[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1405 Reported in Senate (RS)]

<DOC>





                                                       Calendar No. 407
115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 1405

                          [Report No. 115-243]

To amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for 
      the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 22, 2017

   Mr. Thune (for himself, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Blunt, and Ms. Cantwell) 
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the 
           Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

                              May 9, 2018

                Reported by Mr. Thune, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for 
      the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes.

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

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Federal 
Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2017''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act 
is as follows:</DELETED>

<DELETED>Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
<DELETED>Sec. 2. References to title 49, United States Code.
<DELETED>Sec. 3. Definition of appropriate committees of Congress.
<DELETED>Sec. 4. Effective date.
                    <DELETED>TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS

              <DELETED>Subtitle A--Funding of FAA Programs

<DELETED>Sec. 1001. Airport planning and development and noise 
                            compatibility planning and programs.
<DELETED>Sec. 1002. Air navigation facilities and equipment.
<DELETED>Sec. 1003. FAA operations.
<DELETED>Sec. 1004. FAA research and development.
<DELETED>Sec. 1005. Funding for aviation programs.
<DELETED>Sec. 1006. Extension of expiring authorities.
     <DELETED>Subtitle B--Airport Improvement Program Modifications

<DELETED>Sec. 1201. Small airport regulation relief.
<DELETED>Sec. 1202. Priority review of construction projects in cold 
                            weather States.
<DELETED>Sec. 1203. State block grants updates.
<DELETED>Sec. 1204. Contract Tower Program updates.
<DELETED>Sec. 1205. Approval of certain applications for the Contract 
                            Tower Program.
<DELETED>Sec. 1206. Remote towers.
<DELETED>Sec. 1207. Midway Island Airport.
<DELETED>Sec. 1208. Airport road funding.
<DELETED>Sec. 1209. Repeal of inherently low-emission airport vehicle 
                            pilot program.
<DELETED>Sec. 1210. Modification of zero-emission airport vehicles and 
                            infrastructure pilot program.
<DELETED>Sec. 1211. Repeal of airport ground support equipment 
                            emissions retrofit pilot program.
<DELETED>Sec. 1212. Funding eligibility for airport energy efficiency 
                            assessments.
<DELETED>Sec. 1213. Recycling plans; safety projects at unclassified 
                            airports.
<DELETED>Sec. 1214. Transfers of instrument landing systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 1215. Non-movement area surveillance pilot program.
<DELETED>Sec. 1216. Amendments to definitions.
<DELETED>Sec. 1217. Clarification of noise exposure map updates.
<DELETED>Sec. 1218. Provision of facilities.
<DELETED>Sec. 1219. Moratorium on changes to the Contract Weather 
                            Observer Program.
<DELETED>Sec. 1220. Federal share adjustment.
<DELETED>Sec. 1221. Miscellaneous technical amendments.
<DELETED>Sec. 1222. Mothers' rooms at airports.
<DELETED>Sec. 1223. Definition of small business concern.
<DELETED>Sec. 1224. State standards for airport pavements.
                <DELETED>Subtitle C--FLIGHT Act of 2017

<DELETED>Sec. 1301. Short title.
<DELETED>Sec. 1302. General aviation airport entitlement reform.
<DELETED>Sec. 1303. Extending aviation development streamlining.
<DELETED>Sec. 1304. Establishment of public private-partnership program 
                            at general aviation airports.
<DELETED>Sec. 1305. Disaster relief airports.
<DELETED>Sec. 1306. Airport development relating to disaster relief.
<DELETED>Sec. 1307. Inclusion of covered aircraft construction in 
                            definition of aeronautical activity for 
                            purposes of airport improvement grants.
            <DELETED>Subtitle D--Passenger Facility Charges

<DELETED>Sec. 1401. PFC streamlining.
<DELETED>Sec. 1402. Intermodal access projects.
<DELETED>Sec. 1403. Future aviation infrastructure and financing study.
<DELETED>Sec. 1404. Airport vehicle emissions.
                       <DELETED>TITLE II--SAFETY

         <DELETED>Subtitle A--Unmanned Aircraft Systems Reform

<DELETED>Sec. 2001. Definitions.
               <DELETED>PART I--Privacy and Transparency

<DELETED>Sec. 2101. Unmanned aircraft systems privacy policy.
<DELETED>Sec. 2102. Sense of Congress.
<DELETED>Sec. 2103. Federal Trade Commission authority.
<DELETED>Sec. 2104. Commercial and governmental operators.
<DELETED>Sec. 2105. Analysis of current remedies under Federal, State, 
                            and local jurisdictions.
              <DELETED>PART II--Unmanned Aircraft Systems

<DELETED>Sec. 2121. Definitions.
<DELETED>Sec. 2122. Utilization of unmanned aircraft system test sites.
<DELETED>Sec. 2123. Small unmanned aircraft safety standards.
<DELETED>Sec. 2124. Small unmanned aircraft in the Arctic.
<DELETED>Sec. 2125. Special authority for certain unmanned aircraft 
                            systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 2126. Additional rulemaking authority.
<DELETED>Sec. 2127. Governmental unmanned aircraft systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 2128. Special rules for model aircraft.
<DELETED>Sec. 2129. Authority.
<DELETED>Sec. 2130. Unmanned aircraft systems aeronautical knowledge 
                            and safety.
<DELETED>Sec. 2131. Treatment of unmanned aircraft operating 
                            underground.
<DELETED>Sec. 2132. Enforcement.
<DELETED>Sec. 2133. Airport safety and airspace hazard mitigation and 
                            enforcement.
<DELETED>Sec. 2134. Aviation emergency safety public services 
                            disruption.
<DELETED>Sec. 2135. Public UAS operations by tribal governments.
<DELETED>Sec. 2136. Carriage of property by small unmanned aircraft 
                            systems for compensation or hire.
<DELETED>Sec. 2137. Collegiate training initiative program for unmanned 
                            aircraft systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 2138. Incorporation of Federal Aviation Administration 
                            occupations relating to unmanned aircraft 
                            into veterans employment programs of the 
                            administration.
<DELETED>Sec. 2139. Report on UAS and chemical aerial application.
<DELETED>Sec. 2140. Part 107 implementation improvements.
<DELETED>Sec. 2141. Redesignation.
                    <DELETED>PART III--Other Matters

<DELETED>Sec. 2151. Federal and local authorities.
<DELETED>Sec. 2152. Spectrum.
<DELETED>Sec. 2153. Use of unmanned aircraft systems at institutions of 
                            higher education.
<DELETED>Sec. 2154. Transition language.
                   <DELETED>PART IV--Operator Safety

<DELETED>Sec. 2161. Short title.
<DELETED>Sec. 2162. Findings; sense of Congress.
<DELETED>Sec. 2163. Unsafe operation of unmanned aircraft.
          <DELETED>Subtitle B--FAA Safety Certification Reform

                  <DELETED>PART I--General Provisions

<DELETED>Sec. 2211. Definitions.
<DELETED>Sec. 2212. Safety Oversight and Certification Advisory 
                            Committee.
            <DELETED>PART II--Aircraft Certification Reform

<DELETED>Sec. 2221. Aircraft certification performance objectives and 
                            metrics.
<DELETED>Sec. 2222. Organization designation authorizations.
<DELETED>Sec. 2223. ODA review.
<DELETED>Sec. 2224. Type certification resolution process.
<DELETED>Sec. 2225. Safety enhancing technologies for small general 
                            aviation airplanes.
               <DELETED>PART III--Flight Standards Reform

<DELETED>Sec. 2231. Flight standards performance objectives and 
                            metrics.
<DELETED>Sec. 2232. FAA task force on flight standards reform.
<DELETED>Sec. 2233. Centralized safety guidance database.
<DELETED>Sec. 2234. Regulatory Consistency Communication Board.
                   <DELETED>PART IV--Safety Workforce

<DELETED>Sec. 2241. Safety workforce training strategy.
                <DELETED>PART V--International Aviation

<DELETED>Sec. 2251. Promotion of United States aerospace standards, 
                            products, and services abroad.
<DELETED>Sec. 2252. Bilateral exchanges of safety oversight 
                            responsibilities.
<DELETED>Sec. 2253. FAA leadership abroad.
<DELETED>Sec. 2254. Registration, certification, and related fees.
     <DELETED>Subtitle C--Airline Passenger Safety and Protections

<DELETED>Sec. 2301. Access to air carrier flight decks.
<DELETED>Sec. 2302. Aircraft tracking and flight data.
<DELETED>Sec. 2303. Flight attendant duty period limitations and rest 
                            requirements.
<DELETED>Sec. 2304. Report on obsolete test equipment.
<DELETED>Sec. 2305. Plan for systems to provide direct warnings of 
                            potential runway incursions.
<DELETED>Sec. 2306. Helicopter air ambulance operations data and 
                            reports.
<DELETED>Sec. 2307. Part 135 accident and incident data.
<DELETED>Sec. 2308. Definition of human factors.
<DELETED>Sec. 2309. Sense of Congress; pilot in command authority.
<DELETED>Sec. 2310. Enhancing ASIAS.
<DELETED>Sec. 2311. Improving runway safety.
<DELETED>Sec. 2312. Safe air transportation of lithium cells and 
                            batteries.
<DELETED>Sec. 2313. Aircraft cabin evacuation procedures.
<DELETED>Sec. 2314. Annual safety incident report.
              <DELETED>Subtitle D--General Aviation Safety

<DELETED>Sec. 2401. Automated weather observing systems policy.
<DELETED>Sec. 2402. Requirement to consult with stakeholders in 
                            defining scope and requirements for Future 
                            Flight Service Program.
<DELETED>Sec. 2403. Aviation fuel.
<DELETED>Sec. 2404. Applicability of medical certification standards to 
                            operators of air balloons.
<DELETED>Sec. 2405. Technical corrections.
                <DELETED>Subtitle E--General Provisions

<DELETED>Sec. 2501. FAA technical training.
<DELETED>Sec. 2502. Safety critical staffing.
<DELETED>Sec. 2503. Approach control radar.
<DELETED>Sec. 2504. Airspace management advisory committee.
        <DELETED>Subtitle F--General Aviation Pilot Protections

<DELETED>Sec. 2601. Short title.
<DELETED>Sec. 2602. Expansion of Pilot's Bill of Rights.
<DELETED>Sec. 2603. Limitations on reexamination of certificate 
                            holders.
<DELETED>Sec. 2604. Expediting updates to NOTAM Program.
<DELETED>Sec. 2605. Accessibility of certain flight data.
<DELETED>Sec. 2606. Authority for legal counsel to issue certain 
                            notices.
              <DELETED>TITLE III--AIR SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS

<DELETED>Sec. 3001. Definitions.
        <DELETED>Subtitle A--Passenger Air Service Improvements

<DELETED>Sec. 3101. Causes of airline delays or cancellations.
<DELETED>Sec. 3102. Involuntary changes to itineraries.
<DELETED>Sec. 3103. Addressing the needs of families of passengers 
                            involved in aircraft accidents.
<DELETED>Sec. 3104. Travelers with disabilities.
<DELETED>Sec. 3105. Extension of Advisory Committee for Aviation 
                            Consumer Protection.
<DELETED>Sec. 3106. Extension of competitive access reports.
<DELETED>Sec. 3107. Refunds for other fees that are not honored by a 
                            covered air carrier.
<DELETED>Sec. 3108. Disclosure of fees to consumers.
<DELETED>Sec. 3109. Seat assignments.
<DELETED>Sec. 3110. Advanced boarding during pregnancy.
<DELETED>Sec. 3111. Consumer complaint process improvement.
<DELETED>Sec. 3112. Online access to aviation consumer protection 
                            information.
<DELETED>Sec. 3113. Study on in cabin wheelchair restraint systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 3114. Advisory committee on the air travel needs of 
                            passengers with disabilities.
<DELETED>Sec. 3115. Enforcement of aviation consumer protection rules.
<DELETED>Sec. 3116. Dimensions for passenger seats.
<DELETED>Sec. 3117. Cell phone voice communications.
<DELETED>Sec. 3118. TICKETS Act.
<DELETED>Sec. 3119. Transparency for disabled passengers.
               <DELETED>Subtitle B--Essential Air Service

<DELETED>Sec. 3201. Essential air service.
<DELETED>Sec. 3202. Small community air service development program.
<DELETED>Sec. 3203. Small community program amendments.
<DELETED>Sec. 3204. Waivers.
            <DELETED>TITLE IV--NEXTGEN AND FAA ORGANIZATION

<DELETED>Sec. 4001. Definitions.
         <DELETED>Subtitle A--NextGen Air Transportation System

<DELETED>Sec. 4101. Return on investment report.
<DELETED>Sec. 4102. Ensuring FAA readiness to provide seamless oceanic 
                            operations.
<DELETED>Sec. 4103. Annual NextGen performance goals.
<DELETED>Sec. 4104. Air traffic control operational contingency plans.
<DELETED>Sec. 4105. 2020 ADS-B Out mandate plan.
<DELETED>Sec. 4106. NextGen interoperability.
<DELETED>Sec. 4107. NextGen transition management.
<DELETED>Sec. 4108. Implementation of NextGen operational improvements.
<DELETED>Sec. 4109. Securing aircraft avionics systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 4110. Defining NextGen.
<DELETED>Sec. 4111. Human factors.
<DELETED>Sec. 4112. Major acquisition reports.
<DELETED>Sec. 4113. Equipage mandates.
<DELETED>Sec. 4114. Workforce.
<DELETED>Sec. 4115. Programmatic risk management.
<DELETED>Sec. 4116. Program management.
<DELETED>Sec. 4117. System-wide improvements.
<DELETED>Sec. 4118. NextGen research.
     <DELETED>Subtitle B--Administration Organization and Employees

<DELETED>Sec. 4201. Cost-saving initiatives.
<DELETED>Sec. 4202. Federal Aviation Administration performance 
                            measures and targets.
<DELETED>Sec. 4203. Treatment of essential employees during furloughs.
<DELETED>Sec. 4204. Controller candidate interviews.
<DELETED>Sec. 4205. Report on plans for air traffic control facilities 
                            in the New York City and Newark region.
<DELETED>Sec. 4206. Work plan for the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia 
                            Metropolitan Area Airspace Project.
<DELETED>Sec. 4207. Air traffic services at aviation events.
<DELETED>Sec. 4208. Annual report on inclusion of disabled veteran 
                            leave in personnel management system.
                    <DELETED>TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

<DELETED>Sec. 5001. National Transportation Safety Board investigative 
                            officers.
<DELETED>Sec. 5002. Overflights of national parks.
<DELETED>Sec. 5003. Aeronautical studies for commercial space launch 
                            site runways.
<DELETED>Sec. 5004. Comprehensive aviation preparedness plan.
<DELETED>Sec. 5005. Advanced Materials Center of Excellence.
<DELETED>Sec. 5006. Interference with airline employees.
<DELETED>Sec. 5007. Secondary cockpit barriers.
<DELETED>Sec. 5008. Research and deployment of certain airfield 
                            pavement technologies.
<DELETED>Sec. 5009. Increase in duration of general aviation aircraft 
                            registration.
<DELETED>Sec. 5010. Modification of limitation of liability relating to 
                            aircraft.
<DELETED>Sec. 5011. Government Accountability Office study of illegal 
                            drugs seized at international airports in 
                            the United States.
<DELETED>Sec. 5012. Government Accountability Office review of unmanned 
                            aircraft systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 5013. Sense of Congress on preventing the transportation 
                            of disease-carrying mosquitoes and other 
                            insects on commercial aircraft.
<DELETED>Sec. 5014. Treatment of multi-year lessees of large and 
                            turbine-powered multiengine aircraft.
<DELETED>Sec. 5015. Student outreach report.
<DELETED>Sec. 5016. Authorization of certain flights by stage 2 
                            aircraft.
<DELETED>Sec. 5017. Supersonic aircraft.
<DELETED>Sec. 5018. Terminal aerodrome forecast.
<DELETED>Sec. 5019. Technical and conforming amendments.

<DELETED>SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF 
              CONGRESS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    In this Act, 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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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.</DELETED>

               <DELETED>TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS</DELETED>

         <DELETED>Subtitle A--Funding of FAA Programs</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1001. AIRPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AND NOISE 
              COMPATIBILITY PLANNING AND PROGRAMS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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 2017'' and inserting ``section 47505(a)(2), carrying out 
noise compatibility programs under section 47504(c), an airport 
cooperative research program under section 44511, Airports Technology-
Safety research, and Airports Technology-Efficiency research 
$3,350,000,000 for fiscal year 2018 and $3,750,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2019 through 2021.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Obligational Authority.--Section 47104(c) is amended 
in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``September 30, 
2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2021''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1002. AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 48101(a) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) 
through (5) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) $2,877,365,122 for fiscal year 
        2018.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) $2,889,379,240 for fiscal year 
        2019.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) $2,906,007,932 for fiscal year 
        2020.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) $2,921,493,286 for fiscal year 
        2021.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1003. FAA OPERATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 106(k)(1) is amended by striking 
subparagraphs (A) through (E) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) $10,123,257,311 for fiscal year 
                2018;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) $10,233,107,832 for fiscal year 
                2019;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) $10,341,034,956 for fiscal year 
                2020; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) $10,453,299,174 for fiscal year 
                2021.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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 2018 through 2021''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Authority To Transfer Funds.--Section 106(k)(3) is 
amended by striking ``2012 through 2017'' and inserting ``2018 through 
2021''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1004. FAA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 48102 is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph 
                (1)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by striking ``44511-44513'' 
                        and inserting ``44512-44513''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking ``and, for each 
                        of fiscal years 2012 through 2015, under 
                        subsection (g)''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking paragraphs (1) through (9) 
                and inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2018.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2021.''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph 
        (3).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1005. FUNDING FOR AVIATION PROGRAMS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Airport and Airway Trust Fund Guarantee.--Section 
48114(a)(1)(A) is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) shall, in each of fiscal 
                        years 2018 through 2021, be equal to--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) the sum of--
                                </DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(aa) 90 percent 
                                        of the estimated level of 
                                        receipts plus interest credited 
                                        to the Airport and Airway Trust 
                                        Fund for that fiscal year; 
                                        and</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(bb) 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</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) less the amount 
                                calculated under subclause (I)(bb) for 
                                the fourth preceding year; 
                                and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) may be used only for the 
                        aviation investment programs listed in 
                        subsection (b)(1).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Enforcement of Guarantees.--Section 48114(c)(2) is 
amended by striking ``2017'' and inserting ``2021''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1006. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.--Section 
47115(j) is amended by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
``2021''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Extension of Compatible Land Use Planning and Projects 
by State and Local Governments.--Section 47141(f) is amended by 
striking ``September 30, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 
2021''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) 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 ``September 
30, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2021''.</DELETED>

           <DELETED>Subtitle B--Airport Improvement Program 
                        Modifications</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1201. SMALL AIRPORT REGULATION RELIEF.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 47114(c)(1) is amended by striking subparagraph 
(F) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) Special rule for fiscal years 2017 
                through 2021.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) and 
                subject to subparagraph (G), the Secretary shall 
                apportion to a sponsor of an airport under that 
                subparagraph for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021 
                an amount based on the number of passenger boardings at 
                the airport during calendar year 2012 if the airport--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) had 10,000 or more passenger 
                        boardings during calendar year 2012;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) had fewer than 10,000 
                        passenger boardings during the calendar year 
                        used to calculate the apportionment for fiscal 
                        year 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021, as 
                        applicable, under subparagraph (A); 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) had scheduled air service 
                        at any point in the calendar year used to 
                        calculate the apportionment.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) Limitations and waivers.--The 
                authority to make apportionments in the manner 
                prescribed in subparagraph (F) may be utilized no more 
                than 3 years in a row. The Secretary may waive this 
                limitation if the Secretary determines that an 
                airport's enplanements are substantially close to 
                10,000 enplanements and the airport sponsor or affected 
                communities are taking reasonable steps to restore 
                enplanements above 10,000.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(H) Minimum apportionment for commercial 
                service airports with more than 8,000 passenger 
                boardings in a calendar year.--Not less than $600,000 
                may be apportioned under subparagraph (A) for each 
                fiscal year to each sponsor of a commercial service 
                airport that had fewer than 10,000 passenger boardings, 
                but at least 8,000 passenger boardings, during the 
                prior calendar year.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1202. PRIORITY REVIEW OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN COLD 
              WEATHER STATES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Report.--The Administrator shall update the 
appropriate committees of Congress annually on the effectiveness of the 
review and prioritization.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1203. STATE BLOCK GRANTS UPDATES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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 2018 and each fiscal year thereafter''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1204. CONTRACT TOWER PROGRAM UPDATES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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)''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Contract Air Traffic Control Tower Cost-share Program; 
Funding.--Section 47124(b)(3)(E) is amended to read as 
follows:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Cost Benefit Ratio Revision.--Section 47124 is amended 
by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Cost Benefit Ratios.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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 
        2017, 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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Contract tower program at non-cost-share 
        airports.--Beginning on the date of enactment of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2017, 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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Considerations.--In establishing a benefit-
        to-cost ratio under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2), the 
        Secretary may consider only the following costs:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) The Federal Aviation 
                Administration's actual cost of wages and benefits of 
                personnel working at the tower.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) The Federal Aviation 
                Administration's actual telecommunications costs of the 
                tower.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Relocation and replacement costs of 
                equipment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
                associated with the tower, if paid for by the Federal 
                Aviation Administration.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Exclusions.--In establishing a benefit-to-
        cost ratio under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2), the Secretary 
        may not consider the following costs:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Airway facilities costs, including 
                labor and other costs associated with maintaining and 
                repairing the systems and equipment of the Federal 
                Aviation Administration.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Costs for depreciating the building 
                and equipment owned by the Federal Aviation 
                Administration.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Indirect overhead costs of the 
                Federal Aviation Administration.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) Other expenses of the Federal 
                Aviation Administration not directly associated with 
                the actual operation of the tower.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) Procedures.--The Secretary shall establish 
        procedures--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) to request the Secretary 
                        reconsider that determination; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) to submit updated or 
                        additional data to the Secretary in support of 
                        the reconsideration;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Cost-share program.--The term `Cost-share 
        Program' means the cost-share program established under 
        subsection (b)(3).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Conforming Amendments.--Section 47124(b) is amended--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking ``the program 
        established under paragraph (3)'' and inserting ``the Cost-
        share Program'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (3)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the heading, by striking ``Contract 
                air traffic control tower program'' and inserting 
                ``Cost-share program'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``In 
                carrying out the program'' and inserting ``In carrying 
                out the Cost-share Program'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
                ``participate in the program'' and inserting 
                ``participate in the Cost-share Program'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
                ``under the program'' and inserting ``under the Cost-
                share Program''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``the 
                program continued under paragraph (1)'' and inserting 
                ``the Contract Tower Program''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1205. APPROVAL OF CERTAIN APPLICATIONS FOR THE CONTRACT 
              TOWER PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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, 2017, 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 entitled, ``Establishment and Discontinuance Criteria for 
Airport Traffic Control Towers'', and dated August 1990 (FAA-APO-90-
7).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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, as added by 
section 1204 of this Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1206. REMOTE TOWERS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Pilot Program.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Establishment.--The Administrator of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration shall establish--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in consultation with airport operators 
                and general aviation users, a pilot program at public-
                use airports to construct and operate remote 
                towers;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) a selection process for participation 
                in the pilot program; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) a clear process for the safety and 
                operational certification of the remote 
                towers.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Requirements.--In selecting the airports for 
        participation in the pilot program, the Administrator shall--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) to the extent practicable, ensure that 
                at least 2 different vendors of remote tower systems 
                participate;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) clearly identify the analysis relating 
                to the feasibility, safety, cost, and benefits of 
                remote towers that will be addressed at each 
                airport.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Selection criteria.--In selecting an airport 
        for participation in the pilot program, the Administrator shall 
        consider--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) how inclusion of that airport will add 
                value to assist the Administrator in evaluating the 
                feasibility, safety, costs, and benefits of remote 
                towers;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the amount and variety of air traffic 
                at an airport; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the costs and benefits of including 
                that airport.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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, costs, and benefits of 
        remote towers.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) detailing any benefits, costs, or 
                safety improvements associated with the use of the 
                remote towers; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) evaluating the feasibility of using 
                remote towers, particularly in the Contract Tower 
                Program, for airports without an air traffic control 
                tower, or to improve safety at airports with 
                towers.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) Definitions.--In this subsection:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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, as added by section 1204 of this Act.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Remote tower.--The term ``remote 
                tower'' means a remotely operated air navigation 
                facility, including all necessary system components, 
                that provides the functions and capabilities of an air 
                traffic control tower whereby air traffic services are 
                provided to operators at an airport from a location 
                that may not be on or near the airport.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Remote Tower Program.--Not later than 30 days after 
the date on which the first remote tower is commissioned to operate 
under this section, the Administrator shall establish a process to 
authorize the construction and commissioning operation of additional 
remote towers, that are certificated under subsection (a)(1)(C), at 
other airports.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) AIP Funding Eligibility.--For purposes of the pilot 
program under subsection (a), and after certificated remote towers are 
available under subsection (b), 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, as needed, 
for off-airport sensors installed on leased towers.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1207. MIDWAY ISLAND AIRPORT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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 September 30, 2017,'' and inserting ``and for fiscal years 2018 
through 2021''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1208. AIRPORT ROAD FUNDING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Airport Development Grant Assurances.--Section 
47107(b) is amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Restrictions on the Use of Airport Revenue.--Section 
47133(c) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``Nothing'' and 
        indenting appropriately; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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).''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1209. REPEAL OF INHERENTLY LOW-EMISSION AIRPORT VEHICLE 
              PILOT PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Repeal.--Section 47136 is repealed.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``47136. [Reserved].''.

<DELETED>SEC. 1210. MODIFICATION OF ZERO-EMISSION AIRPORT VEHICLES AND 
              INFRASTRUCTURE PILOT PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 47136a is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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 2017,'' after 
        ``section 47136''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1211. REPEAL OF AIRPORT GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT 
              EMISSIONS RETROFIT PILOT PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Repeal.--Section 47140 is repealed.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``47140. [Reserved].''.

<DELETED>SEC. 1212. FUNDING ELIGIBILITY FOR AIRPORT ENERGY EFFICIENCY 
              ASSESSMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1213. RECYCLING PLANS; SAFETY PROJECTS AT UNCLASSIFIED 
              AIRPORTS.</DELETED>

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

<DELETED>SEC. 1214. TRANSFERS OF INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEMS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1215. NON-MOVEMENT AREA SURVEILLANCE PILOT 
              PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 471 is amended by 
inserting after section 47142 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 47143. Non-movement area surveillance surface display 
              systems pilot program</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Project Grants.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) provides the required transmit and 
                receive data formats consistent with the National 
                Airspace System architecture at the appropriate service 
                delivery point;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) is on-airport; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) is airport operated.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>

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

<DELETED>SEC. 1216. AMENDMENTS TO DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 47102 is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating paragraphs (10) through (28) 
        as paragraphs (12) through (30), respectively;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (9) as 
        paragraphs (8) through (10), respectively;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in paragraph (3)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in subparagraph (B)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by redesignating clauses (iii) 
                        through (x) as clauses (iv) through (xi), 
                        respectively; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking clause (ii) and 
                        inserting the following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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;'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subparagraph (K), 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''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in subparagraph (L)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking ``airport, to'' 
                        and inserting ``airport and equipped with''; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) in paragraph (5), by striking ``regulations'' 
        and inserting ``requirements'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) by inserting after paragraph (6) the 
        following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) `categorized airport' means a nonprimary 
        airport that has an identified role in the most recently 
        published National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) 
        report.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) in paragraph (9), as redesignated, by striking 
        ``public'' and inserting ``public-use'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) by inserting after paragraph (10), as 
        redesignated, the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) in paragraph (24), as redesignated, by 
        amending subparagraph (B)(i) to read as follows:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) determined by the Secretary 
                        to have at least--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) 100 based aircraft 
                                that are currently registered with the 
                                Federal Aviation Administration under 
                                chapter 445 of this title; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(31) `unclassified airport' means a nonprimary 
        airport that is included in the most recently published 
        National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) report that 
        is not categorized by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration in the most current report entitled General 
        Aviation Airports: A National Asset.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1217. CLARIFICATION OF NOISE EXPOSURE MAP 
              UPDATES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 47503(b) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting after ``reduction'' the 
        following: ``if the change has occurred during the longer of--
        </DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the noise exposure map period forecast by 
        the airport operator under subsection (a); or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) the implementation timeframe of the 
        operator's noise compatibility program''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1218. PROVISION OF FACILITIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 44502 is amended by adding at the end the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Airport Space.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Building construction, maintenance, 
                utilities, or expenses for services relating to air 
                traffic control, air navigation, or weather 
                reporting.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Space in a facility owned by the 
                airport owner or sponsor for services relating to air 
                traffic control, air navigation, or weather 
                reporting.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this 
        subsection may be construed to affect--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1219. MORATORIUM ON CHANGES TO THE CONTRACT WEATHER 
              OBSERVER PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The Administrator may not discontinue the Contract Weather 
Observer Program at any airport until October 1, 2021.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1220. FEDERAL SHARE ADJUSTMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 47109(a)(5) is amended to read as 
follows:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1221. MISCELLANEOUS TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Airport Security Program.--Section 47137 is amended--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a), by striking 
        ``Transportation'' and inserting ``Homeland 
        Security'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (e), by striking ``Homeland 
        Security'' and inserting ``Transportation''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subsection (g), by inserting ``of 
        Transportation'' after ``Secretary'' the first place it 
        appears.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking ``or section 23'' and inserting 
        ``, section 23''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting before the period at the end the 
        following: ``, or section 47125 of title 49, United States 
        Code''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1222. MOTHERS' ROOMS AT AIRPORTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Lactation Area Defined.--Section 47102, as amended by 
section 1216 of this Act, is further amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating paragraphs (12) through (31) 
        as paragraphs (13) through (32), respectively; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting after paragraph (11) the 
        following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(12) `lactation area' means a room or similar 
        accommodation that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) provides a location for an 
                individual to express breast milk that is shielded from 
                view and free from intrusion;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) has a door that can be locked by the 
                individual;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) includes a place to sit, a table or 
                other flat surface, and an electrical outlet;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) is readily accessible to and usable 
                by individuals with disabilities, including individuals 
                who use wheelchairs; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) is not located in a 
                restroom.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Project Grants Written Assurances for Large and Medium 
Hub Airports.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Section 47107(a) is amended--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (20), by striking ``and'' 
                at the end;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (21), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting ``; and''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by adding at the end the 
                following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(22) with respect to a medium hub airport or 
        large hub airport, the airport owner or operator will maintain 
        a lactation area in each passenger terminal building of the 
        commercial service airport in the sterile area (as defined in 
        section 1540.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations) of the 
        building.''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Applicability.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Terminal Development Costs.--Section 47119(a) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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 in 1 or more passenger 
        terminal buildings at a commercial service 
        airport.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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 section 47107(a)(22) 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 section 47102 of that title, as added by 
subsection (a).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1223. DEFINITION OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 47113(a)(1) is amended to read as 
follows:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) `small business concern'--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) has the meaning given the term in 
                section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632); 
                but</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1224. STATE STANDARDS FOR AIRPORT PAVEMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 47105(c) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by inserting ``(1) In general.--'' before 
        ``The Secretary'' the first place it appears; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Pavement standards.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Technical assistance.--At the 
                request of a State, the Secretary shall, not later than 
                30 days after the date of the request, provide 
                technical assistance to the State in developing 
                standards, acceptable to the Secretary under 
                subparagraph (B), for pavement on nonprimary public-use 
                airports in the State.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Requirements.--The Secretary shall--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) continue to provide 
                        technical assistance under subparagraph (A) 
                        until the standards are approved under 
                        paragraph (1); and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) clearly indicate to the 
                        State the standards that are acceptable to the 
                        Secretary, considering, at a minimum, local 
                        conditions and locally available 
                        materials.''.</DELETED>

