H. R. 302—162 
(g) TERMINATION.—The Advisory Committee established under 
this section shall terminate on September 30, 2023. 
(h) TERMINATION OF THE NEXT GENERATION AIR TRANSPOR-
TATION SYSTEM SENIOR POLICY COMMITTEE.—The Next Generation 
Air Transportation System Senior Policy Committee established 
by the Secretary of Transportation shall terminate on the date 
of the initial appointment of the members of the Advisory Com-
mittee. 
SEC. 440. REGULATIONS ENSURING ASSISTANCE FOR PASSENGERS 
WITH DISABILITIES IN AIR TRANSPORTATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall— 
(1) review, and if necessary revise, applicable regulations 
to ensure that passengers with disabilities who request assist-
ance while traveling in air transportation receive dignified, 
timely, and effective assistance at airports and on aircraft 
from trained personnel; and 
(2) review, and if necessary revise, applicable regulations 
related to covered air carrier training programs for air carrier 
personnel, including contractors, who provide physical assist-
ance to passengers with disabilities to ensure that training 
under such programs— 
(A) occurs on an annual schedule for all new and 
continuing personnel charged with providing physical 
assistance; and 
(B) includes, as appropriate, instruction by personnel, 
with hands-on training for employees who physically lift 
or otherwise physically assist passengers with disabilities, 
including the use of relevant equipment. 
(b) TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE.—The assistance referred to sub-
section (a)(1) may include requests for assistance in boarding or 
deplaning an aircraft, requests for assistance in connecting between 
flights, and other similar or related requests, as appropriate. 
SEC. 441. TRANSPARENCY FOR DISABLED PASSENGERS. 
The compliance date of the final rule, dated November 2, 2016, 
on the reporting of data for mishandled baggage and wheelchairs 
in aircraft cargo compartments (81 Fed. Reg. 76300) shall be effec-
tive not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
Subtitle C—Small Community Air Service 
SEC. 451. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE AUTHORIZATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 41742(a)(2) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ‘‘$150,000,000 for fiscal year 2011’’ 
and all that follows before ‘‘to carry out’’ and inserting ‘‘$155,000,000 
for fiscal year 2018, $158,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, $161,000,000 
for fiscal year 2020, $165,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, $168,000,000 
for fiscal year 2022, and $172,000,000 for fiscal year 2023’’. 
(b) SEASONAL SERVICE.—The Secretary of Transportation may 
consider the flexibility of current operational dates and airport 
accessibility to meet local community needs when issuing requests 
for proposal of essential air service at seasonal airports.
H. R. 302—163 
SEC. 452. STUDY ON ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE REFORM. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a study on the effects of section 6 of 
the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part IV (Public 
Law 112–27), section 421 of the FAA Modernization and Reform 
Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–95), and other relevant Federal 
laws enacted after 2010, including the amendments made by 
those laws, on the Essential Air Service program. 
(2) SCOPE.—In conducting the study under paragraph (1), 
the Comptroller General shall analyze, at a minimum— 
(A) the impact of each relevant Federal law, including 
the amendments made by each law, on the Essential Air 
Service program; 
(B) what actions communities and air carriers have 
taken to reduce ticket prices or increase enplanements 
as a result of each law; 
(C) the issuance of waivers by the Secretary under 
section 41731(e) of title 49, United States Code; 
(D) whether budgetary savings resulted from each law; 
and 
(E) options for further reform of the Essential Air 
Service program. 
(b) REQUIRED ANALYSIS ON COMMUNITIES.—In carrying out sub-
section (a)(2)(E) the Comptroller General shall include, for each 
option for further reform, an analysis of the impact on local econo-
mies of communities with airports receiving Essential Air Service 
funding, access to air travel for residents of rural communities 
and the impact to local businesses in such communities. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the 
study conducted under subsection (a). 
SEC. 453. AIR TRANSPORTATION TO NONELIGIBLE PLACES. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 41731(a)(1)(A)(ii) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Wendell H. Ford Aviation 
Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century,’’ and inserting 
‘‘FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 
114–190),’’. 
(b) PROGRAM SUNSET.—Section 41736 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(h) SUNSET.— 
‘‘(1) PROPOSALS.—No proposal under subsection (a) may 
be accepted by the Secretary after the date of enactment of 
this subsection. 
‘‘(2) PROGRAM.—The Secretary may not provide any com-
pensation under this section after the date that is 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this subsection.’’. 
SEC. 454. INSPECTOR GENERAL REVIEW OF SERVICE AND OVERSIGHT 
OF UNSUBSIDIZED CARRIERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the inspector general of the Department of 
Transportation shall conduct and complete a review of orders issued 
by the Department of Transportation from 2005 through the date 
of enactment of this Act to determine whether the carriers providing
H. R. 302—164 
unsubsidized service provided basic essential air service, and 
whether the Department conducted sufficient oversight of carriers 
providing unsubsidized service to ensure air service quality and 
community satisfaction. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The review shall include, at a minimum— 
(1) a review of the Department’s efforts to communicate 
to the community served by the unsubsidized carrier on any 
material air service changes; and 
(2) a review of the Department’s efforts to closely monitor 
the quality of air service provided by the unsubsidized carrier 
and request proposals for basic essential air service if necessary. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after the date of completion 
of the review, the inspector general shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on the results of the review. 
SEC. 455. SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE. 
(a) ELIGIBILITY.—Section 41743(c) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) SIZE.—On the date of submission of the relevant 
application under subsection (b), the airport serving the commu-
nity or consortium— 
‘‘(A) is not larger than a small hub airport, as deter-
mined using the Department of Transportation’s most 
recently published classification; and 
‘‘(B) has— 
‘‘(i) insufficient air carrier service; or 
‘‘(ii) unreasonably high air fares.’’; 
(2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(4) OVERALL LIMIT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—No more than 40 communities or 
consortia of communities, or a combination thereof, may 
be selected to participate in the program in each year 
for which funds are appropriated for the program. 
‘‘(B) SAME PROJECTS.—Except as provided in subpara-
graph (C), no community, consortia of communities, or com-
bination thereof may participate in the program in support 
of the same project more than once in a 10-year period, 
but any community, consortia of communities, or combina-
tion thereof may apply, subsequent to such participation, 
to participate in the program in support of a different 
project at any time. 
‘‘(C) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary may waive the limita-
tion under subparagraph (B) related to projects that are 
the same if the Secretary determines that the community 
or consortium spent little or no money on its previous 
project or encountered industry or environmental chal-
lenges, due to circumstances that were reasonably beyond 
the control of the community or consortium.’’; 
(3) in paragraph (5)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as 
subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: 
‘‘(E) the assistance will be used to help restore sched-
uled passenger air service that has been terminated;’’. 
(b) AUTHORITY TO MAKE AGREEMENTS.—Section 41743(e)(1) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
H. R. 302—165 
the following: ‘‘The Secretary may amend the scope of a grant 
agreement at the request of the community or consortium and 
any participating air carrier, and may limit the scope of a grant 
agreement to only the elements using grant assistance or to only 
the elements achieved, if the Secretary determines that the amend-
ment is reasonably consistent with the original purpose of the 
project.’’ 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 41743(e)(2) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to the Secretary $10,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2018 through 2023 to carry out this section. 
Such sums shall remain available until expended.’’. 
SEC. 456. WAIVERS. 
Section 41732 is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) WAIVERS.—Notwithstanding section 41733(e), upon request 
by an eligible place, the Secretary may waive, in whole or in 
part, subsections (a) and (b) of this section or subsections (a) through 
(c) of section 41734. A waiver issued under this subsection shall 
remain in effect for a limited period of time, as determined by 
the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 457. EXTENSION OF FINAL ORDER ESTABLISHING MILEAGE 
ADJUSTMENT ELIGIBILITY. 
Section 409(d) of the Vision 100—Century of Aviation Reauthor-
ization Act (49 U.S.C. 41731 note) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 458. REDUCTION IN SUBSIDY-PER-PASSENGER. 
Section 426 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 
(126 Stat. 98) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) REDUCTION IN SUBSIDY-PER-PASSENGER.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall waive application 
of the subsidy-per-passenger cap described under subsection 
(c) if the Secretary finds that the community’s subsidy-per- 
passenger for a fiscal year is lower than the subsidy-per-pas-
senger for any of the 3 previous fiscal years. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary shall waive application of 
the subsidy-per-passenger cap if the subsidy-per-passenger for 
a fiscal year is less than 10 percent higher than the highest 
subsidy-per-passenger from any of the 3 previous fiscal years. 
The Secretary may only waive application of the subsidy-per- 
passenger cap under this paragraph once per community. 
‘‘(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this subsection 
shall be construed to limit the Secretary’s ability under sub-
section (c) to waive application of the subsidy-per-passenger 
cap.’’. 
TITLE V—MISCELLANEOUS 
SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title, the following definitions apply: 
(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘‘Administration’’ means 
the Federal Aviation Administration. 
(2) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the 
Administrator of the FAA.
H. R. 302—166 
(3) 
ADS–B.—The 
term 
‘‘ADS–B’’ 
means 
automatic 
dependent surveillance-broadcast. 
(4) ADS–B OUT.—The term ‘‘ADS–B Out’’ means automatic 
dependent surveillance-broadcast with the ability to transmit 
information from the aircraft to ground stations and to other 
equipped aircraft. 
(5) FAA.—The term ‘‘FAA’’ means the Federal Aviation 
Administration. 
(6) NEXTGEN.—The term ‘‘NextGen’’ means the Next 
Generation Air Transportation System. 
SEC. 502. REPORT ON AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL MODERNIZATION. 
(a) FAA REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appro-
priate committees of Congress a report describing the multiyear 
effort of the Administration to modernize the air transportation 
system (in this section referred to as the ‘‘modernization effort’’), 
including— 
(1) the number of years that the modernization effort has 
been underway as of the date of the report; 
(2) the total amount of money expended on the moderniza-
tion effort as of the date of the report (including a description 
of how that amount was calculated); 
(3) the net present value of the benefits reported from 
aircraft operators resulting from the money expended on the 
modernization effort as of the date of the report; 
(4) a definition for NextGen, including a description of 
any changes to that definition that occurred between 2003 
and the date of the report; 
(5) the net present value of the money expended on 
NextGen as of the date of the report if such money had been 
deposited into a Government trust fund instead of being 
expended on NextGen; 
(6) a description of the benefits promised and benefits 
delivered with respect to NextGen as of the date of the report; 
(7) any changes to the benefits promised with respect to 
NextGen between the date on which NextGen began and the 
date of the report; 
(8) a description of each program or project that comprises 
NextGen, including— 
(A) when the program or project was initiated; 
(B) the total budget for the program or project; 
(C) the initial budget for the program or project; 
(D) the acquisition program baseline for the program 
or project; 
(E) whether the program or project has ever breached 
the acquisition program baseline and, if so, a description 
of when, why, and how the breach was resolved; 
(F) whether the program or project has been re- 
baselined or divided into smaller segments and, if so, a 
description of when, why, and the impact to the cost of 
the program or project; 
(G) the initial schedule for the program or project; 
(H) whether the program or project was delayed and, 
if so, a description of how long, why, and the impact to 
the cost of the program or project;
H. R. 302—168 
NextGen program has a positive return on investment, the Adminis-
trator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report on the status of each NextGen program, including the most 
recent NextGen priority list under subsection (c). 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report under subsection (a) shall include, 
for each NextGen program— 
(1) an estimate of the date the program will have a positive 
return on investment; 
(2) an explanation for any delay in the delivery of expected 
benefits from previously published estimates on delivery of 
such benefits, in implementing or utilizing the program; 
(3) an estimate of the completion date; 
(4) an assessment of the long-term and near-term user 
benefits of the program for— 
(A) the Federal Government; and 
(B) the users of the national airspace system; and 
(5) a description of how the program directly contributes 
to a safer and more efficient air traffic control system. 
(c) NEXTGEN PRIORITY LIST.—Based on the assessment under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall— 
(1) develop, in coordination with the NextGen Advisory 
Committee and considering the need for a balance between 
long-term and near-term user benefits, a prioritization of the 
NextGen programs; 
(2) annually update the priority list under paragraph (1); 
and 
(3) prepare budget submissions to reflect the current status 
of NextGen programs and projected returns on investment for 
each NextGen program. 
(d) DEFINITION OF RETURN ON INVESTMENT.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘return on investment’’ means the cost associated with 
technologies that are required by law or policy as compared to 
the financial benefits derived from such technologies by a govern-
ment or a user of airspace. 
(e) REPEAL OF NEXTGEN PRIORITIES.—Section 202 of the FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–95; 49 
U.S.C. 40101 note) and the item relating to that section in the 
table of contents under section 1(b) of that Act are repealed. 
SEC. 504. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OPERATIONAL CONTINGENCY PLANS. 
(a) AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OPERATIONAL CONTINGENCY PLANS.— 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall review the Administration’s air traffic con-
trol operational contingency plans (FAA Order JO 1900.47E), and, 
as the Administrator considers appropriate, update such plans, 
to address potential air traffic facility outages that could have 
a major impact on the operation of the national airspace system, 
including the most recent findings and recommendations in the 
report under subsection (c). 
(b) UPDATES.—Not later than 60 days after the date the air 
traffic control operational contingency plans are reviewed under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on the review, including any rec-
ommendations for ensuring air traffic facility outages do not have 
a major impact on the operation of the national airspace system. 
(c) RESILIENCY RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and periodically thereafter
H. R. 302—169 
as the Administrator considers appropriate, the Administrator shall 
convene NextGen program officials to evaluate, expedite, and com-
plete a report on how planned NextGen capabilities can enhance 
the resiliency and continuity of national airspace system operations 
and mitigate the impact of future air traffic control disruptions. 
SEC. 505. 2020 ADS-B OUT MANDATE PLAN. 
The Administrator, in collaboration with the NextGen Advisory 
Committee, shall— 
(1) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act— 
(A) identify any known and potential barriers to 
compliance with the 2020 ADS–B Out mandate under sec-
tion 91.225 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; 
(B) develop a plan to address the known barriers identi-
fied in paragraph (1), including a schedule for— 
(i) periodically reevaluating the potential barriers 
identified in paragraph (1); and 
(ii) developing solutions and implementing actions 
to address the known and potential barriers; and 
(C) submit the plan to the appropriate committees 
of Congress; and 
(2) not later than 90 days after the date the plan is sub-
mitted under paragraph (1), submit to the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress a report on the progress made toward meeting 
the 2020 ADS–B Out mandate. 
SEC. 506. SECURING AIRCRAFT AVIONICS SYSTEMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall consider, where 
appropriate, revising Federal Aviation Administration regulations 
regarding airworthiness certification— 
(1) to address cybersecurity for avionics systems, including 
software components; and 
(2) to require that aircraft avionics systems used for flight 
guidance or aircraft control be secured against unauthorized 
access via passenger in-flight entertainment systems through 
such means as the Administrator determines appropriate to 
protect the avionics systems from unauthorized external and 
internal access. 
(b) CONSIDERATION.—In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall consider the recommendations of the Aircraft 
Systems Information Security Protection Working Group under sec-
tion 2111 of the FAA Extension Safety and Security Act of 2016 
(Public Law 114–190; 130 Stat. 615). 
SEC. 507. HUMAN FACTORS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to avoid having to subsequently 
modify products and services developed as a part of NextGen, 
the Administrator shall— 
(1) recognize and incorporate, in early design phases of 
all relevant NextGen programs, the human factors and proce-
dural and airspace implications of stated goals and associated 
technical changes; and 
(2) ensure that a human factors specialist, separate from 
the research and certification groups, is directly involved with 
the NextGen approval process. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
H. R. 302—170 
committees of Congress a report on the progress made toward 
implementing the requirements under subsection (a). 
SEC. 508. PROGRAMMATIC RISK MANAGEMENT. 
To better inform the Administration’s decisions regarding the 
prioritization of efforts and allocation of resources for NextGen, 
the Administrator shall— 
(1) solicit input from specialists in probability and statistics 
to identify and prioritize the programmatic and implementation 
risks to NextGen; and 
(2) develop a method to manage and mitigate the risks 
identified in paragraph (1). 
SEC. 509. REVIEW OF FAA STRATEGIC CYBERSECURITY PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator shall initiate a review of the 
comprehensive and strategic framework of principles and policies 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘framework’’) developed pursuant 
to section 2111 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act 
of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 44903 note). 
(b) CONTENTS.—In undertaking the review under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall— 
(1) assess the degree to which the framework identifies 
and addresses known cybersecurity risks associated with the 
aviation system; 
(2) review existing short- and long-term objectives for 
addressing cybersecurity risks to the national airspace system; 
and 
(3) assess the Administration’s level of engagement and 
coordination with aviation stakeholders and other appropriate 
agencies, organizations, or groups with which the Administra-
tion consults to carry out the framework. 
(c) UPDATES.—Upon completion of the review under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall modify the framework, as appropriate, 
to address any deficiencies identified by the review. 
(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 days after initi-
ating the review required by subsection (a), the Administrator shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on 
the results of the review, including a description of any modifica-
tions made to the framework. 
SEC. 510. CONSOLIDATION AND REALIGNMENT OF FAA SERVICES AND 
FACILITIES. 
(a) PURPOSE AND INPUT.—Section 804(a) of the FAA Moderniza-
tion and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 44501 note) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘The purpose of the report 
shall be—’’ and all that follows through ‘‘(B) to reduce’’ and 
inserting ‘‘The purpose of the report shall be to reduce’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(4) INPUT.—The report shall be prepared by the Adminis-
trator (or the Administrator’s designee) with the participation 
of— 
‘‘(A) representatives of labor organizations representing 
air traffic control system employees of the FAA; and 
‘‘(B) industry stakeholders.’’. 
(b) MILITARY OPERATIONS EXCLUSION.—Section 804 of the FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 44501 note) 
is amended—
H. R. 302—171 
(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following: 
‘‘(e) MILITARY OPERATIONS EXCLUSION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may not realign or 
consolidate a combined TRACON and tower with radar facility 
of the FAA under this section if, in 2015, the total annual 
military operations at the facility comprised at least 40 percent 
of the total annual TRACON operations at the facility. 
‘‘(2) TRACON DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term 
‘TRACON’ means terminal radar approach control.’’. 
SEC. 511. FAA REVIEW AND REFORM. 
(a) AGENCY REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a detailed analysis of any 
actions taken to address the findings and recommendations included 
in the report required under section 812(d) of the FAA Moderniza-
tion and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 106 note), including— 
(1) consolidating, phasing-out, or eliminating duplicative 
positions, programs, roles, or offices; 
(2) eliminating or streamlining wasteful practices; 
(3) eliminating or phasing-out redundant, obsolete, or 
unnecessary functions; 
(4) reforming and streamlining inefficient processes so that 
the activities of the Administration are completed in an expe-
dited and efficient manner; and 
(5) reforming or eliminating ineffectual or outdated policies. 
(b) ADDITIONAL REVIEW.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall undertake 
and complete a thorough review of each program, office, and 
organization within the Administration to identify— 
(1) duplicative positions, programs, roles, or offices; 
(2) wasteful practices; 
(3) redundant, obsolete, or unnecessary functions; 
(4) inefficient processes; and 
(5) ineffectual or outdated policies. 
(c) ACTIONS TO STREAMLINE AND REFORM FAA.—Not later than 
60 days after the date of completion of the review under subsection 
(b), the Administrator shall undertake such actions as may be 
necessary to address the findings of the Administrator under such 
subsection. 
(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of completion of the review under subsection (b), the Adminis-
trator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report on the actions taken by the Administrator pursuant to sub-
section (c), including any recommendations for legislative or 
administrative actions. 
SEC. 512. AIR SHOWS. 
On an annual basis, the Administrator shall work with rep-
resentatives of Administration-approved air shows, the general avia-
tion community, and stadiums and other large outdoor events and 
venues to identify and resolve, to the maximum extent practicable, 
scheduling conflicts between Administration-approved air shows 
and large outdoor events and venues where— 
(1) flight restrictions will be imposed pursuant to section 
521 of title V of division F of Public Law 108–199 (118 Stat. 
343); or