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National Transportation Safety Board, or other appro-
priate Federal agency, a person who holds such a certificate, 
and is performing dispatching, shall present the certificate 
for inspection. 
‘‘(c) DISPATCH CENTERS AND FLIGHT FOLLOWING 
CENTERS.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Each air carrier shall 
establish and maintain sufficient dispatch centers and 
flight following centers necessary to maintain oper-
ational control of each flight of the air carrier at all 
times. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—An air carrier shall en-
sure that each dispatch center and flight following 
center of the air carrier— 
‘‘(A) has a sufficient number of aircraft dis-
patchers on duty at the dispatch center or flight 
following center to ensure proper operational 
control of each flight of the air carrier at all 
times; 
‘‘(B) has the necessary equipment, in good 
repair, to maintain proper operational control of 
each flight of the air carrier at all times; and 
‘‘(C) includes the presence of physical secu-
rity and cybersecurity protections to prevent un-
authorized access to the dispatch center or flight
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following center or to the operations of either 
such center. 
‘‘(d) PROHIBITION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), an air carrier may not dispatch aircraft 
from any location other than the dispatch center or 
flight following center of the air carrier. 
‘‘(2) EMERGENCY AUTHORITY.—In the event of 
an emergency or other event that renders a dispatch 
center or a flight following center inoperable, an air 
carrier may dispatch aircraft from a location other 
than the dispatch center or flight following center of 
the air carrier for a period of time not to exceed 14 
consecutive days per location without approval of the 
Administrator.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 447 of such title is further amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘44748. Aircraft dispatching.’’. 
SEC. 421. CREWMEMBER PUMPING GUIDANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue 
guidance to part 121 air carriers relating to the expression 
of milk by crewmembers on an aircraft during noncritical 
phases of flight, consistent with the performance of the crew-
member’s duties aboard the aircraft. The guidance shall be
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equally applicable to any lactating crewmember. In devel-
oping the guidance, the Administrator shall— 
(1) consider multiple methods of expressing 
breast milk that could be used by crewmembers, in-
cluding the use of wearable lactation technology; and 
(2) ensure the guidance will not require an air 
carrier or foreign air carrier to incur significant ex-
pense, such as through— 
(A) the addition of an extra crewmember in 
response to providing a break; 
(B) removal or retrofitting of seats on the 
aircraft; or 
(C) modification or retrofitting of an air-
craft. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) CREWMEMBER.—The term ‘‘crewmember’’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 1.1 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(2) CRITICAL
PHASES
OF
FLIGHT.—The term 
‘‘critical phases of flight’’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 121.542 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
(3) PART 121.—The term ‘‘part 121’’ means part 
121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
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(c) AVIATION SAFETY.—Nothing in this section shall 
limit the authority of the Administrator relating to avia-
tion safety under subtitle VII of title 49, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 422. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON EXTENT AND EF-
FECTS OF COMMERCIAL AVIATION PILOT 
SHORTAGE ON REGIONAL/COMMUTER CAR-
RIERS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a 
study to identify the extent and effects of the commercial 
aviation pilot shortage on regional/commuter carriers (as 
such term is defined in section 41719(d) of title 49, United 
States Code). 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 12 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report con-
taining the results of the study conducted under subsection 
(a), including recommendations for such legislation and ad-
ministrative action as the Comptroller General determines 
appropriate.
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SEC. 423. REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDA-
TIONS OF FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRA-
TION YOUTH ACCESS TO AMERICAN JOBS IN 
AVIATION TASK FORCE. 
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report on the implementation of the following recommenda-
tions of the Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation 
Task Force of the FAA established under section 602 of the 
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–254): 
(1) Improve information access about careers in 
aviation and aerospace. 
(2) Collaboration across regions of the FAA on 
outreach and workforce development programs. 
(3) Increase opportunities for mentoring, pre-ap-
prenticeships, and apprenticeships in aviation. 
SEC. 424. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON IMPROVING UNMANNED 
AIRCRAFT SYSTEM STAFFING AT FAA. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator 
should leverage the Unmanned Aircraft System Collegiate 
Training Initiative to address any staffing challenges and 
skills gaps within the FAA to support efforts to facilitate 
the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems and other 
new airspace entrants into the national airspace system.
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SEC. 425. JOINT AVIATION EMPLOYMENT TRAINING WORK-
ING GROUP. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 120 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall estab-
lish an interagency working group (in this section referred 
to as the ‘‘working group’’) to advise the Secretary and the 
Secretary of Defense on matters and policies related to in-
creasing awareness of the eligibility, training, and experi-
ence requirements needed to become an FAA-certified or a 
military-covered aviation professional in order to improve 
career transitions between the military and civilian 
workforces. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The working group shall con-
sist of— 
(A) 2 co-chairs described in paragraph (2); 
(B) not less than 6 representatives of the 
FAA, to be appointed by the co-chair described 
in paragraph (2)(A); and 
(C) not less than 1 representative of each 
component of the armed forces (as such term is 
defined in section 101 of title 10, United States 
Code), to be appointed by the co-chair described 
in paragraph (2)(B). 
(2) CO-CHAIRS.—The working group shall be co- 
chaired by—
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(A) a representative of the Department of 
Transportation, to be appointed by the Sec-
retary; and 
(B) a representative of the Department of 
Defense, to be appointed by the Secretary of De-
fense. 
(c) ACTIVITIES.—The working group shall— 
(1) evaluate and compare all eligibility, train-
ing, and experience requirements for individuals in-
terested in becoming FAA-certified, or serving in the 
armed forces, as covered aviation professionals, in-
cluding agency policies, guidance, and orders affect-
ing covered aviation professionals; 
(2) identify challenges that inhibit recruitment, 
training, 
and 
retention 
within 
the 
respective 
workforces of such professionals; 
(3) assess methods to improve outreach, engage-
ment, and awareness of eligibility, training, and ex-
perience requirements needed to enter careers of cov-
ered aviation professionals; 
(4) consult with representatives from nonprofit 
organizations supporting veterans and representatives 
from aviation industry organizations representing 
covered aviation professionals in the development of
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recommendations required pursuant to subsection 
(d)(2)(B); and 
(5) identify opportunities for increased inter-
agency information sharing across workforces on mat-
ters related to certification pathways, including 
knowledge testing, affecting covered aviation profes-
sionals. 
(d) INITIAL REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date on which the Secretary establishes the work-
ing group, the working group shall submit to the cov-
ered committees of Congress an initial report on the 
activities of the working group. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report required under 
paragraph (1) shall include— 
(A) a detailed description of the findings of 
the working group pursuant to the activities re-
quired under subsection (c), including feedback 
offered by representatives described in subsection 
(c)(4); and 
(B) recommendations for regulatory, policy, 
or legislative action to improve awareness of the 
eligibility, training, and experience requirements 
needed to become FAA-certified or military-cov-
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ered aviation professionals across the civilian 
and military workforces. 
(e) ANNUAL REPORTING.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date on which the working group submits the initial 
report under subsection (d), and annually thereafter, the 
working group shall submit to the covered committees of 
Congress a report— 
(1) describing the continued activities of the 
working group; 
(2) describing any progress made by the Sec-
retary or Secretary of Defense in implementing the 
recommendations described in subsection (d)(2)(B); 
and 
(3) containing any other recommendations the 
working group may have with respect to efforts to im-
prove the employment and training of covered avia-
tion professionals in the civilian and military 
workforces. 
(f) SUNSET.—The working group shall terminate on 
the date that is 4 years after the date on which the working 
group submits the initial report to Congress pursuant to 
subsection (d). 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.—The 
term ‘‘covered committees of Congress’’ means—
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(A) the Committee on Armed Services of the 
House of Representatives; 
(B) the Committee on Armed Services of the 
Senate; 
(C) the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; 
and 
(D) the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate. 
(2) COVERED
AVIATION
PROFESSIONAL.—The 
term ‘‘covered aviation professional’’ means— 
(A) an airman; 
(B) an aircraft maintenance and repair 
technician; 
(C) an air traffic controller; and 
(D) any other aviation-related professional 
that has comparable tasks and duties across the 
civilian and military workforces, as determined 
jointly by the co-chairs of the working group. 
SEC. 426. MILITARY AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS 
RULE. 
(a) STREAMLINED
CERTIFICATION
FOR
ELIGIBLE 
MILITARY MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS.— 
(1) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
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trator shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to 
revise part 65 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, to— 
(A) create a military mechanic written 
competency test that addresses gaps between 
military and civilian experience; and 
(B) develop, as necessary, a relevant Air-
man Certification Standard to qualify eligible 
military maintenance technicians for a civilian 
mechanic certificate with airframe or powerplant 
ratings. 
(2) CONSIDERATION.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall evaluate and con-
sider— 
(A) whether to allow a certificate of eligi-
bility from the Joint Services Aviation Mainte-
nance Technician Certification Council (in this 
section referred to as the ‘‘JSAMTCC’’) evidenc-
ing completion of a training curriculum for any 
rating sought to serve as a substitute to fulfill the 
requirement under such part 65 for oral and 
practical tests administered by a designated me-
chanic examiner for eligible military mainte-
nance technicians;
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(B) aeronautical knowledge subject areas 
contained in the Aviation Mechanic General, 
Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification 
Standards as described in section 65.75 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, as appropriate, 
to the rating sought; and 
(C) any applicable recommendations by the 
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee Air-
man Certification System Working Group. 
(b) EXPANSION OF TESTING LOCATIONS.—Not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense 
and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall determine— 
(1) whether an expansion of the number of active 
testing locations operated within military installation 
testing centers would increase access to testing; and 
(2) how to implement such expansion, if appro-
priate. 
(c) OUTREACH AND AWARENESS.—Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Home-
land Security, shall develop a plan to increase outreach and 
awareness regarding services made available by the 
JSAMTCC and how such services can assist in facilitating
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the transition between military and civilian aviation main-
tenance careers. 
(d) BRIEFINGS.— 
(1) INITIAL BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date on which the Administrator develops the 
outreach and awareness plan pursuant to subsection 
(c), the Administrator shall provide to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of 
Representatives a briefing on the activities planned to 
implement the outreach and awareness plan. 
(2) PERIODIC BRIEFING.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and 2 years 
thereafter, the Administrator shall provide to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the House of Representatives a briefing on any 
rulemaking activities carried out pursuant to sub-
section (a), including a timeline for the issuance of a 
final rule.
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(e) ELIGIBLE MILITARY MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN 
DEFINED.—For purposes of this section, the term ‘‘eligible 
military maintenance technician’’ means an individual 
who— 
(1) has been a maintenance technician during 
service in the armed forces who was honorably dis-
charged or has retired from the armed forces (as de-
fined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code); 
(2) presents an official record of service in the 
armed forces confirming that the individual has been 
a military aviation maintenance technician, holding 
an appropriate Military Occupational Specialty 
Code, as determined by the Administrator, in coordi-
nation with the Secretary of Defense; and 
(3) presents documentary evidence of experience 
in accordance with the requirements under section 
65.77 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 427. CREWMEMBER SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING. 
Section 44918 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by inserting ‘‘and un-
ruly passenger behavior’’ before the period at the 
end; 
(B) in paragraph (2)—
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(i) by striking subparagraph (A) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) Recognize suspicious behavior and ac-
tivities and determine the seriousness of any oc-
currence of such behavior and activities.’’; 
(ii) by striking subparagraph (H) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(H) De-escalation training based on rec-
ommendations issued by the Air Carrier Train-
ing Aviation Rulemaking Committee.’’; 
(iii) by redesignating subparagraphs 
(I) and (J) as subparagraphs (J) and (K), 
respectively; and 
(iv) by inserting after subparagraph 
(H) the following: 
‘‘(I) Methods to subdue and restrain an ac-
tive attacker.’’; 
(C) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(4) MINIMUM STANDARDS.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of the FAA Reau-
thorization Act of 2024, the Administrator of the 
Transportation Security Administration, in consulta-
tion with the Federal Air Marshal Service and the
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Aviation Security Advisory Committee, shall establish 
minimum standards for— 
‘‘(A) the training provided under this sub-
section and any for recurrent training; and 
‘‘(B) the individuals or entities providing 
such training.’’; and 
(D) in paragraph (6)— 
(i) in the first sentence— 
(I) by inserting ‘‘and the Federal 
Air Marshal Service’’ after ‘‘consulta-
tion with the Administrator’’; 
(II) by striking ‘‘and periodically 
shall’’ and inserting ‘‘and shall peri-
odically’’; and 
(III) by inserting ‘‘based on 
changes in the potential or actual 
threat conditions’’ before the period at 
the end; and 
(ii) in the third sentence by inserting 
‘‘, including self-defense training expertise 
and experience’’ before the period at the end; 
and 
(2) in subsection (b)—
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(A) in paragraph (4) by striking ‘‘Neither’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Except as provided in paragraph 
(8), neither’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(8) AIR
CARRIER
ACCOMMODATION.—An air 
carrier with a crew member participating in the 
training program under this subsection shall provide 
a process through which each such crew member may 
obtain reasonable accommodations.’’. 
SEC. 428. DIRECT-HIRE AUTHORITY UTILIZATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall utilize di-
rect hire authorities (as such authorities existed on the day 
before the date of enactment of this Act) to hire individuals 
on a non-competitive basis for positions related to aircraft 
certification and aviation safety. In utilizing such authori-
ties, the Administrator shall take into consideration any 
staffing gaps in the safety workforce of the FAA, including 
in positions supporting the safe integration of unmanned 
aircraft systems and other new airspace entrants. 
(b) CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually 
thereafter through 2028, the Administrator shall brief the 
appropriate committees of Congress on the— 
(1) utilization of the Administrator’s direct-hire 
authorities described in subsection (a);
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(2) utilization of the Administrator’s direct-hire 
authorities with respect to the Unmanned Aircraft 
System Collegiate Training Initiative of the FAA; 
and 
(3) number of employees hired as a result of the 
utilization of such authorities by the Administrator, 
the relevant lines of business or offices in which such 
employees were hired, and the occupational series of 
the positions filled. 
SEC. 429. FAA WORKFORCE REVIEW AUDIT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the inspector general of the 
Department of Transportation shall initiate an audit of 
any FAA workforce plans completed during the 5 fiscal 
years preceding the fiscal year in which such audit is initi-
ated related to occupations the agency relies on to accom-
plish its aviation safety mission. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the audit under sub-
section (a), the inspector general shall— 
(1) identify whether any safety-critical positions 
have not been reviewed within the period specified in 
subsection (a); 
(2) assess staffing levels and workforce retention 
trends relating to safety-critical occupations within 
all offices of the FAA that support such services;
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(3) review FAA workforce gaps in safety-critical 
and senior positions, including the average vacancy 
period of such positions during the most recent fiscal 
year in the period specified in subsection (a); 
(4) evaluate any applicable assessments of the 
historic workload of safety-critical positions and 
changes in workload demands over time; 
(5) analyze any applicable assessments of crit-
ical competencies and skills gaps among safety-crit-
ical positions conducted by the FAA and any relevant 
agency actions in response; 
(6) review whether existing FAA workforce devel-
opment programs are producing intended results, es-
pecially in rural communities, such as increased re-
cruitment and retention of agency personnel; and 
(7) review opportunities (as such opportunities 
exist on the date of enactment of this Act) for employ-
ees of the FAA to gain or enhance expertise, knowl-
edge, skills, and abilities through cooperative training 
with appropriate aerospace companies and organiza-
tions, including— 
(A) assessing the appropriateness of existing 
cooperative training programs and any conflicts 
of interest or the appearance of such conflicts 
with FAA policies and obligations relating to
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FAA employee interactions with aviation indus-
try; 
(B) identifying a means by which to lever-
age such programs to support credentialing and 
recurrent training activities for FAA employees, 
as appropriate; 
(C) assessing the policies and procedures the 
FAA has established to avoid both conflicts of in-
terest and the appearance of such conflicts for 
employees participating in such opportunities, 
which may include requirements under— 
(i) chapter 131 of title 5, United States 
Code; 
(ii) chapter 11 of title 18, United 
States Code; 
(iii) subchapter B of chapter XVI of 
title 5, Code of Federal Regulations; and 
(iv) sections 2635.101 and 2635.502 of 
title 5, Code of Federal Regulations; and 
(D) evaluating whether the conflict of inter-
est policies and procedures of the FAA for such 
opportunities provide for the appropriate means 
by which employees return to work at the FAA 
after having engaged in such opportunities.
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(c) INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT.—Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this Act, the inspector 
general shall submit to the Administrator and the appro-
priate committees of Congress— 
(1) a report on the results of the audit conducted 
under subsection (a); and 
(2) recommendations for such legislative and ad-
ministrative action as the inspector general deter-
mines appropriate. 
SEC. 430. STAFFING MODEL FOR AVIATION SAFETY INSPEC-
TORS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall re-
view and, as necessary, revise the staffing model for avia-
tion safety inspectors. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) CONSIDERATION OF PRIOR STUDIES AND RE-
PORTS.—In reviewing and revising the model, the Ad-
ministrator shall take into consideration the contents 
and recommendations contained in the following: 
(A) The 2006 report released by the Na-
tional Research Council titled ‘‘Staffing Stand-
ards for Aviation Safety Inspectors’’.
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(B) The 2007 study released by the National 
Academy of Sciences titled ‘‘Staffing Standards 
for Aviation Safety Inspectors’’. 
(C) The 2013 report released by Grant 
Thornton LLP, titled ‘‘ASTARS Gap Analysis 
Study: Comparison of the AVS Staffing Model 
for Aviation Safety Inspectors to the National 
Academy of Sciences’ Recommendations Final 
Report’’. 
(D) The 2021 report released by the inspec-
tor general of the Department of Transportation 
titled ‘‘FAA Can Increase Its Inspector Staffing 
Model’s Effectiveness by Implementing System 
Improvements and Maximizing Its Capabilities’’. 
(E) The FAA Fiscal Year 2023 Aviation 
Safety Workforce Plan conducted to satisfy the 
requirements of section 104 of the Aircraft Cer-
tification, Safety, and Accountability Act, as en-
acted in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
2021 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note). 
(2) ASSESSMENTS.—In carrying out this section, 
the Administrator shall assess the following: 
(A) Projected staffing needs at the service 
and office level.
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(B) Forecasted attrition of the aviation 
safety inspector workforce. 
(C) Forecasted workload of aviation safety 
inspectors, including responsibilities associated 
with overseeing aviation manufacturers and new 
airspace entrants. 
(D) Means by which field managers use the 
model to assess aviation safety inspector staffing 
and provide feedback on resources needed at the 
office level. 
(E) Work performed by aviation safety in-
spectors in comparison to designees acting on be-
half of the Administrator. 
(F) Any associated performance metrics to 
inform periodic comparisons to actual aviation 
safety inspector staffing level results. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out this sec-
tion, the Administrator shall consult with interested 
persons, including the exclusive collective bargaining 
representative for aviation safety inspectors certified 
under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code. 
SEC. 431. SAFETY-CRITICAL STAFFING. 
(a) IMPLEMENTATION OF STAFFING STANDARDS FOR 
SAFETY INSPECTORS.—Upon completion of the revised 
staffing model for aviation safety inspectors under section
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† HR 3935 EAS 
430, and validation of the model by the Administrator, the 
Administrator shall take all appropriate actions in re-
sponse to the number of aviation safety inspectors, aviation 
safety technicians, and operation support positions that are 
identified in such model to meet the responsibilities of the 
Flight Standards Service and Aircraft Certification Serv-
ice, including potentially increasing the number of safety 
critical positions in the Flight Standards Service and Air-
craft Certification Service each fiscal year, as appropriate, 
so long as such staffing increases are measured relative to 
the number of individuals serving in safety-critical posi-
tions as of September 30, 2023. 
