[House Report 117-158]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
117th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 117-158
======================================================================
ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY COORDINATION AND LEADERSHIP ACT
_______
November 1, 2021.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. DeFazio, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1339]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom
was referred the bill (H.R. 1339) to require the Secretary of
Transportation to establish an advanced air mobility
interagency working group, and for other purposes, having
considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an
amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose of Legislation........................................... 3
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 3
Hearings......................................................... 4
Legislative History and Consideration............................ 4
Committee Votes.................................................. 5
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 5
New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures........................ 5
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................ 5
Performance Goals and Objectives................................. 7
Duplication of Federal Programs.................................. 7
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff
Benefits....................................................... 7
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 7
Preemption Clarification......................................... 7
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 7
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 7
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 8
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 8
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
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) Working Group.--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.--The purpose of the working group established under
subsection (a) shall be to plan and coordinate efforts related to the
safety, operations, infrastructure, physical security, cybersecurity,
and Federal investment necessary for maturation of the AAM ecosystem in
the United States. It is critical that Government agencies collaborate
in order to enhance United States leadership, develop new
transportation options, amplify economic activity and jobs, advance
environmental sustainability and new technologies, and 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 one 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 Defense;
(C) the Department of Energy;
(D) the Department of Homeland Security;
(E) the Department of Commerce;
(F) the Federal Communications Commission; and
(G) such other departments or agencies as the
Secretary of Transportation determines appropriate.
(d) Coordination.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation and
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall
coordinate with 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 the following:
(A) Manufacturers of aircraft, avionics, propulsion
systems, and air traffic management systems.
(B) Intended operators of AAM aircraft.
(C) Commercial air carriers, commercial operators,
and general aviation operators, including helicopter
operators.
(D) Airports, heliports, and fixed-base operators.
(E) Aviation training and maintenance providers.
(F) Certified labor representatives of pilots, air
traffic control specialists employed by the Federal
Aviation Administration, aircraft mechanics, and
aviation safety inspectors.
(G) State, local, and Tribal officials or public
agencies.
(H) First responders.
(I) Groups representing environmental interests.
(J) Electric utilities, energy providers, energy
market operators, and wireless providers.
(K) Unmanned aircraft system operators and service
suppliers.
(L) Groups representing consumer interests.
(M) Groups representing the interests of taxpayers.
(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
establishment of the working group under subsection (a), the working
group shall complete a review and examination of, at a minimum--
(1) steps that will mature AAM aircraft operations, concepts,
and regulatory frameworks beyond initial operations;
(2) safety requirements and physical and cybersecurity
involved with future air traffic management concepts which may
be considered as part of the evolution of AAM to higher levels
of traffic density;
(3) current Federal programs and policies that may be
leveraged to advance the maturation of the AAM industry;
(4) infrastructure, including aviation, multimodal,
cybersecurity, and utility infrastructure, necessary to
accommodate and support expanded operations of AAM after
initial implementation;
(5) anticipated benefits associated with AAM aircraft
operations, including economic, environmental, emergency and
natural disaster response, and transportation benefits; and
(6) other factors that may limit the full potential of the
AAM industry, including community acceptance of AAM operations.
(f) Plan and Recommendations.--Based on the review and examination
performed under subsection (e), the working group shall develop--
(1) recommendations regarding the safety, operations,
security, cybersecurity, infrastructure, 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 or agency to
facilitate or implement the recommendations in paragraph (1).
(g) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the completion of the
review and examination completed under subsection (e), the working
group shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that--
(1) details the review and examination performed under
subsection (e); and
(2) provides the plan and recommendations developed under
subsection (f).
(h) Definitions.--In this Act:
(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, including electric aircraft or
electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, in both
controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
(2) Electric aircraft.--The term ``electric aircraft'' means
an aircraft with a fully electric or hybrid (fuel and electric)
driven propulsion system used for flight.
