policy committee (commonly 
        known as the `NextGen Advisory Committee') established under 
        section 710 of the Vision 100--Century of Aviation 
        Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-176; 49 U.S.C. 40101 
        note).''.

SEC. 4104. FACILITY OUTAGE CONTINGENCY PLANS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) On September 26, 2014, an Administration contract 
        employee deliberately started a fire that destroyed critical 
        equipment at the Administration's Chicago Air Route Traffic 
        Control Center (referred to in this section as the ``Chicago 
        Center'') in Aurora, Illinois.
            (2) As a result of the damage, Chicago Center was unable to 
        control air traffic for more than 2 weeks, thousands of flights 
        were delayed or cancelled into and out of O'Hare International 
        Airport and Midway Airport in Chicago, and aviation 
        stakeholders and airlines reportedly lost over $350,000,000.
            (3) According to the Office of the Inspector General of the 
        Department of Transportation, the fire at Chicago Center 
        demonstrated that the Administration's contingency plans for 
        the Chicago Center and the airspace it controls do not ensure 
        redundancy and resiliency for sustained operations.
            (4) Further, the Inspector General found that Chicago 
        Center incident highlighted the limited flexibility and lack of 
        resiliency in critical elements of the Administration's current 
        air traffic control infrastructure, including limited 
        communication capacity and the inability to easily transfer 
        control of airspace and flight plans.
    (b) Comprehensive Contingency Plan.--Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall update the 
Administration's comprehensive contingency plan to address potential 
air traffic facility outages that could have a major impact on 
operation of the national airspace system.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date the plan is 
updated under subsection (b), the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the update, including 
any recommendations for ensuring air traffic facility outages do not 
have a major impact on operation of the national airspace system.

SEC. 4105. ADS-B MANDATE ASSESSMENT.

    (a) Assessment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation 
shall assess--
            (1) Administration and industry readiness to meet the ADS-B 
        mandate by 2020;
            (2) changes to ADS-B program since May 2010; and
            (3) additional options to comply with the mandate and 
        consequences, both for individual system users and for the 
        overall safety and efficiency of the national airspace system, 
        for noncompliance.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date the assessment 
under subsection (a) is complete, the Inspector General of the 
Department of Transportation shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the progress made toward meeting the ADS-B 
mandate by 2020, including any recommendations of the Inspector General 
to carry out such mandate.

SEC. 4106. NEXTGEN INTEROPERABILITY.

    (a) In General.--To implement a more effective international 
strategy for achieving NextGen interoperability with foreign countries, 
the Administrator shall take the following actions:
            (1) Conduct a gap analysis to identify potential risks to 
        NextGen interoperability with other Air Navigation Service 
        Providers and establish a schedule for periodically 
        reevaluating such risks.
            (2) Develop a plan that identifies and documents actions 
        the Administrator will undertake to mitigate such risks, using 
        information from the gap analysis as a basis for making 
        management decisions about how to allocate resources for such 
        actions.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the analysis conducted under paragraph (1) of 
subsection (a) and on the actions the Administrator has taken under 
paragraph (2) of such subsection.

SEC. 4107. NEXTGEN TRANSITION MANAGEMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall--
            (1) identify and analyze technical and operational maturity 
        gaps in NextGen transition and implementation plans; and
            (2) develop a plan to mitigate the gaps identified in 
        paragraph (1).
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the actions taken to carry out the plan 
required by subsection (a)(2).

SEC. 4108. IMPLEMENTATION OF NEXTGEN OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) In General.--To help ensure that NextGen operational 
improvements are fully implemented in the midterm, the Administrator 
shall--
            (1) work with airlines and other users of the national 
        airspace system (referred to in this section as ``NAS'') to 
        develop and implement a system to systematically track the use 
        of existing performance based navigation (referred to in this 
        section as ``PBN'') procedures;
            (2) require consideration of other key operational 
        improvements in planning for NextGen improvements, including 
        identifying additional metroplexes for PBN projects, non-
        metroplex PBN procedures, as well as the identification of 
        unused flight routes for decommissioning;
            (3) develop and implement guidelines for ensuring timely 
        inclusion of appropriate stakeholders, including airport 
        representatives, in the planning and implementation of NextGen 
        improvement efforts; and
            (4) assure that NextGen planning documents provide 
        stakeholders information on how and when operational 
        improvements are expected to achieve NextGen goals and targets.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the progress made toward implementing the 
requirements of subsection (a), and on the schedule and process that 
will be used to implement PBN at additional airports, including 
information on how the Administration will partner and coordinate with 
private industry to ensure expeditious implementation of performance 
based navigation.

SEC. 4109. CYBERSECURITY.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall--
            (1) identify and implement ways to better incorporate 
        cybersecurity measures as a systems characteristic at all 
        levels and phases of the architecture and design of air traffic 
        control programs, including NextGen programs;
            (2) develop a threat model that will identify 
        vulnerabilities to better focus resources to mitigate 
        cybersecurity risks;
            (3) develop an appropriate plan to mitigate cybersecurity 
        risk, to respond to an attack, intrusion, or otherwise 
        unauthorized access and to adapt to evolving cybersecurity 
        threats; and
            (4) foster a cybersecurity culture throughout the 
        Administration, including air traffic control programs and 
        relevant contractors.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the progress made toward implementing the 
requirements under subsection (a).

SEC. 4110. SECURING AIRCRAFT AVIONICS SYSTEMS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall consider revising Federal Aviation Administration 
regulations regarding airworthiness certification--
            (1) to address cybersecurity for avionics systems, 
        including software components; and
            (2) to require that aircraft avionics systems used for 
        flight guidance or aircraft control be secured against 
        unauthorized access via passenger in-flight entertainment 
        systems through such means as the Administrator determines 
        appropriate to protect the avionics systems from unauthorized 
        external and internal access.
    (b) Consideration.--The Administrator's consideration and any 
action taken under subsection (a) shall be in accordance with the 
recommendations of the Aircraft Systems Information Security Protection 
Working Group under section 5029(d) of this Act.

SEC. 4111. DEFINING NEXTGEN.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall--
            (1) assess how the line items included in the 
        Administration's NextGen budget request relate to the goals and 
        expected outcomes of NextGen, including how NextGen programs 
        directly contribute to a measurably safer and more efficient 
        air traffic control system; and
            (2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
        report on the results of the assessment under paragraph (1), 
        including any recommendations for the removal of line items 
        that do not pertain to the overall vision for NextGen.

SEC. 4112. HUMAN FACTORS.

    (a) In General.--In order to avoid having to subsequently modify 
products and services developed as a part of NextGen, the Administrator 
shall--
            (1) recognize and incorporate, in early design phases of 
        all relevant NextGen programs, the human factors and procedural 
        and airspace implications of stated goals and associated 
        technical changes; and
            (2) ensure that a human factors specialist, separate from 
        the research and certification groups, is directly involved 
        with the NextGen approval process.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the progress made toward implementing the 
requirements under subsection (a).

SEC. 4113. MAJOR ACQUISITION REPORTS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall evaluate the current 
acquisition practices of the Administration to ensure that such 
practices--
            (1) identify the current estimated costs for each 
        acquisition system, including all segments;
            (2) separately identify cumulative amounts for acquisition 
        costs, technical refresh, and other enhancements in order to 
        identify the total baselined and re-baselined costs for each 
        system; and
            (3) account for the way funds are being used when reporting 
        to managers, Congress, and other stakeholders.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the progress made toward implementing the 
requirements under subsection (a).

SEC. 4114. EQUIPAGE MANDATES.

    (a) In General.--Before NextGen-related equipage mandates are 
imposed on users of the national airspace system, the Administrator, in 
collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, shall--
            (1) provide a statement of estimated cost and benefits that 
        is based upon mature and stable technical specifications; and
            (2) create a schedule for Administration deliverables and 
        investments by both users and the Administration, including for 
        procedure and airspace design, infrastructure deployment, and 
        training.

SEC. 4115. WORKFORCE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall--
            (1) identify and assess barriers to attracting, developing, 
        training, and retaining a talented workforce in the areas of 
        systems engineering, architecture, systems integration, digital 
        communications, and cybersecurity;
            (2) develop a comprehensive plan to attract, develop, 
        train, and retain talented individuals; and
            (3) identify the resources needed to attract, develop, and 
        retain this talent.
    (b) Report.--The Administrator shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on the progress made toward 
implementing the requirements under subsection (a).

SEC. 4116. ARCHITECTURAL LEADERSHIP.

    (a) In General.--In order to provide an adequate technical 
foundation for steering NextGen's technical governance and managing 
inevitable changes in technology and operations, the Administrator 
shall--
            (1) develop a plan that--
                    (A) uses an architecture leadership community and 
                an effective governance approach to assure a proper 
                balance between documents and artifacts and to provide 
                high-level guidance;
                    (B) enables effective management and communication 
                of dependencies;
                    (C) provides flexibility and the ability to evolve 
                to ensure accommodation of future needs; and
                    (D) communicates changing circumstances in order to 
                align agency and airspace user expectations;
            (2) determine the feasibility of conducting a small number 
        of experiments among the Administration's system integration 
        partners to prototype candidate solutions for establishing and 
        managing a vibrant architectural community; and
            (3) develop a method to initiate, grow, and engage a 
        capable architecture community, from both within and outside of 
        the Administration, who will expand the breadth and depth of 
        expertise that is steering architectural changes.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the progress made toward implementing the 
requirements under subsection (a).

SEC. 4117. PROGRAMMATIC RISK MANAGEMENT.

    (a) In General.--To better inform the Administration's decisions 
regarding the prioritization of efforts and allocation of resources for 
NextGen, the Administrator shall--
            (1) solicit input from specialists in probability and 
        statistics to identify and prioritize the programmatic and 
        implementation risks to NextGen; and
            (2) develop a method to manage and mitigate the risks 
        identified in paragraph (1).
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the progress made toward implementing the 
requirements under subsection (a).

SEC. 4118. NEXTGEN PRIORITIZATION.

    The Administrator shall consider expediting NextGen modernization 
implementation projects at public use airports that share airspace with 
active military training ranges and do not have radar coverage where 
such implementation would improve the safety of aviation operations.

         Subtitle B--Administration Organization and Employees

SEC. 4201. COST-SAVING INITIATIVES.

    (a) In General.--To ensure that Administration initiatives are 
being implemented in a timely and fiscally responsible manner, the 
Administrator shall--
            (1) identify and implement agencywide cost-saving 
        initiatives; and
            (2) develop appropriate schedules and metrics to measure 
        whether the initiatives are successful in reducing costs.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the progress made toward implementing the 
requirements under subsection (a).

SEC. 4202. TREATMENT OF ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES DURING FURLOUGHS.

    (a) Definition of Essential Employee.--In this section, the term 
``essential employee'' means an employee of the Administration who 
performs work involving the safety of human life or the protection of 
property, as determined by the Administrator.
    (b) In General.--In implementing spending reductions under Federal 
law, the Administrator may furlough 1 or more employees of the 
Administration, except an essential employee, if the Administrator 
determines the furlough is necessary to achieve the required spending 
reductions.
    (c) Transfer of Budgetary Resources.--The Administrator may 
transfer budgetary resources within the Administration to carry out 
subsection (b), except that the transfer may only be made to maintain 
essential employees.

SEC. 4203. CONTROLLER CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall require that an in-person 
interview be conducted with each individual applying for an air traffic 
control specialist position before that individual may be hired to fill 
that position.
    (b) Guidance.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall establish guidelines regarding the 
in-person interview process described in subsection (a).

SEC. 4204. HIRING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS.

    (a) In General.--Section 44506 is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(f) Hiring of Certain Air Traffic Control Specialists.--
            ``(1) Consideration of applicants.--
                    ``(A) Ensuring selection of most qualified 
                applicants.--In appointing individuals to the position 
                of air traffic controllers, the Administrator shall 
                give preferential consideration to qualified 
                individuals maintaining 52 consecutive weeks of air 
                traffic control experience involving the full-time 
                active separation of air traffic after receipt of an 
                air traffic certification or air traffic control 
                facility rating within 5 years of application while 
                serving at--
                            ``(i) a Federal Aviation Administration air 
                        traffic control facility;
                            ``(ii) a civilian or military air traffic 
                        control facility of the Department of Defense; 
                        or
                            ``(iii) a tower operating under contract 
                        with the Federal Aviation Administration under 
                        section 47124 of this title.
                    ``(B) Consideration of additional applicants.--The 
                Administrator shall consider additional applicants for 
                the position of air traffic controller by referring an 
                approximately equal number of employees for appointment 
                among the 2 applicant pools. The number of employees 
                referred for consideration from each group shall not 
                differ by more than 10 percent.
                            ``(i) Pool one.--Applicants who:
                                    ``(I) have successfully completed 
                                air traffic controller training and 
                                graduated from an institution 
                                participating in the Collegiate 
                                Training Initiative program maintained 
                                under subsection (c)(1) who have 
                                received from the institution--
                                            ``(aa) an appropriate 
                                        recommendation; or
                                            ``(bb) an endorsement 
                                        certifying that the individual 
                                        would have met the requirements 
                                        in effect as of December 31, 
                                        2013, for an appropriate 
                                        recommendation;
                                    ``(II) are eligible for a veterans 
                                recruitment appointment pursuant to 
                                section 4214 of title 38, United States 
                                Code, and provide a Certificate of 
                                Release or Discharge from Active Duty 
                                within 120 days of the announcement 
                                closing;
                                    ``(III) are eligible veterans (as 
                                defined in section 4211 of title 38, 
                                United States Code) maintaining 
                                aviation experience obtained in the 
                                course of the individual's military 
                                experience; or
                                    ``(IV) are preference eligible 
                                veterans (as defined in section 2108 of 
                                title 5, United States Code).
                            ``(ii) Pool two.--Applicants who apply 
                        under a vacancy announcement recruiting from 
                        all United States citizens.
            ``(2) Use of biographical assessments.--
                    ``(A) Biographical assessments.--The Administration 
                shall not use any biographical assessment when hiring 
                under subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (B)(i) of 
                paragraph (1).
                    ``(B) Reconsideration of applicants disqualified on 
                the basis of biographical assessments.--
                            ``(i) In general.--If an individual 
                        described in subparagraph (A) or subparagraph 
                        (B)(i) of paragraph (1) who applied for the 
                        position of air traffic controller with the 
                        Administration in response to Vacancy 
                        Announcement FAA-AMC-14-ALLSRCE-33537 (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 Administration 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, 2017; and
                                    ``(II) met the maximum age 
                                requirement on the date of the 
                                individual's previous application for 
                                the position during the interim hiring 
                                process.
            ``(3) Maximum entry age for experienced controllers.--
        Notwithstanding section 3307 of title 5, United States Code, 
        the maximum limit of age for an original appointment to a 
        position as an air traffic controller shall be 35 years of age 
        for those maintaining 52 weeks of air traffic control 
        experience involving the full-time active separation of air 
        traffic after receipt of an air traffic certification or air 
        traffic control facility rating in a civilian or military air 
        traffic control facility.''.
    (b) Notification of Vacancies.--The Administrator shall consider 
directly notifying secondary schools and institutes of higher learning, 
including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-
serving institutions, Minority Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and 
Universities, of the vacancy announcement under section 
44506(f)(1)(B)(ii) of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 4205. COMPUTATION OF BASIC ANNUITY FOR CERTAIN AIR TRAFFIC 
              CONTROLLERS.

    (a) In General.--Section 8415(f) of title 5, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(f) The annuity of an air traffic controller or former air 
traffic controller retiring under section 8412(a) is computed under 
subsection (a), except that if the individual has at least 5 years of 
service in any combination as:
            ``(1) an air traffic controller as defined by section 
        2109(1)(A)(i);
            ``(2) a first level supervisor of an air traffic controller 
        as defined by section 2109(1)(A)(i); or
            ``(3) a second level supervisor of an air traffic 
        controller as defined by section 2109(1)(A)(i);
so much of the annuity as is computed with respect to such type of 
service shall be computed by multiplying 1 7/10 percent of the 
individual's average pay by the years of such service.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall be 
deemed to be effective on December 12, 2003.
    (c) Procedures Required.--The Director of the Office of Personnel 
Management shall establish such procedures as are necessary to provide 
for--
            (1) notification to each annuitant affected by the 
        amendments made by this section;
            (2) recalculation of the benefits of affected annuitants;
            (3) an adjustment to applicable monthly benefit amounts 
        pursuant to such recalculation, to begin as soon as is 
        practicable; and
            (4) a lump sum payment to each affected annuitant equal to 
        the additional total benefit amount that such annuitant would 
        have received had the amendment made by subsection (a) been in 
        effect on December 12, 2003.

SEC. 4206. AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES AT AVIATION EVENTS.

    (a) Requirement To Provide Services and Related Support.--The 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall provide air 
traffic services and aviation safety support for aviation events, 
including airshows and fly-ins, without the imposition or collection of 
any fee, tax, or other charge for that purpose. Amounts for the 
provision of such services and support shall be derived from amounts 
appropriated or otherwise available for the Federal Aviation 
Administration.
    (b) Determination of Services and Support To Be Provided.--In 
determining the services and support to be provided for an aviation 
event for purposes of subsection (a), the Administrator shall take into 
account the following:
            (1) The services and support required to meet levels of 
        activity at prior events, if any, similar to the event.
            (2) The anticipated need for services and support at the 
        event.

SEC. 4207. FULL ANNUITY SUPPLEMENT FOR CERTAIN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS.

    Section 8421a of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``The amount'' and 
        inserting ``Except as provided in subsection (c), the amount'';
            (2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
            (3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
    ``(c) This section shall not apply to an individual described in 
section 8412(e) during any period in which the individual, after 
separating from the service as described in that section, is employed 
full-time as an air traffic control instructor under contract with the 
Federal Aviation Administration, including an instructor working at an 
on-site facility (such as an airport).''.

SEC. 4208. INCLUSION OF DISABLED VETERAN LEAVE IN FEDERAL AVIATION 
              ADMINISTRATION PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

    (a) In General.--Section 40122(g)(2) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting a semicolon;
            (2) in subparagraph (I)(iii), by striking the period at the 
        end and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(J) subject to paragraph (4), section 6329, 
                relating to disabled veteran leave.''.
    (b) Certification of Leave.--Section 40122(g) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
            ``(4) Certification of disabled veteran leave.--In order to 
        verify that leave credited to an employee pursuant to paragraph 
        (2)(J) is used for treating a service-connected disability, 
        that employee shall, notwithstanding section 6329(c) of title 
        5, submit to the Assistant Administrator for Human Resource 
        Management of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        certification, in such form and manner as the Administrator of 
        the Federal Aviation Administration may prescribe, that the 
        employee used that leave for purposes of being furnished 
        treatment for that disability by a health care provider.''.
    (c) Application.--The amendments made by this section shall apply 
with respect to any employee of the Federal Aviation Administration 
hired on or after the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act.
    (d) Policies and Procedures.--Not later than 270 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall prescribe policies and procedures to 
carry out the amendments made by this section that are comparable, to 
the maximum extent practicable, to the regulations prescribed by the 
Office of Personnel Management under section 6329 of title 5, United 
States Code.
    (e) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once each year 
thereafter until the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall publish on a publicly accessible 
Internet Web site a report on--
            (1) the effect carrying out this section and the amendments 
        made by this section has had on the workforce; and
            (2) the number of veterans benefitting from carrying out 
        this section and the amendments made by this section.

                         TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 5001. NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATIVE OFFICERS.

    Section 1113 is amended by striking subsection (h).

SEC. 5002. PERFORMANCE-BASED NAVIGATION.

    Section 213(c) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 
(Public Law 112-95; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
            ``(3) Notifications and consultations.--Not later than 90 
        days before applying a categorical exclusion under this 
        subsection to a new procedure at an OEP airport, the 
        Administrator shall--
                    ``(A) notify and consult with the operator of the 
                airport at which the procedure would be implemented; 
                and
                    ``(B) consider consultations or other engagement 
                with the community in the which the airport is located 
                to inform the public of the procedure.
            ``(4) Review of certain categorical exclusions.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall review 
                any decision of the Administrator made on or after 
                February 14, 2012, and before the date of enactment of 
                this paragraph to grant a categorical exclusion under 
                this subsection with respect to a procedure to be 
                implemented at an OEP airport that was a material 
                change from procedures previously in effect at the 
                airport to determine if the implementation of the 
                procedure had a significant effect on the human 
                environment in the community in which the airport is 
                located if the operator of that airport--
                            ``(i) requests such a review; and
                            ``(ii) demonstrates that there is good 
                        cause to believe that the implementation of the 
                        procedure had such an effect.
                    ``(B) Content of review.--If, in conducting a 
                review under subparagraph (A) with respect to a 
                procedure implemented at an OEP airport, the 
                Administrator, in consultation with the operator of the 
                airport, determines that implementing the procedure had 
                a significant effect on the human environment in the 
                community in which the airport is located, the 
                Administrator shall--
                            ``(i) consult with the operator of the 
                        airport to identify measures to mitigate the 
                        effect of the procedure on the human 
                        environment; and
                            ``(ii) in conducting such consultations, 
                        consider the use of alternative flight paths 
                        that do not substantially degrade the 
                        efficiencies achieved by the implementation of 
                        the procedure being reviewed.
                    ``(C) Human environment defined.--In this 
                paragraph, the term `human environment' has the meaning 
                given such term in section 1508.14 of title 40, Code of 
                Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the 
                date of enactment of this paragraph).''.

SEC. 5003. OVERFLIGHTS OF NATIONAL PARKS.

    Section 40128 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``the'' before 
        ``title 14''; and
            (2) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
    ``(f) Transportation Routes.--
            ``(1) In general.--This section shall not apply to any air 
        tour operator while flying over or near any Federal land 
        managed by the Director of the National Park Service, including 
        Lake Mead National Recreation Area, solely as a transportation 
        route, to conduct an air tour over the Grand Canyon National 
        Park.
            ``(2) En route.--For purposes of this subsection, an air 
        tour operator flying over the Hoover Dam in the Lake Mead 
        National Recreation Area en route to the Grand Canyon National 
        Park shall be deemed to be flying solely as a transportation 
        route.''.

SEC. 5004. NAVIGABLE AIRSPACE ANALYSIS FOR COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH SITE 
              RUNWAYS.

    (a) In General.--Section 44718(b)(1) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``air navigation facilities and equipment'' 
        and inserting ``air or space navigation facilities and 
        equipment'';
            (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting a semicolon;
            (3) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(F) the impact on launch and reentry for launch 
                and reentry vehicles arriving or departing from a 
                launch site or reentry site licensed by the 
                Secretary.''.
    (b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall initiate a rulemaking to implement the amendments 
made by subsection (a).

SEC. 5005. SURVEY AND REPORT ON SPACEPORT DEVELOPMENT.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the existing system of 
spaceports licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration that 
includes recommendations regarding--
            (1) the extent to which, and the manner in which, the 
        Federal Government could participate in the construction, 
        improvement, development, or maintenance of such spaceports; 
        and
            (2) potential funding sources.

SEC. 5006. AVIATION FUEL.

    (a) Use of Unleaded Aviation Gasoline.--The Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall allow the use of an unleaded 
aviation gasoline in an aircraft as a replacement for a leaded gasoline 
if the Administrator--
            (1) determines that the unleaded aviation gasoline 
        qualifies as a replacement for an approved leaded gasoline;
            (2) identifies the aircraft and engines that are eligible 
        to use the qualified replacement unleaded gasoline; and
            (3) adopts a process (other than the traditional means of 
        certification) to allow eligible aircraft and engines to 
        operate using qualified replacement unleaded gasoline in a 
        manner that ensures safety.
    (b) Timing.--The Administrator shall adopt the process described in 
subsection (a)(3) not later than 180 days after the later of--
            (1) the date on which the Administration completes the 
        Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative; or
            (2) the date on which the American Society for Testing and 
        Materials publishes a production specification for an unleaded 
        aviation gasoline.

SEC. 5007. COMPREHENSIVE AVIATION PREPAREDNESS PLAN.

    (a) In General.--No later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Secretary of 
Homeland Security, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of State, the 
Secretary of Defense, and representatives of other Federal departments 
and agencies, as necessary, shall develop a comprehensive national 
aviation communicable disease preparedness plan.
    (b) Minimum Components.--The plan developed under subsection (a) 
shall--
            (1) be developed in consultation with other relevant 
        stakeholders, including State, local, tribal, and territorial 
        governments, air carriers, first responders, and the general 
        public;
            (2) provide for the development of a communications system 
        or protocols for providing comprehensive, appropriate, and up-
        to-date information regarding communicable disease threats and 
        preparedness between all relevant stakeholders;
            (3) document the roles and responsibilities of relevant 
        Federal department and agencies, including coordination 
        requirements;
            (4) provide guidance to air carriers, airports, and other 
        appropriate aviation stakeholders on how to develop 
        comprehensive communicable disease preparedness plans for their 
        respective organizations, in accordance with the plan to be 
        developed under subsection (a);
            (5) be scalable and adaptable so that the plan can be used 
        to address the full range of communicable disease threats and 
        incidents;
            (6) provide information on communicable threats and 
        response training resources for all relevant stakeholders, 
        including Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial 
        government employees, airport officials, aviation industry 
        employees and contractors, first responders, and health 
        officials;
            (7) develop protocols for the dissemination of 
        comprehensive, up-to-date, and appropriate information to the 
        traveling public concerning communicable disease threats and 
        preparedness;
            (8) be updated periodically to incorporate lessons learned 
        with supplemental information; and
            (9) be provided in writing, electronically, and accessible 
        via the Internet.
    (c) Interagency Framework.--The plan developed under subsection (a) 
shall--
            (1) be conducted under the existing interagency framework 
        for national level all hazards emergency preparedness planning 
        or another appropriate framework; and
            (2) be consistent with the obligations of the United States 
        under international agreements.

SEC. 5008. ADVANCED MATERIALS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 445 is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
``Sec. 44518. Advanced Materials Center of Excellence
    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall continue operation of the Advanced Materials 
Center of Excellence (referred to in this section as the `Center') 
under its structure as in effect on March 1, 2016, which shall focus on 
applied research and training on the durability and maintainability of 
advanced materials in transport airframe structures.
    ``(b) Responsibilities.--The Center shall--
            ``(1) promote and facilitate collaboration among academia, 
        the Transportation Division of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration, and the commercial aircraft industry, including 
        manufacturers, commercial air carriers, and suppliers; and
            ``(2) establish goals set to advance technology, improve 
        engineering practices, and facilitate continuing education in 
        relevant areas of study.
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Administrator $500,000 for each of the fiscal years 
2016 and 2017 to carry out this section.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 445 is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``44518. Advanced Materials Center of Excellence.''.

SEC. 5009. INTERFERENCE WITH AIRLINE EMPLOYEES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall--
            (1) complete a study of crimes of violence (as defined in 
        section 16 of title 18, United States Code) committed against 
        airline customer service representatives while they are 
        performing their duties and on airport property; and
            (2) submit the findings of the study, including any 
        recommendations, to Congress.
    (b) Gap Analysis.--The study shall include a gap analysis to 
determine if State and local laws and resources are adequate to deter 
or otherwise address the crimes of violence described in subsection (a) 
and recommendations on how to address any identified gaps.

SEC. 5010. SECONDARY COCKPIT BARRIERS.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Saracini 
Aviation Safety Act of 2016''.
    (b) Requirement.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall issue an order requiring installation of a 
secondary cockpit barrier on each new aircraft that is manufactured for 
delivery to a passenger air carrier in the United States operating 
under the provisions of part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations.

SEC. 5011. GAO EVALUATION AND AUDIT.

    Section 15(a)(1) of the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 165(a)(1)) is 
amended by striking ``2 years'' and inserting ``4 years''.

SEC. 5012. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND 
              TARGETS.

    (a) Performance Measures.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall 
establish performance measures relating to the administration of the 
Federal Aviation Administration, which shall, at a minimum, include 
measures to assess--
            (1) the reduction of delays in the completion of projects; 
        and
            (2) the effectiveness of the Administration in achieving 
        the goals described in section 47171 of title 49, United States 
        Code.
    (b) Performance Targets.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
which the Secretary establishes performance measures in accordance with 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish performance targets 
relating to each of the measures described in that subsection.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation 
shall submit to Congress a report describing the progress of the 
Secretary in meeting the performance targets established under 
subsection (b).

SEC. 5013. STAFFING OF CERTAIN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWERS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall ensure appropriate staffing at the Core 30 air 
traffic control towers and associated terminal radar approach control 
facilities and air route traffic control centers and ensure, as 
appropriate, staffing levels at those control towers, facilities, and 
centers are not below the average number of air traffic controllers 
between the ``high'' and ``low'' staffing ranges, as specified in the 
document of the Federal Aviation Administration entitled, ``A Plan for 
the Future: 10-Year Strategy for Air Traffic Control Workforce 2015-
2024''.
    (b) Retention.--The Administrator shall review strategies to 
improve retention of experienced certified professional controllers at 
the control towers, facilities, and centers described in subsection 
(a)(1).

SEC. 5014. CRITICAL AIRFIELD MARKINGS.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue a 
request for proposal for a study that includes--
            (1) an independent, third-party study to assess the 
        durability of Type III and Type I glass beads applied to 
        critical markings over a 12-month period at no fewer than 2 
        primary airports in varying weather conditions to measure the 
        retroflectivity levels of such markings on a quarterly basis; 
        and
            (2) a study at 2 other airports carried out by applying 
        Type III beads on one half of the centerline and Type I beads 
        to the other half and providing for assessments from pilots 
        through surveys administered by a third party as to the 
        visibility and performance of the Type III glass beads as 
        compared to the Type I glass beads over a 6-month period.

SEC. 5015. RESEARCH AND DEPLOYMENT OF CERTAIN AIRFIELD PAVEMENT 
              TECHNOLOGIES.

    Using amounts made available under section 48102(a) of title 49, 
United States Code, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall carry out a program for the research and 
deployment of aircraft pavement technologies under which the 
Administrator makes grants to, and enters into cooperative agreements 
with, institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations 
that--
            (1) research concrete and asphalt airfield pavement 
        technologies that extend the life of airfield pavements;
            (2) develop and conduct training;
            (3) provide for demonstration projects; and
            (4) promote the latest airfield pavement technologies to 
        aid in the development of safer, more cost effective, and more 
        durable airfield pavements.

SEC. 5016. REPORT ON GENERAL AVIATION FLIGHT SHARING.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report assessing the 
feasibility of flight sharing for general aviation. The report shall 
include an assessment of any regulations that may need to be updated to 
allow for safe and efficient flight sharing, including regulations 
imposing limitations on the forms of communication persons who hold 
private pilot certificates may use.

SEC. 5017. INCREASE IN DURATION OF GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT 
              REGISTRATION.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall initiate 
a rulemaking to increase the duration of aircraft registrations for 
noncommercial general aviation aircraft to 5 years.

SEC. 5018. MODIFICATION OF LIMITATION OF LIABILITY RELATING TO 
              AIRCRAFT.

    Section 44112(b) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``on land or water''; and
            (2) by inserting ``operational'' before ``control''.

SEC. 5019. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STUDY OF ILLEGAL DRUGS 
              SEIZED AT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study of illegal drugs, including heroin, fentanyl, and 
cocaine, seized by Federal authorities at international airports in the 
United States.
    (b) Elements.--In conducting the study required by subsection (a), 
the Comptroller General shall address, at a minimum--
            (1) the types and quantities of drugs seized;
            (2) the origin of the drugs seized;
            (3) the airport at which the drugs were seized;
            (4) the manner in which the drugs were seized; and
            (5) the manner in which the drugs were transported.
    (c) Use of Data; Recommendations for Additional Data Collection.--
In conducting the study required by subsection (a), the Comptroller 
General shall use all available data. If the Comptroller General 
determines that additional data is needed to fully understand the 
extent to which illegal drugs enter the United States through 
international airports in the United States, the Comptroller General 
shall develop recommendations for the collection of that data.
    (d) Submission to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to 
Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection (a) that 
includes any recommendations developed under subsection (c).

SEC. 5020. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON PREVENTING THE TRANSPORTATION OF 
              DISEASE-CARRYING MOSQUITOES AND OTHER INSECTS ON 
              COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Transportation 
and the Secretary of Agriculture should, in coordination and 
consultation with the World Health Organization, develop a framework 
and guidance for the use of safe, effective, and nontoxic means of 
preventing the transportation of disease-carrying mosquitoes and other 
insects on commercial aircraft.

SEC. 5021. WORK PLAN FOR THE NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY/PHILADELPHIA METROPLEX 
              PROGRAM.

    Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall develop and 
publish in the Federal Register a work plan for the New York/New 
Jersey/Philadelphia metroplex program.

SEC. 5022. REPORT ON PLANS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITIES IN THE 
              NEW YORK CITY AND NEWARK REGION.

    Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the Federal Aviation 
Administration's staffing and scheduling plans for air traffic control 
facilities in the New York City and Newark region for the 1-year period 
beginning on such date of enactment.

SEC. 5023. GAO STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE ALLIANCES.

    (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study of certain cooperative agreements between United States 
air carriers and non-United States air carriers (referred to in this 
section as ``alliances''), which--
            (1) have been created pursuant to section 41309 of title 
        49, United States Code; and
            (2) have been exempted from antitrust laws (as defined in 
        the first section of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12)) pursuant 
        to section 41308 of title 49, United States Code.
    (b) Scope.--The study conducted under subsection (a) shall assess--
            (1) the consequences of alliances, including reduced 
        competition, stifling new entrants into markets, increasing 
        prices in markets, and other adverse consequences;
            (2) the representations made by air carriers to the 
        Secretary of Transportation for the necessity of an antitrust 
        exemption;
            (3) the Department of Transportation's expectations of 
        public benefits resulting from alliances, including whether 
        such expected benefits were actually achieved;
            (4) the adequacy of the Department of Transportation's 
        efforts in the approval and monitoring of alliances, including 
        possessing relevant experience and expertise in the fields of 
        antitrust and consumer protection;
            (5) whether there has been sufficient transparency in the 
        approval of alliances, including opportunities for public 
        review and feedback;
            (6) the role of the Department of Justice in the oversight 
        of alliances;
            (7) whether there are alternatives to antitrust immunity 
        that could be conferred that would also produce public 
        benefits;
            (8) whether alliances should be required to expire;
            (9) the level of competition between air carriers who are 
        members of the same alliance;
            (10) the level of competition between alliances;
            (11) whether the Department of Transportation should amend, 
        modify, or revoke any exemption from the antitrust laws granted 
        by the Secretary of Transportation in connection with an 
        alliance; and
            (12) the effect of alliances on the number and quality of 
        jobs for United States air carrier flight crew employees, 
        including the share of alliance flying done by such employees.
    (c) Recommendations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress 
the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), which shall 
include recommendations on the reforms needed to improve competition 
and enhance choices for consumers, including--
            (1) whether oversight of alliances should be exercised by 
        the Department of Justice rather than by the Department of 
        Transportation; and
            (2) whether antitrust immunity for alliances should expire.

SEC. 5024. TREATMENT OF MULTI-YEAR LESSEES OF LARGE AND TURBINE-POWERED 
              MULTIENGINE AIRCRAFT.

    The Secretary of Transportation shall revise such regulations as 
may be necessary to ensure that multi-year lessees and owners of large 
and turbine-powered multiengine aircraft are treated equally for 
purposes of joint ownership policies of the Federal Aviation 
Administration.

SEC. 5025. EVALUATION OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES.

    (a) Study.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration, in consultation with representatives of the aviation 
community and institutions of higher education (as defined in section 
101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1964 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))), shall 
conduct a study to evaluate the potential impact of emerging 
technologies, such as electric propulsion and autonomous control, on 
the current state of aircraft design, operations, maintenance, and 
licensing.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit a report to the appropriate 
committees of Congress that summarizes the results of the study 
conducted under subsection (a).

SEC. 5026. STUDENT OUTREACH REPORT.

    Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall submit a 
report to the appropriate committees of Congress that describes the 
Administration's existing outreach efforts, such as the STEM Aviation 
and Space Education Outreach Program, to elementary and secondary 
students who are interested in careers in science, technology, 
engineering, art, and mathematics--
            (1) to prepare and inspire such students for aeronautical 
        careers; and
            (2) to mitigate an anticipated shortage of pilots and other 
        aviation professionals.

SEC. 5027. RIGHT TO PRIVACY WHEN USING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Federal Aviation 
Administration, as appropriate, shall upon request of a private 
aircraft owner or operator, block the registration number of the 
aircraft of the owner or operator from any public dissemination or 
display, except in data made available to a Government agency, for the 
noncommercial flights of the owner or operator.

SEC. 5028. CONDUCT OF SECURITY SCREENING BY THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY 
              ADMINISTRATION AT CERTAIN AIRPORTS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration shall provide for security screening to be conducted by 
the Transportation Security Administration at, and provide all 
necessary staff and equipment to, any airport--
            (1) that lost commercial air service on or after January 1, 
        2013; and
            (2) the operator of which, following the loss described in 
        paragraph (1), submits to the Administrator--
                    (A) a request for security screening to be 
                conducted at the airport by the Transportation Security 
                Administration; and
                    (B) written confirmation of a commitment from a 
                commercial air carrier--
                            (i) that the air carrier wants to provide 
                        commercial air service at the airport; and
                            (ii) that such service will commence not 
                        later than 1 year after the date of the 
                        submission of the request under subparagraph 
                        (A).
    (b) Deadline.--The Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration shall ensure that the process of implementing security 
screening by the Transportation Security Administration at an airport 
described in subsection (a) is complete not later than the later of--
            (1) the date that is 90 days after the date on which the 
        operator of the airport submits to the Administrator a request 
        for such screening under paragraph (2)(A) of that subsection; 
        or
            (2) the date on which the air carrier intends to provide 
        commercial air service at the airport.
    (c) Effect on Other Airports.--The Administrator of the 
Transportation Security Administration shall carry out this section in 
a manner that does not negatively affect operations at airports that 
are provided security screening by the Transportation Security 
Administration.

SEC. 5029. AVIATION CYBERSECURITY.

