I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3270 
To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for air traffic control 
training improvements, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 8, 2025 
Mr. BEGICH (for himself, Mr. STANTON, Ms. GOODLANDER, Mr. MANN, Ms. 
SCHOLTEN, Mr. TAYLOR, Ms. TITUS, Mr. STAUBER, Ms. DAVIDS of Kan-
sas, Ms. KING-HINDS, Mr. MOULTON, Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia, Mr. 
PAPPAS, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. CARBAJAL, Mr. BACON, Ms. GILLEN, 
and Ms. FEDORCHAK) introduced the following bill; which was referred 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition 
to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to 
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
A BILL 
To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for air 
traffic control training improvements, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Air Traffic Control 
Workforce Development Act of 2025’’. 
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SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration. 
(2) FAA.—The term ‘‘FAA’’ means the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration. 
SEC. 3. COLLEGIATE TRAINING INITIATIVE PROGRAM IM-
PROVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 44506(c) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) COLLEGIATE TRAINING INITIATIVE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall maintain the 
Collegiate Training Initiative program (including the 
Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative program) by 
making new agreements and continuing existing 
agreements with institutions of higher education (as 
defined by the Administrator) under which the insti-
tutions prepare students for the position of air traf-
fic controller with the Department of Transportation 
(as defined in section 2109 of title 5). The Adminis-
trator may establish standards for the entry of insti-
tutions into the program and for their continued 
participation. 
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‘‘(2) 
APPOINTMENT
OF
PROGRAM
GRAD-
UATES.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration may appoint an individual who has 
successfully completed a course of training in a pro-
gram described in paragraph (1) to the position of 
air traffic controller noncompetitively in the excepted 
service (as defined in section 2103 of title 5). An in-
dividual appointed under this paragraph serves at 
the pleasure of the Administrator, subject to section 
7511 of title 5. However, an appointment under this 
paragraph may be converted from one in the ex-
cepted service to a career conditional or career ap-
pointment in the competitive civil service (as defined 
in section 2102 of title 5) when the individual 
achieves full performance level air traffic controller 
status, as determined by the Administrator. 
‘‘(3) ENHANCED-CTI GRANT PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(A) 
ESTABLISHMENT.—The 
Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall establish and carry out a grant program 
to award grants to institutions of higher edu-
cation (as defined by the Administrator) that 
have been approved to, or are seeking to (as de-
termined appropriate by the Administrator), 
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participate in the Enhanced-Collegiate Training 
Initiative program described in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(B) GRANTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—For the purpose 
of carrying out the grant program estab-
lished under subparagraph (A), the Sec-
retary shall make grants to institutions of 
higher education. 
‘‘(ii) USE OF FUNDS.—An institution 
of higher education shall use a grant 
awarded under this paragraph for the fol-
lowing purposes: 
‘‘(I) To develop curriculum for 
the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Ini-
tiative program required under para-
graph (1). 
‘‘(II) To provide faculty, simula-
tors, and other necessary classroom 
supplies (including medical certificates 
and FAA-required tests) to the En-
hanced-Collegiate Training Initiative 
program. 
‘‘(III) For any other purpose de-
termined appropriate by the Adminis-
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trator of the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration. 
‘‘(iii) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to 
receive a grant under this paragraph, an 
institution of higher education shall submit 
an application to the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration at such 
time, in such form, and containing such in-
formation as the Administrator may re-
quire. 
‘‘(iv) FUNDING.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to carry 
out this paragraph.’’. 
(b) ENHANCED-COLLEGIATE TRAINING INITIATIVE 
PROGRAM FACULTY ANNUITY SUPPLEMENT.—Section 
8421a(c) of title 5, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘; or’’ and in-
serting a semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(3) air traffic control instructor, or supervisor 
thereof, at an institution of higher education partici-
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pating in the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initia-
tive program described in section 44506(c) of title 
49.’’. 
(c) FAA ACADEMY AND COLLEGIATE TRAINING INI-
TIATIVE PROGRAM CURRICULUM AVIATION RULEMAKING 
COMMITTEE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall con-
vene an aviation rulemaking committee to— 
(A) review— 
(i) the curricula of the air traffic tech-
nical training academy of the FAA, the 
Collegiate Training Initiative program, and 
the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative 
program; and 
(ii) the Air Traffic Skills Assessment 
(in this section referred to as the ‘‘ATSA’’) 
exam; 
(B) develop findings and recommendations 
regarding the improvement and modernization 
of such curricula and the ATSA exam; and 
(C) provide to the Administrator a report 
on such findings and recommendations and for 
other related purposes as determined by the Ad-
ministrator. 
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(2) COMPOSITION.—The aviation rulemaking 
committee established under paragraph (1) shall 
consist of members appointed by the Administrator, 
including representatives of— 
(A) institutions of higher education that 
are accredited by the Aviation Accreditation 
Board International; 
(B) aviation industry organizations; 
(C) FAA subject matter experts; 
(D) the exclusive bargaining representative 
of the air traffic controllers certified under sec-
tion 7111 of title 5, United States Code; and 
(E) other aviation safety experts deter-
mined appropriate by the Administrator. 
