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(B) to support the professional development of 
teachers using the curriculum described in subpara-
graph (A). 
(2) For purposes of the pilot program established 
under subsection (a)(2), an eligible project is a project— 
(A) to establish new educational programs that 
teach technical skills used in aviation maintenance, 
including purchasing equipment, or to improve ex-
isting such programs; 
(B) to establish scholarships or apprenticeships 
for individuals pursuing employment in the aviation 
maintenance industry; 
(C) to support outreach about careers in the 
aviation maintenance industry to— 
(i) primary, secondary, and post-secondary 
school students; or 
(ii) to communities underrepresented in 
the industry; 
(D) to support educational opportunities re-
lated to aviation maintenance in economically dis-
advantaged geographic areas; 
(E) to support transition to careers in aviation 
maintenance, including for members of the Armed 
Forces; or
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(F) to otherwise enhance aviation maintenance 
technical education or the aviation maintenance in-
dustry workforce. 
(e) GRANT APPLICATION REVIEW.—In reviewing and se-
lecting applications for grants under the programs established 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— 
(1) prior to selecting among competing applications, 
consult, as appropriate, with representatives of aircraft 
repair stations, design and production approval holders, 
air carriers, labor organizations, business aviation, gen-
eral aviation, educational institutions, and other relevant 
aviation sectors; and 
(2) ensure that the applications selected for projects 
established under subsection (a)(1) will allow participa-
tion from a diverse collection of public and private 
schools in rural, suburban, and urban areas. 
Subtitle D—Unmanned Aircraft 
Systems Workforce 
SEC. 631. COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE CENTERS OF 
EXCELLENCE IN SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 
SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY TRAINING. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation, in consultation with the Secretary of Education and 
the Secretary of Labor, shall establish a process to designate
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consortia of public, 2-year institutions of higher education as 
Community and Technical College Centers of Excellence in 
Small Unmanned Aircraft System Technology Training (in 
this section referred to as the ‘‘Centers of Excellence’’). 
(b) FUNCTIONS.—A Center of Excellence designated 
under subsection (a) shall have the capacity to train students 
for career opportunities in industry and government service 
related to the use of small unmanned aircraft systems. 
(c) EDUCATION
AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.—In 
order to be designated as a Center of Excellence under sub-
section (a), a consortium shall be able to address education 
and training requirements associated with various types of 
small unmanned aircraft systems, components, and related 
equipment, including with respect to— 
(1) multirotor and fixed-wing small unmanned air-
craft; 
(2) flight systems, radio controllers, components, 
and characteristics of such aircraft; 
(3) routine maintenance, uses and applications, pri-
vacy concerns, safety, and insurance for such aircraft; 
(4) hands-on flight practice using small unmanned 
aircraft systems and computer simulator training; 
(5) use of small unmanned aircraft systems in var-
ious industry applications and local, State, and Federal 
government programs and services, including in agri-
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culture, law enforcement, monitoring oil and gas pipe-
lines, natural disaster response and recovery, fire and 
emergency services, and other emerging areas; 
(6) Federal policies concerning small unmanned air-
craft; 
(7) dual credit programs to deliver small unmanned 
aircraft training opportunities to secondary school stu-
dents; or 
(8) training with respect to sensors and the proc-
essing, analyzing, and visualizing of data collected by 
small unmanned aircraft. 
(d) COLLABORATION.—Each Center of Excellence shall 
seek to collaborate with institutions participating in the Alli-
ance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence 
of the Federal Aviation Administration and with the test 
ranges defined under section 44801 of title 49, United States 
Code, as added by this Act. 
(e) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
SEC. 632. COLLEGIATE TRAINING INITIATIVE PROGRAM FOR 
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Fed-
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eral Aviation Administration shall establish a collegiate train-
ing initiative program relating to unmanned aircraft systems 
by making new agreements or continuing existing agreements 
with institutions of higher education (as defined in section 
101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) 
under which the institutions prepare students for careers in-
volving unmanned aircraft systems. The Administrator may 
establish standards for the entry of such institutions into the 
program and for their continued participation in the pro-
gram. 
(b) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ has the mean-
ing given that term by section 44801 of title 49, United 
States Code, as added by this Act. 
TITLE VII—FLIGHT R&D ACT 
Subtitle A—General Provisions 
SEC. 701. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘FAA Leadership in 
Groundbreaking High-Tech Research and Development Act’’ 
or the ‘‘FLIGHT R&D Act’’. 
SEC. 702. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title, the following definitions apply: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Administrator’’ 
means the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration.
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(2) FAA.—The term ‘‘FAA’’ means the Federal 
Aviation Administration. 
(3) NASA.—The term ‘‘NASA’’ means the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the 
Secretary of Transportation. 
SEC. 703. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATIONS.—Section 48102(a) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by strik-
ing ‘‘and, for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015, 
under subsection (g)’’; 
(2) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
and 
(3) by striking paragraph (10) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(10) $189,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; 
‘‘(11) $194,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
‘‘(12) $199,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
‘‘(13) $204,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; 
‘‘(14) $209,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and 
‘‘(15) $214,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.’’. 
(b) RESEARCH PRIORITIES.—Section 48102(b) of title 
49, United States Code, is amended—
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(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘consider’’ and in-
serting ‘‘prioritize safety in considering’’; 
(2) by striking paragraph (3); 
(3) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph 
(3); and 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(2) As safety related activities shall be the highest 
research priority, at least 70 percent of the amount ap-
propriated under subsection (a) of this section shall be 
for safety research and development projects.’’. 
(c) ANNUAL SUBMISSION OF THE NATIONAL AVIATION 
RESEARCH PLAN.—Section 48102(g) of title 49, United 
States, Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(g) ANNUAL SUBMISSION OF THE NATIONAL AVIATION 
RESEARCH PLAN.—The Administrator shall submit the na-
tional aviation research plan to Congress no later than the 
date of submission of the President’s budget request to Con-
gress for that fiscal year, as required under section 
44501(c).’’. 
Subtitle B—FAA Research and 
Development Organization 
SEC. 711. ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR RESEARCH AND DE-
VELOPMENT. 
(a) APPOINTMENT.—Not later than 3 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall ap-
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point an Assistant Administrator for Research and Develop-
ment. 
(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Assistant Administrator 
for Research and Development shall, at a minimum, be re-
sponsible for— 
(1) management and oversight of all the FAA’s re-
search and development programs and activities; and 
(2) production of all congressional reports from the 
FAA relevant to research and development, including the 
national aviation research plan required under section 
44501(c) of title 49, United States Code. 
(c) DUAL APPOINTMENT.—The Assistant Administrator 
for Research and Development may be a dual-appointment, 
holding the responsibilities of another Assistant Adminis-
trator. 
SEC. 712. RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
(a) 
ADVICE
AND
RECOMMENDATIONS.—Section 
44508(a)(1)(A) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(A) provide advice and recommendations to the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
and Congress about needs, objectives, plans, approaches, 
content, and accomplishments of all aviation research 
and development activities and programs carried out, in-
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cluding those under sections 40119, 44504, 44505, 
44507, 44511–44513, and 44912 of this title;’’. 
(b) WRITTEN REPLY
TO RESEARCH ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE.—Section 44508 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) WRITTEN REPLY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after 
receiving any recommendation from the research advi-
sory committee, the Administrator shall provide a writ-
ten reply to the research advisory committee that, at a 
minimum— 
‘‘(A) clearly states whether the Administrator 
accepts or rejects the recommendation; 
‘‘(B) explains the rationale for the Administra-
tor’s decision; 
‘‘(C) sets forth the timeframe in which the Ad-
ministrator will implement the recommendation; 
and 
‘‘(D) describes the steps the Administrator will 
take to implement the recommendation. 
‘‘(2) TRANSPARENCY.—The written reply to the re-
search advisory committee, when transmitted to the re-
search advisory committee, shall be— 
‘‘(A) made publicly available on the research 
advisory committee website; and
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‘‘(B) transmitted to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate. 
‘‘(3) NATIONAL AVIATION RESEARCH PLAN.—The 
national aviation research plan required under section 
44501(c) shall include a summary of all research advi-
sory committee recommendations and a description of 
the status of their implementation.’’. 
Subtitle C—Unmanned Aircraft 
Systems 
SEC. 721. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DE-
VELOPMENT ROADMAP. 
The Secretary shall submit the unmanned aircraft sys-
tems roadmap to Congress on an annual basis as required 
under section 48802(a) of title 49, United States Code, as 
added by this Act. 
Subtitle D—Cybersecurity and 
Responses to Other Threats 
SEC. 731. CYBER TESTBED. 
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall develop an integrated Cyber 
Testbed for research, development, evaluation, and validation 
of air traffic control modernization technologies, before they 
enter the national airspace system, as being compliant with
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FAA data security regulations. The Cyber Testbed shall be 
part of an integrated research and development test environ-
ment capable of creating, identifying, defending, and solving 
cybersecurity-related problems for the national airspace sys-
tem. This integrated test environment shall incorporate inte-
grated test capacities within the FAA related to the national 
airspace system and NextGen. 
SEC. 732. STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF EXTREME WEATHER ON 
AIR TRAVEL. 
(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
jointly complete a study on the effect of extreme weather on 
commercial air travel. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study required by subsection (a) 
shall include assessment of the following: 
(1) Whether extreme weather may result in an in-
crease in turbulence. 
(2) The effect of extreme weather on current com-
mercial air routes. 
(3) The effect of extreme weather on domestic air-
ports, air traffic control facilities, and associated facili-
ties.
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(3) an assessment of the FAA’s plan to use re-
search and development to improve cybersecurity over 
the next 5 years; 
(4) an assessment of the current software assurance 
practices, and the desired level or attributes to target in 
the software assurance program; and 
(5) best practices in research and development used 
by other organizations, such as NASA, NavCanada, and 
Eurocontrol. 
SEC. 742. TECHNOLOGY REVIEW. 
(a) REVIEW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration, in coordination with the 
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, shall conduct a review of current and 
planned research on the use of advanced aircraft tech-
nologies, innovative materials, alternative fuels, additive 
manufacturing, and novel aircraft designs, to increase 
aircraft fuel efficiency. 
(2) SUMMARIES.—The review conducted under 
paragraph (1) shall include summaries of projects and 
missions to examine— 
(A) the effectiveness of such technologies, ma-
terials, fuels, and aircraft designs to enhance fuel
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efficiency and aerodynamic performance, and reduce 
drag, weight, noise, and fuel consumption; and 
(B) the potential for novel flight pattern plan-
ning and communications systems to reduce aircraft 
taxiing and airport circling. 
(3) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The review conducted 
under paragraph (1) shall identify potential opportuni-
ties for additional research and development, public or 
private, to increase aircraft fuel efficiency. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration shall submit to the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress a report containing the results of the review 
conducted under subsection (a). 
SEC. 743. CLEEN AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE TECHNOLOGY PART-
NERSHIP. 
(a) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT.—Subchapter I of chap-
ter 475 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 47511. CLEEN engine and airframe technology part-
nership 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall enter into a cost-sharing coop-
erative agreement, using a competitive process, with institu-
tions, entities, or consortiums to carry out a program for the
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development, maturation, and testing of certifiable CLEEN 
aircraft, engine technologies, and jet fuels for civil subsonic 
airplanes. 
‘‘(b) CLEEN ENGINE
AND AIRFRAME TECHNOLOGY 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘CLEEN aircraft and 
engine technology’ means continuous lower energy, emissions, 
and noise aircraft and engine technology. 
‘‘(c) PERFORMANCE
OBJECTIVE.—The Administrator 
shall establish the performance objectives for the program in 
terms of the specific objectives to reduce fuel burn, emissions 
and noise.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The 
table of contents of subchapter I of chapter 475 is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 47510 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘47511. CLEEN engine and airframe technology partnership.’’. 
SEC. 744. RESEARCH AND DEPLOYMENT OF CERTAIN AIRFIELD 
PAVEMENT TECHNOLOGIES. 
Using amounts made available under section 48102(a) of 
title 49, United States Code, the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration may carry out a program for the 
research and development of aircraft pavement technologies 
under which the Administrator makes grants to, and enters 
into cooperative agreements with, institutions of higher edu-
cation and nonprofit organizations that—
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(1) research concrete and asphalt airfield pavement 
technologies that extend the life of airfield pavements; 
(2) develop and conduct training; 
(3) provide for demonstration projects; and 
(4) promote the latest airfield pavement tech-
nologies to aid in the development of safer, more cost ef-
fective, and more durable airfield pavements. 
Subtitle F—Geospatial Data 
SEC. 751. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This subtitle may be cited as the 
‘‘Geospatial Data Act of 2018’’. 
(b) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) open and publicly available data is essential to 
the successful operation of the GeoPlatform; 
(2) the private sector in the United States, for the 
purposes of acquiring and producing quality geospatial 
data and geospatial data services, has been and con-
tinues to be invaluable in carrying out the varying mis-
sions of Federal departments and agencies, as well as 
contributing positively to the United States economy; 
and 
(3) over the last 2 decades, Congress has passed 
legislation that promotes greater access and use of Gov-
ernment information and data, which has—
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(A) sparked new, innovative start-ups and serv-
ices; 
(B) spurred economic growth in many sectors, 
such as in the geospatial services; 
(C) advanced scientific research; 
(D) promoted public access to Federally fund-
ed services and data; and 
(E) improved access to geospatial data for the 
purposes of promoting public health, weather fore-
casting, economic development, environmental pro-
tection, flood zone research, and other purposes. 
SEC. 752. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle— 
(1) the term ‘‘Advisory Committee’’ means the Na-
tional Geospatial Advisory Committee established under 
section 754(a); 
(2) the term ‘‘Committee’’ means the Federal Geo-
graphic Data Committee established under section 
753(a); 
(3) the term ‘‘covered agency’’— 
(A) means— 
(i) an Executive department, as defined in 
section 101 of title 5, United States Code, that 
collects, produces, acquires, maintains, distrib-
utes, uses, or preserves geospatial data on
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paper or in electronic form to fulfill the mis-
sion of the Executive department, either di-
rectly or through a relationship with another 
organization, including a State, local govern-
ment, Indian tribe, institution of higher edu-
cation, business partner or contractor of the 
Federal Government, and the public; 
(ii) the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration; or 
(iii) the General Services Administration; 
and 
(B) does not include the Department of De-
fense (including 30 components and agencies per-
forming national missions) or any element of the in-
telligence community; 
(4) 
the 
term 
‘‘GeoPlatform’’ 
means 
the 
GeoPlatform described in section 758(a); 
(5) the term ‘‘geospatial data’’— 
(A) means information that is tied to a loca-
tion on the Earth, including by identifying the geo-
graphic location and characteristics of natural or 
constructed features and boundaries on the Earth, 
and that is generally represented in vector datasets 
by points, lines, polygons, or other complex geo-
graphic features or phenomena;
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(B) may be derived from, among other things, 
remote sensing, mapping, and surveying tech-
nologies; 
(C) includes images and raster datasets, aerial 
photographs, and other forms of geospatial data or 
datasets in digitized or non-digitized form; and 
(D) does not include— 
(i) geospatial data and activities of an In-
dian tribe not carried out, in whole or in part, 
using Federal funds, as determined by the trib-
al government; 
(ii) classified national security-related 
geospatial data and activities of the Depart-
ment of Defense, unless declassified; 
(iii) classified national security-related 
geospatial data and activities of the Depart-
ment of Energy, unless declassified; 
(iv) geospatial data and activities under 
chapter 22 of title 10, United States Code, or 
section 110 of the National Security Act of 
1947 (50 U.S.C. 3045); 
(v) intelligence geospatial data and activi-
ties, as determined by the Director of National 
Intelligence; or
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(vi) certain declassified national security- 
related geospatial data and activities of the in-
telligence community, as determined by the 
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy, 
or the Director of National Intelligence; 
(6) the term ‘‘Indian tribe’’ has the meaning given 
that term under section 4 of the Indian Self-Determina-
tion and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b); 
(7) the term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has 
the meaning given that term under section 102 of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002); 
(8) the term ‘‘intelligence community’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 3 of the National Se-
curity Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003); 
(9) the term ‘‘lead covered agency’’ means a lead 
covered agency for a National Geospatial Data Asset 
data theme designated under section 756(b)(1); 
(10) the term ‘‘local government’’ means any city, 
county, township, town, borough, parish, village, or other 
general purpose political subdivision of a State; 
(11) the term ‘‘metadata for geospatial data’’ 
means information about geospatial data, including the 
content, source, vintage, accuracy, condition, projection, 
method of collection, and other characteristics or de-
scriptions of the geospatial data;
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(12) the term ‘‘National Geospatial Data Asset data 
theme’’ means the National Geospatial Data Asset core 
geospatial datasets (including electronic records and co-
ordinates) relating to a topic or subject designated under 
section 756; 
(13) the term ‘‘National Spatial Data Infrastruc-
ture’’ means the technology, policies, criteria, standards, 
and employees necessary to promote geospatial data 
sharing throughout the Federal Government, State, trib-
al, and local governments, and the private sector (includ-
ing nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher 
education); and 
(14) the term ‘‘proven practices’’ means methods 
and activities that advance the use of geospatial data for 
the benefit of society. 
SEC. 753. FEDERAL GEOGRAPHIC DATA COMMITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established within the De-
partment of the Interior an interagency committee to be 
known as the Federal Geographic Data Committee, which 
shall act as the lead entity in the executive branch for the 
development, implementation, and review of policies, prac-
tices, and standards relating to geospatial data. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The 
Secretary of the Interior and the Director of the Office
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of Management and Budget shall serve as Chairperson 
of the Committee and Vice Chairperson of the Com-
mittee, respectively. 
(2) OTHER MEMBERS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The head of each covered 
agency and the Director of the National Geospatial- 
Intelligence Agency shall each designate a rep-
resentative of their respective agency to serve as a 
member of the Committee. 
(B) REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENTS.—An 
officer appointed to serve as a member of the Com-
mittee shall hold a position as an assistant sec-
retary, or an equivalent position, or a higher rank-
ing position. 
(3) GUIDANCE.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and as needed thereafter, 
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
shall update guidance with respect to membership of the 
Committee and the roles of members of the Committee. 