    (a) Comprehensive Aviation Framework.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 240 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall facilitate and support the 
        development of a comprehensive framework of principles and 
        policies to reduce cybersecurity risks to the national airspace 
        system, civil aviation, and agency information systems.
            (2) Scope.--As part of the principles and policies under 
        paragraph (1), the Administrator shall--
                    (A) clarify cybersecurity roles and 
                responsibilities of offices and employees, including 
                governance structures of any advisory committees 
                addressing cybersecurity at the Federal Aviation 
                Administration;
                    (B) recognize the interactions of different 
                components of the national airspace system and the 
                interdependent and interconnected nature of aircraft 
                and air traffic control systems;
                    (C) identify and implement objectives and actions 
                to reduce cybersecurity risks to the air traffic 
                control information systems, including actions to 
                improve implementation of information security 
                standards and best practices of the National Institute 
                of Standards and Technology, and policies and guidance 
                issued by the Office of Management and Budget for 
                agency systems;
                    (D) support voluntary efforts by industry, RTCA, 
                Inc., or standards-setting organizations to develop and 
                identify consensus standards, best practices, and 
                guidance on aviation systems information security 
                protection, consistent with the activities described in 
                section 2(e) of the National Institute of Standards and 
                Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(e)); and
                    (E) establish guidelines for the voluntary sharing 
                of information between and among aviation stakeholders 
                pertaining to aviation-related cybersecurity incidents, 
                threats, and vulnerabilities.
            (3) Limitations.--In carrying out the activities under this 
        section, the Administrator shall--
                    (A) coordinate with aviation stakeholders, 
                including industry, airlines, manufacturers, airports, 
                RTCA, Inc., and unions;
                    (B) consult with the Secretary of Defense, 
                Secretary of Homeland Security, Director of National 
                Institute of Standards and Technology, the heads of 
                other relevant agencies, and international regulatory 
                authorities; and
                    (C) evaluate on a periodic basis, but not less than 
                once every 2 years, the effectiveness of the principles 
                established under this subsection.
    (b) Threat Model.--The Secretary of Transportation, in coordination 
with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, shall 
implement the open recommendation issued in 2015 by the Government 
Accountability Office to assess the potential cost and timetable of 
developing and maintaining an agency-wide threat model to strengthen 
cybersecurity across the Federal Aviation Administration.
    (c) Secure Access to Facilities and Systems.--
            (1) Identity management requirements.--Not later than 1 
        year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
        Transportation shall implement open recommendations issued in 
        2014 by the Inspector General of the Department of 
        Transportation--
                    (A) to work with the Federal Aviation 
                Administration to revise its plan to effectively 
                transition remaining users to require personal identity 
                verification, including create a plan of actions and 
                milestones with a planned completion date to monitor 
                and track progress; and
                    (B) to work with the Director of the Office of 
                Security of the Department of Transportation to develop 
                or revise plans to effectively transition remaining 
                facilities to require personal identity verification 
                cards at the Federal Aviation Administration.
            (2) Identity management assessment.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
                Transportation shall prepare a plan to implement the 
                use of identity management, including personal identity 
                verification, at the Federal Aviation Administration, 
                consistent with section 504 of the Cybersecurity 
                Enhancement Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-274; 15 U.S.C. 
                7464) and section 225 of title II of division N of the 
                Cybersecurity Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-113; 129 
                Stat. 2242).
                    (B) Contents.--The plan shall include--
                            (i) an assessment of the current 
                        implementation and use of identity management, 
                        including personal identity verification, at 
                        the Federal Aviation Administration for secure 
                        access to government facilities and information 
                        systems, including a breakdown of requirements 
                        for use and identification of which systems and 
                        facilities are enabled to use personal identity 
                        verification; and
                            (ii) the actions to be taken, including 
                        specified deadlines, by the Chief Information 
                        Officers of the Department of Transportation 
                        and the Federal Aviation Administration to 
                        increase the implementation and use of such 
                        measures, with the goal of 100 percent 
                        implementation across the agency.
            (3) Report.--The Secretary shall submit the plan to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress.
            (4) Classified information.--The report submitted under 
        paragraph (3) shall be in unclassified form, but may include a 
        classified annex.
    (d) Aircraft Security.--
            (1) In general.--The Aircraft Systems Information Security 
        Protection Working Group shall periodically review rulemaking, 
        policy, and guidance for certification of avionics software and 
        hardware (including any system on board an aircraft) and 
        continued airworthiness in order to reduce cybersecurity risks 
        to aircraft systems.
            (2) Requirements.--In conducting the reviews, the working 
        group--
                    (A) shall assess the cybersecurity risks to 
                aircraft systems, including recognizing the 
                interactions of different components of the national 
                airspace system and the interdependent and 
                interconnected nature of aircraft and air traffic 
                control systems;
                    (B) shall assess the extent to which existing 
                rulemaking, policy, and guidance to promote safety also 
                promote aircraft systems information security 
                protection; and
                    (C) based on the results of subparagraphs (A) and 
                (B), may make recommendations to the Administrator of 
                the Federal Aviation Administration if separate or 
                additional rulemaking, policy, or guidance is needed to 
                address aircraft systems information security 
                protection.
            (3) In-flight entertainment systems review.--As part of its 
        review under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2), the 
        working group shall review the cybersecurity risks of in-flight 
        entertainment systems to consider whether such systems can and 
        should be isolated and separate from systems required for safe 
        flight and operations, including reviewing standards for air 
        gaps or other means determined appropriate.
            (4) Recommendations.--In any recommendation under paragraph 
        (2)(C), the working group shall identify a cost-effective and 
        technology-neutral approach and incorporate voluntary consensus 
        standards and best practices and international practices to the 
        fullest extent possible.
            (5) Report.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, and periodically 
                thereafter, the working group shall provide a report to 
                the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
                Administration on the findings of the review and any 
                recommendations.
                    (B) Congress.--The Administrator shall submit to 
                the appropriate committees of Congress a copy of each 
                report provided by the working group.
            (6) Classified information.--Each report submitted under 
        this subsection shall be in unclassified form, but may include 
        a classified annex.
    (e) Cybersecurity Implementation Progress.--The Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall--
            (1) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, and periodically thereafter until the completion 
        date, provide to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
        briefing on the actions the Administrator has taken to improve 
        information security management, including the steps taken to 
        implement subsections (a), (b) and (c) and all of the issues 
        and open recommendations identified in cybersecurity audit 
        reports issued in 2014 and 2015 by the Inspector General of the 
        Department of Transportation and the Government Accountability 
        Office; and
            (2) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, issue a final report to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress on the steps taken to improve information security 
        management, including implementation of subsections (a), (b) 
        and (c) and all of the issues and open recommendations 
        identified in the cybersecurity audit reports issued in 2014 
        and 2015 by the Inspector General of the Department of 
        Transportation and the Government Accountability Office.

SEC. 5030. PROHIBITIONS AGAINST SMOKING ON PASSENGER FLIGHTS.

    Section 41706 is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
    ``(d) Electronic Cigarettes.--
            ``(1) Inclusion.--The use of an electronic cigarette shall 
        be treated as smoking for purposes of this section.
            ``(2) Electronic cigarette defined.--In this section, the 
        term `electronic cigarette' means a device that delivers 
        nicotine or other substances to a user of the device in the 
        form of a vapor that is inhaled to simulate the experience of 
        smoking.''.

SEC. 5031. NATIONAL MULTIMODAL FREIGHT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Transportation shall establish 
a national multimodal freight advisory committee (referred to in this 
section as the ``Committee'') in the Department of Transportation, 
which shall consist of a balanced cross-section of public and private 
freight stakeholders representative of all freight transportation 
modes, including--
            (1) airports, highways, ports and waterways, rail, and 
        pipelines;
            (2) shippers;
            (3) carriers;
            (4) freight-related associations;
            (5) the freight industry workforce;
            (6) State departments of transportation;
            (7) local governments;
            (8) metropolitan planning organizations;
            (9) regional or local transportation authorities, such as 
        port authorities;
            (10) freight safety organizations; and
            (11) university research centers.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Committee shall be to promote a 
safe, economically efficient, and environmentally sustainable national 
freight system.
    (c) Duties.--The Committee, in consultation with State departments 
of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations, shall 
provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation 
on matters related to freight transportation in the United States, 
including--
            (1) the implementation of freight transportation 
        requirements;
            (2) the establishment of a National Multimodal Freight 
        Network under section 70103 of title 49, United States Code;
            (3) the development of the national freight strategic plan 
        under section 70102 of such title;
            (4) the development of measures of conditions and 
        performance in freight transportation;
            (5) the development of freight transportation investment, 
        data, and planning tools; and
            (6) recommendations for Federal legislation.
    (d) Qualifications.--Each member of the Committee shall be 
sufficiently qualified to represent the interests of the member's 
specific stakeholder group, such as--
            (1) general business and financial experience;
            (2) experience or qualifications in the areas of freight 
        transportation and logistics;
            (3) experience in transportation planning, safety, 
        technology, or workforce issues;
            (4) experience representing employees of the freight 
        industry;
            (5) experience representing State or local governments or 
        metropolitan planning organizations in transportation-related 
        issues; or
            (6) experience in trade economics relating to freight 
        flows.
    (e) Support Staff, Information, and Services.--The Secretary of 
Transportation shall provide support staff for the Committee. Upon the 
request of the Committee, the Secretary shall provide such information, 
administrative services, and supplies as the Secretary considers 
necessary for the Committee to carry out its duties under this section.

SEC. 5032. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Airport Capacity Enhancement Projects at Congested Airports.--
Section 40104(c) is amended by striking ``47176'' and inserting 
``47175''.
    (b) Consultation on Carrier Response Not Covered by Plan.--Section 
41313(c)(16), as amended by section 3104 of this Act, is further 
amended by striking ``the foreign air carrier will consult'' and 
inserting ``will consult''.
    (c) Weighing Mail.--Section 41907 is amended by striking ``and -
administrative'' and inserting ``and administrative''.
    (d)  Flight Attendant Certification.--Section 44728 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c), by striking ``chapter'' and 
        inserting ``title''; and
            (2) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ``is'' and inserting 
        ``be''.
    (e) Schedule of Fees.--Section 45301(a)(1) is amended by striking 
``United States government'' and inserting ``United States 
Government''.
    (f) Classified Evidence.--Section 46111(g)(2)(A) is amended by 
striking ``(18 U.S.C. App.)'' and inserting ``(18 U.S.C. App.))''.
    (g) Allowable Cost Standards.--Section 47110(b)(2) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``compatability'' and 
        inserting ``compatibility''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (D)(i), by striking ``climactic'' and 
        inserting ``climatic''.
    (h) Definition of Qualified HUBZone Small Business Concern.--
Section 47113(a)(3) is amended by striking ``(15 U.S.C. 632(o))'' and 
inserting ``(15 U.S.C. 632(p))''.
    (i) Discretionary Fund.--Section 47115, as amended by section 1006 
of this Act, is further amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (i); and
            (2) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (i).
    (j) Special Apportionment Categories.--Section 47117(e)(1)(B) is 
amended by striking ``at least'' and inserting ``At least''.
    (k) Solicitation and Consideration of Comments.--Section 47171(l) 
is amended by striking ``4371'' and inserting ``4321''.
    (l) Operations and Maintenance.--Section 48104 is amended by 
striking ``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--the'' and inserting 
``The''.
    (m) Expenditures From Airport and Airway Trust Fund.--Section 
9502(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking 
``farms'' and inserting ``farms)''.

SEC. 5033. VISIBLE DETERRENT.

    Section 1303 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 
Commission Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 1112) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) if the VIPR team is deployed to an airport, shall 
        require, as appropriate based on risk, that the VIPR team 
        conduct operations--
                    ``(A) in the sterile area and any other areas to 
                which only individuals issued security credentials have 
                unescorted access; and
                    ``(B) in non-sterile areas.''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``such sums as necessary 
        for fiscal years 2007 through 2011'' and inserting ``such sums 
        as necessary, including funds to develop not more than 60 VIPR 
        teams, for fiscal years 2016 through 2017''.

SEC. 5034. LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING FOR MASS CASUALTY AND ACTIVE 
              SHOOTER INCIDENTS.

    Section 2006(a)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
607(a)(2)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (I) as 
        subparagraphs (F) through (J), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
                    ``(E) training exercises to enhance preparedness 
                for and response to mass casualty and active shooter 
                incidents and security events at public locations, 
                including airports and mass transit systems;''.

SEC. 5035. ASSISTANCE TO AIRPORTS AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS.

    Section 2008(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
609(a)) is amended--
            (1) by redesigning paragraphs (9) through (13) as 
        paragraphs (10) through (14), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
            ``(9) enhancing the security and preparedness of secure and 
        non-secure areas of eligible airports and surface 
        transportation systems.''.

SEC. 5036. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN FLIGHTS BY STAGE 2 AIRPLANES.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 47534 of title 49, United 
States Code, not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall initiate a pilot program to permit the operator of a Stage 2 
airplane to operate that airplane in nonrevenue service into not more 
than four medium hub airports or nonhub airports if--
            (1) the airport--
                    (A) is certified under part 139 of title 14, Code 
                of Federal Regulations;
                    (B) has a runway that--
                            (i) is longer than 8,000 feet and not less 
                        than 200 feet wide; and
                            (ii) is load bearing with a pavement 
                        classification number of not less than 38; and
                    (C) has a maintenance facility with a maintenance 
                certificate issued under part 145 of such title; and
            (2) the operator of the Stage 2 airplane operates not more 
        than 10 flights per month using that airplane.
    (b) Termination.--The regulations required by subsection (a) shall 
terminate on the earlier of--
            (1) the date that is 10 years after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act; or
            (2) the date on which the Administrator determines that no 
        Stage 2 airplanes remain in service.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Medium hub airport; nonhub airport.--The terms ``medium 
        hub airport'' and ``nonhub airport'' have the meanings given 
        those terms in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code.
            (2) Stage 2 airplane.--The term ``Stage 2 airplane'' has 
        the meaning given that term in section 91.851 of title 14, Code 
        of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date 
        of the enactment of this Act).

       TITLE VI--TRANSPORTATION SECURITY AND TERRORISM PREVENTION

       Subtitle A--Airport Security Enhancement and Oversight Act

SEC. 6101. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Airport Security Enhancement 
and Oversight Act''.

SEC. 6102. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) A number of recent airport security breaches in the 
        United States have involved the use of Secure Identification 
        Display Area (referred to in this section as ``SIDA'') badges, 
        the credentials used by airport and airline workers to access 
        the secure areas of an airport.
            (2) In December 2014, a Delta ramp agent at Hartsfield-
        Jackson Atlanta International Airport was charged with using 
        his SIDA badge to bypass airport security checkpoints and 
        facilitate an interstate gun smuggling operation over a number 
        of months via commercial aircraft.
            (3) In January 2015, an Atlanta-based Aviation Safety 
        Inspector of the Federal Aviation Administration used his SIDA 
        badge to bypass airport security checkpoints and transport a 
        firearm in his carry-on luggage.
            (4) In February 2015, a local news investigation found that 
        over 1,000 SIDA badges at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta 
        International Airport were lost or missing.
            (5) In March 2015, and again in May 2015, Transportation 
        Security Administration contractors were indicted for 
        participating in a drug smuggling ring using luggage passed 
        through the secure area of the San Francisco International 
        Airport.
            (6) The Administration has indicated that it does not 
        maintain a list of lost or missing SIDA badges, and instead 
        relies on airport operators to track airport worker 
        credentials.
            (7) The Administration rarely uses its enforcement 
        authority to fine airport operators that reach a certain 
        threshold of missing SIDA badges.
            (8) In April 2015, the Aviation Security Advisory Committee 
        issued 28 recommendations for improvements to airport access 
        control.
            (9) In June 2015, the Inspector General of the Department 
        of Homeland Security reported that the Administration did not 
        have all relevant information regarding 73 airport workers who 
        had records in United States intelligence-related databases 
        because the Administration was not authorized to receive all 
        terrorism-related information under current interagency 
        watchlisting policy.
            (10) The Inspector General also found that the 
        Administration did not have appropriate checks in place to 
        reject incomplete or inaccurate airport worker employment 
        investigations, including criminal history record checks and 
        work authorization verifications, and had limited oversight 
        over the airport operators that the Administration relies on to 
        perform criminal history and work authorization checks for 
        airport workers.
            (11) There is growing concern about the potential insider 
        threat at airports in light of recent terrorist activities.

SEC. 6103. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle:
            (1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the 
        Transportation Security Administration.
            (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.
            (3) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate;
                    (B) the Committee on Homeland Security and 
                Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and
                    (C) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House 
                of Representatives.
            (4) ASAC.--The term ``ASAC'' means the Aviation Security 
        Advisory Committee established under section 44946 of title 49, 
        United States Code.
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Homeland Security.
            (6) SIDA.--The term ``SIDA'' means Secure Identification 
        Display Area as defined in section 1540.5 of title 49, Code of 
        Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation to such 
        section.

SEC. 6104. THREAT ASSESSMENT.

    (a) Insider Threats.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall conduct or 
        update an assessment to determine the level of risk posed to 
        the domestic air transportation system by individuals with 
        unescorted access to a secure area of an airport (as defined in 
        section 44903(j)(2)(H)) in light of recent international 
        terrorist activity.
            (2) Considerations.--In conducting or updating the 
        assessment under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall 
        consider--
                    (A) domestic intelligence;
                    (B) international intelligence;
                    (C) the vulnerabilities associated with unescorted 
                access authority granted to domestic airport operators 
                and air carriers, and their employees;
                    (D) the vulnerabilities associated with unescorted 
                access authority granted to foreign airport operators 
                and air carriers, and their employees;
                    (E) the processes and practices designed to 
                mitigate the vulnerabilities associated with unescorted 
                access privileges granted to airport operators and air 
                carriers, and their employees;
                    (F) the recent security breaches at domestic and 
                foreign airports; and
                    (G) the recent security improvements at domestic 
                airports, including the implementation of 
                recommendations made by relevant advisory committees.
    (b) Reports to Congress.--The Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress--
            (1) a report on the results of the assessment under 
        subsection (a), including any recommendations for improving 
        aviation security;
            (2) a report on the implementation status of any 
        recommendations made by the ASAC; and
            (3) regular updates about the insider threat environment as 
        new information becomes available and as needed.

SEC. 6105. OVERSIGHT.

    (a) Enhanced Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to public notice and comment, and 
        in consultation with airport operators, the Administrator shall 
        update the rules on access controls issued by the Secretary 
        under chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code.
            (2) Considerations.--As part of the update under paragraph 
        (1), the Administrator shall consider--
                    (A) increased fines and advanced oversight for 
                airport operators that report missing more than 5 
                percent of credentials for unescorted access to any 
                SIDA of an airport;
                    (B) best practices for Category X airport operators 
                that report missing more than 3 percent of credentials 
                for unescorted access to any SIDA of an airport;
                    (C) additional audits and status checks for airport 
                operators that report missing more than 3 percent of 
                credentials for unescorted access to any SIDA of an 
                airport;
                    (D) review and analysis of the prior 5 years of 
                audits for airport operators that report missing more 
                than 3 percent of credentials for unescorted access to 
                any SIDA of an airport;
                    (E) increased fines and direct enforcement 
                requirements for both airport workers and their 
                employers that fail to report within 24 hours an 
                employment termination or a missing credential for 
                unescorted access to any SIDA of an airport; and
                    (F) a method for termination by the employer of any 
                airport worker that fails to report in a timely manner 
                missing credentials for unescorted access to any SIDA 
                of an airport.
    (b) Temporary Credentials.--The Administrator may encourage the 
issuance by airport and aircraft operators of free one-time, 24-hour 
temporary credentials for workers who have reported their credentials 
missing, but not permanently lost, stolen, or destroyed, in a timely 
manner, until replacement of credentials under section 1542.211 of 
title 49 Code of Federal Regulations is necessary.
    (c) Notification and Report to Congress.--The Administrator shall--
            (1) notify the appropriate committees of Congress each time 
        an airport operator reports that more than 3 percent of 
        credentials for unescorted access to any SIDA at a Category X 
        airport are missing or more than 5 percent of credentials to 
        access any SIDA at any other airport are missing; and
            (2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an 
        annual report on the number of violations and fines related to 
        unescorted access to the SIDA of an airport collected in the 
        preceding fiscal year.

SEC. 6106. CREDENTIALS.

    (a) Lawful Status.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue guidance to 
airport operators regarding placement of an expiration date on each 
airport credential issued to a non-United States citizen no longer than 
the period of time during which that non-United States citizen is 
lawfully authorized to work in the United States.
    (b) Review of Procedures.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--
                    (A) issue guidance for transportation security 
                inspectors to annually review the procedures of airport 
                operators and air carriers for applicants seeking 
                unescorted access to any SIDA of an airport; and
                    (B) make available to airport operators and air 
                carriers information on identifying suspicious or 
                fraudulent identification materials.
            (2) Inclusions.--The guidance shall require a comprehensive 
        review of background checks and employment authorization 
        documents issued by the Citizenship and Immigration Services 
        during the course of a review of procedures under paragraph 
        (1).

SEC. 6107. VETTING.

    (a) Eligibility Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, and subject to public notice and 
        comment, the Administrator shall revise the regulations issued 
        under section 44936 of title 49, United States Code, in 
        accordance with this section and current knowledge of insider 
        threats and intelligence, to enhance the eligibility 
        requirements and disqualifying criminal offenses for 
        individuals seeking or having unescorted access to a SIDA of an 
        airport.
            (2) Disqualifying criminal offenses.--In revising the 
        regulations under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall 
        consider adding to the list of disqualifying criminal offenses 
        and criteria the offenses and criteria listed in section 
        122.183(a)(4) of title 19, Code of Federal Regulations and 
        section 1572.103 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.
            (3) Waiver process for denied credentials.--Notwithstanding 
        section 44936(b) of title 49, United States Code, in revising 
        the regulations under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the 
        Administrator shall--
                    (A) ensure there exists or is developed a waiver 
                process for approving the issuance of credentials for 
                unescorted access to the SIDA, for an individual found 
                to be otherwise ineligible for such credentials; and
                    (B) consider, as appropriate and practicable--
                            (i) the circumstances of any disqualifying 
                        act or offense, restitution made by the 
                        individual, Federal and State mitigation 
                        remedies, and other factors from which it may 
                        be concluded that the individual does not pose 
                        a terrorism risk or a risk to aviation security 
                        warranting denial of the credential; and
                            (ii) the elements of the appeals and waiver 
                        process established under section 70105(c) of 
                        title 46, United States Code.
            (4) Look back.--In revising the regulations under paragraph 
        (1), the Administrator shall propose that an individual be 
        disqualified if the individual was convicted, or found not 
        guilty by reason of insanity, of a disqualifying criminal 
        offense within 15 years before the date of an individual's 
        application, or if the individual was incarcerated for that 
        crime and released from incarceration within 5 years before the 
        date of the individual's application.
            (5) Certifications.--The Administrator shall require an 
        airport or aircraft operator, as applicable, to certify for 
        each individual who receives unescorted access to any SIDA of 
        an airport that--
                    (A) a specific need exists for providing that 
                individual with unescorted access authority; and
                    (B) the individual has certified to the airport or 
                aircraft operator that the individual understands the 
                requirements for possessing a SIDA badge.
            (6) Report to congress.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        date of enactment, the Administrator shall submit to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress a report on the status of 
        the revision to the regulations issued under section 44936 of 
        title 49, United States Code, in accordance with this section.
            (7) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may 
        be construed to affect existing aviation worker vetting fees 
        imposed by the Administration.
    (b) Recurrent Vetting.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Director of 
        the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall fully implement the 
        Rap Back service for recurrent vetting of eligible 
        Administration-regulated populations of individuals with 
        unescorted access to any SIDA of an airport.
            (2) Requirements.--As part of the requirement in paragraph 
        (1), the Administrator shall ensure that--
                    (A) any status notifications the Administration 
                receives through the Rap Back service about criminal 
                offenses be limited to only disqualifying criminal 
                offenses in accordance with the regulations promulgated 
                by the Administration under section 44903 of title 49, 
                United States Code, or other Federal law; and
                    (B) any information received by the Administration 
                through the Rap Back service is provided directly and 
                immediately to the relevant airport and aircraft 
                operators.
            (3) Report to congress.--Not later than 60 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
        to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
        implementation status of the Rap Back service.
    (c) Access to Terrorism-Related Data.--Not later than 30 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Director 
of National Intelligence shall coordinate to ensure that the 
Administrator is authorized to receive automated, real-time access to 
additional Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment (TIDE) data and 
any other terrorism related category codes to improve the effectiveness 
of the Administration's credential vetting program for individuals that 
are seeking or have unescorted access to a SIDA of an airport.
    (d) Access to E-Verify and SAVE Programs.--Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall authorize 
each airport operator to have direct access to the E-Verify program and 
the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) automated 
system to determine the eligibility of individuals seeking unescorted 
access to a SIDA of an airport.

