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(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In making a determination 
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider a 
flight standards service regional field office providing sup-
port in the area of its technical expertise to flight standards 
district offices and certificate management offices. 
SEC. 2236. ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATION RESOURCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, and subject to the requirements of subsection 
(b), the Administrator may enter into a reimbursable agree-
ment with an applicant or certificate holder for the reason-
able travel and per diem expenses of the FAA associated 
with official travel to expedite the acceptance or validation 
by a foreign authority of an FAA certificate or design ap-
proval. 
(b) CONDITIONS.—The Administrator may enter into 
an agreement under subsection (a) only if— 
(1) the travel covered under the agreement is de-
termined to be necessary, by both the Administrator 
and the applicant or certificate holder, to expedite the 
acceptance or validation of the relevant certificate or 
approval; 
(2) the travel is conducted at the request of the 
applicant or certificate holder;
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(3) the travel plans and expenses are approved 
by the applicant or certificate holder prior to travel; 
and 
(4) the agreement requires payment in advance 
of FAA services and is consistent with the processes 
under section 106(l)(6) of title 49, United States 
Code. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on— 
(1) the number of occasions on which the Admin-
istrator entered into reimbursable agreements under 
this section; 
(2) the number of occasions on which the Admin-
istrator declined a request by an applicant or certifi-
cate holder to enter into a reimbursable agreement 
under this section; 
(3) the amount of reimbursements collected in 
accordance with agreements under this section; and 
(4) the extent to which reimbursable agreements 
under this section assisted in reducing the amount of 
time necessary for foreign authorities’ validations of 
FAA certificates and design approvals. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
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(1) APPLICANT.—The term ‘‘applicant’’ means a 
person that has applied to a foreign authority for the 
acceptance or validation of an FAA certificate or de-
sign approval. 
(2) CERTIFICATE HOLDER.—The term ‘‘certifi-
cate holder’’ means a person that holds a certificate 
issued by the Administrator under part 21 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations. 
PART IV—SAFETY WORKFORCE 
SEC. 2241. SAFETY WORKFORCE TRAINING STRATEGY. 
(a) SAFETY WORKFORCE TRAINING STRATEGY.—Not 
later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the FAA shall review and revise its 
safety workforce training strategy to ensure that it— 
(1) aligns with an effective risk-based approach 
to safety oversight; 
(2) best utilizes available resources; 
(3) allows FAA employees participating in orga-
nization management teams or conducting ODA pro-
gram audits to complete, expeditiously, appropriate 
training, including recurrent training, in auditing 
and a systems safety approach to oversight; 
(4) seeks knowledge-sharing opportunities be-
tween the FAA and the aviation industry in new
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technologies, best practices, and other areas of interest 
related to safety oversight; 
(5) fosters an inspector and engineer workforce 
that has the skills and training necessary to improve 
risk-based approaches that focus on requirements 
management and auditing skills; and 
(6) includes, as appropriate, milestones and 
metrics for meeting the requirements of paragraphs 
(1) through (5). 
(b) REPORT.—Not later that 270 days after the date 
the strategy is established under subsection (a), the Admin-
istrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report on the implementation of the strategy and 
progress in meeting any milestones or metrics included in 
the strategy. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ODA HOLDER.—The term ‘‘ODA holder’’ has 
the meaning given the term in section 44736 of title 
49, United States Code. 
(2) ODA PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘ODA program’’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 44736(c)(3) 
of title 49, United States Code, as added by this Act. 
(3) ORGANIZATION
MANAGEMENT
TEAM.—The 
term ‘‘organization management team’’ means a 
group of FAA employees consisting of FAA aviation
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safety engineers, flight test pilots, and aviation safety 
inspectors overseeing an ODA holder and its specified 
function delegated under section 44702 of title 49, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 2242. WORKFORCE STUDY. 
(a) WORKFORCE STUDY.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall conduct a study to assess the 
workforce and training needs of the Office of Aviation Safe-
ty of the Federal Aviation Administration and take into 
consideration how those needs could be met. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study under subsection (a) shall 
include— 
(1) a review of the current staffing levels and re-
quirements for hiring and training, including recur-
rent training, of aviation safety inspectors and avia-
tion safety engineers; 
(2) an analysis of the skills and qualifications 
required of aviation safety inspectors and aviation 
safety engineers for successful performance in the cur-
rent and future projected aviation safety regulatory 
environment, including an analysis of the need for a 
systems engineering discipline within the Federal 
Aviation Administration to guide the engineering of 
complex systems, with an emphasis on auditing an
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ODA holder (as defined in section 44736(c) of title 
49, United States Code); 
(3) a review of current performance incentive 
policies of the Federal Aviation Administration, as 
applied to the Office of Aviation Safety, including 
awards for performance; 
(4) an analysis of ways the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration can work with the aviation industry 
and FAA labor force to establish knowledge-sharing 
opportunities between the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration and the aviation industry in new technologies, 
best practices, and other areas that could improve the 
aviation safety regulatory system; and 
(5) recommendations on the best and most cost- 
effective approaches to address the needs of the current 
and future projected aviation safety regulatory sys-
tem, including qualifications, training programs, and 
performance incentives for relevant agency personnel. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on 
the results of the study required under subsection (a).
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PART V—INTERNATIONAL AVIATION 
SEC. 2251. PROMOTION OF UNITED STATES AEROSPACE 
STANDARDS, 
PRODUCTS, 
AND 
SERVICES 
ABROAD. 
Section 40104 is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(d) PROMOTION
OF UNITED STATES AEROSPACE 
STANDARDS, PRODUCTS, AND SERVICES ABROAD.—The 
Secretary shall take appropriate actions— 
‘‘(1) to promote United States aerospace-related 
safety standards abroad; 
‘‘(2) to facilitate and vigorously defend approv-
als of United States aerospace products and services 
abroad; 
‘‘(3) with respect to bilateral partners, to use bi-
lateral safety agreements and other mechanisms to 
improve validation of United States type certificated 
aeronautical products and services and enhance mu-
tual acceptance in order to eliminate redundancies 
and unnecessary costs; and 
‘‘(4) with respect to the aeronautical safety au-
thorities of a foreign country, to streamline that coun-
try’s validation of United States aerospace standards, 
products, and services.’’.
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SEC. 2252. BILATERAL EXCHANGES OF SAFETY OVERSIGHT 
RESPONSIBILITIES. 
Section 44701(e) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(5) FOREIGN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES.— 
‘‘(A) 
ACCEPTANCE.—The 
Administrator 
shall accept an airworthiness directive (as de-
fined in section 39.3 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations) issued by an aeronautical safety 
authority of a foreign country, and leverage that 
aeronautical safety authority’s regulatory proc-
ess, if— 
‘‘(i) the country is the state of design 
for the product that is the subject of the air-
worthiness directive; 
‘‘(ii) the United States has a bilateral 
safety agreement relating to aircraft certifi-
cation with the country; 
‘‘(iii) as part of the bilateral safety 
agreement with the country, the Adminis-
trator has determined that the aeronautical 
safety authority has an aircraft certifi-
cation system relating to safety that pro-
duces a level of safety equivalent to the level 
produced by the system of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration; and
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‘‘(iv) the aeronautical safety authority 
utilizes an open and transparent public no-
tice and comment process in the issuance of 
airworthiness directives. 
‘‘(B) ALTERNATIVE APPROVAL PROCESS.— 
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Admin-
istrator may issue a Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration airworthiness directive instead of accept-
ing the airworthiness directive issued by the 
aeronautical safety authority of a foreign coun-
try if the Administrator determines that such 
issuance is necessary for safety or operational 
reasons due to the complexity or unique features 
of the Federal Aviation Administration air-
worthiness directive or the United States avia-
tion system. 
‘‘(C) ALTERNATIVE
MEANS
OF
COMPLI-
ANCE.—The Administrator may— 
‘‘(i) accept an alternative means of 
compliance, with respect to an airworthi-
ness directive under subparagraph (A), that 
was approved by the aeronautical safety au-
thority of the foreign country that issued the 
airworthiness directive; or
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‘‘(ii) notwithstanding subparagraph 
(A), and at the request of any person af-
fected by an airworthiness directive under 
that subparagraph, the Administrator may 
approve an alternative means of compliance 
with respect to the airworthiness directive.’’. 
SEC. 2253. FAA LEADERSHIP ABROAD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—To promote United States aero-
space safety standards, reduce redundant regulatory activ-
ity, and facilitate acceptance of FAA design and production 
approvals abroad, the Administrator shall— 
(1) attain greater expertise in issues related to 
dispute resolution, intellectual property, and export 
control laws to better support FAA certification and 
other aerospace regulatory activities abroad; 
(2) work with United States companies to more 
accurately track the amount of time it takes foreign 
authorities, including bilateral partners, to validate 
United States type certificated aeronautical products; 
(3) provide assistance to United States compa-
nies who have experienced significantly long foreign 
validation wait times; 
(4) work with foreign authorities, including bi-
lateral partners, to collect and analyze data to deter-
mine the timeliness of the acceptance and validation
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of FAA design and production approvals by foreign 
authorities and the acceptance and validation of for-
eign-certified products by the FAA; 
(5) 
establish 
appropriate 
benchmarks 
and 
metrics to measure the success of bilateral aviation 
safety agreements and to reduce the validation time 
for United States type certificated aeronautical prod-
ucts abroad; and 
(6) work with foreign authorities, including bi-
lateral partners, to improve the timeliness of the ac-
ceptance and validation of FAA design and produc-
tion approvals by foreign authorities and the accept-
ance and validation of foreign-certified products by 
the FAA. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report that— 
(1) describes the Administrator’s strategic plan 
for international engagement; 
(2) describes the structure and responsibilities of 
all FAA offices that have international responsibil-
ities, including the Aircraft Certification Office, and 
all the activities conducted by those offices related to 
certification and production;
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(3) describes current and forecasted staffing and 
travel needs for the FAA’s international engagement 
activities, including the needs of the Aircraft Certifi-
cation Office in the current and forecasted budgetary 
environment; 
(4) provides recommendations, if appropriate, to 
improve the existing structure and personnel and 
travel policies supporting the FAA’s international en-
gagement activities, including the activities of the 
Aviation Certification Office, to better support the 
growth of United States aerospace exports; and 
(5) identifies policy initiatives, regulatory ini-
tiatives, or cost-effective legislative initiatives needed 
to improve and enhance the timely acceptance of 
United States aerospace products abroad. 
(c) INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.—The Administrator of 
the FAA, or the Administrator’s designee, may authorize 
international travel for any FAA employee, without the ap-
proval of any other person or entity, if the Administrator 
determines that the travel is necessary— 
(1) to promote United States aerospace safety 
standards; or 
(2) to support expedited acceptance of FAA de-
sign and production approvals.
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SEC. 2254. REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, AND RELATED 
FEES. 
Section 45305 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘Subject to sub-
section (b)’’ and inserting ‘‘Subject to subsection (c)’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as 
subsections (c) and (d), respectively; and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) CERTIFICATION SERVICES.—Subject to subsection 
(c), and notwithstanding section 45301(a), the Adminis-
trator may establish and collect a fee from a foreign govern-
ment or entity for services related to certification, regardless 
of where the services are provided, if the fee— 
‘‘(1) is established and collected in a manner 
consistent with aviation safety agreements; and 
‘‘(2) does not exceed the estimated costs of the 
services.’’. 
Subtitle C—Airline Passenger 
Safety and Protections 
SEC. 2301. PILOT RECORDS DATABASE DEADLINE. 
Section 44703(i)(2) is amended by striking ‘‘The Ad-
ministrator shall establish’’ and inserting ‘‘Not later than 
April 30, 2017, the Administrator shall establish and make 
available for use’’.
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SEC. 2302. ACCESS TO AIR CARRIER FLIGHT DECKS. 
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall collaborate with other aviation authorities to 
advance a global standard for access to air carrier flight 
decks and redundancy requirements consistent with the 
flight deck access and redundancy requirements in the 
United States. 
SEC. 2303. AIRCRAFT TRACKING AND FLIGHT DATA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall assess current performance 
standards, and as appropriate, conduct a rulemaking to re-
vise the standards to improve near-term and long-term air-
craft tracking and flight data recovery, including retrieval, 
access, and protection of such data after an incident or acci-
dent. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In revising the performance 
standards under subsection (a), the Administrator may con-
sider— 
(1) various methods for improving detection and 
retrieval of flight data, including— 
(A) low frequency underwater locating de-
vices; and 
(B) extended battery life for underwater lo-
cating devices; 
(2) automatic deployable flight recorders;
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(3) triggered transmission of flight data, and 
other satellite-based solutions; 
(4) distress-mode tracking; and 
(5) protections against disabling flight recorder 
systems. 
(c) COORDINATION.—If the performance standards 
under subsection (a) are revised, the Administrator shall 
coordinate with international regulatory authorities and 
the International Civil Aviation Organization to ensure 
that any new international standard for aircraft tracking 
and flight data recovery is consistent with a performance- 
based approach and is implemented in a globally har-
monized manner. 
SEC. 2304. AUTOMATION RELIANCE IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) MODERNIZATION OF TRAINING.—Not later than 
October 1, 2017, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall review, and update as necessary, re-
cent guidance regarding pilot flight deck monitoring that 
an air carrier can use to train and evaluate its pilots to 
ensure that air carrier pilots are trained to use and monitor 
automation systems while also maintaining proficiency in 
manual flight operations consistent with the final rule enti-
tled, ‘‘Qualification, Service, and Use of Crewmembers and 
Aircraft Dispatchers’’, published on November 12, 2013 (78 
Fed. Reg. 67799).
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(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In reviewing and updating the 
guidance, the Administrator shall— 
(1) consider casualty driven scenarios during 
initial and recurrent simulator instruction that focus 
on automation complacency during system failure, 
including flight segments when automation is typi-
cally engaged and should result in hand flying the 
aircraft into a safe position while employing crew re-
source management principles; 
(2) consider the development of metrics or meas-
urable tasks an air carrier may use to evaluate the 
ability of pilots to appropriately monitor flight deck 
systems; 
(3) consider the development of metrics an air 
carrier may use to evaluate manual flying skills and 
improve related training; 
(4) convene an expert panel, including members 
with expertise in human factors, training, and flight 
operations— 
(A) to evaluate and develop methods for 
training 
flight 
crews 
to 
understand 
the 
functionality of automated systems for flight 
path management; 
(B) to identify and recommend to the Ad-
ministrator the most effective training methods
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that ensure that pilots can apply manual flying 
skills in the event of flight deck automation fail-
ure or an unexpected event; and 
(C) to identify and recommend to the Ad-
ministrator revision in the training guidance for 
flight crews to address the needs identified in 
subparagraphs (A) and (B); and 
(5) develop any additional standards to be used 
for guidance the Administrator considers necessary to 
determine whether air carrier pilots receive sufficient 
training opportunities to develop, maintain, and 
demonstrate manual flying skills. 
(c) DOT IG REVIEW.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date the Administrator reviews the guidance under sub-
section (a), the Inspector General of the Department of 
Transportation shall review the air carriers implementa-
tion of the guidance and the ongoing work of the expert 
panel. 
SEC. 2305. ENHANCED MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING FOR 
PILOTS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall consider the recommendations of the 
Pilot Fitness Aviation Rulemaking Committee in deter-
mining whether to implement, as part of a comprehensive
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medical certification process for pilots with a first- or sec-
ond-class airman medical certificate, additional screening 
for mental health conditions, including depression and sui-
cidal thoughts or tendencies, and assess treatments that 
would address any risk associated with such conditions. 
SEC. 2306. FLIGHT ATTENDANT DUTY PERIOD LIMITATIONS 
AND REST REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) MODIFICATION OF FINAL RULE.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall revise 
the flight attendant duty period limitations and rest re-
quirements under section 121.467 of title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations. 
(b) CONTENTS.—Except as provided in subsection (c), 
in revising the rule under subsection (a), the Administrator 
shall ensure that a flight attendant scheduled to a duty pe-
riod of 14 hours or less is given a scheduled rest period 
of at least 10 consecutive hours. 
(c) EXCEPTION.—The rest period required under sub-
section (b) may be scheduled or reduced to 9 consecutive 
hours if the flight attendant is provided a subsequent rest 
period of at least 11 consecutive hours. 
(d) FATIGUE RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN.— 
(1) SUBMISSION OF PLAN BY PART 121 AIR CAR-
RIERS.—Not later than 90 days after the date of en-
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actment of this Act, each air carrier operating under 
part 121 of title 13, Code of Federal Regulations (re-
ferred to in this subsection as a ‘‘part 121 air car-
rier’’), shall submit a fatigue risk management plan 
for the carrier’s flight attendants to the Administrator 
for review and acceptance. 
(2) CONTENTS
OF
PLAN.—Each fatigue risk 
management plan submitted under paragraph (1) 
shall include— 
(A) current flight time and duty period 
limitations; 
(B) a rest scheme that is consistent with 
such limitations and enables the management of 
flight attendant fatigue, including annual train-
ing to increase awareness of— 
(i) fatigue; 
(ii) the effects of fatigue on flight at-
tendants; and 
(iii) fatigue countermeasures; and 
(C) the development and use of methodology 
that continually assesses the effectiveness of im-
plementation of the plan, including the ability of 
the plan— 
(i) to improve alertness; and 
(ii) to mitigate performance errors.
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(3) REVIEW.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall— 
(A) review each fatigue risk management 
plan submitted under this subsection; and 
(B)(i) accept the plan; or 
(ii) reject the plan and provide the part 121 
air carrier with suggested modifications to be in-
cluded when the plan is resubmitted. 
(4) PLAN UPDATES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not less frequently than 
once every 2 years, each part 121 air carrier 
shall— 
(i) update the fatigue risk management 
plan submitted under paragraph (1); and 
(ii) submit the updated plan to the Ad-
ministrator for review and acceptance. 
(B) REVIEW.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date on which an updated plan is submitted 
under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Administrator 
shall— 
(i) review the updated plan; and 
(ii)(I) accept the updated plan; or 
(II) reject the updated plan and pro-
vide the part 121 air carrier with suggested
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modifications to be included when the up-
dated plan is resubmitted. 
(5) COMPLIANCE.—Each part 121 air carrier 
shall comply with its fatigue risk management plan 
after the plan is accepted by the Administrator under 
this subsection. 
(6) CIVIL PENALTIES.—A violation of this sub-
section by a part 121 air carrier shall be treated as 
a violation of chapter 447 of title 49, United States 
Code, for the purpose of applying civil penalties 
under chapter 463 of such title. 
SEC. 2307. TRAINING TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING 
FOR CERTAIN AIR CARRIER EMPLOYEES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 417 is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 41725. Training to combat human trafficking 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Each air carrier providing pas-
senger air transportation shall provide flight attendants 
who are employees or contractors of the air carrier with 
training to combat human trafficking in the course of car-
rying out their duties as employees or contractors of the 
air carrier. 
‘‘(b) ELEMENTS OF TRAINING.—The training an air 
carrier is required to provide under subsection (a) to flight 
attendants shall include training with respect to—
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‘‘(1) common indicators of human trafficking; 
and 
‘‘(2) best practices for reporting suspected human 
trafficking to law enforcement officers. 
‘‘(c) MATERIALS.—An air carrier may provide the 
training required by subsection (a) using modules and ma-
terials developed by the Department of Transportation and 
the Department of Homeland Security, including the train-
ing module and associated materials of the Blue Lightning 
Initiative and modules and materials subsequently devel-
oped and recommended by such Departments with respect 
to combating human trafficking. 
‘‘(d) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.—The Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall coordi-
nate with the Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure 
that appropriate training modules and materials are avail-
able for air carriers to conduct the training required by 
subsection (a). 
‘‘(e) HUMAN TRAFFICKING DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘human trafficking’ means 1 or more severe forms 
of trafficking in persons (as defined in section 103 of the 
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 
7102)).’’.
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(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
for chapter 417 is amended by inserting after the item relat-
ing to section 41724 the following: 
‘‘41725. Training to combat human trafficking.’’. 
(c) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall submit to the appro-
priate committees of Congress a report that includes— 
(1) an assessment of the status of compliance of 
air carriers with section 41725 of title 49, United 
States Code, as added by subsection (a); and 
(2) in collaboration with the Attorney General 
and the Secretary of Homeland Security, rec-
ommendations for improving the identification and 
reporting of human trafficking by air carrier per-
sonnel while protecting the civil liberties of pas-
sengers. 
(d) IMMUNITY
FOR
REPORTING
HUMAN
TRAF-
FICKING.—Section 44941(a) is amended by striking ‘‘or ter-
rorism, as defined by section 3077 of title 18, United States 
Code,’’ and inserting ‘‘human trafficking (as defined by sec-
tion 41725), or terrorism (as defined by section 3077 of title 
18)’’. 
SEC. 2308. REPORT ON OBSOLETE TEST EQUIPMENT. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal
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Aviation Administration shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on the National Test 
Equipment Program (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Pro-
gram’’). 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report shall include— 
(1) a list of all known outstanding requests for 
test equipment, cataloged by type and location, under 
the Program; 
(2) a description of the current method under the 
Program of ensuring calibrated equipment is in place 
for utilization; 
(3) a plan by the Administrator for appropriate 
inventory of such equipment; and 
(4) the Administrator’s recommendations for in-
creasing multifunctionality in future test equipment 
to be developed and all known and foreseeable manu-
facturer technological advances. 
SEC. 2309. PLAN FOR SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE DIRECT WARN-
INGS OF POTENTIAL RUNWAY INCURSIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than June 30, 2016, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall— 
(1) assess available technologies to determine 
whether it is feasible, cost-effective, and appropriate 
to install and deploy, at any airport, systems to pro-
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vide a direct warning capability to flight crews and 
air traffic controllers of potential runway incursions; 
and 
(2) submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report on the assessment under paragraph (1), 
including any recommendations. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the assessment 
under subsection (a), the Administration shall consider Na-
tional Transportation Safety Board findings and relevant 
aviation stakeholder views relating to runway incursions. 
SEC. 2310. LASER POINTER INCIDENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, in coordination with the Director 
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shall provide quar-
terly updates to the appropriate committees of Congress re-
garding— 
(1) the number of incidents involving the beam 
from a laser pointer (as defined in section 39A of title 
18, United States Code) being aimed at, or in the 
flight path of, an aircraft in the airspace jurisdiction 
of the United States; 
(2) the number of civil or criminal enforcement 
actions taken by the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion, Department of Transportation, or Department
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of Justice with regard to the incidents described in 
paragraph (1), including the amount of the civil or 
criminal penalties imposed on violators; 
(3) the resolution of any incidents that did not 
result in a civil or criminal enforcement action; and 
(4) any actions the Department of Transpor-
tation or Department of Justice has taken on its own, 
or in conjunction with other Federal agencies or local 
law enforcement agencies, to deter the type of activity 
described in paragraph (1). 
(b) CIVIL PENALTIES.—The Administrator shall revise 
the maximum civil penalty that may be imposed on an in-
dividual who aims the beam of a laser pointer at an air-
craft in the airspace jurisdiction of the United States, or 
at the flight path of such an aircraft, to be $25,000. 
SEC. 2311. HELICOPTER AIR AMBULANCE OPERATIONS 
DATA AND REPORTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, in collaboration with helicopter 
air ambulance industry stakeholders, shall assess the avail-
ability of information to the general public related to the 
location of heliports and helipads used by helicopters pro-
viding air ambulance services, including helipads and
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helipads outside of those listed as part of any existing data-
bases of Airport Master Record (5010) forms. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—Based on the assessment under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall— 
(1) update, as necessary, any existing guidance 
on what information is included in the current data-
bases of Airport Master Record (5010) forms to in-
clude information related to heliports and helipads 
used by helicopters providing air ambulance services; 
or 
(2) develop, as appropriate and in collaboration 
with helicopter air ambulance industry stakeholders, 
a new database of heliports and helipads used by heli-
copters providing air ambulance services. 
(c) REPORTS.— 
(1) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date the assessment under subsection (a) is com-
plete, the Administrator shall submit to the appro-
priate committees of Congress a report on the assess-
ment, including any recommendations on how to 
make information related to the location of heliports 
and helipads used by helicopters providing air ambu-
lance services available to the general public. 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 30 days 
after completing action under paragraph (1) or para-
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graph (2) of subsection (b), the Administrator shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report on the implementation of that action. 
(d) INCIDENT AND ACCIDENT DATA.—Section 44731 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this section, and annually there-
after’’ and inserting ‘‘annually’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘flights 
and hours flown, by registration number, during 
which helicopters operated by the certificate hold-
er were providing helicopter air ambulance serv-
ices’’ and inserting ‘‘hours flown by the heli-
copters operated by the certificate holder’’; 
(C) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘of flight’’ and inserting 
‘‘of patients transported and the number of 
patient transport’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘or’’ after ‘‘inter-
facility transport,’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘, or ferry or repo-
sitioning flight’’; 
(D) in paragraph (5)—
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(i) by striking ‘‘flights and’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘while providing air 
ambulance services’’; and 
(E) by amending paragraph (6) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(6) The number of hours flown at night by heli-
copters operated by the certificate holder.’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this section, and 
annually thereafter, the Administrator shall sub-
mit’’ and inserting ‘‘The Administrator shall 
submit annually’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘The report shall include the number of acci-
dents experienced by helicopter air ambulance 
operations, the number of fatal accidents experi-
enced by helicopter air ambulance operations, 
and the rate, per 100,000 flight hours, of acci-
dents and fatal accidents experienced by opera-
tors providing helicopter air ambulance serv-
ices.’’; 
(3) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection 
(f); and
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(4) by inserting after subsection (d) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(e) IMPLEMENTATION.—In carrying out this section, 
the Administrator, in collaboration with part 135 certifi-
cate holders providing helicopter air ambulance services, 
shall— 
‘‘(1) propose and develop a method to collect and 
store the data submitted under subsection (a), includ-
ing a method to protect the confidentiality of any 
trade secret or proprietary information submitted; 
and 
‘‘(2) ensure that the database under subsection 
(c) and the report under subsection (d) include data 
and analysis that will best inform efforts to improve 
the safety of helicopter air ambulance operations.’’. 
SEC. 2312. PART 135 ACCIDENT AND INCIDENT DATA. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration shall— 
(1) determine, in collaboration with the National 
Transportation Safety Board and Part 135 industry 
stakeholders, what, if any, additional data should be 
reported as part of an accident or incident notice to 
more accurately measure the safety of on-demand 
Part 135 aircraft activity, to pinpoint safety prob-
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lems, and to form the basis for critical research and 
analysis of general aviation issues; and 
(2) submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report on the findings under paragraph (1), 
including a description of the additional data to be 
collected, a timeframe for implementing the addi-
tional data collection, and any potential obstacles to 
implementation. 
SEC. 2313. DEFINITION OF HUMAN FACTORS. 
Section 40102(a), as amended by section 2140 of this 
Act, is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (24) through 
(47) as paragraphs (25) through (48), respectively; 
and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (23) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(24) ‘human factors’ means a multidisciplinary 
field that generates and compiles information about 
human capabilities and limitations and applies it to 
design, development, and evaluation of equipment, 
systems, facilities, procedures, jobs, environments, 
staffing, organizations, and personnel management 
for safe, efficient, and effective human performance, 
including people’s use of technology.’’.
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SEC. 2314. SENSE OF CONGRESS; PILOT IN COMMAND AU-
THORITY. 
It is the sense of Congress that the pilot in command 
of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final 
authority as to, the operation of that aircraft, as set forth 
in section 91.3(a) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 
(or any successor regulation thereto). 
SEC. 2315. ENHANCING ASIAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, in consultation with relevant 
aviation industry stakeholders, shall assess what, if any, 
improvements are needed to develop the predictive capa-
bility of the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and 
Sharing program (referred to in this section as ‘‘ASIAS’’) 
with regard to identifying precursors to accidents. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the assessment under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall— 
(1) determine what actions are necessary— 
(A) to improve data quality and standard-
ization; and 
(B) to increase the data received from addi-
tional segments of the aviation industry, such as 
small airplane, helicopter, and business jet oper-
ations;
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(2) consider how to prioritize the actions de-
scribed in paragraph (1); and 
(3) review available methods for disseminating 
safety trend data from ASIAS to the aviation safety 
community, including the inspector workforce, to in-
form in their risk-based decision making efforts. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
the assessment under subsection (a) is complete, the Admin-
istrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report on the assessment, including recommenda-
tions regarding paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection 
(b). 
SEC. 2316. IMPROVING RUNWAY SAFETY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall expedite the development of 
metrics— 
(1) to allow the Federal Aviation Administration 
to determine whether runway incursions are increas-
ing; and 
(2) to assess the effectiveness of implemented run-
way safety initiatives. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the
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progress in developing the metrics described in subsection 
(a). 
SEC. 2317. SAFE AIR TRANSPORTATION OF LITHIUM CELLS 
AND BATTERIES. 
(a) RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSPORTATION OF LITHIUM 
BATTERIES ON AIRCRAFT.— 
(1) ADOPTION OF ICAO INSTRUCTIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Pursuant to section 828 
of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 
2012 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note), not later than 90 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of the Department of Transportation 
shall conform United States regulations on the 
air transport of lithium cells and batteries with 
the lithium cells and battery requirements in the 
2015–2016 edition of the International Civil 
Aviation Organization’s (referred to in this sub-
section as ‘‘ICAO’’) Technical Instructions (to 
include all addenda) including the revised stand-
ards adopted by ICAO which became effective on 
April 1, 2016. 
(B) FURTHER
PROCEEDINGS.—Beginning 
on the date the revised regulations under sub-
paragraph (A) are published in the Federal Reg-
ister, any lithium cell and battery rulemaking
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action or update commenced on or after that 
date shall continue to comply with the require-
ments under section 828 of the FAA Moderniza-
tion and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 44701 
note). 
(2) REVIEW OF OTHER REGULATIONS.—Pursu-
ant to section 828 of the FAA Modernization and Re-
form Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note), the Sec-
retary of Transportation may initiate a review of 
other existing regulations regarding the air transpor-
tation, including passenger-carrying and cargo air-
craft, of lithium batteries and cells. 
(3) MEDICAL DEVICE BATTERIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—For United States appli-
cants, the Secretary of Transportation shall con-
sider and either grant or deny, within 45 days, 
applications submitted in compliance with part 
107 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations for 
special permits or approvals for air transpor-
tation of lithium ion cells or batteries specifi-
cally used by medical devices. Not later than 30 
days after the date of application, the Pipeline 
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 
shall provide a draft special permit based on the 
application to the Federal Aviation Administra-
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tion. The Federal Aviation Administration shall 
conduct an on-site inspection for issuance of the 
special permit not later than 10 days after the 
date of receipt of the draft special permit from 
the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration. 
(B) DEFINITION OF MEDICAL DEVICE.—In 
this paragraph, the term ‘‘medical device’’ has 
the meaning given the term ‘‘device’’ in section 
201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act 
(21 U.S.C. 321). 
(4) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed as expanding or constricting any 
other authority the Secretary of Transportation has 
under section 828 of the FAA Modernization and Re-
form Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note). 
(b) LITHIUM BATTERY SAFETY WORKING GROUP.— 
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the President shall establish a lithium battery safety 
working group to promote and coordinate efforts related to 
the promotion of the safe manufacture, use, and transpor-
tation of lithium batteries and cells. 
(1) COMPOSITION.—
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(A) IN GENERAL.—The working group shall 
be composed of at least 1 representative from 
each of the following: 
(i) Consumer Product Safety Commis-
sion. 
(ii) Department of Transportation. 
(iii) National Institute on Standards 
and Technology. 
(iv) Food and Drug Administration. 
(B) ADDITIONAL MEMBERS.—The working 
group may include not more than 4 additional 
members with expertise in the safe manufacture, 
use, or transportation of lithium batteries and 
cells. 
(C) SUBCOMMITTEES.—The President, or 
members of the working group, may— 
(i) establish working group subcommit-
tees to focus on specific issues related to the 
safe manufacture, use, or transportation of 
lithium batteries and cells; and 
(ii) include in a subcommittee the par-
ticipation of nonmember stakeholders with 
expertise in areas that the President or 
members consider necessary.
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(2) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date it is established under subsection (b), the work-
ing group shall— 
(A) research— 
(i) additional ways to decrease the risk 
of fires and explosions from lithium bat-
teries and cells; 
(ii) additional ways to ensure uniform 
transportation requirements for both bulk 
and individual batteries; and 
(iii) new or existing technologies that 
could reduce the fire and explosion risk of 
lithium batteries and cells; and 
(B) transmit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the research under sub-
paragraph (A), including any legislative rec-
ommendations to effectuate the safety improve-
ments described in clauses (i) through (iii) of 
that subparagraph. 
(3) EXEMPTION FROM FACA.—The Federal Advi-
sory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply 
to the working group. 
(4) TERMINATION.—The working group, and any 
working group subcommittees, shall terminate 90
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days after the date the report is transmitted under 
paragraph (2). 
SEC. 2318. PROHIBITION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY 
CHANGE TO PERMIT SMALL, NON-LOCKING 
KNIVES ON AIRCRAFT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, on and after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Homeland Security may not implement 
any change to the prohibited items list of the Transpor-
tation Security Administration that would permit pas-
sengers to carry small, non-locking knives through pas-
senger screening checkpoints at airports, into sterile areas 
at airports, or on board passenger aircraft. 
(b) PROHIBITED ITEMS LIST DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘prohibited items list’’ means the list of items 
passengers are prohibited from carrying as accessible prop-
erty or on their persons through passenger screening check-
points at airports, into sterile areas at airports, and on 
board passenger aircraft pursuant to section 1540.111 of 
title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 2319. AIRCRAFT CABIN EVACUATION PROCEDURES. 
(a) REVIEW.—The Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration shall review— 
(1) evacuation certification of transport-category 
aircraft used in air transportation, with regard to—
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(A) emergency conditions, including im-
pacts into water; 
(B) crew procedures used for evacuations 
under actual emergency conditions; 
(C) any relevant changes to passenger de-
mographics and legal requirements, including 
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 
U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), that affect emergency evac-
uations; and 
(D) any relevant changes to passenger seat-
ing configurations, including changes to seat 
width, padding, reclining, size, pitch, leg room, 
and aisle width; and 
(2) recent accidents and incidents in which pas-
sengers evacuated such aircraft. 
(b) CONSULTATION; REVIEW OF DATA.—In conducting 
the review under subsection (a), the Administrator shall— 
(1) consult with the National Transportation 
Safety Board, transport-category aircraft manufac-
turers, air carriers, and other relevant experts and 
Federal agencies, including groups representing pas-
sengers, airline crew members, maintenance employ-
ees, and emergency responders; and 
(2) review relevant data with respect to evacu-
ation certification of transport-category aircraft.
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(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report on the results of the review under subsection (a) and 
related recommendations, if any, including recommenda-
tions for revisions to the assumptions and methods used for 
assessing evacuation certification of transport-category air-
craft. 
SEC. 2320. GAO STUDY OF UNIVERSAL DEPLOYMENT OF AD-
VANCED IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a study of the costs that would be in-
curred— 
(1) to redesign airport security areas to fully de-
ploy advanced imaging technologies at all commercial 
airports at which security screening operations are 
conducted by the Transportation Security Adminis-
tration or through the Screening Partnership Pro-
gram; and 
(2) to fully deploy advanced imaging tech-
nologies at all airports not described in paragraph 
(1). 
(b) COST ANALYSIS.—As a part of the study conducted 
under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall identify 
the costs that would be incurred—
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(1) to purchase the equipment and other assets 
necessary to deploy advanced imaging technologies at 
each airport; 
(2) to install such equipment and assets in each 
airport; and 
(3) to maintain such equipment and assets. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
submit the results of the study conducted under subsection 
(a) to the appropriate committees of Congress. 
Subtitle D—General Aviation Safety 
SEC. 2401. AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEMS 
POLICY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall— 
(1) update automated weather observing systems 
standards to maximize the use of new technologies 
that promote the reduction of equipment or mainte-
nance cost for non-Federal automated weather observ-
ing systems, including the use of remote monitoring 
and maintenance, unless demonstrated to be ineffec-
tive;
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(2) review, and if necessary update, existing 
policies in accordance with the standards developed 
under paragraph (1); and 
(3) establish a process under which appropriate 
on site airport personnel or an aviation official may, 
with appropriate manufacturer training or alter-
native training as determined by the Administrator, 
be permitted to conduct the minimum tri-annual pre-
ventative maintenance checks under the advisory cir-
cular for non-Federal automated weather observing 
systems (AC 150/5220–16D). 
(b) PERMISSION.—Permission to conduct the min-
imum tri-annual preventative maintenance checks de-
scribed under subsection (a)(3) shall not be withheld but 
for specific cause. 
(c) STANDARDS.—In updating the standards under 
subsection (a)(1), the Administrator shall— 
(1) ensure the standards are performance-based; 
(2) use risk analysis to determine the accuracy 
of the automated weather observing systems outputs 
required for pilots to perform safe aircraft operations; 
and 
(3) provide a cost benefit analysis to determine 
whether the benefits outweigh the cost for any require-
ment not directly related to safety.
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(d) REPORT.—Not later than September 30, 2017, the 
Administrator shall provide a report to the appropriate 
committees of Congress on the implementation of require-
ments under this section. 
SEC. 2402. TOWER MARKING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall issue regulations to require 
the marking of covered towers. 
(b) MARKING REQUIRED.—The regulations under sub-
section (a) shall require that a covered tower be clearly 
marked in a manner that is consistent with applicable 
guidance under the Federal Aviation Administration Advi-
sory Circular issued December 4, 2015 (AC 70/7460–1L) 
or other relevant safety guidance, as determined by the Ad-
ministrator. 
(c) APPLICATION.—The regulations issued under sub-
section (a) shall ensure that— 
(1) all covered towers constructed on or after the 
date on which such regulations take effect are marked 
in accordance with subsection (b); and 
(2) a covered tower constructed before the date on 
which such regulations take effect is marked in ac-
cordance with subsection (b) not later than 1 year 
after such effective date.
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(d) DEFINITION OF COVERED TOWER.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In this section, the term ‘‘cov-
ered tower’’ means a structure that— 
(A) is self-standing or supported by guy 
wires and ground anchors; 
(B) is 10 feet or less in diameter at the 
above-ground base, excluding concrete footing; 
(C) at the highest point of the structure is 
at least 50 feet above ground level; 
(D) at the highest point of the structure is 
not more than 200 feet above ground level; 
(E) has accessory facilities on which an an-
tenna, sensor, camera, meteorological instrument, 
or other equipment is mounted; and 
(F) is located— 
(i) outside the boundaries of an incor-
porated city or town; or 
(ii) on land that is— 
(I) undeveloped; or 
(II) used for agricultural pur-
poses. 
(2) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘covered tower’’ 
does not include any structure that— 
(A) is adjacent to a house, barn, electric 
utility station, or other building;
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(B) is within the curtilage of a farmstead; 
(C) supports electric utility transmission or 
distribution lines; 
(D) is a wind powered electrical generator 
with a rotor blade radius that exceeds 6 feet; or 
(E) is a street light erected or maintained 
by a Federal, State, local, or tribal entity. 
(e) DATABASE.—The Administrator shall— 
(1) develop a database that contains the location 
and height of each covered tower; 
(2) keep the database current to the extent prac-
ticable; 
(3) ensure that any proprietary information in 
the database is protected from disclosure in accord-
ance with law; and 
(4) ensure access to the database is limited to in-
dividuals, such as airmen, who require the informa-
tion for aviation safety purposes only. 
SEC. 2403. CRASH-RESISTANT FUEL SYSTEMS. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration shall evaluate and update, as necessary, standards 
for crash-resistant fuel systems for civilian rotorcraft.
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SEC. 2404. REQUIREMENT TO CONSULT WITH STAKE-
HOLDERS IN DEFINING SCOPE AND REQUIRE-
MENTS FOR FUTURE FLIGHT SERVICE PRO-
GRAM. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall consult with general aviation stake-
holders in defining the scope and requirements for any new 
Future Flight Service Program of the Administration to be 
used in a competitive source selection for the next flight 
service contract with the Administration. 
SEC. 2405. HEADS-UP GUIDANCE SYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall initiate a review of 
heads-up guidance system displays (in this section referred 
to as ‘‘HGS’’). 
(b) CONTENTS.—The review required by subsection (a) 
shall— 
(1) evaluate the impacts of single- and dual-in-
stalled HGS technology on the safety and efficiency of 
aircraft operations within the national airspace sys-
tem; 
(2) review a sufficient quantity of commercial 
aviation accidents or incidents in order to evaluate if
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HGS technology would have produced a better out-
come in that accident or incident; and 
(3) update previous HGS studies performed by 
the Flight Safety Foundation in 1991 and 2009. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report con-
taining the results of the review required by subsection (a). 
Subtitle E—General Provisions 
SEC. 2501. DESIGNATED AGENCY SAFETY AND HEALTH OF-
FICER. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 106 is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(u) DESIGNATED AGENCY SAFETY AND HEALTH OF-
FICER.— 
‘‘(1) APPOINTMENT.—There shall be a Des-
ignated Agency Safety and Health Officer appointed 
by the Administrator who shall exclusively fulfill the 
duties prescribed in this subsection. 
‘‘(2) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Designated Agen-
cy Safety and Health Officer shall have responsibility 
and accountability for— 
‘‘(A) auditing occupational safety and 
health issues across the Administration;
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‘‘(B) overseeing Administration-wide com-
pliance with relevant Federal occupational safety 
and health statutes and regulations, national in-
dustry and consensus standards, and Adminis-
tration policies; and 
‘‘(C) encouraging a culture of occupational 
safety and health to complement the Administra-
tion’s existing safety culture. 
‘‘(3) REPORTING STRUCTURE.—The Designated 
Agency Safety and Health Officer shall occupy a full- 
time, senior executive position and shall report di-
rectly to the Assistant Administrator for Human Re-
source Management. 
‘‘(4) QUALIFICATIONS AND REMOVAL.— 
‘‘(A) 
QUALIFICATIONS.—The 
Designated 
Agency Safety and Health Officer shall have 
demonstrated ability and experience in the estab-
lishment and administration of comprehensive 
occupational safety and health programs and 
knowledge of relevant Federal occupational safety 
and health statutes and regulations, national in-
dustry and consensus standards, and Adminis-
tration policies.
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‘‘(B) REMOVAL.—The Designated Agency 
Safety and Health Officer shall serve at the 
pleasure of the Administrator.’’. 
(b) DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENT.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Admin-
istrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall ap-
point an individual to serve as the Designated Agency Safe-
ty and Health Officer under section 106(u) of title 49, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 2502. REPAIR STATIONS LOCATED OUTSIDE UNITED 
STATES. 
(a) RISK-BASED
OVERSIGHT.—Section 44733 is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection 
(g); 
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following: 
‘‘(f) RISK-BASED OVERSIGHT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration Reauthorization Act of 2016, the Adminis-
trator shall take measures to ensure that the safety as-
sessment system established under subsection (a)— 
‘‘(A) places particular consideration on in-
spections of part 145 repair stations located out-
side the United States that conduct scheduled
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heavy maintenance work on part 121 air carrier 
aircraft; and 
‘‘(B) accounts for the frequency and serious-
ness of any corrective actions that part 121 air 
carriers must implement to aircraft following 
such work at such repair stations. 
‘‘(2) INTERNATIONAL
AGREEMENTS.—The Ad-
ministrator shall take the measures required under 
paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(A) in accordance with the United States 
obligations under applicable international agree-
ments; and 
‘‘(B) in a manner consistent with the appli-
cable laws of the country in which a repair sta-
tion is located. 
‘‘(3) ACCESS TO DATA.—The Administrator may 
access and review such information or data in the 
possession of a part 121 air carrier as the Adminis-
trator may require in carrying out paragraph 
(1)(B).’’; and 
(3) in subsection (g), as redesignated— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and 
(2) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as 
redesignated, the following:
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‘‘(1) HEAVY
MAINTENANCE
WORK.—The term 
‘heavy maintenance work’ means a C-check, a D- 
check, or equivalent maintenance operation with re-
spect to the airframe of a transport-category air-
craft.’’. 
(b) ALCOHOL AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES TEST-
ING.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall ensure that— 
(1) not later than 90 days after the date of en-
actment of this Act, a notice of proposed rulemaking 
required pursuant to section 44733(d)(2) of title 49, 
United States Code, is published in the Federal Reg-
ister; and 
(2) not later than 1 year after the date on which 
the notice of proposed rulemaking is published in the 
Federal Register, the rulemaking is finalized. 
(c) BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Admin-
istrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall ensure 
that each employee of a repair station certificated under 
part 145 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, who per-
forms a safety-sensitive function on an air carrier aircraft 
has undergone a preemployment background investigation 
sufficient to determine whether the individual presents a 
threat to aviation safety, in a manner that is—
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(1) determined acceptable by the Administrator; 
(2) consistent with the applicable laws of the 
country in which the repair station is located; and 
(3) consistent with the United States obligations 
under international agreements. 
SEC. 2503. FAA TECHNICAL TRAINING. 
(a) E-LEARNING TRAINING PILOT PROGRAM.—Not 
later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, 
in collaboration with the exclusive bargaining representa-
tives of covered FAA personnel, shall establish an e-learning 
training pilot program in accordance with the requirements 
of this section. 
(b) CURRICULUM.—The pilot program shall— 
(1) include a recurrent training curriculum for 
covered FAA personnel to ensure that the covered FAA 
personnel receive instruction on the latest aviation 
technologies, processes, and procedures; 
(2) focus on providing specialized technical 
training for covered FAA personnel, as determined 
necessary by the Administrator; 
(3) include training courses on applicable regu-
lations of the Federal Aviation Administration; and 
(4) consider the efficacy of instructor-led online 
training.
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(c) PILOT PROGRAM TERMINATION.—The pilot pro-
gram shall terminate 1 year after the date of establishment 
of the pilot program. 
(d) E-LEARNING TRAINING PROGRAM.—Upon termi-
nation of the pilot program, the Administrator shall assess 
and establish or update an e-learning training program 
that incorporates lessons learned for covered FAA personnel 
as a result of the pilot program. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED FAA PERSONNEL.—The term ‘‘cov-
ered FAA personnel’’ means airway transportation 
systems specialists and aviation safety inspectors of 
the Federal Aviation Administration. 
(2) E-LEARNING TRAINING.—The term ‘‘e-learn-
ing training’’ means learning utilizing electronic 
technologies to access educational curriculum outside 
of a traditional classroom. 
SEC. 2504. SAFETY CRITICAL STAFFING. 
(a) AUDIT BY DOT INSPECTOR GENERAL.—Not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the In-
spector General of the Department of Transportation shall 
conduct and complete an audit of the staffing model used 
by the Federal Aviation Administration to determine the 
number of aviation safety inspectors that are needed to ful-
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fill the mission of the Federal Aviation Administration and 
adequately ensure aviation safety. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The audit shall include, at a min-
imum— 
(1) a review of the staffing model and an anal-
ysis of how consistently the staffing model is applied 
throughout the Federal Aviation Administration’s 
aviation safety lines of business; 
(2) a review of the assumptions and methods 
used in devising and implementing the staffing model 
to assess the adequacy of the staffing model to predict 
the number of aviation safety inspectors needed to 
properly fulfill the mission of the Federal Aviation 
Administration and meet the future growth of the 
aviation industry; and 
(3) a determination on whether the current staff-
ing model takes into account the Federal Aviation 
Administration’s authority to fully utilize designees. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after the date 
of completion of the audit, the Inspector General shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on 
the results of the audit.
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SEC. 2505. APPROACH CONTROL RADAR IN ALL AIR TRAF-
FIC CONTROL TOWERS. 
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall— 
(1) identify airports that are currently served by 
Federal Aviation Administration towers with non- 
radar approach and departure control (Type 4 
tower); and 
(2) develop an implementation plan, including 
budgetary considerations, to provide the facilities 
identified under paragraph (1) with approach control 
radar. 
SEC. 2506. AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
establish an advisory committee to carry out the duties de-
scribed in subsection (b). 
(b) DUTIES.—The advisory committee shall— 
(1) conduct a review of the practices and proce-
dures of the Federal Aviation Administration for de-
veloping proposals with respect to changes in regula-
tions, policies, or guidance of the Federal Aviation 
Administration relating to airspace that affect air-
port operations, airport capacity, the environment, or 
communities in the vicinity of airports, including—
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(A) an assessment of the extent to which 
there is consultation, or a lack of consultation, 
with respect to such proposals— 
(i) between and among the affected ele-
ments of the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion, including the Air Traffic Organiza-
tion, the Office of Airports, the Flight 
Standards Service, the Office of NextGen, 
and the Office of Energy and Environment; 
and 
(ii) between the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration and affected entities, including 
airports, aircraft operators, communities, 
and State and local governments; 
(2) recommend revisions to such practices and 
procedures to improve communications and coordina-
tion between and among affected elements of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration and with other affected 
entities with respect to proposals described in para-
graph (1) and the potential effects of such proposals; 
(3) conduct a review of the management by the 
Federal Aviation Administration of systems and in-
formation used to evaluate data relating to obstruc-
tions to air navigation or navigational facilities
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under part 77 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions; and 
(4) make recommendations to ensure that the 
data described in paragraph (3) is publicly accessible 
and streamlined to ensure developers, airport opera-
tors, and other interested parties may obtain relevant 
information concerning potential obstructions when 
working to preserve and create a safe and efficient 
navigable airspace. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.—The membership of the advisory 
committee established under subsection (a) shall include 
representatives of— 
(1) air carriers, including passenger and cargo 
air carriers; 
(2) general aviation, including business aviation 
and fixed wing aircraft and rotocraft; 
(3) airports of various sizes and types; 
(4) air traffic controllers; and 
(5) State aviation officials. 
(d) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than one year 
after the establishment of the advisory committee under sub-
section (a), the advisory committee shall submit to Congress 
a report on the actions taken by the advisory committee 
to carry out the duties described in subsection (b).
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Subtitle F—Third Class Medical Re-
form and General Aviation Pilot 
Protections 
SEC. 2601. SHORT TITLE. 
This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Pilot’s Bill of Rights 
2’’. 
SEC. 2602. MEDICAL CERTIFICATION OF CERTAIN SMALL 
AIRCRAFT PILOTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall issue or revise regula-
tions to ensure that an individual may operate as pilot in 
command of a covered aircraft if— 
(1) the individual possesses a valid driver’s li-
cense issued by a State, territory, or possession of the 
United States and complies with all medical require-
ments or restrictions associated with that license; 
(2) the individual holds a medical certificate 
issued by the Federal Aviation Administration on the 
date of enactment of this Act, held such a certificate 
at any point during the 10-year period preceding 
such date of enactment, or obtains such a certificate 
after such date of enactment;
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(3) the most recent medical certificate issued by 
the Federal Aviation Administration to the indi-
vidual— 
(A) indicates whether the certificate is first, 
second, or third class; 
(B) may include authorization for special 
issuance; 
(C) may be expired; 
(D) cannot have been revoked or suspended; 
and 
(E) cannot have been withdrawn; 
(4) the most recent application for airman med-
ical certification submitted to the Federal Aviation 
Administration by the individual cannot have been 
completed and denied; 
(5) the individual has completed a medical edu-
cation course described in subsection (c) during the 24 
calendar months before acting as pilot in command of 
a covered aircraft and demonstrates proof of comple-
tion of the course; 
(6) the individual, when serving as a pilot in 
command, is under the care and treatment of a physi-
cian if the individual has been diagnosed with any 
medical condition that may impact the ability of the 
individual to fly;
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† HR 636 EAS 
(7) the individual has received a comprehensive 
medical examination from a State-licensed physician 
during the previous 48 months and— 
(A) prior to the examination, the indi-
vidual— 
(i) completed the individual’s section of 
the checklist described in subsection (b); and 
(ii) provided the completed checklist to 
the physician performing the examination; 
and 
(B) the physician conducted the comprehen-
sive medical examination in accordance with the 
checklist described in subsection (b), checking 
each item specified during the examination and 
addressing, as medically appropriate, every med-
ical condition listed, and any medications the 
individual is taking; and 
(8) the individual is operating in accordance 
with the following conditions: 
(A) The covered aircraft is carrying not 
more than 5 passengers. 
(B) The individual is operating the covered 
aircraft under visual flight rules or instrument 
flight rules.
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(C) The flight, including each portion of 
that flight, is not carried out— 
(i) for compensation or hire, including 
that no passenger or property on the flight 
is being carried for compensation or hire; 
(ii) at an altitude that is more than 
18,000 feet above mean sea level; 
(iii) outside the United States, unless 
authorized by the country in which the 
flight is conducted; or 
(iv) at an indicated air speed exceed-
ing 250 knots. 
(b) COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL EXAMINATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall develop a checklist for an individual to complete 
and provide to the physician performing the com-
prehensive medical examination required in sub-
section (a)(7). 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The checklist shall con-
tain— 
(A) a section, for the individual to complete 
that contains—
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(i) boxes 3 through 13 and boxes 16 
through 19 of the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration Form 8500–8 (3–99); 
(ii) a signature line for the individual 
to affirm that— 
(I) the answers provided by the 
individual on that checklist, including 
the individual’s answers regarding 
medical history, are true and complete; 
(II) the individual understands 
that he or she is prohibited under Fed-
eral Aviation Administration regula-
tions from acting as pilot in command, 
or any other capacity as a required 
flight crew member, if he or she knows 
or has reason to know of any medical 
deficiency or medically disqualifying 
condition that would make the indi-
vidual unable to operate the aircraft in 
a safe manner; and 
(III) the individual is aware of 
the regulations pertaining to the prohi-
bition on operations during medical 
deficiency and has no medically dis-
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† HR 636 EAS 
qualifying conditions in accordance 
with applicable law; 
(B) a section with instructions for the indi-
vidual to provide the completed checklist to the 
physician performing the comprehensive medical 
examination required in subsection (a)(7); and 
(C) a section, for the physician to complete, 
that instructs the physician— 
(i) to perform a clinical examination 
of— 
(I) head, face, neck, and scalp; 
(II) nose, sinuses, mouth, and 
throat; 
(III) ears, general (internal and 
external canals), and eardrums (per-
foration); 
(IV) 
eyes 
(general), 
ophthalmoscopic, pupils (equality and 
reaction), and ocular motility (associ-
ated parallel movement, nystagmus); 
(V) lungs and chest (not including 
breast examination); 
(VI) heart (precordial activity, 
rhythm, sounds, and murmurs);
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(VII) vascular system (pulse, am-
plitude, and character, and arms, legs, 
and others); 
(VIII) abdomen and viscera (in-
cluding hernia); 
(IX) anus (not including digital 
examination); 
(X) skin; 
(XI) G–U system (not including 
pelvic examination); 
(XII) upper and lower extremities 
(strength and range of motion); 
(XIII) spine and other musculo-
skeletal; 
(XIV) identifying body marks, 
scars, and tattoos (size and location); 
(XV) lymphatics; 
(XVI) neurologic (tendon reflexes, 
equilibrium, senses, cranial nerves, and 
coordination, etc.); 
(XVII) psychiatric (appearance, 
behavior, mood, communication, and 
memory); 
(XVIII) general systemic; 
(XIX) hearing;
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† HR 636 EAS 
(XX) vision (distant, near, and 
intermediate vision, field of vision, 
color vision, and ocular alignment); 
(XXI) blood pressure and pulse; 
and 
(XXII) anything else the physi-
cian, in his or her medical judgment, 
considers necessary; 
(ii) to exercise medical discretion to 
address, as medically appropriate, any 
medical conditions identified, and to exer-
cise medical discretion in determining 
whether any medical tests are warranted as 
part of the comprehensive medical examina-
tion; 
(iii) to discuss all drugs the individual 
reports taking (prescription and non-
prescription) and their potential to interfere 
with the safe operation of an aircraft or 
motor vehicle; 
(iv) to sign the checklist, stating: ‘‘I 
certify that I discussed all items on this 
checklist with the individual during my ex-
amination, discussed any medications the 
individual is taking that could interfere
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† HR 636 EAS 
with their ability to safely operate an air-
craft or motor vehicle, and performed an ex-
amination that included all of the items on 
this checklist. I certify that I am not aware 
of any medical condition that, as presently 
treated, could interfere with the individual’s 
ability to safely operate an aircraft.’’; and 
(v) to provide the date the comprehen-
sive medical examination was completed, 
and the physician’s full name, address, tele-
phone number, and State medical license 
number. 
(3) LOGBOOK.—The completed checklist shall be 
retained in the individual’s logbook and made avail-
able on request. 
(c) MEDICAL EDUCATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS.— 
The medical education course described in this subsection 
shall— 
(1) be available on the Internet free of charge; 
(2) be developed and periodically updated in co-
ordination with representatives of relevant nonprofit 
and not-for-profit general aviation stakeholder groups; 
(3) educate pilots on conducting medical self-as-
sessments;
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(4) advise pilots on identifying warning signs of 
potential serious medical conditions; 
(5) identify risk mitigation strategies for med-
ical conditions; 
(6) increase awareness of the impacts of poten-
tially impairing over-the-counter and prescription 
drug medications; 
(7) encourage regular medical examinations and 
consultations with primary care physicians; 
(8) inform pilots of the regulations pertaining to 
the prohibition on operations during medical defi-
ciency and medically disqualifying conditions; 
(9) provide the checklist developed by the Federal 
Aviation Administration in accordance with sub-
section (b); and 
(10) upon successful completion of the course, 
electronically provide to the individual and transmit 
to the Federal Aviation Administration— 
(A) a certification of completion of the med-
ical education course, which shall be printed and 
retained in the individual’s logbook and made 
available upon request, and shall contain the in-
dividual’s name, address, and airman certificate 
number;
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(B) subject to subsection (d), a release au-
thorizing the National Driver Register through a 
designated State Department of Motor Vehicles to 
furnish to the Federal Aviation Administration 
information pertaining to the individual’s driv-
ing record; 
(C) a certification by the individual that 
the individual is under the care and treatment 
of a physician if the individual has been diag-
nosed with any medical condition that may im-
pact the ability of the individual to fly, as re-
quired under (a)(6); 
(D) a form that includes— 
(i) the name, address, telephone num-
ber, and airman certificate number of the 
individual; 
(ii) the name, address, telephone num-
ber, and State medical license number of the 
physician performing the comprehensive 
medical examination required in subsection 
(a)(7); 
(iii) the date of the comprehensive 
medical examination required in subsection 
(a)(7); and
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(iv) a certification by the individual 
that the checklist described in subsection (b) 
was followed and signed by the physician in 
the comprehensive medical examination re-
quired in subsection (a)(7); and 
(E) a statement, which shall be printed, 
and signed by the individual certifying that the 
individual understands the existing prohibition 
on operations during medical deficiency by stat-
ing: ‘‘I understand that I cannot act as pilot in 
command, or any other capacity as a required 
flight crew member, if I know or have reason to 
know of any medical condition that would make 
me unable to operate the aircraft in a safe man-
ner.’’. 
(d) NATIONAL DRIVER REGISTER.—The authorization 
under subsection (c)(10)(B) shall be an authorization for 
a single access to the information contained in the National 
Driver Register. 
(e) SPECIAL ISSUANCE PROCESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—An individual who has quali-
fied for the third-class medical certificate exemption 
under subsection (a) and is seeking to serve as a pilot 
in command of a covered aircraft shall be required to 
have completed the process for obtaining an Author-
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ization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate 
for each of the following: 
(A) A mental health disorder, limited to an 
established medical history or clinical diagnosis 
of— 
(i) personality disorder that is severe 
enough to have repeatedly manifested itself 
by overt acts; 
(ii) psychosis, defined as a case in 
which an individual— 
(I) has manifested delusions, hal-
lucinations, grossly bizarre or disorga-
nized behavior, or other commonly ac-
cepted symptoms of psychosis; or 
(II) may reasonably be expected to 
manifest 
delusions, 
hallucinations, 
grossly bizarre or disorganized behav-
ior, or other commonly accepted symp-
toms of psychosis; 
(iii) bipolar disorder; or 
(iv) substance dependence within the 
previous 2 years, as defined in section 
67.307(a)(4) of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations.
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† HR 636 EAS 
(B) A neurological disorder, limited to an 
established medical history or clinical diagnosis 
of any of the following: 
(i) Epilepsy. 
(ii) Disturbance of consciousness with-
out satisfactory medical explanation of the 
cause. 
(iii) A transient loss of control of nerv-
ous system functions without satisfactory 
medical explanation of the cause. 
(C) A cardiovascular condition, limited to a 
one-time special issuance for each diagnosis of 
the following: 
(i) Myocardial infraction. 
(ii) Coronary heart disease that has re-
quired treatment. 
(iii) Cardiac valve replacement. 
(iv) Heart replacement. 
(2) SPECIAL RULE FOR CARDIOVASCULAR CONDI-
TIONS.—In the case of an individual with a cardio-
vascular condition, the process for obtaining an Au-
thorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certifi-
cate shall be satisfied with the successful completion 
of an appropriate clinical evaluation without a man-
datory wait period.
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† HR 636 EAS 
(3) SPECIAL RULE FOR MENTAL HEALTH CONDI-
TIONS.— 
(A) In the case of an individual with a 
clinically diagnosed mental health condition, the 
third-class medical certificate exemption under 
subsection (a) shall not apply if— 
(i) in the judgment of the individual’s 
State-licensed medical specialist, the condi-
tion— 
(I) renders the individual unable 
to safely perform the duties or exercise 
the airman privileges described in sub-
section (a)(8); or 
(II) may reasonably be expected to 
make the individual unable to perform 
the duties or exercise the privileges de-
scribed in subsection (a)(8); or 
(ii) the individual’s driver’s license is 
revoked by the issuing agency as a result of 
a clinically diagnosed mental health condi-
tion. 
(B) Subject to subparagraph (A), an indi-
vidual clinically diagnosed with a mental health 
condition shall certify every 2 years, in conjunc-
tion with the certification under subsection
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† HR 636 EAS 
(c)(10)(C), that the individual is under the care 
of a State-licensed medical specialist for that 
mental health condition. 
(4) SPECIAL RULE FOR NEUROLOGICAL CONDI-
TIONS.— 
(A) In the case of an individual with a 
clinically diagnosed neurological condition, the 
third-class medical certificate exemption under 
subsection (a) shall not apply if— 
(i) in the judgment of the individual’s 
State-licensed medical specialist, the condi-
tion— 
(I) renders the individual unable 
to safely perform the duties or exercise 
the airman privileges described in sub-
section (a)(8); or 
(II) may reasonably be expected to 
make the individual unable to perform 
the duties or exercise the privileges de-
scribed in subsection (a)(8); or 
(ii) the individual’s driver’s license is 
revoked by the issuing agency as a result of 
a clinically diagnosed neurological condi-
tion.
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† HR 636 EAS 
(B) Subject to subparagraph (A), an indi-
vidual clinically diagnosed with a neurological 
condition shall certify every 2 years, in conjunc-
tion with the certification under subsection 
(c)(10)(C), that the individual is under the care 
of a State-licensed medical specialist for that 
neurological condition. 
(f) IDENTIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL MEDICAL CONDI-
TIONS FOR THE CACI PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall review and identify additional medical condi-
tions that could be added to the program known as 
the Conditions AMEs Can Issue (CACI) program. 
(2) CONSULTATIONS.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall consult with avia-
tion, medical, and union stakeholders. 
(3) REPORT
REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator shall submit to the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives a report listing the 
medical conditions that have been added to the CACI 
program under paragraph (1).
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† HR 636 EAS 
(g) 
EXPEDITED
AUTHORIZATION
FOR
SPECIAL 
ISSUANCE OF A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall im-
plement procedures to expedite the process for obtain-
ing an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Med-
ical Certificate under section 67.401 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations. 
(2) CONSULTATIONS.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall consult with avia-
tion, medical, and union stakeholders. 
(3) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives a report describing how 
the procedures implemented under paragraph (1) will 
streamline the process for obtaining an Authorization 
for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate and re-
duce the amount of time needed to review and decide 
special issuance cases. 
(h) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 5 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in co-
ordination with the National Transportation Safety Board, 
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
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Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives a report that describes the effect of the regulations 
issued or revised under subsection (a) and includes statis-
tics with respect to changes in small aircraft activity and 
safety incidents. 
(i) PROHIBITION ON ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.—Begin-
ning on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator may not take an enforcement 
action for not holding a valid third-class medical certificate 
against a pilot of a covered aircraft for a flight, through 
a good faith effort, if the pilot and the flight meet the appli-
cable requirements under subsection (a), except paragraph 
(5) of that subsection, unless the Administrator has pub-
lished final regulations in the Federal Register under that 
subsection. 
(j) COVERED AIRCRAFT DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘covered aircraft’’ means an aircraft that— 
(1) is authorized under Federal law to carry not 
more than 6 occupants; and 
(2) has a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 
not more than 6,000 pounds. 
(k) OPERATIONS COVERED.—The provisions and re-
quirements covered in this section do not apply to pilots 
who elect to operate under the medical requirements under
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subsection (b) or subsection (c) of section 61.23 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations. 
(l) AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL INFORMA-
TION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Administrator receives 
credible or urgent information, including from the 
National Driver Register or the Administrator’s Safe-
ty Hotline, that reflects on an individual’s ability to 
safely operate a covered aircraft under the third-class 
medical certificate exemption in subsection (a), the 
Administrator may require the individual to provide 
additional information or history so that the Admin-
istrator may determine whether the individual is safe 
to continue operating a covered aircraft. 
(2) USE OF INFORMATION.—The Administrator 
may use credible or urgent information received 
under paragraph (1) to request an individual to pro-
vide additional information or to take actions under 
section 44709(b) of title 49, United States Code. 
SEC. 2603. EXPANSION OF PILOT’S BILL OF RIGHTS. 
(a) APPEALS OF SUSPENDED AND REVOKED AIRMAN 
CERTIFICATES.—Section 2(d)(1) of the Pilot’s Bill of 
Rights (Public Law 112–153; 126 Stat. 1159; 49 U.S.C. 
44703 note) is amended by striking ‘‘or imposing a punitive 
civil action or an emergency order of revocation under sub-
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† HR 636 EAS 
sections (d) and (e) of section 44709 of such title’’ and in-
serting ‘‘suspending or revoking an airman certificate 
under section 44709(d) of such title, or imposing an emer-
gency order of revocation under subsections (d) and (e) of 
section 44709 of such title’’. 
(b) DE NOVO REVIEW BY DISTRICT COURT; BURDEN 
OF PROOF.—Section 2(e) of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights (Pub-
lic Law 112–153; 126 Stat. 1159; 49 U.S.C. 44703 note) 
is amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—In an appeal filed under 
subsection (d) in a United States district court with 
respect to a denial, suspension, or revocation of an 
airman certificate by the Administrator— 
‘‘(A) the district court shall review the de-
nial, suspension, or revocation de novo, includ-
ing by— 
‘‘(i) conducting a full independent re-
view of the complete administrative record 
of the denial, suspension, or revocation; 
‘‘(ii) permitting additional discovery 
and the taking of additional evidence; and 
‘‘(iii) making the findings of fact and 
conclusions of law required by Rule 52 of
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† HR 636 EAS 
the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure with-
out being bound to any findings of fact of 
the Administrator or the National Trans-
portation Safety Board.’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as para-
graph (3); and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) BURDEN OF PROOF.—In an appeal filed 
under subsection (d) in a United States district court 
after an exhaustion of administrative remedies, the 
burden of proof shall be as follows: 
‘‘(A) In an appeal of the denial of an appli-
cation for the issuance or renewal of an airman 
certificate under section 44703 of title 49, United 
States Code, the burden of proof shall be upon 
the applicant denied an airman certificate by 
the Administrator. 
‘‘(B) In an appeal of an order issued by the 
Administrator under section 44709 of title 49, 
United States Code, the burden of proof shall be 
upon the Administrator.’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) APPLICABILITY OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROCE-
DURE
ACT.—Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(A) of
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† HR 636 EAS 
this subsection or subsection (a)(1) of section 554 of 
title 5, United States Code, section 554 of such title 
shall apply to adjudications of the Administrator and 
the National Transportation Safety Board to the 
same extent as that section applied to such adjudica-
tions before the date of enactment of the Pilot’s Bill 
of Rights 2.’’. 
(c) NOTIFICATION OF INVESTIGATION.—Subsection (b) 
of section 2 of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights (Public Law 112– 
153; 126 Stat. 1159; 49 U.S.C. 44703 note) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ‘‘and the 
specific activity on which the investigation is based’’ 
after ‘‘nature of the investigation’’; 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘timely’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘section 
44709(c)(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 44709(e)(2)’’. 
(d) RELEASE OF INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS.—Section 
2 of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights (Public Law 112–153; 126 
Stat. 1159; 49 U.S.C. 44703 note) is further amended by 
inserting after subsection (e) the following: 
‘‘(f) RELEASE OF INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(A) EMERGENCY
ORDERS.—In any pro-
ceeding conducted under part 821 of title 49, 
Code of Federal Regulations, relating to the
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amendment, modification, suspension, or revoca-
tion of an airman certificate, in which the Ad-
ministrator issues an emergency order under 
subsections (d) and (e) of section 44709, section 
44710, or section 46105(c) of title 49, United 
States Code, or another order that takes effect 
immediately, the Administrator shall provide to 
the individual holding the airman certificate the 
releasable portion of the investigative report at 
the time the Administrator issues the order. If 
the complete Report of Investigation is not avail-
able at the time the Emergency Order is issued, 
the Administrator shall issue all portions of the 
report that are available at the time and shall 
provide the full report within 5 days of its com-
pletion. 
‘‘(B) OTHER ORDERS.—In any non-emer-
gency proceeding conducted under part 821 of 
title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, relating to 
the amendment, modification, suspension, or rev-
ocation of an airman certificate, in which the 
Administrator notifies the certificate holder of a 
proposed certificate action under subsections (b) 
and (c) of section 44709 or section 44710 of title 
49, United States Code, the Administrator shall,
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upon the written request of the covered certificate 
holder and at any time after that notification, 
provide to the covered certificate holder the re-
leasable portion of the investigative report. 
‘‘(2) MOTION FOR DISMISSAL.—If the Adminis-
trator does not provide the releasable portions of the 
investigative report to the individual holding the air-
man certificate subject to the proceeding referred to in 
paragraph (1) by the time required by that para-
graph, the individual may move to dismiss the com-
plaint of the Administrator or for other relief and, 
unless the Administrator establishes good cause for the 
failure to provide the investigative report or for a lack 
of timeliness, the administrative law judge shall order 
such relief as the judge considers appropriate. 
‘‘(3) RELEASABLE
PORTION
OF
INVESTIGATIVE 
REPORT.—For purposes of paragraph (1), the releas-
able portion of an investigative report is all informa-
tion in the report, except for the following: 
‘‘(A) Information that is privileged. 
‘‘(B) Information that constitutes work 
product or reflects internal deliberative process. 
‘‘(C) Information that would disclose the 
identity of a confidential source.
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‘‘(D) Information the disclosure of which is 
prohibited by any other provision of law. 
‘‘(E) Information that is not relevant to the 
subject matter of the proceeding. 
‘‘(F) Information the Administrator can 
demonstrate is withheld for good cause. 
‘‘(G) Sensitive security information, as de-
fined in section 15.5 of title 49, Code of Federal 
Regulations (or any corresponding similar rul-
ing or regulation). 
‘‘(4) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
subsection shall be construed to prevent the Adminis-
trator from releasing to an individual subject to an 
investigation described in subsection (b)(1)— 
‘‘(A) information in addition to the infor-
mation included in the releasable portion of the 
investigative report; or 
‘‘(B) a copy of the investigative report be-
fore the Administrator issues a complaint.’’. 
SEC. 2604. LIMITATIONS ON REEXAMINATION OF CERTIFI-
CATE HOLDERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 44709(a) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Administrator’’ and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator’’;
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(2) by striking ‘‘reexamine’’ and inserting ‘‘, ex-
cept as provided in paragraph (2), reexamine’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION
ON
THE
REEXAMINATION
OF 
AIRMAN CERTIFICATES.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
may not reexamine an airman holding a stu-
dent, sport, recreational, or private pilot certifi-
cate issued under section 44703 of this title if the 
reexamination is ordered as a result of an event 
involving the fault of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration or its designee, unless the Adminis-
trator has reasonable grounds— 
‘‘(i) to establish that the airman may 
not be qualified to exercise the privileges of 
a particular certificate or rating, based 
upon an act or omission committed by the 
airman while exercising those privileges, 
after the certificate or rating was issued by 
the Federal Aviation Administration or its 
designee; or 
‘‘(ii) to demonstrate that the airman 
obtained the certificate or the rating 
through fraudulent means or through an ex-
amination that was substantially and de-
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monstrably inadequate to establish the air-
man’s qualifications. 
‘‘(B) NOTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS.—Be-
fore taking any action to reexamine an airman 
under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall 
provide to the airman— 
‘‘(i) a reasonable basis, described in de-
tail, for requesting the reexamination; and 
‘‘(ii) any information gathered by the 
Federal Aviation Administration, that the 
Administrator determines is appropriate to 
provide, such as the scope and nature of the 
requested reexamination, that formed the 
basis for that justification.’’. 
(b) AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, SUSPENSION, OR 
REVOCATION OF AIRMAN CERTIFICATES AFTER REEXAM-
INATION.—Section 44709(b) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by redesignating subpara-
graphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respec-
tively, and indenting appropriately; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indent-
ing appropriately;
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(3) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), as 
redesignated, by striking ‘‘The Administrator’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the Administrator’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) AMENDMENTS, 
MODIFICATIONS, 
SUSPEN-
SIONS, AND REVOCATIONS OF AIRMAN CERTIFICATES 
AFTER REEXAMINATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
may not issue an order to amend, modify, sus-
pend, or revoke an airman certificate held by a 
student, sport, recreational, or private pilot and 
issued under section 44703 of this title after a 
reexamination of the airman holding the certifi-
cate unless the Administrator determines that the 
airman— 
‘‘(i) lacks the technical skills and com-
petency, or care, judgment, and responsi-
bility, necessary to hold and safely exercise 
the privileges of the certificate; or 
‘‘(ii) materially contributed to the 
issuance of the certificate by fraudulent 
means.
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‘‘(B) STANDARD OF REVIEW.—Any order of 
the Administrator under this paragraph shall be 
subject to the standard of review provided for 
under section 2 of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights (49 
U.S.C. 44703 note).’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 44709(d)(1) 
is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(b)(1)(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (b)(1)(A)(i)’’; 
and 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(b)(1)(B)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii)’’. 
SEC. 2605. EXPEDITING UPDATES TO NOTAM PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) Beginning on the date that is 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration may not take 
any enforcement action against any individual for a 
violation of a NOTAM (as defined in section 3 of the 
Pilot’s Bill of Rights (49 U.S.C. 44701 note)) until 
the Administrator certifies to the appropriate congres-
sional committees that the Administrator has com-
plied with the requirements of section 3 of the Pilot’s 
Bill of Rights, as amended by this section.
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(2) In this subsection, the term ‘‘appropriate 
congressional committees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate; and 
(B) the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives. 
(b) AMENDMENTS.—Section 3 of the Pilot’s Bill of 
Rights (Public Law 112–153; 126 Stat. 1162; 49 U.S.C. 
44701 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(2)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘this Act’’ and inserting 
‘‘the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘begin’’ and inserting 
‘‘complete the implementation of’’; 
(B) by amending subparagraph (B) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(B) to continue developing and modern-
izing the NOTAM repository, in a public central 
location, to maintain and archive all NOTAMs, 
including the original content and form of the 
notices, the original date of publication, and any 
amendments to such notices with the date of each
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amendment, in a manner that is Internet-acces-
sible, machine-readable, and searchable;’’; 
(C) in subparagraph (C), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) to specify the times during which tem-
porary flight restrictions are in effect and the 
duration of a designation of special use airspace 
in a specific area.’’; and 
(2) by amending subsection (d) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(d) DESIGNATION OF REPOSITORY AS SOLE SOURCE 
FOR NOTAMS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator— 
‘‘(A) shall consider the repository for 
NOTAMs under subsection (a)(2)(B) to be the 
sole location for airmen to check for NOTAMs; 
and 
‘‘(B) may not consider a NOTAM to be an-
nounced or published until the NOTAM is in-
cluded in the repository for NOTAMs under sub-
section (a)(2)(B). 
‘‘(2) PROHIBITION ON TAKING ACTION FOR VIO-
LATIONS OF NOTAMS NOT IN REPOSITORY.—
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‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), beginning on the date that 
the repository under subsection (a)(2)(B) is final 
and published, the Administrator may not take 
any enforcement action against an airman for a 
violation of a NOTAM during a flight if— 
‘‘(i) that NOTAM is not available 
through the repository before the commence-
ment of the flight; and 
‘‘(ii) that NOTAM is not reasonably 
accessible and identifiable to the airman. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION
FOR
NATIONAL
SECU-
RITY.—Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the 
case of an enforcement action for a violation of 
a NOTAM that directly relates to national secu-
rity.’’. 
SEC. 2606. ACCESSIBILITY OF CERTAIN FLIGHT DATA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 471 is 
amended by inserting after section 47124 the following: 
‘‘§ 47124a. Accessibility of certain flight data 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘Administra-
tion’ means the Federal Aviation Administration.
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‘‘(2) 
ADMINISTRATOR.—The 
term 
‘Adminis-
trator’ means the Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration. 
‘‘(3) APPLICABLE INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘appli-
cable individual’ means an individual who is the sub-
ject of an investigation initiated by the Administrator 
related to a covered flight record. 
‘‘(4) CONTRACT
TOWER.—The term ‘contract 
tower’ means an air traffic control tower providing 
air traffic control services pursuant to a contract 
with the Administration under the contract air traffic 
control tower program under section 47124(b)(3). 
‘‘(5) COVERED FLIGHT RECORD.—The term ‘cov-
ered flight record’ means any air traffic data (as de-
fined in section 2(b)(4)(B) of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 
(49 U.S.C. 44703 note)), created, maintained, or con-
trolled by any program of the Administration, includ-
ing any program of the Administration carried out 
by employees or contractors of the Administration, 
such as contract towers, flight service stations, and 
controller training programs. 
‘‘(b) PROVISION OF COVERED FLIGHT RECORD TO AD-
MINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(1) REQUESTS.—Whenever the Administration 
receives a written request for a covered flight record
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from an applicable individual and the covered flight 
record is not in the possession of the Administration, 
the Administrator shall request the covered flight 
record from the contract tower or other contractor of 
the Administration in possession of the covered flight 
record. 
‘‘(2) PROVISION
OF
RECORDS.—Any covered 
flight record created, maintained, or controlled by a 
contract tower or another contractor of the Adminis-
tration that maintains covered flight records shall be 
provided to the Administration if the Administration 
requests the record pursuant to paragraph (1). 
‘‘(3) NOTICE
OF
PROPOSED
CERTIFICATE
AC-
TION.—If the Administrator has issued, or subse-
quently issues, a Notice of Proposed Certificate Action 
relying on evidence contained in the covered flight 
record and the individual who is the subject of an in-
vestigation has requested the record, the Adminis-
trator shall promptly produce the record and extend 
the time the individual has to respond to the Notice 
of Proposed Certificate Action until the covered flight 
record is provided. 
‘‘(c) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of the Pilot’s Bill of
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Rights 2, the Administrator shall promulgate regula-
tions or guidance to ensure compliance with this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(2) COMPLIANCE BY CONTRACTORS.— 
‘‘(A) Compliance with this section by a con-
tract tower or other contractor of the Adminis-
tration that maintains covered flight records 
shall be included as a material term in any con-
tract between the Administration and the con-
tract tower or contractor entered into or renewed 
on or after the date of enactment of the Pilot’s 
Bill of Rights 2. 
‘‘(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to 
any contract or agreement in effect on the date 
of enactment of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 unless 
the contract or agreement is renegotiated, re-
newed, or modified after that date.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL
AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
The table of contents for chapter 471 is amended by insert-
ing after the item relating to section 47124 the following: 
‘‘47124a. Accessibility of certain flight data.’’. 
SEC. 2607. AUTHORITY FOR LEGAL COUNSEL TO ISSUE CER-
TAIN NOTICES. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall revise section 13.11 of title 14, Code of
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Federal Regulations, to authorize legal counsel of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration to close enforcement actions 
covered by that section with a warning notice, letter of cor-
rection, or other administrative action. 
TITLE III—AIR SERVICE 
IMPROVEMENTS 
SEC. 3001. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) COVERED AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘covered 
air carrier’’ means an air carrier or a foreign air 
carrier as those terms are defined in section 40102 of 
title 49, United States Code. 
(2) ONLINE SERVICE.—The term ‘‘online service’’ 
means any service available over the Internet, or that 
connects to the Internet or a wide-area network. 
(3) TICKET AGENT.—The term ‘‘ticket agent’’ has 
the meaning given the term in section 40102 of title 
49, United States Code. 
Subtitle A—Passenger Air Service 
Improvements 
SEC. 3101. CAUSES OF AIRLINE DELAYS OR CANCELLA-
TIONS. 
(a) REVIEW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
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Transportation shall review the categorization of 
delays and cancellations with respect to air carriers 
that are required to report such data. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the review 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider, at 
a minimum— 
(A) whether delays and cancellations attrib-
uted by an air carrier to weather were unavoid-
able due to an operational or air traffic control 
issue, or due to the air carrier’s preference in de-
termining which flights to delay or cancel during 
a weather event; 
(B) whether and to what extent delays and 
cancellations attributed by an air carrier to 
weather disproportionately impact service to 
smaller airports and communities; and 
(C) whether it is an unfair or deceptive 
practice in violation of section 41712 of title 49, 
United States Code, for an air carrier to inform 
a passenger that a flight is delayed or cancelled 
due to weather, without any other context or ex-
planation for the delay or cancellation, when the 
air carrier has discretion as to which flights to 
delay or cancel.
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(3) ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AVIATION CON-
SUMER PROTECTION.—The Secretary may use the Ad-
visory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection, 
established under section 411 of the FAA Moderniza-
tion and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. 
note), to assist in conducting the review and pro-
viding recommendations. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
the review under subsection (a) is complete, the Secretary 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report on the review under subsection (a), including any 
recommendations. 
(c) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in this section shall 
be construed as affecting the decision of an air carrier to 
maximize its system capacity during weather-related events 
to accommodate the greatest number of passengers. 
SEC. 3102. INVOLUNTARY CHANGES TO ITINERARIES. 
(a) REVIEW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall review whether it is an unfair 
or deceptive practice in violation of section 41712 of 
title 49, United States Code, for an air carrier to 
change the itinerary of a passenger, more than 24 
hours before departure, if the new itinerary involves
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additional stops or departs 3 hours earlier or later 
and compensation or other more suitable air trans-
portation is not offered. 
(2) ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AVIATION CON-
SUMER PROTECTION.—The Secretary may use the Ad-
visory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection, 
established under section 411 of the FAA Moderniza-
tion and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. 
note), to assist in conducting the review and pro-
viding recommendations. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
the review under subsection (a) is complete, the Secretary 
shall submit to appropriate committees of Congress a report 
on the review under subsection (a), including any rec-
ommendations. 
SEC. 3103. ADDITIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTIONS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date that the reviews 
under sections 3101 and 3102 of this Act are complete, the 
Secretary of Transportation shall issue a supplemental no-
tice of proposed rulemaking to its notice of proposed rule-
making published in the Federal Register on May 23, 2014 
(DOT–OST–2014–0056) (relating to the transparency of 
airline ancillary fees and other consumer protection issues) 
to consider the following:
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(1) Requiring an air carrier to provide notifica-
tion and refunds or other consideration to a consumer 
who is impacted by delays or cancellations when an 
air carrier has a choice as to which flights to cancel 
or delay during a weather-related event. 
(2) Requiring an air carrier to provide notifica-
tion and refunds or other consideration to a consumer 
who is impacted by involuntary changes to the con-
sumer’s itinerary. 
SEC. 3104. ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES OF PAS-
SENGERS 
INVOLVED 
IN 
AIRCRAFT 
ACCI-
DENTS. 
(a) AIR CARRIERS HOLDING CERTIFICATES OF PUB-
LIC CONVENIENCE
AND NECESSITY.—Section 41113 is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘a major’’ and 
inserting ‘‘any’’; 
(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 victim on the ground)’’; 
(B) in paragraph (16), by striking ‘‘major’’ 
and inserting ‘‘any’’; and
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(C) in paragraph (17)(A), by striking ‘‘sig-
nificant’’ and inserting ‘‘any’’; and 
(3) by amending subsection (e) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ‘Aircraft accident’ means any aviation dis-
aster, regardless of its cause or suspected cause, for 
which the National Transportation Safety Board is 
the lead investigative agency. 
‘‘(2) ‘Passenger’ has the meaning given the term 
in section 1136.’’. 
(b) FOREIGN AIR CARRIERS PROVIDING FOREIGN AIR 
TRANSPORTATION.—Section 41313 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘a major’’ and 
inserting ‘‘any’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘a sig-
nificant’’ and inserting ‘‘any’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘a sig-
nificant’’ and inserting ‘‘any’’; 
(C) in paragraph (16), by striking ‘‘major’’ 
and inserting ‘‘any’’; and 
(D) in paragraph (17)(A), by striking ‘‘sig-
nificant’’ and inserting ‘‘any’’.
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(c) NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD.— 
Section 1136(a) is amended by striking ‘‘aircraft accident 
within the United States involving an air carrier or foreign 
air carrier and resulting in a major loss of life’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘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’’. 
SEC. 3105. EMERGENCY MEDICAL KITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall evaluate and revise, as ap-
propriate, the regulations under part 121 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations, regarding the emergency medical 
equipment requirements, including the contents of the first- 
aid kit, applicable to all certificate holders operating pas-
senger-carrying airplanes under that part. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall consider whether the minimum con-
tents of approved emergency medical kits, including ap-
proved first-aid kits, include appropriate medications and 
equipment to meet the emergency medical needs of children, 
including consideration of an epinephrine auto-injector, as 
appropriate.
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SEC. 3106. TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall— 
(1) conduct a study of airport accessibility best 
practices for individuals with disabilities; and 
(2) submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report on the study, including the Comptroller 
General’s findings, conclusions, and recommenda-
tions. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study under subsection (a) shall 
include accessibility best practices beyond those rec-
ommended under the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 4151 et seq.), Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 
701 et seq.), Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 (100 Stat. 1080; 
Public Law 99–435), or Americans with Disabilities Act 
of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), that improve infrastruc-
ture and communications, such as with regard to 
wayfinding, amenities, and passenger care. 
SEC. 3107. EXTENSION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AVIA-
TION CONSUMER PROTECTION. 
(a) TERMINATION.—Section 411(h) of the FAA Mod-
ernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–95; 
49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) is amended by striking ‘‘July 
15, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2017’’.
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(b) FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.—Section 411 of the FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112– 
95; 49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection 
(i); and 
(2) by inserting before subsection (i), the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(h) CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE.—Begin-
ning on the date of enactment of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration Reauthorization Act of 2016, each member of 
the advisory committee who is not a government employee 
shall disclose, on an annual basis, any potential conflicts 
of interest, including financial conflicts of interest, to the 
Secretary in such form and manner as prescribed by the 
Secretary.’’. 
(c) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Section 411(g) of the FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112– 
95; 49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘of the first 2 calendar years be-
ginning after the date of enactment of this Act’’ and 
inserting ‘‘calendar year’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘and post on the Department of 
Transportation Web site’’ after ‘‘Congress’’.
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SEC. 3108. EXTENSION OF COMPETITIVE ACCESS REPORTS. 
Section 47107(r)(3) is amended by striking ‘‘July 16, 
2016’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’. 
SEC. 3109. REFUNDS FOR DELAYED BAGGAGE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation 
shall issue final regulations to require a covered air carrier 
to promptly provide an automatic refund to a passenger 
in the amount of any applicable ancillary fees paid if the 
covered air carrier has charged the passenger an ancillary 
fee for checked baggage but the covered air carrier fails to 
deliver the checked baggage to the passenger not later than 
6 hours after the arrival of a domestic flight or 12 hours 
after the arrival of an international flight. 
(b) EXCEPTION.—If as part of the rulemaking the Sec-
retary makes a determination on the record that a require-
ment under subsection (a) is unfeasible and will negatively 
affect consumers in certain cases, the Secretary may modify 
1 or both of the deadlines in that subsection for such cases, 
except that— 
(1) the deadline relating to a domestic flight 
may not exceed 12 hours after the arrival of the do-
mestic flight; and 
(2) the deadline relating to an international 
flight may not exceed 24 hours after the arrival of the 
international flight.
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SEC. 3110. REFUNDS FOR OTHER FEES THAT ARE NOT HON-
ORED BY A COVERED AIR CARRIER. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall promulgate 
regulations that require each covered air carrier to prompt-
ly provide an automatic refund to a passenger of any ancil-
lary fees paid for services that the passenger does not re-
ceive, including on the passenger’s scheduled flight, on a 
subsequent replacement itinerary if there has been a re-
scheduling, or for a flight not taken by the passenger. 
SEC. 3111. DISCLOSURE OF FEES TO CONSUMERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation 
shall issue final regulations requiring— 
(1) each covered air carrier to disclose to a con-
sumer the baggage fee, cancellation fee, change fee, 
ticketing fee, and seat selection fee of that covered air 
carrier in a standardized format; and 
(2) notwithstanding the manner in which infor-
mation regarding the fees described in paragraph (1) 
is collected, each ticket agent to disclose to a consumer 
such fees of a covered air carrier in the standardized 
format described in paragraph (1). 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The regulations under sub-
section (a) shall require that each disclosure—
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(1) if ticketing is done on an Internet Web site 
or other online service— 
(A) be prominently displayed to the con-
sumer prior to the point of purchase; and 
(B) set forth the fees described in subsection 
(a)(1) in clear and plain language and a font of 
easily readable size; and 
(2) if ticketing is done on the telephone, be ex-
pressly stated to the consumer during the telephone 
call and prior to the point of purchase. 
SEC. 3112. SEAT ASSIGNMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 15 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall complete such actions as may be necessary to 
require each covered air carrier and ticket agent to disclose 
to a consumer that seat selection for which a fee is charged 
is an optional service, and that if a consumer does not pay 
for a seat assignment, a seat will be assigned to the con-
sumer from available inventory at the time the consumer 
checks in for the flight or prior to departure. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The disclosure under subsection 
(a) shall— 
(1) if ticketing is done on an Internet Web site 
or other online service, be prominently displayed to 
the consumer on that Internet Web site or online serv-
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ice during the selection of seating or prior to the 
point of purchase; and 
(2) if ticketing is done on the telephone, be ex-
pressly stated to the consumer during the telephone 
call and prior to the point of purchase. 
SEC. 3113. LASTING IMPROVEMENTS TO FAMILY TRAVEL. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the 
‘‘Lasting Improvements to Family Travel Act’’ or the 
‘‘LIFT Act’’. 
(b) ACCOMPANYING MINORS FOR SECURITY SCREEN-
ING.—The Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration shall formalize security screening proce-
dures that allow for one adult family caregiver to accom-
pany a minor child throughout the entirety of the security 
screening process. 
(c) 
SPECIAL
ACCOMMODATIONS
FOR
PREGNANT 
WOMEN.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the en-
actment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall 
review and, if appropriate, prescribe regulations that direct 
all air carriers to include pregnant women in their policies 
with respect to preboarding or advance boarding of aircraft. 
(d) FAMILY SEATING.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall review 
and, if appropriate, establish a policy directing all air car-
riers to ensure that, if a family is traveling on a reservation
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with a child under the age of 13, that child is able to sit 
in a seat adjacent to the seat of an accompanying family 
member over the age of 13, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, at no additional cost. 
SEC. 3114. CONSUMER COMPLAINT PROCESS IMPROVE-
MENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 42302 is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as 
subsections (c) and (d), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a), the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) POINT OF SALE.—Each air carrier, foreign air 
carrier, and ticket agent shall inform each consumer of a 
carrier service, at the point of sale, that the consumer can 
file a complaint about that service with the carrier and with 
the Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Depart-
ment of Transportation.’’; 
(3) by amending subsection (c), as redesignated, 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) INTERNET WEB SITE OR OTHER ONLINE SERVICE 
NOTICE.—Each air carrier and foreign air carrier shall in-
clude on its Internet Web site, any related mobile device 
application, and online service— 
‘‘(1) the hotline telephone number established 
under subsection (a) or for the Aviation Consumer
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Protection Division of the Department of Transpor-
tation; 
‘‘(2) an active link and the email address, tele-
phone number, and mailing address of the air carrier 
or foreign air carrier, as applicable, for a consumer 
to submit a complaint to the carrier about the quality 
of service; 
‘‘(3) notice that the consumer can file a com-
plaint with the Aviation Consumer Protection Divi-
sion of the Department of Transportation; 
‘‘(4) an active link to the Internet Web site of the 
Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Depart-
ment of Transportation for a consumer to file a com-
plaint; and 
‘‘(5) the active link described in paragraph (2) 
on the same Internet Web site page as the active link 
described in paragraph (4).’’; and 
(4) in subsection (d), as redesignated— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘An air carrier or foreign air carrier 
providing scheduled air transportation using 
any aircraft that as originally designed has a 
passenger capacity of 30 or more passenger 
seats’’ and inserting ‘‘Each air carrier and for-
eign air carrier’’;
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(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘air car-
rier’’ and inserting ‘‘carrier’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘air car-
rier’’ and inserting ‘‘carrier’’. 
(b) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation 
shall promulgate regulations to implement the requirements 
of section 42302 of title 49, United States Code, as amend-
ed. 
SEC. 3115. ONLINE ACCESS TO AVIATION CONSUMER PRO-
TECTION INFORMATION. 
(a) INTERNET WEB SITE.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall— 
(1) complete an evaluation of the aviation con-
sumer protection portion of the Department of Trans-
portation’s public Internet Web site to identify any 
changes to the user interface that will improve 
usability, accessibility, consumer satisfaction, and 
Web site performance; 
(2) in completing the evaluation under para-
graph (1)— 
(A) consider the best practices of other Fed-
eral agencies with effective Web sites; and
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(B) consult with the Federal Web Managers 
Council; 
(3) develop a plan, including an implementation 
timeline, for— 
(A) making the changes identified under 
paragraph (1); and 
(B) making any necessary changes to that 
portion of the Web site that will enable a con-
sumer— 
(i) to access information regarding 
each complaint filed with the Aviation Con-
sumer Protection Division of the Depart-
ment of Transportation; 
(ii) to search the complaints described 
in clause (i) by the name of the air carrier, 
the dates of departure and arrival, the air-
ports of origin and departure, and the type 
of complaint; and 
(iii) to determine the date a complaint 
was filed and the date a complaint was re-
solved; and 
(4) submit the evaluation and plan to appro-
priate committees of Congress.
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(b) MOBILE APPLICATION SOFTWARE.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Transportation shall— 
(1) implement a program to develop application 
software for wireless devices that will enable a user to 
access information and perform activities related to 
aviation consumer protection, such as— 
(A) information regarding airline passenger 
protections, including protections related to lost 
baggage and baggage fees, disclosure of addi-
tional fees, bumping, cancelled or delayed flights, 
damaged or lost baggage, and tarmac delays; 
and 
(B) file an aviation consumer complaint, 
including a safety and security, airline service, 
disability and discrimination, or privacy com-
plaint, with the Aviation Consumer Protection 
Division of the Department of Transportation; 
and 
(2) make the application software available to 
the public at no cost. 
SEC. 3116. STUDY ON IN CABIN WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINT 
SYSTEMS. 
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers
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Compliance Board, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Transportation, shall conduct a study to determine the 
ways in which particular individuals with significant dis-
abilities who use wheelchairs, including power wheelchairs, 
can be accommodated through in cabin wheelchair restraint 
systems. 
SEC. 3117. TRAINING POLICIES REGARDING ASSISTANCE 
FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of 
the United States shall submit to Congress a report describ-
ing— 
(1) each air carrier’s training policy for its per-
sonnel and contractors regarding assistance for per-
sons with disabilities, as required by Department of 
Transportation regulations; 
(2) any variations among the air carriers in the 
policies described in paragraph (1); 
(3) how the training policies are implemented to 
meet the Department of Transportation regulations; 
(4) how frequently an air carrier must train 
new employees and contractors due to turnover in po-
sitions that require such training; 
(5) how frequently, in the prior 10 years, the De-
partment of Transportation has requested, after re-
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viewing a training policy, that an air carrier take 
corrective action; and 
(6) the action taken by an air carrier under 
paragraph (5). 
(b) BEST PRACTICES.—After the date the report is sub-
mitted under subsection (a), the Secretary of Transpor-
tation, based on the findings of the report, shall develop and 
disseminate to air carriers such best practices as the Sec-
retary considers necessary to improve the training policies. 
SEC. 3118. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE AIR TRAVEL 
NEEDS OF PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall establish an advisory committee for the air 
travel needs of passengers with disabilities (referred to in 
this section as the ‘‘Advisory Committee’’). 
(b) DUTIES.—The Advisory Committee shall advise the 
Secretary with regard to the implementation of the Air Car-
rier Access Act of 1986 (Public Law 99–435; 100 Stat. 
1080), including— 
(1) assessing the disability-related access barriers 
encountered by passengers with disabilities; 
(2) determining the extent to which the programs 
and activities of the Department of Transportation 
are addressing the barriers described in paragraph 
(1);
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(3) recommending improvements to the air travel 
experience of passengers with disabilities; and 
(4) such activities as the Secretary considers nec-
essary to carry out this section. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee shall 
be comprised of at least 1 representative of each of the 
following groups: 
(A) Passengers with disabilities. 
(B) National disability organizations. 
(C) Air carriers. 
(D) Airport operators. 
(E) Contractor service providers. 
(2) APPOINTMENT.—The Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall appoint each member of the Advisory 
Committee. 
(3) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Advisory 
Committee shall be filled in the manner in which the 
original appointment was made. 
(d) CHAIRPERSON.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall designate, from among the members appointed under 
subsection (c), an individual to serve as chairperson of the 
Advisory Committee. 
(e) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Members of the advisory 
committee shall serve without pay, but shall receive travel
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expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in ac-
cordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
(f) REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than February 1 of 
each year, the Advisory Committee shall submit to the 
Secretary of Transportation a report on the needs of 
passengers with disabilities in air travel, including— 
(A) an assessment of disability-related ac-
cess barriers, both those that were evident in the 
preceding year and those that will likely be an 
issue in the next 5 years; 
(B) an evaluation of the extent to which the 
Department of Transportation’s programs and 
activities are eliminating disability-related ac-
cess barriers; 
(C) a description of the Advisory Commit-
tee’s actions during the prior calendar year; 
(D) a description of activities that the Advi-
sory Committee proposed to undertake in the 
succeeding calendar year; and 
(E) any recommendations for legislation, 
administrative action, or other action that the 
Advisory Committee considers appropriate.
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(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 60 
days after the date the Secretary receives the report 
under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a copy of the report, including any addi-
tional findings or recommendations that the Sec-
retary considers appropriate. 
(g) TERMINATION.—The Advisory Committee shall ter-
minate 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 3119. REPORT ON COVERED AIR CARRIER CHANGE, 
CANCELLATION, AND BAGGAGE FEES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study of existing airline in-
dustry change, cancellation, and bag fees and the current 
industry practice for handling changes to or cancellation 
of ticketed travel on covered air carriers. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the study, the 
Comptroller General shall consider, at a minimum— 
(1) whether and how each covered air carrier 
calculates its change fees, cancellation fees, and bag 
fees; and 
(2) the relationship between the cost of the ticket 
and the date of change or cancellation as compared 
to the date of travel. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit
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to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
study, including the Comptroller General’s findings, conclu-
sions, and recommendations. 
SEC. 3120. ENFORCEMENT OF AVIATION CONSUMER PRO-
TECTION RULES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study to consider and evalu-
ate Department of Transportation enforcement of aviation 
consumer protection rules. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study under subsection (a) shall 
include an evaluation of— 
(1) available enforcement mechanisms; 
(2) any obstacles to enforcement; and 
(3) trends in Department of Transportation en-
forcement actions. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
study, including the Comptroller General’s findings, conclu-
sions, and recommendations. 
SEC. 3121. DIMENSIONS FOR PASSENGER SEATS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall initiate a proceeding to study the minimum 
seat pitch for passenger seats on aircraft operated by air
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carriers (as defined in section 40102 of title 49, United 
States Code). 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In reviewing any minimum 
seat pitch under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider 
the safety of passengers, including passengers with disabil-
ities. 
SEC. 3122. CELL PHONE VOICE COMMUNICATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 417, as 
amended by section 2307 of this Act, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 41726. Cell phone voice communications 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of 
Transportation may issue regulations— 
‘‘(1) to prohibit an individual on an aircraft 
from engaging in voice communications using a mo-
bile communications device during a flight of that 
aircraft in scheduled passenger interstate or intra-
state air transportation; and 
‘‘(2) that exempt from the prohibition described 
in paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(A) any member of the flight crew on duty 
on an aircraft; 
‘‘(B) any flight attendant on duty on an 
aircraft; and
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‘‘(C) any Federal law enforcement officer 
acting in an official capacity. 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) FLIGHT.—The term ‘flight’ means, with re-
spect to an aircraft, the period beginning when the 
aircraft takes off and ending when the aircraft lands. 
‘‘(2) MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘mobile com-
munications device’ means any portable wireless 
telecommunications equipment utilized for the 
transmission or reception of voice data. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—The term ‘mobile com-
munications device’ does not include a phone in-
stalled on an aircraft.’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents at the 
beginning of chapter 417, as amended by section 2307 of 
this Act, is further amended by inserting after the item re-
lating to section 41725 the following: 
‘‘41726. Cell phone voice communications.’’. 
SEC. 3123. AVAILABILITY OF SLOTS FOR NEW ENTRANT AIR 
CARRIERS 
AT 
NEWARK 
LIBERTY 
INTER-
NATIONAL AIRPORT. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—The terms ‘‘new entrant air car-
rier’’ and ‘‘slot’’ have the meanings given those terms in 
section 41714(h) of title 49, United States Code.
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(b) SLOTS FOR NEW ENTRANT AIR CARRIERS.—The 
Secretary shall, annually, by granting exemptions from the 
requirements under part 93 of title 14, Code of Federal Reg-
ulations, or by other means, make not less than 8 slots at 
Newark Liberty International Airport available to enable 
new entrant air carriers to provide air transportation. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—Subsection (a) shall not apply in 
any year— 
(1) new entrant air carriers operate 5 percent or 
more of the total number of slots at Newark Liberty 
International Airport; or 
(2) the Secretary makes a determination that 
making slots available to enable new entrant air car-
riers to provide air transportation at that airport is 
not in the public interest and doing so would signifi-
cantly increase operational delays. 
(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary shall no-
tify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives not later 
than 14 calendar days after the date a determination is 
made under subsection (c)(2), including the reasons for that 
determination.
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Subtitle B—Essential Air Service 
SEC. 3201. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION EXTENSION.—Section 41742(a) 
is amended— 
(1) 
in 
paragraph 
(2), 
by 
striking 
‘‘$150,000,000’’ and all that follows though ‘‘July 15, 
2016’’ and inserting ‘‘$155,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2016 through 2017’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (3). 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—Section 41731(a)(1)(A) is amended 
by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(ii) was determined, on or after Octo-
ber 1, 1988, and before December 1, 2012, 
under this subchapter by the Secretary of 
Transportation to be eligible to receive sub-
sidized small community air service under 
section 41736(a);’’. 
(c) SEASONAL SERVICE.—The Secretary of Transpor-
tation may consider the flexibility of current operational 
dates and airport accessibility to meet local community 
needs when issuing requests for proposal of essential air 
service at seasonal airports.
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SEC. 3202. SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT 
PROGRAM. 
(a) 
EXTENSION
OF
AUTHORIZATION.—Section 
41743(e)(2) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 
through 2017 to carry out this section. Such sums 
shall remain available until expended.’’. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY.—Section 41743(c)(1) is amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(1) SIZE.—On the date of the most recent no-
tice of order soliciting community proposals issued by 
the Secretary under this section, the airport serving 
the community or consortium— 
‘‘(A) was not larger than a small hub air-
port, as determined using the Department of 
Transportation’s most recent published classi-
fication; and 
‘‘(B)(i) had insufficient air carrier service; 
or 
‘‘(ii) had unreasonably high air fares.’’. 
SEC. 3203. SMALL COMMUNITY PROGRAM AMENDMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 41743(c)(4) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(B) SAME PROJECTS.—’’ before 
the second sentence and indenting appropriately;
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(2) by inserting ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—’’ before the 
first sentence and indenting appropriately; 
(3) in subparagraph (B), as designated by this 
subsection, by striking ‘‘No community’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘Except as provided in subparagraph (C)’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) 
EXCEPTION.—The 
Secretary 
may 
waive the limitation under subparagraph (B) re-
lated to projects that are the same if the Sec-
retary determines that the community or consor-
tium spent little or no money on its previous 
project or encountered industry or environmental 
challenges, due to circumstances that were rea-
sonably beyond the control of the community or 
consortium.’’. 
(b) AUTHORITY TO MAKE AGREEMENTS.—Section 
41743(e)(1) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘The Secretary may amend the scope of a grant agreement 
at the request of the community or consortium and any par-
ticipating air carrier, and may limit the scope of a grant 
agreement to only the elements using grant assistance or 
to only the elements achieved, if the Secretary determines 
that the amendment is reasonably consistent with the origi-
nal purpose of the project.’’.
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SEC. 3204. WAIVERS. 
Section 41732 is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(c) WAIVERS.—Notwithstanding section 41733(e), 
upon request by an eligible place, the Secretary may waive, 
in whole or in part, subsections (a) and (b) of this section 
or subsections (a) through (c) of section 41734. A waiver 
issued under this subsection shall remain in effect for a lim-
ited period of time, as determined by the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 3205. WORKING GROUP ON IMPROVING AIR SERVICE 
TO SMALL COMMUNITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall establish a working group— 
(1) to identify obstacles to attracting and main-
taining air transportation service to and from small 
communities; and 
(2) to develop recommendations for maintaining 
and improving air transportation service to and from 
small communities. 
(b) OUTREACH.—In carrying out the requirements 
under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a), the working 
group shall consult with— 
(1) interested Governors;
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(2) representatives of State and local agencies, 
and other officials and groups, representing rural 
States and other rural areas; 
(3) other representatives of relevant State and 
local agencies; and 
(4) members of the public with experience in 
aviation safety, pilot training, economic development, 
and related issues. 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out the require-
ments under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a), the 
working group shall— 
(1) consider whether funding for, and terms of, 
current or potential new programs is sufficient to 
help ensure continuation of or improvement to air 
transportation service to small communities, includ-
ing the Essential Air Service Program and the Small 
Community Air Service Development Program; 
(2) identify initiatives to help support pilot 
training to provide air transportation service to 
small communities; 
(3) consider whether Federal funding for airports 
serving small communities, including airports that 
have lost air transportation services or had decreased 
enplanements in recent years, is adequate to ensure
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that small communities have access to quality, afford-
able air transportation service; 
(4) consider potential improvements in pilot 
training and any constraints affecting pilot career 
pathways that, if addressed, would increase both avia-
tion safety and pilot supply; 
(5) identify innovative State or local efforts that 
have established public-private partnerships that are 
successful in attracting and retaining air transpor-
tation service in small communities; and 
(6) consider such other issues as the Secretary 
and Administrator consider appropriate. 
(d) COMPOSITION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The working group shall be 
facilitated through the Administrator or the Adminis-
trator’s designee. 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—Members of the working 
group shall be appointed by the Administrator and 
shall include representatives of— 
(A) State and local government, including 
State and local aviation officials; 
(B) State Governors; 
(C) aviation safety experts; 
(D) economic development officials; and
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(E) the traveling public from small commu-
nities. 
(e) REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
and the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate com-
mittees of Congress a report, including— 
(1) a summary of the views expressed by the par-
ticipants in the outreach under subsection (b); 
(2) a description of the working group’s findings, 
including the identification of any areas of general 
consensus among the non-Federal participants in the 
outreach under subsection (b); and 
(3) any recommendations for legislative or regu-
latory action that would assist in maintaining and 
improving air transportation service to and from 
small communities. 
TITLE IV—NEXTGEN AND FAA 
ORGANIZATION 
SEC. 4001. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘‘Administra-
tion’’ means the Federal Aviation Administration. 
(2) 
ADMINISTRATOR.—The 
term 
‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration.
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(3) ADS–B.—The term ‘‘ADS–B’’ means auto-
matic dependent surveillance-broadcast. 
(4) ADS–B OUT.—The term ‘‘ADS–B Out’’ 
means automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast 
with the ability to transmit information from the air-
craft to ground stations and to other equipped air-
craft. 
(5) NEXTGEN.—The term ‘‘NextGen’’ means the 
Next Generation Air Transportation System. 
Subtitle A—Next Generation Air 
Transportation System 
SEC. 4101. RETURN ON INVESTMENT ASSESSMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
Administrator’s assessment of each NextGen program. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report under subsection (a) shall 
include— 
(1) an estimate of the date that each NextGen 
program will have a positive return on investment; 
(2) an assessment of the impacts of each such 
program for— 
(A) the Federal Government; and 
(B) the users of the national airspace sys-
tem;
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(3) a description of how each such program di-
rectly contributes to a more safe and efficient air traf-
fic control system; and 
(4) the status of NextGen programs and of the 
projected return on investment for each such program. 
(c) NEXTGEN PRIORITY LIST.—Based on the assess-
ment under subsection (a) the Administrator shall— 
(1) develop, in coordination with the NextGen 
Advisory Committee and considering the need for a 
balance between long-term and near-term user bene-
fits, a prioritization of each NextGen program; 
(2) include the priority list in the report under 
subsection (b); and 
(3) prepare budget submissions to reflect the cur-
rent status of NextGen programs and projected re-
turns on investment for each program. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) KEY
MILESTONES.—The term ‘‘key mile-
stones’’ includes cost and deployment schedule, and 
benefits anticipated in the most recent baseline. 
(2) RETURN ON INVESTMENT.—The term ‘‘return 
on investment’’ means the cost associated with tech-
nologies that are required by law or policy as com-
pared to the benefits derived from such technologies by 
a government or a user of airspace.
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(e) REPEAL OF NEXTGEN PRIORITIES.—Section 202 
of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public 
Law 112–95; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note) and the item relating 
to that section in the table of contents under section 1(b) 
of that Act are repealed. 
SEC. 4102. ENSURING FAA READINESS TO USE NEW TECH-
NOLOGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 31, 2017, 
the Administrator shall— 
(1) ensure the capability of the Administration 
to receive space-based ADS–B data; and 
(2) use the data described under paragraph (1) 
to provide positive air traffic control, including sepa-
ration of aircraft over the oceans and other specific 
regions not covered by radar. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, and biannually thereafter until 
the date that the Administrator certifies that the Adminis-
tration has the capability to receive space-based ADS–B 
data, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report that— 
(1) details the actions the Administrator has 
taken to ensure 2018 readiness and usage; 
(2) details the actions that remain to be taken to 
implement such capability;
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(3) includes a schedule for expected completion of 
each outstanding action described in paragraph (2); 
and 
(4) includes a detailed description of the invest-
ment decisions and requests for funding made by the 
Administrator that are consistent with the terrestrial 
ADS–B implementation to ensure a sustained pro-
gram beyond 2018. 
SEC. 4103. NEXTGEN ANNUAL PERFORMANCE GOALS. 
(a) ANNUAL PERFORMANCE GOALS.—Section 214 of 
the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public 
Law 112–95; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection 
(e); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(d) ANNUAL PERFORMANCE GOALS.—The Adminis-
trator shall establish annual NextGen performance goals for 
each of the performance metrics set forth in subsection (a) 
to meet the performance metric baselines identified under 
subsection (b). Such goals shall be consistent with the an-
nual performance objectives established by the senior policy 
committee (commonly known as the ‘NextGen Advisory 
Committee’) established under section 710 of the Vision
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100—Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public 
Law 108–176; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note).’’. 
(b) NEXTGEN METRICS REPORT.—Section 710(e)(2) of 
the Vision 100—Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act 
(Public Law 108–176; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
and inserting a semicolon; 
(2) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) a description of the progress made in 
meeting the annual NextGen performance goals 
relative to the performance metrics established 
under section 214 of the FAA Modernization and 
Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–95; 49 
U.S.C. 40101 note).’’. 
(c) CHIEF NEXTGEN OFFICER.—Section 106(s)(3) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)(B), by adding at the end 
the following: ‘‘In evaluating the performance of the 
Chief NextGen Officer for the purpose of awarding a 
bonus under this subparagraph, the Administrator 
shall consider the progress toward meeting the 
NextGen performance goals established pursuant to 
section 214(d) of the FAA Modernization and Reform
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Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–95; 49 U.S.C. 40101 
note).’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the 
following: ‘‘The annual performance goals set forth in 
the agreement shall include quantifiable NextGen air-
space performance objectives regarding efficiency, pro-
ductivity, capacity, and safety, which shall be estab-
lished by the senior policy committee (commonly 
known as the ‘NextGen Advisory Committee’) estab-
lished under section 710 of the Vision 100—Century 
of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108– 
176; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note).’’. 
SEC. 4104. FACILITY OUTAGE CONTINGENCY PLANS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) On September 26, 2014, an Administration 
contract employee deliberately started a fire that de-
stroyed critical equipment at the Administration’s 
Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center (referred to 
in this section as the ‘‘Chicago Center’’) in Aurora, 
Illinois. 
(2) As a result of the damage, Chicago Center 
was unable to control air traffic for more than 2 
weeks, thousands of flights were delayed or cancelled 
into and out of O’Hare International Airport and
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Midway Airport in Chicago, and aviation stake-
holders and airlines reportedly lost over $350,000,000. 
(3) According to the Office of the Inspector Gen-
eral of the Department of Transportation, the fire at 
Chicago Center demonstrated that the Administra-
tion’s contingency plans for the Chicago Center and 
the airspace it controls do not ensure redundancy and 
resiliency for sustained operations. 
(4) Further, the Inspector General found that 
Chicago Center incident highlighted the limited flexi-
bility and lack of resiliency in critical elements of the 
Administration’s current air traffic control infra-
structure, including limited communication capacity 
and the inability to easily transfer control of airspace 
and flight plans. 
(b) COMPREHENSIVE CONTINGENCY PLAN.—Not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall update the Administration’s com-
prehensive contingency plan to address potential air traffic 
facility outages that could have a major impact on oper-
ation of the national airspace system. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
the plan is updated under subsection (b), the Administrator 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report on the update, including any recommendations for
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ensuring air traffic facility outages do not have a major 
impact on operation of the national airspace system. 
SEC. 4105. ADS–B MANDATE ASSESSMENT. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the De-
partment of Transportation shall assess— 
(1) Administration and industry readiness to 
meet the ADS–B mandate by 2020; 
(2) changes to ADS–B program since May 2010; 
and 
(3) additional options to comply with the man-
date and consequences, both for individual system 
users and for the overall safety and efficiency of the 
national airspace system, for noncompliance. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
the assessment under subsection (a) is complete, the Inspec-
tor General of the Department of Transportation shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on 
the progress made toward meeting the ADS–B mandate by 
2020, including any recommendations of the Inspector Gen-
eral to carry out such mandate. 
SEC. 4106. NEXTGEN INTEROPERABILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—To implement a more effective 
international strategy for achieving NextGen interoper-
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ability with foreign countries, the Administrator shall take 
the following actions: 
(1) Conduct a gap analysis to identify potential 
risks to NextGen interoperability with other Air 
Navigation Service Providers and establish a schedule 
for periodically reevaluating such risks. 
(2) Develop a plan that identifies and documents 
actions the Administrator will undertake to mitigate 
such risks, using information from the gap analysis 
as a basis for making management decisions about 
how to allocate resources for such actions. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
analysis conducted under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) 
and on the actions the Administrator has taken under para-
graph (2) of such subsection. 
SEC. 4107. NEXTGEN TRANSITION MANAGEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall— 
(1) identify and analyze technical and oper-
ational maturity gaps in NextGen transition and im-
plementation plans; and 
(2) develop a plan to mitigate the gaps identified 
in paragraph (1).
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(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the ac-
tions taken to carry out the plan required by subsection 
(a)(2). 
SEC. 4108. IMPLEMENTATION OF NEXTGEN OPERATIONAL 
IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—To help ensure that NextGen oper-
ational improvements are fully implemented in the mid-
term, the Administrator shall— 
(1) work with airlines and other users of the na-
tional airspace system (referred to in this section as 
‘‘NAS’’) to develop and implement a system to sys-
tematically track the use of existing performance 
based navigation (referred to in this section as 
‘‘PBN’’) procedures; 
(2) require consideration of other key operational 
improvements in planning for NextGen improve-
ments, including identifying additional metroplexes 
for PBN projects, non-metroplex PBN procedures, as 
well as the identification of unused flight routes for 
decommissioning; 
(3) develop and implement guidelines for ensur-
ing timely inclusion of appropriate stakeholders, in-
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cluding airport representatives, in the planning and 
implementation of NextGen improvement efforts; and 
(4) assure that NextGen planning documents 
provide stakeholders information on how and when 
operational improvements are expected to achieve 
NextGen goals and targets. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
progress made toward implementing the requirements of 
subsection (a), and on the schedule and process that will 
be used to implement PBN at additional airports, including 
information on how the Administration will partner and 
coordinate with private industry to ensure expeditious im-
plementation of performance based navigation. 
SEC. 4109. CYBERSECURITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall— 
(1) identify and implement ways to better incor-
porate cybersecurity measures as a systems char-
acteristic at all levels and phases of the architecture 
and design of air traffic control programs, including 
NextGen programs; 
(2) develop a threat model that will identify 
vulnerabilities to better focus resources to mitigate cy-
bersecurity risks;
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(3) develop an appropriate plan to mitigate cy-
bersecurity risk, to respond to an attack, intrusion, or 
otherwise unauthorized access and to adapt to evolv-
ing cybersecurity threats; and 
(4) foster a cybersecurity culture throughout the 
Administration, including air traffic control pro-
grams and relevant contractors. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
progress made toward implementing the requirements 
under subsection (a). 
SEC. 4110. SECURING AIRCRAFT AVIONICS SYSTEMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall consider revising Federal 
Aviation Administration regulations regarding airworthi-
ness certification— 
(1) to address cybersecurity for avionics systems, 
including software components; and 
(2) to require that aircraft avionics systems used 
for flight guidance or aircraft control be secured 
against unauthorized access via passenger in-flight 
entertainment systems through such means as the Ad-
ministrator determines appropriate to protect the avi-
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onics systems from unauthorized external and inter-
nal access. 
(b) CONSIDERATION.—The Administrator’s consider-
ation and any action taken under subsection (a) shall be 
in accordance with the recommendations of the Aircraft 
Systems Information Security Protection Working Group 
under section 5029(d) of this Act. 
SEC. 4111. DEFINING NEXTGEN. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall— 
(1) assess how the line items included in the Ad-
ministration’s NextGen budget request relate to the 
goals and expected outcomes of NextGen, including 
how NextGen programs directly contribute to a meas-
urably safer and more efficient air traffic control sys-
tem; and 
(2) submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report on the results of the assessment under 
paragraph (1), including any recommendations for 
the removal of line items that do not pertain to the 
overall vision for NextGen.
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SEC. 4112. HUMAN FACTORS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to avoid having to subse-
quently modify products and services developed as a part 
of NextGen, the Administrator shall— 
(1) recognize and incorporate, in early design 
phases of all relevant NextGen programs, the human 
factors and procedural and airspace implications of 
stated goals and associated technical changes; and 
(2) ensure that a human factors specialist, sepa-
rate from the research and certification groups, is di-
rectly involved with the NextGen approval process. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
progress made toward implementing the requirements 
under subsection (a). 
SEC. 4113. MAJOR ACQUISITION REPORTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall evaluate 
the current acquisition practices of the Administration to 
ensure that such practices— 
(1) identify the current estimated costs for each 
acquisition system, including all segments; 
(2) separately identify cumulative amounts for 
acquisition costs, technical refresh, and other enhance-
ments in order to identify the total baselined and re- 
baselined costs for each system; and
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(3) account for the way funds are being used 
when reporting to managers, Congress, and other 
stakeholders. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
progress made toward implementing the requirements 
under subsection (a). 
SEC. 4114. EQUIPAGE MANDATES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Before NextGen-related equipage 
mandates are imposed on users of the national airspace sys-
tem, the Administrator, in collaboration with all relevant 
stakeholders, shall— 
(1) provide a statement of estimated cost and 
benefits that is based upon mature and stable tech-
nical specifications; and 
(2) 
create 
a 
schedule 
for 
Administration 
deliverables and investments by both users and the 
Administration, including for procedure and airspace 
design, infrastructure deployment, and training. 
SEC. 4115. WORKFORCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall— 
(1) identify and assess barriers to attracting, de-
veloping, training, and retaining a talented workforce
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in the areas of systems engineering, architecture, sys-
tems integration, digital communications, and cyber-
security; 
(2) develop a comprehensive plan to attract, de-
velop, train, and retain talented individuals; and 
(3) identify the resources needed to attract, de-
velop, and retain this talent. 
(b) REPORT.—The Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the progress 
made toward implementing the requirements under sub-
section (a). 
SEC. 4116. ARCHITECTURAL LEADERSHIP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to provide an adequate 
technical foundation for steering NextGen’s technical gov-
ernance and managing inevitable changes in technology 
and operations, the Administrator shall— 
(1) develop a plan that— 
(A) uses an architecture leadership commu-
nity and an effective governance approach to as-
sure a proper balance between documents and 
artifacts and to provide high-level guidance; 
(B) enables effective management and com-
munication of dependencies;
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(C) provides flexibility and the ability to 
evolve to ensure accommodation of future needs; 
and 
(D) communicates changing circumstances 
in order to align agency and airspace user ex-
pectations; 
(2) determine the feasibility of conducting a 
small number of experiments among the Administra-
tion’s system integration partners to prototype can-
didate solutions for establishing and managing a vi-
brant architectural community; and 
(3) develop a method to initiate, grow, and en-
gage a capable architecture community, from both 
within and outside of the Administration, who will 
expand the breadth and depth of expertise that is 
steering architectural changes. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
progress made toward implementing the requirements 
under subsection (a). 
SEC. 4117. PROGRAMMATIC RISK MANAGEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—To better inform the Administra-
tion’s decisions regarding the prioritization of efforts and
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allocation of resources for NextGen, the Administrator 
shall— 
(1) solicit input from specialists in probability 
and statistics to identify and prioritize the pro-
grammatic and implementation risks to NextGen; 
and 
(2) develop a method to manage and mitigate the 
risks identified in paragraph (1). 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
progress made toward implementing the requirements 
under subsection (a). 
SEC. 4118. NEXTGEN PRIORITIZATION. 
The Administrator shall consider expediting NextGen 
modernization implementation projects at public use air-
ports that share airspace with active military training 
ranges and do not have radar coverage where such imple-
mentation would improve the safety of aviation operations. 
Subtitle B—Administration 
Organization and Employees 
SEC. 4201. COST-SAVING INITIATIVES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—To ensure that Administration ini-
tiatives are being implemented in a timely and fiscally re-
sponsible manner, the Administrator shall—
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(1) identify and implement agencywide cost-sav-
ing initiatives; and 
(2) develop appropriate schedules and metrics to 
measure whether the initiatives are successful in re-
ducing costs. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
progress made toward implementing the requirements 
under subsection (a). 
SEC. 4202. TREATMENT OF ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES DURING 
FURLOUGHS. 
(a) DEFINITION OF ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEE.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘essential employee’’ means an employee 
of the Administration who performs work involving the 
safety of human life or the protection of property, as deter-
mined by the Administrator. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—In implementing spending reduc-
tions under Federal law, the Administrator may furlough 
1 or more employees of the Administration, except an essen-
tial employee, if the Administrator determines the furlough 
is necessary to achieve the required spending reductions. 
(c) TRANSFER OF BUDGETARY RESOURCES.—The Ad-
ministrator may transfer budgetary resources within the
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Administration to carry out subsection (b), except that the 
transfer may only be made to maintain essential employees. 
SEC. 4203. CONTROLLER CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall re-
quire that an in-person interview be conducted with each 
individual applying for an air traffic control specialist po-
sition before that individual may be hired to fill that posi-
tion. 
(b) GUIDANCE.—Not later than 30 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish 
guidelines regarding the in-person interview process de-
scribed in subsection (a). 
SEC. 4204. HIRING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 44506 is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) HIRING OF CERTAIN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPE-
CIALISTS.— 
‘‘(1) CONSIDERATION OF APPLICANTS.— 
‘‘(A) ENSURING SELECTION OF MOST QUALI-
FIED APPLICANTS.—In appointing individuals to 
the position of air traffic controllers, the Admin-
istrator shall give preferential consideration to 
qualified individuals maintaining 52 consecutive 
weeks of air traffic control experience involving
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tiative program maintained under sub-
section (c)(1) who have received from 
the institution— 
‘‘(aa) an appropriate rec-
ommendation; or 
‘‘(bb) an endorsement certi-
fying that the individual would 
have met the requirements in ef-
fect as of December 31, 2013, for 
an appropriate recommendation; 
‘‘(II) are eligible for a veterans re-
cruitment appointment pursuant to 
section 4214 of title 38, United States 
Code, and provide a Certificate of Re-
lease or Discharge from Active Duty 
within 120 days of the announcement 
closing; 
‘‘(III) are eligible veterans (as de-
fined in section 4211 of title 38, 
United States Code) maintaining avia-
tion experience obtained in the course 
of the individual’s military experience; 
or
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‘‘(IV) are preference eligible vet-
erans (as defined in section 2108 of 
title 5, United States Code). 
‘‘(ii) 
POOL
TWO.—Applicants 
who 
apply under a vacancy announcement re-
cruiting from all United States citizens. 
‘‘(2) USE OF BIOGRAPHICAL ASSESSMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) BIOGRAPHICAL
ASSESSMENTS.—The 
Administration shall not use any biographical 
assessment when hiring under subparagraph (A) 
or subparagraph (B)(i) of paragraph (1). 
‘‘(B) RECONSIDERATION
OF
APPLICANTS 
DISQUALIFIED ON THE BASIS OF BIOGRAPHICAL 
ASSESSMENTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—If an individual 
described in subparagraph (A) or subpara-
graph (B)(i) of paragraph (1) who applied 
for the position of air traffic controller with 
the Administration in response to Vacancy 
Announcement FAA–AMC–14–ALLSRCE– 
33537 (issued on February 10, 2014) and 
was disqualified from the position as the re-
sult of a biographical assessment, the Ad-
ministrator shall provide the applicant an 
opportunity to reapply as soon as prac-
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† HR 636 EAS 
ticable for the position under the revised 
hiring practices. 
‘‘(ii) WAIVER OF AGE RESTRICTION.— 
The Administrator shall waive any max-
imum age restriction for the position of air 
traffic controller with the Administration 
that would otherwise disqualify an indi-
vidual from the position if the individual— 
‘‘(I) is reapplying for the position 
pursuant to clause (i) on or before De-
cember 31, 2017; and 
‘‘(II) met the maximum age re-
quirement on the date of the individ-
ual’s previous application for the posi-
tion during the interim hiring process. 
‘‘(3) MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE FOR EXPERIENCED 
CONTROLLERS.—Notwithstanding section 3307 of title 
5, United States Code, the maximum limit of age for 
an original appointment to a position as an air traf-
fic controller shall be 35 years of age for those main-
taining 52 weeks of air traffic control experience in-
volving the full-time active separation of air traffic 
after receipt of an air traffic certification or air traf-
fic control facility rating in a civilian or military air 
traffic control facility.’’.
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(b) NOTIFICATION OF VACANCIES.—The Administrator 
shall consider directly notifying secondary schools and in-
stitutes of higher learning, including Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, 
Minority Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities, 
of 
the 
vacancy 
announcement 
under 
section 
44506(f)(1)(B)(ii) of title 49, United States Code. 
SEC. 4205. COMPUTATION OF BASIC ANNUITY FOR CERTAIN 
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 8415(f) of title 5, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(f) The annuity of an air traffic controller or former 
air traffic controller retiring under section 8412(a) is com-
puted under subsection (a), except that if the individual has 
at least 5 years of service in any combination as: 
‘‘(1) an air traffic controller as defined by sec-
tion 2109(1)(A)(i); 
‘‘(2) a first level supervisor of an air traffic con-
troller as defined by section 2109(1)(A)(i); or 
‘‘(3) a second level supervisor of an air traffic 
controller as defined by section 2109(1)(A)(i); 
so much of the annuity as is computed with respect to such 
type of service shall be computed by multiplying 1 7/10 per-
cent of the individual’s average pay by the years of such 
service.’’.
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(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall be deemed to be effective on December 12, 
2003. 
(c) PROCEDURES REQUIRED.—The Director of the Of-
fice of Personnel Management shall establish such proce-
dures as are necessary to provide for— 
(1) notification to each annuitant affected by the 
amendments made by this section; 
(2) recalculation of the benefits of affected annu-
itants; 
(3) an adjustment to applicable monthly benefit 
amounts pursuant to such recalculation, to begin as 
soon as is practicable; and 
(4) a lump sum payment to each affected annu-
itant equal to the additional total benefit amount that 
such annuitant would have received had the amend-
ment made by subsection (a) been in effect on Decem-
ber 12, 2003. 
SEC. 4206. AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES AT AVIATION EVENTS. 
(a) REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND RE-
LATED SUPPORT.—The Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration shall provide air traffic services and 
aviation safety support for aviation events, including 
airshows and fly-ins, without the imposition or collection 
of any fee, tax, or other charge for that purpose. Amounts
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† HR 636 EAS 
for the provision of such services and support shall be de-
rived from amounts appropriated or otherwise available for 
the Federal Aviation Administration. 
(b) DETERMINATION OF SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO 
BE PROVIDED.—In determining the services and support 
to be provided for an aviation event for purposes of sub-
section (a), the Administrator shall take into account the 
following: 
(1) The services and support required to meet 
levels of activity at prior events, if any, similar to the 
event. 
(2) The anticipated need for services and support 
at the event. 
SEC. 4207. FULL ANNUITY SUPPLEMENT FOR CERTAIN AIR 
TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS. 
Section 8421a of title 5, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘The amount’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Except as provided in subsection (c), 
the amount’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection 
(d); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the fol-
lowing:
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‘‘(c) This section shall not apply to an individual de-
scribed in section 8412(e) during any period in which the 
individual, after separating from the service as described 
in that section, is employed full-time as an air traffic con-
trol instructor under contract with the Federal Aviation 
Administration, including an instructor working at an on- 
site facility (such as an airport).’’. 
SEC. 4208. INCLUSION OF DISABLED VETERAN LEAVE IN 
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION PER-
SONNEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 40122(g)(2) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (H), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
and inserting a semicolon; 
(2) in subparagraph (I)(iii), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(J) subject to paragraph (4), section 6329, 
relating to disabled veteran leave.’’. 
(b) CERTIFICATION OF LEAVE.—Section 40122(g) is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as para-
graph (5); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol-
lowing:
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‘‘(4) CERTIFICATION
OF
DISABLED
VETERAN 
LEAVE.—In order to verify that leave credited to an 
employee pursuant to paragraph (2)(J) is used for 
treating a service-connected disability, that employee 
shall, notwithstanding section 6329(c) of title 5, sub-
mit to the Assistant Administrator for Human Re-
source Management of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration certification, in such form and manner as the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion may prescribe, that the employee used that leave 
for purposes of being furnished treatment for that dis-
ability by a health care provider.’’. 
(c) APPLICATION.—The amendments made by this sec-
tion shall apply with respect to any employee of the Federal 
Aviation Administration hired on or after the date that is 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(d) POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.—Not later than 270 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall pre-
scribe policies and procedures to carry out the amendments 
made by this section that are comparable, to the maximum 
extent practicable, to the regulations prescribed by the Office 
of Personnel Management under section 6329 of title 5, 
United States Code.
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(e) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act and not less frequently than 
once each year thereafter until the date that is 5 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
publish on a publicly accessible Internet Web site a report 
on— 
(1) the effect carrying out this section and the 
amendments made by this section has had on the 
workforce; and 
(2) the number of veterans benefitting from car-
rying out this section and the amendments made by 
this section. 
TITLE V—MISCELLANEOUS 
SEC. 5001. NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD IN-
VESTIGATIVE OFFICERS. 
Section 1113 is amended by striking subsection (h). 
SEC. 5002. PERFORMANCE-BASED NAVIGATION. 
Section 213(c) of the FAA Modernization and Reform 
Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–95; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) NOTIFICATIONS AND CONSULTATIONS.—Not 
later than 90 days before applying a categorical ex-
clusion under this subsection to a new procedure at 
an OEP airport, the Administrator shall—
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‘‘(A) notify and consult with the operator of 
the airport at which the procedure would be im-
plemented; and 
‘‘(B) consider consultations or other engage-
ment with the community in the which the air-
port is located to inform the public of the proce-
dure. 
‘‘(4) REVIEW OF CERTAIN CATEGORICAL EXCLU-
SIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
shall review any decision of the Administrator 
made on or after February 14, 2012, and before 
the date of enactment of this paragraph to grant 
a categorical exclusion under this subsection 
with respect to a procedure to be implemented at 
an OEP airport that was a material change 
from procedures previously in effect at the air-
port to determine if the implementation of the 
procedure had a significant effect on the human 
environment in the community in which the air-
port is located if the operator of that airport— 
‘‘(i) requests such a review; and 
‘‘(ii) demonstrates that there is good 
cause to believe that the implementation of 
the procedure had such an effect.
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† HR 636 EAS 
‘‘(B) CONTENT
OF
REVIEW.—If, in con-
ducting a review under subparagraph (A) with 
respect to a procedure implemented at an OEP 
airport, the Administrator, in consultation with 
the operator of the airport, determines that im-
plementing the procedure had a significant effect 
on the human environment in the community in 
which the airport is located, the Administrator 
shall— 
‘‘(i) consult with the operator of the 
airport to identify measures to mitigate the 
effect of the procedure on the human envi-
ronment; and 
‘‘(ii) in conducting such consultations, 
consider the use of alternative flight paths 
that do not substantially degrade the effi-
ciencies achieved by the implementation of 
the procedure being reviewed. 
‘‘(C) HUMAN ENVIRONMENT DEFINED.—In 
this paragraph, the term ‘human environment’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 
1508.14 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations 
(as in effect on the day before the date of enact-
ment of this paragraph).’’.
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SEC. 5003. OVERFLIGHTS OF NATIONAL PARKS. 
Section 40128 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ‘‘the’’ before 
‘‘title 14’’; and 
(2) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows: 
‘‘(f) TRANSPORTATION ROUTES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—This section shall not apply 
to any air tour operator while flying over or near 
any Federal land managed by the Director of the Na-
tional Park Service, including Lake Mead National 
Recreation Area, solely as a transportation route, to 
conduct an air tour over the Grand Canyon National 
Park. 
‘‘(2) EN
ROUTE.—For purposes of this sub-
section, an air tour operator flying over the Hoover 
Dam in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area en 
route to the Grand Canyon National Park shall be 
deemed to be flying solely as a transportation route.’’. 
SEC. 5004. NAVIGABLE AIRSPACE ANALYSIS FOR COMMER-
CIAL SPACE LAUNCH SITE RUNWAYS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 44718(b)(1) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘air navigation facilities and 
equipment’’ and inserting ‘‘air or space navigation 
facilities and equipment’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
and inserting a semicolon;
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(3) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) the impact on launch and reentry for 
launch and reentry vehicles arriving or depart-
ing from a launch site or reentry site licensed by 
the Secretary.’’. 
(b) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall initiate a rulemaking 
to implement the amendments made by subsection (a). 
SEC. 5005. SURVEY AND REPORT ON SPACEPORT DEVELOP-
MENT. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
on the existing system of spaceports licensed by the Federal 
Aviation Administration that includes recommendations 
regarding— 
(1) the extent to which, and the manner in 
which, the Federal Government could participate in 
the construction, improvement, development, or main-
tenance of such spaceports; and 
(2) potential funding sources.
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SEC. 5006. AVIATION FUEL. 
(a) USE OF UNLEADED AVIATION GASOLINE.—The 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
allow the use of an unleaded aviation gasoline in an air-
craft as a replacement for a leaded gasoline if the Adminis-
trator— 
(1) determines that the unleaded aviation gaso-
line qualifies as a replacement for an approved leaded 
gasoline; 
(2) identifies the aircraft and engines that are 
eligible to use the qualified replacement unleaded gas-
oline; and 
(3) adopts a process (other than the traditional 
means of certification) to allow eligible aircraft and 
engines to operate using qualified replacement un-
leaded gasoline in a manner that ensures safety. 
(b) TIMING.—The Administrator shall adopt the proc-
ess described in subsection (a)(3) not later than 180 days 
after the later of— 
(1) the date on which the Administration com-
pletes the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative; or 
(2) the date on which the American Society for 
Testing and Materials publishes a production speci-
fication for an unleaded aviation gasoline.
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SEC. 5007. COMPREHENSIVE AVIATION PREPAREDNESS 
PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—No later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation 
and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in co-
ordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of State, the Secretary 
of Defense, and representatives of other Federal departments 
and agencies, as necessary, shall develop a comprehensive 
national aviation communicable disease preparedness plan. 
(b) MINIMUM
COMPONENTS.—The plan developed 
under subsection (a) shall— 
(1) be developed in consultation with other rel-
evant stakeholders, including State, local, tribal, and 
territorial governments, air carriers, first responders, 
and the general public; 
(2) provide for the development of a communica-
tions system or protocols for providing comprehensive, 
appropriate, and up-to-date information regarding 
communicable disease threats and preparedness be-
tween all relevant stakeholders; 
(3) document the roles and responsibilities of rel-
evant Federal department and agencies, including co-
ordination requirements; 
(4) provide guidance to air carriers, airports, 
and other appropriate aviation stakeholders on how
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to develop comprehensive communicable disease pre-
paredness plans for their respective organizations, in 
accordance with the plan to be developed under sub-
section (a); 
(5) be scalable and adaptable so that the plan 
can be used to address the full range of communicable 
disease threats and incidents; 
(6) provide information on communicable threats 
and response training resources for all relevant stake-
holders, including Federal, State, local, tribal, and 
territorial government employees, airport officials, 
aviation industry employees and contractors, first re-
sponders, and health officials; 
(7) develop protocols for the dissemination of 
comprehensive, up-to-date, and appropriate informa-
tion to the traveling public concerning communicable 
disease threats and preparedness; 
(8) be updated periodically to incorporate lessons 
learned with supplemental information; and 
(9) be provided in writing, electronically, and 
accessible via the Internet. 
(c) INTERAGENCY FRAMEWORK.—The plan developed 
under subsection (a) shall— 
(1) be conducted under the existing interagency 
framework for national level all hazards emergency
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preparedness planning or another appropriate frame-
work; and 
(2) be consistent with the obligations of the 
United States under international agreements. 
SEC. 5008. ADVANCED MATERIALS CENTER OF EXCEL-
LENCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 445 is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 44518. Advanced Materials Center of Excellence 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall continue operation of the 
Advanced Materials Center of Excellence (referred to in this 
section as the ‘Center’) under its structure as in effect on 
March 1, 2016, which shall focus on applied research and 
training on the durability and maintainability of advanced 
materials in transport airframe structures. 
‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Center shall— 
‘‘(1) promote and facilitate collaboration among 
academia, the Transportation Division of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, and the commercial aircraft 
industry, including manufacturers, commercial air 
carriers, and suppliers; and 
‘‘(2) establish goals set to advance technology, 
improve engineering practices, and facilitate con-
tinuing education in relevant areas of study.
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‘‘(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator 
$500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2016 and 2017 to carry 
out this section.’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
chapter 445 is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘44518. Advanced Materials Center of Excellence.’’. 
SEC. 5009. INTERFERENCE WITH AIRLINE EMPLOYEES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall— 
(1) complete a study of crimes of violence (as de-
fined in section 16 of title 18, United States Code) 
committed against airline customer service represent-
atives while they are performing their duties and on 
airport property; and 
(2) submit the findings of the study, including 
any recommendations, to Congress. 
(b) GAP ANALYSIS.—The study shall include a gap 
analysis to determine if State and local laws and resources 
are adequate to deter or otherwise address the crimes of vio-
lence described in subsection (a) and recommendations on 
how to address any identified gaps. 
SEC. 5010. SECONDARY COCKPIT BARRIERS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the 
‘‘Saracini Aviation Safety Act of 2016’’.
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(b) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall issue an order re-
quiring installation of a secondary cockpit barrier on each 
new aircraft that is manufactured for delivery to a pas-
senger air carrier in the United States operating under the 
provisions of part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
SEC. 5011. GAO EVALUATION AND AUDIT. 
Section 15(a)(1) of the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 
165(a)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘2 years’’ and inserting 
‘‘4 years’’. 
SEC. 5012. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION PERFORM-
ANCE MEASURES AND TARGETS. 
(a) PERFORMANCE MEASURES.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Transportation shall establish performance measures re-
lating to the administration of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration, which shall, at a minimum, include measures 
to assess— 
(1) the reduction of delays in the completion of 
projects; and 
(2) the effectiveness of the Administration in 
achieving the goals described in section 47171 of title 
49, United States Code.
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(b) PERFORMANCE TARGETS.—Not later than 180 
days after the date on which the Secretary establishes per-
formance measures in accordance with subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall establish performance targets relating to 
each of the measures described in that subsection. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Depart-
ment of Transportation shall submit to Congress a report 
describing the progress of the Secretary in meeting the per-
formance targets established under subsection (b). 
SEC. 5013. STAFFING OF CERTAIN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 
TOWERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall ensure appropriate staffing 
at the Core 30 air traffic control towers and associated ter-
minal radar approach control facilities and air route traf-
fic control centers and ensure, as appropriate, staffing levels 
at those control towers, facilities, and centers are not below 
the average number of air traffic controllers between the 
‘‘high’’ and ‘‘low’’ staffing ranges, as specified in the docu-
ment of the Federal Aviation Administration entitled, ‘‘A 
Plan for the Future: 10-Year Strategy for Air Traffic Con-
trol Workforce 2015–2024’’. 
(b) RETENTION.—The Administrator shall review 
strategies to improve retention of experienced certified pro-
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fessional controllers at the control towers, facilities, and 
centers described in subsection (a)(1). 
SEC. 5014. CRITICAL AIRFIELD MARKINGS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall issue a request for proposal for a study 
that includes— 
(1) an independent, third-party study to assess 
the durability of Type III and Type I glass beads ap-
plied to critical markings over a 12-month period at 
no fewer than 2 primary airports in varying weather 
conditions to measure the retroflectivity levels of such 
markings on a quarterly basis; and 
(2) a study at 2 other airports carried out by 
applying Type III beads on one half of the centerline 
and Type I beads to the other half and providing for 
assessments from pilots through surveys administered 
by a third party as to the visibility and performance 
of the Type III glass beads as compared to the Type 
I glass beads over a 6-month period. 
SEC. 5015. RESEARCH AND DEPLOYMENT OF CERTAIN AIR-
FIELD PAVEMENT TECHNOLOGIES. 
Using amounts made available under section 48102(a) 
of title 49, United States Code, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall carry out a program
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for the research and deployment of aircraft pavement tech-
nologies under which the Administrator makes grants to, 
and enters into cooperative agreements with, institutions of 
higher education and nonprofit organizations that— 
(1) research concrete and asphalt airfield pave-
ment technologies that extend the life of airfield pave-
ments; 
(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 
effective, and more durable airfield pavements. 
SEC. 5016. REPORT ON GENERAL AVIATION FLIGHT SHAR-
ING. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report assessing the feasibility of flight sharing 
for general aviation. The report shall include an assessment 
of any regulations that may need to be updated to allow 
for safe and efficient flight sharing, including regulations 
imposing limitations on the forms of communication per-
sons who hold private pilot certificates may use.
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SEC. 5017. INCREASE IN DURATION OF GENERAL AVIATION 
AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall initiate a rulemaking to increase the du-
ration of aircraft registrations for noncommercial general 
aviation aircraft to 5 years. 
SEC. 5018. MODIFICATION OF LIMITATION OF LIABILITY RE-
LATING TO AIRCRAFT. 
Section 44112(b) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘on land or water’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘operational’’ before ‘‘control’’. 
SEC. 5019. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STUDY 
OF 
ILLEGAL 
DRUGS 
SEIZED 
AT 
INTER-
NATIONAL AIRPORTS IN THE UNITED STATES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study of illegal drugs, includ-
ing heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine, seized by Federal authori-
ties at international airports in the United States. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—In conducting the study required by 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall address, at a 
minimum— 
(1) the types and quantities of drugs seized; 
(2) the origin of the drugs seized; 
(3) the airport at which the drugs were seized;
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(4) the manner in which the drugs were seized; 
and 
(5) the manner in which the drugs were trans-
ported. 
(c) USE OF DATA; RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDI-
TIONAL DATA COLLECTION.—In conducting the study re-
quired by subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall use 
all available data. If the Comptroller General determines 
that additional data is needed to fully understand the extent 
to which illegal drugs enter the United States through inter-
national airports in the United States, the Comptroller 
General shall develop recommendations for the collection of 
that data. 
(d) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General shall submit to Congress a report on the study con-
ducted under subsection (a) that includes any recommenda-
tions developed under subsection (c). 
SEC. 5020. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON PREVENTING THE 
TRANSPORTATION 
OF 
DISEASE-CARRYING 
MOSQUITOES AND OTHER INSECTS ON COM-
MERCIAL AIRCRAFT. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Trans-
portation and the Secretary of Agriculture should, in co-
ordination and consultation with the World Health Organi-
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zation, develop a framework and guidance for the use of 
safe, effective, and nontoxic means of preventing the trans-
portation of disease-carrying mosquitoes and other insects 
on commercial aircraft. 
SEC. 5021. WORK PLAN FOR THE NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY/ 
PHILADELPHIA METROPLEX PROGRAM. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration shall develop and publish in the Federal Register 
a work plan for the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia 
metroplex program. 
SEC. 5022. REPORT ON PLANS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 
FACILITIES IN THE NEW YORK CITY AND NEW-
ARK REGION. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration shall submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report on the Federal Aviation Administration’s 
staffing and scheduling plans for air traffic control facili-
ties in the New York City and Newark region for the 1- 
year period beginning on such date of enactment. 
SEC. 5023. GAO STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE ALLI-
ANCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study of certain cooperative
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agreements between United States air carriers and non- 
United States air carriers (referred to in this section as 
‘‘alliances’’), which— 
(1) have been created pursuant to section 41309 
of title 49, United States Code; and 
(2) have been exempted from antitrust laws (as 
defined in the first section of the Clayton Act (15 
U.S.C. 12)) pursuant to section 41308 of title 49, 
United States Code. 
(b) SCOPE.—The study conducted under subsection (a) 
shall assess— 
(1) the consequences of alliances, including re-
duced competition, stifling new entrants into markets, 
increasing prices in markets, and other adverse con-
sequences; 
(2) the representations made by air carriers to 
the Secretary of Transportation for the necessity of an 
antitrust exemption; 
(3) the Department of Transportation’s expecta-
tions of public benefits resulting from alliances, in-
cluding whether such expected benefits were actually 
achieved; 
(4) the adequacy of the Department of Transpor-
tation’s efforts in the approval and monitoring of al-
liances, including possessing relevant experience and
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expertise in the fields of antitrust and consumer pro-
tection; 
(5) whether there has been sufficient trans-
parency in the approval of alliances, including oppor-
tunities for public review and feedback; 
(6) the role of the Department of Justice in the 
oversight of alliances; 
(7) whether there are alternatives to antitrust 
immunity that could be conferred that would also 
produce public benefits; 
(8) whether alliances should be required to ex-
pire; 
(9) the level of competition between air carriers 
who are members of the same alliance; 
(10) the level of competition between alliances; 
(11) whether the Department of Transportation 
should amend, modify, or revoke any exemption from 
the antitrust laws granted by the Secretary of Trans-
portation in connection with an alliance; and 
(12) the effect of alliances on the number and 
quality of jobs for United States air carrier flight 
crew employees, including the share of alliance flying 
done by such employees. 
(c) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller Gen-
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eral shall submit to Congress the results of the study con-
ducted under subsection (a), which shall include rec-
ommendations on the reforms needed to improve competi-
tion and enhance choices for consumers, including— 
(1) whether oversight of alliances should be exer-
cised by the Department of Justice rather than by the 
Department of Transportation; and 
(2) whether antitrust immunity for alliances 
should expire. 
SEC. 5024. TREATMENT OF MULTI-YEAR LESSEES OF LARGE 
AND TURBINE-POWERED MULTIENGINE AIR-
CRAFT. 
The Secretary of Transportation shall revise such regu-
lations as may be necessary to ensure that multi-year lessees 
and owners of large and turbine-powered multiengine air-
craft are treated equally for purposes of joint ownership 
policies of the Federal Aviation Administration. 
SEC. 5025. EVALUATION OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration, in consultation with representatives 
of the aviation community and institutions of higher edu-
cation (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1964 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))), shall conduct a 
study to evaluate the potential impact of emerging tech-
nologies, such as electric propulsion and autonomous con-
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trol, on the current state of aircraft design, operations, 
maintenance, and licensing. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a re-
port to the appropriate committees of Congress that summa-
rizes the results of the study conducted under subsection (a). 
SEC. 5026. STUDENT OUTREACH REPORT. 
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall submit a report to the appropriate com-
mittees of Congress that describes the Administration’s ex-
isting outreach efforts, such as the STEM Aviation and 
Space Education Outreach Program, to elementary and sec-
ondary students who are interested in careers in science, 
technology, engineering, art, and mathematics— 
(1) to prepare and inspire such students for 
aeronautical careers; and 
(2) to mitigate an anticipated shortage of pilots 
and other aviation professionals. 
SEC. 5027. RIGHT TO PRIVACY WHEN USING AIR TRAFFIC 
CONTROL SYSTEM. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration, as appropriate, shall upon 
request of a private aircraft owner or operator, block the 
registration number of the aircraft of the owner or operator
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from any public dissemination or display, except in data 
made available to a Government agency, for the non-
commercial flights of the owner or operator. 
SEC. 5028. CONDUCT OF SECURITY SCREENING BY THE 
TRANSPORTATION 
SECURITY 
ADMINISTRA-
TION AT CERTAIN AIRPORTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Trans-
portation Security Administration shall provide for secu-
rity screening to be conducted by the Transportation Secu-
rity Administration at, and provide all necessary staff and 
equipment to, any airport— 
(1) that lost commercial air service on or after 
January 1, 2013; and 
(2) the operator of which, following the loss de-
scribed in paragraph (1), submits to the Adminis-
trator— 
(A) a request for security screening to be 
conducted at the airport by the Transportation 
Security Administration; and 
(B) written confirmation of a commitment 
from a commercial air carrier— 
(i) that the air carrier wants to pro-
vide commercial air service at the airport; 
and
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(ii) that such service will commence 
not later than 1 year after the date of the 
submission of the request under subpara-
graph (A). 
(b) DEADLINE.—The Administrator of the Transpor-
tation Security Administration shall ensure that the process 
of implementing security screening by the Transportation 
Security Administration at an airport described in sub-
section (a) is complete not later than the later of— 
(1) the date that is 90 days after the date on 
which the operator of the airport submits to the Ad-
ministrator a request for such screening under para-
graph (2)(A) of that subsection; or 
(2) the date on which the air carrier intends to 
provide commercial air service at the airport. 
(c) EFFECT
ON OTHER AIRPORTS.—The Adminis-
trator of the Transportation Security Administration shall 
carry out this section in a manner that does not negatively 
affect operations at airports that are provided security 
screening by the Transportation Security Administration. 
SEC. 5029. AVIATION CYBERSECURITY. 
(a) COMPREHENSIVE AVIATION FRAMEWORK.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 240 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall facili-