[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3935 Reported in House (RH)]

<DOC>





                                                 Union Calendar No. 109
118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3935

                          [Report No. 118-138]

 To amend title 49, United States Code, to reauthorize and improve the 
Federal Aviation Administration and other civil aviation programs, and 
                          for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 9, 2023

  Mr. Graves of Missouri (for himself, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mr. 
  Graves of Louisiana, and Mr. Cohen) introduced the following bill; 
       which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and 
                             Infrastructure

                             July 11, 2023

  Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
       House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on June 9, 
                                 2023]


_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To amend title 49, United States Code, to reauthorize and improve the 
Federal Aviation Administration and other civil aviation programs, and 
                          for other purposes.


 


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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Securing Growth 
and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

         TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS AND FAA ORGANIZATIONAL REFORM

                       Subtitle A--Authorizations

Sec. 101. Airport planning and development and noise compatibility 
                            planning and programs.
Sec. 102. Facilities and equipment.
Sec. 103. Operations.
Sec. 104. Extension of miscellaneous expiring authorities.

                 Subtitle B--FAA Organizational Reform

Sec. 121. FAA leadership.
Sec. 122. FAA management board.
Sec. 123. Prohibition on conflicting pecuniary interests.
Sec. 124. Authority of Secretary and Administrator.
Sec. 125. Review of FAA rulemaking processes.
Sec. 126. Office of Innovation.
Sec. 127. Frank A. LoBiondo National Aerospace Safety and Security 
                            Campus.
Sec. 128. Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace.
Sec. 129. Office of NextGen sunset.
Sec. 130. FAA Ombudsman.
Sec. 131. Project dashboards and feedback portal.
Sec. 132. Sense of Congress on FAA engagement during rulemaking 
                            activities.
Sec. 133. Civil Aeromedical Institute.
Sec. 134. Management advisory council.
Sec. 135. Aviation noise officer.
Sec. 136. Chief Operating Officer.
Sec. 137. Report on unfunded capital investment needs of air traffic 
                            control system.
Sec. 138. Chief Technology Officer.
Sec. 139. Definition of air traffic control system.
Sec. 140. Peer review of Office of Whistleblower Protection and 
                            Aviation Safety Investigations.
Sec. 141. Cybersecurity lead.
Sec. 142. Reducing FAA waste, inefficiency, and unnecessary 
                            responsibilities.

                       TITLE II--GENERAL AVIATION

         Subtitle A--Expanding Pilot Privileges and Protections

Sec. 201. Reexamination of pilots or certificate holders.
Sec. 202. GAO review of Pilot's Bill of Rights.
Sec. 203. Expansion of BasicMed.
Sec. 204. Data privacy.
Sec. 205. Prohibition on using ADS-B data to initiate an investigation.
Sec. 206. Prohibition on N-Number profiteering.
Sec. 207. Accountability for aircraft registration numbers.
Sec. 208. Timely resolution of investigations.
Sec. 209. Expansion of volunteer pilot organization definition.
Sec. 210. Charitable flight fuel reimbursement exemptions.
Sec. 211. GAO report on charitable flights.
Sec. 212. All makes and models authorization.
Sec. 213. Response to letter of investigation.

                  Subtitle B--General Aviation Safety

Sec. 221. ADS-B safety enhancement incentive program.
Sec. 222. GAO report on ADS-B technology.
Sec. 223. Protecting general aviation airports from FAA closure.
Sec. 224. Ensuring safe landings during off-airport operations.
Sec. 225. Airport diagram terminology.
Sec. 226. Alternative ADS-B technologies for use in certain small 
                            aircraft.
Sec. 227. Airshow safety team.
Sec. 228. Tower marking notice of proposed rulemaking.

                   Subtitle C--Improving FAA Services

Sec. 241. Aircraft registration validity during renewal.
Sec. 242. Temporary airman certificates.
Sec. 243. Flight instruction or testing.
Sec. 244. Letter of deviation authority.
Sec. 245. National coordination and oversight of designated pilot 
                            examiners.
Sec. 246. BasicMed for examiners administering tests or proficiency 
                            checks.
Sec. 247. Designee locator tool improvements.
Sec. 248. Deadline to eliminate aircraft registration backlog.
Sec. 249. Part 135 air carrier certificate backlog.
Sec. 250. Logging flight time accrued in certain public aircraft.
Sec. 251. Flight instructor certificates.
Sec. 252. Consistency of policy application in flight standards and 
                            aircraft certification.
Sec. 253. Application of policies, orders, and guidance.
Sec. 254. Expansion of the regulatory consistency communications board.
Sec. 255. Exemption of fees for air traffic services.
Sec. 256. Modernization of special airworthiness certification 
                            rulemaking deadline.
Sec. 257. Termination of designees.
Sec. 258. Part 135 check airmen reforms.

                      Subtitle D--Other Provisions

Sec. 261. Required consultation with National Parks Overflights 
                            Advisory Group.
Sec. 262. Supplemental oxygen regulatory reform.
Sec. 263. Exclusion of gyroplanes from fuel system requirements.
Sec. 264. Airshow venue information, awareness, training, and education 
                            program.
Sec. 265. Low altitude rotorcraft and powered-lift operations.
Sec. 266. BasicMed in North America.
Sec. 267. Eliminate aviation gasoline lead emissions.

                     TITLE III--AEROSPACE WORKFORCE

                  Subtitle A--Growing the Talent Pool

Sec. 301. Extension of aviation workforce development programs.
Sec. 302. Improving aviation workforce development programs.
Sec. 303. National Center for the Advancement of Aerospace.
Sec. 304. Cooperative Aviation Recruitment, Enrichment, and Employment 
                            Readiness Program.
Sec. 305. Repeal of duplicative or obsolete workforce programs.
Sec. 306. Civil airmen statistics.
Sec. 307. Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation Advisory Committee.
Sec. 308. Establishing a comprehensive web-based aviation resource 
                            center.
Sec. 309. Direct hire authority from UAS Collegiate Training 
                            Initiative.

     Subtitle B--Improving Training and Rebuilding Talent Pipelines

Sec. 311. Joint aviation employment training working group.
Sec. 312. Airman knowledge testing working group.
Sec. 313. Airman Certification System Working Group and timely 
                            publication of standards.
Sec. 314. Air traffic control workforce staffing.
Sec. 315. Aviation safety workforce assessment.
Sec. 316. Military aviation maintenance.

            Subtitle C--Engaging and Retaining the Workforce

Sec. 321. Airman's medical bill of rights.
Sec. 322. Improved designee misconduct reporting process.
Sec. 323. Report on safe uniform options for certain aviation 
                            employees.
Sec. 324. Extension of Samya Rose Stumo national air grant fellowship 
                            program.
Sec. 325. Promotion of civil aeronautics and safety of air commerce.
Sec. 326. Educational and professional development.
Sec. 327. Human factors professionals.
Sec. 328. Aeromedical innovation and modernization working group.
Sec. 329. Frontline manager workload study.
Sec. 330. Age standards for pilots.

                    TITLE IV--AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

         Subtitle A--Airport Improvement Program Modifications

Sec. 401. AIP definitions.
Sec. 402. Revenue diversion penalty enhancement.
Sec. 403. Extension of competitive access report requirement.
Sec. 404. Renewal of certain leases.
Sec. 405. Community use of airport land.
Sec. 406. Price adjustment provisions.
Sec. 407. Allowable project costs and letters of intent.
Sec. 408. Small airport letters of intent.
Sec. 409. Prohibition on use of AIP funds to procure certain passenger 
                            boarding bridges.
Sec. 410. Fuel infrastructure.
Sec. 411. Apportionments.
Sec. 412. PFC turnback reduction.
Sec. 413. Transfer of AIP supplemental funds to formula program.
Sec. 414. Small airport fund.
Sec. 415. Revision of discretionary categories.
Sec. 416. Terminal development.
Sec. 417. State block grant program.
Sec. 418. Innovative financing techniques.
Sec. 419. Long-term management plans.
Sec. 420. Alternative project delivery.
Sec. 421. Nonmovement area surveillance surface display systems pilot 
                            program.
Sec. 422. Repeal of obsolete criminal provisions.
Sec. 423. Limitation on certain rolling stock procurements.
Sec. 424. Regulatory application.
Sec. 425. National priority system formulas.
Sec. 426. Minority and disadvantaged business participation.
Sec. 427. Airport access roads in remote locations.
Sec. 428. Limited regulation of nonfederally sponsored property.
Sec. 429. Motorcoach enplanement pilot program.
Sec. 430. Populous counties without airports.
Sec. 431. Continued availability of aviation gasoline.
Sec. 432. AIP handbook update.
Sec. 433. GAO audit of airport financial reporting program.
Sec. 434. GAO review of nonaeronautical revenue streams at airports.
Sec. 435. Maintaining safe fire and rescue staffing levels.
Sec. 436. GAO study of onsite airport generation.
Sec. 437. Transportation demand management at airports.
Sec. 438. Coastal airports assessment.
Sec. 439. Airport investment partnership program.
Sec. 440. GAO study on per-trip airport fees for TNC consumers.
Sec. 441. Special rule for reclassification of certain unclassified 
                            airports.
Sec. 442. Permanent solar powered taxiway edge lighting systems.
Sec. 443. Secondary runways.
Sec. 444. Increasing the energy efficiency of airports and meeting 
                            current and future electrical power 
                            demands.
Sec. 445. Electric aircraft infrastructure pilot program.
Sec. 446. Curb management practices.

                 Subtitle B--Passenger Facility Charges

Sec. 461. PFC application approvals.
Sec. 462. PFC authorization pilot program implementation.

     Subtitle C--Noise and Environmental Programs and Streamlining

Sec. 471. Streamlining consultation process.
Sec. 472. Repeal of burdensome emissions credit requirements.
Sec. 473. Expedited environmental review and One Federal Decision.
Sec. 474. Subchapter III definitions.
Sec. 475. Pilot program extension.
Sec. 476. Part 150 noise standards update.
Sec. 477. Reducing community aircraft noise exposure.
Sec. 478. Categorical exclusions.
Sec. 479. Critical habitat on or near airport property.
Sec. 480. Updating presumed to conform limits.
Sec. 481. Recommendations on reducing rotorcraft noise in District of 
                            Columbia.
Sec. 482. UFP study.
Sec. 483. Aviation and airport community engagement.
Sec. 484. Community Collaboration Program.
Sec. 485. Third party study on aviation noise metrics.
Sec. 486. Information sharing requirement.

                        TITLE V--AVIATION SAFETY

                     Subtitle A--General Provisions

Sec. 501. Zero tolerance for near misses, runway incursions, and 
                            surface safety risks.
Sec. 502. Global aviation safety.
Sec. 503. Availability of personnel for inspections, site visits, and 
                            training.
Sec. 504. Helicopter air ambulance operations.
Sec. 505. Global aircraft maintenance safety improvements.
Sec. 506. ODA best practice sharing.
Sec. 507. Training of organization delegation authority unit members.
Sec. 508. Clarification on safety management system information 
                            disclosure.
Sec. 509. Extension of Aircraft Certification, Safety, and 
                            Accountability Act reporting requirements.
Sec. 510. Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative.
Sec. 511. Continued oversight of FAA compliance program.
Sec. 512. Scalability of safety management systems.
Sec. 513. Finalize safety management system rulemaking.
Sec. 514. Improvements to aviation safety information analysis and 
                            sharing.
Sec. 515. Improvement of certification processes.
Sec. 516. Instructions for continued airworthiness aviation rulemaking 
                            committee.
Sec. 517. Clarity for supplemental type certificate requirements.
Sec. 518. Use of advanced tools in certifying aerospace products.
Sec. 519. Transport airplane and propulsion certification 
                            modernization.
Sec. 520. Engine fire protection standards.
Sec. 521. Risk model for production facility inspections.
Sec. 522. Secondary cockpit barriers.
Sec. 523. Review of FAA use of aerospace safety data.
Sec. 524. Part 135 duty and rest.
Sec. 525. Cockpit voice and video recorders.
Sec. 526. Flight data recovery from overwater operations.
Sec. 527. Emergency medical equipment on passenger aircraft.
Sec. 528. Navigation aids study.
Sec. 529. Remote towers.
Sec. 530. Weather reporting systems study.
Sec. 531. GAO study on expansion of the FAA weather camera program.
Sec. 532. Study on aviation safety in era of wireless connectivity.
Sec. 533. Ramp worker safety call to action.
Sec. 534. Safety data analysis for aircraft without transponders.
Sec. 535. Crash-resistant fuel systems in rotorcraft.
Sec. 536. Reducing turbulence on part 121 aircraft operations.
Sec. 537. Study on radiation exposure.
Sec. 538. Deterring crewmember interference.
Sec. 539. Cabin temperature standards.
Sec. 540. Cabin air quality.
Sec. 541. Evacuation standards for transport category airplanes.
Sec. 542. Lithium-ion powered wheelchairs.
Sec. 543. National simulator program policies and guidance.
Sec. 544. GAO study on FAA National Simulator Program.
Sec. 545. GAO study on FAA alignment with best available technologies 
                            and standards.
Sec. 546. Advanced simulation training.
Sec. 547. Incremental safety improvement.

                   Subtitle B--Aviation Cybersecurity

Sec. 571. Findings.
Sec. 572. Aerospace product safety.
Sec. 573. Federal Aviation Administration regulations, policy, and 
                            guidance.
Sec. 574. Civil aviation cybersecurity rulemaking committee.

                     TITLE VI--AEROSPACE INNOVATION

                 Subtitle A--Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Sec. 601. Definitions.
Sec. 602. Unmanned aircraft system test ranges.
Sec. 603. Unmanned aircraft in the Arctic.
Sec. 604. Public safety use of tethered UAS.
Sec. 605. Special authority for unmanned aircraft systems.
Sec. 606. Recreational operations of drone systems.
Sec. 607. Airport safety and airspace hazard mitigation and 
                            enforcement.
Sec. 608. Applications for designation.
Sec. 609. Beyond visual line of sight rulemaking.
Sec. 610. UAS traffic management.
Sec. 611. Radar data pilot program.
Sec. 612. Electronic conspicuity study.
Sec. 613. Remote identification alternative means of compliance.
Sec. 614. Part 107 waiver improvements.
Sec. 615. Acceptable levels of risk and risk assessment methodology.
Sec. 616. Environmental review.
Sec. 617. Carriage of hazardous materials.
Sec. 618. Unmanned aircraft system use in wildfire response.
Sec. 619. Pilot program for UAS inspections of FAA infrastructure.
Sec. 620. Drone infrastructure inspection grant program.
Sec. 621. Drone education and workforce training grant program.
Sec. 622. Drone workforce training program study.
Sec. 623. UAS Integration Office.
Sec. 624. Termination of Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee.
Sec. 625. Unmanned and Autonomous Flight Advisory Committee.
Sec. 626. NextGen Advisory Committee membership expansion.
Sec. 627. Temporary flight restriction integrity.
Sec. 628. Interagency coordination.
Sec. 629. Review of regulations to enable unescorted UAS operations.
Sec. 630. UAS operations over high seas.
Sec. 631. Beyond BEYOND.
Sec. 632. UAS integration strategy.
Sec. 633. Authorization of appropriations for Know Before You Fly 
                            campaign.
Sec. 634. Public aircraft definition.

                   Subtitle B--Advanced Air Mobility

Sec. 651. Definition.
Sec. 652. Powered-lift aircraft rulemakings.
Sec. 653. Powered-lift aircraft entry into service.
Sec. 654. Sense of Congress on preparation for entry into service of 
                            powered-lift aircraft.
Sec. 655. Infrastructure supporting vertical flight.
Sec. 656. Charting of aviation infrastructure.
Sec. 657. Advanced air mobility working group.
Sec. 658. Advanced air mobility infrastructure pilot program extension.

                      Subtitle C--Other Provisions

Sec. 681. Report on national spaceports policy.
Sec. 682. Intermodal transportation infrastructure improvement pilot 
                            program.
Sec. 683. Airspace access for high-speed aircraft.
Sec. 684. ICAO activities on new technologies.
Sec. 685. AIP eligibility for certain spaceport infrastructure.
Sec. 686. Commercial space transportation statistics.
Sec. 687. Report on certain infrastructure needs.
Sec. 688. Airspace integration for space launch and reentry.

              TITLE VII--PASSENGER EXPERIENCE IMPROVEMENTS

                     Subtitle A--General Provisions

Sec. 701. Advertisements and solicitations for passenger air 
                            transportation.
Sec. 702. Modernization of consumer complaint submissions.
Sec. 703. Codification of consumer protection provisions.
Sec. 704. Extension of aviation consumer protection advisory committee.
Sec. 705. Removal of outdated references to passengers with 
                            disabilities.
Sec. 706. Extension of aviation consumer advocate reporting 
                            requirement.
Sec. 707. Air Carrier Access Act advisory committee.
Sec. 708. Passenger experience advisory committee.
Sec. 709. Streamlining of offline ticket disclosures.
Sec. 710. Ticket agent refund obligations.
Sec. 711. Updating passenger information requirement regulations.
Sec. 712. Mobility aids on board improve lives and empower all.
Sec. 713. Prioritizing accountability and accessibility for aviation 
                            consumers.
Sec. 714. Aircraft accessibility.
Sec. 715. Accessibility of websites, software applications, and kiosks 
                            for individuals with disabilities.
Sec. 716. Review of methods to report flight delay and cancellation 
                            statistics.
Sec. 717. Reimbursement for incurred costs.
Sec. 718. Airline operational resiliency plans.
Sec. 719. Family seating.
Sec. 720. Seat dimensions.
Sec. 721. Improved training standards for assisting passengers who use 
                            wheelchairs.
Sec. 722. Training standards for stowage of wheelchairs and scooters.
Sec. 723. Investigation of complaints.
Sec. 724. Standards.

                        Subtitle B--Air Traffic

Sec. 741. Transfers of air traffic systems acquired with AIP.
Sec. 742. NextGen programs.
Sec. 743. Airspace access.
Sec. 744. Airspace transition completion.
Sec. 745. FAA contract towers.
Sec. 746. FAA contract tower workforce audit.
Sec. 747. Aviation infrastructure sustainment.
Sec. 748. Air traffic control tower safety.
Sec. 749. Air traffic services data reports.
Sec. 750. Consideration of small hub control towers.
Sec. 751. Air traffic control tower replacement process report.
Sec. 752. FAA contract tower pilot program.

                Subtitle C--Small Community Air Service

Sec. 771. Essential air service reforms.
Sec. 772. Essential air service authorization.
Sec. 773. Small community air service development program reform and 
                            authorization.
Sec. 774. GAO study on increased costs of essential air service.

                       TITLE VIII--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 801. Digitalization of FAA processes.
Sec. 802. FAA telework.
Sec. 803. Review of office space.
Sec. 804. Aircraft weight reduction task force.
Sec. 805. Audit of technical writing resources and capabilities.
Sec. 806. FAA participation in industry standards organizations.
Sec. 807. Sense of Congress on use of voluntary consensus standards.
Sec. 808. Required designation.
Sec. 809. Sensitive security information.
Sec. 810. Preserving open skies while ensuring fair skies.
Sec. 811. Commercial preference.
Sec. 812. Consideration of third-party services.
Sec. 813. Certificates of authorization or waiver.
Sec. 814. Wing-in-ground-effect craft.
Sec. 815. Quasquicentennial of aviation.
Sec. 816. Federal contract tower wage determinations and positions.
Sec. 817. Internal process improvements review.
Sec. 818. Acceptance of digital driver's license and identification 
                            cards.
Sec. 819. Buckeye 940 release of deed restrictions.
Sec. 820. Federal Aviation Administration information technology system 
                            integrity.
Sec. 821. Briefing on radio communications coverage around mountainous 
                            terrain.
Sec. 822. Study on congested airspace.
Sec. 823. Administrative services franchise fund.
Sec. 824. Use of biographical assessments.
Sec. 825. Whistleblower protection enforcement.
Sec. 826. Final rulemaking on certain manufacturing standards.
Sec. 827. Remote dispatch.
Sec. 828. Employee assault prevention and response plans amendment.
Sec. 829. Crew member self-defense training.
Sec. 830. Formal sexual assault and harassment policies on air carriers 
                            and foreign air carriers.
Sec. 831. Interference with security screening personnel.
Sec. 832. Mechanisms to reduce helicopter noise.
Sec. 833. Technical corrections.
Sec. 834. Transportation of organs.
Sec. 835. Report on application approval timing.
Sec. 836. Study on air cargo operations.
Sec. 837. Next generation radio altimeters.
Sec. 838. Sense of Congress regarding safety and security of aviation 
                            infrastructure.
Sec. 839. Restricted category aircraft maintenance and operations.
Sec. 840. Report on telework.
Sec. 841. Crewmember pumping guidance.
Sec. 842. Aircraft interchange agreement limitations.
Sec. 843. Federal Aviation Administration Academy and facility 
                            expansion plan.

 TITLE IX--NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2023

Sec. 901. Short title.
Sec. 902. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 903. Clarification of treatment of territories.
Sec. 904. Additional workforce training.
Sec. 905. Acquiring mission-essential knowledge and skills.
Sec. 906. Overtime annual report termination.
Sec. 907. Strategic workforce plan.
Sec. 908. Travel budgets.
Sec. 909. Retention of records.
Sec. 910. Nondisclosure of interview recordings.
Sec. 911. Closed unacceptable recommendations.
Sec. 912. Establishment of Office of Oversight, Accountability, and 
                            Quality Assurance.
Sec. 913. Miscellaneous investigative authorities.
Sec. 914. Public availability of accident reports.
Sec. 915. Ensuring accountability for timeliness of reports.
Sec. 916. Ensuring access to data.
Sec. 917. Public availability of safety recommendations.
Sec. 918. Improving delivery of family assistance.
Sec. 919. Updating civil penalty authority.
Sec. 920. Electronic availability of public docket records.
Sec. 921. Drug-free workplace.
Sec. 922. Accessibility in workplace.
Sec. 923. Most Wanted List.
Sec. 924. Technical corrections.

                  TITLE X--FREEDOM TO FLY ACT OF 2023

Sec. 1001. Short title.
Sec. 1002. Prohibition on implementation of vaccination mandate.
Sec. 1003. Prohibition on vaccination requirements for FAA contractors.
Sec. 1004. Prohibition on vaccine mandate for FAA employees.
Sec. 1005. Prohibition on vaccine mandate for passengers of air 
                            carriers.
Sec. 1006. Prohibition on implementation of a mask mandate.
Sec. 1007. Prohibition on mask mandates for FAA contractors.
Sec. 1008. Prohibition on mask mandate for FAA employees.
Sec. 1009. Prohibition on mask mandate for passengers of air carriers.
Sec. 1010. Definitions.

         TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS AND FAA ORGANIZATIONAL REFORM

                       Subtitle A--Authorizations

SEC. 101. AIRPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AND NOISE COMPATIBILITY 
              PLANNING AND PROGRAMS.

    (a) Authorization.--Section 48103(a) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (5) by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (6) by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
            ``(8) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
            ``(9) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
            ``(10) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and
            ``(11) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.''.
    (b) Obligation Authority.--Section 47104(c) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2028''.

SEC. 102. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.

    Section 48101(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraphs (1) through (5);
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (1); and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) $3,375,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.
            ``(3) $3,425,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.
            ``(4) $3,475,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.
            ``(5) $3,475,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.
            ``(6) $3,475,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.''.

SEC. 103. OPERATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 106(k)(1) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended--
            (1) by striking subparagraphs (A) through (E);
            (2) in subparagraph (F) by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting a semicolon;
            (3) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (A); 
        and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) $12,730,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
                    ``(C) $13,035,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
                    ``(D) $13,334,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
                    ``(E) $13,640,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and
                    ``(F) $13,954,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.''.
    (b) Authorized Expenditures.--Section 106(k)(2)(D) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking clauses (i) through (v);
            (2) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (i); and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ii) $46,815,000 for fiscal year 2024.
                            ``(iii) $52,985,000 for fiscal year 2025.
                            ``(iv) $59,044,000 for fiscal year 2026.
                            ``(v) $65,225,000 for fiscal year 2027.
                            ``(vi) $71,529,000 for fiscal year 2028.''.
    (c) Authority to Transfer Funds.--Section 106(k)(3) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Notwithstanding'' and inserting the 
        following:
                    ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding'';
            (2) by striking ``in each of fiscal years 2018 through 
        2023,''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) Prioritization.--In reducing non-safety-
                related activities of the Administration under 
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall prioritize such 
                reductions from amounts other than amounts authorized 
                under this subsection, section 48101, or section 48103.
                    ``(C) Sunset.--This paragraph shall cease to be 
                effective after September 30, 2028.''.

SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF MISCELLANEOUS EXPIRING AUTHORITIES.

    (a) Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.--Section 47115(i) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``fiscal years 
2018 through 2023'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2023 through 2028''.
    (b) Weather Reporting Programs.--Section 48105 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) $45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 
        2026.
            ``(6) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 and 
        2028.''.
    (c) Midway Island Airport.--Section 186(d) of the Vision 100--
Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-176) is amended 
by striking ``for fiscal years 2018 through 2023'' and inserting ``for 
fiscal years 2023 through 2028''.
    (d) Extension of the Safety Oversight and Certification Advisory 
Committee.--Section 202(h) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 
(Public Law 115-254) is amended by striking ``shall terminate'' and all 
that follows through the period at the end and inserting ``shall 
terminate on October 1, 2028.''.

                 Subtitle B--FAA Organizational Reform

SEC. 121. FAA LEADERSHIP.

    Section 106 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by striking ``The Federal'' and 
        inserting ``In General.--The Federal''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Administration Leadership.--
            ``(1) Administrator.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The head of the Administration 
                is the Administrator, who shall be appointed by the 
                President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
                Senate.
                    ``(B) Qualifications.--The Administrator shall--
                            ``(i) be a citizen of the United States;
                            ``(ii) not be an active duty or retired 
                        member of an Armed Force; and
                            ``(iii) have experience in organizational 
                        management and a field directly related to 
                        aviation.
                    ``(C) Fitness.--In appointing an individual as 
                Administrator, the President shall consider the fitness 
                of such individual to carry out efficiently the duties 
                and powers of the office.
                    ``(D) Term of office.--The Term of office for any 
                individual appointed as Administrator shall be 5 years.
                    ``(E) Reporting chain.--Except as provided in 
                subsection (f) or in other provisions of law, the 
                Administrator reports directly to the Secretary of 
                Transportation.
            ``(2) Deputy administrator for programs and management.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administration has a Deputy 
                Administrator for Programs and Management, who shall be 
                a political appointee of the President.
                    ``(B) Qualifications.--The Deputy Administrator for 
                Programs and Management shall--
                            ``(i) be a citizen of the United States; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) have experience in management and a 
                        field directly related to aviation.
                    ``(C) Fitness.--In appointing an individual as 
                Deputy Administrator for Programs and Management, the 
                President shall consider the fitness of the individual 
                to carry out efficiently the duties and powers of the 
                office, including the duty to act for the Administrator 
                under the circumstances described in subparagraph (F).
                    ``(D) Reporting chain.--The Deputy Administrator 
                for Programs and Management reports directly to the 
                Administrator.
                    ``(E) Duties.--The Deputy Administrator for 
                Programs and Management shall--
                            ``(i) manage the Assistant Administrators 
                        and Chief Counsel established under subsection 
                        (d), except the Assistant Administrator for 
                        Rulemaking and Regulatory Improvement; and
                            ``(ii) carry out duties and powers 
                        prescribed by the Administrator.
                    ``(F) Succession plan.--The Deputy Administrator 
                for Programs and Management acts for the Administrator 
                when the Administrator is absent or unable to serve, or 
                when the office of the Administrator is vacant.
                    ``(G) Compensation.--
                            ``(i) Annual rate of basic pay.--The annual 
                        rate of basic pay of the Deputy Administrator 
                        for Programs and Management shall be set by the 
                        Secretary but shall not exceed the annual rate 
                        of basic pay payable to the Administrator.
                            ``(ii) Exception.--A retired regular 
                        officer of an Armed Force serving as the Deputy 
                        Administrator for Programs and Management is 
                        entitled to hold a rank and grade not lower 
                        than that held when appointed as the Deputy 
                        Administrator for Programs and Management and 
                        may elect to receive--
                                    ``(I) the pay provided for the 
                                Deputy Administrator for Programs and 
                                Management under clause (i); or
                                    ``(II) the pay and allowances or 
                                the retired pay of the military grade 
                                held.
                            ``(iii) Reimbursement of expenses.--If the 
                        Deputy Administrator for Programs and 
                        Management elects to receive compensation 
                        described in clause (ii)(II), the 
                        Administration shall reimburse the appropriate 
                        military department from funds available for 
                        the expenses of the Administration.
            ``(3) Deputy administrator for safety and operations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administration has a Deputy 
                Administrator for Safety and Operations, who--
                            ``(i) shall be appointed by the 
                        Administrator; and
                            ``(ii) shall not be a political appointee.
                    ``(B) Qualifications.--The Deputy Administrator for 
                Safety and Operations shall--
                            ``(i) be a citizen of the United States; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) have experience in organizational 
                        management and a field directly related to 
                        aviation.
                    ``(C) Fitness.--In appointing an individual as 
                Deputy Administrator for Safety and Operations, the 
                Administrator shall consider the fitness of the 
                individual to carry out efficiently the duties and 
                powers of the office, including the duty to act for the 
                Administrator under the circumstances described in 
                subparagraph (F).
                    ``(D) Reporting chain.--The Deputy Administrator 
                for Safety and Operations reports to the Administrator.
                    ``(E) Duties.--The Deputy Administrator for Safety 
                and Operations shall--
                            ``(i) manage the Associate Administrators 
                        and Chief Operating Officer established under 
                        subsection (c) and the Assistant Administrator 
                        for Rulemaking and Regulatory Improvement 
                        established under subsection (d);
                            ``(ii) develop and maintain a long-term 
                        strategic plan of the Administration; and
                            ``(iii) carry out other duties and powers 
                        prescribed by the Administrator.
                    ``(F) Succession plan.--The Deputy Administrator 
                for Safety and Operations acts for the Administrator 
                when the Administrator and the Deputy Administrator for 
                Programs and Management are absent or unable to serve, 
                or when the office of the Administrator and the Office 
                of the Deputy Administrator for Programs and Management 
                are vacant.
                    ``(G) Compensation.--The annual rate of basic pay 
                of the Deputy Administrator for Safety and Operations 
                shall be set by the Administrator but shall not exceed 
                the annual rate of basic pay payable to the 
                Administrator.
            ``(4) Leadership of the administration defined.--In this 
        section, the term `leadership of the Administration' means--
                    ``(A) the Administrator under paragraph (1);
                    ``(B) the Deputy Administrator for Programs and 
                Management under paragraph (2); and
                    ``(C) the Deputy Administrator for Safety and 
                Operations under paragraph (3).''.

SEC. 122. FAA MANAGEMENT BOARD.

    (a) FAA Management Board.--Section 106 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by striking subsections (c) and (d) and inserting the 
following:
    ``(c) Associate Administrators.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administration has Associate 
        Administrators, as determined necessary by the Administrator, 
        including--
                    ``(A) appointed by the Administrator, an Associate 
                Administrator for Aviation Safety, an Associate 
                Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, an 
                Associate Administrator for Security and Hazardous 
                Materials Safety, a Chief Operating Officer of the Air 
                Traffic Control System; and
                    ``(B) appointed by the President, an Associate 
                Administrator for Airports.
            ``(2) Qualifications.--Associate Administrators shall be 
        citizens of the United States.
            ``(3) Duties.--The Associate Administrators shall carry out 
        duties and powers of their office described in this section and 
        those prescribed by the Administrator.
    ``(d) Chief Counsel; Assistant Administrators.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administration has Assistant 
        Administrators and a Chief Counsel.
                    ``(A) Chief counsel.--The Chief Counsel shall be 
                appointed by the President and shall--
                            ``(i) advise the Administrator on legal 
                        matters relating to the responsibilities, 
                        functions, and management of the 
                        Administration;
                            ``(ii) at the request of the Administrator, 
                        provide guidance, counsel, and advice 
                        regarding, but shall not have final decision-
                        making authority with regards to, the 
                        activities of the Administrator, including--
                                    ``(I) rulemaking activities;
                                    ``(II) policy and guidance document 
                                production;
                                    ``(III) exemption and waiver 
                                decisions; and
                                    ``(IV) certification and approval 
                                determinations;
                            ``(iii) represent the Administration before 
                        the National Transportation Safety Board, 
                        Department of Transportation law judges, the 
                        Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 
                        Federal courts of the United States, and other 
                        bodies and courts, as appropriate;
                            ``(iv) pursue enforcement actions on behalf 
                        of the Administrator; and
                            ``(v) perform other functions as determined 
                        by the Administrator.
                    ``(B) Assistant administrator for rulemaking and 
                regulatory improvement.--The Assistant Administrator 
                for Rulemaking and Regulatory Improvement shall be 
                appointed by the Administrator and shall--
                            ``(i) be responsible for developing and 
                        managing the execution of a regulatory agenda 
                        for the Administration that meets statutory and 
                        Administration deadlines, including by--
                                    ``(I) prioritizing rulemaking 
                                projects that are necessary to improve 
                                safety;
                                    ``(II) establishing the regulatory 
                                agenda of the Administration; and
                                    ``(III) coordinating with offices 
                                of the Administration, the Department, 
                                and other Federal entities as 
                                appropriate to improve timely feedback 
                                generation and approvals when required 
                                by law;
                            ``(ii) not delegate overall responsibility 
                        for meeting internal timelines and final 
                        completion of the regulatory activities of the 
                        Administration outside the Office of the 
                        Assistant Administrator for Rulemaking and 
                        Regulatory Improvement;
                            ``(iii) on an ongoing basis--
                                    ``(I) review the Administration's 
                                regulations in effect to improve 
                                safety;
                                    ``(II) reduce undue regulatory 
                                burden;
                                    ``(III) replace prescriptive 
                                regulations with performance-based 
                                regulations, as appropriate;
                                    ``(IV) prevent duplicative 
                                regulations; and
                                    ``(V) increase regulatory clarity 
                                and transparency whenever possible;
                            ``(iv) make recommendations for the 
                        Administrator's review under subsection 
                        (f)(3)(C)(ii);
                            ``(v) receive, coordinate, and respond to 
                        petitions for rulemaking and for exemption as 
                        provided for in subpart A of part 11 of title 
                        14, Code of Federal Regulations, and provide an 
                        initial response to a petitioner not later than 
                        30 days after the receipt of such a petition--
                                    ``(I) acknowledging receipt of such 
                                petition;
                                    ``(II) confirming completeness of 
                                such petition;
                                    ``(III) providing an initial 
                                indication of the complexity of the 
                                request and how such complexity may 
                                impact the timeline for adjudication; 
                                and
                                    ``(IV) requesting any additional 
                                information, as appropriate, that would 
                                assist in the consideration of the 
                                petition;
                            ``(vi) track the issuance of exemptions and 
                        waivers by the Administration to sections of 
                        title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and 
                        establish a methodology by which to determine 
                        if it would be more efficient and in the 
                        public's interest to amend a rule to reduce the 
                        future need of waivers and exemptions; and
                            ``(vii) promulgate regulatory updates as 
                        determined more efficient or in the public's 
                        best interest under clause (vi).
                    ``(C) Appointment.--Additional Assistant 
                Administrators, as determined necessary by the 
                Administrator, may be appointed by the Administrator.
            ``(2) Qualifications.--The Assistant Administrators shall 
        be a citizen of the United States.
            ``(3) Duties.--The Assistant Administrators shall carry out 
        duties and powers of their office described in this section and 
        those prescribed by the Administrator.
            ``(4) Management board of the administration.--In this 
        section, the term `Management Board of the Administration' 
        means--
                    ``(A) the Associate Administrators and Chief 
                Operating Officer established under subsection (c); and
                    ``(B) the Assistant Administrators and Chief 
                Counsel established under subsection (d).''.
    (b) Repeal.--Section 711 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 
U.S.C. 106 note) and the item relating to such section in the table of 
contents in section 1(b) of such Act are repealed.
    (c) Systemically Addressing Need for Exemptions and Waivers.--Not 
later than 30 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Assistant Administrator for Rulemaking and Regulatory Improvement shall 
brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on the methodology developed pursuant to 
section 106(d)(B)(vi) of title 49, United States Code (as added by this 
section).

SEC. 123. PROHIBITION ON CONFLICTING PECUNIARY INTERESTS.

    Section 106(e) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read 
as follows:
    ``(e) Prohibition on Conflicting Pecuniary Interests.--
            ``(1) In general.--The leadership of the Administration and 
        the Management Board of the Administration may not have a 
        pecuniary interest in, or hold a financial interest in, an 
        aeronautical enterprise, or engage in another business, 
        vocation, or employment.
            ``(2) Teaching.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Deputy 
        Administrators and the Management Board of the Administration 
        may not receive compensation for teaching without prior 
        approval of the Administrator.
            ``(3) Financial interest defined.--In this subsection, the 
        term `financial interest'--
                    ``(A) means--
                            ``(i) any current or contingent ownership, 
                        equity, or security interest;
                            ``(ii) any indebtedness or compensated 
                        employment relationship; or
                            ``(iii) any right to purchase or acquire 
                        any such interest, including a stock option; 
                        and
                    ``(B) does not include securities held in an index 
                fund.''.

SEC. 124. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY AND ADMINISTRATOR.

    (a) In General.--Section 106(f) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``paragraph (2)'' and inserting 
                ``paragraphs (2) and (3)'';
                    (B) by striking ``Neither'' and inserting ``In 
                exercising duties, powers, and authorities that are 
                assigned to the Secretary or the Administrator under 
                this title, neither''; and
                    (C) by striking ``a committee, board, or 
                organization established by executive order.'' and 
                inserting the following: ``a committee, board, council, 
                or organization that is--
                    ``(A) established by executive order; or
                    ``(B) not explicitly directed by legislation to 
                review the exercise of such duties, powers, and 
                authorities by the Secretary or the Administrator.'';
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)(ii) by striking ``the 
                acquisition'' and all that follows through the 
                semicolon and inserting ``the acquisition, 
                establishment, improvement, operation, maintenance, 
                security (including cybersecurity), and disposal of 
                property, facilities, services, and equipment of the 
                Administration, including all elements of the air 
                traffic control system owned by the Administration;'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A)(iii) by striking 
                ``paragraph (3)'' and inserting ``paragraph (4)'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (B) by inserting ``civil 
                aviation, any matter for which the Administrator is the 
                final authority under subparagraph (A), any duty 
                carried out by the Administrator pursuant to paragraph 
                (3), or the provisions of this title, or'' after ``with 
                respect to''; and
                    (D) in subparagraph (D)--
                            (i) by inserting ``(formally or 
                        informally)'' after ``required''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``or any other Federal 
                        agency'' after ``Department of 
                        Transportation'';
            (3) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``In the performance'' and 
                        inserting ``(i) Issuance of regulations.--In 
                        the performance'';
                            (ii) by striking ``The Administrator shall 
                        act'' and inserting ``(ii) Petitions for 
                        rulemaking.--The Administrator shall act'';
                            (iii) by striking ``The Administrator shall 
                        issue'' and inserting ``(iii) Rulemaking 
                        timeline.--The Administrator shall issue''; and
                            (iv) by striking ``On February 1'' and 
                        inserting ``(iv) Reporting requirement.--On 
                        February 1''; and
                    (B) by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C) and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(B) Approval of secretary of transportation.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Administrator may 
                        not issue, unless the Secretary of 
                        Transportation approves the issuance of the 
                        regulation in advance, a proposed regulation or 
                        final regulation that--
                                    ``(I) is likely to result in the 
                                expenditure by State, local, and Tribal 
                                governments in the aggregate, or by the 
                                private sector, of $250,000,000 or more 
                                (adjusted annually for inflation 
                                beginning with the year following the 
                                date of enactment of the Securing 
                                Growth and Robust Leadership in 
                                American Aviation Act) in any year; or
                                    ``(II) is significant.
                            ``(ii) Significant defined.--For purposes 
                        of this paragraph, a regulation is significant 
                        if the Administrator, in consultation with the 
                        Secretary (as appropriate), determines that the 
                        regulation--
                                    ``(I) will have an annual effect on 
                                the economy of $250,000,000 or more 
                                (adjusted annually for inflation 
                                beginning with the year following the 
                                date of enactment of the Securing 
                                Growth and Robust Leadership in 
                                American Aviation Act);
                                    ``(II) raises novel or serious 
                                legal or policy issues that will 
                                substantially and materially affect 
                                other transportation modes; or
                                    ``(III) adversely affect, in a 
                                substantial and material way, the 
                                economy, a sector of the economy, 
                                productivity, competition, jobs, the 
                                environment, public health or safety, 
                                or a State, local, or Tribal government 
                                or communities.
                            ``(iii) Emergency regulation.--In an 
                        emergency, the Administrator may issue a final 
                        regulation described in clause (i) without 
                        prior approval of the Secretary. If the 
                        Secretary objects to such regulation in writing 
                        within 5 days (excluding Saturday, Sundays, and 
                        legal public holidays) of the issuance, the 
                        Administrator shall immediately rescind such 
                        regulation.
                            ``(iv) Other regulations.--The Secretary 
                        may not require that the Administrator submit a 
                        proposed or final regulation to the Secretary 
                        for approval, nor may the Administrator submit 
                        a proposed or final regulation to the Secretary 
                        for approval, if the regulation--
                                    ``(I) does not require the 
                                Secretary's approval under clause (i) 
                                (excluding a regulation issued pursuant 
                                to clause (iii)); or
                                    ``(II) is a routine or frequent 
                                action or a procedural action.
                            ``(v) Timeline.--The Administrator shall 
                        submit a copy of any proposed or final 
                        regulation requiring approval by the Secretary 
                        under clause (i) to the Secretary, who shall 
                        either approve the regulation or return the 
                        regulation to the Administrator with comments 
                        within 30 days after receiving the regulation. 
                        If the Secretary fails to approve or return the 
                        regulation with comments to the Administrator 
                        within 30 days, the regulation shall be deemed 
                        to have been approved by the Secretary.
                    ``(C) Periodic review.--
                            ``(i) In general.--In addition to the 
                        review requirements established under section 
                        5.13(d) of title 49, Code of Federal 
                        Regulations, the Administrator shall review any 
                        significant regulation issued 3 years after the 
                        effective date of the regulation.
                            ``(ii) Discretional review.--The 
                        Administrator may review any regulation that 
                        has been in effect for more than 3 years.
                            ``(iii) Substance of review.--In performing 
                        a review under clause (i) or (ii), the 
                        Administrator shall determine if--
                                    ``(I) the cost assumptions were 
                                accurate;
                                    ``(II) the intended benefit of the 
                                regulation is being realized;
                                    ``(III) the need remains to 
                                continue such regulation as in effect; 
                                and
                                    ``(IV) the Administrator recommends 
                                updates to such regulation based on the 
                                review criteria specified in section 
                                5.13(d) of title 49, Code of Federal 
                                Regulations.
                            ``(iv) Review management.--Any periodic 
                        review of a regulation under this subparagraph 
                        shall be managed by the Assistant Administrator 
                        for Rulemaking and Regulatory Improvement, who 
                        may task an advisory committee or the 
                        Management Advisory Council established under 
                        subsection (p) to assist in performing the 
                        review.'';
            (4) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs 
        (4) and (5), respectively; and
            (5) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) Duties and powers of the administrator.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall carry 
                out--
                            ``(i) the duties and powers of the 
                        Secretary under this subsection related to 
                        aviation safety (except those related to 
                        transportation, packaging, marking, or 
                        description of hazardous material) and stated 
                        in--
                                    ``(I) subsections (c) and (d) of 
                                section 1132;
                                    ``(II) sections 40101(c), 40103(b), 
                                40106(a), 40108, 40109(b), 40113(a), 
                                40113(c), 40113(d), 40113(e), 40114(a), 
                                and 40117;
                                    ``(III) chapter 443;
                                    ``(IV) chapter 445, except sections 
                                44502(a)(3), 44503, and 44509;
                                    ``(V) chapter 447, except sections 
                                44721(b), and 44723;
                                    ``(VI) chapter 448;
                                    ``(VII) chapter 451;
                                    ``(VIII) chapter 453;
                                    ``(IX) section 46104;
                                    ``(X) subsections (d) and (h)(2) of 
                                section 46301, section 46303(c), 
                                sections 46304 through 46308, section 
                                46310, section 46311, and sections 
                                46313 through 46320;
                                    ``(XI) chapter 465;
                                    ``(XII) chapter 471;
                                    ``(XIII) chapter 475; and
                                    ``(XIV) chapter 509 of title 51; 
                                and
                            ``(ii) such additional duties and powers as 
                        may be prescribed by the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Applicability.--Section 40101(d) applies to 
                the duties and powers specified in subparagraph (A).
                    ``(C) Transfer.--Any of the duties and powers 
                specified in subparagraph (A) may only be transferred 
                to another part of the Department if specifically 
                provided by law or in a reorganization plan submitted 
                under chapter 9 of title 5.
                    ``(D) Administrative finality.--A decision of the 
                Administrator in carrying out the duties or powers 
                specified in subparagraph (A) is administratively 
                final.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (h) of section 106 of title 
49, United States Code, is repealed.
    (c) Preservation of Existing Authority.--Nothing in this section or 
the amendments made by this section shall be construed to restrict any 
authority vested in the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration by statute or by delegation that was in effect on the 
day before the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 125. REVIEW OF FAA RULEMAKING PROCESSES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 30 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall enter into appropriate arrangements with the 
National Academy of Public Administration to evaluate and make 
recommendations to improve the Administration's rulemaking processes.
    (b) Content of Review.--In completing the evaluation under 
subsection (a), the National Academy of Public Administration shall--
            (1) review Administration and Department of Transportation 
        policies and procedures for drafting, coordinating, reviewing, 
        editing, and approving rulemaking documents;
            (2) review part 11 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations, and section 106 of title 49, United States Code--
                    (A) as such section was in effect the day before 
                the date of enactment of this Act; and
                    (B) as amended by this Act; and
            (3) include in the review--
                    (A) advanced notices of proposed rulemakings;
                    (B) notices of proposed rulemakings;
                    (C) supplemental proposed rulemakings;
                    (D) interim final rules; and
                    (E) final rules, including direct final rules.
    (c) Method of Review.--As part of the evaluation under this 
section, the National Academy of Public Administration shall analyze 
the scoping, drafting, analysis, and approval processes, including 
examining incidents in which a rule was referred back to a program 
office for revision, and the timeline associated with each review and 
step for--
            (1) at least 7 rules completed by the Administration since 
        2012, including--
                    (A) at least 2 rules that leveraged the work of an 
                aviation rulemaking committee;
                    (B) at least 2 rules considered significant as 
                defined in section 106(f)(3)(B)(ii) (as amended by this 
                Act); and
                    (C) at least 1 rule promulgated through rules 
                considered routine and frequent in the Department's 
                Regulatory Agenda; and
            (2) at least 2 rulemaking processes where a notice of 
        proposed rulemaking has not been followed by a final rule for 
        more than 3 years.
    (d) Report.--The National Academy of Public Administration shall 
provide to the Administrator, Secretary of Transportation, the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report containing the results of the 
evaluation required under subsection (a). The contents of the report 
shall--
            (1) identify procedural or resource constraints;
            (2) identify inefficiencies in the process, including any 
        causes of delays;
            (3) provide recommendations for expediting rulemakings, 
        including--
                    (A) ways to improve the efficiency of the scoping 
                process for rulemaking;
                    (B) the use of new routine and frequent rulemakings 
                to allow for the expediting of activities that may be 
                routinely needed or updated;
                    (C) the use of rules of applicability to provide 
                for the expediting of activities that may be routinely 
                needed or updated;
                    (D) the use of frameworks or shell rules to improve 
                the efficiency of drafting;
                    (E) the use of aviation rulemaking committees; and
                    (F) internal process improvements; and
            (4) not review the policy merits of the reviewed 
        rulemakings, except to the extent that there are conclusions 
        that can be drawn from the processes used to develop such 
        rules.
    (e) Access to Documents.--The Administration and Department shall 
provide the National Academy of Public Administration access, as 
appropriate, to--
            (1) the electronic management software the Administration 
        uses to track internal processing of draft documents;
            (2) appropriately redacted communications between offices 
        and personnel that were used to coordinate work outside of the 
        electronic software; and
            (3) such other documents and records, including 
        predecisional documents and records, that will assist the 
        National Academy of Public Administration in completing the 
        evaluation required under subsection (a).

SEC. 126. OFFICE OF INNOVATION.

    Section 106 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by 
striking subsection (g) and inserting the following:
    ``(g) Office of Innovation.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is established within the Federal 
        Aviation Administration an Office of Innovation (in this 
        subsection referred to as the `Office') comprised of employees 
        of the Administration who shall--
                    ``(A) have a diverse set of expertise;
                    ``(B) assist the leadership of the Administration 
                and the Management Board of the Administration with--
                            ``(i) scoping complex regulatory issues and 
                        drafting documents on topics that span multiple 
                        offices or lines of business of the 
                        Administration;
                            ``(ii) evaluating internal processes; and
                            ``(iii) positioning the Administration to 
                        support aerospace innovation; and
                    ``(C) receive taskings from the leadership of the 
                Administration and the Management Board of the 
                Administration, as determined necessary by such 
                individuals, and work collaboratively with relevant 
                program offices of the Administration, as necessary, to 
                respond to such taskings.
            ``(2) Appointment of members.--
                    ``(A) Appointments.--The Administrator shall 
                appoint a maximum of 15 employees to serve a 2-year 
                term as a member of the Office of Innovation with at 
                least 1 employee appointed from each of the following:
                            ``(i) Office of Aviation Safety.
                            ``(ii) The Air Traffic Organization.
                            ``(iii) Office of Airports.
                            ``(iv) Office of Security and Hazardous 
                        Materials Safety.
                            ``(v) Office of Commercial Space 
                        Transportation.
                            ``(vi) Office of the Chief Counsel.
                            ``(vii) Office of Policy, International 
                        Affairs, and Environment.
                    ``(B) Consultation.--The Office may consult, as 
                necessary, with other personnel of the Administration.
            ``(3) Selection of members.--An employee appointed under 
        paragraph (2)--
                    ``(A) may be appointed from nominations made by 
                Associate Administrators, Assistant Administrators, and 
                the Chief Counsel of the Administration;
                    ``(B) shall not be a senior executive of the 
                Administration;
                    ``(C) shall have been an employee of the 
                Administration for at least 2 years; and
                    ``(D) shall have expertise in the authorities and 
                duties of the respective office of the employee.
            ``(4) Innovation office lead.--The Administrator shall 
        appoint a lead of the Office who shall report to the leadership 
        of the Administration and who--
                    ``(A) may have a set term, as determined by the 
                Administrator;
                    ``(B) shall manage the personnel and activities of 
                such Office; and
                    ``(C) may be a detailed employee of any office of 
                the Administration, notwithstanding the numerical 
                limits placed on appointments in paragraph (2)(A).
            ``(5) Status.--An appointment of an employee to the Office 
        established under this subsection shall not impact the status 
        or position of such employee in the respective office of such 
        employee and such employee shall be considered a detailed 
        employee to the Office of Innovation.
            ``(6) Resources.--The Administrator shall provide resources 
        and staff, as necessary, to the Office to support the 
        activities of the Office described in paragraph (1), not to 
        exceed more than 6 full-time equivalent positions, including 
        any necessary project managers.''.

SEC. 127. FRANK A. LOBIONDO NATIONAL AEROSPACE SAFETY AND SECURITY 
              CAMPUS.

    (a) In General.--The campus and grounds of the Federal Aviation 
Administration Technical Center located at the Atlantic City 
International Airport in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, shall be 
known and designated as the ``Frank A. LoBiondo National Aerospace 
Safety and Security Campus''.
    (b) Reference.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, 
paper, or other record of the United States to the campus and grounds 
at the Federal Aviation Administration Technical Center referred to in 
subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Frank A. 
LoBiondo National Aerospace Safety and Security Campus''.

SEC. 128. TECHNICAL CENTER FOR ADVANCED AEROSPACE.

    (a) In General.--Section 106 of title 49, United States Code, is 
further amended by inserting after subsection (g) (as added by section 
126) the following:
    ``(h) Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is established within the 
        Administration a technology center located at the Frank A. 
        LoBiondo National Aerospace Safety and Security Campus to 
        support the advancement of aerospace safety and innovation 
        which shall be known as the `William J. Hughes Technical Center 
        for Advanced Aerospace' (in this subsection referred to as the 
        `Technical Center') that shall be used by the Administrator 
        and, as permitted by the Administrator, other governmental 
        entities, academia, and the aerospace industry.
            ``(2) Management.--The activities of the Technical Center 
        shall be managed by a Director.
            ``(3) Activities.--The activities of the Technical Center 
        shall include--
                    ``(A) developing and stimulating technology 
                partnerships with and between industry, academia, and 
                other government agencies and supporting such 
                partnerships by--
                            ``(i) liaising between external persons and 
                        offices of the Administration interested in 
                        such work;
                            ``(ii) providing technical expertise and 
                        input, as appropriate; and
                            ``(iii) providing access to the properties, 
                        facilities, and systems of the Technical Center 
                        through appropriate agreements;
                    ``(B) managing technology demonstration grants 
                awarded by the Administrator;
                    ``(C) identifying software, systems, services, and 
                technologies that could improve aviation safety and the 
                operations and management of the air traffic control 
                system and working with relevant offices of the 
                Administration to consider the use and integration of 
                such software, systems, services, and technologies, as 
                appropriate;
                    ``(D) supporting the work of any collocated 
                facilities and tenants of such facilities, and to the 
                extent feasible, enter into agreements as necessary to 
                utilize the facilities, systems, and technologies of 
                such collocated facilities and tenants;
                    ``(E) managing the facilities of the Technical 
                Center and the Frank A. LoBiondo National Aerospace 
                Safety and Security Campus; and
                    ``(F) carrying out any other duties as determined 
                appropriate by the Administrator.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 44507 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(a) Civil Aeromedical Institute'' and all 
        that follows through ``The Civil Aeromedical Institute 
        established'' and inserting ``The Civil Aeromedical Institute 
        established''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (b).

SEC. 129. OFFICE OF NEXTGEN SUNSET.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 30 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall terminate the Office of NextGen.
    (b) Closure Process.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall transfer duties, authorities, activities, 
personnel, and assets managed by the Office of NextGen to other 
officials of the Administration, as appropriate, including--
            (1) transferring such duties, authorities, activities, 
        personnel, and assets to--
                    (A) the Director of the William J. Hughes Technical 
                Center for Advanced Aerospace established under 
                subsection 106(h) of title 49, United States Code;
                    (B) the Assistant Administrator for Finance and 
                Management;
                    (C) the Chief Operating Officer of the Air Traffic 
                Control System; and
                    (D) other officials of the Administration, as 
                determined by the Administrator; and
            (2) transferring management of the NextGen Advisory 
        Committee to the Chief Operating Officer of the Air Traffic 
        Control System.

SEC. 130. FAA OMBUDSMAN.

    Section 106 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by 
striking subsection (i) and inserting the following:
    ``(i)  FAA Ombudsman.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the 
        Federal Aviation Administration an Ombudsman who shall 
        coordinate or facilitate the adjudication of covered 
        submissions.
            ``(2) Ombudsman.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Ombudsman shall be appointed 
                by the Administrator and report to the Assistant 
                Administrator for Government and Industry Affairs.
                    ``(B) Term.--The Ombudsman shall be appointed for a 
                term of 5 years.
            ``(3) Duties.--The duties of the Ombudsman shall be as 
        follows:
                    ``(A) Work with the relevant offices within the 
                Administration to--
                            ``(i) with respect to a covered submission, 
                        resolve, provide a status update, or provide 
                        clarity on the status of such submissions;
                            ``(ii) bring to the attention of the 
                        relevant office of the Administration concerns, 
                        as necessary, regarding Administration 
                        processes or considerations discovered while 
                        coordinating an activity related to a covered 
                        submission under this subsection; and
                            ``(iii) address any gaps and communication 
                        lapses in Administration coordination 
                        processes.
                    ``(B) Determine if, based on a coordinated activity 
                carried out under this subsection, reconsideration with 
                respect to covered submissions or administrative 
                actions are necessary and report to the Administrator 
                or the relevant office within the Administration with 
                recommendations relating to such reconsideration.
                    ``(C) Determine if trends materialize that could 
                warrant process, procedural, or resource changes and 
                report recommendations regarding such changes to the 
                Administrator and relevant offices within the 
                Administration.
                    ``(D) Ensure that reporting, processing, or dispute 
                resolution mechanisms within the Administration are 
                transparent and accessible to the public, and 
                facilitate the use of such reporting, processing, or 
                dispute resolution mechanisms, when appropriate.
                    ``(E) Perform other duties as prescribed by the 
                Assistant Administrator.
            ``(4) Discretion on coordination and review.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Ombudsman shall determine 
                whether to coordinate a review of a covered submission 
                in order to provide a response, coordinate the 
                reconsideration of an administrative action, or take no 
                additional action. In making a determination under this 
                subparagraph, the Ombudsman shall consider--
                            ``(i) whether there are reporting, 
                        processing, or dispute resolution mechanisms 
                        that have not been exhausted or that may be 
                        more appropriate for dealing with, 
                        investigating, and responding to such covered 
                        submission;
                            ``(ii) whether the subject or outcome of a 
                        covered submission is alleged to be--
                                    ``(I) contrary to law or 
                                regulation;
                                    ``(II) arbitrary and capricious; or
                                    ``(III) performed in an 
                                unreasonably inefficient or untimely 
                                manner; and
                            ``(iii) such other factors as the Ombudsman 
                        considers appropriate.
                    ``(B) Exception.--With regard to a covered 
                submission concerning an activity relating to an 
                alleged violation of an order, a regulation, or any 
                other provision of Federal law by the Administration or 
                whistleblower retaliation, the Ombudsman shall refer 
                such covered submission to the appropriate Federal 
                entity to adjudicate or investigate the subject of such 
                submission.
                    ``(C) Cooperation.--The Administrator shall ensure 
                that the officers and employees of the Administration 
                fully cooperate with the activities of the Ombudsman 
                and provide such information, documents, or materials 
                as may be requested by the Ombudsman.
            ``(5) Response requirement.--The Ombudsman shall ensure 
        that the Administration provides an initial response to or 
        status update on covered submissions within 10 business days of 
        the Ombudsman receiving such submission.
            ``(6) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Administrative action.--The term 
                `administrative action' means--
                            ``(i) an action taken by the Administrator 
                        of the Federal Aviation Administration to 
                        issue, deny, modify, or revoke a certificate, 
                        registration, approval, waiver, license, 
                        exemption, determination, interpretation, or 
                        any other authorizing action; or
                            ``(ii) the lack of any action (or activity 
                        related to an action) described in clause (i) 
                        necessary to be taken by the Administrator.
                    ``(B) Covered submission.--The term `covered 
                submission' means an inquiry or objection relating to--
                            ``(i) an aircraft, aircraft engine, 
                        propeller, or appliance certification;
                            ``(ii) a pilot certificate, including 
                        scheduling an associated appointment with 
                        Administration personnel or designees;
                            ``(iii) a medical certificate;
                            ``(iv) an operator certificate;
                            ``(v) a commercial space transportation 
                        license;
                            ``(vi) an aircraft registration;
                            ``(vii) an operational approval, waiver, or 
                        exemption;
                            ``(viii) a legal interpretation;
                            ``(ix) an outstanding determination;
                            ``(x) an application of agency guidance; 
                        and
                            ``(xi) any certificate not otherwise 
                        described in this subparagraph that is issued 
                        pursuant to chapter 447.''.

SEC. 131. PROJECT DASHBOARDS AND FEEDBACK PORTAL.

    (a) In General.--The Ombudsman of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall, in reviewing Administration processes, receiving, 
reviewing, and responding to covered submissions, and through general 
due diligence, determine whether a publicly facing dashboard that 
provides applicants with the status of an application before the agency 
would be--
            (1) beneficial to applicants;
            (2) an efficient use of resources to build, maintain, and 
        update; or
            (3) duplicative with other efforts within the 
        Administration to streamline and digitize paperwork and 
        certification processes to provide an applicant with a greater 
        awareness of the status of an application before the 
        Administration.
    (b) Recommendation.--Not later than 30 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Ombudsman shall provide a recommendation to 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the 
need or benefits of a dashboard or other means by which to track an 
application status.
    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 45 days after receiving 
recommendations under subsection (b), the Administrator shall brief the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on--
            (1) any recommendation received from the Ombudsman; and
            (2) any activities the Administrator is taking in response 
        to such recommendation.
    (d) FAA Feedback Portal.--
            (1) In general.--The Ombudsman shall, through interacting 
        with the public and general due diligence, determine whether a 
        publicly facing portal on the website through which the public 
        may provide feedback to the Administrator about experiences 
        they have working with personnel of the Administration would be 
        beneficial.
            (2) Requirements.--The Ombudsman shall ensure any portal 
        established under this subsection asks questions that seek to 
        gauge any shortcomings the Administration has in fulfilling its 
        mission or areas where the Administration is succeeding in 
        meetings its mission.
    (e) Covered Submission.--In this section, the term ``covered 
submission'' has the meaning given the term in subsection 106(i) of 
title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 132. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON FAA ENGAGEMENT DURING RULEMAKING 
              ACTIVITIES.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration should engage with aviation stakeholder groups 
        and the public during pre-drafting stages of rulemaking 
        activities and use, to the greatest extent practicable, 
        properly docketed ex-parte discussions during rulemaking 
        activities in order to--
                    (A) inform the work of the Administrator;
                    (B) assist the Administrator in developing the 
                scope of a rule; and
                    (C) reduce the timeline for issuance of proposed 
                and final rules; and
            (2) when it would reduce the time required for the 
        Administrator to adjudicate public comments, the Administrator 
        should publicly provide information describing the rationale 
        behind a regulatory decision included in proposed regulations 
        in order to better allow for the public to provide clear and 
        informed comments on such regulations.

SEC. 133. CIVIL AEROMEDICAL INSTITUTE.

    Section 106(j) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``There is'' and inserting ``Civil Aeromedical Institute.--
There is''.

SEC. 134. MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL.

    Section 106 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended--
            (1) by transferring paragraph (8) of subsection (p) as 
        paragraph (7) of subsection (r); and
            (2) by striking subsection (p) and inserting the following:
    ``(p) Management Advisory Council.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish an 
        advisory council which shall be known as the Federal Aerospace 
        Management Advisory Council (in this subsection referred to as 
        the `Council').
            ``(2) Membership.--The Council shall consist of 13 members, 
        who shall consist of--
                    ``(A) a designee of the Secretary of 
                Transportation;
                    ``(B) a designee of the Secretary of Defense;
                    ``(C) 5 members representing aerospace and 
                technology interests, appointed by the Administrator;
                    ``(D) 5 members representing aerospace and 
                technology interests, appointed by the Secretary of 
                Transportation; and
                    ``(E) 1 member, appointed by the Secretary of 
                Transportation, who is the head of a union representing 
                air traffic control system employees.
            ``(3) Qualifications.--No officer or employee of the United 
        States Government may be appointed to the Council under 
        subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (2).
            ``(4) Functions.--
                    ``(A) In general.--
                            ``(i) Advise; counsel.--The Council shall 
                        provide advice and counsel to the Administrator 
                        on issues which affect or are affected by the 
                        activities of the Administrator.
                            ``(ii) Resource.--The Council shall 
                        function as an oversight resource for 
                        management, policy, spending, and regulatory 
                        matters under the jurisdiction of the 
                        Administrator.
                            ``(iii) Submissions to administration.--
                        With respect to Administration management, 
                        policy, spending, funding, data management and 
                        analysis, safety initiatives, international 
                        agreements, activities of the International 
                        Civil Aviation Organization, and regulatory 
                        matters affecting the aerospace industry and 
                        the national airspace system, the Council may--
                                    ``(I) regardless of whether 
                                solicited by the Administrator, submit 
                                comments, recommended modifications, 
                                proposals, and supporting or dissenting 
                                views to the Administrator; and
                                    ``(II) request the Administrator 
                                include in any submission to Congress, 
                                the Secretary, or the general public, 
                                and in any submission for publication 
                                in the Federal Register, a description 
                                of the comments, recommended 
                                modifications, and dissenting or 
                                supporting views received from the 
                                Council under subclause (I).
                            ``(iv) Reasoning.--Together with a Council 
                        submission that is published or described under 
                        clause (iii)(II), the Administrator shall 
                        provide the reasons for any differences between 
                        the views of the Council and the views or 
                        actions of the Administrator.
                            ``(v) Cost-benefit analysis.--The Council 
                        shall review the rulemaking cost-benefit 
                        analysis process and develop recommendations to 
                        improve the analysis and ensure that the public 
                        interest is fully protected.
                            ``(vi) Process review.--The Council shall 
                        review the process through which the 
                        Administration determines to use advisory 
                        circulars, service bulletins, and other 
                        externally facing guidance and regulatory 
                        material.
                    ``(B) Meetings.--The Council shall meet on a 
                regular and periodic basis or at the call of the chair 
                or of the Administrator.
                    ``(C) Access to documents and staff.--The 
                Administration may give the Council appropriate access 
                to relevant documents and personnel of the 
                Administration, and the Administrator shall make 
                available, consistent with the authority to withhold 
                commercial and other proprietary information under 
                section 552 of title 5 (commonly known as the `Freedom 
                of Information Act'), cost data associated with the 
                acquisition and operation of air traffic service 
                systems.
                    ``(D) Disclosure of commercial or proprietary 
                data.--Any member of the Council who receives 
                commercial or other proprietary data as provided for in 
                this paragraph from the Administrator shall be subject 
                to the provisions of section 1905 of title 18, 
                pertaining to unauthorized disclosure of such 
                information.
            ``(5) Application of chapter 10 of title 5.--Chapter 10 of 
        title 5 does not apply to--
                    ``(A) the Council;
                    ``(B) such aviation rulemaking committees as the 
                Administrator shall designate; or
                    ``(C) such aerospace rulemaking committees as the 
                Secretary shall designate.
            ``(6) Administrative matters.--
                    ``(A) Terms.--Members of the Council appointed 
                under paragraph (2)(C) shall be appointed for a term of 
                3 years.
                    ``(B) Term for air traffic control 
                representative.--The member appointed under paragraph 
                (2)(D) shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, except 
                that the term of such individual shall end whenever the 
                individual no longer meets the requirements of 
                paragraph (2)(D).
                    ``(C) Vacancy.--Any vacancy on the Council shall be 
                filled in the same manner as the original appointment, 
                except that any member appointed to fill a vacancy 
                occurring before the expiration of the term for which 
                the member's predecessor was appointed shall be 
                appointed for the remainder of that term.
                    ``(D) Continuation in office.--A member of the 
                Council whose term expires shall continue to serve 
                until the date on which the member's successor takes 
                office.
                    ``(E) Removal.--Any member of the Council appointed 
                under paragraph (2) may be removed for cause by 
                whomever makes the appointment.
                    [``(F) Chair; vice chair.--The Council shall elect 
                a chair and a vice chair from among the members 
                appointed under subparagraphs (C) and (D) of paragraph 
                (2), each of whom shall serve for a term of 1 year. The 
                vice chair shall perform the duties of the chair in the 
                absence of the chair.]
                    ``(G) Travel and per diem.--Each member of the 
                Council shall be paid actual travel expenses, and per 
                diem in lieu of subsistence expenses when away from the 
                usual place of residence of the member, in accordance 
                with section 5703 of title 5.
                    ``(H) Detail of personnel from the 
                administration.--The Administrator shall make available 
                to the Council such staff, information, and 
                administrative services and assistance as may 
                reasonably be required to enable the Council to carry 
                out its responsibilities under this subsection.''.

SEC. 135. AVIATION NOISE OFFICER.

    (a) In General.--Section 106 of title 49, United States Code, is 
further amended by striking subsection (q) and inserting the following:
    ``(q) Aviation Noise Officer.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administration has an Aviation Noise 
        Officer, who shall be appointed by the Administrator.
            ``(2) Regional officers.--The Aviation Noise Officer shall 
        designate, within each region of the Administration, a Regional 
        Aviation Noise Officer.
            ``(3) Duties.--The Aviation Noise Officer, in coordination 
        with the Regional Aviation Noise Officers, shall--
                    ``(A) serve as a liaison with the public, including 
                community groups, on issues regarding aircraft noise;
                    ``(B) make recommendations to the Administrator to 
                address concerns raised by the public in decision 
                making processes; and
                    ``(C) be consulted when the Administration proposes 
                changes in aircraft routes so as to minimize any 
                increases in aircraft noise over populated areas.
            ``(4) Number of full-time equivalent employees.--The 
        appointment of an Aviation Noise Officer under this subsection 
        shall not result in an increase in the number of full-time 
        equivalent employees in the Administration.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 180 of the FAA Reauthorization 
Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 106 note) and the items relating to such section 
in the table of contents contained in section 1(b) of that Act, are 
repealed.

SEC. 136. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER.

    Section 106(r) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the 
                following:
                    ``(A) Appointment.--There shall be a Chief 
                Operating Officer for the air traffic control system 
                that is appointed by the Administrator and subject to 
                the authority of the Administrator.''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (E) by striking ``shall be 
                appointed for the remainder of that term'' and 
                inserting ``may be appointed for either the remainder 
                of the term or for a full term'';
            (2) in paragraph (2) by striking ``, with the approval of 
        the Air Traffic Services Committee'';
            (3) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) by striking ``, in consultation with the Air 
                Traffic Services Committee,''; and
                    (B) by striking ``annual basis.'' and inserting-- 
                ``annual basis and shall include responsibility for--
            ``(A) the state of good repair of the air traffic control 
        system;
            ``(B) the continuous improvement of the safety and 
        efficiency of the air traffic control system; and
            ``(C) identifying services and solutions to increase the 
        safety and efficiency of airspace use and to support the safe 
        integration of all airspace users.'';
            (4) in paragraph (4) by striking ``such information as may 
        be prescribed by the Secretary'' and inserting ``the annual 
        performance agreement required under paragraph (3), an 
        assessment of the performance of the Chief Operating Officer in 
        relation to the performance goals in the previous year's 
        performance agreement, and such other information as may be 
        prescribed by the Administrator''; and
            (5) in paragraph (5)--
                    (A) by striking ``Chief Operating Officer, or any 
                other authority within the Administration 
                responsibilities, including'' and inserting ``Chief 
                Operating Officer any authority of the Administrator 
                and shall delegate, at a minimum'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) in clause (iii) by striking ``and'' at 
                        the end;
                            (ii) in clause (iv) by striking the period 
                        at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(v) plans to integrate new entrant 
                        operations into the national airspace system 
                        and associated action items.''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (C)(ii) by striking ``and the 
                Committee''.

SEC. 137. REPORT ON UNFUNDED CAPITAL INVESTMENT NEEDS OF AIR TRAFFIC 
              CONTROL SYSTEM.

    Section 106(r) of title 49, United States Code, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) Unfunded capital investment needs report.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 10 days after the 
                date on which the budget of the President for a fiscal 
                year is submitted to Congress pursuant to section 1150 
                of title 31, the Chief Operating Officer shall submit 
                directly to the Administrator, the Secretary, the 
                Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
                House of Representatives, and the Committee on 
                Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
                report on any unfunded capital investment needs of the 
                air traffic control system.
                    ``(B) Contents of report.--The report required 
                under subparagraph (A) shall include, for each unfunded 
                capital investment need, the following:
                            ``(i) A summary description of such 
                        unfunded capital investment need.
                            ``(ii) Objective to be achieved if such 
                        unfunded capital investment need is funded in 
                        whole or in part.
                            ``(iii) The additional amount of funds 
                        recommended in connection with such objective.
                            ``(iv) The Budget Line Item Program and 
                        Budget Line Item number associated with such 
                        unfunded capital investment need, as 
                        applicable.
                            ``(v) Any statutory requirement associated 
                        with such unfunded capital investment need, as 
                        applicable.
                    ``(C) Prioritization of requirements.--The report 
                required under subparagraph (A) shall present unfunded 
                capital investment needs in overall urgency of 
                priority.
                    ``(D) Definition of unfunded capital investment 
                need.--In this paragraph the term `unfunded capital 
                investment need' means a program that--
                            ``(i) is not funded in the budget of the 
                        President for the fiscal year as submitted to 
                        Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31;
                            ``(ii) is for infrastructure or a system 
                        related to necessary modernization or 
                        sustainment of the air traffic control system;
                            ``(iii) is listed for any year in the most 
                        recent National Airspace System Capital 
                        Investment Plan of the Administration; and
                            ``(iv) would have been recommended for 
                        funding through the budget referred to in 
                        subparagraph (A) by the Chief Operating Officer 
                        if--
                                    ``(I) additional resources had been 
                                available for the budget to fund the 
                                program, activity, or mission 
                                requirement; or
                                    ``(II) the program, activity, or 
                                mission requirement has emerged since 
                                the budget was formulated.''.

SEC. 138. CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER.

    Section 106(s) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``There shall 
                be'' and all that follows through the period at the end 
                and inserting ``The Chief Technology Officer shall be 
                appointed by the Chief Operating Officer of the air 
                traffic control system with the consent of the 
                Administrator.'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``management'' 
                and inserting ``management, systems management,'';
                    (C) by striking subparagraph (D);
                    (D) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) 
                as subparagraphs (B) through (D), respectively; and
                    (E) by inserting before subparagraph (B), as so 
                redesignated, the following:
                    ``(A) Establishment.--There shall be a Chief 
                Technology Officer for the air traffic control system 
                that shall report directly to the Chief Operating 
                Officer of the air traffic control system.'';
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``program''; 
                and
                    (B) in subparagraph (F) by striking ``aircraft 
                operators'' and inserting ``the Administration, 
                aircraft operators, or other private providers of 
                information and services related to air traffic 
                management''; and
            (3) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``The Chief 
                Technology Officer shall be subject to the 
                postemployment provisions of section 207 of title 18 as 
                if the position of Chief Technology Officer were 
                described in section 207(c)(2)(A)(i) of that title.'';
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
                subparagraph (C); and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
                following:
                    ``(B) Post-employment.--The Chief Technology 
                Officer shall be subject to the postemployment 
                provisions of section 207 of title 18 as if the 
                position of Chief Technology Officer were described in 
                section 207(c)(2)(A)(i) of such title.''.

SEC. 139. DEFINITION OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM.

    Section 40102(a)(47) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (D) by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) systems, software, and hardware operated, 
                owned, and maintained by third parties that support or 
                directly provide air navigation information and air 
                traffic management services with Administration 
                approval.''.

SEC. 140. PEER REVIEW OF OFFICE OF WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION AND 
              AVIATION SAFETY INVESTIGATIONS.

    Section 106(t) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (7);
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
            ``(7) Department of transportation office of the inspector 
        general peer review.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the 
                date of enactment of the Securing Growth and Robust 
                Leadership in American Aviation Act, and every 5 years 
                thereafter, the inspector general of the Department of 
                Transportation shall perform a peer review of the 
                Office of Whistleblower Protection and Aviation Safety 
                Investigations.
                    ``(B) Peer review scope.--In completing the peer 
                reviews required under this paragraph, the inspector 
                general shall use the most recent peer review guides 
                published by the Council of the Inspectors General on 
                Integrity and Efficiency Audit Committee and 
                Investigations Committee.
                    ``(C) Reports to congress.--Not later than 90 days 
                after the completion of a peer review required under 
                this paragraph, the inspector general shall submit to 
                the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
                the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
                Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
                description of any actions taken or to be taken to 
                address the results of the peer review.''; and
            (3) in paragraph (8)(B) by striking the comma.

SEC. 141. CYBERSECURITY LEAD.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall designate an executive of the Administration to 
serve as the lead for the cybersecurity of Administration systems and 
hardware (hereinafter referred to as the ``Cybersecurity Lead'').
    (b) Duties.--The Cybersecurity Lead shall carry out duties and 
powers prescribed by the Administrator, including the management of 
activities required under subtitle B of title VI of the Securing Growth 
and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act.
    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 1 and 3 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Cybersecurity Lead shall provide a briefing 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on the implementation of subtitle B of 
title VI of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American 
Aviation Act.

SEC. 142. REDUCING FAA WASTE, INEFFICIENCY, AND UNNECESSARY 
              RESPONSIBILITIES.

    (a) Annual Report on Aviation Activities.--Section 308 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (b);
            (2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b); and
            (3) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (c).
    (b) Annual Report on the Purchase of Foreign Manufactured 
Articles.--Section 40110(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by striking paragraph (5).
    (c) Annual Report on Assistance to Foreign Aviation Authorities.--
Section 40113(e) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (4); and
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (4).
    (d) AIP Annual Report.--Section 47131 of title 49, United States 
Code, and the item relating to such section in the analysis for chapter 
471 of such title, are repealed.
    (e) Transfer of Airport Land Use Compliance Report to NPIAS.--
Section 47103 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
    ``(d) Non-compliant Airports.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall include in the plan 
        a detailed statement listing airports the Secretary has reason 
        to believe are not in compliance with grant assurances or other 
        requirements with respect to airport lands and shall include--
                    ``(A) the circumstances of noncompliance;
                    ``(B) the timeline for corrective action with 
                respect to such noncompliance; and
                    ``(C) any corrective action the Secretary intends 
                to require to bring the airport sponsor into 
                compliance.
            ``(2) Listing.--The Secretary is not required to conduct an 
        audit or make a final determination before including an airport 
        on the list referred to in paragraph (1).''.
    (f) Notice to Airport Sponsors Regarding Purchase of American Made 
Equipment and Products.--Section 306 of the Federal Aviation 
Administration Authorization Act of 1994 (49 U.S.C. 50101 note) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by striking ``(a)'' and all that 
        follows through ``It is the sense'' and inserting ``It is the 
        sense''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (b).
    (g) Obsolete Aviation Security Requirements.--Sections 302, 307, 
309, and 310 of the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996 
(Public Law 104-264), and the items relating to such sections in the 
table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act, are repealed.
    (h) Regulation of Alaska Guide Pilots.--Section 732 of the Wendell 
H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (49 
U.S.C. 44701 note) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (b);
            (2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b); and
            (3) in subsection (b), as so redesignated--
                    (A) in the heading by striking ``Definitions'' and 
                inserting ``Definition of Alaska Guide Pilot''; and
                    (B) by striking ``, the following definitions 
                apply'' and all that follows through ``The term `Alaska 
                guide pilot''' and inserting ``the term `Alaska guide 
                pilot'''.
    (i) Next Generation Air Transportation Senior Policy Committee.--
Section 710 of the Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act 
(49 U.S.C. 40101 note), and the item relating to such section in the 
table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act, are repealed.
    (j) Improved Pilot Licenses and Pilot License Rulemaking.--
            (1) Intelligence reform and terrorism prevention act.--
        Section 4022 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism 
        Prevention Act of 2004 (49 U.S.C. 44703 note), and the item 
        relating to such section in the table of contents in section 
        1(b) of such Act, are repealed.
            (2) FAA modernization and reform act of 2012.--Section 321 
        of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 
        44703 note), and the item relating to such section in the table 
        of contents in section 1(b) of such Act, are repealed.
    (k) Technical Training and Staffing Study.--Section 605 of the FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (a);
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``(b) Workload of Systems 
                Specialists.--''; and
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as 
                subsections (a) through (c) (and adjust the margins 
                appropriately); and
            (3) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated) by striking 
        ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)''.
    (l) Ferry Flight Duty Period and Flight Time Rulemakings.--Section 
345 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 44701 
note), and the item relating to such section in the table of contents 
in section 1(b) of such Act, are repealed.
    (m) Laser Pointer Incident Reports.--Section 2104 of FAA Extension, 
Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 46301 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by striking ``quarterly'' and 
        inserting ``annually''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Report Sunset.--Subsection (a) shall cease to be effective 
after September 30, 2028.''.
    (n) Cold Weather Projects Briefing.--Section 156 of the FAA 
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 47112 note) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (b); and
            (2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).

                       TITLE II--GENERAL AVIATION

         Subtitle A--Expanding Pilot Privileges and Protections

SEC. 201. REEXAMINATION OF PILOTS OR CERTIFICATE HOLDERS.

    The Pilot's Bill of Rights (49 U.S.C. 44703 note) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 5. REEXAMINATION OF AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE.

    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall provide timely, written 
notification to an individual subject to a reexamination of an airman 
certificate issued under chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code.
    ``(b) Information Required.--In providing notification under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall inform the individual--
            ``(1) of the nature of the reexamination and the specific 
        activity on which the reexamination is necessitated;
            ``(2) that the reexamination shall occur within 1 year from 
        the date of the notice provided by the Administrator, after 
        which, if the reexamination is not conducted, the airman 
        certificate may be suspended or revoked; and
            ``(3) when, as determined by the Administrator, an oral or 
        written response to the notification from the Administrator is 
        not required.
    ``(c) Exception.--Nothing in this section prohibits the 
Administrator from reexamining a certificate holder if the 
Administrator has reasonable grounds--
            ``(1) to establish that an airman may not be qualified to 
        exercise the privileges of a certificate or rating based upon 
        an act or omission committed by the airman while exercising 
        such privileges or performing ancillary duties associated with 
        the exercise of such privileges; or
            ``(2) to demonstrate that the airman obtained such a 
        certificate or rating through fraudulent means or through an 
        examination that was substantially and inadequate to establish 
        the qualifications of an airman.
    ``(d) Standard of Review.--An order issued by the Administrator to 
amend, modify, suspend, or revoke an airman certificate after 
reexamination of the airman is subject to the standard of review 
provided for under section 2 of this Act.''.

SEC. 202. GAO REVIEW OF PILOT'S BILL OF RIGHTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a study of the implementation of the 
Pilot's Bill of Rights (49 U.S.C. 44703 note).
    (b) Contents.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), the 
Comptroller General shall review--
            (1) the implementation and application of the Pilot's Bill 
        of Rights (49 U.S.C. 44703 note);
            (2) the application of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 
        and the Federal Rules of Evidence to covered proceedings by the 
        National Transportation Safety Board, as required by section 2 
        of the Pilot's Bill of Rights (49 U.S.C. 44703 note);
            (3) the appeal process and the typical length of time 
        associated with a final determination in a covered proceeding; 
        and
            (4) any impacts of the implementation of the Pilot's Bill 
        of Rights (49 U.S.C. 44703 note).
    (c) Covered Proceedings.--In this section, the term ``covered 
proceeding'' means a proceeding conducted under subpart C, D, or F of 
part 821 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, relating to denial, 
amendment, modification, suspension, or revocation of an airman 
certificate.

SEC. 203. EXPANSION OF BASICMED.

    (a) In General.--Section 2307 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and 
Security Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 44703 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(2) the individual holds a medical certificate issued by 
        the Federal Aviation Administration or has held such a 
        certificate at any time after July 14, 2006;'';
                    (B) in paragraph (7) by inserting ``calendar'' 
                before ``months''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (8)(A) by striking ``5'' and 
                inserting ``6'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(2)(A)(i) by inserting ``(or any 
        successor form)'' after ``(3-99)'';
            (3) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:
    ``(h) Report Required.--Not later than 4 years after the date of 
enactment of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American 
Aviation Act, the Administrator, in coordination with the National 
Transportation Safety Board, shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report that describes the effect of the regulations issued or revised 
under subsection (a) and includes statistics with respect to changes in 
small aircraft activity and safety incidents.''; and
            (4) in subsection (j)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``6'' and 
                inserting ``7''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2) by striking ``6,000'' and 
                inserting ``12,500''.
    (b) Rulemaking.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall update regulations in parts 61 and 68 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, as necessary, to implement the amendments 
made by this section.
    (c) Applicability.--Beginning on the date that is 120 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall apply part 
68, Code of Federal Regulations, in a manner reflecting the amendments 
made by this section.

SEC. 204. DATA PRIVACY.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 441 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 44114. Privacy
    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish 
and continuously improve a process by which, upon request of a private 
aircraft owner or operator, the Administrator blocks the registration 
number and other similar identifiable data or information, except for 
physical markings required by law, of the aircraft of the owner or 
operator from any public dissemination or display (except in furnished 
data or information made available to or from a Government agency 
pursuant to a government contract, subcontract, or agreement) for the 
noncommercial flights of the owner or operator.
    ``(b) Withholding Personally Identifiable Information on Aircraft 
Registry.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
section and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Administrator shall establish a procedure by which, upon request of a 
private aircraft owner or operator, the Administrator shall withhold 
from public disclosure (except in furnished data or information made 
available to or from a Government agency pursuant to a government 
contract, subcontract, or agreement) the personally identifiable 
information of such individual on the Civil Aviation Registry website.
    ``(c) ICAO Aircraft Identification Code.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish a 
        program for aircraft owners and operators to apply for a new 
        ICAO aircraft identification code.
            ``(2) Limitations.--In carrying out the program described 
        in paragraph (1), the Administrator shall require--
                    ``(A) each applicant to substantiate the safety or 
                security need in applying for a new ICAO aircraft 
                identification code; and
                    ``(B) each approved applicant who obtains a new 
                ICAO aircraft identification code to comply with all 
                applicable aspects of, or related to, part 45 of title 
                14, Code of Federal Regulations, including updating an 
                aircraft's registration number and N-Number to reflect 
                such aircraft's new ICAO aircraft identification code.
    ``(d) Decoupling Mode S Codes.--The Administrator shall develop a 
plan for which the Administrator could allow for a process to 
disassociate an assigned Mode S code with the number assigned to an 
aircraft that is registered pursuant to section 44103.
    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) ADS-B.--The term `ADS-B' means automatic dependent 
        surveillance-broadcast.
            ``(2) ICAO.--The term `ICAO' means the International Civil 
        Aviation Organization.
            ``(3) Personally identifiable information.--The term 
        `personally identifiable information' means--
                    ``(A) the mailing address or registration address 
                of an individual;
                    ``(B) an electronic address (including an e-mail 
                address) of an individual; or
                    ``(C) the telephone number of an individual.''.
    (b) Study on Encrypting ADS-B.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall seek to enter into an agreement 
        with a qualified organization to conduct a study assessing the 
        technical challenges, impact to international aviation 
        operations, benefits, and costs of encrypting ADS-B signals to 
        provide for a safer and more secure environment for national 
        airspace system users.
            (2) Consultation.--In carrying out the study under 
        paragraph (1), a qualified organization shall consult with 
        representatives of--
                    (A) air carriers;
                    (B) collective bargaining representatives of the 
                Federal Aviation Administration aeronautical 
                information specialists;
                    (C) original equipment manufacturers of ADS-B 
                equipment;
                    (D) general aviation;
                    (E) business aviation; and
                    (F) aviation safety experts with specific knowledge 
                of aircraft cybersecurity.
            (3) Considerations.--In carrying out the study under 
        paragraph (1), a qualified organization shall consider--
                    (A) the technical requirements for encrypting ADS-B 
                signals for both the 978 Mhz and 1090 Mhz frequencies;
                    (B) the advantages of encrypting ADS-B signals for 
                both the 978 Mhz and 1090 Mhz frequencies, including 
                those related to cybersecurity protections, safety, and 
                privacy of national airspace system users;
                    (C) the disadvantages of encrypting ADS-B signals 
                for both the 978 Mhz and 1090 Mhz frequencies, 
                including those related to cybersecurity protections, 
                safety, and privacy of national airspace system users;
                    (D) the challenges of encrypting ADS-B signals for 
                both the 978 Mhz and 1090 Mhz frequencies, including 
                coordination considerations with the International 
                Civil Aviation Organization and foreign civil aviation 
                authorities;
                    (E) potential new aircraft equipage requirements 
                and estimated costs;
                    (F) the impact to nongovernmental third-party users 
                of ADS-B data;
                    (G) the estimated costs to--
                            (i) the Federal Aviation Administration;
                            (ii) aircraft owners required to equip with 
                        ADS-B equipment for aviation operations; and
                            (iii) other relevant persons the 
                        Administrator determines necessary; and
                    (H) the impact to national airspace system 
                operations during implementation and post-
                implementation.
            (4) Report.--In any agreement entered into under paragraph 
        (1), the Administrator shall ensure that, not later than 1 year 
        after the completion of the study required under paragraph (1), 
        the qualified organization that has entered into such agreement 
        shall submit to the Administrator, the Committee on 
        Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the 
        study described in paragraph (1), including the findings and 
        recommendations related to each item specified under paragraph 
        (3).
            (5) Definition of qualified organization.--In this 
        subsection, the term ``qualified organization'' means an 
        independent nonprofit organization described in section 
        501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from 
        taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 441 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``44114. Privacy.''.
    (d) Conforming Amendment.--Section 566 of the FAA Reauthorization 
Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44103 note) and the item relating to such 
section in the table of contents under section 1(b) of that Act are 
repealed.

SEC. 205. PROHIBITION ON USING ADS-B DATA TO INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION.

    Section 46101 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(c) Prohibition on Using ADS-B Data to Initiate an 
Investigation.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any provision of this 
        section, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration may not initiate an investigation (excluding a 
        criminal investigation) of a person based exclusively on 
        automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast data.
            ``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
        shall prohibit the use of automatic dependent surveillance-
        broadcast data in an investigation that was initiated for any 
        reason other than the review of automatic dependent 
        surveillance-broadcast data, including if such investigation 
        was initiated as a result of a report or complaint submitted to 
        the Administrator.''.

SEC. 206. PROHIBITION ON N-NUMBER PROFITEERING.

    Section 44103 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(e) Prohibition on N-Number Profiteering.--
            ``(1) In general.--No person may reserve an aircraft 
        registration number without certifying that such person intends 
        to use such registration number--
                    ``(A) immediately on a specific aircraft; or
                    ``(B) for future use on an aircraft owned or 
                controlled, or intended to be owned or controlled, by 
                such person.
            ``(2) Transfers.--A person may transfer a reserved aircraft 
        registration number to another person if--
                    ``(A) the transferor certifies that the aircraft 
                registration number is relinquished willingly and at a 
                cost to the transferee that does not otherwise exceed 
                the amount paid by the transferor to reserve such 
                number; and
                    ``(B) the transferee--
                            ``(i) certifies that the transferor did not 
                        impose a dollar cost on the transfer that 
                        exceeds the amount provided for in subparagraph 
                        (A); and
                            ``(ii) complies with the certification 
                        requirement under paragraph (1).''.

SEC. 207. ACCOUNTABILITY FOR AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION NUMBERS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall initiate a review of the process for reserving 
aircraft registration numbers to ensure that such process offers an 
equal opportunity for members of the general public to obtain specific 
aircraft registration numbers.
    (b) Assessment.--In conducting the review under subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall assess the following:
            (1) Whether the use of readily available software to 
        prevent computer or web-based auto-fill systems from reserving 
        aircraft registration numbers in bulk would improve 
        participation in the reservation process by the general public.
            (2) Whether a limit should be imposed on the number of 
        consecutive years a person may reserve an aircraft registration 
        number.
            (3) The impact of the prohibition imposed by section 
        44103(e) of title 49, United States Code.
    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on 
the review conducted under subsection (a), including any 
recommendations of the Administrator to improve equal participation in 
the process for reserving aircraft registration numbers by the general 
public.

SEC. 208. TIMELY RESOLUTION OF INVESTIGATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of issuance 
of a letter of investigation to any person, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall--
            (1) make a determination regarding such investigation and 
        pursue subsequent action; or
            (2) close such investigation.
    (b) Extension.--
            (1) In general.--If, upon review of the facts and status of 
        an investigation described in subsection (a), the Administrator 
        determines that the time provided to make a final determination 
        or close such investigation is insufficient, the Administrator 
        may approve an extension of such investigation for 2 years.
            (2) Additional extensions.--The Administrator may approve 
        consecutive extensions under paragraph (1).
    (c) Delegation.--The Administrator may not delegate the authority 
to approve an extension described in subsection (b) to anyone other 
than the leadership of the Administration as described in section 
106(b) of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 209. EXPANSION OF VOLUNTEER PILOT ORGANIZATION DEFINITION.

    Section 821 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 
U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``for the fuel costs associated 
                with'' and inserting ``for the fuel costs and airport 
                fees attributed to''; and
                    (B) by striking ``for an individual or organ for 
                medical purposes (and for other associated 
                individuals)'' and inserting ``for the purposes 
                described in subsection (c)(2)''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)(2) by striking ``charitable medical 
        transportation.'' and inserting the following: ``charitable 
        transportation for the following purposes:
                    ``(A) Assisting individuals in accessing medical 
                care or treatment (and for other associated 
                individuals).
                    ``(B) Delivering human blood, tissues, or organs.
                    ``(C) Aiding disaster relief efforts pursuant to 
                a--
                            ``(i) presidential declaration of a major 
                        disaster or an emergency under the Robert T. 
                        Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
                        Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.); or
                            ``(ii) declaration of a major disaster or 
                        an emergency by a Governor of a State.''.

SEC. 210. CHARITABLE FLIGHT FUEL REIMBURSEMENT EXEMPTIONS.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Validity of exemption.--Except as otherwise provided in 
        this subsection, an exemption from section 61.113(c) of title 
        14, Code of Federal Regulations, that is granted by the 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration for the 
        purpose of allowing a volunteer pilot to accept reimbursement 
        from a volunteer pilot organization for the fuel costs and 
        airport fees attributed to a flight operation to provide 
        charitable transportation pursuant to section 821 of the FAA 
        Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) 
        shall be valid for 5 years.
            (2) Failing to adhere.--If the Administrator finds an 
        exemption holder under paragraph (1) or a volunteer pilot fails 
        to adhere to the conditions and limitations of the exemption 
        described under such paragraph, the Administrator may rescind 
        or suspend the exemption.
            (3) No longer qualifying.--If the Administrator finds that 
        such exemption holder no longer qualifies as a volunteer pilot 
        organization, the Administrator shall rescind such exemption.
            (4) Forgoing exemption.--If such exemption holder informs 
        the Administrator that such holder no longer plans to exercise 
        the authority granted by such exemption, the Administrator may 
        rescind such exemption.
    (b) Additional Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--A volunteer pilot organization may impose 
        additional safety requirements on a volunteer pilot without--
                    (A) being considered--
                            (i) an air carrier (as such term is defined 
                        in section 40102 of title 49, United States 
                        Code); or
                            (ii) a commercial operator (as such term is 
                        defined in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of 
                        Federal Regulations); or
                    (B) constituting common carriage.
            (2) Savings clause.--Nothing in this subsection may be 
        construed to limit or otherwise affect the authority of the 
        Administrator to regulate, as appropriate, a flight operation 
        associated with a volunteer pilot organization that constitutes 
        a commercial operation or common carriage.
    (c) Reissuance of Existing Exemptions.--In reissuing an expiring 
exemption described in subsection (a) that was originally issued prior 
to the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall ensure 
that the reissued exemption--
            (1) accounts for the provisions of this section and section 
        821 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 
        40101 note), as amended by this Act; and
            (2) is otherwise substantially similar to the previously 
        issued exemption.
    (d) Statutory Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to--
            (1) affect the authority of the Administrator to exempt a 
        pilot (exercising the private pilot privileges) from any 
        restriction on receiving reimbursement for the fuel costs and 
        airport fees attributed to a flight operation to provide 
        charitable transportation; or
            (2) impose or authorize the imposition of any additional 
        requirements by the Administrator on a flight that is arranged 
        by a volunteer pilot organization in which the volunteer 
        pilot--
                    (A) is not reimbursed the fuel costs and airport 
                fees attributed to a flight operation to provide 
                charitable flights; or
                    (B) pays a pro rata share of expenses as described 
                in section 61.113(c) of title 14, Code of Federal 
                Regulations.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Volunteer pilot.--The term ``volunteer pilot'' means a 
        person who--
                    (A) acts as a pilot in command of a flight 
                operation to provide charitable transportation pursuant 
                to section 821 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act 
                of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note); and
                    (B) holds a private pilot certificate, commercial 
                pilot certificate, or an airline transportation pilot 
                certificate issued under part 61 of title 14, Code of 
                Federal Regulations.
            (2) Volunteer pilot organization.--The term ``volunteer 
        pilot organization'' has the meaning given such term in section 
        821(c) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 
        U.S.C. 40101 note).

SEC. 211. GAO REPORT ON CHARITABLE FLIGHTS.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall initiate a 
review of the following:
            (1) Applicable laws, regulations, policies, legal opinions, 
        and guidance pertaining to charitable flights and the 
        operations of such flights, including reimbursement of fuel 
        costs.
            (2) Petitions for exemption from the requirements of 
        section 61.113(c) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, for 
        the purpose of allowing a pilot to accept reimbursement for the 
        fuel costs associated with a flight operation to provide 
        charitable transportation pursuant to section 821 of the FAA 
        Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note), as 
        amended by this Act, including assessment of--
                    (A) the conditions and limitations a petitioner 
                must comply with if the exemption is granted and 
                whether such conditions and limitations are--
                            (i) applied to petitioners in a consistent 
                        manner; and
                            (ii) commensurate with the types of flight 
                        operations exemption holders propose to conduct 
                        under any such exemptions;
                    (B) denied petitions for such an exemption and the 
                reasons for the denial of such petitions; and
                    (C) the processing time of a petition for such an 
                exemption.
            (3) Charitable flights conducted without an exemption from 
        section 61.113(c) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
        including an analysis of the certificates, qualifications, and 
        aeronautical experience of the operators of such flights.
    (b) Consultation.--In carrying out the review initiated under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall consult with charitable 
organizations, including volunteer pilot organizations, aircraft 
owners, and pilots who volunteer to provide transportation for or on 
behalf of a charitable organization, flight safety experts, and 
employees of the Federal Aviation Administration.
    (c) Recommendations.--As part of the review initiated under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall make recommendations, as 
determined appropriate, to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration to improve the rules, policies, and guidance pertaining 
to charitable flight operations.
    (d) Report.--Upon completion of the review initiated under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report describing the findings of such review and 
recommendations developed under subsection (c).

SEC. 212. ALL MAKES AND MODELS AUTHORIZATION.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Unlimited letter of authorization.--Not later than 180 
        days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
        of the Federal Aviation Administration shall take such action 
        as may be necessary to allow for the issuance of letters of 
        authorizations to airmen with the authorization for--
                    (A) all types and makes of experimental high-
                performance single engine piston powered aircraft; and
                    (B) all types and makes of experimental high-
                performance multiengine piston powered aircraft.
            (2) Requirements.--An individual who holds a letter of 
        authorization and applies for an authorization described in 
        paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(B)--
                    (A) shall be given an all-makes and models 
                authorization of--
                            (i) experimental single-engine piston 
                        powered authorized aircraft; or
                            (ii) experimental multiengine piston 
                        powered authorized aircraft;
                    (B) shall hold the appropriate category and class 
                rating for the authorized aircraft;
                    (C) shall hold 3 experimental aircraft 
                authorizations in aircraft of the same category and 
                class rating for the authorization sought; and
                    (D) may become qualified in additional experimental 
                aircraft by completing aircraft specific training.
    (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
to disallow an individual from being given both an authorization 
described in paragraph (1)(A) and an authorization described in 
paragraph (1)(B).
    (c) Failure to Comply.--
            (1) In general.--If the Administrator fails to implement 
        subsection (a) within the time period prescribed in such 
        subsection, the Administrator shall brief the Committee on 
        Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate on the status of the 
        implementation of such subsection on a monthly basis until the 
        implementation is complete.
            (2) No delegation.--The Administrator may not delegate the 
        briefing described in paragraph (1).

SEC. 213. RESPONSE TO LETTER OF INVESTIGATION.

     Section 2(b) of the Pilot's Bill of Rights (49 U.S.C. 44703 note) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) Response to letter of investigation.--If an 
        individual decides to respond to a Letter of Investigation 
        described in paragraph (2)(B) such individual may respond not 
        later than 30 days after receipt of such Letter, including 
        providing written comments on the incident to the investigating 
        office.''.

                  Subtitle B--General Aviation Safety

SEC. 221. ADS-B SAFETY ENHANCEMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall establish a program to provide rebates to owners 
of covered general aviation aircraft for the purchase of covered ADS-B 
equipment.
    (b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a rebate under this 
section, an owner of a covered general aviation aircraft shall submit 
to the Administrator an application in such form, at such time, and 
containing such information as the Administrator may require, including 
proof of successful installation of covered ADS-B equipment.
    (c) Authorized Rebate.--
            (1) Amount.--A rebate approved by the Administrator to be 
        issued to an owner of a covered general aviation aircraft shall 
        be equal to the lesser of--
                    (A) the cost of purchasing the covered ADS-B 
                equipment; or
                    (B) $2,000.
            (2) Time.--A rebate issued under the program under this 
        section shall be redeemed or presented for payment not later 
        than 180 days after issuance, after which time the rebate shall 
        be deemed void.
    (d) Sunset.--The program established under subsection (a) shall 
terminate on October 1, 2027.
    (e) Restriction.--The Administrator may not offer rebates for--
            (1) a software upgrade for covered ADS-B equipment;
            (2) covered ADS-B equipment installed prior to the date of 
        enactment of this Act;
            (3) covered general aviation aircraft manufactured after 
        January 1, 2020; or
            (4) covered general aviation aircraft for which the 
        Administrator has previously issued a rebate related to the 
        purchase and installation of covered ADS-B equipment.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) ADS-B.--The term ``ADS-B'' means automatic dependent 
        surveillance-broadcast.
            (2) Covered ads-b equipment.--The term ``covered ADS-B 
        equipment'' means ADS-B equipment that--
                    (A) meets the performance requirements described in 
                section 91.227 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 
                (or any successor regulation); and
                    (B) is capable of receiving and displaying ADS-B 
                information from other aircraft.
            (3) Covered general aviation aircraft.--The term ``covered 
        general aviation aircraft'' means a single-engine piston 
        aircraft registered in the United States that is not equipped 
        with covered ADS-B equipment.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--Out of amounts made available 
under section 106(k) of title 49, United States Code, there is 
authorized to be expended to carry out this section and pay 
administrative costs $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 to remain 
available until expended.

SEC. 222. GAO REPORT ON ADS-B TECHNOLOGY.

    (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study on automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast equipage 
and usage rates across the active general aviation fleet in the United 
States.
    (b) Contents.--In conducting the study described in subsection (a), 
the Comptroller General shall, at a minimum--
            (1) analyze the reasons why aircraft owners choose not to 
        equip or use an aircraft with automatic dependent surveillance-
        broadcast technology;
            (2) examine and substantiate any benefits and drawbacks of 
        using automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast technology, 
        including safety and operational benefits and drawbacks;
            (3) survey ways to further incentivize aircraft owners to 
        equip and use aircraft with automatic dependent surveillance-
        broadcast technology; and
            (4) examine the benefits, costs, and feasibility of 
        requiring equipage of automatic dependent surveillance-
        broadcast technology on all newly manufactured aircraft other 
        than aircraft issued a special airworthiness certificate.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast described in 
subsection (b) and make recommendations to incentivize equipage and 
usage rates across the active general aviation fleet in the United 
States.

SEC. 223. PROTECTING GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORTS FROM FAA CLOSURE.

    (a) Non-surplus Property.--Section 47125 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Waiving Restrictions.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary 
        may grant to an airport, city, or county a waiver of any of the 
        terms, conditions, reservations, or restrictions contained in a 
        deed under which the United States conveyed to the airport, 
        city, or county an interest in real property for airport 
        purposes pursuant to section 16 of the Federal Airport Act (60 
        Stat. 179), section 23 of the Airport and Airway Development 
        Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 232), or this section.
            ``(2) Conditions.--Any waiver granted by the Secretary 
        pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be subject to the following 
        conditions:
                    ``(A) The applicable airport, city, county, or 
                other political subdivision shall agree that in 
                conveying any interest in the real property which the 
                United States conveyed to the airport, city, or county, 
                the airport, city, or county will receive consideration 
                for such interest that is equal to its current fair 
                market value.
                    ``(B) Any consideration received by the airport, 
                city, or county under subparagraph (A) shall be used 
                exclusively for the development, improvement, 
                operation, or maintenance of a public airport by the 
                airport, city, or county.
                    ``(C) Such waiver--
                            ``(i) will not significantly impair the 
                        aeronautical purpose of an airport;
                            ``(ii) will not result in the permanent 
                        closure of an airport (unless the Secretary 
                        determines that the waiver will directly 
                        facilitate the construction of a replacement 
                        airport); or
                            ``(iii) is necessary to protect or advance 
                        the civil aviation interests of the United 
                        States.
                    ``(D) Any other conditions required by the 
                Secretary.
            ``(3) Annual reporting.--The Secretary shall include a list 
        and description of each waiver granted pursuant to paragraph 
        (1) in the report required under section 47131.''.
    (b) Surplus Property.--
            (1) In general.--Section 47151 of title 49, United States 
        Code, is amended--
                    (A) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the 
                following:
    ``(d) Waiver of Condition.--The Secretary may not waive any 
condition imposed on an interest in surplus property conveyed under 
subsection (a) that such interest be used for an aeronautical purpose 
unless the Secretary provides public notice not less than 30 days 
before the issuance of such waiver and determines that such waiver--
            ``(1) will not significantly impair the aeronautical 
        purpose of an airport;
            ``(2) will not result in the permanent closure of an 
        airport (unless the Secretary determines that the waiver will 
        directly facilitate the construction of a replacement airport); 
        or
            ``(3) is necessary to protect or advance the civil aviation 
        interests of the United States.''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Reversions of Property.--The Secretary shall take all 
necessary action to revert surplus property conveyed under this 
subchapter back to the United States if--
            ``(1) the Secretary determines that an instrument conveying 
        an interest in surplus property under this subchapter 
        incorporates a provision providing for the reversion of such 
        property in the event the property is not used for aeronautical 
        purposes;
            ``(2) other efforts by the Secretary to ensure that the 
        property is used by the relevant airport sponsor is used for 
        aeronautical purposes are unsuccessful; and
            ``(3) the Secretary determines that a reversion--
                    ``(A) will result in the property being used for 
                aeronautical purposes; or
                    ``(B) will not transfer liabilities, including 
                environmental liabilities, greater than the fair market 
                value of the property to the Government.''; and
            (2) Waiving and adding terms.--Section 47153(c) of title 
        49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Restrictions on Waiver.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and 
(b), the Secretary may not waive any term under this section that an 
interest in land be used for an aeronautical purpose unless--
            ``(1) the Secretary provides public notice not less than 30 
        days before the issuance of a waiver; and
            ``(2) the Secretary determines that such waiver--
                    ``(A) will not significantly impair the 
                aeronautical purpose of an airport;
                    ``(B) will not result in the permanent closure of 
                an airport (unless the Secretary determines that the 
                waiver will directly facilitate the construction of a 
                replacement airport); or
                    ``(C) is necessary to protect or advance the civil 
                aviation interests of the United States.''.
    (c) Repeals.--
            (1) Airports near closed or realigned bases.--Section 1203 
        of the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996 (49 U.S.C. 
        47101 note), and the item relating to such section in the table 
        of contents under section 1(b) of such Act, are repealed.
            (2) Release from restrictions.--Section 817 of the FAA 
        Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 47125 note), 
        and the item relating to such section in the table of contents 
        under section 1(b) of such Act, are repealed.

SEC. 224. ENSURING SAFE LANDINGS DURING OFF-AIRPORT OPERATIONS.

    The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall not 
apply section 91.119 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, in any 
manner that requires a pilot to continue a landing that is unsafe.

SEC. 225. AIRPORT DIAGRAM TERMINOLOGY.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall update Airport Diagram Order JO 7910.4 and any 
related advisory circulars, policy, and guidance to ensure the clear 
and consistent use of terms to delineate the types of parking available 
to general aviation pilots.
    (b) Collaboration.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall collaborate with industry stakeholders, commercial 
service airports, and general aviation airports in--
            (1) facilitating basic standardization of general aviation 
        parking terms;
            (2) accounting for the majority of uses of general aviation 
        parking terms; and
            (3) providing clarity for chart users.
    (c) IAC Specifications.--The Administrator shall encourage the 
Interagency Air Committee to incorporate the terms developed under 
subsection (a) in publications produced by the Committee.

SEC. 226. ALTERNATIVE ADS-B TECHNOLOGIES FOR USE IN CERTAIN SMALL 
              AIRCRAFT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall publish an approved list of effective alternatives to automatic 
dependent surveillance-broadcast equipment (in this section referred to 
as ``alternative ADS-B equipment'') for covered aircraft operating 
outside of Mode C veil airspace so that such aircraft may voluntarily 
broadcast positioning to other aircraft.
    (b) Review; Approval.--
            (1) Review.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
        Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable, review 
        available commercial-off-the-shelf alternative ADS-B equipment 
        that are used outside of the United States for purposes of 
        allowing a pilot to voluntarily utilize such equipment while 
        operating outside of Mode C veil airspace and within the 
        national airspace system.
            (2) Approval.--The Administrator shall work with 
        manufacturers of such equipment to expedite technical standard 
        order authorization, or other approvals, required by the 
        Administrator for such equipment for use in covered aircraft.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Alternative ads-b equipment.--The term ``alternative 
        ADS-B equipment'' means a positioning technology that--
                    (A) does not otherwise meet the performance 
                requirements prescribed in section 91.227 of title 14, 
                Code of Federal Regulations;
                    (B) may be affixed to, or portable within, a 
                covered aircraft; and
                    (C) can broadcast positioning of a covered aircraft 
                to other aircraft operating outside of Mode C veil 
                airspace.
            (2) Covered aircraft.--The term ``covered aircraft'' 
        means--
                    (A) a single-engine piston aircraft;
                    (B) an ultralight aircraft; or
                    (C) an aircraft not equipped with an electrical 
                system.
    (d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
by the Administrator to require covered aircraft to install--
            (1) alternative ADS-B equipment; or
            (2) automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast equipment.

SEC. 227. AIRSHOW SAFETY TEAM.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall coordinate with the General Aviation Joint Safety 
Committee to establish an Airshow Safety Team focused on airshow and 
aerial event safety.
    (b) Objective.--The objective of the Airshow Safety Team described 
in subsection (a) shall be to--
            (1) serve as a mechanism for Federal Government and 
        industry cooperation, communication, and coordination on 
        airshow and aerial event safety; and
            (2) reduce airshow and aerial event accidents and incidents 
        through non-regulatory, proactive safety strategies.
    (c) Activities.--In carrying out the objectives pursuant to 
subsection (b), the Airshow Safety Team shall, at a minimum--
            (1) perform an analysis of airshow and aerial event 
        accidents and incidents in conjunction with the Safety Analysis 
        Team;
            (2) publish and update every 2 years after initial 
        publication an Airshow Safety Plan that incorporates consensus 
        based and data driven mitigation measures and non-regulatory 
        safety strategies to improve and promote safety of the public, 
        performers, and airport personnel; and
            (3) engage the airshow and aerial event community to--
                    (A) communicate non-regulatory, proactive safety 
                strategies identified by the Airshow Safety Plan to 
                mitigate incidents; and
                    (B) discuss best practices to uphold and maintain 
                safety at events.
    (d) Membership.--The Administrator may request the Airshow Safety 
Team be comprised of at least 10 individuals, each of whom shall have 
knowledge or a background in the planning, execution, operation, or 
management of an airshow or aerial event.
    (e) Meetings.--The Airshow Safety Team shall meet at least twice a 
year at the direction of the co-chairs of the General Aviation Joint 
Safety Committee.
    (f) Construction.--The Administrator shall not initiate a 
regulatory action based on any--
            (1) discussion or sharing of information and data that 
        occurs as part of an official meeting of the Airshow Safety 
        Team; or
            (2) safety strategies or best practices identified by the 
        Airshow Safety Plan that are not intended to be used by the 
        Administrator for regulatory purposes.

SEC. 228. TOWER MARKING NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING.

    (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 a notice of proposed rulemaking to implement section 2110 
of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 44718 
note).
    (b) Report.--If the Administrator fails to issue the notice of 
proposed rulemaking pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate an annual report on the status of such 
rulemaking, including--
            (1) the reasons that the Administrator has failed to issue 
        the rulemaking; and
            (2) a list of fatal aircraft accidents associated with 
        unmarked towers that have occurred over the 5 years previous to 
        the date of submission of the report.

                   Subtitle C--Improving FAA Services

SEC. 241. AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION VALIDITY DURING RENEWAL.

    (a) In General.--Section 44103 of title 49, United States Code, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Validity of Aircraft Registration During Renewal.--
            ``(1) In general.--An aircraft may be operated on or after 
        the expiration date found on the certificate of registration 
        issued for such aircraft under this section as if it were not 
        expired if the operator of such aircraft has aboard the 
        aircraft--
                    ``(A) documentation validating that--
                            ``(i) an aircraft registration renewal 
                        application form (AC Form 8050-1B, or a 
                        succeeding form) has been submitted to the 
                        Administrator for such aircraft but not yet 
                        approved or denied; and
                            ``(ii) such aircraft is compliant with 
                        maintenance, inspections, and any other 
                        requirements for the aircraft's airworthiness 
                        certificate issued under section 44704(d); and
                    ``(B) the most recent aircraft registration.
            ``(2) Proof of pending renewal application.--The 
        Administrator shall provide an applicant for renewal of 
        registration under this section with documentation described in 
        paragraph (1)(A). Such documentation shall--
                    ``(A) be made electronically available to the 
                applicant immediately upon submitting an aircraft 
                registration renewal application to the Civil Aviation 
                Registry for an aircraft;
                    ``(B) notify the applicant of the operational 
                allowance described in paragraph (1);
                    ``(C) deem an aircraft's airworthiness certificate 
                issued under section 44704(d) as valid provided that 
                the applicant confirms acknowledgment of the 
                requirements of paragraph (1)(A)(ii);
                    ``(D) confirm the applicant acknowledged the 
                limitations described in paragraph (3)(A) and (3)(B); 
                and
                    ``(E) include identifying information pertaining to 
                such aircraft and to the registered owner.
            ``(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
        shall be construed to permit any person to operate an 
        aircraft--
                    ``(A) with an expired registration, except as 
                specifically provided for under this subsection; or
                    ``(B) if the Administrator has denied an 
                application to renew the registration of such 
                aircraft.''.
    (b) Rulemaking; Guidance.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall issue a final rule, if necessary, and update all 
applicable guidance and policies to implement the amendment made by 
this section.

SEC. 242. TEMPORARY AIRMAN CERTIFICATES.

    Section 44703 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(l) Temporary Airman Certificate.--An individual may obtain a 
temporary airman certificate from the Administrator after requesting a 
permanent replacement airman certificate issued under this section. A 
temporary airman certificate shall be--
            ``(1) made available--
                    ``(A) electronically to the individual immediately 
                upon submitting an online application for a replacement 
                certificate to the Administrator; or
                    ``(B) physically to the individual at a flight 
                standards district office--
                            ``(i) if the individual submits an online 
                        application for a replacement certificate; or
                            ``(ii) if the individual applies for a 
                        permanent replacement certificate other than by 
                        online application and such application has 
                        been received by the Federal Aviation 
                        Administration; and
            ``(2) destroyed upon receipt of the permanent replacement 
        airman certificate from the Administrator.''.

SEC. 243. FLIGHT INSTRUCTION OR TESTING.

    (a) In General.--An authorized flight instructor providing student 
instruction, flight instruction, or flight training shall not be deemed 
to be operating an aircraft carrying persons or property for 
compensation or hire.
    (b) Authorized Additional Pilots.--An individual acting as an 
authorized additional pilot during Phase I flight testing of aircraft 
holding an experimental airworthiness certificate, in accordance with 
section 21.191 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and meeting 
the requirements set forth in Federal Aviation Administration 
regulations and policy in effect as of the date of enactment of this 
section, shall not be deemed to be operating an aircraft carrying 
persons or property for compensation or hire.
    (c) Use of Aircraft.--An individual who uses, causes to use, or 
authorizes to use aircraft for flights conducted under subsection (a) 
or (b) shall not be deemed to be operating an aircraft carrying persons 
or property for compensation or hire.
    (d) Revision of Rules.--
            (1) In general.--The requirements of this section shall 
        become effective upon the date of enactment of this Act.
            (2) Revision.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration shall issue, revise, or repeal the rules, 
        regulations, guidance, or procedures of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration to conform to the requirements of this section.

SEC. 244. LETTER OF DEVIATION AUTHORITY.

    (a) In General.--A flight instructor, registered owner, lessor, or 
lessee of a covered aircraft shall not be required to obtain a letter 
of deviation authority from the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration to allow, conduct, or receive flight training, checking, 
and testing in such aircraft if--
            (1) the flight instructor is not providing both the 
        training and the aircraft;
            (2) no person advertises or broadly offers the aircraft as 
        available for flight training, checking, or testing; and
            (3) no person receives compensation for use of the aircraft 
        for a specific flight during which flight training, checking, 
        or testing was received, other than expenses for owning, 
        operating, and maintaining the aircraft.
    (b) Covered Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the term ``covered 
aircraft'' means--
            (1) an experimental category aircraft;
            (2) a limited category aircraft; and
            (3) a primary category aircraft.

SEC. 245. NATIONAL COORDINATION AND OVERSIGHT OF DESIGNATED PILOT 
              EXAMINERS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 16 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall establish a program or office to provide national 
coordination and oversight of designated pilot examiners appointed 
under section 183.23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
    (b) Responsibilities.--The program or office established under 
subsection (a) shall be responsible for the following:
            (1) Oversight of designated pilot examiners appointed under 
        section 183.23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
        including the selection, training, duties, and deployment of 
        such examiners.
            (2) Supporting the standardization of policy, guidance, and 
        regulations across the Administration pertaining to the 
        selection, training, duties, and deployment of designated pilot 
        examiners appointed under section 183.23 of title 14, Code of 
        Federal Regulations, including evaluating the consistency by 
        which such examiners apply Administration policies, orders, and 
        guidance.
            (3) Coordinating placement and deployment of such examiners 
        across regions based on demand for examinations from the pilot 
        community.
            (4) Developing a code of conduct for such examiners.
            (5) Deploying a survey system to track the performance and 
        merit of such examiners.
            (6) Facilitating an industry partnership to create a formal 
        mentorship program for such examiners.
    (c) Coordination.--In carrying out the responsibilities listed in 
subsection (b), the Administrator shall ensure the program--
            (1) coordinates on an ongoing basis with flight standards 
        district offices, designated pilot examiner managing 
        specialists, and aviation industry stakeholders, including 
        representatives of the general aviation community; and
            (2) considers (or reconsiders) implementing the final 
        recommendations report issued by the Designated Pilot Examiner 
        Reforms Working Group and accepted by the Aviation Rulemaking 
        Advisory Committee on June 17, 2021.
    (d) Briefing.--The Administrator shall brief the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate in 
each fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act 
through fiscal year 2028 detailing--
            (1) the methodology by which designated pilot examiners 
        appointed under section 183.23 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations, are deployed and any subsequent changes to the 
        methodology to fulfill the demand for examinations;
            (2) a review of the previous fiscal year detailing the 
        average time an individual in each region must wait to schedule 
        an appointment with such an examiner; and
            (3) the turnover rates and resource costs associated with 
        such examiners.

SEC. 246. BASICMED FOR EXAMINERS ADMINISTERING TESTS OR PROFICIENCY 
              CHECKS.

    (a) Equivalent Pilot-in-command Medical Requirements.--
Notwithstanding section 61.23(a)(3)(iv) of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, an examiner may administer a practical test or proficiency 
check if such examiner meets the medical qualification requirements 
under part 68 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, if the 
operation being conducted is in a covered aircraft, as such term is 
defined in section 2307(j) of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security 
Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 44703 note).
    (b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall issue a final rule to update part 61 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, to implement the requirements under 
subsection (a), in addition to any related requirements the 
Administrator finds are in the interest of aviation safety.

SEC. 247. DESIGNEE LOCATOR TOOL IMPROVEMENTS.

    Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall ensure that 
the designee locator search function of the public website of the 
Designee Management System of the Administration has the functionality 
to--
            (1) filter a search for an Aviation Medical Examiner (as 
        described in section 183.21 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations) by sex, if such information is available;
            (2) display credentials and aircraft qualifications of a 
        designated pilot examiner (as described in section 183.23 of 
        such title); and
            (3) display the scheduling availability of a designated 
        pilot examiner (as described in section 183.23 of such title) 
        to administer a test or proficiency check to an airman.

SEC. 248. DEADLINE TO ELIMINATE AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION BACKLOG.

    Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall take 
such actions as may be necessary to reduce and maintain the aircraft 
registration and recordation backlog at the Civil Aviation Registry so 
that, on average, applications are processed not later than 10 business 
days after receipt.

SEC. 249. PART 135 AIR CARRIER CERTIFICATE BACKLOG.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall take such actions as may be necessary to achieve 
the goal of reducing the backlog of air carrier certificate 
applications under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
to--
            (1) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, maintain an average certificate decision time of less 
        than 60 days; and
            (2) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, maintain an average certificate decision time of less 
        than 30 days.
    (b) Measures.--In meeting the goal under subsection (a), the 
Administrator may--
            (1) assign, as appropriate, additional personnel or support 
        staff, including on a temporary basis, to review, adjudicate, 
        and approve applications;
            (2) improve and expand promotion of existing applicant 
        resources which could improve the quality of applications 
        submitted to decrease the need for Administration applicant 
        coordination and communications; and
            (3) take into consideration any third-party entity that 
        assisted in the preparation of an application for an air 
        carrier certificate under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations.
    (c) Working Group.--The Administrator shall convene a working group 
comprised of industry stakeholders and aviation experts to--
            (1) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, study methods and make recommendations to clarify 
        requirements and standardize the process for conducting and 
        completing aircraft conformity processes for existing air 
        carriers and operators under part 135 of title 14, Code of 
        Federal Regulations, in a timely manner, which shall include--
                    (A) developing a plan to honor or expedite the 
                consideration of previously accepted aircraft 
                configuration evaluations when an aircraft moves from 
                one certificate under part 135 of title 14, Code of 
                Federal Regulations, to another such certificate;
                    (B) streamlining protocols for operators under such 
                part 135 to add an aircraft that was listed on another 
                certificate under such part 135 immediately prior to 
                moving to the new carrier; and
                    (C) evaluating non-safety related Federal Aviation 
                Administration policies, guidance, and documentation 
                and identify needed changes to such policies, guidance, 
                and documentation to accomplish subparagraph (B); and
            (2) not later than 2 years after of the date of enactment 
        of this Act--
                    (A) study and review methods to modernize and 
                improve the air carrier certification process under 
                part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and
                    (B) recommend long-term solutions for effective 
                management of Administration resources dedicated to 
                approving air carrier certificate applications under 
                such part 135.
    (d) Congressional Briefing.--Beginning 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and not less than every 6 months thereafter 
until the Administrator complies with the requirements under subsection 
(a)(2), the Administrator shall provide a briefing to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on 
the status of the backlog of air carrier certificate applications under 
part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, any measures the 
Administrator has put in place under subsection (b), and any 
recommendations received from the review under subsection (c).

SEC. 250. LOGGING FLIGHT TIME ACCRUED IN CERTAIN PUBLIC AIRCRAFT.

    (a) Completion of Rulemaking.--Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall issue a final rule modifying section 
61.51(j)(4) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to include 
aircraft under the direct operational control of forestry and fire 
protection agencies, as required by section 517 of the FAA 
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44703 note).
    (b) Failure to Complete Rulemaking.--If the Administrator fails to 
issue a final rule pursuant to subsection (a) by the deadline described 
in such subsection, beginning on the date that is 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act--
            (1) notwithstanding section 61.51(j)(4) of title 14, Code 
        of Federal Regulations, a pilot, while engaged on an official 
        flight for a Federal, State, county, or municipal forestry or 
        fire protection agency, may log flight time so long as the time 
        acquired is in an aircraft that--
                    (A) is identified as an aircraft under section 
                61.5(b) of such title; and
                    (B) is a public aircraft under the direct 
                operational control of a forestry or fire protection 
                agency; and
            (2) the Administrator may not take an enforcement action 
        against the pilot for logging such flight time as described in 
        paragraph (1).
    (c) Sunset.--Subsection (b) shall cease to be effective on the date 
on which the final rule required under subsection (a) is effective.

SEC. 251. FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATES.

    (a) Completion of Rulemaking.--Not later than 36 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall issue a final rule for the rulemaking 
activity titled ``Removal of the Expiration Date on a Flight Instructor 
Certificate'', published in Fall 2022 in the Unified Agenda of Federal 
Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (RIN 2120-AL25) to, at a minimum, 
update part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to--
            (1) remove the expiration date on a flight instructor 
        certificate; and
            (2) replace the requirement that a flight instructor renews 
        their flight instructor certificate with appropriate recent 
        experience requirements for the holder of a flight instructor 
        certificate to exercise the privileges of such certificate.
    (b) Failure to Complete Rulemaking.--If the Administrator fails to 
issue a final rule pursuant to subsection (a) before the deadline 
prescribed in that subsection, beginning on the date that is 36 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act--
            (1) notwithstanding sections 61.19(d) and 61.197 of title 
        14, Code of Federal Regulations, an individual holding a flight 
        instructor certificate that is not expired as of the date that 
        is 36 months after the date of enactment of this Act may 
        exercise the privileges of the certificate regardless of 
        whether the certificate subsequently expires, provided that the 
        individual meets eligibility requirements in accordance with 
        section 61.183 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and
            (2) the Administrator--
                    (A) shall consider a flight instructor certificate 
                described in paragraph (1) as having no expiration 
                date; and
                    (B) may not enforce any regulation attributed to 
                the renewal of a flight instructor certificate of an 
                individual.
    (c) Sunset.--Subsection (b) shall cease to be effective on the 
effective date of a final rule issued pursuant to subsection (a).

SEC. 252. CONSISTENCY OF POLICY APPLICATION IN FLIGHT STANDARDS AND 
              AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION.

    (a) In General.--The inspector general of the Department of 
Transportation shall initiate audits, as described in subsection (d), 
of the Flight Standards and Aircraft Certification Services of the 
Federal Aviation Administration, and the personnel of such offices, on 
the consistency of--
            (1) the interpretation of policies, orders, guidance, and 
        regulations; and
            (2) the application of policies, orders, guidance, and 
        regulations.
    (b) Components.--In completing the audits required under this 
section, the inspector general shall interview stakeholders, including 
at a minimum, individuals or entities that--
            (1) hold a certificate or authorization related to the 
        issue being audited under subsection (d);
            (2) are from different regions of the country with matters 
        before different flight standards district offices or aircraft 
        certification offices of the Administration;
            (3) work with multiple flight standards district offices or 
        aircraft certification offices of the Administration; or
            (4) hold a single or multiple relevant certificates or 
        authorizations.
    (c) Reports.--The inspector general of the Department of 
Transportation shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Secretary of 
Transportation, and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration a report for each audit required in this section, 
containing the results of the audit, including findings and 
recommendations to the Administrator to improve the consistency of 
decision-making by Flight Standards and Aircraft Certification Services 
offices of the Administration.
    (d) Audits.--The inspector general shall complete an audit and 
issue the associated report required under subsection (c) not later 
than--
            (1) 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, with 
        regard to supplemental type certificates;
            (2) 34 months after the date of enactment of this Act, with 
        regard to repair stations certificated under part 145 of title 
        14, Code of Federal Regulations; and
            (3) 50 months after the date of enactment of this Act, with 
        regard to technical standards orders.
    (e) Implementation.--In addressing any recommendations from the 
inspector general contained in the reports required under subsection 
(c), the Administrator shall--
            (1) maintain an implementation plan; and
            (2) broadly adopt any best practices to improve the 
        consistency of interpretation and application of policies, 
        orders, guidance, and regulations by other offices of the 
        Administration and with regard to other activities of the 
        Administration.
    (f) Briefing.--Not later than 6 months after receiving a report 
required under subsection (c), the Administrator shall brief the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on the implementation plan required under 
subsection (d), the status of any recommendation received pursuant to 
this section, and any best practices that are being implemented more 
broadly.

SEC. 253. APPLICATION OF POLICIES, ORDERS, AND GUIDANCE.

    Section 44701 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(g) Policies, Orders, and Guidance.--
            ``(1) Consistency of application.--The Administrator shall 
        ensure consistency in the application of policies, orders, and 
        guidance of the Administration by--
                    ``(A) regular audits of the application and 
                interpretation of such material by Administration 
                personnel from person to person and office to office;
                    ``(B) updating policies, orders, and guidance to 
                resolve inconsistencies and clarify demonstrated 
                ambiguities, such as through repeated inconsistent 
                interpretation; and
                    ``(C) ensuring officials are properly documenting 
                findings and decisions throughout a project to decrease 
                the occurrence of duplicative work and inconsistent 
                findings by subsequent officials assigned to the same 
                project.
            ``(2) Alterations.--The Administrator shall consult as 
        appropriate with regulated entities who will be impacted by 
        proposed changes to the content or application of policies, 
        orders, and guidance before making such changes.
            ``(3) Authorities and regulations.--The Administrator shall 
        issue policies, orders, and guidance documents that are related 
        to a law or regulation or clarify the intent of or compliance 
        with specific laws and regulations.''.

SEC. 254. EXPANSION OF THE REGULATORY CONSISTENCY COMMUNICATIONS BOARD.

    Section 224 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44701 
note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2) by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) in paragraph (3) by striking the period and 
                inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) the Office of Airports;
            ``(5) the Office of Security and Hazardous Materials 
        Safety;
            ``(6) the Office of Rulemaking and Regulatory Improvement; 
        and
            ``(7) such other offices as the Administrator determines 
        appropriate.''; and
            (2) in subsection (d)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``anonymous 
                regulatory interpretation questions'' and inserting 
                ``regulatory interpretation questions, including 
                anonymously,'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``anonymous 
                regulatory interpretation questions'' and inserting 
                ``regulatory interpretation questions, including 
                anonymously''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) Submit recommendations, as needed, to the Assistant 
        Administrator for Rulemaking and Regulatory Improvement for 
        consideration.''.

SEC. 255. EXEMPTION OF FEES FOR AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 453 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 45307. Exemption of fees for air traffic services
    ``(a) Requirement to Provide Services and Related Support.--The 
Administrator shall provide or ensure the provisioning of air traffic 
services and aviation safety support for large, multiday aviation 
events, including airshows and fly-ins, where the average daily number 
of manned operations were 1,000 or greater in at least 1 of the 
preceding 3 years, 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.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis of chapter 453 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``Sec. 45307. Exemption of fees for air traffic services.''.
    (c) Conforming Repeal.--Section 530 of the FAA Reauthorization of 
2018 (49 U.S.C. 40103 note), and the item relating to that section in 
the table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act, are repealed.

SEC. 256. MODERNIZATION OF SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATION 
              RULEMAKING DEADLINE.

    Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue a 
final rule for the rulemaking activity titled ``Modernization of 
Special Airworthiness Certification'', published in Fall 2022 in the 
long-term actions of the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and 
Deregulatory Actions (RIN 2120-AL50).

SEC. 257. TERMINATION OF DESIGNEES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall update the Administration's Designee Management Policy (FAA Order 
8000.95B), or any successor order, to ensure due process and increase 
transparency in Federal Aviation Administration-initiated terminations 
of designees.
    (b) Updates to the Designee Management Policy.--In updating the 
Administration's Designee Management Policy under subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall, at a minimum, provide for the following:
            (1) A process by which a designee--
                    (A) is notified of the root causes and reasons for 
                a termination initiated by the Administrator;
                    (B) is notified of the change in a delegated 
                authority to ``suspended'' or ``terminated'' during a 
                Federal Aviation Administration-initiated termination;
                    (C) is provided a point of contact, who is 
                independent of any investigation or termination action 
                involving the designee, within the Administration, to 
                correspond with for purposes of discussing the 
                termination process and the designee's status, 
                including the handling of correspondence during the 
                investigation process described in paragraph (2), if 
                applicable, and the review panel described in paragraph 
                (3);
                    (D) is notified of the results of the investigation 
                described in paragraph (2) in a reasonable and timely 
                manner, which shall include notice of additional action 
                by the Administrator, if required; and
                    (E) may respond within 30 calendar days to the 
                Administrator if the Administrator determines that a 
                termination for cause is the appropriate course of 
                action and initiates such action.
            (2) An investigation process to determine the appropriate 
        outcome in situations in which termination is being considered 
        by the Administrator, which shall include the following 
        elements:
                    (A) The root causes and reasons for the 
                investigation, including any complaints or allegations.
                    (B) Collection of evidence related to the 
                investigation.
                    (C) A review of the facts and circumstances 
                surrounding the case.
                    (D) A review of the designee's record in the 
                designee management system and any relevant background 
                information in the appropriate Federal Aviation 
                Administration databases to determine if there is a 
                pattern of inappropriate behavior or misconduct.
                    (E) A review of the designee's response to the 
                investigation, if provided, to include any 
                documentation provided by the designee.
                    (F) A decision on the appropriate course of action 
                based on the results of the investigation.
                    (G) Recording the results of the investigation in 
                the Federal Aviation Administration's designee 
                management system.
                    (H) A notification to the designee that an 
                investigation has been initiated, but only after it is 
                determined through an established process that such 
                notification would not adversely impact the 
                investigation or safety.
            (3) A review panel to determine whether a termination is 
        appropriate when termination for cause is a possible outcome 
        upon the completion of the investigation described in paragraph 
        (2), of which such review panel shall--
                    (A) consider the elements of the investigation 
                process provided for under paragraph (2), including the 
                designee's response to the investigation and any 
                associated documents, if provided; and
                    (B) complete the review process within 45 calendar 
                days of the Administrator initiating a for cause 
                termination decision of a designee.
    (c) Subsequent Review for Designated Pilot Examiners.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall set up a process 
        through which a Designated Pilot Examiner terminated for cause 
        may request a subsequent review by the Executive Director of 
        the Flight Standards Service.
            (2) Request.--A Designated Pilot Examiner terminated for 
        cause may request a subsequent review described in paragraph 
        (1) not later than 15 calendar days after termination,
            (3) Review.--The Executive Director shall review all 
        relevant information and facts by which the decision was made 
        to terminate the designee, including the information considered 
        by the review panel, and issue a final determination.
            (4) Timing.--Such final determination shall be issued by 
        the Director not later than 45 calendar days upon receiving the 
        request.
    (d) Limitation on Investigation and Review Panel Participants.--An 
Administration employee involved in the selection, appointment, or 
management of a designee the Administrator is investigating or 
terminating for cause may not be party--
            (1) to an investigation described in subsection (b)(2) of 
        such designee; or
            (2) participating on a review panel described in subsection 
        (b)(3) pertaining to such designee.

SEC. 258. PART 135 CHECK AIRMEN REFORMS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall assign to the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory 
Committee (in this section referred to as the ``Committee'') the task 
of reviewing all regulations and policies related to check airmen for 
air carrier operations conducted under part 135 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations.
    (b) Duties.--The Committee shall--
            (1) review the processes and requirements by which 
        authorized check airmen are selected, trained, and approved by 
        the Administrator, and provide recommendations with respect to 
        the regulatory and policy changes necessary to ensure efficient 
        training and utilization of such check airmen;
            (2) review differences in qualification standards between 
        an inspector of the Federal Aviation Administration and an 
        authorized check airmen in evaluating and certifying the 
        knowledge and skills of pilots; and
            (3) make recommendations with respect to the regulatory and 
        policy changes necessary to allow authorized check airmen to 
        perform duties beyond the duties permitted on the date of 
        enactment of this Act.
    (c) 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 such recommendations.
    (d) Definition of Authorized Check Airman.--In this section, the 
term ``authorized check airman'' means an individual employed by an air 
carrier that meets the qualifications and training requirements of 
sections 135.337 and 135.339 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
and is approved to evaluate and certify the knowledge and skills of 
pilots employed by such air carrier.

                      Subtitle D--Other Provisions

SEC. 261. REQUIRED CONSULTATION WITH NATIONAL PARKS OVERFLIGHTS 
              ADVISORY GROUP.

    Section 40128(b)(4) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (D) by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) consult with the advisory group established 
                under section 805 of the National Parks Air Tour 
                Management Act of 2000 (49 U.S.C. 40128 note) and 
                consider all advice, information, and recommendations 
                provided by the advisory group to the Administrator and 
                the Director.''.

SEC. 262. SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN REGULATORY REFORM.

    (a) In General.--Beginning on the date that is 30 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the following regulations shall cease to 
apply to any aircraft operating below 41,000 feet above mean sea level:
            (1) Paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 135.89(b) of title 
        14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations).
            (2) Paragraphs (1)(ii) and (2) of section 91.211(b) of 
        title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor 
        regulations).
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall issue a final regulation revising the provisions 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, described in paragraphs (1) 
and (2) of subsection (a) to conform to the limitation in applicability 
pursuant to subsection (a).

SEC. 263. EXCLUSION OF GYROPLANES FROM FUEL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.

    Section 44737 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``rotorcraft'' and inserting ``helicopter'' 
        each place it appears; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Exemption.--A helicopter issued an experimental certificate 
under section 21.191 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any 
successor regulations), or operating under a Special Flight Permit 
issued under section 21.197 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 
(or any successor regulations), is exempt from the requirements of this 
section.''.

SEC. 264. AIRSHOW VENUE INFORMATION, AWARENESS, TRAINING, AND EDUCATION 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall establish a program, in cooperation with the National Center for 
the Advancement of Aerospace, to be known as the ``Airshow Venue 
Information, Awareness, Training, and Education Program'' (in this 
section referred to as the ``AVIATE Program'').
    (b) Objective.--The objectives of the AVIATE Program shall be--
            (1) to make information available to general aviation 
        airport managers, local government officials, and other 
        relevant stakeholders about how to host an airshow;
            (2) to provide guidance and resources to help organizers 
        plan and execute airshows and aerial events, including--
                    (A) compliance with all applicable regulations;
                    (B) providing technical assistance in 
                establishing--
                            (i) emergency response plans; and
                            (ii) communication plans between relevant 
                        event stakeholders, including local enforcement 
                        and emergency first responders; and
                    (C) ensuring protection of the public, performers, 
                and airport personnel;
            (3) to promote public awareness and engagement with 
        airshows and aerial events, including opportunities for 
        community education, outreach, and involvement; and
            (4) to provide access to tools and resources that enable 
        general aviation airport managers, local government officials, 
        and other relevant stakeholders to understand the impact of 
        airshows and aerial events on local economies and communities.
    (c) Administration.--In carrying out the AVIATE Program, the 
Administrator shall consult and coordinate, as appropriate, with 
relevant stakeholders, including--
            (1) airshow safety experts;
            (2) general aviation aircraft owners and operators, 
        including experimental aircraft owners and operators;
            (3) general aviation airports, including airport officials;
            (4) air traffic control specialists with knowledge of 
        coordinating airshows and aerial events, including experts from 
        the exclusive bargaining representative of air traffic 
        controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United 
        States Code; and
            (5) experts from the exclusive bargaining representative of 
        air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 
        5, United States Code.

SEC. 265. LOW ALTITUDE ROTORCRAFT AND POWERED-LIFT OPERATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall, as appropriate, establish or update low altitude routes and 
flight procedures to ensure safe rotorcraft and powered-lift aircraft 
operations within Class B airspace of the national airspace system.
    (b) Flight Procedures.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall, as appropriate, establish or update approach and 
departure procedures at public-use airports and heliports within Class 
B airspace for rotorcraft and powered-lift aircraft operations.
    (c) Flight Routes.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out this section, the 
        Administrator shall revise part 71 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations, as necessary, to establish or update low altitude 
        routes related to Class B airspace operations for rotorcraft 
        and powered-lift aircraft.
            (2) Considerations.--In carrying out this section, the 
        Administrator shall consider the impact of such low altitude 
        flight routes described in paragraph (1) on other airspace 
        users and impacted communities to ensure that such routes are 
        designed to minimize--
                    (A) the potential for conflict with existing 
                national airspace system operations;
                    (B) the workload of air traffic controllers; and
                    (C) negative effects to impacted communities.
    (d) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the Administrator 
shall develop the procedures and routes required under subsection (b) 
and (c) in consultation with--
            (1) rotorcraft operators, including air ambulance 
        operators;
            (2) powered-lift operators;
            (3) exclusive bargaining representatives of air traffic 
        controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United 
        States Code; and
            (4) any other relevant stakeholders as determined by the 
        Administrator.

SEC. 266. BASICMED IN NORTH AMERICA.

    The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall seek 
to facilitate the recognition of medical qualifications under part 68 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, with civil aviation 
authorities in Canada and such other foreign countries that the 
Administrator determines are appropriate.

SEC. 267. ELIMINATE AVIATION GASOLINE LEAD EMISSIONS.

    (a) EAGLE Initiative.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration shall continue to partner with industry and 
        other Federal Government stakeholders in carrying out the 
        Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions Initiative (in this 
        section referred to as the ``EAGLE Initiative'').
            (2) FAA responsibilities.--In collaborating with industry 
        and other Government stakeholders to carry out the EAGLE 
        Initiative, the Administrator shall take such actions as may be 
        necessary under the Administrator's authority to facilitate--
                    (A) the safe elimination of the use of leaded 
                aviation gasoline by piston-engine aircraft by the end 
                of 2030 without adversely affecting the piston-engine 
                aircraft fleet;
                    (B) the approval of unleaded alternatives to leaded 
                aviation gasoline for use in all piston-engine aircraft 
                types and piston-engine types;
                    (C) the implementation of the requirements of 
                section 431 as they relate to the continued 
                availability of aviation gasoline;
                    (D) efforts to make approved unleaded aviation 
                gasoline widely available at airports; and
                    (E) the development and implementation of a 
                transition plan to safely expedite the transition of 
                the piston-engine general aviation aircraft fleet to 
                unleaded fuels by 2030.
            (3) Activities.--In carrying out the Administration's 
        responsibilities pursuant to paragraph (2), the Administrator, 
        at a minimum, shall--
                    (A) develop and publish, as soon as practicable, a 
                fleet authorization process for the efficient approval 
                or authorization of unleaded aviation gasolines;
                    (B) review, update, and prioritize, as soon as 
                practicable, certification processes and projects for 
                aircraft engines and modifications to such engines to 
                operate with unleaded aviation gasoline;
                    (C) evaluate and support programs that accelerate 
                the creation, evaluation, qualification, deployment, 
                and use of unleaded aviation gasolines;
                    (D) carry out, in partnership with the general 
                aviation community, an ongoing campaign for training 
                and educating aircraft owners and operators on how to 
                safely transition to unleaded aviation gasoline;
                    (E) evaluate aircraft and aircraft engines to 
                ensure that such aircraft and aircraft engines can 
                operate with unleaded aviation gasoline candidates 
                during cold weather conditions; and
                    (F) facilitate Government policy, regulatory 
                proposals, and voluntary consensus standards with the 
                objective of achieving the following:
                            (i) Establishing a commercially viable 
                        supply chain for unleaded aviation gasolines.
                            (ii) Facilitating market-based production 
                        and distribution of unleaded aviation 
                        gasolines.
                            (iii) Encouraging procurement of equipment 
                        required for the deployment, storage, and 
                        dispensing of unleaded aviation gasolines.
            (4) Consultation and coordination with relevant 
        stakeholders.--In carrying out the EAGLE Initiative, the 
        Administrator shall continue to consult and coordinate, as 
        appropriate, with relevant stakeholders, including--
                    (A) general aviation aircraft engine, aircraft 
                propulsion, and aircraft airframe manufacturers;
                    (B) general aviation aircraft users, aircraft 
                owners, aircraft pilots, and aircraft operators;
                    (C) airports, heliports, and fixed-base operators;
                    (D) State, local, and Tribal airport officials or 
                public agencies, with representation from both urban 
                and rural areas;
                    (E) representatives of the petroleum industry, 
                including developers, refiners, producers, and 
                distributors of unleaded aviation gasolines; and
                    (F) air carriers and commercial operators operating 
                under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal 
                Regulations.
            (5) Reports to congress.--
                    (A) Initial report.--Not later than 1 year after 
                the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
                shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
                Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
                Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
                the Senate a report that--
                            (i) contains an updated strategic plan for 
                        developing a fleet authorization process for 
                        efficient approval and use of unleaded aviation 
                        gasolines;
                            (ii) describes the structure and 
                        involvement of all Federal Aviation 
                        Administration offices that have 
                        responsibilities described in paragraph (2); 
                        and
                            (iii) identifies cost-effective policy 
                        initiatives, regulatory initiatives, or 
                        legislative initiatives needed to improve and 
                        enhance the timely transition to unleaded 
                        aviation gasoline for the piston-engine 
                        aircraft fleet.
                    (B) Annual reporting.--Not later than 1 year after 
                the date on which the Administrator submits the initial 
                report under subparagraph (A), and annually thereafter, 
                the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
                Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
                Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
                and Transportation of the Senate an annual report on 
                activities and progress of the EAGLE Initiative.
                    (C) Sunset.--Subparagraph (B) shall cease to be 
                effective after December 31, 2030.
    (b) Transition Plan to Unleaded Fuels.--
            (1) In general.--In developing the transition plan under 
        subsection (a)(2)(E), the Administrator shall, at a minimum, 
        assess the following:
                    (A) Efforts undertaken by the EAGLE Initiative, 
                including progress towards--
                            (i) safely eliminating the use of leaded 
                        aviation gasoline by piston-engine aircraft by 
                        the end of 2030 without adversely affecting the 
                        piston-engine aircraft fleet;
                            (ii) approving unleaded alternatives to 
                        leaded aviation gasoline for use in all piston-
                        engine aircraft types and piston-engine types; 
                        and
                            (iii) facilitating efforts to make approved 
                        unleaded aviation gasoline widely available at 
                        airports.
                    (B) The evaluation and development of necessary 
                airport infrastructure, including fuel storage and 
                dispensing facilities, to support the distribution and 
                storage of unleaded aviation gasoline.
                    (C) The establishment of best practices for piston-
                engine aircraft owners and operators, airport managers 
                and personnel, aircraft maintenance technicians, and 
                other appropriate personnel for protecting against 
                exposure to lead containment when--
                            (i) conducting fueling operations;
                            (ii) disposing of inspected gasoline 
                        samples;
                            (iii) performing aircraft maintenance; and
                            (iii) conducting engine run-ups.
                    (D) Efforts to address supply chain and other 
                logistical barriers inhibiting the timely distribution 
                of unleaded aviation gasoline to airports.
                    (E) Outreach efforts to educate and update piston-
                engine aircraft owners and operators, airport 
                operators, and other members of the general aviation 
                community on the potential benefits, availability, and 
                safety of unleaded aviation gasoline.
            (2) Consultation.--In developing such transition plan, the 
        Administrator shall consult, at a minimum, with representatives 
        of entities described in subsection (a)(4).
            (3) Publication; guidance.--Upon completion of developing 
        such transition plan, the Administrator shall--
                    (A) make the plan available to the public on an 
                appropriate webpage of the Administration; and
                    (B) provide guidance supporting the implementation 
                of the transition plan.
            (4) Coordination with eagle initiative.--In developing such 
        transition plan and associated guidance pertaining to the 
        implementation of such transition plan, the Administrator shall 
        consult and coordinate with individuals carrying out the EAGLE 
        Initiative.
            (5) Mapping unleaded aviation gasoline.--The Administrator 
        shall develop and continuously update websites, brochures, and 
        other communication materials associated with such transition 
        plan to clearly convey the availability of unleaded aviation 
        gasoline at airports.
            (6) Briefing to congress.--Not later than 60 days after the 
        publication of such transition plan, the Administrator shall 
        brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
        House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Technology of the Senate on such transition plan 
        and any efforts or actions pertaining to the implementation of 
        such transition plan.

                     TITLE III--AEROSPACE WORKFORCE

                  Subtitle A--Growing the Talent Pool

SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AVIATION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

    Section 625(b)(1) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 
40101 note) is amended by striking ``section 48105'' and all that 
follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: 
``section 48105 of title 49, United States Code, not more than--
                    ``(A) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 
                through 2026 is authorized to be expended to provide 
                grants under the program established under subsection 
                (a)(1); and
                    ``(B) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 
                through 2026 is authorized to provide grants under the 
                program established under subsection (a)(2).
                    ``(C) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 
                through 2026 is authorized to be expended to provide 
                grants under the program established under subsection 
                (a)(3).''.

SEC. 302. IMPROVING AVIATION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

    (a) Manufacturing Program.--Section 625(a) of the FAA 
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (2) by striking the period and inserting 
        ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) a program to provide grants for eligible projects to 
        support the education and recruitment of aviation manufacturing 
        workers and the development of the aviation manufacturing 
        workforce.''.
    (b) Project Grants.--Section 625(b) of the FAA Reauthorization Act 
of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2) by striking ``$500,000'' and inserting 
        ``$750,000''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Education projects.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
        not less than 20 percent of the amounts authorized to be 
        expended under this subsection shall be used to carry out a 
        grant program which shall be referred to as the `Willa Brown 
        Aviation Education Program' (in this paragraph referred to as 
        the `Program') under which the Secretary shall provide grants 
        for eligible projects described in subsection (d) that are 
        carried out in communities in counties containing at least 1 
        qualified opportunity zone (as such term is defined in section 
        1400Z-1(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).''.
    (c) Eligible Applications.--Section 625(c) of the FAA 
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended by 
striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) Application for aircraft pilot program.--An 
        application for a grant under the program established under 
        subsection (a)(1) may be submitted, in such form as the 
        Secretary may specify, by--
                    ``(A) an air carrier, as defined in section 40102 
                of title 49, United States Code;
                    ``(B) an entity that holds management 
                specifications under subpart K of title 91 of title 14, 
                Code of Federal Regulations;
                    ``(C) an institution of higher education (as 
                defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 
                1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), a postsecondary vocational 
                institution (as defined in section 102(c) of the Higher 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)), or a high 
                school or secondary school (as such terms are defined 
                in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801));
                    ``(D) a flight school that provides flight 
                training, as defined in part 61 of title 14, Code of 
                Federal Regulations, or that holds a pilot school 
                certificate under part 141 of title 14, Code of Federal 
                Regulations;
                    ``(E) a labor organization representing 
                professional pilots;
                    ``(F) an aviation-related nonprofit organization 
                described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 
                Code of 1986 that is exempt from taxation under section 
                501(a) of such Code; or
                    ``(G) a State, local, territorial, or Tribal 
                governmental entity.
            ``(2) Application for aviation maintenance program.--An 
        application for a grant under the program established under 
        subsection (a)(2) may be submitted, in such form as the 
        Secretary may specify, by--
                    ``(A) a holder of a certificate issued under part 
                21, 121, 135, 145, or 147 of title 14, Code of Federal 
                Regulations;
                    ``(B) a labor organization representing aviation 
                maintenance workers;
                    ``(C) an institution of higher education (as 
                defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 
                1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), a postsecondary vocational 
                institution (as defined in section 102(c) of the Higher 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)), or a high 
                school or secondary school (as such terms are defined 
                in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801));
                    ``(D) an aviation-related nonprofit organization 
                described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 
                Code of 1986 that is exempt from taxation under section 
                501(a) of such Code; or
                    ``(E) a State, local, territorial, or Tribal 
                governmental entity.
            ``(3) Application for aviation manufacturing program.--An 
        application for a grant under the program established under 
        subsection (a)(3) may be submitted, in such form as the 
        Secretary may specify, by--
                    ``(A) an entity that--
                            ``(i) actively designs or manufactures any 
                        aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or 
                        appliance, or a component, part, or system 
                        thereof, covered under a type or production 
                        certificate issued under section 44704; and
                            ``(ii) has significant operations in the 
                        United States and a majority of the employees 
                        of such entity that are engaged in aviation 
                        manufacturing or development activities and 
                        services are based in the United States;
                    ``(B) an institution of higher education (as 
                defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 
                1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), a postsecondary vocational 
                institution (as defined in section 102(c) of the Higher 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)), or a high 
                school or secondary school (as such terms are defined 
                in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801));
                    ``(C) an aviation-related nonprofit organization 
                described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 
                Code of 1986 that is exempt from taxation under section 
                501(a) of such Code; or
                    ``(D) a State, local, territorial, or Tribal 
                governmental entity.''.
    (d) Eligible Projects.--Section 625(d) of the FAA Reauthorization 
Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended by striking paragraphs 
(1) and (2) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) Aircraft pilot program.--For purposes of the program 
        established under subsection (a)(1), an eligible project is a 
        project--
                    ``(A) to create and deliver curriculum that 
                provides high school or secondary school students with 
                meaningful aviation education to become aircraft 
                pilots, aerospace engineers, or unmanned aircraft 
                systems operators, including purchasing and operating a 
                computer-based simulator associated with such 
                curriculum;
                    ``(B) to support the professional development of 
                teachers using the curriculum described in subparagraph 
                (A);
                    ``(C) to create and deliver curriculum that 
                provides certified flight instructors with the 
                necessary instructional, leadership, and communication 
                skills to better educate student pilots;
                    ``(D) to support transition to professional pilot 
                careers, including for members of the Armed Forces; or
                    ``(E) to support robust outreach about careers in 
                the commercial aviation as a professional pilot, 
                including outreach to primary, secondary, and post-
                secondary school students.
            ``(2) Aviation maintenance program.--For purposes of the 
        program established under subsection (a)(2), an eligible 
        project is a project--
                    ``(A) to create and deliver curriculum that 
                provides high school and secondary school students with 
                meaningful aviation maintenance education to become an 
                aviation mechanic or aviation maintenance technician, 
                including purchasing and operating equipment associated 
                with such curriculum;
                    ``(B) to support the professional development of 
                teachers using the curriculum described in subparagraph 
                (A);
                    ``(C) to establish or improve apprenticeship, 
                internship, or scholarship programs for individuals 
                pursuing employment in the aviation maintenance 
                industry;
                    ``(D) to support transition to aviation maintenance 
                careers, including for members of the Armed Forces; or
                    ``(E) to support robust outreach about careers in 
                the aviation maintenance industry, including outreach 
                to primary, secondary, and post-secondary school 
                students.
            ``(3) Aviation manufacturing program.--For purposes of the 
        program established under subsection (a)(3), and eligible 
        project is a project--
                    ``(A) to create and deliver curriculum that 
                provides high school and secondary school students with 
                meaningful aviation manufacturing education, including 
                teaching the technical skills used in the production of 
                components, parts, or systems thereof for inclusion in 
                an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance;
                    ``(B) to support the professional development of 
                teachers using the curriculum described in subparagraph 
                (A);
                    ``(C) to establish apprenticeship, internship, or 
                scholarship programs for individuals pursuing 
                employment in the aviation manufacturing industry;
                    ``(D) to support transition to aviation 
                manufacturing careers, including for members of the 
                Armed Forces; or
                    ``(E) to support robust outreach about careers in 
                the aviation manufacturing industry, including outreach 
                to primary, secondary, and post-secondary school 
                students.''.
    (e) Reporting and Monitoring Requirements.--Section 625 of the FAA 
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(f) Reporting and Monitoring Requirements.--The Secretary shall 
establish reasonable reporting and monitoring requirements for grant 
recipients under this section to measure relevant outcomes for the 
grant programs established under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of 
subsection (a).
    ``(g) Notice of Grants.--
            ``(1) Timely public notice.--The Secretary shall provide 
        public notice of any grant awarded under this section in a 
        timely fashion after the Secretary awards such grant.
            ``(2) Notice to congress.--The Secretary shall provide to 
        the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
        of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate advance notice of a grant to be 
        made under this section.
    ``(h) Termination.--The authority of the Secretary to issue grants 
under this section shall terminate on September 30, 2026.''.

SEC. 303. NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AEROSPACE.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 1 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 120. National Center for the Advancement of Aerospace
    ``(a) Federal Charter and Status.--
            ``(1) In general.--The National Center for the Advancement 
        of Aerospace (in this section referred to as the `Center') is a 
        federally chartered entity which shall be incorporated in the 
        District of Columbia. The Center is a private independent 
        entity, not a department, agency, or instrumentality of the 
        United States Government or a component thereof. Except as 
        provided in subsection (f)(1), an officer or employee of the 
        Center is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government.
            ``(2) Perpetual existence.--Except as otherwise provided, 
        the Center shall have perpetual existence.
    ``(b) Governing Body.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Board of Directors (in this section 
        referred to as the `Board') is the governing body of the 
        Center.
            ``(2) Authority.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Board shall adopt bylaws, 
                policies, and procedures to carry out the purpose of 
                the Center and may take any other action that it 
                considers necessary (in accordance with the duties and 
                powers of the Center) for the management and operation 
                of the Center. The Board is responsible for the general 
                policies and management of the Center and for the 
                control of all funds of the Center.
                    ``(B) Powers of board.--The Board shall have the 
                power to do the following:
                            ``(i) Adopt and alter a corporate seal.
                            ``(ii) Establish and maintain offices to 
                        conduct its activities.
                            ``(iii) Enter into contracts or agreements 
                        as a private entity not subject to the 
                        requirements of title 41.
                            ``(iv) Acquire, own, lease, encumber, 
                        transfer, and dispose of property as necessary 
                        and appropriate to carry out the purposes of 
                        the Center.
                            ``(v) Publish documents and other 
                        publications in a publicly accessible manner.
                            ``(vi) Incur and pay obligations as a 
                        private entity not subject to the requirements 
                        of title 31.
                            ``(vii) Perform any other act necessary and 
                        proper to carry out the purposes of the Center 
                        as described in its bylaws or duties outlined 
                        in this section.
            ``(3) Membership of the board.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Board shall have 10 
                Directors as follows:
                            ``(i) Ex-officio membership.--The following 
                        individuals, or their designees, shall be 
                        considered ex-officio members of the Board:
                                    ``(I) The Administrator of the 
                                Federal Aviation Administration.
                                    ``(II) The Executive Director, 
                                pursuant to paragraph (5)(D).
                            ``(ii) Appointments.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--From among those 
                                members of the public who are highly 
                                respected and have exert knowledge and 
                                experience in the fields of aviation, 
                                finance, or academia--
                                            ``(aa) the Secretary of 
                                        Transportation shall appoint 5 
                                        members to the Board;
                                            ``(bb) the Secretary of 
                                        Defense shall appoint 1 member 
                                        to the Board;
                                            ``(cc) the Secretary of 
                                        Veterans Affairs shall appoint 
                                        1 member to the Board; and
                                            ``(dd) the Secretary of 
                                        Education shall appoint 1 
                                        member to the Board.
                                    ``(II) Terms.--
                                            ``(aa) In general.--The 
                                        members appointed under 
                                        subclause (I) shall serve for a 
                                        term of 3 years and may be 
                                        reappointed.
                                            ``(bb) Staggering terms.--
                                        The Board shall stagger the 
                                        duration of the terms of the 
                                        initial members appointed to 
                                        promote the stability of the 
                                        Board.
                    ``(B) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Board shall be 
                filled in the same manner as the initial appointment.
                    ``(C) Status.--All Members of the Board shall have 
                equal voting powers, regardless if they are ex-officio 
                members or appointed.
            ``(4) Chair of the board.--The Board shall choose a Chair 
        of the Board from among the members of the Board that are not 
        ex-officio members under paragraph (3)(A)(i).
            ``(5) Administrative matters.--
                    ``(A) Meetings.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Board shall meet at 
                        the call of the Chair but not less than 2 times 
                        each year and may, as appropriate, conduct 
                        business by telephone or other electronic 
                        means.
                            ``(ii) Open.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--Except as 
                                provided in subclause (II), a meeting 
                                of the Board shall be open to the 
                                public.
                                    ``(II) Exception.--A meeting, or 
                                any portion of a meeting, may be closed 
                                if the Board, in public session, votes 
                                to close the meeting because the 
                                matters to be discussed--
                                            ``(aa) relate solely to the 
                                        internal personnel rules, 
                                        practices, and matters of the 
                                        Center;
                                            ``(bb) may result in 
                                        disclosure of commercial or 
                                        financial information obtained 
                                        from a person that is 
                                        privileged or confidential;
                                            ``(cc) may disclose 
                                        information of a personal 
                                        nature where disclosure would 
                                        constitute an unwarranted 
                                        invasion of personal privacy; 
                                        or
                                            ``(dd) are matters that are 
                                        specifically exempted from 
                                        disclosure by Federal or 
                                        District of Columbia law.
                            ``(iii) Public announcement.--At least 1 
                        week before a meeting of the Board, and as soon 
                        as practicable thereafter if there are any 
                        changes to the information described in 
                        subclauses (I) through (III), the Board shall 
                        make a public announcement of the meeting that 
                        describes--
                                    ``(I) the time, place, and subject 
                                matter of the meeting;
                                    ``(II) whether the meeting is to be 
                                open or closed to the public; and
                                    ``(III) the name and appropriate 
                                contact information of a person who can 
                                respond to requests for information 
                                about the meeting.
                            ``(iv) Record.--The Board shall keep 
                        minutes from each Board meeting. Such minutes 
                        shall be made available to the public in an 
                        accessible format, except for portions of the 
                        meeting that are closed pursuant to 
                        subparagraph (A)(ii)(II).
                    ``(B) Quorum.--A majority of members of the Board 
                shall constitute a quorum.
                    ``(C) Code of ethics.--The Board shall adopt a code 
                of ethics for Directors, officers, agents, and 
                employees of the Center to--
                            ``(i) prevent inappropriate conflicts of 
                        interest and promote good employee conduct; and
                            ``(ii) at a minimum, prohibit any member of 
                        the Board from participating in any proceeding, 
                        application, ruling, or other determination, 
                        contract claim, award, controversy, or other 
                        matter in which the member, the member's 
                        employer or prospective employer, or the 
                        member's immediate family member has a direct 
                        financial interest.
                    ``(D) Executive director.--The Board shall appoint 
                and fix the pay of an Executive Director of the Center 
                (in this section referred to as the `Executive 
                Director') who shall--
                            ``(i) serve as an ex officio Member of the 
                        Board;
                            ``(ii) serve at the pleasure of the Board, 
                        under such terms and conditions as the Board 
                        shall establish;
                            ``(iii) is subject to removal by the Board 
                        at the discretion of the Board; and
                            ``(iv) be responsible for the daily 
                        management and operation of the Center and for 
                        carrying out the purposes and duties of the 
                        Center.
                    ``(E) Appointment of personnel.--The Board shall 
                delegate to the Executive Director the authority to 
                appoint additional personnel as the Board considers 
                appropriate and necessary to carry out the purposes and 
                duties of the Center.
            ``(6) Records.--The Board shall keep correct and complete 
        records of accounts.
            ``(7) Public information.--With the exception of the 
        matters described in subsection (b)(5)(A)(ii)(II), nothing in 
        this section may be construed to withhold disclosure of 
        information or records that are subject to disclosure under 
        section 552 of title 5.
    ``(c) Purpose.--The purpose of the Center is to--
            ``(1) develop a skilled and robust aerospace workforce in 
        the United States;
            ``(2) provide a forum to support collaboration and 
        cooperation between governmental, nongovernmental, and private 
        aerospace sector stakeholders regarding the advancement of the 
        aerospace workforce, including general, business, and 
        commercial aviation, education, labor, manufacturing, 
        international organizations, and commercial space 
        transportation organizations;
            ``(3) serve as a repository for research conducted by 
        institutions of higher education, research institutions, or 
        other stakeholders regarding the aerospace workforce and 
        related technical and skill development.
            ``(4) serve as a centralized resource that provides 
        comprehensive and relevant information sources on the 
        following:
                    ``(A) Aviation pathway programs and professional 
                development opportunities.
                    ``(B) Aviation apprenticeship, scholarship, and 
                internship programs.
                    ``(C) Aviation-related curricula and resources 
                about aviation occupations and career pathways 
                developed for students, teachers, and guidance 
                counselors at all levels of education.
                    ``(D) Aviation industry organizations.
    ``(d) Duties.--In order to accomplish the purpose described in 
subsection (c), the Center shall perform the following duties:
            ``(1) Improve access to aerospace education and related 
        skills training to help grow the U.S. aerospace workforce, 
        including by--
                    ``(A) assessing the state of the aerospace 
                workforce, including challenges and identifying actions 
                to address such challenges;
                    ``(B) developing a comprehensive workforce strategy 
                to help coordinate workforce development initiatives;
                    ``(C) establishing or supporting apprenticeship, 
                scholarship, internship, and mentorship programs that 
                assist individuals who wish to pursue a career in an 
                aerospace-related field;
                    ``(D) supporting the development of aerospace 
                education curricula, including syllabi, training 
                materials, and lesson plans, for use by an institution 
                of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the 
                Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), a 
                postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in 
                section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1002)), or a high school or secondary school (as 
                such terms are defined in section 8101 of the 
                Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 7801)); and
                    ``(E) building awareness of youth-oriented 
                aerospace programs and other robust outreach programs, 
                including for primary, secondary, and post-secondary 
                school students.
                    ``(F) supporting the professional development of 
                teachers using the curricula, syllabi, training 
                materials, and lesson plans described in subparagraph 
                (D); and
                    ``(G) developing an array of educational and 
                informative aviation-related educational activities and 
                materials for students of varying ages and levels of 
                education to use in the classroom and at home.
            ``(2) Support personnel or veterans of the Armed Forces 
        seeking to transition to a career in aerospace through 
        outreach, training, scholarships, apprenticeships, or other 
        means.
            ``(3) Amplify and support the work carried out at the 
        Centers of Excellence and Technical Centers of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration regarding the aerospace workforce, or 
        related technical and skills advancement, including organizing 
        and hosting symposiums, conferences, and other forums as 
        appropriate.
            ``(4) Administer on behalf of the Secretary of the 
        Department of Transportation the Cooperative Aviation 
        Recruitment, Enrichment, and Employment Readiness Program 
        established by subsection (a) of 40131.
    ``(e) Duty to Maintain Tax-exempt Status.--The Center shall be 
operated in a manner and for purposes that qualify the Center for 
exemption from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code as an 
organization described in section 501(c)(3) of such Code.
    ``(f) Administrative Matters of Center.--
            ``(1) Detailees.--
                    ``(A) In general.--At the request of the Center, 
                the head of any Federal agency or department may, at 
                the discretion of such agency or department, detail to 
                the Center, on a reimbursable basis, an employee of the 
                agency or department.
                    ``(B) Civil servant status.--The detail of an 
                employee under subparagraph (A) shall be without 
                interruption or loss of civil service status or 
                privilege.
            ``(2) Names and symbols.--The Center may accept, retain, 
        and use proceeds derived from the Center's use of the exclusive 
        right to use its name and seal, emblems, and badges 
        incorporating such name as lawfully adopted by the Board in 
        furtherance of the purpose and duties of the Center.
            ``(3) Gifts, grants, bequests, and devises.--The Center may 
        accept, retain, use, and dispose of gifts, grants, bequests, or 
        devises of money, services, or property from any public or 
        private source for the purpose of covering the costs incurred 
        by the Center in furtherance of the purpose and duties of the 
        Center.
            ``(4) Voluntary services.--The Center may accept voluntary 
        services from any person that are provided in furtherance of 
        the purpose and duties of the Center.
    ``(g) Restrictions.--
            ``(1) Profit.--The Center may not engage in business 
        activity for profit.
            ``(2) Stocks and dividends.--The Center may not issue any 
        shares of stock or declare or pay any dividends.
            ``(3) Political activities.--The Center shall be 
        nonpolitical and may not provide financial aid or assistance 
        to, or otherwise contribute to or promote the candidacy of, any 
        individual seeking elective public office or political party. 
        The Center may not engage in activities that are, directly, or 
        indirectly, intended to be or likely to be perceived as 
        advocating or influencing the legislative process.
            ``(4) Distribution of income or assets.--The assets of the 
        Center may not inure to the benefit of any member of the Board, 
        or any officer or employee of the Center or be distributed to 
        any person. This paragraph does not prevent the payment of 
        reasonable compensation to any officer, employee, or other 
        person or reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses in 
        amounts approved by the Board.
            ``(5) Loans.--The Center may not make a loan to any member 
        of the Board or any officer or employee of the Center.
            ``(6) No claim of governmental approval or authority.--
        Except as otherwise provided by section 40131, the Center may 
        not claim approval of Congress or of the authority of the 
        United States for any of its activities.
    ``(h) Advisory Committee.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Executive Director shall appoint 
        members to an advisory committee subject to approval by the 
        Board. Members of the Board may not sit on the advisory 
        committee.
            ``(2) Membership.--The advisory committee shall consist of 
        not more than 15 members who represent various aviation 
        industry and labor stakeholders, stakeholder associations, and 
        others as determined appropriate by the Board. The advisory 
        committee shall select a Chair and Vice Chair from among its 
        members by majority vote.
            ``(3) Duties.--The advisory committee shall--
                    ``(A) provide recommendations to the Board on an 
                annual basis regarding the priorities for the 
                activities of the Center;
                    ``(B) consult with the Board on an ongoing basis 
                regarding the appropriate powers of the Board to 
                accomplish the purposes and duties of the Center; and
                    ``(C) provide relevant data and information to the 
                Center in order to carry out the duties set forth in 
                subsection (d).
            ``(4) Meetings.--The provisions for meetings of the Board 
        under subsection (b)(5) shall apply as similarly as is 
        practicable to meetings of the advisory committee.
    ``(i) Working Groups.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Board may establish working groups 
        as determined necessary and appropriate to achieve the purpose 
        of the Center under subsection (c).
            ``(2) Membership.--Any working group established by the 
        Board shall be composed of private sector representatives, 
        stakeholder associations, members of the public, labor 
        representatives, and other relevant parties, as determined 
        appropriate by the Board. Once established, the membership of 
        such working group shall choose a Chair from among the members 
        of the working group by majority vote.
    ``(j) CAREER Council.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--Not later than September 30, 2026, 
        the Executive Director, in coordination with the Secretary, 
        shall establish a council (in this section referred to as the 
        `CAREER Council') for the CAREER Program established under 
        section 40131.
            ``(2) Duties.--The CAREER Council shall aid the Secretary 
        and the Center in carrying out the CAREER Program by reviewing 
        grant applications and recommending grant recipients.
            ``(3) Appointment.--The CAREER Council shall be appointed 
        from candidates nominated by national associations representing 
        various sectors of the aviation industry, including--
                    ``(A) general aviation;
                    ``(B) commercial aviation;
                    ``(C) aviation labor, including collective 
                bargaining representatives of Federal Aviation 
                Administration aviation safety inspectors, aviation 
                safety engineers, and air traffic controllers;
                    ``(D) aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul; 
                and
                    ``(E) unmanned aviation.
            ``(4) Term.--Each council member appointed under paragraph 
        (3) shall serve a term of 4 years.
    ``(k) Annual Report.--The Board shall submit an annual report to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate that, at minimum, includes a review and 
examination of--
            ``(1) the activities performed as set forth in subsection 
        (d) during the prior fiscal year;
            ``(2) the advisory committee described in subsection (h);
            ``(3) the working groups described in subsection (i); and
            ``(4) the Cooperative Aviation Recruitment, Enrichment, and 
        Employment Readiness Program and related activities established 
        under section 40131, including activities of the CAREER Council 
        established under subsection (j).
    ``(l) Audit by Department of Transportation Inspector General.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date on 
        which the Center is established under subsection (a), the 
        inspector general of the Department of Transportation shall 
        conduct a review of the Center.
            ``(2) Contents.--The review shall--
                    ``(A) include, at a minimum, an evaluation of the 
                efforts taken at the Center to achieve the purpose set 
                forth in subsection (c); and
                    ``(B) provide any other information that the 
                inspector general determines is appropriate.
            ``(3) Report on audit.--
                    ``(A) Report to secretary.--Not later than 30 days 
                after the date of completion of the audit, the 
                inspector general shall submit to the Secretary a 
                report on the results of the audit.
                    ``(B) Report to congress.--Not later than 60 days 
                after the date of receipt of the report under 
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit to the 
                appropriate committees of Congress a copy of the 
                report, together with, if appropriate, a description of 
                any actions taken or to be taken to address the results 
                of the audit.
    ``(m) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Center for the Advancement of Aerospace 
out of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to carry out this section--
            ``(1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
            ``(2) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
            ``(3) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
            ``(4) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and
            ``(5) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 1 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
section 119 the following:

``120. National Center for the Advancement of Aerospace.''.