(3) 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.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given such
term in section 47102 of title 49, United States Code.
(5) 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.
PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION
The purpose of H.R. 1339, as amended, is to establish an
advanced air mobility (AAM) interagency working group to
evaluate, plan, and coordinate efforts to permit the safe
operation of AAM technology in the National Airspace System
(NAS) and to help advance U.S. leadership in the emerging AAM
industry.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
AAM is a transportation system that transports people and
property by air between two points using aircraft, including
electric aircraft or electric vertical take-off and landing
aircraft, through both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
AAM concepts have the potential to alleviate traffic
congestion, shorten travel times, improve equity for
underserved communities and regions, and reduce the demand on
our roads and bridges in an environmentally sustainable way.
Several federal entities, including the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), and the Department of Defense (DoD), are
working with aerospace industry stakeholders to develop and
deploy this nascent technology. To keep pace with progress in
the emerging AAM sector, H.R. 1339, as amended, will provide a
forum for federal government engagement with stakeholders to
ensure the safe integration of these new technologies and
operations in the NAS.
H.R. 1339, as amended, directs the Secretary of
Transportation to create an AAM interagency working group
comprised of representatives from various federal agencies. The
interagency working group is directed to coordinate with state
and local governments, civil aviation industry leaders, labor
unions, and other relevant stakeholders, to evaluate, plan, and
coordinate the efforts necessary to ensure the safe operation
of AAM technology within the NAS. The bill also requires the
interagency working group to review the state of the AAM
industry and develop (1) recommendations regarding safety,
security, infrastructure needs, and other actions necessary to
support the deployment of AAM and (2) a comprehensive plan
detailing the roles and responsibilities of the federal
government in implementing such recommendations.
HEARINGS
For the purposes of rule XIII, clause 3(c)(6)(A) of the
117th Congress, the following hearing was used to develop or
consider H.R. 1339:
On April 27, 2021, the Subcommittee on Aviation held a
hearing titled ``The Leading Edge: Innovation in U.S.
Aerospace.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Hon. Eric
Garcetti, Mayor, City of Los Angeles, California, accompanied
by Ms. Seleta J. Reynolds, General Manager, Los Angeles
Department of Transportation, Los Angeles, California; Mr.
James L. Grimsley, Executive Director, Advanced Technology
Initiatives, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; Mr. Adam Bry, Chief
Executive Officer, Skydio, Inc.; Mr. Pierre Frederick Harter,
Director, Research and Development, National Institute for
Aviation Research, AVP Industry and Defense Programs, Research
Operations, Wichita State University; Mr. Roei Ganzarski, Chief
Executive Officer, magniX; and Mr. Blake Scholl, Founder and
Chief Executive Officer, Boom Supersonic.
This hearing examined emerging uses of U.S. airspace and
emerging aviation technologies affecting the economy,
transportation system, local communities, environment, and
public good; visions for and possible barriers to deployment of
new aerospace technologies in the United States; and the
federal government's role in ensuring the safe integration of
these users and technologies into the National Airspace System.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND CONSIDERATION
H.R. 1339 was introduced in the House on February 25, 2021,
by Ms. Davids of Kansas and Mr. Graves of Louisiana and
referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Within the Committee, H.R. 1339 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Aviation.
The Subcommittee on Aviation was discharged from further
consideration of H.R. 1339 on July 28, 2021.
The Committee considered H.R. 1339 on July 28, 2021, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, amended, by voice vote.
The following amendments were offered:
An Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute offered by Ms.
Davids of Kansas (#1); was AGREED TO, as amended, by voice
vote.
An amendment to the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute
offered by Mr. Perry (#1A); was AGREED TO by voice vote.
Page 4, after line 13, insert the following:
(L) Groups representing consumer interests.
(M) Groups representing the interests of taxpayers.
An amendment to the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute
offered by Mr. Perry (#1B) was WITHDRAWN.
