In the Senate of the United States, 
May 9, 2024. 
Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representa-
tives (H.R. 3935) entitled ‘‘An Act to amend title 49, United 
States Code, to reauthorize and improve the Federal Aviation 
Administration and other civil aviation programs, and for 
other purposes.’’, do pass with the following 
AMENDMENT: 
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following: 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATIONS 
Sec. 101. Airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning 
and programs. 
Sec. 102. Facilities and equipment. 
Sec. 103. Operations. 
Sec. 104. Extension of miscellaneous expiring authorities.
† HR 3935 EAS 
TITLE II—FAA OVERSIGHT AND ORGANIZATIONAL REFORM 
Sec. 201. FAA leadership. 
Sec. 202. Assistant Administrator for Rulemaking and Regulatory Improvement. 
Sec. 203. Prohibition on conflicting pecuniary interests. 
Sec. 204. Authority of Secretary and Administrator. 
Sec. 205. Regulatory materials improvement. 
Sec. 206. Future of NextGen. 
Sec. 207. Airspace Modernization Office. 
Sec. 208. Application dashboard and feedback portal. 
Sec. 209. Sense of Congress on FAA engagement during rulemaking activities. 
Sec. 210. Civil Aeromedical Institute. 
Sec. 211. Management Advisory Council. 
Sec. 212. Chief Operating Officer. 
Sec. 213. Report on unfunded capital investment needs of air traffic control sys-
tem. 
Sec. 214. Chief Technology Officer. 
Sec. 215. Definition of air traffic control system. 
Sec. 216. Peer review of Office of Whistleblower Protection and Aviation Safety 
Investigations. 
Sec. 217. Cybersecurity lead. 
Sec. 218. Eliminating FAA reporting and unnecessary requirements. 
Sec. 219. Authority to use electronic service. 
Sec. 220. Safety and efficiency through digitization of FAA systems. 
Sec. 221. FAA telework. 
Sec. 222. Review of office space. 
Sec. 223. Restoration of authority. 
Sec. 224. FAA participation in industry standards organizations. 
Sec. 225. Sense of Congress on use of voluntary consensus standards. 
Sec. 226. Required designation. 
Sec. 227. Administrative Services Franchise Fund. 
Sec. 228. Commercial preference. 
Sec. 229. Advanced Aviation Technology and Innovation Steering Committee. 
Sec. 230. Review and updates of categorical exclusions. 
Sec. 231. Implementation of anti-terrorist and narcotic air events programs. 
TITLE III—AVIATION SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS 
Subtitle A—General Provisions 
Sec. 301. Helicopter air ambulance operations. 
Sec. 302. Global aircraft maintenance safety improvements. 
Sec. 303. ODA best practice sharing. 
Sec. 304. Training of organization delegation authorization unit members. 
Sec. 305. Clarification on safety management system information disclosure. 
Sec. 306. Reauthorization of certain provisions of the Aircraft Certification, Safe-
ty, and Accountability Act. 
Sec. 307. Continued oversight of FAA compliance program. 
Sec. 308. Scalability of safety management systems. 
Sec. 309. Review of safety management system rulemaking. 
Sec. 310. Independent study on future state of type certification processes. 
Sec. 311. Use of advanced tools and high-risk flight testing in certifying aerospace 
products. 
Sec. 312. Transport airplane and propulsion certification modernization. 
Sec. 313. Fire protection standards. 
Sec. 314. Risk model for production facility inspections.
† HR 3935 EAS 
Sec. 315. Review of FAA use of aviation safety data. 
Sec. 316. Weather reporting systems study. 
Sec. 317. GAO study on expansion of the FAA weather camera program. 
Sec. 318. Audit on aviation safety in era of wireless connectivity. 
Sec. 319. Safety data analysis for aircraft without transponders. 
Sec. 320. Crash-resistant fuel systems in rotorcraft. 
Sec. 321. Reducing turbulence-related injuries on part 121 aircraft operations. 
Sec. 322. Study on radiation exposure. 
Sec. 323. Study on impacts of temperature in aircraft cabins. 
Sec. 324. Lithium–ion powered wheelchairs. 
Sec. 325. National simulator program policies and guidance. 
Sec. 326. Briefing on agricultural application approval timing. 
Sec. 327. Sense of Congress regarding safety and security of aviation infrastruc-
ture. 
Sec. 328. Restricted category aircraft maintenance and operations. 
Sec. 329. Aircraft interchange agreement limitations. 
Sec. 330. Task Force on human factors in aviation safety. 
Sec. 331. Update of FAA standards to allow distribution and use of certain re-
stricted routes and terminal procedures. 
Sec. 332. ASOS/AWOS service report dashboard. 
Sec. 333. Helicopter safety. 
Sec. 334. Review and incorporation of human readiness levels into agency guid-
ance material. 
Sec. 335. Service difficulty reports. 
Sec. 336. Consistent and timely pilot checks for air carriers. 
Sec. 337. Flight service stations. 
Sec. 338. Tarmac operations monitoring study. 
Sec. 339. Improved safety in rural areas. 
Sec. 340. Study on FAA use of mandatory Equal Access to Justice Act waivers. 
Sec. 341. Airport air safety. 
Sec. 342. Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative. 
Sec. 343. Accountability and compliance. 
Sec. 344. Changed product rule reform. 
Sec. 345. Administrative authority for civil penalties. 
Sec. 346. Study on airworthiness standards compliance. 
Sec. 347. Zero tolerance for near misses, runway incursions, and surface safety 
risks. 
Sec. 348. Improvements to Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing 
Program. 
Sec. 349. Instructions for continued airworthiness aviation rulemaking com-
mittee. 
Sec. 350. Secondary cockpit barriers. 
Sec. 351. Part 135 duty and rest. 
Sec. 352. Flight data recovery from overwater operations. 
Sec. 353. Ramp worker safety call to action. 
Sec. 354. Voluntary reporting protections. 
Sec. 355. Tower marking notice of proposed rulemaking. 
Sec. 356. Promotion of civil aeronautics and safety of air commerce. 
Sec. 357. Educational and professional development. 
Sec. 358. Global aviation safety. 
Sec. 359. Availability of personnel for inspections, site visits, and training. 
Sec. 360. Wildfire suppression. 
Sec. 361. Continuous aircraft tracking and transmission for high altitude bal-
loons. 
Sec. 362. Cabin air safety.
† HR 3935 EAS 
Sec. 363. Commercial air tour and sport parachuting safety. 
Sec. 364. Hawaii air noise and safety task force. 
Sec. 365. Modernization and improvements to aircraft evacuation. 
Sec. 366. 25-hour cockpit voice recorder. 
Sec. 367. Sense of Congress regarding mandated contents of onboard emergency 
medical kits. 
Sec. 368. Passenger aircraft first aid and emergency medical kit equipment and 
training. 
Sec. 369. International aviation safety assessment program. 
Sec. 370. Whistleblower protection enforcement. 
Sec. 371. Civil penalties for whistleblower protection program violations. 
Sec. 372. Enhanced qualification program for restricted airline transport pilot 
certificate. 
Subtitle B—Aviation Cybersecurity 
Sec. 391. Findings. 
Sec. 392. Aerospace product safety. 
Sec. 393. Federal Aviation Administration regulations, policy, and guidance. 
Sec. 394. Securing aircraft avionics systems. 
Sec. 395. Civil aviation cybersecurity rulemaking committee. 
Sec. 396. GAO report on cybersecurity of commercial aviation avionics. 
TITLE IV—AEROSPACE WORKFORCE 
Sec. 401. Repeal of duplicative or obsolete workforce programs. 
Sec. 402. Civil airmen statistics. 
Sec. 403. Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation Advisory Committee. 
Sec. 404. FAA engagement and collaboration with HBCUs and MSIs. 
Sec. 405. Airman knowledge testing working group. 
Sec. 406. Airman Certification Standards. 
Sec. 407. Airman’s Medical Bill of Rights. 
Sec. 408. Improved designee misconduct reporting process. 
Sec. 409. Report on safe uniform options for certain aviation employees. 
Sec. 410. Human factors professionals. 
Sec. 411. Aeromedical innovation and modernization working group. 
Sec. 412. Frontline manager workload study. 
Sec. 413. Medical Portal Modernization Task Group. 
Sec. 414. Study of high school aviation maintenance training programs. 
Sec. 415. Improved access to air traffic control simulation training. 
Sec. 416. Air traffic controller instructor recruitment, hiring, and retention. 
Sec. 417. Ensuring hiring of air traffic control specialists is based on assessment 
of job-relevant aptitudes. 
Sec. 418. Pilot program to provide veterans with pilot training services. 
Sec. 419. Providing non-Federal weather observer training to airport personnel. 
Sec. 420. Prohibition of remote dispatching. 
Sec. 421. Crewmember pumping guidance. 
Sec. 422. GAO study and report on extent and effects of commercial aviation 
pilot shortage on regional/commuter carriers. 
Sec. 423. Report on implementation of recommendations of Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task 
Force. 
Sec. 424. Sense of Congress on improving unmanned aircraft system staffing at 
FAA. 
Sec. 425. Joint aviation employment training working group. 
Sec. 426. Military aviation maintenance technicians rule.
† HR 3935 EAS 
Sec. 427. Crewmember self-defense training. 
Sec. 428. Direct-hire authority utilization. 
Sec. 429. FAA Workforce review audit. 
Sec. 430. Staffing model for aviation safety inspectors. 
Sec. 431. Safety-critical staffing. 
Sec. 432. Deterring crewmember interference. 
Sec. 433. Use of biographical assessments. 
Sec. 434. Employee assault prevention and response plan standards and best 
practices. 
Sec. 435. Formal policy on sexual assault and harassment on air carriers. 
Sec. 436. Interference with security screening personnel. 
Sec. 437. Air traffic control workforce staffing. 
Sec. 438. Airport service workforce analysis. 
Sec. 439. Federal Aviation Administration Academy and facility expansion plan. 
Sec. 440. Improving Federal aviation workforce development programs. 
Sec. 441. National strategic plan for aviation workforce development. 
TITLE V—PASSENGER EXPERIENCE IMPROVEMENTS 
Subtitle A—Consumer Enhancements 
Sec. 501. Establishment of Office of Aviation Consumer Protection. 
Sec. 502. Additional within and beyond perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald 
Reagan Washington National Airport. 
Sec. 503. Refunds. 
Sec. 504. Know Your Rights posters. 
Sec. 505. Access to customer service assistance for all travelers. 
Sec. 506. Airline customer service dashboards. 
Sec. 507. Increase in civil penalties. 
Sec. 508. Advisory committee for aviation consumer protection. 
Sec. 509. Extension of aviation consumer advocate reporting requirement. 
Sec. 510. Codification of consumer protection provisions. 
Sec. 511. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. 
Sec. 512. Reimbursement for incurred costs. 
Sec. 513. Streamlining of offline ticket disclosures. 
Sec. 514. GAO study on competition and consolidation in the air carrier indus-
try. 
Sec. 515. GAO study and report on the operational preparedness of air carriers 
for certain events. 
Sec. 516. Family seating. 
Sec. 517. Passenger experience advisory committee. 
Sec. 518. Updating passenger information requirement regulations. 
Sec. 519. Seat dimensions. 
Sec. 520. Modernization of consumer complaint submissions. 
Subtitle B—Accessibility 
Sec. 541. Air Carrier Access Act advisory committee. 
Sec. 542. Improved training standards for assisting passengers who use wheel-
chairs. 
Sec. 543. Training standards for stowage of wheelchairs and scooters. 
Sec. 544. Mobility aids on board improve lives and empower all. 
Sec. 545. Prioritizing accountability and accessibility for aviation consumers. 
Sec. 546. Accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. 
Sec. 547. Equal accessibility to passenger portals. 
Sec. 548. Aircraft access standards.
† HR 3935 EAS 
Sec. 549. Investigation of complaints. 
Sec. 550. Removal of outdated references to passengers with disabilities. 
Sec. 551. On-board wheelchairs in aircraft cabin. 
Sec. 552. Aircraft accessibility. 
Subtitle C—Air Service Development 
Sec. 561. Essential air service reforms. 
Sec. 562. Small community air service development grants. 
Sec. 563. GAO study and report on the alternate essential air service pilot pro-
gram. 
Sec. 564. Essential air service in parts of Alaska. 
Sec. 565. Essential air service community petition for review. 
Sec. 566. Essential air service authorization. 
Sec. 567. GAO study on costs of essential air service. 
Sec. 568. Response time for applications to provide essential air service. 
Sec. 569. GAO study on certain airport delays. 
Sec. 570. Report on restoration of small community air service. 
TITLE VI—MODERNIZING THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM 
Sec. 601. Instrument landing system installation. 
Sec. 602. Navigation aids study. 
Sec. 603. NextGen accountability review. 
Sec. 604. Airspace access. 
Sec. 605. FAA contract tower workforce audit. 
Sec. 606. Air traffic control tower safety. 
Sec. 607. Air traffic services data reports. 
Sec. 608. Consideration of small hub control towers. 
Sec. 609. Flight profile optimization. 
Sec. 610. Extension of enhanced air traffic services pilot program. 
Sec. 611. Federal contact tower wage determinations and positions. 
Sec. 612. Briefing on radio communications coverage around mountainous ter-
rain. 
Sec. 613. Aeronautical mobile communications services. 
Sec. 614. Delivery of clearance to pilots via internet protocol. 
Sec. 615. Study on congested airspace. 
Sec. 616. Briefing on LIT VORTAC project. 
Sec. 617. Surface surveillance. 
