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voice, bill, or other communication provided to a 
passenger or customer of the operator.’’. 
(b) UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES AND UN-
FAIR METHODS OF COMPETITION.—Section 41712(a) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘air ambulance customer,’’ 
after ‘‘foreign air carrier,’’ the first place it appears; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘In this 
subsection, the term ‘air carrier’ includes an air am-
bulance operator and the term ‘air transportation’ 
includes any transportation provided by an air am-
bulance.’’. 
SEC. 414. PASSENGER RIGHTS. 
(a) GUIDELINES.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall require each air carrier to submit for approval 
a 1-page document that accurately describes the rights of 
passengers in air transportation, including guidelines for 
the following: 
(1) Compensation (regarding rebooking options, 
refunds, meals, and lodging) for flight delays of var-
ious lengths. 
(2) Compensation (regarding rebooking options, 
refunds, meals, and lodging) for flight diversions.
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(3) Compensation (regarding rebooking options, 
refunds, meals, and lodging) for flight cancellations. 
(4) Compensation for mishandled baggage, in-
cluding delayed, damaged, pilfered, or lost baggage. 
(5) Voluntary relinquishment of a ticketed seat 
due to overbooking or priority of other passengers. 
(6) Involuntary denial of boarding and forced 
removal for whatever reason, including for safety 
and security reasons. 
(b) APPROVAL OF GUIDELINES.—Not later than 90 
days after each air carrier submits its guidelines for ap-
proval to the Secretary under subsection (a), the air car-
rier shall make available such 1-page document on its 
website. 
SEC. 415. ENHANCED TRAINING OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS. 
Section 44734(a) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (4) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) dealing with allegations of sexual mis-
conduct.’’.
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SEC. 416. ADDRESSING SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ON FLIGHTS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT
OF WORKING GROUP.—The 
Secretary of Transportation shall establish a sexual mis-
conduct incident working group composed of aviation in-
dustry stakeholders, relevant Federal agencies, national 
organizations that specialize in providing services to vic-
tims of sexual misconduct, labor organizations that rep-
resent relevant aviation employees, and State and local law 
enforcement agencies. 
(b) PURPOSE OF WORKING GROUP.—The purpose of 
the working group shall be to develop best practices for— 
(1) addressing sexual misconduct on flights; 
(2) airline employee training; and 
(3) protocols for law enforcement notification. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the working group shall submit 
a report describing the best practices developed pursuant 
to subsection (b) to the Secretary, the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate. 
(d) SUNSET.—The working group established pursu-
ant to subsection (a) shall terminate 60 days after the 
submission of the report pursuant to subsection (c).
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SEC. 417. OVERBOOKING POLICIES OF AIR CARRIERS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Transportation shall 
conduct a study on the overbooking policies of air carriers 
and how the policies impact the United States economy. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study, the Sec-
retary shall assess the effects of the overbooking policies 
on increasing or decreasing the costs of passenger air 
transportation. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a report on the results of the study. 
SEC. 418. TRAINING POLICIES REGARDING RACIAL, ETH-
NIC, AND RELIGIOUS NONDISCRIMINATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall submit to Congress a report 
describing— 
(1) each air carrier’s training policy for its em-
ployees and contractors regarding racial, ethnic, and 
religious nondiscrimination; and 
(2) how frequently an air carrier is required to 
train new employees and contractors because of 
turnover in positions that require such training. 
(b) BEST PRACTICES.—After the date the report is 
submitted under subsection (1), the Secretary of Trans-
portation shall develop and disseminate to air carriers best
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practices nevessary to improve the training policies de-
scribed in subsection (a), based on the findings of the re-
port and in consultation with— 
(1) passengers of diverse racial, ethnic, and reli-
gious backgrounds; 
(2) national organizations that represent im-
pacted communities; 
(3) air carrier; 
(4) airport operators; and 
(5) contract service providers. 
SEC. 419. AVIATION CONSUMER ADVOCATE AND COM-
PLAINT RESOLUTION IMPROVEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall review aviation consumer complaints received that al-
lege a violation of law and, as appropriate, pursue enforce-
ment or corrective actions that would be in the public in-
terest. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In considering which cases to 
pursue for enforcement or corrective action under sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall consider— 
(1) the requirements of the Air Carrier Access 
Act of 1986 (Public Law 99–435; 100 Stat. 1080); 
(2) unfair and deceptive practices by air car-
riers, foreign air carriers, and ticket agents;
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(3) the terms and conditions agreed to between 
passengers and air carriers, foreign air carriers, or 
ticket agents; 
(4) aviation consumer protection and tarmac 
delay contingency planning requirements for both 
airports and airlines; and 
(5) any other applicable law. 
(c) AVIATION CONSUMER ADVOCATE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Within the Aviation Con-
sumer Protection Division of the Department of 
Transportation, there shall be established the posi-
tion of Aviation Consumer Advocate. 
(2) FUNCTIONS.—The Aviation Consumer Ad-
vocate shall— 
(A) assist consumers in resolving carrier 
service complaints filed with the Aviation Con-
sumer Protection Division; 
(B) evaluate the resolution by the Depart-
ment of Transportation of carrier service com-
plaints; 
(C) identify and recommend actions the 
Department can take to improve the enforce-
ment of aviation consumer protection rules and 
resolution of carrier service complaints; and
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Subtitle B—Aviation Consumers 
With Disabilities 
SEC. 441. SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE. 
Section 411 of the FAA Modernization and Reform 
Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note), as amended 
by this Act, is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as 
subsections (h) and (i), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(g) SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE FOR AVIATION CON-
SUMERS WITH DISABILITIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish a select subcommittee of the advisory committee 
to advise the Secretary and the advisory committee 
on issues related to the air travel needs of pas-
sengers with disabilities. 
‘‘(2) DUTIES.—The select subcommittee shall— 
‘‘(A) identify the disability-related access 
barriers encountered by passengers with disabil-
ities; 
‘‘(B) determine the extent to which the 
programs and activities of the Department of 
Transportation are addressing the barriers 
identified under subparagraph (A);
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‘‘(C) recommend consumer protection im-
provements related to the air travel experience 
of passengers with disabilities; 
‘‘(D) advise the Secretary with regard to 
the implementation of section 41705 of title 49, 
United States Code; and 
‘‘(E) conduct such other activities as the 
Secretary considers necessary to carry out this 
subsection. 
‘‘(3) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(A) 
COMPOSITION.—The 
select 
sub-
committee shall be composed of members ap-
pointed by the Secretary, including at least 1 
individual representing each of the following: 
‘‘(i) National disability organizations. 
‘‘(ii) Air carriers and foreign air car-
riers with flights in air transportation. 
‘‘(iii) Airport operators. 
‘‘(iv) Contractor service providers. 
‘‘(B) INCLUSION.—A member of the select 
subcommittee may also be a member of the ad-
visory committee. 
‘‘(4) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of establishment of the select
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subcommittee, the select subcommittee shall 
submit to the advisory committee and the Sec-
retary a report on the air travel needs of pas-
sengers with disabilities that includes— 
‘‘(i) an assessment of existing dis-
ability-related access barriers and any 
emerging disability-related access barriers 
that will likely be an issue in the next 5 
years; 
‘‘(ii) an evaluation of the extent to 
which the programs and activities of the 
Department of Transportation are elimi-
nating disability-related access barriers; 
‘‘(iii) a description of consumer pro-
tection improvements related to the air 
travel experience of passengers with dis-
abilities; and 
‘‘(iv) any recommendations for legisla-
tion, regulations, or other actions that the 
select subcommittee considers appropriate. 
‘‘(B) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.—Not later 
than 60 days after the date on which the Sec-
retary receives the report under subparagraph 
(A), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
copy of the report, including any additional
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findings or recommendations that the Secretary 
considers appropriate. 
‘‘(5) CHAIRPERSON.—The Secretary shall des-
ignate, from among the individuals appointed under 
paragraph (3), an individual to serve as chairperson 
of the select subcommittee. 
‘‘(6) VACANCIES
AND
TRAVEL
EXPENSES.— 
Subsections (c) and (d) shall apply to the select sub-
committee. 
‘‘(7) TERMINATION.—The select subcommittee 
established under this subsection shall terminate 
upon submission of the report required under para-
graph (4)(A).’’. 
SEC. 
442. 
AVIATION 
CONSUMERS 
WITH 
DISABILITIES 
STUDY. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study that includes— 
(1) a review of airport accessibility best prac-
tices for individuals with disabilities, including best 
practices that improve infrastructure facilities and 
communications methods, including those related to 
wayfinding, amenities, and passenger care;
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(2) a review of air carrier and airport training 
policies related to section 41705 of title 49, United 
States Code; 
(3) a review of air carrier training policies re-
lated to properly assisting passengers with disabil-
ities; and 
(4) a review of accessibility best practices that 
exceed those recommended under Public Law 90– 
480 (popularly known as the Architectural Barriers 
Act of 1968; 42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.), the Rehabili-
tation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), the Air 
Carrier Access Act of 1986 (Public Law 99–435; 
100 Stat. 1080 et seq.), and the Americans with 
Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.). 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
submit to the Secretary of Transportation, the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
study, including findings and recommendations. 
SEC. 443. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON IN-CABIN WHEELCHAIR 
RESTRAINT SYSTEMS. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation,
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in consultation with the Architectural and Transportation 
Barriers Compliance Board, aircraft manufacturers, and 
air carriers, shall conduct a study to determine— 
(1) the feasibility of in-cabin wheelchair re-
straint systems; and 
(2) if feasible, the ways in which individuals 
with significant disabilities using wheelchairs, includ-
ing power wheelchairs, can be accommodated with 
in-cabin wheelchair restraint systems. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the initi-
ation of the study under subsection (a), the Secretary of 
Transportation shall submit to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the findings of 
the study. 
SEC. 444. AIRLINE PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES BILL 
OF RIGHTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 423 of title 49, United 
States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 42305. Airline Passengers With Disabilities Bill of 
Rights 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall develop a document, to be known as the ‘Airline Pas-
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•HR 4 EH1S 
sengers With Disabilities Bill of Rights’, that describes in 
plain language— 
‘‘(1) the basic responsibilities of covered car-
riers, including their employees and contractors, 
under section 41705; and 
‘‘(2) the protections of air passengers with dis-
abilities under section 41705. 
‘‘(b) CONTENT.—In developing the Bill of Rights, the 
Secretary shall include, at a minimum, plain language de-
scriptions of responsibilities and protections provided in 
law related to— 
‘‘(1) the right of passengers with disabilities to 
be treated with dignity and respect; 
‘‘(2) the right of passengers with disabilities to 
receive timely assistance, if requested, from properly 
trained personnel of covered carriers and their con-
tractors; 
‘‘(3) the right of passengers with disabilities to 
travel with and stow wheelchairs, mobility aids, and 
other assistive devices, including necessary medica-
tions and medical supplies; 
‘‘(4) the right of passengers with disabilities to 
receive seating accommodations, if requested, to ac-
commodate a disability;
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‘‘(A) PENALTY FOR BODILY HARM OR DAMAGE 
TO
WHEELCHAIR
OR
OTHER
MOBILITY
AID.—The 
amount of a civil penalty assessed under this section 
for a violation of section 41705 may be increased 
above the otherwise applicable maximum amount 
under this section to an amount not to exceed 3 
times the maximum civil penalty otherwise allowed if 
the violation involves— 
‘‘(i) injury to a passenger with a disability; 
or 
‘‘(ii) damage to the passenger’s wheelchair 
or other mobility aid. 
‘‘(B) SEPARATE
OFFENCES.—Notwithstanding 
paragraph (2), a separate violation of section 41705 
occurs for each act of discrimination prohibited by 
that section.’’. 
SEC. 446. HARMONIZATION OF SERVICE ANIMAL STAND-
ARDS. 
(a) RULEMAKING.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall conduct a rulemaking proceeding— 
(1) to define the term ‘‘service animal’’ for pur-
poses of air transportation; and 
(2) to develop minimum standards for what is 
required for service and emotional support animals 
carried in aircraft cabins.
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(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the rule-
making under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider, 
at a minimum— 
(1) whether to align the definition of ‘‘service 
animal’’ with the definition of that term in regula-
tions of the Department of Justice implementing the 
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 
101–336); 
(2) reasonable measures to ensure pets are not 
claimed as service animals, such as— 
(A) whether to require photo identification 
for a service animal identifying the type of ani-
mal, the breed of animal, and the service the 
animal provides to the passenger; 
(B) whether to require documentation indi-
cating whether or not a service animal was 
trained by the owner or an approved training 
organization; 
(C) whether to require, from a licensed 
physician, documentation indicating the miti-
gating task or tasks a service animal provides 
to its owner; and 
(D) whether to allow a passenger to be ac-
companied by more than 1 service animal;
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•HR 4 EH1S 
(3) reasonable measures to ensure the safety of 
all passengers, such as— 
(A) whether to require health and vaccina-
tion records for a service animal; and 
(B) whether to require third-party proof of 
behavioral training for a service animal; 
(4) the impact additional requirements on serv-
ice animals could have on access to air transpor-
tation for passengers with disabilities; and 
(5) if impacts on access to air transportation 
for passengers with disabilities are found, ways to 
eliminate or mitigate those impacts. 
(c) FINAL RULE.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue 
a final rule pursuant to the rulemaking conducted under 
this section. 
SEC. 447. REGULATIONS ENSURING ASSISTANCE FOR INDI-
VIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN AIR TRANS-
PORTATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall— 
(1) review, and if necessary revise, applicable 
regulations to ensure that individuals with disabil-
ities who request assistance while traveling in air
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•HR 4 EH1S 
transportation receive dignified, timely, and effective 
assistance at airports and on aircraft from trained 
personnel; and 
(2) review, and if necessary revise, applicable 
regulations related to air carrier training programs 
for air carrier personnel, including contractors, who 
provide physical assistance to passengers with dis-
abilities to ensure that training under such pro-
grams— 
(A) occurs on an appropriate schedule for 
all new and continuing personnel charged with 
providing physical assistance; and 
(B) includes, as appropriate, instruction by 
personnel, with hands-on training for employees 
who physically lift or otherwise physically assist 
passengers with disabilities, including the use of 
relevant equipment. 
(b) TYPES OF ASSISTANCE.—The assistance referred 
to subsection (a)(1) may include requests for assistance 
in boarding or deplaning an aircraft, requests for assist-
ance in connecting between flights, and other similar or 
related requests, as appropriate. 
(c) AIR CARRIER DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘air carrier’’ means an air carrier or foreign air car-
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•HR 4 EH1S 
rier (as those terms are defined in section 40102(a) of 
title 49, United States Code). 
Subtitle C—Small Community Air 
Service 
SEC. 451. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE AUTHORIZATION. 
Section 41742(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘$150,000,000 for fiscal year 
2011’’ and all that follows before ‘‘to carry out’’ and in-
serting ‘‘$155,000,000 for fiscal year 2018, $158,000,000 
for fiscal year 2019, $161,000,000 for fiscal year 2020, 
$165,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, $168,000,000 for fis-
cal year 2022, and $172,000,000 for fiscal year 2023’’. 
SEC. 452. EXTENSION OF FINAL ORDER ESTABLISHING 
MILEAGE ADJUSTMENT ELIGIBILITY. 
Section 409(d) of the Vision 100—Century of Avia-
tion Reauthorization Act (49 U.S.C. 41731 note) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 453. STUDY ON ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE REFORM. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of 
the United States shall conduct a study on the ef-
fects of section 6 of the Airport and Airway Exten-
sion Act of 2011, Part IV (Public Law 112–27), sec-
tion 421 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act 
of 2012 (Public Law 112–95), and other relevant
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Federal laws enacted after 2010, including the 
amendments made by those laws, on the Essential 
Air Service program. 
(2) SCOPE.—In conducting the study under 
paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall ana-
lyze, at a minimum— 
(A) the impact of each relevant Federal 
law, including the amendments made by each 
law, on the Essential Air Service program; 
(B) what actions communities and air car-
riers have taken to reduce ticket prices or in-
crease enplanements as a result of each law; 
(C) the issuance of waivers by the Sec-
retary under section 41731(e) of title 49, 
United States Code; 
(D) whether budgetary savings resulted 
from each law; and 
(E) options for further reform of the Es-
sential Air Service program. 
(b) REQUIRED ANALYSIS ON COMMUNITIES.—In car-
rying out subsection (a)(2)(E) the Comptroller General 
shall include, for each option for further reform, an anal-
ysis of the impact on local economies of communities with 
airports receiving Essential Air Service funding, access to
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•HR 4 EH1S 
air travel for residents of rural communities and the im-
pact to local businesses in such communities. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on the results of the study conducted 
under subsection (a). 
SEC. 454. SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE. 
(a) ELIGIBILITY.—Section 41743(c) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(1) SIZE.—On the date of submission of the 
relevant application under subsection (b), the airport 
serving the community or consortium— 
‘‘(A) is not larger than a small hub air-
port, as determined using the Department of 
Transportation’s most recently published classi-
fication; and 
‘‘(B) has— 
‘‘(i) insufficient air carrier service; or 
‘‘(ii) unreasonably high air fares.’’; 
(2) in paragraph (4)—
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(A) by striking ‘‘once,’’ and inserting 
‘‘once in a 10-year period,’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘at any time’’ after ‘‘dif-
ferent project’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (5)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) 
and (F) as subparagraphs (F) and (G), respec-
tively; and 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (D) 
the following: 
‘‘(E) the assistance will be used to help re-
store scheduled passenger air service that has 
been terminated;’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
41743(e)(2) of title 49, United States Code, 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 2018 
through 2023 to carry out this section, of which 
$4,800,000 per fiscal year shall be used to carry out 
the pilot program established under subsection (i). 
Such sums shall remain available until expended.’’.
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(c) REGIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION PILOT PRO-
GRAM.—Section 41743 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(i) REGIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION PILOT PRO-
GRAM.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish a regional air transportation pilot program to 
provide operating assistance to air carriers in order 
to provide air service to communities not receiving 
sufficient air carrier service. 
‘‘(2) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall provide 
grants under the program to encourage and main-
tain air service at reasonable airfares between com-
munities that have experienced, as determined by 
the Secretary, significant declines in air service. 
‘‘(3) APPLICATION
REQUIRED.—In order to 
participate in the program, a State, local govern-
ment, economic development authority, or other pub-
lic entity shall submit to the Secretary an applica-
tion, in a manner that the Secretary prescribes, that 
contains— 
‘‘(A) an identification of an air carrier that 
has provided a written agreement to provide the 
air service in partnership with the applicant;
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‘‘(B) assurances that the applicant will 
provide the non-Federal share and that the 
non-Federal share is not derived from airport 
revenue; 
‘‘(C) a proposed route structure serving 
not more than 8 communities; and 
‘‘(D) a timeline for commencing the air 
service to the communities within the proposed 
route structure. 
‘‘(4) CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION.—The Sec-
retary may approve up to 3 applications each fiscal 
year, subject to the availability of funds, if the Sec-
retary determines that— 
‘‘(A) the proposal of the applicant can rea-
sonably be expected to encourage and improve 
levels of air service between the relevant com-
munities; 
‘‘(B) the applicant has adequate financial 
resources to ensure the commitment to the com-
munities; 
‘‘(C) the airports serving the communities 
are nonhub, small hub, or medium hub airports, 
as determined using the Department of Trans-
portation’s most recently published classifica-
tions; and
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‘‘(D) the air carrier commits to serving the 
communities for at least 2 years. 
