521 
ducted exclusively within the airspace of a Mode C 
Veil during the entirety of the operation, such oper-
ation shall be treated as satisfying the requirements 
of section 91.113(b) of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, so long as the operation employs— 
‘‘(A) ADS–B In-based detect and avoid ca-
pabilities; 
‘‘(B) air traffic control communication and 
coordination; and 
‘‘(C) aeronautical information management 
systems to notify other aircraft operators of 
such operations. 
‘‘(3) RULE
OF
CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in 
this subsection shall be construed to give an un-
manned aircraft operating pursuant to this section 
the right of way over a manned aircraft.’’; 
(4) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘2023’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2033’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) LIMITATION.—In making determinations under 
this section, the Administrator may not consider un-
manned aircraft systems to the extent that such systems 
may meet the requirements of established regulations ap-
plicable to the proposed operation of a system.’’. 
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SEC. 606. RECREATIONAL OPERATIONS OF DRONE SYS-
TEMS. 
(a) SPECIFIED
EXCEPTION
FOR
LIMITED
REC-
REATIONAL OPERATIONS
OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.— 
Section 44809 of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking paragraph (6) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(6) Except for circumstances when the Admin-
istrator establishes alternative altitude ceilings or as 
otherwise authorized in section (c), in Class G air-
space, the aircraft is flown from the surface to not 
more than 400 feet above ground level and complies 
with all airspace and flight restrictions and prohibi-
tions established under this subtitle, such as special 
use airspace designations and temporary flight re-
strictions.’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(c) OPERATIONS AT FIXED SITES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall es-
tablish a process to approve, and publicly dissemi-
nate the location of, fixed sites at which a person 
may carry out recreational unmanned aircraft sys-
tem operations. 
‘‘(2) OPERATING PROCEDURES.— 
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‘‘(A) CONTROLLED
AIRSPACE.—Persons 
operating unmanned aircraft under paragraph 
(1) from a fixed site within Class B, Class C, 
or Class D airspace or within the lateral bound-
aries of the surface area of Class E airspace 
designated for an airport, or a community- 
based organization sponsoring operations within 
such airspace, shall make the location of the 
fixed site known to the Administrator and shall 
establish a mutually agreed upon operating pro-
cedure with the air traffic control facility. 
‘‘(B) ALTITUDE.—The Administrator, in 
coordination with community-based organiza-
tions sponsoring operations at fixed sites, shall 
develop a process to approve requests for rec-
reational unmanned aircraft systems operations 
at fixed sites that exceed the maximum altitude 
contained in a UAS Facility Map. 
‘‘(C) CLASS G AIRSPACE.—Subject to com-
pliance with all airspace and flight restrictions 
and prohibitions established under this subtitle, 
such as special use airspace designations and 
temporary flight restrictions, persons operating 
drones under paragraph (1) from a fixed site at 
which the operations are sponsored by a com-
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munity-based organization may operate within 
Class G airspace— 
‘‘(i) up to 400 feet above ground level, 
without prior authorization from the Ad-
ministrator; and 
‘‘(ii) above 400 feet above ground 
level, with prior authorization from the Ad-
ministrator. 
‘‘(3) 
UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT
WEIGHING
POUNDS OR GREATER.—A person may operate an 
unmanned aircraft weighing 55 pounds or greater, 
including the weight of anything attached to or car-
ried by the aircraft, under paragraph (1) if— 
‘‘(A) the unmanned aircraft complies with 
standards and limitations developed by a com-
munity-based organization and approved by the 
Administrator; and 
‘‘(B) the aircraft is operated from a fixed 
site as described in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(4) 
FAA-RECOGNIZED
IDENTIFICATION 
AREAS.—In implementing subpart C of part 89 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, the Adminis-
trator shall prioritize the review and adjudication of 
requests to establish FAA Recognized Identification 
Areas at fixed sites established under this section.’’; 
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(3) in subsection (d) by striking the subsection 
heading and all that follows through ‘‘(3) SAVINGS 
CLAUSE.—’’ and inserting ‘‘(d) SAVINGS CLAUSE.— 
’’; 
(4) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘subsection (a) 
of’’; 
(5) in subsection (f)(1) by striking ‘‘updates 
to’’; 
(6) by striking subsection (g)(1) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in con-
sultation with manufacturers of unmanned aircraft 
systems, community-based organizations, and other 
industry stakeholders, shall develop, maintain, and 
update, as necessary, an aeronautical knowledge and 
safety test. Such test shall be administered electroni-
cally by the Administrator or a person designated by 
the Administrator.’’; and 
(7) in subsection (h)— 
(A) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(1) 
through (6) as paragraphs (2) through (7), re-
spectively; and 
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as 
so redesignated) the following: 
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‘‘(1) is recognized by the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration;’’. 
(b) USE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FOR 
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.—Section 350 of the FAA Re-
authorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44809 note) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and 
(3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting before paragraph (3) (as 
so redesignated) the following: 
‘‘(2) operated by an elementary school or sec-
ondary school for educational or research pur-
poses;’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (2) by inserting ‘‘an ele-
mentary school, or a secondary school,’’ after 
‘‘with respect to the operation of an unmanned 
aircraft system by an institution of higher edu-
cation,’’; and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the 
following: 
‘‘(3) ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL.—The term ‘ele-
mentary school’ has the meaning given to that term 
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by section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(19)). 
‘‘(4) SECONDARY
SCHOOL.—The term ‘sec-
ondary school’ has the meaning given to that term 
by section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(45)).’’. 
SEC. 607. AIRPORT SAFETY AND AIRSPACE HAZARD MITI-
GATION AND ENFORCEMENT. 
Section 44810(h) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘2023’’ and inserting ‘‘2028’’. 
SEC. 608. APPLICATIONS FOR DESIGNATION. 
Section 2209 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Se-
curity Act of 2016 (Public Law 114–190) is further 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(C)— 
(A) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘Other loca-
tions that warrant such restrictions’’ and in-
serting ‘‘State correctional facilities’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(v) Eligible outdoor gatherings.’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) ELIGIBLE OUTDOOR GATHERING DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘eligible outdoor gathering’ means 
an event that— 
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‘‘(1) is primarily outdoors; 
‘‘(2) has an estimated daily attendance of 
20,000 or greater in at least 1 of the preceding 3 
years; 
‘‘(3) has defined and static geographical bound-
aries; and 
‘‘(4) is advertised in the public domain. 
‘‘(f) DEADLINES.— 
‘‘(1) Not later than March 1, 2024, the Admin-
istrator shall publish a notice of proposed rule-
making to carry out the requirements of this section. 
‘‘(2) Not later than 16 months after publishing 
the notice of proposed rulemaking under paragraph 
(1), the Administrator shall issue a final rule.’’. 
SEC. 609. BEYOND VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT RULEMAKING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 4 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall issue a notice of 
proposed rulemaking establishing airworthiness and oper-
ational regulations for unmanned aircraft systems oper-
ated beyond visual line of sight that are intended to oper-
ate primarily at or below 400 feet above ground level. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall— 
(1) establish a means to accept proposed— 
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(A) airworthiness standards for unmanned 
aircraft; 
(B) standards for associated elements of 
unmanned aircraft; and 
(C) qualification standards for remote pi-
lots operating unmanned aircraft; 
(2) enable the ability for unmanned aircraft to 
be operated for agricultural purposes; 
(3) establish a process by which the Adminis-
trator may approve or accept third party compliance 
services in support of the safe integration of un-
manned aircraft systems into the national airspace 
system; and 
(4) establish protocols, as appropriate, for 
networked information exchange, including network- 
based remote identification in support of beyond vis-
ual line of sight operations. 
(c) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT AIRWORTHINESS STAND-
ARDS.—In carrying out subsection (b)(1)(A), the Adminis-
trator shall— 
(1) define the operational environments for 
which airworthiness is needed to ensure aviation 
safety; 
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(2) establish an airworthiness category or cat-
egories for unmanned aircraft to be eligible for a 
special airworthiness certificate; and 
(3) establish a process to approve standards, 
means of compliance, and declarations of compli-
ance. 
(d) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS 
STANDARDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out subsection 
(b)(1)(B), the Administrator shall establish a proc-
ess to accept or approve the associated elements of 
an unmanned aircraft that, when considered collec-
tively with other associated elements and an un-
manned aircraft, meet an acceptable performance- 
based safety standard. 
(2) 
CONSIDERATIONS.—In 
establishing 
the 
process under paragraph (1), the Administrator 
shall consider the ways associated elements of an 
unmanned aircraft system interact with other associ-
ated elements and unmanned aircraft. 
(e) REMOTE PILOT QUALIFICATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out subsection 
(b)(1)(C), the Administrator shall establish quali-
fications and standards, or a means to accept pro-
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531 
posed qualifications and standards, for remote pilots 
operating unmanned aircraft systems. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out sub-
section (e)(1), the Administrator shall account for 
the varying levels of automation of unmanned air-
craft systems. 
(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
subsection may be construed to allow for the estab-
lishment of type-ratings that apply specifically and 
exclusively to an aircraft manufactured by 1 manu-
facturer. 
(f) INTERIM APPROVALS.—Before the date on which 
the Administrator issues a final rule under this section, 
the Administrator shall use the process described in sec-
tion 44807 of title 49, United States Code, to authorize 
unmanned aircraft system operations conducted beyond 
visual line of sight. 
(g) FINAL RULE.—Not later than 16 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
issue a final rule establishing the regulations required 
under this section. 
(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS.—The term ‘‘asso-
ciated elements’’ means any component of an un-
manned aircraft system, not permanently affixed to 
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the unmanned aircraft, required for the remote pilot 
to operate such aircraft safely and efficiently in the 
national airspace system. 
(2) BEYOND
VISUAL
LINE
OF
SIGHT.—The 
term ‘‘beyond visual line of sight’’ means a distance 
at which the remote pilot in command of an un-
manned aircraft system cannot see the unmanned 
aircraft with vision unaided by any device other than 
corrective lenses. 
(3) UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT; UNMANNED
AIR-
CRAFT
SYSTEM.—The terms ‘‘unmanned aircraft’’ 
and ‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ have the meaning 
given such terms in section 44801 of title 49, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 610. UAS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration may enter into agree-
ments for purposes of— 
(1) testing and refining UTM capabilities and 
services to inform the development of UTM stand-
ards in subsection (b); 
(2) authorizing UTM service providers that 
meet the requirements described in subsection (b) to 
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provide UTM services to better enable advanced un-
manned aircraft systems operations, including— 
(A) beyond visual line of sight operations; 
(B) 
aircraft-to-aircraft 
communications; 
and 
(C) operations in which an individual acts 
as remote pilot in command of more than 1 un-
manned aircraft at the same time; and 
(3) fostering the safe integration of unmanned 
aircraft systems using UTM capabilities and services 
within the national airspace system. 
(b) STANDARDIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall publish requirements as-
sociated with UTM, including— 
(A) the types of operations requiring, or 
benefitting from, the use of UTM capabilities 
and services described in subsection (a), includ-
ing beyond visual line of sight operations; 
(B) areas of operation or categories of air-
space requiring, or benefitting from, the use of 
UTM capabilities and services; 
(C) performance-based technical standards 
for UAS operations using UTM capabilities and 
services; and 
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(D) application program interfaces that en-
able UTM service suppliers to integrate UTM 
capabilities and services into other systems for 
use by users of the national airspace system, in-
cluding unmanned aircraft system operators. 
(2) INTERNATIONAL HARMONIZATION.—In car-
rying out paragraph (1), the Administrator shall 
seek to harmonize, to the extent practicable and ad-
visable, UTM standards with standards produced by 
recognized industry standards organizations or other 
peer civil aviation authorities. 
(3) FEEDBACK OF CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS.— 
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall solicit feedback 
from stakeholders on the most recently published 
UTM concept of operations of the Administration. 
(4) FINALIZATION
OF
CONCEPT
OF
OPER-
ATIONS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of en-
actment of this Act, the Administrator shall publish 
a final version of the UTM concept of operations of 
the Administration. 
(c) STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS.—In carrying out 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall establish a means 
by which the Administrator can enter into cooperative 
agreements, contracts, other transaction agreements, and 
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other appropriate mechanisms with appropriate persons, 
partnerships, and consortia to enable qualified third-par-
ties to design, build, develop, fund, and manage UTM. 
(d) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.— 
(1) BEYOND
VISUAL
LINE
OF
SIGHT
OPER-
ATIONS.—Nothing in this section shall be construed 
to prevent or prohibit beyond visual line of sight op-
erations through the use of technologies other than 
UTM capabilities and services. 
(2) AIRSPACE.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to alter the authority under section 40103 
of title 49, United States Code. 
(e) BRIEFING.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Ad-
ministrator shall brief the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate on progress made by the Administration de-
tailing the implementation and requirements of this sec-
tion and any applicable timelines to completion. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) APPROPRIATE PERSONS.—The term ‘‘appro-
priate persons’’ means a Federal, State, local, Trib-
al, or territorial governmental entity, or a person. 
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(2) UTM.—The term ‘‘UTM’’ means the man-
ner in which the Administration will support oper-
ations for unmanned aircraft systems operating in 
low-altitude airspace. 
SEC. 611. RADAR DATA PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) SENSITIVE RADAR DATA FEED PILOT PRO-
GRAM.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration, in coordination with the Secretary of De-
fense, and other heads of relevant Federal agencies, shall 
establish a pilot program to make airspace data feeds con-
taining classified or controlled unclassified information 
available to qualified users, in conjunction with subsection 
(b). 
(b) AUTHORIZATION.—In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Administrator and the heads of other relevant Federal 
agencies and in coordination with the Secretary of De-
fense, shall establish a process to authorize qualified enti-
ties to receive airspace data feeds containing classified in-
formation related to air traffic within the national airspace 
system and use such information in an agreed upon man-
ner to— 
(1) provide— 
(A) air traffic management services; and 
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(B) unmanned aircraft system traffic man-
agement services; or 
(2) to test technologies that may enable or en-
hance the provision of the services described in para-
graph (1). 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 90 days after estab-
lishing the pilot program under subsection (a), and annu-
ally thereafter, the Administrator shall brief the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the findings 
of the Administrator related to the pilot program estab-
lished under this section. 
(d) SUNSET.—This section shall cease to be effective 
on October 1, 2028. 
(e) DEFINITION OF QUALIFIED USER.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘qualified user’’ means an entity authorized 
to receive airspace data feeds containing classified or con-
trolled unclassified information pursuant to subsection 
(b). 
SEC. 612. ELECTRONIC CONSPICUITY STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study of technologies and 
methods that may be used by operators of unmanned air-
craft systems to detect and avoid manned aircraft that 
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may lawfully operate below 500 feet above ground level 
and that are— 
(1) not equipped with a transponder or auto-
matic dependent surveillance-broadcast out equip-
ment; or 
(2) otherwise not electronically conspicuous. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study re-
quired under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall 
consult with— 
(1) representatives from— 
(A) unmanned aircraft systems manufac-
turers and operators; 
(B) general aviation operators; 
(C) aerial applicators; and 
(D) helicopter operators, including State 
and local governments; and 
(2) any other person the Comptroller General 
determines appropriate. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report describing the results of such study. 
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SEC. 613. REMOTE IDENTIFICATION ALTERNATIVE MEANS 
OF COMPLIANCE. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration shall review and evaluate the final 
rule titled ‘‘Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft’’, 
issued on January 15, 2021, to determine the feasibility 
and advisability of whether unmanned aircraft manufac-
turers and operators can meet the intent of such final rule 
through alternative means of compliance, including 
through network–based remote identification. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the results of the study under subsection (a). 
SEC. 614. PART 107 WAIVER IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall adopt a performance– and 
risk–based approach in reviewing requests for certificates 
of waiver under section 107.200 of title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations. 
(b) STANDARDIZATION OF WAIVER APPLICATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall improve the process es-
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tablished to submit requests for certificates of waiv-
er described in subsection (a). 
(2) FORMAT.—In carrying out paragraph (1), 
the Administrator may not require the use of open- 
ended descriptive prompts that are required to be 
filled out by an applicant, except to provide appli-
cants the ability to provide the Administration with 
information for an unusual or irregular operation. 
(3) DATA.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall leverage data 
gathered from previous requests for certificates 
of waivers. 
(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out 
subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall safe-
ly use— 
(i) big data analytics; and 
(ii) machine learning. 
(c) CONSIDERATION OF PROPERTY OWNERSHIP IN-
TEREST.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In determining whether to 
issue a certificate of waiver under section 107.200 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, the Adminis-
trator shall— 
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(A) consider whether the waiver applicant 
has control over access to all real property on 
the ground within the area of operation; and 
(B) recognize and account for the safety 
enhancements of such controlled access. 
(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
subsection shall be construed to direct the Adminis-
trator to consider the lack of control over access to 
all real property on the ground within an area of op-
eration, or a lack of property interest in such area 
of operation, as negatively affecting the safety of the 
operation intended to be conducted under such cer-
tificate of waiver. 
(d) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF WAIVERS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator shall 
publish all certificates of waiver issued under section 
107.200 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, on 
the website of the Administration, including, with re-
spect to each issued certificate of waiver— 
(A) the terms, conditions, and limitations; 
and 
(B) the class of airspace and any restric-
tions related to operating near airports or heli-
ports. 
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(2) PUBLICATION.—In carrying out paragraph 
(1), the Administrator shall ensure that published 
information is made available in a manner that pre-
vents inappropriate disclosure of proprietary infor-
mation. 
(e) PRECEDENTIAL USE OF PREVIOUSLY APPROVED 
WAIVERS.— 
(1) WAIVER
APPROVAL
PRECEDENT.—Except 
as provided in paragraph (3), if the Administrator 
determines, using criteria for a particular waiver, 
that an application for a certificate of waiver issued 
under section 107.200 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, is substantially similar (or is comprised 
of elements that are substantially similar) to an ap-
plication for a certificate of waiver that the Adminis-
trator has previously approved, the Administrator 
may streamline, as appropriate, the approval of ap-
plications with substantially similar conditions and 
limitations as a previously approved application. 
(2) RULE
OF
CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in 
paragraph (1) shall be construed to preclude an ap-
plicant for a certificate of waiver from applying to 
modify a condition, or remove a limitation of, such 
certificate. 
(f) MODIFICATION OF WAIVERS.— 
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543 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall es-
tablish an expedited review process for a request to 
modify or renew certificates of waiver previously 
issued under section 107.200 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations, as appropriate. 
(2) USE
OF
REVIEW
PROCESS.—The review 
process established under paragraph (1) shall be 
used to review certificates of waiver that cover oper-
ations that are substantially similar in all material 
facts to operations covered under a subsequently 
issued certificate of waiver. 
SEC. 615. ACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF RISK AND RISK ASSESS-
MENT METHODOLOGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall establish acceptable 
levels of risk, and develop a risk assessment methodology 
associated with such levels of risk, to enable unmanned 
aircraft system operations conducted— 
(1) under waivers issued to part 107 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations; 
(2) pursuant to section 44807 of title 49, 
United States Code; or 
(3) pursuant to future regulations promulgated 
by the Administrator, as appropriate. 
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(b) ACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF RISK.—In carrying out 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall establish accept-
able levels of risk for unmanned aircraft system operations 
in the national airspace system and a method for assessing 
the operational risk of a proposed operation in accordance 
with such acceptable level. 
(c) RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY.—In carrying 
out subsections (a) and (b), the Administrator shall de-
velop a risk assessment methodology to allow remote pilots 
in command operating unmanned aircraft systems pursu-
ant to subsection (a) to determine the risk associated with 
a specific operation, and mitigate such a risk, as nec-
essary. 
(d) RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY CONSIDER-
ATIONS.—In establishing the risk assessment methodology 
described under this section, the Administrator shall con-
sider— 
(1) the time of day of the operation; 
(2) the population density of the area of oper-
ation; 
(3) the class of airspace and such requirements 
necessary for airspace users to legally operate in 
each class of airspace; 
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545 
(4) the proximity to infrastructure, to the ex-
tent that proximity mitigates risk to other operators 
of the national airspace system; 
(5) the nature of the detect and avoid mitiga-
tion measures of an unmanned aircraft system; and 
(6) the attributes and characteristics of the un-
manned aircraft of the unmanned aircraft system, 
including the— 
(A) size; 
(B) visibility; 
(C) maximum takeoff weight; 
(D) maximum indicated airspeed; and 
(E) payload. 
(e) PUBLICATION.—The Administrator shall make 
the risk assessment methodology established under this 
section available to the public on an appropriate website 
of the Administration. 
(f) DEFINITIONS OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT AND UN-
MANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—In this section, the terms 
‘‘unmanned aircraft’’ and ‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ 
have the meanings given such terms in section 44801 of 
title 49, United States Code. 
SEC. 616. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW. 
(a) GUIDANCE UPDATES.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
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546 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall publish un-
manned aircraft system-specific guidance and implementa-
tion procedures. Such guidance and implementation proce-
dures shall— 
(1) provide guidance to streamline environ-
mental assessments at a programmatic level, as the 
Administrator considers appropriate, for an un-
manned aircraft system operator’s network of oper-
ations within a defined geographical region, includ-
ing within and over approved commercial or indus-
trial sites closed or restricted to the public; 
(2) provide guidance for nationwide pro-
grammatic approaches for large scale distributed un-
manned aircraft system operations whereby a Pro-
grammatic Environmental Assessment or Environ-
mental Impact Statement can be leveraged for sub-
sequent related actions to ensure efficient environ-
mental review; 
(3) consider additional Categorical Exclusions 
based on previously prepared and finalized Environ-
mental Assessments or in consultation with the 
Council on Environmental Quality; 
(4) prioritize proposed projects or activities that 
can be shown to— 
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547 
(A) offset or limit the impacts of non-zero 
emission activities; 
(B) offset or limit the release of environ-
mental pollutants to soil or water; or 
(C) demonstrate other factors to the ben-
efit of the environment as determined by the 
Administrator; 
(5) contain intra-agency process improvements 
to avoid providing conflicting safety and environ-
mental feedback to operators; 
(6) contain standards and criteria for engaging 
specialized third parties to support the Administra-
tion’s preparation and review of documentation re-
lating to the requirements of the National Environ-
mental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 
to ensure streamlined timelines for complex reviews; 
and 
(7) any other modifications the Administrator 
considers necessary within the stated environmental 
objectives of the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Federal 
priority to maintain global leadership in aviation in-
novation. 
(b) BRIEFING.—No later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the 
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Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the 
plan of the Administration to implement subsection (b), 
including each of the considerations specified in the sub-
section, and an explanation for any consideration the Ad-
ministrator does not intend to implement. 