Sec. 618. Consideration of third-party services. 
Sec. 619. NextGen programs. 
Sec. 620. Contract Tower Program. 
Sec. 621. Remote towers. 
Sec. 622. Audit of legacy systems. 
Sec. 623. Air Traffic Control Facility Realignment study. 
Sec. 624. Air traffic control tower replacement process report. 
Sec. 625. Contract tower program safety enhancements. 
Sec. 626. Sense of Congress on use of advanced surveillance in oceanic airspace. 
Sec. 627. Low-altitude routes for vertical flight. 
Sec. 628. Required consultation with National Parks Overflights Advisory Group. 
Sec. 629. Upgrading and replacing aging air traffic systems. 
Sec. 630. Airspace integration for space launch and reentry. 
Sec. 631. Update to FAA order on airway planning standard.
† HR 3935 EAS 
TITLE VII—MODERNIZING AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE 
Subtitle A—Airport Improvement Program Modifications 
Sec. 701. Development of airport plans. 
Sec. 702. AIP definitions. 
Sec. 703. Revenue diversion penalty enhancement. 
Sec. 704. Extension of competitive access report requirement. 
Sec. 705. Renewal of certain leases. 
Sec. 706. Community use of airport land. 
Sec. 707. Price adjustment provisions. 
Sec. 708. Updating United States Government’s share of project costs. 
Sec. 709. Allowable project costs and letters of intent. 
Sec. 710. Small airport letters of intent. 
Sec. 711. Prohibition on provision of airport improvement grant funds to certain 
entities that have violated intellectual property rights of United 
States entities. 
Sec. 712. Apportionments. 
Sec. 713. PFC turnback reduction. 
Sec. 714. Airport safety and resilient infrastructure discretionary program. 
Sec. 715. Special carryover assumption rule. 
Sec. 716. Small airport fund. 
Sec. 717. Revision of discretionary categories. 
Sec. 718. Discretionary fund for terminal development costs. 
Sec. 719. Protecting general aviation airports from closure. 
Sec. 720. State block grant program. 
Sec. 721. Innovative financing techniques. 
Sec. 722. Long-term management plans. 
Sec. 723. Alternative project delivery. 
Sec. 724. Nonmovement area surveillance surface display systems pilot program. 
Sec. 725. Airport accessibility. 
Sec. 726. General aviation airport runway extension pilot program. 
Sec. 727. Repeal of obsolete criminal provisions. 
Sec. 728. Transfers of air traffic systems acquired with AIP funding. 
Sec. 729. National priority system formulas. 
Sec. 730. Minority and disadvantaged business participation. 
Sec. 731. Extension of provision relating to airport access roads in remote loca-
tions. 
Sec. 732. Populous counties without airports. 
Sec. 733. AIP handbook update. 
Sec. 734. GAO audit of airport financial reporting program. 
Sec. 735. GAO study of onsite airport generation. 
Sec. 736. Transportation demand management at airports. 
Sec. 737. Coastal airports assessment. 
Sec. 738. Airport investment partnership program. 
Sec. 739. Special rule for reclassification of certain unclassified airports. 
Sec. 740. Permanent solar powered taxiway edge lighting systems. 
Sec. 741. Secondary runways. 
Sec. 742. Increasing energy efficiency of airports and meeting current and future 
energy power demands. 
Sec. 743. Review of airport layout plans. 
Sec. 744. Protection of safe and efficient use of airspace at airports. 
Sec. 745. Electric aircraft infrastructure pilot program. 
Sec. 746. Curb management practices. 
Sec. 747. Notice of funding opportunity.
† HR 3935 EAS 
Sec. 748. Runway safety projects. 
Sec. 749. Airport diagram terminology. 
Sec. 750. GAO study on fee transparency by fixed based operators. 
Sec. 751. Minority and disadvantaged business participation. 
Sec. 752. Prohibition on certain runway length requirements. 
Sec. 753. Report on Indo-Pacific airports. 
Sec. 754. GAO study on implementation of grants at certain airports. 
Sec. 755. GAO study on transit access. 
Sec. 756. Banning municipal airport. 
Sec. 757. Disputed changes of sponsorship at federally obligated, publicly owned 
airport. 
Sec. 758. Procurement regulations applicable to FAA multimodal projects. 
Sec. 759. Buckeye 940 release of deed restrictions. 
Sec. 760. Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area. 
Sec. 761. Study on air cargo operations in Puerto Rico. 
Sec. 762. Progress reports on the national transition plan related to a fluorine- 
free firefighting foam. 
Sec. 763. Report on airport notifications. 
Sec. 764. Study on competition and airport access. 
Sec. 765. Regional airport capacity study. 
Sec. 766. Study on autonomous and electric-powered track systems. 
Sec. 767. PFAS-related resources for airports. 
Sec. 768. Limitation on certain rolling stock procurements. 
Sec. 769. Maintaining safe fire and rescue staffing levels. 
Sec. 770. Grant assurances. 
Sec. 771. Aviation fuel in Alaska. 
Sec. 772. Application of amendments. 
Sec. 773. Prohibition on use of amounts to process or administer any application 
for the joint use of Homestead Air Reserve Base with civil avia-
tion. 
Sec. 774. Universal changing station. 
Sec. 774A. Airport human trafficking prevention grants. 
Sec. 774B. Study on improvements for certain nonhub airports. 
Subtitle B—Passenger Facility Charges 
Sec. 775. Additional permitted uses of passenger facility charge revenue. 
Sec. 776. Passenger facility charge streamlining. 
Subtitle C—Noise And Environmental Programs And Streamlining 
Sec. 781. Streamlining consultation process. 
Sec. 782. Repeal of burdensome emissions credit requirements. 
Sec. 783. Expedited environmental review and one Federal decision. 
Sec. 784. Subchapter III definitions. 
Sec. 785. Pilot program extension. 
Sec. 786. Part 150 noise standards update. 
Sec. 787. Reducing community aircraft noise exposure. 
Sec. 788. Categorical exclusions. 
Sec. 789. Updating presumed to conform limits. 
Sec. 790. Recommendations on reducing rotorcraft noise in District of Columbia. 
Sec. 791. UFP study. 
Sec. 792. Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee. 
Sec. 793. Community collaboration program. 
Sec. 794. Information sharing requirement. 
Sec. 795. Mechanisms to reduce helicopter noise.
† HR 3935 EAS 
TITLE VIII—GENERAL AVIATION 
Sec. 801. Reexamination of pilots or certificate holders. 
Sec. 802. GAO review of Pilot’s Bill of Rights. 
Sec. 803. Data privacy. 
Sec. 804. Accountability for aircraft registration numbers. 
Sec. 805. Timely resolution of investigations. 
Sec. 806. All makes and models authorization. 
Sec. 807. Response to letter of investigation. 
Sec. 808. ADS–B out equipage study; Vehicle-to-Vehicle link program. 
Sec. 809. Ensuring safe landings during off-airport operations. 
Sec. 810. Development of low-cost voluntary ADS–B. 
Sec. 811. Airshow safety team. 
Sec. 812. Aircraft registration validity during renewal. 
Sec. 813. Temporary airman certificates. 
Sec. 814. Letter of deviation authority. 
Sec. 815. BasicMed for examiners administering tests or proficiency checks. 
Sec. 816. Designee locator tool improvements. 
Sec. 817. Deadline to eliminate aircraft registration backlog. 
Sec. 818. Part 135 air carrier certificate backlog. 
Sec. 819. Enhancing processes for authorizing aircraft for service in commuter 
and on-demand operations. 
Sec. 820. Flight instructor certificates. 
Sec. 821. Consistency of policy application in flight standards and aircraft cer-
tification. 
Sec. 822. Application of policies, orders, and guidance. 
Sec. 823. Expansion of the regulatory consistency communications board. 
Sec. 824. Modernization of special airworthiness certification rulemaking dead-
line. 
Sec. 825. Exclusion of gyroplanes from fuel system requirements. 
Sec. 826. Public aircraft flight time logging eligibility. 
Sec. 827. EAGLE initiative. 
Sec. 828. Expansion of BasicMed. 
Sec. 829. Prohibition on using ADS–B out data to initiate an investigation. 
Sec. 830. Charitable flight fuel reimbursement exemptions. 
Sec. 831. GAO report on charitable flights. 
Sec. 832. Flight instruction or testing. 
Sec. 833. National coordination and oversight of designated pilot examiners. 
Sec. 834. Part 135 pilot supplemental oxygen requirement. 
TITLE IX—NEW ENTRANTS AND AEROSPACE INNOVATION 
Subtitle A—Unmanned Aircraft Systems 
Sec. 901. Definitions. 
Sec. 902. Unmanned aircraft in the Arctic. 
Sec. 903. Small UAS safety standards technical corrections. 
Sec. 904. Airport safety and airspace hazard mitigation and enforcement. 
Sec. 905. Radar data pilot program. 
Sec. 906. Electronic conspicuity study. 
Sec. 907. Remote identification alternative means of compliance. 
Sec. 908. Part 107 waiver improvements. 
Sec. 909. Environmental review and noise certification. 
Sec. 910. Unmanned aircraft system use in wildfire response. 
Sec. 911. Pilot program for UAS inspections of FAA infrastructure. 
Sec. 912. Drone infrastructure inspection grant program.
† HR 3935 EAS 
Sec. 913. Drone education and workforce training grant program. 
Sec. 914. Drone workforce training program study. 
Sec. 915. Termination of Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee. 
Sec. 916. Unmanned and Autonomous Flight Advisory Committee. 
Sec. 917. NextGen Advisory Committee membership expansion. 
Sec. 918. Interagency coordination. 
Sec. 919. Review of regulations to enable unescorted UAS operations. 
Sec. 920. Extension of BEYOND program. 
Sec. 921. UAS integration strategy. 
Sec. 922. Extension of Know Before You Fly campaign. 
Sec. 923. Public aircraft definition. 
Sec. 924. FAA comprehensive plan on UAS automation. 
Sec. 925. UAS test ranges. 
Sec. 926. Public safety use of tethered UAS. 
Sec. 927. Extending special authority for certain unmanned aircraft systems. 
Sec. 928. Recreational operations of drone systems. 
Sec. 929. Applications for designation. 
Sec. 930. Beyond visual line of sight operations for unmanned aircraft systems. 
Sec. 931. Acceptable levels of risk and risk assessment methodology. 
Sec. 932. Third-party service approvals. 
Sec. 933. Special authority for transport of hazardous materials by commercial 
package delivery unmanned aircraft systems. 
Sec. 934. Operations over high seas. 
Sec. 935. Protection of public gatherings. 
Sec. 936. Covered drone prohibition. 
Sec. 937. Expanding use of innovative technologies in the Gulf of Mexico. 
Subtitle B—Advanced Air Mobility 
Sec. 951. Definitions. 
Sec. 952. Sense of Congress on FAA leadership in advanced air mobility. 
Sec. 953. Application of National Environmental Policy Act categorical exclu-
sions for vertiport projects. 
Sec. 954. Advanced Air Mobility Working Group amendments. 
Sec. 955. Rules for operation of powered-lift aircraft. 
Sec. 956. Advanced propulsion systems regulations. 
Sec. 957. Powered-lift aircraft entry into service. 
Sec. 958. Infrastructure supporting vertical flight. 
Sec. 959. Charting of aviation infrastructure. 
Sec. 960. Advanced air mobility infrastructure pilot program extension. 
Sec. 961. Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies. 
TITLE X—RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
Subtitle A—General Provisions 
Sec. 1001. Definitions. 
Sec. 1002. Research, engineering, and development authorization of appropria-
tions. 
Sec. 1003. Report on implementation; funding for safety research and develop-
ment. 
Sec. 1004. National aviation research plan modification. 
Sec. 1005. Advanced Materials Center of Excellence enhancements. 
Sec. 1006. Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. 
Sec. 1007. ASSUREd Safe credentialing authority. 
Sec. 1008. CLEEN engine and airframe technology partnership.
† HR 3935 EAS 
Sec. 1009. High-speed flight testing. 
Sec. 1010. High-speed aircraft pathway to integration study. 
Sec. 1011. Operating high-speed flights in high altitude Class E airspace. 
Sec. 1012. Electric propulsion aircraft operations study. 
Sec. 1013. Contract weather observers program. 
Sec. 1014. Airfield pavement technology program. 
Sec. 1015. Review of FAA management of research and development. 
Sec. 1016. Research and development of FAA’s aeronautical information systems 
modernization activities. 
Sec. 1017. Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment. 
Sec. 1018. Next generation radio altimeters. 
Sec. 1019. Hydrogen aviation strategy. 
Sec. 1020. Aviation fuel systems. 
Sec. 1021. Air traffic surveillance over United States controlled oceanic airspace 
and other remote locations. 
Sec. 1022. Aviation weather technology review. 
Sec. 1023. Air traffic surface operations safety. 
Sec. 1024. Technology review of artificial intelligence and machine learning tech-
nologies. 
Sec. 1025. Research plan for commercial supersonic research. 
Sec. 1026. Electromagnetic spectrum research and development. 
Sec. 1027. Research plan on the remote tower program. 
Sec. 1028. Air traffic control training. 
Sec. 1029. Report on aviation cybersecurity directives. 
Sec. 1030. Turbulence research and development. 
Sec. 1031. Rule of construction regarding collaborations. 
Sec. 1032. Limitation. 
Subtitle B—Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Advanced Air Mobility 
Sec. 1041. Definitions. 
Sec. 1042. Interagency working group. 
Sec. 1043. Strategic research plan. 
Sec. 1044. Federal Aviation Administration unmanned aircraft system and ad-
vanced air mobility research and development. 
Sec. 1045. Partnerships for research, development, demonstration, and testing. 
TITLE XI—MISCELLANEOUS 
Sec. 1101. Technical corrections. 
Sec. 1102. Transportation of organs. 
Sec. 1103. Acceptance of digital driver’s license and identification cards. 
Sec. 1104. Quasquicentennial of aviation. 
Sec. 1105. Limitations for certain cargo aircraft. 
Sec. 1106. Prohibition on mandates. 
Sec. 1107. COVID–19 vaccination status. 
Sec. 1108. Rulemaking related to operating high-speed flights in high altitude 
Class E airspace. 
Sec. 1109. FAA leadership in hydrogen aviation. 
Sec. 1110. Advancing global leadership on civil supersonic aircraft. 
Sec. 1111. Learning period. 
Sec. 1112. Counter-UAS authorities. 
Sec. 1113. Study on air cargo operations. 
Sec. 1114. Wing-in-ground-effect craft. 
Sec. 1115. Certificates of authorization or waiver.
† HR 3935 EAS 
Sec. 1116. Designation of additional port of entry for the importation and expor-
tation of wildlife and wildlife products by the United States 
Fish and Wildlife Service. 
TITLE XII—NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD 
Sec. 1201. Short title. 
Sec. 1202. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 1203. Clarification of treatment of territories. 
Sec. 1204. Additional workforce training. 
Sec. 1205. Overtime annual report termination. 
Sec. 1206. Strategic workforce plan. 
Sec. 1207. Travel budgets. 
Sec. 1208. Notification requirement. 
Sec. 1209. Board justification of closed unacceptable recommendations. 
Sec. 1210. Miscellaneous investigative authorities. 
Sec. 1211. Public availability of accident reports. 
Sec. 1212. Ensuring accountability for timeliness of reports. 
Sec. 1213. Ensuring access to data. 
Sec. 1214. Public availability of safety recommendations. 
Sec. 1215. Improving delivery of family assistance. 
Sec. 1216. Updating civil penalty authority. 
Sec. 1217. Electronic availability of public docket records. 
Sec. 1218. Drug-free workplace. 
Sec. 1219. Accessibility in workplace. 
Sec. 1220. Most Wanted List. 
Sec. 1221. Technical corrections. 
Sec. 1222. Air safety investigators. 
Sec. 1223. Review of National Transportation Safety Board procurements. 
TITLE XIII—REVENUE PROVISIONS 
Sec. 1301. Expenditure authority from airport and airway trust fund. 
Sec. 1302. Extension of taxes funding airport and airway trust fund. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—Unless otherwise specified, 
the term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration. 
(2) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.— 
The term ‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ 
means the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
† HR 3935 EAS 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives. 
(3) COMPTROLLER GENERAL.—The term ‘‘Comp-
troller General’’ means the Comptroller General of the 
United States. 
(4) FAA.—The term ‘‘FAA’’ means the Federal 
Aviation Administration. 
(5) NEXTGEN.—The term ‘‘NextGen’’ means the 
Next Generation Air Transportation System. 
(6) SECRETARY.—Unless otherwise specified, the 
term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of Transpor-
tation. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATIONS 
SEC. 101. AIRPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AND 
NOISE COMPATIBILITY PLANNING AND PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—Section 48103(a) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (6) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(7) $3,350,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
‘‘(8) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
‘‘(9) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(10) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and 
‘‘(11) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.’’. 
(b) OBLIGATION AUTHORITY.—Section 47104(c) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended in the matter pre-
ceding paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘May 10, 2024’’ and in-
serting ‘‘September 30, 2028’’. 
SEC. 102. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT. 
Section 48101(a) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking paragraphs (1) through (7) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(1) $3,191,250,000 for fiscal year 2024. 
‘‘(2) $3,575,000,000 for fiscal year 2025. 
‘‘(3) $3,625,000,000 for fiscal year 2026. 
‘‘(4) $3,675,000,000 for fiscal year 2027. 
‘‘(5) $3,725,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.’’. 
SEC. 103. OPERATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 106(k)(1) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraphs 
(A) through (G) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) $12,729,627,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
‘‘(B) $13,055,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
‘‘(C) $13,354,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; 
‘‘(D) $13,650,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; 
and 
‘‘(E) $13,954,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.’’.
† HR 3935 EAS 
(b) 
AUTHORIZED
EXPENDITURES.—Section 
106(k)(2)(D) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking clauses (i) through (v); 
(2) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (i); 
and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) $42,018,000 for fiscal year 2024. 
‘‘(iii) $52,985,000 for fiscal year 2025. 
‘‘(iv) $59,044,000 for fiscal year 2026. 
‘‘(v) $65,225,000 for fiscal year 2027. 
‘‘(vi) 
$71,529,000 
for 
fiscal 
year 
2028.’’. 
(c) AUTHORITY
TO
TRANSFER
FUNDS.—Section 
106(k)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Notwithstanding’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘in each of fiscal years 2018 
through 2023 and for the period beginning on October 
1, 2023, and ending on May 10, 2024’’ and inserting 
‘‘in each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) PRIORITIZATION.—In reducing non- 
safety-related activities of the Administration 
under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall
† HR 3935 EAS 
prioritize such reductions from amounts other 
than amounts authorized under this subsection, 
section 48101, or section 48103. 
‘‘(C) SUNSET.—This paragraph shall cease 
to be effective on October 1, 2028.’’. 
SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF MISCELLANEOUS EXPIRING AU-
THORITIES. 
(a) AUTHORITY
TO PROVIDE INSURANCE.—Section 
44310(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘May 10, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 
2028’’. 
(b) MARSHALL ISLANDS, MICRONESIA, AND PALAU.— 
Section 47115(i) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘fiscal years 2018 through 2023, and for the 
period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on May 
10, 2024,’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal years 2024 through 2028,’’. 
(c) WEATHER REPORTING PROGRAMS.—Section 48105 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
paragraph (5) and adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 
through 2028.’’. 
(d) MIDWAY ISLAND AIRPORT.—Section 186(d) of the 
Vision 100—Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act 
(Public Law 108–176) is amended by striking ‘‘fiscal years 
2018 through 2023 and for the period beginning on October
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(i) be a citizen of the United States; 
‘‘(ii) not be an active duty member of 
the Armed Forces; 
‘‘(iii) not have retired from the Armed 
Forces within the 7 years preceding nomi-
nation; and 
‘‘(iv) have experience in organizational 
management and a field directly related to 
aviation. 
‘‘(C) FITNESS.—In appointing an indi-
vidual as Administrator, the President shall con-
sider the fitness of such individual to carry out 
efficiently the duties and powers of the office. 
‘‘(D) TERM OF OFFICE.—The term of office 
for any individual appointed as Administrator 
shall be 5 years. 
‘‘(E) REPORTING CHAIN.—Except as pro-
vided in subsection (f) or in other provisions of 
law, the Administrator reports directly to the 
Secretary of Transportation. 
‘‘(2) DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator has 
a Deputy Administrator, who shall be appointed 
by the President.
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(B) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Deputy Ad-
ministrator shall— 
‘‘(i) be a citizen of the United States; 
and 
‘‘(ii) have experience in organizational 
management and a field directly related to 
aviation. 
‘‘(C) FITNESS.—In appointing an indi-
vidual as Deputy Administrator, the President 
shall consider the fitness of the individual to 
carry out efficiently the duties and powers of the 
office, including the duty to act for the Adminis-
trator when the Administrator is absent or un-
able to serve, or when the office of Administrator 
is vacant. 
‘‘(D) REPORTING CHAIN.—The Deputy Ad-
ministrator reports directly to the Adminis-
trator. 
‘‘(E) DUTIES.—The Deputy Administrator 
shall carry out duties and powers prescribed by 
the Administrator. 
‘‘(F) COMPENSATION.— 
‘‘(i) ANNUAL RATE OF BASIC PAY.— 
The annual rate of basic pay of the Deputy 
Administrator shall be set by the Secretary
† HR 3935 EAS 
but shall not exceed the annual rate of basic 
pay payable to the Administrator. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—A retired regular 
officer of the Armed Forces serving as the 
Deputy Administrator is entitled to hold a 
rank and grade not lower than that held 
when appointed as the Deputy Adminis-
trator and may elect to receive— 
‘‘(I) the pay provided for the Dep-
uty Administrator under clause (i); or 
‘‘(II) the pay and allowances or 
the retired pay of the military grade 
held. 
‘‘(iii) 
REIMBURSEMENT
OF
EX-
PENSES.—If 
the 
Deputy 
Administrator 
elects to receive compensation described in 
clause (ii)(II), the Administration shall re-
imburse the appropriate military depart-
ment from funds available for the expenses 
of the Administration. 
‘‘(3) LEADERSHIP OF THE ADMINISTRATION DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘leadership of the 
Administration’ means— 
‘‘(A) the Administrator under paragraph 
(1); and
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(B) the Deputy Administrator under para-
graph (2).’’. 
SEC. 202. ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR RULEMAKING 
AND REGULATORY IMPROVEMENT. 
(a) ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR
FOR RULEMAKING 
AND REGULATORY IMPROVEMENT.—Section 106 of title 49, 
United States Code, is further amended by striking sub-
sections (c) and (d) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(c) ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR RULEMAKING 
AND REGULATORY IMPROVEMENT.—There is an Assistant 
Administrator for Rulemaking and Regulatory Improve-
ment who shall be appointed by the Administrator and 
shall— 
‘‘(1) be responsible for developing and managing 
the execution of a regulatory agenda for the Adminis-
tration that meets statutory and Administration 
deadlines, including by— 
‘‘(A) prioritizing rulemaking projects that 
are necessary to improve safety; 
‘‘(B) establishing the regulatory agenda of 
the Administration; and 
‘‘(C) coordinating with offices of the Admin-
istration, the Department, and other Federal en-
tities as appropriate to improve timely feedback 
generation and approvals when required by law;
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(2) not delegate overall responsibility for meet-
ing internal timelines and final completion of the reg-
ulatory activities of the Administration outside the 
Office of the Assistant Administrator for Rulemaking 
and Regulatory Improvement; 
‘‘(3) on an ongoing basis, review the regulations 
of the Administration in effect to— 
‘‘(A) improve safety; 
‘‘(B) reduce undue regulatory burden; 
‘‘(C) replace prescriptive regulations with 
performance-based regulations, as appropriate; 
‘‘(D) prevent duplicative regulations; and 
‘‘(E) increase regulatory clarity and trans-
parency whenever possible; 
‘‘(4) make recommendations for the review of the 
Administrator under subsection (f)(3)(C)(ii); 
‘‘(5) receive, coordinate, and respond to petitions 
for rulemaking and for exemption as provided for in 
subpart A of part 11 of title 14, Code of Federal Reg-
ulations, and provide an initial response to a peti-
tioner not later than 30 days after the receipt of such 
a petition— 
‘‘(A) acknowledging receipt of such petition; 
‘‘(B) confirming completeness of such peti-
tion;
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(C) providing an initial indication of the 
complexity of the request and how such com-
plexity may impact the timeline for adjudica-
tion; and 
‘‘(D) requesting any additional informa-
tion, as appropriate, that would assist in the 
consideration of the petition; 
‘‘(6) track the issuance of exemptions and waiv-
ers by the Administration to sections of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations, and establish a methodology 
by which to determine if it would be more efficient 
and in the interest of the public to amend a rule to 
reduce the future need of waivers and exemptions; and 
‘‘(7) promulgate regulatory updates as deter-
mined more efficient or in the best interest of the pub-
lic under paragraph (6). 
‘‘(d) [Reserved].’’. 
(b) SYSTEMICALLY ADDRESSING NEED FOR EXEMP-
TIONS AND WAIVERS.—Not later than 30 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Administrator 
for Rulemaking and Regulatory Improvement of the FAA 
shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress and the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives on the methodology developed pursuant
† HR 3935 EAS 
to section 106(c)(6) of title 49, United States Code (as 
added by this section). 
SEC. 203. PROHIBITION ON CONFLICTING PECUNIARY IN-
TERESTS. 
Section 106(e) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(e) PROHIBITION ON CONFLICTING PECUNIARY IN-
TERESTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The leadership of the Admin-
istration may not have a pecuniary interest in, or 
hold a financial interest in, an aeronautical enter-
prise or engage in another business, vocation, or em-
ployment. 
‘‘(2) TEACHING.—Notwithstanding paragraph 
(1), the Deputy Administrator may not receive com-
pensation for teaching without prior approval of the 
Administrator. 
‘‘(3) FINANCIAL
INTEREST
DEFINED.—In this 
subsection, the term ‘financial interest’— 
‘‘(A) means— 
‘‘(i) any current or contingent owner-
ship, equity, or security interest; 
‘‘(ii) any indebtedness or compensated 
employment relationship; or
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(iii) any right to purchase or acquire 
any such ownership, equity, or security in-
terest, including a stock option; and 
‘‘(B) does not include securities held in an 
index fund.’’. 
SEC. 
204. 