SEC. 304. COOPERATIVE AVIATION RECRUITMENT, ENRICHMENT, AND EMPLOYMENT 
              READINESS PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 401 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 40131. Cooperative Aviation Recruitment, Enrichment, and 
              Employment Readiness Program
    ``(a) Establishment.--Not later than September 30, 2026, the 
Secretary of Transportation, through the National Center for the 
Advancement of Aerospace (in this section referred to as the `Center'), 
shall establish an aviation workforce cooperative development program 
to be known as the Cooperative Aviation Recruitment, Enrichment, and 
Employment Readiness Program (in this section referred to as the 
`CAREER Program') to support the education, recruitment, training, and 
retention of future aviation professionals and the development of a 
robust United States aviation workforce by--
            ``(1) using relevant workforce forecasts to predict and 
        identify aviation-related workforce challenges; and
            ``(2) funding projects that address such challenges and 
        help to sustain the long-term growth of civil aviation.
    ``(b) Implementation.--
            ``(1) Partnership with ncaa.--In implementing the CAREER 
        Program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
        partner with the CAREER Council established in subsection (j) 
        of section 120.
            ``(2) Nondelegation.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), 
        the Secretary may not delegate any of the authorities or 
        responsibilities under this section to the Administrator of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration.
            ``(3) Support.--To support the administration of the CAREER 
        Program, the Secretary may assign employees of the Department 
        of Transportation, including employees of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration, on detail to the Center.
    ``(c) Solicitation, Review, and Evaluation Process.--In carrying 
out the CAREER Program, the Secretary shall establish a solicitation, 
review, and evaluation process that ensures funds made available to 
carry out this section are awarded to eligible entities with proposals 
that have adequate merit and relevancy to the mission of the program.
    ``(d) Eligible Entities.--An eligible entity under this section 
is--
            ``(1) an air carrier;
            ``(2) an entity that holds management specifications under 
        subpart K of title 91 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;
            ``(3) a holder of a certificate issued under parts 139, 
        145, or 147 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;
            ``(4) an institution of higher education (as defined in 
        section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1001)), a postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in 
        section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1002)), or a high school or secondary school (as such terms are 
        defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801));
            ``(5) a flight school that provides flight training, as 
        defined in part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or 
        that holds a pilot school certificate under part 141 of title 
        14, Code of Federal Regulations;
            ``(6) an aviation labor organization;
            ``(7) a State, local, territorial, or Tribal government, 
        including a political subdivision thereof;
            ``(8) an aviation-related nonprofit organization described 
        in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that 
        is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code; or
            ``(9) an entity that--
                    ``(A) actively designs or manufactures any 
                aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance, or 
                a component, part, or system thereof, covered under a 
                type or production certificate issued under section 
                44704; and
                    ``(B) has significant operations in the United 
                States and a majority of the employees of such entity 
                that are engaged in aviation manufacturing or 
                development activities and services are based in the 
                United States.
    ``(e) Reporting and Monitoring Requirements.--The Secretary shall 
establish reasonable reporting and monitoring requirements for grant 
recipients under this section to measure relevant outcomes of the 
program maintained pursuant to subsection (a).
    ``(f) Report.--Not later than September 30, 2027, and annually 
through fiscal year 2028, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on the program that includes--
            ``(1) a summary of projects awarded grants under this 
        section and the progress of each recipient towards fulfilling 
        program expectations;
            ``(2) an evaluation of how such projects cumulatively 
        impact the future supply of individuals in the U.S. aviation 
        workforce, including best practices or programs to incentivize, 
        recruit, and retain individuals in aviation professions; and
            ``(3) recommendations for better coordinating actions by 
        governmental entities, educational institutions, and 
        businesses, aviation labor organizations, or other stakeholders 
        to support aviation workforce growth.
    ``(g) Notice of Grants.--
            ``(1) Timely public notice.--The Secretary shall provide 
        public notice of any grant awarded under the CAREER Program in 
        a timely fashion after the Secretary awards such grant.
            ``(2) Notice to congress.--The Secretary shall provide 
        advance notice of a grant to be made under the CAREER Program 
        to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
        House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
    ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the amounts made 
available under section 48105, $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2027 and 2028 is authorized to be expended to provide grants under the 
program established under subsection (a).''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 401 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``40131. Cooperative Aviation Recruitment, Enrichment, and Employment 
                            Readiness Program.''.

SEC. 305. REPEAL OF DUPLICATIVE OR OBSOLETE WORKFORCE PROGRAMS.

    (a) Repeal.--Sections 44510 and 44515 of title 49, United States 
Code, are repealed.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--The analysis for chapter 445 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the items relating to 
sections 44510 and 44515.

SEC. 306. CIVIL AIRMEN STATISTICS.

    (a) Publication Frequency.--The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall publish the study commonly referred to as 
the ``U.S. Civil Airmen Statistics'' on a monthly basis.
    (b) Presentation of Data.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall establish a web-based dashboard 
        for purposes of presenting the findings of the study described 
        in subsection (a).
            (2) Downloadable format.--The Administrator shall make the 
        data publicly available on the website of the Administration in 
        a downloadable format.
    (c) Expanded Data Criteria.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall ensure that data sets 
and tables published as part of the study described in subsection (a) 
display information relating to the sex of certificate holders in more 
instances.
    (d) Historical Data.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall make all previously 
published annual data from the study described in subsection (a) 
available on the website of the Administration.

SEC. 307. BESSIE COLEMAN WOMEN IN AVIATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish 
a Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation Advisory Committee (hereinafter 
referred to as the ``Committee'').
    (b) Purpose.--The Committee shall advise the Secretary and the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration on matters and 
policies related to the recruitment, retention, employment, education, 
training, well-being, and treatment of women in the aviation industry 
and aviation-focused Federal civil service positions.
    (c) Form of Directives.--All activities carried out by the 
Committee, including special committees, shall be in response to 
written terms of reference or taskings from the Secretary and may not 
duplicate the objectives of the Air Carrier Training Aviation 
Rulemaking Committee.
    (d) Functions.--In carrying out the directives described in 
subsection (c), the functions of the Committee are as follows:
            (1) Foster industry collaboration in an open and 
        transparent manner by engaging, as prescribed by this section, 
        representatives of the private sector associated with an entity 
        described in subsection (e)(1)(B).
            (2) Make recommendations for strategic objectives, 
        priorities, and policies that would improve the recruitment, 
        retention, and training of women in aviation professions.
            (3) Evaluate opportunities for the Administration to 
        improve the recruitment and retention of women in the 
        Administration.
    (e) Membership.--
            (1) Voting members.--The Advisory Committee shall be 
        composed of the following members:
                    (A) The Administrator, or the designee of the 
                Administrator.
                    (B) At least 25 individuals, appointed by the 
                Secretary, representing the following:
                            (i) Transport aircraft and engine 
                        manufacturers.
                            (ii) General aviation aircraft and engine 
                        manufacturers.
                            (iii) Avionics and equipment manufacturers.
                            (iv) Public and private aviation labor 
                        organizations, including collective bargaining 
                        representatives of--
                                    (I) aviation safety inspectors and 
                                safety engineers of the Federal 
                                Aviation Administration;
                                    (II) air traffic controllers;
                                    (III) certified aircraft 
                                maintenance technicians; and
                                    (IV) commercial airline pilots.
                            (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 entities.
                            (xi) Airport owners and operators.
                            (xii) Advanced air mobility manufacturers 
                        and operators.
                            (xiii) Institutions of higher education (as 
                        defined in section 101 of the Higher Education 
                        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), a postsecondary 
                        vocational institution (as defined in section 
                        102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                        U.S.C. 1002)), or a high school or secondary 
                        school (as such terms are defined in section 
                        8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
                        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)).
                            (xiv) A flight school that provides flight 
                        training, as defined in part 61 of title 14, 
                        Code of Federal Regulations, or that holds a 
                        pilot school certificate under part 141 of 
                        title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
                            (xv) Aviation maintenance technician 
                        schools governed under part 147 of title 14, 
                        Code of Federal Regulations.
            (2) Nonvoting members.--
                    (A) In general.--In addition to the members 
                appointed under paragraph (1), the Committee shall be 
                composed of not more than 5 nonvoting members appointed 
                by the Secretary from among officers or employees of 
                the FAA.
                    (B) Duties.--The nonvoting members may--
                            (i) take part in deliberations of the 
                        Committee; and
                            (ii) provide subject matter expertise with 
                        respect to reports and recommendations of the 
                        Committee.
                    (C) Limitation.--The nonvoting members may not 
                represent any stakeholder interest other than that of 
                the FAA.
            (3) Terms.--Each voting member and nonvoting member of the 
        Committee appointed by the Secretary shall be appointed for a 
        term of 4 years.
            (4) Committee characteristics.--The Committee shall have 
        the following characteristics:
                    (A) The ability to obtain necessary information 
                from additional experts in the aviation and aerospace 
                communities.
                    (B) A membership size that enables the Committee to 
                have substantive discussions and reach consensus on 
                issues in a timely manner.
                    (C) Appropriate expertise, including expertise in 
                human resources, human capital management, policy, 
                labor relations, employment training, workforce 
                development, and youth outreach.
    (f) Chairperson.--
            (1) In general.--The Chairperson of the Committee shall be 
        appointed by the Secretary from among the voting members of the 
        Committee under subsection (e)(1)(B).
            (2) Term.--The Chairperson shall serve a 2-year term.
    (g) Meetings.--
            (1) Frequency.--The Committee shall meet at least twice 
        each year at the call of the Chairperson or the Secretary.
            (2) Public attendance.--The meetings of the Committee shall 
        be open and accessible to the public.
    (h) Special Committees.--
            (1) Establishment.--The Committee may establish special 
        committees composed of private sector representatives, members 
        of the public, labor representatives, and other relevant 
        parties in complying with the consultation and participation 
        requirements under subsection (d).
            (2) Authorities.--A special committee established by the 
        Committee may provide rulemaking advice, recommendations, and 
        additional opportunities to obtain firsthand information to the 
        Committee with respect to issues regarding the advancement of 
        women in aviation.
            (3) Applicable law.--Public Law 92-463 shall not apply to a 
        special committee established by the Committee.
    (i) Personnel Matters.--
            (1) No compensation of members.--
                    (A) Non-federal employees.--A member of the 
                Committee who is not an officer or employee of the 
                Federal Government shall serve without compensation.
                    (B) Federal employees.--A member of the Committee 
                who is an officer or employee of the Federal Government 
                shall serve without compensation in addition to the 
                compensation received for the services of the member as 
                an officer or employee of the Federal Government.
            (2) Travel expenses.--The members of the Committee shall be 
        allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
        subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
        under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
        Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business 
        in the performance of services for the Committee.
    (j) Reports.--The Committee shall submit to the Secretary, the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report upon completion of each tasking 
summarizing the Committee's--
            (1) findings and associated recommendations to improve the 
        advancement of women in aviation; and
            (2) planned activities of the Committee, as tasked by the 
        Secretary, and proposed terms of work to fulfill each activity.
    (k) Sunset.--The Committee shall terminate on the last day of the 
8-year period beginning on the date of the initial appointment of the 
members of the Committee.
    (l) FAA Defined.--In this section, the term ``FAA'' means the 
Federal Aviation Administration.

SEC. 308. ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE WEB-BASED AVIATION RESOURCE 
              CENTER.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall partner with the National Center for the Advancement of Aerospace 
(in this section referred to as the ``Center'') to establish a high-
quality, web-based resource center that provides stream-lined public 
access to information sources on the following:
            (1) Aviation pathway programs and professional development 
        opportunities.
            (2) Aviation apprenticeship, scholarship, and internship 
        programs.
            (3) Aviation-related curricula and resources about aviation 
        occupations and career pathways developed for students, 
        teachers, and guidance counselors at all levels of education.
            (4) Aviation industry organizations.
    (b) Leveraging FAA Education, Research, and Partnership Programs.--
In carrying out subsection (a)(3), the Administrator and the Executive 
Director of the Center, in partnership with museums, nonprofit 
organizations, and commercial entities, shall, to the maximum extent 
practicable, leverage field and regional offices of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, the 
William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace, Air 
Transportation Centers of Excellence, and the Aviation and Space 
Education program of the Federal Aviation Administration to develop an 
array of educational and informative aviation-related educational 
activities and materials for students of varying ages and levels of 
education to use in the classroom, for after-school programs and at 
home.
    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 2 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology of the Senate on--
            (1) the web-based aviation resource center established 
        under subsection (a); and
            (2) the manner in which the education development and 
        engagement activities of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        are organized and funded.

SEC. 309. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY FROM UAS COLLEGIATE TRAINING 
              INITIATIVE.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration may hire individuals from eligible institutions of 
higher education under the Unmanned Aircraft System Collegiate Training 
Initiative (in this section referred to as ``UAS CTI''), as established 
in section 632 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 
note), without regard to--
            (1) sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5, United States 
        Code;
            (2) part 211 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations; or
            (3) subpart A of part 337 of title 5, Code of Federal 
        Regulations.
    (b) Eligibility.--Individuals eligible for employment by the 
Administrator under subsection (a) shall--
            (1) be in good standing or have graduated in good standing 
        from an institution of higher education with a signed 
        memorandum of understanding under the UAS CTI;
            (2) hold or have completed the majority of a related 
        Bachelors or Associates degree, as described by the eligibility 
        requirements of the UAS CTI;
            (3) have completed all requirements for a related minor, 
        concentration, or certificate, as described by the eligibility 
        requirements of the UAS CTI; or
            (4) meet any other criteria as considered appropriate by 
        the Administrator.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001).
            (2) Good standing.--The term ``good standing'' means in 
        good standing, as determined by the applicable institution of 
        higher education.
    (d) Sunset.--The authority of the Administrator under this section 
shall terminate on September 30, 2028.

     Subtitle B--Improving Training and Rebuilding Talent Pipelines

SEC. 311. JOINT AVIATION EMPLOYMENT TRAINING WORKING GROUP.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish 
an interagency working group (in this section referred to as the 
``working group'') to advise the Secretary of Transportation and the 
Secretary of Defense on matters and policies related to the training 
and certification of a covered aviation professional to improve career 
transition between the military and civilian workforces.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) In general.--The working group shall consist of--
                    (A) 2 co-chairs described in paragraph (2);
                    (B) not less than 6 representatives of the Federal 
                Aviation Administration, to be appointed by the co-
                chair described in paragraph (2)(A); and
                    (C) not less than 1 representative of each 
                component of the armed forces (as such term is defined 
                in section 101 of title 10, United States Code), to be 
                appointed by the co-chair described in paragraph 
                (2)(B).
            (2) Co-chairs.--The working group shall be co-chaired by--
                    (A) a representative of the Department of 
                Transportation, to be appointed by the Secretary of 
                Transportation; and
                    (B) a representative of the Department of Defense, 
                to be appointed by the Secretary of Defense.
    (c) Activities.--The working group shall--
            (1) evaluate and compare all regulatory requirements, 
        guidance, and orders affecting covered aviation professionals 
        and identify challenges that inhibit recruitment, training, and 
        retention within the respective workforces of such 
        professionals; and
            (2) assess appropriate areas for increased interagency 
        information sharing and harmonization across workforces on 
        matters related to certification pathways and certification 
        requirements, including knowledge testing, affecting covered 
        aviation professionals.
    (d) Initial Report to Congress.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date on 
        which the Secretary of Transportation establishes the working 
        group, the working group shall submit to the appropriate 
        committees of Congress an initial report on the activities of 
        the working group.
            (2) Contents.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
        shall include--
                    (A) a detailed description of the findings of the 
                working group pursuant to the activities required under 
                subsection (c); and
                    (B) recommendations for regulatory, policy, or 
                legislative action to improve the training and 
                certification of covered aviation professionals across 
                the civilian and military workforces.
    (e) Annual Reporting.--Not later than 1 year after the date on 
which the working group submits the initial report under subsection 
(d), and annually thereafter, the working group shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report--
            (1) describing the continued activities of the working 
        group;
            (2) describing any progress made by the Secretary of 
        Transportation or Secretary of Defense in implementing the 
        recommendations described in subsection (d)(2)(B); and
            (3) containing any other recommendations the working group 
        may have with respect to efforts to improve the employment and 
        training of covered aviation professionals in the civilian and 
        military workforces.
    (f) Sunset.--The working group shall terminate on the date that is 
4 years after the date on which the working group submits the initial 
report to Congress pursuant to subsection (d).
    (g) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of 
                Representatives;
                    (B) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;
                    (C) the Committee on Transportation and 
                Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and
                    (D) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate.
            (2) Covered aviation profession.--The term ``covered 
        aviation professional'' means--
                    (A) an airman;
                    (B) an aircraft maintenance and repair technician;
                    (C) an air traffic controller; and
                    (D) any other aviation-related professional that 
                has comparable tasks and duties across the civilian and 
                military workforces, as determined jointly by the co-
                chairs of the working group.

SEC. 312. AIRMAN KNOWLEDGE TESTING WORKING GROUP.

    (a) Working Group.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall task the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee to 
establish a working group to review knowledge testing processes and 
procedures to improve the facilitation, administration, and 
accessibility of knowledge tests.
    (b) Activities.--The working group established pursuant to 
subsection (a) shall--
            (1) assess methods to increase knowledge testing capacity, 
        including through--
                    (A) the adoption of alternative proctoring methods; 
                and
                    (B) increased utilization of pilot schools that 
                hold a pilot school certificate under part 141 of title 
                14, Code of Federal Regulations, and aviation 
                maintenance technician schools governed under part 147 
                of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and
            (2) evaluate the following:
                    (A) The management and provision of knowledge tests 
                by testing centers.
                    (B) The testing registration process for students.
                    (C) Student access to knowledge tests.
                    (D) Fees associated with knowledge tests.
                    (E) The accuracy of public sample knowledge tests 
                available to students.
                    (F) Development and maintenance of knowledge tests 
                and forms.
    (c) Mechanic General Knowledge Test.--In addition to the activities 
under subsection (b), the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee shall 
task the working group established pursuant to subsection (a) with 
assessing opportunities to allow a high school student upon successful 
completion of an aviation maintenance curriculum to take the general 
written knowledge portion of the mechanic exam described in section 
65.75 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, at an Administration-
approved testing center.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the Aviation Rulemaking 
Advisory Committee tasks the working group under subsection (a), the 
working group shall submit to the Administrator a final report making 
recommendations to improve the facilitation, administration, and 
accessibility of knowledge tests.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) High school.--The term ``high school'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (2) Knowledge test.--The term ``knowledge test'' means a 
        test prescribed under parts 61 and 65 of title 14, Code of 
        Federal Regulations.
            (3) Secondary school.--The term ``secondary school'' has 
        the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

SEC. 313. AIRMAN CERTIFICATION SYSTEM WORKING GROUP AND TIMELY 
              PUBLICATION OF STANDARDS.

    (a) Working Group.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall task the Airman Certification System Working Group 
established under the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee of the 
Administration to review Airman Certification Standards to ensure that 
airman proficiency and knowledge correlates and corresponds to 
regulations, procedures, equipment, aviation infrastructure, and safety 
trends at the time of such review.
    (b) ACS Publication.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall publish on the website of the Administration--
            (1) the process by which the Airman Certification Standards 
        are to be established, updated, and maintained;
            (2) the process by which relevant guidance documents, 
        handbooks, and test materials associated with such standards 
        are to be established, updated, and maintained; and
            (3) any anticipated or required updates to such standards, 
        including providing a date by which such modifications can be 
        expected to be completed and made available to the public.

SEC. 314. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL WORKFORCE STAFFING.

    (a) Responsibility for Controller Workforce Plan.--
            (1) Air traffic controller staffing initiatives and 
        analysis.--Section 221 of the Vision 100-Century of Aviation 
        Reauthorization Act (49 U.S.C. 44506 note) is amended by 
        striking ``Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration'' and inserting ``Chief Operating Officer of the 
        Air Traffic Organization of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration''.
            (2) Staffing report.--Section 44506(e) of title 49, United 
        States Code, is amended in the matter before paragraph (1) by 
        striking ``Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration'' and inserting ``Chief Operating Officer of the 
        Air Traffic Organization of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration''.
    (b) Maximum Hiring.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, 
for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2027, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall set as the hiring target for new 
air traffic controllers (excluding individuals described in section 
44506(f)(1)(A) of title 49, United States Code) the maximum number of 
individuals able to be trained at the Federal Aviation Administration 
Academy.
    (c) Hiring and Staffing.--The Chief Operating Officer of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall revise the air traffic control 
hiring plans and staffing standards of the Administration to--
            (1) provide that the controller and management workforce is 
        adequately staffed to safely and efficiently manage and oversee 
        the air traffic control system to the satisfaction of the Chief 
        Operating Officer;
            (2) account for the target number of certified professional 
        controllers able to control traffic at each independent 
        facility; and
            (3) avoid any required or requested reduction of national 
        airspace system capacity or aircraft operations as a result of 
        inadequate air traffic control system staffing.
    (d) Interim Adoption of Collaborative Resource Workgroup Models.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (c) and in 
        submitting a Controller Workforce Plan of the Administration 
        published after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chief 
        Operating Officer shall adopt and utilize the staffing models 
        and methodologies developed by the Collaborative Resource 
        Workgroup that were recommended in a report submitted to the 
        Administrator and referenced in the Controller Workforce Plan 
        submitted to Congress on May 5, 2023.
            (2) Sunset.--The requirement under paragraph (1) shall 
        cease to be effective upon the adoption of a staffing model 
        required under subsection (f).
    (e) Assessment.--
            (1) Review.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter into an 
        agreement with the Transportation Research Board to--
                    (A) compare the Administration's staffing models 
                and methodologies in determining staffing standards 
                targets with those developed by the Collaborative 
                Resource Workgroup, including--
                            (ii) the availability factor multiplier and 
                        other formula components; and
                            (iii) the independent facility staffing 
                        targets of certified professional controllers 
                        able to control traffic; and
                    (B) assess future needs of the air traffic control 
                system and potential impacts on staffing standards.
            (2) Report.--
                    (A) Findings.--In carrying out this subsection, the 
                Transportation Research Board shall--
                            (i) report to the Administrator and 
                        Congress on the findings of the review under 
                        this subsection; and
                            (ii) determine which staffing models and 
                        methodologies best accounts for the operational 
                        staffing needs of the air traffic control 
                        system and provide a justification for such 
                        determination.
                    (B) Modifications to identified model.--The 
                Transportation Research Board may make recommendations 
                to improve the staffing model described in (2)(A)(ii).
            (3) Consultation.--In conducting the assessment under this 
        subsection, the Transportation Research Board shall consult 
        with--
                    (A) exclusive bargaining representatives of air 
                traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of 
                title 5, United States Code;
                    (B) Administration officials and executives;
                    (C) front line managers of the air traffic control 
                system;
                    (D) managers and employees responsible for training 
                air traffic controllers;
                    (E) the MITRE Corporation;
                    (F) the Chief Operating Officer of the Air Traffic 
                Organization of the Federal Aviation Administration; 
                and
                    (G) users of the air traffic control system.
    (f) Required Implementation of Identified Staffing Model.--The 
Administrator shall take such action that may be necessary to adopt and 
utilize the staffing model identified by the Transportation Research 
Board pursuant to subsection (e)(2)(A)(ii), including any 
recommendations for improving such model.
    (g) Controller Training.--In any Controller Workforce Plan of the 
Administration published after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Chief Operating Officer shall--
            (1) identify all limiting factors on the Administration's 
        ability to hire and train controllers in line with the staffing 
        standards target set out in such Plan; and
            (2) describe what actions the Administration will take to 
        rectify any impediments to meeting staffing standards targets 
        and identify contributing factors that are outside the control 
        of the Administration.

SEC. 315. AVIATION SAFETY WORKFORCE ASSESSMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall assess, on a recurring basis, staffing levels, 
critical competencies, and skills gaps of safety critical positions in 
the Flight Standards Service and Aircraft Certification Service and 
within other offices of the Administration that support such services.
    (b) Considerations.--In completing the assessment described in 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall--
            (1) evaluate the workload at the time of the assessment, 
        historic workload, and estimated future workload of such 
        personnel;
            (2) conduct a critical competency and skills gap analysis 
        to determine the knowledge and skill sets needed for work at 
        the time of the assessment and anticipated work, with an 
        emphasis on work pertaining to--
                    (A) new and novel aircraft propulsion and power 
                methods;
                    (B) simplified vehicle operations and human 
                factors; and
                    (C) autonomy, machine learning, and artificial 
                intelligence;
            (3) compare the outcome of such analysis described in 
        paragraph (2) to the competency and skills of the workforce at 
        the time of the assessment; and
            (4) review opportunities for employees of the 
        Administration to gain or enhance expertise, knowledge, skills, 
        and abilities through cooperative training with appropriate 
        companies and organizations; and
            (5) develop hiring and recruitment plans to--
                    (A) address hard to fill positions; and
                    (B) address competency and skill gaps at various 
                levels of experience and management within Flight 
                Standards Service and Aircraft Certification Service.
    (c) Report.--Upon completion of an assessment described in 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report detailing the following:
            (1) The methodology and findings of the assessment 
        described in subsection (a), including an analysis of hiring 
        authorities of the Administration at the time of the 
        assessment, including direct hiring authorities, by occupation 
        series for inspector, engineer, and other safety critical 
        positions within Flight Standards Service and Aircraft 
        Certification Service.
            (2) Action based recommendations the Administration can 
        take to improve--
                    (A) the Aviation Safety Workforce Plan;
                    (B) the skill sets and competencies of inspectors, 
                engineers, and other safety critical positions at the 
                time of the assessment;
                    (C) competition with industry and other non-
                aviation sectors for candidates with identified 
                competencies and technical skill sets; and
                    (D) overall hiring and retention of inspectors, 
                engineers, and other critical positions.
            (3) Actions Congress can take to improve the recruitment, 
        hiring, upskilling, and retention of inspectors, engineers, and 
        other safety critical positions in Flight Standards Service and 
        Aircraft Certification Service and within other offices of the 
        Administration that support such services.
    (d) Safety Critical Position Defined.--In this section, the term 
``safety critical position'' means--
            (1) an aviation safety inspector, an aviation safety 
        specialist (denoted by the Administration as 1801 series), an 
        aviation safety technician, and an operations support position 
        in the Flight Standards Service; and
            (2) a manufacturing safety inspector, a pilots, an 
        engineer, a Chief Scientist Technical Advisor, an aviation 
        safety specialist (denoted by the Administration as 1801 
        series), a safety technical specialist, and an operational 
        support position in the Aircraft Certification Service.

SEC. 316. MILITARY AVIATION MAINTENANCE.

    (a) Streamlined Certification for Eligible Military Maintenance 
Technicians.--Not later than 1 year after the interagency working group 
in section 311 of this Act is convened, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall task such working group with 
evaluating the appropriateness of revising part 65 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations, to--
            (1) create a mechanic written competency test for eligible 
        military maintenance technicians;
            (2) develop, as necessary, a relevant Airman Certification 
        Standard to qualify eligible military maintenance technicians 
        for a mechanic certificate issued by the Federal Aviation 
        Administration with an airframe rating or a powerplant rating, 
        or both; and
            (3) allow a certificate of eligibility from the Joint 
        Services Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council 
        (in this section referred to as the ``JSAMTCC'') evidencing 
        completion of a training curriculum for any rating sought to 
        serve as a substitute to fulfill the requirement under such 
        part 65 for oral and practical tests administered by a 
        designated mechanic examiner for eligible military maintenance 
        technicians.
    (b) Final Rule.--If the working group finds that revising part 65 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, as described in section (a) 
is appropriate, not later than 1 year after the finding, the 
Administrator shall issue a final rule that revises part 65 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, as described in subsection (a).
    (c) Aeronautical Knowledge Subject Areas.--
            (1) In general.--The military mechanic written competency 
        test and Airman Certification Standard described in subsection 
        (a)(1) and subsection (a)(2), respectively, shall focus on the 
        aeronautical knowledge subject areas contained in the Aviation 
        Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certificate 
        Standards, as appropriate to the rating sought.
            (2) Identification of subject areas.--The aeronautical 
        knowledge subject areas described in paragraph (1) shall be 
        identified in consultation with industry stakeholders and the 
        Airman Certification System Working Group.
    (d) Expansion of Testing Locations.--The interagency working group 
described in subsection (a) shall determine whether an expansion of the 
number of active testing locations operated within military 
installation testing centers would increase access to testing, as well 
as how to implement such expansion.
    (e) Outreach and Awareness.--The interagency working group 
described in subsection (a) shall develop a plan to increase outreach 
and awareness regarding--
            (1) the services made available by the JSAMTCC; and
            (2) the military mechanic written competency test described 
        in subsection (a), if appropriate.
    (f) Eligible Military Maintenance Technician Defined.--In this 
section, the term ``eligible military maintenance technician'' means an 
individual who is a current or former military aviation maintenance 
technician who was honorably discharged or has retired from the armed 
forces (as such term is defined in section 101 of title 10, United 
States Code).

            Subtitle C--Engaging and Retaining the Workforce

SEC. 321. AIRMAN'S MEDICAL BILL OF RIGHTS.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Development.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall develop a document (in this 
        section referred to as the ``Airman's Medical Bill of Rights'') 
        detailing the right of an individual before, during, and after 
        a medical exam conducted by an Aviation Medical Examiner.
            (2) Contents.--The Airman's Medical Bill of Rights required 
        under paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, contain information 
        about the right of an individual to--
                    (A) bring a trusted companion or request to have a 
                chaperone present for a medical exam;
                    (B) terminate an exam at any time and for any 
                reason;
                    (C) receive care with respect and recognition of 
                the dignity of the individual;
                    (D) be assured of privacy and confidentiality;
                    (E) select an Aviation Medical Examiner without 
                interference;
                    (F) privacy when changing, undressing, and using 
                the restroom;
                    (G) ask questions about the health status of the 
                individual or any suggested treatments or evaluations, 
                and to have such questions fully answered;
                    (H) report an incident of misconduct by an Aviation 
                Medical Examiner to the appropriate authorities, 
                including to the State licensing board of the Aviation 
                Medical Examiner or the Federal Aviation 
                Administration;
                    (I) report to the Administrator an allegation 
                regarding alleged Aviation Medical Examiner misconduct 
                without fear of retaliation or negative action relating 
                to an airman certificate of the individual; and
                    (J) be advised of any known conflicts of interest 
                an Aviation Medical Examiner may have with respect to 
                the care of the individual.
            (3) Public availability.--The Airman's Medical Bill of 
        Rights required under paragraph (1) shall be--
                    (A) made available to, and acknowledged by, an 
                individual in the MedXpress system;
                    (B) made available in a hard-copy format by an 
                Aviation Medical Examiner at the time of exam upon 
                request by an individual; and
                    (C) displayed in a common space in the office of 
                the Aviation Medical Examiner.
    (b) Expectations for Medical Examinations.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop a 
        simplified document explaining the standard procedures 
        performed during a medical examination conducted by an Aviation 
        Medical Examiner.
            (2) Public availability.--The document required under 
        paragraph (1) shall be--
                    (A) made available to, and acknowledged by, an 
                individual in the MedXpress system;
                    (B) made available in a hard-copy format by an 
                Aviation Medical Examiner at the time of exam upon 
                request by an individual; and
                    (C) displayed in a common space in the office of 
                the Aviation Medical Examiner.

SEC. 322. IMPROVED DESIGNEE MISCONDUCT REPORTING PROCESS.

    (a) Improved Designee Misconduct Reporting Process.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall establish a streamlined process 
        for individuals involved in incidents of alleged misconduct by 
        a designee to report such incidents in a manner that protects 
        the privacy and confidentiality of such individuals.
            (2) Public access to reporting process.--The process for 
        reporting alleged misconduct by a designee shall be made 
        available to the public on the website of the Administration, 
        including--
                    (A) the designee locator search webpage; and
                    (B) the webpage of the Office of Audit and 
                Evaluation of the Federal Aviation Administration.
            (3) Obligation to report criminal charges.--Not later than 
        90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
        Administrator shall revise the orders and policies governing 
        the Designee Management System to clarify that designees are 
        obligated to report any arrest, indictment, or conviction for 
        violation of a local, State, or Federal law within a period of 
        time specified by the Administrator.
            (4) Audit of reporting process by inspector general.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the 
                date on which the Administrator finalizes the update of 
                the reporting process under paragraph (1), the 
                inspector general of the Department of Transportation 
                shall conduct an audit of such reporting process.
                    (B) Contents.--In conducting the audit of the 
                reporting process described in subparagraph (A), the 
                inspector general shall, at a minimum--
                            (i) review the efforts of the 
                        Administration to improve the reporting process 
                        and solutions developed to respond to and 
                        investigate allegations of misconduct;
                            (ii) analyze reports of misconduct brought 
                        to the Administrator prior to any changes made 
                        to the reporting process as a result of the 
                        enactment of this Act, including the ultimate 
                        outcomes of those reports and whether any 
                        reports resulted in the Administrator taking 
                        action against the accused designee;
                            (iii) determine whether the reporting 
                        process results in appropriate action, 
                        including reviewing, investigating, and closing 
                        out reports; and
                            (iv) if applicable, make recommendations to 
                        improve the reporting process.
                    (C) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
                of initiation of the audit described in subparagraph 
                (A), the inspector general shall submit to the 
                Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
                House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
                Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on 
                the results of such audit, including findings and 
                recommendations.
    (b) Designee Defined.--In this section, the term ``designee'' means 
an individual who has been designated to act as a representative of the 
Administrator as--
            (1) an Aviation Medical Examiner (as described in section 
        183.21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations);
            (2) a pilot examiner (as described in section 183.23 of 
        such title); or
            (3) a technical personnel examiner (as described in section 
        183.25 of such title).

SEC. 323. REPORT ON SAFE UNIFORM OPTIONS FOR CERTAIN AVIATION 
              EMPLOYEES.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall conduct a review to determine whether air carriers 
operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and 
repair stations certificated under part 145 of such title have in place 
uniform policies and uniform offerings that ensure pregnant employees 
can perform required duties safely.
    (b) Consultation.--In conducting the review required under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult with air carriers and 
repair stations described in subsection (a) and employees of such air 
carriers and such stations who are required to adhere to a uniform 
policy.
    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on 
the results of the review required under subsection (a).

SEC. 324. EXTENSION OF SAMYA ROSE STUMO NATIONAL AIR GRANT FELLOWSHIP 
              PROGRAM.

    Section 131(d) of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and 
Accountability Act (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended by striking 
``fiscal years 2021 through 2025'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2023 
through 2028''.

SEC. 325. PROMOTION OF CIVIL AERONAUTICS AND SAFETY OF AIR COMMERCE.

    Section 40104 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by striking ``In carrying out'' and 
        all that follows through ``other interested organizations.'';
            (2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e);
            (3) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (d); and
            (4) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b) and 
        reordering the subsections accordingly.

SEC. 326. EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 40104 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended 
by inserting after subsection (b) (as redesignated by section 325) the 
following:
    ``(c) Educational and Professional Development.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
        Administrator shall support and undertake efforts, including 
        through the National Center for the Advancement of Aerospace, 
        to promote and support the education of current and future 
        aerospace professionals.
            ``(2) Education materials.--Based on the availability of 
        resources, the Administrator shall distribute civil aviation 
        information, and educational materials, and provide expertise 
        to State and local school administrators, college and 
        university officials, and officers of other interested 
        organizations and entities.
            ``(3) Support for professional development and continuing 
        education.--To the extent a nonprofit organization, 
        association, industry group, educational institution, 
        collective bargaining unit, governmental organization, or other 
        entity that organizes or hosts a lecture, conference, 
        convention, meeting, round table, or any other type of program 
        with the purpose of sharing educational information related to 
        aerospace with a broad audience, the Administrator shall--
                    ``(A) strongly consider accepting an invitation to 
                attend, present, and contribute to content generation; 
                and
                    ``(B) make efforts to share information each year, 
                putting a particular emphasis on reaching audiences 
                consisting of representatives of the Administrator and 
                entities regulated entities by the Administrator.
            ``(4) Content.--In planning for the opportunities under 
        paragraph (3), the Administrator shall maintain presentations 
        and content covering topics of broad relevance, including--
                    ``(A) ethical decision-making and the 
                responsibilities of aerospace professionals;
                    ``(B) managing a workforce, encouraging proper 
                reporting of prospective safety issues, and educating 
                employees on safety management systems; and
                    ``(C) responsibilities as a designee or 
                representative of the Administrator.''.

SEC. 327. HUMAN FACTORS PROFESSIONALS.

    The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
establish a new work code for human factors professionals who--
            (1) perform work involving the design and testing of 
        technologies, processes, and systems which require effective 
        and safe human performance;
            (2) generate and apply theories, principles, practical 
        concepts, systems, and processes related to the design and 
        testing of technologies, systems, and training programs to 
        support and evaluate human performance in work contexts; and
            (3) meet education or experience requirements as determined 
        by the Administrator.

SEC. 328. AEROMEDICAL INNOVATION AND MODERNIZATION WORKING GROUP.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall establish a working group (in this section 
referred to as the ``working group'') to review the medical processes, 
policies, and procedures of the Administration and to make 
recommendations to the Administrator on modernizing such processes, 
policies, and procedures to ensure timely and efficient certification 
of airmen.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) In general.--The working group shall consist of--
                    (A) 2 co-chairs described in paragraph (2); and
                    (B) not less than 15 individuals appointed by the 
                Administrator, each of whom shall have knowledge or a 
                background in aerospace medicine, psychology, 
                neurology, cardiology, or internal medicine.
            (2) Co-chairs.--The working group shall be co-chaired by--
                    (A) the Federal Air Surgeon of the Federal Aviation 
                Administration; and
                    (B) a member described under paragraph (1)(A) to be 
                selected by members of the working group.
            (3) Preference.--The Administrator, in appointing members 
        pursuant to paragraph (1)(B), shall give preference to--
                    (A) Aviation Medical Examiners (as described in 
                section 183.21 of title 14, Code of Federal 
                Regulations);
                    (B) licensed medical physicians;
                    (C) practitioners holding a pilot certificate;
                    (D) individuals having demonstrated research and 
                expertise in aeromedical research or sciences; and
                    (E) representatives of organizations with 
                memberships affected by the medical processes, 
                policies, and procedures of the Administration.
    (c) Activities.--In reviewing the aeromedical decision-making 
processes, policies, and procedures of the Administration in accordance 
with subsection (a), the working group, at a minimum, shall--
            (1) assess the medical conditions an Aviation Medical 
        Examiner may issue a medical certificate directly to an 
        individual;
            (2) determine the appropriateness of expanding the list of 
        such medical conditions;
            (3) assess the special issuance process;
            (4) determine whether the renewal of a special issuance can 
        be based on a medical evaluation and treatment plan by the 
        treating medical specialist of the individual with concurrence 
        from an Aviation Medical Examiner;
            (5) evaluate advancements in technologies to address forms 
        of red-green color blindness;
            (6) determine whether such technologies may be approved for 
        use by airmen;
            (7) review policies and guidance relating to Attention-
        Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder;
            (8) evaluate whether medications used to treat such 
        disorders may be safely prescribed to an airman;
            (9) review protocols pertaining to the Human Intervention 
        Motivation Study of the Federal Aviation Administration;
            (10) review protocols and policies relating to--
                    (A) neurological disorders; and
                    (B) cardiovascular conditions to ensure alignment 
                with medical best practices, latest research;
            (11) review mental health protocols, including mental 
        health conditions such as depression and anxiety;
            (12) evaluate medications approved for treating such mental 
        health conditions;
            (13) assess processes and protocols pertaining to 
        recertification of an airman receiving disability insurance 
        post-recovery from the medical condition, injury, or disability 
        that precludes an airman from exercising the privileges of an 
        airman certificate; and
            (14) assess processes and protocols pertaining to the 
        certification of veterans reporting a disability rating from 
        the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (d) Pilot Mental Health Task Group.--
            (1) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the 
        working group pursuant to subsection (a) is established, the 
        co-chairs of such working groups shall establish a pilot mental 
        health task group (referred to in this subsection as the ``task 
        group'') to develop and provide recommendations related to 
        supporting the mental health of aircraft pilots.
            (2) Composition.--The co-chairs of such working group shall 
        appoint--
                    (A) a Chair of the task group; and
                    (B) members of the task group from among the 
                members of the working group appointed by the 
                Administrator under subsection (b)(1).
            (3) Duties.--The duties of the task group shall include--
                    (A) carrying out the activities described in 
                subsection (c)(11) and subsection (c)(12);
                    (B) reviewing and evaluating guidance issued by the 
                International Civil Aviation Organization on pilot 
                mental health; and
                    (C) providing recommendations for--
                            (i) best practices for detecting, 
                        assessing, and reporting mental health 
                        conditions and treatment options as part of 
                        pilot aeromedical assessments;
                            (ii) improving the training of aviation 
                        medical examiners to identify mental health 
                        conditions among pilots, including guidance on 
                        referrals to a mental health provider or other 
                        aeromedical resource;
                            (iii) expanding and improving mental health 
                        outreach, education, and assistance programs 
                        for pilots; and
                            (iv) reducing the stigma of assistance for 
                        mental health in the aviation industry.
            (4) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
        establishment of the task group, the task group shall submit to 
        the Secretary, the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate a report detailing--
                    (A) the results of the review and evaluation under 
                paragraph (3)(A); and
                    (B) recommendations developed pursuant to paragraph 
                (3)(C).
    (d) Support.--The Administrator shall seek to enter into one or 
more agreements with the National Academies to support the activities 
of the working group described in subsection (c).
    (e) Findings; Recommendations.--
            (1) Findings.--The working group shall report annually to 
        the Administrator, the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate on findings resulting from the activities carried out 
        pursuant to subsection (c).
            (2) Recommendations.--Findings reported pursuant to 
        paragraph (1) shall be accompanied by recommendations for 
        regulatory, policy, or legislative action to improve or 
        modernize the medical certification and aeromedical processes, 
        procedures, and policies of the Administration.
    (f) Implementation.--The Administrator shall implement, as 
appropriate, the recommendations of the working group.
    (g) Sunset.--The working group shall terminate on September 30, 
2028.

SEC. 329. FRONTLINE MANAGER WORKLOAD STUDY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Chief Operating Officer of the Air Traffic 
Organization of the Federal Aviation Administration shall conduct a 
study on frontline manager workload challenges in air traffic control 
facilities.
    (b) Considerations.--In conducting the study required under 
subsection (a), the Chief Operating Officer may--
            (1) consider--
                    (A) workload challenges including--
                            (i) the managerial tasks expected to be 
                        performed by frontline managers, including 
                        employee development, management, and 
                        counseling;
                            (ii) the number of supervisory positions of 
                        operations requiring watch coverage in each air 
                        traffic control facility;
                            (iii) the complexity of traffic and 
                        managerial responsibilities; and
                            (iv) proficiency and training requirements;
                    (B) facility type;
                    (C) facility staffing levels; and
                    (D) any other factors as the Chief Operating 
                Officer considers appropriate; and
            (2) describe recommendations for updates to the Frontline 
        Manager's Quick Reference Guide that reflect current 
        operational standards.
    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Chief Operating Officer shall brief the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on 
the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).

SEC. 330. AGE STANDARDS FOR PILOTS.

    Section 44729 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``Subject to the limitation in 
                subsection (c), a'' and inserting ``A''; and
                    (B) by striking ``65'' and inserting ``67'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(1) by striking ``; or'' and inserting 
        ``, unless the operation takes place in airspace where such 
        operations are not permitted; or'';
            (3) by striking subsection (c) and redesignating 
        subsections (d) through (h) as subsections (c) through (g), 
        respectively;
            (4) in subsection (c), as so redesignated--
                    (A) in the heading by striking ``60'' and inserting 
                ``65'';
                    (B) by striking ``the date of enactment of this 
                section,'' and inserting ``the date of enactment of the 
                Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American 
                Aviation Act,'';
                    (C) by striking ``section 121.383(c)'' and 
                inserting ``subsections (d) and (e) of section 
                121.383''; and
                    (D) by inserting ``(or any successor regulations)'' 
                after ``Regulations'';
            (5) in subsection (d), as so redesignated--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(1) Retroactivity.--A person who has attained 65 years of 
        age on or before the date of enactment of the Securing Growth 
        and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act may return to 
        service as a pilot for an air carrier engaged in covered 
        operations.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2) by striking ``section, taken 
                in conformance with a regulation issued to carry out 
                this section, or taken prior to the date of enactment 
                of this section in conformance with section 121.383(c) 
                of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect 
                before such date of enactment), may'' and inserting 
                ``section or taken in conformance with a regulation 
                issued to carry out this section, may''; and
            (6) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(h) Savings Clause.--An air carrier engaged in covered operations 
described in subsection (b)(1) on or after the date of enactment of the 
Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act may not 
require employed pilots to serve in such covered operations after 
attaining 65 years of age.''.

                    TITLE IV--AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

         Subtitle A--Airport Improvement Program Modifications

SEC. 401. AIP DEFINITIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 47102 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) `air carrier' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 40102.'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) in clause (i) by striking ``and'' at 
                        the end;
                            (ii) in clause (ii) by striking the period 
                        at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) a secondary runway at a nonhub 
                        airport that is equivalent in size and type to 
                        the primary runway of such airport.'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)(iii) by inserting ``and 
                fuel infrastructure'' after ``surveillance equipment'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (E) by striking ``after 
                December 31, 1991,'';
                    (D) in subparagraph (K) by striking ``if the 
                airport is located in an air quality nonattainment or 
                maintenance area (as defined in sections 171(2) and 
                175A of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7501(2); 7505a)) 
                and if the airport would be able to receive emission 
                credits, as described in section 47139'';
                    (E) in subparagraph (L) by striking ``the airport 
                is located in an air quality nonattainment or 
                maintenance area (as defined in sections 171(2) and 
                175A of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7501(2); 7505a)), 
                if the airport would be able to receive appropriate 
                emission credits (as described in section 47139), 
                and'';
                    (F) in subparagraph (P) by striking ``improve the 
                reliability and efficiency of the airport's power 
                supply'' and inserting ``improve reliability and 
                efficiency of the airport's power supply or meet 
                current and future electrical power demand''; and
                    (G) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(S) construction or renovation of childcare 
                facilities for the exclusive use of airport employees 
                or other individuals who work on airport property, 
                including for air carriers and airport concessionaires.
                    ``(T) advanced digital construction management 
                systems and related technology used in the planning, 
                design and engineering, construction, operations, and 
                maintenance of airport facilities.
                    ``(U) an improvement of any runway, taxiway, or 
                apron that would be necessary to sustain commercial 
                service flight operations or permit the resumption of 
                flight operations under visual flight rules following a 
                natural disaster at--
                            ``(i) a primary airport; or
                            ``(ii) a general aviation airport that is 
                        designated as a Federal staging area by the 
                        Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
                        Management Agency.
                    ``(V) any other activity that the Secretary 
                concludes will reasonably improve or contribute to the 
                maintenance of the safety, efficiency, or capacity of 
                the airport.'';
            (3) in paragraph (5) by inserting after subparagraph (C) 
        the following:
                    ``(D) assessing current and future electrical power 
                demand.'';
            (4) by redesignating paragraphs (9), (10), (11), (12), 
        (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), (18), (19), (20), (21), (22), 
        (23), (24), (25), (26), (27), and (28) as paragraphs (10), 
        (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), (18), (19), (20), 
        (21), (22), (23), (24), (25), (26), (27), (28), and (29), 
        respectively;
            (5) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
            ``(9) `heliport'--
                    ``(A) means an area of land, water, or structure 
                used or intended to be used for the landing or takeoff 
                of aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing 
                profiles; and
                    ``(B) includes a vertiport.'';
            (6) in paragraph (28) (as so redesignated) by striking 
        ``the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands,'';
            (7) in paragraph (29)(B) (as so redesignated) by striking 
        ``described in section 47119(a)(1)(B)'' and inserting ``for 
        moving passengers and baggage between terminal facilities and 
        between terminal facilities and aircraft''; and
            (8) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(30) `vertiport' means an area of land, water, or 
        structure used or intended to be used for the landing or 
        takeoff of powered-lift aircraft capable of vertical takeoff 
        and landing profiles.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 47127(a) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``air carrier airport'' and 
inserting ``commercial service airport''.

SEC. 402. REVENUE DIVERSION PENALTY ENHANCEMENT.

    (a) In General.--Section 47107 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (m)(4) by striking ``an amount equal to'' 
        and inserting ``an amount equal to double''; and
            (2) in subsection (n)(1) by striking ``an amount equal to'' 
        and inserting ``an amount equal to double''.
    (b) Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall not 
apply to any illegal diversion of airport revenues (as described in 
section 47107(m) of title 49, United States Code) that occurred prior 
to the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF COMPETITIVE ACCESS REPORT REQUIREMENT.

    Section 47107(r)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2028''.

SEC. 404. RENEWAL OF CERTAIN LEASES.

    Section 47107(t)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``the date of enactment 
        of this subsection'' and inserting ``October 7, 2016''; and
            (2) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the 
        following:
                    ``(D) that--
                            ``(i) supports the operation of military 
                        aircraft by the Air Force or Air National 
                        Guard--
                                    ``(I) at the airport; or
                                    ``(II) remotely from the airport; 
                                or
                            ``(ii) is for the use of nonaeronautical 
                        land or facilities of the airport by the 
                        National Guard.''.

SEC. 405. COMMUNITY USE OF AIRPORT LAND.

    Section 47107(v) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
    ``(v) Community Use of Airport Land.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsections (a)(13), 
        (b), and (c), and subject to paragraph (2), the sponsor of a 
        public-use airport shall not be considered to be in violation 
        of this subtitle, or to be found in violation of a grant 
        assurance made under this section, or under any other provision 
        of law, as a condition for the receipt of Federal financial 
        assistance for airport development, solely because the sponsor 
        has--
                    ``(A) entered into an agreement, including a 
                revised agreement, with a local government providing 
                for the use of airport property for an interim 
                compatible recreational purpose at below fair market 
                value; or
                    ``(B) permanently restricted the use of airport 
                property to compatible recreational and public park use 
                without paying or otherwise obtaining payment of fair 
                market value for the property.
            ``(2) Restrictions.--
                    ``(A) Interim compatible recreational purpose.--
                Paragraph (1) shall apply, with respect to a sponsor 
                that has taken the action described in subparagraph (A) 
                of such paragraph, only--
                            ``(i) to an agreement regarding airport 
                        property that was initially entered into before 
                        the publication of the Federal Aviation 
                        Administration's Policy and Procedures 
                        Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, dated 
                        February 16, 1999;
                            ``(ii) if the agreement between the sponsor 
                        and the local government is subordinate to any 
                        existing or future agreements between the 
                        sponsor and the Secretary, including agreements 
                        related to a grant assurance under this 
                        section;
                            ``(iii) to airport property that was 
                        acquired under a Federal airport development 
                        grant program;
                            ``(iv) if the airport sponsor has provided 
                        a written statement to the Administrator that 
                        the property made available for a recreational 
                        purpose will not be needed for any aeronautical 
                        purpose during the next 10 years;
                            ``(v) if the agreement includes a term of 
                        not more than 2 years to prepare the airport 
                        property for the interim compatible 
                        recreational purpose and not more than 10 years 
                        of use for that purpose;
                            ``(vi) if the recreational purpose will not 
                        impact the aeronautical use of the airport;
                            ``(vii) if the airport sponsor provides a 
                        certification that the sponsor is not 
                        responsible for preparation, startup, 
                        operations, maintenance, or any other costs 
                        associated with the recreational purpose; and
                            ``(viii) if the recreational purpose is 
                        consistent with Federal land use compatibility 
                        criteria under section 47502.
                    ``(B) Permanent recreational use.--Paragraph (1) 
                shall apply, with respect to a sponsor that has taken 
                the action described in subparagraph (B) of such 
                paragraph, only--
                            ``(i) to airport property that was 
                        purchased using funds from a Federal grant for 
                        acquiring land issued prior to December 30, 
                        1987;
                            ``(ii) to airport property that has been 
                        continuously used as a recreational and public 
                        park since January 1, 1995;
                            ``(iii) if the airport sponsor has provided 
                        a written statement to the Administrator that 
                        the property to be permanently restricted for 
                        recreational and public park use is not needed 
                        for any aeronautical use at the time the 
                        written statement is provided and is not 
                        expected to be needed for any aeronautical use 
                        at any time after such statement is provided;
                            ``(iv) if the recreational and public park 
                        use does not impact the aeronautical use of the 
                        airport;
                            ``(v) if the airport sponsor provides a 
                        certification that the sponsor is not 
                        responsible for operations, maintenance, or any 
                        other costs associated with the recreational 
                        and public park use;
                            ``(vi) if the recreational purpose is 
                        consistent with Federal land use compatibility 
                        criteria under section 47502;
                            ``(vii) if, in the event the airport 
                        sponsor leases the property, the lease will be 
                        to a local government entity or nonprofit 
                        entity to operate and maintain the property at 
                        no cost the airport sponsor; and
                            ``(viii) if, in the event the airport 
                        sponsor sells the property, the sale will be to 
                        a local government entity and subject to a 
                        permanent deed restriction ensuring compatible 
                        airport use under regulations issued pursuant 
                        to section 47502.
            ``(3) Revenue from certain sales of airport property.--
        Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an airport sponsor 
        selling a portion of airport property as described in paragraph 
        (2)(B)(viii)(II) may--
                    ``(A) sell such portion of airport property for 
                less than fair market value; and
                    ``(B) subject to the requirements of subsection 
                (b), retain the revenue from the sale of such portion 
                of airport property.
            ``(4) Statutory construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
        may be construed as permitting a diversion of airport revenue 
        for the capital or operating costs associated with the 
        community use of airport land.''.

SEC. 406. PRICE ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS.

    Section 47108 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by striking ``47114(d)(3)(A) of this 
        title'' and inserting ``47114(d)(2)(A)'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Increasing Government Share.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2) or 
        (3), the amount stated in an offer as the maximum amount the 
        Government will pay may not be increased when the offer has 
        been accepted in writing.
            ``(2) Exception.--For a project receiving assistance under 
        a grant approved under this chapter or chapter 475, the amount 
        may be increased--
                    ``(A) for an airport development project, by not 
                more than 15 percent; and
                    ``(B) to acquire an interest in land for an airport 
                (except a primary airport), by not more than the 
                greater of the following, based on current creditable 
                appraisals or a court award in a condemnation 
                proceeding:
                            ``(i) 15 percent; or
                            ``(ii) 25 percent of the total increase in 
                        allowable project costs attributable to 
                        acquiring an interest in land.
            ``(3) Price adjustment provisions.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may incorporate a 
                provision in a project grant agreement under which the 
                Secretary agrees to pay more than the maximum amount 
                otherwise specified in the agreement if the Secretary 
                finds that commodity or labor prices have increased 
                since the agreement was made.
                    ``(B) Decrease in costs.--A provision incorporated 
                in a project grant agreement under this paragraph shall 
                ensure that the Secretary realizes any financial 
                benefit associated with a decrease in material or labor 
                costs for the project.'';
            (3) by striking subsection (c); and
            (4) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections 
        (c) and (d), respectively.

SEC. 407. ALLOWABLE PROJECT COSTS AND LETTERS OF INTENT.

    Section 47110 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
                striking ``after May 13, 1946, and''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by inserting ``or preparing for'' after 
                        ``formulating''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``utility relocation, 
                        work site preparation,'' before ``and 
                        administration'';
            (2) in subsection (d)(1) by striking ``section 47114(c)(1) 
        or 47114(d)'' and inserting ``section 47114 or distributed from 
        the small airport fund under section 47116'';
            (3) in subsection (e)(2)(C) by striking ``commercial 
        service airport having at least 0.25 percent of the boardings 
        each year at all such airports'' and inserting ``medium hub 
        airport or large hub airport'';
            (4) in subsection (h) by striking ``section 
        47114(d)(3)(A)'' and inserting ``section 47114(c)(1)(D) or 
        section 47114(d)(2)(A)''; and
            (5) by striking subsection (i).

SEC. 408. SMALL AIRPORT LETTERS OF INTENT.

    (a) In General.--Section 47110 of title 49, United States Code, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(i) Small Airport Letters of Intent.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may issue a letter of 
        intent to a sponsor stating an intention to obligate an amount 
        from future budget authority for an airport development project 
        (including costs of formulating the project) at a nonhub 
        airport or an airport that is not a primary airport. The letter 
        shall establish a schedule under which the Secretary will 
        reimburse the sponsor for the Government's share of allowable 
        project costs, as amounts become available, if the sponsor, 
        after the Secretary issues the letter, carries out the project 
        without receiving amounts under this subchapter.
            ``(2) Limitations.--The amount the Secretary intends to 
        obligate in a letter of intent issued under this subsection 
        shall not exceed the larger of--
                    ``(A) the Government's share of allowable project 
                costs; or
                    ``(B) $10,000,000.
            ``(3) Financing.--Allowable project costs under paragraph 
        (1) may include costs associated with making payments for debt 
        service on indebtedness incurred to carry out the project.
            ``(4) Requirements.--The Secretary shall only issue a 
        letter of intent under paragraph (1) if--
                    ``(A) the sponsor notifies the Secretary, before 
                the project begins, of the sponsor's intent to carry 
                out the project and requests a letter of intent; and
                    ``(B) the sponsor agrees to comply with all 
                statutory and administrative requirements that would 
                apply to the project if it were carried out with 
                amounts made available under this subchapter.
            ``(5) Assessment.--In reviewing a request for a letter of 
        intent under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider the 
        grant history of an airport, the airport's enplanements or 
        operations, and such other factors as the Secretary determines 
        appropriate.
            ``(6) Prioritization.--In issuing letters of intent under 
        this subsection, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) prioritize projects that--
                            ``(i) cannot reasonably be funded by an 
                        airport sponsor using funds apportioned under 
                        section 47114(c), 47114(d)(2)(A)(i), or 
                        47114(d)(6), including funds apportioned under 
                        those sections in multiple fiscal years 
                        pursuant to section 47117(b)(1); and
                            ``(ii) are necessary to an airport's 
                        continued safe operation or development; and
                    ``(B) structure the reimbursement schedules under 
                such letters in a manner that minimizes unnecessary or 
                undesirable project segmentation.
            ``(7) Required use.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Beginning in fiscal year 2028, 
                and in each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall 
                ensure that not less than $100,000,000 is committed to 
                be reimbursed in such fiscal year pursuant to letters 
                of intent issued under this subsection.
                    ``(B) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the 
                requirement under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year if 
                the Secretary determines there are insufficient letter 
                of intent requests that meet the requirements of 
                paragraph (4). Upon such waiver, the Secretary shall 
                provide a briefing to the Committee on Transportation 
                and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
                the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
                of the Senate on the reasons contributing to the need 
                for such waiver and the actions the Secretary intends 
                to take to ensure that there are sufficient letter of 
                intent requests that meet the requirements of paragraph 
                (4) in the fiscal year succeeding the fiscal year for 
                which the Secretary issued such waiver.
                    ``(C) Restriction.--The total estimated amount of 
                future Government obligations covered by all 
                outstanding letters of intent under paragraph (1) may 
                not be more than the amount authorized to carry out 
                section 48103 of this title, less an amount reasonably 
                estimated by the Secretary to be needed for grants 
                under section 48103 that are not covered by a letter.
            ``(8) No obligation or commitment.--A letter of intent 
        issued under this subsection is not an obligation of the 
        Government under section 1501 of title 31, and the letter is 
        not deemed to be an administrative commitment for financing. An 
        obligation or administrative commitment may be made only as 
        amounts are provided in authorization and appropriation laws.
            ``(9) Limitation on statutory construction.--Nothing in 
        this section shall be construed to prohibit the obligation of 
        amounts pursuant to a letter of intent under this subsection in 
        the same fiscal year as the letter of intent is issued.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Letters of intent.--Section 47110(e)(7) of title 49, 
        United States Code, is amended by striking ``under this 
        section'' and inserting ``under this subsection''.
            (2) Priority for letters of intent.--Section 47115(h) of 
        title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``prior 
        to fulfilling intentions to obligate under section 47110(i)'' 
        after ``section 47110(e)''.

SEC. 409. PROHIBITION ON USE OF AIP FUNDS TO PROCURE CERTAIN PASSENGER 
              BOARDING BRIDGES.

    Section 47110 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following:
    ``(j) Additional Nonallowable Costs.--
            ``(1) In general.--A cost is not an allowable airport 
        development project cost under this chapter if the cost relates 
        to a contract for procurement or installation of a passenger 
        boarding bridge if the contract is with an entity on the list 
        required under paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Required list.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
        of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall, based on 
        information provided by the United States Trade Representative 
        and the Attorney General, publish and annually update a list of 
        entities manufacturing airport passenger boarding bridges--
                    ``(A) that are owned, directed, or subsidized by 
                the People's Republic of China; and
                    ``(B) that--
                            ``(i) have been determined by a Federal 
                        court to have misappropriated intellectual 
                        property or trade secrets from an entity 
                        organized under the laws of the United States 
                        or any jurisdiction within the United States; 
                        or
                            ``(ii) own or control, are owned or 
                        controlled by, are under common ownership or 
                        control with, or are successors to, an entity 
                        described in clause (i).''.

SEC. 410. FUEL INFRASTRUCTURE.

    Section 47110 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following:
    ``(k) Fuel Infrastructure.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        law, the Secretary may decide that covered costs are allowable 
        for an airport development project at a primary or nonprimary 
        airport where such costs are paid for with funds apportioned to 
        the sponsor of such airport under section 47114 or provided 
        pursuant to section 47115.
            ``(2) Prioritization.--If the Secretary makes grants from 
        the discretionary fund under section 47115 for covered costs, 
        the Secretary shall prioritize providing such grants to general 
        aviation airports.
            ``(3) Covered costs defined.--In this subsection, the term 
        `covered costs'--
                    ``(A) means construction costs related to an 
                airport-owned--
                            ``(i) aeronautical fueling system for 
                        unleaded fuel; and
                            ``(ii) fueling systems for type 
                        certificated hydrogen-powered aircraft; and
                    ``(B) may include capital costs for fuel farms and 
                other equipment and infrastructure used for the 
                delivery and storage of fuel.''.

SEC. 411. APPORTIONMENTS.

    (a) Primary, Commercial Service, and Cargo Airports.--
            (1) Primary and commercial service airports.--Section 
        47114(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read 
        as follows:
            ``(1) Primary and commercial service airports.--
                    ``(A) Primary airport apportionment.--The Secretary 
                shall apportion to the sponsor of each primary airport 
                for each fiscal year an amount equal to--
                            ``(i) $15.60 for each of the first 50,000 
                        passenger boardings at the airport during the 
                        prior calendar year;
                            ``(ii) $10.40 for each of the next 50,000 
                        passenger boardings at the airport during the 
                        prior calendar year;
                            ``(iii) $5.20 for each of the next 400,000 
                        passenger boardings at the airport during the 
                        prior calendar year;
                            ``(iv) $1.30 for each of the next 500,000 
                        passenger boardings at the airport during the 
                        prior calendar year; and
                            ``(v) $1.00 for each additional passenger 
                        boarding at the airport during the prior 
                        calendar year.
                    ``(B) Minimum and maximum apportionments.--Not less 
                than $1,300,000 nor more than $22,000,000 may be 
                apportioned under subparagraph (A) to an airport 
                sponsor for a primary airport for each fiscal year.
                    ``(C) New airport.--Notwithstanding subparagraph 
                (A), the Secretary shall apportion in the first fiscal 
                year following the official opening of a new airport 
                with scheduled passenger air transportation an amount 
                equal to $1,300,000 to the sponsor of such airport.
                    ``(D) Nonprimary commercial service airport 
                apportionment.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                        apportion to each commercial service airport 
                        that is not a primary airport an amount equal 
                        to--
                                    ``(I) $60 for each of the first 
                                2,500 passenger boardings at the 
                                airport during the prior calendar year; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) $153.33 for each of the next 
                                7,499 passenger boardings at the 
                                airport during the prior calendar year.
                            ``(ii) Applicability.--Paragraphs (4) and 
                        (5) of subsection (d) shall apply to funds 
                        apportioned under this subparagraph.
                    ``(E) Special rule for air reserve stations.--
                Notwithstanding section 47102, the Secretary shall 
                consider a public-use airport that is co-located with 
                an air reserve station to be a primary airport for 
                purposes of this chapter.
                    ``(F) Special rule for fiscal years 2024 and 
                2025.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
                paragraph or the absence of scheduled passenger service 
                at an airport, the Secretary shall apportion in fiscal 
                years 2024 and 2025 to the sponsor of an airport an 
                amount based on the number of passenger boardings at 
                the airport during whichever of the following years 
                that would result in the highest apportioned amount 
                under this paragraph:
                            ``(i) Calendar year 2018.
                            ``(ii) Calendar year 2019.
                            ``(iii) The prior full calendar year prior 
                        to the current fiscal year.''.
            (2) Cargo airports.--Section 47114(c)(2) of title 49, 
        United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``3.5'' and inserting 
                        ``4''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``100,000,000 pounds'' and 
                        inserting ``25,000,000 pounds'';
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (C); and
                    (C) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) and (E) as 
                subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively.
    (b) General Aviation Airports.--Section 47114(d) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in the heading by striking ``Special rule'' and 
                inserting ``Apportionment'';
                    (B) by striking ``excluding primary airports but 
                including reliever and nonprimary commercial service 
                airports'' each place it appears and inserting 
                ``excluding commercial service airports but including 
                reliever airports'';
                    (C) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by 
                striking ``20 percent'' and inserting ``25 percent''; 
                and
                    (D) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D) and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(C) An airport that has previously been listed as 
                unclassified under the national plan of integrated 
                airport systems that has reestablished the classified 
                status of such airport as of the date of apportionment 
                shall be eligible to accrue apportionment funds 
                pursuant to subparagraph (A) so long as such airport 
                retains such classified status.'';
            (2) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) in the heading by striking ``Airports in 
                alaska, puerto rico, and hawaii'' and inserting 
                ``Airports in Noncontiguous States and Territories'';
                    (B) by striking ``An amount apportioned under 
                paragraph (2) or (3)'' and inserting the following:
                    ``(A) Alaska, puerto rico, and hawaii.--An amount 
                apportioned under this subsection''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) Other territories.--An amount apportioned 
                under paragraph (2)(B)(i) may be made available by the 
                Secretary for any public-use airport in Guam, American 
                Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
                Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands if the 
                Secretary determines that there are insufficient 
                qualified grant applications for projects at airports 
                that are otherwise eligible for funding under that 
                paragraph. The Secretary shall prioritize the use of 
                such amounts in the territory the amount was originally 
                apportioned in.'';
            (3) in paragraph (5) by inserting ``or subsection 
        (c)(1)(D)'' after ``under this subsection'';
            (4) in paragraph (6)--
                    (A) by striking ``provision of this subsection'' 
                and inserting ``provision of this section''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``or subsection (c)(1)(D)'' after 
                ``under this subsection'';
            (5) by striking paragraph (2); and
            (6) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (7) as 
        paragraphs (2) through (6), respectively.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 47106(a)(7) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``section 47114(d)(3)(B)'' and 
inserting ``section 47114(d)(2)(B)''

SEC. 412. PFC TURNBACK REDUCTION.

    (a) In General.--Section 47114(f) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``sponsor of an airport having at 
                least .25 percent of the total number of boardings each 
                year in the United States and'' and inserting ``sponsor 
                of a medium or large hub airport''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``75 percent'' 
                and inserting ``60 percent'' each place it appears; and
            (2) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(2) Effective date of reduction.--
                    ``(A) New charge collection.--A reduction in an 
                apportionment under paragraph (1) shall not take effect 
                until the first fiscal year following the year in which 
                the collection of the charge imposed under section 
                40117 has begun.
                    ``(B) New categorization.--A reduction in an 
                apportionment under paragraph (1) shall only be applied 
                to an airport if such airport has been designated as a 
                medium or large hub airport for 3 consecutive years.''.
    (b) Applicability.--For an airport that increased in categorization 
from a small hub to a medium hub in any fiscal year beginning after the 
date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 
115-254) and prior to the date of enactment of this Act, the amendment 
to section 47114(f)(2) of title 49, United States Code, under 
subsection (a) shall be applied as though the airport increased in 
categorization from a small hub to a medium hub in the calendar year 
prior to the first fiscal year in which such amendment is applicable.

SEC. 413. TRANSFER OF AIP SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS TO FORMULA PROGRAM.

    Section 47115(j) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3) by striking subparagraph (B) and 
        inserting the following:
                    ``(B) Minimum allocation.--Not more than 25 percent 
                of the amounts available under this subsection shall be 
                used to provide grants at nonhub and small hub 
                airports.
                    ``(C) Prioritization.--In making grants under this 
                subsection, the Secretary shall prioritize projects 
                that reduce runway incursions or increase runway or 
                taxiway safety.'';
            (2) in paragraph (4)(A) by striking clause (v) and 
        inserting the following:
                            ``(v) $1,110,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.
                            ``(vi) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.
                            ``(vii) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.
                            ``(viii) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.
                            ``(ix) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.
                            ``(x) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.''; 
                        and
            (3) in paragraph (4)(B) by striking ``2 fiscal years'' and 
        inserting ``3 fiscal years''.

SEC. 414. SMALL AIRPORT FUND.

    Section 47116 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) 
        and inserting the following:
            ``(1) Not more than 25 percent for grants for projects at 
        small hub airports.
            ``(2) Not less than 25 percent for grants to sponsors of 
        public-use airports (except commercial service airports).
            ``(3) Not less than 50 percent for grants to sponsors of 
        commercial service airports that are not larger than a nonhub 
        airport.'';
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (2); and
                    (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
                (2); and
            (3) by striking subsections (e) and (f) and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(e) General Aviation Hangars and Transient Aprons.--In 
distributing amounts from the fund described in subsection (a) to 
sponsors described in subsection (b)(2) and (b)(3)--
            ``(1) 5 percent of each amount shall be used for projects 
        to construct aircraft hangars that are not larger than 5,000 
        square feet; and
            ``(2) 5 percent of each amount shall be used for projects 
        to construct or rehabilitate aprons intended to be used for 
        itinerant general aviation aircraft parking.''.

SEC. 415. REVISION OF DISCRETIONARY CATEGORIES.

    Section 47117 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)(i) by striking ``or (3)(A), 
                whichever is applicable''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) by striking ``section 47114(d)(3)(A)'' 
                        and inserting ``section 47114(d)(2)(A)''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``section 47114(d)(3)(B)'' 
                        and inserting ``section 47114(d)(2)(B)'';
            (2) in subsection (c)(2) by striking ``47114(d)(3)(A)'' and 
        inserting ``47114(d)(2)(A)'';
            (3) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``section 
                47114(d)(2)(A) of this title'' and inserting ``section 
                47114(d)(2)(B)(i)''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking ``section 47114(d)(2)(B) or 
                        (C)'' and inserting ``section 
                        47114(d)(2)(B)(ii) or (iii)'' in each place it 
                        appears; and
                            (ii) by striking ``of this title'';
            (4) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) by striking ``$300,000,000'' 
                                and inserting ``$200,000,000'';
                                    (II) by striking ``for compatible 
                                land use planning and projects carried 
                                out by State and local governments 
                                under section 47141,'';
                                    (III) by striking ``section 
                                47102(3)(Q)'' and inserting 
                                ``subparagraphs (O) through (Q) of 
                                section 47102(3)'';
                                    (IV) by striking ``to comply with 
                                the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et 
                                seq.)''; and
                                    (V) by adding at the end the 
                                following:``The Secretary shall provide 
                                not less than two-thirds of amounts 
                                under this subparagraph and paragraph 
                                (3) for grants to sponsors of small 
                                hub, medium hub, and large hub 
                                airports.''; and
                            (ii) by striking subparagraph (C); and
                    (B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(3) Special rule.--Beginning in fiscal year 2025, if the 
        amount made available under paragraph (1)(A) was not equal to 
        or greater than $150,000,000 in the preceding fiscal year, the 
        Secretary shall issue grants for projects eligible under 
        paragraph (1)(A) from apportionments made under section 47114 
        that are not required during the fiscal year to fund a grant 
        for which such apportionments may be used in an amount that is 
        not less than--
                    ``(A) $150,000,000; minus
                    ``(B) the amount made available under paragraph 
                (1)(A) in the preceding fiscal year.''; and
            (5) in subsection (f)(1) by striking ``Subject to paragraph 
        (2)'' and inserting ``Subject to paragraph (2) and except as 
        provided in section 47116(a)(2)''.

SEC. 416. TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 47119 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``in a nonrevenue-
                producing public-use area of a commercial service 
                airport'' and all that follows through ``of the 
                Government'' and inserting the following: ``at an 
                airport if the sponsor certifies that the airport, on 
                the date the grant application is submitted to the 
                Secretary, has--
                    ``(A) that any necessary airport development 
                project affecting airport safety, security, or capacity 
                will not be deferred if the Secretary approves a 
                terminal development project under this section; and
                    ``(B) provided for access by passengers to the area 
                of the airport for boarding or exiting aircraft that 
                are not air carrier aircraft.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2) by striking ``parking lot if'' 
                and all that follows through ``Secretary's approval'' 
                and inserting ``parking lot'';
            (2) by striking subsections (b), (e) and (f);
            (3) by redesignating subsection (c) and (d) as subsections 
        (b) and (c), respectively; and
            (4) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated) by striking 
        paragraphs (1) through (5) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) any part of amounts apportioned to an airport sponsor 
        under subsection (c) or (d) of section 47114 to pay project 
        costs allowable under subsection (a);
            ``(2) on the approval of the Secretary, any part of amounts 
        that may be distributed for the fiscal year from the 
        discretionary fund established under section 47115 to the 
        sponsor of an airport to pay project costs allowable under 
        subsection (a);
            ``(3) on the approval of the Secretary, any part of amounts 
        that may be distributed for the fiscal year from the small 
        airport fund established under section 47116 to the sponsor of 
        an airport eligible to receive funds under section 47116 to pay 
        project costs allowable under subsection (a);''.

SEC. 417. STATE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Offsetting Administrative Expenses Burden on States.--Section 
47109(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
``90 percent'' and inserting ``91 percent''.
    (b) Training.--Section 47128 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Training for Participating States.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to each 
        State participating in the block grant program under this 
        section training or updated training materials for the 
        administrative responsibilities assumed by the State under such 
        program at no cost to the State.
            ``(2) Timing.--The training or updated training materials 
        provided under paragraph (1) shall be provided at least once 
        during each 2-year period and at any time there is a material 
        change in the program.''.
    (c) Administration.--Section 47128 of title 49, United States Code, 
is further amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Roles and Responsibilities of Participating States.--
            ``(1) Airports.--Unless a State participating in the block 
        grant program under this section expressly agrees in a 
        memorandum of agreement, the Secretary shall not require the 
        State to manage functions and responsibilities for airport 
        actions or projects that do not relate to such program.
            ``(2) Program documentation.--Any grant agreement providing 
        funds to be administered under such program shall be consistent 
        with the most recently executed memorandum of agreement between 
        the State and the Federal Aviation Administration. The 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
        provide parity to participating States and shall only require 
        the same type of information and level of detail for any 
        program agreements and documentation that the Administrator 
        would perform with respect to such action if the State did not 
        participate in the program.
            ``(3) Responsibilities.--The Administrator shall retain 
        responsibility for the following, unless expressly agreed to by 
        the State:
                    ``(A) Grant compliance investigations, 
                determinations, and enforcement.
                    ``(B) Obstruction evaluation and airport airspace 
                analysis, determinations, and enforcement off airport 
                property.
                    ``(C) Non-rulemaking analysis, determinations, and 
                enforcement for proposed improvements on airport 
                properties not associated with this subchapter, or off 
                airport property.
                    ``(D) Land use determinations under section 163 of 
                the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 47107 
                note), compatibility planning, and airport layout plan 
                review and approval for projects not funded by amounts 
                available under this subchapter.
                    ``(E) Nonaeronautical and special event 
                recommendations and approvals.
                    ``(F) Instrument approach procedure evaluations and 
                determinations.
                    ``(G) Environmental review for projects not funded 
                by amounts available under this subchapter.
                    ``(H) Review and approval of land leases, land 
                releases, changes in on-airport land-use designation, 
                and through-the-fence agreements.''.
    (d) Report.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
issue a report on the Office of Airports of the Federal Aviation 
Administration and the airport improvement program under subchapter I 
of chapter 471 and chapter 475 of title 49, United States Code, and 
include in such report a description of--
            (1) the responsibilities of States participating in the 
        block grant program under section 47128 of title 49, United 
        States Code; and
            (2) the impact of title VIII of division J of the 
        Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) and 
        other Federal administrative funding sources on the ability of 
        such States to disburse and administer airport improvement 
        program funds.
    (e) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that Congress 
supports the disbursement of a percentage of administrative funds made 
available under the heading ``Federal Aviation Administration--Airport 
Infrastructure Grants'' in title VIII of division J of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) to non-
primary airports participating in the State's block grant program each 
fiscal year of the Airport Infrastructure Grants program.

SEC. 418. INNOVATIVE FINANCING TECHNIQUES.

    Section 47135 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(a) Authority.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation may 
        approve an application by an airport sponsor to use grants 
        received under this subchapter for innovative financing 
        techniques related to an airport development project that is 
        located at an airport that is not a large hub airport.
            ``(2) Approval.--The Secretary may approve not more than 30 
        applications described under paragraph (1) in a fiscal year.
    ``(b) Purposes.--The purpose of grants made under this section 
shall be to--
            ``(1) provide information on the benefits and difficulties 
        of using innovative financing techniques for airport 
        development projects;
            ``(2) lower the total cost of an airport development 
        project; or
            ``(3) expedite the delivery or completion of an airport 
        development project without reducing safety or causing 
        environmental harm.''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)(2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (D) by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) any other techniques that the Secretary 
                determines are consistent with the purposes of this 
                section.''.

SEC. 419. LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT PLANS.

    Section 47136(c) of title 49, United States Code is amended--
            (1) by striking ``applicants that will'' and inserting the 
        following: ``applicants that--
            ``(1) will'';
            (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; 
        and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) provide a long-term management plan for eligible 
        vehicles and equipment that includes the existing and future 
        infrastructure requirements of the airport related to such 
        vehicles and equipment.''.

SEC. 420. ALTERNATIVE PROJECT DELIVERY.

    (a) In General.--Section 47142 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in the section heading by striking ``Design-build 
        contracting'' and inserting ``Alternative project delivery'';
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``Administrator of the 
                        Federal Aviation Administration'' and inserting 
                        ``Secretary of Transportation''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``award a design-build'' 
                        and inserting ``award a covered project 
                        delivery'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2) by striking ``design-build'' 
                and inserting ``covered project delivery''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (4) by striking ``design-build 
                contract will'' and inserting ``covered project 
                delivery contract is projected to''; and
            (3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) Covered Project Delivery Contract Defined.--In this section, 
the term `covered project delivery contract' means--
            ``(1) an agreement that provides for both design and 
        construction of a project by a contractor; or
            ``(2) a single contract for the delivery of a whole project 
        that--
                    ``(A) includes, at a minimum, the sponsor, builder, 
                and architect-engineer as parties that are subject to 
                the terms of the contract;
                    ``(B) aligns the interests of all the parties to 
                the contract with respect to the project costs and 
                project outcomes; and
                    ``(C) includes processes to ensure transparency and 
                collaboration among all parties to the contract 
                relating to project costs and project outcomes.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 471 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 
47142 and inserting the following:

``47142. Alternative project delivery.''.

SEC. 421. NONMOVEMENT AREA SURVEILLANCE SURFACE DISPLAY SYSTEMS PILOT 
              PROGRAM.

    Section 47143(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2028''.

SEC. 422. REPEAL OF OBSOLETE CRIMINAL PROVISIONS.

    Section 47306 of title 49, United States Code, and the item 
relating to such section in the analysis for chapter 473 of such title, 
are repealed.

SEC. 423. LIMITATION ON CERTAIN ROLLING STOCK PROCUREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 50101 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``(except section 47127)'' each place it 
        appears; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Limitation on Certain Rolling Stock Procurements.--
            ``(1) In general.--Financial assistance made available 
        under the provisions described in subsection (a) shall not be 
        used in awarding a contract or subcontract to an entity on or 
        after the date of enactment of this subsection for the 
        procurement of rolling stock for use in an airport-related 
        project if the manufacturer of the rolling stock--
                    ``(A) is incorporated in or has manufacturing 
                facilities in the United States; and
                    ``(B) is owned or controlled by, is a subsidiary 
                of, or is otherwise related legally or financially to a 
                corporation based in a country that--
                            ``(i) is identified as a nonmarket economy 
                        country (as defined in section 771(18) of the 
                        Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1677(18))) as of 
                        the date of enactment of this subsection;
                            ``(ii) was identified by the United States 
                        Trade Representative in the most recent report 
                        required by section 182 of the Trade Act of 
                        1974 (19 U.S.C. 2242) as a foreign country 
                        included on the priority watch list defined in 
                        subsection (g)(3) of that section; and
                            ``(iii) is subject to monitoring by the 
                        Trade Representative under section 306 of the 
                        Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2416).
            ``(2) Exception.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For purposes of paragraph (1), 
                the term `otherwise related legally or financially' 
                does not include--
                            ``(i) a minority relationship or 
                        investment; or
                            ``(ii) relationship with or investment in a 
                        subsidiary, joint venture, or other entity 
                        based in a country described in paragraph 
                        (1)(B) that does not export rolling stock or 
                        components of rolling stock for use in the 
                        United States.
                    ``(B) Corporation based in people's republic of 
                china.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A)(i), for 
                purposes of paragraph (1), the term `otherwise related 
                legally or financially' includes a minority 
                relationship or investment if the relationship or 
                investment involves a corporation based in the People's 
                Republic of China.
            ``(3) International agreements.--This subsection shall be 
        applied in a manner consistent with the obligations of the 
        United States under international agreements.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Restricting contract awards because of discrimination 
        against united states goods or services.--Section 50102 of 
        title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``(except 
        section 47127)''.
            (2) Restriction on airport projects using products or 
        services of foreign countries denying fair market 
        opportunities.--Section 50104(b) of title 49, United States 
        Code, is amended by striking ``(except section 47127)''.
            (3) Fraudulent use of made in america label.--Section 50105 
        of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
        ``(except section 47127)''.

SEC. 424. REGULATORY APPLICATION.

    Section 40113(f) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``or in administering the Airport 
        Improvement Program under chapter 471'' after ``Code of Federal 
        Regulations,''; and
            (2) by inserting ``or administrative'' after 
        ``regulatory''.

SEC. 425. NATIONAL PRIORITY SYSTEM FORMULAS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall review and update 
the National Priority System prioritization formulas contained in 
Federal Aviation Administration Order 5090.5 to account for the 
amendments to chapter 471 of title 49, United States Code, made by this 
Act.
    (b) Required Consultation.--In revising the formulas under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with representatives of the 
following:
            (1) Primary airports, including large, medium, small, and 
        nonhub airports.
            (2) Non-primary airports, including general aviation 
        airports.
            (3) Airport trade associations, including trade 
        associations representing airport executives.
            (4) State aviation officials, including associations 
        representing such officials.
            (5) Air carriers, including mainline, regional, and low 
        cost air carriers.
            (6) Associations representing air carriers.
    (c) Priority Projects.--In revising the formulas under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall assign the highest priority to projects that 
increase or maintain the safety, efficiency, and capacity of the 
aviation system.

SEC. 426. MINORITY AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS PARTICIPATION.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) While significant progress has occurred due to the 
        establishment of the airport disadvantaged business enterprise 
        program and the airport concessions disadvantaged business 
        enterprise program under sections 47113 and 47107(e) of title 
        49, United States Code, respectively, discrimination and 
        related barriers continue to pose significant obstacles for 
        minority- and women-owned businesses seeking to do business in 
        airport-related markets across the Nation.
            (2) Congress has received and reviewed testimony and 
        documentation of race and gender discrimination from numerous 
        sources, including congressional hearings and roundtables, 
        scientific reports, reports issued by public and private 
        agencies, news stories, reports of discrimination by 
        organizations and individuals, and discrimination lawsuits. 
        Such testimony and documentation show that race- and gender-
        neutral efforts alone are insufficient to address the problem.
            (3) The testimony and documentation described in paragraph 
        (2) demonstrate that race and gender discrimination poses a 
        barrier to full and fair participation in airport-related 
        businesses of women business owners and minority business 
        owners in the racial groups detailed in parts 23 and 26 of 
        title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, and has impacted firm 
        development and other aspects of airport-related business in 
        the public and private markets.
            (4) The testimony and documentation described in paragraph 
        (2) provide a strong basis that there is a compelling need for 
        the continuation of the airport disadvantaged business 
        enterprise program and the airport concessions disadvantaged 
        business enterprise program to address race and gender 
        discrimination in airport-related business.
    (b) Supportive Services.--Section 47113 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Supportive Services.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation, in 
        coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration, may, at the request of an airport sponsor, 
        provide assistance under a grant issued under this subchapter 
        to develop, conduct, and administer training programs and 
        assistance programs in connection with any airport improvement 
        project subject to part 26 of title 49, Code of Federal 
        Regulations, for small business concerns referred to in 
        subsection (b) to achieve proficiency to compete, on an equal 
        basis for contracts and subcontracts related to such projects.
            ``(2) Eligible entities.--An entity eligible to receive 
        assistance under this section is--
                    ``(A) a State;
                    ``(B) a political subdivision of a State or local 
                government;
                    ``(C) a Tribal government;
                    ``(D) an airport sponsor;
                    ``(E) a metropolitan planning organization;
                    ``(F) a group of entities described in 
                subparagraphs (A) through (E); or
                    ``(G) any other organization considered appropriate 
                by the Secretary.''.

SEC. 427. AIRPORT ACCESS ROADS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS.

    Section 162 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 47102 
note) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking 
``2023'' and inserting ``2028''.

SEC. 428. LIMITED REGULATION OF NONFEDERALLY SPONSORED PROPERTY.

    Section 163 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 47107 
note) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Limited regulation.--Except as provided in subsection 
        (b), the Secretary of Transportation may not require an airport 
        to seek approval for (including in the submission of an airport 
        layout plan), or directly or indirectly regulate (including 
        through any grant assurance)--
                    ``(A) the acquisition, use, lease, encumbrance, 
                transfer, or disposal of land (including any portion of 
                such land) by an airport sponsor; or
                    ``(B) the construction, development, improvement, 
                use, or removal of any facility (including any portion 
                of such facility) upon such land.
            ``(2) Burden of demonstrating applicability.--The burden of 
        demonstrating the nonapplicability of paragraph (1), or the 
        applicability of an exception under subsection (b), shall be on 
        the Secretary.'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A) by striking ``regulation'' and inserting 
                        ``law, regulation, or grant assurance''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A) by striking 
                        ``aircraft operations'' and inserting 
                        ``aircraft operations that occur or are 
                        projected to occur at an airport as described 
                        in an airport's master plan'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2) by striking ``facility'' and 
                inserting ``facility that the Secretary demonstrates 
                was''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (3) by striking ``contained'' and 
                inserting ``that the Secretary demonstrates is 
                contained''; and
            (3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed--
            ``(1) to affect the applicability of sections 47107(b) or 
        47133 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; or
            ``(2) to limit the Secretary's authority to approve or 
        regulate airport projects (or portions of airport projects) 
        that are not subject to the provisions of subsection (a).''.

SEC. 429. MOTORCOACH ENPLANEMENT PILOT PROGRAM.

    With respect to fiscal years 2024 through 2028, passengers who 
board a motorcoach at an airport that is chartered or provided by an 
air carrier to transport such passengers to another airport at which 
the passengers board an aircraft in service in air commerce, that 
entered the sterile area of the airport at which such passengers 
initially boarded the motorcoach, shall be deemed to be included under 
the term ``passenger boardings'' in section 47102 of title 49, United 
States Code.

SEC. 430. POPULOUS COUNTIES WITHOUT AIRPORTS.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of 
Transportation may not deny inclusion in the national plan of 
integrated airport systems maintained under section 47103 of title 49, 
United States Code, to an airport or proposed airport if the airport or 
proposed airport--
            (1) is located in the most populous county (as such term is 
        defined in section 2 of title 1, United States Code) of a State 
        that does not have an airport listed in the national plan;
            (2) has an airport sponsor that was established before 
        January 1, 2017;
            (3) is located more than 15 miles away from another airport 
        listed in the national plan;
            (4) demonstrates how the airport will meet the operational 
        activity required, through a forecast validated by the 
        Secretary, within the first 10 years of operation;
            (5) meets Federal Aviation Administration airport design 
        standards;
            (6) submits a benefit-cost analysis;
            (7) presents a detailed financial plan to accomplish 
        construction and ongoing maintenance; and
            (8) has the documented support of the State government for 
        the entry of the airport or proposed airport into the national 
        plan.

SEC. 431. CONTINUED AVAILABILITY OF AVIATION GASOLINE.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall ensure that any of such varieties of aviation 
gasoline as may be necessary to fuel any model of piston-engine 
aircraft remain available for purchase at each airport listed on the 
national plan of integrated airport systems (as described in section 
47103 of title 49, United States Code) at which aviation gasoline was 
available for purchase as of October 5, 2018.
    (b) Removal of Availability.--The Administrator shall consider a 
prohibition or restriction on the sale of such varieties of aviation 
gasoline to violate assurance 22 (or any successor assurance related to 
economic nondiscrimination) of grant assurances associated with the 
airport improvement program under subchapter I of chapter 471 and 
chapter 475 of title 49, United States Code.
    (c) Aviation Gasoline Defined.--In this section, the term 
``aviation gasoline'' means a gasoline on which a tax is imposed under 
section 4081(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
    (d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
to--
            (1) affect any airport sponsor found to be out of 
        compliance with the grant assurance described in subsection (b) 
        before the date of enactment of this Act;
            (2) affect any investigation of an airport sponsor 
        initiated by the Administrator under parts 13 or 16 of title 
        14, Code of Federal Regulations, relating to the availability 
        of aviation gasoline; or
            (3) require any particular action by the Administrator if 
        the Administrator determines through such investigation that 
        such airport sponsor has violated a grant assurance

SEC. 432. AIP HANDBOOK UPDATE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall revise the Airport Improvement Program Handbook (Order 5100.38D) 
(in this section referred to as the ``Handbook'') to account for 
legislative changes to the airport improvement program under subchapter 
I of chapter 471 and chapter 475 of title 49, United States Code, and 
to make such other changes as the Administrator determines necessary.
    (b) Requirements.--In updating the Handbook, the Administrator may 
not impose any additional requirements or restrictions on the use of 
Airport Improvement Program funds except as specifically directed by 
legislation.
    (c) Consultation and Public Comment.--
            (1) Consultation.--In developing the revised Handbook under 
        this section, the Administrator shall consult with aviation 
        stakeholders, including airports and air carriers.
            (2) Public comment.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 30 months after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
                publish a draft revision of the Handbook and make such 
                draft available for public comment for a period of not 
                less than 90 days.
                    (B) Review.--The Administrator shall review all 
                comments submitted during the public comment period 
                described under subparagraph (A) and, as the 
                Administrator considers appropriate, incorporate 
                changes based on such comments into the final revision 
                of the Handbook.
    (d) Interim Implementation of Changes.--Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue 
program guidance letters to provide for the interim implementation of 
amendments to the Airport Improvement Program made by this Act.

SEC. 433. GAO AUDIT OF AIRPORT FINANCIAL REPORTING PROGRAM.

    (a) Audit.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall complete 
an audit of the airport financial reporting program of the Federal 
Aviation Administration and provide recommendations to the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration on improvements to 
such program.
    (b) Requirements.--In conducting the audit required under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall, at a minimum--
            (1) review relevant Administration guidance to airports, 
        including the version of Advisory Circular 150/5100-19, titled 
        ``Operating and Financial Summary'', that is in effect on the 
        date of enactment of this Act;
            (2) evaluate the information requested or required by the 
        Administrator from airports for completeness and usefulness by 
        the Administration and the public;
            (3) assess the costs associated with collecting, reporting, 
        and maintaining such information for airports and the 
        Administration;
            (4) determine if such information provided is--
                    (A) updated on a regular basis to make such 
                information useful; and
                    (B) audited and verified in an appropriate manner;
            (5) assess if the Administration has addressed the issues 
        the Administration discovered during the apportionment and 
        disbursement of relief funds to airports under the Coronavirus 
        Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Public Law 116-136) 
        using inaccurate and aged airport financial data; and
            (6) determine whether the airport financial reporting 
        program as structured as of the date of enactment provides 
        value to the Administration, the aviation industry, or the 
        public.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 3 months after the 
completion of the audit required under subsection (a), the Comptroller 
General shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing 
the findings of such audit and any recommendations provided to the 
Administrator to improve or alter the airport financial reporting 
program.

SEC. 434. GAO REVIEW OF NONAERONAUTICAL REVENUE STREAMS AT AIRPORTS.

    (a) Review.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall initiate a 
review of non-aeronautical revenue streams currently used by hub 
airports of varying size, assess the impact of nonaeronautical revenue 
on airports, and evaluate opportunities for revenue that are unutilized 
or are underutilized by such airports.
    (b) Scope.--In conducting the review required under subsection (a), 
the Comptroller General shall, at a minimum--
            (1) examine the nonaeronautical revenue streams at a 
        variety of public-use airports in the United States;
            (2) examine nonaeronautical revenue streams used by foreign 
        airports;
            (3) examine revenue streams used by similar types of 
        infrastructure operators like train stations, bus depots, and 
        shopping malls;
            (4) determine the revenue effects of entering into, or 
        choosing not to enter into, concessionaire agreements with 
        companies operating at airports that are not a party to such 
        agreements; and
            (5) examine users and beneficiaries of airport services, 
        facilities, property, and passengers, and determine if any such 
        users or beneficiaries could or should be considered as a 
        source of nonaeronautical revenue for an airport.
    (c) Consultation.--As part of the review required under subsection 
(a), the Comptroller General shall consult with representatives of 
airport concessionaires, airport sponsors, airport governance entities, 
airport financial planning consultants, and any other relevant 
stakeholders the Comptroller General determines appropriate.
    (d) Findings, Best Practices, and Recommendations.--As part of the 
review required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall 
produce best practices and recommendations that can be adopted by 
public-use airports to increase non-aeronautical revenue.
    (e) Report to Congress.--Not later than 3 months after the 
completion of the review required under subsection (a), the Comptroller 
General shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing 
the findings, best practices, and recommendations of such review.

SEC. 435. MAINTAINING SAFE FIRE AND RESCUE STAFFING LEVELS.

    (a) Update to Regulation.--The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall update the regulations contained in 
section 139.319 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to ensure 
that paragraph (4) of such section provides that at least 1 individual 
maintains certification at the emergency medical technician basic 
level, or higher.
    (b) Staffing Review.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall conduct a review of 
airport environments and related regulations to evaluate sufficient 
staffing levels necessary for firefighting and rescue services and 
response at airports certified under part 139 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after completing the review 
under subsection (b), the Administrator shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report containing the results of the review.

SEC. 436. GAO STUDY OF ONSITE AIRPORT GENERATION.

    (a) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall initiate a 
study on the feasibility of installation and adoption of certain power 
generation property at airports which receive funding from the Federal 
Government.
    (b) Content.--In carrying out the study required under subsection 
(a), the Comptroller General shall examine--
            (1) any safety impacts of the installation and operation of 
        such power generation property, either in aggregate or around 
        certain locations or structures at the airport;
            (2) regulatory barriers to adoption;
            (3) benefits to adoption;
            (4) previous examples of adoptions;
            (5) impacts on other entities; and
            (6) previous examples of adoption and factors pertaining to 
        previous examples of adoption, including--
                    (A) novel uses beyond supplemental power 
                generation, such as expanding nonresidential property 
                around airports to minimize noise, power generation 
                resilience, and market forces;
                    (B) challenges identified in the installation 
                process;
                    (C) upfront and long-term costs, both foreseen and 
                unforeseen;
                    (D) funding sources used to pay for upfront costs; 
                and
                    (E) long-term savings.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the initiation of the 
study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report and recommendations on the 
results of the study.
    (d) Power Generation Property Defined.--In this section, the term 
``power generation property'' means equipment defined in section 
48(a)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

SEC. 437. TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT AT AIRPORTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct 
a study to examine the efficacy of transportation demand management 
strategies at United States airports.
    (b) Considerations.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), 
the Comptroller General shall examine, at minimum--
            (1) whether transportation demand management strategies 
        should be considered by airports when making infrastructure 
        planning and construction decisions;
            (2) the impact of transportation demand management 
        strategies on existing multimodal options to and from airports 
        in the United States; and
            (3) best practices for developing transportation demand 
        management strategies that can be used to improve access to 
        airports for passengers and airport and airline personnel.
    (c) Report.--Upon completion of the study conducted under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on such study.
    (d) Definition.--In this section, the term ``transportation demand 
management strategy'' means the use of planning, programs, policy, 
marketing, communications, incentives, pricing, data, and technology to 
optimize travel modes, routes used, departure times, and number of 
trips.

SEC. 438. COASTAL AIRPORTS ASSESSMENT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall, in coordination with the Chief of Engineers and Commanding 
General of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, initiate an 
assessment on the resiliency of coastal airports in the United States.
    (b) Contents.--The assessment required under subsection (a) shall--
            (1) examine the impact of sea-level rise and other 
        environmental factors that pose risks to coastal airports; and
            (2) identify and evaluate current initiatives to prevent 
        and mitigate the impacts of factors described in paragraph (1) 
        on coastal airports.
    (c) Report.--Upon completion of the assessment, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on--
            (1) the results of the assessment required under subsection 
        (a); and
            (2) recommendations to improve the resiliency of coastal 
        airports in the United States.

SEC. 439. AIRPORT INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.

    Section 47134(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Benefit-cost analysis.--Prior to approving an 
        application submitted under subsection (a), the Secretary may 
        require a benefit-cost analysis. If a benefit-cost analysis is 
        required, the Secretary shall issue a preliminary and 
        conditional finding, which shall--
                    ``(A) be issued not later than 60 days after the 
                date on which the sponsor submits all information 
                required by the Secretary;
                    ``(B) be based upon a collaborative review process 
                that includes the sponsor or sponsor's representative;
                    ``(C) not constitute the issuance of a Federal 
                grant or obligation to issue a grant under this chapter 
                or other provision of law; and
                    ``(D) not constitute any other obligation on the 
                part of the Federal Government until the conditions 
                specified in the final benefit-cost analysis are 
                met.''.

SEC. 440. GAO STUDY ON PER-TRIP AIRPORT FEES FOR TNC CONSUMERS.

    (a) Study.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a 
study of fees that airports assess against customers of transportation 
network companies.
    (b) Contents.--In carrying out the study required under subsection 
(a), the Comptroller General shall address--
            (1) the methodology used by airports to set a fee for 
        customers of TNCs;
            (2) expenditures by airports of fees assessed against 
        customers of TNCs; and
            (3) a comparison of the fees imposed by airports on 
        customers of TNCs and other comparable modes of for-hire 
        transportation, such as taxi.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the results of the study.
    (d) Transportation Network Company Defined; TNC Defined.--In this 
section, the term ``transportation network company'' or ``TNC''--
            (1) means a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, 
        or other entity that uses a digital network to connect riders 
        to drivers affiliated with the entity in order for the driver 
        to transport the rider using a vehicle owned, leased, or 
        otherwise authorized for use by the driver to a point chosen by 
        the rider; and
            (2) does not include a shared-expense carpool or vanpool 
        arrangement that is not intended to generate profit for the 
        driver.

SEC. 441. SPECIAL RULE FOR RECLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN UNCLASSIFIED 
              AIRPORTS.

    (a) Request for Reclassification.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than September 30, 2024, a 
        privately owned reliever airport (as such term is defined in 
        section 47102 of title 49, United States Code) that is 
        identified as unclassified in the National Plan of Integrated 
        Airport Systems, 2021-2025 (as published under section 47103 of 
        title 49, United States Code) may submit to the Secretary of 
        Transportation a request to reclassify the airport according to 
        the criteria used to classify a publicly owned airport.
            (2) Required information.--In submitting a request under 
        paragraph (1), a privately owned reliever airport shall include 
        the following information:
                    (A) A sworn statement and accompanying 
                documentation that demonstrates how the airport would 
                satisfy the requirements of Federal Aviation 
                Administration Order 5090.5, titled ``Formulation of 
                the NPIAS and ACIP'' (or any successor guidance), to be 
                classified as ``Local'' or ``Basic'' if the airport was 
                publicly owned.
                    (B) A report that--
                            (i) identifies the role of the airport to 
                        the aviation system; and
                            (ii) describes the long-term fiscal 
                        viability of the airport based on demonstrated 
                        aeronautical activity and associated revenues 
                        relative to ongoing operating and maintenance 
                        costs.
    (b) Eligibility Review.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after receiving a 
        request from a privately owned reliever airport under 
        subsection (a), the Secretary shall perform an eligibility 
        review with respect to the airport, including an assessment of 
        the airport's safety, security, capacity, access, compliance 
        with Federal grant assurances, and protection of natural 
        resources and the quality of the environment, as prescribed by 
        the Secretary.
            (2) Public sponsor.--In performing the eligibility review 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary--
                    (A) may require the airport requesting 
                reclassification to provide information regarding the 
                outlook (whether positive or negative) for obtaining a 
                public sponsor; and
                    (B) may not require the airport to obtain a public 
                sponsor.
    (c) Reclassification by the Secretary.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after receiving a 
        request from a privately owned reliever airport under 
        subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall grant such request if 
        the following criteria are met:
                    (A) The request includes the required information 
                under subsection (a)(2).
                    (B) The privately owned reliever airport, to the 
                satisfaction of the Secretary--
                            (i) passes the eligibility review performed 
                        under subsection (b); or
                            (ii) submits a corrective action plan in 
                        accordance with paragraph (2).
            (2) Corrective action plan.--With respect to a privately 
        owned reliever airport that does not, to the satisfaction of 
        the Secretary, pass the eligibility review performed under 
        subsection (b), such airport may resubmit to the Secretary a 
        reclassification request along with a corrective action plan 
        that--
                    (A) resolves any shortcomings identified in such 
                eligibility review; and
                    (B) proves that any necessary corrective action has 
                been completed by the airport.
    (d) Effective Date.--The reclassification of any privately owned 
reliever airport under this section shall take effect not later than--
            (1) September 30, 2026, for any request granted under 
        subsection (c)(1); and
            (2) September 30, 2027, for any request granted after the 
        submission of a corrective action plan under subsection (c)(2).

SEC. 442. PERMANENT SOLAR POWERED TAXIWAY EDGE LIGHTING SYSTEMS.

    Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall produce 
an engineering brief that describes the acceptable use of permanent 
solar powered taxiway edge lighting systems at regional, local, and 
basic nonprimary airports (as categorized in the most recent National 
Plan of Integrated Airport Systems).

SEC. 443. SECONDARY RUNWAYS.

    In approving grants for projects with funds made available pursuant 
to title VIII of division J of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs 
Act (Public Law 117-58) under the heading ``Federal Aviation 
Administration--Airport Infrastructure Grants'', the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall consider permitting a nonhub 
or small hub airport to use such funds to extend secondary runways, 
notwithstanding the level of operational activity as such airport.

SEC. 444. INCREASING THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF AIRPORTS AND MEETING 
              CURRENT AND FUTURE ELECTRICAL POWER DEMANDS.

    (a) In General.--Section 47140 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 47140. Meeting current and future electrical power demand
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall establish 
a program under which the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) encourage the sponsor of each public-use airport to--
                    ``(A) conduct airport planning that assesses the 
                airport's--
                            ``(i) current and future electrical power 
                        requirements, including--
                                    ``(I) heating and cooling;
                                    ``(II) on-road airport vehicles, 
                                including ground support equipment;
                                    ``(III) gate electrification; and
                                    ``(IV) electric aircraft charging; 
                                and
                            ``(ii) existing electrical infrastructure 
                        condition, location and capacity, including 
                        base load and backup power, to meet the current 
                        and future electrical power demand as 
                        identified in this subparagraph; and
                    ``(B) conduct airport development to increase 
                energy efficiency or meet future electrical power 
                demands as identified in subparagraph (A); and
            ``(2) reimburse the airport sponsor for the costs incurred 
        in conducting the assessment under paragraph (1).
    ``(b) Grants.--The Secretary may make grants from amounts made 
available under section 48103 to assist airport sponsors that have 
completed the assessment described in subsection (a)(1)--
            ``(1) to acquire or construct equipment that will increase 
        energy efficiency at the airport; and
            ``(2) to pursue an airport development project described in 
        subsection (a)(1)(B).''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 471 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 
47140 and inserting the following:

``47140. Meeting current and future electrical power demand.''.

SEC. 445. ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT INFRASTRUCTURE PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation may establish a 
pilot program under which the sponsors of public-use airports may use 
funds made available under chapter 471 or section 48103 of title 49, 
United States Code, for use at up to 10 airports to carry out--
            (1) activities associated with the acquisition, by purchase 
        or lease, operation, and installation of equipment to support 
        the operations of electric aircraft, including interoperable 
        electric vehicle charging equipment; and
            (2) the construction or modification of infrastructure to 
        facilitate the delivery of power or services necessary for the 
        use of electric aircraft, including--
                    (A) on airport utility upgrades; and
                    (B) associated design costs.
    (b) Eligibility.--A public-use airport is eligible for 
participation in the pilot program under this section if the Secretary 
finds that funds made available under subsection (a) would support--
            (1) electric aircraft operators at such airport, or using 
        such airport; or
            (2) electric aircraft operators planning to operate at such 
        airport with an associated agreement in place.
    (c) Sunset.--The pilot program established under subsection (a) 
shall sunset 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 446. CURB MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed to--
            (1) prevent airports from engaging in curb management 
        practices, including determining and assigning curb 
        designations, regulations, and to install and maintain upon any 
        of the roadways or parts of roadways as many curb zones as 
        necessary to aid in the regulation, control, and inspection of 
        passenger loading and unloading; or
            (2) prevent airports from enforcing curb zones using 
        sensor, camera, automated license plate recognition, and 
        software technologies and issuing citations by mail to the 
        registered owner of the vehicle.

                 Subtitle B--Passenger Facility Charges

SEC. 461. PFC APPLICATION APPROVALS.

    Section 40117(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
            ``(2) each project is an eligible airport-related 
        project;''.

SEC. 462. PFC AUTHORIZATION PILOT PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION.

    Section 40117(l) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in the subsection heading by striking ``Pilot Program'' 
        and inserting ``Alternative Procedures''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--In lieu of submitting an application 
        under subsection (c), an eligible agency may impose a passenger 
        facility charge in accordance with the procedures under this 
        subsection subject to the limitations of this section.''.

     Subtitle C--Noise and Environmental Programs and Streamlining

SEC. 471. STREAMLINING CONSULTATION PROCESS.

    Section 47101(h) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``shall'' and inserting ``may''.

SEC. 472. REPEAL OF BURDENSOME EMISSIONS CREDIT REQUIREMENTS.

    Section 47139 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``airport sponsors 
                        receive'' and inserting ``airport sponsors may 
                        receive'';
                            (ii) by striking ``carrying out projects'' 
                        and inserting ``carrying out projects, 
                        including projects''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``conditions'' and 
                        inserting ``considerations''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking ``airport sponsor'' and 
                        inserting ``airport sponsor, including for an 
                        airport outside of a nonattainment area,'';
                            (ii) by striking ``only'';
                            (iii) by striking ``or as offsets'' and 
                        inserting ``, as offsets''; and
                            (iv) by striking the period at the end and 
                        inserting ``, or as part of a State 
                        implementation plan.'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b); and
            (3) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).

SEC. 473. EXPEDITED ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND ONE FEDERAL DECISION.

    Section 47171 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by striking ``Secretary of 
        Transportation'' and inserting ``Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration'';
            (2) by striking ``Secretary'' in each place it appears and 
        inserting ``Administrator'';
            (3) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``develop and''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``projects at congested 
                        airports'' and all that follows through 
                        ``aviation security projects'' and inserting 
                        ``projects, terminal development projects, 
                        general aviation airport construction or 
                        improvement projects, and aviation safety 
                        projects''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1) by striking ``better'' and 
                inserting ``streamlined''.
            (4) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Aviation Projects Subject to a Streamlined Environmental 
Review Process.--
            ``(1) In general.--Any airport capacity enhancement 
        project, terminal development project, or general aviation 
        airport construction or improvement project shall be subject to 
        the coordinated and expedited environmental review process 
        requirements set forth in this section.
            ``(2) Project designation criteria.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator may designate 
                an aviation safety project for priority environmental 
                review. A designated project shall be subject to the 
                coordinated and expedited environmental review process 
                requirements set forth in this section.
                    ``(B) Project designation criteria.--The 
                Administrator shall establish guidelines for the 
                designation of an aviation safety project or aviation 
                security project for priority environmental review. 
                Such guidelines shall provide for consideration of--
                            ``(i) the importance or urgency of the 
                        project;
                            ``(ii) the potential for undertaking the 
                        environmental review under existing emergency 
                        procedures under the National Environmental 
                        Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);
                            ``(iii) the need for cooperation and 
                        concurrent reviews by other Federal or State 
                        agencies; and
                            ``(iv) the prospect for undue delay if the 
                        project is not designated for priority 
                        review.'';
            (5) in subsection (c) by striking ``an airport capacity 
        enhancement project at a congested airport or a project 
        designated under subsection (b)(3)'' and inserting ``a project 
        described or designated under subsection (b)'';
            (6) in subsection (d) by striking ``each airport capacity 
        enhancement project at a congested airport or a project 
        designated under subsection (b)(3)'' and inserting ``a project 
        described or designated under subsection (b)'';
            (7) in subsection (h) by striking ``designated under 
        subsection (b)(3)'' and all that follows through ``congested 
        airports'' and inserting ``described in subsection (b)(1)'';
            (8) in subsection (j)--
                    (A) by striking ``For any'' and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(1) In general.--For any''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Deadline.--The Administrator shall define the purpose 
        and need of a project not later than 45 days after receipt of a 
        draft purpose and need statement (or revision thereof that 
        materially affects a statement previously prepared or accepted 
        by the Administrator) from an airport sponsor. The 
        Administrator shall provide airport sponsors with appropriate 
        guidance to implement any applicable requirements.'';
            (9) in subsection (k)--
                    (A) by striking ``an airport capacity enhancement 
                project at a congested airport or a project designated 
                under subsection (b)(3)'' and inserting ``a project 
                described or designated under subsection (b)'';
                    (B) by striking ``project shall consider'' and 
                inserting the following:
    ``project shall--
            ``(1) consider'';
                    (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting 
                ``; and''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) limit the comments of the agency to--
                    ``(A) subject matter areas within the special 
                expertise of the agency; and
                    ``(B) changes necessary to ensure the agency is 
                carrying out the obligations of that agency under the 
                National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and other 
                applicable law.'';
            (10) in subsection (l) by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``and section 1503 of title 40, Code of Federal 
        Regulations.''; and
            (11) by striking subsection (m) and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(m) Coordination and Schedule.--
            ``(1) Coordination plan.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the 
                date of publication of a notice of intent to prepare an 
                environmental impact statement or the initiation of an 
                environmental assessment, the Administrator of the 
                Federal Aviation Administration shall establish a plan 
                for coordinating public and agency participation in and 
                comment on the environmental review process for a 
                project described or designated under subsection (b). 
                The coordination plan may be incorporated into a 
                memorandum of understanding.
                    ``(B) Schedule.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Administration shall 
                        establish as part of such coordination plan, 
                        after consultation with and the concurrence of 
                        each participating agency for the project and 
                        with the State in which the project is located 
                        (and, if the State is not the project sponsor, 
                        with the project sponsor), a schedule for--
                                    ``(I) interim milestones and 
                                deadlines for agency activities 
                                necessary to complete the environmental 
                                review; and
                                    ``(II) completion of the 
                                environmental review process for the 
                                project.
                            ``(ii) Factors for consideration.--In 
                        establishing the schedule under clause (i), the 
                        Administration shall consider factors such as--
                                    ``(I) the responsibilities of 
                                participating agencies under applicable 
                                laws;
                                    ``(II) resources available to the 
                                cooperating agencies;
                                    ``(III) overall size and complexity 
                                of the project;
                                    ``(IV) the overall time required by 
                                an agency to conduct an environmental 
                                review and make decisions under 
                                applicable Federal law relating to a 
                                project (including the issuance or 
                                denial of a permit or license) and the 
                                cost of the project; and
                                    ``(V) the sensitivity of the 
                                natural and historic resources that 
                                could be affected by the project.
                            ``(iii) Maximum project schedule.--To the 
                        maximum extent practicable and consistent with 
                        applicable Federal law, the Administrator shall 
                        develop, in concurrence with the project 
                        sponsor, a maximum schedule for the project 
                        described or designated under subsection (b) 
                        that is not more than 2 years for the 
                        completion of the environmental review process 
                        for such projects, as measured from, as 
                        applicable the date of publication of a notice 
                        of intent to prepare an environmental impact 
                        statement to the record of decision.
                            ``(iv) Dispute resolution.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--Any issue or 
                                dispute that arises between the 
                                Administrator and participating 
                                agencies (or amongst participating 
                                agencies) during the environmental 
                                review process will be addressed 
                                expeditiously to avoid delay.
                                    ``(II) Responsibilities.--The 
                                Administrator and participating 
                                agencies shall--
                                            ``(aa) implement the 
                                        requirements of this section 
                                        consistent with any dispute 
                                        resolution process established 
                                        in an applicable law, 
                                        regulation, or legally binding 
                                        agreement to the maximum extent 
                                        permitted by law; and
                                            ``(bb) seek to resolve 
                                        issues or disputes at the 
                                        earliest possible time at the 
                                        project level through agency 
                                        employees who have day-to-day 
                                        involvement in the project.
                                    ``(III) Elevation for missed 
                                milestone.--If a dispute between the 
                                Administrator and participating 
                                agencies (or amongst participating 
                                agencies) causes a milestone to be 
                                missed or extended, or the 
                                Administrator anticipates that a 
                                permitting timetable milestone will be 
                                missed or will need to be extended, 
                                then the dispute shall be elevated to 
                                an official designated by the relevant 
                                agency for resolution. Such elevation 
                                should take place as soon as 
                                practicable after the Administrator 
                                becomes aware of the dispute or 
                                potential missed milestone.
                                    ``(IV) Exception.--Disputes that do 
                                not impact the ability of an agency to 
                                meet a milestone may be elevated as 
                                appropriate.
                                    ``(V) Further evaluation.--Once a 
                                dispute has been elevated to the 
                                designated official, if no resolution 
                                has been reached at the end of 30 days 
                                after the relevant milestone date or 
                                extension date, then the relevant 
                                agencies shall elevate the dispute to 
                                senior agency leadership for 
                                resolution.
                    ``(C) Consistency with other time periods.--A 
                schedule under subparagraph (B) shall be consistent 
                with any other relevant time periods established under 
                Federal law.
                    ``(D) Modification.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in 
                        clause (ii), the Administrator may lengthen or 
                        shorten a schedule established under 
                        subparagraph (B) for good cause. A decision by 
                        a project sponsor to change, modify, expand, or 
                        reduce the scope of a project may be considered 
                        as good cause for lengthening or shortening of 
                        such schedule as appropriate and based on the 
                        nature and extent of the proposed project 
                        adjustment.
                            ``(ii) Limitations.--
                                    ``(I) Lengthened schedule.--The 
                                Administrator may lengthen a schedule 
                                under clause (i) for a cooperating 
                                Federal agency by not more than 1 year 
                                after the latest deadline established 
                                for the project described or designated 
                                under subsection (b) by the 
                                Administration.
                                    ``(II) Shortened schedule.--The 
                                Administrator may not shorten a 
                                schedule under clause (i) if doing so 
                                would impair the ability of a 
                                cooperating Federal agency to conduct 
                                necessary analyses or otherwise carry 
                                out relevant obligations of the Federal 
                                agency for the project.
                    ``(E) Failure to meet deadline.--If a cooperating 
                Federal agency fails to meet a deadline established 
                under subparagraph (D)(ii)(I)--
                            ``(i) the cooperating Federal agency shall, 
                        not later than 10 days after meeting the 
                        deadline, submit to the Administrator a report 
                        that describes the reasons why the deadline was 
                        not met; and
                            ``(ii) the Secretary shall--
                                    ``(I) submit to the Committee on 
                                Transportation and Infrastructure of 
                                the House of Representatives and the 
                                Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                                Transportation of the Senate a copy of 
                                the report under clause (i); and
                                    ``(II) make the report under clause 
                                (i) publicly available on the website 
                                of the agency.
                    ``(F) Dissemination.--A copy of a schedule under 
                subparagraph (B), and of any modifications to the 
                schedule, shall be--
                            ``(i) provided to all participating 
                        agencies and to the State transportation 
                        department of the State in which the project is 
                        located (and, if the State is not the project 
                        sponsor, to the project sponsor); and
                            ``(ii) made available to the public.
            ``(2) Comment deadlines.--The Administrator shall establish 
        the following deadlines for comment during the environmental 
        review process for a project:
                    ``(A) For comments by agencies and the public on a 
                draft environmental impact statement, a period of not 
                more than 60 days after publication in the Federal 
                Register of notice of the date of public availability 
                of such statement, unless--
                            ``(i) a different deadline is established 
                        by agreement of the lead agency, the project 
                        sponsor, and all participating agencies; or
                            ``(ii) the deadline is extended by the lead 
                        agency for good cause.
                    ``(B) For all other comment periods established by 
                the lead agency for agency or public comments in the 
                environmental review process, a period of no more than 
                30 days from availability of the materials on which 
                comment is requested, unless--
                            ``(i) a different deadline is established 
                        by agreement of the Administrator, the project 
                        sponsor, and all participating agencies; or
                            ``(ii) the deadline is extended by the lead 
                        agency for good cause.
            ``(3) Deadlines for decisions under other laws.--In any 
        case in which a decision under any Federal law relating to a 
        project described or designated under subsection (b) (including 
        the issuance or denial of a permit or license) is required to 
        be made by the later of the date that is 180 days after the 
        date on which the Administrator made all final decisions of the 
        lead agency with respect to the project, or 180 days after the 
        date on which an application was submitted for the permit or 
        license, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
        Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate, and publish on the website of the 
        Administration--
                    ``(A) as soon as practicable after the 180-day 
                period, an initial notice of the failure of the Federal 
                agency to make the decision; and
                    ``(B) every 60 days thereafter until such date as 
                all decisions of the Federal agency relating to the 
                project have been made by the Federal agency, an 
                additional notice that describes the number of 
                decisions of the Federal agency that remain outstanding 
                as of the date of the additional notice.
            ``(4) Involvement of the public.--Nothing in this 
        subsection shall reduce any time period provided for public 
        comment in the environmental review process under existing 
        Federal law, including a regulation.
    ``(n) Concurrent Reviews and Single NEPA Document.--
            ``(1) Concurrent reviews.--Each participating agency and 
        cooperating agency under the expedited and coordinated 
        environmental review process established under this section 
        shall--
                    ``(A) carry out the obligations of that agency 
                under other applicable law concurrently, and in 
                conjunction, with the review required under the 
                National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
                4321 et seq.), unless doing so would impair the ability 
                of the Federal agency to conduct needed analysis or 
                otherwise carry out such obligations; and
                    ``(B) formulate and implement administrative, 
                policy, and procedural mechanisms to enable the agency 
                to ensure completion of the environmental review 
                process in a timely, coordinated, and environmentally 
                responsible manner.
            ``(2) Single nepa document.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as inconsistent with 
                subsection (a), to the maximum extent practicable and 
                consistent with Federal law, all Federal permits and 
                reviews for a project shall rely on a single 
                environment document prepared under the National 
                Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
                seq.) under the leadership of the Administrator of the 
                Federal Aviation Administration.
                    ``(B) Use of document.--
                            ``(i) In general.--To the maximum extent 
                        practicable, the Administrator shall develop an 
                        environmental document sufficient to satisfy 
                        the requirements for any Federal approval or 
                        other Federal action required for the project, 
                        including permits issued by other Federal 
                        agencies.
                            ``(ii) Cooperation of participating 
                        agencies.--Other participating agencies shall 
                        cooperate with the lead agency and provide 
                        timely information to help the lead agency 
                        carry out this subparagraph.
                    ``(C) Treatment as participating and cooperating 
                agencies.--A Federal agency required to make an 
                approval or take an action for a project, as described 
                in this paragraph, shall work with the Administration 
                for the project to ensure that the agency making the 
                approval or taking the action is treated as being both 
                a participating and cooperating agency for the project.
            ``(3) Participating agency responsibilities.--An agency 
        participating in the expedited and coordinated environmental 
        review process under this section shall--
                    ``(A) provide comments, responses, studies, or 
                methodologies on those areas within the special 
                expertise or jurisdiction of the agency; and
                    ``(B) use the process to address any environmental 
                issues of concern to the agency.
    ``(o) Environmental Impact Statement.--
            ``(1) In general.--In preparing a final environmental 
        impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 
        1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for a project described or 
        designated under subsection (b), if the Administrator modifies 
        the statement in response to comments that are minor and are 
        confined to factual corrections or explanations of why the 
        comments do not warrant additional agency response, the 
        Administrator may write on errata sheets attached to the 
        statement instead of rewriting the draft statement, subject to 
        the condition that the errata sheets--
                    ``(A) cite the sources, authorities, and reasons 
                that support the position of the agency; and
                    ``(B) if appropriate, indicate the circumstances 
                that would trigger agency reappraisal or further 
                response.
            ``(2) Single document.--To the maximum extent practicable, 
        for a project subject to a coordinated review process under 
        this section, the Administrator shall expeditiously develop a 
        single document that consists of a final environmental impact 
        statement and a record of decision, unless--
                    ``(A) the final environmental impact statement or 
                record of decision makes substantial changes to the 
                project that are relevant to environmental or safety 
                concerns; or
                    ``(B) there is a significant new circumstance or 
                information relevant to environmental concerns that 
                bears on the proposed action or the environmental 
                impacts of the proposed action.
            ``(3) Length of environmental document.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), an environmental impact statement 
                shall not exceed 150 pages, not including any citations 
                or appendices.
                    ``(B) Extraordinary complexity.--An environmental 
                impact statement for a proposed agency action of 
                extraordinary complexity shall not exceed 300 pages, 
                not including any citations or appendices.
    ``(p) Integration of Planning and Environmental Review.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (5) and to the 
        maximum extent practicable and appropriate, the following 
        agencies may adopt or incorporate by reference, and use a 
        planning product in proceedings relating to, any class of 
        action in the environmental review process of a project 
        described or designated under subsection (b):
                    ``(A) The lead agency for a project, with respect 
                to an environmental impact statement, environmental 
                assessment, categorical exclusion, or other document 
                prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 
                1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
                    ``(B) A cooperating agency with responsibility 
                under Federal law with respect to the process for and 
                completion of any environmental permit, approval, 
                review, or study required for a project under any 
                Federal law other than the National Environmental 
                Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), if 
                consistent with that law.
            ``(2) Identification.--If the relevant agency makes a 
        determination to adopt or incorporate by reference and use a 
        planning product under paragraph (1), such agency shall 
        identify the agencies that participated in the development of 
        the planning products.
            ``(3) Adoption or incorporation by reference of planning 
        products.--The relevant agency may--
                    ``(A) adopt or incorporate by reference an entire 
                planning product under paragraph (1); or
                    ``(B) select portions of a planning project under 
                paragraph (1) for adoption or incorporation by 
                reference.
            ``(4) Timing.--The adoption or incorporation by reference 
        of a planning product under paragraph (1) may--
                    ``(A) be made at the time the relevant agencies 
                decide the appropriate scope of environmental review 
                for the project; or
                    ``(B) occur later in the environmental review 
                process, as appropriate.
            ``(5) Conditions.--The relevant agency in the environmental 
        review process may adopt or incorporate by reference a planning 
        product under this section if the relevant agency determines, 
        with the concurrence of the lead agency and, if the planning 
        product is necessary for a cooperating agency to issue a 
        permit, review, or approval for the project, with the 
        concurrence of the cooperating agency, that the following 
        conditions have been met:
                    ``(A) The planning product was developed through a 
                planning process conducted pursuant to applicable 
                Federal law.
                    ``(B) The planning product was developed in 
                consultation with appropriate Federal and State 
                resource agencies and Indian Tribes.
                    ``(C) The planning process included broad 
                multidisciplinary consideration of systems-level or 
                corridor-wide transportation needs and potential 
                effects, including effects on the human and natural 
                environment.
                    ``(D) The planning process included public notice 
                that the planning products produced in the planning 
                process may be adopted during any subsequent 
                environmental review process in accordance with this 
                section.
                    ``(E) During the environmental review process, the 
                relevant agency has--
                            ``(i) made the planning documents available 
                        for public review and comment by members of the 
                        general public and Federal, State, local, and 
                        Tribal governments that may have an interest in 
                        the proposed project;
                            ``(ii) provided notice of the intention of 
                        the relevant agency to adopt or incorporate by 
                        reference the planning product; and
                            ``(iii) considered any resulting comments.
                    ``(F) There is no significant new information or 
                new circumstance that has a reasonable likelihood of 
                affecting the continued validity or appropriateness of 
                the planning product or portions thereof.
                    ``(G) The planning product has a rational basis and 
                is based on reliable and reasonably current data and 
                reasonable and scientifically acceptable methodologies.
                    ``(H) The planning product is documented in 
                sufficient detail to support the decision or the 
                results of the analysis and to meet requirements for 
                use of the information in the environmental review 
                process.
                    ``(I) The planning product is appropriate for 
                adoption or incorporation by reference and use in the 
                environmental review process for the project and is 
                incorporated in accordance with, and is sufficient to 
                meet the requirements of, the National Environmental 
                Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and section 
                1502.21 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.
            ``(6) Effect of adoption or incorporation by reference.--
        Any planning product or portions thereof adopted or 
        incorporated by reference by the relevant agency in accordance 
        with this subsection may be--
                    ``(A) incorporated directly into an environmental 
                review process document or other environmental 
                document; and
                    ``(B) relied on and used by other Federal agencies 
                in carrying out reviews of the project.
    ``(q) Report on NEPA Data.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall carry out a process to track, and 
        annually submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate a report on projects described in subsection (b)(1) that 
        contains the information described in paragraph (3).
            ``(2) Time to complete.--For purposes of paragraph (3), the 
        NEPA process--
                    ``(A) for an environmental impact statement--
                            ``(i) begins on the date on which a notice 
                        of intent is published in the Federal Register; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) ends on the date on which the 
                        Administrator issues a record of decision, 
                        including, if necessary, a revised record of 
                        decision; and
                    ``(B) for an environmental assessment--
                            ``(i) begins on the date on which the 
                        Administrator makes a determination to prepare 
                        an environmental assessment; and
                            ``(ii) ends on the date on which the 
                        Administrator issues a finding of no 
                        significant impact or determines that 
                        preparation of an environmental impact 
                        statement is necessary.
            ``(3) Information described.--The information referred to 
        in paragraph (1) is, with respect to the Federal Aviation 
        Administration--
                    ``(A) the number of proposed actions for which a 
                categorical exclusion was applied by the Administration 
                during the reporting period;
                    ``(B) the number of proposed actions for which a 
                documented categorical exclusion was applied by the 
                Administration during the reporting period;
                    ``(C) the number of proposed actions pending on the 
                date on which the report is submitted for which the 
                issuance of a documented categorical exclusion by the 
                Administration is pending;
                    ``(D) the number of proposed actions for which an 
                environmental assessment was issued by the 
                Administration during the reporting period;
                    ``(E) the length of time the Administration took to 
                complete each environmental assessment described in 
                subparagraph (D);
                    ``(F) the number of proposed actions pending on the 
                date on which the report is submitted for which an 
                environmental assessment is being drafted by the 
                Administration;
                    ``(G) the number of proposed actions for which a 
                final environmental impact statement was completed by 
                the Administration during the reporting period;
                    ``(H) the length of time that the Administration 
                took to complete each environmental impact statement 
                described in subparagraph (G);
                    ``(I) the number of proposed actions pending on the 
                date on which the report is submitted for which an 
                environmental impact statement is being drafted; and
                    ``(J) for the proposed actions reported under 
                subparagraphs (F) and (I), the percentage of those 
                proposed actions for which--
                            ``(i) project funding has been identified; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) all other Federal, State, and local 
                        activities that are required to allow the 
                        proposed action to proceed are completed.
            ``(4) Definitions.--In this section:
                    ``(A) Environmental assessment.--The term 
                `environmental assessment' has the meaning given the 
                term in section 1508.1 of title 40, Code of Federal 
                Regulations (or a successor regulation).
                    ``(B) Environmental impact statement.--The term 
                `environmental impact statement' means a detailed 
                statement required under section 102(2)(C) of the 
                National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
                4332(2)(C)).
                    ``(C) NEPA process.--The term `NEPA process' means 
                the entirety of the development and documentation of 
                the analysis required under the National Environmental 
                Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), including 
                the assessment and analysis of any impacts, 
                alternatives, and mitigation of a proposed action, and 
                any interagency participation and public involvement 
                required to be carried out before the Administrator 
                undertakes a proposed action.
                    ``(D) Proposed action.--The term `proposed action' 
                means an action (within the meaning of the National 
                Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
                seq.)) under this title that the Administrator proposes 
                to carry out.
                    ``(E) Reporting period.--The term `reporting 
                period' means the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year 
                in which a report is issued under subsection (a).''.

SEC. 474. SUBCHAPTER III DEFINITIONS.

    Section 47175 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3)(A) by striking ``and'' at the end and 
        inserting ``or'';
            (2) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``and'' at the 
                end; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) by striking ``(B)''; and
                            (ii) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) 
                        as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively;
            (3) by striking paragraph (5);
            (4) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (1), (4), (2), (6), 
        and (8) as paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6), 
        respectively; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(8) Terminal development.--The term `terminal 
        development' has the same meaning given such term in section 
        47102.''.

SEC. 475. PILOT PROGRAM EXTENSION.

    Section 190(i) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 
47104 note) is amended by striking ``5 years'' and all that follows 
through the period at the end and inserting ``on October 1, 2028.''.

SEC. 476. PART 150 NOISE STANDARDS UPDATE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall review and revise part 150 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, to reflect all relevant laws and regulations, including 
part 161 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
    (b) Outreach.--As part of the review conducted under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall clarify existing and future noise policies 
and standards and seek feedback from airports, airport users, and 
individuals living in the vicinity of airports before implementing any 
changes to any noise policies or standards.
    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and every 6 months thereafter, the Administrator shall 
brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate regarding the review conducted under 
subsection (a).
    (d) Sunset.--The requirement under subsection (c) shall terminate 
on September 30, 2028.

SEC. 477. REDUCING COMMUNITY AIRCRAFT NOISE EXPOSURE.

    In implementing or revising a flight procedure, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall seek to take the following 
actions (to the extent that such actions do not negatively affect 
aviation safety or efficiency) to reduce undesirable aircraft noise:
            (1) Implement flight procedures that can mitigate the 
        impact of aircraft noise.
            (2) Work with airport sponsors and potentially impacted 
        neighboring communities in establishing or modifying aircraft 
        arrival and departure routes.
            (3) Discourage local encroachment of residential or other 
        buildings near airports that could create future aircraft noise 
        complaints or impact airport operations or aviation safety.

SEC. 478. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS.

    (a) Categorical Exclusion for Projects of Limited Federal 
Assistance.--An action by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration to approve, permit, finance, or otherwise authorize any 
airport project that is undertaken by the sponsor, owner, or operator 
of a public-use airport shall be presumed to be covered by a 
categorical exclusion under Federal Aviation Administration Order 
1050.1F, or any successor document, if such project--
            (1) receives less than $6,000,000 (as adjusted annually by 
        the Administrator to reflect any increases in the Consumer 
        Price Index prepared by the Department of Labor) of Federal 
        funds or funds from charges collected under section 40117 of 
        title 49, United States Code; or
            (2) with a total estimated cost of not more than 
        $35,000,000 (as adjusted annually by the Administrator to 
        reflect any increases in the Consumer Price Index prepared by 
        the Department of Labor) and Federal funds comprising less than 
        15 percent of the total estimated project cost.
    (b) Categorical Exclusion in Emergencies.--An action by the 
Administrator to approve, permit, finance, or otherwise authorize an 
airport project that is undertaken by the sponsor, owner, or operator 
of a public-use airport shall be presumed to be covered by a 
categorical exclusion under Federal Aviation Administration Order 
1050.1F, or any successor document, if such project is--
            (1) for the repair or reconstruction of any airport 
        facility, runway, taxiway, or similar structure that is in 
        operation or under construction when damaged by an emergency 
        declared by the Governor of the State and concurred in by the 
        Administrator, or for a disaster or emergency declared by the 
        President pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
        and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.);
            (2) in the same location with the same capacity, 
        dimensions, and design as the original airport facility, 
        runway, taxiway, or similar structure as before the declaration 
        described in this section; and
            (3) commenced within a 2-year period beginning on the date 
        of a declaration described in this section.
    (c) Extraordinary Circumstances.--The presumption that an action is 
covered by a categorical exclusion under subsections (a) and (b) shall 
not apply if the Administrator determines that extraordinary 
circumstances exist with respect to such action.
    (d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to impact any aviation safety authority of the Administrator.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Categorical exclusion.--The term ``categorical 
        exclusion'' has the meaning given the term in section 1508.1(d) 
        of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.
            (2) Public-use airport; sponsor.--The terms ``public-use 
        airport'' and ``sponsor'' have the meaning given such terms in 
        section 47102 of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 479. CRITICAL HABITAT ON OR NEAR AIRPORT PROPERTY.

    (a) Federal Agency Requirements.--The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, to the maximum extent practicable, shall 
collaborate with the heads of appropriate Federal agencies to ensure 
that designations of critical habitat, as such term is defined in 
section 3 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1532), on or 
near airport property do not--
            (1) result in conflicting statutory, regulatory, or Federal 
        grant assurance requirements for airports or aircraft 
        operators;
            (2) interfere with the safe operation of aircraft; or
            (3) occur on airport-owned lands that have become 
        attractive habitat for a threatened or endangered species 
        because such lands--
                    (A) have been prepared for future development;
                    (B) have been designated as noise buffer land; or
                    (C) are held by the airport to prevent encroachment 
                of uses that are incompatible with airport operations.
    (b) State Requirements.--In a State in which a State agency is 
authorized to designate land on or near airport property for the 
conservation of a threatened or endangered species in the State, the 
Administrator, to the maximum extent practicable, shall collaborate 
with the State in the same manner as the Administrator collaborates 
with the heads of Federal agencies under subsection (a).

SEC. 480. UPDATING PRESUMED TO CONFORM LIMITS.

    Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall take 
such actions as are necessary to update the Administration's list of 
actions that are presumed to conform to a State implementation plan 
pursuant to section 93.153(f) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, 
to include projects relating to the construction of aircraft hangars.

SEC. 481. RECOMMENDATIONS ON REDUCING ROTORCRAFT NOISE IN DISTRICT OF 
              COLUMBIA.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study on reducing rotorcraft noise in the District of 
Columbia.
    (b) Contents.--The study conducted under subsection (a) shall 
consider--
            (1) the extent to which military operators consider 
        operating over unpopulated areas outside of the District of 
        Columbia for training missions;
            (2) the extent to which vehicles or aircraft other than 
        conventional rotorcraft (such as unmanned aircraft) could be 
        used for emergency and law enforcement response; and
            (3) the extent to which relevant operators and entities 
        have assessed and addressed, as appropriate, the noise impacts 
        of various factors of operating rotorcraft, including, at a 
        minimum--
                    (A) altitude;
                    (B) the number of flights;
                    (C) flight paths;
                    (D) time of day of flights;
                    (E) types of aircraft;
                    (F) operating procedures; and
                    (G) pilot training.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall brief the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on preliminary observations with a report 
to follow at a date agreed upon at the time of the briefing 
containing--
            (1) the contents of the study conducted under subsection 
        (a); and
            (2) any recommendations for the reduction of rotorcraft 
        noise in the District of Columbia.
    (d) Relevant Operators and Entities Defined.--In this section, the 
term ``relevant operators and entities'' means--
            (1) the Chief of Police of the Metropolitan Police 
        Department of the District of Columbia;
            (2) any medical rotorcraft operator that routinely flies a 
        rotorcraft over the District of Columbia; and
            (3) any other operator that routinely flies a rotorcraft 
        over the District of Columbia.

SEC. 482. UFP STUDY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall enter into an agreement with the National 
Academies under which the National Research Council shall carry out a 
study examining airborne ultrafine particles and the effect of such 
particles on human health.
    (b) Scope of Study.--The study conducted under subsection (a) 
shall--
            (1) summarize the relevant literature and studies done on 
        airborne UPFs worldwide;
            (2) focus on large hub airports;
            (3) examine airborne UFPs and their potential effect on 
        human health, including--
                    (A) characteristics of UFPs present in the air;
                    (B) spatial and temporal distributions of UFP 
                concentrations;
                    (C) primary sources of UFPs;
                    (D) the contribution of aircraft and airport 
                operations to the distribution of UFP concentrations 
                compared to other sources;
                    (E) potential health effects associated with 
                elevated UFP exposures, including outcomes related to 
                cardiovascular disease, respiratory infection and 
                disease, degradation of neurocognitive functions, and 
                other health effects; and
                    (F) potential UFP exposures, especially to 
                susceptible groups;
            (4) identify measures intended to reduce the release of 
        UFPs; and
            (5) identify information gaps related to understanding 
        potential relationships between UFP exposures and health 
        effects, contributions of aviation-related emissions to UFP 
        exposures, and the effectiveness of mitigation measures.
    (c) Coordination.-- The Administrator may coordinate with the heads 
of such other agencies that the Administrator considers appropriate to 
provide data and other assistance necessary for the study.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the National Research 
Council submits of the results of the study to the Administrator, the 
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing 
the results of the study carried out under subsection (a), including 
any recommendations based on such study.
    (e) Definition of Ultrafine Particle.--In this section, the terms 
``ultrafine particle'' and ``UFP'' mean particles with diameters less 
than or equal to 100 nanometers.

SEC. 483. AVIATION AND AIRPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

    (a) Establishment of Task Force.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall establish an airport community of 
        interest task force (in this section referred to as the ``Task 
        Force'') to evaluate and improve existing processes and 
        mechanisms for engaging communities impacted by airport 
        development and aviation operations.
            (2) Activities.--The Task Force shall--
                    (A) review research on aircraft noise impacts to 
                identify potential actions the Administrator could 
                take;
                    (B) review processes and practices of the 
                Administration for engaging communities prior to or 
                after air traffic pattern changes that impact such 
                communities, including with how such processes and 
                practices compare to best practices from organizations 
                with expertise in grassroots community organizing and 
                collaboration;
                    (C) assess Federal efforts to mitigate noise 
                impacts on communities, including costs and benefits of 
                such efforts;
                    (D) assess the various actions that State and local 
                government officials and community planners could take 
                when considering changes to airport infrastructure, 
                including planned airport projects or surrounding 
                airport community developments;
                    (E) identify potential improvements to Federal, 
                State, and local airport development policy and 
                planning processes to better balance which communities 
                experience negative externalities as a result of 
                airport operations;
                    (F) consider guidance to airports and airport 
                communities to improve engagement with the 
                Administration, as recommended by the document titled 
                ``Aircraft Noise: FAA Could Improve Outreach Through 
                Enhanced Noise Metrics, Communication, and Support to 
                Communities'', issued in September 2021 (GAO-21-
                103933);
                    (G) consider mechanisms and opportunities for the 
                Administration to facilitate better exchange of 
                helicopter noise information with operators in 
                communities adversely impacted by helicopter noise, as 
                recommended by the Comptroller General in the document 
                titled ``Aircraft Noise: Better Information Sharing 
                Could Improve Responses to Washington, D.C. Area 
                Helicopter Noise Concerns'' (GAO-21-200); and
                    (H) review air traffic controller guidance on use 
                and development of noise abatement procedures of the 
                Administration to identify areas for improvement or 
                efficiency that do not adversely impact aviation 
                safety.
            (3) Composition.--
                    (A) Appointment.--The Administrator shall appoint 
                the members of the Task Force.
                    (B) Chairperson.--The Task Force shall be chaired 
                by the Administrator's executive level designee.
                    (C) Representation.--The Task Force shall be 
                comprised of representatives from--
                            (i) airport communities or a representative 
                        organization of an airport community;
                            (ii) airport operators;
                            (iii) airlines;
                            (iv) experts with specific knowledge of air 
                        traffic planning;
                            (v) aircraft manufacturers;
                            (vi) local government officials; and
                            (vii) such other representatives as the 
                        Administrator considers appropriate.
            (4) Compensation.--Members of the Task Force shall serve 
        without compensation.
            (5) Nonapplicability of faca.--Chapter 10 of title 5, 
        United States Code, shall not apply to the Task Force 
        established under this section.
            (6) Consultation.--The Task Force shall, as appropriate, 
        consult with relevant experts and stakeholders not listed in 
        paragraph (3)(C) in conducting the activities described in 
        paragraph (2).
            (7) Reports.--
                    (A) Recommendations.--Not later than 1 year after 
                the date of the establishment of the Task Force and 
                every year thereafter through fiscal year 2028, the 
                Task Force shall provide to the Committee on 
                Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
                Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
                and Transportation of the Senate, and the Administrator 
                recommendations to improve the processes and mechanisms 
                for engaging communities impacted by airport 
                development and aviation operations.
                    (B) Briefing.--Not later than 60 days after the 
                submission of the annual recommendations under 
                subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall brief the 
                committees described in such subparagraph on any plans 
                of the Administration to implement the recommendations 
                of the Task Force, including explanations for each of 
                the recommendations the Administrator does not intend 
                to adopt.
    (b) Engagement Events.--
            (1) Annual event.--The Administrator shall seek to convene 
        at least 1 annual event in each geographic region of the 
        Administration to engage with aviation communities on issues of 
        regional import.
            (2) Purpose.--The purpose of the engagement events 
        described under paragraph (1) shall be to foster open and 
        transparent communication between the Federal Government and 
        aviation-impacted communities prior to, during, and after 
        decision making at the Federal level.
            (3) Topics of consideration.--The topics of consideration 
        of such engagement events shall be approved by the Regional 
        Administrator or the Regional Community Engagement Officer of 
        the applicable region, in consultation with regional interest 
        groups. Topic areas shall be driven by local and regional 
        feedback and may focus on--
                    (A) noise concerns from low-flying commercial 
                aircraft;
                    (B) purchase and installation of aircraft noise 
                reduction measures;
                    (C) new development projects in close proximity to 
                airports and realistic noise expectations for such 
                projects;
                    (D) proposed airport expansion projects and the 
                potential noise implications of such projects;
                    (E) the establishment of new, or changes to 
                existing, approach and departure routes and the 
                community impacts of such changes;
                    (F) upcoming events with an aviation component; or
                    (G) any other topic or issue considered relevant by 
                an aviation-impacted community.
            (4) Participation.--
                    (A) Coordination.--All events described in 
                paragraph (3) shall be convened by or in coordination 
                with the regional offices of the Administration.
                    (B) Attendance by representatives.--The 
                Administrator shall ensure representatives from 
                relevant program offices of the Administration are in 
                attendance at such events.
                    (C) Appropriate participation.--The Administrator 
                shall collaborate with community groups at the State, 
                municipal, city, or local government level to ensure 
                appropriate participation by as many relevant parties 
                on a given issue as practicable. Such relevant parties 
                may include--
                            (i) State or local government officials;
                            (ii) local or municipal planning and zoning 
                        officials;
                            (iii) neighborhood representatives;
                            (iv) aircraft operators, flight school 
                        representatives, or other local aviation 
                        entities;
                            (v) airport operators; and
                            (vi) any other parties as appropriate.
                    (D) Coordination.--The Administrator shall 
                coordinate Federal participation that is not under the 
                Administration through the Federal Interagency 
                Committee on Aviation Noise to encourage appropriate 
                Federal representation at all such events, based on the 
                topic areas of consideration.

SEC. 484. COMMUNITY COLLABORATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall establish a Community Collaboration Program (in 
this section referred to as the ``Program'') within the Office for 
Policy, International Affairs, and Environment of the Administration.
    (b) Staff.--The Program shall be comprised of representatives 
from--
            (1) the Office for Policy, International Affairs, and 
        Environment of the Administration;
            (2) the Office of Airports of the Administration;
            (3) the Air Traffic Organization of the Administration; and
            (4) other entities as considered appropriate by the 
        Administrator.
    (c) Responsibilities.--
            (1) In general.--The Program shall facilitate and 
        harmonize, as appropriate, policies and procedures carried out 
        by the entities listed in subsection (b) pertaining to 
        community engagement relating to--
                    (A) airport planning and development;
                    (B) noise and environmental policy;
                    (C) NextGen implementation;
                    (D) air traffic route changes;
                    (E) integration of new and emerging entrants; and
                    (F) other topics with respect to which community 
                engagement is critical to program success.
            (2) Specified responsibilities.--The responsibilities of 
        the Program lead shall include--
                    (A) the establishment of, and membership selection 
                for, the Airport Community of Interest Task Force, 
                established under section 483;
                    (B) joint execution with Federal Aviation 
                Administration Regional Administrators of regional 
                community engagement events, as described in section 
                483;
                    (C) updating the internal guidance of the 
                Administration for community engagement based on 
                recommendations from such Task Force and best practices 
                of other Federal agencies and external organizations 
                with expertise in community engagement;
                    (D) coordinating with the Air Traffic Organization 
                on community engagement efforts related to air traffic 
                procedure changes to ensure that impacted communities 
                are consulted in a meaningful way;
                    (E) oversight of Regional Ombudsmen of the 
                Administration;
                    (F) oversight, streamlining, and increasing the 
                responsiveness of the noise complaint process of the 
                Administration by--
                            (i) centralizing noise complaint data and 
                        improving data collection methodologies;
                            (ii) increasing public accessibility to 
                        such Regional Ombudsmen;
                            (iii) ensuring such Regional Ombudsmen are 
                        consulted in local air traffic procedure 
                        development decisions;
                            (iv) collecting feedback from such Regional 
                        Ombudsmen to inform national policymaking 
                        efforts; and
                            (v) other recommendations made by the 
                        Airport Community of Interest Task Force;
                    (G) timely implementation of the recommendations, 
                as appropriate, made by the Comptroller General of the 
                United States to the Secretary of Transportation 
                contained in the report titled ``Aircraft Noise: FAA 
                Could Improve Outreach Through Enhanced Noise Metrics, 
                Communication, and Support to Communities'', issued in 
                September 2021 (GAO-21-103933) to improve the outreach 
                of the FAA to local communities impacted by aircraft 
                noise, including--
                            (i) any recommendations to--
                                    (I) identify appropriate 
                                supplemental metrics for assessing 
                                noise impacts and circumstances for 
                                their use to aid in the internal 
                                assessment of the Administration of 
                                noise impacts related to proposed 
                                flight path changes;
                                    (II) update guidance to incorporate 
                                additional tools to more clearly convey 
                                expected impacts, such as other noise 
                                metrics and visualization tools; and
                                    (III) improve guidance to airports 
                                and communities on effectively engaging 
                                with the Administration; and
                            (ii) any other recommendations included in 
                        the report that would assist the agency in 
                        improving outreach to communities affected by 
                        aircraft noise; and
                    (H) other responsibilities as considered 
                appropriate by the Administrator.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the Administrator 
implements the recommendations described in subsection (c)(2)(H), the 
Administrator shall brief the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate describing--
            (1) the implementation of each such recommendation;
            (2) how any recommended actions are assisting the 
        Administrator in improving outreach to communities affected by 
        aircraft noise and other community engagement concerns; and
            (3) any challenges or barriers that limit or prevent the 
        ability of the Administrator to take such actions.

SEC. 485. THIRD PARTY STUDY ON AVIATION NOISE METRICS.

    (a) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies to conduct a 
study on aviation noise metrics.
    (b) Contents.--The study required under subsection (a) shall 
include an assessment of--
            (1) the efficacy of the day-night average sound level (in 
        this section referred to as ``DNL'') noise metric compared to 
        other alternative models;
            (2) the disadvantages of the DNL noise metric in effect as 
        of the date of enactment of this Act compared to other 
        alternative models;
            (3) any potential changes that should be made to the DNL 
        noise metric in effect as of the date of enactment of this Act; 
        and
            (4) the data collected by the Neighborhood Environmental 
        Survey of the Administration using alternative noise metrics.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall submit to the 
Administrator, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report--
            (1) on the results of the study described in subsection 
        (a); and
            (2) containing recommendations regarding the most 
        appropriate metric to adequately assess the public health 
        impacts of aircraft noise.

SEC. 486. INFORMATION SHARING REQUIREMENT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, acting through 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, shall 
establish a mechanism to make helicopter noise complaint data 
accessible to the Federal Aviation Administration, to helicopter 
operators operating in the Washington, D.C. area, and to the public on 
a website of the Administration, based on the recommendation of the 
Government Accountability Office in the report published on January 7, 
2021, titled ``Aircraft Noise: Better Information Sharing Could Improve 
Responses to Washington, D.C. Area Helicopter Noise Concerns''.
    (b) Cooperation.--Any helicopter operator operating in the 
Washington, D.C. area shall provide helicopter noise complaint data to 
the Federal Aviation Administration through the mechanism established 
under subsection (a).
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Helicopter noise complaint data.--The term ``helicopter 
        noise complaint data''--
                    (A) means general data relating to a complaint made 
                by an individual about helicopter noise in the 
                Washington, D.C. area and may include--
                            (i) the location and description of the 
                        event that is the subject of the complaint;
                            (ii) the start and end time of such event;
                            (iii) a description of the aircraft that is 
                        the subject of the complaint; and
                            (iv) the airport name associated with such 
                        event; and
                    (B) does not include the personally identifiable 
                information of the individual who submitted the 
                complaint.
            (2) Washington, d.c. area.--The term ``Washington, D.C. 
        area'' means the area inside of a 30-mile radius surrounding 
        Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

                        TITLE V--AVIATION SAFETY

                     Subtitle A--General Provisions

SEC. 501. ZERO TOLERANCE FOR NEAR MISSES, RUNWAY INCURSIONS, AND 
              SURFACE SAFETY RISKS.

    (a) Policy.--
            (1) In general.--Section 47101(a) of title 49, United 
        States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (13) as 
                paragraphs (3) through (14), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) that projects, activities, and actions that prevent 
        runway incursions serve to--
                    ``(A) improve airport surface surveillance; and
                    ``(B) mitigate surface safety risks that are 
                essential to ensuring the safe operation of the airport 
                and airway system;''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--Section 47101 of title 49, 
        United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (g) by striking ``subsection 
                (a)(5)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)(6)''; and
                    (B) in subsection (h) by striking ``subsection 
                (a)(6)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)(7)''.
            (3) Continuous evaluation.--In carrying out section 
        47101(a) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this 
        subsection, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration shall establish a process to continuously track 
        and evaluate ground traffic and air traffic activity and 
        related incidents at airports.
    (b) Runway Safety Council.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall establish a council, to be known 
        as the ``Runway Safety Council'' (in this section referred to 
        as the ``Council''), to develop a systematic proactive 
        management strategy to address surface safety risks.
            (2) Duties.--The duties of the Council shall include, at a 
        minimum, advancing the development of risk-based, data driven, 
        integrated systems solutions and strategies to enhance surface 
        safety risk mitigation.
            (3) Membership.--
                    (A) In general.--In establishing the Council, the 
                Administrator shall appoint at least 1 member from each 
                of the following:
                            (i) Airport operators.
                            (ii) Air carriers.
                            (iii) Aircraft operators.
                            (iv) Avionics manufacturers.
                            (v) Flight schools.
                            (vi) The certified bargaining 
                        representative of aviation safety inspectors 
                        for the Administration.
                            (vii) The exclusive bargaining 
                        representative of the air traffic controllers 
                        certified under section 7111 of title 5, United 
                        States Code.
                            (viii) Other safety experts the 
                        Administrator determines appropriate.
                    (B) Additional members.--The Administrator may 
                appoint members representing any other stakeholder 
                organization that the Administrator determines 
                appropriate to the Runway Safety Council.
    (c) Airport Surface Surveillance.--
            (1) Identification.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall, in 
        coordination with the Council, consult with relevant 
        stakeholders to identify technologies, equipment, and systems 
        that--
                    (A) may provide airport surface surveillance 
                capabilities at airports lacking such capabilities;
                    (B) may augment existing airport surface 
                surveillance systems; or
                    (C) may provide onboard situational awareness to 
                pilots.
            (2) Criteria.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--
                    (A) based on the information obtained pursuant to 
                paragraph (1), identify airport surface surveillance 
                systems that meet the standards of the Administration 
                and may be able to--
                            (i) provide airport surface surveillance 
                        capabilities at airports lacking such 
                        capabilities; or
                            (ii) augment existing airport surface 
                        surveillance systems; and
                    (B) establish clear and quantifiable criteria 
                relating to operational factors, including ground 
                traffic and air traffic activity and the rate of runway 
                and terminal airspace safety events (including runway 
                incursions), that determine when the installation and 
                deployment of an airport surface surveillance system, 
                or other runway safety system (including runway status 
                lights), at an airport is required.
            (3) Deployment.--Not later than 5 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall ensure that 
        airport surface surveillance systems are deployed and 
        operational at--
                    (A) all airports described in paragraph (2)(A); and
                    (B) all medium and large hub airports.
            (4) Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the 
        Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate on the progress of the deployment 
        described in paragraph (3).
    (d) Foreign Object Debris Detection.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall assess, in 
        coordination with the Council, automated foreign object debris 
        monitoring and detection systems at not less than 3 airports 
        that are using such systems.
            (2) Considerations.--In conducting the assessment under 
        paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consider the following:
                    (A) The categorization of an airport.
                    (B) The potential frequency of foreign object 
                debris incidents on airport runways or adjacent ramp 
                areas.
                    (C) The availability of funding for the 
                installation and maintenance of foreign object debris 
                monitoring and detection systems.
                    (D) The impact of such systems on the airfield 
                operations of an airport.
                    (E) The effectiveness of available foreign object 
                debris monitoring and detection systems.
                    (F) Any other factors relevant to assessing the 
                return on investment of foreign object debris 
                monitoring and detection systems.
            (3) Consultation.--In carrying out this subsection, the 
        Administrator and the Council shall consult with manufacturers 
        and suppliers of foreign object debris detection technology and 
        any other relevant stakeholders.
    (e) Runway Safety Study.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall seek to enter 
        into an agreement with a federally funded research and 
        development center to conduct a study of runway incursions, 
        surface incidents, operational errors, or losses of standard 
        separation of aircraft in the approach or departure phase of 
        flight to determine how advanced technologies and future 
        airport development projects may be able to reduce the 
        frequency of such events and enhance aviation safety.
            (2) Considerations.--In conducting the study under 
        paragraph (1), the federally funded research and development 
        center shall--
                    (A) examine data relating to recurring runway 
                incursions, surface incidents, operational errors, or 
                losses of standard separation of aircraft in the 
                approach or departure phase of flight at airports to 
                identify the underlying factors that caused such 
                events;
                    (B) assess metrics used to identify when such 
                events are increasing at an airport;
                    (C) assess available and developmental 
                technologies, including and beyond such technologies 
                considered in subsection (c), that may augment existing 
                air traffic management capabilities of surface 
                surveillance and terminal airspace equipment;
                    (D) consider growth trends in airport size, 
                staffing and communication complexities to identify--
                            (i) future gaps in information exchange 
                        between aerospace stakeholders; and
                            (ii) methods for meeting future near real-
                        time information sharing needs; and
                    (E) examine airfield safety training programs used 
                by airport tenants and other stakeholders operating on 
                airfields of airports, including airfield 
                familiarization training programs for employees, to 
                assess scalability to handle future growth in airfield 
                capacity and traffic.
            (3) Recommendations.--In conducting the study required by 
        paragraph (1), the federally funded research and development 
        center shall develop recommendations for the strategic planning 
        efforts of the Administration to appropriately maintain surface 
        safety considering future increases in air traffic and based on 
        the considerations described in paragraph (2).
            (4) Report to congress.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        completion of the study required by paragraph (1), the 
        Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
        and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate a report on the findings of such study and any 
        recommendations developed under paragraph (3).
    (f) Airport Surface Detection and Surveillance System Defined.--In 
this section, the term ``airport surface detection and surveillance 
system'' means an airport surveillance system that is--
            (1) designed to track surface movement of aircraft and 
        vehicles; and
            (2) capable of alerting air traffic controllers or flight 
        crew members of a possible runway incursion, misaligned 
        approach, or other safety event.

SEC. 502. GLOBAL AVIATION SAFETY.

    (a) In General.--Section 40104(d) of title 49, United States Code, 
(as redesignated by section 325) is amended--
            (1) in the subsection heading by inserting``and 
        Assistance'' after ``International Role'';
            (2) in paragraph (1) by striking ``The Administrator'' and 
        inserting ``In carrying out subsection (a), the 
        Administrator'';
            (3) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (4); and
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) International presence.--The Administrator shall 
        maintain an international presence to--
                    ``(A) assist foreign civil aviation authorities 
                in--
                            ``(i) establishing robust aerospace 
                        oversight practices and policies;
                            ``(ii) training staff, to include 
                        inspectors and accident investigators;
                            ``(iii) harmonizing international aerospace 
                        standards for air traffic management, operator 
                        certification, aircraft certification, 
                        airports, and certificated or credentialed 
                        individuals;
                            ``(iv) validating and accepting foreign 
                        aircraft design and production approvals;
                            ``(v) maintaining appropriate levels of air 
                        navigation services;
                            ``(vi) preparing for new aerospace 
                        technologies; and
                            ``(vii) appropriately adopting continuing 
                        airworthiness information, such as 
                        airworthiness directives;
                    ``(B) encourage the adoption of United States 
                standards, regulations, and policies;
                    ``(C) establish, maintain, and update bilateral or 
                multilateral aviation safety agreements and the 
                aviation safety information contained within such 
                agreements;
                    ``(D) engage in bilateral and multilateral 
                discussions and provide technical assistance as 
                described in paragraph (5);
                    ``(E) validate foreign aerospace products and 
                ensure reciprocal validation of products for which the 
                United States is the state of design or production;
                    ``(F) support accident and incident investigations, 
                particularly such investigations that involve United 
                States persons and certified products and such 
                investigations where the National Transportation Safety 
                Board is supporting an investigation pursuant to annex 
                13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization;
                    ``(G) support the international activities of the 
                United States aerospace sector;
                    ``(H) maintain valuable relationships with entities 
                with aerospace equities, including civil aviation 
                authorities, other governmental bodies, non-
                governmental organizations, and foreign manufacturers; 
                and
                    ``(I) perform other activities as determined 
                necessary by the Administrator.''.
    (b) Review of International Field Offices.--Section 40104(d) of 
title 49, United States Code, (as redesignated by section 325) is 
further amended by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) International offices.--In carrying out the 
        responsibilities described in subsection (a), the Administrator 
        shall--
                    ``(A) maintain international offices of the 
                Administration;
                    ``(B) every 3 years, review existing international 
                offices to determine--
                            ``(i) the effectiveness of such offices in 
                        fulfilling the mission described in paragraph 
                        (2); and
                            ``(ii) the adequacy of resources and 
                        staffing to achieve the mission described in 
                        paragraph (2);
                    ``(C) establish offices to address gaps identified 
                by the review under subparagraph (B) and in furtherance 
                of the mission described in paragraph (2), putting an 
                emphasis on establishing such offices--
                            ``(i) where international civil aviation 
                        authorities are located;
                            ``(ii) where regional intergovernmental 
                        organizations are located;
                            ``(iii) in countries that have difficulty 
                        maintaining a category 1 classification through 
                        the International Aviation Safety Assessment 
                        program; and
                            ``(iv) in regions that have experienced 
                        substantial growth in aerospace operations or 
                        manufacturing.''.
    (c) Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreements.--
            (1) Establishment.--Section 40104(d) of title 49, United 
        States Code, (as redesignated by section 325) is further 
        amended by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
            ``(5) Bilateral aviation safety agreements.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall 
                negotiate, enter into, promote, enforce, evaluate the 
                effectiveness of, and seek to update bilateral or 
                multilateral aviation safety agreements, and the parts 
                of such agreements, with international aviation 
                authorities.
                    ``(B) Purpose.--The Administrator shall seek to 
                enter into bilateral aviation safety agreements under 
                this section to, at a minimum--
                            ``(i) improve global aerospace safety;
                            ``(ii) increase harmonization of, and 
                        reduce duplicative, requirements, processes, 
                        and approvals to advance the aerospace 
                        interests of the United States;
                            ``(iii) ensure access to international 
                        markets for operators, service providers, and 
                        manufacturers from the United States; and
                            ``(iv) put in place procedures for recourse 
                        when a party to such agreements fails to meet 
                        the obligations of such party under such 
                        agreements.
                    ``(C) Scope.--The scope of a bilateral aviation 
                safety agreement entered into under this section shall, 
                as appropriate, cover existing aerospace users and 
                concepts and establish a process by which bilateral 
                aviation safety agreements can be updated to include 
                new and novel concepts on an ongoing basis.
                    ``(D) Contents.--Bilateral aviation safety 
                agreements entered into under this section shall, as 
                appropriate and consistent with United States law and 
                regulation, include topics such as--
                            ``(i) airworthiness, certification, and 
                        validation;
                            ``(ii) maintenance;
                            ``(iii) operations and pilot training;
                            ``(iv) airspace access, efficiencies, and 
                        navigation services;
                            ``(v) transport category aircraft;
                            ``(vi) fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft, and 
                        powered-lift aircraft;
                            ``(vii) aerodrome certification;
                            ``(viii) unmanned aircraft and associated 
                        elements of such aircraft;
                            ``(ix) flight simulation training devices;
                            ``(x) new or emerging aerospace 
                        technologies and technology trends; and
                            ``(xi) other topics as determined 
                        appropriate by the Administrator.
                    ``(E) Rule of construction.--Bilateral or 
                multilateral aviation safety agreements entered into 
                under this subsection shall not be construed to 
                diminish or alter any authority of the Administrator 
                under any other provision of law.''.
            (2) Audit of validation activities under bilateral aviation 
        safety agreements.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the inspector general of 
                the Department of Transportation shall initiate an 
                audit of bilateral compliance with respect to the 
                validation of aircraft and aircraft parts as set forth 
                in bilateral or multilateral aviation safety agreements 
                between the Federal Aviation Administration and the 
                civil aviation authorities of--
                            (i) the European Union;
                            (ii) Canada;
                            (iii) Brazil;
                            (iv) China;
                            (v) the United Kingdom; and
                            (vi) any other country as determined by the 
                        inspector general.
                    (B) Review contents.--As part of the review 
                required under this subsection, the inspector general 
                shall evaluate the performance of validation programs 
                by assessing--
                            (i) validation timelines and milestones for 
                        individual projects;
                            (ii) trends relating to the repeated use of 
                        nonbasic criteria to review systems and methods 
                        of compliance that have been validated 
                        previously in similar contexts;
                            (iii) the extent to which implementation 
                        tools such as validation workplans and safety 
                        emphasis items have addressed validation 
                        issues;
                            (iv) the perspective of Administration 
                        employees;
                            (v) the perspective of employees of other 
                        civil aviation authorities, who wish to provide 
                        such perspective, on the validation of products 
                        certified in the United States and the 
                        validation of products by the United States of 
                        products certified abroad; and
                            (vi) the perspective of domestic and 
                        foreign industry applicants seeking validation 
                        of aircraft and aircraft parts.
                    (C) Report and recommendations.--Not later than 14 
                months after beginning the audit under paragraph (1), 
                the Comptroller General shall provide to the 
                Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, 
                the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
                the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
                Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
                report summarizing the findings of the audit and any 
                recommendations to increase compliance and improve the 
                validation timeframes of aircraft and aircraft parts.
    (d) International Engagement Strategy.--Section 40104(d) of title 
49, United States Code, (as redesignated by section 325) is further 
amended by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
            ``(6) Strategic plan.--The Administrator shall maintain a 
        strategic plan for the international engagement of the 
        Administration that includes--
                    ``(A) all elements of the report required in 
                section 243(b)(1) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 
                2018 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note);
                    ``(B) measures to fulfill the mission described in 
                paragraph (2);
                    ``(C) initiatives to attain greater expertise among 
                employees of the Federal Aviation Administration in 
                issues related to dispute resolution, intellectual 
                property, and expert control laws;
                    ``(D) policy regarding the future direction and 
                strategy of the United States engagement with the 
                International Civil Aviation Organization;
                    ``(E) procedures for acceptance of mandatory 
                airworthiness information, such as airworthiness 
                directives, and other safety-related regulatory 
                documents, including procedures to implement the 
                requirements of section 44701(e)(5);
                    ``(F) all factors, including funding and 
                resourcing, necessary for the Administration to 
                maintain leadership in the global activities related to 
                aviation safety and air transportation; and
                    ``(G) establishment of, and a process to regularly 
                track and update, metrics to measure the effectiveness 
                of, and foreign civil aviation authority compliance 
                with, bilateral aviation safety agreements.''.

SEC. 503. AVAILABILITY OF PERSONNEL FOR INSPECTIONS, SITE VISITS, AND 
              TRAINING.

    Section 40104 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Travel.--The Administrator and the Secretary of 
Transportation shall, in carrying out the responsibilities described in 
subsection (a), delegate to the appropriate supervisors of offices of 
the Administration the ability to authorize the domestic and 
international travel of relevant personnel who are not in the Federal 
Aviation Administration Executive System, without any additional 
approvals required, for the purposes of--
            ``(1) promoting aviation safety, aircraft operations, air 
        traffic, airport, unmanned aircraft systems, commercial space 
        transportation, and other aviation standards and regulations 
        adopted by the United States;
            ``(2) facilitating the adoption of United States approaches 
        on standards and recommended practices at the International 
        Civil Aviation Organization;
            ``(3) promoting environmental standards adopted by the 
        United States and standards promulgated under section 44714;
            ``(4) supporting the acceptance of Administration design 
        and production approvals by other civil aviation authorities;
            ``(5) training Administration personnel and training 
        provided to other persons;
            ``(6) engaging with regulated entities, including 
        performing site visits;
            ``(7) activities associated with subsections (c) through 
        (f) of this section; and
            ``(8) other activities as determined by the 
        Administrator.''.

SEC. 504. HELICOPTER AIR AMBULANCE OPERATIONS.

    (a) Outdated Air Ambulance Rulemaking Requirement.--Section 44730 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1) by striking ``not later than 180 
        days after the date of enactment of this section,'';
            (2) in subsection (c) by striking ``address the following'' 
        and inserting ``consider, or address through other means, the 
        following'';
            (3) in subsection (d) by striking ``provide for the 
        following'' and inserting ``consider, or address through other 
        means, the following''; and
            (4) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in the heading by striking ``Subsequent 
                Rulemaking'' and inserting ``Subsequent Actions'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1) by striking ``shall conduct a 
                follow-on rulemaking to address the following:'' and 
                inserting ``shall address through a follow-on 
                rulemaking, or through such other means that the 
                Administrator considers appropriate, the following:'';
                    (C) by striking paragraph (2); and
                    (D) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
                (2).
    (b) Safety Management Systems Briefing.--Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall brief the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on 
how the proposed rule published on January, 11, 2023, titled ``Safety 
Management System'' (88 Fed. Reg. 1932) will--
            (1) improve helicopter air ambulance operations and 
        piloting; and
            (2) consider the use of safety equipment by flight crew and 
        medical personnel on a helicopter conducting an air ambulance 
        operation.
    (c) Improvement of Publication of Helicopter Air Ambulance 
Operations Data.--Section 44731 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (d);
            (2) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``and'' at the 
                end; and
                    (B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(2) make publicly available, in part or in whole, on the 
        website of the Federal Aviation Administration website, the 
        database developed pursuant to subsection (c); and
            ``(3) analyze the data submitted under subsection (a) 
        periodically and use such data to inform efforts to improve the 
        safety of helicopter air ambulance operations.''; and
            (3) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections 
        (d) and (e), respectively.

SEC. 505. GLOBAL AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) FAA Oversight of Repair Stations Located Outside the United 
States.--
            (1) In general.--Section 44733 of title 49, United States 
        Code, is amended--
                    (A) in the heading by striking ``Inspection'' and 
                inserting ``Oversight'';
                    (B) in subsection (a) by striking ``Not later than 
                1 year after the date of enactment of this section, 
                the'' and inserting ``The'';
                    (C) in subsection (e)--
                            (i) by inserting ``, without prior notice 
                        to such repair stations,'' after ``annually'';
                            (ii) by inserting ``and the applicable laws 
                        of the country in which the repair station is 
                        located'' after ``international agreements''; 
                        and
                            (iii) by striking the last sentence and 
                        inserting ``The Administrator may carry out 
                        announced or unannounced inspections in 
                        addition to the annual unannounced inspection 
                        required under this subsection based on 
                        identified risks and in a manner consistent 
                        with United States obligations under 
                        international agreements and the applicable 
                        laws of the country in which the part 145 
                        repair station is located.'';
                    (D) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection 
                (j); and
                    (E) by inserting after subsection (f) the 
                following:
    ``(g) Data Analysis.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each fiscal year in which a part 121 air 
        carrier has had heavy maintenance work performed on an aircraft 
        owned or operated by such carrier, such carrier shall provide 
        to the Administrator, not later than the end of the following 
        fiscal year, a report containing the information described in 
        paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Information required.--A report under paragraph (1) 
        shall contain the following:
                    ``(A) The location where any heavy maintenance work 
                on aircraft was performed outside the United States.
                    ``(B) A description of the work performed at each 
                such location.
                    ``(C) The date of completion of the work performed 
                at each such location.
                    ``(D) A list of all failures, malfunctions, or 
                defects affecting the safe operation of such aircraft 
                identified by the air carrier not later than 30 days 
                after the date on which an aircraft is returned to 
                service, organized by reference to aircraft 
                registration number, that--
                            ``(i) requires corrective action after the 
                        aircraft is approved for return to service; and
                            ``(ii) results from such work performed on 
                        such aircraft.
                    ``(E) The certificate number of the person 
                approving such aircraft or on-wing aircraft engine, for 
                return to service following completion of the work 
                performed at each such location.
            ``(3) Analysis.--The Administrator shall--
                    ``(A) analyze information provided under this 
                subsection and sections 121.703, 121.705, 121.707, and 
                145.221 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or 
                any successor provisions of such title, to detect 
                safety issues associated with heavy maintenance work on 
                aircraft performed outside the United States; and
                    ``(B) require appropriate actions by an air carrier 
                or repair station in response to any safety issue 
                identified by the analysis conducted under subparagraph 
                (A).
            ``(4) Confidentiality.--Information provided under this 
        subsection shall be subject to the same protections given to 
        voluntarily provided safety or security related information 
        under section 40123.
    ``(h) Applications and Prohibition.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator may not approve any 
        new application under part 145 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations, from a person located or headquartered in a 
        country that the Administration, through the International 
        Aviation Safety Assessment program, has classified as Category 
        2.
            ``(2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to an 
        application for the renewal of a certificate issued under part 
        145 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
            ``(3) Maintenance implementation procedures agreement.--The 
        Administrator may elect not to enter into a new maintenance 
        implementation procedures agreement with a country classified 
        as Category 2, for as long as the country remains classified as 
        Category 2.
            ``(3) Prohibition on continued heavy maintenance work.--No 
        part 121 air carrier may enter into a new contract for heavy 
        maintenance work with a person located or headquartered in a 
        country that the Administrator, through the International 
        Aviation Safety Assessment program, has classified as Category 
        2, for as long as such country remains classified as Category 
        2.
    ``(i) Minimum Qualifications for Mechanics and Others Working on 
U.S. Registered Aircraft.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this subsection, the Administrator shall require 
        that, at each covered repair station--
                    ``(A) all supervisory personnel of such station are 
                appropriately certificated as a mechanic or repairman 
                under part 65 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
                or under an equivalent certification or licensing 
                regime, as determined by the Administrator; and
                    ``(B) all personnel of such station authorized to 
                approve an article for return to service are 
                appropriately certificated as a mechanic or repairman 
                under part 65 of such title, or under an equivalent 
                certification or licensing regime, as determined by the 
                Administrator.
            ``(2) Available for consultation.--Not later than 2 years 
        after the date of enactment of this subsection, the 
        Administrator shall require any individual who is responsible 
        for approving an article for return to service or who is 
        directly in charge of heavy maintenance work performed on 
        aircraft operated by a part 121 air carrier be available for 
        consultation while work is being performed at a covered repair 
        station.''.
            (2) Definitions.--
                    (A) In general.--Section 44733(j) of title 49, 
                United States Code (as redesignated by this section), 
                is amended--
                            (i) in paragraph (1) by striking 
                        ``aircraft'' and inserting ``aircraft 
                        (including on-wing aircraft engines)'';
                            (ii) by redesignating paragraphs (1) 
                        through (3) as paragraphs (2) through (4), 
                        respectively; and
                            (iii) by inserting before paragraph (2), as 
                        so redesignated, the following:
            ``(1) Covered repair station.--The term `covered repair 
        station' means a facility that--
                    ``(A) is located outside the United States;
                    ``(B) is a part 145 repair station; and
                    ``(C) performs heavy maintenance work on aircraft 
                operated by a part 121 air carrier.''.
                    (B) Technical amendment.--Section 44733(a)(3) of 
                title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
                ``covered part 145 repair stations'' and inserting 
                ``part 145 repair stations''.
            (3) Conforming amendments.--The analysis for chapter 447 of 
        title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking the item 
        relating to section 44733 and inserting the following:

``44733. Oversight of repair stations located outside the United 
                            States.''.
    (b) International Standards for Safety Oversight of 
Extraterritorial Repair Stations.--
            (1) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall invite other civil aviation 
        authorities to convene with the Administration an 
        extraterritorial repair station working group (hereinafter 
        referred to as the ``Working Group'') to conduct a review of 
        the certification and oversight of extraterritorial repair 
        stations and to identify any future enhancements or 
        harmonization that might be appropriate to strengthen oversight 
        of such repair stations and improve global aviation safety.
            (2) Composition of working group.--The Working Group shall 
        consist of--
                    (A) technical representatives from the FAA; and
                    (B) such other civil aviation authorities or 
                international intergovernmental aviation safety 
                organizations as the Administrator determines 
                appropriate and are willing to participate, including--
                            (i) civil aviation authorities responsible 
                        for certificating extraterritorial repair 
                        stations; and
                            (ii) civil aviation authorities of 
                        countries in which extraterritorial repair 
                        stations are located.
            (3) Consultation.--In conducting the review under this 
        section, the Working Group shall, as appropriate, consult with 
        relevant experts and stakeholders.
            (4) Recommendations.--The Working Group shall make 
        recommendations with respect to any future enhancements that 
        might be appropriate to--
                    (A) strengthen oversight of extraterritorial repair 
                stations; and
                    (B) better leverage the resources of other civil 
                aviation authorities to conduct such oversight.
            (5) Reports.--
                    (A) Repair station working group report.--In 
                establishing the Working Group, the Administrator shall 
                task the Working Group with submitting to the 
                participating civil aviation authorities a report 
                containing the findings of the recommendations made 
                under paragraph (4).
                    (B) FAA report.--
                            (i) Transmission of repair station working 
                        group report.--The Administrator shall submit 
                        to the Committee on Transportation and 
                        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, 
                        and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                        Transportation of the Senate a copy of the 
                        report required under subparagraph (A) as soon 
                        as is practicable after the receipt of such 
                        report.
                            (ii) FAA briefing to congress.--Not later 
                        than 45 days after receipt of the report under 
                        paragraph (1), the Administrator shall brief 
                        the Committee on Transportation and 
                        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
                        and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                        Transportation of the Senate on--
                                    (I) whether the Administrator 
                                concurs or does not concur with each 
                                recommendation contained in the report 
                                required under subparagraph (A);
                                    (II) any recommendation with which 
                                the Administrator does not concur, a 
                                detailed explanation as to why the 
                                Administrator does not concur;
                                    (III) a plan to implement each 
                                recommendation with which the 
                                Administrator concurs; and
                                    (IV) a plan to work with the 
                                international community to implement 
                                the recommendations applicable to both 
                                the FAA as well as other civil aviation 
                                authorities.
            (6) Termination.--The Working Group shall terminate 90 days 
        after the date of submission of the report under paragraph 
        (5)(A), unless the Administrator or another participant of the 
        Working Group requests for an extension of the Working Group in 
        order to inform the implementation and harmonization of any 
        recommendation applicable to multiple civil aviation 
        authorities.
            (7) Definition of extraterritorial repair station.--In this 
        subsection, the term ``extraterritorial repair station'' means 
        a repair station that performs heavy maintenance work on an 
        aircraft (including on-wing engines) and that is located 
        outside of the territory of the country of the civil aviation 
        authority which certificated the repair station.
    (c) Alcohol and Drug Testing and Background Checks.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the 
        Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
        and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate a report updating Congress on the progress and 
        challenges involved with carrying out the requirements of 
        subsection (b) of section 2112 of the FAA Extension, Safety, 
        and Security Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 44733).
            (2) Sunset.--The reporting requirement under paragraph (1) 
        shall cease to be effective after a final rule carrying out the 
        requirements of such subsection (b) has been published in the 
        Federal Register.
            (3) Rulemaking on assessment requirement.--With respect to 
        any employee not covered under the requirements of section 
        1554.101 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, the 
        Administrator shall initiate a rulemaking or request the head 
        of another Federal agency to initiate a rulemaking that 
        requires a covered repair station to confirm that any such 
        employee has successfully completed an assessment commensurate 
        with a security threat assessment described in subpart C of 
        part 1540 of such title.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) FAA.--The term ``FAA'' means the Federal Aviation 
        Administration.
            (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the FAA.
            (3) Covered repair station; heavy maintenance work.--The 
        terms ``covered repair station'' and ``heavy maintenance work'' 
        have the meaning given those terms in section 44733(j) of title 
        49, United States Code.

SEC. 506. ODA BEST PRACTICE SHARING.

    Section 44736(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``Not later than 120 days 
        after the date of enactment of this section, the'' and insert 
        ``The''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (E) by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (F) by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(G) convene a forum not less than every 2 years 
                between ODA holders, unit members, and other 
                organizational representatives and relevant experts, in 
                order to--
                            ``(i) share best practices;
                            ``(ii) instill professionalism, ethics, and 
                        personal responsibilities in unit members; and
                            ``(iii) foster open and transparent 
                        communication between Administration safety 
                        specialists, ODA holders, and unit members.''.

SEC. 507. TRAINING OF ORGANIZATION DELEGATION AUTHORITY UNIT MEMBERS.

    (a) Unit Member Annual Ethics Training.--Section 44736 of title 49, 
United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(g) Ethics Training Requirement for ODA Holders.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this subsection, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall review and ensure each ODA holder 
        approved under section 44741 has in effect a recurrent training 
        program for all ODA unit members that covers--
                    ``(A) unit member professional obligations and 
                responsibilities;
                    ``(B) the ODA holder's code of ethics as required 
                to be established under section 102(f) of the Aircraft 
                Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (49 
                U.S.C. 44701 note);
                    ``(C) procedures for reporting safety concerns, as 
                described in the respective approved procedures manual 
                for the delegation;
                    ``(D) the prohibition against and reporting 
                procedures for interference from a supervisor or other 
                ODA member described in section 44742; and
                    ``(E) any additional information the Administrator 
                considers relevant to maintaining ethical and 
                professional standards across all ODA holders and unit 
                members.
            ``(2) FAA review.--
                    ``(A) Review of training program.--The Organization 
                Designation Authorization Office of the Administration 
                shall review each ODA holders' recurrent training 
                program to ensure such program includes all elements 
                described in paragraph (1).
                    ``(B) Changes to program.--Such Office may require 
                changes to the training program considered necessary to 
                maintain ethical and professional standards across all 
                ODA holders and unit members.
            ``(3) Training.--As part of the recurrent training required 
        under paragraph (1), not later than 60 business days after 
        being designated as an ODA unit member, and annually 
        thereafter, each ODA unit member shall complete the ethics 
        training required by the ODA holder of the respective ODA unit 
        member in order to exercise the functions delegated under the 
        ODA.
            ``(4) Accountability.--The Administrator shall establish 
        such processes or requirements as are necessary to ensure 
        compliance with paragraph (3).''.
    (b) Deadline.--An ODA unit member authorized to perform delegated 
functions under an ODA prior to the date of completion of an ethics 
training required under section 44736(g) of title 49, United States 
Code, shall complete such training not later than 30 days after the 
training program is approved by the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration pursuant to such section.

SEC. 508. CLARIFICATION ON SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM INFORMATION 
              DISCLOSURE.

    Section 44735 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``; or'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) in paragraph (2) by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``; or''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) if the report, data, or other information is 
        submitted for any purpose relating to the development, 
        implementation, and use of a safety management system, 
        including a system required by regulation, that is acceptable 
        to the Administrator.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Other Agencies.--
            ``(1) In general.--The limitation established under 
        subsection (a) shall apply to the head of any other Federal 
        agency who receives reports, data, or other information 
        described in such subsection from the Administrator.
            ``(2) Rule of construction.--This section shall not be 
        construed to limit the accident or incident investigation 
        authority of the National Transportation Safety Board under 
        chapter 11, including the requirement to not disclose 
        voluntarily provided safety-related information under section 
        1114.''.

SEC. 509. EXTENSION OF AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION, SAFETY, AND 
              ACCOUNTABILITY ACT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Appeals of Certification Decisions.--Section 44704(g)(1)(C)(ii) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``2025'' and 
inserting ``2028''.
    (b) Oversight of Organization Designation Authorization Unit 
Members.--Section 44741(f)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ``Not later than 90 days'' and all that follows 
through ``the Administrator shall provide a briefing'' and inserting 
``The Administrator shall provide an annual briefing each fiscal year 
through fiscal year 2028''.
    (c) Integrated Project Teams.--Section 108(f) of the Aircraft 
Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (49 U.S.C. 44704 note) is 
amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2028''.
    (d) Voluntary Safety Reporting Program.--Section 113(f) of the 
Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (49 U.S.C. 44701 
note) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2028''.
    (e) Changed Product Rule.--Section 117(b)(1) of the Aircraft 
Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (49 U.S.C. 44704 note) is 
amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2028''.

SEC. 510. DON YOUNG ALASKA AVIATION SAFETY INITIATIVE.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 44745. Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative.
    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall redesignate the FAA Alaska Aviation Safety 
Initiative of the Administration as the Don Young Alaska Aviation 
Safety Initiative (in this section referred to as the `Initiative'), 
under which the Administrator shall carry out the provisions of this 
section and take such other actions as the Administrator determines 
appropriate to improve aviation safety in covered locations.
    ``(b) Objective.--The objective of the Initiative shall be to work 
cooperatively with aviation stakeholders and other stakeholders towards 
the goal of--
            ``(1) reducing the rate of fatal aircraft accidents in 
        covered locations by 90 percent from 2019 to 2033; and
            ``(2) by January 1, 2033, eliminating fatal accidents of 
        aircraft operated by an air carrier that operates under part 
        135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
    ``(c) Leadership.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall designate the 
        Regional Administrator for the Alaskan Region of the 
        Administration to serve as the Director of the Initiative.
            ``(2) Reporting chain.--In all matters relating to the 
        Initiative, the Director of the Initiative shall report 
        directly to the Administrator.
            ``(3) Coordination.--The Director of the Initiative shall 
        coordinate with the heads of other offices and lines of 
        business of the Administration, including the other regional 
        administrators, to carry out the Initiative.
    ``(d) Automated Weather Systems.--
            ``(1) Requirement.--The Administrator shall ensure, to the 
        greatest extent practicable, that a covered automated weather 
        system is installed and operated at each covered airport not 
        later than December 31, 2030.
            ``(2) Waiver.--In complying with the requirement under 
        paragraph (1), the Administrator may waive any positive 
        benefit-cost ratio requirement for the installation and 
        operation of a covered automated weather system.
            ``(3) Prioritization.--In developing the installation 
        timeline of a covered automated weather system at a covered 
        airport pursuant to this subsection, the Administrator shall--
                    ``(A) coordinate and consult with the governments 
                with jurisdiction over covered locations, covered 
                airports, air carriers operating in covered locations, 
                private pilots based in covered locations, and such 
                other members of the aviation community in covered 
                locations; and
                    ``(B) prioritize early installation at covered 
                airports that would enable the greatest number of 
                instrument flight rule operations by air carriers 
                operating under part 121 or 135 of title 14, Code of 
                Federal Regulations.
            ``(4) Reliability.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Pertaining to both Federal and 
                non-Federal systems, the Administrator shall be 
                responsible for ensuring--
                            ``(i) the reliability of covered automated 
                        weather systems; and
                            ``(ii) the availability of weather 
                        information from such systems.
                    ``(B) Specifications.--The Administrator shall 
                establish data availability and equipment reliability 
                specifications for covered automated weather systems.
                    ``(C) System reliability and restoration plan.--Not 
                later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this 
                section, the Administrator shall establish an automated 
                weather system reliability and restoration plan. Such 
                plan shall document the Administrator's strategy for 
                ensuring covered automated weather system reliability, 
                including the availability of weather information from 
                such system, and for restoring service in as little 
                time as possible.
                    ``(D) Telecommunications or other failures.--If a 
                covered automated weather system is unable to broadly 
                disseminate weather information due to a 
                telecommunications failure or a failure other than an 
                equipment failure, the Administrator shall take such 
                actions as may be necessary to restore the full 
                functionality and connectivity of the covered automated 
                weather system. The Administrator shall take actions 
                under this subparagraph with the same urgency as the 
                Administrator would take an action to repair a covered 
                automated weather system equipment failure or data 
                fidelity issue.
                    ``(E) Reliability data.--In tabulating data 
                relating to the operational status of covered automated 
                weather systems (including individually or 
                collectively), the Administrator may not consider a 
                covered automated weather system that is functioning 
                nominally but is unable to broadly disseminate weather 
                information telecommunications failure or a failure 
                other than an equipment failure as functioning 
                reliably.
            ``(5) Inventory.--The Administrator shall consider storing 
        excess inventory necessary for air traffic control equipment, 
        including commonly required replacement parts, in covered 
        locations to reduce the amount of time necessary to acquire 
        such equipment or such parts necessary to replace or repair air 
        traffic control system components.
            ``(6) Visual weather observation system.--Not later than 1 
        year after the date of enactment of this section, the 
        Administrator shall take such actions as may be necessary to--
                    ``(A) deploy visual weather observation systems; 
                and
                    ``(B) ensure that such systems are capable of 
                meeting the definition of covered automated weather 
                systems.
    ``(e) Weather Cameras.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall continuously assess 
        the state of the weather camera systems in covered locations to 
        ensure the operational sufficiency and reliability of such 
        systems.
            ``(2) Applications.--The Director shall--
                    ``(A) accept applications from persons to install 
                weather cameras; and
                    ``(B) consult with the governments with 
                jurisdiction over covered locations, covered airports, 
                air carriers operating in covered locations, private 
                pilots based in covered locations, and such other 
                members of the aviation community in covered locations 
                as the Administrator determines appropriate to solicit 
                additional locations at which to install and operate 
                weather cameras.
            ``(3) Presumption.--Unless the Director has clear and 
        compelling evidence to the contrary, the Director shall presume 
        that the installation of a weather camera at a covered airport, 
        or that is recommended by a government with jurisdiction over a 
        covered location, is cost beneficial and will improve aviation 
        safety.
    ``(f) Cooperation With Other Agencies.--In carrying out this 
section, the Administrator shall cooperate with the heads of other 
Federal or State agencies with responsibilities affecting aviation 
safety in covered locations, including the collection and dissemination 
of weather data.
    ``(g) Surveillance and Communication.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall take such actions as 
        may be necessary to--
                    ``(A) encourage and incentivize the equipage of 
                aircrafts that operate under part 135 of title 14, Code 
                of Federal Regulations, with automatic dependent 
                surveillance and broadcast out equipment; and
                    ``(B) improve aviation surveillance and 
                communications in covered locations.
            ``(2) Requirement.--Not later than December 31, 2030, the 
        Administrator shall ensure that automatic dependent 
        surveillance and broadcast coverage is available at 5,000 feet 
        above ground level throughout each covered location.
            ``(3) Waiver.--In complying with the requirement under 
        paragraph (2), the Administrator shall waive any positive 
        benefit-cost ratio requirement for the installation and 
        operation of equipment and facilities necessary to implement 
        such requirement.
            ``(4) Service areas.--The Director shall continuously 
        identify additional automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast 
        service areas in which the deployment of automatic dependent 
        surveillance-broadcast receivers and equipment would improve 
        aviation safety.
    ``(h) Other Projects.--The Director shall continue to build upon 
other initiatives recommended in the reports of the FAA Alaska Aviation 
Safety Initiative of the Administration published before the date of 
enactment of this section.
    ``(i) Annual Report.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall submit an annual 
        report on the status and progress of the Initiative to the 
        Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate.
            ``(2) Objectives and requirements.--The report under 
        paragraph (1) shall include a detailed description of the 
        Director's progress in and plans for meeting the objectives of 
        the Initiative under subsection (b) and the other requirements 
        of this section.
            ``(3) Stakeholder comments.--The Director shall append 
        stakeholder comments, organized by topic, to each report 
        submitted under paragraph (1) in the same manner as appendix 3 
        of the report titled `FAA Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative 
        FY21 Final Report', dated September 30, 2021.
    ``(j) Funding.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        law, in fiscal years 2024 through 2028--
                    ``(A) the Administrator may, upon application from 
                the government with jurisdiction over a covered 
                location, use amounts apportioned to a covered location 
                under subsection (d)(2)(B) or subsection (e)(5) of 
                section 47114 to carry out the Initiative; or
                    ``(B) the sponsor of an airport in a covered 
                location that receives an apportionment under 
                subsection (d)(2)(B) or subsection (e) of section 47114 
                may use such apportionment for any purpose contained in 
                this section.
            ``(2) Supplemental funding.--Out of amounts made available 
        under section 106(k) and section 48101, not more than a total 
        of $25,000,000 for each of fiscal year 2024 through 2028 is 
        authorized to be expended to carry out the Initiative.
    ``(k) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Covered airport.--The term `covered airport' means an 
        airport in a covered location that is included in the national 
        plan of integrated airport systems required under section 47103 
        and that has a status other than unclassified in such plan.
            ``(2) Covered automated weather system.--The term `covered 
        automated weather system' means an automated or visual weather 
        reporting facility that enables a pilot to begin an instrument 
        procedure approach to an airport under section 91.1039 or 
        135.225 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
            ``(3) Covered location.--The term `covered location' means 
        Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern 
        Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.''.
    (b) Remote Positions.--Section 40122(g) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) Remote positions.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If the Administrator determines 
                that a covered position has not been filled after 
                multiple vacancy announcements and that there are 
                unique circumstances affecting the ability of the 
                Administrator to fill such position, the Administrator 
                may consider, in consultation with the appropriate 
                labor union, applicants for the covered position who 
                apply under a vacancy announcement recruiting from the 
                State or territory in which the position is based.
                    ``(B) Covered position defined.--In this paragraph, 
                the term `covered position' means a safety-critical 
                position based in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American 
                Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the 
                Virgin Islands.''.
    (c) Runway Length.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Secretary of Transportation may not require an airport to shorten a 
runway or prevent airport improvement grants made by the Secretary to 
be used for reconstructing and rehabilitating a primary runway on the 
basis that the airport does not have a sufficient number of aircraft 
operations requiring a certain runway length if--
            (1) the airport is located in a covered location;
            (2) the airport is not connected to the road transportation 
        network; and
            (3) the runway length is utilized by aircraft to deliver 
        necessary cargo, including heating fuel and gasoline, for the 
        community served by the airport.
    (d) Alaskan Regional Administrator.--
            (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
                    (A) the Regional Administrator for the Alaskan 
                Region is a uniquely important position that 
                contributes to aviation safety in the State of Alaska;
                    (B) vacancies in any Federal Aviation 
                Administration office have a deleterious effect on the 
                efficacy of the Alaskan Region office;
                    (C) a prolonged vacancy in the position of Regional 
                Administrator for the Alaskan Region may be detrimental 
                to the effective administration of such region and the 
                Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative; and
                    (D) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
                Administration should ensure that any vacancy in the 
                position of Regional Administrator for the Alaskan 
                Region is filled will a highly qualified candidate as 
                expeditiously as possible.
            (2) Vacancy notification requirements.--
                    (A) Initial vacancy.--The Administrator of the 
                Federal Aviation Administration shall notify the 
                appropriate committees of Congress when there is a 
                vacancy for the position of Regional Administrator for 
                the Alaskan Region.
                    (B) Status updates.--Not later than 90 days after 
                the notification under subparagraph (A) (and every 30 
                days thereafter until the vacancy described under 
                subparagraph (A) is filled), the Administrator shall 
                notify the appropriate committees of Congress of any 
                vacancy of such position, if so, provide an estimated 
                timeline for filling such vacancy.
                    (C) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In 
                this paragraph, the term ``appropriate committees of 
                Congress'' means the Committee on Transportation and 
                Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
                Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
                the Senate.
                    (D) Sunset.--This paragraph shall cease to be 
                effective after September 30, 2028.
    (e) Implementation of NTSB Recommendations.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall take such 
        actions as may be necessary to implement National 
        Transportation Safety Board recommendations A-22-25 and A-22-26 
        (as contained in Aviation Investigation Report AIR-22-09, 
        adopted November 16, 2022).
            (2) Coordination.--In taking actions under paragraph (1), 
        the Administrator shall coordinate with the State of Alaska, 
        airports in Alaska, air carriers operating in Alaska, private 
        pilots (including tour operators) based in Alaska, and such 
        other members of the Alaska aviation community or other 
        stakeholders as the Administrator determines appropriate.
    (f) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 447 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``44745. Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative.''.

SEC. 511. CONTINUED OVERSIGHT OF FAA COMPLIANCE PROGRAM.

    Section 122 of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and 
Accountability Act (Public Law 116-260; 134 Stat. 2344) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b) by striking paragraph (2) and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(2) conduct an annual agency-wide evaluation of the 
        Compliance Program through fiscal year 2028 to assess the 
        functioning and effectiveness of such program and to 
        determine--
                    ``(A) the need for long-term metrics that, to the 
                maximum extent practicable, apply to all program 
                offices to assess the effectiveness of the program;
                    ``(B) if the program ensures the highest level of 
                compliance with safety standards; and
                    ``(C) if the program has met its stated safety 
                goals and purpose;'';
            (2) in subsection (c)(4) by striking ``2023'' and inserting 
        ``2028''; and
            (3) in subsection (d) by striking ``2023'' and inserting 
        ``2028''.

SEC. 512. SCALABILITY OF SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

    In conducting any rulemaking to require, or implementing a 
regulation requiring, a safety management system, the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall consider the scalability of 
such safety management system requirements to the full range of 
entities in terms of size or complexity that may be affected by such 
rulemaking or regulation, including--
            (1) how an entity can demonstrate compliance using various 
        documentation, tools, and methods, including, as appropriate, 
        systems with multiple small operators collectively monitoring 
        for and addressing risks;
            (2) a review of traditional safety management techniques 
        and the suitability of such techniques for small entities;
            (3) the applicability of existing safety management system 
        programs implemented by an entity;
            (4) the suitability of existing requirements under part 5 
        of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, for small entities; 
        and
            (5) other unique challenges relating to small entities the 
        Administrator determines appropriate to consider.

SEC. 513. FINALIZE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM RULEMAKING.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall issue a final rule relating to the Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking of the Federal Aviation Administration titled 
``Safety Management Systems'', issued on January 11, 2023.
    (b) Applicability.--In issuing a final rule under subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall ensure that the safety management system 
requirement under the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking described in 
subsection (a) is applied to all certificate holders operating under 
the rules for commuter and on-demand operations under part 135 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, commercial air tour operators 
operating under section 91.147 of such title, production certificate 
holders that are holders or licensees of a type certificate for the 
same product, and holders of a type certificate who license out such 
certificate for production under part 21 of such title.

SEC. 514. IMPROVEMENTS TO AVIATION SAFETY INFORMATION ANALYSIS AND 
              SHARING.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall implement improvements to the Aviation Safety Information 
Analysis and Sharing Program with respect to safety data sharing and 
risk mitigation.
    (b) Requirements.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall--
            (1) identify methods to increase the rate at which data is 
        collected, processed, and analyzed to expeditiously share 
        safety intelligence;
            (2) develop predictive capabilities to anticipate emerging 
        safety risks;
            (3) identify methods to improve shared data environments 
        with external stakeholders;
            (4) establish a robust process for prioritizing requests 
        for safety information;
            (5) establish guidance to encourage regular safety 
        inspector review of non-confidential aviation safety and 
        performance data;
            (6) identify industry segments not yet included and conduct 
        outreach to such industry segments to increase the rate of 
        participation, including--
                    (A) general aviation;
                    (B) rotorcraft;
                    (C) air ambulance; and
                    (C) maintenance facilities; and
            (7) establish processes for obtaining and analyzing 
        comprehensive and aggregate data for new and future industry 
        segments.
    (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed--
            (1) to require the Administrator to share confidential or 
        proprietary information and data to safety inspectors for 
        purposes of enforcement; or
            (2) to limit the applicability of section 44735 of title 
        49, United States Code, to the Aviation Safety Information 
        Analysis and Sharing Program.
    (d) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and every 6 months thereafter until the improvements under 
subsection (a) are made, the Administrator shall brief the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on 
the progress of implementation of the Aviation Safety Information 
Analysis and Sharing Program and steps taken to make improvements under 
subsection (a).

SEC. 515. IMPROVEMENT OF CERTIFICATION PROCESSES.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall continually look for opportunities and methods to 
improve the processing of applications, consideration of applications, 
communication with applicants, and quality of feedback provided to 
applicants, for aircraft certification projects.
    (b) Certification Improvements.--Not later than 270 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter into an 
appropriate arrangement with a qualified third-party organization or 
consortium to identify and assess digital tools and software systems to 
allow for efficient and virtual evaluation of an applicant design, 
associated documentation, and software or systems engineering product, 
including in digital 3 dimensional formats or using model-based systems 
engineering design techniques for aircraft certification projects.
    (c) Parties to Review.--In identifying digital tools and software 
systems as described in subsection (b), the Administrator shall ensure 
that the qualified third-party organization or consortium entering into 
an arrangement under this section shall, throughout the review, consult 
with--
            (1) the aircraft certification and flight standards offices 
        or services of the Administration; and
            (2) at least 3 industry members representing aircraft and 
        aircraft part manufacturing interests.
    (d) Digital Tool and Software System Requirements.--In identifying 
digital tools and software systems under subsection (b), the qualified 
third-party organization or consortium shall--
            (1) consider the interoperability of such systems to the 
        extent practicable;
            (2) consider the scalability and usability of such systems 
        for differing use-cases by aircraft manufacturers, aircraft 
        operators, and the Administration, including cross-office use-
        cases within the Administration;
            (3) consider such systems currently in use by United States 
        manufacturers or other civil aviation authorities for 
        certification and engineering purposes;
            (4) consider the--
                    (A) available technology support for such systems; 
                and
                    (B) ability for such systems to be updated and 
                adapted over time to improve user interfaces, including 
                providing additional functionalities and addressing 
                gaps;
            (5) consider the ability of digital tools and software 
        systems to aid in the electronic review of software components 
        of aircraft and aircraft systems;
            (6) consider the ability of the Administration and aircraft 
        designers to use digital tools and software systems for 
        corrective actions and modifications in a more rapid fashion;
            (7) determine if each system provides adequate protections 
        for the exchange of information between governmental and 
        nongovernmental entities, including--
                    (A) intellectual property protections;
                    (B) cyber and network security protections; and
                    (C) the ability for governmental and 
                nongovernmental entities to control what is acceptable 
                and what is restricted for other parties;
            (8) evaluate the estimated ease of adoption and any 
        impediments to adoption for personnel of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration; and
            (9) evaluate the ability for nongovernmental organizations 
        of various sizes to adopt and utilize the digital and software 
        systems identified under subsection (b) to improve the aircraft 
        certification application and coordination processes with the 
        Administration.
    (e) Assessment.--After reviewing digital and software systems under 
subsection (b), the qualified third-party organization or consortium 
shall provide an assessment to the Administrator as to--
            (1) whether or not digital and software systems and tools 
        would improve the coordination of the Administration with 
        industry;
            (2) whether or not such systems and tools would improve the 
        ability of the Administration to validate and verify aircraft 
        and software designs in non-paper formats; and
            (3) the potential safety benefits or safety risks of using 
        such systems and tools.
    (f) Content of Assessment.--In the event the qualified third-party 
organization or consortium finds that digital and software systems and 
tools would assist the work of the Administration and improve 
certification projects processing, the assessment described under 
subsection (e) shall also include--
            (1) a prioritization, expected costs, and timeline of 
        acquisitions and training based on immediate and future needs 
        and benefits; and
            (2) suggest actions the Administration could take in order 
        to institutionalize the use of such technologies at the 
        headquarters and field offices of the Administration, and to 
        protect information shared through such technologies, including 
        recommended updates to orders issued by the Administration.
    (g) Implementation.--Based on the assessment required in 
subsections (e) and (f), if the qualified third-party organization 
finds that the use of digital software systems and tools would assist 
the work of the agency, the Administrator shall--
            (1) provide the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate with a briefing on the intended actions of the 
        Administrator;
            (2) not later than 60 days after receiving such assessment 
        develop a plan to--
                    (A) work towards the acquisition of the systems and 
                tools recommended, subject to the availability of 
                appropriations;
                    (B) update any applicable orders and guidance to 
                allow for the use of these new systems and tools by 
                personnel of the Administration and nongovernmental 
                entities applying to or coordinating with the 
                Administration on certification related activities, at 
                the discretion of the applicant or nongovernmental 
                entity;
                    (C) on an ongoing basis review and modify orders 
                and guidance to improve the use of these systems and 
                tools as well as addressing any intellectual property 
                vulnerabilities; and
    (h) Briefing.--Not later than 30 months after receiving such 
assessment, the Administrator shall provide the committees described in 
paragraph (1) with a briefing on the use, benefits, and any drawbacks 
of the systems and tools, including comparisons between certification 
programs using and not using digital and software systems and tools.

SEC. 516. INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS AVIATION RULEMAKING 
              COMMITTEE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall convene an aviation rulemaking committee to review, and develop 
findings and recommendations regarding, instructions for continued 
airworthiness (as described in section 21.50 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations), and provide to the Administrator a report on such 
findings and recommendations and for other related purposes as 
determined by the Administrator.
    (b) Composition.--The aviation rulemaking committee established 
pursuant to subsection (a) shall consist of members appointed by the 
Administrator, including representatives of--
            (1) holders of type certificates (as described in subpart B 
        of part 21, title 14, Code of Federal Regulations);
            (2) holders of production certificates (as described in 
        subpart G of part 21, title 14, Code of Federal Regulations);
            (3) holders of parts manufacturer approvals (as described 
        in subpart K of part 21, title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations);
            (4) holders of technical standard order authorizations (as 
        described in subpart O of part 21, title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations);
            (5) operators under parts 121, 125, or 135 of title 14, 
        Code of Federal Regulations;
            (6) holders of repair station certificates (as described in 
        section 145 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations);
            (7) the certified bargaining representative of aviation 
        safety inspectors for the Administration;
            (8) general aviation operators;
            (9) mechanics certificated under part 65 of title 14, Code 
        of Federal Regulations;
            (10) holders of supplemental type certificates (as 
        described in subpart E of part 21 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations);
            (11) designated engineering representatives employed by 
        repair stations; and
            (12) aviation safety experts with specific knowledge of 
        instructions for continued airworthiness policies and 
        regulations.
    (c) Considerations.--The aviation rulemaking committee established 
pursuant to subsection (a) shall consider--
            (1) existing standards, regulations, certifications, 
        assessments, and guidance related to instructions for continued 
        airworthiness and the clarity of such standards, regulations, 
        certifications, assessments, and guidance to all parties;
            (2) the sufficiency of safety data used in preparing 
        instructions for continued airworthiness;
            (3) the sufficiency of maintenance data used in preparing 
        instructions for continued airworthiness;
            (4) the protection of proprietary information and 
        intellectual property in instructions for continued 
        airworthiness;
            (5) the availability of instructions for continued 
        airworthiness, as needed, for maintenance activities;
            (6) the need to harmonize or deconflict proposed and 
        existing regulations with other Federal regulations, guidance, 
        and policies;
            (7) international collaboration, where appropriate and 
        consistent with the interests of safety in air commerce and 
        national security, with other civil aviation authorities, 
        international aviation and standards organizations, and any 
        other appropriate entities; and
            (8) any other matter the Administrator determines 
        appropriate.
    (d) Duties.--The Administrator shall--
            (1) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate a copy of the aviation rulemaking committee report under 
        subsection (a); and
            (2) not later than 180 days after the date of submission of 
        the report under paragraph (1), initiate a rulemaking activity 
        or make such policy and guidance updates necessary to address 
        any consensus recommendations reached by the aviation 
        rulemaking committee established pursuant to subsection (a), as 
        determined appropriate by the Administrator.

SEC. 517. CLARITY FOR SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall issue or update guidance, policy documents, 
orders, job aids, or regulations to clarify the conditions under which 
a major alteration will require a supplemental type certificate under 
part 21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
    (b) Contents.--Issuances or updates under subsection (a) shall 
include providing clarity around--
            (1) the terms ``might appreciatively effect'' and ``no 
        appreciable effect pursuant to sections 1.1 and 21.93 of title 
        14, Code of Federal Regulations, respectively''; and
            (2) whether the term ``other approved design'', as such 
        term appears in part 21.1 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations, includes engineering data approved by the 
        Administrator by means other than through a supplemental type 
        certificate.
    (c) Considerations.--In satisfying subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall make such updates as necessary to provide 
consideration for the level of effort required by an applicant to make 
a major alteration and the associated level of risk to the national 
airspace system for a single aircraft or multiple aircraft using such 
alteration.

SEC. 518. USE OF ADVANCED TOOLS IN CERTIFYING AEROSPACE PRODUCTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 30 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall complete an assessment of the use of advanced 
tools during the testing, analysis, and verification stages of 
aerospace certification projects to reduce the risks associated with 
high-risk flight profiles and performing limit testing.
    (b) Considerations.--In carrying out the assessment under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider--
            (1) instances where high risk flight profiles and limit 
        testing have already occurred in the certification process and 
        the applicability of such test data for use in other aspects of 
        flight testing;
            (2) the safety of pilots during such testing;
            (3) the value and accuracy of data collected using such 
        advanced tools;
            (4) the ability to produce more extensive data sets using 
        such advanced tools;
            (5) any aspects of testing for which the use of such tools 
        would not be valuable or applicable;
            (6) the cost of using such advanced tools; and
            (7) the best practices of other civil aviation authorities 
        that permit the use of advanced tools during aerospace 
        certification projects.
    (c) Consultation.--In carrying out the assessment under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall consult with--
            (1) aircraft manufacturers, including manufacturers that 
        have designed and certified aircraft under--
                    (A) part 23 of title 14, Code of Federal 
                Regulations;
                    (B) part 25 of such title; or
                    (C) part 27 of such title;
            (2) aircraft manufacturers that have designed and 
        certified, or are in the process of certifying, aircraft with a 
        novel design under part 21.17(b) of such title;
            (3) associations representing aircraft manufacturers;
            (4) researchers and academics in related fields; and
            (5) pilots who are experts in flight testing.
    (d) Congressional Report.--Not later than 60 days after the 
completion of the assessment under subsection (a), the Administrator 
shall brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on--
            (1) the results of the assessment conducted under 
        subsection (a); and
            (2) how the Administrator plans to implement the findings 
        of the assessment and any changes needed to Administration 
        policy, guidance, and regulations to allow for and optimize the 
        use of advanced tools during the certification of aerospace 
        products in order to reduce risk and improve safety outcomes.

SEC. 519. TRANSPORT AIRPLANE AND PROPULSION CERTIFICATION 
              MODERNIZATION.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall publish a 
notice of proposed rulemaking for the rulemaking activity titled 
``Transport Airplane and Propulsion Certification Modernization'', 
published in Fall 2022 in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and 
Deregulatory Actions (RIN 2120-AL42).

SEC. 520. ENGINE FIRE PROTECTION STANDARDS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall establish an internal regulatory review team to review and 
compare domestic and international airworthiness standards and guidance 
for aircraft engine firewalls.
    (b) Review.--In completing the review under subsection (a), the 
regulatory review team shall--
            (1) identify any significant differences in standards or 
        guidance with respect to test article selection, fire test 
        boundaries, and pass-fail criteria;
            (2) consider if alternative international standards used by 
        peer civil aviation authorities reflect best practices that 
        should be adopted by the Administration;
            (3) recommend updates, if appropriate, to the Significant 
        Standards List of the Administration based on any findings;
            (4) assess whether a selection of aircraft engine firewalls 
        certified by other civil aviation authorities, which were 
        validated by the Administration, comply with the requirements 
        of the Administration;
            (5) recommend actions the Administration should take during 
        future validation activities or with other civil aviation 
        authorities to address any gaps in requirements; and
            (6) consult with industry stakeholders during such review.
    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 120 days after the completion of the 
review under subsection (a), the Administrator shall brief the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on the findings and recommendations 
stemming from such review.

SEC. 521. RISK MODEL FOR PRODUCTION FACILITY INSPECTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act and periodically thereafter, the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall--
            (1) conduct a review of the risk-based model used by 
        Federal Aviation Administration certification management 
        offices to inform the frequency of aircraft manufacturing or 
        production facility inspections; and
            (2) update the model to ensure such model adequately 
        accounts for risk at facilities during periods of increased 
        production.
    (b) Briefings.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which the 
review is conducted under subsection (a), the Administrator shall brief 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on--
            (1) the results of the review;
            (2) any changes made to the risk-based model described in 
        subsection (a); and
            (3) how such changes would help improve the in-plant 
        inspection process.

SEC. 522. SECONDARY COCKPIT BARRIERS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the issuance of a 
final rule on the proposed rule of the Federal Aviation Administration 
titled ``Installation and Operation of Flightdeck Installed Physical 
Secondary Barriers on Transport Category Airlines in Part 121 
Service'', and issued on August 1, 2022 (87 Fed. Reg. 46892), the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall convene an 
aviation rulemaking committee to review and develop findings and 
recommendations to require installation of a secondary cockpit barrier 
on aircraft operated under the provisions of part 121 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations, that are not captured under another regulation 
or proposed regulation.
    (b) Membership.--The Administrator shall appoint the members of the 
rulemaking committee convened under subsection (a), which shall be 
comprised of at least 1 representative each of--
            (1) mainline air carriers;
            (2) regional air carriers;
            (3) cargo air carriers;
            (4) aircraft manufacturers;
            (5) a labor group representing pilots;
            (6) a labor group representing flight attendants; and
            (7) other stakeholders the Administrator determines 
        appropriate.
    (c) Considerations.--The aviation rulemaking committee convened 
under subsection (a) shall consider--
            (1) minimum dimension requirements for secondary barriers 
        on all aircraft types operated under part 121 of title 14, Code 
        of Federal Regulations;
            (2) secondary barrier performance standards manufacturers 
        and air carriers must meet for such aircraft types;
            (3) the availability of certified secondary barriers 
        suitable for use on such aircraft types;
            (4) the development, certification, testing, manufacturing, 
        installation, and training for secondary barriers for such 
        aircraft types;
            (5) flight duration and stage length;
            (6) the location of lavatory on such aircraft as related to 
        operational complexities;
            (7) operational complexities;
            (8) any risks to safely evacuate passengers of such 
        aircraft; and
            (9) other considerations the Administrator determines 
        appropriate.
    (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after the 
convening of the aviation rulemaking committee described in subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, a report based on 
the findings and recommendations of the aviation rulemaking committee 
convened under subsection (a), to include--
            (1) if applicable, any dissenting positions on the findings 
        and the rationale for each position; and
            (2) any disagreements, including the rationale for each 
        position and the reasons for the disagreement.

SEC. 523. REVIEW OF FAA USE OF AEROSPACE SAFETY 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 enter into an appropriate arrangement with a qualified third-
party organization or consortium to evaluate the Administration's 
collection, collation, analysis, and use of aerospace data across the 
Administration.
    (b) Consultation.--In completing the evaluation under subsection 
(a), the qualified third-party organization or consortium shall--
            (1) seek the input of experts in data analytics, including 
        at least 1 expert in the commercial data services or analytics 
        solutions sector;
            (2) consult with the National Transportation Safety Board 
        and the Transportation Research Board; and
            (3) consult with appropriate federally funded research and 
        development centers, to the extent that such centers are not 
        already involved in the evaluation.
    (c) Substance of Evaluation.--In completing the evaluation under 
subsection (a), the qualified third-party organization or consortium 
shall--
            (1) compile a list of internal and external sources, 
        databases, and streams of information the Administration 
        receives or has access to that provide the Administration with 
        operational or safety information and data about the national 
        airspace system, its users, and other regulated entities of the 
        Administration;
            (2) review data sets to determine completeness and accuracy 
        of relevant information;
            (3) identify gaps in information that the Administration 
        could fill through sharing agreements, partnerships, or other 
        means that would add value during safety trend analysis;
            (4) assess the Administration's capabilities, including 
        analysis systems and workforce skillsets, to analyze relevant 
        data and information to make informed decisions;
            (5) review data and information for proper storage, 
        identification controls, and data privacy--
                    (A) as required by law; and
                    (B) consistent with best practices for data 
                collection, storage, and use;
            (6) review the format of such data and identify methods to 
        improve the usefulness of such data;
            (7) assess internal and external access to data for--
                    (A) appropriateness based on data type and level of 
                detail;
                    (B) proper data access protocols and precautions; 
                and
                    (C) maximizing availability of safety-related data 
                that could support the improvement of safety management 
                systems of and trend identification by regulated 
                entities and the Administration;
            (8) examine the collation and dissemination of data within 
        offices and between offices of the Administration;
            (9) review and recommend improvements to the data analysis 
        techniques of the Administration; and
            (10) recommend investments the Administration should 
        consider to better collect, manage, and analyze data sets, 
        including within and between offices of the Administration.
    (d) Access to Information.--The Administration shall provide the 
qualified third-party organization or consortium and the experts 
described in subsection (b) with adequate access to safety and 
operational data collected by and held by the agency across all offices 
of the Administration, except if specific access is otherwise 
prohibited by law.
    (e) Nondisclosure.--Prior to participating in the review, the 
Administrator shall ensure that each person participating in the 
evaluation under this section enters into an agreement with the 
Administrator in which the person shall be prohibited from disclosing 
at any time, except as required by law, to any person, foreign or 
domestic, any non-public information made accessible to the federally 
funded research and development center under this section.
    (f) Report.--The qualified third-party organization or consortium 
carrying out the evaluation under this section shall provide a report 
of the findings of the center to the Administrator and include 
recommendations to improve the Administration's collection, collation, 
analysis, and use of aerospace data, including recommendations to--
            (1) improve data access across offices within the 
        Administration, as necessary, to support efficient execution of 
        safety analysis and programs across such offices;
            (2) improve data storage best practices;
            (3) develop or refine methods for collating data from 
        multiple administration and industry sources; and
            (4) procure or use available analytics tools to draw 
        conclusions and identify previously unrecognized trends or 
        miscategorized risks in the aviation system, particularly when 
        identification of such information requires the analysis of 
        multiple sets of data from multiple sources.
    (g) Implementation of Recommendations.--Not later than 6 months 
after the receipt of the report under subsection (f), the Administrator 
shall review, develop an implementation plan, and begin the 
implementation of the recommendations received in such report.
    (h) Review of Implementation.--The qualified third-party 
organization or consortium that conducted the initial evaluation, and 
any experts who contributed to such evaluation pursuant to subsection 
(b)(1), shall provide regular feedback and advice to the Administrator 
on the implementation plan developed under subsection (g) and any 
implementation activities for at least 2 years beginning on the date of 
the receipt of the report under subsection (f).
    (i) Report to Congress.--The Administrator shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate the report described in subsection (f) and 
the implementation plan described in subsection (g).
    (j) Existing Reporting Systems.--Consistent with section 132 of the 
Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (Public Law 116-
260), the Executive Director of the Transportation Research Board, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the 
Administrator, may further harmonize data and sources following the 
implementation of recommendations contained in the report required 
under subsection (g).

SEC. 524. PART 135 DUTY AND REST.

    (a) Part 91 Tail-end Ferry Rulemaking.--Not later than 3 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall require that any operation 
conducted by a flightcrew member during an assigned duty period under 
the operational control of an operator holding a certificate under part 
135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, before, during, or after 
the duty period (including any operations under part 91 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations), without an intervening rest period, shall 
count towards the flight time and duty period limitations of such 
flightcrew member under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations.
    (b) Record Keeping.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall update any 
Administration policy and guidance regarding complete and accurate 
record keeping practices for operators holding a certificate under part 
135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, in order to properly 
document, at a minimum--
            (1) flightcrew assignments;
            (2) flightcrew rest notifications;
            (3) compliance with flight and duty times limitations and 
        post-duty rest requirements; and
            (4) duty period start and end times.
    (c) Safety Management System Oversight.--The Administrator, in 
performing oversight of the safety management system of an operator 
holding a certificate under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, following the implementation of the final rule issued 
based on the rulemaking titled ``Safety Management Systems'', and 
published on January 11, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg 1932), shall ensure such 
operator is evaluating and appropriately mitigating aviation safety 
risks, including, at minimum, risks associated with--
            (1) inadequate flightcrew member duty and rest periods; and
            (2) incomplete records pertaining to flightcrew rest, duty, 
        and flight times.

SEC. 525. COCKPIT VOICE AND VIDEO RECORDERS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 44746. Cockpit recording device
    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall complete a rulemaking proceeding to--
            ``(1) require that, not later than 4 years after the date 
        of enactment of this section, all applicable aircraft are 
        fitted with a cockpit voice recorder and a flight data recorder 
        that are each capable of recording the most recent 25 hours of 
        data;
            ``(2) prohibit any person from deliberately erasing or 
        tampering with any recording on such a cockpit voice recorder 
        or flight data recorder following a National Transportation 
        Safety Board reportable event under part 830 of title 49, Code 
        of Federal Regulations, and provide for civil and criminal 
        penalties for such deliberate erasing or tampering, which may 
        be assessed in accordance with section 1155 and section 32 of 
        title 18;
            ``(3) require that such a cockpit voice recorder has the 
        capability for an operator to use an erasure feature, such as 
        an installed bulk erase function, consistent with applicable 
        law and regulations;
            ``(4) require that, in the case of such a cockpit voice 
        recorder or flight data recorder that uses a solid state 
        recording medium in which activation of a bulk erase function 
        assigns a random discrete code to the deleted recording, only 
        the manufacturer of the recorder and National Transportation 
        Safety Board have access to the software necessary to determine 
        the code in order to extract the deleted recorded data; and
            ``(5) ensure that data on such a cockpit voice recorder or 
        a flight data recorder, through technical means other than 
        encryption (such as overwriting or the substitution of a blank 
        recording medium before the recorder is returned to the owner) 
        is not disclosed for use other than for accident or incident 
        investigation purposes.
    ``(b) Prohibited Use.--A cockpit voice recorder recording shall not 
be used by the Administrator or any employer for any certificate 
action, civil penalty, or disciplinary proceedings against flight 
crewmembers.
    ``(c) Applicable Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the term 
`applicable aircraft' means an aircraft that is--
            ``(1) operated under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations; and
            ``(2) required by regulation to have a cockpit voice 
        recorder or a flight data recorder.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 447 of title 49, 
United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``44746. Cockpit recording device.''.

SEC. 526. FLIGHT DATA RECOVERY FROM OVERWATER OPERATIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall direct the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee 
(hereinafter referred to as the ``Committee'' in this section) to 
review regulations regarding flight data recovery for aircraft--
            (1) operated under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations; and
            (2) used in extended overwater operations.
    (b) Considerations.--In carrying out the review pursuant to 
subsection (a), the Committee shall provide to the Administrator any 
consensus recommendations for the equipage of aircraft described in 
subsection (a) with a cockpit voice recorder and a flight data recorder 
that--
            (1) provide a means, in the event of an accident, to 
        recover mandatory flight data parameters in a manner that does 
        not require the underwater retrieval of the cockpit voice 
        recorder or flight data recorder;
            (2) is equipped with a tamper-resistant method to broadcast 
        sufficient information to a ground station to establish the 
        location where an aircraft terminates flight as the result of 
        an accident within 6 nautical miles of the point of impact of 
        the aircraft; and
            (3) is equipped with an airframe low-frequency underwater 
        locating device that functions for at least 90 days and that 
        can be detected by appropriate equipment.
    (c) Recommendations.--Not later than 18 months after tasking the 
aviation rulemaking advisory committee under subsection (a), the 
committee shall submit to the Administrator any consensus 
recommendations developed under subsection (b).
    (d) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after receiving any 
recommendations pursuant to subsection (c), the Administrator shall 
initiate a rulemaking activity based on such consensus recommendations, 
if determined appropriate.
    (e) Briefing.--If the Administrator decides not to issue a final 
rule with respect to the rulemaking initiated under subsection (d), the 
Administrator shall brief the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the 
justification for such decision.

SEC. 527. EMERGENCY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ON PASSENGER AIRCRAFT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 12 months after date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall review and update, as appropriate, part 121 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations, regarding emergency medical equipment, including 
the contents of emergency medical kits, and training required for 
flight crew.
    (b) Consideration.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall consider--
            (1) the benefits and costs (including the costs of flight 
        diversions and emergency landings) of requiring any new 
        medications or equipment necessary to be included in approved 
        emergency medical kits under part 121 of title 14, Code of 
        Federal Regulations; and
            (2) whether the contents of the emergency medical kits 
        include the appropriate medications and equipment that can 
        practicably be administered to address--
                    (A) the emergency medical needs of children and 
                pregnant women;
                    (B) opioid overdose;
                    (C) anaphylaxis; and
                    (D) cardiac arrest.
    (c) Consultation.--In conducting the review required under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult with associations 
representing aerospace medical professionals.

SEC. 528. NAVIGATION AIDS STUDY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the inspector general of the Department of 
Transportation shall initiate a study examining the effects of 
reclassifying navigation aids to Design Assurance Level-A from Design 
Assurance Level-B, including the following navigation aids:
            (1) Distance measuring equipment.
            (2) Very high frequency omni-directional range.
            (3) Tactical air navigation.
            (4) Wide area augmentation system.
    (b) Contents.--In conducting the study required under subsection 
(a), the inspector general shall address--
            (1) the cost-benefit analyses associated with the 
        reclassification described in such subsection;
            (2) the findings from the operational safety assessments 
        and preliminary hazard analyses of the navigation aids listed 
        in such subsection;
            (3) the risks of such reclassification on navigation aid 
        equipment currently in use;
            (4) the potential impacts on global interoperability of 
        navigational aids; and
            (5) what additional actions should be taken based on the 
        findings of this subsection.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the inspector general shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report describing the results of the study conducted under subsection 
(a).

SEC. 529. REMOTE TOWERS.

    (a) Study.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall seek to enter into an agreement 
        with a qualified organization to conduct a study examining the 
        viability and feasibility of remote tower technology available 
        on the date of enactment of this Act to accommodate existing 
        air traffic activity at non-towered, public-use airports and 
        airports with a visual flight rule air traffic control tower.
            (2) Considerations.--In the study conducted under 
        subsection (a), the qualified organization selected under such 
        subsection shall consider and include in such study--
                    (A) the effectiveness and adequacy of the pilot 
                program established under section 161 of the FAA 
                Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 47104 note) in--
                            (i) assessing the installation, 
                        maintenance, and operational costs and benefits 
                        of remote tower technology; and
                            (ii) establishing a clear process for the 
                        safety and operational certification of such 
                        technology;
                    (B) a description of actions that the 
                Administration has undertaken to carry out such pilot 
                program;
                    (C) any barriers related to the safety and 
                operational certification of such technology;
                    (D) the number and type of non-towered airports in 
                the national airspace system;
                    (E) the availability and development of remote 
                tower technology;
                    (F) the potential to use remote tower systems to 
                control air traffic at multiple airports and from a 
                single physical location, similar to a terminal radar 
                approach control facility;
                    (G) staffing flexibility to support seasonal 
                staffing of remote towers;
                    (H) safety factors related to the potential need 
                for such remote tower technology;
                    (I) the potential to use remote tower systems to 
                surveil for unmanned aircraft, in conjunction with 
                unmanned aircraft system traffic management systems, to 
                enhance air traffic management of manned air traffic;
                    (J) factors related to the demand for remote tower 
                technology;
                    (K) an examination of remote tower use in other 
                countries;
                    (L) projected costs associated with installing and 
                maintain remote tower technology at a single airport; 
                and
                    (M) recommendations regarding the most cost-
                effective approach to provide air traffic control 
                services at non-towered airports in the national 
                airspace system.
            (3) Input.--In carrying out the study under subsection (a), 
        the qualified organization selected under such subsection 
        shall--
                    (A) seek coordination with the Air Traffic 
                Organization and other offices of the Administration; 
                and
                    (B) seek the participation of representatives of--
                            (i) the exclusive bargaining 
                        representatives of air traffic controllers 
                        certified under section 7111 of title 5, United 
                        States Code;
                            (ii) manufacturers of remote towers;
                            (iii) airport operators; and
                            (iv) other stakeholders that the 
                        Administrator determines appropriate.
            (4) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 
        Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate a report detailing the results of 
        the study under subsection (a).
    (b) Certification Process.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the completion 
        of the study required under subsection (a), the Administrator 
        shall establish a process for the certification of system 
        design and operational approval of remote towers for use at 
        public-use airports.
            (2) Consultation.--In carrying out subsection (b), the 
        Administrator shall consult with the following:
                    (A) The exclusive bargaining representative of the 
                air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of 
                title 5, United States Code.
                    (B) Manufacturers of remote towers.
                    (C) Non-towered airport operators.
            (3) Requirements.--In developing the certification process 
        required under subsection (b), the Administrator shall--
                    (A) establish requirements for the system design 
                and operational approval of remote towers, including--
                            (i) sensor and camera visual requirements;
                            (ii) datalink latency requirements; and
                            (iii) visual presentation design 
                        requirements for monitors used to display 
                        sensor and camera feeds;
                    (B) establish tower-closure standards for 
                contingency operations and procedures for remote tower 
                failures and malfunctions; and
                    (C) consider the use of--
                            (i) ground- and space-based 
                        telecommunications infrastructure; and
                            (ii) any other wireless telecommunications 
                        infrastructure that may enable the operation of 
                        a remote tower.
            (4) Operational approval assessments.--In developing the 
        operational approval process required under this subsection, 
        the Administrator shall--
                    (A) determine the appropriate number of air traffic 
                controllers necessary to staff a remote tower for safe 
                air traffic control operations at the respective 
                airport based on the existing or projected air traffic 
                activity at the airport;
                    (B) use a safety risk management panel process to 
                address any safety issues with respect to the remote 
                tower;
                    (C) if the remote tower is intended to be installed 
                at a non-towered airport, assess the safety benefits of 
                the remote tower against the lack of an existing tower; 
                and
                    (D) establish, to the satisfaction of the 
                Administrator and using performance-based criteria, to 
                the extent appropriate, published in advance, the level 
                of safety necessary for the operation of the remote 
                tower at the airport.
            (5) Airport operators.--An airport operator seeking to 
        install or construct a certified remote tower shall submit to 
        the Administrator an application in such form and containing 
        such information as the Administrator may require.
            (6) Implementation.--In carrying out this section, the 
        Administrator shall--
                    (A) identify air traffic control information and 
                data that assists the Administrator in categorically 
                certifying remote towers at different types of 
                airports;
                    (B) implement processes necessary to collect the 
                information and data identified in subparagraph (A); 
                and
                    (C) develop criteria from the information and data 
                identified in subparagraph (A) to assess remote towers 
                for widespread use at categories of public-use 
                airports.
            (7) Prioritization of remote tower certification 
        applicants.--With respect to applications submitted as required 
        by paragraph (4), the Administrator shall prioritize--
                    (A) airports that do not have a permanent air 
                traffic control tower at the time of application;
                    (B) airports that would provide small and rural 
                community air service; or
                    (C) airports that have been newly accepted as of 
                the date of enactment of this Act into the Contract 
                Tower Program.
            (8) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after receiving the 
        report required under subsection (a), and annually thereafter 
        through fiscal year 2028, the Administrator shall brief the 
        Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate on the status of the activities 
        required under this section.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Air traffic activity.--The term ``air traffic 
        activity'' means the number of takeoffs, landings, and 
        simulated approaches of an airport and the time of which such 
        takeoffs, landings, and simulated approaches occur.
            (2) Contract tower program.--The term ``Contract Tower 
        Program'' has the meaning given such term in section 47124(e) 
        of title 49, United States Code.
            (3) Qualified organization.--The term ``qualified 
        organization'' means an independent non-profit organization 
        that recommends solutions to public policy challenges through 
        objective analysis.
            (4) Remote tower.--The term ``remote tower'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 161(a)(9) of the FAA 
        Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 47104 note).

SEC. 530. WEATHER REPORTING SYSTEMS STUDY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall initiate a study to examine how to improve the procurement, 
functionality, and sustainability of weather reporting systems, 
including--
            (1) automated weather observing systems;
            (2) automated surface observing systems;
            (3) visual weather observing systems; and
            (4) non-Federal weather reporting systems.
    (b) Contents.--In conducting the study required under section (a), 
the Comptroller General shall address--
            (1) the current state of the supply chain related to 
        weather reporting systems and the components of such systems, 
        including--
                    (A) the adequacy of suppliers of such systems and 
                components;
                    (B) the affordability of such systems and 
                components; and
                    (C) the availability and affordability of 
                replacement parts;
            (2) the average age of weather reporting systems 
        infrastructure installed in the national airspace system;
            (3) challenges to maintaining and replacing weather 
        reporting systems, including--
                    (A) root causes of weather reporting system 
                outages, including failures of such systems, and 
                supporting systems such as telecommunications 
                infrastructure; and
                    (B) the degree to which such outages affect weather 
                reporting in the national airspace system;
            (4) mitigation measures to maintain aviation safety during 
        such an outage; and
            (5) alternative means of obtaining weather elements at 
        airports, including wind direction, wind speed, barometric 
        pressure setting, and cloud coverage, including visibility.
    (c) Consultation.--In conducting the study required under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall consult with the 
appropriate stakeholders and Federal agencies involved in installing, 
managing, and supporting weather reporting systems in the national 
airspace system.
    (d) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to 
        the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
        of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate a report describing the results of 
        the study conducted under subsection (a).
            (2) Recommendations.--The Comptroller General shall include 
        in the report submitted under paragraph (1) recommendations 
        for--
                    (A) ways to improve the resiliency and redundancy 
                of weather reporting systems;
                    (B) alternative means of compliance for obtaining 
                weather elements at airports; and
                    (C) if necessary, changes to Orders of the 
                Administration, including the following:
                            (i) Surface Weather Observing, Joint Order 
                        7900.5.
                            (ii) Notices to Air Missions, Joint Order 
                        7930.2.

SEC. 531. GAO STUDY ON EXPANSION OF THE FAA WEATHER CAMERA PROGRAM.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study on the feasibility and benefits and costs of expanding 
the Weather Camera Program of the Federal Aviation Administration to 
locations in the United States that lack weather camera services.
    (b) Considerations.--In conducting the study required under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall review--
            (1) the potential effects of the existing Weather Camera 
        Program on weather-related aviation accidents and flight 
        interruptions;
            (2) the potential benefits and costs associated with 
        expanding the Weather Camera Program;
            (3) limitations on the real-time access of weather camera 
        information by pilots and aircraft operators;
            (4) non-safety related regulatory structures or barriers to 
        the allowable use of weather camera information for the 
        purposes of aircraft operations;
            (5) limitations of existing weather camera systems at the 
        time of the study;
            (6) alternative sources of viable weather data;
            (7) funding mechanisms for weather camera installation and 
        operations; and
            (8) other considerations the Comptroller General determines 
        appropriate.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 28 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study 
required under subsection (a).

SEC. 532. STUDY ON AVIATION SAFETY IN ERA OF WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National 
Academies to conduct a study on matters related to potential conflicts 
between uses of radio spectrum by the aviation ecosystem and wireless 
telecommunication networks.
    (b) Contents.--The study described in subsection (a) shall address 
approaches to mitigating potential safety hazards posed by conflicts 
between uses of spectrum by the aviation ecosystem and wireless 
telecommunications network, including best practices and policy 
recommendations for the Federal Aviation Administration to--
            (1) improve the process by which proposed spectrum 
        reallocations or auctions are thoroughly reviewed in advance to 
        ensure that any comments, objections, or technical concerns 
        from stakeholders or Federal agencies in any Federal 
        Communication Commission proceeding are definitively assessed 
        and, if necessary, addressed;
            (2) assess the effects of proposed spectrum reallocations 
        or auctions on the aviation ecosystem in a timely manner to 
        better meet the needs of the aviation system or to establish 
        realistic timeframes relating to potential aviation equipment 
        modifications or replacements; and
            (3) better communicate to relevant Federal partners and 
        agencies when a proposed spectrum reallocation or auctions may 
        pose a potential risk to aviation safety.
    (c) Stakeholder Views.--In conducting the study under subsection 
(a), the National Academy shall consult with relevant stakeholders, 
including--
            (1) air carriers operating under part 121 of title 14, Code 
        of Federal Regulations;
            (2) operators holding a certificate under part 135, of 
        title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;
            (3) general aviation operators;
            (4) manufacturers of aircraft and aircraft components;
            (5) wireless telecommunication carriers;
            (6) labor unions representing pilots;
            (7) air traffic system safety specialists;
            (8) other representatives of the telecommunications 
        industry;
            (9) aviation safety experts;
            (10) radio spectrum experts; and
            (11) such other stakeholders as the Administrator 
        determines appropriate.
    (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall complete and submit 
a report on the study described in subsection (a) to--
            (1) the Administrator;
            (2) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
        the House of Representatives; and
            (3) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology of 
        the Senate.

SEC. 533. RAMP WORKER SAFETY CALL TO ACTION.

    (a) Call to Action Ramp Worker Safety Review.--Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall initiate a Call to Action safety 
review of airport ramp worker safety in order to bring stakeholders 
together to share best practices and implement actions to address 
airport ramp worker safety.
    (b) Contents.--The Call to Action safety review required pursuant 
to subsection (a) shall include--
            (1) a review of Administration regulations, guidance, and 
        directives related to airport ramp worker procedures and 
        oversight of such processes;
            (2) a review of reportable accidents and incidents 
        involving airport ramp workers, including any identified 
        contributing factors to the reportable accident or incident;
            (3) a review of training and related educational materials 
        for airport ramp workers, including supervisory employees;
            (4) a review of devices and methods for communication on 
        the ramp;
            (5) a review of markings on the ramp that define 
        restriction, staging, safety, or hazard zones;
            (6) a review of aircraft jet blast and engine intake safety 
        markings; and
            (7) a process for stakeholders, including airlines, 
        aircraft manufacturers, airports, labor, and aviation safety 
        experts, to provide feedback and share best practices.
    (c) Report and Actions.--Not later than 180 days after the 
conclusion of the Call to Action safety review pursuant to subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall--
            (1) submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate a report on the results of the review and any 
        recommendations for actions or best practices to improve 
        airport ramp worker safety, including the identification of 
        risks and possible mitigations to be considered in any 
        applicable safety management system of air carriers and 
        airports; and
            (2) initiate such actions as are necessary to act upon the 
        findings of the review under subsection (b).

SEC. 534. SAFETY DATA ANALYSIS FOR AIRCRAFT WITHOUT TRANSPONDERS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, 
in coordination with the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety 
Board, shall collect and analyze data relating to accidents and 
incidents involving covered exempt aircraft that occurred within 30 
nautical miles of an airport.
    (b) Requirements.--The analysis required under subsection (a) shall 
include with respect to covered exempt aircraft a review of--
            (1) incident and accident data since 2006;
            (2) incidents and accidents involving midair events, 
        including collisions;
            (3) incidents and accidents involving ground proximity 
        warning system alerts;
            (4) incidents and accidents involving traffic collision 
        avoidance system alerts;
            (5) incidents and accidents involving a loss of separation 
        or near miss; and
            (6) the causes of the accidents and incidents described in 
        paragraphs (1) through (5).
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report containing the results of the analysis required under 
subsection (a) and, if appropriate, recommendations on how to reduce 
the number of incidents and accidents associated with such covered 
exempt aircraft.
    (d) Covered Exempt Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the term 
``covered exempt aircraft'' means aircraft, balloons, and gliders 
exempt from air traffic control transponder and altitude reporting 
equipment and use requirements under part 91.215(b)(3) of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 535. CRASH-RESISTANT FUEL SYSTEMS IN ROTORCRAFT.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall task the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee 
to--
            (1) review the data analysis conducted and the 
        recommendations developed by the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory 
        Committee Rotorcraft Occupant Protection Working Group of the 
        Administration;
            (2) update the 2018 report of such working group on 
        rotorcraft occupant protection by--
                    (A) reviewing National Transportation Safety Board 
                data from 2016 through 2023 on post-crash fires in 
                helicopter accidents; and
                    (B) determining whether and to what extent crash-
                resistant fuel systems could have prevented fatalities; 
                and
            (3) develop recommendations for either the Administrator or 
        the helicopter industry to encourage helicopter owners and 
        operators to expedite the installation of crash-resistant fuel 
        systems in the aircraft of such owners and operators regardless 
        of original certification and manufacture date.
    (b) Schedule.--
            (1) Deadline.--Not later than 18 months after the 
        Administrator tasks the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee 
        under subsection (a), the Committee shall submit the 
        recommendations developed under subsection (a)(2) to the 
        Administrator.
            (2) Implementation.--If applicable, and not later than 180 
        days after receiving the recommendations under paragraph (1), 
        the Administrator shall--
                    (A) begin implementing, as appropriate, any 
                consensus safety recommendations the Administrator 
                receives from the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory 
                Committee, and brief the Committee on Transportation 
                and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
                the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
                of the Senate on any recommendations the Administrator 
                does not implement; and
                    (B) partner with the United States Helicopter 
                Safety Team, as appropriate, to facilitate 
                implementation of any recommendations for the 
                helicopter industry pursuant to subsection (a)(2)

SEC. 536. REDUCING TURBULENCE ON PART 121 AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall review and implement, as appropriate, the recommendations made by 
the Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board to the 
Administrator contained in the safety research report titled 
``Preventing Turbulence-Related Injuries in Air Carrier Operations 
Conducted Under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121'', issued 
on August 10, 2021 (NTSB/SS-21/01).
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after completing the 
        review under subsection (a), and every 2 years thereafter, the 
        Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
        and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate a report on the status of the recommendations in the 
        safety research report described in subsection (a) until the 
        earlier of--
                    (A) the date on which such recommendations have 
                been adopted; or
                    (B) the date that is 10 years after the date of 
                enactment of this Act.
            (2) Contents.--If the Administrator decides not to 
        implement a recommendation in the safety research report 
        described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall provide, 
        as a part of the report required under paragraph (1), a 
        description of why the Administrator did not implement such 
        recommendation.

SEC. 537. STUDY ON RADIATION EXPOSURE.

    (a) Study.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of 
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine under which the National Research 
Council of the National Academies shall conduct a study on radiation 
exposure onboard various aircraft types operated under part 121 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
    (b) Scope of Study.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), 
the National Research Council shall assess--
            (1) radiation concentrations in such aircraft at takeoff, 
        in-flight at high altitudes, and upon landing;
            (2) the health risks and impact of radiation exposure to 
        flight attendants and passengers onboard aircraft operating at 
        high altitudes; and
            (3) mitigation measures to prevent and reduce the health 
        and safety impacts of radiation exposure to flight attendants 
        and passengers.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 16 months after the 
initiation of the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the study 
conducted by the National Research Council pursuant to this section.
    (d) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this section, 
the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

SEC. 538. DETERRING CREWMEMBER INTERFERENCE.

    (a) Task Force.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall convene a task force to develop 
        voluntary standards and best practices relating to suspected 
        violations of sections 46318, 46503, and 46504 of title 49, 
        United States Code, including--
                    (A) proper and consistent incident documentation 
                and reporting techniques;
                    (B) best practices for flight crew and cabin crew 
                response, including de-escalation;
                    (C) improved coordination between stakeholders, 
                including flight crew and cabin crew, airport staff, 
                other Federal agencies as appropriate, and law 
                enforcement; and
                    (D) appropriate enforcement actions.
            (2) Membership.--The task force convened under paragraph 
        (1) shall be comprised representatives of--
                    (A) air carriers;
                    (B) airport sponsors and airport law enforcement 
                agencies;
                    (C) other Federal agencies determined necessary by 
                the Administrator; and
                    (D) labor organizations representing air carrier 
                pilots;
                    (E) labor organizations representing flight 
                attendants; and
                    (F) labor organizations representing ticketing, 
                check-in, or other customer service representatives 
                employed by air carriers.
    (b) Announcements.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall initiate such actions as 
may be necessary to include in the briefing of passengers before 
takeoff required under section 121.571 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, a statement informing passengers that it is against 
Federal law to assault or threaten to assault any individual on an 
aircraft or interfere with the duties of a crewmember.
    (c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the definitions in 
section 40102(a) of title 49, United States Code, shall apply to terms 
in this section.

SEC. 539. CABIN TEMPERATURE STANDARDS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 24 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall review existing standards produced by recognized 
industry standards organizations on safe air temperatures and humidity 
levels in enclosed environments, including onboard aircraft, and 
determine the validity of such standards, including the American 
Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (in 
this section referred to as ``ASHRAE'') standards titled ``Air Quality 
within Commercial Aircraft'' (ASHRAE Guideline 28-2021) and ``Thermal 
Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy'' (ASHRAE Standard 55-
2020).
    (b) Consultation.--In conducting the review under subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall consult with--
            (1) certificate holders under part 121 of title 14, Code of 
        Federal Regulations;
            (2) certified labor representatives of flight attendants, 
        pilots, and other crewmembers;
            (3) relevant Federal agencies; and
            (4) other relevant stakeholders, as appropriate.
    (c) Academic Study.--In the event that the Administrator 
determines, through the review carried out under subsection (a), that 
there is not an appropriate standard to determine unsafe temperatures 
onboard aircraft operated under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, the Administrator shall enter into an appropriate 
agreement with the National Academies to--
            (1) conduct a study of unsafe aircraft cabin temperatures 
        and aircraft conditions that contribute to such temperatures; 
        and
            (2) provide recommendations for air carriers and aircraft 
        manufacturers to improve the management of temperature and 
        related factors onboard aircraft.
    (d) Reports.--
            (1) FAA.--Not later than 3 months after completing the 
        review required under subsection (a), the Administrator shall 
        submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
        the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
        findings and determination of the review.
            (2) National academies.--If a report is produced under 
        subsection (c), not later than 1 month after receiving such 
        report the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
        Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate such report.

SEC. 540. CABIN AIR QUALITY.

    (a) Reporting of Smoke or Fume Events Onboard Commercial 
Aircraft.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall develop a standardized system for 
        a flight attendants, pilots, and aircraft maintenance 
        technicians of air carriers to voluntarily report fume events 
        onboard passenger-carrying aircraft operating under part 121 of 
        title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
            (2) Information submission.--The system developed under 
        paragraph (1) shall include a method of submission, which shall 
        request at least the following information:
                    (A) Identification of the flight number, type, and 
                registration of the aircraft.
                    (B) The date of the reported fume event onboard the 
                aircraft.
                    (C) Description of smoke or fume in the aircraft, 
                including the nature, intensity, and visual consistency 
                or smell (if any).
                    (D) The location of the smoke or fumes in the 
                aircraft.
                    (E) The source (if discernible) of the smoke or 
                fumes in the aircraft.
                    (F) The phase of flight during which smoke or fumes 
                first became present.
                    (G) The duration of the fume event.
                    (H) Any required onboard medical attention for 
                passengers or crew members.
                    (I) Any additional factors as determined 
                appropriate by the Administrator or crew member 
                submitting a report.
            (3) Guidelines for submission.--The Administrator shall 
        issue guidelines on how to submit the information described in 
        paragraph (2).
            (4) Confirmation of submission.--Upon submitting the 
        information described in paragraph (2), the submitting party 
        shall receive a duplicate record of the submission and 
        confirmation of receipt.
            (5) Use of information.--The Administrator--
                    (A) may not publish any information submitted under 
                this section;
                    (B) shall maintain a database of such information;
                    (C) at the request of an air carrier, shall provide 
                to such air carrier any information submitted under 
                this section that is relevant to such air carrier, 
                except any information that may be used to identify the 
                party submitting such information;
                    (D) may not, without validation, assume that 
                information submitted under this section is accurate 
                for the purposes of initiating rulemaking or taking an 
                enforcement action;
                    (E) may use information submitted under this 
                section to inform the oversight of the safety 
                management system of an air carrier; and
                    (F) may use information submitted under this 
                section for the purpose of performing a study or 
                supporting a study sponsored by the Administrator.
    (b) Study.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall seek to enter into the 
        appropriate arrangements with the National Academies to conduct 
        a study and issue recommendations to be made publicly available 
        pertaining to cabin air quality and any risk of, and potential 
        for, persistent and accidental fume events onboard a passenger-
        carrying aircraft operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of 
        Federal Regulations.
            (2) Scope.--In carrying out a study pursuant to paragraph 
        (1), the National Academies shall examine--
                    (A) the information collected pursuant to 
                subsection (a);
                    (B) the report issued pursuant to section 326 of 
                the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 
                note) and any identified assumptions or gaps described 
                in such report;
                    (C) any health risks or impacts of fume events on 
                flight crews, including flight attendants and pilots, 
                and passengers onboard aircraft operating under part 
                121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;
                    (D) instances of persistent or regularly occurring 
                (as determined by the National Academies) fume events 
                in such aircraft;
                    (E) instances of accidental, unexpected, or 
                irregularly occurring (as determined by the National 
                Academies) fume events on such aircraft, including 
                whether such accidental events are more frequent during 
                various phases of operations, including ground 
                operations, taxiing, take off, cruise, and landing;
                    (F) the likely originating material of, and the air 
                contaminants present during, the situations described 
                in subparagraphs (D) and (E);
                    (G) the frequencies, durations, and likely causes 
                of the situations described in subparagraphs (D) and 
                (E); and
                    (H) any additional data on fume events as 
                determined appropriate by the National Academies.
            (3) Recommendations.--The National Academies shall provide 
        recommendations based on the study conducted under paragraph 
        (1)--
                    (A) that shall, at minimum, address how to--
                            (i) improve overall cabin air quality of 
                        passenger-carrying aircraft;
                            (ii) improve the detection, accuracy, and 
                        reporting of fume events; and
                            (iii) reduce the frequency and impact of 
                        fume events; and
                    (B) for any updates to standards, guidelines, or 
                regulations that could help achieve the recommendations 
                described in subparagraph (A).
            (4) Report to congress.--Not later than 1 month after the 
        completion of the study conducted under paragraph (1), the 
        Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
        and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate a copy of such study.
    (c) Fume Event Defined.--In this section, the term ``fume event'' 
means the presence of fumes in the cabin, including smoke.

SEC. 541. EVACUATION STANDARDS FOR TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall task the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee 
with reviewing and proposing updates to the evacuation requirements 
under section 25.803 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and 
appendix J to part 25 of such title.
    (b) Considerations.--In tasking the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory 
Committee under subsection (a), the Administrator shall, at a minimum, 
task the Committee to--
            (1) evaluate whether the representative passenger loads, 
        prescribed in regulation on the date of enactment of this Act, 
        represent a realistic composition of passengers on an aircraft 
        operated under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations, including accounting for--
                    (A) children, including infants;
                    (B) passengers who do not speak English;
                    (C) passengers with disabilities; and
                    (D) service animals (as such term is defined in 
                section 35.104 and 36.104 of title 28, Code of Federal 
                Regulations, or successor regulations); and
            (2) determine if there are technologies or techniques that 
        can be used to more accurately represent categories of 
        passengers who are unable to provide consent during evacuation 
        testing, but should be simulated in such testing;
            (3) evaluate whether the requirements prescribed in 
        regulation on the date of enactment of this Act adequately 
        consider the varying sizes, weight, and matter or baggage 
        present in an aircraft cabin; and
            (4) determine whether the evacuation testing performed, 
        associated with section 25.803 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations, considers the seat size, seat pitch, seating 
        layout, aisle width, and aisle layout of the aircraft type 
        being tested.
    (c) Consultation.--In tasking the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory 
Committee under subsection (a), the Administrator shall allow such 
Committee to consult with the National Transportation Safety Board, 
transport category aircraft manufacturers, air carriers certificated 
under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, crew members 
of such air carriers, emergency responders, groups representing 
passengers and passengers with disabilities, and other relevant 
experts.
    (d) Rulemaking.--Not later than 18 months after receiving such 
recommendations to update section 25.803 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, and appendix J to part 25 of such title, the Administrator 
shall issue a final rulemaking based on the recommendations provided by 
the aviation rulemaking advisory committee tasked under this section, 
as necessary.
    (e) Passenger With Disabilities.--In this section, the term 
``passenger with disabilities'' means any qualified individual with a 
disability, as such term is defined in section 382.3 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations, or successor regulations.

SEC. 542. LITHIUM-ION POWERED WHEELCHAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall task the Air Carrier 
Access Act Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the 
``Committee'') to conduct a review of regulations regarding lithium-ion 
battery powered wheelchairs and mobility aids and provide 
recommendations to the Secretary to ensure safe transport of such 
wheelchairs and mobility aids in air transportation.
    (b) Considerations.--In conducting the review required under 
subsection (a), the Committee shall consider the following:
            (1) Any existing or necessary standards for lithium-ion 
        batteries, including casings or other similar components, in 
        such wheelchairs and mobility aids.
            (2) The availability of necessary containment or storage 
        devices, including fire containment covers or fire-resistant 
        storage containers, for such wheelchairs and mobility aids.
            (3) The policies of each air carrier (as such term is 
        defined in part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations) 
        pertaining to lithium-ion battery powered wheelchairs and 
        mobility aids (as in effect on the date of enactment of this 
        Act).
            (4) Any other considerations the Secretary determines 
        appropriate.
    (c) Consultation Requirement.--In conducting the review required 
under subsection (a), the Committee shall consult with the 
Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration.
    (d) Notification.--
            (1) In general.--Upon completion of the review conducted 
        under subsection (a), the Committee shall notify the Secretary 
        if an air carrier does not have a policy pertaining to lithium-
        ion battery powered wheelchairs and mobility aids in effect.
            (2) Notification.--The Secretary shall notify an air 
        carrier described in paragraph (1) of the status of such air 
        carrier.
    (e) Report to Congress.--Not later than 90 days after submission of 
the recommendations to the Secretary, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate any recommendations under subsection (a), 
in the form of a report.
    (f) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the report required 
under subsection (e) on the public website of the Department of 
Transportation.

SEC. 543. NATIONAL SIMULATOR PROGRAM POLICIES AND GUIDANCE.

    (a) Review.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall review relevant policies and guidance, including all advisory 
circulars, information bulletins, and directives, pertaining to part 60 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
    (b) Updates.--Upon completion of the review required under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall, at a minimum, update the 
following:
            (1) Advisory Circular 120-40B, issued July 29, 1991.
            (2) Advisory Circular 120-45A, issued February 5, 1992.
            (3) Advisory Circular 120-50A, issued February 9, 1996.
            (4) Advisory Circular 120-63, issued October 11, 1994.
    (c) Consultation.--In carrying out the review required under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall convene and consult with 
entities required to comply with part 60 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, including representatives of--
            (1) air carriers;
            (2) flight schools certificated under part 141 of title 14, 
        Code of Federal Regulations;
            (3) training centers certificated under part 142 of title 
        14, Code of Federal Regulations; and
            (4) manufacturers and suppliers of flight simulation 
        training devices (as defined in part 1 of title 14, Code of 
        Federal Regulations, and Appendix F to part 60 of such title).

SEC. 544. GAO STUDY ON FAA NATIONAL SIMULATOR PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall conduct a study into the National Simulator Program of the 
Federal Aviation Administration that is part of the Air Transportation 
Division's Training and Simulation Group.
    (b) Considerations.--In conducting the study required under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall, at a minimum, assesses--
            (1) how the program described under subsection (a), is 
        maintained to reflect and account for advancement in 
        technologies pertaining to flight simulation training devices 
        (as defined in part 1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
        and appendix F to part 60 of such title);
            (2) the staffing levels, critical competencies, and skills 
        gaps of Administration personnel responsible for carrying out 
        and supporting the program described in subsection (a); and
            (3) how the program described in subsection (a) engages air 
        carriers and relevant industry stakeholders, including flight 
        schools, to ensure efficient compliance with part 60 of such 
        title.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a).

SEC. 545. GAO STUDY ON FAA ALIGNMENT WITH BEST AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES 
              AND STANDARDS.

    (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study on the incorporation of best available technologies by 
the Federal Aviation Administration to increase aviation safety and 
improve the health and safety of aviation workers.
    (b) Scope.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), the 
Comptroller General shall--
            (1) analyze the degree to which the Administrator of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration is enabling the use or adoption 
        of technologies used by other air navigation service providers 
        to meet ICAO standards; and
            (2) identify any barriers to adoption of such technologies.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General shall report to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on 
the findings of the study.
    (d) ICAO Defined.--In this section, the term ``ICAO'' means the 
International Civil Aviation Organization.

SEC. 546. ADVANCED SIMULATION TRAINING.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 61.159(a)(6) of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations), a person 
who is applying for an airline transport certificate with an airplane 
category and class rating may obtain up to 150 additional hours of the 
total aeronautical experience requirement in a full flight simulator 
representing an airplane that provides six-degrees of freedom motion, 
provided the aeronautical experience--
            (1) was accomplished as part of a Federal Aviation 
        Administration approved training course in parts 121, 135, 141, 
        or 142 of such title; and
            (2) does not qualify for flight credit hours for an 
        individual applying for an airline transport pilot certificate 
        with restricted privileges under paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and 
        (d) of section 61.160 of such title (or any successor 
        regulation).
    (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to affect the ability of a person to also obtain 100 hours of 
aeronautical experience in a flight training device or full flight 
simulator under section 61.159(a)(6) of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (or any successor regulations).
    (c) Rulemaking.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall issue a final rule to update part 
        61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to reflect changes 
        made by this section.
            (2) Consultation.--The Administrator shall consult with the 
        Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee--
                    (A) in developing the rule under paragraph (1), and
                    (B) in evaluating, notwithstanding subsection (a), 
                whether the additional 150 hours allowed under 
                subsection (a) may be accrued in a full flight 
                simulator representing an airplane that provides three-
                degrees of freedom motion.
            (3) Applicability.--Nothing in this subsection, nor any 
        potential failure of the Administrator to issue a final rule 
        under paragraph (1), shall be construed to prohibit the 
        immediate applicability of subsection (a).
    (d) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``flight training 
device'' and ``full flight simulator'' have the meanings given such 
terms in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 547. INCREMENTAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT.

    Section 44704 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(h) Incremental Safety Improvement.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator may consider and 
        approve a proposed incremental design change request from a 
        type certificate holder, if such holder is required by the 
        Administrator to make a safety-related design change to bring a 
        product into compliance, even if the proposed incremental 
        design change does not eliminate all noncompliant conditions.
            ``(2) Proposed incremental design change.--A proposed 
        incremental design change under paragraph (1) shall--
                    ``(A) be related to the required safety-related 
                change described in this subsection; and
                    ``(B) improve safety.
            ``(3) Full compliance.--An approval issued under this 
        subsection shall not be construed to relieve a type certificate 
        holder from addressing all noncompliant conditions under 
        paragraph (1).''.

                   Subtitle B--Aviation Cybersecurity

SEC. 571. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Congress has repeatedly tasked the Federal Aviation 
        Administration with responsibility for securing the national 
        airspace system, including the air traffic control system and 
        other air navigation services, civil aircraft, and aeronautical 
        products and articles through safety regulation and oversight. 
        These mandates have routinely included protecting against 
        associated cyber threats affecting aviation safety or the 
        Administration's provision of safe, secure, and efficient air 
        navigation services and airspace management.
            (2) In 2016, Congress passed the FAA Extension, Safety, and 
        Security Act of 2016, which established requirements for the 
        Federal Aviation Administration to enhance the national 
        airspace system's cybersecurity and included mandates for the 
        Administration to--
                    (A) develop a cybersecurity strategic plan;
                    (B) coordinate with other Federal agencies to 
                identify cyber vulnerabilities;
                    (C) develop a cyber threat model; and
                    (D) complete a comprehensive, strategic policy 
                framework to identify and mitigate cybersecurity risks 
                to the air traffic control system.
            (3) In 2018, Congress passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 
        2018 which--
                    (A) authorized funding for the construction of 
                Federal Aviation Administration facilities dedicated to 
                improving the cybersecurity of the national airspace 
                system;
                    (B) required the Federal Aviation Administration to 
                review and update its comprehensive, strategic policy 
                framework for cybersecurity to assess the degree to 
                which the framework identifies and addresses known 
                cybersecurity risks associated with the aviation 
                system, and evaluate existing short- and long-term 
                objectives for addressing cybersecurity risks to the 
                national airspace system;
                    (C) created a Chief Technology Officer position 
                within the Federal Aviation Administration to be 
                responsible for, among other things, coordinating the 
                implementation, operation, maintenance, and 
                cybersecurity of technology programs relating to the 
                air traffic control system with the aviation industry 
                and other Federal agencies; and
                    (D) directed the National Academy of Sciences to 
                study the cybersecurity workforce of the Federal 
                Aviation Administration in order to develop 
                recommendations to increase the size, quality, and 
                diversity of such workforce.
            (4) Congress has tasked the Federal Aviation Administration 
        with being the primary Federal agency to assess and address the 
        threats posed from cyber incidents relating to Federal Aviation 
        Administration-provided air traffic control and air navigation 
        services and the threats posed from cyber incidents relating to 
        civil aircraft, aeronautical products and articles, aviation 
        networks, aviation systems, services, and operations, and the 
        aerospace industry affecting aviation safety or the provision 
        of safe, secure, and efficient air navigation services and 
        airspace management by the Administration.
            (5) Since 2005, the Federal Aviation Administration has 
        been addressing cyber vulnerabilities in civil aircraft and 
        aeronautical products and articles during the safety 
        certification process.

SEC. 572. AEROSPACE PRODUCT SAFETY.

    (a) Cybersecurity Standards.--Section 44701(a) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``cybersecurity,'' after 
        ``quality of work,''; and
            (2) in paragraph (5)--
                    (A) by inserting ``cybersecurity and'' after 
                ``standards for''; and
                    (B) by striking ``procedure'' and inserting 
                ``procedures''.
    (b) Exclusive Rulemaking Authority.--Section 44701 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(h) Exclusive Rulemaking Authority.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law and except as provided in section 40132, the 
Administrator, in consultation with the heads of such other agencies as 
the Administrator determines necessary, shall have exclusive authority 
to prescribe regulations for purposes of assuring civil aircraft, 
including unmanned aircraft systems, aircraft engine, propeller, and 
appliance cybersecurity.''.

SEC. 573. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS, POLICY, AND 
              GUIDANCE.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 401 of title 49, United States Code, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 40132. National airspace system cyber threat management process
    ``(a) Establishment.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration, in consultation with other agencies as the 
Administrator determines necessary, shall establish a national airspace 
system cyber threat management process to protect the national airspace 
system cyber environment, including the safety, security, and 
efficiency of the air navigation services provided by the 
Administration.
    ``(b) Issues To Be Addressed.--In establishing the national 
airspace system cyber threat management process under subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall, at a minimum--
            ``(1) monitor the national airspace system for 
        cybersecurity incidents;
            ``(2) in consultation with appropriate Federal agencies, 
        evaluate the cyber threat landscape for the national airspace 
        system, including updating such evaluation on both annual and 
        threat-based timelines;
            ``(3) conduct national airspace system cyber incident 
        analyses;
            ``(4) create a cyber common operating picture for the 
        national airspace system cyber environment;
            ``(5) coordinate national airspace system cyber incident 
        responses with other appropriate Federal agencies;
            ``(6) track cyber incident detection, response, mitigation 
        implementation, recovery, and closure;
            ``(7) establish a process, or utilize existing processes, 
        to collect relevant interagency and stakeholder national 
        airspace system cyber incident data, including data from other 
        Federal agencies and private persons; and
            ``(8) consider any other matter the Administrator 
        determines appropriate.
    ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Cyber common operating picture.--The term `cyber 
        common operating picture' means the correlation of a detected 
        cyber incident or cyber threat in the national airspace system 
        and other operational anomalies to provide a holistic view of 
        potential cause and impact.
            ``(2) Cyber environment.--The term `cyber environment' 
        means the information environment consisting of the 
        interdependent networks of information technology 
        infrastructures and resident data, including the internet, 
        telecommunications networks, computer systems, and embedded 
        processors and controllers.
            ``(3) Cyber incident.--The term `cyber incident' means an 
        action that creates noticeable degradation, disruption, or 
        destruction to the cyber environment and causes a safety or 
        other negative impact on operations of--
                    ``(A) the national airspace system;
                    ``(B) civil aircraft; or
                    ``(C) aeronautical products and articles.
            ``(4) Cyber threat.--The term `cyber threat' means the 
        threat of an action that, if carried out, would constitute a 
        cyber incident or an electronic attack.
            ``(5) Electronic attack.--The term `electronic attack' 
        means the use of electromagnetic spectrum energy to impede 
        operations in the cyber environment, including through 
        techniques such as jamming or spoofing.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 401 of title 49, 
United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``40132. National airspace system cyber threat management process.''.

SEC. 574. CIVIL AVIATION CYBERSECURITY RULEMAKING COMMITTEE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall convene an aviation rulemaking committee on civil aircraft 
cybersecurity to conduct a review and develop findings and 
recommendations on cybersecurity standards for civil aircraft, aircraft 
ground support information systems, airports, air traffic control 
mission systems, and aeronautical products and articles.
    (b) Duties.--The Administrator shall--
            (1) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate a report based on the findings of the aviation 
        rulemaking committee convened under subsection (a); and
            (2) not later than 180 days after the date of submission of 
        the report under paragraph (1) and, in consultation with other 
        agencies as the Administrator determines necessary, for 
        consensus recommendations reached by such aviation rulemaking 
        committee--
                    (A) undertake a rulemaking, if appropriate, based 
                on such recommendations; and
                    (B) submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
                Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
                Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
                the Senate a supplemental report with explanations for 
                each consensus recommendation not addressed, if 
                applicable, by a rulemaking under subparagraph (A).
    (c) Composition.--The aviation rulemaking committee convened under 
subsection (a) shall consist of members appointed by the Administrator, 
including representatives of--
            (1) aircraft manufacturers, to include at least 1 
        manufacturer of transport category aircraft;
            (2) air carriers;
            (3) unmanned aircraft system stakeholders, including 
        operators, service suppliers, and manufacturers of hardware 
        components and software applications;
            (4) manufacturers of powered-lift aircraft;
            (5) airports;
            (6) original equipment manufacturers of ground and space 
        based aviation infrastructure;
            (7) aviation safety experts with specific knowledge of 
        aircraft cybersecurity; and
            (8) a non-profit which operates 1 or more federally funded 
        research and development centers with specific knowledge of 
        aviation and cybersecurity.
    (d) Member Eligibility.--Prior to a member's appointment under 
subsection (c), the Administrator shall determine if there is cause for 
such member to be restricted from possessing sensitive security 
information. Upon a determination of no cause being found regarding the 
member, and upon the member voluntarily signing a nondisclosure 
agreement, the member may be granted access to sensitive security 
information that is relevant to the member's duties on the aviation 
rulemaking committee. The member shall protect the sensitive security 
information in accordance with part 1520 of title 49, Code of Federal 
Regulations.
    (e) Prohibition on Compensation.--The members of the aviation 
rulemaking committee convened under subsection (a) shall not receive 
pay, allowances, or benefits from the Government by reason of their 
service on such committee.
    (f) Considerations.--The Administrator shall direct such committee 
to consider--
            (1) existing cybersecurity standards, regulations, 
        policies, and guidance, including those from other Federal 
        agencies;
            (2) threat- and risk-based security approaches used by the 
        aviation industry, including the assessment of the potential 
        costs and benefits of cybersecurity actions;
            (3) data gathered from cybersecurity reporting;
            (4) data gathered from safety reporting;
            (5) the diversity of operations and systems on aircraft and 
        amongst air carriers;
            (6) security of design data;
            (7) the need to harmonize or deconflict proposed and 
        existing standards, regulations, policies, and guidance with 
        other Federal standards, regulations, policies, and guidance;
            (8) design approval holder aircraft network security 
        guidance for operators;
            (9) the need for such standards, regulations, policies, and 
        guidance as applied to civil aircraft information, data, 
        networks, systems, services, operations, and technology;
            (10) Federal Aviation Administration services, aviation 
        industry services, and aircraft use of positioning, navigation, 
        and timing data in the context of Executive Order 13905, as in 
        effect on the date of enactment of this Act;
            (11) updates needed to airworthiness regulations and 
        systems safety assessment methods used to show compliance with 
        airworthiness requirements for design, function, installation, 
        and certification of civil aircraft, aeronautical products and 
        articles, and aircraft networks;
            (12) updates needed to air carrier operating and 
        maintenance regulations to ensure continued adherence with 
        processes and procedures established in airworthiness 
        regulations to provide cybersecurity protections for aircraft 
        systems, including for continued airworthiness;
            (13) policies and procedures to coordinate with other 
        Federal agencies, including intelligence agencies, and the 
        aviation industry in sharing information and analyses related 
        to cyber threats to civil aircraft information, data, networks, 
        systems, services, operations, and technology and aeronautical 
        products and articles;
            (14) the response of the Administrator and aviation 
        industry to, and recovery from, cyber incidents, including by 
        coordinating with other Federal agencies, including 
        intelligence agencies;
            (15) processes for members of the aviation industry to 
        voluntarily report to the Federal Aviation Administration cyber 
        incidents that may affect aviation safety in a manner that 
        protects trade secrets and confidential business information;
            (16) the unique nature of the aviation industry, including 
        aircraft networks, aircraft systems, and aeronautical products, 
        and the interconnectedness of cybersecurity and aviation 
        safety;
            (17) appropriate cybersecurity controls for aircraft 
        networks, aircraft systems, and aeronautical products and 
        articles to protect aviation safety, including airworthiness;
            (18) appropriate cybersecurity controls for airports 
        relative to the size and nature of airside operations of such 
        airports to ensure aviation safety;
            (19) minimum standards for protecting civil aircraft, 
        aeronautical products and articles, aviation networks, aviation 
        systems, services, and operations from cyber threats and cyber 
        incidents;
            (20) international collaboration, where appropriate and 
        consistent with the interests of aviation safety in air 
        commerce and national security, with other civil aviation 
        authorities, international aviation and standards 
        organizations, and any other appropriate entities to protect 
        civil aviation from cyber incidents and cyber threats;
            (21) the recommendations and implementation of the Aircraft 
        System Information Security/Protection report of the aviation 
        rulemaking advisory committee submitted on August 22, 2016; and
            (22) any other matter the Administrator determines 
        appropriate.
    (g) Definitions.--The definitions set forth in section 40132 of 
title 49, United States Code (as added by this subtitle), shall apply 
to this section.

                     TITLE VI--AEROSPACE INNOVATION

                 Subtitle A--Unmanned Aircraft Systems

SEC. 601. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Definition.--Section 44801(1) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (C) by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) is able to maintain safe flight control in 
                the event of a power or flight control failure during 
                flight; and
                    ``(E) is programmed to initiate a controlled 
                landing in the event of a tether separation.''.

SEC. 602. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM TEST RANGES.

    (a) In General.--Section 44803 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 44803. Unmanned aircraft system test ranges
    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall carry out and update, as appropriate, a program to 
enable a broad variety of testing and evaluation activities at unmanned 
aircraft system test ranges, as in effect on the day before the date of 
enactment of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American 
Aviation Act, to the extent consistent with aviation safety and 
efficiency, and for purposes of the safe integration of unmanned 
aircraft systems into the national airspace system.
    ``(b) Airspace Requirements.--In carrying out the program under 
subsection (a)--
            ``(1) the Administrator may establish nonregulatory special 
        use airspace areas upon the request of a test range sponsor 
        selected by the Administrator under subsection (a), for 
        purposes of accommodating hazardous testing and evaluation 
        activities to inform the safe integration of unmanned aircraft 
        systems into the national airspace system, or for purposes of 
        other activities authorized by the Administrator under 
        subsection (g);
            ``(2) each selected test range sponsor for a designated 
        test range shall be considered the using agency for purposes of 
        the respective nonregulatory special use airspace areas 
        established by the Administrator under this section; and
            ``(3) the Administrator may require that each selected test 
        range sponsor for a designated test range provide a draft 
        environmental review consistent with the National Environmental 
        Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), subject to the 
        supervision and adoption of the Administrator, with respect to 
        any request for the establishment of a nonregulatory special 
        use airspace area under this section.
    ``(c) Program Requirement.--In carrying out the program under 
subsection (a), the Administrator--
            ``(1) may develop operational standards and air traffic 
        requirements for flight operations at test ranges;
            ``(2) shall coordinate with, and leverage the resources of, 
        other Federal agencies, as the Administrator considers 
        appropriate;
            ``(3) shall address both civil and public aircraft 
        operations;
            ``(4) shall provide for verification of the safety of 
        flight systems and related navigation procedures as it relates 
        to continued development of standards for integration into the 
        national airspace system;
            ``(5) shall engage test range sponsors, as necessary and 
        within available resources, in projects for testing and 
        evaluation of flight systems to facilitate the validation of 
        standards by the Administration for the safe integration of 
        unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system, 
        which may include solutions for--
                    ``(A) developing and enforcing geographic and 
                altitude limitations;
                    ``(B) providing for alerts regarding any hazards or 
                limitations on flight, including prohibitions on 
                flight;
                    ``(C) sense and avoid capabilities;
                    ``(D) technology to support communications, 
                navigation, and surveillance;
                    ``(E) unmanned aircraft system operations beyond 
                visual line of sight, at nighttime, or over people;
                    ``(F) operation of multiple unmanned aircraft 
                systems by a single remote pilot;
                    ``(G) unmanned aircraft systems traffic management 
                capabilities or services;
                    ``(H) counter unmanned aircraft system 
                capabilities;
                    ``(I) improving privacy protections through the use 
                of advances in unmanned aircraft systems; and
                    ``(J) other critical priority areas for which 
                testing and evaluation is needed.
            ``(6) shall coordinate periodically with all test range 
        sponsors to ensure test range sponsors know which data should 
        be collected, how data can be de-identified to flow more 
        readily to the Administration, what procedures should be 
        followed, and what testing and evaluations would advance 
        efforts to safely integrate unmanned aircraft systems into the 
        national airspace system; and
            ``(7) shall allow test range sponsors to receive Federal 
        funding, other than from the Federal Aviation Administration, 
        including in-kind contributions, from test range participants 
        in the furtherance of testing and evaluation objectives.
    ``(d) Exemption.--Except as provided in subsection (g), the 
requirements of section 44711, including related implementing 
regulations, shall not apply to persons approved by the test range 
sponsor for operation at a designated test range under this section.
    ``(e) Responsibilities of Test Range Sponsor.--The sponsor of each 
test range under subsection (a) shall--
            ``(1) provide access to all interested private and public 
        entities seeking to carry out testing and evaluation activities 
        at the test range designated pursuant to this section, to the 
        greatest extent practicable, consistent with safety and any 
        operating procedures established by the test range sponsor, 
        including access by small business concerns (as that term is 
        described in section 3(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
        632(a));
            ``(2) ensure all activities remain within the geographical 
        boundaries and altitude limitations established for the 
        nonregulatory special use airspace area covering the test 
        range;
            ``(3) ensure no activity is conducted at the designated 
        test range in a careless or reckless manner;
            ``(4) establish safe operating procedures for all operators 
        approved for activities at the test range, including provisions 
        for maintaining operational control and ensuring protection of 
        persons and property on the ground, subject to approval by the 
        Administrator;
            ``(5) exercise direct oversight of all operations conducted 
        at the test range;
            ``(6) consult with the Administrator on the nature of 
        planned activities at the test range and whether temporary 
        segregation through the use of a nonregulatory special use 
        airspace area is required to contain such activities is 
        consistent with aviation safety;
            ``(7) protect proprietary technology, sensitive data, or 
        sensitive research of any civil or private entity when using 
        the test range;
            ``(8) maintain detailed records of all ongoing and 
        completed testing and evaluation activities conducted at the 
        test range and all operators conducting such activities, for 
        inspection by, and reporting to, the Administrator, as required 
        by agreement between the Administrator and the test range 
        sponsor;
            ``(9) make all original records available for inspection 
        upon request by the Administrator; and
            ``(10) provide recommendations to the Administrator to 
        further enable public and private testing and evaluation 
        activities at the test ranges that contribute to the safe 
        integration of unmanned aircraft systems by the Administration 
        into the national airspace system, on a quarterly basis until 
        the program terminates.
    ``(f) Testing.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator may authorize a 
        sponsor of a test range designated under subsection (a) to host 
        testing and evaluation activities other than those directly 
        related to the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into 
        the national airspace system, provided that the activity is 
        necessary to inform the development of standards or policy for 
        integrating new types of flight systems into the national 
        airspace system.
            ``(2) Waiver.--In carrying out this subsection, the 
        Administrator may waive the requirements of section 44711, 
        including related regulations, to the extent consistent with 
        aviation safety.
    ``(g) Agreements.--The Administrator may use the transaction 
authority under section 106(l)(6) to enter into appropriate agreements 
to direct testing and evaluation activities related to unmanned 
aircraft systems at any test range designated under subsection (a).
    ``(h) Termination.--The program under this section shall terminate 
on September 30, 2028.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 44801(10) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``any of the 6 test ranges'' and 
all that follows through ``January 1, 2009'' and inserting ``the test 
ranges established by the Administrator under section 44803''.

SEC. 603. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT IN THE ARCTIC.

    (a) In General.--Section 44804 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in section heading by striking ``Small unmanned'' and 
        inserting ``Unmanned''; and
            (2) by striking ``small'' each place it appears.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 448 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 
44804 and insert the following:

``44804. Unmanned aircraft in the Arctic.''.

SEC. 604. PUBLIC SAFETY USE OF TETHERED UAS.

    (a) In General.--Section 44806 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in the section heading by inserting ``and public safety 
        use of unmanned aircraft systems'' after ``systems'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading by inserting ``Safety 
                Use of'' after ``Public''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A)--
                                    (I) by striking ``Not later than 
                                180 days after the date of enactment of 
                                this Act, the'' and inserting ``The'';
                                    (II) by striking ``permit the use 
                                of'' and inserting ``permit'';
                                    (III) by striking ``public''; and
                                    (IV) by inserting ``by a public 
                                safety organization for such systems'' 
                                after ``systems'';
                            (ii) by striking subparagraph (A) and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(A) operated--
                            ``(i) at or below an altitude of 150 feet 
                        above ground level within class B, C, D, E, or 
                        G airspace, but not at a greater altitude than 
                        the ceiling depicted on the UAS facility maps 
                        published by the Federal Aviation 
                        Administration, where applicable;
                            ``(ii) within zero-grid airspaces as 
                        depicted on such UAS facility maps, only if 
                        operated in life-saving or emergency situations 
                        and with prior notification to the 
                        Administration in a manner determined by the 
                        Administrator; or
                            ``(iii) above 150 feet above ground level 
                        within class B, C, D, E, or G airspace only 
                        with prior authorization from the 
                        Administrator;'';
                            (iii) by striking subparagraph (B); and
                            (iv) by redesignating subparagraphs (C), 
                        (D), and (E) as subparagraphs (B), (C), and 
                        (D), respectively; and
                    (C) in paragraph (3) by striking ``Public 
                actively'' and inserting ``Actively''; and
            (3) by adding at the end, the following:
    ``(e) Definition.--In this section, the term `public safety 
organization' means an entity that primarily engages in activities 
related to the safety and well-being of the general public, including 
law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical services, and 
other organizations that protect and serve the public in matters of 
safety and security.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 448 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 
44806 and inserting the following:

``44806. Public unmanned aircraft systems and public safety use of 
                            unmanned aircraft systems.''.

SEC. 605. SPECIAL AUTHORITY FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.

    Section 44807 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by inserting ``or chapter 447'' after ``this 
                chapter'';
                    (B) by striking ``the Secretary of Transportation'' 
                and inserting ``the Administrator of the Federal 
                Aviation Administration''; and
                    (C) by striking ``if certain'' and inserting 
                ``how'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``the Secretary'' and inserting 
                ``the Administrator''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``which types of unmanned 
                        aircraft systems, if any, as a result of their 
                        size'' and inserting ``how the unmanned 
                        aircraft, as a result of such aircraft's 
                        size''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``do not create'' and 
                        inserting ``does not create'';
            (3) in subsection (c) to read as follows:
    ``(c) Requirements for Safe Operation.--
            ``(1) In general.--For unmanned aircraft systems that the 
        Administrator determines under this section may operate safely 
        in the national airspace system, the Administrator shall 
        establish risk-based requirements, or a process to accept risk-
        based proposed requirements, for the safe operation of such 
        aircraft systems in the national airspace system, including 
        operation related to testing and evaluation of proprietary 
        systems.
            ``(2) Treatment of mitigation measures.--To the extent that 
        a proposed operation will be conducted exclusively within the 
        airspace of a Mode C Veil during the entirety of the operation, 
        such operation shall be treated as satisfying the requirements 
        of section 91.113(b) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
        so long as the operation employs--
                    ``(A) ADS-B In-based detect and avoid capabilities;
                    ``(B) air traffic control communication and 
                coordination; and
                    ``(C) aeronautical information management systems 
                to notify other aircraft operators of such operations.
            ``(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
        shall be construed to give an unmanned aircraft operating 
        pursuant to this section the right of way over a manned 
        aircraft.'';
            (4) in subsection (d) by striking ``2023'' and inserting 
        ``2033''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Limitation.--In making determinations under this section, the 
Administrator may not consider unmanned aircraft systems to the extent 
that such systems may meet the requirements of established regulations 
applicable to the proposed operation of a system.
    ``(f) Exemption.--The Administrator may exercise the authorities 
described in this section without requiring a rulemaking or imposing 
the requirements of part 11 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
to the extent consistent with aviation safety.''.

SEC. 606. RECREATIONAL OPERATIONS OF DRONE SYSTEMS.

    (a) Specified Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of 
Unmanned Aircraft.--Section 44809 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by striking paragraph (6) and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(6) Except for circumstances when the Administrator 
        establishes alternative altitude ceilings or as otherwise 
        authorized in section (c), in Class G airspace, the aircraft is 
        flown from the surface to not more than 400 feet above ground 
        level and complies with all airspace and flight restrictions 
        and prohibitions established under this subtitle, such as 
        special use airspace designations and temporary flight 
        restrictions.'';
            (2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) Operations at Fixed Sites.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish a 
        process to approve, and publicly disseminate the location of, 
        fixed sites at which a person may carry out recreational 
        unmanned aircraft system operations.
            ``(2) Operating procedures.--
                    ``(A) Controlled airspace.--Persons operating 
                unmanned aircraft under paragraph (1) from a fixed site 
                within Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within 
                the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E 
                airspace designated for an airport, or a community-
                based organization sponsoring operations within such 
                airspace, shall make the location of the fixed site 
                known to the Administrator and shall establish a 
                mutually agreed upon operating procedure with the air 
                traffic control facility.
                    ``(B) Altitude.--The Administrator, in coordination 
                with community-based organizations sponsoring 
                operations at fixed sites, shall develop a process to 
                approve requests for recreational unmanned aircraft 
                systems operations at fixed sites that exceed the 
                maximum altitude contained in a UAS Facility Map.
                    ``(C) Class g airspace.--Subject to compliance with 
                all airspace and flight restrictions and prohibitions 
                established under this subtitle, such as special use 
                airspace designations and temporary flight 
                restrictions, persons operating drones under paragraph 
                (1) from a fixed site at which the operations are 
                sponsored by a community-based organization may operate 
                within Class G airspace--
                            ``(i) up to 400 feet above ground level, 
                        without prior authorization from the 
                        Administrator; and
                            ``(ii) above 400 feet above ground level, 
                        with prior authorization from the 
                        Administrator.
            ``(3) Unmanned aircraft weighing 55 pounds or greater.--A 
        person may operate an unmanned aircraft weighing 55 pounds or 
        greater, including the weight of anything attached to or 
        carried by the aircraft, under paragraph (1) if--
                    ``(A) the unmanned aircraft complies with standards 
                and limitations developed by a community-based 
                organization and approved by the Administrator; and
                    ``(B) the aircraft is operated from a fixed site as 
                described in paragraph (1).
            ``(4) FAA-recognized identification areas.--In implementing 
        subpart C of part 89 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
        the Administrator shall prioritize the review and adjudication 
        of requests to establish FAA Recognized Identification Areas at 
        fixed sites established under this section.'';
            (3) in subsection (d) by striking the subsection heading 
        and all that follows through ``(3) Savings clause.--'' and 
        inserting ``(d) Savings clause.--'';
            (4) in subsection (d) by striking ``subsection (a) of'';
            (5) in subsection (f)(1) by striking ``updates to'';
            (6) by striking subsection (g)(1) and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator, in consultation with 
        manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems, community-based 
        organizations, and other industry stakeholders, shall develop, 
        maintain, and update, as necessary, an aeronautical knowledge 
        and safety test. Such test shall be administered electronically 
        by the Administrator or a person designated by the 
        Administrator.''; and
            (7) in subsection (h)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (6) as 
                paragraphs (2) through (7), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so 
                redesignated) the following:
            ``(1) is recognized by the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration;''.
    (b) Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Educational Purposes.--
Section 350 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44809 
note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as 
                paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting before paragraph (3) (as so 
                redesignated) the following:
            ``(2) operated by an elementary school or secondary school 
        for educational or research purposes;''; and
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``an elementary 
                school, or a secondary school,'' after ``with respect 
                to the operation of an unmanned aircraft system by an 
                institution of higher education,''; and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) Elementary school.--The term `elementary school' has 
        the meaning given to that term by section 8101 of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        7801(19)).
            ``(4) Secondary school.--The term `secondary school' has 
        the meaning given to that term by section 8101 of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        7801(45)).''.

SEC. 607. AIRPORT SAFETY AND AIRSPACE HAZARD MITIGATION AND 
              ENFORCEMENT.

    Section 44810(h) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2028''.

SEC. 608. APPLICATIONS FOR DESIGNATION.

    Section 2209 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 
(Public Law 114-190) is further amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by inserting ``, including temporarily,'' after 
                ``restrict''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``or eligible outdoor gathering'' 
                after ``fixed site facility'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(1)(C)--
                    (A) in clause (iv), by striking ``Other locations 
                that warrant such restrictions'' and inserting ``State 
                correctional facilities''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(v) Eligible outdoor gatherings.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Eligible Outdoor Gathering Defined.--In this section, the 
term `eligible outdoor gathering' means an event that--
            ``(1) is primarily outdoors;
            ``(2) has an estimated daily attendance of 20,000 or 
        greater in at least 1 of the preceding 3 years;
            ``(3) has defined and static geographical boundaries; and
            ``(4) is advertised in the public domain.
    ``(f) Deadlines.--
            ``(1) Not later than March 1, 2024, the Administrator shall 
        publish a notice of proposed rulemaking to carry out the 
        requirements of this section.
            ``(2) Not later than 16 months after publishing the notice 
        of proposed rulemaking under paragraph (1), the Administrator 
        shall issue a final rule.''.

SEC. 609. BEYOND VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT RULEMAKING.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 4 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking establishing 
performance-based airworthiness criteria and risk-based operational 
regulations for unmanned aircraft systems operated beyond visual line 
of sight that are intended to operate primarily at or below 400 feet 
above ground level.
    (b) Contents.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator 
shall--
            (1) establish a means to accept proposed--
                    (A) airworthiness standards for unmanned aircraft;
                    (B) standards for associated elements of unmanned 
                aircraft; and
                    (C) qualification standards for remote pilots 
                operating unmanned aircraft beyond visual line of 
                sight;
            (2) enable the ability for unmanned aircraft to be operated 
        for agricultural purposes;
            (3) establish a process by which the Administrator may 
        approve or accept third party compliance services in support of 
        the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the 
        national airspace system; and
            (4) establish protocols, as appropriate, for networked 
        information exchange, including network-based remote 
        identification in support of beyond visual line of sight 
        operations.
    (c) Considerations.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator may leverage previously gathered data, information, and 
efforts of the Administration to finalize rulemaking as required under 
this section.
    (d) Unmanned Aircraft Airworthiness Standards.--In carrying out 
subsection (b)(1)(A), the Administrator shall--
            (1) define the operational environments for which 
        airworthiness is needed to ensure aviation safety;
            (2) establish an airworthiness category or categories for 
        unmanned aircraft to be eligible for a special airworthiness 
        certificate; and
            (3) establish a process to approve standards, means of 
        compliance, and declarations of compliance.
    (e) Unmanned Aircraft Associated Elements Standards.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (b)(1)(B), the 
        Administrator shall establish a process to accept or approve 
        the associated elements of an unmanned aircraft that, when 
        considered collectively with other associated elements and an 
        unmanned aircraft, meet an acceptable performance-based safety 
        standard.
            (2) Considerations.--In establishing the process under 
        paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consider the ways 
        associated elements of an unmanned aircraft system interact 
        with other associated elements and unmanned aircraft.
    (f) Remote Pilot Qualifications.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (b)(1)(C), the 
        Administrator shall establish qualifications and standards, or 
        a means to accept proposed qualifications and standards, for 
        remote pilots operating unmanned aircraft systems.
            (2) Considerations.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Administrator shall account for the varying levels of 
        automation of unmanned aircraft systems.
            (3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may 
        be construed to allow for the establishment of type-ratings 
        that apply specifically and exclusively to an aircraft 
        manufactured by 1 manufacturer.
    (g) Interim Approvals.--Before the date on which the Administrator 
issues a final rule under this section, the Administrator shall use the 
process described in section 44807 of title 49, United States Code, to 
authorize unmanned aircraft system operations conducted beyond visual 
line of sight.
    (h) Final Rule.--Not later than 16 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue a final rule 
establishing the regulations required under this section.
    (i) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Associated elements.--The term ``associated elements'' 
        means any component of an unmanned aircraft system, not 
        permanently affixed to the unmanned aircraft, required for the 
        remote pilot to operate such aircraft safely and efficiently in 
        the national airspace system.
            (2) Beyond visual line of sight.--The term ``beyond visual 
        line of sight'' means a distance at which the remote pilot in 
        command of an unmanned aircraft system cannot see the unmanned 
        aircraft with vision unaided by any device other than 
        corrective lenses.
            (3) Unmanned aircraft; unmanned aircraft system.--The terms 
        ``unmanned aircraft'' and ``unmanned aircraft system'' have the 
        meaning given such terms in section 44801 of title 49, United 
        States Code.

SEC. 610. UAS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
may enter into agreements for purposes of--
            (1) testing and refining UTM capabilities and services to 
        inform the development of UTM standards in subsection (b);
            (2) authorizing UTM service providers that meet the 
        requirements described in subsection (b) to provide UTM 
        services to better enable advanced unmanned aircraft systems 
        operations, including--
                    (A) beyond visual line of sight operations;
                    (B) aircraft-to-aircraft communications; and
                    (C) operations in which an individual acts as 
                remote pilot in command of more than 1 unmanned 
                aircraft at the same time; and
            (3) fostering the safe integration of unmanned aircraft 
        systems using UTM capabilities and services within the national 
        airspace system.
    (b) Standardization.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
        Administrator shall publish requirements or guidance associated 
        with UTM, including--
                    (A) the types of operations requiring, or 
                benefitting from, the use of UTM capabilities and 
                services described in subsection (a), including beyond 
                visual line of sight operations;
                    (B) areas of operation or categories of airspace 
                requiring, or benefitting from, the use of UTM 
                capabilities and services;
                    (C) performance-based technical standards for UAS 
                operations using UTM capabilities and services; and
                    (D) application program interfaces that enable UTM 
                service suppliers to integrate UTM capabilities and 
                services into other systems for use by users of the 
                national airspace system, including unmanned aircraft 
                system operators.
            (2) International harmonization.--In carrying out paragraph 
        (1), the Administrator shall seek to harmonize, to the extent 
        practicable and advisable, UTM standards with standards 
        produced by recognized industry standards organizations or 
        other peer civil aviation authorities.
            (3) Feedback of concept of operations.--Not later than 90 
        days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
        shall solicit feedback from stakeholders on the most recently 
        published UTM concept of operations of the Administration.
            (4) Finalization of concept of operations.--Not later than 
        1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
        Administrator shall publish a final version of the UTM concept 
        of operations of the Administration.
    (c) Stakeholder Partnerships.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall establish a means by which the Administrator can 
enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, other transaction 
agreements, and other appropriate mechanisms with appropriate persons, 
partnerships, and consortia to enable qualified third-parties to 
design, build, develop, fund, and manage UTM.
    (d) Rules of Construction.--
            (1) Beyond visual line of sight operations.--Nothing in 
        this section shall be construed to prevent or prohibit beyond 
        visual line of sight operations through the use of technologies 
        other than UTM capabilities and services.
            (2) Airspace.--Nothing in this section shall be construed 
        to alter the authority under section 40103 of title 49, United 
        States Code.
    (e) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall brief the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on progress made by the Administration 
detailing the implementation and requirements of this section and any 
applicable timelines to completion.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Appropriate persons.--The term ``appropriate persons'' 
        means a Federal, State, local, Tribal, or territorial 
        governmental entity, or a person.
            (2) UTM.--The term ``UTM'' means the manner in which the 
        Administration will support operations for unmanned aircraft 
        systems operating in low-altitude airspace.

SEC. 611. RADAR DATA PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) Sensitive Radar Data Feed Pilot Program.--Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration, in coordination with the Secretary of 
Defense, and other heads of relevant Federal agencies, shall establish 
a pilot program to make airspace data feeds containing classified or 
controlled unclassified information available to qualified users, in 
conjunction with subsection (b).
    (b) Authorization.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies and in 
coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall establish a process 
to authorize qualified entities to receive airspace data feeds 
containing classified information related to air traffic within the 
national airspace system and use such information in an agreed upon 
manner to--
            (1) provide--
                    (A) air traffic management services; and
                    (B) unmanned aircraft system traffic management 
                services; or
            (2) to test technologies that may enable or enhance the 
        provision of the services described in paragraph (1).
    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after establishing the pilot 
program under subsection (a), and annually thereafter, the 
Administrator shall brief the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the findings of 
the Administrator related to the pilot program established under this 
section.
    (d) Sunset.--This section shall cease to be effective on October 1, 
2028.
    (e) Definition of Qualified User.--In this section, the term 
``qualified user'' means an entity authorized to receive airspace data 
feeds containing classified or controlled unclassified information 
pursuant to subsection (b).

SEC. 612. ELECTRONIC CONSPICUITY STUDY.

    (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study of technologies and methods that may be used by 
operators of unmanned aircraft systems to detect and avoid manned 
aircraft that may lawfully operate below 500 feet above ground level 
and that are--
            (1) not equipped with a transponder or automatic dependent 
        surveillance-broadcast out equipment; or
            (2) otherwise not electronically conspicuous.
    (b) Consultation.--In conducting the study required under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall consult with--
            (1) representatives from--
                    (A) unmanned aircraft systems manufacturers and 
                operators;
                    (B) general aviation operators;
                    (C) aerial applicators; and
                    (D) helicopter operators, including State and local 
                governments; and
            (2) any other person the Comptroller General determines 
        appropriate.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report describing the results of such study.

SEC. 613. REMOTE IDENTIFICATION ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF COMPLIANCE.

    (a) Study.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall review and evaluate the final rule titled ``Remote 
Identification of Unmanned Aircraft'', issued on January 15, 2021, to 
determine the feasibility and advisability of whether unmanned aircraft 
manufacturers and operators can meet the intent of such final rule 
through alternative means of compliance, including through network-
based remote identification.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the results of the study under subsection (a).

SEC. 614. PART 107 WAIVER IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall adopt a performance- and risk-based approach in 
reviewing requests for certificates of waiver under section 107.200 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
    (b) Standardization of Waiver Application.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
        Administrator shall improve the process established to submit 
        requests for certificates of waiver described in subsection 
        (a).
            (2) Format.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Administrator may not require the use of open-ended descriptive 
        prompts that are required to be filled out by an applicant, 
        except to provide applicants the ability to provide the 
        Administration with information for an unusual or irregular 
        operation.
            (3) Data.--
                    (A) In general.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
                Administrator shall leverage data gathered from 
                previous requests for certificates of waivers.
                    (B) Considerations.--In carrying out subparagraph 
                (A), the Administrator shall safely use--
                            (i) big data analytics; and
                            (ii) machine learning.
    (c) Consideration of Property Ownership Interest.--
            (1) In general.--In determining whether to issue a 
        certificate of waiver under section 107.200 of title 14, Code 
        of Federal Regulations, the Administrator shall--
                    (A) consider whether the waiver applicant has 
                control over access to all real property on the ground 
                within the area of operation; and
                    (B) recognize and account for the safety 
                enhancements of such controlled access.
            (2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
        be construed to direct the Administrator to consider the lack 
        of control over access to all real property on the ground 
        within an area of operation, or a lack of property interest in 
        such area of operation, as negatively affecting the safety of 
        the operation intended to be conducted under such certificate 
        of waiver.
    (d) Public Availability of Waivers.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall publish all 
        certificates of waiver issued under section 107.200 of title 
        14, Code of Federal Regulations, on the website of the 
        Administration, including, with respect to each issued 
        certificate of waiver--
                    (A) the terms, conditions, and limitations; and
                    (B) the class of airspace and any restrictions 
                related to operating near airports or heliports.
            (2) Publication.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Administrator shall ensure that published information is made 
        available in a manner that prevents inappropriate disclosure of 
        proprietary information.
    (e) Precedential Use of Previously Approved Waivers.--
            (1) Waiver approval precedent.--Except as provided in 
        paragraph (3), if the Administrator determines, using criteria 
        for a particular waiver, that an application for a certificate 
        of waiver issued under section 107.200 of title 14, Code of 
        Federal Regulations, is substantially similar (or is comprised 
        of elements that are substantially similar) to an application 
        for a certificate of waiver that the Administrator has 
        previously approved, the Administrator may streamline, as 
        appropriate, the approval of applications with substantially 
        similar conditions and limitations as a previously approved 
        application.
            (2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in paragraph (1) shall 
        be construed to preclude an applicant for a certificate of 
        waiver from applying to modify a condition, or remove a 
        limitation of, such certificate.
    (f) Modification of Waivers.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish an 
        expedited review process for a request to modify or renew 
        certificates of waiver previously issued under section 107.200 
        of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, as appropriate.
            (2) Use of review process.--The review process established 
        under paragraph (1) shall be used to review certificates of 
        waiver that cover operations that are substantially similar in 
        all material facts to operations covered under a subsequently 
        issued certificate of waiver.

SEC. 615. ACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF RISK AND RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall establish acceptable levels of risk, and develop a risk 
assessment methodology associated with such levels of risk, to enable 
unmanned aircraft system operations conducted--
            (1) under waivers issued to part 107 of title 14, Code of 
        Federal Regulations;
            (2) pursuant to section 44807 of title 49, United States 
        Code; or
            (3) pursuant to future regulations promulgated by the 
        Administrator, as appropriate.
    (b) Acceptable Levels of Risk.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall establish acceptable levels of risk for unmanned 
aircraft system operations in the national airspace system and a method 
for assessing the operational risk of a proposed operation in 
accordance with such acceptable level.
    (c) Risk Assessment Methodology.--In carrying out subsections (a) 
and (b), the Administrator shall develop a risk assessment methodology 
to allow remote pilots in command operating unmanned aircraft systems 
pursuant to subsection (a) to determine the risk associated with a 
specific operation, and mitigate such a risk, as necessary.
    (d) Risk Assessment Methodology Considerations.--In establishing 
the risk assessment methodology described under this section, the 
Administrator shall consider--
            (1) the time of day of the operation;
            (2) the population density of the area of operation;
            (3) the class of airspace and such requirements necessary 
        for airspace users to legally operate in each class of 
        airspace;
            (4) the proximity to infrastructure, to the extent that 
        proximity mitigates risk to other operators of the national 
        airspace system;
            (5) the nature of the detect and avoid mitigation measures 
        of an unmanned aircraft system; and
            (6) the attributes and characteristics of the unmanned 
        aircraft of the unmanned aircraft system, including the--
                    (A) size;
                    (B) visibility;
                    (C) maximum takeoff weight;
                    (D) maximum indicated airspeed; and
                    (E) payload.
    (e) Publication.--The Administrator shall make the risk assessment 
methodology established under this section available to the public on 
an appropriate website of the Administration.
    (f) Definitions of Unmanned Aircraft and Unmanned Aircraft 
System.--In this section, the terms ``unmanned aircraft'' and 
``unmanned aircraft system'' have the meanings given such terms in 
section 44801 of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 616. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

    (a) Guidance Updates.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall publish unmanned aircraft system-specific guidance 
and implementation procedures. Such guidance and implementation 
procedures shall--
            (1) provide guidance to streamline environmental 
        assessments at a programmatic level, as the Administrator 
        considers appropriate, for an unmanned aircraft system 
        operator's network of operations within a defined geographical 
        region, including within and over approved commercial or 
        industrial sites closed or restricted to the public;
            (2) provide guidance for nationwide programmatic approaches 
        for large scale distributed unmanned aircraft system operations 
        whereby a Programmatic Environmental Assessment or 
        Environmental Impact Statement can be leveraged for subsequent 
        related actions to ensure efficient environmental review;
            (3) consider additional Categorical Exclusions based on 
        previously prepared and finalized Environmental Assessments or 
        in consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality;
            (4) prioritize proposed projects or activities that may--
                    (A) offset or limit the impacts of non-zero 
                emission activities;
                    (B) offset or limit the release of environmental 
                pollutants to soil or water; or
                    (C) demonstrate other factors to the benefit of the 
                environment as determined by the Administrator;
            (5) contain intra-agency process improvements to avoid 
        providing conflicting safety and environmental feedback to 
        operators;
            (6) contain standards and criteria for engaging specialized 
        third parties to support the Administration's preparation and 
        review of documentation relating to the requirements of the 
        National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
        seq.) to ensure streamlined timelines for complex reviews; and
            (7) any other modifications the Administrator considers 
        necessary within the stated environmental objectives of the 
        National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
        seq.) and the Federal priority to maintain global leadership in 
        aviation innovation.
    (b) Briefing.--No later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall brief the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the plan of the 
Administration to implement subsection (b), including each of the 
considerations specified in the subsection, and an explanation for any 
consideration the Administrator does not intend to implement.
    (c) Concurrent Reviews.--If the Administrator determines that the 
review of an unmanned aircraft system's design, construction, 
maintenance and operational sustainability, airworthiness approval, or 
operational approval requires environmental assessment, including 
requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Administrator shall, to the maximum extent 
practicable, conduct such reviews and analyses concurrent with one 
another.
    (d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed as prohibiting, restricting or otherwise limiting the 
authority of the Secretary of Transportation or the Administrator from 
implementing or complying with the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and any 
related requirements to ensure the protection of the environment and 
aviation safety.
    (e) Associated UAS Certification Standards.--
            (1) Option to suspend noise certification requirement 
        pending standards development.--Notwithstanding the 
        requirements of section 44715 of title 49, United States Code, 
        the Administrator may waive the determination of compliance 
        with part 36 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, for an 
        applicant seeking an unmanned aircraft system type and 
        airworthiness certification, provided the Administrator has 
        developed appropriate noise measurement procedures for such 
        systems and the Administrator has received the noise 
        measurements results based on such procedures from the 
        applicant.
            (2) Development of criteria.--Not later than 90 days after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
        develop and establish substantive criteria and standards 
        metrics used by the Administrator to determine whether to 
        approve or disapprove the airworthiness of an unmanned aircraft 
        pursuant to part 36 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
            (3) Substantive criteria and standards metrics.--In 
        establishing the substantive criteria and standards metrics as 
        required under paragraph (2), the Administrator shall include 
        such criteria and metrics related to the airworthiness of 
        unmanned aircraft for the following:
                    (A) Noise impacts.
                    (B) Visual impacts.
            (4) Publication.--The Administrator shall publish in the 
        Federal Register and post on a website of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration the criteria and metrics established pursuant to 
        paragraph (2).
    (f) Definition of Unmanned Aircraft System.--In this section, the 
term ``unmanned aircraft system'' has the meaning given such term in 
section 44801 of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 617. CARRIAGE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.

    (a) Near-term Approvals.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall coordinate with the Administrator of the Pipeline 
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to revise processes in 
effect on the date of enactment of this Act for the carriage of 
hazardous materials by unmanned aircraft systems to provide that--
            (1) special conditions, waivers, or other requirements 
        necessary to enable the carriage of hazardous materials shall 
        be incorporated into the existing regulatory and operator 
        certification processes of the Federal Aviation Administration 
        for unmanned aircraft operations in which the aircraft--
                    (A) weighs less than 100 pounds; and
                    (B) is capable of carrying less than 10 pounds 
                gross weight of limited quantity cargo; and
            (2) the existing special permitting process or other 
        existing processes carried out by the Administrator of the 
        Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall be 
        initiated as early as practicable, and in conjunction with the 
        existing regulatory and operator certification processes of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration, for unmanned aircraft 
        operations in which the unmanned aircraft--
                    (A) weighs 100 pounds or more; or
                    (B) is capable of carrying 10 pounds or more gross 
                weight of limited quantity cargo.
    (b) Rulemaking.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall 
        revise requirements, guidance, standards, or other policy 
        materials governing the carriage of hazardous materials to 
        allow for the carriage of a de minimis amount of hazardous 
        materials by an unmanned aircraft.
            (2) Considerations.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Administrator shall consider--
                    (A) whether a hazardous material is a consumer 
                commodity;
                    (B) requirements for common carriage and private 
                carriage;
                    (C) whether the transportation of a de minimis 
                volume, weight, or amount of a hazardous material would 
                pose an unreasonable risk to health and safety or 
                property;
                    (D) whether the volume, weight, or amount of a 
                hazardous material is large enough to permit the 
                transportation of a commercially meaningful volume, 
                weight, or amount; and
                    (E) the altitude at which unmanned aircraft 
                operations are conducted.
            (3) Implementation.--
                    (A) Petition.--The Secretary shall establish a 
                process for a person to petition to establish or revise 
                a de minimis amount or a hazardous material.
                    (B) Periodic updates.--The Secretary shall--
                            (i) periodically review, as necessary, de 
                        minimis amounts of hazardous materials 
                        established under paragraph (1);
                            (ii) determine whether such amounts of 
                        Hazardous materials should be revised, based on 
                        operational and safety data or other factors; 
                        and
                            (iii) assess whether to establish a de 
                        minimis amount for a hazardous material for 
                        which a de minimis volume, weight, or amount 
                        has previously not been established.
    (c) Saving Clause.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to--
            (1) limit the authority of the Secretary, the Administrator 
        of the Federal Aviation Administration, or the Administrator of 
        the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration from 
        implementing requirements under existing authorities to ensure 
        the safe carriage of hazardous materials by aircraft; and
            (2) confer upon the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration the authorities of the Administrator of the 
        Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, as 
        described in part 175 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, 
        and chapter 51 of title 49, United States Code.
    (d) Exemption.--The authorities of the Administrator related to the 
transportation, packaging, marking, or description of hazardous 
materials in section 106(g)(1) of title 49, United States Code, shall 
not apply to the extent necessary to enact the requirements of this 
section.
    (e) Definitions.--In the section:
            (1) Unmanned aircraft system.--The term ``unmanned aircraft 
        system'' has the meaning given the term in section 44801 of 
        title 49, United States Code.
            (2) Consumer commodity.--The term ``consumer commodity'' 
        has the meaning given such term in section 171.8 of title 49, 
        Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 618. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM USE IN WILDFIRE RESPONSE.

    (a) Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Wildfire Response.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration, in coordination with the United States 
        Forest Service and any other Federal entity or contracted 
        operator the Administrator considers appropriate, shall develop 
        a plan on the use of unmanned aircraft systems by public 
        entities in wildfire response efforts, including wildfire 
        detection, mitigation, and suppression.
            (2) Plan contents.--The plan under subsection (a) shall 
        provide recommendations to--
                    (A) identify and designate areas of public land 
                with high potential for wildfires in which public 
                entities may conduct unmanned aircraft system beyond 
                visual line of sight operations as part of wildfire 
                response efforts, including wildfire detection, 
                mitigation, and suppression;
                    (B) develop a process to facilitate the safe and 
                efficient operation of unmanned aircraft systems beyond 
                the visual line of sight in wildfire response efforts 
                in areas designated under paragraph (A), including the 
                waiver process under section 91.113 or section 107.31 
                of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, for public 
                entities that use unmanned aircraft systems for aerial 
                wildfire detection, mitigation, and suppression; and
                    (C) improve coordination between the relevant 
                Federal agencies and public entities on the use of 
                unmanned aircraft systems in wildfire response efforts.
            (3) Plan submission.--Upon completion of the plan under 
        subsection (a), the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration shall submit such plan to, and provide a 
        briefing for, the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senates.
            (4) Publication.--Upon submission of the plan under 
        subsection (a), the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration shall publish such plan on a publicly available 
        website of the Administration.
    (b) Applicability.--This section shall only apply to unmanned 
aircraft systems that are--
            (1) operated by, or on behalf of, a public entity;
            (2) operated in airspace covered by a wildfire-related 
        temporary flight restriction under section 91.137 of title 14, 
        Code of Federal Regulations; and
            (3) under the operational control of, or otherwise are 
        being operationally coordinated by, an authorized aviation 
        coordinator responsible for coordinating disaster relief 
        aircraft within the airspace covered by such temporary flight 
        restriction.
    (c) Interagency Coordination.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall seek to enter 
into the necessary agreements to provide a liaison of the 
Administration to the National Interagency Fire Center to facilitate 
the use of manned and unmanned aircraft in wildfire response efforts, 
including wildfire detection, mitigation, and suppression.
    (d) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to 
confer upon the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
the authorities of the Administration of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency on wildfire response under section 611 of the Robert 
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5196).
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Public entity.--The term ``public entity'' means--
                    (A) a Federal agency;
                    (B) a State government;
                    (C) a local government;
                    (D) a Tribal government; and
                    (E) a territorial government.
            (2) Public land.--The term ``public land'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 205 of the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 
        670k).
            (3) Unmanned aircraft system.--The term ``unmanned aircraft 
        system'' has the meaning given such term in section 44801 of 
        title 49, United States Code.
            (4) Wildfire.--The term ``wildfire'' has the meaning given 
        that term in section 2 of the Emergency Wildfire Suppression 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1856m).

SEC. 619. PILOT PROGRAM FOR UAS INSPECTIONS OF FAA INFRASTRUCTURE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish 
and initiate a pilot program to supplement appropriate inspection and 
oversight activities of the department with unmanned aircraft systems 
for the purposes of increasing employee safety, enhancing data 
collection, increasing the accuracy of inspections, reducing costs, and 
other purposes the Secretary considers to be in the broader interests 
of good government.
    (b) Ground-based Aviation Infrastructure.--Under the program 
required in subsection (a), the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall evaluate the use of unmanned aircraft systems to 
inspect ground-based aviation infrastructure that may require visual 
inspection in hard-to-reach areas, including--
            (1) navigational aids;
            (2) air traffic control towers;
            (3) radar facilities;
            (4) communication facilities; and
            (5) other air traffic control facilities.
    (c) Coordination.--In carrying out the pilot program established 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with the labor union 
certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code, to 
represent personnel responsible for the inspection of the ground-based 
aviation infrastructure described in subsection (b).
    (d) Covered Foreign Unmanned Aircraft System.--The Secretary may 
not carry out an inspection under this section using an unmanned 
aircraft system manufactured by--
            (1) an entity included on the Consolidated Screening list 
        or Entity List as designated by the Secretary of Commerce;
            (2) an entity domiciled in the People's Republic of China 
        or the Russian Federation; or
            (3) an entity, or a subsidiary or affiliate of an entity, 
        that is subject to influence or control by--
                    (A) the Government of the People's Republic of 
                China;
                    (B) the Chinese Communist Party; or
                    (C) the Russian Federation.
    (e) Briefing.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and annually thereafter until the termination of the pilot 
program under this section, the Secretary shall provide to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a briefing on the status and results of 
the pilot program established under subsection (a), including--
            (1) cost saving;
            (2) a description of how unmanned aircraft systems were 
        used to supplement existing inspection, data collection, or 
        oversight activities of Department employees, including the 
        number of operations and types of activities performed;
            (3) efficiency or safety improvements, if any, associated 
        with the use of unmanned aircraft systems to supplement 
        conventional inspection, data collection, or oversight 
        activities;
            (4) the fleet of unmanned aircraft systems maintained by 
        the Department of Transportation for the program, or an 
        overview of the services used as part of the pilot program; and
            (5) recommendations for improving the use or efficacy of 
        unmanned aircraft systems to supplement the Department's 
        conventional inspection, data collection, or oversight 
        activities.
    (f) Sunset and Incorporation Into Standard Practice.--
            (1) Sunset.--The pilot program established under subsection 
        (a) and the reporting requirement under subsection (f) shall 
        terminate on the date that is 50 months after the date of 
        enactment of this Act.
            (2) Incorporation into standard practice.--Upon termination 
        of the pilot program, the Secretary shall assess the results of 
        the pilot program under this section and determine whether to 
        permanently incorporate the use of unmanned aircraft systems 
        into the regular inspection, data collection, and oversight 
        activities of the Department.
            (3) Report to congress.--Not later than 3 months after the 
        termination of the pilot program under paragraph (1), the 
        Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate a report on the final results of the pilot program and 
        the actions taken by the Administrator pursuant to paragraph 
        (2).

SEC. 620. DRONE INFRASTRUCTURE INSPECTION GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Authority.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a drone 
infrastructure inspection grant program to make grants to governmental 
entities to facilitate the use of eligible small unmanned aircraft 
systems to support more efficient inspection, operation, construction, 
maintenance, modernization, and repair of an element of critical 
infrastructure to improve worker safety related to critical 
infrastructure projects.
    (b) Use of Grant Amounts.--A governmental entity may use a grant 
provided under this section to--
            (1) purchase or lease eligible small unmanned aircraft 
        systems;
            (2) support operational capabilities of eligible small 
        unmanned aircraft systems by the governmental entity;
            (3) contract for services performed using an eligible small 
        unmanned aircraft system in circumstances in which the 
        governmental entity does not have the resources or expertise to 
        safely carry out or assist in carrying out the activities 
        described under subsection (a); and
            (4) support the program management capability of the 
        governmental entity to use an eligible small unmanned aircraft 
        system.
    (c) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
section, a governmental entity shall submit an application to the 
Secretary at such time, in such form, and containing such information 
as the Secretary may require, including an assurance that the 
governmental entity or any contractor of the governmental entity, will 
comply with relevant Federal regulations.
    (d) Selection of Applicants.--In awarding a grant under this 
section, the Secretary shall prioritize applications that propose to--
            (1) carry out a critical infrastructure project in a 
        variety of communities, including urban, suburban, rural, 
        tribal, or any other type of community; and
            (2) address a safety risk in the inspection, operation, 
        construction, maintenance, or repair of an element of critical 
        infrastructure.
    (e) Limitation.--Nothing in this section shall be construed as to 
interfere with an agreement between a governmental entity and a labor 
union, including requirements under section 5333(b) of title 49, United 
States Code.
    (f) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the first 
grant is provided under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report that evaluates the program 
carried out under this section, including--
            (1) a description of the number of grants awarded;
            (2) the amount of each grant;
            (3) the activities funded under this section; and
            (4) the effectiveness of such funded activities in meeting 
        the objectives described in subsection (a).
    (g) Funding.--
            (1) Federal share.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
                (B), the Federal share of the cost of a project carried 
                out using a grant under this section shall not exceed 
                50 percent of the total project cost.
                    (B) Waiver.--The Secretary may increase the Federal 
                share requirement under subparagraph (A) to up to 75 
                percent for a project carried out using a grant under 
                this section by a governmental entity if such entity--
                            (i) submits a written application to the 
                        Secretary requesting an increase in the Federal 
                        share; and
                            (ii) demonstrates that the additional 
                        assistance is necessary to facilitate the 
                        acceptance and full use of a grant under this 
                        section, such as alleviating economic hardship, 
                        meeting additional workforce needs, or such 
                        other uses that the Secretary determines to be 
                        appropriate.
            (2) Authorization of appropriations.--Out of amounts 
        authorized to be appropriated under section 106(k) of title 49, 
        United States Code, the Secretary shall make available to carry 
        out this section--
                    (A) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
                    (B) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
                    (C) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
                    (D) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and
                    (E) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.
    (h) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Covered foreign entity.--The term ``covered foreign 
        entity'' means an entity--
                    (A) included on the Consolidated Screening List or 
                Entity List as designated by the Secretary of Commerce;
                    (B) domiciled in the People's Republic of China or 
                the Russian Federation;
                    (C) subject to influence or control by the 
                government of the People's Republic of China or by the 
                Russian Federation; or
                    (D) is a subsidiary or affiliate of an entity 
                described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).
            (2) Critical infrastructure.--The term ``critical 
        infrastructure'' has the meaning given such term in subsection 
        (e) of the Critical Infrastructures Protection Act of 2001 (42 
        U.S.C. 5195c(e)).
            (3) Element of critical infrastructure.--The term ``element 
        of critical infrastructure'' means a critical infrastructure 
        facility or asset, including public bridges, tunnels, roads, 
        highways, dams, electric grid, water infrastructure, 
        communication systems, pipelines, or other related facilities 
        or assets, as determined by the Secretary.
            (4) Eligible small unmanned aircraft system.--The term 
        ``eligible small unmanned aircraft system'' means a small 
        unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by a company 
        that is domiciled in the United States and is not a covered 
        foreign entity.
            (5) Eligible small unmanned aircraft system technology.--
        The term ``eligible small unmanned aircraft system technology'' 
        means--
                    (A) an eligible small unmanned aircraft system; or
                    (B) a major component of such a system that is not 
                manufactured by or procured from a covered foreign 
                entity.
            (6) Governmental entity.--The term ``governmental entity'' 
        means--
                    (A) a State, the District of Columbia, the 
                Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory of the United 
                States, or a political subdivision thereof;
                    (B) a unit of local government;
                    (C) a Tribal Government;
                    (D) a metropolitan planning organization; or
                    (E) a consortia of more than 1 of the entities 
                described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
            (7) Project.--The term ``project'' means a project for the 
        inspection, operation, maintenance, repair, modernization, or 
        construction of an element of critical infrastructure, 
        including mitigating environmental hazards to such 
        infrastructure.
            (8) Small unmanned aircraft; unmanned aircraft system.--The 
        terms ``small unmanned aircraft'' and ``unmanned aircraft 
        system'' have the meanings given such terms in section 44801 of 
        title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 621. DRONE EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Authority.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a drone 
education and training grant program to make grants to educational 
institutions for workforce training for eligible small unmanned 
aircraft system technology.
    (b) Use of Grant Amounts.--Amounts from a grant under this section 
shall be used in furtherance of activities authorized under sections 
631 and 632 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 
note).
    (c) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
section, an educational institution shall submit an application to the 
Secretary at such time, in such form, and containing such information 
as the Secretary may require.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--Out of amounts authorized to 
be appropriated under section 106(k) of title 49, United States Code, 
the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section--
            (1) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
            (2) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
            (3) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
            (4) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and
            (5) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Covered foreign entity.--The term ``covered foreign 
        entity'' means an entity--
                    (A) included on the Consolidated Screening List or 
                Entity List as designated by the Secretary of Commerce;
                    (B) domiciled in the People's Republic of China or 
                the Russian Federation;
                    (C) subject to influence or control by the 
                government of the People's Republic of China or by the 
                Russian Federation; or
                    (D) is a subsidiary or affiliate of an entity 
                described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).
            (2) Educational institution.--The term ``educational 
        institution'' means an institution of higher education (as 
        defined in section 101 of the High Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001)) that participates in a program authorized under 
        sections 631 and 632 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 
        U.S.C. 40101 note).
            (3) Eligible small unmanned aircraft system.--The term 
        ``eligible small unmanned aircraft system'' means a small 
        unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by a company 
        that is domiciled in the United States and is not a covered 
        foreign entity.
            (4) Small unmanned aircraft; unmanned aircraft system.--The 
        terms ``small unmanned aircraft'' and ``unmanned aircraft 
        system'' have the meanings given such terms in section 44801 of 
        title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 622. DRONE WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM STUDY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
initiate a study of the effectiveness of the Collegiate Training 
Initiative Program for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, established pursuant 
to section 632 of the FAA Reauthorization Act 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 
note).
    (b) Report.--Upon completion of the study under subsection (a), the 
Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
describing--
            (1) the findings of the study; and
            (2) any recommendations to improve and expand the 
        Collegiate Training Initiative Program for Unmanned Aircraft 
        Systems.

SEC. 623. UAS INTEGRATION OFFICE.

    The Executive Director of the UAS Integration Office of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall--
            (1) support, and provide substantive recommendations for, 
        rulemaking proceedings, in coordination with other relevant 
        services and offices and the Assistant Administrator of 
        Rulemaking and Regulatory Improvement, regarding the 
        integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national 
        airspace system;
            (2) support, and make substantive recommendations to 
        inform, the review and adjudication of submissions under the 
        processes established under section 44807 of title 49, United 
        States Code, as amended by section 605;
            (3) support, and make substantive recommendations to 
        inform, the development, modification, and acceptance or 
        approval of relevant consensus standards, means of compliance, 
        and declarations of compliance related to unmanned aircraft 
        systems;
            (4) ensure the timely consideration of airworthiness and 
        operational determinations related to unmanned aircraft systems 
        by relevant offices of the Administration;
            (5) consult, advise, coordinate with, and make substantive 
        recommendations to relevant lines of business and staff offices 
        of the Administration to support the activities of the 
        Administration and efficiently carry out the duties described 
        in this section;
            (6) hire full-time equivalent employees, as necessary, to 
        build expertise within the UAS Integration Office to assess 
        unmanned aviation technologies and related operational risk 
        mitigation; and
            (7) engage in any other activities determined necessary by 
        the Executive Director or the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration, to fulfill the duties described in 
        this section.

SEC. 624. TERMINATION OF ADVANCED AVIATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    The Secretary of Transportation may not renew the charter of the 
Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee (chartered by the Secretary on 
June 10, 2022).

SEC. 625. UNMANNED AND AUTONOMOUS FLIGHT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the termination of the 
Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee pursuant to section 624, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish an 
Unmanned and Autonomous Flight Advisory Committee (in this section 
referred to as the ``Advisory Committee'').
    (b) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall provide the Administrator 
advice on policy- and technical-level issues related to unmanned and 
autonomous aviation operations and activities, including, at a minimum, 
the following:
            (1) The safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems and 
        autonomous flight operations into the national airspace system, 
        including feedback on--
                    (A) the certification and operational standards of 
                highly automated aircraft, unmanned aircraft, and 
                associated elements of such aircraft;
                    (B) coordination of procedures for operations in 
                controlled airspace; and
                    (C) communication protocols.
            (2) The use cases of unmanned aircraft systems, including 
        evaluating and assessing the potential benefits of using 
        unmanned aircraft systems.
            (3) The development of processes and methodologies to 
        address safety concerns related to the operation of unmanned 
        aircraft systems, including risk assessments and mitigation 
        strategies.
            (4) Unmanned aircraft system training, education, and 
        workforce development programs, including evaluating 
        aeronautical knowledge gaps in the unmanned aircraft system 
        workforce, assessing the workforce needs of unmanned aircraft 
        system operations, and establishing a strong pipeline to ensure 
        a robust unmanned aircraft system workforce.
            (5) The analysis of unmanned aircraft system data and 
        trends.
            (6) Unmanned aircraft system infrastructure, including the 
        use of existing aviation infrastructure and the development of 
        necessary infrastructure.
    (c) Membership.--
            (1) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall be composed 
        of not more than 12 members.
            (2) Representatives.--The Advisory Committee shall include 
        at least 1 representative of each of the following:
                    (A) Small unmanned aircraft system commercial 
                operators.
                    (B) Small unmanned aircraft system manufacturers.
                    (C) Manufacturers of unmanned aircraft weighing 55 
                pounds or more pursuing or holding a certificate for 
                design or production of such unmanned aircraft.
                    (D) Counter-unmanned aircraft system manufacturers.
                    (E) Federal Aviation Administration approved 
                unmanned aircraft system service suppliers.
                    (F) Unmanned aircraft system test sites under 
                section 44803 of title 49, United States Code.
                    (G) An unmanned aircraft system physical 
                infrastructure network provider.
                    (H) Community advocates.
                    (I) Certified labor organizations representing 
                commercial airline pilots, air traffic control 
                specialists employed by the Administration, certified 
                aircraft maintenance technicians, certified aircraft 
                dispatchers, and aviation safety inspectors.
    (d) Reporting.--
            (1) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall submit to the 
        Secretary an annual report of the activities, findings, and 
        recommendations of the Committee.
            (2) Congressional reporting.--The Secretary shall submit to 
        the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
        of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate the reports required under 
        paragraph (1).
    (e) Definition of Unmanned Aircraft.--In this section, the term 
``unmanned aircraft'' has the meaning given such term in section 44801 
of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 626. NEXTGEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP EXPANSION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall take such actions as 
may be necessary to expand the membership of the NextGen Advisory 
Committee chartered by the Secretary on June 15, 2022, and any 
subsequent chartered committees, to include a representative from the 
unmanned aircraft system industry and a representative from the 
powered-lift industry.
    (b) Qualifications.--The representatives required under subsection 
(a) shall have the following qualifications, as applicable:
            (1) Demonstrated expertise in the design, manufacture, and 
        operation of unmanned aircraft systems.
            (2) Demonstrated experience in the development or 
        implementation of unmanned aircraft systems policies and 
        procedures.
            (3) Demonstrated commitment to advancing the safe 
        integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national 
        airspace system.

SEC. 627. TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION INTEGRITY.

    (a) In General.--Section 40103(b) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(5)(A) In issuing a temporary flight restriction, the 
Administrator shall--
            ``(i) ensure there is a specific and articulable safety or 
        security basis for the size, scope, and duration of such 
        restriction;
            ``(ii) immediately distribute a notice of the temporary 
        flight restriction via the Notice to Air Missions system; and
            ``(iii) detail in the notice required under clause (ii)--
                    ``(I) the safety basis for the restriction; and
                    ``(II) how a covered person may lawfully and 
                expeditiously operate an aircraft within the 
                restriction.
    ``(B) In this paragraph, the term `covered person' means--
            ``(i) a public safety agency;
            ``(ii) a first responder;
            ``(iii) an accredited news representative; or
            ``(iv) any other person as determined appropriate by the 
        Administrator.''.

SEC. 628. INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the purpose of the joint Department of Defense-Federal 
        Aviation Administration executive committee (referred to in 
        this subsection as ``Executive Committee'') on conflict and 
        dispute resolution as described in Section 1036(b) of the 
        Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
        Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417) is to resolve disputes on the 
        matters of policy and procedures between the Department of 
        Defense and the Federal Aviation Administration relating to 
        airspace, aircraft certifications, aircrew training, and other 
        issues, including the access of unmanned aerial systems of the 
        Department of Defense to the national airspace system;
            (2) by mutual agreement of Executive Committee leadership, 
        operating with the best of intentions, the current scope of 
        activities and membership of the Executive Committee has 
        exceeded the original intent of, and tasking to, the Executive 
        Committee; and
            (3) the expansion described in paragraph (2) has resulted 
        in an imbalance in the oversight of certain Federal entities in 
        matters concerning civil aviation safety and security.
    (b) In General.--
            (1) Charter revision.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall seek to revise the charter of the 
        Executive Committee to reflect the scope, objectives, 
        membership, and activities described in such section 1036(b) in 
        order to achieve the increasing, and ultimately routine, access 
        of unmanned aircraft systems (as defined in section 44801 of 
        title 49, United States Code) into the national airspace 
        system.
            (2) Sunset.--Not earlier than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall seek to sunset 
        Executive Committee activities by joint agreement of the 
        Administrator and the Secretary of Defense.

SEC. 629. REVIEW OF REGULATIONS TO ENABLE UNESCORTED UAS OPERATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, conduct a review 
of requirements necessary to permit an unmanned aircraft systems 
(excluding small unmanned aircraft systems) operated by a Federal 
agency or an armed service to be operated in the national airspace 
system, including outside of restricted airspace, without being 
escorted by a manned aircraft.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the results of the review, including findings and 
recommendations on regulatory and statutory changes that can be made to 
enable the operations described under subsection (a).
    (c) Definitions.--The definitions under section 44801 of title 49, 
United States Code, shall apply to this section.

SEC. 630. UAS OPERATIONS OVER HIGH SEAS.

    (a) In General.--An unmanned aircraft system operation that begins 
and ends within the United States or the territorial waters of the 
United States, shall not be considered international flight regardless 
of whether the unmanned aircraft system enters international airspace.
    (b) Definition of Unmanned Aircraft System.--In this section, the 
term ``unmanned aircraft system'' has the meaning given such term in 
section 44801 of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 631. BEYOND BEYOND.

    (a) FAA BEYOND Program Extension.--The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall extend the BEYOND program of the 
Administration as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of 
this Act (referred to in this section as the ``Program'') and the 
existing agreements with State, local, and Tribal governments entered 
into under the Program until such date, as specified in subsection (b).
    (b) FAA BEYOND Program Expansion.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall expand the 
        Program to additional locations and test the use of new and 
        emerging aviation concepts and technologies, including concepts 
        and technologies unrelated to unmanned aircraft systems, to 
        evaluate and inform Administration policies, rulemaking, and 
        guidance related to the safe integration of such concepts and 
        technologies into the national airspace system.
            (2) Scope.--In expanding the Program under this subsection, 
        the Administrator shall address additional factors, including--
                    (A) increasing automation in civil aircraft, 
                including unmanned aircraft systems and new or emerging 
                aviation technologies;
                    (B) operations of such systems and technologies, 
                including beyond visual line of sight; and
                    (C) the social and economic impacts of such 
                operations.
            (3) Continuation.--The Administrator shall carry out the 
        expanded Program required under this subsection until such time 
        that the Administrator determines the Program is no longer 
        necessary or useful.

SEC. 632. UAS INTEGRATION STRATEGY.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall implement the recommendations made by--
            (1) the Comptroller General of the United States to the 
        Secretary of Transportation contained in the report titled 
        ``Drones: FAA Should Improve Its Approach to Integrating Drones 
        into the National Airspace System'' issued in January 2023 
        (GAO-23-105189); and
            (2) the inspector general of the Department of 
        Transportation to the Administrator contained in the audit 
        report titled ``FAA Made Progress Through Its UAS Integration 
        Pilot Program, but FAA and Industry Challenges Remain To 
        Achieve Full UAS Integration'' issued in April 2022 (Project 
        ID: AV2022027).
    (b) Briefing.--Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall provide a briefing to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate annually on the status of the activities 
described in subsection (a).

SEC. 633. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR KNOW BEFORE YOU FLY 
              CAMPAIGN.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator 
$1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, out of funds 
made available under section 106(k) of title 49, United States Code, 
for the Know Before You Fly educational campaign or similar public 
informational efforts intended to broaden unmanned aircraft systems 
safety awareness.

SEC. 634. PUBLIC AIRCRAFT DEFINITION.

    Section 40125(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking the first instance of ``or''; and
            (2) by inserting ``(including data collection on civil 
        aviation systems undergoing research, development, test, or 
        evaluation at a test range (as such term is defined in section 
        44801)), infrastructure inspections, or any other activity 
        undertaken by a governmental entity that the Administrator 
        determines is inherently governmental'' after ``biological or 
        geological resource management''.

                   Subtitle B--Advanced Air Mobility

SEC. 651. DEFINITION.

    In this subtitle, the term ``powered-lift aircraft'' has the 
meaning given the term ``powered-lift'' in section 1.1 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 652. POWERED-LIFT AIRCRAFT RULEMAKINGS.

    (a) Final Rulemaking.--Not later than 13 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall publish a final rule for a special Federal 
aviation regulation establishing procedures for certifying powered-lift 
pilots and providing operational rules for powered-lift aircraft.
    (b) Future Rulemaking.--Not later than 5 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall initiate a rulemaking 
activity providing for a permanent pathway for the--
            (1) performance-based certification of powered-lift 
        aircraft;
            (2) certification of powered-lift airmen; and
            (3) operation of powered-lift aircraft in commercial 
        service and air transportation.
    (c) Rulemaking Considerations.--
            (1) Contents of rulemakings.--In the development of the 
        rulemakings required under subsections (a) and (b), the 
        Administrator shall--
                    (A) provide for any aircraft type certificated by 
                the Administrator--
                            (i) a practical pathway for pilot 
                        qualification and operations; and
                            (ii) performance-based requirements for 
                        energy reserves and other range- and endurance-
                        related requirements that reflect the 
                        capabilities and intended operations of the 
                        aircraft;
                    (B) provide for a combination of pilot training 
                requirements, including simulators, to ensure the safe 
                operation of powered-lift aircraft;
                    (C) grant an individual with an existing commercial 
                airplane (single- or multi-engine) or helicopter pilot 
                certificate the authority to serve as pilot-in-command 
                of a powered-lift aircraft in commercial operation 
                following the completion of a Federal Aviation 
                Administration-approved pilot type rating for such type 
                of aircraft;
                    (D) to the maximum extent practicable, align 
                powered-lift pilot qualifications with section 2.1.1.4 
                of the International Civil Aviation Organization's 
                Annex 1; and
                    (E) consider the adoption of the recommendations 
                contained in document 10103 of the International Civil 
                Aviation Organization for powered-lift operations, as 
                appropriate.
            (2) Considerations for future rulemakings.--In the 
        development of the rulemakings required under subsection (b), 
        the Administrator shall--
                    (A) consider and plan for unmanned and remotely 
                piloted powered-lift aircraft systems, and the 
                associated elements of such aircraft, through the 
                promulgation of performance-based regulations;
                    (B) consider and plan for alternative fuel types 
                and propulsion methods, including reviewing the 
                performance-based nature of parts 33 and 35 of title 
                14, Code of Federal Regulations; and
                    (C) work to harmonize the certification and 
                operational requirements of the Federal Aviation 
                Administration with the certification and operational 
                requirements of civil aviation authorities with 
                bilateral safety agreements in place with the United 
                States, to the extent harmonization does not negatively 
                impact domestic manufacturers and operators.
    (d) Interim Application of Rules and Privileges in Lieu of 
Rulemaking.--Beginning 21 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act, if a final rule has not been published pursuant to subsection 
(a)--
            (1) rules in effect on such date that apply to the 
        operation and the operator of rotorcraft or fixed-wing aircraft 
        under subchapters F, G, H, and I of chapter 1 of title 14, Code 
        of Federal Regulations, shall be--
                    (A) deemed to apply to--
                            (i) the operation of a powered-lift 
                        aircraft in the national airspace system; and
                            (ii) the operator of such a powered-lift 
                        aircraft; and
                    (B) applicable as determined by the operator of an 
                airworthy powered-lift aircraft in consultation with 
                the Administrator and consistent with sections 91.3 and 
                91.13 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and
            (2) upon the completion of a type rating for a specific 
        powered-lift aircraft, airmen that hold a pilot or instructor 
        certification with airplane category ratings in any class or 
        rotorcraft category ratings in the helicopter class shall be 
        deemed to have privileges of a powered-lift rating for that 
        aircraft.
    (e) Termination of Interim Rules and Privileges.--Subsection (d) 
shall cease to have effect 1 month after the effective date of a final 
rule issued pursuant to subsection (a).

SEC. 653. POWERED-LIFT AIRCRAFT ENTRY INTO SERVICE.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall, in consultation with exclusive bargaining 
representatives of air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 
of title 5, United States Code, take such actions as may be necessary 
to safely integrate powered-lift aircraft into the national airspace 
system, including in controlled airspace, and learn from any efforts to 
adopt and update related policy and guidance.
    (b) Air Traffic Policies for Entry Into Service.--Not later than 24 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
update air traffic orders and policies, to the extent necessary, and 
address air traffic control system challenges in order to allow for--
            (1) the use of existing air traffic procedures, where safe, 
        by powered-lift aircraft; and
            (2) the approval of letters of agreement between air 
        traffic control system facilities and powered-lift operators 
        and infrastructure operators to minimize the amount of active 
        coordination required for safe recurring powered-lift aircraft 
        operations.
    (c) Long-term Air Traffic Policies.--Based on the implementation of 
subsection (b), the Administrator shall--
            (1) continue to update air traffic orders and policies;
            (2) to the extent necessary, develop powered-lift specific 
        procedures for airports, heliports, and vertiports;
            (3) evaluate the human factors impacts on controllers 
        associated with managing powered-lift aircraft operations, 
        consider the impact of additional operations on air traffic 
        controller staffing, and make necessary changes to staffing, 
        procedures, regulations, and orders; and
            (4) consider the use of third-party service providers to 
        manage increased operations in controlled airspace to support 
        and supplement the work of air traffic controllers.

SEC. 654. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON PREPARATION FOR ENTRY INTO SERVICE OF 
              POWERED-LIFT AIRCRAFT.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration should work with manufacturers, prospective 
operators of powered-lift aircraft, and other stakeholders, to enable 
the safe entry of such aircraft into commercial service following the 
publication of the final special Federal Aviation Administration 
rulemaking titled ``Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification 
and Operations; Miscellaneous Amendments Related to Rotorcraft and 
Airplanes'', including by reviewing and providing feedback to such 
manufacturers and operators on draft pilot training, operations, and 
maintenance manuals after the publication of the draft special Federal 
Aviation Administration rulemaking and prior to the publication of a 
final rule, as appropriate.

SEC. 655. INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORTING VERTICAL FLIGHT.

    (a) Updates to Regulations for Consistency.--The Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall update part 1 and part 157 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and other regulations as 
necessary to implement the amendments made by section 401.
    (b) Update to Heliport Design Standards.--The Administrator shall 
update the version of Advisory Circular 150/5390-2, titled ``Heliport 
Design'' in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, to--
            (1) increase the inclusion of performance-based guidance, 
        including around aircraft fuel type and propulsion method;
            (2) update guidance to consider risk mitigations and 
        hazards associated with different aircraft fuel types and 
        propulsion methods;
            (3) affirm the general permissibility of any vertical 
        takeoff and landing capable aircraft to use heliports that can 
        safely accommodate the physical and operating characteristics 
        of such aircraft; and
            (4) include vertiport as a subclass of heliport.
    (c) Engineering Brief on Vertiport Design.--The Administrator may 
update the version of Engineering Brief 105, titled ``Vertiport 
Design'' in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, prior to 
issuing an update to Advisory Circular 150/5390-2, as required under 
subsection (b).
    (d) Engineering Brief Sunset.--The Administrator shall revoke 
Engineering Brief 105, titled ``Vertiport Design'', on the earlier of--
            (1) the date on which Advisory Circular 150/5390-2 is 
        updated under subsection (b); or
            (2) 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (e) Guidance, Forms, and Planning.--The Administrator shall--
            (1) ensure airport district offices of the Administration 
        have sufficient guidance and policy direction regarding the 
        Administration's heliport and vertiport design guidance not 
        later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act 
        and update such guidance routinely;
            (2) determine if updates to Administration Form 7460 and 
        Form 7480 are necessary and take such actions, as appropriate; 
        and
            (3) ensure that the methodology and underlying data sources 
        of the Administration's Terminal Area Forecast include 
        commercial operations conducted by aircraft regardless of 
        propulsion type or fuel type.

SEC. 656. CHARTING OF AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall increase efforts to update and keep current the 
Airport Master Record of the Administration, including by establishing 
a streamlined process by which the owners and operators of public and 
private aviation facilities with nontemporary, nonintermittent 
operations are encouraged to keep the information on such facilities 
current.
    (b) Briefing.--The Administrator shall brief the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on 
the plans of the Administrator to update and keep current the Airport 
Master Record for private and public airports, heliports, and 
vertiports.

SEC. 657. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY WORKING GROUP.

    Section 2 of the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership 
Act (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b) by striking ``, particularly 
        passenger-carrying aircraft,'';
            (2) in subsection (d)(1) by striking subparagraph (D) and 
        inserting the following:
                    ``(D) operators of airports, heliports, and 
                vertiports, and fixed-base operators;'';
            (3) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
                striking ``1 year'' and inserting ``18 months'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3) by inserting ``or that may 
                impede maturation'' after ``AAM industry'';
                    (C) in paragraph (7) by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (D) in paragraph (8) by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (E) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(9) processes and programs that can be leveraged to 
        improve the efficiency of Federal reviews required for 
        infrastructure development, including for electrical capacity 
        projects.'';
            (4) in subsection (f)(1) by striking ``necessary to support 
        the evolution of early'' and inserting the following: ``that 
        would allow for--
                    ``(A) the timely entry into service of AAM after 
                aircraft and operator certification; and
                    ``(B) the evolution of early'';
            (5) in subsection (g)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
                striking ``working group'' and inserting ``Secretary of 
                Transportation'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1) by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (C) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph 
                (3); and
                    (D) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) summarizing any dissenting views and opinions of a 
        participant of the working group described in subsection 
        (c)(3); and'';
            (6) in subsection (i)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``that transports 
                people and property by air between two points in the 
                United States using aircraft with advanced 
                technologies, including electric aircraft or electric 
                vertical take-off and landing aircraft,'' and inserting 
                ``comprised of urban air mobility and regional air 
                mobility using manned or unmanned aircraft'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph 
                (7);
                    (C) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph 
                (9);
                    (D) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
            ``(5) Powered-lift aircraft.--The term `powered-lift 
        aircraft' has the meaning given the term `powered-lift' in 
        section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
            ``(6) Regional air mobility.--The term `regional air 
        mobility' means the movement of people or property by air 
        between 2 points using an airworthy aircraft that--
                    ``(A) has advanced technologies, such as 
                distributed propulsion, vertical take-off and landing, 
                powered-lift, non-traditional power systems, or 
                autonomous technologies;
                    ``(B) has a maximum takeoff weight of greater than 
                1,320 pounds; and
                    ``(C) is not urban air mobility.'';
                    (E) by inserting after paragraph (7), as so 
                redesignated, the following:
            ``(8) Urban air mobility.--The term `urban air mobility' 
        means the movement of people or property by air between 2 
        intracity or intercity points using an airworthy aircraft 
        that--
                    ``(A) advanced technologies, such as distributed 
                propulsion, vertical take-off and landing, powered-
                lift, nontraditional power systems, or autonomous 
                technologies; and
                    ``(B) a maximum takeoff weight of greater than 
                1,320 pounds.''; and
                    (F) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(10) Vertiport.--The term `vertiport' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 47102 of title 49, United States 
        Code.'';
            (7) by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (j); and
            (8) by inserting after subsection (h) the following:
    ``(i) Considerations for Termination of Working Group.--In deciding 
whether to terminate the working group under subsection (h), the 
Secretary and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall consider other interagency coordination activities associated 
with AAM, or other new or novel users of the national airspace system, 
that could benefit from continued wider interagency coordination.''.

SEC. 658. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY INFRASTRUCTURE PILOT PROGRAM EXTENSION.

    Section 101 of division Q of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
2023 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ``, as 
                        well as the use of existing airport and 
                        heliport infrastructure that may require 
                        modifications to safely accommodate AAM 
                        operations,'' after ``vertiport 
                        infrastructure''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) in clause (iii) by striking 
                                ``vertiport'' and inserting ``locations 
                                for'';
                                    (II) in clause (iv) by inserting 
                                ``and guidance'' after ``any 
                                standards'';
                                    (III) in clause (v) by striking 
                                ``vertiport infrastructure'' and 
                                inserting ``urban air mobility and 
                                regional air mobility operations''; and
                                    (IV) in clause (x) by inserting 
                                ``or the modification of existing 
                                aviation infrastructure'' after 
                                ``operation of a vertiport''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (6)(B)--
                            (i) in clause (i) by striking ``and'' at 
                        the end;
                            (ii) in clause (ii) by striking the period 
                        at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) a description of--
                                    ``(I) initial community engagement 
                                efforts and responses from the public 
                                on the planning and development efforts 
                                of eligible entities related to urban 
                                air mobility and regional air mobility 
                                operations;
                                    ``(II) how eligible entities are 
                                planning for and encouraging early 
                                adoption of urban air mobility and 
                                regional air mobility operations;
                                    ``(III) what role each level of 
                                government plays in the process; and
                                    ``(IV) whether such entities 
                                recommend specific regulatory or 
                                guidance actions be taken by the 
                                Secretary of Transportation or other 
                                Federal agencies in order to support 
                                such early adoption.'';
            (2) in subsection (c)(1)--
                    (A) by striking ``years 2023 and 2024'' and 
                inserting ``years 2023 through 2026''; and
                    (B) by inserting before the period ``out of funds 
                made available under section 106(k) of title 49, United 
                States Code'';
            (3) in subsection (d) by striking ``2024'' and inserting 
        ``2026'' each place it appears; and
            (4) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(1) Advanced air mobility; aam; regional air mobility; 
        urban air mobility; vertiport.--The terms `advanced air 
        mobility', `AAM', `regional air mobility', `urban air 
        mobility', and `vertiport' have the meaning given such terms in 
        section 2(j) of the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and 
        Leadership Act (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraphs (9) and (10).

                      Subtitle C--Other Provisions

SEC. 681. REPORT ON NATIONAL SPACEPORTS POLICY.

    Section 580(c)(3) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public 
Law 115-254) is amended by striking ``2024'' and inserting ``2028''.

SEC. 682. INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PILOT 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a pilot program to 
issue grants to operators of launch and reentry sites for projects to 
construct, repair, maintain, or improve transportation infrastructure 
and facilities at such sites.
    (b) Pilot Program Qualifications.--The Secretary may enter into 
agreements under this section to issue a grant to an operator only if 
the operator--
            (1) has submitted an application to the Secretary in such 
        form, at such time, and containing such information as 
        prescribed by the Secretary;
            (2) demonstrates to the Secretary's satisfaction that the 
        project for which the application has been submitted is for an 
        eligible purpose under subsection (c); and
            (3) agrees to maintain such records relating to the grant 
        as the Secretary may require and to make such records available 
        to the Secretary or the Comptroller General of the United 
        States upon request.
    (c) Permitted Use of Pilot Program Grants.--An operator may use a 
grant provided under this subsection for a project to construct, 
repair, maintain, or improve infrastructure and facilities that--
            (1) are located at, or adjacent to, a launch or reentry 
        site; and
            (2) directly enable or support transportation safety or 
        covered transportation activities.
    (d) Pilot Program Grants.--
            (1) Grant formula.--At the beginning of each fiscal year 
        after fiscal year 2024, the Secretary shall issue a grant to an 
        operator that qualifies for the pilot program under subsection 
        (b) an amount equal to the sum of--
                    (A) $250,000 for each licensed launch or reentry 
                operation conducted from the applicable launch or 
                reentry site or at any adjacent Federal launch range in 
                the previous fiscal year; and
                    (B) $100,000 for each launch or reentry operation 
                conducted under a permit from the applicable launch or 
                reentry site or at any adjacent Federal launch range in 
                the previous fiscal year.
            (2) Maximum grant.--Except as provided in subsection 
        (e)(5), a grant issued to an operator under this subsection 
        shall not exceed $2,500,000 for a fiscal year.
            (3) Adjacency.--
                    (A) In general.--In issuing a grant to an operator 
                under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall determine 
                whether a launch or reentry site is adjacent to a 
                Federal launch range.
                    (B) Limitation.--Only 1 operator may receive an 
                amount under paragraph (1) for each licensed or 
                permitted launch or reentry operation described in such 
                subparagraph.
                    (C) Multiple launch or reentry sites operated by 1 
                operator.--If an operator holds a license to operate 
                more than 1 launch site or more than 1 reentry site 
                that are adjacent to a Federal launch range, the 
                Secretary shall consider such launch or reentry sites 
                as 1 launch or reentry site for purposes of 
                subparagraph (A).
    (e) Supplemental Grants in Support of State, Local, or Private 
Matching.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may issue a supplemental 
        grant to an operator, subject to the requirements of this 
        paragraph.
            (2) Dollar-for-dollar matching.--If a qualified entity 
        provides an operator an amount equal to or greater than the 
        amount of a grant provided in a fiscal year under subsection 
        (d) (for the explicit purpose of matching such grant), the 
        Secretary may issue a supplemental grant to the operator that 
        is equal to 25 percent of such grant in the following fiscal 
        year.
            (3) Additional non-federal matching.--If a qualified entity 
        provides an operator an amount equal to or greater than two 
        times the amount of a grant provided in a fiscal year to the 
        operator under subsection (d) (for the explicit purpose of 
        matching such grant), the Secretary may issue a supplemental 
        grant to the operator that is equal to 50 percent of such grant 
        in the following fiscal year.
            (4) Supplemental grant limitations.--
                    (A) Match timing.--The Secretary may issue a 
                supplemental grant under paragraph (2) or (3) only if 
                an amount provided by a qualified entity is provided to 
                the operator in the same fiscal year as the grant 
                issued under subsection (d).
                    (B) Non-duplication of matching grants.--If the 
                Secretary issues a supplemental grant to the operator 
                of a launch site under paragraph (3), the Secretary may 
                not issue a supplemental grant under paragraph (2) to 
                the same operator in the same fiscal year.
            (5) Non-application of grant ceiling.--The limitation on a 
        grant amount under subsection (d)(2) shall not apply to 
        supplemental grants issued under this subsection.
    (f) Funding.--
            (1) Pilot program grant funds.--The grants issued under 
        this section shall be issued from funds made available out of 
        amounts available under section 106(k) of title 49, United 
        States Code.
            (2) Maximum annual limit on pilot program.--
                    (A) In general.--The total amount of all grants 
                issued under this section shall not exceed $20,000,000 
                in any fiscal year.
                    (B) Grant reduction.--In complying with 
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary--
                            (i) may proportionally reduce the amount 
                        of, or decline to issue, a supplemental grant 
                        under subsection (e); and
                            (ii) if the reduction under clause (i) is 
                        insufficient, shall proportionally reduce 
                        grants issued under subsection (d).
    (g) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Covered transportation activity.--The term ``covered 
        transportation activity'' means the movement of people or 
        property to, from, or within a launch site and the necessary or 
        incidental activities associated with such movement, including 
        through the use of--
                    (A) a vehicle;
                    (B) a vessel;
                    (C) a railroad (as defined in section 20102 of 
                title 49, United States Code);
                    (D) an aircraft (as defined in section 40102 of 
                title 49, United States Code);
                    (E) a pipeline facility (as defined in section 
                60101 of title 49, United States Code); or
                    (F) a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle.
            (2) Launch; launch site; launch vehicle; reentry site; 
        reentry vehicle.--The terms ``launch'', ``launch site'', 
        ``launch vehicle'', ``reentry site'', and ``reentry vehicle'' 
        have the meanings given those terms in section 50902 of title 
        51, United States Code.
            (3) Operator.--The term ``operator'' means a person 
        licensed by the Secretary to operate a launch or reentry site.
            (4) Qualified entity.--The term ``qualified entity'' means 
        a State, local, territorial, or Tribal government or private 
        sector entity, or any combination thereof.
    (h) Pilot Program Sunset.--This section shall cease to be effective 
on October 1, 2028.

SEC. 683. AIRSPACE ACCESS FOR HIGH-SPEED AIRCRAFT.

    (a) High-speed Aircraft Testing.--Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, in coordination with any other Federal agency 
the Administrator determines appropriate, shall ensure that there is a 
process in which manufacturers and operators of high-speed aircraft can 
engage in flight testing of such high-speed aircraft, which may include 
the establishment of high speed testing corridors in the national 
airspace system.
    (b) Study on High-speed Aircraft Operations.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration shall, after consultation with aircraft 
        manufacturers, institutions of higher learning, the 
        Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration, the Secretary of Defense, and any other 
        agencies the Administrator determines appropriate, conduct a 
        study to assess actions necessary to facilitate the safe 
        operation and integration of high-speed aircraft into the 
        national airspace system.
            (2) Contents.--In carrying out the study under paragraph 
        (1), the Administrator shall--
                    (A) assess various altitudes and operating 
                conditions of high-speed aircraft in Class E airspace 
                above the upper boundary of Class A airspace and the 
                resulting aircraft noise levels at the surface;
                    (B) include the development of a framework and 
                timeline to establish the appropriate regulatory 
                requirements to conducting high-speed aircraft flights;
                    (C) identify the data required to develop 
                certification, flight standards, and air traffic 
                requirements for the deployment and integration of 
                high-speed aircraft;
                    (D) assess cross-agency equities related to high-
                speed aircraft technologies and flight; and
                    (E) survey global high-speed aircraft-related 
                regulatory and testing developments or activities.
            (3) Recommendations.--As part of the study under paragraph 
        (1), the Administrator shall issue recommendations to update, 
        if feasible, regulations for certification, flight standards 
        and air traffic management.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), 
including the recommendations under subsection (b)(3), to facilitate 
the safe operation and integration of high-speed aircraft in the 
national airspace system.
    (d) Study and Rulemaking on High Altitude Class E Airspace Flight 
Operations.--
            (1) Consultation.--Not later than 12 months after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation 
        with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration and relevant stakeholders, including industry 
        and academia, shall identify the minimum altitude above the 
        upper boundary of Class A airspace at or above which flights 
        operating with speeds above Mach 1 generate sonic booms that 
        are inaudible at the surface under prevailing atmospheric 
        conditions.
            (2) Rulemaking.--Not later than 2 years after the date on 
        which the Administrator identifies the minimum altitude 
        described in paragraph (1), the Administrator shall publish in 
        the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend 
        sections 91.817 and 91.818 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations, and such other regulations as appropriate, to 
        permit flight operations with speeds above Mach 1 at or above 
        the minimum altitude identified under paragraph (1) without 
        specific authorizations, provided that such flight operations--
                    (A) show compliance with airworthiness 
                requirements;
                    (B) do not cause a measurable sonic boom over 
                pressure to reach the surface; and
                    (C) have ordinary instrument flight rules 
                clearances necessary to operate in controlled airspace.
    (e) Definition.--In this section, the term ``high-speed aircraft'' 
means an aircraft operating at speeds in excess of Mach 1, which shall 
include supersonic and hypersonic aircraft.

SEC. 684. ICAO ACTIVITIES ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall prioritize engagement with the International Civil 
Aviation Organization and contribute to or lead the development of 
international standards and recommended practices to improve aviation 
safety and support the entry-into-service of new forms of aviation.
    (b) Particular Activities.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall contribute to or lead International Civil Aviation 
Organization efforts with respect to the development of landing and 
take-off noise standards for supersonic aircraft.

SEC. 685. AIP ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN SPACEPORT INFRASTRUCTURE.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Secretary of Transportation may make a grant under subchapter I of 
chapter 471 of title 49, United States Code, to an airport sponsor to 
reconstruct, repave, or rehabilitate the full length and width of a 
runway existing on the date of enactment of this Act if--
            (1) the runway is at an airport that is also a launch site 
        or reentry site operated by a person certified under section 
        50905 of title 51, United States Code;
            (2) the runway is greater than 12,000 feet long and not 
        less than 200 feet wide; and
            (3) the airport sponsor certifies to the Secretary that the 
        full length and width of the runway is required to support 
        activities at the launch site.
    (b) Sunset.--This section shall cease to be effective on September 
30, 2028.

SEC. 686. COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS.

    Section 329(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2) by striking ``aeronautical'' and 
        inserting ``aerospace'';
            (2) in paragraph (3) by striking ``civil aeronautics'' and 
        inserting ``civil aerospace'';
            (3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
        (3) and (4), respectively; and
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) collect and disseminate information on commercial 
        space transportation operations (other than that collected and 
        disseminated by the National Transportation Safety Board under 
        chapter 11) including, at a minimum, information on the number 
        of launches or reentries licensed by the Secretary, the number 
        of space flight participants, the number of payloads, and the 
        mass of payloads, organized by class of orbit;''.

SEC. 687. REPORT ON CERTAIN INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS.

    Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the infrastructure needs at Federal Aviation Administration-
licensed horizontal and vertical launch sites located in rural 
communities.

SEC. 688. AIRSPACE INTEGRATION FOR SPACE LAUNCH AND REENTRY.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the Sense of Congress that--
            (1) a safe and efficient national airspace system that 
        successfully supports existing users and integrates new 
        entrants is of the utmost importance;
            (2) both commercial aviation and space launch and reentry 
        operations are vital to United States global leadership, 
        national security, and economic opportunity;
            (3) aircraft hazard areas are necessary during space launch 
        and reentry operations to ensure public safety; and
            (4) the Administrator of Federal Aviation Administration 
        should prioritize the development and deployment of 
        technologies to improve visibility of space launch and reentry 
        operations within Administration computer systems and minimize 
        operational workload to air traffic controllers associated with 
        routing traffic during spaceflight launch and reentry 
        operations.
    (b) Space Launch and Reentry Airspace Integration Technology.--
There is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of the 
fiscal years 2024 through 2028, or until such time as the Administrator 
determines that the project has reached an operational status, for the 
Administrator to expedite the development, acquisition, and deployment 
of technologies or capabilities to aid in space launch and reentry 
integration, which may include technologies recommended by the Airspace 
Access Priorities Aviation Rulemaking Committee in 2019, systems to 
enable the integration of launch and reentry data directly onto air 
traffic controller displays, and automated systems to enable near real-
time planning and dynamic rerouting of commercial aircraft during and 
following commercial space launch and reentry operations, with the 
objective of operational readiness not later than December 31, 2026.

              TITLE VII--PASSENGER EXPERIENCE IMPROVEMENTS

                     Subtitle A--General Provisions

SEC. 701. ADVERTISEMENTS AND SOLICITATIONS FOR PASSENGER AIR 
              TRANSPORTATION.

    (a) Full Fare Advertising.--Section 41712 of title 49, United 
States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Full Fare Advertising.--
            ``(1) In general.--It shall not be an unfair or deceptive 
        practice under subsection (a) for a covered entity to state in 
        an advertisement or solicitation for passenger air 
        transportation the base airfare for such air transportation if 
        the covered entity clearly and separately discloses--
                    ``(A) the government-imposed taxes and fees 
                associated with the air transportation; and
                    ``(B) the total cost of the air transportation.
            ``(2) Form of disclosure.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For purposes of paragraph (1), 
                the information described in paragraphs (1)(A) and 
                (1)(B) shall be disclosed in the advertisement or 
                solicitation in a manner that clearly presents the 
                information to the consumer.
                    ``(B) Internet advertisements and solicitations.--
                For purposes of paragraph (1), with respect to an 
                advertisement or solicitation for passenger air 
                transportation that appears on a website, the 
                information described in paragraphs (1)(A) and (1)(B) 
                may be disclosed through a link or pop-up, as such 
                terms may be defined by the Secretary, in a manner that 
                is easily accessible and viewable by the consumer.
            ``(3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Base airfare.--The term `base airfare' means 
                the cost of passenger air transportation, excluding 
                government-imposed taxes and fees.
                    ``(B) Covered entity.--The term `covered entity' 
                means an air carrier, including an indirect air 
                carrier, foreign carrier, ticket agent, or other person 
                offering to sell tickets for passenger air 
                transportation or a tour, or tour component, that must 
                be purchased with air transportation.''.
    (b) Limitation on Statutory Construction.--Nothing in the amendment 
made by subsection (b) may be construed to affect any obligation of a 
person that sells passenger air transportation to disclose the total 
cost of such air transportation, including government-imposed taxes and 
fees, prior to purchase of such air transportation.
    (c) Regulations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue final 
regulations to carry out the amendment made by subsection (a).
    (d) Statutory Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
construed to limit or otherwise affect the authority of the Secretary 
to regulate the disclosure of air carrier-imposed fees, or alter the 
requirements under part 399 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
as such part relates to air carrier-imposed fees.
    (e) Effective Date.--This section, and the amendment made by this 
section, shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 702. MODERNIZATION OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT SUBMISSIONS.

    Section 42302 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read 
as follows:
``Sec. 42302. Consumer complaints
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall--
            ``(1) maintain an accessible website through the Office of 
        Aviation Consumer Protection to accept the submission of 
        complaints from airline passengers regarding air travel service 
        problems; and
            ``(2) take appropriate actions to notify the public of such 
        accessible website.
    ``(b) Notice to Passengers on the Internet.--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 shall include on the accessible website of the 
carrier--
            ``(1) the accessible website, e-mail address, or telephone 
        number of the air carrier for the submission of complaints by 
        passengers about air travel service problems; and
            ``(2) the accessible website maintained pursuant to 
        subsection (a).
    ``(c) Use of Additional or Alternative Technologies.--The Secretary 
shall periodically evaluate the benefits of using mobile phone 
applications or other widely used technologies to--
            ``(1) provide additional or alternative means for air 
        passengers to submit complaints; and
            ``(2) provide such additional or alternative means as the 
        Secretary determines appropriate.
    ``(d) Air Ambulance Providers.--Each air ambulance provider shall 
include the accessible website, or a link to such accessible website, 
maintained pursuant to subsection (a) and the contact information for 
the Aviation Consumer Advocate established by section 424 of the FAA 
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 42302 note) on--
            ``(1) any invoice, bill, or other communication provided to 
        a passenger or customer of such provider; and
            ``(2) the accessible website and any related mobile device 
        application of such provider.''.

SEC. 703. CODIFICATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION PROVISIONS.

    (a) Passenger Rights.--Subchapter I of chapter 417 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 41727. Passenger rights
    ``(a) Guidelines.--The Secretary of Transportation shall require 
each air carrier and foreign air carrier to submit a summarized 1-page 
document that describes the rights of passengers in air transportation, 
including guidelines for the following:
            ``(1) Compensation (regarding rebooking options, refunds, 
        meals, and lodging) for flight delays of various lengths.
            ``(2) Compensation (regarding rebooking options, refunds, 
        meals, and lodging) for flight diversions.
            ``(3) Compensation (regarding rebooking options, refunds, 
        meals, and lodging) for flight cancellations.
            ``(4) Compensation for mishandled baggage, wheelchairs, 
        mobility aids and other assistive devices, including delayed, 
        damaged, pilfered, or lost baggage, wheelchairs, mobility aids 
        and other assistive devices.
            ``(5) Voluntary relinquishment of a ticketed seat due to 
        overbooking or priority of other passengers.
            ``(6) Involuntary denial of boarding and forced removal for 
        whatever reason, including for safety and security reasons.
    ``(b) Filing of Summarized Guidelines.--Not later than 90 days 
after each air carrier and foreign air carrier submits the 1-page 
document to the Secretary under subsection (a), each such air carrier 
and foreign air carrier shall make available such 1-page document in a 
prominent location on its website.''.
    (b) Airline Passengers With Disabilities Bill of Rights.--
Subchapter I of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 41728. 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 air 
carriers and foreign air carriers, their employees and contractors, and 
people with disabilities under section 41705.
    ``(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 air 
        carrier, foreign 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 air carrier, a foreign 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 the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-
254) pursuant to any statute or regulation.
    ``(d) Consultations.--In developing the Airline Passengers with 
Disabilities Bill of Rights under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
consult with stakeholders, including disability organizations and air 
carriers, foreign air carriers, and their contractors.
    ``(e) Display.--Each air carrier and foreign air carrier shall 
include the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights--
            ``(1) on a publicly available internet website of the 
        carrier; and
            ``(2) in any pre-flight notifications or communications 
        provided to passengers who alert the carrier in advance of the 
        need for accommodations relating to a disability.
    ``(f) Training.--
            ``(1) In general.--Air carriers, foreign air carriers, and 
        contractors of such carriers shall submit to the Secretary 
        plans that ensure that employees of such carriers and their 
        contractors receive training on the protections and 
        responsibilities described in the Airline Passengers with 
        Disabilities Bill of Rights.
            ``(2) Review.--The Secretary shall review such plans to 
        ensure the plans address the matters described in subsection 
        (b).''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--The analysis for chapter 417 of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 41726 the following:

``41727. Passenger rights.
``41728. Airline passengers with disabilities bill of rights.''.
    (d) Conforming Repeals.--Sections 429 and 434 of the FAA 
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 42301 note; 41705 note) and the 
item relating to such sections in the table of contents in section 1(b) 
of such Act are repealed.

SEC. 704. EXTENSION OF AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    Section 411 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 
U.S.C. 42301 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as 
                paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) ticket agents and travel management companies;''; and
            (2) in subsection (h) by striking ``2023'' and inserting 
        ``2028''; and

SEC. 705. REMOVAL OF OUTDATED REFERENCES TO PASSENGERS WITH 
              DISABILITIES.

    (a) Sovereignty and Use of Airspace.--Section 40103(a)(2) of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``handicapped 
individuals'' and inserting ``individuals with disabilities''.
    (b) Special Prices for Foreign Air Transportation.--Section 
41511(b)(4) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
``handicap'' and inserting ``disability''.
    (c) Discrimination Against Individuals With Disabilities.--Section 
41705 of title 49, United States Code, is amended in the heading by 
striking ``handicapped individuals'' and inserting ``individuals with 
disabilities''.
    (d) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 417 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 
41705 and inserting the following:

``41705. Discrimination against individuals with disabilities.''.

SEC. 706. EXTENSION OF AVIATION CONSUMER ADVOCATE REPORTING 
              REQUIREMENT.

    Section 424(e) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 
42302 note) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2028''.

SEC. 707. AIR CARRIER ACCESS ACT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    (a) In General.--Section 439 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 
(49 U.S.C. 41705 note) is amended--
            (1) in the section heading by striking ``advisory committee 
        on the air travel needs of passengers with disabilities'' and 
        inserting ``air carrier access act advisory committee'';
            (2) in subsection (c)(1) by striking subparagraph (G) and 
        inserting the following:
                    ``(G) Manufacturers of wheelchairs, including 
                powered wheelchairs, and other mobility aids.''; and
            (3) in subsection (g) by striking ``2023'' and inserting 
        ``2028''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1(b) of the FAA Reauthorization 
Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-254) is amended by striking the item 
relating to section 439 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 439. Air Carrier Access Act advisory committee.''.

SEC. 708. PASSENGER EXPERIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall establish an 
advisory committee to advise the Secretary and the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration in carrying out activities relating to 
the improvement of the passenger experience in air transportation 
customer service.
    (b) Membership.--The Secretary shall appoint the members of the 
advisory committee, which shall be comprised of at least 1 
representative of each of--
            (1) mainline air carriers;
            (2) air carriers with a low-cost or ultra-low-cost business 
        model;
            (3) regional air carriers;
            (4) large hub airport sponsors and operators;
            (5) medium hub airport sponsors and operators;
            (6) small hub airport sponsors and operators;
            (7) nonhub airport sponsors and operators;
            (8) ticket agents;
            (9) representatives of intermodal transportation companies 
        that operate at airports;
            (10) airport concessionaires;
            (11) nonprofit public interest groups with expertise in 
        consumer protection matters;
            (12) senior managers of the Administration's Air Traffic 
        Organization;
            (13) aircraft manufacturers;
            (14) entities representing individuals with disabilities;
            (15) certified labor organizations representing aviation 
        workers, including--
                    (A) Federal Aviation Administration employees;
                    (B) airline pilots working for air carriers 
                operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
                Regulations;
                    (C) flight attendants working for air carriers 
                operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
                Regulations; and
                    (D) other customer facing airline and airport 
                workers;
            (16) other organizations or industry segments as determined 
        by the Secretary; and
            (17) other Federal agencies that directly interface with 
        passengers at airports.
    (c) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the advisory committee under this 
section shall be filled in a manner consistent with subsection (b).
    (d) Travel Expenses.--Members of the advisory committee under this 
section 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.
    (e) Chair.--The Secretary shall designate an individual among the 
individuals appointed under subsection (b) to serve as Chair of the 
advisory committee.
    (f) Duties.--The duties of the advisory committee shall include--
            (1) evaluating ways to improve the comprehensive passenger 
        experience, including--
                    (A) transportation between airport terminals and 
                facilities;
                    (B) baggage handling;
                    (C) wayfinding;
                    (D) the security screening process; and
                    (E) the communication of flight delays and 
                cancellations;
            (2) evaluating ways to improve efficiency in the national 
        airspace system affecting passengers;
            (3) evaluating ways to improve the cooperation and 
        coordination between the Department of Transportation and other 
        Federal agencies that directly interface with aviation 
        passengers at airports;
            (4) responding to other taskings determined by the 
        Secretary; and
            (5) providing recommendations to the Secretary and the 
        Administrator, if determined necessary during the evaluations 
        considered in paragraphs (1) through (4).
    (g) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary 
shall submit to Congress a report containing--
            (1) consensus recommendations made by the advisory 
        committee since such date of enactment or the previous report, 
        as appropriate; and
            (2) an explanation of how the Secretary has implemented 
        such recommendations and, for such recommendations not 
        implemented, the Secretary's reason for not implementing such 
        recommendation.
    (h) Definition.--The definitions in section 40102 of title 49, 
United States Code, shall apply to this section.
    (i) Sunset.--This section shall cease to be effective on October 1, 
2028.
    (j) Termination of DOT ACCESS Advisory Committee.--The ACCESS 
Advisory Committee of the Department of Transportation shall terminate 
on the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 709. STREAMLINING OF OFFLINE TICKET DISCLOSURES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall take such 
action as may be necessary to update the process by which an air 
carrier or ticket agent is required to fulfill disclosure obligations 
in ticketing transactions for air transportation not completed through 
a website.
    (b) Requirements.--The process updated under subsection (a) shall--
            (1) include means of referral to the applicable air carrier 
        website with respect to disclosures related to air carrier 
        optional fees and policies;
            (2) include a means of referral to the website of the 
        Department of Transportation with respect to any other required 
        disclosures to air transportation passengers;
            (3) make no changes to air carrier or ticket agent 
        obligations with respect to--
                    (A) section 41712(c) of title 49, United States 
                Code; or
                    (B) subsections (a) and (b) of section 399.84 of 
                title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor 
                regulations); and
            (4) require disclosures referred to in paragraphs (1) and 
        (2) to be made in the manner existing prior to the date of 
        enactment of this Act upon passenger request.
    (c) Air Carrier Defined.--In this section, the term ``air carrier'' 
has the meaning given such term in section 40102(a) of title 49, United 
States Code.

SEC. 710. TICKET AGENT REFUND OBLIGATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue a 
final rule to revise section 399.80 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, to clarify the refund obligations of ticket agents.
    (b) Conditions.--In issuing the final rule under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall clarify that a ticket agent shall provide a refund 
only when such ticket agent possesses, or has access to, the funds of a 
passenger.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section, the term ``ticket agent'' has 
the meaning given such term in section 40102(a) of title 49, United 
States Code.

SEC. 711. UPDATING PASSENGER INFORMATION REQUIREMENT REGULATIONS.

    (a) ARAC Tasking.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall task the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee 
with--
            (1) reviewing passenger information requirement regulations 
        under section 121.317 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulation, 
        and such other related regulations as the Administrator 
        determines appropriate; and
            (2) making recommendations to update and improve such 
        regulations.
    (b) Final Regulation.--Not later than 6 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall issue a final regulation revising section 121.317 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and such other related 
regulations as the Administrator determines appropriate, to--
            (1) update such section and regulations to incorporate 
        exemptions commonly issued by the Administrator;
            (2) reflect civil penalty inflation adjustments; and
            (3) incorporate such updates and improvements recommended 
        by the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee that the 
        Administrator determines appropriate.

SEC. 712. MOBILITY AIDS ON BOARD IMPROVE LIVES AND EMPOWER ALL.

    (a) Publication of Cargo Hold Dimensions.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall 
        require air carriers to publish on a prominent and easily 
        accessible place on the public website of the air carrier, 
        information describing the relevant dimensions and other 
        characteristics of the cargo holds of all aircraft types 
        operated by the air carrier, including the dimensions of the 
        cargo hold entry, that would limit the size, weight, and 
        allowable type of cargo available.
            (2) Proprietary information.--The Secretary shall allow an 
        air carrier to protect the confidentiality of any trade secret 
        or proprietary information submitted in accordance with 
        paragraph (1), as appropriate.
    (b) Refund Required for Individual Traveling With Wheelchair.--In 
the case of a qualified individual with a disability traveling with a 
wheelchair who has purchased a ticket for a flight from an air carrier, 
but who cannot travel on the aircraft for such flight because the 
wheelchair of such qualified individual cannot be physically 
accommodated in the cargo hold of the aircraft, the Secretary shall 
require such air carrier to offer a refund to such qualified individual 
of any previously paid fares, fees, and taxes applicable to such 
flight.
    (c) Evaluation of Data Regarding Damaged Wheelchairs.--Not later 
than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually 
thereafter, the Secretary shall--
            (1) evaluate data regarding the type and frequency of 
        incidents of the mishandling of wheelchairs on aircraft and 
        delineate such data by--
                    (A) types of wheelchairs involved in such 
                incidents; and
                    (B) the ways in which wheelchairs are mishandled, 
                including the type of damage to wheelchairs (such as 
                broken drive wheels or casters, bent or broken frames, 
                damage to electrical connectors or wires, control input 
                devices, joysticks, upholstery or other components, 
                loss, or delay of return);
            (2) determine whether there are trends with respect to the 
        data evaluated under paragraph (1); and
            (3) make available on the public website of the Department 
        of Transportation, in an accessible manner, a report containing 
        the results of the evaluation of data and determination made 
        under paragraphs (1) and (2) and a description of how the 
        Secretary plans to address such results.
    (d) Feasibility of In-cabin Wheelchair Restraint Systems.--
            (1) Roadmap.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
        Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate a publicly available strategic 
        roadmap that describes how the Department of Transportation and 
        the United States Access Board, respectively, shall, in 
        accordance with the recommendations from the National Academies 
        of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Transportation 
        Research Board Special Report 341--
                    (A) establish a program of research, in 
                collaboration with the Rehabilitation Engineering and 
                Assistive Technology Society of North America, the 
                assistive technology industry, air carriers, original 
                equipment manufacturers, national disability and 
                disabled veterans organizations, and any other relevant 
                stakeholders, to test and evaluate an appropriate 
                selection of WC19-compliant wheelchairs and accessories 
                in accordance with applicable Federal Aviation 
                Administration crashworthiness and safety performance 
                criteria, including the issues and considerations set 
                forth in such Special Report 341; and
                    (B) sponsor studies that assess issues and 
                considerations, including those set forth in such 
                Special Report 341, such as--
                            (i) the likely demand for air travel by 
                        individuals who are nonambulatory if such 
                        individuals could remain seated in their 
                        personal wheelchairs in flight; and
                            (ii) the feasibility of implementing 
                        seating arrangements that would accommodate 
                        passengers in wheelchairs in the main cabin in 
                        flight.
            (2) Study.--If determined to be technically feasible by the 
        Secretary, not later than 2 years after making such 
        determination, the Secretary shall commence a study to assess 
        the economic and financial feasibility of air carriers and 
        foreign air carriers implementing seating arrangements that 
        accommodate passengers with wheelchairs (including power 
        wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, and scooters) in the main 
        cabin during flight. Such study shall include an assessment 
        of--
                    (A) the cost of such seating arrangements, 
                equipment, and installation;
                    (B) the demand for such seating arrangements;
                    (C) the impact of such seating arrangements on 
                passenger seating and safety on aircraft;
                    (D) the impact of such seating arrangements on the 
                cost of operations and airfare; and
                    (E) any other information determined appropriate by 
                the Secretary.
            (3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which 
        the study under paragraph (2) is completed, the Secretary shall 
        submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
        the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate a publicly available 
        report describing the results of the study conducted under 
        paragraph (2), together with any recommendations the Secretary 
        determines appropriate.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Air carrier.--The term ``air carrier'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 40102 of title 49, United States 
        Code.
            (2) Disability; qualified individual with a disability.--
        The terms ``disability'' and ``qualified individual with a 
        disability'' have the meanings given such terms in section 
        382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on 
        date of enactment of this Act).
            (3) Wheelchair.--The term ``wheelchair'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 37.3 of title 49, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (as in effect on date of enactment of this Act), 
        including power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, and scooters.

SEC. 713. PRIORITIZING ACCOUNTABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR AVIATION 
              CONSUMERS.

    (a) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on 
disability-related aviation consumer complaints filed with the 
Department of Transportation, and shall make each annual report 
publicly available.
    (b) Scope of Report.--In each report required under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall include, at minimum, a description of the 
following:
            (1) The number of disability-related aviation consumer 
        complaints filed with the Department of Transportation during 
        the calendar year preceding the year in which such report is 
        submitted.
            (2) The nature of such complaints, such as reported issues 
        with--
                    (A) an air carrier;
                    (B) mishandling of passengers with a disability, 
                including mishandling of a wheelchair, mobility aid, or 
                other accessibility equipment of a passenger by an air 
                carrier;
                    (C) the condition or availability of accessibility 
                equipment or materials operated by an air carrier;
                    (D) the accessibility of in-flight services, 
                including accessing and utilizing onboard lavatories, 
                for passengers with a disability;
                    (E) difficulties experienced by passengers with a 
                disability in communicating with an air carrier 
                employee;
                    (F) difficulties experienced by passengers with a 
                disability in being moved, handled, or otherwise 
                assisted;
                    (G) an air carrier changing the flight itinerary of 
                a passenger with a disability without the consent of 
                such passenger;
                    (H) difficulties experienced by passengers with a 
                disability traveling with a service animal; and
                    (I) any other issues the Secretary of 
                Transportation determines appropriate.
            (3) The review process for such complaints.
            (4) The average amount of days before the Department 
        initiated a formal review of such complaints.
            (5) The average amount of days until such complaints were 
        resolved by the Department.
            (6) The number of such complaints that resulted in 
        dismissal, a civil monetary penalty, or other injunctive 
        relief.
            (7) Of the complaints that were found to violate section 
        41705 of title 49, United States Code--
                    (A) the number of such complaints for which a 
                formal enforcement order was issued; and
                    (B) the number of such complaints for which a 
                formal enforcement order was not issued.
            (8) The number of disability-related aviation consumer 
        complaints filed with the Department of Transportation 
        involving airport staff or other matters under the jurisdiction 
        of the Federal Aviation Administration that were referred to 
        the Federal Aviation Administration.
            (9) The number of disability-related aviation consumer 
        complaints filed with the Department of Transportation 
        involving Transportation Security Administration staff that 
        were referred to the Transportation Security Administration or 
        the Department of Homeland Security.
    (c) Report to Congress.--The Secretary shall submit annually to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate the report required under subsection (a).
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided, the terms 
        used in this section have the meanings given such terms in 
        section 40102 of title 49, United States Code, or section 382.3 
        of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, as applicable.
            (2) Air carrier.--The term ``air carrier'' means an air 
        carrier conducting passenger operations under part 121 of title 
        14, Code of Federal Regulations.
            (3) Passenger with a disability.--The term ``passenger with 
        a disability'' has the meaning given the term ``qualified 
        individual with a disability'' in section 382.3 of title 14, 
        Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 714. AIRCRAFT ACCESSIBILITY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall initiate a 
program to study and evaluate improvements to transport category 
aircraft accessibility, including--
            (1) determining whether and, if so, how personal 
        wheelchairs, including manual and powered wheelchairs, can be 
        safely secured in the passenger seating areas of an aircraft 
        certificated under part 25 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations;
            (2) considering the safe evacuation processes for such 
        aircraft, including individuals who use manual and powered 
        wheelchairs; and
            (3) determining how various types or aircraft described in 
        paragraph (1) can safely and efficiently be retrofit for 
        accessible lavatories.
    (b) Report and Recommendations.--Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the findings of the study and 
evaluation described in subsection (a) and recommendations to address 
the findings of such study and evaluation.

SEC. 715. ACCESSIBILITY OF WEBSITES, SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS, AND KIOSKS 
              FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

    Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Transportation shall, in direct consultation with the 
United States Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance 
Board, prescribe regulations setting forth minimum standards to ensure 
that individuals with disabilities are able to access kiosks, software 
applications, and websites in a manner that is equally as effective as 
individuals without disabilities, with a substantially equivalent ease 
of use. Such standards shall be consistent with the standards set forth 
in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA of the Web 
Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium or any 
subsequent version.

SEC. 716. REVIEW OF METHODS TO REPORT FLIGHT DELAY AND CANCELLATION 
              STATISTICS.

    (a) In General.--No later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, shall conduct a 
review of the means of reporting flight delay and cancellation 
statistics to the Secretary and the accuracy of such data.
    (b) Coordination Requirement.--In conducting the review required in 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall coordinate and collaborate with air 
carriers (as such term is defined in section 40102 of title 49, United 
States Code) to assist in conducting the review and providing 
recommendations on improving the means of reporting flight delay and 
cancellation statistics to the Secretary and the accuracy of such data.

SEC. 717. REIMBURSEMENT FOR INCURRED COSTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall direct all air 
carriers providing scheduled passenger interstate or intrastate air 
transportation to establish policies regarding reimbursement for 
lodging, transportation between such lodging and the airport, and meal 
costs incurred due to a flight cancellation or significant delay 
directly attributable to the air carrier.
    (b) Definition of Significantly Delayed.--In this section, the term 
``significantly delayed'' means, with respect to air transportation, 
the departure or arrival at the originally ticketed destination 
associated with such transportation has changed--
            (1) in the case of air transportation within the United 
        States, by 3 or more hours; or
            (2) in the case of air transportation to or from a location 
        outside the United States, by 6 or more hours.

SEC. 718. AIRLINE OPERATIONAL RESILIENCY PLANS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall require a covered 
carrier to develop and regularly update an operational resiliency 
strategy to prevent or limit the impact of future flight disruptions on 
passengers.
    (b) Operational Resiliency Strategy.--In each operational 
resiliency strategy developed under subsection (a), a covered carrier 
shall include a description of--
            (1) the potential impact of severe weather and other 
        reasonably anticipated disruptive events on the operations of 
        the carrier and how the carrier seeks to prevent or limit the 
        impact of such events on passengers;
            (2) the potential impact of severe weather events and other 
        reasonably anticipated disruptive events on--
                    (A) staffing models and the preparedness of the 
                current workforce of the carrier to address such 
                conditions; and
                    (B) the current information and technology systems 
                of the carrier, including crew scheduling systems, and 
                the preparedness of such systems to continue operations 
                after such an event or disruption;
            (3) the preparedness of the carrier to maintain operations 
        and limit or prevent the impact of other potential disruptive 
        events identified by the carrier;
            (4) the extent to which the carrier addresses known 
        cybersecurity risks to prevent potential flight disruptions; 
        and
            (5) any other issues the Secretary determines appropriate 
        to protect consumers and maintain the operational stability of 
        the airline industry.
    (c) Proprietary Information.--The Secretary shall develop a method 
to protect the confidentiality of any trade secret or proprietary 
information submitted in an operational resiliency strategy under 
subsection (b).
    (d) Evaluation.--
            (1) Audit.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
        States shall initiate an audit to evaluate the effectiveness of 
        the operational resiliency strategies developed under this 
        section by covered air carriers.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after completion of the 
        audit conducted under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General 
        shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate a report on the findings of the audit.
    (e) Covered Carrier.--In this section, the term ``covered carrier'' 
has the meaning given such term in section 259.3 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).

SEC. 719. FAMILY SEATING.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue a 
notice of proposed rulemaking to establish a policy directing air 
carriers that assign seats, or allow individuals to select seats in 
advance of the date of departure of a flight, to sit each young child 
adjacent to an accompanying adult, to the greatest extent practicable, 
if adjacent seat assignments are available at any time after the ticket 
is issued for each young child and before the first passenger boards 
the flight.
    (b) Prohibition on Fees.--The notice of proposed rulemaking 
described in subsection (a) shall include a provision that prohibits an 
air carrier from charging a fee, or imposing an additional cost beyond 
the ticket price of the additional seat, to seat each young child 
adjacent to an accompanying adult within the same class of service.
    (c) Rule of Construction.--Notwithstanding the requirement in 
subsection (a), nothing in this section may be construed to allow the 
Secretary to impose a change in the overall seating or boarding policy 
of an air carrier that has an open or flexible seating policy in place 
that generally allows adjacent family seating as described under this 
section.
    (d) Young Child.--In this section, the term ``young child'' means 
an individual who has not attained 14 years of age.

SEC. 720. SEAT DIMENSIONS.

    Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall--
            (1) initiate a rulemaking activity based on the regulation 
        described in section 577 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 
        (49 U.S.C. 42301 note); and
            (2) if the Administrator decides not to pursue the 
        rulemaking described in paragraph (1), the Administrator shall 
        brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
        House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the justification 
        of such decision.

SEC. 721. IMPROVED TRAINING STANDARDS FOR ASSISTING PASSENGERS WHO USE 
              WHEELCHAIRS.

    (a) Rulemaking.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue a 
notice of proposed rulemaking to develop requirements for minimum 
training standards for airline personnel or contractors who assist 
wheelchair users who must board or deplane using an aisle chair or 
other boarding device.
    (b) Requirements.--The training standards developed under 
subsection (a) shall require, at a minimum, that airline personnel or 
contractors who assist passengers who use wheelchairs who must board or 
deplane using an aisle chair or other boarding device--
            (1) complete refresher training within 18 months and be 
        recertified on the job within 18 months by a superior in order 
        to remain qualified for providing aisle chair assistance; and
            (2) be able to successfully demonstrate each of following 
        skills in hands-on training sessions before being allowed to 
        board or deplane a passenger using an aisle chair or other 
        boarding device:
                    (A) How to safely use the aisle chair, or other 
                boarding device, including the use of all straps, 
                brakes, and other safety features.
                    (B) How to assist in the transfer of passengers to 
                and from their wheelchair, the aisle chair, and the 
                aircraft's passenger seat, either by physically lifting 
                the passenger or deploying a mechanical device for the 
                lift or transfer.
                    (C) How to effectively communicate with, and take 
                instruction from, the passenger.
    (c) Considerations.--In conducting the rulemaking under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum--
            (1) whether to require air carriers and foreign air 
        carriers to partner with national disability organizations and 
        disabled veterans organizations representing individuals with 
        disabilities who use wheelchairs and scooters in developing and 
        reviewing training; and
            (2) whether individuals able to provide boarding and 
        deplaning assistance for passengers with limited or no mobility 
        should receive training incorporating procedures from medical 
        professionals on how to properly lift these passengers.
    (d) Final Rule.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a final rule pursuant 
to the rulemaking conducted under this section.
    (e) Penalties.--The Secretary may assess a civil penalty in 
accordance with section 46301 of title 49, United States Code, to any 
air carrier or foreign air carrier who fails to meet the requirements 
established under the final rule under subsection (d).

SEC. 722. TRAINING STANDARDS FOR STOWAGE OF WHEELCHAIRS AND SCOOTERS.

    (a) Rulemaking.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue a 
notice of proposed rulemaking to develop minimum training standards 
related to stowage of wheelchairs and scooters used by passengers with 
disabilities on aircraft.
    (b) Requirements.--The training standards developed under 
subsection (a) shall require, at a minimum, that personnel and 
contractors of air carriers and foreign air carriers who stow 
wheelchairs and scooters on aircraft--
            (1) complete refresher training within 18 months and be 
        recertified on the job within 18 months by a superior in order 
        to remain qualified for handling and stowing wheelchairs and 
        scooters; and
            (2) be able to successfully demonstrate the each of 
        following skills in hands-on training sessions before being 
        allowed to handle or stow a wheelchair or scooter:
                    (A) How to properly handle and configure, at a 
                minimum on a common design for power and manual 
                wheelchairs and scooters for stowage on each aircraft 
                type operated by the air carrier or foreign air 
                carrier.
                    (B) How to properly review any wheelchair or 
                scooter information provided by the passenger or the 
                wheelchair or scooter manufacturer.
                    (C) How to properly load, secure, and unload 
                wheelchairs and scooters, including how to use any 
                specialized equipment for loading or unloading, on each 
                aircraft type operated by the air carrier or foreign 
                air carrier.
    (c) Considerations.--In conducting the rulemaking under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum whether to require air 
carriers and foreign air carriers to partner with wheelchair or scooter 
manufacturers, national disability and disabled veterans organizations 
representing individuals who use wheelchairs and scooters, and aircraft 
manufacturers, in developing training.
    (d) Final Rule.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a final rule pursuant 
to the rulemaking conducted under this section.
    (e) Penalties.--The Secretary may assess a civil penalty in 
accordance with section 46301 of title 49, United States Code, to any 
air carrier or foreign air carrier who fails to meet the requirements 
established under the final rule under subsection (d).

SEC. 723. INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS.

    Section 41705(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking paragraph (1), and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) not later than 120 days after the receipt of 
                any complaint of a violation of this section or a 
                regulation prescribed under this section, investigate 
                such complaint; and
                    ``(B) provide, in writing, to the individual that 
                filed the complaint and the air carrier or foreign air 
                carrier alleged to have violated this section or a 
                regulation prescribed under this section, the 
                determination of the Secretary with respect to--
                            ``(i) whether the air carrier or foreign 
                        air carrier violated this section or a 
                        regulation prescribed under this section;
                            ``(ii) the facts underlying the complaint; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) any action the Secretary is taking 
                        in response to the complaint.''.

SEC. 724. STANDARDS.

    (a) Aircraft Access Standards.--
            (1) Standards.--
                    (A) Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.--Not 
                later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
                Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue an 
                advanced notice of proposed rulemaking regarding 
                standards to ensure that the aircraft boarding and 
                deplaning process is accessible, in terms of design 
                for, transportation of, and communication with, 
                individuals with disabilities, including individuals 
                who use wheelchairs.
                    (B) Notice of proposed rulemaking.--Not later than 
                1 year after the date on which the advanced notice of 
                proposed rulemaking under subparagraph (A) is 
                completed, the Secretary shall issue a notice of 
                proposed rulemaking regarding standards addressed in 
                subparagraph (A).
                    (C) Final rule.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                date on which the notice of proposed rulemaking under 
                subparagraph (B) is completed, the Secretary shall 
                issue a final rule.
            (2) Covered airport, equipment, and features.--The 
        standards prescribed under paragraph (1)(A) shall address, at a 
        minimum--
                    (A) boarding and deplaning equipment;
                    (B) improved procedures to ensure the priority 
                cabin stowage for manual assistive devices pursuant to 
                section 382.67 of title 14, Code of Federal 
                Regulations; and
                    (C) improved cargo hold storage to prevent damage 
                to assistive devices.
            (3) Consultation.--For purposes of the rulemaking under 
        this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with the Access 
        Board and any other relevant department or agency to determine 
        appropriate accessibility standards.
    (b) In-flight Entertainment Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue 
a notice of proposed rulemaking in accordance with the November 22, 
2016, resolution of the Department of Transportation ACCESS Committee 
and the consensus recommendation set forth in the Term Sheet Reflecting 
Agreement of the Access Committee Regarding In-Flight Entertainment.
    (c) Negotiated Rulemaking on In-cabin Wheelchair Restraint Systems 
and Enplaning and Deplaning Standards.--
            (1) Timing.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after 
                completion of the report required by section 712(d)(3), 
                and if such report finds economic and financial 
                feasibility of air carriers and foreign air carriers 
                implementing seating arrangements that accommodate 
                individuals with disabilities using wheelchairs 
                (including power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, and 
                scooters) in the main cabin during flight, the 
                Secretary shall conduct a negotiated rulemaking on new 
                type certificated aircraft standards for seating 
                arrangements that accommodate such individuals in the 
                main cabin during flight or an accessible route to a 
                minimum of 2 aircraft passenger seats for passengers to 
                access from personal assistive devices of such 
                individuals.
                    (B) Requirement.--The negotiated rulemaking under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include participation of 
                representatives of--
                            (i) air carriers;
                            (ii) aircraft manufacturers;
                            (iii) national disability organizations;
                            (iv) aviation safety experts; and
                            (v) mobility aid manufacturers.
            (2) Notice of proposed rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year 
        after the completion of the negotiated rulemaking required 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall issue a notice of 
        proposed rulemaking regarding the standards described in 
        paragraph (1).
            (3) Final rule.--Not later than 1 year after the date on 
        which the notice of proposed rulemaking under paragraph (2) is 
        completed, the Secretary shall issue a final rule regarding the 
        standards described in paragraph (1).
            (4) Considerations.--In the negotiated rulemaking and 
        rulemaking required under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
        consider--
                    (A) a reasonable period for the design, 
                certification, and construction of aircraft that meet 
                the requirements;
                    (B) the safety of all persons on-board the 
                aircraft, including necessary wheelchair standards and 
                wheelchair compliance with Federal Aviation 
                Administration crashworthiness and safety performance 
                criteria; and
                    (C) the costs of design, installation, equipage, 
                and aircraft capacity impacts, including partial fleet 
                equipage and fare impacts.
    (d) Visual and Tactilely Accessible Announcements.--The Advisory 
Committee established under section 439(g) of the FAA Reauthorization 
Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 41705 note) shall examine technical solutions 
and the feasibility of visually and tactilely accessible announcements 
on-board aircraft.
    (e) Airport Facilities.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, in direct consultation with 
the Access Board, prescribe regulations setting forth minimum standards 
under section 41705 of title 49, United States Code, that ensure all 
gates (including counters), ticketing areas, and customer service desks 
covered under such section at airports are accessible to and usable by 
all individuals with disabilities, including through the provision of 
visually and tactilely accessible announcements and full and equal 
access to aural communications.
    (f) 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'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 40102 of title 49, United States 
        Code.
            (3) Individual with a disability.--The term ``individual 
        with a disability'' has the meaning given such term in section 
        382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
            (4) Foreign air carrier.--The term ``foreign air carrier'' 
        has the meaning given such term in section 40102 of title 49, 
        United States Code.

                        Subtitle B--Air Traffic

SEC. 741. TRANSFERS OF AIR TRAFFIC SYSTEMS ACQUIRED WITH AIP.

    Section 44502(e) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``in a noncontiguous 
        State'' after ``An airport'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``or'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (C) by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; or''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) a Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System 
                with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Exception.--The requirement under paragraph (1) that 
        an eligible air traffic system or equipment be purchased in 
        part using a Government airport aid program, airport 
        development aid program, or airport improvement project grant 
        shall not apply if the system or equipment is installed at an 
        airport that is categorized as a basic or local general 
        aviation airport under the most recently published national 
        plan of integrated airport systems under section 47103.''.

SEC. 742. NEXTGEN PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and periodically thereafter as the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration determines appropriate, the 
Administrator shall convene Administration officials to evaluate and 
expedite the implementation of NextGen programs and capabilities.
    (b) Nextgen Program Prioritization.--In allocating amounts 
appropriated pursuant to section 48101(a) of title 49, United States 
Code, the Secretary of Transportation shall give priority to the 
following activities:
            (1) Performance-based navigation.
            (2) Data communications.
            (3) Terminal flight data manager.
            (4) Aeronautical information management.
    (c) Performance-based Navigation.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall fully implement 
        performance-based navigation procedures for all terminal and 
        enroute routes, including approach and departure procedures for 
        covered airports.
            (2) Specific procedures.--Pursuant to paragraph (1), the 
        Administrator shall prioritize the following performance-based 
        navigation procedures:
                    (A) Trajectory-based operations.
                    (B) Optimized profile descents.
                    (C) Multiple airport route separation.
                    (D) Established on required navigation performance.
                    (E) Converging runway display aids.
            (3) Performance-based navigation baseline equipage 
        requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Administrator 
        shall issue such regulations as may be required, and publish 
        applicable advisory circulars, to establish the equipage 
        baseline appropriate for aircraft to safely use performance-
        based navigation procedures.
    (d) Data Communications.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall fully implement 
        the use of data communications.
            (2) Specific capabilities.--In carrying out subsection (a) 
        and this subsection, the Administrator shall prioritize the 
        following data communications capabilities:
                    (A) Ground-to-ground message exchange for surface 
                aircraft operations and runway safety at airports.
                    (B) Automated message generation and receipt.
                    (C) Message routing and transmission.
                    (D) Direct communications with aircraft avionics.
                    (E) Implementation of data communications at all 
                Air Route Traffic Control Centers.
                    (F) The Future Air Navigation System.
    (e) Terminal Flight Data Manager.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 4 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall replace the 
        traffic flow management system with the flow data management 
        system at covered airports.
            (2) Electronic flight strips.--In carrying out paragraph 
        (1), the Administrator shall implement electronic flight 
        strips, at a minimum, at the air traffic control towers of 
        covered airports and all terminal radar approach control and 
        air route traffic control centers.
    (f) Aeronautical Information Management Systems.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall fully modernize 
        the aeronautical information management systems of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration to improve the functionality, 
        useability, durability, and reliability of such systems used in 
        the national airspace system.
            (2) Requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Administrator shall--
                    (A) improve the distribution of critical safety 
                information to pilots, air traffic control, and other 
                relevant aviation stakeholders;
                    (B) fully develop and implement the Enterprise 
                Information Display System; and
                    (C) notwithstanding a centralized aeronautical 
                information management system, restructure the back-up 
                systems of aeronautical information management systems 
                to be independent and self-sufficient from one another.
    (g) Effect of Failure to Meet Deadline.--
            (1) Notification of congress.--If the Administrator 
        determines that the Administration has not or will not meet a 
        deadline established under subsection (a), (c), (d), or (e), 
        the Administrator shall, not later than 30 days after such 
        determination, notify the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate about the failure to meet the target deadlines.
            (2) Contents of notification.--A notification under 
        paragraph (1) shall be accompanied by the following:
                    (A) An explanation as to why the agency will not or 
                did not meet the target deadlines described in such 
                paragraph.
                    (B) A description of the actions the Administration 
                plans to take to meet the target deadlines described in 
                such paragraph.
            (3) Briefing.--If the Administrator is required to provide 
        notice under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall provide the 
        Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate bimonthly, in-person briefings as 
        to the progress made by the Administration regarding 
        implementation under the respective subsection for which the 
        target deadline will not or was not met until such time as the 
        Administrator has completed the required work under such 
        subsection.
    (h) Nextgen Advisory Committee Consultation.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall consult and task 
        the NextGen Advisory Committee with providing recommendations 
        on ways to expedite, prioritize, and fully implement NextGen 
        programs to realize the operational benefits of such programs.
            (2) Considerations.--In providing recommendations under 
        paragraph (1), the NextGen Advisory Committee shall consider--
                    (A) air traffic throughput of the national airspace 
                system;
                    (B) daily operational performance, including delays 
                and cancellations; and
                    (C) the potential need for performance-based 
                operational metrics related to NextGen programs.
    (i) Sunset of NextGen Brand.--
            (1) In general.-- Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall terminate the 
        use of the term ``Next Generation Air Transportation System'' 
        or ``NextGen'' to describe any air traffic control 
        modernization program of the Administration.
            (2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
        be construed to--
                    (A) terminate any program of the Administration, 
                including a program that has previously been 
                represented as being a component of the Next Generation 
                Air Transportation System or NextGen in budgetary 
                submission or document of the Administration; or
                    (B) prohibit the Administrator from maintaining 
                materials that relate to or reference programs that 
                have previously been represented as being a component 
                of the Next Generation Air Transportation System or 
                NextGen.
    (j) Covered Airports Defined.--In this section, the term ``covered 
airports'' means the 40 airports in the United States with the highest 
number of annual aircraft operations, as of the date of enactment of 
this Act.

SEC. 743. AIRSPACE ACCESS.

    (a) Coalescing Airspace.--
            (1) Review of national airspace system.--Not later than 3 
        years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in 
        coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall conduct a 
        comprehensive review of the airspace of the national airspace 
        system, including special use airspace.
            (2) Streamlining and expediting access.--In carrying out 
        paragraph (1), the Administrator shall identify methods to 
        streamline, expedite, and provide greater flexibility of access 
        to certain categories of airspace for users of the national 
        airspace system who may not regularly have access to such 
        airspace.
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 3 months after the 
        completion of review the under subsection (a), the 
        Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
        and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate a report describing the findings of such review and any 
        recommendations and proposed actions to improve access to 
        airspace of the national airspace system for the users of such 
        system.
            (2) Contents.--In the report submitted under paragraph (1), 
        the Administrator shall include, at a minimum, the following:
                    (A) An identification of current challenges and 
                barriers faced by airspace users in accessing certain 
                categories of airspace, including special use airspace.
                    (B) An evaluation of existing procedures, 
                regulations, and requirements that may impede or delay 
                access to certain categories of airspace for certain 
                users of the national airspace system.
                    (C) Recommendations for streamlining and expediting 
                the airspace access process, including potential 
                regulatory changes, technological advancements, and 
                enhanced coordination among relevant stakeholders and 
                Federal agencies.
                    (D) A proposal for implementing a flexible 
                framework that allows for temporary access to certain 
                categories of airspace, including special use airspace, 
                by users of the national airspace system who do not 
                have regular access to such airspace.
                    (E) An assessment of the impact airspace access 
                improvements may have on safety, efficiency, and 
                economic opportunities for airspace users, including--
                            (i) military operators;
                            (ii) commercial operators; and
                            (iii) general aviation operators.
            (3) Implementation and follow-up.--
                    (A) Action plan.--Based on the findings, 
                recommendations, and proposals submitted in the report 
                under this subsection, the Administrator shall develop 
                an action plan for implementing any recommendations and 
                proposals necessary to improve airspace access.
                    (B) Coordination and collaboration.--In developing 
                the action plan under subparagraph (A), the 
                Administrator shall coordinate with relevant 
                stakeholders, including airspace users and the 
                Secretary of Defense, to ensure--
                            (i) effective implementation of the action 
                        plan; and
                            (ii) ongoing collaboration in addressing 
                        airspace access challenges.
                    (C) Progress reports.--The Administrator shall 
                provide to the Committee on Transportation and 
                Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
                Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
                the Senate periodic progress reports in the form of 
                briefings on the implementation of the action plan 
                developed under this paragraph, including updates on 
                the adoption of streamlined procedures, technological 
                enhancements, and any regulatory changes necessary to 
                improve airspace access and flexibility.

SEC. 744. AIRSPACE TRANSITION COMPLETION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall ensure that responsibility for the Newark, New 
Jersey radar sector is moved to the Philadelphia terminal radar 
approach control facility.
    (b) Staffing.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator 
may not--
            (1) require the temporary or permanent movement of any 
        personnel from the New York terminal radar approach control 
        facility to the Philadelphia terminal radar approach control 
        facility, but may solicit such personnel to volunteer to 
        temporarily or permanently facilitate the move required under 
        subsection (a); or
            (2) reduce the target staffing level of the New York 
        terminal radar approach control facility.
    (c) Congressional Briefings.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act and every 60 days thereafter, the 
Administrator and the head of the collective bargaining unit 
representing air traffic controllers shall brief the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on 
the status of the move required under subsection (a) until such time as 
the Newark, New Jersey radar sector is under the full responsibility of 
the Philadelphia terminal radar approach control facility.

SEC. 745. FAA CONTRACT TOWERS.

    (a) Operational Readiness Inspections.--Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall update applicable regulations, 
standards, and guidance on operational readiness inspections related to 
the Federal Aviation Administration Contract Tower program to provide 
airport sponsors acting in good faith with 7 years to complete such 
inspections after receiving a benefit-to-cost ratio of air traffic 
control services for an airport.
    (b) FCT Controller Airspace Awareness.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall authorize the 
        use of advanced technology at Federal Aviation Administration 
        contract towers to enhance air traffic controller situational 
        awareness.
            (2) Equipment standards.--In carrying out paragraph (1), 
        the Administrator shall establish standards and criteria 
        identical to such standards and criteria applicable to Federal 
        Aviation Administration air traffic controllers for the use of 
        advanced technology in air traffic control towers.
            (3) Recurrency training.--In carrying out this subsection, 
        the Administrator, in coordination with Federal Aviation 
        Administration contract tower contractors, shall establish an 
        appropriate training program to periodically train air traffic 
        controllers employed by such contractors to ensure proper 
        integration and use of advanced technologies at Federal 
        Aviation Administration contract towers.
    (c) Liability Insurance.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation 
with industry experts including Federal Aviation Administration 
contract tower contractors and aviation insurance providers, shall--
            (1) assess existing liability limits for contract tower 
        contractors established by the Secretary; and
            (2) determine whether such limits should be updated.

SEC. 746. FAA CONTRACT TOWER WORKFORCE AUDIT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the inspector general of the Department of Transportation 
shall initiate an audit of the workforce needs of the Federal Aviation 
Administration Contract Tower Program.
    (b) Contents.--In conducting the audit required under subsection 
(a), the inspector general shall, at a minimum--
            (1) review the assumptions and methodologies used in 
        assessing the source of Federal Aviation Administration 
        contract towers staffing to determine the adequacy of staffing 
        levels at such towers;
            (2) determine whether there is a need to establish an air 
        traffic controller training program to allow Federal Aviation 
        Administration contract tower contractors to conduct--
                    (A) initial training of air traffic controllers 
                employed by such contractors; or
                    (B) on-the-job training of such controllers; and
            (3) assess whether establishing pathways to allow Federal 
        Aviation Administration contract tower contractors to use the 
        air traffic technical training academy of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration, or other means such as higher educational 
        institutions, to provide initial technical training for air 
        traffic controllers employed by such contractors could help 
        address the workforce needs of the FAA contract tower program.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the completion of the 
audit under subsection (a), the inspector general shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the findings of such audit and 
any recommendations as a result of such audit.

SEC. 747. AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINMENT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall develop performance metrics with which the Administrator can 
assess the operation of safety-critical communication, navigation, and 
surveillance aviation infrastructure within the national airspace 
system.
    (b) Performance Metrics Necessary to Remain in Service.--
            (1) In general.--After developing the performance metrics 
        under subsection (a), the Administrator shall carry out an 
        assessment to determine which applicable aviation 
        infrastructure are to remain in operational service.
            (2) Considerations.--In making an assessment under 
        paragraph (1), the Administrator shall take into consideration 
        the following:
                    (A) The expected lifespan of such aviation 
                infrastructure.
                    (B) The number and type of mechanical failures of 
                such aviation infrastructure.
                    (C) The average annual costs of maintaining such 
                aviation infrastructure over a 5-year timespan and 
                whether such costs exceed the amount to replace such 
                aviation infrastructure.
                    (D) The availability of replacement parts or labor 
                capable of maintaining such aviation infrastructure.
                    (E) Any other factors the Administrator determines 
                are necessary.
    (c) Publication.--The Administrator shall make the performance 
metrics established under subsection (b) available to the public 
through the website of the Administration, or other appropriate methods 
of publication, and shall ensure that any information made available to 
the public under this subsection is made available in a manner that--
            (1) does not provide identifying information regarding an 
        individual or entity;
            (2) prevents inappropriate disclosure of proprietary 
        information; and
            (3) does not disclose information that may pose a 
        cybersecurity risk.

SEC. 748. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER SAFETY.

    In designing, adopting a design, or constructing an air traffic 
control tower based on a previously adopted design, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall ensure that the safety of 
the national airspace system, the safety of employees of the 
Administration, the operational reliability of air traffic control 
towers, and the costs of such towers are the primary consideration in 
such design, adoption, or construction.

SEC. 749. AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES DATA REPORTS.

    Section 45303(g) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)(A) by striking ``8 years'' and 
        inserting ``14 years''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3)(A) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(xvi) Operators of commercial space 
                        transportation launch and reentry vehicles.''.

SEC. 750. CONSIDERATION OF SMALL HUB CONTROL TOWERS.

    In selecting projects for the replacement of federally owned air 
traffic control towers from funds made available pursuant to title VIII 
of division J of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 
117-58) under the heading ``Federal Aviation Administration--Facilities 
and Equipment'', the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall consider selecting projects at small hub 
commercial service airports with control towers that are at least 50 
years old.

SEC. 751. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER REPLACEMENT PROCESS REPORT.

    (a) Report Required.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall submit to Congress a report on the process by 
which air traffic control tower facilities are chosen for replacement.
    (b) Contents.--The report required under subsection (a) shall 
contain--
            (1) the process by which air traffic control tower 
        facilities are chosen for replacement, including which 
        divisions of the Administration control or are involved in the 
        replacement decision making process;
            (2) the criteria the Administrator uses to determine which 
        air traffic control tower facilities to replace, including--
                    (A) the relative importance of each such criteria;
                    (B) why the Administrator uses each such criteria; 
                and
                    (C) the reasons for the relative importance of each 
                such criteria;
            (3) what types of investigation the Administrator carries 
        out to determine if an air traffic control tower facility 
        should be replaced;
            (4) a timeline of the replacement process for an individual 
        air traffic control tower facility replacement;
            (5) the list of facilities established under subsection 
        (c), including the reason for selecting each such facility; and
            (6) any other information the Administrator considers 
        relevant.
    (c) List of Replaced Air Traffic Control Tower Facilities.--The 
Administrator shall establish, maintain, and publish on the website of 
the Federal Aviation Administration a list of the following:
            (1) All air traffic control tower facilities replaced 
        within the previous 10-year period.
            (2) Any such facilities in the process of being replaced.

SEC. 752. FAA CONTRACT TOWER PILOT PROGRAM.

    (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 pilot program to convert up to 3 high-
activity contract towers under the Federal Aviation Administration 
Contract Tower Program under section 47124 of title 49, United States 
Code, to visual flight rule towers staffed by the Administration.
    (b) Priority.--In selecting facilities to participate in the pilot 
program under subsection (a), the Administrator shall give priority to 
towers that--
            (1) had over 200,000 in annual tower operations in calendar 
        year 2022 or a small hub airport with more than 900,000 
        passenger enplanements in calendar year 2021;
            (2) have controls towers that are either owned by the 
        Administration or are constructed to Administration standards; 
        and
            (3) operate within a complex air space, including space 
        used by air carriers, for general aviation, and by military 
        aircraft.
    (c) Controller Retention.--The Administrator shall appoint to the 
position of air traffic controller all air traffic controllers employed 
as a Federal contract tower operator and assigned to the air traffic 
control tower pilot program as of the date of enactment of this Act so 
long as such operator--
            (1) meets the qualifications contained in section 
        44506(f)(1)(A) of title 49, United States Code; and
            (2) has all other pre-employment qualifications required by 
        law.

                Subtitle C--Small Community Air Service

SEC. 771. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE REFORMS.

    (a) Reduction in Subsidy Cap.--Section 41731(a)(1)(C) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(C) had an average subsidy per passenger--
                            ``(i) of less than $1,000 during the most 
                        recent fiscal year beginning before October 1, 
                        2026, as determined in subparagraph (D) by the 
                        Secretary; or
                            ``(ii) of $500 or less during the most 
                        recent fiscal year beginning on or after 
                        October 1, 2026; and''.
    (b) Restriction on Length of Routes.--
            (1) In general.--Section 41732(a)(1) of title 49, United 
        States Code, is amended by inserting ``less than 650 miles from 
        an eligible place (unless such airport or eligible place are 
        located in a non-contiguous State)'' after ``hub airport''.
            (2) Exception.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall 
        not apply to any contract or renewal of such contract with an 
        air carrier for essential air service compensation under 
        subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, that was--
                    (A) entered into before the date of enactment of 
                this Act; and
                    (B) still in effect on the date of enactment of 
                this Act.
            (3) Sunset.--Paragraph (2) shall cease to have effect after 
        September 30, 2028.
    (c) Applicant Selection Considerations.--Section 41733(c)(1) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``giving substantial weight to'' and 
        inserting ``including'';
            (2) in subparagraph (E) by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (3) in subparagraph (F) by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(G) the total compensation proposed by the air carrier 
        for providing scheduled air service under this section.''.
    (d) Cost Share.--
            (1) Section 41737.--Section 41737(a)(1) of title 49, United 
        States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (D) by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (E) by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(F) require that, for a contract to provide air service 
        that is entered into or renewed under this subchapter after 
        September 30, 2026, the Government's share of the compensation 
        is 95 percent.''.
            (2) Section 41731.--Section 41731 of title 49, United 
        States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (c) by inserting ``and section 
                41737(a)(1)(F)'' after ``subsection (a)(1)''; and
                    (B) in subsection (d) by inserting ``and section 
                41737(a)(1)(F)'' after ``Subsection (a)(1)(B)''.

SEC. 772. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE AUTHORIZATION.

    Section 41742(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``$155,000,000 for fiscal year 2018'' an all that follows 
through ``$172,000,000 for fiscal year 2023'' and inserting 
``$332,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, $312,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, 
$300,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, $265,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, 
and $252,000,000 for fiscal year 2028''.

SEC. 773. SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM REFORM AND 
              AUTHORIZATION.

    (a) Same Projects Limit.--Section 41743(c)(4)(B) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ``10-year'' and inserting 
``6-year''.
    (b) Priorities.--Section 41743(c)(5) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (G) as 
        subparagraphs (C) through (H), respectively; and
            (2) by adding after subparagraph (A) the following--
                    ``(B) the community has demonstrated support from 
                at least 1 air carrier to provide service;''.
    (c) Authorization.--Section 41743(e)(2) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2028''.

SEC. 774. GAO STUDY ON INCREASED COSTS OF ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study of the change in costs of the essential air service 
program under sections 41731 through 41742 of title 49, United States 
Code.
    (b) Contents.--In conducting the study required under subsection 
(a), the Comptroller General shall--
            (1) assess trends in costs of the essential air service 
        program under sections 41731 through 41742 of title 49, United 
        States Code, over the 10-year period ending on the date of 
        enactment of this Act;
            (2) review potential causes for the increased cost of the 
        essential air service program, including--
                    (A) labor costs;
                    (B) fuel costs;
                    (C) aging aircraft costs;
                    (D) air carrier opportunity costs; and
                    (E) airport costs; and
            (3) assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 
        costs of the essential air service program under sections 41731 
        through 41742 of title 49, United States Code.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).

                       TITLE VIII--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 801. DIGITALIZATION OF FAA PROCESSES.

    (a) Identification.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall identify and catalog programs, activities, or 
processes that require paper-based information exchange between--
            (1) external entities and the Administration; or
            (2) offices within the Administration.
    (b) Digitalization.--On an ongoing basis, and as appropriate, the 
Administrator shall transition the paper-based processes identified 
under subsection (a) to processes that support secure digital 
information submission, exchange, collaboration, and approval.
    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 60 days after completing the required 
identification and catalog in subsection (a), the Administrator shall 
brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on the programs, activities, and processes 
identified under subsection (a) and such programs, activities, and 
processes that have been identified for transition under subsection 
(b).

SEC. 802. FAA TELEWORK.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration--
            (1) may establish telework policies for employees that 
        allow for the Administration to reduce the office footprint and 
        associated expenses of the Administration, increase workforce 
        retention, and provide flexibilities that the Administrator 
        believes increases efficiency and effectiveness of the 
        Administration, while requiring that any such policy--
                    (A) does not adversely impact the mission of the 
                Administration;
                    (B) does not reduce the safety and efficiency of 
                the national airspace system;
                    (C) for any employee that is designated as an 
                officer or executive in the Federal Aviation 
                Administration Executive System or a political 
                appointee (as such term is defined in section 106 of 
                title 49, United States Code)--
                            (i) maximizes time at a duty station for 
                        such employee, excluding official travel; and
                            (ii) may include telework provisions as 
                        determined appropriate by the Administrator, 
                        commensurate with official duties for such 
                        employee;
                    (D) provides for on-the-job training opportunities 
                for Administration personnel that are not less than 
                such opportunities available in 2019;
                    (E) reflects the appropriate work status of 
                employees based on the job functions of such employee;
                    (F) optimizes the work status of inspectors, 
                investigators, and other personnel performing safety-
                related functions to ensure timely completion of safety 
                oversight activities;
                    (G) provides for personnel, including such 
                personnel performing work related to aircraft 
                certification and flight standards, who are responsible 
                for actively working with regulated entities, external 
                stakeholders, or other members of the public to be--
                            (i) routinely available on a predictable 
                        basis for in-person and virtual communications 
                        with external persons; and
                            (ii) not hindered from meeting with, 
                        visiting, auditing, or inspecting facilities or 
                        projects of regulated persons due to any 
                        telework policy; and
                    (H) provides offices of the Administration 
                opportunities for in-person dialogue, collaboration, 
                and ideation for all employees;
            (2) ensures that locality pay for an employee of the 
        Administrator accurately reflects the telework status and duty 
        station of such employee;
            (3) may not establish a telework policy for an employee of 
        the Administration unless such employee will be provided with 
        secure network capacity, communications tools, necessary and 
        secure access to appropriate agency data assets and Federal 
        records, and equipment sufficient to enable such employee to be 
        fully productive; and
            (4) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, shall evaluate and address any telework policies in 
        effect on the day before such date of enactment to ensure that 
        such policies meet the requirements of paragraph (1).
    (b) Congressional Update.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and 1 year thereafter, the Administrator shall 
brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on any telework policies currently in 
place, the implementation of such policies, and the benefits of such 
policies.
    (c) Consultation.--If the Administrator determines that telework 
agreements must be updated to implement the requirements of subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall, prior to updating such agreements, 
consult with--
            (1) exclusive bargaining representatives of air traffic 
        controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United 
        States Code; and
            (2) labor organizations certified under such section as the 
        exclusive bargaining representative of airway transportation 
        systems specialists and aviation safety inspectors of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration.

SEC. 803. REVIEW OF OFFICE SPACE.

    (a) FAA Review.--
            (1) Initiation of review.--Not later than 30 months after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
        Transportation shall initiate an inventory review of the 
        domestic office footprint of the Department of Transportation.
            (2) Completion of review.--Not later than 40 months after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete 
        the inventory review required under paragraph (1).
    (b) Contents of Review.--In completing the review under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall--
            (1) delineate the domestic office footprint into units of 
        property, as determined appropriate by the Secretary;
            (2) determine unit adequacy related to--
                    (A) the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 
                U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and the corresponding 
                accessibility guidelines established under part 1191 of 
                title 36, Code of Federal Regulations; and
                    (B) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 
                U.S.C. 12101 et seq.);
            (3) determine the feasible occupancy of each such unit, and 
        provide the methodology used to make the determination;
            (4) determine the number of individuals who are full-time 
        equivalent employees, other employees, or contractors that have 
        each such unit as a duty station and determine how telework 
        policies will impact the usage of each such unit;
            (5) calculate the amount of available, unused, or 
        underutilized space in each such unit;
            (6) consider any lease terms for leased units contained in 
        the domestic office footprint, including cost and effective 
        dates for each such leased unit; and
            (7) based on the findings in paragraphs (2) through (6), 
        and any other metrics the Secretary determines relevant, 
        provide recommendations for optimizing the use of units of 
        property across the Department in consultation with appropriate 
        employee labor representatives.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 2 months after completing the review 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
final report that proposes opportunities to optimize the domestic 
office footprint of the Administration (and associated costs). In 
compiling such final report, the Secretary shall describe opportunities 
for--
            (1) consolidation of offices within a reasonable distance 
        from one another;
            (2) the collocation of regional or satellite offices of 
        separate modes of the Department, including the cost benefits 
        of shared amenities; and
            (3) the use of coworking spaces instead of permanent 
        offices.
    (d) Definition of Domestic Office Footprint.--In this section, the 
term ``domestic office footprint'' means buildings, offices, 
facilities, and other real property rented, owned, or occupied by the 
Administration or Department--
            (1) in which employees report for permanent or temporary 
        duty that are not being used for active operations of the air 
        traffic control system; and
            (2) which are located within the United States.

SEC. 804. AIRCRAFT WEIGHT REDUCTION TASK FORCE.

    (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 task force to identify ways to safely 
reduce covered aircraft weight for purposes of reducing fuel burn.
    (b) Composition.--The task force established under subsection (a) 
shall consist of not more than 20 individuals and shall include 
representatives of--
            (1) the Federal Aviation Administration;
            (2) other Federal agencies as the Administrator determines 
        appropriate;
            (3) air carriers;
            (4) certified labor organizations representing flight 
        attendants at air carriers operating under part 121 of title 
        14, Code of Federal Regulations;
            (5) certified labor organizations representing aircraft 
        maintenance technicians;
            (6) certified labor organizations representing other 
        aviation workers, as appropriate; and
            (7) aerospace manufacturers.
    (c) Review.--The task force established under subsection (a) shall 
review and evaluate--
            (1) regulations, requirements, advisory circulars, orders, 
        or other such directives of the Administration related to 
        covered aircraft or covered aircraft operations that may 
        inhibit certification of new materials, manufacturing 
        processes, components, or technologies that could reduce 
        aircraft weight or increase fuel efficiency without decreasing 
        safety;
            (2) aspects of covered aircraft design that are outdated or 
        underutilized on the date of enactment of this Act that may 
        unnecessarily increase covered aircraft weight or reduce 
        aircraft fuel efficiency that are not necessary for the safe 
        operation of such aircraft;
            (3) novel technologies and manufacturing processes, 
        including the use of advanced materials, that can safely be 
        used in the construction or modification of covered aircraft, 
        including a component or the interior of such aircraft, to 
        reduce weight or improve fuel efficiency; and
            (4) nonproprietary methods that air carriers have used to 
        safely decrease covered aircraft weight or improve fuel 
        efficiency.
    (d) Report.--
            (1) Task force report.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the 
                establishment of the task force under subsection (a), 
                the task force shall submit a report on the findings 
                and results of the review and evaluation conducted 
                under subsection (c) to the Administrator.
                    (B) Recommendations.--In submitting the report 
                required under subparagraph (A), the task force shall 
                include recommendations--
                            (i) on actions the Administrator may take 
                        to updated regulations, processes, advisory 
                        circulars, orders, or other such directions of 
                        the Administration to enable the certification 
                        of new materials, components, manufacturing 
                        processes, or technologies that may allow for 
                        the safe reduction of covered aircraft weight 
                        or the improvement of fuel efficiency; and
                            (ii) on best practices for air carriers and 
                        aerospace manufacturers to certify such 
                        materials, components, manufacturing processes, 
                        or technologies.
                    (C) Approximation of benefits.--For each 
                recommendation made under subparagraph (B), the task 
                force shall approximate the fuel savings that could be 
                expected if such recommendation was adopted.
                    (D) Submission to congress.--Not later than 3 days 
                after receipt of the report required under subparagraph 
                (A), the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
                Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
                Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
                and Transportation of the Senate the report and 
                recommendations.
            (2) FAA report.--Not later than 120 days after submission 
        of the report under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall 
        submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
        the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report--
                    (A) describing the recommendations of the task 
                force with which the Administrator fully concurs, 
                partially concurs, or does not concur;
                    (B) detailing, for the recommendations with which 
                the Administrator fully or partially concurs--
                            (i) a timeline for implementing such 
                        recommendations; and
                            (ii) possible benefits of using new 
                        materials, manufacturing processes, components, 
                        or technologies, including fuel savings, 
                        increased capacity, or other benefits as 
                        determined reasonable by the task force; and
                    (C) explaining, for the recommendations with which 
                the Administrator does not concur, the reason for which 
                the Administrator will not implement such 
                recommendations.
    (e) Sunset.--
            (1) In general.--The task force established under 
        subsection (a) shall terminate upon submission of the report 
        required under subsection (d)(1)(A).
            (2) Exception.--The Administrator may choose to extend such 
        task force after the submission of the report required under 
        subsection (d)(1)(A), if the Administrator determines that such 
        an extension would be in the public interest.
    (f) Definition.--In this section:
            (1) Air carrier.--The term ``air carrier'' means an air 
        carrier (as such term is defined in section 40102 of title 49, 
        United States Code) that holds a certificate issued under part 
        121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
            (2) Aircraft weight.--The term ``aircraft weight'' means 
        the gross weight of a covered aircraft in operation.
            (3) Covered aircraft.--The term ``covered aircraft'' means 
        an aircraft that is operated by an air carrier that is 
        operating pursuant to a certificate issued under part 121 of 
        title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 805. AUDIT OF TECHNICAL WRITING RESOURCES AND CAPABILITIES.

    (a) Audit by Inspector General.--Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the inspector general of the Department 
of Transportation shall initiate an audit of the technical writing 
resources and capabilities of the Federal Aviation Administration as 
such resources and capabilities relate to producing rulemaking, policy, 
and guidance, to--
            (1) determine if such resources and capabilities are 
        adequate; and
            (2) make recommendations for improvement of such resources 
        and capabilities.
    (b) Review.--In conducting the review required under subsection 
(a), the inspector general shall evaluate the technical writing 
resources and capabilities of the Administration in each line of 
business of the Administration, the Office of Policy, International 
Affairs, and Environment, and the Office of the Chief Counsel, 
including by reviewing--
            (1) the process and resources required to produce initial 
        drafts of rulemaking, policy, and guidance documents;
            (2) the quality of such initial drafts;
            (3) the amount of edits that are required throughout the 
        production of rulemaking, policy, and guidance documents;
            (4) writing support and education tools provided to 
        engineers, managers, and other technical staff of the 
        Administration involved in writing or editing such documents; 
        and
            (5) whether--
                    (A) the Administration has and adheres to best 
                practices for the drafting of rulemaking, policy, and 
                guidance documents; and
                    (B) such best practices are--
                            (i) easily accessible and understandable by 
                        employees of the Administration; and
                            (ii) reflect modern writing conventions.
    (c) Recommendations.--In making the recommendations required under 
subsection (a)(2), the inspector general shall make recommendations to 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration on how to 
improve the quality of written rulemaking, policy, and guidance 
documents and the speed at which such documents can be produced, 
internally reviewed, and approved.
    (d) Deconflicting Scope.--The inspector general shall ensure that 
the audit required under subsection (a) does not duplicate the 
evaluation required under section 125, except to the extent that 
duplication is necessary to fully evaluate the technical writing 
resources and capabilities of the Administration.
    (e) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the inspector general 
initiates the audit under subsection (a), the inspector general shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the audit, 
including findings and recommendations.

SEC. 806. FAA PARTICIPATION IN INDUSTRY STANDARDS ORGANIZATIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall ensure the participation of employees of the 
Administration in the activities of recognized industry standards 
organizations to advance the adoption, reference, and acceptance rate 
of standards and means of compliance developed by such organizations by 
the Administrator.
    (b) Participation.--An employee directed by the Administrator to 
participate in a working group, task group, committee, or similar body 
of a recognized industry standards organization shall--
            (1) actively participate in the discussions and work of 
        such organization;
            (2) accurately represent the position of the Administration 
        on the subject matter of such discussions and work;
            (3) contribute to the development of work products of such 
        organization, unless determined to be inappropriate by such 
        organization;
            (4) make reasonable efforts to identify and make any 
        concerns of the Administration relating to such work products 
        known to such organization, including through providing formal 
        comments, as may be allowed for under the procedures of such 
        organization;
            (5) provide regular updates to other Administration 
        employees and management on the progress of such work products; 
        and
            (6) seek advice and input from other Administration 
        employees and management, as needed.
    (c) Invitations.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator may accept an invitation 
        to participate in and contribute to the work of a recognized 
        industry standards organization as described in subsection (b).
            (2) Declination of invitation.--If the Administrator 
        declines an invitation described in paragraph (1), the 
        Administrator shall provide--
                    (A) the recognized industry standards organization 
                a written response to the invitation that articulates 
                the reasons for declining the invitation; and
                    (B) a copy of such written response to the 
                Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
                House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
                Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later 
                than 5 days after providing the response to such 
                organization under subparagraph (A).
    (d) Recognized Industry Standards Organization Defined.--In this 
section, the term ``recognized industry standards organization'' means 
a domestic or international organization that--
            (1) uses agreed upon procedures to develop aerospace-
        related industry standards or means of compliance, particularly 
        standards or means of compliance that satisfy Administration 
        requirements or guidance;
            (2) is comprised of members of the public, including 
        subject matter experts, industry representatives, academics and 
        researchers, and government employees; and
            (3) has had at least one standard or means of compliance 
        accepted by the Administrator or referenced in guidance 
        material or a regulation issued by the Federal Aviation 
        Administration after the date of enactment of the Vision 100--
        Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-176).

SEC. 807. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON USE OF VOLUNTARY CONSENSUS STANDARDS.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration should make every effort to abide by the 
policies set forth in the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-
119, titled ``Federal Participation in the Development and Use of 
Voluntary Consensus Standards and Conformity Assessment Activities''.

SEC. 808. REQUIRED DESIGNATION.

    The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
designate any aviation rulemaking committee convened under this Act 
pursuant to section 106(p)(5) of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 809. SENSITIVE SECURITY INFORMATION.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 401 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 40118 the following:
``Sec. 40119. Sensitive security information
    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 552 of title 5, the 
Secretary of Transportation shall issue regulations prohibiting the 
disclosure of information obtained or developed in the process of 
ensuring security under this title if the Secretary determines that 
disclosing the information would--
            ``(1) be an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
            ``(2) reveal a trade secret or privileged or confidential 
        commercial or financial information; or
            ``(3) be detrimental to transportation safety.
    ``(b) Withheld Information.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall ensure that the prohibitions described in such 
subsection do not apply to any information provided to a committee of 
Congress authorized to have such information, including the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate.
    ``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in subsection (a) shall be 
construed to authorize the designation of information as sensitive 
security information (as defined in section 15.5 of title 49, Code of 
Federal Regulations) to--
            ``(1) conceal--
                    ``(A) a violation of law;
                    ``(B) inefficiency; or
                    ``(C) an administrative error;
            ``(2) prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or 
        governmental agency;
            ``(3) restrain competition; or
            ``(4) prevent or delay the release of information that does 
        not require protection in the interest of transportation 
        security, including basic scientific research information not 
        clearly related to transportation security.
    ``(d) Nondisclosure.--Section 552a of title 5 shall not apply to 
disclosures that the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration may make from the systems of records of the 
Administration to any Federal law enforcement, intelligence, protective 
service, immigration, or national security official in order to assist 
the official receiving the information in the performance of official 
duties.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 401 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the item related to section 
40119 and inserting the following:

``40119. Sensitive security information.''.

SEC. 810. PRESERVING OPEN SKIES WHILE ENSURING FAIR SKIES.

    (a) Addition of Labor Standards.--Section 40101 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(17) preventing the undermining of labor standards.''; 
        and
            (2) in subsection (e) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(11) preventing the undermining of labor standards.''.
    (b) Update to Foreign Air Carrier Permits.--Section 41302(2)(B) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``the foreign air 
transportation'' and inserting ``after considering the totality of the 
circumstances, including the matters described in section 40101(a), the 
foreign air transportation''.
    (c) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section, or the amendments 
made by this section, shall be construed to affect the validity of a 
foreign air carrier permit held, or air transport agreement in place, 
on the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 811. COMMERCIAL PREFERENCE.

    Section 40110(d) of title 49, United States Code, is further 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``and implement'' and 
        inserting ``, implement, and periodically update'';
            (2) in paragraph (2) by striking ``the new acquisition 
        management system developed and implemented'' and inserting 
        ``the acquisition management system developed, implemented, and 
        periodically updated'' each place it appears;
            (3) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``new''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``and implemented'' and 
                        inserting ``, implemented, and periodically 
                        updated''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``Within'' and 
                all that follows through ``the Administrator'' and 
                inserting ``The Administrator'';
            (4) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
            (5) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
            ``(4) Commercial products and services.--In implementing 
        and updating the acquisition management system pursuant to 
        paragraph (1), the Administrator shall, whenever possible--
                    ``(A) describe the requirements with respect to a 
                solicitation for the procurement of supplies or 
                services in terms of--
                            ``(i) functions to be performed;
                            ``(ii) performance required; or
                            ``(iii) essential physical and system 
                        characteristics;
                    ``(B) ensure that commercial services or commercial 
                products may be procured to fulfill such solicitation, 
                or to the extent that commercial products suitable to 
                meet the needs of the Administration are not available, 
                ensure that nondevelopmental items other than 
                commercial products may be procured to fulfill such 
                solicitation;
                    ``(C) provide offerors of commercial services, 
                commercial products, and nondevelopmental items other 
                than commercial products an opportunity to compete in 
                any solicitation for the procurement of supplies or 
                services;
                    ``(D) revise the procurement policies, practices, 
                and procedures of the Administration to reduce any 
                impediments to the acquisition of commercial products 
                and commercial services; and
                    ``(E) ensure that procurement officials--
                            ``(i) acquire commercial services, 
                        commercial products, or nondevelopmental items 
                        other than commercial products to meet the 
                        needs of the Administration;
                            ``(ii) in a solicitation for the 
                        procurement of supplies or services, state the 
                        specifications for such supplies or services in 
                        terms that enable and encourage bidders and 
                        offerors to supply commercial services or 
                        commercial products, or to the extent that 
                        commercial products suitable to meet the needs 
                        of the Administration are not available, to 
                        supply nondevelopmental items other than 
                        commercial products;
                            ``(iii) require that prime contractors and 
                        subcontractors at all levels under contracts 
                        with the Administration incorporate commercial 
                        services, commercial products, or 
                        nondevelopmental items other than commercial 
                        products as components of items supplied to the 
                        Administration;
                            ``(iv) modify procurement requirements in 
                        appropriate circumstances to ensure that such 
                        requirements can be met by commercial services 
                        or commercial products, or to the extent that 
                        commercial products suitable to meet the needs 
                        of the Administration are not available, 
                        nondevelopmental items other than commercial 
                        products; and
                            ``(v) require training of appropriate 
                        personnel in the acquisition of commercial 
                        products and commercial services.''.

SEC. 812. CONSIDERATION OF THIRD-PARTY SERVICES.

    (a) Plans and Policy.--Section 44501 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by striking ``development and 
        location of air navigation facilities'' and inserting 
        ``development of air navigation facilities and services''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``and development'' and inserting 
                ``procurement, and development'' each place it appears;
                    (B) by striking ``facilities and equipment'' and 
                inserting ``facilities, services, and equipment'';
                    (C) by striking ``first and 2d years'' and 
                inserting ``first and second years'';
                    (D) by striking ``subclauses (A) and (B) of this 
                clause'' and inserting ``subparagraphs (A) and (B)'';
                    (E) by striking ``the 3d, 4th, and 5th'' and 
                inserting ``the third, fourth, and fifth'';
                    (F) by striking ``systems and facilities'' and 
                inserting ``systems, services, and facilities''; and
                    (G) by striking ``growth of aviation'' and 
                inserting ``growth of the aerospace industry''.
    (b) Systems, Procedures, Facilities, and Devices.--Section 44505 of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``develop, alter'' and inserting 
                ``develop when necessary, alter''; and
                    (B) by striking ``and devices'' and inserting 
                ``services, and devices'' each place it appears; and
            (2) in subsection (b) by striking ``develop dynamic 
        simulation models'' and inserting ``develop or procure dynamic 
        simulation models and tools'' each place it appears.

SEC. 813. CERTIFICATES OF AUTHORIZATION OR WAIVER.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration, may issue a certificate of 
authorization or waiver to a person to operate an aircraft within an 
area covered by a temporary flight restriction under such conditions as 
the Administrator may prescribe, except for airspace that is subject to 
a permanent, continuous flight restriction, unless the authorization or 
waiver is issued to, or with the concurrence of, the entity for which 
the flight restriction was created.
    (b) Special Considerations.--If a temporary flight restriction is 
related to a sporting event and issued pursuant to section 352 of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 (Public Law 108-7), the 
conditions prescribed by the Administrator under subsection (a) shall 
include the following:
            (1) A minimum distance from the center of the temporary 
        flight restriction, which shall not be greater than 0.75 
        nautical miles, unless the Administrator determines, on a case 
        by case basis, that such mileage is insufficient to maintain 
        public safety.
            (2) The person may not operate an aircraft (except for a 
        purpose described under section 352(a)(3) of the Consolidated 
        Appropriations Resolution, 2003 (Public Law 108-7)) for a 
        purpose that the Secretary determines is directly related to 
        the event for which the temporary flight restriction is active.
    (c) Exception.--Subsection (b)(1) shall not apply to aircraft 
operations associated with an aviation event or airshow for which the 
Administrator has granted a certificate of authorization or waiver.
    (d) Briefing.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall brief the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the 
implementation of this section, including the number and nature of 
certificates of authorization or waiver that have been issued under 
subsection (a) subject to restrictions under subsection (b).
    (e) Operational Purposes.--Section 352(a)(3)(B) of Consolidated 
Appropriations Resolution, 2003 (Public Law 108-7) is amended by 
inserting ``(or attendees approved by)'' after ``guests''.
    (f) Sunset.--Subsection (b) shall cease to have effect on October 
1, 2028.

SEC. 814. WING-IN-GROUND-EFFECT CRAFT.

    (a) Memorandum of Understanding.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 24 months after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration and the Commandant of the Coast Guard 
        shall execute a memorandum of understanding governing the 
        specific roles, delineations of responsibilities, resources, 
        and commitments of the Federal Aviation Administration and the 
        Coast Guard, respectively, pertaining to wing-in-ground-effect 
        craft that are--
                    (A) only capable of operating either in water or in 
                ground effect over water; and
                    (B) operated exclusively over waters subject to the 
                jurisdiction of the United States.
            (2) Contents.--The memorandum of understanding described in 
        paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) cover the processes the Federal Aviation 
                Administration and the United States Coast Guard will 
                follow to promote communications, efficiency, and 
                nonduplication of effort in carrying out such 
                memorandum of understanding;
                    (B) account for the special rule in accordance with 
                subsection (b); and
                    (C) provide procedures for, at a minimum, the 
                following:
                            (i) Approval of wing-in-ground-effect craft 
                        designs.
                            (ii) Operations of wing-in-ground-effect 
                        craft.
                            (iii) Pilotage of wing-in-ground-effect 
                        craft.
                            (iv) Inspections of wing-in-ground-effect 
                        craft.
                            (v) Maintenance of wing-in-ground-effect 
                        craft.
    (b) Special Rule Prohibiting Secretary From Regulating Certain WIG 
Craft Operators as Air Carriers.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law or regulation, the Secretary of Transportation may not regulate 
an operator of a wing-in-ground-effect craft as an air carrier (as such 
term is defined in section 40102(a) of title 49, United States Code).
    (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to--
            (1) limit the authority of the Secretary or the 
        Administrator to regulate aircraft that are not wing-in-ground-
        effect craft, including aircraft that are--
                    (A) capable of the operations described in 
                subsection (d); and
                    (B) capable of sustained flight out of ground 
                effect;
            (2) confer upon the Commandant the authority to determine 
        the impact of any civil aircraft operation on the safety or 
        efficiency of the National Airspace System; or
            (3) confer upon the Administrator the authority to issue a 
        certificate of documentation, with or without a registry, 
        fishery or coastwise endorsement, for, or inspect any vessel as 
        that term is defined in section 115 of title 46, United States 
        Code.
    (d) Wing-in-ground-effect Craft Defined.--In this section, the term 
``wing-in-ground-effect craft'' means a craft that is capable of 
operating completely above the surface of the water on a dynamic air 
cushion created by aerodynamic lift due to the ground effect between 
the craft and the surface of the water.

SEC. 815. QUASQUICENTENNIAL OF AVIATION.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) December 17, 2028, is the 125th anniversary of the 
        first successful manned, free, controlled, and sustained flight 
        by an aircraft.
            (2) The first flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright in Kitty 
        Hawk, North Carolina, is a defining moment in the history of 
        the United States and the world.
            (3) The Wright brothers' achievement is a testament to 
        their ingenuity, perseverance, and commitment to innovation, 
        which has inspired generations of aviators and scientists 
        alike.
            (4) The advent of aviation and the air transportation 
        industry has fundamentally transformed the United States and 
        the world for the better.
            (5) The 125th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first 
        flight is worthy of recognition and celebration to honor their 
        legacy and to inspire a new generation of Americans as aviation 
        reaches an inflection point of innovation and change.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
Secretary of Transportation, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration, and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies 
should facilitate and participate in local, national, and international 
observances and activities that commemorate and celebrate the 125th 
anniversary of powered flight.

SEC. 816. FEDERAL CONTRACT TOWER WAGE DETERMINATIONS AND POSITIONS.

    The Secretary of Transportation shall request that the Secretary of 
Labor--
            (1) review and update, as necessary, including to account 
        for cost-of-living adjustments, the basis for the wage 
        determination for air traffic controllers who are employed at 
        air traffic control towers operated under the Contract Tower 
        Program established under section 47124 of title 49, United 
        States Code;
            (2) create a new wage determination category or occupation 
        code for managers of air traffic controllers who are employed 
        at air traffic control towers in the Contract Tower Program; 
        and
            (3) consult with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
        Administration in carrying out the requirements of paragraphs 
        (1) and (2).

SEC. 817. INTERNAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS REVIEW.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the inspector general of the Department of 
Transportation shall review the coordination and approval processes of 
non-regulatory materials produced by the Federal Aviation 
Administration to improve the timeliness, transparency, development, 
and issuance of such materials.
    (b) Contents of Review.--In conducting the review under subsection 
(a), the inspector general shall--
            (1) provide recommendations for improving processes and 
        eliminating nonvalue-added reviews of non-regulatory materials 
        within the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of 
        Transportation, in consideration of the authority of the 
        Administrator under section 106 of title 49, United States 
        Code, and other applicable laws;
            (2) consider, with respect to each office within the 
        Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of 
        Transportation that reviews non-regulatory materials--
                    (A) the timeline assigned to each such office to 
                complete the review of such materials;
                    (B) the actual time spent for such review; and
                    (C) opportunities to reduce the actual time spent 
                for such review;
            (3) describe any organizational changes and additional 
        resources that the Administration needs, if necessary, to 
        reduce delays in the development and publication of proposed 
        non-regulatory materials;
            (4) consider to what extent reporting mechanisms and 
        templates could be used to provide the public with more 
        consistent information on the development status of non-
        regulatory materials;
            (5) consider changes to the application of rules governing 
        ex parte communications by the Administrator to provide 
        flexibility for employees of the Administration to discuss non-
        regulatory materials with aviation stakeholders and foreign 
        aviation authorities to promote United States aviation 
        leadership;
            (6) recommend methods by which the Administration can 
        incorporate standards set by recognized industry standards 
        organizations, as such term is defined in section 806, into 
        non-regulatory materials to keep pace with rapid changes in 
        aerospace technology and processes; and
            (7) evaluate the processes and best practices other civil 
        aviation authorities and other Federal departments and agencies 
        use to produce non-regulatory materials, particularly the 
        processes of entities that produce such materials in an 
        expedited fashion to respond to safety risks, incidents, or new 
        technology adoption.
    (c) Consultation.--In conducting the review under subsection (a), 
the inspector general may, as appropriate, consult with industry 
stakeholders, academia, and other individuals with relevant background 
or expertise in improving the efficiency of Federal non-regulatory 
material production.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the inspector general 
initiates the review under subsection (a), the inspector general shall 
submit to the Administrator a report on such review.
    (e) Action Plan.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall develop an action 
        plan to implement the recommendations contained in the report 
        submitted under subsection (d).
            (2) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after receiving the 
        report under subsection (d), the Administrator shall brief the 
        Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate on such plan.
    (f) Non-regulatory Materials Defined.--In this section, the term 
``non-regulatory materials'' means orders, advisory circulars, 
statements of policy, guidance, technical standards, and other 
materials related to aviation safety, training, and operation of 
aeronautical products.

SEC. 818. ACCEPTANCE OF DIGITAL DRIVER'S LICENSE AND IDENTIFICATION 
              CARDS.

    The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall take 
such actions as may be necessary to accept, in any instance where an 
individual is required to submit government-issued identification to 
the Administrator, a digital or mobile driver's license or 
identification card issued to such individual by a State.

SEC. 819. BUCKEYE 940 RELEASE OF DEED RESTRICTIONS.

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to authorize the 
Secretary to issue a Deed of Release from all terms, conditions, 
reservations, restrictions, and obligations contained in the Quitclaim 
Deed and permit the State of Arizona to deposit all proceeds of the 
disposition of Buckeye 940 in the appropriate fund for the benefit of 
the beneficiaries of the Arizona State Land Trust.
    (b) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Buckeye 940.--The term ``Buckeye 940'' means all of 
        section 12, T.1 N., R.3 W. and all of adjoining fractional 
        section 7, T.1 N., R.2 W., Gila and Salt River Meridian, 
        Arizona, which property was the subject of the Quitclaim Deed 
        between the United States and the State of Arizona, dated July 
        11, 1949, and which is currently owned by the State of Arizona 
        and held in trust for the beneficiaries of the Arizona State 
        Land Trust.
            (2) Quitclaim deed.--The term ``Quitclaim Deed'' means the 
        Quitclaim Deed between the United States and the State of 
        Arizona, dated July 11, 1949.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Transportation.
    (c) Release of Any and All Interest in Buckeye 940.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        law, the United States, acting through the Secretary, shall 
        issue to the State of Arizona a Deed of Release to release all 
        terms, conditions, reservations, restrictions, and obligations 
        contained in the Quitclaim Deed, including any and all 
        reversionary interest of the United States in Buckeye 940.
            (2) Terms and conditions.--The Deed of Release described in 
        paragraph (1) shall be subject to such additional terms and 
        conditions, consistent with such paragraph, as the Secretary 
        considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United 
        States.
            (3) No restriction on use of proceeds.--Notwithstanding any 
        other provision of law, the State of Arizona may dispose of 
        Buckeye 940 and any proceeds thereof, including proceeds 
        already collected by the State and held in a suspense account, 
        without regard to any restriction imposed by the Quitclaim Deed 
        or by section 155.7 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
            (4) Mineral reservation.--The Deed of Release described in 
        paragraph (1) shall include the release of all interests of the 
        United States to the mineral rights on Buckeye 940 included in 
        the Quitclaim Deed.

SEC. 820. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM 
              INTEGRITY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall initiate a review to identify and address aging 
information technology systems within the Administration.
    (b) Contents.--The review required under subsection (a) shall--
            (1) identify and inventory critical software and hardware 
        systems of the Administration;
            (2) assess the vulnerabilities of such systems to 
        degradation, errors (including human errors), and malicious 
        attacks (including cyber attacks); and
            (3) identify upgrades to, or replacements for, such systems 
        that are necessary to mitigate such vulnerabilities.
    (c) Mitigation.--The Administrator shall take such action as may be 
necessary to mitigate the vulnerabilities identified under the review 
conducted under subsection (a).
    (d) Leveraging External Expertise.--To the maximum extent 
practicable, the actions carried out pursuant to this section shall--
            (1) be consistent with the acquisition management system 
        established and updated pursuant to section 40110(d) of title 
        49, United States Code;
            (2) incorporate input from industry, academia, or other 
        external experts on information technology; and
            (3) identify technologies in existence or in development 
        that, with or without adaptation, are expected to be suitable 
        to meet the technical information technology needs of the 
        Administration.
    (e) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report detailing the results of the review required under subsection 
(a).
    (f) Inspector General Review.--
            (1) In general.--After the Administrator completes the 
        review under subsection (a), the inspector general of the 
        Department of Transportation shall conduct an audit of the 
        integrity of the information technology systems of the 
        Administration and assess the efforts of the Administration to 
        address the Administration's aging information technology 
        systems.
            (2) Report.--The inspector general shall submit to the 
        Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the 
        audit carried out under this subsection.

SEC. 821. BRIEFING ON RADIO COMMUNICATIONS COVERAGE AROUND MOUNTAINOUS 
              TERRAIN.

    (a) Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a briefing on the 
radio communications coverage within the airspace surrounding the Mena 
Intermountain Municipal Airport in Mena, Arkansas.
    (b) Briefing Contents.--The briefing required under subsection (a) 
shall include the following:
            (1) The radio communications coverage within the airspace 
        surrounding the Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport with the 
        applicable Air Route Traffic Control Center.
            (2) The altitudes at which radio communications 
        capabilities are lost within such airspace.
            (3) Recommendations on changes that may increase radio 
        communications coverage below 4,000 feet above ground level 
        within such airspace.

SEC. 822. STUDY ON CONGESTED AIRSPACE.

    (a) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall initiate a 
study on the efficiency and efficacy of scheduled commercial air 
service transiting congested airspace.
    (b) Contents.--In carrying out the study required under subsection 
(a), the Comptroller General shall examine--
            (1) various regions of congested airspace and the differing 
        factors of such regions;
            (2) commercial air service;
            (3) military flight activity;
            (4) emergency response activity;
            (5) commercial space transportation activities;
            (6) weather; and
            (7) air traffic controller staffing.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the results of the study and recommendations to reduce the 
impacts to scheduled air service transiting congested airspace.

SEC. 823. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FRANCHISE FUND.

    Title I of the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 1997 (49 U.S.C. 40113 note) is amended under the 
heading ``Administrative Services Franchise Fund'' by striking ``shall 
be paid in advance'' and inserting ``may be reimbursed after 
performance or paid in advance''.

SEC. 824. USE OF BIOGRAPHICAL ASSESSMENTS.

    Section 44506(f)(2)(A) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ``paragraph (1)(B)(ii)'' and inserting ``paragraph 
(1)(B)''.

SEC. 825. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION ENFORCEMENT.

    Section 42121(b)(5) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
            ``(5) Enforcement of order.--Whenever any person has failed 
        to comply with an order issued under paragraph (3), the 
        Secretary of Labor and the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall consult with each other to 
        determine the most appropriate action to be taken, in which--
                    ``(A) the Secretary of Labor may file a civil 
                action in the United States district court for the 
                district in which the violation was found to occur to 
                enforce such order, for which, in actions brought under 
                this paragraph, the district courts shall have 
                jurisdiction to grant all appropriate relief including, 
                injunctive relief and compensatory damages; and
                    ``(B) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
                Administration may assess a civil penalty pursuant to 
                section 46301.''.

SEC. 826. FINAL RULEMAKING ON CERTAIN MANUFACTURING STANDARDS.

    Not later than December 16, 2023, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall issue a final rule for the notice of 
proposed rulemaking titled ``Airplane Fuel Efficiency Certification'' 
and published June 15, 2022 (RIN 2120-AL54).

SEC. 827. REMOTE DISPATCH.

    (a) In General.--Section 44711(a) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (9) by striking ``or'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (10) by striking the period and inserting 
        ``; or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(11) work as an aircraft dispatcher outside of a physical 
        location designated as a dispatching center or flight following 
        center of an air carrier, except as provided under section 
        44747.''.
    (b) Aircraft Dispatching.--Chapter 447 of title 49, United States 
Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 44747. Aircraft dispatching
    ``(a) Aircraft Dispatching Certificate.--No person may serve as an 
aircraft dispatcher for an air carrier unless that person holds the 
appropriate aircraft dispatcher certificate issued by the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration.
    ``(b) Proof of Certificate.--Upon the request of the Administrator 
or an authorized representative of the National Transportation Safety 
Board, or other appropriate Federal agency, a person who holds such a 
certificate, and is performing dispatching shall present the 
certificate for inspection.
    ``(c) Dispatch Centers and Flight Following Centers.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--Air carriers shall establish and 
        maintain sufficient dispatch centers and flight following 
        centers necessary to maintain operational control of each 
        flight at all times.
            ``(2) Requirements.--Air carrier dispatch centers and 
        flight following centers shall--
                    ``(A) have a sufficient number of aircraft 
                dispatchers at dispatch centers and flight following 
                centers to ensure proper operational control of each 
                flight at all times;
                    ``(B) have the equipment necessary and in good 
                repair to maintain proper operational control of each 
                flight at all times; and
                    ``(C) include appropriate physical and 
                cybersecurity protections, as determined by the 
                Administrator.
            ``(3) Location limitation.--No air carrier may dispatch 
        aircraft from any location other than the designated dispatch 
        centers or flight following centers of such air carrier.
    ``(d) Emergency Authority for Remote Dispatching.--Notwithstanding 
subsection (c), an air carrier may dispatch aircraft from locations 
other than from designated dispatch centers or flight following centers 
for a limited period of time in the event of an emergency or other 
event that renders a center inoperable. An air carrier may not dispatch 
aircraft under the emergency authority under this subsection for longer 
than 30 consecutive days without the approval of the Administrator.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 447 of title 49, 
United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``44747. Aircraft dispatching.''.

SEC. 828. EMPLOYEE ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PLANS AMENDMENT.

    Section 551 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44903 
note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``Not later than 90 days after the 
                date of enactment of this Act,'' and inserting ``The 
                Administrator shall require''; and
                    (B) by striking ``shall submit to the 
                Administrator'' and inserting ``to submit''; and
            (2) in subsection (c) by striking ``A part 121 air carrier 
        shall'' and inserting ``The Administrator shall require a part 
        121 air carrier to''.

SEC. 829. CREW MEMBER SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING.

    Section 44918(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4) by striking ``Neither'' and inserting 
        ``Except as provided in paragraph (8), neither''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(8) Air carrier accommodation.--An air carrier with a 
        crew member participating in the training program under this 
        subsection shall provide a process through which each such crew 
        member may obtain reasonable accommodations.''.

SEC. 830. FORMAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT POLICIES ON AIR CARRIERS 
              AND FOREIGN AIR CARRIERS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 41729. Formal sexual assault and harassment policies
    ``(a) Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this section, each air carrier and foreign air carrier 
transporting passengers for compensation shall issue, in consultation 
with labor unions representing personnel of the air carrier or foreign 
air carrier, a formal policy with respect to transportation sexual 
assault or harassment incidents.
    ``(b) Contents.--The policy required under subsection (a) shall 
include--
            ``(1) a statement indicating that no transportation sexual 
        assault or harassment incident is acceptable under any 
        circumstance;
            ``(2) procedures that facilitate the reporting of a 
        transportation sexual assault or harassment incident, 
        including--
                    ``(A) appropriate public outreach activities; and
                    ``(B) confidential phone and internet-based 
                opportunities for reporting;
            ``(3) procedures that personnel should follow upon the 
        reporting of a transportation sexual assault or harassment 
        incident, including actions to protect affected individuals 
        from continued sexual assault or harassment and to notify law 
        enforcement when appropriate;
            ``(4) procedures that may limit or prohibit, to the extent 
        practicable, future travel with the air carrier or foreign air 
        carrier by any passenger who causes a transportation sexual 
        assault or harassment incident; and
            ``(5) training that is required for all appropriate 
        personnel with respect to the policy required under subsection 
        (a), including--
                    ``(A) specific training for personnel who may 
                receive reports of transportation sexual assault or 
                harassment incidents; and
                    ``(B) recognizing and responding to potential human 
                trafficking victims, in the same manner as required 
                under section 44734(a)(4).
    ``(c) Passenger Information.--An air carrier or foreign air carrier 
described in subsection (a) shall prominently display, on the internet 
website of the air carrier or foreign air carrier and through the use 
of appropriate signage, a written statement that informs passengers and 
personnel of the procedure for reporting a transportation sexual 
assault or harassment incident.
    ``(d) Standard of Care.--Compliance with the requirements of this 
section, and any policy issued thereunder, shall not determine whether 
the air carrier or foreign air carrier described in subsection (a) has 
acted with any requisite standard of care.
    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Personnel.--The term `personnel' means an employee or 
        contractor of an air carrier or foreign air carrier.
            ``(2) Sexual assault.--The term `sexual assault' means the 
        occurrence of an act that constitutes any nonconsensual sexual 
        act proscribed by Federal, tribal, or State law, including when 
        the victim lacks capacity to consent.
            ``(3) Transportation sexual assault or harassment 
        incident.--The term `transportation sexual assault or 
        harassment incident' means the occurrence, or reasonably 
        suspected occurrence, of an act that--
                    ``(A) constitutes sexual assault or sexual 
                harassment; and
                    ``(B) is committed--
                            ``(i) by a passenger or member of personnel 
                        of an air carrier or foreign air carrier 
                        against another passenger or member of 
                        personnel of an air carrier or foreign air 
                        carrier; and
                            ``(ii) within an aircraft or in an area in 
                        which passengers are entering or exiting an 
                        aircraft.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 417 of title 49, 
United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``41729. Formal sexual assault and harassment policies.''.

SEC. 831. INTERFERENCE WITH SECURITY SCREENING PERSONNEL.

    Section 46503 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``An individual'' and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(a) In General.--An individual''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Airport and Air Carrier Employees.--For purposes of this 
section, an airport or air carrier employee who has security duties 
within the airport includes an airport or air carrier employee 
performing ticketing, check-in, baggage claim, or boarding 
functions.''.

SEC. 832. MECHANISMS TO REDUCE HELICOPTER NOISE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
initiate a study to examine ways in which a State, territorial, or 
local government may mitigate the negative impacts of commercial 
helicopter noise.
    (b) Considerations.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), 
the Comptroller General shall consider--
            (1) the varying degree of commercial helicopter operations 
        in different communities; and
            (2) actions that State, and local governments have taken, 
        and authorities such governments have used, to reduce the 
        impact of commercial helicopter noise and the success of such 
        actions.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General shall provide to the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration, the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
findings of the study conducted under subsection (a).

SEC. 833. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

    (a) Title 49 Analysis.--The analysis for title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by striking the item relating to subtitle IX and 
inserting the following:

``IX. MULTIMODAL FREIGHT 
                            TRANSPORTATION..................................
                            ........... 70101''.
    (b) Subtitle I Analysis.--The analysis for subtitle I of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to chapter 
7.
    (c) Subtitle VII Analysis.--The analysis for subtitle VII of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to 
chapter 448 and inserting the following:

``448. Unmanned Aircraft 
                            Systems.........................................
                            .......... 44801''.
    (d) Authority to Exempt.--Section 40109(b) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``sections 40103(b)(1) and (2) of 
this title'' and inserting ``paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 
40103(b)''.
    (e) General Procurement Authority.--Section 40110(d)(3) of title 
49, United States Code, is further amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B) by inserting ``, as in effect on 
        October 9, 1996'' after ``Policy Act'';
            (2) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``the Office of Federal 
        Procurement Policy Act'' and inserting ``division B of subtitle 
        I of title 41''; and
            (3) in subparagraph (D) by striking ``section 
        27(e)(3)(A)(iv) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy 
        Act'' and inserting ``section 2105(c)(1)(D) of title 41''.
    (f) Government-Financed Air Transportation.--Section 40118(g)(1) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``detection and 
reporting of potential human trafficking (as described in paragraphs 
(9) and (10)'' and inserting ``detection and reporting of potential 
severe forms of trafficking in persons and sex trafficking (as such 
terms are defined in paragraphs (11) and (12)''.
    (g) FAA Authority To Conduct Criminal History Record Checks.--
Section 40130(a)(1)(A) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``(42 U.S.C. 14616)'' and inserting ``(34 U.S.C. 40316)''.
    (h) Submissions of Plans.--Section 41313(c)(16) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``will consult'' and inserting 
``the foreign air carrier shall consult''.
    (i) Plans and Policy.--Section 44501(c) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by striking ``40119,''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3) by striking ``Subject to section 
        40119(b) of this title and regulations prescribed under section 
        40119(b),'' and inserting ``Subject to section 44912(d)(2) and 
        regulations prescribed under such section,''.
    (j) Use and Limitation of Amounts.--Section 44508 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ``40119,'' each place it 
appears.
    (k) Structures Interfering With Air Commerce or National 
Security.--Section 44718(h) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
    ``(h) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `adverse impact on 
military operations and readiness' and `unacceptable risk to the 
national security of the United States' have the meaning given those 
terms in section 183a(h) of title 10.''.
    (l) Meteorological Services.--Section 44720(b)(2) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``the Administrator to persons'' and 
        inserting ``the Administrator, to persons''; and
            (2) by striking ``the Administrator and to'' and inserting 
        ``the Administrator, and to''.
    (m) Aeronautical Charts.--Section 44721(c)(1) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``1947,'' and inserting ``1947''.
    (n) Flight Attendant Certification.--Section 44728(c) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ``Regulation,'' and 
inserting ``Regulations,''.
    (o) Manual Surcharge.--The analysis for chapter 453 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``45306. Manual surcharge.''.
    (p) Schedule of Fees.--Section 45301(a) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ``The Administrator shall establish'' and 
inserting ``The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall establish''.
    (q) Judicial Review.--Section 46110(a) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ``subsection (l) or (s) of section 114'' 
and inserting ``subsection (l) or (r) of section 114''.
    (r) Civil Penalties.--Section 46301(a) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) in the heading for paragraph (6), by striking ``Failure 
        to collect airport security badges'' and inserting ``Failure to 
        collect airport security badges''; and
            (2) in paragraph (7), by striking ``Penalties relating to 
        harm to passengers with disabilities'' in the paragraph heading 
        and inserting ``Penalties relating to harm to passengers with 
        disabilities''.
    (s) Payments Under Project Grant Agreements.--Section 47111(e) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``fee'' and 
inserting ``charge''.
    (t) Agreements for State and Local Operation of Airport 
Facilities.--Section 47124(b)(1)(B)(ii) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by striking the second period at the end.
    (u) Use of Funds for Repairs for Runway Safety Repairs.--Section 
47144(b)(4) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
``(42 U.S.C. 4121 et seq.)'' and inserting ``(42 U.S.C. 5121 et 
seq.)''.
    (v) Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.--Section 49106 of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1)(B) by striking ``and section 49108 
        of this title''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)(6)(C) by inserting ``the'' before 
        ``jurisdiction''.
    (w) Separability and Effect of Judicial Order.--Section 49112(b) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (1); and
            (2) by striking ``(2) Any action'' and inserting ``Any 
        action''.

SEC. 834. TRANSPORTATION OF ORGANS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, shall convene a 
working group (in this section referred to as the ``working group'') to 
assist in developing best practices for transportation of an organ in 
the cabin of an aircraft operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations, and to identify regulations that hinder such 
transportation, if applicable.
    (b) Composition.--The working group shall be comprised of 
representatives from the following:
            (1) Air carriers operating under part 121 of title 14, Code 
        of Federal Regulations.
            (2) Organ procurement organizations.
            (3) Organ transplant hospitals.
            (4) Flight attendants.
            (5) Other relevant Federal agencies involved in organ 
        transportation or air travel.
    (c) Considerations.--In establishing the best practices described 
in subsection (a), the working group shall consider--
            (1) a safe, standardized process for acceptance, handling, 
        management, and transportation of an organ in the cabin of such 
        aircraft; and
            (2) protocols to ensure the safe and timely transport of an 
        organ in the cabin of such aircraft, including through 
        connecting flights.
    (d) Recommendations.--Not later than 1 year after the convening of 
the working group, such working group shall submit to the Secretary a 
report containing recommendations for the best practices described in 
subsection (a).
    (e) Definition of Organ.--In this section, the term ``organ''--
            (1) has the meaning given such term in section 121.2 of 
        title 42, Code of Federal Regulations; and
            (2) includes organ-related tissue.

SEC. 835. REPORT ON APPLICATION APPROVAL TIMING.

    Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report detailing the amount of time the 
application approval process takes for agricultural aircraft operations 
under part 137 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 836. STUDY ON AIR CARGO OPERATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall initiate a study on the sustainability of air cargo operations.
    (b) Contents.--In conducting the study required under subsection 
(a), the Comptroller General shall address the following:
            (1) Airport and cargo development strategies, including the 
        pursuit of new air carriers and plans for physical expansion.
            (2) Key historical statistics for passenger, cargo volumes, 
        including freight, express, and mail cargo, and operations, 
        including statistics distinguishing between passenger and 
        freight operations.
            (3) A description of air cargo facilities, including the 
        age and condition of such facilities and the square footage and 
        configuration of the landside and airside infrastructure of 
        such facilities, and cargo buildings.
            (4) The projected square footage deficit of the cargo 
        facilities and infrastructure described in paragraph (3).
            (5) The projected requirements and square footage deficit 
        for air cargo support facilities.
            (6) The general physical and operating issues and 
        constraints associated with air cargo operations.
            (7) A description of delays in truck bays associated with 
        the infrastructure and critical landside issues, including 
        truck maneuvering and queuing and parking for employees and 
        customers.
            (8) The estimated cost of developing new cargo facilities 
        and infrastructure, including the identification of percentages 
        for development with a return on investment and without a 
        return on investment.
            (9) The projected leasing costs to tenants per square foot 
        with and without Federal funding of the non-return on 
        investment allocation.
            (10) A description of customs and general staffing issues 
        associated with air cargo operations and the impacts of such 
        issues on service.
            (11) An assessment of the impact, cost, and estimated cost 
        savings of using modern comprehensive communications and 
        technology systems in air cargo operations.
            (12) A description of the impact of Federal regulations and 
        local enforcement of interdiction and facilitation policies on 
        throughput.
    (c) Report.--The Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate the results of the study carried out under this section.

SEC. 837. NEXT GENERATION RADIO ALTIMETERS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, 
in coordination with industry and other relevant government 
stakeholders, shall carry out an accelerated program to assist with the 
development, testing, and certification of the standards and technology 
necessary to ensure industry and the Administration can certify, 
produce and meet the installation requirements for next generation 
radio altimeters across all necessary aircraft by January 1, 2028.
    (b) Grant Program.--The Administrator may award grants for the 
purposes of research and development, testing, and other activities 
necessary to ensure that next generation radio altimeter technology is 
developed, tested, certified, and installed on necessary aircraft by 
2028, including through public-private partnership grants (which shall 
include protections for necessary intellectual property with respect to 
any private sector entity testing, certifying, or producing next 
generation radio altimeters under the program carried out under this 
section) with industry to ensure the accelerated production and 
installation by January 1, 2028.
    (c) Review and Report.--Not later than 180 days after the enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the steps the Administrator has taken as of the date on which 
such report is submitted and any actions the Administrator plans to 
take, including as part of the program carried out under this section, 
to ensure that next generation radio altimeter technology is developed, 
tested, certified, and installed by 2028.

SEC. 838. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING SAFETY AND SECURITY OF AVIATION 
              INFRASTRUCTURE.

    It is the sense of Congress that aviation provides essential 
services critical to the United States economy and that it is important 
to ensure the safety and security of aviation infrastructure and 
protect such infrastructure from unlawful breaches with appropriate 
legal safeguards.

SEC. 839. RESTRICTED CATEGORY AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall have sole jurisdiction over 
the maintenance and operations of aircraft owned by civilian operators 
and type-certificated in the restricted category under section 21.25 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 840. REPORT ON TELEWORK.

    Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and 
the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives a detailed report on any direct and indirect costs and 
inefficiencies associated with COVID-era telework policies at the 
Federal Aviation Administration.

SEC. 841. CREWMEMBER PUMPING GUIDANCE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall issue guidance to part 121 air carriers relating 
to the expression of milk by crewmembers on an aircraft during 
noncritical phases of flight, consistent with the performance of the 
crewmember's duties aboard the aircraft. The guidance shall be equally 
applicable to any lactating crewmember. In developing the guidance, the 
Administrator shall--
            (1) consider multiple methods of expressing breast milk 
        that could be used by crewmembers, including the use of 
        wearable lactation technology; and
            (2) ensure the guidance will not require an air carrier or 
        foreign air carrier to incur significant expense, such as 
        through--
                    (A) the addition of an extra crewmember in response 
                to providing a break;
                    (B) removal or retrofitting of seats on the 
                aircraft; or
                    (C) modification or retrofitting of an aircraft.
    (b) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Crewmember.--The term ``crewmember'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations.
            (2) Critical phases of flight.--The term ``critical phases 
        of flight'' has the meaning given such term in section 121.542 
        of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
            (3) Part 121.--The term ``part 121'' means part 121 of 
        title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
    (c) Aviation Safety.--Nothing in this section shall limit the 
authority of the Administrator relating to aviation safety under 
subtitle VII of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 842. AIRCRAFT INTERCHANGE AGREEMENT LIMITATIONS.

    (a) Study.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of Federal Aviation Administration shall 
conduct a study of foreign interchange agreements.
    (b) Contents.--In carrying out the study required under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall address the following:
            (1) Methods for updating regulations under part 121.569 of 
        title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, for foreign interchange 
        agreements.
            (2) Time limits for foreign aircraft interchange 
        agreements.
            (3) Minimum breaks between foreign aircraft interchange 
        agreements.
            (4) Limits for no more than 1 foreign aircraft interchange 
        agreement between 2 airlines.
            (5) Limits for no more than 2 foreign aircraft on the 
        interchange agreement.

SEC. 843. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION ACADEMY AND FACILITY 
              EXPANSION PLAN.

    (a) Plan.--
            (1) In general.--No later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration shall initiate the development of a 
        plan to--
                    (A) expand overall Federal Aviation Administration 
                capacity relating to facilities, instruction, 
                equipment, and training resources to grow the number of 
                developmental air traffic controllers enrolled per 
                fiscal year and support increases in FAA air controller 
                staffing to advance the safety of the national airspace 
                system; and
                    (B) establish a second FAA Academy.
            (2) Considerations.--In developing the plan under paragraph 
        (1), the Administrator shall consider--
                    (A) the resources needed to support an increase in 
                the total number of developmental air traffic 
                controllers enrolled at the FAA Academies;
                    (B) the resources needed to lessen FAA Academy 
                attrition per fiscal year;
                    (C) how to modernize the education and training of 
                developmental air traffic controllers, including 
                through the use of new techniques and technologies to 
                support instruction, and whether field training can be 
                administered more flexibly, such as at other Federal 
                Aviation Administration locations across the country;
                    (D) the equipment needed to support expanded 
                instruction, including air traffic control simulation 
                systems, virtual reality, and other virtual training 
                platforms;
                    (E) projected staffing needs associated with FAA 
                Academy expansion and the operation of virtual 
                education platforms, including the number of on-the-job 
                instructors needed to educate and train additional 
                developmental air traffic controllers;
                    (F) the use of existing Federal Aviation 
                Administration-owned facilities and classroom space and 
                identifying potential opportunities for new 
                construction;
                    (G) the costs of--
                            (i) expanding Federal Aviation 
                        Administration capacity (as described in 
                        paragraph (1)(A)); and
                            (ii) establishing a second FAA Academy (as 
                        described in paragraph (1)(B));
                    (H) soliciting input from, and coordinating with, 
                relevant stakeholders as appropriate, including the 
                exclusive bargaining representative of air traffic 
                control specialists of the Federal Aviation 
                Administration certified under section 7111 of title 5, 
                United States Code; and
                    (I) other logistical and financial considerations 
                as determined by appropriate the Administrator.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
the plan developed under subsection (a).
    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the submission of the 
plan under subsection (b), the Administrator shall brief the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate on the plan, including the implementation of the plan.

 TITLE IX--NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2023

SEC. 901. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``National Transportation Safety 
Board Amendments Act of 2023''.

SEC. 902. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 1118(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read 
as follows:
    ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated for the 
purposes of this chapter $142,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, 
$145,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, 
$155,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, and $161,000,000 for fiscal year 
2028. Such sums shall remain available until expended.''.

SEC. 903. CLARIFICATION OF TREATMENT OF TERRITORIES.

    Section 1101 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as 
follows:
``Sec. 1101. Definitions
    ``(a) In General.--In this chapter:
            ``(1) Accident.--The term `accident' includes damage to or 
        destruction of vehicles in surface or air transportation or 
        pipelines, regardless of whether the initiating event is 
        accidental or otherwise.
            ``(2) State.--The term `State' means a State of the United 
        States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin 
        Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and 
        Guam.
    ``(b) Applicability of Other Definitions.--Section 2101(23) of 
title 46 and section 40102(a) shall apply to this chapter.''.

SEC. 904. ADDITIONAL WORKFORCE TRAINING.

    (a) Training on Emerging Transportation Technologies.--Section 
1113(b)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (I) by striking ``; and'' and inserting 
        a semicolon;
            (2) in subparagraph (J) by striking the period and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(K) notwithstanding section 3301 of title 41, acquire 
        training on emerging transportation technologies.''.
    (b) Additional Training Needs.--Section 1115(d) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting ``and in those subjects furthering 
the personnel and workforce development needs set forth in the 
strategic workforce plan of the Board as required under section 
1113(h)'' after ``of accident investigation''.

SEC. 905. ACQUIRING MISSION-ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS.

    Section 1113(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
    ``(3) Direct Hire Authority.--
            ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding section 3304 and 
        sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5, the Chairman may, on a 
        determination that there is a severe shortage of candidates or 
        a critical hiring need for particular positions, recruit and 
        directly appoint into the competitive service highly qualified 
        personnel with specialized knowledge important to the function 
        of the Board.
            ``(B) Limitation.--The authority granted under subparagraph 
        (A) shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date 
        of the enactment of this paragraph.
            ``(C) Exception.--The authority granted under subparagraph 
        (A) shall not apply to positions in the excepted service or the 
        Senior Executive Service.
            ``(D) Requirements.--In exercising the authority granted 
        under subparagraph (A), the Board shall ensure that any action 
        taken by the Board--
                    ``(i) is consistent with the merit principles of 
                section 2301 of title 5; and
                    ``(ii) complies with the public notice requirements 
                of section 3327 of title 5.''.

SEC. 906. OVERTIME ANNUAL REPORT TERMINATION.

     Section 1113(g)(5) of title 49, United States Code, is repealed.

SEC. 907. STRATEGIC WORKFORCE PLAN.

    Section 1113 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(h) Strategic Workforce Plan.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Board shall develop a strategic 
        workforce plan that addresses the immediate and long-term 
        workforce needs of the Board with respect to carrying out the 
        authorities and duties of the Board under this chapter.
            ``(2) Aligning the workforce to strategic goals.--In 
        developing the strategic workforce plan under paragraph (1), 
        the Board shall take into consideration--
                    ``(A) the current state and capabilities of the 
                Board, including a high-level review of mission 
                requirements, structure, workforce, and performance of 
                the Board;
                    ``(B) the significant workforce trends, needs, 
                issues, and challenges with respect to the Board and 
                the transportation industry;
                    ``(C) the workforce policies, strategies, 
                performance measures, and interventions to mitigate 
                succession risks that guide the workforce investment 
                decisions of the Board;
                    ``(D) a workforce planning strategy that identifies 
                workforce needs, including the knowledge, skills, and 
                abilities needed to recruit and retain skilled 
                employees at the Board;
                    ``(E) a workforce management strategy that is 
                aligned with the mission, goals, and organizational 
                objectives of the Board;
                    ``(F) an implementation system for workforce goals 
                focused on addressing continuity of leadership and 
                knowledge sharing across the Board;
                    ``(G) an implementation system that addresses 
                workforce competency gaps, particularly in mission-
                critical occupations; and
                    ``(H) a system for analyzing and evaluating the 
                performance of the Board's workforce management 
                policies, programs, and activities.
            ``(3) Planning period.--The strategic workforce plan 
        developed under paragraph (1) shall address a 5-year forecast 
        period, but may include planning for longer periods based on 
        information about trends in the transportation sector.
            ``(4) Plan updates.--The Board shall update the strategic 
        workforce plan developed under paragraph (1) not less than once 
        every 5 years.
            ``(5) Relationship to strategic plan.--The strategic 
        workforce plan developed under paragraph (1) may be developed 
        separately from, or incorporated into, the strategic plan 
        required under section 306 of title 5.
            ``(6) Availability.--The strategic workforce plan under 
        paragraph (1) and the strategic plan required under section 306 
        of title 5 shall be--
                    ``(A) submitted to the Committee on Transportation 
                and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
                the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
                of the Senate; and
                    ``(B) made available to the public on a website of 
                the Board.''.

SEC. 908. TRAVEL BUDGETS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1113 of title 49, United States Code, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(i) Nonaccident Related Travel Budget.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Board shall establish annual fiscal 
        year budgets for non accident-related travel expenditures for 
        each Board member which shall be incorporated into the annual 
        budget request of the Board.
            ``(2) Notification.--The Board shall notify the Committee 
        on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate of any non accident-related travel 
        budget overrun for any Board member not later than 30 days of 
        such overrun becoming known to the Board.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 9 of the National Transportation 
Safety Board Amendments Act of 2000 (49 U.S.C. 1113 note) is repealed.

SEC. 909. RETENTION OF RECORDS.

    Section 1113 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by 
adding at the end the following:
    ``(j) Retention of Records.--Notwithstanding chapters 21, 29, 31, 
and 33 of title 44, the Board may retain investigative records for such 
periods as determined by the Board.''.

SEC. 910. NONDISCLOSURE OF INTERVIEW RECORDINGS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1114 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading by striking ``Trade 
                Secrets'' and inserting ``Certain Confidential 
                Information''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``The Board'' and inserting 
                        ``In general.--The Board''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``information related to a 
                        trade secret referred to in section 1905 of 
                        title 18'' and inserting ``confidential 
                        information described in section 1905 of title 
                        18, including trade secrets,''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(h) Interview Recordings.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Board may not publicly disclose any 
        part of any audio or video recording of an interview of 
        participants in, or witnesses to, an accident or incident 
        investigated by the Board.
            ``(2) Savings provision.--Paragraph (1) shall not be 
        construed to apply to transcripts or summaries of such 
        interviews.''.
    (b) Aviation Enforcement.--Section 1151 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Notification to Congress.--If the Board or Attorney General 
carry out such civil actions described in subsection (a) or (b) of this 
section against an airman employed at the time of the accident or 
incident by an air carrier operating under part 121 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations, the Board shall immediately notify the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate of such civil actions, including--
            ``(1) the labor union representing the airman involved, if 
        applicable;
            ``(2) the air carrier at which the airman is employed;
            ``(3) the docket information of the incident or accident in 
        which the airman was involved;
            ``(4) the date of such civil actions taken by the Board or 
        Attorney General; and
            ``(5) a description of why such civil actions were taken by 
        the Board or Attorney General.
    ``(e) Subsequent Notification to Congress.--Not later than 15 days 
after the notification described in subsection (d), the Board shall 
submit a report to or brief the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate describing the 
status of compliance with the civil actions taken.''.

SEC. 911. CLOSED UNACCEPTABLE RECOMMENDATIONS.

    Section 1116(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (6) as 
        paragraphs (4) through (7), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) a list of each recommendation made by the Board to 
        the Secretary of Transportation or the Commandant of the Coast 
        Guard that was closed in an unacceptable status in the 
        preceding 12 months;''.

SEC. 912. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF OVERSIGHT, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND 
              QUALITY ASSURANCE.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 11 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 1120. Office of Oversight, Accountability, and Quality Assurance
    ``(a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Board shall establish in the National 
Transportation Safety Board an Office of Oversight, Accountability, and 
Quality Assurance to provide oversight of the duties and 
responsibilities of the Board.
    ``(b) Director.--
            ``(1) Appointment.--The head of the Office of Oversight, 
        Accountability, and Quality Assurance shall be the Director, 
        who shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Board and shall 
        be approved by the Board.
            ``(2) Qualifications.--The Director shall have demonstrated 
        ability in investigations.
            ``(3) Term.--The Director shall be appointed for a term of 
        5 years.
            ``(4) Vacancies.--Any individual approved to fill a vacancy 
        in the position of the Director occurring before the expiration 
        of the term for which the predecessor of the individual was 
        approved shall be approved for the remainder of the term or for 
        a new term.
    ``(c) Duties.--The Director shall--
            ``(1) establish and ensure policies that promote integrity, 
        efficiency, and effectiveness;
            ``(2) prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse in 
        programs and operations;
            ``(3) provide policy direction related to the conduct, 
        supervision, and coordination of audits and investigations 
        relating to the activities of the Board;
            ``(4) identify trends and systemic issues within the agency 
        and create strategies and recommendations to address such 
        issues;
            ``(5) conduct impartial information gathering about 
        complaints or concerns, and ensure the Board is meeting any 
        quality and timeliness standards; and
            ``(6) not conduct any of the duties under this subsection 
        in a manner that interferes with an ongoing safety 
        investigation of the Board.
    ``(d) Reporting Criminal Violations to Department of Justice.--If 
the Director has reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a 
violation of Federal criminal law, the Director shall refer the matter 
to the Department of Justice.
    ``(e) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section shall be construed 
to interfere or give the Office jurisdiction over any active 
investigation by the Board or the content of products approved by a 
vote of the Board.
    ``(f) Annual Report.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall submit to the Board, 
        the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
        of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate an annual report on the 
        activities, investigations, findings, and recommendations of 
        the Director.
            ``(2) Sunset.--This subsection shall cease to have effect 
        on October 1, 2028.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 11 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding after the item relating to 
section 1119 the following:

``1120. Office of Oversight, Accountability, and Quality Assurance.''.
    (c) Peer Review.--Not earlier than 3 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act and not later than 5 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Oversight, 
Accountability, and Quality Assurance of the National Transportation 
Safety Board shall enter into the necessary arrangements with an 
inspector general, or similar Federal entity, to perform a peer review 
of the Office.

SEC. 913. MISCELLANEOUS INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITIES.

    (a) Highway Investigations.--Section 1131(a)(1)(B) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ``selects in cooperation 
with a State'' and inserting ``selects, concurrent with any State 
investigation''.
    (b) Rail Investigations.--Section 1131(a)(1)(C) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``accident in which there is a 
fatality or substantial property damage, or that involves a passenger 
train'' and inserting ``accident, including a railroad grade crossing 
or trespasser accident that the Board selects, or in which there is 
otherwise a fatality or substantial property damage, or that involves a 
passenger train''.

SEC. 914. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF ACCIDENT REPORTS.

    Section 1131(e) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``public at reasonable cost.'' and inserting the following: 
``public
            ``(1) in printed form at reasonable cost; and
            ``(2) in electronic form at no cost in a publicly 
        accessible database on a website of the Board.''.

SEC. 915. ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR TIMELINESS OF REPORTS.

    Section 1131 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(f) Timeliness of Reports.--If any accident report under 
subsection (e) is not completed within 2 years from the date of the 
accident, the Board shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
identifying such accident report and the reasons for which such report 
has not been completed. The Board shall report progress toward 
completion of the accident report to each such Committees every 90 days 
thereafter, until such time as the accident report is completed.''.

SEC. 916. ENSURING ACCESS TO DATA.

    Section 1134 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(g) Recorders and Data.--In investigating an accident under this 
chapter, the Board may--
            ``(1) obtain any recorder or recorded information pertinent 
        to the accident;
            ``(2) require a manufacturer or the vendors, suppliers, or 
        affiliates of such manufacturer, to provide to the Board, 
        without delay, information the Board determines necessary to 
        enable the Board to read and interpret any recording device or 
        recorded information pertinent to the accident; and
            ``(3) require a manufacturer or the vendors, suppliers, or 
        affiliates of such manufacturer, to provide to the Board, 
        without delay, data and other intellectual property the Board 
        determines necessary to enable the Board to perform independent 
        physics-based simulations and analyses of the accident 
        situation.''.

SEC. 917. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS.

    Section 1135(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``public at reasonable cost.'' and inserting the following: 
``public--
            ``(1) in printed form at reasonable cost; and
            ``(2) in electronic form in a publicly accessible database 
        on a website of the Board at no cost.''.

SEC. 918. IMPROVING DELIVERY OF FAMILY ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Aircraft Accidents.--Section 1136 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) in the heading by striking ``to families of passengers 
        involved in aircraft accidents'' and inserting ``to passengers 
        involved in aircraft accidents and families of such 
        passengers'';
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by inserting ``within United States airspace or 
                airspace delegated to the United States'' after 
                ``aircraft accident'';
                    (B) by striking ``National Transportation Safety 
                Board shall'' and inserting ``Board shall''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking ``emotional care and 
                        support'' and inserting ``emotional, 
                        psychological, and spiritual care and support 
                        services''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``the families of 
                        passengers involved in the accident'' and 
                        inserting ``passengers involved in the accident 
                        and the families of such passengers'';
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``the families of passengers involved in the 
                accident'' and inserting ``passengers involved in the 
                accident and the families of such passengers'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1) by striking ``mental health 
                and counseling services'' and inserting ``emotional, 
                psychological, and spiritual care and support 
                services'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) by striking ``the families who have 
                        traveled to the location of the accident'' and 
                        inserting ``passengers involved in the accident 
                        and the families of such passengers who have 
                        traveled to the location of the accident''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``passengers and'' before 
                        ``affected families''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``passengers 
                and'' before ``families'';
            (4) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
    ``(d) Passenger Lists.--
            ``(1) Requests for passenger lists by the director of 
        family services.--
                    ``(A) Requests by director of family support 
                services.--It shall be the responsibility of the 
                director of family support services designated for an 
                accident under subsection (a)(1) to request, as soon as 
                practicable, from the air carrier or foreign air 
                carrier involved in the accident a passenger list, 
                which is based on the best available information at the 
                time of the request.
                    ``(B) Use of information.--The director of family 
                support services may not release to any person 
                information on a list obtained under subparagraph (A), 
                except that the director may, to the extent the 
                director considers appropriate, provide information on 
                the list about a passenger to--
                            ``(i) the family of the passenger; or
                            ``(ii) a local, State, or Federal agency 
                        responsible for determining the whereabouts or 
                        welfare of a passenger.
            ``(2) Requests for passenger lists by designated 
        organization.--
                    ``(A) Requests by designated organization.--The 
                organization designated for an accident under 
                subsection (a)(2) may request from the air carrier or 
                foreign air carrier involved in the accident a 
                passenger list.
                    ``(B) Use of information.--The designated 
                organization may not release to any person information 
                on a passenger list but may provide information on the 
                list about a passenger to the family of the passenger 
                to the extent the organization considers 
                appropriate.'';
            (5) in subsection (g)(1) by striking ``the families of 
        passengers involved in the accident'' and inserting 
        ``passengers involved in the accident and the families of such 
        passengers'';
            (6) in subsection (g)(3)--
                    (A) in the paragraph heading by striking ``prevent 
                mental health and counseling'' and inserting ``prevent 
                certain care and support'';
                    (B) by striking ``providing mental health and 
                counseling services'' and inserting ``providing 
                emotional, psychological, and spiritual care and 
                support''; and
                    (C) by inserting ``passengers and'' before 
                ``families'';
            (7) in subsection (h)--
                    (A) by striking ``National Transportation Safety''; 
                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Passenger list.--The term `passenger list' means a 
        list based on the best available information at the time of a 
        request, of the name of each passenger aboard the aircraft 
        involved in the accident.''; and
            (8) in subsection (i) by striking ``the families of 
        passengers involved in an aircraft accident'' and inserting 
        ``passengers involved in the aircraft accident and the families 
        of such passengers''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 11 of title 49, 
United States Code, is further amended by striking the item relating to 
section 1136 and inserting the following:

``1136. Assistance to passengers involved in aircraft accidents and 
                            families of such passengers.''.
    (c) Rail Accidents.--Section 1139 of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended--
            (1) in the heading by striking ``to families of passengers 
        involved in rail passenger accidents'' and inserting ``to 
        passengers involved in rail passenger accidents and families of 
        such passengers'';
            (2) in subsection (a) by striking ``National Transportation 
        Safety Board shall'' and inserting ``Board shall'';
            (3) in subsection (a)(2)--
                    (A) by striking ``emotional care and support'' and 
                inserting ``emotional, psychological and spiritual care 
                and support services''; and
                    (B) by striking ``the families of passengers 
                involved in the accident'' and inserting ``passengers 
                involved in the accident and the families of such 
                passengers'';
            (4) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
                striking ``the families of passengers involved in the 
                accident'' and inserting ``passengers involved in the 
                accident and the families of such passengers'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1) by striking ``mental health 
                and counseling services'' and inserting ``emotional, 
                psychological, and spiritual care and support 
                services'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) by striking ``the families who have 
                        traveled to the location of the accident'' and 
                        inserting ``passengers involved in the accident 
                        and the families of such passengers who have 
                        traveled to the location of the accident''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``passengers and'' before 
                        ``affected families''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``passengers 
                and'' before ``families'';
            (5) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
    ``(d) Passenger Lists.--
            ``(1) Requests for passenger lists by the director of 
        family services.--
                    ``(A) Requests by director of family support 
                services.--It shall be the responsibility of the 
                director of family support services designated for an 
                accident under subsection (a)(1) to request, as soon as 
                practicable, from the rail passenger carrier involved 
                in the accident a passenger list, which is based on the 
                best available information at the time of the request.
                    ``(B) Use of information.--The director of family 
                support services may not release to any person 
                information on a list obtained under subparagraph (A), 
                except that the director may, to the extent the 
                director considers appropriate, provide information on 
                the list about a passenger to--
                            ``(i) the family of the passenger; or
                            ``(ii) a local, State, or Federal agency 
                        responsible for determining the whereabouts or 
                        welfare of a passenger.
            ``(2) Requests for passenger lists by designated 
        organization.--
                    ``(A) Requests by designated organization.--The 
                organization designated for an accident under 
                subsection (a)(2) may request from the rail passenger 
                carrier involved in the accident a passenger list.
                    ``(B) Use of information.--The designated 
                organization may not release to any person information 
                on a passenger list but may provide information on the 
                list about a passenger to the family of the passenger 
                to the extent the organization considers 
                appropriate.'';
            (6) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``the families of 
        passengers involved in the accident'' and inserting 
        ``passengers involved in the accident and the families of such 
        passengers'';
            (7) in subsection (g)(3)--
                    (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``prevent 
                mental health and counseling'' and inserting ``prevent 
                certain care and support'';
                    (B) by striking ``providing mental health and 
                counseling services'' and inserting ``providing 
                emotional, psychological, and spiritual care and 
                support''; and
                    (C) by inserting ``passengers and'' before 
                ``families''; and
            (8) in subsection (h)--
                    (A) by striking ``National Transportation Safety''; 
                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Passenger list.--The term `passenger list' means a 
        list based on the best available information at the time of the 
        request, of the name of each passenger aboard the rail 
        passenger carrier's train involved in the accident. A rail 
        passenger carrier shall use reasonable efforts, with respect to 
        its unreserved trains, and passengers not holding reservations 
        on its other trains, to ascertain the names of passengers 
        aboard a train involved in an accident.''.
    (d) Plans To Address Needs of Families of Passengers Involved in 
Rail Passenger Accidents.--Section 24316(a) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ``a major'' and inserting ``any''.
    (e) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 11 of title 49, 
United States Code, is further amended by striking the item relating to 
section 1139 and inserting the following:

``1139. Assistance to passengers involved in rail passenger accidents 
                            and families of such passengers.''.

SEC. 919. UPDATING CIVIL PENALTY AUTHORITY.

    Section 1155 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in the heading, by striking ``Aviation penalties'' and 
        inserting ``Penalties''; and
            (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``or section 1136(g) 
        (related to an aircraft accident)'' and inserting ``section 
        1136(g), or 1139(g)''.

SEC. 920. ELECTRONIC AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC DOCKET RECORDS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 24 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the National Transportation Safety Board shall 
make all records included in the public docket of an accident or 
incident investigation conducted by the Board (or the public docket of 
a study, report, or other product issued by the Board) electronically 
available in a publicly accessible database on a website of the Board, 
regardless of the date on which such public docket or record was 
created.
    (b) Database.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Board may 
utilize the multimodal accident database management system established 
pursuant to section 1108 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 
U.S.C. 1119 note) or such other publicly available database as the 
Board determines appropriate.
    (c) Briefings.--The Board shall provide the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an 
annual briefing on the implementation of this section until 
requirements of subsection (a) are fulfilled. Such briefings shall 
include--
            (1) the number of public dockets that have been made 
        electronically available pursuant to this section; and
            (2) the number of public dockets that were unable to be 
        made electronically available, including all reasons for such 
        inability.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``public docket'' and 
``record'' have the same meanings given such terms in section 801.3 of 
title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 921. DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE.

    Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the National Transportation Safety Board shall implement a drug testing 
program applicable to Board employees, including employees in safety or 
security sensitive positions, in accordance with Executive Order 12564 
(51 Fed. Reg. 32889).

SEC. 922. ACCESSIBILITY IN WORKPLACE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the National Transportation Safety Board shall 
conduct an assessment of the headquarters and regional offices of the 
Board to determine barriers to accessibility to facilities.
    (b) Contents.--In conducting the assessment under subsection (a), 
the Board shall consider--
            (1) compliance with--
                    (A) the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 
                U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and the corresponding 
                accessibility guidelines established under part 1191 of 
                title 36, Code of Federal Regulations; and
                    (B) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 
                U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); and
            (2) the best accessibility practices that exceed the 
        requirements and recommendations of the Acts and guidelines 
        described in paragraph (1).

SEC. 923. MOST WANTED LIST.

    (a) Termination of Publication.--Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Chairman of the National 
Transportation Safety Board shall terminate publication of the Most 
Wanted List and any activities associated with production of any future 
Most Wanted List.
    (b) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to prohibit the Board from--
            (1) conducting advocacy activities unrelated to the Most 
        Wanted List that the Board had the authority to conduct prior 
        to the date of enactment of this Act; and
            (2) maintaining materials related to previously issued Most 
        Wanted Lists.
    (c) Most Wanted List Defined.--In this section, the term ``Most 
Wanted List'' has the meaning given such term in section 1102 of the 
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 1101 note).

SEC. 924. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

    (a) Evaluation and Audit of National Transportation Safety Board.--
Section 1138(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
``expenditures of the National Transportation Safety'' and inserting 
``expenditures of the''.
    (b) Organization and Administrative.--The analysis for chapter 11 
of title 49, United States Code, is further amended--
            (1) by striking the items relating to sections 117 and 
        1117; and
            (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 1116 
        the following:

``1117. Methodology.''.
    (c) Surface Transportation Board.--The analysis for subtitle II of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to chapter 11 the following:

``13. Surface Transportation Board.''.

                  TITLE X--FREEDOM TO FLY ACT OF 2023

SECTION 1001. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Freedom to Fly Act of 2023''.

SEC. 1002. PROHIBITION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF VACCINATION MANDATE.

    The Administrator may not implement or enforce any requirement that 
employees of air carriers be vaccinated against COVID-19.

SEC. 1003. PROHIBITION ON VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR FAA CONTRACTORS.

    The Administrator may not require any contractor to mandate that 
employees of such contractor obtain a COVID-19 vaccine or enforce any 
condition regarding COVID-19 vaccination status of employees of a 
contractor.

SEC. 1004. PROHIBITION ON VACCINE MANDATE FOR FAA EMPLOYEES.

    The Administrator may not implement or enforce any requirement that 
employees of the Administration be vaccinated against COVID-19.

SEC. 1005. PROHIBITION ON VACCINE MANDATE FOR PASSENGERS OF AIR 
              CARRIERS.

    The Administrator may not implement or enforce any requirement that 
passengers of air carriers be vaccinated against COVID-19.

SEC. 1006. PROHIBITION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF A MASK MANDATE.

    The Administrator may not implement or enforce any requirement that 
employee of air carriers wear a mask.

SEC. 1007. PROHIBITION ON MASK MANDATES FOR FAA CONTRACTORS.

    The Administrator may not require any contractor to mandate that 
employees of such contractor wear a mask.

SEC. 1008. PROHIBITION ON MASK MANDATE FOR FAA EMPLOYEES.

    The Administrator may not implement or enforce any requirement that 
employees of the Administration wear a mask.

SEC. 1009. PROHIBITION ON MASK MANDATE FOR PASSENGERS OF AIR CARRIERS.

    The Administrator may not implement or enforce any requirement that 
passengers of air carriers wear a mask.

SEC. 1010. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administration'' means the 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
            (2) Air carrier.--The term ``air carrier'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 40102 of title 49, United States 
        Code.
                                                 Union Calendar No. 109

118th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                               H. R. 3935

                          [Report No. 118-138]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 To amend title 49, United States Code, to reauthorize and improve the 
Federal Aviation Administration and other civil aviation programs, and 
                          for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                             July 11, 2023

  Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
       House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed