[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 100 (Monday, June 13, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H5452-H5454]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ADVANCED AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION ACT

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 6270) to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish 
a pilot program to provide grants related to advanced air mobility 
infrastructure, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6270

       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 ``Advanced Aviation 
     Infrastructure Modernization Act'' or the ``AAIM Act''.

     SEC. 2. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY INFRASTRUCTURE PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a 
     pilot program to provide grants that--
       (1) assist an eligible entity to plan for the development 
     and deployment of infrastructure necessary to facilitate AAM 
     operations in the United States; and
       (2) make funding available for costs directly related to 
     construction of public-use vertiports or associated 
     infrastructure.
       (b) Planning Grants.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide grants to 
     eligible entities to develop comprehensive plans under 
     paragraph (2) related to AAM infrastructure.
       (2) Comprehensive plan.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after receiving a 
     grant under this subsection, an eligible entity shall submit 
     to the Secretary a comprehensive plan in a format that may be 
     published on the website of the Department of Transportation.
       (B) Plan contents.--The Secretary shall establish content 
     requirements for comprehensive plans submitted under this 
     subsection, which may include the following:
       (i) The identification of planned or potential public-use 
     or private-use vertiport locations.
       (ii) A description of infrastructure necessary to support 
     AAM operations.
       (iii) A description of types of planned or potential AAM 
     operations.
       (iv) The identification of physical and digital 
     infrastructure required to meet the standards for vertiport 
     design and performance characteristics established by the 
     Federal Aviation Administration (as in effect on the date on 
     which the Secretary issues a grant to an eligible entity), 
     including modifications to existing infrastructure and ground 
     sensors, electric charging and other fueling requirements, 
     electric utility requirements, wireless and cybersecurity 
     requirements, and other necessary hardware or software.
       (v) A description of potential environmental effects of 
     planned construction or siting of public-use vertiports, 
     including efforts to reduce the adverse effects of potential 
     aviation noise.
       (vi) A description of how planned public-use or private-use 
     vertiport locations, including new or repurposed 
     infrastructure, fit into existing State and local 
     transportation systems and networks, including--

       (I) connectivity to existing public transportation hubs and 
     intermodal and multimodal facilities;
       (II) opportunities to create new service to areas 
     underserved by air transportation, without compromising 
     safety and efficiency of other facilities and airspace users; 
     and
       (III) any potential conflicts to existing aviation 
     infrastructure that may arise from the proposed location of 
     the vertiport.

       (vii) A description of how public-use vertiport planning 
     will be incorporated in State or metropolitan planning 
     documents.
       (viii) The identification of the process an eligible entity 
     will undertake to ensure an adequate level of community 
     engagement for planned public-use vertiport locations and 
     planned or anticipated AAM operations, including engagement 
     with underserved communities, individuals with disabilities, 
     and racial and ethnic minorities, to address equity of access 
     and other priorities.
       (ix) The identification of the actions necessary for an 
     eligible entity to undertake the construction of public-use 
     vertiports, such as planning studies to assess existing 
     infrastructure, environmental studies, studies of projected 
     economic benefit to the community, lease or acquisition of an 
     easement or land for new infrastructure, and activities 
     related to other capital costs.
       (x) The identification of State, local, or private sources 
     of funding an eligible entity may use to assist with the 
     construction or operation of a public-use vertiport.
       (3) Application.--To apply for a grant under this 
     subsection, an eligible entity shall provide to the Secretary 
     an application in such form, at such time, and containing 
     such information as the Secretary may require.
       (4) Selection.--
       (A) In general.--In awarding grants under this subsection, 
     the Secretary shall consider the following:
       (i) Geographic diversity.
       (ii) The need for comprehensive plans that--

       (I) ensure the safe integration of AAM operations into the 
     National Airspace System;
       (II) improve transportation safety, connectivity, access, 
     and equity in both rural and urban regions in the United 
     States;
       (III) leverage existing public transportation systems and 
     intermodal and multimodal facilities;
       (IV) reduce surface congestion and the environmental 
     impacts of transportation;
       (V) grow the economy and create jobs in the United States; 
     and
       (VI) encourage community engagement when planning for AAM 
     related infrastructure.

       (B) Priority.--The Secretary shall prioritize awarding 
     grants under this subsection to eligible entities that 
     partner with commercial AAM entities, institutions of higher 
     education, research institutions, or other relevant 
     stakeholders to develop and prepare a comprehensive plan.
       (5) Grant amount.--Each grant made under this subsection 
     shall be made in an amount that is not more than $1,000,000.
       (6) Briefing.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the first 
     comprehensive plan is submitted under paragraph (2), and 
     every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary shall provide a 
     briefing to the appropriate committees of Congress on the 
     comprehensive plans submitted to the Secretary under such 
     paragraph.
       (B) Contents.--The briefing required under subparagraph (A) 
     shall include--
       (i) an evaluation of all planned or proposed public-use 
     vertiport locations included in the comprehensive plans 
     submitted under paragraph (2) and how such planned or 
     proposed public-use vertiport locations may fit into the 
     overall United States transportation system and network; and
       (ii) a description of lessons or best practices learned 
     through the review of comprehensive plans and how the 
     Secretary will

[[Page H5453]]

     incorporate any such lessons or best practices into Federal 
     standards or guidance for the design and operation of AAM 
     infrastructure and facilities.
       (c) Construction Grants.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary may award grants to covered 
     recipients to carry out construction activities described 
     under paragraph (2).
       (2) Eligible uses.--A covered recipient may use grant funds 
     awarded under this subsection for design, bidding, and 
     environmental study activities, and other capital costs, as 
     the Secretary determines appropriate, directly related to the 
     construction of a public-use vertiport or associated 
     infrastructure pursuant to the comprehensive plan submitted 
     by such covered recipient.
       (3) Requirements.--The requirements of subsections (b) and 
     (c) of section 47112 of title 49, United States Code, and 
     section 50101 of such title, shall apply to a grant awarded 
     under this subsection.
       (4) Limitation.--The Secretary may not award a grant under 
     this subsection--
       (A) for the acquisition, conversion, or retrofitting of AAM 
     aircraft; or
       (B) for the construction of private-use vertiports or 
     associated infrastructure.
       (5) Grant timing.--The Secretary may not issue a grant 
     under this subsection until--
       (A) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
     Administration has--
       (i) issued type certificates for 2 or more models of 
     aircraft designed to provide AAM transportation; and
       (ii) published an advisory circular containing appropriate 
     standards for vertiport design and performance 
     characteristics and vertiport siting; and
       (B) the Secretary has--
       (i) determined that 2 or more AAM operators hold 
     certificates under part 119 of title 14, Code of Federal 
     Regulations, for such operators to perform air carrier 
     operations covered under part 135 of such title; and
       (ii) issued, to 2 or more air carriers formed to provide 
     AAM transportation, certificates under chapter 411 of title 
     49, United States Code.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Secretary to carry out this section $12,500,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023, to remain available until 
     expended.
       (2) Administrative expenses.--Of the amounts made available 
     under paragraph (1), the Secretary may retain up to 1 percent 
     for personnel, contracting, and other costs to establish and 
     administer the pilot program under this section.
       (e) Termination.--
       (1) In general.--No grant may be awarded under this section 
     after September 30, 2023.
       (2) Continued funding.--Funds authorized to be appropriated 
     pursuant to subsection (d) may be expended after September 
     30, 2023--
       (A) for grants awarded prior to September 30, 2023; and
       (B) for administrative expenses.
       (f) Definitions.--In this Act:
       (1) Advanced air mobility; aam.--The terms ``advanced air 
     mobility'' and ``AAM'' mean an air transportation system that 
     transports individuals and property between points in the 
     United States using aircraft, such as remotely piloted, 
     autonomous, or vertical take-off and landing aircraft, 
     including those powered by electric or hybrid driven 
     propulsion, in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
       (2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
     ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate.
       (3) Commercial aam entities.--The term ``commercial AAM 
     entities'' means--
       (A) manufacturers of aircraft, avionics, propulsion 
     systems, and air traffic management systems related to AAM; 
     and
       (B) intended commercial operators of AAM aircraft and 
     systems.
       (4) Covered recipient.--The term ``covered recipient'' 
     means the recipient of a grant under subsection (b) who has 
     submitted a comprehensive plan--
       (A) that has been reviewed by the Secretary pursuant to 
     subsection (b); and
       (B) that the Secretary has determined contains proposed 
     projects that comply with the standards for vertiport design, 
     performance, and siting characteristics described in a 
     published advisory circular.
       (5) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
       (A) a State, local, or Tribal government, including a 
     political subdivision thereof;
       (B) an airport sponsor;
       (C) a transit agency;
       (D) a port authority;
       (E) a metropolitan planning organization; or
       (F) any combination or consortium of the entities described 
     in subparagraphs (A) through (E).
       (6) Metropolitan planning organization.--The term 
     ``metropolitan planning organization'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 5303(b) of title 49, United States Code.
       (7) Public-use vertiport.--The term ``public-use 
     vertiport'' means a designated location used or intended to 
     be used for public purposes and to support AAM operations, 
     including the landing, takeoff, loading, taxiing, parking, 
     and storage of vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
       (8) State.--The term ``State'' means a State of the United 
     States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin 
     Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and 
     Guam.
       (9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Transportation.
       (10) Vertical take-off and landing aircraft.--The term 
     ``vertical take-off and landing aircraft'' means an aircraft 
     with lift/thrust units used to generate powered lift and 
     control and with 2 or more lift/thrust units used to provide 
     lift during vertical take-off or landing.

     SEC. 3. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

       Nothing in this Act may be construed as conferring upon any 
     person, State, local, or Tribal government the authority to 
     determine the safety of any AAM operation or the feasibility 
     of simultaneous operations by AAM and conventional aircraft 
     within any given area of the National Airspace System.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) and the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon, the chairman of the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 6270, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Oregon?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6270, legislation sponsored by 
the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen) and the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Graves).
  With the recent passage of the landmark Infrastructure Investment and 
Jobs Act, Congress renewed its commitment to robust Federal investment 
in the Nation's airport infrastructure to address the rising demand for 
air travel. As the needs of the traveling public evolve, we must build 
on this momentum to leverage innovative aviation technologies, such as 
advanced air mobility, called AAM, to help address future challenges.
  The success of these efforts depends on early and consistent 
engagement with State and local communities to ensure that AAM 
infrastructure is safely integrated into the national airspace system, 
accessible to all, and built to the appropriate Federal standards.
  H.R. 6270 continues Congress' thorough oversight of the emerging AAM 
industry and helps local communities across the country prepare for and 
take advantage of the tremendous potential of this technology.
  The bill invests $25 million to establish a 2-year U.S. Department of 
Transportation pilot program to fund comprehensive planning grants for 
State, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to prepare for the 
deployment of AAM vertiports and related infrastructure in their 
communities.
  These comprehensive plans may include details on potential vertiport 
locations; physical and digital infrastructure needs; potential 
environmental effects; connectivity to existing transportation systems; 
and strategies to ensure community engagement and equity.
  The bill's pilot program would also provide limited funding for some 
public vertiport construction activities, such as design, bidding, and 
environmental study activities, only after the FAA has certified at 
least two AAM aircraft models, issued airworthiness determinations for 
at least two AAM operators, and published an advisory circular on 
vertiport design and performance and siting standards, among other 
criteria.
  H.R. 6270 has the support of cosponsors from both sides of the aisle 
and the endorsement of several organizations representing the U.S. 
aviation and aerospace sector, and State and local governments.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this bipartisan legislation, and I urge my 
colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, let's start with the basics. What is advanced air 
mobility, AAM? This bill and the next one deal a fair amount with the 
concept. It is just

[[Page H5454]]

making sure that we have got in place a system so the remotely piloted 
or autonomous or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft are able to 
integrate into our existing air infrastructure.
  Mr. Speaker, it is incredibly important to do that in a way that is 
effective and that is safe. As the chairman said, Mr. Speaker, that is 
where H.R. 6270 comes in, the Advanced Aviation Infrastructure 
Modernization Act. It does establish a pilot program which would 
provide targeted grants related to the planning and construction of 
this AAM.
  We all know that the United States has a robust network of general 
aviation airports and heliports. Their impact on most every community 
in America is probably not fully grasped. They are a critically 
important part of our Nation's infrastructure.
  We want to make sure that those facilities have the necessary 
infrastructure in place for innovative new entrants so we can make sure 
our Nation's airports and airspace system are used by these innovative 
new entrants in a way that is safe and safely integrated with the 
existing traffic.
  Of course, as is the case with most transportation planning, it is 
State and local experts that are best suited to help plan for the 
integration of AAM into our national system.
  Mr. Speaker, that is the approach that this bill takes. It doesn't 
give all the money to USDOT. It makes sure that these grants are 
targeted at the State and local level so we can get the best bang for 
our buck. Making certain that AAM works for all of our constituent 
communities is the goal. It is the goal of this bill. I look forward to 
seeing how different communities embrace advanced air mobility 
operations.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Subcommittee Chairman Rick Larsen and Ranking 
Member Garret Graves for their work and leadership on this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the legislation, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and 
I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, H.R. 6270 takes an important step in giving 
our State and local transportation planning experts the tools they need 
to continue the introduction of advanced air mobility aircraft.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the legislation, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, to reiterate, we have an emerging technology. For once, 
we need to get ahead of the curve, including the FAA, so that we are 
not impeding the tremendous potential of AAM across so many sectors and 
virtually every community in America.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6270, the 
Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act, or the AAIM Act.
  H.R. 6270 would establish a pilot program to help state, local and 
Tribal governments prepare for advanced air mobility operations and 
ensure that communities can take advantage of the potential benefits of 
the safe integration of these technologies in our nation's airspace.
  The AAIM Act outlines a comprehensive set of considerations for 
infrastructure planning that will enable communities to maximize the 
societal benefits that Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) stands to offer.
  Air mobility is a promising industry set to advance and enhance 
American methods of transportation.
  For more than 100 years, the U.S. aerospace and defense (A&D) 
industry has been at the forefront of innovation.
  From the first flight in the air to the first steps on the moon, the 
industry has led the United States' economic and national security 
success domestically and internationally.
  AAM is a new concept of air transportation using electric vertical 
takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to move people and cargo between 
places not currently or easily served.
  The AAM market is estimated to reach US$115 billion annually by 2035, 
employing more than 280,000 high-paying jobs.
  To keep pace with this growing sector, states and localities need to 
prepare for anticipated AAM operations and ensure local communities can 
take advantage of the potential benefits of the safe integration of AAM 
technologies in U.S. airspace.
  H.R. 6270 establishes a two-year pilot program that invests $25 
million in competitive grants for state, local, territorial, and Tribal 
governments to prepare for the development and deployment of AAM 
vertiports and related infrastructure.
  Powered by electric or hybrid propulsion, AAM offers significant 
potential to improve mobility and complement existing public, 
transportation networks while reducing congestion and carbon and noise 
emissions.
  I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 6270 the Advanced Aviation 
Infrastructure Modernization Act.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 6270, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. GOOD of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

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