(c) CONCURRENT REVIEWS.—If the Administrator 
determines that the review of an unmanned aircraft sys-
tem’s design, construction, maintenance and operational 
sustainability, airworthiness approval, or operational ap-
proval requires environmental assessment, including re-
quirements under the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Administrator shall, 
to the maximum extent practicable, conduct such reviews 
and analyses concurrent with one another. 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed as prohibiting, restricting or other-
wise limiting the authority of the Secretary of Transpor-
tation or the Administrator from implementing or com-
plying with the requirements of the National Environ-
mental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and 
any related requirements to ensure the protection of the 
environment and aviation safety. 
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549 
(e) ASSOCIATED
UAS CERTIFICATION
STAND-
ARDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall de-
velop and establish substantive criteria and stand-
ards metrics used by the Administrator to determine 
whether to approve or disapprove the airworthiness 
of an unmanned aircraft pursuant to part 36 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(2) SUBSTANTIVE
CRITERIA
AND
STANDARDS 
METRICS.—In establishing the substantive criteria 
and standards metrics as required under paragraph 
(1), the Administrator shall include such criteria and 
metrics related to the airworthiness of unmanned 
aircraft for the following: 
(A) Noise impacts. 
(B) Visual impacts. 
(3) PUBLICATION.—The Administrator shall 
publish in the Federal Register and post on a 
website of the Federal Aviation Administration the 
criteria and metrics established pursuant to para-
graph (1). 
(f) DEFINITION
OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYS-
TEM.—In this section, the term ‘‘unmanned aircraft sys-
tem’’ has the meaning given such term in section 44801 
of title 49, United States Code. 
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SEC. 617. CARRIAGE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. 
(a) NEAR-TERM APPROVALS.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall coordi-
nate with the Administrator of the Pipeline and Haz-
ardous Materials Safety Administration to revise processes 
in effect on the date of enactment of this Act for the car-
riage of hazardous materials by unmanned aircraft sys-
tems to provide that— 
(1) special conditions, waivers, or other require-
ments necessary to enable the carriage of hazardous 
materials shall be incorporated into the existing reg-
ulatory and operator certification processes of the 
Federal Aviation Administration for unmanned air-
craft operations in which the aircraft— 
(A) weighs less than 100 pounds; and 
(B) is capable of carrying less than 10 
pounds gross weight of limited quantity cargo; 
and 
(2) the existing special permitting process or 
other existing processes carried out by the Adminis-
trator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safe-
ty Administration shall be initiated as early as prac-
ticable, and in conjunction with the existing regu-
latory and operator certification processes of the 
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551 
Federal Aviation Administration, for unmanned air-
craft operations in which the unmanned aircraft— 
(A) weighs 100 pounds or more; or 
(B) is capable of carrying 10 pounds or 
more gross weight of limited quantity cargo. 
(b) RULEMAKING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall revise requirements, guidance, 
standards, or other policy materials governing the 
carriage of hazardous materials to allow for the car-
riage of a de minimis amount of hazardous materials 
by an unmanned aircraft. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall consider— 
(A) whether a hazardous material is a con-
sumer commodity; 
(B) requirements for common carriage and 
private carriage; 
(C) whether the transportation of a de 
minimis volume, weight, or amount of a haz-
ardous material would pose an unreasonable 
risk to health and safety or property; 
(D) whether the volume, weight, or amount 
of a hazardous material is large enough to per-
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552 
mit the transportation of a commercially mean-
ingful volume, weight, or amount; and 
(E) the altitude at which unmanned air-
craft operations are conducted. 
(3) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
(A) PETITION.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish a process for a person to petition to estab-
lish or revise a de minimis amount or a haz-
ardous material. 
(B) PERIODIC
UPDATES.—The Secretary 
shall— 
(i) periodically review, as necessary, 
de minimis amounts of hazardous mate-
rials established under paragraph (1); 
(ii) determine whether such amounts 
of Hazardous materials should be revised, 
based on operational and safety data or 
other factors; and 
(iii) assess whether to establish a de 
minimis amount for a hazardous material 
for which a de minimis volume, weight, or 
amount has previously not been estab-
lished. 
(c) SAVING CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section shall 
be construed to— 
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553 
(1) limit the authority of the Secretary, the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, 
or the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous 
Materials Safety Administration from implementing 
requirements under existing authorities to ensure 
the safe carriage of hazardous materials by aircraft; 
and 
(2) confer upon the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration the authorities of the 
Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Mate-
rials Safety Administration, as described in part 175 
of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, and chapter 
51 of title 49, United States Code. 
(d) EXEMPTION.—The authorities of the Adminis-
trator related to the transportation, packaging, marking, 
or description of hazardous materials in section 106(g)(1) 
of title 49, United States Code, shall not apply to the ex-
tent necessary to enact the requirements of this section. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In the section: 
(1) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—The term 
‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 44801 of title 49, United States 
Code. 
(2) CONSUMER COMMODITY.—The term ‘‘con-
sumer commodity’’ has the meaning given such term 
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554 
in section 171.8 of title 49, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
SEC. 618. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM USE IN WILDFIRE 
RESPONSE. 
(a) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS IN WILDFIRE 
RESPONSE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration, in coordina-
tion with the United States Forest Service and any 
other Federal entity the Administrator considers ap-
propriate, shall develop a plan on the use of un-
manned aircraft systems by public entities in wild-
fire response efforts, including wildfire detection, 
mitigation, and suppression. 
(2) PLAN
CONTENTS.—The plan under sub-
section (a) shall provide recommendations to— 
(A) identify and designate areas of public 
land with high potential for wildfires in which 
public entities may conduct unmanned aircraft 
system beyond visual line of sight operations as 
part of wildfire response efforts, including wild-
fire detection, mitigation, and suppression; 
(B) develop a process to facilitate the safe 
and efficient operation of unmanned aircraft 
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555 
systems beyond the visual line of sight in wild-
fire response efforts in areas designated under 
paragraph (A), including the waiver process 
under section 91.113 or section 107.31 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, for public en-
tities that use unmanned aircraft systems for 
aerial wildfire detection, mitigation, and sup-
pression; and 
(C) improve coordination between the rel-
evant Federal agencies and public entities on 
the use of unmanned aircraft systems in wild-
fire response efforts. 
(3) PLAN
SUBMISSION.—Upon completion of 
the plan under subsection (a), the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall submit 
such plan to, and provide a briefing for, the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ates. 
(4) PUBLICATION.—Upon submission of the 
plan under subsection (a), the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall publish such 
plan on a publicly available website of the Adminis-
tration. 
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556 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—This section shall only apply to 
unmanned aircraft systems that are— 
(1) operated by, or on behalf of, a public entity; 
(2) operated in airspace covered by a wildfire- 
related temporary flight restriction under section 
91.137 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and 
(3) under the operational control of, or other-
wise are being operationally coordinated by, an au-
thorized aviation coordinator responsible for coordi-
nating disaster relief aircraft within the airspace 
covered by such temporary flight restriction. 
(c) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator shall seek to enter into the necessary agree-
ments to provide a liaison of the Administration to the 
National Interagency Fire Center to facilitate the use of 
manned and unmanned aircraft in wildfire response ef-
forts, including wildfire detection, mitigation, and suppres-
sion. 
(d) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed to confer upon the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration the authorities of the Administra-
tion of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on 
wildfire response under section 611 of the Robert T. Staf-
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557 
ford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5196). 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) PUBLIC ENTITY.—The term ‘‘public entity’’ 
means— 
(A) a Federal agency; 
(B) a State government; 
(C) a local government; 
(D) a Tribal government; and 
(E) a territorial government. 
(2) PUBLIC
LAND.—The term ‘‘public land’’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 205 of 
the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670k). 
(3) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—The term 
‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 44801 of title 49, United 
States Code. 
(4) WILDFIRE.—The term ‘‘wildfire’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 2 of the Emer-
gency Wildfire Suppression Act (42 U.S.C. 1856m). 
SEC. 619. PILOT PROGRAM FOR UAS INSPECTIONS OF FAA 
INFRASTRUCTURE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall establish and initiate a pilot program to sup-
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558 
plement appropriate inspection and oversight activities of 
the department with unmanned aircraft systems for the 
purposes of increasing employee safety, enhancing data 
collection, increasing the accuracy of inspections, reducing 
costs, and other purposes the Secretary considers to be 
in the broader interests of good government. 
(b) GROUND-BASED AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE.— 
Under the program required in subsection (a), the Admin-
istrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
evaluate the use of unmanned aircraft systems to inspect 
ground-based aviation infrastructure that may require vis-
ual inspection in hard-to-reach areas, including— 
(1) navigational aids; 
(2) air traffic control towers; 
(3) radar facilities; 
(4) communication facilities; and 
(5) other air traffic control facilities. 
(c) COORDINATION.—In carrying out the pilot pro-
gram established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
consult with the labor union certified under section 7111 
of title 5, United States Code, to represent personnel re-
sponsible for the inspection of the ground-based aviation 
infrastructure described in subsection (b). 
(d) COVERED FOREIGN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYS-
TEM.—The Secretary may not carry out an inspection 
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559 
under this section using an unmanned aircraft system 
manufactured by— 
(1) an entity domiciled in the People’s Republic 
of China or the Russian Federation; or 
(2) an entity, or a subsidiary or affiliate of an 
entity, that is subject to influence or control by— 
(A) the Government of the People’s Repub-
lic of China; 
(B) the Chinese Communist Party; or 
(C) the Russian Federation. 
(e) BRIEFING.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the 
termination of the pilot program under this section, the 
Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a briefing on the status and results 
of the pilot program established under subsection (a), in-
cluding— 
(1) cost saving; 
(2) a description of how unmanned aircraft sys-
tems were used to supplement existing inspection, 
data collection, or oversight activities of Department 
employees, including the number of operations and 
types of activities performed; 
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560 
(3) efficiency or safety improvements, if any, 
associated with the use of unmanned aircraft sys-
tems to supplement conventional inspection, data 
collection, or oversight activities; 
(4) the fleet of unmanned aircraft systems 
maintained by the Department of Transportation for 
the program, or an overview of the services used as 
part of the pilot program; and 
(5) recommendations for improving the use or 
efficacy of unmanned aircraft systems to supplement 
the Department’s conventional inspection, data col-
lection, or oversight activities. 
(f) SUNSET AND INCORPORATION INTO STANDARD 
PRACTICE.— 
(1) SUNSET.—The pilot program established 
under subsection (a) and the reporting requirement 
under subsection (f) shall terminate on the date that 
is 50 months after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(2) INCORPORATION
INTO
STANDARD
PRAC-
TICE.—Upon termination of the pilot program, the 
Secretary shall assess the results of the pilot pro-
gram under this section and determine whether to 
permanently incorporate the use of unmanned air-
craft systems into the regular inspection, data collec-
tion, and oversight activities of the Department. 
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561 
(3) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 3 
months after the termination of the pilot program 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on the final results of the pilot pro-
gram and the actions taken by the Administrator 
pursuant to paragraph (2). 
SEC. 620. DRONE INFRASTRUCTURE INSPECTION GRANT 
PROGRAM. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall establish a drone infrastructure inspection 
grant program to make grants to governmental entities 
to facilitate the use of eligible small unmanned aircraft 
systems to support more efficient inspection, operation, 
construction, maintenance, modernization, and repair of 
critical infrastructure to improve worker safety related to 
critical infrastructure projects. 
(b) USE OF GRANT AMOUNTS.—A governmental enti-
ty may use a grant provided under this section to— 
(1) purchase or lease eligible small unmanned 
aircraft systems; 
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(2) support operational capabilities of eligible 
small unmanned aircraft systems by the govern-
mental entity; 
(3) contract for services performed using an eli-
gible small unmanned aircraft system in cir-
cumstances in which the governmental entity does 
not have the resources or expertise to safely carry 
out or assist in carrying out the activities described 
under subsection (a); and 
(4) support the program management capability 
of the governmental entity to use an eligible small 
unmanned aircraft system. 
