493 
SEC. 540. CABIN AIR QUALITY. 
(a) REPORTING OF SMOKE OR FUME EVENTS ON-
BOARD COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
develop a standardized system for a flight attendants, 
pilots, and aircraft maintenance technicians of air 
carriers to voluntarily report fume events onboard 
passenger-carrying aircraft operating under part 121 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(2) INFORMATION SUBMISSION.—The system de-
veloped under paragraph (1) shall include a method 
of submission, which shall request at least the fol-
lowing information: 
(A) Identification of the flight number, 
type, and registration of the aircraft. 
(B) The date of the reported fume event on-
board the aircraft. 
(C) Description of smoke or fume in the air-
craft, including the nature, intensity, and visual 
consistency or smell (if any). 
(D) The location of the smoke or fumes in 
the aircraft. 
(E) The source (if discernible) of the smoke 
or fumes in the aircraft. 
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(F) The phase of flight during which smoke 
or fumes first became present. 
(G) The duration of the fume event. 
(H) Any required onboard medical atten-
tion for passengers or crew members. 
(I) Any additional factors as determined 
appropriate by the Administrator or crew mem-
ber submitting a report. 
(3) GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION.—The Admin-
istrator shall issue guidelines on how to submit the 
information described in paragraph (2). 
(4) CONFIRMATION OF SUBMISSION.—Upon sub-
mitting the information described in paragraph (2), 
the submitting party shall receive a duplicate record 
of the submission and confirmation of receipt. 
(5) 
USE
OF
INFORMATION.—The 
Adminis-
trator— 
(A) may not publish any information sub-
mitted under this section; 
(B) shall maintain a database of such infor-
mation; 
(C) at the request of an air carrier, shall 
provide to such air carrier any information sub-
mitted under this section that is relevant to such 
air carrier, except any information that may be 
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used to identify the party submitting such infor-
mation; 
(D) may not, without validation, assume 
that information submitted under this section is 
accurate for the purposes of initiating rule-
making or taking an enforcement action; 
(E) may use information submitted under 
this section to inform the oversight of the safety 
management system of an air carrier; and 
(F) may use information submitted under 
this section for the purpose of performing a 
study or supporting a study sponsored by the 
Administrator. 
(b) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall seek to 
enter into the appropriate arrangements with the Na-
tional Academies to conduct a study and issue rec-
ommendations to be made publicly available per-
taining to cabin air quality and any risk of, and po-
tential for, persistent and accidental fume events on-
board a passenger-carrying aircraft operating under 
part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
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(2) SCOPE.—In carrying out a study pursuant 
to paragraph (1), the National Academies shall exam-
ine— 
(A) the information collected pursuant to 
subsection (a); 
(B) the report issued pursuant to section 
326 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 
U.S.C. 40101 note) and any identified assump-
tions or gaps described in such report; 
(C) any health risks or impacts of fume 
events on flight crews, including flight attend-
ants and pilots, and passengers onboard aircraft 
operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations; 
(D) instances of persistent or regularly oc-
curring (as determined by the National Acad-
emies) fume events in such aircraft; 
(E) instances of accidental, unexpected, or 
irregularly occurring (as determined by the Na-
tional Academies) fume events on such aircraft, 
including whether such accidental events are 
more frequent during various phases of oper-
ations, including ground operations, taxiing, 
take off, cruise, and landing; 
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(F) the likely originating material of, and 
the air contaminants present during, the situa-
tions described in subparagraphs (D) and (E); 
(G) the frequencies, durations, and likely 
causes of the situations described in subpara-
graphs (D) and (E); and 
(H) any additional data on fume events as 
determined appropriate by the National Acad-
emies. 
(3) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The National Acad-
emies shall provide recommendations based on the 
study conducted under paragraph (1)— 
(A) that shall, at minimum, address how 
to— 
(i) improve overall cabin air quality of 
passenger-carrying aircraft; 
(ii) improve the detection, accuracy, 
and reporting of fume events; and 
(iii) reduce the frequency and impact 
of fume events; and 
(B) for any updates to standards, guide-
lines, or regulations that could help achieve the 
recommendations described in subparagraph (A). 
(4) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 
month after the completion of the study conducted 
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under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a copy of such study. 
(c) FUME EVENT DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘fume event’’ means the presence of fumes in the cabin, in-
cluding smoke. 
SEC. 541. EVACUATION STANDARDS FOR TRANSPORT CAT-
EGORY AIRPLANES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall task the Aviation Rule-
making Advisory Committee with reviewing and proposing 
updates to the evacuation requirements under section 
25.803 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and appen-
dix J to part 25 of such title. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In tasking the Aviation Rule-
making Advisory Committee under subsection (a), the Ad-
ministrator shall, at a minimum, task the Committee to— 
(1) evaluate whether the representative passenger 
loads, prescribed in regulation on the date of enact-
ment of this Act, represent a realistic composition of 
passengers on an aircraft operated under part 121 of 
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title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, including ac-
counting for— 
(A) children, including infants; 
(B) passengers who do not speak English; 
(C) passengers with disabilities; and 
(D) service animals (as such term is defined 
in section 35.104 and 36.104 of title 28, Code of 
Federal Regulations, or successor regulations); 
and 
(2) determine if there are technologies or tech-
niques that can be used to more accurately represent 
categories of passengers who are unable to provide 
consent during evacuation testing, but should be sim-
ulated in such testing; 
(3) evaluate whether the requirements prescribed 
in regulation on the date of enactment of this Act 
adequately consider the varying sizes, weight, and 
matter or baggage present in an aircraft cabin; and 
(4) determine whether the evacuation testing per-
formed, associated with section 25.803 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, considers the seat size, 
seat pitch, seating layout, aisle width, and aisle lay-
out of the aircraft type being tested. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In tasking the Aviation Rule-
making Advisory Committee under subsection (a), the Ad-
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ministrator shall allow such Committee to consult with the 
National Transportation Safety Board, transport category 
aircraft manufacturers, air carriers certificated under part 
121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, crew members 
of such air carriers, emergency responders, groups rep-
resenting passengers and passengers with disabilities, and 
other relevant experts. 
(d) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 18 months after re-
ceiving such recommendations to update section 25.803 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and appendix J to 
part 25 of such title, the Administrator shall issue a final 
rulemaking based on the recommendations provided by the 
aviation rulemaking advisory committee tasked under this 
section, as necessary. 
(e) PASSENGER WITH DISABILITIES.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘passenger with disabilities’’ means any qualified 
individual with a disability, as such term is defined in sec-
tion 382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or suc-
cessor regulations. 
SEC. 542. LITHIUM–ION POWERED WHEELCHAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation 
shall task the Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee 
(in this section referred to as the ‘‘Committee’’) to conduct 
a review of regulations regarding lithium–ion battery pow-
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ered wheelchairs and mobility aids and provide rec-
ommendations to the Secretary to ensure safe transport of 
such wheelchairs and mobility aids in air transportation. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the review re-
quired under subsection (a), the Committee shall consider 
the following: 
(1) Any existing or necessary standards for lith-
ium–ion batteries, including casings or other similar 
components, in such wheelchairs and mobility aids. 
(2) The availability of necessary containment or 
storage devices, including fire containment covers or 
fire-resistant storage containers, for such wheelchairs 
and mobility aids. 
(3) The policies of each air carrier (as such term 
is defined in part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations) pertaining to lithium–ion battery pow-
ered wheelchairs and mobility aids (as in effect on the 
date of enactment of this Act). 
(4) Any other considerations the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate. 
(c) CONSULTATION REQUIREMENT.—In conducting the 
review required under subsection (a), the Committee shall 
consult with the Administrator of the Pipeline and Haz-
ardous Materials Safety Administration. 
(d) NOTIFICATION.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—Upon completion of the re-
view conducted under subsection (a), the Committee 
shall notify the Secretary if an air carrier does not 
have a policy pertaining to lithium–ion battery pow-
ered wheelchairs and mobility aids in effect. 
(2) NOTIFICATION.—The Secretary shall notify 
an air carrier described in paragraph (1) of the sta-
tus of such air carrier. 
(e) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 90 days 
after submission of the recommendations to the Secretary, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate any recommendations under subsection 
(a), in the form of a report. 
(f) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall publish the re-
port required under subsection (e) on the public website of 
the Department of Transportation. 
SEC. 543. NATIONAL SIMULATOR PROGRAM POLICIES AND 
GUIDANCE. 
(a) REVIEW.—Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall review relevant policies and 
guidance, including all advisory circulars, information bul-
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letins, and directives, pertaining to part 60 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations. 
(b) UPDATES.—Upon completion of the review re-
quired under subsection (a), the Administrator shall, at a 
minimum, update the following: 
(1) Advisory Circular 120–40B, issued July 29, 
1991. 
(2) Advisory Circular 120–45A, issued February 
5, 1992. 
(3) Advisory Circular 120–50A, issued February 
9, 1996. 
(4) Advisory Circular 120–63, issued October 11, 
1994. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the review re-
quired under subsection (a), the Administrator shall con-
vene and consult with entities required to comply with part 
60 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, including rep-
resentatives of— 
(1) air carriers; 
(2) flight schools certificated under part 141 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; 
(3) training centers certificated under part 142 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and 
(4) manufacturers and suppliers of flight sim-
ulation training devices (as defined in part 1 of title 
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14, Code of Federal Regulations, and Appendix F to 
part 60 of such title). 
SEC. 544. GAO STUDY ON FAA NATIONAL SIMULATOR PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of 
the United States shall conduct a study into the National 
Simulator Program of the Federal Aviation Administration 
that is part of the Air Transportation Division’s Training 
and Simulation Group. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the study re-
quired under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall, 
at a minimum, assesses— 
(1) how the program described under subsection 
(a), is maintained to reflect and account for advance-
ment in technologies pertaining to flight simulation 
training devices (as defined in part 1 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations, and appendix F to part 60 of 
such title); 
(2) the staffing levels, critical competencies, and 
skills gaps of Administration personnel responsible for 
carrying out and supporting the program described 
in subsection (a); and 
(3) how the program described in subsection (a) 
engages air carriers and relevant industry stake-
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holders, including flight schools, to ensure efficient 
compliance with part 60 of such title. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a). 
SEC. 545. GAO STUDY ON FAA ALIGNMENT WITH BEST 
AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES AND STANDARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study on the incorporation 
of best available technologies by the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration to increase aviation safety and improve the 
health and safety of aviation workers. 
(b) SCOPE.—In conducting the study under subsection 
(a), the Comptroller General shall— 
(1) analyze the degree to which the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration is ena-
bling the use or adoption of technologies used by other 
air navigation service providers to meet ICAO stand-
ards; and 
(2) identify any barriers to adoption of such 
technologies. 
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(c) REPORT.—Not later than 4 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall report 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the 
findings of the study. 
(d) ICAO DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘ICAO’’ means the International Civil Aviation Organiza-
tion. 
SEC. 546. ADVANCED SIMULATION TRAINING. 
(a) 
IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding 
section 
61.159(a)(6) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
any successor regulations), a person who is applying for 
an airline transport certificate with an airplane category 
and class rating may obtain up to 150 additional hours 
of the total aeronautical experience requirement in a full 
flight simulator representing an airplane that provides six- 
degrees of freedom motion, provided the aeronautical experi-
ence— 
(1) was accomplished as part of a Federal Avia-
tion Administration approved training course in 
parts 121, 135, 141, or 142 of such title; and 
(2) does not qualify for flight credit hours for an 
individual applying for an airline transport pilot 
certificate with restricted privileges under paragraphs 
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(a), (b), (c), and (d) of section 61.160 of such title (or 
any successor regulation). 
(b) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed to affect the ability of a person to also 
obtain 100 hours of aeronautical experience in a flight 
training device or full flight simulator under section 
61.159(a)(6) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
any successor regulations). 
(c) RULEMAKING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue a 
final rule to update part 61 of title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations, to reflect changes made by this sec-
tion. 
(2) CONSULTATION.—The Administrator shall 
consult with the Air Carrier Training Aviation Rule-
making Committee— 
(A) in developing the rule under paragraph 
(1), and 
(B) in evaluating, notwithstanding sub-
section (a), whether the additional 150 hours al-
lowed under subsection (a) may be accrued in a 
full flight simulator representing an airplane 
that provides three-degrees of freedom motion. 
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(3) APPLICABILITY.—Nothing in this subsection, 
nor any potential failure of the Administrator to 
issue a final rule under paragraph (1), shall be con-
strued to prohibit the immediate applicability of sub-
section (a). 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘‘flight 
training device’’ and ‘‘full flight simulator’’ have the mean-
ings given such terms in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 547. INCREMENTAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT. 
Section 44704 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(h) INCREMENTAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may con-
sider and approve a proposed incremental design 
change request from a type certificate holder, if such 
holder is required by the Administrator to make a 
safety-related design change to bring a product into 
compliance, even if the proposed incremental design 
change does not eliminate all noncompliant condi-
tions. 
‘‘(2) 
PROPOSED
INCREMENTAL
DESIGN 
CHANGE.—A proposed incremental design change 
under paragraph (1) shall— 
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‘‘(A) be related to the required safety-related 
change described in this subsection; and 
‘‘(B) improve safety. 
‘‘(3) FULL
COMPLIANCE.—An approval issued 
under this subsection shall not be construed to relieve 
a type certificate holder from addressing all non-
compliant conditions under paragraph (1).’’. 
Subtitle B—Aviation Cybersecurity 
SEC. 571. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Congress has repeatedly tasked the Federal 
Aviation Administration with responsibility for se-
curing the national airspace system, including the air 
traffic control system and other air navigation serv-
ices, civil aircraft, and aeronautical products and ar-
ticles through safety regulation and oversight. These 
mandates have routinely included protecting against 
associated cyber threats affecting aviation safety or 
the Administration’s provision of safe, secure, and ef-
ficient air navigation services and airspace manage-
ment. 
(2) In 2016, Congress passed the FAA Extension, 
Safety, and Security Act of 2016, which established 
requirements for the Federal Aviation Administration 
to enhance the national airspace system’s cybersecu-
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rity and included mandates for the Administration 
to— 
(A) develop a cybersecurity strategic plan; 
(B) coordinate with other Federal agencies 
to identify cyber vulnerabilities; 
(C) develop a cyber threat model; and 
(D) complete a comprehensive, strategic pol-
icy framework to identify and mitigate cyberse-
curity risks to the air traffic control system. 
(3) In 2018, Congress passed the FAA Reauthor-
ization Act of 2018 which— 
(A) authorized funding for the construction 
of Federal Aviation Administration facilities 
dedicated to improving the cybersecurity of the 
national airspace system; 
(B) required the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration to review and update its comprehensive, 
strategic policy framework for cybersecurity to 
assess the degree to which the framework identi-
fies and addresses known cybersecurity risks as-
sociated with the aviation system, and evaluate 
existing short- and long-term objectives for ad-
dressing cybersecurity risks to the national air-
space system; 
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(C) created a Chief Technology Officer posi-
tion within the Federal Aviation Administration 
to be responsible for, among other things, coordi-
nating the implementation, operation, mainte-
nance, and cybersecurity of technology programs 
relating to the air traffic control system with the 
aviation industry and other Federal agencies; 
and 
(D) directed the National Academy of 
Sciences to study the cybersecurity workforce of 
the Federal Aviation Administration in order to 
develop recommendations to increase the size, 
quality, and diversity of such workforce. 
(4) Congress has tasked the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration with being the primary Federal agency 
to assess and address the threats posed from cyber in-
cidents relating to Federal Aviation Administration- 
provided air traffic control and air navigation serv-
ices and the threats posed from cyber incidents relat-
ing to civil aircraft, aeronautical products and arti-
cles, aviation networks, aviation systems, services, 
and operations, and the aerospace industry affecting 
aviation safety or the provision of safe, secure, and ef-
ficient air navigation services and airspace manage-
ment by the Administration. 
