[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1939 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 335
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 1939
To amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for
the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2024 through 2028,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 13, 2023
Ms. Cantwell (for herself, Mr. Cruz, Ms. Duckworth, and Mr. Moran)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
February 29, 2024
Reported by Ms. Cantwell, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for
the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2024 through 2028,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2023''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
<DELETED>Sec. 2. Definitions.
<DELETED>TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS
<DELETED>Sec. 101. Airport planning and development and noise
compatibility planning and programs.
<DELETED>Sec. 102. Facilities and equipment.
<DELETED>Sec. 103. FAA operations.
<DELETED>Sec. 104. Extension of expiring authorities.
<DELETED>Sec. 105. Authority to subpoena physical evidence.
<DELETED>Sec. 106. Research, engineering, and development.
<DELETED>Sec. 107. Effective date.
<DELETED>TITLE II--FAA OVERSIGHT AND ORGANIZATION
<DELETED>Subtitle A--Organization
<DELETED>Sec. 201. Future of NextGen.
<DELETED>Sec. 202. Airspace Innovation Office.
<DELETED>Sec. 203. Commercial Software Options for Improving ASIAS
Analytics.
<DELETED>Sec. 204. Authority to use electronic service.
<DELETED>Subtitle B--Regulatory Reform
<DELETED>Sec. 211. Safety and efficiency through digitization of FAA
systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 212. Report elimination or modification.
<DELETED>Sec. 213. Internal regulatory process review.
<DELETED>Sec. 214. Review and Updates of Categorical Exclusions.
<DELETED>TITLE III--SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
<DELETED>Sec. 301. Independent Study on future state of type
certification processes.
<DELETED>Sec. 302. Report on international validation program
performance.
<DELETED>Sec. 303. High risk flight testing.
<DELETED>Sec. 304. Recording devices.
<DELETED>Sec. 305. Helicopter safety.
<DELETED>Sec. 306. Review and incorporation of human readiness levels
into agency guidance material.
<DELETED>Sec. 307. Service difficulty reports.
<DELETED>Sec. 308. Accountability and compliance.
<DELETED>Sec. 309. Accountability for aircraft registration numbers.
<DELETED>Sec. 310. Aircraft registration.
<DELETED>Sec. 311. FAA oversight of repair stations located outside the
United States.
<DELETED>Sec. 312. Alcohol and drug testing and background checks.
<DELETED>Sec. 313. Continuous aircraft tracking and transmission for
high altitude balloons.
<DELETED>Sec. 314. International engagement.
<DELETED>Sec. 315. Air tour and sport parachuting safety.
<DELETED>Sec. 316. International aviation safety assessment program.
<DELETED>Sec. 317. Changed product rule reform.
<DELETED>Sec. 318. Development of low-cost voluntary ADS-B.
<DELETED>Sec. 319. Public aircraft flight time logging eligibility.
<DELETED>Sec. 320. Safety management systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 321. Aviation safety information analysis and sharing
program.
<DELETED>Sec. 322. Consistent and timely pilot checks for air carriers.
<DELETED>Sec. 323. Enhancing processes for authorizing aircraft for
service in commuter and on demand
operations.
<DELETED>Sec. 324. Tower marking compliance.
<DELETED>Sec. 325. Administrative authority for civil penalties.
<DELETED>Sec. 326. Civil penalties for whistleblower protection program
violations.
<DELETED>Sec. 327. Flight service stations.
<DELETED>Sec. 328. Technical assistance agreements.
<DELETED>Sec. 329. Restoration of authority.
<DELETED>Sec. 330. Tarmac operations monitoring study.
<DELETED>Sec. 331. GAO report on cybersecurity of commercial aviation
avionics.
<DELETED>Sec. 332. Securing aircraft avionics systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 333. Maintenance data availability.
<DELETED>Sec. 334. Study on airworthiness standards compliance.
<DELETED>Sec. 335. Fire protection standards.
<DELETED>Sec. 336. Cabin air safety.
<DELETED>Sec. 337. Airport air safety.
<DELETED>Sec. 338. Aircraft interchange agreement limitations.
<DELETED>Sec. 339. Wildfire suppression.
<DELETED>Sec. 340. Study on impacts of temperature in aircraft cabins.
<DELETED>Sec. 341. Part 135 pilot supplemental oxygen requirement.
<DELETED>Sec. 342. Crewmember pumping guidance.
<DELETED>Sec. 343. Reauthorization of certain provisions of the
Aircraft Certification, Safety, and
Accountability Act.
<DELETED>TITLE IV--MODERNIZING THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM
<DELETED>Sec. 401. NextGen accountability task force.
<DELETED>Sec. 402. Use of advanced surveillance in oceanic airspace.
<DELETED>Sec. 403. GPS monitoring pilot program.
<DELETED>Sec. 404. Runway safety technologies.
<DELETED>Sec. 405. Flight profile optimization.
<DELETED>Sec. 406. Stars remote surveillance displays.
<DELETED>Sec. 407. Audit of legacy systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 408. Aeronautical mobile communications services.
<DELETED>Sec. 409. Low altitude routes for vertical flight.
<DELETED>Sec. 410. ADS-B out equipage study; Vehicle-to-Vehicle link
program.
<DELETED>Sec. 411. Extension of enhanced air traffic services pilot
program.
<DELETED>Sec. 412. NextGen equipage plan.
<DELETED>Sec. 413. Performance based navigation report and utilization
plan.
<DELETED>Sec. 414. Air traffic control facility realignment study.
<DELETED>TITLE V--AVIATION WORKFORCE
<DELETED>Subtitle A--Civil Aviation Workforce
<DELETED>Sec. 501. Aviation workforce development grants.
<DELETED>Sec. 502. Women in Aviation Advisory Committee.
<DELETED>Sec. 503. Study of high school aviation maintenance training
programs.
<DELETED>Sec. 504. Military aviation maintenance technicians rule.
<DELETED>Sec. 505. Prohibition of remote dispatching.
<DELETED>Sec. 506. Employee assault prevention and response plan
standards and best practices.
<DELETED>Sec. 507. Crewmember self-defense training.
<DELETED>Sec. 508. Improving apron safety.
<DELETED>Sec. 509. Aviation Medical Innovation and Modernization
Working Group.
<DELETED>Sec. 510. Airman Certification Standards.
<DELETED>Subtitle B--FAA Workforce
<DELETED>Sec. 521. Air traffic control staffing standards.
<DELETED>Sec. 522. FAA Workforce review audit.
<DELETED>Sec. 523. Direct hire authority utilization.
<DELETED>Sec. 524. Staffing model for aviation safety inspectors.
<DELETED>Sec. 525. Safety critical staffing.
<DELETED>Sec. 526. Instrument landing system installation.
<DELETED>Sec. 527. Aviation Certification Fellowship Program.
<DELETED>Sec. 528. Contract Tower Program air traffic controller
training programs.
<DELETED>Sec. 529. Review of FAA and industry cooperative
familiarization programs.
<DELETED>Sec. 530. Improved access to air traffic control simulation
training.
<DELETED>Sec. 531. Air Traffic Controller Instructor Pipeline.
<DELETED>Sec. 532. Ensuring hiring of air traffic control specialists
is based on assessment of job-relevant
aptitudes.
<DELETED>Sec. 533. Federal aviation administration academy and facility
expansion plan.
<DELETED>TITLE VI--MODERNIZING AIRPORT SYSTEMS
<DELETED>Sec. 601. AIP eligibility amendments.
<DELETED>Sec. 602. Revised minimum apportionments.
<DELETED>Sec. 603. Apportionments for transitioning airports.
<DELETED>Sec. 604. Updating United States Government's share of project
costs.
<DELETED>Sec. 605. Primary airport designation.
<DELETED>Sec. 606. Discretionary fund for terminal development costs.
<DELETED>Sec. 607. Alternative-delivery and advance-construction
methods pilot program.
<DELETED>Sec. 608. Integrated project delivery.
<DELETED>Sec. 609. Airport investment partnership program.
<DELETED>Sec. 610. Airport accessibility.
<DELETED>Sec. 611. General aviation public-private partnership program.
<DELETED>Sec. 612. Runway rehabilitation.
<DELETED>Sec. 613. Extension of provision relating to airport access
roads in remote locations.
<DELETED>Sec. 614. Procurement regulations applicable to FAA multimodal
projects.
<DELETED>Sec. 615. Solar powered taxiway edge lighting systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 616. Additional ground based transmitters.
<DELETED>Sec. 617. Automated weather observing systems maintenance
improvements.
<DELETED>Sec. 618. Contract Tower Program.
<DELETED>Sec. 619. Remote towers.
<DELETED>Sec. 620. Grant assurances.
<DELETED>Sec. 621. Civil penalties for grant assurances violations.
<DELETED>Sec. 622. Community use of airport land.
<DELETED>Sec. 623. Buckeye 940 release of deed restrictions.
<DELETED>Sec. 624. Clarifying airport revenue use of local general
sales taxes.
<DELETED>Sec. 625. AIP handbook review.
<DELETED>Sec. 626. PFAS-related resources for airports.
<DELETED>Sec. 627. Progress reports on the national transition plan
related to a fluorine-free firefighting
foam.
<DELETED>Sec. 628. Review of airport layout plans.
<DELETED>Sec. 629. NEPA purpose and need statements.
<DELETED>Sec. 630. Passenger facility charge streamlining.
<DELETED>Sec. 631. Use of passenger facility charges for noise
barriers.
<DELETED>Sec. 632. Automated weather observing systems policy.
<DELETED>Sec. 633. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
implementation.
<DELETED>Sec. 634. Report on airport notifications.
<DELETED>Sec. 635. Coastal airports resiliency study.
<DELETED>Sec. 636. Survey of power distribution capacity.
<DELETED>Sec. 637. Study on competition and airport access.
<DELETED>Sec. 638. Regional airport capacity study.
<DELETED>Sec. 639. Study on autonomous and electric-powered track
systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 640. Special rule for reclassification of certain
unclassified airports.
<DELETED>Sec. 641. General aviation airport runway extension pilot
program.
<DELETED>TITLE VII--AIR SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS
<DELETED>Subtitle A--Consumer Enhancements
<DELETED>Sec. 701. Advisory committee for aviation consumer protection.
<DELETED>Sec. 702. Unrealistic or deceptive scheduling.
<DELETED>Sec. 703. Refunds.
<DELETED>Sec. 704. Airline passenger rights transparency act.
<DELETED>Sec. 705. Disclosure of ancillary fees.
<DELETED>Sec. 706. Access to customer service assistance for all
travelers.
<DELETED>Sec. 707. Frequent flyer programs and vouchers.
<DELETED>Sec. 708. Airline customer service dashboards.
<DELETED>Sec. 709. Annual briefings on disruptions of passenger air
transportation and periods of mass
cancellations of scheduled flights.
<DELETED>Sec. 710. Enhancing child safety.
<DELETED>Sec. 711. Codification of consumer protection provisions.
<DELETED>Sec. 712. GAO study on competition and consolidation in the
air carrier industry.
<DELETED>Sec. 713. GAO study and report on the operational preparedness
of air carriers for preparing for changing
weather and other events related to
changing conditions and natural hazards.
<DELETED>Sec. 714. Increase in civil penalties.
<DELETED>Sec. 715. Family seating.
<DELETED>Sec. 716. Establishment of Office of Aviation Consumer
Protection.
<DELETED>Subtitle B--Accessibility
<DELETED>Sec. 731. Extension of the advisory committee on the air
travel needs of passengers with
disabilities.
<DELETED>Sec. 732. Modernization and improvements to aircraft
evacuation.
<DELETED>Sec. 733. Improved training standards for assisting passengers
who use wheelchairs.
<DELETED>Sec. 734. Training standards for stowage of wheelchairs and
scooters.
<DELETED>Sec. 735. Mobility Aids On Board Improve Lives and Empower All
Act.
<DELETED>Sec. 736. Prioritizing Accountability and Accessibility for
Aviation Consumers Act of 2023.
<DELETED>Sec. 737. Transportation of organs.
<DELETED>Sec. 738. Access and Dignity for All People who Travel Act.
<DELETED>Sec. 739. Equal Accessibility to Passenger Portals Act.
<DELETED>Sec. 740. Store On-board Wheelchairs in Cabin Act.
<DELETED>Subtitle C--Air Service Development
<DELETED>Sec. 741. Essential air service.
<DELETED>Sec. 742. Small community air service development grants.
<DELETED>Sec. 743. GAO study and report on the alternate Essential Air
Service program.
<DELETED>TITLE VIII--NEW ENTRANTS
<DELETED>Subtitle A--Unmanned Aircraft Systems
<DELETED>Sec. 801. Office of Advanced Aviation Technology and
Innovation.
<DELETED>Sec. 802. Advanced Aviation Technology and Innovation Steering
Committee.
<DELETED>Sec. 803. Beyond visual line of sight operations for unmanned
aircraft systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 804. Extending special authority for certain unmanned
aircraft systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 805. Environmental Review and Noise Certification.
<DELETED>Sec. 806. UTM implementation.
<DELETED>Sec. 807. Operations over the high seas.
<DELETED>Sec. 808. Extension of the BEYOND program.
<DELETED>Sec. 809. Extension of the Know Before You Fly campaign.
<DELETED>Sec. 810. Unmanned aircraft system data exchange.
<DELETED>Sec. 811. Unmanned aircraft system detection and mitigation
enforcement authority.
<DELETED>Sec. 812. Recreational operations of drone systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 813. UAS test ranges.
<DELETED>Sec. 814. Authority regarding protection of certain facilities
and assets from unmanned aircraft.
<DELETED>Sec. 815. Airport safety and airspace hazard mitigation and
enforcement.
<DELETED>Sec. 816. Special authority for transport of hazardous
materials by commercial package delivery
unmanned aircraft systems.
<DELETED>Subtitle B--Advanced Air Mobility
<DELETED>Sec. 821. Sense of Congress on FAA leadership.
<DELETED>Sec. 822. Aviation Rulemaking Committee on certification of
powered-lift aircraft.
<DELETED>Sec. 823. Application of National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) categorical exclusions for vertiport
projects.
<DELETED>Sec. 824. Advanced Air Mobility Working Group amendments.
<DELETED>Sec. 825. Rules for operation of powered-lift aircraft.
<DELETED>Sec. 826. International coordination on powered-lift aircraft.
<DELETED>Sec. 827. Advanced air mobility propulsion systems aviation
rulemaking committee.
<DELETED>TITLE IX--RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATIVE AVIATION
TECHNOLOGIES
<DELETED>Sec. 901. Advanced materials center of excellence
enhancements.
<DELETED>Sec. 902. Center of excellence for unmanned aircraft systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 903. ASSUREd safe credentialing authority.
<DELETED>Sec. 904. FAA and NASA advanced aviation technologies pilot
program.
<DELETED>Sec. 905. Advancing global leadership on civil supersonic
aircraft.
<DELETED>Sec. 906. CLEEN engine and airframe technology partnership.
<DELETED>Sec. 907. Hypersonic flight testing.
<DELETED>Sec. 908. Hypersonic pathway to integration study.
<DELETED>Sec. 909. Operating high-speed flights in high altitude Class
E airspace.
<DELETED>Sec. 910. Electric propulsion aircraft operations study.
<DELETED>Sec. 911. Contract weather observers program.
<DELETED>Sec. 912. Airfield pavement technology program.
<DELETED>Sec. 913. National aviation research plan modification.
<DELETED>Sec. 914. FAA and NASA research and development coordination
review.
<DELETED>Sec. 915. Research and development of FAA's aeronautical
information systems modernization
activities.
<DELETED>Sec. 916. Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and
Environment.
<DELETED>Sec. 917. Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee.
<DELETED>TITLE X--MISCELLANEOUS
<DELETED>Sec. 1001. Noise mitigation.
<DELETED>TITLE XI--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS
<DELETED>Sec. 1101. Technical corrections.
<DELETED>SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> In this Act:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Administrator.--Unless otherwise specified,
the term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Comptroller general.--The term ``Comptroller
General'' means the Comptroller General of the United
States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) FAA.--The term ``FAA'' means the Federal
Aviation Administration.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Secretary.--Unless otherwise specified, the
term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
Transportation.</DELETED>
<DELETED>TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 101. AIRPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AND NOISE
COMPATIBILITY PLANNING AND PROGRAMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Authorization.--Section 48103(a) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by striking paragraphs (1) through (6) and
inserting the following: ``</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year
2024;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year
2025;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year
2026;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year
2028.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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,''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 102. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 48101(a) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by striking paragraphs (1) through (6) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) $3,575,000,000 for fiscal year
2024.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) $3,625,000,000 for fiscal year
2025.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) $3,675,000,000 for fiscal year
2026.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) $3,675,000,000 for fiscal year
2027.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) $3,675,000,000 for fiscal year
2028.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 103. FAA OPERATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 106(k)(1) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by striking subparagraphs (A) through (F) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) $12,740,000,000 for fiscal year
2024;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) $13,033,000,000 for fiscal year
2025;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) $13,500,000,000 for fiscal year
2026;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) $13,900,000,000 for fiscal year
2027; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) $14,400,000,000 for fiscal year
2028.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Authority to Transfer Funds.--Section 106(k)(3) of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``fiscal years
2018 through 2023'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2024 through
2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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 2024
through 2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Extension of Compatible Land Use Planning and Projects
by State and Local Governments.--Section 47141(f) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``September 30, 2023'' and
inserting ``September 30, 2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Midway Island Airport.--Section 186(d) of the Vision
100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-176; 117
Stat. 2518) is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2018 through 2023''
and inserting ``fiscal years 2024 through 2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Authority to Provide Insurance.--Section 44310(b) of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``September 30,
2023'' and inserting ``September 30, 2028.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 105. AUTHORITY TO SUBPOENA PHYSICAL EVIDENCE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 46104(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``and records'' and inserting ``, records,
including documents and data, whether stored in a physical or
electronic format, and tangible objects''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 106. RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 48102(a) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (14), by striking ``and'' at the
end;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by paragraph (15), by striking the period at
the end and inserting a semicolon; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(16) $344,000,000 for fiscal year
2024;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(17) $360,000,000 for fiscal year
2025;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(18) $367,000,000 for fiscal year
2026;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(19) $374,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(20) $390,000,000 for fiscal year
2028.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 107. EFFECTIVE DATE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The amendments made by this subtitle (other than in
section 105) shall take effect on October 1, 2023.</DELETED>
<DELETED>TITLE II--FAA OVERSIGHT AND ORGANIZATION</DELETED>
<DELETED>Subtitle A--Organization</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 201. FUTURE OF NEXTGEN.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Completion and Sunset.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Key programs.--Not later than December 31,
2025, the FAA shall operationalize all the key programs under
the NextGen project as described in the FAA's deployment
plan.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Office; advisory committee.--The NextGen
Office and the NextGen Advisory Committee shall terminate on
December 31, 2025.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Transfer of residual nextgen implementation
functions; status report.--If the FAA does not complete the
NextGen project by the deadline specified in paragraph (1), the
Administrator shall transfer the residual functions of
completing NextGen to the Airspace Innovation Office
established under section 202.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Transfer of advanced air mobility functions.--
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this
section, any AAM (as defined in section 106(u)(7) of title 49,
United States Code (as added by section 801)) relevant
functions, duties, and responsibilities of the NAS Systems,
Engineering, & Integration Office or other Offices within the
Office of NextGen shall be incorporated into the Office of
Advanced Aviation Technology and Innovation established under
section 106(u) of title 49, United States Code (as so
added).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Status reports.--If the FAA does not complete
the NextGen project by the deadline specified in paragraph (1),
the Administrator shall, not later than 30 days after such
deadline, and quarterly thereafter until all key programs under
the NextGen project are deployed, brief the appropriate
committees of Congress on the status of each incomplete
program, including, with respect to each such incomplete
program--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) an explanation as to why the program
deployment was delayed or not completed by such
deadline;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) an assessment of the key risks to the
full implementation of the program and a description of
how the FAA is mitigating, or plans to mitigate, those
risks; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) a detailed schedule of actions
necessary to complete the program, including updated
milestones and deadlines.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Independent Report.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days of the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
contract with an independent third-party contractor or a
Federally funded research and development center to develop a
report reviewing and assessing the implementation of the
NextGen project.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Requirements.--The report developed under
paragraph (1) shall include the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Evaluation of the promised operational
benefits at the time of initiation and the realized
benefits upon completion of the NextGen
project.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Recommendations for the technical
capacity and resources needed by the FAA in order to
oversee a comprehensive airspace modernization project
on-schedule and on-budget.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Identification of programs under the
NextGen project that were significantly delayed,
significantly diminished, or ultimately not
implemented, including an explanation of the cause of
the delay, reduction, or removal of the program from
the NextGen project by the FAA. This discussion shall
include at a minimum, programs relating to expanding
surveillance coverage across the country, increasing
performance-based navigation, and improving enroute
data communications.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Identification of any challenges that
impacted the implementation of the NextGen
project.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) Identification of any lessons learned
during the NextGen project effort, and whether, how,
and to what effect those lessons may be applied to
future national airspace system modernization
efforts.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) Assessment of national airspace system
user engagement in the NextGen project priorities and
implementation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) Recommendations of the justifications
for further national airspace system modernization
efforts including economic, safety, efficiency,
capacity, predictability, and resiliency of the United
States air transportation system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Deadline.--Not later than June 30, 2026, the
report developed under paragraph (1) shall be submitted to the
Administrator and the appropriate committees of
Congress.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 202. AIRSPACE INNOVATION OFFICE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Establishment.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--On January 1, 2026, the
Administrator shall establish within the FAA the Airspace
Innovation Office (in this section referred to as the
``Office'').</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Assistant administrator.--The Office shall be
led by the Assistant Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Duties.--The Office shall be responsible for--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the research and development, systems
engineering, enterprise architecture, and portfolio
management for the continuous modernization of the
national airspace system; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) developing an integrated plan for the
future state of the national airspace system and
overseeing the deployment of the system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Consultation.--The Assistant Administrator
shall consult, as necessary, with the Chief Technology Officer
appointed under section 106(s) of title 49, United States Code,
and the Associate Administrator for Advanced Aviation
Technology and Innovation appointed under section 106(u) of
title 49, United States Code (as added by section
801).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Integrated Plan Requirements.--The integrated plan
developed by the Office shall be designed to ensure that the national
airspace system meets future safety, security, mobility, efficiency,
and capacity needs of a diverse set of airspace users. The integrated
plan shall include the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) A description of the demand for services that
will be required of the Nation's future air transportation
system, and an explanation of how those demand projections were
derived, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the most likely range of average
annual resources required over the duration of the plan
to cost-effectively maintain the safety,
sustainability, and other characteristics of national
airspace operation and the FAA's mission; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) an estimate of FAA resource
requirements by user group, including expectations
concerning the growth of new entrants and potential new
users.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) A roadmap for creating and implementing the
integrated plan, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the most significant technical,
operational, and personnel obstacles and the activities
necessary to overcome such obstacles, including the
role of other Federal agencies, corporations,
institutions of higher learning, and non-profit
organizations in carrying out such
activities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the annual anticipated cost of
carrying out such activities; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) the technical milestones that will be
used to evaluate the activities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) A description of the operational concepts to
meet the system performance requirements for all system users
and a timeline and anticipated expenditures needed to develop
and deploy the system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) The management of the enterprise architecture
framework for the introduction of these operational
improvements and to inform FAA financial decision-
making.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) A business case for the operational
improvements that the Office will develop and deploy not later
than 2040, including the benefits, costs, and risks of the
preferred and alternative options.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Considerations.--In developing and carrying out the
integrated plan, the Office shall consider--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the results and recommendations of the
independent report on implementation of the NextGen project
under section 201(b);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the status of the transition to, and
deployment of, trajectory-based operations within the national
airspace system; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) the audit of legacy systems required by
section 407, and the resulting plan to replace or enhance the
identified legacy systems within a reasonable time
frame.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Consultation.--In developing and carrying out the
integrated plan, the Office shall consult with representatives from--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) airlines;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) business aviation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) general aviation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) aviation labor groups;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) aviation research and development
entities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) aircraft and avionics manufacturers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) air traffic control suppliers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (9) commercial space industry;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (10) commercial and recreational drone industry;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (11) any other entities the Office deems
necessary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Plan Deadline; Briefings.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Plan deadline.--Not later than November 30,
2026, the Administrator shall submit the integrated plan
required by subsection (a)(3)(B) to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Annual briefings.--The Administrator shall
provide the committees of Congress specified in paragraph (1)
with an annual briefing describing the progress in carrying out
the integrated plan required by subsection (a)(3)(B), including
any changes to the plan.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) DOT Inspector General Review.--Not later than 180 days
following submission of the integrated plan under subsection (e)(1),
the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall review
the integrated plan and submit to the committees of Congress specified
in paragraph (1) a report that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) assesses the business case for the integrated
plan;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) provides any recommendations for improving the
integrated plan; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) includes any other information that the
Inspector General determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (g) Limitation.--The FAA is not authorized to spend any
amounts on the deployment of new air traffic management technologies
and operational improvements that have yet to be deployed and
identified in the integrated plan until the committees of Congress
specified in paragraph (1) have been briefed under subsection
(e)(2).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 203. COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE OPTIONS FOR IMPROVING ASIAS
ANALYTICS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) ASIAS Analytics.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Evaluation.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
evaluate whether commercial software solutions are available to
improve the FAA's Aviation Safety Information Analysis and
Sharing (ASIAS) system to advance the system's predictive
capabilities and analytical solutions developed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Requirements.--In carrying out the evaluation
required by paragraph (1), the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) prioritize production-ready
configurable solutions over custom development to
support FAA critical aviation safety programs;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) ensure that adequate market research
is completed in accordance with FAA acquisition
management system requirements, including appropriate
live demonstrations of proposed solutions, as part of
the evaluation criteria.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Congressional Briefing.--Not later than 2 years after
the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a briefing on the results of
the evaluation carried out under subsection (a) that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) includes an assessment of the FAA's progress
toward achieving previously identified milestones for ASIAS by
the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation and
the Special Committee to Review FAA Aircraft Certification
Reports; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) outlines the FAA's plan to use rapidly
deployable commercial solutions to assist the FAA in meeting
such milestones.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 204. AUTHORITY TO USE ELECTRONIC SERVICE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 46103 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in subparagraph (B), by
striking ``or'' after the semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) in subparagraph (C), by
striking the period at the end and inserting a
semicolon; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) by electronic or facsimile
transmission to the person to be served or the
designated agent of the person; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) as designated by regulation or
guidance published in the Federal Register.'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) The date of service made by an electronic or
facsimile method is--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) the date an electronic or facsimile
transmission is sent; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the date a notification is sent by
an electronic or facsimile method that a notice,
process, or action is immediately available and
accessible in an electronic database.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (c) by striking the first
sentence and inserting ``Service on an agent designated under
this section shall be made at the office or usual place of
residence of the agent or at the electronic or facsimile
address designated by the agent.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>Subtitle B--Regulatory Reform</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 211. SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY THROUGH DIGITIZATION OF FAA
SYSTEMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) identify, at the discretion of the
Administrator, 3 processes of the FAA that result in a
certification (such as an aircraft certification, aircraft
registration, or airmen certification) or authorization, an
exemption, or a letter of authorization; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) initiate the digitization of such
processes.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Requirements.--In carrying out the digitization
required by subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure that the
digitization of any process allows for--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) an applicant to track their application
throughout the period of submission and review of such
application; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the status of the application to be available
upon demand to the applicant, as well as FAA employees
responsible for reviewing and making a decision on the
application.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Briefing to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the
date on which the Administrator initiates the digitization under
subsection (a)(2), the Administrator shall brief the appropriate
committees of Congress on the progress of such digitization.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Definition of Digitization.--In this section, the term
``digitization'' means the transition from a predominantly paper-based
system to a system centered on the use of a data management system and
the internet.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 212. REPORT ELIMINATION OR MODIFICATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Reports Modified.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Report on the airport improvement program.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Section 47131(a) of title
49, United States Code, is amended by striking the
first sentence and inserting ``Not later than June 1,
2025, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary of
Transportation shall submit to Congress a report on
activities carried out under this subchapter during the
prior 2 fiscal years.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Conforming amendments.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Section 47131 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended in the section
heading by striking ``Annual'' and inserting
``Biennial''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) The analysis for chapter 471
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
striking the item relating to section 47131 and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``47131. Biennial report.''.
<DELETED> (2) National aviation research plan.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Section 44501(c)(1) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``the date
of submission'' and inserting ``90 days after the date
of submission''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Section 48102(g) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``the date of
submission'' and inserting ``90 days after the date of
submission''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Reports Eliminated.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Laser pointer incidents.--Section 2104(a) of
the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C.
46301 note) is amended by striking ``Beginning 90 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration, in coordination with
appropriate Federal law enforcement agencies, shall provide
quarterly updates to the appropriate committees of Congress
regarding'' and inserting ``The Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration, in coordination with appropriate
Federal law enforcement agencies, shall provide an annual
briefing to the appropriate committees of Congress
regarding''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Report on helicopter air ambulance
operations.--Section 44731 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in subsection (d)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in the subsection heading, by
striking ``Report to Congress'' and inserting
``Briefing'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by striking the first
sentence and inserting ``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 data collected under
subsection (a).''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) in the second sentence by
striking ``report'' and inserting ``briefing'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subsection (e)(2), by striking
``the report'' and inserting ``the
briefing''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 213. INTERNAL REGULATORY PROCESS REVIEW.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish an internal
regulatory process review team (in this section referred to as the
``review team'') comprising of FAA employees and individuals described
in subsection (b) to develop recommendations to improve the timeliness
of, and performance accountability in, the development and promulgation
of regulatory materials (as defined in subsection (g)). The review team
shall deliver a report with recommendations to the Secretary in
accordance with the deadlines specified in subsection (e).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Other Members; Consultation.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The review team shall include
outside experts and academics with relevant experience or
expertise in aviation safety and in improving the performance,
accountability, and transparency of the Federal regulatory
process, particularly as it relates to aviation safety. The
review team shall include at least 3 outside experts or
academics with relevant experience or expertise in aviation
safety and at least 1 outside expert or academic with relevant
experience or expertise in improving the performance,
accountability, and transparency of the Federal regulatory
process, particularly as it relates to aviation
safety.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Consultation.--The review team may, as
appropriate, consult with industry stakeholders.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Contents of Review.--In conducting the review required
under subsection (a), the review team shall do the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Develop a proposal for rationalizing processes
and eliminating redundant administrative review of regulatory
materials within the FAA, particularly when FAA-sponsored rule-
making committees and stakeholders have collaborated on the
proposed regulations to address airworthiness standards
deficiencies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) With respect to each office within the FAA
that reviews regulatory materials, assess--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the timeline assigned to each such
office to complete the review of regulatory
materials;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the actual time spent for such
review;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) opportunities to reduce the actual
time for such review; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) whether clear roles, responsibilities,
requirements, and expectations are clearly defined for
each office required to review the regulatory
materials.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Define and document the roles and
responsibilities of each office within the FAA that develops,
drafts or reviews each kind of regulatory material in order to
ensure that hiring reflects who, where, and how these employees
function in the rulemaking framework.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Describe any organizational changes or the
need to hire additional FAA employees, if necessary and taking
into consideration whether current positions are staffed, to
reduce delays in publication of proposed and final regulatory
materials.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) In order to provide the public with detailed
information on the progress of the development of regulatory
materials, identify reporting mechanisms and develop a template
and appropriate system metrics for making publicly available on
a website a real-time progress tracker that updates itself to
show the major stages (as determined by the Secretary) of the
development of regulatory materials as they are initiated, in
progress, and completed, from inception of a proposed
development of regulatory materials to publication of the final
version of such materials.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Consider changes to the FAA's best practices
under rules governing ex parte communications with other
validating authorities, including international validating
authorities, and with consideration of the public interest in
transparency, to provide flexibility for FAA employees to
discuss regulatory materials, particularly for those related to
enhancing aviation safety and the United States' aviation
international leadership.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Recommend methods by which the FAA can
incorporate research funded by the Department of
Transportation, in addition to consensus standards and
conformance assessment processes set by private sector
standards-developing organizations into regulatory materials,
to keep pace with rapid changes in aviation technologies and
processes.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) Recommend mechanisms to optimize the roles of
the Office of the Secretary of Transportation and the Office of
Management and Budget, with the objective of improving the
efficiency of regulatory activity.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Action Plan.--The Administrator shall develop an
action plan to implement the recommendations developed by the review
team. The Administrator shall publish the action plan on the Internet
website of the FAA and shall transmit the plan to the appropriate
committees of Congress.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Deadlines.--The requirements of this section shall be
subject to the following deadlines:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) The review team shall complete the evaluation
required under subsection (a) and submit the review team's
report on such evaluation to the Secretary not later than 120
days after the date of enactment of this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) The Administrator shall develop and publish
the action plan under subsection (d) not later than 30 days
after the date on which the review team submits the report
required by subsection (a) to the Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Administrative Procedure Requirements Inapplicable.--
The provisions of subchapter II of chapter 5, and chapter 7, of title
5, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Administrative Procedure
Act'') shall not apply to any activities of the review team in carrying
out the requirements of this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (g) Regulatory Materials Defined.--In this section, the
term ``regulatory materials'' means rules, orders, advisory circulars,
statements of policy, guidance, and other materials related to aviation
safety regulations, as well as other materials pertaining to training
and operation of aeronautical products.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 214. REVIEW AND UPDATES OF CATEGORICAL
EXCLUSIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Not later than 2 year after the date of enactment of this
section, the Secretary shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) identify each categorical exclusion under the
jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation (referred to
in this section as the ``Department''), including any operating
administration within the Department; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) review, adopt, and broaden the applicability
of categorical exclusions to enable the use by operating
administrations of the Department, as relevant and appropriate,
of categorical exclusions identified in paragraph
(1).</DELETED>
<DELETED>TITLE III--SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 301. INDEPENDENT STUDY ON FUTURE STATE OF TYPE
CERTIFICATION PROCESSES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Review and Study.--Not later than 60 days after the
date of enactment of this section, subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Administrator shall enter into an agreement with an
appropriate Federally-funded research and development center, or other
independent nonprofit organization that recommends solutions to
aviation policy challenges through objective analysis, to conduct a
review and study in accordance with the requirements and elements set
forth in this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Elements.--The review and study under subsection (a)
shall provide analyses, assessments, and recommendations that address
the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) A vision for a future state of type
certification that reflects the highly complex, highly
integrated nature of today's aircraft and improvements in
aviation safety.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) A review of the current tools and techniques
used for type certification and an evaluation of whether use of
advanced digital tools and techniques, including model-based
system engineering, would improve the type certification
process and enhance aviation safety.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) How the FAA could develop a risk-based model
for type certification that improves the safety of
aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) What changes are needed to ensure that
corrective actions for continued operational safety issues can
be approved and implemented quickly, particularly with respect
to software modifications, while maintaining the safety of the
type certification process.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) What efficiencies and safety process
improvements are needed in the FAA's type certification system
that will facilitate the assessment and integration of
innovating technologies that advance aviation safety, such as
conducting product familiarization, developing certification
requirements, and demonstrating flight test safety
readiness.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Best practices and tools used by other
certification authorities that could be adopted by the FAA and
the United States, as well as the best practices and tools used
by the United States which can be shared with other
certification authorities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Report.--Not later than 15 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the organization conducting the review and
study shall submit to the Administrator and the appropriate committees
of Congress a report on the results of the review and study that
includes the findings and recommendations of the
organization.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Congressional Briefing.--Not later than 270 days after
the report required under subsection (c) is submitted to the
Administrator, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees
of Congress regarding the FAA's response to the findings and
recommendations of such report, what actions the FAA will take as a
result of such findings and recommendations, and the FAA rationale for
not taking action on any specific recommendation.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 302. REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL VALIDATION PROGRAM
PERFORMANCE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall evaluate the performance
of the FAA's type certificate validation program under bilateral
agreements, with reference to agreed implementation
procedures.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Contents.--The evaluation under subsection (a) shall
consider, at minimum, the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Progress under section 243(a) of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note) with respect
to improving the FAA's leadership abroad.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Performance, with reference to metrics such as
the number and types of projects, timeline milestones, the
validating authority level of involvement and certifying
authority delegation, and trends relating to the repeated use
of non-basic criteria, relating to review systems or methods of
compliance that have been validated previously in similar
context.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Training on the minimum standards for
validation work plan content, such as the validating authority
level of involvement, and what constitutes justification for
level of involvement and compliance document
requests.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) The perspectives of FAA employees responsible
for type validation projects, bilateral civil aviation
regulatory partners, and industry applicants, on the FAA's
performance in carrying out validation projects.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) The levels of funding and staffing for the
International Validation Branch of the Compliance and
Airworthiness Division of the Aircraft Certification Service of
the FAA compared to the Branch's workload and goals.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) The effectiveness of FAA training for
employees and of outreach conducted to improve and enforce
validation processes.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Efforts undertaken to strengthen relationships
with international certification authorities to maximize safety
cooperation and the use of approvals issued by other certifying
authorities in compliance with applicable bilateral agreements
and implementation procedures.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Report.--The Administrator shall issue a report
regarding the evaluation required under subsection (a) to the
appropriate committees of Congress not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 303. HIGH RISK FLIGHT TESTING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall take necessary
actions, including as appropriate, amending part 21 of title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations, and revising or modifying any associated
advisory circulars, guidance, or policy of the FAA, in accordance with
this section to improve flight test safety risk.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Requirements.--In developing, amending, revising, or
modifying regulations, advisory circulars, guidance, or policy under
subsection (a), the Administrator shall do the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Develop validation criteria and procedures
whereby data produced in high fidelity engineering laboratories
and facilities may be allowed in conjunction with, or in lieu
of, data produced on a flying test article to support an
applicant's showing of compliance required under section
21.35(a)(1) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Develop criteria and procedures whereby an
Organization Designation Authorization (as defined in section
44736(c)(5) of title 49, United States Code) may recommend that
certain data produced during an applicant's company flight test
program may be accepted by the FAA as final compliance data in
accordance with section 21.35(b) of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, at the sole discretion of the FAA.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Work with other civil aviation authorities
representing States of Design to identify their best practices
relative to high-risk flight testing and adopt those practices
into the FAA's flight-testing requirements to the maximum
extent practicable.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 304. RECORDING DEVICES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Chapter 447 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44745. Cockpit recording device</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) require that, not later than 4 years after
the date of enactment of this Act, 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;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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 of this title and section 32 of title 18;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Applicable Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the
term `applicable aircraft' means an aircraft that is--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) operated under part 121 or 135 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) required by regulation to have a cockpit
voice recorder or a flight data recorder.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 447 of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 44744 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``44745. Recording devices.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 305. HELICOPTER SAFETY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall task the Aviation
Rulemaking Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the
``Committee'') with reviewing and assessing the need for changes to the
safety requirements for turbine-powered rotorcraft certificated for 6
or more passenger seats in relation to flight data recorders, flight
data monitoring, and terrain awareness and warning systems. The
Committee shall submit to the Administrator a report on the findings
from such review and assessment, together with recommendations for such
legislative or administrative action the Committee deems
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Considerations.--In reviewing and assessing the safety
requirements under subsection (a), the Committee shall consider--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) any applicable safety recommendations of the
National Transportation Safety Board; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the operational requirements and safety
considerations for operations under parts 121 and 135 of title
14, Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after the date on
which the Committee submits the report under subsection (a), the
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the findings and recommendations included in
the Committee's report; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the Administrator's plan, if any, to implement
such recommendations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 306. REVIEW AND INCORPORATION OF HUMAN READINESS LEVELS
INTO AGENCY GUIDANCE MATERIAL.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Proper attention to human factors during the
development of technological systems is a significant factor in
minimizing or preventing human error.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) The evaluation and monitoring of a new
aviation technology or system with respect to human use
throughout its design and development may reduce human error in
new systems and technologies when used in operational
conditions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) The technical standard ``ANSI/HFES 400-2021,
Human Readiness Level Scale in the System Development Process''
defines the 9 levels of a Human Readiness Level scale and their
application in systems engineering and human systems
integration processes.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Review.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall initiate a process
to review ANSI/HFES Standard 400-2021 and determine whether any
materials from this standard can and should be incorporated or
referenced in agency procedures and guidance material in order to
enhance safety in relation to human factors.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Consultation.--In carrying out subsection (b), the
Administrator shall conduct a review of the ANSI/HFES 400-2021
technical standard and may consult with subject matter experts
affiliated with the authoring organization for such technical
standard.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall brief the
appropriate committees of Congress on the progress of the review
required by subsection (b).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 307. SERVICE DIFFICULTY REPORTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Annual Congressional Briefings.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter,
the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on
compliance during the preceding year with requirements relating to
Service Difficulty Reports, specifically--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) compliance by operators with the requirements
of section 121.703 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) compliance by approval or certificate holders
with the requirements of section 183.63 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) compliance by FAA offices with the
requirements for investigation of Service Difficulty Reports,
as documented in the following FAA Orders (and any subsequent
revisions of such Orders):</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) FAA Order 8900.1A, Flight Standards
Information Management System (issued October 27,
2022);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) FAA Order 8120.23A, Certificate
Management of Production Approval Holders (issued March
6, 2017); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) FAA Order 8110.107A, Monitor Safety/
Analyze Data (issued October 1, 2012).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Requirements.--The briefings required by subsection
(a) shall include the following with respect to the preceding
year:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Identification of categories of service
difficulties reported, as determined by the Administrator,
including repetitive service difficulties reported.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) The causes of the service difficulties, as
determined by the Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Actions taken by, or required by, the
Administrator to address the identified causes of service
difficulties.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Violations of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, and what, if any, action the FAA took in response
to a violation, including any actions set forth in FAA Order
2150.3C, FAA Compliance and Enforcement Program w/Changes 1-10
(issued September 18, 2018) (or any subsequent revisions of
such Order).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 308. ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMPLIANCE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 44704(a)(1) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``When an
applicant submits design data to the Administrator for a finding of
compliance as part of an application for a type certificate, the
applicant shall certify to the Administrator that the submitted design
data demonstrates compliance with the applicable airworthiness
standards or that any airworthiness standards not complied with are
compensated for by factors that provide an equivalent level of safety
as agreed upon by the Administrator.''</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall provide to
the appropriate committees of Congress a briefing on the implementation
of the certification required by the amendment made by subsection
(a).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 309. ACCOUNTABILITY FOR AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION
NUMBERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The Administrator shall review the process of reserving
aircraft registration numbers and implement appropriate changes to
ensure the fair participation by the general public, including the
implementation of readily available software to prevent any computer
auto-fill systems from reserving aircraft registration numbers in
bulk.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 310. AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Chapter 441 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44114. Reregistration of aircraft</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``If an application for reregistration of an aircraft is
filed before the date on which the aircraft's registration expires, the
aircraft may continue to be operated after the expiration of the 90-day
period following the date on which the owner of the aircraft filed such
reregistration application (without regard for whether the
Administrator has received such reregistration application), provided
that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) any operator of the aircraft has evidence
aboard the aircraft that the owner of the aircraft filed the
reregistration application with the Administrator not less than
90 days previously; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) the Administrator has not rejected such
reregistration application.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of
enactment of this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 441 of
such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
44113 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``44114. Reregistration of aircraft.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 311. FAA OVERSIGHT OF REPAIR STATIONS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE
UNITED STATES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 44733 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in the section heading by striking
``Inspection'' and inserting ``Oversight'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (e)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in the first sentence--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) by inserting ``, without prior
notice to such repair stations,'' after
``annually''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by inserting ``and the
applicable laws of the country in which a
repair station is located'' after
``international agreements''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking the second 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 with the applicable laws of the country
in which a repair station is located.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection
(i); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) by inserting after subsection (f) the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(g) Data Analysis.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--An air carrier conducting
operations under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, shall, if applicable, provide to the appropriate
office of the Administration, not less than once every year, a
report containing the information described in paragraph (2)
with respect to heavy maintenance work on aircraft (including
on-wing aircraft engines) performed in the preceding
year.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Information required.--A report under
paragraph (1) shall contain the following
information:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) The location where any heavy
maintenance work on aircraft (including on-wing
aircraft engines) was performed outside the United
States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) A description of the work performed
at each such location.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) The date of completion of the work
performed at each such location.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) If applicable, a list of all
failures, malfunctions, or defects affecting the safe
operation of such aircraft identified by the air
carrier within 30 days after the date on which an
aircraft is returned to service, organized by reference
to aircraft registration number, that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) requires corrective action
after the aircraft is approved for return to
service; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) results from the work
performed on such aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Analysis.--The Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) analyze information made available
under paragraph (1) of this subsection and sections
121.703, 121.705, 121.707, and 145.221 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
provisions, to detect safety issues associated with
heavy maintenance work on aircraft (including on-wing
aircraft engines) performed outside the United States;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) require appropriate actions in
response.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Confidentiality.--Information made available
under paragraph (1) shall be subject to the same protections
given to voluntarily provided safety or security related
information under section 40123.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(h) Minimum Qualifications for Mechanics and Others
Working on U.S. Registered Aircraft.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration shall require that, at each
covered repair station--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) all supervisory personnel 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</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) all personnel 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Available for consultation.--Not later than
1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall
require any individual who is responsible for approving an
article for return to service or who is directly in charge of
aircraft (including on-wing aircraft engine) maintenance
performed on aircraft operated under part 121 of title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations, be available for consultation while
work is being performed at a covered repair
station.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Definition of Covered Repair Station.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Section 44733(i) of title 49,
United States Code (as redesignated by subsection (a)(3)), is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1)
through (3) as paragraphs (2) through (4),
respectively; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as
so redesignated, the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Covered repair station.--The term `covered
repair station' means a facility that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) is located outside the United
States;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) is certificated under part 145 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) performs heavy maintenance work on
aircraft (including on-wing aircraft engines) operated
under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) 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''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Clerical 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:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``44733. Oversight of repair stations located outside the
United States.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 312. ALCOHOL AND DRUG TESTING AND BACKGROUND
CHECKS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (c), beginning on
the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this section,
the Administrator may not approve or authorize international travel for
any employee of the FAA until a final rule 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 note) has been
published in the Federal Register.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) 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 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Exceptions.--The prohibition in subsection (a) shall
not apply to international travel that is determined by the
Administrator on an individual-by-individual basis to be--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) exclusively for the purpose of conducting a
safety inspection;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) directly related to aviation safety standards,
certification, and oversight; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) vital to the national interests of the United
States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Definition of Covered Repair Station.--For purposes of
this section, the term ``covered repair station'' means a facility
that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) is located outside the United
States;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) is certificated under part 145 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) performs heavy maintenance work on aircraft
(including on-wing aircraft engines), operated under part 121
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 313. CONTINUOUS AIRCRAFT TRACKING AND TRANSMISSION FOR
HIGH ALTITUDE BALLOONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Aviation Rulemaking Committee.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
establish an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (in this section
referred to as the ``Committee'') to review and develop
findings and recommendations regarding a standard that any high
altitude balloon be equipped with a system for continuous
aircraft tracking that shall transmit, at a minimum, the
altitude, location, and identity of the high altitude balloon
in a manner which is accessible to air traffic controllers,
aircraft, and other users of the National Airspace
System.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Composition.--The Committee shall consist of
members appointed by the Administrator, including the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Representatives of industry.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Aviation safety experts with specific
knowledge of high altitude balloon
operations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Representatives of the Department of
Defense.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Representatives of Federal agencies
that conduct high altitude balloon
operations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of enactment of this section, the Committee shall submit
to the Administrator a report detailing the findings and
recommendations of the Committee described in paragraph (1).
Such report shall include recommendations regarding the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) How to update sections 91.215, 91.225,
and 99.13 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to
require any high altitude balloons to have a continuous
aircraft tracking and transmission system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Any necessary updates to the
requirements for unmanned free balloons under subpart D
of part 101 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Any necessary updates to other FAA
regulations or requirements deemed appropriate and
necessary by the Administrator to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) ensure any high altitude
balloon has a continuous aircraft tracking and
transmission system</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) ensure all data relating to
the altitude, location, and identity of any
high altitude balloon is made available to air
traffic controllers, aircraft, and other users
of the National Airspace System; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) maintain airspace
safety.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Rulemaking and Other Requirements.--Not later than 180
days after the date on which the Committee submits the report under
subsection (a)(3), the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to
require a continuous aircraft tracking and transmission system
for any high altitude balloon, in accordance with the
recommendations of the Committee; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) coordinate with foreign authorities (including
bilateral partners and the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO)) to develop continuous aircraft tracking
and transmission system standards for any high altitude balloon
operating outside of the National Airspace System.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Interim Standard.--During the period beginning on the
date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this section and
ending on the date on which the Administrator issues a notice of
proposed rulemaking under subsection (b)(1), a person may only operate
a high altitude balloon if such balloon meets the requirements
described in section 91.215(b) of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, notwithstanding the exemption provided in subsection
(e)(1) of such section 91.215.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Reports to Congress.--Not later than 6 months after
the date of enactment of this section, and every 6 months thereafter
until the Administrator promulgates a final rule under subsection (b),
the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report on the status of the rulemaking and other
requirements being developed under such subsection.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the Committee on Appropriations of the
Senate;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) High altitude balloon.--The term ``high
altitude balloon'' means a manned or unmanned free balloon
operating not less than 10,000 feet above sea level.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 314. INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Plan.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Administrator shall develop
and implement a plan to enhance United States' leadership in
aviation safety and policy.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Contents of plan.--The plan required under
paragraph (1) shall include, at minimum, the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Measures to advance international
cooperation related to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) approval of new safety-
enhancing technologies and aeronautical
products;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) development of regulatory
policy and plans related to advanced air
mobility concepts;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) innovation in the general
aviation sector;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) further integration of
uncrewed aircraft systems and advanced air
mobility aircraft and operators; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) development of international
standards and best practices for enhancing
aviation safety consistent with United States
policy and objectives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Initiatives to attain greater
expertise among employees of the FAA on issues related
to dispute resolution, intellectual property, and
export control laws.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Policy regarding the future direction
and strategy of United States engagement with the
International Civil Aviation Organization and bilateral
partner countries, including the secondment of subject
matter experts.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Procedures for acceptance of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information, such as
airworthiness directives and other safety-related
regulatory documents, consistent with section
44701(e)(5) of title 49, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) Measures to align the FAA's technical
assistance to foreign civil aviation regulators, taking
into account, among other factors, with respect to each
such foreign regulator, the particular aeronautical
products for which the United States is the State of
Design in operation in the State of such regulator's
jurisdiction.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) Measures, such as funding and the
hiring of additional FAA personnel, necessary for the
FAA to fully participate in global and bilateral
activities related to aviation safety.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) Measures to facilitate and expand the
FAA's international programs, training, and technical
assistance to foreign civil aviation authorities in
order to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) strengthen aviation safety
oversight;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) meet the United Nations
International Civil Aviation Organization
standards; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) further United States policy
and objectives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (H) Initiatives to further develop and
establish the FAA's foreign offices in strategic
regions, particularly Africa and Asia-Pacific, in order
to support the FAA's international mission to promote a
safe, secure, seamless, and sustainable global
aerospace system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Public Availability of Plan.--Not later than 210 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall make
the plan developed under subsection (a) available on the internet
website of the FAA.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Submission to Congress.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Plan.--Not later than 210 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a copy of the plan developed
under subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Updates on implementation.--Not later than 1
year after the submission of the plan under paragraph (1), and
annually thereafter through 2028, the Administrator shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on
the activities the FAA is conducting in order to implement such
plan.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) International Travel.--The Administrator, or the
Administrator's designee, may authorize international travel for any
FAA employee, without the approval of any other person or office, for
the purpose of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) promotion of aviation safety and other
relevant aviation standards;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) providing support for expedited acceptance of
FAA design and production approvals by other civil aviation
authorities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) facilitation of adoption of United States
approaches on standards and recommended practices at the
International Civil Aviation Organization; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) providing support for technical assistance and
training by the FAA.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 315. AIR TOUR AND SPORT PARACHUTING SAFETY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Safety Management System Requirements for Certain
Operators.--Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of
this section, the Administrator shall issue a final rule requiring each
person holding a certificate under part 119 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations, and authorized to conduct operations in accordance
with the provisions of part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, to implement a safety management system, as appropriate
for the operations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Other Safety Requirements for Commercial Operators.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Safety reforms.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Authority to conduct nonstop
commercial air tours.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--Subject to
clauses (ii) and (iii), beginning on the date
that is 3 years after the date of enactment of
this section, no person may conduct commercial
air tours unless that person--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) holds a certificate
identifying the person as an air
carrier or commercial operator under
part 119 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) conducts all
commercial air tours under the
applicable provisions of part 121 or
part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Small business exception.--
The provisions of clause (i) shall not apply to
a person who conducts 50 or fewer commercial
air tours in a year.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) Temporary exception.--
Notwithstanding the requirements of clause (i),
for a period of 5 years after the date
described in clause (i), a person who holds a
letter of authorization issued by the
Administrator to conduct nonstop commercial air
tours under section 91.147 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations, may continue to conduct
nonstop commercial air tours under such letter
of authorization so long as the person--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) as of the date of
enactment of this section, has
submitted (or not later than 18 months
after such date of enactment, submits)
an application to the Administrator for
an air carrier certificate under part
119, Code of Federal Regulations;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) has not been issued
such part 119 certificate or received a
denial of the application submitted
under subclause (I).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) Reporting required.--
Beginning on the date that is 3 years after the
date of enactment, and every 12 months
thereafter, each person that conducts
commercial air tours (including any person
excluded from the certificate requirement under
clause (ii) or (iii)) shall report to the
Administrator the total number of commercial
air tours that person conducted during the
previous 12 months.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) Other terms.--The
Administrator shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) revise title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations, to include
definitions for the terms ``aerial
work'' and ``aerial photography'' that
are limited to aerial operations
performed for compensation or hire with
an approved operating certificate;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) to the extent
necessary, revise section
119.1(e)(4)(iii) of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations, to conform with
the requirements of such
definitions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Additional safety requirements.--Not
later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this
section, the Administrator shall issue new or revised
regulations that shall require all certificated
commercial air tour operators to ensure that the doors
of the airplane or helicopter used for such tour remain
closed during the period of the tour in which the
airplane or helicopter is airborne, except for those
conducting parachute operations, and incorporate
avoidance training for controlled flight into terrain
and in-flight loss of control into the training program
required under part 121 or 135 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations, as applicable. The training shall
address reducing the risk of accidents involving
unintentional flight into instrument meteorological
conditions to address day, night, and low visibility
environments with special attention paid to research
available as of the date of enactment of this section
on human factors issues involved in such accidents,
including but not limited to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) specific terrain, weather, and
infrastructure challenges relevant in the local
operating environment that increase the risk of
such accidents;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) pilot decision-making
relevant to the avoidance of instrument
meteorological conditions while operating under
visual flight rules;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) use of terrain awareness
displays;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) spatial disorientation risk
factors and countermeasures; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) strategies for maintaining
control, including the use of automated
systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Aviation rulemaking committee.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--The Administrator, shall
convene an aviation rulemaking committee to review and
develop findings and recommendations to inform--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) establishing a performance-
based standard for flight data monitoring for
all commercial air tour operators that reviews
all available data sources to identify
deviations from established areas of operation
and potential safety issues;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) requiring all commercial air
tour operators to install flight data recording
devices capable of supporting collection and
dissemination of the data incorporated in the
Flight Operational Quality Assurance Program
(or, if an aircraft cannot be retrofitted with
such equipment, requiring the commercial air
tour operator for such aircraft to collect and
maintain flight data through alternative
methods);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) requiring all commercial air
tour operators to implement a flight data
monitoring program, such as a Flight
Operational Quality Assurance
Program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) establishing methods to
provide effective terrain awareness and
warning; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) establishing methods to
provide effective traffic avoidance in
identified high-traffic tour areas, such as
requiring air tour operators that operate
within those areas be equipped with an
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out-
and In-supported traffic advisory system that--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) includes both visual
and aural alerts;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) is driven by an
algorithm designed to eliminate
nuisance alerts; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) is operational
during all flight operations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Membership.--The aviation rulemaking
committee shall consist of members appointed by the
Administrator, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) representatives of industry,
including manufacturers of aircraft and
aircraft technologies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) representatives of aviation
operator organizations; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) aviation safety experts with
specific knowledge of safety management systems
and flight data monitoring programs under part
135 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Duties.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--The Administrator
shall direct the aviation rulemaking committee
to make findings and submit recommendations
regarding each of the matters specified in
clauses (i) through (v) of subparagraph
(A).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Considerations.--In carrying
out its duties under clause (i), the
Administrator shall direct the aviation
rulemaking committee to consider--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) recommendations of the
National Transportation Safety
Board;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) recommendations of
previous aviation rulemaking committees
that reviewed flight data monitoring
program requirements on part 135
commercial operators;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) recommendations from
industry safety organizations,
including but not limited to the
Vertical Aviation Safety Team (VAST),
the General Aviation Joint Safety
Committee, and the United States
Helicopter Safety Team
(USHST);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IV) scientific data
derived from a broad range of flight
data recording technologies capable of
continuously transmitting and that
support a measurable and viable means
of assessing data to identify and
correct hazardous trends;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (V) appropriate use of
data for modifying behavior to prevent
accidents;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (VI) the need to
accommodate technological advancements
in flight data recording
technology;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (VII) data gathered from
aviation safety reporting
programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (VIII) appropriate methods
to provide effective terrain awareness
and warning system (TAWS) protections
while mitigating nuisance alerts for
aircraft;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IX) the need to
accommodate the diversity of
airworthiness standards under part 27
and part 29 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (X) the need to
accommodate diversity of operations and
mission sets;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (XI) benefits of third-
party data analysis for large and small
operations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (XII) accommodations
necessary for small businesses;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (XIII) other issues as
necessary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Reports and regulations.--The
Administrator shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) not later than 20 months after
the date of enactment of this section, submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report based on the findings of the aviation
rulemaking committee;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) not later than 12 months
after the date of submission of the report
under clause (i), and after consideration of
the recommendations of the aviation rulemaking
committee, issue an intent to proceed with
proposed rulemakings regarding each of the
matters specified in clauses (i) through (v) of
subparagraph (A); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) not later than 3 years after
the date of enactment of this section, issue a
final rule with respect to each of the matters
specified in such clauses of subparagraph
(A).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Expedited Process for Obtaining Operating
Certificates.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Administrator shall implement
procedures to improve the process for obtaining operating
certificates under part 119 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Considerations.--In carrying out paragraph
(1), beginning on the date that is 18 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall give
priority consideration to operators that must obtain a
certificate in accordance with subsection (b)(1)(A).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Report required.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
describing--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) how the procedures implemented under
paragraph (1) will increase the efficiency of the
process for obtaining operating certificates under part
119 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and, if
applicable, certificates authorizing operations under
part 135 of such title;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) how considerations under paragraph (2)
will be incorporated into procedures implemented under
paragraph (1); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) any additional resources required to
implement procedures under paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Additional reports required.--Not later than 3
years after the date of enactment of this section, and annually
thereafter the Administrator shall submit a report to the
appropriate committees of Congress that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) includes--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) data on certification
approvals and denials; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) data on duration of key
phases of the certification process;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) identifies certification policies in
need of reform or repeal.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Safety Requirements for Sport Parachute Operations.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Aviation rulemaking committee.--The
Administrator, shall convene an aviation rulemaking committee
to review and develop findings and recommendations to inform--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) rulemaking governing parachute
operations conducted in the United States that are
subject to the requirements of part 105 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations, to address--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Federal Aviation
Administration-approved aircraft maintenance
and inspection programs that consider, at a
minimum, requirements for compliance with
engine manufacturers' recommended maintenance
instructions, such as service bulletins and
service information letters for time between
overhauls and component life limits;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) initial and annual recurrent
pilot proficiency checking programs for pilots
conducting parachute operations that address,
at a minimum, operation- and aircraft-specific
weight and balance calculations, preflight
inspections, emergency and recovery procedures,
and parachutist egress procedures for each type
of aircraft flown; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) initial and annual recurrent
pilot review programs for parachute operations
pilots that address, at a minimum, operation-
specific and aircraft-specific weight and
balance calculations, preflight inspections,
emergency and recovery procedures, and
parachutist egress procedures for each type of
aircraft flown, as well as competency flight
checks to determine pilot competence in
practical skills and techniques in each type of
aircraft;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the revision of guidance material
contained in Advisory Circular 105-2E (relating to
sport parachute jumping), to include guidance for
parachute operations in implementing the Federal
Aviation Administration-approved aircraft maintenance
and inspection program and the pilot training and pilot
proficiency checking programs required under any new or
revised regulations issued in accordance with paragraph
(1); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) the revision of guidance materials
issued in Order 8900.1 entitled ``Flight Standards
Information Management System'', to include guidance
for Federal Aviation Administration inspectors who
oversee part 91 of title 14 Code of Federal
Regulations, operations conducted under any of the
exceptions specified in section 119.1(e) of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations, which include parachute
operations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Membership.--The aviation rulemaking committee
under paragraph (1) shall consist of members appointed by the
Administrator, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) representatives of industry, including
manufacturers of aircraft and aircraft
technologies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) representatives of parachute operator
organizations; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) aviation safety experts with specific
knowledge of safety management systems and flight data
monitoring programs under part 135 and part 105 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Duties.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--The Administrator shall
direct the aviation rulemaking committee to make
findings and submit recommendations regarding each of
the matters specified in subparagraphs (A) through (C)
of paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Considerations.--In carrying out its
duties under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall
direct the aviation rulemaking committee to consider--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) findings and recommendations
of the National Transportation Safety Board
generally as relevant and specifically those
related to parachute operations, including the
June 21, 2019, incident in Mokuleia,
Hawaii;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) recommendations of previous
aviation rulemaking committees that considered
similar issues;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) recommendations from
industry safety organizations, including, but
not limited to, the United States Parachute
Association;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) appropriate use of data for
modifying behavior to prevent
accidents;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) data gathered from aviation
safety reporting programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (vi) the need to accommodate
diversity of operations and mission
sets;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (vii) accommodations necessary for
small businesses; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (viii) other issues as
necessary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Reports and regulations.--The Administrator
shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) not later than 20 months after the
date of enactment of this section, submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report based on
the findings of the aviation rulemaking
committee;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) not later than 12 months after the
date of submission of the report under subparagraph
(A), and after consideration of the recommendations of
the aviation rulemaking committee, issue, as necessary,
an intent to proceed with proposed rulemakings
regarding each of the matters specified in
subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) not later than 3 years after the date
of enactment of this section, issue, as necessary, a
final rule with respect to each of the matters
specified in such subparagraphs of paragraph
(1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Air carrier.--The term ``air carrier'' has the
meaning given that term in section 40102 of title 49, United
States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Commercial air tour.--The term ``commercial
air tour'' means a flight conducted for compensation or hire in
an airplane or helicopter where a purpose of the flight is
sightseeing.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Commercial air tour operator.--The term
``commercial air tour operator'' means any person who conducts
a commercial air tour.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Parachute operation.--The term ``parachute
operation'' has the meaning given that term in section 105.3 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor
regulation).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 316. INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY ASSESSMENT
PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 44701 of title 49, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(g) Aviation Safety Oversight Measures Carried Out by
Foreign Countries.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Assessment.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--At intervals the
Administrator considers necessary in the interests of
safety, the Administrator, in consultation with the
Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of State,
shall assess the effectiveness of the aviation safety
oversight measures carried out by a foreign country--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) from which a foreign air
carrier serves the United States;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) from which a foreign air
carrier seeks to serve the United
States;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) whose air carriers code-
share with a United States air carrier;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) as the Administrator
considers appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Requirements.--In conducting an
assessment under subparagraph (A), the Administrator
shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) consult with the appropriate
authorities of the government of the foreign
country concerned;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) determine the extent to
which such country effectively maintains and
carries out its aviation safety oversight
measures pursuant to the Convention on
International Civil Aviation (in this section
referred to as the `Chicago Convention');
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) use a standard that will
result in an analysis of the aviation safety
oversight measures carried out by such country
based on the minimum standards contained in
Annexes 1, 6, and 8 to the Chicago Convention
in effect on the date of the
assessment.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Non-compliance findings.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) In general.--When the
assessment required by this subsection
identifies areas of non-compliance to the
safety oversight measures in the Chicago
Convention, the Administrator shall conduct
final discussions with the foreign country
within 90 days of the assessment to determine
whether the non-compliance findings have been
corrected and the foreign country is now in
compliance with the applicable international
standards for effective aviation safety
oversight.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) Correction.--If the
Administrator determines that the foreign
country has corrected identified area of non-
compliance by the close of final discussions,
the Federal Aviation Administration will issue
or continue to issue operations specifications
to the foreign operator to enable the United
States air service or to the United States
operator if the foreign operator is to carry
its airline code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) Non-correction.--If the
Administrator determines that the foreign
country has not has corrected identified area
of non-compliance by the close of final
discussions--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) immediate
notification will be made to the
Secretary of Transportation and the
Secretary of State, that a condition
exists that threatens the safety of
passengers, aircraft, or crew traveling
to or from the foreign country;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) notwithstanding
section 40105(b), the Administrator,
after consulting with the appropriate
civil aviation authority of the foreign
country concerned and notification to
the Secretary of Transportation and the
Secretary of State, may withhold,
revoke, or prescribe conditions on the
operating authority of a foreign air
carrier that provides foreign air
transportation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) Authority.--Notwithstanding
subparagraphs (B) and (C), the Administrator retains
the ability to initiate immediate safety oversight
action when justified based on available safety
information.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Notification.--At the conclusion of the
international aviation safety assessment process, the
Administrator, after advising the Secretary of Transportation
and the Secretary of State, shall inform the foreign country of
the determination regarding its compliance to ICAO standards.
The determination shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) for foreign countries determined to
be compliant in ICAO standards, state that no further
action is needed; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) for foreign countries determined to
be non-compliant in ICAO standards, recommend the
actions necessary to bring the aviation safety
oversight measures carried out by that country into
compliance with the international standards contained
in the Chicago Convention, as used by the Federal
Aviation Administration in making the
assessment.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Failure to maintain and carry out
standards.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph
(B), if the Administrator determines that a foreign
country does not maintain and carry out effective
aviation safety oversight measures, the Administrator
shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) notify the appropriate
authorities of the government of the foreign
country consistent with paragraph
(2);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) publish the identity of the
foreign country on the Federal Aviation
Administration website, in the Federal
Register, and through other mediums to provide
notice to the public;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) transmit the identity of
the foreign country to the Secretary of State
to inform the relevant travel advisories;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) provide the identity of the
foreign country and any critical safety
information resulting from the assessment to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Immediate exercise of authority.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) In general .--The
Administrator may immediately exercise
authority under subparagraph (A) if the
Administrator, in consultation with the
Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary
of State, determines that a condition exists
that threatens the safety of passengers,
aircraft, or crew traveling to or from the
foreign country.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) Notification to the
secretary of state.--The Administrator shall
immediately notify the Secretary of State of a
determination under clause (i) so that the
Secretary of State may issue a travel advisory
with respect to the foreign country.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Accuracy of the iasa list.--To meet the need
for the public to have timely and accurate information about
the aviation safety oversight of foreign countries, the
Administrator shall regularly review the activity of foreign
air carriers serving the United States and carrying the code of
a United States air carrier. Countries with no such operations
for an extended period of time, as determined by the
Administrator, will be removed from the public listings for
inactivity, after advisement with the Secretary of
Transportation and the Secretary of State.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Training.--The Federal Aviation
Administration shall use data, tools, and methods in order to
ensure transparency and repeatable results of the assessments
conducted under this subsection. The Federal Aviation
Administration shall ensure that Federal Aviation
Administration personnel are properly and adequately trained to
carry out the assessments set forth in this subsection,
including with respect to ICAO standards and their
implementation by foreign countries.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) Report to congress.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this subsection, and annually
thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report on the assessments conducted under
this subsection, including the results of any corrective action
period.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 317. CHANGED PRODUCT RULE REFORM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall issue a notice of
proposed rulemaking to revise section 21.101 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations, to achieve the following objectives:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) For any significant design change, as
determined by the Administrator, to require that any exception
from the requirement to comply with the latest amendments of
the applicable airworthiness standards in effect on the date of
application for the change be approved only after providing
public notice and opportunity to comment on such
exception.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) To ensure appropriate documentation of any
exception or exemption from airworthiness requirements codified
in title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the
date of application for the change.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Congressional Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall provide
to the appropriate committees of Congress a briefing on the FAA's
implementation of the recommendations of the Changed Product Rule
International Authorities Working Group, established under Section 117
of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (49
U.S.C. 44704 note), including recommendations on harmonized changes and
reforms regarding the impractical exception.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 318. DEVELOPMENT OF LOW-COST VOLUNTARY ADS-B.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 24 months after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator, working with
representatives from industry groups, including pilots, aircraft
owners, avionics manufacturers, and any others deemed necessary to
offer technical expertise, shall develop a report regarding the
development of a suitable position reporting system for voluntary use
in airspace not mandated for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast
Out equipment and use (in this section referred to as ``ADS-B Out'') by
section 91.225 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to facilitate
traffic awareness.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Requirements.--The report developed under subsection
(a) shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) research and catalog equipment, standards, and
systems (including international) relating to ADS-B Out
available as of the date on which the report is submitted under
subsection (c);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) address strengths and weaknesses of the such
equipment, standards and systems, including with respect to
costs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) outline potential regulatory and procedural
changes that may need to be undertaken by the FAA and other
government entities, as well as equipment, standards, and
systems that may need to be developed and required, to enable
the development and voluntary use of equipment (existing or
new) that enables the use of portable, and installed, low cost
position reporting in airspace not mandated for ADS-B
Out;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) determine market size, development costs, and
barriers that may need to be overcome for the development of
technology that enables the use of portable, and installed, low
cost position reporting in airspace not mandated for ADS-B Out;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) include a communication strategy that is
targeted towards potential users and promotes the benefits of
the position reporting solutions to enhance traffic awareness
for voluntary use in airspace not mandated for ADS-B Out, when
such technology is available for commercial use.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 30 day after the
date on which the report developed under subsection (a) is finalized,
the Administrator shall submit the report to the appropriate committees
of Congress.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 319. PUBLIC AIRCRAFT FLIGHT TIME LOGGING
ELIGIBILITY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Forestry and Fire Protection Flight Time Logging.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, aircraft under the direct operational control
of forestry and fire protection agencies are eligible to log
pilot flight times, if the flight time was acquired by the
pilot while engaged on an official forestry or fire protection
flight, in the same manner as aircraft under the direct
operational control of a Federal, State, county, or municipal
law enforcement agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Retroactive application.--Paragraph (1) shall
be applied as if enacted on October 8, 2018.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall make such
regulatory changes as are necessary as a result of the enactment of
subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 320. SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Finding.--Congress finds that on January 11, 2023, the
FAA released a notice of proposed rulemaking to update and expand the
requirements for safety management systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) As the FAA reviews comments to the notice of proposed
rulemaking described in subsection (a) and drafts the final rule, the
Administrator shall ensure that safety management systems program
requirements can be appropriately scaled to the size and complexity of
each operator.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 321. AVIATION SAFETY INFORMATION ANALYSIS AND SHARING
PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this section, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress, a report on the FAA's progress with respect to
the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) program
that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) describes the phased approach the FAA is
following to construct the ASIAS system;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) describes the efforts of the FAA to secure
increased safety data from--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) commercial air carriers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) general aviation operators;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) helicopter operators;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) unmanned aircraft system operators;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) other aircraft operators;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) provides a summary of the efforts of the FAA
to address gaps in safety data provided from any of the classes
of operators described in paragraph (2).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 322. CONSISTENT AND TIMELY PILOT CHECKS FOR AIR
CARRIERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Establishment of Working Group.--Not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of this section, subject to subsection
(b)(2), the Administrator shall establish a working group for purposes
of reviewing, evaluating, and making recommendations on check pilot
functions for air carriers operating under part 135 of title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Membership.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The working group required by
this section shall include--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) employees of the FAA who serve as
check pilots (as described in section 91.1089 of title
14, Code of Federal Regulations);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) representatives of air carriers
operating under such part 135; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) industry associations representing
such air carriers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Existing working group.--The Administrator may
assign the duties of the working group described in subsection
(c) to an existing FAA working group if--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the membership of the existing working
group includes the members required under paragraph
(1); or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the members required under paragraph
(1) are added to the membership of the existing working
group.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Duties.--The working group shall review, evaluate, and
make recommendations on the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Methods for approving check pilots for air
carriers operating under such part 135.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Actions required to ensure such air carriers
are authorized an adequate number of check pilots to enable
timely occurrence of pilot checks.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Differences in qualification standards applied
to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) employees of the FAA who serve as
check pilots; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) check pilots of an authorized air
carrier.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Methods to standardize the qualification
standards for check pilots, including check pilots who are
employees of the FAA and or of an authorized air
carrier.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Methods to improve the training and
qualification of check pilots.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Prior recommendations made by FAA advisory
committees or working groups regarding check pilot
functions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Petitions for rulemaking submitted to the FAA
regarding check pilot functions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Briefing to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after
than the date on which the Administrator establishes the working group
under subsection (a) (or tasks an existing FAA working group under
subsection (b)(2) with the duties described in subsection (c)), the
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the
progress and recommendations of the working group, as well as the
Administrator's efforts to implement such recommendations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 323. ENHANCING PROCESSES FOR AUTHORIZING AIRCRAFT FOR
SERVICE IN COMMUTER AND ON DEMAND OPERATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Establishment of Working Group.--Not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator
shall establish a Part 135 Aircraft Conformity Working Group (in this
section referred to as the ``Working Group''). The Working Group shall
study methods and make recommendations to clarify requirements and
standardize the process for conducting and completing aircraft
conformity processes for existing part 135 air carriers and operators
in a timely manner and entering those aircraft into service.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Membership.--The Working Group shall be comprised of
representatives of the FAA, existing part 135 air carriers and
operators, and associations or trade groups representing such class of
air carriers or operators.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Duties.--The Working Group shall consider all aspects
of the current FAA processes for ensuring aircraft conformity and make
recommendations to enhance those processes, including with respect to--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) methodologies for air carriers and operators
to document and attest to aircraft conformity in accordance
with the requirements of part 135;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) streamlined protocols for part 135 operators
to add an aircraft that was listed on another part 135
certificate immediately prior to moving to the new air carrier;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) changes to FAA policy and documentation
necessary to implement the recommendations of the Working
Group.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Congressional Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after
the date on which the Administrator establishes the Working Group, the
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the
progress made by the Working Group in carrying out the duties specified
in subsection (c), recommendations of the Working Group, and the
Administrator's efforts to implement such recommendations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Definition of Part 135.--In this section the term
``part 135'' means part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 324. TOWER MARKING COMPLIANCE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall provide a briefing
to the appropriate committees of Congress on implementation of the
requirements of section 2110 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security
Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 44718 note) (as amended by section 576 of the
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-254, 132 Stat.
3391)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Requirements.--The briefing required by subsection (a)
shall include the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) A description of, and timeframe for, the
Administrator's development of requirements to file notice of
construction of meteorological evaluation towers and other
renewable energy projects under the notice of proposed
rulemaking RIN 2120-AK77.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) A description of the FAA's use of existing
publicly accessible databases to collect and make available
information about certain structures that are required to, or
voluntarily, file notice with the FAA.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) For the period beginning on July 15, 2016, and
ending on the date the briefing required by subsection (a) is
provided, a list of aircraft accidents during such period that
are associated with covered towers (as such term is defined in
section 2110(b)(1)(A) of the FAA Extension, Safety, and
Security Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 44718 note) that are not marked
in accordance with applicable guidance in the advisory circular
of the FAA issued December 4, 2015 (AC 70/7460-IL).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 325. ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL
PENALTIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 46301(d) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (4), by striking subparagraph (A)
and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) the amount in controversy is more
than--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) $400,000 if the violation
was committed by any person other than an
individual or small business concern before the
date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization
Act of 2023;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) $50,000 if the violation
was committed by an individual or small
business concern before the date of enactment
of the FAA Reauthorization Act of
2023;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) $10,000,000 if the
violation was committed by a person other than
an individual or small business concern on or
after the date of enactment of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2023;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) $250,000 if the violation
was committed by an individual on or after the
date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization
Act of 2023; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) $2,500,000 if the violation
was committed by a small business concern on or
after the date of enactment of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2023;'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by striking paragraph (8) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(8) The maximum civil penalty the Administrator
of the Transportation Security Administration, Administrator of
the Federal Aviation Administration, or Board may impose under
this subsection is--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) $400,000 if the violation was
committed by a person other than an individual or small
business concern before the date of enactment of the
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) $50,000 if the violation was
committed by an individual or small business concern
before the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization
Act of 2023;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) $10,000,000 if the violation was
committed by a person other than an individual or small
business concern on or after the date of enactment of
the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) $250,000 if the violation was
committed by an individual on or after the date of
enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) $2,500,000 if the violation was
committed by a small business concern on or after the
date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of
2023.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(10) The maximum amounts authorized in clauses
(iii) through (v) of paragraph (4)(A) and in subparagraphs (C)
through (E) of paragraph (8) of this subsection shall be
adjusted for inflation no less frequently than every 5
years.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 326. CIVIL PENALTIES FOR WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION PROGRAM
VIOLATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 46301(d)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by inserting ``subchapter III of chapter 421,'' before
``chapter 441''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 327. FLIGHT SERVICE STATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Repeal.--Section 44514 of title 49, United States
Code, and the item relating to that section in the analysis for chapter
445 of such title 49 are repealed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 106(g)(1)(D) of title
49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``44514,''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 328. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 40104(b) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) State-to-state agreements.--The
Administrator shall promote efficient delivery of bilateral and
multilateral engagement and technical assistance by waiving the
requirement for State-to-State agreements for the provision of
technical assistance and training if the Administrator
determines that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) a foreign government would benefit
from technical assistance pursuant to this subsection
to strengthen aviation safety, efficiency, and
security; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the engagement is to provide
inherently governmental technical assistance and
training.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Definition.--In this subsection, the term
`inherently governmental technical assistance and training'
means technical assistance and training that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) relies upon or incorporates Federal
Aviation Administration-specific program, system,
policy, or procedural matters;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) must be accomplished using agency
expertise and authority; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) relates to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) international aviation
safety assessment technical reviews and
technical assistance;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) aerodrome safety and
certification;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) aviation system
certification activities based on Federal
Aviation Administration regulations and
requirements;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) cybersecurity efforts to
protect United States aviation ecosystem
components and facilities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) operation and maintenance of
air navigation system equipment, procedures,
and personnel; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vi) related training and
exercises in support of aviation safety,
efficiency, and security.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 329. RESTORATION OF AUTHORITY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Chapter 401 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by inserting after section 40118 the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 40119. Security and research and development
activities</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) General Requirements.--The Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration shall conduct research (including
behavioral research) and development activities appropriate to develop,
modify, test, and evaluate a system, procedure, facility, or device to
protect passengers and property against acts of criminal violence,
aircraft piracy, and terrorism and to ensure security.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Disclosure.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Regulations prohibiting disclosure.--
Notwithstanding the establishment of a Department of Homeland
Security, the Secretary of Transportation, in accordance with
section 552(b)(3)(B) of title 5, United States Code, shall
prescribe regulations prohibiting disclosure of information
obtained or developed in ensuring security under this title if
the Secretary of Transportation decides disclosing the
information would--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) be an unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) reveal a trade secret or privileged
or confidential commercial or financial information;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) be detrimental to transportation
safety.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Disclosure to congress.--Paragraph (1) of
this subsection does not authorize information to be withheld
from a committee of Congress authorized to have the
information.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Sensitive security information.--Nothing in
paragraph (1) 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)--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) to conceal a violation of law,
inefficiency, or administrative error;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) to prevent embarrassment to a
person, organization, or agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) to restrain competition;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) to 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Law enforcement disclosure.--Section 552a of
title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to disclosures
that the Administrator may make from the systems of records of
the Federal Aviation 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Transfers of Duties and Powers Prohibited.--Except
as otherwise provided by law, a duty or power under this section may
not be transferred to another department, agency, or instrumentality of
the United States Government.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall be effective as of October 5, 2018, and all authority restored to
the Secretary and the FAA under this section shall be treated as if it
had never been repealed by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public
Law 115-254; 132 Stat. 3186).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Conforming Amendments.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Chapter 401 analysis.--The analysis for
chapter 401 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 40118 the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``40119. Security and research and development activities.''.
<DELETED> (2) Other disclosure requirements.--Section 44912
of title 49, United States Code, is amended in subsection (d)
by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating paragraph (3) as
paragraph (2).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 330. TARMAC OPERATIONS MONITORING STUDY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--The Director of the Bureau of
Transportation Statistics (referred to in this section as the
``Director''), in consultation with other offices within the Office of
the Secretary of Transportation and the FAA, shall conduct a study to
explore the capture, storage, analysis, and feasibility of monitoring
ground source data at airports in the United States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Objectives.--The objectives of the study conducted
under subsection (a) shall include:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Determining the current state of ground source
data coverage at airports in the United States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Understanding the technology requirements for
monitoring ground movements at airports through sensors,
receivers, or other technologies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Conducting data collection through a pilot
program and developing ground-based tarmac delay
statistics.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Performing an evaluation and feasibility
analysis of potential system-level tarmac operations monitoring
solutions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Pilot Program.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Director shall establish
a pilot program for the purposes of collecting data and
developing ground-based tarmac delay statistics or other
relevant statistics with respect to airports in the United
States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Requirements.--The pilot program established
under paragraph (1) shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) include up to 6 airports that the
Director determines reflect a diversity of factors
including, geography, size, and air traffic;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) terminate not more than 3 years after
the date of enactment of this section; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) be subject to any guidelines issued by
the Director.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Director shall publish the results of
the study conducted under subsection (a) and the pilot program
established under subsection (c) on a publicly available
website.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 331. GAO REPORT ON CYBERSECURITY OF COMMERCIAL AVIATION
AVIONICS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--The Comptroller General shall conduct a
review on the consideration, identification, and inclusion of aircraft
cybersecurity into the strategic framework for aviation security as
part of the FAA's cybersecurity strategy.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Contents of the Review.--The review required by
subsection (a) shall assess--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) how onboard aircraft cybersecurity risks and
vulnerabilities are defined and accounted for in the strategy
aviation security framework, particularly in pillar 2 of that
framework to ``protect and defend FAA networks and systems to
mitigate risks to FAA missions and service
delivery'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) how onboard aircraft cybersecurity,
particularly of the aircraft avionics, is considered,
incorporated, and prioritized in the cybersecurity strategy
pursuant to section 509 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018
(49 U.S.C. 44903 note);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) how roles and responsibilities for aircraft
and ground systems cybersecurity are differentiated and
enforced between the Transportation Security Agency and the
FAA;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) how aircraft and ground systems cybersecurity
vulnerabilities are being identified and prioritized for
mitigation, particularly considering the commercial technology
ecosystem; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) the budgets of the parties responsible for
implementing the strategy framework for aviation security, as
identified in subsection (a), to satisfy those mitigation
requirements necessary to secure the aviation ecosystem from
onboard cybersecurity vulnerabilities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Report Required.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall submit
a report containing the results of the review required by this section
to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the appropriate committees of
Congress;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the Committee on Homeland Security of the
House of Representatives; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) the Committee on Homeland Security and
Government Affairs of the Senate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 332. SECURING AIRCRAFT AVIONICS SYSTEMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 506(a) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (42
U.S.C. 44704 note) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``consider, where appropriate, revising'' and
inserting ``revise, where appropriate, existing'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) to require that software-based systems and
equipment, including aircraft flight critical systems, be
verified to ensure the software-based systems and equipment
have not been compromised by unauthorized external and internal
access.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 333. MAINTENANCE DATA AVAILABILITY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--The Administrator shall assign to the
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee the task of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) performing a comprehensive review of previous
and current FAA regulations and related internal and external
guidance material related to instructions for continue
airworthiness (in this section referred to as ``ICA'');
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) developing and submitting to the Administrator
recommendations for guidance or regulatory changes to--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) clarify the obligations of design
approval holders to develop and make ICA
available;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) create methods to identify and provide
access to ICA; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) create mechanisms to accept
complaints, resolve disputes, and enforce
obligations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after
receiving the recommendations under subsection (a), the Administrator
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that
describes such recommendations and the Administrator's plan, if any, to
implement such recommendations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 334. STUDY ON AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS
COMPLIANCE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Study.--The Administrator shall conduct a study on the
safety consequences of a transport airplane design approved by a
domestic or foreign aviation manufacturer failing to comply with the
applicable airworthiness standards. The study shall identify--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) each final airworthiness directive applicable
to transport airplanes that was issued by the FAA in the 2-year
period prior to the date of enactment of this section to
address unsafe conditions resulting from the approval of
designs that were non-compliant with an applicable
airworthiness standard; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) for each such airworthiness directive--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the airworthiness standard with which
the affected products failed to comply, as well as the
resulting unsafe condition and whether such condition
resulted in an accident;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the methods by which the noncompliance
was discovered and brought to the attention of the
FAA;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) an analysis of whether the method used
by the applicant to show compliance was acceptable and
whether other compliance methods would have identified
the noncompliance during the type certification
process;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) the date of approval of the relevant
type design and the date of issuance of the
airworthiness directive;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) any corrective action mandated to
address the identified unsafe condition;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) the period of time specified for the
incorporation of the corrective action, during which
the affected products were allowed to operate before
the unsafe condition was corrected; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) the total cost of compliance estimated
in the final rule adopting the airworthiness
directive.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Coordination.--In conducting the study under
subsection (a), the Administrator shall coordinate with, and solicit
comments from, union representatives of the aviation safety engineers
involved in the development of airworthiness directives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the results of the study conducted under
subsection (a);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) a description of any root cause of unsafe
conditions identified by such study, as well as an
identification of any action required to address any such root
cause;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) the union representative comments solicited
under subsection (b); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) any other recommendations for legislative or
administrative action determined appropriate by the
Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Definition of Transport Airplane.--For purposes of
this section, the term ``transport airplane'' has the meaning given
such term in FAA Notice N 8900.649, titled ``Use of Air Carrier Pilots
During Flight Standardization Board Evaluations for Transport
Airplanes'' (issued December 23, 2022).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 335. FIRE PROTECTION STANDARDS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Internal Regulatory Review Team.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Establishment.--Not later than 60 days after
the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
establish an internal regulatory review team (in this section
referred to as the ``Team'').</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Review.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days
after the date on which the Team is established, the
Team shall conduct a review of foreign airworthiness
standards and guidance for firewalls to determine best
practices that should be adopted by the FAA and submit
to the Administrator a report on the findings of such
review.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Requirements.--In conducting the
review, the team shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) identify any significant
differences in standards or guidance with
respect to test article selection, fire test
boundaries, and evaluation criteria for such
tests, including the use of certification by
analysis where substantially similar designs
have passed burn tests;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) assess the safety
implications for any products imported into the
United States that do not comply with the FAA's
firewall requirements; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) consult with industry
stakeholders to the maximum extent
practicable.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Duties of the Administrator.--The Administrator
shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) not later than 60 days after the date on which
the Team reports the findings of the review to the
Administrator, update the FAA's Significant Standards List
based on such findings; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) not later than 90 days after such date, submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on such
findings, together with recommendations for such legislative or
administrative action as the Administrator determines
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 336. CABIN AIR SAFETY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Deadline for Submissions to Congress.--Not later than
60 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator
shall complete the requirements of section 326 of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) and submit to the
appropriate Congressional committees the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) The study by the Airliner Cabin Environmental
Research Center of Excellence on bleed air required by
subsection (c) of such section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) The report on the feasibility, efficacy, and
cost-effectiveness of certification and installation of systems
to evaluate bleed air quality required by subsection (d) of
such section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after such date of
enactment, the Administrator may issue a notice of proposed rulemaking
to establish requirements for scheduled passenger air carrier
operations under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations,
with respect to incidents onboard aircraft involving oil and hydraulic
fluid fume events. The rulemaking shall include, as necessary, the
study and report required under subsection (a) and may include the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Training for flight attendants, pilots,
aircraft maintenance technicians, airport first responders, and
emergency responders on how to respond to incidents on aircraft
involving smoke or fume events.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) A standardized FAA form and system for
reporting incidents involving smoke or fume events onboard
aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) The development of investigative procedures
for the FAA to follow after receipt of a report of an incident
involving an oil and hydraulic fluid event onboard aircraft in
which at least 1 passenger or crew member required medical
attention as a result of the incident.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Installation onboard aircraft of detectors and
other air quality monitoring equipment situated in the air
supply system to enable pilots and maintenance technicians to
locate the sources of air supply contamination, including
carbon monoxide.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 337. AIRPORT AIR SAFETY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The Administrator shall evaluate whether there are impacts
to travelers due to poor air quality and bleed air inside Washington
Dulles International Airport.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 338. AIRCRAFT INTERCHANGE AGREEMENT
LIMITATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall revise section part
121.569 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to include each of
the provisions described in subsection (b).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Provisions Described.--The provisions described in
this subsection are the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) A 30-day limit on foreign aircraft interchange
agreements.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) A minimum break between foreign aircraft
interchange renewals of 90 days.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) A limit of no more than 1 foreign aircraft
interchange agreement between 2 airlines.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) A limit of no more than 2 foreign aircraft on
the interchange agreement.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 339. WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--To ensure that sufficient firefighting
resources are available to suppress wildfires and protect public safety
and property, and notwithstanding any other provision of law or agency
regulation, not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of
this section, the Administrator shall promulgate an interim final rule
under which--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) an operation described in section 21.25(b)(7)
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, shall allow for the
transport of firefighters to and from the site of a wildfire to
perform ground wildfire suppression and designate the
firefighters conducting such an operation as essential
crewmembers on board a covered aircraft operated on a mission
to suppress wildfire;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the aircraft maintenance, inspections, and
pilot training requirements under part 135 of such title 14 may
apply to such an operation, if determined by the Administrator
to be necessary to maintain the safety of firefighters carrying
out wildfire suppression missions; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) the noise standards described in part 36 of
such title 14 shall not apply to such an operation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Surplus Military Aircraft.--In promulgating any rule
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall not enable any aircraft
of a type that has been manufactured in accordance with the
requirements of and accepted for use by, any branch of the United
States Military and has been later modified to be used for wildfire
suppression operations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Conforming Amendments to FAA Documents.--In
promulgating an interim final rule under subsection (a), the
Administrator shall amend FAA Order 8110.56, Restricted Category Type
Certification (dated February 27, 2006), as well as any corresponding
policy or guidance material, to reflect the requirements of subsection
(a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to limit the Administrator's authority to take action
otherwise authorized by law to protect aviation safety or passenger
safety.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Covered aircraft.--The term ``covered
aircraft'' means an aircraft type-certificated in the
restricted category under section 21.25 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations, used for transporting firefighters to and
from the site of a wildfire in order to perform ground wildfire
suppression for the purpose of extinguishing a wildfire on
behalf of, or pursuant to a contract with, a Federal, State, or
local government agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Firefighters.--The term ``firefighters'' means
a trained fire suppression professional the transport of whom
is necessary to accomplish a wildfire suppression
operation.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 340. STUDY ON IMPACTS OF TEMPERATURE IN AIRCRAFT
CABINS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Study.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
enter into appropriate arrangements with the National Academies
of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (in this subsection
referred to as the ``National Academies'') under which the
National Academies will conduct a 1-year study on the health
and safety impacts, with respect to passengers and crewmembers
during each season in which the study is conducted, of the
temperature of a covered aircraft cabin falling outside of a
temperature between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit during all
phases of flight operation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Consultation.--In conducting the study
required by paragraph (1), the National Academies shall consult
with the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, air carriers
operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, and applicable aviation labor
organizations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Flight definition.--For purposes of paragraph
(1), the term ``flight operation'' means the period beginning
on the moment an individual boards the covered aircraft with
the intention of work and duty related to the flight until such
time as all such individuals have disembarked from the covered
aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Reports.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) To the administrator.--Not later than 180 days
after the date on which the study under subsection (a) is
completed, the National Academies shall submit to the
Administrator a report on the results of such study, together
with recommendations determined appropriate by the National
Academies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) To congress.--Not later than 60 days after the
date on which the National Academies submits the report under
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the
results of the study required by subsection (a), together with
recommendations for further action deemed appropriate by the
Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Definition of Covered Aircraft.--For purposes of this
section, the term ``covered aircraft'' means an aircraft operated under
part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 341. PART 135 PILOT SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN
REQUIREMENT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
section, the Administrator shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking
concerning whether to revise the requirements under paragraphs (3) and
(4) of section 135.89(b) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to
only apply to aircraft operating at altitudes above flight level 410.
In the notice of proposed rulemaking, the Administrator shall consider
applicable safety data and risks, including in relation to applicable
incidents and accidents, as well as the investigations and
recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 342. CREWMEMBER PUMPING GUIDANCE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall issue guidance to
Part 121 air carriers relating to the expression of milk by crewmembers
on an aircraft during non-critical 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--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) consider multiple methods of expressing breast
milk that could be used by crewmembers, including the use of
wearable lactation technology; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) ensure that complying with the advisory
circular will not require an air carrier or foreign air carrier
to incur significant expense, such as through the addition of
an extra crewmember in response to providing a break, removal
or retrofitting of seats on the aircraft, or modification or
retrofitting of an aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Crewmember.--The term ``crewmember'' has the
meaning given such term in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Part 121.--The term ``Part 121'' means part
121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Aviation Safety.--Nothing in this section shall limit
the Administrator's authority for aviation safety under subtitle VII of
title 49, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 343. REAUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE
AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION, SAFETY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
ACT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Oversight of Organization Designation Authorization
Unit Members.--Section 44741 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (f)(2), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2023'' and
inserting ``September 30, 2028''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (j), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Integrated Project Teams.--Section 108(f) of division
V of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (49 U.S.C. 44704 note)
is amended by striking ``fiscal year 2023'' and inserting ``fiscal year
2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Appeals of Certification Decisions.--Section
44704(g)(1)(C)(ii) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``calendar year 2025'' and inserting ``calendar year
2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Professional Development, Skills Enhancement,
Continuing Education and Training.--Section 44519(c) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Voluntary Safety Reporting Program.--Section 113(f) of
division V of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (49 U.S.C.
44701 note) is amended by striking ``fiscal year 2023'' and inserting
``fiscal year 2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Changed Product Rule.--Section 117(b)(1) of division V
of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (49 U.S.C. 44704 note) is
amended by striking ``fiscal year 2023'' and inserting ``fiscal year
2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (g) Domestic and International Pilot Training.--Section
119(f)(3) of division V of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 is
amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (h) Oversight of FAA Compliance Program.--Section 122 of
division V of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 is amended--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (c)(4), by striking ``October 1,
2023'' and inserting ``October 1, 2028''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (d), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) National Air Grant Fellowship Program.--Section 131(d)
of division V of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (49 U.S.C.