           <DELETED>Subtitle C--FLIGHT Act of 2017</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1301. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the 
``Forward Looking Investment in General Aviation, Hangars, and Tarmacs 
Act of 2017'' or the ``FLIGHT Act of 2017''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1302. GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT ENTITLEMENT 
              REFORM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Apportionment.--Section 47114(d)(3) is amended--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as 
        subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting before subparagraph (B), as 
        redesignated, the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Not less than $25,000,000 to 
                airports designated as disaster relief airports under 
                section 47132 to enhance the ability of such airports 
                to aid in disaster relief, including through funding 
                for airport development described in section 
                47102(3)(P).''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subparagraph (B), as redesignated, by 
        striking ``To each airport'' and inserting ``Subject to 
        subparagraph (A), to each airport''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Period of Availability.--Section 47117(b) is amended 
by striking ``3'' and inserting ``4''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) United States Share of Project Costs.--Section 47109 
is amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Cost Share.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the 
        Government's share of allowable project costs may be increased 
        by the Administrator to 95 percent for a project at an airport 
        that is categorized as a basic or unclassified airport in the 
        most recently published National Plan of Integrated Airport 
        Systems (NPIAS) report.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Multi-year projects.--If an airport sponsor 
        has an approved multi-year project, approved by the 
        Administrator, and the airport is recategorized above basic 
        category, the cost share for that project shall remain at the 
        cost share specified in paragraph (1) for the duration of the 
        project.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Use of Apportioned Amounts.--Section 47117(e)(1) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) All amounts subject to apportionment 
                for a fiscal year that are not apportioned under 
                section 47114(d), for grants to sponsors of general 
                aviation airports, reliever airports, or nonprimary 
                commercial service airports.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1303. EXTENDING AVIATION DEVELOPMENT 
              STREAMLINING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 47171 is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding 
        paragraph (1), by inserting ``general aviation airport 
        construction or improvement projects,'' after ``congested 
        airports,'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as 
                paragraph (3); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the 
                following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) General aviation airport construction or 
        improvement project.--A general aviation airport construction 
        or improvement project shall be subject to the coordinated and 
        expedited environmental review process requirements set forth 
        in this section.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``(b)(2)'' 
        and inserting ``(b)(3)'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) in subsection (d), by striking ``(b)(2)'' and 
        inserting ``(b)(3)'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) in subsection (h), by striking ``(b)(2)'' and 
        inserting ``(b)(3)''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) in subsection (k), by striking ``(b)(2)'' and 
        inserting ``(b)(3)''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Definitions.--Section 47175 is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), 
        (4), and (5) as paragraphs (2), (5), (1), (3), and (4), 
        respectively, and by rearranging such paragraphs so that they 
        appear in numerical order;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph 
        (8); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the 
        following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) General aviation airport construction or 
        improvement project.--The term `general aviation airport 
        construction or improvement project' means--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) a project for the construction or 
                extension of a runway, including any land acquisition, 
                taxiway, safety area, apron, or navigational aids 
                associated with the runway or runway extension, at a 
                general aviation airport, a reliever airport, or a 
                commercial service airport that is not a primary 
                airport (as such terms are defined in section 47102); 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) any other airport development 
                project that the Secretary designates as facilitating 
                aviation capacity building projects at a general 
                aviation airport.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1304. ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC PRIVATE-PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM 
              AT GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Chapter 481 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 48115. General aviation public-private partnership 
              program</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) Small Airport Public-Private Partnership Program.--
The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a program that meets 
the requirements under this section for improving facilities at--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) general aviation airports; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) privately owned airports used or intended to 
        be used for public purposes that do not have scheduled air 
        service.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Application Required.--The operator or sponsor of an 
airport, or the community in which an airport is located, seeking, on 
behalf of the airport, to participate in the program established under 
subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Secretary in such 
form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require, including--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) an assessment of the needs of the airport 
        for additional or improved hangars, airport businesses, or 
        other facilities;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) the ability of the airport to leverage 
        private sector investments on the airport or develop public-
        private partnerships to build or improve facilities at the 
        airport; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) if the application is submitted by a 
        community, evidence that the airport supports the 
        application.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Limitation.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) State limit.--Not more than 4 airports in 
        the same State may be selected to participate in the program 
        established under subsection (a) in any fiscal year.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Dollar amount limit.--Not more than $500,000 
        shall be made available for any one-time grant to an airport in 
        any fiscal year under the program established under subsection 
        (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Priorities.--In selecting airports for participation 
in the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
give priority to airports at which--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the operator or sponsor of the airport, or 
        the community in which the airport is located--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) will provide a portion of the cost 
                of the project for which assistance is sought under the 
                program from local sources;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) will employ best business practices 
                in developing or implementing a public-private 
                partnership; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) has established, or will establish, 
                a public-private partnership to build or improve 
                facilities at the airport; or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) the assistance will be used in a timely 
        fashion.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Types of Assistance.--The Secretary may use amounts 
made available under this section--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) to provide assistance to market an airport 
        to private entities or individuals in order to leverage private 
        sector investments or develop public-private partnerships for 
        the purposes of building or improving hangars, businesses, or 
        other facilities at the airport;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) to fund studies that consider what measures 
        an airport should take to attract private sector investment at 
        the airport; or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) to participate in a partnership described in 
        paragraph (1) or an investment described in paragraph 
        (2).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Authority To Make Agreements.--The Secretary may 
enter into agreements with airports and entities entering into 
partnerships with airports under this section to provide assistance 
under this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Availability of Amounts From Airport and Airway 
Trust Fund.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be 
        appropriated, out of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund 
        established under section 9502 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
        1986, $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2018 through 2021 
        to carry out this section. Amounts appropriated pursuant to 
        this paragraph shall remain available until expended.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant 
        to paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) shall remain available until 
                expended; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) shall be in addition to any amounts 
                made available pursuant to section 48103.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 
481 is amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``48115. General aviation public-private partnership 
                            program.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 1305. DISASTER RELIEF AIRPORTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Designation of Disaster Relief Airports.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 471 is 
        amended by inserting after section 47131 the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 47132. Disaster relief airports</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) Designation.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation 
        shall designate as a disaster relief airport an airport that--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) is categorized as a regional 
                reliever airport in the most recently published 
                National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) 
                report;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) is within a reasonable distance, as 
                determined by the Secretary, of a hospital or 
                transplant or trauma center;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) is in a region that the Secretary 
                determines under subsection (b) is prone to natural 
                disasters;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) has at least 1 paved runway with not 
                less than 3,400 feet of useable length capable of 
                supporting aircraft up to 12,500 pounds;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) has aircraft maintenance or 
                servicing facilities at the airport able to provide 
                aircraft fueling and light maintenance services; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) has adequate taxiway and ramp space 
                to accommodate single engine or light multi-engine 
                aircraft simultaneously for loading and unloading of 
                supplies.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Designation in states without qualifying 
        airports.--If fewer than 3 airports described in paragraph (1) 
        are located in a State, the Secretary, in consultation with 
        aviation officials of that State, shall designate not more than 
        3 general aviation airports in that State as a disaster relief 
        airport under this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Prone to Natural Disasters.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--For the purposes of subsection 
        (a)(1)(C), a region is prone to natural disasters if--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) in the case of earthquakes, there is 
                not less than a 50 percent probability that an 
                earthquake of magnitude 6 or above will occur in the 
                region within 30 years, according to the United States 
                Geological Survey; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) in the case of other types of 
                natural disasters, the President has declared more than 
                5 major disasters in the region under section 401 of 
                the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
                Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), according to the most 
                recent map of the Federal Emergency Management 
                Agency.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Natural disaster defined.--For the purposes 
        of this section, the term `natural disaster' includes a 
        hurricane, tornado, severe storm, high water, wind-driven 
        water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, 
        landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, drought, or wildfire.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Requirements.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Operation and maintenance.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--A disaster relief 
                airport and the facilities and fixed-based operators on 
                or connected with the airport shall be operated and 
                maintained in a manner the Secretary consider suitable 
                for disaster relief.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Exclusion.--A disaster relief 
                airport shall not be considered to be in violation of 
                subparagraph (A) if a runway is unuseable because the 
                runway is under scheduled maintenance or is in need of 
                necessary repairs.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Compliance with assurances on airport 
        operations.--A disaster relief airport shall comply with the 
        provisions of section 47107 without regard whether the airport 
        has received a project grant under this subchapter.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Natural disaster management plan.--A 
        disaster relief airport shall develop an emergency natural 
        disaster management plan in coordination with local emergency 
        response teams and first responders.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Civil Penalty.--A public agency that knowingly 
violates this section shall be liable to the United States Government 
for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each day of the 
violation.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Consideration for Project Grants.--The Secretary 
shall give consideration to the role an airport plays in disaster 
relief when determining whether to provide a grant for the airport 
under this subchapter.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Applicability of Other Laws.--This section shall 
apply notwithstanding any other law, including regulations and 
agreements.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 
471 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 47131 
the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``47132. Disaster relief airports.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 1306. AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT RELATING TO DISASTER 
              RELIEF.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 47102(3), as amended by sections 1216 and 1222, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(P) planning, acquiring, or constructing 
                at an airport designated as a disaster relief airport 
                under section 47132, including--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) planning for disaster 
                        preparedness associated with maintaining 
                        airport operations during a natural 
                        disaster;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) airport communication 
                        equipment and fixed emergency generators that 
                        are not able to be acquired by programs funded 
                        under the Department of Homeland Security; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) constructing, expanding, 
                        and improving airfield infrastructure to 
                        include aprons and terminal buildings the 
                        Secretary determines will facilitate disaster 
                        response at the airport.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1307. INCLUSION OF COVERED AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION IN 
              DEFINITION OF AERONAUTICAL ACTIVITY FOR PURPOSES OF 
              AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT GRANTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 47107 is amended by adding at the end the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(u) Construction, Repair, and Restoration of 
Recreational Aircraft.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The construction of a covered 
        aircraft shall be treated as an aeronautical activity for 
        purposes of--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) determining an airport sponsor's 
                compliance with a grant assurance made under this 
                section or any other provision of law; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the receipt of Federal financial 
                assistance for airport development.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Covered aircraft defined.--In this 
        subsection, the term `covered aircraft' means an aircraft--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) used or intended to be used 
                exclusively for recreational purposes to be operated 
                under appropriate regulations under title 14 of the 
                Code of Federal Regulations; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) constructed or under construction, 
                repair, or restoration by a private individual at a 
                general aviation airport.''.</DELETED>

       <DELETED>Subtitle D--Passenger Facility Charges</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1401. PFC STREAMLINING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Passenger Facility Charges; General Authority.--
Section 40117(b)(4) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
        striking ``, if the Secretary finds--'' and inserting a period; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by striking subparagraphs (A) and 
        (B).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Pilot Program for Passenger Facility Charge 
Authorizations at Nonhub Airports.--Section 40117(l) is amended--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in the heading by striking ``Nonhub'' and 
        inserting ``Certain'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``nonhub'' and 
        inserting ``nonhub, small hub, medium hub, and large hub''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in paragraph (6), by striking ``Not later than 
        180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the'' 
        and inserting ``The''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1402. INTERMODAL ACCESS PROJECTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 40117 is amended by adding at the end the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(n) PFC Eligibility for Intermodal Ground Access 
Projects.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) is located on airport property; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) is directly and substantially 
                related to the movement of passengers or property 
                traveling in air transportation.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Eligible capital costs.--The eligible 
        capital costs of an intermodal ground access project shall be 
        the lesser of--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the total cost of the capital 
                improvements that are located on airport 
                property.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1403. FUTURE AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND FINANCING 
              STUDY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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 
qualified organization 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Consultation.--In carrying out the study, the 
qualified organization shall convene and consult with a panel of 
national experts, including representatives of--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) nonhub airports;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) small hub airports;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) medium hub airports;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) large hub airports;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) airports with international service;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) non-primary airports;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) local elected officials;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) relevant labor organizations;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) passengers;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (10) air carriers; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (11) the tourism industry.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Considerations.--In carrying out the study, the 
qualified organization shall consider--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the ability of airport infrastructure to meet 
        current and projected passenger volumes;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the available financial tools and resources 
        for airports of different sizes;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) the current debt held by airports, and its 
        impact on future construction and capacity needs;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) the impact of capacity constraints on 
        passengers and ticket prices;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) the purchasing power of the passenger facility 
        charge from the last increase in 2000 to the year of enactment 
        of this Act;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) the impact to passengers and airports of 
        indexing the passenger facility charge for inflation;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) how long airports are constrained with current 
        passenger facility charge collections;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) the impact of passenger facility charges on 
        promoting competition;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) the additional resources or options to fund 
        terminal construction projects;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (10) the resources eligible for use toward noise 
        reduction and emission reduction projects;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (11) the gap between the cost of projects eligible 
        for the airport improvement program and the annual Federal 
        funding provided;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (12) the impact of regulatory requirements on 
        airport infrastructure financing needs;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (13) airline competition;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (14) airline ancillary fees and their impact on 
        ticket pricing and taxable revenue; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (15) the ability of airports to finance necessary 
        safety, security, capacity, and environmental projects 
        identified in capital improvement plans.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Report.--Not later than 15 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the qualified organization shall submit to the 
Secretary and the appropriate committees of Congress a report on its 
findings and recommendations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Funding.--The Secretary is authorized to use such sums 
as are necessary to carry out the requirements of this 
section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Definition of Qualified Organization.--In this 
section, the term ``qualified organization'' means an independent 
nonprofit organization that recommends solutions to public policy 
challenges through objective research and analysis.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 1404. AIRPORT VEHICLE EMISSIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 40117(a)(3)(G) is amended to read as 
follows:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) A project to reduce emissions under 
                subchapter I of chapter 471 or to use cleaner burning 
                conventional fuels, or for acquiring for use at a 
                commercial service airport vehicles or ground support 
                equipment that include low-emission technology or to 
                use cleaner burning fuels, or if the airport is located 
                in an air quality nonattainment area (as defined in 
                section 171(2) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 
                7501(2))) or a maintenance area referred to in section 
                175A of such Act (42 U.S.C. 7505a), a project to 
                retrofit any such vehicles or equipment that are 
                powered by a diesel or gasoline engine with emission 
                control technologies certified or verified by the 
                Environmental Protection Agency to reduce emissions, if 
                such project would be able to receive emission credits 
                for the project from the governing State or Federal 
                environmental agency as described in section 
                47139.''.</DELETED>

                  <DELETED>TITLE II--SAFETY</DELETED>

    <DELETED>Subtitle A--Unmanned Aircraft Systems Reform</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2001. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Definition of Civil Aircraft.--The term ``civil 
aircraft'' has the meaning given the term in section 40102 of title 49, 
United States Code.</DELETED>

          <DELETED>PART I--PRIVACY AND TRANSPARENCY</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2101. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS PRIVACY POLICY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2102. SENSE OF CONGRESS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    It is the sense of Congress that--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) each privacy policy described in paragraph (1) 
        should be periodically reviewed and updated as necessary; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) each privacy policy described in paragraph (1) 
        should be publicly available.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2103. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AUTHORITY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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)).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2104. COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENTAL OPERATORS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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 Web site.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Contents.--The database described in subsection (a) 
shall contain the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) The name of each individual, or agency, as 
        applicable, authorized to conduct civil or public unmanned 
        aircraft systems operations described in subsection 
        (a).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) The name of each owner of an unmanned aircraft 
        system described in paragraph (1).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) The expiration date of any authorization 
        related to a person identified in paragraph (1) or paragraph 
        (2).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) For any unmanned aircraft system, except those 
        operated for news gathering activities protected by the First 
        Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, that will 
        collect personally identifiable information about individuals, 
        including the use of facial recognition--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the circumstance under which the 
                system will be used;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the specific kinds of personally 
                identifiable information that the system will collect 
                about individuals; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) how the information referred to in 
                subparagraph (B), and the conclusions drawn from such 
                information, will be used, disclosed, and otherwise 
                handled, including--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) how the collection or 
                        retention of such information that is unrelated 
                        to the specific use will be 
                        minimized;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) under what circumstances such 
                        information might be sold, leased, or otherwise 
                        provided to third parties;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) the period during which such 
                        information will be retained;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) when and how such 
                        information, including information no longer 
                        relevant to the specified use, will be 
                        destroyed; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) With respect to public unmanned aircraft 
        systems--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the locations where the unmanned 
                aircraft system will operate;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the time during which the unmanned 
                aircraft system will operate;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the general purpose of the flight; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) the technical capabilities that the 
                unmanned aircraft system possesses.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Deadline.--The Administrator shall make the database 
available not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Termination.--The Administrator may cease the 
operation of such database on the earlier of--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the date of publication of a final rule or 
        guidance regarding identification standards under section 2202 
        of the FAA Extension Safety and Security Act of 2016 (Public 
        Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 615); or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) September 30, 2021.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2105. ANALYSIS OF CURRENT REMEDIES UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, 
              AND LOCAL JURISDICTIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) examines and identifies the existing Federal, 
        State, or local laws, including constitutional law, that 
        address an individual's personal privacy;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) identifies any deficiencies in current 
        Federal, State, or local privacy protections; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) recommends legislative or other actions to 
        address the limitations and deficiencies identified in 
        paragraphs (2) and (3).</DELETED>

         <DELETED>PART II--UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2121. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

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

      <DELETED>``CHAPTER 448--UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS</DELETED>

<DELETED>``Sec.
<DELETED>``44801. Definitions.
<DELETED>``Sec. 44801. Definitions</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``In this chapter--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) `Arctic' means the United States zone of the 
        Chukchi Sea, Beaufort Sea, and Bering Sea north of the Aleutian 
        chain.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) `certificate of waiver' and `certificate of 
        authorization' mean a Federal Aviation Administration grant of 
        approval for a specific flight operation.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) `permanent areas' means areas on land or 
        water that provide for launch, recovery, and operation of small 
        unmanned aircraft.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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)).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(8) `test range' means a defined geographic area 
        where research and development are conducted as authorized by 
        the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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 2017, and any public 
        entity authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration as an 
        unmanned aircraft system flight test center before January 1, 
        2009.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(10) `unmanned aircraft' means an aircraft that 
        is operated without the possibility of direct human 
        intervention from within or on the aircraft.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Table of Chapters.--The table of chapters for subtitle 
VII is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 447 the 
following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``448. Unmanned aircraft systems...................   44801''.

<DELETED>SEC. 2122. UTILIZATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM TEST 
              SITES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as designated by section 
2121 of this Act, is amended by inserting after section 44801 the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44802. Unmanned aircraft system test sites</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a)(1) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall establish and update, as appropriate, a 
program for the use of the test sites to facilitate the safe 
integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace 
system.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Termination.--The program shall terminate on 
        September 30, 2021.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Program Requirements.--In establishing the program 
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) designate airspace for safely testing the 
        integration of unmanned flight operations in the national 
        airspace system;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) develop operational standards and air 
        traffic requirements for unmanned flight operations at test 
        sites, including test ranges;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) coordinate with and leverage the resources 
        of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the 
        Department of Defense;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) address both civil and public unmanned 
        aircraft systems;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) ensure that the program is coordinated with 
        relevant aspects of the Next Generation Air Transportation 
        System;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) developing and enforcing geographic 
                and altitude limitations;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) classifications of airspace where 
                manufacturers must prevent flight of an unmanned 
                aircraft system;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) classifications of airspace where 
                manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems must alert 
                the operator to hazards or limitations on 
                flight;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) sense and avoid 
                capabilities;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) beyond visual line of sight 
                operations, nighttime operations, operations over 
                people, and unmanned aircraft systems traffic 
                management, or other critical research priorities; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) improving privacy protections 
                through the use of advances in unmanned aircraft 
                systems technology;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(9) allow a test site to develop multiple test 
        ranges within the test site;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(10) streamline the approval process for test 
        sites when processing unmanned aircraft certificates of waiver 
        or authorization for operations at the test sites;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(12) evaluate options for the operation of 1 or 
        more small unmanned aircraft systems beyond the visual line of 
        sight of the operator, or at night, for testing under 
        controlled conditions that ensure the safety of persons and 
        property, including on the ground; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Test Site Locations.--In determining the location of 
a test site under subsection (a), the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) take into consideration geographic and 
        climatic diversity;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) take into consideration the location of 
        ground infrastructure and research needs; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) consult with the Administrator of the 
        National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Secretary 
        of Defense.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Report to Congress.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2017, the Administrator shall submit to 
        the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
        establishment and implementation of the program under 
        subsection (a).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Briefings.--Beginning 180 days after the 
        date of enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2017, and every 180 days thereafter 
        until September 30, 2021, the Administrator shall provide to 
        the appropriate committees of Congress a briefing that 
        includes--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) a current summary of unmanned 
                aircraft systems operations at the test sites since the 
                last briefing to Congress;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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 subsection (g), 
                that relate to unmanned aircraft systems research 
                priorities, including beyond visual line of sight 
                operations, nighttime operations, operations over 
                people, sense and avoid technology, and unmanned 
                aircraft systems traffic management;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) a description of how the data 
                described in subparagraph (B) will be or is used--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) to advance Federal Aviation 
                        Administration priorities;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) to validate the safety of 
                        unmanned aircraft systems and related 
                        technology; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) to inform future 
                        rulemaking related to the integration of 
                        unmanned aircraft systems into the national 
                        airspace;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) recommendations for future Federal 
                Aviation Administration test site operations that would 
                generate data necessary to inform future rulemaking 
                related to unmanned aircraft systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Review of Operations by Test Site Operators.--The 
operator of each test site under subsection (a) shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) review the operations of unmanned aircraft 
        systems conducted at the test site, including--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) ongoing or completed research; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) data regarding operations by private 
                and public operators; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Collaborative Research and Development Agreements.--
The Administrator may use the other transaction authority under section 
106(l)(6) and enter into collaborative research and development 
agreements, to direct research related to unmanned aircraft systems, 
including at any test site under subsection (a), and in coordination 
with the Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) Use of Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft 
Systems.--The Administrator, in carrying out research necessary to 
establish the consensus safety standards requirements in section 44803 
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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``44802. Unmanned aircraft system test sites.''.
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2123. SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SAFETY STANDARDS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2122 
of this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44802 the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44803. Small unmanned aircraft safety 
              standards</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) Consensus Safety Standards.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after 
        the date of enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2017, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall charter an aviation rulemaking 
        advisory committee to develop recommendations for the 
        following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Risk-based, consensus safety 
                standards related to the safe integration of small 
                unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace 
                system (referred to in this section as `consensus 
                safety standards') that can evolve or be updated as 
                appropriate.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) A Federal Aviation Administration 
                process for permitting, authorizing, or approving small 
                unmanned aircraft systems and their operations based on 
                the safety standards to be accepted by the 
                Administrator under this section.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
        U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to an aviation rulemaking advisory 
        committee chartered under this subsection.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Considerations.--In developing recommended consensus 
safety standards under subsection (a) the members of the aviation 
rulemaking advisory committee shall consider the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Technologies or standards related to 
        geographic limitations, altitude limitations, and sense and 
        avoid capabilities.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Using performance-based standards.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Detectability and identifiability to pilots, 
        the Federal Aviation Administration, and air traffic 
        controllers, as appropriate.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) Consensus identification standards under 
        section 2202 of the FAA Extension Safety and Security Act of 
        2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 615), including for model 
        aircraft operations authorized under section 44808.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) Cost-benefit and risk analyses regarding 
        updates to or modifications of small unmanned aircraft systems 
        that were commercially distributed prior to the development of 
        the consensus safety standards so that, to the greatest extent 
        practicable, such systems meet consensus safety standards that 
        may be accepted pursuant to subsection (d).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(8) Cost-benefit and risk analyses of consensus 
        safety standards that may be accepted pursuant to subsection 
        (d) for newly designed small unmanned aircraft 
        systems.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(9) Applicability of consensus safety standards 
        to small unmanned aircraft systems that are not commercially 
        distributed, including home-built small unmanned aircraft 
        systems.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(10) Any technology or standard related to small 
        unmanned aircraft systems that promotes aviation 
        safety.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(11) Any category of unmanned aircraft systems 
        that should be exempt from the consensus safety standards based 
        on risk factors.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Consultation.--In developing recommendations for 
consensus safety standards under subsection (a), the Aviation 
Rulemaking Committee shall consult with--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) unmanned aircraft systems stakeholders, 
        including manufacturers of varying sizes of unmanned 
        aircraft;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) community-based aviation 
        organizations;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) the Center of Excellence for Unmanned 
        Aircraft Systems;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) each operator of a test site under section 
        44802;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) the Administrator of the National 
        Aeronautics and Space Administration;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) the Secretary of Defense; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) the leaders of appropriate standards 
        development organizations, including the President of RTCA, 
        Inc. and the Director of the National Institute for Standards 
        and Technology.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) FAA Process for Acceptance and Authorization.--Not 
later than 180 days after the date of receipt of the recommendations 
under subsection (a)(2), the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall establish a process based on those recommendations 
for--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the acceptance by the Federal Aviation 
        Administration of consensus safety standards recommended under 
        subsection (a)(1);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) permitting, authorizing, or the approving 
        small unmanned aircraft systems makes and models based upon the 
        consensus safety standards accepted under paragraph 
        (1);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) the certification of a manufacturer of small 
        unmanned aircraft systems that has demonstrated compliance with 
        consensus safety standards accepted under subsection (d)(1), 
        which shall allow the Administrator to enable the self-
        certification by a manufacturer of small unmanned aircraft 
        systems to the standards; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) the certification of a manufacturer of small 
        unmanned aircraft systems, or an employee of such manufacturer, 
        that has demonstrated compliance with the consensus safety 
        standards developed under subsection (a) and accepted under 
        subsection (d)(1) and met any other qualifying criteria, as 
        determined by the Administrator, to alternatively satisfy the 
        requirements of paragraph (2).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Nonapplicability of Other Laws.--The process for 
permitting, authorizing, or approving the operation of small unmanned 
aircraft systems under subsection (d) shall allow for operation of any 
applicable small unmanned aircraft systems within the national airspace 
system without requiring--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) airworthiness certification requirements 
        under section 44704 of this title; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) type certification under parts 21 or 23 of 
        title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Model Aircraft.--The standards accepted under 
subsection (d) shall be applicable to model aircraft operations 
authorized under section 44808.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Revocation.--The Administrator may revoke the 
permission, authorization, or approval in subsection (d) if the 
Administrator determines that the manufacturer is no longer in 
compliance with the standards accepted by the Administrator under 
subsection (d)(1).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) Requirements.--With regard to a permit, 
authorization, or approval under the process in subsection (d), the 
Administrator may require a manufacturer of small unmanned aircraft 
systems to provide the FAA with the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) The aircraft system's operating 
        instructions.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) The aircraft system's recommended 
        maintenance and inspection procedures.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) The manufacturer's statement of compliance 
        described in subsection (i).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Upon request, a sample aircraft to be 
        inspected by the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure 
        compliance with the consensus safety standards accepted by the 
        Administrator under subsection (d).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(i) Manufacturer's Statement of Compliance for Small 
UAS.--A manufacturer's statement of compliance shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) identify the aircraft make and model, and 
        any applicable consensus safety standards used;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) state that the aircraft make and model meets 
        the provisions of the consensus safety standards identified in 
        paragraph (1);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) state that the aircraft make and model 
        conforms to the manufacturer's design data and is manufactured 
        in a way that ensures consistency across units in the 
        production process in order to meet the applicable consensus 
        safety standards accepted by the Administrator;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) state that the manufacturer will make 
        available to any interested person--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the aircraft's operating 
                instructions, that meet the consensus safety standards 
                identified in paragraph (1); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the aircraft's recommended 
                maintenance and inspection procedures, that meet the 
                consensus safety standards identified in paragraph 
                (1);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) state that the manufacturer will monitor 
        safety-of-flight issues to ensure it meets the consensus safety 
        standards identified in paragraph (1);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) state that at the request of the 
        Administrator, the manufacturer will provide reasonable access 
        for the Administrator to its facilities for the purposes of 
        overseeing compliance with this section; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) state that the manufacturer, in accordance 
        with testing requirements identified by the Federal Aviation 
        Administration, has--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) ground and flight tested random 
                samples of the aircraft;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) found the sample aircraft 
                performance acceptable; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) determined that the make and model 
                of aircraft is suitable for safe operation.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(j) Prohibitions.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) False statements of compliance.--It shall be 
        unlawful for any person to knowingly submit a statement of 
        compliance described in subsection (i) that is materially 
        false.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Introduction into interstate commerce.--It 
        shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly introduce or 
        deliver for introduction into interstate commerce any small 
        unmanned aircraft system for which standards developed under 
        subsection (d) are accepted and are applicable, and are 
        manufactured after the date that the Administrator accepts any 
        applicable safety standards under this section unless--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the make and model has been 
                permitted, authorized, or approved for operation under 
                subsection (d); or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the aircraft has alternatively 
                received type, design, and production approval issued 
                by the Federal Aviation Administration.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(k) Exclusions.--The Administrator shall exempt from the 
requirements of this section small unmanned aircraft systems that are 
not capable of navigating beyond the visual line of sight of the 
operator through advanced flight systems and technology, if the 
Administrator determines that such an exemption does not pose a risk to 
the safety of the national airspace system.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``44803. Small unmanned aircraft safety standards.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 2124. SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT IN THE ARCTIC.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2123 
of this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44803 the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44804. Small unmanned aircraft in the Arctic</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Plan Contents.--The plan under subsection (a) shall 
include the development of processes to facilitate the safe operation 
of small unmanned aircraft beyond the visual line of sight.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Agreements.--To implement the plan under subsection 
(a), the Secretary may enter into an agreement with relevant national 
and international communities.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Aircraft Approval.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), 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 for approving 
        the use of a small unmanned aircraft in the designated 
        permanent areas in the Arctic without regard to whether the 
        small unmanned aircraft is used as a public aircraft, a civil 
        aircraft, or a model aircraft.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Existing process.--The Secretary may 
        implement an existing process to meet the requirements under 
        paragraph (1).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Table of contents.--The table of contents for 
        chapter 448, as amended by section 2123 of this Act, is further 
        amended by inserting after the item relating to section 44803 
        the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``44804. Small unmanned aircraft in the Arctic.''.
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2125. SPECIAL AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 
              SYSTEMS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2124 
of this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44804 the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44805. Special authority for certain unmanned aircraft 
              systems</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Assessment of Unmanned Aircraft Systems.--In making 
the determination under subsection (a), the Secretary shall determine, 
at a minimum--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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, 
        operation over people, and operation within or beyond the 
        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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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, 2021.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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 44804 
        the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``44805. Special authority for certain unmanned aircraft 
                            systems.''.
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2126. ADDITIONAL RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) beyond visual line of sight operations, 
        nighttime operations, and operations over people of unmanned 
        aircraft systems have tremendous potential--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) to enhance both commercial and 
                academic use;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) to spur economic growth and 
                development through innovative applications of this 
                emerging technology; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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 4.4 pounds or 
        more, but less than 55 pounds;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) advancements in unmanned technology will have 
        the capacity to ultimately improve manned aircraft safety; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) integrating unmanned aircraft systems safely 
        into the national airspace, including beyond visual line of 
        sight operations, nighttime operations on a routine basis, and 
        operations over people should remain a top priority for the 
        Federal Aviation Administration as it pursues additional 
        rulemakings under the amendments made by this 
        section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2125 
of this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44805 the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44806. Additional rulemaking authority</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) without an airman certificate;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) without an airworthiness certificate for the 
        associated unmanned aircraft; or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) that are not registered with the Federal 
        Aviation Administration.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Micro Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operational Rules.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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 
        2017 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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Operation at an altitude of less 
                than 400 feet above ground level.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Operation with an airspeed of not 
                greater than 40 knots.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Operation within the visual line of 
                sight of the operator.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) Operation during the hours between 
                sunrise and sunset.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) provides notice to the 
                        airport operator; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) in the case of an airport 
                        with an operational air traffic control tower, 
                        receives approval from the air traffic control 
                        tower.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Scope of Regulations.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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 micro unmanned aircraft 
        system.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Limitation.--The Administrator may only 
        issue regulations under this section for micro unmanned 
        aircraft systems that the Administrator determines may be 
        operated safely in the national airspace system.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this section may 
be construed--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) to prohibit a person from operating a micro 
        unmanned aircraft system under a circumstance described under 
        paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a) if--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the circumstance is allowed by 
                regulations issued under this section; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the person operates the micro 
                unmanned aircraft system in a manner prescribed by the 
                regulations; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) 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 44805 the 
following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``44806. Additional rulemaking authority.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 2127. GOVERNMENTAL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2126 
of this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44806 the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44807. Public unmanned aircraft systems</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) Guidance.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
issue guidance regarding the operation of a public unmanned aircraft 
system--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) to streamline the process for the issuance 
        of a certificate of authorization or a certificate of 
        waiver;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) to provide guidance on a public agency's 
        responsibilities when operating an unmanned aircraft without a 
        civil airworthiness certificate issued by the 
        Administration.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Standards for Operation and Certification.--The 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall develop and 
implement an operations and certification program for the operators of 
public unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace 
system.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Agreements With Government Agencies.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Contents.--An agreement under paragraph (1) 
        shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) with respect to an application 
                described in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) provide for an expedited 
                        review of the application;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) allow for an expedited 
                        appeal if the application is disapproved; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) if applicable, include 
                        verification of the data minimization policy 
                        required under subsection (d);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) allow for a one-time approval of 
                similar operations carried out during a fixed period of 
                time; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) allow a government public safety 
                agency to operate an unmanned aircraft weighing 25 
                pounds or less if that unmanned aircraft is operated--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) within or beyond the visual 
                        line of sight of the operator;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) less than 400 feet above 
                        the ground;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) during daylight 
                        conditions;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) within Class G airspace; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) outside of 5 statute miles 
                        from any airport, heliport, seaplane base, 
                        spaceport, or other location with aviation 
                        activities.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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 
2017 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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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 section 552a of title 5 (commonly known as 
        the Privacy Act of 1974);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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 the Federal agency and consistent 
        with the law;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) that Federal agency maintains the 
                information in a system of records under section 552a 
                of title 5; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) the information is required to be 
                retained for a longer period under other applicable 
                law, including regulations;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) dissemination is required by law; 
                or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) dissemination satisfies an 
                authorized purpose and complies with that Federal 
                agency's disclosure requirements;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) to the extent it does not compromise law 
        enforcement or national security a Federal agency shall--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) provide notice to the public 
                regarding where in the national airspace system the 
                Federal agency is authorized to operate the unmanned 
                aircraft system;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) a brief description of types 
                        or categories of missions flown; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the number of times the 
                        Federal agency provided assistance to other 
                        agencies or to State, local, tribal, or 
                        territorial governments; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) make available on a public and 
                searchable Internet Web site the data minimization 
                policy of the Federal agency;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) ensures oversight of the Federal agency's 
        unmanned aircraft system use, including--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the use of audits or assessments 
                that comply with existing Federal agency policies and 
                regulations;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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, including 
                regulations and policies;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) the establishment of policies and 
                procedures, or confirmation that policies and 
                procedures exist, 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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(8) ensures the protection of civil rights and 
        civil liberties, including--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) ensuring that unmanned aircraft 
                system activities are performed in a manner consistent 
                with the Constitution and applicable laws, including 
                Executive orders and other Presidential directives; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) ensuring that adequate procedures 
                are in place to receive, investigate, and address, as 
                appropriate, privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties 
                complaints.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Federal Agency Coordination To Enhance the Public 
Health and Safety Capabilities of Public Unmanned Aircraft Systems.--
The Administrator shall assist and enable, without undue interference, 
Federal civilian government agencies that operate unmanned aircraft 
systems within civil-controlled airspace, in operationally deploying 
and integrating sense and avoid capabilities, as necessary to operate 
unmanned aircraft systems safely and effectively within the National 
Air Space.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Definition of Federal Agency.--In subsections (e) 
and (g), the term `Federal agency' has the meaning given the term 
`agency' in section 552(f) of title 5.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) 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 44806 
        the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``44807. Public unmanned aircraft systems.''.
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Facilitating interagency cooperation for 
        unmanned aircraft authorization in support of firefighting 
        operations and utility restoration.--Section 2204(a) of the FAA 
        Extension Safety and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 
        130 Stat. 615) is amended by striking ``section 334(c) of the 
        FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 
        note)'' and inserting ``section 44807''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2128. SPECIAL RULES FOR MODEL AIRCRAFT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2127 
of this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44807 the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44808. Special rules for model aircraft</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (d), 
and 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 regarding an unmanned aircraft operating as 
a model aircraft or an unmanned aircraft being developed as a model 
aircraft if--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or 
        recreational use;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) not flown beyond the visual line of sight of 
        persons co-located with the operator or in direct communication 
        with the operator;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) the aircraft is operated in a manner that 
        does not interfere with and gives way to any manned 
        aircraft;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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 of the operation (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)), 
        unless the Administrator determines approval should be 
        required;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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 or 
        developed and administered by the community-based organization 
        and maintains proof of test passage to be made available to the 
        Administrator or law enforcement upon request.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Updates.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Considerations.--In updating an operational 
        parameter under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall 
        consider--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) appropriate operational limitations 
                to mitigate aviation safety risk and risk to the 
                uninvolved public;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) operations outside the membership, 
                guidelines, and programming of a nationwide community-
                based organization;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) physical characteristics, technical 
                standards, and classes of aircraft operating under this 
                section;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) trends in use, enforcement, or 
                incidents involving unmanned aircraft systems; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) ensuring, to the greatest extent 
                practicable, that updates to the operational parameters 
                correspond to, and leverage, advances in 
                technology.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Exceptions.--The Administrator may promulgate rules 
relating to the registration and marking of model aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Model Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the term 
`model aircraft' means an unmanned aircraft that--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) is capable of sustained flight in the 
        atmosphere; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) is limited to weighing less 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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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 44807 
        the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``44808. Special rules for model aircraft.''.
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2129. AUTHORITY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The rules adopted by the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration in the matter of registration and marking 
requirements for small unmanned aircraft (FAA-2015-7396; published on 
December 16, 2015) that were vacated by the United States Court of 
Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Taylor v. Huerta (No. 
15-1495; decided on May 19, 2017) shall be restored to effect on the 
date of enactment of this Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2130. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS AERONAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE 
              AND SAFETY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2128 
of this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44808 the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44809. Aeronautical knowledge and safety test</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--An individual may not operate an 
unmanned aircraft system unless--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the individual has successfully completed an 
        aeronautical knowledge and safety test under subsection 
        (c);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) the individual has authority to operate an 
        unmanned aircraft under other Federal law;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) the individual is a holder of an airmen 
        certificate issued under section 44703; or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) the individual is operating a model aircraft 
        or an unmanned aircraft being developed as a model aircraft 
        under section 44808 and has successfully completed an 
        aeronautical knowledge and safety test in accordance with the 
        community-based organizations safety program described in that 
        section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Aeronautical Knowledge and Safety Test.--Not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Federal Aviation 
Administration Reauthorization Act of 2017, 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Requirements.--The Administrator shall ensure that 
the aeronautical knowledge and safety test is designed to adequately 
demonstrate an operator's--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) understanding of aeronautical safety 
        knowledge, as applicable; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration 
        regulations and requirements pertaining to the operation of an 
        unmanned aircraft system in the national airspace 
        system.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Record of Compliance.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) an identification number, issued by 
                the Federal Aviation Administration certifying passage 
                of the aeronautical knowledge and safety 
                test;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) an airmen certificate issued under 
                section 44703.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Coordination.--The Administrator may 
        coordinate the identification number under paragraph (1)(A) 
        with an operator's registration number to the extent 
        practicable.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) 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 44808 the 
following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``44809. Aeronautical knowledge and safety test.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 2131. TREATMENT OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT OPERATING 
              UNDERGROUND.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2132. ENFORCEMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Civil Penalties.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Section 46301 is amended--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in subsection (a)(1)(A), by inserting 
                ``chapter 448,'' after ``chapter 447 (except sections 
                44717 and 44719-44723),'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subsection (a)(5), by inserting 
                ``chapter 448,'' after ``chapter 447 (except sections 
                44717-44723),'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in subsection (d)(2), by inserting 
                ``chapter 448,'' after ``chapter 447 (except sections 
                44717 and 44719-44723),''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) in subsection (f), by inserting 
                ``chapter 448,'' after ``chapter 447 (except 44717 and 
                44719-44723),''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this 
section, there is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of 
the fiscal years 2018 through 2021.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2133. AIRPORT SAFETY AND AIRSPACE HAZARD MITIGATION AND 
              ENFORCEMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2130 
of this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44809 the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44810. Airport safety and airspace hazard mitigation 
              and enforcement</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) Authority.--The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall work with the Secretary of Defense, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, and the heads of other relevant Federal 
departments and agencies for the purpose of ensuring that technologies 
or systems that are developed, tested, or deployed by Federal 
departments and agencies to detect and mitigate potential threats posed 
by errant or hostile unmanned aircraft system operations do not 
adversely impact or interfere with safe airport operations, navigation, 
air traffic services, or the safe and efficient operation of the 
national airspace system.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Plan.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after 
        the date of enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2017, the Administrator shall develop a 
        plan for the certification, permitting, authorizing, or 
        allowing of the deployment of technologies or systems for the 
        detection and mitigation of unmanned aircraft 
        systems.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Contents.--The plan shall include the 
        development of policies, procedures, or protocols that will 
        allow appropriate officials of Federal, State, or local 
        agencies requesting to utilize such technologies or systems to 
        take steps to detect and mitigate potential airspace safety 
        threats posed by unmanned aircraft system operations.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Aviation rulemaking advisory committee.--The 
        Administrator may charter an aviation rulemaking advisory 
        committee to make recommendations for such a plan and any 
        standards that the Administrator determines may need to be 
        developed with respect to such technologies or systems. The 
        Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply 
        to an aviation rulemaking advisory committee chartered under 
        this paragraph.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Airspace Hazard Mitigation Program.--In order to 
test and evaluate technologies or systems to detect and mitigate 
potential airspace safety threats posed by unmanned aircraft system 
operations, the Administrator shall deploy such technologies or systems 
at 5 airports.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Authority.--Under the testing and evaluation in 
subsection (c), the Administrator may use unmanned aircraft detection 
and mitigation systems to detect and mitigate the unauthorized 
operation of an unmanned aircraft that poses a risk to airspace safety. 
Utilization of such technologies or systems, and the communications 
sent using such technologies and systems to unmanned aircraft systems, 
shall be regarded as equivalent to separation instructions to pilots of 
manned aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) AIP Funding Eligibility.--Upon the certification, 
permitting, authorizing, or allowing of such technologies and systems 
that have been successfully tested under this section, an airport 
sponsor may apply for a grant under subchapter I of chapter 471 to 
purchase an unmanned aircraft detection and mitigation system. For 
purposes of this subsection, purchasing an unmanned aircraft detection 
and mitigation system shall be considered airport development (as 
defined in section 47102).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Report.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2017, and annually thereafter, the 
        Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report on the implementation of this section, 
        including the testing and evaluation of detection and 
        mitigation systems under this section.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Contents.--The report under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) The number of unauthorized unmanned 
                aircraft operations detected, together with a 
                description of such operations.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) The number of instances in which 
                unauthorized unmanned aircraft were mitigated, together 
                with a description of such instances.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) The number of enforcement cases 
                brought by the Federal Aviation Administration for 
                unauthorized operation of unmanned aircraft detected 
                through the program, together with a description of 
                such cases.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) The number of any technical failures 
                in the program, together with a description of such 
                failures.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) Recommendations for safety and 
                operational standards for unmanned aircraft detection 
                and mitigation systems.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Format.--To the extent practicable, the 
        report prepared under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in a 
        classified format. If appropriate, the report may include an 
        unclassified summary.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is 
authorized to be appropriated from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to 
carry out this section $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 
2021, to remain available until expended.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) Applicability of Other Laws.--Section 32 of title 
18, United States Code (commonly known as the Aircraft Sabotage Act), 
section 1031 of title 18, United States Code (commonly known as the 
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986), sections 2510-2522 of title 18, 
United States Code (commonly known as the Wiretap Act), and sections 
3121-3127 of title 18, United States Code (commonly known as the Pen/
Trap Statute), shall not apply to any activity authorized by the 
Administrator pursuant to this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(i) Sunset.--This section ceases to be effective 
September 30, 2021.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) 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:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``44810. Airport safety and airspace hazard mitigation and 
                            enforcement.''.
        <DELETED>    (2) Pilot project for airport safety and airspace 
        hazard mitigation.--Section 2206 of the FAA Extension Safety 
        and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 615) 
        and the item relating to that section in the table of contents 
        under section 1(b) of that Act are repealed.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2134. AVIATION EMERGENCY SAFETY PUBLIC SERVICES 
              DISRUPTION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 46320(a) is amended by inserting ``, including 
helicopter air ambulance operations,'' after ``emergency response 
effort''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2135. PUBLIC UAS OPERATIONS BY TRIBAL 
              GOVERNMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Public UAS Operations by Tribal Governments.--Section 
40102(a)(41) is amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 40125(b) is amended by 
striking ``or (D)'' and inserting ``(D), or (F)''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2136. CARRIAGE OF PROPERTY BY SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 
              SYSTEMS FOR COMPENSATION OR HIRE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2133 
of this Act, is further amended by adding after section 44810 the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44811. Carriage of property by small unmanned aircraft 
              systems for compensation or hire</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 
2017, 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Contents.--The final rule required under subsection 
(a) shall provide for the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) consider the unique characteristics 
                of highly automated, small unmanned aircraft systems; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) include requirements for the safe 
                operation of small unmanned aircraft systems that, at a 
                minimum, address--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) airworthiness of small 
                        unmanned aircraft systems;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) qualifications for 
                        operators and the type and nature of the 
                        operations; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) operating specifications 
                        governing the type and nature of the unmanned 
                        aircraft system air carrier 
                        operations.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the competencies and compliance 
                programs of manufacturers, operators, and companies 
                that manufacture, operate, or both small unmanned 
                aircraft systems and components; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) compliance with the requirements 
                established pursuant to paragraph (1).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) registration with the Department of 
                Transportation; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) a valid small UAS air carrier 
                certificate issued pursuant to this 
                subsection.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 
448, as amended by section 2133 of this Act, is further amended by 
adding after the item relating to section 44810 the 
following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``44811. Carriage of property by small unmanned aircraft 
                            systems for compensation or hire.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 2137. COLLEGIATE TRAINING INITIATIVE PROGRAM FOR UNMANNED 
              AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2138. INCORPORATION OF FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION 
              OCCUPATIONS RELATING TO UNMANNED AIRCRAFT INTO VETERANS 
              EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS OF THE ADMINISTRATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2139. REPORT ON UAS AND CHEMICAL AERIAL 
              APPLICATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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 evaluating 
which aviation safety requirements under part 137 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations, should apply to unmanned aircraft system 
operations engaged in aerial spraying of chemicals for agricultural 
purposes.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2140. PART 107 IMPLEMENTATION IMPROVEMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Transparency.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall publish on the Federal Aviation Administration Web 
site a representative sample of the safety justifications offered by 
applicants for waivers or air traffic control authorizations that have 
been approved by the Administration for each regulation waived or class 
of airspace authorized, except that any published justification shall 
not reveal proprietary or commercially sensitive information.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Technology Improvements.--Not later than 60 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise the 
online waiver and air traffic control authorization processes--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) to provide real time confirmation that an 
        application filed online has been received by the 
        Administration; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) to provide an applicant with an opportunity to 
        review the status of the applicant's application.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2141. REDESIGNATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Safety Statements.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Section 2203 of the FAA Extension 
        Safety and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 
        615) is redesignated as section 44812 of chapter 448 of title 
        49, United States Code, and transferred so as to appear after 
        section 44811 of title 49, United States Code, as added by 
        section 2136 of this Act.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--Section 
        44812(b), as redesignated, is amended--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``this 
                Act'' and inserting ``the FAA Extension Safety and 
                Security Act of 2016''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of 
                paragraph (2)(D), by striking ``section 336 of the FAA 
                Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 949 U.S.C. 40101 
                note)'' and inserting ``section 44808''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Emergency Exemption Process.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Section 2207 of the FAA Extension 
        Safety and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 
        615) is redesignated as section 44813 of chapter 448 of title 
        49, United States Code, and transferred so as to appear after 
        section 44812 of title 49, United States Code, as redesignated 
        by subsection (a)(1) of this section.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--Section 
        44813(a), as redesignated, is amended by striking ``this Act'' 
        and inserting ``the FAA Extension Safety and Security Act of 
        2016''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Applications for Designation.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Section 2209 of the FAA Extension 
        Safety and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 
        615) is redesignated as section 44814 of chapter 448 of title 
        49, United States Code, and transferred so as to appear after 
        section 44813 of title 49, United States Code, as redesignated 
        by subsection (b)(1) of this section.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--Section 
        44814(a), as redesignated, is amended by striking ``this Act'' 
        and inserting ``the FAA Extension Safety and Security Act of 
        2016''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Operations Associated With Critical Infrastructure.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Section 2210 of the FAA Extension 
        Safety and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 
        615) is redesignated as section 44815 of chapter 448 of title 
        49, United States Code, and transferred so as to appear after 
        section 44814 of title 49, United States Code, as redesignated 
        by subsection (c)(1) of this section.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--Section 
        44815, as redesignated, is amended--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in subsections (a), (d)(2), and (e), 
                by striking ``section 333 of the FAA Modernization and 
                Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note)'' and 
                inserting ``section 44805'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``, 
                United States Code''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in subsection (d)(1), by striking 
                ``this Act'' and inserting ``the FAA Extension Safety 
                and Security Act of 2016''.</DELETED>

               <DELETED>PART III--OTHER MATTERS</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2151. FEDERAL AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) conduct a study on the relative roles of the 
        Federal Government and State and local governments in 
        regulating the national airspace system, including unmanned 
        aircraft systems operations; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report on the study, including the Comptroller 
        General's findings, conclusions, and recommendations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Contents.--The study under subsection (a) shall review 
the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) The current state of the law with respect to 
        Federal authority over airspace in the United States and the 
        operations of aircraft in that airspace.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) The current state of the law with respect to 
        state and local authority over airspace in the United States 
        and the operations of aircraft in that airspace;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Potential gaps between authorities under 
        paragraphs (1) and (2), particularly with respect to unmanned 
        aircraft systems operations at low altitudes;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) The effectiveness of the Federal Government's 
        efforts to resolve differences between different stakeholders 
        on the issue.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Potential ways to structure the roles and 
        responsibilities between the Federal Government and State and 
        local governments to ensure the highest level of safety for all 
        aviation operations and in consideration of State and local 
        interests on issues such as nuisance, voyeurism, privacy, 
        trespass, harassment, reckless endangerment, wrongful death, 
        personal injury, property damage, or other illegal acts arising 
        from the use of unmanned aircraft systems.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2152. SPECTRUM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Small unmanned aircraft systems may use 
spectrum for wireless control link, tracking, diagnostics, payload 
communication, and collaborative-collision avoidance, such as vehicle-
to-vehicle communication, and other uses, 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 through voluntary 
commercial arrangements with service providers, whether they are 
operating within a UTM system under section 2208 of the FAA Extension 
Safety and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 615) or 
outside such a system.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and after consultation with relevant 
stakeholders, 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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) that addresses any technological, statutory, 
        regulatory, and operational barriers to the use of such 
        spectrum; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2153. USE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS AT INSTITUTIONS OF 
              HIGHER EDUCATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Deadlines.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) submit to the Federal Aviation 
                Administration applications for approval of the 
                institution's designation of 1 or more outdoor flight 
                fields.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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)).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) instruction of students at the 
                institution;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) activities undertaken by the 
                institution as part of research projects, including 
                research projects sponsored by the Federal Government; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) other academic activities at the 
                institution, including general research, engineering, 
                and robotics.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2154. TRANSITION LANGUAGE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Regulations.--Notwithstanding the repeals under 
sections 2122(b)(2), 2124(b)(2), 2125(b)(2), 2127(b)(2), 2128(b)(2), 
and 2133(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Laws Described.--The laws described under this 
subsection are as follows:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Section 332(c) of the FAA Modernization and 
        Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Section 332(d) of the FAA Modernization and 
        Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and 
        Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Section 334 of the FAA Modernization and 
        Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and 
        Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) Section 2206 of the FAA Extension Safety and 
        Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 
        615).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Effect on Pending Proceedings.--This Act shall not 
affect administrative or judicial proceedings pending on the effective 
date of this Act.</DELETED>

              <DELETED>PART IV--OPERATOR SAFETY</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2161. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This part may be cited as the ``Drone Operator Safety 
Act''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2162. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Finding.--Congress finds that educating operators of 
unmanned aircraft about Federal law, including regulations, relating to 
unmanned aircraft will promote the safe operation of such 
aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2163. UNSAFE OPERATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Chapter 2 of title 18, United States 
Code, is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in section 31--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by redesignating paragraph 
                        (10) as paragraph (11); and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by inserting after paragraph 
                        (9) the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(10) Unmanned aircraft.--The term `unmanned 
        aircraft' has the meaning given such term in section 44801 of 
        title 49.''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subsection (b), by inserting 
                ```airport','' before ```appliance'''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting after section 39A the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 39B. Unsafe operation of unmanned aircraft</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Penalty.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to 
Airports.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Runway exclusion zone defined.--In this 
        subsection, the term `runway exclusion zone' means a 
        rectangular area--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 
2 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 39A the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``39B. Unsafe operation of unmanned aircraft.''.

     <DELETED>Subtitle B--FAA Safety Certification Reform</DELETED>

             <DELETED>PART I--GENERAL PROVISIONS</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2211. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    In this subtitle:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' 
        means the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory 
        Committee'' means the Safety Oversight and Certification 
        Advisory Committee established under section 2212.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) FAA.--The term ``FAA'' means the Federal 
        Aviation Administration.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
        Secretary of Transportation.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2212. SAFETY OVERSIGHT AND CERTIFICATION ADVISORY 
              COMMITTEE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Aircraft and flight standards certification 
        processes, including efforts to streamline those 
        processes.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Implementation and oversight of safety 
        management systems.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Risk-based oversight efforts.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Utilization of delegation and designation 
        authorities, including organization designation 
        authorization.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Regulatory interpretation standardization 
        efforts.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) Training programs.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) Expediting the rulemaking process and 
        prioritizing safety-related rules.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) Enhancing global competitiveness of U.S. 
        manufactured and FAA type-certificate aircraft products and 
        services throughout the world.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Functions.--In carrying out its duties under 
subsection (b) related to FAA safety oversight and certification 
programs and activities, the Advisory Committee shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) foster aviation stakeholder collaboration in 
        an open and transparent manner;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) consult with, and ensure participation by--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the private sector, including 
                representatives of--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) general aviation;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) commercial 
                        aviation;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) aviation labor;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) aviation, aerospace, and 
                        avionics manufacturing; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) unmanned aircraft systems 
                        industry; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the public;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) provide policy recommendations for the FAA's 
        safety oversight and certification efforts;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) periodically review and provide 
        recommendations regarding the FAA's safety oversight and 
        certification efforts;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) periodically review and evaluate registration, 
        certification, and related fees;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) provide appropriate legislative, regulatory, 
        and guidance recommendations for the air transportation system 
        and the aviation safety regulatory environment;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) recommend performance objectives for the FAA 
        and aviation industry;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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 consistency efforts progress;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (10) provide a venue for tracking progress toward 
        national goals and sustaining joint commitments;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (11) recommend recruiting, hiring, staffing 
        levels, training, and continuing education objectives for FAA 
        aviation safety engineers and aviation safety 
        inspectors;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (12) provide advice and recommendations to the FAA 
        on how to prioritize safety rulemaking projects;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (13) improve the development of FAA regulations by 
        providing information, advice, and recommendations related to 
        aviation issues;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (14) promote the validation and acceptance of U.S. 
        manufactured and FAA type-certificate aircraft products and 
        services throughout the world; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (15) any other functions as determined appropriate 
        by the chairperson of the Advisory Committee and the 
        Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Membership.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Voting members.--The Advisory Committee shall 
        be composed of the following voting members:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) The Administrator, or the 
                Administrator's designee.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) At least 1 representative, appointed 
                by the Secretary, of each of the following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) Transport aircraft and engine 
                        manufacturers.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) General aviation aircraft and 
                        engine manufacturers.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) Avionics and equipment 
                        manufacturers.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) Aviation labor organizations, 
                        including collective bargaining representatives 
                        of FAA aviation safety inspectors and aviation 
                        safety engineers.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) General aviation 
                        operators.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vi) Air carriers.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vii) Business aviation 
                        operators.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (viii) Unmanned aircraft systems 
                        manufacturers and operators.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ix) Aviation safety management 
                        experts.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Nonvoting members.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Duties.--A nonvoting member may--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) take part in deliberations of 
                        the Advisory Committee; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) provide input with respect to 
                        any report or recommendation of the Advisory 
                        Committee.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) Limitation.--A nonvoting member may 
                not represent any stakeholder interest other than that 
                of an FAA safety oversight program office.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Terms.--Each voting member and nonvoting 
        member of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed for a term 
        of 2 years.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Committee Characteristics.--The Advisory Committee 
shall have the following characteristics:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) The ability to obtain necessary information 
        from experts in the aviation and aerospace 
        communities.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) A membership size that enables the Advisory 
        Committee to have substantive discussions and reach consensus 
        on issues in an expeditious manner.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Appropriate expertise, including expertise in 
        certification and risk-based safety oversight processes, 
        operations, policy, technology, labor relations, training, and 
        finance.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Chairperson.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Term.--Each member appointed under paragraph 
        (1) shall serve a term of 2 years as chairperson.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (g) Meetings.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Frequency.--The Advisory Committee shall 
        convene at least 2 meetings a year at the call of the 
        chairperson.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Public attendance.--Each meeting of the 
        Advisory Committee shall be open and accessible to the 
        public.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (h) Special Committees.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Rulemaking advice.--A special committee 
        established by the Advisory Committee may--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) provide rulemaking advice and 
                recommendations to the Advisory Committee;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) assist in expediting the development, 
                revision, or elimination of rules in accordance with, 
                and without circumventing, established public 
                rulemaking processes and procedures.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (i) Sunset.--The Advisory Committee shall cease to exist 
on September 30, 2021.</DELETED>

       <DELETED>PART II--AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION REFORM</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2221. AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES AND 
              METRICS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Performance Objectives.--In establishing performance 
objectives under subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure 
progress is made toward, at a minimum--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) eliminating certification delays and improving 
        cycle times;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) increasing accountability for both FAA and the 
        aviation industry;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) achieving effective utilization of FAA 
        delegation and designation authorities, including 
        organizational designation authorization;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) effectively implementing risk management 
        principles and a systems safety approach;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) reducing duplication of effort;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) increasing transparency;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) developing and providing training, including 
        recurrent training, in auditing and a systems safety approach 
        to certification oversight;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) improving the process for approving or 
        accepting the certification actions between the FAA and 
        bilateral partners;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) maintaining and improving safety;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (10) streamlining the hiring process for--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) qualified systems safety engineers at 
                staffing levels to support the FAA's efforts to 
                implement a systems safety approach; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) qualified systems safety engineers to 
                guide the engineering of complex systems within the 
                FAA; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (11) maintaining the leadership of the United 
        States in international aviation and aerospace.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Performance Metrics.--In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) apply and track performance metrics for the 
        FAA and the aviation industry; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) transmit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress an annual report on tracking the progress toward full 
        implementation of the recommendations under section 
        2212.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Data.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Publication.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Limitations.--The Administrator shall make the 
        data under paragraph (1) available in a manner that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) protects from disclosure identifying 
                information regarding an individual or entity; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) protects from inappropriate disclosure 
                proprietary information.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2222. ORGANIZATION DESIGNATION AUTHORIZATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Chapter 447 is amended by adding at the 
end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44736. Organization designation 
              authorizations</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) Delegations of Functions.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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 accident 
                finding, surveillance, or oversight, that it is in the 
                public interest and safety of air commerce to require a 
                limitation; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) for each function that is limited 
                under subparagraph (B), work with the ODA holder to 
                develop the ODA holder's capability to execute that 
                function safely and effectively, and to return to full 
                authority status.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Duties of oda holders.--An ODA holder 
        shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) perform each specified function 
                delegated to the ODA holder in accordance with the 
                approved procedures manual for the 
                delegation;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) make the procedures manual available 
                to each member of the appropriate ODA unit; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) cooperate fully with oversight 
                activities conducted by the Administrator in connection 
                with the delegation.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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 2017, the 
        Administrator shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) at the request of the ODA holder, 
                and in an expeditious manner, consider revisions to the 
                ODA holder's procedures manual;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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 accident 
                finding, surveillance, or oversight, that it is in the 
                public interest and safety of air commerce to require a 
                limitation; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) for each function that is limited 
                under subparagraph (B), work with the ODA holder to 
                develop the ODA holder's capability to execute that 
                function safely and effectively, and to return to full 
                authority status.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) ODA Office.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days 
        after the date of enactment of Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2017, 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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Functions.--The ODA Office shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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 2017 
                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;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) require an ODA holder to 
                        establish a corrective action plan to regain 
                        authority for any retained 
                        limitations;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) require an ODA holder to 
                        notify the ODA Office when all corrective 
                        actions have been accomplished; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) improve the Administration and the 
                ODA holder performance and ensure full use of the 
                authorities delegated under the ODA program;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) develop a more consistent approach 
                to audit priorities, procedures, and training under the 
                ODA program;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) expeditiously review a random sample 
                of limitations on delegated authorities under the ODA 
                program to determine if the limitations are 
                appropriate;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) review and approve new limitations 
                to ODA functions; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) ODA holder.--The term `ODA holder' means an 
        entity authorized under section 44702(d)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) that is responsible for 
                administering 1 or more ODA units.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Organization.--The term `organization' means 
        a firm, a partnership, a corporation, a company, an 
        association, a joint-stock association, or a governmental 
        entity.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``44736. Organization designation authorizations.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 2223. ODA REVIEW.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Expert Review Panel.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Establishment.--Not later than 120 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'').</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Composition.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The Panel shall be 
                composed of not more than 20 members appointed by the 
                Administrator.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Qualifications.--The members appointed 
                to the Panel shall--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) each have a minimum of 5 years 
                        of experience in processes and procedures under 
                        the ODA program; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Assessment.--The Panel shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) conduct an assessment of--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the FAA's processes and procedures 
                under the ODA program and whether the processes and 
                procedures function as intended;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the best practices of and lessons 
                learned by ODA holders and the FAA personnel who 
                provide oversight of ODA holders;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the performance incentive policies, 
                related to the ODA program for FAA personnel, that do 
                not conflict with the public interest;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) the training activities related to the 
                ODA program for FAA personnel and ODA holders; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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, and the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on results of the survey under subsection (b) and 
the assessment and recommendations under subsection (c).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Definitions.--The terms used in this section have the 
meanings given the terms in section 44736 of title 49, United States 
Code, as added by section 2222 of this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Panel.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (g) Sunset.--The Panel shall terminate on the date the 
report is submitted under subsection (d).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2224. TYPE CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION PROCESS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 44704(a) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) Type certification resolution process.--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 15 
                months after the date of enactment of the Federal 
                Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2017, 
                the Administrator shall establish an effective, 
                expeditious, and milestone-based issue resolution 
                process for type certification activities under this 
                subsection.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Process requirements.--The 
                resolution process shall provide for--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the resolution of technical 
                        issues at preestablished stages of the 
                        certification process, as agreed to by the 
                        Administrator and the type certificate 
                        applicant;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Section 44704 is 
amended in the heading by striking ``airworthiness certificates,,'' and 
inserting ``airworthiness certificates,''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2225. SAFETY ENHANCING TECHNOLOGIES FOR SMALL GENERAL 
              AVIATION AIRPLANES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Definition of Small General Aviation Airplane.--In 
this section, the term ``small general aviation airplane'' means an 
airplane that--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) is certified to the standards of part 23 of 
        title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) has a seating capacity of not more than 9 
        passengers; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) is not used in scheduled passenger-carrying 
        operations under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations.</DELETED>

          <DELETED>PART III--FLIGHT STANDARDS REFORM</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2231. FLIGHT STANDARDS PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES AND 
              METRICS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Performance Objectives.--In carrying out subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall ensure that progress is made toward, at a 
minimum--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) eliminating delays with respect to such 
        activities;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) increasing accountability for both FAA and the 
        aviation industry;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) effectively implementing risk management 
        principles and a systems safety approach;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) reducing duplication of effort;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) promoting appropriate compliance activities 
        and eliminating inconsistent regulatory interpretations and 
        inconsistent enforcement activities;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) improving and providing greater opportunities 
        for training, including recurrent training, in auditing and a 
        systems safety approach to oversight;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) developing and allowing the use of a single 
        master source for guidance;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) providing and using a streamlined appeal 
        process for the resolution of regulatory interpretation 
        questions;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) maintaining and improving safety; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (10) increasing transparency.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Performance Metrics.--In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) apply and track performance metrics for the 
        FAA and the aviation industry; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) transmit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress an annual report tracking the progress toward full 
        implementation of the performance metrics under section 
        2212.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Data.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Publication.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Limitations.--The Administrator shall make the 
        data under paragraph (1) available in a manner that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) protects from disclosure identifying 
                information regarding an individual or entity; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) protects from inappropriate disclosure 
                proprietary information.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2232. FAA TASK FORCE ON FLIGHT STANDARDS 
              REFORM.</DELETED>

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

<DELETED>SEC. 2233. CENTRALIZED SAFETY GUIDANCE DATABASE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Requirements.--The database under subsection (a) 
shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) for each guidance, include a link to the 
        specific provision of the Code of Federal 
        Regulations;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) subject to paragraph (3), be accessible to the 
        public; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) be provided in a manner that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) protects from disclosure identifying 
                information regarding an individual or entity; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) protects from inappropriate disclosure 
                proprietary information.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Data Entry Timing.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2234. REGULATORY CONSISTENCY COMMUNICATION 
              BOARD.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Functions.--The Regulatory Consistency Communication 
Board (referred to in this section as the ``Board'') shall carry out 
the following functions:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Recommend, at a minimum, processes by which--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) FAA personnel and persons regulated by 
                the FAA may submit regulatory interpretation questions 
                without fear of retaliation;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) any other person may submit anonymous 
                regulatory interpretation questions.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) does not reveal any identifying data 
                of the person that submitted a question; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) protects any proprietary 
                information.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Ensure that responses to questions under this 
        subsection are incorporated into regulatory guidance (as 
        defined in section 2233(e)).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) 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--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) establish performance metrics, timelines, and 
        goals to measure the progress of the Board in resolving 
        regulatory interpretation questions submitted under subsection 
        (a)(1); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) implement a process for tracking the progress 
        of the Board in meeting the performance metrics, timelines, and 
        goals under paragraph (1).</DELETED>

              <DELETED>PART IV--SAFETY WORKFORCE</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2241. SAFETY WORKFORCE TRAINING STRATEGY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) aligns with an effective risk-based approach 
        to safety oversight;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) best utilizes available resources;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) includes, as appropriate, milestones and 
        metrics for meeting the requirements of paragraphs (1) through 
        (5).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) ODA holder.--The term ``ODA holder'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 44736 of title 49, United 
        States Code, as added by section 2222 of this Act.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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 section 2222 of this 
        Act.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

           <DELETED>PART V--INTERNATIONAL AVIATION</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2251. PROMOTION OF UNITED STATES AEROSPACE STANDARDS, 
              PRODUCTS, AND SERVICES ABROAD.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 40104 is amended by adding at the end the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Promotion of United States Aerospace Standards, 
Products, and Services Abroad.--The Secretary shall take appropriate 
actions--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) to promote United States aerospace-related 
        safety standards abroad;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) to facilitate and vigorously defend 
        approvals of United States aerospace products and services 
        abroad;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2252. BILATERAL EXCHANGES OF SAFETY OVERSIGHT 
              RESPONSIBILITIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 44701(e) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Foreign airworthiness directives.--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Acceptance.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (D), the Administrator may 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--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the country is the state of 
                        design for the product that is the subject of 
                        the airworthiness directive;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the United States has a 
                        bilateral safety agreement relating to aircraft 
                        certification with the country;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) the aeronautical safety 
                        authority utilizes an open and transparent 
                        public notice and comment process, including 
                        considering comments from owners and operators 
                        of foreign-registered aircraft and other 
                        aeronautical products and appliances in the 
                        issuance of airworthiness directives; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) the airworthiness directive 
                        addresses a specific issue necessary for the 
                        safe operation of aircraft subject to the 
                        directive.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Alternative means of compliance.--
                The Administrator--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) may 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</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) notwithstanding 
                        subparagraph (A), and at the request of any 
                        person affected by an airworthiness directive 
                        under that subparagraph--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) shall consider an 
                                alternative means of compliance with 
                                respect to the airworthiness directive; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) may approve such 
                                alternative means, if 
                                appropriate.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) Limitations.--The Administrator may 
                not accept an airworthiness directive issued by an 
                aeronautical safety authority of a foreign country if 
                the airworthiness directive addresses matters other 
                than those involving the safe operation of an 
                aircraft.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2253. FAA LEADERSHIP ABROAD.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) provide assistance to United States companies 
        who have experienced significantly long foreign validation wait 
        times;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) describes the Administrator's strategic plan 
        for international engagement;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) to promote United States aerospace safety 
        standards; or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) to support expedited acceptance of FAA design 
        and production approvals.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2254. REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, AND RELATED 
              FEES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 45305 is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Subject to 
        subsection (b)'' and inserting ``Subject to subsection 
        (c)'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as 
        subsections (c) and (d), respectively; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) is established and collected in a manner 
        consistent with aviation safety agreements; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) does not exceed the estimated costs of the 
        services.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>Subtitle C--Airline Passenger Safety and Protections</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2301. ACCESS TO AIR CARRIER FLIGHT DECKS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2302. AIRCRAFT TRACKING AND FLIGHT DATA.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Considerations.--In revising the performance standards 
under subsection (a), the Administrator may consider--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) various methods for improving detection and 
        retrieval of flight data, including--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) low frequency underwater locating 
                devices; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) extended battery life for underwater 
                locating devices;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) automatic deployable flight 
        recorders;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) triggered transmission of flight data, and 
        other satellite-based solutions;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) distress-mode tracking; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) protections against disabling flight recorder 
        systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2303. FLIGHT ATTENDANT DUTY PERIOD LIMITATIONS AND REST 
              REQUIREMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Fatigue Risk Management Plan.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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 14, 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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Contents of plan.--Each fatigue risk 
        management plan submitted under paragraph (1) shall include--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) current flight time and duty period 
                limitations;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) fatigue;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) the effects of fatigue on 
                        flight attendants; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) fatigue countermeasures; 
                        and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the development and use of methodology 
                that continually assesses the effectiveness of 
                implementation of the plan, including the ability of 
                the plan--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) to improve alertness; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) to mitigate performance 
                        errors.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Review.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) review each fatigue risk management 
                plan submitted under this subsection; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B)(i) accept the plan; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) reject the plan and provide 
                        the part 121 air carrier with suggested 
                        modifications to be included when the plan is 
                        resubmitted.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Plan updates.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Not less frequently than 
                once every 2 years, each part 121 air carrier shall--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) update the fatigue risk 
                        management plan submitted under paragraph (1); 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) submit the updated plan to 
                        the Administrator for review and 
                        acceptance.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Review.--Not later than 1 year after 
                the date on which an updated plan is submitted under 
                subparagraph (A)(ii), the Administrator shall--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) review the updated plan; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii)(I) accept the updated plan; 
                        or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) reject the updated 
                                plan and provide the part 121 air 
                                carrier with suggested modifications to 
                                be included when the updated plan is 
                                resubmitted.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2304. REPORT ON OBSOLETE TEST EQUIPMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Report.--Not later than 18 months 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'').</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Contents.--The report shall include--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) a list of all known outstanding requests for 
        test equipment, cataloged by type and location, under the 
        Program;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) a description of the current method under the 
        Program of ensuring calibrated equipment is in place for 
        utilization;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) a plan by the Administrator for appropriate 
        inventory of such equipment; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) the Administrator's recommendations for 
        increasing multifunctionality in future test equipment to be 
        developed and all known and foreseeable manufacturer 
        technological advances.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2305. PLAN FOR SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE DIRECT WARNINGS OF 
              POTENTIAL RUNWAY INCURSIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Not later than June 30, 2018, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report on the assessment under paragraph (1), 
        including any recommendations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2306. HELICOPTER AIR AMBULANCE OPERATIONS DATA AND 
              REPORTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Requirements.--Based on the assessment under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Reports.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Incident and Accident Data.--Section 44731 is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in paragraph (3)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by striking ``of flight'' and 
                        inserting ``of patients transported and the 
                        number of patient transport'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by inserting ``or'' after 
                        ``interfacility transport,''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) by striking ``, or ferry or 
                        repositioning flight'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) in paragraph (5)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by striking ``flights and''; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking ``while providing 
                        air ambulance services''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) by amending paragraph (6) to read as 
                follows:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) The number of hours flown at night by 
        helicopters operated by the certificate holder.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (d)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection 
        (f); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) by inserting after subsection (d) the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Implementation.--In carrying out this section, the 
Administrator, in collaboration with part 135 certificate holders 
providing helicopter air ambulance services, shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2307. PART 135 ACCIDENT AND INCIDENT DATA.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) to more accurately measure the safety 
                of on-demand part 135 aircraft activity;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) to pinpoint safety problems; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) to form the basis for critical 
                research and analysis of general aviation issues; 
                and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2308. DEFINITION OF HUMAN FACTORS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 40102(a), as amended by section 2135 of this Act, 
is further amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating paragraphs (24) through (47) 
        as paragraphs (25) through (48), respectively; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting after paragraph (23) the 
        following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2309. SENSE OF CONGRESS; PILOT IN COMMAND 
              AUTHORITY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2310. ENHANCING ASIAS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Contents.--In conducting the assessment under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) determine what actions are necessary--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) to improve data quality and 
                standardization; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) to increase the data received from 
                additional segments of the aviation industry, such as 
                small airplane, helicopter, and business jet 
                operations;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) consider how to prioritize the actions 
        described in paragraph (1); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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 decisionmaking efforts.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2311. IMPROVING RUNWAY SAFETY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall expedite the development of metrics--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) to allow the Federal Aviation Administration 
        to determine whether runway incursions are increasing; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) to assess the effectiveness of implemented 
        runway safety initiatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2312. SAFE AIR TRANSPORTATION OF LITHIUM CELLS AND 
              BATTERIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Restrictions on Transportation of Lithium Batteries on 
Aircraft.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Adoption of icao instructions.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Medical device batteries.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Composition.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The working group shall 
                be composed of at least 1 representative from each of 
                the following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) Department of 
                        Transportation.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) Consumer Product Safety 
                        Commission.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) National Institute on 
                        Standards and Technology.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) Food and Drug 
                        Administration.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) Subcommittees.--The President, or 
                members of the working group, may--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) establish working group 
                        subcommittees to focus on specific issues 
                        related to the safe manufacture, use, or 
                        transportation of lithium batteries and cells; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) include in a subcommittee the 
                        participation of nonmember stakeholders with 
                        expertise in areas that the President or 
                        members consider necessary.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        it is established, the working group shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) research--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) additional ways to decrease 
                        the risk of fires and explosions from lithium 
                        batteries and cells;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) additional ways to ensure 
                        uniform transportation requirements for both 
                        bulk and individual batteries; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) new or existing technologies 
                        that could reduce the fire and explosion risk 
                        of lithium batteries and cells; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Exemption from faca.--The Federal Advisory 
        Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the working 
        group.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Termination.--The working group, and any 
        working group subcommittees, shall terminate 90 days after the 
        date the report is transmitted under paragraph (2).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Participation.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
request that as part of the ICAO deliberations in the dangerous good 
panel on these issues, that appropriate experts on issues under 
consideration be allowed to participate.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2313. AIRCRAFT CABIN EVACUATION PROCEDURES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Review.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall review--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) evacuation certification of transport-category 
        aircraft used in air transportation, with regard to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) emergency conditions, including 
                impacts into water;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) crew procedures used for evacuations 
                under actual emergency conditions;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) any relevant changes to passenger 
                seating configurations, including changes to seat 
                width, padding, reclining, size, pitch, leg room, and 
                aisle width; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) recent accidents and incidents in which 
        passengers evacuated such aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Consultation; Review of Data.--In conducting the 
review under subsection (a), the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) review relevant data with respect to 
        evacuation certification of transport-category 
        aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2314. ANNUAL SAFETY INCIDENT REPORT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration, shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report regarding part 121 airline safety 
oversight.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Contents.--The annual report shall include--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) a description of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration's safety oversight process to ensure the safety 
        of the traveling public;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) a description of risk-based oversight methods 
        applied to ensure aviation safety, including to specific issues 
        addressed in the year preceding the report that in the 
        determination of the Administrator address safety risk; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in the instance of specific reviews of air 
        carrier performance to safety regulations, a description of 
        cases where the timelines for recurrent reviews are 
        advanced.</DELETED>

