119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3085


To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish a program to provide assistance to underserved airports to improve passenger and flight capacity, and for other purposes.


IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 29, 2025

Mr. Vasquez (for himself and Mr. Mann) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure


A BILL

To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish a program to provide assistance to underserved airports to improve passenger and flight capacity, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Expanding Regional Airports Act”.

SEC. 2. Regional airport expansion program.

(a) In general.—Chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“SUBCHAPTER IVREGIONAL AIRPORT EXPANSION PROGRAM

§ 41781. Grants for growing regional airports

“(a) In general.—The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a program to provide grants to eligible airports to improve passenger and flight capacity.

“(b) Eligible uses.—An eligible airport may use a grant provided under this section for—

“(1) activities that improve passenger and flight capacity at such airport, including—

“(A) the expansion of passenger and property screening facilities;

“(B) runway lengthening;

“(C) construction of hangars and associated infrastructure; and

“(D) improving passenger facilities; and

“(2) costs incurred to comply with operational and security requirements under part 139 or part 154 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or part 1542 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.

“(c) Grant requirements.—In carrying out the program established under this section, the Secretary shall provide not less than 3 and not more than 10 grants to eligible airports in each fiscal year.

“(d) Eligible airport defined.—In this section, the term ‘eligible airport’ means an airport that—

“(1) is a general aviation airport or a nonprimary commercial service airport (as determined by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration); and

“(2) serves a community with a population of at least 75,000.

§ 41782. Authorization of appropriations

“There is authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year $50,000,000 to carry out section 41781.”.

(b) Technical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 41767 the following:

“Subchapter IV—Regional Airport Expansion Program

“41781. Grants for growing regional airports.

“41782. Authorization of appropriations.”.