SEC. 6108. METRICS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall develop and implement performance 
metrics to measure the effectiveness of security for the SIDAs of 
airports.
    (b) Considerations.--In developing the performance metrics under 
subsection (a), the Administrator may consider--
            (1) adherence to access point procedures;
            (2) proper use of credentials;
            (3) differences in access point requirements between 
        airport workers performing functions on the airside of an 
        airport and airport workers performing functions in other areas 
        of an airport;
            (4) differences in access point characteristics and 
        requirements at airports; and
            (5) any additional factors the Administrator considers 
        necessary to measure performance.

SEC. 6109. INSPECTIONS AND ASSESSMENTS.

    (a) Model and Best Practices.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with 
the ASAC, shall develop a model and best practices for unescorted 
access security that--
            (1) use intelligence, scientific algorithms, and risk-based 
        factors;
            (2) ensure integrity, accountability, and control;
            (3) subject airport workers to random physical security 
        inspections conducted by Administration representatives in 
        accordance with this section;
            (4) appropriately manage the number of SIDA access points 
        to improve supervision of and reduce unauthorized access to 
        these areas; and
            (5) include validation of identification materials, such as 
        with biometrics.
    (b) Inspections.--Consistent with a risk-based security approach, 
the Administrator shall expand the use of transportation security 
officers and inspectors to conduct enhanced, random and unpredictable, 
data-driven, and operationally dynamic physical inspections of airport 
workers in each SIDA of an airport and at each SIDA access point--
            (1) to verify the credentials of airport workers;
            (2) to determine whether airport workers possess prohibited 
        items, except for those that may be necessary for the 
        performance of their duties, as appropriate, in any SIDA of an 
        airport; and
            (3) to verify whether airport workers are following 
        appropriate procedures to access a SIDA of an airport.
    (c) Screening Review.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall conduct a review 
        of airports that have implemented additional airport worker 
        screening or perimeter security to improve airport security, 
        including--
                    (A) comprehensive airport worker screening at 
                access points to secure areas;
                    (B) comprehensive perimeter screening, including 
                vehicles;
                    (C) enhanced fencing or perimeter sensors; and
                    (D) any additional airport worker screening or 
                perimeter security measures the Administrator 
                identifies.
            (2) Best practices.--After completing the review under 
        paragraph (1), the Administrator shall--
                    (A) identify best practices for additional access 
                control and airport worker security at airports; and
                    (B) disseminate the best practices identified under 
                subparagraph (A) to airport operators.
            (3) Pilot program.--The Administrator may conduct a pilot 
        program at 1 or more airports to test and validate best 
        practices for comprehensive airport worker screening or 
        perimeter security under paragraph (2).

SEC. 6110. COVERT TESTING.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall increase the use of red-
team, covert testing of access controls to any secure areas of an 
airport.
    (b) Additional Covert Testing.--The Inspector General of the 
Department of Homeland Security shall conduct red-team, covert testing 
of airport access controls to the SIDA of airports.
    (c) Reports to Congress.--
            (1) Administrator report.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
        to the appropriate committee of Congress a report on the 
        progress to expand the use of inspections and of red-team, 
        covert testing under subsection (a).
            (2) Inspector general report.--Not later than 180 days 
        after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General 
        of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit to the 
        appropriate committee of Congress a report on the effectiveness 
        of airport access controls to the SIDA of airports based on 
        red-team, covert testing under subsection (b).

SEC. 6111. SECURITY DIRECTIVES.

    (a) Review.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and annually thereafter, the Administrator, in consultation 
with the appropriate regulated entities, shall conduct a comprehensive 
review of every current security directive addressed to any regulated 
entity--
            (1) to determine whether the security directive continues 
        to be relevant;
            (2) to determine whether the security directives should be 
        streamlined or consolidated to most efficiently maximize risk 
        reduction; and
            (3) to update, consolidate, or revoke any security 
        directive as necessary.
    (b) Notice.--For each security directive that the Administrator 
issues, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress notice of--
            (1) the extent to which the security directive responds to 
        a specific threat, security threat assessment, or emergency 
        situation against civil aviation; and
            (2) when it is anticipated that the security directive will 
        expire.

SEC. 6112. IMPLEMENTATION REPORT.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall--
            (1) assess the progress made by the Administration and the 
        effect on aviation security of implementing the requirements 
        under sections 6104 through 6111 of this Act; and
            (2) report to the appropriate committees of Congress on the 
        results of the assessment under paragraph (1), including any 
        recommendations.

SEC. 6113. MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS.

    (a) ASAC Terms of Office.--Section 44946(c)(2)(A) is amended to 
read as follows:
                    ``(A) Terms.--The term of each member of the 
                Advisory Committee shall be 2 years, but a member may 
                continue to serve until the Assistant Secretary 
                appoints a successor. A member of the Advisory 
                Committee may be reappointed.''.
    (b) Feedback.--Section 44946(b)(5) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(5) Feedback.--Not later than 90 days after receiving 
        recommendations transmitted by the Advisory Committee under 
        paragraph (2) or paragraph (4), the Assistant Secretary shall 
        respond in writing to the Advisory Committee with feedback on 
        each of the recommendations, an action plan to implement any of 
        the recommendations with which the Assistant Secretary concurs, 
        and a justification for why any of the recommendations have 
        been rejected.''.

                 Subtitle B--TSA PreCheck Expansion Act

SEC. 6201. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``TSA PreCheck Expansion Act''.

SEC. 6202. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.
            (2) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
        Department of Homeland Security.
            (3) Precheck program.--The term ``PreCheck Program'' means 
        the trusted traveler program implemented by the Transportation 
        Security Administration under section 109(a)(3) of the Aviation 
        and Transportation Security Act (49 U.S.C. 114).
            (4) TSA.--The term ``TSA'' means the Transportation 
        Security Administration.

SEC. 6203. PRECHECK PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION.

    The Administrator shall continue to administer the PreCheck Program 
established under the authority of the Aviation and Transportation 
Security Act (Public Law 107-71; 115 Stat. 597).

SEC. 6204. PRECHECK PROGRAM ENROLLMENT EXPANSION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall publish PreCheck Program 
enrollment standards that add multiple private sector application 
capabilities for the PreCheck Program to increase the public's 
enrollment access to the program, including standards that allow the 
use of secure technologies, including online enrollment, kiosks, 
tablets, or staffed laptop stations at which individuals can apply for 
entry into the program.
    (b) Requirements.--Upon publication of the PreCheck Program 
enrollment standards under subsection (a), the Administrator shall--
            (1) coordinate with interested parties--
                    (A) to deploy TSA-approved ready-to-market private 
                sector solutions that meet the PreCheck Program 
                enrollment standards under subsection (a);
                    (B) to make available additional PreCheck Program 
                enrollment capabilities; and
                    (C) to offer secure online and mobile enrollment 
                opportunities;
            (2) partner with the private sector to collect biographic 
        and biometric identification information via kiosks, mobile 
        devices, or other mobile enrollment platforms to increase 
        enrollment flexibility and minimize the amount of travel to 
        enrollment centers for applicants;
            (3) ensure that any information, including biographic 
        information, is collected in a manner that--
                    (A) is comparable with the appropriate and 
                applicable standards developed by the National 
                Institute of Standards and Technology; and
                    (B) protects privacy and data security, including 
                that any personally identifiable information is 
                collected, retained, used, and shared in a manner 
                consistent with section 552a of title 5, United States 
                Code (commonly known as ``Privacy Act of 1974''), and 
                with agency regulations;
            (4) ensure that the enrollment process is streamlined and 
        flexible to allow an individual to provide additional 
        information to complete enrollment and verify identity;
            (5) ensure that any enrollment expansion using a private 
        sector risk assessment instead of a fingerprint-based criminal 
        history records check is evaluated and certified by the 
        Secretary of Homeland Security, and verified by the Government 
        Accountability Office or a federally funded research and 
        development center after award to be equivalent to a 
        fingerprint-based criminal history records check conducted 
        through the Federal Bureau of Investigation with respect to the 
        effectiveness in identifying individuals who are not qualified 
        to participate in the PreCheck program due to disqualifying 
        criminal history; and
            (6) ensure that the Secretary has certified that reasonable 
        procedures are in place with regard to the accuracy, relevancy, 
        and proper utilization of information employed in private 
        sector risk assessments.
    (c) Marketing of PreCheck Program.--Upon publication of PreCheck 
Program enrollment standards under subsection (a), the Administrator 
shall--
            (1) in accordance with those standards, develop and 
        implement--
                    (A) a continual process, including an associated 
                timeframe, for approving private sector marketing of 
                the PreCheck Program; and
                    (B) a long-term strategy for partnering with the 
                private sector to encourage enrollment in such program;
            (2) submit to Congress, at the end of each fiscal year, a 
        report on any PreCheck Program application fees collected in 
        excess of the costs of administering the program, including to 
        access the feasibility of the program, for the preceding fiscal 
        year; and
            (3) include in the report under paragraph (2) 
        recommendations for using such amounts to support marketing of 
        the program under this subsection.
    (d) Identity Verification Enhancement.--Not later than 120 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--
            (1) coordinate with the heads of appropriate components of 
        the Department to leverage department-held data and 
        technologies to verify the citizenship of individuals enrolling 
        in the PreCheck Program;
            (2) partner with the private sector to use biometrics and 
        authentication standards, such as relevant standards developed 
        by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to 
        facilitate enrollment in the program; and
            (3) consider leveraging the existing resources and 
        abilities of airports to conduct fingerprint and background 
        checks to expedite identity verification.
    (e) PreCheck Program Lanes Operation.--The Administrator shall--
            (1) ensure that PreCheck Program screening lanes are open 
        and available during peak and high-volume travel times at 
        appropriate airports to individuals enrolled in the PreCheck 
        Program; and
            (2) make every practicable effort to provide expedited 
        screening at standard screening lanes during times when 
        PreCheck Program screening lanes are closed to individuals 
        enrolled in the program in order to maintain operational 
        efficiency.
    (f) Vetting for PreCheck Program Participants.--Not later than 90 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
initiate an assessment to identify any security vulnerabilities in the 
vetting process for the PreCheck Program, including determining whether 
subjecting PreCheck Program participants to recurrent fingerprint-based 
criminal history records checks, in addition to recurrent checks 
against the terrorist watchlist, could be done in a cost-effective 
manner to strengthen the security of the PreCheck Program.