(3) 
CONSIDERATIONS.—The 
aviation 
rule-
making committee established under paragraph (1) 
shall consider the following: 
(A) The advancements in education tech-
nology, including digital resources that may be 
incorporated into a modern curriculum. 
(B) The appropriate balance between the 
use of theoretical knowledge and practical appli-
cation. 
(C) A review of instructional techniques to 
improve the effectiveness of learning outcomes. 
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(D) The real-world applicability of air traf-
fic operations procedures included in the cur-
riculum. 
(E) Student success rates, including out-
comes of air traffic controller trainees when 
placed at facilities for on-the-job training. 
(F) Methods for reducing the subjectivity 
of instructional techniques. 
(G) Methods for improving the ATSA 
exam to support controller facility placement 
determinations. 
(H) Student success rates correlated to the 
Collegiate Training Initiative program and the 
Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative pro-
gram described in section 44506(c) of title 49, 
United States Code. 
(I) Other considerations as determined ap-
propriate by the Administrator. 
(4) DUTIES.—The Administrator shall— 
(A) not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this section, submit to Congress a 
copy of the aviation rulemaking committee re-
port provided to the Administrator under para-
graph (1)(C); and 
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(B) not later than 180 days after the date 
of submission of the report under subparagraph 
(A), in consultation with other agencies as de-
termined appropriate by the Administrator— 
(i) initiate a rulemaking activity or 
make such policy and guidance updates 
necessary to address any consensus rec-
ommendations reached by the aviation 
rulemaking committee; or 
(ii) submit to Congress a supple-
mental report with an explanation for each 
such consensus recommendation not adopt-
ed by the Administrator through an action 
under clause (i). 
(5) PROHIBITION
ON
COMPENSATION.—The 
members of the aviation rulemaking committee con-
vened under this subsection shall not receive pay, al-
lowances, or benefits from the Federal Government 
by reason of their service on such committee. 
SEC. 4. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TRAINING IMPROVEMENTS 
AND RETENTION INCENTIVES. 
(a) FAA FACILITY TRAINING EQUIPMENT IMPROVE-
MENTS.—Section 415 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 
2024 (49 U.S.C. 44506 note) is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
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‘‘(f) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 
2031 for the purpose of the procurement and placement 
of TSS at air traffic control facilities in the United States, 
consistent with the requirements of this section.’’. 
(b) AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER QUALIFICATION IN-
CENTIVES
AND RETENTION ENHANCEMENTS.—Section 
44506 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(g) RETENTION BONUSES.— 
‘‘(1) CPC QUALIFICATION
INCENTIVE.—The 
Secretary of Transportation shall establish, in ac-
cordance with the requirements described in section 
40122(a), a qualification incentive program for 
trainees for the position of air traffic controller (as 
defined in section 2109 of title 5, United States 
Code) with the Department of Transportation. 
‘‘(2) ATC RETENTION INCENTIVE.—The Sec-
retary of Transportation shall establish, in accord-
ance with the requirements described in section 
40122(a), a retention incentive program for air traf-
fic controllers (as defined in section 2109 of title 5, 
United States Code) with the Department of Trans-
portation who are Certified Professional Control-
lers.’’. 
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SEC. 5. OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER MENTAL HEALTH 
IMPROVEMENTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this subsection, the 
Administrator shall establish, in consultation with 
aviation industry stakeholders and aviation medical 
professionals, a training course to— 
(A) support the development of mental 
health providers with an innate knowledge and 
understanding of the FAA criteria and decision 
making regarding mental health conditions for 
air traffic controllers; and 
(B) develop advanced training programs 
for Aviation Medical Examiners with respect to 
mental health. 
(2) 
CONSIDERATIONS.—In 
establishing 
the 
training course under paragraph (1), the Adminis-
trator shall consider— 
(A) the feasibility of virtual and in-person 
course offerings; and 
(B) the need for an advisory board to en-
sure continuous improvement of the training 
course. 
(b) REPORT ON THE AIRPORT NON-COOPERATIVE 
SURVEILLANCE RADAR PROGRAM.—Not later than 90 
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days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the 
Administrator shall submit to the Committees on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation and Appropriations of 
the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and In-
frastructure and Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report on the status of the Airport Non- 
cooperative Surveillance Radar (in this subsection referred 
to as ‘‘ANSR’’) program, including— 
(1) a determination of funding needs for the 
ANSR program; 
(2) a cost-benefit analysis of the most effective 
solutions to provide ongoing ANSR services, includ-
ing a comparison of a sustainment approach versus 
a replacement approach; 
(3) an analysis of how the FAA intends to pro-
vide commercial service airports with the necessary 
equipment, including radar, to detect and mitigate 
any threat posed by non-cooperative flying objects, 
including aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, bal-
loons, and other objects determined appropriate by 
the Administrator; 
(4) an update on the Radar Divestiture Pro-
gram; 
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(5) the projected lifecycle support needs of the 
existing inventory of non-cooperative Airport Surveil-
lance Radar Models 8, 9, and 11; and 
(6) any other information determined appro-
priate by the Administrator. 
Æ 
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