H. R. 302—141 
‘‘(A) shall consider the repository for NOTAMs under 
subsection (a)(2)(B) to be the sole location for airmen to 
check for NOTAMs; and 
‘‘(B) may not consider a NOTAM to be announced 
or published until the NOTAM is included in the repository 
for NOTAMs under subsection (a)(2)(B). 
‘‘(2) PROHIBITION ON TAKING ACTION FOR VIOLATIONS OF 
NOTAMS NOT IN REPOSITORY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), beginning on the date that the repository under sub-
section (a)(2)(B) is final and published, the Administrator 
may not take any enforcement action against an airman 
for a violation of a NOTAM during a flight if— 
‘‘(i) that NOTAM is not available through the 
repository before the commencement of the flight; and 
‘‘(ii) that NOTAM is not reasonably accessible and 
identifiable to the airman. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION
FOR
NATIONAL
SECURITY.—Subpara-
graph (A) shall not apply in the case of an enforcement 
action for a violation of a NOTAM that directly relates 
to national security.’’. 
SEC. 395. ACCESSIBILITY OF CERTAIN FLIGHT DATA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 47124 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 47124a. Accessibility of certain flight data 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘Administration’ means 
the Federal Aviation Administration. 
‘‘(2) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘Administrator’ means the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. 
‘‘(3) APPLICABLE INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘applicable indi-
vidual’ means an individual who is the subject of an investiga-
tion initiated by the Administrator related to a covered flight 
record. 
‘‘(4) CONTRACT TOWER.—The term ‘contract tower’ means 
an air traffic control tower providing air traffic control services 
pursuant to a contract with the Administration under section 
47124. 
‘‘(5) COVERED FLIGHT RECORD.—The term ‘covered flight 
record’ means any air traffic data (as defined in section 
2(b)(4)(B) of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights (49 U.S.C. 44703 note)), 
created, maintained, or controlled by any program of the 
Administration, including any program of the Administration 
carried out by employees or contractors of the Administration, 
such as contract towers, flight service stations, and controller 
training programs. 
‘‘(b) PROVISION OF COVERED FLIGHT RECORD TO ADMINISTRA-
TION.— 
‘‘(1) REQUESTS.—Whenever the Administration receives a 
written request for a covered flight record from an applicable 
individual and the covered flight record is not in the possession 
of the Administration, the Administrator shall request the cov-
ered flight record from the contract tower or other contractor 
of the Administration in possession of the covered flight record.
H. R. 302—142 
‘‘(2) PROVISION OF RECORDS.—Any covered flight record cre-
ated, maintained, or controlled by a contract tower or another 
contractor of the Administration that maintains covered flight 
records shall be provided to the Administration if the Adminis-
tration requests the record pursuant to paragraph (1). 
‘‘(3) NOTICE
OF
PROPOSED
CERTIFICATE
ACTION.—If the 
Administrator has issued, or subsequently issues, a Notice of 
Proposed Certificate Action relying on evidence contained in 
the covered flight record and the individual who is the subject 
of an investigation has requested the record, the Administrator 
shall promptly produce the record and extend the time the 
individual has to respond to the Notice of Proposed Certificate 
Action until the covered flight record is provided. 
‘‘(c) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of the Fairness for Pilots Act, the Administrator 
shall promulgate regulations or guidance to ensure compliance 
with this section. 
‘‘(2) COMPLIANCE BY CONTRACTORS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Compliance with this section by 
a contract tower or other contractor of the Administration 
that maintains covered flight records shall be included 
as a material term in any contract between the Administra-
tion and the contract tower or contractor entered into or 
renewed on or after the date of enactment of the Fairness 
for Pilots Act. 
‘‘(B) NONAPPLICABILITY.—Subparagraph (A) shall not 
apply to any contract or agreement in effect on the date 
of enactment of the Fairness for Pilots Act unless the 
contract or agreement is renegotiated, renewed, or modified 
after that date. 
‘‘(d) PROTECTION OF CERTAIN DATA.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration may withhold information that 
would otherwise be required to be made available under section 
only if— 
‘‘(1) the Administrator determines, based on information 
in the possession of the Administrator, that the Administrator 
may withhold the information in accordance with section 552a 
of title 5, United States Code; or 
‘‘(2) the information is submitted pursuant to a voluntary 
safety reporting program covered by section 40123 of title 49, 
United States Code.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—The table of 
contents for chapter 471 is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 47124 the following: 
‘‘47124a. Accessibility of certain flight data.’’. 
SEC. 396. AUTHORITY FOR LEGAL COUNSEL TO ISSUE CERTAIN 
NOTICES. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator shall designate the appropriate legal counsel 
of the Administration as an appropriate official for purposes of 
section 13.11 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
H. R. 302—143 
TITLE IV—AIR SERVICE 
IMPROVEMENTS 
Subtitle A—Airline Customer Service 
Improvements 
SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) COVERED AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘covered air carrier’’ 
means an air carrier or a foreign air carrier as those terms 
are defined in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code. 
(2) ONLINE SERVICE.—The term ‘‘online service’’ means any 
service available over the internet, or that connects to the 
internet or a wide-area network. 
(3) TICKET
AGENT.—The term ‘‘ticket agent’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 40102 of title 49, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 402. RELIABLE AIR SERVICE IN AMERICAN SAMOA. 
Section 40109(g) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2) by striking subparagraph (C) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(C) review the exemption at least every 30 days (or, in 
the case of an exemption that is necessary to provide and 
sustain air transportation in American Samoa between the 
islands of Tutuila and Manu’a, at least every 180 days) to 
ensure that the unusual circumstances that established the 
need for the exemption still exist.’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(3) RENEWAL OF EXEMPTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), the Secretary may renew an exemption (including 
renewals) under this subsection for not more than 30 days. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary may renew an exemp-
tion (including renewals) under this subsection that is nec-
essary to provide and sustain air transportation in Amer-
ican Samoa between the islands of Tutuila and Manu’a 
for not more than 180 days. 
‘‘(4) CONTINUATION OF EXEMPTIONS.—An exemption granted 
by the Secretary under this subsection may continue for not 
more than 5 days after the unusual circumstances that estab-
lished the need for the exemption cease.’’. 
SEC. 403. CELL PHONE VOICE COMMUNICATION BAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 417 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 41725. Prohibition on certain cell phone voice communica-
tions 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.—The Secretary of Transportation shall issue 
regulations— 
‘‘(1) to prohibit an individual on an aircraft from engaging 
in voice communications using a mobile communications device 
during a flight of that aircraft in scheduled passenger interstate 
or intrastate air transportation; and
H. R. 302—144 
‘‘(2) that exempt from the prohibition described in para-
graph (1) any— 
‘‘(A) member of the flight crew on duty on an aircraft; 
‘‘(B) flight attendant on duty on an aircraft; and 
‘‘(C) Federal law enforcement officer acting in an offi-
cial capacity. 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following definitions 
apply: 
‘‘(1) FLIGHT.—The term ‘flight’ means, with respect to an 
aircraft, the period beginning when the aircraft takes off and 
ending when the aircraft lands. 
‘‘(2) MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘mobile communications 
device’ means any portable wireless telecommunications 
equipment utilized for the transmission or reception of 
voice data. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—The term ‘mobile communications 
device’ does not include a phone installed on an aircraft.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 417 of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 41724 the following: 
‘‘41725. Prohibition on certain cell phone voice communications.’’. 
SEC. 404. IMPROVED NOTIFICATION OF INSECTICIDE USE. 
Section 42303(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) REQUIRED DISCLOSURES.—An air carrier, foreign air carrier, 
or ticket agent selling, in the United States, a ticket for a flight 
in foreign air transportation to a country listed on the internet 
website established under subsection (a) shall— 
‘‘(1) disclose, on its own internet website or through other 
means, that the destination country may require the air carrier 
or foreign air carrier to treat an aircraft passenger cabin with 
insecticides prior to the flight or to apply an aerosol insecticide 
in an aircraft cabin used for such a flight when the cabin 
is occupied with passengers; and 
‘‘(2) refer the purchaser of the ticket to the internet website 
established under subsection (a) for additional information.’’. 
SEC. 405. CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HOTLINE. 
Section 42302 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) USE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES.—The Secretary shall periodi-
cally evaluate the benefits of using mobile phone applications or 
other widely used technologies to provide new means for air pas-
sengers to communicate complaints in addition to the telephone 
number established under subsection (a) and shall provide such 
new means as the Secretary determines appropriate.’’. 
SEC. 406. CONSUMER INFORMATION ON ACTUAL FLIGHT TIMES. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a 
study on the feasibility and advisability of modifying regulations 
contained in section 234.11 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
to ensure that— 
(1) a reporting carrier (including its contractors), during 
the course of a reservation or ticketing discussion or other 
inquiry, discloses to a consumer upon reasonable request the
H. R. 302—145 
projected period between the actual wheels-off and wheels- 
on times for a reportable flight; and 
(2) a reporting carrier displays, on the public internet 
website of the carrier, information on the actual wheels-off 
and wheels-on times during the most recent calendar month 
for a reportable flight. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘‘reporting carrier’’ 
and ‘‘reportable flight’’ have the meanings given those terms in 
section 234.2 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect 
on the date of enactment of this Act). 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, 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 results of the study. 
SEC. 407. TRAINING POLICIES REGARDING RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND RELI-
GIOUS NONDISCRIMINATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
and the Secretary of Transportation a report describing— 
(1) each air carrier’s training policy for its employees and 
contractors regarding racial, ethnic, and religious non-
discrimination; and 
(2) how frequently an air carrier is required to train new 
employees and contractors because of turnover in positions 
that require such training. 
(b) BEST PRACTICES.—After the date the report is submitted 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop and disseminate 
to air carriers best practices necessary to improve the training 
policies described in subsection (a), based on the findings of the 
report and in consultation with— 
(1) passengers of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious back-
grounds; 
(2) national organizations that represent impacted commu-
nities; 
(3) air carriers; 
(4) airport operators; and 
(5) contract service providers. 
SEC. 408. TRAINING ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING FOR CERTAIN STAFF. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, 
as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘§ 44738. Training on human trafficking for certain staff 
‘‘In addition to other training requirements, each air carrier 
shall provide training to ticket counter agents, gate agents, and 
other air carrier workers whose jobs require regular interaction 
with passengers on recognizing and responding to potential human 
trafficking victims.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 447 of 
title 49, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘44738. Training on human trafficking for certain staff.’’.
H. R. 302—146 
SEC. 409. PROHIBITIONS AGAINST SMOKING ON PASSENGER FLIGHTS. 
Section 41706 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: 
‘‘(d) ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES.— 
‘‘(1) INCLUSION.—The use of an electronic cigarette shall 
be treated as smoking for purposes of this section. 
‘‘(2) ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘electronic cigarette’ means a device that delivers nicotine 
to a user of the device in the form of a vapor that is inhaled 
to simulate the experience of smoking.’’. 
SEC. 410. REPORT ON BAGGAGE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. 
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall— 
(1) study and publicize for comment a cost-benefit analysis 
to air carriers and consumers of changing the baggage reporting 
requirements of section 234.6 of title 14, Code of Federal Regu-
lations, before the implementation of such requirements; and 
(2) submit a report on the findings of the cost-benefit 
analysis to the appropriate committees of Congress. 
SEC. 411. ENFORCEMENT OF AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION 
RULES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall conduct a study to consider and evaluate Department of 
Transportation enforcement of aviation consumer protection rules. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study under subsection (a) shall include 
an evaluation of— 
(1) available enforcement mechanisms; 
(2) any obstacles to enforcement; and 
(3) trends in Department of Transportation enforcement 
actions. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on the study, including the Comp-
troller General’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 
SEC. 412. STROLLERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 417 of title 49, United 
States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 41726. Strollers 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (b), a cov-
ered air carrier shall not deny a passenger the ability to check 
a stroller at the departure gate if the stroller is being used by 
a passenger to transport a child traveling on the same flight as 
the passenger. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (a) shall not apply in instances 
where the size or weight of the stroller poses a safety or security 
risk. 
‘‘(c) COVERED AIR CARRIER DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘covered air carrier’ means an air carrier or a foreign air carrier 
as those terms are defined in section 40102 of title 49, United 
States Code.’’.
H. R. 302—147 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The analysis for chapter 417 of title 
49, United States Code, is further amended by inserting after 
the item relating to section 41725 the following: 
‘‘41726. Strollers.’’. 
SEC. 413. CAUSES OF AIRLINE DELAYS OR CANCELLATIONS. 
(a) REVIEW.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in 
consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration, shall review the categorization of delays and 
cancellations with respect to air carriers that are required 
to report such data. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the review under para-
graph (1), the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum— 
(A) whether delays and cancellations were the result 
of— 
(i) decisions or matters within the control or within 
the discretion of the Federal Aviation Administration, 
including ground stop or delay management programs 
in response to adverse weather conditions; 
(ii) business decisions or other matters within the 
air carrier’s control or discretion in response to adverse 
weather conditions, including efforts to disrupt the 
travel of the fewest number of passengers; or 
(iii) other factors; 
(B) if the data indicate whether and to what extent 
delays and cancellations attributed by an air carrier to 
weather disproportionately impact service to smaller air-
ports and communities; 
(C) whether it is an unfair or deceptive practice for 
an air carrier to inform a passenger that a flight is delayed 
or cancelled due to weather alone when other factors are 
involved; 
(D) limitations, if any, in the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration air traffic control systems that reduce the capacity 
or efficiency of the national airspace system during adverse 
weather events; and 
(E) relevant analytical work by academic institutions. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary may consult air carriers 
and the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection, 
established under section 411 of the FAA Modernization and 
Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note), to assist 
in conducting the review and providing recommendations on 
improving the quality and quantity of information provided 
to passengers adversely affected by a cancellation or delay. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date the review 
under subsection (a) is complete, the Secretary shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the review 
under subsection (a), including any recommendations. 
(c) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in this section shall be con-
strued as affecting or penalizing— 
(1) the decision of an air carrier to maximize its system 
capacity during weather-related events to accommodate the 
greatest number of passengers; or
H. R. 302—148 
(2) any decisions of an air carrier or the Federal Aviation 
Administration in any matter related to or affecting the safety 
of any person. 
SEC. 414. INVOLUNTARY CHANGES TO ITINERARIES. 
(a) REVIEW.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall 
review the rate at which air carriers change passenger 
itineraries more than 24 hours before departure, where the 
new itineraries involve additional stops or depart 3 hours ear-
lier or later than originally scheduled and compensation or 
other suitable air transportation is not offered. In conducting 
the review, the Secretary shall consider the compensation and 
alternative travel options provided or offered by the air carrier 
in such situations. 
(2) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary may consult with air 
carriers and the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer 
Protection, established under section 411 of the FAA Moderniza-
tion and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note), 
to assist in conducting the review and providing recommenda-
tions. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date the review 
under subsection (a) is complete, the Secretary shall submit to 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the review under 
subsection (a). 
SEC. 415. EXTENSION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AVIATION CON-
SUMER PROTECTION. 
Section 411 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 
(49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) is amended in subsection (h) by striking 
‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 416. ONLINE ACCESS TO AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION 
INFORMATION. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall— 
(1) complete an evaluation of the aviation consumer protec-
tion portion of the Department of Transportation’s public inter-
net website to identify any changes to the user interface, 
including the interface presented to individuals accessing the 
website from a mobile device, that will improve usability, acces-
sibility, consumer satisfaction, and website performance; 
(2) in completing the evaluation under paragraph (1)— 
(A) consider the best practices of other Federal agencies 
with effective websites; and 
(B) consult with the Federal Web Managers Council; 
(3) develop a plan, including an implementation timeline, 
for— 
(A) making the changes identified under paragraph 
(1); and 
(B) making any necessary changes to that portion of 
the website that will enable a consumer, in a manner 
that protects the privacy of consumers and employees, to— 
(i) access information regarding each complaint 
filed with the Aviation Consumer Protection Division 
of the Department of Transportation;
H. R. 302—149 
(ii) search the complaints described in clause (i) 
by the name of the air carrier, the dates of departure 
and arrival, the airports of origin and departure, and 
the type of complaint; and 
(iii) determine the date a complaint was filed and 
the date a complaint was resolved; and 
(4) submit the evaluation and plan to appropriate commit-
tees of Congress. 
SEC. 417. PROTECTION OF PETS ON AIRPLANES. 
(a) PROHIBITION.—Chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, 
is further amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 44739. Pets on airplanes 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.—It shall be unlawful for any person to place 
a live animal in an overhead storage compartment of an aircraft 
operated under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
‘‘(b) CIVIL PENALTY.—The Administrator may impose a civil 
penalty under section 46301 for each violation of this section.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 447 
of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘44739. Pets on airplanes.’’. 
SEC. 418. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AIR AMBULANCE AND PATIENT 
BILLING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in consulta-
tion with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall estab-
lish an advisory committee for the purpose of reviewing options 
to improve the disclosure of charges and fees for air medical serv-
ices, better inform consumers of insurance options for such services, 
and protect consumers from balance billing. 
(b) COMPOSITION OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—The advisory 
committee shall be composed of the following members: 
(1) The Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary’s des-
ignee. 
(2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, or the 
Secretary’s designee. 
(3) One representative, to be appointed by the Secretary 
of Transportation, of each of the following: 
(A) Each relevant Federal agency, as determined by 
the Secretary of Transportation. 
(B) State insurance regulators 
(C) Health insurance providers. 
(D) Patient advocacy groups. 
(E) Consumer advocacy groups. 
(F) Physician specializing in emergency, trauma, car-
diac, or stroke. 
(4) Three representatives, to be appointed by the Secretary 
of Transportation, to represent the various segments of the 
air ambulance industry. 
(5) Additional three representatives not covered under 
paragraphs (1) through (4), as determined necessary and appro-
priate by the Secretary.