40101 note) is amended by striking ``2025'' and inserting
``2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>TITLE IV--MODERNIZING THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 401. NEXTGEN ACCOUNTABILITY TASK FORCE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish a
task force, to be known as the ``NextGen Accountability Task Force''
(referred to in this section as the ``Task Force'') to provide
recommendations on the most effective operational metrics that can be
used to assess the performance of the FAA in delivering and
implementing quantifiable operational benefits to the national airspace
system within the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)
project.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Membership.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Task Force shall be composed
of, at a minimum, representatives from--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the FAA;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) trade associations representing
avionics manufacturers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) trade associations representing air
carriers</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) trade associations representing
business or general aviation operators;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) labor organizations representing air
traffic controllers; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) any other interested parties that the
Administrator determines may provide expertise and
assist the Task Force to fulfill its
obligations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Appointment.--The Administrator shall appoint
each member of the Task Force.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Task Force shall
be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was
made.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Duties.--The Task Force shall --</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) leverage current metrics used by the FAA to
quantify the benefits of NextGen technology and
investments;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) validate current and establish additional
metrics for the FAA to track national airspace system
throughput and savings due to NextGen investments by
calculating a weighted average by distance, on a per flight
basis--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) reduction and cumulative savings of
track miles and time savings;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) reduction and cumulative savings of
emissions and fuel burn;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) reduction of aircraft operation time;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) any other metrics that the
Administrator determines may provide quantifiable
benefits for operators in the national airspace system;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) validate current and establish metrics for the
FAA to track and assess fleet equipage across operators in the
national airspace system including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) percentage of aircraft equipped with
NextGen avionics equipment as recommended in the
Minimum Capabilities List (MCL) Ad Hoc Team, NextGen
Advisory Committee (NAC) Task 19-1 Report completed in
November 2020;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) quantified costs and benefits for an
operator to properly equip with baseline NextGen
avionics equipment over the aircraft's lifecycle;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) cumulative unrealized NextGen benefits
associated with rates of mixed equipage across
operators.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Task Force shall submit to the
Administrator a report with its findings and recommendations and
metrics developed pursuant to subsections (a) and (c).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Public Display.--Not later than 180 days after
receiving the report required under subsection (d), the Administrator
shall establish a website of the FAA that can be used to present,
track, and update through 2030--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the metrics recommended and established by the
Task Force on a quarterly and annual basis depending on the
metric; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the total amount invested in NextGen
technologies and resulting quantifiable benefits on a quarterly
basis until the Administrator declares the completion of
NextGen implementation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Chapter 10 of title
5, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Federal Advisory
Committee Act''), shall not apply to the Task Force.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (g) Sunset.--The Task Force shall terminate on the date on
which the Administrator receives the report required under subsection
(d).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 402. USE OF ADVANCED SURVEILLANCE IN OCEANIC
AIRSPACE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall develop a plan to--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) coordinate with counterparts at air service
navigation providers in airspace that is adjacent to United
States airspace or international airspace delegated to the
United States to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) adopt reduced separation standards in
oceanic airspace;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) implement procedures that will permit
user preferred routes to increase fuel efficiency and
reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) exercise leadership in setting global
standards by harmonizing the safety and efficiency of
air traffic operations in airspace neighboring any
airspace delegated to the United States; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) utilize Automatic Dependent Surveillance-
Broadcast (ADS-B) relay service within United States airspace
or international airspace delegated to the United States for--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) positive air traffic control,
including separation of aircraft by implementing the
ICAO Advanced Surveillance-Enhanced Procedural
Separation standard;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) air traffic flow management;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) search and rescue;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) accident investigation; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) data analytics.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date on
which the Administrator completes development of the plan required by
subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) details the actions the Administrator shall
take to implement the plan, including specifying the required
technical system upgrades, operational procedure modifications,
new training requirements, and a transition plan;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) details a schedule with milestones for
implementation of the use of advanced surveillance systems or
services and coordination of such use with international air
service navigation providers; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) describes any anticipated safety enhancements,
fuel and operating cost savings, and reduction in carbon
emissions of aircraft operating through airspace in which such
advanced surveillance systems or services are used.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 403. GPS MONITORING PILOT PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Establishment.--The Administrator shall conduct a
pilot program to evaluate technologies to detect, measure, and locate
disrupting sources of interference to the GPS Standard Positioning
Service in order to mitigate the impacts on air commerce and other
related government and civilian functions within the air traffic
management ecosystem.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Evaluation of Technologies.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Types of technologies.--The pilot program
shall evaluate commercially available technologies, as well as
technologies under development by the FAA, the Department of
Transportation, the Department of Defense, the Department of
Homeland Security, and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Scope.--The pilot program shall consider
technologies that have both physical electronics equipment and
software components, as well as technologies with only software
components.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Number of Evaluation Sites.--The pilot program shall
evaluate technologies for the purposes described in subsection (a) at
not less than 5, and not more than 7, airports unless the Administrator
determines that additional evaluation sites are needed to carry out the
pilot program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Location of Evaluation Sites.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The pilot program shall be
conducted at each of the following types of airports:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) A primary airport in Class B
airspace.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) A primary airport in Class C
airspace.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) A primary airport in Class D
airspace.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) An airport in Class E
airspace.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) A Joint-Use Airport.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Documented interference.--In determining
whether an airport should be an evaluation site for the pilot
program, the Administrator shall consider airports described in
paragraph (1) that have experienced documented instances of
interference to the GPS Standard Positioning Service during the
5-year period ending with the date of enactment of this
section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Private Sector Participation.--The Administrator shall
collaborate with the private sector, including providers of technology
that can cost-effectively implement a capability to potentially
mitigate the impacts of GPS Standard Positioning Service interference
on air commerce.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Congressional Briefings.--Beginning 12 months after
the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter until
the date on which the report required by subsection (g) is submitted,
the Administrator shall provide the appropriate committees of Congress
with a briefing summarizing the status of, and findings from, the pilot
program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (g) Report.--Not later than 180 days after date on which
pilot program is terminated, the Administrator shall provide a report
to the appropriate committees of Congress on the results of the pilot
program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (h) GPS Standard Positioning Service Defined.--In this
section, the term ``GPS Standard Positioning Service'' has the meaning
given such term in section 2281(d)(2) of title 10, United States
Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 404. RUNWAY SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Study.--The Administrator shall conduct a study of
runway safety incidents and accidents at airports in the United States
and identify technologies that may prevent or reduce the risk of such
incidents and accidents.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Report.--Not later than 9 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the results of
the study conducted under subsection (a) that includes the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Recommendations for preventative measures,
including process changes and identification of available
technologies, to mitigate the risks of runway safety incidents
and accidents at or near airports in the United
States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Recommendations for additional airports in the
United States, based on a risk-based analysis, that would be
viable candidates for installation of runway safety
technologies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) The FAA's timeline and action plan for
replacing, maintaining, or enhancing the operational capability
provided by the Airport Surface Detection System - Model X
(ASDE-X) and the Airport Surface Surveillance Capability (ASSC)
legacy surveillance systems, and implementing runway safety
technologies at airports currently without surface surveillance
systems, as needed to improve runway safety.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) An explanation of the decision-making process
used by the FAA to determine whether to introduce runway safety
technologies, like ASDE-X, ASSC, or other appropriate surface
surveillance systems, at additional airports.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Briefings.--Following the submission of the report
under subsection (b) and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall
brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the progress of the
action plan under subsection (b)(3), including on the--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) status of implementing new surface
surveillance systems at additional airports; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) justification for delaying or not implementing
additional surface surveillance systems at airports identified
by the Administrator under subsection (b)(2).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 405. FLIGHT PROFILE OPTIMIZATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Pilot Program.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
establish a pilot program to award grants to air traffic flow
management technology providers to develop prototype
capabilities to incorporate flight profile optimization (in
this section referred to as ``FPO'') into the FAA's trajectory
based-operations air traffic flow management system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Considerations.--In establishing the pilot
program under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consider
the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) The extent to which developed FPO
capabilities may reduce strain on the national airspace
system infrastructure while facilitating safe and
efficient flow of future air traffic volumes and
diverse range of aircraft and advanced aviation
aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) The extent to which developed FPO
capabilities may achieve environmental benefits and
time savings.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) The perspectives of FAA employees
responsible for air traffic flow management development
projects, bilateral civil aviation regulatory partners,
and industry applicants on the FAA's performance in
carrying out air traffic flow management system
development projects.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Any other information the
Administrator deems appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Application.--To be eligible to receive a
grant under the program, an air traffic flow management
technology provider shall submit an application to the
Administrator at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Administrator may require.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Maximum amount.--A grant awarded under the
program shall not exceed $2,000,000 to a single air traffic
flow management technology provider.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Briefing to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after
the establishment of the pilot program under subsection (a), and
annually thereafter until the termination of the pilot program, the
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the
progress of the pilot program under this section, including any
implementation challenges of the program, detailed metrics of the
program, and any suggested action to achieve the adoption of
FPO.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Definition of Trajectory-based Operations.--The term
``trajectory-based operations'' means an air traffic flow management
method for strategically planning, managing, and optimizing flights
that uses time-based management, performance-based navigation, and
other capabilities and processes to achieve air traffic flow management
operational objectives and improvements.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 406. STARS REMOTE SURVEILLANCE DISPLAYS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Certification.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
define minimum performance and technical requirements in order
to provide a mechanism to certify a commercial radar display
capable of displaying primary and secondary radar targets for
use by controllers in FAA Contract Tower program
towers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) STARS.--With respect to a Standard Terminal
Automation Replacement System or any equivalent system procured
directly from an original equipment manufacturer (in this
section referred to as an ``OEM''), the Administrator shall
move expeditiously to certify such systems for Federal contract
towers and identify such systems by issuing an advisory
circular regarding the certification of such systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Minimum equipment list.--The FAA may add
Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System equipment to
the minimum level of equipage necessary for Federal contract
towers to perform their function, as applicable.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Installation and Maintenance.--Not later than December
31, 2025, the Administrator shall allow airports to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) procure, install, and maintain a Standard
Terminal Automation Replacement System or any equivalent system
through the FAA; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) purchase a Standard Terminal Automation
Replacement System or any equivalent system and installation
and maintenance services directly from an OEM.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 407. AUDIT OF LEGACY SYSTEMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall initiate an audit of
all legacy systems to determine their level of operational risk,
functionality, security, and compatibility with current and future
technology.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Scope of Audit.--The audit required by subsection
(a)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) shall be conducted by an independent third-
party contractor or a Federally funded research and development
center (FFRDC) selected by the Administrator;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) shall include an assessment of whether a
legacy system is outdated, insufficient, unsafe, or unstable,
as defined in subsection (f); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) with respect to any legacy systems identified
in the audit as outdated, insufficient, unsafe, or unstable,
shall include--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) an analysis of the operational risks
associated with using such legacy systems;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) recommendations for replacement or
enhancement of such legacy systems; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) an analysis of any potential impact on
aviation safety and efficiency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Deadline.--Not later than December 31, 2025, the audit
required by subsection (a) shall be completed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the audit
required by subsection (a) is completed, the Administrator shall
provide a report to the appropriate committees of Congress on the
audit's findings and recommendations, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) an inventory of the legacy systems in
use;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) an assessment of the operational condition of
the legacy systems in use; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) the average age of in-service legacy systems
and, for each legacy system in use, the intended design life of
the system, by type.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Collaboration With Industry on Plan to Accelerate
Drawdown, Replacement, or Enhancement of Legacy Systems.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the
date on which the Administrator provides the report required by
subsection (d), the Administrator shall initiate a plan, in
coordination with industry, to accelerate drawdown,
replacement, or enhancement of any legacy systems that are
identified in the audit required by subsection (a) as outdated,
insufficient, unsafe, or unstable.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Priorities.--The Administrator shall
prioritize the drawdown, replacement, or enhancement of such
legacy systems based on the operational risks such legacy
systems pose to air safety and the costs associated with the
replacement or enhancement of such legacy systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Collaboration.--The Administrator shall work
with industry to develop a plan to replace or enhance the
identified legacy systems within a reasonable time
frame.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Progress updates.--The Administrator shall
provide the appropriate committees of Congress with semi-annual
updates on the progress made in replacing or enhancing the
identified legacy systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Industry.--The term ``industry'' means the
aviation industry, limited to organizations with expertise in
aviation-dedicated network systems, systems engineering
platforms, aviation software services, air traffic management,
flight operations, and International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) standards.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Legacy systems.--The term ``legacy systems''
means any communication, navigation, surveillance, or
automation or network applications or ground-based aviation
infrastructure owned by the FAA that were deployed prior to the
year 2000, including the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM)
system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Outdated, insufficient, unsafe, or unstable.--
The term ``outdated, insufficient, unsafe, or unstable'' means
a legacy system for which the likelihood of failure creates a
risk to air safety or security due to the legacy system's age,
ability to be cost-effectively maintained, or any other factors
that may compromise the performance or security of the legacy
system. Such term includes a legacy system with a risk of a
single point of failure or that lacks of sufficient back-up
capability in the event of a failure.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 408. AERONAUTICAL MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS
SERVICES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Satellite Voice Communications Services.--The
Administrator shall evaluate the addition of satellite voice
communication services (referred to in this section as ``SatVoice'') to
the Aeronautical Mobile Communications program (in this section
referred to as the ``AMCS program'') that provides for the delivery of
air traffic control messages in oceanic and remote continental
airspace.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Analysis and Implementation Procedures.--Not later
than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Administrator shall begin to develop the safety case analysis and
stated implementation procedures for SatVoice instructions over the
FAA's controlled oceanic and remote continental airspace
regions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Requirements.--The analysis and implementation
procedures required under subsection (b) shall include, at a minimum,
the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Network and protocol testing and integration
with satellite service providers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Operational testing with aircraft to identify
and resolve performance issues.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Collaboration with the International Civil
Aviation Organization in defining Satcom Standards and
Recommended Practices (SARPs), which shall include an RCP-130
performance standard as well as SatVoice standards.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Training of radio operators on new operation
procedures and protocols.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) A phased implementation plan for incorporating
SatVoice services into the AMCS program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) The estimated cost of the implementation
procedures for relevant stakeholders.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) HF/VHF Minimum Equipage.--The addition of SatVoice
capability as an added means of communication in oceanic and remote
continental airspace shall in no way affect the current HF/VHF equipage
requirement for communications in such airspace. The Administrator
shall maintain existing HF/VHF services as minimum equipage under the
AMCS program to provide for auxiliary communication and maintain safety
in the event of a satellite outage.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 409. LOW ALTITUDE ROUTES FOR VERTICAL FLIGHT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the national airspace system requires additional rotorcraft, including
advanced air mobility aircraft, low-altitude instrument flight rules
routes leveraging advances in performance based navigation to operate
on direct, safe, and reliable routes that ensure sufficient separation
from higher altitude fixed wing aircraft traffic.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Low-altitude Rotorcraft Instrument Flight Routes.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
initiate a rulemaking process to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) incorporate instrument flight rules
rotorcraft operations into the low-altitude performance
based navigation procedure infrastructure;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) prioritize the development of new
helicopter area navigation (RNAV) instrument flight
rules routes, acting through notice and comment
rulemaking, as part of the United States air traffic
service route (ATS) structure that utilize performance
based navigation, such as Global Positioning System
(GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
equipment.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Consultation.--In carrying out the rulemaking
process under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consult
with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) stakeholders in the airport, heliport,
rotorcraft manufacturer, rotorcraft operator, general
aviation operator, commercial air carrier, and
performance based navigation technology manufacturer
sectors;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the United States Helicopter Safety
Team; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) other stakeholders determined
appropriate by the Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 410. ADS-B OUT EQUIPAGE STUDY; VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE LINK
PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Study and Briefing on ADS-B Out Equipage.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Study.--Not later than 90 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall initiate
a study to determine--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the number of aircraft registered in
the United States and other devices operating in the
airspace of the United States that are not equipped
with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)
out equipment;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the requirements for and impact of
expanding the dual-link architecture that is used below
an altitude of FL180 to any altitude below the current
radar floor;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) the costs and benefits of equipage;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) the cost and benefits of any
accommodation made for aircraft with inoperable ADS-B
out equipment.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Annual briefings.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter
through 2025, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate
committees of Congress on the results of the study conducted
under paragraph (1), including any updates thereof.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Vehicle-to-Vehicle Link Program.--Not later than 270
days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in
coordination with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration and the Chair of the Federal Communications
Commission, shall establish an interagency coordination program to
advance Vehicle-to-Vehicle link programs that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) enable the real-time digital exchange of key
information between nearby aircraft; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) are not reliant on ground infrastructure or
air-to-ground communication links.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 411. EXTENSION OF ENHANCED AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES PILOT
PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 547 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49
U.S.C. 40103 note) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Definitions.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Certain nextgen avionics.--The term `certain
NextGen avionics' means those avionics and baseline
capabilities as recommended in the Minimum Capabilities List
(MCL) Ad Hoc Team, NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC) Task 19-1
Report completed in November 2020.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Preferential basis.--The term `preferential
basis' means prioritizing aircraft equipped with certain
NextGen avionics by providing them more efficient service,
shorter queuing, or priority clearances to the maximum extent
possible without reducing overall capacity or safety of the
national airspace system.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (e), by striking ``September 30,
2023'' and inserting ``September 30, 2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 412. NEXTGEN EQUIPAGE PLAN.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Plan.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Administrator shall develop a
2-year implementation plan to further incentivize the
acceleration of the equipage rates of certain NextGen avionics
in the active commercial and regional fleet of the national
airspace system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Contents.--The plan required under
paragraph(1) shall, at a minimum, evaluate and consider
recommendations to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) provide for further implementation and
deployment of NextGen operational improvements to
incentivize universal equipage across the active fleet
for commercial and regional aircraft;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) identify any remaining barriers for
operators to properly equip with certain NextGen
avionics, including any methods to address such
barriers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) provide for the use of the best
methods to highlight and enhance the benefits
realizable by operators equipping with certain NextGen
avionics; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) contain any equipage guidelines and
regulations the Administrator deems necessary and
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Consultation.--In developing the plan under
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consult with
representatives from--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) trade associations representing air
carriers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) trade associations representing
avionics manufacturers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) labor organizations representing air
traffic controllers; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) any other representatives the
Administrator determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Submission of Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall consider the
recommendations under subsection (a) and submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress the plan required under subsection
(a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Rulemaking.--Not later than 180 days after the date on
which the plan required under subsection (a) is submitted to the
appropriate committees of Congress under subsection (b), the
Administrator shall, if Administrator determined appropriate, initiate
a rulemaking proceeding to address one or more of the recommendations
contained in the plan.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Definition.--In this section the term ``certain
NextGen avionics'' means those avionics and baseline capabilities as
recommended in the Minimum Capabilities List (MCL) Ad Hoc Team, NextGen
Advisory Committee (NAC) Task 19-1 Report completed in November
2020.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 413. PERFORMANCE BASED NAVIGATION REPORT AND UTILIZATION
PLAN.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Report on Performance Based Navigation.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
publish on the website of the FAA a progress report on the
utilization, implementation, and operational benefits of
performance based navigation (in this section referred to as
``PBN'') procedures of the FAA within the national airspace
system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Contents.--The report shall include, at a
minimum, a detailed implementation plan with respect to the
recommendations made by--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the PBN Clarification Ad Hoc Team,
NextGen Advisory Committee (in this section referred to
as the ``NAC'') Task 19-4 Report completed in November
2020;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the Final Report of the Major Air
Carrier Performance Based Navigation (PBN) Way Forward
Workgroup for the FAA's PBN Clarification Tasking to
the NAC dated June 2020;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) the NAC Subcommittee Update on
Opportunities dated June 2020;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) the Barriers to Established on
Required Navigation Performance Procedures dated
November 2019; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018,
Section 547 Enhanced Air Traffic Services, NAC Task 20-
3 Report dated March 2021.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Utilization Action Plan.--180 days after the
completion of the report under subsection (a), the Administrator shall,
in consultation with representatives of air traffic controllers,
develop an action plan to utilize PBN as a primary means of navigation
to further reduce the dependency on legacy systems within the national
airspace system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after the development
of the action plan under subsection (b), and annually thereafter, the
Administrator shall submit to appropriate committees of Congress a
report on the implementation of the action plan, including the
utilization rate of PBN as a primary means of navigation.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 414. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITY REALIGNMENT
STUDY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall partner with a third
party to conduct an Air Traffic Control Facility Realignment report to
examine consolidating or otherwise reorganizing air traffic control
work facilities and locations and airspace structure
management.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Contents.--The report required by subsection (a) shall
do the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Evaluate the potential efficiencies that may
result from a reorganization.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Identify whether certain areas prone to
congestion or staff shortages would benefit from enhanced
flexibilities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Recommend opportunities for integration of
separate facilities to create a more collaborative and
efficient traffic control environment.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Report and Briefing.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) To the administrator.--Not later than
September 30, 2025, the third party described in subsection (a)
shall submit to the Administrator a report on the
recommendations described in subsection (b)(3), and a copy of
such report shall be transmitted to the labor organization
representing air traffic controllers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) To congress.--Not later than 60 days after
receiving the recommendations described in subsection (b)(3),
the Administrator shall brief the relevant Congressional
committees on such recommendations, as well as the
Administrator's plan, if any, to implement such
recommendations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>TITLE V--AVIATION WORKFORCE</DELETED>
<DELETED>Subtitle A--Civil Aviation Workforce</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 501. AVIATION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 625 of the FAA Reauthorization
Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and''
at the end;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) a program to provide grants for eligible
projects to support the education and recruitment of aviation
manufacturing technical workers and the development of the
aviation manufacturing workforce.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2023''
each place it appears and inserting ``2028'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as
paragraph (3);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the
following new paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Additional funding.--In addition to amounts
available for grants pursuant to paragraph (1), there is
authorized to be appropriated--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2024 through 2028 to provide grants under the program
established under subsection (a)(1);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2024 through 2028 to provide grants under the program
established under subsection (a)(2); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2024 through 2028 to provide grants under the program
established under subsection (a)(3).''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B), by inserting ``(or, in the case of
fiscal years 2024 through 2028, $1,000,000)'' after
``$500,000'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in subsection (c)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ``,
a postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in
section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1002),'' after ``(20 U.S.C. 1001))'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting ``,
a postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in
section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1002),'' after ``(20 U.S.C. 1001))'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) An application for a grant under the program
established under subsection (a)(3) shall be submitted, in such
form as the Secretary may specify, by--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) 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;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) an accredited 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 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1002), or a high school or secondary school (as
defined in section 7801 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) a State or local governmental
entity.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Eligible Projects.--For purposes of a program
established under subsection (a), an eligible project is a project--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) to create and deliver a program designed to
provide students with meaningful aviation education that is
designed to prepare the students to become aircraft pilots,
aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systems operators,
aviation maintenance technical workers, or aviation
manufacturing technical workers (as applicable to the relevant
program described in subsection (a));</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) to support the professional development of
teachers and other educators implementing a program described
in paragraph (1);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) to establish new educational programs that
teach technical skills used by aircraft pilots, aerospace
engineers, unmanned aircraft systems operators, aviation
maintenance technical workers, or aviation manufacturing
technical workers (as applicable to the relevant program
described in subsection (a)), including purchasing equipment,
or to improve existing such programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) to establish scholarships or registered
apprenticeships for individuals pursuing employment as aircraft
pilots, aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systems
operators, aviation maintenance technical workers, or aviation
manufacturing technical workers (as applicable to the relevant
program described in subsection (a));</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) to support outreach about careers as
aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systems
operators, aviation maintenance technical workers, or aviation
manufacturing technical workers (as applicable to the relevant
program described in subsection (a)) to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) primary, secondary, and post-
secondary school students; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) communities underrepresented in the
applicable industry;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) to support educational opportunities in both
urban and rural areas;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(7) to support transition to careers as aircraft
pilots, aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systems
operators, aviation maintenance technical workers, or aviation
manufacturing technical workers (as applicable to the relevant
program described in subsection (a)), including for veterans
and members of the Armed Forces; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(8) to otherwise enhance or expand the aircraft
pilot, aerospace engineer, unmanned aircraft system operator
workforces, aviation maintenance technical worker, or aviation
manufacturing technical worker workforces.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) in subsection (e)</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) by inserting ``aviation
manufacturers,'' after ``repair stations,''
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by striking ``and'' at the
end;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) give priority to applicants who partner
with, or establish links between, secondary schools and post-
secondary schools and who work collaboratively or participate
in industry or sector partnerships.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Consultation With the Secretary of Education.--The
Secretary may consult with the Secretary of Education in--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) developing the design of the grant
application under this section;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) reviewing and selecting applications for
grants for eligible projects under this section; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) establishing considerations regarding
program quality and measurement of student
outcomes.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (4) of section 48105
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) National Strategic Plan for Aviation Workforce
Development.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall, to
the extent practicable and in consultation with other Federal
agencies and private individuals, establish a national
strategic plan for addressing projected shortages of aviation
workers in the aviation industry, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) any short-term, medium-term, and long-
term needs critical to the economy, national security,
workforce readiness, environmental concerns, and
priorities of the United States aviation sector, such
as emergency readiness and resilience; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) any situation or condition that
warrants special attention by the Federal
Government.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Requirements.--The national strategic plan
established under paragraph (1) shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) take into account the activities and
accomplishments of all agencies in the executive branch
of the Federal Government that are related to carrying
out such national strategic plan; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) include recommendations for
legislation, regulations, and budget proposals to carry
out such national strategic plan.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 502. WOMEN IN AVIATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Establishment.--There is established within the
Department of Transportation the Women in Aviation Advisory Committee
(in this section referred to as the ``Committee'').</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Membership.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Composition.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph
(C), the Committee shall be composed of up to 16
members appointed by the Secretary, including
representatives from the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Passenger and cargo air
carriers operating under part 121 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Aircraft manufacturers and
aerospace companies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) Nonprofit organizations
within the aviation industry, including at
least 1 State aviation agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) Airport operators and
employees.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) Aviation business
associations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (vi) Engineering business
associations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (vii) United States Air Force
Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (viii) Institutions of higher
education and aviation trade schools.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ix) The Department of
Labor.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (x) The Department of
Education.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (xi) Nonprofit labor organizations
representing aviation workers, including
organizations representing aviation maintenance
workers and pilots for cargo and passenger air
carriers operating under part 121 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (xii) The FAA.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Date.--The appointments described in
subparagraph (A) shall be made not later than 9 months
after the date of enactment of this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Ex officio members.--The Secretary
shall appoint 1 member from the Office of Civil Rights
of the FAA to serve in an ex officio
capacity.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Subcommittees.--The Committee may establish
subcommittees as the Committee determines
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Chair; subcommittee chairs.--The Committee--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) shall select a Chair from among the
members of the Committee; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) may select subcommittee chairs from
among the members of the Committee, as the Committee
determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Term of service.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Each member of the
Committee shall serve until the termination date
described in subsection (e).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Successors.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Death or resignation.--If a
member of the Committee dies or resigns during
their term of service, the Secretary shall
designate a successor for the unexpired term of
such member.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Expired term.--Any member of
the Committee whose term of office has expired
shall continue to serve as a member until their
successor is appointed by the
Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Administrative support.--The Secretary shall
furnish the Committee logistical and administrative support to
enable the Committee to perform its duties.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Compensation.--Each member of the Committee
shall serve without compensation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Duties.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Advisory role.--The Committee--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) shall advise the Secretary and the
Administrator on matters related to promoting women in
the aviation industry, including education, training,
recruitment, retention, and career
advancement;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) shall review and update the
recommendations directed to FAA and non-FAA entities
produced by the Advisory Board created under section
612 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C.
40101 note) and recommend how to engage with those
entities to improve the implementation of such
recommendations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) shall coordinate with the Department
of Transportation Office of Civil Rights and the FAA's
Federal Women's Program to not duplicate the objectives
of such program; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) shall not duplicate the objectives of
the Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking
Committee.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Reports.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Annual report.--Not later than October
31 of the first calendar year beginning after the date
on which the Committee is established under subsection
(a), and annually thereafter, the Committee shall
submit to Congress, the Secretary, and the
Administrator a report that contains a detailed
statement of the Committee's recommendations under
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1), together
with the recommendations of the Committee for such
legislation and administrative actions as the Committee
considers appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Additional reports.--The Committee may
submit to Congress, the Secretary, and the
Administrator additional reports and recommendations
related to education, training, recruiting, retaining,
and advancing women in the aviation industry as the
Committee determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Review of Recommendations.--Not later than 60 days
after the date on which the Secretary receives a report from the
Committee under subsection (c)(2), the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report that indicates--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) which recommendations of the Committee that
the Secretary has determined the Department of Transportation
is able to address and provide an update regarding the
implementation of such recommendations on an annual basis;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) which such recommendations the Secretary is
not able to implement (including any recommendations for
legislation) and a rationale for that determination.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Sunset.--The Committee shall terminate on September
30, 2028.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 503. STUDY OF HIGH SCHOOL AVIATION MAINTENANCE TRAINING
PROGRAMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Study.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General
shall initiate a study to assess the aviation maintenance
technician workforce pipeline in the United States, as well as
any barriers for students enrolled in high school aviation
maintenance programs with respect to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) entering airframe and powerplant
mechanic programs; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) accessing pathways to mechanic
certification.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Contents.--The study required under paragraph
(1) shall assess the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) The number of high school aviation
maintenance programs in the United States and the
typical career outcomes for graduates of such
programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) The extent to which high school
aviation maintenance programs offer curricula that
align with FAA mechanic airman certification
standards.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) The opportunities afforded to students
enrolled in alternative or high school maintenance
programs partnered with aviation maintenance technician
schools (as described in section 147.15 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Alternate paths to a certificated
aviation maintenance technician school for the
fulfillment of the experience requirements described in
section 65.75(c) of such title 14.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) Any barriers to entry associated
with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) developing and attaining the
knowledge and experience requirements described
in section 65.75 and section 147.31 of such
title 14; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) access to the mechanic
certification process.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) The level of engagement between the
FAA and high school aviation maintenance programs with
respect to developing curricula that assist with
building foundational knowledge and skills necessary to
attain FAA mechanic certifications and associated
ratings.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) Any barriers to accessing the general
knowledge test described in section 65.71(a)(3) of such
title 14.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (H) Whether allowing mechanic certificate
applicants to take the general knowledge test prior to
such applicants meeting the relevant experience
requirements would present a safety risk.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) Whether regulatory changes could
reduce any barriers described in this
paragraph.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall provide to the
Administrator and the appropriate committees of Congress a report and
briefing on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a),
together with recommendations for such legislative and administrative
action as the Comptroller General deems appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 504. MILITARY AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS
RULE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Streamlined Certification for Eligible Military
Maintenance Technicians.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall issue a final rule
that revises part 65 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) create a military mechanic written competency
test; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) develop, as necessary, a relevant Airman
Certification Standard to qualify eligible military maintenance
technicians for a mechanic certificate with airframe or
powerplant ratings; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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 (in this section referred to as
a ``DME'') for eligible military maintenance
technicians.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Aeronautical Knowledge Subject Areas.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The military mechanic written
competency test and Airman Certification Standard described in
subsection (a) shall focus on the aeronautical knowledge
subject areas contained in the Aviation Mechanic General,
Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards, as
appropriate to the rating sought.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Identification of subject areas.--The
aeronautical knowledge subject areas shall be identified and
recommended to the Administrator, in consultation with industry
stakeholders, through the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory
Committee Airman Certification System Working Group.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Expansion of Testing Locations.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of
Homeland Security, 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Outreach and Awareness.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in
coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall develop a plan
to increase outreach and awareness regarding--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the services made available by the JSAMTCC;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the military mechanic written competency test
established under subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on
which the Administrator issues the final rule under subsection (a), the
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the
activities carried out under this section, together with
recommendations for such legislative or administrative action as the
Administrator determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Eligible Military Maintenance Technician Defined.--For
purposes of this section, the term ``eligible military maintenance
technician'' means an individual who is a current or former maintenance
technician who was honorably discharged or has retired from the United
States Armed Forces (as defined in section 101 of title 10, United
States Code) and meets the following requirements:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) The individual presents an official United
States Armed Forces record confirming that the individual is or
was a military aviation maintenance technician, holding an
appropriate Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code, as
determined by the Administrator, in coordination with the
Secretary of Defense.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) The individual presents documentary evidence
of experience in accordance with the requirements under section
65.77 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 505. PROHIBITION OF REMOTE DISPATCHING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Amendments to Prohibition.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Section 44711(a) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (9), by striking ``or''
after the semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by redesignating paragraph (10) as
paragraph (11); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by inserting after paragraph (9) the
following new paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(10) work as an aircraft dispatcher outside of a
physical location designated as a dispatching center or flight
following center of an air carrier; or''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Regulations.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
promulgate regulations requiring persons and air carriers to
comply with paragraph (10) of section 44711(a) of title 49,
United States Code (as added by paragraph (1)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by
subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 1 year
after the date of enactment of this section, without regard to
whether the regulations required by paragraph (2) have been
promulgated as of that date.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Aircraft Dispatching.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Chapter 447 of title 49, United
States Code, as amended by section 304(a), is amended by adding
at the end the following new section:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44746. Aircraft dispatching</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--Each air carrier shall establish and
maintain sufficient dispatch centers and flight following centers to
maintain operational control of each flight of the air carrier at all
times.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Requirements.--An air carrier shall ensure that each
dispatch center and flight following center of the air carrier--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) has a sufficient number of aircraft
dispatchers on duty at the dispatch center or flight following
center to ensure proper operational control of each flight of
the air carrier at all times;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) has the necessary equipment, in good repair,
to maintain proper operational control of each flight of the
air carrier at all times; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) includes the presence of physical security
and cybersecurity protections to prevent unauthorized access to
the dispatch center or flight following center or to the
operations of either such center.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Prohibition.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), an
air carrier may not dispatch aircraft from any location other
than the dispatch center or flight following center of the air
carrier.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Emergency authority.--In the event of an
emergency, an air carrier may dispatch aircraft from a location
other than the dispatch center or flight following center of
the air carrier for a brief period of time, but not to exceed a
period of 24 consecutive hours per location.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter
447 of such title, as amended by section 304(b), is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 44744 the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``44746. Aircraft dispatching.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 506. EMPLOYEE ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PLAN
STANDARDS AND BEST PRACTICES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress
that:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Each air carrier operating under part 121 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, shall submit to the
Administrator an Employee Assault Prevention and Response Plan
pursuant to section 551 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018
(49 U.S.C. 44903 note).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Each such air carrier should have in place and
deploy an Employee Assault Prevention and Response Plan to
facilitate appropriate protocols, standards, and training to
equip employees with best practices and the experience
necessary to respond effectively to hostile situations and
disruptive behavior and maintain a safe traveling
experience.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Required Briefing.--Section 551 of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44903 note) is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Briefing to Congress.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration shall provide to the appropriate
committees of Congress a briefing on the Employee Assault Prevention
and Response Plan submitted by each air carrier pursuant to this
section.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 507. CREWMEMBER SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 44918(a) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and unruly
passenger behavior'' before the period at the end;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking subparagraph (A) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Recognize suspicious behavior and
activities and determine the seriousness of any
occurrence.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``,
including training to defend against the use of edged
or contact weapons'' before the period at the
end;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by striking subparagraph (H) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(H) De-escalation training based on
recommendations issued by the Air Carrier Training
Aviation Rulemaking Committee.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) by redesignating subparagraphs (I) and
(J) as subparagraphs (J) and (K), respectively;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) by inserting after subparagraph (H)
the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) Methods to subdue and restrain an
active attacker.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Minimum standards.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of
2023, the Administrator of the Transportation Security
Administration, in consultation with the Federal Air Marshal
Service and the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, shall
establish minimum standards for--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) the training provided under this
subsection and for recurrent training; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the individuals or entities
providing such training.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in paragraph (6)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in the first sentence--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) by inserting ``and the Federal
Air Marshal Service'' after ``consultation with
the Administrator'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by striking ``and
periodically shall'' and inserting ``and shall
periodically''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) by inserting ``based on
changes in the potential or actual threat
conditions'' before the period at the end;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in the second sentence, by inserting
``, including self-defense training expertise and
experience'' before the period at the end;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 508. IMPROVING APRON SAFETY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Study and Report on Engine Ingestion Zone and Jet
Blast Zone Accidents.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Study.--The Administrator shall conduct a
study on ways to minimize or eliminate engine ingestion zone
and jet blast zone accidents, including through--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) improving markings on the apron to
clearly define and graphically indicate the engine
ingestion zones and envelope of safety for the variety
of aircraft that may park at the same gate of the
airport;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) incorporating markings on aircraft to
indicate the engine inlet danger zone, using hazard
warning stripes, decals, or other measures;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) limiting ground service personnel
access to an aircraft until the engines of the aircraft
are no longer running, the beacon on top of the
aircraft has been turned off, the individual blades of
the engine fan can be observed, and there is a
notification from the flight deck crew confirming the
engines are off (including the time for cool down,
particularly for engines with low ground
clearance);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) improving aircraft engine design to
prevent or minimize engine ingestion, such as the use
of stationary inlet guide vanes or engine
guarding;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) improving the use of or requirements
for Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) or electrical systems
maintenance or incorporating changes to other systems
or apron operation procedures to eliminate or minimize
the length of time an aircraft engine runs (or be
permitted to run) while the aircraft is at the gate or
stopped on the ground; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) improving communication devices and
requirements for operable radios and
headsets.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the study
conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations
for such legislative or administrative action as determined
appropriate by the Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Improved Training.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator may, as
appropriate, develop and publish training and related
educational materials about aircraft engine ingestion and jet
blast hazards for ground crews (including supervisory
employees) that includes information on--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the specific dangers and consequences
of entering engine ingestion or jet blast
zones;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) proper protocols to avoid entering an
engine ingestion or jet blast zone; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) on-the-job, instructor-led training to
physically demonstrate the engine ingestion zone
boundaries and jet blast zones for each kind of
aircraft the ground crew may encounter.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Training regulations.--Not later than 180 days
after the publication of the training and related educational
materials described in paragraph (1), the Administrator may
promulgate regulations to require any new, transferred, or
current (as of the date of enactment of this section) employee
of the FAA to receive the relevant engine ingestion and jet
blast zone hazard training before such employee may perform
work on the apron.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 509. AVIATION MEDICAL INNOVATION AND MODERNIZATION
WORKING GROUP.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish the
Aviation Medical Innovation and Modernization Working Group (in this
section referred to as the ``Working Group'') and appoint members of
the Working Group in accordance with subsection (b).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Membership.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Number.--The members of the Working Group
shall not exceed 20 individuals.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Composition.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Federal air surgeon.--The Federal Air
Surgeon shall be a member of the Working Group and
shall be the Chair of the Working Group.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Senior aviation medical examiners.--In
addition to the Federal Air Surgeon, at least 8 members
of the Working Group shall be individuals who are
Senior Aviation Medical Examiners.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Other members.--In addition to the
Federal Air Surgeon and the members appointed under
subparagraph (B), the remaining members shall be
licensed medical physicians with substantial expertise
in--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) aerospace medicine;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) psychological
medicine;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) neurological
medicine;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) cardiovascular medicine;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) internal medicine.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Preference in appointments.--The
Administrator shall give preference to appointing
members of the Working Group who are Aviation Medical
Examiners or licensed medical physicians who have
demonstrated research and expertise in aviation medical
issues.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) Use of subgroups.--The Working Group
Administrator may use subgroups to develop the
recommendations under subsection (c).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Recommendations.--The Working Group shall develop a
report that includes recommendations with respect to the following
areas:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Evaluation of the conditions an Aviation
Medical Examiner can issue (CACI).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Improvements and reforms to the Special
Issuance process, including whether, after initial medical
certification by the FAA, renewals can be based on a medical
evaluation and treatment plan by a pilot's treating medical
specialist with concurrence from the pilot's Aviation Medical
Examiner.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Development of an online medical portal
administered by the FAA that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) adheres to cybersecurity protections
and protocols;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) authorizes Aviation Medical Examiners,
pilots, or their designee, to securely share medical
records;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) provides timely updates for a pilot's
medical application and improves return to flying
timelines;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) provides pilots with the ability to
submit additional information requested from the
FAA;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) includes the method to contact the
reviewing office; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) such other requirements as the Working
Group may recommend.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) The use of technologies to address forms of
red-green color blindness for pilots.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Improvements to Attention-Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder
protocols.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Improvements to neurology protocols,
specifically, stroke, head injury, and known loss of
consciousness.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Improvements to FAA mental health protocols,
including, but not limited to, mental health conditions such as
depression and anxiety, the use of medications for treating
mental health conditions, and neurocognitive testing rules and
applicability.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which
the Working Group is established--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the Working Group shall submit the report
developed in accordance with subsection (c) to the
Administrator, along with recommendations for such legislation
and administrative action as the Working Group determines
appropriate; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the Administrator shall submit such report and
recommendations to the appropriate committees of
Congress.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Actions by the Administrator.--The Administrator may
take such action as the Administrator determines appropriate to
implement the recommendations in the report under submitted under
subsection (d).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Exemption From the Federal Advisory Committee Act.--
Chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the
Working Group.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (g) Sunset.--The Working Group shall terminate on the date
on which the Working Group submits the report required by subsection
(d).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 510. AIRMAN CERTIFICATION STANDARDS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--The Administrator shall use the Aviation
Rulemaking Advisory Committee Airman Certification System Working Group
(in this section referred to as the ``Working Group'') to obtain
industry recommendations on maintaining and updating Airman
Certification Standards.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Duties.--In carrying out its activities, the Working
Group shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) ensure that testing remains correlated and
corresponds to current regulations, procedures, equipment,
aviation infrastructure, and safety trends;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) work with industry to solicit recommendations
on airman certification and testing, including new, and
revisions to existing, Airman Certification Standards guidance
documents and airman tests; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) ensure other tasks carried out by the Working
Group are addressed and completed in a timely and efficient
manner.</DELETED>
<DELETED>Subtitle B--FAA Workforce</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 521. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL STAFFING STANDARDS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) FAA Air Traffic Control Staffing Standards.--The
Administrator shall complete the requirements of subsection (b) and
implement revisions to the FAA Certified Professional Controller (in
this section referred to as ``CPC'') operational staffing targets, in
consultation with appropriate stakeholders including the exclusive
bargaining representative of air traffic control specialists of the FAA
certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code, by
September 30, 2024.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) National Academy of Sciences Study.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Study.--Not later than 30 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall enter
into appropriate arrangements with the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (in this subsection
referred to as the ``National Academies'') under which the
National Academies will conduct a study of the methodology used
by the Collaborative Resource Workgroup (in this subsection
referred to as ``CRWG'') to determine CPC operational staffing
targets needed to meet facility operational, statutory, and
contractual requirements, including resources to develop,
evaluate, and implement processes and initiatives affecting the
national airspace system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Contents.--The study required by paragraph (1)
shall include the following elements:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) A review of similarities and
discrepancies between methodologies used to develop the
CRWG CPC operational staffing targets and the staffing
targets developed by the FAA as reflected by the
staffing standards used in the 2023 Controller
Workforce Plan.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) An examination of the discrepancies
between the CRWG CPC staffing targets and the FAA-
developed CPC staffing standards used in the 2023
Controller Workforce Plan that contribute to a
significant divergence in operational staffing
headcounts (including with respect to CPCs, CPCs-in-
training at new facilities, and trainees), CPC staffing
targets, and staffing needs for air traffic controllers
between fiscal year 2027 and fiscal year 2032 to ensure
the safe and efficient operation of the national
airspace system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) An evaluation of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) air traffic in the airspace of
each air traffic control facility operated by
the FAA;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) air traffic controller
position utilization;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) attrition rates at each air
traffic control facility operated by the FAA;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) the time needed to meet
facility operational, statutory, and
contractual requirements, including resources
to develop, evaluate, and implement processes
and initiatives affecting the national airspace
system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) For each air traffic control facility
operated by the FAA, a description of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the current CPC staffing
levels;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the operational staffing
targets for CPCs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) the anticipated CPC
attrition for each of the next 3 years;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) the number of CPC
trainees.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) An examination of the FAA's current
and estimated budgets and funding needed to implement
the CRWG CPC operational staffing targets and needs in
comparison to such funding needed to implement the
staffing standards developed by the FAA as reflected in
the 2023 Controller Workforce Plan.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) An analysis of the recommendations
included in Transportation Research Board Special
Report 314, titled ``The Federal Aviation
Administration's Approach for Determining Future Air
Traffic Controller Staffing Needs'' that have not yet
been addressed or implemented by the
Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) Recommendations for further action by
the Administrator, as appropriate, to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) address operational staffing
requirements to meet facility operational,
statutory, and contractual requirements;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) provide fulsome air traffic
controller staffing to ensure the safe and
efficient operation of the national airspace
system, including the integration of new users,
technologies, and procedures.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Consultation.--In conducting the study
required by paragraph (1), the National Academies shall consult
with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Federal Government and industry
representatives;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the exclusive bargaining
representative of air traffic control specialists of
the FAA certified under section 7111 of title 5, United
States Code; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) other parties determined appropriate
by the National Academies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Reports.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) To the administrator.--Not later than
180 days after the date of enactment of this section,
the National Academies shall submit to the
Administrator a report on the results of the study
required by paragraph (1), together with
recommendations determined appropriate by the National
Academies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) To congress.--Not later than 180 days
after the date on which the National Academies submits
the report under subparagraph (A), the Administrator
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress
a report describing--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the results of the study
required by paragraph (1);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the report submitted by the
National Academies, including the
recommendations of the National Academies;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) the Administrator's
implementation action required by subsection
(a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Revisions to the Controller Workforce Plan.--Section
44506(e) of title 49, United States Code is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by inserting ``Collaborative Resource
Workgroup (CRWG)'' before ``staffing standards'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking ``the number of air
traffic controllers needed'' and inserting ``the number
of fully certified air traffic controllers
needed'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as
paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by adding after paragraph (1) the following
new paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) for each air traffic control facility
operated by the Federal Aviation Administration--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) the current certified professional
controller staffing levels;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the Collaborative Resource Workgroup
(CRWG) operational staffing targets for certified
professional controllers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) the anticipated certified
professional controller attrition for each of the next
3 years; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) the number of certified professional
controller trainees;''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (c)
shall take effect and apply to any reports submitted pursuant to
section 44506(e) of title 49, United States Code, for each Controller
Workforce Plan submitted after September 30, 2024.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 522. FAA WORKFORCE REVIEW AUDIT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Inspector General of the Department of
Transportation shall initiate an audit of any FAA workforce plans
related to aviation safety completed during the past 5 fiscal
years.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Contents.--In conducting the audit under subsection
(a), the Inspector General shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) identify whether any safety-critical positions
have not been reviewed within the timeframe specified in
subsection (a);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) review FAA workforce gaps in safety-critical
and senior positions, including the average vacancy period of
such positions during the latest fiscal year;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) review whether existing FAA workforce
development programs are producing intended results, such as
increased recruitment and retention of agency personnel;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) evaluate the extent to which the FAA leverages
its direct hire authority to recruit subject matter experts and
other technical personnel to fill key senior and technical
positions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Report and Recommendations.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Inspector general report.--Not later than 1
year after the date of enactment of this section, the Inspector
General shall submit to the Administrator and the appropriate
committees of Congress a report on the results of the audit
conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations
for such legislative and administrative action as the Inspector
General determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Congressional briefing.--Not later than 90
days after receiving the report under paragraph (1), the
Administrator shall provide a briefing to appropriate
committees of Congress on--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the Administrator's response to the
recommendations of the Inspector General contained in
such report; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) any plans of the Administrator for the
implementation of such recommendations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 523. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY UTILIZATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 40122 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(k) Direct Hire Authority.--The Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration shall utilize existing direct hire
authority to expedite the hiring process and hire individuals on a non-
competitive basis for safety critical and safety technical positions
related to aircraft certification and aviation safety more broadly to
maintain the gold standard of aviation safety and, as necessary,
fulfill any gaps identified in workforce reviews at the Federal
Aviation Administration.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Congressional Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter through
2028, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of
Congress on the status of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) utilization of the direct hire authority
described subsection (k) of such section 40122, as added
subsection (a); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the number of employees hired under such
authority, the relevant line of business to which such
employees were hired, and the occupation type of the positions
filled.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 524. STAFFING MODEL FOR AVIATION SAFETY
INSPECTORS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than October 1, 2024, the
Administrator shall review and revise as necessary the staffing model
for aviation safety inspectors.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Requirements.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Consideration of prior studies and reports.--
In revising the model, the Administrator shall take into
consideration the recommendations outlined in the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) The 2006 report released by the
National Research Council entitled ``Staffing Standards
for Aviation Safety Inspectors''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) The 2007 study released by the
National Academy of Sciences entitled ``Staffing
Standards for Aviation Safety Inspectors''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) The 2013 report released by Grant
Thornton LLP, entitled ``ASTARS Gap Analysis Study:
Comparison of the AVS Staffing Model for Aviation
Safety Inspectors to the National Academy of Sciences'
Recommendations Final Report''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) The 2021 report released by the
Inspector General of the Department of Transportation
entitled ``FAA Can Increase Its Inspector Staffing
Model's Effectiveness by Implementing System
Improvements and Maximizing Its
Capabilities''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) The FAA Fiscal Year 2023 Aviation
Safety Workforce Plan conducted to satisfy the
requirements of section 104 of the Aircraft
Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act, as
enacted in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
(49 U.S.C. 44701 note).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Service and office staffing level.--The model
will project staffing at the service and office level and
require managers to use the model as part of the resource
assessment for aviation safety inspector resources.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Attrition.--The aviation safety inspector
staffing model will take into consideration forecasted
attrition.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Consultation.--In revising the model, the
Administrator shall consult with interested persons, including
the exclusive collective bargaining representative for aviation
safety inspectors certified under section 7111 of title 5,
United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 525. SAFETY CRITICAL STAFFING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Implementation of Staffing Standards for Safety
Inspectors.--Upon completion of the revised staffing model for aviation
safety inspectors under section 524, and validation of the model by the
Administrator, the Administrator shall take all appropriate actions in
response to the number of aviation safety inspectors, aviation safety
technicians, and operation support positions that such model determines
are required to meet the responsibilities of the Flight Standards
Service and Aircraft Certification Service, including increasing the
number of safety critical positions in the Flight Standards Service and
Aircraft Certification Service per fiscal year as appropriate, provided
that such staffing increases shall be measured relative to the number
of persons serving in safety critical positions as of September 30,
2023. Any increase in safety critical staffing pursuant to this
subsection shall be subject to the availability of
appropriations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Safety Critical Positions Defined.--In this section,
the term ``safety critical positions'' means--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) aviation safety inspectors, aviation safety
specialists (1801 series), aviation safety technicians, and
operations support positions in the Flight Standards Service;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) manufacturing safety inspectors, pilots,
engineers, Chief Scientist Technical Advisors, aviation safety
specialists (1801 series), safety technical specialists, and
operational support positions in the Aircraft Certification
Service.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 526. INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM INSTALLATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 44502(a)(4) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Installation.--The Administrator
shall expedite the installation of at a minimum 15
instrument landing systems (referred to in this
subparagraph as `ILS') in the national airspace system
by January 1, 2025, by utilizing the existing ILS
contract vehicle and the Federal Aviation
Administration workforce.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Expedited Installation of ILS Equipment.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
initiate action to utilize the existing instrument landing
systems (referred to in this subsection as ``ILS'') contract
vehicle and FAA employees in facilitating the expedited
installation of ILS equipment into the national airspace
system. In carrying out this subsection, the Administrator
shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) incorporate lessons learned from the
installations under section 44502(a)(4) of title 49,
United States Code;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) record metrics of cost and time
savings of expedited installations; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) consider opportunities to further
develop ILS technical expertise among the FAA
workforce.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Considerations.--During the implementation
planning to carry out this subsection and subparagraph (C) of
section 44502(a)(4) of title 49, United States Code, as added
by subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider the cost-
benefit analysis of utilizing the existing ILS contract
vehicle, the FAA workforce, or both, to accelerate the
installation and deployment of procured equipment.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Report to congress.--Not later than June 30,
2025, the Administrator shall report to the appropriate
committees of Congress on the ILS installation results, near-
term ILS installations planned, and shall outline the FAA's
approach to accelerate future procurement and installation of
ILS throughout the national airspace system in a manner
consistent with the requirements of title VIII of division J of
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-
58).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 527. AVIATION CERTIFICATION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Program.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Establishment.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this section, the
Administrator shall establish within the FAA a program
to be known as the ``Aviation Certification
Professional Fellowship Program'' (in this section
referred to as the ``Program'') to facilitate the
assignment of individuals from a private-sector
organization to the FAA to serve on a temporary basis
in positions relating to aircraft
certification.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Appointments.--In appointing
individuals under the Program, the Administrator shall
enter into agreements with private-sector organizations
employing such individuals and selected individuals to
participate in the Program pursuant to terms and
conditions of service determined appropriate by the
Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Actions subject to availability of
funds.--Any action taken by the Administrator under
this section shall be subject to the availability of
appropriations authorized under subsection
(e).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Responsibilities.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Guidelines.--The Administrator shall
establish guidelines related to the activities and
responsibilities of the fellowships under subsection
(b).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Qualifications.--The Administrator
shall prescribe the qualifications required for
designation of certification professional fellowships
under subsection (b).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Authority.--In order to carry out the
provisions of this section, the Administrator may--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) appoint, assign the duties of,
and transfer such personnel as may be
necessary;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) make appointments with
respect to temporary and intermittent
services;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) enter into contracts,
cooperative agreements, and other transactions
without regard to section 6101 of title 41,
United States Code;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) accept funds from other
Federal departments and agencies to pay for,
and add to, activities authorized by this
section; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) promulgate such rules and
regulations as may be necessary and
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Special Rules for Fellowships.--Under the Program, the
Administrator shall do the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Appoint highly qualified, experienced
professionals to advisory positions related to certification
that require specialized, unique, or extensive skills in
occupations within the FAA, and allow such professionals to
occupy specialty or hard-to-fill positions that require
specialized knowledge of aircraft design, manufacturing,
safety, and certification processes.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Allow appointed individuals to be utilized
across the aircraft certification spectrum as
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Open the fellowships to citizens and nationals
of the United States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Limit the term of appointment to up to 1 year
with an option to extend for up to an additional year (with no
appointment exceeded a total of 2 years).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Reserve the right to terminate individuals
participating in the fellowship for any violation of the terms
and conditions of service established by the
Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Make clear that any responsibilities of
individuals participating in the fellowship program constitute
acting in an advisory role for aircraft certification and are
subject to conflict-of-interest conditions and FAA supervision
and control.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Rules for Pay and Benefits for Individuals Employed by
Private-sector Organizations.--An individual employed by a private-
sector organization who is participating in the Program at the FAA
shall continue to receive pay and benefits from such private-sector
organizations and shall not receive pay or benefits from the FAA for
the duration of the individual's participation in the
Program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Conflicts of Interest.--The Administrator shall
implement policies to identify, mitigate, and manage any perceived or
actual conflict of interest as a condition of an individual's
participation in the Program. Such policies shall include the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) A prohibition on an individual participating
in the Program from being assigned to a position that has
decision-making authority or influence over an application or
project submitted to the FAA by the private-sector organization
employing such individual.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) A requirement that an individual participating
in the Program who has access to proprietary or non-public
information at the FAA must sign a non-disclosure agreement
prohibiting the sharing of such information that is of
commercial value with the private-sector organization employing
such individual or with other individuals (whether or not
employed by such private-sector organization) or organizations,
during the period of the individual's participation in the
Program and after the individual's participation in the Program
has concluded.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) A prohibition on an individual participating
in the Program from improperly using pre-decisional or draft
FAA information that such individual may be privy to or aware
of during, or as a result of, the individual's participation in
the Program for the benefit of the private-sector organization
employing such individual,</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Appropriate post-service limitations for
individuals participating in the Program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Other elements determined appropriate by the
Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this
section. Amounts appropriated under the preceding sentence shall remain
available until expended.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall
be construed as a delegation of authority by the Administrator to
individuals participating in the Program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (g) Program Review and Report.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Review.--The Comptroller General of the United
States (in this subsection referred to as the ``Comptroller
General'') shall conduct a comprehensive review of the Program,
including the impact of the Program on the FAA's aircraft
certification processes and the presence of any conflicts of
interest under the Program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date
of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
containing the results of the review conducted under paragraph
(1), together with recommendations for such legislation and
administrative action as the Comptroller General determines
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (h) Sunset.--The Program shall terminate on the date that
is 5 years after the date of enactment of this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Certified Professional Defined.--In this section, the
term ``certification professional'' means an individual with expertise
and background in a line or field that is concerned with, or likely to
improve, the safety certification of aircraft and other airborne
objects and systems, including the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Aerospace engineering.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Aerospace physiology.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Aeronautical engineering.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Airworthiness engineering.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Electrical engineering.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Human factors engineering.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Software engineering.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) Systems engineering.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 528. CONTRACT TOWER PROGRAM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER
TRAINING PROGRAMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 47124 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection
(f);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by inserting after subsection (d), the
following new subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Air Traffic Controller Training Programs.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall
coordinate with air traffic control contractors to create air
traffic controller training programs and shall incorporate the
use of such programs into new contracts or the exercise of
future options entered into under the Contract Tower Program
and the Cost-share Program. Such programs shall allow air
traffic control contractors to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) provide initial training to
candidates who do not have a Control Tower Operator
certificate or Federal Aviation Administration tower
credential; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) provide training to controllers who
have completed an approved Air Traffic Collegiate
Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program from an accredited
school that has a demonstrated successful
curriculum.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Authority.--An air traffic control
contractor shall be permitted to train controllers under
programs established under paragraph (1) notwithstanding
section 65.39(a) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (as
in effect on the date of enactment of this
subsection).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this
subsection shall be construed as a delegation of authority by
the Administrator to air traffic control contractors for the
purposes of conducting initial testing of, and issuing initial
certifications to, air traffic controllers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Program review.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--Not later than 3 years
after the incorporation of training programs operated
by air traffic control contractors under the Contract
Tower Program and the Cost-share Program, the Secretary
shall conduct a review of such training programs and
issue relevant findings. In conducting the review, the
Secretary shall identify the degree to which such
programs improve workforce development at air traffic
control tower facilities staffed through the Contract
Tower Program or the Cost-share Program, air traffic
control towers staffed by the Federal Aviation
Administration, and any related impact such training
may have on air traffic controller staffing more
broadly.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Report.--Not later than 1 year after
the date on which the Secretary initiates the review
required by subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall
submit a report to the appropriate committees of
Congress on the results of the review, along with such
recommendations as the Secretary determines
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Definitions.--In this subsection, the term
`demonstrated successful curriculum' means an AT-CTI program
curriculum with a demonstrated record of graduated students
that have enrolled at the FAA Academy and subsequently
completed Certified Tower Operator certificates at an 80
percent success rate for a consecutive period of 5
years.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) Sunset.--The provisions of this subsection
shall terminate on September 30, 2028.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)), by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Appropriate committees of congress.--The
term `appropriate committees of Congress' means--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 529. REVIEW OF FAA AND INDUSTRY COOPERATIVE
FAMILIARIZATION PROGRAMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Review.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall complete a review of
options for employees of the FAA whose responsibilities directly relate
to certification, to gain or enhance technical expertise, knowledge,
skills, and abilities, including subject matter relating to innovative
and complex aviation technologies, through cooperative training and
visitation with aerospace companies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Conflicts of Interest.--In conducting the review in
subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure that such options for
FAA employees would occur on a short-term basis and avoid both
conflicts of interest and the appearance of such conflicts pursuant to
chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, chapter 11 of title 18,
United States Code, subchapter B of chapter XVI of title 5, Code of
Federal Regulations, sections 2635.101 and 2635.502 of title 5, Code of
Federal Regulations, and any other regulations as deemed appropriate by
the Administrator. The Administrator shall also identify any conflicts
with FAA policies relating to FAA employee interactions with industry
and determine appropriate obligations of such employees upon returning
to the FAA after engaging in relevant cooperative training and
visitation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Considerations.--As part of the review required by
subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider the following,
provided that such actions satisfy conflicts of interest requirements
referred to in subsection (b):</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Expanding existing familiarization
programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Leveraging cooperative training programs to
support credentialing and recurrent training activities for FAA
employees.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Evaluating the options described in subsection
(a) based on the level of experience of participating FAA
employees and intended benefits related to such
participation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Report.--Not later than 90 days after completing the
review required by subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit a
report to the appropriate committees of Congress on the results of the
review and relevant recommendations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 530. IMPROVED ACCESS TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SIMULATION
TRAINING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Access.--The Administrator shall make tower simulator
systems (in this section referred to as ``TSS'') more accessible to all
air traffic controller specialists assigned to an air traffic control
tower of the FAA (in this section referred to as an ``ATCT''),
regardless of facility assignment, by carrying out the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Cloud-based visual database and software
system.--Not later than 30 months after the date of enactment
of this section, the Administrator shall develop and implement
a cloud-based visual database and software system that is
compatible with existing and future TSS that includes, at a
minimum--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) every ATCT's unique runway layout,
approach paths, and lines of sight; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) specifications that meet all
applicable data security requirements.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Upgrading tss.--Not later than 2 years after
the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
upgrade existing, permanent TSS so that the TSS is capable of,
at a minimum--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) securely and quickly downloading data
from the cloud-based visual database and software
system implemented under paragraph (1);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) running scenarios for each ATCT
involving differing levels of air traffic volume;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) running scenarios for each ATCT
involving varying complexities of air traffic
(including, but not limited to, aircraft emergencies,
rapidly changing weather, issuance of safety alerts,
and recovering from unforeseen events or losses of
separation).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Mobile tss.--Not later than 4 years after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
acquire and implement mobile TSS at each ATCT that is without
an existing, permanent TSS so that the mobile TSS is capable
of, at a minimum, the functions described in subparagraphs (A),
(B), and (C) of paragraph (2).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Collaboration.--In carrying out the activities under
subsection (a), the Administrator may collaborate with the exclusive
bargaining representative of air traffic controllers certified under
section 7111 of title 5, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 531. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER INSTRUCTOR
PIPELINE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--No later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall initiate a study
examining the pipeline of air traffic controller instructors and the
projected number of instructors needed to maintain the safety of the
national airspace system over the 5-fiscal year period beginning with
fiscal year 2024.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Contents.--The study required by subsection (a) shall
include the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) An examination of projected instructor
staffing targets, including the number of on-the-job
instructors needed for the instruction and training of
Certified Professional Controllers in Training (CPC-
Its).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Whether involving further retired Certified
Professional Controllers (CPCs) as instructors, including for
classroom training, would produce improvements in air traffic
controller instruction and training.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Recommendations on how and where to utilize
retired certified professional controllers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) The effect on the ability of active Certified
Professional Controllers (CPCs) to carry out on-the-job duties,
other than instruction, and any related efficiencies if more
retired Certified Professional Controllers (CPCs) were
instructors.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) The known vulnerabilities, as categorized by
FAA Air Traffic Organization regions, where requiring Certified
Professional Controllers (CPCs) to provide instruction and
training to Certified Professional Controllers in Training
(CPC-Its) is a significant burden on FAA air traffic controller
staffing levels.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Deadline.--Not later than 2 years after the date on
which the Administrator initiates the study required by subsection (a),
the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on
the results on the study and any actions that may be taken based on
such results.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 532. ENSURING HIRING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALISTS
IS BASED ON ASSESSMENT OF JOB-RELEVANT
APTITUDES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Review of the Air Traffic Skills Assessment.--Not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the
Administrator shall review and revise, if necessary, the Air Traffic
Skills Assessment (in this section referred to as the ``AT-SA'')
administered to air traffic controller applicants described in clauses
(ii) and (iii) of section 44506(f)(1)(B) of title 49, United States
Code, in accordance with the following requirements:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) The Administrator shall evaluate all questions
on the AT-SA and determine whether a peer-reviewed job analysis
that ensures all questions test job-relevant aptitudes would
result in improvements in the air traffic control specialist
workforce pipeline.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) The Administrator shall assess the assumptions
and methodologies used to develop the AT-SA, the job-relevant
aptitudes measured, and the scoring process for the
assessment.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) The Administrator shall assess whether any
other revisions to the AT-SA are necessary to enhance the air
traffic control specialist workforce pipeline.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) DOT Inspector General Report.--Not later than 180 days
after the date on which the Administrator completes the review and any
necessary revision of the AT-SA required under subsection (a), the
Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall submit to
the Administrator, the appropriate committees of Congress, and, upon
request, to any member of Congress, a report that assesses the reviewed
AT-SA and any applicable revisions, a description of any associated
actions taken by the Administrator, and any recommended actions to be
taken to address the results of the report.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 533. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION ACADEMY AND FACILITY
EXPANSION PLAN.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Plan.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--No later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
initiate the development of a plan to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) expand overall FAA 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</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) establish a second FAA Academy in an
area described in paragraph (2).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Area described.--An area described in this
paragraph is a metropolitan statistical area in which each of
the following is located:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) At least 2 large hub
airports.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) An FAA Flight Standards District
Office</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) An FAA Certificate Management
Office.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) An FAA regional
headquarters.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Considerations.--In developing the plan under
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consider--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the resources needed to support an
increase in the total number of developmental air
traffic controllers enrolled at the FAA
Academies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the resources needed to lessen FAA
Academy attrition per fiscal year;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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 FAA locations across the country;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) the equipment needed to support
expanded instruction, including air traffic control
simulation systems, virtual reality, and other virtual
training platforms;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) the use of existing FAA-owned
facilities and classroom space and identifying
potential opportunities for new construction;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) the costs of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) expanding FAA capacity (as
described in paragraph (1)(A)); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) establishing a second FAA
Academy (as described in paragraph
(1)(B));</DELETED>
<DELETED> (H) soliciting input from, and
coordinating with, relevant stakeholders as
appropriate, including the exclusive bargaining
representative of air traffic control specialists of
the FAA certified under section 7111 of title 5, United
States Code; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) other logistical and financial
considerations as determined by appropriate the
Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress the plan developed under subsection
(a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the
submission of the plan under subsection (b), the Administrator shall
brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the plan, including the
implementation of the plan.</DELETED>
<DELETED>TITLE VI--MODERNIZING AIRPORT SYSTEMS</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 601. AIP ELIGIBILITY AMENDMENTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 47102(3) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subparagraph (B)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in clause (ix), by striking ``and''
after the semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in clause (x), by striking the period
and inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(xi) a medium intensity approach
lighting system with runway alignment indicator
lights.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (Q) and (R) as
subparagraphs (S) and (T), respectively;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by redesignating subparagraphs (M) through (P)
as subparagraphs (N) through (Q), respectively;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) by inserting after subparagraph (L) the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(M) constructing or acquiring airport-
owned infrastructure or equipment, notwithstanding
revenue producing capability, as defined in subsection
(24), required for the on-airport distribution or
storage of unleaded aviation gas for use by piston-
driven aircraft, including on-airport construction or
expansion of pipelines, storage tanks, low-emission
fuel systems, and airport-owned and operated fuel
trucks providing exclusively unleaded aviation fuels,
unless the Secretary determines that an alternative
fuel may be safely used for a limited
time.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) by inserting after subparagraph (Q) (as
redesignated by paragraph (3)), the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(R) acquiring or installing new
renewable energy generation infrastructure (such as
solar, geothermal, or wind) that provide power for on-
airport uses and energy storage systems, and necessary
substation upgrades to support such infrastructure.'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) by inserting after subparagraph (T) (as
redesignated by paragraph (2)), the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(U) initial acquisition (and excluding
subsequent upgrades) of an advanced digital
construction management system (meaning a computer
platform that uses digital technology throughout the
life cycle of a capital infrastructure project,
including through project phases such as design and
construction, when that system is acquired to carry out
a project approved by the Secretary under this
subchapter.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(V) reconstructing or rehabilitating an
existing crosswind runway provided the sponsor includes
reconstruction or rehabilitation of the runway in the
sponsor's most recent approved airport layout
plan.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 602. REVISED MINIMUM APPORTIONMENTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 47114(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(K) Minimum apportionment for commercial
service airports with more than 4,000 passenger
boardings in a calendar year.--Not less than $400,000
may be apportioned under subparagraph (A) for each
fiscal year to each sponsor of a commercial service
airport that had fewer than 8,000 passenger boardings,
but at least 4,000 passenger boardings, during the
prior calendar year.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 603. APPORTIONMENTS FOR TRANSITIONING AIRPORTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 47114(f)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``Beginning
with the fiscal year'' and inserting ``For 3 fiscal years'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``fiscal year
2004'' and inserting ``fiscal years beginning with fiscal year
2024''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 604. UPDATING UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT'S SHARE OF PROJECT
COSTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 47109 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Increased Government Share.--In any State containing
unappropriated and unreserved public lands and nontaxable Indian lands
(individual and tribal) of more than 5 percent of the total area of all
lands in the State, the Government's share of allowable project costs
provided in subsection (a) shall be--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) unchanged for a project at a large hub
airport in the State; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) 95 percent for a project at any other
airport in the State.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by striking subsection (c) and redesignating
subsections (d) through (f) as (c) through (e),
respectively;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in subsection (e), as so redesignated, by
striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) is not a medium or large hub airport; and'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) by inserting after subsection (e), as so
redesignated, the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Special Rule for Fiscal Years 2024 Through 2026.--
Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Government's share of allowable
project costs for a grant made to a nonhub or nonprimary airport in
each of fiscal years 2024 through 2026 is 95 percent.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall take effect on October 1, 2023.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 605. PRIMARY AIRPORT DESIGNATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 47114(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, as
amended by section 602, is amended by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(L) Public airports with military use.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a public
airport shall be considered a nonhub primary airport in
fiscal year 2024 for purposes of this chapter if such
airport was--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) designated as a primary
airport in fiscal year 2017; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) in use by an air reserve
station in the calendar year used to calculate
apportionments to airport sponsors in a fiscal
year.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 606. DISCRETIONARY FUND FOR TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT
COSTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Terminal Projects at Transitioning Airports.--Section
47119(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (4), by striking ``or'' after the
semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; or''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by inserting after paragraph (5), the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) not more than $20,00,000 of the amount that
may be distributed for the fiscal year from the discretionary
fund established under section 47115 of this title, to the
sponsor of a nonprimary airport to pay costs allowable under
subsection (a) for terminal development projects, if the
Secretary determines (which may be based on actual and
projected enplanement trends, as well as completion of an air
service development study, demonstrated commitment by airlines
to provide commercial service accommodating at least 10,000
annual enplanements, the sponsor's documented commitment to
providing the remaining funding to complete the proposed
project, and a favorable environmental finding (including all
required permits) in support of the proposed project) that the
status of the nonprimary airport is reasonably expected to
change to primary status in the next published report under
section 47103.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Limitation.--Section 47119(f) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``$20,000,000'' and inserting
``$30,000,000''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 607. ALTERNATIVE-DELIVERY AND ADVANCE-CONSTRUCTION
METHODS PILOT PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 47142 of title 49, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following new subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Pilot Program.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator
shall establish a pilot program under which not less than 5
airport sponsors shall be authorized through the application
process under subsection (a) to award a design-build contract
for a project that uses alternative-delivery and advance-
construction methods, for purposes of evaluating the extent to
which such methods expedite project delivery and reduce
construction costs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the
date on which the pilot program ends, the Administrator shall
submit to Congress a report on the results of the pilot
program, together with recommendations for such legislative or
administrative action as the Administrator determines
appropriate.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 608. INTEGRATED PROJECT DELIVERY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Pilot Program.--Not later than 270 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a pilot
program under which the Administrator may award grants for integrated
project delivery contracts to carry out up to 5 building construction
projects at airports in the United States with a grant awarded under
section 47104 of title 49, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Application.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Eligibility.--A sponsor of an airport may
submit to the Secretary an application, in such time and manner
and containing such information as the Secretary may require,
to carry out a building construction project under the pilot
program that would otherwise be eligible for assistance under
chapter 471 of such title 49.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Approval.--The Secretary may approve the
application of a sponsor of an airport submitted under
paragraph (1) to authorize such sponsor to award an integrated
project delivery contract using a selection process permitted
under applicable State or local law if--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the Secretary approves the application
using criteria established by the Secretary;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the integrated project delivery
contract is in a form that is approved by the
Secretary;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) the Secretary is satisfied that the
contract will be executed pursuant to competitive
procedures and contains a schematic design and any
other material that the Secretary determines sufficient
to approve the grant;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) the Secretary is satisfied that the
use of an integrated project delivery contract will be
cost effective and expedite the project;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) the Secretary is satisfied that there
will be no conflict of interest; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) the Secretary is satisfied that the
contract selection process will be open, fair, and
objective and that not less than 2 sets of proposals
will be submitted for each team entity under the
selection process.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Reimbursement of Costs.--Reimbursement of costs shall
be based on transparent cost accounting, also known as open book cost
accounting. The Secretary may reimburse a sponsor of an airport for any
design or construction costs incurred before a grant is made pursuant
to this section if--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the project funding is approved by the
Secretary in advance;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the project is carried out in accordance with
all administrative and statutory requirements under chapter 471
of such title 49; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) the project is carried out under such chapter
after a grant agreement has been executed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Integrated Project Delivery Contract Defined.--In this
section, the term ``integrated project delivery contract'' means a
single contract for the delivery of a whole project that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) includes, at a minimum, the owner, builder,
and architect-engineer as parties that are subject to the terms
of the contract;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) aligns the interests of all the parties to the
contract with respect to the project costs and project
outcomes; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) includes processes to ensure transparency and
collaboration among all parties to the contract relating to
project costs and project outcomes.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Expiration of Authority.--The authority of the
Secretary to award grants under the pilot program under this section
shall expire on September 30, 2028.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 609. AIRPORT INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 47134(b) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Benefit-cost analysis.--Prior to approving
an application submitted under subsection (a), the Secretary
may require a benefit-cost analysis. To facilitate the approval
process, if a benefit-cost analysis is required, the Secretary
shall issue a preliminary and conditional finding, which
shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) be issued within 60 days of the
sponsor's submission of all information required by the
Secretary;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) be based upon a collaborative review
process that includes the sponsor or sponsor's
representative;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) not constitute the issuance of a
Federal grant or obligation to issue a grant under this
chapter or other authority; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 610. AIRPORT ACCESSIBILITY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 47144 the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 47145. Pilot program for airport
accessibility</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall
establish and carry out a pilot program to award grants to sponsors to
carry out capital projects to upgrade the accessibility of commercial
service airports for individuals with disabilities by increasing the
number of commercial service airports, airport terminals, or airport
facilities that meet or exceed the standards and regulations under the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.) and
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 note).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Use of Funds.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a
sponsor shall use a grant awarded under this section--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) for a project to repair, improve, or
relocate the infrastructure of an airport, airport
terminal, or airport facility to increase accessibility
for individuals with disabilities, or as part of a plan
to increase accessibility for individuals with
disabilities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) to develop or modify a plan (as
described in subsection (e)) for a project that
increases accessibility for individuals with
disabilities, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) assessments of accessibility
or assessments of planned modifications to an
airport, airport terminal, or airport facility
for passenger use, performed by the recipient
airport's disability advisory committee (if
applicable), the protection and advocacy system
for individuals with disabilities in the
applicable State, a center for independent
living, or a similar nonprofit organization
focused on ensuring individuals with
disabilities are able to live and participate
in their communities; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) coordination by the
recipient's disability advisory committee with
a protection and advocacy system, center for
independent living, or similar nonprofit
organization; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) to carry out any other project that
meets or exceeds the standards and regulations
described in subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Limitation.--Eligible costs for a project
funded with a grant awarded under this section shall be limited
to the costs associated with carrying out the purpose
authorized under subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Eligibility.--A sponsor--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) may use a grant under this section to
upgrade a commercial service airport that is accessible to and
usable by individuals with disabilities consistent with the
current (as of the date of the upgrade) standards and
regulations described in subsection (a); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) may use the grant to upgrade a commercial
service airport that is not accessible and usable as described
in paragraph (1), even if the related service, program, or
activity, when viewed in its entirely, is readily accessible
and usable as so described.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Selection Criteria.--In making grants to sponsors
under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to sponsors that
are proposing--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) a capital project to upgrade the
accessibility of a commercial service airport that is not
accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities
consistent with standards and regulations described in
subsection (a); or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) to meet or exceed the Airports Council
International accreditation under the Accessibility Enhancement
Accreditation, through the incorporation of universal design
principles.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Accessibility Commitment.--A sponsor that receives a
grant under this section shall adopt a plan under which the sponsor
commits to pursuing airport accessibility projects that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) enhance the customer experience and maximize
accessibility of commercial service airports, airport
terminals, or airport facilities for individuals with
disabilities, including by--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) upgrading bathrooms, counters, or
pumping rooms;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) increasing audio and visual
accessibility on information boards, security gates, or
paging systems;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) updating airport terminals to
increase the availability of accessible seating and
power outlets for durable medical equipment (such as
powered wheelchairs);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) updating airport websites and other
information communication technology to be accessible
for individuals with disabilities; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) increasing the number of elevators,
including elevators that move power wheelchairs to an
aircraft;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) improve the operations of, provide
efficiencies of service to, and enhance the use of commercial
service airports for individuals with disabilities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) establish a disability advisory committee,
as defined in subsection (h);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) make improvements in personnel,
infrastructure, and technology that can assist passenger self-
identification regarding disability and needing assistance;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) address equity of service to all passengers
regardless of income, age, race, or ability, taking into
account historical and current service gaps for low-income
passengers, older individuals, passengers from communities of
color, and passengers with disabilities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Coordination With Disability Advocacy Entities.--In
administering grants under this section, the Secretary shall
encourage--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) engagement with disability advocacy entities
(such as the sponsor's disability advisory committee) and a
protection and advocacy system for individuals with
disabilities in the applicable State, a center for independent
living, or a similar nonprofit organization focused on ensuring
individuals with disabilities are able to live and participate
in their communities; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) assessments of accessibility or assessments
of planned modifications to commercial service airports to the
extent merited by the scope of the capital project of the
sponsor proposed to be assisted under this section, taking into
account any such assessment already conducted by the Federal
Aviation Administration.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(g) Federal Share of Costs.--The Government's share of
allowable project costs for a project carried out with a grant under
this section shall be the Government's share of allowable project costs
specified under section 47109.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(h) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Center for independent living.--The term
`center for independent living' has the meaning given the term
in section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.
796a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Disability advisory committee.--The term
`disability advisory committee' means a body of stakeholders
(including airport staff, airline representatives, and
individuals with disabilities) that provide to airports and
appropriate transportation authorities input from individuals
with disabilities, including identifying opportunities for
removing barriers, expanding accessibility features and
improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities at
airports.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Protection and advocacy system.--The term
`protection and advocacy system' means such a system
established in accordance with section 143 of the Developmental
Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42
U.S.C. 15043).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) Funding.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
this chapter, for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, $20,000,000
of the amounts that would otherwise be used to make grants from the
discretionary fund under section 47115 for each such fiscal year shall
be used by the Secretary to carry out this section for each such fiscal
year.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for subchapter I
of chapter 471 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 47144 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``47145. Pilot program for airport accessibility.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 611. GENERAL AVIATION PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49,
United States Code, as amended by section 610(a), is amended by
inserting after section 47145, the following</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 47146. General aviation public-private partnership
program</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall
establish a program that meets the requirements under this section for
improving facilities at--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) general aviation airports; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) privately owned airports used or intended to
be used for public purposes that do not have scheduled air
service.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Application Required.--The operator or sponsor of an
airport, or the community in which an airport is located, seeking, on
behalf of the airport, to participate in the program established under
subsection (a), shall submit an application to the Secretary in such
form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary
may require, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) an assessment of the needs of the airport
for additional or improved hangars, airport businesses, or
other facilities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) the ability of the airport to leverage
private sector investments on the airport or develop public-
private partnerships to build or improve facilities at the
airport; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) if the application is submitted by a
community, evidence that the airport supports the
application.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Limitation.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) State limit.--Not more than 4 airports in
the same State may be selected in any fiscal year to
participate in the program established under subsection
(a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Dollar amount limit.--Not more than $500,000
shall be made available for any airport in any fiscal year
under the program established under subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Cost share requirement.--The Federal cost
share for this program shall be no more than 50
percent.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Priorities.--In selecting airports for participation
in the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
give priority to airports at which--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) the operator or sponsor of the airport, or
the community in which the airport is located--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) will provide a portion of the cost
of the project for which assistance is sought under the
program from local sources;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) will employ best business practices
in developing or implementing a public-private
partnership; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) has established, or will establish,
a public-private partnership to build or improve
facilities at the airport; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) the assistance will be used in a timely
fashion.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Types of Assistance.--The Secretary may use amounts
made available under this section--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) to provide assistance to market an airport
to private entities or individuals in order to leverage private
sector investments or develop public-private partnerships for
the purposes of building or improving hangars, businesses, or
other facilities at the airport;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) to fund studies that consider what measures
an airport should take to attract private sector investment at
the airport; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) to participate in a partnership described in
paragraph (1) or an investment described in paragraph
(2).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Authority to Make Agreements.--The Secretary may
enter into agreements with airports and entities entering into
partnerships with airports under this section to provide assistance
under this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(g) Funding.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
this chapter, for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, $5,000,000 of
the amounts that would otherwise be used to make grants from the
discretionary fund under section 47115 for each such fiscal year shall
be used by the Secretary to carry out this section for each such fiscal
year.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 471 of
such title, as amended by section 610(b), is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 47145 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``47146. General aviation public-private partnership
program.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 612. RUNWAY REHABILITATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The Administrator shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) not restrict funding to resurface the full
length of an existing runway within the State of Alaska based
solely on reduced current or forecast aeronautical activity
levels or critical design type standards;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) within 60 days review requests for runway
rehabilitation or reconstruction projects at airports on a
case-by-case basis; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) not reject requests for projects with critical
community needs, such as projects in rural communities and
villages off the road system, or economic development projects
to expand a runway to meet new demands.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 613. EXTENSION OF PROVISION RELATING TO AIRPORT ACCESS
ROADS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> 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 ``through 2023'' and inserting ``through 2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 614. PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO FAA MULTIMODAL
PROJECTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Any multimodal airport development
project that uses grant funding from funds made available to the FAA to
carry out subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49, United States Code,
or airport infrastructure projects under the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) shall abide by the procurement
regulations applicable to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the FAA; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) subject to subsection (b), the component of
the project relating to transit, highway, or rail,
respectively.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Multiple Component Projects.--In the case of a
multimodal airport development project described in subsection (a) that
involves more than 1 component described in paragraph (2) of that
subsection, such project shall only be required to apply the
procurement regulations applicable to the component where the greatest
amount of Federal financial assistance will be expended.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 615. SOLAR POWERED TAXIWAY EDGE LIGHTING
SYSTEMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this
section, the Administrator shall issue an engineering brief describing
the acceptable use of durable long-term solar powered taxiway edge
lighting systems at basic nonprimary airports (as defined in appendix C
of the 2023-2027 National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems published
by the FAA on September 30, 2022).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 616. ADDITIONAL GROUND BASED TRANSMITTERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Administrator is authorized to and shall waive any positive benefit-
cost ratio requirement for providing additional ground based
transmitters for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcasts (ADS-B) to
provide a minimum operational network in Alaska along major flight
routes.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 617. AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE
IMPROVEMENTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 533 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49
U.S.C. 44720 note) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as
subsections (f) and (g), respectively; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by inserting after subsection (c), the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Maintenance Improvements.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator
shall identify and implement reasonable alternative mitigations
to improve maintenance of FAA-owned weather observing systems
which experience frequent service outages, including associated
surface communication outages.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Spare parts availability.--The mitigations
identified by the Administrator shall improve spare parts
availability, including consideration of storage of more spare
parts in the region of the equipment.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Application.--This subsection shall apply
only to airports located in non-contiguous States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Notice of Outages.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator
shall update FAA Order 7930.2 Notices to Air Missions, or any
successive order, to incorporate weather system outages for
Automated Weather Observing Systems and Automated Surface
Observing Systems associated with Service A Outages.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Application.--This subsection shall apply
only to airports located in non-contiguous States.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 618. CONTRACT TOWER PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 47124 of title 49, United States Code, as amended
by section 528, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (b)(3), by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(H) Period for completion of an
operational readiness inspection.--The Federal Aviation
Administration shall provide airport sponsors that show
good faith efforts to join the Contract Tower Program 7
years to complete an Operational Readiness Inspection
after receiving a benefit-to-cost ratio.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection
(h);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by inserting after subsection (e), the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Improving Situational Awareness.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration shall allow air traffic
controllers at Federal Contract Towers to use technology to
improve situational awareness including, but not limited to,
using Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS)
radar displays, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast
(ADS-B), Flight Data Input/Output (FDIOs), and Automatic
Terminal Information System (ATIS).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Requirements.--To help facilitate the
integration of the equipment described in paragraph (1), the
Administrator shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) establish a set of standards that
ensures safety for use of the equipment described in
paragraph (1) for the purpose of increased situational
awareness;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) identify multiple approved vendors
for such equipment if practicable; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) partner with contract tower
providers to define an appropriate initial training
program to ensure that any tower radar displays, ADS-B
displays, or other equipment are correctly integrated
into Federal Contract Tower operations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(g) Liability Insurance.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall consult
with industry experts, including air traffic control
contractors and aviation insurance professionals, to determine
adequate limits of liability for the Contract Tower Program,
including during the period described in paragraph (2) with
respect to the determination of adequate excess liability
insurance under paragraph (2)(B).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Interim steps.--During the period that
begins on the date of enactment of this subsection and ends on
the date the Secretary submits the report required by paragraph
(3), the Secretary shall require air traffic control
contractors to have adequate excess liability insurance (as
determined by the Secretary in consultation with industry
experts under paragraph (1)) to ensure resilience should a
major accident occur.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the
date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall
submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress on
the findings, conclusions, and actions taken and planned to be
taken to carry out this subsection.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Appropriate committees of congress.--For
purpose of this subsection, the term `appropriate committees of
Congress' (as defined in subsection (f)(3)) includes the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 619. REMOTE TOWERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 47124 of title 49, United States
Code, as amended by sections 528 and 618, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection
(i); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by inserting after subsection (g) (as added by
section 725), the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(h) Milestones for Design Approval of Remote Towers.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator of
the Federal Aviation Administration shall create a structured
program and publish milestones to achieve system design
approval for a remote tower system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Requirements.--In carrying out subparagraph
(A), the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) rely on support from the Airports
Office of the Federal Aviation Administration and the
Air Traffic Organization of the Federal Aviation
Administration, including the Air Traffic Services
Service Unit and the Technical Operations Service Unit;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) not later than September 30, 2024,
expand validation and certification of system design
approval for a digital or remote tower system to three
locations outside of the William J. Hughes Technical
Center, as specified in section 161 of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 47104
note).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 47124(b) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (3)(B)(ii), by inserting ``or a
remote airport traffic control tower that has received System
Design Approval (SDA) from the Federal Aviation
Administration'' after `` an operating air traffic control
tower''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in each of clauses (i)(III) and (ii)(III) of
paragraph (4)(A), by inserting ``or remote air traffic control
tower equipment that has received System Design Approval (SDA)
from the Federal Aviation Administration'' after ``certified by
the Federal Aviation Administration''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 620. GRANT ASSURANCES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 47107(a) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (7), by striking the semicolon
and inserting ``, such that there are no unsafe practices or
conditions as determined by the Secretary;'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (20), by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in paragraph (21), by striking the period at
the end and inserting a semicolon; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) by inserting after paragraph (21), the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(22) the airport owner or operator will require
a fixed based operator, which operates at the airport and also
operates facilities at 3 or more additional public-use airports
where fuel, parking, and other related services are offered to
general aviation aircraft, will publicly disclose on a
continuous basis all its prices and fees for the use of its
services, products, and facilities at the airport and that the
disclosure will--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) be made in an open and conspicuous
manner;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) be made available at the point of
purchase, in print, and on the internet; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) include all retail, discounted, or
other such prices and fees charged and whether such
prices and fees are accepted as payment in full for the
products, services, and facilities furnished to airport
users;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(23) the airport owner or operator will not
impose unreasonable fees for transient aircraft parking that
exceed the airport's cost to operate and maintain the area
where such transient aircraft may park; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(24) the airport owner or operator will continue
to make available to general aviation aircraft all types of
fuel, which were available to such aircraft at that airport at
any time during calendar year 2022, until the earlier of--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) December 31, 2030; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the date on which a replacement for
100 octane Low Lead aviation gas for use by piston-
driven aircraft is widely available for use, as
determined by the Secretary.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 621. CIVIL PENALTIES FOR GRANT ASSURANCES
VIOLATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 46301(a) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``section
47107(a)(7) (including any assurance made under such section),
section 47107(a)(24) (including any assurance made under such
section),'' after ``chapter 451,''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by inserting after paragraph (7), the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(8) Failure to operate and maintain airports and
facilities suitably.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the
maximum civil penalty for a violation of section
47107(a)(7) (including any assurance made under such
section) committed by a person, including if the person
is an individual or small business concern, shall be
$25,000.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) In determining the amount of a civil
penalty under paragraph (1) related to a violation of
section 47107(a)(7) (including any assurance made under
such section), the Secretary of Transportation shall
take into account any mitigating circumstances at the
airport and facilities on or connected with the
airport.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(9) Failure to continue offering aviation
fuel.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the maximum civil penalty
for a violation of section 47107(a)(24) (including any
assurance made under such section) committed by a person,
including if the person is an individual or a small business
concern, shall be $5,000 for each day that the person is in
violation of that section.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 622. COMMUNITY USE OF AIRPORT LAND.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 47107(v) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking ``subsection (a)(13)'' and
inserting ``subsections (a)(13), (b), and
(c)'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking ``the sponsor has
entered'' and inserting ``the sponsor has--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) entered'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by striking ``market value.'' and
inserting ``market value; or''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A)
through (H) as clauses (i) through (viii),
respectively, and moving the left margins of each such
clause 2 ems to the right;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking ``This subsection shall
apply only--'' and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Agreements.--Paragraph (1)(A) shall
apply only--''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Restrictions.--Paragraph (1)(B)
shall apply only--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) to airport property that was
purchased using funds from a Federal grant for
acquiring land issued prior to December 30,
1987;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) to airport property that
has been continuously used for recreational or
public park uses since January 1,
1995;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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 in
the future;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) if the recreational and
public park use will not impact the
aeronautical use of the airport;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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 or public park use;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vi) if the recreational purpose
is consistent with Federal land use
compatibility criteria under section
47502;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vii) if the airport sponsor has
continuously leased the property since January
1, 1995, to a local government entity to
operate and maintain the property at no cost to
the airport sponsor; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(viii) if the airport sponsor
will--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) continue to lease
the property to a local government
entity to operate and maintain the
property at no cost to the airport
sponsor; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) transfer title to
the property to a local government
entity subject to a permanent deed
restriction ensuring compatible airport
use under the criteria of section
47502.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Aeronautical use; aeronautical purpose
defined.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--In this subsection, the
terms `aeronautical use' and `aeronautical purpose'
mean all activities that involve or are directly
related to the operation of aircraft, including
activities that make the operation of aircraft possible
and safe.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Inclusion of services located on an
airport.--Such terms include services located on an
airport that are directly and substantially related to
the movement of passengers, baggage, mail, and
cargo.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Exclusions.--Such terms shall not
include any uses of an airport that are not described
in subparagraph (A) or (B), including any aviation-
related uses that do not need to be located on an
airport, such as flight kitchens and airline
reservation centers.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 623. BUCKEYE 940 RELEASE OF DEED RESTRICTIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Quitclaim deed.--The term ``Quitclaim Deed''
means the Quitclaim Deed between the United States and the
State of Arizona, dated July 11, 1949.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Release of Any and All Interest in Buckeye 940.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 624. CLARIFYING AIRPORT REVENUE USE OF LOCAL GENERAL
SALES TAXES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Written Assurances on Revenue Use.--Section 47107(b)
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) This subsection does not apply to local
general sales taxes as provided in section
47133(b)(4).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Restriction on Use of Revenues.--Section 47133(b) of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Local general sales taxes.--Subsection (a)
shall not apply to revenues from generally applicable sales
taxes imposed by a local government provided--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) the local government had a generally
applicable sales tax that did not exclude aviation fuel
in effect prior to December 9, 2014;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the local government is not a
sponsor of a public airport; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) a large hub airport, which had more
than 35,000,000 enplanements in calendar year 2021, is
located within the jurisdiction of the local
government.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 625. AIP HANDBOOK REVIEW.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Associate Administrator for Airports of
the FAA, in consultation with the Governor of Alaska, shall identify
reasonable exceptions to the AIP Handbook to be implemented by the FAA
to meet unique regional circumstances and advance the safety needs of
airports in Alaska, including with respect to the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Snow Removal Equipment Building (SREB) size
and configuration.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Expansion of lease areas.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Shared governmental use of airport equipment
in remote locations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Ensuring the resurfacing or reconstruction of
legacy runways to support--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) aircraft necessary to support critical
health needs of a community;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) remote fuel deliveries; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) firefighting response.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) The use of runway end identifier lights at
locations throughout the State.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Updates to AIP Handbook.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the
date on which the Associate Administrator for Airports of the
FAA identifies reasonable exceptions under subsection (a), the
Administrator shall update the AIP Handbook to incorporate such
exceptions to meet the unique circumstances and safety needs of
airports in Alaska.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Consultation.--The Administrator shall consult
with the Regional Administrator of the FAA Alaskan Region prior
to issuing the update to the AIP Handbook required by this
section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 626. PFAS-RELATED RESOURCES FOR AIRPORTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) PFAS Replacement Program for Airports.--Not later than
90 days after the date on which the Department of Defense approves a
fluorine-free firefighting agent to the Qualified Products' List for
products meeting Military Specification MIL-PRE-32725, dated January
12, 2023, the Secretary shall establish a PFAS replacement program, in
consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency, and subject to terms, conditions, and assurances acceptable to
the Secretary, to reimburse eligible airports for the reasonable and
appropriate costs associated with any of the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) The one-time initial acquisition by an
eligible airport of fluorine-free firefighting alternatives
for--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the capacity of all required aircraft
rescue and firefighting (ARFF) equipment listed in the
most recent FAA-approved Airport Certification Manual,
regardless of how the equipment was initially acquired;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) twice the quantity carried onboard
each required truck available in the fire station for
the eligible airport</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) The disposal of per- or polyfluoroalkyl
products, including fluorinated aqueous film-forming agents, to
the extent such disposal is necessary to facilitate the
transition to an acceptable fluorine-free agent, including, but
not limited to, aqueous film-forming agents currently in fire-
fighting equipment, vehicles, and wastewater generated during
the cleaning of fire-fighting equipment and vehicles.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Cleaning or disposal of existing equipment or
components thereof, to the extent such cleaning or disposal is
necessary to facilitate the transition to an acceptable
fluorine-free agent.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Any equipment or components thereof necessary
to facilitate the transition to an acceptable fluorine-free
agent.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Replacement of aircraft rescue and
firefighting (ARFF) equipment as determined by the Secretary as
necessary to be replaced.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Distribution of Funds.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Grants to replace arff vehicles.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--The Secretary shall
reserve up to $30,000,000 of the amounts appropriated
to carry out the PFAS replacement program to make
grants to each eligible airport that is designated
under part 139 as an Index A airport and does not have
existing capabilities to produce fluorine-free foam, to
replace aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF)
vehicles.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Amount.--No grant made to an eligible
airport under subparagraph (A) shall exceed
$2,000,000.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Remainder.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Determination of need.--With respect
to the amount of firefighting foam concentrate required
for foam production commensurate with applicable
aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) equipment
required in accordance with the most recent FAA-
approved Airport Certification Manual, the Secretary
shall determine--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the total amount of such
concentrate required for all of the Federally
required aircraft rescue and firefighting
(ARFF) vehicles that meet index requirements
under part 139 of each eligible airport, in
gallons; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the total amount of
nationwide firefighting foam concentrate, in
gallons.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Determination of grant amounts.--From
the amounts appropriated to carry out the PFAS
replacement program that remain after the application
of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make a grant to
each eligible airport of the amount equal to the
product of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the amount of such remaining
funds; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the ratio of the amount
determined under subparagraph (A)(i) for such
eligible airport to the amount determined under
subparagraph (A)(ii).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Program Requirements.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Secretary shall determine the
eligibility of costs payable under the PFAS replacement program
by taking into account all engineering, technical, and
environmental protocols and generally accepted industry
standards that are developed or established for fluorine-free
foams.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Compliance with applicable law.--All actions
related to the acquisition, disposal, and transition to
fluorine-free foams, including the cleaning and disposal of
equipment, shall be conducted in full compliance with all
applicable Federal laws in effect at the time of obligation in
order to be eligible for reimbursement under the PFAS
replacement program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Government share.--The Government's share of
allowable costs under the PFAS replacement program shall be 100
percent.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--There is authorized to be
appropriated not more than $350,000,000 to carry out the PFAS
replacement program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Requirements.--Amounts appropriated to carry
out the PFAS replacement program shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) remain available for expenditure for a
period of 5 fiscal years; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) be available in addition to any other
funding available for similar purposes under any other
Federal, State, local, or Tribal program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Eligible airport.--The term ``eligible
airport'' means an airport holding an Airport Operating
Certificate issued under part 139.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Part 139.--The term ``part 139'' means part
139 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) PFAS replacement program.--The term ``PFAS
replacement program'' means the program established under
subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 627. PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE NATIONAL TRANSITION PLAN
RELATED TO A FLUORINE-FREE FIREFIGHTING FOAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, and every 180 days thereafter until the
progress report termination date described in subsection (c), the
Administrator, in consultation with the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Defense, shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a progress report on
the development and implementation of a national transition plan
related to a fluorine-free firefighting foam that meets the performance
standards referenced in chapter 6 of AC No: 150/5210-6D and is
acceptable under section 139.319(l) of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, for use at part 139 airports.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Required Information.--Each progress report required
by subsection (a) shall include the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) An assessment of the progress made by the FAA
with respect to providing part 139 airports with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) guidance from the Environmental
Protection Agency on acceptable environmental limits
relating to such fluorine-free firefighting
foam;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) guidance from the Department of
Defense on that department's transition to a fluorine-
free firefighting foam;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) best practices for the decontamination
of existing aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles,
systems, and other equipment used to deploy
firefighting foam at part 139 airports; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) timelines for the release of policy
and guidance relating to part 139 airport
implementation plans for obtaining approved military
specification products and firefighting personnel
training.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) A comprehensive list of the amount of rolling
stock of firefighting foam at each part 139 airport as of the
date of the submission of the progress report and the number of
gallons regularly kept in reserve at each such
airport.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) An assessment of the progress made by the FAA
with respect to providing airports that are not part 139
airports and local authorities with responsibility for
inspection and oversight with guidance described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) as it relates to the
use of fluorine-free firefighting foam at such
airports.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Such other information as the Administrator
determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Progress Report Termination Date.--For purposes of
subsection (a), the progress report termination date described in this
subsection is the date on which the Administrator notifies the
appropriate committees of Congress that development and implementation
of the national transition plan described in subsection (a) is
complete.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Definition.--In this section, the term ``part 139
airport'' means an airport certified under part 139 of title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 628. REVIEW OF AIRPORT LAYOUT PLANS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 163 of the FAA Reauthorization
Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 47107 note) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) [Reserved].''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) [Reserved].''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Airport Layout Plan Approval Authority.--Section 47107
of title 49, United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)(16)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) subject to subsection (x), the
Secretary will review and approve or disapprove the
plan and any revision or modification of the plan
before the plan, revision, or modification takes
effect;''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking
``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting ``subsection (x)'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(x) Scope of the Secretary's Airport Layout Plan Review
and Approval Authority.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Authority over projects on land acquired
without federal assistance.--For purposes of subsection
(a)(16)(B), with respect to any project proposed on land
acquired by an airport owner or operator without Federal
assistance, the Secretary may only review and approve or
disapprove those portions of the plan (or any subsequent
revision to the plan) that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) materially impact the safe and
efficient operation of aircraft at, to, or from the
airport;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) adversely affect the safety of
people or property on the ground as a result of
aircraft operations; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) adversely affect the value of prior
Federal investments to a significant extent.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Limitation on non-aeronautical review.--If
only a portion of a project proposed by an airport owner or
operator is subject to the Secretary's review and approval
under subsection (a)(16)(B), the Secretary shall not extend
review and approval authority to other non-aeronautical
portions of the project.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Notice.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--An airport owner or
operator shall submit to the Secretary a notice of
intent to proceed with a proposed project (or a portion
thereof) that is outside of the Secretary's review and
approval authority, as described in this
subsection.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Failure to object.--If not later
than 45 days after receiving the notice of intent
described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary fails to
object to such notice, the proposed project (or portion
thereof) shall be deemed as being outside the scope of
the Secretary's review and approval authority under
subsection (a)(16)(B).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 629. NEPA PURPOSE AND NEED STATEMENTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--To the extent that the FAA is the lead
Federal agency for preparation of an environmental impact statement or
an environmental assessment under provisions of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) where an
action or approval from more than one Federal agency is required, the
FAA shall develop its draft purpose and need statement for the project
not later than 45 days after--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the submission of the airport sponsor's
appropriately completed proposed purpose and need description;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) any appropriately completed proposed revision
to a development project that affects the purpose and need
description previously prepared or accepted by the
FAA.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Assistance.--The Administrator shall provide all
airport sponsors with technical assistance in drafting purpose and need
statements and necessary supporting documentation for projects
involving Federal approvals from more than one Federal
agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 630. PASSENGER FACILITY CHARGE STREAMLINING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 40117 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``The
Secretary'' and inserting ``Except as set forth in the
streamlining process described in subsection (l), the
Secretary'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking paragraph (4);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by redesignating paragraphs (5)
through (7) as paragraphs (4) through (6),
respectively;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) by striking ``paragraphs (1)
and (4)'' and inserting ``paragraph (1)'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by striking ``paragraph (1)
or (4)'' and inserting ``paragraph (1)'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) in paragraph (6)(A), as so
redesignated--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) by striking ``paragraphs (1),
(4), and (6)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (1)
and (5)''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by striking ``paragraph (1)
or (4)'' and inserting ``paragraph
(1)'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (e)(1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``,
or a passenger facility charge imposition is authorized
under subsection (l)'' after ``of this section'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting
``reasonable'' after ``subject to''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in subsection (l)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in the subsection heading, by striking
``Pilot Program for Passenger Facility Charge
Authorizations'' and inserting ``Passenger Facility
Charge Streamlining'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking paragraph (1) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall prescribe
regulations to streamline the process for authorizing eligible
agencies for airports to impose passenger facility charges. An
eligible agency may impose a passenger facility charge in
accordance with the provisions of this subsection instead of
using the procedures otherwise provided in this
section.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by striking paragraph (4) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Acknowledgment of receipt and indication of
objection.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall
acknowledge receipt of the notice and indicate any
objection to the imposition of a passenger facility
charge under this subsection for any project identified
in the notice within 30 days after receipt of the
eligible agency's notice.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Prohibited objection.--The Secretary
may not object to an eligible airport-related project
that received Federal financial assistance for airport
development, terminal development, airport planning, or
for the purposes of noise compatibility, provided that
the Federal financial assistance and passenger facility
charge collection (including interest and other returns
on the revenue) does not exceed the total cost of the
project.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Allowed objection.--The Secretary
may only object to the imposition of a passenger
facility charge under this subsection for a project
that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) establishes significant
policy precedent;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) raises significant legal
issues;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) garners significant
controversy, as evidenced by significant
opposition to the proposed action by the
applicant or other airport authorities, airport
users, governmental agencies, elected
officials, or communities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) raises significant revenue
diversion, airport noise, or access issues,
including compliance with section 47111(e) or
subchapter II of chapter 475 of title 49,
United States Code; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) includes multimodal
components.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) by striking paragraph (6);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) by redesignating paragraph (7) as
paragraph (6).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall commence a
rulemaking to implement the amendments made by subsection
(a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Interim Guidance.--The interim guidance established in
FAA Memorandum ``PFC 73-20. Streamlined Procedures for Passenger
Facility Charge (PFC) Authorizations at Small-, Medium-, and Large-Hub
Airports.'' (issued January 22, 2020), as modified by subsection (a),
shall remain in effect until the effective date of the final rule
promulgated under subsection (b).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 631. USE OF PASSENGER FACILITY CHARGES FOR NOISE
BARRIERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 40117(a)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(H) A project at a small hub airport for
a noise barrier where the day-night average sound level
from commercial, general aviation, or cargo operations
is expected to exceed 55 decibels as a result of new
airport development.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 632. AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEMS
POLICY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this
section, the Administrator shall establish a process to collaborate
with the Director of the National Weather Service to expedite the
Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) and the Service Life
Extension Program (SLEP) and ensure adequate spare parts and personnel
are available for timely response to outages.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 633. INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT
IMPLEMENTATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall distribute
administrative funding to assist States participating in the State
block grant program in accordance with section 47128 of title 49,
United States Code, with program implementation of airport
infrastructure projects under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act (Public Law 117-58).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Funding Source.--Administrative funds to States under
this section shall be distributed from the funds made available in the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for personnel, contracting, and
other costs to administer and oversee grants of the Airport
Infrastructure Grants, Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program, and
Airport Terminal Program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Administrative Funds.--With respect to administrative
funds made available for fiscal years 2022 through 2026--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the amount of administrative funds available
for distribution under subsection (b) shall be an amount equal
to a percentage determined by the Secretary, but not less than
2 percent, of the annual allocations provided under the heading
``airport infrastructure grants'' under the heading ``Federal
Aviation Administration'' in title VIII of division J of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58; 135
Stat. 1416) to non-primary airports participating in the
State's block grant program each fiscal year of the Airport
Infrastructure Grant program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) administrative funds distributed under
subsection (b) shall be used by such States to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) administer and oversee, as outlined in
the Memorandum of Agreement or current agreements
between the FAA and the State, all airport grant
program funds provided under the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act to non-primary airports
participating in the State's block grant program,
whether through direct allocation or through
competitive selection; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) carry out the public purposes of
supporting eligible and justified airport development
and infrastructure projects as provided in the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) except as provided in subsection (d), such
administrative funds shall be distributed to such States
through a cooperative agreement executed between the State and
the FAA not later than December 1 of each fiscal year in which
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides airport
grant program funds.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Initial Distribution.--With respect to administrative
funds made available for fiscal years 2022 and 2023, funds available as
of the date of enactment of this section shall be distributed to such
States through a cooperative agreement executed between the State and
the FAA not later than 30 days after such date of enactment.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 634. REPORT ON AIRPORT NOTIFICATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this
section, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress a report on the FAA's progress with respect to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) collecting more accurate data in notices of
construction, alteration, activation, and deactivation of
airports as required under part 157 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) making the database under part 157 of title
14, Code of Federal Regulations, more accurate and useful for
aircraft operators, particularly for helicopter and rotary wing
type aircraft operators.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 635. COASTAL AIRPORTS RESILIENCY STUDY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Study.--The Administrator shall work with the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to identify best
practices for, and study the feasibility of, improving resiliency of
airports in coastal or flood-prone areas.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a
report describing the results of the study conducted under subsection
(a), together with such recommendations for legislation or
administrative action as the Administrator determines
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 636. SURVEY OF POWER DISTRIBUTION CAPACITY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 47140(a) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by inserting ``power distribution capacity and location,''
after ``back-up power,''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 637. STUDY ON COMPETITION AND AIRPORT ACCESS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this section, the Secretary shall report to the appropriate committees
of Congress--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) specific actions the Secretary and the
Administrator, using existing legal authority, can take to
expand access for lower cost passenger air carriers to capacity
constrained airports in the United States, including, but not
limited to, New York John F. Kennedy International Airport
(JFK) and New York/Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) any additional legal authority the Secretary
and the Administrator require in order to make additional slots
at JFK and runway timings at EWR available to lower cost
passenger air carriers.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 638. REGIONAL AIRPORT CAPACITY STUDY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall initiate a study on
the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Existing FAA policy and guidance that govern
the siting of new airports or the transition of general
aviation airports to commercial service.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Ways that existing regulations and policies
could be streamlined to facilitate the development of new
airport capacity, particularly in high-demand air travel
regions looking to invest in new airport capacity.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Whether Federal funding sources (existing as
of the date of enactment of this section) that are authorized
by the Secretary could be used for such purposes.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Whether such Federal funding sources meet the
needs of the national airspace system for adding new airport
capacity outside of the commercial service airports in
operation as of the date of enactment of this
section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) If such Federal funding sources are determined
by the Administrator to be insufficient for the purposes
described in this subsection, an estimate of the funding
gap.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the study
conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations for such
legislative or administrative action as the Administrator determines
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Guidance.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall revise FAA guidance
to incorporate the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a)
to assist airports and State and local departments of transportation in
increasing airport capacity to meet regional air travel
demand.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 639. STUDY ON AUTONOMOUS AND ELECTRIC-POWERED TRACK
SYSTEMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Study.--The Administrator shall conduct a study to
develop a standard for autonomous and electric-powered track systems
that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) are located underneath the pavement at an
airport; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) allow a transport category aircraft to taxi
without the use of the main engines of the aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report detailing the results of
the study conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations
for such legislation and administrative action as the Administrator
determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 640. SPECIAL RULE FOR RECLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN
UNCLASSIFIED AIRPORTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Request for Reclassification.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than September 30,
2024, a privately owned reliever airport (as defined in section
47102 of title 49, United States Code) that is identified as
unclassified in the National Plan of Integrated Airport
Systems, 2023-2027 (as published under section 47103 of title
49, United States Code) may submit to the Secretary a request
to reclassify the airport according to the criteria used to
classify a public airport.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Required information.--In submitting a request
under paragraph (1), the privately owned reliever airport shall
include the following information:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) A sworn statement and accompanying
documentation that demonstrates how the airport would
satisfy the requirements of FAA 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) A report that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) identifies the role of the
airport to the aviation system; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Eligibility Review.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Public sponsor.--In performing the eligibility
review under paragraph (1), the Secretary--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) may require the airport requesting
reclassification to provide information regarding the
outlook (whether positive or negative) for transferring
the airport to a public sponsor; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) may not require the airport to obtain
a public sponsor.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Reclassification by the Secretary.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) The request includes the required
information under subsection (a)(2).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) The privately owned reliever airport,
to the satisfaction of the Secretary passes the
eligibility review performed under subsection
(b).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Corrective action plan.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--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), the Secretary
shall provide notice of disapproval to such airport not
later than 60 days after receiving the request under
subsection (a)(1), and such airport may resubmit to the
Secretary a reclassification request along with a
corrective action plan that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) resolves any shortcomings
identified in such eligibility review;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) proves that any necessary
corrective action has been completed by the
airport.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Evaluation.--Not later than 60 days
after receiving a corrective action plan under
subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall grant the
reclassification request of any privately owned
reliever airport if such airport submit such corrective
action plan to the satisfaction of the
Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Effective Date.--The reclassification of any privately
owned reliever airport under this section shall take effect not later
than--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) fiscal year 2025 for any request granted under
subsection (c)(1); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) fiscal year 2026 for any request granted after
the submission of a corrective action plan under subsection
(c)(2).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 641. GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT RUNWAY EXTENSION PILOT
PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49,
United States Code, as amended by section 611(a), is amended by adding
at the end the following new section:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 47147. General aviation program runway extension pilot
program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation
shall establish a pilot program to provide grants to general aviation
airports to increase usable the runway length capability at such
airports in order to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) expand access to such airports for larger
aircraft; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) support the development and economic
viability of such airports.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Grants.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--For the purpose of carrying out
the pilot program established in subsection (a), the Secretary
shall make grants to not more than 2 sponsors of general
aviation airports per fiscal year.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Use of funds.--A sponsor of a general
aviation airport shall use a grant awarded under this section
to plan, design, or construct a project to extend an existing
primary runway by not greater than 1,000 feet to a sufficient
length to accommodate large turboprop or turbojet aircraft that
cannot be accommodated with the existing runway
length.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a
grant under this section, a sponsor of a general aviation
airport shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such form, and containing such information as the
Secretary may require.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Selection.--In selecting an applicant for a
grant under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize
projects that demonstrate that the existing runway length at
the airport is--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) inadequate to support the near-term
operations of 1 or more business entities operating at
the airport as of the date of submission of such
application;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) a direct aircraft operational
impediment to airport economic viability, job creation
or retention, or local economic development;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) not located within 20 miles of
another National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems
airport with comparable runway length.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Project Justification.--A project that demonstrates
the criteria described in subsection (b) shall be considered a
justified cost with respect to the pilot program, notwithstanding--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) any benefit-cost analysis required under
section 47115(d) of title 49, United States Code; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) a project justification determination
described in section 3 of chapter 3 of FAA Order 5100.38D,
Airport Improvement Program Handbook (dated September 30,
2014).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Federal Share.--The Government's share of allowable
project costs for a project carried out with a grant under this section
shall be the Government's share of allowable project costs specified
under section 47109.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Report to Congress.--Not later than 5 years after
the establishment of the pilot program under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that evaluates
the pilot program, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) information regarding the level of applicant
interest in grants for increasing runway length;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) the number of large aircraft that accessed
each general aviation airport that received a grant under the
pilot program in comparison to the number of such aircraft that
accessed the airport prior to the date of enactment of this
Act, based on data provided by the airport sponsor to the
Secretary not later than 6 months prior to the due date of such
report to Congress; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) a description, provided by the airport
sponsor to the Secretary not later than 6 months prior to the
due date of such report to Congress, of the economic
development opportunities supported by increasing the runway
length at general aviation airports.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Funding.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--For each of fiscal years 2024
through 2028, the Secretary may use funds made available under
section 48103 to carry out this section.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for subchapter I of
chapter 471 of such title, as amended by section 611(b), is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 47146 the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``47147. General aviation airport runway extension pilot
program.''.