(b) AVAILABILITY OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Any increase 
in safety critical staffing pursuant to this subsection shall 
be subject to the availability of appropriations. 
(c) SAFETY-CRITICAL POSITIONS DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘safety-critical positions’’ means— 
(1) aviation safety inspectors, aviation safety 
specialists (1801 job series), aviation safety techni-
cians, and operations support positions in the Flight 
Standards Service; and 
(2) manufacturing safety inspectors, pilots, engi-
neers, Chief Scientist Technical Advisors, aviation 
safety specialists (1801 job series), safety technical
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specialists, and operational support positions in the 
Aircraft Certification Service. 
SEC. 432. DETERRING CREWMEMBER INTERFERENCE. 
(a) TASK FORCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall convene a task force to develop voluntary stand-
ards and best practices relating to suspected viola-
tions of sections 46318, 46503, and 46504 of title 49, 
United States Code, including— 
(A) proper and consistent incident docu-
mentation and reporting techniques; 
(B) best practices for flight crew and cabin 
crew response, including de-escalation; 
(C) improved coordination between stake-
holders, including flight crew and cabin crew, 
airport staff, other Federal agencies as appro-
priate, and law enforcement; and 
(D) appropriate enforcement actions. 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The task force convened 
under paragraph (1) shall be comprised of representa-
tives of— 
(A) air carriers; 
(B) airport sponsors and airport law en-
forcement agencies;
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(C) other Federal agencies determined nec-
essary by the Administrator; 
(D) labor organizations representing air 
carrier pilots; 
(E) labor organizations representing flight 
attendants; and 
(F) 
labor 
organizations 
representing 
ticketing, check-in, or other customer service rep-
resentatives employed by air carriers. 
(b) ANNOUNCEMENTS.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
initiate such actions as may be necessary to include in the 
briefing of passengers before takeoff required under section 
121.571 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, a state-
ment informing passengers that it is against Federal law 
to assault or threaten to assault any individual on an air-
craft or interfere with the duties of a crewmember. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section, the 
definitions in section 40102(a) of title 49, United States 
Code, shall apply to terms in this section. 
SEC. 433. USE OF BIOGRAPHICAL ASSESSMENTS. 
Section 44506(f)(2)(A) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘paragraph (1)(B)(ii)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘paragraph (1)(B)’’.
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SEC. 434. EMPLOYEE ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RE-
SPONSE PLAN STANDARDS AND BEST PRAC-
TICES. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress 
that— 
(1) each air carrier operating under part 121 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, shall submit to 
the Administrator an Employee Assault Prevention 
and Response Plan pursuant to section 551 of the 
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44903 
note); 
(2) each such air carrier should have in place 
and deploy an Employee Assault Prevention and Re-
sponse Plan to facilitate appropriate protocols, stand-
ards, and training to equip employees with best prac-
tices and the experience necessary to respond effec-
tively to hostile situations and disruptive behavior 
and maintain a safe traveling experience; and 
(3) any air carrier formed after the date of en-
actment of this Act should develop and implement an 
Employee Assault Prevention and Response Plan. 
(b) REQUIRED BRIEFING.—Section 551 of the FAA 
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44903 note) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) BRIEFING TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Adminis-
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trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall provide 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a briefing on the 
Employee Assault Prevention and Response Plan submitted 
by each air carrier pursuant to this section.’’. 
SEC. 435. FORMAL POLICY ON SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HAR-
ASSMENT ON AIR CARRIERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, passenger air carriers oper-
ating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, shall issue, in consultation with labor unions rep-
resenting personnel, a formal policy with respect to sexual 
assault or harassment incidents. 
(b) CONTENTS.—Each policy required under sub-
section (a) shall include— 
(1) a statement indicating that no sexual assault 
or harassment incident is acceptable under any cir-
cumstance; 
(2) procedures that facilitate the reporting of a 
sexual assault or harassment incident, including— 
(A) appropriate public outreach activities; 
and 
(B) confidential phone and internet-based 
opportunities for reporting; 
(3) procedures that personnel should follow upon 
the reporting of a sexual assault or harassment inci-
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dent, including actions to protect affected individuals 
from continued sexual assault or harassment and to 
notify law enforcement, including the Federal Bureau 
of Investigation, when appropriate; 
(4) procedures that may limit or prohibit, to the 
extent practicable, future travel with the air carrier 
by any passenger who commits a sexual assault or 
harassment incident; and 
(5) training that is required for all appropriate 
personnel with respect to each such policy, including 
specific training for personnel who may receive re-
ports of sexual assault or harassment incidents. 
(c) PASSENGER INFORMATION.—An air carrier de-
scribed in subsection (a) shall display, on the website of the 
air carrier and through the use of appropriate signage, a 
written statement that informs passengers and personnel of 
the procedure for reporting a sexual assault or harassment 
incident. 
(d) STANDARD OF CARE.—Compliance with the re-
quirements of this section, and any policy issued there-
under, shall not determine whether the air carrier described 
in subsection (a) has acted with any requisite standard of 
care. 
(e) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—
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(1) EFFECT ON AUTHORITIES.—Nothing in this 
section shall be construed as granting the Secretary 
any additional authorities beyond ensuring that a 
passenger air carrier operating under part 121 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations issues a formal 
policy and displays required information in compli-
ance with this section. 
(2) EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.—Nothing in this 
section shall be construed to alter existing authorities 
of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 
the Department of Labor, or the Department of Jus-
tice to enforce applicable employment and sexual as-
sault and sexual harassment laws. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) PERSONNEL.—The term ‘‘personnel’’ means 
an employee or contractor of passenger air carrier op-
erating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
(2) SEXUAL
ASSAULT.—The term ‘‘sexual as-
sault’’ means the occurrence of an act that constitutes 
any nonconsensual sexual act proscribed by Federal, 
tribal, or State law, including when the victim lacks 
capacity to consent. 
(3) SEXUAL
ASSAULT
OR
HARASSMENT
INCI-
DENT.—The term ‘‘sexual assault or harassment inci-
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dent’’ means the occurrence, or reasonably suspected 
occurrence, of an act that— 
(A) constitutes sexual assault or sexual har-
assment; and 
(B) is committed— 
(i) by a passenger or personnel against 
another passenger or personnel; and 
(ii) within an aircraft or in an area 
in which passengers are entering or exiting 
an aircraft. 
SEC. 436. INTERFERENCE WITH SECURITY SCREENING PER-
SONNEL. 
Section 46503 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘An individual’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—An individual’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) AIRPORT AND AIR CARRIER EMPLOYEES.—For 
purposes of this section, an airport or air carrier employee 
who has security duties within the airport includes an air-
port or air carrier employee performing ticketing, check- 
in, baggage claim, or boarding functions.’’.
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SEC. 437. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL WORKFORCE STAFFING. 
(a) MAXIMUM HIRING.—Subject to the availability of 
appropriations, for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, 
the Administrator shall set as the minimum hiring target 
for new air traffic controllers (excluding individuals de-
scribed in section 44506(f)(1)(A) of title 49, United States 
Code) the maximum number of individuals able to be 
trained at the Federal Aviation Administration Academy. 
(b) TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD ASSESS-
MENT.— 
(1) REVIEW.—Not later than 30 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
submit an attestation to the appropriate committees 
of Congress demonstrating an agreement entered into 
with the with the National Academies Transportation 
Research Board to— 
(A) compare the Certified Professional Con-
troller (in this section referred to as ‘‘CPC’’) 
operational staffing models and methodologies in 
determining the FAA Controller Staffing Stand-
ard included in the 2023 Air Traffic Controller 
Workforce Plan of the FAA, with such models 
and methodologies developed by the Collaborative 
Resource Workgroup of the FAA (in this sub-
section referred to as ‘‘CRWG’’) to determine 
CPC operational staffing targets necessary to
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meet facility operational, statutory, contractual 
and safety requirements, including— 
(i) the availability factor multiplier 
and other formula components; 
(ii) the independent facility staffing 
targets of CPCs able to control traffic; 
(iii) air traffic controller position uti-
lization; 
(iv) attrition rates at each air traffic 
control facility operated by the Administra-
tion; and 
(v) the time needed to meet facility 
operational, statutory, and contractual re-
quirements, including relevant resources to 
develop, evaluate, and implement processes 
and initiatives affecting the national air-
space system; 
(B) examine the current and estimated 
budgets of the FAA to implement the FAA Con-
troller Staffing Standard included in the 2023 
Controller Workforce Plan in comparison to the 
funding needed to implement the CRWG CPC 
operational staffing targets; 
(C) assess future needs of the air traffic con-
trol system and potential impacts on staffing
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standards, including projected air traffic in the 
airspace of each air traffic control facility oper-
ated by the Administration; and 
(D) determine which staffing models and 
methodologies evaluated pursuant to this sub-
section best accounts for the operational staffing 
needs of the air traffic control system and pro-
vide a justification for such determination. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the 
agreement entered into pursuant to paragraph (b)(1), 
the Transportation Research Board of the National 
Academies shall submit a report to the Administrator 
and appropriate committees of Congress on the find-
ings and recommendations under this subsection, in-
cluding the determination pursuant to subparagraph 
(D). 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the assess-
ment under this subsection, the Transportation Re-
search Board shall consult with— 
(A) the exclusive bargaining representatives 
of air traffic control specialists of the Adminis-
tration certified under section 7111 of title 5, 
United States Code; 
(B) front line managers of the air traffic 
control system;
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(C) managers and employees responsible for 
training air traffic controllers; 
(D) the MITRE Corporation; 
(E) the Chief Operating Officer of the Air 
Traffic Organization of the FAA, and other Fed-
eral Government representatives; 
(F) users and operators in the air traffic 
control system; 
(G) relevant industry representatives; and 
(H) other parties determined appropriate 
by the Transportation Research Board of the Na-
tional Academies. 
(c) REQUIRED
IMPLEMENTATION
OF
IDENTIFIED 
STAFFING MODEL.— 
(1) USE OF STAFFING MODEL.—The Adminis-
trator shall, as appropriate, take such action that 
may be necessary to implement and use the staffing 
model identified by the Transportation Research 
Board pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(D), including 
any recommendations for improving such model, not 
later than one year after enactment of this Act. 
(2) BRIEFING.—Not later than 90 days after tak-
ing such actions to implement and use the staffing 
model identified by the Transportation Research 
Board pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(D), the Adminis-
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trator shall brief the appropriate committees of Con-
gress regarding the reasons for why any recommenda-
tion by the Transportation Research Board study was 
not incorporated into the implemented staffing model. 
(d) REVISED STAFFING STANDARDS.—The Adminis-
tration shall revise the FAA CPC operational staffing 
standards of the Administration implemented under sub-
section (c) to— 
(1) provide that the controller and management 
workforce is sufficiently staffed to safely and effi-
ciently manage and oversee the air traffic control sys-
tem; 
(2) account for the target number of CPCs able 
to control traffic at each independent facility; and 
(3) avoid any required or requested reduction of 
national airspace system capacity or aircraft oper-
ations as a result of inadequate air traffic control 
system staffing. 
(e) INTERIM
ADOPTION
OF
COLLABORATIVE
RE-
SOURCE WORKGROUP MODELS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In submitting a Controller 
Workforce Plan of the FAA to Congress published 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall adopt and use the staffing models and 
methodologies developed by the Collaborative Resource
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Workgroup that were recommended in the 2023 Con-
troller Workforce Plan. 
(2) REVISIONS
TO
THE
CONTROLLER
WORK-
FORCE PLAN.—Section 44506(e) of title 49, United 
States Code is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘the num-
ber of air traffic controllers needed’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘the number of fully certified air traffic con-
trollers needed’’; 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and 
(3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) for each air traffic control facility operated 
by the Federal Aviation Administration— 
‘‘(A) the current certified professional con-
troller staffing levels; 
‘‘(B) the operational staffing targets for cer-
tified professional controllers; 
‘‘(C) the anticipated certified professional 
controller attrition for each of the next 3 years; 
and 
‘‘(D) the number of certified professional 
controller trainees;’’.
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(3) EFFECTIVE
DATE.—The requirements of 
paragraph (1) shall cease to be effective upon the 
adoption and implementation of a revised staffing 
model by the Administrator as required under sub-
section (c). 
(f) CONTROLLER TRAINING.—In any Controller Work-
force Plan of the FAA published after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall— 
(1) identify all limiting factors on the ability of 
the Administrator to hire and train controllers in line 
with the staffing standards target set out in such 
Plan; and 
(2) describe what actions the Administrator in-
tends to take to rectify any impediments to meeting 
staffing standards targets and identify contributing 
factors that are outside the control of the Adminis-
trator. 
SEC. 438. AIRPORT SERVICE WORKFORCE ANALYSIS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall com-
plete a comprehensive review of the domestic airport service 
workforce and examine the role of, impact on, and impor-
tance of such workforce to the aviation economy. 
(b) WORKING GROUP.—
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(1) REPORT.—Upon completion of the review re-
quired under subsection (a), the Comptroller General 
shall submit to the Secretary a report containing such 
review. 
(2) PUBLIC
WORKING
GROUP.—The Secretary 
may convene a public working group to evaluate and 
discuss the report under paragraph (1) containing— 
(A) the entities the Comptroller General 
consulted with in carrying out the review under 
subsection (a); 
(B) representatives of other relevant Federal 
agencies; and 
(C) any other appropriate stakeholder. 
(3) TERMINATION.—If the Secretary convenes a 
working group under paragraph (2), such working 
group shall terminate on the date that is 1 year after 
the date on which the working group is convened. 
SEC. 439. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION ACADEMY 
AND FACILITY EXPANSION PLAN. 
(a) PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—No later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall initiate the development of a plan to expand 
overall FAA capacity relating to facilities, instruc-
tion, equipment, and training resources to grow the
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number of developmental air traffic controllers en-
rolled per fiscal year and support increases in FAA 
air controller staffing to advance the safety of the na-
tional airspace system. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the plan 
under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall con-
sider— 
(A) the resources needed to support an in-
crease in the total number of developmental air 
traffic controllers enrolled at the FAA Academy; 
(B) the resources needed to lessen FAA 
Academy attrition per fiscal year; 
(C) how to modernize the education and 
training of developmental air traffic controllers, 
including through the use of new techniques and 
technologies to support instruction; 
(D) the equipment needed to support ex-
panded instruction, including air traffic control 
simulation systems, virtual reality, and other 
virtual training platforms; 
(E) projected staffing needs associated with 
FAA Academy expansion and the operation of 
education platforms, including the number of on- 
the-job instructors needed to educate and train 
additional developmental air traffic controllers;
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(F) the costs of expanding FAA capacity at 
the existing air traffic control academy (as de-
scribed in paragraph (1)(A)); 
(G) soliciting input from, and coordinating 
with, relevant stakeholders as appropriate, in-
cluding the exclusive bargaining representative of 
air traffic control specialists of the FAA certified 
under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code; 
and 
(H) other logistical and financial consider-
ations as determined appropriate by the Admin-
istrator. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress the plan developed 
under subsection (a). 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after the sub-
mission of the plan under subsection (b), the Administrator 
shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the 
plan, including the implementation of the plan. 
SEC. 440. IMPROVING FEDERAL AVIATION WORKFORCE DE-
VELOPMENT PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 625 of the FAA Reauthor-
ization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended to 
read as follows:
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‘‘SEC. 625. AVIATION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PRO-
GRAMS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall establish— 
‘‘(1) a program to provide grants for eligible 
projects to support the education and recruitment of 
future aircraft pilots and the development of the air-
craft pilot workforce; 
‘‘(2) a program to provide grants for eligible 
projects to support the education and recruitment of 
aviation maintenance technical workers and the de-
velopment of the aviation maintenance workforce; and 
‘‘(3) a program to provide grants for eligible 
projects to support the education and recruitment of 
aviation manufacturing technical workers and aero-
space engineers and the development of the aviation 
manufacturing workforce. 
‘‘(b) PROJECT GRANTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Out of amounts made avail-
able under section 48105 of title 49, United States 
Code, there is authorized to be appropriated— 
‘‘(A) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2025 through 2028 to provide grants under the 
program established under subsection (a)(1);
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‘‘(B) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2025 through 2028 to provide grants under the 
program established under subsection (a)(2); and 
‘‘(C) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2025 through 2028 to provide grants under the 
program established under subsection (a)(3). 
‘‘(2) DOLLAR
AMOUNT
LIMIT.—In providing 
grants under the programs established under sub-
section (a), the Secretary may not make any grant 
more than $1,000,000 to any eligible entity in any 1 
fiscal year. 
‘‘(3) EDUCATION
PROJECTS.—The 
Secretary 
shall ensure that not less than 20 percent of the 
amounts made available under this subsection is used 
to carry out a grant program that shall be referred 
to as the ‘Willa Brown Aviation Education Program’ 
under which the Secretary shall provide grants for el-
igible projects described in subsection (d) that are car-
ried out in counties containing at least 1 qualified 
opportunity zone (as such term is defined in section 
1400Z–1(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986). 
‘‘(4) SET ASIDE FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
The Secretary may set aside up to 2 percent of the 
funds appropriated to carry out this subsection for 
each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028 to provide
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technical assistance to eligible applicants for a grant 
under this subsection. 
‘‘(5) 
CONSIDERATION
FOR
CERTAIN
APPLI-
CANTS.—In reviewing and selecting applications for 
grants under the programs established under sub-
section (a), the Secretary may give consideration to 
applicants that provide an assurance— 
‘‘(A) to use grant funds to encourage the 
participation of populations that are underrep-
resented in the aviation industry, including in 
economically disadvantaged geographic areas 
and rural communities; 
‘‘(B) to address the workforce needs of rural 
and regional airports; or 
‘‘(C) to strengthen aviation programs at a 
minority-serving institution (as described in sec-
tion 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)), a public institution of 
higher education, or a public postsecondary voca-
tional institution. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) APPLICATION
FOR
AIRCRAFT
PILOT
PRO-
GRAM.—An application for a grant under the pro-
gram established under subsection (a)(1) may be sub-
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mitted, in such form as the Secretary may specify, 
by— 
‘‘(A) an air carrier (as such term is defined 
in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code); 
‘‘(B) an entity that holds management spec-
ifications under subpart K of title 91 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations; 
‘‘(C) an accredited institution of higher 
education, a postsecondary vocational institu-
tion, or a high school or secondary school; 
‘‘(D) a flight school that provides flight 
training, as such term is defined in part 61 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or that 
holds a pilot school certificate under part 141 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; 
‘‘(E) a labor organization representing pro-
fessional aircraft pilots; 
‘‘(F) an aviation-related nonprofit organi-
zation described in section 501(c)(3) of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code of 1986 that is exempt from 
taxation under section 501(a) of such Code; or 
‘‘(G) a State, local, territorial, or Tribal 
governmental entity. 
‘‘(2) APPLICATION FOR AVIATION MAINTENANCE 
PROGRAM.—An application for a grant under the
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† HR 3935 EAS 
program established under subsection (a)(2) may be 
submitted, in such form as the Secretary may specify, 
by— 
‘‘(A) a holder of a certificate issued under 
part 21, 121, 135, 145, or 147 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations; 
‘‘(B) a labor organization representing 
aviation maintenance workers; 
‘‘(C) an accredited institution of higher 
education, a postsecondary vocational institu-
tion, or a high school or secondary school; 
‘‘(D) an aviation-related nonprofit organi-
zation described in section 501(c)(3) of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code of 1986 that is exempt from 
taxation under section 501(a) of such Code; or 
‘‘(E) a State, local, territorial, or Tribal 
governmental entity. 