(c) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, a governmental entity shall submit an 
application to the Secretary at such time, in such form, 
and containing such information as the Secretary may re-
quire, including an assurance that the governmental entity 
or any contractor of the governmental entity, will comply 
with relevant Federal regulations. 
(d) SELECTION
OF APPLICANTS.—In awarding a 
grant under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize ap-
plications that propose to— 
(1) carry out a critical infrastructure project in 
a variety of communities, including urban, suburban, 
rural, tribal, or any other type of community; and 
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(2) address a safety risk in the inspection, oper-
ation, construction, maintenance, or repair of critical 
infrastructure. 
(e) LIMITATION.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed as to interfere with an agreement between a 
governmental entity and a labor union, including require-
ments under section 5333(b) of title 49, United States 
Code. 
(f) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the first grant is provided under this section, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report that evaluates the program 
carried out under this section, including— 
(1) a description of the number of grants 
awarded; 
(2) the amount of each grant; 
(3) the activities funded under this section; and 
(4) the effectiveness of such funded activities in 
meeting the objectives described in subsection (a). 
(g) FUNDING.— 
(1) FEDERAL SHARE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the Federal share of the cost 
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564 
of a project carried out using a grant under 
this section shall not exceed 50 percent of the 
total project cost. 
(B) WAIVER.—The Secretary may increase 
the Federal share requirement under subpara-
graph (A) to up to 75 percent for a project car-
ried out using a grant under this section by a 
governmental entity if such entity— 
(i) submits a written application to 
the Secretary requesting an increase in the 
Federal share; and 
(ii) demonstrates that the additional 
assistance is necessary to facilitate the ac-
ceptance and full use of a grant under this 
section, such as alleviating economic hard-
ship, meeting additional workforce needs, 
or such other uses that the Secretary de-
termines to be appropriate. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Out 
of amounts authorized to be appropriated under sec-
tion 106(k) of title 49, United States Code, the Sec-
retary shall make available to carry out this sec-
tion— 
(A) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(B) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
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(C) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; 
(D) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and 
(E) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2028. 
(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED
FOREIGN
ENTITY.—The term 
‘‘covered foreign entity’’ means an entity— 
(A) included on the Consolidated Screening 
List or Entity List as designated by the Sec-
retary of Commerce; 
(B) domiciled in the People’s Republic of 
China or the Russian Federation; 
(C) subject to influence or control by the 
government of the People’s Republic of China 
or by the Russian Federation; or 
(D) is a subsidiary or affiliate of an entity 
described in subparagraphs (A) through (C). 
(8) CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE.—The term 
‘‘critical infrastructure’’ has the meaning given such 
term in subsection (e) of the Critical Infrastructures 
Protection Act of 2001 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e)). 
(7) 
ELEMENT
OF
CRITICAL
INFRASTRUC-
TURE.—The term ‘‘element of critical infrastruc-
ture’’ means a critical infrastructure facility or 
asset, including public bridges, tunnels, roads, high-
ways, dams, electric grid, water infrastructure, com-
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munication systems, pipelines, or other related facili-
ties or assets, as determined by the Secretary. 
(4) ELIGIBLE
SMALL
UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT 
SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘eligible small unmanned air-
craft system’’ means a small unmanned aircraft sys-
tem manufactured or assembled by a company that 
is domiciled in the United States and is not a cov-
ered foreign entity. 
(5) ELIGIBLE
SMALL
UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT 
SYSTEM
TECHNOLOGY.—The term ‘‘eligible small 
unmanned aircraft system technology’’ means— 
(A) an eligible small unmanned aircraft 
system; or 
(B) a major component of such a system 
that is not manufactured by or procured from 
a covered foreign entity. 
(6) GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY.—The term ‘‘gov-
ernmental entity’’ means— 
(A) a State, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory of 
the United States, or a political subdivision 
thereof; 
(B) a unit of local government; 
(C) a Tribal Government; 
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(D) a metropolitan planning organization; 
or 
(E) a consortia of more than 1 of the enti-
ties described in subparagraphs (A) through 
(D). 
(7) PROJECT.—The term ‘‘project’’ means a 
project for the inspection, operation, maintenance, 
repair, modernization, or construction of an element 
of critical infrastructure, including mitigating envi-
ronmental hazards to such infrastructure. 
(8) SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT; UNMANNED 
AIRCRAFT
SYSTEM.—The terms ‘‘small unmanned 
aircraft’’ and ‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 44801 of title 
49, United States Code. 
SEC. 621. DRONE EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING 
GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall establish a drone education and training grant 
program to make grants to educational institutions for 
workforce training for eligible small unmanned aircraft 
system technology. 
(b) USE OF GRANT AMOUNTS.—Amounts from a 
grant under this section shall be used in furtherance of 
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activities authorized under sections 631 and 632 of the 
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 
note). 
(c) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an educational institution shall submit 
an application to the Secretary at such time, in such form, 
and containing such information as the Secretary may re-
quire. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Out of 
amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 
106(k) of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary shall 
make available to carry out this section— 
(1) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(2) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
(3) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; 
(4) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and 
(5) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2028. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED
FOREIGN
ENTITY.—The term 
‘‘covered foreign entity’’ means an entity— 
(A) included on the Consolidated Screening 
List or Entity List as designated by the Sec-
retary of Commerce; 
(B) domiciled in the People’s Republic of 
China or the Russian Federation; 
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(C) subject to influence or control by the 
government of the People’s Republic of China 
or by the Russian Federation; or 
(D) is a subsidiary or affiliate of an entity 
described in subparagraphs (A) through (C). 
(2) EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION.—The term 
‘‘educational institution’’ means an institution of 
higher education (as defined in section 101 of the 
High Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) that 
participates in a program authorized under sections 
631 and 632 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 
2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note). 
(3) ELIGIBLE
SMALL
UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT 
SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘eligible small unmanned air-
craft system’’ means a small unmanned aircraft sys-
tem manufactured or assembled by a company that 
is domiciled in the United States and is not a cov-
ered foreign entity. 
(4) SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT; UNMANNED 
AIRCRAFT
SYSTEM.—The terms ‘‘small unmanned 
aircraft’’ and ‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 44801 of title 
49, United States Code. 
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SEC. 622. DRONE WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall initiate a study of the effective-
ness of the Collegiate Training Initiative Program for Un-
manned Aircraft Systems, established pursuant to section 
632 of the FAA Reauthorization Act 2018 (49 U.S.C. 
40101 note). 
(b) REPORT.—Upon completion of the study under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
describing— 
(1) the findings of the study; and 
(2) any recommendations to improve and ex-
pand the Collegiate Training Initiative Program for 
Unmanned Aircraft Systems. 
SEC. 623. UAS INTEGRATION OFFICE. 
The Executive Director of the UAS Integration Of-
fice of the Federal Aviation Administration shall— 
(1) support rulemaking proceedings, in coordi-
nation with the Assistant Administrator of Rule-
making and Regulatory Improvement, regarding the 
integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the 
national airspace system; 
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(2) support the review and adjudication of sub-
missions under the processes established under sec-
tion 44807 of title 49, United States Code, as 
amended by section 605; 
(3) support the development, modification, and 
acceptance or approval of relevant consensus stand-
ards, means of compliance, and declarations of com-
pliance related to unmanned aircraft systems; 
(4) ensure the timely consideration of airworthi-
ness and operational determinations related to un-
manned aircraft systems by relevant offices of the 
Administration; 
(5) consult, advise, and coordinate with relevant 
lines of business and staff offices of the Administra-
tion to support the activities of the Administration 
and efficiently carry out the duties described in this 
section; 
(6) hire full-time equivalent employees, as nec-
essary, to build expertise within the UAS Integration 
Office to assess unmanned aviation technologies and 
related operational risk mitigation; and 
(7) engage in any other activities determined 
necessary by the Executive Director or the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration, to ful-
fill the duties described in this section. 
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SEC. 624. TERMINATION OF ADVANCED AVIATION ADVI-
SORY COMMITTEE. 
The Secretary of Transportation may not renew the 
charter of the Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee 
(chartered by the Secretary on June 10, 2022). 
SEC. 625. UNMANNED AND AUTONOMOUS FLIGHT ADVI-
SORY COMMITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
termination of the Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee 
pursuant to section 624, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall establish an Unmanned and 
Autonomous Flight Advisory Committee (in this section 
referred to as the ‘‘Advisory Committee’’). 
(b) DUTIES.—The Advisory Committee shall provide 
the Administrator advice on policy- and technical-level 
issues related to unmanned and autonomous aviation oper-
ations and activities, including, at a minimum, the fol-
lowing: 
(1) The safe integration of unmanned aircraft 
systems and autonomous flight operations into the 
national airspace system, including feedback on— 
(A) the certification and operational stand-
ards of highly automated aircraft, unmanned 
aircraft, and associated elements of such air-
craft; 
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(B) coordination of procedures for oper-
ations in controlled airspace; and 
(C) communication protocols. 
(2) The use cases of unmanned aircraft sys-
tems, including evaluating and assessing the poten-
tial benefits of using unmanned aircraft systems. 
(3) The development of processes and meth-
odologies to address safety concerns related to the 
operation of unmanned aircraft systems, including 
risk assessments and mitigation strategies. 
(4) Unmanned aircraft system training, edu-
cation, and workforce development programs, includ-
ing evaluating aeronautical knowledge gaps in the 
unmanned aircraft system workforce, assessing the 
workforce needs of unmanned aircraft system oper-
ations, and establishing a strong pipeline to ensure 
a robust unmanned aircraft system workforce. 
(5) The analysis of unmanned aircraft system 
data and trends. 
(6) Unmanned aircraft system infrastructure, 
including the use of existing aviation infrastructure 
and the development of necessary infrastructure. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee 
shall be composed of not more than 12 members. 
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(2) REPRESENTATIVES.—The Advisory Com-
mittee shall include at least 1 representative of each 
of the following: 
(A) Small unmanned aircraft system com-
mercial operators. 
(B) Small unmanned aircraft system man-
ufacturers. 
(C) Manufacturers of unmanned aircraft 
weighing 55 pounds or more pursuing or hold-
ing a certificate for design or production of 
such unmanned aircraft. 
(D) Counter-unmanned aircraft system 
manufacturers. 
(E) Federal Aviation Administration ap-
proved unmanned aircraft system service sup-
pliers. 
(F) Unmanned aircraft system test sites 
under section 44803 of title 49, United States 
Code. 
(G) An unmanned aircraft system physical 
infrastructure network provider. 
(H) Community advocates. 
(I) Certified labor representatives for pi-
lots, air traffic control specialists employed by 
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the Administration, aircraft mechanics, and 
aviation safety inspectors. 
(d) REPORTING.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee 
shall submit to the Secretary an annual report of the 
activities, findings, and recommendations of the 
Committee. 
(2) CONGRESSIONAL
REPORTING.—The Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Represent-
atives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate the reports re-
quired under paragraph (1). 
(e) DEFINITION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘unmanned aircraft’’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 44801 of title 49, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 626. NEXTGEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP 
EXPANSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall take such actions as may be necessary to ex-
pand the membership of the NextGen Advisory Committee 
chartered by the Secretary on June 15, 2022, and any 
subsequent chartered committees, to include a representa-
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tive from the unmanned aircraft system industry and a 
representative from the powered-lift industry. 