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(5) Since 2005, the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration has been addressing cyber vulnerabilities in 
civil aircraft and aeronautical products and articles 
during the safety certification process. 
SEC. 572. AEROSPACE PRODUCT SAFETY. 
(a) CYBERSECURITY STANDARDS.—Section 44701(a) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ‘‘cybersecu-
rity,’’ after ‘‘quality of work,’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (5)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘cybersecurity and’’ after 
‘‘standards for’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘procedure’’ and inserting 
‘‘procedures’’. 
(b) EXCLUSIVE RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.—Section 
44701 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(h) EXCLUSIVE RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law and except as provided 
in section 40132, the Administrator, in consultation with 
the heads of such other agencies as the Administrator deter-
mines necessary, shall have exclusive authority to prescribe 
regulations for purposes of assuring civil aircraft, including 
unmanned aircraft systems, aircraft engine, propeller, and 
appliance cybersecurity.’’. 
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SEC. 573. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION REGULA-
TIONS, POLICY, AND GUIDANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 401 of title 49, United 
States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘§ 40132. National airspace system cyber threat man-
agement process 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration, in consultation with other 
agencies as the Administrator determines necessary, shall 
establish a national airspace system cyber threat manage-
ment process to protect the national airspace system cyber 
environment, including the safety, security, and efficiency 
of the air navigation services provided by the Administra-
tion. 
‘‘(b) ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED.—In establishing the 
national airspace system cyber threat management process 
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall, at a min-
imum— 
‘‘(1) monitor the national airspace system for 
cybersecurity incidents; 
‘‘(2) in consultation with appropriate Federal 
agencies, evaluate the cyber threat landscape for the 
national airspace system, including updating such 
evaluation on both annual and threat-based timelines; 
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‘‘(3) conduct national airspace system cyber in-
cident analyses; 
‘‘(4) create a cyber common operating picture for 
the national airspace system cyber environment; 
‘‘(5) coordinate national airspace system cyber 
incident responses with other appropriate Federal 
agencies; 
‘‘(6) track cyber incident detection, response, 
mitigation implementation, recovery, and closure; 
‘‘(7) establish a process, or utilize existing proc-
esses, to collect relevant interagency and stakeholder 
national airspace system cyber incident data, includ-
ing data from other Federal agencies and private per-
sons; and 
‘‘(8) consider any other matter the Adminis-
trator determines appropriate. 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) CYBER COMMON OPERATING PICTURE.—The 
term ‘cyber common operating picture’ means the cor-
relation of a detected cyber incident or cyber threat 
in the national airspace system and other operational 
anomalies to provide a holistic view of potential cause 
and impact. 
‘‘(2) CYBER ENVIRONMENT.—The term ‘cyber en-
vironment’ means the information environment con-
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sisting of the interdependent networks of information 
technology infrastructures and resident data, includ-
ing the internet, telecommunications networks, com-
puter systems, and embedded processors and control-
lers. 
‘‘(3) CYBER INCIDENT.—The term ‘cyber inci-
dent’ means an action that creates noticeable deg-
radation, disruption, or destruction to the cyber envi-
ronment and causes a safety or other negative impact 
on operations of— 
‘‘(A) the national airspace system; 
‘‘(B) civil aircraft; or 
‘‘(C) aeronautical products and articles. 
‘‘(4) CYBER THREAT.—The term ‘cyber threat’ 
means the threat of an action that, if carried out, 
would constitute a cyber incident or an electronic at-
tack. 
‘‘(5) ELECTRONIC ATTACK.—The term ‘electronic 
attack’ means the use of electromagnetic spectrum en-
ergy to impede operations in the cyber environment, 
including through techniques such as jamming or 
spoofing.’’. 
(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 airspace system cyber threat management process.’’. 
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SEC. 574. CIVIL AVIATION CYBERSECURITY RULEMAKING 
COMMITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall convene an aviation rule-
making committee on civil aircraft cybersecurity to conduct 
a review and develop findings and recommendations on cy-
bersecurity standards for civil aircraft, aircraft ground sup-
port information systems, airports, air traffic control mis-
sion systems, and aeronautical products and articles. 
(b) DUTIES.—The Administrator shall— 
(1) not later than 2 years after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, submit to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
based on the findings of the aviation rulemaking com-
mittee convened under subsection (a); and 
(2) not later than 180 days after the date of sub-
mission of the report under paragraph (1) and, in 
consultation with other agencies as the Administrator 
determines necessary, for consensus recommendations 
reached by such aviation rulemaking committee— 
(A) undertake a rulemaking, if appropriate, 
based on such recommendations; and 
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(B) submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a sup-
plemental report with explanations for each con-
sensus recommendation not addressed, if applica-
ble, by a rulemaking under subparagraph (A). 
(c) COMPOSITION.—The aviation rulemaking com-
mittee convened under subsection (a) shall consist of mem-
bers appointed by the Administrator, including representa-
tives of— 
(1) aircraft manufacturers, to include at least 1 
manufacturer of transport category aircraft; 
(2) air carriers; 
(3) unmanned aircraft system stakeholders, in-
cluding operators, service suppliers, and manufactur-
ers of hardware components and software applica-
tions; 
(4) manufacturers of powered-lift aircraft; 
(5) airports; 
(6) original equipment manufacturers of ground 
and space based aviation infrastructure; 
(7) aviation safety experts with specific knowl-
edge of aircraft cybersecurity; and 
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(8) a non-profit which operates 1 or more feder-
ally funded research and development centers with 
specific knowledge of aviation and cybersecurity. 
(d) MEMBER ELIGIBILITY.—Prior to a member’s ap-
pointment under subsection (c), the Administrator shall de-
termine if there is cause for such member to be restricted 
from possessing sensitive security information. Upon a de-
termination of no cause being found regarding the member, 
and upon the member voluntarily signing a nondisclosure 
agreement, the member may be granted access to sensitive 
security information that is relevant to the member’s duties 
on the aviation rulemaking committee. The member shall 
protect the sensitive security information in accordance 
with part 1520 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(e) PROHIBITION ON COMPENSATION.—The members of 
the aviation rulemaking committee convened under sub-
section (a) shall not receive pay, allowances, or benefits 
from the Government by reason of their service on such com-
mittee. 
(f) CONSIDERATIONS.—The Administrator shall direct 
such committee to consider— 
(1) existing cybersecurity standards, regulations, 
policies, and guidance, including those from other 
Federal agencies; 
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(2) threat- and risk-based security approaches 
used by the aviation industry, including the assess-
ment of the potential costs and benefits of cybersecu-
rity actions; 
(3) data gathered from cybersecurity reporting; 
(4) data gathered from safety reporting; 
(5) the diversity of operations and systems on 
aircraft and amongst air carriers; 
(6) security of design data; 
(7) the need to harmonize or deconflict proposed 
and existing standards, regulations, policies, and 
guidance with other Federal standards, regulations, 
policies, and guidance; 
(8) design approval holder aircraft network secu-
rity guidance for operators; 
(9) the need for such standards, regulations, poli-
cies, and guidance as applied to civil aircraft infor-
mation, data, networks, systems, services, operations, 
and technology; 
(10) Federal Aviation Administration services, 
aviation industry services, and aircraft use of posi-
tioning, navigation, and timing data in the context 
of Executive Order 13905, as in effect on the date of 
enactment of this Act; 
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(11) updates needed to airworthiness regulations 
and systems safety assessment methods used to show 
compliance with airworthiness requirements for de-
sign, function, installation, and certification of civil 
aircraft, aeronautical products and articles, and air-
craft networks; 
(12) updates needed to air carrier operating and 
maintenance regulations to ensure continued adher-
ence with processes and procedures established in air-
worthiness regulations to provide cybersecurity pro-
tections for aircraft systems, including for continued 
airworthiness; 
(13) policies and procedures to coordinate with 
other Federal agencies, including intelligence agen-
cies, and the aviation industry in sharing informa-
tion and analyses related to cyber threats to civil air-
craft information, data, networks, systems, services, 
operations, and technology and aeronautical products 
and articles; 
(14) the response of the Administrator and avia-
tion industry to, and recovery from, cyber incidents, 
including by coordinating with other Federal agen-
cies, including intelligence agencies; 
(15) processes for members of the aviation indus-
try to voluntarily report to the Federal Aviation Ad-
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ministration cyber incidents that may affect aviation 
safety in a manner that protects trade secrets and 
confidential business information; 
(16) the unique nature of the aviation industry, 
including aircraft networks, aircraft systems, and 
aeronautical products, and the interconnectedness of 
cybersecurity and aviation safety; 
(17) appropriate cybersecurity controls for air-
craft networks, aircraft systems, and aeronautical 
products and articles to protect aviation safety, in-
cluding airworthiness; 
(18) appropriate cybersecurity controls for air-
ports relative to the size and nature of airside oper-
ations of such airports to ensure aviation safety; 
(19) minimum standards for protecting civil air-
craft, aeronautical products and articles, aviation 
networks, aviation systems, services, and operations 
from cyber threats and cyber incidents; 
(20) international collaboration, where appro-
priate and consistent with the interests of aviation 
safety in air commerce and national security, with 
other civil aviation authorities, international avia-
tion and standards organizations, and any other ap-
propriate entities to protect civil aviation from cyber 
incidents and cyber threats; 
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(21) the recommendations and implementation 
of the Aircraft System Information Security/Protec-
tion report of the aviation rulemaking advisory com-
mittee submitted on August 22, 2016; and 
(22) any other matter the Administrator deter-
mines appropriate. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—The definitions set forth in section 
40132 of title 49, United States Code (as added by this sub-
title), shall apply to this section. 
TITLE VI—AEROSPACE 
INNOVATION 
Subtitle A—Unmanned Aircraft 
Systems 
SEC. 601. DEFINITIONS. 
(a) DEFINITION.—Section 44801(1) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(2) in subparagraph (C) by striking the period 
at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) is able to maintain safe flight control 
in the event of a power or flight control failure 
during flight; and 
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‘‘(E) is programmed to initiate a controlled 
landing in the event of a tether separation.’’. 
SEC. 602. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM TEST RANGES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 44803 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 44803. Unmanned aircraft system test ranges 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall carry out and update, as ap-
propriate, a program to enable a broad variety of testing 
and evaluation activities at unmanned aircraft system test 
ranges, as in effect on the day before the date of enactment 
of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in Amer-
ican Aviation Act, to the extent consistent with aviation 
safety and efficiency, and for purposes of the safe integra-
tion of unmanned aircraft systems into the national air-
space system. 
‘‘(b) AIRSPACE REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out the 
program under subsection (a)— 
‘‘(1) the Administrator may establish nonregula-
tory special use airspace areas upon the request of a 
test range sponsor selected by the Administrator 
under subsection (a), for purposes of accommodating 
hazardous testing and evaluation activities to inform 
the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems 
into the national airspace system, or for purposes of 
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other activities authorized by the Administrator 
under subsection (g); 
‘‘(2) each selected test range sponsor for a des-
ignated test range shall be considered the using agen-
cy for purposes of the respective nonregulatory special 
use airspace areas established by the Administrator 
under this section; and 
‘‘(3) the Administrator may require that each se-
lected test range sponsor for a designated test range 
provide a draft environmental review consistent with 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), subject to the supervision and 
adoption of the Administrator, with respect to any re-
quest for the establishment of a nonregulatory special 
use airspace area under this section. 
‘‘(c) PROGRAM REQUIREMENT.—In carrying out the 
program under subsection (a), the Administrator— 
‘‘(1) may develop operational standards and air 
traffic requirements for flight operations at test 
ranges; 
‘‘(2) shall coordinate with, and leverage the re-
sources of, other Federal agencies, as the Adminis-
trator considers appropriate; 
‘‘(3) shall address both civil and public aircraft 
operations; 
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‘‘(4) shall provide for verification of the safety of 
flight systems and related navigation procedures as it 
relates to continued development of standards for in-
tegration into the national airspace system; 
‘‘(5) shall engage test range sponsors, as nec-
essary and within available resources, in projects for 
testing and evaluation of flight systems to facilitate 
the validation of standards by the Administration for 
the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems 
into the national airspace system, which may include 
solutions for— 
‘‘(A) developing and enforcing geographic 
and altitude limitations; 
‘‘(B) providing for alerts regarding any 
hazards or limitations on flight, including prohi-
bitions on flight; 
‘‘(C) sense and avoid capabilities; 
‘‘(D) technology to support communications, 
navigation, and surveillance; 
‘‘(E) unmanned aircraft system operations 
beyond visual line of sight, at nighttime, or over 
people; 
‘‘(F) operation of multiple unmanned air-
craft systems by a single remote pilot; 
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‘‘(G) unmanned aircraft systems traffic 
management capabilities or services; 
‘‘(H) counter unmanned aircraft system ca-
pabilities; 
‘‘(I) improving privacy protections through 
the use of advances in unmanned aircraft sys-
tems; and 
‘‘(J) other critical priority areas for which 
testing and evaluation is needed. 
‘‘(6) shall coordinate periodically with all test 
range sponsors to ensure test range sponsors know 
which data should be collected, how data can be de- 
identified to flow more readily to the Administration, 
what procedures should be followed, and what testing 
and evaluations would advance efforts to safely inte-
grate unmanned aircraft systems into the national 
airspace system; and 
‘‘(7) shall allow test range sponsors to receive 
Federal funding, other than from the Federal Avia-
tion Administration, including in-kind contributions, 
from test range participants in the furtherance of 
testing and evaluation objectives. 
‘‘(d) EXEMPTION.—Except as provided in subsection 
(g), the requirements of section 44711, including related im-
plementing regulations, shall not apply to persons approved 
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by the test range sponsor for operation at a designated test 
range under this section. 
‘‘(e) RESPONSIBILITIES OF TEST RANGE SPONSOR.— 
The sponsor of each test range under subsection (a) shall— 
‘‘(1) provide access to all interested private and 
public entities seeking to carry out testing and eval-
uation activities at the test range designated pursu-
ant to this section, to the greatest extent practicable, 
consistent with safety and any operating procedures 
established by the test range sponsor, including access 
by small business concerns (as that term is described 
in section 3(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
632(a)); 
‘‘(2) ensure all activities remain within the geo-
graphical boundaries and altitude limitations estab-
lished for the nonregulatory special use airspace area 
covering the test range; 
‘‘(3) ensure no activity is conducted at the des-
ignated test range in a careless or reckless manner; 
‘‘(4) establish safe operating procedures for all 
operators approved for activities at the test range, in-
cluding provisions for maintaining operational con-
trol and ensuring protection of persons and property 
on the ground, subject to approval by the Adminis-
trator; 
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‘‘(5) exercise direct oversight of all operations 
conducted at the test range; 
‘‘(6) consult with the Administrator on the na-
ture of planned activities at the test range and wheth-
er temporary segregation through the use of a non-
regulatory special use airspace area is required to 
contain such activities is consistent with aviation 
safety; 
‘‘(7) protect proprietary technology, sensitive 
data, or sensitive research of any civil or private enti-
ty when using the test range; 
‘‘(8) maintain detailed records of all ongoing 
and completed testing and evaluation activities con-
ducted at the test range and all operators conducting 
such activities, for inspection by, and reporting to, 
the Administrator, as required by agreement between 
the Administrator and the test range sponsor; 
‘‘(9) make all original records available for in-
spection upon request by the Administrator; and 
‘‘(10) provide recommendations to the Adminis-
trator to further enable public and private testing 
and evaluation activities at the test ranges that con-
tribute to the safe integration of unmanned aircraft 
systems by the Administration into the national air-
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space system, on a quarterly basis until the program 
terminates. 
‘‘(f) TESTING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may au-
thorize a sponsor of a test range designated under 
subsection (a) to host testing and evaluation activities 
other than those directly related to the integration of 
unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace 
system, provided that the activity is necessary to in-
form the development of standards or policy for inte-
grating new types of flight systems into the national 
airspace system. 
‘‘(2) WAIVER.—In carrying out this subsection, 
the Administrator may waive the requirements of sec-
tion 44711, including related regulations, to the ex-
tent consistent with aviation safety. 
‘‘(g) AGREEMENTS.—The Administrator may use the 
transaction authority under section 106(l)(6) to enter into 
appropriate agreements to direct testing and evaluation ac-
tivities related to unmanned aircraft systems at any test 
range designated under subsection (a). 
‘‘(h) TERMINATION.—The program under this section 
shall terminate on September 30, 2028.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 44801(10) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘any 
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of the 6 test ranges’’ and all that follows through ‘‘January 
1, 2009’’ and inserting ‘‘the test ranges established by the 
Administrator under section 44803’’. 
SEC. 603. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT IN THE ARCTIC. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 44804 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section heading by striking ‘‘Small un-
manned’’ and inserting ‘‘Unmanned’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘small’’ each place it appears. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
448 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
the item relating to section 44804 and insert the following: 
‘‘44804. Unmanned aircraft in the Arctic.’’. 
SEC. 604. PUBLIC SAFETY USE OF TETHERED UAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 44806 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the section heading by inserting ‘‘and 
public safety use of unmanned aircraft 
systems’’ after ‘‘systems’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the subsection heading by inserting 
‘‘SAFETY USE OF’’ after ‘‘PUBLIC’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A)— 
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(I) by striking ‘‘Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’; 
(II) by striking ‘‘permit the use 
of’’ and inserting ‘‘permit’’; 
(III) by striking ‘‘public’’; and 
(IV) by inserting ‘‘by a public 
safety organization for such systems’’ 
after ‘‘systems’’; 
(ii) by striking subparagraph (A) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) operated— 
‘‘(i) at or below an altitude of 150 feet 
above ground level within class B, C, D, E, 
or G airspace, but not at a greater altitude 
than the ceiling depicted on the UAS facil-
ity maps published by the Federal Aviation 
Administration, where applicable; 
‘‘(ii) within zero-grid airspaces as de-
picted on such UAS facility maps, only if 
operated in life-saving or emergency situa-
tions and with prior notification to the Ad-
ministration in a manner determined by 
the Administrator; or 
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‘‘(iii) above 150 feet above ground level 
within class B, C, D, E, or G airspace only 
with prior authorization from the Adminis-
trator;’’; 
(iii) by striking subparagraph (B); 
and 
(iv) by redesignating subparagraphs 
(C), (D), and (E) as subparagraphs (B), 
(C), and (D), respectively; and 
(C) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘Public 
actively’’ and inserting ‘‘Actively’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end, the following: 
‘‘(e) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘public 
safety organization’ means an entity that primarily en-
gages in activities related to the safety and well-being of 
the general public, including law enforcement, fire depart-
ments, emergency medical services, and other organizations 
that protect and serve the public in matters of safety and 
security.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
448 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
the item relating to section 44806 and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘44806. Public unmanned aircraft systems and public safety use of unmanned 
aircraft systems.’’. 
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SEC. 605. SPECIAL AUTHORITY FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 
SYSTEMS. 
Section 44807 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘or chapter 447’’ after 
‘‘this chapter’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘the Secretary of Transpor-
tation’’ and inserting ‘‘the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration’’; and 
(C) by striking ‘‘if certain’’ and inserting 
‘‘how’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘the Secretary’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘the Administrator’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘which types of un-
manned aircraft systems, if any, as a result 
of their size’’ and inserting ‘‘how the un-
manned aircraft, as a result of such air-
craft’s size’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘do not create’’ and in-
serting ‘‘does not create’’; 
(3) in subsection (c) to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE OPERATION.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For unmanned aircraft sys-
tems that the Administrator determines under this 
section may operate safely in the national airspace 
system, the Administrator shall establish risk-based 
requirements, or a process to accept risk-based pro-
posed requirements, for the safe operation of such air-
craft systems in the national airspace system, includ-
ing operation related to testing and evaluation of pro-
prietary systems. 
‘‘(2) TREATMENT OF MITIGATION MEASURES.— 
To the extent that a proposed operation will be con-
ducted exclusively within the airspace of a Mode C 
Veil during the entirety of the operation, such oper-
ation shall be treated as satisfying the requirements 
of section 91.113(b) of title 14, Code of Federal Regu-
lations, so long as the operation employs— 
‘‘(A) ADS–B In-based detect and avoid ca-
pabilities; 
‘‘(B) air traffic control communication and 
coordination; and 
‘‘(C) aeronautical information management 
systems to notify other aircraft operators of such 
operations. 
‘‘(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
subsection shall be construed to give an unmanned 
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aircraft operating pursuant to this section the right 
of way over a manned aircraft.’’; 
(4) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘2023’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2033’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) LIMITATION.—In making determinations under 
this section, the Administrator may not consider unmanned 
aircraft systems to the extent that such systems may meet 
the requirements of established regulations applicable to the 
proposed operation of a system. 
‘‘(f) EXEMPTION.—The Administrator may exercise the 
authorities described in this section without requiring a 
rulemaking or imposing the requirements of part 11 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, to the extent consistent 
with aviation safety.’’. 
SEC. 606. RECREATIONAL OPERATIONS OF DRONE SYS-
TEMS. 
(a) SPECIFIED
EXCEPTION
FOR
LIMITED
REC-
REATIONAL OPERATIONS OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.—Sec-
tion 44809 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking paragraph (6) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(6) Except for circumstances when the Admin-
istrator establishes alternative altitude ceilings or as 
otherwise authorized in section (c), in Class G air-
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space, the aircraft is flown from the surface to not 
more than 400 feet above ground level and complies 
with all airspace and flight restrictions and prohibi-
tions established under this subtitle, such as special 
use airspace designations and temporary flight re-
strictions.’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(c) OPERATIONS AT FIXED SITES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall es-
tablish a process to approve, and publicly disseminate 
the location of, fixed sites at which a person may 
carry out recreational unmanned aircraft system op-
erations. 
‘‘(2) OPERATING PROCEDURES.— 
‘‘(A) CONTROLLED AIRSPACE.—Persons op-
erating unmanned aircraft under paragraph (1) 
from a fixed site within Class B, Class C, or 
Class D airspace or within the lateral bound-
aries of the surface area of Class E airspace des-
ignated for an airport, or a community-based or-
ganization sponsoring operations within such 
airspace, shall make the location of the fixed site 
known to the Administrator and shall establish 
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a mutually agreed upon operating procedure 
with the air traffic control facility. 
‘‘(B) ALTITUDE.—The Administrator, in co-
ordination with community-based organizations 
sponsoring operations at fixed sites, shall develop 
a process to approve requests for recreational un-
manned aircraft systems operations at fixed sites 
that exceed the maximum altitude contained in 
a UAS Facility Map. 
‘‘(C) CLASS G AIRSPACE.—Subject to com-
pliance with all airspace and flight restrictions 
and prohibitions established under this subtitle, 
such as special use airspace designations and 
temporary flight restrictions, persons operating 
drones under paragraph (1) from a fixed site at 
which the operations are sponsored by a commu-
nity-based organization may operate within 
Class G airspace— 
‘‘(i) up to 400 feet above ground level, 
without prior authorization from the Ad-
ministrator; and 
‘‘(ii) above 400 feet above ground level, 
with prior authorization from the Adminis-
trator. 
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‘‘(3) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT WEIGHING 55 POUNDS 
OR GREATER.—A person may operate an unmanned 
aircraft weighing 55 pounds or greater, including the 
weight of anything attached to or carried by the air-
craft, under paragraph (1) if— 
‘‘(A) the unmanned aircraft complies with 
standards and limitations developed by a com-
munity-based organization and approved by the 
Administrator; and 
‘‘(B) the aircraft is operated from a fixed 
site as described in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(4) 
FAA-RECOGNIZED
IDENTIFICATION 
AREAS.—In implementing subpart C of part 89 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, the Adminis-
trator shall prioritize the review and adjudication of 
requests to establish FAA Recognized Identification 
Areas at fixed sites established under this section.’’; 
(3) in subsection (d) by striking the subsection 
heading and all that follows through ‘‘(3) SAVINGS 
CLAUSE.—’’ and inserting ‘‘(d) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—’’; 
(4) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘subsection (a) 
of’’; 
(5) in subsection (f)(1) by striking ‘‘updates to’’; 
(6) by striking subsection (g)(1) and inserting 
the following: 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in con-
sultation with manufacturers of unmanned aircraft 
systems, community-based organizations, and other 
industry stakeholders, shall develop, maintain, and 
update, as necessary, an aeronautical knowledge and 
safety test. Such test shall be administered electroni-
cally by the Administrator or a person designated by 
the Administrator.’’; and 
(7) in subsection (h)— 
(A) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(1) 
through (6) as paragraphs (2) through (7), re-
spectively; and 
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so 
redesignated) the following: 
‘‘(1) is recognized by the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration;’’. 
(b) USE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FOR EDU-
CATIONAL PURPOSES.—Section 350 of the FAA Reauthor-
ization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44809 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and 
(3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting before paragraph (3) (as so 
redesignated) the following: 
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‘‘(2) operated by an elementary school or sec-
ondary school for educational or research purposes;’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (2) by inserting ‘‘an ele-
mentary school, or a secondary school,’’ after 
‘‘with respect to the operation of an unmanned 
aircraft system by an institution of higher edu-
cation,’’; and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.—The term ‘elemen-
tary school’ has the meaning given to that term by 
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(19)). 
‘‘(4) SECONDARY SCHOOL.—The term ‘secondary 
school’ has the meaning given to that term by section 
8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(45)).’’. 
SEC. 607. AIRPORT SAFETY AND AIRSPACE HAZARD MITIGA-
TION AND ENFORCEMENT. 
Section 44810(h) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘2023’’ and inserting ‘‘2028’’. 
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541 
SEC. 608. APPLICATIONS FOR DESIGNATION. 
Section 2209 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Secu-
rity Act of 2016 (Public Law 114–190) is further amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘, including temporarily,’’ 
after ‘‘restrict’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or eligible outdoor gath-
ering’’ after ‘‘fixed site facility’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)(1)(C)— 
(A) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘Other loca-
tions that warrant such restrictions’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘State correctional facilities’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(v) Eligible outdoor gatherings.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) ELIGIBLE OUTDOOR GATHERING DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘eligible outdoor gathering’ means an 
event that— 
‘‘(1) is primarily outdoors; 
‘‘(2) has an estimated daily attendance of 20,000 
or greater in at least 1 of the preceding 3 years; 
‘‘(3) has defined and static geographical bound-
aries; and 
‘‘(4) is advertised in the public domain. 
‘‘(f) DEADLINES.— 
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‘‘(1) Not later than March 1, 2024, the Adminis-
trator shall publish a notice of proposed rulemaking 
to carry out the requirements of this section. 
‘‘(2) Not later than 16 months after publishing 
the notice of proposed rulemaking under paragraph 
(1), the Administrator shall issue a final rule.’’. 
SEC. 609. BEYOND VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT RULEMAKING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 4 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall issue a notice of pro-
posed rulemaking establishing performance-based air-
worthiness criteria and risk-based operational regulations 
for unmanned aircraft systems operated beyond visual line 
of sight that are intended to operate primarily at or below 
400 feet above ground level. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall— 
(1) establish a means to accept proposed— 
(A) airworthiness standards for unmanned 
aircraft; 
(B) standards for associated elements of un-
manned aircraft; and 
(C) qualification standards for remote pilots 
operating unmanned aircraft beyond visual line 
of sight; 
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(2) enable the ability for unmanned aircraft to 
be operated for agricultural purposes; 
(3) establish a process by which the Adminis-
trator may approve or accept third party compliance 
services in support of the safe integration of un-
manned aircraft systems into the national airspace 
system; and 
(4) establish protocols, as appropriate, for 
networked information exchange, including network- 
based remote identification in support of beyond vis-
ual line of sight operations. 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Administrator may leverage previously gathered data, 
information, and efforts of the Administration to finalize 
rulemaking as required under this section. 
(d) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT AIRWORTHINESS STAND-
ARDS.—In carrying out subsection (b)(1)(A), the Adminis-
trator shall— 
(1) define the operational environments for 
which airworthiness is needed to ensure aviation safe-
ty; 
(2) establish an airworthiness category or cat-
egories for unmanned aircraft to be eligible for a spe-
cial airworthiness certificate; and 
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(3) establish a process to approve standards, 
means of compliance, and declarations of compliance. 
(e) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS 
STANDARDS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In carrying out subsection 
(b)(1)(B), the Administrator shall establish a process 
to accept or approve the associated elements of an un-
manned aircraft that, when considered collectively 
with other associated elements and an unmanned air-
craft, meet an acceptable performance-based safety 
standard. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In establishing the proc-
ess under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall con-
sider the ways associated elements of an unmanned 
aircraft system interact with other associated elements 
and unmanned aircraft. 
(f) REMOTE PILOT QUALIFICATIONS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In carrying out subsection 
(b)(1)(C), the Administrator shall establish qualifica-
tions and standards, or a means to accept proposed 
qualifications and standards, for remote pilots oper-
ating unmanned aircraft systems. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall account for the 
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varying levels of automation of unmanned aircraft 
systems. 
(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
subsection may be construed to allow for the establish-
ment of type-ratings that apply specifically and ex-
clusively to an aircraft manufactured by 1 manufac-
turer. 
(g) INTERIM APPROVALS.—Before the date on which 
the Administrator issues a final rule under this section, the 
Administrator shall use the process described in section 
44807 of title 49, United States Code, to authorize un-
manned aircraft system operations conducted beyond visual 
line of sight. 
(h) FINAL RULE.—Not later than 16 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue 
a final rule establishing the regulations required under this 
section. 
(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS.—The term ‘‘associ-
ated elements’’ means any component of an un-
manned aircraft system, not permanently affixed to 
the unmanned aircraft, required for the remote pilot 
to operate such aircraft safely and efficiently in the 
national airspace system. 
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(2) BEYOND VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT.—The term 
‘‘beyond visual line of sight’’ means a distance at 
which the remote pilot in command of an unmanned 
aircraft system cannot see the unmanned aircraft 
with vision unaided by any device other than correc-
tive lenses. 
(3) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT; UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 
SYSTEM.—The terms ‘‘unmanned aircraft’’ and ‘‘un-
manned aircraft system’’ have the meaning given 
such terms in section 44801 of title 49, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 610. UAS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration may enter into agreements for 
purposes of— 
(1) testing and refining UTM capabilities and 
services to inform the development of UTM standards 
in subsection (b); 
(2) authorizing UTM service providers that meet 
the requirements described in subsection (b) to provide 
UTM services to better enable advanced unmanned 
aircraft systems operations, including— 
(A) beyond visual line of sight operations; 
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(B) 
aircraft-to-aircraft 
communications; 
and 
(C) operations in which an individual acts 
as remote pilot in command of more than 1 un-
manned aircraft at the same time; and 
(3) fostering the safe integration of unmanned 
aircraft systems using UTM capabilities and services 
within the national airspace system. 
(b) STANDARDIZATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In carrying out subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall publish requirements or 
guidance associated with UTM, including— 
(A) the types of operations requiring, or 
benefitting from, the use of UTM capabilities 
and services described in subsection (a), includ-
ing beyond visual line of sight operations; 
(B) areas of operation or categories of air-
space requiring, or benefitting from, the use of 
UTM capabilities and services; 
(C) performance-based technical standards 
for UAS operations using UTM capabilities and 
services; and 
(D) application program interfaces that en-
able UTM service suppliers to integrate UTM ca-
pabilities and services into other systems for use 
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by users of the national airspace system, includ-
ing unmanned aircraft system operators. 
(2) INTERNATIONAL
HARMONIZATION.—In car-
rying out paragraph (1), the Administrator shall seek 
to harmonize, to the extent practicable and advisable, 
UTM standards with standards produced by recog-
nized industry standards organizations or other peer 
civil aviation authorities. 
(3) FEEDBACK OF CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS.— 
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall solicit feedback from 
stakeholders on the most recently published UTM con-
cept of operations of the Administration. 
(4) FINALIZATION
OF
CONCEPT
OF
OPER-
ATIONS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of en-
actment of this Act, the Administrator shall publish 
a final version of the UTM concept of operations of 
the Administration. 
(c) STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS.—In carrying out 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall establish a means 
by which the Administrator can enter into cooperative 
agreements, contracts, other transaction agreements, and 
other appropriate mechanisms with appropriate persons, 
partnerships, and consortia to enable qualified third-parties 
to design, build, develop, fund, and manage UTM. 
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(d) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.— 
(1) BEYOND
VISUAL
LINE
OF
SIGHT
OPER-
ATIONS.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to 
prevent or prohibit beyond visual line of sight oper-
ations through the use of technologies other than UTM 
capabilities and services. 
(2) AIRSPACE.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to alter the authority under section 40103 
of title 49, United States Code. 
(e) BRIEFING.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Ad-
ministrator shall brief the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate on progress made by the Administration detail-
ing the implementation and requirements of this section 
and any applicable timelines to completion. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) APPROPRIATE PERSONS.—The term ‘‘appro-
priate persons’’ means a Federal, State, local, Tribal, 
or territorial governmental entity, or a person. 
(2) UTM.—The term ‘‘UTM’’ means the manner 
in which the Administration will support operations 
for unmanned aircraft systems operating in low-alti-
tude airspace. 
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SEC. 611. RADAR DATA PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) SENSITIVE RADAR DATA FEED PILOT PRO-
GRAM.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, 
and other heads of relevant Federal agencies, shall establish 
a pilot program to make airspace data feeds containing 
classified or controlled unclassified information available to 
qualified users, in conjunction with subsection (b). 
(b) AUTHORIZATION.—In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Administrator and the heads of other relevant Federal 
agencies and in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, 
shall establish a process to authorize qualified entities to 
receive airspace data feeds containing classified informa-
tion related to air traffic within the national airspace sys-
tem and use such information in an agreed upon manner 
to— 
(1) provide— 
(A) air traffic management services; and 
(B) unmanned aircraft system traffic man-
agement services; or 
(2) to test technologies that may enable or en-
hance the provision of the services described in para-
graph (1). 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 90 days after estab-
lishing the pilot program under subsection (a), and annu-
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ally thereafter, the Administrator shall brief the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on the findings of the Admin-
istrator related to the pilot program established under this 
section. 
(d) SUNSET.—This section shall cease to be effective 
on October 1, 2028. 
(e) DEFINITION OF QUALIFIED USER.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘qualified user’’ means an entity authorized to re-
ceive airspace data feeds containing classified or controlled 
unclassified information pursuant to subsection (b). 
SEC. 612. ELECTRONIC CONSPICUITY STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study of technologies and 
methods that may be used by operators of unmanned air-
craft systems to detect and avoid manned aircraft that may 
lawfully operate below 500 feet above ground level and that 
are— 
(1) not equipped with a transponder or auto-
matic dependent surveillance-broadcast out equip-
ment; or 
(2) otherwise not electronically conspicuous. 
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(b) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study required 
under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall consult 
with— 
(1) representatives from— 
(A) unmanned aircraft systems manufac-
turers and operators; 
(B) general aviation operators; 
(C) aerial applicators; and 
(D) helicopter operators, including State 
and local governments; and 
(2) any other person the Comptroller General de-
termines appropriate. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a re-
port describing the results of such study. 
SEC. 613. REMOTE IDENTIFICATION ALTERNATIVE MEANS 
OF COMPLIANCE. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration shall review and evaluate the final rule 
titled ‘‘Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft’’, 
issued on January 15, 2021, to determine the feasibility 
and advisability of whether unmanned aircraft manufac-
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turers and operators can meet the intent of such final rule 
through alternative means of compliance, including through 
network–based remote identification. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
results of the study under subsection (a). 
SEC. 614. PART 107 WAIVER IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall adopt a performance– and 
risk–based approach in reviewing requests for certificates 
of waiver under section 107.200 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
(b) STANDARDIZATION OF WAIVER APPLICATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In carrying out subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall improve the process es-
tablished to submit requests for certificates of waiver 
described in subsection (a). 
(2) FORMAT.—In carrying out paragraph (1), 
the Administrator may not require the use of open- 
ended descriptive prompts that are required to be 
filled out by an applicant, except to provide appli-
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cants the ability to provide the Administration with 
information for an unusual or irregular operation. 
(3) DATA.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall leverage data 
gathered from previous requests for certificates of 
waivers. 
(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out 
subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall safely 
use— 
(i) big data analytics; and 
(ii) machine learning. 
(c) CONSIDERATION OF PROPERTY OWNERSHIP INTER-
EST.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In determining whether to 
issue a certificate of waiver under section 107.200 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, the Adminis-
trator shall— 
(A) consider whether the waiver applicant 
has control over access to all real property on the 
ground within the area of operation; and 
(B) recognize and account for the safety en-
hancements of such controlled access. 
(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
subsection shall be construed to direct the Adminis-
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trator to consider the lack of control over access to all 
real property on the ground within an area of oper-
ation, or a lack of property interest in such area of 
operation, as negatively affecting the safety of the op-
eration intended to be conducted under such certifi-
cate of waiver. 
(d) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF WAIVERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall pub-
lish all certificates of waiver issued under section 
107.200 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, on 
the website of the Administration, including, with re-
spect to each issued certificate of waiver— 
(A) the terms, conditions, and limitations; 
and 
(B) the class of airspace and any restric-
tions related to operating near airports or heli-
ports. 
(2) PUBLICATION.—In carrying out paragraph 
(1), the Administrator shall ensure that published in-
formation is made available in a manner that pre-
vents inappropriate disclosure of proprietary infor-
mation. 
(e) PRECEDENTIAL USE OF PREVIOUSLY APPROVED 
WAIVERS.— 
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(1) WAIVER APPROVAL PRECEDENT.—Except as 
provided in paragraph (3), if the Administrator de-
termines, using criteria for a particular waiver, that 
an application for a certificate of waiver issued under 
section 107.200 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, is substantially similar (or is comprised of ele-
ments that are substantially similar) to an applica-
tion for a certificate of waiver that the Administrator 
has previously approved, the Administrator may 
streamline, as appropriate, the approval of applica-
tions with substantially similar conditions and limi-
tations as a previously approved application. 
(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in para-
graph (1) shall be construed to preclude an applicant 
for a certificate of waiver from applying to modify a 
condition, or remove a limitation of, such certificate. 
(f) MODIFICATION OF WAIVERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall es-
tablish an expedited review process for a request to 
modify or renew certificates of waiver previously 
issued under section 107.200 of title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations, as appropriate. 
(2) USE OF REVIEW PROCESS.—The review proc-
ess established under paragraph (1) shall be used to 
review certificates of waiver that cover operations that 
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are substantially similar in all material facts to oper-
ations covered under a subsequently issued certificate 
of waiver. 
SEC. 615. ACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF RISK AND RISK ASSESS-
MENT METHODOLOGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall establish acceptable lev-
els of risk, and develop a risk assessment methodology asso-
ciated with such levels of risk, to enable unmanned aircraft 
system operations conducted— 
(1) under waivers issued to part 107 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations; 
(2) pursuant to section 44807 of title 49, United 
States Code; or 
(3) pursuant to future regulations promulgated 
by the Administrator, as appropriate. 
(b) ACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF RISK.—In carrying out 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall establish acceptable 
levels of risk for unmanned aircraft system operations in 
the national airspace system and a method for assessing 
the operational risk of a proposed operation in accordance 
with such acceptable level. 
(c) RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY.—In carrying 
out subsections (a) and (b), the Administrator shall develop 
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a risk assessment methodology to allow remote pilots in 
command operating unmanned aircraft systems pursuant 
to subsection (a) to determine the risk associated with a 
specific operation, and mitigate such a risk, as necessary. 
(d) RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY CONSIDER-
ATIONS.—In establishing the risk assessment methodology 
described under this section, the Administrator shall con-
sider— 
(1) the time of day of the operation; 
(2) the population density of the area of oper-
ation; 
(3) the class of airspace and such requirements 
necessary for airspace users to legally operate in each 
class of airspace; 
(4) the proximity to infrastructure, to the extent 
that proximity mitigates risk to other operators of the 
national airspace system; 
(5) the nature of the detect and avoid mitigation 
measures of an unmanned aircraft system; and 
(6) the attributes and characteristics of the un-
manned aircraft of the unmanned aircraft system, in-
cluding the— 
(A) size; 
(B) visibility; 
(C) maximum takeoff weight; 
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(D) maximum indicated airspeed; and 
(E) payload. 
(e) PUBLICATION.—The Administrator shall make the 
risk assessment methodology established under this section 
available to the public on an appropriate website of the Ad-
ministration. 
(f) DEFINITIONS OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT AND UN-
MANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—In this section, the terms 
‘‘unmanned aircraft’’ and ‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ 
have the meanings given such terms in section 44801 of title 
49, United States Code. 
SEC. 616. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW. 
(a) GUIDANCE UPDATES.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall publish un-
manned aircraft system-specific guidance and implementa-
tion procedures. Such guidance and implementation proce-
dures shall— 
(1) provide guidance to streamline environ-
mental assessments at a programmatic level, as the 
Administrator considers appropriate, for an un-
manned aircraft system operator’s network of oper-
ations within a defined geographical region, includ-
ing within and over approved commercial or indus-
trial sites closed or restricted to the public; 
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(2) provide guidance for nationwide pro-
grammatic approaches for large scale distributed un-
manned aircraft system operations whereby a Pro-
grammatic Environmental Assessment or Environ-
mental Impact Statement can be leveraged for subse-
quent related actions to ensure efficient environmental 
review; 
(3) consider additional Categorical Exclusions 
based on previously prepared and finalized Environ-
mental Assessments or in consultation with the Coun-
cil on Environmental Quality; 
(4) prioritize proposed projects or activities that 
may— 
(A) offset or limit the impacts of non-zero 
emission activities; 
(B) offset or limit the release of environ-
mental pollutants to soil or water; or 
(C) demonstrate other factors to the benefit 
of the environment as determined by the Admin-
istrator; 
(5) contain intra-agency process improvements 
to avoid providing conflicting safety and environ-
mental feedback to operators; 
(6) contain standards and criteria for engaging 
specialized third parties to support the Administra-
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tion’s preparation and review of documentation relat-
ing to the requirements of the National Environ-
mental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) to 
ensure streamlined timelines for complex reviews; and 
(7) any other modifications the Administrator 
considers necessary within the stated environmental 
objectives of the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Federal pri-
ority to maintain global leadership in aviation inno-
vation. 
(b) BRIEFING.—No later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the plan of 
the Administration to implement subsection (b), including 
each of the considerations specified in the subsection, and 
an explanation for any consideration the Administrator 
does not intend to implement. 
(c) CONCURRENT REVIEWS.—If the Administrator de-
termines that the review of an unmanned aircraft system’s 
design, construction, maintenance and operational sustain-
ability, airworthiness approval, or operational approval re-
quires environmental assessment, including requirements 
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
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U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Administrator shall, to the max-
imum extent practicable, conduct such reviews and analyses 
concurrent with one another. 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed as prohibiting, restricting or otherwise 
limiting the authority of the Secretary of Transportation 
or the Administrator from implementing or complying with 
the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and any related require-
ments to ensure the protection of the environment and avia-
tion safety. 
(e) ASSOCIATED UAS CERTIFICATION STANDARDS.— 
(1) OPTION TO SUSPEND NOISE CERTIFICATION 
REQUIREMENT
PENDING
STANDARDS
DEVELOP-
MENT.—Notwithstanding the requirements of section 
44715 of title 49, United States Code, the Adminis-
trator may waive the determination of compliance 
with part 36 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
for an applicant seeking an unmanned aircraft sys-
tem type and airworthiness certification, provided the 
Administrator has developed appropriate noise meas-
urement procedures for such systems and the Admin-
istrator has received the noise measurements results 
based on such procedures from the applicant. 
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(2) DEVELOPMENT OF CRITERIA.—Not later than 
90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall develop and establish substantive 
criteria and standards metrics used by the Adminis-
trator to determine whether to approve or disapprove 
the airworthiness of an unmanned aircraft pursuant 
to part 36 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(3) SUBSTANTIVE
CRITERIA
AND
STANDARDS 
METRICS.—In establishing the substantive criteria 
and standards metrics as required under paragraph 
(2), the Administrator shall include such criteria and 
metrics related to the airworthiness of unmanned air-
craft for the following: 
(A) Noise impacts. 
(B) Visual impacts. 
(4) PUBLICATION.—The Administrator shall 
publish in the Federal Register and post on a website 
of the Federal Aviation Administration the criteria 
and metrics established pursuant to paragraph (2). 
(f) DEFINITION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.— 
In this section, the term ‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 44801 of title 49, 
United States Code. 
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SEC. 617. CARRIAGE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. 
(a) NEAR-TERM APPROVALS.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall coordinate 
with the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Ma-
terials Safety Administration to revise processes in effect 
on the date of enactment of this Act for the carriage of haz-
ardous materials by unmanned aircraft systems to provide 
that— 
(1) special conditions, waivers, or other require-
ments necessary to enable the carriage of hazardous 
materials shall be incorporated into the existing regu-
latory and operator certification processes of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration for unmanned aircraft 
operations in which the aircraft— 
(A) weighs less than 100 pounds; and 
(B) is capable of carrying less than 10 
pounds gross weight of limited quantity cargo; 
and 
(2) the existing special permitting process or 
other existing processes carried out by the Adminis-
trator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safe-
ty Administration shall be initiated as early as prac-
ticable, and in conjunction with the existing regu-
latory and operator certification processes of the Fed-
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eral Aviation Administration, for unmanned aircraft 
operations in which the unmanned aircraft— 
(A) weighs 100 pounds or more; or 
(B) is capable of carrying 10 pounds or 
more gross weight of limited quantity cargo. 
(b) RULEMAKING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall revise requirements, guidance, 
standards, or other policy materials governing the 
carriage of hazardous materials to allow for the car-
riage of a de minimis amount of hazardous materials 
by an unmanned aircraft. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall consider— 
(A) whether a hazardous material is a con-
sumer commodity; 
(B) requirements for common carriage and 
private carriage; 
(C) whether the transportation of a de 
minimis volume, weight, or amount of a haz-
ardous material would pose an unreasonable risk 
to health and safety or property; 
(D) whether the volume, weight, or amount 
of a hazardous material is large enough to per-
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mit the transportation of a commercially mean-
ingful volume, weight, or amount; and 
(E) the altitude at which unmanned air-
craft operations are conducted. 
(3) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
(A) PETITION.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish a process for a person to petition to establish 
or revise a de minimis amount or a hazardous 
material. 
(B) PERIODIC
UPDATES.—The Secretary 
shall— 
(i) periodically review, as necessary, de 
minimis amounts of hazardous materials 
established under paragraph (1); 
(ii) determine whether such amounts of 
Hazardous materials should be revised, 
based on operational and safety data or 
other factors; and 
(iii) assess whether to establish a de 
minimis amount for a hazardous material 
for which a de minimis volume, weight, or 
amount has previously not been established. 
(c) SAVING CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to— 
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(1) limit the authority of the Secretary, the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, 
or the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous 
Materials Safety Administration from implementing 
requirements under existing authorities to ensure the 
safe carriage of hazardous materials by aircraft; and 
(2) confer upon the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration the authorities of the Ad-
ministrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
Safety Administration, as described in part 175 of 
title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, and chapter 51 
of title 49, United States Code. 
(d) EXEMPTION.—The authorities of the Administrator 
related to the transportation, packaging, marking, or de-
scription of hazardous materials in section 106(g)(1) of title 
49, United States Code, shall not apply to the extent nec-
essary to enact the requirements of this section. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In the section: 
(1) UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT
SYSTEM.—The term 
‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 44801 of title 49, United States 
Code. 
(2) CONSUMER
COMMODITY.—The term ‘‘con-
sumer commodity’’ has the meaning given such term 
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in section 171.8 of title 49, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
SEC. 618. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM USE IN WILDFIRE 
RESPONSE. 
(a) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS IN WILDFIRE RE-
SPONSE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration, in coordina-
tion with the United States Forest Service and any 
other Federal entity or contracted operator the Ad-
ministrator considers appropriate, shall develop a 
plan on the use of unmanned aircraft systems by pub-
lic entities in wildfire response efforts, including 
wildfire detection, mitigation, and suppression. 
(2) PLAN CONTENTS.—The plan under subsection 
(a) shall provide recommendations to— 
(A) identify and designate areas of public 
land with high potential for wildfires in which 
public entities may conduct unmanned aircraft 
system beyond visual line of sight operations as 
part of wildfire response efforts, including wild-
fire detection, mitigation, and suppression; 
(B) develop a process to facilitate the safe 
and efficient operation of unmanned aircraft 
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systems beyond the visual line of sight in wild-
fire response efforts in areas designated under 
paragraph (A), including the waiver process 
under section 91.113 or section 107.31 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, for public entities 
that use unmanned aircraft systems for aerial 
wildfire detection, mitigation, and suppression; 
and 
(C) improve coordination between the rel-
evant Federal agencies and public entities on the 
use of unmanned aircraft systems in wildfire re-
sponse efforts. 
(3) PLAN SUBMISSION.—Upon completion of the 
plan under subsection (a), the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall submit such 
plan to, and provide a briefing for, the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senates. 
(4) PUBLICATION.—Upon submission of the plan 
under subsection (a), the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall publish such plan on 
a publicly available website of the Administration. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—This section shall only apply to 
unmanned aircraft systems that are— 
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(1) operated by, or on behalf of, a public entity; 
(2) operated in airspace covered by a wildfire-re-
lated temporary flight restriction under section 
91.137 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and 
(3) under the operational control of, or otherwise 
are being operationally coordinated by, an authorized 
aviation coordinator responsible for coordinating dis-
aster relief aircraft within the airspace covered by 
such temporary flight restriction. 
(c) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall seek to enter into the necessary agreements to 
provide a liaison of the Administration to the National 
Interagency Fire Center to facilitate the use of manned and 
unmanned aircraft in wildfire response efforts, including 
wildfire detection, mitigation, and suppression. 
(d) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed to confer upon the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration the authorities of the Administra-
tion of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on 
wildfire response under section 611 of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5196). 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) PUBLIC ENTITY.—The term ‘‘public entity’’ 
means— 
(A) a Federal agency; 
(B) a State government; 
(C) a local government; 
(D) a Tribal government; and 
(E) a territorial government. 
(2) PUBLIC LAND.—The term ‘‘public land’’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 205 of the 
Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670k). 
(3) UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT
SYSTEM.—The term 
‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 44801 of title 49, United States 
Code. 
(4) WILDFIRE.—The term ‘‘wildfire’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 2 of the Emer-
gency Wildfire Suppression Act (42 U.S.C. 1856m). 
SEC. 619. PILOT PROGRAM FOR UAS INSPECTIONS OF FAA 
INFRASTRUCTURE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall establish and initiate a pilot program to sup-
plement appropriate inspection and oversight activities of 
the department with unmanned aircraft systems for the 
purposes of increasing employee safety, enhancing data col-
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lection, increasing the accuracy of inspections, reducing 
costs, and other purposes the Secretary considers to be in 
the broader interests of good government. 
(b) GROUND-BASED AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE.— 
Under the program required in subsection (a), the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall evalu-
ate the use of unmanned aircraft systems to inspect ground- 
based aviation infrastructure that may require visual in-
spection in hard-to-reach areas, including— 
(1) navigational aids; 
(2) air traffic control towers; 
(3) radar facilities; 
(4) communication facilities; and 
(5) other air traffic control facilities. 
(c) COORDINATION.—In carrying out the pilot pro-
gram established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
consult with the labor union certified under section 7111 
of title 5, United States Code, to represent personnel respon-
sible for the inspection of the ground-based aviation infra-
structure described in subsection (b). 
(d) COVERED FOREIGN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYS-
TEM.—The Secretary may not carry out an inspection 
under this section using an unmanned aircraft system 
manufactured by— 
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(1) an entity included on the Consolidated 
Screening list or Entity List as designated by the 
Secretary of Commerce; 
(2) an entity domiciled in the People’s Republic 
of China or the Russian Federation; or 
(3) an entity, or a subsidiary or affiliate of an 
entity, that is subject to influence or control by— 
(A) the Government of the People’s Republic 
of China; 
(B) the Chinese Communist Party; or 
(C) the Russian Federation. 
(e) BRIEFING.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the 
termination of the pilot program under this section, the 
Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a briefing on the status and results of the pilot 
program established under subsection (a), including— 
(1) cost saving; 
(2) a description of how unmanned aircraft sys-
tems were used to supplement existing inspection, 
data collection, or oversight activities of Department 
employees, including the number of operations and 
types of activities performed; 
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(3) efficiency or safety improvements, if any, as-
sociated with the use of unmanned aircraft systems to 
supplement conventional inspection, data collection, 
or oversight activities; 
(4) the fleet of unmanned aircraft systems main-
tained by the Department of Transportation for the 
program, or an overview of the services used as part 
of the pilot program; and 
(5) recommendations for improving the use or ef-
ficacy of unmanned aircraft systems to supplement 
the Department’s conventional inspection, data collec-
tion, or oversight activities. 
(f) SUNSET
AND INCORPORATION INTO STANDARD 
PRACTICE.— 
(1) SUNSET.—The pilot program established 
under subsection (a) and the reporting requirement 
under subsection (f) shall terminate on the date that 
is 50 months after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(2) INCORPORATION
INTO
STANDARD
PRAC-
TICE.—Upon termination of the pilot program, the 
Secretary shall assess the results of the pilot program 
under this section and determine whether to perma-
nently incorporate the use of unmanned aircraft sys-
tems into the regular inspection, data collection, and 
oversight activities of the Department. 
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(3) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 3 
months after the termination of the pilot program 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
a report on the final results of the pilot program and 
the actions taken by the Administrator pursuant to 
paragraph (2). 
SEC. 620. DRONE INFRASTRUCTURE INSPECTION GRANT 
PROGRAM. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall establish a drone infrastructure inspection 
grant program to make grants to governmental entities to 
facilitate the use of eligible small unmanned aircraft sys-
tems to support more efficient inspection, operation, con-
struction, maintenance, modernization, and repair of an 
element of critical infrastructure to improve worker safety 
related to critical infrastructure projects. 
(b) USE OF GRANT AMOUNTS.—A governmental entity 
may use a grant provided under this section to— 
(1) purchase or lease eligible small unmanned 
aircraft systems; 
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(2) support operational capabilities of eligible 
small unmanned aircraft systems by the governmental 
entity; 
(3) contract for services performed using an eli-
gible small unmanned aircraft system in cir-
cumstances in which the governmental entity does not 
have the resources or expertise to safely carry out or 
assist in carrying out the activities described under 
subsection (a); and 
(4) support the program management capability 
of the governmental entity to use an eligible small un-
manned aircraft system. 
(c) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, a governmental entity shall submit an 
application to the Secretary at such time, in such form, 
and containing such information as the Secretary may re-
quire, including an assurance that the governmental entity 
or any contractor of the governmental entity, will comply 
with relevant Federal regulations. 
(d) SELECTION
OF APPLICANTS.—In awarding a 
grant under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize ap-
plications that propose to— 
(1) carry out a critical infrastructure project in 
a variety of communities, including urban, suburban, 
rural, tribal, or any other type of community; and 
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(2) address a safety risk in the inspection, oper-
ation, construction, maintenance, or repair of an ele-
ment of critical infrastructure. 
(e) LIMITATION.—Nothing in this section shall be con-
strued as to interfere with an agreement between a govern-
mental entity and a labor union, including requirements 
under section 5333(b) of title 49, United States Code. 
(f) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the first grant is provided under this section, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a report that evaluates the program carried out 
under this section, including— 
(1) a description of the number of grants award-
ed; 
(2) the amount of each grant; 
(3) the activities funded under this section; and 
(4) the effectiveness of such funded activities in 
meeting the objectives described in subsection (a). 
(g) FUNDING.— 
(1) FEDERAL SHARE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the Federal share of the cost 
of a project carried out using a grant under this 
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section shall not exceed 50 percent of the total 
project cost. 
(B) WAIVER.—The Secretary may increase 
the Federal share requirement under subpara-
graph (A) to up to 75 percent for a project car-
ried out using a grant under this section by a 
governmental entity if such entity— 
(i) submits a written application to 
the Secretary requesting an increase in the 
Federal share; and 
(ii) demonstrates that the additional 
assistance is necessary to facilitate the ac-
ceptance and full use of a grant under this 
section, such as alleviating economic hard-
ship, meeting additional workforce needs, or 
such other uses that the Secretary deter-
mines to be appropriate. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Out 
of amounts authorized to be appropriated under sec-
tion 106(k) of title 49, United States Code, the Sec-
retary shall make available to carry out this sec-
tion— 
(A) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(B) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
(C) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; 
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(D) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and 
(E) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2028. 
(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED FOREIGN ENTITY.—The term ‘‘cov-
ered foreign entity’’ means an entity— 
(A) included on the Consolidated Screening 
List or Entity List as designated by the Sec-
retary of Commerce; 
(B) domiciled in the People’s Republic of 
China or the Russian Federation; 
(C) subject to influence or control by the 
government of the People’s Republic of China or 
by the Russian Federation; or 
(D) is a subsidiary or affiliate of an entity 
described in subparagraphs (A) through (C). 
(2) 
CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE.—The 
term 
‘‘critical infrastructure’’ has the meaning given such 
term in subsection (e) of the Critical Infrastructures 
Protection Act of 2001 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e)). 
(3) ELEMENT OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.— 
The term ‘‘element of critical infrastructure’’ means a 
critical infrastructure facility or asset, including pub-
lic bridges, tunnels, roads, highways, dams, electric 
grid, water infrastructure, communication systems, 
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pipelines, or other related facilities or assets, as deter-
mined by the Secretary. 
(4) ELIGIBLE SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYS-
TEM.—The term ‘‘eligible small unmanned aircraft 
system’’ means a small unmanned aircraft system 
manufactured or assembled by a company that is 
domiciled in the United States and is not a covered 
foreign entity. 
(5) ELIGIBLE SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYS-
TEM
TECHNOLOGY.—The term ‘‘eligible small un-
manned aircraft system technology’’ means— 
(A) an eligible small unmanned aircraft 
system; or 
(B) a major component of such a system 
that is not manufactured by or procured from a 
covered foreign entity. 
(6) GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY.—The term ‘‘govern-
mental entity’’ means— 
(A) a State, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory of the 
United States, or a political subdivision thereof; 
(B) a unit of local government; 
(C) a Tribal Government; 
(D) a metropolitan planning organization; 
or 
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(E) a consortia of more than 1 of the enti-
ties described in subparagraphs (A) through (D). 
(7) PROJECT.—The term ‘‘project’’ means a 
project for the inspection, operation, maintenance, re-
pair, modernization, or construction of an element of 
critical infrastructure, including mitigating environ-
mental hazards to such infrastructure. 
(8) SMALL
UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT; UNMANNED 
AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—The terms ‘‘small unmanned air-
craft’’ and ‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 44801 of title 
49, United States Code. 
SEC. 621. DRONE EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING 
GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall establish a drone education and training grant 
program to make grants to educational institutions for 
workforce training for eligible small unmanned aircraft sys-
tem technology. 
(b) USE OF GRANT AMOUNTS.—Amounts from a grant 
under this section shall be used in furtherance of activities 
authorized under sections 631 and 632 of the FAA Reau-
thorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note). 
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(c) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an educational institution shall submit 
an application to the Secretary at such time, in such form, 
and containing such information as the Secretary may re-
quire. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Out of 
amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 106(k) 
of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary shall make 
available to carry out this section— 
(1) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(2) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
(3) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; 
(4) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and 
(5) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2028. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED FOREIGN ENTITY.—The term ‘‘cov-
ered foreign entity’’ means an entity— 
(A) included on the Consolidated Screening 
List or Entity List as designated by the Sec-
retary of Commerce; 
(B) domiciled in the People’s Republic of 
China or the Russian Federation; 
(C) subject to influence or control by the 
government of the People’s Republic of China or 
by the Russian Federation; or 
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(D) is a subsidiary or affiliate of an entity 
described in subparagraphs (A) through (C). 
(2) 
EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION.—The 
term 
‘‘educational institution’’ means an institution of 
higher education (as defined in section 101 of the 
High Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) that 
participates in a program authorized under sections 
631 and 632 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 
(49 U.S.C. 40101 note). 
(3) ELIGIBLE SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYS-
TEM.—The term ‘‘eligible small unmanned aircraft 
system’’ means a small unmanned aircraft system 
manufactured or assembled by a company that is 
domiciled in the United States and is not a covered 
foreign entity. 
(4) SMALL
UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT; UNMANNED 
AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—The terms ‘‘small unmanned air-
craft’’ and ‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 44801 of title 
49, United States Code. 
SEC. 622. DRONE WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall initiate a study of the effectiveness of 
the Collegiate Training Initiative Program for Unmanned 
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Aircraft Systems, established pursuant to section 632 of the 
FAA Reauthorization Act 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note). 
(b) REPORT.—Upon completion of the study under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describ-
ing— 
(1) the findings of the study; and 
(2) any recommendations to improve and ex-
pand the Collegiate Training Initiative Program for 
Unmanned Aircraft Systems. 
SEC. 623. UAS INTEGRATION OFFICE. 
The Executive Director of the UAS Integration Office 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall— 
(1) support, and provide substantive rec-
ommendations for, rulemaking proceedings, in coordi-
nation with other relevant services and offices and the 
Assistant Administrator of Rulemaking and Regu-
latory Improvement, regarding the integration of un-
manned aircraft systems into the national airspace 
system; 
(2) support, and make substantive recommenda-
tions to inform, the review and adjudication of sub-
missions under the processes established under section 
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44807 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by 
section 605; 
(3) support, and make substantive recommenda-
tions to inform, the development, modification, and 
acceptance or approval of relevant consensus stand-
ards, means of compliance, and declarations of com-
pliance related to unmanned aircraft systems; 
(4) ensure the timely consideration of airworthi-
ness and operational determinations related to un-
manned aircraft systems by relevant offices of the Ad-
ministration; 
(5) consult, advise, coordinate with, and make 
substantive recommendations to relevant lines of busi-
ness and staff offices of the Administration to support 
the activities of the Administration and efficiently 
carry out the duties described in this section; 
(6) hire full-time equivalent employees, as nec-
essary, to build expertise within the UAS Integration 
Office to assess unmanned aviation technologies and 
related operational risk mitigation; and 
(7) engage in any other activities determined 
necessary by the Executive Director or the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration, to ful-
fill the duties described in this section. 
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SEC. 624. TERMINATION OF ADVANCED AVIATION ADVI-
SORY COMMITTEE. 
The Secretary of Transportation may not renew the 
charter of the Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee 
(chartered by the Secretary on June 10, 2022). 
SEC. 625. UNMANNED AND AUTONOMOUS FLIGHT ADVI-
SORY COMMITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the ter-
mination of the Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee 
pursuant to section 624, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall establish an Unmanned and 
Autonomous Flight Advisory Committee (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Advisory Committee’’). 
(b) DUTIES.—The Advisory Committee shall provide 
the Administrator advice on policy- and technical-level 
issues related to unmanned and autonomous aviation oper-
ations and activities, including, at a minimum, the fol-
lowing: 
(1) The safe integration of unmanned aircraft 
systems and autonomous flight operations into the 
national airspace system, including feedback on— 
(A) the certification and operational stand-
ards of highly automated aircraft, unmanned 
aircraft, and associated elements of such aircraft; 
(B) coordination of procedures for oper-
ations in controlled airspace; and 
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(C) communication protocols. 
(2) The use cases of unmanned aircraft systems, 
including evaluating and assessing the potential bene-
fits of using unmanned aircraft systems. 
(3) The development of processes and methodolo-
gies to address safety concerns related to the operation 
of unmanned aircraft systems, including risk assess-
ments and mitigation strategies. 
(4) Unmanned aircraft system training, edu-
cation, and workforce development programs, includ-
ing evaluating aeronautical knowledge gaps in the 
unmanned aircraft system workforce, assessing the 
workforce needs of unmanned aircraft system oper-
ations, and establishing a strong pipeline to ensure a 
robust unmanned aircraft system workforce. 
(5) The analysis of unmanned aircraft system 
data and trends. 
(6) Unmanned aircraft system infrastructure, 
including the use of existing aviation infrastructure 
and the development of necessary infrastructure. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee shall 
be composed of not more than 12 members. 
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(2) REPRESENTATIVES.—The Advisory Com-
mittee shall include at least 1 representative of each 
of the following: 
(A) Small unmanned aircraft system com-
mercial operators. 
(B) Small unmanned aircraft system man-
ufacturers. 
(C) Manufacturers of unmanned aircraft 
weighing 55 pounds or more pursuing or holding 
a certificate for design or production of such un-
manned aircraft. 
(D) Counter-unmanned aircraft system 
manufacturers. 
(E) Federal Aviation Administration ap-
proved unmanned aircraft system service sup-
pliers. 
(F) Unmanned aircraft system test sites 
under section 44803 of title 49, United States 
Code. 
(G) An unmanned aircraft system physical 
infrastructure network provider. 
(H) Community advocates. 
(I) 
Certified 
labor 
organizations 
rep-
resenting commercial airline pilots, air traffic 
control specialists employed by the Administra-
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tion, certified aircraft maintenance technicians, 
certified aircraft dispatchers, and aviation safety 
inspectors. 
(d) REPORTING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee shall 
submit to the Secretary an annual report of the ac-
tivities, findings, and recommendations of the Com-
mittee. 
(2) CONGRESSIONAL REPORTING.—The Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate the reports required under para-
graph (1). 
(e) DEFINITION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘unmanned aircraft’’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 44801 of title 49, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 626. NEXTGEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP 
EXPANSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall take such actions as may be necessary to expand 
the membership of the NextGen Advisory Committee char-
tered by the Secretary on June 15, 2022, and any subse-
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quent chartered committees, to include a representative 
from the unmanned aircraft system industry and a rep-
resentative from the powered-lift industry. 
(b) QUALIFICATIONS.—The representatives required 
under subsection (a) shall have the following qualifications, 
as applicable: 
(1) Demonstrated expertise in the design, manu-
facture, and operation of unmanned aircraft systems. 
(2) Demonstrated experience in the development 
or implementation of unmanned aircraft systems 
policies and procedures. 
(3) Demonstrated commitment to advancing the 
safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into 
the national airspace system. 
SEC. 627. TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION INTEGRITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 40103(b) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5)(A) In issuing a temporary flight restriction, the 
Administrator shall— 
‘‘(i) ensure there is a specific and articulable 
safety or security basis for the size, scope, and dura-
tion of such restriction; 
‘‘(ii) immediately distribute a notice of the tem-
porary flight restriction via the Notice to Air Mis-
sions system; and 
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‘‘(iii) detail in the notice required under clause 
(ii)— 
‘‘(I) the safety basis for the restriction; and 
‘‘(II) how a covered person may lawfully 
and expeditiously operate an aircraft within the 
restriction. 
‘‘(B) In this paragraph, the term ‘covered person’ 
means— 
‘‘(i) a public safety agency; 
‘‘(ii) a first responder; 
‘‘(iii) an accredited news representative; or 
‘‘(iv) any other person as determined appro-
priate by the Administrator.’’. 
SEC. 628. INTERAGENCY COORDINATION. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress 
that— 
(1) the purpose of the joint Department of De-
fense-Federal Aviation Administration executive com-
mittee (referred to in this subsection as ‘‘Executive 
Committee’’) on conflict and dispute resolution as de-
scribed in Section 1036(b) of the Duncan Hunter Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 
(Public Law 110–417) is to resolve disputes on the 
matters of policy and procedures between the Depart-
ment of Defense and the Federal Aviation Adminis-
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tration relating to airspace, aircraft certifications, 
aircrew training, and other issues, including the ac-
cess of unmanned aerial systems of the Department of 
Defense to the national airspace system; 
(2) by mutual agreement of Executive Committee 
leadership, operating with the best of intentions, the 
current scope of activities and membership of the Ex-
ecutive Committee has exceeded the original intent of, 
and tasking to, the Executive Committee; and 
(3) the expansion described in paragraph (2) has 
resulted in an imbalance in the oversight of certain 
Federal entities in matters concerning civil aviation 
safety and security. 
(b) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) CHARTER
REVISION.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall seek to revise the charter of the Executive Com-
mittee to reflect the scope, objectives, membership, and 
activities described in such section 1036(b) in order 
to achieve the increasing, and ultimately routine, ac-
cess of unmanned aircraft systems (as defined in sec-
tion 44801 of title 49, United States Code) into the 
national airspace system. 
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(2) SUNSET.—Not earlier than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
seek to sunset Executive Committee activities by joint 
agreement of the Administrator and the Secretary of 
Defense. 
SEC. 
629. 
REVIEW 
OF 
REGULATIONS 
TO 
ENABLE 
UNESCORTED UAS OPERATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall, in coordination with 
the Secretary of Defense, conduct a review of requirements 
necessary to permit an unmanned aircraft systems (exclud-
ing small unmanned aircraft systems) operated by a Fed-
eral agency or an armed service to be operated in the na-
tional airspace system, including outside of restricted air-
space, without being escorted by a manned aircraft. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
on the results of the review, including findings and rec-
ommendations on regulatory and statutory changes that 
can be made to enable the operations described under sub-
section (a). 
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(c) DEFINITIONS.—The definitions under section 
44801 of title 49, United States Code, shall apply to this 
section. 
SEC. 630. UAS OPERATIONS OVER HIGH SEAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—An unmanned aircraft system op-
eration that begins and ends within the United States or 
the territorial waters of the United States, shall not be con-
sidered international flight regardless of whether the un-
manned aircraft system enters international airspace. 
(b) DEFINITION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.— 
In this section, the term ‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 44801 of title 49, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 631. BEYOND BEYOND. 
(a) FAA BEYOND PROGRAM EXTENSION.—The Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
extend the BEYOND program of the Administration as in 
effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Program’’) and the exist-
ing agreements with State, local, and Tribal governments 
entered into under the Program until such date, as specified 
in subsection (b). 
(b) FAA BEYOND PROGRAM EXPANSION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
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shall expand the Program to additional locations and 
test the use of new and emerging aviation concepts 
and technologies, including concepts and technologies 
unrelated to unmanned aircraft systems, to evaluate 
and inform Administration policies, rulemaking, and 
guidance related to the safe integration of such con-
cepts and technologies into the national airspace sys-
tem. 
(2) SCOPE.—In expanding the Program under 
this subsection, the Administrator shall address addi-
tional factors, including— 
(A) increasing automation in civil aircraft, 
including unmanned aircraft systems and new 
or emerging aviation technologies; 
(B) operations of such systems and tech-
nologies, including beyond visual line of sight; 
and 
(C) the social and economic impacts of such 
operations. 
(3) CONTINUATION.—The Administrator shall 
carry out the expanded Program required under this 
subsection until such time that the Administrator de-
termines the Program is no longer necessary or useful. 
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SEC. 632. UAS INTEGRATION STRATEGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall implement the recommenda-
tions made by— 
(1) the Comptroller General of the United States 
to the Secretary of Transportation contained in the 
report titled ‘‘Drones: FAA Should Improve Its Ap-
proach to Integrating Drones into the National Air-
space System’’ issued in January 2023 (GAO–23– 
105189); and 
(2) the inspector general of the Department of 
Transportation to the Administrator contained in the 
audit report titled ‘‘FAA Made Progress Through Its 
UAS Integration Pilot Program, but FAA and Indus-
try Challenges Remain To Achieve Full UAS Integra-
tion’’ issued in April 2022 (Project ID: AV2022027). 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 12 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall pro-
vide a briefing to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate annually on the status of the activities described in 
subsection (a). 
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SEC. 633. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR KNOW 
BEFORE YOU FLY CAMPAIGN. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Adminis-
trator $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 
2028, out of funds made available under section 106(k) of 
title 49, United States Code, for the Know Before You Fly 
educational campaign or similar public informational ef-
forts intended to broaden unmanned aircraft systems safety 
awareness. 
SEC. 634. PUBLIC AIRCRAFT DEFINITION. 
Section 40125(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by striking the first instance of ‘‘or’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘(including data collection on 
civil aviation systems undergoing research, develop-
ment, test, or evaluation at a test range (as such term 
is defined in section 44801)), infrastructure inspec-
tions, or any other activity undertaken by a govern-
mental entity that the Administrator determines is 
inherently governmental’’ after ‘‘biological or geologi-
cal resource management’’. 
Subtitle B—Advanced Air Mobility 
SEC. 651. DEFINITION. 
In this subtitle, the term ‘‘powered-lift aircraft’’ has 
the meaning given the term ‘‘powered-lift’’ in section 1.1 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
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SEC. 652. POWERED-LIFT AIRCRAFT RULEMAKINGS. 
(a) FINAL RULEMAKING.—Not later than 13 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall publish a final 
rule for a special Federal aviation regulation establishing 
procedures for certifying powered-lift pilots and providing 
operational rules for powered-lift aircraft. 
(b) FUTURE RULEMAKING.—Not later than 5 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall initiate a rulemaking activity providing for a perma-
nent pathway for the— 
(1) performance-based certification of powered- 
lift aircraft; 
(2) certification of powered-lift airmen; and 
(3) operation of powered-lift aircraft in commer-
cial service and air transportation. 
(c) RULEMAKING CONSIDERATIONS.— 
(1) CONTENTS OF RULEMAKINGS.—In the devel-
opment of the rulemakings required under subsections 
(a) and (b), the Administrator shall— 
(A) provide for any aircraft type certifi-
cated by the Administrator— 
(i) a practical pathway for pilot quali-
fication and operations; and 
(ii) performance-based requirements for 
energy reserves and other range- and endur-
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ance-related requirements that reflect the ca-
pabilities and intended operations of the 
aircraft; 
(B) provide for a combination of pilot 
training requirements, including simulators, to 
ensure the safe operation of powered-lift aircraft; 
(C) grant an individual with an existing 
commercial airplane (single- or multi-engine) or 
helicopter pilot certificate the authority to serve 
as pilot-in-command of a powered-lift aircraft in 
commercial operation following the completion of 
a Federal Aviation Administration-approved 
pilot type rating for such type of aircraft; 
(D) to the maximum extent practicable, 
align powered-lift pilot qualifications with sec-
tion 2.1.1.4 of the International Civil Aviation 
Organization’s Annex 1; and 
(E) consider the adoption of the rec-
ommendations contained in document 10103 of 
the International Civil Aviation Organization 
for powered-lift operations, as appropriate. 
(2) 
CONSIDERATIONS
FOR
FUTURE 
RULEMAKINGS.—In 
the 
development 
of 
the 
rulemakings required under subsection (b), the Ad-
ministrator shall— 
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(A) consider and plan for unmanned and 
remotely piloted powered-lift aircraft systems, 
and the associated elements of such aircraft, 
through the promulgation of performance-based 
regulations; 
(B) consider and plan for alternative fuel 
types and propulsion methods, including review-
ing the performance-based nature of parts 33 
and 35 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; 
and 
(C) work to harmonize the certification and 
operational requirements of the Federal Aviation 
Administration with the certification and oper-
ational requirements of civil aviation authorities 
with bilateral safety agreements in place with 
the United States, to the extent harmonization 
does not negatively impact domestic manufactur-
ers and operators. 
(d) INTERIM APPLICATION OF RULES AND PRIVILEGES 
IN LIEU OF RULEMAKING.—Beginning 21 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, if a final rule has not been 
published pursuant to subsection (a)— 
(1) rules in effect on such date that apply to the 
operation and the operator of rotorcraft or fixed-wing 
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aircraft under subchapters F, G, H, and I of chapter 
1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, shall be— 
(A) deemed to apply to— 
(i) the operation of a powered-lift air-
craft in the national airspace system; and 
(ii) the operator of such a powered-lift 
aircraft; and 
(B) applicable as determined by the oper-
ator of an airworthy powered-lift aircraft in 
consultation with the Administrator and con-
sistent with sections 91.3 and 91.13 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations; and 
(2) upon the completion of a type rating for a 
specific powered-lift aircraft, airmen that hold a pilot 
or instructor certification with airplane category rat-
ings in any class or rotorcraft category ratings in the 
helicopter class shall be deemed to have privileges of 
a powered-lift rating for that aircraft. 
(e) TERMINATION
OF INTERIM RULES
AND PRIVI-
LEGES.—Subsection (d) shall cease to have effect 1 month 
after the effective date of a final rule issued pursuant to 
subsection (a). 
SEC. 653. POWERED-LIFT AIRCRAFT ENTRY INTO SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall, in consultation with exclu-
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sive bargaining representatives of air traffic controllers cer-
tified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code, take 
such actions as may be necessary to safely integrate pow-
ered-lift aircraft into the national airspace system, includ-
ing in controlled airspace, and learn from any efforts to 
adopt and update related policy and guidance. 
(b) AIR TRAFFIC POLICIES FOR ENTRY INTO SERV-
ICE.—Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall update air traffic orders 
and policies, to the extent necessary, and address air traffic 
control system challenges in order to allow for— 
(1) the use of existing air traffic procedures, 
where safe, by powered-lift aircraft; and 
(2) the approval of letters of agreement between 
air traffic control system facilities and powered-lift 
operators and infrastructure operators to minimize 
the amount of active coordination required for safe re-
curring powered-lift aircraft operations. 
(c) LONG-TERM AIR TRAFFIC POLICIES.—Based on the 
implementation of subsection (b), the Administrator shall— 
(1) continue to update air traffic orders and 
policies; 
(2) to the extent necessary, develop powered-lift 
specific procedures for airports, heliports, and 
vertiports; 
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(3) evaluate the human factors impacts on con-
trollers associated with managing powered-lift air-
craft operations, consider the impact of additional op-
erations on air traffic controller staffing, and make 
necessary changes to staffing, procedures, regulations, 
and orders; and 
(4) consider the use of third-party service pro-
viders to manage increased operations in controlled 
airspace to support and supplement the work of air 
traffic controllers. 
SEC. 654. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON PREPARATION FOR 
ENTRY INTO SERVICE OF POWERED-LIFT AIR-
CRAFT. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration should work with 
manufacturers, prospective operators of powered-lift air-
craft, and other stakeholders, to enable the safe entry of such 
aircraft into commercial service following the publication 
of the final special Federal Aviation Administration rule-
making titled ‘‘Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certifi-
cation and Operations; Miscellaneous Amendments Related 
to Rotorcraft and Airplanes’’, including by reviewing and 
providing feedback to such manufacturers and operators on 
draft pilot training, operations, and maintenance manuals 
after the publication of the draft special Federal Aviation 
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Administration rulemaking and prior to the publication of 
a final rule, as appropriate. 
SEC. 
655. 
INFRASTRUCTURE 
SUPPORTING 
VERTICAL 
FLIGHT. 
(a) UPDATES TO REGULATIONS FOR CONSISTENCY.— 
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall update part 1 and part 157 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, and other regulations as necessary to imple-
ment the amendments made by section 401. 
(b) UPDATE TO HELIPORT DESIGN STANDARDS.—The 
Administrator shall update the version of Advisory Circular 
150/5390–2, titled ‘‘Heliport Design’’ in effect on the date 
of enactment of this Act, to— 
(1) increase the inclusion of performance-based 
guidance, including around aircraft fuel type and 
propulsion method; 
(2) update guidance to consider risk mitigations 
and hazards associated with different aircraft fuel 
types and propulsion methods; 
(3) affirm the general permissibility of any 
vertical takeoff and landing capable aircraft to use 
heliports that can safely accommodate the physical 
and operating characteristics of such aircraft; and 
(4) include vertiport as a subclass of heliport. 
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(c) ENGINEERING BRIEF ON VERTIPORT DESIGN.— 
The Administrator may update the version of Engineering 
Brief 105, titled ‘‘Vertiport Design’’ in effect on the date 
of enactment of this Act, prior to issuing an update to Advi-
sory Circular 150/5390–2, as required under subsection (b). 
(d) ENGINEERING BRIEF SUNSET.—The Adminis-
trator shall revoke Engineering Brief 105, titled ‘‘Vertiport 
Design’’, on the earlier of— 
(1) the date on which Advisory Circular 150/ 
5390–2 is updated under subsection (b); or 
(2) 5 years after the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(e) GUIDANCE, FORMS, AND PLANNING.—The Admin-
istrator shall— 
(1) ensure airport district offices of the Adminis-
tration have sufficient guidance and policy direction 
regarding the Administration’s heliport and vertiport 
design guidance not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act and update such guid-
ance routinely; 
(2) determine if updates to Administration Form 
7460 and Form 7480 are necessary and take such ac-
tions, as appropriate; and 
(3) ensure that the methodology and underlying 
data sources of the Administration’s Terminal Area 
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Forecast include commercial operations conducted by 
aircraft regardless of propulsion type or fuel type. 
SEC. 656. CHARTING OF AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall increase efforts to update 
and keep current the Airport Master Record of the Adminis-
tration, including by establishing a streamlined process by 
which the owners and operators of public and private avia-
tion facilities with nontemporary, nonintermittent oper-
ations are encouraged to keep the information on such fa-
cilities current. 
(b) BRIEFING.—The Administrator shall brief the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the plans of 
the Administrator to update and keep current the Airport 
Master Record for private and public airports, heliports, 
and vertiports. 
SEC. 657. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY WORKING GROUP. 
Section 2 of the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination 
and Leadership Act (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘, particularly 
passenger-carrying aircraft,’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)(1) by striking subpara-
graph (D) and inserting the following: 
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‘‘(D) operators of airports, heliports, and 
vertiports, and fixed-base operators;’’; 
(3) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) 
by striking ‘‘1 year’’ and inserting ‘‘18 months’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3) by inserting ‘‘or that 
may impede maturation’’ after ‘‘AAM industry’’; 
(C) in paragraph (7) by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(D) in paragraph (8) by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(E) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(9) processes and programs that can be lever-
aged to improve the efficiency of Federal reviews re-
quired for infrastructure development, including for 
electrical capacity projects.’’; 
(4) in subsection (f)(1) by striking ‘‘necessary to 
support the evolution of early’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘that would allow for— 
‘‘(A) the timely entry into service of AAM 
after aircraft and operator certification; and 
‘‘(B) the evolution of early’’; 
(5) in subsection (g)— 
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(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) 
by striking ‘‘working group’’ and inserting ‘‘Sec-
retary of Transportation’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(C) by redesignating paragraph (2) as 
paragraph (3); and 
(D) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) summarizing any dissenting views and 
opinions of a participant of the working group de-
scribed in subsection (c)(3); and’’; 
(6) in subsection (i)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘that 
transports people and property by air between 
two points in the United States using aircraft 
with advanced technologies, including electric 
aircraft or electric vertical take-off and landing 
aircraft,’’ and inserting ‘‘comprised of urban air 
mobility and regional air mobility using 
manned or unmanned aircraft’’; 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (5) as 
paragraph (7); 
(C) by redesignating paragraph (6) as 
paragraph (9); 
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(D) by inserting after paragraph (4) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(5) POWERED-LIFT AIRCRAFT.—The term ‘pow-
ered-lift aircraft’ has the meaning given the term 
‘powered-lift’ in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations. 
‘‘(6) REGIONAL
AIR
MOBILITY.—The term ‘re-
gional air mobility’ means the movement of people or 
property by air between 2 points using an airworthy 
aircraft that— 
‘‘(A) has advanced technologies, such as dis-
tributed propulsion, vertical take-off and land-
ing, powered-lift, non-traditional power systems, 
or autonomous technologies; 
‘‘(B) has a maximum takeoff weight of 
greater than 1,320 pounds; and 
‘‘(C) is not urban air mobility.’’; 
(E) by inserting after paragraph (7), as so 
redesignated, the following: 
‘‘(8) URBAN
AIR
MOBILITY.—The term ‘urban 
air mobility’ means the movement of people or prop-
erty by air between 2 intracity or intercity points 
using an airworthy aircraft that— 
‘‘(A) advanced technologies, such as distrib-
uted propulsion, vertical take-off and landing, 
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powered-lift, nontraditional power systems, or 
autonomous technologies; and 
‘‘(B) a maximum takeoff weight of greater 
than 1,320 pounds.’’; and 
(F) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(10) VERTIPORT.—The term ‘vertiport’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 47102 of title 49, 
United States Code.’’; 
(7) by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection 
(j); and 
(8) by inserting after subsection (h) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(i) CONSIDERATIONS FOR TERMINATION OF WORKING 
GROUP.—In deciding whether to terminate the working 
group under subsection (h), the Secretary and the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall con-
sider other interagency coordination activities associated 
with AAM, or other new or novel users of the national air-
space system, that could benefit from continued wider inter-
agency coordination.’’. 
SEC. 658. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY INFRASTRUCTURE 
PILOT PROGRAM EXTENSION. 
Section 101 of division Q of the Consolidated Appro-
priations Act, 2023 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
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(A) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ‘‘, 
as well as the use of existing airport and 
heliport infrastructure that may require 
modifications to safely accommodate AAM 
operations,’’ after ‘‘vertiport infrastruc-
ture’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B)— 
(I) in clause (iii) by striking 
‘‘vertiport’’ and inserting ‘‘locations 
for’’; 
(II) in clause (iv) by inserting 
‘‘and guidance’’ after ‘‘any standards’’; 
(III) in clause (v) by striking 
‘‘vertiport infrastructure’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘urban air mobility and regional 
air mobility operations’’; and 
(IV) in clause (x) by inserting ‘‘or 
the modification of existing aviation 
infrastructure’’ after ‘‘operation of a 
vertiport’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (6)(B)— 
(i) in clause (i) by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
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(ii) in clause (ii) by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(iii) a description of— 
‘‘(I) initial community engage-
ment efforts and responses from the 
public on the planning and develop-
ment efforts of eligible entities related 
to urban air mobility and regional air 
mobility operations; 
‘‘(II) how eligible entities are 
planning for and encouraging early 
adoption of urban air mobility and re-
gional air mobility operations; 
‘‘(III) what role each level of gov-
ernment plays in the process; and 
‘‘(IV) whether such entities rec-
ommend specific regulatory or guid-
ance actions be taken by the Secretary 
of Transportation or other Federal 
agencies in order to support such early 
adoption.’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)(1)— 
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(A) by striking ‘‘years 2023 and 2024’’ and 
inserting ‘‘years 2023 through 2026’’; and 
(B) by inserting before the period ‘‘out of 
funds made available under section 106(k) of 
title 49, United States Code’’; 
(3) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘2024’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2026’’ each place it appears; and 
(4) in subsection (e)— 
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1) ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY; AAM; REGIONAL 
AIR MOBILITY; URBAN AIR MOBILITY; VERTIPORT.— 
The terms ‘advanced air mobility’, ‘AAM’, ‘regional 
air mobility’, ‘urban air mobility’, and ‘vertiport’ 
have the meaning given such terms in section 2(j) of 
the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leader-
ship Act (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraphs (9) and (10). 
Subtitle C—Other Provisions 
SEC. 681. REPORT ON NATIONAL SPACEPORTS POLICY. 
Section 580(c)(3) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 
2018 (Public Law 115–254) is amended by striking ‘‘2024’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2028’’. 
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SEC. 682. INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUC-
TURE IMPROVEMENT PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a 
pilot program to issue grants to operators of launch and 
reentry sites for projects to construct, repair, maintain, or 
improve transportation infrastructure and facilities at such 
sites. 
(b) PILOT PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS.—The Secretary 
may enter into agreements under this section to issue a 
grant to an operator only if the operator— 
(1) has submitted an application to the Sec-
retary in such form, at such time, and containing 
such information as prescribed by the Secretary; 
(2) demonstrates to the Secretary’s satisfaction 
that the project for which the application has been 
submitted is for an eligible purpose under subsection 
(c); and 
(3) agrees to maintain such records relating to 
the grant as the Secretary may require and to make 
such records available to the Secretary or the Comp-
troller General of the United States upon request. 
(c) PERMITTED USE OF PILOT PROGRAM GRANTS.— 
An operator may use a grant provided under this subsection 
for a project to construct, repair, maintain, or improve in-
frastructure and facilities that— 
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(1) are located at, or adjacent to, a launch or re-
entry site; and 
(2) directly enable or support transportation 
safety or covered transportation activities. 
(d) PILOT PROGRAM GRANTS.— 
(1) GRANT FORMULA.—At the beginning of each 
fiscal year after fiscal year 2024, the Secretary shall 
issue a grant to an operator that qualifies for the 
pilot program under subsection (b) an amount equal 
to the sum of— 
(A) $250,000 for each licensed launch or re-
entry operation conducted from the applicable 
launch or reentry site or at any adjacent Federal 
launch range in the previous fiscal year; and 
(B) $100,000 for each launch or reentry op-
eration conducted under a permit from the ap-
plicable launch or reentry site or at any adjacent 
Federal launch range in the previous fiscal year. 
(2) MAXIMUM GRANT.—Except as provided in 
subsection (e)(5), a grant issued to an operator under 
this subsection shall not exceed $2,500,000 for a fiscal 
year. 
(3) ADJACENCY.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In issuing a grant to an 
operator under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
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shall determine whether a launch or reentry site 
is adjacent to a Federal launch range. 
(B) LIMITATION.—Only 1 operator may re-
ceive an amount under paragraph (1) for each 
licensed or permitted launch or reentry operation 
described in such subparagraph. 
(C) MULTIPLE LAUNCH OR REENTRY SITES 
OPERATED
BY
OPERATOR.—If an operator 
holds a license to operate more than 1 launch 
site or more than 1 reentry site that are adjacent 
to a Federal launch range, the Secretary shall 
consider such launch or reentry sites as 1 launch 
or reentry site for purposes of subparagraph (A). 
(e) SUPPLEMENTAL GRANTS IN SUPPORT OF STATE, 
LOCAL, OR PRIVATE MATCHING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may issue a 
supplemental grant to an operator, subject to the re-
quirements of this paragraph. 
(2) 
DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR
MATCHING.—If 
a 
qualified entity provides an operator an amount 
equal to or greater than the amount of a grant pro-
vided in a fiscal year under subsection (d) (for the ex-
plicit purpose of matching such grant), the Secretary 
may issue a supplemental grant to the operator that 
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is equal to 25 percent of such grant in the following 
fiscal year. 
(3) ADDITIONAL NON-FEDERAL MATCHING.—If a 
qualified entity provides an operator an amount 
equal to or greater than two times the amount of a 
grant provided in a fiscal year to the operator under 
subsection (d) (for the explicit purpose of matching 
such grant), the Secretary may issue a supplemental 
grant to the operator that is equal to 50 percent of 
such grant in the following fiscal year. 
(4) SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT LIMITATIONS.— 
(A) MATCH
TIMING.—The Secretary may 
issue a supplemental grant under paragraph (2) 
or (3) only if an amount provided by a qualified 
entity is provided to the operator in the same 
fiscal year as the grant issued under subsection 
(d). 
(B) 
NON-DUPLICATION
OF
MATCHING 
GRANTS.—If the Secretary issues a supplemental 
grant to the operator of a launch site under 
paragraph (3), the Secretary may not issue a 
supplemental grant under paragraph (2) to the 
same operator in the same fiscal year. 
(5) NON-APPLICATION OF GRANT CEILING.—The 
limitation on a grant amount under subsection (d)(2) 
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shall not apply to supplemental grants issued under 
this subsection. 
(f) FUNDING.— 
(1) PILOT PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS.—The grants 
issued under this section shall be issued from funds 
made available out of amounts available under sec-
tion 106(k) of title 49, United States Code. 
(2) MAXIMUM
ANNUAL
LIMIT
ON
PILOT
PRO-
GRAM.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The total amount of all 
grants issued under this section shall not exceed 
$20,000,000 in any fiscal year. 
(B) GRANT
REDUCTION.—In complying 
with subparagraph (A), the Secretary— 
(i) may proportionally reduce the 
amount of, or decline to issue, a supple-
mental grant under subsection (e); and 
(ii) if the reduction under clause (i) is 
insufficient, shall proportionally reduce 
grants issued under subsection (d). 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED TRANSPORTATION ACTIVITY.—The 
term ‘‘covered transportation activity’’ means the 
movement of people or property to, from, or within a 
launch site and the necessary or incidental activities 
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associated with such movement, including through the 
use of— 
(A) a vehicle; 
(B) a vessel; 
(C) a railroad (as defined in section 20102 
of title 49, United States Code); 
(D) an aircraft (as defined in section 40102 
of title 49, United States Code); 
(E) a pipeline facility (as defined in section 
60101 of title 49, United States Code); or 
(F) a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle. 
(2) LAUNCH; LAUNCH SITE; LAUNCH VEHICLE; 
REENTRY
SITE; 
REENTRY
VEHICLE.—The 
terms 
‘‘launch’’, ‘‘launch site’’, ‘‘launch vehicle’’, ‘‘reentry 
site’’, and ‘‘reentry vehicle’’ have the meanings given 
those terms in section 50902 of title 51, United States 
Code. 
(3) OPERATOR.—The term ‘‘operator’’ means a 
person licensed by the Secretary to operate a launch 
or reentry site. 
(4) QUALIFIED ENTITY.—The term ‘‘qualified en-
tity’’ means a State, local, territorial, or Tribal gov-
ernment or private sector entity, or any combination 
thereof. 
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(h) PILOT PROGRAM SUNSET.—This section shall cease 
to be effective on October 1, 2028. 
SEC. 683. AIRSPACE ACCESS FOR HIGH-SPEED AIRCRAFT. 
(a) HIGH-SPEED AIRCRAFT TESTING.—Not later than 
2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in coordina-
tion with any other Federal agency the Administrator de-
termines appropriate, shall ensure that there is a process 
in which manufacturers and operators of high-speed air-
craft can engage in flight testing of such high-speed aircraft, 
which may include the establishment of high speed testing 
corridors in the national airspace system. 
(b) STUDY ON HIGH-SPEED AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall, after consultation 
with aircraft manufacturers, institutions of higher 
learning, the Administrator of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration, the Secretary of 
Defense, and any other agencies the Administrator de-
termines appropriate, conduct a study to assess ac-
tions necessary to facilitate the safe operation and in-
tegration of high-speed aircraft into the national air-
space system. 
(2) CONTENTS.—In carrying out the study under 
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall— 
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(A) assess various altitudes and operating 
conditions of high-speed aircraft in Class E air-
space above the upper boundary of Class A air-
space and the resulting aircraft noise levels at 
the surface; 
(B) include the development of a framework 
and timeline to establish the appropriate regu-
latory requirements to conducting high-speed 
aircraft flights; 
(C) identify the data required to develop 
certification, flight standards, and air traffic re-
quirements for the deployment and integration of 
high-speed aircraft; 
(D) assess cross-agency equities related to 
high-speed aircraft technologies and flight; and 
(E) survey global high-speed aircraft-related 
regulatory and testing developments or activities. 
(3) RECOMMENDATIONS.—As part of the study 
under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall issue 
recommendations to update, if feasible, regulations for 
certification, flight standards and air traffic manage-
ment. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
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House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
results of the study conducted under subsection (a), includ-
ing the recommendations under subsection (b)(3), to facili-
tate the safe operation and integration of high-speed air-
craft in the national airspace system. 
(d) STUDY AND RULEMAKING ON HIGH ALTITUDE 
CLASS E AIRSPACE FLIGHT OPERATIONS.— 
(1) CONSULTATION.—Not later than 12 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator, in consultation with the Administrator of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration and 
relevant stakeholders, including industry and aca-
demia, shall identify the minimum altitude above the 
upper boundary of Class A airspace at or above which 
flights operating with speeds above Mach 1 generate 
sonic booms that are inaudible at the surface under 
prevailing atmospheric conditions. 
(2) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date on which the Administrator identifies the 
minimum altitude described in paragraph (1), the 
Administrator shall publish in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking to amend sections 
91.817 and 91.818 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, and such other regulations as appropriate, to 
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permit flight operations with speeds above Mach 1 at 
or above the minimum altitude identified under para-
graph (1) without specific authorizations, provided 
that such flight operations— 
(A) show compliance with airworthiness re-
quirements; 
(B) do not cause a measurable sonic boom 
over pressure to reach the surface; and 
(C) have ordinary instrument flight rules 
clearances necessary to operate in controlled air-
space. 
(e) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘high-speed 
aircraft’’ means an aircraft operating at speeds in excess 
of Mach 1, which shall include supersonic and hypersonic 
aircraft. 
SEC. 684. ICAO ACTIVITIES ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall prioritize engagement with 
the International Civil Aviation Organization and con-
tribute to or lead the development of international stand-
ards and recommended practices to improve aviation safety 
and support the entry-into-service of new forms of aviation. 
(b) PARTICULAR ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out sub-
section (a), the Administrator shall contribute to or lead 
International Civil Aviation Organization efforts with re-
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spect to the development of landing and take-off noise stand-
ards for supersonic aircraft. 
SEC. 685. AIP ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN SPACEPORT IN-
FRASTRUCTURE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, the Secretary of Transportation may make a 
grant under subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49, United 
States Code, to an airport sponsor to reconstruct, repave, 
or rehabilitate the full length and width of a runway exist-
ing on the date of enactment of this Act if— 
(1) the runway is at an airport that is also a 
launch site or reentry site operated by a person cer-
tified under section 50905 of title 51, United States 
Code; 
(2) the runway is greater than 12,000 feet long 
and not less than 200 feet wide; and 
(3) the airport sponsor certifies to the Secretary 
that the full length and width of the runway is re-
quired to support activities at the launch site. 
(b) SUNSET.—This section shall cease to be effective 
on September 30, 2028. 
SEC. 686. COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION STATIS-
TICS. 
Section 329(b) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
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(1) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘aeronautical’’ 
and inserting ‘‘aerospace’’; 
(2) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘civil aero-
nautics’’ and inserting ‘‘civil aerospace’’; 
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as 
paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) collect and disseminate information on com-
mercial space transportation operations (other than 
that collected and disseminated by the National 
Transportation Safety Board under chapter 11) in-
cluding, at a minimum, information on the number 
of launches or reentries licensed by the Secretary, the 
number of space flight participants, the number of 
payloads, and the mass of payloads, organized by 
class of orbit;’’. 
SEC. 687. REPORT ON CERTAIN INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS. 
Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
on the infrastructure needs at Federal Aviation Adminis-
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tration-licensed horizontal and vertical launch sites located 
in rural communities. 
SEC. 688. AIRSPACE INTEGRATION FOR SPACE LAUNCH AND 
REENTRY. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the Sense of Congress 
that— 
(1) a safe and efficient national airspace system 
that successfully supports existing users and inte-
grates new entrants is of the utmost importance; 
(2) both commercial aviation and space launch 
and reentry operations are vital to United States 
global leadership, national security, and economic op-
portunity; 
(3) aircraft hazard areas are necessary during 
space launch and reentry operations to ensure public 
safety; and 
(4) the Administrator of Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration should prioritize the development and 
deployment of technologies to improve visibility of 
space launch and reentry operations within Adminis-
tration computer systems and minimize operational 
workload to air traffic controllers associated with 
routing traffic during spaceflight launch and reentry 
operations. 
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(b) SPACE LAUNCH AND REENTRY AIRSPACE INTE-
GRATION TECHNOLOGY.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2024 
through 2028, or until such time as the Administrator de-
termines that the project has reached an operational status, 
for the Administrator to expedite the development, acquisi-
tion, and deployment of technologies or capabilities to aid 
in space launch and reentry integration, which may include 
technologies recommended by the Airspace Access Priorities 
Aviation Rulemaking Committee in 2019, systems to enable 
the integration of launch and reentry data directly onto air 
traffic controller displays, and automated systems to enable 
near real-time planning and dynamic rerouting of commer-
cial aircraft during and following commercial space launch 
and reentry operations, with the objective of operational 
readiness not later than December 31, 2026. 
TITLE VII—PASSENGER 
EXPERIENCE IMPROVEMENTS 
Subtitle A—General Provisions 
SEC. 701. ADVERTISEMENTS AND SOLICITATIONS FOR PAS-
SENGER AIR TRANSPORTATION. 
(a) FULL FARE ADVERTISING.—Section 41712 of title 
49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(e) FULL FARE ADVERTISING.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—It shall not be an unfair or 
deceptive practice under subsection (a) for a covered 
entity to state in an advertisement or solicitation for 
passenger air transportation the base airfare for such 
air transportation if the covered entity clearly and 
separately discloses— 
‘‘(A) the government-imposed taxes and fees 
associated with the air transportation; and 
‘‘(B) the total cost of the air transportation. 
‘‘(2) FORM OF DISCLOSURE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of para-
graph (1), the information described in para-
graphs (1)(A) and (1)(B) shall be disclosed in 
the advertisement or solicitation in a manner 
that clearly presents the information to the con-
sumer. 
‘‘(B) INTERNET ADVERTISEMENTS AND SO-
LICITATIONS.—For purposes of paragraph (1), 
with respect to an advertisement or solicitation 
for passenger air transportation that appears on 
a website, the information described in para-
graphs (1)(A) and (1)(B) may be disclosed 
through a link or pop-up, as such terms may be 
defined by the Secretary, in a manner that is 
easily accessible and viewable by the consumer. 
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‘‘(3) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) BASE AIRFARE.—The term ‘base air-
fare’ means the cost of passenger air transpor-
tation, excluding government-imposed taxes and 
fees. 
‘‘(B) COVERED ENTITY.—The term ‘covered 
entity’ means an air carrier, including an indi-
rect air carrier, foreign carrier, ticket agent, or 
other person offering to sell tickets for passenger 
air transportation or a tour, or tour component, 
that must be purchased with air transpor-
tation.’’. 
(b) LIMITATION
ON STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.— 
Nothing in the amendment made by subsection (b) may be 
construed to affect any obligation of a person that sells pas-
senger air transportation to disclose the total cost of such 
air transportation, including government-imposed taxes 
and fees, prior to purchase of such air transportation. 
(c) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall issue final regulations to carry out the amend-
ment made by subsection (a). 
(d) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion may be construed to limit or otherwise affect the au-
thority of the Secretary to regulate the disclosure of air car-
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rier-imposed fees, or alter the requirements under part 399 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, as such part relates 
to air carrier-imposed fees. 
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section, and the amend-
ment made by this section, shall take effect on the date that 
is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 702. 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— 
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‘‘(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 
‘‘(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.’’. 
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SEC. 703. CODIFICATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION PRO-
VISIONS. 
(a) PASSENGER RIGHTS.—Subchapter I of chapter 
417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 41727. Passenger rights 
‘‘(a) GUIDELINES.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall require each air carrier and foreign air carrier to sub-
mit a summarized 1-page document that describes the rights 
of passengers in air transportation, including guidelines for 
the following: 
‘‘(1) Compensation (regarding rebooking options, 
refunds, meals, and lodging) for flight delays of var-
ious lengths. 
‘‘(2) Compensation (regarding rebooking options, 
refunds, meals, and lodging) for flight diversions. 
‘‘(3) Compensation (regarding rebooking options, 
refunds, meals, and lodging) for flight cancellations. 
‘‘(4) Compensation for mishandled baggage, 
wheelchairs, mobility aids and other assistive devices, 
including delayed, damaged, pilfered, or lost baggage, 
wheelchairs, mobility aids and other assistive devices. 
‘‘(5) Voluntary relinquishment of a ticketed seat 
due to overbooking or priority of other passengers. 
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‘‘(6) Involuntary denial of boarding and forced 
removal for whatever reason, including for safety and 
security reasons. 
‘‘(b) FILING OF SUMMARIZED GUIDELINES.—Not later 
than 90 days after each air carrier and foreign air carrier 
submits the 1-page document to the Secretary under sub-
section (a), each such air carrier and foreign air carrier 
shall make available such 1-page document in a prominent 
location on its website.’’. 
(b) AIRLINE PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES BILL 
OF RIGHTS.—Subchapter I of chapter 417 of title 49, 
United States Code, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘§ 41728. Airline passengers with disabilities bill of 
rights 
‘‘(a) AIRLINE PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES BILL 
OF RIGHTS.—The Secretary of Transportation shall develop 
a document, to be known as the ‘Airline Passengers with 
Disabilities Bill of Rights’, using plain language to describe 
the basic protections and responsibilities of air carriers and 
foreign air carriers, their employees and contractors, and 
people with disabilities under section 41705. 
‘‘(b) CONTENT.—In developing the Airline Passengers 
with Disabilities Bill of Rights under subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall include, at a minimum, plain language de-
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scriptions of protections and responsibilities provided in 
law related to the following: 
‘‘(1) The right of passengers with disabilities to 
be treated with dignity and respect. 
‘‘(2) The right of passengers with disabilities to 
receive timely assistance, if requested, from properly 
trained air carrier, foreign air carrier, and con-
tractor personnel. 
‘‘(3) The right of passengers with disabilities to 
travel with wheelchairs, mobility aids, and other as-
sistive devices, including necessary medications and 
medical supplies, including stowage of such wheel-
chairs, aids, and devices. 
‘‘(4) The right of passengers with disabilities to 
receive seating accommodations, if requested, to ac-
commodate a disability 
‘‘(5) The right of passengers with disabilities to 
receive announcements in an accessible format. 
‘‘(6) The right of passengers with disabilities to 
speak with a complaint resolution officer or to file a 
complaint with an air carrier, a foreign air carrier, 
or the Department of Transportation. 
‘‘(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—The development of 
the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights 
under subsections (a) and (b) shall not be construed as ex-
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panding or restricting the rights available to passengers 
with disabilities on the day before the date of the enactment 
of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115– 
254) pursuant to any statute or regulation. 
‘‘(d) CONSULTATIONS.—In developing the Airline Pas-
sengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall consult with stakeholders, including dis-
ability organizations and air carriers, foreign air carriers, 
and their contractors. 
‘‘(e) DISPLAY.—Each air carrier and foreign air car-
rier shall include the Airline Passengers with Disabilities 
Bill of Rights— 
‘‘(1) on a publicly available internet website of 
the carrier; and 
‘‘(2) in any pre-flight notifications or commu-
nications provided to passengers who alert the carrier 
in advance of the need for accommodations relating 
to a disability. 
‘‘(f) TRAINING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Air carriers, foreign air car-
riers, and contractors of such carriers shall submit to 
the Secretary plans that ensure that employees of such 
carriers and their contractors receive training on the 
protections and responsibilities described in the Air-
line Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights. 
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‘‘(2) REVIEW.—The Secretary shall review such 
plans to ensure the plans address the matters de-
scribed in subsection (b).’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—The analysis for 
chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 41726 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘41727. Passenger rights. 
‘‘41728. Airline passengers with disabilities bill of rights.’’. 
(d) CONFORMING REPEALS.—Sections 429 and 434 of 
the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 42301 
note; 41705 note) and the item relating to such sections in 
the table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act are repealed. 
SEC. 704. EXTENSION OF AVIATION CONSUMER PROTEC-
TION ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
Section 411 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act 
of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and 
(4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) ticket agents and travel management com-
panies;’’; and 
(2) in subsection (h) by striking ‘‘2023’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2028’’; and 
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SEC. 705. 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 
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. 706. 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 ‘‘2023’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2028’’. 
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SEC. 707. 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— 
(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 ‘‘2023’’ and in-
serting ‘‘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. 708. PASSENGER EXPERIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall establish an advisory committee to advise the Sec-
retary and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration in carrying out activities relating to the im-
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provement of the passenger experience in air transportation 
customer service. 
(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; 
(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 Administration’s Air 
Traffic Organization; 
(13) aircraft manufacturers; 
(14) entities representing individuals with dis-
abilities; 
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(15) certified labor organizations representing 
aviation workers, including— 
(A) Federal Aviation Administration em-
ployees; 
(B) airline pilots working for air carriers 
operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations; 
(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. 
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(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— 
(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-
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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— 
(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. 709. STREAMLINING OF OFFLINE TICKET DISCLO-
SURES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
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tation shall take such action as may be necessary to update 
the process by which an air carrier or ticket agent is re-
quired to fulfill disclosure obligations in ticketing trans-
actions 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 
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. 
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(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. 710. TICKET AGENT REFUND OBLIGATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall issue a final rule to revise section 399.80 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to clarify the refund 
obligations of ticket agents. 
(b) CONDITIONS.—In issuing the final rule under sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall clarify that a ticket agent 
shall provide a refund only when such ticket agent possesses, 
or has access to, the funds of a passenger. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the term ‘‘ticket 
agent’’ has the meaning given such term in section 40102(a) 
of title 49, United States Code. 
SEC. 711. UPDATING PASSENGER INFORMATION REQUIRE-
MENT REGULATIONS. 
(a) ARAC TASKING.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall task the Aviation Rule-
making 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-
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tions as the Administrator determines appropriate; 
and 
(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 of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall issue a final regula-
tion revising section 121.317 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, and such other related regulations as the Ad-
ministrator 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. 712. 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 of 
Transportation shall require air carriers to publish 
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on a prominent and easily accessible place on the 
public website of the air carrier, information describ-
ing the relevant dimensions 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 al-
lowable type of cargo available. 
(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-
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 
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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 
(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) FEASIBILITY
OF
IN-CABIN
WHEELCHAIR
RE-
STRAINT SYSTEMS.— 
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(1) ROADMAP.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a publicly available strategic 
roadmap that describes how the Department of Trans-
portation and the United States Access Board, respec-
tively, shall, in accordance with the recommendations 
from the National Academies 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-
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 Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration crashworthiness and safety performance 
criteria, including the issues and considerations 
set forth in such Special Report 341; and 
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(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-
plementing seating arrangements that accommodate 
passengers with wheelchairs (including power wheel-
chairs, manual wheelchairs, and scooters) in the main 
cabin during flight. Such study shall include an as-
sessment of— 
(A) the cost of such seating arrangements, 
equipment, and installation; 
(B) the demand for such seating arrange-
ments; 
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(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 Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a publicly 
available report describing the results of the study 
conducted under paragraph (2), together with any 
recommendations the Secretary determines appro-
priate. 
(e) 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. 
(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 
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