Page 4, after line 13, insert the following:
(L) Petroleum refineries, petroleum marketers, and
petrochemical manufacturers.
COMMITTEE VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires each committee report to include the
total number of votes cast for and against on each record vote
on a motion to report and on any amendment offered to the
measure or matter, and the names of those members voting for
and against.
No record votes were requested during consideration of H.R.
1339.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are
reflected in this report.
NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY AND TAX EXPENDITURES
Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives does not apply where a cost estimate and
comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 has been timely submitted prior to the filing of the
report and is included in the report. Such a cost estimate is
included in this report.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE
With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section
402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has
received the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1339, as amended,
from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, September 17, 2021.
Hon. Peter A. DeFazio,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1339, the Advanced
Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Aaron
Krupkin.
Sincerely,
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director.
Enclosure.
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
H.R. 1339 would require the Department of Transportation
(DOT) to establish an interagency working group on advanced air
mobility (AAM) consisting of representatives from at least
eight federal agencies.\1\ The working group would evaluate the
policies and infrastructure necessary to advance AAM
operations, coordinate with state and local governments and the
private sector, develop recommendations, and report to the
Congress.
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\1\Advanced air mobility refers to the development and
implementation of innovative aviation technologies that transport
people and cargo, such as electric vertical takeoff and landing
aircraft and autonomous aircraft.
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For the purposes of this estimate, CBO assumes the bill
will be enacted by the end of calendar year 2021. Using
information from DOT and based on the cost of similar
activities, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 1339 would
cost $1 million over the 2022-2026 period; such spending would
be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
On July 26, 2021, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for S.
516, the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act,
as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation on May 12, 2021. The two bills are
similar, and CBO's estimates of their total costs are the same.
The differences in the costs for 2021 reflect differences in
the assumed enactment date at the time we transmitted the
estimates.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Aaron Krupkin.
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy
Director of Budget Analysis.
PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
performance goal and objective of this legislation is to
establish an AAM interagency working group to evaluate, plan,
and coordinate efforts to permit the safe operation of AAM
technology in the NAS and to help advance U.S. leadership in
the emerging AAM industry.
DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision
of H.R. 1339, as amended, establishes or reauthorizes a program
of the federal government known to be duplicative of another
federal program, a program that was included in any report from
the Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to
section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a
program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance.
CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKS, LIMITED TAX BENEFITS, AND LIMITED TARIFF
BENEFITS
In compliance with clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of the rule
XXI.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act (Public Law 104-4).
PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local,
or tribal law. The Committee finds that H.R. 1339 does not
preempt any state, local, or tribal law.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this
legislation.
APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law
104-1).
SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION
Section 1. Title
This section provides that this bill may be cited as the
``Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act''.
Sec. 2. Advanced Air Mobility working group
This section directs the Secretary of Transportation to
establish an AAM interagency working group to plan and
coordinate efforts related to the safety, infrastructure,
physical security, cybersecurity, and federal investment
necessary for the maturation of the AAM ecosystem in the United
States. The working group must coordinate with various aviation
industry, labor, and other stakeholders as the Secretary
determines appropriate.
This section also requires the working group to complete a
review of, at a minimum, the steps to mature AAM aircraft
operations and concepts beyond initial operations; safety
requirements and security involved with future air traffic
management concepts; current federal programs and policies;
infrastructure needs to support expanded AAM operations;
anticipated benefits associated with AAM operations; and other
factors that may limit the full potential of this growing
industry. Following this review, the working group must develop
recommendations regarding the safety, operations, security,
infrastructure and other actions necessary to support the
advancement of AAM, and create a comprehensive plan on the
roles of responsibilities of each federal department or agency
to facilitate or implement the recommendations. No later than
180 days after completion of the review, the working group must
submit a report to Congress detailing its review, comprehensive
plan, and recommendations.
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
As reported by the Committee, H.R. 1339 makes no changes in
existing law.
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