(c) DUTIES.—The Committee shall— 
(1) lead the development and management of and 
operational decision making for the National Spatial 
Data Infrastructure strategic plan and geospatial data 
policy in accordance with section 755;
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(2) designate National Geospatial Data Asset data 
themes and oversee the coordinated management of the 
National Geospatial Data Asset data themes in accord-
ance with section 756; 
(3) establish and maintain geospatial data stand-
ards in accordance with section 757; 
(4) periodically review and determine the extent to 
which covered agencies comply with geospatial data 
standards; 
(5) ensure that the GeoPlatform operates in accord-
ance with section 758; 
(6) direct and facilitate national implementation of 
the system of National Geospatial Data Asset data 
themes; 
(7) communicate with and foster communication 
among covered agencies and other entities and individ-
uals relating to geospatial data technology development, 
transfer, and exchange in order to— 
(A) identify and meet the needs of users of 
geospatial data; 
(B) promote cost-effective data collection, doc-
umentation, maintenance, distribution, and preser-
vation strategies; and 
(C) leverage Federal and non-Federal re-
sources, such as promoting Federal shared services
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and cross-agency coordination for marketplace solu-
tions; 
(8) define roles and responsibilities and promote 
and guide cooperation and coordination among agencies 
of the Federal Government, State, tribal, and local gov-
ernments, institutions of higher education, and the pri-
vate sector in the collection, production, sharing, and use 
of geospatial information, the implementation of the Na-
tional Spatial Data Infrastructure, and the identification 
of proven practices; 
(9) coordinate with international organizations hav-
ing an interest in the National Spatial Data Infrastruc-
ture or global spatial data infrastructures; 
(10) make available online and update at least an-
nually— 
(A) a summary of the status for each National 
Geospatial Data Asset data theme, based on the re-
port submitted by the applicable lead covered agen-
cy under section 756(b)(3)(E)(ii)(I), which shall in-
clude— 
(i) an evaluation of the progress of each 
lead covered agency in achieving the require-
ments under subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and 
(D) of section 756(b)(3); and
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(ii) a determination of whether, for each 
of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of sec-
tion 756(b)(3), each lead covered agency meets 
expectations, has made progress toward expec-
tations, or fails to meet expectations; 
(B) a summary and evaluation of the achieve-
ments of each covered agency, based on the annual 
report submitted by the covered agency under sec-
tion 759(b)(1), which shall include a determination 
of whether the covered agency meets expectations, 
has made progress toward expectations, or fails to 
meet expectations for each of paragraphs (1) 
through (13) of section 759(a); 
(C) a collection of periodic technical publica-
tions, management articles, and reports related to 
the National Spatial Data Infrastructure; and 
(D) a membership directory for the Committee, 
including identifying members of any subcommittee 
or working group of the Committee; 
(11)(A) make available to and request comments 
from the Advisory Committee regarding the summaries 
and evaluations required under subparagraphs (A) and 
(B) of paragraph (10); 
(B) if requested by the Advisory Committee, re-
spond to any comments by the Advisory Committee; and
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(C) not less than once every 2 years, submit to Con-
gress a report that includes the summaries and evalua-
tions required under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of para-
graph (10), the comments of the Advisory Committee, 
and the responses of the Committee to the comments; 
(12)(A) make available to and request comments 
from covered agencies regarding the summaries and 
evaluations required under subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
of paragraph (10); and 
(B) not less than once every 2 years, submit to 
Congress a report that includes the comments of the cov-
ered agencies and the responses of the Committee to the 
comments; and 
(13) support and promote the infrastructure of net-
works, systems, services, and standards that provide a 
digital representation of the Earth to users for many ap-
plications. 
(d) STAFF SUPPORT.—The Committee shall establish an 
Office of the Secretariat within the Department of the Inte-
rior to provide administrative support, strategic planning, 
funding, and technical support to the Committee. 
SEC. 754. NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of the Interior 
shall establish within the Department of the Interior the Na-
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tional Geospatial Advisory Committee to provide advice and 
recommendations to the Chairperson of the Committee. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Advisory Committee shall 
be composed of not more than 30 members, at least one 
of which will be from the National Geospatial-Intel-
ligence Agency, who shall— 
(A) be appointed by the Chairperson of the 
Committee; 
(B) be selected— 
(i) to generally achieve a balanced rep-
resentation of the viewpoints of various inter-
ested parties involved in national geospatial ac-
tivities and the development of the National 
Spatial Data Infrastructure; and 
(ii) with consideration of a geographic bal-
ance of residence of the members; and 
(C) be selected from among groups involved in 
the geospatial community, including— 
(i) States; 
(ii) local governments; 
(iii) regional governments; 
(iv) tribal governments; 
(v) private sector entities; 
(vi) geospatial information user industries;
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•HRES 1082 EH 
(vii) professional associations; 
(viii) scholarly associations; 
(ix) nonprofit organizations; 
(x) academia; 
(xi) licensed geospatial data acquisition 
professionals; and 
(xii) the Federal Government. 
(2) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairperson of the Com-
mittee shall appoint the Chairperson of the Advisory 
Committee. 
(3) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Members shall be appointed 
for a term of 3 years, with the term of 1⁄3 of the 
members expiring each year. 
(B) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Advisory 
Committee shall not affect its powers, but shall be 
filled in the same manner as the original appoint-
ment. 
(4) LIMIT ON TERMS.—Except for the member from 
the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, an indi-
vidual— 
(A) may not be appointed to more than 2 con-
secutive terms as a member of the Advisory Com-
mittee; and
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•HRES 1082 EH 
(B) after serving for 2 consecutive terms, is el-
igible to be appointed as a member of the Advisory 
Committee on and after the date that is 2 years 
after the end of the second consecutive term of the 
individual as a member of the Advisory Committee. 
(5) ETHICAL REQUIREMENTS.—A member of the 
Advisory Committee may not participate in any specific- 
party matter (including a lease, license, permit, contract, 
claim, agreement, or related litigation) with the Depart-
ment of the Interior in which the member has a direct 
financial interest. 
(6) INCUMBENTS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—An individual serving on 
the day before the date of enactment of this Act as 
a member of the National Geospatial Advisory Com-
mittee established by the Secretary of the Interior 
may serve as a member of the Advisory Committee 
until the end of the term of the individual under the 
appointment. 
(B) LIMIT ON TERMS.—Any period of service 
as a member of the National Geospatial Advisory 
Committee established by the Secretary of the Inte-
rior shall be considered a period of service as a 
member of the Advisory Committee for purposes of 
paragraph (4).
566 
•HRES 1082 EH 
(c) SUBCOMMITTEES.—A subcommittee of the Advisory 
Committee— 
(1) may be formed for the purposes of compiling in-
formation or conducting research; 
(2) shall be composed of members appointed by the 
Chairperson of the Advisory Committee; 
(3) shall act under the direction of the Chairperson 
of the Advisory Committee and the officer or employee 
designated under section 10(e) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) with respect to the Advi-
sory Committee; 
(4) shall report the recommendations of the sub-
committee to the Advisory Committee for consideration; 
and 
(5) shall meet as necessary to accomplish the objec-
tives of the subcommittee, subject to the approval of the 
Chairperson of the Advisory Committee and the avail-
ability of resources. 
(d) MEETINGS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee shall 
meet at the call of the Chairperson, not less than 1 time 
each year and not more than 4 times each year. 
(2) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the 
Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum, but a
567 
•HRES 1082 EH 
lesser number of members may hold meetings or hear-
ings. 
(e) DUTIES OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—The Advi-
sory Committee shall— 
(1) provide advice and recommendations relating 
to— 
(A) the management of Federal and national 
geospatial programs; 
(B) the development of the National Spatial 
Data Infrastructure; and 
(C) implementation of this subtitle; 
(2) review and comment on geospatial policy and 
management issues; and 
(3) ensure the views of representatives of non-Fed-
eral interested parties involved in national geospatial ac-
tivities are conveyed to the Committee. 
(f) POWERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
(1) MEETINGS.—The Advisory Committee may hold 
meetings (which shall be open to the public) and sit and 
act at such times and places as the Advisory Committee 
considers advisable to carry out this subtitle. 
(2) INFORMATION FROM COVERED AGENCIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee, 
with the concurrence of the Chairperson of the 
Committee, may secure directly from any covered
568 
•HRES 1082 EH 
agency such information as the Advisory Committee 
considers necessary to carry out this subtitle. Upon 
request of the Chairperson of the Advisory Com-
mittee, the head of such agency shall furnish such 
information to the Advisory Committee. 
(B) NONCOOPERATION.—The Advisory Com-
mittee shall include in the comments of the Advi-
sory Committee submitted under section 753(c)(11) 
a discussion of any failure by a covered agency to 
furnish information in response to a request under 
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. 
(3) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Advisory Committee 
may use the United States mails in the same manner 
and under the same conditions as other agencies of the 
Federal Government. 
(g) ADVISORY COMMITTEE PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
(1) NO COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.— 
(A) NON-FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of 
the Advisory Committee who is not an officer or 
employee of the Federal Government shall serve 
without compensation. 
(B) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of the 
Advisory Committee who is an officer or employee 
of the Federal Government shall serve without com-
pensation in addition to the compensation received
569 
•HRES 1082 EH 
for the services of the member as an officer or em-
ployee of the Federal Government. 
(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—The members of the Advi-
sory Committee shall be allowed travel expenses, includ-
ing per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized 
for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 
57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their 
homes or regular places of business in the performance 
of services for the Advisory Committee. 
(3) DETAIL
OF
GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYEES.—Any 
Federal Government employee may be detailed to the 
Committee to support the Advisory Committee without 
reimbursement, and such detail shall be without inter-
ruption or loss of civil service status or privilege. 
(4) STAFF SUPPORT.—The Office of the Secretariat 
established by the Committee under section 753(d) shall 
provide administrative support to the Advisory Com-
mittee. 
(h) APPLICABILITY OF FACA.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph 
(2), the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App.) shall apply to the Advisory Committee. 
(2) NO
TERMINATION.—Section 14(a)(2) of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall 
not apply to the Advisory Committee.
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•HRES 1082 EH 
(i) TERMINATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph 
(2), the Advisory Committee shall terminate 10 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(2) CONTINUATION.—The Advisory Committee may 
be continued for successive 10-year periods by action 
taken by the Secretary of the Interior to renew the Advi-
sory Committee before the date on which the Advisory 
Committee would otherwise terminate. 
SEC. 755. NATIONAL SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The National Spatial Data Infra-
structure shall ensure that geospatial data from multiple 
sources (including the covered agencies, State, local, and trib-
al governments, the private sector, and institutions of higher 
education) is available and easily integrated to enhance the 
understanding of the physical and cultural world. 
(b) GOALS.—The goals of the National Spatial Data In-
frastructure are to— 
(1) ensure— 
(A) that geospatial data are reviewed prior to 
disclosure to ensure— 
(i) compliance with section 552a of title 5 
(commonly known as the ‘‘Privacy Act of 
1974’’); and
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•HRES 1082 EH 
(ii) that personally identifiable informa-
tion is not disclosed, which shall include an as-
sessment of re-identification risk when deter-
mining what data constitute personally identifi-
able information; 
(B) that geospatial data are designed to en-
hance the accuracy of statistical information, both 
in raw form and in derived information products; 
(C) free and open access for the public to 
geospatial data, information, and interpretive prod-
ucts, in accordance with Office of Management and 
Budget Circular A–130, or any successor thereto; 
(D) the protection of proprietary interests re-
lated to licensed information and data; and 
(E) the interoperability and sharing capabili-
ties of Federal information systems and data to en-
able the drawing of resources from covered agencies 
and partners of covered agencies; and 
(2) support and advance the establishment of a 
Global Spatial Data Infrastructure, consistent with na-
tional security, national defense, national intelligence, 
and international trade requirements, including ensuring 
that covered agencies develop international geospatial 
data in accordance with international voluntary con-
572 
•HRES 1082 EH 
sensus standards, as defined in Office of Management 
and Budget Circular A–119, or any successor thereto. 