<DELETED>TITLE VII--AIR SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS</DELETED>
<DELETED>Subtitle A--Consumer Enhancements</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 701. ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AVIATION CONSUMER
PROTECTION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Extension.--Section 411(h) of the FAA Modernization
and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Additional Members.--Section 411(b) of the FAA
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the
end;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at
the end and inserting a semicolon; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) foreign air carriers; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) nonprofit public interest groups with
expertise in disability and accessibility matters.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 702. UNREALISTIC OR DECEPTIVE SCHEDULING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 41712 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Unrealistic or Deceptive Scheduling.--It shall be an
unfair or deceptive practice and an unfair method of competition under
subsection (a) for any air carrier or foreign air carrier providing
scheduled passenger air transportation to engage in unrealistic or
deceptive scheduling of flights, as determined by the Secretary of
Transportation subject to an investigation and finding, if any, that an
air carrier or foreign air carrier engaged in the unrealistic or
deceptive scheduling of flights.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall
be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary under section
41712(a) of title 49, United States Code, or the ability of the
Secretary to act pursuant to the authority under section 399.81 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, with respect to any activity of
an air carrier or foreign air carrier that occurred prior to the date
of enactment of subsection (d) of section 41712 of such title 49, as
added by subsection (a) of this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee
Recommendations.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall require
the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee to provide
to the Secretary recommendations regarding the types of
practices or circumstances that qualify as unrealistic or
deceptive scheduling of flights, including whether scheduling
flights in light of technological deficiencies or workforce
shortcomings that were known to an air carrier or foreign air
carrier at the time of such scheduling qualifies as unrealistic
or deceptive scheduling.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Rulemaking.--Not later than 90 days after
receiving the recommendations under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall initiate a rulemaking to implement any such
recommendations determined appropriate by the
Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 703. REFUNDS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Chapter 423 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by inserting after section 42304 the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 42305. Refunds for cancelled or significantly delayed
or changed flights</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--In the case of a passenger that holds a
nonrefundable ticket on a scheduled flight to, from, or within the
United States, an air carrier or a foreign air carrier shall, upon
request of the passenger, promptly provide a full refund, including any
taxes and ancillary fees, for the fare such carrier collected for any
cancelled flight or significantly delayed or changed flight where the
passenger chooses not to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) fly on the significantly delayed or changed
flight or accept rebooking on an alternative flight;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) accept any voucher, credit, or other form of
compensation offered by the air carrier or foreign air carrier
pursuant to subsection (c).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Timing of Refund.--Any refund required under
subsection (a) shall be issued by the air carrier or foreign air
carrier--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) in the case of a ticket purchased with a
credit card, not later than 7 business days after the request
for the refund; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) in the case of a ticket purchased with cash
or another form of payment, not later than 20 days after the
request for the refund.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Alternative to Refund.--An air carrier and a foreign
air carrier may offer a voucher, credit, or other form of compensation
as an alternative to providing a refund required by subsection (a) but
only if the offer includes a clear and conspicuous notice of--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) the terms of the offer; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) the passenger's right to a full refund under
this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Significantly Delayed or Changed Flight.--In
defining `significantly delayed or changed flight' for purposes of this
section, the Secretary shall ensure that such term includes, at a
minimum, a flight where the passenger arrives at a destination
airport--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) in the case of a domestic flight, 3 or more
hours after the original scheduled arrival time; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) in the case of an international flight, 6 or
more hours after the original scheduled arrival time.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Application to Ticket Agents.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of
Transportation shall issue a final rule to apply refund requirements to
ticket agents in the case of cancelled flights and significantly
delayed or changed flights.</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 42306. Refund portal</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--Not later than the date that is 270
days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of
Transportation shall require covered entities to prominently display at
the top of the homepage of the covered entity's public internet website
a link that passengers eligible for a refund may use to request a
refund.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Covered Entity Defined.--In this subsection, the
term `covered entity' means--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) an air carrier or foreign air carrier that
provides scheduled passenger air transportation by operating an
aircraft that as originally designed has a passenger capacity
of 30 or more seats; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) a ticket agent that sells scheduled
passenger service on an aircraft that as originally designed
has a passenger capacity of 30 or more seats.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 423 of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 42304 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``42305. Refunds for cancelled or significantly delayed or
changed flights.
<DELETED>``42306. Refund Portal.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 704. AIRLINE PASSENGER RIGHTS TRANSPARENCY ACT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Air travel is an essential part of modern
life, and passengers have certain rights and protections under
the law.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Passengers are often not aware of such rights
and protections under the law.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) To address this problem, airports, air
carriers, and foreign air carriers must provide clear and
concise information regarding passenger rights in a manner that
is easily accessible and understandable to all
passengers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Transparency Requirements.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Consumer complaints.--Section 42302 of title
49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Notice to Passengers on Electronic Flight Itinerary
Ticket Confirmation.--Each air carrier and foreign air carrier shall
provide on any electronic flight itinerary ticket confirmation issued
by the carrier a link to the Aviation Consumer Protection website and
the Air Travel Service Complaint or Comment Form website of the
Department of Transportation.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Know your rights posters.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Chapter 423 of title 49,
United States Code, as amended by section 703(a), is
amended by inserting after section 42306 the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 42307. Know your rights posters</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--Each large hub airport, medium hub
airport, and small hub airport (as such terms are defined in section
40102) with scheduled passenger service shall prominently display
posters that clearly and concisely outline the rights of airline
passengers under Federal law with respect to, at a minimum--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) flight delays and cancellations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) refunds;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) bumping of passengers from flights and the
oversale of flights; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) lost, delayed, or damaged baggage.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Location.--Such posters shall be displayed in
conspicuous locations throughout the airport, including ticket
counters, security checkpoints, and boarding gates.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for
chapter 423 of title 49, United States Code, as amended
by section 703(b), is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 42306 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``42307. Know your rights posters.''.
<DELETED> (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this
subsection shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after
the date of enactment of this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 705. DISCLOSURE OF ANCILLARY FEES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Flexibility.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--In determining whether a practice
is an unfair or deceptive practice under section 41712 of title
49, United States Code, with respect to the disclosure of
ancillary fees, the Secretary, shall provide air carriers,
foreign air carriers, and ticket agents with the flexibility to
develop the manner in which such information is transmitted to
consumers as long as such information (consistent with the
objective of assuring that consumers are provided with useable,
current, and accurate information on critical ancillary fees in
a format that the consumer can easily compare multiple flight
options) is--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) presented to the consumer in a
reasonable and transparent manner prior to booking;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) displayed in a format that assists the
consumer in making more informed decisions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Critical ancillary fees defined.--For purposes
of paragraph (1), the term ``critical ancillary fees'' means--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) fees for--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the first and second checked
bag of an airline passenger;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) one carry-on bag of an
airline passenger;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) changing or canceling a
reservation; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) adjacent seating when
traveling with a child that is 13 years of age
or younger; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) any other fees for ancillary services
that are identified by the Secretary in the rule
finalizing the proposed rule published by the Secretary
on March 3, 2023, and titled ``Enhancing Transparency
of Airline Ancillary Service Fees'' (88 Fed. Reg.
13389) as being critical to consumers in choosing among
air transportation options.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Ticket Agents.--The Secretary shall not find that a
ticket agent is out of compliance with a requirement in the final rule
described in subsection (a)(2)(B) with respect to the disclosure of
critical ancillary fees if the Secretary determines that such
noncompliance is due to the failure of an air carrier or foreign air
carrier to provide the ticket agent with the information required to
comply with such requirement.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 706. ACCESS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSISTANCE FOR ALL
TRAVELERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In the event of a cancelled or delayed flight,
it is important for customers to be able easily access
information about the status of their flight and any
alternative flight options.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) During a period of mass cancellations,
customers may be unable to easily connect, either in-person or
through a toll-free customer service phone number, with a
customer service representative of an air carrier.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) While many air carriers have robust online and
smart phone application chat resources, many customers may not
have access to those resources, and customers often have time-
sensitive questions that cannot be answered through an
automated service or website.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Not all customers of air carriers are able to
easily use online and chat resources.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Customers should be able to access real-time
assistance from customer service agents of air carriers without
an excessive wait time, particularly during times of mass
disruptions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Transparency Requirements.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Consumer complaints.--Section 42302 of title
49, United States Code, as amended by section 704(b), is
amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(g) Notice to Passengers on Electronic Flight Itinerary
Ticket Confirmation.--Each air carrier and foreign air carrier shall
provide on any electronic flight itinerary ticket confirmation issued
by the carrier a link to the Aviation Consumer Protection website and
the Air Travel Service Complaint or Comment Form website of the
Department of Transportation.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Requirement to maintain a live customer chat
or monitored text messaging number.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Chapter 423 of title 49,
United States Code, as amended by section 704(b), is
amended by inserting after section 42307 the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 42308. Requirement to maintain a live customer chat or
monitored text messaging number</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Requirement.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--A covered air carrier that
operates a domestic or international flight to, from, or within
the United States shall, in addition to maintaining a toll-free
customer service telephone line, maintain a live customer chat
or monitored text messaging number that enables customers to
speak to a live agent directly.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Provision of services.--The services
required under subsection (a) shall be provided to customers
without charge for the use of such services, and shall be
available in real time and on a 24 hour/7 days a week
basis.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Rulemaking Authority.--The Secretary shall
promulgate such rules as may be necessary to carry out this
section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Covered Air Carrier Defined.--In this section, the
term `covered air carrier' means an air carrier that provides scheduled
passenger air transportation by operating an aircraft that as
originally designed has a passenger capacity of 30 or more
seats.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Effective Date.--Beginning on the date that is 120
days after the date of enactment of this section, a covered air carrier
shall comply with the requirement specified in subsection (b) without
regard to whether the Secretary has promulgated any rules to carry out
this section as of the date that is 120 days after such date of
enactment.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for
chapter 423 of title 49, United States Code, as amended
by section 704(b), is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 42307 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``42308. Requirement to maintain a live customer chat or
monitored text messaging number.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 707. FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMS AND VOUCHERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Chapter 423 of title 49, United States
Code, as amended by section 706(b), is amended by inserting after
section 42308 the following new section:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 42309. Frequent flyer programs</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Reduction in Benefits.--An air carrier may not
reduce or devalue the benefits, rewards, points, or other accrued value
of an existing account holder of a frequent flyer program unless the
air carrier provides such account holder not less than 90 days notice
of such reduction or devaluation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Expiration of Benefits.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Initial notification.--Upon the issuance of
any flight voucher or flight credit, an air carrier or ticket
agent, where applicable, shall notify the recipient of such
voucher or credit of the expiration date of the voucher or
credit.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Subsequent notification.--Not less than 30
days before the expiration date of any flight voucher or flight
credit issued by an air carrier or ticket agent, the air
carrier or ticket agent shall make a reasonable attempt to
notify the recipient of such voucher or credit of the
expiration date of the voucher or credit.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Definition of Frequent Flyer Program.--In this
section, the term `frequent flyer program' means a program in which an
air carrier promises or offers benefits, rewards, points, or other
accrued value for tickets purchased from the air carrier.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 423 of
such title, as amended by section 706(b), is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 42308 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``42309. Frequent flyer programs.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 708. AIRLINE CUSTOMER SERVICE DASHBOARDS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Dashboards.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Chapter 423 of title 49, United
States Code, as amended by section 707(a), is amended by
inserting after section 42309 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 42310. DOT airline customer service
dashboards</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Requirement to Establish and Maintain Publicly
Available Dashboards.--The Secretary of Transportation (in this section
referred to as the `Secretary') shall establish, maintain, and make
publicly available, the following online dashboards for purposes of
keeping aviation consumers informed with respect to certain policies
of, and services provided by, large air carriers (as defined by the
Secretary) to the extent that such policies or services exceed what is
required by Federal law:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Delay and cancellation dashboard.--A
dashboard that displays information regarding the services and
compensation provided by each large air carrier to mitigate any
passenger inconvenience caused by a delay or cancellation due
to circumstances in the control of such carrier. The website on
which such dashboard is displayed shall explain the
circumstances under which a delay or cancellation is not due to
circumstances in the control of the large air carrier (such as
a delay or cancellation due to a weather event or an
instruction from the Federal Aviation Administration Air
Traffic Control System Command Center).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Family seating dashboard.--A dashboard that
displays information regarding which large air carriers
guarantee that each child shall be seated adjacent to an adult
accompanying the child without charging any additional
fees.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Seat size dashboard.--A dashboard that
displays information regarding aircraft seat size for each
large air carrier, including the pitch, width, and length of a
seat in economy class for the aircraft models and
configurations most commonly flown by such carrier.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Bureau of Transportation Statistics.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) ATCSCC delays.--Not later than 30 days after
the date of enactment of this section, the Director of the
Bureau of Transportation Statistics shall update the reporting
framework of the Bureau to create a new `cause of delay'
category that identifies and tracks information on delays and
cancellations of air carriers (as defined in section 40102)
that are due to instructions from the Federal Aviation
Administration Air Traffic Control System Command
Center.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Family seating complaints.--Not later than
30 days after the date of enactment of this section, the
Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics shall
update the reporting framework of the Bureau to create a new
category to identify and track information on complaints
related to family seating.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Air Travel Consumer Report.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) ATCSCC delays.--Not later than 30 days after
the date on which the Director of the Bureau of Transportation
Statistics updates the reporting framework under subsection
(b)(1), the Secretary shall include information on delays and
cancellations that are due to instructions from the Federal
Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control System Command
Center in the Air Travel Consumer Report issued by the Office
of Aviation Consumer Protection of the Department of
Transportation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Family seating complaints.--Not later than
30 days after the date on which the Director of the Bureau of
Transportation Statistics updates the reporting framework under
subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall include information on
complaints related to family seating in the Air Travel Consumer
Report issued by the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection of
the Department of Transportation and on the family seating
dashboard required by subsection (a)(2).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Provision of Information.--Each large air carrier
shall provide to the Secretary such information as the Secretary
requires to carry out this section.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish
each of the online dashboards required by section 42310(a) of
title 49, United States Code, not later than 30 days after the
date of enactment of this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 423 of
title 49, United States Code, as amended by section 707(b), is amended
by inserting after the item relating to section 42309 the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``42310. DOT airline customer service dashboards.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 709. ANNUAL BRIEFINGS ON DISRUPTIONS OF PASSENGER AIR
TRANSPORTATION AND PERIODS OF MASS CANCELLATIONS OF
SCHEDULED FLIGHTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 106(g) of title 49, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Annually, (and more frequently as needed)
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
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) The efforts, activities, objectives,
and plans of the Administration in continuing to
address ongoing concerns about passenger protections
during operational meltdowns of air carriers and
foreign air carriers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) The efforts of the Administration to
engage with Congress and the public on issues related
to operational meltdowns of air carriers and foreign
air carriers.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 710. ENHANCING CHILD SAFETY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall issue new or revised
guidance that provides testing standards to allow for the use of a
child restraint system on a covered aircraft that meets such testing
standards, without regard to whether such child restraint system also
meets the standards set forth in section 571.213 of title 49, Code of
Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Covered Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the term
``covered aircraft'' means an aircraft that, as originally designed,
has a passenger capacity of 30 or more seats.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 711. CODIFICATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION
PROVISIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Section 429 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Section 429 of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 42301 note prec.) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by transferring such section to appear
after section 41726 of title 49, United States
Code;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by redesignating such section as
section 41727 of such title 49; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by amending the section heading of
such section to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 41727. Passenger Rights''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Technical amendment.--Section 41727 of title
49, United States Code, as transferred and redesignated by
paragraph (1), is amended, in subsection (a), by striking ``Not
later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary'' and inserting ``The Secretary''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Section 434 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Section 434 of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 41705 note) is amended--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by transferring such section to appear
after section 41727 of title 49, United States Code, as
transferred and redesignated by subsection
(a)(1);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by redesignating such section 434 as
section 41728 of such title 49; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by amending the section heading of
such section 41728 to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 41728. Airline passengers with disabilities bill of
rights''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Technical amendment.--Section 41728 of title
49, United States Code, as transferred and redesignated by
paragraph (1), is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``the
section 41705'' and inserting ``section
41705'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subsection (c), by striking ``the
date of enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``the
date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of
2018''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in subsection (f), by striking
``ensure employees'' and inserting ``ensure that
employees''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 417 of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``41727. Passenger rights.
<DELETED>``41728. Airline passengers with disabilities bill of
rights.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 712. GAO STUDY ON COMPETITION AND CONSOLIDATION IN THE
AIR CARRIER INDUSTRY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Study.--The Comptroller General shall conduct a study
assessing competition and consolidation in the United States air
carrier industry. Such study shall include an assessment of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the history of mergers in the United States
air carrier industry, including whether any claimed
efficiencies have been realized;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the effect of consolidation in the United
States air carrier industry, if any, on consumers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) the effect of consolidation in the United
States air carrier industry, if any, on air transportation
service in small and rural markets; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) the current state of competition in the United
States air carrier industry as of the date of enactment of this
section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the results of
the study conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations
for such legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller
General determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 713. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON THE OPERATIONAL PREPAREDNESS
OF AIR CARRIERS FOR PREPARING FOR CHANGING WEATHER AND
OTHER EVENTS RELATED TO CHANGING CONDITIONS AND NATURAL
HAZARDS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Study.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Comptroller General shall
study and assess the operational preparedness of air carriers
for preparing for changing weather and other events related to
changing conditions and natural hazards, including flooding,
extreme heat, changes in precipitation, storms, including
winter storms, coastal storms, tropical storms, and hurricanes,
and fire conditions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Requirements.--As part of the study required
by paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall assess the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) The extent to which air carriers are
preparing for weather events and natural disasters, as
well as changing conditions and natural hazards, that
may impact air carriers' operational investments,
staffing levels and safety policies, mitigation
strategies, and other resiliency planning.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) How the FAA oversees air carriers'
operational resilience to storms and natural disasters,
as well as changing conditions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Steps the Federal Government and air
carriers can take to improve their operational
resilience to storms and natural disasters, as well as
changing conditions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Briefing and Report.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General
shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the study
required by subsection (a), together with recommendations for
such legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller
General determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the
briefing required by paragraph (1) is provided, the Comptroller
General shall submit a report to the appropriate committees of
Congress on the study required by subsection (a), together with
recommendations for such legislation and administrative action
as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Definition of Air Carrier.--In this section, the term
``air carrier'' has the meaning given that term in section 40102 of
title 49, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 714. INCREASE IN CIVIL PENALTIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 46301(a) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``$25,000'' and inserting ``$50,000''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall apply to violations occurring on or after the date of
enactment.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Conforming Regulations.--The Secretary shall revise
such regulations as necessary to conform to the amendment made by
subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 715. FAMILY SEATING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Young Child.--In this section, the term ``young
child'' means an individual who has not attained 14 years of
age.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 716. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF AVIATION CONSUMER
PROTECTION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 102 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (e)(1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``7'' and inserting ``8'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and
an Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy'' and
inserting ``an Assistant Secretary for Transportation
Policy, and an Assistant Secretary for Aviation
Consumer Protection''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(j) Office of Aviation Consumer Protection.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the
Department an Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (referred
to in this subsection as the `Office') to administer and
enforce the aviation consumer protection and civil rights
authorities provided to the Department by statute, including
those under section 41712--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) to assist, educate, and protect
passengers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) to monitor compliance with, conduct
investigations relating to, and enforce, including by
taking appropriate action to address violations of,
aviation consumer protection, civil rights, and
aviation economic requirements; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) to promulgate, as appropriate,
aviation consumer protection and civil rights
regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Leadership.--The Office shall be headed by
the Assistant Secretary for Aviation Consumer Protection
(referred to in this subsection as the `Assistant
Secretary').</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Transition.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Office of
Aviation Consumer Protection that is a unit within the Office
of the General Counsel of the Department which is headed by the
Assistant General Counsel for Aviation Consumer Protection,
shall cease to exist. The Department shall determine which
employees are necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the
new Office of Aviation Consumer Protection and those employees
shall be transferred from the Office of the General Counsel as
appropriate to the newly established Office of Aviation
Consumer Protection. To the extent the Office of the General
Counsel retains any attorney or hires any new attorney to
advise the newly established Office of Aviation Consumer
Protection, those attorneys will be located in the remaining
offices within the Office of the General Counsel.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Coordination.--The Assistant Secretary shall
coordinate with the General Counsel appointed under subsection
(e)(1)(E), in accordance with section 1.26 of title 49, Code of
Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), on all legal
matters relating to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) aviation consumer protection;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the duties and activities of the
Office described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of
paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Annual report.--The Assistant Secretary
shall submit to the Secretary, who shall submit to Congress and
make publicly available on the website of the Department, an
annual report that, with respect to matters under the
jurisdiction of the Department, or otherwise within the
statutory authority of the Department--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) analyzes trends in aviation consumer
protection, civil rights, and licensing;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) identifies major challenges facing
passengers; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) addresses any other relevant issues,
as the Assistant Secretary determines to be
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) Funding.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, $13,000,000 for
fiscal year 2025, $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, $15,000,000
for fiscal year 2027, and $16,000,000 for fiscal year
2028.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>Subtitle B--Accessibility</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 731. EXTENSION OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE AIR
TRAVEL NEEDS OF PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 439(g) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49
U.S.C. 41705 note) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 732. MODERNIZATION AND IMPROVEMENTS TO AIRCRAFT
EVACUATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Study.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
conduct a study on improvements to the safety and efficiency of
evacuation standards for manufacturers and carriers of
transport category airplanes, as described in parts 25 and 121
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Contents.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Requirements.--The study required by
paragraph (1) shall include--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) a prospective risk analysis,
as well as an evaluation of relevant past
incidents with respect to evacuation safety and
evacuation standards;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) an assessment of the
evacuation testing procedures described in
section 25.803 of such title 14, as well as
recommendations for how to revise such testing
procedures to ensure that the testing
procedures assess, in a safe manner, the
ability of passengers with disabilities,
including those who use wheelchairs or other
mobility assistive devices, to safely and
efficiently evacuate an aircraft;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) an assessment of the
evacuation demonstration procedures described
in such part 121, as well as recommendations
for how to improve such demonstration
procedures to ensure that the demonstration
procedures assess, in a safe manner, the
ability of passengers with disabilities,
including those who use wheelchairs or other
mobility assistive devices, to safely to
efficiently evacuate an aircraft;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) the research proposed in
National Transportation Safety Board Safety
Recommendation A-18-009; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) any other analysis determined
appropriate by the Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Considerations.--In conducting the
study under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall
assess the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) The ability of passengers of
different ages (including infants, children,
and senior citizens) to safely and efficiently
evacuate a transport category
airplane.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) The ability of passengers of
different heights and weights to safely and
efficiently evacuate a transport category
airplane.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) The ability of passengers
with disabilities to safety and efficiently
evacuate a transport category
airplane.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) The ability of passengers who
cannot speak, have difficulty speaking, use
synthetic speech, or are non-vocal or non-
verbal to safely and efficiently evacuate a
transport category airplane.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) The ability of passengers who
do not speak English to safely and efficiently
evacuate a transport category
airplane.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (vi) The impact of the presence of
carry-on luggage and personal items (such as a
purse, briefcase, laptop, or backpack) on the
ability of passengers to safely and efficiently
evacuate a transport category
airplane.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (vii) The impact of seat size and
passenger seating space and pitch on the
ability of passengers to safely and efficiently
evacuate a transport category
airplane.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (viii) The impact of seats and
other obstacles in the pathway to the exit
opening from the nearest aisle on the ability
of passengers to safely and efficiently
evacuate a transport category
airplane.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ix) With respect to aircraft with
parallel longitudinal aisles, the impact of
seat pods or other seating configurations that
block access between such aisles within a cabin
on the ability of passengers to safely and
efficiently evacuate a transport category
airplane.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (x) The impact of passenger load
(the number of passengers relative to the
number of seats on board the aircraft) on the
ability of passengers to safely and efficiently
evacuate a transport category
airplane.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (xi) The impact of service animals
on the ability of passengers (including such
service animals and their handlers) to safely
and efficiently evacuate a transport category
airplane.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (xii) Whether an applicant for a
type certificate (as defined in section
44704(e)(7) of title 49, United States Code)
should be required to demonstrate compliance
with FAA emergency evacuation regulations (as
described in section 25.803 and Appendix J of
part 25 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations) through live testing when the
Administrator determines that the new aircraft
design is significant.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (xiii) Any other factor determined
appropriate by the Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Passengers with disabilities
defined.--For purposes of this paragraph, the term
``passengers with disabilities'' means any qualified
individual with a disability, as defined in section
382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Aviation Rulemaking Committee for Evacuation
Standards.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the
completion of the study under subsection (a), the Administrator
shall establish an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (in this
section referred to as the ``Committee'') to review the
findings of the study and develop and submit to the
Administrator recommendations regarding improvements to the
evacuation standards described in parts 25 and 121 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Composition.--The Committee shall consist of
members appointed by the Administrator, including the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Representatives of industry.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Representatives of aviation labor
organizations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Aviation safety experts with specific
knowledge of the evacuation standards and requirements
under such parts 25 and 121.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Representatives of the disability
community with specific knowledge of accessibility
standards regarding evacuations in emergency
circumstances.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) Representatives of the senior citizen
community.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) Representatives of
pediatricians.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Considerations.--In reviewing the findings of
the study under subsection (a) and developing recommendations
regarding the improvement of the evacuation standards, the
Committee shall consider the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) The recommendations made by any prior
Aviation Rulemaking Committee regarding the evacuation
standards described in such parts 25 and 121.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Scientific data derived from the study
under subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Any data gathered from aviation safety
reporting programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) The cost-benefit analysis and risk
analysis of any recommended standards.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) Any other item determined appropriate
by the Committee.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the
date on which the Committee submits recommendations under subsection
(b), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report on--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the findings of the study conducted under
subsection (a);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the recommendations of the Committee under
subsection (b); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) the Administrator's plan, if any, to implement
such recommendations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Rulemaking.--Not later than 90 days after submitting
the report to Congress under subsection (c), the Administrator shall
issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to implement the recommendations
of the Committee that the Administrator deems appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 733. IMPROVED TRAINING STANDARDS FOR ASSISTING PASSENGERS
WHO USE WHEELCHAIRS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Rulemaking.--The Secretary shall conduct a 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Requirements.--The training standards developed under
subsection (a) shall require, at a minimum, that airline personnel or
contractors--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) complete refresher training every 6 months and
be recertified yearly on the job by a superior in order to
remain qualified for providing aisle chair assistance;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) be able to successfully demonstrate the 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:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) How to safely use the aisle chair, or
other boarding device, including the use of all straps,
brakes, and other safety features.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) How to effectively communicate with,
and take instruction from, the passenger.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Considerations.--In conducting the rulemaking under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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
administering and auditing training;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) whether to require air carriers and foreign
air carriers to use a lift device, instead of an aisle chair,
to board and deplane passengers with mobility
disabilities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) whether air carriers and foreign air carriers
should be required to use their own personnel instead of
contractors for boarding passengers with limited or no
mobility; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) whether individuals able to provide boarding
and deplaning assistance for passengers with limited or no
mobility should receive training from medical professionals on
how to properly lift these passengers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Final Rule.--Not later than 12 months after the date
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue a final rule
pursuant to the rulemaking conducted under this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 734. TRAINING STANDARDS FOR STOWAGE OF WHEELCHAIRS AND
SCOOTERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Rulemaking.--The Secretary shall conduct a rulemaking
to develop minimum training standards related to stowage of wheelchairs
and scooters on aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Requirements.--The training standards developed under
subsection (a) shall require, at a minimum, that airline personnel or
contractors--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) complete refresher training every 6 months and
be recertified yearly on the job by a superior in order to
remain qualified for handling and stowing wheelchairs and
scooters; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) How to properly handle and configure,
at a minimum, the most commonly used power and manual
wheelchairs and scooters for stowage on each aircraft
type operated by the air carrier or foreign air
carrier.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) How to properly review any wheelchair
or scooter information provided by the passenger or the
assistive device manufacturer.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Considerations.--In conducting the rulemaking under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) whether to require air carriers and foreign
air carriers to partner with wheelchair manufacturers, national
disability and disabled veterans organizations representing
individuals who use wheelchairs and scooters, and aircraft
manufacturers, in administering and auditing training;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) whether air carriers and foreign air carriers
should require personnel or contractors to use specialized
equipment in loading and unloading wheelchairs and
scooters.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Final Rule.--Not later than 12 months after the date
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue a final rule
pursuant to the rulemaking conducted under this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 735. MOBILITY AIDS ON BOARD IMPROVE LIVES AND EMPOWER ALL
ACT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Publication of Information Related to Powered
Wheelchairs.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Advisory circular.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary
shall issue an advisory circular that provides guidance to air
carriers and foreign air carriers (as defined in section 40102
of title 49, United States Code) on publishing information
related to powered wheelchairs on the website of such carrier,
including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) information describing the dimensions
of the cargo holds of all aircraft types in the air
carrier's fleet, including the dimensions of the cargo
hold entry; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in the case of a qualified individual
with a disability (as defined in section 382.3 of title
14, Code of Federal Regulations) traveling with a
wheelchair (including a power wheelchair, manual
wheelchair, or scooter) who has purchased a ticket for
a flight from the air carrier but who cannot fly on the
existing aircraft because the wheelchair of such
qualified individual cannot fit in the cargo hold,
information regarding the process for such qualified
individual to get a refund of any previously paid
fares, fees, and taxes applicable to such
flight.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Requirement.--Not later than 18 months after
the date of enactment of this section, each air carrier and
foreign air carrier shall be required to publish, on a
prominent and easily accessible place on the website of the
carrier, the information described in the advisory circular
issued under paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Evaluation of Data Regarding Mishandled Wheelchairs.--
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section,
and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) evaluate data (which shall be delineated by
type of wheelchair being mishandled, such as power wheelchairs,
manual wheelchairs, and scooters, and by type of mishandling,
such as damage (including the type of damage, 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, and any other type
of damage deemed appropriate by the Secretary), delay, or loss)
regarding the frequency of mishandling of wheelchairs (as
defined in section 37.3 of title 49, Code of Federal
Regulations) occurring on aircraft;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) determine whether there are issues with
respect to such frequency and type of mishandling;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) review and report any claims for which an air
carrier has conclusive evidence of fraud.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Report on Mishandled Wheelchairs.--Not later than 6
months after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report (which shall
be made publicly available on the website of the Department of
Transportation) regarding the results of each such evaluation and
determination under subsection (b), including how the Secretary plans
to address such results through consultation with air carriers,
wheelchair manufacturers, national disability and disabled veterans
organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Feasibility of In-cabin Wheelchair Restraint
Systems.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Roadmap.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress 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--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) establish a program of research, in
collaboration with the Rehabilitation Engineering and
Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA),
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 FAA
crashworthiness and safety performance criteria,
including the issues and considerations set forth in
Special Report 341; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) sponsor studies that assess issues and
considerations, including those set forth in Special
Report 341, such as--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the feasibility of
implementing seating arrangements that would
accommodate passengers in wheelchairs in the
main cabin in flight.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the cost of such seating arrangements,
equipment, and installation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the demand for such seating
arrangements;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) the impact of such seating
arrangements on passenger seating and safety on
aircraft;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) the impact of such seating
arrangements on the cost of operations and airfare;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) any other information determined
appropriate by the Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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 appropriate committees of
Congress a publicly available report describing the results of
the study conducted under paragraph (2), together with any
recommendations the Secretary determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 736. PRIORITIZING ACCOUNTABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR
AVIATION CONSUMERS ACT OF 2023.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Secretary
shall submit a report on aviation consumer complaints related to
passengers with a disability filed with the Department of
Transportation to the appropriate committees of Congress, and shall
make each annual report publicly available.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Report.--Each annual report submitted under subsection
(a) shall include, but not be limited to, the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) The number of aviation consumer complaints
reported to the Secretary related to passengers with a
disability filed with the Department of Transportation during
the 5 most recent calendar years.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) The nature of such complaints, such as
reported issues with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) an air carrier, including an air
carrier's staff training or lack thereof;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) mishandling of passengers with a
disability or their accessibility equipment;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) the condition or lack of accessibility
equipment or materials;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) the accessibility of in-flight
services, including accessing and utilizing on-board
lavatories, for passengers with a disability;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) difficulties experienced by passengers
with a disability in communicating with an air carrier
or staff of an air carrier;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) difficulties experienced by passengers
with a disability in being moved, handled, or having
their schedule changed without consent;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) issues experienced by passengers with
a disability traveling with a service animal;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (H) such other issues as the Secretary
deems appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) An overview of the review process for such
complaints received during such period.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) The median length of time for how quickly
review such complaints were initiated.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) The median length of time for how quickly such
complaints were resolved or otherwise addressed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Of the complaints that were found to violate
section 41705 of title 49, United States Code, (commonly known
as the ``Air Carrier Access Act of 1986'')--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the number of such complaints for
which a formal enforcement order was issued;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the number of such complaints for
which a formal enforcement order was not
issued.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) How many aviation consumer complaints related
to passengers with a disability were referred to the Department
of Justice for an enforcement action under--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) any other provision of law.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) How many aviation consumer complaints related
to passengers with a disability filed with the Department of
Transportation that involved airport staff, or other matters
under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration,
were referred to the Federal Aviation Administration.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Definitions.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The definitions set forth in
section 40102 of title 49, United States Code, and section
382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, apply to any
term defined in such sections that is used in this
section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Passengers with a disability defined.--In this
section, the term ``passengers 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 737. TRANSPORTATION OF ORGANS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Handling of Organs on Aircraft.--Not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in
coordination with relevant Federal agencies and stakeholders, shall
issue a rulemaking to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) establish a safe, standardized process for a
commercial airline's acceptance, handling, management, and
transportation of an organ in the cabin of an
aircraft;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) require each commercial airline to establish a
protocol to ensure the safe and timely transport of an organ in
the cabin of the aircraft, including through any connecting
flight; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) identify metrics regarding the handling of
organs by commercial airlines in order to increase transparency
and aid the development of best practices and improvement
initiatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Definition of Organ.--For purposes of this section,
the term ``organ''--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) has the meaning given such term in section
121.2 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) includes organ-related tissue.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 738. ACCESS AND DIGNITY FOR ALL PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL
ACT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``Access and Dignity for All People Who Travel Act of 2023''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Air carrier.--The term ``air carrier'' has the
meaning given that term in section 40102 of title 49, United
States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Foreign air carrier.--The term ``foreign air
carrier'' has the meaning given that term in section 40102 of
title 49, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Qualified individual with a disability.--The
term ``qualified individual with a disability'' has the meaning
given that term in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Service animal.--The term ``service animal''
has the meaning given that term in section 382.3 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Seating Accommodations for Qualified Individuals With
Disabilities.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Advanced notice of proposed
rulemaking.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue an
advanced notice of proposed rulemaking regarding
seating accommodations for any qualified individual
with a disability.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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 seating accommodations
for any qualified individual with a
disability.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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 regarding seating
accommodations for any qualified individual with a
disability.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Requirements.--In carrying out any rulemaking
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) The scope and anticipated number of
qualified individuals with a disability who--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) may need to be seated with a
companion to receive assistance during a
flight; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) should be afforded bulkhead
seats or other seating
considerations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) The types of disabilities that may
need seating accommodations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Whether such qualified individuals
with a disability are unable to obtain, or have
difficulty obtaining, such a seat.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) The scope and anticipated number of
individuals assisting a qualified individual with a
disability who should be afforded an adjoining seat
pursuant to section 382.81 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) Any notification given to qualified
individuals with a disability regarding available
seating accommodations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) Any method that is adequate to
identify fraudulent claims for seating
accommodations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) Any other information determined
appropriate by the Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Known Service Animal User Travel Pilot Program.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Pilot program.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Establishment.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--The Secretary
shall establish a pilot program to allow
approved program participants as known service
animal users for the purpose of exemption from
the documentation requirements under part 382
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, with
respect to air travel with a service
animal.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Requirements.--The pilot
program established under clause (i) shall--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) be optional;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) provide to applicants
assistance, including over-the-phone
assistance, throughout the application
process for the program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) with respect to any
web-based components of the pilot
program, meet or exceed the standards
described in section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.
794d) and the regulations implementing
that Act as set forth in part 1194 of
title 36, Code of Federal Regulations;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IV) exempt participants
of the pilot program from any
documentation requirements under part
382 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Consultation.--In establishing the
pilot program under subparagraph (A), the Secretary
shall consult with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) disability advocacy entities,
including nonprofit organizations focused on
ensuring that individuals with disabilities are
able to live and participate in their
communities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) air carriers and foreign air
carriers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) accredited service animal
training programs and authorized registrars,
such as the International Guide Dog Federation,
Assistance Dogs International, and other
similar organizations and foreign and domestic
governmental registrars of service
animals;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) other relevant departments or
agencies of the Federal Government;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) other entities determined to
be appropriate by the Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Eligibility.--To be eligible to
participate in the pilot program under this paragraph,
an individual shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) be a qualified individual with
a disability;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) require the use of a service
animal because of a disability; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary
may require.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Clarification.--The Secretary may
award a grant or enter into a contract or cooperative
agreement in order to carry out this
paragraph.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) Nominal fee.--The Secretary may
require an applicant to pay a nominal fee (not to
exceed $25) to participate in the pilot
program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) Reports to congress.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Planning report.--Not later
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
section, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a publicly
available report describing the implementation
plan for the pilot program under this
paragraph.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Annual report.--Not later
than 1 year after the establishment of the
pilot program under this paragraph, and
annually thereafter until the date described in
subparagraph (G), the Secretary shall submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress a
publicly available report on the progress of
the pilot program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) Final report.--Not later
than 5 years after the date of enactment of
this section, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a publicly
available final report that includes
recommendations for the establishment and
implementation of a permanent known service
animal user travel program for the Federal
Government.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) Sunset.--The pilot program shall
terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of
enactment of this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Accredited service animal training programs
and authorized registrars.--Not later than 6 months after the
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall publish
on the website of the Department of Transportation and maintain
a list of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) accredited programs that train service
animals; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) authorized registrars that evaluate
service animals.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Report to congress on service animal
requests.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this section, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on
requests for air travel with service animals, including--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) during the reporting period, how many
requests to board an aircraft with a service animal
were made; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the number and percentage of such
requests, categorized by type of request, that were
reported by air carriers or foreign air carriers as--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) granted;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) denied; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) fraudulent.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Training.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of this section, the
Secretary shall, in consultation with the Air Carrier
Access Act Advisory Committee, issue guidance regarding
improvements to training for airline personnel
(including contractors) in recognizing when a qualified
individual with a disability is traveling with a
service animal.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Requirements.--The guidance issued
under paragraph (1) shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) take into account respectful
engagement with and assistance for individuals
with a wide range of visible and non-visible
disabilities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) provide information on--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) service animal
behavior and whether the service animal
is appropriately harnessed, leashed, or
otherwise tethered; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) the various types of
service animals, such as guide dogs,
hearing or signal dogs, psychiatric
service dogs, sensory or social signal
dogs, and seizure response dogs;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) outline the rights and
responsibilities of the handler of the service
animal.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 739. EQUAL ACCESSIBILITY TO PASSENGER PORTALS
ACT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Applications and Information Communication
Technologies.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Rulemaking.--Not later than 6 months after the
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue a
notice of proposed rulemaking to ensure that customer-focused
websites, applications, and information communication
technologies (including those used to notify any individual
with a disability of changes to flight information (such as
delays, gate changes, or boarding announcements), passenger
safety information, or in-flight services and updates) of an
air carrier, foreign air carrier, or airport are
accessible.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Final rule.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall
promulgate a final rule for the purposes described in paragraph
(1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Considerations.--In any rulemaking under this
subsection, the Secretary--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) shall consider--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the standards described in
section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(29 U.S.C. 794d); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the regulations implementing
that Act as set forth in part 1194 of title 36,
Code of Federal Regulations; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) may consider--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) additional standards,
including those provided in the Web Content
Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA of the
Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide
Web Consortium (or subsequent versions);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the technical capabilities of
the information communication
technology.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Consultation.--For purposes of this section,
the Secretary may consult with the Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance Board and any other relevant
department or agency to determine appropriate accessibility
standards.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Review.--Not later than 5 years after
promulgating the final rule under paragraph (2), and every 5
years thereafter, the Secretary shall review the rules issued
under this subsection and update such rules as
necessary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Audit.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Initial audit.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Requirement.--Not later than 1 year
after the date on which the Secretary promulgates the
final rule under subsection (a)(2), and subsequently
thereafter as described in paragraph (3), the Secretary
shall commence an audit of each customer-focused
website, application, or information communication
technology of an air carrier, foreign air carrier, or
airport for the purpose of informing improvements that
ensure any individual with a disability has equal
access to travel, in accordance with such final rule.
Such audit shall be limited to a review of the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) The accessibility of any
customer-focused website or application of an
air carrier, foreign air carrier, or
airport.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) The accessibility of the
information communication technology an air
carrier, foreign air carrier, or airport uses
to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) notify any individual
with a disability of changes to flight
information (such as delays, gate
changes, or boarding announcements);
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) provide services to
such individual, such as checking in,
printing a boarding pass, or printing a
luggage tag.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) Other relevant information,
as determined by the Secretary in consultation
with stakeholders from the disability
community, air carriers, foreign air carriers,
airports, and other relevant
stakeholders.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Notice.--Not later than 9 months
before commencing any audit under subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall notify any entity being audited and
publish in a prominent place on the website of the
Department of Transportation and in an accessible
manner, information regarding such audit, including--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) a notice of the
audit;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the standards that the
customer-focused website, application, or
information communication technology of an air
carrier, foreign air carrier, or airport must
meet; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) the potential civil
penalties that may be assessed for
noncompliance with such standards.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Clarification.--The Secretary may--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) award a grant or enter into a contract
or cooperative agreement in order to carry out the
audits required under paragraph (1); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) require any air carrier, foreign air
carrier, or airport audited under this section to
provide to the Secretary such information as the
Secretary requires to carry out any such
audit.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Subsequent audits.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Large air carriers, large hub
airports, and medium hub airports.--For purposes of
paragraph (1), after the initial audit described in
such paragraph, the Secretary shall conduct subsequent
audits every 3 years thereafter with respect to large
air carriers, large hub airports, and medium hub
airports.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Small air carriers.--For purposes of
paragraph (1), after the initial audit described in
such paragraph, the Secretary shall conduct subsequent
audits every 5 years thereafter with respect to small
air carriers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after commencing any
audit under subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a publicly-available report
containing the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) The number of air carriers, foreign air
carriers, and airports audited during the reporting
period.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) The number of violations per type of operator
(air carrier, foreign air carrier, and airport) during the
reporting period.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) An analysis of the number and type of
violations (such as lack of captions, audio descriptions, image
descriptions), with such types being at the discretion of the
Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Recommendations for such legislation and
administrative action as the Secretary determines
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Penalties.--Upon completing an audit conducted under
subsection (b), the Secretary may assess a civil penalty in accordance
with section 46301 of title 49, United States Code, to any air carrier,
foreign air carrier, or airport that utilizes a customer-focused
website, application, or information communication technology that is
not accessible, as determined by the Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Air carrier.--The term ``air carrier'' has the
meaning given that term in section 40102 of title 49, United
States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Airport.--The term ``airport'' has the meaning
given that term in section 40102 of title 49, United States
Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Application.--The term ``application'' means
software that is designed to run on a device, including a
smartphone, tablet, self-service kiosk, wearable technology
item, or laptop or desktop computer, or another device,
including a device developed after the date of enactment of
this section, and that is designed to perform, or to help the
user perform, a specific task.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Foreign air carrier.--The term ``foreign air
carrier'' has the meaning given that term in section 40102 of
title 49, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Individual with a disability.--The term
``individual with a disability'' has the meaning given that
term in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Information communication technology.--The
term ``information communication technology''--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) means any equipment, system,
technology, or process for which the principal function
is the creation, manipulation, storage, display,
receipt, or transmission of relevant electronic data
and information, as well as any associated content;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) includes a computer and peripheral
equipment, an information kiosk or transaction machine,
telecommunications equipment, customer premises
equipment, a multifunction office machine, software, a
video, or an electronic document.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Large air carrier.--The term ``large air
carrier'' means an air carrier or foreign air carrier operating
under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, that
operates an aircraft with 125 passenger seats or
more.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) Large hub airport.--The term ``large hub
airport'' has the meaning given that term in section 40102 of
title 49, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (9) Medium hub airport.--The term ``medium hub
airport'' has the meaning given that term in section 40102 of
title 49, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (10) Small air carrier.--The term ``small air
carrier'' means an air carrier or foreign air carrier operating
under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, that
operates an aircraft with less than 125 passenger
seats.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 740. STORE ON-BOARD WHEELCHAIRS IN CABIN ACT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Requirements.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--In the case an aircraft that is
required to be equipped with an on-board wheelchair in
accordance with section 382.65 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, an air carrier and a foreign air carrier shall
provide in a prominent place on a publicly available internet
website of the carrier, and in any place where a passenger can
make a reservation, information regarding the rights and
responsibilities of both passengers on such aircraft and the
air carrier or foreign air carrier, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) that an air carrier or foreign air
carrier is required to equip aircraft that have more
than 60 passenger seats and that have an accessible
lavatory (whether or not having such a lavatory is
required by section 382.63 of such title 14) with an
on-board wheelchair unless an exception described in
such section 382.65 applies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) that a qualified individual with a
disability may request an on-board wheelchair on
aircraft with more than 60 passenger seats even if the
lavatory is not accessible and that the basis of such
request must be that the individual can use an
inaccessible lavatory but cannot reach it from a seat
without using an on-board wheelchair;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) that the air carrier or foreign air
carrier may require the qualified individual with a
disability to provide the advance notice specified in
section 382.27 of such title 14 in order for the
individual to be provided with the on-board wheelchair;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) if the air carrier or foreign air
carrier requires the advance notice described in
subparagraph (C), information on how a qualified
individual with a disability can make such a
request.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Annual training.--An air carrier and a foreign
air carriers shall require that all personnel who regularly
interact with the traveling public, including contractors,
complete annual training regarding assisting qualified
individual with a disability, including regarding the
availability of accessible lavatories and on-board wheelchairs
and such individual's right to request an on-board
wheelchair.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Public awareness campaign.--The Secretary
shall conduct a public awareness campaign on the rights of
qualified individuals with a disability, including with respect
to accessible lavatories and such individual's right to request
an on-board wheelchair in accordance section 382.65 of title
14, Code of Federal Regulations .</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Qualified individual with a disability
defined.--In this subsection, the term ``qualified individual
with a disability'' has the meaning given such term in section
382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) 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 under paragraph (1) or
(2).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Increased Civil Penalties.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Section 46301(a)(7) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``to harm''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subparagraph (A)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in the heading, by striking
``bodily harm or damage to wheelchair or other
mobility aid'' and inserting ``damage to
wheelchair or other mobility aid, bodily harm,
or failure to equip aircraft with a
wheelchair''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by striking ``or injury to a
passenger with a disability'' and inserting ``,
injury to a passenger with a disability, or a
failure to equip an aircraft with an on-board
wheelchair pursuant to section 382.65 of title
14, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor
regulation)''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by
paragraph (1) shall apply to flights occurring on or after the
effective date of the revision described in subsection
(a).</DELETED>
<DELETED>Subtitle C--Air Service Development</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 741. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Definitions.--Section 41731 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Eligible Place Defined.--In this subchapter, the
term `eligible place' means a place in the United States that--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) is at least 75 miles from the nearest medium
or large hub airport, if within the 48 contiguous states, which
shall not be waived;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) had an average of 10 enplanements per
service day or more, as determined by the Secretary, during the
most recent fiscal year;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) during the most recent fiscal year had an
average subsidy per passenger, as determined by the Secretary,
of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) less than $500 for locations that
are less than 175 driving miles from the nearest large
or medium hub airport; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) less than $1,000 for all locations,
regardless of driving distance to a hub; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) is a community that, at any time during the
period between September 30, 2010, and September 30, 2011,
inclusive--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) received essential air service for
which compensation was provided to an air carrier under
this subchapter; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) received notice of intent to
terminate essential air service and the Secretary
required the air carrier to continue to provide such
service to the community.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``subsection
(a)(1) of this section'' and inserting ``subsection
(a)'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in subsection (c), by striking ``Subparagraphs
(B), (C), and (D) of subsection (a)(1)'' and inserting
``Paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (a)'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in subsection (d), by striking ``Subsection
(a)(1)(B)'' and inserting ``Subsection (a)(2)'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Waivers.--The Secretary may waive, on an annual
basis, subsection (a)(2) or subsection (a)(3)(A) with respect to a
location if the location demonstrates to the Secretary's satisfaction
that the reason the location averages fewer than 10 enplanements per
day or has a subsidy higher than $500 per passenger is due to a
temporary decline in demand; provided, that the Secretary may not
provide more than 2 consecutive waivers of subsection (a)(2) or
subsection (a)(3)(A) to any location.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) in subsection (f), by striking ``subsection
(a)(1)(B)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)(2)''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Improvements to Basic Essential Air Service.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Section 41732 of title 49, United
States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking
``hub airport'' and all that follows through ``beyond
that airport'' and inserting ``medium or large hub
airport''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in paragraph (2), by striking
``and at prices'' and all that follows through
the period; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by striking paragraphs (3)
through (6).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Level of Basic Essential Air Service.--Section 41733
of title 49, United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (c)(1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the contractual, marketing
arrangements, code-share, or interline arrangements the
applicant has made with a larger air carrier serving
the hub airport;'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking subparagraph (C) and
redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (F) as
subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in subparagraph (D), as so
redesignated, by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) in subparagraph (E), as so
redesignated, by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) service provided in aircraft with at
least 2 engines and using 2 pilots.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (h), by striking ``by section
332 of the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2000 (Public Law 106-69; 113 Stat. 1022)''
and inserting ``under section 41731(a)(3)''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Ending, Suspending, and Reducing Basic Essential Air
Service.--Section 41734 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking ``An air carrier'' and
inserting ``Subject to subsection (d), an air
carrier''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking ``90'' and inserting
``180'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Continuation of Compensation After Notice Period.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--If an air carrier receiving
compensation under section 41733 of this title for providing
basic essential air service to an eligible place is required to
continue to provide service to the place under this section
after the 180-day notice period under subsection (a) of this
section, the Secretary--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) shall provide the carrier with
compensation sufficient to pay to the carrier the
amount required by the then existing contract for
performing the basic essential air service that was
being provided when the 180-day notice was given under
subsection (a) of this section;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) may pay an additional amount that
represents a reasonable return on investment;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) may pay an additional return that
recognizes the demonstrated additional lost profits
from opportunities foregone and the likelihood that
those lost profits increase as the period during which
the carrier or provider is required to provide the
service continues.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Authority.--The Secretary may impose
contract termination penalties or conditions on compensation
that take effect in the event an air carrier provides notice
that it is ending, suspending, or reducing basic essential air
service.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in subsection (e), by striking ``providing
that service after the 90-day notice period'' and all that
follows through the period at the end of paragraph (2) and
inserting ``providing that service after the 180-day notice
period required by subsection (a), the Secretary may provide
the air carrier with compensation after the end of the 180-day
notice period to pay for the fully allocated actual cost to the
air carrier of performing the basic essential air service that
was being provided when the 180-day notice was given under
subsection (a) plus a reasonable return on investment that is
at least 5 percent of operating costs.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in subsection (f), by inserting ``air'' after
``find another''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Enhanced Essential Air Service.--Section 41735 of
title 49, United States Code, and the item relating to such section in
the analysis for subchapter II of chapter 417 of such title, are
repealed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Air Transportation to Noneligible Places.--Section
41736 of title 49, United States Code, and the item relating to such
section in the analysis for subchapter II of chapter 417 of such title,
are repealed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (g) Compensation Guidelines, Limitations, and Claims.--
Section 41737(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary
may''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by striking paragraph (2).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (h) Joint Proposals.--Section 41740 of title 49, United
States Code, and the item relating to such section in the analysis for
subchapter II of chapter 417 of such title, are repealed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Essential Air Service Authorization.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Section 41742(a) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1), by striking
``$50,000,000'' and inserting
``$154,400,000'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (2), by striking
``$155,000,000 for fiscal year 2018,'' and all that
follows through ``2023'' and inserting ``$335,000,000
for fiscal year 2024, $340,000,000 for fiscal year
2025, $342,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, $342,000,000
for fiscal year 2027, and $350,000,000 for fiscal year
2028''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by striking paragraph (3).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by
paragraph (1) shall take effect on October 1, 2023.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (j) Preservation of Basic Essential Air Service at Single
Carrier Dominated Hub Airports.--Section 41744 of title 49, United
States Code, and the item relating to such section in the analysis for
subchapter II of chapter 417 of such title, are repealed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (k) Community and Regional Choice Programs.--Section 41745
of title 49, United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking subparagraph
(E) and redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph
(E);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by striking subsections (b) and (c);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g)
as subsections (b) through (e), respectively.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (l) Marketing Program.--Section 41748 of title 49, United
States Code, and the item relating to such section in the analysis for
subchapter II of chapter 417 of such title, are repealed.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 742. SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
GRANTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 41743 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (c)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ``10-
year'' and inserting ``5-year''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (5)(E), by inserting ``or
substantially reduced (as measured by enplanements,
capacity (seats), schedule, connections, or routes)''
after ``terminated'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (d)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``,
which shall begin with each new grant, including same-
project new grants, and which shall be calculated on a
non-consecutive basis for air carriers that provide air
service that is seasonal'' after ``3 years'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and''
after the semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in paragraph (3), by striking the
period and inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) to provide assistance to an airport where
air service has been terminated or substantially
reduced.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in subsection (e)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or
the community's current air service needs'' after ``the
project'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (2), by striking
``$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through
2023'' and inserting ``$20,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2024 through 2028'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in subsection (g)(4), by striking ``and the
creation of aviation development zones''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) by striking subsections (f) and (h) and
redesignating subsection (g) (as amended by paragraph (4)) as
subsection (f).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 743. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON THE ALTERNATE ESSENTIAL AIR
SERVICE PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Study.--The Comptroller General shall study the
effectiveness of the Alternate Essential Air Service program (in this
section referred to as the ``Alternate EAS program''), including
challenges if any that have impeded robust community participation in
the Alternate EAS program. The study shall include an assessment of
potential changes to the Alternate EAS program and the basic Essential
Air Service programs under section 41731 of title 49, United States
Code, wherein Governors of Essential Air Service eligible States and
Puerto Rico are given block grants to distribute Essential Air Service
funds to Essential Air Service eligible communities in their States and
Puerto Rico.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall brief the
appropriate committees of Congress on the study required by subsection
(a), together with recommendations for such legislation and
administrative action as the Comptroller General determines
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>TITLE VIII--NEW ENTRANTS</DELETED>
<DELETED>Subtitle A--Unmanned Aircraft Systems</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 801. OFFICE OF ADVANCED AVIATION TECHNOLOGY AND
INNOVATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 106 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(u) Office of the Associate Administrator for Advanced
Aviation Technology and Innovation.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the
Federal Aviation Administration the Office of Advanced Aviation
Technology and Innovation (in this subsection referred to as
the `Office').</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Associate administrator.--The Office shall
be headed by an Associate Administrator, who shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) be appointed by the Administrator;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) report directly to the
Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Purposes.--The purposes of the Office are
to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) serve as an entry point for
stakeholders to share information with the Federal
Aviation Administration on advanced aviation
technologies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) examine the potential impact of
advanced aviation technologies on the national airspace
system, and methods to safely integrate into the
national airspace system;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) work collaboratively with subject
matter experts from all lines of business and staff
offices to examine advanced aviation technologies and
concepts for integration into the national airspace
system in an expeditious manner that takes into account
acceptable levels of risk;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) lead cross-U.S. government
collaborative efforts to develop integrated approaches
for the acceleration and deployment of Advanced
Technologies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) provide leadership with regard to
internal collaboration, industry engagement, and
collaboration with international partners;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) lead cross-FAA integration,
planning, coordination, and collaboration in support of
the integration of advanced aviation technologies
;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(G) support the development of safety
cases for advanced aviation technologies in
coordination with the operational approval office;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(H) coordinate and review approval of
advanced aviation technologies, including support to
and approval of any required rulemakings, exemptions,
waivers, or other types of authorizations, as
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Duties.--The Associate Administrator shall--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) establish, manage, and oversee the
Office of Advanced Aviation Technology and
Innovation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) develop and maintain a comprehensive
strategy and action plan for fully integrating advanced
aviation technologies into the national aviation
ecosystem and providing full authorization for
operations at scale for each of these
technologies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) collaborate with Federal Aviation
Administration organizations to identify and develop
specific recommendations to address skills gaps in the
existing engineer and inspector workforce involved in
the certification and operational approval of safety
technology;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) coordinate and review, as
appropriate, rulemaking activities related to advanced
aviation technologies, including by scoping complex
regulatory issues, evaluating internal processes, and
positioning the Federal Aviation Administration to
support aerospace innovation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) coordinate and review, as
appropriate, applications for type, production, or
airworthiness certificates, or alternatives to
airworthiness certificates, operating and pilot
certification, and airspace authorizations, among
others, related to advanced aviation
technologies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) coordinate and review, as
appropriate, applications for waivers, exemptions and
other operational authorizations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(G) coordinate and review the
implementation of the process required by section 2209
of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016
(as amended) (49 U.S.C. 40101 note);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(H) coordinate with the Chief Operating
Officer of the Air Traffic Organization and other
agency leaders to develop policies to address airspace
integration issues at all levels of uncontrolled and
controlled airspace;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) implement the BEYOND program and the
UAS Test Site Program, among others, and develop other
pilot programs in partnership with industry
stakeholders and State, local, and Tribal Governments
to enable highly automated and autonomous operations of
Advanced Technologies unmanned aircraft systems, AAM,
and other innovative aviation technologies at scale by
providing the data necessary to support rulemakings and
other approval processes;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(J) serve as the designated Federal
officer to the Advanced Aviation Technology and
Innovation Steering Committee; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(K) serve as the Federal Aviation
Administration lead for the Drone Safety
Team.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Congressional briefings.--Not later than 60
days after establishing the position in paragraph (1), and on a
quarterly basis thereafter, the Administrator shall brief the
appropriate committees of Congress on the status of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) implementing the comprehensive
strategy and action plan for fully integrating advanced
aviation technologies into the national aviation
ecosystem and providing full authorization for
operations at scale for each of these
technologies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) rulemakings, major guidance
documents, and other agency pilot programs or
initiatives supporting the comprehensive strategy and
action plan;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) implementing recommendations from
the Advanced Aviation Technology and Innovation
Steering Committee; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) engagement with international
aviation regulators to develop global standards for
advanced aviation technologies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) UAS integration office.--Not later than 90
days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the
functions, duties and responsibilities of the UAS Integration
Office shall be incorporated into the Office.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(7) Definitions.--In this subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) AAM.--The term `AAM' has the meaning
given the term `advanced air mobility' in section
2(i)(1) of the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and
Leadership Act (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Advanced aviation technologies.--The
term `advanced aviation technologies' means
technologies for which introduction has potential
safety implications and shall include unmanned aircraft
systems, powered-lift aircraft, electric propulsion,
and super- and hypersonic aircraft.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 802. ADVANCED AVIATION TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION STEERING
COMMITTEE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Establishment.--Not later than 30 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish an
Advanced Aviation Technology and Innovation Steering Committee (in this
section referred to as the ``Steering Committee'') to ensure the FAA's
comprehensive strategy and action plan for fully integrating unmanned
aircraft systems, AAM, and other innovative aviation technologies into
the national aviation ecosystem and providing full authorization for
operations at scale for each of these technologies as reflects the
equities and interests of all stakeholders within the agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Chair.--The Associate Administrator for Advanced
Aviation Technology and Innovation shall serve as the Chair of the
Steering Committee.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Composition.--In addition to the Chair, the Steering
Committee shall consist of at least 1 senior leader of each of the
following FAA offices:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Aircraft Certification Service.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Flight Standards Service.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Air Traffic Organization.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Office of Accident Investigation and
Prevention.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Office of Aerospace Medicine.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Office of Airports.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Office of Commercial Space.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) Office of Finance and Management.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (9) Office of NextGen or any successor
office.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (10) Office of the Chief Counsel.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (11) Office of Rulemaking.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (12) Office of Policy, International Affairs, and
Environment.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 803. BEYOND VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT OPERATIONS FOR UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Chapter 448 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44811. Beyond visual line of sight operations for
unmanned aircraft systems</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration (in this section referred to as the `Administrator')
shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking establishing a regulatory
pathway for certification or approval of unmanned aircraft systems to
enable commercial beyond visual line of sight (in this section referred
to as `BVLOS') operations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Consultation.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), in
promulgating the rule under subsection (a), the Administrator
shall implement the final report and recommendations of the
Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee which
were submitted to the Administrator on March 10,
2022.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Exception.--If the Administrator determines
not to implement 1 or more of the recommendations described in
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall provide to the
appropriate committees of Congress a statement of explanation
for such determination.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Final Rule.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after
the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
issue a final rule establishing a regulatory pathway for
certification or approval of unmanned aircraft systems to
enable commercial BVLOS operations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Requirements.--The final rule described in
paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, do the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Establish an applicable risk
assessment methodology for the authorization of BVLOS
unmanned aircraft system operations that includes
quantified measures of acceptability which sufficiently
account for the total air and ground risks associated
with such operations and the means for mitigating such
risks, taking into account an aircraft's size, weight,
speed, kinetic energy, operational capability,
proximity to airports and populated areas, operation
over people, and operation beyond the visual line of
sight, or operation during the day or night, including
consideration of unmanned aircraft using an approved or
accepted detect and avoid system appropriate for the
class and type of airspace in which the operation is
being conducted.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Establish remote pilot certification
standards for remote pilots for BVLOS operations,
taking into account varying levels of automated control
and management of unmanned aircraft system
flights.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Establish an airworthiness process
for small unmanned aircraft systems that requires a
manufacturer's declaration of compliance to a Federal
Aviation Administration accepted means of compliance,
which shall not require type or production
certification or the issuance of a special
airworthiness certificate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) Establish a special airworthiness
certificate to be issued upon a manufacturer's
declaration of compliance to a Federal Aviation
Administration accepted means of compliance, which--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) shall not require type or
production certification;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) shall, at least, govern
airworthiness of any unmanned aircraft system
that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) is not--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(aa) a small
unmanned aircraft system;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(bb) appropriate
for the process described in
subparagraph (C), as determined
by the Administrator;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) has a maximum gross
weight of not more than 1,320 lbs;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) has a maximum
speed of 100 miles per hour;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) may require unmanned
aircraft systems subject to the certificate to
operate in the national airspace system at
altitudes below at least--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) 400 feet above
ground level; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) with respect to an
unmanned aircraft system flown within a
400-foot radius of a structure, 400
feet above the structure's immediate
uppermost limit.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) Amend the Code of Federal
Regulations to establish generally applicable standards
for the type certification of unmanned aircraft systems
that the Administrator determines pose higher air or
ground risks such that those unmanned aircraft systems
are not appropriate for approvals under the processes
described in subparagraph (C) or (D).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) Establish operating rules for--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) the operation of the
unmanned aircraft systems described in
subparagraphs (C), (D), or (E); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) certain unmanned aircraft
systems to enable lower-risk BVLOS operations
without airworthiness requirements in a manner
consistent with the final report and
recommendations of the Beyond Visual Line of
Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee described
in subsection (b)(1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this
section shall prohibit the use of the manufacturer declarations
of compliance required under paragraph (2)(C) for other
unmanned aircraft systems.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 448 of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 44810 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``44811. Beyond visual line of sight operations for unmanned
aircraft systems.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 804. EXTENDING SPECIAL AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Extension.--Section 44807(d) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``September 30, 2023'' and
inserting ``on the date the rules described in section 44811 take
effect''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Clarification.--Section 44807(a) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by inserting ``or chapter 447'' after
``Notwithstanding any other requirement of this chapter''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Expedited Exemptions.--In exercising authority under
section 44807 of title 49, United States Code (as amended by subsection
(a)), the Administrator shall, taking into account the statutory
mandate to ensure safe and efficient use of the national airspace
system and without requiring a rulemaking or imposing the requirements
of part 11 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, grant exemptions--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) to enable--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) low-risk beyond visual line of sight
operations, such as certain package delivery operations
or shielded operations within 100 feet of the ground or
a structure; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) extended visual line of sight
operations that rely on visual observers to keep the
aircraft or airspace within view; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) that are aligned with FAA exemptions that
enable beyond visual line of sight operations with the use of
acoustics, ground based radar, and other technological
solutions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Clarification of Status of Previously Issued
Rulemakings and Exemptions.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Rulemakings.--Any rulemaking published prior
to the date of enactment of this section under the authority
described in section 44807 of title 49, United States Code,
shall continue to be in effect following the expiration of such
authority.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Exemptions.--Any exemption granted under the
authority described in section 44807 of title 49, United States
Code, and in effect as of September 30, 2023, shall continue to
be in effect until the date that is 3 years after the date of
termination described in such exemption.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Delegation.--The authority granted to the
Secretary in such section 44807 may continue to be delegated to
the Administrator in whole or in part.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Rules of construction.--Nothing in this
section shall be construed to interfere with the Secretary's--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) authority to rescind or amend the
granting of an exemption for reasons such as unsafe
conditions or operator oversight; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) ability to grant an exemption based on
a determination made pursuant to such section 44807
prior to the date described in subsection (d) of such
section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 805. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND NOISE
CERTIFICATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) National Environmental Policy Act Guidance.--Not later
than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the
Administrator shall publish drone-specific environmental review
guidance and implementation procedures and thereafter revise such
guidance as appropriate to carry out the requirements of this
section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Programmatic Level Approach to NEPA Review.--Not later
than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the
Administrator shall examine and integrate programmatic-level approaches
to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) (including regulations promulgated to carry
out that Act) for the commercial drone industry to create an efficient
process for preparing environmental reviews of reasonably foreseeable
drone operations across a geographic region, for an individual
operator's network of drone operations within a defined geographic
region, and for operations within and over commercial and industrial
sites closed or restricted to the public.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Developing One or More Categorical Exclusions.--The
Administrator shall engage in ongoing consultations with the Council on
Environmental Quality to identify actions that are appropriate for a
categorical exclusion and shall incorporate such actions in FAA Order
1050.1F, as amended or revised, from time to time, as, and when, deemed
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Suspension of Noise Certification Requirement Pending
Standards Development.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Upon the date of enactment of
this section, and notwithstanding the requirements of section
44715 of title 49, United States Code, the Administrator shall
waive the determination of compliance with part 36 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations, for drone models seeking type and
airworthiness certification, and shall not deny, withhold, or
delay such certification due to the absence of a noise
certification basis under such part, provided the FAA has
developed appropriate noise measurement procedures for such
drone models and the FAA has received the noise measurement
results based on those procedures from the applicant.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Duration.--The suspension provided in this
subsection shall continue until such time as the Administrator
publishes final noise certification standards for drones as
amendments to part 36 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations,
or to another part of title 14 of such Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Deadline for noise certification standards.--
Based on drone noise data the Administrator has received in the
process of reviewing applications for type and airworthiness
certification, in conducting environmental assessments of
proposed drone operations under section 44807 of title 49,
United States Code, and part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, and from other sources, including standards
organizations, the Administrator shall propose generally
applicable drone noise certification standards, not later than
the date that is 36 months after the date of enactment of this
section, and following notice and comment rulemaking
procedures, and shall publish final noise certification
standards not later than 24 months after the date on which the
period for public comment on such proposed generally applicable
noise certification standards ends.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Drone Defined.-- In this section, the term ``drone''
has the meaning given the term ``unmanned aircraft'' in section 44801
of title 49, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 806. UTM IMPLEMENTATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Approval Process.--Not later than 270 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish
procedures, which may include a rulemaking, to establish a standard
approval process for third party service suppliers of UTM in order to
fulfill safety functions for Beyond Visual Line of Sight.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) ASTM Standard.--- In establishing the standard
approval process required by subsection (a), the Administrator shall
ensure that ASTM International Standard F3548-21, entitled ``UAS
Traffic Management (UTM) UAS Service Supplier (USS) Interoperability'',
and any future possible revisions as refined and validated by the
Administrator in conjunction with stakeholders including the private
sector, is included as an acceptable means of compliance.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Certification.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days of the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
initiate a process, which may include a rulemaking, to define
and implement criteria and conditions for the certification and
oversight of third party service suppliers of UTM that could
have a direct or indirect impact on air traffic services in the
national airspace system and require FAA oversight.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Considerations.--In carrying out the
certification process described in paragraph (1) the
Administrator shall consider the facilitation and streamlining
of processes for global recognition and applicability,
including through bilateral aviation safety agreements,
implementation procedures, and other associated bilateral
arrangements.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Third party service supplier.--The term
``third party service supplier'' means an entity other than the
UAS operator or the FAA that provides a distributed service
that affects the national airspace system safety, including UAS
Service Suppliers (USS), Supplemental Data Service Providers
(SDSPs), and infrastructure providers such as ground-based
surveillance, command-and-control and information exchange to
another party.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) UTM.--The term ``UTM'' has the meaning given
that term in section 44801 of title 49, United States
Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) UAS.--The term ``UAS'' has the meaning given
the term ``unmanned aircraft system'' in section 44801 of title
49, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 807. OPERATIONS OVER THE HIGH SEAS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, and to the extent permitted by treaty
obligations of the United States, including the Convention on
International Civil Aviation, the Administrator shall establish and
implement an operational approval process to permit small unmanned
aircraft systems (as defined in section 44801 of title 49, United
States code), and unmanned aircraft systems (as so defined) with a
special airworthiness certificate, to operate over the high seas within
flight information regions for which the United States is responsible
for the operational control.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Consultation.--In establishing and implementing the
approval process under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult
with appropriate stakeholders outside of the FAA, including industry
stakeholders.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 808. EXTENSION OF THE BEYOND PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Chapter 448 of title 49, United States
Code, as amended by section 803(a), is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44812. BEYOND program</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``During the period beginning on the date of enactment of
this section and ending on September 30, 2028, the Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration shall continue to operate the Federal
Aviation Administration's BEYOND program (as established on October 26,
2020) under the same terms and conditions applicable under such program
as of such date of enactment. A waiver or authority granted under the
Unmanned Aircraft System Integration Pilot Program established under
section 351 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 shall continue to
apply during such period to an entity participating in the BEYOND
program under such waiver or authority on such date of enactment for so
long as the entity continues to participate in the BEYOND
program.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 448 of
title 49, United States Code, as amended by section 803(b), is amended
by inserting after the item relating to section 44811 the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``44812. BEYOND program.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 809. EXTENSION OF THE KNOW BEFORE YOU FLY
CAMPAIGN.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 356 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Pub.