(b) QUALIFICATIONS.—The representatives required 
under subsection (a) shall have the following qualifica-
tions, as applicable: 
(1) Demonstrated expertise in the design, man-
ufacture, and operation of unmanned aircraft sys-
tems. 
(2) Demonstrated experience in the develop-
ment or implementation of unmanned aircraft sys-
tems policies and procedures. 
(3) Demonstrated commitment to advancing the 
safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into 
the national airspace system. 
SEC. 627. TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION INTEGRITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 40103(b) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(5)(A) In issuing a temporary flight restric-
tion, the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(i) ensure there is a specific and 
articulable safety or security basis for the size, 
scope, and duration of such restriction; 
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‘‘(ii) immediately distribute a notice of the 
temporary flight restriction via the Notice to 
Air Missions system; and 
‘‘(iii) detail in the notice required under 
clause (ii)— 
‘‘(I) the safety basis for the restric-
tion; and 
‘‘(II) how a covered person may law-
fully and expeditiously operate an aircraft 
within the restriction. 
‘‘(B) In this paragraph, the term ‘covered per-
son’ means— 
‘‘(i) a public safety agency; 
‘‘(ii) a first responder; 
‘‘(iii) an accredited news representative; or 
‘‘(iv) any other person as determined ap-
propriate by the Administrator.’’. 
SEC. 628. INTERAGENCY COORDINATION. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the purpose of the joint Department of De-
fense-Federal Aviation Administration executive 
committee (referred to in this subsection as ‘‘Execu-
tive Committee’’) on conflict and dispute resolution 
as described in Section 1036(b) of the Duncan Hun-
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ter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2009 (Public Law 110–417) is to resolve dis-
putes on the matters of policy and procedures be-
tween the Department of Defense and the Federal 
Aviation Administration relating to airspace, aircraft 
certifications, aircrew training, and other issues, in-
cluding the access of unmanned aerial systems of the 
Department of Defense to the national airspace sys-
tem; 
(2) by mutual agreement of Executive Com-
mittee leadership, operating with the best of inten-
tions, the current scope of activities and membership 
of the Executive Committee has exceeded the origi-
nal intent of, and tasking to, the Executive Com-
mittee; and 
(3) the expansion described in paragraph (2) 
has resulted in an imbalance in the oversight of cer-
tain Federal entities in matters concerning civil avia-
tion safety and security. 
(b) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) CHARTER REVISION.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall seek to revise the charter of the Executive 
Committee to reflect the scope, objectives, member-
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ship, and activities described in such section 1036(b) 
in order to achieve the increasing, and ultimately 
routine, access of unmanned aircraft systems (as de-
fined in section 44801 of title 49, United States 
Code) into the national airspace system. 
(2) SUNSET.—Not earlier than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall seek to sunset its activities by joint agreement 
of the Administrator and the Secretary of Defense. 
SEC. 
629. 
REVIEW 
OF 
REGULATIONS 
TO 
ENABLE 
UNESCORTED UAS OPERATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall, in coordination 
with the Secretary of Defense, conduct a review of require-
ments necessary to permit an unmanned aircraft systems 
(excluding small unmanned aircraft systems) operated by 
a Federal agency or an armed service to be operated in 
the national airspace system, including outside of re-
stricted airspace, without being escorted by a manned air-
craft. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
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Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the results of the review, including findings and 
recommendations on regulatory and statutory changes 
that can be made to enable the operations described under 
subsection (a). 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—The definitions under section 
44801 of title 49, United States Code, shall apply to this 
section. 
SEC. 630. UAS OPERATIONS OVER HIGH SEAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—An unmanned aircraft system op-
eration that begins and ends within the United States or 
the territorial waters of the United States, shall not be 
considered international flight regardless of whether the 
unmanned aircraft system enters international airspace. 
(b) DEFINITION
OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYS-
TEM.—In this section, the term ‘‘unmanned aircraft sys-
tem’’ has the meaning given such term in section 44801 
of title 49, United States Code. 
SEC. 631. BEYOND BEYOND. 
(a) FAA BEYOND PROGRAM EXTENSION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall extend the 
BEYOND program of the Administration (referred 
to in this section as the ‘‘Program’’), and the exist-
ing agreements with State, local, and Tribal govern-
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ments entered into under the program, including any 
related approvals and exemptions, to September 30, 
2025. 
(2) SCOPE.—In extending the Program under 
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall address addi-
tional factors, including— 
(A) increasing automation in civil aircraft, 
including unmanned aircraft systems and new 
or emerging aviation technologies; 
(B) operations of such aircraft and tech-
nologies, including beyond visual line-of sight; 
and 
(C) the social and economic impacts of 
such operations. 
(b) FAA BEYOND PROGRAM EXPANSION.—Not later 
than 6 months after the extension date described in sub-
section (a)(1), the Administrator shall expand the Pro-
gram to test the use of new and emerging aviation con-
cepts and technologies, including concepts and tech-
nologies unrelated to unmanned aircraft systems, to evalu-
ate and inform Administration policies, rulemaking, and 
guidance related to the safe integration of such concepts 
and technologies into the national airspace system. 
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SEC. 632. UAS INTEGRATION STRATEGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall implement the recommenda-
tions made by— 
(1) the Comptroller General of the United 
States to the Secretary of Transportation contained 
in the report titled ‘‘Drones: FAA Should Improve 
Its Approach to Integrating Drones into the Na-
tional Airspace System’’ issued in January 2023 
(GAO–23–105189); and 
(2) the inspector general of the Department of 
Transportation to the Administrator contained in 
the audit report titled ‘‘FAA Made Progress 
Through Its UAS Integration Pilot Program, but 
FAA and Industry Challenges Remain To Achieve 
Full UAS Integration’’ issued in April 2022 (Project 
ID: AV2022027). 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 12 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall pro-
vide a briefing to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate annually on the status of the activities de-
scribed in subsection (a). 
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SEC. 633. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR KNOW 
BEFORE YOU FLY CAMPAIGN. 
There is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the 
Administrator $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 
through 2028, out of funds made available under section 
106(k) of title 49, United States Code, for the Know Be-
fore You Fly educational campaign or similar public infor-
mational efforts intended to broaden unmanned aircraft 
systems safety awareness. 
SEC. 634. PUBLIC AIRCRAFT DEFINITION. 
Section 40125(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘or’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘(including data collection on 
civil aviation systems undergoing research, develop-
ment, test, or evaluation at a test range (as such 
term is defined in section 44801)), infrastructure in-
spections, or any other activity undertaken by a gov-
ernmental entity that the Administrator determines 
is inherently governmental’’ after ‘‘biological or geo-
logical resource management’’. 
Subtitle B—Advanced Air Mobility 
SEC. 651. DEFINITION. 
In this subtitle, the term ‘‘powered-lift aircraft’’ has 
the meaning given the term ‘‘powered-lift’’ in section 1.1 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
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SEC. 652. POWERED-LIFT AIRCRAFT RULEMAKINGS. 
(a) PROPOSED RULEMAKING.—Not later than 3 
months after the date of enactment of Act, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue 
a notice of proposed rulemaking for a special Federal avia-
tion regulation establishing procedures for certifying pow-
ered-lift pilots and providing operational rules for pow-
ered-lift aircraft providing commercial service. 
(b) FINAL RULEMAKING.—Not later than 16 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall publish a final rule for a special Federal aviation reg-
ulation establishing procedures for certifying powered-lift 
pilots and providing operational rules for powered-lift air-
craft. 
(c) FUTURE RULEMAKING.—Not later than 5 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall initiate a rulemaking activity providing for a perma-
nent pathway for the— 
(1) performance-based certification of powered- 
lift aircraft; 
(2) certification of powered-lift airmen; and 
(3) operation of powered-lift aircraft in com-
mercial service and air transportation. 
(d) RULEMAKING CONSIDERATIONS.— 
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(1) CONTENTS OF RULEMAKINGS.—In the de-
velopment of the rulemakings required under sub-
sections (b) and (c), the Administrator shall— 
(A) provide for a combination of pilot 
training requirements, including simulators, to 
ensure the safe operation of powered-lift air-
craft; 
(B) grant an individual with an existing 
commercial airplane (single- or multi-engine) or 
helicopter pilot certificate the authority to serve 
as pilot-in-command of a powered-lift aircraft in 
commercial operation following the completion 
of a Federal Aviation Administration-approved 
pilot type rating for such type of aircraft; 
(C) to the maximum extent practicable, 
align powered-lift pilot qualifications with sec-
tion 2.1.1.4 of the International Civil Aviation 
Organization’s Annex 1; and 
(D) consider the adoption of the rec-
ommendations contained in document 10103 of 
the International Civil Aviation Organization 
for powered-lift operations, as appropriate. 
(2) 
CONSIDERATIONS
FOR
FUTURE 
RULEMAKINGS.—In 
the 
development 
of 
the 
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586 
rulemakings required under subsection (c), the Ad-
ministrator shall— 
(A) consider and plan for unmanned and 
remotely piloted powered-lift aircraft systems, 
and the associated elements of such aircraft, 
through the promulgation of performance-based 
regulations; 
(B) consider and plan for alternative fuel 
types and propulsion methods, including review-
ing the performance-based nature of parts 33 
and 35 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; 
and 
(C) work to harmonize the certification 
and operational requirements of the Federal 
Aviation Administration with the certification 
and operational requirements of civil aviation 
authorities with bilateral safety agreements in 
place with the United States, to the extent har-
monization does not negatively impact domestic 
manufacturers and operators. 
(e) INTERIM APPLICATION OF RULES AND PRIVI-
LEGES IN LIEU OF RULEMAKING.—Beginning 24 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, if a final rule has 
not been published pursuant to subsection (b)— 
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587 
(1) rules in effect on such date that apply to 
the operation and the operator of rotorcraft or fixed- 
wing aircraft under subchapters F, G, H, and I of 
chapter 1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
shall be— 
(A) deemed to apply to— 
(i) the operation of a powered-lift air-
craft in the national airspace system; and 
(ii) the operator of such a powered-lift 
aircraft; and 
(B) applicable as determined by the oper-
ator of an airworthy powered-lift aircraft in 
consultation with the Administrator and con-
sistent with sections 91.3 and 91.13 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations; and 
(2) upon the completion of a type rating for a 
specific powered-lift aircraft, airmen that hold a 
pilot or instructor certification with airplane cat-
egory ratings in any class or rotorcraft category rat-
ings in the helicopter class shall be deemed to have 
privileges of a powered-lift rating for that aircraft. 
(f) TERMINATION OF INTERIM RULES AND PRIVI-
LEGES.—Subsection (e) shall cease to have effect 1 month 
after the effective date of a final rule issued pursuant to 
subsection (b). 
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SEC. 653. POWERED-LIFT AIRCRAFT ENTRY INTO SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall, in consultation with exclu-
sive bargaining representatives of air traffic controllers 
certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code, 
take such actions as may be necessary to safely integrate 
powered-lift aircraft into the national airspace system, in-
cluding in controlled airspace, and learn from any efforts 
to adopt and update related policy and guidance. 
(b) AIR TRAFFIC POLICIES FOR ENTRY INTO SERV-
ICE.—Not later than 24 months after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator shall update air traffic 
orders and policies, to the extent necessary, and address 
air traffic control system challenges in order to allow for— 
(1) the use of existing air traffic procedures, 
where safe, by powered-lift aircraft; and 
(2) the approval of letters of agreement between 
air traffic control system facilities and powered-lift 
operators and infrastructure operators to minimize 
the amount of active coordination required for safe 
recurring powered-lift aircraft operations. 