‘‘(3) APPLICATION
FOR
AVIATION
MANUFAC-
TURING PROGRAM.—An application for a grant under 
the program established under subsection (a)(3) may 
be submitted, in such form as the Secretary may 
specify, by— 
‘‘(A) a holder of a type or production cer-
tificate or similar authorization issued under 
section 44704 of title 49, United States Code;
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† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(B) an accredited institution of higher 
education, a postsecondary vocational institu-
tion, or a high school or secondary school; 
‘‘(C) an aviation-related nonprofit organi-
zation described in section 501(c)(3) of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code of 1986 that is exempt from 
taxation under section 501(a) of such Code; 
‘‘(D) a labor organization representing 
aerospace engineering, design, or manufacturing 
workers; or 
‘‘(E) a State, local, territorial, or Tribal 
governmental entity. 
‘‘(d) ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.— 
‘‘(1) AIRCRAFT PILOT PROGRAM.—For purposes 
of the program established under subsection (a)(1), an 
eligible project is a project— 
‘‘(A) to create and deliver a program or 
curriculum that provides high school or sec-
ondary school students and students of institu-
tions of higher education with meaningful avia-
tion education to become aircraft pilots or un-
manned aircraft systems operators, including 
purchasing and operating a computer-based sim-
ulator associated with such curriculum;
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‘‘(B) to establish or improve registered ap-
prenticeship, internship, or scholarship programs 
for individuals pursuing employment as a pro-
fessional aircraft pilot or unmanned aircraft sys-
tems operator; 
‘‘(C) to create and deliver curriculum that 
provides certified flight instructors with the nec-
essary instructional, leadership, and communica-
tion skills to better educate student pilots; 
‘‘(D) to support the transition to profes-
sional aircraft pilot or unmanned systems oper-
ator careers, including for members and veterans 
of the armed forces; 
‘‘(E) to support robust outreach about ca-
reers in commercial aviation as a professional 
aircraft pilot or unmanned system operator, in-
cluding outreach to populations that are under-
represented in the aviation industry; or 
‘‘(F) to otherwise enhance or expand the 
aircraft pilot or unmanned aircraft system oper-
ator workforce. 
‘‘(2) AVIATION
MAINTENANCE
PROGRAM.—For 
purposes of the program established under subsection 
(a)(2), an eligible project is a project—
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‘‘(A) to create and deliver a program or 
curriculum that provides high school and sec-
ondary school students and students of institu-
tions of higher education with meaningful avia-
tion maintenance education to become an avia-
tion mechanic or aviation maintenance techni-
cian, including purchasing and operating equip-
ment associated with such curriculum; 
‘‘(B) to establish or improve registered ap-
prenticeship, internship, or scholarship programs 
for individuals pursuing employment in the 
aviation maintenance industry; 
‘‘(C) to support the transition to aviation 
maintenance careers, including for members and 
veterans of the armed forces; 
‘‘(D) to support robust outreach about ca-
reers in the aviation maintenance industry, in-
cluding outreach to populations that are under-
represented in the aviation industry; or 
‘‘(E) to otherwise enhance or expand the 
aviation maintenance technical workforce. 
‘‘(3) AVIATION MANUFACTURING PROGRAM.—For 
purposes of the program established under subsection 
(a)(3), an eligible project is a project—
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‘‘(A) to create and deliver a program or 
curriculum that provides high school and sec-
ondary school students and students of institu-
tions of higher education with meaningful avia-
tion manufacturing education to become an 
aviation manufacturing technical worker or 
aerospace engineer, including teaching technical 
skills used in the engineering and production of 
components, parts, or systems thereof for inclu-
sion in an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or 
appliance; 
‘‘(B) to establish registered apprenticeship, 
internship, or scholarship programs for individ-
uals pursuing employment in the aviation man-
ufacturing industry; 
‘‘(C) to support the transition to aviation 
manufacturing careers, including for members 
and veterans of the armed forces; 
‘‘(D) to support robust outreach about ca-
reers in the aviation manufacturing industry, 
including outreach to populations that are 
underrepresented in the aviation industry; or 
‘‘(E) to otherwise enhance or expand the 
aviation manufacturing workforce.
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‘‘(e) REPORTING AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS.— 
The Secretary shall establish reasonable reporting and mon-
itoring requirements for grant recipients under this section 
to measure relevant outcomes for the grant programs estab-
lished under subsection (a). 
‘‘(f) NOTICE OF GRANTS.— 
‘‘(1) TIMELY
PUBLIC
NOTICE.—The Secretary 
shall provide public notice of any grant awarded 
under this section in a timely fashion after the Sec-
retary awards such grant. 
‘‘(2) NOTICE TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary shall 
provide to the appropriate Committees of Congress 
advance notice of a grant to be made under this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(g) GRANT AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(1) LIMIT ON FAA AUTHORITY.—The authority 
of the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration, acting on behalf of the Secretary, to issue 
grants under this section shall terminate on October 
1, 2027. 
‘‘(2) NONDELEGATION.—Beginning on October 1, 
2027, the Secretary shall issue grants under this sec-
tion and may not delegate any of the authorities or 
responsibilities under this section to the Adminis-
trator.
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‘‘(h) PROGRAM NAME REDESIGNATION.—Beginning on 
October 1, 2027, the Secretary shall redesignate the name 
of the program established under subsection (a) as the ‘Co-
operative Aviation Recruitment, Enrichment, and Employ-
ment Readiness Program’ or the ‘CAREER Program’. 
‘‘(i) CONSULTATION
WITH
SECRETARY
OF
EDU-
CATION.—The Secretary may consult with the Secretary of 
Education, as appropriate, in— 
‘‘(1) reviewing applications for grants for eligi-
ble projects under this section; and 
‘‘(2) developing considerations regarding pro-
gram quality and measurement of student outcomes. 
‘‘(j) REPORT.—Not later than September 30, 2028, the 
Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report on the administration of the programs 
established under subsection (a) covering each of fiscal years 
2025 through 2028 that includes— 
‘‘(1) a summary of projects awarded grants 
under this section and the progress of each recipient 
towards fulfilling program expectations; 
‘‘(2) an evaluation of how such projects cumula-
tively impact the future supply of individuals in the 
United States aviation workforce, including any re-
lated best practices for carrying out such projects;
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‘‘(3) recommendations for better coordinating ac-
tions by governmental entities, educational institu-
tions, and businesses, aviation labor organizations, or 
other stakeholders to support aviation workforce 
growth; 
‘‘(4) a review of how many grant recipients en-
gaged with veterans and the resulting impact, if ap-
plicable, on recruiting and retaining veterans as part 
of the aviation workforce; and 
‘‘(5) a review of outreach conducted by grant re-
cipients to encourage individuals to participate in 
aviation careers and the resulting impact, if applica-
ble, on recruiting and retaining such individuals as 
part of the aviation workforce. 
‘‘(k) PROGRAM AUTHORITY SUNSET.—The authority 
of the Secretary to issue grants under this section shall ex-
pire on October 1, 2028. 
‘‘(l) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ARMED FORCES.—The term ‘armed forces’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 101 of 
title 10, United States Code. 
‘‘(2) HIGH SCHOOL.—The term ‘high school’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 7801)).
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‘‘(3) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘institution of higher education’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). 
‘‘(4) 
POSTSECONDARY
VOCATIONAL
INSTITU-
TION.—The term ‘postsecondary vocational institu-
tion’ has the meaning given such term in section 
102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1002(c)). 
‘‘(5) SECONDARY SCHOOL.—The term ‘secondary 
school’ has the meaning given such term in section 
8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)).’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on October 1, 2024. 
SEC. 441. NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AVIATION 
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 401 of title 49, United 
States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘§ 40132. National strategic plan for aviation work-
force development 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than September 30, 
2025, the Secretary of Transportation shall, in consultation 
with other Federal agencies and the Cooperative Aviation
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Recruitment, Enrichment, and Employment Readiness 
Council (in this section referred to as the ‘CAREER Coun-
cil’) established in subsection (c), establish and maintain 
a national strategic plan to improve recruitment, hiring, 
and retention and address projected challenges in the civil 
aviation workforce, including— 
‘‘(1) any short-term, medium-term, and long- 
term workforce challenges relevant to the economy, 
workforce readiness, and priorities of the United 
States aviation sector; 
‘‘(2) any existing or projected workforce short-
ages; and 
‘‘(3) any workforce situation or condition that 
warrants special attention by the Federal Govern-
ment. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The national strategic plan de-
scribed in subsection (a) shall— 
‘‘(1) take into account the activities and accom-
plishments of all Federal agencies that are related to 
carrying out such plan; 
‘‘(2) include recommendations for carrying out 
such plan; and 
‘‘(3) project and identify, on an annual basis, 
aviation workforce challenges, including any applica-
ble workforce shortages.
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‘‘(c) CAREER COUNCIL.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than Sep-
tember 30, 2025, the Secretary, in consultation with 
the Administrator, shall establish a council comprised 
of individuals with expertise in the civil aviation in-
dustry to— 
‘‘(A) assist with developing and maintain-
ing the national strategic plan described in sub-
section (a); and 
‘‘(B) provide advice to the Secretary, as ap-
propriate, relating to the CAREER Program es-
tablished under section 625 of the FAA Reau-
thorization Act of 2018, including as such advice 
relates to program administration and grant ap-
plication selection, and support the development 
of performance metrics regarding the quality and 
outcomes of the Program. 
‘‘(2) APPOINTMENT.—The CAREER Council 
shall be appointed by the Secretary from candidates 
nominated by national associations representing var-
ious sectors of the aviation industry, including— 
‘‘(A) commercial aviation; 
‘‘(B) general aviation; 
‘‘(C) aviation labor organizations, includ-
ing collective bargaining representatives of Fed-
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eral Aviation Administration aviation safety in-
spectors, aviation safety engineers, and air traf-
fic controllers; 
‘‘(D) aviation maintenance, repair, and 
overhaul; 
‘‘(E) aviation manufacturers; and 
‘‘(F) unmanned aviation. 
‘‘(3) TERM.—Each council member appointed by 
the Secretary under paragraph (2) shall serve a term 
of 2 years. 
‘‘(d) NONDELEGATION.—The Secretary may not dele-
gate any of the authorities or responsibilities under this sec-
tion to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
401 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘40132. National strategic plan for aviation workforce development.’’. 
TITLE V—PASSENGER 
EXPERIENCE IMPROVEMENTS 
Subtitle A—Consumer 
Enhancements 
SEC. 501. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF AVIATION CON-
SUMER PROTECTION. 
Section 102 of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed—
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(1) in subsection (e)(1)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A) by striking ‘‘7’’ and inserting ‘‘8’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘and 
an Assistant Secretary for Transportation Pol-
icy’’ and inserting ‘‘an Assistant Secretary for 
Transportation Policy, and an Assistant Sec-
retary for Aviation Consumer Protection’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(j) OFFICE OF AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in 
the Department an Office of Aviation Consumer Pro-
tection (in this subsection referred to as the ‘Office’) 
to administer and enforce the aviation consumer pro-
tection and civil rights authorities provided to the De-
partment by statute, including the authorities under 
section 41712— 
‘‘(A) to assist, educate, and protect pas-
sengers; and 
‘‘(B) to monitor compliance with, conduct 
investigations relating to, and enforce, with sup-
port of attorneys in the Office of the General 
Counsel, including by taking appropriate action 
to address violations of aviation consumer pro-
tection and civil rights.
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‘‘(2) LEADERSHIP.—The Office shall be headed 
by the Assistant Secretary for Aviation Consumer 
Protection (in this subsection referred to as the ‘As-
sistant Secretary’). 
‘‘(3) TRANSITION.—Not later than 180 days after 
funding is appropriated for an Office of Aviation 
Consumer Protection headed by an Assistant Sec-
retary, the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection 
that is a unit within the Office of the General Counsel 
of the Department which is headed by the Assistant 
General Counsel for Aviation Consumer Protection 
shall cease to exist. The Secretary shall determine 
which employees are necessary to fulfill the respon-
sibilities of the new Office of Aviation Consumer Pro-
tection and such employees shall be transferred from 
the Office of the General Counsel, as appropriate, to 
the newly established Office of Aviation Consumer 
Protection. 
‘‘(4) COORDINATION.—The Assistant Secretary 
shall coordinate with the General Counsel appointed 
under subsection (e)(1)(E), in accordance with section 
1.26 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a 
successor regulation), on all legal matters relating 
to— 
‘‘(A) aviation consumer protection; and
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‘‘(B) the duties and activities of the Office 
described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of 
paragraph (1). 
‘‘(5) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Assistant Secretary 
shall submit to the Secretary, who shall submit to 
Congress and make publicly available on the website 
of the Department, an annual report that, with re-
spect to matters under the jurisdiction of the Depart-
ment, or otherwise within the statutory authority of 
the Department— 
‘‘(A) analyzes trends in aviation consumer 
protection, civil rights, and licensing; 
‘‘(B) identifies major challenges facing pas-
sengers; and 
‘‘(C) addresses any other relevant issues, as 
the Assistant Secretary determines to be appro-
priate. 
‘‘(6) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, $13,000,000 
for fiscal year 2025, $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, 
$15,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, and $16,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2028 to carry out this subsection.’’.
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SEC. 502. ADDITIONAL WITHIN AND BEYOND PERIMETER 
SLOT 
EXEMPTIONS 
AT 
RONALD 
REAGAN 
WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT. 
(a) INCREASE IN NUMBER OF SLOT EXEMPTIONS.— 
Section 41718 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(i) ADDITIONAL SLOT EXEMPTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) INCREASE IN SLOT EXEMPTIONS.—Not later 
than 60 days after the date of enactment of the FAA 
Reauthorization Act of 2024, the Secretary shall 
grant, by order, 10 exemptions from— 
‘‘(A) 
the 
application 
of 
sections 
49104(a)(5), 49109, and 41714 to air carriers to 
operate limited frequencies and aircraft on 
routes between Ronald Reagan Washington Na-
tional Airport and domestic airports located 
within or beyond the perimeter described in sec-
tion 49109; and 
‘‘(B) the requirements of subparts K, S, and 
T of part 93 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
‘‘(2) NON-LIMITED INCUMBENTS.—Of the slot ex-
emptions made available under paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall make 8 available to incumbent air 
carriers qualifying for status as a non-limited incum-
bent carrier at Ronald Reagan Washington National
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† HR 3935 EAS 
Airport as of the date of enactment of the FAA Reau-
thorization Act of 2024. 
‘‘(3) LIMITED INCUMBENTS.—Of the slot exemp-
tions made available under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary shall make 2 available to incumbent air car-
riers qualifying for status as a limited incumbent 
carrier at Ronald Reagan Washington National Air-
port as of the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthor-
ization Act of 2024. 
‘‘(4) ALLOCATION PROCEDURES.—The Secretary 
shall allocate the 10 slot exemptions provided under 
paragraph (1) pursuant to the application process es-
tablished by the Secretary under subsection (d), sub-
ject to the following: 
‘‘(A) LIMITATIONS.—Each air carrier that 
is eligible under paragraph (2) and paragraph 
(3) shall be eligible to operate no more and no 
less than 2 of the newly authorized slot exemp-
tions. 
‘‘(B) CRITERIA.—The Secretary shall con-
sider the extent to which the exemptions will— 
‘‘(i) enhance options for nonstop travel 
to beyond-perimeter airports that do not 
have nonstop service from Ronald Reagan 
Washington National Airport as of the date
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of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization 
Act of 2024; or 
‘‘(ii) have a positive impact on the 
overall level of competition in the markets 
that will be served as a result of those ex-
emptions. 
‘‘(5) PROHIBITION.— 
‘‘(A) 
IN
GENERAL.—The 
Metropolitan 
Washington Airports Authority may not assess 
any penalty or similar levy against an indi-
vidual air carrier solely for obtaining and oper-
ating a slot exemption authorized under this sub-
section. 
‘‘(B) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Subpara-
graph (A) shall not be construed as prohibiting 
the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority 
from assessing and collecting any penalty, fine, 
or other levy, such as a handling fee or landing 
fee, that is— 
‘‘(i) authorized by the Metropolitan 
Washington Airports Regulations; 
‘‘(ii) agreed to in writing by the air 
carrier; or 
‘‘(iii) charged in the ordinary course of 
business to an air carrier operating at Ron-
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† HR 3935 EAS 
ald Reagan Washington National Airport 
regardless of whether or not the air carrier 
obtained a slot exemption authorized under 
this subsection.’’. 
(b) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Section 
41718(c)(2)(A) of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in clause (i) by striking ‘‘and (b)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘, (b), and (i)’’; and 
(2) in clause (ii) by striking ‘‘and (g)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘(g), and (i)’’. 
(c) PRESERVATION OF EXISTING WITHIN PERIMETER 
SERVICE.—Nothing in this section, or the amendments 
made by this section, shall be construed as authorizing the 
conversion of a within-perimeter exemption or slot at Ron-
ald Reagan Washington National Airport that is in effect 
on the date of enactment of this Act to serve an airport 
located beyond the perimeter described in section 49109 of 
title 49, United States Code. 
SEC. 503. REFUNDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 423 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 42304 
the following:
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† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘§ 42305. Refunds for cancelled or significantly de-
layed or changed flights 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a passenger that 
holds a nonrefundable ticket on a scheduled flight to, from, 
or within the United States, an air carrier or a foreign 
air carrier shall, upon request as set forth in subsection (f), 
provide a full refund, including any taxes and ancillary 
fees, for the fare such carrier collected for any cancelled 
flight or significantly delayed or changed flight where the 
passenger chooses not to— 
‘‘(1) fly on the significantly delayed or changed 
flight or accept rebooking on an alternative flight; or 
‘‘(2) accept any voucher, credit, or other form of 
compensation offered by the air carrier or foreign air 
carrier pursuant to subsection (c). 
‘‘(b) TIMING OF REFUND.—Any refund required under 
subsection (a) shall be issued by the air carrier or foreign 
air carrier— 
‘‘(1) in the case of a ticket purchased with a 
credit card, not later than 7 business days after the 
earliest date the refund was requested as set forth in 
subsection (f); or 
‘‘(2) in the case of a ticket purchased with cash 
or another form of payment, not later than 20 days 
after the earliest date the refund was requested as set 
forth in subsection (f).
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‘‘(c) ALTERNATIVE TO REFUND.—An air carrier and 
a foreign air carrier may offer a voucher, credit, or other 
form of compensation as an explicit alternative to pro-
viding a refund required by subsection (a) but only if— 
‘‘(1) the offer includes a clear and conspicuous 
notice of— 
‘‘(A) the terms of the offer; and 
‘‘(B) the passenger’s right to a full refund 
under this section; 
‘‘(2) the voucher, credit, or other form of com-
pensation offered explicitly as an alternative to pro-
viding a refund required by subsection (a) remains 
valid and redeemable by the consumer for a period of 
at least 5 years from the date on which such voucher, 
credit, or other form of compensation is issued; 
‘‘(3) upon the issuance of such voucher, credit, or 
other form of compensation, an air carrier, foreign 
air carrier, or ticket agent, where applicable, notifies 
the recipient of the expiration date of the voucher, 
credit, or other form of compensation; and 
‘‘(4) upon request by an individual who self- 
identifies as having a disability (as defined in section 
382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations), an air 
carrier, foreign air carrier, or ticket agent provides a
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† HR 3935 EAS 
notification under paragraph (3) in an electronic for-
mat that is accessible to the recipient. 
‘‘(d) SIGNIFICANTLY DELAYED OR CHANGED FLIGHT 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘significantly delayed 
or changed flight’ includes, at a minimum, a flight where 
the passenger arrives at a destination airport— 
‘‘(1) in the case of a domestic flight, 3 or more 
hours after the original scheduled arrival time; and 
‘‘(2) in the case of an international flight, 6 or 
more hours after the original scheduled arrival time. 
‘‘(e) APPLICATION TO TICKET AGENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary 
shall issue a final rule to apply refund requirements 
to ticket agents in the case of cancelled flights and 
significantly delayed or changed flights. 
‘‘(2) TRANSFER OF FUNDS.—The Secretary shall 
issue regulations requiring air carriers and foreign 
air carriers to promptly transfer funds to a ticket 
agent if— 
‘‘(A) the Secretary has determined that the 
ticket agent is responsible for providing the re-
fund; and 
‘‘(B) the ticket agent does not possess the 
funds of the passenger.
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† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(3) TIMING AND ALTERNATIVES.—A refund pro-
vided by a ticket agent shall comply with the require-
ments in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. 
‘‘(f) REFUND.—An air carrier and a foreign air car-
rier shall consider a passenger to have requested a refund 
if— 
‘‘(1) a flight is cancelled and a passenger is not 
offered an alternative flight or any voucher, credit, or 
other form of compensation by the air carrier or for-
eign air carrier pursuant to subsection (c); 
‘‘(2) a passenger rejects the significantly delayed 
or changed flight, rebooking on an alternative flight, 
or any voucher, credit, or other form of compensation 
offered by the air carrier or foreign air carrier pursu-
ant to subsection (c); or 
‘‘(3) a passenger does not respond to an offer 
of— 
‘‘(A) a significantly delayed or changed 
flight or an alternative flight and the flight de-
parts without the passenger; or 
‘‘(B) a voucher, credit, or other form of 
compensation by the date on which the cancelled 
flight was scheduled to depart or the date that 
the significantly delayed or changed flight de-
parts.
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† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(g) REFUND NOTIFICATION.—An air carrier and a 
foreign air carrier shall update their passenger notification 
systems to ensure passengers owed a refund under this sec-
tion are notified of their right to receive a refund.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
423 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 42304 the following: 
‘‘42305. Refunds for cancelled or significantly delayed or changed flights.’’. 
SEC. 504. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS POSTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 423 of title 49, United 
States Code, is further amended by inserting after section 
42305 the following: 
‘‘§ 42306. Know Your Rights posters 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Each large hub airport, medium 
hub airport, and small hub airport with scheduled pas-
senger service shall prominently display posters that clearly 
and concisely outline the rights of airline passengers under 
Federal law with respect to, at a minimum— 
‘‘(1) flight delays and cancellations; 
‘‘(2) refunds; 
‘‘(3) bumping of passengers from flights and the 
oversale of flights; and 
‘‘(4) lost, delayed, or damaged baggage. 
‘‘(b) LOCATION.—Posters described in subsection (a) 
shall be displayed in conspicuous locations throughout the
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† HR 3935 EAS 
airport, including ticket counters, security checkpoints, and 
boarding gates. 
‘‘(c) ACCESSIBILITY ASSISTANCE.—Each large hub 
airport, medium hub airport, and small hub airport with 
scheduled passenger service shall ensure that passengers 
with a disability (as such term is defined in section 382.3 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations) who identify them-
selves as having such a disability are notified of the avail-
ability of accessibility assistance and shall assist such pas-
sengers in connecting to the appropriate entities to obtain 
the same information required in this section that is pro-
vided to other passengers.’’. 
(b) EXEMPTION.—Section 46301(a)(1)(A) of title 49, 
United States Code, is further amended by striking ‘‘chap-
ter 423’’ and inserting ‘‘chapter 423 (except section 
42306)’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
423 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 42305 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘42306. Know Your Rights posters.’’. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this 
section shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act.
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† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 505. ACCESS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSISTANCE FOR 
ALL TRAVELERS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) In the event of a cancelled or delayed flight, 
it is important for customers to be able to easily ac-
cess information about the status of their flight and 
any alternative flight options. 
(2) Customers should be able to access real-time 
assistance from customer service agents of air carriers 
without an excessive wait time, particularly during 
times of mass disruptions. 
(b) TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT
TO
MAINTAIN
A
LIVE
CUS-
TOMER CHAT OR MONITORED TEXT MESSAGING NUM-
BER.—Chapter 423 of title 49, United States Code, is 
further amended by inserting after section 42306 the 
following: 
‘‘§ 42307. Requirement to maintain a live customer 
chat or monitored text messaging number 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A covered air carrier that 
operates a domestic or international flight to, from, or 
within the United States shall maintain— 
‘‘(A) a customer service telephone line 
staffed by live agents;
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† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(B) a customer chat option that allows for 
customers to speak to a live agent within a rea-
sonable time, to the greatest extent practicable; or 
‘‘(C) a monitored text messaging number 
that enables customers to communicate and 
speak with a live agent directly. 
‘‘(2) PROVISION OF SERVICES.—The services re-
quired under paragraph (1) shall be provided to cus-
tomers without charge for the use of such services, and 
shall be available at all times. 
‘‘(b) RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.—The Secretary shall 
promulgate such rules as may be necessary to carry out this 
section. 
‘‘(c) COVERED AIR CARRIER DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘covered air carrier’ means an air carrier 
that sells tickets for scheduled passenger air transportation 
on an aircraft that, as originally designed, has a passenger 
capacity of 30 or more seats. 
‘‘(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Beginning on the date that 
is 120 days after the date of enactment of this section, a 
covered air carrier shall comply with the requirement speci-
fied in subsection (a) without regard to whether the Sec-
retary has promulgated any rules to carry out this section 
as of the date that is 120 days after such date of enact-
ment.’’.
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† HR 3935 EAS 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 423 of title 49, United States Code, is further 
amended by inserting after the item relating to sec-
tion 42306 the following: 
‘‘42307. Requirement to maintain a live customer chat or monitored text mes-
saging number.’’. 
SEC. 506. AIRLINE CUSTOMER SERVICE DASHBOARDS. 
(a) DASHBOARDS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 423 of title 49, 
United States Code, is further amended by inserting 
after section 42307 the following: 
‘‘§ 42308. DOT airline customer service dashboards 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN 
PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DASHBOARDS.—The Secretary of 
Transportation shall establish, maintain, and make pub-
licly available the following online dashboards for purposes 
of keeping aviation consumers informed with respect to cer-
tain policies of, and services provided by, large air carriers 
(as such term is defined by the Secretary) to the extent that 
such policies or services exceed what is required by Federal 
law: 
‘‘(1) DELAY AND CANCELLATION DASHBOARD.— 
A dashboard that displays information regarding the 
services and compensation provided by each large air 
carrier to mitigate any passenger inconvenience
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† HR 3935 EAS 
caused by a delay or cancellation due to cir-
cumstances in the control of such carrier. 
‘‘(2) EXPLANATION
OF
CIRCUMSTANCES.—The 
website on which such dashboard is displayed shall 
explain the circumstances under which a delay or 
cancellation is not due to circumstances in the control 
of the large air carrier (such as a delay or cancella-
tion due to a weather event or an instruction from the 
Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control 
System Command Center) consistent with section 
234.4 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
‘‘(3) FAMILY
SEATING
DASHBOARD.—A dash-
board that displays information regarding which 
large air carriers guarantee that each child shall be 
seated adjacent to an adult accompanying the child 
without charging any additional fees. 
‘‘(4) SEAT SIZE DASHBOARD.—A dashboard that 
displays information regarding aircraft seat size for 
each large air carrier, including the pitch, width, and 
length of a seat in economy class for the aircraft mod-
els and configurations most commonly flown by such 
carrier. 
‘‘(5) FAMILY
SEATING
SUNSET.—The require-
ment in subsection (a)(3) shall cease to be effective on
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† HR 3935 EAS 
the date on which the rule in section 516 of the FAA 
Reauthorization Act of 2024 is effective. 
‘‘(b) ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENT.—In developing 
the dashboards required in subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall, in order to ensure the dashboards are accessible and 
contain pertinent information for passengers with disabil-
ities, consult with the Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Com-
mittee, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers 
Compliance Board, any other relevant department or agen-
cy to determine appropriate accessibility standards, and 
disability organizations, including advocacy and nonprofit 
organizations that represent or provide services to individ-
uals with disabilities. 
‘‘(c) LIMITATION ON DASHBOARDS.—After the rule re-
quired in section 516 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 
2024 is effective, the Secretary may not establish or main-
tain more than 4 different customer service dashboards at 
any given time. 
‘‘(d) PROVISION OF INFORMATION.—Each large air 
carrier shall provide to the Secretary such information as 
the Secretary requires to carry out this section. 
‘‘(e) SUNSET.—This section shall cease to be effective 
on October 1, 2028.’’. 
(2) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish each of the online dashboards required by section
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† HR 3935 EAS 
42308(a) of title 49, United States Code, not later 
than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
423 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 42307 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘42308. DOT airline customer service dashboards.’’. 
SEC. 507. INCREASE IN CIVIL PENALTIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 46301(a)(1) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘$25,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘$75,000’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply to violations occurring on or after 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) CONFORMING REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall 
revise such regulations as necessary to conform to the 
amendment made by subsection (a). 
SEC. 508. ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AVIATION CONSUMER 
PROTECTION. 
(a) EXTENSION.—Section 411(h) of the FAA Mod-
ernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. 
note) is amended by striking ‘‘May 10, 2024’’ and inserting 
‘‘September 30, 2028’’.
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† HR 3935 EAS 
(b) COORDINATION.—Section 411 of the FAA Mod-
ernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. 
note) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(i) CONSULTATION.—The Advisory Committee shall 
consult, as appropriate, with foreign air carriers, air car-
riers with an ultra-low-cost business model, nonprofit pub-
lic interest groups with expertise in disability and accessi-
bility matters, ticket agents, travel management companies, 
and any other groups as determined by the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 509. EXTENSION OF AVIATION CONSUMER ADVOCATE 
REPORTING REQUIREMENT. 
Section 424(e) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 
(49 U.S.C. 42302 note) is amended by striking ‘‘May 10, 
2024’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2028’’. 
SEC. 510. CODIFICATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION PRO-
VISIONS. 
(a) SECTION 429 OF FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 
2018.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 429 of the FAA Reau-
thorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) 
is amended— 
(A) by transferring such section to appear 
after section 41726 of title 49, United States 
Code;
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† HR 3935 EAS 
(B) by redesignating such section as section 
41727 of such title; and 
(C) by amending the section heading of such 
section to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 41727. Passenger Rights’’. 
(2) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Section 41727 of 
title 49, United States Code, as transferred and redes-
ignated by paragraph (1), is amended in subsection 
(a) by striking ‘‘Not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary’’ and inserting 
‘‘The Secretary’’. 
(b) SECTION 434 OF THE FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT 
OF 2018.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 434 of the FAA Reau-
thorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 41705 note) is 
amended— 
(A) by transferring such section to appear 
after section 41727 of title 49, United States 
Code, as transferred and redesignated by sub-
section (a)(1); 
(B) by redesignating such section 434 as 
section 41728 of such title; and 
(C) by amending the section heading of such 
section 41728 to read as follows:
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† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘§ 41728. Airline passengers with disabilities bill of 
rights’’. 
(2) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Section 41728 of 
title 49, United States Code, as transferred and redes-
ignated by paragraph (1), is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘the sec-
tion 41705 of title 49, United States Code’’ and 
inserting ‘‘section 41705’’; 
(B) in subsection (c) by striking ‘‘the date 
of enactment of this Act’’ and inserting ‘‘the date 
of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 
2018’’; and 
(C) in subsection (f) by striking ‘‘ensure 
employees’’ and inserting ‘‘ensure that employ-
ees’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 41726 the following: 
‘‘41727. Passenger rights. 
‘‘41728. Airline passengers with disabilities bill of rights.’’. 
SEC. 511. BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS. 
(a) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 60 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau 
of Transportation Statistics shall initiate a rulemaking to 
revise section 234.4 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
to create a new ‘‘cause of delay’’ category (or categories)
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† HR 3935 EAS 
that identifies and tracks information on delays and can-
cellations of air carriers (as defined in section 40102 of title 
49, United States Code) that are due to instructions from 
the FAA Air Traffic Control System and to make any other 
changes necessary to carry out this section. 
(b) AIR CARRIER CODE.—The following causes shall 
not be included within the Air Carrier code specified in 
section 234.4 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, for 
cancelled and delayed flights: 
(1) Aircraft cleaning necessitated by the death of 
a passenger. 
(2) Aircraft damage caused by extreme weather, 
foreign object debris, or sabotage. 
(3) A baggage or cargo loading delay caused by 
an outage of a bag system not controlled by a carrier 
or its contractor. 
(4) Cybersecurity attacks (provided that the air 
carrier is in compliance with applicable cybersecurity 
regulations). 
(5) A shutdown or system failure of government 
systems that directly affects the ability of an air car-
rier to safely conduct flights and is unexpected. 
(6) Overheated brakes due to a safety incident 
resulting in the use of emergency procedures.
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(7) Unscheduled maintenance, including in re-
sponse to an airworthiness directive, manifesting out-
side a scheduled maintenance program that cannot be 
deferred or must be addressed before flight. 
(8) An emergency that required medical atten-
tion through no fault of the carrier. 
(9) The removal of an unruly passenger. 
(10) An airport closure due to the presence of 
volcanic ash, wind, or wind shear. 
(c) FAMILY SEATING COMPLAINTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics shall update the reporting 
framework of the Bureau to create a new category to 
identify and track information on complaints related 
to family seating. 
(2) SUNSET.—The requirements in paragraph 
(1) shall cease to be effective on the date on which the 
rulemaking required by section 513 is effective. 
(d) AIR TRAVEL CONSUMER REPORT.— 
(1) ATCSCC DELAYS.—The Secretary shall in-
clude information on delays and cancellations that 
are due to instructions from the FAA Air Traffic 
Control System Command Center in the Air Travel 
Consumer Report issued by the Office of Aviation
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Consumer Protection of the Department of Transpor-
tation. 
(2) FAMILY
SEATING
COMPLAINTS.—The Sec-
retary shall include information on complaints re-
lated to family seating— 
(A) in the Air Travel Consumer Report 
issued by the Office of Aviation Consumer Pro-
tection of the Department of Transportation; and 
(B) on the family seating dashboard re-
quired by subsection (a)(2). 
(3) SUNSET.—The requirements in paragraph 
(2) shall cease to be effective on the date on which the 
rulemaking required by section 513 is effective. 
SEC. 512. REIMBURSEMENT FOR INCURRED COSTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall direct all air 
carriers providing scheduled passenger interstate or intra-
state air transportation to establish policies regarding re-
imbursement for lodging, transportation between such lodg-
ing and the airport, and meal costs incurred due to a flight 
cancellation or significant delay directly attributable to the 
air carrier. 
(b) DEFINITION OF SIGNIFICANTLY DELAYED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘significantly delayed’’ means, with re-
spect to air transportation, the departure or arrival at the
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originally ticketed destination associated with such trans-
portation has changed— 
(1) in the case of a domestic flight, 3 or more 
hours after the original scheduled arrival time; and 
(2) in the case of an international flight, 6 or 
more hours after the original scheduled arrival time. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed as providing the Secretary with any ad-
ditional authorities beyond the authority to require air car-
riers establish the policies referred to in subsection (a). 
SEC. 513. STREAMLINING OF OFFLINE TICKET DISCLO-
SURES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall take such 
action as may be necessary to update the process by which 
an air carrier or ticket agent is required to fulfill disclosure 
obligations in ticketing transactions for air transportation 
not completed through a website. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The process updated under sub-
section (a) shall— 
(1) include means of referral to the applicable 
air carrier website with respect to disclosures related 
to air carrier optional fees and policies; 
(2) include a means of referral to the website of 
the Department of Transportation with respect to any
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other required disclosures to air transportation pas-
sengers; 
(3) make no changes to air carrier or ticket 
agent obligations with respect to— 
(A) section 41712(c) of title 49, United 
States Code; or 
(B) subsections (a) and (b) of section 399.84 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any 
successor regulations); and 
(4) require disclosures referred to in paragraphs 
(1) and (2) to be made in the manner existing prior 
to the date of enactment of this Act upon passenger 
request. 
(c) AIR CARRIER DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘air carrier’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
40102(a) of title 49, United States Code. 
SEC. 514. GAO STUDY ON COMPETITION AND CONSOLIDA-
TION IN THE AIR CARRIER INDUSTRY. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a 
study assessing competition and consolidation in the 
United States air carrier industry. Such study shall include 
an assessment of data related to— 
(1) the history of mergers in the United States 
air carrier industry, including whether any claimed 
efficiencies have been realized;
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(2) the effect of consolidation in the United 
States air carrier industry, if any, on consumers; 
(3) the effect of consolidation in the United 
States air carrier industry, if any, on air transpor-
tation service in small and rural markets; and 
(4) the current state of competition in the United 
States air carrier industry as of the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report con-
taining the results of the study conducted under subsection 
(a), and recommendations for such legislative and adminis-
trative action as the Comptroller General determines appro-
priate. 
SEC. 515. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON THE OPERATIONAL 
PREPAREDNESS OF AIR CARRIERS FOR CER-
TAIN EVENTS. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General shall 
study and assess the operational preparedness of air 
carriers for changing weather and other events related 
to changing conditions and natural hazards, includ-
ing flooding, extreme heat, changes in precipitation,
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storms, including winter storms, coastal storms, trop-
ical storms, and hurricanes, and fire conditions. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—As part of the study re-
quired under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General 
shall assess the following: 
(A) The extent to which air carriers are 
preparing for weather events and natural disas-
ters, as well as changing conditions and natural 
hazards, that may impact operational invest-
ments of air carriers, staffing levels and safety 
policies, mitigation strategies, and other resil-
iency planning. 
(B) How the FAA oversees operational resil-
ience of air carriers relating to storms, natural 
disasters, and changing conditions. 
(C) Steps the Federal Government and air 
carriers can take to improve operational resil-
ience relating to storms, natural disasters, and 
changing conditions. 
(b) BRIEFING AND REPORT.— 
(1) BRIEFING.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on 
the results of the study required under subsection (a), 
and recommendations for such legislative and admin-
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istrative action as the Comptroller General determines 
appropriate. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after the 
briefing required by paragraph (1) is provided, the 
Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on the results of the 
study required under subsection (a), and rec-
ommendations for such legislative and administrative 
action as the Comptroller General determines appro-
priate. 
(c) DEFINITION OF AIR CARRIER.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘air carrier’’ has the meaning given such term in sec-
tion 40102 of title 49, United States Code. 
SEC. 516. FAMILY SEATING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a 
notice of proposed rulemaking to establish a policy directing 
air carriers that assign seats, or allow individuals to select 
seats in advance of the date of departure of a flight, to sit 
each young child adjacent to an accompanying adult, to 
the greatest extent practicable, if adjacent seat assignments 
are available at any time after the ticket is issued for each 
young child and before the first passenger boards the flight. 
(b) PROHIBITION ON FEES.—The notice of proposed 
rulemaking described in subsection (a) shall include a pro-
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vision that prohibits an air carrier from charging a fee, 
or imposing an additional cost beyond the ticket price of 
the additional seat, to seat each young child adjacent to 
an accompanying adult within the same class of service. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Notwithstanding the 
requirement in subsection (a), nothing in this section may 
be construed to allow the Secretary to impose a change in 
the overall seating or boarding policy of an air carrier that 
has an open or flexible seating policy in place that generally 
allows adjacent family seating as described under this sec-
tion. 
(d) YOUNG CHILD.—In this section, the term ‘‘young 
child’’ means an individual who has not attained 14 years 
of age. 
SEC. 517. PASSENGER EXPERIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish an ad-
visory committee to advise the Secretary and the Adminis-
trator in carrying out activities relating to the improve-
ment of the passenger experience in air transportation cus-
tomer service. The advisory committee shall not duplicate 
the work of any other advisory committee. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Secretary shall appoint the 
members of the advisory committee, which shall be com-
prised of at least 1 representative of each of— 
(1) mainline air carriers;
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(2) air carriers with a low-cost or ultra-low-cost 
business model; 
(3) regional air carriers; 
(4) large hub airport sponsors and operators; 
(5) medium hub airport sponsors and operators; 
(6) small hub airport sponsors and operators; 
(7) nonhub airport sponsors and operators; 
(8) ticket agents; 
(9) representatives of intermodal transportation 
companies that operate at airports; 
(10) airport concessionaires; 
(11) nonprofit public interest groups with exper-
tise in consumer protection matters; 
(12) senior managers of the FAA Air Traffic Or-
ganization; 
(13) aircraft manufacturers; 
(14) entities representing individuals with dis-
abilities; 
(15) certified labor organizations representing 
aviation workers, including— 
(A) FAA employees; 
(B) airline pilots working for air carriers 
operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations;
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(C) flight attendants working for air car-
riers operating under part 121 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations; and 
(D) other customer-facing airline and air-
port workers; 
(16) other organizations or industry segments as 
determined by the Secretary; and 
(17) other Federal agencies that directly inter-
face with passengers at airports. 
(c) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the advisory committee 
under this section shall be filled in a manner consistent 
with subsection (b). 
(d) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Members of the advisory 
committee under this section shall serve without pay but 
shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 
of title 5, United States Code. 
(e) CHAIR.—The Secretary shall designate an indi-
vidual among the individuals appointed under subsection 
(b) to serve as Chair of the advisory committee. 
(f) DUTIES.—The duties of the advisory committee 
shall include— 
(1) evaluating ways to improve the comprehen-
sive passenger experience, including—
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(A) transportation between airport termi-
nals and facilities; 
(B) baggage handling; 
(C) wayfinding; 
(D) the security screening process; and 
(E) the communication of flight delays and 
cancellations; 
(2) evaluating ways to improve efficiency in the 
national airspace system affecting passengers; 
(3) evaluating ways to improve the cooperation 
and coordination between the Department of Trans-
portation and other Federal agencies that directly 
interface with aviation passengers at airports; 
(4) responding to other taskings determined by 
the Secretary; and 
(5) providing recommendations to the Secretary 
and the Administrator, if determined necessary dur-
ing the evaluations considered in paragraphs (1) 
through (4). 
(g) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years 
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
containing—
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(1) consensus recommendations made by the ad-
visory committee since such date of enactment or the 
previous report, as appropriate; and 
(2) an explanation of how the Secretary has im-
plemented such recommendations and, for such rec-
ommendations not implemented, the Secretary’s rea-
son for not implementing such recommendation. 
(h) DEFINITION.—The definitions in section 40102 of 
title 49, United States Code, shall apply to this section. 
(i) SUNSET.—This section shall cease to be effective on 
October 1, 2028. 
(j) TERMINATION OF DOT ACCESS ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE.—The ACCESS Advisory Committee of the Depart-
ment of Transportation shall terminate on the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 518. UPDATING PASSENGER INFORMATION REQUIRE-
MENT REGULATIONS. 
(a) ARAC TASKING.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall task 
the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee with— 
(1) reviewing passenger information requirement 
regulations under section 121.317 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulation, and such other related regula-
tions as the Administrator determines appropriate; 
and
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(2) making recommendations to update and im-
prove such regulations. 
(b) FINAL REGULATION.—Not later than 6 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
issue a final regulation revising section 121.317 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, and such other related regula-
tions as the Administrator determines appropriate, to— 
(1) update such section and regulations to incor-
porate exemptions commonly issued by the Adminis-
trator; 
(2) reflect civil penalty inflation adjustments; 
and 
(3) incorporate such updates and improvements 
recommended by the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory 
Committee that the Administrator determines appro-
priate. 
SEC. 519. SEAT DIMENSIONS. 
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall— 
(1) initiate a rulemaking activity based on the 
regulation described in section 577 of the FAA Reau-
thorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 42301 note); or 
(2) if the Administrator decides not to pursue 
the rulemaking described in paragraph (1), the Ad-
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ministrator shall brief appropriate committees of 
Congress on the justification of such decision. 
SEC. 520. MODERNIZATION OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT SUB-
MISSIONS. 
Section 42302 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 42302. Consumer complaints 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall— 
‘‘(1) maintain an accessible website through the 
Office of Aviation Consumer Protection to accept the 
submission of complaints from airline passengers re-
garding air travel service problems; and 
‘‘(2) take appropriate actions to notify the public 
of such accessible website. 
‘‘(b) NOTICE TO PASSENGERS ON THE INTERNET.—An 
air carrier or foreign air carrier providing scheduled air 
transportation using any aircraft that as originally de-
signed has a passenger capacity of 30 or more passenger 
seats shall include on the accessible website of the carrier— 
‘‘(1) the accessible website, e-mail address, or 
telephone number of the air carrier for the submission 
of complaints by passengers about air travel service 
problems; and
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‘‘(2) the accessible website maintained pursuant 
to subsection (a). 
‘‘(c) USE OF ADDITIONAL OR ALTERNATIVE TECH-
NOLOGIES.—The Secretary shall periodically evaluate the 
benefits of using mobile phone applications or other widely 
used technologies to— 
‘‘(1) provide additional or alternative means for 
air passengers to submit complaints; and 
‘‘(2) provide such additional or alternative 
means as the Secretary determines appropriate. 
‘‘(d) AIR AMBULANCE PROVIDERS.—Each air ambu-
lance provider shall include the accessible website, or a link 
to such accessible website, maintained pursuant to sub-
section (a) and the contact information for the Aviation 
Consumer Advocate established by section 424 of the FAA 
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 42302 note) on— 
‘‘(1) any invoice, bill, or other communication 
provided to a passenger or customer of such provider; 
and 
‘‘(2) the accessible website and any related mo-
bile device application of such provider.’’. 
Subtitle B—Accessibility 
SEC. 541. AIR CARRIER ACCESS ACT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 439 of the FAA Reauthor-
ization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 41705 note) is amended—
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(1) in the section heading by striking ‘‘ADVI-
SORY COMMITTEE ON THE AIR TRAVEL NEEDS 
OF PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘AIR CARRIER ACCESS ACT ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)(1) by striking subparagraph 
(G) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(G) Manufacturers of wheelchairs, includ-
ing powered wheelchairs, and other mobility 
aids.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (g) by striking ‘‘May 10, 2024’’ 
and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2028’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 1(b) of the 
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–254) 
is amended by striking the item relating to section 439 and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘Sec. 439. Air Carrier Access Act advisory committee.’’. 
SEC. 542. IMPROVED TRAINING STANDARDS FOR ASSISTING 
PASSENGERS WHO USE WHEELCHAIRS. 
(a) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a 
notice of proposed rulemaking to develop requirements for 
minimum training standards for airline personnel or con-
tractors who assist wheelchair users who board or deplane 
using an aisle chair or other boarding device.
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(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The training standards devel-
oped under subsection (a) shall require, at a minimum, that 
airline personnel or contractors who assist passengers who 
use wheelchairs who board or deplane using an aisle chair 
or other boarding device— 
(1) before being allowed to assist a passenger 
using an aisle chair or other boarding device to board 
or deplane, be able to successfully demonstrate skills 
(during hands-on training sessions) on— 
(A) how to safely use the aisle chair, or 
other boarding device, including the use of all 
straps, brakes, and other safety features; 
(B) how to assist in the transfer of pas-
sengers to and from their wheelchair, the aisle 
chair, and the aircraft’s passenger seat, either by 
physically lifting the passenger or deploying a 
mechanical device for the lift or transfer; and 
(C) how to effectively communicate with, 
and take instruction from, the passenger; 
(2) are trained regarding the availability of ac-
cessible lavatories and on-board wheelchairs and the 
right of a qualified individual with a disability to re-
quest an on-board wheelchair; and 
(3) complete refresher training within 18 months 
of an initial training and be recertified on the job
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every 18 months thereafter by a relevant superior in 
order to remain qualified for providing aisle chair as-
sistance. 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the rulemaking 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider, at a min-
imum— 
(1) whether to require air carriers and foreign 
air carriers to partner with national disability orga-
nizations and disabled veterans organizations rep-
resenting individuals with disabilities who use wheel-
chairs and scooters in developing, administering, and 
auditing training; 
(2) whether to require air carriers and foreign 
air carriers to use a lift device, instead of an aisle 
chair, to board and deplane passengers with mobility 
disabilities; and 
(3) whether individuals able to provide boarding 
and deplaning assistance for passengers with limited 
or no mobility should receive training incorporating 
procedures from medical professionals on how to 
properly lift these passengers. 
(d) FINAL RULE.—Not later than 12 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a 
final rule pursuant to the rulemaking conducted under this 
section.
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(e) PENALTIES.—The Secretary may assess a civil 
penalty in accordance with section 46301 of title 49, United 
States Code, to any air carrier or foreign air carrier who 
fails to meet the requirements established under the final 
rule under subsection (d). 
SEC. 543. TRAINING STANDARDS FOR STOWAGE OF WHEEL-
CHAIRS AND SCOOTERS. 
(a) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a 
notice of proposed rulemaking to develop minimum train-
ing standards related to stowage of wheelchairs and scooters 
used by passengers with disabilities on aircraft. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The training standards devel-
oped under subsection (a) shall require, at a minimum, that 
personnel and contractors of air carriers and foreign air 
carriers who stow wheelchairs and scooters on aircraft— 
(1) before being allowed to handle or stow a 
wheelchair or scooter, be able to successfully dem-
onstrate skills (during hands-on training sessions) 
on— 
(A) how to properly handle and configure, 
at a minimum, the most commonly used power 
and manual wheelchairs and scooters for stowage 
on each aircraft type operated by the air carrier 
or foreign air carrier;
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(B) how to properly review any wheelchair 
or scooter information provided by the passenger 
or the wheelchair or scooter manufacturer; and 
(C) how to properly load, secure, and un-
load wheelchairs and scooters, including how to 
use any specialized equipment for loading or un-
loading, on each aircraft type operated by the 
air carrier or foreign air carrier; and 
(2) complete refresher training within 18 months 
of an initial training and be recertified on the job 
every 18 months thereafter by a relevant superior in 
order to remain qualified for handling and stowing 
wheelchairs and scooters. 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the rulemaking 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider, at a min-
imum, whether to require air carriers and foreign air car-
riers to partner with wheelchair or scooter manufacturers, 
national disability and disabled veterans organizations rep-
resenting individuals who use wheelchairs and scooters, and 
aircraft manufacturers, in developing, administering, and 
auditing training. 
(d) FINAL RULE.—Not later than 12 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a 
final rule pursuant to the rulemaking conducted under this 
section.
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(e) PENALTIES.—The Secretary may assess a civil 
penalty in accordance with section 46301 of title 49, United 
States Code, to any air carrier or foreign air carrier who 
fails to meet the requirements established under the final 
rule under subsection (d). 
SEC. 544. MOBILITY AIDS ON BOARD IMPROVE LIVES AND 
EMPOWER ALL. 
(a) PUBLICATION OF CARGO HOLD DIMENSIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
require air carriers to publish in a prominent and 
easily accessible place on the public website of the air 
carrier, information describing the relevant dimen-
sions and other characteristics of the cargo holds of all 
aircraft types operated by the air carrier, including 
the dimensions of the cargo hold entry, that would 
limit the size, weight, and allowable type of cargo. 
(2) PROPRIETARY INFORMATION.—The Secretary 
shall allow an air carrier to protect the confiden-
tiality of any trade secret or proprietary information 
submitted in accordance with paragraph (1), as ap-
propriate. 
(b) REFUND REQUIRED FOR INDIVIDUAL TRAVELING 
WITH WHEELCHAIR.—In the case of a qualified individual 
with a disability traveling with a wheelchair who has pur-
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chased a ticket for a flight from an air carrier, but who 
cannot travel on the aircraft for such flight because the 
wheelchair of such qualified individual cannot be physically 
accommodated in the cargo hold of the aircraft, the Sec-
retary shall require such air carrier to offer a refund to 
such qualified individual of any previously paid fares, fees, 
and taxes applicable to such flight. 
(c) EVALUATION
OF DATA REGARDING DAMAGED 
WHEELCHAIRS.—Not later than 12 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Sec-
retary shall— 
(1) evaluate data regarding the type and fre-
quency of incidents of the mishandling of wheelchairs 
on aircraft and delineate such data by— 
(A) types of wheelchairs involved in such 
incidents; and 
(B) the ways in which wheelchairs are mis-
handled, including the type of damage to wheel-
chairs (such as broken drive wheels or casters, 
bent or broken frames, damage to electrical con-
nectors or wires, control input devices, joysticks, 
upholstery or other components, loss, or delay of 
return); 
(2) determine whether there are trends with re-
spect to the data evaluated under paragraph (1); and
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(3) make available on the public website of the 
Department of Transportation, in an accessible man-
ner, a report containing the results of the evaluation 
of data and determination made under paragraphs 
(1) and (2) and a description of how the Secretary 
plans to address such results. 
(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS ON MISHANDLED WHEEL-
CHAIRS.—Upon completion of each annual report required 
under subsection (c), the Secretary shall transmit to the ap-
propriate committees of Congress such report. 
(e) FEASIBILITY
OF
IN-CABIN
WHEELCHAIR
RE-
STRAINT SYSTEMS.— 
(1) ROADMAP.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a pub-
licly available strategic roadmap that describes how 
the Department of Transportation and the United 
States Access Board, respectively, shall, in accordance 
with the recommendations from the National Acad-
emies of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics 
Transportation Research Board Special Report 341— 
(A) establish a program of research, in col-
laboration with the Rehabilitation Engineering 
and Assistive Technology Society of North Amer-
ica, the assistive technology industry, air car-
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riers, original equipment manufacturers, na-
tional disability and disabled veterans organiza-
tions, and any other relevant stakeholders, to test 
and evaluate an appropriate selection of WC19- 
compliant wheelchairs and accessories in accord-
ance with applicable FAA crashworthiness and 
safety performance criteria, including the issues 
and considerations set forth in such Special Re-
port 341; and 
(B) sponsor studies that assess issues and 
considerations, including those set forth in such 
Special Report 341, such as— 
(i) the likely demand for air travel by 
individuals who are nonambulatory if such 
individuals could remain seated in their 
personal wheelchairs in flight; and 
(ii) the feasibility of implementing 
seating arrangements that would accommo-
date passengers in wheelchairs in the main 
cabin in flight. 
(2) STUDY.—If determined to be technically fea-
sible by the Secretary, not later than 2 years after 
making such determination, the Secretary shall com-
mence a study to assess the economic and financial 
feasibility of air carriers and foreign air carriers im-
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plementing seating arrangements that accommodate 
passengers with wheelchairs in the main cabin during 
flight. Such study shall include an assessment of— 
(A) the cost of such seating arrangements, 
equipment, and installation; 
(B) the demand for such seating arrange-
ments; 
(C) the impact of such seating arrange-
ments on passenger seating and safety on air-
craft; 
(D) the impact of such seating arrange-
ments on the cost of operations and airfare; and 
(E) any other information determined ap-
propriate by the Secretary. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date on which the study under paragraph (2) is com-
pleted, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a publicly available report de-
scribing the results of the study conducted under 
paragraph (2) and any recommendations the Sec-
retary determines appropriate. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘air carrier’’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 40102 of title 
49, United States Code.
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(2) DISABILITY; QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL WITH A 
DISABILITY.—The terms ‘‘disability’’ and ‘‘qualified 
individual with a disability’’ have the meanings 
given such terms in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations (as in effect on date of enactment 
of this Act). 
(3) WHEELCHAIR.—The term ‘‘wheelchair’’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 37.3 of title 
49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on date 
of enactment of this Act), and includes power wheel-
chairs, manual wheelchairs, and scooters. 
SEC. 545. PRIORITIZING ACCOUNTABILITY AND ACCESSI-
BILITY FOR AVIATION CONSUMERS. 
(a) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the 
Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress, and make publicly available, a report on aviation 
consumer complaints related to passengers with a disability 
filed with the Department of Transportation. 
(b) CONTENTS.—Each annual report submitted under 
subsection (a) shall, at a minimum, include the following: 
(1) The number of aviation consumer complaints 
reported to the Secretary related to passengers with a 
disability filed with the Department of Transpor-
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tation during the calendar year preceding the year in 
which such report is submitted. 
(2) The nature of such complaints, including re-
ported issues with— 
(A) an air carrier, including an air car-
rier’s staff training or lack thereof; 
(B) mishandling of passengers with a dis-
ability or their accessibility equipment, includ-
ing mobility aids and wheelchairs; 
(C) the condition, availability, or lack of 
accessibility of equipment operated by an air 
carrier or a contractor of an air carrier; 
(D) the accessibility of in-flight services, in-
cluding accessing and using on-board lavatories, 
for passengers with a disability; 
(E) difficulties experienced by passengers 
with a disability in communicating with air 
carrier personnel; 
(F) difficulties experienced by passengers 
with a disability in being moved, handled, or 
otherwise assisted; 
(G) an air carrier changing the flight 
itinerary of a passenger with a disability with-
out the consent of such passenger;
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(H) issues experienced by passengers with a 
disability traveling with a service animal; and 
(I) such other issues as the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate. 
(3) An overview of the review process for such 
complaints received during such calendar year. 
(4) The median length of time for how quickly 
review of such complaints was initiated by the Sec-
retary. 
(5) The median length of time for how quickly 
such complaints were resolved or otherwise addressed. 
(6) Of the complaints that were found to violate 
section 41705 of title 49, United States Code— 
(A) the number of such complaints for 
which a formal enforcement order was issued; 
and 
(B) the number of such complaints for 
which a formal enforcement order was not 
issued. 
(7) How many aviation consumer complaints re-
lated to passengers with a disability were referred to 
the Department of Justice for an enforcement action 
under— 
(A) section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 
1973 (29 U.S.C. 794);
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(B) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); or 
(C) any other provision of law. 
(8) How many aviation consumer complaints re-
lated to passengers with a disability filed with the 
Department of Transportation that involved airport 
staff (or other matters under the jurisdiction of the 
FAA) were referred to the FAA. 
(9) The number of disability-related aviation 
consumer complaints filed with the Department of 
Transportation involving Transportation Security 
Administration staff that were referred to the Trans-
portation Security Administration or the Department 
of Homeland Security. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the definitions set forth in section 40102 
of title 49, United States Code, and section 382.3 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, apply to this 
section. 
(2) AIR
CARRIER.—The term ‘‘air carrier’’ 
means an air carrier conducting passenger operations 
under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions.
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(3) PASSENGERS WITH A DISABILITY.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘passengers with a disability’’ has 
the meaning given the term ‘‘qualified individual 
with a disability’’ in section 382.3 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 546. ACCOMMODATIONS FOR QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS 
WITH DISABILITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) ADVANCED
NOTICE
OF
PROPOSED
RULE-
MAKING.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue an ad-
vanced notice of proposed rulemaking regarding seat-
ing accommodations for any qualified individual 
with a disability. 
(2) NOTICE
OF
PROPOSED
RULEMAKING.—Not 
later than 18 months after the date on which the ad-
vanced notice of proposed rulemaking under para-
graph (1) is completed, the Secretary shall issue a no-
tice of proposed rulemaking regarding seating accom-
modations for any qualified individual with a dis-
ability. 
(3) FINAL
RULE.—Not later than 30 months 
after the date on which the notice of proposed rule-
making under subparagraph (B) is completed, the
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Secretary shall issue a final rule pursuant to the rule-
making conducted under this subsection. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out the advanced 
notice of proposed rulemaking required in subsection (a)(1), 
the Secretary shall consider the following: 
(1) The scope and anticipated number of quali-
fied individuals with a disability who— 
(A) may need to be seated with a com-
panion to receive assistance during a flight; or 
(B) should be afforded bulkhead seats or 
other seating considerations. 
(2) The types of disabilities that may need seat-
ing accommodations. 
(3) Whether such qualified individuals with a 
disability are unable to obtain, or have difficulty ob-
taining, appropriate seating accommodations. 
(4) The scope and anticipated number of indi-
viduals assisting a qualified individual with a dis-
ability who should be afforded an adjoining seat pur-
suant to section 382.81 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
(5) Any notification given to qualified individ-
uals with a disability regarding available seating ac-
commodations.
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(6) Any method that is adequate to identify 
fraudulent claims for seating accommodations. 
(7) Any other information determined appro-
priate by the Secretary. 
(c) KNOWN SERVICE ANIMAL TRAVEL PILOT PRO-
GRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish 
a pilot program to allow approved program partici-
pants as known service animals for purposes of ex-
emption from the documentation requirements under 
part 382 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
with respect to air travel with a service animal. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The pilot program estab-
lished under paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) be optional for a service animal accom-
panying a qualified individual with a disability; 
(B) provide for assistance for applicants, 
including over-the-phone assistance, throughout 
the application process for the program; and 
(C) with respect to any web-based compo-
nents of the pilot program, meet or exceed the 
standards described in section 508 of the Reha-
bilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) and the 
regulations implementing that Act as set forth in
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part 1194 of title 36, Code of Federal Regula-
tions (or any successor regulations). 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In establishing the pilot 
program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
consult with— 
(A) disability organizations, including ad-
vocacy and nonprofit organizations that rep-
resent or provide services to individuals with 
disabilities; 
(B) air carriers and foreign air carriers; 
(C) accredited service animal training pro-
grams and authorized registrars, such as the 
International Guide Dog Federation, Assistance 
Dogs International, and other similar organiza-
tions and foreign and domestic governmental 
registrars of service animals; 
(D) other relevant departments or agencies 
of the Federal Government; and 
(E) other entities determined to be appro-
priate by the Secretary. 
(4) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to participate 
in the pilot program under this subsection, an indi-
vidual shall— 
(A) be a qualified individual with a dis-
ability;
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(B) require the assistance of a service ani-
mal because of a disability; and 
(C) submit an application to the Secretary 
at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Secretary may require. 
(5) CLARIFICATION.—The Secretary may award 
a grant or enter into a contract or cooperative agree-
ment in order to carry out this subsection. 
(6) NOMINAL FEE.—The Secretary may require 
an applicant to pay a nominal fee, not to exceed $25, 
to participate in the pilot program. 
(7) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 
year after the establishment of the pilot program 
under this subsection, and annually thereafter until 
the date described in paragraph (8), the Secretary 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress and make publicly available report on the 
progress of the pilot program. 
(8) SUNSET.—The pilot program shall terminate 
on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act. 
(d) ACCREDITED SERVICE ANIMAL TRAINING PRO-
GRAMS AND AUTHORIZED REGISTRARS.—Not later than 6 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
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† HR 3935 EAS 
shall publish and maintain, on the website of the Depart-
ment of Transportation, a list of— 
(1) accredited programs that train service ani-
mals; and 
(2) authorized registrars that evaluate service 
animals. 
(e) REPORT TO CONGRESS ON SERVICE ANIMAL RE-
QUESTS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on 
requests for air travel with service animals, including— 
(1) during the reporting period, how many re-
quests to board an aircraft with a service animal 
were made in total, and how many requests were 
made by qualified individuals with disabilities; and 
(2) the number and percentage of such requests, 
categorized by type of request, that were reported by 
air carriers or foreign air carriers as— 
(A) granted; 
(B) denied but not fraudulent; or 
(C) denied as fraudulent. 
(f) TRAINING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary 
shall, in consultation with the Air Carrier Access Act
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† HR 3935 EAS 
Advisory Committee, issue guidance regarding im-
provements to training for airline personnel (includ-
ing contractors) in recognizing when a qualified indi-
vidual with a disability is traveling with a service 
animal. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The guidance issued under 
paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) take into account respectful engagement 
with and assistance for individuals with a wide 
range of visible and nonvisible disabilities; 
(B) provide information on— 
(i) service animal behavior and wheth-
er the service animal is appropriately har-
nessed, leashed, or otherwise tethered; and 
(ii) the various types of service ani-
mals, such as guide dogs, hearing or signal 
dogs, psychiatric service dogs, sensory or so-
cial signal dogs, and seizure response dogs; 
and 
(C) outline the rights and responsibilities of 
the handler of the service animal. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘air carrier’’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 40102 of title 
49, United States Code.
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(2) FOREIGN AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘foreign 
air carrier’’ has the meaning given that term in sec-
tion 40102 of title 49, United States Code. 
(3) 
QUALIFIED
INDIVIDUAL
WITH
A
DIS-
ABILITY.—The term ‘‘qualified individual with a dis-
ability’’ has the meaning given that term in section 
382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(4) SERVICE ANIMAL.—The term ‘‘service ani-
mal’’ has the meaning given that term in section 
382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 547. EQUAL ACCESSIBILITY TO PASSENGER PORTALS. 
(a) APPLICATIONS AND INFORMATION COMMUNICATION 
TECHNOLOGIES.—Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, in consultation 
with the United States Architectural and Transportation 
Barriers Compliance Board, issue regulations setting forth 
minimum standards to ensure that individuals with dis-
abilities are able to access customer-focused kiosks, software 
applications, and websites of air carriers, foreign air car-
riers, and airports, in a manner that is equally as effective, 
and has a substantially equivalent ease of use, as for indi-
viduals without disabilities. 
(b) CONSISTENCY WITH GUIDELINES.—The standards 
set forth under subsection (a) shall be consistent with the 
standards contained in the Web Content Accessibility
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Guidelines 2.1 Level AA of the Web Accessibility Initiative 
of the World Wide Web Consortium or any subsequent 
version of such Guidelines. 
(c) REVIEW.— 
(1) AIR CARRIER ACCESS ACT ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE REVIEW.—The Air Carrier Access Act Advi-
sory Committee shall periodically review, and make 
appropriate recommendations regarding, the accessi-
bility of websites, kiosks, and information commu-
nication technology of air carriers, foreign air car-
riers, and airports, and make such recommendations 
publicly available. 
(2) DOT REVIEW.—Not later than 5 years after 
issuing regulations under subsection (a), and every 5 
years thereafter, the Secretary shall— 
(A) review the recommendations of the Air 
Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee regard-
ing the regulations issued under this subsection; 
and 
(B) update such regulations as necessary. 
SEC. 548. AIRCRAFT ACCESS STANDARDS. 
(a) AIRCRAFT ACCESS STANDARDS.— 
(1) STANDARDS.— 
(A) ADVANCE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE-
MAKING.—Not later than 1 year after the date of
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enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue 
an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking re-
garding standards to ensure that the aircraft 
boarding and deplaning process is accessible, in 
terms of design for, transportation of, and com-
munication with, individuals with disabilities, 
including individuals who use wheelchairs. 
(B) NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING.— 
Not later than 1 year after the date on which the 
advanced notice of proposed rulemaking under 
subparagraph (A) is completed, the Secretary 
shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking re-
garding standards addressed in subparagraph 
(A). 
(C) FINAL RULE.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date on which the notice of proposed 
rulemaking under subparagraph (B) is com-
pleted, the Secretary shall issue a final rule. 
(2) COVERED AIRPORT, EQUIPMENT, AND FEA-
TURES.—The standards prescribed under paragraph 
(1)(A) shall address, at a minimum— 
(A) boarding and deplaning equipment; 
(B) improved procedures to ensure the pri-
ority cabin stowage for manual assistive devices
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† HR 3935 EAS 
pursuant to section 382.67 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations; and 
(C) improved cargo hold storage to prevent 
damage to assistive devices. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—For purposes of the rule-
making under this subsection, the Secretary shall con-
sult with the Access Board and any other relevant de-
partment or agency to determine appropriate accessi-
bility standards. 
(b) IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT RULEMAKING.—Not 
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall issue a notice of proposed rule-
making in accordance with the November 22, 2016, resolu-
tion of the Department of Transportation ACCESS Com-
mittee and the consensus recommendation set forth in the 
Term Sheet Reflecting Agreement of the Access Committee 
Regarding In-Flight Entertainment. 
(c) NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING ON IN-CABIN WHEEL-
CHAIR
RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS
AND
ENPLANING
AND 
DEPLANING STANDARDS.— 
(1) TIMING.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year 
after completion of the report required by section 
544(e)(2), and if such report finds economic and 
financial feasibility of air carriers and foreign
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† HR 3935 EAS 
air carriers implementing seating arrangements 
that accommodate individuals with disabilities 
using wheelchairs (including power wheelchairs, 
manual wheelchairs, and scooters) in the main 
cabin during flight, the Secretary shall conduct 
a negotiated rulemaking on new type certificated 
aircraft standards for seating arrangements that 
accommodate such individuals in the main cabin 
during flight or an accessible route to a min-
imum of 2 aircraft passenger seats for passengers 
to access from personal assistive devices of such 
individuals. 
(B) REQUIREMENT.—The negotiated rule-
making under subparagraph (A) shall include 
participation of representatives of— 
(i) air carriers; 
(ii) aircraft manufacturers; 
(iii) national disability organizations; 
(iv) aviation safety experts; and 
(v) mobility aid manufacturers. 
(2) NOTICE
OF
PROPOSED
RULEMAKING.—Not 
later than 1 year after the completion of the nego-
tiated rulemaking required under paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking 
regarding the standards described in paragraph (1).
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† HR 3935 EAS 
(3) FINAL RULE.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date on which the notice of proposed rulemaking 
under paragraph (2) is completed, the Secretary shall 
issue a final rule regarding the standards described in 
paragraph (1). 
(4) CONSIDERATIONS.—In the negotiated rule-
making and rulemaking required under this sub-
section, the Secretary shall consider— 
(A) a reasonable period for the design, cer-
tification, and construction of aircraft that meet 
the requirements; 
(B) the safety of all persons on-board the 
aircraft, including necessary wheelchair stand-
ards and wheelchair compliance with FAA 
crashworthiness and safety performance criteria; 
and 
(C) the costs of design, installation, equi-
page, and aircraft capacity impacts, including 
partial fleet equipage and fare impacts. 
(d) VISUAL AND TACTILELY ACCESSIBLE ANNOUNCE-
MENTS.—The Advisory Committee established under section 
439 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 
41705 note) shall examine technical solutions and the feasi-
bility of visually and tactilely accessible announcements on- 
board aircraft.
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† HR 3935 EAS 
(e) AIRPORT FACILITIES.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, in 
direct consultation with the Access Board, prescribe regula-
tions setting forth minimum standards under section 41705 
of title 49, United States Code, that ensure all gates (includ-
ing counters), ticketing areas, and customer service desks 
covered under such section at airports are accessible to and 
usable by all individuals with disabilities, including 
through the provision of visually and tactilely accessible an-
nouncements and full and equal access to aural communica-
tions. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ACCESS BOARD.—The term ‘‘Access Board’’ 
means the Architectural and Transportation Barriers 
Compliance Board. 
(2) AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘air carrier’’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 40102 of title 
49, United States Code. 
(3) INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY.—The term 
‘‘individual with a disability’’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
(4) FOREIGN AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘foreign 
air carrier’’ has the meaning given such term in sec-
tion 40102 of title 49, United States Code.
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† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 549. INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS. 
Section 41705(c) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking paragraph (1), and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) not later than 120 days after the re-
ceipt of any complaint of a violation of this sec-
tion or a regulation prescribed under this sec-
tion, investigate such complaint; and 
‘‘(B) provide, in writing, to the individual 
that filed the complaint and the air carrier or 
foreign air carrier alleged to have violated this 
section or a regulation prescribed under this sec-
tion, the determination of the Secretary with re-
spect to— 
‘‘(i) whether the air carrier or foreign 
air carrier violated this section or a regula-
tion prescribed under this section; 
‘‘(ii) the facts underlying the com-
plaint; and 
‘‘(iii) any action the Secretary is tak-
ing in response to the complaint.’’. 
SEC. 550. REMOVAL OF OUTDATED REFERENCES TO PAS-
SENGERS WITH DISABILITIES. 
(a) SOVEREIGNTY AND USE OF AIRSPACE.—Section 
40103(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
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† HR 3935 EAS 
striking ‘‘handicapped individuals’’ and inserting ‘‘indi-
viduals with disabilities’’. 
(b) SPECIAL PRICES FOR FOREIGN AIR TRANSPOR-
TATION.—Section 41511(b)(4) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ‘‘handicap’’ and inserting 
‘‘disability’’. 
(c) DISCRIMINATION AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DIS-
ABILITIES.—Section 41705 of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended in the heading by striking ‘‘handicapped 
individuals’’ and inserting ‘‘individuals with dis-
abilities’’. 
(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
the item relating to section 41705 and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘41705. Discrimination against individuals with disabilities.’’. 
SEC. 551. ON-BOARD WHEELCHAIRS IN AIRCRAFT CABIN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—If an individual informs an air 
carrier or foreign air carrier at the time of booking a ticket 
for air transportation on a covered aircraft that the indi-
vidual requires the use of any wheelchair, the air carrier 
or foreign air carrier shall provide information regarding 
the provision and use of on-board wheelchairs, including 
the rights and responsibilities of the air carrier and pas-
senger as such rights and responsibilities relate to the provi-
sion and use of on-board wheelchairs.
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† HR 3935 EAS 
(b) AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION.—An air carrier 
or foreign air carrier that operates a covered aircraft shall 
provide on a publicly available website of the carrier infor-
mation regarding the rights and responsibilities of both pas-
sengers on such aircraft and the air carrier or foreign air 
carrier relating to on-board wheelchairs, including— 
(1) that an air carrier or foreign air carrier is 
required to equip aircraft that have more than 60 
passenger seats and that have an accessible lavatory 
(whether or not having such a lavatory is required by 
section 382.63 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions) with an on-board wheelchair, unless an excep-
tion described in such section 382.65 applies; 
(2) that a qualified individual with a disability 
(as defined in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations (as in effect on date of enactment of 
this Act)) may request an on-board wheelchair on air-
craft with more than 60 passenger seats even if the 
lavatory is not accessible and that the basis of such 
request must be that the individual can use an inac-
cessible lavatory but cannot reach it from a seat with-
out using an on-board wheelchair; 
(3) that the air carrier or foreign air carrier 
may require the qualified individual with a disability 
to provide the advance notice specified in section
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† HR 3935 EAS 
382.27 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, in 
order for the individual to be provided with the on- 
board wheelchair; and 
(4) if the air carrier or foreign air carrier re-
quires the advance notice described in paragraph (3), 
information on how such a qualified individual with 
a disability can make such a request. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) APPLICABILITY OF TERMS.—The definitions 
contained in section 40102 of title 49, United States 
Code, apply to this section. 
(2) COVERED AIRCRAFT.—The term ‘‘covered air-
craft’’ means an aircraft that is required to be 
equipped with on-board wheelchairs in accordance 
with section 382.65 of title 14, Code of Federal Regu-
lations. 
SEC. 552. AIRCRAFT ACCESSIBILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall initiate a pro-
gram to study and evaluate the accessibility of new trans-
port category aircraft designs certified, including, at a min-
imum— 
(1) considering the safe boarding and deplaning 
processes for such aircraft, including individuals who 
use wheelchairs or other mobility aids, are blind or
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† HR 3935 EAS 
have limited vision, or are deaf or hard of hearing; 
and 
(2) determining such aircraft can provide acces-
sible lavatories. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study and 
evaluation under this section, the Secretary shall consult 
with— 
(1) air carriers; 
(2) aircraft manufacturers and aerospace supply 
companies; and 
(3) other stakeholders as determined appropriate 
by the Secretary. 
(c) REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 
3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress— 
(1) a report on the findings of the study and 
evaluation under subsection (a); and 
(2) any recommendations based on the findings 
of such study and evaluation. 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed to require the Secretary to require the 
retrofit of transport category aircraft based on the findings 
and evaluation under subsection (a).
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† HR 3935 EAS 
Subtitle C—Air Service 
Development 
SEC. 561. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE REFORMS. 
(a) REDUCTION IN SUBSIDY CAP.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 41731(a)(1)(C) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(C) had an average subsidy per passenger, 
as determined by the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) of less than $1,000 during the 
most recent fiscal year beginning before Oc-
tober 1, 2026, regardless of driving miles to 
the nearest large or medium hub airport; 
‘‘(ii) of less than $850 during the most 
recent fiscal year beginning after September 
30, 2026, regardless of driving miles to the 
nearest medium or large hub airport; and 
‘‘(iii) of less than $650 during the most 
recent fiscal year for locations that are less 
than 175 miles from the nearest large or 
medium hub airport; and’’. 
(2) 
NOTICE.—Section 
41731(a)(1)(D)(ii) 
is 
amended by striking ‘‘90-day’’ and inserting ‘‘140- 
day’’.
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† HR 3935 EAS 
(3) WAIVERS.—Section 41731(e) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(e) WAIVERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may waive, 
on an annual basis, subsections (a)(1)(B) and 
(a)(1)(C)(iii) with respect to an eligible place if such 
place demonstrates to the Secretary’s satisfaction that 
the reason the eligibility requirements of such sub-
sections are not met is due to a temporary decline in 
demand. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—Beginning with fiscal year 
2027, the Secretary may not provide a waiver of sub-
section (a)(1)(B) to any location— 
‘‘(A) in more than 2 consecutive fiscal 
years; or 
‘‘(B) in more than 5 fiscal years within 25 
consecutive years. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—Beginning in fiscal year 
2027, the Secretary may not provide a waiver of sub-
section (a)(1)(C)(iii) to any location— 
‘‘(A) in more than 2 consecutive fiscal 
years; or 
‘‘(B) in more than 5 fiscal years within 25 
consecutive years.’’. 
(4) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
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† HR 3935 EAS 
(A) Section 332 of the Department of 
Transportation and Related Agencies Appropria-
tions Act, 2000 (Public Law 106–69; 49 U.S.C. 
41731 note) is repealed. 
(B) Subsections (c) and (d) of section 426 
of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act (49 
U.S.C. 41731 note) are repealed. 
(b) RESTRICTION ON LENGTH OF ROUTES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 41732(a)(1) of title 
49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) to a medium or large hub airport less than 
650 miles from an eligible place (unless such airport 
or eligible place are located in a noncontiguous 
State); or’’. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—The amendment made by 
paragraph (1) shall not apply to an eligible place 
that is served by an air carrier selected to receive es-
sential air service compensation under subchapter II 
of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, if— 
(A) such service is in effect upon the date 
of enactment of this Act; and 
(B) such service is provided by the same air 
carrier that provided service on the date of en-
actment of this Act.
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† HR 3935 EAS 
(3) SUNSET.—Paragraph (2) shall cease to have 
effect on October 1, 2028. 
(c) IMPROVEMENTS TO BASIC ESSENTIAL AIR SERV-
ICE.—Section 41732 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(2) by inserting ‘‘medium or 
large’’ after ‘‘nearest’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4); 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (5) as 
paragraph (3); and 
(C) by striking paragraph (6). 
(d) LEVEL OF BASIC ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE.—Sec-
tion 41733 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)(1)— 
(A) by striking subparagraph (B) and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(B) the contractual, marketing, code-share, or 
interline arrangements the applicant has made with 
a larger air carrier serving the hub airport;’’; 
(B) by striking subparagraph (C); 
(C) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) 
through (F) as subparagraphs (C) through (E), 
respectively;
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(D) in subparagraph (C), as so redesig-
nated, by striking ‘‘giving substantial weight to’’ 
and inserting ‘‘including’’; 
(E) in subparagraph (D), as so redesig-
nated, by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(F) in subparagraph (E), as so redesig-
nated, by striking the period and inserting ‘‘; 
and’’; and 
(G) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) the total compensation proposed by the air 
carrier for providing scheduled air service under this 
section.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (h) by striking ‘‘by section 332 
of the Department of Transportation and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 (Public Law 106– 
69; 113 Stat. 1022)’’ and inserting ‘‘under section 
41731(a)(1)(C)’’. 
(e) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress 
that route structures to rural airports serve a critical func-
tion to the Nation by connecting many military installa-
tions to major regional airline hubs. 
(f) ENDING, SUSPENDING, AND REDUCING BASIC ES-
SENTIAL AIR SERVICE.—Section 41734 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)—
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(A) by striking ‘‘An air carrier’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘Subject to subsection (d), an air carrier’’; 
and 
(B) by striking ‘‘90’’ and inserting ‘‘140’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(d) CONTINUATION OF COMPENSATION AFTER NO-
TICE PERIOD.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—If an air carrier receiving 
compensation under section 41733 for providing basic 
essential air service to an eligible place is required to 
continue to provide service to such place under this 
section after the 140-day notice period under sub-
section (a), the Secretary— 
‘‘(A) shall provide the carrier with com-
pensation sufficient to pay to the carrier the 
amount required by the then existing contract for 
performing the basic essential air service that 
was being provided when the 140-day notice was 
given under subsection (a); 
‘‘(B) may pay an additional amount that 
represents a reasonable return on investment; 
and 
‘‘(C) may pay an additional return that 
recognizes the demonstrated additional lost prof-
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its from opportunities foregone and the likelihood 
that those lost profits increase as the period dur-
ing which the carrier or provider is required to 
provide the service continues. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary may incor-
porate contract termination penalties or conditions 
on compensation into a contract for an air carrier to 
provide service to an eligible place that take effect in 
the event an air carrier provides notice that it is end-
ing, suspending, or reducing basic essential air serv-
ice.’’; 
(3) in subsection (e) by striking ‘‘providing that 
service after the 90-day notice period’’ and all that 
follows through the period at the end of paragraph (2) 
and inserting ‘‘providing that service after the 140- 
day notice period required by subsection (a), the Sec-
retary may provide the air carrier with compensation 
after the end of the 140-day notice period to pay for 
the fully allocated actual cost to the air carrier of per-
forming the basic essential air service that was being 
provided when the 140-day notice was given under 
subsection (a) plus a reasonable return on investment 
that is at least 5 percent of operating costs.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (f) by inserting ‘‘air’’ after 
‘‘find another’’.
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(g) ENHANCED ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE.—Section 
41735 of title 49, United States Code, and the item relating 
to such section in the analysis for subchapter II of chapter 
417 of such title, are repealed. 
(h) COMPENSATION GUIDELINES, LIMITATIONS, AND 
CLAIMS.—Section 41737(d) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘The Secretary 
may’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (2). 
(i) JOINT PROPOSALS.—Section 41740 of title 49, 
United States Code, and the item relating to such section 
in the analysis for subchapter II of chapter 417 of such title, 
are repealed. 
(j) PRESERVATION OF BASIC ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE 
AT SINGLE CARRIER DOMINATED HUB AIRPORTS.—Section 
41744 of title 49, United States Code, and the item relating 
to such section in the analysis for subchapter II of chapter 
417 of such title, are repealed. 
(k) COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL CHOICE PROGRAMS.— 
Section 41745 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking subpara-
graph (E) and redesignating subparagraph (F) as 
subparagraph (E); 
(2) by striking subsections (b) and (c); and
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(3) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g) 
as subsections (b) through (e), respectively. 
(l) MARKETING PROGRAM.—Section 41748 of title 49, 
United States Code, and the item relating to such section 
in the analysis for subchapter II of chapter 417 of such title, 
are repealed. 
SEC. 562. SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT 
GRANTS. 
Section 41743 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ‘‘10- 
year’’ and inserting ‘‘5-year’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (5)— 
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) 
through (G) as subparagraphs (C) through 
(H), respectively; 
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph 
(A) the following: 
‘‘(B) the community has demonstrated sup-
port from at least 1 air carrier to provide serv-
ice;’’; and 
(iii) in subparagraph (F), as so redes-
ignated, by inserting ‘‘or substantially re-
duced (as measured by enplanements, ca-
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pacity (seats), schedule, connections, or 
routes)’’ after ‘‘terminated’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by inserting ‘‘, which 
shall begin with each new grant, including same- 
project new grants, and which shall be calculated 
on a non-consecutive basis for air carriers that 
provide air service that is seasonal’’ after ‘‘3 
years’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2) by inserting ‘‘, or an 
airport where air service has been terminated or 
substantially reduced,’’ before ‘‘to obtain service’’; 
(3) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by inserting ‘‘or the 
community’s current air service needs’’ after ‘‘the 
project’’; and 
(B) 
in 
paragraph 
(2) 
by 
striking 
‘‘$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 
through 2023’’ and all that follows through ‘‘May 
10, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘$15,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2024 through 2028’’; 
(4) in subsection (g)(4) by striking ‘‘and the cre-
ation of aviation development zones’’; and
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(5) by striking subsections (f) and (h) and redes-
ignating subsection (g) (as amended by paragraph 
(4)) as subsection (f). 
SEC. 563. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON THE ALTERNATE ES-
SENTIAL AIR SERVICE PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General shall study the 
effectiveness of the alternate essential air service pilot pro-
gram established under section 41745 of title 49, United 
States Code, (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Alternate 
EAS program’’), including challenges, if any, that have im-
peded robust community participation in the Alternate 
EAS program. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study required under subsection 
(a) shall include an assessment of potential changes to the 
Alternate EAS program and the basic essential air service 
programs under subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, 
United States Code, including changes in which Governors 
of States or territories containing essential air service com-
munities would be given block grants in lieu of essential 
air service subsidies. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 3 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on 
the study required under subsection (a), including any rec-
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ommendations for legislation and administrative action as 
the Comptroller General determines appropriate. 
SEC. 564. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE IN PARTS OF ALASKA. 
Not later than September 1, 2024, the Secretary, in 
consultation with the appropriate State authority of Alas-
ka, shall review all domestic points in the State of Alaska 
that were deleted from carrier certificates between July 1, 
1968, and October 24, 1978, and that were not subsequently 
determined to be an eligible place prior to January 1, 1982, 
as a result of being unpopulated at that time due to destruc-
tion during the 1964 earthquake and its resultant tidal 
wave, to determine whether such points have been resettled 
or relocated and should be designated as an eligible place 
entitled to receive a determination of the level of essential 
air service supported, if necessary, with Federal funds. 
SEC. 565. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE COMMUNITY PETITION 
FOR REVIEW. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 41733 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(2) by inserting ‘‘, as defined 
by the Secretary’’ after ‘‘appropriate representative of 
the place’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(i) COMMUNITY PETITION FOR REVIEW.—
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‘‘(1) PETITION.—An appropriate representative 
of an eligible place, as defined by the Secretary, may 
submit to the Secretary a petition expressing no con-
fidence in the air carrier providing basic essential air 
service under this section and requesting a review by 
the Secretary. A petition submitted under this sub-
section shall demonstrate that the air carrier— 
‘‘(A) is unwilling or unable to meet the 
operational specifications outlined in the order 
issued by the Secretary specifying the terms of 
basic essential air service to such place; 
‘‘(B) is experiencing reliability challenges 
with the potential to adversely affect air service 
to such place; or 
‘‘(C) is no longer able to provide service to 
such place at the rate of compensation specified 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) REVIEW.—Not later than 2 months after the 
date on which the Secretary receives a petition under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall review the oper-
ational performance of the air carrier providing basic 
essential air service to such place that submitted such 
petition and determine whether such air carrier is 
fully complying with the obligations specified in the
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order issued by the Secretary specifying the terms of 
basic essential air service to such place. 
‘‘(3) TERMINATION.—If based on a review under 
paragraph (2), the Secretary determines noncompli-
ance by an air carrier with an order specifying the 
terms for basic essential air service to the community, 
the Secretary may— 
‘‘(A) terminate the order issued to the air 
carrier; and 
‘‘(B) issue a notice pursuant to subsection 
(c) that an air carrier may apply to provide 
basic essential air service to such place for com-
pensation under this section and select an appli-
cant pursuant to such subsection. 
‘‘(4) CONTINUATION
OF
SERVICE.—If the Sec-
retary makes a determination under paragraph (3) to 
terminate an order issued to an air carrier under this 
section, the Secretary shall ensure continuity in air 
service to the affected place.’’. 
SEC. 566. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE AUTHORIZATION. 
Section 41742(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘$155,000,000 for fiscal year 2018’’ 
and all that follows through ‘‘May 10, 2024,’’ and inserting 
‘‘$348,544,000 for fiscal year 2024, $340,000,000 for fiscal
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† HR 3935 EAS 
year 2025, $342,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, $342,000,000 
for fiscal year 2027, and $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2028’’. 
SEC. 567. GAO STUDY ON COSTS OF ESSENTIAL AIR SERV-
ICE. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a 
study of the change in costs of the essential air service pro-
gram under sections 41731 through 41742 of title 49, 
United States Code. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study required 
under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall— 
(1) assess trends in costs of the essential air serv-
ice program under sections 41731 through 41742 of 
title 49, United States Code, over the 10-year period 
ending on the date of enactment of this Act; and 
(2) review potential causes for the increased cost 
of the essential air service program, including— 
(A) labor costs; 
(B) fuel costs; 
(C) aging aircraft costs; 
(D) air carrier opportunity costs; 
(E) airport costs; and 
(F) the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall sub-
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mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on 
the results of the study conducted under subsection (a). 
SEC. 568. RESPONSE TIME FOR APPLICATIONS TO PROVIDE 
ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE. 
The Secretary shall take such actions as are necessary 
to respond with an approval or denial of any application 
filed by an applicant to provide essential air service under 
subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, 
to the greatest extent practicable not later than 6 months 
after receiving such application. The Assistant General 
Counsel for International and Aviation Economic Law 
shall ensure the timely review of all orders proposed by the 
Essential Air Service Office, and such timeliness shall be 
analyzed annually by the General Counsel of the Depart-
ment of Transportation. 
SEC. 569. GAO STUDY ON CERTAIN AIRPORT DELAYS. 
The Comptroller General shall conduct a study on 
flight delays in the States of New York, New Jersey, and 
Connecticut and the possible causes of such delays. 
SEC. 570. REPORT ON RESTORATION OF SMALL COMMU-
NITY AIR SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to 
enter into an agreement with the National Academies to 
conduct a study on the loss of commercial air service in
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small communities in the United States and options to re-
store such service. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study required 
under subsection (a), that National Academies shall— 
(1) assess the reduction of scheduled commercial 
air service to small communities over a 5-year period 
ending on the date of enactment of this Act, to include 
small communities that have lost all scheduled com-
mercial air service; 
(2) review economic trends that have resulted in 
reduction or loss of scheduled commercial air service 
to such communities; 
(3) review the economic losses of such commu-
nities who have suffered a reduction or loss of sched-
uled commercial air service; 
(4) identify the causes that prompted air car-
riers to reduce or eliminate scheduled commercial air 
service to such communities; 
(5) assess the impact of changing aircraft eco-
nomics; and 
(6) identify recommendations that can be imple-
mented by such communities or Federal, State, or 
local agencies to aid in the restoration or replacement 
of scheduled commercial air service.
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(c) CASE STUDIES.—In conducting the study required 
under subsection (a), the National Academies shall assess 
not fewer than 7 communities that have lost commercial 
air service or have had commercial air service significantly 
reduced in the past 15 years, including— 
(1) Williamsport Regional Airport; 
(2) Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport; 
and 
(3) Chautauqua County Jamestown Airport. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall submit 
to the Secretary and the appropriate committees of Congress 
a report containing— 
(1) the results of the study described in sub-
section (a); and 
(2) recommendations to Congress and commu-
nities on action that can be taken to improve or re-
store scheduled commercial service to small commu-
nities. 
(e) FUNDING.—No funding made available to carry 
out subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, United States 
Code, may be used to carry out this section.
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TITLE VI—MODERNIZING THE 
NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM 
SEC. 601. INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM INSTALLATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 1, 2025, 
the Administrator shall expedite the installation of at least 
15 instrument landing systems (in this section referred to 
as ‘‘ILS’’) in the national airspace system by utilizing the 
existing ILS contract vehicle and the employees of the FAA. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall— 
(1) incorporate lessons learned from installations 
under section 44502(a)(4) of title 49, United States 
Code; 
(2) record metrics of cost and time savings of ex-
pedited installations; 
(3) consider opportunities to further develop ILS 
technical expertise among the employees of the FAA; 
and 
(4) consider the cost-benefit analysis of utilizing 
the existing ILS contract vehicle, the employees of the 
FAA, or both, to accelerate the installation and de-
ployment of procured equipment. 
(c) BRIEFING TO CONGRESS.—Not later than June 30, 
2025, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress—
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(1) on the installation of ILS under this section; 
(2) describing any planned near-term ILS in-
stallations; and 
(3) outlining the approach of the FAA to accel-
erate future procurement and installation of ILS 
throughout the national airspace system in a manner 
consistent with the requirements of title VIII of divi-
sion J of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 
(Public Law 117–58). 
SEC. 602. NAVIGATION AIDS STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the inspector general of the 
Department of Transportation shall initiate a study exam-
ining the effects of reclassifying navigation aids to Design 
Assurance Level–A from Design Assurance Level–B, includ-
ing the following navigation aids: 
(1) Distance measuring equipment. 
(2) Very high frequency omni-directional range. 
(3) Tactical air navigation. 
(4) Wide area augmentation system. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study required 
under subsection (a), the inspector general shall address— 
(1) the cost-benefit analyses associated with the 
reclassification described in such subsection;
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(2) the findings from the operational safety as-
sessments and preliminary hazard analyses of the 
navigation aids listed in such subsection; 
(3) the risks of such reclassification on naviga-
tion aid equipment currently in use; 
(4) the potential impacts on global interoper-
ability of navigational aids; and 
(5) what additional actions should be taken 
based on the findings of this subsection. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 24 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the inspector general shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describ-
ing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a). 
SEC. 603. NEXTGEN ACCOUNTABILITY REVIEW. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 31, 2026, 
the Administrator shall seek to enter into an agreement 
with the National Academy of Public Administration to 
initiate a review to assess the performance of the FAA in 
delivering and implementing quantifiable operational bene-
fits to the national airspace system within the NextGen pro-
gram. 
(b) REVIEW REQUIREMENTS.—In conducting the re-
view required under subsection (a), the National Academy 
of Public Administration shall—
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(1) leverage metrics used by the FAA to quantify 
the benefits of NextGen technology and investments; 
(2) validate metrics and identify additional 
metrics the FAA can use to track national airspace 
system throughput and savings as a result of NextGen 
investments— 
(A) by calculating a per flight average, 
weighted by distance, of the— 
(i) reduction and cumulative savings 
of track miles and time savings; 
(ii) reduction and cumulative savings 
of emissions and fuel burn; and 
(iii) reduction of aircraft operation 
time; and 
(B) by using any other metrics that the Na-
tional Academy determines may provide insights 
into the quantifiable benefits for operators in the 
national airspace system; and 
(3) validate current metrics and identify addi-
tional metrics the FAA can use to track and assess 
fleet equipage across operators in the national air-
space system, including identifying— 
(A) the percentage of aircraft equipped with 
NextGen avionics equipment as recommended in 
the report of the NextGen Advisory Committee ti-
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tled ‘‘Minimum Capabilities List (MCL) Ad Hoc 
Team NAC Task 19–1 Report’’, issued on No-
vember 17, 2020; 
(B) quantified costs and benefits for an op-
erator to properly equip an aircraft with base-
line NextGen avionics equipment over the 
lifecycle of such aircraft; and 
(C) cumulative unrealized NextGen benefits 
associated with rates of mixed equipage across 
operators. 
(c) INDUSTRY CONSULTATION.—In conducting the re-
view required under subsection (a), the National Academy 
of Public Administration may consult with aviation indus-
try stakeholders. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days after the initi-
ation of the review under subsection (a), the National Acad-
emy shall submit to the Administrator and the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report containing any findings 
and recommendations under such review. 
(e) PUBLICATION.—Not later than 180 days after re-
ceiving the report required under subsection (d), the Admin-
istrator shall establish a website of the FAA that can be 
used to monitor and update—
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(1) the metrics identified by the review conducted 
under subsection (a) on a quarterly and annual basis 
through 2030, as appropriate; and 
(2) the total amount invested in NextGen tech-
nologies and resulting quantifiable benefits on a quar-
terly basis until the Administrator announces the 
completion of NextGen implementation. 
SEC. 604. AIRSPACE ACCESS. 
(a) COALESCING AIRSPACE.— 
(1) REVIEW OF NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM.— 
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Defense, shall conduct a comprehensive 
review of the airspace of the national airspace system, 
including special use airspace. 
(2) STREAMLINING AND EXPEDITING ACCESS.— 
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Administrator 
shall identify methods to streamline, expedite, and 
provide greater flexibility of access to certain cat-
egories of airspace for users of the national airspace 
system who may not regularly have such access. 
(b) BRIEFING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 months after 
the completion of review the under subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees
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of Congress on the findings of such review and a pro-
posed action plan to improve access to airspace for 
users of the national airspace system. 
(2) CONTENTS.—In the briefing under para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall include, at a min-
imum, the following: 
(A) An identification of current challenges 
and barriers faced by airspace users in accessing 
certain categories of airspace, including special 
use airspace. 
(B) An evaluation of existing procedures, 
regulations, and requirements that may impede 
or delay access to certain categories of airspace 
for certain users of the national airspace system. 
(C) Actions for streamlining and expediting 
the airspace access process, including potential 
regulatory changes, technological advancements, 
and enhanced coordination among relevant 
stakeholders and Federal agencies. 
(D) If determined appropriate, an imple-
mentation plan for a framework that allows for 
temporary access to certain categories of air-
space, including special use airspace, by users of 
the national airspace system who do not have 
regular access to such airspace.
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(E) An assessment of the impact of airspace 
access improvements described in paragraph (1) 
on the safety of, efficiency of, and economic op-
portunities for airspace users, including— 
(i) military operators; 
(ii) commercial operators; and 
(iii) general aviation operators. 
(3) IMPLEMENTATION AND FOLLOW-UP.— 
(A) 
ACTION
PLAN.—The 
Administrator 
shall take such actions as are necessary to imple-
ment the action plan developed pursuant to this 
section. 
(B) COORDINATION.—In implementing the 
action plan under subparagraph (A), the Admin-
istrator shall coordinate with relevant stake-
holders, including airspace users and the Sec-
retary of Defense, to ensure effective implementa-
tion of such action plan, and ongoing collabora-
tion in addressing airspace access challenges. 
(C) PROGRESS
REPORTS.—The Adminis-
trator shall provide to the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress periodic briefings on the imple-
mentation of the action plan developed under 
this subparagraph (A), including updates on—
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(i) the adoption of streamlined proce-
dures; 
(ii) technological enhancements; and 
(iii) any regulatory changes necessary 
to improve airspace access and flexibility. 
SEC. 605. FAA CONTRACT TOWER WORKFORCE AUDIT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the inspector general of the 
Department of Transportation shall initiate an audit of the 
workforce needs of the Contract Tower Program, as estab-
lished under section 47124 of title 49, United States Code. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the audit required 
under subsection (a), the inspector general shall, at a min-
imum— 
(1) review the assumptions and methodologies 
used in assessing FAA contract towers staffing levels 
and determine the adequacy of staffing levels at such 
towers; 
(2) evaluate the supply and demand of trained 
and certificated personnel prepared for work and such 
towers; 
(3) examine efforts to establish an air traffic 
controller training program or curriculum to allow 
contract tower contractors to conduct—
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(A) initial training of controller candidates 
employed or soon to be employed by such con-
tractors who do not have a Control Tower Oper-
ator certificate or a FAA tower credential; 
(B) any initial training for controller can-
didates who have completed an approved Air 
Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program 
from an accredited school that has a dem-
onstrated successful curriculum; or 
(C) on-the-job training of such candidates 
described in subparagraphs (A) or (B); 
(4) assess whether establishing pathways to allow 
contract tower contractors to use the air traffic tech-
nical training academy of the FAA, or other means 
such as higher educational institutions, to provide 
initial technical training for air traffic controllers 
employed by such contractors could improve the work-
force needs of the contract tower program and any re-
lated impact such training may have on air traffic 
controller staffing more broadly; and 
(5) consult with the exclusive bargaining rep-
resentative of the air traffic controllers certified under 
section 7111 of title 5, United States Code. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the comple-
tion of the audit under subsection (a), the inspector general
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shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report on the findings of such audit and any recommenda-
tions as a result of such audit. 
(d) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Administrator shall take 
such actions as are necessary to implement any rec-
ommendations included in the report required under sub-
section (c) with which the Administrator concurs. 
(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sub-
section shall be construed as a delegation of authority by 
the Administrator to air traffic control contractors for the 
purposes of issuing initial certifications to air traffic con-
trollers. 
SEC. 606. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER SAFETY. 
In designing, adopting a design, or constructing an 
air traffic control tower based on a previously adopted de-
sign, the Administrator shall prioritize the safety of the na-
tional airspace system, the safety of employees of the Ad-
ministration, the operational reliability of such air traffic 
control tower, and the costs of such tower. 
SEC. 607. AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES DATA REPORTS. 
Section 45303(g)(2)(A) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘8 years’’ and inserting ‘‘14 years’’.
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SEC. 608. CONSIDERATION OF SMALL HUB CONTROL TOW-
ERS. 
In selecting projects for the replacement of federally 
owned air traffic control towers from funds made available 
under the heading ‘‘Federal Aviation Administration—Fa-
cilities and Equipment’’ in title VIII of division J of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117– 
58), the Administrator shall consider selecting projects at 
small hub commercial service airports with control towers 
that are at least 50 years old. 
SEC. 609. FLIGHT PROFILE OPTIMIZATION. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall 
establish a pilot program to award grants to air traf-
fic flow management technology providers to develop 
prototype capabilities to incorporate flight profile op-
timization (in this section referred to as ‘‘FPO’’) into 
the trajectory based-operations air traffic flow man-
agement system of the FAA. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In establishing the pilot 
program under paragraph (1), the Administrator 
shall consider the following: 
(A) The extent to which developed FPO ca-
pabilities may reduce strain on the national air-
space system infrastructure while facilitating 
safe and efficient flow of future air traffic vol-
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umes and diverse range of aircraft and advanced 
aviation aircraft. 
(B) The extent to which developed FPO ca-
pabilities may achieve environmental benefits 
and time savings. 
(C) The perspectives of FAA employees re-
sponsible for air traffic flow management devel-
opment projects, bilateral civil aviation regu-
latory partners, and industry applicants on the 
performance of the FAA in carrying out air traf-
fic 
flow 
management 
system 
development 
projects. 
(D) Any other information the Adminis-
trator determines appropriate. 
(3) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a 
grant under the program, an air traffic flow manage-
ment technology provider shall submit an application 
to the Administrator at such time, in such manner, 
and containing such information as the Adminis-
trator may require. 
(4) MAXIMUM AMOUNT.—A grant awarded under 
the program may not exceed $2,000,000 to a single 
air traffic flow management technology provider. 
(b) BRIEFING TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually there-
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after until the termination of the pilot program under sub-
section (d) established under this section, the Administrator 
shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the 
progress of such pilot program, including any implementa-
tion challenges of the program, detailed metrics of the pro-
gram, and any recommendations to achieve the adoption 
of FPO. 
(c) TRAJECTORY-BASED OPERATIONS DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘‘trajectory-based operations’’ means 
an air traffic flow management method for strategically 
planning, managing, and optimizing flights that uses time- 
based management, performance-based navigation, and 
other capabilities and processes to achieve air traffic flow 
management operational objectives and improvements. 
(d) SUNSET.—The pilot program under this section 
shall terminate on October 1, 2028. 
SEC. 610. EXTENSION OF ENHANCED AIR TRAFFIC SERV-
ICES PILOT PROGRAM. 
Section 547 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 
(49 U.S.C. 40103 note) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) CERTAIN
NEXTGEN
AVIONICS.—The term 
‘certain NextGen avionics’ means those avionics and
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baseline capabilities as recommended in the report of 
the NextGen Advisory Committee titled ‘Minimum 
Capabilities List (MCL) Ad Hoc Team NAC Task 
19–1 Report’, issued on November 17, 2020. 
‘‘(2) PREFERENTIAL
BASIS.—The term ‘pref-
erential basis’ means prioritizing aircraft equipped 
with certain NextGen avionics by providing them 
more efficient service, shorter queuing, or priority 
clearances to the maximum extent possible without re-
ducing overall capacity or safety of the national air-
space system.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e) by striking ‘‘May 10, 2024’’ 
and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2028’’. 
SEC. 611. FEDERAL CONTACT TOWER WAGE DETERMINA-
TIONS AND POSITIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall request that the 
Secretary of Labor— 
(1) review and update, as necessary, including to 
account for cost-of-living adjustments, the basis for 
the wage determination for air traffic controllers who 
are employed at air traffic control towers operated 
under the Contract Tower Program established under 
section 47124 of title 49, United States Code; 
(2) reassess the basis for air traffic controller oc-
cupation codes;
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(3) create a new wage determination category or 
occupation code for managers of air traffic controllers 
who are employed at air traffic control towers oper-
ated under the Contract Tower Program; and 
(4) consult with the Administrator in carrying 
out the requirements of paragraphs (1) through (3). 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Labor, shall submit to the appropriate com-
mittees of Congress a report that includes— 
(1) a description of the findings and conclusions 
of the review and reassessment made under subsection 
(a); 
(2) an explanation of and justification for the 
basis for the wage determination; and 
(3) a description of the actions taken by the De-
partment of Transportation and the Department of 
Labor to ensure that contract tower air traffic con-
troller wages are adjusted for inflation and are as-
signed the appropriate occupation codes. 
SEC. 612. BRIEFING ON RADIO COMMUNICATIONS COV-
ERAGE AROUND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. 
(a) BRIEFING REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress
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on the radio communications coverage within the airspace 
surrounding the Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport in 
Mena, Arkansas. 
(b) BRIEFING
CONTENTS.—The briefing required 
under subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) The radio communications coverage within 
the airspace surrounding the Mena Intermountain 
Municipal Airport with the applicable Air Route 
Traffic Control Center. 
(2) The altitudes at which radio communications 
capabilities are lost within such airspace. 
(3) Recommendations on changes to increase 
radio communications coverage below 4,000 feet above 
ground level within such airspace. 
SEC. 613. AERONAUTICAL MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS SERV-
ICES. 
(a) SATELLITE VOICE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES.— 
The Administrator shall evaluate the addition of satellite 
voice communication services (in this section referred to as 
‘‘SatVoice’’) to the Aeronautical Mobile Communications 
program (in this section referred to as the ‘‘AMCS pro-
gram’’) that provides for the delivery of air traffic control 
messages in oceanic and remote continental airspace. 
(b) ANALYSIS AND IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES.— 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
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Act, the Administrator shall begin to develop the safety case 
analysis and implementation procedures for SatVoice in-
structions over the controlled oceanic and remote conti-
nental airspace regions of the FAA. 
(c) REQUIREMENTS.—The analysis and implementa-
tion procedures required under subsection (b) shall include, 
at a minimum, the following: 
(1) Network and protocol testing and integration 
with satellite service providers. 
(2) Operational testing with aircraft to identify 
and resolve performance issues. 
(3) A definition of Satcom Standards and Rec-
ommended Practices established through a collabora-
tion with the International Civil Aviation Organiza-
tion, which shall include an RCP–130 performance 
standard as well as SatVoice standards. 
(4) Training for radio operators on new oper-
ation procedures and protocols. 
(5) A phased implementation plan for incor-
porating SatVoice services into the AMCS program. 
(6) The estimated cost of the implementation 
procedures for relevant stakeholders. 
(d) HF/VHF MINIMUM EQUIPAGE.— 
(1) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
section shall be construed to affect the HF/VHF equi-
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page requirement for communications in oceanic and 
remote continental airspace as of the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
(2) MAINTENANCE OF HF/VHF SERVICES.—The 
Administrator shall maintain HF/VHF services exist-
ing as of the date of enactment of this Act as min-
imum equipage under the AMCS program to provide 
for auxiliary communication and maintain safety in 
the event of a satellite outage. 
SEC. 614. DELIVERY OF CLEARANCE TO PILOTS VIA INTER-
NET PROTOCOL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall estab-
lish a pilot program to conduct testing and an evaluation 
to determine the feasibility of the use, in air traffic control 
towers, of technology for mobile clearance delivery for gen-
eral aviation and on-demand air carriers operating under 
part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, at suitable 
airports that do not have tower data link services. 
(b) AIRPORT SELECTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall des-
ignate 5 suitable airports for participation in the 
program established under subsection (a) after con-
sultation with the exclusive representatives of air traf-
fic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5,
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United States Code, airport sponsors, aircraft and 
avionics manufacturers, MITRE, and aircraft opera-
tors 
(2) AIRPORT SIZE AND COMPLEXITY.—In desig-
nating airports under paragraph (1), the Adminis-
trator shall designate airports of different size and 
complexity. 
(c) PROGRAM OBJECTIVE.—The program established 
under subsection (a) shall address and include safety, secu-
rity, and operational requirements for mobile clearance de-
livery at airports and heliports across the United States. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date on 
which the program under subsection (a) is established, the 
Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the safety, security, and operational 
performance of mobile clearance delivery at airports pursu-
ant to this section and recommendations on how best to im-
prove the program. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) MOBILE CLEARANCE DELIVERY.—The term 
‘‘mobile clearance delivery’’ means the delivery of ac-
cess to departure clearance and clearance cancellation 
via internet protocol via applications to pilots while 
aircraft are on the ground where traditional data link 
installations are not feasible or possible.
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(2) TOWER
DATA
LINK
SERVICES.—The term 
‘‘tower data link services’’ means communications be-
tween controllers and pilots using controller-pilot 
data link communications. 
(3) SUITABLE AIRPORT.—The term ‘‘suitable air-
port’’ means towered airports, non-towered airports, 
and heliports. 
SEC. 615. STUDY ON CONGESTED AIRSPACE. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 270 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall ini-
tiate a study on the efficiency and efficacy of scheduled com-
mercial air service transiting congested airspace. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In carrying out the study required 
under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall exam-
ine— 
(1) various regions of congested airspace and the 
differing factors of such regions; 
(2) commercial air service; 
(3) military flight activity; 
(4) emergency response activity; 
(5) commercial space launch and reentry activi-
ties; 
(6) weather; and 
(7) air traffic controller staffing.
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(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the initi-
ation of the study under subsection (a), the Comptroller 
General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report on the results of the study and recommenda-
tions to reduce the impacts to scheduled air service 
transiting congested airspace. 
SEC. 616. BRIEFING ON LIT VORTAC PROJECT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief 
the appropriate committees of Congress on the Little Rock 
Port Authority Very High Frequency Omni-Directional 
Radio Range Tactical Air Navigation Aid Project (in this 
section referred to as ‘‘LIT VORTAC’’). 
(b) BRIEFING
CONTENTS.—The briefing required 
under subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) The status of the efforts by the FAA to relo-
cate the LIT VORTAC. 
(2) The status of new flight planning of the relo-
cated LIT VORTAC. 
(3) A description of and timeline for each re-
maining phase of the relocation of the LIT VORTAC. 
SEC. 617. SURFACE SURVEILLANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall conduct
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a review of surface surveillance systems that are operational 
as of such date of enactment. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In carrying out the review under sub-
section (a), the Administrator shall— 
(1) demonstrate that any change to the configu-
ration of surface surveillance systems or decommis-
sioning of a sensor from such systems provides an 
equivalent level of safety as the current system; 
(2) determine how a technology refresh of legacy 
sensor equipment can reduce operational and mainte-
nance costs of surface surveillance systems compared 
to current costs and extend the useful life and afford-
ability of such systems; and 
(3) consider how to enhance such systems 
through new capabilities and software tools that im-
prove the safety of terminal airspace and the airport 
surface. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the review under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult with— 
(1) aviation safety experts with specific knowl-
edge of surface surveillance technology, including 
multilateration and automatic dependent surveil-
lance-broadcast; 
(2) representatives of the exclusive bargaining 
representative of the air traffic controllers certified
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under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code, 
with expertise in surface safety; and 
(3) representatives of the exclusive bargaining 
representative of airway transportation systems spe-
cialists of the FAA certified under section 7111 of 
title 5, United States Code. 
(d) BRIEFING.—Upon completion of the review under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall brief the appropriate 
committees of Congress on the findings of such review. 
(e) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Administrator may im-
plement changes to surface surveillance systems consistent 
with the findings of the review described in subsection (d). 
SEC. 618. CONSIDERATION OF THIRD-PARTY SERVICES. 
(a) PLANS AND POLICY.—Section 44501 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘development 
and location of air navigation facilities’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘development of air navigation facilities and 
services’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and development’’ and in-
serting ‘‘procurement, and development’’ each 
place it appears;
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(B) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘facilities 
and equipment’’ and inserting ‘‘facilities, serv-
ices, and equipment’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A) by striking ‘‘first and 2d years’’ 
and inserting ‘‘first and second years’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (C) by striking 
‘‘subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subparagraphs (A) and (B)’’; 
(D) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘the 3d, 4th, and 5th’’ 
and inserting ‘‘the third, fourth, and fifth’’; 
and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘systems and facilities’’ 
and inserting ‘‘systems, services, and facili-
ties’’; and 
(E) in paragraph (4)(B) by striking 
‘‘growth of aviation’’ and inserting ‘‘growth of 
the aerospace industry’’. 
(b) SYSTEMS, PROCEDURES, FACILITIES, SERVICES, 
AND DEVICES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 44505 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended—
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(A) in the section heading by striking ‘‘AND 
DEVICES’’ and inserting ‘‘services, and de-
vices’’; 
(B) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘and de-
vices’’ and inserting ‘‘services, and devices’’ each 
place it appears; and 
(C) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘develop 
dynamic simulation models’’ and inserting ‘‘de-
velop or procure dynamic simulation models and 
tools’’ each place it appears. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 445 of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed by striking the item relating to section 44505 and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘44505. Systems, procedures, facilities, services, and devices.’’. 
SEC. 619. NEXTGEN PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and periodically thereafter 
as the Administrator determines appropriate, the Adminis-
trator shall convene FAA officials to evaluate and expedite 
the implementation of NextGen programs and capabilities. 
(b) NEXTGEN PROGRAM PRIORITIZATION.—In allo-
cating amounts appropriated pursuant to section 48101(a) 
of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary shall give pri-
ority to the following activities: 
(1) Performance-based navigation.
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(2) Data communications. 
(3) Terminal flight data manager. 
(4) Aeronautical information management. 
(5) Other activities as recommended by the 
NextGen Advisory Committee and determined by the 
Administrator to be appropriate. 
(c) PERFORMANCE-BASED NAVIGATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall fully implement performance-based navigation 
procedures for all terminal and enroute routes, in-
cluding approach and departure procedures for cov-
ered airports. 
(2) SPECIFIC PROCEDURES.—Pursuant to para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall prioritize the fol-
lowing performance-based navigation procedures: 
(A) Trajectory-based operations. 
(B) Optimized profile descents. 
(C) Multiple airport route separation. 
(D) Established on required navigation per-
formance. 
(E) Converging runway display aids. 
(3) PERFORMANCE-BASED NAVIGATION BASELINE 
EQUIPAGE
REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall issue such regula-
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† HR 3935 EAS 
tions as may be required, and publish applicable ad-
visory circulars, to establish the equipage baseline ap-
propriate for aircraft to safely use performance-based 
navigation procedures. 
(4) UTILIZATION ACTION PLAN.—Not later than 
180 days after enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall, in consultation with certified labor rep-
resentatives of air traffic controllers and the NextGen 
Advisory Committee, develop an action plan to utilize 
performance-based navigation procedures as a pri-
mary means of navigation to further reduce the de-
pendency on legacy systems within the national air-
space system. 
(d) DATA COMMUNICATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall fully implement the use of data communications. 
(2) SPECIFIC
CAPABILITIES.—In carrying out 
subsection (a) and this subsection, the Administrator 
shall prioritize the following data communications ca-
pabilities: 
(A) Ground-to-ground message exchange for 
surface aircraft operations and runway safety at 
airports.
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(B) Automated message generation and re-
ceipt. 
(C) Message routing and transmission. 
(D) Direct communications with aircraft 
avionics. 
(E) Implementation of data communica-
tions at all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. 
(F) The Future Air Navigation System. 
(e) TERMINAL FLIGHT DATA MANAGER AND OTHER 
SYSTEMS.— 
(1) TERMINAL
FLIGHT
DATA
MANAGER.—Not 
later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator shall install the Terminal 
Flight Data Manager system at not less than 89 air-
ports in the United States based on the highest num-
ber of annual aircraft operations or a determination 
of operational need and the impact of installation 
and deployment on the national airspace system. 
(2) ELECTRONIC
FLIGHT
STRIPS.—At a min-
imum, the Administrator shall implement electronic 
flight strips at the air traffic control towers of air-
ports described in paragraph (1). 
(3) FLOW MANAGEMENT DATA AND SERVICES.— 
Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, if the Administrator finds that Terminal
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Flight Data Manager systems would be beneficial to 
safety or efficiency, the Administrator shall install 
Flow Management Data and Services at airports de-
scribed under paragraph (1). 
(4) 
APPROPRIATIONS.—The 
activities 
under 
paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of this subsection shall 
be contingent on the appropriation of funds to carry 
out this subsection. 
(f) AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYS-
TEMS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall fully modernize the aeronautical information 
management systems of the FAA to improve the 
functionality, useability, durability, and reliability of 
such systems used in the national airspace system. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall— 
(A) improve the distribution of critical safe-
ty information to pilots, air traffic control, and 
other relevant aviation stakeholders; 
(B) fully develop and implement the Enter-
prise Information Display System; and 
(C) notwithstanding a centralized aero-
nautical information management system, re-
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structure the back-up systems of aeronautical in-
formation management systems to be inde-
pendent and self-sufficient from one another. 
(g) NEXTGEN EQUIPAGE PLAN.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 14 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall develop a 2-year implementation plan to 
further incentivize the acceleration of the equipage 
rates of certain NextGen avionics within the fleets of 
air carriers (as such term is defined in section 
40102(a) of title 49, United States Code. 
(2) CONTENTS.—In developing the plan required 
under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall, at a 
minimum— 
(A) provide for further implementation and 
deployment of NextGen operational improve-
ments to incentivize universal equipage of com-
mercial and regional aircraft with certain 
NextGen avionics; 
(B) identify any remaining barriers for op-
erators of commercial and regional aircraft to 
properly equip such aircraft with certain 
NextGen avionics, including any methods to ad-
dress such barriers;
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(C) provide for the use of the best methods 
to highlight and enhance to operators of commer-
cial and regional aircraft the benefits of equip-
ping such aircraft with certain NextGen avi-
onics; and 
(D) include in such plan any equipage 
guidelines and regulations the Administrator de-
termines necessary and appropriate. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In developing the plan 
under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consult 
with representatives from— 
(A) trade associations representing air car-
riers; 
(B) trade associations representing avionics 
manufacturers; 
(C) 
certified 
labor 
organizations 
rep-
resenting air traffic controllers; and 
(D) any other representatives the Adminis-
trator determines appropriate. 
(4) SUBMISSION OF PLAN.—Not later than 15 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall submit to the appropriate com-
mittees of Congress the plan required under this sub-
section.