[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 100 (Monday, June 13, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H5454-H5456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY COORDINATION AND LEADERSHIP ACT
Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (S. 516) to plan for and coordinate efforts to integrate advanced
air mobility aircraft into the national airspace system, and for other
purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 516
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 Air Mobility
Coordination and Leadership Act''
SEC. 2. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY WORKING GROUP.
(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall
establish an advanced air mobility interagency working group
(in this section referred to as the ``working group'').
(b) Purpose.--Advanced Air Mobility represents a key area
of sustainable transportation and economic growth for the
United States and it is imperative that the Federal
Government foster leadership and interagency collaboration in
the adoption and deployment of this technology. The purpose
of the working group established under this section shall be
to plan for and coordinate efforts related to safety,
operations, infrastructure, physical security and
cybersecurity, and Federal investment necessary for
maturation of the AAM ecosystem in the United States,
particularly passenger-carrying aircraft, in order to--
(1) grow new transportation options;
(2) amplify economic activity and jobs;
(3) advance environmental sustainability and new
technologies; and
(4) support emergency preparedness and competitiveness.
(c) Membership.--Not later than 60 days after the
establishment of the working group under subsection (a), the
Secretary of Transportation shall--
(1) appoint the Under Secretary of Transportation for
Policy to chair the working group;
(2) designate not less than 1 additional representative to
participate on the working group from each of--
(A) the Department of Transportation; and
(B) the Federal Aviation Administration; and
(3) invite the heads of each of the following departments
or agencies to designate not less than 1 representative to
participate on the working group, including--
(A) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
(B) the Department of Commerce;
(C) the Department of Defense;
(D) the Department of Energy;
(E) the Department of Homeland Security;
(F) the Department of Agriculture;
(G) the Department of Labor;
(H) the Federal Communications Commission; and
(I) such other departments or agencies as the Secretary of
Transportation determines appropriate.
(d) Coordination.--
(1) In general.--The working group shall engage with State,
local, and Tribal governments, aviation industry and labor
stakeholders, stakeholder associations, and others determined
appropriate by the Secretary of Transportation and the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration,
including--
(A) manufacturers of aircraft, avionics, propulsion
systems, structures, and air traffic management systems;
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(B) commercial air carriers, commercial operators, unmanned
aircraft system operators, and general aviation operators,
including helicopter operators;
(C) intended operators of AAM aircraft;
(D) airports, heliports, fixed-base operators;
(E) certified labor representatives for pilots
associations, air traffic control specialists employed by the
Federal Aviation Administration, aircraft mechanics, and
aviation safety inspectors;
(F) State, local, and Tribal officials or public agencies,
with representation from both urban and rural areas;
(G) first responders;
(H) groups representing environmental interests;
(I) electric utilities, energy providers and energy market
operators;
(J) academia with experience working with industry on new
technology and commercialization;
(K) groups representing the telecommunications industry;
and
(L) aviation training and maintenance providers.
(2) Advisory committees.--The Secretary of Transportation
and Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may
use such Federal advisory committees as may be appropriate to
coordinate with the entities listed in paragraph (1).
(e) Review and Examination.--Not later than 1 year after
the working group is established under subsection (a), the
working group shall complete a review and examination of, at
a minimum--
(1) the steps that will mature AAM aircraft operations,
concepts, and regulatory frameworks beyond initial
operations;
(2) the air traffic management and safety concepts that
might be considered as part of evolving AAM to higher levels
of traffic density;
(3) current Federal programs and policies that could be
leveraged to advance the maturation of the AAM industry;
(4) infrastructure, including aviation, cybersecurity,
telecommunication, multimodal, and utility infrastructure,
necessary to accommodate and support expanded operations of
AAM after initial implementation;
(5) steps needed to ensure a robust and secure domestic
supply chain;
(6) anticipated benefits associated with AAM aircraft
operations, including economic, environmental, emergency and
natural disaster response, and transportation benefits;
(7) the interests, roles, and responsibilities of Federal,
State, local, and Tribal governments affected by AAM aircraft
operations; and
(8) other factors that may limit the full potential of the
AAM industry, including community acceptance or restrictions
of such operations.
(f) AAM National Strategy.--Based on the review and
examination performed under subsection (e), the working group
shall develop an AAM National Strategy that includes--
(1) recommendations regarding the safety, operations,
security, infrastructure, air traffic concepts, and other
Federal investment or actions necessary to support the
evolution of early AAM to higher levels of activity and
societal benefit; and
(2) a comprehensive plan detailing the roles and
responsibilities of each Federal department and agency, and
of State, local, and Tribal governments, necessary to
facilitate or implement the recommendations developed under
paragraph (1).
(g) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the completion
of the review and examination performed under subsection (e),
the working group shall submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress a report--
(1) detailing findings from the review and examination
performed under subsection (e); and
(2) providing the AAM National Strategy, including the plan
and associated recommendations developed under subsection
(f).
(h) Evaluation of Termination of Working Group.--Not later
than 30 days after the date on which the working group
submits the report required under subsection (g), the
Secretary of Transportation shall evaluate and decide whether
to terminate the working group and shall notify the
appropriate committees of Congress of such decision.
(i) Definitions.--For purposes of this section and section
3:
(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) 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.
(3) Electric aircraft.--The term ``electric aircraft''
means an aircraft with a fully electric or hybrid (fuel and
electric) driven propulsion system used for flight.
(4) Fixed-base operator.--The term ``fixed-base operator''
means a business granted the right by an airport sponsor or
heliport sponsor to operate on an airport or heliport and
provide aeronautical services, including fueling and
charging, aircraft hangaring, tiedown and parking, aircraft
rental, aircraft maintenance, and flight instruction.
(5) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given such
term in section 47102 of title 49, United States Code.
(6) Vertical take-off and landing.--The term ``vertical
take-off and landing'' means an aircraft with lift/thrust
units used to generate powered lift and control and with two
or more lift/thrust units used to provide lift during
vertical take-off or landing.
SEC. 3. GAO STUDY AND REPORT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall--
(1) conduct a study on the interests, roles, and
responsibilities of Federal, State, local, and Tribal
governments affected by AAM aircraft and operations; and
(2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report on the study, including the Comptroller General's
findings and conclusions.
(b) Requirements.--In conducting the study required under
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall review the
following:
(1) The state of the law as of the enactment of this Act
with respect to Federal authority over operations of AAM
aircraft systems in the national airspace system.
(2) The state of the law as of the enactment of this Act
with respect to State, local, and Tribal authority over
operations of AAM aircraft in the national airspace system.
(3) Potential gaps between authorities under paragraphs (1)
and (2).
(4) Proposals to facilitate the safe and financially viable
growth and development of the AAM industry and integration of
AAM aircraft into 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
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
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 S. 516, 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 S. 516, the Advanced Air Mobility
Coordination and Leadership Act.
Last November, this Chamber took a critical first step in fostering
innovative advanced air mobility, AAM, in the U.S., by passing with an
overwhelming majority, H.R. 1339, companion legislation also titled
Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act.
That bill would establish an interagency working group comprised of
the Federal Government, States, localities, the aviation industry,
labor unions, and other key stakeholders to plan and coordinate efforts
to safely integrate AAM operations into our airspace system.
Today, we are one step closer to making what was once only thought of
as a figment of the imagination--as people used to refer to flying cars
and things like that. S. 516, as amended, reflects a bipartisan,
bicameral agreement that will make this a reality.
It will require the development of an AAM National Strategy; include
a Government Accountability Office study on the interests, roles and
responsibilities of Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments
affected by AAM aircraft and operations; and direct the Department of
Transportation to conduct an evaluation of whether the AAM working
group should be terminated after the group submits its required
recommendations to Congress. It will incorporate relevant language and
technical corrections from H.R. 1339; and clarify the key stakeholders
with whom the new AAM working group will collaborate.
The Federal Government industry stakeholders alike recognize the
potential for AAM aircraft to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce the
current burden on surface infrastructure, create good-paying U.S. jobs,
and provide a more environmentally sustainable mode of daily
transportation.
As these new aircraft emerge in an already complex national airspace,
we must be certain that they are safe for
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those on board, those on the ground, and fully and safely and
effectively integrated into the national airspace system.
The interagency working group and subsequent AAM National Strategy on
safety, security, and infrastructure will help support the development
and deployment of AAM and advance U.S. leadership in this growing
global industry.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the sponsors of the original House bill,
Representatives Sharice Davids and Garret Graves, for their bipartisan
effort.
Mr. Speaker, I support S. 516, as amended, and I urge all my
colleagues to do the same.
Mr. Speaker, 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, to maintain safe airspace, we know we have to have
coordination. Think about all of the moving parts that are required to
keep people safe in that shared resource. That kind of coordination is
also important at the Federal level if we want to keep everybody safe,
and if we want to make sure AAM keeps moving in the right direction.
That is what S. 516 does, the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and
Leadership Act. It makes sure that we are able to continue moving
forward and that AAM has the Federal support it needs from a variety of
agencies to be successful.
As the chairman mentioned, we had a similar bill, H.R. 1339, which
passed the House overwhelmingly, 383 yeas to 41 nays.
{time} 1515
I think we all realize that that kind of strong bipartisan support is
not always as typical around here as we would like. Of course, this has
got a Senate number so, of course, we have strong bicameral support as
well. Indeed, the text that is before us today has been amended, and so
it reflects language that has been negotiated and agreed upon, Mr.
Speaker, by both Chambers.
This sort of bipartisan, bicameral agreement ensures that industry
and government can start to hash out these questions on the tough and
sometimes thorny issues that have to be addressed so that we make sure
that innovative new entrants are able to operate safely within our
transportation system.
We know that it is not always easy to deal with the Senate--our
colleagues on the other side of the Capitol--but my hope is that once
we pass this legislation, they will quickly take up the amended bill
and send it to the President's desk for speedy signing into law.
Mr. Speaker, I commend Congresswoman Sharice Davids, as well as
Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Garret Graves, whom I am normally
loath to say anything good about, but in this instance, I will. I thank
them both for their leadership on this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this 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 yield 5 minutes to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Obernolte).
Mr. OBERNOLTE. Mr. Speaker, advanced air mobility has the potential
to revolutionize personal transportation in the United States.
Imagine a future just a few years from now where instead of summoning
a taxicab, Mr. Speaker, you walk several blocks to a nearby vertiport
where an autonomous aerial vehicle comes down to pick you up, hovers
briefly, touches down, the doors open for you, and it takes you
straight to your destination at a cost similar to calling an Uber
today. That is the potential of advanced air mobility. Unfortunately,
it is going to require the coordination and cooperation of many
different Federal, State, and local government agencies to realize its
potential.
There are many thorny problems that have to be solved before that
reality is available to us, for example, problems around the
certification of these vehicles and problems around the regulation of
the industry.
Are they regulated like a taxicab operator, or are they regulated
like an air carrier?
Who pays for and conducts the planning for these vertiports?
What considerations are there for aircraft noise?
What certification standards surround the autonomous vehicle software
that controls these aerial vehicles?
All of these are problems that will have to be solved before this can
become a reality.
If we are not careful about laying the foundation for success with
this industry, then, unfortunately, regulation will serve to crush this
optimistic future instead of catalyzing it.
That is why I am so happy that we are considering two important bills
with respect to advanced air mobility on the floor of the House today.
The first of these bills will establish a working group of different
government agencies whose coordination and cooperation will be
necessary to solve some of these regulatory problems that face this
burgeoning industry.
The second of these bills will establish a new grant program for the
planning and development of the infrastructure necessary to support
advanced air mobility.
Mr. Speaker, together these bills represent a very meaningful first
investment in this incredibly exciting new industry. I urge support,
and I am happy to see the House take up these bills tonight.
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 have no further speakers,
and I yield myself the balance of my time to close.
Mr. Speaker, I think the gentleman from California just did a
wonderful job rattling off a number of key questions that policymakers
have to settle on before we can make sure that AAM is safely integrated
into our existing airports and airspace. This bill will do much to make
sure that we have the coordination that will be necessary to answer
those questions.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to support this legislation,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, we have just heard the bipartisan consensus expressed by
the two speakers on that side about the looming extraordinary
importance of this industry and how we have to get it right as we move
forward to not impede it but also to protect safety.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly recommend this legislation to my colleagues,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
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, S. 516, 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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