(c) LONG-TERM AIR TRAFFIC POLICIES.—Based on 
the implementation of subsection (b), the Administrator 
shall— 
(1) continue to update air traffic orders and 
policies; 
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589 
(2) to the extent necessary, develop powered-lift 
specific procedures for airports, heliports, and 
vertiports; 
(3) evaluate the human factors impacts on con-
trollers associated with managing powered-lift air-
craft operations, consider the impact of additional 
operations on air traffic controller staffing, and 
make necessary changes to staffing, procedures, reg-
ulations, and orders; and 
(4) consider the use of third-party service pro-
viders to manage increased operations in controlled 
airspace to support and supplement the work of air 
traffic controllers. 
SEC. 654. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON PREPARATION FOR 
ENTRY INTO SERVICE OF POWERED-LIFT AIR-
CRAFT. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration should work with 
manufacturers, prospective operators of powered-lift air-
craft, and other stakeholders, to enable the safe entry of 
such aircraft into commercial service following the publica-
tion of the final special Federal Aviation Administration 
rulemaking titled ‘‘Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Cer-
tification and Operations; Miscellaneous Amendments Re-
lated to Rotorcraft and Airplanes’’, including by reviewing 
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590 
and providing feedback to such manufacturers and opera-
tors on draft pilot training, operations, and maintenance 
manuals after the publication of the draft special Federal 
Aviation Administration rulemaking and prior to the pub-
lication of a final rule, as appropriate. 
SEC. 
655. 
INFRASTRUCTURE 
SUPPORTING 
VERTICAL 
FLIGHT. 
(a) UPDATES
TO
REGULATIONS
FOR
CONSIST-
ENCY.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall update part 1 and part 157 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, and other regulations as nec-
essary to implement the amendments made by section 
401. 
(b) UPDATE TO HELIPORT DESIGN STANDARDS.— 
The Administrator shall update the version of Advisory 
Circular 150/5390–2, titled ‘‘Heliport Design’’ in effect on 
the date of enactment of this Act, to— 
(1) increase the inclusion of performance-based 
guidance, including around aircraft fuel type and 
propulsion method; 
(2) update guidance to consider risk mitigations 
and hazards associated with different aircraft fuel 
types and propulsion methods; 
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591 
(3) affirm the general permissibility of any 
vertical takeoff and landing capable aircraft to use 
heliports; and 
(4) include vertiport as a subclass of heliport. 
(c) ENGINEERING BRIEF ON VERTIPORT DESIGN.— 
The Administrator may update the version of Engineering 
Brief 105, titled ‘‘Vertiport Design’’ in effect on the date 
of enactment of this Act, prior to issuing an update to 
Advisory Circular 150/5390–2, as required under sub-
section (b). 
(d) ENGINEERING BRIEF SUNSET.—The Adminis-
trator shall revoke Engineering Brief 105, titled 
‘‘Vertiport Design’’, on the earlier of— 
(1) the date on which Advisory Circular 150/ 
5390–2 is updated under subsection (b); or 
(2) 36 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
(e) GUIDANCE, FORMS, AND PLANNING.—The Ad-
ministrator shall— 
(1) ensure airport district offices of the Admin-
istration have sufficient guidance and policy direc-
tion regarding the Administration’s heliport and 
vertiport design guidance not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act and update 
such guidance routinely; 
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592 
(2) determine if updates to Administration 
Form 7460 and Form 7480 are necessary and take 
such actions, as appropriate; and 
(3) ensure that the methodology and underlying 
data sources of the Administration’s Terminal Area 
Forecast include commercial operations conducted 
by aircraft regardless of propulsion type or fuel type. 
SEC. 656. CHARTING OF AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall increase efforts to update 
and keep current the Airport Master Record of the Admin-
istration, including by establishing a streamlined process 
by which the owners and operators of public and private 
aviation facilities with nontemporary, nonintermittent op-
erations are encouraged to keep the information on such 
facilities current. 
(b) BRIEFING.—The Administrator 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 
plans of the Administrator to update and keep current the 
Airport Master Record for private and public airports, hel-
iports, and vertiports. 
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593 
SEC. 657. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY WORKING GROUP. 
Section 2 of the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination 
and Leadership Act (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘, particularly 
passenger-carrying aircraft,’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)(1) by striking subpara-
graph (D) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(D) operators of airports, heliports, and 
vertiports, and fixed-base operators;’’; 
(3) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) 
by striking ‘‘1 year’’ and inserting ‘‘18 
months’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3) by inserting ‘‘or that 
may impede maturation’’ after ‘‘AAM indus-
try’’; 
(C) in paragraph (7) by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(D) in paragraph (8) by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(E) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(9) processes and programs that can be lever-
aged to improve the efficiency of Federal reviews re-
quired for infrastructure development, including for 
electrical capacity projects.’’; 
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(4) in subsection (f)(1) by striking ‘‘necessary 
to support the evolution of early’’ and inserting the 
following: ‘‘that would allow for— 
‘‘(A) the timely entry into service of AAM 
after aircraft and operator certification; and 
‘‘(B) the evolution of early’’; 
(5) in subsection (g)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) 
by striking ‘‘working group’’ and inserting 
‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(C) by redesignating paragraph (2) as 
paragraph (3); and 
(D) by inserting after paragraph (1) the 
following: 
‘‘(2) summarizing any dissenting views and 
opinions of a participant of the working group de-
scribed in subsection (c)(3); and’’; 
(6) in subsection (i)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘that 
transports people and property by air between 
two points in the United States using aircraft 
with advanced technologies, including electric 
aircraft or electric vertical take-off and landing 
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595 
aircraft,’’ and inserting ‘‘comprised of urban air 
mobility and regional air mobility using manned 
or unmanned aircraft’’; 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (5) as 
paragraph (7); 
(C) by redesignating paragraph (6) as 
paragraph (9); 
(D) by inserting after paragraph (4) the 
following: 
‘‘(5) POWERED-LIFT
AIRCRAFT.—The term 
‘powered-lift aircraft’ has the meaning given the 
term ‘powered-lift’ in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations. 
‘‘(6) REGIONAL AIR MOBILITY.—The term ‘re-
gional air mobility’ means the movement of people or 
property by air between 2 points using an airworthy 
aircraft that— 
‘‘(A) has advanced technologies, such as 
distributed propulsion, vertical take-off and 
landing, powered-lift, non-traditional power sys-
tems, or autonomous technologies; 
‘‘(B) has a maximum takeoff weight of 
greater than 1,320 pounds; and 
‘‘(C) is not urban air mobility.’’; 
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596 
(E) by inserting after paragraph (7), as so 
redesignated, the following: 
‘‘(8) URBAN AIR MOBILITY.—The term ‘urban 
air mobility’ means the movement of people or prop-
erty by air between 2 intracity or intercity points 
using an airworthy aircraft that— 
‘‘(A) advanced technologies, such as dis-
tributed propulsion, vertical take-off and land-
ing, powered-lift, nontraditional power systems, 
or autonomous technologies; and 
‘‘(B) a maximum takeoff weight of greater 
than 1,320 pounds.’’; and 
(F) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(10) VERTIPORT.—The term ‘vertiport’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 47102 of 
title 49, United States Code.’’; 
(7) by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection 
(j); and 
(8) by inserting after subsection (h) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(i) CONSIDERATIONS FOR TERMINATION OF WORK-
ING GROUP.—In deciding whether to terminate the work-
ing group under subsection (h), the Secretary and the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
consider other interagency coordination activities associ-
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597 
ated with AAM, or other new or novel users of the national 
airspace system, that could benefit from continued wider 
interagency coordination.’’. 
SEC. 658. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY INFRASTRUCTURE 
PILOT PROGRAM EXTENSION. 
Section 101 of division Q of the Consolidated Appro-
priations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117–328) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A) by inserting 
‘‘, as well as the use of existing airport and 
heliport infrastructure that may require 
modifications to safely accommodate AAM 
operations,’’ after ‘‘vertiport infrastruc-
ture’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B)— 
(I) in clause (iii) by striking 
‘‘vertiport’’ and inserting ‘‘locations 
for’’; 
(II) in clause (iv) by inserting 
‘‘and guidance’’ after ‘‘any stand-
ards’’; 
(III) in clause (v) by striking 
‘‘vertiport infrastructure’’ and insert-
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599 
‘‘(III) what role each level of gov-
ernment plays in the process; and 
‘‘(IV) whether such entities rec-
ommend specific regulatory or guid-
ance actions be taken by the Secretary 
of Transportation or other Federal 
agencies in order to support such 
early adoption.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e)— 
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(1) ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY; AAM; REGIONAL 
AIR MOBILITY; URBAN AIR MOBILITY; VERTIPORT.— 
The terms ‘advanced air mobility’, ‘AAM’, ‘regional 
air mobility’, ‘urban air mobility’, and ‘vertiport’ 
have the meaning given such terms in section 2(j) of 
the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leader-
ship Act (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraphs (9) and (10). 
Subtitle C—Other Provisions 
SEC. 681. REPORT ON NATIONAL SPACEPORTS POLICY. 
Section 580(c)(3) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 
2018 (Public Law 115–254) is amended by striking 
‘‘2024’’ and inserting ‘‘2028’’. 
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600 
SEC. 682. AIRBORNE DEBRIS COLLISION AVOIDANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 447 of title 49, United 
States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘§ 44746. Airborne debris collision avoidance 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transpor-
tation, in coordination with the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration, shall— 
‘‘(1) establish a program to track objects that 
are potential sources of covered airborne debris; 
‘‘(2) establish a database containing data and 
information on such objects; 
‘‘(3) utilize existing tools and methods, includ-
ing communication with the owners or operators of 
such objects, if applicable, to determine on an ongo-
ing basis the likelihood and the circumstances, in-
cluding the time and location, under which such ob-
jects may reenter the Earth’s atmosphere in a con-
trolled or uncontrolled manner; 
‘‘(4) assess the potential of a reentry of each 
such object to create covered airborne debris and the 
risk such debris may pose to aircraft or individuals 
and property on the ground; and 
‘‘(5) establish a system, in consultation with the 
Chief Operating Officer for the air traffic control 
system, by which— 
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601 
‘‘(A) airspace may be identified for pos-
sible control or restrictions when risks are 
present due to the presence or expected pres-
ence of covered airborne debris; and 
‘‘(B) aircraft at risk of being impacted by 
covered airborne debris can be expeditiously no-
tified and redirected. 
‘‘(b) TRACKING PROGRAM.—In establishing the pro-
gram under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary may— 
‘‘(1) acquire or establish facilities and equip-
ment to directly track objects that are potential 
sources of covered airborne debris; and 
‘‘(2) contract for, or utilize reliable sources of, 
data and information relating to such objects from 
other Federal agencies or any eligible entity, includ-
ing by using the authority provided in section 
106(l)(6). 
‘‘(c) DATA AND INFORMATION AGREEMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) FEDERAL AGREEMENT.—Prior to receiving 
data and information from a Federal agency under 
subsection (b)(2), or using such data and informa-
tion for any purpose under this section, the Sec-
retary shall enter into an agreement with the head 
of such Federal agency that— 
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602 
‘‘(A) details the purposes for which the 
Secretary is authorized to use such data and in-
formation; 
‘‘(B) describes the conditions under which 
such data and information may not be released, 
including a list of eligible entities or categories 
of eligible entities that are not permitted to re-
ceive such data and information; 
‘‘(C) ensures that such data or information 
is safety-related and unclassified; 
‘‘(D) designates the Secretary as the sole 
or primary Federal distributor of such data and 
information to an eligible entity; and 
‘‘(E) contains any other condition or re-
striction as the Secretary and the head of such 
Federal agency consider appropriate. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may 
not enter into an agreement with the head of a 
Federal agency under this subsection that re-
stricts the ability of the Secretary to provide 
the minimum data and information necessary to 
an eligible entity to effectively provide services 
described under subsection (d). 
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603 
‘‘(B) CLASSIFIED
DATA
OR
INFORMA-
TION.—If the Secretary and the head of a Fed-
eral agency determine that the sharing of clas-
sified data or information from such Federal 
agency under subsection (b)(2) is necessary or 
otherwise appropriate, the Secretary and the 
head of the Federal agency shall include in an 
agreement under this subsection any procedures 
and policies that are necessary to manage the 
use of such classified data or information with-
out compromising the national security interests 
of the United States. 
‘‘(3) NON-FEDERAL AGREEMENT.—Prior to re-
ceiving data and information from an eligible entity 
under subsection (b)(2), or using such data and in-
formation for any purpose under this section, the 
Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the eli-
gible entity governing the management and dissemi-
nation of such data and information. Such agree-
ment may contain such conditions or restrictions as 
the Secretary considers appropriate. 
‘‘(4) DISCLOSURE.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Pursuant to section 
552(b)(3)(B) of title 5, the Secretary may not 
disclose to the public any data or information 
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604 
received pursuant an agreement under this sub-
section. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary may 
disclose data or information under this section 
that qualifies for an exemption under section 
552(b)(4) of title 5, or is designated as con-
fidential by the person or head of the Federal 
agency providing the data or information, only 
if the Secretary decides that withholding the 
data or information is contrary to the public or 
national interest. 
‘‘(C) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing 
in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit 
the Secretary from using or releasing such data 
and information pursuant to the terms of an 
agreement under this subsection. 
‘‘(d) SAFETY OF AIRSPACE AND AIRCRAFT.— 
‘‘(1) UNITED
STATES
AIRSPACE.—The Sec-
retary shall provide the service described under sub-
section (a)(5) to aircraft operating in United States 
airspace or airspace assigned to the United States at 
no charge. 
‘‘(2) FOREIGN
AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary 
may enter into an agreement with a foreign air navi-
gation service provider for the Secretary to provide 
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605 
the services described in subsection (a)(5)(B) to the 
foreign air navigation service provider, provided that 
the foreign air navigation service provider— 
‘‘(A) remunerates the Secretary at a rate 
that is reasonably related to the cost of pro-
viding such services, as determined by the Sec-
retary; and 
‘‘(B) agrees to indemnify and hold the 
United States Government harmless from any 
claim related to the provision of such services 
and any related action or omission. 
‘‘(e) OTHER USES
OF DATA
AND INFORMATION; 
OTHER SERVICES.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary, in coordina-
tion with appropriate entities within the Department 
of Transportation and in consultation with the heads 
of other relevant Federal agencies— 
‘‘(A) shall carry out a program to— 
‘‘(i) improve the collection, processing, 
and dissemination of space situational 
awareness data and information (including 
information contained in the database es-
tablished under subsection (a)(2)); and 
‘‘(ii) provide services relating to such 
data and information; 
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606 
‘‘(B) subject to paragraph (2), may pro-
vide such data, information, and services to an 
eligible entity; and 
‘‘(C) may obtain such data, information, 
and services from an eligible entity. 
‘‘(2) TYPE OF INFORMATION PROVIDED.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Data and information 
provided to an eligible entity under paragraph 
(1)(B) shall be safety-related and unclassified. 
‘‘(B) 
INTERESTS
OF
THE
UNITED 
STATES.—The Secretary, in consultation with 
the head of a Federal agency with which the 
Secretary has entered into an agreement under 
subsection (c), shall develop a policy to deter-
mine the type of information that may be pro-
vided under paragraph (1) without compro-
mising the national security interests of the 
United States. 
‘‘(3) PUBLIC SERVICES.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
designate a basic level of data, information, and 
services described in paragraph (1) to be pro-
vided at no charge, including— 
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607 
‘‘(i) a public catalog of objects that 
are potential sources of covered airborne 
debris and other tracked space objects; 
‘‘(ii) emergency conjunction notifica-
tions for objects described in clause (i); 
and 
‘‘(iii) any other data, information, or 
services (excluding services that may be 
provided pursuant to an agreement under 
subsection (d)(2)) that the Secretary con-
siders— 
‘‘(I) necessary for safety; or 
‘‘(II) appropriate. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—The Secretary may 
not provide data, information, or services under 
subparagraph (A)(iii)(II) that compete with 
products offered by United States commercial 
entities. 
‘‘(4) ADVANCED
SERVICES.—The Secretary 
may undertake activities to promote the creation and 
provision of more advanced levels of data, informa-
tion, and services described in paragraph (1) to fos-
ter the public and private enhancement of transpor-
tation safety. 
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608 
‘‘(5) PROCEDURES.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish procedures by which the authority under this 
subsection shall be carried out. 
‘‘(6) IMMUNITY.—The United States, any agen-
cies and instrumentalities thereof, and any individ-
uals, firms, corporations, and other persons acting 
for the United States, shall be immune from any 
suit in any court for any cause of action arising 
from the provision or receipt data, information, or 
services described in paragraph (1) whether or not 
provided in accordance with this section, or any re-
lated action or omission. 
‘‘(f) NON-DELEGATION.—Except as provided in sub-
section (e)(5), the authority under this section may only 
be delegated by the Secretary to an officer or employee 
of the Department of Transportation, including the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration. 
‘‘(g) FUNDING.—Out of amounts made available 
under section 106(k)(2)(D), $15,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2024 through 2028 may be expended by the Sec-
retary to carry out this section. 
‘‘(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) COVERED AIRBORNE DEBRIS.—The term 
‘covered airborne debris’ means any human-made 
object that— 
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609 
‘‘(A) was previously in Earth orbit; 
‘‘(B) is in the atmosphere; 
‘‘(C) is uncontrolled; and 
‘‘(D) poses a potential risk to the safe 
flight of civil aircraft in air commerce. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible en-
tity’ means any non-Federal entity, including any of 
the following: 
‘‘(A) A State. 
‘‘(B) A political subdivision of a State. 
‘‘(C) A United States commercial entity. 
‘‘(D) The government of a foreign country. 
‘‘(E) A foreign commercial entity.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is further amend-
ed by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘44746. Airborne debris collision avoidance.’’. 
SEC. 683. INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUC-
TURE IMPROVEMENT PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a 
pilot program to issue grants to operators of launch and 
reentry sites for projects to construct, repair, maintain, 
or improve transportation infrastructure and facilities at 
such sites. 
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(b) PILOT PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS.—The Sec-
retary may enter into agreements under this section to 
issue a grant to an operator only if the operator— 
(1) has submitted an application to the Sec-
retary in such form, at such time, and containing 
such information as prescribed by the Secretary; 
(2) demonstrates to the Secretary’s satisfaction 
that the project for which the application has been 
submitted is for an eligible purpose under subsection 
(c); and 
(3) agrees to maintain such records relating to 
the grant as the Secretary may require and to make 
such records available to the Secretary or the Comp-
troller General of the United States upon request. 
(c) PERMITTED USE OF PILOT PROGRAM GRANTS.— 
An operator may use a grant provided under this 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.—At the beginning of 
each fiscal year after fiscal year 2024, the Secretary 
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611 
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-
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 
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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.— 
(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 
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613 
equal to or greater than two times the amount of a 
grant provided in a fiscal year to the operator under 
subsection (d) (for the explicit purpose of matching 
such grant), the Secretary may issue a supplemental 
grant to the operator that is equal to 50 percent of 
such grant in the following fiscal year. 
(4) SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT LIMITATIONS.— 
(A) MATCH TIMING.—The Secretary may 
issue a supplemental grant under paragraph (2) 
or (3) only if an amount provided by a qualified 
entity is provided to the operator in the same 
fiscal year as the grant issued under subsection 
(d). 
(B) 
NON-DUPLICATION
OF
MATCHING 
GRANTS.—If the Secretary issues a 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.— 
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614 
(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— 
(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, including 
through the use of— 
(A) a vehicle; 
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615 
(B) a vessel; 
(C) a railroad (as defined in section 20102 
of title 49, United States Code); 
(D) an aircraft (as defined in section 
40102 of title 49, United States Code); 
(E) a pipeline facility (as defined in section 
60101 of title 49, United States Code); or 
(F) a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle. 
(2) LAUNCH; LAUNCH SITE; LAUNCH VEHICLE; 
REENTRY
SITE; REENTRY
VEHICLE.—The terms 
‘‘launch’’, ‘‘launch site’’, ‘‘launch vehicle’’, ‘‘reentry 
site’’, and ‘‘reentry vehicle’’ have the meanings given 
those terms in section 50902 of title 51, United 
States Code. 
(3) OPERATOR.—The term ‘‘operator’’ means a 
person licensed by the Secretary to operate a launch 
or reentry site. 
(4) QUALIFIED ENTITY.—The term ‘‘qualified 
entity’’ means a State, local, or tribal government or 
private sector entity, or any combination thereof. 
(h) PILOT PROGRAM SUNSET.—This section shall 
cease to be effective on October 1, 2028. 
SEC. 684. 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 
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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. 
(b) STUDY
ON
HIGH-SPEED
AIRCRAFT
OPER-
ATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall, in co-
ordination with the Administrator of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration and Sec-
retary of Defense and any other agencies the Admin-
istrator determines appropriate, initiate a study to 
the potential for high-speed commercial transpor-
tation operations. 
(2) CONTENTS.—In carrying out the study 
under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall assess 
various altitudes and operating conditions of high- 
speed aircraft in Class E airspace above the upper 
boundary of Class A airspace and the resulting air-
craft noise levels at the surface. 
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617 
(3) RECOMMENDATIONS.—As part of the study 
under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall issue 
recommendations to update, if feasible, regulations 
regarding high-speed aircraft operations without in-
creasing noise levels at the surface. 
(c) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘high- 
speed aircraft’’ means an aircraft operating at speeds in 
excess of Mach 1, which may include supersonic and 
hypersonic aircraft. 
SEC. 685. 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. 
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618 
SEC. 686. AIP ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN SPACEPORT IN-
FRASTRUCTURE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, the Secretary of Transportation may make 
a grant under subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49, 
United States Code, to an airport sponsor to reconstruct, 
repave, or rehabilitate the full length and width of a run-
way existing on the date of enactment of this Act if— 
(1) the runway is at an airport that is also a 
launch site or reentry site operated by a person cer-
tified under section 50905 of title 51, United States 
Code; 
(2) the runway is greater than 12,000 feet long 
and not less than 200 feet wide; and 
(3) the airport sponsor certifies to the Secretary 
that the full length and width of the runway is re-
quired to support activities at the launch site. 
(b) SUNSET.—This section shall cease to be effective 
on September 30, 2028. 
SEC. 687. COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION STATIS-
TICS. 
Section 329(b) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘aeronautical’’ 
and inserting ‘‘aerospace’’; 
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(2) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘civil aero-
nautics’’ and inserting ‘‘civil aerospace’’; 
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as 
paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) collect and disseminate information on 
commercial space transportation operations (other 
than that collected and disseminated by the National 
Transportation Safety Board under chapter 11) in-
cluding, at a minimum, information on the number 
of launches or reentries licensed by the Secretary, 
the number of space flight participants, the number 
of payloads, and the mass of payloads, organized by 
class of orbit;’’. 
TITLE VII—PASSENGER 
EXPERIENCE IMPROVEMENTS 
Subtitle A—General Provisions 
SEC. 701. ADVERTISEMENTS AND SOLICITATIONS FOR PAS-
SENGER AIR TRANSPORTATION. 
(a) FULL FARE ADVERTISING.—Section 41712 of 
title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) FULL FARE ADVERTISING.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—It shall not be an unfair or 
deceptive practice under subsection (a) for a covered 
entity to state in an advertisement or solicitation for 
passenger air transportation the base airfare for 
such air transportation if the covered entity clearly 
and separately discloses— 
‘‘(A) the government-imposed taxes and 
fees associated with the air transportation; and 
‘‘(B) the total cost of the air 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 
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defined by the Secretary, in a manner that is 
easily accessible and viewable by the consumer. 
‘‘(3) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) BASE AIRFARE.—The term ‘base air-
fare’ means the cost of passenger air transpor-
tation, excluding government-imposed taxes and 
fees. 
‘‘(B) COVERED ENTITY.—The term ‘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). 
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(d) 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— 
‘‘(1) the accessible website, e-mail address, or 
telephone number of the air carrier for the submis-
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623 
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 
‘‘(2) the accessible website and any related mo-
bile device application of such provider.’’. 
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SEC. 703. CODIFICATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION PRO-
VISIONS. 
(a) PASSENGER RIGHTS.—Subchapter I of chapter 
417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 41727. Passenger rights 
‘‘(a) GUIDELINES.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall require each air carrier and foreign air carrier to 
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 
baggage, wheelchairs, mobility aids and other assist-
ive devices. 
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‘‘(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 
of air carriers and foreign air carriers, their employees and 
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626 
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. 
‘‘(6) The right of passengers with disabilities to 
speak with a complaint resolution officer or to file 
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627 
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. 
‘‘(f) TRAINING.— 
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‘‘(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— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
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(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’’. 
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’’. 
(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
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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 
(3) in subsection (g) by striking ‘‘2023’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2028’’. 
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(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; 
(9) customer-facing employees of air carriers; 
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(10) representatives of intermodal transpor-
tation companies that operate at airports; 
(11) airport concessionaires; 
(12) nonprofit public interest groups with ex-
pertise in consumer protection matters; 
(13) senior managers of the Administration’s 
Air Traffic Organization; 
(14) aircraft manufacturers; 
(15) entities representing individuals with dis-
abilities; 
(16) labor unions, including— 
(A) collective bargaining representatives of 
Federal Aviation Administration employees; 
(B) collective bargaining representatives of 
pilots; and 
(C) collective bargaining representatives of 
flight attendants; 
(17) other organizations or industry segments 
as determined by the Secretary; and 
(18) 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). 
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(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; 
(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; 
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(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. 
(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. 
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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; 
(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 
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(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. 
(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 
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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; 
(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. 
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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. 
(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 
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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, 
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-
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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) STRATEGIC PLAN.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall de-
velop a strategic plan that, at a minimum, de-
scribes how the Secretary, in consultation with 
the United States Access Board, will— 
(i) establish a program, in collabora-
tion with the Rehabilitation Engineering 
and Assistive Technology Society of North 
America, the assistive technology industry, 
air carriers, aircraft manufacturers, na-
tional disability organizations, and other 
relevant stakeholders, to test and evaluate 
an appropriate selection of WC–19 compli-
ant wheelchairs in accordance with applica-
ble Federal Aviation Administration crash-
worthiness and safety performance stand-
ards; and 
(ii) sponsor studies that assess— 
(I) the likely demand for air trav-
el by individuals who are non-
ambulatory if such individuals could 
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remain seated in personal wheelchairs 
during flight; and 
(II) the feasibility of imple-
menting seating arrangements that 
would accommodate passengers in 
wheelchairs in the main cabin during 
flight. 
(B) NATIONAL ACADEMIES RECOMMENDA-
TIONS.—In developing the strategic plan de-
scribed in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
consider the recommendations from the Na-
tional Academies of Science, Engineering, and 
Mathematics Transportation Research Board 
Special Report 341, titled ‘‘Technical Feasi-
bility of a Wheelchair Securement Concept for 
Airline Travel’’, and published in 2021. 
(2) STUDY.—Not later than 180 days after en-
actment of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to enter 
into an agreement with the Transportation Research 
Board of the National Academies under which the 
Transportation Research Board, in consultation with 
the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Tech-
nology Society of North America, the assistive tech-
nology industry, air carriers, aircraft manufacturers, 
national disability organizations, and other relevant 
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stakeholders, shall conduct a study to assess the eco-
nomic and financial feasibility of requiring air car-
riers to implement seating arrangements that accom-
modate passengers with wheelchairs in the aircraft 
cabin during flight, including an assessment of— 
(A) the cost of such seating arrangements 
and equipment and installation costs associated 
with such seating arrangements; 
(B) the demand for such seating arrange-
ments; 
(C) the impact of such seating arrange-
ments on all aircraft types; 
(D) the impact of such seating arrange-
ments on aircraft capacity and the cost of oper-
ations and airfare; and 
(E) any other information determined ap-
propriate by the Transportation Research 
Board. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
initiation of the study in paragraph (2), the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Represent-
atives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate, and make publicly 
available, the strategic plan developed under para-
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graph (1), the results of the study conducted under 
paragraph (2), and any recommendations the Trans-
portation Research Board determines 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. 
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 a report on 
disability-related aviation consumer complaints filed with 
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the Department of Transportation as a part of the Air 
Travel Consumer Report produced by the Department. 
(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; 
(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; 
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(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. 
(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 
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(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. 
(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, 
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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-
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 
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(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. 
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-
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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 
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-
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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. 
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 
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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; 
(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 
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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 
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 
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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 
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. 
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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 
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 
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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-
cluding approach and departure procedures for cov-
ered airports. 
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(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 
shall prioritize the following data communications 
capabilities: 
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(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. 
(f) AERONAUTICAL
INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT 
SYSTEMS.— 
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(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 
subsection (a), (c), (d), or (e), the Administrator 
shall, not later than 30 days after such determina-
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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 
deadline will not or was not met until such time as 
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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. STUDY ON NATIONAL AIRSPACE RESOURCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall initiate a study 
on— 
(1) the expected range of average annual re-
sources required through fiscal year 2033 to cost-ef-
fectively maintain the safety, sustainability, and 
other characteristics of national airspace system op-
erations consistent with the operating mission of the 
Federal Aviation Administration; 
(2) an estimate of agency resource requirements 
broken down by user group through fiscal year 
2033, including expectations regarding the growth of 
new entrants and potential new users entering the 
national airspace system by fiscal year 2033; and 
(3) viable options to ensure that each user of 
the national airspace system contributes appro-
priately to the resources needed to manage such 
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users of the national airspace system through fiscal 
year 2033. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the study 
under subsection (a), the Administrator may consult with 
aerospace industry stakeholders, including representatives 
from the following groups: 
(1) Air carriers. 
(2) General aviation. 
(3) Commercially operated unmanned aircraft 
systems. 
(4) Recreationally operated unmanned aircraft 
systems. 
(5) Experimental aircraft operators. 
(6) Powered-lift aircraft operators. 
(7) The commercial space transportation indus-
try. 
(8) Any other representatives the Administrator 
determines necessary. 
(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 detailing the results of the study required under 
subsection (a). 
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SEC. 745. 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. 
(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-
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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. 746. 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 
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-
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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 
(2) determine whether such limits should be up-
dated. 
SEC. 747. 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. 
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(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; 
and 
(3) assess whether establishing pathways to 
allow Federal Aviation Administration contract 
tower contractors to use the air traffic technical 
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. 
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(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. 748. 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. 
(b) PERFORMANCE METRICS NECESSARY TO RE-
MAIN 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: 
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(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) 
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 
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(3) does not disclose information that may pose 
a cybersecurity risk. 
SEC. 749. 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. 750. INSPECTOR GENERAL REVIEW OF SPACE-BASED 
ADS–B. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the inspector general of the 
Department of Transportation shall initiate a review of 
any Federal Aviation Administration investment decisions, 
including cost-benefit analyses, relating to space-based 
automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast technology. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out subsection 
(a), the inspector general shall review, at a minimum— 
(1) the efficacy of space-based automatic de-
pendent surveillance-broadcast technology, including 
for the purpose of— 
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(A) positive air traffic control, including 
separation of aircraft; 
(B) air traffic flow management; 
(C) tracking oceanic flights; 
(D) accident investigation; and 
(E) data analytics; and 
(2) any additional safety benefits provided 
through the use of such technology. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the com-
pletion of the review 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 describing the results of the review. 
SEC. 751. AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES DATA REPORTS. 
Section 45303(g) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)(A) by striking ‘‘8 years’’ 
and inserting ‘‘14 years’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3)(A) by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(xvi) Operators of commercial space 
transportation launch and reentry vehi-
cles.’’. 
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SEC. 752. 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. 753. 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. 
(3) Any such facilities under consideration for 
replacement. 
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 
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678 
such airport or eligible place are located in a non- 
contiguous State)’’ after ‘‘hub airport’’. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—The amendment made by 
paragraph (1) shall not apply to any contract or re-
newal of such contract with an air carrier for essen-
tial air service compensation under subchapter II of 
chapter 417 of title 49, that was— 
(A) entered into before the date of enact-
ment of this Act; and 
(B) still in effect 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: 
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679 
‘‘(G) the total compensation proposed by the air 
carrier for providing scheduled air service under this 
section.’’. 
(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 Government’s share of the compensa-
tion is not greater than 95 percent.’’. 
(2) SECTION 41731.—Section 41731(c) of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
‘‘and section 41737(a)(1)(F)’’ after ‘‘subsection 
(a)(1)’’. 
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 
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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 ALTERNATIVE MODES OF TRANS-
PORTATION FOR ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE 
PROGRAM. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a study on the feasibility, potential 
benefits, costs, and other impacts of authorizing alter-
native modes of transportation to serve communities under 
the essential air service program under sections 41731 
through 41742 of title 49, United States Code. 
(b) SCOPE.—In conducting the study required under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall consider 
such alternative modes of transportation to include— 
(1) motorcoaches; 
(2) rail; 
(3) other forms of ground-based transportation; 
and 
(4) potential innovations in air transportation 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study required 
under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall as-
sess— 
(1) the feasibility of alternative modes of trans-
portation available as of the date of enactment of 
this Act to operate with the essential air service pro-
gram requirements as of the date of enactment of 
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this Act under section 41732 of title 49, United 
States Code; 
(2) the cost of providing service to essential air 
service communities using air carriers; 
(3) the cost of providing service to essential air 
service communities using alternative modes of 
transportation; 
(4) the use of, or potential need for, codeshare 
or interline agreements between air carriers and 
companies providing alternative modes of transpor-
tation to essential air service communities; 
(5) the effect that authorizing alternative modes 
of transportation may have on airport improvement 
program funding under section 47107 of title 49, 
United States Code, for an airport in the essential 
air service program under sections 41731 through 
41742 of title 49, United States Code; and 
(6) other impacts of authorizing alternative 
modes of transportation for essential air service pro-
gram under sections 41731 through 41742 of title 
49, United States Code, that the Comptroller Gen-
eral determines appropriate. 
(d) REPORT
TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 18 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comp-
troller General shall submit to the Committee on Trans-
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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 study required under subsection (a). 
SEC. 775. 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 
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