‘‘(5) 
PRIORITIES.—The 
Secretary 
shall 
prioritize applications that— 
‘‘(A) would initiate new or reestablish air 
service in communities where air fares are high-
er than the average air fares for all commu-
nities; 
‘‘(B) are more likely to result in self-sus-
taining air service at the end of the program; 
‘‘(C) request a Federal share lower than 
50 percent; and 
‘‘(D) propose to use grant funds in a time-
ly fashion. 
‘‘(6) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of 
the cost of operating assistance provided under the 
program may not exceed 50 percent. 
‘‘(7) SUNSET.—This subsection shall cease to 
be effective on October 1, 2023.’’. 
SEC. 455. AIR TRANSPORTATION TO NONELIGIBLE PLACES. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 41731(a)(1)(A)(ii) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act 
for the 21st Century,’’ and inserting ‘‘FAA Extension, 
Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114–190),’’.
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(b) PROGRAM SUNSET.—Section 41736 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(h) SUNSET.— 
‘‘(1) PROPOSALS.—No proposal under sub-
section (a) may be accepted by the Secretary after 
the date of enactment of this subsection. 
‘‘(2) PROGRAM.—The Secretary may not pro-
vide any compensation under this section after the 
date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this subsection.’’. 
SEC. 456. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN FLIGHTS BY STAGE 
2 AIRPLANES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding section 47534 of 
title 49, United States Code, not late than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall initiate a 
pilot program to permit the operator of a Stage 2 airplane 
to operate that airplane in revenue and nonrevenue service 
into medium hub airports or nonhub airports if— 
(1) the airport— 
(A) is certified under part 139 of 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations; 
(B) has a runway that—
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(i) is longer than 8,000 feet and not 
less than 200 feet wide; and 
(ii) is load bearing with a pavement 
classification number of not less than 38; 
(C) has a maintenance facility with a 
maintenance certificate issued under part 145 
of such title; and 
(D) certifies annually to the Administrator 
that the airport intends to continue partici-
pating in the pilot program; 
(2) the operator of the Stage 2 airplane oper-
ates not more than 10 flights per month using that 
airplane; and 
(3) revenue flights will be limited to flights 
transporting specific and necessary equipment to 
maintain or improve the vital industry of small rural 
communities. 
(b) TERMINATION.—The regulations required by sub-
section (a) shall terminate on the earlier of— 
(1) the date that is 10 years after the date of 
the enactment of the Act; or 
(2) the date on which the Administrator deter-
mines that no Stage 2 airplane remain in service. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
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(1) MEDIUM HUB AIRPORT; NONHUB AIPORT.— 
The terms ‘‘medium hub airport’’ and ‘‘nonhub air-
port’’ have the meanings given those terms in sec-
tion 40102 of the title 49, United States Code. 
(2) STAGE 2 AIRPLANE.—The term ‘‘Stage 2 
airplane’’ has the meaning given that term in section 
91.851 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (as 
in effect on the day before the date of the enactment 
of this Act). 
TITLE V—MISCELLANEOUS 
SEC. 501. REVIEW OF FAA STRATEGIC CYBERSECURITY 
PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall initiate a review of 
the comprehensive and strategic framework of principles 
and policies (referred to in this section as the ‘‘frame-
work’’) developed pursuant to section 2111 of the FAA 
Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 
44903 note). 
(b) CONTENTS.—In undertaking the review under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall— 
(1) assess the degree to which the framework 
identifies and addresses known cybersecurity risks 
associated with the aviation system;
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(2) review existing short- and long-term objec-
tives for addressing cybersecurity risks to the na-
tional airspace system; and 
(3) assess the Administration’s level of engage-
ment and coordination with aviation stakeholders 
and other appropriate agencies, organizations, or 
groups with which the Administration consults to 
carry out the framework. 
(c) UPDATES.—Upon completion of the review under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall modify the frame-
work, as appropriate, to address any deficiencies identified 
by the review. 
(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 days 
after initiating the review required by subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of 
the review, including a description of any modifications 
made to the framework. 
SEC. 502. CONSOLIDATION AND REALIGNMENT OF FAA 
SERVICES AND FACILITIES. 
(a) PURPOSE AND INPUT.—Section 804(a) of the 
FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 
44501 note) is amended—
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(1) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘The purpose 
of the report shall be—’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘(B) to reduce’’ and inserting ‘‘The purpose 
of the report shall be to reduce’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(4) INPUT.—The report shall be prepared by 
the Administrator (or the Administrator’s designee) 
with the participation of— 
‘‘(A) representatives of labor organizations 
representing air traffic control system employ-
ees of the FAA; and 
‘‘(B) industry stakeholders.’’. 
(b) MILITARY OPERATIONS EXCLUSION.—Section 
804 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 
(49 U.S.C. 44501 note) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as sub-
section (f); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(e) MILITARY OPERATIONS EXCLUSION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may not 
realign or consolidate a combined TRACON and 
tower with radar facility of the FAA under this sec-
tion if, in 2015, the total annual military operations
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at the facility comprised at least 40 percent of the 
total annual TRACON operations at the facility. 
‘‘(2) TRACON DEFINED.—In this subsection, 
the term ‘TRACON’ means terminal radar approach 
control.’’. 
SEC. 503. FAA REVIEW AND REFORM. 
(a) AGENCY REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a de-
tailed analysis of any actions taken to address the findings 
and recommendations included in the report required 
under section 812(d) of the FAA Modernization and Re-
form Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 106 note), including— 
(1) consolidating, phasing-out, or eliminating 
duplicative positions, programs, roles, or offices; 
(2) eliminating or streamlining wasteful prac-
tices; 
(3) eliminating or phasing-out redundant, obso-
lete, or unnecessary functions; 
(4) reforming and streamlining inefficient proc-
esses so that the activities of the Administration are 
completed in an expedited and efficient manner; and
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(5) reforming or eliminating ineffectual or out-
dated policies. 
(b) ADDITIONAL
REVIEW.—Not later than 18 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator shall undertake and complete a thorough re-
view of each program, office, and organization within the 
Administration to identify— 
(1) duplicative positions, programs, roles, or of-
fices; 
(2) wasteful practices; 
(3) redundant, obsolete, or unnecessary func-
tions; 
(4) inefficient processes; and 
(5) ineffectual or outdated policies. 
(c) ACTIONS TO STREAMLINE AND REFORM FAA.— 
Not later than 60 days after the date of completion of 
the review under subsection (b), the Administrator shall 
undertake such actions as may be necessary to address 
the findings of the Administrator under such subsection. 
(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 120 days 
after the date of completion of the review under subsection 
(b), the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report on the actions
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taken by the Administrator pursuant to subsection (c), in-
cluding any recommendations for legislative or administra-
tive actions. 
SEC. 504. 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 
aircraft as a replacement for a leaded gasoline if the Ad-
ministrator— 
(1) determines that an unleaded aviation gaso-
line qualifies as a replacement for an approved lead-
ed gasoline; 
(2) identifies the aircraft and engines that are 
eligible to use the qualified replacement unleaded 
gasoline; 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 
process described in subsection (a)(3) not later than 180 
days after the later of— 
(1) the date of completion of the Piston Avia-
tion Fuels Initiative of the Administration; or
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(2) the date of publication of an American Soci-
ety for Testing and Materials Production Specifica-
tion for an unleaded aviation gasoline. 
(c) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative of the Ad-
ministration and the American Society for Testing and 
Materials should work to find an appropriate unleaded 
aviation gasoline by January 1, 2024. 
SEC. 505. RIGHT TO PRIVACY WHEN USING AIR TRAFFIC 
CONTROL SYSTEM. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall, 
upon request of a private aircraft owner or operator, block 
the registration number of the aircraft of the owner or 
operator from any public dissemination or display, except 
in data made available to a Government agency, for the 
noncommercial flights of the owner or operator. 
SEC. 506. AIR SHOWS. 
On an annual basis, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall work with representatives of 
Administration-approved air shows, the general aviation 
community, and stadiums and other large outdoor events 
and venues to identify and resolve, to the maximum extent 
practicable, scheduling conflicts between Administration-
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approved air shows and large outdoor events and venues 
where— 
(1) flight restrictions will be imposed pursuant 
to section 521 of title V of division F of Public Law 
108–199 (118 Stat. 343); or 
(2) any other restriction will be imposed pursu-
ant to Federal Aviation Administration Flight Data 
Center Notice to Airmen 4/3621 (or any successor 
notice to airmen). 
SEC. 507. PART 91 REVIEW, REFORM, AND STREAMLINING. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE.—Not later 
than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall establish a task force comprised of representatives 
of the general aviation industry who regularly perform 
part 91 operations, labor unions (including those rep-
resenting FAA aviation safety inspectors and FAA avia-
tion safety engineers), manufacturers, and the Govern-
ment to— 
(1) conduct an assessment of the FAA over-
sight and authorization processes and requirements 
for aircraft under part 91; and 
(2) make recommendations to streamline the 
applicable authorization and approval processes, im-
prove safety, and reduce regulatory cost burdens and
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delays for the FAA and aircraft owners and opera-
tors who operate pursuant to part 91. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the assessment and 
making recommendations under subsection (a), the task 
force shall consider— 
(1) process reforms and improvements to allow 
the FAA to review and approve applications in a fair 
and timely fashion; 
(2) the appropriateness of requiring an author-
ization for each experimental aircraft rather than 
using a broader all makes and models approach; 
(3) ways to improve the timely response to let-
ters of authorization applications for aircraft owners 
and operators who operate pursuant to part 91, in-
cluding setting deadlines and granting temporary or 
automatic authorizations if deadlines are missed by 
the FAA; 
(4) methods for enhancing the effective use of 
delegation systems; 
(5) methods for training the FAA’s field office 
employees in risk-based and safety management sys-
tem oversight; and 
(6) such other matters related to streamlining 
part 91 authorization and approval processes as the 
task force considers appropriate.
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(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the results 
of the task force’s assessment. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report shall include an 
explanation of how the Administrator will— 
(A) implement the recommendations of the 
task force; 
(B) measure progress in implementing the 
recommendations; and 
(C) measure the effectiveness of the imple-
mented recommendations. 
(d) IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not 
later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator shall implement the recommenda-
tions made under this section. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi-
nitions apply: 
(1) FAA.—The term ‘‘FAA’’ means the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration.
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(2) PART 91.—The term ‘‘part 91’’ means part 
91 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(f) APPLICABLE LAW.—Public Law 92–463 shall not 
apply to the task force. 
(g) SUNSET.—The task force shall terminate on the 
day the Administrator submits the report required under 
subsection (c). 
SEC. 508. 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 10 years. 
SEC. 509. AIR TRANSPORTATION OF LITHIUM CELLS AND 
BATTERIES. 
(a) COOPERATIVE EFFORTS TO ENSURE COMPLI-
ANCE WITH SAFETY REGULATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transpor-
tation, in coordination with appropriate Federal 
agencies, shall carry out cooperative efforts to en-
sure that shippers who offer lithium ion and lithium 
metal batteries for air transport to or from the 
United States comply with U.S. Hazardous Mate-
rials Regulations and ICAO Technical Instructions.
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(2) COOPERATIVE EFFORTS.—The cooperative 
efforts the Secretary shall carry out pursuant to 
paragraph (1) include the following: 
(A) Encouraging training programs at lo-
cations outside the United States from which 
substantial cargo shipments of lithium ion or 
lithium metal batteries originate for manufac-
turers, freight forwarders, and other shippers 
and potential shippers of lithium ion and lith-
ium metal batteries. 
(B) Working with Federal, regional, and 
international transportation agencies to ensure 
enforcement of U.S. Hazardous Materials Reg-
ulations and ICAO Technical Instructions with 
respect to shippers who offer noncompliant 
shipments of lithium ion and lithium metal bat-
teries. 
(C) Sharing information, as appropriate, 
with Federal, regional, and international trans-
portation agencies regarding noncompliant ship-
ments. 
(D) Pursuing a joint effort with the inter-
national aviation community to develop a proc-
ess to obtain assurances that appropriate en-
forcement actions are taken to reduce the likeli-
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•HR 4 EH1S 
hood of noncompliant shipments, especially with 
respect to jurisdictions in which enforcement 
activities historically have been limited. 
(E) Providing information in brochures 
and on the internet in appropriate foreign lan-
guages and dialects that describes the actions 
required to comply with U.S. Hazardous Mate-
rials Regulations and ICAO Technical Instruc-
tions. 
(F) Developing joint efforts with the inter-
national aviation community to promote a bet-
ter understanding of the requirements of and 
methods of compliance with U.S. Hazardous 
Materials Regulations and ICAO Technical In-
structions. 
(3) REPORTING.—Not later than 120 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, and annually 
thereafter for 2 years, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on compliance with the policy set 
forth in subsection (e) and the cooperative efforts 
carried out, or planned to be carried out, under this 
subsection.
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(b) LITHIUM BATTERY AIR SAFETY ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 60 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall establish, in accordance with the re-
quirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(5 U.S.C. App.), a lithium ion and lithium metal 
battery air safety advisory committee (in this sub-
section referred to as the ‘‘Committee’’). 
(2) DUTIES.—The Committee shall— 
(A) facilitate communication between man-
ufacturers of lithium ion and lithium metal cells 
and batteries, manufacturers of products incor-
porating both large and small lithium ion and 
lithium metal batteries, air carriers, and the 
Federal Government regarding the safe air 
transportation of lithium ion and lithium metal 
cells and batteries and the effectiveness and 
economic and social impacts of the regulation of 
such transportation; 
(B) provide the Secretary, the Federal 
Aviation Administration, and the Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 
with timely information about new lithium ion
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•HR 4 EH1S 
and lithium metal battery technology and trans-
portation safety practices and methodologies; 
(C) provide a forum for the Secretary to 
provide information on and to discuss the ac-
tivities of the Department of Transportation re-
lating to lithium ion and lithium metal battery 
transportation safety, the policies underlying 
the activities, and positions to be advocated in 
international forums; 
(D) provide a forum for the Secretary to 
provide information and receive advice on— 
(i) activities carried out throughout 
the world to communicate and enforce rel-
evant United States regulations and the 
ICAO Technical Instructions; and 
(ii) the effectiveness of the activities; 
(E) provide advice and recommendations to 
the Secretary with respect to lithium ion and 
lithium metal battery air transportation safety, 
including how best to implement activities to in-
crease awareness of relevant requirements and 
their importance to travelers and shippers; and 
(F) review methods to decrease the risk 
posed by air shipment of undeclared hazardous 
materials and efforts to educate those who pre-
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•HR 4 EH1S 
pare and offer hazardous materials for ship-
ment via air transport. 
(3) MEMBERSHIP.—The Committee shall be 
composed of the following members: 
(A) Individuals appointed by the Secretary 
to represent— 
(i) large volume manufacturers of lith-
ium ion and lithium metal cells and bat-
teries; 
(ii) domestic manufacturers of lithium 
ion and lithium metal batteries or battery 
packs; 
(iii) manufacturers of consumer prod-
ucts powered by lithium ion and lithium 
metal batteries; 
(iv) manufacturers of vehicles powered 
by lithium ion and lithium metal batteries; 
(v) marketers of products powered by 
lithium ion and lithium metal batteries; 
(vi) cargo air service providers based 
in the United States; 
(vii) passenger air service providers 
based in the United States;
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•HR 4 EH1S 
(viii) pilots and employees of air serv-
ice providers described in clauses (vi) and 
(vii); 
(ix) shippers of lithium ion and lith-
ium metal batteries for air transportation; 
(x) manufacturers of battery-powered 
medical devices or batteries used in med-
ical devices; and 
(xi) employees of the Department of 
Transportation, including employees of the 
Federal Aviation Administration and the 
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration. 
(B) Representatives of such other Govern-
ment departments and agencies as the Sec-
retary determines appropriate. 
(C) Any other individuals the Secretary de-
termines are appropriate to comply with Fed-
eral law. 
(4) REPORT.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 
days after the establishment of the Committee, 
the Committee shall submit to the Secretary, 
the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives, and
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the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report that— 
(i) describes and evaluates the steps 
being taken in the private sector and by 
international regulatory authorities to im-
plement and enforce requirements relating 
to the safe transportation by air of bulk 
shipments of lithium ion cells and bat-
teries; and 
(ii) identifies any areas of enforce-
ment or regulatory requirements for which 
there is consensus that greater attention is 
needed. 
(B) INDEPENDENT
STATEMENTS.—Each 
member of the Committee shall be provided an 
opportunity to submit an independent state-
ment of views with the report submitted pursu-
ant to subparagraph (A). 
(5) MEETINGS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Committee shall 
meet at the direction of the Secretary and at 
least twice a year. 
(B) PREPARATION FOR ICAO MEETINGS.— 
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Sec-
retary shall convene a meeting of the Com-
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•HR 4 EH1S 
mittee in connection with and in advance of 
each meeting of the International Civil Aviation 
Organization, or any of its panels or working 
groups, addressing the safety of air transpor-
tation of lithium ion and lithium metal batteries 
to brief Committee members on positions to be 
taken by the United States at such meeting and 
provide Committee members a meaningful op-
portunity to comment. 
(6) TERMINATION.—The Committee shall ter-
minate on the date that is 6 years after the date on 
which the Committee is established. 
(7) TERMINATION OF FUTURE OF AVIATION AD-
VISORY COMMITTEE.—The Future of Aviation Advi-
sory Committee shall terminate on the date on which 
the lithium ion battery air safety advisory committee 
is established. 
(c) MEDICAL DEVICE BATTERIES.— 
(1) LIMITED EXCEPTIONS TO RESTRICTIONS ON 
AIR
TRANSPORTATION
OF
MEDICAL
DEVICE
BAT-
TERIES.—The Secretary shall issue limited excep-
tions to the restrictions on transportation of lithium 
ion and lithium metal batteries to allow the ship-
ment on a passenger aircraft of not more than 2 re-
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•HR 4 EH1S 
placement batteries specifically used for a medical 
device if— 
(A) the intended destination of the bat-
teries is not serviced daily by cargo aircraft if 
a battery is required for medically necessary 
care; and 
(B) with regard to a shipper of lithium ion 
or lithium metal batteries for medical devices 
that cannot comply with a charge limitation in 
place at the time, each battery is— 
(i) individually packed in an inner 
packaging that completely encloses the bat-
tery; 
(ii) placed in a rigid outer packaging; 
and 
(iii) protected to prevent a short cir-
cuit. 
(2) MEDICAL DEVICE DEFINED.—ln this sub-
section, the term ‘‘medical device’’ means an instru-
ment, apparatus, implement, machine, contrivance, 
implant, or in vitro reagent, including any compo-
nent, part, or accessory thereof, which is intended 
for use in the diagnosis of disease or other condi-
tions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or pre-
vention of disease, in a person.
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(3) SAVINGS
CLAUSE.—Nothing in this sub-
section may be construed as expanding or restricting 
any authority of the Secretary under section 828 of 
the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 
(49 U.S.C. 44701 note). 
(d) PACKAGING IMPROVEMENTS.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary, in consultation with interested stakeholders, shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate an evaluation of current practices for the pack-
aging of lithium ion batteries and cells for air transpor-
tation, including recommendations, if any, to improve the 
packaging of such batteries and cells for air transportation 
in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner. 
(e) DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION POLICY ON 
INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION.—It shall be the pol-
icy of the Department of Transportation to support the 
participation of industry in all panels and working groups 
of the Dangerous Goods Panel of the International Civil 
Aviation Organization and any other international test or 
standard setting organization that considers proposals on 
the safety or transportation of lithium ion and lithium 
metal batteries in which the United States participates.
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(f) HARMONIZATION WITH ICAO TECHNICAL IN-
STRUCTIONS.—Pursuant to section 828 of the FAA Mod-
ernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 44701 
note), not later than 30 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall conform United States reg-
ulations on the air transport of lithium cells and batteries 
with the lithium cells and batteries requirements in the 
2015–2016 edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions 
(including all addenda), including the revised standards 
adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization 
that became effective on April 1, 2016. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi-
nitions apply: 
(1) ICAO 
TECHNICAL
INSTRUCTIONS.—The 
term ‘‘ICAO Technical Instructions’’ has the mean-
ing given that term in section 828(c) of the FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 
44701 note). 
(2) U.S. 
HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS
REGULA-
TIONS.—The term ‘‘U.S. Hazardous Materials Regu-
lations’’ means the regulations in parts 100 through 
177 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (includ-
ing amendments adopted after the date of enactment 
of this Act).
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SEC. 510. REMOTE TOWER PILOT PROGRAM FOR RURAL 
AND SMALL COMMUNITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall establish a pilot program under which, upon 
approval of an application submitted by an operator of a 
public-use airport, the Secretary shall install and operate 
at the airport a remote air traffic control tower in order 
to assess the operational benefits of remote air traffic con-
trol towers. 
(b) APPLICATIONS.—The operator of an airport seek-
ing to participate in the pilot program shall submit to the 
Secretary for approval an application that is in such form 
and contains such information as the Secretary may re-
quire. 
(c) SELECTION CRITERIA.— 
(1) SELECTION
OF
AIRPORTS.—From among 
the applications submitted under subsection (b), the 
Secretary, after consultation with representatives of 
labor organizations representing operators and em-
ployees of the air traffic control system, shall select 
for participation in the pilot program 7 airports as 
follows: 
(A) 1 nonhub, primary airport. 
(B) 3 nonprimary airports without existing 
air traffic control towers.
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•HR 4 EH1S 
(C) 2 airports with air traffic control tow-
ers participating in a program established 
under section 47124 of title 49, United States 
Code. 
(D) 1 airport selected at the discretion of 
the Secretary. 
(2) PRIORITY
SELECTION.—In selecting from 
among the applications submitted under subsection 
(b), the Secretary shall give priority to applicants 
that can best demonstrate the capabilities and po-
tential of remote air traffic control towers, including 
applicants proposing to operate multiple remote air 
traffic control towers from a single facility. 
(3) AUTHORITY TO REALLOCATE AIRPORT SE-
LECTION.—If the Secretary receives an insufficient 
number of applications, the Secretary may reallocate 
the distribution of airport sites described in para-
graph (1). 
(d) SAFETY RISK MANAGEMENT PANEL.— 
(1) SAFETY RISK MANAGEMENT PANEL MEET-
ING.—Prior to the operational use of a remote air 
traffic control tower, the Secretary shall convene a 
safety risk management panel for the tower to ad-
dress any safety issues with respect to the tower.
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•HR 4 EH1S 
(2) SAFETY RISK MANAGEMENT PANEL BEST 
PRACTICES.—The safety risk management panels 
shall be created and utilized in a manner similar to 
that of safety risk management panels previously es-
tablished for remote air traffic control towers, taking 
into account— 
(A) best practices that have been devel-
oped; and 
(B) operational data from remote air traf-
fic control towers located in the United States. 
(e) AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.—The pilot 
program shall be eligible for airport improvement funding 
under chapter 471 of title 49, United States Code. 
(f) POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF PROGRAM.—Not later 
than 30 days after the date that the first remote air traffic 
control tower is commissioned, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall establish a repeat-
able process by which future certified remote air traffic 
control tower systems may be commissioned at additional 
airports. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In this section, the following 
definitions apply: 
(A) AIR NAVIGATION FACILITY.—The term 
‘‘air navigation facility’’ has the meaning given
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•HR 4 EH1S 
that term in section 40102(a) of title 49, 
United States Code. 
(B) 
REMOTE
AIR
TRAFFIC
CONTROL 
TOWER.—The term ‘‘remote air traffic control 
tower’’ means a remotely operated air naviga-
tion facility, including all necessary system com-
ponents, that provides the functions and capa-
bilities of an air traffic control tower. 
(2) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER DEFINITIONS.— 
The terms ‘‘nonhub airport’’, ‘‘primary airport’’, and 
‘‘public-use airport’’ have the meanings given such 
terms in section 47102 of title 49, United States 
Code. 
(h) SUNSET.—The pilot program shall terminate on 
the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
SEC. 511. ENSURING FAA READINESS TO PROVIDE SEAM-
LESS OCEANIC OPERATIONS. 
Not later than September 30, 2018, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall make a final investment decision for 
the implementation of a reduced oceanic separation capa-
bility that, by March 31, 2019, shall be operational and 
in use providing capabilities at least equivalent to that of-
fered in neighboring airspace, and such service shall be
287 
•HR 4 EH1S 
provided in the same manner as terrestrial surveillance is 
provided. 
SEC. 512. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING WOMEN IN 
AVIATION. 
It is the sense of Congress that the aviation industry 
should explore all opportunities, including pilot training, 
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics edu-
cation, and mentorship programs, to encourage and sup-
port female students and aviators to pursue a career in 
aviation. 
SEC. 
513. 
OBSTRUCTION 
EVALUATION 
AERONAUTICAL 
STUDIES. 
The Secretary of Transportation may implement the 
policy set forth in the notice of proposed policy titled ‘‘Pro-
posal to Consider the Impact of One Engine Inoperative 
Procedures in Obstruction Evaluation Aeronautical Stud-
ies’’ published by the Department of Transportation on 
April 28, 2014 (79 Fed. Reg. 23300), only if the policy 
is adopted pursuant to a notice and comment rulemaking 
and, for purposes of Executive Order 12866 (5 U.S.C. 601 
note; relating to regulatory planning and review), is treat-
ed as a significant regulatory action within the scope of 
section 3(f)(1) of such Order.
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SEC. 514. AIRCRAFT LEASING. 
Section 44112(b) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘on land or water’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘operational’’ before ‘‘control’’. 
SEC. 515. 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 
Aviation Administration shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report on the National 
Test Equipment Program of the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Program’’). 
(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; 
(4) the Administrator’s recommendations for 
increasing multifunctionality in future test equip-
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ment and all known and foreseeable manufacturer 
technological advances; and 
(5) a plan to replace, as appropriate, obsolete 
test equipment throughout the service areas. 
SEC. 516. PILOTS SHARING FLIGHT EXPENSES WITH PAS-
SENGERS. 
(a) GUIDANCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall make 
publicly available, in a clear and concise format, ad-
visory guidance that describes how a pilot may share 
flight expenses with passengers in a manner con-
sistent with Federal law, including regulations. 
(2) EXAMPLES INCLUDED.—The guidance shall 
include examples of— 
(A) flights for which pilots and passengers 
may share expenses; 
(B) flights for which pilots and passengers 
may not share expenses; 
(C) the methods of communication that pi-
lots and passengers may use to arrange flights 
for which expenses are shared; and
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(D) the methods of communication that pi-
lots and passengers may not use to arrange 
flights for which expenses are shared. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date on which guidance is made publicly 
available under subsection (a), the Comptroller Gen-
eral of the United States shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate a report analyzing Federal policy with respect to 
pilots sharing flight expenses with passengers. 
(2) EVALUATIONS INCLUDED.—The report sub-
mitted under paragraph (1) shall include an evalua-
tion of— 
(A) the rationale for such Federal policy; 
(B) safety and other concerns related to 
pilots sharing flight expenses with passengers; 
and 
(C) benefits related to pilots sharing flight 
expenses with passengers.
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SEC. 517. AVIATION RULEMAKING COMMITTEE FOR PART 
135 PILOT REST AND DUTY RULES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall convene an aviation 
rulemaking committee to review, and develop findings and 
recommendations regarding, pilot rest and duty rules 
under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(b) DUTIES.—The Administrator shall— 
(1) not later than 2 years after the date of en-
actment of this Act, submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
based on the findings of the aviation rulemaking 
committee; and 
(2) not later than 1 year after the date of sub-
mission of the report under paragraph (1), issue a 
notice of proposed rulemaking based on any con-
sensus recommendations reached by the aviation 
rulemaking committee. 
(c) COMPOSITION.—The aviation rulemaking com-
mittee shall consist of members appointed by the Adminis-
trator, including— 
(1) representatives of industry;
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(2) representatives of aviation labor organiza-
tions, including collective bargaining units rep-
resenting pilots who are covered by part 135 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, and subpart K of 
part 91 of such title; and 
(3) aviation safety experts with specific knowl-
edge of flight crewmember education and training 
requirements under part 135 of such title. 
(d) CONSIDERATIONS.—The Administrator shall di-
rect the aviation rulemaking committee to consider— 
(1) recommendations of prior part 135 rule-
making committees; 
(2) accommodations necessary for small busi-
nesses; 
(3) scientific data derived from aviation-related 
fatigue and sleep research; 
(4) data gathered from aviation safety reporting 
programs; 
(5) the need to accommodate the diversity of 
operations conducted under part 135; and 
(6) other items, as appropriate. 
SEC. 518. METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON AIRPORTS AU-
THORITY. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that—
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(1) the Metropolitan Washington Airports Au-
thority (in this section referred to as ‘‘MWAA’’), 
which operates Ronald Reagan Washington National 
Airport and Dulles International Airport by lease 
with the Department of Transportation, has rou-
tinely performed poorly on audits conducted by the 
Inspector General of the Department of Transpor-
tation; 
(2) the responsible stewardship of taxpayer- 
owned assets by MWAA is of great concern to Con-
gress; 
(3) a March 20, 2015, audit conducted by the 
Inspector General titled ‘‘MWAA’s Office of Audit 
Does Not Have an Adequate Quality Assurance and 
Improvement Program’’ (Report No. ZA–2015–035) 
found that MWAA’s quality assurance and improve-
ment program did not conform with the standards 
of the Institute of Internal Auditors; and 
(4) the Inspector General’s audit made 7 rec-
ommendations to strengthen MWAA governance, its 
Office of Audit, and its quality assurance and im-
provement program. 
(b) IMPLEMENTING AUDIT RECOMMENDATIONS.— 
(1) STUDY.—The Inspector General of the De-
partment of Transportation shall conduct a study on
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MWAA’s progress in implementing the recommenda-
tions of the audit referred to in subsection (a). 
(2) REPORT.—The Inspector General shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on the study, including 
the Inspector General’s findings, conclusions, and 
recommendations for strengthening and improving 
MWAA’s Office of Audit. 
SEC. 519. TERMINAL AERODROME FORECAST. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall permit a covered air carrier 
to operate to or from a location in a noncontiguous State 
without a Terminal Aerodrome Forecast or Meteorological 
Aerodrome Report if— 
(1) such location is determined to be under vis-
ual meteorological conditions; 
(2) a current Area Forecast, supplemented by 
other local weather observations or reports, is avail-
able; and 
(3) an alternate airport that has an available 
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast and weather report is 
specified. 
(b) PROCEDURES.—A covered air carrier shall—
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(1) have approved procedures for dispatch or 
release and enroute weather evaluation; and 
(2) operate under instrument flight rules 
enroute to the destination. 
(c) COVERED AIR CARRIER DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘covered air carrier’’ means an air carrier 
operating in a noncontiguous State under part 121 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 520. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION EMPLOY-
EES STATIONED ON GUAM. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration and the Secretary of Defense should 
seek an agreement that would enable Federal Avia-
tion Administration employees stationed on Guam to 
have access to Department of Defense hospitals, 
commissaries, and exchanges on Guam; 
(2) access to these facilities is important to en-
sure the health and well-being of Federal Aviation 
Administration employees and their families; and 
(3) in exchange for this access, the Federal 
Aviation Administration should make payments to 
cover the applicable administrative costs incurred by 
the Department of Defense in carrying out the 
agreement.
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SEC. 521. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
(a) AIRPORT CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS 
AT CONGESTED AIRPORTS.—Section 40104(c) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘section 
47176’’ and inserting ‘‘section 47175’’. 
(b) 
PASSENGER
FACILITY
CHARGES.—Section 
40117(a)(5) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘charge or charge’’ and inserting ‘‘charge’’. 
(c) OVERFLIGHTS
OF NATIONAL PARKS.—Section 
40128(a)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘under part 91 of the title 14,’’ and inserting 
‘‘under part 91 of title 14,’’. 
(d) PLANS TO ADDRESS NEEDS OF FAMILIES OF 
PASSENGERS INVOLVED IN FOREIGN AIR CARRIER ACCI-
DENTS.—Section 41313(c)(16) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ‘‘An assurance that the for-
eign air carrier’’ and inserting ‘‘An assurance that’’. 
(e) OPERATIONS OF CARRIERS.—The analysis for 
chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 41718 and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘41718. Special rules for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.’’. 
(f) SCHEDULES FOR CERTAIN TRANSPORTATION OF 
MAIL.—Section 41902(a) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘section 41906’’ and inserting 
‘‘section 41905’’.
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(g) WEIGHING MAIL.—Section 41907 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘and’’ and 
all that follows through ‘‘administrative’’ and inserting 
‘‘and administrative’’. 
(h) STRUCTURES INTERFERING WITH AIR COM-
MERCE OR NATIONAL SECURITY.—Section 44718(b)(1) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) 
by striking ‘‘air navigation facilities and equipment’’ 
and inserting ‘‘air or space navigation facilities and 
equipment’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) in clause (v) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(B) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause 
(vii); and 
(C) by inserting after clause (v) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(vi) the impact on launch and re-
entry for launch and reentry vehicles arriv-
ing or departing from a launch site or re-
entry site licensed by the Secretary of 
Transportation; and’’. 
(i) FEES INVOLVING AIRCRAFT NOT PROVIDING AIR 
TRANSPORTATION.—Section 45302 of title 49, United
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•HR 4 EH1S 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘44703(f)(2)’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘44703(g)(2)’’. 
(j) CHAPTER 465.—The analysis for chapter 465 of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking the 
following: 
‘‘46503. Repealed.’’. 
(k) SOLICITATION
AND CONSIDERATION
OF COM-
MENTS.—Section 47171(l) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘4371’’ and inserting ‘‘4321’’. 
(l) ADJUSTMENTS TO COMPENSATION FOR SIGNIFI-
CANTLY INCREASED COSTS.—Section 426 of the FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) (49 U.S.C. 41737 note) by 
striking ‘‘Secretary’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary of 
Transportation’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c) (49 U.S.C. 41731 note) by 
striking ‘‘the Secretary may waive’’ and inserting 
‘‘the Secretary of Transportation may waive’’. 
(m) AIRCRAFT DEPARTURE QUEUE MANAGEMENT 
PILOT PROGRAM.—Section 507(a) of the FAA Moderniza-
tion and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 44505 note) is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 48101(a)’’ and inserting 
‘‘section 48101(a) of title 49, United States Code,’’.
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SEC. 522. APPLICATION OF VETERANS’ PREFERENCE TO 
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION PER-
SONNEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. 
Section 40122(g)(2)(B) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘3304(f),’’ before ‘‘3308- 
3320’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘3330a, 3330b, 3330c, and 
3330d,’’ before ‘‘relating’’. 
SEC. 523. PUBLIC AIRCRAFT ELIGIBLE FOR LOGGING 
FLIGHT TIMES. 
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration 
shall 
issue 
regulations 
modifying 
section 
61.51(j)(4) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, so 
as to include aircraft under the direct operational control 
of forestry and fire protection agencies as public aircraft 
eligible for logging flight times. 
SEC. 524. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION WORK-
FORCE REVIEW. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall conduct a review to assess the 
workforce and training needs of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration (in this section referred to as the ‘‘FAA’’) 
in the anticipated budgetary environment.
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•HR 4 EH1S 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the review, the 
Comptroller General shall— 
(1) identify the long-term workforce and train-
ing needs of the FAA workforce; 
(2) assess the impact of automation, digitaliza-
tion, and artificial intelligence on the FAA work-
force; 
(3) analyze the skills and qualifications required 
of the FAA workforce for successful performance in 
the current and future projected aviation environ-
ment; 
(4) review current performance incentive poli-
cies of the FAA, including awards for performance; 
(5) analyze ways in which the FAA can work 
with industry and labor, including labor groups rep-
resenting the FAA workforce, to establish knowl-
edge-sharing opportunities between the FAA and the 
aviation industry regarding new equipment and sys-
tems, best practices, and other areas of interest; and 
(6) develop recommendations on the most effec-
tive qualifications, training programs (including e- 
learning training), and performance incentive ap-
proaches to address the needs of the future pro-
jected aviation regulatory system in the anticipated 
budgetary environment.
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(c) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on the results of the review. 
SEC. 525. STATE TAXATION. 
Section 40116(d)(2)(A) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(v) except as otherwise provided under section 
47133, levy or collect a tax, fee, or charge, first tak-
ing effect after the date of enactment of this clause, 
upon any business located at a commercial service 
airport or operating as a permittee of such an air-
port that is not generally imposed on sales or serv-
ices by that State, political subdivision, or authority 
unless wholly utilized for airport or aeronautical pur-
poses.’’. 
SEC. 526. AVIATION AND AEROSPACE WORKFORCE OF THE 
FUTURE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) in 2016, United States air carriers carried 
a record high number of passengers on domestic 
flights, 719 million passengers;
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•HR 4 EH1S 
(2) the United States aerospace and defense in-
dustry employed 1.7 million workers in 2015, or 
roughly 2 percent of the Nation’s total employment 
base; 
(3) the average salary of an employee in the 
aerospace and defense industry is 44 percent above 
the national average; 
(4) in 2015, the aerospace and defense industry 
contributed nearly $202.4 billion in value added to 
the United States economy; 
(5) an effective aviation industry relies on indi-
viduals with unique skill sets, many of which can be 
directly obtained through career and technical edu-
cation opportunities; and 
(6) industry and the Federal Government have 
taken some actions to attract qualified individuals to 
careers in aviation and aerospace and to retain 
qualified individuals in such careers. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) public and private education institutions 
should make available to students and parents infor-
mation on approved programs of study and career 
pathways, including career exploration, work-based 
learning opportunities, dual and concurrent enroll-
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•HR 4 EH1S 
ment opportunities, and guidance and advisement 
resources; 
(2) public and private education institutions 
should partner with aviation and aerospace compa-
nies to promote career paths available within the in-
dustry and share information on the unique benefits 
and opportunities the career paths offer; 
(3) aviation companies, including air carriers, 
manufacturers, commercial space companies, un-
manned aircraft system companies, and repair sta-
tions, should create opportunities, through appren-
ticeships or other mechanisms, to attract young peo-
ple to aviation and aerospace careers and to enable 
individuals to gain the critical skills needed to thrive 
in such professions; and 
(4) the Federal Government should consider the 
needs of men and women interested in pursuing ca-
reers in the aviation and aerospace industry, the 
long-term personnel needs of the aviation and aero-
space industry, and the role of aviation in the 
United States economy in the creation and adminis-
tration of educational and financial aid programs.
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SEC. 527. FUTURE AVIATION AND AEROSPACE WORKFORCE 
STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall conduct a study— 
(1) to identify the factors influencing the supply 
of individuals pursuing a career in the aviation or 
aerospace industry; and 
(2) to identify best practices or programs to 
incentivize, recruit, and retain young people in avia-
tion and aerospace professions. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—The Comptroller General shall 
conduct the study in consultation with— 
(1) appropriate Federal agencies; and 
(2) the aviation and aerospace industry, institu-
tions of higher education, and labor stakeholders. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate a report on the results of the study and 
related recommendations.
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SEC. 528. FAA LEADERSHIP ON CIVIL SUPERSONIC AIR-
CRAFT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall exercise leadership in the 
creation of Federal and international policies, regulations, 
and standards relating to the certification and safe and 
efficient operation of civil supersonic aircraft. 
(b) EXERCISE
OF LEADERSHIP.—In carrying out 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall— 
(1) consider the needs of the aerospace industry 
and other stakeholders when creating policies, regu-
lations, and standards that enable the safe commer-
cial deployment of civil supersonic aircraft tech-
nology and the safe and efficient operation of civil 
supersonic aircraft; and 
(2) obtain the input of aerospace industry 
stakeholders regarding— 
(A) the appropriate regulatory framework 
and timeline for permitting the safe and effi-
cient operation of civil supersonic aircraft with-
in United States airspace, including updating or 
modifying existing regulations on such oper-
ation; 
(B) issues related to standards and regula-
tions for the type certification and safe oper-
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•HR 4 EH1S 
ation of civil supersonic aircraft, including noise 
certification, including— 
(i) the operational differences between 
subsonic aircraft and supersonic aircraft; 
(ii) costs and benefits associated with 
landing and takeoff noise requirements for 
civil supersonic aircraft, including impacts 
on aircraft emissions; 
(iii) public and economic benefits of 
the operation of civil supersonic aircraft 
and associated aerospace industry activity; 
and 
(iv) challenges relating to ensuring 
that standards and regulations aimed at 
relieving and protecting the public health 
and welfare from aircraft noise and sonic 
booms are economically reasonable, techno-
logically practicable, and appropriate for 
civil supersonic aircraft; and 
(C) other issues identified by the Adminis-
trator or the aerospace industry that must be 
addressed to enable the safe commercial deploy-
ment and safe and efficient operation of civil 
supersonic aircraft.
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(c) INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP.—The Adminis-
trator, in the appropriate international forums, shall take 
actions that— 
(1) demonstrate global leadership under sub-
section (a); 
(2) address the needs of the aerospace industry 
identified under subsection (b); and 
(3) protect the public health and welfare. 
(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report detailing— 
(1) the Administrator’s actions to exercise lead-
ership in the creation of Federal and international 
policies, regulations, and standards relating to the 
certification and safe and efficient operation of civil 
supersonic aircraft; 
(2) planned, proposed, and anticipated actions 
to update or modify existing policies and regulations 
related to civil supersonic aircraft, including those 
identified as a result of industry consultation and 
feedback; and
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(3) a timeline for any actions to be taken to up-
date or modify existing policies and regulations re-
lated to civil supersonic aircraft. 
SEC. 529. OKLAHOMA REGISTRY OFFICE. 
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall consider the aircraft registry office in Okla-
homa City, Oklahoma, as excepted during a Government 
shutdown or emergency (as it provides excepted services) 
to ensure that it remains open during any Government 
shutdown or emergency. 
SEC. 530. FOREIGN AIR TRANSPORTATION UNDER UNITED 
STATES-EUROPEAN UNION AIR TRANSPORT 
AGREEMENT. 
(a) CERTAIN FOREIGN AIR TRANSPORTATION PER-
MITS.—The Secretary of Transportation may not issue a 
permit under section 41302 of title 49, United States 
Code, or an exemption under section 40109 of such title, 
authorizing a person to provide foreign air transportation 
as a foreign air carrier under the United States-European 
Union Air Transport Agreement of April 2007 (as amend-
ed) in a proceeding in which the applicability of Article 
17 bis of such Agreement has been raised by an interested 
person, unless the Secretary— 
(1) finds that issuing the permit or exemption 
would be consistent with the intent set forth in Arti-
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•HR 4 EH1S 
cle 17 bis of the Agreement, that opportunities cre-
ated by the Agreement do not undermine labor 
standards or the labor-related rights and principles 
contained in the laws of the respective parties to the 
Agreement; and 
(2) imposes on the permit or exemption such 
conditions as may be necessary to ensure that the 
person complies with the intent of Article 17 bis. 
(b) PUBLIC INTEREST TEST.—Section 41302(2) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘under an 
agreement with the United States Government; or’’ 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘the for-
eign air transportation’’ and inserting ‘‘after consid-
ering the totality of the circumstances, including the 
factors set forth in section 40101(a), the foreign air 
transportation’’. 
(c) PUBLIC INTEREST REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) POLICY.—Section 40101(a) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(17) preventing entry into United States mar-
kets by flag of convenience carriers.’’.
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•HR 4 EH1S 
(2) INTERNATIONAL
AIR
TRANSPORTATION.— 
Section 40101(e)(9) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(A) in subparagraph (D) by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (E) by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) erosion of labor standards associated 
with flag of convenience carriers.’’. 
(3) FLAG
OF
CONVENIENCE
CARRIER
DE-
FINED.—Section 40102(a) of title 49, United States 
Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(54) ‘flag of convenience carrier’ means a for-
eign air carrier that is established in a country other 
than the home country of its majority owner or own-
ers in order to avoid regulations of the home coun-
try.’’. 
SEC. 531. TRAINING ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING FOR CER-
TAIN STAFF. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 447 of title 49, United 
States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following:
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‘‘§ 44738. Training on human trafficking for certain 
staff 
‘‘In addition to other training requirements, each air 
carrier shall provide training— 
‘‘(1) to ticket counter agents, gate agents, and 
other air carrier workers whose jobs require regular 
interaction with passengers; and 
‘‘(2) on recognizing and responding to potential 
human trafficking victims.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 447 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by 
this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘44738. Training on human trafficking for certain staff.’’. 
SEC. 532. PART 107 IMPLEMENTATION IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall publish a direct 
final rule— 
(1) revising section 107.205 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations, by striking the second sentence 
of subsections (a) and (c); and 
(2) revising section 107.25 of such title by 
striking ‘‘and is not transporting another person’s 
property for compensation or hire’’.
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•HR 4 EH1S 
(b) DETERMINATION OF WAIVER.—In determining 
whether to grant a waiver under part 107 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations, to authorize transportation of an-
other’s property for compensation or hire beyond the vis-
ual line of sight of the remote pilot, from a moving vehicle, 
or over people, the Administrator shall consider the tech-
nological capabilities of the unmanned aircraft system, the 
qualifications of the remote pilot, and the operational envi-
ronment. 
SEC. 533. PART 107 TRANSPARENCY AND TECHNOLOGY IM-
PROVEMENTS. 
(a) TRANSPARENCY.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall publish on the 
Federal Aviation Administration website a representative 
sample of the safety justifications, offered by applicants 
for small unmanned aircraft system waivers and airspace 
authorizations, that have been approved by the Adminis-
tration for each regulation waived or class of airspace au-
thorized, except that any published justification shall not 
reveal proprietary or commercially sensitive information. 
(b) TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS.—Not later than 
90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator shall revise the online waiver and certificates 
of authorization processes—
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•HR 4 EH1S 
(1) to provide real time confirmation that an 
application filed online has been received by the Ad-
ministration; and 
(2) to provide an applicant with an opportunity 
to review the status of the applicant’s application. 
SEC. 534. PROHIBITIONS AGAINST SMOKING ON PAS-
SENGER FLIGHTS. 
Section 41706 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as sub-
section (e); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(d) ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES.— 
‘‘(1) INCLUSION.—The use of an electronic cig-
arette shall be treated as smoking for purposes of 
this section. 
‘‘(2) ELECTRONIC
CIGARETTE
DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘electronic cigarette’ means a 
device that delivers nicotine to a user of the device 
in the form of a vapor that is inhaled to simulate 
the experience of smoking.’’.
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•HR 4 EH1S 
SEC. 535. CONSUMER PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS RELAT-
ING TO LARGE TICKET AGENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall issue a final rule to require large ticket agents 
to adopt minimum customer service standards. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the final rule shall be 
to ensure that, to the maximum extent practicable, there 
is a consistent level of consumer protection regardless of 
where consumers purchase air fares and related air trans-
portation services. 
(c) STANDARDS.—In issuing the final rule, the Sec-
retary shall consider, at a minimum, establishing stand-
ards for— 
(1) providing prompt refunds when ticket re-
funds are due, including fees for optional services 
that consumers purchased but were not able to use 
due to a flight cancellation or oversale situation; 
(2) providing an option to hold a reservation at 
the quoted fare without payment, or to cancel with-
out penalty, for 24 hours; 
(3) disclosing cancellation policies, seating con-
figurations, and lavatory availability with respect to 
flights; 
(4) notifying customers in a timely manner of 
itinerary changes; and
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•HR 4 EH1S 
(5) responding promptly to customer com-
plaints. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following shall 
apply: 
(1) TICKET AGENT.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), the term ‘‘ticket agent’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 40102(a) of 
title 49, United States Code. 
(B) INCLUSION.—The term ‘‘ticket agent’’ 
includes a person who acts as an intermediary 
involved in the sale of air transportation di-
rectly or indirectly to consumers, including by 
operating an electronic airline information sys-
tem, if the person— 
(i) holds the person out as a source of 
information about, or reservations for, the 
air transportation industry; and 
(ii) receives compensation in any way 
related to the sale of air transportation. 
(2) LARGE TICKET AGENT.—The term ‘‘large 
ticket agent’’ means a ticket agent with annual reve-
nues of $100,000,000 or more.
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SEC. 536. FAA DATA TRANSPARENCY. 
Section 45303 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) DATA TRANSPARENCY.— 
‘‘(1) AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES INITIAL DATA RE-
PORT.— 
‘‘(A) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than 6 
months after the date of enactment of the FAA 
Reauthorization Act of 2018, the Administrator 
and the Chief Operating Officer of the Air 
Traffic Organization shall, based upon the most 
recently available full fiscal year data, complete 
the following calculations for each segment of 
air traffic services users: 
‘‘(i) The total costs allocable to the 
use of air traffic services for that segment 
during such fiscal year. 
‘‘(ii) The total revenues received from 
that segment during such fiscal year. 
‘‘(B) VALIDATION OF MODEL.— 
‘‘(i) REVIEW AND DETERMINATION.— 
Not later than 3 months after completion 
of the initial report required under sub-
paragraph (A), the Inspector General of 
the Department of Transportation shall re-
view and determine the validity of the
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model used by the Administrator and the 
Chief Operating Officer to complete the 
calculations required under subparagraph 
(A). 
‘‘(ii) VALIDATION
PROCESS.—In the 
event that the Inspector General deter-
mines that the model used by the Adminis-
trator and the Chief Operating Officer to 
complete the calculations required by sub-
paragraph (A) is not valid— 
‘‘(I) the Inspector General shall 
provide the Administrator and Chief 
Operating Officer recommendations 
on how to revise the model; 
‘‘(II) the Administrator and the 
Chief Operating Officer shall complete 
the calculations required by subpara-
graph (A) utilizing the revised model 
and resubmit the revised initial report 
required under subparagraph (A) to 
the Inspector General; and 
‘‘(III) not later than 3 months 
after completion of the revised initial 
report required under subparagraph 
(A), the Inspector General shall re-
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view and determine the validity of the 
revised model used by the Adminis-
trator and the Chief Operating Officer 
to complete the calculations required 
by subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(iii) ACCESS TO DATA.—The Admin-
istrator and the Chief Operating Officer 
shall provide the Inspector General of the 
Department of Transportation with unfet-
tered access to all data produced by the 
cost accounting system operated and main-
tained pursuant to subsection (e). 
‘‘(C) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.—Not later 
than 60 days after completion of the review and 
receiving a determination that the model used is 
valid under subparagraph (B), the Adminis-
trator and the Chief Operating Officer shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, the Committee on Appropria-
tions, and the Committee on Ways and Means 
of the House of Representatives, and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation, the Committee on Appropriations, and 
the Committee on Finance of the Senate a re-
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port describing the results of the calculations 
completed under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(D) PUBLICATION.—Not later than 60 
days after submission of the report required 
under subparagraph (C), the Administrator and 
Chief Operating Officer shall publish the initial 
report, including any revision thereto if required 
as a result of the validation process for the 
model. 
‘‘(2) AIR
TRAFFIC
SERVICES
BIENNIAL
DATA 
REPORTING.— 
‘‘(A) BIENNIAL
DATA
REPORTING.—Not 
later than March 31, 2019, and biennially 
thereafter for 8 years, the Administrator and 
the Chief Operating Officer shall, using the 
validated model, complete the following calcula-
tions for each segment of air traffic services 
users for the most recent full fiscal year: 
‘‘(i) The total costs allocable to the 
use of the air traffic services for that seg-
ment. 
‘‘(ii) The total revenues received from 
that segment. 
‘‘(B) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.—Not later 
than 15 days after completing the calculations
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under subparagraph (A), the Administrator and 
the Chief Operating Officer shall complete and 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, the Committee on Appropria-
tions, and the Committee on Ways and Means 
of the House of Representatives, and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation, the Committee on Appropriations, and 
the Committee on Finance of the Senate a re-
port containing the results of such calculations. 
‘‘(C) PUBLICATION.—Not later than 60 
days after completing the calculations pursuant 
to subparagraph (A), the Administrator and the 
Chief Operating Officer shall publish the results 
of such calculations. 
‘‘(3) SEGMENTS
OF
AIR
TRAFFIC
SERVICES 
USERS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of this 
subsection, each of the following shall constitute 
a separate segment of air traffic services users: 
‘‘(i) Passenger air carriers conducting 
operations under part 121 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations. 
‘‘(ii) All-cargo air carriers conducting 
operations under part 121 of such title.
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‘‘(iii) Operators covered by part 125 
of such title. 
‘‘(iv) Air carriers and operators of pis-
ton-engine aircraft operating under part 
135 of such title. 
‘‘(v) Air carriers and operators of tur-
bine-engine aircraft operating under part 
135 of such title. 
‘‘(vi) Foreign air carriers providing 
passenger air transportation. 
‘‘(vii) Foreign air carriers providing 
all-cargo air transportation. 
‘‘(viii) Operators of turbine-engine air-
craft operating under part 91 of such title, 
excluding those operating under subpart 
(K) of such part. 
‘‘(ix) Operators of piston-engine air-
craft operating under part 91 of such title, 
excluding those operating under subpart 
(K) of such part. 
‘‘(x) Operators covered by subpart (K) 
of part 91 of such title. 
‘‘(xi) Operators covered by part 133 
of such title.
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‘‘(xii) Operators covered by part 136 
of such title. 
‘‘(xiii) Operators covered by part 137 
of such title. 
‘‘(xiv) Operators of public aircraft 
that qualify under section 40125. 
‘‘(xv) Operators of aircraft that nei-
ther take off from, nor land in, the United 
States. 
‘‘(B) ADDITIONAL
SEGMENTS.—The Sec-
retary may identify and include additional seg-
ments of air traffic users under paragraph (A) 
as revenue and air traffic services cost data be-
comes available for that additional segment of 
air traffic services users. 
‘‘(4) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this sub-
section: 
‘‘(A) AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES.—The term 
‘air traffic services’ means services— 
‘‘(i) used for the monitoring, direct-
ing, control, and guidance of aircraft or 
flows of aircraft and for the safe conduct 
of flight, including communications, navi-
gation, and surveillance services and provi-
sion of aeronautical information; and
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•HR 4 EH1S 
‘‘(ii) provided directly, or contracted 
for, by the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion. 
‘‘(B) AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES USER.—The 
term ‘air traffic services user’ means any indi-
vidual or entity using air traffic services pro-
vided directly, or contracted for, by the Federal 
Aviation Administration within United States 
airspace or international airspace delegated to 
the United States.’’. 
SEC. 537. AGENCY PROCUREMENT REPORTING REQUIRE-
MENTS. 
Section 40110(d) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) ANNUAL REPORT ON THE PURCHASE OF 
FOREIGN MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.— 
‘‘(A) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days 
after the end of the fiscal year, the Secretary 
of Transportation shall submit a report to Con-
gress on the dollar amount of the acquisitions 
made by the agency from entities that manufac-
ture the articles, materials, or supplies outside 
of the United States in such fiscal year. 
‘‘(B) CONTENTS.—The report required by 
subparagraph (A) shall separately indicate—
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•HR 4 EH1S 
‘‘(i) the dollar value of any articles, 
materials, or supplies purchased that were 
manufactured outside of the United States; 
and 
‘‘(ii) a summary of the total procure-
ment funds spent on goods manufactured 
in the United States versus funds spent on 
goods manufactured outside of the United 
States. 
‘‘(C) AVAILABILITY OF REPORT.—The Sec-
retary shall make the report under subpara-
graph (A) publicly available on the agency’s 
website not later than 30 days after submission 
to Congress.’’. 
SEC. 538. ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES AND TECHNOLOGY. 
(a) PASSENGER FACILITY CHARGE ELIGIBILITY.— 
Section 40117(a)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(H) A project for— 
‘‘(i) converting or retrofitting vehicles 
and ground support equipment into eligible 
zero-emission vehicles and equipment (as 
defined in section 47102); or
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•HR 4 EH1S 
‘‘(ii) acquiring, by purchase or lease, 
eligible zero-emission vehicles and equip-
ment (as defined in section 47102).’’. 
(b) 
AIRPORT
IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM
ELIGI-
BILITY.— 
(1) AIRPORT
DEVELOPMENT
DEFINED.—Sec-
tion 47102(3) of title 49, United States Code, as 
amended by this Act, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(P) converting or retrofitting vehicles and 
ground support equipment into eligible zero- 
emission vehicles and equipment or acquiring, 
by purchase or lease, eligible zero-emission vehi-
cles and equipment. 
‘‘(Q) constructing or modifying airport fa-
cilities to install a microgrid in order to provide 
increased resilience to severe weather, ter-
rorism, and other causes of grid failures.’’. 
(2) ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS.—Section 47102 
of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this 
Act, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(30) ‘eligible zero-emission vehicle and equip-
ment’ means a zero-emission vehicle, equipment re-
lated to such a vehicle, and ground support equip-
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•HR 4 EH1S 
ment that includes zero-emission technology that 
is— 
‘‘(A) used exclusively at a commercial serv-
ice airport; or 
‘‘(B) used exclusively to transport people 
or materials to and from a commercial service 
airport. 
‘‘(31) ‘microgrid’ means a localized grouping of 
electricity sources and loads that normally operates 
connected to and synchronous with the traditional 
centralized electrical grid, but can disconnect and 
function autonomously as physical or economic con-
ditions dictate. 
‘‘(32) ‘zero-emission vehicle’ means a zero-emis-
sion vehicle as defined in section 88.102–94 of title 
40, Code of Federal Regulations, or a vehicle that 
produces zero exhaust emissions of any criteria pol-
lutant (or precursor pollutant) under any possible 
operational modes and conditions.’’. 
(3) SPECIAL
APPORTIONMENT
CATEGORIES.— 
Section 47117(e)(1)(A) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘for airport develop-
ment described in section 47102(3)(P),’’ after 
‘‘under section 47141,’’.
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(c) ZERO-EMISSION PROGRAM.—Chapter 471 of title 
49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking section 47136; 
(2) by redesignating section 47136a as section 
47136; and 
(3) in section 47136, as so redesignated, by 
striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
may establish a pilot program under which the sponsors 
of not less than 10 public-use airports may use funds 
made available under this chapter or section 48103 for 
use at such airports to carry out— 
‘‘(1) activities associated with the acquisition, 
by purchase or lease, and operation of zero-emission 
vehicles, including removable power sources for such 
vehicles; and 
‘‘(2) the construction or modification of infra-
structure to facilitate the delivery of fuel and serv-
ices necessary for the use of such vehicles. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.—A public-use airport is eligible 
for participation in the program if the vehicles or ground 
support equipment are— 
‘‘(1) used exclusively at the airport; or
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•HR 4 EH1S 
‘‘(2) used exclusively to transport people or ma-
terials to and from the airport.’’; 
(4) in section 47136, as so redesignated, by 
striking subsections (d) and (e) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(d) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the 
cost of a project carried out under the program shall be 
the Federal share specified in section 47109. 
‘‘(e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The sponsor of a public-use 
airport may use not more than 10 percent of the 
amounts made available to the sponsor under the 
program in any fiscal year for— 
‘‘(A) technical assistance; and 
‘‘(B) project management support to assist 
the airport with the solicitation, acquisition, 
and deployment of zero-emission vehicles, re-
lated equipment, and supporting infrastructure. 
‘‘(2) PROVIDERS OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
To receive the technical assistance or project man-
agement support described in paragraph (1), partici-
pants in the program may use— 
‘‘(A) a nonprofit organization selected by 
the Secretary; or
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•HR 4 EH1S 
‘‘(B) a university transportation center re-
ceiving grants under section 5505 in the region 
of the airport.’’; 
(5) in section 47136, as so redesignated, in sub-
section (f) by striking ‘‘section 47136’’ and inserting 
‘‘the inherently low emission airport vehicle pilot 
program’’; and 
(6) in section 47136, as so redesignated, by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) ALLOWABLE PROJECT COST.—The allowable 
project cost for the acquisition of a zero-emission vehicle 
shall be the total cost of purchasing or leasing the vehicle, 
including the cost of technical assistance or project man-
agement support described in subsection (e). 
‘‘(h) FLEXIBLE PROCUREMENT.—A sponsor of a 
public-use airport may use funds made available under the 
program to acquire, by purchase or lease, a zero-emission 
vehicle and a removable power source in separate trans-
actions, including transactions by which the airport pur-
chases the vehicle and leases the removable power source. 
‘‘(i) TESTING REQUIRED.—A sponsor of a public-use 
airport may not use funds made available under the pro-
gram to acquire a zero-emission vehicle unless that make, 
model, or type of vehicle has been tested by a Federal vehi-
cle testing facility acceptable to the Secretary.
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•HR 4 EH1S 
‘‘(j) REMOVABLE POWER SOURCE DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘removable power source’ means a 
power source that is separately installed in, and removable 
from, a zero-emission vehicle and may include a battery, 
a fuel cell, an ultra-capacitor, or other advanced power 
source used in a zero-emission vehicle.’’. 
(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 471 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the items relating to sections 47136 and 47136a 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘47136. Zero-emission airport vehicles and infrastructure.’’. 
SEC. 539. EMPLOYEE ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RE-
SPONSE PLANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, each air carrier operating 
under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 
(in this section referred to as a ‘‘part 121 air carrier’’), 
shall submit to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration for review and acceptance an Employee 
Assault Prevention and Response Plan related to the cus-
tomer service agents of the air carrier and that is devel-
oped in consultation with the labor union representing 
such agents. 
(b) CONTENTS OF PLAN.—An Employee Assault Pre-
vention and Response Plan submitted under subsection (a) 
shall include the following:
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•HR 4 EH1S 
(1) Reporting protocols for air carrier customer 
service agents who have been the victim of a verbal 
or physical assault. 
(2) Protocols for the immediate notification of 
law enforcement after an incident of verbal or phys-
ical assault committed against an air carrier cus-
tomer service agent. 
(3) Protocols for informing Federal law enforce-
ment with respect to violations of section 46503 of 
title 49, United States Code. 
(4) Protocols for ensuring that a passenger in-
volved in a violent incident with a customer service 
agent of an air carrier is not allowed to move 
through airport security or board an aircraft until 
appropriate law enforcement has had an opportunity 
to assess the incident and take appropriate action. 
(5) Protocols for air carriers to inform pas-
sengers of Federal laws protecting Federal, airport, 
and air carrier employees who have security duties 
within an airport. 
(c) EMPLOYEE TRAINING.—A part 121 air carrier 
shall conduct initial and recurrent training for all employ-
ees, including management, of the air carrier with respect 
to the plan required under subsection (a), which shall in-
clude training on de-escalating hostile situations, written
332 
•HR 4 EH1S 
protocols on dealing with hostile situations, and the re-
porting of relevant incidents. 
SEC. 540. STUDY ON TRAINING OF CUSTOMER-FACING AIR 
CARRIER EMPLOYEES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall conduct a study on the training received by 
customer-facing employees of air carriers. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study shall include— 
(1) an analysis of the training received by cus-
tomer-facing employees with respect to the manage-
ment of disputes on aircraft; and 
(2) an examination of how institutions of higher 
learning, in coordination with air carriers, customer- 
facing employees and their representatives, consumer 
advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders, 
could— 
(A) review such training and related prac-
tices; 
(B) produce recommendations; and 
(C) if determined appropriate, provide sup-
plemental training. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
333 
•HR 4 EH1S 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
on the results of the study. 
SEC. 541. MINIMUM DIMENSIONS FOR PASSENGER SEATS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and after providing notice 
and an opportunity for comment, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall issue regulations 
that establish minimum dimensions for passenger seats on 
aircraft operated by air carriers in interstate air transpor-
tation or intrastate air transportation, including mini-
mums for seat pitch, width, and length, and that are nec-
essary for the safety and health of passengers. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—The definitions contained in sec-
tion 40102(a) of title 49, United States Code, apply to 
this section. 
SEC. 542. STUDY OF GROUND TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall conduct a study that examines the ground transpor-
tation options at the Nation’s 10 busiest airports in order 
to— 
(1) understand the impact of new and emerging 
transportation options for travelers to get into and
334 
•HR 4 EH1S 
out of airports, including the fees charged to ground 
transportation providers for airport access; 
(2) determine whether it is appropriate to use 
airport improvement funds and revenues from pas-
senger facility charges to address traffic congestion 
and passenger travel times between urban commer-
cial centers and airports; and 
(3) review guidelines and requirements for air-
port improvement funds and passenger facility 
charges to determine under what conditions such 
funds may be used to address traffic congestion in 
urban commercial centers for travel to airports. 
SEC. 543. FAA EMPLOYEES IN GUAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary of De-
fense— 
(1) to allow Federal Aviation Administration 
employees assigned to Guam, their spouses, and 
their dependent children access to Department of 
Defense hospitals located in Guam on a space avail-
able basis; and 
(2) to provide for payments by the Federal 
Aviation Administration to the Department of De-
fense for the administrative costs associated with—
335 
•HR 4 EH1S 
(A) enrolling Federal Aviation Administra-
tion employees assigned to Guam, their spouses, 
and their dependent children in any Depart-
ment of Defense system necessary to allow ac-
cess pursuant to paragraph (1); and 
(B) billing an insurance company for any 
medical costs incurred as a result of Federal 
Aviation 
Administration 
employees, 
their 
spouses, or their dependent children accessing 
and receiving medical treatment or services at 
a Department of Defense hospital located in 
Guam. 
(b) FUNDS SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATIONS.—Funds 
for payments by the Federal Aviation Administration de-
scribed in subsection (a)(2) are subject to the availability 
of amounts specifically provided in advance for that pur-
pose in appropriations Acts. 
SEC. 544. CLARIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR LIVING 
HISTORY FLIGHTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other law or 
regulation, in administering sections 61.113(c), 91.9, 
91.315, 
91.319(a)(1), 
91.319(a)(2), 
119.5(g), 
and 
119.21(a) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any 
successor regulations), the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall allow an aircraft owner or
336 
•HR 4 EH1S 
operator to accept monetary or in-kind donations for a 
flight operated by a living history flight experience pro-
vider, if the aircraft owner or operator has— 
(1) volunteered to provide such transportation; 
and 
(2) notified any individual that will be on the 
flight, at the time of inquiry about the flight, that 
the flight operation is for charitable purposes and is 
not subject to the same requirements as a commer-
cial flight. 
(b) CONDITIONS TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY.—The 
Administrator, consistent with current standards of the 
Administration for such operations, shall impose minimum 
standards with respect to training and flight hours for op-
erations conducted by an owner or operator of an aircraft 
providing living history flight experience operations, in-
cluding mandating that the pilot in command of such air-
craft hold a commercial pilot certificate with instrument 
rating and be current and qualified with respect to all rat-
ings or authorizations applicable to the specific aircraft 
being flown to ensure the safety of flight operations de-
scribed in subsection (a). 
(c) LIVING HISTORY FLIGHT EXPERIENCE PRO-
VIDER DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘living history 
flight experience provider’’ means an aircraft owner, air-
337 
•HR 4 EH1S 
craft operator, or organization that provides, arranges, or 
otherwise fosters living history flight experiences for the 
purpose of fulfilling its mission. 
SEC. 545. FAA ORGANIZATIONAL REFORM. 
(a) CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER.—Section 106(s) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(s) CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(A) APPOINTMENT.—There shall be a 
Chief Technology Officer appointed by the 
Chief Operating Officer, with the approval of 
the Secretary. The Chief Technology Officer 
shall report directly to the Chief Operating Of-
ficer and shall be subject to the authority of the 
Chief Operating Officer. 
‘‘(B) 
MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS.—The 
Chief Technology Officer shall have— 
‘‘(i) at least 10 years experience in en-
gineering management or another relevant 
technical management field; and 
‘‘(ii) knowledge of or experience in the 
aviation industry.
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•HR 4 EH1S 
‘‘(C) REMOVAL.—The Chief Technology 
Officer shall serve at the pleasure of the Chief 
Operating Officer. 
‘‘(D) RESTRICTION.—The Chief Tech-
nology Officer may not also be the Deputy Ad-
ministrator. 
‘‘(2) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The responsibilities 
of the Chief Technology Officer shall include— 
‘‘(A) ensuring the proper operation, main-
tenance, and cybersecurity of technology sys-
tems relating to the air traffic control system 
across all program offices of the Administra-
tion; 
‘‘(B) coordinating the implementation, op-
eration, maintenance, and cybersecurity of tech-
nology programs relating to the air traffic con-
trol system with the aerospace industry and 
other Federal agencies; 
‘‘(C) reviewing and providing advice to the 
Secretary, the Administrator, and the Chief Op-
erating Officer on the Administration’s budget, 
cost accounting system, and benefit-cost anal-
yses with respect to technology programs relat-
ing to the air traffic control system;
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•HR 4 EH1S 
‘‘(D) consulting with the Administrator on 
the Capital Investment Plan of the Administra-
tion prior to its submission to Congress; 
‘‘(E) developing an annual air traffic con-
trol system technology operation and mainte-
nance plan that is consistent with the annual 
performance targets established under para-
graph (4); and 
‘‘(F) ensuring that the air traffic control 
system architecture remains, to the maximum 
extent practicable, flexible enough to incor-
porate future technological advances developed 
and directly procured by aircraft operators. 
‘‘(3) COMPENSATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Chief Technology 
Officer shall be paid at an annual rate of basic 
pay to be determined by the Secretary, in con-
sultation with the Chief Operating Officer. The 
annual rate may not exceed the annual com-
pensation paid under section 102 of title 3. The 
Chief Technology Officer shall be subject to the 
postemployment provisions of section 207 of 
title 18 as if the position of Chief Technology 
Officer 
were 
described 
in 
section 
207(c)(2)(A)(i) of that title.
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•HR 4 EH1S 
‘‘(B) BONUS.—In addition to the annual 
rate of basic pay authorized by subparagraph 
(A), the Chief Technology Officer may receive a 
bonus for any calendar year not to exceed 30 
percent of the annual rate of basic pay, based 
upon the Secretary’s evaluation of the Chief 
Technology Officer’s performance in relation to 
the performance targets established under para-
graph (4). 
‘‘(4) ANNUAL PERFORMANCE TARGETS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
and the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation 
with the Chief Technology Officer, shall estab-
lish measurable annual performance targets for 
the Chief Technology Officer in key operational 
areas. 
‘‘(B) REPORT.—The Administrator shall 
transmit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report de-
scribing the annual performance targets estab-
lished under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(5) ANNUAL
PERFORMANCE
REPORT.—The 
Chief Technology Officer shall prepare and transmit
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•HR 4 EH1S 
to the Secretary of Transportation, the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives, and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an 
annual report containing— 
‘‘(A) detailed descriptions and metrics of 
how successful the Chief Technology Officer 
was in meeting the annual performance targets 
established under paragraph (4); and 
‘‘(B) other information as may be re-
quested by the Administrator and the Chief Op-
erating Officer.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 709(a)(3)(L) of the Vision 100– 
Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (49 U.S.C. 
40101 note) is amended by striking ‘‘Chief NextGen 
Officer’’ and inserting ‘‘Chief Technology Officer’’. 
(2) Section 804(a)(4)(A) of the FAA Mod-
ernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 
44501 note) is amended by striking ‘‘Chief NextGen 
Officer’’ and inserting ‘‘Chief Technology Officer’’. 
SEC. 546. INTRA-AGENCY COORDINATION. 
Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall direct 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
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•HR 4 EH1S 
and the Chief Operating Officer of the Air Traffic Organi-
zation to implement policies that— 
(1) designate the Associate Administrator for 
Commercial Space Transportation as the primary li-
aison between the commercial space transportation 
industry and the Administration; 
(2) recognize the necessity of, and set forth 
processes for, launch license and permit holder co-
ordination with the Air Traffic Organization on mat-
ters including— 
(A) the use of air navigation facilities; 
(B) airspace safety; and 
(C) planning of commercial space launch 
and launch support activities; 
(3) designate a single point of contact within 
the Air Traffic Organization who is responsible 
for— 
(A) maintaining letters of agreement be-
tween a launch license or permit holder and a 
Federal Aviation Administration facility; 
(B) making such letters of agreement 
available to the Associate Administrator for 
Commercial Space Transportation; 
(C) ensuring that a facility that has en-
tered into such a letter of agreement is aware
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of and fulfills its responsibilities under the let-
ter; and 
(D) liaising between the Air Traffic Orga-
nization and the Associate Administrator for 
Commercial Space Transportation on any mat-
ter relating to such a letter of agreement; and 
(4) require the Associate Administrator for 
Commercial Space Transportation to facilitate, upon 
the request of a launch license or permit holder— 
(A) coordination between a launch license 
and permit holder and the Air Traffic Organi-
zation; and 
(B) the negotiation of letters of agreement 
between a launch license or permit holder and 
a Federal Aviation Administration facility or 
the Air Traffic Organization. 
SEC. 547. FAA CIVIL AVIATION REGISTRY UPGRADE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall complete covered 
upgrades of the Administration’s Civil Aviation Registry 
(in this section referred to as the ‘‘Registry’’). 
(b) COVERED UPGRADE DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘covered upgrades’’ means—
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(1) the digitization of nondigital Registry infor-
mation, including paper documents, microfilm im-
ages, and photographs, from an analog or nondigital 
format to a digital format; 
(2) the digitalization of Registry manual and 
paper-based processes, business operations, and 
functions by leveraging digital technologies and a 
broader use of digitized data; 
(3) the implementation of systems allowing a 
member of the public to submit any information or 
form to the Registry and conduct any transaction 
with the Registry by electronic or other remote 
means; and 
(4) allowing more efficient, broader, and remote 
access to the Registry. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—The requirements of subsection 
(a) shall apply to the entire Civil Aviation Registry, includ-
ing the Aircraft Registration Branch and the Airmen Cer-
tification Branch. 
(d) MANUAL SURCHARGE.—Chapter 453 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘§ 45306. Manual surcharge 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later 6 months after the 
date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of
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2018, the Administrator shall impose and collect a sur-
charge on a Civil Aviation Registry transaction that— 
‘‘(1) is conducted in person at the Civil Avia-
tion Registry; 
‘‘(2) could be conducted, as determined by the 
Administrator, with the same or greater level of effi-
ciency by electronic or other remote means; and 
‘‘(3) is not related to research or other non- 
commercial activities. 
‘‘(b) MAXIMUM SURCHARGE.—A surcharge imposed 
and collected under subsection (a) shall not exceed twice 
the maximum fee the Administrator is authorized to 
charge for the registration of an aircraft, not used to pro-
vide air transportation, after the transfer of ownership 
under section 45302(b)(2). 
‘‘(c) CREDIT
TO ACCOUNT
AND AVAILABILITY.— 
Monies collected from a surcharge imposed under sub-
section (a) shall be treated as monies collected under sec-
tion 45302 and subject to the terms and conditions set 
forth in section 45302(d).’’. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after date of en-
actment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the cov-
ered upgrades required under subsection (a) are complete, 
the Administrator shall submit a report to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
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Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate describing— 
(1) the schedule for the covered upgrades to the 
Registry; 
(2) the office responsible for the implementa-
tion of the such covered upgrades; 
(3) the metrics being used to measure progress 
in implementing the covered upgrades; and 
(4) the status of the covered upgrades as of the 
date of the report. 
SEC. 548. REGULATORY STREAMLINING. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall issue a final regulation revising section 
121.333(c)(3) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to 
apply only to flight altitudes above flight level 410. 
SEC. 549. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FRANCHISE FUND. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the 
date of enactment of this section, the inspector general 
of the Department of Transportation shall initiate an 
audit of the Administrative Services Franchise Fund of 
the FAA (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Franchise 
Fund’’). 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the audit pur-
suant to subsection (a), the inspector general shall—
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(1) review the history, intended purpose, and 
objectives of the Franchise Fund; 
(2) describe and assess each program, service, 
or activity that uses the Franchise Fund, includ-
ing— 
(A) the agencies or government bodies that 
use each program, service, or activity; 
(B) the number of employees, including 
full-time equivalents and contractors, associated 
with each program, service, or activity; 
(C) the costs associated with the employees 
described in subparagraph (B) and the extent 
to which such costs are covered by Federal ap-
propriations or Franchise Fund revenue; 
(D) the revenue, expenses, and profits or 
losses associated with each program, service, or 
activity; 
(E) overhead rates associated with each 
program, service, or activity; and 
(F) a breakdown of the revenue collected 
from services provided to the FAA, Department 
of Transportation, other Federal entities, and 
non-Federal entities; 
(3) assess the FAA’s governance and oversight 
of the Franchise Fund and the programs, service,
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and activities that use the Franchise Fund, includ-
ing the use of internal and publicly available per-
formance metrics; 
(4) evaluate the current and historical unobli-
gated and unexpended balances of the Franchise 
Fund; and 
(5) assess the degree to which FAA policies and 
controls associated with the Franchise Fund con-
form with generally accepted accounting principles, 
Federal policies, best practices, or other guidance re-
lating to revolving funds. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of initiation of the audit described in subsection (a), the 
Inspector General shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results 
of the audit, including findings and recommendations. 
(d) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘FAA’’ 
means the Federal Aviation Administration. 
SEC. 550. REPORT ON AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL MODERNIZA-
TION. 
(a) FAA REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Chief Operating Officer 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall submit to the
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Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
describing the multiyear effort of the Administration to 
modernize the air transportation system (in this section 
referred to as the ‘‘modernization effort’’), including— 
(1) the number of years that the modernization 
effort has been underway as of the date of the re-
port; 
(2) the total amount of money expended on the 
modernization effort as of the date of the report (in-
cluding a description of how that amount was cal-
culated); 
(3) the net present value of the benefits re-
ported from aircraft operators resulting from the 
money expended on the modernization effort as of 
the date of the report; 
(4) a definition for the Next Generation Air 
Transportation System (in this section referred to as 
‘‘NextGen’’), including a description of any changes 
to that definition that occurred between 2003 and 
the date of the report; 
(5) the net present value of the money ex-
pended on NextGen as of the date of the report if
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such money had been deposited into a Government 
trust fund instead of being expended on NextGen; 
(6) a description of the benefits promised and 
benefits delivered with respect to NextGen as of the 
date of the report; 
(7) any changes to the benefits promised with 
respect to NextGen between the date on which 
NextGen began and the date of the report; 
(8) a description of each program or project 
that comprises NextGen, including— 
(A) when the program or project was initi-
ated; 
(B) the total budget for the program or 
project; 
(C) the initial budget for the program or 
project; 
(D) the acquisition program baseline for 
the program or project; 
(E) whether the program or project has 
ever breached the acquisition program baseline 
and, if so, a description of when, why, and how 
the breach was resolved; 
(F) whether the program or project has 
been re-baselined or divided into smaller seg-
ments and, if so, a description of when, why,
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and the impact to the cost of the program or 
project; 
(G) the initial schedule for the program or 
project; 
(H) whether the program or project was 
delayed and, if so, a description of how long, 
why, and the impact to the cost of the program 
or project; 
(I) whether the Administration changed 
any contract term or deliverable for the pro-
gram or project and, if so, a description of the 
change, why it happened, and the impact to the 
cost of the program or project; 
(J) benefits promised with respect to the 
program or project at initiation; 
(K) benefits delivered with respect to the 
program or project as of the date of the report; 
(L) whether the program or project was 
cancelled and, if so, a description of why and 
when; 
(M) for cancelled programs or projects, 
whether there were any costs associated with 
the decision to cancel and, if so, a description 
of the amount of the costs (including for both 
the Administration and the private sector);
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•HR 4 EH1S 
(N) the metrics, milestones, and deadlines 
set for the program or project and how the Ad-
ministration tracked and ensured compliance 
with those metrics, milestones, and deadlines; 
(O) how the Administration conducted 
oversight of the program or project and any re-
lated stakeholder collaboration efforts; and 
(P) the status of the program or project as 
of the date of the report; 
(9) the date upon which, or milestone by which, 
the Administration anticipates NextGen will be com-
plete; and 
(10) any lessons learned during the NextGen 
effort, and whether, how, and to what effect those 
lessons have been applied. 
(b) INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT.—Not later than 
270 days after the date on which the report required 
under subsection (a) is submitted, the inspector general 
of the Department of Transportation shall review the re-
port and submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a statement of the inspector general that— 
(1) determines the accuracy of the information 
reported;
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(2) describes any concerns with the accuracy of 
the information reported; 
(3) summarizes concerns raised by the inspector 
general, the Government Accountability Office, and 
other sources with respect to the Administration’s 
implementation and oversight of NextGen since the 
date on which NextGen began; 
(4) describes— 
(A) any pertinent recommendations made 
by the inspector general related to the Adminis-
tration’s implementation and oversight of 
NextGen since the date on which NextGen 
began; and 
(B) whether and how the Administration 
addressed the recommendations; and 
(5) provides any other information that the in-
spector general determines is appropriate. 
SEC. 551. AUTOMATIC DEPENDENT SURVEILLANCE-BROAD-
CAST. 
Section 211(b) of the FAA Modernization and Re-
form Act (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is repealed. The Admin-
istrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall en-
sure that any regulation issued pursuant to such sub-
section has no force or effect.
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SEC. 552. YOUTH ACCESS TO AMERICAN JOBS IN AVIATION 
TASK FORCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall establish a Youth 
Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force (in this 
section referred to as the ‘‘Task Force’’). 
(b) DUTIES.—Not later than 12 months after its es-
tablishment under subsection (a), the Task Force shall de-
velop and submit to the Administrator recommendations 
and strategies for the Administration to— 
(1) facilitate and encourage high school stu-
dents in the United States, beginning in their junior 
year, to enroll in and complete career and technical 
education courses, including STEM, that would pre-
pare them to enroll in a course of study related to 
an aviation career at an institution of higher edu-
cation, including a community college or trade 
school; 
(2) facilitate and encourage the students de-
scribed in paragraph (1) to enroll in a course of 
study related to an aviation career, including avia-
tion manufacturing, engineering and maintenance, 
at an institution of higher education, including a 
community college or trade school; and
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•HR 4 EH1S 
(3) identify and develop pathways for students 
who complete a course of study described in para-
graph (2) to secure registered apprenticeships, work-
force development programs, or careers in the avia-
tion industry of the United States. 
(c) 
CONSIDERATIONS.—When 
developing 
rec-
ommendations and strategies under subsection (b), the 
Task Force shall— 
(1) identify industry trends that encourage or 
discourage youth in the United States from pursuing 
careers in aviation; 
(2) consider how the Administration; air car-
riers; aircraft, powerplant, and avionics manufactur-
ers; aircraft repair stations; and other aviation 
stakeholders can coordinate efforts to support youth 
in pursuing careers in aviation; 
(3) identify methods of enhancing aviation ap-
prenticeships, job skills training, mentorship, edu-
cation, and outreach programs that are exclusive to 
youth in the United States; and 
(4) identify potential sources of government and 
private sector funding, including grants and scholar-
ships, that may be used to carry out the rec-
ommendations and strategies described in subsection
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(b) and to support youth in pursuing careers in avia-
tion. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after submis-
sion of the recommendations and strategies under sub-
section (b), the Task Force shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure in the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report out-
lining such recommendations and strategies. 
(e) COMPOSITION OF TASK FORCE.—The Adminis-
trator shall appoint members of the Task Force, including 
representatives from the following: 
(1) Air carriers. 
(2) Aircraft, powerplant, and avionics manufac-
turers. 
(3) Aircraft repair stations. 
(4) Local educational agencies or high schools. 
(5) Institutions of higher education, including 
community colleges and aviation trade schools. 
(6) Such other aviation and educational stake-
holders and experts as the Administrator considers 
appropriate. 
(f) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT.—Members shall be 
appointed to the Task Force for the duration of the exist-
ence of the Task Force.
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(g) COMPENSATION.—Task Force members shall 
serve without compensation. 
(h) SUNSET.—The Task Force shall terminate upon 
the submittal of the report pursuant to subsection (d). 
(i) DEFINITION
OF STEM.—The term ‘‘STEM’’ 
means— 
(1) science, technology, engineering, and mathe-
matics; and 
(2) other career and technical education sub-
jects that build on the subjects described in para-
graph (1). 
SEC. 553. AIRPORT INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 47134 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking the section heading and insert-
ing ‘‘Airport investment partnership pro-
gram’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘, with respect 
to not more than 10 airports,’’; 
(3) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary may grant an exemption to a sponsor’’ and 
inserting ‘‘If the Secretary grants an exemption to 
a sponsor pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall grant an exemption to the sponsor’’;
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(4) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary may grant an exemption to a purchaser or 
lessee’’ and inserting ‘‘If the Secretary grants an ex-
emption to a sponsor pursuant to paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall grant an exemption to the cor-
responding purchaser or lessee’’; 
(5) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(d) PROGRAM PARTICIPATION.— 
‘‘(1) MULTIPLE AIRPORTS.—The Secretary may 
consider applications under this section submitted by 
a public airport sponsor for multiple airports under 
the control of the sponsor. 
‘‘(2) PARTIAL PRIVATIZATION.—A purchaser or 
lessee may be an entity in which a sponsor has an 
interest.’’; and 
(6) by striking subsections (l) and (m) and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(l) PREDEVELOPMENT LIMITATION.—A grant to an 
airport sponsor under this subchapter for predevelopment 
planning costs relating to the preparation of an applica-
tion or proposed application under this section may not 
exceed $750,000 per application or proposed application.’’.
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(b) AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT.—Section 47102(3) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(P) predevelopment planning, including 
financial, legal, or procurement consulting serv-
ices, related to an application or proposed appli-
cation for an exemption under section 47134.’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 471 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 47134 and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘47134. Airport investment partnership program.’’. 
SEC. 554. REVIEW AND REFORM OF FAA PERFORMANCE 
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT
OF ADVISORY PANEL.—Not 
later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this sec-
tion, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish an ad-
visory panel comprising no more than 7 independent, non-
governmental experts in budget, finance, or personnel 
management to review and evaluate the effectiveness of 
the FAA’s personnel management system and perform-
ance management program for employees not covered by 
collective bargaining agreements. 
(b) REVIEW, EVALUATION, 
AND
RECOMMENDA-
TIONS.—The advisory panel shall, at a minimum—
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(1) review all appropriate FAA orders, policies, 
procedures, guidance, and the Human Resources 
Policy Manual; 
(2) review any applicable reports regarding 
FAA’s personnel management system, including re-
ports of the Department of Transportation Office of 
Inspector General, Government Accountability Of-
fice, and National Academy of Public Administra-
tion, and determine the status of recommendations 
made in those reports; 
(3) review the personnel management system of 
any other agency or governmental entity with a simi-
lar system to the FAA for best practices with regard 
to personnel management; 
(4) assess the unique personnel authorities 
granted to the FAA, determine whether the FAA 
has taken full advantage of those authorities, and 
identify those authorities the FAA has not fully 
taken advantage of; 
(5) review and determine the overall effective-
ness of the FAA’s compensation, bonus pay, per-
formance metrics, and evaluation processes for em-
ployees not covered by collective bargaining agree-
ments;
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(6) review whether existing performance metrics 
and bonus pay practices align with the FAA’s mis-
sion and significantly improve the FAA’s provision 
of air traffic services, implementation of air traffic 
control modernization initiatives, and accomplish-
ment of other FAA operational objectives; 
(7) identify the highest, lowest, and average 
complete compensation for each position of employ-
ees not covered by collective bargaining agreements; 
(8) survey interested parties and stakeholders, 
including representatives of the aviation industry, 
for their views and recommendations regarding im-
provements to the FAA’s personnel management 
system and performance management program; 
(9) develop recommendations to address the 
findings of the work done pursuant to paragraphs 
(1) through (7), and to address views and rec-
ommendations raised by interested parties pursuant 
to paragraph (8); and 
(10) develop recommendations to improve the 
FAA’s personnel management system and perform-
ance management program, including the compensa-
tion, bonus pay, performance metrics, and evaluation 
processes, for employees not covered by collective 
bargaining agreements.
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(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after initiating 
the review and evaluation pursuant to subsection (a), the 
advisory panel shall submit a report on the results of the 
review and evaluation and its recommendations to the Sec-
retary, the Administrator, the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate. 
(d) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.—Not later than 3 
months after submittal of the report pursuant to sub-
section (c), the Administrator shall transmit to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report sum-
marizing the findings of the advisory panel that— 
(1) contains an explanation of how the Admin-
istrator will implement the recommendations of the 
advisory panel and measure the effectiveness of the 
recommendations; and 
(2) specifies any recommendations that the Ad-
ministrator will not implement and the reasons for 
not implementing such recommendations. 
(e) AUTHORITY.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, the Administrator has the authority to put 
in place any recommendations of the advisory panel.
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(f) SUNSET.—The advisory panel shall terminate on 
the date that is 60 days after the transmittal of the report 
pursuant to subsection (d). 
(g) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘FAA’’ 
means the Federal Aviation Administration. 
SEC. 555. CONTRACT WEATHER OBSERVERS. 
Section 2306(b) of the FAA Extension, Safety, and 
Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114–190; 130 Stat. 
641) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 556. REGIONS AND CENTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 44507 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking the section heading and insert-
ing ‘‘Regions and centers’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘The Civil Aeromedical Insti-
tute’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) CIVIL AEROMEDICAL INSTITUTE.—The Civil 
Aeromedical Institute’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) WILLIAM J. HUGHES TECHNICAL CENTER.— 
The Secretary of Transportation shall define the roles and 
responsibilities of the William J. Hughes Technical Center 
in a manner that is consistent with the defined roles and
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responsibilities of the Civil Aeromedical Institute under 
subsection (a).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 445 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 44507 and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘44507. Regions and centers.’’. 
SEC. 557. STUDY ON AIRPORT REVENUE DIVERSION. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall initiate a study of— 
(1) the legal and financial challenges related to 
repealing the exception in section 47107(b)(2) of 
title 49, United States Code, for those airports the 
Federal Aviation Administration has identified are 
covered by the exception; and 
(2) measures that may be taken to mitigate the 
impact of repealing the exception. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study required under sub-
section (a) shall address— 
(1) the level of revenue diversion at the airports 
covered by the exception described in subsection 
(a)(1) and the uses of the diverted revenue; 
(2) the terms of any bonds or financial cov-
enants an airport owner has issued relying on di-
verted airport revenue;
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(3) applicable local laws or ordinances requiring 
use of airport revenue for non-airport purposes; 
(4) whether repealing the exception would im-
prove the long-term financial performance of im-
pacted airports; and 
(5) any other practical implications of repealing 
the exception for airports or the national aviation 
system. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on the results of the study. 
SEC. 558. GEOSYNTHETIC MATERIALS. 
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration, to the extent practicable, shall encourage the use 
of durable, resilient, and sustainable materials and prac-
tices, including the use of geosynthetic materials and other 
innovative technologies, in carrying out the activities of 
the Federal Aviation Administration. 
SEC. 559. RULE FOR ANIMALS. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a rule to require each 
primary airport (as defined in section 47102 of title 49,
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United States Code) to provide a designated area for ani-
mals, traveling with their owners, to relieve themselves. 
SEC. 560. ENHANCED AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall es-
tablish a pilot program to provide air traffic control serv-
ices on a preferential basis to aircraft equipped with cer-
tain NextGen avionics that— 
(1) lasts at least 2 years; and 
(2) operates in at 3 least suitable airports. 
(b) DURATION OF DAILY SERVICE.—The air traffic 
control services provided under the pilot program estab-
lished under subsection (a) shall occur for at least 3 con-
secutive hours between 0600 and 2200 local time during 
each day of the pilot program. 
(c) AIRPORT SELECTION.—The Administrator shall 
designate airports for participation in the pilot program 
after consultation with aircraft operators, manufacturers, 
and airport sponsors. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.— 
(1) CERTAIN
NEXTGEN
AVIONICS.—The term 
‘‘certain NextGen avionics’’ means those avionics 
and related software designated by the Adminis-
trator after consultations with aircraft operators and 
manufacturers.
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(2) PREFERENTIAL
BASIS.—The term ‘‘pref-
erential basis’’ means— 
(A) prioritizing aircraft equipped with cer-
tain NextGen avionics during a Ground Delay 
Program by assigning them fewer minutes of 
delay relative to other aircraft; and 
(B) sequencing aircraft equipped with cer-
tain NextGen avionics ahead of other aircraft in 
the Traffic Flow Management System to the 
maximum extent consistent with safety. 
(e) SUNSET.—The pilot program established under 
subsection (a) shall terminate on September 30, 2023. 
(f) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
on which the pilot program terminates, the Administrator 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on the results of the pilot program. 
SEC. 561. NEXTGEN DELIVERY STUDY. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 180 days after the enact-
ment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department 
of Transportation shall initiate a study of the potential 
impacts of a significantly delayed, significantly dimin-
ished, or completely failed delivery of the Next Generation 
Air Transportation System modernization initiative by the
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•HR 4 EH1S 
Federal Aviation Administration, including impacts to the 
air traffic control system and the national airspace system 
as a whole. 
(b) SCOPE OF STUDY.—In carrying out the study 
under subsection (a), the Inspector General shall assess 
the Administration’s performance related to the Next Gen-
eration Air Transportation System modernization initia-
tive, including— 
(1) the potential impacts on the operational ef-
ficiency of our aviation system; 
(2) an analysis of potential economic losses and 
stranded investments directly related to NextGen; 
(3) an analysis of the potential impacts to our 
international competitiveness in aviation innovation; 
(4) an analysis of the main differences that 
would be seen in our air traffic control system; 
(5) the potential impacts on the flying public, 
including potential impacts to flight times, fares, 
and delays in the air and on the ground; 
(6) the effects on supply chains reliant on air 
transportation of cargo; 
(7) the potential impacts on the long-term bene-
fits promised by NextGen; 
(8) an analysis of the potential impacts on air-
craft noise and flight paths;
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(9) the potential changes in separation stand-
ards, fuel consumption, flight paths, block times, 
and landing procedures or lack thereof; 
(10) the potential impacts on aircraft taxi times 
and aircraft emissions or lack thereof; 
(11) a determination of the total potential costs 
and logistical challenges of the failure of NextGen, 
including a comparison of the potential loss of the 
return on public and private sector investment re-
lated to NextGen, as compared to other available in-
vestment alternatives, between December 12, 2003 
and the date of enactment of this Act; and 
(12) other matters arising in the course of the 
study. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of initiation of the study under subsection (a), the Inspec-
tor General shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on the results of the study. 
SEC. 562. LIMITED REGULATION OF NON-FEDERALLY SPON-
SORED PROPERTY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided by subsection 
(b), the Secretary of Transportation may not directly or 
indirectly regulate—
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(1) the acquisition, use, lease, encumbrance, 
transfer, or disposal of land by an airport owner or 
operator; 
(2) any non-Federal facility upon such land; or 
(3) any portion of such land or facility. 
(b) EXCEPTIONS.—Subsection (a) does not apply to 
any regulation— 
(1) ensuring— 
(A) the safe and efficient operation of air-
craft and airports, including the safety of peo-
ple and property on the ground; 
(B) that an airport owner or operator re-
ceives not less than fair market value for the 
lease, use, encumbrance, transfer, or disposal of 
land, any facilities on such land, or any portion 
of such land or facilities; or 
(C) that the airport pays not more than 
fair market value for the acquisition of land or 
facilities on such land; or 
(2) imposed with respect to— 
(A) any land or a facility acquired or modi-
fied using— 
(i) Federal financial assistance, in-
cluding Federal grants; or
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(ii) passenger facility charge revenues 
collected under section 40117 of title 49, 
United States Code; or 
(B) any land conveyed to the airport, in-
cluding its predecessors or successors, by the 
United States or any agency thereof. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed to affect the applicability of section 
47107(b) or 47133 of title 49, United States Code, to rev-
enues generated by the use, lease, encumbrance, transfer, 
or disposal of land as described in subsection (a), facilities 
upon such land, or any portion of such land or facilities. 
SEC. 563. NATIONAL AIRMAIL MUSEUM. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) in 1930, commercial airmail carriers began 
operations at Smith Field in Fort Wayne, Indiana; 
(2) the United States lacks a national museum 
dedicated to airmail; and 
(3) the airmail hangar at Smith Field in Fort 
Wayne, Indiana— 
(A) will educate the public on the role of 
airmail in aviation history; and 
(B) honor the role of the hangar in the 
history of the Nation’s airmail service. 
(b) DESIGNATION.—
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The airmail museum located 
at the Smith Field in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is des-
ignated as the ‘‘National Airmail Museum’’. 
(2) EFFECT
OF
DESIGNATION.—The national 
museum designated by this section is not a unit of 
the National Park System and the designation of the 
National Airmail Museum shall not require or per-
mit Federal funds to be expended for any purpose 
related to that national memorial. 
SEC. 564. REVIEW OF APPROVAL PROCESS FOR USE OF 
LARGE AIR TANKERS AND VERY LARGE AIR 
TANKERS FOR WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING. 
(a) REVIEW AND IMPROVEMENT OF CURRENT AP-
PROVAL PROCESS.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall conduct a review of its proc-
ess to approve the use of large air tankers and very large 
air tankers for wildland firefighting for the purpose of— 
(1) determining the current effectiveness, safe-
ty, and consistency of the approval process; 
(2) developing recommendations for improving 
the effectiveness, safety, and consistency of the ap-
proval process; and 
(3) assisting in developing standardized next- 
generation requirements for air tankers used for 
firefighting.
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(b) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall submit 
to Congress a report describing the outcome of the review 
conducted under subsection (a). 
SEC. 565. REPORT ON BAGGAGE REPORTING REQUIRE-
MENTS. 
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall— 
(1) study and publicize for comment a cost-ben-
efit analysis to air carriers and consumers of chang-
ing the baggage reporting requirements of section 
234.6 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, be-
fore the implementation of such requirements; and 
(2) submit a report on the findings of the cost- 
benefit analysis to the appropriate committees of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate. 
SEC. 566. SUPPORTING WOMEN’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE 
AVIATION FIELD. 
(a) ADVISORY BOARD.—To encourage women and 
girls to enter the field of aviation, the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall create and fa-
cilitate the Women in Aviation Advisory Board (referred 
to in this Act as the ‘‘Board’’), with the objective of pro-
moting organizations and programs that are providing
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education, training, mentorship, outreach, and recruit-
ment of women into the aviation industry. 
(b) COMPOSITION.—The Board shall consist of mem-
bers whose diverse background and expertise allows them 
to contribute balanced points of view and ideas regarding 
the strategies and objectives set forth in subsection (f). 
(c) SELECTION.—Not later than 9 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall ap-
point members of the Board, including representatives 
from the following: 
(1) Major airlines and aerospace companies. 
(2) Nonprofit organizations within the aviation 
industry. 
(3) Aviation business associations. 
(4) Engineering business associations. 
(5) United States Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air 
Patrol. 
(6) Institutions of higher education and avia-
tion trade schools. 
(d) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT.—Members shall be 
appointed to the Board for the duration of the existence 
of the Board. 
(e) COMPENSATION.—Board members shall serve 
without compensation.
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(f) DUTIES.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Board shall present a 
comprehensive plan for strategies the Administration can 
take, which include the following objectives: 
(1) Identifying industry trends that directly or 
indirectly encourage or discourage women from pur-
suing careers in aviation. 
(2) Coordinating the efforts of airline compa-
nies, nonprofit organizations, and aviation and engi-
neering associations to facilitate support for women 
pursuing careers in aviation. 
(3) Creating opportunities to expand existing 
scholarship opportunities for women in the aviation 
industry. 
(4) Enhancing aviation training, mentorship, 
education, and outreach programs that are exclusive 
to women. 
(g) REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Board shall 
submit a report outlining the comprehensive plan for 
strategies pursuant to subsection (f) to— 
(A) the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;
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(B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate; and 
(C) the Administrator. 
(2) AVAILABILITY ONLINE.—The Administrator 
shall make the report publicly available online and in 
print. 
(h) SUNSET.—The Board shall terminate upon the 
submittal of the report pursuant to subsection (g). 
SEC. 567. GAO STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF GRANTING AN EX-
CLUSIVE RIGHT OF AERONAUTICAL SERV-
ICES TO AN AIRPORT SPONSOR. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
General Accountability Office shall conduct a study to ex-
amine the cases in which an airport sponsor exercised an 
exclusive right (commonly known as a ‘‘proprietary exclu-
sive right’’), as described in the Federal Aviation Advisory 
Circular 150/1590-6 published on January 4, 2007. 
(b) REPORT.—At the end of the 2-year period under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit the findings 
of such report to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate.
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SEC. 568. EVALUATION OF AIRPORT MASTER PLANS. 
Section 47106 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(h) EVALUATION OF AIRPORT MASTER PLANS.— 
When evaluating the master plan of an airport for pur-
poses of this subchapter, the Secretary shall take into ac-
count— 
‘‘(1) the role the airport plays with respect to 
medical emergencies and evacuations; and 
‘‘(2) the role the airport plays in emergency or 
disaster preparedness in the community served by 
the airport.’’. 
SEC. 569. STUDY REGARDING DAY-NIGHT AVERAGE SOUND 
LEVELS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration shall evaluate alternative metrics to 
the current average day night level standard, such as the 
use of actual noise sampling and other methods, to ad-
dress community airplane noise concerns. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
to Congress a report on the results of the study, including 
a description of the proposed structure of a recommended 
pilot program.
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SEC. 570. REPORT ON STATUS OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN 
FAA AND LITTLE ROCK PORT AUTHORITY. 
(a) REPORT REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 30 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
on the agreement between the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration and the Little Rock Port Authority to relocate the 
Little Rock, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range 
with Collocated Tactical Air Control and Navigation (LIT 
VORTAC). 
(b) REPORT CONTENTS.—The report required under 
subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) The status of the efforts by the Federal 
Aviation 
Administration 
to 
relocate 
the 
LIT 
VORTAC. 
(2) The long-term and short-term budget pro-
jections for the relocation project. 
(3) A description of and timeline for each phase 
of the relocation project. 
(4) A description of and explanation for the re-
quired location radius.
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(5) A description of work completed by the 
Federal Aviation Administration as of the date of 
the report. 
SEC. 571. STUDY ON ALLERGIC REACTIONS. 
Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall— 
(1) study the prevalence of allergic reactions on 
board flights, whether airlines universally report re-
actions to the Federal Aviation Administration, and 
the frequency of first aid inventory checks to ensure 
medicine to prevent anaphylactic shock is in an air-
craft; and 
(2) submit a report to the Committees on 
Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and 
Commerce, and Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committees on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation, Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions, and Appropriations of the Sen-
ate. 
SEC. 572. ACCESS OF AIR CARRIERS TO INFORMATION 
ABOUT APPLICANTS TO BE PILOTS FROM NA-
TIONAL DRIVER REGISTER. 
Section 30305(b)(8) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows:
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‘‘(8)(A) An individual who is seeking employ-
ment by an air carrier as a pilot may request the 
chief driver licensing official of a State to provide in-
formation about the individual under subsection (a) 
of this section to the prospective employer of the in-
dividual, the authorized agent of the prospective em-
ployer, or the Secretary of Transportation. 
‘‘(B) An air carrier that is the prospective em-
ployer of an individual described in subparagraph 
(A), or an authorized agent of such an air carrier, 
may request and receive information about that indi-
vidual from the National Driver Register through an 
organization approved by the Secretary for purposes 
of requesting, receiving, and transmitting such infor-
mation directly to the prospective employer of such 
an individual or the authorized agent of the prospec-
tive employer. A request for information shall be 
made in accordance with the requirements of section 
44703(h)(2). 
‘‘(C) Information may not be obtained from the 
National Driver Register under this paragraph if the 
information was entered in the Register more than 
5 years before the request unless the information is 
about a revocation or suspension still in effect on the 
date of the request.’’.
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SEC. 573. PROHIBITION REGARDING WEAPONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Unless authorized by the Admin-
istrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, a person 
may not operate an unmanned aircraft or unmanned air-
craft system that is equipped or armed with a dangerous 
weapon. 
(b) DANGEROUS WEAPON DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘dangerous weapon’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 930(g)(2) of title 18, United States 
Code. 
(c) PENALTY.—A person who violates this section is 
liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty 
of not more than $25,000 for each violation. 
SEC. 574. HELICOPTER FUEL SYSTEM SAFETY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 447 of title 49, United 
States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘§ 44738. Helicopter fuel system safety 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A person may not operate 
a covered rotorcraft in United States airspace unless 
the design of the rotorcraft is certified by the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
to— 
‘‘(A) comply with the requirements applica-
ble to the category of the rotorcraft under para-
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graphs (1), (2), (3), (5), and (6) of section 
27.952(a), section 27.952(c), section 27.952(f), 
section 27.952(g), section 27.963(g) (but allow-
ing for a minimum puncture force of 250 
pounds if successfully drop tested in-structure), 
and section 27.975(b) or paragraphs (1), (2), 
(3), (5), and (6) of section 29.952(a), section 
29.952(c), 
section 
29.952(f), 
section 
29.952(g),section 29.963(b) (but allowing for a 
minimum puncture force of 250 pounds if suc-
cessfully 
drop 
tested 
in-structure), 
and 
29.975(a)(7) of title 14, Code of Federal Regu-
lations, as in effect on the date of enactment; 
or 
‘‘(B) employ other means acceptable to the 
Administrator to provide an equivalent level of 
fuel system crash resistance. 
‘‘(2) COVERED ROTORCRAFT DEFINED.—In this 
subsection, the term ‘covered rotorcraft’ means a 
rotorcraft not otherwise required to comply with sec-
tion 27.952, section 27.963, and section 27.975, or 
section 29.952, section 29.963, and section 29.975 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations as in effect 
on the date of enactment for which manufacture was 
completed, as determined by the Administrator, on
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or after the date that is 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this section. 
‘‘(b) ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.—The Adminis-
trator shall— 
‘‘(1) expedite the certification and validation of 
United States and foreign type designs and retrofit 
kits that improve fuel system crashworthiness; and 
‘‘(2) not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this section, and periodically there-
after, issue a bulletin to— 
‘‘(A) inform rotorcraft owners and opera-
tors of available modifications to improve fuel 
system crashworthiness; and 
‘‘(B) urge that such modifications be in-
stalled as soon as practicable. 
‘‘(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion may be construed to affect the operation of a rotor-
craft by the Department of Defense.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘44738. Helicopter fuel system safety.’’. 
SEC. 575. SAFETY EQUIPMENT STORAGE FACILITIES. 
Section 47102(3) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
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‘‘(P) Constructing storage facilities to shel-
ter snow removal equipment or aircraft rescue 
and firefighting equipment that is owned by the 
airport sponsor and used exclusively to main-
tain safe airfield operations, up to the facility 
size necessary to accommodate the types and 
quantities of equipment prescribed by the FAA, 
regardless of whether Federal funding was used 
to acquire the equipment.’’. 
SEC. 576. REPORT ON AIRLINE AND PASSENGER SAFETY. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report on airline and 
passenger safety. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under sub-
section (a) shall include— 
(1) the average age of commercial aircraft 
owned and operated by United States air carriers; 
(2) the over-all use of planes, including average 
lifetime of commercial aircraft; 
(3) the number of hours aircraft are in flight 
over the life of the aircraft and the average number
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of hours on domestic and international flights , re-
spectively; 
(4) the impact of metal fatigue on aircraft 
usage and safety; 
(5) a review on contractor assisted maintenance 
of commercial aircraft; and 
(6) a re-evaluation of the rules on inspection of 
aging airplanes. 
SEC. 577. REPORT ON AIRCRAFT DIVERSIONS FROM LAX TO 
HAWTHORNE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall issue and make available to the public 
a report on diversions of aircraft from Los Angeles Inter-
national Airport (LAX) to Hawthorne Municipal Airport, 
also known as Jack Northrop Field, in the City of Haw-
thorne, California. This report shall cover at least the pre-
vious one-year period and include the total number of air-
craft diversions, the average number of diversions per day, 
the types of aircraft diverted, and the reasons for the di-
versions. 
SEC. 578. FORMER MILITARY AIRPORTS. 
Section 47118(a) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended—
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(1) in paragraph (1)(C) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (2) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) the airport is— 
‘‘(A) a former military installation; and 
‘‘(B) a primary airport.’’. 
SEC. 579. USE OF STATE HIGHWAY SPECIFICATIONS. 
Section 47114(d)(5) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(5) USE
OF
STATE
HIGHWAY
SPECIFICA-
TIONS.—The Secretary shall use the highway speci-
fications of a State for airfield pavement construc-
tion and improvement using funds made available 
under this subsection at nonprimary airports serving 
aircraft that do not exceed 60,000 pounds gross 
weight if— 
‘‘(A) such State requests the use of such 
specifications; and 
‘‘(B) the Secretary determines that— 
‘‘(i) safety will not be negatively af-
fected; and 
‘‘(ii) the life of the pavement, with 
necessary maintenance and upkeep, will
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not be shorter than it would be if con-
structed using Administration standards.’’. 
SEC. 580. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Secretary 
should produce a smart airports initiative plan that fo-
cuses on creating a more consumer-friendly and digitally 
connected airport experience. The plan should include rec-
ommendations on modernizing technologies to provide 
more efficient check-ins, shortened security lines, Wi-Fi 
and GPS upgrades, as well as improvements of aircraft 
turnaround for on-time boarding and flights. The purpose 
of the initiative is to invest in technologies and infrastruc-
ture toward better-connected airports while providing ap-
propriate national security and cybersecurity for travelers. 
SEC. 581. OXYGEN MASK DESIGN STUDY. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall conduct a study to review and evaluate 
the design and effectiveness of commercial aircraft oxygen 
masks. In conducting the study, the Administrator shall 
determine whether the current design of oxygen masks is 
adequate, and whether changes to the design could in-
crease correct passenger usage of the masks.
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SEC. 582. STANDARDS FOR PILOTS. 
(a) AGE ADJUSTMENT.—Section 44729(a) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘covered oper-
ations until attaining 65 years of age’’ and inserting ‘‘cov-
ered operations described under subsection (b)(1) until at-
taining 65 years of age and covered operations described 
under subsection (b)(2) until attaining 70 years of age’’. 
(b) COVERED OPERATIONS.—Section 44729(b) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘means operations under part 121 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations.’’ and inserting ‘‘means— 
‘‘(1) operations under part 121 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations; and 
‘‘(2) operations by a person that— 
‘‘(A) holds an air carrier certificate issued 
pursuant to part 119 to conduct operations 
under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations; and 
‘‘(B) qualifies as a program manager 
under subpart K of part 91 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations; and 
‘‘(C) performed an aggregate total of at 
least 150,000 turbojet operations in— 
‘‘(i) calendar year 2017; or 
‘‘(ii) any subsequent year.’’.
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(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 583. STUDY REGARDING TECHNOLOGY USAGE AT AIR-
PORTS. 
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall conduct a study and report the findings 
of such study to the appropriate committees of Congress 
regarding— 
(1) technology developed by international enti-
ties (including foreign nations and companies) that 
have been installed in American airports and avia-
tion systems over the past decade, including the na-
tion where the technology was developed and the any 
airports utilizing the technology; and 
(2) aviation safety related technology developed 
and implemented by international entities with prov-
en track records of success that may assist in estab-
lishing best practices to improve American aviation 
operations and safety. 
SEC. 584. APPLICATIONS FOR DESIGNATION. 
Section 2209 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Se-
curity Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(C)—
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(A) by redesignating clause (iv) as clause 
(v); and 
(B) by inserting after clause (iii) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(iv) Railroad facilities.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) DEADLINES.— 
‘‘(1) Not later than December 31, 2018, the 
Administrator shall publish a notice of proposed 
rulemaking to carry out the requirements of this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(2) Not later than 12 months after publishing 
the notice of proposed rulemaking under paragraph 
(1), the Administrator shall issue a final rule.’’. 
SEC. 585. APPLICABILITY OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATION 
STANDARDS TO OPERATORS OF AIR BAL-
LOONS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited a the 
‘‘Commercial Balloon Pilot Safety Act of 2018’’. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall revise section 
61.3(c) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (relating 
to second-class medical certificates), to apply to an oper-
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•HR 4 EH1S 
ator of an air balloon to the same extent such regulations 
apply to a pilot flight crewmember of other aircraft. 
(c) AIR BALLOON DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘air balloon’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘bal-
loon’’ in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions (or any corresponding similar regulation or ruling). 
SEC. 586. COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF EQUIPMENT 
RENTAL. 
(a) COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF EQUIPMENT 
RENTAL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to any cost-ef-
fectiveness analysis for equipment acquisition con-
ducted on or after the date that is 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of 
each executive agency shall consider equipment rent-
al in such cost-effectiveness analysis. 
(2) FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION.—The 
Federal Acquisition Regulation shall be revised to 
implement the requirement under paragraph (1). 
(b) STUDY OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS.— 
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the Committee on Oversight and Govern-
ment Reform of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Af-
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fairs of the Senate a comprehensive report on the decisions 
made by the executive agencies with the highest levels of 
acquisition spending, and a sample of executive agencies 
with lower levels of acquisition spending, to acquire high- 
value equipment by lease, rental, or purchase pursuant to 
subpart 7.4 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) EQUIPMENT
RENTAL.—The term ‘‘equip-
ment rental’’ means the acquisition of equipment by 
contract from a commercial source for a temporary 
period of use with no fixed duration. 
(2) EXECUTIVE AGENCY.—The term ‘‘executive 
agency’’ has the meaning given that term in section 
102 of title 40, United States Code. 
SEC. 587. REPORT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act (except as described in sub-
section (d)), the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall submit to the appropriate congres-
sional committees a report containing the results of the 
study described in subsection (b). 
(b) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Administrator shall 
make recommendations based on— 
(1) an analysis of—
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(A) the economic effects of temporary 
flight restrictions, particularly temporary flight 
restrictions issued pursuant to section 91.141 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, on air-
ports or aviation-related businesses located or 
based in an area covered by the temporary 
flight restriction; and 
(B) potential options and recommendations 
for mitigating identified negative economic ef-
fects on airports or aviation-related businesses 
located or based in an area frequently covered 
by a temporary flight restriction; and 
(2) an analysis of the potential for using secu-
rity procedures similar to those described in the 
Maryland Three Program (allowing properly vetted 
private pilots to fly to, from, or between the three 
general aviation airports closest to the National Cap-
ital Region) during temporary flight restrictions in 
the following airports: 
(A) Solberg Airport. 
(B) Somerset Airport. 
(C) Palm Beach County Park Airport (also 
known as Lantana Airport).
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(c) COLLABORATION.—In making the recommenda-
tions described in subsection (b), the Administrator shall 
consult with— 
(1) industry stakeholders; and 
(2) the head of any other agency that, in the 
Administrator’s determination, is a stakeholder 
agency. 
(d) SPECIAL DEADLINE.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees 
a report containing the results of the portion of the study 
described in subsection (b)(1)(A). 
SEC. 588. STUDY ON INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS OF FAST- 
GROWING AIRPORTS. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall enter into an agreement 
with an institution of higher education to conduct a study 
on the infrastructure needs of airports— 
(1) in metropolitan statistical areas with an av-
erage 5-year, year-to-year population growth rate be-
tween 6 and 13 percent; and 
(2) with an average 5-year, year-to-year pas-
senger growth rate between 7 and 10 percent.
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(b) CONTENTS.—The study conducted pursuant to 
subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) an assessment of the infrastructure needs of 
the airports described in subsection (a); 
(2) an examination of how such infrastructure 
needs are related to the population and economic 
growth of relevant metropolitan statistical areas; 
(3) an assessment of the infrastructure funding 
and financing tools available to such airports; 
(4) the development of recommendations on ad-
ditional funding and financing tools that may pro-
vide significant new revenues and flexibility; 
(5) an estimate of the population and economic 
growth rate of the relevant metropolitan statistical 
areas over the next 10 years; and 
(6) the development of recommendations on 
how such airports can best fund the infrastructure 
necessary to accommodate— 
(A) increases in passenger growth; and 
(B) population and economic growth in the 
relevant metropolitan statistical areas. 
SEC. 589. AIRCRAFT NOISE RESEARCH AND MITIGATION 
STRATEGY. 
Not later than 1 year from the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
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ministration shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology, and the Committee on Appropria-
tions of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the Senate a 5-year aircraft 
noise research and mitigation strategy. 
SEC. 590. ALTERNATIVE AIRPLANE NOISE METRIC EVALUA-
TION DEADLINE. 
Not later than 1 year from the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall complete the ongoing evaluation of al-
ternative metrics to the current Day Night Level (DNL) 
65 standard. 
SEC. 591. PERFORMANCE-BASED STANDARDS. 
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall, to the maximum extent possible and con-
sistent with Federal law, and based on input by the public, 
ensure that regulations, guidance, and policies issued by 
the Federal Aviation Administration on and after the date 
of enactment of this Act are issued in the form of perform-
ance-based standards, providing an equal or higher level 
of safety.
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SEC. 592. REPORT TO CONGRESS. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this section, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration, in consultation with the National Trans-
portation Safety Board, shall issue a report to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate that— 
(1) provides a technical review of systems capa-
ble of detecting wrong surface alignment to deter-
mine whether the capability exists to detect immi-
nent wrong-surface landings at each airport where 
such a system is in use; and 
(2) includes information gathered from the use 
of Airport Surface Surveillance Capability System 
(ASSC) at San Francisco International Airport since 
July 2017. 
SEC. 593. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON CERTAIN 
AVIATION SAFETY RISKS. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report that—
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(1) identifies safety risks associated with power 
outages at airports caused by weather or other fac-
tors, and recommends actions to improve resilience 
of aviation communication, navigation, and surveil-
lance systems in the event of such outages; and 
(2) reviews alerting mechanisms, devices, and 
procedures for enhancing the situational awareness 
of pilots and air traffic controllers in the event of a 
failure or an irregularity of runway lights, and pro-
vides recommendations on the further implementa-
tion of such mechanisms, devices, or procedures. 
SEC. 594. REPORT TO CONGRESS. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this section, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration, in consultation with the National Trans-
portation Safety Board, shall issue a report to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate that reviews the 
relative benefits and risks of requiring the use of runway 
awareness and advisory systems in turbine-powered air-
planes under the provisions of part 121 or part 129 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
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SEC. 595. REVIEW OF FAA’S AVIATION SAFETY INFORMA-
TION ANALYSIS AND SHARING SYSTEM. 
(a) AUDIT BY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 
INSPECTOR GENERAL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General 
shall initiate a follow-up review of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration’s (FAA) Aviation Safety Infor-
mation Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) System to as-
sess FAA’s efforts and plans to improve the system. 
(2) REVIEW.—The review should include, at a 
minimum, an evaluation of FAA’s efforts to improve 
the ASIAS system’s predictive capabilities and solu-
tions developed to more widely disseminate results of 
ASIAS data analyses, as well as an update on pre-
vious Inspector General recommendations to improve 
this safety analysis and sharing system. 
(3) REPORT.—The Inspector General shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on the results of its re-
view and any recommendations to improve FAA’s 
ASIAS system.
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SEC. 596. CYBERSECURITY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 
STANDARDS PLAN. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall, in consultation with the National Insti-
tute of Standards and Technology and the Committee on 
Technology of the National Science and Technology Coun-
cil, transmit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives, the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that 
contains a cybersecurity and artificial intelligence stand-
ards plan for Federal Aviation Administration operations 
that takes into consideration the influence of cybersecurity 
on artificial intelligence and of artificial intelligence on cy-
bersecurity. 
SEC. 597. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON HIRING VETERANS. 
It is the sense of Congress that the aviation industry, 
including certificate holders under parts 121, 135, and 
145 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, should hire 
more of the Nation’s veterans. 
SEC. 598. GAO STUDY. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
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the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives a report con-
taining a review of the following: 
(1) Direct and indirect effects on passengers, if 
any, resulting from significant computer network 
disruptions of 49 CFR Part 121 air carriers between 
January 1, 2014, and the date of enactment of this 
section, including— 
(A) systemwide delays; 
(B) flight cancellations; and 
(C) disrupted or broken itineraries. 
(2) An estimate of any expenses incurred by 
passengers during significant computer network dis-
ruptions, including— 
(A) meals, lodging, and ancillary expenses 
per persons; 
(B) late hotel check-in or car rental fees; 
(C) missed cruise-ship departures; and 
(D) lost productivity. 
(3) Air carriers’ contracts of carriage and inter-
line agreements to determine if and how air carriers 
accommodate passengers affected by significant com-
puter network disruptions on other air carriers or 
foreign air carriers.
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(4) Whether passengers who have been dis-
placed by significant computer network disruptions 
are furnished with alternative transportation aboard 
another air carrier or foreign air carrier. 
(5) Costs incurred by airports, if any, to meet 
the essential needs of passengers, including in-
creased demands on utilities, food concessionaires, 
restroom facilities, and security staffing, during sig-
nificant computer network disruptions. 
(6) Other costs, if any, incurred by passengers, 
airports, and other entities as a direct result of sig-
nificant computer network disruptions. 
(7) Processes, plans, and redundancies in place 
at air carriers to respond to and recover from such 
network disruptions. 
SEC. 599. PROMPT PAYMENTS. 
(a) REPORTING OF COMPLAINTS.—Not later than 30 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall ensure 
that each airport that participates in the Program tracks, 
and reports to the Administrator, the number of covered 
complaints made in relation to activities at that airport. 
(b) IMPROVING COMPLIANCE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator shall 
take actions to assess and improve compliance with
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prompt payment requirements under part 26 of title 
49, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(2) CONTENTS OF ASSESSMENT.—In carrying 
out paragraph (1), the Administrator shall assess— 
(A) whether requirements relating to the 
inclusion of prompt payment language in con-
tracts are being satisfied; 
(B) whether and how airports are enforc-
ing prompt payment requirements; 
(C) the processes by which covered com-
plaints are received and resolved by airports; 
(D) whether improvements need to be 
made to— 
(i) better track covered complaints re-
ceived by airports; and 
(ii) assist the resolution of covered 
complaints in a timely manner; 
(E) the effectiveness of alternative dispute 
resolution mechanisms with respect to resolving 
covered complaints; 
(F) best practices that ensure prompt pay-
ment requirements are satisfied; 
(G) the Federal Aviation Administration 
resources, including staff, that are dedicated to 
helping resolve covered complaints; and
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(H) how the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion can enhance efforts to resolve covered com-
plaints, including by using timelines and pro-
viding additional staffing and other resources. 
(3) 
REPORTING.—The 
Administrator 
shall 
make available to the public on an appropriate web-
site operated by the Administrator a report describ-
ing the results of the assessment completed under 
this subsection, including a plan to respond to such 
results. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi-
nitions apply: 
(1) COVERED COMPLAINT.—The term ‘‘covered 
complaint’’ means a complaint relating to an alleged 
failure to satisfy a prompt payment requirement 
under part 26 of title 49, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
(2) PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘Program’’ means 
the airport disadvantaged business enterprise pro-
gram referenced in section 140(a) of the FAA Mod-
ernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 
47113 note). 
SEC. 599A. GAO STUDY ON AVIATION WORKFORCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
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of the United States shall initiate a study, based on pre-
vious studies, that looks at the current and future supply 
of individuals in the aviation workforce. 
(b) REVIEW.—In carrying out the study, the Comp-
troller General shall review, at a minimum— 
(1) the current state of the aviation workforce; 
(2) barriers to entry into the aviation work-
force; and 
(3) options to increase the future supply of in-
dividuals in the aviation workforce. 
(c) SUBMISSION.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on the results of the study, including any 
findings and recommendations. 
SEC. 599B. METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS. 
Section 134(d)(4) of title 23, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘Nothing’’ and inserting ‘‘Except 
with respect to a metropolitan planning organization 
whose structure consists of no local elected officials, noth-
ing’’.
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SEC. 599C. STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall begin a study of international 
air cargo services among the United States and Central 
American, South American, and Caribbean Basin coun-
tries, that— 
(1) analyzes the supply of and demand for air 
cargo transportation services among the United 
States and Central American, South American, and 
Caribbean Basin countries; 
(2) analyzes the supply of and demand for air 
cargo transportation services between— 
(A) the United States, Central American, 
South American, and Caribbean Basin coun-
tries; and 
(B) Africa and Europe; 
(3) identifies the busiest routes in terms of 
cargo capacity and frequency of air service; 
(4) identifies any air carrier or foreign air car-
rier hubs in Central American, South American, and 
Caribbean Basin countries at which a significant 
amount of air cargo is sorted, handled, or consoli-
dated for transportation to or from the United 
States;
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(5) identifies any air carrier or foreign air car-
rier hubs in the United States at which a significant 
amount of air cargo is sorted, handled, or consoli-
dated for transportation to or from Central Amer-
ican, South American, and Caribbean Basin coun-
tries. 
(6) identifies any significant gaps in the air 
cargo services or cargo air carrier networks— 
(A) among the countries described in para-
graph (2)(A); 
(B) between such countries and Africa; 
and 
(C) between such countries and Europe; 
and 
(7) assesses the possible impact of the estab-
lishment of an air carrier hub in Puerto Rico at 
which air cargo is sorted, handled, or consolidated 
for transportation to or from the United States, in-
cluding the impact on— 
(A) the employment rate and economy of 
Puerto Rico; 
(B) domestic and foreign air transpor-
tation of cargo; 
(C) United States competitiveness in the 
air transportation of cargo;
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(D) air cargo operations at other airports 
in the United States; and 
(E) domestic air carrier employment. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 12 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on the results of the study described in 
subsection (a). 
(c) DEFINITION.—The term ‘‘Caribbean Basin coun-
tries’’ has the same meaning given the term ‘‘Caribbean 
Basin country’’ in section 501 of the Food for Peace Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1737). 
SEC. 599D. SPACEPORTS. 
(a) SENSE
OF CONGRESS
ON STATE SPACEPORT 
CONTRIBUTIONS.—It is the Sense of Congress that— 
(1) State government-owned and -operated 
spaceports have contributed hundreds of millions of 
dollars in infrastructure improvements to the na-
tional space launch infrastructure, providing the 
United States Government and commercial cus-
tomers with world-class space launch and processing 
infrastructure that is necessary to support continued 
American leadership in space;
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(2) State spaceports play a critical role in pro-
viding resiliency and redundancy in the national 
launch infrastructure to support national security 
and civil government capabilities, and should be rec-
ognized as a critical infrastructure in Federal strat-
egy and planning; 
(3) continued State and local government in-
vestments at Federal and non-Federal launch facili-
ties should be encouraged and to the maximum ex-
tent practicable supported in Federal policies, plan-
ning and infrastructure investment considerations, 
including through Federal-State partnerships; 
(4) there is currently no Federal infrastructure 
investment program funding or encouraging State 
and local government investment in spaceport infra-
structure, unlike Federal grant programs to encour-
age continued investment in all other modes of 
transportation, including aviation, highways, ports, 
and rail, which limits opportunities for the Federal 
government to leverage and coordinate infrastruc-
ture investments with State and local governments; 
(5) Federal investments in space infrastructure 
should enable partnerships between Federal agencies 
with state spaceports to modernize and enable ex-
panded 21st century space transportation infrastruc-
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•HR 4 EH1S 
ture, especially multi-modal networks needed for ro-
bust space transportation that support national se-
curity, civil, and commercial launch customers; and 
(6) States that have made investments to build, 
maintain, operate, and improve capabilities for na-
tional security, civil, and commercial customers 
should be commended for their infrastructure con-
tributions to both Federal and non-Federal launch 
sites, and encouraged through a variety of programs 
and policies to continue these investments in the na-
tional interest. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF SPACEPORTS.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT
OF
OFFICE
OF
SPACE-
PORTS.—Title 51, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end of subtitle V the following: 
‘‘CHAPTER 515—OFFICE OF SPACEPORTS 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘51501. Establishment of Office of Spaceports. 
‘‘§ 51501. Establishment of Office of Spaceports 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE.—Not later than 
90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall identify, within the Office of Commercial Space 
Transportation, a centralized policy office to be known as 
the Office of Spaceports. 
‘‘(b) FUNCTIONS.—The Office of Spaceports shall—
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‘‘(1) support licensing activities for launch sites; 
‘‘(2) develop policies that promote infrastruc-
ture improvements at licensed public launch sites; 
‘‘(3) provide technical assistance and guidance 
to licensed public spaceports; 
‘‘(4) promote United States licensed spaceports 
within the Department; and 
‘‘(5) strengthen the Nation’s competitiveness in 
launch infrastructure and increase resilience for the 
Federal Government and commercial customers. 
‘‘(c) RECOGNITION.—In carrying out the functions 
assigned in subsection (b), the Secretary shall recognize 
the unique needs and distinctions of spaceports that— 
‘‘(1) launch to orbit; and 
‘‘(2) are involved in suborbital launch activities. 
‘‘(d) DIRECTOR.—The Associate Administrator for 
Commercial Space Transportation of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall designate a Director of the Office of 
Spaceports. 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) SPACEPORT.—The term ‘spaceport’ means 
a launch site that is licensed by the Federal Aviation 
Administration. 
‘‘(2) PUBLIC
SPACEPORT.—The term ‘public 
spaceport’ means a launch site that is licensed by
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the Federal Aviation Administration and is owned or 
operated by a State or local governmental entity, in-
cluding political subdivisions of a State or local gov-
ernment.’’. 
(2) TECHNICAL
AND
CONFORMING
AMEND-
MENT.—The table of chapters of title 51, United 
State Code, is amended by adding at the end of sub-
title V the following: 
‘‘515. Office of Spaceports .............................................................51501’’. 
(c) REPORT ON NATIONAL SPACEPORTS POLICY.— 
(1) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(A) A robust network of space transpor-
tation infrastructure, including spaceports li-
censed by the Federal Aviation Administration, 
is vital to the growth of the domestic space in-
dustry and America’s competitiveness and ac-
cess to space. 
(B) Non-Federal spaceports licensed by the 
Federal Aviation Administration have signifi-
cantly increased the launch infrastructure of 
the United States through significant invest-
ments by State and local governments, which 
have encouraged greater private investment. 
(C) These spaceports have led to the devel-
opment of a growing number of orbital and sub-
orbital launch sites that are available to the na-
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•HR 4 EH1S 
tional security, civil, and commercial space cus-
tomers at minimal cost to the Federal Govern-
ment. 
(D) The Federal Government, led by the 
Secretary of Transportation, should seek to pro-
mote the growth, resilience, and capabilities of 
this space infrastructure through policies and 
through partnerships with State and local gov-
ernments. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall submit to Congress a report 
that— 
(A) evaluates the Federal Government’s 
national security and civil space launch de-
mands and the needs of the United States and 
international commercial markets; 
(B) proposes policies and programs de-
signed to ensure a robust and resilient orbital 
and suborbital spaceport infrastructure to serve 
and capitalize on these launch opportunities; 
(C) reviews the development and invest-
ments made by international competitors in for-
eign spaceports;
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(D) makes recommendations on how the 
Federal Government can support, encourage, 
promote, and facilitate greater investments in 
infrastructure at public spaceports licensed by 
the Federal Aviation Administration; and 
(E) considers and makes recommendations 
about how spaceports licensed by the Federal 
Aviation Administration can fully support and 
enable the national space policy. 
(3) UPDATES TO THE REPORT.—Not later than 
3 years after the date of enactment of this Act and 
every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall— 
(A) update the previous report prepared 
under this subsection; and 
(B) submit the updated report to Con-
gress. 
(4) CONSULTATIONS REQUIRED.—In preparing 
the reports required by this subsection, the Sec-
retary shall consult with individuals including— 
(A) the Secretary of Defense; 
(B) the Administrator of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration; 
(C) the Administrator of the National Aer-
onautics and Space Administration; and
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(D) interested persons at spaceports, State 
and local governments, and industry. 
(d) REPORT
ON SPACE TRANSPORTATION INFRA-
STRUCTURE MATCHING GRANTS.— 
(1) GAO STUDY
AND
REPORT.—The Comp-
troller General of the United States shall conduct a 
study regarding spaceport activities carried out pur-
suant to chapters 509 and 511 of title 51, United 
States Code, including— 
(A) an assessment of potential mechanisms 
to provide Federal support to spaceports, in-
cluding the airport improvement program estab-
lished under subchapter I of chapter 471 of 
title 49, United States Code, and the program 
established under chapter 511 of title 51, 
United States Code; 
(B) recommendations for potential funding 
options, including funds that may be collected 
from launch providers or launch customers; and 
(C) any necessary changes to improve the 
spaceport application review process. 
(2) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the study 
described in paragraph (1), the Comptroller General 
shall consult with sources from each component of 
the launch process, including interested persons in
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industry and government officials at the Federal, 
State, and local levels. 
(3) USER-FUNDED SPACEPORTS.—In reviewing 
funding options, the Comptroller General shall dis-
tinguish between spaceports that are funded by 
users and those that are not. 
(4) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller Gen-
eral shall submit to Congress a report containing re-
sults of the study conducted under paragraph (1). 
SEC. 599E. MANDATORY USE OF THE NEW YORK NORTH 
SHORE HELICOPTER ROUTE. 
(a) PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall provide notice 
of, and an opportunity for, at least 60 days of public 
comment with respect to the regulations in subpart 
H of part 93 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
(2) TIMING.—The public comment period re-
quired under paragraph (1) shall begin not later 
than 30 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(b) PUBLIC HEARING.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall