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(3) a description of the interaction between flight 
service stations operated by the Administration and 
flight service stations operated by contractors. 
SEC. 709. COMMERCIAL AIR TOUR OPERATORS IN NA-
TIONAL PARKS. 
(a) SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR AND OVERFLIGHTS 
OF NATIONAL PARKS.— 
(1) Section 40128 is amended— 
(A) by striking paragraph (8) of subsection 
(f); 
(B) by striking ‘‘Director’’ each place it ap-
pears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the Interior’’; 
(C) by striking ‘‘National Park Service’’ in 
subsection (a)(2)(B)(vi) and inserting ‘‘Depart-
ment of the Interior’’; and 
(D) in subsection (b)— 
(i) in paragraph (1)— 
(I) in subparagraph (A)— 
(aa) by striking ‘‘, in co-
operation with’’ and inserting 
‘‘and’’; and 
(bb) by striking ‘‘The air 
tour’’ and all that follows; and 
(II) by redesignating subpara-
graph (B) as subparagraph (C);
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(III) by inserting after subpara-
graph (A) the following: 
‘‘(B) PROCESS AND APPROVAL.—The Fed-
eral Aviation Administration has sole authority 
to control airspace over the United States. The 
National Park Service has the sole responsibility 
for conserving the scenery and natural resources 
in National Parks and providing for the enjoy-
ment of the National Parks unimpaired for fu-
ture generations. Each air tour management 
plan shall be— 
‘‘(i) developed through a public process 
that complies with paragraph (4); and 
‘‘(ii) approved by the Administrator 
and the Director.’’; and 
(IV) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(D) EXCEPTION.—An application to begin 
commercial air tour operations at Crater Lake 
National Park may be denied without the estab-
lishment of an air tour management plan by the 
Director of the National Park Service if the Di-
rector determines that such operations would un-
acceptably impact park resources or visitor expe-
riences.’’; and
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(ii) in paragraph (4)(C), by striking 
‘‘National Park Service’’ and inserting ‘‘De-
partment of the Interior’’. 
(2) The National Parks Air Tour Management 
Act of 2000 (49 U.S.C. 40128 note) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Director’’ in section 804(b) 
and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the Interior’’; 
(B) in section 805— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Director of the Na-
tional Park Service’’ in subsection (a) and 
inserting ‘‘Secretary of the Interior’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘Director’’ each place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the 
Interior’’; 
(iii) by striking ‘‘National Park Serv-
ice’’ each place it appears in subsection (b) 
and inserting ‘‘Department of the Interior’’; 
(iv) by striking ‘‘National Park Serv-
ice’’ in subsection (d)(2) and inserting ‘‘De-
partment of the Interior’’; and 
(C) in section 807— 
(i) by striking ‘‘National Park Serv-
ice’’ in subsection (a)(1) and inserting ‘‘De-
partment of the Interior’’; and
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(ii) by striking ‘‘Director of the Na-
tional Park Service’’ in subsection (b) and 
inserting ‘‘Secretary of the Interior’’. 
(b) ALLOWING OVERFLIGHTS
IN CASE
OF AGREE-
MENT.—Paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of section 40128 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon in sub-
paragraph (B); 
(2) by striking ‘‘lands.’’ in subparagraph (C) 
and inserting ‘‘lands; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) in accordance with a voluntary agree-
ment between the commercial air tour operator 
and appropriate representatives of the national 
park or tribal lands, as the case may be.’’. 
(c) MODIFICATION OF INTERIM OPERATING AUTHOR-
ITY.—Section 40128(c)(2)(I) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(I) may allow for modifications of the in-
terim operating authority without further envi-
ronmental process, if— 
‘‘(i) adequate information on the exist-
ing and proposed operations of the commer-
cial air tour operator is provided to the Ad-
ministrator and the Secretary by the oper-
ator seeking operating authority;
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‘‘(ii) the Administrator determines that 
the modifications would not adversely affect 
aviation safety or the management of the 
national airspace system; and 
‘‘(iii) the Secretary agrees that the 
modifications would not adversely affect 
park resources and visitor experiences.’’. 
(d) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
FOR COMMERCIAL 
AIR TOUR OPERATORS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually 
thereafter, each commercial air tour conducting com-
mercial air tour operations over a national park shall 
report to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration and the Secretary of the Interior 
on— 
(A) the number of commercial air tour op-
erations conducted by such operator over the na-
tional park each day; 
(B) any relevant characteristics of commer-
cial air tour operations, including the routes, al-
titudes, duration, and time of day of flights; and 
(C) such other information as the Adminis-
trator and the Secretary may determine nec-
essary to administer the provisions of the Na-
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tional Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 
(49 U.S.C. 40128 note). 
(2) FORMAT.—The report required by paragraph 
(1) shall be submitted in such form as the Adminis-
trator and the Secretary determine to be appropriate. 
(3) EFFECT OF FAILURE TO REPORT.—The Ad-
ministrator shall rescind the operating authority of a 
commercial air tour operator that fails to file a re-
port not later than 180 days after the date for the 
submittal of the report described in paragraph (1). 
(4) AUDIT OF REPORTS.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and at 
such times thereafter as the Inspector General of the 
Department of Transportation determines necessary, 
the Inspector General shall audit the reports required 
by paragraph (1). 
(e) COLLECTION OF FEES FROM AIR TOUR OPER-
ATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior 
shall assess a fee in an amount determined by the 
Secretary under paragraph (2) on a commercial air 
tour operator conducting commercial air tour oper-
ations over a national park. 
(2) AMOUNT
OF
FEE.—In determining the 
amount of the fee assessed under paragraph (1), the
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Secretary shall collect sufficient revenue, in the aggre-
gate, to pay for the expenses incurred by the Federal 
Government to develop air tour management plans 
for national parks. 
(3) EFFECT OF FAILURE TO PAY FEE.—The Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall revoke the operating authority of a commercial 
air tour operator conducting commercial air tour op-
erations over any national park, including the Grand 
Canyon National Park, that has not paid the fee as-
sessed by the Secretary under paragraph (1) by the 
date that is 180 days after the date on which the Sec-
retary determines the fee shall be paid. 
(f) FUNDING FOR AIR TOUR MANAGEMENT PLANS.— 
The Secretary of the Interior shall use the amounts collected 
under subsection (e) to develop air tour management plans 
under section 40128(b) of title 49, United States Code, for 
the national parks the Secretary determines would most 
benefit from such a plan. 
(g) GUIDANCE TO DISTRICT OFFICES ON COMMERCIAL 
AIR TOUR OPERATORS.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall provide to the Administra-
tion’s district offices clear guidance on the ability of com-
mercial air tour operators to obtain— 
(1) increased safety certifications;
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(2) exemptions from regulations requiring safety 
certifications; and 
(3) other information regarding compliance with 
the requirements of this Act and other Federal and 
State laws and regulations. 
(h) OPERATING AUTHORITY
OF COMMERCIAL AIR 
TOUR OPERATORS.— 
(1) TRANSFER OF OPERATING AUTHORITY.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph 
(B), a commercial air tour operator that obtains 
operating authority from the Administrator 
under section 40128 of title 49, United States 
Code, to conduct commercial air tour operations 
may transfer such authority to another commer-
cial air tour operator at any time. 
(B) NOTICE.—Not later than 30 days before 
the date on which a commercial air tour oper-
ator transfers operating authority under sub-
paragraph (A), the operator shall notify the Ad-
ministrator and the Secretary of the intent of the 
operator to transfer such authority. 
(C) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall prescribe regulations to
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allow transfers of operating authority described 
in subparagraph (A). 
(2) TIME FOR DETERMINATION REGARDING OP-
ERATING
AUTHORITY.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Administrator shall determine 
whether to grant a commercial air tour operator oper-
ating authority under section 40128 of title 49, 
United States Code, not later than 180 days after the 
earlier of the date on which— 
(A) the operator submits an application; or 
(B) an air tour management plan is com-
pleted for the national park over which the oper-
ator seeks to conduct commercial air tour oper-
ations. 
(3) INCREASE IN INTERIM OPERATING AUTHOR-
ITY.—The Administrator and the Secretary may in-
crease the interim operating authority while an air 
tour management plan is being developed for a park 
if— 
(A) the Secretary determines that such an 
increase does not adversely impact park re-
sources or visitor experiences; and 
(B) the Administrator determines that 
granting interim operating authority does not
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adversely affect aviation safety or the manage-
ment of the national airspace system. 
(4) ENFORCEMENT OF OPERATING AUTHORITY.— 
The Administrator is authorized and directed to en-
force the requirements of this Act and any agency 
rules or regulations related to operating authority. 
SEC. 710. PHASEOUT OF STAGE 1 AND 2 AIRCRAFT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 475 is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 47534. Prohibition on operating certain aircraft 
weighing 75,000 pounds or less not com-
plying with Stage 3 noise levels 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.—Except as provided in subsection 
(b), (c), or (d), a person may not operate a civil subsonic 
turbojet with a maximum weight of 75,000 pounds or less 
to or from an airport in the United States unless the Sec-
retary of Transportation finds that the aircraft complies 
with stage 3 noise levels. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (a) shall not apply to 
aircraft operated only outside the 48 contiguous States. 
‘‘(c) OPT-OUT.—Subsection (a) shall not apply at an 
airport where the airport operator has notified the Sec-
retary that it wants to continue to permit the operation 
of civil subsonic turbojets with a maximum weight of 75,000 
pounds or less that do not comply with stage 3 noise levels.
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The Secretary shall post the notices received under this sub-
section on its website or in another place easily accessible 
to the public. 
‘‘(d) LIMITATION.—The Secretary shall permit a per-
son to operate Stage 1 and Stage 2 aircraft with a max-
imum weight of 75,000 pounds or less to or from an airport 
in the contiguous 48 States in order— 
‘‘(1) to sell, lease, or use the aircraft outside the 
48 contiguous States; 
‘‘(2) to scrap the aircraft; 
‘‘(3) to obtain modifications to the aircraft to 
meet stage 3 noise levels; 
‘‘(4) to perform scheduled heavy maintenance or 
significant modifications on the aircraft at a mainte-
nance facility located in the contiguous 48 states; 
‘‘(5) to deliver the aircraft to an operator leasing 
the aircraft from the owner or return the aircraft to 
the lessor; 
‘‘(6) to prepare or park or store the aircraft in 
anticipation of any of the activities described in 
paragraphs (1) through (5); or 
‘‘(7) to divert the aircraft to an alternative air-
port in the 48 contiguous States on account of weath-
er, mechanical, fuel air traffic control or other safety 
reasons while conducting a flight in order to perform
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any of the activities described in paragraphs (1) 
through (6). 
‘‘(e) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in the sec-
tion may be construed as interfering with, nullifying, or 
otherwise affecting determinations made by the Federal 
Aviation Administration, or to be made by the Administra-
tion, with respect to applications under part 161 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, that were pending on the 
date of enactment of the Aircraft Noise Reduction Act of 
2006.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 47531 is amended by striking 
‘‘47529, or 47530’’ and inserting ‘‘47529, 47530, or 
47534’’. 
(2) Section 47532 is amended by striking 
‘‘47528–47531’’ and inserting ‘‘47528 through 47531 
or 47534’’. 
(3) The table of contents for chapter 475 is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to sec-
tion 47533 the following: 
‘‘47534. Prohibition on operating certain aircraft weighing 75,000 pounds or less 
not complying with Stage 3 noise levels’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this 
section shall take effect on December 31, 2014.
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SEC. 711. WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS AT TETERBORO AIRPORT. 
On and after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
is prohibited from taking actions designed to challenge or 
influence weight restrictions or prior permission rules at 
Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, New Jersey, except in an 
emergency. 
SEC. 712. PILOT PROGRAM FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF AIR-
PORT PROPERTIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Within 1 year after the date of en-
actment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration shall establish a pilot program at up 
to 4 public-use airports for local airport operators that have 
submitted a noise compatibility program approved by the 
Federal Aviation Administration under section 47504 of 
title 49, United States Code, under which such airport oper-
ators may use funds made available under section 47117(e) 
of that title, or passenger facility revenue collected under 
section 40117 of that title, in partnership with affected 
neighboring local jurisdictions, to support joint planning, 
engineering design, and environmental permitting for the 
assembly and redevelopment of property purchased with 
noise mitigation funds or passenger facility charge funds, 
to encourage airport-compatible land uses and generate eco-
nomic benefits to the local airport authority and adjacent 
community.
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(b) 
NOISE
COMPATIBILITY
MEASURES.—Section 
47504(a)(2) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon in sub-
paragraph (D); 
(2) by striking ‘‘operations.’’ in subparagraph 
(E) and inserting ‘‘operations; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) joint comprehensive land use planning in-
cluding master plans, traffic studies, environmental 
evaluation and economic and feasibility studies, with 
neighboring local jurisdictions undertaking commu-
nity redevelopment in the area where the land or 
other property interest acquired by the airport oper-
ator pursuant to this subsection is located, to encour-
age and enhance redevelopment opportunities that re-
flect zoning and uses that will prevent the introduc-
tion of additional incompatible uses and enhance re-
development potential.’’. 
(c) GRANT REQUIREMENTS.—The Administrator may 
not make a grant under subsection (a) unless the grant is 
made— 
(1) to enable the airport operator and local juris-
dictions undertaking the community redevelopment 
effort to expedite redevelopment efforts;
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(2) subject to a requirement that the local juris-
diction governing the property interests in question 
has adopted zoning regulations that permit airport 
compatible redevelopment; and 
(3) subject to a requirement that, in determining 
the part of the proceeds from disposing of the land 
that is subject to repayment or reinvestment under 
section 47107(c)(2)(A) of title 49, United States Code, 
the total amount of the grant issued under this section 
shall be added to the amount of any grants issued for 
acquisition of land. 
(d) DEMONSTRATION GRANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall pro-
vide grants for up to 4 pilot property redevelopment 
projects distributed geographically and targeted to 
airports that demonstrate— 
(A) a readiness to implement cooperative 
land use management and redevelopment plans 
with the adjacent community; and 
(B) the probability of clear economic benefit 
to the local community and financial return to 
the airport through the implementation of the re-
development plan. 
(2) FEDERAL SHARE.—
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(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, the Federal share of the allowable costs of a 
project carried out under the pilot program shall 
be 80 percent. 
(B) In determining the allowable costs, the 
Administrator shall deduct from the total costs of 
the activities described in subsection (a) that 
portion of the costs which is equal to that por-
tion of the total property to be redeveloped under 
this section that is not owned or to be acquired 
by the airport operator pursuant to the noise 
compatibility program or that is not owned by 
the affected neighboring local jurisdictions or 
other public entities. 
(3) 
MAXIMUM
AMOUNT.—Not 
more 
than 
$5,000,000 in funds made available under section 
47117(e) of title 49, United States Code, may be ex-
pended under the pilot program at any single public- 
use airport. 
(4) EXCEPTION.—Amounts paid to the Adminis-
trator under subsection (c)(3)— 
(A) shall be in addition to amounts author-
ized under section 48203 of title 49, United 
States Code;
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(B) shall not be subject to any limitation on 
grant obligations for any fiscal year; and 
(C) shall remain available until expended. 
(e) USE OF PASSENGER REVENUE.—An airport spon-
sor that owns or operates an airport participating in the 
pilot program may use passenger facility revenue collected 
under section 40117 of title 49, United States Code, to pay 
any project cost described in subsection (a) that is not fi-
nanced by a grant under the program. 
(f) SUNSET.—This section, other than the amendments 
made by subsections (b), shall not be in effect after Sep-
tember 30, 2011. 
(g) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Administrator shall 
report to Congress within 18 months after making the first 
grant under this section on the effectiveness of this program 
on returning part 150 lands to productive use. 
SEC. 713. TRANSPORTING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 417 is 
amended by adding at the end thereof the following: 
‘‘§ 41724. Musical instruments 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(1) SMALL
INSTRUMENTS
AS
CARRY-ON
BAG-
GAGE.—An air carrier providing air transportation 
shall permit a passenger to carry a violin, guitar, or
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other musical instrument in the aircraft cabin with-
out charge if— 
‘‘(A) the instrument can be stowed safely in 
a suitable baggage compartment in the aircraft 
cabin or under a passenger seat; and 
‘‘(B) there is space for such stowage at the 
time the passenger boards the aircraft. 
‘‘(2) LARGER INSTRUMENTS AS CARRY-ON BAG-
GAGE.—An air carrier providing air transportation 
shall permit a passenger to carry a musical instru-
ment that is too large to meet the requirements of 
paragraph (1) in the aircraft cabin without charge 
if— 
‘‘(A) the instrument is contained in a case 
or covered so as to avoid injury to other pas-
sengers; 
‘‘(B) the weight of the instrument, including 
the case or covering, does not exceed 165 pounds; 
‘‘(C) the instrument can be secured by a 
seat belt to avoid shifting during flight; 
‘‘(D) the instrument does not restrict access 
to, or use of, any required emergency exit, reg-
ular exit, or aisle;
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‘‘(E) the instrument does not obscure any 
passenger’s view of any illuminated exit, warn-
ing, or other informational sign; 
‘‘(F) neither the instrument nor the case 
contains any object not otherwise permitted to be 
carried in an aircraft cabin because of a law or 
regulation of the United States; and 
‘‘(G) the passenger wishing to carry the in-
strument in the aircraft cabin has purchased an 
additional seat to accommodate the instrument. 
‘‘(3) LARGE
INSTRUMENTS
AS
CHECKED
BAG-
GAGE.—An air carrier shall transport as baggage, 
without charge, a musical instrument that is the 
property of a passenger traveling in air transpor-
tation that may not be carried in the aircraft cabin 
if— 
‘‘(A) the sum of the length, width, and 
height measured in inches of the outside linear 
dimensions of the instrument (including the 
case) does not exceed 150 inches; and 
‘‘(B) the weight of the instrument does not 
exceed 165 pounds. 
‘‘(b) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary may prescribe 
such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to im-
plement subsection (a).’’.
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(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
for chapter 417 is amended by inserting after the item relat-
ing to section 41723 the following: 
‘‘41724. Musical instruments’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this 
section shall take effect 30 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 714. RECYCLING PLANS FOR AIRPORTS. 
(a) AIRPORT PLANNING.—Section 47102(5) is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘planning.’’ and inserting ‘‘planning and 
a plan for recycling and minimizing the generation of air-
port solid waste, consistent with applicable State and local 
recycling laws, including the cost of a waste audit.’’. 
(b) MASTER PLAN.—Section 47106(a) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ in paragraph (4); 
(2) by striking ‘‘proposed.’’ in paragraph (5) 
and inserting ‘‘proposed; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) if the project is for an airport that has an 
airport master plan, the master plan addresses— 
‘‘(A) the feasibility of solid waste recycling 
at the airport; 
‘‘(B) minimizing the generation of solid 
waste at the airport; 
‘‘(C) operation and maintenance require-
ments;
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‘‘(D) the review of waste management con-
tracts; 
‘‘(E) the potential for cost savings or the 
generation of revenue; and 
‘‘(F) 
training 
and 
education 
require-
ments.’’. 
SEC. 715. DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PRO-
GRAM ADJUSTMENTS. 
(a) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of the airport dis-
advantaged business enterprise program (49 U.S.C. 
47107(e) and 47113) to ensure that minority- and women- 
owned businesses do not face barriers because of their race 
or gender and so that they have a fair opportunity to com-
pete in Federally assisted airport contracts and concessions. 
(b) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the following: 
(1) While significant progress has occurred due 
to the enactment of the airport disadvantaged busi-
ness enterprise program (49 U.S.C. 47107(e) and 
47113), discrimination continues to be a barrier for 
minority- and women-owned businesses seeking to do 
business in airport-related markets. This continuing 
barrier merits the continuation of the airport dis-
advantaged business enterprise program. 
(2) The Congress has received recent evidence of 
discrimination from numerous sources, including con-
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gressional hearings and roundtables, scientific reports, 
reports issued by public and private agencies, news 
stories, reports of discrimination by organizations 
and individuals, and discrimination lawsuits. This 
evidence also shows that race- and gender-neutral ef-
forts alone are insufficient to address the problem. 
(3) This evidence demonstrates that discrimina-
tion across the nation poses a barrier to full and fair 
participation in airport related businesses of women 
business owners and minority business owners in the 
racial groups detailed in parts 23 and 26 of title 49, 
Code of Federal Regulations, and has impacted firm 
development and many aspects of airport related 
business in the public and private markets. 
(4) This evidence provides a strong basis for the 
continuation of the airport disadvantaged business 
enterprise program and the airport concessions dis-
advantaged business enterprise program. 
(c) IN GENERAL.—Section 47107(e) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (8) as para-
graph (9); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (7) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(8) MANDATORY TRAINING PROGRAM FOR 
AIRPORT CONCESSIONS.—
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‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one 
year after the date of enactment of the FAA 
Air 
Transportation 
Modernization 
and 
Safety Improvement Act, the Secretary shall 
establish a mandatory training program for 
persons described in subparagraph (C) on 
the certification of whether a small business 
concern in airport concessions qualifies as a 
small business concern owned and controlled 
by a socially and economically disadvan-
taged individual for purposes of paragraph 
(1). 
‘‘(B) IMPLEMENTATION.—The training 
program may be implemented by one or 
more private entities approved by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(C) PARTICIPANTS.—A person re-
ferred to in paragraph (1) is an official or 
agent of an airport owner or operator who 
is required to provide a written assurance 
under paragraph (1) that the airport owner 
or operator will meet the percentage goal of 
paragraph (1) or who is responsible for de-
termining whether or not a small business 
concern in airport concessions qualifies as a
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small business concern owned and controlled 
by a socially and economically disadvan-
taged individual for purposes of paragraph 
(1). 
‘‘(D) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary such sums as may 
be necessary to carry out this paragraph.’’. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 24 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report 
to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation, the House of Representatives Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure, and other appropriate 
committees of Congress on the results of the training pro-
gram conducted under section 47107(e)(8) of title 49, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a). 
(e) DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PER-
SONAL NET WORTH CAP; BONDING REQUIREMENTS.—Sec-
tion 47113 is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) PERSONAL NET WORTH CAP.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of the FAA Air Transpor-
tation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, the Sec-
retary shall issue final regulations to adjust the personal 
net worth cap used in determining whether an individual 
is economically disadvantaged for purposes of qualifying
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under the definition contained in subsection (a)(2) and 
under section 47107(e). The regulations shall correct for the 
impact of inflation since the Small Business Administra-
tion established the personal net worth cap at $750,000 in 
1989. 
‘‘(f) EXCLUSION OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—In calculating a business 
owner’s personal net worth, any funds held in a 
qualified retirement account owned by the business 
owner shall be excluded, subject to regulations to be 
issued by the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) REGULATIONS.—Not later than one year 
after the date of enactment of the FAA Air Transpor-
tation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, 
the Secretary shall issue final regulations to imple-
ment paragraph (1), including consideration of ap-
propriate safeguards, such as a limit on the amount 
of such accounts, to prevent circumvention of personal 
net worth requirements. 
‘‘(g) PROHIBITION ON EXCESSIVE OR DISCRIMINATORY 
BONDING REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish 
a program to eliminate barriers to small business 
participation in airport-related contracts and conces-
sions by prohibiting excessive, unreasonable, or dis-
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criminatory bonding requirements for any project 
funded under this chapter or using passenger facility 
revenues under section 40117. 
‘‘(2) REGULATIONS.—Not later than one year 
after the date of enactment of the FAA Air Transpor-
tation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, 
the Secretary shall issue a final rule to establish the 
program under paragraph (1).’’. 
SEC. 716. FRONT LINE MANAGER STAFFING. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 45 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall initiate a study on front line 
manager staffing requirements in air traffic control facili-
ties. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the study, the 
Administrator may take into consideration— 
(1) the number of supervisory positions of oper-
ation requiring watch coverage in each air traffic 
control facility; 
(2) coverage requirements in relation to traffic 
demand; 
(3) facility type; 
(4) complexity of traffic and managerial respon-
sibilities; 
(5) proficiency and training requirements; and
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(6) such other factors as the Administrator con-
siders appropriate. 
(c) 
DETERMINATIONS.—The 
Administrator 
shall 
transmit any determinations made as a result of the study 
to the Chief Operating Officer for the air traffic control sys-
tem. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation and the House of Representatives Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure a report on the results 
of the study and a description of any determinations sub-
mitted to the Chief Operating Officer under subsection (c). 
SEC. 717. STUDY OF HELICOPTER AND FIXED WING AIR AM-
BULANCE SERVICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General shall con-
duct a study of the helicopter and fixed-wing air ambulance 
industry. The study shall include information, analysis, 
and recommendations pertinent to ensuring a safe air am-
bulance industry. 
(b) REQUIRED
INFORMATION.—In conducting the 
study, the Comptroller General shall obtain detailed infor-
mation on the following aspects of the air ambulance indus-
try:
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(1) A review of the industry, for part 135 certifi-
cate holders and indirect carriers providing helicopter 
and fixed-wing air ambulance services, including— 
(A) a listing of the number, size, and loca-
tion of helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft and 
their flight bases; 
(B) affiliations of certificate holders and in-
direct carriers with hospitals, governments, and 
other entities; 
(C) coordination of air ambulance services, 
with each other, State and local emergency med-
ical services systems, referring entities, and re-
ceiving hospitals; 
(D) nature of services contracts, sources of 
payment, financial relationships between certifi-
cate holders and indirect carriers providing air 
ambulance services and referring entities, and 
costs of operations; and 
(E) a survey of business models for air am-
bulance operations, including expenses, structure, 
and sources of income. 
(2) Air ambulance request and dispatch prac-
tices, including the various types of protocols, models, 
training, certifications, and air medical communica-
tions centers relating to part 135 certificate holders
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and indirect carriers providing helicopter and fixed- 
wing air ambulance services, including— 
(A) the practices that emergency and med-
ical officials use to request an air ambulance; 
(B) information on whether economic or 
other nonmedical factors lead to air ambulance 
transport when it is not medically needed, ap-
propriate, or safe; and 
(C) the cause, occurrence, and extent of 
delays in air ambulance transport. 
(3) Economic and medical issues relating to the 
air ambulance industry, including— 
(A) licensing; 
(B) certificates of need; 
(C) public convenience and necessity re-
quirements; 
(D) assignment of geographic coverage 
areas; 
(E) accreditation requirements; 
(F) compliance with dispatch procedures; 
and 
(G) requirements for medical equipment 
and personnel onboard the aircraft. 
(4) Such other matters as the Comptroller Gen-
eral considers relevant to the purpose of the study.
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(c) ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—Based on in-
formation obtained under subsection (b) and other informa-
tion the Comptroller General considers appropriate, the re-
port shall also include an analysis and specific rec-
ommendations, as appropriate, related to— 
(1) the relationship between State regulation and 
Federal preemption of rates, routes, and services of 
air ambulances; 
(2) the extent to which Federal law may impact 
existing State regulation of air ambulances and the 
potential effect of greater State regulation— 
(A) in the air ambulance industry, on the 
economic viability of air ambulance services, the 
availability and coordination of service, and 
costs of operations both in rural and highly pop-
ulated areas; 
(B) on the quality of patient care and out-
comes; and 
(C) on competition and safety; and 
(3) whether systemic or other problems exist on 
a statewide, regional, or national basis with the cur-
rent system governing air ambulances. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than June 1, 2010, the Comp-
troller General shall submit a report to the Secretary of 
Transportation, the Senate Committee on Commerce,