118 S1935 IS: Advancing Inclusion and Representation in the Workforce of Aviation and Transportation Systems Act
U.S. Senate
2023-06-13
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Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
II
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1935
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 13, 2023
Mr. Warnock (for himself, Mr. Booker, Mr. Carper, Mr. Coons, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Luján, Mr. Ossoff, Mr. Padilla, and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to provide grants to improve the preparation and representation of certain students in aviation-related fields.
1.

Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Advancing Inclusion and Representation in the Workforce of Aviation and Transportation Systems Act” or the “AIRWAYS Act”.
2.

Expanding aviation workforce development programs
(a)

In general
The Secretary shall establish a program to provide grants for eligible projects to support the education and recruitment of—
(1)
aircraft pilots and the development of the aircraft pilot workforce;
(2)
aviation maintenance technical workers and the development of the aviation maintenance workforce; and
(3)
aviation manufacturing technical workers and the development of the aviation manufacturing workforce.
(b)

Eligible applicants
(1)

Aircraft pilot workforce
An application for a grant for an eligible project described in subsection (a)(1) may be submitted by—
(A)
an institution of higher education, a postsecondary vocational institution, or a local educational agency;
(B)
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;
(C)
a State or local governmental entity;
(D)
a non-profit organization that participates in the creation and delivery of workforce programs; or
(E)
an air carrier in partnership with an institution of higher education, a postsecondary vocational institution, or a local educational agency, or a flight school described in subparagraph (B).
(2)

Aviation maintenance workforce
An application for a grant for an eligible project described in subsection (a)(2) may be submitted by—
(A)
an institution of higher education, a postsecondary vocational institution, or a local educational agency;
(B)
a holder of a certificate issued under part 21, 121, 135, or 145 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or a labor organization representing aviation maintenance workers;
(C)
a holder of a type or production certificate or similar authorization issued under section 44704 of title 49, United States Code, or a credible applicant for such a certificate as determined by the Secretary;
(D)
a State or local governmental entity; or
(E)
a non-profit organization that participates in the creation and delivery of workforce programs.
(3)

Aviation manufacturing workforce
An application for a grant for an eligible project described in subsection (a)(3) may be submitted by—
(A)
an institution of higher education, a postsecondary vocational institution, or a local educational agency;
(B)
a holder of a type or production certificate or similar authorization issued under section 44704 of title 49, United States Code, or a credible applicant for such a certificate as determined by the Secretary;
(C)
a State or local governmental entity; or
(D)
a non-profit organization that participates in the creation and delivery of workforce programs.
(4)

Form
The Secretary shall specify the form and manner in which to submit an application for a grant for an eligible project under this section.
(c)

Eligible projects
For purposes of this section, an eligible project is a project—
(1)
to create and deliver a program designed to provide students enrolled in a public secondary school with meaningful aviation education that is designed to help prepare the students to become aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systems operators, aviation maintenance technical workers, or aviation manufacturing technical workers;
(2)
to support the professional development of teachers and other educators in implementing the program described in paragraph (1);
(3)
to establish new educational programs that teach technical skills used by aircraft pilots, in aviation maintenance, or in aviation manufacturing, including purchasing equipment, or to improve existing such programs;
(4)
to establish scholarships or registered apprenticeships for individuals pursuing employment as aircraft pilots, or in the aviation maintenance and aviation manufacturing industries;
(5)
to support outreach about careers as aircraft pilots, or careers in the aviation maintenance and aviation manufacturing industries to—
(A)
students enrolled in public elementary schools and public secondary schools, and postsecondary school students; or
(B)
communities under represented in the aviation pilot, maintenance, and manufacturing industries, including women, minorities, and individuals in economically disadvantaged geographic areas and rural communities;
(6)
to support educational opportunities related to aircraft pilots, aviation maintenance, and aviation manufacturing in economically disadvantaged geographic areas and rural communities;
(7)
to support transition to aircraft pilot careers or careers in aviation maintenance and aviation manufacturing, including for veterans and members of the Armed Forces; or
(8)
to otherwise expand the aircraft pilot, aviation maintenance, and aviation manufacturing workforces.
(d)

Grant application review
In reviewing and selecting applications for grants for eligible projects under this section, the Secretary shall—
(1)
give priority to applicants that—
(A)
provide an assurance to use grant funds to encourage the participation of populations that are under represented in the aviation industry, including women, minorities, and individuals in economically disadvantaged geographic areas and rural communities;
(B)
provide an assurance to use grant funds to encourage the participation of populations that are under represented in the aviation industry, including women, minorities, and individuals in economically disadvantaged geographic areas and rural communities, to address the workforce needs of rural and regional airports; or
(C)
provide an assurance to strengthen aviation programs at a minority-serving institution, a public institution of higher education, or a public postsecondary vocational institution; and
(2)
prior to selecting among competing applications, consult, as appropriate, with representatives of aircraft repair stations, design and production approval holders, air carriers, labor organizations, business aviation, general aviation, educational institutions, and other relevant aviation sectors.
(e)

Partnership with other entities
A recipient of a grant under this section may enter into a partnership agreement with an institution of higher education, a nonprofit organization, or another entity, to carry out activities with the grant funds.
(f)

Grant amount
The maximum amount of a grant awarded for an eligible project under this section for a fiscal year shall be $1,000,000.
(g)

Authorization of appropriations
For each of fiscal years 2024 through 2029, there is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for making grants for eligible projects under this section.
(h)

Definitions
In this section:
(1)

Air carrier
The term air carrier has the meaning given that term in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code.
(2)

Elementary school
The term elementary school has the meaning given that term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(3)

Institution of higher education
The term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
(4)

Local educational agency
The term local educational agency has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(5)

Minority-serving institution
The term minority-serving institution means an institution described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
(6)

Postsecondary vocational institution
The term postsecondary vocational institution has the meaning given that term in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c)).
(7)

Secondary school
The term secondary school has the meaning given that term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(8)

Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation.