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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 sub-
section for a project to construct, repair, maintain, or im-
prove infrastructure and facilities that— 
(1) are located at, or adjacent to, a launch or 
reentry site; and 
(2) directly enable or support transportation 
safety or covered transportation activities. 
(d) PILOT PROGRAM GRANTS.— 
(1) GRANT
FORMULA.—Subject to the avail-
ability of appropriations, 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 
reentry operation conducted from the applicable 
launch or reentry site or at any adjacent Fed-
eral launch range in the previous fiscal year; 
and 
(B) $100,000 for each launch or reentry 
operation conducted under a permit from the 
applicable launch or reentry site or at any adja-
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cent 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 
shall determine whether a launch or reentry site 
is adjacent to a Federal launch range. 
(B) LIMITATION.—Only 1 operator may 
receive an amount under paragraph (1) for 
each licensed or permitted launch or reentry op-
eration described in such subparagraph. 
(C) MULTIPLE
LAUNCH
OR
REENTRY 
SITES OPERATED BY 1 OPERATOR.—If an oper-
ator 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 Sec-
retary 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.— 
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(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 
explicit purpose of matching such grant), the Sec-
retary may issue a supplemental grant to the oper-
ator that 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 
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fiscal year as the grant issued under subsection 
(d). 
(B) 
NON-DUPLICATION
OF
MATCHING 
GRANTS.—If the Secretary issues a supple-
mental 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) 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 
section 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 ex-
ceed $20,000,000 in any fiscal year. 
(B) GRANT
REDUCTION.—In complying 
with subparagraph (A), the Secretary— 
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(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 associated with such movement through 
the use of— 
(A) a vehicle (as defined in section 4 of 
title 1, United States Code); 
(B) a vessel (as defined in section 3 of title 
1, United States Code); 
(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); or 
(E) a pipeline facility (as defined in section 
60101 of title 49, United States Code). 
(2) LAUNCH; LAUNCH SITE; LAUNCH VEHICLE; 
REENTRY
SITE; REENTRY
VEHICLE.—The terms 
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‘‘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 
entity’’ means a State, local, territorial, or Tribal 
government or private sector entity, or any combina-
tion thereof. 
(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 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in 
coordination with any other Federal agency the Adminis-
trator determines appropriate, shall ensure that there is 
a process in which manufacturers and operators of high- 
speed aircraft can engage in flight testing of such high- 
speed aircraft, which may include the establishment of 
high speed testing corridors in the national airspace sys-
tem. 
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(b) STUDY
ON
HIGH-SPEED
AIRCRAFT
OPER-
ATIONS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall, after con-
sultation with aircraft manufacturers, institutions of 
higher learning, the Administrator of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Sec-
retary of Defense, and any other agencies the Ad-
ministrator determines appropriate, conduct a study 
to assess actions necessary to facilitate the safe op-
eration and integration of high-speed aircraft into 
the national airspace system. 
(2) CONTENTS.—In carrying out the study 
under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall— 
(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 frame-
work and timeline to establish the appropriate 
regulatory requirements to conducting high- 
speed aircraft flights; 
(C) identify the data required to develop 
certification, flight standards, and air traffic re-
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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-re-
lated regulatory and testing developments or ac-
tivities. 
(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 
management. 
(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 House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the results of the study conducted under sub-
section (a), including the recommendations under sub-
section (b)(3), to facilitate the safe operation and integra-
tion of high-speed aircraft 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-
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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 sur-
face 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 Reg-
ulations, and such other regulations as appropriate, 
to permit flight operations with speeds above Mach 
1 at or above the minimum altitude identified under 
paragraph (1) without specific authorizations, pro-
vided 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 
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(C) have ordinary instrument flight rules 
clearances necessary to operate in controlled 
airspace. 
(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 safe-
ty and support the entry-into-service of new forms of avia-
tion. 
(b) PARTICULAR ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out sub-
section (a), the Administrator shall contribute to or lead 
International Civil Aviation Organization efforts with re-
spect to the development of landing and take-off noise 
standards 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, 
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United States Code, to an airport sponsor to reconstruct, 
repave, or rehabilitate the full length and width of a run-
way, including connecting taxiways, if the runway is 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 runways and 
taxiways are required to support activities at the 
launch site. 
(b) SUNSET.—This section shall cease to be effective 
on September 30, 2028. 
SEC. 686. COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH AND REENTRY STA-
TISTICS. 
Section 329(b) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘aeronautical’’ 
and inserting ‘‘aerospace’’; 
(2) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘civil aero-
nautics’’ and inserting ‘‘civil aerospace’’; 
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(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 
commercial space launch and reentry operations 
(other than that collected and disseminated by the 
National Transportation Safety Board under chapter 
11) including, at a minimum, information on the 
number of launches or reentries licensed by the Sec-
retary, the number of space flight participants, the 
number of payloads, and the mass of payloads, orga-
nized 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 
and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 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-
tration-licensed horizontal and vertical launch sites located 
in rural communities. 
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SEC. 688. AIRSPACE INTEGRATION FOR SPACE LAUNCH 
AND REENTRY. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the Sense of Con-
gress 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 
opportunity; 
(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. 
(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-
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termines that the project has reached an operational sta-
tus, for the Administrator to expedite the development, ac-
quisition, 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, sys-
tems 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 re-
routing of commercial aircraft during and following com-
mercial space launch and reentry operations, with the ob-
jective 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.— 
‘‘(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 
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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 transpor-
tation. 
‘‘(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 
SOLICITATIONS.—For purposes of paragraph 
(1), with respect to an advertisement or solicita-
tion for passenger air transportation that ap-
pears on a website, the information described in 
paragraphs (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. 
‘‘(3) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
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‘‘(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 ‘cov-
ered entity’ means an air carrier, including an 
indirect air carrier, foreign carrier, ticket agent, 
or other person offering to sell tickets for pas-
senger air transportation or a tour, or tour 
component, that must be purchased with air 
transportation.’’. 
(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 
passenger air transportation to disclose the total cost of 
such air transportation, including government-imposed 
taxes and fees, prior to purchase of such air transpor-
tation. 
(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 
section may be construed to limit or otherwise affect the 
authority of the Secretary to regulate the disclosure of air 
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carrier-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 
SUBMISSIONS. 
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 pub-
lic 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 car-
rier— 
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‘‘(1) the accessible website, e-mail address, or 
telephone number of the air carrier for the submis-
sion 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 
subsection (a) and the contact information for the Avia-
tion 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 pro-
vider; and 
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‘‘(2) the accessible website and any related mo-
bile device application of such provider.’’. 
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 
submit a summarized 1-page document that describes the 
rights of passengers in air transportation, including guide-
lines for the following: 
‘‘(1) Compensation (regarding rebooking op-
tions, refunds, meals, and lodging) for flight delays 
of various lengths. 
‘‘(2) Compensation (regarding rebooking op-
tions, refunds, meals, and lodging) for flight diver-
sions. 
‘‘(3) Compensation (regarding rebooking op-
tions, refunds, meals, and lodging) for flight can-
cellations. 
‘‘(4) Compensation for mishandled baggage, 
wheelchairs, mobility aids and other assistive de-
vices, including delayed, damaged, pilfered, or lost 
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baggage, wheelchairs, mobility aids and other assist-
ive devices. 
‘‘(5) Voluntary relinquishment of a ticketed 
seat due to overbooking or priority of other pas-
sengers. 
‘‘(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 subsection (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 Pas-
sengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights’, using plain lan-
guage to describe the basic protections and responsibilities 
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of air carriers and foreign air carriers, their employees and 
contractors, and people with disabilities under section 
41705. 
‘‘(b) CONTENT.—In developing the Airline Pas-
sengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall include, at a minimum, plain lan-
guage descriptions of protections and responsibilities pro-
vided 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. 
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‘‘(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 
expanding or restricting the rights available to passengers 
with disabilities on the day before the date of the enact-
ment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public 
Law 115–254) pursuant to any statute or regulation. 
‘‘(d) CONSULTATIONS.—In developing the Airline 
Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights under sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall consult with stakeholders, 
including disability 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 car-
rier in advance of the need for accommodations re-
lating to a disability. 
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‘‘(f) TRAINING.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Air carriers, foreign air 
carriers, and contractors of such carriers shall sub-
mit to the Secretary plans that ensure that employ-
ees of such carriers and their contractors receive 
training on the protections and responsibilities de-
scribed in the Airline Passengers with Disabilities 
Bill of Rights. 
‘‘(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 
following: 
‘‘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— 
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(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 
following: 
‘‘(3) ticket agents and travel management com-
panies;’’; and 
(2) in subsection (h) by striking ‘‘2023’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2028’’; and 
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 
DISABILITIES.—Section 41705 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended in the heading by striking ‘‘handi-
capped individuals’’ and inserting ‘‘individuals 
with disabilities’’. 
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(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 41705 and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘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’’. 
SEC. 707. AIR CARRIER ACCESS ACT ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 439 of the FAA Reau-
thorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 41705 note) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in the section heading by striking ‘‘ADVI-
SORY COMMITTEE ON THE AIR TRAVEL NEEDS 
OF PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES’’ and in-
serting ‘‘AIR CARRIER ACCESS ACT ADVISORY 
COMMITTEE’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)(1) by striking subpara-
graph (G) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(G) Manufacturers of wheelchairs, includ-
ing powered wheelchairs, and other mobility 
aids.’’; and 
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(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-
provement of the passenger experience in air transpor-
tation 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; 
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(9) representatives of intermodal transportation 
companies that operate at airports; 
(10) airport concessionaires; 
(11) nonprofit public interest groups with ex-
pertise in consumer protection matters; 
(12) senior managers of the Administration’s 
Air Traffic Organization; 
(13) aircraft manufacturers; 
(14) entities representing individuals with dis-
abilities; 
(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 
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(17) other Federal agencies that directly inter-
face with passengers at airports. 
(c) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the advisory com-
mittee under this section shall be filled in a manner con-
sistent 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. 
(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; 
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(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-
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 
advisory 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. 
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(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 De-
partment of Transportation shall terminate on the date 
of enactment 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 Trans-
portation shall take such action as may be necessary to 
update the process by which an air carrier or ticket agent 
is required to fulfill disclosure obligations in ticketing 
transactions for air transportation not completed through 
a website. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The process updated under 
subsection (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 
passengers; 
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(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 para-
graphs (1) and (2) to be made in the manner exist-
ing prior to the date of enactment of this Act upon 
passenger request. 
(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 Trans-
portation shall issue a final rule to revise section 399.80 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to clarify the re-
fund obligations of ticket agents. 
(b) CONDITIONS.—In issuing the final rule under 
subsection (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. 
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(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 Federal Aviation Administration shall task the Avia-
tion Rulemaking Advisory Committee with— 
(1) reviewing passenger information require-
ment regulations under section 121.317 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulation, and such other related 
regulations as the Administrator determines appro-
priate; 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 
regulation revising section 121.317 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations, and such other related regulations 
as the Administrator determines appropriate, to— 
(1) update such section and regulations to in-
corporate exemptions commonly issued by the Ad-
ministrator; 
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(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 
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 Sec-
retary shall allow an air carrier to protect the con-
fidentiality of any trade secret or proprietary infor-
mation submitted in accordance with paragraph (1), 
as appropriate. 
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(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 phys-
ically accommodated in the cargo hold of the aircraft, the 
Secretary 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 
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 wheel-
chairs 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 
connectors or wires, control input devices, 
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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 
manner, a report containing the results of the eval-
uation of data and determination made under para-
graphs (1) and (2) and a description of how the Sec-
retary plans to address such results. 
(d) FEASIBILITY
OF IN-CABIN WHEELCHAIR RE-
STRAINT SYSTEMS.— 
(1) ROADMAP.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure 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 
Transportation and the United States Access Board, 
respectively, shall, in accordance with the rec-
ommendations from the National Academies of 
Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Transpor-
tation Research Board Special Report 341— 
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(A) establish a program of research, in col-
laboration with the Rehabilitation Engineering 
and Assistive Technology Society of North 
America, the assistive technology industry, air 
carriers, 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 
accordance with applicable Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration crashworthiness and safety per-
formance criteria, including the issues and con-
siderations set forth in such Special Report 
341; and 
(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. 
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(2) STUDY.—If determined to be technically 
feasible by the Secretary, not later than 2 years 
after making such determination, the Secretary shall 
commence a study to assess the economic and finan-
cial feasibility of air carriers and foreign air carriers 
implementing seating arrangements that accommo-
date passengers with wheelchairs (including power 
wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, and scooters) in 
the main cabin during flight. Such study shall in-
clude an assessment of— 
(A) the cost of such seating arrangements, 
equipment, and installation; 
(B) the demand for such seating arrange-
ments; 
(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 
completed, the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
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mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate a publicly available report describing the results 
of the study conducted under paragraph (2), to-
gether with any recommendations the Secretary de-
termines appropriate. 
(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 ‘‘quali-
fied individual with a disability’’ have the meanings 
given such terms in section 382.3 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations (as in effect on date of en-
actment of this Act). 
(3) WHEELCHAIR.—The term ‘‘wheelchair’’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 37.3 of title 
49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on 
date of enactment of this Act), including power 
wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, and scooters. 
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SEC. 713. PRIORITIZING ACCOUNTABILITY AND ACCESSI-
BILITY FOR AVIATION CONSUMERS. 
(a) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, 
the Secretary of Transportation shall provide to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on dis-
ability-related aviation consumer complaints filed with the 
Department of Transportation, and shall make each an-
nual report publicly available. 
(b) SCOPE OF REPORT.—In each report required 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall include, at min-
imum, a description of the following: 
(1) The number of disability-related aviation 
consumer complaints filed with the Department of 
Transportation during the calendar year preceding 
the year in which such report is submitted. 
(2) The nature of such complaints, such as re-
ported issues with— 
(A) an air carrier; 
(B) mishandling of passengers with a dis-
ability, including mishandling of a wheelchair, 
mobility aid, or other accessibility equipment of 
a passenger by an air carrier; 
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(C) the condition or availability of accessi-
bility equipment or materials operated by an air 
carrier; 
(D) the accessibility of in-flight services, 
including accessing and utilizing onboard lava-
tories, for passengers with a disability; 
(E) difficulties experienced by passengers 
with a disability in communicating with an air 
carrier employee; 
(F) difficulties experienced by passengers 
with a disability in being moved, handled, or 
otherwise assisted; 
(G) an air carrier changing the flight 
itinerary of a passenger with a disability with-
out the consent of such passenger; 
(H) difficulties experienced by passengers 
with a disability traveling with a service animal; 
and 
(I) any other issues the Secretary of 
Transportation determines appropriate. 
(3) The review process for such complaints. 
(4) The average amount of days before the De-
partment initiated a formal review of such com-
plaints. 
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(5) The average amount of days until such 
complaints were resolved by the Department. 
(6) The number of such complaints that re-
sulted in dismissal, a civil monetary penalty, or 
other injunctive relief. 
(7) Of the complaints that were found to violate 
section 41705 of title 49, United States Code— 
(A) the number of such complaints for 
which a formal enforcement order was issued; 
and 
(B) the number of such complaints for 
which a formal enforcement order was not 
issued. 
(8) The number of disability-related aviation 
consumer complaints filed with the Department of 
Transportation involving airport staff or other mat-
ters under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation 
Administration that were referred to the Federal 
Aviation Administration. 
(9) The number of disability-related aviation 
consumer complaints filed with the Department of 
Transportation involving Transportation Security 
Administration staff that were referred to the 
Transportation Security Administration or the De-
partment of Homeland Security. 
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(c) REPORT
TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary shall 
submit annually to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate the report required under subsection (a). 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Except as otherwise pro-
vided, the terms used in this section have the mean-
ings given such terms in section 40102 of title 49, 
United States Code, or section 382.3 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, as applicable. 
(2) AIR
CARRIER.—The term ‘‘air carrier’’ 
means an air carrier conducting passenger oper-
ations under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
(3) PASSENGER WITH A DISABILITY.—The term 
‘‘passenger with a disability’’ has the meaning given 
the term ‘‘qualified individual with a disability’’ in 
section 382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
SEC. 714. AIRCRAFT ACCESSIBILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall initiate a program to study and evaluate im-
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provements to transport category aircraft accessibility, in-
cluding— 
(1) determining whether and, if so, how per-
sonal wheelchairs, including manual and powered 
wheelchairs, can be safely secured in the passenger 
seating areas of an aircraft certificated under part 
25 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; 
(2) considering the safe evacuation processes 
for such aircraft, including individuals who use man-
ual and powered wheelchairs; and 
(3) determining how various types or aircraft 
described in paragraph (1) can safely and efficiently 
be retrofit for accessible lavatories. 
(b) REPORT
AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later 
than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall provide 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 a report on the findings of the study 
and evaluation described in subsection (a) and rec-
ommendations to address the findings of such study and 
evaluation. 
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SEC. 715. ACCESSIBILITY OF WEBSITES, SOFTWARE APPLI-
CATIONS, AND KIOSKS FOR INDIVIDUALS 
WITH DISABILITIES. 
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall, in direct 
consultation with the United States Architectural and 
Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, prescribe reg-
ulations setting forth minimum standards to ensure that 
individuals with disabilities are able to access kiosks, soft-
ware applications, and websites in a manner that is equal-
ly as effective as individuals without disabilities, with a 
substantially equivalent ease of use. Such standards shall 
be consistent with the standards set forth in the Web Con-
tent Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA of the Web Ac-
cessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium 
or any subsequent version. 
SEC. 716. REVIEW OF METHODS TO REPORT FLIGHT DELAY 
AND CANCELLATION STATISTICS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—No later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation, in consultation with the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration, shall conduct a review of the 
means of reporting flight delay and cancellation statistics 
to the Secretary and the accuracy of such data. 
(b) COORDINATION REQUIREMENT.—In conducting 
the review required in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
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coordinate and collaborate with air carriers (as such term 
is defined in section 40102 of title 49, United States 
Code) to assist in conducting the review and providing rec-
ommendations on improving the means of reporting flight 
delay and cancellation statistics to the Secretary and the 
accuracy of such data. 
SEC. 717. REIMBURSEMENT FOR INCURRED COSTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall direct all air carriers providing scheduled pas-
senger interstate or intrastate air transportation to estab-
lish policies regarding reimbursement for lodging, trans-
portation between such lodging and the airport, and meal 
costs incurred due to a flight cancellation or significant 
delay directly attributable to the air carrier. 
(b) DEFINITION OF SIGNIFICANTLY DELAYED.—In 
this section, the term ‘‘significantly delayed’’ means, with 
respect to air transportation, the departure or arrival at 
the originally ticketed destination associated with such 
transportation has changed— 
(1) in the case of air transportation within the 
United States, by 3 or more hours; or 
(2) in the case of air transportation to or from 
a location outside the United States, by 6 or more 
hours. 
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SEC. 718. AIRLINE OPERATIONAL RESILIENCY PLANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall require a covered carrier to develop and regu-
larly update an operational resiliency strategy to prevent 
or limit the impact of future flight disruptions on pas-
sengers. 
(b) OPERATIONAL RESILIENCY STRATEGY.—In each 
operational resiliency strategy developed under subsection 
(a), a covered carrier shall include a description of— 
(1) the potential impact of severe weather and 
other reasonably anticipated disruptive events on the 
operations of the carrier and how the carrier seeks 
to prevent or limit the impact of such events on pas-
sengers; 
(2) the potential impact of severe weather 
events and other reasonably anticipated disruptive 
events on— 
(A) staffing models and the preparedness 
of the current workforce of the carrier to ad-
dress such conditions; and 
(B) the current information and technology 
systems of the carrier, including crew sched-
uling systems, and the preparedness of such 
systems to continue operations after such an 
event or disruption; 
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(3) the preparedness of the carrier to maintain 
operations and limit or prevent the impact of other 
potential disruptive events identified by the carrier; 
(4) the extent to which the carrier addresses 
known cybersecurity risks to prevent potential flight 
disruptions; and 
(5) any other issues the Secretary determines 
appropriate to protect consumers and maintain the 
operational stability of the airline industry. 
(c) PROPRIETARY
INFORMATION.—The Secretary 
shall develop a method to protect the confidentiality of any 
trade secret or proprietary information submitted in an 
operational resiliency strategy under subsection (b). 
(d) EVALUATION.— 
(1) AUDIT.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller Gen-
eral of the United States shall initiate an audit to 
evaluate the effectiveness of the operational resil-
iency strategies developed under this section by cov-
ered air carriers. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after com-
pletion of the audit conducted under paragraph (1), 
the Comptroller General shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on 
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Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate a report on the findings of the audit. 
(e) COVERED CARRIER.—In this section, the term 
‘‘covered carrier’’ has the meaning given such term in sec-
tion 259.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
successor regulations). 
SEC. 719. FAMILY SEATING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to estab-
lish a policy directing air carriers that assign seats, or 
allow individuals to select seats in advance of the date of 
departure of a flight, to sit each young child adjacent to 
an accompanying adult, to the greatest extent practicable, 
if adjacent seat assignments are available at any time 
after the ticket is issued for each young child and before 
the first passenger boards the flight. 
(b) PROHIBITION ON FEES.—The notice of proposed 
rulemaking described in subsection (a) shall include a pro-
vision that prohibits an air carrier from charging a fee, 
or imposing an additional cost beyond the ticket price of 
the additional seat, to seat each young child adjacent to 
an accompanying adult within the same class of service. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Notwithstanding the 
requirement in subsection (a), nothing in this section may 
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be construed to allow the Secretary to impose a change 
in the overall seating or boarding policy of an air carrier 
that has an open or flexible seating policy in place that 
generally allows adjacent family seating as described 
under this section. 
(d) YOUNG CHILD.—In this section, the term ‘‘young 
child’’ means an individual who has not attained 14 years 
of age. 
SEC. 720. SEAT DIMENSIONS. 
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall— 
(1) initiate a rulemaking activity based on the 
regulation described in section 577 of the FAA Re-
authorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 42301 note); 
and 
(2) if the Administrator decides not to pursue 
the rulemaking described in paragraph (1), the Ad-
ministrator shall brief the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Represent-
atives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate on the justifica-
tion of such decision. 
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SEC. 721. IMPROVED TRAINING STANDARDS FOR ASSIST-
ING PASSENGERS WHO USE WHEELCHAIRS. 
(a) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 6 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Trans-
portation shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to 
develop requirements for minimum training standards for 
airline personnel or contractors who assist wheelchair 
users who must board or deplane using an aisle chair or 
other boarding device. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The training standards devel-
oped under subsection (a) shall require, at a minimum, 
that airline personnel or contractors who assist passengers 
who use wheelchairs who must board or deplane using an 
aisle chair or other boarding device— 
(1) complete refresher training within 18 
months and be recertified on the job within 18 
months by a superior in order to remain qualified 
for providing aisle chair assistance; and 
(2) be able to successfully demonstrate each of 
following skills in hands-on training sessions before 
being allowed to board or deplane a passenger using 
an aisle chair or other boarding device: 
(A) How to safely use the aisle chair, or 
other boarding device, including the use of all 
straps, brakes, and other safety features. 
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(B) How to assist in the transfer of pas-
sengers to and from their wheelchair, the aisle 
chair, and the aircraft’s passenger seat, either 
by physically lifting the passenger or deploying 
a mechanical device for the lift or transfer. 
(C) How to effectively communicate with, 
and take instruction from, the passenger. 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the rulemaking 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider, at a 
minimum— 
(1) whether to require air carriers and foreign 
air carriers to partner with national disability orga-
nizations and disabled veterans organizations rep-
resenting individuals with disabilities who use wheel-
chairs and scooters in developing and reviewing 
training; and 
(2) whether individuals able to provide boarding 
and deplaning assistance for passengers with limited 
or no mobility should receive training incorporating 
procedures from medical professionals on how to 
properly lift these passengers. 
(d) FINAL RULE.—Not later than 12 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue 
a final rule pursuant to the rulemaking conducted under 
this section. 
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(e) PENALTIES.—The Secretary may assess a civil 
penalty in accordance with section 46301 of title 49, 
United States Code, to any air carrier or foreign air car-
rier who fails to meet the requirements established under 
the final rule under subsection (d). 
SEC. 722. TRAINING STANDARDS FOR STOWAGE OF WHEEL-
CHAIRS AND SCOOTERS. 
(a) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 6 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Trans-
portation shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to 
develop minimum training standards related to stowage of 
wheelchairs and scooters used by passengers with disabil-
ities on aircraft. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The training standards devel-
oped under subsection (a) shall require, at a minimum, 
that personnel and contractors of air carriers and foreign 
air carriers who stow wheelchairs and scooters on air-
craft— 
(1) complete refresher training within 18 
months and be recertified on the job within 18 
months by a superior in order to remain qualified 
for handling and stowing wheelchairs and scooters; 
and 
(2) be able to successfully demonstrate the each 
of following skills in hands-on training sessions be-
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fore being allowed to handle or stow a wheelchair or 
scooter: 
(A) How to properly handle and configure, 
at a minimum on a common design for power 
and manual wheelchairs and scooters for stow-
age on each aircraft type operated by the air 
carrier or foreign air carrier. 
(B) How to properly review any wheelchair 
or scooter information provided by the pas-
senger or the wheelchair or scooter manufac-
turer. 
(C) How to properly load, secure, and un-
load wheelchairs and scooters, including how to 
use any specialized equipment for loading or 
unloading, on each aircraft type operated by the 
air carrier or foreign air carrier. 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the rulemaking 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider, at a 
minimum whether to require air carriers and foreign air 
carriers to partner with wheelchair or scooter manufactur-
ers, national disability and disabled veterans organizations 
representing individuals who use wheelchairs and scooters, 
and aircraft manufacturers, in developing training. 
(d) FINAL RULE.—Not later than 12 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue 
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a final rule pursuant to the rulemaking conducted under 
this section. 
(e) PENALTIES.—The Secretary may assess a civil 
penalty in accordance with section 46301 of title 49, 
United States Code, to any air carrier or foreign air car-
rier who fails to meet the requirements established under 
the final rule under subsection (d). 
SEC. 723. INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS. 
Section 41705(c) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking paragraph (1), and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) not later than 120 days after the re-
ceipt of any complaint of a violation of this sec-
tion or a regulation prescribed under this sec-
tion, investigate such complaint; and 
‘‘(B) provide, in writing, to the individual 
that filed the complaint and the air carrier or 
foreign air carrier alleged to have violated this 
section or a regulation prescribed under this 
section, the determination of the Secretary with 
respect to— 
‘‘(i) whether the air carrier or foreign 
air carrier violated this section or a regula-
tion prescribed under this section; 
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‘‘(ii) the facts underlying the com-
plaint; and 
‘‘(iii) any action the Secretary is tak-
ing in response to the complaint.’’. 
SEC. 724. STANDARDS. 
(a) AIRCRAFT ACCESS STANDARDS.— 
(1) STANDARDS.— 
(A) ADVANCE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE-
MAKING.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall issue an advanced notice 
of proposed rulemaking regarding standards to 
ensure that the aircraft boarding and deplaning 
process is accessible, in terms of design for, 
transportation of, and communication with, in-
dividuals with disabilities, including individuals 
who use wheelchairs. 
(B) 
NOTICE
OF
PROPOSED
RULE-
MAKING.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
on which the advanced notice of proposed rule-
making under subparagraph (A) is completed, 
the Secretary shall issue a notice of proposed 
rulemaking regarding standards addressed in 
subparagraph (A). 
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(C) FINAL RULE.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date on which the notice of proposed 
rulemaking under subparagraph (B) is com-
pleted, the Secretary shall issue a final rule. 
(2) COVERED AIRPORT, EQUIPMENT, AND FEA-
TURES.—The standards prescribed under paragraph 
(1)(A) shall address, at a minimum— 
(A) boarding and deplaning equipment; 
(B) improved procedures to ensure the pri-
ority cabin stowage for manual assistive devices 
pursuant to section 382.67 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations; and 
(C) improved cargo hold storage to prevent 
damage to assistive devices. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—For purposes of the rule-
making under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
consult with the Access Board and any other rel-
evant department or agency to determine appro-
priate accessibility standards. 
(b) IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT RULEMAKING.— 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall issue a notice of proposed 
rulemaking in accordance with the November 22, 2016, 
resolution of the Department of Transportation ACCESS 
Committee and the consensus recommendation set forth 
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in the Term Sheet Reflecting Agreement of the Access 
Committee Regarding In-Flight Entertainment. 
(c) NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING ON IN-CABIN WHEEL-
CHAIR
RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS
AND
ENPLANING
AND 
DEPLANING STANDARDS.— 
(1) TIMING.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year 
after completion of the report required by sec-
tion 712(d)(3), and if such report finds eco-
nomic and financial feasibility of air carriers 
and foreign air carriers implementing seating 
arrangements that accommodate individuals 
with disabilities using wheelchairs (including 
power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, and 
scooters) in the main cabin during flight, the 
Secretary shall conduct a negotiated rulemaking 
on new type certificated aircraft standards for 
seating arrangements that accommodate such 
individuals in the main cabin during flight or 
an accessible route to a minimum of 2 aircraft 
passenger seats for passengers to access from 
personal assistive devices of such individuals. 
(B) REQUIREMENT.—The negotiated rule-
making under subparagraph (A) shall include 
participation of representatives of— 
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(i) air carriers; 
(ii) aircraft manufacturers; 
(iii) national disability organizations; 
(iv) aviation safety experts; and 
(v) mobility aid manufacturers. 
(2) NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING.—Not 
later than 1 year after the completion of the nego-
tiated rulemaking required under paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall issue a notice of proposed rule-
making regarding the standards described in para-
graph (1). 
(3) FINAL RULE.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date on which the notice of proposed rulemaking 
under paragraph (2) is completed, the Secretary 
shall issue a final rule regarding the standards de-
scribed in paragraph (1). 
(4) CONSIDERATIONS.—In the negotiated rule-
making and rulemaking required under this sub-
section, the Secretary shall consider— 
(A) a reasonable period for the design, cer-
tification, and construction of aircraft that meet 
the requirements; 
(B) the safety of all persons on-board the 
aircraft, including necessary wheelchair stand-
ards and wheelchair compliance with Federal 
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Aviation Administration crashworthiness and 
safety performance criteria; and 
(C) the costs of design, installation, equi-
page, and aircraft capacity impacts, including 
partial fleet equipage and fare impacts. 
(d) VISUAL
AND
TACTILELY
ACCESSIBLE
AN-
NOUNCEMENTS.—The Advisory Committee established 
under section 439(g) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 
2018 (49 U.S.C. 41705 note) shall examine technical solu-
tions and the feasibility of visually and tactilely accessible 
announcements on-board aircraft. 
(e) AIRPORT FACILITIES.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall, in direct consultation with the Access Board, pre-
scribe regulations setting forth minimum standards under 
section 41705 of title 49, United States Code, that ensure 
all gates (including counters), ticketing areas, and cus-
tomer service desks covered under such section at airports 
are accessible to and usable by all individuals with disabil-
ities, including through the provision of visually and 
tactilely accessible announcements and full and equal ac-
cess to aural communications. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) ACCESS BOARD.—The term ‘‘Access board’’ 
means the Architectural and Transportation Bar-
riers Compliance Board. 
(2) AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘air carrier’’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 40102 of 
title 49, United States Code. 
(3) INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY.—The term 
‘‘individual with a disability’’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations. 
(4) FOREIGN AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘foreign 
air carrier’’ has the meaning given such term in sec-
tion 40102 of title 49, United States Code. 
SEC. 725. SEATING ACCOMMODATIONS FOR QUALIFIED IN-
DIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) ADVANCED
NOTICE
OF
PROPOSED
RULE-
MAKING.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Secretary of Trans-
portation shall issue an advanced notice of proposed 
rulemaking regarding seating accommodations for 
any qualified individual with a disability. 
(2) NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING.—Not 
later than 2 years after the date on which the ad-
vanced notice of proposed rulemaking under para-
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graph (1) is completed, the Secretary shall issue a 
notice of proposed rulemaking regarding seating ac-
commodations for any qualified individual with a 
disability. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out the advanced 
notice of proposed rulemaking required in subsection 
(a)(1), the Secretary shall consider the following: 
(1) The scope and anticipated number of quali-
fied individuals with a disability who— 
(A) may need to be seated with a com-
panion to receive assistance during a flight; or 
(B) should be afforded bulkhead seats or 
other seating considerations. 
(2) The types of disabilities that may need seat-
ing accommodations. 
(3) Whether such qualified individuals with a 
disability are unable to obtain, or have difficulty ob-
taining, such a seat. 
(4) The scope and anticipated number of indi-
viduals assisting a qualified individual with a dis-
ability who should be afforded an adjoining seat pur-
suant to section 382.81 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
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(5) Any notification given to qualified individ-
uals with a disability regarding available seating ac-
commodations. 
(6) Any method that is adequate to identify 
fraudulent claims for seating accommodations. 
(7) Any other information determined appro-
priate by the Secretary. 
(c) ACCREDITED SERVICE ANIMAL TRAINING PRO-
GRAMS AND AUTHORIZED REGISTRARS.—Not later than 
6 months after the date of enactment of this section, the 
Secretary shall publish on the website of the Department 
of Transportation and maintain a list of— 
(1) accredited programs that train service ani-
mals; and 
(2) authorized registrars that evaluate service 
animals. 
(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS ON SERVICE ANIMAL RE-
QUESTS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this section, and annually thereafter, 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 on requests for air travel with serv-
ice animals, including— 
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(1) during the reporting period, how many re-
quests to board an aircraft with a service animal 
were made; and 
(2) the number and percentage of such re-
quests, categorized by type of request, that were re-
ported by air carriers or foreign air carriers as— 
(A) granted; 
(B) denied; or 
(C) fraudulent. 
(e) TRAINING.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this section, the Sec-
retary shall, in consultation with the Air Carrier Ac-
cess Act Advisory Committee, issue guidance regard-
ing improvements to training for airline personnel 
(including contractors) in recognizing when a quali-
fied individual with a disability is traveling with a 
service animal. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The guidance issued 
under paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) take into account respectful engage-
ment with and assistance for individuals with a 
wide range of visible and non-visible disabilities; 
(B) provide information on— 
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(i) service animal behavior and wheth-
er the service animal is appropriately har-
nessed, leashed, or otherwise tethered; and 
(ii) the various types of service ani-
mals, such as guide dogs, hearing or signal 
dogs, psychiatric service dogs, sensory or 
social signal dogs, and seizure response 
dogs; and 
(C) outline the rights and responsibilities 
of the handler of the service animal. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi-
nitions apply: 
(1) AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘air carrier’’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 40102 of 
title 49, United States Code. 
(2) FOREIGN AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘foreign 
air carrier’’ has the meaning given that term in sec-
tion 40102 of title 49, United States Code. 
(3) QUALIFIED
INDIVIDUAL
WITH
A
DIS-
ABILITY.—The term ‘‘qualified individual with a dis-
ability’’ has the meaning given that term in section 
382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(4) SERVICE ANIMAL.—The term ‘‘service ani-
mal’’ has the meaning given that term in section 
382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
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SEC. 726. PROVISION OF DRINKING WATER TO PAS-
SENGERS. 
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall issue such regulations as are necessary to re-
quire air carriers and foreign air carriers to provide com-
plementary drinking water to passengers on all domestic 
and international flights with a scheduled duration of 1 
hour or more. 
SEC. 727. GAO REPORT ON MASS FLIGHT CANCELLATION 
EVENT. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report on the actions 
of the Department of Transportation during the period be-
ginning 2 weeks before July 4th, 2023, and ending two 
weeks after July 4th, 2023, that resulted in substantial 
flight calculations during such period. 
(b) EXAMINATION.—In developing the report under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller general shall examine— 
(1) all actions the Secretary of Transportation 
and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration took to mitigate flight disruptions and 
flight cancellations during such period; and 
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(2) any actions not taken by the Secretary or 
the Administrator that may have mitigated flight 
disruptions and cancellations during such period. 
Subtitle B—Air Traffic 
SEC. 741. TRANSFERS OF AIR TRAFFIC SYSTEMS ACQUIRED 
WITH AIP. 
Section 44502(e) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ‘‘in a non-
contiguous State’’ after ‘‘An airport’’; 
(2) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘or’’ 
at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (C) by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) a Medium Intensity Approach Light-
ing System with Runway Alignment Indicator 
Lights.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) 
EXCEPTION.—The 
requirement 
under 
paragraph (1) that an eligible air traffic system or 
equipment be purchased in part using a Government 
airport aid program, airport development aid pro-
gram, or airport improvement project grant shall not 
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apply if the system or equipment is installed at an 
airport that is categorized as a basic or local general 
aviation airport under the most recently published 
national plan of integrated airport systems under 
section 47103.’’. 
SEC. 742. NEXTGEN PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and periodically thereafter 
as the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion determines appropriate, the Administrator shall con-
vene Administration officials to evaluate and expedite the 
implementation of NextGen programs and capabilities. 
(b) NEXTGEN PROGRAM PRIORITIZATION.—In allo-
cating amounts appropriated pursuant to section 48101(a) 
of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall give priority to the following activities: 
(1) Performance-based navigation. 
(2) Data communications. 
(3) Terminal flight data manager. 
(4) Aeronautical information management. 
(c) PERFORMANCE-BASED NAVIGATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall fully implement performance-based navigation 
procedures for all terminal and enroute routes, in-
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cluding approach and departure procedures for cov-
ered airports. 
(2) SPECIFIC PROCEDURES.—Pursuant to para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall prioritize the fol-
lowing performance-based navigation procedures: 
(A) Trajectory-based operations. 
(B) Optimized profile descents. 
(C) Multiple airport route separation. 
(D) Established on required navigation 
performance. 
(E) Converging runway display aids. 
(3) PERFORMANCE-BASED
NAVIGATION
BASE-
LINE EQUIPAGE REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out 
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall issue such 
regulations as may be required, and publish applica-
ble advisory circulars, to establish the equipage base-
line appropriate for aircraft to safely use perform-
ance-based navigation procedures. 
(d) DATA COMMUNICATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall fully implement the use of data communica-
tions. 
(2) SPECIFIC CAPABILITIES.—In carrying out 
subsection (a) and this subsection, the Administrator 
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shall prioritize the following data communications 
capabilities: 
(A) Ground-to-ground message exchange 
for surface aircraft operations and runway safe-
ty at airports. 
(B) Automated message generation and re-
ceipt. 
(C) Message routing and transmission. 
(D) Direct communications with aircraft 
avionics. 
(E) Implementation of data communica-
tions at all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. 
(F) The Future Air Navigation System. 
(e) TERMINAL FLIGHT DATA MANAGER.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 4 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall replace the traffic flow management system 
with the flow data management system at covered 
airports. 
(2) ELECTRONIC FLIGHT STRIPS.—In carrying 
out paragraph (1), the Administrator shall imple-
ment electronic flight strips, at a minimum, at the 
air traffic control towers of covered airports and all 
terminal radar approach control and air route traffic 
control centers. 
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(f) AERONAUTICAL
INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT 
SYSTEMS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall fully modernize the aeronautical information 
management systems of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration to improve the functionality, useability, 
durability, and reliability of such systems used in the 
national airspace system. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall— 
(A) improve the distribution of critical 
safety information to pilots, air traffic control, 
and other relevant aviation stakeholders; 
(B) fully develop and implement the Enter-
prise Information Display System; and 
(C) notwithstanding a centralized aero-
nautical information management system, re-
structure the back-up systems of aeronautical 
information management systems to be inde-
pendent and self-sufficient from one another. 
(g) EFFECT OF FAILURE TO MEET DEADLINE.— 
(1) NOTIFICATION OF CONGRESS.—If the Ad-
ministrator determines that the Administration has 
not or will not meet a deadline established under 
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subsection (a), (c), (d), or (e), the Administrator 
shall, not later than 30 days after such determina-
tion, notify the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate about the failure to meet the 
target deadlines. 
(2) CONTENTS OF NOTIFICATION.—A notifica-
tion under paragraph (1) shall be accompanied by 
the following: 
(A) An explanation as to why the agency 
will not or did not meet the target deadlines de-
scribed in such paragraph. 
(B) A description of the actions the Ad-
ministration plans to take to meet the target 
deadlines described in such paragraph. 
(3) BRIEFING.—If the Administrator is re-
quired to provide notice under paragraph (1), the 
Administrator shall provide the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate bi-
monthly, in-person briefings as to the progress made 
by the Administration regarding implementation 
under the respective subsection for which the target 
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deadline will not or was not met until such time as 
the Administrator has completed the required work 
under such subsection. 
(h) NEXTGEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONSULTA-
TION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall con-
sult and task the NextGen Advisory Committee with 
providing recommendations on ways to expedite, 
prioritize, and fully implement NextGen programs to 
realize the operational benefits of such programs. 
(2) 
CONSIDERATIONS.—In 
providing 
rec-
ommendations under paragraph (1), the NextGen 
Advisory Committee shall consider— 
(A) air traffic throughput of the national 
airspace system; 
(B) daily operational performance, includ-
ing delays and cancellations; and 
(C) the potential need for performance- 
based operational metrics related to NextGen 
programs. 
(i) SUNSET OF NEXTGEN BRAND.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.— Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall terminate the use of the term ‘‘Next Genera-
tion Air Transportation System’’ or ‘‘NextGen’’ to 
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describe any air traffic control modernization pro-
gram of the Administration. 
(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
subsection shall be construed to— 
(A) terminate any program of the Admin-
istration, including a program that has pre-
viously been represented as being a component 
of the Next Generation Air Transportation Sys-
tem or NextGen in budgetary submission or 
document of the Administration; or 
(B) prohibit the Administrator from main-
taining materials that relate to or reference 
programs that have previously been represented 
as being a component of the Next Generation 
Air Transportation System or NextGen. 
(j) COVERED AIRPORTS DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘covered airports’’ means the 40 airports in the 
United States with the highest number of annual aircraft 
operations, as of the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 743. AIRSPACE ACCESS. 
(a) COALESCING AIRSPACE.— 
(1) REVIEW OF NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM.— 
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration, in coordination with the Sec-
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retary of Defense, shall conduct a comprehensive re-
view of the airspace of the national airspace system, 
including special use airspace. 
(2) STREAMLINING AND EXPEDITING ACCESS.— 
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Administrator 
shall identify methods to streamline, expedite, and 
provide greater flexibility of access to certain cat-
egories of airspace for users of the national airspace 
system who may not regularly have access to such 
airspace. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 3 months 
after the completion of review the under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate a report describing the findings of such review 
and any recommendations and proposed actions to 
improve access to airspace of the national airspace 
system for the users of such system. 
(2) CONTENTS.—In the report submitted under 
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall include, at a 
minimum, the following: 
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(A) An identification of current challenges 
and barriers faced by airspace users in access-
ing certain categories of airspace, including spe-
cial use airspace. 
(B) An evaluation of existing procedures, 
regulations, and requirements that may impede 
or delay access to certain categories of airspace 
for certain users of the national airspace sys-
tem. 
(C) Recommendations for streamlining and 
expediting the airspace access process, including 
potential regulatory changes, technological ad-
vancements, and enhanced coordination among 
relevant stakeholders and Federal agencies. 
(D) A proposal for implementing a flexible 
framework that allows for temporary access to 
certain categories of airspace, including special 
use airspace, by users of the national airspace 
system who do not have regular access to such 
airspace. 
(E) An assessment of the impact airspace 
access improvements may have on safety, effi-
ciency, and economic opportunities for airspace 
users, including— 
(i) military operators; 
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(ii) commercial operators; and 
(iii) general aviation operators. 
(3) IMPLEMENTATION AND FOLLOW-UP.— 
(A) ACTION PLAN.—Based on the findings, 
recommendations, and proposals submitted in 
the report under this subsection, the Adminis-
trator shall develop an action plan for imple-
menting any recommendations and proposals 
necessary to improve airspace access. 
(B) 
COORDINATION
AND
COLLABORA-
TION.—In developing the action plan under 
subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall co-
ordinate with relevant stakeholders, including 
airspace users and the Secretary of Defense, to 
ensure— 
(i) effective implementation of the ac-
tion plan; and 
(ii) ongoing collaboration in address-
ing airspace access challenges. 
(C) PROGRESS
REPORTS.—The Adminis-
trator shall provide to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate periodic progress reports in the form of 
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briefings on the implementation of the action 
plan developed under this paragraph, including 
updates on the adoption of streamlined proce-
dures, technological enhancements, and any 
regulatory changes necessary to improve air-
space access and flexibility. 
SEC. 744. AIRSPACE TRANSITION COMPLETION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall ensure that respon-
sibility for the Newark, New Jersey radar sector is moved 
to the Philadelphia terminal radar approach control facil-
ity. 
(b) STAFFING.—In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator may not— 
(1) require the temporary or permanent move-
ment of any personnel from the New York terminal 
radar approach control facility to the Philadelphia 
terminal radar approach control facility, but may so-
licit such personnel to volunteer to temporarily or 
permanently facilitate the move required under sub-
section (a); or 
(2) reduce the target staffing level of the New 
York terminal radar approach control facility. 
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(c) CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFINGS.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act and every 
60 days thereafter, the Administrator and the head of the 
collective bargaining unit representing air traffic control-
lers shall brief the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate on the status of the move required under sub-
section (a) until such time as the Newark, New Jersey 
radar sector is under the full responsibility of the Philadel-
phia terminal radar approach control facility. 
SEC. 745. FAA CONTRACT TOWERS. 
(a) OPERATIONAL READINESS INSPECTIONS.—Not 
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall update applicable regulations, standards, and 
guidance on operational readiness inspections related to 
the Federal Aviation Administration Contract Tower pro-
gram to provide airport sponsors acting in good faith with 
7 years to complete such inspections after receiving a ben-
efit-to-cost ratio of air traffic control services for an air-
port. 
(b) FCT CONTROLLER AIRSPACE AWARENESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
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shall authorize the use of advanced technology at 
Federal Aviation Administration contract towers to 
enhance air traffic controller situational awareness. 
(2) EQUIPMENT STANDARDS.—In carrying out 
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall establish 
standards and criteria identical to such standards 
and criteria applicable to Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration air traffic controllers for the use of advanced 
technology in air traffic control towers. 
(3) RECURRENCY TRAINING.—In carrying out 
this subsection, the Administrator, in coordination 
with Federal Aviation Administration contract tower 
contractors, shall establish an appropriate training 
program to periodically train air traffic controllers 
employed by such contractors to ensure proper inte-
gration and use of advanced technologies at Federal 
Aviation Administration contract towers. 
(c) LIABILITY INSURANCE.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation, in consultation with industry experts in-
cluding Federal Aviation Administration contract tower 
contractors and aviation insurance providers, shall— 
(1) assess existing liability limits for contract 
tower contractors established by the Secretary; and 
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(2) determine whether such limits should be up-
dated. 
SEC. 746. FAA CONTRACT TOWER WORKFORCE AUDIT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the inspector general of the 
Department of Transportation shall initiate an audit of 
the workforce needs of the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion Contract Tower Program. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the audit required 
under subsection (a), the inspector general shall, at a min-
imum— 
(1) review the assumptions and methodologies 
used in assessing the source of Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration contract towers staffing to determine 
the adequacy of staffing levels at such towers; 
(2) determine whether there is a need to estab-
lish an air traffic controller training program to 
allow Federal Aviation Administration contract 
tower contractors to conduct— 
(A) initial training of air traffic controllers 
employed by such contractors; or 
(B) on-the-job training of such controllers; 
(3) assess whether establishing pathways to 
allow Federal Aviation Administration contract 
tower contractors to use the air traffic technical 
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training academy of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration, or other means such as higher educational 
institutions, to provide initial technical training for 
air traffic controllers employed by such contractors 
could help address the workforce needs of the FAA 
contract tower program; and 
(4) consult with the exclusive bargaining rep-
resentative of the air traffic controllers certified 
under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the com-
pletion of the audit under subsection (a), the inspector 
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 on the findings of such audit and 
any recommendations as a result of such audit. 
SEC. 747. AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall develop perform-
ance metrics with which the Administrator can assess the 
operation of safety-critical communication, navigation, 
and surveillance aviation infrastructure within the na-
tional airspace system. 
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(b) PERFORMANCE METRICS NECESSARY TO REMAIN 
IN SERVICE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—After developing the per-
formance metrics under subsection (a), the Adminis-
trator shall carry out an assessment to determine 
which applicable aviation infrastructure are to re-
main in operational service. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In making an assess-
ment under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall 
take into consideration the following: 
(A) The expected lifespan of such aviation 
infrastructure. 
(B) The number and type of mechanical 
failures of such aviation infrastructure. 
(C) The average annual costs of maintain-
ing such aviation infrastructure over a 5-year 
timespan and whether such costs exceed the 
amount to replace such aviation infrastructure. 
(D) The availability of replacement parts 
or labor capable of maintaining such aviation 
infrastructure. 
(E) Any other factors the Administrator 
determines are necessary. 
(c) PUBLICATION.—The Administrator shall make 
the performance metrics established under subsection (b) 
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available to the public through the website of the Adminis-
tration, or other appropriate methods of publication, and 
shall ensure that any information made available to the 
public under this subsection is made available in a manner 
that— 
(1) does not provide identifying information re-
garding an individual or entity; 
(2) prevents inappropriate disclosure of propri-
etary information; and 
(3) does not disclose information that may pose 
a cybersecurity risk. 
SEC. 748. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER SAFETY. 
In designing, adopting a design, or constructing an 
air traffic control tower based on a previously adopted de-
sign, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall ensure that the safety of the national airspace 
system, the safety of employees of the Administration, the 
operational reliability of air traffic control towers, and the 
costs of such towers are the primary consideration in such 
design, adoption, or construction. 
SEC. 749. AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES DATA REPORTS. 
Section 45303(g)(2)(A) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ‘‘8 years’’ and inserting ‘‘14 
years’’. 
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SEC. 750. CONSIDERATION OF SMALL HUB CONTROL TOW-
ERS. 
In selecting projects for the replacement of federally 
owned air traffic control towers from funds made available 
pursuant to title VIII of division J of the Infrastructure 
Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58) under the 
heading ‘‘Federal Aviation Administration—Facilities and 
Equipment’’, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall consider selecting projects at small 
hub commercial service airports with control towers that 
are at least 50 years old. 
SEC. 751. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER REPLACEMENT 
PROCESS REPORT. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 120 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall submit to 
Congress a report on the process by which air traffic con-
trol tower facilities are chosen for replacement. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under sub-
section (a) shall contain— 
(1) the process by which air traffic control 
tower facilities are chosen for replacement, including 
which divisions of the Administration control or are 
involved in the replacement decision making process; 
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(2) the criteria the Administrator uses to deter-
mine which air traffic control tower facilities to re-
place, including— 
(A) the relative importance of each such 
criteria; 
(B) why the Administrator uses each such 
criteria; and 
(C) the reasons for the relative importance 
of each such criteria; 
(3) what types of investigation the Adminis-
trator carries out to determine if an air traffic con-
trol tower facility should be replaced; 
(4) a timeline of the replacement process for an 
individual air traffic control tower facility replace-
ment; 
(5) the list of facilities established under sub-
section (c), including the reason for selecting each 
such facility; and 
(6) any other information the Administrator 
considers relevant. 
(c) LIST
OF REPLACED AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 
TOWER FACILITIES.—The Administrator shall establish, 
maintain, and publish on the website of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration a list of the following: 
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(1) All air traffic control tower facilities re-
placed within the previous 10-year period. 
(2) Any such facilities in the process of being 
replaced. 
SEC. 752. FAA CONTRACT TOWER PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall establish a pilot 
program to convert up to 3 high-activity contract towers 
under the Federal Aviation Administration Contract 
Tower Program under section 47124 of title 49, United 
States Code, to visual flight rule towers staffed by the Ad-
ministration. 
(b) PRIORITY.—In selecting facilities to participate in 
the pilot program under subsection (a), the Administrator 
shall give priority to towers that— 
(1) had over 200,000 in annual tower oper-
ations in calendar year 2022 or a small hub airport 
with more than 900,000 passenger enplanements in 
calendar year 2021; 
(2) have controls towers that are either owned 
by the Administration or are constructed to Admin-
istration standards; and 
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(3) operate within a complex air space, includ-
ing space used by air carriers, for general aviation, 
and by military aircraft. 
(c) CONTROLLER RETENTION.—The Administrator 
shall appoint to the position of air traffic controller all 
air traffic controllers employed as a Federal contract 
tower operator and assigned to the air traffic control tower 
pilot program as of the date of enactment of this Act so 
long as such operator— 
(1) meets the qualifications contained in section 
44506(f)(1)(A) of title 49, United States Code; and 
(2) has all other pre-employment qualifications 
required by law. 
SEC. 753. AGREEMENTS FOR STATE AND LOCAL OPER-
ATION OF AIRPORT FACILITIES. 
Section 47124(b)(3)(C) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(viii) Air traffic control towers at 
airports with safety or operational prob-
lems related to the lack of an existing 
tower. 
‘‘(ix) Air traffic control towers at air-
ports with projected commercial and mili-
tary increases in aircraft or flight oper-
ations. 
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‘‘(x) Air traffic control towers at air-
ports with a variety of aircraft operations, 
including a variety of commercial and mili-
tary flight operations’’. 
Subtitle C—Small Community Air 
Service 
SEC. 771. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE REFORMS. 
(a) 
REDUCTION
IN
SUBSIDY
CAP.—Section 
41731(a)(1)(C) of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed to read as follows: 
‘‘(C) had an average subsidy per pas-
senger— 
‘‘(i) of less than $1,000 during the 
most recent fiscal year beginning before 
October 1, 2026, as determined in sub-
paragraph (D) by the Secretary; or 
‘‘(ii) of $500 or less during the most 
recent fiscal year beginning on or after Oc-
tober 1, 2026; and’’. 
(b) RESTRICTION ON LENGTH OF ROUTES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 41732(a)(1) of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
‘‘less than 650 miles from an eligible place (unless 
such airport or eligible place are located in a non- 
contiguous State)’’ after ‘‘hub airport’’. 
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(2) EXCEPTION.—The amendment made by 
paragraph (1) shall not apply to an eligible place 
that is served by an air carrier selected to receive es-
sential air service compensation under subchapter II 
of chapter 417 of title 49, if— 
(A) such service is in effect upon the date 
of enactment of this Act; and 
(B) such service is provided by the same 
air carrier that provided service on the date of 
enactment of this Act. 
(3) SUNSET.—Paragraph (2) shall cease to 
have effect after September 30, 2028. 
(c) APPLICANT SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS.—Sec-
tion 41733(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘giving substantial weight to’’ 
and inserting ‘‘including’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (E) by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(3) in subparagraph (F) by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(G) the total compensation proposed by the air 
carrier for providing scheduled air service under this 
section.’’. 
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(d) COST SHARE.— 
(1) SECTION
41737.—Section 41737(a)(1) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in subparagraph (D) by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (E) by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) require that, for a contract to provide air 
service that is entered into or renewed under this 
subchapter after September 30, 2026, the Govern-
ment’s share of the compensation is 95 percent.’’. 
(2) SECTION 41731.—Section 41731 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in subsection (c) by inserting ‘‘and sec-
tion 41737(a)(1)(F)’’ after ‘‘subsection (a)(1)’’; 
and 
(B) in subsection (d) by inserting ‘‘and 
section 
41737(a)(1)(F)’’ 
after 
‘‘Subsection 
(a)(1)(B)’’. 
(e) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that route structures to rural airports serve a critical 
function to our Nation by connecting many of our military 
installations to major regional airline hubs. 
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SEC. 772. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE AUTHORIZATION. 
Section 41742(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘$155,000,000 for fiscal year 
2018’’ an all that follows through ‘‘$172,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2023’’ and inserting ‘‘$332,000,000 for fiscal year 
2024, $312,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, $300,000,000 
for fiscal year 2026, $265,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, 
and $252,000,000 for fiscal year 2028’’. 
SEC. 773. SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT 
PROGRAM REFORM AND AUTHORIZATION. 
(a) SAME PROJECTS LIMIT.—Section 41743(c)(4)(B) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘10-year’’ and inserting ‘‘6-year’’. 
(b) PRIORITIES.—Section 41743(c)(5) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) 
by 
redesignating 
subparagraphs 
(B) 
through (G) as subparagraphs (C) through (H), re-
spectively; and 
(2) by adding after subparagraph (A) the fol-
lowing— 
‘‘(B) the community has demonstrated 
support from at least 1 air carrier to provide 
service;’’. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION.—Section 41743(e)(2) of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘2023’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2028’’. 
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SEC. 774. GAO STUDY ON INCREASED COSTS OF ESSENTIAL 
AIR SERVICE. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a study of the change in costs of the 
essential air service program under sections 41731 
through 41742 of title 49, United States Code. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study required 
under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall— 
(1) assess trends in costs of the essential air 
service program under sections 41731 through 
41742 of title 49, United States Code, over the 10- 
year period ending on the date of enactment of this 
Act; 
(2) review potential causes for the increased 
cost of the essential air service program, including— 
(A) labor costs; 
(B) fuel costs; 
(C) aging aircraft costs; 
(D) air carrier opportunity costs; and 
(E) airport costs; and 
(3) assess the effects of the COVID–19 pan-
demic on the costs of the essential air service pro-
gram under sections 41731 through 41742 of title 
49, United States Code. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
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shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a report on the results of the study conducted 
under subsection (a). 
SEC. 775. RESPONSE TIME FOR APPLICATIONS TO PROVIDE 
ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE. 
The Secretary of Transportation shall take such ac-
tions as are necessary to respond with an approval or de-
nial of any application filed by an applicant to provide es-
sential air service under subchapter II of chapter 417 of 
title 49, United States Code, to the greatest extent prac-
ticable no later than 6 months after receiving such appli-
cation. 
SEC. 776. GAO STUDY ON CERTAIN AIRPORT DELAYS. 
The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study on flight delays in the States of New 
York, New Jersey, and Connecticut and the possible 
causes of such delays. 
SEC. 777. REPORT ON RESTORATION OF SMALL COMMU-
NITY AIR SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Depart-
ment of Transportation shall enter into the appropriate 
arrangements with the National Academies to conduct a 
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study on the loss of commercial air service in small com-
munities in the United States and options to restore such 
service. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study required 
under subsection (a), that National Academies shall— 
(1) assess the reduction of scheduled commer-
cial air service to small communities over a 5-year 
period ending on the date of enactment of this Act, 
to include small communities that have lost all 
scheduled commercial air service; 
(2) review economic trends that have resulted in 
reduction or loss of scheduled commercial air service 
to such communities; 
(3) review the economic losses of such commu-
nities who have suffered a reduction or loss of sched-
uled commercial air service; 
(4) identify the causes that prompted air car-
riers to reduce or eliminate scheduled commercial air 
service to such communities; 
(5) assess the impact of changing aircraft eco-
nomics; and 
(6) identify recommendations that can be imple-
mented by such communities or Federal, State, or 
local agencies to aid in the restoration or replace-
ment of scheduled commercial air service. 
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(c) CASE STUDIES.—In conducting the study re-
quired under subsection (a), the National Academies shall 
assess not fewer than 7 communities that have lost com-
mercial air service or have had commercial air service sig-
nificantly reduced in the past 15 years, including— 
(1) Williamsport Regional Airport; 
(2) Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport; 
and 
(3) Chautauqua County Jamestown Airport. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall 
submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation 
of the Senate a report containing— 
(1) the results of the study described in sub-
section (a); and 
(2) recommendations to Congress and commu-
nities on action that can be taken to improve or re-
store scheduled commercial service to small commu-
nities. 
TITLE VIII—MISCELLANEOUS 
SEC. 801. DIGITALIZATION OF FAA PROCESSES. 
(a) IDENTIFICATION.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of 
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the Federal Aviation Administration shall identify and 
catalog programs, activities, or processes that require 
paper-based information exchange between— 
(1) external entities and the Administration; or 
(2) offices within the Administration. 
(b) DIGITALIZATION.—On an ongoing basis, and as 
appropriate, the Administrator shall transition the paper- 
based processes identified under subsection (a) to proc-
esses that support secure digital information submission, 
exchange, collaboration, and approval. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 60 days after com-
pleting the required identification and catalog in sub-
section (a), 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 pro-
grams, activities, and processes identified under sub-
section (a) and such programs, activities, and processes 
that have been identified for transition under subsection 
(b). 
SEC. 802. FAA TELEWORK. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration— 
(1) may establish telework policies for employ-
ees that allow for the Administration to reduce the 
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office footprint and associated expenses of the Ad-
ministration, increase workforce retention, and pro-
vide flexibilities that the Administrator believes in-
creases efficiency and effectiveness of the Adminis-
tration, while requiring that any such policy— 
(A) does not adversely impact the mission 
of the Administration; 
(B) does not reduce the safety and effi-
ciency of the national airspace system; 
(C) for any employee that is designated as 
an officer or executive in the Federal Aviation 
Administration Executive System or a political 
appointee (as such term is defined in section 
106 of title 49, United States Code)— 
(i) maximizes time at a duty station 
for such employee, excluding official travel; 
and 
(ii) may include telework provisions as 
determined appropriate by the Adminis-
trator, commensurate with official duties 
for such employee; 
(D) provides for on-the-job training oppor-
tunities for Administration personnel that are 
not less than such opportunities available in 
2019; 
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(E) reflects the appropriate work status of 
employees based on the job functions of such 
employee; 
(F) optimizes the work status of inspec-
tors, investigators, and other personnel per-
forming safety-related functions to ensure time-
ly completion of safety oversight activities; 
(G) provides for personnel, including such 
personnel performing work related to aircraft 
certification and flight standards, who are re-
sponsible for actively working with regulated 
entities, external stakeholders, or other mem-
bers of the public to be— 
(i) routinely available on a predictable 
basis for in-person and virtual communica-
tions with external persons; and 
(ii) not hindered from meeting with, 
visiting, auditing, or inspecting facilities or 
projects of regulated persons due to any 
telework policy; and 
(H) provides offices of the Administration 
opportunities for in-person dialogue, collabora-
tion, and ideation for all employees; 
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(2) ensures that locality pay for an employee of 
the Administrator accurately reflects the telework 
status and duty station of such employee; 
(3) may not establish a telework policy for an 
employee of the Administration unless such em-
ployee will be provided with secure network capacity, 
communications tools, necessary and secure access 
to appropriate agency data assets and Federal 
records, and equipment sufficient to enable such em-
ployee to be fully productive; and 
(4) not later than 2 years after the date of en-
actment of this Act, shall evaluate and address any 
telework policies in effect on the day before such 
date of enactment to ensure that such policies meet 
the requirements of paragraph (1). 
(b) CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE.—Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this Act, and 1 year 
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 any telework policies 
currently in place, the implementation of such policies, 
and the benefits of such policies. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—If the Administrator deter-
mines that telework agreements must be updated to imple-
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ment the requirements of subsection (a), the Adminis-
trator shall, prior to updating such agreements, consult 
with— 
(1) exclusive bargaining representatives of air 
traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of 
title 5, United States Code; and 
(2) labor organizations certified under such sec-
tion as the exclusive bargaining representative of 
airway transportation systems specialists and avia-
tion safety inspectors and engineers of the Federal 
Aviation Administration. 
SEC. 803. REVIEW OF OFFICE SPACE. 
(a) FAA REVIEW.— 
(1) INITIATION OF REVIEW.—Not later than 30 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Transportation shall initiate an inven-
tory review of the domestic office footprint of the 
Department of Transportation. 
(2) COMPLETION OF REVIEW.—Not later than 
40 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall complete the inventory review re-
quired under paragraph (1). 
(b) CONTENTS OF REVIEW.—In completing the re-
view under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— 
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(1) delineate the domestic office footprint into 
units of property, as determined appropriate by the 
Secretary; 
(2) determine unit adequacy related to— 
(A) the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and the corresponding 
accessibility guidelines established under part 
1191 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations; 
and 
(B) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); 
(3) determine the feasible occupancy of each 
such unit, and provide the methodology used to 
make the determination; 
(4) determine the number of individuals who 
are full-time equivalent employees, other employees, 
or contractors that have each such unit as a duty 
station and determine how telework policies will im-
pact the usage of each such unit; 
(5) calculate the amount of available, unused, 
or underutilized space in each such unit; 
(6) consider any lease terms for leased units 
contained in the domestic office footprint, including 
cost and effective dates for each such leased unit; 
and 
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(7) based on the findings in paragraphs (2) 
through (6), and any other metrics the Secretary de-
termines relevant, provide recommendations for opti-
mizing the use of units of property across the De-
partment in consultation with appropriate employee 
labor representatives. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 2 months after com-
pleting the review under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a final report that proposes opportunities to opti-
mize the domestic office footprint of the Administration 
(and associated costs). In compiling such final report, the 
Secretary shall describe opportunities for— 
(1) consolidation of offices within a reasonable 
distance from one another; 
(2) the collocation of regional or satellite offices 
of separate modes of the Department, including the 
cost benefits of shared amenities; and 
(3) the use of coworking spaces instead of per-
manent offices. 
(d) DEFINITION
OF
DOMESTIC
OFFICE
FOOT-
PRINT.—In this section, the term ‘‘domestic office foot-
print’’ means buildings, offices, facilities, and other real 
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property rented, owned, or occupied by the Administration 
or Department— 
(1) in which employees report for permanent or 
temporary duty that are not being used for active 
operations of the air traffic control system; and 
(2) which are located within the United States. 
SEC. 804. AIRCRAFT WEIGHT REDUCTION TASK FORCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall establish a task 
force to identify ways to safely reduce covered aircraft 
weight for purposes of reducing fuel burn. 
(b) COMPOSITION.—The task force established under 
subsection (a) shall consist of not more than 20 individ-
uals and shall include representatives of— 
(1) the Federal Aviation Administration; 
(2) other Federal agencies as the Administrator 
determines appropriate; 
(3) air carriers; 
(4) certified labor organizations representing 
flight attendants at air carriers operating under part 
121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; 
(5) certified labor organizations representing 
aircraft maintenance technicians; 
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(6) certified labor organizations representing 
other aviation workers, as appropriate; and 
(7) aerospace manufacturers. 
(c) REVIEW.—The task force established under sub-
section (a) shall review and evaluate— 
(1) regulations, requirements, advisory circu-
lars, orders, or other such directives of the Adminis-
tration related to covered aircraft or covered aircraft 
operations that may inhibit certification of new ma-
terials, manufacturing processes, components, or 
technologies that could reduce aircraft weight or in-
crease fuel efficiency without decreasing safety; 
(2) aspects of covered aircraft design that are 
outdated or underutilized on the date of enactment 
of this Act that may unnecessarily increase covered 
aircraft weight or reduce aircraft fuel efficiency that 
are not necessary for the safe operation of such air-
craft; 
(3) novel technologies and manufacturing proc-
esses, including the use of advanced materials, that 
can safely be used in the construction or modifica-
tion of covered aircraft, including a component or 
the interior of such aircraft, to reduce weight or im-
prove fuel efficiency; and 
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(4) nonproprietary methods that air carriers 
have used to safely decrease covered aircraft weight 
or improve fuel efficiency. 
(d) REPORT.— 
(1) TASK FORCE REPORT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years 
after the establishment of the task force under 
subsection (a), the task force shall submit a re-
port on the findings and results of the review 
and evaluation conducted under subsection (c) 
to the Administrator. 
(B) RECOMMENDATIONS.—In submitting 
the report required under subparagraph (A), 
the task force shall include recommendations— 
(i) on actions the Administrator may 
take to updated regulations, processes, ad-
visory circulars, orders, or other such di-
rections of the Administration to enable 
the certification of new materials, compo-
nents, manufacturing processes, or tech-
nologies that may allow for the safe reduc-
tion of covered aircraft weight or the im-
provement of fuel efficiency; and 
(ii) on best practices for air carriers 
and aerospace manufacturers to certify 
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such 
materials, 
components, 
manufac-
turing processes, or technologies. 
(C) APPROXIMATION OF BENEFITS.—For 
each recommendation made under subpara-
graph (B), the task force shall approximate the 
fuel savings that could be expected if such rec-
ommendation was adopted. 
(D) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later 
than 3 days after receipt of the report required 
under subparagraph (A), the Administrator 
shall 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 the 
report and recommendations. 
(2) FAA REPORT.—Not later than 120 days 
after submission of the report under paragraph (1), 
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 re-
port— 
(A) describing the recommendations of the 
task force with which the Administrator fully 
concurs, partially concurs, or does not concur; 
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(B) detailing, for the recommendations 
with which the Administrator fully or partially 
concurs— 
(i) a timeline for implementing such 
recommendations; and 
(ii) possible benefits of using new ma-
terials, manufacturing processes, compo-
nents, or technologies, including fuel sav-
ings, increased capacity, or other benefits 
as determined reasonable by the task force; 
and 
(C) explaining, for the recommendations 
with which the Administrator does not concur, 
the reason for which the Administrator will not 
implement such recommendations. 
(e) SUNSET.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The task force established 
under subsection (a) shall terminate upon submis-
sion of the report required under subsection 
(d)(1)(A). 
(2) 
EXCEPTION.—The 
Administrator 
may 
choose to extend such task force after the submis-
sion of the report required under subsection 
(d)(1)(A), if the Administrator determines that such 
an extension would be in the public interest. 
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(f) DEFINITION.—In this section: 
(1) AIR
CARRIER.—The term ‘‘air carrier’’ 
means an air carrier (as such term is defined in sec-
tion 40102 of title 49, United States Code) that 
holds a certificate issued under part 121 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations. 
(2) AIRCRAFT
WEIGHT.—The term ‘‘aircraft 
weight’’ means the gross weight of a covered aircraft 
in operation. 
(3) COVERED AIRCRAFT.—The term ‘‘covered 
aircraft’’ means an aircraft that is operated by an 
air carrier that is operating pursuant to a certificate 
issued under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
SEC. 805. AUDIT OF TECHNICAL WRITING RESOURCES AND 
CAPABILITIES. 
(a) AUDIT BY INSPECTOR GENERAL.—Not later than 
90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the inspec-
tor general of the Department of Transportation shall ini-
tiate an audit of the technical writing resources and capa-
bilities of the Federal Aviation Administration as such re-
sources and capabilities relate to producing rulemaking, 
policy, and guidance, to— 
(1) determine if such resources and capabilities 
are adequate; and 
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(2) make recommendations for improvement of 
such resources and capabilities. 
(b) REVIEW.—In conducting the review required 
under subsection (a), the inspector general shall evaluate 
the technical writing resources and capabilities of the Ad-
ministration in each line of business of the Administration, 
the Office of Policy, International Affairs, and Environ-
ment, and the Office of the Chief Counsel, including by 
reviewing— 
(1) the process and resources required to 
produce initial drafts of rulemaking, policy, and 
guidance documents; 
(2) the quality of such initial drafts; 
(3) the amount of edits that are required 
throughout the production of rulemaking, policy, and 
guidance documents; 
(4) writing support and education tools pro-
vided to engineers, managers, and other technical 
staff of the Administration involved in writing or ed-
iting such documents; and 
(5) whether— 
(A) the Administration has and adheres to 
best practices for the drafting of rulemaking, 
policy, and guidance documents; and 
(B) such best practices are— 
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(i) easily accessible and understand-
able by employees of the Administration; 
and 
(ii) reflect modern writing conven-
tions. 
(c) 
RECOMMENDATIONS.—In 
making 
the 
rec-
ommendations required under subsection (a)(2), the in-
spector general shall make recommendations to the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration on how 
to improve the quality of written rulemaking, policy, and 
guidance documents and the speed at which such docu-
ments can be produced, internally reviewed, and approved. 
(d) DECONFLICTING SCOPE.—The inspector general 
shall ensure that the audit required under subsection (a) 
does not duplicate the evaluation required under section 
125, except to the extent that duplication is necessary to 
fully evaluate the technical writing resources and capabili-
ties of the Administration. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the inspec-
tor general initiates the audit under subsection (a), the 
inspector general shall submit to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of 
the audit, including findings and recommendations. 
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SEC. 806. FAA PARTICIPATION IN INDUSTRY STANDARDS 
ORGANIZATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall ensure the participation of 
employees of the Administration in the activities of recog-
nized industry standards organizations to advance the 
adoption, reference, and acceptance rate of standards and 
means of compliance developed by such organizations by 
the Administrator. 
(b) PARTICIPATION.—An employee directed by the 
Administrator to participate in a working group, task 
group, committee, or similar body of a recognized industry 
standards organization shall— 
(1) actively participate in the discussions and 
work of such organization; 
(2) accurately represent the position of the Ad-
ministration on the subject matter of such discus-
sions and work; 
(3) contribute to the development of work prod-
ucts of such organization, unless determined to be 
inappropriate by such organization; 
(4) make reasonable efforts to identify and 
make any concerns of the Administration relating to 
such work products known to such organization, in-
cluding through providing formal comments, as may 
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be allowed for under the procedures of such organi-
zation; 
(5) provide regular updates to other Adminis-
tration employees and management on the progress 
of such work products; and 
(6) seek advice and input from other Adminis-
tration employees and management, as needed. 
(c) INVITATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may ac-
cept an invitation to participate in and contribute to 
the work of a recognized industry standards organi-
zation as described in subsection (b). 
(2) DECLINATION OF INVITATION.—If the Ad-
ministrator declines an invitation described in para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall provide— 
(A) the recognized industry standards or-
ganization a written response to the invitation 
that articulates the reasons for declining the in-
vitation; and 
(B) a copy of such written response to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate not later than 5 days 
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after providing the response to such organiza-
tion under subparagraph (A). 
(d) RECOGNIZED INDUSTRY STANDARDS ORGANIZA-
TION DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘recognized in-
dustry standards organization’’ means a domestic or inter-
national organization that— 
(1) uses agreed upon procedures to develop 
aviation-related industry standards or means of com-
pliance, particularly standards or means of compli-
ance that satisfy Administration requirements or 
guidance; 
(2) is comprised of members of the public, in-
cluding subject matter experts, industry representa-
tives, academics and researchers, and government 
employees; and 
(3) has had at least one standard or means of 
compliance accepted by the Administrator or ref-
erenced in guidance material or a regulation issued 
by the Federal Aviation Administration after the 
date of enactment of the Vision 100—Century of 
Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108–176). 
SEC. 807. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON USE OF VOLUNTARY 
CONSENSUS STANDARDS. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration should make every 
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effort to abide by the policies set forth in the Office of 
Management and Budget Circular A–119, titled ‘‘Federal 
Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary 
Consensus Standards and Conformity Assessment Activi-
ties’’. 
SEC. 808. REQUIRED DESIGNATION. 
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall designate any aviation rulemaking committee 
convened under this Act pursuant to section 106(p)(5) of 
title 49, United States Code. 
SEC. 809. SENSITIVE SECURITY INFORMATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 401 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 40118 
the following: 
‘‘§ 40119. Sensitive security information 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding section 552 of 
title 5, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue regula-
tions prohibiting the disclosure of information obtained or 
developed in the process of ensuring security under this 
title if the Secretary determines that disclosing the infor-
mation would— 
‘‘(1) be an unwarranted invasion of personal 
privacy; 
‘‘(2) reveal a trade secret or privileged or con-
fidential commercial or financial information; or 
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‘‘(3) be detrimental to transportation safety. 
‘‘(b) WITHHELD INFORMATION.—In carrying out 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that the prohibi-
tions described in such subsection do not apply to any in-
formation provided to a committee of Congress authorized 
to have such information, including the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate. 
‘‘(c) RULE
OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in sub-
section (a) shall be construed to authorize the designation 
of information as sensitive security information (as de-
fined in section 15.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regula-
tions) to— 
‘‘(1) conceal— 
‘‘(A) a violation of law; 
‘‘(B) inefficiency; or 
‘‘(C) an administrative error; 
‘‘(2) prevent embarrassment to a person, orga-
nization, or governmental agency; 
‘‘(3) restrain competition; or 
‘‘(4) prevent or delay the release of information 
that does not require protection in the interest of 
transportation security, including basic scientific re-
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search information not clearly related to transpor-
tation security. 
‘‘(d) NONDISCLOSURE.—Section 552a of title 5 shall 
not apply to disclosures that the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration may make from the systems 
of records of the Administration to any Federal law en-
forcement, intelligence, protective service, immigration, or 
national security official in order to assist the official re-
ceiving the information in the performance of official du-
ties.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 401 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the item related to section 40119 and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘40119. Sensitive security information.’’. 
SEC. 810. PRESERVING OPEN SKIES WHILE ENSURING FAIR 
SKIES. 
(a) ADDITION
OF
LABOR
STANDARDS.—Section 
40101 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(17) preventing the undermining of labor 
standards.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e) by adding at the end the 
following: 
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‘‘(11) preventing the undermining of labor 
standards.’’. 
(b) UPDATE TO FOREIGN AIR CARRIER PERMITS.— 
Section 41302(2)(B) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘the foreign air transportation’’ and 
inserting ‘‘after considering the totality of the cir-
cumstances, including the matters described in section 
40101(a), the foreign air transportation’’. 
(c) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section, or 
the amendments made by this section, shall be construed 
to affect the validity of a foreign air carrier permit held, 
or air transport agreement in place, on the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 811. COMMERCIAL PREFERENCE. 
Section 40110(d) of title 49, United States Code, is 
further amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘and imple-
ment’’ and inserting ‘‘, implement, and periodically 
update’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘the new ac-
quisition management system developed and imple-
mented’’ and inserting ‘‘the acquisition management 
system developed, implemented, and periodically up-
dated’’ each place it appears; 
(3) in paragraph (3)— 
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(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘new’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘and implemented’’ 
and inserting ‘‘, implemented, and periodi-
cally updated’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking 
‘‘Within’’ and all that follows through ‘‘the Ad-
ministrator’’ and inserting ‘‘The Adminis-
trator’’; 
(4) by redesignating paragraph (4) as para-
graph (5); and 
(5) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(4) COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.— 
In implementing and updating the acquisition man-
agement system pursuant to paragraph (1), the Ad-
ministrator shall, whenever possible— 
‘‘(A) describe the requirements with re-
spect to a solicitation for the procurement of 
supplies or services in terms of— 
‘‘(i) functions to be performed; 
‘‘(ii) performance required; or 
‘‘(iii) essential physical and system 
characteristics; 
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‘‘(B) ensure that commercial services or 
commercial products may be procured to fulfill 
such solicitation, or to the extent that commer-
cial products suitable to meet the needs of the 
Administration are not available, ensure that 
nondevelopmental items other than commercial 
products may be procured to fulfill such solici-
tation; 
‘‘(C) provide offerors of commercial serv-
ices, commercial products, and nondevelop-
mental items other than commercial products 
an opportunity to compete in any solicitation 
for the procurement of supplies or services; 
‘‘(D) revise the procurement policies, prac-
tices, and procedures of the Administration to 
reduce any impediments to the acquisition of 
commercial products and commercial services; 
‘‘(E) ensure that any procurement of new 
equipment takes into account the life cycle, reli-
ability, performance, service support, and costs 
to guarantee the acquisition of equipment that 
is of high quality and reliability resulting in 
greater performance and cost-related benefits 
for airports; and 
‘‘(F) ensure that procurement officials— 
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‘‘(i) acquire commercial services, com-
mercial products, or nondevelopmental 
items other than commercial products to 
meet the needs of the Administration; 
‘‘(ii) in a solicitation for the procure-
ment of supplies or services, state the spec-
ifications for such supplies or services in 
terms that enable and encourage bidders 
and offerors to supply commercial services 
or commercial products, or to the extent 
that commercial products suitable to meet 
the needs of the Administration are not 
available, 
to 
supply 
nondevelopmental 
items other than commercial products; 
‘‘(iii) require that prime contractors 
and subcontractors at all levels under con-
tracts with the Administration incorporate 
commercial services, commercial products, 
or nondevelopmental items other than com-
mercial products as components of items 
supplied to the Administration; 
‘‘(iv) modify procurement require-
ments in appropriate circumstances to en-
sure that such requirements can be met by 
commercial services or commercial prod-
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ucts, or to the extent that commercial 
products suitable to meet the needs of the 
Administration are not available, non-
developmental items other than commercial 
products; and 
‘‘(v) require training of appropriate 
personnel in the acquisition of commercial 
products and commercial services.’’. 
SEC. 812. CONSIDERATION OF THIRD-PARTY SERVICES. 
(a) PLANS AND POLICY.—Section 44501 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘development 
and location of air navigation facilities’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘development of air navigation facilities and 
services’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and development’’ and in-
serting ‘‘procurement, and development’’ each 
place it appears; 
(B) by striking ‘‘facilities and equipment’’ 
and inserting ‘‘facilities, services, and equip-
ment’’; 
(C) by striking ‘‘first and 2d years’’ and 
inserting ‘‘first and second years’’; 
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(D) by striking ‘‘subclauses (A) and (B) of 
this clause’’ and inserting ‘‘subparagraphs (A) 
and (B)’’; 
(E) by striking ‘‘the 3d, 4th, and 5th’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the third, fourth, and fifth’’; 
(F) by striking ‘‘systems and facilities’’ 
and inserting ‘‘systems, services, and facilities’’; 
and 
(G) by striking ‘‘growth of aviation’’ and 
inserting ‘‘growth of the aerospace industry’’. 
(b) SYSTEMS, PROCEDURES, FACILITIES, AND DE-
VICES.—Section 44505 of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘develop, alter’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘develop when necessary, alter’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘and devices’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘services, and devices’’ each place it ap-
pears; and 
(2) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘develop dy-
namic simulation models’’ and inserting ‘‘develop or 
procure dynamic simulation models and tools’’ each 
place it appears. 
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SEC. 813. CERTIFICATES OF AUTHORIZATION OR WAIVER. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, the Secretary of Transportation, acting 
through the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration, may issue a certificate of authorization or waiver 
to a person to operate an aircraft within an area covered 
by a temporary flight restriction under such conditions as 
the Administrator may prescribe, except for airspace that 
is subject to a permanent, continuous flight restriction, 
unless the authorization or waiver is issued to the entity 
for which the flight restriction was created. 
(b) SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS.—If a temporary 
flight restriction is related to a sporting event and issued 
pursuant to section 541 of division F of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2004 (49 U.S.C. 40103 note), the 
conditions prescribed by the Administrator under sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
(1) A minimum distance from the center of the 
temporary flight restriction, which shall not be 
greater than 0.75 nautical miles, unless the Admin-
istrator determines, on a case by case basis, that 
such mileage is insufficient to maintain public safe-
ty. 
(2) The person may not operate an aircraft (ex-
cept for a purpose described under section 521 of di-
vision F of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
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2004 (49 U.S.C. 40103 note)) for a purpose that 
the Secretary determines is directly related to the 
event for which the temporary flight restriction is 
active. 
(c) REQUIRED COORDINATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—On an annual basis, the Ad-
ministrator shall convene a meeting with representa-
tives of Administration-approved air shows, the gen-
eral aviation community, stadiums and other large 
outdoor events and venues or organizations that run 
such events, the Department of Homeland Security, 
and the Department of Justice— 
(A) to identify scheduling conflicts between 
Administration-approved air shows and large 
outdoor events and venues where— 
(i) flight restrictions will be imposed 
pursuant to section 521 of division F of 
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 
(49 U.S.C. 40103 note); or 
(ii) any other restriction will be im-
posed pursuant to Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration Flight Data Center Notice to 
Airmen 4/3621 (or any successor notice to 
airmen); and 
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(B) in instances where a scheduling con-
flict between events is identified or is found to 
be likely to occur, develop appropriate oper-
ational and communication procedures to en-
sure for the safety and security of both events, 
pursuant to the authority prescribed in sub-
section (a). 
(2) SCHEDULING CONFLICT.—If the Adminis-
trator or any other stakeholder party to the required 
annual coordination required in paragraph (1) iden-
tifies a scheduling conflict outside of the annual 
meeting at any point prior to the scheduling conflict, 
the Administrator shall work with impacted stake-
holders to develop appropriate operational and com-
munication procedures to ensure for the safety and 
security of both events, pursuant to the authority 
prescribed in subsection (a). 
(3) NOTICE.—Prior to issuing a certificate of 
authorization or waiver pursuant to subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall give appropriate due notice 
to impacted stakeholders and develop appropriate 
operational and communication procedures to ensure 
for the safety and security of all impacted events, 
pursuant to the authority prescribed in subsection 
(a). 
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(d) BRIEFING.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall brief 
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 
implementation of this section, including the number and 
nature of certificates of authorization or waiver that have 
been issued under subsection (a) subject to restrictions 
under subsection (b). 
(e) 
OPERATIONAL
PURPOSES.—Section 
521(a)(2)(B)(ii) of division F of the Consolidated Appro-
priations Act, 2004 (49 U.S.C. 40103 note) is amended 
by inserting ‘‘(or attendees approved by)’’ after ‘‘guests’’. 
SEC. 814. WING-IN-GROUND-EFFECT CRAFT. 
(a) MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 24 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration and 
the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall execute 
a memorandum of understanding governing the spe-
cific roles, delineations of responsibilities, resources, 
and commitments of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration and the Coast Guard, respectively, pertaining 
to wing-in-ground-effect craft that are— 
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(A) only capable of operating either in 
water or in ground effect over water; and 
(B) operated exclusively over waters sub-
ject to the jurisdiction of the United States. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The memorandum of under-
standing described in paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) cover the processes the Federal Avia-
tion Administration and the United States 
Coast Guard will follow to promote communica-
tions, efficiency, and nonduplication of effort in 
carrying out such memorandum of under-
standing; 
(B) account for the special rule in accord-
ance with subsection (b); and 
(C) provide procedures for, at a minimum, 
the following: 
(i) Approval of wing-in-ground-effect 
craft designs. 
(ii) Operations of wing-in-ground-ef-
fect craft. 
(iii) Pilotage of wing-in-ground-effect 
craft. 
(iv) Inspections of wing-in-ground-ef-
fect craft. 
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(v) Maintenance of wing-in-ground-ef-
fect craft. 
(b) SPECIAL RULE PROHIBITING SECRETARY FROM 
REGULATING CERTAIN WIG CRAFT OPERATORS AS AIR 
CARRIERS.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law 
or regulation, the Secretary of Transportation may not 
regulate an operator of a wing-in-ground-effect craft as 
an air carrier (as such term is defined in section 40102(a) 
of title 49, United States Code). 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed to— 
(1) limit the authority of the Secretary or the 
Administrator to regulate aircraft that are not wing- 
in-ground-effect craft, including aircraft that are— 
(A) capable of the operations described in 
subsection (d); and 
(B) capable of sustained flight out of 
ground effect; 
(2) confer upon the Commandant the authority 
to determine the impact of any civil aircraft oper-
ation on the safety or efficiency of the National Air-
space System; or 
(3) confer upon the Administrator the authority 
to issue a certificate of documentation, with or with-
out a registry, fishery or coastwise endorsement, for, 
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or inspect any vessel as that term is defined in sec-
tion 115 of title 46, United States Code. 
(d) WING-IN-GROUND-EFFECT CRAFT DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘‘wing-in-ground-effect craft’’ means 
a craft that is capable of operating completely above the 
surface of the water on a dynamic air cushion created by 
aerodynamic lift due to the ground effect between the craft 
and the surface of the water. 
SEC. 815. QUASQUICENTENNIAL OF AVIATION. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) December 17, 2028, is the 125th anniver-
sary of the first successful manned, free, controlled, 
and sustained flight by an aircraft. 
(2) The first flight by Orville and Wilbur 
Wright in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, is a defining 
moment in the history of the United States and the 
world. 
(3) The Wright brothers’ achievement is a tes-
tament to their ingenuity, perseverance, and commit-
ment to innovation, which has inspired generations 
of aviators and scientists alike. 
(4) The advent of aviation and the air transpor-
tation industry has fundamentally transformed the 
United States and the world for the better. 
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(5) The 125th anniversary of the Wright broth-
ers’ first flight is worthy of recognition and celebra-
tion to honor their legacy and to inspire a new gen-
eration of Americans as aviation reaches an inflec-
tion point of innovation and change. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Secretary of Transportation, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration, and the 
heads of other appropriate Federal agencies should facili-
tate and participate in local, national, and international 
observances and activities that commemorate and cele-
brate the 125th anniversary of powered flight. 
SEC. 816. FEDERAL CONTRACT TOWER WAGE DETERMINA-
TIONS AND POSITIONS. 
The Secretary of Transportation shall request that 
the Secretary of Labor— 
(1) review and update, as necessary, including 
to account for cost-of-living adjustments, the basis 
for the wage determination for air traffic controllers 
who are employed at air traffic control towers oper-
ated under the Contract Tower Program established 
under section 47124 of title 49, United States Code; 
(2) create a new wage determination category 
or occupation code for managers of air traffic con-
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States’ have the meaning given those terms in section 
183a(h) of title 10.’’. 
(l) 
METEOROLOGICAL
SERVICES.—Section 
44720(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘the Administrator to persons’’ 
and inserting ‘‘the Administrator, to persons’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘the Administrator and to’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the Administrator, and to’’. 
(m) AERONAUTICAL CHARTS.—Section 44721(c)(1) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘1947,’’ and inserting ‘‘1947’’. 
(n) FLIGHT ATTENDANT CERTIFICATION.—Section 
44728(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘Regulation,’’ and inserting ‘‘Regulations,’’. 
(o) MANUAL SURCHARGE.—The analysis for chapter 
453 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘45306. Manual surcharge.’’. 
(p) SCHEDULE OF FEES.—Section 45301(a) of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘The Ad-
ministrator shall establish’’ and inserting ‘‘The Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall estab-
lish’’. 
(q) JUDICIAL REVIEW.—Section 46110(a) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘subsection 
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(l) or (s) of section 114’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (l) or 
(r) of section 114’’. 
(r) CIVIL PENALTIES.—Section 46301(a) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the heading for paragraph (6), by strik-
ing ‘‘FAILURE
TO
COLLECT
AIRPORT
SECURITY 
BADGES’’ and inserting ‘‘FAILURE TO COLLECT AIR-
PORT SECURITY BADGES’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘‘PENALTIES 
RELATING TO HARM TO PASSENGERS WITH DISABIL-
ITIES’’ in the paragraph heading and inserting 
‘‘PENALTIES RELATING TO HARM TO PASSENGERS 
WITH DISABILITIES’’. 
(s) PAYMENTS UNDER PROJECT GRANT AGREE-
MENTS.—Section 47111(e) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ‘‘fee’’ and inserting 
‘‘charge’’. 
(t) AGREEMENTS
FOR STATE
AND LOCAL OPER-
ATION
OF
AIRPORT
FACILITIES.—Section 
47124(b)(1)(B)(ii) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking the second period at the end. 
(u) USE
OF FUNDS
FOR REPAIRS
FOR RUNWAY 
SAFETY
REPAIRS.—Section 47144(b)(4) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘(42 U.S.C. 
4121 et seq.)’’ and inserting ‘‘(42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.)’’. 
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SEC. 1102. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration. 
(2) 
APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES
OF
CON-
GRESS.—The term ‘‘appropriate committees of Con-
gress’’ means the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate. 
(3) FAA.—The term ‘‘FAA’’ means the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration. 
(4) NASA.—The term ‘‘NASA’’ means the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
(5) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Transportation. 
Subtitle A—Authorization of 
Appropriations 
SEC. 1111. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Subsection (a) of section 48102 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (14), by striking ‘‘and’’; 
(2) in paragraph (15) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
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