 Subtitle C--Securing Aviation From Foreign Entry Points and Guarding 
             Airports Through Enhanced Security Act of 2016

SEC. 6301. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Securing Aviation from Foreign 
Entry Points and Guarding Airports Through Enhanced Security Act of 
2016''.

SEC. 6302. LAST POINT OF DEPARTURE AIRPORT SECURITY ASSESSMENT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration shall conduct a comprehensive security risk assessment 
of all last point of departure airports with nonstop flights to the 
United States.
    (b) Contents.--The security risk assessment required under 
subsection (a) shall include consideration of the following:
            (1) The level of coordination and cooperation between the 
        Transportation Security Administration and the foreign 
        government of the country in which the last point of departure 
        airport with nonstop flights to the United States is located.
            (2) The intelligence and threat mitigation capabilities of 
        the country in which such airport is located.
            (3) The number of known or suspected terrorists annually 
        transiting through such airport.
            (4) The degree to which the foreign government of the 
        country in which such airport is located mandates, encourages, 
        or prohibits the collection, analysis, and sharing of passenger 
        name records.
            (5) The passenger security screening practices, 
        capabilities, and capacity of such airport.
            (6) The security vetting undergone by aviation workers at 
        such airport.
            (7) The access controls utilized by such airport to limit 
        to authorized personnel access to secure and sterile areas of 
        such airports.

SEC. 6303. SECURITY COORDINATION ENHANCEMENT PLAN.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 240 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration shall submit to Congress and the Government 
Accountability Office a plan--
            (1) to enhance and bolster security collaboration, 
        coordination, and information sharing relating to securing 
        international-inbound aviation between the United States and 
        domestic and foreign partners, including U.S. Customs and 
        Border Protection, foreign government entities, passenger air 
        carriers, cargo air carriers, and United States Government 
        entities, in order to enhance security capabilities at foreign 
        airports, including airports that may not have nonstop flights 
        to the United States but are nonetheless determined by the 
        Administrator to be high risk; and
            (2) that includes an assessment of the ability of the 
        Administration to enter into a mutual agreement with a foreign 
        government entity that permits Administration representatives 
        to conduct without prior notice inspections of foreign 
        airports.
    (b) GAO Review.--Not later than 180 days after the submission of 
the plan required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall review the efforts, capabilities, and effectiveness 
of the Transportation Security Administration to enhance security 
capabilities at foreign airports and determine if the implementation of 
such efforts and capabilities effectively secures international-inbound 
aviation.

SEC. 6304. WORKFORCE ASSESSMENT.

    Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall 
submit to Congress a comprehensive workforce assessment of all 
Administration personnel within the Office of Global Strategies of the 
Administration or whose primary professional duties contribute to the 
Administration's global efforts to secure transportation security, 
including a review of whether such personnel are assigned in a risk-
based, intelligence-driven manner.

SEC. 6305. DONATION OF SCREENING EQUIPMENT TO PROTECT THE UNITED 
              STATES.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration is authorized to donate security screening equipment to 
a foreign last point of departure airport operator if such equipment 
can be reasonably expected to mitigate a specific vulnerability to the 
security of the United States or United States citizens.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 30 days before any donation of security 
screening equipment pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator of 
the Transportation Security Administration shall provide to the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and 
the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a 
detailed written explanation of the following:
            (1) The specific vulnerability to the United States or 
        United States citizens that will be mitigated by such donation.
            (2) An explanation as to why the recipient of such donation 
        is unable or unwilling to purchase security screening equipment 
        to mitigate such vulnerability.
            (3) An evacuation plan for sensitive technologies in case 
        of emergency or instability in the country to which such 
        donation is being made.
            (4) How the Administrator will ensure the security 
        screening equipment that is being donated is used and 
        maintained over the course of its life by the recipient.
            (5) The total dollar value of such donation.

SEC. 6306. NATIONAL CARGO SECURITY PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration may evaluate foreign countries' air cargo security 
programs to determine whether such programs provide a level of security 
commensurate with the level of security required by United States air 
cargo security programs.
    (b) Approval and Recognition.--
            (1) In general.--If the Administrator of the Transportation 
        Security Administration determines that a foreign country's air 
        cargo security program evaluated under subsection (a) provides 
        a level of security commensurate with the level of security 
        required by United States air cargo security programs, the 
        Administrator shall approve and officially recognize such 
        foreign country's air cargo security program.
            (2) Effect of approval and recognition.--If the 
        Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration 
        approves and officially recognizes pursuant to paragraph (1) a 
        foreign country's air cargo security program, cargo aircraft of 
        such foreign country shall not be required to adhere to United 
        States air cargo security programs that would otherwise be 
        applicable.
    (c) Revocation and Suspension.--
            (1) In general.--If the Administrator of the Transportation 
        Security Administration determines at any time that a foreign 
        country's air cargo security program approved and officially 
        recognized under subsection (b) no longer provides a level of 
        security commensurate with the level of security required by 
        United States air cargo security programs, the Administrator 
        may revoke or temporarily suspend such approval and official 
        recognition until such time as the Administrator determines 
        that such foreign country's cargo security programs provide a 
        level of security commensurate with the level of security 
        required by such United States air cargo security programs.
            (2) Notification.--If the Administrator of the 
        Transportation Security Administration revokes or suspends 
        pursuant to paragraph (1) a foreign country's air cargo 
        security program, the Administrator shall notify the Committee 
        on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate not later than 30 days after such revocation or 
        suspension.

                       Subtitle D--Miscellaneous

SEC. 6401. INTERNATIONAL TRAINING AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--In accordance with section 114 of title 49, United 
States Code, the Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration shall establish an international training and capacity 
development program to train the appropriate authorities of foreign 
governments in air transportation security.
    (b) Contents of Training.--If the Administrator determines that a 
foreign government would benefit from training and capacity development 
assistance, the Administrator may provide to the appropriate 
authorities of that foreign government technical assistance and 
training programs to strengthen aviation security in managerial, 
operational, and technical areas, including--
            (1) active shooter scenarios;
            (2) incident response;
            (3) use of canines;
            (4) mitigation of insider threats;
            (5) perimeter security;
            (6) operation and maintenance of security screening 
        technology; and
            (7) recurrent related training and exercises.

SEC. 6402. CHECKPOINTS OF THE FUTURE.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration, in accordance with chapter 449 of title 49, United 
States Code, shall request the Aviation Security Advisory Committee to 
develop recommendations for more efficient and effective passenger 
screening processes.
    (b) Considerations.--In making recommendations to improve existing 
passenger screening processes, the Aviation Security Advisory Committee 
shall consider--
            (1) the configuration of a checkpoint;
            (2) technology innovation;
            (3) ways to address any vulnerabilities identified in 
        audits of checkpoint operations;
            (4) ways to prevent security breaches at airports where 
        Federal security screening is provided;
            (5) best practices in aviation security;
            (6) recommendations from airport and aircraft operators, 
        and any relevant advisory committees; and
            (7) ``curb to curb'' processes and procedures.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the results of the Aviation Security Advisory 
Committee review, including any recommendations for improving screening 
processes.

 TITLE VII--AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND PROVISIONS AND RELATED TAXES

SEC. 7101. EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY FROM AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND.

    (a) In General.--Section 9502(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
        ``July 16, 2016'' and inserting ``October 1, 2017''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking the semicolon at the 
        end and inserting ``or the Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2016;''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 9502(e)(2) of such Code is 
amended by striking ``July 16, 2016'' and inserting ``October 1, 
2017''.

SEC. 7102. EXTENSION OF TAXES FUNDING AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND.

    (a) Fuel Taxes.--Section 4081(d)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986 is amended by striking ``July 15, 2016'' and inserting 
``September 30, 2017''.
    (b) Ticket Taxes.--
            (1) Persons.--Section 4261(k)(1)(A)(ii) of such Code is 
        amended by striking ``July 15, 2016'' and inserting ``September 
        30, 2017''.
            (2) Property.--Section 4271(d)(1)(A)(ii) of such Code is 
        amended by striking ``July 15, 2016'' and inserting ``September 
        30, 2017''.
    (c) Fractional Ownership Programs.--
            (1) Treatment as non-commercial aviation.--Section 4083(b) 
        of such Code is amended by striking ``July 16, 2016'' and 
        inserting ``October 1, 2017''.
            (2) Exemption from ticket taxes.--Section 4261(j) of such 
        Code is amended by striking ``July 15, 2016'' and inserting 
        ``September 30, 2017''.

            Amend the title so as to read: ``An Act to amend title 49, 
        United States Code, to authorize appropriations for the Federal 
        Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2016 through 2017, and 
        for other purposes.''.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
114th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                H.R. 636

_______________________________________________________________________

                               AMENDMENTS