(c) STRATEGIC PLAN.—The Committee shall prepare 
and maintain a strategic plan for the development and imple-
mentation of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure in a 
manner consistent with national security, national defense, 
and emergency preparedness program policies regarding data 
accessibility. 
(d) ADVISORY ROLE.—The Committee shall advise Fed-
eral and non-Federal users of geospatial data on their re-
sponsibilities relating to implementation of the National Spa-
tial Data Infrastructure. 
SEC. 756. NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL DATA ASSET DATA THEMES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall designate as 
National Geospatial Data Asset data themes the primary top-
ics and subjects for which the coordinated development, main-
tenance, and dissemination of geospatial data will benefit the 
Federal Government and the interests of the people of the 
United States, which shall— 
(1) be representations of conceptual topics describ-
ing digital spatial information for the Nation; and 
(2) contain associated datasets (with attribute 
records and coordinates)— 
(A) that are documented, verifiable, and offi-
cially designated to meet recognized standards;
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•HRES 1082 EH 
(B) that may be used in common; and 
(C) from which other datasets may be derived. 
(b) LEAD COVERED AGENCIES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—For each National Geospatial 
Data Asset data theme, the Committee shall designate 
one or more covered agencies as the lead covered agen-
cies for the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme. 
(2) GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY.—The lead covered 
agencies for a National Geospatial Data Asset data 
theme shall be responsible for ensuring the coordinated 
management of the data, supporting resources (including 
technology and personnel), and related services and 
products of the National Geospatial Data Asset data 
theme. 
(3) SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES.—To assist in ful-
filling the responsibilities under paragraph (2) with re-
spect to a National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, 
the lead covered agencies shall— 
(A) provide leadership and facilitate the devel-
opment and implementation of geospatial data 
standards for the National Geospatial Data Asset 
data theme, with a particular emphasis on a data 
content standard for the National Geospatial Data 
Asset data theme, including by— 
(i) assessing existing standards;
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•HRES 1082 EH 
(ii) identifying anticipated or needed data 
standards; and 
(iii) developing a plan to originate and im-
plement needed standards with relevant com-
munity and international practices— 
(I) in accordance with Office of Man-
agement and Budget Circular A–119, or 
any successor thereto; and 
(II) consistent with or as a part of 
the plan described in subparagraph (B); 
(B) provide leadership and facilitate the devel-
opment and implementation of a plan for nation-
wide population of the National Geospatial Data 
Asset data theme, which shall— 
(i) include developing partnership pro-
grams with States, Indian tribes, institutions 
of higher education, private sector entities, 
other Federal agencies, and local governments; 
(ii) meet the needs of users of geospatial 
data; 
(iii) address human and financial resource 
needs; 
(iv) identify needs relating to standards, 
metadata for geospatial data within the Na-
575 
•HRES 1082 EH 
tional Geospatial Data Asset data theme, and 
the GeoPlatform; and 
(v) expedite the development of necessary 
National Geospatial Data Asset data themes; 
(C) establish goals that support the strategic 
plan for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure 
prepared under section 755(c); 
(D) as necessary, collect and analyze informa-
tion from users of geospatial data within the Na-
tional Geospatial Data Asset data theme regarding 
the needs of the users for geospatial data and incor-
porate the needs of users in strategies relating to 
the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme; 
and 
(E) as part of administering the National 
Geospatial Data Asset data theme— 
(i) designate a point of contact within the 
lead covered agency who shall be responsible 
for developing, maintaining, coordination relat-
ing to, and disseminating data using the 
GeoPlatform; 
(ii) submit to the Committee— 
(I) a performance report, at least an-
nually, that documents the activities relat-
ing to and implementation of the National
576 
•HRES 1082 EH 
Geospatial Data Asset data theme, includ-
ing progress in achieving the requirements 
under subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and 
(D); and 
(II) comments, as appropriate, re-
garding the summary and evaluation of 
the performance report provided by the 
Committee under section 753(c)(12); 
(iii) publish maps or comparable graphics 
online (in accordance with the mapping conven-
tions specified by the Committee) showing the 
extent and status of the National Geospatial 
Data Asset data themes for which the covered 
agency is a lead covered agency; 
(iv) encourage individuals and entities 
that are a source of geospatial data or 
metadata for geospatial data for the National 
Geospatial Data Asset data theme to provide 
access to such data through the GeoPlatform; 
(v) coordinate with the GeoPlatform; and 
(vi) identify and publish proven practices 
for the use and application of geospatial data 
of the lead covered agency.
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•HRES 1082 EH 
SEC. 757. GEOSPATIAL DATA STANDARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with section 216 of the 
E-Government Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 note), the Com-
mittee shall establish standards for each National Geospatial 
Data Asset data theme, which— 
(1) shall include— 
(A) rules, conditions, guidelines, and character-
istics for the geospatial data within the National 
Geospatial Data Asset data theme and related proc-
esses, technology, and organization; and 
(B) content standards for metadata for 
geospatial data within the National Geospatial Data 
Asset data theme; 
(2) to the maximum extent practicable, shall be 
consistent with international standards and protocols; 
(3) shall include universal data standards that shall 
be acceptable for the purposes of declassified intelligence 
community data; and 
(4) the Committee shall periodically review and up-
date as necessary for the standards to remain current, 
relevant, and effective. 
(b) DEVELOPMENT
OF STANDARDS.—The Committee 
shall— 
(1) develop and promulgate standards under this 
section—
578 
•HRES 1082 EH 
(A) in accordance with Office of Management 
and Budget Circular A–119, or any successor there-
to; and 
(B) after consultation with a broad range of 
data users and providers; 
(2) to the maximum extent possible, use national 
and international standards adopted by voluntary stand-
ards consensus bodies; and 
(3) establish new standards only to the extent 
standards described in paragraph (2) do not exist. 
(c) EXCLUSION.—The Secretary of the Interior shall 
withhold from public disclosure any information the disclo-
sure of which reasonably could be expected to cause damage 
to the national interest, security, or defense of the United 
States, including information relating to geospatial intel-
ligence data activities, as determined in consultation with the 
Director of National Intelligence. 
SEC. 758. GEOPLATFORM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall operate an elec-
tronic service that provides access to geospatial data and 
metadata for geospatial data to the general public, to be 
known as the GeoPlatform. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The GeoPlatform— 
(A) shall—
579 
•HRES 1082 EH 
(i) be available through the internet and 
other communications means; 
(ii) be accessible through a common inter-
face; 
(iii) include metadata for all geospatial 
data collected by covered agencies, directly or 
indirectly; 
(iv) include download access to all open 
geospatial data directly or indirectly collected 
by covered agencies; and 
(v) include a set of programming instruc-
tions and standards providing an automated 
means of accessing available geospatial data, 
which— 
(I) harmonize sources and data 
standards associated with geospatial data, 
including metadata; and 
(II) to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, as determined by the Chairperson 
of the Committee, shall be made publicly 
available; 
(B) may include geospatial data from a source 
other than a covered agency, if determined appro-
priate by the Committee; and
580 
•HRES 1082 EH 
(C) shall not store or serve proprietary infor-
mation or data acquired under a license by the Fed-
eral Government, unless authorized by the data pro-
vider. 
(2) MANAGING PARTNER.—The Chairperson of the 
Committee shall designate an agency to serve as the 
managing partner for developing and operating the 
GeoPlatform, taking direction from the Committee on 
the scope, functionality, and performance of the 
GeoPlatform. 
(c) CLARIFICATION.—Although the GeoPlatform is in-
tended to include all National Geospatial Data Asset and 
other Federal datasets, nothing in this subtitle shall be con-
strued to prevent a covered agency from also presenting, pro-
viding, or disseminating data that is— 
(1) specific to the functions of the covered agency; 
or 
(2) targeted to information consumers that directly 
interface with the services, portals, or other mechanisms 
of the covered agency. 
SEC. 759. COVERED AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Each covered agency shall— 
(1) prepare, maintain, publish, and implement a 
strategy for advancing geographic information and re-
lated geospatial data and activities appropriate to the
581 
•HRES 1082 EH 
mission of the covered agency, in support of the strategic 
plan for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure pre-
pared under section 755(c); 
(2) collect, maintain, disseminate, and preserve 
geospatial data such that the resulting data, informa-
tion, or products can be readily shared with other Fed-
eral agencies and non-Federal users; 
(3) promote the integration of geospatial data from 
all sources; 
(4) ensure that data information products and other 
records created in geospatial data and activities are in-
cluded on agency record schedules that have been ap-
proved by the National Archives and Records Adminis-
tration; 
(5) allocate resources to fulfill the responsibilities of 
effective geospatial data collection, production, and stew-
ardship with regard to related activities of the covered 
agency, and as necessary to support the activities of the 
Committee; 
(6) use the geospatial data standards, including the 
standards for metadata for geospatial data, and other 
appropriate standards, including documenting geospatial 
data with the relevant metadata and making metadata 
available through the GeoPlatform;
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•HRES 1082 EH 
(7) coordinate and work in partnership with other 
Federal agencies, agencies of State, tribal, and local gov-
ernments, institutions of higher education, and the pri-
vate sector to efficiently and cost-effectively collect, inte-
grate, maintain, disseminate, and preserve geospatial 
data, building upon existing non-Federal geospatial data 
to the extent possible; 
(8) use geospatial information to— 
(A) make Federal geospatial information and 
services more useful to the public; 
(B) enhance operations; 
(C) support decision making; and 
(D) enhance reporting to the public and to 
Congress; 
(9) protect personal privacy and maintain confiden-
tiality in accordance with Federal policy and law; 
(10) participate in determining, when applicable, 
whether declassified data can contribute to and become 
a part of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure; 
(11) search all sources, including the GeoPlatform, 
to determine if existing Federal, State, local, or private 
geospatial data meets the needs of the covered agency 
before expending funds for geospatial data collection;
583 
•HRES 1082 EH 
(12) to the maximum extent practicable, ensure 
that a person receiving Federal funds for geospatial data 
collection provides high-quality data; and 
(13) appoint a contact to coordinate with the lead 
covered agencies for collection, acquisition, maintenance, 
and dissemination of the National Geospatial Data Asset 
data themes used by the covered agency. 