         <DELETED>Subtitle D--General Aviation Safety</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2401. AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEMS 
              POLICY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) review, and if necessary update, existing 
        policies in accordance with the standards developed under 
        paragraph (1); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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 150/5220-16E) and any other similar, successor 
        checks.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Permission.--Permission to conduct the minimum tri-
annual preventative maintenance checks described under subsection 
(a)(3) and any similar, successor checks shall not be withheld but for 
specific cause.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Standards.--In updating the standards under subsection 
(a)(1), the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) ensure the standards are performance-
        based;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) use risk analysis to determine the accuracy of 
        the automated weather observing systems outputs required for 
        pilots to perform safe aircraft operations; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) provide a cost benefit analysis to determine 
        whether the benefits outweigh the cost for any requirement not 
        directly related to safety.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) AIP Eligibility of AWOS Equipment.--Notwithstanding 
any other law, the Administrator shall waive any positive benefit-cost 
ratio requirement for automated weather observing system equipment 
under subchapter I of chapter 471, United States Code, if--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the airport sponsor or State, as applicable, 
        certifies that a grant for such automated weather observing 
        systems equipment under that chapter will assist an applicable 
        airport to respond to regional emergency needs, including 
        medical, firefighting, and search and rescue needs; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the other requirements under that chapter are 
        met.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Report.--Not later than September 30, 2018, the 
Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report on the implementation of the requirements under this 
section.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2402. REQUIREMENT TO CONSULT WITH STAKEHOLDERS IN 
              DEFINING SCOPE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR FUTURE FLIGHT SERVICE 
              PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2403. AVIATION FUEL.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) determines that the unleaded aviation gasoline 
        qualifies as a replacement for an approved leaded 
        gasoline;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) identifies the aircraft and engines that are 
        eligible to use the qualified replacement unleaded gasoline; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Timing.--The Administrator shall adopt the process 
described in subsection (a)(3) not later than 180 days after the later 
of--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the date on which the Administration completes 
        the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative; or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the date on which the American Society for 
        Testing and Materials publishes a production specification for 
        an unleaded aviation gasoline.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2404. APPLICABILITY OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATION STANDARDS TO 
              OPERATORS OF AIR BALLOONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
``Commercial Balloon Pilot Safety Act of 2017''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall revise section 61.3(c) of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations (relating to second-class medical certificates), to 
apply to an operator of an air balloon to the same extent such 
regulations apply to a pilot flight crewmember of other 
aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Air Balloon Defined.--In this section, the term ``air 
balloon'' has the meaning given the term ``balloon'' in section 1.1 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar 
regulation or ruling).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2405. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 2110 of the FAA Extension Safety and Security Act 
of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 615) is amended to read as 
follows:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 2110. TOWER MARKING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(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 implement the requirements of 
this section with respect to covered towers.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Marking Required.--Regulations under subsection (a) 
that require that a covered tower be clearly marked shall be 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Application.--The regulations issued under 
subsection (a) shall ensure that--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) all covered towers constructed on or after 
        the date on which such regulations take effect are marked in 
        accordance with subsection (b), included in the database in 
        subsection (e), or, in the case of meteorological evaluation 
        towers both; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) a covered tower constructed before the date 
        on which such regulations take effect is marked in accordance 
        with subsection (b), included in the database in subsection 
        (e), or, in the case of meteorological evaluation towers both, 
        not later than 1 year after such effective date.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Definitions.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--In this section, the following 
        definitions apply:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Covered tower.--The term `covered 
                tower' means a structure that--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) is a meteorological 
                        evaluation tower, a self-standing tower, or a 
                        tower supported by guy wires and ground 
                        anchors;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) is 10 feet or less in 
                        diameter at the above-ground base, excluding 
                        concrete footing;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) at the highest point of 
                        the structure is at least 50 feet above ground 
                        level;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) at the highest point of the 
                        structure is not more than 200 feet above 
                        ground level;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) has accessory facilities on 
                        which an antenna, sensor, camera, 
                        meteorological instrument, or other equipment 
                        is mounted; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) is located on land that 
                        is--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) in a remote or rural 
                                area; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) used for 
                                agricultural purposes or immediately 
                                adjacent to such land.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Exclusions.--The term `covered 
                tower' does not include any structure that--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) is adjacent to a house, 
                        barn, electric utility station, or other 
                        building;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) is within the curtilage of 
                        a farmstead or adjacent to another building or 
                        visible structure;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) supports electric utility 
                        transmission or distribution lines;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) is a wind-powered 
                        electrical generator with a rotor blade radius 
                        that exceeds 6 feet;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) is a street light erected or 
                        maintained by a Federal, State, local, or 
                        tribal entity;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) is designed and constructed 
                        to resemble a tree or visible structure other 
                        than a tower;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vii) is an advertising 
                        billboard;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(viii) is located within 100 
                        feet from the centerline of the rail line on 
                        the right of way of a rail carrier over which 
                        service has not been discontinued, or within 
                        the boundaries of a rail yard;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ix)(I) is registered with the 
                        Federal Communications Commission under the 
                        Antenna Structure Registration program set 
                        forth under part 17 of title 47, Code of 
                        Federal Regulations; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(II) after being registered as 
                        described in subclause (I), is determined by 
                        the Administrator to pose no hazard to air 
                        navigation; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(x) has already mitigated any 
                        hazard to aviation safety in accordance with 
                        FAA guidance or as otherwise approved by the 
                        Administrator.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Other definitions.--The Administrator shall 
        define such other terms as may be necessary to carry out this 
        section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Database.--The Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) develop a database that contains the 
        location and height of each covered tower that is not marked in 
        accordance with this section, except that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) meteorological evaluation towers 
                shall be marked and contained in the database; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) towers excepted under subsection 
                (d)(1)(B)(viii) must be contained in the 
                database;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) keep the database current, and that towers 
        to be included in the database are entered before their 
        construction;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) ensure that any proprietary information in 
        the database is protected from disclosure in accordance with 
        law;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) ensure that, by virtue of accessing the 
        database, users agree and acknowledge that information in the 
        database--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) may only be used for aviation safety 
                purposes; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) may not be disclosed for purposes 
                other than aviation safety, regardless of whether or 
                not the information is marked or labeled as proprietary 
                or with a similar designation; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) ensure that pilots who intend to conduct 
        low-altitude operations in locations described in sentence 
        (d)(1)(A)(vi) consult the relevant parts of the database before 
        conducting such operations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Exclusion and Waiver Authorities.--As part of a 
rulemaking conducted pursuant to this section, the Administrator--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) may exclude a class, category, or type of 
        tower determined by the Administrator, after public notice and 
        comment, to not pose a hazard to aviation safety;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) shall establish a process to waive 
        individual or specific covered towers from the marking 
        requirements under this section as required under the 
        rulemaking if the Administrator later determines such towers 
        does not pose a hazard to aviation safety; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) shall consider, in establishing exclusions 
        and granting waivers under this subsection, factors that may 
        sufficiently mitigate risks to aviation safety, such as the 
        length of time the tower has been in existence or alternative 
        marking methods or new technologies that maintains a tower's 
        level of conspicuousness to a degree which adequately maintains 
        the safety of the airspace.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Periodic Review.--The Administrator shall, in 
consultation with the Federal Communications Commission, periodically 
conduct a safety assessment of any category of tower not more than 200 
feet above ground level and, as the Administrator decides appropriate, 
propose regulations or guidance on the marking of such towers in the 
interest of safety of low-altitude aircraft operations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) FCC Regulations.--The Federal Communications 
Commission shall promulgate or amend regulations as necessary to 
implement the amendments made by subsection (f)(3), including by 
amending section 17.7 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, to 
require a notification to the Federal Aviation Administration for any 
construction or alteration of a tower not less than 50 feet in height 
above ground level at its site.''.</DELETED>

           <DELETED>Subtitle E--General Provisions</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2501. FAA TECHNICAL TRAINING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Curriculum.--The pilot program shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) focus on providing specialized technical 
        training for covered FAA personnel, as determined necessary by 
        the Administrator;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) include training courses on applicable 
        regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) consider the efficacy of instructor-led online 
        training.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Pilot Program Termination.--The pilot program shall 
terminate 1 year after the date of establishment of the pilot 
program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Covered faa personnel.--The term ``covered FAA 
        personnel'' means airway transportation systems specialists and 
        aviation safety inspectors of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) E-learning training.--The term ``e-learning 
        training'' means learning utilizing electronic technologies to 
        access educational curriculum outside of a traditional 
        classroom.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2502. SAFETY CRITICAL STAFFING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Contents.--The audit shall include, at a minimum--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) a determination on whether the current 
        staffing model takes into account the Federal Aviation 
        Administration's authority to fully utilize 
        designees.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2503. APPROACH CONTROL RADAR.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) identify airports that are currently served by 
        Federal Aviation Administration towers with nonradar approach 
        and departure control (type 4 tower); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) develop an implementation plan, including 
        budgetary considerations, to provide an airport identified 
        under paragraph (1), if appropriate, with approach control 
        radar.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2504. AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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 establish an advisory committee to carry out the 
duties described in subsection (b).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Duties.--The advisory committee shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) an assessment of the extent to which 
                there is consultation, or a lack of consultation, with 
                respect to such proposals--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) between the Federal Aviation 
                        Administration and affected entities, including 
                        airports, aircraft operators, communities, and 
                        State and local governments;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Membership.--The membership of the advisory committee 
established under subsection (a) shall include representatives of--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) air carriers, including passenger and cargo 
        air carriers;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) general aviation, including business aviation 
        and fixed wing aircraft and rotorcraft;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) airports of various sizes and types;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) air traffic controllers; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) State aviation officials.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Report Required.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
the advisory committee is established under subsection (a), the 
advisory committee shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report on the actions taken by the advisory committee to 
carry out the duties described in subsection (b).</DELETED>

   <DELETED>Subtitle F--General Aviation Pilot Protections</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2601. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Fairness for Pilots 
Act''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2602. EXPANSION OF PILOT'S BILL OF RIGHTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as 
        follows:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the district court shall review the 
                denial, suspension, or revocation de novo, including 
                by--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) conducting a full 
                        independent review of the complete 
                        administrative record of the denial, 
                        suspension, or revocation;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) permitting additional 
                        discovery and the taking of additional 
                        evidence; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph 
        (3); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the 
        following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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 Fairness for 
        Pilots Act.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``and the 
        specific activity on which the investigation is based'' after 
        ``nature of the investigation'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``timely''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in paragraph (5), by striking ``section 
        44709(c)(2)'' and inserting ``section 44709(e)(2)''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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 adding at the end the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Release of Investigative Reports.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Information that is 
                privileged.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Information that constitutes work 
                product or reflects internal deliberative 
                process.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Information that would disclose the 
                identity of a confidential source.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) Information the disclosure of which 
                is prohibited by any other provision of law.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) Information that is not relevant to 
                the subject matter of the proceeding.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) Information the Administrator can 
                demonstrate is withheld for good cause.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) Sensitive security information, as 
                defined in section 15.5 of title 49, Code of Federal 
                Regulations (or any corresponding similar ruling or 
                regulation).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) information in addition to the 
                information included in the releasable portion of the 
                investigative report; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) a copy of the investigative report 
                before the Administrator issues a 
                complaint.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2603. LIMITATIONS ON REEXAMINATION OF CERTIFICATE 
              HOLDERS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 44709(a) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking ``The Administrator'' and 
        inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Administrator'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by striking ``reexamine'' and inserting ``, 
        except as provided in paragraph (2), reexamine''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Limitation on the reexamination of airman 
        certificates.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Notification requirements.--Before 
                taking any action to reexamine an airman under 
                subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall provide to 
                the airman--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) a reasonable basis, 
                        described in detail, for requesting the 
                        reexamination; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Amendment, Modification, Suspension, or Revocation of 
Airman Certificates After Reexamination.--Section 44709(b) is amended--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (1), by redesignating 
        subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), 
        respectively, and indenting appropriately;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
        subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting 
        appropriately;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), as 
        redesignated, by striking ``The Administrator'' and inserting 
        the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph 
        (2), the Administrator''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Amendments, modifications, suspensions, and 
        revocations of airman certificates after reexamination.--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) lacks the technical skills 
                        and competency, or care, judgment, and 
                        responsibility, necessary to hold and safely 
                        exercise the privileges of the certificate; 
                        or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) materially contributed to 
                        the issuance of the certificate by fraudulent 
                        means.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 44709(d)(1) is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``subsection 
        (b)(1)(A)'' and inserting ``subsection (b)(1)(A)(i)''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``subsection 
        (b)(1)(B)'' and inserting ``subsection 
        (b)(1)(A)(ii)''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2604. EXPEDITING UPDATES TO NOTAM PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--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 committees of Congress 
that the Administrator has complied with the requirements of section 3 
of the Pilot's Bill of Rights, as amended by this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a)(2)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (A)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by striking ``this Act'' and 
                        inserting ``the Fairness for Pilots Act''; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking ``begin'' and 
                        inserting ``complete the implementation 
                        of'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by amending subparagraph (B) to read 
                as follows:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting ``; and''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) by adding at the end the 
                following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by amending subsection (d) to read as 
        follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Designation of Repository as Sole Source for 
NOTAMS.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Administrator--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) shall consider the repository for 
                NOTAMs under subsection (a)(2)(B) to be the sole 
                location for airmen to check for NOTAMs; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Prohibition on taking action for violations 
        of notams not in repository.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) that NOTAM is not available 
                        through the repository before the commencement 
                        of the flight; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) that NOTAM is not 
                        reasonably accessible and identifiable to the 
                        airman.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2605. ACCESSIBILITY OF CERTAIN FLIGHT DATA.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 471 is amended by 
inserting after section 47124 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 47124a. Accessibility of certain flight data</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Administration.--The term `Administration' 
        means the Federal Aviation Administration.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' 
        means the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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 section 47124.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Provision of Covered Flight Record to 
Administration.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Implementation.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after 
        the date of enactment of the Fairness for Pilots Act, the 
        Administrator shall promulgate regulations or guidance to 
        ensure compliance with this section.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Compliance by contractors.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--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 Fairness for Pilots Act.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Nonapplicability.--Subparagraph (A) 
                shall not apply to any contract or agreement in effect 
                on the date of enactment of the Fairness for Pilots Act 
                unless the contract or agreement is renegotiated, 
                renewed, or modified after that date.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``47124a. Accessibility of certain flight data.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 2606. AUTHORITY FOR LEGAL COUNSEL TO ISSUE CERTAIN 
              NOTICES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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.</DELETED>

         <DELETED>TITLE III--AIR SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3001. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    In this title:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Ticket agent.--The term ``ticket agent'' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 40102 of title 49, United 
        States Code.</DELETED>

   <DELETED>Subtitle A--Passenger Air Service Improvements</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3101. CAUSES OF AIRLINE DELAYS OR 
              CANCELLATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Review.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Considerations.--In conducting the review 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider, at a 
        minimum--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) whether delays and cancellations 
                attributed by an air carrier to weather were 
                unavoidable, including--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) due to operational issues, air 
                        traffic control issues, or groundstop or delay 
                        management programs;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) due to the air carrier's 
                        discretion in determining which flights to 
                        delay or cancel during a weather event, 
                        including an attempt to impact the fewest 
                        passengers; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) due to other 
                        factors;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Consultation.--The Secretary may consult air 
        carriers and 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3102. INVOLUNTARY CHANGES TO ITINERARIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Review.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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. In conducting the review, the Secretary shall consider 
        the refund policy and alternative travel options provided or 
        offered by the air carrier in such situations.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Consultation.--The Secretary may consult with 
        air carriers and 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3103. ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES OF PASSENGERS 
              INVOLVED IN AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Air Carriers Holding Certificates of Public 
Convenience and Necessity.--Section 41113 is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``a major'' and 
        inserting ``any'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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)'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (16), by striking 
                ``major'' and inserting ``any''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in paragraph (17)(A), by striking 
                ``significant'' and inserting ``any''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by amending subsection (e) to read as 
        follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) `Passenger' has the meaning given the term 
        in section 1136.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Foreign Air Carriers Providing Foreign Air 
Transportation.--Section 41313 is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``a major'' and 
        inserting ``any''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (c)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``a 
                significant'' and inserting ``any'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``a 
                significant'' and inserting ``any'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in paragraph (16), by striking 
                ``major'' and inserting ``any''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) in paragraph (17)(A), by striking 
                ``significant'' and inserting ``any''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3104. TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) conduct a study of airport accessibility best 
        practices for individuals with disabilities; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report on the study, including the Comptroller 
        General's findings, conclusions, and recommendations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3105. EXTENSION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AVIATION 
              CONSUMER PROTECTION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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 ``September 30, 2017'' and inserting ``September 
30, 2021''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection 
        (i); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting before subsection (i), the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) Conflict of Interest Disclosure.--Beginning on the 
date of enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
Reauthorization Act of 2017, 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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking ``of the first 2 calendar years 
        beginning after the date of enactment of this Act'' and 
        inserting ``calendar year''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting ``and post on the Department of 
        Transportation Web site'' after ``Congress''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3106. EXTENSION OF COMPETITIVE ACCESS REPORTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 47107(r)(3) is amended by striking ``October 1, 
2017'' and inserting ``October 1, 2021''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3107. REFUNDS FOR OTHER FEES THAT ARE NOT HONORED BY A 
              COVERED AIR CARRIER.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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 automated 
refund to a passenger of any ancillary fees paid for services related 
to air travel 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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3108. DISCLOSURE OF FEES TO CONSUMERS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Requirements.--The regulations under subsection (a) 
shall require that each disclosure--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) if ticketing is done on an Internet Web site 
        or other online service--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) be prominently displayed to the 
                consumer prior to the point of purchase; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) set forth the fees described in 
                subsection (a)(1) in clear and plain language and a 
                font of easily readable size; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3109. SEAT ASSIGNMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Requirements.--The disclosure under subsection (a) 
shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) be made at the time the consumer checks in for 
        the flight; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) be made at other ancillary seat assignment 
        purchase opportunities prior to departure.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3110. ADVANCED BOARDING DURING PREGNANCY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall review air carrier 
policies regarding traveling during pregnancy and, if appropriate, may 
revise regulations, as the Secretary considers necessary, to require an 
air carrier to offer advanced boarding of an aircraft to a pregnant 
passenger who requests such assistance.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3111. CONSUMER COMPLAINT PROCESS IMPROVEMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 42302 is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as 
        subsections (c) and (d), respectively;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting after subsection (a), the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by amending subsection (c), as redesignated, 
        to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Internet Web Site or Other Online Service Notice.--
Each air carrier, foreign air carrier, and ticket agent shall include 
on its Internet Web site, any related mobile device application, and 
online service--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the hotline telephone number established 
        under subsection (a) or for the Aviation Consumer Protection 
        Division of the Department of Transportation;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) an active link and the email address, 
        telephone number, and mailing address of the air carrier, 
        foreign air carrier, or ticket agent, as applicable, for a 
        consumer to submit a complaint to the carrier about the quality 
        of service;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) notice that the consumer can file a 
        complaint with the Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the 
        Department of Transportation;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) the active link described in paragraph (2) 
        on the same Internet Web site page as the active link described 
        in paragraph (4).''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) in subsection (d), as redesignated--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``air 
                carrier'' and inserting ``carrier''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``air 
                carrier'' and inserting ``carrier''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3112. ONLINE ACCESS TO AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION 
              INFORMATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Internet Web Site.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in completing the evaluation under paragraph 
        (1)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) consider the best practices of other 
                Federal agencies with effective Web sites; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) consult with the Federal Web Managers 
                Council;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) develop a plan, including an implementation 
        timeline, for--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) making the changes identified under 
                paragraph (1); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) making any necessary changes to that 
                portion of the Web site that will enable a consumer, in 
                a manner that protects the privacy of consumers and 
                employees, to--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) access information regarding 
                        each complaint filed with the Aviation Consumer 
                        Protection Division of the Department of 
                        Transportation;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) 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</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) determine the date a 
                        complaint was filed and the date a complaint 
                        was resolved; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) submit the evaluation and plan to appropriate 
        committees of Congress.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Mobile Application Software.--Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) make the application software available to the 
        public at no cost.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3113. STUDY ON IN CABIN WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINT 
              SYSTEMS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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, including the 
Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Department of 
Transportation and the Office of Aviation Safety at the Federal 
Aviation Administration, shall conduct a study to determine the ways in 
which particular individuals with significant disabilities who use 
wheelchairs, including power wheelchairs, can be safely accommodated 
through in-cabin wheelchair restraint systems.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3114. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE AIR TRAVEL NEEDS OF 
              PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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'').</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) assessing the disability-related access 
        barriers encountered by passengers with disabilities;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) determining the extent to which the programs 
        and activities of the Department of Transportation are 
        addressing the barriers described in paragraph (1);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) recommending improvements to the air travel 
        experience of passengers with disabilities; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) such activities as the Secretary considers 
        necessary to carry out this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Membership.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall be 
        comprised of at least 1 representative of each of the following 
        groups:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Passengers with 
                disabilities.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) National disability 
                organizations.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) Air carriers.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) Airport operators.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) Contractor service 
                providers.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Appointment.--The Secretary of Transportation 
        shall appoint each member of the Advisory Committee.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Advisory 
        Committee shall be filled in the manner in which the original 
        appointment was made.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Reports.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) an assessment of disability-related 
                access barriers, both those that were evident in the 
                preceding calendar year and those that will likely be 
                an issue in the subsequent 5 calendar years;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) an evaluation of the extent to which 
                the Department of Transportation's programs and 
                activities are eliminating disability-related access 
                barriers;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) a description of the Advisory 
                Committee's actions during the preceding calendar 
                year;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) a description of activities that the 
                Advisory Committee has planned for the subsequent 
                calender year; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) any recommendations for legislation, 
                administrative action, or other action that the 
                Advisory Committee considers appropriate.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Report to congress.--Not later than 60 days 
        after the date the Secretary receives the report under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
        committees of Congress a copy of the report, including any 
        additional findings or recommendations that the Secretary 
        considers appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (g) Termination.--The Advisory Committee shall terminate 2 
years after the date it is established under subsection (a).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3115. ENFORCEMENT OF AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION 
              RULES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Contents.--The study under subsection (a) shall 
include an evaluation of--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) available enforcement mechanisms;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) any obstacles to enforcement; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) trends in Department of Transportation 
        enforcement actions.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3116. DIMENSIONS FOR PASSENGER SEATS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration 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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Considerations.--In reviewing any minimum seat pitch 
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider the safety of 
passengers, including passengers with disabilities.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3117. CELL PHONE VOICE COMMUNICATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 417 is amended by 
adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 41725. Cell phone voice communications</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) Prohibition Authority.--The Secretary of 
Transportation may issue regulations--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) that exempt from the prohibition described 
        in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) any member of the flight crew on 
                duty on an aircraft;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) any flight attendant on duty on an 
                aircraft; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) any Federal law enforcement officer 
                acting in an official capacity.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Mobile communications device.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The term `mobile 
                communications device' means any portable wireless 
                telecommunications equipment utilized for the 
                transmission or reception of voice data.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Limitation.--The term `mobile 
                communications device' does not include a phone 
                installed on an aircraft.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents at the 
beginning of chapter 417 is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 41724 the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``41725. Cell phone voice communications.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 3118. TICKETS ACT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
``Transparency Improvements and Compensation to Keep Every Ticketholder 
Safe Act of 2017'' or the ``TICKETS Act''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Boarded Passengers.--Beginning on the date of 
enactment of this Act, once a revenue passenger is approved by a gate 
attendant to clear the boarding area and board an aircraft, the 
applicable air carrier may not deny that passenger permission to board 
the aircraft without the consent of the passenger unless--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the passenger poses a safety, security, or 
        health risk to oneself or to the other passengers; or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the passenger is engaging in behavior that is 
        obscene, disruptive, or otherwise unlawful .</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
construed to limit or otherwise affect the responsibility or authority 
of a pilot in command of an aircraft under section 121.533 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, or any penalty under section 46504 of 
title 49, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Elimination of Limitation on Compensation for Being 
Denied Boarding.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall review air carrier 
policies and revise the regulations under part 250 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations, to eliminate the dollar amount limitations under 
paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsections (a) and (b) of section 250.5 of 
that part on the amount of compensation that may be provided to a 
passenger who is denied boarding involuntarily.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Oversales.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the 
        United States shall review airline policies and practices 
        related to oversales of flights.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Considerations.--In conducting the review 
        under paragraph (1), the Comptroller Generals shall examine--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) impact on passengers, including the 
                prevalence of a negative impact on passengers, as a 
                result of an oversale;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) economic and operational factors which 
                results in oversales;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) whether, and if so how, the incidence 
                of oversales varies depending on markets; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) potential consequences on the limiting 
                of oversales.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) 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 
        review under paragraph (2).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Notice of Policies of Air Carriers.--Not later than 1 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall prescribe regulations requiring an air carrier, or 
other entity selling tickets for flights in passenger air 
transportation, to specify, on a passenger's flight itinerary, receipt, 
or other direct customer communication, the policies of the air carrier 
operating the flight regarding oversold flights.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (g) Definition of Air Carrier.--In this section, the term 
``air carrier'' means an air carrier or foreign air carrier, as those 
terms are defined in section 40102 of title 49, United States 
Code.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3119. TRANSPARENCY FOR DISABLED PASSENGERS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The compliance date of the final rule, dated November 2, 
2016, on the reporting of data for mishandled baggage and wheelchairs 
in aircraft cargo compartments (81 Fed. Reg. 76300) shall be effective 
January 1, 2018.</DELETED>

          <DELETED>Subtitle B--Essential Air Service</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3201. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Authorization Extension.--Section 41742(a) is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$150,000,000'' 
        and all that follows though ``2017'' and inserting 
        ``$175,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2021''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by striking paragraph (3).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Definitions.--Section 41731(a)(1)(A) is amended by 
striking clause (ii) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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);''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3202. SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT 
              PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Extension of Authorization.--Section 41743(e)(2) is 
amended by striking ``$6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 
2017'' and inserting ``$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 
through 2021''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Eligibility.--Section 41743(c)(1) is amended to read 
as follows:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) was not larger than a small hub 
                airport, as determined using the Department of 
                Transportation's most recent published classification; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B)(i) had insufficient air carrier 
                service; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) had unreasonably high air 
                fares.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3203. SMALL COMMUNITY PROGRAM AMENDMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 41743(c)(4) is amended--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by inserting ``(B) Same projects.--'' before 
        the second sentence and indenting appropriately;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting ``(A) In general.--'' before the 
        first sentence and indenting appropriately;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subparagraph (B), as designated by this 
        subsection, by striking ``No community'' and inserting ``Except 
        as provided in subparagraph (C)''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3204. WAIVERS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 41732 is amended by adding at the end the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>

       <DELETED>TITLE IV--NEXTGEN AND FAA ORGANIZATION</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4001. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    In this title:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' 
        means the Federal Aviation Administration.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' 
        means the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) ADS-B.--The term ``ADS-B'' means automatic 
        dependent surveillance-broadcast.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Nextgen.--The term ``NextGen'' means the Next 
        Generation Air Transportation System.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>Subtitle A--NextGen Air Transportation System</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4101. RETURN ON INVESTMENT REPORT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the date that each 
NextGen program has a positive return on investment, the Administrator 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
status of each NextGen program, including the most recent NextGen 
priority list under subsection (c).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Contents.--The report under subsection (a) shall 
include, for each NextGen program--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) an estimate of the date the program will have 
        a positive return on investment;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) an explanation for any delay in the delivery 
        of expected benefits from previously published estimates on 
        delivery of such benefits, in implementing or utilizing the 
        program;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) an estimate of the completion date;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) an assessment of the long-term and near-term 
        user benefits of the program for--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the Federal Government; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the users of the national airspace 
                system; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) a description of how the program directly 
        contributes to a safer and more efficient air traffic control 
        system.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) NextGen Priority List.--Based on the assessment under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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 the NextGen programs;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) annually update the priority list under 
        paragraph (1); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) prepare budget submissions to reflect the 
        current status of NextGen programs and projected returns on 
        investment for each NextGen program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Definition of Return on Investment.--In this section, 
the term ``return on investment'' means the cost associated with 
technologies that are required by law or policy as compared to the 
financial benefits derived from such technologies by a government or a 
user of airspace.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4102. ENSURING FAA READINESS TO PROVIDE SEAMLESS OCEANIC 
              OPERATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than September 30, 2018, the Administrator shall 
make a final investment decision regarding a reduced oceanic separation 
capability that, if a positive business case is provided, would result 
in operational use by the end of 2020.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4103. ANNUAL NEXTGEN PERFORMANCE GOALS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--This section may be cited as the 
``NextGen Accountability Act''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) NextGen 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 by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Annual NextGen 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 
established in consultation with public and private NextGen 
stakeholders, including the NextGen Advisory Committee.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) 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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' at 
        the end;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at 
        the end and inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Chief NextGen Officer.--Section 106(s) is amended--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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(e) of the FAA Modernization and Reform 
        Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note).''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the 
        following: ``The annual organizational performance goals set 
        forth in the agreement shall include quantifiable NextGen 
        airspace performance objectives regarding efficiency, 
        productivity, capacity, and safety, which shall be established 
        in consultation with public and private NextGen stakeholders, 
        including the NextGen Advisory Committee.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4104. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OPERATIONAL CONTINGENCY 
              PLANS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following 
findings:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) According to the Office of the Inspector 
        General of the Department of Transportation, although the 
        Administration has taken steps to improve the effectiveness of 
        its operational contingency plans since the incident at the 
        Chicago Center, significant work remains to be done.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Air Traffic Control Operational Contingency Plans.--
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and 
every 5 years thereafter, the Administrator shall update the 
Administration's air traffic control operational contingency plans (FAA 
Order JO 1900.47E) to address potential air traffic facility outages 
that could have a major impact on the operation of the national 
airspace system, including the most recent findings and recommendations 
in the report under subsection (d).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Updates.--Not later than 60 days after the date the 
air traffic control operational contingency plans are 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 the operation of the national airspace 
system.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Resiliency Recommendations.--Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and periodically thereafter as 
the Administrator considers appropriate, the Administrator shall 
convene NextGen program officials to evaluate, expedite, and complete a 
report on how planned NextGen capabilities can enhance the resiliency 
and continuity of national airspace system operations and mitigate the 
impact of future air traffic control disruptions.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4105. 2020 ADS-B OUT MANDATE PLAN.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The Administrator, in collaboration with the NextGen 
Advisory Committee, shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) identify any known and potential 
                barriers to compliance with the 2020 ADS-B Out mandate 
                under section 91.225 of title 14, Code of Federal 
                Regulations;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) develop a plan to address the known 
                barriers identified in paragraph (1), including a 
                schedule for--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) periodically reevaluating the 
                        potential barriers identified in paragraph (1); 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) developing solutions and 
                        implementing actions to address the known and 
                        potential barriers; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) submit the plan to the appropriate 
                committees of Congress;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) periodically update the plan and, not later 
        than 30 days after the completion date, submit the update to 
        the appropriate committees of Congress; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) not later than 30 days after the date the plan 
        is submitted under paragraph (2), and annually thereafter until 
        January 1, 2020, submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report on the progress made toward meeting the 2020 
        ADS-B Out mandate.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4106. NEXTGEN INTEROPERABILITY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--To implement a more effective 
international strategy for achieving NextGen interoperability with 
foreign countries, the Administrator shall take the following 
actions:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4107. NEXTGEN TRANSITION MANAGEMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) identify and analyze technical and operational 
        maturity gaps in NextGen transition and implementation plans; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) develop a plan to mitigate the gaps identified 
        in paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4108. IMPLEMENTATION OF NEXTGEN OPERATIONAL 
              IMPROVEMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--To help ensure that NextGen operational 
improvements are fully implemented in the midterm, the Administrator 
shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) collaborate with air carriers 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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) identify and consider other key operational 
        improvements, including the identification of--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) additional metroplexes for PBN 
                projects;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) non-metroplex PBN procedures; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) unused flight routes for 
                decommissioning;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) develop and implement guidelines for the 
        timely inclusion of appropriate stakeholders, including airport 
        representatives, in the planning and implementation of NextGen 
        operational improvement efforts; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) ensure that NextGen planning documents inform 
        stakeholders of how and when operational improvements are 
        expected to achieve NextGen national goals and strategic 
        objectives.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Reports.--Each year, as part of the submission of the 
NextGen Integrated Work Plan, the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the progress made toward implementing the 
        requirements under subsection (a); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) 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 PBN at 
        additional airports.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4109. SECURING AIRCRAFT AVIONICS SYSTEMS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall consider, where appropriate, revising Federal 
Aviation Administration regulations regarding airworthiness 
certification--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) to address cybersecurity for avionics systems, 
        including software components; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Consideration.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall consider the recommendations of the Aircraft 
Systems Information Security Protection Working Group under section 
2111 of the FAA Extension Safety and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 
114-190; 130 Stat. 615).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4110. DEFINING NEXTGEN.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) assess how the line items included in the 
        Administration's NextGen budget request relate to the goals and 
        expected outcomes of NextGen, including whether and how NextGen 
        programs directly contribute to a measurably safer and more 
        efficient air traffic control system; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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 directly contribute to a measurably 
        safer and more efficient air traffic control system.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4111. HUMAN FACTORS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--In order to avoid having to subsequently 
modify products and services developed as a part of NextGen, the 
Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) ensure that a human factors specialist, 
        separate from the research and certification groups, is 
        directly involved with the NextGen approval process.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4112. MAJOR ACQUISITION REPORTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall evaluate the 
current acquisition practices of the Administration to ensure that such 
practices--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) identify the current estimated costs for each 
        acquisition system, including all segments;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) account for the way funds are being used when 
        reporting to managers, Congress, and other 
        stakeholders.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Administrator 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
progress made toward implementing the requirements under subsection 
(a).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4113. EQUIPAGE MANDATES.</DELETED>