Law 115-254; 132 Stat. 3305) is amended by striking ``2019 through
2023'' and inserting ``2024 through 2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 810. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM DATA EXCHANGE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Data Exchange Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall develop and
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan to make
available data that is prudent to ensure the safe integration of
unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system. Such plan
shall include the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) A description of technical efforts to digitize
and automate aeronautical information (including through the
development and use of an unmanned aircraft systems geospatial
information management system) to provide an authoritative
source of geospatial information to support the operation of
unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace
system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Suggested refinements to standard sets of
aeronautical information for current and upcoming unmanned
aircraft systems integration efforts to facilitate the exchange
of unmanned aircraft systems data that is relevant to the
unmanned aircraft systems community.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) An identification of sensitive flight data
that may require information security controls or protection to
safeguard the operational security of such flight activity with
respect to air navigation services that contain information
about sensitive national security or law enforcement
flights.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Means and service fees for the data to be
shared consistent with industry standard geospatial
formats.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Coordination.--In developing the plan under subsection
(a), the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) solicit from the Secretary of the Interior and
other departments or agencies, as deemed necessary by the
Administrator, information relevant to the safe operation of
unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace system;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) coordinate with unmanned aircraft systems
industry and technical groups to identify an efficient and
effective format, method, and cadence for providing the
required data.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 811. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM DETECTION AND MITIGATION
ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Chapter 448 of title 49, United States
Code, as amended by sections 803(a) and 808(a), is amended by adding at
the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44813. Unmanned aircraft system detection and
mitigation enforcement</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Prohibition.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--No person may operate a system
or technology to detect, identify, monitor, track, or mitigate
an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system in a manner
that adversely impacts or interferes with safe airport
operations, navigation, or air traffic services, or the safe
and efficient operation of the national airspace
system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Actions by the administrator.--The
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may take
such action as may be necessary to address the adverse impacts
or interference of operations that violate paragraph
(1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Termination.--The prohibition under
paragraph (1) shall not apply on or after September 30,
2028.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Penalties.--A person who operates a system or
technology in violation of subsection (a)(1) is liable to the Federal
Government for a civil penalty of not more than $25,000 per
violation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Rule of Construction.--The term `person' as used in
this section does not include--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) the Federal Government or any bureau,
department, instrumentality, or other agency of the Federal
Government; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) an officer, employee, or contractor of the
Federal Government or any bureau, department, instrumentality,
or other agency of the Federal Government if the officer,
employee, or contractor is authorized by the Federal Government
or any bureau, department, instrumentality, or other agency of
the Federal Government to operate a system or technology
referred to in subsection (a)(1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Briefing to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on any
enforcement actions taken (including any civil penalties imposed) using
the authority under this section.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 448 of
title 49, United States Code, as amended by sections 803(b) and 808(b),
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 44812 the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``44813. Unmanned aircraft system detection and mitigation
enforcement.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 812. RECREATIONAL OPERATIONS OF DRONE SYSTEMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 44809 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a) by striking paragraph (6)
and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) Except for circumstances when the
Administrator establishes alternative altitude ceilings or as
otherwise authorized in subsection (c)(2), 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
chapter, such as special use airspace designations and
temporary flight restrictions.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (c)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1) by striking
``organization conducting a sanctioned event'' and
inserting ``organization sponsoring
operations'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as
paragraph (3);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in paragraph (3) (as so
redesignated)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in the paragraph heading by
striking ``weighing more than 55 pounds'' and
inserting ``weighing 55 pounds or
greater'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``weighing more
than 55 pounds'' and inserting ``weighing 55
pounds or greater''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) in subparagraph (B), by
inserting ``or (2)'' after ``paragraph (1)'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) by inserting after paragraph (1) the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Operations in class g airspace.--Subject to
compliance with all airspace and flight restrictions and
prohibitions established under this chapter, such as special
use airspace designations and temporary flight restrictions--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) persons operating drones under
subsection (a) from a fixed site at which the
operations are sponsored by a community-based
organization may operate within Class G airspace--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) up to 400 feet above ground
level, without prior authorization from the
Administrator; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) above 400 feet above ground
level, with prior authorization from the
Administrator; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) persons operating drones under
paragraph (3) from a fixed site at which the operations
are sponsored by a community-based organization may
operate within Class G airspace with prior
authorization from the Administrator.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in subsection (d) by striking the subsection
heading and all that follows through ``Nothing in this
subsection'' and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this
subsection'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in subsection (f)(1) by striking ``updates to
the operational parameters'' and inserting ``the operational
limitations''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) in subsection (h)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1)
through (6) as paragraphs (2) through (7),
respectively; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as
so redesignated) the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) is recognized by the Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration;''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Use of UAS at Institutions of Higher Education.--
Section 350 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44809
note) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and
(3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) operated by an elementary school or
secondary school for educational or research purposes;'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (d)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (2), in the matter
preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting ``an
elementary school, or a secondary school,'' after
``institution of higher education,''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) 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).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) 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).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 813. UAS TEST RANGES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Chapter 448 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by striking section 44803 and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44803. Unmanned aircraft test ranges</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Test Ranges.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration shall carry out and update, as
appropriate, a program for the use of unmanned aircraft system
test ranges to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) enable a broad variety of research,
development, testing, and evaluation activities at the
test ranges; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) not later than 5 years after the
date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of
2023, expand the number of test ranges, to the extent
consistent with aviation safety and efficiency, for
purposes of the safe integration of unmanned aircraft
systems into the national airspace system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Designations.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph
(B), the designations of test ranges under this section
may include the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) The 7 test ranges
established by the Administrator under section
332(c) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act
of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note), as in effect on
the day before the date of enactment of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2018, and pursuant to
section 2201(b) of the FAA Extension, Safety,
and Security Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 40101
note), which, except for the eligibility
factors as provided in paragraph (3) of this
section, shall each be subject to the
requirements of this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) Two additional test ranges
subject to the requirements of this section,
which may be established by the Administrator
through a competitive selection process after
successful conversion of test ranges
established prior to the date of enactment of
the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023 and at
least 6 months of data sharing demonstrating
safe operations and improved use of the test
range consistent with any standard established
by the Administrator through the selection
process.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Limitation.--Not more than 9 test
ranges shall be designated under this section at any
given time.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Eligibility.--An applicant shall be
considered eligible for designation as a test range sponsor
under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) based on the following
criteria:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) The applicant shall be an
instrumentality of a State, a local, tribal, or
territorial government, or other public
entity.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) The applicant shall be approved by
the chief executive officer of the State, local,
territorial, or tribal government for the applicant's
principal place of business, prior to seeking
designation by the Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) The applicant shall not have been
selected previously by the Administrator to sponsor or
host a test range covered by this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) The applicant shall undertake and
ensure testing in innovative concepts, technologies,
and operations that will offer new safety benefits,
including expanding advanced research and developing
and retaining an advanced aviation industrial base
within the United States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) The applicant shall meet any other
requirements established by the Administrator in a
competitive selection process.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Airspace Requirements.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the program
under subsection (a), the Administrator may establish, upon the
request of a test range sponsor designated by the Administrator
under subsection (a), a restricted area, pursuant to part 73 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, for purposes of--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) accommodating hazardous research,
development, testing, and evaluation activities to
inform the safe integration of unmanned aircraft
systems into the national airspace system; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) other activities authorized by the
Administrator pursuant to subsection (f).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) NEPA review.--The Administrator may require
that each test range sponsor designated by the Administrator
under subsection (a) 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 by the Federal Aviation Administration, with respect
to any request for the establishment of a restricted area under
this subsection.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Inactive restricted area.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--In the event a
restricted area established under paragraph (1) is not
needed to meet the requirements of the using agency (as
described in subparagraph (B)), the restricted area
shall be inactive and revert to the controlling
agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Using agency.--For purposes of this
subsection, a test range sponsor designated by the
Administrator under subsection (a) shall be considered
the using agency with respect to a restricted area
established by the Administrator under this
subsection.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Approval authority.--The Administrator shall
have the authority to approve access by a participating or
nonparticipating operator to a test range or restricted area
established by the Administrator under this
subsection.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Program Requirements.--In carrying out the program
under subsection (a), the Administrator--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) may develop operational standards and air
traffic requirements for flight operations at test
ranges;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) shall coordinate with, and leverage the
resources of, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
and the Department of Defense, as appropriate;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) shall address both civil and public aircraft
operations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) shall provide for verification of the safety
of flight systems and related navigation procedures as it
relates to the continued development of standards for
integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national
airspace system;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) shall engage test range sponsors, as
necessary and with available resources, in projects for
research, development, testing, and evaluation of flight
systems to facilitate the Federal Aviation Administration's
development of standards for the safe integration of unmanned
aircraft systems into the national airspace system, which may
include solutions for--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) developing and enforcing geographic
and altitude limitations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) providing for alerts by the
manufacturer regarding any hazards or limitations on
flight, including prohibition on flight as
necessary;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) developing sense and avoid
capabilities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) developing technology to support
communications, navigation, and surveillance;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)
operations, nighttime operations, operations over
people, operations involving multiple small unmanned
aircraft systems, unmanned aircraft systems traffic
management, or other critical research priorities;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) improving privacy protections
through the use of advances in unmanned aircraft
systems;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) shall coordinate periodically with all test
range sponsors to ensure the test range sponsors know which
data should be collected, how data can be de-identified to flow
more readily to the Federal Aviation Administration, what
procedures should be followed, and what research would advance
efforts to safely integrate unmanned aircraft systems into the
national airspace system; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(7) shall allow test range sponsors to receive
Federal funding (including in-kind contributions), other than
from the Federal Aviation Administration, from test range
participants in furtherance of research, development, and
testing objectives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Exemption.--Except as provided in subsection (f),
the requirements of section 44711 (including any related implementing
regulations) shall not apply to persons approved by the test range
sponsor for operation at a test range designated by the Administrator
under this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Responsibilities of Test Range Sponsors.--The
sponsor of each test range designated by the Administrator under
subsection (a) shall do the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Provide access to all interested private and
public entities seeking to carry out research at the test
range, 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
defined in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
632)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Maintain operational control for all testing
activities conducted at its respective test range.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Ensure all activities remain within the
geographical boundaries and altitude limitations established
for any restricted area covering the test range.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Ensure any activity conducted at the
designated test range is not conducted in a careless or
reckless manner.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Establish safe operating procedures for all
operators approved for testing 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) Exercise direct oversight of all operations
conducted at the test range.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(7) Consult with the Administrator on the nature
of planned activity at the test range and whether segregation
of the airspace is required to contain the activity consistent
with aviation safety.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(8) Protect proprietary technology, sensitive
data, or sensitive research of any civil or private entity when
using the test range.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(9) Maintain detailed records of all ongoing and
completed research 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(10) Make all original records available for
inspection upon request by the Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(11) Provide recommendations, on a quarterly
basis until the program terminates, to the Administrator to
further enable public and private research and development
operations at the test ranges that contribute to the Federal
Aviation Administration's safe integration of unmanned aircraft
systems into the national airspace system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Testing.--The Administrator may authorize a sponsor
of a test range designated under subsection (a) to host research,
development, testing, and evaluation activities other than those
directly related to the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into
the national airspace system, provided that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) the activity is necessary to inform the
development of standards or policy for integrating new types of
flight systems into the national airspace system; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) the Administrator waives the requirements of
section 44711 (including any related implementing regulations)
to the extent the Administrator determines such waiver is
consistent with aviation safety.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(g) Collaborative Research and Development Agreements.--
The Administrator may use the transaction authority under section
106(l)(6), in coordination with the Center of Excellence for Unmanned
Aircraft Systems, to enter into collaborative research and development
agreements or to direct research related to unmanned aircraft systems,
including at any test range designated under subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(h) Use of Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft
Systems.--The Administrator, in carrying out research necessary to
implement the consensus safety standards accepted under section 44805,
shall, to the maximum extent practicable, leverage the research and
testing capacity and capabilities of the Center of Excellence for
Unmanned Aircraft Systems and the test ranges designated under
subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) Clarification.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed as authorizing the research, development, testing,
evaluation, or any other use of a system or technology for the
detection or mitigation of unmanned aircraft systems (commonly referred
to as `counter-UAS') at any test range designated under subsection
(a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(j) Termination.--The program under this section shall
terminate on September 30, 2028.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 44801(10) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``any of the 6 test ranges
established by the Administrator under section 332(c) of the FAA
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note), as in
effect on the day before the date of enactment of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2018, and any public entity authorized by the
Federal Aviation Administration as an unmanned aircraft system flight
test center before January 1, 2009'' and inserting ``the test ranges
designated by the Administrator under section 44803''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 814. AUTHORITY REGARDING PROTECTION OF CERTAIN FACILITIES
AND ASSETS FROM UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 547 of title V of division F of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328) is amended by striking
``September 30, 2023'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 815. AIRPORT SAFETY AND AIRSPACE HAZARD MITIGATION AND
ENFORCEMENT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 44810(h) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2023'' and inserting ``September
30, 2028''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 816. SPECIAL AUTHORITY FOR TRANSPORT OF HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS BY COMMERCIAL PACKAGE DELIVERY UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other Federal
requirement or restriction related to the transportation of hazardous
materials on aircraft, the Secretary shall, beginning not later than
180 days after enactment of this section, use a risk-based approach to
establish the operational requirements, standards, or special permits
necessary to approve or authorize the safe transportation of hazardous
materials by unmanned aircraft systems providing common carriage under
part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or under other
authorities, as applicable.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Requirement.--In implementing the authority in
subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the safety of the public and users of the
national airspace system;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) efficiencies of allowing the safe
transportation of hazardous materials by unmanned aircraft
systems; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) the risk profile of the transportation of
hazardous materials by unmanned aircraft systems, taking into
consideration the likelihood, if any, that such operations will
carry small quantities of hazardous materials.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Conformity of Hazardous Materials Regulations.--The
Secretary shall make such changes as necessary to conform the hazardous
materials regulations under parts 173 and 175 of title 49, Code of
Federal Regulations, to this section. Such changes shall not be
required before the Secretary exercises the authority provided for in
this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Hazardous materials.--The term ``hazardous
materials'' has the meaning given that term in section 5102 of
title 49, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Unmanned aircraft system.--The term ``unmanned
aircraft system'' has the meaning given such term in section
44801 of title 49, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED>Subtitle B--Advanced Air Mobility</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 821. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON FAA LEADERSHIP.</DELETED>
<DELETED> It is the sense of Congress that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the United States should take actions to
position itself as a global leader in advanced air mobility;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) as such a global leader, the FAA should--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) prioritize its work on the type
certification of aircraft;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) publish in line with its stated
deadlines rulemakings and policy necessary to enable
commercial operations, such as the powered-lift Special
Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) work with global partners to promote
acceptance of advanced air mobility products;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) leverage the existing aviation system
to the greatest extent possible to support advanced air
mobility operations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 822. AVIATION RULEMAKING COMMITTEE ON CERTIFICATION OF
POWERED-LIFT AIRCRAFT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date on
which the first special class type certificate for powered-lift
aircraft is issued, the Administrator shall establish an Aviation
Rulemaking Committee (in this section referred to as the ``Committee'')
to provide the Administrator with specific findings and recommendations
for the creation of a standard certification pathway for the
certification of powered-lift aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Report.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date on which the Committee is established under subsection
(a), the Committee shall submit to the Administrator a report
detailing the findings and recommendations of the
Committee.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Considerations.--In submitting the report
under paragraph (1), the Committee shall consider the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Broad, outcome-driven safety
objectives that will spur innovation and technology
adoption and promote the development of performance-
based regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Lessons and insights learned from
previously published FAA special conditions and other
Federal Register notices of airworthiness certification
criteria for powered-lift aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Rulemaking.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which the Committee submits the report to the Administrator under
subsection (b), the Administrator shall initiate a rulemaking to
implement the findings and recommendations of the Committee, as
determined appropriate by the Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 823. APPLICATION OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT
(NEPA) CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS FOR VERTIPORT
PROJECTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--In considering the environmental impacts
of a proposed vertiport project on an existing airport, the
Administrator shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) apply an applicable categorical exclusion in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and subchapter A of chapter V of title
40, Code of Federal Regulations; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) after consultation with the Council on
Environmental Quality, take steps to establish categorical
exclusions for vertiports on an existing airport, in accordance
with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.) and subchapter A of chapter V of title 40, Code
of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Advanced air mobility; aam.--The terms
```advanced air mobility''' and ```AAM''' mean a transportation
system 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, in both controlled and
uncontrolled airspace.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Vertiport.--The term ``vertiport'' means a
designated location used or intended to be used to support
advanced air mobility (AAM) operations, including the landing,
take-off, loading, taxiing, parking, and storage of aircraft
developed for advanced air mobility (AAM) operations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 824. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY WORKING GROUP
AMENDMENTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 2(f) of the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and
Leadership Act (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the
end;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph
(3);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following
new paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) recommendations for sharing expertise and
data on critical items, including long-term electrification
requirements and the needs of cities (from a macro-
electrification standpoint) to enable the deployment of AAM;
and''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by paragraph
(2) of this section, by striking ``paragraph (1)'' and
inserting ``paragraphs (1) and (2)''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 825. RULES FOR OPERATION OF POWERED-LIFT
AIRCRAFT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Powered-lift Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the
term ``powered-lift aircraft'' means a heavier-than-air aircraft
capable of vertical take-off, vertical landing, and low speed flight
that depends principally on engine-driven lift devices or engine thrust
for lift during these flight regimes and on 1 or more nonrotating
airfoils for lift during horizontal flight. Such term includes, but is
not limited to, electric aircraft capable of vertical take-off and
landing (eVTOL).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Rulemaking.--Not later than December 31, 2024, the
Administrator shall finalize a Powered-Lift Special Federal Aviation
Regulation (SFAR) establishing a procedure for certifying pilots and
the operation of powered-lift aircraft capable of transporting
passengers and cargo.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 826. INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION ON POWERED-LIFT
AIRCRAFT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Powered-lift Aircraft Plan.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
develop a plan to facilitate the ability of the aerospace
industry of the United States to efficiently operate powered-
lift aircraft and export powered-lift products and articles in
key markets globally.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Requirements.--The plan developed under
paragraph (1) shall include the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) An assessment of existing bilateral
aviation safety agreements, implementation procedures,
and other associated bilateral arrangements so that
current and future powered-lift products and articles
can utilize the most appropriate validation mechanisms
and procedures for powered-lift aircraft, products, and
articles.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) A description of methods to facilitate
the efficient, global acceptance of the FAA approach to
certification of powered-lift aircraft, products, and
articles.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Any other information determined
appropriated by the Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Coordination With Civil Aviation Authorities.--Not
later than 90 days after the plan is developed under subsection (a),
the Administrator shall coordinate with international civil aviation
authorities in countries that have a bilateral safety agreement and
implementation procedure with the United States regarding the
establishment of mutual processes for efficient validation, acceptance,
and working arrangements of certificates and approvals for powered-lift
aircraft, products, and articles.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Establishment of Provisions.--Not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
establish the mutual processes described in subsection (b).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Powered-lift Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the
term ``powered-lift aircraft'' means a heavier-than-air aircraft
capable of vertical take-off, vertical landing, and low speed flight
that depends principally on engine-driven lift devices or engine thrust
for lift during these flight regimes and on 1 or more nonrotating
airfoils for lift during horizontal flight. Such term includes, but is
not limited to, electric aircraft capable of vertical take-off and
landing (eVTOL).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 827. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY PROPULSION SYSTEMS AVIATION
RULEMAKING COMMITTEE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish an
Aviation Rulemaking Committee (in this section referred to as the
``Committee'') to provide the Administrator with specific findings and
recommendations for regulations covering, with respect to small and
large type certificated aircraft, the certification and installation
of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) electric engines and propellers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) hybrid electric engines and propulsion
systems;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) hydrogen fuel cells; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) hydrogen combustion engines or propulsion
systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Considerations.--In providing the findings and
recommendations under subsection (a), the Committee shall consider the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Broad, outcome-driven safety objectives that
will spur innovation and technology adoption, and promote the
development of performance-based regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Lessons and insights learned from previously
published FAA special conditions and other Federal Register
notices of airworthiness certification criteria for advanced
air mobility engines, propellers, and aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) The requirements of part 33 and part 35 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, any boundaries of
applicability for stand alone engine type certificates
(including highly integrated systems), and the use of technical
standards order authorizations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date on
which the Committee is established under subsection (a), the Committee
shall submit to the Administrator and the appropriate committees of
Congress a report containing the findings and recommendations described
in subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date on
which the Committee submits the report under subsection (c), the
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress
regarding the FAA's plans in response to the findings and
recommendations contained in the report.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Safety Cooperation.--The Administrator shall lead
efforts to engage with foreign authorities to further harmonize
standards for certification and installation of the products described
in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED>TITLE IX--RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATIVE AVIATION
TECHNOLOGIES</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 901. ADVANCED MATERIALS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
ENHANCEMENTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 44518 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``under its
structure'' and all that follows through the period and
inserting ``through September 30, 2028, under its structure as
in effect on March 1, 2023, which shall focus on applied
research and training on the safe use of composites and
advanced materials in airframe structures. The Center shall
also conduct research and development into aircraft structure
crash worthiness and passenger safety, as well as address safe
and accessible air travel of individuals with a disability (as
defined in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (or any successor regulation)), including materials
required to facilitate safe wheelchair restraint systems on
commercial aircraft. The Administrator shall award grants to
the Center within 90 days from the date the Grants Officer
recommends a proposal for award to the Administrator.'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Responsibilities.--The Center shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) promote and facilitate collaboration among
member universities, academia, the Federal Aviation
Administration, the commercial aircraft industry, including
manufacturers, commercial air carriers, and suppliers, and
other appropriate stakeholders;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) establish goals set to advance technology,
improve engineering practices, and facilitate continuing
education in relevant areas of study, which should include all
structural materials, such as carbon fiber polymers and
thermoplastic composites, and structural technologies, such as
additive manufacturing, to be used in applications within the
commercial aircraft industry, including traditional fixed-wing
aircraft, rotorcraft, and emerging aircraft types such as
advanced air mobility aircraft; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) establish criteria for the safe movement of
all passengers, including individuals with a disability (as
defined in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (or any successor regulation)), and individuals
using their personal wheelchairs in flight, that takes into
account the modeling, engineering, testing, operating, and
training issues significant to all passengers and relevant
stakeholders.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 902. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
SYSTEMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Chapter 448 of title 49, United States
Code, as amended by section 811(a), is amended by inserting after
section 44813 the following new section:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 44814. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
SYSTEMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--During the period beginning on the date
of enactment of this section, and ending on September 30, 2028, the
Administrator shall continue operation of the Center of Excellence for
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (referred to in this section as the `Center')
under the structure of the Center as in effect on January 1,
2023.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Responsibilities.--The Center shall carry out the
following responsibilities:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Conduct applied research and training on the
safe and efficient integration of unmanned aircraft systems and
advanced air mobility into the national airspace
system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Promote and facilitate collaboration among
academia, the FAA, Federal agency partners, and industry
stakeholders (including manufacturers, operators, service
providers, standards development organizations, carriers, and
suppliers), with respect to the safe and efficient integration
of unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility into the
national airspace system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Establish goals set to advance technology,
improve engineering practices, and facilitate continuing
education with respect to the safe and efficient integration of
unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility into the
national airspace system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Program Participation.--The Administrator shall
ensure the participation in the Center of public institutions of higher
education and research institutions that provide accredited bachelor's
degree programs in aeronautical sciences that provide pathways to
commercial pilot certifications and focus primarily on supporting pilot
training for women aviators.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 448 of
title 49, United States Code, as amended by section 811(b), is amended
by inserting after the item relating to section 44813 the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``44814. Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft
Systems.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 903. ASSURED SAFE CREDENTIALING AUTHORITY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Chapter 448 of title 49, United States
Code, as amended by section 902(a), is amended by inserting after
section 44814 the following new section:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 44815. ASSURED SAFE CREDENTIALING AUTHORITY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration shall establish the credentialing authority for the
Administration's program of record (referred to in this section as
`ASSUREd Safe') under the Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft
Systems at the Mississippi State University.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Purposes.--The ASSUREd Safe credentialing authority
established under subsection (a) shall offer services throughout the
United States, and to allies and partners of the United States,
including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) online and in-person standards, education,
and testing to certify first responders' use of unmanned
aircraft systems for public safety and disaster
operations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) uniform communications standards,
operational standards, and reporting standards for civilian,
military, and international allies and partners; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) any other services determined appropriate by
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 448 of
such title, as amended by section 902(b), is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 44814 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``44815. ASSUREd Safe Credentialing Authority.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 904. FAA AND NASA ADVANCED AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES PILOT
PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Pilot Program.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in
coordination with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (in this section referred to as the
``NASA Administrator''), shall establish a pilot program to
facilitate the appointment of individuals from NASA to the FAA
to serve in temporary technical discipline expert positions
relating to advanced aviation technologies (in this section
referred to as the ``program'').</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Considerations.--In developing the program,
the Administrator shall consider--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) existing mechanisms of collaboration
between FAA and NASA relating to aeronautics programs,
advisory committees, and work groups;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the degree to which FAA and NASA
facilitate partnerships between subject matter experts
to support the research and development, testing, and
certification of advanced aviation technologies;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) how temporary appointments under the
program may be best used to enhance the technical
capacity of the FAA and technical partnerships between
agencies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Temporary Appointment of NASA Personnel.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Terms and conditions.--The Administrator, in
coordination with the NASA Administrator, shall identify
qualifying projects or activities at the FAA that would benefit
from temporary appointments of highly qualified, experienced
professionals under the program to enhance technical capacity,
knowledge, skills, and abilities relating to research and
development, certification, and the safe deployment of advanced
aviation technologies. The Administrator and NASA Administrator
shall jointly establish the terms and conditions of service
under the program and issue relevant guidelines related to the
responsibilities and duration of service of participating NASA
personnel. In approving NASA personnel for participation in the
program, the NASA Administrator shall certify that the
temporary appointment of such personnel shall not have an
adverse impact on the post-assignment employment duties of
relevant NASA personnel or an undue adverse impact on the
mission of the agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Special rules.--The Administrator shall make
clear that any responsibilities of NASA personnel participating
in the program constitute serving in temporary technical
discipline expert positions at the FAA and are subject to FAA
conflict-of-interest policies and supervision.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Rules for pay and benefits for nasa
personnel.--Any individuals employed by NASA who are
participating in the program shall continue to receive pay and
benefits from NASA and shall not receive pay or benefits from
the FAA for the duration of the program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Authority to Transfer and Receive Resources.--In
supporting the participation of NASA personnel, the Administrator and
NASA Administrator may authorize the use of NASA technical services,
equipment, software, and facilities without reimbursement to facilitate
cooperation between agencies under the program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Program Review and Report.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Review.--The Comptroller General shall conduct
a comprehensive review of the program that includes evaluation
of the impact of the program on improving coordination on
projects and sharing of technical expertise between agencies
relating to advanced aviation technologies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date
of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
containing the results of the review conducted under paragraph
(1), along with recommendations for such future action as the
Comptroller General determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 905. ADVANCING GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ON CIVIL SUPERSONIC
AIRCRAFT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 181 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49
U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``regulations,
and standards'' and inserting ``regulations, standards, and
recommended practices''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(g) Additional Reports.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Initial progress report.--Not later than 1
years after the date of enactment of this subsection, the
Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report describing--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) the progress of the actions
described in subsection (d)(1);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) any planned, proposed, or
anticipated action to update or modify existing
policies and regulations related to civil supersonic
aircraft, including those identified as a result of
stakeholder consultation and feedback (such as landing
and takeoff noise); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) any other information determined
appropriate by the Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Subsequent report.--Not later than 2 years
after the date on which the Administrator submits the initial
progress report under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an updated
report on the progress of the actions described in paragraph
(1).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 906. CLEEN ENGINE AND AIRFRAME TECHNOLOGY
PARTNERSHIP.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 47511 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``subsonic''
after ``fuels for civil''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Selection.--In carrying out the program, the
Administrator may ensure that not less than 2 of the cooperative
agreements entered into under this section involve the participation of
an entity that is a small business concern (as defined in section 3 of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)), provided that the entity's
submitted technology proposal meets requisite technology readiness
levels for entry into the agreement as determined by the
Administrator.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 907. HYPERSONIC FLIGHT TESTING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish procedures
for permitting manned flights in oceanic airspace and overland flights
operating with speeds in excess of Mach 5 and above for the purposes of
developmental and airworthiness testing (including demonstration
flights in areas where such flights will not interfere with the safety
of other aircraft or the efficient use of airspace in the national
airspace system).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Considerations.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
Administrator shall consider--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the provisions of parts 91.817 and 91.818 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) applications for special flight authorizations
for flights operating with speeds in excess of Mach 5, as
described in such part 91.818;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) the environmental impacts of developmental and
airworthiness testing operations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) whether to require applicants to include
specification of proposed flight areas;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) the authorization of flights to and from
spaceports and airports in Class D airspace within 10 nautical
miles of oceanic coastline;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) developing the vertical limits at or above the
altitude necessary for safe hypersonic operations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) proponent-provided data regarding the design
and operational analysis of the aircraft, as well as data
regarding sonic boom overpressure; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) the safety of the uninvolved public.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 908. HYPERSONIC PATHWAY TO INTEGRATION STUDY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Study.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Administrator shall conduct a
study assessing actions necessary to facilitate the safe
operation and integration of hypersonic aircraft into the
national airspace system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Contents.--The study conducted under paragraph
(1) shall include, at a minimum--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) an initial assessment of cross-agency
equities related to hypersonic aircraft technologies
and flight;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the identification, development, and
collection of data required to develop certification,
flight standards, and air traffic requirements for the
deployment and integration of hypersonic
aircraft;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) the development of a framework and
timeline to establish the appropriate regulatory
requirements for conducting hypersonic aircraft
flights;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) strategic plans to improve the FAA's
state of preparedness and response capability in
advance of receiving applications to conduct hypersonic
aircraft flights; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) a survey of global hypersonic
aircraft-related regulatory and testing developments or
activities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Considerations.--In conducting the study under
paragraph (1), the Administrator may consider--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the feedback and technical expertise
of the aerospace industry and other stakeholders when
creating policies, regulations, and standards that
enable the safe operation and integration of hypersonic
aircraft into the national airspace system;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) opportunities for--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) demonstrating United States
global leadership in aeronautics, including
hypersonic aircraft and related technologies;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) strengthening global
harmonization in aeronautics; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) the development of international
policies, regulations, and standards relating to the
certification and safe operation of hypersonic
aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Consultation.--In conducting the study under
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consult with
representatives from Federal agencies, industry, and other
stakeholders, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the Department of Defense;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) aircraft manufacturers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) institutions of higher education;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) any other stakeholders the
Administrator determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the study
conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations to
facilitate the safe operation and integration of hypersonic aircraft
into the national airspace system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Definition of Hypersonic.--In this section, the term
``hypersonic'' means an aircraft or flight operating at speeds in
excess of Mach 5 and above.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 909. OPERATING HIGH-SPEED FLIGHTS IN HIGH ALTITUDE CLASS
E AIRSPACE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Consultation.--Not later than 12 months after the date
of enactment of this section, 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 2 years after the date on
which the Administrator identifies the minimum altitude described in
subsection (a), 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 subsection (a) without
specific authorizations, provided that such flight operations--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) show compliance with airworthiness
requirements;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) do not cause a measurable sonic boom
overpressure to reach the surface; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) have ordinary instrument flight rules
clearances necessary to operate in controlled
airspace.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 910. ELECTRIC PROPULSION AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS
STUDY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall initiate a
study assessing the safe and scalable operation and integration of
electric aircraft into the national airspace system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Contents.--The study required under subsection (a)
shall address--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the technical capacity and competencies needed
for the FAA to certify aircraft systems specific to electric
aircraft;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the data development and collection required
to develop standards specific to electric aircraft;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) the regulatory standards and guidance material
needed to facilitate the safe operation of electric aircraft,
including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) fire protection;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) high voltage electromagnetic
environments;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) engine and human machine
interfaces;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) reliability of high voltage components
and insulation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) lithium batteries for propulsion
use;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) operating and pilot qualifications;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) airspace integration;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) the airport infrastructure requirements to
support electric aircraft operations, including an assessment
of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) existing capabilities of airport
infrastructure as of the date of enactment of this
section;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) aircraft operations
specifications;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) projected operations demand by
carriers and other operators;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) potential modifications to existing
airport infrastructure;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) additional investments in new
infrastructure and systems required to meet operations
demand; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) management of infrastructure relating
to hazardous materials used in hybrid and electric
propulsion; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) varying types of electric aircraft, including
advanced air mobility aircraft and small or regional passenger
or cargo aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Considerations.--In conducting the study under
subsection (a), the Comptroller General may consider the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) The potential for improvements to air service
connectivity for communities through the deployment of electric
aircraft operations, including by--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) establishing routes to small and rural
communities; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) introducing alternative modes of
transportation for multimodal operations within
communities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Impacts to airport-adjacent communities,
including implications due to changes in airspace utilization
and land use compatibility.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of
the study conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations
for such legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller
General determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Electric aircraft.--The term ``electric
aircraft'' means an aircraft with a fully electric or hybrid
electric driven propulsion system used for flight.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Advanced air mobility.--The term ``advanced
air mobility'' means a transportation system that transports
passengers and cargo by air between two points in the United
States using aircraft with advanced technologies, including
aircraft with hybrid or electric vertical take-off and landing
capabilities, in both controlled and uncontrolled
airspace.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 911. CONTRACT WEATHER OBSERVERS PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 2306 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security
Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-190; 130 Stat. 641) is amended by striking
subsection (b) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Continued Use of Contract Weather Observers.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the
Administrator may not discontinue or diminish the contract
weather observer program at any airport until September 30,
2028.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Availability of new technology.--If the
Administrator determines that technology has become available
that could provide equal or better service than the contract
weather observer program, the Administrator may discontinue or
diminish the contract weather observer program at any airport
earlier than the date specified in paragraph (1), but only if,
not later than 180 days before the date on which the
Administrator proposes to discontinue or diminish such program
at any airport, the Administrator notifies the appropriate
committees of Congress of such proposed action and submits
information relating to the determination of the availability
of such technology and the reasoning for such proposed
action.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 912. AIRFIELD PAVEMENT TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Using amounts made available under section 48102(a) of
title 49, United States Code, the Secretary may carry out a program for
the research and development of airfield pavement technologies under
which the Secretary makes grants to, and enters into cooperative
agreements with, institutions of higher education (as defined in
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) and
nonprofit organizations that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) research concrete and asphalt pavement
technologies that extend the life of airfield
pavements;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) develop sustainability and resiliency
guidelines to improve long-term pavement performance;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) develop and conduct training with respect to
such airfield pavement technologies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) provide for demonstration projects of such
airfield pavement technologies; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) promote the latest airfield pavement
technologies to aid the development of safer, more cost
effective, and more resilient and sustainable airfield
pavements.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 913. NATIONAL AVIATION RESEARCH PLAN
MODIFICATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Modification of Submission Deadline.--Section
44501(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking
``the date of submission'' and inserting ``the date that is 45 days
after the date of submission''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 48102(g) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``the date of submission''
and inserting ``the date that is 45 days after the date of
submission''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 914. FAA AND NASA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION
REVIEW.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Review.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in
coordination with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (in this section referred to as
``NASA'') shall conduct a review of aeronautics research and
development coordination between Federal agencies and the
extent to which NASA and the FAA can improve collaboration in
order to leverage each other's subject matter expertise
relating to civil aviation projects.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Contents.--In carrying out the review under
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) review the extent to which NASA and
the FAA leverage each other's laboratory and testing
capabilities, facilities, resources, and subject matter
expert personnel in support of aeronautics research and
development programs and projects;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) assess--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the current fiscal year, and
the 3 most recent fiscal years, of Federal
expenditures for the FAA and NASA's research
and development programs and projects;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the extent to which other
Federal agencies, industry partners, and
research organizations are involved in such
programs and projects; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) develop recommendations for the
improvement of coordination, collaboration, and
efficiency of aeronautics research and development
programs to reduce overlap between NASA, the FAA, other
Federal agencies, academia, research organizations,
standards groups, and industry.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after completing the
review under subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on such review, including
the recommendations developed under subsection (a)(2)(C).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 915. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF FAA'S AERONAUTICAL
INFORMATION SYSTEMS MODERNIZATION ACTIVITIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator, in coordination with the
John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, shall carry out a
research and development program to assist with the continuous
modernization of the FAA's aeronautical information systems, including,
but not limited to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the Aeronautical Information Management
Modernization (AIMM), including the FAA's Notice to Air
Missions (NOTAM) system;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and
Sharing (ASIAS) system; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) the Service Difficulty Reporting System
(SDRS).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Review and Report.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Review.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
enter into an agreement with a Federally funded research and
development center to conduct and complete a review of planned
and ongoing modernization efforts of FAA's aeronautical
information systems. Such review shall identify opportunities
for additional coordination between the FAA and the John A.
Volpe National Transportation Systems Center to further
modernize such systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the
Administrator enters into the agreement with the center under
paragraph (1), the Center shall submit to the Administrator and
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the review
conducted under paragraph (1), together with such
recommendations as the Center determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 916. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR ALTERNATIVE JET FUELS AND
ENVIRONMENT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Chapter 445 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 44520. Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels
and Environment</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--During the period beginning on the date
of enactment of this section and ending on September 30, 2028, the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (in this section
referred to as the `Administrator') shall continue operation of the
Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment (in this
section referred to as the `Center') under its structure as in effect
on January 1, 2023.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Responsibilities.--The Center shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) focus on research to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) assist in the development,
qualification, and certification of the use of aviation
fuel from alternative and renewable sources (such as
biomass, alcohols, organic acids, hydrogen, and gaseous
carbon) for commercial aircraft;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) assist in informing the safe use of
alternative aviation fuels in commercial aircraft that
also apply electrified aircraft propulsion
systems;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) reduce community exposure to
civilian aircraft noise and pollutant
emissions;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) inform decision making to support
United States leadership on international aviation
environmental issues, including the development of
domestic and international standards; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) improve and expand the scientific
understanding of civil aviation noise and pollutant
emissions and their impacts, as well as support the
development of improved modeling approaches and tools;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) examine the use of novel technologies and
other forms of innovation to reduce noise, emissions, and fuel
burn in commercial aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Grant Authority.--The Administrator shall carry out
the work of the Center through the use of grants or other measures as
determined appropriate by the Administrator pursuant to section 44513,
including through interagency agreements with other Federal
agencies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Participation.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Participation of educational and research
institutions.--In carrying out the responsibilities described
in subsection (b), the Center shall include, as appropriate,
participation by--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) higher education and research
institutions that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) have existing facilities for
research, development, and testing;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) leverage private sector
partnerships;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) other Federal agencies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) consortia with experience across the
alternative fuels supply chain, including with
research, feedstock development and production, small-
scale development, testing, and technology evaluation
related to the creation, processing, production, and
transportation of alternative aviation fuel;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) consortia with experience in
innovative technologies to reduce noise, emissions, and
fuel burn in commercial aircraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Use of nasa facilities.--The Center shall
consider utilizing the existing capacity in aeronautics
research at the Langley Research Center, NASA John H. Glenn
Center at the Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility, and other
appropriate facilities of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 445 of
such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
44519 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``44520. Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and
Environment.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 917. AIRCRAFT NOISE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish an
Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the
``Advisory Committee)'' to advise the Administrator on issues facing
the aviation community that are related to aircraft noise exposure and
existing FAA noise policies and regulations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Membership.--The Administrator shall appoint the
members of the Advisory Committee, which shall be comprised of--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) at least 1 representative of each of--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) engine manufacturers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) air carriers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) airport owners or operators;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) aircraft manufacturers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) advanced air mobility manufacturers or
operators;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) institutions of higher education;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) representatives of airport-adjacent
communities from geographically diverse regions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Duties.--The duties of the Advisory Committee shall
include--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the evaluation of existing research on
aircraft noise impacts and annoyance;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the assessment of alternative noise metrics
that could be used to supplement or replace the existing Day
Night Level (DNL) standard;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) the evaluation of the current 65-decibel
exposure threshold, including the impact to land use
compatibility around airports if such threshold was
lowered;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) the evaluation of current noise mitigation
strategies and the community engagement efforts by the FAA with
respect to changes in airspace utilization, such as the
integration of new entrants and usage of performance-based
navigation; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) other duties determined appropriate by the
Administrator.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Reports.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of establishment of the Advisory Committee, the Advisory
Committee shall submit to the Administrator a report on any
recommended changes to current aviation noise
policies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Report to congress.--Not later than 180 days
after the date the Administrator receives the report under
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the
recommendations made by the Advisory Committee.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Congressional Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after
submission of the report under paragraph (2), the Administrator shall
brief the appropriate committees of Congress on how the Administrator
plans to implement recommendations contained in the report and, for
each recommendation that the Administrator does not plan to implement,
the Administrator's reason for not implementing the
recommendation.</DELETED>
<DELETED>TITLE X--MISCELLANEOUS</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 1001. NOISE MITIGATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Requirements for Landing and Departing Aircraft.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Landing aircraft.--All aircraft landing at
Boise Airport (BOI) that will be facing west on the runway when
landing on runways 10R and 10L shall travel over a circle on
the ground (the center of which is located at 4337'45.3" N,
11624'49.3" W, and the radius of which is 2 miles) at an
altitude of not less than 5,000 feet when passing over such
circle. All aircraft approaching from the west shall fly a
straight vector from the above described circle to the Boise
Airport (BOI) runway on which it is landing.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Departing aircraft.--All aircraft departing
the Boise Airport (BOI) to the west on runways 28R and 28L
shall travel over the circle described in paragraph (1) and in
such a manner as the aircraft is at least 5,000 feet in
altitude as it passes over the circle. All aircraft departing
the Boise Airport (BOI) to the west shall fly a straight vector
from the Boise Airport (BOI) runway the aircraft is leaving, to
the such circle and only after leaving the circle shall the
aircraft change vectors.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Applicability.--Subject to subsection (c), this
requirement shall apply to and regulate all entities and persons
including, but not limited to the FAA, FAA Employees and their
contractors and agents, all branches of the United States Military, air
traffic controllers, pilots, co-pilots, and all other persons and
entities directing or controlling any aircraft landing at or departing
Boise Airport (BOI) in Boise, Idaho. This requirement shall only apply
to commercial aviation, military aviation, and general aviation
aircraft that weigh 12,500 pounds of maximum takeoff weight or
more.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Exception.--This regulation shall not apply during a
bono fide safety emergency applicable to a single flight.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Enforcement.--A violation of this section shall be a
misdemeanor and violators shall be liable for civil damages.</DELETED>
<DELETED>TITLE XI--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 1101. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Disposal of Property.--Section 40110(c)(4) of title
49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``subsection (a)(2)''
and inserting ``subsection (a)(3)''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Civil Penalty.--Section 44704(f) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``subsection (a)(6)'' and inserting
``subsection (d)(3)''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Sunset of Rule.--Section 44729 of title 49, United
States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking subsection (d); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by redesignating subsections (e) through (h)
as (d) through (g), respectively.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Public Disclosure of Information.--Section 44735 of
title 49, United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
by inserting ``, nor by any agency receiving
information from the Administrator,'' after ``Federal
Aviation Administration''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or
for any other purpose regarding the development and
implementation of a safety management system acceptable
to the Administrator'' before the period at the end;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Applicability to the National Transportation Safety
Board.--This section shall not be construed to limit the National
Transportation Safety Board's accident or incident investigation
authority under chapter 11 of this title, including the requirement to
not disclose voluntarily provided safety-related information under
section 1114.''.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2024''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS
Sec. 101. Airport planning and development and noise compatibility
planning and programs.
Sec. 102. Facilities and equipment.
Sec. 103. FAA operations.
Sec. 104. Extension of expiring authorities.
Sec. 105. Research, engineering, and development.
Sec. 106. Prevention of duplicate obligation authority.
TITLE II--FAA OVERSIGHT AND ORGANIZATION
Subtitle A--Organization
Sec. 201. Future of NextGen.
Sec. 202. Airspace Innovation Office.
Sec. 203. Commercial Software Options for Improving ASIAS Analytics.
Sec. 204. Authority to use electronic service.
Subtitle B--Regulatory Reform
Sec. 211. Safety and efficiency through digitization of FAA systems.
Sec. 212. Report elimination or modification.
Sec. 213. Internal regulatory process review.
Sec. 214. Review and Updates of Categorical Exclusions.
TITLE III--SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
Sec. 301. Independent Study on future state of type certification
processes.
Sec. 302. Report on international validation program performance.
Sec. 303. High risk flight testing.
Sec. 304. Recording devices.
Sec. 305. Helicopter safety.
Sec. 306. Review and incorporation of human readiness levels into
agency guidance material.
Sec. 307. Service difficulty reports.
Sec. 308. Accountability and compliance.
Sec. 309. Accountability for aircraft registration numbers.
Sec. 310. Aircraft reregistration.
Sec. 311. FAA oversight of repair stations located outside the United
States.
Sec. 312. Alcohol and drug testing and background checks.
Sec. 313. Continuous aircraft tracking and transmission for high
altitude balloons.
Sec. 314. International engagement.
Sec. 315. Air tour and sport parachuting safety.
Sec. 316. International aviation safety assessment program.
Sec. 317. Changed product rule reform.
Sec. 318. Development of low-cost voluntary ADS-B.
Sec. 319. Public aircraft flight time logging eligibility.
Sec. 320. Safety management systems.
Sec. 321. Aviation safety information analysis and sharing program.
Sec. 322. Consistent and timely pilot checks for air carriers.
Sec. 323. Enhancing processes for authorizing aircraft for service in
commuter and on demand operations.
Sec. 324. Tower marking compliance.
Sec. 325. Administrative authority for civil penalties.
Sec. 326. Civil penalties for whistleblower protection program
violations.
Sec. 327. Flight service stations.
Sec. 328. Technical assistance agreements.
Sec. 329. Restoration of authority.
Sec. 330. Tarmac operations monitoring study.
Sec. 331. GAO report on cybersecurity of commercial aviation avionics.
Sec. 332. Securing aircraft avionics systems.
Sec. 333. Maintenance data availability.
Sec. 334. Study on airworthiness standards compliance.
Sec. 335. Fire protection standards.
Sec. 336. Cabin air safety.
Sec. 337. Airport air safety.
Sec. 338. Aircraft interchange agreement limitations.
Sec. 339. Wildfire suppression.
Sec. 340. Study on impacts of temperature in aircraft cabins.
Sec. 341. Part 135 pilot supplemental oxygen requirement.
Sec. 342. Crewmember pumping guidance.
Sec. 343. Reauthorization of certain provisions of the Aircraft
Certification, Safety, and Accountability
Act.
Sec. 344. Report on the compliance of foreign regulators with Bilateral
Aviation Safety Agreements.
Sec. 345. Study on FAA use of mandatory Equal Access to Justice Act
waivers.
Sec. 346. Sense of Congress regarding mandated contents of onboard
emergency medical kits.
Sec. 347. Passenger aircraft first aid and emergency medical kit
equipment and training.
Sec. 348. Runway traffic alerting technology.
Sec. 349. Runway landing safety technology.
Sec. 350. Hawaii Air Noise and Safety Task Force.
Sec. 351. Improved safety in rural areas.
Sec. 352. Alaska aviation safety initiative.
Sec. 353. Reducing turbulence on part 121 aircraft operations.
Sec. 354. Enhanced qualification program for restricted airline
transport pilot certificate.
Sec. 355. Reauthorization of the National Transportation Safety Board.
TITLE IV--MODERNIZING THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM
Sec. 401. NextGen accountability task force.
Sec. 402. Use of advanced surveillance in oceanic airspace.
Sec. 403. GPS monitoring pilot program.
Sec. 404. Runway safety technologies.
Sec. 405. Flight profile optimization.
Sec. 406. STARS remote surveillance displays.
Sec. 407. Audit of legacy systems.
Sec. 408. Aeronautical mobile communications services.
Sec. 409. Low-altitude routes for vertical flight.
Sec. 410. ADS-B out equipage study; Vehicle-to-Vehicle link program.
Sec. 411. Extension of enhanced air traffic services pilot program.
Sec. 412. NextGen equipage plan.
Sec. 413. Performance based navigation report and utilization plan.
Sec. 414. Air traffic control facility realignment study.
Sec. 415. Update of FAA standards to allow distribution and use of
certain restricted routes and terminal
procedures.
Sec. 416. Protection of safe and efficient use of airspace at airports.
Sec. 417. ASOS/AWOS service report dashboard.
Sec. 418. Upgrading and replacing aging air traffic systems.
Sec. 419. Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area.
TITLE V--AVIATION WORKFORCE
Subtitle A--Civil Aviation Workforce
Sec. 501. Aviation workforce development grants.
Sec. 502. Women in Aviation Advisory Committee.
Sec. 503. Study of high school aviation maintenance training programs.
Sec. 504. Military aviation maintenance technicians rule.
Sec. 505. Prohibition of remote dispatching.
Sec. 506. Employee assault prevention and response plan standards and
best practices.
Sec. 507. Crewmember self-defense training.
Sec. 508. Improving apron safety.
Sec. 509. Aviation Medical Innovation and Modernization Working Group.
Sec. 510. Airman Certification Standards.
Sec. 511. Airport service workforce analysis.
Subtitle B--FAA Workforce
Sec. 521. Air traffic control staffing standards.
Sec. 522. FAA Workforce review audit.
Sec. 523. Direct hire authority utilization.
Sec. 524. Staffing model for aviation safety inspectors.
Sec. 525. Safety critical staffing.
Sec. 526. Instrument landing system installation.
Sec. 527. Contract Tower Program air traffic controller training
programs.
Sec. 528. Review of FAA and industry cooperative familiarization
programs.
Sec. 529. Improved access to air traffic control simulation training.
Sec. 530. Air Traffic Controller Instructor Pipeline.
Sec. 531. Ensuring hiring of air traffic control specialists is based
on assessment of job-relevant aptitudes.
Sec. 532. Federal Aviation Administration academy and facility
expansion plan.
Sec. 533. Pilot program to provide veterans with pilot training
services.
Sec. 534. Biennial reports to Congress on designated pilot examiners.
Sec. 535. GAO study and report on the extent and effects of the
commercial aviation pilot shortage on
regional/commuter carriers.
Sec. 536. Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Internship Program.
Sec. 537. FAA Educational Partnership Initiative.
Subtitle C--Flight Education Access
Sec. 541. Short title.
Sec. 542. Increase in Federal student loan limits for students in
flight education and training programs.
Sec. 543. GAO report.
Sec. 544. Rule of construction.
Sec. 545. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE VI--MODERNIZING AIRPORT SYSTEMS
Sec. 601. AIP eligibility amendments.
Sec. 602. Revised minimum apportionments.
Sec. 603. Apportionments for transitioning airports.
Sec. 604. Updating United States Government's share of project costs.
Sec. 605. Primary airport designation.
Sec. 606. Discretionary fund for terminal development costs.
Sec. 607. Alternative-delivery and advance-construction methods pilot
program.
Sec. 608. Integrated project delivery.
Sec. 609. Airport investment partnership program.
Sec. 610. Airport accessibility.
Sec. 611. General aviation public-private partnership program.
Sec. 612. Runway rehabilitation.
Sec. 613. Extension of provision relating to airport access roads in
remote locations.
Sec. 614. Procurement regulations applicable to FAA multimodal
projects.
Sec. 615. Solar powered taxiway edge lighting systems.
Sec. 616. Additional ground based transmitters.
Sec. 617. Automated weather observing systems maintenance improvements.
Sec. 618. Contract Tower Program.
Sec. 618A. Contract tower program safety enhancements.
Sec. 619. Remote towers.
Sec. 620. Grant assurances.
Sec. 620A. GAO study on fee transparency by fixed based operators.
Sec. 620B. Aviation fuel in Alaska.
Sec. 621. Civil penalties for grant assurances violations.
Sec. 622. Community use of airport land.
Sec. 623. Buckeye 940 release of deed restrictions.
Sec. 624. Clarifying airport revenue use of local general sales taxes.
Sec. 625. AIP handbook review.
Sec. 626. PFAS-related resources for airports.
Sec. 627. Progress reports on the national transition plan related to a
fluorine-free firefighting foam.
Sec. 628. Review of airport layout plans.
Sec. 629. NEPA purpose and need statements.
Sec. 630. Passenger facility charge streamlining.
Sec. 631. Use of passenger facility charges for noise barriers.
Sec. 632. Automated weather observing systems policy.
Sec. 633. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act implementation.
Sec. 634. Report on airport notifications.
Sec. 635. Coastal airports resiliency study.
Sec. 636. Electric aircraft infrastructure.
Sec. 637. Study on competition and airport access.
Sec. 638. Regional airport capacity study.
Sec. 639. Study on autonomous and electric-powered track systems.
Sec. 640. Special rule for reclassification of certain unclassified
airports.
Sec. 641. General aviation airport runway extension pilot program.
Sec. 642. Applicability of screening requirements.
Sec. 643. Additional permitted uses of passenger facility charge
revenue.
Sec. 644. Airport infrastructure resilience pilot program.
Sec. 645. Prohibition on provision of airport improvement grant funds
to certain entities that have violated
intellectual property rights of United
States entities.
Sec. 646. Ensuring that certain projects related to natural hazards and
emergency management are eligible for
funding under the Federal Aviation
Administration's airport improvement
program.
Sec. 647. Visual weather observation systems.
Sec. 648. Transfers of air traffic systems acquired with AIP funding.
Sec. 649. Consideration of small hub control towers.
Sec. 650. Codification of FAA notice of policy relating to addressing
disputed changes of sponsorship at
Federally obligated, publicly owned
airports.
Sec. 651. Eligible revenue-producing facilities at rural public-use
general aviation airports.
Sec. 652. Increasing the energy efficiency of airport power sources.
TITLE VII--AIR SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS
Subtitle A--Consumer Enhancements
Sec. 701. Advisory committee for aviation consumer protection.
Sec. 702. Refunds.
Sec. 703. Airline passenger rights transparency act.
Sec. 704. Disclosure of ancillary fees.
Sec. 705. Access to customer service assistance for all travelers.
Sec. 706. Frequent flyer programs and vouchers.
Sec. 707. Airline customer service dashboards.
Sec. 708. Annual briefings on disruptions of passenger air
transportation and periods of mass
cancellations of scheduled flights.
Sec. 709. Enhancing child safety.
Sec. 710. Codification of consumer protection provisions.
Sec. 711. GAO study on competition and consolidation in the air carrier
industry.
Sec. 712. GAO study and report on the operational preparedness of air
carriers for preparing for changing weather
and other events related to changing
conditions and natural hazards.
Sec. 713. Increase in civil penalties.
Sec. 714. Family seating.
Sec. 715. Establishment of Office of Aviation Consumer Protection.
Sec. 716. Extension of aviation consumer advocate reporting
requirement.
Sec. 717. Additional within and beyond perimeter slot exemptions at
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Subtitle B--Accessibility
Sec. 731. Extension of the advisory committee on the air travel needs
of passengers with disabilities.
Sec. 732. Modernization and improvements to aircraft evacuation.
Sec. 733. Improved training standards for assisting passengers who use
wheelchairs.
Sec. 734. Training standards for stowage of wheelchairs and scooters.
Sec. 735. Mobility Aids On Board Improve Lives and Empower All.
Sec. 736. Prioritizing Accountability and Accessibility for Aviation
Consumers.
Sec. 737. Access and Dignity for All People who Travel.
Sec. 738. Equal Accessibility to Passenger Portals.
Sec. 739. Store On-board Wheelchairs in Cabin.
Sec. 740. Standards.
Sec. 741. Investigation of complaints.
Subtitle C--Air Service Development
Sec. 751. Essential air service.
Sec. 752. Small community air service development grants.
Sec. 753. GAO study and report on the alternate Essential Air Service
program.
Sec. 754. Essential air service in parts of Alaska.
Sec. 755. Essential air service community petition for review.
TITLE VIII--NEW ENTRANTS
Subtitle A--Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Sec. 801. Office of Advanced Aviation Technology and Innovation.
Sec. 802. Advanced Aviation Technology and Innovation Steering
Committee.
Sec. 803. Beyond visual line of sight operations for unmanned aircraft
systems.
Sec. 804. Extending special authority for certain unmanned aircraft
systems.
Sec. 805. Environmental Review and Noise Certification.
Sec. 806. Third party service approvals.
Sec. 807. Operations over the high seas.
Sec. 808. Extension of the BEYOND program.
Sec. 809. Extension of the Know Before You Fly campaign.
Sec. 810. Unmanned aircraft system data exchange.
Sec. 811. Unmanned aircraft system detection and mitigation enforcement
authority.
Sec. 812. Recreational operations of drone systems.
Sec. 813. UAS test ranges.
Sec. 814. Authority regarding protection of certain facilities and
assets from unmanned aircraft.
Sec. 815. Airport safety and airspace hazard mitigation and
enforcement.
Sec. 816. Special authority for transport of hazardous materials by
commercial package delivery unmanned
aircraft systems.
Sec. 817. Stop Illicit Drones.
Sec. 818. Drone infrastructure inspection grants.
Sec. 819. Unmanned aircraft in the Arctic.
Sec. 820. Remote identification alternative means of compliance.
Sec. 821. Prohibition on operation, procurement, or contracting action
of foreign-made unmanned aircraft systems.
Sec. 822. FAA comprehensive plan on UAS automation.
Sec. 823. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 824. Comprehensive unmanned aircraft system integration strategy.
Sec. 825. Establishment of Associate Administrator of UAS Integration.
Sec. 826. Use of modeling and simulation tools in unmanned aircraft
test ranges; program extension.
Subtitle B--Advanced Air Mobility
Sec. 831. Sense of Congress on FAA leadership.
Sec. 832. Aviation Rulemaking Committee on certification of powered-
lift aircraft.
Sec. 833. Application of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
categorical exclusions for vertiport
projects.
Sec. 834. Advanced Air Mobility Working Group amendments.
Sec. 835. Rules for operation of powered-lift aircraft.
Sec. 836. International coordination on powered-lift aircraft.
Sec. 837. Advanced air mobility propulsion systems aviation rulemaking
committee.
TITLE IX--RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATIVE AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES
Sec. 901. Advanced materials center of excellence enhancements.
Sec. 902. Center of excellence for unmanned aircraft systems.
Sec. 903. ASSUREd safe credentialing authority.
Sec. 904. FAA and NASA advanced aviation technologies pilot program.
Sec. 905. Advancing global leadership on civil supersonic aircraft.
Sec. 906. CLEEN engine and airframe technology partnership.
Sec. 907. Hypersonic and Supersonic flight testing.
Sec. 908. Hypersonic pathway to integration study.
Sec. 909. Operating high-speed flights in high altitude Class E
airspace.
Sec. 910. Electric propulsion aircraft operations study.
Sec. 911. Contract weather observers program.
Sec. 912. Airfield pavement technology program.
Sec. 913. National aviation research plan modification.
Sec. 914. FAA and NASA research and development coordination review.
Sec. 915. Research and development of FAA's aeronautical information
systems modernization activities.
Sec. 916. Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and
Environment.
Sec. 917. Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee.
Sec. 918. Next generation radio altimeters.
Sec. 919. Hydrogen aviation strategy.
Sec. 920. Aviation fuel systems.
TITLE X--MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 1001. Authorization for carriage reimbursement.
Sec. 1002. Clarifying minimum altitudes for go-arounds, inspection
passes, practice approaches, and instrument
approaches.
Sec. 1003. Let Me Travel America.
Sec. 1004. Transportation of organs, bone marrow, and human cells,
tissues, or cellular or tissue-based
products (HCT/Ps).
TITLE XI--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS
Sec. 1101. Technical corrections.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--Unless otherwise specified, the term
``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration.
(2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives.
(3) Comptroller general.--The term ``Comptroller General''
means the Comptroller General of the United States.
(4) FAA.--The term ``FAA'' means the Federal Aviation
Administration.
(5) Secretary.--Unless otherwise specified, the term
``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Transportation.
TITLE I--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 by striking paragraphs (1) through (7) and inserting
the following:
``(1) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
``(2) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
``(3) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
``(4) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and
``(5) $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 ``March 8, 2024,'' and inserting ``2028''.
(c) Extension of Special Rule for Apportionments.--Section
47114(c)(1)(J) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking
``March 8, 2024,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2024''.
SEC. 102. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.
Section 48101(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
striking paragraphs (1) through (7) and inserting the following:
``(1) $3,575,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.
``(2) $3,625,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.
``(3) $3,675,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.
``(4) $3,675,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.
``(5) $3,675,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.''.
SEC. 103. FAA OPERATIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 106(k)(1) of title 49, United States Code,
is amended by striking subparagraphs (A) through (G) and inserting the
following:
``(A) $12,740,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
``(B) $13,033,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
``(C) $13,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
``(D) $13,900,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and
``(E) $14,400,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.''.
(b) Authority to Transfer Funds.--Section 106(k)(3) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``through 2023'' and all
that follows through ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``through 2028''.
SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES.
(a) Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.--Section 47115(i) of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024''
and inserting ``September 30, 2028''.
(b) Extension of Compatible Land Use Planning and Projects by State
and Local Governments.--Section 47141(f) of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting
``September 30, 2028''.
(c) Midway Island Airport.--Section 186(d) of the Vision 100--
Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-176; 117 Stat.
2518) is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting
``September 30, 2028''.
(d) Authority to Provide Insurance.--Section 44310(b) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and
inserting ``September 30, 2028''.
(e) Competitive Access Reporting Requirement.--Section 47107(r)(3)
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 9,
2024'' and inserting ``October 1, 2028''.
(f) Non-Movement Area Surveillance Pilot Program.--Section 47143(c)
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 9,
2024'' and inserting ``October 1, 2028''.
SEC. 105. RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT.
Section 48102(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (15), by striking ``and'' at the end; and
(2) by striking paragraph (16) and inserting the following:
``(16) $344,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
``(17) $360,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
``(18) $367,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
``(19) $374,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and
``(20) $390,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.''.
SEC. 106. PREVENTION OF DUPLICATE OBLIGATION AUTHORITY.
The amounts available for obligation for fiscal year 2024 under the
amendments made by sections 101(a), 102, 103(a), 105, 501(b), 751(i),
and 752(3) shall be reduced by the amounts obligated for fiscal year
2024 under the amendments made by section 2201 of the Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act (Public Law 118-15)
and section 101 of the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2023, Part
II (Public Law 118-34) before the date of enactment of this Act.
TITLE II--FAA OVERSIGHT AND ORGANIZATION
Subtitle A--Organization
SEC. 201. FUTURE OF NEXTGEN.
(a) Completion and Sunset.--
(1) Key programs.--Not later than December 31, 2025, the
FAA shall operationalize all the key programs under the NextGen
project as described in the FAA's deployment plan.
(2) Office; advisory committee.--The NextGen Office and the
NextGen Advisory Committee shall terminate on December 31,
2025.
(3) Transfer of residual nextgen implementation functions;
status report.--If the FAA does not complete the NextGen
project by the deadline specified in paragraph (1), the
Administrator shall transfer the residual functions of
completing NextGen to the Airspace Innovation Office
established under section 202.
(4) Transfer of advanced air mobility functions.--Not later
than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, any
AAM (as defined in section 106(u)(7) of title 49, United States
Code (as added by section 801)) relevant functions, duties, and
responsibilities of the NAS Systems, Engineering, & Integration
Office or other Offices within the Office of NextGen shall be
incorporated into the Office of Advanced Aviation Technology
and Innovation established under section 106(u) of title 49,
United States Code (as so added).
(5) Status reports.--If the FAA does not complete the
NextGen project by the deadline specified in paragraph (1), the
Administrator shall, not later than 30 days after such
deadline, and quarterly thereafter until all key programs under
the NextGen project are deployed, brief the appropriate
committees of Congress on the status of each incomplete
program, including, with respect to each such incomplete
program--
(A) an explanation as to why the program deployment
was delayed or not completed by such deadline;
(B) an assessment of the key risks to the full
implementation of the program and a description of how
the FAA is mitigating, or plans to mitigate, those
risks; and
(C) a detailed schedule of actions necessary to
complete the program, including updated milestones and
deadlines.
(b) Independent Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days of the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall contract
with an independent third-party contractor or a Federally
funded research and development center to develop a report
reviewing and assessing the implementation of the NextGen
project.
(2) Requirements.--The report developed under paragraph (1)
shall include the following:
(A) Evaluation of the promised operational benefits
at the time of initiation and the realized benefits
upon completion of the NextGen project.
(B) Recommendations for the technical capacity and
resources needed by the FAA in order to oversee a
comprehensive airspace modernization project on-
schedule and on-budget.
(C) Identification of programs under the NextGen
project that were significantly delayed, significantly
diminished, or ultimately not implemented, including an
explanation of the cause of the delay, reduction, or
removal of the program from the NextGen project by the
FAA. This discussion shall include at a minimum,
programs relating to expanding surveillance coverage
across the country, increasing performance-based
navigation, and improving enroute data communications.
(D) Identification of any challenges that impacted
the implementation of the NextGen project.
(E) Identification of any lessons learned during
the NextGen project effort, and whether, how, and to
what effect those lessons may be applied to future
national airspace system modernization efforts.
(F) Assessment of national airspace system user
engagement in the NextGen project priorities and
implementation.
(G) Recommendations of the justifications for
further national airspace system modernization efforts
including economic, safety, efficiency, capacity,
predictability, and resiliency of the United States air
transportation system.
(3) Deadline.--Not later than June 30, 2026, the report
developed under paragraph (1) shall be submitted to the
Administrator and the appropriate committees of Congress.
SEC. 202. AIRSPACE INNOVATION OFFICE.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--On January 1, 2026, the Administrator
shall establish within the FAA the Airspace Innovation Office
(in this section referred to as the ``Office'').
(2) Assistant administrator.--The Office shall be led by
the Assistant Administrator.
(3) Duties.--The Office shall be responsible for--
(A) the research and development, systems
engineering, enterprise architecture, and portfolio
management for the continuous modernization of the
national airspace system; and
(B) developing an integrated plan for the future
state of the national airspace system and overseeing
the deployment of the system.
(4) Consultation.--The Assistant Administrator shall
consult, as necessary, with the Chief Technology Officer
appointed under section 106(s) of title 49, United States Code,
and the Associate Administrator for Advanced Aviation
Technology and Innovation appointed under section 106(u) of
title 49, United States Code (as added by section 801).
(b) Integrated Plan Requirements.--The integrated plan developed by
the Office shall be designed to ensure that the national airspace
system meets future safety, security, mobility, efficiency, and
capacity needs of a diverse set of airspace users. The integrated plan
shall include the following:
(1) A description of the demand for services that will be
required of the Nation's future air transportation system, and
an explanation of how those demand projections were derived,
including--
(A) the most likely range of average annual
resources required over the duration of the plan to
cost-effectively maintain the safety, sustainability,
and other characteristics of national airspace
operation and the FAA's mission; and
(B) an estimate of FAA resource requirements by
user group, including expectations concerning the
growth of new entrants and potential new users.
(2) A roadmap for creating and implementing the integrated
plan, including--
(A) the most significant technical, operational,
and personnel obstacles and the activities necessary to
overcome such obstacles, including the role of other
Federal agencies, corporations, institutions of higher
learning, and non-profit organizations in carrying out
such activities;
(B) the annual anticipated cost of carrying out
such activities; and
(C) the technical milestones that will be used to
evaluate the activities.
(3) A description of the operational concepts needed to
meet the system performance requirements for all system users
and a timeline and anticipated expenditures needed to develop
and deploy the system.
(4) The management of the enterprise architecture framework
for the introduction of these operational improvements and to
inform FAA financial decision-making.
(5) A business case for the operational improvements that
the Office will develop and deploy not later than 2040,
including the benefits, costs, and risks of the preferred and
alternative options.
(c) Considerations.--In developing and carrying out the integrated
plan, the Office shall consider--
(1) the results and recommendations of the independent
report on implementation of the NextGen project under section
201(b);
(2) the status of the transition to, and deployment of,
trajectory-based operations within the national airspace
system; and
(3) the audit of legacy systems required by section 407,
and the resulting plan to replace or enhance the identified
legacy systems within a reasonable time frame.
(d) Consultation.--In developing and carrying out the integrated
plan, the Office shall consult with representatives from--
(1) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
(2) airlines;
(3) business aviation;
(4) general aviation;
(5) aviation labor groups;
(6) aviation research and development entities;
(7) aircraft and avionics manufacturers;
(8) air traffic control suppliers;
(9) commercial space industry;
(10) commercial and recreational drone industry; and
(11) any other entities the Office deems necessary.
(e) Plan Deadline; Briefings.--
(1) Plan deadline.--Not later than November 30, 2026, the
Administrator shall submit the integrated plan required by
subsection (a)(3)(B) to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations
of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(2) Annual briefings.--The Administrator shall provide the
committees of Congress specified in paragraph (1) with an
annual briefing describing the progress in carrying out the
integrated plan required by subsection (a)(3)(B), including any
changes to the plan.
(f) DOT Inspector General Review.--Not later than 180 days
following submission of the integrated plan under subsection (e)(1),
the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall review
the integrated plan and submit to the committees of Congress specified
in paragraph (1) a report that--
(1) assesses the business case for the integrated plan;
(2) provides any recommendations for improving the
integrated plan; and
(3) includes any other information that the Inspector
General determines appropriate.
(g) Limitation.--The FAA is not authorized to spend any amounts on
the deployment of new air traffic management technologies and
operational improvements that have yet to be deployed and identified in
the integrated plan until the committees of Congress specified in
paragraph (1) have been briefed under subsection (e)(2).
SEC. 203. COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE OPTIONS FOR IMPROVING ASIAS ANALYTICS.
(a) ASIAS Analytics.--
(1) Evaluation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall evaluate
whether commercial software solutions are available to improve
the FAA's Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing
(ASIAS) system to advance the system's predictive capabilities
and analytical solutions developed.
(2) Requirements.--In carrying out the evaluation required
by paragraph (1), the Administrator shall--
(A) prioritize production-ready configurable
solutions over custom development to support FAA
critical aviation safety programs; and
(B) ensure that adequate market research is
completed in accordance with FAA acquisition management
system requirements, including appropriate live
demonstrations of proposed solutions, as part of the
evaluation criteria.
(b) Congressional Briefing.--Not later than 2 years after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a briefing on the results of the
evaluation carried out under subsection (a) that--
(1) includes an assessment of the FAA's progress toward
achieving previously identified milestones for ASIAS by the
Inspector General of the Department of Transportation and the
Special Committee to Review FAA Aircraft Certification Reports;
and
(2) outlines the FAA's plan to use rapidly deployable
commercial solutions to assist the FAA in meeting such
milestones.
SEC. 204. AUTHORITY TO USE ELECTRONIC SERVICE.
Section 46103 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or''
after the semicolon;
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the
period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) by electronic or facsimile transmission to
the person to be served or the designated agent of the
person; or
``(E) as designated by regulation or guidance
published in the Federal Register.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) The date of service made by an electronic or
facsimile method is--
``(A) the date an electronic or facsimile
transmission is sent; or
``(B) the date a notification is sent by an
electronic or facsimile method that a notice, process,
or action is immediately available and accessible in an
electronic database.''; and
(2) in subsection (c) by striking the first sentence and
inserting ``Service on an agent designated under this section
shall be made at the office or usual place of residence of the
agent or at the electronic or facsimile address designated by
the agent.''.
Subtitle B--Regulatory Reform
SEC. 211. SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY THROUGH DIGITIZATION OF FAA SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall--
(1) identify, at the discretion of the Administrator, 3
processes of the FAA that result in a certification (such as an
aircraft certification, aircraft registration, or airmen
certification) or authorization, an exemption, or a letter of
authorization; and
(2) initiate the digitization of such processes.
(b) Requirements.--In carrying out the digitization required by
subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure that the digitization of
any process allows for--
(1) an applicant to track their application throughout the
period of submission and review of such application; and
(2) the status of the application to be available upon
demand to the applicant, as well as FAA employees responsible
for reviewing and making a decision on the application.
(c) Briefing to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date on
which the Administrator initiates the digitization under subsection
(a)(2), the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of
Congress on the progress of such digitization.
(d) Definition of Digitization.--In this section, the term
``digitization'' means the transition from a predominantly paper-based
system to a system centered on the use of a data management system and
the internet.
SEC. 212. REPORT ELIMINATION OR MODIFICATION.
(a) Reports Modified.--
(1) Report on the airport improvement program.--
(A) In general.--Section 47131(a) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by striking the first
sentence and inserting ``Not later than June 1, 2025,
and biennially thereafter, the Secretary of
Transportation shall submit to Congress a report on
activities carried out under this subchapter during the
prior 2 fiscal years.''.
(B) Conforming amendments.--
(i) Section 47131 of title 49, United
States Code, is amended in the section heading
by striking ``Annual'' and inserting
``Biennial''.
(ii) The analysis for chapter 471 of title
49, United States Code, is amended by striking
the item relating to section 47131 and
inserting the following:
``47131. Biennial report.''.
(2) National aviation research plan.--
(A) Section 44501(c)(1) of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``the date of submission''
and inserting ``90 days after the date of submission''.
(B) Section 48102(g) of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``the date of submission''
and inserting ``90 days after the date of submission''.
(b) Reports Eliminated.--
(1) Laser pointer incidents.--Section 2104(a) of the FAA
Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 46301
note) is amended by striking ``Beginning 90 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration, in coordination with appropriate
Federal law enforcement agencies, shall provide quarterly
updates to the appropriate committees of Congress regarding''
and inserting ``The Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration, in coordination with appropriate Federal law
enforcement agencies, shall provide an annual briefing to the
appropriate committees of Congress regarding''.
(2) Report on helicopter air ambulance operations.--Section
44731 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (d)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking
``Report to Congress'' and inserting
``Briefing'';
(ii) by striking the first sentence and
inserting ``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
data collected under subsection (a).''; and
(iii) in the second sentence by striking
``report'' and inserting ``briefing''; and
(B) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ``the
report'' and inserting ``the briefing''.
SEC. 213. INTERNAL REGULATORY PROCESS REVIEW.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish an internal
regulatory process review team (in this section referred to as the
``review team'') comprised of FAA employees and individuals described
in subsection (b) to develop recommendations to improve the timeliness
of, and performance accountability in, the development and promulgation
of regulatory materials (as defined in subsection (g)). The review team
shall deliver a report with recommendations to the Secretary in
accordance with the deadlines specified in subsection (e).
(b) Other Members; Consultation.--
(1) In general.--The review team shall include outside
experts and academics with relevant experience or expertise in
aviation safety and in improving the performance,
accountability, and transparency of the Federal regulatory
process, particularly as it relates to aviation safety. The
review team shall include at least 3 outside experts or
academics with relevant experience or expertise in aviation
safety and at least 1 outside expert or academic with relevant
experience or expertise in improving the performance,
accountability, and transparency of the Federal regulatory
process, particularly as it relates to aviation safety.
(2) Consultation.--The review team may, as appropriate,
consult with industry stakeholders.
(c) Contents of Review.--In conducting the review required under
subsection (a), the review team shall do the following:
(1) Develop a proposal for rationalizing processes and
eliminating redundant administrative review of regulatory
materials within the FAA, particularly when FAA-sponsored
rulemaking committees and stakeholders have collaborated on the
proposed regulations to address airworthiness standards
deficiencies.
(2) With respect to each office within the FAA that reviews
regulatory materials, assess--
(A) the timeline assigned to each such office to
complete the review of regulatory materials;
(B) the actual time spent for such review;
(C) opportunities to reduce the actual time for
such review; and
(D) whether clear roles, responsibilities,
requirements, and expectations are clearly defined for
each office required to review the regulatory
materials.
(3) Define and document the roles and responsibilities of
each office within the FAA that develops, drafts, or reviews
each kind of regulatory material in order to ensure that hiring
reflects who, where, and how these employees function in the
rulemaking framework.
(4) Describe any organizational changes or the need to hire
additional FAA employees, if necessary and taking into
consideration whether current positions are staffed, to reduce
delays in publication of proposed and final regulatory
materials.
(5) In order to provide the public with detailed
information on the progress of the development of regulatory
materials, identify reporting mechanisms and develop a template
and appropriate system metrics for making publicly available on
a website a real-time progress tracker that updates itself to
show the major stages (as determined by the Secretary) of the
development of regulatory materials as they are initiated, in
progress, and completed, from inception of a proposed
development of regulatory materials to publication of the final
version of such materials.
(6) Consider changes to the FAA's best practices under
rules governing ex parte communications with other validating
authorities, including international validating authorities,
and with consideration of the public interest in transparency,
to provide flexibility for FAA employees to discuss regulatory
materials, particularly for those related to enhancing aviation
safety and the United States' aviation international
leadership.
(7) Recommend methods by which the FAA can incorporate
research funded by the Department of Transportation, in
addition to consensus standards and conformance assessment
processes set by private sector standards-developing
organizations into regulatory materials, to keep pace with
rapid changes in aviation technologies and processes.
(8) Recommend mechanisms to optimize the roles of the
Office of the Secretary of Transportation and the Office of
Management and Budget, with the objective of improving the
efficiency of regulatory activity.
(d) Action Plan.--The Administrator shall develop an action plan to
implement the recommendations developed by the review team. The
Administrator shall publish the action plan on the internet website of
the FAA and shall transmit the plan to the appropriate committees of
Congress.
(e) Deadlines.--The requirements of this section shall be subject
to the following deadlines:
(1) The review team shall complete the evaluation required
under subsection (a) and submit the review team's report on
such evaluation to the Secretary not later than 120 days after
the date of enactment of this section.
(2) The Administrator shall develop and publish the action
plan under subsection (d) not later than 30 days after the date
on which the review team submits the report required by
subsection (a) to the Administrator.
(f) Administrative Procedure Requirements Inapplicable.--The
provisions of subchapter II of chapter 5, and chapter 7, of title 5,
United States Code (commonly known as the ``Administrative Procedure
Act'') shall not apply to any activities of the review team in carrying
out the requirements of this section.
(g) Regulatory Materials Defined.--In this section, the term
``regulatory materials'' means rules, orders, advisory circulars,
statements of policy, guidance, and other materials related to aviation
safety regulations, as well as other materials pertaining to training
and operation of aeronautical products.
SEC. 214. REVIEW AND UPDATES OF CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section,
the Secretary shall--
(1) identify each categorical exclusion under the
jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation (referred to
in this section as the ``Department''), including any operating
administration within the Department; and
(2) review, adopt, and broaden the applicability of
categorical exclusions to enable the use by operating
administrations of the Department, as relevant and appropriate,
of categorical exclusions identified in paragraph (1).
TITLE III--SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
SEC. 301. INDEPENDENT STUDY ON FUTURE STATE OF TYPE CERTIFICATION
PROCESSES.
(a) Review and Study.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this section, subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Administrator shall enter into an agreement with an
appropriate Federally-funded research and development center, or other
independent nonprofit organization that recommends solutions to
aviation policy challenges through objective analysis, to conduct a
review and study in accordance with the requirements and elements set
forth in this section.
(b) Elements.--The review and study under subsection (a) shall
provide analyses, assessments, and recommendations that address the
following:
(1) A vision for a future state of type certification that
reflects the highly complex, highly integrated nature of
today's aircraft and improvements in aviation safety.
(2) A review of the current tools and techniques used for
type certification and an evaluation of whether use of advanced
digital tools and techniques, including model-based system
engineering, would improve the type certification process and
enhance aviation safety.
(3) How the FAA could develop a risk-based model for type
certification that improves the safety of aircraft.
(4) What changes are needed to ensure that corrective
actions for continued operational safety issues can be approved
and implemented quickly, particularly with respect to software
modifications, while maintaining the safety of the type
certification process.
(5) What efficiencies and safety process improvements are
needed in the FAA's type certification system that will
facilitate the assessment and integration of innovating
technologies that advance aviation safety, such as conducting
product familiarization, developing certification requirements,
and demonstrating flight test safety readiness.
(6) Best practices and tools used by other certification
authorities that could be adopted by the FAA and the United
States, as well as the best practices and tools used by the
United States which can be shared with other certification
authorities.
(c) Report.--Not later than 15 months after the date of enactment
of this section, the organization conducting the review and study shall
submit to the Administrator and the appropriate committees of Congress
a report on the results of the review and study that includes the
findings and recommendations of the organization.
(d) Congressional Briefing.--Not later than 270 days after the
report required under subsection (c) is submitted to the Administrator,
the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress
regarding the FAA's response to the findings and recommendations of
such report, what actions the FAA will take as a result of such
findings and recommendations, and the FAA rationale for not taking
action on any specific recommendation.
SEC. 302. REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL VALIDATION PROGRAM PERFORMANCE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall evaluate the performance
of the FAA's type certificate validation program under bilateral
agreements, with reference to agreed implementation procedures.
(b) Contents.--The evaluation under subsection (a) shall consider,
at minimum, the following:
(1) Progress under section 243(a) of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note) with respect
to improving the FAA's leadership abroad.
(2) Develop criteria and procedures whereby an Organization
Designation Authorization Holder (as defined in section
44736(c)(5) of title 49, United States Code) may provide an ODA
Unit recommendation that certain data produced during an
applicant's company flight test program may be accepted by the
FAA as final compliance data in accordance with section
21.35(b) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, at the sole
discretion of the FAA.
(3) Training on the minimum standards for validation work
plan content, such as the validating authority level of
involvement, and what constitutes justification for level of
involvement and compliance document requests.
(4) The perspectives of FAA employees responsible for type
validation projects, bilateral civil aviation regulatory
partners, and industry applicants, on the FAA's performance in
carrying out validation projects.
(5) The levels of funding and staffing for the
International Validation Branch of the Compliance and
Airworthiness Division of the Aircraft Certification Service of
the FAA compared to the Branch's workload and goals.
(6) The effectiveness of FAA training for employees and of
outreach conducted to improve and enforce validation processes.
(7) Efforts undertaken to strengthen relationships with
international certification authorities to maximize safety
cooperation and the use of approvals issued by other certifying
authorities in compliance with applicable bilateral agreements
and implementation procedures.
(c) Report.--The Administrator shall issue a report regarding the
evaluation required under subsection (a) to the appropriate committees
of Congress not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
section.
SEC. 303. HIGH RISK FLIGHT TESTING.
(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of this section, the Administrator shall take necessary actions,
including as appropriate, amending part 21 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, and revising or modifying any associated advisory
circulars, guidance, or policy of the FAA, in accordance with this
section to improve flight test safety risk.
(b) Requirements.--In developing, amending, revising, or modifying
regulations, advisory circulars, guidance, or policy under subsection
(a), the Administrator shall do the following:
(1) Develop validation criteria and procedures whereby data
produced in high fidelity engineering laboratories and
facilities may be allowed in conjunction with, or in lieu of,
data produced on a flying test article to support an
applicant's showing of compliance required under section
21.35(a)(1) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
(2) Develop criteria and procedures whereby an Organization
Designation Authorization (as defined in section 44736(c)(5) of
title 49, United States Code) may recommend that certain data
produced during an applicant's company flight test program may
be accepted by the FAA as final compliance data in accordance
with section 21.35(b) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations,
at the sole discretion of the FAA.
(3) Work with other civil aviation authorities representing
States of Design to identify their best practices relative to
high risk flight testing and adopt those practices into the
FAA's flight-testing requirements to the maximum extent
practicable.
SEC. 304. RECORDING DEVICES.
(a) In General.--Chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 44745. 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 Act, 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 of this title 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 the 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 or 135 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations; and
``(2) required by regulation to have a cockpit voice
recorder or a flight data recorder.''.
(b) Flight Data Recovery From Overwater Operations.--Chapter 447 of
title 49, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a), is further
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 44746. Flight data recovery from overwater operations
``(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 require that,
not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this section, all
applicable aircraft are--
``(1) fitted with 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) equipped with a tamper-resistant method to broadcast
sufficient information to a ground station to establish the
location where an applicable aircraft terminates flight as the
result of such an event; and
``(3) equipped with an airframe low-frequency underwater
locating device that functions for at least 90 days and that
can be detected by appropriate equipment.
``(b) Applicable Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the term
`applicable aircraft' means an aircraft manufactured on or after
January 1, 2027, that is--
``(1) operated under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations;
``(2) required by regulation to have a cockpit voice
recorder and a flight data recorder; and
``(3) used in extended overwater operations.''.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 447 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 44744 the following:
``44745. Recording devices.
``44746. Flight data recovery from overwater operations.''.
SEC. 305. HELICOPTER SAFETY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall task the Aviation
Rulemaking Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the
``Committee'') with reviewing and assessing the need for changes to the
safety requirements for turbine-powered rotorcraft certificated for 6
or more passenger seats in relation to flight data recorders, flight
data monitoring, and terrain awareness and warning systems. The
Committee shall submit to the Administrator a report on the findings
from such review and assessment, together with recommendations for such
legislative or administrative action as the Committee deems
appropriate.
(b) Considerations.--In reviewing and assessing the safety
requirements under subsection (a), the Committee shall consider--
(1) any applicable safety recommendations of the National
Transportation Safety Board; and
(2) the operational requirements and safety considerations
for operations under parts 121 and 135 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations.
(c) Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which the
Committee submits the report under subsection (a), the Administrator
shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on--
(1) the findings and recommendations included in the
Committee's report; and
(2) the Administrator's plan, if any, to implement such
recommendations.
SEC. 306. REVIEW AND INCORPORATION OF HUMAN READINESS LEVELS INTO
AGENCY GUIDANCE MATERIAL.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Proper attention to human factors during the
development of technological systems is a significant factor in
minimizing or preventing human error.
(2) The evaluation and monitoring of a new aviation
technology or system with respect to human use throughout its
design and development may reduce human error in new systems
and technologies when used in operational conditions.
(3) The technical standard ``ANSI/HFES 400-2021, Human
Readiness Level Scale in the System Development Process''
defines the 9 levels of a Human Readiness Level scale and their
application in systems engineering and human systems
integration processes.
(b) Review.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of
this section, the Administrator shall initiate a process to review
ANSI/HFES Standard 400-2021 and determine whether any materials from
this standard can and should be incorporated or referenced in agency
procedures and guidance material in order to enhance safety in relation
to human factors.
(c) Consultation.--In carrying out subsection (b), the
Administrator shall conduct a review of the ANSI/HFES 400-2021
technical standard and may consult with subject matter experts
affiliated with the authoring organization for such technical standard.
(d) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment
of this section, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate
committees of Congress on the progress of the review required by
subsection (b).
SEC. 307. SERVICE DIFFICULTY REPORTS.
(a) Annual Congressional Briefings.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on
compliance during the preceding year with requirements relating to
Service Difficulty Reports, specifically--
(1) compliance by operators with the requirements of
section 121.703 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;
(2) compliance by approval or certificate holders with the
requirements of section 183.63 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations; and
(3) compliance by FAA offices with the requirements for
investigation of Service Difficulty Reports, as documented in
the following FAA Orders (and any subsequent revisions of such
Orders):
(A) FAA Order 8900.1A, Flight Standards Information
Management System (issued October 27, 2022);
(B) FAA Order 8120.23A, Certificate Management of
Production Approval Holders (issued March 6, 2017); and
(C) FAA Order 8110.107A, Monitor Safety/Analyze
Data (issued October 1, 2012).
(b) Requirements.--The briefings required by subsection (a) shall
include the following with respect to the preceding year:
(1) Identification of categories of service difficulties
reported, as determined by the Administrator, including
repetitive service difficulties reported.
(2) The causes of the service difficulties, as determined
by the Administrator.
(3) Actions taken by, or required by, the Administrator to
address the identified causes of service difficulties.
(4) Violations of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations,
and what, if any, action the FAA took in response to a
violation, including any actions set forth in FAA Order
2150.3C, FAA Compliance and Enforcement Program w/Changes 1-10
(issued September 18, 2018) (or any subsequent revisions of
such Order).
SEC. 308. ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMPLIANCE.
(a) In General.--Section 44704(a)(1) of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``When an
applicant submits design data to the Administrator for a finding of
compliance as part of an application for a type certificate, the
applicant shall certify to the Administrator that the submitted design
data demonstrates compliance with the applicable airworthiness
standards or that any airworthiness standards not complied with are
compensated for by factors that provide an equivalent level of safety
as agreed upon by the Administrator.''
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall provide to the
appropriate committees of Congress a briefing on the implementation of
the certification required by the amendment made by subsection (a).
SEC. 309. ACCOUNTABILITY FOR AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION NUMBERS.
The Administrator shall review the process of reserving aircraft
registration numbers and implement appropriate changes to ensure fair
participation by the general public, including the implementation of
readily available software to prevent any computer auto-fill systems
from reserving aircraft registration numbers in bulk.
SEC. 310. AIRCRAFT REREGISTRATION.
(a) In General.--Chapter 441 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 44114. Reregistration of aircraft
``If an application for reregistration of an aircraft is filed
before the date on which the aircraft's registration expires, the
aircraft may continue to be operated after the expiration of the 90-day
period following the date on which the owner of the aircraft filed such
reregistration application (without regard for whether the
Administrator has received such reregistration application), provided
that--
``(1) any operator of the aircraft has evidence aboard the
aircraft that the owner of the aircraft filed the
reregistration application with the Administrator not less than
90 days previously; and
``(2) the Administrator has not rejected such
reregistration application.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of enactment of
this section.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 441 of such title
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 44113 the
following:
``44114. Reregistration of aircraft.''.
SEC. 311. FAA OVERSIGHT OF REPAIR STATIONS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE UNITED
STATES.
(a) In General.--Section 44733 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in the section heading by striking ``Inspection'' and
inserting ``Oversight'';
(2) in subsection (e)--
(A) in the first sentence--
(i) by inserting ``, without prior notice
to such repair stations,'' after ``annually'';
and
(ii) by inserting ``and the applicable laws
of the country in which a repair station is
located'' after ``international agreements'';
and
(B) by striking the second 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 with the applicable laws of the country
in which a repair station is located.'';
(3) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (i); and
(4) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:
``(g) Data Analysis.--
``(1) In general.--An air carrier conducting operations
under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, shall,
if applicable, provide to the appropriate office of the
Administration, not less than once every year, a report
containing the information described in paragraph (2) with
respect to heavy maintenance work on aircraft (including on-
wing aircraft engines) performed in the preceding year.
``(2) Information required.--A report under paragraph (1)
shall contain the following information:
``(A) The location where any heavy maintenance work
on aircraft (including on-wing aircraft engines) 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) If applicable, a list of all failures,
malfunctions, or defects affecting the safe operation
of such aircraft identified by the air carrier within
30 days after the date on which an aircraft is returned
to service, organized by reference to aircraft
registration number, that--
``(i) require corrective action after the
aircraft is approved for return to service; and
``(ii) result from the 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 of the Federal Aviation
Administration shall--
``(A) analyze information made available under
paragraph (1) of this subsection and sections 121.703,
121.705, 121.707, and 145.221 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations, or any successor provisions, to
detect safety issues associated with heavy maintenance
work on aircraft (including on-wing aircraft engines)
performed outside the United States; and
``(B) require appropriate actions in response.
``(4) Confidentiality.--Information made available under
paragraph (1) shall be subject to the same protections given to
voluntarily provided safety or security related information
under section 40123.
``(h) Minimum Qualifications for Mechanics and Others Working on
U.S. Registered Aircraft.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this subsection, the Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration shall require that, at each covered
repair station--
``(A) all supervisory personnel 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 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 1 year
after the date of enactment of this subsection, the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall
require any individual who is responsible for approving an
article for return to service or who is directly in charge of
aircraft (including on-wing aircraft engine) maintenance
performed on aircraft operated under part 121 of title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations, be available for consultation while
work is being performed at a covered repair station.''.
(b) Definition of Covered Repair Station.--
(1) In general.--Section 44733(i) of title 49, United
States Code (as redesignated by subsection (a)(3)), is
amended--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as
paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively; and
(B) 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 certificated under part 145 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations; and
``(C) performs heavy maintenance work on aircraft
(including on-wing aircraft engines) operated under
part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.''.
(2) 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''.
(c) Clerical 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.''.
SEC. 312. ALCOHOL AND DRUG TESTING AND BACKGROUND CHECKS.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (c), beginning on the date
that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the
Administrator may not approve or authorize international travel for any
employee of the FAA until a final rule 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 note) has been published in the
Federal Register.
(b) 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 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.
(c) Exceptions.--The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply
to international travel that is determined by the Administrator on an
individual-by-individual basis to be--
(1) exclusively for the purpose of conducting a safety
inspection;
(2) directly related to aviation safety standards,
certification, and oversight; or
(3) vital to the national interests of the United States.
(d) Definition of Covered Repair Station.--For purposes of this
section, the term ``covered repair station'' means a facility that--
(1) is located outside the United States;
(2) is certificated under part 145 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations; and
(3) performs heavy maintenance work on aircraft (including
on-wing aircraft engines), operated under part 121 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 313. CONTINUOUS AIRCRAFT TRACKING AND TRANSMISSION FOR HIGH
ALTITUDE BALLOONS.
(a) Aviation Rulemaking Committee.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish an
Aviation Rulemaking Committee (in this section referred to as
the ``Committee'') to review and develop findings and
recommendations regarding a standard that any high altitude
balloon be equipped with a system for continuous aircraft
tracking that shall transmit, at a minimum, the altitude,
location, and identity of the high altitude balloon in a manner
that is accessible to air traffic controllers and ensures the
safe integration of high altitude balloons into the national
airspace system.
(2) Composition.--The Committee shall consist of members
appointed by the Administrator, including the following:
(A) Representatives of industry.
(B) Aviation safety experts, including experts with
specific knowledge--
(i) of high altitude balloon operations; or
(ii) FAA tracking and surveillance systems.
(C) Non-governmental researchers and educators.
(D) Representatives of the Department of Defense.
(E) Representatives of Federal agencies that
conduct high altitude balloon operations.
(3) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the Committee shall submit to the
Administrator a report detailing the findings and
recommendations of the Committee described in paragraph (1).
Such report shall include recommendations regarding the
following:
(A) How to update sections 91.215, 91.225, and
99.13 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to
require all high altitude balloons (including public
aircraft operations) to have a continuous aircraft
tracking and transmission system.
(B) Any necessary updates to the requirements for
unmanned free balloons under subpart D of part 101 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
(C) Any necessary updates to other FAA regulations
or requirements deemed appropriate and necessary by the
Administrator to--
(i) ensure any high altitude balloon has a
continuous aircraft tracking and transmission
system;
(ii) ensure all data relating to the
altitude, location, and identity of any high
altitude balloon is made available to air
traffic controllers;
(iii) determine criteria and provide
approval guidance for new equipment that
provides continuous aircraft tracking and
transmission for high altitude balloons and
meets the performance requirements described
under such section 91.225, including portable,
battery-powered Automatic Dependent
Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out equipage;
and
(iv) maintain airspace safety.
(4) Use of prior work.--In developing the report under
paragraph (3), the Committee may make full use of any research,
comments, data, findings, or recommendations made by any prior
Aviation Rulemaking Committee.
(5) New technologies and solutions.--Nothing in this
subsection shall require the Committee to develop
recommendations requiring equipage of high altitude balloons
with an ADS-B or an air traffic control transponder
transmission system, or preclude the Committee from making
recommendations for the adoption of new systems or solutions
that may require that a high altitude balloon be equipped with
a system that can transmit, at a minimum, the altitude,
location, and identity of the high altitude balloon.
(b) Rulemaking and Other Requirements.--Not later than 18 months
after the date on which the Committee submits the report under
subsection (a)(3), the Administrator shall--
(1) issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to require a
continuous aircraft tracking and transmission system for any
high altitude balloon, in accordance with the recommendations
of the Committee; and
(2) coordinate with foreign authorities (including
bilateral partners and the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO)) to identify opportunities to align
continuous aircraft tracking and transmission system standards
for any high altitude balloon operating outside of the national
airspace system.
(c) Interim Standard.--During the period beginning on the date that
is 2 years after the date of enactment of this section and ending on
the date on which the Administrator issues a notice of proposed
rulemaking under subsection (b)(1), a person may only operate a high
altitude balloon if such balloon meets the requirements described in
section 91.215(b) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations,
notwithstanding the exemption provided in subsection (e)(1) of such
section 91.215 or in subsection (e) of section 91.1 of such title 14.
(d) Reports to Congress.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this section, and every 6 months thereafter until the
Administrator promulgates a final rule under subsection (b), the
Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report on the status of the rulemaking and other requirements being
developed under such subsection.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) High altitude balloon.--The term ``high altitude
balloon'' means a manned or unmanned free balloon operating not
less than 18,000 feet above mean sea level.
SEC. 314. INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT.
(a) Plan.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall develop and
implement a plan to enhance United States' leadership in
aviation safety and policy.
(2) Contents of plan.--The plan required under paragraph
(1) shall include, at minimum, the following:
(A) Measures to advance international cooperation
related to--
(i) approval of new safety-enhancing
technologies and aeronautical products;
(ii) development of regulatory policy and
plans related to advanced air mobility
concepts;
(iii) innovation in the general aviation
sector;
(iv) further integration of uncrewed
aircraft systems and advanced air mobility
aircraft and operators; and
(v) development of international standards
and best practices for enhancing aviation
safety consistent with United States policy and
objectives.
(B) Initiatives to attain greater expertise among
employees of the FAA on issues related to dispute
resolution, intellectual property, and export control
laws.
(C) Policy regarding the future direction and
strategy of United States engagement with the
International Civil Aviation Organization and bilateral
partner countries, including the secondment of subject
matter experts.
(D) Procedures for acceptance of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information, such as
airworthiness directives and other safety-related
regulatory documents, consistent with section
44701(e)(5) of title 49, United States Code.
(E) Measures to align the FAA's technical
assistance to foreign civil aviation regulators, taking
into account, among other factors, with respect to each
such foreign regulator, the particular aeronautical
products for which the United States is the State of
Design in operation in the State of such regulator's
jurisdiction.
(F) Measures, such as funding and the hiring of
additional FAA personnel, necessary for the FAA to
fully participate in global and bilateral activities
related to aviation safety.
(G) Measures to facilitate and expand the FAA's
international programs, training, and technical
assistance to foreign civil aviation authorities in
order to--
(i) strengthen aviation safety oversight;
(ii) meet the United Nations International
Civil Aviation Organization standards; and
(iii) further United States policy and
objectives.
(H) Initiatives to further develop and establish
the FAA's foreign offices in strategic regions,
particularly Africa and Asia-Pacific, in order to
support the FAA's international mission to promote a
safe, secure, seamless, and sustainable global
aerospace system.
(b) Public Availability of Plan.--Not later than 210 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall make the plan
developed under subsection (a) available on the internet website of the
FAA.
(c) Submission to Congress.--
(1) Plan.--Not later than 210 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a copy of the plan developed
under subsection (a).
(2) Updates on implementation.--Not later than 1 year after
the submission of the plan under paragraph (1), and annually
thereafter through 2028, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the activities
the FAA is conducting in order to implement such plan.
(d) International Travel.--The Administrator, or the
Administrator's designee, may authorize international travel for any
FAA employee, without the approval of any other person or office, for
the purpose of--
(1) promotion of aviation safety and other relevant
aviation standards;
(2) providing support for expedited acceptance of FAA
design and production approvals by other civil aviation
authorities;
(3) facilitation of adoption of United States approaches on
standards and recommended practices at the International Civil
Aviation Organization; or
(4) providing support for technical assistance and training
by the FAA.
SEC. 315. AIR TOUR AND SPORT PARACHUTING SAFETY.
(a) Safety Management System Requirements for Certain Operators.--
Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this section,
the Administrator shall issue a final rule requiring each person
holding a certificate under part 119 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, and authorized to conduct operations in accordance with
the provisions of part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to
implement a safety management system, as appropriate for the
operations.
(b) Other Safety Requirements for Commercial Operators.--
(1) Safety reforms.--
(A) Authority to conduct nonstop commercial air
tours.--
(i) In general.--Subject to clauses (ii)
and (iii), beginning on the date that is 3
years after the date of enactment of this
section, no person may conduct commercial air
tours unless that person--
(I) holds a certificate identifying
the person as an air carrier or
commercial operator under part 119 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;
and
(II) conducts all commercial air
tours under the applicable provisions
of part 121 or part 135 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations.
(ii) Small business exception.--The
provisions of clause (i) shall not apply to a
person who conducts 50 or fewer commercial air
tours in a year.
(iii) Temporary exception.--Notwithstanding
the requirements of clause (i), for a period of
5 years after the date described in clause (i),
a person who holds a letter of authorization
issued by the Administrator to conduct nonstop
commercial air tours under section 91.147 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, may
continue to conduct nonstop commercial air
tours under such letter of authorization so
long as the person--
(I) as of the date of enactment of
this section, has submitted (or not
later than 18 months after such date of
enactment, submits) an application to
the Administrator for an air carrier
certificate under part 119, Code of
Federal Regulations; and
(II) has not been issued such part
119 certificate or received a denial of
the application submitted under
subclause (I).
(iv) Reporting required.--Beginning on the
date that is 3 years after the date of
enactment, and every 12 months thereafter, each
person that conducts commercial air tours
(including any person excluded from the
certificate requirement under clause (ii) or
(iii)) shall report to the Administrator the
total number of commercial air tours that
person conducted during the previous 12 months.
(v) Other terms.--The Administrator shall--
(I) revise title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations, to include
definitions for the terms ``aerial
work'' and ``aerial photography'' that
are limited to aerial operations
performed for compensation or hire with
an approved operating certificate; and
(II) to the extent necessary,
revise section 119.1(e)(4)(iii) of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations,
to conform with the requirements of
such definitions.
(B) Additional safety requirements.--Not later than
3 years after the date of enactment of this section,
the Administrator shall issue new or revised
regulations that shall require each commercial air tour
operator to ensure that the doors of the airplane or
helicopter, rotorcraft, or other aircraft used for such
tour remain closed during the period of the tour in
which the airplane or helicopter is moving on the
surface or is airborne and provide an exception for a
parachuting flight and operations under section
119.1(e)(4) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations,
and incorporate avoidance training for controlled
flight into terrain and in-flight loss of control into
the training program required under part 121 or 135 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, as applicable.
The training shall address reducing the risk of
accidents involving unintentional flight into
instrument meteorological conditions to address day,
night, and low visibility environments with special
attention paid to research available as of the date of
enactment of this section on human factors issues
involved in such accidents, including but not limited
to--
(i) specific terrain, weather, and
infrastructure challenges relevant in the local
operating environment that increase the risk of
such accidents;
(ii) pilot decision-making relevant to the
avoidance of instrument meteorological
conditions while operating under visual flight
rules;
(iii) use of terrain awareness displays;
(iv) spatial disorientation risk factors
and countermeasures; and
(v) strategies for maintaining control,
including the use of automated systems.
(2) Aviation rulemaking committee.--
(A) In general.--The Administrator shall convene an
aviation rulemaking committee to review and develop
findings and recommendations to inform--
(i) establishing a performance-based
standard for flight data monitoring for all
commercial air tour operators that reviews all
available data sources to identify deviations
from established areas of operation and
potential safety issues;
(ii) requiring all commercial air tour
operators to install flight data recording
devices capable of supporting collection and
dissemination of the data incorporated in the
Flight Operational Quality Assurance Program
(or, if an aircraft cannot be retrofitted with
such equipment, requiring the commercial air
tour operator for such aircraft to collect and
maintain flight data through alternative
methods);
(iii) requiring all commercial air tour
operators to implement a flight data monitoring
program, such as a Flight Operational Quality
Assurance Program;
(iv) establishing methods to provide
effective terrain awareness and warning; and
(v) establishing methods to provide
effective traffic avoidance in identified high-
traffic tour areas, such as requiring air tour
operators that operate within those areas be
equipped with an Automatic Dependent
Surveillance-Broadcast Out- and In-supported
traffic advisory system that--
(I) includes both visual and aural
alerts;
(II) is driven by an algorithm
designed to eliminate nuisance alerts;
and
(III) is operational during all
flight operations.
(B) Membership.--The aviation rulemaking committee
shall consist of members appointed by the
Administrator, including--
(i) representatives of industry, including
manufacturers of aircraft and aircraft
technologies;
(ii) representatives of aviation operator
organizations; and
(iii) aviation safety experts with specific
knowledge of safety management systems and
flight data monitoring programs under part 135
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
(C) Duties.--
(i) In general.--The Administrator shall
direct the aviation rulemaking committee to
make findings and submit recommendations
regarding each of the matters specified in
clauses (i) through (v) of subparagraph (A).
(ii) Considerations.--In carrying out its
duties under clause (i), the Administrator
shall direct the aviation rulemaking committee
to consider--
(I) recommendations of the National
Transportation Safety Board;
(II) recommendations of previous
aviation rulemaking committees that
reviewed flight data monitoring program
requirements on part 135 commercial
operators;
(III) recommendations from industry
safety organizations, including but not
limited to the Vertical Aviation Safety
Team (VAST), the General Aviation Joint
Safety Committee, and the United States
Helicopter Safety Team (USHST);
(IV) scientific data derived from a
broad range of flight data recording
technologies capable of continuously
transmitting and that support a
measurable and viable means of
assessing data to identify and correct
hazardous trends;
(V) appropriate use of data for
modifying behavior to prevent
accidents;
(VI) the need to accommodate
technological advancements in flight
data recording technology;
(VII) data gathered from aviation
safety reporting programs;
(VIII) appropriate methods to
provide effective terrain awareness and
warning system (TAWS) protections while
mitigating nuisance alerts for
aircraft;
(IX) the need to accommodate the
diversity of airworthiness standards
under part 27 and part 29 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations;
(X) the need to accommodate
diversity of operations and mission
sets;
(XI) benefits of third-party data
analysis for large and small
operations;
(XII) accommodations necessary for
small businesses; and
(XIII) other issues as necessary.
(D) Reports and regulations.--The Administrator
shall--
(i) not later than 20 months after the date
of enactment of this section, submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report
based on the findings of the aviation
rulemaking committee;
(ii) not later than 12 months after the
date of submission of the report under clause
(i), and after consideration of the
recommendations of the aviation rulemaking
committee, issue an intent to proceed with
proposed rulemakings regarding each of the
matters specified in clauses (i) through (v) of
subparagraph (A); and
(iii) not later than 3 years after the date
of enactment of this section, issue a final
rule with respect to each of the matters
specified in such clauses of subparagraph (A).
(c) Expedited Process for Obtaining Operating Certificates.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall implement
procedures to improve the process for obtaining operating
certificates under part 119 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations.
(2) Considerations.--In carrying out paragraph (1),
beginning on the date that is 18 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall give
priority consideration to operators that must obtain a
certificate in accordance with subsection (b)(1)(A).
(3) Report required.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing--
(A) how the procedures implemented under paragraph
(1) will increase the efficiency of the process for
obtaining operating certificates under part 119 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and, if
applicable, certificates authorizing operations under
part 135 of such title;
(B) how considerations under paragraph (2) will be
incorporated into procedures implemented under
paragraph (1); and
(C) any additional resources required to implement
procedures under paragraph (1).
(4) Additional reports required.--Not later than 3 years
after the date of enactment of this section, and annually
thereafter, the Administrator shall submit a report to the
appropriate committees of Congress that--
(A) includes--
(i) data on certification approvals and
denials; and
(ii) data on duration of key phases of the
certification process; and
(B) identifies certification policies in need of
reform or repeal.
(d) Safety Requirements for Sport Parachute Operations.--
(1) Aviation rulemaking committee.--The Administrator shall
convene an aviation rulemaking committee to review and develop
findings and recommendations to inform--
(A) rulemaking governing parachute operations
conducted in the United States that are subject to the
requirements of part 105 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, to address--
(i) Federal Aviation Administration-
approved aircraft maintenance and inspection
programs that consider, at a minimum,
requirements for compliance with engine
manufacturers' recommended maintenance
instructions, such as service bulletins and
service information letters for time between
overhauls and component life limits;
(ii) initial and annual recurrent pilot
proficiency checking programs for pilots
conducting parachute operations that address,
at a minimum, operation- and aircraft-specific
weight and balance calculations, preflight
inspections, emergency and recovery procedures,
and parachutist egress procedures for each type
of aircraft flown; and
(iii) initial and annual recurrent pilot
review programs for parachute operations pilots
that address, at a minimum, operation-specific
and aircraft-specific weight and balance
calculations, preflight inspections, emergency
and recovery procedures, and parachutist egress
procedures for each type of aircraft flown, as
well as competency flight checks to determine
pilot competence in practical skills and
techniques in each type of aircraft;
(B) the revision of guidance material contained in
Advisory Circular 105-2E (relating to sport parachute
jumping), to include guidance for parachute operations
in implementing the Federal Aviation Administration-
approved aircraft maintenance and inspection program
and the pilot training and pilot proficiency checking
programs required under any new or revised regulations
issued in accordance with paragraph (1); and
(C) the revision of guidance materials issued in
Order 8900.1 entitled ``Flight Standards Information
Management System'', to include guidance for Federal
Aviation Administration inspectors who oversee part 91
of title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, operations
conducted under any of the exceptions specified in
section 119.1(e) of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, which include parachute operations.
(2) Membership.--The aviation rulemaking committee under
paragraph (1) shall consist of members appointed by the
Administrator, including--
(A) representatives of industry, including
manufacturers of aircraft and aircraft technologies;
(B) representatives of parachute operator
organizations; and
(C) aviation safety experts with specific knowledge
of safety management systems and flight data monitoring
programs under part 135 and part 105 of title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations.
(3) Duties.--
(A) In general.--The Administrator shall direct the
aviation rulemaking committee to make findings and
submit recommendations regarding each of the matters
specified in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph
(1).
(B) Considerations.--In carrying out its duties
under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall direct
the aviation rulemaking committee to consider--
(i) findings and recommendations of the
National Transportation Safety Board generally,
as relevant, and specifically those related to
parachute operations, including the June 21,
2019, incident in Mokuleia, Hawaii;
(ii) recommendations of previous aviation
rulemaking committees that considered similar
issues;
(iii) recommendations from industry safety
organizations, including, but not limited to,
the United States Parachute Association;
(iv) appropriate use of data for modifying
behavior to prevent accidents;
(v) data gathered from aviation safety
reporting programs;
(vi) the need to accommodate diversity of
operations and mission sets;
(vii) accommodations necessary for small
businesses; and
(viii) other issues as necessary.
(4) Reports and regulations.--The Administrator shall--
(A) not later than 20 months after the date of
enactment of this section, submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report based on the findings
of the aviation rulemaking committee;
(B) not later than 12 months after the date of
submission of the report under subparagraph (A), and
after consideration of the recommendations of the
aviation rulemaking committee, issue, as necessary, an
intent to proceed with proposed rulemakings regarding
each of the matters specified in subparagraphs (A)
through (C) of paragraph (1); and
(C) not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this section, issue, as necessary, a final
rule with respect to each of the matters specified in
such subparagraphs of paragraph (1).
(e) 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) Commercial air tour.--The term ``commercial air tour''
means a flight conducted for compensation or hire in an
airplane or helicopter where a purpose of the flight is
sightseeing.
(3) Commercial air tour operator.--The term ``commercial
air tour operator'' means any person who conducts a commercial
air tour.
(4) Parachute operation.--The term ``parachute operation''
has the meaning given that term in section 105.3 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).
SEC. 316. INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.
Section 44701 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(g) Aviation Safety Oversight Measures Carried Out by Foreign
Countries.--
``(1) Assessment.--
``(A) In general.--At intervals the Administrator
considers necessary in the interests of safety, the
Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of
Transportation and the Secretary of State, shall assess
the effectiveness of the aviation safety oversight
measures carried out by a foreign country--
``(i) from which a foreign air carrier
serves the United States;
``(ii) from which a foreign air carrier
seeks to serve the United States;
``(iii) whose air carriers code-share with
a United States air carrier; or
``(iv) as the Administrator considers
appropriate.
``(B) Requirements.--In conducting an assessment
under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall--
``(i) consult with the appropriate
authorities of the government of the foreign
country concerned;
``(ii) determine the extent to which such
country effectively maintains and carries out
its aviation safety oversight measures pursuant
to the Convention on International Civil
Aviation (in this section referred to as the
`Chicago Convention'); and
``(iii) use a standard that will result in
an analysis of the aviation safety oversight
measures carried out by such country based on
the minimum standards contained in Annexes 1,
6, and 8 to the Chicago Convention in effect on
the date of the assessment.
``(C) Non-compliance findings.--
``(i) In general.--When the assessment
required by this subsection identifies areas of
non-compliance to the safety oversight measures
in the Chicago Convention, the Administrator
shall conduct final discussions with the
foreign country within 90 days of the
assessment to determine whether the non-
compliance findings have been corrected and the
foreign country is now in compliance with the
applicable international standards for
effective aviation safety oversight.
``(ii) Correction.--If the Administrator
determines that the foreign country has
corrected the identified area of non-compliance
by the close of final discussions, the Federal
Aviation Administration will issue or continue
to issue operations specifications to the
foreign operator to enable the United States
air service or to the United States operator if
the foreign operator is to carry its airline
code.
``(iii) Non-correction.--If the
Administrator determines that the foreign
country has not has corrected the identified
area of non-compliance by the close of final
discussions--
``(I) immediate notification will
be made to the Secretary of
Transportation and the Secretary of
State that a condition exists that
threatens the safety of passengers,
aircraft, or crew traveling to or from
the foreign country; and
``(II) notwithstanding section
40105(b), the Administrator, after
consulting with the appropriate civil
aviation authority of the foreign
country concerned and notification to
the Secretary of Transportation and the
Secretary of State, may withhold,
revoke, or prescribe conditions on the
operating authority of a foreign air
carrier that provides foreign air
transportation.
``(D) Authority.--Notwithstanding subparagraphs (B)
and (C), the Administrator retains the ability to
initiate immediate safety oversight action when
justified based on available safety information.
``(2) Notification.--At the conclusion of the international
aviation safety assessment process, the Administrator, after
advising the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of
State, shall inform the foreign country of the determination
regarding its compliance to ICAO standards. The determination
shall--
``(A) for foreign countries determined to be
compliant with ICAO standards, state that no further
action is needed; and
``(B) for foreign countries determined to be non-
compliant with ICAO standards, recommend the actions
necessary to bring the aviation safety oversight
measures carried out by that country into compliance
with the international standards contained in the
Chicago Convention, as used by the Federal Aviation
Administration in making the assessment.
``(3) Failure to maintain and carry out standards.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), if
the Administrator determines that a foreign country
does not maintain and carry out effective aviation
safety oversight measures, the Administrator shall--
``(i) notify the appropriate authorities of
the government of the foreign country
consistent with paragraph (2);
``(ii) publish the identity of the foreign
country on the Federal Aviation Administration
website, in the Federal Register, and through
other mediums to provide notice to the public;
``(iii) transmit the identity of the
foreign country to the Secretary of State to
inform the relevant travel advisories; and
``(iv) provide the identity of the foreign
country and any critical safety information
resulting from the assessment to the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
``(B) Immediate exercise of authority.--
``(i) In general .--The Administrator may
immediately exercise authority under
subparagraph (A) if the Administrator, in
consultation with the Secretary of
Transportation and the Secretary of State,
determines that a condition exists that
threatens the safety of passengers, aircraft,
or crew traveling to or from the foreign
country.
``(ii) Notification to the secretary of
state.--The Administrator shall immediately
notify the Secretary of State of a
determination under clause (i) so that the
Secretary of State may issue a travel advisory
with respect to the foreign country.
``(4) Accuracy of the iasa list.--To meet the need for the
public to have timely and accurate information about the
aviation safety oversight of foreign countries, the
Administrator shall regularly review the activity of foreign
air carriers serving the United States and carrying the code of
a United States air carrier. Countries with no such operations
for an extended period of time, as determined by the
Administrator, will be removed from the public listings for
inactivity, after advisement from the Secretary of
Transportation and the Secretary of State.
``(5) Training.--The Federal Aviation Administration shall
use data, tools, and methods in order to ensure transparency
and repeatable results of the assessments conducted under this
subsection. The Federal Aviation Administration shall ensure
that Federal Aviation Administration personnel are properly and
adequately trained to carry out the assessments set forth in
this subsection, including with respect to ICAO standards and
their implementation by foreign countries.
``(6) Report to congress.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter,
the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report on the assessments conducted under
this subsection, including the results of any corrective action
period.''.
SEC. 317. CHANGED PRODUCT RULE REFORM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this section, the Administrator shall issue a notice of proposed
rulemaking to revise section 21.101 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, to achieve the following objectives:
(1) For any significant design change, as determined by the
Administrator, to require that any exception from the
requirement to comply with the latest amendments of the
applicable airworthiness standards in effect on the date of
application for the change be approved only after providing
public notice and opportunity to comment on such exception.
(2) To ensure appropriate documentation of any exception or
exemption from airworthiness requirements codified in title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of
application for the change.
(b) Congressional Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall provide to the
appropriate committees of Congress a briefing on the FAA's
implementation of the recommendations of the Changed Product Rule
International Authorities Working Group, established under section 117
of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (49
U.S.C. 44704 note), including recommendations on harmonized changes and
reforms regarding the impractical exception.
SEC. 318. DEVELOPMENT OF LOW-COST VOLUNTARY ADS-B.
(a) In General.--Not later than 24 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator, working with
representatives from industry groups, including pilots, aircraft
owners, avionics manufacturers, and any others deemed necessary to
offer technical expertise, shall develop a report regarding the
development of a suitable position reporting system for voluntary use
in airspace not mandated for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast
Out equipment and use (in this section referred to as ``ADS-B Out'') by
section 91.225 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to facilitate
traffic awareness.
(b) Requirements.--The report developed under subsection (a)
shall--
(1) research and catalog equipment, standards, and systems
(including international) relating to ADS-B Out available as of
the date on which the report is submitted under subsection (c);
(2) address strengths and weaknesses of such equipment,
standards, and systems, including with respect to costs;
(3) outline potential regulatory and procedural changes
that may need to be undertaken by the FAA and other government
entities, as well as equipment, standards, and systems that may
need to be developed and required, to enable the development
and voluntary use of equipment (existing or new) that enables
the use of portable, and installed, low cost position reporting
in airspace not mandated for ADS-B Out;
(4) determine market size, development costs, and barriers
that may need to be overcome for the development of technology
that enables the use of portable, and installed, low cost
position reporting in airspace not mandated for ADS-B Out; and
(5) include a communication strategy that is targeted
towards potential users and promotes the benefits of the
position reporting solutions to enhance traffic awareness for
voluntary use in airspace not mandated for ADS-B Out, when such
technology is available for commercial use.
(c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 30 day after the date on
which the report developed under subsection (a) is finalized, the
Administrator shall submit the report to the appropriate committees of
Congress.
SEC. 319. PUBLIC AIRCRAFT FLIGHT TIME LOGGING ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Forestry and Fire Protection Flight Time Logging.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, aircraft under the direct operational control of forestry
and fire protection agencies are eligible to log pilot flight
times, if the flight time was acquired by the pilot while
engaged on an official forestry or fire protection flight, in
the same manner as aircraft under the direct operational
control of a Federal, State, county, or municipal law
enforcement agency.
(2) Retroactive application.--Paragraph (1) shall be
applied as if enacted on October 8, 2018.
(b) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall make such regulatory
changes as are necessary as a result of the enactment of subsection
(a).
SEC. 320. SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.
(a) Finding.--Congress finds that on January 11, 2023, the FAA
released a notice of proposed rulemaking to update and expand the
requirements for safety management systems.
(b) Scale of Program Requirements.--As the FAA reviews comments to
the notice of proposed rulemaking described in subsection (a) and
drafts the final rule, the Administrator shall ensure that safety
management systems program requirements can be appropriately scaled to
the size and complexity of each operator.
SEC. 321. AVIATION SAFETY INFORMATION ANALYSIS AND SHARING PROGRAM.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
section, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress a report on the FAA's progress with respect to the Aviation
Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) program that--
(1) describes the phased approach the FAA is following to
construct the ASIAS system;
(2) describes the efforts of the FAA to secure increased
safety data from--
(A) commercial air carriers;
(B) general aviation operators;
(C) helicopter operators;
(D) unmanned aircraft system operators; and
(E) other aircraft operators; and
(3) provides a summary of the efforts of the FAA to address
gaps in safety data provided from any of the classes of
operators described in paragraph (2).
SEC. 322. CONSISTENT AND TIMELY PILOT CHECKS FOR AIR CARRIERS.
(a) Establishment of Working Group.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this section, subject to subsection (b)(2),
the Administrator shall establish a working group for purposes of
reviewing, evaluating, and making recommendations on check pilot
functions for air carriers operating under part 135 of title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations.
(b) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The working group required by this section
shall include--
(A) employees of the FAA who serve as check pilots
(as described in section 91.1089 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations);
(B) representatives of air carriers operating under
such part 135; and
(C) industry associations representing such air
carriers.
(2) Existing working group.--The Administrator may assign
the duties of the working group described in subsection (c) to
an existing FAA working group if--
(A) the membership of the existing working group
includes the members required under paragraph (1); or
(B) the members required under paragraph (1) are
added to the membership of the existing working group.
(c) Duties.--The working group shall review, evaluate, and make
recommendations on the following:
(1) Methods for approving check pilots for air carriers
operating under such part 135.
(2) Actions required to ensure such air carriers are
authorized an adequate number of check pilots to enable timely
occurrence of pilot checks.
(3) Differences in qualification standards applied to--
(A) employees of the FAA who serve as check pilots;
and
(B) check pilots of an authorized air carrier.
(4) Methods to standardize the qualification standards for
check pilots, including check pilots who are employees of the
FAA or of an authorized air carrier.
(5) Methods to improve the training and qualification of
check pilots.
(6) Prior recommendations made by FAA advisory committees
or working groups regarding check pilot functions.
(7) Petitions for rulemaking submitted to the FAA regarding
check pilot functions.
(d) Briefing to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date on
which the Administrator establishes the working group under subsection
(a) (or tasks an existing FAA working group under subsection (b)(2)
with the duties described in subsection (c)), the Administrator shall
brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the progress and
recommendations of the working group, as well as the Administrator's
efforts to implement such recommendations.
SEC. 323. ENHANCING PROCESSES FOR AUTHORIZING AIRCRAFT FOR SERVICE IN
COMMUTER AND ON DEMAND OPERATIONS.
(a) Establishment of Working Group.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
establish a Part 135 Aircraft Conformity Working Group (in this section
referred to as the ``Working Group''). The Working Group shall study
methods and make recommendations to clarify requirements and
standardize the process for conducting and completing aircraft
conformity processes for existing part 135 air carriers and operators
in a timely manner and entering those aircraft into service.
(b) Membership.--The Working Group shall be comprised of
representatives of the FAA, existing part 135 air carriers and
operators, and associations or trade groups representing such class of
air carriers or operators.
(c) Duties.--The Working Group shall consider all aspects of the
current FAA processes for ensuring aircraft conformity and make
recommendations to enhance those processes, including with respect to--
(1) methodologies for air carriers and operators to
document and attest to aircraft conformity in accordance with
the requirements of part 135;
(2) streamlined protocols for part 135 operators to add an
aircraft that was listed on another part 135 certificate
immediately prior to moving to the new air carrier; and
(3) changes to FAA policy and documentation necessary to
implement the recommendations of the Working Group.
(d) Congressional Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after the date
on which the Administrator establishes the Working Group, the
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the
progress made by the Working Group in carrying out the duties specified
in subsection (c), recommendations of the Working Group, and the
Administrator's efforts to implement such recommendations.
(e) Definition of Part 135.--In this section the term ``part 135''
means part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 324. TOWER MARKING COMPLIANCE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall provide a briefing
to the appropriate committees of Congress on implementation of the
requirements of section 2110 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security
Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 44718 note) (as amended by section 576 of the
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-254, 132 Stat. 3391)).
(b) Requirements.--The briefing required by subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) A description of, and timeframe for, the
Administrator's development of requirements to file notice of
construction of meteorological evaluation towers and other
renewable energy projects under the notice of proposed
rulemaking RIN 2120-AK77.
(2) A description of the FAA's use of existing publicly
accessible databases to collect and make available information
about certain structures that are required to, or voluntarily,
file notice with the FAA.
(3) For the period beginning on July 15, 2016, and ending
on the date the briefing required by subsection (a) is
provided, a list of aircraft accidents during such period that
are associated with covered towers (as such term is defined in
section 2110(b)(1)(A) of the FAA Extension, Safety, and
Security Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 44718 note) that are not marked
in accordance with applicable guidance in the advisory circular
of the FAA issued December 4, 2015 (AC 70/7460-IL).
SEC. 325. ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL PENALTIES.
Section 46301(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4), by striking subparagraph (A) and
inserting the following:
``(A) the amount in controversy is more than--
``(i) $400,000 if the violation was
committed by any person other than an
individual or small business concern before the
date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization
Act of 2024;
``(ii) $50,000 if the violation was
committed by an individual or small business
concern before the date of enactment of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2024;
``(iii) $10,000,000 if the violation was
committed by a person other than an individual
or small business concern on or after the date
of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of
2024;
``(iv) $250,000 if the violation was
committed by an individual on or after the date
of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of
2024; or
``(v) $2,500,000 if the violation was
committed by a small business concern on or
after the date of enactment of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2024;'';
(2) by striking paragraph (8) and inserting the following:
``(8) The maximum civil penalty the Administrator of the
Transportation Security Administration, Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration, or Board may impose under this
subsection is--
``(A) $400,000 if the violation was committed by a
person other than an individual or small business
concern before the date of enactment of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2024;
``(B) $50,000 if the violation was committed by an
individual or small business concern before the date of
enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024;
``(C) $10,000,000 if the violation was committed by
a person other than an individual or small business
concern on or after the date of enactment of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2024;
``(D) $250,000 if the violation was committed by an
individual on or after the date of enactment of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2024; or
``(E) $2,500,000 if the violation was committed by
a small business concern on or after the date of
enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.'';
and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(10) The maximum amounts authorized in clauses (iii)
through (v) of paragraph (4)(A) and in subparagraphs (C)
through (E) of paragraph (8) of this subsection shall be
adjusted for inflation no less frequently than every 5
years.''.
SEC. 326. CIVIL PENALTIES FOR WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION PROGRAM
VIOLATIONS.
Section 46301(d)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``subchapter III of chapter 421,'' before ``chapter 441''.
SEC. 327. FLIGHT SERVICE STATIONS.
(a) Repeal.--Section 44514 of title 49, United States Code, and the
item relating to that section in the analysis for chapter 445 of such
title 49 are repealed.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 106(g)(1)(D) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``44514,''.
SEC. 328. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENTS.
Section 40104(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(3) State-to-state agreements.--The Administrator shall
promote efficient delivery of bilateral and multilateral
engagement and technical assistance by waiving the requirement
for State-to-State agreements for the provision of technical
assistance and training if the Administrator determines that--
``(A) a foreign government would benefit from
technical assistance pursuant to this subsection to
strengthen aviation safety, efficiency, and security;
and
``(B) the engagement is to provide inherently
governmental technical assistance and training.
``(4) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `inherently
governmental technical assistance and training' means technical
assistance and training that--
``(A) relies upon or incorporates Federal Aviation
Administration-specific program, system, policy, or
procedural matters;
``(B) must be accomplished using agency expertise
and authority; and
``(C) relates to--
``(i) international aviation safety
assessment technical reviews and technical
assistance;
``(ii) aerodrome safety and certification;
``(iii) aviation system certification
activities based on Federal Aviation
Administration regulations and requirements;
``(iv) cybersecurity efforts to protect
United States aviation ecosystem components and
facilities;
``(v) operation and maintenance of air
navigation system equipment, procedures, and
personnel; or
``(vi) related training and exercises in
support of aviation safety, efficiency, and
security.''.
SEC. 329. RESTORATION OF AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Chapter 401 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 40118 the following:
``Sec. 40119. Security and research and development activities
``(a) General Requirements.--The Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration shall conduct research (including behavioral
research) and development activities appropriate to develop, modify,
test, and evaluate a system, procedure, facility, or device to protect
passengers and property against acts of criminal violence, aircraft
piracy, and terrorism and to ensure safety, security, and efficiency.
``(b) Disclosure.--
``(1) Regulations prohibiting disclosure.--Notwithstanding
the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security, the
Secretary of Transportation, in accordance with section
552(b)(3)(B) of title 5, United States Code, shall prescribe
regulations prohibiting disclosure of information obtained or
developed in ensuring security under this title if the
Secretary of Transportation decides disclosing the information
would--
``(A) be an unwarranted invasion of personal
privacy;
``(B) reveal a trade secret or privileged or
confidential commercial or financial information; or
``(C) be detrimental to transportation safety.
``(2) Disclosure to congress.--Paragraph (1) of this
subsection does not authorize information to be withheld from a
committee of Congress authorized to have the information.
``(3) Sensitive security information.--Nothing in paragraph
(1) 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)--
``(A) to conceal a violation of law, inefficiency,
or administrative error;
``(B) to prevent embarrassment to a person,
organization, or agency;
``(C) to restrain competition; or
``(D) to 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.
``(4) Law enforcement disclosure.--Section 552a of title 5,
United States Code, shall not apply to disclosures that the
Administrator may make from the systems of records of the
Federal Aviation 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.
``(c) Transfer of Duties and Powers Prohibited.--Except as
otherwise provided by law, a duty or power under this section may not
be transferred to another department, agency, or instrumentality of the
United States Government.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall be
effective as of October 5, 2018, and all authority restored to the
Secretary and the FAA under this section shall be treated as if it had
never been repealed by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law
115-254; 132 Stat. 3186).
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Chapter 401 analysis.--The analysis for chapter 401 of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 40118 the following:
``40119. Security and research and development activities.''.
(2) Other amendments.--Section 44912(d)(2)(A)(iii) of title
49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``safety'' and
inserting ``security''.
SEC. 330. TARMAC OPERATIONS MONITORING STUDY.
(a) In General.--The Director of the Bureau of Transportation
Statistics (referred to in this section as the ``Director''), in
consultation with other offices within the Office of the Secretary of
Transportation and the FAA, shall conduct a study to explore the
capture, storage, analysis, and feasibility of monitoring ground source
data at airports in the United States.
(b) Objectives.--The objectives of the study conducted under
subsection (a) shall include:
(1) Determining the current state of ground source data
coverage at airports in the United States.
(2) Understanding the technology requirements for
monitoring ground movements at airports through sensors,
receivers, or other technologies.
(3) Conducting data collection through a pilot program and
developing ground-based tarmac delay statistics.
(4) Performing an evaluation and feasibility analysis of
potential system-level tarmac operations monitoring solutions.
(c) Pilot Program.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Director shall establish a pilot
program for the purposes of collecting data and developing
ground-based tarmac delay statistics or other relevant
statistics with respect to airports in the United States.
(2) Requirements.--The pilot program established under
paragraph (1) shall--
(A) include up to 6 airports that the Director
determines reflect a diversity of factors, including
geography, size, and air traffic;
(B) terminate not more than 3 years after the date
of enactment of this section; and
(C) be subject to any guidelines issued by the
Director.
(d) Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of
this section, the Director shall publish the results of the study
conducted under subsection (a) and the pilot program established under
subsection (c) on a publicly available website.
SEC. 331. GAO REPORT ON CYBERSECURITY OF COMMERCIAL AVIATION AVIONICS.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller General shall conduct a review on
the consideration, identification, and inclusion of aircraft
cybersecurity into the strategic framework for aviation security as
part of the FAA's cybersecurity strategy.
(b) Contents of the Review.--The review required by subsection (a)
shall assess--
(1) how onboard aircraft cybersecurity risks and
vulnerabilities are defined and accounted for in the strategy
aviation security framework, particularly in pillar 2 of that
framework to ``protect and defend FAA networks and systems to
mitigate risks to FAA missions and service delivery'';
(2) how onboard aircraft cybersecurity, particularly of the
aircraft avionics, is considered, incorporated, and prioritized
in the cybersecurity strategy pursuant to section 509 of the
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44903 note);
(3) how roles and responsibilities for aircraft and ground
systems cybersecurity are differentiated and enforced between
the Transportation Security Agency and the FAA;
(4) how aircraft and ground systems cybersecurity
vulnerabilities are being identified and prioritized for
mitigation, particularly considering the commercial technology
ecosystem; and
(5) the budgets of the parties responsible for implementing
the strategy framework for aviation security, as identified in
subsection (a), to satisfy those mitigation requirements
necessary to secure the aviation ecosystem from onboard
cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
(c) Report Required.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall submit a
report containing the results of the review required by this section
to--
(1) the appropriate committees of Congress;
(2) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of
Representatives; and
(3) the Committee on Homeland Security and Government
Affairs of the Senate.
SEC. 332. SECURING AIRCRAFT AVIONICS SYSTEMS.
Section 506(a) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (42 U.S.C.
44704 note) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``consider, where appropriate, revising'' and inserting
``revise, where appropriate, existing'';
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(3) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) to require that software-based systems and equipment,
including aircraft flight critical systems, be verified to
ensure the software-based systems and equipment have not been
compromised by unauthorized external and internal access.''.
SEC. 333. MAINTENANCE DATA AVAILABILITY.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall assign to the Aviation
Rulemaking Advisory Committee the task of--
(1) performing a comprehensive review of previous and
current FAA regulations and related internal and external
guidance material related to instructions for continued
airworthiness (in this section referred to as ``ICA''); and
(2) developing and submitting to the Administrator
recommendations for guidance or regulatory changes to--
(A) clarify the obligations of design approval
holders to develop and make ICA available;
(B) create methods to identify and provide access
to ICA; and
(C) create mechanisms to accept complaints, resolve
disputes, and enforce obligations.
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after receiving the
recommendations under subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes such
recommendations and the Administrator's plan, if any, to implement such
recommendations.
SEC. 334. STUDY ON AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS COMPLIANCE.
(a) Study.--The Administrator shall conduct a study on the safety
consequences of a transport airplane design approved by a domestic or
foreign aviation manufacturer failing to comply with the applicable
airworthiness standards. The study shall identify--
(1) each final airworthiness directive applicable to
transport airplanes that was issued by the FAA in the 2-year
period prior to the date of enactment of this section to
address unsafe conditions resulting from the approval of
designs that were non-compliant with an applicable
airworthiness standard; and
(2) for each such airworthiness directive--
(A) the airworthiness standard with which the
affected products failed to comply, as well as the
resulting unsafe condition and whether such condition
resulted in an accident;
(B) the methods by which the noncompliance was
discovered and brought to the attention of the FAA;
(C) an analysis of whether the method used by the
applicant to show compliance was acceptable and whether
other compliance methods would have identified the
noncompliance during the type certification process;
(D) the date of approval of the relevant type
design and the date of issuance of the airworthiness
directive;
(E) any corrective action mandated to address the
identified unsafe condition;
(F) the period of time specified for the
incorporation of the corrective action, during which
the affected products were allowed to operate before
the unsafe condition was corrected; and
(G) the total cost of compliance estimated in the
final rule adopting the airworthiness directive.
(b) Coordination.--In conducting the study under subsection (a),
the Administrator shall coordinate with, and solicit comments from,
union representatives of the aviation safety engineers involved in the
development of airworthiness directives.
(c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes--
(1) the results of the study conducted under subsection
(a);
(2) a description of any root cause of unsafe conditions
identified by such study, as well as an identification of any
action required to address any such root cause;
(3) the union representative comments solicited under
subsection (b); and
(4) any other recommendations for legislative or
administrative action determined appropriate by the
Administrator.
(d) Definition of Transport Airplane.--For purposes of this
section, the term ``transport airplane'' has the meaning given such
term in FAA Notice N 8900.649, titled ``Use of Air Carrier Pilots
During Flight Standardization Board Evaluations for Transport
Airplanes'' (issued December 23, 2022).
SEC. 335. FIRE PROTECTION STANDARDS.
(a) Internal Regulatory Review Team.--
(1) Establishment.--Not later than 60 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish
an internal regulatory review team (in this section referred to
as the ``Team'').
(2) Review.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the
date on which the Team is established, the Team shall
conduct a review of foreign airworthiness standards and
guidance for firewalls to determine best practices that
should be adopted by the FAA and submit to the
Administrator a report on the findings of such review.
(B) Requirements.--In conducting the review, the
Team shall--
(i) identify any significant differences in
standards or guidance with respect to test
article selection, fire test boundaries, and
evaluation criteria for such tests, including
the use of certification by analysis where
substantially similar designs have passed burn
tests;
(ii) assess the safety implications for any
products imported into the United States that
do not comply with the FAA's firewall
requirements; and
(iii) consult with industry stakeholders to
the maximum extent practicable.
(b) Duties of the Administrator.--The Administrator shall--
(1) not later than 60 days after the date on which the Team
reports the findings of the review to the Administrator, update
the FAA's Significant Standards List based on such findings;
and
(2) not later than 90 days after such date, submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on such findings,
together with recommendations for such legislative or
administrative action as the Administrator determines
appropriate.
SEC. 336. CABIN AIR SAFETY.
(a) Deadline for Submissions to Congress.--Not later than 60 days
after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
complete the requirements of section 326 of the FAA Reauthorization Act
of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) and submit to the appropriate
Congressional committees the following:
(1) The study by the Airliner Cabin Environmental Research
Center of Excellence on bleed air required by subsection (c) of
such section.
(2) The report on the feasibility, efficacy, and cost-
effectiveness of certification and installation of systems to
evaluate bleed air quality required by subsection (d) of such
section.
(b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after such date of
enactment, the Administrator may issue a notice of proposed rulemaking
to establish requirements for scheduled passenger air carrier
operations under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations,
with respect to incidents onboard aircraft involving oil and hydraulic
fluid fume events. The rulemaking shall include, as necessary, the
study and report required under subsection (a) and may include the
following:
(1) Training for flight attendants, pilots, aircraft
maintenance technicians, airport first responders, and
emergency responders on how to respond to incidents on aircraft
involving smoke or fume events.
(2) A standardized FAA form and system for reporting
incidents involving smoke or fume events onboard aircraft.
(3) The development of investigative procedures for the FAA
to follow after receipt of a report of an incident involving an
oil and hydraulic fluid event onboard aircraft in which at
least 1 passenger or crew member required medical attention as
a result of the incident.
(4) Installation onboard aircraft of detectors and other
air quality monitoring equipment situated in the air supply
system to enable pilots and maintenance technicians to locate
the sources of air supply contamination, including carbon
monoxide.
SEC. 337. AIRPORT AIR SAFETY.
The Administrator shall evaluate whether there are impacts to
travelers due to poor air quality and bleed air inside Washington
Dulles International Airport.
SEC. 338. AIRCRAFT INTERCHANGE AGREEMENT LIMITATIONS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall revise section
121.569 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to include each of
the provisions described in subsection (b).
(b) Provisions Described.--The provisions described in this
subsection are the following:
(1) A 30-day limit on foreign aircraft interchange
agreements.
(2) A minimum break between foreign aircraft interchange
renewals of 90 days.
(3) A limit of no more than 1 foreign aircraft interchange
agreement between 2 airlines.
(4) A limit of no more than 2 foreign aircraft on the
interchange agreement.
SEC. 339. WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION.
(a) In General.--To ensure that sufficient firefighting resources
are available to suppress wildfires and protect public safety and
property, and notwithstanding any other provision of law or agency
regulation, not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of
this section, the Administrator shall promulgate an interim final rule
under which--
(1) an operation described in section 21.25(b)(7) of title
14, Code of Federal Regulations, shall allow for the transport
of firefighters to and from the site of a wildfire to perform
ground wildfire suppression and designate the firefighters
conducting such an operation as essential crewmembers on board
a covered aircraft operated on a mission to suppress wildfire;
(2) the aircraft maintenance, inspections, and pilot
training requirements under part 135 of such title 14 may apply
to such an operation, if determined by the Administrator to be
necessary to maintain the safety of firefighters carrying out
wildfire suppression missions; and
(3) the noise standards described in part 36 of such title
14 shall not apply to such an operation.
(b) Surplus Military Aircraft.--In promulgating any rule under
subsection (a), the Administrator shall not enable any aircraft of a
type that has been manufactured in accordance with the requirements of,
and accepted for use by, any branch of the United States Military and
has been later modified to be used for wildfire suppression operations.
(c) Conforming Amendments to FAA Documents.--In promulgating an
interim final rule under subsection (a), the Administrator shall amend
FAA Order 8110.56, Restricted Category Type Certification (dated
February 27, 2006), as well as any corresponding policy or guidance
material, to reflect the requirements of subsection (a).
(d) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section shall be construed
to limit the Administrator's authority to take action otherwise
authorized by law to protect aviation safety or passenger safety.
(e) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
(1) Covered aircraft.--The term ``covered aircraft'' means
an aircraft type-certificated in the restricted category under
section 21.25 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, used
for transporting firefighters to and from the site of a
wildfire in order to perform ground wildfire suppression for
the purpose of extinguishing a wildfire on behalf of, or
pursuant to a contract with, a Federal, State, or local
government agency.
(2) Firefighters.--The term ``firefighters'' means a
trained fire suppression professional the transport of whom is
necessary to accomplish a wildfire suppression operation.
SEC. 340. STUDY ON IMPACTS OF TEMPERATURE IN AIRCRAFT CABINS.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall enter into
appropriate arrangements with the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (in this subsection
referred to as the ``National Academies'') under which the
National Academies will conduct a 1-year study on the health
and safety impacts, with respect to passengers and crewmembers
during each season in which the study is conducted, of the
temperature of a covered aircraft cabin falling outside of a
temperature between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit during all
phases of flight operation.
(2) Consultation.--In conducting the study required by
paragraph (1), the National Academies shall consult with the
FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, air carriers operating
under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and
applicable aviation labor organizations.
(3) Flight operation definition.--For purposes of paragraph
(1), the term ``flight operation'' means the period beginning
on the moment an individual boards the covered aircraft with
the intention of work and duty related to the flight until such
time as all such individuals have disembarked from the covered
aircraft.
(b) Reports.--
(1) To the administrator.--Not later than 180 days after
the date on which the study under subsection (a) is completed,
the National Academies shall submit to the Administrator a
report on the results of such study, together with
recommendations determined appropriate by the National
Academies.
(2) To congress.--Not later than 60 days after the date on
which the National Academies submits the report under paragraph
(1), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report describing the results of the
study required by subsection (a), together with recommendations
for further action deemed appropriate by the Administrator.
(c) Definition of Covered Aircraft.--For purposes of this section,
the term ``covered aircraft'' means an aircraft operated under part 121
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 341. PART 135 PILOT SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN REQUIREMENT.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section,
the Administrator shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking
concerning whether to revise the requirements under paragraphs (3) and
(4) of section 135.89(b) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to
only apply to aircraft operating at altitudes above flight level 410.
In the notice of proposed rulemaking, the Administrator shall consider
applicable safety data and risks, including in relation to applicable
incidents and accidents, as well as the investigations and
recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board.
SEC. 342. CREWMEMBER PUMPING GUIDANCE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall issue guidance to
Part 121 air carriers relating to the expression of milk by crewmembers
on an aircraft during non-critical 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 that complying with the advisory circular will
not require an air carrier or foreign air carrier to incur
significant expense, such as through the addition of an extra
crewmember in response to providing a break, removal or
retrofitting of seats on the aircraft, or 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
Administrator's authority over aviation safety under subtitle VII of
title 49, United States Code.
SEC. 343. REAUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE AIRCRAFT
CERTIFICATION, SAFETY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT.
(a) Oversight of Organization Designation Authorization Unit
Members.--Section 44741 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (f)(2), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2023'' and
inserting ``September 30, 2028''; and
(2) in subsection (j), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2028''.
(b) Integrated Project Teams.--Section 108(f) of division V of the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (49 U.S.C. 44704 note) is amended
by striking ``fiscal year 2023'' and inserting ``fiscal year 2028''.
(c) Appeals of Certification Decisions.--Section 44704(g)(1)(C)(ii)
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``calendar year
2025'' and inserting ``calendar year 2028''.
(d) Professional Development, Skills Enhancement, Continuing
Education and Training.--Section 44519(c) of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2028''.
(e) Voluntary Safety Reporting Program.--Section 113(f) of division
V of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note)
is amended by striking ``fiscal year 2023'' and inserting ``fiscal year
2028''.
(f) Changed Product Rule.--Section 117(b)(1) of division V of the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (49 U.S.C. 44704 note) is amended
by striking ``fiscal year 2023'' and inserting ``fiscal year 2028''.
(g) Domestic and International Pilot Training.--Section 119(f)(3)
of division V of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 is amended
by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2028''.
(h) Oversight of FAA Compliance Program.--Section 122 of division V
of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(4), by striking ``October 1, 2023''
and inserting ``October 1, 2028''; and
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2028''.
(i) National Air Grant Fellowship Program.--Section 131(d) of
division V of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (49 U.S.C.
40101 note) is amended by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2028''.
SEC. 344. REPORT ON THE COMPLIANCE OF FOREIGN REGULATORS WITH BILATERAL
AVIATION SAFETY AGREEMENTS.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall conduct a study on
the extent to which foreign regulators are complying with
Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreements, including agreements on
honoring Federal Aviation Administration certified aircraft,
parts, and systems.
(2) Requirements.--The study conducted under paragraph (1)
shall include--
(A) the identification of, and the tracking of
concerns related to, foreign regulators that fail to
comply with the spirit of Bilateral Aviation Safety
Agreements;
(B) an analysis of the effect that noncompliance
with such Agreements by foreign regulators has on
manufacturers and supply chains;
(C) a description of the steps the Administrator is
taking to enforce such Agreements; and
(D) other items determined appropriate by the
Administrator.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection (a),
together with recommendations for such legislation as the Administrator
determines appropriate.
SEC. 345. STUDY ON FAA USE OF MANDATORY EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT
WAIVERS.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller General shall conduct a study on
the Administrator's use of waivers of rights that may arise under
section 504 of title 5, United States Code, or section 2412 of title
28, United States Code, as a condition for the settlement of any
proceedings to amend, modify, suspend, or revoke an airman certificate
or to impose a civil penalty on a flight engineer, mechanic, pilot, or
repairman (or an individual acting in that capacity). Such study shall
consider--
(1) the frequency of the Administrator's use of waivers
described in this subsection;
(2) the benefits and consequences of the use of such
waivers to both the Administrator and the certificate holder;
and
(3) the effects of a prohibition on using such waivers.
(b) Cooperation With Study.--The Administrator shall cooperate with
the Comptroller General's requests for information to complete the
study described in subsection (a).
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this section, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report containing the results of the study
conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations for such
legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General
determines appropriate.
SEC. 346. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING MANDATED CONTENTS OF ONBOARD
EMERGENCY MEDICAL KITS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) a regularly scheduled panel of experts should reexamine
and provide an updated list of mandated contents of onboard
emergency medical kits that is thorough and practical, keeping
passenger safety and wellbeing paramount; and
(2) such panel should consider including on the list of
mandated contents of such medical kits Naloxone or another
overdose reversal medication.
SEC. 347. PASSENGER AIRCRAFT FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL KIT
EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING.
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note) is
amended by striking section 307 and inserting the following:
``SEC. 307. EMERGENCY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ON PASSENGER AIRCRAFT.
``(a) First Aid and Emergency Medical Kit Equipment and Training.--
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the `FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2024', the Administrator shall issue a notice of
proposed rulemaking regarding first aid and emergency medical kit
equipment and training required for flight crewmembers as provided in
part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, applicable to all
certificate holders operating passenger aircraft under that part.
``(b) Regular Review.--Not later than 5 years after the issuance of
the final rule under subsection (a), and every 5 years thereafter, the
Administrator shall evaluate and revise, if appropriate, the first aid
and emergency medical kit equipment and training required for flight
crewmembers, as well as any required training for flight crewmembers
regarding the content, location, and function of such kit.''.
SEC. 348. RUNWAY TRAFFIC ALERTING TECHNOLOGY.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Aviation Rulemaking Committee of the FAA shall review
and submit recommendations to the Administrator regarding whether
transport airplanes should be equipped with runway traffic alerting
technology that reduces the risk of collision on the runway with other
traffic by providing the flight crew with both aural alerts and text
alert messages.
(b) Definition.--In this section, the term ``transport airplane''
means a transport category airplane designed for operation by an air
carrier or foreign air carrier jet type-certificated with a passenger
seating capacity of at least 10 seats or a maximum takeoff weight
(MTOW) above 12,500 pounds or an all-cargo or combi derivative of such
an airplane.
SEC. 349. RUNWAY LANDING SAFETY TECHNOLOGY.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Aviation Rulemaking Committee of the FAA shall review
and submit recommendations to the Administrator regarding whether
transport airplanes should be equipped with a system that--
(1) while airborne, provides a clear and timely alert to
the flight crew if the system-calculated required landing
distance exceeds the landing distance available; and
(2) after touch-down, provides a clear and timely alert to
the flight crew if increased deceleration is required to bring
the aircraft to a safe stop before the end of the runway.
(b) Definition.--In this section, the term ``transport airplane''
means a transport category airplane designed for operation by an air
carrier or foreign air carrier jet type-certificated with a passenger
seating capacity of at least 10 seats or a maximum takeoff weight
(MTOW) above 12,500 pounds or an all-cargo or combi derivative of such
an airplane.
SEC. 350. HAWAII AIR NOISE AND SAFETY TASK FORCE.
(a) Participation.--The FAA shall participate as a technical
advisor in the air noise and safety task force established by State
legislation in the State of Hawaii.
(b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
first meeting of the task force described in subsection (a), the
Administrator shall--
(1) issue an intent to proceed with proposed rulemaking;
(2) take other action sufficient to carry out feasible,
consensus recommendations; or
(3) issue a statement determining that no such rule or
other action is warranted, including a detailed explanation of
the rationale for such determination.
(c) Considerations.--In determining whether to proceed with a
proposed rulemaking or other action under subsection (b) and, if
applicable, in developing the proposed rule or carrying out the other
action, the Administrator shall consider the findings and consensus
recommendations of the task force described in subsection (a).
(d) Authorities.--The Administrator, in issuing the rule or
carrying out the other action described in subsection (b), may take the
following actions in the State of Hawaii:
(1) Set minimum altitudes for commercial air tours for the
purpose of noise reduction, provided that such minimums do not
negatively impact safety conditions.
(2) Set time-of-day restrictions on commercial air tours
for the purpose of reducing noise disruptions, provided that
such restrictions do not negatively impact safety conditions.
(3) Set limits on the number of flights in a certain area
per unit of time.
(4) Require the use of quiet aircraft technology by
commercial air tour operators conducting commercial air tours
in the State of Hawaii.
(5) Prohibit hovering or circling in certain or all areas
in the State of Hawaii.
(6) Prohibit commercial air tours in certain or all areas
in the State of Hawaii.
(7) Establish certain required routes for commercial air
tours in certain or all areas in the State of Hawaii.
(8) Establish a method for residents of the State of Hawaii
to publicly report noise disruptions due to commercial air
tours and for commercial air tour operators to respond to
complaints.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Commercial air tour.--The term ``commercial air tour''
means a flight conducted for compensation or hire in an
airplane or helicopter where the purpose of the flight is
sightseeing.
(2) Commercial air tour operator.--The term ``commercial
air tour operator'' means any person who conducts a commercial
air tour.
SEC. 351. IMPROVED SAFETY IN RURAL AREAS.
(a) In General.--Subtitle A of title III of the FAA Reauthorization
Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note) is amended by striking section 322
and inserting the following:
``SEC. 322. IMPROVED SAFETY IN RURAL AREAS.
``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall permit an air carrier
operating pursuant to part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, to operate under instrument flight rules (in this section
referred to as `IFR') to a destination in a noncontiguous State that
has a published instrument approach, but that does not have a
Meteorological Aerodrome Report (in this section referred to as
`METAR'), and then to conduct an instrument approach at that
destination if--
``(1) a current Area Forecast, supplemented by noncertified
destination weather observations (such as weather cameras and
other noncertified observations), is available, and, at the
time of departure, the combination of the Area Forecast and
noncertified observation indicates that weather is expected to
be at or above approach minimums upon arrival;
``(2) upon arrival and prior to commencing the approach,
the air carrier has a means to communicate to the pilot of the
aircraft whether the destination weather observation is either
at or above minimums for the approach to be flown; and
``(3) in the event the destination weather observation is
below minimums, a suitable alternate airport that has a METAR
is specified in the IFR flight plan.
``(b) Application Template.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall develop an
application template with standardized, specific approval
criteria to enable FAA inspectors to evaluate the application
of an air carrier objectively.
``(2) Requirements.--The template required by paragraph (1)
shall include an area for an air carrier to describe--
``(A) how any non-certified human observations will
be conducted; and
``(B) how such observations will be communicated--
``(i) to air carriers prior to dispatch;
and
``(ii) to pilots prior to approach.
``(3) Response to application.--
``(A) Timeline.--The Administrator shall ensure--
``(i) that the FAA has the ability to
respond to an application of an air carrier not
later than 30 days after receipt of such
application; and
``(ii) in the event the FAA cannot respond
within 30 days, that the FAA informs the air
carrier of the expected response time with
respect to the application of the air carrier.
``(B) Rejection.--In the event that the FAA rejects
an application of an air carrier, the FAA shall inform
the air carrier of the specific criteria that were the
cause for rejection.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on the date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of this
section.
SEC. 352. ALASKA AVIATION SAFETY INITIATIVE.
(a) In General.--Beginning on the date that is 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter through
fiscal year 2028, the Administrator shall submit to the committees of
relevant jurisdiction of Congress a report on the FAA Alaska Aviation
Safety Initiative (in this section referred to as the ``FAASI''),
including an itemized description of how the FAA budget meets the goals
of the FAASI.
(b) GAO Study on Alaska Aviation Safety.--
(1) Study.--The Comptroller General shall conduct a study
to--
(A) examine the effectiveness of the FAASI to
improve aviation safety, service, and infrastructure;
and
(B) identify challenges within the FAA to
accomplishing safety improvements.
(2) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall submit
to the committees of relevant jurisdiction of Congress a report
on the findings of the study under paragraph (1), together with
recommendations for such legislative or administrative action
as the Comptroller General deems appropriate.
(c) Committees of Relevant Jurisdiction of Congress Definition.--In
this section, the term ``committees of relevant jurisdiction of
Congress'' means--
(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
SEC. 353. REDUCING TURBULENCE ON PART 121 AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section,
the Administrator shall review 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) and provide an update to the appropriate committees of Congress if
there are any actions the Administrator plans to take based on the
recommendations in the report.
SEC. 354. ENHANCED QUALIFICATION PROGRAM FOR RESTRICTED AIRLINE
TRANSPORT PILOT CERTIFICATE.
(a) Program.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish
the requirements for a program to be known as the Enhanced
Qualification Program (in this section referred to as the
``Program'') under which--
(A) qualified air carriers are certified by the
Administrator to provide enhanced training for eligible
pilots seeking to obtain restricted airline transport
certificates, either directly by the air carrier or by
a certified training institution under part 141 or part
142 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, that is
under contract with the qualified air carrier; and
(B) qualified instructors and evaluators provide
enhanced training to eligible pilots pursuant to the
curriculum requirements under paragraph (4).
(2) Qualified instructors and evaluators.--Under the
Program--
(A) all testing and training shall be performed by
qualified instructors; and
(B) all evaluations shall be performed by qualified
evaluators.
(3) Pilot assessment.--Under the Program, the Administrator
shall establish guidelines for an assessment that prospective
pilots are required to pass in order to participate in the
training under the Program. Such assessment shall include an
evaluation of the pilot's aptitude, ability, and readiness for
operation of transport category aircraft.
(4) Program curriculum.--Under the Program, the
Administrator shall establish requirements for the curriculum
to be provided under the Program. Such curriculum shall
include--
(A) a nationally standardized, non-air carrier or
aircraft-specific training curriculum which shall--
(i) ensure prospective pilots have
appropriate knowledge at the commercial pilot
certificate, multi-engine rating, and
instrument rating level;
(ii) introduce the pilots to concepts
associated with air carrier operations;
(iii) meet all requirements for an ATP
Certification Training Program under part
61.156 or part 142 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations; and
(iv) include a course of instruction
designed to prepare the prospective pilot to
take the ATP Multiengine Airplane Knowledge
Test;
(B) an aircraft-specific training curriculum,
developed by the air carrier using objectives and
learning standards developed by the Administrator,
which shall--
(i) only be administered to prospective
pilots who have completed the requirements
under subparagraph (A);
(ii) resemble a type rating training
curriculum that includes aircraft ground and
flight training that culminates in--
(I) the completion of a maneuvers
evaluation that incorporates elements
of a type rating practical test; or
(II) at the discretion of the air
carrier, an actual type rating
practical test resulting in the
issuance of a type rating for the
specific aircraft; and
(iii) ensure the prospective pilot has an
adequate understanding and working knowledge of
transport category aircraft automation and
autoflight systems; and
(C) air carrier-specific procedures using
objectives and learning standards developed by the
Administrator to further expand on the concepts
described in subparagraphs (A) and (B), which shall--
(i) only be administered to prospective
pilots who have completed requirements under
subparagraphs (A) and (B) and an ATP
Multiengine Airplane Knowledge Test;
(ii) include instructions on air carrier
checklist usage and standard operating
procedures; and
(iii) integrate aircraft-specific training
in appropriate flight simulation training
devices representing the specific aircraft
type, including complete crew resource
management and scenario-based training.
(5) Application and certification.--Under the Program, the
Administrator shall establish a process for air carriers to
apply for training program certification. Such process shall
include a review to ensure that the training provided by the
air carrier will meet the requirements of this section,
including--
(A) the assessment requirements under paragraph
(3);
(B) the curriculum requirements under paragraph
(4);
(C) the requirements for qualified instructors
under subsection (d)(5); and
(D) the requirements for eligible pilots under
subsection (d)(2).
(6) Data.--Under the Program, the Administrator shall
require that each qualified air carrier participating in the
Program collect and submit to the Administrator such data from
the Program that the Administrator determines is appropriate
for the Administrator to provide for oversight of the Program.
(7) Regular inspection.--Under the Program, the
Administrator shall provide for the regular inspection of
qualified air carriers certified under paragraph (5) to ensure
that the air carrier continues to meet the requirements under
the Program.
(b) Regulations.--The Administrator may issue regulations or
guidance as determined necessary to carry out the Program.
(c) Clarification Regarding Required Flight Hours.--The provisions
of this section shall have no effect on the total flight hours required
under part 61.159 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to receive
an airline transport pilot certificate, or the Administrator's
authority under section 217(d) of the Airline Safety and Federal
Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note)
(as in effect on the date of enactment of this section).
(d) 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) Eligible pilot.--The term ``eligible pilot'' means a
pilot that--
(A) has--
(i) graduated from a United States Armed
Forces undergraduate pilot training school;
(ii) obtained a degree with an aviation
major from an institution of higher education
(as defined in part 61.1 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations) that has been issued a
letter of authorization by the Administrator
under part 61.169 of such title 14; or
(iii) completed flight and ground training
for a commercial pilot certificate in the
airplane category and an airplane instrument
rating at a certified training institution
under part 141 of such title 14;
(B) has a current commercial pilot certificate
under part 61.123 of such title 14, with airplane
category multi-engine and instrument ratings under part
61.129 of such title 14; and
(C) meets the pilot assessment requirements under
subsection (a)(3).
(3) Qualified air carrier.--The term ``qualified air
carrier'' means an air carrier that has been issued a part 119
operating certificate for conducting operations under part 121
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
(4) Qualified evaluator.--The term ``qualified evaluator''
means an individual that meets the requirements for a training
center evaluator under part 142.55 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, or for check airmen under part 121.411 of such
title 14.
(5) Qualified instructor.--The term ``qualified
instructor'' means an individual that--
(A) is qualified in accordance with the minimum
training requirements for an ATP Certification Training
Program under paragraphs (1) through (3) of part
121.410(b) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;
(B) if the instructor is a flight instructor, is
qualified in accordance with part 121.410(b)(4) of such
title 14;
(C) if the instructor is administering type rating
practical tests, is qualified as an appropriate
examiner for such rating;
(D) received training in threat and error
management, facilitation, and risk mitigation
determined appropriate by the Administrator; and
(E) meets any other requirement determined
appropriate by the Administrator.
SEC. 355. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD.
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, $140,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, and
$145,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028. Such sums
shall remain available until expended.''.
TITLE IV--MODERNIZING THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM
SEC. 401. NEXTGEN ACCOUNTABILITY TASK FORCE.
(a) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish a task force,
to be known as the ``NextGen Accountability Task Force'' (referred to
in this section as the ``Task Force'') to provide recommendations on
the most effective operational metrics that can be used to assess the
performance of the FAA in delivering and implementing quantifiable
operational benefits to the national airspace system within the Next
Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) project.
(b) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Task Force shall be composed of, at a
minimum, representatives from--
(A) the FAA;
(B) trade associations representing avionics
manufacturers;
(C) trade associations representing air carriers;
(D) trade associations representing business or
general aviation operators;
(E) labor organizations representing air traffic
controllers; and
(F) any other interested parties that the
Administrator determines may provide expertise to and
assist the Task Force in fulfilling its obligations.
(2) Appointment.--The Administrator shall appoint each
member of the Task Force.
(3) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Task Force shall be filled
in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
(c) Duties.--The Task Force shall --
(1) leverage current metrics used by the FAA to quantify
the benefits of NextGen technology and investments;
(2) validate current and establish additional metrics for
the FAA to track national airspace system throughput and
savings due to NextGen investments by calculating a weighted
average by distance, on a per flight basis--
(A) reduction and cumulative savings of track miles
and time savings;
(B) reduction and cumulative savings of emissions
and fuel burn;
(C) reduction of aircraft operation time; and
(D) any other metrics that the Administrator
determines may provide quantifiable benefits for
operators in the national airspace system; and
(3) validate current and establish metrics for the FAA to
track and assess fleet equipage across operators in the
national airspace system including--
(A) percentage of aircraft equipped with NextGen
avionics equipment as recommended in the Minimum
Capabilities List (MCL) Ad Hoc Team, NextGen Advisory
Committee (NAC) Task 19-1 Report completed in November
2020;
(B) quantified costs and benefits for an operator
to properly equip with baseline NextGen avionics
equipment over the aircraft's lifecycle; and
(C) cumulative unrealized NextGen benefits
associated with rates of mixed equipage across
operators.
(d) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of
this section, the Task Force shall submit to the Administrator a report
with its findings and recommendations and metrics developed pursuant to
subsections (a) and (c).
(e) Public Display.--Not later than 180 days after receiving the
report required under subsection (d), the Administrator shall establish
a website of the FAA that can be used to present, track, and update
through 2030--
(1) the metrics recommended and established by the Task
Force on a quarterly and annual basis depending on the metric;
and
(2) the total amount invested in NextGen technologies and
resulting quantifiable benefits on a quarterly basis until the
Administrator declares the completion of NextGen
implementation.
(f) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Chapter 10 of title 5, United
States Code (commonly known as the ``Federal Advisory Committee Act''),
shall not apply to the Task Force.
(g) Sunset.--The Task Force shall terminate on the date on which
the Administrator receives the report required under subsection (d).
SEC. 402. USE OF ADVANCED SURVEILLANCE IN OCEANIC AIRSPACE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall develop a plan to--
(1) coordinate with counterparts at air navigation service
providers in airspace that is adjacent to United States
airspace or international airspace delegated to the United
States to--
(A) adopt reduced separation standards in oceanic
airspace;
(B) implement procedures that will permit user
preferred routes to increase fuel efficiency and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions; and
(C) exercise leadership in setting global standards
by harmonizing the safety and efficiency of air traffic
operations in airspace neighboring any airspace
delegated to the United States; and
(2) utilize Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast
(ADS-B) relay service within United States airspace or
international airspace delegated to the United States for--
(A) positive air traffic control, including
separation of aircraft by implementing the ICAO
Advanced Surveillance-Enhanced Procedural Separation
standard;
(B) air traffic flow management;
(C) search and rescue;
(D) accident investigation; and
(E) data analytics.
(b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date on which the
Administrator completes development of the plan required by subsection
(a), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report that--
(1) details the actions the Administrator shall take to
implement the plan, including specifying the required technical
system upgrades, operational procedure modifications, new
training requirements, and a transition plan;
(2) details a schedule with milestones for implementation
of the use of advanced surveillance systems or services and
coordination of such use with international air service
navigation providers; and
(3) describes any anticipated safety enhancements, fuel and
operating cost savings, and reduction in carbon emissions of
aircraft operating through airspace in which such advanced
surveillance systems or services are used.
SEC. 403. GPS MONITORING PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--The Administrator shall conduct a pilot program
to evaluate technologies to detect, measure, and locate disrupting
sources of interference to the GPS Standard Positioning Service in
order to mitigate the impacts on air commerce and other related
government and civilian functions within the air traffic management
ecosystem.
(b) Evaluation of Technologies.--
(1) Types of technologies.--The pilot program shall
evaluate commercially available technologies, as well as
technologies under development by the FAA, the Department of
Transportation, the Department of Defense, the Department of
Homeland Security, and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
(2) Scope.--The pilot program shall consider technologies
that have both physical electronics equipment and software
components, as well as technologies with only software
components.
(c) Number of Evaluation Sites.--The pilot program shall evaluate
technologies for the purposes described in subsection (a) at not less
than 5, and not more than 7, airports unless the Administrator
determines that additional evaluation sites are needed to carry out the
pilot program.
(d) Location of Evaluation Sites.--
(1) In general.--The pilot program shall be conducted at
each of the following types of airports:
(A) A primary airport in Class B airspace.
(B) A primary airport in Class C airspace.
(C) A primary airport in Class D airspace.
(D) An airport in Class E airspace.
(E) A Joint-Use Airport.
(2) Documented interference.--In determining whether an
airport should be an evaluation site for the pilot program, the
Administrator shall consider airports described in paragraph
(1) that have experienced documented instances of interference
to the GPS Standard Positioning Service during the 5-year
period ending with the date of enactment of this section.
(e) Private Sector Participation.--The Administrator shall
collaborate with the private sector, including providers of technology
that can cost-effectively implement a capability to potentially
mitigate the impacts of GPS Standard Positioning Service interference
on air commerce.
(f) Congressional Briefings.--Beginning 12 months after the date of
enactment of this section, and annually thereafter until the date on
which the report required by subsection (g) is submitted, the
Administrator shall provide the appropriate committees of Congress with
a briefing summarizing the status of, and findings from, the pilot
program.
(g) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the
pilot program is terminated, the Administrator shall provide a report
to the appropriate committees of Congress on the results of the pilot
program.
(h) GPS Standard Positioning Service Defined.--In this section, the
term ``GPS Standard Positioning Service'' has the meaning given such
term in section 2281(d)(2) of title 10, United States Code.
SEC. 404. RUNWAY SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES.
(a) Study.--The Administrator shall conduct a study of runway
safety incidents and accidents at airports in the United States and
identify technologies that may prevent or reduce the risk of such
incidents and accidents.
(b) Report.--Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of
this section, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report containing the results of the study
conducted under subsection (a) that includes the following:
(1) Recommendations for preventative measures, including
process changes and identification of available technologies,
to mitigate the risks of runway safety incidents and accidents
at or near airports in the United States.
(2) Recommendations for additional airports in the United
States, based on a risk-based analysis, that would be viable
candidates for installation of runway safety technologies.
(3) The FAA's timeline and action plan for replacing,
maintaining, or enhancing the operational capability provided
by the Airport Surface Detection System - Model X (ASDE-X) and
the Airport Surface Surveillance Capability (ASSC) legacy
surveillance systems, and implementing runway safety
technologies at airports currently without surface surveillance
systems, as needed to improve runway safety.
(4) An explanation of the decision-making process used by
the FAA to determine whether to introduce runway safety
technologies, like ASDE-X, ASSC, or other appropriate surface
surveillance systems, at additional airports.
(c) Briefings.--Following the submission of the report under
subsection (b) and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall brief
the appropriate committees of Congress on the progress of the action
plan under subsection (b)(3), including on the--
(1) status of implementing new surface surveillance systems
at additional airports; and
(2) justification for delaying or not implementing
additional surface surveillance systems at airports identified
by the Administrator under subsection (b)(2).
SEC. 405. FLIGHT PROFILE OPTIMIZATION.
(a) Pilot Program.--
(1) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish
a pilot program to award grants to air traffic flow management
technology providers to develop prototype capabilities to
incorporate flight profile optimization (in this section
referred to as ``FPO'') into the FAA's trajectory based-
operations air traffic flow management system.
(2) Considerations.--In establishing the pilot program
under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consider the
following:
(A) The extent to which developed FPO capabilities
may reduce strain on the national airspace system
infrastructure while facilitating safe and efficient
flow of future air traffic volumes and a diverse range
of aircraft and advanced aviation aircraft.
(B) The extent to which developed FPO capabilities
may achieve environmental benefits and time savings.
(C) The perspectives of FAA employees responsible
for air traffic flow management development projects,
bilateral civil aviation regulatory partners, and
industry applicants on the FAA's performance in
carrying out air traffic flow management system
development projects.
(D) Any other information the Administrator deems
appropriate.
(3) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
the program, an air traffic flow management technology provider
shall submit an application to the Administrator at such time,
in such manner, and containing such information as the
Administrator may require.
(4) Maximum amount.--A grant awarded under the program
shall not exceed $2,000,000 to a single air traffic flow
management technology provider.
(b) Briefing to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the
establishment of the pilot program under subsection (a), and annually
thereafter until the termination of the pilot program, the
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the
progress of the pilot program under this section, including any
implementation challenges of the program, detailed metrics of the
program, and any suggested action to achieve the adoption of FPO.
(c) Definition of Trajectory-based Operations.--The term
``trajectory-based operations'' means an air traffic flow management
method for strategically planning, managing, and optimizing flights
that uses time-based management, performance-based navigation, and
other capabilities and processes to achieve air traffic flow management
operational objectives and improvements.
SEC. 406. STARS REMOTE SURVEILLANCE DISPLAYS.
(a) Certification.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall define
minimum performance and technical requirements in order to
provide a mechanism to certify a commercial radar display
capable of displaying primary and secondary radar targets for
use by controllers in FAA Contract Tower program towers.
(2) STARS.--With respect to a Standard Terminal Automation
Replacement System or any equivalent system procured directly
from an original equipment manufacturer (in this section
referred to as an ``OEM''), the Administrator shall move
expeditiously to certify such systems for Federal contract
towers and identify such systems by issuing an advisory
circular regarding the certification of such systems.
(3) Minimum equipment list.--The FAA may add Standard
Terminal Automation Replacement System equipment to the minimum
level of equipage necessary for Federal contract towers to
perform their function, as applicable.
(b) Installation and Maintenance.--Not later than December 31,
2025, the Administrator shall allow airports to--
(1) procure, install, and maintain a Standard Terminal
Automation Replacement System or any equivalent system through
the FAA; or
(2) purchase a Standard Terminal Automation Replacement
System or any equivalent system and installation and
maintenance services directly from an OEM.
SEC. 407. AUDIT OF LEGACY SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall initiate an audit of
all legacy systems to determine their level of operational risk,
functionality, security, and compatibility with current and future
technology.
(b) Scope of Audit.--The audit required by subsection (a)--
(1) shall be conducted by an independent third-party
contractor or a Federally funded research and development
center (FFRDC) selected by the Administrator;
(2) shall include an assessment of whether a legacy system
is outdated, insufficient, unsafe, or unstable, as defined in
subsection (f); and
(3) with respect to any legacy systems identified in the
audit as outdated, insufficient, unsafe, or unstable, shall
include--
(A) an analysis of the operational risks associated
with using such legacy systems;
(B) recommendations for replacement or enhancement
of such legacy systems; and
(C) an analysis of any potential impact on aviation
safety and efficiency.
(c) Deadline.--Not later than December 31, 2025, the audit required
by subsection (a) shall be completed.
(d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the audit required by
subsection (a) is completed, the Administrator shall provide a report
to the appropriate committees of Congress on the audit's findings and
recommendations, including--
(1) an inventory of the legacy systems in use;
(2) an assessment of the operational condition of the
legacy systems in use; and
(3) the average age of in-service legacy systems and, for
each legacy system in use, the intended design life of the
system, by type.
(e) Collaboration With Industry on Plan to Accelerate Drawdown,
Replacement, or Enhancement of Legacy Systems.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date on
which the Administrator provides the report required by
subsection (d), the Administrator shall initiate a plan, in
coordination with industry, to accelerate drawdown,
replacement, or enhancement of any legacy systems that are
identified in the audit required by subsection (a) as outdated,
insufficient, unsafe, or unstable.
(2) Priorities.--The Administrator shall prioritize the
drawdown, replacement, or enhancement of such legacy systems
based on the operational risks such legacy systems pose to air
safety and the costs associated with the replacement or
enhancement of such legacy systems.
(3) Collaboration.--The Administrator shall work with
industry to develop a plan to replace or enhance the identified
legacy systems within a reasonable timeframe.
(4) Progress updates.--The Administrator shall provide the
appropriate committees of Congress with semi-annual updates on
the progress made in replacing or enhancing the identified
legacy systems.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Industry.--The term ``industry'' means the aviation
industry, limited to organizations with expertise in aviation-
dedicated network systems, systems engineering platforms,
aviation software services, air traffic management, flight
operations, and International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) standards.
(2) Legacy systems.--The term ``legacy systems'' means any
communication, navigation, surveillance, or automation or
network applications or ground-based aviation infrastructure
owned by the FAA that were deployed prior to the year 2000,
including the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system.
(3) Outdated, insufficient, unsafe, or unstable.--The term
``outdated, insufficient, unsafe, or unstable'' means a legacy
system for which the likelihood of failure creates a risk to
air safety or security due to the legacy system's age, ability
to be cost-effectively maintained, or any other factors that
may compromise the performance or security of the legacy
system. Such term includes a legacy system with a risk of a
single point of failure or that lacks sufficient back-up
capability in the event of a failure.
SEC. 408. AERONAUTICAL MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES.
(a) Satellite Voice Communications Services.--The Administrator
shall evaluate the addition of satellite voice communication services
(referred to in this section as ``SatVoice'') to the Aeronautical
Mobile Communications program (in this section referred to as the
``AMCS program'') that provides for the delivery of air traffic control
messages in oceanic and remote continental airspace.
(b) Analysis and Implementation Procedures.--Not later than 120
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall
begin to develop the safety case analysis and stated implementation
procedures for SatVoice instructions over the FAA's controlled oceanic
and remote continental airspace regions.
(c) Requirements.--The analysis and implementation procedures
required under subsection (b) shall include, at a minimum, the
following:
(1) Network and protocol testing and integration with
satellite service providers.
(2) Operational testing with aircraft to identify and
resolve performance issues.
(3) Collaboration with the International Civil Aviation
Organization in defining Satcom Standards and Recommended
Practices (SARPs), which shall include an RCP-130 performance
standard as well as SatVoice standards.
(4) Training of radio operators on new operation procedures
and protocols.
(5) A phased implementation plan for incorporating SatVoice
services into the AMCS program.
(6) The estimated cost of the implementation procedures for
relevant stakeholders.
(d) HF/VHF Minimum Equipage.--The addition of SatVoice capability
as an added means of communication in oceanic and remote continental
airspace shall in no way affect the current HF/VHF equipage requirement
for communications in such airspace. The Administrator shall maintain
existing HF/VHF services as minimum equipage under the AMCS program to
provide for auxiliary communication and maintain safety in the event of
a satellite outage.
SEC. 409. LOW-ALTITUDE ROUTES FOR VERTICAL FLIGHT.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
national airspace system requires additional rotorcraft, including
advanced air mobility aircraft, low-altitude instrument flight rules
routes leveraging advances in performance based navigation to operate
on direct, safe, and reliable routes that ensure sufficient separation
from higher altitude fixed wing aircraft traffic.
(b) Low-altitude Rotorcraft Instrument Flight Routes.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall initiate a
rulemaking process to--
(A) incorporate instrument flight rules rotorcraft
operations into the low-altitude performance based
navigation procedure infrastructure; and
(B) prioritize the development of new helicopter
area navigation (RNAV) instrument flight rules routes,
acting through notice and comment rulemaking, as part
of the United States air traffic service route (ATS)
structure that utilize performance based navigation,
such as Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global
Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment.
(2) Consultation.--In carrying out the rulemaking process
under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consult with--
(A) stakeholders in the airport, heliport,
rotorcraft manufacturer, rotorcraft operator, general
aviation operator, commercial air carrier, and
performance based navigation technology manufacturer
sectors;
(B) the United States Helicopter Safety Team; and
(C) other stakeholders determined appropriate by
the Administrator.
SEC. 410. ADS-B OUT EQUIPAGE STUDY; VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE LINK PROGRAM.
(a) Study and Briefing on ADS-B Out Equipage.--
(1) Study.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall initiate a
study to determine--
(A) the number of aircraft registered in the United
States and other devices operating in the airspace of
the United States that are not equipped with Automatic
Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) out equipment;
(B) the requirements for and impact of expanding
the dual-link architecture that is used below an
altitude of FL180 to any altitude below the current
radar floor;
(C) the costs and benefits of equipage; and
(D) the cost and benefits of any accommodation made
for aircraft with inoperable ADS-B out equipment.
(2) Annual briefings.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter through
2025, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees
of Congress on the results of the study conducted under
paragraph (1), including any updates thereof.
(b) Vehicle-to-Vehicle Link Program.--Not later than 270 days after
the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in
coordination with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration and the Chair of the Federal Communications
Commission, shall establish an interagency coordination program to
advance Vehicle-to-Vehicle link programs that--
(1) enable the real-time digital exchange of key
information between nearby aircraft; and
(2) are not reliant on ground infrastructure or air-to-
ground communication links.
SEC. 411. EXTENSION OF ENHANCED AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES PILOT PROGRAM.
Section 547 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40103
note) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
``(d) Definitions.--
``(1) Certain nextgen avionics.--The term `certain NextGen
avionics' means those avionics and baseline capabilities as
recommended in the Minimum Capabilities List (MCL) Ad Hoc Team,
NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC) Task 19-1 Report completed in
November 2020.
``(2) Preferential basis.--The term `preferential basis'
means prioritizing aircraft equipped with certain NextGen
avionics by providing them more efficient service, shorter
queuing, or priority clearances to the maximum extent possible
without reducing overall capacity or safety of the national
airspace system.''; and
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and
inserting ``September 30, 2028''.
SEC. 412. NEXTGEN EQUIPAGE PLAN.
(a) Plan.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall develop a 2-year
implementation plan to further incentivize the acceleration of
the equipage rates of certain NextGen avionics in the active
commercial and regional fleet of the national airspace system.
(2) Contents.--The plan required under paragraph (1) shall,
at a minimum, evaluate and consider recommendations to--
(A) provide for further implementation and
deployment of NextGen operational improvements to
incentivize universal equipage across the active fleet
for commercial and regional aircraft;
(B) identify any remaining barriers for operators
to properly equip with certain NextGen avionics,
including any methods to address such barriers;
(C) provide for the use of the best methods to
highlight and enhance the benefits realizable by
operators equipping with certain NextGen avionics; and
(D) include any equipage guidelines and regulations
the Administrator deems necessary and appropriate.
(3) Consultation.--In developing the plan under paragraph
(1), the Administrator shall consult with representatives
from--
(A) trade associations representing air carriers;
(B) trade associations representing avionics
manufacturers;
(C) labor organizations representing air traffic
controllers; and
(D) any other representatives the Administrator
determines appropriate.
(b) Submission of Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall consider the
recommendations under subsection (a) and submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress the plan required under subsection (a).
(c) Rulemaking.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which
the plan required under subsection (a) is submitted to the appropriate
committees of Congress under subsection (b), the Administrator shall,
if the Administrator determines appropriate, initiate a rulemaking
proceeding to address one or more of the recommendations contained in
the plan.
(d) Definition.--In this section the term ``certain NextGen
avionics'' means those avionics and baseline capabilities as
recommended in the Minimum Capabilities List (MCL) Ad Hoc Team, NextGen
Advisory Committee (NAC) Task 19-1 Report completed in November 2020.
SEC. 413. PERFORMANCE BASED NAVIGATION REPORT AND UTILIZATION PLAN.
(a) Report on Performance Based Navigation.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall publish on
the website of the FAA a progress report on the utilization,
implementation, and operational benefits of performance based
navigation (in this section referred to as ``PBN'') procedures
of the FAA within the national airspace system.
(2) Contents.--The report shall include, at a minimum, a
detailed implementation plan with respect to the
recommendations made by--
(A) the PBN Clarification Ad Hoc Team, NextGen
Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the
``NAC'') Task 19-4 Report completed in November 2020;
(B) the Final Report of the Major Air Carrier
Performance Based Navigation (PBN) Way Forward
Workgroup for the FAA's PBN Clarification Tasking to
the NAC dated June 2020;
(C) the NAC Subcommittee Update on Opportunities
dated June 2020;
(D) the Barriers to Established on Required
Navigation Performance Procedures dated November 2019;
and
(E) the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Section
547 Enhanced Air Traffic Services, NAC Task 20-3 Report
dated March 2021.
(b) Utilization Action Plan.--180 days after the completion of the
report under subsection (a), the Administrator shall, in consultation
with representatives of air traffic controllers, develop an action plan
to utilize PBN as a primary means of navigation to further reduce the
dependency on legacy systems within the national airspace system.
(c) Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after the development of the
action plan under subsection (b), and annually thereafter, the
Administrator shall submit to appropriate committees of Congress a
report on the implementation of the action plan, including the
utilization rate of PBN as a primary means of navigation.
SEC. 414. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITY REALIGNMENT STUDY.
(a) Examination.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment, the Administrator shall contract with a Federally
funded research and development center to conduct an Air
Traffic Control Facility Realignment report to examine
consolidating or otherwise reorganizing air traffic control
work facilities and locations and airspace structure
management.
(2) Contents.--The examination shall:
(A) Evaluate the potential efficiencies that may
result from a reorganization.
(B) Identify whether certain areas prone to
congestion or staff shortages would benefit from
enhanced flexibilities.
(C) Recommend opportunities for integration of
separate facilities to create a more collaborative and
efficient traffic control environment.
(3) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the
Federally funded research and development center shall consult
with representatives of labor organizations representing air
traffic control system employees of the FAA.
(b) Reports.--
(1) To the administrator.--Not later than September 30,
2025, the Federally funded research and development center
shall submit to the Administrator a report regarding the
examination under subsection (a), along with recommendations
related to consolidation or reorganization of FAA-owned air
traffic control work facilities and locations.
(2) To congress.--
(A) Briefing.--Not later than 60 days after
receiving the recommendations under paragraph (1), the
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of
Congress.
(B) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report on the results of the study under subsection (a)
and any recommendations related to consolidation or
reorganization of FAA-owned air traffic control work
facilities and locations.
SEC. 415. UPDATE OF FAA STANDARDS TO ALLOW DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF
CERTAIN RESTRICTED ROUTES AND TERMINAL PROCEDURES.
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this
section, the Administrator shall update FAA standards to allow
distribution and use of the Capstone Restricted Routes and Terminal
Procedures by modern Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) equipped
navigation equipment. The updated FAA standards shall provide a means
for allowing modifications and continued development of new routes and
procedures proposed by air carriers operating such routes.
SEC. 416. PROTECTION OF SAFE AND EFFICIENT USE OF AIRSPACE AT AIRPORTS.
(a) Airspace Review Process Requirements.--The Administrator shall
consider the following additional factors in the evaluation of
cumulative impacts when making a determination of hazard or no hazard,
or objection or no objection, as applicable, under part 77 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations, regarding proposed construction or
alteration within 3 miles of the runway ends and runway centerlines (as
depicted in the airport's FAA-approved Airport Layout Plan (ALP)) on
any land not owned by any such airport:
(1) The accumulation and spacing of structures or other
obstructions that might constrain radar or communication
capabilities, thereby reducing an airport's capacity, flight
procedure minimums or availability, or aircraft takeoff or
landing capabilities.
(2) Safety risks of lasers, lights, or light sources
inclusive of lighted billboards and screens, affixed to
structures, that may pose hazards to air navigation.
(3) Water features or hazardous wildlife attractants, as
defined by the FAA.
(4) Impacts to visual flight rule (VFR) traffic patterns
for both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, inclusive of special
VFR procedures established by Letters of Agreement between air
traffic facilities, the airport, and flight operators.
(5) Impacts to FAA-funded airport improvement projects,
improvements depicted on or described in FAA-approved Airport
Layout Plans and master plans, and preservation of the
navigable airspace necessary for achieving the objectives and
utilization of these projects and plans.
(b) Required Information.--A notice submitted under part 77 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, shall include the following:
(1) Actual designs of an entire project and property,
without regard to whether a proposed construction or alteration
within 3 miles of the airport's runway ends and runway
centerlines as depicted in the FAA-approved Airport Layout Plan
is limited to a singular location on a property.
(2) If there are any changes or addition of equipment, such
as cranes used to construct a building, to such designs after
submission of such a notice, all information included with the
notice submitted before such change or addition shall be
resubmitted, along with information regarding the change or
addition.
(c) Expiration.--Unless extended, revised, or terminated, each
determination of no hazard issued by the Administrator under part 77 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, expires 18 months after the
effective date of the determination, or on the date the proposed
construction or alteration is abandoned, whichever is earlier. If
expired, such determinations are no longer valid with regard to whether
a proposed construction or alteration would be a hazard to air
navigation.
(d) Authority to Consolidate OEI Surface Criteria.--The
Administrator may develop a single set of One Engine Inoperative (OEI)
surface criteria that is specific to an airport. The Administrator
shall consult with the airport operator and flight operators that use
such airport, on the development of such surface criteria.
(e) Development of Policies to Protect OEI Surfaces.--Not later
than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section, the
Administrator shall brief Congress regarding the status of the FAA's
efforts to protect OEI surfaces from encroachment at United States
certificated and Federally obligated airports, including the current
status of efforts to incorporate such protections into FAA Obstruction
Evaluation/Airport Airspace Analysis (OE/AAA) processes.
(f) Authority to Consult With Other Agencies.--The Administrator
may consult with other Federal, State, or local agencies as necessary
to carry out the requirements of this section.
(g) Applicability.--This section shall only apply to an airport in
a county adjacent to 2 States with converging intersecting cross runway
operations within 12 nautical miles of an Air Force base.
SEC. 417. ASOS/AWOS SERVICE REPORT DASHBOARD.
(a) In General.--The applicable Administrators shall work in
collaboration to collect the real-time service status of all automated
surface observation systems/automated weather observing systems (in
this section referred to as ``ASOS/AWOS'').
(b) Availability of Results.--
(1) In general.--The applicable Administrators shall make
available on a publicly available internet website the
following:
(A) The service status of all ASOS/AWOS.
(B) Any actions to repair or replace ASOS/AWOS that
are out of service due to technical or weather-related
events, including an estimated timeline to return the
systems to service.
(C) A portal on such publicly available internet
website for the reporting of ASOS/AWOS outages to be
utilized by commercial aviation, airports, and other
industry interests as determined by the applicable
Administrators.
(2) Data files.--The Administrators described in subsection
(a) shall make available the underlying data in paragraph (1)
for each ASOS/AWOS in a machine-readable format.
(c) Applicable Administrators.--In this section, the term
``applicable Administrators'' means--
(1) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration; and
(2) the Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.
SEC. 418. UPGRADING AND REPLACING AGING AIR TRAFFIC SYSTEMS.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--Pursuant to the authority of authorized
expenditures in section 48101(c)(1) of title 49, United States
Code, not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall enter into an agreement with
a qualified organization to conduct a study to assess the need
for upgrades to or replacement of existing automated surface
observation systems/automated weather observing systems (in
this section referred to as ``ASOS/AWOS'').
(2) Contents.--The study conducted under paragraph (1)
shall include an analysis of--
(A) the age of each ASOS/AWOS;
(B) the number of days in the immediate preceding
calendar year that each ASOS/AWOS was not able to
accurately communicate or disseminate data for any
period of time;
(C) impacts of extreme severe weather on ASOS/AWOS
outages;
(D) the effective coverage of the existing ASOS/
AWOS;
(E) detailed upgrade requirements for each existing
ASOS/AWOS, including an assessment of whether
replacement would be the most cost-effective
recommendation;
(F) prior maintenance expenditures for each
existing ASOS/AWOS;
(G) a description of all upgrades or replacements
made by the FAA to ASOS/AWOS prior to the date of
enactment of this Act;
(H) impacts of an outage or break in service in the
FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure; and
(I) any other area determined appropriate by the
Administrator.
(b) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment
of this section, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection
(a). Such report shall include--
(1) a plan for executing upgrades to or replacements of
existing ASOS/AWOS;
(2) a plan for converting and upgrading existing ASOS/AWOS
communications to the FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure;
(3) an assessment of the use of unmonitored Navigational
Aids (NAVAIDs) to allow for alternate airport planning for
commercial and cargo aviation to limit ASOS/AWOS service
disruptions;
(4) an evaluation of additional alternative methods of
compliance for obtaining weather elements that would be as
sufficient as current data received through ASOS/AWOS; and
(5) any other item determined appropriate by the
Administrator.
(c) Application.--The study under subsection (a) and the report
under subsection (b) shall only address ASOS/AWOS located in non-
contiguous States.
SEC. 419. WASHINGTON, D.C. METROPOLITAN AREA SPECIAL FLIGHT RULES AREA.
(a) Submission of Plan to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation
with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Defense,
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the
Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a plan
for the Special Flight Rules Area and the Flight Restricted Zone.
(b) Contents of Plan.--The plan described in subsection (a) shall
outline specific proposed changes to the Special Flight Rules Area and
the Flight Restricted Zone that will decrease operational impacts and
improve general aviation access to airports in the National Capital
Region that are currently impacted by the Special Flight Rules Area and
the Flight Restricted Zone.
(c) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Administrator shall provide to the committees of
Congress described in subsection (a) a briefing on the feasibility
(including any associated costs) of--
(1) installing equipment that allows a pilot to communicate
with air traffic control using a VHF radio for the purposes of
receiving an instrument flight rules (``IFR'') clearance,
activating a DC FRZ flight plan, or activating a DC SFRA flight
plan (as applicable) at--
(A) non-towered airports in the Flight Restricted
Zone; and
(B) airports in the Special Flight Rules Area that
do not have the communications equipment described in
this paragraph;
(2) allowing a pilot approved by the Transportation
Security Administration in accordance with section 1562.3 of
title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to electronically file a
DC FRZ flight plan or IFR flight plan that departs from, or
arrives at, an airport in the Flight Restricted Zone; and
(3) allowing a pilot to electronically file a standard VFR
flight plan that departs from, or arrives at, an airport in the
Special Flight Rules Area or Flight Restricted Zone.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) DC frz flight plan; dc sfra flight plan.--The terms
``DC FRZ flight plan'' and ``DC SFRA flight plan'' have the
meanings given those terms in section 93.335 of title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations.
(2) Standard vfr flight plan.--The term ``standard VFR
flight plan'' means a VFR flight plan (as such term is
described in section 91.153 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations) that includes search and rescue services.
TITLE V--AVIATION WORKFORCE
Subtitle A--Civil Aviation Workforce
SEC. 501. AVIATION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.
(a) In General.--Section 625 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018
(49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(3) a program to provide grants for eligible projects to
support the education and recruitment of aviation manufacturing
technical workers and the development of the aviation
manufacturing workforce.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2023'' each
place it appears and inserting ``2028'';
(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph
(3);
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following
new paragraph:
``(2) Additional funding.--In addition to amounts available
for grants pursuant to paragraph (1), there is authorized to be
appropriated--
``(A) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024
through 2028 to provide grants under the program
established under subsection (a)(1);
``(B) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024
through 2028 to provide grants under the program
established under subsection (a)(2); and
``(C) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024
through 2028 to provide grants under the program
established under subsection (a)(3).'';
(D) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B), by inserting ``(or, in the case of
fiscal years 2024 through 2028, $1,000,000)'' after
``$500,000''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Set aside for technical assistance.--The Secretary,
in consultation with the Secretary of Education, may set aside
up to 2 percent of the funds appropriated to carry out this
section for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to provide
technical assistance to accredited institutions of higher
education and post-secondary vocational institutions applying
for a project grant under this section.
``(5) Consideration for certain applicants.--In reviewing
and selecting applications for grants under the programs
established under subsection (a), the Secretary may give
consideration to applicants that--
``(A) provide an assurance--
``(i) to use grant funds to encourage the
participation of populations that are
underrepresented in the aviation industry,
including women, minorities, and individuals in
economically disadvantaged geographic areas and
rural communities, including to address the
workforce needs of rural and regional airports;
or
``(ii) to strengthen aviation programs at a
minority-serving institution (as described in
section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a))), a public
institution of higher education, or a public
postsecondary vocational institution.'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ``, a
postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in
section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1002)),'' after ``(20 U.S.C. 1001))'';
(B) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting ``, a
postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in
section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1002),'' after ``(20 U.S.C. 1001))''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(3) An application for a grant under the program
established under subsection (a)(3) shall be submitted, in such
form as the Secretary may specify, by--
``(A) 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;
``(B) an accredited 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 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)), or a high
school or secondary school (as defined in section 7801
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 7801)); and
``(C) a State or local governmental entity.'';
(4) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
``(d) Eligible Projects.--For purposes of a program established
under subsection (a), an eligible project is a project--
``(1) to create and deliver a program designed to provide
high school students and students at institutions of higher
education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) with meaningful aviation
education that is designed to prepare the students to become
aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systems
operators, aviation maintenance technical workers, or aviation
manufacturing technical workers (as applicable to the relevant
program described in subsection (a));
``(2) to support the professional development of teachers
and other educators implementing a program described in
paragraph (1);
``(3) to establish new educational programs that teach
technical skills used by aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers,
unmanned aircraft systems operators, aviation maintenance
technical workers, or aviation manufacturing technical workers
(as applicable to the relevant program described in subsection
(a)), including purchasing equipment, or to improve existing
such programs;
``(4) to establish scholarships or registered
apprenticeships for individuals pursuing employment as aircraft
pilots, aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systems
operators, aviation maintenance technical workers, or aviation
manufacturing technical workers (as applicable to the relevant
program described in subsection (a));
``(5) to support outreach about careers as aircraft pilots,
aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systems operators,
aviation maintenance technical workers, or aviation
manufacturing technical workers (as applicable to the relevant
program described in subsection (a)) to--
``(A) students enrolled at a primary, secondary, or
post-secondary school or a minority-serving institution
(as described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)); or
``(B) communities underrepresented in the
applicable industry, including women, minorities, and
individuals in economically disadvantaged geographic
areas and rural communities;
``(6) to support educational opportunities in both urban
and rural areas;
``(7) to support transition to careers as aircraft pilots,
aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systems operators,
aviation maintenance technical workers, or aviation
manufacturing technical workers (as applicable to the relevant
program described in subsection (a)), including for veterans
and members of the Armed Forces; or
``(8) to otherwise enhance or expand the aircraft pilot,
aerospace engineer, unmanned aircraft system operator
workforces, aviation maintenance technical worker, or aviation
manufacturing technical worker workforces.'';
(5) in subsection (e)
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by inserting ``aviation
manufacturers,'' after ``repair stations,'' and
(ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(3) give priority to applicants who partner with, or
establish links between, secondary schools and post-secondary
schools and who work collaboratively or participate in industry
or sector partnerships.''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(f) Consultation With the Secretary of Education.--The Secretary
may consult with the Secretary of Education in--
``(1) developing the design of the grant application under
this section;
``(2) reviewing and selecting applications for grants for
eligible projects under this section; and
``(3) establishing considerations regarding program quality
and measurement of student outcomes.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 48105 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2028''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (5).
(c) National Strategic Plan for Aviation Workforce Development.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall, to the
extent practicable and in consultation with other Federal
agencies and private individuals, establish a national
strategic plan for addressing projected shortages of aviation
workers in the aviation industry, including--
(A) any short-term, medium-term, and long-term
needs critical to the economy, national security,
workforce readiness, environmental concerns, and
priorities of the United States aviation sector, such
as emergency readiness and resilience; and
(B) any situation or condition that warrants
special attention by the Federal Government.
(2) Requirements.--The national strategic plan established
under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) take into account the activities and
accomplishments of all agencies in the executive branch
of the Federal Government that are related to carrying
out such national strategic plan;
(B) include recommendations for how the Federal
Government can conduct outreach to historically
underserved communities in the development of the
aviation talent pipeline as part of the national
strategic plan; and
(C) include recommendations for legislation,
regulations, and budget proposals to carry out such
national strategic plan.
SEC. 502. WOMEN IN AVIATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Department of
Transportation the Women in Aviation Advisory Committee (in this
section referred to as the ``Committee'').
(b) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (C), the
Committee shall be composed of up to 16 members
appointed by the Secretary, including representatives
from the following:
(i) Passenger and cargo air carriers
operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations.
(ii) Aircraft manufacturers and aerospace
companies.
(iii) Nonprofit organizations within the
aviation industry, including at least 1 State
aviation agency.
(iv) Airport operators and employees.
(v) Aviation business associations.
(vi) Engineering business associations.
(vii) United States Air Force Auxiliary,
Civil Air Patrol.
(viii) Institutions of higher education and
aviation trade schools.
(ix) The Department of Labor.
(x) The Department of Education.
(xi) Nonprofit labor organizations
representing aviation workers, including
organizations representing aviation maintenance
workers and pilots for cargo and passenger air
carriers operating under part 121 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations.
(xii) The FAA.
(B) Date.--The appointments described in
subparagraph (A) shall be made not later than 9 months
after the date of enactment of this section.
(C) Ex officio members.--The Secretary shall
appoint 1 member from the Office of Civil Rights of the
FAA to serve in an ex officio capacity.
(2) Subcommittees.--The Committee may establish
subcommittees as the Committee determines appropriate.
(3) Chair; subcommittee chairs.--The Committee--
(A) shall select a Chair from among the members of
the Committee; and
(B) may select subcommittee chairs from among the
members of the Committee, as the Committee determines
appropriate.
(4) Term of service.--
(A) In general.--Each member of the Committee shall
serve until the termination date described in
subsection (e).
(B) Successors.--
(i) Death or resignation.--If a member of
the Committee dies or resigns during their term
of service, the Secretary shall designate a
successor for the unexpired term of such
member.
(ii) Expired term.--Any member of the
Committee whose term of office has expired
shall continue to serve as a member until their
successor is appointed by the Secretary.
(5) Administrative support.--The Secretary shall furnish
the Committee logistical and administrative support to enable
the Committee to perform its duties.
(6) Compensation.--Each member of the Committee shall serve
without compensation.
(c) Duties.--
(1) Advisory role.--The Committee--
(A) shall advise the Secretary and the
Administrator on matters related to promoting women in
the aviation industry, including education, training,
recruitment, retention, and career advancement;
(B) shall review and update the recommendations
directed to FAA and non-FAA entities produced by the
Advisory Board created under section 612 of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) and
recommend how to engage with those entities to improve
the implementation of such recommendations;
(C) shall coordinate with the Department of
Transportation Office of Civil Rights and the FAA's
Federal Women's Program to not duplicate the objectives
of such program; and
(D) shall not duplicate the objectives of the Air
Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee.
(2) Reports.--
(A) Annual report.--Not later than October 31 of
the first calendar year beginning after the date on
which the Committee is established under subsection
(a), and annually thereafter, the Committee shall
submit to Congress, the Secretary, and the
Administrator a report that contains a detailed
statement of the Committee's recommendations under
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1), together
with the recommendations of the Committee for such
legislation and administrative actions as the Committee
considers appropriate.
(B) Additional reports.--The Committee may submit
to Congress, the Secretary, and the Administrator
additional reports and recommendations related to
education, training, recruiting, retaining, and
advancing women in the aviation industry as the
Committee determines appropriate.
(d) Review of Recommendations.--Not later than 60 days after the
date on which the Secretary receives a report from the Committee under
subsection (c)(2), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that
indicates--
(1) which recommendations of the Committee that the
Secretary has determined the Department of Transportation is
able to address and provide an update regarding the
implementation of such recommendations on an annual basis; and
(2) which such recommendations the Secretary is not able to
implement (including any recommendations for legislation) and a
rationale for that determination.
(e) Sunset.--The Committee shall terminate on September 30, 2028.
SEC. 503. STUDY OF HIGH SCHOOL AVIATION MAINTENANCE TRAINING PROGRAMS.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall
initiate a study to assess the aviation maintenance technician
workforce pipeline in the United States, as well as any
barriers for students enrolled in high school aviation
maintenance programs with respect to--
(A) entering airframe and powerplant mechanic
programs; or
(B) accessing pathways to mechanic certification.
(2) Contents.--The study required under paragraph (1) shall
assess the following:
(A) The number of high school aviation maintenance
programs in the United States and the typical career
outcomes for graduates of such programs.
(B) The extent to which high school aviation
maintenance programs offer curricula that align with
FAA mechanic airman certification standards.
(C) The opportunities afforded to students enrolled
in alternative or high school maintenance programs
partnered with aviation maintenance technician schools
(as described in section 147.15 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations).
(D) Alternate paths to a certificated aviation
maintenance technician school for the fulfillment of
the experience requirements described in section
65.75(c) of such title 14.
(E) Any barriers to entry associated with--
(i) developing and attaining the knowledge
and experience requirements described in
section 65.75 and section 147.31 of such title
14; or
(ii) access to the mechanic certification
process.
(F) The level of engagement between the FAA and
high school aviation maintenance programs with respect
to developing curricula that assist with building
foundational knowledge and skills necessary to attain
FAA mechanic certifications and associated ratings.
(G) Any barriers to accessing the general knowledge
test described in section 65.71(a)(3) of such title 14.
(H) Whether allowing mechanic certificate
applicants to take the general knowledge test prior to
such applicants meeting the relevant experience
requirements would present a safety risk.
(I) Whether regulatory changes could reduce any
barriers described in this paragraph.
(b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this section, the Comptroller General shall provide to the
Administrator and the appropriate committees of Congress a report and
briefing on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a),
together with recommendations for such legislative and administrative
action as the Comptroller General deems appropriate.
SEC. 504. MILITARY AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS RULE.
(a) Streamlined Certification for Eligible Military Maintenance
Technicians.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this section, the Administrator shall issue a final rule that revises
part 65 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to--
(1) create a military mechanic written competency test; and
(2) develop, as necessary, a relevant Airman Certification
Standard to qualify eligible military maintenance technicians
for a mechanic certificate with airframe or powerplant ratings;
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 (in this section referred to as a
``DME'') for eligible military maintenance technicians.
(b) Aeronautical Knowledge Subject Areas.--
(1) In general.--The military mechanic written competency
test and Airman Certification Standard described in subsection
(a) shall focus on the aeronautical knowledge subject areas
contained in the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and
Powerplant Airman Certification Standards, as appropriate to
the rating sought.
(2) Identification of subject areas.--The aeronautical
knowledge subject areas shall be identified and recommended to
the Administrator, in consultation with industry stakeholders,
through the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee Airman
Certification System Working Group.
(c) Expansion of Testing Locations.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of
Homeland Security, 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.
(d) Outreach and Awareness.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in coordination with
the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the
Secretary of Homeland Security, 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
established under subsection (a).
(e) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the
Administrator issues the final rule under subsection (a), the
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the
activities carried out under this section, together with
recommendations for such legislative or administrative action as the
Administrator determines appropriate.
(f) Eligible Military Maintenance Technician Defined.--For purposes
of this section, the term ``eligible military maintenance technician''
means an individual who is a current or former maintenance technician
who was honorably discharged or has retired from the United States
Armed Forces (as defined in section 101 of title 10, United States
Code) and meets the following requirements:
(1) The individual presents an official United States Armed
Forces record confirming that the individual is or was a
military aviation maintenance technician, holding an
appropriate Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code, as
determined by the Administrator, in coordination with the
Secretary of Defense.
(2) The individual presents documentary evidence of
experience in accordance with the requirements under section
65.77 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 505. PROHIBITION OF REMOTE DISPATCHING.
(a) Amendments to Prohibition.--
(1) In general.--Section 44711(a) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (9), by striking ``or'' after the
semicolon;
(B) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph
(11); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following
new paragraph:
``(10) work as an aircraft dispatcher outside of a physical
location designated as a dispatching center or flight following
center of an air carrier; or''.
(2) Regulations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall promulgate
regulations requiring persons and air carriers to comply with
paragraph (10) of section 44711(a) of title 49, United States
Code (as added by paragraph (1)).
(3) Effective date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, without regard to whether the
regulations required by paragraph (2) have been promulgated as
of that date.
(b) Aircraft Dispatching.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 447 of title 49, United States
Code, as amended by section 304(b), is amended by adding at the
end the following new section:
``Sec. 44747. Aircraft dispatching
``(a) In General.--Each air carrier shall establish and maintain
sufficient dispatch centers and flight following centers to maintain
operational control of each flight of the air carrier at all times.
``(b) Requirements.--An air carrier shall ensure that each dispatch
center and flight following center of the air carrier--
``(1) has a sufficient number of aircraft dispatchers on
duty at the dispatch center or flight following center to
ensure proper operational control of each flight of the air
carrier at all times;
``(2) has the necessary equipment, in good repair, to
maintain proper operational control of each flight of the air
carrier at all times; and
``(3) includes the presence of physical security and
cybersecurity protections to prevent unauthorized access to the
dispatch center or flight following center or to the operations
of either such center.
``(c) Prohibition.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), an air carrier
may not dispatch aircraft from any location other than the
dispatch center or flight following center of the air carrier.
``(2) Emergency authority.--In the event of an emergency,
an air carrier may dispatch aircraft from a location other than
the dispatch center or flight following center of the air
carrier for a brief period of time, but not to exceed a period
of 24 consecutive hours per location.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 447 of
such title, as amended by section 304(b), is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 44746 the
following:
``44747. Aircraft dispatching.''.
SEC. 506. EMPLOYEE ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PLAN STANDARDS AND
BEST PRACTICES.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that:
(1) Each air carrier operating under part 121 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations, shall submit to the Administrator
an Employee Assault Prevention and Response Plan pursuant to
section 551 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C.
44903 note).
(2) Each such air carrier should have in place and deploy
an Employee Assault Prevention and Response Plan to facilitate
appropriate protocols, standards, and training to equip
employees with best practices and the experience necessary to
respond effectively to hostile situations and disruptive
behavior and maintain a safe traveling experience.
(b) Required Briefing.--Section 551 of the FAA Reauthorization Act
of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44903 note) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(f) Briefing to Congress.--Not later than 90 days after the date
of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration shall provide to the appropriate committees of
Congress a briefing on the Employee Assault Prevention and Response
Plan submitted by each air carrier pursuant to this section.''.
SEC. 507. CREWMEMBER SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING.
Section 44918(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and unruly passenger
behavior'' before the period at the end;
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the
following:
``(A) Recognize suspicious behavior and activities
and determine the seriousness of any occurrence.'';
(B) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``, including
training to defend against the use of edged or contact
weapons'' before the period at the end;
(C) by striking subparagraph (H) and inserting the
following:
``(H) De-escalation training based on
recommendations issued by the Air Carrier Training
Aviation Rulemaking Committee.'';
(D) by redesignating subparagraphs (I) and (J) as
subparagraphs (J) and (K), respectively; and
(E) by inserting after subparagraph (H) the
following:
``(I) Methods to subdue and restrain an active
attacker.'';
(3) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
``(4) Minimum standards.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, the
Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, in
consultation with the Federal Air Marshal Service and the
Aviation Security Advisory Committee, shall establish minimum
standards for--
``(A) the training provided under this subsection
and for recurrent training; and
``(B) the individuals or entities providing such
training.'';
(4) in paragraph (6)--
(A) in the first sentence--
(i) by inserting ``and the Federal Air
Marshal Service'' after ``consultation with the
Administrator'';
(ii) by striking ``and periodically shall''
and inserting ``and shall periodically''; and
(iii) by inserting ``based on changes in
the potential or actual threat conditions''
before the period at the end; and
(B) in the third sentence, by inserting ``,
including self-defense training expertise and
experience'' before the period at the end; and
(5) 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. 508. IMPROVING APRON SAFETY.
(a) Study and Report on Engine Ingestion Zone and Jet Blast Zone
Accidents.--
(1) Study.--The Administrator shall conduct a study on ways
to minimize or eliminate engine ingestion zone and jet blast
zone accidents, including through--
(A) improving markings on the apron to clearly
define and graphically indicate the engine ingestion
zones and envelope of safety for the variety of
aircraft that may park at the same gate of the airport;
(B) incorporating markings on aircraft to indicate
the engine inlet danger zone, using hazard warning
stripes, decals, or other measures;
(C) limiting ground service personnel access to an
aircraft until the engines of the aircraft are no
longer running, the beacon on top of the aircraft has
been turned off, the individual blades of the engine
fan can be observed, and there is a notification from
the flight deck crew confirming the engines are off
(including the time for cool down, particularly for
engines with low ground clearance);
(D) improving aircraft engine design to prevent or
minimize engine ingestion, such as the use of
stationary inlet guide vanes or engine guarding;
(E) improving the use of or requirements for
Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) or electrical systems
maintenance or incorporating changes to other systems
or apron operation procedures to eliminate or minimize
the length of time an aircraft engine runs (or is
permitted to run) while the aircraft is at the gate or
stopped on the ground; and
(F) improving communication devices and
requirements for operable radios and headsets.
(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the study
conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations
for such legislative or administrative action as determined
appropriate by the Administrator.
(b) Improved Training.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator may, as
appropriate, develop and publish training and related
educational materials about aircraft engine ingestion and jet
blast hazards for ground crews (including supervisory
employees) that includes information on--
(A) the specific dangers and consequences of
entering engine ingestion or jet blast zones;
(B) proper protocols to avoid entering an engine
ingestion or jet blast zone; and
(C) on-the-job, instructor-led training to
physically demonstrate the engine ingestion zone
boundaries and jet blast zones for each kind of
aircraft the ground crew may encounter.
(2) Training regulations.--Not later than 180 days after
the publication of the training and related educational
materials described in paragraph (1), the Administrator may
promulgate regulations to require any new, transferred, or
current (as of the date of enactment of this section) employee
of the FAA to receive the relevant engine ingestion and jet
blast zone hazard training before such employee may perform
work on the apron.
SEC. 509. AVIATION MEDICAL INNOVATION AND MODERNIZATION WORKING GROUP.
(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish the
Aviation Medical Innovation and Modernization Working Group (in this
section referred to as the ``Working Group'') and appoint members of
the Working Group in accordance with subsection (b).
(b) Membership.--
(1) Number.--The members of the Working Group shall not
exceed 20 individuals.
(2) Composition.--
(A) Federal air surgeon.--The Federal Air Surgeon
shall be a member of the Working Group and shall be the
Chair of the Working Group.
(B) Senior aviation medical examiners.--In addition
to the Federal Air Surgeon, at least 8 members of the
Working Group shall be individuals who are Senior
Aviation Medical Examiners.
(C) Other members.--In addition to the Federal Air
Surgeon and the members appointed under subparagraph
(B), the remaining members shall be licensed medical
physicians with substantial expertise in--
(i) aerospace medicine;
(ii) psychological medicine;
(iii) neurological medicine;
(iv) cardiovascular medicine; or
(v) internal medicine.
(D) Preference in appointments.--The Administrator
shall give preference to appointing members of the
Working Group who are Aviation Medical Examiners or
licensed medical physicians who have demonstrated
research and expertise in aviation medical issues.
(E) Use of subgroups.--The Working Group
Administrator may use subgroups to develop the
recommendations under subsection (c).
(c) Recommendations.--The Working Group shall develop a report that
includes recommendations with respect to the following areas:
(1) Evaluation of the conditions an Aviation Medical
Examiner can issue (CACI).
(2) Improvements and reforms to the Special Issuance
process, including whether, after initial medical certification
by the FAA, renewals can be based on a medical evaluation and
treatment plan by a pilot's treating medical specialist with
concurrence from the pilot's Aviation Medical Examiner.
(3) Development of an online medical portal administered by
the FAA that--
(A) adheres to cybersecurity protections and
protocols;
(B) authorizes Aviation Medical Examiners, pilots,
or their designee, to securely share medical records;
(C) provides timely updates for a pilot's medical
application and improves return to flying timelines;
(D) provides pilots with the ability to submit
additional information requested from the FAA;
(E) includes the method to contact the reviewing
office; and
(F) such other requirements as the Working Group
may recommend.
(4) The use of technologies to address forms of red-green
color blindness for pilots.
(5) Improvements to Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder protocols.
(6) Improvements to neurology protocols, specifically,
stroke, head injury, and known loss of consciousness.
(7) Improvements to FAA mental health protocols, including,
but not limited to, mental health conditions such as depression
and anxiety, the use of medications for treating mental health
conditions, and neurocognitive testing rules and applicability.
(d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which the
Working Group is established--
(1) the Working Group shall submit the report developed in
accordance with subsection (c) to the Administrator, along with
recommendations for such legislation and administrative action
as the Working Group determines appropriate; and
(2) the Administrator shall submit such report and
recommendations to the appropriate committees of Congress.
(e) Actions by the Administrator.--The Administrator may take such
action as the Administrator determines appropriate to implement the
recommendations in the report submitted under subsection (d).
(f) Exemption From the Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Chapter 10
of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the Working Group.
(g) Sunset.--The Working Group shall terminate on the date on which
the Working Group submits the report required by subsection (d).
SEC. 510. AIRMAN CERTIFICATION STANDARDS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall use the Aviation
Rulemaking Advisory Committee Airman Certification System Working Group
(in this section referred to as the ``Working Group'') to obtain
industry recommendations on maintaining and updating Airman
Certification Standards.
(b) Duties.--In carrying out its activities, the Working Group
shall--
(1) ensure that testing remains correlated and corresponds
to current regulations, procedures, equipment, aviation
infrastructure, and safety trends;
(2) work with industry to solicit recommendations on airman
certification and testing, including new, and revisions to
existing, Airman Certification Standards guidance documents and
airman tests; and
(3) ensure other tasks carried out by the Working Group are
addressed and completed in a timely and efficient manner.
SEC. 511. AIRPORT SERVICE WORKFORCE ANALYSIS.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
section, the Comptroller General shall complete an analysis of the
airport service workforce and its impact and importance to the aviation
economy.
Subtitle B--FAA Workforce
SEC. 521. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL STAFFING STANDARDS.
(a) FAA Air Traffic Control Staffing Standards.--The Administrator
shall complete the requirements of subsection (b) and implement
revisions to the FAA Certified Professional Controller (in this section
referred to as ``CPC'') operational staffing targets, in consultation
with appropriate stakeholders including the exclusive bargaining
representative of air traffic control specialists of the FAA certified
under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code, by September 30,
2024.
(b) National Academy of Sciences Study.--
(1) Study.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall enter into
appropriate arrangements with the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (in this subsection
referred to as the ``National Academies'') under which the
National Academies will conduct a study of the methodology used
by the Collaborative Resource Workgroup (in this subsection
referred to as ``CRWG'') to determine CPC operational staffing
targets needed to meet facility operational, statutory, and
contractual requirements, including resources to develop,
evaluate, and implement processes and initiatives affecting the
national airspace system.
(2) Contents.--The study required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following elements:
(A) A review of similarities and discrepancies
between methodologies used to develop the CRWG CPC
operational staffing targets and the staffing targets
developed by the FAA as reflected by the staffing
standards used in the 2023 Controller Workforce Plan.
(B) An examination of the discrepancies between the
CRWG CPC staffing targets and the FAA-developed CPC
staffing standards used in the 2023 Controller
Workforce Plan that contribute to a significant
divergence in operational staffing headcounts
(including with respect to CPCs, CPCs-in-training at
new facilities, and trainees), CPC staffing targets,
and staffing needs for air traffic controllers between
fiscal year 2027 and fiscal year 2032 to ensure the
safe and efficient operation of the national airspace
system.
(C) An evaluation of--
(i) air traffic in the airspace of each air
traffic control facility operated by the FAA;
(ii) air traffic controller position
utilization;
(iii) attrition rates at each air traffic
control facility operated by the FAA; and
(iv) the time needed to meet facility
operational, statutory, and contractual
requirements, including resources to develop,
evaluate, and implement processes and
initiatives affecting the national airspace
system.
(D) For each air traffic control facility operated
by the FAA, a description of--
(i) the current CPC staffing levels;
(ii) the operational staffing targets for
CPCs;
(iii) the anticipated CPC attrition for
each of the next 3 years; and
(iv) the number of CPC trainees.
(E) An examination of the FAA's current and
estimated budgets and funding needed to implement the
CRWG CPC operational staffing targets and needs in
comparison to such funding needed to implement the
staffing standards developed by the FAA as reflected in
the 2023 Controller Workforce Plan.
(F) An analysis of the recommendations included in
Transportation Research Board Special Report 314,
titled ``The Federal Aviation Administration's Approach
for Determining Future Air Traffic Controller Staffing
Needs'' that have not yet been addressed or implemented
by the Administrator.
(G) Recommendations for further action by the
Administrator, as appropriate, to--
(i) address operational staffing
requirements to meet facility operational,
statutory, and contractual requirements; and
(ii) provide fulsome air traffic controller
staffing to ensure the safe and efficient
operation of the national airspace system,
including the integration of new users,
technologies, and procedures.
(3) Consultation.--In conducting the study required by
paragraph (1), the National Academies shall consult with--
(A) Federal Government and industry
representatives;
(B) the exclusive bargaining representative of air
traffic control specialists of the FAA certified under
section 7111 of title 5, United States Code; and
(C) other parties determined appropriate by the
National Academies.
(4) Reports.--
(A) To the administrator.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of this section, the
National Academies shall submit to the Administrator a
report on the results of the study required by
paragraph (1), together with recommendations determined
appropriate by the National Academies.
(B) To congress.--Not later than 180 days after the
date on which the National Academies submits the report
under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
describing--
(i) the results of the study required by
paragraph (1);
(ii) the report submitted by the National
Academies, including the recommendations of the
National Academies; and
(iii) the Administrator's implementation
action required by subsection (a).
(c) Revisions to the Controller Workforce Plan.--Section 44506(e)
of title 49, United States Code is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by inserting ``Collaborative Resource Workgroup
(CRWG)'' before ``staffing standards''; and
(B) by striking ``the number of air traffic
controllers needed'' and inserting ``the number of
fully certified air traffic controllers needed'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs
(3) and (4), respectively; and
(3) by adding after paragraph (1) the following new
paragraph:
``(2) for each air traffic control facility operated by the
Federal Aviation Administration--
``(A) the current certified professional controller
staffing levels;
``(B) the Collaborative Resource Workgroup (CRWG)
operational staffing targets for certified professional
controllers;
``(C) the anticipated certified professional
controller attrition for each of the next 3 years; and
``(D) the number of certified professional
controller trainees;''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (c) shall
take effect and apply to any reports submitted pursuant to section
44506(e) of title 49, United States Code, for each Controller Workforce
Plan submitted after September 30, 2024.
SEC. 522. FAA WORKFORCE REVIEW AUDIT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment
of this section, the Inspector General of the Department of
Transportation shall initiate an audit of any FAA workforce plans
related to aviation safety completed during the past 5 fiscal years.
(b) Contents.--In conducting the audit under subsection (a), the
Inspector General shall--
(1) identify whether any safety-critical positions have not
been reviewed within the timeframe specified in subsection (a);
(2) review FAA workforce gaps in safety-critical and senior
positions, including the average vacancy period of such
positions during the latest fiscal year;
(3) review whether existing FAA workforce development
programs are producing intended results, such as increased
recruitment and retention of agency personnel; and
(4) evaluate the extent to which the FAA leverages its
direct hire authority to recruit subject matter experts and
other technical personnel to fill key senior and technical
positions.
(c) Report and Recommendations.--
(1) Inspector general report.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this section, the Inspector General
shall submit to the Administrator and the appropriate
committees of Congress a report on the results of the audit
conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations
for such legislative and administrative action as the Inspector
General determines appropriate.
(2) Congressional briefing.--Not later than 90 days after
receiving the report under paragraph (1), the Administrator
shall provide a briefing to appropriate committees of Congress
on--
(A) the Administrator's response to the
recommendations of the Inspector General contained in
such report; and
(B) any plans of the Administrator for the
implementation of such recommendations.
SEC. 523. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY UTILIZATION.
(a) In General.--Section 40122 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(k) Direct Hire Authority.--The Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration shall utilize existing direct hire authority to
expedite the hiring process and hire individuals on a non-competitive
basis for safety critical and safety technical positions related to
aircraft certification and aviation safety more broadly to maintain the
gold standard of aviation safety and, as necessary, fulfill any gaps
identified in workforce reviews at the Federal Aviation
Administration.''.
(b) Congressional Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter through 2028, the
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the
status of--
(1) utilization of the direct hire authority described in
subsection (k) of such section 40122, as added by subsection
(a); and
(2) the number of employees hired under such authority, the
relevant line of business to which such employees were hired,
and the occupation type of the positions filled.
SEC. 524. STAFFING MODEL FOR AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTORS.
(a) In General.--Not later than October 1, 2024, the Administrator
shall review and revise as necessary the staffing model for aviation
safety inspectors.
(b) Requirements.--
(1) Consideration of prior studies and reports.--In
revising the model, the Administrator shall take into
consideration the recommendations outlined in the following:
(A) The 2006 report released by the National
Research Council entitled ``Staffing Standards for
Aviation Safety Inspectors''.
(B) The 2007 study released by the National Academy
of Sciences entitled ``Staffing Standards for Aviation
Safety Inspectors''.
(C) The 2013 report released by Grant Thornton LLP,
entitled ``ASTARS Gap Analysis Study: Comparison of the
AVS Staffing Model for Aviation Safety Inspectors to
the National Academy of Sciences' Recommendations Final
Report''.
(D) The 2021 report released by the Inspector
General of the Department of Transportation entitled
``FAA Can Increase Its Inspector Staffing Model's
Effectiveness by Implementing System Improvements and
Maximizing Its Capabilities''.
(E) The FAA Fiscal Year 2023 Aviation Safety
Workforce Plan conducted to satisfy the requirements of
section 104 of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and
Accountability Act, as enacted in the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2021 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note).
(2) Service and office staffing level.--The model will
project staffing at the service and office level and require
managers to use the model as part of the resource assessment
for aviation safety inspector resources.
(3) Attrition.--The aviation safety inspector staffing
model will take into consideration forecasted attrition.
(4) Consultation.--In revising the model, the Administrator
shall consult with interested persons, including the exclusive
collective bargaining representative for aviation safety
inspectors certified under section 7111 of title 5, United
States Code.
SEC. 525. SAFETY CRITICAL STAFFING.
(a) Implementation of Staffing Standards for Safety Inspectors.--
Upon completion of the revised staffing model for aviation safety
inspectors under section 524, and validation of the model by the
Administrator, the Administrator shall take all appropriate actions in
response to the number of aviation safety inspectors, aviation safety
technicians, and operation support positions that such model determines
are required to meet the responsibilities of the Flight Standards
Service and Aircraft Certification Service, including increasing the
number of safety critical positions in the Flight Standards Service and
Aircraft Certification Service per fiscal year as appropriate, provided
that such staffing increases shall be measured relative to the number
of persons serving in safety critical positions as of September 30,
2023. Any increase in safety critical staffing pursuant to this
subsection shall be subject to the availability of appropriations.
(b) Safety Critical Positions Defined.--In this section, the term
``safety critical positions'' means--
(1) aviation safety inspectors, aviation safety specialists
(1801 series), aviation safety technicians, and operations
support positions in the Flight Standards Service; and
(2) manufacturing safety inspectors, pilots, engineers,
Chief Scientist Technical Advisors, aviation safety specialists
(1801 series), safety technical specialists, and operational
support positions in the Aircraft Certification Service.
SEC. 526. INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM INSTALLATION.
(a) In General.--Section 44502(a)(4) of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Installation.--The Administrator shall
expedite the installation of at a minimum 15 instrument
landing systems (referred to in this subparagraph as
`ILS') in the national airspace system by January 1,
2025, by utilizing the existing ILS contract vehicle
and the Federal Aviation Administration workforce.''.
(b) Expedited Installation of ILS Equipment.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall initiate
action to utilize the existing instrument landing systems
(referred to in this subsection as ``ILS'') contract vehicle
and FAA employees in facilitating the expedited installation of
ILS equipment into the national airspace system. In carrying
out this subsection, the Administrator shall--
(A) incorporate lessons learned from the
installations under section 44502(a)(4) of title 49,
United States Code;
(B) record metrics of cost and time savings of
expedited installations; and
(C) consider opportunities to further develop ILS
technical expertise among the FAA workforce.
(2) Considerations.--During the implementation planning to
carry out this subsection and subparagraph (C) of section
44502(a)(4) of title 49, United States Code, as added by
subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider the cost-
benefit analysis of utilizing the existing ILS contract
vehicle, the FAA workforce, or both, to accelerate the
installation and deployment of procured equipment.
(3) Report to congress.--Not later than June 30, 2025, the
Administrator shall report to the appropriate committees of
Congress on the ILS installation results, near-term ILS
installations planned, and shall outline the FAA's approach to
accelerate future procurement and installation of ILS
throughout the national airspace system in a manner consistent
with the requirements of title VIII of division J of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58).
SEC. 527. CONTRACT TOWER PROGRAM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING
PROGRAMS.
Section 47124 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f);
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new
subsection:
``(e) Air Traffic Controller Training Programs.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall coordinate
with air traffic control contractors to create air traffic
controller training programs and shall incorporate the use of
such programs into new contracts or the exercise of future
options entered into under the Contract Tower Program and the
Cost-share Program. Such programs shall allow air traffic
control contractors to--
``(A) provide initial training to candidates who do
not have a Control Tower Operator certificate or
Federal Aviation Administration tower credential; and
``(B) provide training to controllers who have
completed an approved Air Traffic Collegiate Training
Initiative (AT-CTI) program from an accredited school
that has a demonstrated successful curriculum.
``(2) Authority.--An air traffic control contractor shall
be permitted to train controllers under programs established
under paragraph (1) notwithstanding section 65.39(a) of title
14, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of
enactment of this subsection).
``(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection
shall be construed as a delegation of authority by the
Administrator to air traffic control contractors for the
purposes of conducting initial testing of, and issuing initial
certifications to, air traffic controllers.
``(4) Program review.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the
incorporation of training programs operated by air
traffic control contractors under the Contract Tower
Program and the Cost-share Program, the Secretary shall
conduct a review of such training programs and issue
relevant findings. In conducting the review, the
Secretary shall identify the degree to which such
programs improve workforce development at air traffic
control tower facilities staffed through the Contract
Tower Program or the Cost-share Program, air traffic
control towers staffed by the Federal Aviation
Administration, and any related impact such training
may have on air traffic controller staffing more
broadly.
``(B) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date
on which the Secretary initiates the review required by
subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit a report
to the appropriate committees of Congress on the
results of the review, along with such recommendations
as the Secretary determines appropriate.
``(5) Definitions.--In this subsection, the term
`demonstrated successful curriculum' means an AT-CTI program
curriculum with a demonstrated record of graduated students
that have enrolled at the FAA Academy and subsequently
completed Certified Tower Operator certificates at an 80
percent success rate for a consecutive period of 5 years.
``(6) Sunset.--The provisions of this subsection shall
terminate on September 30, 2028.''; and
(3) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)),
by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
`appropriate committees of Congress' means--
``(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate; and
``(B) the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.''.
SEC. 528. REVIEW OF FAA AND INDUSTRY COOPERATIVE FAMILIARIZATION
PROGRAMS.
(a) Review.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of
this section, the Administrator shall complete a review of options for
employees of the FAA whose responsibilities directly relate to
certification, to gain or enhance technical expertise, knowledge,
skills, and abilities, including subject matter relating to innovative
and complex aviation technologies, through cooperative training and
visitation with aerospace companies.
(b) Conflicts of Interest.--In conducting the review in subsection
(a), the Administrator shall ensure that such options for FAA employees
would occur on a short-term basis and avoid both conflicts of interest
and the appearance of such conflicts pursuant to chapter 131 of title
5, United States Code, chapter 11 of title 18, United States Code,
subchapter B of chapter XVI of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations,
sections 2635.101 and 2635.502 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations,
and any other regulations as deemed appropriate by the Administrator.
The Administrator shall also identify any conflicts with FAA policies
relating to FAA employee interactions with industry and determine
appropriate obligations of such employees upon returning to the FAA
after engaging in relevant cooperative training and visitation.
(c) Considerations.--As part of the review required by subsection
(a), the Administrator shall consider the following, provided that such
actions satisfy conflicts of interest requirements referred to in
subsection (b):
(1) Expanding existing familiarization programs.
(2) Leveraging cooperative training programs to support
credentialing and recurrent training activities for FAA
employees.
(3) Evaluating the options described in subsection (a)
based on the level of experience of participating FAA employees
and intended benefits related to such participation.
(d) Report.--Not later than 90 days after completing the review
required by subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit a report to
the appropriate committees of Congress on the results of the review and
relevant recommendations.
SEC. 529. IMPROVED ACCESS TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SIMULATION TRAINING.
(a) Access.--The Administrator shall make tower simulator systems
(in this section referred to as ``TSS'') more accessible to all air
traffic controller specialists assigned to an air traffic control tower
of the FAA (in this section referred to as an ``ATCT''), regardless of
facility assignment, by carrying out the following:
(1) Cloud-based visual database and software system.--Not
later than 30 months after the date of enactment of this
section, the Administrator shall develop and implement a cloud-
based visual database and software system that is compatible
with existing and future TSS that includes, at a minimum--
(A) every ATCT's unique runway layout, approach
paths, and lines of sight; and
(B) specifications that meet all applicable data
security requirements.
(2) Upgrading tss.--Not later than 2 years after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall upgrade
existing, permanent TSS so that the TSS is capable of, at a
minimum--
(A) securely and quickly downloading data from the
cloud-based visual database and software system
implemented under paragraph (1);
(B) running scenarios for each ATCT involving
differing levels of air traffic volume; and
(C) running scenarios for each ATCT involving
varying complexities of air traffic (including, but not
limited to, aircraft emergencies, rapidly changing
weather, issuance of safety alerts, and recovering from
unforeseen events or losses of separation).
(3) Mobile tss.--Not later than 4 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall acquire and
implement mobile TSS at each ATCT that is without an existing,
permanent TSS so that the mobile TSS is capable of, at a
minimum, the functions described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and
(C) of paragraph (2).
(b) Collaboration.--In carrying out the activities under subsection
(a), the Administrator may collaborate with the exclusive bargaining
representative of air traffic controllers certified under section 7111
of title 5, United States Code.
SEC. 530. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER INSTRUCTOR PIPELINE.
(a) In General.--No later than 270 days after the date of enactment
of this section, the Administrator shall initiate a study examining the
pipeline of air traffic controller instructors and the projected number
of instructors needed to maintain the safety of the national airspace
system over the 5-fiscal year period beginning with fiscal year 2024.
(b) Contents.--The study required by subsection (a) shall include
the following:
(1) An examination of projected instructor staffing
targets, including the number of on-the-job instructors needed
for the instruction and training of Certified Professional
Controllers in Training (CPC-Its).
(2) Whether involving further retired Certified
Professional Controllers (CPCs) as instructors, including for
classroom training, would produce improvements in air traffic
controller instruction and training.
(3) Recommendations on how and where to utilize retired
certified professional controllers.
(4) The effect on the ability of active Certified
Professional Controllers (CPCs) to carry out on-the-job duties,
other than instruction, and any related efficiencies if more
retired Certified Professional Controllers (CPCs) were
instructors.
(5) The known vulnerabilities, as categorized by FAA Air
Traffic Organization regions, where requiring Certified
Professional Controllers (CPCs) to provide instruction and
training to Certified Professional Controllers in Training
(CPC-Its) is a significant burden on FAA air traffic controller
staffing levels.
(c) Deadline.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which the
Administrator initiates the study required by subsection (a), the
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the
results on the study and any actions that may be taken based on such
results.
SEC. 531. ENSURING HIRING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALISTS IS BASED
ON ASSESSMENT OF JOB-RELEVANT APTITUDES.
(a) Review of the Air Traffic Skills Assessment.--Not later than
180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator
shall review and revise, if necessary, the Air Traffic Skills
Assessment (in this section referred to as the ``AT-SA'') administered
to air traffic controller applicants described in clauses (ii) and
(iii) of section 44506(f)(1)(B) of title 49, United States Code, in
accordance with the following requirements:
(1) The Administrator shall evaluate all questions on the
AT-SA and determine whether a peer-reviewed job analysis that
ensures all questions test job-relevant aptitudes would result
in improvements in the air traffic control specialist workforce
pipeline.
(2) The Administrator shall assess the assumptions and
methodologies used to develop the AT-SA, the job-relevant
aptitudes measured, and the scoring process for the assessment.
(3) The Administrator shall assess whether any other
revisions to the AT-SA are necessary to enhance the air traffic
control specialist workforce pipeline.
(b) DOT Inspector General Report.--Not later than 180 days after
the date on which the Administrator completes the review and any
necessary revision of the AT-SA required under subsection (a), the
Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall submit to
the Administrator, the appropriate committees of Congress, and, upon
request, to any member of Congress, a report that assesses the reviewed
AT-SA and any applicable revisions, a description of any associated
actions taken by the Administrator, and any recommended actions to be
taken to address the results of the report.
SEC. 532. 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 shall initiate the
development of a plan to--
(A) expand overall FAA 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 in an area
described in paragraph (2).
(2) Area described.--An area described in this paragraph is
a metropolitan statistical area in which each of the following
is located:
(A) At least 2 large hub airports.
(B) An FAA Flight Standards District Office.
(C) An FAA Certificate Management Office.
(D) An FAA regional headquarters.
(3) 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 FAA
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 FAA-owned facilities and
classroom space and identifying potential opportunities
for new construction;
(G) the costs of--
(i) expanding FAA 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 FAA certified under section
7111 of title 5, United States Code; and
(I) other logistical and financial considerations
as determined appropriate by the Administrator.
(b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of enactment of
this section, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress 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
appropriate committees of Congress on the plan, including the
implementation of the plan.
SEC. 533. PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE VETERANS WITH PILOT TRAINING
SERVICES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary
of Education and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish a
program to provide assistance in the form of grants to eligible
entities that provide pilot training activities and related education
to support a pathway for veterans to become commercial aviators.
(b) Eligible Entity.--For purposes of this section, the term
``eligible entity'' means a pilot school or provisional pilot school
that--
(1) holds an Air Agency Certificate under part 141 of title
14, Code of Federal Regulations; and
(2) has an established employment pathway with at least 1
air carrier operating under part 121 or 135 of title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations.
(c) Priority Application.--In selecting eligible entities to award
grants to under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to
eligible entities that meet the following criteria:
(1) The eligible entity is accredited (as defined in
section 61.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations) by an
accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of Education.
(2) The eligible entity holds a letter of authorization
issued in accordance with section 61.169 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations.
(d) Use of Funds.--Amounts from a grant received by an eligible
entity under the pilot program shall be used for the following:
(1) Administrative costs related to implementation of the
program, not to exceed 10 percent of the amount awarded.
(2) To provide guidance and pilot training services,
including tuition and flight training fees for veterans
enrolled with the eligible entity and any training required to
reach proficiency, to the veterans enrolled to support them in
obtaining any of the following pilot certificates and ratings:
(A) Private pilot certificate with airplane single-
engine or multi-engine ratings.
(B) Instrument rating.
(C) Commercial pilot certificate with airplane
single-engine or multi-engine ratings.
(D) Multi-engine rating.
(E) Certificated flight instructor single-engine
certificate, if applicable to degree sought.
(F) Certificated flight instructor multi-engine
certificate, if applicable to degree sought.
(G) Certificated flight instructor instrument
certificate, if applicable to degree sought.
(3) To provide books, training materials, and equipment to
support pilot training activities and related education for
veterans enrolled with the eligible entity.
(4) To provide periodic reports to the Secretary on use of
the grant funds, including documentation of training completion
of the certificates and ratings described in subparagraphs (A)
through (G) of paragraph (2).
(e) Appropriations.--To carry out this section, there is authorized
to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2024 through
2028.
SEC. 534. BIENNIAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON DESIGNATED PILOT EXAMINERS.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
section, and biennially thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress a report that evaluates the use
of designated pilot examiners appointed under section 183.23 of title
14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation) for
testing, including both written and practical tests. Such report shall
include an analysis of--
(1) the methodology and rationale by which designated pilot
examiners are deployed;
(2) with respect to the previous fiscal year, the average
time an individual in each region must wait to schedule an
appointment with a designated pilot examiner;
(3) with respect to the previous fiscal year, the estimated
total time individuals in each region were forced to wait to
schedule an appointment with a designated pilot examiner;
(4) the primary reasons and best ways to reduce such wait
times;
(5) the number of tests conducted by designated pilot
examiners;
(6) the number and percentage of available designated pilot
examiners that perform such tests; and
(7) the average rate of retests, including of both written
and practical tests.
SEC. 535. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON THE EXTENT AND EFFECTS OF THE
COMMERCIAL AVIATION PILOT SHORTAGE ON REGIONAL/COMMUTER
CARRIERS.
(a) Study.--The Comptroller General shall conduct a study to
identify the extent and effects of the commercial aviation pilot
shortage on regional/commuter carriers (as such term is defined in
section 41719(d) of title 49, United States Code).
(b) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report containing the results of the study
conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations for such
legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General
determines appropriate.
SEC. 536. MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS (MSI) INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, the
Administrator shall continue operation of the FAA Minority Serving
Institutions (MSI) program (in this section referred to as the
``Program'') during the period that begins on the date of enactment of
this section and ends on September 30, 2028. In carrying out the
Program, the Administrator shall continue to provide internship
opportunities to eligible students.
(b) Outreach.--The Administrator shall establish and conduct
outreach to minority-serving institutions to recruit students for the
Program.
(c) Requirements.--The following requirements shall apply to the
Program:
(1) Minority-serving institution.--The FAA shall consider
an institution described in any of paragraphs (1) through (7)
of section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1067q(a)) as a ``minority-serving institution'' for
purposes of the Program.
(2) Eligibility requirements.--The FAA shall not limit
eligibility--
(A) of a student for the Program on the basis of
the student's academic major but may allocate
internship slots to mission-critical positions if there
are demonstrated human capital needs in that area; and
(B) to only students currently attending a
minority-serving institution if they are deemed
otherwise eligible.
(3) Year-round.--The FAA shall make internship placements
under the Program available during academic sessions throughout
the year and may extend an internship placement for a student
beyond a single academic session.
(4) Direct hiring authority.--The Administrator shall
utilize existing direct hiring authority to accelerate the
hiring of students who have participated in and completed the
Program and have graduated with an undergraduate or post-
graduate degree.
(5) Pay.--All internships under the Program shall be paid
and the FAA may increase pay for a placement based on the
location of the internship, the field of study of the intern,
or whether the student is an undergraduate versus a graduate
student.
(d) Annual Reports.--The FAA shall submit an annual report to the
appropriate committees of Congress on the Program. Each annual report
shall include the following with respect to the reporting period:
(1) The total number of applicants.
(2) The total number of applicants offered an internship
and the total number of applicants who accept an internship.
(3) The de-identified data on the race, national origin,
gender, and State of residence of Program applicants.
(4) Detailed information on the FAA outreach plan for the
upcoming year.
(5) The schools of applicants, of applicants offered an
internship, and of applicants who accept an internship.
(6) The location and line of business where each intern is
placed.
(7) The conversion rate of interns in the Program who are
hired as full-time FAA employees.
SEC. 537. FAA EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE.
Beginning on and after the date of enactment of this section, the
Administrator shall continue to operate the Educational Partnership
Initiative of the FAA through fiscal year 2028.
Subtitle C--Flight Education Access
SEC. 541. SHORT TITLE.
This subtitle may be cited as the ``Flight Education Access Act''.
SEC. 542. INCREASE IN FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN LIMITS FOR STUDENTS IN
FLIGHT EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS.
Section 455 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (p)--
(A) by striking ``Each institution'' and inserting
the following:
``(1) In general.--Each institution'';
(B) in paragraph (1) (as designated by subparagraph
(A)), by inserting before the period at the end the
following: ``and, shall, with respect to Federal Direct
Unsubsidized Stafford Loans made after the date of
enactment of the Flight Education Access Act to an
eligible student (as defined in subsection (r)), comply
with the requirements of paragraph (2)''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Additional disclosures.--At or prior to the
disbursement of a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
after the date of enactment of the Flight Education Access Act
to an eligible student (as defined in subsection (r)), the
following shall be disclosed:
``(A) The principal amount of the loan, the stated
interest rate on the loan, the number of required
monthly payments to be made on the loan (which shall be
based on a standard repayment plan), and the estimated
number of months before the start of the repayment
period for the loan (based on the expected date on
which the repayment period is to begin or the deferment
period is to end, as applicable).
``(B) The estimated balance to be owed by the
borrower on such loan (including, if applicable, the
estimated amount of interest to be capitalized) as of
the scheduled date on which the repayment period is to
begin or the deferment period is to end, as applicable,
and an estimate of the projected monthly payment.
``(C) An estimate of the aggregate amount the
borrower will pay for the loan, including the total
amount of monthly payments made over the life of the
loan plus the amount of any charges for the loan, such
as an origination fee.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(r) Increase in Loan Limits for Students in Flight Education and
Training Programs.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Act, the loan limits for Federal Direct Unsubsidized
Stafford Loans made after the date of enactment of the Flight
Education Access Act with respect to eligible students shall be
subject to this subsection.
``(2) Definitions.--In this section:
``(A) Eligible student.--The term `eligible
student' means a student who is enrolled in an eligible
undergraduate flight education and training program.
``(B) Eligible undergraduate flight education and
training program.--The term `eligible undergraduate
flight education and training program' means an
undergraduate flight education and training program
that offers training for applicants seeking a
commercial pilot certificate and--
``(i) during the period beginning on the
date of enactment of the Flight Education
Access Act and ending on the date on which 3
years of data has been collected pursuant to
paragraph (3)(C), that meets all the applicable
requirements of this Act; and
``(ii) beginning on the date on which 3
years of data has been collected pursuant to
paragraph (3)(C), that meets all the applicable
requirements of this Act and has a completion
rate averaged over a 3-year period, as
calculated under paragraph (3)(C), that is
equal to or greater than 70 percent.
``(C) Undergraduate flight education and training
program.--The term `undergraduate flight education and
training program'--
``(i) has the meaning given the term by the
Secretary, in consultation with the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration;
``(ii) shall include a flight education and
training program offered by an eligible
institution that is accredited by an
accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary,
that--
``(I) awards undergraduate
certificates or associate or bachelor
degrees; and
``(II) provides pilot training in
accordance with part 141 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations, or any
successor regulation; and
``(iii) shall not include a flight
education and training program certified under
part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, or any successor regulation.
``(3) Loan limits for eligible undergraduate flight
education and training programs.--
``(A) Limits for eligible students who are
dependent students.--
``(i) Annual limits.--The maximum annual
amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford
Loans an eligible student who is a dependent
student may borrow in any academic year (as
defined in section 481(a)(2)) or its equivalent
shall be--
``(I) in the case of an eligible
student at an eligible institution who
has not successfully completed the
first year of an eligible undergraduate
flight education and training program--
``(aa) $13,500, if such
student is enrolled in such a
program whose length is at
least one academic year in
length; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year;
``(II) in the case of an eligible
student at an eligible institution who
has successfully completed the first
year of an eligible undergraduate
flight education and training program
but has not yet successfully completed
the remainder of such program--
``(aa) $15,500; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year;
``(III) in the case of a student at
an eligible institution who has
successfully completed the first year
and second years of an eligible
undergraduate flight education and
training program but has not yet
successfully completed the remainder of
such program--
``(aa) $16,500; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year; and
``(IV) in the case of a student at
an eligible institution who has
successfully completed the first,
second, and third years of an eligible
undergraduate flight education and
training program but has not yet
successfully completed the remainder of
such program--
``(aa) $15,500; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year.
``(ii) Aggregate limits.--The maximum
aggregate amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized
Stafford Loans an eligible student who is a
dependent student may borrow shall be $65,000.
``(B) Limits for eligible students who are
independent students.--
``(i) Annual limits.--The maximum annual
amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford
Loans an eligible student who is an independent
student may borrow in any academic year (as
defined in section 481(a)(2)) or its equivalent
shall be--
``(I) in the case of an eligible
student at an eligible institution who
has not successfully completed the
first year of an eligible undergraduate
flight education and training program--
``(aa) $21,500, if such
student is enrolled in such a
program whose length is at
least one academic year in
length; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year;
``(II) in the case of an eligible
student at an eligible institution who
has successfully completed the first
year of an eligible undergraduate
flight education and training program
but has not yet successfully completed
the remainder of such program--
``(aa) $25,500; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year;
``(III) in the case of a student at
an eligible institution who has
successfully completed the first year
and second years of an eligible
undergraduate flight education and
training program but has not yet
successfully completed the remainder of
such program--
``(aa) $25,500; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year; and
``(IV) in the case of a student at
an eligible institution who has
successfully completed the first,
second, and third years of an eligible
undergraduate flight education and
training program but has not yet
successfully completed the remainder of
such program--
``(aa) $22,500; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year.
``(ii) Aggregate limits.--The maximum
aggregate amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized
Stafford Loans an eligible student who is an
independent student may borrow shall be
$107,500.
``(C) Data collection on, and calculation of,
completion rates.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
annually calculate the completion rate of each
undergraduate flight education and training
program at each eligible institution based on
the information collected under clause (ii).
``(ii) Collection of information.--The
Secretary shall annually collect information,
for each academic year, on--
``(I) the total number of students
enrolled in an undergraduate flight
education and training program at an
eligible institution; and
``(II) those students who complete
such program--
``(aa) who earn a private
pilot's certificate for an
airplane category rating with a
single-engine class rating
while enrolled in such program;
or
``(bb) who at the time of
enrollment, possess such a
certificate.
``(iii) Calculation of completion rate.--To
calculate the completion rate described in
clause (i), the Secretary shall--
``(I) consider as having completed,
those students who earn a private
pilot's certificate for an airplane
category rating with a single-engine
class rating, or who at the time of
enrollment possess such a certificate,
and complete the undergraduate flight
education and training program at an
eligible institution--
``(aa) that predominantly
awards associate degrees,
within 200 percent of the
normal time for completion;
``(bb) that predominantly
awards bachelor degrees, within
150 percent of the normal time
for completion; and
``(cc) that predominantly
awards undergraduate
certificates, within 200
percent of the normal time for
completion;
``(II) consider as not having
completed, those students who earn a
private pilot's certificate for an
airplane category rating with a single-
engine class rating, or who at the time
of enrollment possess such a
certificate, and who transfer out of
the undergraduate flight education and
training program to another program at
the eligible institution that is not an
undergraduate flight education and
training program or to a program that
is not an undergraduate flight
education and training program at
another eligible institution; and
``(III) not include in the
calculation, any student who--
``(aa) is a foreign
national;
``(bb) earns a private
pilot's certificate for an
airplane category rating with a
single-engine class rating and
transfers out of the
undergraduate flight education
and training program to another
undergraduate flight education
and training program at a
different eligible institution;
or
``(cc) is enrolled in an
undergraduate flight education
and training program and never
earns a private pilot's
certificate for an airplane
category rating with a single-
engine class rating.
``(D) Reporting requirements.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
require each undergraduate flight education and
training program that enrolls students who
receive assistance under this part to provide
the data described in this subparagraph that is
necessary for the completion of the reporting
requirements described in this subparagraph.
``(ii) Form of data collection.--The
Secretary shall prescribe the form and format
of the data required to be provided under this
subparagraph and include, at a minimum, the
following data elements:
``(I) Student data elements
necessary to calculate student
enrollment, persistence, retention,
transfer, and completion rates.
``(II) Information disaggregated by
gender, race, ethnicity, and
socioeconomic status.
``(iii) Report to congress.--Not later than
9 months after the date of enactment of the
Flight Education Access Act and biennially
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce of the House of Representatives, and
the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives,
analyzing and assessing the data collected
pursuant to this subparagraph and conforming to
the requirements of this subparagraph that
shall include the following:
``(I) An assessment of the
effectiveness of the requirements under
this subsection.
``(II) Information on enrollment,
persistence, retention, transfer,
completion, utilization of Federal
financial aid, and unmet financial
need, including information on
applicable institutions.
``(III) Information on the gender,
race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic
status of students enrolled in an
undergraduate flight education and
training program.
``(4) Prohibition on mass cancellation of eligible
undergraduate flight education and training program loans.--The
Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury, or the Attorney
General may not take any action to cancel or forgive the
outstanding balances, or portion of balances, on any Federal
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, or otherwise modify the
terms or conditions of a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford
Loan, made to an eligible student, except as authorized by an
Act of Congress.''.
SEC. 543. GAO REPORT.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Comptroller General shall--
(1) examine and review the implementation of this subtitle
and the amendments made by this subtitle, which review shall
include--
(A) the number of participating institutions
offering undergraduate flight education and training
programs (as defined in section 455(r) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(r)), as amended
by this subtitle);
(B) the number of students enrolled in such
undergraduate flight education and training programs,
and demographic data regarding such students;
(C) the level of such students' participation in
the loan program under part D of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.),
including demographic data as appropriate; and
(D) feedback from participating institutions
regarding the implementation of this subtitle and the
amendments made by this subtitle;
(2) develop recommendations to the Department of Education
on any changes that should be made to improve the
implementation of this subtitle and the amendments made by this
subtitle; and
(3) prepare and submit a report on the findings and
recommendations under paragraphs (1) and (2) to--
(A) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Education and the Workforce
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 544. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this subtitle, or an amendment made by this subtitle,
shall be construed to repeal, amend, supersede, or affect any pilot
training or qualification provision under existing law.
SEC. 545. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Education, in addition to any amounts otherwise available, to carry out
the amendments made by this subtitle $3,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2023 through 2033. Such funds shall be available until expended.
TITLE VI--MODERNIZING AIRPORT SYSTEMS
SEC. 601. AIP ELIGIBILITY AMENDMENTS.
Section 47102(3) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) in clause (ix), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) in clause (x), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(xi) a medium intensity approach lighting
system with runway alignment indicator
lights.'';
(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (Q) and (R) as
subparagraphs (S) and (T), respectively;
(3) by redesignating subparagraphs (M) through (P) as
subparagraphs (N) through (Q), respectively;
(4) by inserting after subparagraph (L) the following:
``(M) constructing or acquiring airport-owned
infrastructure or equipment, notwithstanding revenue
producing capability, as defined in subsection (24),
required for the on-airport distribution or storage of
unleaded aviation gas for use by piston-driven
aircraft, including on-airport construction or
expansion of pipelines, storage tanks, low-emission
fuel systems, and airport-owned and operated fuel
trucks providing exclusively unleaded aviation fuels,
unless the Secretary determines that an alternative
fuel may be safely used for a limited time.'';
(5) by inserting after subparagraph (Q) (as redesignated by
paragraph (3)), the following:
``(R) acquiring or installing new renewable energy
generation infrastructure (such as solar, geothermal,
or wind) that provide power for on-airport uses and
energy storage systems, and necessary substation
upgrades to support such infrastructure.''; and
(6) by inserting after subparagraph (T) (as redesignated by
paragraph (2)), the following:
``(U) initial acquisition (and excluding subsequent
upgrades) of an advanced digital construction
management system (meaning a computer platform that
uses digital technology throughout the life cycle of a
capital infrastructure project, including through
project phases such as design and construction, when
that system is acquired to carry out a project approved
by the Secretary under this subchapter.
``(V) reconstructing or rehabilitating an existing
crosswind runway provided the sponsor includes
reconstruction or rehabilitation of the runway in the
sponsor's most recent approved airport layout plan.''.
SEC. 602. REVISED MINIMUM APPORTIONMENTS.
Section 47114(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(K) Minimum apportionment for commercial service
airports with more than 4,000 passenger boardings in a
calendar year.--Not less than $400,000 may be
apportioned under subparagraph (A) for each fiscal year
to each sponsor of a commercial service airport that
had fewer than 8,000 passenger boardings, but at least
4,000 passenger boardings, during the prior calendar
year.''.
SEC. 603. APPORTIONMENTS FOR TRANSITIONING AIRPORTS.
Section 47114(f)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``Beginning with the
fiscal year'' and inserting ``For 5 fiscal years''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``fiscal year 2004''
and inserting ``fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 2024,
and shall apply to apportionments determined for that fiscal
year and for fiscal years thereafter''.
SEC. 604. UPDATING UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT'S SHARE OF PROJECT COSTS.
(a) In General.--Section 47109 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Increased Government Share.--In any State containing
unappropriated and unreserved public lands and nontaxable Indian lands
(individual and tribal) of more than 5 percent of the total area of all
lands in the State, the Government's share of allowable project costs
provided in subsection (a) shall be--
``(1) unchanged for a project at a large hub airport in the
State; or
``(2) 95 percent for a project at any other airport in the
State.'';
(2) by striking subsection (c) and redesignating
subsections (d) through (f) as subsections (c) through (e),
respectively;
(3) in subsection (e), as so redesignated, by striking
paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) is not a medium or large hub airport; and''; and
(4) by inserting after subsection (e), as so redesignated,
the following:
``(f) Special Rule for Fiscal Years 2024 Through 2026.--
Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Government's share of allowable
project costs for a grant made to a nonhub or nonprimary airport in
each of fiscal years 2024 through 2026 is 95 percent.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on October 1, 2023.
SEC. 605. PRIMARY AIRPORT DESIGNATION.
Section 47114(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by
section 602, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(L) Public airports with military use.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a public
airport shall be considered a nonhub primary airport in
each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 for purposes of
this chapter if such airport was--
``(i) designated as a primary airport in
fiscal year 2017; and
``(ii) in use by an air reserve station in
the calendar year used to calculate
apportionments to airport sponsors in a fiscal
year.''.
SEC. 606. DISCRETIONARY FUND FOR TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT COSTS.
(a) Terminal Projects at Transitioning Airports.--Section 47119(c)
of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4), by striking ``or'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (5), the following:
``(6) not more than $20,00,000 of the amount that may be
distributed for the fiscal year from the discretionary fund
established under section 47115 of this title, to the sponsor
of a nonprimary airport to pay costs allowable under subsection
(a) for terminal development projects, if the Secretary
determines (which may be based on actual and projected
enplanement trends, as well as completion of an air service
development study, demonstrated commitment by airlines to
provide commercial service accommodating at least 10,000 annual
enplanements, the sponsor's documented commitment to providing
the remaining funding to complete the proposed project, and a
favorable environmental finding (including all required
permits) in support of the proposed project) that the status of
the nonprimary airport is reasonably expected to change to
primary status in the next published report under section
47103.''.
(b) Limitation.--Section 47119(f) of title 49, United States Code,
is amended by striking ``$20,000,000'' and inserting ``$30,000,000''.
SEC. 607. ALTERNATIVE-DELIVERY AND ADVANCE-CONSTRUCTION METHODS PILOT
PROGRAM.
Section 47142 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Pilot Program.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator shall
establish a pilot program under which not less than 5 airport
sponsors shall be authorized through the application process
under subsection (a) to award a design-build contract for a
project that uses alternative-delivery and advance-construction
methods, for purposes of evaluating the extent to which such
methods expedite project delivery and reduce construction
costs.
``(2) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which the pilot program ends, the Administrator shall submit to
Congress a report on the results of the pilot program, together
with recommendations for such legislative or administrative
action as the Administrator determines appropriate.''.
SEC. 608. INTEGRATED PROJECT DELIVERY.
(a) Pilot Program.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a pilot
program under which the Administrator may award grants for integrated
project delivery contracts to carry out up to 5 building construction
projects at airports in the United States with a grant awarded under
section 47104 of title 49, United States Code.
(b) Application.--
(1) Eligibility.--A sponsor of an airport may submit to the
Secretary an application, in such time and manner and
containing such information as the Secretary may require, to
carry out a building construction project under the pilot
program that would otherwise be eligible for assistance under
chapter 471 of such title 49.
(2) Approval.--The Secretary may approve the application of
a sponsor of an airport submitted under paragraph (1) to
authorize such sponsor to award an integrated project delivery
contract using a selection process permitted under applicable
State or local law if--
(A) the Secretary approves the application using
criteria established by the Secretary;
(B) the integrated project delivery contract is in
a form that is approved by the Secretary;
(C) the Secretary is satisfied that the contract
will be executed pursuant to competitive procedures and
contains a schematic design and any other material that
the Secretary determines sufficient to approve the
grant;
(D) the Secretary is satisfied that the use of an
integrated project delivery contract will be cost
effective and expedite the project;
(E) the Secretary is satisfied that there will be
no conflict of interest; and
(F) the Secretary is satisfied that the contract
selection process will be open, fair, and objective and
that not less than 2 sets of proposals will be
submitted for each team entity under the selection
process.
(c) Reimbursement of Costs.--Reimbursement of costs shall be based
on transparent cost accounting, also known as open book cost
accounting. The Secretary may reimburse a sponsor of an airport for any
design or construction costs incurred before a grant is made pursuant
to this section if--
(1) the project funding is approved by the Secretary in
advance;
(2) the project is carried out in accordance with all
administrative and statutory requirements under chapter 471 of
such title 49; and
(3) the project is carried out under such chapter after a
grant agreement has been executed.
(d) Integrated Project Delivery Contract Defined.--In this section,
the term ``integrated project delivery contract'' means a single
contract for the delivery of a whole project that--
(1) includes, at a minimum, the owner, builder, and
architect-engineer as parties that are subject to the terms of
the contract;
(2) aligns the interests of all the parties to the contract
with respect to the project costs and project outcomes; and
(3) includes processes to ensure transparency and
collaboration among all parties to the contract relating to
project costs and project outcomes.
(e) Expiration of Authority.--The authority of the Secretary to
award grants under the pilot program under this section shall expire on
September 30, 2028.
SEC. 609. 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. To facilitate the approval
process, if a benefit-cost analysis is required, the Secretary
shall issue a preliminary and conditional finding, which
shall--
``(A) be issued within 60 days of the sponsor's
submission of 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 authority; 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. 610. AIRPORT ACCESSIBILITY.
(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 47144 the following:
``Sec. 47145. Pilot program for airport accessibility
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall establish
and carry out a pilot program to award grants to sponsors to carry out
capital projects to upgrade the accessibility of commercial service
airports for individuals with disabilities by increasing the number of
commercial service airports, airport terminals, or airport facilities
that meet or exceed the standards and regulations under the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.) and the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 note).
``(b) Use of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a sponsor
shall use a grant awarded under this section--
``(A) for a project to repair, improve, or relocate
the infrastructure of an airport, airport terminal, or
airport facility to increase accessibility for
individuals with disabilities, or as part of a plan to
increase accessibility for individuals with
disabilities;
``(B) to develop or modify a plan (as described in
subsection (e)) for a project that increases
accessibility for individuals with disabilities,
including--
``(i) assessments of accessibility or
assessments of planned modifications to an
airport, airport terminal, or airport facility
for passenger use, performed by the recipient
airport's disability advisory committee (if
applicable), the protection and advocacy system
for individuals with disabilities in the
applicable State, a center for independent
living, or a similar nonprofit organization
focused on ensuring individuals with
disabilities are able to live and participate
in their communities; or
``(ii) coordination by the recipient's
disability advisory committee with a protection
and advocacy system, center for independent
living, or similar nonprofit organization; or
``(C) to carry out any other project that meets or
exceeds the standards and regulations described in
subsection (a).
``(2) Limitation.--Eligible costs for a project funded with
a grant awarded under this section shall be limited to the
costs associated with carrying out the purpose authorized under
subsection (a).
``(c) Eligibility.--A sponsor--
``(1) may use a grant under this section to upgrade a
commercial service airport that is accessible to and usable by
individuals with disabilities consistent with the current (as
of the date of the upgrade) standards and regulations described
in subsection (a); and
``(2) may use the grant to upgrade a commercial service
airport that is not accessible and usable as described in
paragraph (1), even if the related service, program, or
activity, when viewed in its entirely, is readily accessible
and usable as so described.
``(d) Selection Criteria.--In making grants to sponsors under this
section, the Secretary shall give priority to sponsors that are
proposing--
``(1) a capital project to upgrade the accessibility of a
commercial service airport that is not accessible to and usable
by individuals with disabilities consistent with standards and
regulations described in subsection (a); or
``(2) to meet or exceed the Airports Council International
accreditation under the Accessibility Enhancement
Accreditation, through the incorporation of universal design
principles.
``(e) Accessibility Commitment.--A sponsor that receives a grant
under this section shall adopt a plan under which the sponsor commits
to pursuing airport accessibility projects that--
``(1) enhance the customer experience and maximize
accessibility of commercial service airports, airport
terminals, or airport facilities for individuals with
disabilities, including by--
``(A) upgrading bathrooms, counters, or pumping
rooms;
``(B) increasing audio and visual accessibility on
information boards, security gates, or paging systems;
``(C) updating airport terminals to increase the
availability of accessible seating and power outlets
for durable medical equipment (such as powered
wheelchairs);
``(D) updating airport websites and other
information communication technology to be accessible
for individuals with disabilities; or
``(E) increasing the number of elevators, including
elevators that move power wheelchairs to an aircraft;
``(2) improve the operations of, provide efficiencies of
service to, and enhance the use of commercial service airports
for individuals with disabilities;
``(3) establish a disability advisory committee, as defined
in subsection (h);
``(4) make improvements in personnel, infrastructure, and
technology that can assist passenger self-identification
regarding disability and needing assistance; and
``(5) address equity of service to all passengers
regardless of income, age, race, or ability, taking into
account historical and current service gaps for low-income
passengers, older individuals, passengers from communities of
color, and passengers with disabilities.
``(f) Coordination With Disability Advocacy Entities.--In
administering grants under this section, the Secretary shall
encourage--
``(1) engagement with disability advocacy entities (such as
the sponsor's disability advisory committee) and a protection
and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities in the
applicable State, a center for independent living, or a similar
nonprofit organization focused on ensuring individuals with
disabilities are able to live and participate in their
communities; and
``(2) assessments of accessibility or assessments of
planned modifications to commercial service airports to the
extent merited by the scope of the capital project of the
sponsor proposed to be assisted under this section, taking into
account any such assessment already conducted by the Federal
Aviation Administration.
``(g) Federal Share of Costs.--The Government's share of allowable
project costs for a project carried out with a grant under this section
shall be the Government's share of allowable project costs specified
under section 47109.
``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Center for independent living.--The term `center for
independent living' has the meaning given the term in section
702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 796a).
``(2) Disability advisory committee.--The term `disability
advisory committee' means a body of stakeholders (including
airport staff, airline representatives, and individuals with
disabilities) that provide to airports and appropriate
transportation authorities input from individuals with
disabilities, including identifying opportunities for removing
barriers, expanding accessibility features, and improving
accessibility for individuals with disabilities at airports.
``(3) Protection and advocacy system.--The term `protection
and advocacy system' means such a system established in
accordance with section 143 of the Developmental Disabilities
Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15043).
``(i) Funding.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this
chapter, for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, $20,000,000 of the
amounts that would otherwise be used to make grants from the
discretionary fund under section 47115 for each such fiscal year shall
be used by the Secretary to carry out this section for each such fiscal
year.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for subchapter I of chapter
471 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 47144 the following:
``47145. Pilot program for airport accessibility.''.
SEC. 611. GENERAL AVIATION PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49, United
States Code, as amended by section 610(a), is amended by inserting
after section 47145, the following:
``Sec. 47146. General aviation public-private partnership program
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall establish
a program that meets the requirements under this section for improving
facilities at--
``(1) general aviation airports; and
``(2) privately owned airports used or intended to be used
for public purposes that do not have scheduled air service.
``(b) Application Required.--The operator or sponsor of an airport,
or the community in which an airport is located, seeking, on behalf of
the airport, to participate in the program established under subsection
(a), shall submit an application to the Secretary in such form, at such
time, and containing such information as the Secretary may require,
including--
``(1) an assessment of the needs of the airport for
additional or improved hangars, airport businesses, or other
facilities;
``(2) the ability of the airport to leverage private sector
investments on the airport or develop public-private
partnerships to build or improve facilities at the airport; and
``(3) if the application is submitted by a community,
evidence that the airport supports the application.
``(c) Limitation.--
``(1) State limit.--Not more than 4 airports in the same
State may be selected in any fiscal year to participate in the
program established under subsection (a).
``(2) Dollar amount limit.--Not more than $500,000 shall be
made available for any airport in any fiscal year under the
program established under subsection (a).
``(3) Cost share requirement.--The Federal cost share for
this program shall be no more than 50 percent.
``(d) Priorities.--In selecting airports for participation in the
program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give
priority to airports at which--
``(1) the operator or sponsor of the airport, or the
community in which the airport is located--
``(A) will provide a portion of the cost of the
project for which assistance is sought under the
program from local sources;
``(B) will employ best business practices in
developing or implementing a public-private
partnership; or
``(C) has established, or will establish, a public-
private partnership to build or improve facilities at
the airport; or
``(2) the assistance will be used in a timely fashion.
``(e) Types of Assistance.--The Secretary may use amounts made
available under this section--
``(1) to provide assistance to market an airport to private
entities or individuals in order to leverage private sector
investments or develop public-private partnerships for the
purposes of building, rehabilitating, or improving hangars,
businesses, or other facilities at the airport;
``(2) to fund studies that consider what measures an
airport should take to attract private sector investment at the
airport; or
``(3) to participate in a partnership described in
paragraph (1) or an investment described in paragraph (2).
``(f) Authority to Make Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into
agreements with airports and entities entering into partnerships with
airports under this section to provide assistance under this section.
``(g) Funding.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this
chapter, for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, $5,000,000 of the
amounts that would otherwise be used to make grants from the
discretionary fund under section 47115 for each such fiscal year shall
be used by the Secretary to carry out this section for each such fiscal
year.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 471 of such
title, as amended by section 610(b), is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 47145 the following:
``47146. General aviation public-private partnership program.''.
SEC. 612. RUNWAY REHABILITATION.
The Administrator shall--
(1) not restrict funding to resurface the full length of an
existing runway within the State of Alaska based solely on
reduced current or forecasted aeronautical activity levels or
critical design type standards;
(2) within 60 days review requests for runway
rehabilitation or reconstruction projects at airports on a
case-by-case basis; and
(3) not reject requests for projects with critical
community needs, such as projects in rural communities and
villages off the road system, or economic development projects
to expand a runway to meet new demands.
SEC. 613. EXTENSION OF PROVISION RELATING TO 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
``2018'' and all that follows through ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting
``2024 through 2028''.
SEC. 614. PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO FAA MULTIMODAL
PROJECTS.
(a) In General.--Any multimodal airport development project that
uses grant funding from funds made available to the FAA to carry out
subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49, United States Code, or airport
infrastructure projects under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act (Public Law 117-58) shall abide by the procurement regulations
applicable to--
(1) the FAA; and
(2) subject to subsection (b), the component of the project
relating to transit, highway, or rail, respectively.
(b) Multiple Component Projects.--In the case of a multimodal
airport development project described in subsection (a) that involves
more than 1 component described in paragraph (2) of that subsection,
such project shall only be required to apply the procurement
regulations applicable to the component where the greatest amount of
Federal financial assistance will be expended.
SEC. 615. SOLAR POWERED TAXIWAY EDGE LIGHTING SYSTEMS.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section,
the Administrator shall issue an engineering brief describing the
acceptable use of durable long-term solar powered taxiway edge lighting
systems at basic nonprimary airports (as defined in appendix C of the
2023-2027 National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems published by the
FAA on September 30, 2022).
SEC. 616. ADDITIONAL GROUND BASED TRANSMITTERS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator is
authorized to and shall waive any positive benefit-cost ratio
requirement for providing additional ground based transmitters for
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcasts (ADS-B) to provide a
minimum operational network in Alaska along major flight routes.
SEC. 617. AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE IMPROVEMENTS.
Section 533 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44720
note) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections
(f) and (g), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (c), the following:
``(d) Maintenance Improvements.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date
of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator shall
identify and implement reasonable alternative mitigations to
improve maintenance of FAA-owned weather observing systems that
experience frequent service outages, including associated
surface communication outages.
``(2) Spare parts availability.--The mitigations identified
by the Administrator shall improve spare parts availability,
including consideration of storage of more spare parts in the
region of the equipment.
``(3) Application.--This subsection shall apply only to
airports located in non-contiguous States.
``(e) Notice of Outages.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date
of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator shall update
FAA Order 7930.2 Notices to Air Missions, or any successive
order, to incorporate weather system outages for Automated
Weather Observing Systems and Automated Surface Observing
Systems associated with Service A Outages.
``(2) Application.--This subsection shall apply only to
airports located in non-contiguous States.''.
SEC. 618. CONTRACT TOWER PROGRAM.
Section 47124 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by
section 527, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(3), by adding at the end the
following:
``(H) Period for completion of an operational
readiness inspection.--The Federal Aviation
Administration shall provide airport sponsors that show
good faith efforts to join the Contract Tower Program 7
years to complete an Operational Readiness Inspection
after receiving a benefit-to-cost ratio.'';
(2) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (h);
(3) by inserting after subsection (e), the following:
``(f) Improving Situational Awareness.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration shall allow air traffic controllers at
Federal Contract Towers to use technology to improve
situational awareness including, but not limited to, using
Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) radar
displays, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B),
Flight Data Input/Output (FDIOs), and Automatic Terminal
Information System (ATIS).
``(2) Requirements.--To help facilitate the integration of
the equipment described in paragraph (1), the Administrator
shall--
``(A) establish a set of standards that ensures
safety for use of the equipment described in paragraph
(1) for the purpose of increased situational awareness;
``(B) identify multiple approved vendors for such
equipment if practicable; and
``(C) partner with contract tower providers to
define an appropriate initial training program to
ensure that any tower radar displays, ADS-B displays,
or other equipment is correctly integrated into Federal
Contract Tower operations.
``(g) Liability Insurance.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall consult with
industry experts, including air traffic control contractors and
aviation insurance professionals, to determine adequate limits
of liability for the Contract Tower Program, including during
the period described in paragraph (2) with respect to the
determination of adequate excess liability insurance under
paragraph (2)(B).
``(2) Interim steps.--During the period that begins on the
date of enactment of this subsection and ends on the date the
Secretary submits the report required by paragraph (3), the
Secretary shall require air traffic control contractors to have
adequate excess liability insurance (as determined by the
Secretary in consultation with industry experts under paragraph
(1)) to ensure resilience should a major accident occur.
``(3) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit a
report to the appropriate committees of Congress on the
findings, conclusions, and actions taken and planned to be
taken to carry out this subsection.
``(4) Appropriate committees of congress.--For purpose of
this subsection, the term `appropriate committees of Congress'
(as defined in subsection (f)(3)) includes the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.''.
SEC. 618A. CONTRACT TOWER PROGRAM SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS.
(a) Pilot Program for Transitioning to FAA Towers.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish a
pilot program to convert high-activity air traffic control
towers operating under the Contract Tower Program described in
section 47124 of title 49, United States Code, to FAA-staffed
Visual Flight Rules towers (in this section referred to as the
``Contract Tower Program'').
(2) Conversion to faa-staffed vfr towers.--In selecting
facilities to participate in the pilot program established
under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall give priority to
air traffic control towers operating under the Contract Tower
Program that--
(A) either--
(i) had over 200,000 annual tower
operations in calendar year 2022; or
(ii) served a small hub airport with more
than 900,000 passenger enplanements in calendar
year 2021;
(B) are either currently owned by the FAA or are
constructed to FAA standards; and
(C) operate within complex air space that serves
air carrier, general aviation, and military aircraft.
(3) Tower selection.--The number of facilities selected to
participate in the pilot program established under paragraph
(1) shall be determined based on the availability of funds for
the pilot program.
(4) Controller retention.--The Administrator shall appoint
to the position of air traffic controller all air traffic
controllers currently employed by the Federal contract tower
operator and assigned to the pilot program air traffic control
tower, provided such controller--
(A) meets the qualifications contained in section
44506(f)(1)(A) of title 49, United States Code; and
(B) has all other pre-employment qualifications
required by law.
(5) Safety analysis.--
(A) In general.--The Administrator shall conduct a
safety analysis to determine whether the conversions
described in paragraph (1) had any negative impact on
the aviation safety of any air traffic control tower.
(B) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report describing the results of the safety analysis
under subparagraph (A).
(6) Funding.--For purposes of carrying out this subsection,
there is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator
$30,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, to remain available until
fiscal year 2029.
(b) Air Traffic Controller Staffing Levels at Small and Medium Hub
Airports.--
(1) In general.--Section 47124(b)(2) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``The Secretary may'' and inserting
the following:
``(A) In general.--The Secretary may''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Small or medium hub airports.--In the case of
a contract to operate an airport traffic control tower
at a small or medium hub airport, the contract shall
require the Secretary, after coordination with the
airport sponsor and the entity, State, or subdivision,
to provide funding sufficient for the cost of wages and
benefits of at least two air traffic controllers for
each tower operating shift.''.
(2) Application.--The amendments made by paragraph (1)
shall apply to contracts entered into or renewed by the
Secretary under the Contract Tower Program on or after the date
of enactment of this section.
(c) Air Traffic Controller Compensation.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary and the Secretary of Labor
shall review and update the wage determinations for controllers
who work in air traffic control towers that are staffed through
the Contract Tower Program and shall reassess the basis for air
traffic controller occupation codes and the need for additional
occupation codes.
(2) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary and the Secretary of
Labor shall submit a report to the appropriate committees of
Congress that--
(A) describes the findings and conclusions of the
review and reassessment made under paragraph (1);
(B) explains the basis for the wage determination
and the justification for the basis; and
(C) describes the steps the Department of
Transportation and the Department of Labor are taking
to ensure air traffic controller wages are keeping up
with inflation and are assigned the appropriate
occupation codes.
(d) Priorities for Facility Selection.--Section 47124(b)(3)(C) of
title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in clause (vi), by striking ``or mix of aircraft'' and
inserting ``lack of an existing air traffic control tower, or
mix of aircraft, including a mix of commercial and significant
military flight operations''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(viii) Air traffic control towers located
at airports with projected increases in
commercial and military aircraft or flight
operations.''.
SEC. 619. REMOTE TOWERS.
(a) In General.--Section 47124 of title 49, United States Code, as
amended by sections 528 and 618, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (g) (as added by section
725), the following:
``(h) Milestones for Design Approval of Remote Towers.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration shall create a structured
program and publish milestones to achieve system design
approval for a remote tower system.
``(2) Requirements.--In carrying out subparagraph (A), the
Administrator shall--
``(A) rely on support from the Airports Office of
the Federal Aviation Administration and the Air Traffic
Organization of the Federal Aviation Administration,
including the Air Traffic Services Service Unit and the
Technical Operations Service Unit; and
``(B) not later than September 30, 2024, expand
validation and certification of system design approval
for a digital or remote tower system to three locations
outside of the William J. Hughes Technical Center, as
specified in section 161 of the FAA Reauthorization Act
of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 47104 note).''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 47124(b) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)(B)(ii), by inserting ``or a remote
airport traffic control tower that has received System Design
Approval (SDA) from the Federal Aviation Administration'' after
`` an operating air traffic control tower''; and
(2) in each of clauses (i)(III) and (ii)(III) of paragraph
(4)(A), by inserting ``or remote air traffic control tower
equipment that has received System Design Approval (SDA) from
the Federal Aviation Administration'' after ``certified by the
Federal Aviation Administration''.
SEC. 620. GRANT ASSURANCES.
Section 47107(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (7), by striking the semicolon and
inserting ``, such that there are no unsafe practices or
conditions as determined by the Secretary;'';
(2) in paragraph (20), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(3) in paragraph (21), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (21), the following:
``(22) the airport owner or operator may not restrict or
prohibit the sale or self-fueling of any 100-octane low lead
aviation gasoline for purchase or use by operators of general
aviation aircraft if such aviation gasoline was available at
that airport at any time during calendar year 2022, until the
earlier of--
``(A) December 31, 2030; or
``(B) the date on which the airport or any retail
fuel seller at such airport can make available an
unleaded aviation gas that--
``(i) has been authorized for use by the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration as a replacement for 100-octane
low lead aviation gas for use in nearly all
spark ignition aircraft and engine models; and
``(ii) meets either an industry consensus
standard or other standard that facilitates the
safe use, production, and distribution of such
unleaded aviation gasoline.''.
SEC. 620A. GAO STUDY ON FEE TRANSPARENCY BY FIXED BASED OPERATORS.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller General shall conduct a study
reviewing the efforts of fixed based operators (in this section
referred to as ``FBOs'') to meet their commitments to improve the
online transparency of prices and fees for all aircraft and enhancing
the customer experience for general and business aviation users.
(b) Contents.--In conducting the study described in subsection (a),
the Comptroller General, at a minimum, should evaluate the FBO industry
commitment to ``Know Before You Go'' best business practices
including--
(1) FBO provisions for all general aviation and business
aircraft types regarding a description of available services
and a listing of applicable retail fuel prices, fees, and
charges;
(2) the accessibility of these fees and charges to aircraft
operators on-line and in a user-friendly manner and with
sufficient clarity that a pilot operating a particular aircraft
type can determine what will be charged;
(3) efforts by FBOs to invite and encourage customers to
contact them so that operators can ask questions, know their
options, and make informed decisions; and
(4) any practices imposed by an airport operator that
prevent an FBO from fully disclosing fees and charges.
(c) Report Required.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the Comptroller shall submit a report to the
appropriate committees of Congress containing the results of the review
required by this section.
SEC. 620B. AVIATION FUEL IN ALASKA.
(a) In General.--The Administrator and the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency shall not restrict the continued use
and availability of 100-octane low lead aviation gas in the State of
Alaska through December 31, 2034.
(b) GAO Report on Transitioning to Unleaded Aviation Gas in the
State of Alaska.--
(1) Evaluation.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall conduct an evaluation of the following:
(A) The aircraft, routes, and supply chains in the
State of Alaska utilizing leaded aviation gasoline,
including identification of remote and rural
communities that rely upon leaded aviation gasoline.
(B) The estimated costs and benefits of
transitioning aircraft and the supply chain in the
State of Alaska to aviation fuel that meets the
requirements described in clauses (i) and (ii) of
section 47107(a)(22)(B) of title 49, United States
Code, as added by section 620, including direct costs
of new aircraft and equipment and indirect costs,
including transportation from refineries to markets,
foreign imports, and changes in leaded aviation
gasoline prices as a result of reduced supply.
(C) The programs of the Environmental Protection
Agency, the FAA, and other government agencies that can
be utilized to assist individuals, communities,
industries, and the State of Alaska with the costs
described in subparagraph (B).
(D) A reasonable timeframe to permit any limitation
on 100-octane low-lead aviation gasoline in the State
of Alaska.
(E) Other logistical considerations associated with
the transition described in subparagraph (B).
(2) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall submit
a report containing the results of the evaluation conducted
under paragraph (1) to--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Environment and Public Works
of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives.
SEC. 621. CIVIL PENALTIES FOR GRANT ASSURANCES VIOLATIONS.
Section 46301(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``section 47107(a)(7)
(including any assurance made under such section), section
47107(a)(22) (including any assurance made under such
section),'' after ``chapter 451,''; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (7), the following:
``(8) Failure to operate and maintain airports and
facilities suitably.--
``(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the maximum
civil penalty for a violation of section 47107(a)(7)
(including any assurance made under such section)
committed by a person, including if the person is an
individual or small business concern, shall be $25,000.
``(B) In determining the amount of a civil penalty
under paragraph (1) related to a violation of section
47107(a)(7) (including any assurance made under such
section), the Secretary of Transportation shall take
into account any mitigating circumstances at the
airport and facilities on or connected with the
airport.
``(9) Failure to continue offering aviation fuel.--
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the maximum civil penalty for a
violation of section 47107(a)(22) (including any assurance made
under such section) committed by a person, including if the
person is an individual or a small business concern, shall be
$5,000 for each day that the person is in violation of that
section.''.
SEC. 622. COMMUNITY USE OF AIRPORT LAND.
Section 47107(v) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``subsection (a)(13)'' and
inserting ``subsections (a)(13), (b), and (c)'';
(B) by striking ``the sponsor has entered'' and
inserting ``the sponsor has--
``(A) entered'';
(C) by striking ``market value.'' and inserting
``market value; or''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(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) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (H)
as clauses (i) through (viii), respectively, and moving
the left margins of each such clause 2 ems to the
right;
(B) by striking ``This subsection shall apply
only--'' and inserting the following:
``(A) Agreements.--Paragraph (1)(A) shall apply
only--''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Restrictions.--Paragraph (1)(B) shall apply
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 for recreational or public
park uses 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 in the future;
``(iv) if the recreational and public park
use will 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 or
public park use;
``(vi) if the recreational purpose is
consistent with Federal land use compatibility
criteria under section 47502;
``(vii) if the airport sponsor has
continuously leased the property since January
1, 1995, to a local government entity to
operate and maintain the property at no cost to
the airport sponsor; and
``(viii) if the airport sponsor will--
``(I) continue to lease the
property to a local government entity
to operate and maintain the property at
no cost to the airport sponsor; or
``(II) transfer title to the
property to a local government entity
subject to a permanent deed restriction
ensuring compatible airport use under
the criteria of section 47502.''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Aeronautical use; aeronautical purpose defined.--
``(A) In general.--In this subsection, the terms
`aeronautical use' and `aeronautical purpose' mean all
activities that involve or are directly related to the
operation of aircraft, including activities that make
the operation of aircraft possible and safe.
``(B) Inclusion of services located on an
airport.--Such terms include services located on an
airport that are directly and substantially related to
the movement of passengers, baggage, mail, and cargo.
``(C) Exclusions.--Such terms shall not include any
uses of an airport that are not described in
subparagraph (A) or (B), including any aviation-related
uses that do not need to be located on an airport, such
as flight kitchens and airline reservation centers.''.
SEC. 623. 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 to 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.
(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. 624. CLARIFYING AIRPORT REVENUE USE OF LOCAL GENERAL SALES TAXES.
(a) Written Assurances on Revenue Use.--Section 47107(b) of title
49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(4) This subsection does not apply to local general sales
taxes as provided in section 47133(b)(4).''.
(b) Restriction on Use of Revenues.--Section 47133(b) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Local general sales taxes.--Subsection (a) shall not
apply to revenues from generally applicable sales taxes imposed
by a local government, provided--
``(A) the local government had a generally
applicable sales tax that did not exclude aviation fuel
in effect prior to December 9, 2014;
``(B) the local government is not a sponsor of a
public airport; and
``(C) a large hub airport, which had more than
35,000,000 enplanements in calendar year 2021, is
located within the jurisdiction of the local
government.''.
SEC. 625. AIP HANDBOOK REVIEW.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Associate Administrator for Airports of
the FAA, in consultation with the Governor of Alaska, shall identify
reasonable exceptions to the AIP Handbook to be implemented by the FAA
to meet unique regional circumstances and advance the safety needs of
airports in Alaska, including with respect to the following:
(1) Snow Removal Equipment Building (SREB) size and
configuration.
(2) Expansion of lease areas.
(3) Shared governmental use of airport equipment in remote
locations.
(4) Ensuring the resurfacing or reconstruction of legacy
runways to support--
(A) aircraft necessary to support critical health
needs of a community;
(B) remote fuel deliveries; and
(C) firefighting response.
(5) The use of runway end identifier lights at locations
throughout the State.
(b) Updates to AIP Handbook.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date on
which the Associate Administrator for Airports of the FAA
identifies reasonable exceptions under subsection (a), the
Administrator shall update the AIP Handbook to incorporate such
exceptions to meet the unique circumstances and safety needs of
airports in Alaska.
(2) Consultation.--The Administrator shall consult with the
Regional Administrator of the FAA Alaskan Region prior to
issuing the update to the AIP Handbook required by this
section.
(3) Energy efficient light emitting diode system.--In
updating the AIP Handbook under this subsection, the
Administrator shall include updates to reflect the energy
efficient light emitting diode system as a replacement for any
existing halogen system.
SEC. 626. PFAS-RELATED RESOURCES FOR AIRPORTS.
(a) PFAS Replacement Program for Airports.--Not later than 90 days
after the date on which the Department of Defense approves a fluorine-
free firefighting agent to the Qualified Products' List for products
meeting Military Specification MIL-PRE-32725, dated January 12, 2023,
the Secretary shall establish a PFAS replacement program, in
consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency, and subject to terms, conditions, and assurances acceptable to
the Secretary, to reimburse eligible airports for the reasonable and
appropriate costs associated with any of the following:
(1) The one-time initial acquisition by an eligible airport
of fluorine-free firefighting alternatives for--
(A) the capacity of all required aircraft rescue
and firefighting (ARFF) equipment listed in the most
recent FAA-approved Airport Certification Manual,
regardless of how the equipment was initially acquired;
and
(B) twice the quantity carried onboard each
required truck available in the fire station for the
eligible airport.
(2) The disposal of per- or polyfluoroalkyl products,
including fluorinated aqueous film-forming agents, to the
extent such disposal is necessary to facilitate the transition
to an acceptable fluorine-free agent, including, but not
limited to, aqueous film-forming agents currently in fire-
fighting equipment, vehicles, and wastewater generated during
the cleaning of fire-fighting equipment and vehicles.
(3) Cleaning or disposal of existing equipment or
components thereof, to the extent such cleaning or disposal is
necessary to facilitate the transition to an acceptable
fluorine-free agent.
(4) Any equipment or components thereof necessary to
facilitate the transition to an acceptable fluorine-free agent.
(5) Replacement of aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF)
equipment as determined by the Secretary as necessary to be
replaced.
(b) Distribution of Funds.--
(1) Grants to replace arff vehicles.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall reserve up to
$30,000,000 of the amounts appropriated to carry out
the PFAS replacement program to make grants to each
eligible airport that is designated under part 139 as
an Index A airport and does not have existing
capabilities to produce fluorine-free foam, to replace
aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicles.
(B) Amount.--No grant made to an eligible airport
under subparagraph (A) shall exceed $2,000,000.
(2) Remainder.--
(A) Determination of need.--With respect to the
amount of firefighting foam concentrate required for
foam production commensurate with applicable aircraft
rescue and firefighting (ARFF) equipment required in
accordance with the most recent FAA-approved Airport
Certification Manual, the Secretary shall determine--
(i) the total amount of such concentrate
required for all of the Federally required
aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF)
vehicles that meet index requirements under
part 139 of each eligible airport, in gallons;
and
(ii) the total amount of nationwide
firefighting foam concentrate, in gallons.
(B) Determination of grant amounts.--From the
amounts appropriated to carry out the PFAS replacement
program that remain after the application of paragraph
(1), the Secretary shall make a grant to each eligible
airport of the amount equal to the product of--
(i) the amount of such remaining funds; and
(ii) the ratio of the amount determined
under subparagraph (A)(i) for such eligible
airport to the amount determined under
subparagraph (A)(ii).
(c) Program Requirements.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall determine the
eligibility of costs payable under the PFAS replacement program
by taking into account all engineering, technical, and
environmental protocols and generally accepted industry
standards that are developed or established for fluorine-free
foams.
(2) Compliance with applicable law.--All actions related to
the acquisition, disposal, and transition to fluorine-free
foams, including the cleaning and disposal of equipment, shall
be conducted in full compliance with all applicable Federal
laws in effect at the time of obligation in order to be
eligible for reimbursement under the PFAS replacement program.
(3) Government share.--The Government's share of allowable
costs under the PFAS replacement program shall be 100 percent.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated not
more than $350,000,000 to carry out the PFAS replacement
program.
(2) Requirements.--Amounts appropriated to carry out the
PFAS replacement program shall--
(A) remain available for expenditure for a period
of 5 fiscal years; and
(B) be available in addition to any other funding
available for similar purposes under any other Federal,
State, local, or Tribal program.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible airport.--The term ``eligible airport'' means
an airport holding an Airport Operating Certificate issued
under part 139.
(2) Part 139.--The term ``part 139'' means part 139 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
(3) PFAS replacement program.--The term ``PFAS replacement
program'' means the program established under subsection (a).
SEC. 627. PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE NATIONAL TRANSITION PLAN RELATED TO A
FLUORINE-FREE FIREFIGHTING FOAM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, and every 180 days thereafter until the
progress report termination date described in subsection (c), the
Administrator, in consultation with the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Defense, shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a progress report on
the development and implementation of a national transition plan
related to a fluorine-free firefighting foam that meets the performance
standards referenced in chapter 6 of AC No: 150/5210-6D and is
acceptable under section 139.319(l) of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, for use at part 139 airports.
(b) Required Information.--Each progress report required by
subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An assessment of the progress made by the FAA with
respect to providing part 139 airports with--
(A) guidance from the Environmental Protection
Agency on acceptable environmental limits relating to
such fluorine-free firefighting foam;
(B) guidance from the Department of Defense on that
department's transition to a fluorine-free firefighting
foam;
(C) best practices for the decontamination of
existing aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles,
systems, and other equipment used to deploy
firefighting foam at part 139 airports; and
(D) timelines for the release of policy and
guidance relating to part 139 airport implementation
plans for obtaining approved military specification
products and firefighting personnel training.
(2) A comprehensive list of the amount of rolling stock of
firefighting foam at each part 139 airport as of the date of
the submission of the progress report and the number of gallons
regularly kept in reserve at each such airport.
(3) An assessment of the progress made by the FAA with
respect to providing airports that are not part 139 airports
and local authorities with responsibility for inspection and
oversight with guidance described in subparagraphs (A) and (B)
of paragraph (1) as it relates to the use of fluorine-free
firefighting foam at such airports.
(4) Such other information as the Administrator determines
appropriate.
(c) Progress Report Termination Date.--For purposes of subsection
(a), the progress report termination date described in this subsection
is the date on which the Administrator notifies the appropriate
committees of Congress that development and implementation of the
national transition plan described in subsection (a) is complete.
(d) Definition.--In this section, the term ``part 139 airport''
means an airport certified under part 139 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations.
SEC. 628. REVIEW OF AIRPORT LAYOUT PLANS.
(a) In General.--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) [Reserved].''; and
(2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``(b) [Reserved].''.
(b) Airport Layout Plan Approval Authority.--Section 47107 of title
49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(16)--
(A) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the
following:
``(B) subject to subsection (x), the Secretary will
review and approve or disapprove the plan and any
revision or modification of the plan before the plan,
revision, or modification takes effect;''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking
``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting ``subsection (x)'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(x) Scope of the Secretary's Airport Layout Plan Review and
Approval Authority.--
``(1) Authority over projects on land acquired without
federal assistance.--For purposes of subsection (a)(16)(B),
with respect to any project proposed on land acquired by an
airport owner or operator without Federal assistance, the
Secretary may only review and approve or disapprove those
portions of the plan (or any subsequent revision to the plan)
that--
``(A) materially impact the safe and efficient
operation of aircraft at, to, or from the airport;
``(B) adversely affect the safety of people or
property on the ground as a result of aircraft
operations; or
``(C) adversely affect the value of prior Federal
investments to a significant extent.
``(2) Limitation on non-aeronautical review.--If only a
portion of a project proposed by an airport owner or operator
is subject to the Secretary's review and approval under
subsection (a)(16)(B), the Secretary shall not extend review
and approval authority to other non-aeronautical portions of
the project.
``(3) Notice.--
``(A) In general.--An airport owner or operator
shall submit to the Secretary a notice of intent to
proceed with a proposed project (or a portion thereof)
that is outside of the Secretary's review and approval
authority, as described in this subsection.
``(B) Failure to object.--If not later than 45 days
after receiving the notice of intent described in
subparagraph (A), the Secretary fails to object to such
notice, the proposed project (or portion thereof) shall
be deemed as being outside the scope of the Secretary's
review and approval authority under subsection
(a)(16)(B).''.
SEC. 629. NEPA PURPOSE AND NEED STATEMENTS.
(a) In General.--To the extent that the FAA is the lead Federal
agency for preparation of an environmental impact statement or an
environmental assessment under provisions of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) where an action or approval
from more than one Federal agency is required, the FAA shall develop
its draft purpose and need statement for the project not later than 45
days after--
(1) the submission of the airport sponsor's appropriately
completed proposed purpose and need description; and
(2) any appropriately completed proposed revision to a
development project that affects the purpose and need
description previously prepared or accepted by the FAA.
(b) Assistance.--The Administrator shall provide all airport
sponsors with technical assistance in drafting purpose and need
statements and necessary supporting documentation for projects
involving Federal approvals from more than one Federal agency.
SEC. 630. PASSENGER FACILITY CHARGE STREAMLINING.
(a) In General.--Section 40117 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``The Secretary'' and
inserting ``Except as set forth in the
streamlining process described in subsection
(l), the Secretary''; and
(ii) by striking ``$1, $2, or $3'' and
inserting ``$1, $2, $3, $4, or $4.50'';
(B) by striking paragraph (4);
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (7) as
paragraphs (4) through (6), respectively;
(D) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking ``paragraphs (1) and (4)''
and inserting ``paragraph (1)''; and
(ii) by striking ``paragraph (1) or (4)''
and inserting ``paragraph (1)''; and
(E) in paragraph (6)(A), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking ``paragraphs (1), (4), and
(6)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (1) and (5)'';
and
(ii) by striking ``paragraph (1) or (4)''
and inserting ``paragraph (1)'';
(2) in subsection (e)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, or a
passenger facility charge imposition is authorized
under subsection (l)'' after ``of this section''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting
``reasonable'' after ``subject to''; and
(3) in subsection (l)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Pilot
Program for Passenger Facility Charge Authorizations''
and inserting ``Passenger Facility Charge
Streamlining'';
(B) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall prescribe
regulations to streamline the process for authorizing eligible
agencies for airports to impose passenger facility charges. An
eligible agency may impose a passenger facility charge of $1,
$2, $3, $4, or $4.50 in accordance with the provisions of this
subsection instead of using the procedures otherwise provided
in this section.'';
(C) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the
following:
``(4) Acknowledgment of receipt and indication of
objection.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall acknowledge
receipt of the notice and indicate any objection to the
imposition of a passenger facility charge under this
subsection for any project identified in the notice
within 30 days after receipt of the eligible agency's
notice.
``(B) Prohibited objection.--The Secretary may not
object to an eligible airport-related project that
received Federal financial assistance for airport
development, terminal development, airport planning, or
for the purposes of noise compatibility, provided that
the Federal financial assistance and passenger facility
charge collection (including interest and other returns
on the revenue) does not exceed the total cost of the
project.
``(C) Allowed objection.--The Secretary may only
object to the imposition of a passenger facility charge
under this subsection for a project that--
``(i) establishes significant policy
precedent;
``(ii) raises significant legal issues;
``(iii) garners significant controversy, as
evidenced by significant opposition to the
proposed action by the applicant or other
airport authorities, airport users,
governmental agencies, elected officials, or
communities;
``(iv) raises significant revenue
diversion, airport noise, or access issues,
including compliance with section 47111(e) or
subchapter II of chapter 475 of title 49,
United States Code; or
``(v) includes multimodal components.'';
(D) by striking paragraph (6); and
(E) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph
(6).
(b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall commence a
rulemaking to implement the amendments made by subsection (a).
(c) Interim Guidance.--The interim guidance established in FAA
Memorandum ``PFC 73-20. Streamlined Procedures for Passenger Facility
Charge (PFC) Authorizations at Small-, Medium-, and Large-Hub
Airports'' (issued January 22, 2020), as modified by subsection (a),
shall remain in effect until the effective date of the final rule
promulgated under subsection (b).
SEC. 631. USE OF PASSENGER FACILITY CHARGES FOR NOISE BARRIERS.
Section 40117(a)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(H) A project at a small hub airport for a noise
barrier where the day-night average sound level from
commercial, general aviation, or cargo operations is
expected to exceed 55 decibels as a result of new
airport development.''.
SEC. 632. AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEMS POLICY.
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this section,
the Administrator shall establish a process to collaborate with the
Director of the National Weather Service to expedite the Automated
Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) and the Service Life Extension Program
(SLEP) and ensure adequate spare parts and personnel are available for
timely response to outages.
SEC. 633. INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT IMPLEMENTATION.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall distribute
administrative funding to assist States participating in the State
block grant program in accordance with section 47128 of title 49,
United States Code, with program implementation of airport
infrastructure projects under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act (Public Law 117-58).
(b) Funding Source.--Administrative funds to States under this
section shall be distributed from the funds made available in the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for personnel, contracting, and
other costs to administer and oversee grants of the Airport
Infrastructure Grants, Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program, and
Airport Terminal Program.
(c) Administrative Funds.--With respect to administrative funds
made available for fiscal years 2022 through 2026--
(1) the amount of administrative funds available for
distribution under subsection (b) shall be an amount equal to a
percentage determined by the Secretary, but not less than 2
percent, of the annual allocations provided under the heading
``airport infrastructure grants'' under the heading ``Federal
Aviation Administration'' in title VIII of division J of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58; 135
Stat. 1416) to non-primary airports participating in the
State's block grant program each fiscal year of the Airport
Infrastructure Grant program;
(2) administrative funds distributed under subsection (b)
shall be used by such States to--
(A) administer and oversee, as outlined in the
Memorandum of Agreement or current agreements between
the FAA and the State, all airport grant program funds
provided under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act to non-primary airports participating in the
State's block grant program, whether through direct
allocation or through competitive selection; and
(B) carry out the public purposes of supporting
eligible and justified airport development and
infrastructure projects as provided in the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; and
(3) except as provided in subsection (d), such
administrative funds shall be distributed to such States
through a cooperative agreement executed between the State and
the FAA not later than December 1 of each fiscal year in which
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides airport
grant program funds.
(d) Initial Distribution.--With respect to administrative funds
made available for fiscal years 2022 and 2023, funds available as of
the date of enactment of this section shall be distributed to such
States through a cooperative agreement executed between the State and
the FAA not later than 30 days after such date of enactment.
(e) State Block Grant Program Amendment.--Section 47128 of title
49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Roles and Responsibilities of Participating States.--
``(1) Airports.--Unless a State participating in the
program 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 the program.
``(2) Program documentation.--Any grant agreement providing
funds to be administered under the program shall be consistent
with the most recently executed memorandum of agreement, as may
be amended, between the State and the Federal Aviation
Administration. 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 Federal Aviation
Administration itself would perform with respect to such action
if the State did not participate in the program.
``(3) Responsibilities.--The Federal Aviation
Administration 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 (Public Law 115-
254; 132 Stat. 3224), compatibility planning, and
airport layout plan review and approval for projects
not funded by amounts available under this subchapter.
``(E) Non-aeronautical and special event
recommendations and approval.
``(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.''.
SEC. 634. REPORT ON AIRPORT NOTIFICATIONS.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section,
the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report on the FAA's progress with respect to--
(1) collecting more accurate data in notices of
construction, alteration, activation, and deactivation of
airports as required under part 157 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations; and
(2) making the database under part 157 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations, more accurate and useful for aircraft
operators, particularly for helicopter and rotary wing type
aircraft operators.
SEC. 635. COASTAL AIRPORTS RESILIENCY STUDY.
(a) Study.--The Administrator shall work with the Administrator of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United
States Army Corps of Engineers to identify best practices for, and
study the feasibility of, improving resiliency of airports in coastal
or flood-prone areas.
(b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this section, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report
describing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a),
together with such recommendations for legislation or administrative
action as the Administrator determines appropriate.
SEC. 636. ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT INFRASTRUCTURE.
(a) Definitions.--Section 47102 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)(Q), as amended by section 601, by
striking ``improve the reliability and efficiency of the
airport's power supply'' and inserting ``increase energy
efficiency of the airport's power supply or meet current and
future power demand''; and
(2) in paragraph (5)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (C), the
following:
``(D) assessing current and future electrical power
demand.''.
(b) Meeting Current and Future Electrical Power Demand.--
(1) 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 do the following:
``(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
demand, including but not limited to--
``(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 to meet the
current and future electrical power demand as
identified in clause (i); and
``(B) conduct on-airport development to increase
energy efficiency or meet future electrical power
demands as identified in subparagraph (A)(i).
``(2) Reimburse the sponsor of each public-use airport that
conducts an assessment under paragraph (1)(A) for the costs
incurred in conducting the assessment to the extent those costs
are not otherwise covered under this subtitle.
``(b) Grants.--The Secretary may make grants from amounts made
available under section 48103 to assist sponsors of public-use airports
with respect to conducting--
``(1) an assessment described in subsection (a)(1)(A); and
``(2) an airport development project described in
subsection (a)(1)(B) following the completion of an assessment
described in subsection (a)(1)(A) or another assessment
acceptable to the Secretary.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The analysis for subchapter I of
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. 637. STUDY ON COMPETITION AND AIRPORT ACCESS.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
section, the Secretary shall report to the appropriate committees of
Congress--
(1) specific actions the Secretary and the Administrator,
using existing legal authority, can take to expand access for
lower cost passenger air carriers to capacity constrained
airports in the United States, including, but not limited to,
New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and New
York/Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR); and
(2) any additional legal authority the Secretary and the
Administrator require in order to make additional slots at JFK
and runway timings at EWR available to lower cost passenger air
carriers.
SEC. 638. REGIONAL AIRPORT CAPACITY STUDY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment
of this section, the Administrator shall initiate a study on the
following:
(1) Existing FAA policy and guidance that govern the siting
of new airports or the transition of general aviation airports
to commercial service.
(2) Ways that existing regulations and policies could be
streamlined to facilitate the development of new airport
capacity, particularly in high-demand air travel regions
looking to invest in new airport capacity.
(3) Whether Federal funding sources (existing as of the
date of enactment of this section) that are authorized by the
Secretary could be used for such purposes.
(4) Whether such Federal funding sources meet the needs of
the national airspace system for adding new airport capacity
outside of the commercial service airports in operation as of
the date of enactment of this section.
(5) If such Federal funding sources are determined by the
Administrator to be insufficient for the purposes described in
this subsection, an estimate of the funding gap.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this section, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report on the results of the study conducted
under subsection (a), together with recommendations for such
legislative or administrative action as the Administrator determines
appropriate.
(c) Guidance.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment
of this section, the Administrator shall revise FAA guidance to
incorporate the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a) to
assist airports and State and local departments of transportation in
increasing airport capacity to meet regional air travel demand.
SEC. 639. STUDY ON AUTONOMOUS AND ELECTRIC-POWERED TRACK SYSTEMS.
(a) Study.--The Administrator shall conduct a study to develop a
standard for autonomous and electric-powered track systems that--
(1) are located underneath the pavement at an airport; and
(2) allow a transport category aircraft to taxi without the
use of the main engines of the aircraft.
(b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this section, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report detailing the results of the study
conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations for such
legislation and administrative action as the Administrator determines
appropriate.
SEC. 640. 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 defined in section 47102
of title 49, United States Code) that is identified as
unclassified in the National Plan of Integrated Airport
Systems, 2023-2027 (as published under section 47103 of title
49, United States Code) may submit to the Secretary a request
to reclassify the airport according to the criteria used to
classify a public airport.
(2) Required information.--In submitting a request under
paragraph (1), the 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 FAA 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 transferring
the airport to 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, passes the eligibility
review performed under subsection (b).
(2) Corrective action plan.--
(A) In general.--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), the Secretary shall provide
notice of disapproval to such airport not later than 60
days after receiving the request under subsection
(a)(1), and such airport may resubmit to the Secretary
a reclassification request along with a corrective
action plan that--
(i) resolves any shortcomings identified in
such eligibility review; and
(ii) proves that any necessary corrective
action has been completed by the airport.
(B) Evaluation.--Not later than 60 days after
receiving a corrective action plan under subparagraph
(A), the Secretary shall grant the reclassification
request of any privately owned reliever airport if such
airport submits such corrective action plan to the
satisfaction of the Secretary.
(d) Effective Date.--The reclassification of any privately owned
reliever airport under this section shall take effect not later than--
(1) fiscal year 2025 for any request granted under
subsection (c)(1); and
(2) fiscal year 2026 for any request granted after the
submission of a corrective action plan under subsection (c)(2).
SEC. 641. GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT RUNWAY EXTENSION PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49, United
States Code, as amended by section 611(a), is amended by adding at the
end the following new section:
``Sec. 47147. General aviation program runway extension pilot program.
``(a) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall
establish a pilot program to provide grants to general aviation
airports to increase the usable runway length capability at such
airports in order to--
``(1) expand access to such airports for larger aircraft;
and
``(2) support the development and economic viability of
such airports.
``(b) Grants.--
``(1) In general.--For the purpose of carrying out the
pilot program established in subsection (a), the Secretary
shall make grants to not more than 2 sponsors of general
aviation airports per fiscal year.
``(2) Use of funds.--A sponsor of a general aviation
airport shall use a grant awarded under this section to plan,
design, or construct a project to extend an existing primary
runway by not greater than 1,000 feet to a sufficient length to
accommodate large turboprop or turbojet aircraft that cannot be
accommodated with the existing runway length.
``(3) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, a sponsor of a general aviation airport shall
submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such
form, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require.
``(4) Selection.--In selecting an applicant for a grant
under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize projects
that demonstrate that the existing runway length at the airport
is--
``(A) inadequate to support the near-term
operations of 1 or more business entities operating at
the airport as of the date of submission of such
application;
``(B) a direct aircraft operational impediment to
airport economic viability, job creation or retention,
or local economic development; and
``(C) not located within 20 miles of another
National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems airport
with comparable runway length.
``(c) Project Justification.--A project that demonstrates the
criteria described in subsection (b) shall be considered a justified
cost with respect to the pilot program, notwithstanding--
``(1) any benefit-cost analysis required under section
47115(d) of title 49, United States Code; or
``(2) a project justification determination described in
section 3 of chapter 3 of FAA Order 5100.38D, Airport
Improvement Program Handbook (dated September 30, 2014).
``(d) Federal Share.--The Government's share of allowable project
costs for a project carried out with a grant under this section shall
be the Government's share of allowable project costs specified under
section 47109.
``(e) Report to Congress.--Not later than 5 years after the
establishment of the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives a report that evaluates the pilot program,
including--
``(1) information regarding the level of applicant interest
in grants for increasing runway length;
``(2) the number of large aircraft that accessed each
general aviation airport that received a grant under the pilot
program in comparison to the number of such aircraft that
accessed the airport prior to the date of enactment of this
Act, based on data provided by the airport sponsor to the
Secretary not later than 6 months prior to the due date of such
report to Congress; and
``(3) a description, provided by the airport sponsor to the
Secretary not later than 6 months prior to the due date of such
report to Congress, of the economic development opportunities
supported by increasing the runway length at general aviation
airports.
``(f) Funding.--For each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, the
Secretary may use funds made available under section 48103 to carry out
this section.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for subchapter I of chapter
471 of such title, as amended by section 611(b), is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 47146 the following:
``47147. General aviation airport runway extension pilot program.''.
SEC. 642. APPLICABILITY OF SCREENING REQUIREMENTS.
Section 44901 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
``(m) Applicability of Screening Requirements.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Administration.--The term `Administration'
means the Transportation Security Administration.
``(B) Administrator.--The term `Administrator'
means the Administrator of the Transportation Security
Administration.
``(C) Applicable federal protective agency.--The
term `applicable Federal protective agency' means--
``(i) in the case of a Cabinet Member, the
executive agency assigned to provide protection
to the Cabinet Member;
``(ii) in the case of a Member of Congress,
the United States Capitol Police; and
``(iii) in the case of a Federal judge, the
United States Marshals Service.
``(D) Cabinet member.--The term `Cabinet Member'
means an individual who is the head (including an
acting head) of the Department of Agriculture,
Department of Commerce, Department of Defense,
Department of Education, Department of Energy,
Department of Health and Human Services, Department of
Homeland Security, Department of Housing and Urban
Development, Department of the Interior, Department of
Justice, Department of Labor, Department of State,
Department of Transportation, Department of the
Treasury, Department of Veterans Affairs, or any other
individual who occupies a position designated by the
President as a Cabinet-level position.
``(E) Commercial service airport.--The term
`commercial service airport'--
``(i) has the meaning given that term in
section 47102; and
``(ii) includes any airport at which the
Administration provides or contracts to provide
screening.
``(F) Covered person.--The term `covered person'
means a Federal judge, a Member of Congress, or a
Cabinet Member who, as determined by an applicable
Federal protective agency, currently is or previously
has been the subject of a threat, as determined by such
applicable Federal protective agency.
``(G) Family members.--The term `family members'
means a covered person's spouse and children.
``(H) Federal judge.--The term `Federal judge'
means a justice of the United States or a judge of the
United States, as those terms are defined in section
451 of title 28.
``(I) Member of congress.--The term `Member of
Congress' means a member of the Senate or the House of
Representatives, a Delegate to Congress, or the
Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.
``(J) Prohibited item.--The term `prohibited item'
means an item prohibited under section 1540.111 of
title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.
``(K) Staff members.--The term `staff members'
means up to 2 individuals who work for a covered
person.
``(L) Sterile area.--The term `sterile area' has
the meaning given that term in section 1540.5 of title
49, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
regulation.
``(2) Application of passenger and baggage screening
requirements.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), Members of
Congress, including the congressional leadership, the heads of
Federal agencies and commissions, including the Secretary of
Homeland Security, the Deputy Secretary, the Under Secretaries,
and the Assistant Secretaries of the Department of Homeland
Security, the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General,
the Assistant Attorneys General, and the United States
Attorneys, and senior members of the Executive Office of the
President, including the Director of the Office of Management
and Budget, shall not be exempt from Federal passenger and
baggage screening requirements at airports.
``(3) Safe airport travel specialized screening process.--
``(A) Request.--A covered person who is or will be
traveling through a commercial service airport, or the
covered person's designee, may request that the
applicable Federal protective agency make the
notification described in subparagraph (B). If a
covered person or the covered person's designee makes a
request described in this paragraph, the applicable
Federal protective agency shall make the notification
described in subparagraph (B) within 48 hours prior to
travel or as soon as practicable after the covered
person or the covered person's designee makes the
request, provided that the requirements of this
subsection shall apply regardless of the timing of such
notification.
``(B) Notification.--The notification described in
this paragraph is a notice to the Administrator that a
covered person is or will be traveling through a
commercial service airport. If a covered person's
family members, staff members, or both will be
traveling with the covered person, the notice shall
include that information. The Administrator shall
notify the appropriate personnel at the commercial
service airport. If necessary, the applicable Federal
protective agency shall notify personnel at the
appropriate air carrier.
``(C) Security escort.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (D)(ii), when the Administrator receives a
notification described in subparagraph (B), the
Administrator shall provide, or shall arrange for the
provision of, a security escort at a commercial service
airport for a covered person, and if applicable, any
family members and staff members of the covered person
traveling with the covered person, for the entirety of
the time that the covered person and any such family
members and staff members are at a commercial service
airport. The covered person and any family members and
staff traveling with the covered person shall be
required to possess acceptable forms of identification
for identity verification, and shall refrain from
possessing prohibited items in carry-on luggage or in
the sterile areas of the airport. The Administrator may
require the commercial service airport to provide the
security escort required by this paragraph. The escort
required by this paragraph shall be an individual
authorized by the Administrator to escort an individual
eligible for the specialized screening procedures under
this subsection.
``(D) Requirements.--
``(i) In general.--The security escort
required by subparagraph (C) shall escort the
covered person and, if applicable, any family
members and staff members of the covered person
traveling with the covered person, through a
commercial service airport without the
imposition of costs or other fees on the
covered person, or on any family members and
staff members traveling with the covered
person. The covered person and, if applicable,
any family members and staff members of the
covered person traveling with the covered
person, shall travel through the commercial
service airport with the security escort in
accordance with the specialized screening
procedures for an individual under protective
escort, in effect as of January, 1, 2024, in
lieu of the screening procedures described in
this section, and the airport security program
described under part 1542 of title 49, Code of
Federal Regulations.
``(ii) Limited exception.--If a covered
person has a security escort that is authorized
by the Administrator to escort the covered
person and, if applicable, any family members
and staff members of the covered person
traveling with the covered person, through the
commercial service airport with the security
escort in accordance with the specialized
screening procedures for an individual under
protective escort, in effect as of January 1,
2024, in lieu of the screening procedures
described in this section, and the airport
security program described under part 1542 of
title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, the
Administrator shall not be required to provide,
or arrange for the provision of, a security
escort under subparagraph (C) for the covered
person and, if applicable, any family members
and staff members of the covered person
traveling with the covered person, through the
commercial service airport.
``(E) Implementation.--Not later than 60 days after
the date of enactment of this subsection, the
Administrator shall conduct an assessment on the
impacts to the transportation security system,
including the staffing and resource needs, and update
or issue such guidance or advisory circulars as are
necessary to carry out this subsection.
``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as
may be necessary to carry out the provisions of paragraph (3),
including for reimbursements to owners or operators of
commercial service airports, local law enforcement, or other
law enforcement officers for the provision of security escorts.
``(5) Briefings.--The Administrator, in coordination with
the head of each applicable Federal protective agency and the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, shall
provide to the appropriate committees of Congress a briefing on
the implementation and ongoing use of the provisions of
paragraph (3), including staffing and resource needs, and the
procedures of the Administration for processing individuals
under protective escort upon the request of any such committee.
``(6) Coordination.--The Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration shall coordinate with the Administrator
and the heads of the applicable Federal protective agencies to
implement the requirements of this subsection, as appropriate.
``(7) Exemption revocation.--If prohibited items are
discovered on the property of, or on a covered person, or the
covered person's family members or staff members traveling with
the covered person, the Administrator may deny the covered
person and any family members and staff members of the covered
person traveling with the covered person specialized screening
under subsection (c).
``(8) Additional screening.--A covered person, and the
covered person's family members and staff members traveling
with the covered person, may be subject to a random screening
protocol or be required to undergo screening at a commercial
service airport if the Federal Security Director designated for
that airport under section 44933 believes that there is a risk
to the aviation system associated with the screening exemption
of such individual.
``(9) Certification from covered persons.--A covered person
shall certify to the Administration or the applicable Federal
protective agency that the covered person and the family
members and staff members traveling with the covered person do
not possess any prohibited items.''.
SEC. 643. ADDITIONAL PERMITTED USES OF PASSENGER FACILITY CHARGE
REVENUE.
Section 40117(a)(3) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by
section 631, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(I) A project for costs incurred in connection
with the relocation of a Federal agency on airport
grounds due to a terminal development or renovation
project at such airport, but such costs shall be
limited to the replacement of existing work space
elements (including any associated in-kind facility or
equipment within or immediately adjacent to such
terminal development or renovation project at such
airport) for which development costs are eligible costs
under this section.''.
SEC. 644. AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) Establishment.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall
establish a pilot program to provide competitive grants
to eligible airport sponsors for the planning, design,
and construction of projects that meet the requirements
described in subparagraph (B).
(B) Project requirements described.--The
requirements described in this subparagraph, with
respect to a project, are the following:
(i) The project is on airport property or
other property owned exclusively by the
eligible airport sponsor with good title and
without encumbrance, as described on an Airport
Layout Plan or included in the airport land
inventory in the case of properties remote from
the airport.
(ii) The project is for the exclusive
benefit of and use by the airport.
(iii) The project will reduce the
vulnerability of airport infrastructure to any
of the following:
(I) Long-term risks to the land
surface, subsurface, and atmosphere due
to changing conditions, such as
inundation caused by--
(aa) sea level rise;
(bb) permafrost thaw;
(cc) aridification; or
(dd) higher air
temperatures.
(II) Weather events and natural
disasters, such as severe storms,
flooding, high winds, drought,
wildfire, rockslides, mudslides, and
other slope instabilities, sinkholes,
tsunami, earthquakes, and extreme
weather, including extreme temperature
and precipitation.
(C) Eligible airport sponsor.--In this section, the
term ``eligible airport sponsor'' means a sponsor of an
airport that is included in the national plan of
integrated airport systems described in section 47103
of title 49, United States Code.
(D) Clarification.--Projects funded under the pilot
program under this section may be for new projects as
well as for making improvements to existing
infrastructure and may include the purchasing of
monitoring equipment or monitoring services.
(2) Consultation.--In establishing the pilot program under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
(A) engage in a public comment period; and
(B) consult with--
(i) the Administrator;
(ii) the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency;
(iii) The Administrator of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and
(iv) the Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(3) Requirements.--In awarding grants to eligible airport
sponsors under the pilot program under this section, the
Secretary shall only award a grant for a project that meets
each of the following requirements, as determined by the
Secretary:
(A) The project will reduce airport vulnerability
to changing conditions and extreme weather events.
(B) The project meets applicable engineering
standards, as defined by the Secretary.
(C) The anticipated benefits of the project are
supported by the best available scientific research and
analysis.
(D) The project meets other requirements determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
(4) Considerations.--In awarding grants to eligible airport
sponsors under the pilot program under this section, the
Secretary shall consider--
(A) whether the project includes natural
infrastructure, as defined in section 101 of title 23,
United States Code; and
(B) the potential for the project to mitigate the
airport's impact on the environment.
(5) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
the pilot program under this section, an eligible airport
sponsor shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such form, and containing such information as the
Secretary may require. Such information shall include a
preliminary description of how the proposed project is
projected to benefit and potentially impact both the airport
and the surrounding communities with regard to changing
conditions, weather events, and natural disasters.
(6) Reports to secretary.--An eligible airport sponsor that
is awarded a grant under the pilot program under this section
shall submit to the Secretary periodic reports on the use of
the funds. Such reports shall be submitted at such time, in
such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require.
(b) Distribution to Smaller Airports.--In conducting the pilot
program under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that not less
than 25 percent of the funds made available under subsection (f) are
used to award grants to eligible airport sponsors of small hub
airports, nonhub airports, airports that are not a primary airport, and
reliever airports, as such terms are defined in section 47102 of title
49, United States Code.
(c) Federal Share.--The United States Government's share of
allowable project costs for a project carried out with a grant under
the pilot program shall be the United States Government's share of
allowable project costs specified under section 47109 of title 49,
United States Code.
(d) Requirements.--Projects carried out, in whole or in part, with
grants under the pilot program under this section shall be subject to
the requirements under section 47112 of title 49, United States Code.
(e) Report to Congress.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the
Secretary first awards a grant under the pilot program under
this section, and annually thereafter for as long as the
Secretary is conducting the pilot program under this section,
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Environment
and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report that evaluates the pilot program
established under this section. Each such report shall
include--
(A) a description of each project funded under the
pilot program, including the vulnerabilities it
addresses;
(B) a description of the applications under the
pilot program;
(C) recommendations to improve the administration
of the pilot program, including whether consultation
with additional or fewer agencies to carry out the
pilot program is appropriate and whether additional
appropriation levels are appropriate;
(D) a description of the period required to
disburse grant funds to eligible airport sponsors,
including the time needed for Federal coordination; and
(E) other items determined appropriate by the
Secretary.
(2) Public availability.--The Secretary shall post each
report submitted under paragraph (1) on the public internet
website of the Department of Transportation.
(f) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary $300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to
carry out this section. Such sums shall remain available until
expended.
SEC. 645. PROHIBITION ON PROVISION OF AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT GRANT FUNDS
TO CERTAIN ENTITIES THAT HAVE VIOLATED INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY RIGHTS OF UNITED STATES ENTITIES.
(a) In General.--During the period beginning on the date that is 30
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, amounts provided as
project grants under subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49, United
States Code, may not be used to enter into a contract described in
subsection (b) with any entity on the list required by subsection (c).
(b) Contract Described.--A contract described in this subsection is
a contract or other agreement for the procurement of infrastructure or
equipment for a passenger boarding bridge at an airport.
(c) List Required.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, and thereafter as required by paragraph
(2), the United States Trade Representative, the Attorney
General, and the Administrator shall make available to the
Administrator a publicly-available list of entities
manufacturing airport passenger boarding infrastructure or
equipment that--
(A) are owned, directed by, or subsidized in whole
or in part by the People's Republic of China;
(B) 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;
(C) own or control, are owned or controlled by, are
under common ownership or control with, or are
successors to, an entity described in subparagraph (A);
(D) own or control, are under common ownership or
control with, or are successors to, an entity described
in subparagraph (A); or
(E) have entered into an agreement with or accepted
funding from, whether in the form of minority
investment interest or debt, have entered into a
partnership with, or have entered into another
contractual or other written arrangement with, an
entity described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Updates to list.--The United States Trade
Representative shall update the list required by paragraph (1),
based on information provided by the Attorney General and the
Administrator--
(A) not less frequently than every 90 days during
the 180-day period following the initial publication of
the list under paragraph (1); and
(B) not less frequently than annually thereafter.
(d) Definitions.--In this section, the definitions in section 47102
of title 49, United States Code, shall apply.
SEC. 646. ENSURING THAT CERTAIN PROJECTS RELATED TO NATURAL HAZARDS AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING UNDER THE
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION'S AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM.
(a) Intermodal Planning.--Section 47101(g) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), in the second sentence, by inserting
``(including long-term resilience from the impact of natural
hazards and severe weather events)'' after ``environmental'';
and
(2) in paragraph (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 new
subparagraph:
``(E) consider the impact of hazardous weather
events on long-term operational resilience.''.
(b) Definition of Airport Development.--Section 47102(3) of title
49, United States Code, as amended by section 601, is amended by adding
at the end the following new subparagraphs:
``(W) improvements, supported by planning or
resiliency studies, or planning for improvements, of
primary runways, taxiways, and aprons necessary at an
airport to increase operational resilience to prepare
the airport for resuming or maintaining flight
operations in the event of an earthquake, flooding,
high water, sea level rise, a hurricane, a tropical
storm, a cyclone, storm surge, a tidal wave, a tornado,
a tsunami, wind driven water, wildfire, land
instability, or a winter storm.
``(X)(i) in the case of an airport that meets each
of the requirements described in clause (ii)--
``(I) planning for disaster preparedness
associated with maintaining airport operations
during a natural disaster;
``(II) acquiring airport communication
equipment and fixed emergency generators that
are not eligible for funding under programs
funded under the Department of Homeland
Security; and
``(III) constructing, expanding, or
improving airfield infrastructure to include
aprons and terminal buildings the Secretary of
Transportation determines will facilitate
disaster response at the airport.
``(ii) The requirements described in this clause
are the following:
``(I) The airport and the facilities and
fixed-based operators on, or connected with,
the airport are operated and maintained in a
manner the Secretary of Transportation
considers suitable for disaster relief. An
airport shall not be considered as failing to
meet the requirement under the preceding
sentence if a runway is unusable because the
runway is under scheduled maintenance or is in
need of necessary repairs.
``(II) The airport has developed an
emergency natural disaster management plan in
coordination with State and local officials.''.
SEC. 647. VISUAL WEATHER OBSERVATION SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment
of this section, the Administrator shall finalize research of VWOS and
develop standard operation specifications for operator use.
(b) Deployment.--Not later than 180 days after completing the tasks
required by subsection (a), the Administrator shall begin deployment of
VWOS at locations in the non-contiguous States with instrument flight
rules operations where AWOS or ASOS do not exist.
(c) Modifications.--Upon the request of an aircraft operator, the
Administrator shall issue or modify the standard operation
specifications for VWOS developed under subsection (a) to allow VWOS to
be used to satisfy the requirements for supplemental noncertified local
weather observations under section 322 of the FAA Reauthorization Act
of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44720 note).
(d) Report.--Not later than September 30, 2028, the Administrator
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the
implementation of this section.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) ASOS.--The term ``ASOS'' means an Automated Surface
Observing System.
(2) AWOS.--The term ``AWOS'' means an Automated Weather
Observation System.
(3) VWOS.--The term ``VWOS'' means a Visual Weather
Observation System.
SEC. 648. TRANSFERS OF AIR TRAFFIC SYSTEMS ACQUIRED WITH AIP FUNDING.
Section 44502(e) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``An airport'' and
inserting ``Subject to paragraph (4), an airport in a non-
contiguous State'';
(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 new
subparagraph:
``(D) a Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System
with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(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 air traffic 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. 649. 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 shall consider selecting projects at
small hub commercial service airports with control towers that are at
least 50 years old.
SEC. 650. CODIFICATION OF FAA NOTICE OF POLICY RELATING TO ADDRESSING
DISPUTED CHANGES OF SPONSORSHIP AT FEDERALLY OBLIGATED,
PUBLICLY OWNED AIRPORTS.
The notice of policy of the FAA entitled ``Notice of Policy on
Evaluating Disputed Changes of Sponsorship at Federally Obligated
Airports'' (81 Fed. Reg. 36144 (June 6, 2016)) is enacted into law.
SEC. 651. ELIGIBLE REVENUE-PRODUCING FACILITIES AT RURAL PUBLIC-USE
GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORTS.
The Administrator shall not restrict funding for eligible revenue-
producing facilities at rural public use general aviation airports. Any
such facilities shall be identified in the airport's master plan.
SEC. 652. INCREASING THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF AIRPORT POWER SOURCES.
(a) In General.--Section 47140 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting after the first
sentence the following new sentence: ``To the maximum extent
practicable, the Secretary shall provide technical assistance
to the sponsor of each public-use airport to consider the
ability of electrochromic glass to maximize energy efficiency
and peak load savings.''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``that will increase
energy efficiency at the airport'' and inserting ``that will
maximize increases in energy efficiency and peak load savings
at the airport''.
(b) Airport Development Definition.--Section 47102(3)(P) of title
49, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``, electrochromic
glass (as defined in section 1009 of the Energy Policy Act of 2020
(Public Law 116-260; 134 Stat. 2438)),'' after ``electrical
generators''.
TITLE VII--AIR SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS
Subtitle A--Consumer Enhancements
SEC. 701. ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION.
(a) Extension.--Section 411(h) of the FAA Modernization and Reform
Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) is amended by striking ``March
8, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30, 2028''.
(b) Additional Members.--Section 411(b) of the FAA Modernization
and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) foreign air carriers;
``(6) nonprofit public interest groups with expertise in
disability and accessibility matters; and
``(7) ticket agents.''.
SEC. 702. REFUNDS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 423 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 42304 the following:
``Sec. 42305. Refunds for cancelled or significantly delayed or changed
flights
``(a) In General.--In the case of a passenger that holds a
nonrefundable ticket on a scheduled flight to, from, or within the
United States, an air carrier or a foreign air carrier shall, upon
request of the passenger, promptly provide a full refund, including any
taxes and ancillary fees, for the fare such carrier collected for any
cancelled flight or significantly delayed or changed flight where the
passenger chooses not to--
``(1) fly on the significantly delayed or changed flight or
accept rebooking on an alternative flight; or
``(2) accept any voucher, credit, or other form of
compensation offered by the air carrier or foreign air carrier
pursuant to subsection (c).
``(b) Timing of Refund.--Any refund required under subsection (a)
shall be issued by the air carrier or foreign air carrier--
``(1) in the case of a ticket purchased with a credit card,
not later than 7 business days after the request for the
refund; or
``(2) in the case of a ticket purchased with cash or
another form of payment, not later than 20 days after the
request for the refund.
``(c) Alternative to Refund.--An air carrier and a foreign air
carrier may offer a voucher, credit, or other form of compensation as
an alternative to providing a refund required by subsection (a) but
only if--
``(1) the offer includes a clear and conspicuous notice
of--
``(A) the terms of the offer; and
``(B) the passenger's right to a full refund under
this section; and
``(2) the voucher, credit, or other form of compensation
remains valid and redeemable by the consumer for a period of at
least 5 years from the date on which the voucher, credit, or
other form of compensation is issued.
``(d) Significantly Delayed or Changed Flight.--In defining
`significantly delayed or changed flight' for purposes of this section,
the Secretary shall ensure that such term includes, at a minimum, a
flight where the passenger arrives at a destination airport--
``(1) in the case of a domestic flight, 3 or more hours
after the original scheduled arrival time; and
``(2) in the case of an international flight, 6 or more
hours after the original scheduled arrival time.
``(e) Application to Ticket Agents.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation
shall issue a final rule to apply refund requirements to ticket agents
in the case of cancelled flights and significantly delayed or changed
flights.
``Sec. 42306. Refund portal
``(a) In General.--Not later than the date that is 270 days after
the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation
shall require covered entities to prominently display at the top of the
homepage of the covered entity's public internet website a link that
passengers eligible for a refund may use to request a refund.
``(b) Covered Entity Defined.--In this subsection, the term
`covered entity' means--
``(1) an air carrier or foreign air carrier that provides
scheduled passenger air transportation by operating an aircraft
that as originally designed has a passenger capacity of 30 or
more seats; and
``(2) a ticket agent that sells scheduled passenger service
on an aircraft that as originally designed has a passenger
capacity of 30 or more seats.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 423 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 42304 the following:
``42305. Refunds for cancelled or significantly delayed or changed
flights.
``42306. Refund Portal.''.
SEC. 703. AIRLINE PASSENGER RIGHTS TRANSPARENCY ACT.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Air travel is an essential part of modern life, and
passengers have certain rights and protections under the law.
(2) Passengers are often not aware of such rights and
protections under the law.
(3) To address this problem, airports, air carriers, and
foreign air carriers must provide clear and concise information
regarding passenger rights in a manner that is easily
accessible and understandable to all passengers.
(b) Transparency Requirements.--
(1) Consumer complaints.--Section 42302 of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(f) Notice to Passengers on Electronic Flight Itinerary Ticket
Confirmation.--Each air carrier and foreign air carrier shall provide
on any electronic flight itinerary ticket confirmation issued by the
carrier a link to the Aviation Consumer Protection website and the Air
Travel Service Complaint or Comment Form website of the Department of
Transportation.''.
(2) Know your rights posters.--
(A) In general.--Chapter 423 of title 49, United
States Code, as amended by section 703(a), is amended
by inserting after section 42306 the following:
``Sec. 42307. Know your rights posters
``(a) In General.--Each large hub airport, medium hub airport, and
small hub airport (as such terms are defined in section 40102) with
scheduled passenger service shall prominently display posters that
clearly and concisely outline the rights of airline passengers under
Federal law with respect to, at a minimum--
``(1) flight delays and cancellations;
``(2) refunds;
``(3) bumping of passengers from flights and the oversale
of flights; and
``(4) lost, delayed, or damaged baggage.
``(b) Location.--Such posters shall be displayed in conspicuous
locations throughout the airport, including ticket counters, security
checkpoints, and boarding gates.
``(c) Accessibility Assistance.--Each large hub airport, medium hub
airport, and small hub airport (as such terms are defined in section
40102) with scheduled passenger service shall ensure that passengers
with a disability (as defined in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations) who identify themselves as such are notified of
the availability of accessibility assistance and shall assist such
passengers in connecting to the appropriate entities to obtain the same
information required in this section that is provided to other
passengers.''.
(B) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter
423 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by
section 703(b), is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 42306 the following:
``42307. Know your rights posters.''.
(3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section.
SEC. 704. DISCLOSURE OF ANCILLARY FEES.
(a) Flexibility.--
(1) In general.--In determining whether a practice is an
unfair or deceptive practice under section 41712 of title 49,
United States Code, with respect to the disclosure of ancillary
fees, the Secretary, shall provide air carriers, foreign air
carriers, and ticket agents with the flexibility to develop the
manner in which such information is transmitted to consumers as
long as such information (consistent with the objective of
assuring that consumers are provided with usable, current, and
accurate information on critical ancillary fees in a format
that the consumer can easily compare multiple flight options)
is--
(A) presented to the consumer in a reasonable and
transparent manner prior to booking; and
(B) displayed in a format that assists the consumer
in making more informed decisions.
(2) Critical ancillary fees defined.--For purposes of
paragraph (1), the term ``critical ancillary fees'' means--
(A) fees for--
(i) the first and second checked bag of an
airline passenger;
(ii) one carry-on bag of an airline
passenger;
(iii) changing or canceling a reservation;
and
(iv) adjacent seating when traveling with a
child that is 13 years of age or younger; and
(B) any other fees for ancillary services that are
identified by the Secretary in the rule finalizing the
proposed rule published by the Secretary on March 3,
2023, and titled ``Enhancing Transparency of Airline
Ancillary Service Fees'' (88 Fed. Reg. 13389) as being
critical to consumers in choosing among air
transportation options.
(b) Ticket Agents.--The Secretary shall not find that a ticket
agent is out of compliance with a requirement in the final rule
described in subsection (a)(2)(B) with respect to the disclosure of
critical ancillary fees if the Secretary determines that such
noncompliance is due to the failure of an air carrier or foreign air
carrier to provide the ticket agent with the information required to
comply with such requirement.
SEC. 705. ACCESS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSISTANCE FOR ALL TRAVELERS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) In the event of a cancelled or delayed flight, it is
important for customers to be able to easily access information
about the status of their flight and any alternative flight
options.
(2) During a period of mass cancellations, customers may be
unable to easily connect, either in-person or through a toll-
free customer service phone number, with a customer service
representative of an air carrier.
(3) While many air carriers have robust online and smart
phone application chat resources, many customers may not have
access to those resources, and customers often have time-
sensitive questions that cannot be answered through an
automated service or website.
(4) Not all customers of air carriers are able to easily
use online and chat resources.
(5) Customers should be able to access real-time assistance
from customer service agents of air carriers without an
excessive wait time, particularly during times of mass
disruptions.
(b) Transparency Requirements.--
(1) Requirement to maintain a live customer chat or
monitored text messaging number.--Chapter 423 of title 49,
United States Code, as amended by section 704(b), is amended by
inserting after section 42307 the following:
``Sec. 42308. Requirement to maintain a live customer chat or monitored
text messaging number
``(a) Requirement.--
``(1) In general.--A covered air carrier that operates a
domestic or international flight to, from, or within the United
States shall, in addition to maintaining a toll-free customer
service telephone line, maintain a live customer chat or
monitored text messaging number that enables customers to speak
to a live agent directly.
``(2) Provision of services.--The services required under
subsection (a) shall be provided to customers without charge
for the use of such services, and shall be available in real
time and on a 24 hour/7 days a week basis.
``(b) Rulemaking Authority.--The Secretary shall promulgate such
rules as may be necessary to carry out this section.
``(c) Covered Air Carrier Defined.--In this section, the term
`covered air carrier' means an air carrier that provides scheduled
passenger air transportation by operating an aircraft that as
originally designed has a passenger capacity of 30 or more seats.
``(d) Effective Date.--Beginning on the date that is 120 days after
the date of enactment of this section, a covered air carrier shall
comply with the requirement specified in subsection (b) without regard
to whether the Secretary has promulgated any rules to carry out this
section as of the date that is 120 days after such date of
enactment.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 423 of
title 49, United States Code, as amended by section 704(b), is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 42307
the following:
``42308. Requirement to maintain a live customer chat or monitored text
messaging number.''.
SEC. 706. FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMS AND VOUCHERS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 423 of title 49, United States Code, as
amended by section 706(b), is amended by inserting after section 42308
the following new section:
``Sec. 42309. Frequent flyer programs
``(a) Reduction in Benefits.--An air carrier may not reduce or
devalue the benefits, rewards, points, or other accrued value of an
existing account holder of a frequent flyer program unless the air
carrier provides such account holder not less than 90 days notice of
such reduction or devaluation.
``(b) Expiration of Benefits.--
``(1) Initial notification.--Upon the issuance of any
flight voucher or flight credit, an air carrier or ticket
agent, where applicable, shall notify the recipient of such
voucher or credit of the expiration date of the voucher or
credit. The air carrier or ticket agent, where applicable and
upon request by an individual who self-identifies as having a
disability (as defined in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations), shall provide such notification in an
electronic format that is accessible to the recipient.
``(2) Subsequent notification.--Not less than 30 days
before the expiration date of any flight voucher or flight
credit issued by an air carrier or ticket agent, the air
carrier or ticket agent shall make a reasonable attempt to
notify the recipient of such voucher or credit of the
expiration date of the voucher or credit.
``(c) Definition of Frequent Flyer Program.--In this section, the
term `frequent flyer program' means a program in which an air carrier
promises or offers benefits, rewards, points, or other accrued value
for tickets purchased from the air carrier.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 423 of such
title, as amended by section 706(b), is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 42308 the following:
``42309. Frequent flyer programs.''.
SEC. 707. AIRLINE CUSTOMER SERVICE DASHBOARDS.
(a) Dashboards.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 423 of title 49, United States
Code, as amended by section 707(a), is amended by inserting
after section 42309 the following:
``Sec. 42310. DOT airline customer service dashboards
``(a) Requirement to Establish and Maintain Publicly Available
Dashboards.--The Secretary of Transportation (in this section referred
to as the `Secretary') shall establish, maintain, and make publicly
available, the following online dashboards for purposes of keeping
aviation consumers informed with respect to certain policies of, and
services provided by, large air carriers (as defined by the Secretary)
to the extent that such policies or services exceed what is required by
Federal law:
``(1) Delay and cancellation dashboard.--A dashboard that
displays information regarding the services and compensation
provided by each large air carrier to mitigate any passenger
inconvenience caused by a delay or cancellation due to
circumstances in the control of such carrier. The website on
which such dashboard is displayed shall explain the
circumstances under which a delay or cancellation is not due to
circumstances in the control of the large air carrier (such as
a delay or cancellation due to a weather event or an
instruction from the Federal Aviation Administration Air
Traffic Control System Command Center).
``(2) Family seating dashboard.--A dashboard that displays
information regarding which large air carriers guarantee that
each child shall be seated adjacent to an adult accompanying
the child without charging any additional fees.
``(3) Seat size dashboard.--A dashboard that displays
information regarding aircraft seat size for each large air
carrier, including the pitch, width, and length of a seat in
economy class for the aircraft models and configurations most
commonly flown by such carrier.
``(b) Accessibility Requirement.--In developing the dashboards
required in subsection (a), the Secretary shall, in order to ensure the
dashboards are accessible and contain pertinent information for
passengers with disabilities, consult with the Air Carrier Access Act
Advisory Committee, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers
Compliance Board, and any other relevant department or agency to
determine appropriate accessibility standards, as well as with
disability advocacy entities, including nonprofit organizations focused
on ensuring that individuals with disabilities (as defined in section
382.3, title 14, Code of Federal Regulations) are able to live and
participate in their communities.
``(c) Bureau of Transportation Statistics.--
``(1) ATCSCC delays.--Not later than 30 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Director of the Bureau of
Transportation Statistics shall update the reporting framework
of the Bureau to create a new `cause of delay' category that
identifies and tracks information on delays and cancellations
of air carriers (as defined in section 40102) that are due to
instructions from the Federal Aviation Administration Air
Traffic Control System Command Center.
``(2) Family seating complaints.--Not later than 30 days
after the date of enactment of this section, the Director of
the Bureau of Transportation Statistics shall update the
reporting framework of the Bureau to create a new category to
identify and track information on complaints related to family
seating.
``(d) Air Travel Consumer Report.--
``(1) ATCSCC delays.--Not later than 30 days after the date
on which the Director of the Bureau of Transportation
Statistics updates the reporting framework under subsection
(c)(1), the Secretary shall include information on delays and
cancellations that are due to instructions from the Federal
Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control System Command
Center in the Air Travel Consumer Report issued by the Office
of Aviation Consumer Protection of the Department of
Transportation.
``(2) Family seating complaints.--Not later than 30 days
after the date on which the Director of the Bureau of
Transportation Statistics updates the reporting framework under
subsection (c)(2), the Secretary shall include information on
complaints related to family seating in the Air Travel Consumer
Report issued by the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection of
the Department of Transportation and on the family seating
dashboard required by subsection (a)(2).
``(e) Provision of Information.--Each large air carrier shall
provide to the Secretary such information as the Secretary requires to
carry out this section.''.
(2) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish each of
the online dashboards required by section 42310(a) of title 49,
United States Code, not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this section.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 423 of title 49,
United States Code, as amended by section 707(b), is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 42309 the following:
``42310. DOT airline customer service dashboards.''.
SEC. 708. ANNUAL BRIEFINGS ON DISRUPTIONS OF PASSENGER AIR
TRANSPORTATION AND PERIODS OF MASS CANCELLATIONS OF
SCHEDULED FLIGHTS.
Section 106(g) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Annually, (and more frequently as needed) 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 following:
``(A) The efforts, activities, objectives, and
plans of the Administration in continuing to address
ongoing concerns about passenger protections during
operational meltdowns of air carriers and foreign air
carriers.
``(B) The efforts of the Administration to engage
with Congress and the public on issues related to
operational meltdowns of air carriers and foreign air
carriers.''.
SEC. 709. ENHANCING CHILD SAFETY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of this section, the Administrator shall issue new or revised guidance
that provides testing standards to allow for the use of a child
restraint system on a covered aircraft that meets such testing
standards, without regard to whether such child restraint system also
meets the standards set forth in section 571.213 of title 49, Code of
Federal Regulations.
(b) Covered Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the term ``covered
aircraft'' means an aircraft that, as originally designed, has a
passenger capacity of 30 or more seats.
SEC. 710. CODIFICATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION PROVISIONS.
(a) Section 429 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.--
(1) In general.--Section 429 of the FAA Reauthorization Act
of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 42301 note prec.) is amended--
(A) by transferring such section to appear after
section 41726 of title 49, United States Code;
(B) by redesignating such section as section 41727
of such title 49; and
(C) by amending the section heading of such section
to read as follows:
``Sec. 41727. Passenger Rights''.
(2) Technical amendment.--Section 41727 of title 49, United
States Code, as transferred and redesignated by paragraph (1),
is amended, in subsection (a), by striking ``Not later than 90
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary''
and inserting ``The Secretary''.
(b) Section 434 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.--
(1) In general.--Section 434 of the FAA Reauthorization Act
of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 41705 note) is amended--
(A) by transferring such section to appear after
section 41727 of title 49, United States Code, as
transferred and redesignated by subsection (a)(1);
(B) by redesignating such section 434 as section
41728 of such title 49; and
(C) by amending the section heading of such section
41728 to read as follows:
``Sec. 41728. Airline passengers with disabilities bill of rights''.
(2) Technical amendment.--Section 41728 of title 49, United
States Code, as transferred and redesignated by paragraph (1),
is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``the section
41705'' and inserting ``section 41705'';
(B) in subsection (c), by striking ``the date of
enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``the date of
enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018''; and
(C) in subsection (f), by striking ``ensure
employees'' and inserting ``ensure that employees''.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 417 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``41727. Passenger rights.
``41728. Airline passengers with disabilities bill of rights.''.
SEC. 711. GAO STUDY ON COMPETITION AND CONSOLIDATION IN THE AIR CARRIER
INDUSTRY.
(a) Study.--The Comptroller General shall conduct a study assessing
competition and consolidation in the United States air carrier
industry. Such study shall include an assessment of--
(1) the history of mergers in the United States air carrier
industry, including whether any claimed efficiencies have been
realized;
(2) the effect of consolidation in the United States air
carrier industry, if any, on consumers;
(3) the effect of consolidation in the United States air
carrier industry, if any, on air transportation service in
small and rural markets; and
(4) the current state of competition in the United States
air carrier industry as of the date of enactment of this
section.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this section, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report containing the results of the study
conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations for such
legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General
determines appropriate.
SEC. 712. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON THE OPERATIONAL PREPAREDNESS OF AIR
CARRIERS FOR PREPARING FOR CHANGING WEATHER AND OTHER
EVENTS RELATED TO CHANGING CONDITIONS AND NATURAL
HAZARDS.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Comptroller General shall study and
assess the operational preparedness of air carriers for
preparing for changing weather and other events related to
changing conditions and natural hazards, including flooding,
extreme heat, changes in precipitation, storms, including
winter storms, coastal storms, tropical storms, and hurricanes,
and fire conditions.
(2) Requirements.--As part of the study required by
paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall assess the
following:
(A) The extent to which air carriers are preparing
for weather events and natural disasters, as well as
changing conditions and natural hazards, that may
impact air carriers' operational investments, staffing
levels and safety policies, mitigation strategies, and
other resiliency planning.
(B) How the FAA oversees air carriers' operational
resilience to storms and natural disasters, as well as
changing conditions.
(C) Steps the Federal Government and air carriers
can take to improve their operational resilience to
storms and natural disasters, as well as changing
conditions.
(b) Briefing and Report.--
(1) Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall brief
the appropriate committees of Congress on the study required by
subsection (a), together with recommendations for such
legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller
General determines appropriate.
(2) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the briefing
required by paragraph (1) is provided, the Comptroller General
shall submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress
on the study required by subsection (a), together with
recommendations for such legislation and administrative action
as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.
(c) Definition of Air Carrier.--In this section, the term ``air
carrier'' has the meaning given that term in section 40102 of title 49,
United States Code.
SEC. 713. INCREASE IN CIVIL PENALTIES.
(a) In General.--Section 46301(a)(1) of title 49, United States
Code, is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``$25,000'' and inserting ``$75,000''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to violations occurring on or after the date of enactment.
(c) Conforming Regulations.--The Secretary shall revise such
regulations as necessary to conform to the amendment made by subsection
(a).
SEC. 714. FAMILY SEATING.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary 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 seat 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. 715. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION.
Section 102 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (e)(1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``7'' and inserting ``8''; and
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and an
Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy'' and
inserting ``an Assistant Secretary for Transportation
Policy, and an Assistant Secretary for Aviation
Consumer Protection''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(j) Office of Aviation Consumer Protection.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the
Department an Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (referred
to in this subsection as the `Office') to administer and
enforce the aviation consumer protection and civil rights
authorities provided to the Department by statute, including
those under section 41712--
``(A) to assist, educate, and protect passengers;
and
``(B) to monitor compliance with, conduct
investigations relating to, and enforce, including by
taking appropriate action to address violations of,
aviation consumer protection, civil rights, and
aviation economic requirements.
``(2) Leadership.--The Office shall be headed by the
Assistant Secretary for Aviation Consumer Protection (referred
to in this subsection as the `Assistant Secretary').
``(3) Transition.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this subsection, the Office of Aviation
Consumer Protection that is a unit within the Office of the
General Counsel of the Department which is headed by the
Assistant General Counsel for Aviation Consumer Protection,
shall cease to exist. The Department shall determine which
employees are necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the
new Office of Aviation Consumer Protection and those employees
shall be transferred from the Office of the General Counsel as
appropriate to the newly established Office of Aviation
Consumer Protection. To the extent the Office of the General
Counsel retains any attorney or hires any new attorney to
advise the newly established Office of Aviation Consumer
Protection, those attorneys will be located in the remaining
offices within the Office of the General Counsel.
``(4) Coordination.--The Assistant Secretary shall
coordinate with the General Counsel appointed under subsection
(e)(1)(E), in accordance with section 1.26 of title 49, Code of
Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), on all legal
matters relating to--
``(A) aviation consumer protection; and
``(B) the duties and activities of the Office
described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph
(1).
``(5) Annual report.--The Assistant Secretary shall submit
to the Secretary, who shall submit to Congress and make
publicly available on the website of the Department, an annual
report that, with respect to matters under the jurisdiction of
the Department, or otherwise within the statutory authority of
the Department--
``(A) analyzes trends in aviation consumer
protection, civil rights, and licensing;
``(B) identifies major challenges facing
passengers; and
``(C) addresses any other relevant issues, as the
Assistant Secretary determines to be appropriate.
``(6) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated
$12,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, $13,000,000 for fiscal year
2025, $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, $15,000,000 for fiscal
year 2027, and $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.''.
SEC. 716. 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. 717. ADDITIONAL WITHIN AND BEYOND PERIMETER SLOT EXEMPTIONS AT
RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT.
(a) Increase in Number of Slot Exemptions.--Section 41718 of title
49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
``(i) Additional Slot Exemptions.--
``(1) Increase in slot exemptions.--Not later than 60 days
after the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of
2024, the Secretary shall grant, by order, 10 exemptions from--
``(A) the application of sections 49104(a)(5),
49109, and 41714 to air carriers to operate limited
frequencies and aircraft on routes between Ronald
Reagan Washington National Airport and domestic
airports located within or beyond the perimeter
described in section 49109; and
``(B) the requirements of subparts K, S, and T of
part 93, of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
``(2) Non-limited incumbents.--Of the slot exemptions made
available under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make 8
available to incumbent air carriers qualifying for status as a
non-limited incumbent carrier at Ronald Reagan Washington
National Airport as of the date of enactment of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2024.
``(3) Limited incumbents.--Of the slot exemptions made
available under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make 2
available to incumbent air carriers qualifying for status as a
limited incumbent carrier at Ronald Reagan Washington National
Airport as of the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization
Act of 2024.
``(4) Allocation procedures.--The Secretary shall allocate
the 10 slot exemptions provided under paragraph (1) pursuant to
the application process established by the Secretary under
subsection (d), subject to the following:
``(A) Limitations.--Each air carrier that is
eligible under paragraph (2) and paragraph (3) shall be
eligible to operate no more and no less than 2 of the
newly authorized slot exemptions.
``(B) Criteria.--The Secretary shall consider the
extent to which the exemptions will--
``(i) enhance options for nonstop travel to
beyond-perimeter airports that do not have
nonstop service from Ronald Reagan Washington
National Airport as of the date of enactment of
the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024; or
``(ii) have a positive impact on the
overall level of competition in the markets
that will be served as a result of those
exemptions.
``(5) Prohibition.--
``(A) In general.--The Metropolitan Washington
Airports Authority may not assess any penalty or
similar levy against an individual air carrier solely
for obtaining and operating a slot exemption authorized
under this subsection.
``(B) Rule of construction.--Subparagraph (A) shall
not be construed as prohibiting the Metropolitan
Washington Airports Authority from assessing and
collecting any penalty, fine, or other levy, such as a
handling fee or landing fee, that is--
``(i) authorized by the Metropolitan
Washington Airports Regulations;
``(ii) agreed to in writing by the air
carrier; or
``(iii) charged in the ordinary course of
business to an air carrier operating at Ronald
Reagan Washington National Airport regardless
of whether or not the air carrier obtained a
slot exemption authorized under this
subsection.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 41718(c)(2)(A) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by striking ``and (b)'' and inserting
``, (b), and (i)''; and
(2) in clause (ii), by striking ``and (g)'' and inserting
``(g), and (i)''.
(c) Preservation of Existing Within Perimeter Service.--Nothing in
this section, or the amendments made by this section, shall be
construed as authorizing the conversion of a within-perimeter exemption
or slot at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that is in effect
on the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 to
serve an airport located beyond the perimeter described in section
49109 of title 49, United States Code.
Subtitle B--Accessibility
SEC. 731. EXTENSION OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE AIR TRAVEL NEEDS
OF PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES.
Section 439(g) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C.
41705 note) is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting
``September 30, 2028''.
SEC. 732. MODERNIZATION AND IMPROVEMENTS TO AIRCRAFT EVACUATION.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall conduct a
study on improvements to the safety and efficiency of
evacuation standards for manufacturers and carriers of
transport category airplanes, as described in parts 25 and 121
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
(2) Contents.--
(A) Requirements.--The study required by paragraph
(1) shall include--
(i) a prospective risk analysis, as well as
an evaluation of relevant past incidents with
respect to evacuation safety and evacuation
standards;
(ii) an assessment of the evacuation
testing procedures described in section 25.803
of such title 14, as well as recommendations
for how to revise such testing procedures to
ensure that the testing procedures assess, in a
safe manner, the ability of passengers with
disabilities, including those who use
wheelchairs or other mobility assistive
devices, to safely and efficiently evacuate an
aircraft;
(iii) an assessment of the evacuation
demonstration procedures described in such part
121, as well as recommendations for how to
improve such demonstration procedures to ensure
that the demonstration procedures assess, in a
safe manner, the ability of passengers with
disabilities, including those who use
wheelchairs or other mobility assistive
devices, to safely and efficiently evacuate an
aircraft;
(iv) the research proposed in National
Transportation Safety Board Safety
Recommendation A-18-009; and
(v) any other analysis determined
appropriate by the Administrator.
(B) Considerations.--In conducting the study under
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall assess the
following:
(i) The ability of passengers of different
ages (including infants, children, and senior
citizens) to safely and efficiently evacuate a
transport category airplane.
(ii) The ability of passengers of different
heights and weights to safely and efficiently
evacuate a transport category airplane.
(iii) The ability of passengers with
disabilities to safety and efficiently evacuate
a transport category airplane.
(iv) The ability of passengers who cannot
speak, have difficulty speaking, use synthetic
speech, or are non-vocal or non-verbal to
safely and efficiently evacuate a transport
category airplane.
(v) The ability of passengers who do not
speak English to safely and efficiently
evacuate a transport category airplane.
(vi) The impact of the presence of carry-on
luggage and personal items (such as a purse,
briefcase, laptop, or backpack) on the ability
of passengers to safely and efficiently
evacuate a transport category airplane.
(vii) The impact of seat size and passenger
seating space and pitch on the ability of
passengers to safely and efficiently evacuate a
transport category airplane.
(viii) The impact of seats and other
obstacles in the pathway to the exit opening
from the nearest aisle on the ability of
passengers to safely and efficiently evacuate a
transport category airplane.
(ix) With respect to aircraft with parallel
longitudinal aisles, the impact of seat pods or
other seating configurations that block access
between such aisles within a cabin on the
ability of passengers to safely and efficiently
evacuate a transport category airplane.
(x) The impact of passenger load (the
number of passengers relative to the number of
seats onboard the aircraft) on the ability of
passengers to safely and efficiently evacuate a
transport category airplane.
(xi) The impact of service animals on the
ability of passengers (including such service
animals and their handlers) to safely and
efficiently evacuate a transport category
airplane.
(xii) Whether an applicant for a type
certificate (as defined in section 44704(e)(7)
of title 49, United States Code) should be
required to demonstrate compliance with FAA
emergency evacuation regulations (as described
in section 25.803 and Appendix J of part 25 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations) through
live testing when the Administrator determines
that the new aircraft design is significant.
(xiii) Any other factor determined
appropriate by the Administrator.
(C) Passengers with disabilities defined.--For
purposes of this paragraph, the term ``passengers with
disabilities'' means any qualified individual with a
disability, as defined in section 382.3 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations.
(b) Aviation Rulemaking Committee for Evacuation Standards.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the
completion of the study under subsection (a), the Administrator
shall establish an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (in this
section referred to as the ``Committee'') to review the
findings of the study and develop and submit to the
Administrator recommendations regarding improvements to the
evacuation standards described in parts 25 and 121 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations.
(2) Composition.--The Committee shall consist of members
appointed by the Administrator, including the following:
(A) Representatives of industry.
(B) Representatives of aviation labor
organizations.
(C) Aviation safety experts with specific knowledge
of the evacuation standards and requirements under such
parts 25 and 121.
(D) Representatives of the disability community
with specific knowledge of accessibility standards
regarding evacuations in emergency circumstances.
(E) Representatives of the senior citizen
community.
(F) Representatives of pediatricians.
(3) Considerations.--In reviewing the findings of the study
under subsection (a) and developing recommendations regarding
the improvement of the evacuation standards, the Committee
shall consider the following:
(A) The recommendations made by any prior Aviation
Rulemaking Committee regarding the evacuation standards
described in such parts 25 and 121.
(B) Scientific data derived from the study under
subsection (a).
(C) Any data gathered from aviation safety
reporting programs.
(D) The cost-benefit analysis and risk analysis of
any recommended standards.
(E) Any other item determined appropriate by the
Committee.
(c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the date on
which the Committee submits recommendations under subsection (b), the
Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report on--
(1) the findings of the study conducted under subsection
(a);
(2) the recommendations of the Committee under subsection
(b); and
(3) the Administrator's plan, if any, to implement such
recommendations.
(d) Rulemaking.--Not later than 90 days after submitting the report
to Congress under subsection (c), the Administrator shall issue a
notice of proposed rulemaking to implement the recommendations of the
Committee that the Administrator deems appropriate.
SEC. 733. IMPROVED TRAINING STANDARDS FOR ASSISTING PASSENGERS WHO USE
WHEELCHAIRS.
(a) Rulemaking.--The Secretary shall conduct a 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--
(1) complete refresher training every 6 months and be
recertified yearly on the job by a superior in order to remain
qualified for providing aisle chair assistance; and
(2) be able to successfully demonstrate each of the
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 administering
and auditing training;
(2) whether to require air carriers and foreign air
carriers to use a lift device, instead of an aisle chair, to
board and deplane passengers with mobility disabilities;
(3) whether air carriers and foreign air carriers should be
required to use their own personnel instead of contractors for
boarding passengers with limited or no mobility; and
(4) whether individuals able to provide boarding and
deplaning assistance for passengers with limited or no mobility
should receive training 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 section, 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. 734. TRAINING STANDARDS FOR STOWAGE OF WHEELCHAIRS AND SCOOTERS.
(a) Rulemaking.--The Secretary shall conduct a rulemaking to
develop minimum training standards related to stowage of wheelchairs
and scooters on aircraft.
(b) Requirements.--The training standards developed under
subsection (a) shall require, at a minimum, that airline personnel or
contractors--
(1) complete refresher training every 6 months and be
recertified yearly on the job by a superior in order to remain
qualified for handling and stowing wheelchairs and scooters;
and
(2) be able to successfully demonstrate each of the
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, the most commonly used 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
assistive device 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--
(1) whether to require air carriers and foreign air
carriers to partner with wheelchair manufacturers, national
disability and disabled veterans organizations representing
individuals who use wheelchairs and scooters, and aircraft
manufacturers, in administering and auditing training; and
(2) whether air carriers and foreign air carriers should
require personnel or contractors to use specialized equipment
in loading and unloading wheelchairs and scooters.
(d) Final Rule.--Not later than 12 months after the date of
enactment of this section, 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. 735. MOBILITY AIDS ON BOARD IMPROVE LIVES AND EMPOWER ALL.
(a) Publication of Information Related to Powered Wheelchairs.--
(1) Advisory circular.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue an
advisory circular that provides guidance to air carriers and
foreign air carriers (as defined in section 40102 of title 49,
United States Code) on publishing information related to
powered wheelchairs on the website of such carrier, including--
(A) information describing the dimensions of the
cargo holds of all aircraft types in the air carrier's
fleet, including the dimensions of the cargo hold
entry; and
(B) in the case of a qualified individual with a
disability (as defined in section 382.3 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations) traveling with a
wheelchair (including a power wheelchair, manual
wheelchair, or scooter) who has purchased a ticket for
a flight from the air carrier but who cannot fly on the
existing aircraft because the wheelchair of such
qualified individual cannot fit in the cargo hold,
information regarding the process for such qualified
individual to get a refund of any previously paid
fares, fees, and taxes applicable to such flight.
(2) Requirement.--Not later than 18 months after the date
of enactment of this section, each air carrier and foreign air
carrier shall be required to publish, in a prominent and easily
accessible place on the website of the carrier, the information
described in the advisory circular issued under paragraph (1).
(b) Evaluation of Data Regarding Mishandled Wheelchairs.--Not later
than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section, and annually
thereafter, the Secretary shall--
(1) evaluate data (which shall be delineated by type of
wheelchair being mishandled, such as power wheelchairs, manual
wheelchairs, and scooters, and by type of mishandling, such as
damage (including the type of damage, 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, and any other type of damage
deemed appropriate by the Secretary), delay, or loss) regarding
the frequency of mishandling of wheelchairs (as defined in
section 37.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations)
occurring on aircraft;
(2) determine whether there are issues with respect to such
frequency and type of mishandling; and
(3) review and report any claims for which an air carrier
has conclusive evidence of fraud.
(c) Report on Mishandled Wheelchairs.--Not later than 6 months
after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report (which shall be made
publicly available on the website of the Department of Transportation)
regarding the results of each such evaluation and determination under
subsection (b), including how the Secretary plans to address such
results through consultation with air carriers, wheelchair
manufacturers, national disability and disabled veterans organizations,
and other relevant stakeholders.
(d) Feasibility of In-cabin Wheelchair Restraint Systems.--
(1) Roadmap.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress 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 Sciences, 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 (RESNA),
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 FAA
crashworthiness and safety performance criteria,
including the issues and considerations set forth in
Special Report 341; and
(B) sponsor studies that assess issues and
considerations, including those set forth in 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 appropriate committees of Congress a publicly
available report describing the results of the study conducted
under paragraph (2), together with any recommendations the
Secretary determines appropriate.
SEC. 736. PRIORITIZING ACCOUNTABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR AVIATION
CONSUMERS.
(a) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall
submit a report on aviation consumer complaints related to passengers
with a disability filed with the Department of Transportation to the
appropriate committees of Congress, and shall make each annual report
publicly available.
(b) Report.--Each annual report submitted under subsection (a)
shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) The number of aviation consumer complaints reported to
the Secretary related to passengers with a disability filed
with the Department of Transportation during the 5 most recent
calendar years.
(2) The nature of such complaints, such as reported issues
with--
(A) an air carrier, including an air carrier's
staff training or lack thereof;
(B) mishandling of passengers with a disability or
their accessibility equipment;
(C) the condition or lack of accessibility
equipment or materials;
(D) the accessibility of in-flight services,
including accessing and utilizing on-board lavatories,
for passengers with a disability;
(E) difficulties experienced by passengers with a
disability in communicating with an air carrier or
staff of an air carrier;
(F) difficulties experienced by passengers with a
disability in being moved, handled, or having their
schedule changed without consent;
(G) issues experienced by passengers with a
disability traveling with a service animal; and
(H) such other issues as the Secretary deems
appropriate.
(3) An overview of the review process for such complaints
received during such period.
(4) The median length of time for how quickly review of
such complaints were initiated.
(5) The median length of time for how quickly such
complaints were resolved or otherwise addressed.
(6) Of the complaints that were found to violate section
41705 of title 49, United States Code, (commonly known as the
``Air Carrier Access Act of 1986'')--
(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.
(7) How many aviation consumer complaints related to
passengers with a disability were referred to the Department of
Justice for an enforcement action under--
(A) section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(29 U.S.C. 794);
(B) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42
U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); or
(C) any other provision of law.
(8) How many aviation consumer complaints related to
passengers with a disability filed with the Department of
Transportation that involved airport staff, or other matters
under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration,
were referred to the Federal Aviation Administration.
(c) Definitions.--
(1) In general.--The definitions set forth in section 40102
of title 49, United States Code, and section 382.3 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations, apply to any term defined in such
sections that is used in this section.
(2) Passengers with a disability defined.--In this section,
the term ``passengers 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. 737. ACCESS AND DIGNITY FOR ALL PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Access and
Dignity for All People Who Travel Act of 2023''.
(b) 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) Foreign air carrier.--The term ``foreign air carrier''
has the meaning given that term in section 40102 of title 49,
United States Code.
(3) Qualified individual with a disability.--The term
``qualified individual with a disability'' has the meaning
given that term in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations.
(4) Service animal.--The term ``service animal'' has the
meaning given that term in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations.
(c) Seating Accommodations for Qualified Individuals With
Disabilities.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Advanced notice of proposed rulemaking.--Not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
section, the Secretary shall issue an advanced notice
of proposed rulemaking regarding seating accommodations
for any qualified individual with a disability.
(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 seating accommodations
for any qualified individual with a disability.
(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 regarding seating accommodations for
any qualified individual with a disability.
(2) Requirements.--In carrying out any rulemaking under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the following:
(A) The scope and anticipated number of qualified
individuals with a disability who--
(i) may need to be seated with a companion
to receive assistance during a flight; or
(ii) should be afforded bulkhead seats or
other seating considerations.
(B) The types of disabilities that may need seating
accommodations.
(C) Whether such qualified individuals with a
disability are unable to obtain, or have difficulty
obtaining, such a seat.
(D) The scope and anticipated number of individuals
assisting a qualified individual with a disability who
should be afforded an adjoining seat pursuant to
section 382.81 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations.
(E) Any notification given to qualified individuals
with a disability regarding available seating
accommodations.
(F) Any method that is adequate to identify
fraudulent claims for seating accommodations.
(G) Any other information determined appropriate by
the Secretary.
(d) Known Service Animal User Travel Pilot Program.--
(1) Pilot program.--
(A) Establishment.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
establish a pilot program to allow approved
program participants as known service animal
users for the purpose of exemption from the
documentation requirements under part 382 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, with
respect to air travel with a service animal.
(ii) Requirements.--The pilot program
established under clause (i) shall--
(I) be optional;
(II) provide to applicants
assistance, including over-the-phone
assistance, throughout the application
process for the program;
(III) with respect to any web-based
components of the pilot program, meet
or exceed the standards described in
section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) and the
regulations implementing that Act as
set forth in part 1194 of title 36,
Code of Federal Regulations; and
(IV) exempt participants of the
pilot program from any documentation
requirements under part 382 of title
14, Code of Federal Regulations.
(B) Consultation.--In establishing the pilot
program under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall
consult with--
(i) disability advocacy entities, including
nonprofit organizations focused on ensuring
that individuals with disabilities are able to
live and participate in their communities;
(ii) air carriers and foreign air carriers;
(iii) accredited service animal training
programs and authorized registrars, such as the
International Guide Dog Federation, Assistance
Dogs International, and other similar
organizations and foreign and domestic
governmental registrars of service animals;
(iv) other relevant departments or agencies
of the Federal Government; and
(v) other entities determined to be
appropriate by the Secretary.
(C) Eligibility.--To be eligible to participate in
the pilot program under this paragraph, an individual
shall--
(i) be a qualified individual with a
disability;
(ii) require the use of a service animal
because of a disability; and
(iii) submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary
may require.
(D) Clarification.--The Secretary may award a grant
or enter into a contract or cooperative agreement in
order to carry out this paragraph.
(E) Nominal fee.--The Secretary may require an
applicant to pay a nominal fee (not to exceed $25) to
participate in the pilot program.
(F) Reports to congress.--
(i) Planning report.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this section,
the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a publicly available
report describing the implementation plan for
the pilot program under this paragraph.
(ii) Annual report.--Not later than 1 year
after the establishment of the pilot program
under this paragraph, and annually thereafter
until the date described in subparagraph (G),
the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a publicly available
report on the progress of the pilot program.
(iii) Final report.--Not later than 5 years
after the date of enactment of this section,
the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a publicly available
final report that includes recommendations for
the establishment and implementation of a
permanent known service animal user travel
program for the Federal Government.
(G) Sunset.--The pilot program shall terminate on
the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of
this section.
(2) Accredited service animal training programs and
authorized registrars.--Not later than 6 months after the date
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall publish on
the website of the Department of Transportation and maintain a
list of--
(A) accredited programs that train service animals;
and
(B) authorized registrars that evaluate service
animals.
(3) Report to congress on service animal requests.--Not
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section,
and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on requests for air
travel with service animals, including--
(A) during the reporting period, how many requests
to board an aircraft with a service animal were made;
and
(B) the number and percentage of such requests,
categorized by type of request, that were reported by
air carriers or foreign air carriers as--
(i) granted;
(ii) denied; or
(iii) fraudulent.
(4) Training.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall,
in consultation with the Air Carrier Access Act
Advisory Committee, issue guidance regarding
improvements to training for airline personnel
(including contractors) in recognizing when a qualified
individual with a disability is traveling with a
service animal.
(B) Requirements.--The guidance issued under
paragraph (1) shall--
(i) take into account respectful engagement
with and assistance for individuals with a wide
range of visible and non-visible disabilities;
(ii) provide information on--
(I) service animal behavior and
whether the service animal is
appropriately harnessed, leashed, or
otherwise tethered; and
(II) the various types of service
animals, such as guide dogs, hearing or
signal dogs, psychiatric service dogs,
sensory or social signal dogs, and
seizure response dogs; and
(iii) outline the rights and
responsibilities of the handler of the service
animal.
SEC. 738. EQUAL ACCESSIBILITY TO PASSENGER PORTALS.
(a) Applications and Information Communication Technologies.--
(1) Rulemaking.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue a notice
of proposed rulemaking to ensure that customer-focused
websites, applications, and information communication
technologies (including those used to notify any individual
with a disability of changes to flight information (such as
delays, gate changes, or boarding announcements), passenger
safety information, or in-flight services and updates) of an
air carrier, foreign air carrier, or airport are accessible.
(2) Final rule.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall promulgate a
final rule for the purposes described in paragraph (1).
(3) Considerations.--In any rulemaking under this
subsection, the Secretary--
(A) shall consider--
(i) the standards described in section 508
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.
794d); and
(ii) the regulations implementing that Act
as set forth in part 1194 of title 36, Code of
Federal Regulations; and
(B) may consider--
(i) additional standards, including those
provided in the Web Content Accessibility
Guidelines 2.1 Level AA of the Web
Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web
Consortium (or subsequent versions); and
(ii) the technical capabilities of the
information communication technology.
(4) Consultation.--For purposes of this section, the
Secretary may consult with the Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board and any other relevant department or
agency to determine appropriate accessibility standards.
(5) Review.--Not later than 5 years after promulgating the
final rule under paragraph (2), and every 5 years thereafter,
the Secretary shall review the rules issued under this
subsection and update such rules as necessary.
(b) Audit.--
(1) Initial audit.--
(A) Requirement.--Not later than 1 year after the
date on which the Secretary promulgates the final rule
under subsection (a)(2), and subsequently thereafter as
described in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall
commence an audit of each customer-focused website,
application, or information communication technology of
an air carrier, foreign air carrier, or airport for the
purpose of informing improvements that ensure any
individual with a disability has equal access to
travel, in accordance with such final rule. Such audit
shall be limited to a review of the following:
(i) The accessibility of any customer-
focused website or application of an air
carrier, foreign air carrier, or airport.
(ii) The accessibility of the information
communication technology an air carrier,
foreign air carrier, or airport uses to--
(I) notify any individual with a
disability of changes to flight
information (such as delays, gate
changes, or boarding announcements); or
(II) provide services to such
individual, such as checking in,
printing a boarding pass, or printing a
luggage tag.
(iii) Other relevant information, as
determined by the Secretary in consultation
with stakeholders from the disability
community, air carriers, foreign air carriers,
airports, and other relevant stakeholders.
(B) Notice.--Not later than 9 months before
commencing any audit under subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall notify any entity being audited and
publish in a prominent place on the website of the
Department of Transportation and in an accessible
manner, information regarding such audit, including--
(i) a notice of the audit;
(ii) the standards that the customer-
focused website, application, or information
communication technology of an air carrier,
foreign air carrier, or airport must meet; and
(iii) the potential civil penalties that
may be assessed for noncompliance with such
standards.
(2) Clarification.--The Secretary may--
(A) award a grant or enter into a contract or
cooperative agreement in order to carry out the audits
required under paragraph (1); and
(B) require any air carrier, foreign air carrier,
or airport audited under this section to provide to the
Secretary such information as the Secretary requires to
carry out any such audit.
(3) Subsequent audits.--
(A) Large air carriers, large hub airports, and
medium hub airports.--For purposes of paragraph (1),
after the initial audit described in such paragraph,
the Secretary shall conduct subsequent audits every 3
years thereafter with respect to large air carriers,
large hub airports, and medium hub airports.
(B) Small air carriers.--For purposes of paragraph
(1), after the initial audit described in such
paragraph, the Secretary shall conduct subsequent
audits every 5 years thereafter with respect to small
air carriers.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after commencing any audit under
subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a publicly-available report containing the
following:
(1) The number of air carriers, foreign air carriers, and
airports audited during the reporting period.
(2) The number of violations per type of operator (air
carrier, foreign air carrier, and airport) during the reporting
period.
(3) An analysis of the number and type of violations (such
as lack of captions, audio descriptions, image descriptions),
with such types being at the discretion of the Secretary.
(4) Recommendations for such legislation and administrative
action as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(d) Penalties.--Upon completing an audit conducted under subsection
(b), the Secretary may assess a civil penalty in accordance with
section 46301 of title 49, United States Code, to any air carrier,
foreign air carrier, or airport that utilizes a customer-focused
website, application, or information communication technology that is
not accessible, as determined by the Secretary.
(e) 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) Airport.--The term ``airport'' has the meaning given
that term in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code.
(3) Application.--The term ``application'' means software
that is designed to run on a device, including a smartphone,
tablet, self-service kiosk, wearable technology item, or laptop
or desktop computer, or another device, including a device
developed after the date of enactment of this section, and that
is designed to perform, or to help the user perform, a specific
task.
(4) Foreign air carrier.--The term ``foreign air carrier''
has the meaning given that term in section 40102 of title 49,
United States Code.
(5) Individual with a disability.--The term ``individual
with a disability'' has the meaning given that term in section
382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
(6) Information communication technology.--The term
``information communication technology''--
(A) means any equipment, system, technology, or
process for which the principal function is the
creation, manipulation, storage, display, receipt, or
transmission of relevant electronic data and
information, as well as any associated content; and
(B) includes a computer and peripheral equipment,
an information kiosk or transaction machine,
telecommunications equipment, customer premises
equipment, a multifunction office machine, software, a
video, or an electronic document.
(7) Large air carrier.--The term ``large air carrier''
means an air carrier or foreign air carrier operating under
part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, that
operates an aircraft with 125 passenger seats or more.
(8) Large hub airport.--The term ``large hub airport'' has
the meaning given that term in section 40102 of title 49,
United States Code.
(9) Medium hub airport.--The term ``medium hub airport''
has the meaning given that term in section 40102 of title 49,
United States Code.
(10) Small air carrier.--The term ``small air carrier''
means an air carrier or foreign air carrier operating under
part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, that
operates an aircraft with less than 125 passenger seats.
SEC. 739. STORE ON-BOARD WHEELCHAIRS IN CABIN.
(a) Requirements.--
(1) In general.--In the case of an aircraft that is
required to be equipped with an on-board wheelchair in
accordance with section 382.65 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, an air carrier and a foreign air carrier shall
provide in a prominent place on a publicly available internet
website of the carrier, and in any place where a passenger can
make a reservation, information regarding the rights and
responsibilities of both passengers on such aircraft and the
air carrier or foreign air carrier, including--
(A) that an air carrier or foreign air carrier is
required to equip aircraft that have more than 60
passenger seats and that have an accessible lavatory
(whether or not having such a lavatory is required by
section 382.63 of such title 14) with an on-board
wheelchair unless an exception described in such
section 382.65 applies;
(B) that a qualified individual with a disability
may request an on-board wheelchair on aircraft with
more than 60 passenger seats even if the lavatory is
not accessible and that the basis of such request must
be that the individual can use an inaccessible lavatory
but cannot reach it from a seat without using an on-
board wheelchair;
(C) that the air carrier or foreign air carrier may
require the qualified individual with a disability to
provide the advance notice specified in section 382.27
of such title 14 in order for the individual to be
provided with the on-board wheelchair; and
(D) if the air carrier or foreign air carrier
requires the advance notice described in subparagraph
(C), information on how a qualified individual with a
disability can make such a request.
(2) Annual training.--An air carrier and a foreign air
carrier shall require that all personnel who regularly interact
with the traveling public, including contractors, complete
annual training regarding assisting a qualified individual with
a disability, including regarding the availability of
accessible lavatories and on-board wheelchairs and such
individual's right to request an on-board wheelchair.
(3) Public awareness campaign.--The Secretary shall conduct
a public awareness campaign on the rights of qualified
individuals with a disability, including with respect to
accessible lavatories and such individual's right to request an
on-board wheelchair in accordance with section 382.65 of title
14, Code of Federal Regulations.
(4) Qualified individual with a disability defined.--In
this subsection, the term ``qualified individual with a
disability'' has the meaning given such term in section 382.3
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
(5) 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 that fails to meet
the requirements under paragraph (1) or (2).
(b) Increased Civil Penalties.--
(1) In general.--Section 46301(a)(7) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``to
harm''; and
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in the heading, by striking ``bodily
harm or damage to wheelchair or other mobility
aid'' and inserting ``damage to wheelchair or
other mobility aid, bodily harm, or failure to
equip aircraft with a wheelchair''; and
(ii) by striking ``or injury to a passenger
with a disability'' and inserting ``, injury to
a passenger with a disability, or a failure to
equip an aircraft with an on-board wheelchair
pursuant to section 382.65 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations (or a successor
regulation)''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1)
shall apply to flights occurring on or after the effective date
of the revision described in subsection (a).
SEC. 740. STANDARDS.
(a) Aircraft Access Standards.--
(1) Standards.--
(A) Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.--Not
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this section, the Secretary 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 and
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 aircraft, 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 priority cabin
stowage for manual assistive devices pursuant to
section 382.67 of title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations; and
(C) improved cargo hold storage to prevent damage
to assistive devices.
(3) Consultation.--For purposes of the rulemaking in
subsection (a), 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 section, the Secretary shall
issue a notice of proposed rulemaking in accordance with the November
22, 2016 Resolution of the U.S. Department of Transportation ACCESS
Committee's and the consensus recommendation set forth in 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 735(d)(3),
and if that report finds 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, the Secretary shall conduct a
negotiated rulemaking on new type certificated aircraft
standards for seating arrangements that accommodate
passengers with wheelchairs (including power
wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, and scooters) in the
main cabin during flight or an accessible route to a
minimum of 2 aircraft passenger seats for passengers to
access from their personal assistive devices.
(B) Requirement.--The negotiated rulemaking 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 by
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall issue a notice of proposed
rulemaking regarding the standards 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 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 FAA 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) (as amended by section 731) 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 (commonly known as
the ``Air Carrier Access Act''), 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 that 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 that 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 that term in section 40102 of title 49,
United States Code.
SEC. 741. 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) the facts underlying the complaint;
and
``(ii) any action the Secretary is taking
in response to the complaint.''.
Subtitle C--Air Service Development
SEC. 751. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE.
(a) Definitions.--Section 41731 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) Eligible Place Defined.--In this subchapter, the term
`eligible place' means a place in the United States that--
``(1) is at least 75 miles from the nearest medium or large
hub airport, if within the 48 contiguous states, which shall
not be waived;
``(2) had an average of 10 enplanements per service day or
more, as determined by the Secretary, during the most recent
fiscal year;
``(3) during the most recent fiscal year had an average
subsidy per passenger, as determined by the Secretary, of--
``(A) less than $500 for locations that are less
than 175 driving miles from the nearest large or medium
hub airport; and
``(B) less than $1,000 for all locations,
regardless of driving distance to a hub; and
``(4) is a community that, at any time during the period
between September 30, 2010, and September 30, 2011, inclusive--
``(A) received essential air service for which
compensation was provided to an air carrier under this
subchapter; or
``(B) received notice of intent to terminate
essential air service and the Secretary required the
air carrier to continue to provide such service to the
community.'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``subsection (a)(1) of
this section'' and inserting ``subsection (a)'';
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ``Subparagraphs (B),
(C), and (D) of subsection (a)(1)'' and inserting ``Paragraphs
(2), (3), and (4) of subsection (a)'';
(4) in subsection (d), by striking ``Subsection (a)(1)(B)''
and inserting ``Subsection (a)(2)'';
(5) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
``(e) Waivers.--The Secretary may waive, on an annual basis,
subsection (a)(2) or subsection (a)(3)(A) with respect to a location if
the location demonstrates to the Secretary's satisfaction that the
reason the location averages fewer than 10 enplanements per day or has
a subsidy higher than $500 per passenger is due to a temporary decline
in demand; provided, that the Secretary may not provide more than 2
consecutive waivers of subsection (a)(2) or subsection (a)(3)(A) to any
location.''; and
(6) in subsection (f), by striking ``subsection (a)(1)(B)''
and inserting ``subsection (a)(2)''.
(b) Improvements to Basic Essential Air Service.--
(1) In general.--Section 41732 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``hub
airport'' and all that follows through ``beyond
that airport'' and inserting ``medium or large
hub airport''; and
(ii) in paragraph (2), by inserting
``medium or large'' after ``nearest''; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and at
prices'' and all that follows through the
period; and
(ii) by striking paragraphs (3) through
(6).
(c) Level of Basic Essential Air Service.--Section 41733 of title
49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(1)--
(A) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the
following:
``(B) the contractual, marketing, code-share, or
interline arrangements the applicant has made with a
larger air carrier serving the hub airport;'';
(B) by striking subparagraph (C) and redesignating
subparagraphs (D) through (F) as subparagraphs (C)
through (E), respectively;
(C) in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, by
striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
(D) in subparagraph (E), as so redesignated, by
striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and'';
and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) service provided in aircraft with at least 2
engines and using 2 pilots.''; and
(2) in subsection (h), by striking ``by section 332 of the
Department of Transportation and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2000 (Public Law 106-69; 113 Stat. 1022)''
and inserting ``under section 41731(a)(3)''.
(d) Ending, Suspending, and Reducing Basic Essential Air Service.--
Section 41734 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``An air carrier'' and inserting
``Subject to subsection (d), an air carrier''; and
(B) by striking ``90'' and inserting ``180'';
(2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
``(d) Continuation of Compensation After Notice Period.--
``(1) In general.--If an air carrier receiving compensation
under section 41733 of this title for providing basic essential
air service to an eligible place is required to continue to
provide service to the place under this section after the 180-
day notice period under subsection (a) of this section, the
Secretary--
``(A) shall provide the carrier with compensation
sufficient to pay to the carrier the amount required by
the then existing contract for performing the basic
essential air service that was being provided when the
180-day notice was given under subsection (a) of this
section;
``(B) may pay an additional amount that represents
a reasonable return on investment; and
``(C) may pay an additional return that recognizes
the demonstrated additional lost profits from
opportunities foregone and the likelihood that those
lost profits increase as the period during which the
carrier or provider is required to provide the service
continues.
``(2) Authority.--The Secretary may impose contract
termination penalties or conditions on compensation that take
effect in the event an air carrier provides notice that it is
ending, suspending, or reducing basic essential air service.'';
(3) in subsection (e), by striking ``providing that service
after the 90-day notice period'' and all that follows through
the period at the end of paragraph (2) and inserting
``providing that service after the 180-day notice period
required by subsection (a), the Secretary may provide the air
carrier with compensation after the end of the 180-day notice
period to pay for the fully allocated actual cost to the air
carrier of performing the basic essential air service that was
being provided when the 180-day notice was given under
subsection (a) plus a reasonable return on investment that is
at least 5 percent of operating costs.''; and
(4) in subsection (f), by inserting ``air'' after ``find
another''.
(e) Enhanced Essential Air Service.--Section 41735 of title 49,
United States Code, and the item relating to such section in the
analysis for subchapter II of chapter 417 of such title, are repealed.
(f) Air Transportation to Noneligible Places.--Section 41736 of
title 49, United States Code, and the item relating to such section in
the analysis for subchapter II of chapter 417 of such title, are
repealed.
(g) Compensation Guidelines, Limitations, and Claims.--Section
41737(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary may''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (2).
(h) Joint Proposals.--Section 41740 of title 49, United States
Code, and the item relating to such section in the analysis for
subchapter II of chapter 417 of such title, are repealed.
(i) Essential Air Service Authorization.--
(1) In general.--Section 41742(a) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$50,000,000''
and inserting ``$154,400,000'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$155,000,000
for fiscal year 2018,'' and all that follows through
``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``$335,000,000 for
fiscal year 2024, $340,000,000 for fiscal year 2025,
$342,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, $342,000,000 for
fiscal year 2027, and $350,000,000 for fiscal year
2028''; and
(C) by striking paragraph (3).
(2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1)
shall take effect on October 1, 2023.
(j) Preservation of Basic Essential Air Service at Single Carrier
Dominated Hub Airports.--Section 41744 of title 49, United States Code,
and the item relating to such section in the analysis for subchapter II
of chapter 417 of such title, are repealed.
(k) Community and Regional Choice Programs.--Section 41745 of title
49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking subparagraph (E) and
redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (E);
(2) by striking subsections (b) and (c); and
(3) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g) as
subsections (b) through (e), respectively.
(l) Marketing Program.--Section 41748 of title 49, United States
Code, and the item relating to such section in the analysis for
subchapter II of chapter 417 of such title, are repealed.
SEC. 752. SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.
Section 41743 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ``10-year''
and inserting ``5-year''; and
(B) in paragraph (5)(E), by inserting ``or
substantially reduced (as measured by enplanements,
capacity (seats), schedule, connections, or routes)''
after ``terminated'';
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, which shall
begin with each new grant, including same-project new
grants, and which shall be calculated on a non-
consecutive basis for air carriers that provide air
service that is seasonal'' after ``3 years'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) to provide assistance to an airport where air service
has been terminated or substantially reduced.'';
(3) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or the
community's current air service needs'' after ``the
project'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$10,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2018 through 2023'' and all that
follows through ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting
``$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through
2028'';
(4) in subsection (g)(4), by striking ``and the creation of
aviation development zones''; and
(5) by striking subsections (f) and (h) and redesignating
subsection (g) (as amended by paragraph (4)) as subsection (f).
SEC. 753. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON THE ALTERNATE ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE
PROGRAM.
(a) Study.--The Comptroller General shall study the effectiveness
of the Alternate Essential Air Service program (in this section
referred to as the ``Alternate EAS program''), including challenges if
any that have impeded robust community participation in the Alternate
EAS program. The study shall include an assessment of potential changes
to the Alternate EAS program and the basic Essential Air Service
programs under section 41731 of title 49, United States Code, wherein
Governors of Essential Air Service eligible States and Puerto Rico are
given block grants to distribute Essential Air Service funds to
Essential Air Service eligible communities in their States and Puerto
Rico.
(b) Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this section, the Comptroller General shall brief the appropriate
committees of Congress on the study required by subsection (a),
together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative
action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.
SEC. 754. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE IN PARTS OF ALASKA.
Not later than September 1, 2024, the Secretary, in consultation
with the appropriate State authority of Alaska, shall review all
domestic points in the State of Alaska that were deleted from carrier
certificates between July 1, 1968, and October 24, 1978, and that were
not subsequently determined to be an eligible place prior to January 1,
1982, as a result of being unpopulated at that time due to destruction
during the 1964 earthquake and its resultant tidal wave, to determine
whether such points have been resettled or relocated and should be
designated as an eligible place entitled to receive a determination of
the level of essential air service supported, if necessary, with
Federal funds.
SEC. 755. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE COMMUNITY PETITION FOR REVIEW.
(a) In General.--Section 41733 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(i) Community Petition for Review.--
``(1) Petition.--An appropriate representative of the
community in which an eligible place is located may submit to
the Secretary a petition expressing no confidence in the air
carrier providing basic essential air service under this
section and requesting a review by the Secretary. A petition
submitted under this subsection shall demonstrate that the air
carrier--
``(A) is unwilling or unable to meet the
operational specifications outlined in the order issued
by the Secretary specifying the terms of basic
essential air service to the community;
``(B) is experiencing reliability challenges with
the potential to adversely affect air service to the
community; or
``(C) is no longer able to provide service to the
community at the rate of compensation specified by the
Secretary.
``(2) Review.--Not later than 2 months after the date on
which the Secretary receives a petition under paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall review the operational performance of the
air carrier providing basic essential air service to the
community that submitted the petition and determine whether the
air carrier is fully complying with the obligations specified
in the order issued by the Secretary specifying the terms of
basic essential air service to the community.
``(3) Termination.--If based on a review under paragraph
(2), the Secretary determines noncompliance by an air carrier
with an order specifying the terms for basic essential air
service to the community, the Secretary may--
``(A) terminate the order issued to that air
carrier; and
``(B) issue a notice under subsection (c) that an
air carrier may apply to provide basic essential air
service to the community for compensation under this
section and select an applicant under that subsection.
``(4) Continuation of service.--If the Secretary makes a
determination under paragraph (3) to terminate an order issued
to an air carrier under this section, the Secretary shall
ensure continuity in air service to the affected community.''.
TITLE VIII--NEW ENTRANTS
Subtitle A--Unmanned Aircraft Systems
SEC. 801. OFFICE OF ADVANCED AVIATION TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION.
Section 106 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
``(u) Office of the Associate Administrator for Advanced Aviation
Technology and Innovation.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Federal
Aviation Administration the Office of Advanced Aviation
Technology and Innovation (in this subsection referred to as
the `Office').
``(2) Associate administrator.--The Office shall be headed
by an Associate Administrator, who shall--
``(A) be appointed by the Administrator; and
``(B) report directly to the Administrator.
``(3) Purposes.--The purposes of the Office are to--
``(A) serve as an entry point for stakeholders to
share information with the Federal Aviation
Administration on advanced aviation technologies;
``(B) examine the potential impact of advanced
aviation technologies on the national airspace system,
and methods to safely integrate such technologies into
the national airspace system;
``(C) work collaboratively with subject matter
experts from all lines of business and staff offices to
examine advanced aviation technologies and concepts for
integration into the national airspace system in an
expeditious manner that takes into account acceptable
levels of risk;
``(D) lead cross-U.S. Government collaborative
efforts to develop integrated approaches for the
acceleration and deployment of Advanced Technologies;
``(E) provide leadership with regard to internal
collaboration, industry engagement, and collaboration
with international partners;
``(F) lead cross-FAA integration, planning,
coordination, and collaboration in support of the
integration of advanced aviation technologies;
``(G) support the development of safety cases for
advanced aviation technologies in coordination with the
operational approval office; and
``(H) coordinate and review approval of advanced
aviation technologies, including support to and
approval of any required rulemakings, exemptions,
waivers, or other types of authorizations, as
appropriate.
``(4) Duties.--The Associate Administrator shall--
``(A) establish, manage, and oversee the Office of
Advanced Aviation Technology and Innovation;
``(B) develop and maintain a comprehensive strategy
and action plan for fully integrating advanced aviation
technologies into the national aviation ecosystem and
providing full authorization for operations at scale
for each of these technologies;
``(C) collaborate with Federal Aviation
Administration organizations to identify and develop
specific recommendations to address skills gaps in the
existing engineer and inspector workforce involved in
the certification and operational approval of safety
technology;
``(D) coordinate and review, as appropriate,
rulemaking activities related to advanced aviation
technologies, including by scoping complex regulatory
issues, evaluating internal processes, and positioning
the Federal Aviation Administration to support
aerospace innovation;
``(E) coordinate and review, as appropriate,
applications for type, production, or airworthiness
certificates, or alternatives to airworthiness
certificates, operating and pilot certification, and
airspace authorizations, among others, related to
advanced aviation technologies;
``(F) coordinate and review, as appropriate,
applications for waivers, exemptions and other
operational authorizations;
``(G) coordinate and review the implementation of
the process required by section 2209 of the FAA
Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (as
amended) (49 U.S.C. 40101 note);
``(H) coordinate with the Chief Operating Officer
of the Air Traffic Organization and other agency
leaders to develop policies to address airspace
integration issues at all levels of uncontrolled and
controlled airspace;
``(I) implement the BEYOND program and the UAS Test
Site Program, among others, and develop other pilot
programs in partnership with industry stakeholders and
State, local, and Tribal Governments to enable highly
automated and autonomous operations of Advanced
Technologies unmanned aircraft systems, AAM, and other
innovative aviation technologies at scale by providing
the data necessary to support rulemakings and other
approval processes;
``(J) serve as the designated Federal officer to
the Advanced Aviation Technology and Innovation
Steering Committee;
``(K) serve as the Federal Aviation Administration
lead for the Drone Safety Team; and
``(L) use the Federal Aviation Administration's
clearinghouse website for publicly available data
(commonly referred to as `Data.FAA.gov') to ensure the
establishment and implementation of a secure, single-
sign on for all FAA-related services (including pending
certifications, applications, IACRA, CAPS, DroneZone,
MedXpress, CARES, and any other service deemed
appropriate by the Administrator) with multifactor
authentication-protected online capability that allows
stakeholders with a new or pending certification or
approval application to review the status of such
application, receive notice of deadlines and major
certification milestones, identify the Administration
office that is reviewing such application, and submit
inquiries or requests for guidance.
``(5) Congressional briefings.--Not later than 60 days
after establishing the position in paragraph (1), and on a
quarterly basis thereafter, the Administrator shall brief the
appropriate committees of Congress on the status of--
``(A) implementing the comprehensive strategy and
action plan for fully integrating advanced aviation
technologies into the national aviation ecosystem and
providing full authorization for operations at scale
for each of these technologies;
``(B) rulemakings, major guidance documents, and
other agency pilot programs or initiatives supporting
the comprehensive strategy and action plan;
``(C) implementing recommendations from the
Advanced Aviation Technology and Innovation Steering
Committee; and
``(D) engagement with international aviation
regulators to develop global standards for advanced
aviation technologies.
``(6) UAS integration office.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of enactment of this subsection, the functions, duties
and responsibilities of the UAS Integration Office shall be
incorporated into the Office.
``(7) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) AAM.--The term `AAM' has the meaning given
the term `advanced air mobility' in section 2(i)(1) of
the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership
Act (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).
``(B) Advanced aviation technologies.--The term
`advanced aviation technologies' means technologies for
which introduction has potential safety implications
and shall include unmanned aircraft systems, powered-
lift aircraft, electric propulsion, and super- and
hypersonic aircraft.''.
SEC. 802. ADVANCED AVIATION TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION STEERING
COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish an
Advanced Aviation Technology and Innovation Steering Committee (in this
section referred to as the ``Steering Committee'') to ensure the FAA's
comprehensive strategy and action plan for fully integrating unmanned
aircraft systems, AAM, and other innovative aviation technologies into
the national aviation ecosystem and providing full authorization for
operations at scale for each of these technologies as reflects the
equities and interests of all stakeholders within the agency.
(b) Chair.--The Associate Administrator for Advanced Aviation
Technology and Innovation shall serve as the Chair of the Steering
Committee.
(c) Composition.--In addition to the Chair, the Steering Committee
shall consist of at least 1 senior leader of each of the following FAA
offices:
(1) Aircraft Certification Service.
(2) Flight Standards Service.
(3) Air Traffic Organization.
(4) Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention.
(5) Office of Aerospace Medicine.
(6) Office of Airports.
(7) Office of Commercial Space.
(8) Office of Finance and Management.
(9) Office of NextGen or any successor office.
(10) Office of the Chief Counsel.
(11) Office of Rulemaking.
(12) Office of Policy, International Affairs, and
Environment.
SEC. 803. BEYOND VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT OPERATIONS FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 448 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 44811. Beyond visual line of sight operations for unmanned
aircraft systems
``(a) In General.--Not later than 4 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration (in this section referred to as the `Administrator')
shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking establishing a regulatory
pathway for certification or approval of unmanned aircraft systems to
enable commercial beyond visual line of sight (in this section referred
to as `BVLOS') operations.
``(b) Consultation.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), in
promulgating the rule under subsection (a), the Administrator
shall implement the final report and recommendations of the
Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee which
were submitted to the Administrator on March 10, 2022.
``(2) Exception.--If the Administrator determines not to
implement 1 or more of the recommendations described in
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall provide to the
appropriate committees of Congress a statement of explanation
for such determination.
``(c) Final Rule.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 16 months after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall issue a
final rule establishing a regulatory pathway for certification
or approval of unmanned aircraft systems to enable commercial
BVLOS operations.
``(2) Requirements.--The final rule described in paragraph
(1) shall, at a minimum, do the following:
``(A) Establish an applicable risk assessment
methodology for the authorization of BVLOS unmanned
aircraft system operations that includes quantified
measures of acceptability that sufficiently account for
the total air and ground risks associated with such
operations and the means for mitigating such risks,
taking into account an aircraft's size, weight, speed,
kinetic energy, operational capability, proximity to
airports and populated areas, operation over people,
and operation beyond the visual line of sight, or
operation during the day or night, including
consideration of unmanned aircraft using an approved or
accepted detect and avoid system appropriate for the
class and type of airspace in which the operation is
being conducted.
``(B) Establish remote pilot certification
standards for remote pilots for BVLOS operations,
taking into account varying levels of automated control
and management of unmanned aircraft system flights.
``(C) Establish an airworthiness process for small
unmanned aircraft systems that requires a
manufacturer's declaration of compliance to a Federal
Aviation Administration accepted means of compliance,
which shall not require type or production
certification or the issuance of a special
airworthiness certificate.
``(D) Establish a special airworthiness certificate
to be issued upon a manufacturer's declaration of
compliance to a Federal Aviation Administration
accepted means of compliance, which--
``(i) shall not require type or production
certification;
``(ii) shall, at least, govern
airworthiness of any unmanned aircraft system
that--
``(I) is not--
``(aa) a small unmanned
aircraft system; and
``(bb) appropriate for the
process described in
subparagraph (C), as determined
by the Administrator;
``(II) has a maximum gross weight
of not more than 1,320 lbs; and
``(III) has a maximum speed of 100
miles per hour; and
``(iii) may require unmanned aircraft
systems subject to the certificate to operate
in the national airspace system at altitudes
below at least--
``(I) 400 feet above ground level;
or
``(II) with respect to an unmanned
aircraft system flown within a 400-foot
radius of a structure, 400 feet above
the structure's immediate uppermost
limit.
``(E) Amend the Code of Federal Regulations to
establish generally applicable standards for the type
certification of unmanned aircraft systems that the
Administrator determines pose higher air or ground
risks such that those unmanned aircraft systems are not
appropriate for approvals under the processes described
in subparagraph (C) or (D).
``(F) Establish operating rules for--
``(i) the operation of the unmanned
aircraft systems described in subparagraphs
(C), (D), or (E); and
``(ii) certain unmanned aircraft systems to
enable lower-risk BVLOS operations without
airworthiness requirements in a manner
consistent with the final report and
recommendations of the Beyond Visual Line of
Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee described
in subsection (b)(1).
``(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section shall
prohibit the use of the manufacturer declarations of compliance
required under paragraph (2)(C) for other unmanned aircraft
systems.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 448 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 44810 the following:
``44811. Beyond visual line of sight operations for unmanned aircraft
systems.''.
(c) Additional Consideration.--In developing the regulations under
section 44811 of title 49, United States Code, as added by subsection
(a), the Administrator shall consider any maneuverability or technology
limitations of certain aircraft, including hot air balloons.
SEC. 804. EXTENDING SPECIAL AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
SYSTEMS.
(a) Extension.--Section 44807(d) of title 49, United States Code,
is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``on the date
the rules described in section 44811 take effect''.
(b) Clarification.--Section 44807(a) of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by inserting ``or chapter 447'' after
``Notwithstanding any other requirement of this chapter''.
(c) Expedited Exemptions.--In exercising authority under section
44807 of title 49, United States Code (as amended by subsection (a)),
the Administrator shall, taking into account the statutory mandate to
ensure safe and efficient use of the national airspace system and
without requiring a rulemaking or imposing the requirements of part 11
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, grant exemptions--
(1) to enable--
(A) low-risk beyond visual line of sight
operations, such as certain package delivery operations
or shielded operations within 100 feet of the ground or
a structure; or
(B) extended visual line of sight operations that
rely on visual observers to keep the aircraft or
airspace within view; or
(2) that are aligned with FAA exemptions that enable beyond
visual line of sight operations with the use of acoustics,
ground based radar, and other technological solutions.
(d) Clarification of Status of Previously Issued Rulemakings and
Exemptions.--
(1) Rulemakings.--Any rulemaking published prior to the
date of enactment of this section under the authority described
in section 44807 of title 49, United States Code, shall
continue to be in effect following the expiration of such
authority.
(2) Exemptions.--Any exemption granted under the authority
described in section 44807 of title 49, United States Code, and
in effect as of September 30, 2023, shall continue to be in
effect until the date that is 3 years after the date of
termination described in such exemption.
(3) Delegation.--The authority granted to the Secretary in
such section 44807 may continue to be delegated to the
Administrator in whole or in part.
(4) Rules of construction.--Nothing in this section shall
be construed to interfere with the Secretary's--
(A) authority to rescind or amend the granting of
an exemption for reasons such as unsafe conditions or
operator oversight; or
(B) ability to grant an exemption based on a
determination made pursuant to such section 44807 prior
to the date described in subsection (d) of such
section.
SEC. 805. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND NOISE CERTIFICATION.
(a) National Environmental Policy Act Guidance.--Not later than 90
days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator
shall publish drone-specific environmental review guidance and
implementation procedures and thereafter revise such guidance as
appropriate to carry out the requirements of this section.
(b) Programmatic Level Approach to NEPA Review.--Not later than 90
days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator
shall examine and integrate programmatic-level approaches to the
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) (including regulations promulgated to carry out
that Act) for the commercial drone industry to create an efficient
process for preparing environmental reviews of reasonably foreseeable
drone operations across a geographic region, for an individual
operator's network of drone operations within a defined geographic
region, and for operations within and over commercial and industrial
sites closed or restricted to the public.
(c) Developing One or More Categorical Exclusions.--The
Administrator shall engage in ongoing consultations with the Council on
Environmental Quality to identify actions that are appropriate for a
categorical exclusion and shall incorporate such actions in FAA Order
1050.1F, as amended or revised, from time to time, as, and when, deemed
appropriate.
(d) Suspension of Noise Certification Requirement Pending Standards
Development.--
(1) In general.--Upon the date of enactment of this
section, and notwithstanding the requirements of section 44715
of title 49, United States Code, the Administrator shall waive
the determination of compliance with part 36 of title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations, for drone models seeking type and
airworthiness certification, and shall not deny, withhold, or
delay such certification due to the absence of a noise
certification basis under such part, provided the FAA has
developed appropriate noise measurement procedures for such
drone models and the FAA has received the noise measurement
results based on those procedures from the applicant.
(2) Duration.--The suspension provided in this subsection
shall continue until such time as the Administrator publishes
final noise certification standards for drones as amendments to
part 36 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or to another
part of title 14 of such Code.
(3) Deadline for noise certification standards.--Based on
drone noise data the Administrator has received in the process
of reviewing applications for type and airworthiness
certification, in conducting environmental assessments of
proposed drone operations under section 44807 of title 49,
United States Code, and part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, and from other sources, including standards
organizations, the Administrator shall propose generally
applicable drone noise certification standards, not later than
the date that is 36 months after the date of enactment of this
section, and following notice and comment rulemaking
procedures, and shall publish final noise certification
standards not later than 24 months after the date on which the
period for public comment on such proposed generally applicable
noise certification standards ends.
(e) Drone Defined.-- In this section, the term ``drone'' has the
meaning given the term ``unmanned aircraft'' in section 44801 of title
49, United States Code.
SEC. 806. THIRD PARTY SERVICE APPROVALS.
(a) Approval Process.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish
procedures, which may include a rulemaking, to establish a standard
approval process for third party service suppliers, including third
party service suppliers of UTM, in order to fulfill safety functions
for Beyond Visual Line of Sight.
(b) Acceptance of Standards.--In establishing the standard approval
process required by subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure
that, to the maximum extent practicable, industry consensus standards,
such as ASTM International Standard F3548-21, entitled ``UAS Traffic
Management (UTM) UAS Service Supplier (USS) Interoperability'', are
included as an acceptable means of compliance for third party services.
(c) UTM Approval.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall initiate a
process, which may include a rulemaking, to define and
implement criteria and conditions for the approval and
oversight of third party service suppliers of UTM that could
have a direct or indirect impact on air traffic services in the
national airspace system and require FAA oversight.
(2) Considerations.--In carrying out the approval process
described in paragraph (1) the Administrator shall consider the
facilitation and streamlining of processes for global
recognition and applicability, including through bilateral
aviation safety agreements, implementation procedures, and
other associated bilateral arrangements.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Third party service supplier.--The term ``third party
service supplier'' means an entity other than the UAS operator
or the FAA that provides a distributed service that affects the
safety or efficiency of the national airspace system, including
UAS Service Suppliers (USS), Supplemental Data Service
Providers (SDSPs), and infrastructure providers such as ground-
based surveillance, command-and-control, and information
exchange to another party.
(2) UTM.--The term ``UTM'' has the meaning given that term
in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code.
(3) UAS.--The term ``UAS'' has the meaning given the term
``unmanned aircraft system'' in section 44801 of title 49,
United States Code.
SEC. 807. OPERATIONS OVER THE HIGH SEAS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, and to the extent permitted by treaty
obligations of the United States, including the Convention on
International Civil Aviation, the Administrator shall establish and
implement an operational approval process to permit small unmanned
aircraft systems (as defined in section 44801 of title 49, United
States Code), and unmanned aircraft systems (as so defined) with a
special airworthiness certificate, to operate over the high seas within
flight information regions for which the United States is responsible
for operational control.
(b) Consultation.--In establishing and implementing the approval
process under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult with
appropriate stakeholders outside of the FAA, including industry
stakeholders.
SEC. 808. EXTENSION OF THE BEYOND PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Chapter 448 of title 49, United States Code, as
amended by section 803(a), is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``SEC. 44812. BEYOND PROGRAM.
``During the period beginning on the date of enactment of this
section and ending on September 30, 2028, the Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration shall continue to operate the Federal
Aviation Administration's BEYOND program (as established on October 26,
2020) under the same terms and conditions applicable under such program
as of such date of enactment. A waiver or authority granted under the
Unmanned Aircraft System Integration Pilot Program established under
section 351 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 shall continue to
apply during such period to an entity participating in the BEYOND
program under such waiver or authority on such date of enactment for so
long as the entity continues to participate in the BEYOND program.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 448 of title 49,
United States Code, as amended by section 803(b), is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 44811 the following:
``44812. BEYOND program.''.
SEC. 809. EXTENSION OF THE KNOW BEFORE YOU FLY CAMPAIGN.
Section 356 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-
254; 132 Stat. 3305) is amended by striking ``2019 through 2023'' and
inserting ``2024 through 2028''.
SEC. 810. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM DATA EXCHANGE.
(a) Data Exchange Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall develop and submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan to make available data
that is prudent to ensure the safe integration of unmanned aircraft
systems into the national airspace system. Such plan shall include the
following:
(1) A description of technical efforts to digitize and
automate aeronautical information (including through the
development and use of an unmanned aircraft systems geospatial
information management system) to provide an authoritative
source of geospatial information to support the operation of
unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace system.
(2) Suggested refinements to standard sets of aeronautical
information for current and upcoming unmanned aircraft systems
integration efforts to facilitate the exchange of unmanned
aircraft systems data that is relevant to the unmanned aircraft
systems community.
(3) An identification of sensitive flight data that may
require information security controls or protection to
safeguard the operational security of such flight activity with
respect to air navigation services that contain information
about sensitive national security or law enforcement flights.
(4) Means and service fees for the data to be shared
consistent with industry standard geospatial formats.
(b) Coordination.--In developing the plan under subsection (a), the
Administrator shall--
(1) solicit from the Secretary of the Interior and other
departments or agencies, as deemed necessary by the
Administrator, information relevant to the safe operation of
unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace system; and
(2) coordinate with unmanned aircraft systems industry and
technical groups to identify an efficient and effective format,
method, and cadence for providing the required data.
SEC. 811. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM DETECTION AND MITIGATION ENFORCEMENT
AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Chapter 448 of title 49, United States Code, as
amended by sections 803(a) and 808(a), is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``Sec. 44813. Unmanned aircraft system detection and mitigation
enforcement
``(a) Prohibition.--
``(1) In general.--No person may operate a system or
technology to detect, identify, monitor, track, or mitigate an
unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system in a manner that
adversely impacts or interferes with safe airport operations,
navigation, or air traffic services, or the safe and efficient
operation of the national airspace system.
``(2) Actions by the administrator.--The Administrator of
the Federal Aviation Administration may take such action as may
be necessary to address the adverse impacts or interference of
operations that violate paragraph (1).
``(3) Termination.--The prohibition under paragraph (1)
shall not apply on or after September 30, 2028.
``(b) Penalties.--A person who operates a system or technology in
violation of subsection (a)(1) is liable to the Federal Government for
a civil penalty of not more than $25,000 per violation.
``(c) Rule of Construction.--The term `person' as used in this
section does not include--
``(1) the Federal Government or any bureau, department,
instrumentality, or other agency of the Federal Government; or
``(2) an officer, employee, or contractor of the Federal
Government or any bureau, department, instrumentality, or other
agency of the Federal Government if the officer, employee, or
contractor is authorized by the Federal Government or any
bureau, department, instrumentality, or other agency of the
Federal Government to operate a system or technology referred
to in subsection (a)(1).
``(d) Briefing to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on any
enforcement actions taken (including any civil penalties imposed) using
the authority under this section.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 448 of title 49,
United States Code, as amended by sections 803(b) and 808(b), is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 44812 the
following:
``44813. Unmanned aircraft system detection and mitigation
enforcement.''.
SEC. 812. RECREATIONAL OPERATIONS OF DRONE SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--Section 44809 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a) by striking paragraph (6) and
inserting the following:
``(6) In Class G airspace, aircraft flying within the
safety programming of a recognized community-based organization
can fly from the surface up to controlled airspace. Operators
shall maintain visual line of sight of the aircraft and comply
with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions. Flights into
controlled airspace require specific authorization from the
Administrator.'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``organization conducting a
sanctioned event'' and inserting ``organization
sponsoring operations''; and
(ii) by inserting ``The Administrator shall
designate recognized community-based
organizations to self-declare FAA-recognized
identification areas to sponsored sites that
meet criteria developed by the Administrator in
coordination with the community-based
organization.'' after ``facility.'';
(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph
(3);
(C) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated)--
(i) in the paragraph heading by striking
``weighing more than 55 pounds'' and inserting
``weighing 55 pounds or greater'';
(ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``weighing more than 55
pounds'' and inserting ``weighing 55 pounds or
greater''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting
``or (2)'' after ``paragraph (1)''; and
(D) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Operations in class g airspace.--Subject to
compliance with all airspace and flight restrictions and
prohibitions established under this chapter, such as special
use airspace designations and temporary flight restrictions--
``(A) persons operating drones under subsection (a)
from a fixed site at which the operations are sponsored
by a community-based organization may operate within
Class G airspace--
``(i) from the surface up to controlled
airspace without prior authorization from the
Administrator; and
``(ii) into controlled airspace with prior
authorization from the Administrator.
``(B) persons operating drones under paragraph (3)
from a fixed site at which the operations are sponsored
by a community-based organization may operate within
Class G airspace with prior authorization from the
Administrator.'';
(3) in subsection (d) by striking the subsection heading
and all that follows through ``Nothing in this subsection'' and
inserting the following:
``(d) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this subsection'';
(4) in subsection (f)(1) by striking ``updates to the
operational parameters'' and inserting ``the operational
limitations''; and
(5) in subsection (h)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (6) as
paragraphs (2) through (7), respectively;
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so
redesignated) the following:
``(1) is recognized by the Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration;'';
(C) in paragraph (6), as redesignated by
subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(D) in paragraph (7), as so redesignated, by
striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) is a designated Federal Aviation Administration Trust
Administrator.''.
(b) Use of UAS at Institutions of Higher Education.--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 after paragraph (1) 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), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by inserting ``an elementary school,
or a secondary school,'' after ``institution of higher
education,''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) 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).
``(4) 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).''.
SEC. 813. UAS TEST RANGES.
(a) In General.--Chapter 448 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by striking section 44803 and inserting the following:
``Sec. 44803. Unmanned aircraft test ranges
``(a) Test Ranges.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration shall carry out and update, as
appropriate, a program for the use of unmanned aircraft system
test ranges to--
``(A) enable a broad variety of research,
development, testing, and evaluation activities at the
test ranges; and
``(B) not later than 5 years after the date of
enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024,
expand the number of test ranges, to the extent
consistent with aviation safety and efficiency, for
purposes of the safe integration of unmanned aircraft
systems into the national airspace system.
``(2) Designations.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
designations of test ranges under this section may
include the following:
``(i) The 7 test ranges established by the
Administrator under section 332(c) of the FAA
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C.
40101 note), as in effect on the day before the
date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization
Act of 2018, and pursuant to section 2201(b) of
the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of
2016 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note), which, except for
the eligibility factors as provided in
paragraph (3) of this section, shall each be
subject to the requirements of this section.
``(ii) Two additional test ranges subject
to the requirements of this section, which may
be established by the Administrator through a
competitive selection process after successful
conversion of test ranges established prior to
the date of enactment of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2024 and at least 6
months of data sharing demonstrating safe
operations and improved use of the test range
consistent with any standard established by the
Administrator through the selection process.
``(B) Limitation.--Not more than 9 test ranges
shall be designated under this section at any given
time.
``(3) Eligibility.--An applicant shall be considered
eligible for designation as a test range sponsor under
paragraph (2)(A)(ii) based on the following criteria:
``(A) The applicant shall be an instrumentality of
a State, a local, tribal, or territorial government, or
other public entity.
``(B) The applicant shall be approved by the chief
executive officer of the State, local, territorial, or
tribal government for the applicant's principal place
of business, prior to seeking designation by the
Administrator.
``(C) The applicant shall not have been selected
previously by the Administrator to sponsor or host a
test range covered by this section.
``(D) The applicant shall undertake and ensure
testing in innovative concepts, technologies, and
operations that will offer new safety benefits,
including expanding advanced research and developing
and retaining an advanced aviation industrial base
within the United States.
``(E) The applicant shall meet any other
requirements established by the Administrator in a
competitive selection process.
``(b) Airspace Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out the program under
subsection (a), the Administrator may establish, upon the
request of a test range sponsor designated by the Administrator
under subsection (a), a restricted area, pursuant to part 73 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, for purposes of--
``(A) accommodating hazardous research,
development, testing, and evaluation activities to
inform the safe integration of unmanned aircraft
systems into the national airspace system; or
``(B) other activities authorized by the
Administrator pursuant to subsection (f).
``(2) NEPA review.--The Administrator may require that each
test range sponsor designated by the Administrator under
subsection (a) 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 of and adoption by
the Federal Aviation Administration, with respect to any
request for the establishment of a restricted area under this
subsection.
``(3) Inactive restricted area.--
``(A) In general.--In the event a restricted area
established under paragraph (1) is not needed to meet
the requirements of the using agency (as described in
subparagraph (B)), the restricted area shall be
inactive and revert to the controlling agency.
``(B) Using agency.--For purposes of this
subsection, a test range sponsor designated by the
Administrator under subsection (a) shall be considered
the using agency with respect to a restricted area
established by the Administrator under this subsection.
``(4) Approval authority.--The Administrator shall have the
authority to approve access by a participating or
nonparticipating operator to a test range or restricted area
established by the Administrator under this subsection.
``(c) Program Requirements.--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,
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the
Department of Defense, as 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 the continued development of standards for integration of
unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system;
``(5) shall engage test range sponsors, as necessary and
with available resources, in projects for research,
development, testing, and evaluation of flight systems to
facilitate the Federal Aviation Administration's development of
standards 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 by the manufacturer
regarding any hazards or limitations on flight,
including prohibition on flight as necessary;
``(C) developing sense and avoid capabilities;
``(D) developing technology to support
communications, navigation, and surveillance;
``(E) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)
operations, nighttime operations, operations over
people, operations involving multiple small unmanned
aircraft systems, unmanned aircraft systems traffic
management, or other critical research priorities;
``(F) improving privacy protections through the use
of advances in unmanned aircraft systems; and
``(G) conducting counter-UAS testing;
``(6) shall coordinate periodically with all test range
sponsors to ensure the test range sponsors know which data
should be collected, how data can be de-identified to flow more
readily to the Federal Aviation Administration, what procedures
should be followed, and what research 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 (including in-kind contributions), other than from the
Federal Aviation Administration, from test range participants
in furtherance of research, development, and testing
objectives.
``(d) Exemption.--Except as provided in subsection (f), the
requirements of section 44711 (including any related implementing
regulations) shall not apply to persons approved by the test range
sponsor for operation at a test range designated by the Administrator
under this section.
``(e) Responsibilities of Test Range Sponsors.--The sponsor of each
test range designated by the Administrator under subsection (a) shall
do the following:
``(1) Provide access to all interested private and public
entities seeking to carry out research at the test range, 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 defined in
section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)).
``(2) Maintain operational control for all testing
activities conducted at its respective test range.
``(3) Ensure all activities remain within the geographical
boundaries and altitude limitations established for any
restricted area covering the test range.
``(4) Ensure any activity conducted at the designated test
range is not conducted in a careless or reckless manner.
``(5) Establish safe operating procedures for all operators
approved for testing 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.
``(6) Exercise direct oversight of all operations conducted
at the test range.
``(7) Consult with the Administrator on the nature of
planned activity at the test range and whether segregation of
the airspace is required to contain the activity consistent
with aviation safety.
``(8) Protect proprietary technology, sensitive data, or
sensitive research of any civil or private entity when using
the test range.
``(9) Maintain detailed records of all ongoing and
completed research 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.
``(10) Make all original records available for inspection
upon request by the Administrator.
``(11) Provide recommendations, on a quarterly basis until
the program terminates, to the Administrator to further enable
public and private research and development operations at the
test ranges that contribute to the Federal Aviation
Administration's safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems
into the national airspace system.
``(f) Testing.--The Administrator may authorize a sponsor of a test
range designated under subsection (a) to host research, development,
testing, and evaluation activities other than those directly related to
the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace
system, provided that--
``(1) the activity is necessary to inform the development
of standards or policy for integrating new types of flight
systems into the national airspace system; and
``(2) the Administrator waives the requirements of section
44711 (including any related implementing regulations) to the
extent the Administrator determines such waiver is consistent
with aviation safety.
``(g) Collaborative Research and Development Agreements.--The
Administrator may use the transaction authority under section
106(l)(6), in coordination with the Center of Excellence for Unmanned
Aircraft Systems, to enter into collaborative research and development
agreements or to direct research related to unmanned aircraft systems,
including at any test range designated under subsection (a).
``(h) Use of Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.--
The Administrator, in carrying out research necessary to implement the
consensus safety standards accepted under section 44805, shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, leverage the research and testing capacity
and capabilities of the Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft
Systems and the test ranges designated under subsection (a).
``(i) Clarification.--Nothing in this section shall be construed as
authorizing the research, development, testing, evaluation, or any
other use of a system or technology for the detection or mitigation of
unmanned aircraft systems (commonly referred to as `counter-UAS') at
any test range designated under subsection (a).
``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section, $14,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2024 through 2028.
``(k) 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
established by the Administrator under section 332(c) of the FAA
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note), as in
effect on the day before the date of enactment of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2018, and any public entity authorized by the
Federal Aviation Administration as an unmanned aircraft system flight
test center before January 1, 2009'' and inserting ``the test ranges
designated by the Administrator under section 44803''.
SEC. 814. AUTHORITY REGARDING PROTECTION OF CERTAIN FACILITIES AND
ASSETS FROM UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.
Section 547 of title V of division F of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328) is amended by striking
``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.
SEC. 815. AIRPORT SAFETY AND AIRSPACE HAZARD MITIGATION AND
ENFORCEMENT.
Section 44810(h) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2023'' and inserting ``September 30, 2028''.
SEC. 816. SPECIAL AUTHORITY FOR TRANSPORT OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS BY
COMMERCIAL PACKAGE DELIVERY UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other Federal requirement or
restriction related to the transportation of hazardous materials on
aircraft, the Secretary shall, beginning not later than 180 days after
enactment of this section, use a risk-based approach to establish the
operational requirements, standards, or special permits necessary to
approve or authorize an air carrier to transport hazardous materials by
unmanned aircraft systems providing common carriage under part 135 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or under other authorities, as
applicable.
(b) Requirement.--In implementing the authority in subsection (a),
the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum--
(1) the safety of the public and users of the national
airspace system;
(2) efficiencies of allowing the safe transportation of
hazardous materials by unmanned aircraft systems and that the
carriage of hazardous materials complies with Hazardous
Materials Regulations, including any changes to the Hazardous
Materials Regulations adopted pursuant to this section;
(3) the risk profile of the transportation of hazardous
materials by unmanned aircraft systems, taking into
consideration the risk associated with differing weights,
quantities, and Packing Group classifications of hazardous
materials; and
(4) mitigations to the risk of the hazardous materials
transported, including operational mitigations and aircraft-
based mitigations.
(c) Safety Risk Assessments.--The Secretary shall require unmanned
aircraft operators to submit a safety risk assessment (SRA) acceptable
by the Administrator.
(d) Conformity of Hazardous Materials Regulations.--The Secretary
shall make such changes as necessary to conform the hazardous materials
regulations under parts 173 and 175 of title 49, Code of Federal
Regulations, to this section. Such changes shall be made concurrently
with the authority in subsection (a).
(e) Stakeholder Input on Changes to the Hazardous Materials
Regulations.--Within 180 days of the date of enactment of this section,
the Secretary shall hold a public meeting to obtain input on changes
necessary to implement this section within the Hazardous Materials
Regulations and to address any identified changes in risk.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Hazardous materials.--The term ``hazardous materials''
has the meaning given that term in section 5102 of title 49,
United States Code.
(2) Unmanned aircraft system.--The term ``unmanned aircraft
system'' has the meaning given such term in section 44801 of
title 49, United States Code.
SEC. 817. STOP ILLICIT DRONES.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered foreign country.--The term ``covered foreign
country'' means any of the following:
(A) The People's Republic of China.
(B) The Russian Federation.
(C) The Islamic Republic of Iran.
(D) The Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
(E) The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
(F) The Republic of Cuba.
(G) Any other country the Administrator deems
necessary.
(2) Covered foreign entity.--The term ``covered foreign
entity'' means an entity that is--
(A) included on the Consolidated Screening List
maintained by the Under Secretary of Commerce for
International Trade;
(B) domiciled in a covered foreign country;
(C) subject to influence or control by the
government of a covered foreign country; or
(D) owned by an entity that is described in
subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).
(3) Unmanned aircraft system; uas.--The terms ``unmanned
aircraft system'' and ``UAS'' have the meaning given the term
``unmanned aircraft system'' in section 44801 of title 49,
United States Code.
(b) Prohibition on Funding for Entities From Covered Foreign
Countries for Projects Related to Unmanned Aircraft Systems.--
(1) Aviation research grants program.--Not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of this section, the
Administrator shall amend FAA Order 9550.7B, Aviation Research
Grants Program (dated November 25, 2014), as well as any
corresponding policy or guidance material, to prohibit--
(A) any covered foreign entity from receiving
aviation research and development grants for any
project related to unmanned aircraft systems; and
(B) any entity from using such grants to partner
with or otherwise transact business relating to covered
unmanned aircraft systems with covered foreign
entities.
(2) Aviation workforce development programs.--Section
625(c) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101
note), as amended by section 501 of this Act, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``An application for a
grant'' and inserting ``Subject to paragraph (4), an
application for a grant'';
(B) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``An application for a
grant'' and inserting ``Subject to paragraph (4), an
application for a grant''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(4) Applications from covered foreign entities.--
``(A) Prohibition.--Beginning on the date of
enactment of this paragraph, an application for a grant
under the program established under subsection (a)(1)
or (a)(2) may not be submitted for an eligible project
related to unmanned aircraft systems (as defined in
section 44801 of title 49, United States Code) by--
``(i) a covered foreign entity; or
``(ii) an entity that uses or intends to
use such grant to benefit a covered foreign
entity.
``(B) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph:
``(i) Covered foreign country.--The term
`covered foreign country' means any of the
following:
``(I) The People's Republic of
China.
``(II) The Russian Federation.
``(III) The Islamic Republic of
Iran.
``(IV) The Democratic People's
Republic of Korea.
``(V) The Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela.
``(VI) The Republic of Cuba.
``(VII) Any other country the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration deems necessary.
``(ii) Covered foreign entity.--The term
`covered foreign entity' means an entity that
is--
``(I) included on the Consolidated
Screening List maintained by the Under
Secretary of Commerce for International
Trade;
``(II) domiciled in a covered
foreign country;
``(III) subject to influence or
control by the government of a covered
foreign country; or
``(IV) owned by an entity that is
described in subclause (I), (II), or
(III).''.
(3) Centers of excellence.--
(A) Community and technical college centers of
excellence in small unmanned aircraft system technology
training.--Section 631 of the FAA Reauthorization Act
of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended--
(i) in subsection (a), by striking ``Not
later than 180 days'' and inserting ``Subject
to subsection (f), not later than 180 days'';
and
(ii) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(f) Prohibition.--
``(1) In general.--Beginning on the date of enactment of
this subsection, the Secretary of Transportation may not
designate any covered foreign entity as a Center of Excellence
under subsection (a).
``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection:
``(A) Covered foreign country.--The term `covered
foreign country' means any of the following:
``(i) The People's Republic of China.
``(ii) The Russian Federation.
``(iii) The Islamic Republic of Iran.
``(iv) The Democratic People's Republic of
Korea.
``(v) The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
``(vi) The Republic of Cuba.
``(vii) Any other country the Administrator
of the Federal Aviation Administration deems
necessary.
``(B) Covered foreign entity.--The term `covered
foreign entity' means an entity that is--
``(i) included on the Consolidated
Screening List maintained by the Under
Secretary of Commerce for International Trade;
``(ii) domiciled in a covered foreign
country;
``(iii) subject to influence or control by
the government of a covered foreign country; or
``(iv) owned by an entity that is described
in clause (i), (ii), or (iii).''.
(B) Regional centers of air transportation
excellence.--Section 44513 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended--
(i) in subsection (a), by striking ``The
Administrator'' and inserting ``Subject to
subsection (i), the Administrator''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(i) Prohibition.--
``(1) In general.--Beginning on the date of enactment of
this subsection, the Administrator may not issue a grant under
subsection (a) to a covered foreign entity to establish or
operate a regional center of air transportation excellence
related to unmanned aircraft systems (as defined in section
44801).
``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection:
``(A) Covered foreign country.--The term `covered
foreign country' means any of the following:
``(i) The People's Republic of China.
``(ii) The Russian Federation.
``(iii) The Islamic Republic of Iran.
``(iv) The Democratic People's Republic of
Korea.
``(v) The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
``(vi) The Republic of Cuba.
``(vii) Any other country the Administrator
deems necessary.
``(B) Covered foreign entity.--The term `covered
foreign entity' means an entity that is--
``(i) included on the Consolidated
Screening List maintained by the Under
Secretary of Commerce for International Trade;
``(ii) domiciled in a covered foreign
country;
``(iii) subject to influence or control by
the government of a covered foreign country; or
``(iv) owned by an entity that is described
in clause (i), (ii), or (iii).''.
(4) Other faa funding.--
(A) Facilities, personnel, and research.--
(i) In general.--Chapter 445 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following new section:
``Sec. 44520. Prohibition on drone-related funding to covered foreign
entities
``(a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration may not issue a grant under this chapter to a covered
foreign entity for any project related to unmanned aircraft systems.
``(b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
``(1) Covered foreign country.--The term `covered foreign
country' means any of the following:
``(A) The People's Republic of China.
``(B) The Russian Federation.
``(C) The Islamic Republic of Iran.
``(D) The Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
``(E) The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
``(F) The Republic of Cuba.
``(G) Any other country the Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration deems necessary.
``(2) Covered foreign entity.--The term `covered foreign
entity' means an entity that is--
``(A) included on the Consolidated Screening List
maintained by the Under Secretary of Commerce for
International Trade;
``(B) domiciled in a covered foreign country;
``(C) subject to influence or control by the
government of a covered foreign country; or
``(D) owned by an entity that is described in
subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).
``(3) Unmanned aircraft system.--The term `unmanned
aircraft system' has the meaning given that term in section
44801.
``(c) Effective Date.--The prohibition under subsection (a) shall
apply to any grant awarded by the Administrator on or after the date of
enactment of this section.''.
(ii) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for
chapter 445 of such title 49, is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section
44519 the following:
``44520. Prohibition on drone-related funding to covered foreign
entities.''.
(B) Airport improvement project grant
applications.--Section 47105(a) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
``(4) Prohibition.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation
may not award a grant under this subchapter to a
covered foreign entity for any project related to
unmanned aircraft systems (as defined in section
44801).
``(B) Effective date.--The prohibition under
subparagraph (A) shall apply to any grant awarded by
the Secretary on or after the date of enactment of this
paragraph.
``(C) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph:
``(i) Covered foreign country.--The term
`covered foreign country' means any of the
following:
``(I) The People's Republic of
China.
``(II) The Russian Federation.
``(III) The Islamic Republic of
Iran.
``(IV) The Democratic People's
Republic of Korea.
``(V) The Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela.
``(VI) The Republic of Cuba.
``(VII) Any other country the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration deems necessary.
``(ii) Covered foreign entity.--The term
`covered foreign entity' means an entity that
is--
``(I) included on the Consolidated
Screening List maintained by the Under
Secretary of Commerce for International
Trade;
``(II) domiciled in a covered
foreign country;
``(III) subject to influence or
control by the government of a covered
foreign country; or
``(IV) owned by an entity that is
described in subclause (I), (II), or
(III).''.
(C) AIP funding eligibility.--Section 44810(e) of
title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(i) by striking ``Eligibility.--Upon the
certification'' and inserting ``Eligibility.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), upon the
certification''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(2) Prohibition.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator may not award
a grant under paragraph (1) to a covered foreign entity
for any project related to unmanned aircraft systems.
``(B) Effective date.--The prohibition under
subparagraph (A) shall apply to any grant awarded under
paragraph (1) on or after the date of enactment of the
Stemming The Operation of Pernicious and Illicit Drones
Act.
``(C) Definitions.--For purposes of this
subsection:
``(i) Covered foreign country.--The term
`covered foreign country' means any of the
following:
``(I) The People's Republic of
China.
``(II) The Russian Federation.
``(III) The Islamic Republic of
Iran.
``(IV) The Democratic People's
Republic of Korea.
``(V) The Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela.
``(VI) The Republic of Cuba.
``(VII) Any other country the
Administrator deems necessary.
``(ii) Covered foreign entity.--The term
`covered foreign entity' means an entity that
is--
``(I) included on the Consolidated
Screening List or Entity List
maintained by the Under Secretary of
Commerce for International Trade;
``(II) domiciled in a covered
foreign country;
``(III) subject to influence or
control by the government of a covered
foreign country; or
``(IV) owned by an entity that is
described in subclause (I), (II), or
(III).''.
(c) Prohibition on FAA Operation, Procurement, or Contracting
Action With Respect to Covered Unmanned Aircraft Systems.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 448 of title 49, United States
Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end
the following new section:
``Sec. 44816. Prohibition on operation, procurement, or contracting
action with respect to covered unmanned aircraft systems
``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the Administrator
shall not--
``(1) operate a covered unmanned aircraft system; or
``(2) enter into, extend, or renew a contract--
``(A) for the procurement of a covered unmanned
aircraft system; or
``(B) with an entity that operates (as determined
by the Administrator) a covered unmanned aircraft
system in the performance of any Federal Aviation
Administration contract.
``(b) Exemption.--The restrictions under subsection (a) shall not
apply if the operation, procurement, or contracting action is for the
purpose of--
``(1) detection or counter-UAS system surrogate testing and
training (including at Federal Aviation Administration-approved
testing sites);
``(2) intelligence, electronic warfare, and information
warfare operations, testing (including at Federal Aviation
Administration-approved testing sites), analysis, and training;
or
``(3) research to inform unmanned aircraft system data-
driven policy decisions, safety assessments, procedures,
rulemaking, and standards to safely integrate emerging entrants
into the national airspace system (including at Federal
Aviation Administration-approved testing sites).
``(c) Waiver.--The Administrator may waive the restrictions under
subsection (a) on a case by case basis by certifying, in writing, to
the Secretary of Homeland Security and the appropriate committees of
Congress that the operation, procurement, or contracting action is
required in the public interest.
``(d) Replacement of Covered Unmanned Aircraft Systems.--Not later
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the
Administrator shall replace any covered unmanned aircraft system that
is owned or operated by the Federal Aviation Administration as of the
date of enactment of this section with an unmanned aircraft system
manufactured in the United States or an allied country (as that term is
defined in section 2350f(d)(1) of title 10, United States Code).
``(e) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes--
``(1) a description of the changes the Federal Aviation
Administration has made to its operation, procurement, and
contracting processes to ensure that the Administration does
not acquire any covered unmanned aircraft system;
``(2) the number of covered unmanned aircraft systems that
needed to be replaced in accordance with subsection (d),
including--
``(A) an explanation of the purposes for which such
covered unmanned aircraft systems were used;
``(B) a description of the unmanned aircraft
systems that the Administrator will purchase to replace
such covered unmanned aircraft systems; and
``(C) the cost to replace the identified unmanned
aircraft systems; and
``(3) any other information determined appropriate by the
Administrator.
``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
``(2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
`appropriate committees of Congress' means--
``(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate;
``(B) the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing
and Urban Development, and Related Agencies of the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
``(C) the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and
``(D) the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing
and Urban Development, and Related Agencies of the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
``(3) Covered foreign country.--The term `covered foreign
country' means any of the following:
``(A) The People's Republic of China.
``(B) The Russian Federation.
``(C) The Islamic Republic of Iran.
``(D) The Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
``(E) The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
``(F) The Republic of Cuba.
``(G) Any other country the Administrator deems
necessary.
``(4) Covered unmanned aircraft system.--The term `covered
unmanned aircraft system' means an unmanned aircraft system
that is--
``(A) included on the Consolidated Screening List
maintained by the Under Secretary of Commerce for
International Trade;
``(B) produced by an entity domiciled in a covered
foreign country; or
``(C) produced by an entity subject to influence or
control by the government of a covered foreign
country.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 448 of
such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 44815 the following:
``44816. Prohibition on operation, procurement, or contracting action
with respect to covered unmanned aircraft
systems.''.
SEC. 818. DRONE INFRASTRUCTURE INSPECTION GRANTS.
(a) Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Program.--
(1) Authority.--The Secretary 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 increase efficiency, reduce costs,
improve worker and community safety, reduce carbon emissions,
or meet other priorities (as determined by the Secretary)
related to critical infrastructure projects.
(2) Use of grant amounts.--A governmental entity may use a
grant provided under this subsection to--
(A) purchase or lease eligible small unmanned
aircraft systems;
(B) support operational capabilities of eligible
small unmanned aircraft systems by the governmental
entity;
(C) contract for services performed with 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
paragraph (1); and
(D) support the program management capability of
the governmental entity to use an eligible small
unmanned aircraft system.
(3) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this subsection, 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 its
contractor will comply with relevant Federal regulations.
(4) Selection of applicants.--In selecting an applicant for
a grant under this subsection, the Secretary shall prioritize
projects that propose to--
(A) carry out a critical infrastructure project in
a historically disadvantaged community; or
(B) address a safety risk in the inspection,
operation, maintenance, repair, modernization, or
construction of an element of critical infrastructure.
(5) Limitation.--Nothing in this subsection shall be
construed to interfere with an agreement between a governmental
entity and a labor union.
(6) Report to congress.--Not later than 1 year after the
first grant is provided under this subsection, the Secretary
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
that evaluates the program carried out under this subsection,
including--
(A) a description of the number of grants awarded;
(B) the amount of each grant;
(C) the activities funded under this section; and
(D) the effectiveness of such funded activities in
meeting the objectives described in paragraph (1).
(7) Funding.--
(A) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost
of a project carried out using a grant under this
subsection shall not be less than 80 percent of the
total project cost.
(B) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
subsection--
(i) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
(ii) $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2025 through 2028.
(b) 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 section
1016(e) of the Critical Infrastructures Protection Act of 2001
(42 U.S.C. 5195c(e)).
(3) Critical infrastructure project.--The term ``critical
infrastructure 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.
(4) Educational institution.--The term ``educational
institution'' means an institution of higher education (as
defined in section 101 of the Higher 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).
(5) 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 defined by the Secretary.
(6) 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.
(7) 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 combination of the entities described in
subparagraphs (A) through (D).
(8) Small unmanned aircraft; unmanned aircraft; unmanned
aircraft system.--The terms ``small unmanned aircraft'',
``unmanned aircraft'', and ``unmanned aircraft system'' have
the meanings given such terms in section 44801 of title 49,
United States Code.
SEC. 819. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT IN THE ARCTIC.
(a) In General.--Section 44804 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``Small unmanned''
and inserting ``Unmanned''; and
(2) by striking ``small'' each place it appears.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 448 of such
title is amended by striking the item relating to section 44804 and
inserting the following:
``44804. Unmanned aircraft in the Arctic.''.
SEC. 820. REMOTE IDENTIFICATION ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF COMPLIANCE.
(a) Study.--The Administrator 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 section, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report on the results of the study under
subsection (a).
SEC. 821. PROHIBITION ON OPERATION, PROCUREMENT, OR CONTRACTING ACTION
OF FOREIGN-MADE UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary
is prohibited from entering into a contract or awarding a grant for the
operation, procurement, or contracting action with respect to any small
unmanned aircraft system that is manufactured or assembled by a covered
foreign entity.
(b) Exemption.--The restrictions under subsection (a) shall not
apply if the operation, procurement, or contracting action is for the
purpose of--
(1) counter-UAS testing, analysis, or training; or
(2) aviation safety testing.
(c) Waiver.--The Secretary (or the Secretary's designee) may waive
any restrictions under subsection (a) on a case by case basis by
certifying, in writing, not later than 15 days after exercising such
waiver, to the appropriate committees of Congress that the operation,
procurement, or contracting action is required in the national interest
of the United States.
(d) Replacement of Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall replace any
unmanned aircraft system that was manufactured or assembled by
a covered foreign entity and that is owned or operated by the
Department of Transportation as of the date of enactment of
this section with an unmanned aircraft system manufactured in
the United States or an allied country (as that term is defined
in section 2350f(d)(1) of title 10, United States Code).
(2) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary $5,000,000 to carry out this subsection.
(e) Definitions.--In this Section:
(1) Covered foreign entity.--The term ``covered foreign
entity'' means an entity that is--
(A) included on the Consolidated Screening List or
Entity List as designated by the Secretary of Commerce;
(B) doing business as Da Jiang Innovations (also
known as ``DJI'') or any successor company;
(C) domiciled in the People's Republic of China or
the Russian Federation;
(D) subject to influence or control by the
government of the People's Republic of China or the
Russian Federation; or
(E) is a subsidiary or affiliate of an entity
described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (D).
(2) Small unmanned aircraft; unmanned aircraft system.--The
terms ``small unmanned aircraft'' and ``unmanned aircraft
system'' have the meaning given such terms in section 44801 of
title 49, United States Code.
SEC. 822. FAA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ON UAS AUTOMATION.
(a) Comprehensive Plan.--The Administrator shall establish a
comprehensive plan for unmanned aircraft systems automation.
(b) Comprehensive Plan Contents.--The comprehensive plan
established under subsection (a) shall--
(1) identify such FAA processes and regulations that must
change to accommodate the increasingly automated role of the
remote pilot of unmanned aircraft systems; and
(2) include a plan for how the FAA intends to authorize low
risk automated operations, such as low altitude operations of
small unmanned aircraft systems in close proximity to the
ground or structures, to increasingly complex automated
operations.
(c) Coordination.--In establishing the comprehensive plan under
subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult with--
(1) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
(2) the Department of Defense;
(3) manufacturers of autonomous unmanned aircraft systems;
(4) operators of autonomous unmanned aircraft systems; and
(5) other stakeholders at the discretion of the
Administrator that have studied automation in aviation, the
human-computer interface, and safety mitigations.
(d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this section, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Subcommittee on
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies of
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies of
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a
report on the plan established under subsection (a).
(e) Small Unmanned Aircraft; Unmanned Aircraft; Unmanned Aircraft
System.--In this section, the terms ``small unmanned aircraft'',
``unmanned aircraft'', and ``unmanned aircraft system'' have the
meanings given such terms in section 44801 of title 49, United States
Code.
SEC. 823. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that it is important that the United
States maintain global leadership in advanced aviation to maintain and
improve national security, safety, sustainability, and economic
strength domestically and globally.
SEC. 824. COMPREHENSIVE UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM INTEGRATION STRATEGY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on its national airspace
system (NAS) integration strategy for unmanned aircraft systems (as
defined in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code), including
civil unmanned aircraft systems operating in controlled airspace, that
includes the following:
(1) The status of the following:
(A) Implementation of statutory provisions related
to unmanned aircraft system integration in subtitle B
of title III of division B of the FAA Reauthorization
Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-254).
(B) Implementation of statutory provisions related
to unmanned aircraft system integration in subtitle A
of title VIII of this Act.
(C) Actions taken by the FAA to implement
recommendations related to NAS integration of unmanned
aircraft systems, including civil unmanned aircraft
systems operating in controlled airspace, included in
aviation rulemaking committee reports published since
the enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018
(Public Law 115-254).
(D) Any other objectives determined appropriate by
the Administrator as part of a NAS integration
strategy.
(2) A description of steps to achieve the strategy as
outlined in subsection (a), including milestones and
performance metrics to gauge results.
(3) The costs of executing the strategy, any resources or
investments required to execute the strategy, and any
regulatory or policy changes required to execute the strategy.
(4) The process for ensuring coordination within the FAA
and with relevant interagency stakeholders, as well as for
receiving input from private and public sector unmanned
aircraft systems stakeholders in the execution of the strategy.
(5) A description of steps to achieve strategy objectives,
including milestones and performance metrics to gauge results.
(b) Congressional Briefings.--Beginning 6 months after the date of
enactment of this section, and not less than every 12 months
thereafter, the Administrator shall provide a briefing for the
appropriate Committees of Congress on--
(1) the status of implementation of each element specified
in subsection (a); and
(2) any additional actions taken by the Administrator to
integrate unmanned aircraft systems into the NAS.
(c) Sunset.--Subsection (b) shall not apply after September 30,
2028.
SEC. 825. ESTABLISHMENT OF ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR OF UAS INTEGRATION.
Section 106 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by section
801, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(v) Office of the Associate Administrator of UAS Integration.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Federal
Aviation Administration the Office of Associate Administrator
of UAS Integration (in this subsection referred to as the
`Office').
``(2) Associate administrator.--The Office shall be headed
by an Associate Administrator, who shall--
``(A) be appointed by the Administrator, in
consultation with the Secretary of Transportation; and
``(B) report directly to the Administrator.
``(3) Purposes.--The purposes of the Office are to--
``(A) ensure and oversee the safe integration of
UASs into the national airspace system;
``(B) encourage and facilitate a commercially
viable UAS industry and the leadership of the United
States in UAS;
``(C) increase overall safety of the transportation
system on a mode-neutral basis;
``(D) promote the global leadership of the United
States in advanced aviation;
``(E) manage the UAS Integration Office; and
``(F) ensure the safe coexistence of UASs with
manned aircraft operating in the national airspace
system.
``(4) Duties.--The Associate Administrator shall--
``(A) conduct rulemaking proceedings with respect
to UASs;
``(B) review submissions under the processes
established in subparagraphs (C) through (E) of section
44811(c)(2) and, as appropriate, grant certifications
and other operational approvals;
``(C) review, modify, accept, or approve industry-
developed standards, means of compliance, and
declarations of compliance;
``(D) consult and coordinate with subject matter
experts from all relevant lines of business and staff
offices in carrying out the duties described in this
paragraph in a timely and efficient manner;
``(E) hire full time equivalent employees, as
appropriate, to build expertise within the Office in
assessing new technologies and novel risk mitigations;
and
``(F) engage in any other activities deemed
necessary by the Associate Administrator to carry out
the purposes described in paragraph (3).
``(5) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Beyond visual line of sight; bvlos.--The
terms `beyond visual line of sight' or `BVLOS' mean the
operation of a UAS beyond the capability of the
flightcrew members to see the UAS with vision unaided
by any device other than corrective lenses (such as
spectacles or contact lenses).
``(B) UAS.--The term `UAS' has the meaning given
the term `unmanned aircraft system' in section
44801.''.
SEC. 826. USE OF MODELING AND SIMULATION TOOLS IN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
TEST RANGES; PROGRAM EXTENSION.
Section 44803(c) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by
section 813, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(8) use modeling and simulation tools to assist in the
testing, evaluation, verification, and validation of unmanned
aircraft systems.''.
Subtitle B--Advanced Air Mobility
SEC. 831. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON FAA LEADERSHIP.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States should take actions to position
itself as a global leader in advanced air mobility; and
(2) as such a global leader, the FAA should--
(A) prioritize its work on the type certification
of aircraft;
(B) publish in line with its stated deadlines
rulemakings and policy necessary to enable commercial
operations, such as the powered-lift Special Federal
Aviation Regulation (SFAR);
(C) work with global partners to promote acceptance
of advanced air mobility products; and
(D) leverage the existing aviation system to the
greatest extent possible to support advanced air
mobility operations.
SEC. 832. AVIATION RULEMAKING COMMITTEE ON CERTIFICATION OF POWERED-
LIFT AIRCRAFT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which
the first special class type certificate for powered-lift aircraft is
issued, the Administrator shall establish an Aviation Rulemaking
Committee (in this section referred to as the ``Committee'') to provide
the Administrator with specific findings and recommendations for the
creation of a standard certification pathway for the certification of
powered-lift aircraft.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date on
which the Committee is established under subsection (a), the
Committee shall submit to the Administrator a report detailing
the findings and recommendations of the Committee.
(2) Considerations.--In submitting the report under
paragraph (1), the Committee shall consider the following:
(A) Broad, outcome-driven safety objectives that
will spur innovation and technology adoption and
promote the development of performance-based
regulations.
(B) Lessons and insights learned from previously
published FAA special conditions and other Federal
Register notices of airworthiness certification
criteria for powered-lift aircraft.
(c) Rulemaking.--Not later than 90 days after the date on which the
Committee submits the report to the Administrator under subsection (b),
the Administrator shall initiate a rulemaking to implement the findings
and recommendations of the Committee, as determined appropriate by the
Administrator.
SEC. 833. APPLICATION OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA)
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS FOR VERTIPORT PROJECTS.
(a) In General.--In considering the environmental impacts of a
proposed vertiport project on an existing airport, the Administrator
shall--
(1) apply an applicable categorical exclusion in accordance
with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.) and subchapter A of chapter V of title 40, Code
of Federal Regulations; and
(2) after consultation with the Council on Environmental
Quality, take steps to establish categorical exclusions for
vertiports on an existing airport, in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.) and subchapter A of chapter V of title 40, Code of
Federal Regulations.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Advanced air mobility; aam.--The terms ``advanced air
mobility'' and ``AAM'' mean a transportation system 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, in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
(2) Vertiport.--The term ``vertiport'' means a designated
location used or intended to be used to support advanced air
mobility (AAM) operations, including the landing, take-off,
loading, taxiing, parking, and storage of aircraft developed
for advanced air mobility (AAM) operations.
SEC. 834. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY WORKING GROUP AMENDMENTS.
Section 2(f) of the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and
Leadership Act (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3);
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new
paragraph:
``(2) recommendations for sharing expertise and data on
critical items, including long-term electrification
requirements and the needs of cities (from a macro-
electrification standpoint) to enable the deployment of AAM;
and''; and
(4) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by paragraph (2) of
this section, by striking ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting
``paragraphs (1) and (2)''.
SEC. 835. RULES FOR OPERATION OF POWERED-LIFT AIRCRAFT.
(a) Powered-lift Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the term
``powered-lift aircraft'' means a heavier-than-air aircraft capable of
vertical take-off, vertical landing, and low speed flight that depends
principally on engine-driven lift devices or engine thrust for lift
during these flight regimes and on 1 or more nonrotating airfoils for
lift during horizontal flight.
(b) Rulemaking.--Not later than December 31, 2024, the
Administrator shall finalize a Powered-Lift Special Federal Aviation
Regulation (SFAR) establishing a procedure for certifying pilots and
the operation of powered-lift aircraft capable of transporting
passengers and cargo.
(c) Requirements.--With respect to any aircraft type certificated
by the Administrator, the procedure established under subsection (b)
shall provide a practical pathway for pilot qualification and
operations.
SEC. 836. INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION ON POWERED-LIFT AIRCRAFT.
(a) Powered-lift Aircraft Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall develop a
plan to facilitate the ability of the aerospace industry of the
United States to efficiently operate powered-lift aircraft and
export powered-lift products and articles in key markets
globally.
(2) Requirements.--The plan developed under paragraph (1)
shall include the following:
(A) An assessment of existing bilateral aviation
safety agreements, implementation procedures, and other
associated bilateral arrangements so that current and
future powered-lift products and articles can utilize
the most appropriate validation mechanisms and
procedures for powered-lift aircraft, products, and
articles.
(B) A description of methods to facilitate the
efficient global acceptance of the FAA approach to
certification of powered-lift aircraft, products, and
articles.
(C) Any other information determined appropriated
by the Administrator.
(b) Coordination With Civil Aviation Authorities.--Not later than
90 days after the plan is developed under subsection (a), the
Administrator shall coordinate with international civil aviation
authorities in countries that have a bilateral safety agreement and
implementation procedure with the United States regarding the
establishment of mutual processes for efficient validation, acceptance,
and working arrangements of certificates and approvals for powered-lift
aircraft, products, and articles.
(c) Establishment of Provisions.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish
the mutual processes described in subsection (b).
(d) Powered-lift Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the term
``powered-lift aircraft'' means a heavier-than-air aircraft capable of
vertical take-off, vertical landing, and low speed flight that depends
principally on engine-driven lift devices or engine thrust for lift
during these flight regimes and on 1 or more nonrotating airfoils for
lift during horizontal flight.
SEC. 837. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY PROPULSION SYSTEMS AVIATION RULEMAKING
COMMITTEE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this section, the Administrator shall establish an Aviation
Rulemaking Committee (in this section referred to as the ``Committee'')
to provide the Administrator with specific findings and recommendations
for regulations covering, with respect to small and large type
certificated aircraft, the certification and installation of--
(1) electric engines and propellers;
(2) hybrid electric engines and propulsion systems;
(3) hydrogen fuel cells; and
(4) hydrogen combustion engines or propulsion systems.
(b) Considerations.--In providing the findings and recommendations
under subsection (a), the Committee shall consider the following:
(1) Broad, outcome-driven safety objectives that will spur
innovation and technology adoption, and promote the development
of performance-based regulations.
(2) Lessons and insights learned from previously published
FAA special conditions and other Federal Register notices of
airworthiness certification criteria for advanced air mobility
engines, propellers, and aircraft.
(3) The requirements of part 33 and part 35 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations, any boundaries of applicability
for stand alone engine type certificates (including highly
integrated systems), and the use of technical standards order
authorizations.
(c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which the
Committee is established under subsection (a), the Committee shall
submit to the Administrator and the appropriate committees of Congress
a report containing the findings and recommendations described in
subsection (a).
(d) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the
Committee submits the report under subsection (c), the Administrator
shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress regarding the FAA's
plans in response to the findings and recommendations contained in the
report.
(e) Safety Cooperation.--The Administrator shall lead efforts to
engage with foreign authorities to further harmonize standards for
certification and installation of the products described in paragraphs
(1) through (4) of subsection (a).
TITLE IX--RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATIVE AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES
SEC. 901. ADVANCED MATERIALS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE ENHANCEMENTS.
Section 44518 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``under its structure''
and all that follows through the period and inserting ``through
September 30, 2028, under its structure as in effect on March
1, 2023, which shall focus on applied research and training on
the safe use of composites and advanced materials in airframe
structures. The Center shall also conduct research and
development into aircraft structure crash worthiness and
passenger safety, as well as address safe and accessible air
travel of individuals with a disability (as defined in section
382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any
successor regulation)), including materials required to
facilitate safe wheelchair restraint systems on commercial
aircraft. The Administrator shall award grants to the Center
within 90 days from the date the Grants Officer recommends a
proposal for award to the Administrator.''; and
(2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Responsibilities.--The Center shall--
``(1) promote and facilitate collaboration among member
universities, academia, the Federal Aviation Administration,
the commercial aircraft industry, including manufacturers,
commercial air carriers, and suppliers, and other appropriate
stakeholders;
``(2) establish goals set to advance technology, improve
engineering practices, and facilitate continuing education in
relevant areas of study, which should include all structural
materials, such as carbon fiber polymers and thermoplastic
composites, and structural technologies, such as additive
manufacturing, to be used in applications within the commercial
aircraft industry, including traditional fixed-wing aircraft,
rotorcraft, and emerging aircraft types such as advanced air
mobility aircraft; and
``(3) establish criteria for the safe movement of all
passengers, including individuals with a disability (as defined
in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or
any successor regulation)), and individuals using their
personal wheelchairs in flight, that takes into account the
modeling, engineering, testing, operating, and training issues
significant to all passengers and relevant stakeholders.''.
SEC. 902. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 448 of title 49, United States Code, as
amended by section 811(a), is amended by inserting after section 44813
the following new section:
``Sec. 44814. Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems
``(a) In General.--During the period beginning on the date of
enactment of this section, and ending on September 30, 2028, the
Administrator shall continue operation of the Center of Excellence for
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (referred to in this section as the `Center')
under the structure of the Center as in effect on January 1, 2023.
``(b) Responsibilities.--The Center shall carry out the following
responsibilities:
``(1) Conduct applied research and training on the safe and
efficient integration of unmanned aircraft systems and advanced
air mobility into the national airspace system.
``(2) Promote and facilitate collaboration among academia,
the FAA, Federal agency partners, and industry stakeholders
(including manufacturers, operators, service providers,
standards development organizations, carriers, and suppliers),
with respect to the safe and efficient integration of unmanned
aircraft systems and advanced air mobility into the national
airspace system.
``(3) Establish goals set to advance technology, improve
engineering practices, and facilitate continuing education with
respect to the safe and efficient integration of unmanned
aircraft systems and advanced air mobility into the national
airspace system.
``(c) Program Participation.--The Administrator shall ensure the
participation in the Center of public institutions of higher education
and research institutions that provide accredited bachelor's degree
programs in aeronautical sciences that provide pathways to commercial
pilot certifications and focus primarily on supporting pilot training
for women aviators.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 448 of title 49,
United States Code, as amended by section 811(b), is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 44813 the following:
``44814. Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.''.
SEC. 903. ASSURED SAFE CREDENTIALING AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Chapter 448 of title 49, United States Code, as
amended by section 902(a), is amended by inserting after section 44814
the following new section:
``Sec. 44815. ASSUREd Safe credentialing authority
``(a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration shall establish the credentialing authority for the
Administration's program of record (referred to in this section as
`ASSUREd Safe') under the Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft
Systems at the Mississippi State University.
``(b) Purposes.--The ASSUREd Safe credentialing authority
established under subsection (a) shall offer services throughout the
United States, and to allies and partners of the United States,
including--
``(1) online and in-person standards, education, and
testing to certify first responders' use of unmanned aircraft
systems for public safety and disaster operations;
``(2) uniform communications standards, operational
standards, and reporting standards for civilian, military, and
international allies and partners; and
``(3) any other services determined appropriate by the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 448 of such
title, as amended by section 902(b), is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 44814 the following:
``44815. ASSUREd Safe Credentialing Authority.''.
SEC. 904. FAA AND NASA ADVANCED AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) Pilot Program.--
(1) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator, in coordination
with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (in this section referred to as the ``NASA
Administrator''), shall establish a pilot program to facilitate
the appointment of individuals from NASA to the FAA to serve in
temporary technical discipline expert positions relating to
advanced aviation technologies (in this section referred to as
the ``program'').
(2) Considerations.--In developing the program, the
Administrator shall consider--
(A) existing mechanisms of collaboration between
FAA and NASA relating to aeronautics programs, advisory
committees, and work groups;
(B) the degree to which FAA and NASA facilitate
partnerships between subject matter experts to support
the research and development, testing, and
certification of advanced aviation technologies; and
(C) how temporary appointments under the program
may be best used to enhance the technical capacity of
the FAA and technical partnerships between agencies.
(b) Temporary Appointment of NASA Personnel.--
(1) Terms and conditions.--The Administrator, in
coordination with the NASA Administrator, shall identify
qualifying projects or activities at the FAA that would benefit
from temporary appointments of highly qualified, experienced
professionals under the program to enhance technical capacity,
knowledge, skills, and abilities relating to research and
development, certification, and the safe deployment of advanced
aviation technologies. The Administrator and NASA Administrator
shall jointly establish the terms and conditions of service
under the program and issue relevant guidelines related to the
responsibilities and duration of service of participating NASA
personnel. In approving NASA personnel for participation in the
program, the NASA Administrator shall certify that the
temporary appointment of such personnel shall not have an
adverse impact on the post-assignment employment duties of
relevant NASA personnel or an undue adverse impact on the
mission of the agency.
(2) Special rules.--The Administrator shall make clear that
any responsibilities of NASA personnel participating in the
program constitute serving in temporary technical discipline
expert positions at the FAA and are subject to FAA conflict-of-
interest policies and supervision.
(3) Rules for pay and benefits for nasa personnel.--Any
individuals employed by NASA who are participating in the
program shall continue to receive pay and benefits from NASA
and shall not receive pay or benefits from the FAA for the
duration of the program.
(c) Authority to Transfer and Receive Resources.--In supporting the
participation of NASA personnel, the Administrator and NASA
Administrator may authorize the use of NASA technical services,
equipment, software, and facilities without reimbursement to facilitate
cooperation between agencies under the program.
(d) Program Review and Report.--
(1) Review.--The Comptroller General shall conduct a
comprehensive review of the program that includes evaluation of
the impact of the program on improving coordination on projects
and sharing of technical expertise between agencies relating to
advanced aviation technologies.
(2) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing
the results of the review conducted under paragraph (1), along
with recommendations for such future action as the Comptroller
General determines appropriate.
SEC. 905. ADVANCING GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ON CIVIL SUPERSONIC AIRCRAFT.
Section 181 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101
note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``regulations, and
standards'' and inserting ``regulations, standards, and
recommended practices''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(g) Additional Reports.--
``(1) Initial progress report.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
describing--
``(A) the progress of the actions described in
subsection (d)(1);
``(B) any planned, proposed, or anticipated action
to update or modify existing policies and regulations
related to civil supersonic aircraft, including those
identified as a result of stakeholder consultation and
feedback (such as landing and takeoff noise); and
``(C) any other information determined appropriate
by the Administrator.
``(2) Subsequent report.--Not later than 2 years after the
date on which the Administrator submits the initial progress
report under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress an updated report on the
progress of the actions described in paragraph (1).''.
SEC. 906. CLEEN ENGINE AND AIRFRAME TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP.
Section 47511 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``subsonic'' after
``fuels for civil''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Selection.--In carrying out the program, the Administrator
may ensure that not less than 2 of the cooperative agreements entered
into under this section involve the participation of an entity that is
a small business concern (as defined in section 3 of the Small Business
Act (15 U.S.C. 632)), provided that the entity's submitted technology
proposal meets requisite technology readiness levels for entry into the
agreement as determined by the Administrator.''.
SEC. 907. HYPERSONIC AND SUPERSONIC FLIGHT TESTING.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year (Supersonic) and 2 years
(Hypersonic) after the date of enactment of this section, the
Administrator shall establish procedures for permitting manned flights
in oceanic airspace and overland flights operating with speeds in
excess of Mach 1 (Supersonic Flight) including Mach 5 (Hypersonic) and
above for the purposes of developmental and airworthiness testing
(including demonstration flights in areas where such flights will not
interfere with the safety of other aircraft or the efficient use of
airspace in the national airspace system).
(b) Considerations.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
Administrator shall consider--
(1) the provisions of parts 91.817 and 91.818 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations;
(2) applications for special flight authorizations for
flights operating with speeds in excess of Mach 1 (Supersonic)
or Mach 5 (Hypersonic), as described in such part 91.818;
(3) the environmental impacts of developmental and
airworthiness testing operations;
(4) whether to require applicants to include specification
of proposed flight areas;
(5) the authorization of flights to and from spaceports and
airports in Class D airspace within 10 nautical miles of
oceanic coastline;
(6) developing the vertical limits at or above the altitude
necessary for safe supersonic and hypersonic operations;
(7) proponent-provided data regarding the design and
operational analysis of the aircraft, as well as data regarding
sonic boom overpressure; and
(8) the safety of the uninvolved public.
SEC. 908. HYPERSONIC PATHWAY TO INTEGRATION STUDY.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall conduct a study
assessing actions necessary to facilitate the safe operation
and integration of hypersonic aircraft into the national
airspace system.
(2) Contents.--The study conducted under paragraph (1)
shall include, at a minimum--
(A) an initial assessment of cross-agency equities
related to hypersonic aircraft technologies and flight;
(B) the identification, development, and collection
of data required to develop certification, flight
standards, and air traffic requirements for the
deployment and integration of hypersonic aircraft;
(C) the development of a framework and timeline to
establish the appropriate regulatory requirements for
conducting hypersonic aircraft flights;
(D) strategic plans to improve the FAA's state of
preparedness and response capability in advance of
receiving applications to conduct hypersonic aircraft
flights; and
(E) a survey of global hypersonic aircraft-related
regulatory and testing developments or activities.
(3) Considerations.--In conducting the study under
paragraph (1), the Administrator may consider--
(A) the feedback and technical expertise of the
aerospace industry and other stakeholders when creating
policies, regulations, and standards that enable the
safe operation and integration of hypersonic aircraft
into the national airspace system;
(B) opportunities for--
(i) demonstrating United States global
leadership in aeronautics, including hypersonic
aircraft and related technologies; and
(ii) strengthening global harmonization in
aeronautics; and
(C) the development of international policies,
regulations, and standards relating to the
certification and safe operation of hypersonic
aircraft.
(4) Consultation.--In conducting the study under paragraph
(1), the Administrator shall consult with representatives from
Federal agencies, industry, and other stakeholders, including--
(A) the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration;
(B) the Department of Defense;
(C) aircraft manufacturers;
(D) institutions of higher education; and
(E) any other stakeholders the Administrator
determines appropriate.
(b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under
subsection (a), together with recommendations to facilitate the safe
operation and integration of hypersonic aircraft into the national
airspace system.
(c) Definition of Hypersonic.--In this section, the term
``hypersonic'' means an aircraft or flight operating at speeds in
excess of Mach 5 and above.
SEC. 909. OPERATING HIGH-SPEED FLIGHTS IN HIGH ALTITUDE CLASS E
AIRSPACE.
(a) Consultation.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, 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 do not produce appreciable sonic boom overpressures at the
surface under prevailing atmospheric conditions.
(b) Consultation.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator, in consultation with the
Environmental Protection Agency and other stakeholders, shall assess
and report on a means for supporting continued compliance with the
National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). The Administrator shall
enter into an agreement with an appropriate Federally-funded research
and development center, or other independent nonprofit organization
that recommends long term solutions for maintaining NEPA compliance for
1 or more over-land or near-land hypersonic and supersonic test areas
that will be established.
(c) Rulemaking.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which the
Administrator identifies the minimum altitude described in subsection
(a), 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 subsection (a) without specific
authorization, provided that such flight operations--
(1) show compliance with airworthiness requirements;
(2) do not cause a measurable sonic boom overpressure to
reach the surface;
(3) have ordinary instrument flight rules clearances
necessary to operate in controlled airspace; and
(4) comply with applicable environmental requirements.
SEC. 910. ELECTRIC PROPULSION AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS STUDY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall initiate a
study assessing the safe and scalable operation and integration of
electric aircraft into the national airspace system.
(b) Contents.--The study required under subsection (a) shall
address--
(1) the technical capacity and competencies needed for the
FAA to certify aircraft systems specific to electric aircraft;
(2) the data development and collection required to develop
standards specific to electric aircraft;
(3) the regulatory standards and guidance material needed
to facilitate the safe operation of electric aircraft,
including--
(A) fire protection;
(B) high voltage electromagnetic environments;
(C) engine and human machine interfaces;
(D) reliability of high voltage components and
insulation;
(E) lithium batteries for propulsion use;
(F) operating and pilot qualifications; and
(G) airspace integration;
(4) the airport infrastructure requirements to support
electric aircraft operations, including an assessment of--
(A) existing capabilities of airport infrastructure
as of the date of enactment of this section;
(B) aircraft operations specifications;
(C) projected operations demand by carriers and
other operators;
(D) potential modifications to existing airport
infrastructure;
(E) additional investments in new infrastructure
and systems required to meet operations demand; and
(F) management of infrastructure relating to
hazardous materials used in hybrid and electric
propulsion; and
(5) varying types of electric aircraft, including advanced
air mobility aircraft and small or regional passenger or cargo
aircraft.
(c) Considerations.--In conducting the study under subsection (a),
the Comptroller General may consider the following:
(1) The potential for improvements to air service
connectivity for communities through the deployment of electric
aircraft operations, including by--
(A) establishing routes to small and rural
communities; and
(B) introducing alternative modes of transportation
for multimodal operations within communities.
(2) Impacts to airport-adjacent communities, including
implications due to changes in airspace utilization and land
use compatibility.
(d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the study
conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations for such
legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General
determines appropriate.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Electric aircraft.--The term ``electric aircraft''
means an aircraft with a fully electric or hybrid electric
driven propulsion system used for flight.
(2) Advanced air mobility.--The term ``advanced air
mobility'' means a transportation system that transports
passengers and cargo by air between two points in the United
States using aircraft with advanced technologies, including
aircraft with hybrid or electric vertical take-off and landing
capabilities, in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
SEC. 911. CONTRACT WEATHER OBSERVERS PROGRAM.
Section 2306 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016
(Public Law 114-190; 130 Stat. 641) is amended by striking subsection
(b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Continued Use of Contract Weather Observers.--The
Administrator may not discontinue or diminish the contract weather
observer program at any airport until September 30, 2028.''.
SEC. 912. AIRFIELD PAVEMENT TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
Using amounts made available under section 48102(a) of title 49,
United States Code, the Secretary may carry out a program for the
research and development of airfield pavement technologies under which
the Secretary makes grants to, and enters into cooperative agreements
with, institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) and nonprofit
organizations that--
(1) research concrete and asphalt pavement technologies
that extend the life of airfield pavements;
(2) develop sustainability and resiliency guidelines to
improve long-term pavement performance;
(3) develop and conduct training with respect to such
airfield pavement technologies;
(4) provide for demonstration projects of such airfield
pavement technologies; and
(5) promote the latest airfield pavement technologies to
aid the development of safer, more cost effective, and more
resilient and sustainable airfield pavements.
SEC. 913. NATIONAL AVIATION RESEARCH PLAN MODIFICATION.
(a) Modification of Submission Deadline.--Section 44501(c)(1) of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``the date of
submission'' and inserting ``the date that is 45 days after the date of
submission''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 48102(g) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``the date of submission'' and
inserting ``the date that is 45 days after the date of submission''.
SEC. 914. FAA AND NASA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION REVIEW.
(a) Review.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator, in coordination
with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (in this section referred to as ``NASA'') shall
conduct a review of aeronautics research and development
coordination between Federal agencies and the extent to which
NASA and the FAA can improve collaboration in order to leverage
each other's subject matter expertise relating to civil
aviation projects.
(2) Contents.--In carrying out the review under paragraph
(1), the Administrator shall--
(A) review the extent to which NASA and the FAA
leverage each other's laboratory and testing
capabilities, facilities, resources, and subject matter
expert personnel in support of aeronautics research and
development programs and projects;
(B) assess--
(i) the current fiscal year, and the 3 most
recent fiscal years, of Federal expenditures
for the FAA and NASA's research and development
programs and projects; and
(ii) the extent to which other Federal
agencies, industry partners, and research
organizations are involved in such programs and
projects; and
(C) develop recommendations for the improvement of
coordination, collaboration, and efficiency of
aeronautics research and development programs to reduce
overlap between NASA, the FAA, other Federal agencies,
academia, research organizations, standards groups, and
industry.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after completing the review
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report on such review, including the
recommendations developed under subsection (a)(2)(C).
SEC. 915. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF FAA'S AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION
SYSTEMS MODERNIZATION ACTIVITIES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment
of this section, the Administrator, in coordination with the John A.
Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, shall carry out a
research and development program to assist with the continuous
modernization of the FAA's aeronautical information systems, including,
but not limited to--
(1) the Aeronautical Information Management Modernization
(AIMM), including the FAA's Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM)
system;
(2) the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing
(ASIAS) system; and
(3) the Service Difficulty Reporting System (SDRS).
(b) Review and Report.--
(1) Review.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall enter into
an agreement with a Federally funded research and development
center to conduct and complete a review of planned and ongoing
modernization efforts of FAA's aeronautical information
systems. Such review shall identify opportunities for
additional coordination between the FAA and the John A. Volpe
National Transportation Systems Center to further modernize
such systems.
(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the Administrator
enters into the agreement with the center under paragraph (1),
the Center shall submit to the Administrator and the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the review
conducted under paragraph (1), together with such
recommendations as the Center determines appropriate.
SEC. 916. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR ALTERNATIVE JET FUELS AND
ENVIRONMENT.
(a) In General.--Chapter 445 of title 49, United States Code, as
amended by section 817, is amended by adding at the end the following
new section:
``Sec. 44521. Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and
Environment
``(a) In General.--During the period beginning on the date of
enactment of this section and ending on September 30, 2028, the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (in this section
referred to as the `Administrator') shall continue operation of the
Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment (in this
section referred to as the `Center') under its structure as in effect
on January 1, 2023.
``(b) Responsibilities.--The Center shall--
``(1) focus on research to--
``(A) assist in the development, qualification, and
certification of the use of aviation fuel from
alternative and renewable sources (such as biomass,
alcohols, organic acids, hydrogen, and gaseous carbon)
for commercial aircraft;
``(B) assist in informing the safe use of
alternative aviation fuels in commercial aircraft that
also apply electrified aircraft propulsion systems;
``(C) reduce community exposure to civilian
aircraft noise and pollutant emissions;
``(D) inform decision making to support United
States leadership on international aviation
environmental issues, including the development of
domestic and international standards; and
``(E) improve and expand the scientific
understanding of civil aviation noise and pollutant
emissions and their impacts, as well as support the
development of improved modeling approaches and tools;
and
``(2) examine the use of novel technologies and other forms
of innovation to reduce noise, emissions, and fuel burn in
commercial aircraft.
``(c) Grant Authority.--The Administrator shall carry out the work
of the Center through the use of grants or other measures as determined
appropriate by the Administrator pursuant to section 44513, including
through interagency agreements with other Federal agencies.
``(d) Participation.--
``(1) Participation of educational and research
institutions.--In carrying out the responsibilities described
in subsection (b), the Center shall include, as appropriate,
participation by--
``(A) higher education and research institutions
that--
``(i) have existing facilities for
research, development, and testing; and
``(ii) leverage private sector
partnerships;
``(B) other Federal agencies;
``(C) consortia with experience across the
alternative fuels supply chain, including with
research, feedstock development and production, small-
scale development, testing, and technology evaluation
related to the creation, processing, production, and
transportation of alternative aviation fuel; and
``(D) consortia with experience in innovative
technologies to reduce noise, emissions, and fuel burn
in commercial aircraft.
``(2) Use of nasa facilities.--The Center shall consider
utilizing the existing capacity in aeronautics research at the
Langley Research Center, NASA John H. Glenn Center at the Neil
A. Armstrong Test Facility, and other appropriate facilities of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 445 of such
title, as amended by section 817, is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 44520 the following:
``44521. Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and
Environment.''.
SEC. 917. AIRCRAFT NOISE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish an
Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the
``Advisory Committee'') to advise the Administrator on issues facing
the aviation community that are related to aircraft noise exposure and
existing FAA noise policies and regulations.
(b) Membership.--The Administrator shall appoint the members of the
Advisory Committee, which shall be comprised of--
(1) at least 1 representative of each of--
(A) engine manufacturers;
(B) air carriers;
(C) airport owners or operators;
(D) aircraft manufacturers;
(E) advanced air mobility manufacturers or
operators;
(F) institutions of higher education; and
(G) the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration; and
(2) representatives of airport-adjacent communities from
geographically diverse regions.
(c) Duties.--The duties of the Advisory Committee shall include--
(1) the evaluation of existing research on aircraft noise
impacts and annoyance;
(2) the assessment of alternative noise metrics that could
be used to supplement or replace the existing Day Night Level
(DNL) standard;
(3) the evaluation of the current 65-decibel exposure
threshold, including the impact to land use compatibility
around airports if such threshold was lowered;
(4) the evaluation of current noise mitigation strategies
and the community engagement efforts by the FAA with respect to
changes in airspace utilization, such as the integration of new
entrants and usage of performance-based navigation; and
(5) other duties determined appropriate by the
Administrator.
(d) Reports.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
establishment of the Advisory Committee, the Advisory Committee
shall submit to the Administrator a report on any recommended
changes to current aviation noise policies.
(2) Report to congress.--Not later than 180 days after the
date the Administrator receives the report under paragraph (1),
the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report containing the recommendations made by the
Advisory Committee.
(e) Congressional Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after
submission of the report under paragraph (2), the Administrator shall
brief the appropriate committees of Congress on how the Administrator
plans to implement recommendations contained in the report and, for
each recommendation that the Administrator does not plan to implement,
the Administrator's reason for not implementing the recommendation.
SEC. 918. NEXT GENERATION RADIO ALTIMETERS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment
of this section, the Administrator, in coordination with the aviation
and commercial wireless industries, the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, and
other relevant government stakeholders, shall carry out a research and
development program to assist with the development, testing, and
certification of the standards and technology necessary to ensure
industry and the FAA can certify and meet the installation requirements
for next generation radio altimeters across all necessary aircraft by
January 1, 2028.
(b) Grant Program.--Subject to appropriations, 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 section, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress 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.
(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to apply to efforts to retrofit the existing supply of
altimeters in place as of the date of enactment of this section.
SEC. 919. HYDROGEN AVIATION STRATEGY.
(a) FAA and Department of Energy Leadership on Using Hydrogen to
Propel Commercial Aircraft.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Administrator and jointly with the Secretary of Energy, shall
exercise leadership in the creation of Federal and
international policies, and shall conduct research relating to
the safe and efficient use and sourcing of hydrogen to propel
commercial aircraft.
(2) Exercise of leadership.--In carrying out paragraph (1),
the Secretary, the Administrator, and the Secretary of Energy
shall--
(A) establish positions and goals for the use of
hydrogen to propel commercial aircraft;
(B) through grant, contract, or interagency
agreements, study the contribution the use of hydrogen
would have on propelling commercial aircraft, including
hydrogen as an input for conventional jet fuel,
hydrogen fuel cells as a source of electric propulsion,
sustainable aviation fuel, and power to liquids or
synthetic fuel, and research ways of accelerating
introduction of hydrogen-propelled aircraft;
(C) review grant eligibility requirements, loans,
loan guarantees, and other policies and requirements of
the FAA and the Department of Energy to identify ways
to increase the safe and efficient use of hydrogen to
propel commercial aircraft;
(D) consider the needs of the aerospace industry,
aviation suppliers, hydrogen producers, airlines,
airport sponsors, fixed base operators, and other
stakeholders when creating policies that enable the
safe use of hydrogen to propel commercial aircraft;
(E) coordinate with the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration, and obtain input from the
aerospace industry, aviation suppliers, hydrogen
producers, airlines, airport sponsors, fixed base
operators, and other stakeholders regarding--
(i) the safe and efficient use of hydrogen
to propel commercial aircraft within United
States airspace, including--
(I) updating or modifying existing
policies on such use;
(II) assessing barriers to, and
benefits of, the introduction of
aircraft propelled by hydrogen;
(III) the operational differences
between aircraft propelled by hydrogen
and aircraft propelled with other types
of fuels; and
(IV) public, economic, and noise
benefits of the operation of commercial
aircraft propelled by hydrogen and
associated aerospace industry activity;
and
(ii) other issues identified by the
Secretary, the Administrator, the Secretary of
Energy, or the advisory committee established
under subparagraph (F) that must be addressed
to enable the safe and efficient use of
hydrogen to propel commercial aircraft; and
(F) establish an advisory committee composed of
representatives of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the aerospace industry, aviation
suppliers, hydrogen producers, airlines, airport
sponsors, fixed base operators, and other stakeholders
to advise the Secretary, the Administrator, and the
Secretary of Energy on the activities carried out under
this subsection and subsection (b).
(3) International leadership.--The Secretary, the
Administrator, and the Secretary of Energy, in the appropriate
international forums, shall take actions that--
(A) demonstrate global leadership in carrying out
the activities required by paragraphs (1) and (2);
(B) address the needs of the aerospace industry,
aviation suppliers, hydrogen producers, airlines,
airport sponsors, fixed base operators, and other
stakeholders identified under paragraph (2);
(C) address the needs of fuel cell manufacturers;
and
(D) advance the United States' competitiveness in
hydrogen-propelled aircraft.
(4) Report to congress.--Not later than 3 years after the
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, acting
primarily through the Administrator, and jointly with the
Secretary of Energy, shall submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress a report detailing--
(A) the Secretary's, Administrator's, and Secretary
of Energy's actions to exercise leadership in the
creation of Federal and international policies, and of
research conducted, relating to the safe and efficient
use of hydrogen to propel commercial aircraft;
(B) planned, proposed, and anticipated actions to
update or modify existing policies related to the use
of hydrogen to propel commercial aircraft, including
those identified as a result of consultation with, and
feedback from, the aerospace industry, aviation
suppliers, hydrogen producers, airlines, airport
sponsors, fixed base operators, and other stakeholders
identified under paragraph (2); and
(C) a timeline for any actions pursuant to
subparagraphs (A) and (B) to be taken to update or
modify existing policies related to the safe and
efficient use of hydrogen to propel commercial
aircraft.
(b) FAA Leadership on the Certification of Hydrogen-propelled
Commercial Aircraft.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall exercise
leadership in the creation of Federal regulations, standards,
and guidance relating to the safe and efficient certification
of hydrogen-propelled commercial aircraft.
(2) Exercise of leadership.--In carrying out paragraph (1),
the Administrator shall--
(A) establish a viable path for the certification
of hydrogen-propelled aircraft that considers existing
frameworks, modifying an existing framework, or
developing a new framework as appropriate;
(B) review certification regulations, guidance, and
other requirements of the FAA to identify ways to
safely and efficiently certify hydrogen-propelled
commercial aircraft;
(C) consider the needs of the aerospace industry,
aviation suppliers, hydrogen producers, airlines,
airport sponsors, fixed base operators, and other
stakeholders when creating regulations and standards
that enable the safe certification and deployment of
hydrogen-propelled commercial aircraft in the national
airspace system; and
(D) obtain the input of the aerospace industry,
aviation suppliers, hydrogen producers, airlines,
airport sponsors, fixed base operators, and other
stakeholders regarding--
(i) the appropriate regulatory framework
and timeline for permitting the safe and
efficient deployment and operation of hydrogen-
propelled aircraft in the United States,
including updating or modifying existing
regulations;
(ii) how to accelerate the resolution of
issues related to data and standards
development and related regulations necessary
to facilitate the safe and efficient
certification of hydrogen-propelled commercial
aircraft; and
(iii) other issues identified by the
Administrator or the advisory committee
established under subsection (a)(2)(F) that
must be addressed to enable the safe and
efficient deployment and operation of hydrogen-
propelled commercial aircraft.
SEC. 920. AVIATION FUEL SYSTEMS.
(a) Coordination.--The Secretary, in coordination with the
stakeholders identified in subsection (b), shall study, plan, and make
recommendations with respect to coordination and implementation issues
relating to aircraft powered by new aviation fuels or fuel systems,
including at a minimum, the following:
(1) Research and technical assistance related to the
development, certification, operation, and maintenance of
aircraft powered by new aviation fuels and fuel systems, along
with refueling and charging infrastructure and associated
technologies critical to their deployment.
(2) Data sharing with respect to the installation,
maintenance, and utilization of charging and refueling
infrastructure at airports.
(3) Development and deployment of training and
certification programs for the development, construction, and
maintenance of aircraft, related fuel systems, and charging and
refueling infrastructure.
(4) Any other issues that the Secretary, in consultation
with the Secretary of Energy, shall deem of interest related to
the validation and certification of new fuels for use or fuel
systems in aircraft.
(b) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with--
(1) the Department of Energy;
(2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
(3) the Department of the Air Force; and
(4) other Federal agencies, as determined by the Secretary.
(c) Savings.--Nothing in this section shall be construed as
granting the Environmental Protection Agency additional authority to
establish alternative fuel emissions standards.
TITLE X--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 1001. AUTHORIZATION FOR CARRIAGE REIMBURSEMENT.
(a) In General.--Beginning on the date of enactment of this
section, the payment eligibility conditions described in section
91.321(a) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, shall apply to an
aircraft operator to the extent necessary to allow the operator to
receive payment for carrying an eligible person (as described in
subsection (b)) without the operator having to comply with the rules
described in parts 121, 125, or 135 of such title 14, subject to the
conditions provided in paragraphs (1) and (2) of such section
91.321(a).
(b) Eligible Person Described.--For purposes of subsection (a), an
eligible person to be carried on an aircraft used in an operation
conducted under such subsection is limited to a Member, officer, or
employee of the Senate or a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner,
officer, or employee of the House of Representatives, who, pursuant to
rule XXXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate or rule XXIII of the
Rules of the House of Representatives (as applicable), must pay the
fair market value of the flight (as described in such rules).
(c) Rulemaking.--The Administrator shall revise section 91.321 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, as necessary, consistent with
this section.
SEC. 1002. CLARIFYING MINIMUM ALTITUDES FOR GO-AROUNDS, INSPECTION
PASSES, PRACTICE APPROACHES, AND INSTRUMENT APPROACHES.
(a) In General.--The Administrator may revise regulations as
necessary to allow a properly qualified pilot operating an aircraft to
conduct, without regard to the minimum altitudes set forth in such
sections--
(1) in the case of section 91.119 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations, a go-around, an inspection pass, a
practice approach, or an instrument approach;
(2) in the case of section 91.177 of such title 14, an
instrument approach; and
(3) in the case of section 91.515 of such title 14, a go-
around, a practice approach, or an instrument approach.
(b) Briefing.--If the Administrator does not revise regulations as
described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall provide a briefing
to the appropriate committees of Congress.
SEC. 1003. LET ME TRAVEL AMERICA.
(a) In General.--Chapter 805 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 80505. COVID-19 vaccination status
``(a) In General.--An entity described in subsection (b) may not
deny service to any individual solely based on the vaccination status
of the individual with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-
19).
``(b) Entity Described.--An entity referred to in subsection (a) is
a common carrier or any other entity, including a rail carrier (as
defined in section 10102, including Amtrak), a motor carrier (as
defined in section 13102), a water carrier (as defined in that
section), and an air carrier (as defined in section 40102), that--
``(1) provides interstate transportation of passengers; and
``(2) is subject to the jurisdiction of the Department of
Transportation or the Surface Transportation Board under this
title.
``(c) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section applies to the
regulation of intrastate travel, transportation, or movement, including
the intrastate transportation of passengers.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 805 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 80504 the following:
``80505. COVID-19 vaccination status.''.
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section, or an amendment
made by this section, shall be construed to permit or otherwise
authorize Congress or an executive agency to enact or otherwise impose
a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
SEC. 1004. TRANSPORTATION OF ORGANS, BONE MARROW, AND HUMAN CELLS,
TISSUES, OR CELLULAR OR TISSUE-BASED PRODUCTS (HCT/PS).
(a) Handling of Organs, Bone Marrow, and HCT/PS on Aircraft.--Not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the
Administrator, in coordination with relevant Federal agencies and
stakeholders, shall issue a rulemaking to--
(1) establish a safe, standardized process for a commercial
airline's acceptance, handling, management, and transportation
of an organ, bone marrow, or human cells, tissues, or cellular
or tissue-based products (in this section referred to as ``HCT/
Ps'') in the cabin of an aircraft;
(2) require each commercial airline to establish a protocol
to ensure the safe and timely transport of an organ, bone
marrow, or HCT/Ps in the cabin of the aircraft, including
through any connecting flight; and
(3) identify metrics regarding the handling of organs, bone
marrow, or HCT/Ps by commercial airlines in order to increase
transparency and aid the development of best practices and
improvement initiatives.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Bone marrow.--The term ``bone marrow'' has the meaning
given such term in section 274e(c)(1) of title 42, Code of
Federal Regulations.
(2) Human cells, tissues, or cellular or tissue-based
products.--The term ``human cells, tissues, or cellular or
tissue-based products'' has the meaning given such term in
section 1271.3(d) of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations.
(3) Organ.--The term ``organ''--
(A) has the meaning given such term in section
121.2 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations; and
(B) includes organ-related tissue.
TITLE XI--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS
SEC. 1101. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
(a) Disposal of Property.--Section 40110(c)(4) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``subsection (a)(2)'' and inserting
``subsection (a)(3)''.
(b) Civil Penalty.--Section 44704(f) of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``subsection (a)(6)'' and inserting
``subsection (d)(3)''.
(c) Sunset of Rule.--Section 44729 of title 49, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (d); and
(2) by redesignating subsections (e) through (h) as
subsections (d) through (g), respectively.
(d) Public Disclosure of Information.--Section 44735 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
inserting ``, nor by any agency receiving information
from the Administrator,'' after ``Federal Aviation
Administration''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or for any
other purpose regarding the development and
implementation of a safety management system acceptable
to the Administrator'' before the period at the end;
and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Applicability to the National Transportation Safety Board.--
This section shall not be construed to limit the National
Transportation Safety Board's accident or incident investigation
authority under chapter 11 of this title, including the requirement to
not disclose voluntarily provided safety-related information under
section 1114.''.
Calendar No. 335
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 1939
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for
the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2024 through 2028,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
February 29, 2024
Reported with an amendment