(b) REPORTING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each covered agency shall sub-
mit to the Committee an annual report regarding the 
achievements of the covered agency in preparing and im-
plementing the strategy described in subsection (a)(1) 
and complying with the other requirements under sub-
section (a). 
(2) BUDGET
SUBMISSION.—Each covered agency 
shall— 
(A) include geospatial data in preparing the 
budget submission of the covered agency to the 
President under sections 1105(a) and 1108 of title 
31, United States Code; 
(B) maintain an inventory of all geospatial 
data assets in accordance with OMB Circular A– 
130, or any successor thereto; and 
(C) prepare an annual report to Congress iden-
tifying Federal-wide geospatial data assets, as de-
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•HRES 1082 EH 
fined in OMB Circular A–16, as set forth in OMB 
memo M–11–03, Issuance of OMB Circular A–16 
Supplemental Guidance (November 10, 2010), or 
any successor thereto. 
(3) DISCLOSURE.—Each covered agency shall dis-
close each contract, cooperative agreement, grant, or 
other transaction that deals with geospatial data, which 
may include posting information relating to the contract, 
cooperative agreement, grant, or other transaction on 
www.USAspending.gov and www.itdashboard.gov, or any 
successors thereto. 
(4) OMB REVIEW.—In reviewing the annual budget 
justifications submitted by covered agencies, the Office 
of Management and Budget shall take into consideration 
the summary and evaluations required under subpara-
graphs (A) and (B) of section 753(c)(10), comments, 
and replies to comments as required under paragraphs 
(11) and (12) of section 753(c), in its annual evaluation 
of the budget justification of each covered agency. 
(5) REPORTING.—The Office of Management and 
Budget shall include a discussion of the summaries and 
evaluation of the progress in establishing the National 
Spatial Data Infrastructure in each E-Government sta-
tus report submitted under section 3606 of title 44, 
United States Code.
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•HRES 1082 EH 
(c) AUDITS.—Not less than once every 2 years, the in-
spector general of a covered agency (or senior ethics official 
of the covered agency for a covered agency without an inspec-
tor general) shall submit to Congress an audit of the collec-
tion, production, acquisition, maintenance, distribution, use, 
and preservation of geospatial data by the covered agency, 
which shall include a review of— 
(1) the compliance of the covered agency with the 
standards for geospatial data, including metadata for 
geospatial data, established under section 757; 
(2) the compliance of the covered agency with the 
requirements under subsection (a); and 
(3) the compliance of the covered agency on the 
limitation on the use of Federal funds under section 
759A. 
SEC. 759A. LIMITATION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS. 
(a) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘implemen-
tation date’’ means the date that is 5 years after the date 
on which standards for each National Geospatial Data Asset 
data theme are established under section 757. 
(b) LIMITATION.—Except as provided otherwise in this 
section, on and after the implementation date, a covered 
agency may not use Federal funds for the collection, produc-
tion, acquisition, maintenance, or dissemination of geospatial
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•HRES 1082 EH 
data that does not comply with the applicable standards es-
tablished under section 757, as determined by the Committee. 
(c) EXCEPTION FOR EXISTING GEOSPATIAL DATA.—On 
and after the implementation date, a covered agency may use 
Federal funds to maintain and disseminate geospatial data 
that does not comply with the applicable standards estab-
lished under section 757 if the geospatial data was collected, 
produced, or acquired by the covered agency before the imple-
mentation date. 
(d) WAIVER.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Chairperson of the Com-
mittee may grant a waiver of the limitation under sub-
section (b), upon a request from a covered agency sub-
mitted in accordance with paragraph (2). 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—A request for a waiver under 
paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) be submitted not later than 30 days before 
the implementation date; 
(B) provide a detailed explanation of the rea-
sons for seeking a waiver; 
(C) provide a detailed plan to achieve compli-
ance with the applicable standards established 
under section 757; and
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•HRES 1082 EH 
(D) provide the date by which the covered 
agency shall achieve compliance with the applicable 
standards established under section 757. 
(e) BEST EFFORTS TO COMPLY DURING TRANSITION.— 
During the period beginning on the date on which standards 
for a National Geospatial Data Asset data theme are estab-
lished under section 757 and ending on the implementation 
date, each covered agency, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, shall collect, produce, acquire, maintain, and dissemi-
nate geospatial data within the National Geospatial Data 
Asset data theme in accordance with the standards. 
SEC. 759B. SAVINGS PROVISION. 
Nothing in this subtitle shall repeal, amend, or super-
sede any existing law unless specifically provided in this sub-
title. 
SEC. 759C. PRIVATE SECTOR. 
The Committee and each covered agency may, to the 
maximum extent practical, rely upon and use the private sec-
tor in the United States for the provision of geospatial data 
and services. 
Subtitle G—Miscellaneous 
SEC. 761. NEXTGEN RESEARCH. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Trans-
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•HRES 1082 EH 
‘‘(1) promote and facilitate collaboration among 
academia, the Transportation Division of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, and the commercial aircraft in-
dustry, including manufacturers, commercial air carriers, 
and suppliers; and 
‘‘(2) establish goals set to advance technology, im-
prove engineering practices, and facilitate continuing 
education in relevant areas of study.’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
chapter 445 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘44518. Advanced Materials Center of Excellence.’’. 
TITLE VIII—AVIATION REVENUE 
PROVISIONS 
SEC. 801. EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY FROM AIRPORT AND AIR-
WAY TRUST FUND. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 9502(d)(1) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by 
striking ‘‘October 1, 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 
2023’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (A) by striking the semicolon 
at the end and inserting ‘‘or the FAA Reauthorization 
Act of 2018;’’.
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•HRES 1082 EH 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 9502(e)(2) of 
such Code is amended by striking ‘‘October 1, 2018’’ and in-
serting ‘‘October 1, 2023’’. 
SEC. 802. EXTENSION OF TAXES FUNDING AIRPORT AND AIR-
WAY TRUST FUND. 
(a) FUEL TAXES.—Section 4081(d)(2)(B) of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ‘‘Sep-
tember 30, 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2023’’. 
(b) TICKET TAXES.— 
(1) PERSONS.—Section 4261(k)(1)(A)(ii) of such 
Code is amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘September 30, 2023’’. 
(2) PROPERTY.—Section 4271(d)(1)(A)(ii) of such 
Code is amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘September 30, 2023’’. 
(c) FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP PROGRAMS.— 
(1) FUEL TAX.—Section 4043(d) of such Code is 
amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 2021’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘September 30, 2023’’. 
(2) TREATMENT AS NONCOMMERCIAL AVIATION.— 
Section 4083(b) of such Code is amended by striking 
‘‘October 1, 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2023’’. 
(3) EXEMPTION
FROM
TICKET
TAXES.—Section 
4261(j) of such Code is amended by striking ‘‘September 
30, 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2023’’.
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•HRES 1082 EH 
DIVISION 
C—NATIONAL 
TRANS-
PORTATION SAFETY BOARD RE-
AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018 
SEC. 1101. SHORT TITLE. 
This division may be cited as the ‘‘National Transpor-
tation Safety Board Reauthorization Act’’. 
SEC. 1102. DEFINITIONS. 
In this division, the following definitions apply: 
(1) BOARD.—The term ‘‘Board’’ means the Na-
tional Transportation Safety Board. 
(2) CHAIRMAN.—The term ‘‘Chairman’’ means the 
Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. 
(3) MOST WANTED LIST.—The term ‘‘Most Wanted 
List’’ means the Board publication entitled ‘‘Most Want-
ed List’’. 
SEC. 1103. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 1118(a) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated for the purposes of this chapter $111,400,000 for fis-
cal year 2019, $112,400,000 for fiscal year 2020, 
$113,400,000 for fiscal year 2021, and $114,400,000 for fis-
cal year 2022. Such sums shall remain available until ex-
pended.’’.
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SEC. 1104. STILL IMAGES. 
(a) STILL IMAGES, VOICE RECORDERS, AND VIDEO RE-
CORDERS.— 
(1) COCKPIT RECORDINGS AND TRANSCRIPTS.—Sec-
tion 1114(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as para-
graph (3); 
(B) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated, by 
inserting ‘‘REFERENCES TO INFORMATION IN MAK-
ING SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS.—’’ before ‘‘This’’; 
and 
(C) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘The 
Board’’ and inserting ‘‘CONFIDENTIALITY OF 
RECORDINGS.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the Board’’; and 
(ii) by amending the second sentence to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—Subject to subsections (b) and 
(g), the Board shall make public any part of a tran-
script, any written depiction of visual information ob-
tained from a video recorder, or any still image obtained 
from a video recorder the Board decides is relevant to 
the accident or incident—
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‘‘(A) if the Board holds a public hearing on the 
accident or incident, at the time of the hearing; or 
‘‘(B) if the Board does not hold a public hear-
ing, at the time a majority of the other factual re-
ports on the accident or incident are placed in the 
public docket.’’. 
(2) SURFACE
VEHICLE
RECORDINGS
AND
TRAN-
SCRIPTS.—Section 1114(d) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as para-
graph (3); and 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘The 
Board’’ and inserting ‘‘Except as provided in 
paragraph (2), the Board’’; and 
(ii) by amending the second sentence to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—Subject to subsections (b) and 
(g), the Board shall make public any part of a tran-
script, any written depiction of visual information ob-
tained from a video recorder, or any still image obtained 
from a video recorder the Board decides is relevant to 
the accident— 
‘‘(A) if the Board holds a public hearing on the 
accident, at the time of the hearing; or
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‘‘(B) if the Board does not hold a public hear-
ing, at the time a majority of the other factual re-
ports on the accident are placed in the public dock-
et.’’. 
(3) PRIVACY PROTECTIONS.—Section 1114 of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(g) PRIVACY PROTECTIONS.—Before making public any 
still image obtained from a video recorder under subsection 
(c)(2) or subsection (d)(2), the Board shall take such action 
as appropriate to protect from public disclosure any informa-
tion that readily identifies an individual, including a dece-
dent.’’. 
(b) COCKPIT AND SURFACE VEHICLE RECORDINGS AND 
TRANSCRIPTS.—Section 1154(a) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) in the heading, by striking ‘‘TRANSCRIPTS AND 
RECORDINGS’’ and inserting ‘‘IN GENERAL’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and 
(B) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting before subparagraph (B), as 
so redesignated, the following: 
‘‘(A) any still image that the National Trans-
portation Safety Board has not made available to
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the public under section 1114(c) or 1114(d) of this 
title;’’; 
(3) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), 
by striking ‘‘recorder recording’’ and inserting ‘‘re-
corder recording, including with regard to a video 
recording any still image that the National Trans-
portation Safety Board has not made available to 
the public under section 1114(c) or 1114(d) of this 
title,’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘recorder 
recording’’ and inserting ‘‘recorder recording, in-
cluding with regard to a video recording any still 
image that the National Transportation Safety 
Board has not made available to the public under 
section 1114(c) or 1114(d) of this title,’’; 
(4) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘a still image or’’ before 
‘‘a part of a cockpit’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘the part of the transcript 
or the recording’’ each place it appears and in-
serting ‘‘the still image, the part of the tran-
script, or the recording’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B)—
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(i) by inserting ‘‘a still image or’’ before 
‘‘a part of a cockpit’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘the part of the transcript 
or the recording’’ each place it appears and in-
serting ‘‘the still image, the part of the tran-
script, or the recording’’; and 
(5) in paragraph (6)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as sub-
paragraph (C); and 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
following: 
‘‘(B) STILL IMAGE.—The term ‘still image’ means 
any still image obtained from a video recorder.’’. 
SEC. 1105. ELECTRONIC RECORDS. 
Section 1134(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting ‘‘including an electronic record,’’ after 
‘‘record,’’. 
SEC. 1106. REPORT ON MOST WANTED LIST METHODOLOGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than the date on which the 
first Most Wanted List to be published after the date of en-
actment of this Act is published, the Chairman shall publish 
on a publicly available website of the Board and submit to 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the method-
ology used to prioritize and select recommendations to be in-
cluded by the Board in the Most Wanted List.
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(b) ELEMENTS.—The report under subsection (a) shall 
include— 
(1) a detailed description of how the Board ac-
counts for the risk to safety addressed in each of its rec-
ommendations, including the extent to which the Board 
considers— 
(A) the types of data and other information, 
including studies and reports, used to identify the 
amount and probability of risk to safety; 
(B) the reduction of the risk to safety, esti-
mated over a period of time, by implementing each 
recommendation; 
(C) the practicality and feasibility of achieving 
the reduction of the risk to safety described in sub-
paragraph (B); and 
(D) any alternate means of reducing the risk; 
(2) a detailed description of the extent to which the 
Board considers any prior, related investigation, safety 
recommendation, or other safety action when prioritizing 
and selecting recommendations; and 
(3) a description of the extent of coordination and 
consultation when prioritizing and selecting the rec-
ommendations. 
(c) GAO REPORT.—Not later than 15 months after the 
date that the methodology report is published under sub-
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section (a), the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a re-
port examining the methodology used by the Board to 
prioritize and select safety recommendations for inclusion in 
the Most Wanted List. 
SEC. 1107. METHODOLOGY. 
(a) REDESIGNATION.—Section 1116 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) ANNUAL REPORT.—The National Transportation 
Safety Board shall submit a report to Congress on July 1 of 
each year. The report shall include— 
‘‘(1) a statistical and analytical summary of the 
transportation accident investigations conducted and re-
viewed by the Board during the prior calendar year; 
‘‘(2) a survey and summary of the recommendations 
made by the Board to reduce the likelihood of recurrence 
of those accidents together with the observed response to 
each recommendation; 
‘‘(3) a detailed appraisal of the accident investiga-
tion and accident prevention activities of other depart-
ments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United 
States Government and State and local governmental 
authorities having responsibility for those activities 
under a law of the United States or a State;
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‘‘(4) a description of the activities and operations of 
the National Transportation Safety Board Training Cen-
ter during the prior calendar year; 
‘‘(5) a list of accidents, during the prior calendar 
year, that the Board was required to investigate under 
section 1131 but did not investigate and an explanation 
of why they were not investigated; and 
‘‘(6) a list of ongoing investigations that have ex-
ceeded the expected time allotted for completion by 
Board order and an explanation for the additional time 
required to complete each such investigation.’’. 
(b) METHODOLOGY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1117 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 1117. Methodology 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of the National Transportation Safety 
Board Reauthorization Act, the Chairman shall include with 
each investigative report in which a recommendation is issued 
by the Board a methodology section detailing the process and 
information underlying the selection of each recommendation. 
‘‘(b) ELEMENTS.—Except as provided in subsection (c), 
the methodology section under subsection (a) shall include, 
for each recommendation—
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‘‘(1) a brief summary of the Board’s collection and 
analysis of the specific accident investigation information 
most relevant to the recommendation; 
‘‘(2) a description of the Board’s use of external in-
formation, including studies, reports, and experts, other 
than the findings of a specific accident investigation, if 
any were used to inform or support the recommendation, 
including a brief summary of the specific safety benefits 
and other effects identified by each study, report, or ex-
pert; and 
‘‘(3) a brief summary of any examples of actions 
taken by regulated entities before the publication of the 
safety recommendation, to the extent such actions are 
known to the Board, that were consistent with the rec-
ommendation. 
‘‘(c) ACCEPTABLE LIMITATION.—If the Board knows of 
more than 3 examples taken by regulated entities before the 
publication of the safety recommendation that were consistent 
with the recommendation, the brief summary under sub-
section (b)(3) may be limited to only 3 of those examples. 
‘‘(d) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (a) shall not apply if the 
recommendation is only for a person to disseminate informa-
tion on— 
‘‘(1) an existing agency best practices document; or 
‘‘(2) an existing regulatory requirement.
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‘‘(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section 
may be construed to require any change to a recommendation 
made by the Board before the date of enactment of the Na-
tional Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act, un-
less the recommendation is a repeat recommendation issued 
on or after the date of enactment of such Act. 
‘‘(f) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section may be 
construed— 
‘‘(1) to delay publication of the findings, cause, or 
probable cause of a Board investigation; 
‘‘(2) to delay the issuance of an urgent rec-
ommendation that the Board has determined must be 
issued to avoid immediate loss, death, or injury; or 
‘‘(3) to limit the number of examples the Board 
may consider before issuing a recommendation.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 11 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 1116 the 
following: 
‘‘117. Methodology.’’. 
SEC. 1108. MULTIMODAL ACCIDENT DATABASE MANAGEMENT 
SYSTEM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Board shall establish and 
maintain a multimodal accident database management system 
for Board investigators.
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•HRES 1082 EH 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the system shall be to 
support the Board in improving— 
(1) the quality of accident data the Board makes 
available to the public; and 
(2) the selection of accidents for investigation and 
allocation of limited resources. 
(c) REQUIREMENTS.—The system shall— 
(1) maintain a historical record of accidents that 
are investigated by the Board; and 
(2) be capable of the secure storage, retrieval, and 
management of information associated with the inves-
tigations of such accidents. 
SEC. 1109. ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES OF INDIVID-
UALS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS. 
(a) AIR CARRIERS HOLDING CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC 
CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY.—Section 41113 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘a major’’ and in-
serting ‘‘any’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘‘(and any 
other victim of the accident)’’ and inserting ‘‘(and 
any other victim of the accident, including any vic-
tim on the ground)’’;
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(B) in paragraph (16), by striking ‘‘major’’ 
and inserting ‘‘any’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (17)(A), by striking ‘‘signifi-
cant’’ and inserting ‘‘any’’. 
(b) FOREIGN AIR CARRIERS PROVIDING FOREIGN AIR 
TRANSPORTATION.—Section 41313 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘a major’’ and in-
serting ‘‘any’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘a signifi-
cant’’ and inserting ‘‘any’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘a signifi-
cant’’ and inserting ‘‘any’’; 
(C) by amending paragraph (9) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(9) EQUAL TREATMENT OF PASSENGERS.—An as-
surance that the treatment of the families of nonrevenue 
passengers (and any other victim of the accident, includ-
ing any victim on the ground) will be the same as the 
treatment of the families of revenue passengers.’’; 
(D) in paragraph (16)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘major’’ and inserting 
‘‘any’’; and
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(ii) by striking ‘‘the foreign air carrier will 
consult’’ and inserting ‘‘will consult’’; and 
(E) in paragraph (17)(A), by striking ‘‘signifi-
cant’’ and inserting ‘‘any’’. 
(c) ASSISTANCE
TO FAMILIES
OF PASSENGERS IN-
VOLVED IN AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS.—Section 1136 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘aircraft accident 
within the United States involving an air carrier or for-
eign air carrier and resulting in a major loss of life’’ and 
inserting ‘‘aircraft accident involving an air carrier or 
foreign air carrier, resulting in any loss of life, and for 
which the National Transportation Safety Board will 
serve as the lead investigative agency’’; and 
(2) in subsection (h)— 
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(1) AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT.—The term ‘aircraft acci-
dent’ means any aviation disaster, regardless of its cause 
or suspected cause, for which the National Transpor-
tation Safety Board is the lead investigative agency.’’; 
and 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘; 
and’’ and inserting a semicolon;
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(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) any other person injured or killed in the 
aircraft accident, as determined appropriate by the 
Board.’’. 
(d) ASSISTANCE
TO FAMILIES
OF PASSENGERS IN-
VOLVED IN RAIL PASSENGER ACCIDENTS.—Section 1139 of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘resulting in a 
major loss of life’’ and inserting ‘‘resulting in any loss 
of life, and for which the National Transportation Safety 
Board will serve as the lead investigative agency’’; and 
(2) by amending subsection (h)(1) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(1) RAIL PASSENGER ACCIDENT.—The term ‘rail 
passenger accident’ means any rail passenger disaster 
that— 
‘‘(A) results in any loss of life; 
‘‘(B) the National Transportation Safety 
Board will serve as the lead investigative agency 
for; and 
‘‘(C) occurs in the provision of—
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‘‘(i) interstate intercity rail passenger 
transportation (as such term is defined in sec-
tion 24102); or 
‘‘(ii) high-speed rail (as such term is de-
fined in section 26105) transportation, regard-
less of its cause or suspected cause.’’. 
(e) INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES OF INDIVIDUALS IN-
VOLVED IN ACCIDENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 11 of 
subtitle II of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 1140. Information for families of individuals involved 
in accidents 
‘‘In the course of an investigation of an accident de-
scribed in section 1131(a)(1), except an aircraft accident de-
scribed in section 1136 or a rail passenger accident described 
in section 1139, the Board may, to the maximum extent 
practicable, ensure that the families of individuals involved in 
the accident, and other individuals the Board deems appro-
priate— 
‘‘(1) are informed as to the roles, with respect to 
the accident and the post-accident activities, of the 
Board;
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•HRES 1082 EH 
‘‘(2) are briefed, before any public briefing, about 
the accident, its causes, and any other findings from the 
investigation; and 
‘‘(3) are individually informed of and allowed to at-
tend any public hearings and meetings of the Board 
about the accident.’’. 
(2) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of 
chapter 11 of subtitle II of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
1139 the following: 
‘‘1140. Information for families of individuals involved in accidents.’’. 
SEC. 1110. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORT ON 
INVESTIGATION 
LAUNCH 
DECISION-MAKING 
PROCESSES. 
Section 1138 of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as 
paragraphs (6) and (7), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (4) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(5) the process and procedures to select an acci-
dent to investigate;’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c), by inserting a comma after 
‘‘Science’’.
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SEC. 1111. PERIODIC REVIEW OF SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS. 
(a) REPORTS.—Section 1116 of title 49, United States 
Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended— 
(1) in the heading, by striking ‘‘and studies’’ 
and inserting ‘‘, studies, and retrospective re-
views’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) RETROSPECTIVE REVIEWS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), not 
later than June 1, 2019, and at least every 5 years 
thereafter, the Chairman shall complete a retrospective 
review of recommendations issued by the Board that are 
classified as open by the Board. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—A review under paragraph (1) 
shall include— 
‘‘(A) a determination of whether the rec-
ommendation should be updated, closed, or reissued 
in light of— 
‘‘(i) changed circumstances; 
‘‘(ii) more recently issued recommenda-
tions; 
‘‘(iii) the availability of new technologies; 
or 
‘‘(iv) new information making the rec-
ommendation ineffective or insufficient for 
achieving its objective; and
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‘‘(B) a justification for each determination 
under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(3) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date a review under paragraph (1) is complete, the 
Chairman shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives a report that includes— 
‘‘(A) the findings of the review under para-
graph (1); 
‘‘(B) each determination under paragraph 
(2)(A) and justification under paragraph (2)(B); 
and 
‘‘(C) if applicable, a schedule for updating, 
closing, or reissuing a recommendation.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
11 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
the item relating to section 1116 and inserting the following: 
‘‘1116. Reports, studies, and retrospective reviews.’’. 
(c) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section or the 
amendments made by this section may be construed to limit 
or otherwise affect the authority of the Board to update, 
close, or reissue a recommendation.
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SEC. 1112. GENERAL ORGANIZATION. 
(a) TERMS OF THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN.— 
Section 1111(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘2 years’’ and inserting ‘‘3 years’’. 
(b) NONPUBLIC COLLABORATIVE DISCUSSIONS.—Sec-
tion 1111 of such title is further amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(k) OPEN MEETINGS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Board shall be deemed to 
be an agency for purposes of section 552b of title 5. 
‘‘(2) NONPUBLIC COLLABORATIVE DISCUSSIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding section 
552b of title 5, a majority of the members may hold 
a meeting that is not open to public observation to 
discuss official agency business if— 
‘‘(i) no formal or informal vote or other 
official agency action is taken at the meeting; 
‘‘(ii) each individual present at the meet-
ing is a member or an employee of the Board; 
‘‘(iii) at least 1 member of the Board from 
each political party is present at the meeting, 
if applicable; and 
‘‘(iv) the General Counsel of the Board is 
present at the meeting. 
‘‘(B) DISCLOSURE
OF
NONPUBLIC
COLLABO-
RATIVE
DISCUSSIONS.—Except as provided under
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subparagraphs (C) and (D), not later than 2 busi-
ness days after the conclusion of a meeting under 
subparagraph (A), the Board shall make available 
to the public, in a place easily accessible to the pub-
lic— 
‘‘(i) a list of the individuals present at the 
meeting; and 
‘‘(ii) a summary of the matters, including 
key issues, discussed at the meeting, except for 
any matter the Board properly determines may 
be withheld from the public under section 
552b(c) of title 5. 
‘‘(C) SUMMARY.—If the Board properly deter-
mines a matter may be withheld from the public 
under section 552b(c) of title 5, the Board shall 
provide a summary with as much general informa-
tion as possible on each matter withheld from the 
public. 
‘‘(D) ACTIVE
INVESTIGATIONS.—If a discus-
sion under subparagraph (A) directly relates to an 
active investigation, the Board shall make the dis-
closure under subparagraph (B) on the date the 
Board adopts the final report. 
‘‘(E) PRESERVATION OF OPEN MEETINGS RE-
QUIREMENTS
FOR
AGENCY
ACTION.—Nothing in
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this paragraph may be construed to limit the appli-
cability of section 552b of title 5 with respect to a 
meeting of the members other than that described 
in this paragraph. 
‘‘(F) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in 
this paragraph may be construed— 
‘‘(i) to limit the applicability of section 
552b of title 5 with respect to any information 
which is proposed to be withheld from the pub-
lic under subparagraph (B)(ii); or 
‘‘(ii) to authorize the Board to withhold 
from any individual any record that is acces-
sible to that individual under section 552a of 
title 5.’’. 
(c) AUTHORITY TO ACQUIRE SMALL UNMANNED AIR-
CRAFT SYSTEMS
FOR INVESTIGATION PURPOSES.—Section 
1113(b)(1) of such title is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (H), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in subparagraph (I), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(J) notwithstanding section 1343 of title 31, 
acquire 1 or more small unmanned aircraft (as de-
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fined in section 44801) for use in investigations 
under this chapter.’’. 
(d) INVESTIGATIVE OFFICERS.—Section 1113 of such 
title is amended by striking subsection (h). 
(e) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Section 1113(a)(1) of 
such title is amended by striking ‘‘subpena’’ and inserting 
‘‘subpoena’’. 
SEC. 1113. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. 
(a) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of 
subchapter III of chapter 11 of subtitle II of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended in the item relating to section 1138 
by striking ‘‘Board’’ and inserting ‘‘Board.’’. 
(b) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—Section 1131(a)(1)(A) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘a pub-
lic aircraft as defined by section 40102(a)(37) of this title’’ 
and inserting ‘‘a public aircraft as defined by section 
40102(a) of this title’’. 
DIVISION D—DISASTER RECOVERY 
REFORM 
SEC. 1201. SHORT TITLE. 
This division may be cited as the ‘‘Disaster Recovery Re-
form Act of 2018’’. 
SEC. 1202. APPLICABILITY. 
(a) APPLICABILITY
FOR STAFFORD ACT.—Except as 
otherwise expressly provided, the amendments in this division
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to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency As-
sistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) apply to each major 
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after 
August 1, 2017, under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act. 
(b) DIVISION APPLICABILITY.—Except as otherwise ex-
pressly provided, the authorities provided under this division 
apply to each major disaster and emergency declared by the 
President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act on or after January 1, 2016. 
SEC. 1203. DEFINITIONS. 
In this division: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Administrator’’ 
means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency. 
(2) AGENCY.—The term ‘‘Agency’’ means the Fed-
eral Emergency Management Agency. 
(3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5122). 
SEC. 1204. WILDFIRE PREVENTION. 
(a) MITIGATION ASSISTANCE.—Section 420 of the Rob-
ert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5187) is amended—
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(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection 
(e); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: 
‘‘(d) HAZARD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE.—Whether or 
not a major disaster is declared, the President may provide 
hazard mitigation assistance in accordance with section 404 
in any area affected by a fire for which assistance was pro-
vided under this section.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—The Robert T. Staf-
ford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) in section 404(a) (42 U.S.C. 5170c(a)) (as 
amended by this division)— 
(A) by inserting before the first period ‘‘, or 
any area affected by a fire for which assistance was 
provided under section 420’’; and 
(B) in the third sentence by inserting ‘‘or event 
under section 420’’ after ‘‘major disaster’’ each 
place it appears; and 
(2) in section 322(e)(1) (42 U.S.C. 5165(e)(1)), by 
inserting ‘‘or event under section 420’’ after ‘‘major dis-
aster’’ each place it appears. 
(c) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act and annually there-
after, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on
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Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives, and the Committees on Appropria-
tions of the Senate and the House of Representatives a re-
port containing a summary of any projects carried out, and 
any funding provided to those projects, under subsection (d) 
of section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5187) (as amended by 
this section). 
SEC. 1205. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES. 
Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) USE OF ASSISTANCE.—Recipients of hazard mitiga-
tion assistance provided under this section and section 203 
may use the assistance to conduct activities to help reduce 
the risk of future damage, hardship, loss, or suffering in any 
area affected by a wildfire or windstorm, such as— 
‘‘(1) reseeding ground cover with quick-growing or 
native species; 
‘‘(2) mulching with straw or chipped wood; 
‘‘(3) constructing straw, rock, or log dams in small 
tributaries to prevent flooding; 
‘‘(4) placing logs and other erosion barriers to catch 
sediment on hill slopes;
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‘‘(5) installing debris traps to modify road and trail 
drainage mechanisms; 
‘‘(6) modifying or removing culverts to allow drain-
age to flow freely; 
‘‘(7) adding drainage dips and constructing emer-
gency spillways to keep roads and bridges from washing 
out during floods; 
‘‘(8) planting grass to prevent the spread of noxious 
weeds; 
‘‘(9) installing warning signs; 
‘‘(10) establishing defensible space measures; 
‘‘(11) reducing hazardous fuels; 
‘‘(12) mitigating windstorm damage, including re-
placing or installing electrical transmission or distribu-
tion utility pole structures with poles that are resilient 
to extreme wind and combined ice and wind loadings for 
the basic wind speeds and ice conditions associated with 
the relevant location; 
‘‘(13) removing standing burned trees; and 
‘‘(14) replacing water systems that have been 
burned and have caused contamination.’’.
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SEC. 1206. ELIGIBILITY FOR CODE IMPLEMENTATION AND EN-
FORCEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 402 of the Robert T. Staf-
ford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5170a) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph 
(6); and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following: 
‘‘(5) provide assistance to State and local govern-
ments for building code and floodplain management or-
dinance administration and enforcement, including in-
spections for substantial damage compliance; and’’. 
(b) REPAIR, RESTORATION, AND REPLACEMENT
OF 
DAMAGED FACILITIES.—Section 406(a)(2) of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5172(a)(2)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) base and overtime wages for extra hires 
to facilitate the implementation and enforcement of 
adopted building codes for a period of not more
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than 180 days after the major disaster is de-
clared.’’. 
SEC. 1207. PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) HAZARD MITIGATION.—Section 406(c) of the Robert 
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5172(c)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘90 percent 
of’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ‘‘75 percent 
of’’. 
(b) FLOOD INSURANCE.—Section 406(d)(1) of the Rob-
ert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5172(d)(1)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: ‘‘This section shall not apply to more than one 
building of a multi-structure educational, law enforcement, 
correctional, fire, or medical campus, for any major disaster 
or emergency declared by the President under section 401 or 
501, respectively, of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170, 5191) on or 
after January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2018.’’. 
(c) PARTICIPATION.—Section 428(d) of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5189f(d)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Participation in’’ and inserting the 
following:
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Participation in’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) NO CONDITIONS.—The President may not con-
dition the provision of Federal assistance under this Act 
on the election by a State, local, or Indian tribal govern-
ment, or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility 
to participate in the alternative procedures adopted 
under this section.’’. 
(d) CERTIFICATION.—Section 428(e)(1) of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5189f(e)(1)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(G) once certified by a professionally licensed 
engineer and accepted by the Administrator, the es-
timates on which grants made pursuant to this sec-
tion are based shall be presumed to be reasonable 
and eligible costs, as long as there is no evidence of 
fraud.’’. 
SEC. 1208. PRIORITIZATION OF FACILITIES. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall provide guidance and train-
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ing on an annual basis to State, local, and Indian tribal gov-
ernments, first responders, and utility companies on— 
(1) the need to prioritize assistance to hospitals, 
nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities to en-
sure that such health care facilities remain functioning 
or return to functioning as soon as practicable during 
power outages caused by natural hazards, including se-
vere weather events; 
(2) how hospitals, nursing homes and other long- 
term care facilities should adequately prepare for power 
outages during a major disaster or emergency, as those 
terms are defined in section 102 of the Robert T. Staf-
ford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5122); and 
(3) how State, local, and Indian tribal governments, 
first responders, utility companies, hospitals, nursing 
homes, and other long-term care facilities should develop 
a strategy to coordinate emergency response plans, in-
cluding the activation of emergency response plans, in 
anticipation of a major disaster, including severe weath-
er events. 
SEC. 1209. GUIDANCE ON EVACUATION ROUTES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) IDENTIFICATION.—The Administrator, in co-
ordination with the Administrator of the Federal High-
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way Administration, shall develop and issue guidance for 
State, local, and Indian tribal governments regarding the 
identification of evacuation routes. 
(2) GUIDANCE.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Highway Administration, in coordination with the Ad-
ministrator, shall revise existing guidance or issue new 
guidance as appropriate for State, local, and Indian trib-
al governments regarding the design, construction, main-
tenance, and repair of evacuation routes. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.— 
(1) IDENTIFICATION.—In developing the guidance 
under subsection (a)(1), the Administrator shall con-
sider— 
(A) whether evacuation routes have resisted 
impacts and recovered quickly from disasters, re-
gardless of cause; 
(B) the need to evacuate special needs popu-
lations, including— 
(i) individuals with a physical or mental 
disability; 
(ii) individuals in schools, daycare centers, 
mobile home parks, prisons, nursing homes and 
other long-term care facilities, and detention 
centers;
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(iii) individuals with limited-English pro-
ficiency; 
(iv) the elderly; and 
(v) individuals who are tourists, seasonal 
workers, or homeless; 
(C) the sharing of information and other public 
communications with evacuees during evacuations; 
(D) the sheltering of evacuees, including the 
care, protection, and sheltering of animals; 
(E) the return of evacuees to their homes; and 
(F) such other items the Administrator con-
siders appropriate. 
(2) DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, AND 
REPAIR.—In revising or issuing guidance under sub-
section (a)(2), the Administrator of the Federal High-
way Administration shall consider— 
(A) methods that assist evacuation routes to— 
(i) withstand likely risks to viability, in-
cluding flammability and hydrostatic forces; 
(ii) improve durability, strength (including 
the ability to withstand tensile stresses and 
compressive stresses), and sustainability; and 
(iii) provide for long-term cost savings; 
(B) the ability of evacuation routes to effec-
tively manage contraflow operations;
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(C) for evacuation routes on public lands, the 
viewpoints of the applicable Federal land manage-
ment agency regarding emergency operations, sus-
tainability, and resource protection; and 
(D) such other items the Administrator of the 
Federal Highway Administration considers appro-
priate. 
(c) STUDY.—The Administrator, in coordination with 
the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration 
and State, local, territorial, and Indian tribal governments, 
may— 
(1) conduct a study of the adequacy of available 
evacuation routes to accommodate the flow of evacuees; 
and 
(2) submit recommendations on how to help with 
anticipated evacuation route flow, based on the study 
conducted under paragraph (1), to— 
(A) the Federal Highway Administration; 
(B) the Agency; 
(C) State, local, territorial, and Indian tribal 
governments; and 
(D) Congress. 
SEC. 1210. DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—
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(1) AUTHORITY.—Section 312(b) of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5155(b)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(4) WAIVER OF GENERAL PROHIBITION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The President may waive 
the general prohibition provided in subsection (a) 
upon request of a Governor on behalf of the State 
or on behalf of a person, business concern, or any 
other entity suffering losses as a result of a major 
disaster or emergency, if the President finds such 
waiver is in the public interest and will not result 
in waste, fraud, or abuse. In making this decision, 
the President may consider the following: 
‘‘(i) The recommendations of the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency made in consultation with the Federal 
agency or agencies administering the duplica-
tive program. 
‘‘(ii) If a waiver is granted, the assistance 
to be funded is cost effective. 
‘‘(iii) Equity and good conscience. 
‘‘(iv) Other matters of public policy con-
sidered appropriate by the President.
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‘‘(B) GRANT OR DENIAL OF WAIVER.—A re-
quest under subparagraph (A) shall be granted or 
denied not later than 45 days after submission of 
such request. 
‘‘(C) PROHIBITION ON DETERMINATION THAT 
LOAN
IS
A
DUPLICATION.—Notwithstanding sub-
section (c), in carrying out subparagraph (A), the 
President may not determine that a loan is a dupli-
cation of assistance, provided that all Federal as-
sistance is used toward a loss suffered as a result 
of the major disaster or emergency.’’. 
(2) LIMITATION.—This subsection, including the 
amendment made by paragraph (1), shall not be con-
strued to apply to section 406 or 408 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5172, 5174). 
(3) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by 
paragraph (1) shall apply to any major disaster or emer-
gency declared by the President under section 401 or 
501, respectively, of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Re-
lief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170, 
5191) between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 
2021. 
(4) SUNSET.—On the date that is 5 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, section 312(b) of the Rob-
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(c) INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT.—Not later than 2 
years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the inspec-
tor general of the Department of Homeland Security shall— 
(1) assess the use of the authority provided under 
section 408(c)(1)(B) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5174(c)(1)(B)), as amended by this division, including 
the adequacy of any benefit-cost analysis done to justify 
the use of this alternative; and 
(2) submit a report on the results of the assessment 
conducted under paragraph (1) to the appropriate com-
mittees of Congress. 
SEC. 1214. PRIVATE NONPROFIT FACILITY. 
Section 102(11)(B) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief 
and 
Emergency 
Assistance 
Act 
(42 
U.S.C. 
5122(11)(B)) is amended by inserting ‘‘food banks,’’ after 
‘‘shelter workshops,’’. 
SEC. 1215. MANAGEMENT COSTS. 
Section 324 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5165b) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘any administra-
tive expense, and any other expense not directly charge-
able to’’ and inserting ‘‘any direct administrative cost,