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

<DELETED>SEC. 4114. WORKFORCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) develop a comprehensive plan to attract, 
        develop, train, and retain talented individuals in those 
        fields; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) identify existing authorities available to the 
        Administrator, through personnel reform, to attract, develop, 
        and retain this talent.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4115. PROGRAMMATIC RISK MANAGEMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--To better inform the Administration's 
decisions regarding the prioritization of efforts and allocation of 
resources for NextGen, the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) solicit input from specialists in probability 
        and statistics to identify and prioritize the programmatic and 
        implementation risks to NextGen; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) develop a method to manage and mitigate the 
        risks identified in paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4116. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator, in collaboration with the NextGen Advisory 
Committee and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
Medicine, shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) identify industry best practices regarding 
        highly integrated program management;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) determine whether, and identify how, the 
        Administration is applying the best practices identified in 
        paragraph (1) in the management of NextGen;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) identify, in detail, the lessons learned 
        regarding the complex integration of NextGen programs into the 
        national airspace system;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) identify and assess the key risks for the full 
        implementation of--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) multiple runway operations;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) performance based 
                navigation;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) surface operations and data sharing; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) data communications; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) develop a detailed plan to mitigate the risks 
        identified under paragraph (4); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report on the activities under paragraphs (1) 
        through (5), including the plan.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4117. SYSTEM-WIDE IMPROVEMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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 identifying any 
improvements and benefits to the national airspace system, as a whole, 
as a result of--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) multiple runway operations;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) performance based navigation;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) surface operations and data sharing; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) data communications.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Considerations.--In identifying improvements and 
benefits under subsection (a) as a result of the NextGen programs 
listed under subparagraphs (A) through (D) of that subsection, the 
Administrator shall consider, at a minimum--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) reduced overall delays in the national 
        airspace system;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) increased overall throughput in the national 
        airspace system;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) decreased overall emissions and fuel 
        consumption in the national airspace system; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) improved safety in the national airspace 
        system.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4118. NEXTGEN RESEARCH.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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 specifying the top 5 priority research areas for the 
implementation and advancement of NextGen, including--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) an assessment of why the research areas are a 
        priority for the implementation and advancement of 
        NextGen;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) an identification of the other Federal 
        agencies and private organizations assisting the Administration 
        with the research; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) an estimate of when the research will be 
        completed.</DELETED>

         <DELETED>Subtitle B--Administration Organization and 
                          Employees</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4201. COST-SAVING INITIATIVES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--To ensure that Administration initiatives 
are being implemented in a timely and fiscally responsible manner, the 
Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) identify and implement agencywide cost-saving 
        initiatives; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) develop appropriate schedules and metrics to 
        measure whether the initiatives are successful in reducing 
        costs.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4202. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION PERFORMANCE 
              MEASURES AND TARGETS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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 Administration, which shall, at a minimum, include measures to 
assess--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the reduction of delays in the completion of 
        projects; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the effectiveness of the Administration in 
        achieving the goals described in section 47171 of title 49, 
        United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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 the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report describing the progress of the Secretary in meeting the 
performance targets established under subsection (b).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4203. TREATMENT OF ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES DURING 
              FURLOUGHS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4204. CONTROLLER CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4205. REPORT ON PLANS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITIES 
              IN THE NEW YORK CITY AND NEWARK REGION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report on the 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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4206. WORK PLAN FOR THE NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY/PHILADELPHIA 
              METROPOLITAN AREA AIRSPACE PROJECT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator shall develop and publish in the Federal 
Register a work plan for the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia 
Metropolitan Area Airspace Project.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4207. AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES AT AVIATION EVENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Requirement To Provide Services and Related Support.--
The Administrator 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 Administration.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) The services and support required to meet 
        levels of activity at prior events, if any, similar to the 
        event.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) The anticipated need for services and support 
        at the event.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4208. ANNUAL REPORT ON INCLUSION OF DISABLED VETERAN 
              LEAVE IN PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, and not less frequently than annually 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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the effect of section 40122(g)(4) of title 49, 
        United States Code, on the Administration's workforce; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the number of disabled veterans benefitting 
        from that section.</DELETED>

               <DELETED>TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5001. NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATIVE 
              OFFICERS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 1113 is amended by striking subsection 
(h).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5002. OVERFLIGHTS OF NATIONAL PARKS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 40128 is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``the'' 
        before ``title 14''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by amending subsection (f) to read as 
        follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Transportation Routes.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5003. AERONAUTICAL STUDIES FOR COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH 
              SITE RUNWAYS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 44718(b)(1) is amended-</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
        striking ``air navigation facilities and equipment'' and 
        inserting ``air or space navigation facilities and equipment''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subparagraph (A)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by redesignating clauses (v) and (vi) 
                as clauses (vi) and (vii), respectively; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by inserting after clause (iv) the 
                following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) 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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5004. COMPREHENSIVE AVIATION PREPAREDNESS PLAN.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Minimum Components.--The plan developed under 
subsection (a) shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) be developed in consultation with other 
        relevant stakeholders, including State, local, tribal, and 
        territorial governments, air carriers, first responders, and 
        the general public;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) document the roles and responsibilities of 
        relevant Federal department and agencies, including 
        coordination requirements;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) be scalable and adaptable so that the plan can 
        be used to address the full range of communicable disease 
        threats and incidents;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) develop protocols for the dissemination of 
        comprehensive, up-to-date, and appropriate information to the 
        traveling public concerning communicable disease threats and 
        preparedness;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) be updated periodically to incorporate lessons 
        learned with supplemental information; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) be provided to relevant government agencies 
        and stakeholders in writing, and electronically, and accessible 
        via the Internet.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Interagency Framework.--The plan developed under 
subsection (a) shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) be conducted under the existing interagency 
        framework for national level all hazards emergency preparedness 
        planning or another appropriate framework; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) be consistent with the obligations of the 
        United States under international agreements.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5005. ADVANCED MATERIALS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Chapter 445 is amended by adding at the 
end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44518. Advanced Materials Center of 
              Excellence</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Responsibilities.--The Center shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) establish goals set to advance technology, 
        improve engineering practices, and facilitate continuing 
        education in relevant areas of study.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $500,000 for each of 
the fiscal years 2018 and 2021 to carry out this section.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 
445 is amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``44518. Advanced Materials Center of Excellence.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 5006. INTERFERENCE WITH AIRLINE EMPLOYEES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) submit the findings of the study, including 
        any recommendations, to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5007. SECONDARY COCKPIT BARRIERS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
``Saracini Aviation Safety Act of 2017''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Requirement.--Not later than 1 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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5008. RESEARCH AND DEPLOYMENT OF CERTAIN AIRFIELD 
              PAVEMENT TECHNOLOGIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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 
development 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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) research concrete and asphalt airfield 
        pavement technologies that extend the life of airfield 
        pavements;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) develop and conduct training;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) provide for demonstration projects; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) promote the latest airfield pavement 
        technologies to aid in the development of safer, more cost 
        effective, and more durable airfield pavements.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5009. INCREASE IN DURATION OF GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT 
              REGISTRATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5010. MODIFICATION OF LIMITATION OF LIABILITY RELATING TO 
              AIRCRAFT.</DELETED>

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

<DELETED>SEC. 5011. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STUDY OF ILLEGAL 
              DRUGS SEIZED AT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS IN THE UNITED 
              STATES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Elements.--In conducting the study required by 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall address, at a minimum--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the types and quantities of drugs 
        seized;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the origin of the drugs seized;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) the airport at which the drugs were 
        seized;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) the manner in which the drugs were seized; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) the manner in which the drugs were 
        transported.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Submission to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the study 
conducted under subsection (a) that includes any recommendations 
developed under subsection (c).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5012. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REVIEW OF UNMANNED 
              AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--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 
examining law enforcement challenges posed by the use of unmanned 
aircraft systems for illegal drug trafficking.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a) 
shall examine how unmanned aircraft systems are being used to transport 
illegal drugs across the international borders of the United States, 
including--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) how international drug traffickers have used 
        unmanned aircraft systems to fly packages of illegal drugs into 
        the United States;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) how international drug traffickers have used 
        unmanned aircraft systems to survey international borders, 
        providing intelligence to smugglers on vulnerabilities in the 
        border security efforts of the United States; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) other ways in which international drug 
        traffickers have used unmanned aircraft systems to assist their 
        efforts to smuggle illegal drugs into the United 
        States.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5013. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON PREVENTING THE TRANSPORTATION 
              OF DISEASE-CARRYING MOSQUITOES AND OTHER INSECTS ON 
              COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5014. TREATMENT OF MULTI-YEAR LESSEES OF LARGE AND 
              TURBINE-POWERED MULTIENGINE AIRCRAFT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5015. STUDENT OUTREACH REPORT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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 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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) to prepare and inspire such students for 
        aeronautical careers; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) to mitigate an anticipated shortage of pilots 
        and other aviation professionals.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5016. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN FLIGHTS BY STAGE 2 
              AIRCRAFT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding chapter 475 of title 49, 
United States Code, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall initiate a pilot program to permit 1 or more operators of a stage 
2 aircraft to operate that aircraft in nonrevenue service into not more 
than 4 medium hub airports or nonhub airports if--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the airport--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) is certified under part 139 of title 
                14, Code of Federal Regulations;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) has a runway that--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) is longer than 8,000 feet and 
                        not less than 200 feet wide; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) is load bearing with a 
                        pavement classification number of not less than 
                        38; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) has a maintenance facility with a 
                maintenance certificate issued under part 145 of such 
                title; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the operator of the stage 2 aircraft operates 
        not more than 10 flights per month using that 
        aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Termination.--The pilot program shall terminate on the 
earlier of--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the date that is 10 years after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act; or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the date on which the Administrator determines 
        that no stage 2 aircraft remain in service.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Stage 2 aircraft.--The term ``stage 2 
        aircraft'' has the meaning given the term ``stage 2 airplane'' 
        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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5017. SUPERSONIC AIRCRAFT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) review Federal law, including regulations and 
        policies, regarding the operation of supersonic aircraft over 
        land in the United States; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report on the findings under paragraph (1), that 
        includes--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the identification and evaluation of 
                any advancements in supersonic aircraft design, 
                including airframe and engine design, that would 
                mitigate the concerns that led to restrictions on the 
                operation of supersonic aircraft, such as noise, and 
                support amending the laws under paragraph (1); 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) recommendations regarding the laws 
                under paragraph (1) that would need to be amended to 
                allow the operation of supersonic aircraft over land in 
                the United States.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5018. TERMINAL AERODROME FORECAST.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Terminal Aerodrome Forecast.--The Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall permit a covered air carrier 
operation to operate to a destination in a noncontiguous State 
determined to be under visual flight rules without a Terminal Aerodrome 
Forecast (referred to in this section as ``TAF'') or Meteorological 
Aerodrome Report (METAR) if a current Area Forecast, supplemented by 
other local weather observations or reports, is available, and an 
alternate airport that has an available TAF and weather report is 
specified. The air carrier shall have approved procedures for dispatch 
and enroute weather evaluation and shall operate under instrument 
flight rules enroute to the destination.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Limitation.--Without a written finding of necessity, 
based on objective evidence of imminent threat to safety, the 
Administrator shall not promulgate any operation specification, policy, 
or guidance document that is more restrictive than, or requires 
procedures that are not expressly stated in, the regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Covered Air Carrier Operation.--In this section, the 
term ``covered air carrier operation'' means a Part 121 air carrier 
operating in a noncontiguous State.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5019. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Airport Capacity Enhancement Projects at Congested 
Airports.--Section 40104(c) is amended by striking ``47176'' and 
inserting ``47175''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Consultation on Carrier Response Not Covered by 
Plan.--Section 41313(c)(16), as amended by section 3103 of this Act, is 
further amended by striking ``the foreign air carrier will consult'' 
and inserting ``will consult''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Weighing Mail.--Section 41907 is amended by striking 
``and -administrative'' and inserting ``and administrative''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Flight Attendant Certification.--Section 44728 is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (c), by striking ``chapter'' and 
        inserting ``title''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ``is'' and 
        inserting ``be''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Schedule of Fees.--Section 45301(a)(1) is amended by 
striking ``United States government'' and inserting ``United States 
Government''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Classified Evidence.--Section 46111(g)(2)(A) is 
amended by striking ``(18 U.S.C. App.)'' and inserting ``(18 U.S.C. 
App.))''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (g) Allowable Cost Standards.--Section 47110(b)(2) is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
        ``compatability'' and inserting ``compatibility''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subparagraph (D)(i), by striking 
        ``climactic'' and inserting ``climatic''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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))''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (i) Discretionary Fund.--Section 47115, as amended by 
section 1006 of this Act, is further amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking subsection (i); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection 
        (i).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (j) Special Apportionment Categories.--Section 
47117(e)(1)(B) is amended by striking ``at least'' and inserting ``At 
least''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (k) Solicitation and Consideration of Comments.--Section 
47171(l) is amended by striking ``4371'' and inserting 
``4321''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (l) Operations and Maintenance.--Section 48104 is amended 
by striking ``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--the'' and inserting 
``The''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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)''.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Aviation 
Administration Reauthorization Act of 2017''.
    (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. Moratorium on changes to the Contract Weather Observer 
                            Program.
Sec. 1220. Federal share adjustment.
Sec. 1221. Miscellaneous technical amendments.
Sec. 1222. Mothers' rooms at airports.
Sec. 1223. Definition of small business concern.
Sec. 1224. State standards for airport pavements.
Sec. 1225. Eligibility of CCTV projects for airport improvement 
                            program.
Sec. 1226. Clarification of reimbursable allowed costs of FAA memoranda 
                            of agreement.
Sec. 1227. Limited regulation of non-federally sponsored property.
Sec. 1228. Pilot program for use of social and economic contracting 
                            requirements under Federal Aviation 
                            Administration grants.

                     Subtitle C--FLIGHT Act of 2017

Sec. 1301. Short title.
Sec. 1302. General aviation airport entitlement reform.
Sec. 1303. Extending aviation development streamlining.
Sec. 1304. Establishment of public private-partnership program at 
                            general aviation airports.
Sec. 1305. Disaster relief airports.
Sec. 1306. Airport development relating to disaster relief.
Sec. 1307. Inclusion of covered aircraft construction in definition of 
                            aeronautical activity for purposes of 
                            airport improvement grants.

                 Subtitle D--Passenger Facility Charges

Sec. 1401. PFC streamlining.
Sec. 1402. Intermodal access projects.
Sec. 1403. Future aviation infrastructure and financing study.
Sec. 1404. Airport vehicle emissions.
Sec. 1405. Use of passenger facility charge revenue to enhance security 
                            at airports.

                            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. Commercial and governmental operators.
Sec. 2105. 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. Small unmanned aircraft safety standards.
Sec. 2124. Small unmanned aircraft in the Arctic.
Sec. 2125. Special authority for certain unmanned aircraft systems.
Sec. 2126. Additional rulemaking authority.
Sec. 2127. Governmental unmanned aircraft systems.
Sec. 2128. Special rules for model aircraft.
Sec. 2129. Authority.
Sec. 2130. Unmanned aircraft systems aeronautical knowledge and safety.
Sec. 2131. Treatment of unmanned aircraft operating underground.
Sec. 2132. Enforcement.
Sec. 2133. Airport safety and airspace hazard mitigation and 
                            enforcement.
Sec. 2134. Aviation emergency safety public services disruption.
Sec. 2135. Public UAS operations by tribal governments.
Sec. 2136. Carriage of property by small unmanned aircraft systems for 
                            compensation or hire.
Sec. 2137. Collegiate training initiative program for unmanned aircraft 
                            systems.
Sec. 2138. Incorporation of Federal Aviation Administration occupations 
                            relating to unmanned aircraft into veterans 
                            employment programs of the administration.
Sec. 2139. Report on UAS and chemical aerial application.
Sec. 2140. Part 107 implementation improvements.
Sec. 2141. Expansion of part 107 waiver authority.
Sec. 2142. Redesignation.
Sec. 2143. Sense of Congress on emergency exemption process.
Sec. 2144. Unmanned aircraft systems in restricted buildings or 
                            grounds.

                        PART III--Other Matters

Sec. 2151. Federal and local authorities.
Sec. 2152. Spectrum.
Sec. 2153. Use of unmanned aircraft systems at institutions of higher 
                            education.
Sec. 2154. Transition language.
Sec. 2155. Community and technical college centers of excellence in 
                            small unmanned aircraft system technology 
                            training.
Sec. 2156. Authorization of appropriations for Know Before You Fly 
                            campaign.
Sec. 2157. Strategy for responding to public safety threats and 
                            enforcement utility of unmanned aircraft 
                            systems.

                        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.

                   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 Communication Board.

                       PART IV--Safety Workforce

Sec. 2241. Safety workforce training strategy.

                     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. Access to air carrier flight decks.
Sec. 2302. Aircraft tracking and flight data.
Sec. 2303. Flight attendant duty period limitations and rest 
                            requirements.
Sec. 2304. Report on obsolete test equipment.
Sec. 2305. Plan for systems to provide direct warnings of potential 
                            runway incursions.
Sec. 2306. Helicopter air ambulance operations data and reports.
Sec. 2307. Part 135 accident and incident data.
Sec. 2308. Definition of human factors.
Sec. 2309. Sense of Congress; pilot in command authority.
Sec. 2310. Enhancing ASIAS.
Sec. 2311. Improving runway safety.
Sec. 2312. Safe air transportation of lithium cells and batteries.
Sec. 2313. Aircraft cabin evacuation procedures.
Sec. 2314. Annual safety incident report.
Sec. 2315. Airline safety enhancement.
Sec. 2316. Aircraft air quality.
Sec. 2317. Emergency medical equipment on passenger aircraft.

                  Subtitle D--General Aviation Safety

Sec. 2401. Automated weather observing systems policy.
Sec. 2402. Requirement to consult with stakeholders in defining scope 
                            and requirements for Future Flight Service 
                            Program.
Sec. 2403. Aviation fuel.
Sec. 2404. Applicability of medical certification standards to 
                            operators of air balloons.
Sec. 2405. Technical corrections.
Sec. 2406. Rotorcraft crash resistant fuel systems.

                     Subtitle E--General Provisions

Sec. 2501. FAA technical training.
Sec. 2502. Safety critical staffing.
Sec. 2503. Approach control radar.
Sec. 2504. Airspace management advisory committee.
Sec. 2505. Report on conspicuity needs for surface vehicles operating 
                            on the airside of air carrier served 
                            airports.
Sec. 2506. Study on the effect of extreme weather on air travel.
Sec. 2507. Self-piloted aircraft introduction plan.
Sec. 2508. Portability of repairman certificates.
Sec. 2509. Revision of certain regulations relating to repair station 
                            certificates.
Sec. 2510. Critical airfield markings.
Sec. 2511. Report on aircraft rescue and firefighting training 
                            facilities.

             Subtitle F--General Aviation Pilot Protections

Sec. 2601. Short title.
Sec. 2602. Expansion of Pilot's Bill of Rights.
Sec. 2603. Limitations on reexamination of certificate holders.
Sec. 2604. Expediting updates to NOTAM Program.
Sec. 2605. Accessibility of certain flight data.
Sec. 2606. 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. Addressing the needs of families of passengers involved in 
                            aircraft accidents.
Sec. 3104. Travelers with disabilities.
Sec. 3105. Extension of Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer 
                            Protection.
Sec. 3106. Extension of competitive access reports.
Sec. 3107. Refunds for other fees that are not honored by a covered air 
                            carrier.
Sec. 3108. Disclosure of fees to consumers.
Sec. 3109. Seat assignments.
Sec. 3110. Advance boarding during pregnancy.
Sec. 3111. Consumer complaint process improvement.
Sec. 3112. Aviation Consumer Advocate.
Sec. 3113. Online access to aviation consumer protection information.
Sec. 3114. Study on in cabin wheelchair restraint systems.
Sec. 3115. Advisory committee on the air travel needs of passengers 
                            with disabilities.
Sec. 3116. Improving wheelchair assistance for individuals with 
                            disabilities.
Sec. 3117. Regulations ensuring assistance for individuals with 
                            disabilities in air transportation.
Sec. 3118. Civil penalties relating to harm to passengers with 
                            disabilities.
Sec. 3119. Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights.
Sec. 3120. Enforcement of aviation consumer protection rules.
Sec. 3121. Dimensions for passenger seats.
Sec. 3122. Cell phone voice communications.
Sec. 3123. TICKETS Act.
Sec. 3124. Transparency for disabled passengers.
Sec. 3125. Report on availability of lavatories on commercial aircraft.
Sec. 3126. Training policies regarding racial, ethnic, and religious 
                            nondiscrimination.
Sec. 3127. Consumer protection requirements relating to large ticket 
                            agents.
Sec. 3128. Sense of Congress Regarding Equal Access for Individuals 
                            with Disabilities.
Sec. 3129. Regulations prohibiting the imposition of fees that are not 
                            reasonable and proportional to the costs 
                            incurred.

                   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.

                 TITLE IV--NEXTGEN AND FAA ORGANIZATION

Sec. 4001. Definitions.

             Subtitle A--NextGen Air Transportation System

Sec. 4101. Return on investment report.
Sec. 4102. Ensuring FAA readiness to provide seamless oceanic 
                            operations.
Sec. 4103. Annual NextGen performance goals.
Sec. 4104. Air traffic control operational contingency plans.
Sec. 4105. 2020 ADS-B Out mandate plan.
Sec. 4106. NextGen interoperability.
Sec. 4107. NextGen transition management.
Sec. 4108. Implementation of NextGen operational improvements.
Sec. 4109. Securing aircraft avionics systems.
Sec. 4110. Defining NextGen.
Sec. 4111. Human factors.
Sec. 4112. Major acquisition reports.
Sec. 4113. Equipage mandates.
Sec. 4114. Workforce.
Sec. 4115. Programmatic risk management.
Sec. 4116. Program management.
Sec. 4117. System-wide improvements.
Sec. 4118. NextGen research.
Sec. 4119. Annual report on NextGen implementation.

         Subtitle B--Administration Organization and Employees

Sec. 4201. Cost-saving initiatives.
Sec. 4202. Federal Aviation Administration performance measures and 
                            targets.
Sec. 4203. Treatment of essential employees during furloughs.
Sec. 4204. Controller candidate interviews.
Sec. 4205. Report on plans for air traffic control facilities in the 
                            New York City and Newark region.
Sec. 4206. Work plan for the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia 
                            Metropolitan Area Airspace Project.
Sec. 4207. Air traffic services at aviation events.
Sec. 4208. Annual report on inclusion of disabled veteran leave in 
                            personnel management system.
Sec. 4209. Application of veterans' preference to Federal Aviation 
                            Administration personnel management system.
Sec. 4210. Aircraft Registry Office.

                         TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 5001. National Transportation Safety Board investigative officers.
Sec. 5002. Overflights of national parks.
Sec. 5003. Aeronautical studies for commercial space launch site 
                            runways.
Sec. 5004. Comprehensive aviation preparedness plan.
Sec. 5005. Advanced Materials Center of Excellence.
Sec. 5006. Interference with airline employees.
Sec. 5007. Secondary cockpit barriers.
Sec. 5008. Research and deployment of certain airfield pavement 
                            technologies.
Sec. 5009. Increase in duration of general aviation aircraft 
                            registration.
Sec. 5010. Modification of limitation of liability relating to 
                            aircraft.
Sec. 5011. Government Accountability Office study of illegal drugs 
                            seized at international airports in the 
                            United States.
Sec. 5012. Government Accountability Office review of unmanned aircraft 
                            systems.
Sec. 5013. Sense of Congress on preventing the transportation of 
                            disease-carrying mosquitoes and other 
                            insects on commercial aircraft.
Sec. 5014. Treatment of multi-year lessees of large and turbine-powered 
                            multiengine aircraft.
Sec. 5015. Student outreach report.
Sec. 5016. Authorization of certain flights by stage 2 aircraft.
Sec. 5017. Rulemaking on overland supersonic flight.
Sec. 5018. Terminal aerodrome forecast.
Sec. 5019. Technical and conforming amendments.
Sec. 5020. Aviation Weather Observations.
Sec. 5021. Role of national advisory committee on travel and tourism 
                            infrastructure.
Sec. 5022. Sense of Congress regarding women in aviation.
Sec. 5023. Spectrum availability.
Sec. 5024. Report on illegal charter flights.
Sec. 5025. Federal authority over interstate transportation.

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, 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 2017'' and inserting ``section 47505(a)(2), carrying out noise 
compatibility programs under section 47504(c), an airport cooperative 
research program under section 44511, Airports Technology-Safety 
research, and Airports Technology-Efficiency research $3,350,000,000 
for fiscal year 2018 and $3,750,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2021''.
    (b) Obligational Authority.--Section 47104(c) is amended in the 
matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``September 30, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2021''.

SEC. 1002. AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.

    Section 48101(a) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) through (5) 
and inserting the following:
            ``(1) $2,877,365,122 for fiscal year 2018.
            ``(2) $2,889,379,240 for fiscal year 2019.
            ``(3) $2,906,007,932 for fiscal year 2020.
            ``(4) $2,921,493,286 for fiscal year 2021.''.

SEC. 1003. FAA OPERATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 106(k)(1) is amended by striking 
subparagraphs (A) through (E) and inserting the following:
                    ``(A) $10,123,257,311 for fiscal year 2018;
                    ``(B) $10,233,107,832 for fiscal year 2019;
                    ``(C) $10,341,034,956 for fiscal year 2020; and
                    ``(D) $10,453,299,174 for fiscal year 2021.''.
    (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 2018 through 2021''.
    (c) Authority to Transfer Funds.--Section 106(k)(3) is amended by 
striking ``2012 through 2017'' and inserting ``2018 through 2021''.

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)''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraphs (1) through (9) and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(1) $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2018.
            ``(2) $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.
            ``(3) $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.
            ``(4) $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2021.''; 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 2018 
                        through 2021, be equal to--
                                    ``(I) the sum of--
                                            ``(aa) 90 percent of the 
                                        estimated level of receipts 
                                        plus interest credited to the 
                                        Airport and Airway Trust Fund 
                                        for that fiscal year; and
                                            ``(bb) 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) less the amount calculated 
                                under subclause (I)(bb) for the fourth 
                                preceding 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 ``2017'' and inserting ``2021''.

SEC. 1006. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES.

    (a) Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.--Section 47115(j) is 
amended by striking ``2017'' and inserting ``2021''.
    (b) Extension of Compatible Land Use Planning and Projects by State 
and Local Governments.--Section 47141(f) is amended by striking 
``September 30, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2021''.
    (c) 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 ``September 30, 
2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2021''.

         Subtitle B--Airport Improvement Program Modifications

SEC. 1201. SMALL AIRPORT REGULATION RELIEF.

    Section 47114(c)(1) is amended by striking subparagraph (F) and 
inserting the following:
                    ``(F) Special rule for fiscal years 2017 through 
                2021.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) and subject to 
                subparagraph (G), the Secretary shall apportion to a 
                sponsor of an airport under that subparagraph for each 
                of fiscal years 2017 through 2021 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 
                        2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021, as applicable, 
                        under subparagraph (A); and
                            ``(iii) had scheduled air service at any 
                        point in the calendar year used to calculate 
                        the apportionment.
                    ``(G) Limitations and waivers.--The authority to 
                make apportionments in the manner prescribed in 
                subparagraph (F) may be utilized no more than 3 years 
                in a row. The Secretary may waive this limitation if 
                the Secretary determines that an airport's enplanements 
                are substantially close to 10,000 enplanements and the 
                airport sponsor or affected communities are taking 
                reasonable steps to restore enplanements above 10,000.
                    ``(H) Minimum apportionment for commercial service 
                airports with more than 8,000 passenger boardings in a 
                calendar year.--Not less than $600,000 may be 
                apportioned under subparagraph (A) for each fiscal year 
                to each sponsor of a commercial service airport that 
                had fewer than 10,000 passenger boardings, but at least 
                8,000 passenger boardings, during the prior calendar 
                year.''.

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 2018 
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 2017, 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 2017, 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) Remote Tower Program.--Section 47124(b) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3)(B)(ii), by inserting ``or remote 
        airport traffic control tower certified by the Federal Aviation 
        Administration'' after ``operating air traffic control tower''; 
        and
            (2) in clauses (i)(III) and (ii)(III) of paragraph (4)(A), 
        by inserting ``, including remote airport traffic control tower 
        equipment certified by the Federal Aviation Administration'' 
        after ``1996'' each place it appears.
    (f) 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''.
    (g) 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.''.
    (h) 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, 
2017, 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 
entitled, ``Establishment and Discontinuance Criteria for Airport 
Traffic Control Towers'', and 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, as added by section 
1204 of this Act.

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;
                    (B) a selection process for participation in the 
                pilot program; and
                    (C) a clear process for the safety and operational 
                certification of the remote towers.
            (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 analysis relating to the 
                feasibility, safety, cost, and benefits of remote 
                towers that will be addressed at each airport.
            (4) Selection criteria.--In selecting an airport for 
        participation in the pilot program, the Administrator shall 
        consider--
                    (A) how inclusion of that airport will add value to 
                assist the Administrator in evaluating the feasibility, 
                safety, costs, and 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, costs, and 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, for 
                airports without an 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, as 
                added by section 1204 of this Act.
                    (B) Remote tower.--The term ``remote tower'' means 
                a remotely operated air navigation facility, including 
                all necessary system components, that provides the 
                functions and capabilities of an air traffic control 
                tower whereby air traffic services are provided to 
                operators at an airport from a location that may not be 
                on or near the airport.
    (b) Remote Tower Program.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
which the first remote tower is commissioned to operate under this 
section, the Administrator shall establish a process to authorize the 
construction and commissioning operation of additional remote towers, 
that are certificated under subsection (a)(1)(C), at other airports.
    (c) AIP Funding Eligibility.--For purposes of the pilot program 
under subsection (a), and after certificated remote towers are 
available under subsection (b), 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, as needed, 
for off-airport sensors installed on leased towers.

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 ``for fiscal years 2012 through 2017'' and inserting ``for 
fiscal years 2018 through 2021''.

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 2017,'' 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 section 
        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 
inserting after section 47142 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 ``7505a) and 
                if such project will result in an airport receiving 
                appropriate'' and inserting ``7505a)) and if 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 most recently published National 
        Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) report.'';
            (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 most recently published National Plan 
        of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) report 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. MORATORIUM ON CHANGES TO THE CONTRACT WEATHER OBSERVER 
              PROGRAM.

    The Administrator may not discontinue the Contract Weather Observer 
Program at any airport until October 1, 2021.

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 similar 
        accommodation that--
                    ``(A) provides a location for an individual to 
                express breast milk that is shielded from view and free 
                from intrusion;
                    ``(B) has a door that can be locked by the 
                individual;
                    ``(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 hub airport or large hub 
        airport, the airport owner or operator will maintain a 
        lactation area in each passenger terminal building of the 
        commercial service 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 in 1 or more passenger terminal buildings 
        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 section 47107(a)(22) 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 section 47102 of that title, as added by 
subsection (a).

SEC. 1223. DEFINITION OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN.

    Section 47113(a)(1) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(1) `small business concern'--
                    ``(A) has the meaning given the term in section 3 
                of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632); but
                    ``(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;''.

SEC. 1224. STATE STANDARDS FOR AIRPORT PAVEMENTS.

    Section 47105(c) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(1) In general.--'' before ``The 
        Secretary'' the first place it appears; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Pavement standards.--
                    ``(A) Technical assistance.--At the request of a 
                State, the Secretary shall, not later than 30 days 
                after the date of the request, provide technical 
                assistance to the State in developing standards, 
                acceptable to the Secretary under subparagraph (B), for 
                pavement on nonprimary public-use airports in the 
                State.
                    ``(B) Requirements.--The Secretary shall--
                            ``(i) continue to provide technical 
                        assistance under subparagraph (A) until the 
                        standards are approved under paragraph (1); and
                            ``(ii) clearly indicate to the State the 
                        standards that are acceptable to the Secretary, 
                        considering, at a minimum, local conditions and 
                        locally available materials.''.

SEC. 1225. ELIGIBILITY OF CCTV PROJECTS FOR AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT 
              PROGRAM.

    Section 47119(a)(1)(B) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``directly related to moving passengers'' 
        and inserting the following: ``directly related to--
                            ``(i) moving passengers'';
            (2) by striking ``; and'' at the end and inserting ``; 
        or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ii) installing security cameras in the 
                        public area of the interior and exterior of the 
                        terminal; and''.

SEC. 1226. CLARIFICATION OF REIMBURSABLE ALLOWED COSTS OF FAA MEMORANDA 
              OF AGREEMENT.

    Section 47504(c)(2) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(F) to an airport operator of a congested airport 
                (as defined in section 47175) and a unit of local 
                government referred to in paragraph (1)(B) to carry out 
                a project to mitigate noise, if the project--
                            ``(i) consists of--
                                    ``(I) replacement windows, doors, 
                                and the installation of through-the-
                                wall air-conditioning units; or
                                    ``(II) acquisition or installation 
                                of windows, doors, or other noise 
                                mitigation elements to be used in a 
                                school reconstruction, if 
                                reconstruction is the preferred local 
                                solution;
                            ``(ii) is located at a school near the 
                        airport; and
                            ``(iii) is included in a memorandum of 
                        agreement entered into before September 30, 
                        2002, even if the airport has not met the 
                        requirements of part 150 of title 14, Code of 
                        Federal Regulations, and only if the financial 
                        limitations of the memorandum are applied.''.

SEC. 1227. LIMITED REGULATION OF NON-FEDERALLY SPONSORED PROPERTY.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
Secretary of Transportation may not directly or indirectly regulate--
            (1) the acquisition, use, lease, encumbrance, transfer, or 
        disposal of land by an airport owner or operator;
            (2) any facility upon such land; or
            (3) any portion of such land or facility.
    (b) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) does not apply to any regulation--
            (1) ensuring--
                    (A) the safe and efficient operation of aircraft;
                    (B) that an airport owner or operator receives not 
                less than fair market value in the context of a 
                commercial transaction for the use, lease, encumbrance, 
                transfer, or disposal of land, any facilities on such 
                land, or any portion of such land or facilities; or
                    (C) that the airport pays not more than fair market 
                value in the context of a commercial transaction for 
                the acquisition of land or facilities on such land; or
            (2) imposed with respect to land or a facility acquired 
        using Federal funding.
    (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to affect the applicability of section 47107(b) or 47113 of 
title 49, United States Code, to revenues generated by the use, lease, 
encumbrance, transfer, or disposal of land under subsection (a), 
facilities upon such land, or any portion of such land or facilities.

SEC. 1228. PILOT PROGRAM FOR USE OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONTRACTING 
              REQUIREMENTS UNDER FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION 
              GRANTS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a 
pilot program under which a sponsor that receives a grant from the 
Federal Aviation Administration to carry out a project may use social 
or economic contracting requirements, such as local or other geographic 
labor hiring preferences, economic-based labor hiring preferences, or 
hiring preferences for veterans, in entering into contracts to carry 
out that project.
    (b) Model.--The pilot program established under subsection (a) 
shall be modeled after the pilot program announced by the Department of 
Transportation in the Federal Register on March 6, 2015 (80 Fed. Reg. 
12257) under which recipients of grants from the Federal Highway 
Administration or the Federal Transit Administration may use social or 
economic contracting requirements.
    (c) Termination.--
            (1) In general.--The pilot program established under 
        subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 3 years 
        after the date of enactment of this Act.
            (2) Applicability to contracts.--Contracting requirements 
        authorized under the pilot program established under subsection 
        (a) shall continue to apply to a contract awarded under the 
        pilot program before the termination date specified in 
        paragraph (1) until the termination date of the contract.
    (d) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the termination 
of the pilot program under subsection (c)(1), the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress a report assessing--
            (1) the effects of the use of contracting requirements 
        described in subsection (a) under the pilot program on the 
        competitive bidding process for contracts to carry out projects 
        for which the Federal Aviation Administration provided grants; 
        and
            (2) the advisability of authorizing the use of such 
        requirements on an ongoing basis.
    (e) Guidelines.--A sponsor using contracting requirements described 
in subsection (a) for a project under the pilot program established 
under that subsection shall submit to the Secretary information 
necessary for the report required by subsection (d), including--
            (1) information on the effects of using such contracting 
        requirements on--
                    (A) the competitive bidding process for contracts 
                to carry out the project; and
                    (B) the costs of the project;
            (2) information on the social and economic effects of using 
        such contracting requirements;
            (3) information on the effects of using such contracting 
        requirements on veterans; and
            (4) such other information relating to the pilot program as 
        the Secretary may request.

                     Subtitle C--FLIGHT Act of 2017

SEC. 1301. SHORT TITLE.

    (a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the ``Forward 
Looking Investment in General Aviation, Hangars, and Tarmacs Act of 
2017'' or the ``FLIGHT Act of 2017''.

SEC. 1302. GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT ENTITLEMENT REFORM.

    (a) Apportionment.--Section 47114(d)(3) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as 
        subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively;
            (2) by inserting before subparagraph (B), as redesignated, 
        the following:
                    ``(A) Not less than $25,000,000 to airports 
                designated as disaster relief airports under section 
                47132 to enhance the ability of such airports to aid in 
                disaster relief, including through funding for airport 
                development described in section 47102(3)(P).''; and
            (3) in subparagraph (B), as redesignated, by striking ``To 
        each airport'' and inserting ``Subject to subparagraph (A), to 
        each airport''.
    (b) Period of Availability.--Section 47117(b) is amended by 
striking ``3'' and inserting ``4''.
    (c) United States Share of Project Costs.--Section 47109 is amended 
by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Cost Share.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the 
        Government's share of allowable project costs may be increased 
        by the Administrator to 95 percent for a project at an airport 
        that is categorized as a basic or unclassified airport in the 
        most recently published National Plan of Integrated Airport 
        Systems (NPIAS) report.
            ``(2) Multi-year projects.--If an airport sponsor has an 
        approved multi-year project, approved by the Administrator, and 
        the airport is recategorized above basic category, the cost 
        share for that project shall remain at the cost share specified 
        in paragraph (1) for the duration of the project.''.
    (d) Use of Apportioned Amounts.--Section 47117(e)(1) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) All amounts subject to apportionment for a 
                fiscal year that are not apportioned under section 
                47114(d), for grants to sponsors of general aviation 
                airports, reliever airports, or nonprimary commercial 
                service airports.''.

SEC. 1303. EXTENDING AVIATION DEVELOPMENT STREAMLINING.

    (a) In General.--Section 47171 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
        (1), by inserting ``general aviation airport construction or 
        improvement projects,'' after ``congested airports,'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph 
                (3); and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) General aviation airport construction or improvement 
        project.--A general aviation airport construction or 
        improvement project shall be subject to the coordinated and 
        expedited environmental review process requirements set forth 
        in this section.'';
            (3) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``(b)(2)'' and 
        inserting ``(b)(3)'';
            (4) in subsection (d), by striking ``(b)(2)'' and inserting 
        ``(b)(3)'';
            (5) in subsection (h), by striking ``(b)(2)'' and inserting 
        ``(b)(3)''; and
            (6) in subsection (k), by striking ``(b)(2)'' and inserting 
        ``(b)(3)''.
    (b) Definitions.--Section 47175 is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) 
        as paragraphs (2), (5), (1), (3), and (4), respectively, and by 
        rearranging such paragraphs so that they appear in numerical 
        order;
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
            ``(7) General aviation airport construction or improvement 
        project.--The term `general aviation airport construction or 
        improvement project' means--
                    ``(A) a project for the construction or extension 
                of a runway, including any land acquisition, helipad, 
                taxiway, safety area, apron, or navigational aids 
                associated with the runway or runway extension, at a 
                general aviation airport, a reliever airport, or a 
                commercial service airport that is not a primary 
                airport (as such terms are defined in section 47102); 
                and
                    ``(B) any other airport development project that 
                the Secretary designates as facilitating aviation 
                capacity building projects at a general aviation 
                airport.''.

SEC. 1304. ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC PRIVATE-PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM AT 
              GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORTS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 481 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 48115. General aviation public-private partnership program
    ``(a) Small Airport Public-private Partnership Program.--The 
Secretary of Transportation shall establish a program that meets the 
requirements under this section for improving facilities at--
            ``(1) general aviation airports; and
            ``(2) privately owned airports used or intended to be used 
        for public purposes that do not have scheduled air service.
    ``(b) Application Required.--The operator or sponsor of an airport, 
or the community in which an airport is located, seeking, on behalf of 
the airport, to participate in the program established under subsection 
(a) shall submit an application to the Secretary in such form, at such 
time, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, 
including--
            ``(1) an assessment of the needs of the airport for 
        additional or improved hangars, airport businesses, or other 
        facilities;
            ``(2) the ability of the airport to leverage private sector 
        investments on the airport or develop public-private 
        partnerships to build or improve facilities at the airport; and
            ``(3) if the application is submitted by a community, 
        evidence that the airport supports the application.
    ``(c) Limitation.--
            ``(1) State limit.--Not more than 4 airports in the same 
        State may be selected to participate in the program established 
        under subsection (a) in any fiscal year.
            ``(2) Dollar amount limit.--Not more than $500,000 shall be 
        made available for any one-time grant to an airport in any 
        fiscal year under the program established under subsection (a).
    ``(d) Priorities.--In selecting airports for participation in the 
program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give 
priority to airports at which--
            ``(1) the operator or sponsor of the airport, or the 
        community in which the airport is located--
                    ``(A) will provide a portion of the cost of the 
                project for which assistance is sought under the 
                program from local sources;
                    ``(B) will employ best business practices in 
                developing or implementing a public-private 
                partnership; or
                    ``(C) has established, or will establish, a public-
                private partnership to build or improve facilities at 
                the airport; or
            ``(2) the assistance will be used in a timely fashion.
    ``(e) Types of Assistance.--The Secretary may use amounts made 
available under this section--
            ``(1) to provide assistance to market an airport to private 
        entities or individuals in order to leverage private sector 
        investments or develop public-private partnerships for the 
        purposes of building or improving hangars, businesses, or other 
        facilities at the airport;
            ``(2) to fund studies that consider what measures an 
        airport should take to attract private sector investment at the 
        airport; or
            ``(3) to participate in a partnership described in 
        paragraph (1) or an investment described in paragraph (2).
    ``(f) Authority to Make Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into 
agreements with airports and entities entering into partnerships with 
airports under this section to provide assistance under this section.
    ``(g) Availability of Amounts From Airport and Airway Trust Fund.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated, 
        out of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund established under 
        section 9502 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, $5,000,000 
        for each of the fiscal years 2018 through 2021 to carry out 
        this section. Amounts appropriated pursuant to this paragraph 
        shall remain available until expended.
            ``(2) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to 
        paragraph (1)--
                    ``(A) shall remain available until expended; and
                    ``(B) shall be in addition to any amounts made 
                available pursuant to section 48103.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 481 is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``48115. General aviation public-private partnership program.''.

SEC. 1305. DISASTER RELIEF AIRPORTS.

    (a) Designation of Disaster Relief Airports.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 471 is amended by 
        inserting after section 47131 the following:
``Sec. 47132. Disaster relief airports
    ``(a) Designation.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
        designate as a disaster relief airport an airport that--
                    ``(A) is categorized as a regional reliever airport 
                in the most recently published National Plan of 
                Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) report;
                    ``(B) is within a reasonable distance, as 
                determined by the Secretary, of a hospital or 
                transplant or trauma center;
                    ``(C) is in a region that the Secretary determines 
                under subsection (b) is prone to natural disasters;
                    ``(D) has at least 1 paved runway with not less 
                than 3,400 feet of useable length capable of supporting 
                aircraft up to 12,500 pounds;
                    ``(E) has aircraft maintenance or servicing 
                facilities at the airport able to provide aircraft 
                fueling and light maintenance services; and
                    ``(F) has adequate taxiway and ramp space to 
                accommodate single engine or light multi-engine 
                aircraft simultaneously for loading and unloading of 
                supplies.
            ``(2) Designation in states without qualifying airports.--
        If fewer than 3 airports described in paragraph (1) are located 
        in a State, the Secretary, in consultation with aviation 
        officials of that State, shall designate not more than 3 
        general aviation airports in that State as a disaster relief 
        airport under this section.
    ``(b) Prone to Natural Disasters.--
            ``(1) In general.--For the purposes of subsection 
        (a)(1)(C), a region is prone to natural disasters if--
                    ``(A) in the case of earthquakes, there is not less 
                than a 50 percent probability that an earthquake of 
                magnitude 6 or above will occur in the region within 30 
                years, according to the United States Geological 
                Survey; or
                    ``(B) in the case of other types of natural 
                disasters, the President has declared more than 5 major 
                disasters in the region under section 401 of the Robert 
                T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
                Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), according to the most recent map 
                of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
            ``(2) Natural disaster defined.--For the purposes of this 
        section, the term `natural disaster' includes a hurricane, 
        tornado, severe storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal 
        wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, 
        mudslide, snowstorm, drought, or wildfire.
    ``(c) Requirements.--
            ``(1) Operation and maintenance.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A disaster relief airport and 
                the facilities and fixed-based operators on or 
                connected with the airport shall be operated and 
                maintained in a manner the Secretary consider suitable 
                for disaster relief.
                    ``(B) Exclusion.--A disaster relief airport shall 
                not be considered to be in violation of subparagraph 
                (A) if a runway is unuseable because the runway is 
                under scheduled maintenance or is in need of necessary 
                repairs.
            ``(2) Compliance with assurances on airport operations.--A 
        disaster relief airport shall comply with the provisions of 
        section 47107 without regard whether the airport has received a 
        project grant under this subchapter.
            ``(3) Natural disaster management plan.--A disaster relief 
        airport shall develop an emergency natural disaster management 
        plan in coordination with local emergency response teams and 
        first responders.
    ``(d) Civil Penalty.--A public agency that knowingly violates this 
section shall be liable to the United States Government for a civil 
penalty of not more than $10,000 for each day of the violation.
    ``(e) Consideration for Project Grants.--The Secretary shall give 
consideration to the role an airport plays in disaster relief when 
determining whether to provide a grant for the airport under this 
subchapter.
    ``(f) Applicability of Other Laws.--This section shall apply 
notwithstanding any other law, including regulations and agreements.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 471 is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 47131 the 
following:

``47132. Disaster relief airports.''.

SEC. 1306. AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT RELATING TO DISASTER RELIEF.

    Section 47102(3), as amended by sections 1216 and 1222, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(P) planning, acquiring, or constructing at an 
                airport designated as a disaster relief airport under 
                section 47132, including--
                            ``(i) planning for disaster preparedness 
                        associated with maintaining airport operations 
                        during a natural disaster;
                            ``(ii) airport communication equipment and 
                        fixed emergency generators that are not able to 
                        be acquired by programs funded under the 
                        Department of Homeland Security; and
                            ``(iii) constructing, expanding, and 
                        improving airfield infrastructure to include 
                        aprons and terminal buildings the Secretary 
                        determines will facilitate disaster response at 
                        the airport.''.

SEC. 1307. INCLUSION OF COVERED AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION IN DEFINITION OF 
              AERONAUTICAL ACTIVITY FOR PURPOSES OF AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT 
              GRANTS.

    Section 47107 is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(u) Construction, Repair, and Restoration 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 sponsor'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 to be operated under appropriate 
                regulations under title 14 of the Code of Federal 
                Regulations; and
                    ``(B) constructed or under construction, repair, or 
                restoration by a private individual at a general 
                aviation airport.''.

                 Subtitle D--Passenger Facility Charges

SEC. 1401. 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'';
            (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``nonhub'' and inserting 
        ``nonhub, small hub, medium hub, and large hub''; and
            (3) in paragraph (6), by striking ``Not later than 180 days 
        after the date of enactment of this subsection, the'' and 
        inserting ``The''.

SEC. 1402. 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. 1403. 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 a qualified 
organization 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 qualified 
organization shall convene and consult with a panel of national 
experts, including representatives of--
            (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) the tourism industry.
    (c) Considerations.--In carrying out the study, the qualified 
organization 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 available financing tools and resources for 
        airports in rural areas;
            (4) the current debt held by airports, and its impact on 
        future construction and capacity needs;
            (5) the impact of capacity constraints on passengers and 
        ticket prices;
            (6) the purchasing power of the passenger facility charge 
        from the last increase in 2000 to the year of enactment of this 
        Act;
            (7) the impact to passengers and airports of indexing the 
        passenger facility charge for inflation;
            (8) how long airports are constrained with current 
        passenger facility charge collections;
            (9) the impact of passenger facility charges on promoting 
        competition;
            (10) the additional resources or options to fund terminal 
        construction projects;
            (11) the resources eligible for use toward noise reduction 
        and emission reduction projects;
            (12) the gap between the cost of projects eligible for the 
        airport improvement program and the annual Federal funding 
        provided;
            (13) the impact of regulatory requirements on airport 
        infrastructure financing needs;
            (14) airline competition;
            (15) airline ancillary fees and their impact on ticket 
        pricing and taxable revenue; and
            (16) 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 qualified organization 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.
    (f) Definition of Qualified Organization.--In this section, the 
term ``qualified organization'' means an independent nonprofit 
organization that recommends solutions to public policy challenges 
through objective research and analysis.

SEC. 1404. AIRPORT VEHICLE EMISSIONS.

    Section 40117(a)(3)(G) is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(G) A project to reduce emissions under 
                subchapter I of chapter 471 or to use cleaner burning 
                conventional fuels, or for acquiring for use at a 
                commercial service airport vehicles or ground support 
                equipment that include low-emission technology or to 
                use cleaner burning fuels, or if the airport is located 
                in an air quality nonattainment area (as defined in 
                section 171(2) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 
                7501(2))) or a maintenance area referred to in section 
                175A of such Act (42 U.S.C. 7505a), a project to 
                retrofit any such vehicles or equipment that are 
                powered by a diesel or gasoline engine with emission 
                control technologies certified or verified by the 
                Environmental Protection Agency to reduce emissions, if 
                such project would be able to receive emission credits 
                for the project from the governing State or Federal 
                environmental agency as described in section 47139.''.

SEC. 1405. USE OF PASSENGER FACILITY CHARGE REVENUE TO ENHANCE SECURITY 
              AT AIRPORTS.

    Section 40117(a)(3) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(H) A project for the construction, repair, or 
                improvement of facilities at an airport, or for the 
                acquisition or installation of equipment at an airport, 
                to enhance the security of any area of the airport 
                directly and substantially related to the movement of 
                passengers and baggage in air transportation. Such a 
                project shall not include the acquisition, 
                installation, operation or maintenance of screening 
                equipment and technology or the functions or activities 
                of the Transportation Security Administration under 
                subsections (d) and (e) of section 114.''.

                            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. 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, except those operated 
        for news gathering activities protected by the First Amendment 
        to the Constitution of the United States, 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 the earlier of--
            (1) the date of publication of a final rule or guidance 
        regarding identification standards under section 2202 of the 
        FAA Extension Safety and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-
        190; 130 Stat. 615); or
            (2) September 30, 2021.

SEC. 2105. 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 2017, 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 test sites to facilitate the safe integration of 
unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system.
            ``(2) Termination.--The program shall terminate on 
        September 30, 2024.
    ``(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 visual line of sight operations, 
                nighttime operations, operations over people, and 
                unmanned aircraft systems 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, or at night, 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 2017, 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 2017, and every 180 days thereafter 
        until September 30, 2024, 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 subsection (g), that relate to unmanned 
                aircraft systems research priorities, including beyond 
                visual line of sight operations, nighttime operations, 
                operations over people, sense and avoid technology, and 
                unmanned aircraft systems traffic management;
                    ``(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.
    ``(g) Collaborative Research and Development Agreements.--The 
Administrator may use the other transaction authority under section 
106(l)(6) and enter into collaborative research and development 
agreements, to direct research related to unmanned aircraft systems, 
including at any test site under subsection (a), and in coordination 
with the Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
    ``(h) Use of Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.--
The Administrator, in carrying out research necessary to establish the 
consensus safety standards requirements in section 44803 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.''.
    (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. SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 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. Small unmanned aircraft safety standards
    ``(a) Consensus Safety Standards.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
        enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2017, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall charter an aviation rulemaking 
        advisory committee to develop recommendations for the 
        following:
                    ``(A) Risk-based, consensus safety standards 
                related to the safe integration of small unmanned 
                aircraft systems into the national airspace system 
                (referred to in this section as `consensus safety 
                standards') that can evolve or be updated as 
                appropriate.
                    ``(B) A Federal Aviation Administration process for 
                permitting, authorizing, or approving small unmanned 
                aircraft systems and their operations based on the 
                safety standards to be accepted by the Administrator 
                under this section.
            ``(2) FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
        App.) shall not apply to an aviation rulemaking advisory 
        committee chartered under this subsection.
    ``(b) Considerations.--In developing recommended consensus safety 
standards under subsection (a) the members of the aviation rulemaking 
advisory committee 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 2202 
        of the FAA Extension Safety and Security Act of 2016 (Public 
        Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 615), including for model aircraft 
        operations authorized under section 44808.
            ``(7) Cost-benefit and risk analyses regarding updates to 
        or modifications of small unmanned aircraft systems that were 
        commercially distributed prior to the development of the 
        consensus safety standards so that, to the greatest extent 
        practicable, such systems meet consensus safety standards that 
        may be accepted pursuant to subsection (d).
            ``(8) Cost-benefit and risk analyses of consensus safety 
        standards that may be accepted pursuant to subsection (d) for 
        newly designed small unmanned aircraft systems.
            ``(9) Applicability of consensus safety standards to small 
        unmanned aircraft systems that are not commercially 
        distributed, including home-built small unmanned aircraft 
        systems.
            ``(10) Any technology or standard related to small unmanned 
        aircraft systems that promotes aviation safety.
            ``(11) Any category of unmanned aircraft systems that 
        should be exempt from the consensus safety standards based on 
        risk factors.
    ``(c) Consultation.--In developing recommendations for consensus 
safety standards under subsection (a), the Aviation Rulemaking 
Committee shall consult with--
            ``(1) unmanned aircraft systems stakeholders, including 
        manufacturers of varying sizes of unmanned aircraft;
            ``(2) community-based aviation organizations;
            ``(3) the Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft 
        Systems;
            ``(4) each operator of a test site under section 44802;
            ``(5) the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and 
        Space Administration;
            ``(6) the Secretary of Defense; and
            ``(7) the leaders of appropriate standards development 
        organizations, including the President of RTCA, Inc. and the 
        Director of the National Institute for Standards and 
        Technology.
    ``(d) FAA Process for Acceptance and Authorization.--Not later than 
180 days after the date of receipt of the recommendations under 
subsection (a)(2), the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall establish a process based on those recommendations 
for--
            ``(1) the acceptance by the Federal Aviation Administration 
        of consensus safety standards recommended under subsection 
        (a)(1);
            ``(2) permitting, authorizing, or the approving small 
        unmanned aircraft systems makes and models based upon the 
        consensus safety standards accepted under paragraph (1);
            ``(3) the certification of a manufacturer of small unmanned 
        aircraft systems that has demonstrated compliance with 
        consensus safety standards accepted under subsection (d)(1), 
        which shall allow the Administrator to enable the self-
        certification by a manufacturer of small unmanned aircraft 
        systems to the standards; and
            ``(4) the certification of a manufacturer of small unmanned 
        aircraft systems, or an employee of such manufacturer, that has 
        demonstrated compliance with the consensus safety standards 
        developed under subsection (a) and accepted under subsection 
        (d)(1) and met any other qualifying criteria, as determined by 
        the Administrator, to alternatively satisfy the requirements of 
        paragraph (2).
    ``(e) Nonapplicability of Other Laws.--The process for permitting, 
authorizing, or approving the operation of small unmanned aircraft 
systems under subsection (d) shall allow for operation of any 
applicable small unmanned aircraft systems within the national airspace 
system without requiring--
            ``(1) airworthiness certification requirements under 
        section 44704 of this title; and
            ``(2) type certification under parts 21 or 23 of title 14, 
        Code of Federal Regulations.
    ``(f) Model Aircraft.--The standards accepted under subsection (d) 
shall be applicable to model aircraft operations authorized under 
section 44808.
    ``(g) Revocation.--The Administrator may revoke the permission, 
authorization, or approval in subsection (d) if the Administrator 
determines that the manufacturer is no longer in compliance with the 
standards accepted by the Administrator under subsection (d)(1).
    ``(h) Requirements.--With regard to a permit, authorization, or 
approval under the process in subsection (d), the Administrator may 
require a manufacturer of small unmanned aircraft systems to provide 
the FAA with the following:
            ``(1) The aircraft system's operating instructions.
            ``(2) The aircraft system's recommended maintenance and 
        inspection procedures.
            ``(3) The manufacturer's statement of compliance described 
        in subsection (i).
            ``(4) Upon request, a sample aircraft to be inspected by 
        the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure compliance with 
        the consensus safety standards accepted by the Administrator 
        under subsection (d).
    ``(i) Manufacturer's Statement of Compliance for Small UAS.--A 
manufacturer's statement of compliance shall--
            ``(1) identify the aircraft make and model, and any 
        applicable consensus safety standards used;
            ``(2) state that the aircraft make and model meets the 
        provisions of the consensus safety standards identified in 
        paragraph (1);
            ``(3) state that the aircraft make and model conforms to 
        the manufacturer's design data and is manufactured in a way 
        that ensures consistency across units in the production process 
        in order to meet the applicable consensus safety standards 
        accepted by the Administrator;
            ``(4) state that the manufacturer will make available to 
        any interested person--
                    ``(A) the aircraft's operating instructions, that 
                meet the consensus safety standards identified in 
                paragraph (1); and
                    ``(B) the aircraft's recommended maintenance and 
                inspection procedures, that meet the consensus safety 
                standards identified in paragraph (1);
            ``(5) state that the manufacturer will monitor safety-of-
        flight issues to ensure it meets the consensus safety standards 
        identified in paragraph (1);
            ``(6) state that at the request of the Administrator, the 
        manufacturer will provide reasonable access for the 
        Administrator to its facilities for the purposes of overseeing 
        compliance with this section; and
            ``(7) state that the manufacturer, in accordance with 
        testing requirements identified by the Federal Aviation 
        Administration, 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.
    ``(j) Prohibitions.--
            ``(1) False statements of compliance.--It shall be unlawful 
        for any person to knowingly submit a statement of compliance 
        described in subsection (i) that is materially false.
            ``(2) Introduction into interstate commerce.--It shall be 
        unlawful for any person to knowingly introduce or deliver for 
        introduction into interstate commerce any small unmanned 
        aircraft system for which standards developed under subsection 
        (d) are accepted and are applicable, and are manufactured after 
        the date that the Administrator accepts any applicable safety 
        standards under this section unless--
                    ``(A) the make and model has been permitted, 
                authorized, or approved for operation under subsection 
                (d); or
                    ``(B) the aircraft has alternatively received type, 
                design, and production approval issued by the Federal 
                Aviation Administration.
    ``(k) Exclusions.--The Administrator shall exempt from the 
requirements of this section small unmanned aircraft systems that are 
not capable of navigating beyond the visual line of sight of the 
operator through advanced flight systems and technology, if the 
Administrator determines that such an exemption does not pose a risk to 
the safety of the national airspace system.''.
    (b) Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research Facility.--The Center of 
Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems shall establish an unmanned 
aircraft systems research facility to study appropriate safety 
standards for unmanned aircraft systems and to validate such standards, 
as directed by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration, consistent with section 44803 of title 49, United 
States Code, as added by this section.
    (c) 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. Small unmanned aircraft safety standards.''.

SEC. 2124. SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT IN THE ARCTIC.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2123 of this 
Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44803 the following:
``Sec. 44804. Small unmanned aircraft 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 small 
unmanned aircraft beyond the visual 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.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), 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 for approving the use of a 
        small unmanned aircraft in the designated permanent areas in 
        the Arctic without regard to whether the small unmanned 
        aircraft is used as a public aircraft, a civil aircraft, or a 
        model aircraft.
            ``(2) Existing process.--The Secretary may implement an 
        existing process to meet the requirements under paragraph 
        (1).''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Table of contents.--The table of contents for chapter 
        448, as amended by section 2123 of this Act, is further amended 
        by inserting after the item relating to section 44803 the 
        following:

``44804. Small unmanned aircraft 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. 2125. SPECIAL AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2124 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, operation over 
        people, and operation within or beyond the 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, 
2021.''.
    (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 44804 the 
        following:

``44805. Special authority 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. 2126. ADDITIONAL RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) beyond visual line of sight operations, nighttime 
        operations, and operations over people of unmanned aircraft 
        systems have tremendous potential--
                    (A) to enhance both commercial and academic use;
                    (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 4.4 pounds or more, but less 
        than 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 
        operations, nighttime operations on a routine basis, and 
        operations over people 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 2125 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 
        2017 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 at 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 micro unmanned aircraft 
        system.
            ``(2) Limitation.--The Administrator may only issue 
        regulations under this section for micro 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 a micro 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 micro 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 2125 of this Act, is further amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 44805 the following:

``44806. Additional rulemaking authority.''.

SEC. 2127. GOVERNMENTAL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2126 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 an 
operations and certification program for the operators of public 
unmanned aircraft systems 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 visual 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 2017 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 section 552a of title 5 (commonly known as the Privacy 
        Act of 1974);
            ``(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 
        the 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, including regulations and 
                policies;
                    ``(E) the establishment of policies and procedures, 
                or confirmation that policies and procedures exist, 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, including 
                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) Federal Agency Coordination to Enhance the Public Health and 
Safety Capabilities of Public Unmanned Aircraft Systems.--The 
Administrator shall assist and enable, without undue interference, 
Federal civilian government agencies that operate unmanned aircraft 
systems within civil-controlled airspace, in operationally deploying 
and integrating sense and avoid capabilities, as necessary to operate 
unmanned aircraft systems safely and effectively within the National 
Air Space.
    ``(f) 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.
    ``(g) Definition of Federal Agency.--In subsections (e) and (g), 
the term `Federal agency' has the meaning given the term `agency' in 
section 552(f) of title 5.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) 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 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.
            (3) Facilitating interagency cooperation for unmanned 
        aircraft authorization in support of firefighting operations 
        and utility restoration.--Section 2204(a) of the FAA Extension 
        Safety and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 
        615) is amended by striking ``section 334(c) of the FAA 
        Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note)'' 
        and inserting ``section 44807 of title 49, United States 
        Code''.

SEC. 2128. SPECIAL RULES FOR MODEL AIRCRAFT.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2127 of this 
Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44807 the following:
``Sec. 44808. Special rules for model aircraft
    ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (d), and 
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 regarding an unmanned aircraft operating as 
a model aircraft or an unmanned aircraft being developed 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 the 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 of the operation (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)), 
        unless the Administrator determines approval should be 
        required;
            ``(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 or developed and 
        administered by the community-based organization 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) Exceptions.--The Administrator may promulgate rules relating 
to the registration and marking of model aircraft.
    ``(e) 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 less 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 2127 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. 2129. AUTHORITY.

    The rules adopted by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration in the matter of registration and marking requirements 
for small unmanned aircraft (FAA-2015-7396; published on December 16, 
2015) that were vacated by the United States Court of Appeals for the 
District of Columbia Circuit in Taylor v. Huerta (No. 15-1495; decided 
on May 19, 2017) shall be restored to effect on the date of enactment 
of this Act.

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

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2128 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;
            ``(3) the individual is a holder of an airmen certificate 
        issued under section 44703; or
            ``(4) the individual is operating a model aircraft or an 
        unmanned aircraft being developed as a model aircraft under 
        section 44808 and has successfully completed an aeronautical 
        knowledge and safety test in accordance with the community-
        based organizations safety program described in that section.
    ``(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 2017, 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 2128 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. 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. 2132. 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 2018 through 2021.

SEC. 2133. AIRPORT SAFETY AND AIRSPACE HAZARD MITIGATION AND 
              ENFORCEMENT.

    (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. Airport safety and airspace hazard mitigation and 
              enforcement
    ``(a) Authority.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall work with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary 
of Homeland Security, and the heads of other relevant Federal 
departments and agencies for the purpose of ensuring that technologies 
or systems that are developed, tested, or deployed by Federal 
departments and agencies to detect and mitigate potential threats posed 
by errant or hostile unmanned aircraft system operations do not 
adversely impact or interfere with safe airport operations, navigation, 
air traffic services, or the safe and efficient operation of the 
national airspace system.
    ``(b) Plan.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2017, the Administrator shall develop a 
        plan for the certification, permitting, authorizing, or 
        allowing of the deployment of technologies or systems for the 
        detection and mitigation of unmanned aircraft systems.
            ``(2) Contents.--The plan shall include the development of 
        policies, procedures, or protocols that will allow appropriate 
        officials of Federal, State, or local agencies requesting to 
        utilize such technologies or systems to take steps to detect 
        and mitigate potential airspace safety threats posed by 
        unmanned aircraft system operations.
            ``(3) Aviation rulemaking advisory committee.--The 
        Administrator may charter an aviation rulemaking advisory 
        committee to make recommendations for such a plan and any 
        standards that the Administrator determines may need to be 
        developed with respect to such technologies or systems. The 
        Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply 
        to an aviation rulemaking advisory committee chartered under 
        this paragraph.
    ``(c) Airspace Hazard Mitigation Program.--In order to test and 
evaluate technologies or systems to detect and mitigate potential 
airspace safety threats posed by unmanned aircraft system operations, 
the Administrator shall deploy such technologies or systems at 5 
airports.
    ``(d) Authority.--Under the testing and evaluation in subsection 
(c), the Administrator may use unmanned aircraft detection and 
mitigation systems to detect and mitigate the unauthorized operation of 
an unmanned aircraft that poses a risk to airspace safety. Utilization 
of such technologies or systems, and the communications sent using such 
technologies and systems to unmanned aircraft systems, shall be 
regarded as equivalent to separation instructions to pilots of manned 
aircraft.
    ``(e) AIP Funding Eligibility.--Upon the certification, permitting, 
authorizing, or allowing of such technologies and systems that have 
been successfully tested under this section, an airport sponsor may 
apply for a grant under subchapter I of chapter 471 to purchase an 
unmanned aircraft detection and mitigation system. For purposes of this 
subsection, purchasing an unmanned aircraft detection and mitigation 
system shall be considered airport development (as defined in section 
47102).
    ``(f) Report.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2017, and annually thereafter, the 
        Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report on the implementation of this section, 
        including the testing and evaluation of detection and 
        mitigation systems under this section.
            ``(2) Contents.--The report under paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    ``(A) The number of unauthorized unmanned aircraft 
                operations detected, together with a description of 
                such operations.
                    ``(B) The number of instances in which unauthorized 
                unmanned aircraft were mitigated, together with a 
                description of such instances.
                    ``(C) The number of enforcement cases brought by 
                the Federal Aviation Administration for unauthorized 
                operation of unmanned aircraft detected through the 
                program, together with a description of such cases.
                    ``(D) The number of any technical failures in the 
                program, together with a description of such failures.
                    ``(E) Recommendations for safety and operational 
                standards for unmanned aircraft detection and 
                mitigation systems.
            ``(3) Format.--To the extent practicable, the report 
        prepared under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in a classified 
        format. If appropriate, the report may include an unclassified 
        summary.
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to carry out this 
section $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2021, to 
remain available until expended.
    ``(h) Applicability of Other Laws.--Section 32 of title 18, United 
States Code (commonly known as the Aircraft Sabotage Act), section 1031 
of title 18, United States Code (commonly known as the Computer Fraud 
and Abuse Act of 1986), sections 2510-2522 of title 18, United States 
Code (commonly known as the Wiretap Act), and sections 3121-3127 of 
title 18, United States Code (commonly known as the Pen/Trap Statute), 
shall not apply to any activity authorized by the Administrator 
pursuant to this section.
    ``(i) Sunset.--This section ceases to be effective September 30, 
2021.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) 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. Airport safety and airspace hazard mitigation and 
                            enforcement.''.
            (2) Pilot project for airport safety and airspace hazard 
        mitigation.--Section 2206 of the FAA Extension Safety and 
        Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 615) and 
        the item relating to that section in the table of contents 
        under section 1(b) of that Act are repealed.

SEC. 2134. AVIATION EMERGENCY SAFETY PUBLIC SERVICES DISRUPTION.

    Section 46320(a) is amended by inserting ``, including helicopter 
air ambulance operations,'' after ``emergency response effort''.

SEC. 2135. 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. 2136. CARRIAGE OF PROPERTY BY SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FOR 
              COMPENSATION OR HIRE.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2133 of this 
Act, is further amended by adding after section 44810 the following:
``Sec. 44811. Carriage of property by small unmanned aircraft systems 
              for compensation or hire
    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 
2017, 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 amend part 298 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
        to establish an additional class of air carrier 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.
            ``(4) Availability of current certification processes.--
        Pending completion of the rulemaking required in subsection (a) 
        of this section, a person may seek an air carrier operating 
        certificate and certificate of public convenience and 
        necessity, or an exemption from such certificate, using 
        existing processes.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 448, as 
amended by section 2133 of this Act, is further amended by adding after 
the item relating to section 44810 the following:

``44811. Carriage of property by small unmanned aircraft systems for 
                            compensation or hire.''.

SEC. 2137. 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. 2138. 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.

SEC. 2139. REPORT ON UAS AND CHEMICAL AERIAL APPLICATION.

    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 evaluating which 
aviation safety requirements under part 137 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations, should apply to unmanned aircraft system 
operations engaged in aerial spraying of chemicals for agricultural 
purposes.

SEC. 2140. PART 107 IMPLEMENTATION IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) Transparency.--Not later than 30 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall publish on the Federal Aviation Administration 
website a representative sample of the safety justifications offered by 
applicants for waivers or air traffic control authorizations that have 
been approved by the Administration for each regulation waived or class 
of airspace authorized, except that any published justification shall 
not reveal proprietary or commercially sensitive information.
    (b) Technology Improvements.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise the online 
waiver and air traffic control authorization processes--
            (1) to provide real time confirmation that an application 
        filed online has been received by the Administration; and
            (2) to provide an applicant with an opportunity to review 
        the status of the applicant's application.

SEC. 2141. EXPANSION OF PART 107 WAIVER AUTHORITY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall issue a final rule--
            (1) revising subsections (a) and (c) of section 107.205 of 
        title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to remove the 
        prohibitions on the issuance of waivers for the carriage of 
        property of another by aircraft for compensation or hire; and
            (2) revising section 107.25 of that title to remove the 
        prohibition on the operation of a small unmanned aircraft 
        system from a moving vehicle to transport another person's 
        property for compensation or hire.
    (b) Determinations.--In determining whether to grant a waiver under 
part 107 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to authorize the 
transportation by an unmanned aircraft system of the property of 
another for compensation or hire beyond the visual line of sight of the 
remote pilot, from a moving vehicle or aircraft, or over people, the 
Administrator shall consider the technological capabilities of the 
unmanned aircraft system, the qualifications of the remote pilot, and 
the environment in which the operation is conducted.

SEC. 2142. REDESIGNATION.

    (a) Safety Statements.--
            (1) In general.--Section 2203 of the FAA Extension Safety 
        and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 615) is 
        redesignated as section 44812 of chapter 448 of title 49, 
        United States Code, and transferred so as to appear after 
        section 44811 of title 49, United States Code, as added by 
        section 2136 of this Act.
            (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--Section 44812(b), 
        as redesignated, is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``this Act'' and 
                inserting ``the FAA Extension Safety and Security Act 
                of 2016''; and
                    (B) in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of paragraph 
                (2)(D), by striking ``section 336 of the FAA 
                Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 949 U.S.C. 40101 
                note)'' and inserting ``section 44808''.
    (b) Emergency Exemption Process.--
            (1) In general.--Section 2207 of the FAA Extension Safety 
        and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 615) is 
        redesignated as section 44813 of chapter 448 of title 49, 
        United States Code, and transferred so as to appear after 
        section 44812 of title 49, United States Code, as redesignated 
        by subsection (a)(1) of this section.
            (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--Section 44813(a), 
        as redesignated, is amended by striking ``this Act'' and 
        inserting ``the FAA Extension Safety and Security Act of 
        2016''.
    (c) Applications for Designation.--
            (1) In general.--Section 2209 of the FAA Extension Safety 
        and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 615) is 
        redesignated as section 44814 of chapter 448 of title 49, 
        United States Code, and transferred so as to appear after 
        section 44813 of title 49, United States Code, as redesignated 
        by subsection (b)(1) of this section.
            (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--Section 44814(a), 
        as redesignated, is amended by striking ``this Act'' and 
        inserting ``the FAA Extension Safety and Security Act of 
        2016''.
    (d) Operations Associated With Critical Infrastructure.--
            (1) In general.--Section 2210 of the FAA Extension Safety 
        and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 615) is 
        redesignated as section 44815 of chapter 448 of title 49, 
        United States Code, and transferred so as to appear after 
        section 44814 of title 49, United States Code, as redesignated 
        by subsection (c)(1) of this section.
            (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--Section 44815, as 
        redesignated, is amended--
                    (A) in subsections (a), (d)(2), and (e), by 
                striking ``section 333 of the FAA Modernization and 
                Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note)'' and 
                inserting ``section 44805'';
                    (B) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``, United 
                States Code''; and
                    (C) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``this Act'' 
                and inserting ``the FAA Extension Safety and Security 
                Act of 2016''.

SEC. 2143. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON EMERGENCY EXEMPTION PROCESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration should comply as soon as possible, and not 
later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, with the 
requirement under section 44813 of title 49, United States Code (as 
redesignated by section 2141(b)), to 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 or on behalf of civil or public operators 
in response to a catastrophe, disaster, or other emergency to 
facilitate emergency response operations, such as firefighting, search 
and rescue, post-catastrophic response operations, such as utility and 
infrastructure restoration efforts, and the safe and prompt processing, 
adjustment, and payment of insurance claims.

SEC. 2144. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS IN RESTRICTED BUILDINGS OR 
              GROUNDS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 448, as amended by section 2142 of this 
Act, is further amended by inserting after section 44815 the following:
``Sec. 44816. Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Restricted Buildings or 
              Grounds
    ``(a) In General.--It shall be unlawful to knowingly operate an 
unmanned aircraft system with the intent for such unmanned aircraft 
system to enter or operate within or above a restricted building or 
grounds (as defined in section 1752 of title 18) and to impede or 
disrupt the orderly conduct of Government business or official 
functions.
    ``(b) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be--
            ``(1) fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 10 
        years, or both, if--
                    ``(A) a deadly or dangerous weapon or firearm is 
                affixed to the unmanned aircraft system; or
                    ``(B) the offense results in significant bodily 
                injury, as defined in section 2118 of title 18; or
            ``(2) fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 1 
        year, or both, in any other case.''.
    (b) 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 44815 the following:

``44816. Unmanned aircraft systems in restricted buildings or 
                            grounds.''.

                        PART III--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 2151. FEDERAL AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall--
            (1) conduct a study on the relative roles of the Federal 
        Government and State and local governments in regulating the 
        national airspace system, including unmanned aircraft systems 
        operations; 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 review the 
following:
            (1) The current state of the law with respect to Federal 
        authority over airspace in the United States and the operations 
        of aircraft in that airspace.
            (2) The current state of the law with respect to state and 
        local authority over airspace in the United States and the 
        operations of aircraft in that airspace;
            (3) Potential gaps between authorities under paragraphs (1) 
        and (2), particularly with respect to unmanned aircraft systems 
        operations at low altitudes;
            (4) The effectiveness of the Federal Government's efforts 
        to resolve differences between different stakeholders on the 
        issue.
            (5) Potential ways to structure the roles and 
        responsibilities between the Federal Government and State and 
        local governments to ensure the highest level of safety for all 
        aviation operations and in consideration of State and local 
        interests on issues such as nuisance, voyeurism, privacy, 
        trespass, harassment, reckless endangerment, wrongful death, 
        personal injury, property damage, or other illegal acts arising 
        from the use of unmanned aircraft systems.

SEC. 2152. SPECTRUM.

    (a) In General.--Small unmanned aircraft systems may use spectrum 
for wireless control link, tracking, diagnostics, payload 
communication, and collaborative-collision avoidance, such as vehicle-
to-vehicle communication, and other uses, 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 through voluntary 
commercial arrangements with service providers, whether they are 
operating within a UTM system under section 2208 of the FAA Extension 
Safety and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 615) or 
outside such a system.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and after consultation with relevant stakeholders, 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. 2153. 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 further 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 grant institutions of higher education (including 
faculty, students, and staff) additional ability, beyond that permitted 
by law on the day before such date of enactment, to operate unmanned 
aircraft systems by outlining 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) continue to 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) continue to operate small unmanned aircraft as 
                permitted under part 107 of title 14, Code of Federal 
                Regulations, or any subsequent regulation that is 
                equally or more permissive; and
                    (C) operate small unmanned aircraft for educational 
                or research purposes in a manner beyond that permitted 
                by law on the day before such date of enactment at one 
                or more outdoor flight fields designated by the 
                institution, provided that the institution first 
                submits to the Federal Aviation Administration 
                applications for approval of--
                            (i) the institution's designated outdoor 
                        flight fields; and
                            (ii) the institution's standards for 
                        operation at that field.
            (2) Consequence of failure to approve.--If the 
        Administrator does not take action with respect to an 
        application submitted under paragraph (1)(C) 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. 2154. TRANSITION LANGUAGE.

    (a) Regulations.--Notwithstanding the repeals under sections 
2122(b)(2), 2124(b)(2), 2125(b)(2), 2127(b)(2), 2128(b)(2), and 
2133(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).
            (6) Section 2206 of the FAA Extension Safety and Security 
        Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 615).
    (c) Effect on Pending Proceedings.--This Act shall not affect 
administrative or judicial proceedings pending on the effective date of 
this Act.

SEC. 2155. COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN 
              SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY TRAINING.

    (a) Designation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Labor, shall 
establish a process to designate consortia of public, 2-year 
institutions of higher education as Community and Technical College 
Centers of Excellence in Small Unmanned Aircraft System Technology 
Training (in this section referred to as the ``Centers of 
Excellence'').
    (b) Functions.--A Center of Excellence designated under subsection 
(a) shall have the capacity to train students for career opportunities 
in industry and government service related to the use of small unmanned 
aircraft systems.
    (c) Education and Training Requirements.--In order to be designated 
as a Center of Excellence under subsection (a), a consortium shall be 
able to address education and training requirements associated with 
various types of small unmanned aircraft systems, components, and 
related equipment, including with respect to--
            (1) multi-rotor and fixed-wing small unmanned aircraft;
            (2) flight systems, radio controllers, components, and 
        characteristics of such aircraft;
            (3) routine maintenance, uses and applications, privacy 
        concerns, safety, and insurance for such aircraft;
            (4) hands-on flight practice using small unmanned aircraft 
        systems and computer simulator training;
            (5) use of small unmanned aircraft systems in various 
        industry applications and local, State, and Federal government 
        programs and services, including in agriculture, law 
        enforcement, monitoring oil and gas pipelines, natural disaster 
        response and recovery, fire and emergency services, and other 
        emerging areas;
            (6) Federal policies concerning small unmanned aircraft;
            (7) dual credit programs to deliver small unmanned aircraft 
        training opportunities to secondary school students; or
            (8) training with respect to sensors and the processing, 
        analyzing, and visualizing of data collected by small unmanned 
        aircraft.
    (d) Collaboration.--Each Center of Excellence shall seek to 
collaborate with institutions participating in the Alliance for System 
Safety of UAS through Research Excellence of the Federal Aviation 
Administration and with the test ranges designated under section 332(c) 
of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95; 49 
U.S.C. 40101 note).
    (e) Institution of Higher Education.--In this section, the term 
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the term in 
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).

SEC. 2156. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR KNOW BEFORE YOU FLY 
              CAMPAIGN.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2018 through 2021 for the Know Before You Fly educational campaign or 
similar public informational efforts intended to broaden unmanned 
aircraft systems safety awareness.

SEC. 2157. STRATEGY FOR RESPONDING TO PUBLIC SAFETY THREATS AND 
              ENFORCEMENT UTILITY OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall develop a comprehensive strategy to provide outreach to State and 
local governments and provide guidance for local law enforcement 
agencies and first responders with respect to--
            (1) how to identify and respond to public safety threats 
        posed by unmanned aircraft systems; and
            (2) how to identify and take advantage of opportunities to 
        use unmanned aircraft systems to enhance the effectiveness of 
        local law enforcement agencies and first responders.
    (b) Resources.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a publicly available 
Internet website that contains resources for State and local law 
enforcement agencies and first responders seeking--
            (1) to respond to public safety threats posed by unmanned 
        aircraft systems; and
            (2) to identify and take advantage of opportunities to use 
        unmanned aircraft systems to enhance the effectiveness of local 
        law enforcement agencies and public safety response efforts.
    (c) Unmanned Aircraft System Defined.--In this section, the term 
``unmanned aircraft system'' has the meaning given that term in section 
44801 of title 49, United States Code, as added by section 2121.

                        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 Federal law, including regulations, relating to unmanned 
aircraft will promote the safe operation of such aircraft.
    (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) Table of Contents.--The table of contents 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;
                            (v) unmanned aircraft systems industry; and
                            (vi) aviation maintenance, repair, and 
                        overhaul; 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 
        consistency 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) promote the validation and acceptance 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) Transport aircraft and engine 
                        manufacturers.
                            (ii) General aviation aircraft and engine 
                        manufacturers.
                            (iii) Avionics and equipment manufacturers.
                            (iv) Aviation labor organizations, 
                        including collective bargaining representatives 
                        of FAA aviation safety inspectors and aviation 
                        safety engineers.
                            (v) General aviation operators.
                            (vi) Air carriers.
                            (vii) Business aviation operators.
                            (viii) Unmanned aircraft systems 
                        manufacturers and operators.
                            (ix) Aviation safety management experts.
                            (x) Aviation maintenance, repair, and 
                        overhaul.
            (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, 2021.

                 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 effective utilization of FAA delegation and 
        designation authorities, including organizational designation 
        authorization;
            (4) effectively 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 accident finding, 
                surveillance, or oversight, that it is in the public 
                interest and safety of air commerce to require a 
                limitation; and
                    ``(C) for each function that is limited under 
                subparagraph (B), work with the ODA holder to develop 
                the ODA holder's capability to execute that function 
                safely and effectively, and to return to full authority 
                status.
            ``(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 2017, 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 accident finding, 
                surveillance, or oversight, that it is in the public 
                interest and safety of air commerce to require a 
                limitation; and
                    ``(C) for each function that is limited under 
                subparagraph (B), work with the ODA holder to develop 
                the ODA holder's capability to execute that function 
                safely and effectively, and to return to full authority 
                status.
    ``(b) ODA Office.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the 
        date of enactment of Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2017, 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 2017 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; and
                            ``(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 120 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, 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, as 
added by section 2222 of this Act.
    (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 the Federal Aviation 
                Administration Reauthorization Act of 2017, 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.

                   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) effectively 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) manufacturers;
                    (H) labor unions, including those representing FAA 
                aviation safety inspectors and those representing FAA 
                aviation safety engineers; and
                    (I) 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, including issuance and oversight of 
        certificates;
            (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 the Task Force is 
established under subsection (a), the Task Force shall submit to the 
Administrator, Advisory Committee, 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) Flight Standards Service Realignment Feasibility 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 findings of the determination of the feasibility of 
realigning flight standards service regional field offices to 
specialized areas of aviation safety oversight and technical expertise.
    (f) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Task Force.
    (g) 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 COMMUNICATION BOARD.

    (a) Functions.--The Regulatory Consistency Communication Board 
(referred to in this section as 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)).
    (b) 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 (a)(1); and
            (2) implement a process for tracking the progress of the 
        Board in meeting the performance metrics, timelines, and goals 
        under paragraph (1).

                       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 than 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, as added by section 2222 of this Act.
            (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 section 2222 of 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.

                     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.--Subject to subparagraph (D), the 
                Administrator may 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;
                            ``(iv) the aeronautical safety authority 
                        utilizes an open and transparent public notice 
                        and comment process, including considering 
                        comments from owners and operators of foreign-
                        registered aircraft and other aeronautical 
                        products and appliances in the issuance of 
                        airworthiness directives; and
                            ``(v) the airworthiness directive addresses 
                        a specific issue necessary for the safe 
                        operation of aircraft subject to the directive.
                    ``(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--
                            ``(i) may 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--
                                    ``(I) shall consider an alternative 
                                means of compliance with respect to the 
                                airworthiness directive; and
                                    ``(II) may approve such alternative 
                                means, if appropriate.
                    ``(D) Limitations.--The Administrator may not 
                accept an airworthiness directive issued by an 
                aeronautical safety authority of a foreign country if 
                the airworthiness directive addresses matters other 
                than those involving the safe operation of an 
                aircraft.''.

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. 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. 2302. 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. 2303. 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 14, 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. 2304. REPORT ON OBSOLETE TEST EQUIPMENT.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 18 months 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. 2305. PLAN FOR SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE DIRECT WARNINGS OF POTENTIAL 
              RUNWAY INCURSIONS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than June 30, 2018, 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. 2306. 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. 2307. 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--
                    (A) to more accurately measure the safety of on-
                demand part 135 aircraft activity;
                    (B) to pinpoint safety problems; and
                    (C) 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. 2308. DEFINITION OF HUMAN FACTORS.

    Section 40102(a), as amended by section 2135 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. 2309. 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. 2310. 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. 2311. 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).
    (c) Progress Report on Runway Safety Grant Eligibility.--Section 
47144 is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c);
            (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``subsection (b)'' and 
        inserting ``subsection (c)''; and
            (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
    ``(b) Progress Reports.--
            ``(1) Initial report.--Not later than 60 days after the 
        date of enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2017, the Secretary of Transportation 
        shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
        and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
        Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives that includes, with respect to a pending 
        application for a grant under subsection (a), what actions the 
        Secretary is taking to expedite the implementation of immediate 
        steps that are determined necessary to ensure the safety and 
        operational benefits of operations at the airport.
            ``(2) Final report.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        Reauthorization Act of 2017, the Secretary of Transportation 
        shall--
                    ``(A) make a final determination on whether to 
                award a pending application for a grant under 
                subsection (a) to an airport described in subsection 
                (c); or
                    ``(B) if the Secretary determines not to award a 
                grant or a determination is not made under subparagraph 
                (A), submit a report to the committees referred to in 
                paragraph (1) that includes, with respect to such grant 
                and airport--
                            ``(i) the steps that have been taken by the 
                        Secretary to determine whether an airport meets 
                        the description for grant eligibility;
                            ``(ii) the factors that the Secretary is 
                        considering in determining whether there is a 
                        demonstrated need to improve a runway safety 
                        area;
                            ``(iii) the factors the Secretary is 
                        considering in determining whether repairing, 
                        replacing, or improving the runway safety area 
                        is reasonable in relation to the anticipated 
                        safety and operational benefit of such repair, 
                        replacement, or improvement, respectively; and
                            ``(iv) when the Secretary will determine 
                        whether such grant will be awarded.''.

SEC. 2312. 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) Limited exceptions to restrictions on air 
                transportation of medical device batteries.--The 
                Secretary shall issue limited exceptions to the 
                restrictions on transportation of lithium ion and 
                lithium metal batteries to allow the shipment on a 
                passenger aircraft of not more than 2 replacement 
                batteries specifically used for a medical device if--
                            (i) the intended destination of the 
                        batteries is not serviced daily by cargo 
                        aircraft if a battery is required for medically 
                        necessary care; and
                            (ii) with regard to a shipper of lithium 
                        ion or lithium metal batteries for medical 
                        devices that cannot comply with a charge 
                        limitation in place at the time, each battery 
                        is--
                                    (I) individually packed in an inner 
                                packaging that completely encloses the 
                                battery;
                                    (II) placed in a rigid outer 
                                packaging; and
                                    (III) protected to prevent a short 
                                circuit.
                    (C) 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) Department of Transportation.
                            (ii) Consumer Product Safety Commission.
                            (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, 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).
    (c) Participation.--The Secretary of Transportation shall request 
that as part of the ICAO deliberations in the dangerous good panel on 
these issues, that appropriate experts on issues under consideration be 
allowed to participate.

SEC. 2313. 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. 2314. ANNUAL SAFETY INCIDENT REPORT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report regarding part 121 airline safety oversight.
    (b) Contents.--The annual report shall include--
            (1) a description of the Federal Aviation Administration's 
        safety oversight process to ensure the safety of the traveling 
        public;
            (2) a description of risk-based oversight methods applied 
        to ensure aviation safety, including to specific issues 
        addressed in the year preceding the report that in the 
        determination of the Administrator address safety risk; and
            (3) in the instance of specific reviews of air carrier 
        performance to safety regulations, a description of cases where 
        the timelines for recurrent reviews are advanced.

SEC. 2315. AIRLINE SAFETY ENHANCEMENT.

    Section 217(d) of the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation 
Administration Extension Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-216; 49 U.S.C. 
44701 note) is amended, in the second sentence, by striking ``training 
courses'' and all that follows and inserting ``training courses, or 
other structured and disciplined training courses, will enhance safety 
more than requiring the pilot to fully comply with the flight hours 
requirement.''.

SEC. 2316. AIRCRAFT AIR QUALITY.

    (a) Educational Materials.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, 
establish and make available on a publicly available Internet website 
of the Administration, educational materials for flight attendants, 
pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, and airport first responders 
and emergency response teams on how to respond to incidents on board 
aircraft involving smoke or fumes.
    (b) Reporting of Incidents of Smoke or Fumes on Board Aircraft.--
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, issue 
guidance for flight attendants, pilots, aircraft maintenance 
technicians, and airport first responders and emergency response teams 
to report incidents of smoke or fumes on board an aircraft operated by 
a commercial air carrier and with respect to the basis on which 
commercial air carriers shall report such incidents through the Service 
Difficulty Reporting System.
    (c) Research to Develop Techniques to Monitor Bleed Air Quality.--
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall commission a study by the Airliner Cabin 
Environment Research Center of Excellence--
            (1) to identify and measure the constituents and levels of 
        constituents resulting from bleed air in the cabins of a 
        representative set of commercial aircraft in operation of the 
        United States;
            (2) to assess the potential health effects of such 
        constituents on passengers and cabin and flight deck crew;
            (3) to identify technologies suitable to provide reliable 
        and accurate warning of bleed air contamination, including 
        technologies to effectively monitor the aircraft air supply 
        system when the aircraft is in flight; and
            (4) to identify potential techniques to prevent fume 
        events.
    (d) Report Required.--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 feasibility, 
efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of certification and installation of 
systems to evaluate bleed air quality.
    (e) Pilot Program.--The Federal Aviation Administration may conduct 
a pilot program to evaluate the effectiveness of technologies 
identified in subsection (c).

SEC. 2317. EMERGENCY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ON PASSENGER AIRCRAFT.

    (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 first-aid 
kits, applicable to all certificate holders operating passenger 
aircraft 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.

                  Subtitle D--General Aviation Safety

SEC. 2401. AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEMS POLICY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 18 months 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 150/5220-16E) and any other similar, successor checks.
    (b) Permission.--Permission to conduct the minimum tri-annual 
preventative maintenance checks described under subsection (a)(3) and 
any similar, successor checks 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) AIP Eligibility of AWOS Equipment.--Notwithstanding any other 
law, the Administrator shall waive any positive benefit-cost ratio 
requirement for automated weather observing system equipment under 
subchapter I of chapter 471, United States Code, if--
            (1) the airport sponsor or State, as applicable, certifies 
        that a grant for such automated weather observing systems 
        equipment under that chapter will assist an applicable airport 
        to respond to regional emergency needs, including medical, 
        firefighting, and search and rescue needs; and
            (2) the other requirements under that chapter are met.
    (e) Report.--Not later than September 30, 2018, the Administrator 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
implementation of the requirements under this section.

SEC. 2402. 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. 2403. 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. 2404. APPLICABILITY OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATION STANDARDS TO 
              OPERATORS OF AIR BALLOONS.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Commercial 
Balloon Pilot Safety Act of 2017''.
    (b) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall revise section 61.3(c) of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations (relating to second-class medical certificates), to 
apply to an operator of an air balloon to the same extent such 
regulations apply to a pilot flight crewmember of other aircraft.
    (c) Air Balloon Defined.--In this section, the term ``air balloon'' 
has the meaning given the term ``balloon'' in section 1.1 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation or 
ruling).

SEC. 2405. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

    Section 2110 of the FAA Extension Safety and Security Act of 2016 
(49 U.S.C. 44718 note) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 2110. 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 implement the requirements of 
this section with respect to covered towers.
    ``(b) Marking Required.--Regulations under subsection (a) that 
require that a covered tower be clearly marked shall be 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--
            ``(1) ensure that consistent with this section all covered 
        towers constructed on or after the date on which such 
        regulations take effect are marked in accordance with 
        subsection (b), or included in the database in subsection (e), 
        or, in the case of meteorological evaluation towers both;
            ``(2) ensure that consistent with this section all covered 
        towers constructed before the date on which such regulations 
        take effect are marked in accordance with subsection (b), or 
        included in the database in subsection (e), or, in the case of 
        meteorological evaluation towers both, not later than 1 year 
        after such effective date; and
            ``(3) take effect no earlier than the availability of the 
        database developed by the Administrator pursuant to subsection 
        (e).
    ``(d) Definitions.--
            ``(1) In general.--In this section:
                    ``(A) Agricultural purposes.--The term 
                `agricultural purposes' means farming in all its 
                branches and the cultivation and tillage of the soil, 
                the production, cultivation, growing, and harvesting of 
                any agricultural or horticultural commodities performed 
                by a farmer or on a farm, or on pasture land or 
                rangeland.
                    ``(B) Covered tower.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as specified in 
                        clause (ii), the term `covered tower' means a 
                        structure that--
                                    ``(I) is a meteorological 
                                evaluation tower, a self-standing 
                                tower, or a tower supported by guy 
                                wires and ground anchors;
                                    ``(II) is 10 feet or less in 
                                diameter at the above-ground base, 
                                excluding concrete footing;
                                    ``(III) at the highest point of the 
                                structure is at least 50 feet above 
                                ground level;
                                    ``(IV) at the highest point of the 
                                structure is not more than 200 feet 
                                above ground level;
                                    ``(V) has accessory facilities on 
                                which an antenna, sensor, camera, 
                                meteorological instrument, or other 
                                equipment is mounted; and
                                    ``(VI) is located on land that is--
                                            ``(aa) in a rural area; and
                                            ``(bb) used for 
                                        agricultural purposes or 
                                        immediately adjacent to such 
                                        land.
                            ``(ii) Exclusions.--The term `covered 
                        tower' does not include any structure that--
                                    ``(I) is adjacent to a house, barn, 
                                electric utility station, or other 
                                building;
                                    ``(II) is within the curtilage of a 
                                farmstead or adjacent to another 
                                building or visible structure;
                                    ``(III) supports electric utility 
                                transmission or distribution lines;
                                    ``(IV) is a wind-powered electrical 
                                generator with a rotor blade radius 
                                that exceeds 6 feet;
                                    ``(V) is a street light erected or 
                                maintained by a Federal, State, local, 
                                or tribal entity;
                                    ``(VI) is designed and constructed 
                                to resemble a tree or visible structure 
                                other than a tower;
                                    ``(VII) is an advertising 
                                billboard;
                                    ``(VIII) is located within the 
                                right-of-way of a rail carrier, 
                                including within the boundaries of a 
                                rail yard, and is used for a railroad 
                                purpose;
                                    ``(IX)(aa) is registered with the 
                                Federal Communications Commission under 
                                the Antenna Structure Registration 
                                program set forth under part 17 of 
                                title 47, Code of Federal Regulations; 
                                and
                                    ``(bb) has been determined by the 
                                Administrator to pose no hazard to air 
                                navigation; or
                                    ``(X) has already mitigated any 
                                hazard to aviation safety in accordance 
                                with Federal Aviation Administration 
                                guidance or as otherwise approved by 
                                the Administrator.
                    ``(C) The term `rural area' has the meaning given 
                the term in section 609(a)(5) of the Public Utility 
                Regulatory Policies Act of 197 (87 U.S.C. 918c(a)(5)).
            ``(2) Other definitions.--- The Administrator shall define 
        such other terms not otherwise defined in paragraph (1) as may 
        be necessary to carry out this section.
    ``(e) Database.--The Administrator shall--
            ``(1) develop a database that contains the location and 
        height of each covered tower that is not marked in accordance 
        with this section, except that--
                    ``(A) meteorological evaluation towers shall be 
                marked in accordance with subsection (b) and contained 
                in the database; and
                    ``(B) towers excluded from the definition of 
                covered tower under subsection (d)(1)(B)(2) must be 
                registered by its owner in the database.
            ``(2) keep the database current;
            ``(3) ensure that a tower to be included in the database 
        pursuant to subsection (c)(1) and constructed after the date on 
        which regulations issued under subsection (a) take effect is 
        registered by its owner in the database before its 
        construction;
            ``(4) ensure that--
                    ``(A) any proprietary information in the database 
                is protected from disclosure in accordance with law;
                    ``(B) information in the database is de-identified 
                and that such information only includes the location, 
                and height, of such covered towers, and whether the 
                tower has guy wires; and
                    ``(C) information in the dataset is encrypted at 
                rest and in transit and is protected from unauthorized 
                access and acquisition;
            ``(5) ensure that, by virtue of accessing the database, 
        users agree and acknowledge that information in the database--
                    ``(A) may only be used for aviation safety 
                purposes; and
                    ``(B) may not be disclosed for purposes other than 
                aviation safety, regardless of whether or not the 
                information is identified or labeled as proprietary or 
                with a similar designation; and
            ``(6) ensure that pilots who intend to conduct low-altitude 
        operations in locations described in subsection (d)(1)(B)(vi) 
        consult the relevant parts of the database before conducting 
        such operations.
    ``(f) Exclusion and Waiver Authorities.--As part of a rulemaking 
conducted pursuant to this section, the Administrator--
            ``(1) may exclude a class, category, or type of tower that 
        is determined by the Administrator, after public notice and 
        comment, to not pose a hazard to aviation safety;
            ``(2) shall establish a process to waive specific covered 
        towers from the marking requirements under this section as 
        required under the rulemaking if the Administrator later 
        determines such tower or towers do not pose a hazard to 
        aviation safety; and
            ``(3) shall consider, in establishing exclusions and 
        granting waivers under this subsection, factors that may 
        sufficiently mitigate risks to aviation safety, such as the 
        length of time the tower has been in existence or alternative 
        marking methods or technologies that maintains a tower's level 
        of conspicuousness to a degree which adequately maintains the 
        safety of the airspace.
    ``(g) Periodic Review.--The Administrator shall, in consultation 
with the Federal Communications Commission, periodically review any 
regulations or guidance regarding the marking of covered towers issued 
pursuant to this section and update them as necessary, consistent with 
this section, and in the interest of safety of low-altitude aircraft 
operations.
    ``(h) FCC Regulations.--The Federal Communications Commission shall 
amend section 17.7 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, to require 
a notification to the Federal Aviation Administration for any 
construction or alteration of an antenna structure, as defined in 
section 17.2(a) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, that is a 
covered tower as defined by this section.''.

SEC. 2406. ROTORCRAFT CRASH RESISTANT FUEL SYSTEMS.

    The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall--
            (1) expedite the certification and validation of United 
        States and foreign type designs and retrofit kits that improve 
        fuel system crash worthiness; and
            (2) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, and periodically thereafter, issue a bulletin to--
                    (A) inform rotorcraft owners and operators of 
                available modifications to improve fuel system 
                crashworthiness; and
                    (B) urge that such modifications be installed as 
                soon as practicable.

                     Subtitle E--General Provisions

SEC. 2501. 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. 2502. 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. 2503. APPROACH CONTROL RADAR.

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

SEC. 2504. AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    (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 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 rotorcraft;
            (3) airports of various sizes and types;
            (4) air traffic controllers; and
            (5) State aviation officials.
    (d) Report Required.--Not later than 1 year after the date the 
advisory committee is established under subsection (a), the advisory 
committee shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report on the actions taken by the advisory committee to carry out the 
duties described in subsection (b).

SEC. 2505. REPORT ON CONSPICUITY NEEDS FOR SURFACE VEHICLES OPERATING 
              ON THE AIRSIDE OF AIR CARRIER SERVED AIRPORTS.

    (a) Study Required.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall perform a study of the need for the Federal 
Aviation Administration to prescribe conspicuity standards for surface 
vehicles operating on the airside of the categories of airports that 
air carriers serve as specified in subsection (b).
    (b) Covered Airports.--The study required by subsection (a) shall 
cover, at a minimum, one large hub airport, one medium hub airport, and 
one small hub airport, as those terms are defined in section 40102 of 
title 49, United States Code.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than July 1, 2018, the 
Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report setting forth the results of the study required by subsection 
(a), including such recommendations as the Administrator considers 
appropriate regarding the need for the Administration to prescribe 
conspicuity standards as described in subsection (a).

SEC. 2506. STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF EXTREME WEATHER ON AIR TRAVEL.

    (a) Study Require.--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 complete a study on the effect of 
extreme weather on commercial air travel.
    (b) Elements.--The study required by subsection (a) shall include 
assessment of the following:
            (1) Whether extreme weather may result in an increase in 
        turbulence.
            (2) The effect of extreme weather on current commercial air 
        routes.
            (3) The effect of extreme weather on domestic airports, air 
        traffic control facilities, and associated facilities.

SEC. 2507. SELF-PILOTED AIRCRAFT INTRODUCTION PLAN.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
            (2) AT plan.--The term ``AT Plan'' means the plan required 
        by subsection (b).
            (3) Stakeholder committee.--The term ``Stakeholder 
        Committee'' means the committee of appropriate stakeholders 
        convened by the Administrator under subsection (b).
    (b) Requirement for AT Plan.--The Administrator, in coordination 
with a committee of appropriate stakeholders convened by the 
Administrator, shall prepare an air traffic policies and systems plan 
to enable the introduction of self-piloted aircraft into the national 
airspace system.
    (c) Stakeholder Committee.--The Stakeholder Committee shall include 
manufacturers of self-piloted aircraft and other industry stakeholders 
that the Administrator considers appropriate.
    (d) Content of AT Plan.--The AT Plan shall include actions 
necessary to ensure the Administrator is able to fully implement the AT 
Plan not later than two years after the date the AT Plan is submitted 
under subsection (e).
    (e) Submission of AT Plan.--Not later than 2 years after the date 
the Stakeholder Committee is convened, the Administrator shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress the AT Plan.

SEC. 2508. PORTABILITY OF REPAIRMAN CERTIFICATES.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall assign to the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory 
Committee the task of making recommendations with respect to the 
regulatory and policy changes necessary to allow a repairman 
certificate issued under section 65.101 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, to be portable from one employing certificate holder to 
another.
    (b) Action Based on Recommendations.--Not later than 1 year after 
receiving recommendations under subsection (a), the Administrator shall 
take such action as the Administrator considers appropriate with 
respect to those recommendations.

SEC. 2509. REVISION OF CERTAIN REGULATIONS RELATING TO REPAIR STATION 
              CERTIFICATES.

    The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall--
            (1) not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, publish in the Federal Register a notice of proposed 
        rulemaking revising part 145 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations--
                    (A) to restore the right of a repair station to 
                unilaterally surrender its certificate;
                    (B) to prevent an individual who materially 
                contributes to the revocation of a repair station 
                certificate or causes the process of revoking such a 
                certificate to begin from reentering the industry; and
                    (C) to clarify that a repair station that 
                terminates an individual who materially contributes to 
                the revocation of the certificate of the repair station 
                or causes the process of revoking that certificate to 
                begin may reapply for a certificate; and
            (2) not later than 90 days after publishing the notice of 
        proposed rulemaking, publish in the Federal Register a final 
        rule with respect to those revisions.

SEC. 2510. 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 2-year 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 1-year period.

SEC. 2511. REPORT ON AIRCRAFT RESCUE AND FIREFIGHTING TRAINING 
              FACILITIES.

    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--
            (1) a report on the number and suitability of aircraft 
        rescue and firefighting training facilities in each region of 
        the Federal Aviation Administration as of such date of 
        enactment; and
            (2) a plan to address any coverage gaps identified in that 
        report.

             Subtitle F--General Aviation Pilot Protections

SEC. 2601. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Fairness for Pilots Act''.

SEC. 2602. 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 the district court shall review the denial, 
        suspension, or revocation de novo, including by--
                    ``(A) conducting a full independent review of the 
                complete administrative record of the denial, 
                suspension, or revocation;
                    ``(B) permitting additional discovery and the 
                taking of additional evidence; and
                    ``(C) 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 Fairness for 
        Pilots Act.''.
    (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 adding at the end 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. 2603. 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. 2604. EXPEDITING UPDATES TO NOTAM PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--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 committees of Congress that the 
Administrator has complied with the requirements of section 3 of the 
Pilot's Bill of Rights, as amended by this section.
    (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 Fairness for Pilots Act''; 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. 2605. 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 
        section 47124.
            ``(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 Fairness for Pilots Act, the Administrator 
        shall promulgate regulations or guidance to ensure compliance 
        with this section.
            ``(2) Compliance by contractors.--
                    ``(A) In general.--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 Fairness for Pilots Act.
                    ``(B) Nonapplicability.--Subparagraph (A) shall not 
                apply to any contract or agreement in effect on the 
                date of enactment of the Fairness for Pilots Act 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. 2606. 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, including--
                            (i) due to operational issues, air traffic 
                        control issues, or groundstop or delay 
                        management programs;
                            (ii) due to the air carrier's discretion in 
                        determining which flights to delay or cancel 
                        during a weather event, including an attempt to 
                        impact the fewest passengers; or
                            (iii) due to other factors;
                    (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) Consultation.--The Secretary may consult air carriers 
        and 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. In conducting the review, the Secretary shall consider 
        the refund policy and alternative travel options provided or 
        offered by the air carrier in such situations.
            (2) Consultation.--The Secretary may consult with air 
        carriers and 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. 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. 3104. 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. 3105. 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 ``September 30, 2017'' and inserting ``September 
30, 2021''.
    (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 
2017, 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. 3106. EXTENSION OF COMPETITIVE ACCESS REPORTS.

    Section 47107(r)(3) is amended by striking ``October 1, 2017'' and 
inserting ``October 1, 2021''.

SEC. 3107. 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 automated refund to a 
passenger of any ancillary fees paid for services related to air travel 
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. 3108. 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. 3109. 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.
    (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;
            (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;
            (3) be made at the time the consumer checks in for the 
        flight; and
            (4) be made at other ancillary seat assignment purchase 
        opportunities prior to departure.

SEC. 3110. ADVANCE BOARDING DURING PREGNANCY.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Transportation shall review air carrier policies 
regarding traveling during pregnancy and, if appropriate, may revise 
regulations, as the Secretary considers necessary, to require an air 
carrier to offer advance boarding of an aircraft to a pregnant 
passenger who requests such assistance.

SEC. 3111. 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, foreign air carrier, and ticket agent 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, foreign air 
        carrier, or ticket agent, 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. 3112. AVIATION CONSUMER ADVOCATE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall review 
aviation consumer complaints received that allege a violation of law 
and, as appropriate, pursue enforcement or corrective actions that 
would be in the public interest.
    (b) Considerations.--In considering which cases to pursue for 
enforcement or corrective action under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall consider--
            (1) Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-435; 100 
        Stat. 1080);
            (2) unfair and deceptive practices by air carriers, foreign 
        air carriers, and ticket agents;
            (3) the terms and conditions agreed to between passengers 
        and air carriers, foreign air carriers, or ticket agents;
            (4) aviation consumer protection and tarmac delay 
        contingency planning requirements for both airports and 
        airlines; and
            (5) any other applicable law.
    (c) Aviation Consumer Advocate.--
            (1) In general.--Within the Aviation Consumer Protection 
        Division, there shall be an Aviation Consumer Advocate.
            (2) Functions.--The Aviation Consumer Advocate, shall--
                    (A) assist consumers in resolving carrier service 
                complaints filed with the Aviation Consumer Protection 
                Division;
                    (B) evaluate the resolution by the Department of 
                Transportation of carrier service complaints;
                    (C) identify and recommend actions the Department 
                can take to improve the enforcement of aviation 
                consumer protection rules and resolution of carrier 
                service complaints; and
                    (D) identify and recommend regulations and policies 
                that can be amended to more effectively resolve carrier 
                service complaints.
    (d) Annual Reports.--The Secretary, through the Aviation Consumer 
Advocate, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an 
annual report summarizing the following:
            (1) The total number of annual complaints received by the 
        Department, including the number of complaints by the name of 
        each air carrier and foreign air carrier.
            (2) The total number of annual complaints by category of 
        complaint.
            (3) The number of complaints referred in the preceding year 
        for enforcement or corrective action by the Department.
            (4) Any recommendations under paragraphs (2)(C) and (2)(D) 
        of subsection (c).
            (5) Such other data as the Aviation Consumer Advocate 
        considers appropriate.

SEC. 3113. 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, in a manner 
                that protects the privacy of consumers and employees, 
                to--
                            (i) access information regarding each 
                        complaint filed with the Aviation Consumer 
                        Protection Division of the Department of 
                        Transportation;
                            (ii) 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) 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. 3114. 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, including the 
Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Department of 
Transportation and the Office of Aviation Safety at the Federal 
Aviation Administration, and relevant stakeholders, including aircraft 
manufacturers, wheelchair manufacturers, and disability advocates, 
shall conduct a study to determine the ways in which particular 
individuals with significant disabilities who use wheelchairs, 
including power wheelchairs, can be safely accommodated through in-
cabin wheelchair restraint systems.

SEC. 3115. 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.
                    (F) Aircraft manufacturers.
                    (G) Wheelchair manufacturers.
                    (H) National veterans organizations representing 
                disabled veterans.
            (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 
                calendar year and those that will likely be an issue in 
                the subsequent 5 calendar 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 preceding calendar year;
                    (D) a description of activities that the Advisory 
                Committee has planned for the subsequent calender 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 paragraph (1), the 
        Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a copy of the report, including any additional 
        findings or recommendations that the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.
    (g) Termination.--Notwithstanding section 14 of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 14), the Advisory Committee shall 
terminate on September 30, 2021.

SEC. 3116. IMPROVING WHEELCHAIR ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH 
              DISABILITIES.

    In developing the best practices regarding the assistance of 
individuals with disabilities required under section 2107(b) of the FAA 
Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 130 
Stat. 622), the Secretary of Transportation shall include specific 
recommendations regarding the failure of air carriers to provide 
wheelchair assistance and how training programs by air carriers can 
address that failure.

SEC. 3117. REGULATIONS ENSURING ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH 
              DISABILITIES IN AIR TRANSPORTATION.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall review applicable 
        regulations and revise, as appropriate, regulations to ensure 
        that individuals with disabilities who request assistance at 
        any time while traveling in air transportation receive timely 
        and effective assistance at airports and on aircraft from 
        trained personnel. Such assistance may be in boarding or 
        deplaning an aircraft, connecting between flights, or other 
        similar or related request, as appropriate.
            (2) Training.--The Secretary shall require air carriers to 
        ensure that personnel, including contractors, who may be 
        providing physical assistance to a passenger with a disability 
        receive hands-on training on an annual basis in performing that 
        assistance, including the use of all equipment.
    (b) Review and Amendment.--The Secretary shall consult with the 
Access Board and periodically review and, as appropriate, amend 
regulations and standards prescribed under this section.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Access board.--The term ``Access Board'' means the 
        Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.
            (2) Air carrier.--The term ``air carrier'' means an air 
        carrier or foreign air carrier (as those terms are defined in 
        section 40102 of title 49, United States Code).
            (3) Disability.--The term ``disability'' has the meaning 
        given that term in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities 
        Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102), including the meaning under that 
        section as amended by the ADA Amendments of 2008 (Public Law 
        110-325; 122 Stat. 3553).
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Transportation.

SEC. 3118. CIVIL PENALTIES RELATING TO HARM TO PASSENGERS WITH 
              DISABILITIES.

    Section 46301(a) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(7) Penalties Relating to Harm to Passengers With Disabilities.--
            ``(A) Penalty for bodily harm or damage to wheelchair or 
        other mobility aid.--The amount of a civil penalty assessed 
        under this section for a violation of section 41705 that 
        involves damage to a passenger's wheelchair or other mobility 
        aid or injury to a passenger with a disability may be increased 
        above the otherwise applicable maximum amount under this 
        section for a violation of section 41705 to an amount not to 
        exceed 3 times the maximum penalty otherwise allowed.
            ``(B) Each act constitutes separate offense.--
        Notwithstanding paragraph (2), a separate violation of section 
        41705 occurs for each act of discrimination prohibited by that 
        section.''.

SEC. 3119. AIRLINE PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES BILL OF RIGHTS.

    (a) Airline Passengers With Disabilities Bill of Rights.--The 
Secretary of Transportation shall develop a document, to be known as 
the ``Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights'', using 
plain language to describe the basic protections and responsibilities 
of covered air carriers, their employees and contractors, and people 
with disabilities under the section 41705 of title 49, United States 
Code.
    (b) Content.--In developing the Airline Passengers with 
Disabilities Bill of Rights under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
include, at a minimum, plain language descriptions of protections and 
responsibilities provided in law related to the following:
            (1) The right of passengers with disabilities to be treated 
        with dignity and respect.
            (2) The right of passengers with disabilities to receive 
        timely assistance, if requested, from properly trained covered 
        air carrier and contractor personnel.
            (3) The right of passengers with disabilities to travel 
        with wheelchairs, mobility aids, and other assistive devices, 
        including necessary medications and medical supplies, including 
        stowage of such wheelchairs, aids, and devices.
            (4) The right of passengers with disabilities to receive 
        seating accommodations, if requested, to accommodate a 
        disability.
            (5) The right of passengers with disabilities to receive 
        announcements in an accessible format.
            (6) The right of passengers with disabilities to speak with 
        a complaint resolution officer or to file a complaint with an 
        covered air carrier or the Department of Transportation.
    (c) Rule of Construction.--The development of the Airline 
Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights under subsections (a) and 
(b) shall not be construed as expanding or restricting the rights 
available to passengers with disabilities on the day before the date of 
the enactment of this Act pursuant to any statute or regulation.
    (d) Consultations.--In developing the Airline Passengers with 
Disabilities Bill of Rights under subsection (a), the Secretary of 
Transportation shall consult with stakeholders, including disability 
organizations and covered air carriers and their contractors.
    (e) Display.--Each covered air carrier shall include the Airline 
Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights--
            (1) on a publicly available Internet website of the covered 
        air carrier; and
            (2) in any pre-flight notifications or communications 
        provided to passengers who alert the covered air carrier in 
        advance of the need for accommodations relating to a 
        disability.
    (f) Training.--Covered air carriers and contractors of covered air 
carriers shall submit to the Secretary of Transportation plans that 
ensure employees of covered air carriers and their contractors receive 
training on the protections and responsibilities described in the 
Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights. The Secretary 
shall review such plans to ensure the plans address the matters 
described in subsection (b).

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 Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration 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 Administrator shall consider the safety of 
passengers, including passengers with disabilities.

SEC. 3122. CELL PHONE VOICE COMMUNICATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 417 is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
``Sec. 41725. Cell phone voice communications
    ``(a) Prohibition Authority.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
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 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
41724 the following:

``41725. Cell phone voice communications.''.

SEC. 3123. TICKETS ACT.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Transparency 
Improvements and Compensation to Keep Every Ticketholder Safe Act of 
2017'' or the ``TICKETS Act''.
    (b) Boarded Passengers.--Beginning on the date of enactment of this 
Act, once a revenue passenger is approved by a gate attendant to clear 
the boarding area and board an aircraft, the applicable air carrier may 
not deny that passenger permission to board the aircraft without the 
consent of the passenger unless--
            (1) the passenger poses a safety, security, or health risk 
        to oneself or to the other passengers; or
            (2) the passenger is engaging in behavior that is obscene, 
        disruptive, or otherwise unlawful .
    (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
to limit or otherwise affect the responsibility or authority of a pilot 
in command of an aircraft under section 121.533 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations, or any penalty under section 46504 of title 49, 
United States Code.
    (d) Elimination of Limitation on Compensation for Being Denied 
Boarding.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall review air carrier 
policies and revise the regulations under part 250 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations, to eliminate the dollar amount limitations under 
paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsections (a) and (b) of section 250.5 of 
that part on the amount of compensation that may be provided to a 
passenger who is denied boarding involuntarily.
    (e) Oversales.--
            (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
        States shall review airline policies and practices related to 
        oversales of flights.
            (2) Considerations.--In conducting the review under 
        paragraph (1), the Comptroller Generals shall examine--
                    (A) impact on passengers, including the prevalence 
                of a negative impact on passengers, as a result of an 
                oversale;
                    (B) economic and operational factors which results 
                in oversales;
                    (C) whether, and if so how, the incidence of 
                oversales varies depending on markets; and
                    (D) potential consequences on the limiting of 
                oversales.
            (3) 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 review 
        under paragraph (2).
    (f) Notice of Policies of Air Carriers.--Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall prescribe regulations requiring an air carrier, or 
other entity selling tickets for flights in passenger air 
transportation, to specify, on a passenger's flight itinerary, receipt, 
or other direct customer communication, the policies of the air carrier 
operating the flight regarding oversold flights. The Secretary shall 
also provide guidance on the extent to which such policies should be 
noticed publicly at airport gates.
    (g) Definition of Air Carrier.--In this section, the term ``air 
carrier'' means an air carrier or foreign air carrier, as those terms 
are defined in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 3124. TRANSPARENCY FOR DISABLED PASSENGERS.

    The compliance date of the final rule, dated November 2, 2016, on 
the reporting of data for mishandled baggage and wheelchairs in 
aircraft cargo compartments (81 Fed. Reg. 76300) shall be effective 
January 1, 2018.

SEC. 3125. REPORT ON AVAILABILITY OF LAVATORIES ON COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT.

    Not later than 180 days 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 assessing--
            (1) the availability of functional lavatories on commercial 
        aircraft, including single-engine aircraft;
            (2) the extent to which flights take off without functional 
        lavatories;
            (3) the ability of individuals with disabilities to access 
        lavatories on commercial aircraft;
            (4) the extent of complaints to the Department of 
        Transportation and air carriers related to lavatories and 
        efforts they have taken to address complaints;
            (5) the extent to which air carriers are shrinking 
        lavatories to add more seats; and
            (6) the extent to which lavatory design creates safety 
        issues.

SEC. 3126. TRAINING POLICIES REGARDING RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND RELIGIOUS 
              NONDISCRIMINATION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days 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 
describing--
            (1) each air carrier's training policy for its employees 
        and contractors regarding racial, ethnic, and religious 
        nondiscrimination; and
            (2) how frequently an air carrier is required to train new 
        employees and contractors because of turnover in positions that 
        require such training.
    (b) Best Practices.--After the date the report is submitted under 
subsection (a), the Secretary of Transportation shall develop and 
disseminate to air carriers best practices necessary to improve the 
training policies described in subsection (a), based on the findings of 
the report and in consultation with--
            (1) passengers of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious 
        backgrounds;
            (2) national organizations that represent impacted 
        communities;
            (3) air carriers;
            (4) airport operators; and
            (5) contractor service providers.

SEC. 3127. CONSUMER PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO LARGE TICKET 
              AGENTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue a final rule 
to require large ticket agents to adopt minimum customer service 
standards.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the final rule shall be to ensure 
that, to the maximum extent practicable, there is a consistent level of 
consumer protection regardless of where consumers purchase air fares 
and related air transportation services.
    (c) Standards.--In issuing the final rule, the Secretary shall 
consider, at a minimum, establishing standards consistent with all 
customer service and disclosure requirements applicable to air carriers 
under this title and associated regulations.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Ticket agent.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                term ``ticket agent'' has the meaning given that term 
                in section 40102(a) of title 49, United States Code.
                    (B) Inclusion.--The term ``ticket agent'' includes 
                a person who acts as an intermediary involved in the 
                sale of air transportation directly or indirectly to 
                consumers, including by operating an electronic airline 
                information system, if the person--
                            (i) holds the person out as a source of 
                        information about, or reservations for, the air 
                        transportation industry; and
                            (ii) receives compensation in any way 
                        related to the sale of air transportation.
            (2) Large ticket agent.--The term ``large ticket agent'' 
        means a ticket agent with annual revenues of $100,000,000 or 
        more.

SEC. 3128. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING EQUAL ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS 
              WITH DISABILITIES.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the aviation industry and every relevant stakeholder 
        must work to ensure that every individual who experiences a 
        disability has equal access to air travel;
            (2) as technology and ease of travel continue to advance, 
        accessibility must be a priority; and
            (3) accommodations must--
                    (A) extend to every airport and service or facility 
                of an air carrier; and
                    (B) be inclusive of every disability.

SEC. 3129. REGULATIONS PROHIBITING THE IMPOSITION OF FEES THAT ARE NOT 
              REASONABLE AND PROPORTIONAL TO THE COSTS INCURRED.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe 
regulations--
            (1) prohibiting an air carrier from imposing fees described 
        in subsection (b)(1) that are unreasonable or disproportional 
        to the costs incurred by the air carrier; and
            (2) establishing standards for assessing whether fees 
        described in subsection (b) are reasonable and proportional to 
        the costs incurred by the air carrier.
    (b) Fees Described.--The fees described in this subsection are--
            (1) any fee for a change or cancellation of a reservation 
        for a flight in interstate air transportation;
            (2) any fee relating to checked baggage to be transported 
        on a flight in interstate air transportation;
            (3) any fee relating to seat selection or reservation on a 
        flight;
            (4) any fee relating to changing between flights departing 
        on the same day or flying standby on a flight; and
            (5) any other fee imposed by an air carrier relating to a 
        flight in interstate air transportation.
    (c) Considerations.--In establishing the standards required by 
subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall consider--
            (1) with respect to a fee described in subsection (b)(1) 
        imposed by an air carrier for a change or cancellation of a 
        flight reservation--
                    (A) any net benefit or cost to the air carrier from 
                the change or cancellation, taking into consideration--
                            (i) the ability of the air carrier to 
                        anticipate the expected average number of 
                        cancellations and changes and make reservations 
                        accordingly;
                            (ii) the ability of the air carrier to fill 
                        a seat made available by a change or 
                        cancellation;
                            (iii) any difference in the fare likely to 
                        be paid for a ticket sold to another passenger 
                        for a seat made available by the change or 
                        cancellation, as compared to the fare paid by 
                        the passenger who changed or canceled the 
                        passenger's reservation; and
                            (iv) the likelihood that the passenger 
                        changing or canceling the passenger's 
                        reservation will fill a seat on another flight 
                        by the same air carrier;
                    (B) the costs of processing the change or 
                cancellation electronically; and
                    (C) any related labor costs;
            (2) with respect to a fee described in subsection (b)(2) 
        imposed by an air carrier relating to checked baggage--
                    (A) the costs of processing checked baggage 
                electronically; and
                    (B) any related labor costs; and
            (3) any other considerations the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.
    (d) Updated Regulations.--The Secretary shall update the standards 
required by subsection (a)(2) not less frequently than every 3 years.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Air carrier.--The term ``air carrier'' means any air 
        carrier that holds an air carrier certificate under section 
        41101 of title 49, United States Code.
            (2) Interstate air transportation.--The term ``interstate 
        air transportation'' has the meaning given that term in section 
        40102 of title 49, United States Code.
    (f) Government Accountability Office Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
        States shall conduct a study to determine what the effect on 
        the availability of air transportation to consumers would be--
                    (A) if the Department of Transportation acts on the 
                authority under subsection (a); and
                    (B) if the Department of Transportation was granted 
                the authority under subsection (a)(1) for the fees 
                described in paragraphs (2) through (5) of subsection 
                (b).
            (2) Considerations.--In conducting the study required by 
        paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall consider, at a 
        minimum, the effect of the regulations described in paragraph 
        (1) on--
                    (A) the cost of ticket prices and other fees 
                charged by air carriers;
                    (B) the services provided to air travelers while 
                traveling on air carriers, including low cost air 
                carriers and ultra-low cost air carriers; and
                    (C) the availability, frequency, and schedule of 
                flights provided by air carriers, including to rural 
                communities.
            (3) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to 
        the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the study 
        required by paragraph (1), including the findings, conclusions, 
        and recommendations of the Comptroller General.

                   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 ``2017'' and inserting ``$175,000,000 for 
        each of fiscal years 2018 through 2021''; 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 by 
striking ``$6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2017'' and 
inserting ``$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2021''.
    (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.''.

                 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--NextGen Air Transportation System

SEC. 4101. RETURN ON INVESTMENT REPORT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and annually thereafter until the date that each NextGen 
program has a positive return on investment, the Administrator shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the status 
of each NextGen program, including the most recent NextGen priority 
list under subsection (c).
    (b) Contents.--The report under subsection (a) shall include, for 
each NextGen program--
            (1) an estimate of the date the program will have a 
        positive return on investment;
            (2) an explanation for any delay in the delivery of 
        expected benefits from previously published estimates on 
        delivery of such benefits, in implementing or utilizing the 
        program;
            (3) an estimate of the completion date;
            (4) an assessment of the long-term and near-term user 
        benefits of the program for--
                    (A) the Federal Government; and
                    (B) the users of the national airspace system; and
            (5) a description of how the program directly contributes 
        to a safer and more efficient air traffic control system.
    (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 the 
        NextGen programs;
            (2) annually update the priority list under paragraph (1); 
        and
            (3) prepare budget submissions to reflect the current 
        status of NextGen programs and projected returns on investment 
        for each NextGen program.
    (d) Definition of Return on Investment.--In this section, the term 
``return on investment'' means the cost associated with technologies 
that are required by law or policy as compared to the financial 
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 PROVIDE SEAMLESS OCEANIC 
              OPERATIONS.

    Not later than September 30, 2018, the Administrator shall make a 
final investment decision regarding a reduced oceanic separation 
capability that, if a positive business case is provided, would result 
in operational use by the end of 2020.

SEC. 4103. ANNUAL NEXTGEN PERFORMANCE GOALS.

    (a) In General.--This section may be cited as the ``NextGen 
Accountability Act''.
    (b) NextGen 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 by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Annual NextGen 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 
established in consultation with public and private NextGen 
stakeholders, including the NextGen Advisory Committee.''.
    (c) 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'' at the end;
            (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).''.
    (d) Chief NextGen Officer.--Section 106(s) 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(e) 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 organizational performance goals set forth in the 
        agreement shall include quantifiable NextGen airspace 
        performance objectives regarding efficiency, productivity, 
        capacity, and safety, which shall be established in 
        consultation with public and private NextGen stakeholders, 
        including the NextGen Advisory Committee.''.

SEC. 4104. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OPERATIONAL 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, although the Administration has 
        taken steps to improve the effectiveness of its operational 
        contingency plans since the incident at the Chicago Center, 
        significant work remains to be done.
    (b) Air Traffic Control Operational Contingency Plans.--Not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 5 years 
thereafter, the Administrator shall update the Administration's air 
traffic control operational contingency plans (FAA Order JO 1900.47E) 
to address potential air traffic facility outages that could have a 
major impact on the operation of the national airspace system, 
including the most recent findings and recommendations in the report 
under subsection (d).
    (c) Updates.--Not later than 60 days after the date the air traffic 
control operational contingency plans are 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 the 
operation of the national airspace system.
    (d) Resiliency Recommendations.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and periodically thereafter as the 
Administrator considers appropriate, the Administrator shall convene 
NextGen program officials to evaluate, expedite, and complete a report 
on how planned NextGen capabilities can enhance the resiliency and 
continuity of national airspace system operations and mitigate the 
impact of future air traffic control disruptions.

SEC. 4105. 2020 ADS-B OUT MANDATE PLAN.

    The Administrator, in collaboration with the NextGen Advisory 
Committee, shall--
            (1) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
        this Act--
                    (A) identify any known and potential barriers to 
                compliance with the 2020 ADS-B Out mandate under 
                section 91.225 of title 14, Code of Federal 
                Regulations;
                    (B) develop a plan to address the known barriers 
                identified in paragraph (1), including a schedule for--
                            (i) periodically reevaluating the potential 
                        barriers identified in paragraph (1); and
                            (ii) developing solutions and implementing 
                        actions to address the known and potential 
                        barriers; and
                    (C) submit the plan to the appropriate committees 
                of Congress;
            (2) periodically update the plan and, not later than 30 
        days after the completion date, submit the update to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress; and
            (3) not later than 30 days after the date the plan is 
        submitted under paragraph (2), and annually thereafter until 
        January 1, 2020, submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report on the progress made toward meeting the 2020 
        ADS-B Out 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) collaborate with air carriers 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) identify and consider other key operational 
        improvements, including the identification of--
                    (A) additional metroplexes for PBN projects;
                    (B) non-metroplex PBN procedures; and
                    (C) unused flight routes for decommissioning;
            (3) develop and implement guidelines for the timely 
        inclusion of appropriate stakeholders, including airport 
        representatives, in the planning and implementation of NextGen 
        operational improvement efforts; and
            (4) ensure that NextGen planning documents inform 
        stakeholders of how and when operational improvements are 
        expected to achieve NextGen national goals and strategic 
        objectives.
    (b) Reports.--Each year, as part of the submission of the NextGen 
Integrated Work Plan, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on--
            (1) the progress made toward implementing the requirements 
        under subsection (a); and
            (2) 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 PBN at 
        additional airports.

SEC. 4109. SECURING AIRCRAFT AVIONICS SYSTEMS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall consider, where appropriate, 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.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall consider the recommendations of the Aircraft 
Systems Information Security Protection Working Group under section 
2111 of the FAA Extension Safety and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 
114-190; 130 Stat. 615).

SEC. 4110. 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 whether and 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 directly contribute to a measurably safer and more 
        efficient air traffic control system.

SEC. 4111. 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. 4112. 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, and biennially thereafter, 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. EQUIPAGE MANDATES.

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

SEC. 4114. 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 in those fields; and
            (3) identify existing authorities available to the 
        Administrator, through personnel reform, 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. 4115. 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. 4116. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator, in collaboration with the NextGen Advisory Committee and 
the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, shall--
            (1) identify industry best practices regarding highly 
        integrated program management;
            (2) determine whether, and identify how, the Administration 
        is applying the best practices identified in paragraph (1) in 
        the management of NextGen;
            (3) identify, in detail, the lessons learned regarding the 
        complex integration of NextGen programs into the national 
        airspace system;
            (4) identify and assess the key risks for the full 
        implementation of--
                    (A) multiple runway operations;
                    (B) performance based navigation;
                    (C) surface operations and data sharing; and
                    (D) data communications;
            (5) develop a detailed plan to mitigate the risks 
        identified under paragraph (4); and
            (6) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
        report on the activities under paragraphs (1) through (5), 
        including the plan.

SEC. 4117. SYSTEM-WIDE IMPROVEMENTS.

    (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 identifying any improvements and 
benefits to the national airspace system, as a whole, as a result of--
            (1) multiple runway operations;
            (2) performance based navigation;
            (3) surface operations and data sharing; and
            (4) data communications.
    (b) Considerations.--In identifying improvements and benefits under 
subsection (a) as a result of the NextGen programs listed under 
subparagraphs (A) through (D) of that subsection, the Administrator 
shall consider, at a minimum--
            (1) reduced overall delays in the national airspace system;
            (2) increased overall throughput in the national airspace 
        system;
            (3) decreased overall emissions and fuel consumption in the 
        national airspace system; and
            (4) improved safety in the national airspace system.

SEC. 4118. NEXTGEN RESEARCH.

    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 specifying the top 5 priority research areas for the 
implementation and advancement of NextGen, including--
            (1) an assessment of why the research areas are a priority 
        for the implementation and advancement of NextGen;
            (2) an identification of the other Federal agencies and 
        private organizations assisting the Administration with the 
        research; and
            (3) an estimate of when the research will be completed.

SEC. 4119. ANNUAL REPORT ON NEXTGEN IMPLEMENTATION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and not less frequently than annually thereafter, the 
Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report on the implementation of NextGen at commercial service airports 
in the United States.
    (b) Elements.--Each report required by subsection (a) shall include 
the following:
            (1) The number and percentage of commercial service 
        airports in the United States that have fully implemented 
        NextGen.
            (2) The percentage completion of NextGen implementation at 
        each commercial service airport in the United States.
    (c) Development of Standard to Determine Percentage Implementation 
of NextGen.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall develop a standard 
        for determining under subsection (b)(2) the percentage 
        completion of NextGen implementation at commercial service 
        airports in the United States based on factors that may include 
        an accounting of efficiency benefits achieved, the degree of 
        NextGen technology and infrastructure installed, and the extent 
        of controller training on NextGen.
            (2) Inclusion in report.--The Administrator shall include 
        in the report submitted under subsection (a) the standard 
        developed under paragraph (1).

         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. 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 
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 the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
describing the progress of the Secretary in meeting the performance 
targets established under subsection (b).

SEC. 4203. 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. 4204. 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. 4205. 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 shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report on the 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. 4206. WORK PLAN FOR THE NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY/PHILADELPHIA 
              METROPOLITAN AREA AIRSPACE PROJECT.

    Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall develop and publish in the Federal Register a work 
plan for the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia Metropolitan Area 
Airspace Project.

SEC. 4207. AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES AT AVIATION EVENTS.

    (a) Requirement to Provide Services and Related Support.--The 
Administrator 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 
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. 4208. ANNUAL REPORT ON INCLUSION OF DISABLED VETERAN LEAVE IN 
              PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and 
not less frequently than annually 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 of section 40122(g)(4) of title 49, United 
        States Code, on the Administration's workforce; and
            (2) the number of disabled veterans benefitting from that 
        section.

SEC. 4209. APPLICATION OF VETERANS' PREFERENCE TO FEDERAL AVIATION 
              ADMINISTRATION PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

    Section 40122(g)(2)(B) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``3304(f),'' before ``3308-3320''; and
            (2) by inserting ``3330a, 3330b, 3330c, and 3330d,'' before 
        ``relating''.

SEC. 4210. AIRCRAFT REGISTRY OFFICE.

    The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
designate employees at the Aircraft Registry Office in Oklahoma City, 
Oklahoma, as excepted employees in the event of a shutdown or emergency 
furlough to ensure that the office remains open for the duration of the 
lapse in Federal Government appropriations to the Federal Aviation 
Administration.

                         TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 5001. NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATIVE OFFICERS.

    Section 1113 is amended by striking subsection (h).

SEC. 5002. 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. 5003. AERONAUTICAL STUDIES FOR COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH SITE 
              RUNWAYS.

    (a) In General.--Section 44718(b)(1) is amended-
            (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
        ``air navigation facilities and equipment'' and inserting ``air 
        or space navigation facilities and equipment''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) by redesignating clauses (v) and (vi) as 
                clauses (vi) and (vii), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after clause (iv) the following:
                            ``(v) 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. 5004. 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 to relevant government agencies and 
        stakeholders in writing, and 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. 5005. 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 
2018 and 2021 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. 5006. INTERFERENCE WITH AIRLINE EMPLOYEES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days 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 the appropriate committees of 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.
    (c) Air Carrier Employee Assault Prevention and Response Plan.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        completion of the study under subsection (a), each air carrier 
        operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (in this section referred to as a ``part 121 air 
        carrier''), shall submit to the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration for review and acceptance an employee 
        assault prevention and response plan that reflects the findings 
        of the study under subsection (a) related to trends in 
        incidents of physical altercations involving air carrier 
        customer service representatives while they are performing 
        their duties and on airport property.
            (2) Contents of plan.--An employee assault prevention and 
        response plan submitted by a part 121 air carrier under 
        paragraph (1) shall include the following:
                    (A) Reporting protocols for air carrier customer 
                service agents who have been the victim of physical 
                altercations.
                    (B) Protocols for the notification of law 
                enforcement agents of an incident of a physical 
                altercation against an air carrier customer service 
                agent.
                    (C) Protocols for informing Federal law enforcement 
                agents in a case in which an individual is alleged to 
                have violated section 46503 of title 49, United States 
                Code.
            (3) Consultations with labor organizations.--In developing 
        the plan required by paragraph (1), a part 121 air carrier 
        shall consult with the appropriate labor organizations 
        representing the customer service agents of the air carrier.
    (d) Employee Training.--Each part 121 air carrier shall submit to 
the Federal Aviation Administration a plan for training all employees, 
including management, on the plan required under subsection (c)(1) that 
includes training on de-escalating hostile situations, written 
protocols on dealing with hostile situations, and reporting of 
incidents of violence.

SEC. 5007. SECONDARY COCKPIT BARRIERS.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Saracini 
Aviation Safety Act of 2017''.
    (b) Requirement.--Not later than 1 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. 5008. 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 
development 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. 5009. 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. 5010. 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. 5011. 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 the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the study conducted 
under subsection (a) that includes any recommendations developed under 
subsection (c).

SEC. 5012. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REVIEW OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 
              SYSTEMS.

    (a) In General.--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 examining law 
enforcement challenges posed by the use of unmanned aircraft systems 
for illegal drug trafficking.
    (b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a) shall 
examine how unmanned aircraft systems are being used to transport 
illegal drugs across the international borders of the United States, 
including--
            (1) how international drug traffickers have used unmanned 
        aircraft systems to fly packages of illegal drugs into the 
        United States;
            (2) how international drug traffickers have used unmanned 
        aircraft systems to survey international borders, providing 
        intelligence to smugglers on vulnerabilities in the border 
        security efforts of the United States; and
            (3) other ways in which international drug traffickers have 
        used unmanned aircraft systems to assist their efforts to 
        smuggle illegal drugs into the United States.

SEC. 5013. 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. 5014. 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. 5015. STUDENT OUTREACH 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 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. 5016. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN FLIGHTS BY STAGE 2 AIRCRAFT.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding chapter 475 of title 49, United 
States Code, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall initiate a pilot program to permit 1 or more operators of a stage 
2 aircraft to operate that aircraft in nonrevenue service into not more 
than 4 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 aircraft operates not more 
        than 10 flights per month using that aircraft.
    (b) Termination.--The pilot program 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 aircraft 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 aircraft.--The term ``stage 2 aircraft'' has 
        the meaning given the term ``stage 2 airplane'' 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).

SEC. 5017. RULEMAKING ON OVERLAND SUPERSONIC FLIGHT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall publish in the 
Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking that--
            (1) permits the development, testing, manufacturing, and 
        operation of civil supersonic aircraft in the United States;
            (2) specifies a noise standard for sonic boom over the 
        United States that--
                    (A) is economically reasonable and technologically 
                practicable;
                    (B) is informed by noise levels that are tolerated 
                in the United States for non-aviation purposes; and
                    (C) will foster employment in aircraft and aircraft 
                engine manufacturing in the United States; and
            (3) specifies a noise standard for landing and take-off of 
        civil supersonic aircraft that is no more stringent than large 
        subsonic aircraft in use for transporting passengers in the 
        United States on January 1, 2017.
    (b) Final Rule.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
publication of the notice under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
publish the final rule in the Federal Register.
    (c) Contingent Repeal of Rule.--If the Secretary has not published 
the final rule in under subsection (b) by the date that is 36 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, section 91.817 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, shall have no force or effect on or 
after that date.

SEC. 5018. TERMINAL AERODROME FORECAST.

    (a) Terminal Aerodrome Forecast.--The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall permit an air carrier operation under 
part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to operate to a 
destination determined to be under visual flight rules without a 
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (referred to in this section as ``TAF'') or 
Meteorological Aerodrome Report (METAR) if a current Area Forecast, 
supplemented by other local weather observations or reports, is 
available, and an alternate airport that has an available TAF and 
weather report is specified. The air carrier shall have approved 
procedures for dispatch and enroute weather evaluation and shall 
operate under instrument flight rules enroute to the destination.
    (b) Limitation.--Without a written finding of necessity, based on 
objective and historical evidence of imminent threat to safety, the 
Administrator shall not promulgate any operation specification, policy, 
or guidance document that is more restrictive than, or requires 
procedures that are not expressly stated in, the regulations.

SEC. 5019. 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 3103 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. 5020. AVIATION WEATHER OBSERVATIONS.

    The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall use 
the National Airspace Data Interchange Network of the Federal Aviation 
Administration to publish weather observation data provided by--
     (a) weather stations of the National Weather Service that are 
approved by the Federal Aviation Administration as air traffic control 
facilities and are located in a noncontiguous State; and
    (b) modular automated weather stations located in a noncontiguous 
State.

SEC. 5021. ROLE OF NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL AND TOURISM 
              INFRASTRUCTURE.

    Section 1431(d) of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act 
(Public Law 114-94; 49 U.S.C. 301 note) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (7), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(9) consider the effect of the domestic and international 
        aviation market on travel and tourism in the United States.''.

SEC. 5022. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING WOMEN IN AVIATION.

    It is the sense of Congress that the aviation industry should 
explore all opportunities to encourage and support female students and 
aviators to pursue a career in aviation, including by providing--
            (1) pilot training;
            (2) science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
        education; and
            (3) mentorship programs.

SEC. 5023. SPECTRUM AVAILABILITY.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2015 (47 U.S.C. 921 note) 
        requires the Secretary of Commerce to identify 30 megahertz of 
        electromagnetic spectrum below the frequency of 3 gigahertz to 
        be reallocated to non-Federal use, to shared Federal and non-
        Federal use, or to a combination thereof.
            (2) The Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2015 (47 U.S.C. 921 note) 
        authorized the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
        to use amounts made available through the Spectrum Relocation 
        Fund to make payments to Federal entities for research and 
        development, engineering studies, economic analyses, and other 
        activities intended to improve the efficiency and effectiveness 
        of Federal spectrum use in order to make such spectrum 
        available for reallocation for non-Federal use, for shared 
        Federal and non-Federal use, or for a combination thereof.
            (3) The Federal Aviation Administration, in coordination 
        with the Department of Commerce, the Department of Defense, and 
        the Department of Homeland Security, established the Spectrum 
        Efficient National Surveillance Radar (referred to in this 
        section as ``SENSR'') Program to assess the feasibility of 
        consolidating certain long-range, short-range, and weather 
        radar systems in order to make available the 1300-1350 
        megahertz band.
            (4) The SENSR Program received approval and approximately 
        $71,500,000 from Office of Management and Budget on June 2, 
        2017, to proceed with Phase I of the SENSR Spectrum Pipeline 
        Plan, which will focus on requirements and concept development 
        as well as documenting expected costs and information for all 
        impacted Federal spectrum systems.
    (b)  Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the SENSR 
Program of the Federal Aviation Administration should continue its 
assessment of the feasibility of making the 1300-1350 megahertz band of 
electromagnetic spectrum available for non-Federal use.

SEC. 5024. REPORT ON ILLEGAL CHARTER FLIGHTS.

    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 an analysis of reports filed 
during the 10-year period preceding such date of enactment through the 
illegal charter hotline of the Federal Aviation Administration and 
other sources that includes--
            (1) what follow-up action the Federal Aviation 
        Administration takes when a report of illegal charter 
        operations is received;
            (2) how the Federal Aviation Administration decides to 
        allocate resources;
            (3) challenges the Federal Aviation Administration faces in 
        identifying illegal operators; and
            (4) recommendations for improving the efforts of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration to combat illegal charter 
        carrier operations.

SEC. 5025. FEDERAL AUTHORITY OVER INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION.

    Section 14501(c) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``Paragraph (1)'' and 
        inserting ``Paragraphs (1) and (6)'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``Paragraph (1)'' and 
        inserting ``Paragraphs (1) and (6)''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) Additional limitations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A State, a political subdivision 
                of a State, or a political authority composed of 2 or 
                more States may not enact or enforce a law, regulation, 
                or other provision having the force and effect of law 
                relating to meal or rest breaks applicable to employees 
                whose hours of service are subject to regulation by the 
                Secretary under section 31502.
                    ``(B) Savings provision.--Nothing in this paragraph 
                may be construed to limit the provisions under 
                paragraph (1).''.
                                                       Calendar No. 407

115th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 1405

                          [Report No. 115-243]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

To amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for 
      the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                              May 9, 2018

                       Reported with an amendment