AUTHORITY 
OF 
SECRETARY 
AND 
ADMINIS-
TRATOR. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 106(f) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘paragraph (2)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘paragraphs (2) and (3)’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘Neither’’ and inserting ‘‘In 
exercising duties, powers, and authorities that 
are assigned to the Secretary or the Adminis-
trator under this title, neither’’; and 
(C) by striking ‘‘a committee, board, or or-
ganization established by executive order.’’ and 
inserting the following: ‘‘a committee, board, 
council, or organization that is— 
‘‘(A) established by executive order; or 
‘‘(B) not explicitly directed by legislation to 
review the exercise of such duties, powers, and 
authorities by the Secretary or the Adminis-
trator.’’;
† HR 3935 EAS 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)(ii) by striking 
‘‘the acquisition’’ and all that follows through the 
semicolon and inserting ‘‘the acquisition, estab-
lishment, improvement, operation, maintenance, 
security (including cybersecurity), and disposal 
of property, facilities, services, and equipment of 
the Administration, including all elements of the 
air traffic control system owned by the Adminis-
tration;’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (A)(iii) by striking 
‘‘paragraph (3)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (4)’’; 
and 
(C) in subparagraph (B) by inserting ‘‘civil 
aviation, any matter for which the Adminis-
trator is the final authority under subparagraph 
(A), any duty carried out by the Administrator 
pursuant to paragraph (3), or the provisions of 
this title, or’’ after ‘‘with respect to’’; 
(3) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘In the performance’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(i) ISSUANCE OF REGULATIONS.—In 
the performance’’;
† HR 3935 EAS 
(ii) by striking ‘‘The Administrator 
shall act’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(ii) PETITIONS FOR RULEMAKING.— 
The Administrator shall act’’; 
(iii) by striking ‘‘The Administrator 
shall issue’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(iii) RULEMAKING
TIMELINE.—The 
Administrator shall issue’’; and 
(iv) by striking ‘‘On February 1’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(iv) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—On 
February 1’’; and 
(B) by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(B) APPROVAL OF SECRETARY OF TRANS-
PORTATION.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator 
may not issue, unless the Secretary of 
Transportation approves the issuance of the 
regulation in advance, a proposed regula-
tion or final regulation that— 
‘‘(I) is likely to result in the ex-
penditure by State, local, and Tribal 
governments in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector, of $250,000,000 or more
† HR 3935 EAS 
(adjusted annually for inflation begin-
ning with the year following the date 
of enactment of the FAA Reauthoriza-
tion Act of 2024) in any year; or 
‘‘(II) is significant. 
‘‘(ii) SIGNIFICANT REGULATIONS.—For 
purposes of this paragraph, a regulation is 
significant if the Administrator, in con-
sultation with the Secretary (as appro-
priate), determines that the regulation— 
‘‘(I) will have an annual effect on 
the economy of $250,000,000 or more 
(adjusted annually for inflation begin-
ning with the year following the date 
of enactment of the FAA Reauthoriza-
tion Act of 2024); 
‘‘(II) raises novel or serious legal 
or policy issues that will substantially 
and materially affect other transpor-
tation modes; or 
‘‘(III) adversely affects, in a sub-
stantial and material way, the econ-
omy, a sector of the economy, produc-
tivity, competition, jobs, the environ-
ment, public health or safety, or a
† HR 3935 EAS 
State, local, or Tribal government or 
community. 
‘‘(iii) EMERGENCY REGULATION.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—In an emer-
gency as determined by the Adminis-
trator, the Administrator may issue a 
final regulation described in clause (i) 
without prior approval of the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(II) OBJECTION.—If the Sec-
retary objects to a regulation issued 
under subclause (II) in writing not 
later than 5 days (excluding Saturday, 
Sundays, and legal public holidays) 
after the issuance, the Administrator 
shall immediately rescind such regula-
tion. 
‘‘(iv) OTHER REGULATIONS.—The Sec-
retary may not require that the Adminis-
trator submit a proposed or final regulation 
to the Secretary for approval, nor may the 
Administrator submit a proposed or final 
regulation to the Secretary for approval, if 
the regulation—
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(I) does not require the approval 
of the Secretary under clause (i) (ex-
cluding a regulation issued under 
clause (iii)); or 
‘‘(II) is a routine or frequent ac-
tion or a procedural action. 
‘‘(v) TIMELINE.—The Administrator 
shall submit a copy of any proposed or 
final regulation requiring approval by the 
Secretary under clause (i) to the Secretary, 
who shall either approve the regulation or 
return the regulation to the Administrator 
with comments not later than 30 days after 
receiving the regulation. If the Secretary 
fails to approve or return the regulation 
with comments to the Administrator not 
later than 30 days after receiving such reg-
ulation, the regulation shall be deemed to 
have been approved by the Secretary. 
‘‘(C) PERIODIC REVIEW.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—For any significant 
regulation issued after the date of enactment 
of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, in 
addition to the review requirements estab-
lished under section 5.13(d) of title 49, Code
† HR 3935 EAS 
of Federal Regulations, the Administrator 
shall review any significant regulation 3 
years after the effective date of such regula-
tion. 
‘‘(ii) DISCRETIONARY
REVIEW.—The 
Administrator may review any regulation 
that has been in effect for more than 3 
years. 
‘‘(iii) SUBSTANCE
OF
REVIEW.—In 
performing a review under clause (i) or (ii), 
the Administrator shall determine if— 
‘‘(I) the cost assumptions sup-
porting the regulation were accurate; 
‘‘(II) the intended benefit of the 
regulation is being realized; 
‘‘(III) the need remains to con-
tinue such regulation as in effect; and 
‘‘(IV) 
the 
Administrator 
rec-
ommends updates to such regulation 
based on the review criteria specified 
in section 5.13(d) of title 49, Code of 
Federal Regulations. 
‘‘(iv) 
REVIEW
MANAGEMENT.—Any 
periodic review of a regulation under this 
subparagraph shall be managed by the As-
† HR 3935 EAS 
sistant Administrator for Rulemaking and 
Regulatory Improvement, who may task an 
advisory committee or the Management Ad-
visory Council established under subsection 
(p) to assist in performing the review.’’; 
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as 
paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and 
(5) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) DUTIES
AND
POWERS
OF
THE
ADMINIS-
TRATOR.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
shall carry out— 
‘‘(i) the duties and powers of the Sec-
retary under this subsection related to avia-
tion safety (except duties and powers related 
to transportation, packaging, marking, or 
description of hazardous material) and stat-
ed in— 
‘‘(I) subsections (c) and (d) of sec-
tion 1132; 
‘‘(II) sections 40101(c), 40103(b), 
40106(a), 40108, 40109(b), 40113(a), 
40113(c), 
40113(d), 
40113(e), 
40114(a), and 40117;
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(III) chapter 443; 
‘‘(IV) chapter 445, except sections 
44502(a)(3), 44503, and 44509; 
‘‘(V) chapter 447, except sections 
44721(b) and 44723; 
‘‘(VI) chapter 448; 
‘‘(VII) chapter 451; 
‘‘(VIII) chapter 453; 
‘‘(IX) section 46104; 
‘‘(X) subsections (d) and (h)(2) of 
section 46301, section 46303(c), sec-
tions 46304 through 46308, section 
46310, section 46311, and sections 
46313 through 46320; 
‘‘(XI) chapter 465; 
‘‘(XII) chapter 471; 
‘‘(XIII) chapter 475; and 
‘‘(XIV) chapter 509 of title 51; 
and 
‘‘(ii) such additional duties and pow-
ers as may be prescribed by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) APPLICABILITY.—Section 40101(d) ap-
plies to the duties and powers specified in sub-
paragraph (A).
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(C) TRANSFER.—Any of the duties and 
powers specified in subparagraph (A) may only 
be transferred to another part of the Department 
if specifically provided by law or in a reorga-
nization plan submitted under chapter 9 of title 
5. 
‘‘(D) ADMINISTRATIVE
FINALITY.—A deci-
sion of the Administrator in carrying out the 
duties or powers specified in subparagraph (A) 
is administratively final.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 106 of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection 
(g) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(g) [reserved].’’. 
(c) PRESERVATION OF EXISTING AUTHORITY.—Noth-
ing in this section or the amendments made by this section 
shall be construed to restrict any authority vested in the 
Administrator by statute or by delegation that was in effect 
on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 205. REGULATORY MATERIALS IMPROVEMENT. 
(a) INTERNAL REGULATORY PROCESS REVIEW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.— 
(A) REVIEW
TEAM.—The Administrator 
shall establish a regulatory process review team 
(in this section referred to as the ‘‘review team’’)
† HR 3935 EAS 
comprising of FAA employees and individuals 
described in paragraph (2) to develop rec-
ommendations to improve the timeliness, per-
formance, and accountability of the development 
and promulgation of regulatory materials. 
(B) REPORT.—The review team shall sub-
mit to the Administrator a report with rec-
ommendations in accordance with the deadlines 
specified in paragraph (5). 
(2) OTHER MEMBERS; CONSULTATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The review team shall 
include at least 3 outside experts and or aca-
demics with relevant experience or expertise in 
aviation safety and at least 1 outside expert with 
relevant experience or expertise in improving the 
performance, accountability, and transparency of 
the Federal regulatory process, particularly as 
such process relates to aviation safety. 
(B) 
CONSULTATION.—The 
review 
team 
may, as appropriate, consult with industry 
stakeholders. 
(3) CONTENTS OF REVIEW.—In conducting the 
review required under paragraph (1), the review team 
shall do the following:
† HR 3935 EAS 
(A) Develop a proposal for rationalizing 
processes and eliminating redundant adminis-
trative review of regulatory materials within the 
FAA, particularly when FAA-sponsored rule-
making committees and stakeholders have col-
laborated on the proposed regulations. 
(B) With respect to each office within the 
FAA that reviews regulatory materials, assess— 
(i) the timeline assigned to each such 
office to complete the review of regulatory 
materials; 
(ii) the actual time spent for such re-
view; 
(iii) opportunities to reduce the actual 
time for such review; and 
(iv) whether clear roles, responsibil-
ities, requirements, and expectations are 
clearly defined for each office required to re-
view the regulatory materials. 
(C) Define and document the roles and re-
sponsibilities of each office within the FAA that 
develops, drafts, or reviews each kind of regu-
latory material in order to ensure that hiring re-
flects who, where, and how the employees of each
† HR 3935 EAS 
such office function in the rulemaking frame-
work. 
(D) Describe any organizational changes or 
the need to hire additional FAA employees, if 
necessary, and take into consideration whether 
current positions are staffed, to reduce delays in 
publication of regulatory materials. 
(E) In order to provide the public with de-
tailed information on the progress of the develop-
ment of regulatory materials, identify reporting 
mechanisms and develop a template and appro-
priate system metrics for making publicly avail-
able on a website a progress tracker that updates 
to show the major stages (as determined by the 
Administrator) of the development of regulatory 
materials as such materials are initiated, in 
progress, and completed. 
(F) Consider changes to the best practices of 
the FAA under rules governing ex parte commu-
nications, including communications with inter-
national validating authorities, and with consid-
eration of the public interest in transparency, to 
provide flexibility for FAA employees to discuss 
regulatory materials, particularly for such regu-
latory materials related to enhancing aviation
† HR 3935 EAS 
safety and the aviation international leadership 
of the United States. 
(G) Recommend methods by which the FAA 
can incorporate research funded by the Depart-
ment of Transportation, in addition to consensus 
standards and conformance assessment processes 
developed by recognized industry standards orga-
nizations into regulatory materials, to keep pace 
with rapid changes in aviation technologies and 
processes. 
(H) Recommend mechanisms to optimize 
the roles of the Office of the Secretary of Trans-
portation and the Office of Management and 
Budget, with the objective of improving the effi-
ciency of regulatory activity. 
(4) ACTION PLAN.—The Administrator shall de-
velop and transmit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress an action plan to implement, as appro-
priate, the recommendations developed by the review 
team. 
(5) DEADLINES.—The requirements of this sec-
tion shall be subject to the following deadlines: 
(A) Not later than 120 days after the date 
of enactment of this section, the review team 
shall complete the evaluation required under
† HR 3935 EAS 
paragraph (1) and submit to the Administrator 
the report of the review team on such evaluation. 
(B) Not later than 30 days after the date on 
which the review team submits the report under 
subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall de-
velop and publish the action plan under para-
graph (4). 
(6) SUNSET.—The review team shall terminate 
upon completion of the requirements under paragraph 
(5). 
(7) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
PROCEDURE
REQUIRE-
MENTS INAPPLICABLE.—The provisions of subchapter 
II of chapter 5, and chapter 7, of title 5, United 
States Code (commonly known as the ‘‘Administrative 
Procedure Act’’) shall not apply to any activities of 
the review team in carrying out the requirements of 
this section. 
(8) REGULATORY MATERIALS DEFINED.—In this 
subsection, the term ‘‘regulatory materials’’ means 
rules, advisory circulars, statements of policy, and 
other materials related to aviation safety regulations, 
as well as other materials pertaining to training and 
operation of aeronautical products. 
(b) REVIEW OF NON-REGULATORY MATERIALS.—
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the inspector gen-
eral of the Department of Transportation shall review 
the coordination and approval processes of non-regu-
latory materials produced by the FAA to improve the 
timeliness, transparency, development, and issuance 
of such materials. 
(2) CONTENTS OF REVIEW.—In conducting the 
review under paragraph (1), the inspector general 
shall— 
(A) provide recommendations for improving 
processes and eliminating non-value-added re-
views of non-regulatory materials within the 
FAA and Department of Transportation, in con-
sideration of the authority of the Administrator 
under section 106 of title 49, United States Code, 
and other applicable laws; 
(B) consider, with respect to each office 
within the FAA and the Department of Trans-
portation that reviews non-regulatory mate-
rials— 
(i) the timeline assigned to each such 
office to complete the review of such mate-
rials;
† HR 3935 EAS 
(ii) the actual time spent for such re-
view; and 
(iii) opportunities to reduce the actual 
time spent for such review; 
(C) describe any organizational changes 
and additional resources that the Administrator 
needs, if necessary, to reduce delays in the devel-
opment and publication of proposed non-regu-
latory materials; 
(D) consider to what extent reporting mech-
anisms and templates could be used to provide 
the public with more consistent information on 
the development status of non-regulatory mate-
rials; 
(E) consider changes to the application of 
rules governing ex parte communications by the 
Administrator to provide flexibility for employ-
ees of the FAA to discuss non-regulatory mate-
rials with aviation stakeholders and foreign 
aviation authorities to promote United States 
aviation leadership; 
(F) recommend methods by which the Ad-
ministrator can incorporate standards set by 
recognized industry standards organizations, as 
such term is defined in section 224(c), into non-
† HR 3935 EAS 
regulatory materials to keep pace with rapid 
changes in aerospace technology and processes; 
and 
(G) evaluate the processes and best practices 
other civil aviation authorities and other Federal 
departments and agencies use to produce non- 
regulatory materials, particularly the processes 
of entities that produce such materials in an ex-
pedited fashion to respond to safety risks, inci-
dents, or new technology adoption. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the review 
under paragraph (1), the inspector general may, as 
appropriate, consult with industry stakeholders, aca-
demia, and other individuals with relevant back-
ground or expertise in improving the efficiency of 
Federal non-regulatory material production. 
(4) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the in-
spector general initiates the review under paragraph 
(1), the inspector general shall submit to the Adminis-
trator a report on such review. 
(5) ACTION PLAN.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall 
develop an action plan to implement, as appro-
priate, the recommendations contained in the re-
port submitted under paragraph (4).
† HR 3935 EAS 
(B) BRIEFING.—Not later than 90 days 
after receiving the report under paragraph (4), 
the Administrator shall brief the appropriate 
committees of Congress on such plan. 
(6) NON-REGULATORY MATERIALS DEFINED.—In 
this subsection, the term ‘‘non-regulatory materials’’ 
means orders, statements of policy, guidance, tech-
nical standards, and other materials related to avia-
tion safety, training, and operation of aeronautical 
products. 
SEC. 206. FUTURE OF NEXTGEN. 
(a) KEY PROGRAMS.—Not later than December 31, 
2025, the Administrator shall operationalize all of the key 
programs under the NextGen program as described in the 
deployment plan of the FAA. 
(b) OFFICE TERMINATION.—The NextGen Office of the 
FAA shall terminate on December 31, 2025. 
(c) TRANSFER OF RESIDUAL NEXTGEN IMPLEMENTA-
TION FUNCTIONS.—If the Administrator does not complete 
the air traffic modernization project known as the NextGen 
program by the deadline specified in subsection (a), the Ad-
ministrator shall transfer the residual functions for com-
pleting the NextGen program to the Airspace Modernization 
Office of the FAA established under section 207.
† HR 3935 EAS 
(d) TRANSFER OF NEXTGEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
Not later than December 31, 2025, management of the 
NextGen Advisory Committee shall transfer to the Chief Op-
erating Officer of the air traffic control system. 
(e) TRANSFER OF ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY FUNC-
TIONS.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, any advanced air mobility relevant functions, 
duties, and responsibilities of the NAS Systems Engineer-
ing and Integration Office or other offices within the Office 
of NextGen of the FAA shall be incorporated into the Office 
of Aviation Safety of the FAA. 
(f) REMAINING ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out sub-
section (a), and after implementing subsections (c) through 
(e), the Administrator shall transfer any remaining duties, 
authorities, activities, personnel, and assets managed by the 
Office of NextGen of the FAA to other offices of the FAA, 
as appropriate. 
(g) TECHNICAL
CENTER
FOR
ADVANCED
AERO-
SPACE.—Section 106 of title 49, United States Code, is fur-
ther amended by striking subsection (h) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(h) TECHNICAL CENTER
FOR ADVANCED AERO-
SPACE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established within 
the Administration a technology center to support the
† HR 3935 EAS 
advancement of aerospace safety and innovation 
which shall be known as the ‘William J. Hughes 
Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace’ (in this 
subsection referred to as the ‘Technical Center’) that 
shall be used by the Administrator and, as permitted 
by the Administrator, other governmental entities, 
academia, and the aerospace industry. 
‘‘(2) MANAGEMENT.—The activities of the Tech-
nical Center shall be managed by a Director. 
‘‘(3) ACTIVITIES.—The activities of the Technical 
Center shall include— 
‘‘(A) developing and stimulating technology 
partnerships with and between industry, aca-
demia, and other government agencies and sup-
porting such partnerships by— 
‘‘(i) liaising between external persons 
and offices of the Administration interested 
in such work; 
‘‘(ii) providing technical expertise and 
input, as appropriate; and 
‘‘(iii) providing access to the prop-
erties, facilities, and systems of the Tech-
nical Center through appropriate agree-
ments;
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(B) managing technology demonstration 
grants awarded by the Administrator; 
‘‘(C) identifying software, systems, services, 
and technologies that could improve aviation 
safety and the operations and management of the 
air traffic control system and working with rel-
evant offices of the Administration to consider 
the use and integration of such software, systems, 
services, and technologies, as appropriate; 
‘‘(D) supporting the work of any collocated 
facilities and tenants of such facilities, and to 
the extent feasible, enter into agreements as nec-
essary to utilize the facilities, systems, and tech-
nologies of such collocated facilities and tenants; 
‘‘(E) managing the facilities of the Tech-
nical Center; and 
‘‘(F) carrying out any other duties as deter-
mined appropriate by the Administrator.’’. 
(h) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 44507 of title 
49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(a) CIVIL AEROMEDICAL INSTI-
TUTE’’ and all that follows through ‘‘The Civil 
Aeromedical Institute established’’ and inserting ‘‘The 
Civil Aeromedical Institute established’’; and 
(2) by striking subsection (b).
† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 207. AIRSPACE MODERNIZATION OFFICE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—On January 1, 2026, the Ad-
ministrator shall establish within the FAA an Air-
space Modernization Office (in this section referred to 
as the ‘‘Office’’). 
(2) PLACEMENT.—The Administrator may task 
an existing office of the FAA with the functions of the 
Office. 
(3) DUTIES.—The Office shall be responsible 
for— 
(A) the research and development, systems 
engineering, enterprise architecture, and port-
folio management for the continuous moderniza-
tion of the national airspace system; 
(B) the development of an information-cen-
tric 
national 
airspace 
system, 
including 
digitization of the processes and technology that 
supports such system; 
(C) improving the interoperability of FAA 
systems and third-party systems that support 
safe operations in the national airspace system; 
and 
(D) developing and periodically updating 
an integrated plan for the future state of the na-
† HR 3935 EAS 
tional airspace system in coordination with 
other offices of the FAA. 
(b) INTEGRATED PLAN REQUIREMENTS.—The inte-
grated plan developed by the Office shall be designed to en-
sure that the national airspace system meets future safety, 
security, mobility, efficiency, and capacity needs of a di-
verse and growing set of airspace users. The integrated plan 
shall include the following: 
(1) A description of the demand for services that 
will be required of the future air transportation sys-
tem, and an explanation of how the demand projec-
tions were derived, including— 
(A) the most likely range of average annual 
resources required over the duration of the plan 
to cost effectively maintain the safety, sustain-
ability, and other characteristics of national air-
space operation and the mission of the FAA; and 
(B) an estimate of FAA resource require-
ments by user group, including expectations con-
cerning the growth of new entrants and potential 
new users. 
(2) A roadmap for creating and implementing 
the integrated plan, including— 
(A) the most significant technical, oper-
ational, and personnel obstacles and the activi-
† HR 3935 EAS 
ties necessary to overcome such obstacles, includ-
ing the role of other Federal agencies, corpora-
tions, institutions of higher learning, and non-
profit organizations in carrying out such activi-
ties; 
(B) the annual anticipated cost of carrying 
out such activities; 
(C) the technical milestones that will be 
used to evaluate the activities; and 
(D) identifying technology gaps that the Ad-
ministrator or industry may need to address to 
fully implement the integrated plan. 
(3) A description of the operational concepts to 
meet the system performance requirements for all sys-
tem users and a timeline and anticipated expendi-
tures needed to develop and deploy the system. 
(4) A description of the management of the en-
terprise architecture framework for the introduction of 
any operational improvements and to inform FAA fi-
nancial decision-making. 
(5) A justification for the operational improve-
ments that the Office determines will need to be devel-
oped and deployed by 2040 to meet the needs of na-
tional airspace users, including the benefits, costs, 
and risks of the preferred and alternative options.
† HR 3935 EAS 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing an initial inte-
grated plan required under subsection (b) and carrying out 
such plan, the Office shall consider— 
(1) the results and recommendations of the inde-
pendent report on implementation of the NextGen 
program under section 603; 
(2) the status of the transition to, and deploy-
ment of, trajectory-based operations within the na-
tional airspace system; and 
(3) the findings of the audit required by section 
622, and the resulting plan to replace or enhance the 
identified legacy systems within a reasonable time-
frame. 
(d) CONSULTATION.—In developing and carrying out 
the integrated plan, the Office shall consult with the 
NextGen Advisory Committee of the FAA. 
(e) PLAN DEADLINE; BRIEFINGS.— 
(1) PLAN DEADLINE.—Not later than 3 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representa-
† HR 3935 EAS 
tives, and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
House of Representatives an initial integrated plan 
required under subsection (a)(3)(D). 
(2) ANNUAL
BRIEFINGS.—The Administrator 
shall provide the committees of Congress specified in 
paragraph (1) with an annual briefing describing the 
progress in carrying out the integrated plan required 
under subsection (a)(3)(D), including any changes to 
the plan, through 2028. 
(f) DOT INSPECTOR GENERAL REVIEW.—Not later 
than 180 days after submission of the initial integrated 
plan under subsection (e)(1), the inspector general of the 
Department of Transportation shall begin a review of the 
integrated plan and submit to the committees of Congress 
specified in subsection (e)(1) a report that— 
(1) assesses the justification for the integrated 
plan; 
(2) provides any recommendations for improving 
the integrated plan; and 
(3) includes any other information that the in-
spector general determines appropriate. 
SEC. 208. APPLICATION DASHBOARD AND FEEDBACK POR-
TAL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Deputy Administrator of the 
FAA shall determine whether a publicly facing dashboard
† HR 3935 EAS 
the website of the FAA through which the public may 
provide feedback to the Administrator about experi-
ences individuals have working with personnel of the 
FAA would be beneficial. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The Deputy Adminis-
trator shall ensure any portal established under this 
subsection asks questions that seek to gauge any short-
comings the FAA has in fulfilling the mission of the 
FAA or areas where the FAA is succeeding in meeting 
the mission of the FAA. 
(e) APPLICATION.—This section shall apply to applica-
tions relating to— 
(1) an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or ap-
pliance certification; 
(2) an airman or pilot certificate; 
(3) a medical certificate; 
(4) an operator certificate; 
(5) when authority under chapter 509 of title 51, 
United States Code, is explicitly delegated by the Sec-
retary to the Administrator, a license or permit 
issued under such chapter; 
(6) an aircraft registration; 
(7) an operational approval, waiver, or exemp-
tion; 
(8) a legal interpretation;
† HR 3935 EAS 
(9) an outstanding agency determination; and 
(10) any certificate not otherwise described in 
this subparagraph that is issued pursuant to chapter 
447 of title 49, United States Code. 
SEC. 209. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON FAA ENGAGEMENT DUR-
ING RULEMAKING ACTIVITIES. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the Administrator should— 
(A) engage with aviation stakeholder groups 
and the public during pre-drafting stages of rule-
making activities and use, to the greatest extent 
practicable, properly docketed ex parte discus-
sions during rulemaking activities in order to— 
(i) inform the work of the Adminis-
trator; 
(ii) assist the Administrator in devel-
oping the scope of a rule; and 
(iii) reduce the timeline for issuance of 
proposed and final rules; 
(B) rely on documented data and safety 
trends when determining whether or not to pro-
ceed with a rulemaking activity; and 
(C) not consider a rulemaking activity re-
quired in statute, for the purposes of ex parte 
communications, as having been established on
† HR 3935 EAS 
the date of enactment of the related public law, 
but rather upon obtainment of a regulation iden-
tifier number; and 
(2) when it would reduce the time required for 
the Administrator to adjudicate public comments, the 
Administrator should publicly provide information 
describing the rationale behind a regulatory decision 
included in proposed regulations in order to better 
allow for the public to provide clear and informed 
comments on such regulations. 
SEC. 210. CIVIL AEROMEDICAL INSTITUTE. 
Section 106(j) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘There is’’ and inserting ‘‘CIVIL 
AEROMEDICAL INSTITUTE.—There is’’. 
SEC. 211. MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL. 
Section 106 of title 49, United States Code, is further 
amended— 
(1) by transferring paragraph (8) of subsection 
(p) to subsection (r) and redesignating such para-
graph as paragraph (7); and 
(2) by striking subsection (p) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(p) MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall 
establish an advisory council which shall be known as
† HR 3935 EAS 
the Federal Aerospace Management Advisory Council 
(in this subsection referred to as the ‘Council’). 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Council shall consist of 
13 members, who shall consist of— 
‘‘(A) a designee of the Secretary of Trans-
portation; 
‘‘(B) a designee of the Secretary of Defense; 
‘‘(C) 5 members representing aerospace and 
technology interests, appointed by the Adminis-
trator; 
‘‘(D) 5 members representing aerospace and 
technology interests, appointed by the Secretary 
of Transportation; and 
‘‘(E) 1 member, appointed by the Secretary 
of Transportation, who is the head of a union 
representing air traffic control system employees. 
‘‘(3) QUALIFICATIONS.—No officer or employee of 
the Federal Government may be appointed to the 
Council under subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph 
(2). 
‘‘(4) FUNCTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(i) ADVISE; COUNSEL.—The Council 
shall provide advice and counsel to the Ad-
† HR 3935 EAS 
ministrator on issues which affect or are af-
fected by the activities of the Administrator. 
‘‘(ii) RESOURCE.—The Council shall 
function as an oversight resource for man-
agement, policy, spending, and regulatory 
matters under the jurisdiction of the Ad-
ministrator. 
‘‘(iii) SUBMISSIONS
TO
ADMINISTRA-
TION.—With 
respect 
to 
Administration 
management, policy, spending, funding, 
data management and analysis, safety ini-
tiatives, international agreements, activities 
of the International Civil Aviation Organi-
zation, and regulatory matters affecting the 
aerospace industry and the national air-
space system, the Council may— 
‘‘(I) regardless of whether solicited 
by the Administrator, submit com-
ments, 
recommended 
modifications, 
proposals, and supporting or dis-
senting views to the Administrator; 
and 
‘‘(II) request the Administrator 
include in any submission to Congress, 
the Secretary, or the general public,
† HR 3935 EAS 
and in any submission for publication 
in the Federal Register, a description 
of the comments, recommended modi-
fications, and dissenting or supporting 
views received from the Council under 
subclause (I). 
‘‘(iv) REASONING.—Together with a 
Council submission that is published or de-
scribed under clause (iii)(II), the Adminis-
trator may provide the reasons for any dif-
ferences between the views of the Council 
and the views or actions of the Adminis-
trator. 
‘‘(v) COST-BENEFIT
ANALYSIS.—The 
Council shall review the rulemaking cost- 
benefit analysis process and develop rec-
ommendations to improve the analysis and 
ensure that the public interest is fully pro-
tected. 
‘‘(vi) PROCESS REVIEW.—The Council 
shall review the process through which the 
Administration determines to use advisory 
circulars, service bulletins, and other exter-
nally facing guidance and regulatory mate-
rial.
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(B) MEETINGS.—The Council shall meet 
not less than 3 times annually or at the call of 
the chair or the Administrator. 
‘‘(C) ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS AND STAFF.— 
The Administrator may give the Council appro-
priate access to relevant documents and per-
sonnel of the Administration, and the Adminis-
trator shall make available, consistent with the 
authority to withhold commercial and other pro-
prietary information under section 552 of title 5 
(commonly known as the ‘Freedom of Informa-
tion Act’), cost data associated with the acquisi-
tion and operation of air traffic service systems. 
‘‘(D) DISCLOSURE OF COMMERCIAL OR PRO-
PRIETARY DATA.—Any member of the Council 
who receives commercial or other proprietary 
data as provided for in this paragraph from the 
Administrator shall be subject to the provisions 
of section 1905 of title 18, pertaining to unau-
thorized disclosure of such information. 
‘‘(5) APPLICATION OF CHAPTER 10 OF TITLE 5.— 
Chapter 10 of title 5 does not apply to— 
‘‘(A) the Council; 
‘‘(B) such aviation rulemaking committees 
as the Administrator shall designate; or
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(C) such aerospace rulemaking committees 
as the Secretary shall designate. 
‘‘(6) ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.— 
‘‘(A) TERMS.—Members of the Council ap-
pointed under paragraph (2)(C) shall be ap-
pointed for a term of 3 years. 
‘‘(B) TERM FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL REP-
RESENTATIVE.—The member appointed under 
paragraph (2)(E) shall be appointed for a term 
of 3 years, except that the term of such indi-
vidual shall end whenever the individual no 
longer meets the requirements of paragraph 
(2)(E). 
‘‘(C) VACANCY.—Any vacancy on the Coun-
cil shall be filled in the same manner as the 
original appointment, except that any member 
appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the 
expiration of the term for which the predecessor 
of the member was appointed shall be appointed 
for the remainder of that term. 
‘‘(D) CONTINUATION IN OFFICE.—A member 
of the Council whose term expires shall continue 
to serve until the date on which the successor of 
the member takes office.
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(E) REMOVAL.—Any member of the Coun-
cil appointed under paragraph (2) may be re-
moved for cause by whomever makes the appoint-
ment. 
‘‘(F) CHAIR; VICE
CHAIR.—The Council 
shall elect a chair and a vice chair from among 
the members appointed under subparagraphs (C) 
and (D) of paragraph (2), each of whom shall 
serve for a term of 1 year. The vice chair shall 
perform the duties of the chair in the absence of 
the chair. 
‘‘(G) TRAVEL AND PER DIEM.—Each mem-
ber of the Council shall be paid actual travel ex-
penses, and per diem in lieu of subsistence ex-
penses when away from the usual place of resi-
dence of the member, in accordance with section 
5703 of title 5. 
‘‘(H) DETAIL
OF
PERSONNEL
FROM
THE 
ADMINISTRATION.—The 
Administrator 
shall 
make available to the Council such staff, infor-
mation, and administrative services and assist-
ance as may reasonably be required to enable the 
Council to carry out the responsibilities of the 
Council under this subsection.’’.
† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 212. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. 
Section 106(r) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking subparagraph (A) and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(A) APPOINTMENT.—There shall be a Chief 
Operating Officer for the air traffic control sys-
tem who is appointed by the Administrator and 
subject to the authority of the Administrator.’’; 
and 
(B) in subparagraph (E) by striking ‘‘shall 
be appointed for the remainder of that term’’ 
and inserting ‘‘may be appointed for either the 
remainder of the term or for a full term’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘, with the ap-
proval of the Air Traffic Services Committee’’; 
(3) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘, in consultation with the 
Air Traffic Services Committee,’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘annual basis.’’ and insert-
ing— ‘‘annual basis and shall include responsi-
bility for— 
‘‘(A) the state of good repair of the air traf-
fic control system;
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(B) the continuous improvement of the 
safety and efficiency of the air traffic control 
system; and 
‘‘(C) identifying services and solutions to 
increase the safety and efficiency of airspace use 
and to support the safe integration of all air-
space users.’’; 
(4) in paragraph (4) by striking ‘‘such informa-
tion as may be prescribed by the Secretary’’ and in-
serting ‘‘the annual performance agreement required 
under paragraph (3), an assessment of the perform-
ance of the Chief Operating Officer in relation to the 
performance goals in the performance agreement for 
the previous year, and such other information as may 
be prescribed by the Administrator’’; and 
(5) in paragraph (5)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Chief Operating Officer, or 
any other authority within the Administration 
responsibilities, including’’ and inserting ‘‘Chief 
Operating Officer any authority of the Adminis-
trator and shall delegate, at a minimum’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) in clause (iii) by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end;
† HR 3935 EAS 
(ii) in clause (iv) by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(v) plans to integrate new entrant op-
erations into the national airspace system 
and associated action items.’’; and 
(C) in subparagraph (C)(ii) by striking 
‘‘and the Committee’’. 
SEC. 213. REPORT ON UNFUNDED CAPITAL INVESTMENT 
NEEDS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM. 
Section 106(r) of title 49, United States Code, is fur-
ther amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) UNFUNDED
CAPITAL
INVESTMENT
NEEDS 
REPORT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 10 days 
after the date on which the budget of the Presi-
dent for a fiscal year is submitted to Congress 
pursuant to section 1150 of title 31, the Admin-
istrator shall submit to the Secretary, the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives, and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a report on any unfunded capital in-
vestment needs of the air traffic control system.
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(B) CONTENTS
OF
BRIEFING.—In pro-
viding the report under subparagraph (A), the 
Administrator shall include, for each unfunded 
capital investment need, the following: 
‘‘(i) A summary description of such 
unfunded capital investment need. 
‘‘(ii) The objective to be achieved if 
such unfunded capital investment need is 
funded in whole or in part. 
‘‘(iii) The additional amount of funds 
recommended in connection with such objec-
tive. 
‘‘(iv) The Budget Line Item Program 
and Budget Line Item number associated 
with such unfunded capital investment 
need, as applicable. 
‘‘(v) Any statutory requirement associ-
ated with such unfunded capital investment 
need, as applicable. 
‘‘(C) PRIORITIZATION OF REQUIREMENTS.— 
The briefing required under subparagraph (A) 
shall present unfunded capital investment needs 
in overall urgency of priority. 
‘‘(D) 
UNFUNDED
CAPITAL
INVESTMENT 
NEED DEFINED.—In this paragraph, the term
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘unfunded capital investment need’ means a pro-
gram that— 
‘‘(i) is not funded in the budget of the 
President for the fiscal year as submitted to 
Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 
31; 
‘‘(ii) is for infrastructure or a system 
related 
to 
necessary 
modernization 
or 
sustainment of the air traffic control sys-
tem; 
‘‘(iii) is listed for any year in the most 
recent National Airspace System Capital 
Investment Plan of the Administration; and 
‘‘(iv) would have been recommended for 
funding through the budget referred to in 
subparagraph (A) by the Administrator 
if— 
‘‘(I) additional resources had been 
available for the budget to fund the 
program, activity, or mission require-
ment; or 
‘‘(II) the program, activity, or 
mission requirement has emerged since 
the budget was formulated.’’.
† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 214. CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER. 
Section 106(s) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘There 
shall be’’ and all that follows through the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘The Chief Technology 
Officer shall be appointed by the Adminis-
trator.’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘man-
agement’’ and inserting ‘‘management, systems 
management,’’; 
(C) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D); 
(D) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 
and (B) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respec-
tively; and 
(E) by inserting before subparagraph (B), 
as so redesignated, the following: 
‘‘(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—There shall be a 
Chief Technology Officer for the air traffic con-
trol system that shall report directly to the Chief 
Operating Officer of the air traffic control sys-
tem.’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘pro-
gram’’; and
† HR 3935 EAS 
(B) in subparagraph (F) by striking ‘‘air-
craft operators’’ and inserting ‘‘the Administra-
tion, aircraft operators, or other private pro-
viders of information and services related to air 
traffic management’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘The 
Chief Technology Officer shall be subject to the 
postemployment provisions of section 207 of title 
18 as if the position of Chief Technology Officer 
were described in section 207(c)(2)(A)(i) of that 
title.’’; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
subparagraph (C); and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
following: 
‘‘(B) POST-EMPLOYMENT.—The Chief Tech-
nology 
Officer 
shall 
be 
subject 
to 
the 
postemployment provisions of section 207 of title 
18 as if the position of Chief Technology Officer 
were described in section 207(c)(2)(A)(i) of such 
title.’’. 
SEC. 215. DEFINITION OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM. 
Section 40102(a)(47) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended—
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) in subparagraph (C) by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(2) in subparagraph (D) by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(E) systems, software, and hardware oper-
ated, owned, and maintained by third parties 
that support or directly provide air navigation 
information and air traffic management services 
with Administration approval.’’. 
SEC. 216. PEER REVIEW OF OFFICE OF WHISTLEBLOWER 
PROTECTION AND AVIATION SAFETY INVES-
TIGATIONS. 
Section 106(t) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (7); 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(7) DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OFFICE 
OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL PEER REVIEW.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthor-
ization Act of 2024, and every 5 years thereafter, 
the inspector general of the Department of 
Transportation shall perform a peer review of
† HR 3935 EAS 
the Office of Whistleblower Protection and Avia-
tion Safety Investigations. 
‘‘(B) PEER REVIEW SCOPE.—In completing 
the peer reviews required under this paragraph, 
the inspector general shall, to the extent appro-
priate, use the most recent peer review guides 
published by the Council of the Inspectors Gen-
eral on Integrity and Efficiency Audit Com-
mittee and Investigations Committee. 
‘‘(C) REPORTS
TO
CONGRESS.—Not later 
than 90 days after the completion of a peer re-
view required under this paragraph, the inspec-
tor 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 description of any actions taken or to be taken 
to address the results of the peer review.’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (8)(B) by striking the comma. 
SEC. 217. CYBERSECURITY LEAD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall designate 
an executive of the FAA to serve as the lead for the cyberse-
curity of FAA systems and hardware (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Cybersecurity Lead’’).
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(b) DUTIES.—The Cybersecurity Lead shall carry out 
duties and powers prescribed by the Administrator, includ-
ing the management of activities required under subtitle B 
of title III. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 1 and 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Cybersecurity Lead shall 
brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the imple-
mentation of subtitle B of title III. 
SEC. 218. ELIMINATING FAA REPORTING AND UNNECES-
SARY REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) ANNUAL REPORT ON AVIATION ACTIVITIES.—Sec-
tion 308 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (b); 
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection 
(b); and 
(3) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection 
(c). 
(b) ANNUAL REPORT ON THE PURCHASE OF FOREIGN 
MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.—Section 40110(d) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (5). 
(c) ANNUAL REPORT ON ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN 
AVIATION AUTHORITIES.—Section 40113(e) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (4); and
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(2) by redesignating paragraph (5) as para-
graph (4). 
(d) AIP ANNUAL REPORT.—Section 47131 of title 49, 
United States Code, and the item relating to such section 
in the analysis for chapter 471 of such title, are repealed. 
(e) TRANSFER OF AIRPORT LAND USE COMPLIANCE 
REPORT TO NPIAS.—Section 47103 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection 
(e); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(d) NON-COMPLIANT AIRPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall include 
in the plan a detailed statement listing airports the 
Secretary has reason to believe are not in compliance 
with grant assurances or other requirements with re-
spect to airport lands and shall include— 
‘‘(A) the circumstances of noncompliance; 
‘‘(B) the timeline for corrective action with 
respect to such noncompliance; and 
‘‘(C) any corrective action the Secretary in-
tends to require to bring the airport sponsor into 
compliance.
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‘‘(2) LISTING.—The Secretary is not required to 
conduct an audit or make a final determination be-
fore including an airport on the list referred to in 
paragraph (1).’’. 
(f) NOTICE TO AIRPORT SPONSORS REGARDING PUR-
CHASE OF AMERICAN MADE EQUIPMENT AND PRODUCTS.— 
Section 306 of the Federal Aviation Administration Au-
thorization Act of 1994 (49 U.S.C. 50101 note) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘(a)’’ and all 
that follows through ‘‘It is the sense’’ and inserting 
‘‘It is the sense’’; and 
(2) by striking subsection (b). 
(g) 
OBSOLETE
AVIATION
SECURITY
REQUIRE-
MENTS.—Sections 302, 307, 309, and 310 of the Federal 
Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996 (Public Law 104– 
264), and the items relating to such sections in the table 
of contents in section 1(b) of such Act, are repealed. 
(h) REGULATION OF ALASKA GUIDE PILOTS.—Section 
732 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Re-
form Act for the 21st Century (49 U.S.C. 44701 note) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (b); 
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection 
(b); and
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(2) FAA MODERNIZATION AND REFORM ACT OF 
2012.—Section 321 of the FAA Modernization and Re-
form Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 44703 note), and the 
item relating to such section in the table of contents 
in section 1(b) of such Act, are repealed. 
(k) TECHNICAL TRAINING AND STAFFING STUDY.— 
Section 605 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 
2012 (Public Law 112–95) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (a); 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(b) WORKLOAD OF SYS-
TEMS SPECIALISTS.—’’; and 
(B) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(1) 
through (3) as subsections (a) through (c) (and 
adjust the margins and header casing appro-
priately); and 
(3) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated) by 
striking ‘‘paragraph (1)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection 
(a)’’. 
(l) FERRY FLIGHT DUTY PERIOD AND FLIGHT TIME 
RULEMAKINGS.—Section 345 of the FAA Modernization 
and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note), and the 
item relating to such section in the table of contents in sec-
tion 1(b) of such Act, are repealed.
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(m) LASER POINTER INCIDENT REPORTS.—Section 
2104 of FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 
(49 U.S.C. 46301 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘quarterly up-
dates’’ and inserting ‘‘annually an annual briefing’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) REPORT SUNSET.—Subsection (a) shall cease to 
be effective after September 30, 2028.’’. 
(n) COLD WEATHER PROJECTS BRIEFING.—Section 
156 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 
47112 note) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (b); and 
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection 
(b). 
(o) BIANNUAL GAO AUDIT.—Any provision of the 
FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 
112–95), including any amendment made by such Act, that 
requires the Comptroller General to conduct an audit (in-
cluding a recurring audit) shall have no force or effect. 
SEC. 219. AUTHORITY TO USE ELECTRONIC SERVICE. 
Section 46103 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)—
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(i) in subparagraph (B) by striking 
‘‘or’’ after the semicolon; 
(ii) in subparagraph (C) by striking 
the period at the end and inserting a semi-
colon; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(D) by electronic or facsimile transmission to 
the person to be served or the designated agent of the 
person; or 
‘‘(E) as designated by regulation or guidance 
published in the Federal Register.’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) The date of service made by an electronic or 
facsimile method is— 
‘‘(A) the date an electronic or facsimile 
transmission is sent; or 
‘‘(B) the date a notification is sent by an 
electronic or facsimile method that a notice, 
process, or action is immediately available and 
accessible in an electronic database.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c) by striking the first sentence 
and inserting ‘‘Service on an agent designated under 
this section shall be made at the office or usual place
† HR 3935 EAS 
of residence of the agent or at the electronic or fac-
simile address designated by the agent.’’. 
SEC. 
220. 
SAFETY 
AND 
EFFICIENCY 
THROUGH 
DIGITIZATION OF FAA SYSTEMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall— 
(1) identify, at the discretion of the Adminis-
trator, not less than 3 processes of the FAA that result 
in a certification and require paper-based informa-
tion exchange between external entities and the FAA 
or offices within the FAA (such as an aircraft certifi-
cation, aircraft registration, or airmen certification) 
or authorization, an exemption, or a letter of author-
ization; and 
(2) initiate the digitization of such processes. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out the digitization 
required under subsection (a), the Administrator shall en-
sure that the digitization of any process allows for— 
(1) an applicant to track the application of such 
applicant throughout the period of submission and re-
view of such application; and 
(2) the status of the application to be available 
upon demand to the applicant, as well as FAA em-
ployees responsible for reviewing and making a deci-
sion on the application.
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(c) BRIEFING TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date on which the Administrator initiates the 
digitization under subsection (a)(2), the Administrator 
shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the 
progress of such digitization. 
(d) DEFINITION OF DIGITIZATION.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘digitization’’ means the transition from a pre-
dominantly paper-based system to a system centered on the 
use of a data management system and the internet. 
SEC. 221. FAA TELEWORK. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator— 
(1) may establish telework policies for employees 
of the FAA that allow for the Administrator to reduce 
the office footprint and associated expenses of the 
FAA, if appropriate, increase workforce retention, 
and provide flexibilities that the Administrator dem-
onstrates increases efficiency and effectiveness of the 
Administration, while requiring that any such pol-
icy— 
(A) does not adversely impact the mission of 
the FAA; 
(B) does not reduce the safety or efficiency 
of the national airspace system; 
(C) for any employee that is designated as 
an officer or executive in the FAA Executive
† HR 3935 EAS 
System or a political appointee (as such term is 
defined in section 106 of title 49, United States 
Code)— 
(i) maximizes time at a duty station 
for such employee, excluding official travel; 
and 
(ii) may include telework provisions as 
determined appropriate by the Adminis-
trator, commensurate with official duties for 
such employee; 
(D) provides for on-the-job training oppor-
tunities for FAA personnel that are not less than 
such opportunities available in 2019; 
(E) reflects the appropriate work status of 
employees based on the job functions of such em-
ployee; 
(F) optimizes the work status of inspectors, 
investigators, and other personnel performing 
safety-related functions to ensure timely comple-
tion of safety oversight activities; 
(G) provides for personnel, including such 
personnel performing work related to aircraft 
certification and flight standards, who are re-
sponsible for actively working with regulated en-
† HR 3935 EAS 
tities, external stakeholders, or other members of 
the public to be— 
(i) routinely available on a predictable 
basis for in-person and virtual communica-
tions with external persons; and 
(ii) not hindered from meeting with, 
visiting, auditing, or inspecting facilities or 
projects of regulated persons due to any 
telework policy; and 
(H) provides opportunities for in-person 
dialogue, collaboration, and ideation for all em-
ployees; 
(2) ensures that locality pay for an employee of 
the FAA accurately reflects the telework status and 
duty station of such employee; 
(3) may not establish a telework policy for an 
employee of the FAA unless such employee will be 
provided with secure network capacity, communica-
tions tools, necessary and secure access to appropriate 
agency data assets and Federal records, and equip-
ment sufficient to enable such employee to be fully 
productive; and 
(4) not later than 2 years after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, shall evaluate and address any 
telework policies in effect on the day before such date
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of enactment to ensure that such policies meet the re-
quirements of paragraph (1). 
(b) CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and 1 year there-
after, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress on any telework policies currently in place, 
the implementation of such policies, and the benefits of such 
policies. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—If the Administrator determines 
that telework agreements need to be updated to implement 
the requirements of subsection (a), the Administrator shall, 
prior to updating such agreements, consult with— 
(1) exclusive bargaining representatives of air 
traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 
5, United States Code; and 
(2) labor organizations certified under such sec-
tion as the exclusive bargaining representative of air-
way transportation systems specialists and aviation 
safety inspectors and engineers of the FAA. 
SEC. 222. REVIEW OF OFFICE SPACE. 
(a) FAA REVIEW.— 
(1) INITIATION OF REVIEW.—Not later than 12 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall initiate an inventory review of the do-
† HR 3935 EAS 
mestic office footprint of the Department of Transpor-
tation. 
(2) COMPLETION OF REVIEW.—Not later than 30 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall complete the inventory review required 
under paragraph (1). 
(b) CONTENTS OF REVIEW.—In completing the review 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— 
(1) delineate the domestic office footprint, as de-
termined appropriate by the Secretary; 
(2) determine space adequacy related to— 
(A) the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and the corresponding 
accessibility guidelines established under part 
1191 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations; 
and 
(B) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); 
(3) determine the feasible occupancy of such 
space, and provide the methodology used to make the 
determination; 
(4) determine the number of individuals who are 
full-time equivalent employees, other support per-
sonnel, or contractors that have each such unit as a
† HR 3935 EAS 
duty station and determine how telework policies will 
impact the usage of such space; 
(5) calculate the amount of available, unused, or 
underutilized space in each such space; 
(6) consider any lease terms for leased space con-
tained in the domestic office footprint, including cost 
and effective dates for each such lease; and 
(7) based on the findings in paragraphs (2) 
through (6), and any other metrics the Secretary de-
termines relevant, provide recommendations for opti-
mizing the use of office space across the Department 
in consultation with appropriate employee labor rep-
resentatives. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 4 months after com-
pleting the review under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a final 
report that proposes opportunities to optimize the domestic 
office footprint of the FAA (and associated costs). In com-
piling such final report, the Secretary shall describe oppor-
tunities for— 
(1) consolidation of offices within a reasonable 
distance, as determined by the Senior Real Property 
Officer of the Department of Transportation, from one 
another;
† HR 3935 EAS 
(2) the collocation of regional or satellite offices 
of separate modes of the Department, including the 
costs and benefits of shared amenities; and 
(3) the use of coworking spaces instead of perma-
nent offices. 
(d) DOMESTIC OFFICE FOOTPRINT DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘domestic office footprint’’ means build-
ings, offices, facilities, and other real property rented, 
owned, or occupied by the FAA or Department— 
(1) in which employees report for permanent or 
temporary duty that are not FAA Airport Traffic 
Control Towers, Terminal Radar Approach Control 
Facilities, Air Route Traffic Control Centers, and 
Combined Control Facilities; and 
(2) which are located within the United States. 
SEC. 223. RESTORATION OF AUTHORITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 401 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 40118 
the following: 
‘‘§ 40119. Sensitive security information 
‘‘(a) DISCLOSURE.— 
‘‘(1) REGULATIONS PROHIBITING DISCLOSURE.— 
Notwithstanding the establishment of a Department of 
Homeland Security, the Secretary of Transportation, 
in accordance with section 552(b)(3)(B) of title 5,
† HR 3935 EAS 
shall prescribe regulations prohibiting disclosure of 
information obtained or developed in ensuring secu-
rity under this title if the Secretary of Transpor-
tation decides disclosing the information would— 
‘‘(A) be an unwarranted invasion of per-
sonal privacy; 
‘‘(B) reveal a trade secret or privileged or 
confidential commercial or financial informa-
tion; or 
‘‘(C) be detrimental to transportation safe-
ty. 
‘‘(2) DISCLOSURE
TO
CONGRESS.—Paragraph 
(1) shall not be construed to authorize information to 
be withheld from a committee of Congress authorized 
to have such information. 
‘‘(3) RULE
OF
CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in 
paragraph (1) shall be construed to authorize the des-
ignation of information as sensitive security informa-
tion (as such term is defined in section 15.5 of title 
49, Code of Federal Regulations) to— 
‘‘(A) conceal a violation of law, inefficiency, 
or administrative error; 
‘‘(B) prevent embarrassment to a person, 
organization, or agency; 
‘‘(C) restrain competition; or
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‘‘(D) prevent or delay the release of infor-
mation that does not require protection in the 
interest of transportation security, including 
basic scientific research information not clearly 
related to transportation security. 
‘‘(4) LAW ENFORCEMENT DISCLOSURE.—Section 
552a of title 5 shall not apply to disclosures that the 
Administrator may make from the systems of records 
of the Federal Aviation Administration to any Fed-
eral law enforcement, intelligence, protective service, 
immigration, or national security official in order to 
assist the official receiving the information in the per-
formance of official duties. 
‘‘(b) TRANSFERS OF DUTIES AND POWERS PROHIB-
ITED.—Except as otherwise provided by law, a duty or 
power under this section may not be transferred to another 
department, agency, or instrumentality of the Federal Gov-
ernment.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this 
section shall be effective as of October 5, 2018, and all au-
thority restored to the Secretary and the FAA under this 
section shall be treated as if such authority had never been 
repealed by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public 
Law 115–254).
† HR 3935 EAS 
(c) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 401 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 40118 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘40119. Sensitive security information.’’. 
SEC. 224. FAA PARTICIPATION IN INDUSTRY STANDARDS 
ORGANIZATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall encourage 
the participation of employees of the FAA, as appropriate, 
in the activities of recognized industry standards organiza-
tions to advance the adoption, reference, and acceptance 
rate of standards and means of compliance developed by 
such organizations by the Administrator. 
(b) PARTICIPATION.—An employee of the FAA directed 
by the Administrator to participate in a working group, 
task group, committee, or similar body of a recognized in-
dustry standards organization shall— 
(1) actively participate in the discussions and 
work of such organization; 
(2) accurately represent the position of the Ad-
ministrator on the subject matter of such discussions 
and work; 
(3) contribute to the development of work prod-
ucts of such organization, unless determined to be in-
appropriate by such organization;
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(4) make reasonable efforts to identify and make 
any concerns of the Administrator relating to such 
work products known to such organization, including 
through providing formal comments, as may be al-
lowed for under the procedures of such organization; 
(5) provide regular updates to other FAA em-
ployees and management on the progress of such work 
products; and 
(6) seek advice and input from other FAA em-
ployees and management, as needed. 
(c) RECOGNIZED INDUSTRY STANDARDS ORGANIZA-
TION DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘recognized in-
dustry standards organization’’ means a domestic or inter-
national organization that— 
(1) uses agreed upon procedures to develop avia-
tion-related industry standards or means of compli-
ance, including standards or means of compliance 
that satisfy FAA requirements or guidance; 
(2) is comprised of members of the public, in-
cluding subject matter experts, industry representa-
tives, academics and researchers, and government em-
ployees; and 
(3) has had at least 1 standard or means of com-
pliance accepted by the Administrator or referenced 
in guidance material or a regulation issued by the
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FAA after the date of enactment of the Vision 100— 
Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law 
108–176). 
SEC. 225. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON USE OF VOLUNTARY 
CONSENSUS STANDARDS. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator 
should make every effort to abide by the policies set forth 
in the circular of the Office of Management and Budget, 
titled ‘‘Federal Participation in the Development and Use 
of Voluntary Consensus Standards and Conformity Assess-
ment Activities’’ (A–119). 
SEC. 226. REQUIRED DESIGNATION. 
The Administrator shall designate any aviation rule-
making committee convened under this Act pursuant to sec-
tion 106(p)(5) of title 49, United States Code. 
SEC. 227. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FRANCHISE FUND. 
Title I of the Department of Transportation and Re-
lated Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 (49 U.S.C. 40113 
note) is amended under the heading ‘‘Administrative Serv-
ices Franchise Fund’’ by striking ‘‘shall be paid in ad-
vance’’ and inserting ‘‘may be reimbursed after perform-
ance or paid in advance’’. 
SEC. 228. COMMERCIAL PREFERENCE. 
Section 40110(d) of title 49, United States Code, is 
further amended—
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘and imple-
ment’’ and inserting ‘‘, implement, and periodically 
update’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘the new acqui-
sition management system developed and imple-
mented’’ and inserting ‘‘the acquisition management 
system developed, implemented, and periodically up-
dated’’ each place it appears; 
(3) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘new’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘and implemented’’ 
and inserting ‘‘, implemented, and periodi-
cally updated’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘With-
in’’ and all that follows through ‘‘the Adminis-
trator’’ and inserting ‘‘The Administrator’’; 
(4) by redesignating paragraph (4) as para-
graph (5); and 
(5) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(4) COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.— 
In implementing and updating the acquisition man-
† HR 3935 EAS 
agement system pursuant to paragraph (1), the Ad-
ministrator shall, whenever possible— 
‘‘(A) describe the requirements with respect 
to a solicitation for the procurement of supplies 
or services in terms of— 
‘‘(i) functions to be performed; 
‘‘(ii) performance required; or 
‘‘(iii) essential physical and system 
characteristics; 
‘‘(B) ensure that commercial services or 
commercial products may be procured to fulfill 
such solicitation, or to the extent that commer-
cial products suitable to meet the needs of the 
Administration are not available, ensure that 
nondevelopmental items other than commercial 
products may be procured to fulfill such solicita-
tion; 
‘‘(C) provide offerors of commercial services, 
commercial products, and nondevelopmental 
items other than commercial products an oppor-
tunity to compete in any solicitation for the pro-
curement of supplies or services; 
‘‘(D) revise the procurement policies, prac-
tices, and procedures of the Administration to re-
† HR 3935 EAS 
duce any impediments to the acquisition of com-
mercial products and commercial services; 
‘‘(E) ensure that any procurement of new 
equipment takes into account the life cycle, reli-
ability, performance, service support, and costs 
to guarantee the acquisition of equipment that is 
of high quality and reliability resulting in great-
er performance and cost-related benefits; and 
‘‘(F) ensure that procurement officials— 
‘‘(i) acquire commercial services, com-
mercial 
products, 
or 
nondevelopmental 
items other than commercial products to 
meet the needs of the Administration; 
‘‘(ii) in a solicitation for the procure-
ment of supplies or services, state the speci-
fications for such supplies or services in 
terms that enable and encourage bidders 
and offerors to supply commercial services 
or commercial products, or to the extent 
that commercial products suitable to meet 
the needs of the Administration are not 
available, to supply nondevelopmental items 
other than commercial products; 
‘‘(iii) require that prime contractors 
and subcontractors at all levels under con-
† HR 3935 EAS 
tracts with the Administration incorporate 
commercial services, commercial products, 
or nondevelopmental items other than com-
mercial products as components of items 
supplied to the Administration; 
‘‘(iv) modify procurement requirements 
in appropriate circumstances to ensure that 
such requirements can be met by commer-
cial services or commercial products, or to 
the extent that commercial products suitable 
to meet the needs of the Administration are 
not available, nondevelopmental items other 
than commercial products; and 
‘‘(v) require training of appropriate 
personnel in the acquisition of commercial 
products and commercial services.’’. 
SEC. 229. ADVANCED AVIATION TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVA-
TION STEERING COMMITTEE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
establish an Advanced Aviation Technology and Innovation 
Steering Committee (in this section referred to as the 
‘‘Steering Committee’’) to assist the FAA in planning for 
and integrating advanced aviation technologies. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The Steering Committee shall—
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) create and regularly update a comprehensive 
strategy and action plan for integrating advanced 
aviation technologies into the national airspace sys-
tem and aviation ecosystem; and 
(2) provide direction and resolution for complex 
issues related to advanced aviation technologies that 
span multiple offices or lines of business of the FAA, 
as needed. 
(c) CHAIR.—The Deputy Administrator of the FAA 
shall serve as the Chair of the Steering Committee. 
(d) COMPOSITION.—In addition to the Chair, the 
Steering Committee shall consist of the Assistant or Asso-
ciate Administrator, or the designee of such Administrator, 
of each of the following FAA offices: 
(1) Office of Aviation Safety. 
(2) Air Traffic Organization. 
(3) Office of Airports. 
(4) Office of Commercial Space Transportation. 
(5) Office of Finance and Management. 
(6) Office of the Chief Counsel. 
(7) Office of Rulemaking and Regulatory Im-
provement. 
(8) Office of Policy, International Affairs, and 
Environment.
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(9) Office of Security and Hazardous Materials 
Safety. 
(10) Any other Office the Administrator deter-
mines necessary. 
SEC. 230. REVIEW AND UPDATES OF CATEGORICAL EXCLU-
SIONS. 
(a) REVIEW.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall identify each cat-
egorical exclusion under the jurisdiction of the Department 
of Transportation, including any operating administration 
within the Department. 
(b) NEW CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS
FOR AIRPORT 
PROJECTS.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator shall— 
(1) review the categorical exclusions applied by 
other operating administrations identified in sub-
section (a); and 
(2) take such action as may be necessary to 
adopt, as relevant and appropriate, new categorical 
exclusions that meet the requirements of section 
1508.4 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, from 
among categorical exclusions reviewed by the Sec-
retary in paragraph (1) for use by the FAA.
† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 231. IMPLEMENTATION OF ANTI-TERRORIST AND NAR-
COTIC AIR EVENTS PROGRAMS. 
(a) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
(1) PRIORITY
RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this sec-
tion, the Administrator shall— 
(A) implement recommendations 6, 13, 14, 
and 15 as set forth in the Government Account-
ability Office report entitled ‘‘Aviation: FAA 
Needs to Better Prevent, Detect, and Respond to 
Fraud and Abuse Risks in Aircraft Registra-
tion,’’ (dated March 25, 2020); and 
(B) to the extent that rulemaking is nec-
essary to implement such recommendations, issue 
a notice of proposed rulemaking pursuant to the 
rulemaking authority of the FAA. 
(2) REMAINING
RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Ad-
ministrator shall implement recommendations 1 
through 5 and 8 through 12 as set forth in the Gov-
ernment Accountability Office report described in 
paragraph (1) and, to the extent that rulemaking is 
necessary to implement such recommendations, issue 
a notice of proposed rulemaking pursuant to the rule-
making authority of the FAA, on the earlier of—
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(A) the date that is 90 days after the date 
on which the FAA implements the Civil Aviation 
Registry Electronic Services system; or 
(B) January 1, 2026. 
(b) REPORTS.— 
(1) PRIORITY
RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later 
than 60 days after the date on which the Adminis-
trator implements the recommendations under sub-
section (a)(1), the Administrator shall submit to the 
Committees on the Judiciary and Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate, the Committees on 
the Judiciary and Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives, and the Caucus on Inter-
national Narcotics Control of the Senate a report on 
such implementation, including a description of any 
steps taken by the Administrator to complete such im-
plementation. 
(2) REMAINING RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later 
than 60 days after the date on which the Adminis-
trator implements the recommendations under sub-
section (a)(2), the Administrator shall submit to the 
Committees on the Judiciary and Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate, the Committees on 
the Judiciary and Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives, and the Caucus on Inter-
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national Narcotics Control of the Senate a report on 
such implementation, including a description of any 
steps taken by the Administrator to complete such im-
plementation. 
TITLE III—AVIATION SAFETY 
IMPROVEMENTS 
Subtitle A—General Provisions 
SEC. 301. HELICOPTER AIR AMBULANCE OPERATIONS. 
(a) OUTDATED AIR AMBULANCE RULEMAKING RE-
QUIREMENT.—Section 44730 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1) by striking ‘‘not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this sec-
tion,’’; 
(2) in subsection (c) by striking ‘‘address the fol-
lowing’’ and inserting ‘‘consider, or address through 
other means, the following’’; 
(3) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘provide for the 
following’’ and inserting ‘‘consider, or address 
through other means, the following’’; and 
(4) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in the heading by striking ‘‘SUBSE-
QUENT RULEMAKING’’ and inserting ‘‘SUBSE-
QUENT ACTIONS’’;
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(B) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘shall 
conduct a follow-on rulemaking to address the 
following:’’ and inserting ‘‘shall address through 
a follow-on rulemaking, or through such other 
means that the Administrator considers appro-
priate, the following:’’; 
(C) by striking paragraph (2); and 
(D) by redesignating paragraph (3) as 
paragraph (2). 
(b) SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS BRIEFING.—Not 
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of 
Congress on how the final rule titled ‘‘Safety Management 
System’’, published on April 26, 2024, (89 Fed. Reg. 
33068), will— 
(1) improve helicopter air ambulance operations 
and piloting; and 
(2) consider the use of safety equipment by flight 
crew and medical personnel on a helicopter con-
ducting an air ambulance operation. 
(c) IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLICATION OF HELICOPTER 
AIR AMBULANCE OPERATIONS DATA.—Section 44731 of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (d); 
(2) in subsection (e)—
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(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(2) make publicly available, in part or in 
whole, on a website of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration, the database developed pursuant to subsection 
(c); and 
‘‘(3) analyze the data submitted under subsection 
(a) periodically and use such data to inform efforts 
to improve the safety of helicopter air ambulance op-
erations.’’; and 
(3) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as 
subsections (d) and (e), respectively. 
SEC. 302. GLOBAL AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE SAFETY IM-
PROVEMENTS. 
(a) FAA OVERSIGHT OF REPAIR STATIONS LOCATED 
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 44733 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in the heading by striking ‘‘Inspec-
tion’’ and inserting ‘‘Oversight’’; 
(B) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘Not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
section, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’;
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(C) in subsection (e)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘, without prior notice 
to such repair stations,’’ after ‘‘annually’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘and the applicable 
laws of the country in which the repair sta-
tion is located’’ after ‘‘international agree-
ments’’; and 
(iii) by striking the last sentence and 
inserting ‘‘The Administrator may carry 
out announced or unannounced inspections 
in addition to the annual unannounced in-
spection required under this subsection 
based on identified risks and in a manner 
consistent with United States obligations 
under international agreements and the ap-
plicable laws of the country in which the 
part 145 repair station is located.’’; 
(D) by redesignating subsection (g) as sub-
section (j); and 
(E) by inserting after subsection (f) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(g) DATA ANALYSIS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Each fiscal year in which a 
part 121 air carrier has had heavy maintenance work 
performed on an aircraft owned or operated by such
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carrier, such carrier shall provide to the Adminis-
trator, not later than the end of the following fiscal 
year, a report containing the information described 
in paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) INFORMATION REQUIRED.—A report under 
paragraph (1) shall contain the following: 
‘‘(A) The location where any heavy mainte-
nance work on aircraft was performed outside 
the United States. 
‘‘(B) A description of the work performed at 
each such location. 
‘‘(C) The date of completion of the work 
performed at each such location. 
‘‘(D) A list of all failures, malfunctions, or 
defects affecting the safe operation of such air-
craft identified by the air carrier not later than 
30 days after the date on which an aircraft is 
returned to service, organized by reference to air-
craft registration number, that— 
‘‘(i) requires corrective action after the 
aircraft is approved for return to service; 
and 
‘‘(ii) results from such work performed 
on such aircraft.
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‘‘(E) The certificate number of the person 
approving such aircraft or on-wing aircraft en-
gine for return to service following completion of 
the work performed at each such location. 
‘‘(3) ANALYSIS.—The Administrator shall— 
‘‘(A) analyze information provided under 
this subsection and sections 121.703, 121.705, 
121.707, and 145.221 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, or any successor provisions of such 
title, to detect safety issues associated with heavy 
maintenance work on aircraft performed outside 
the United States; and 
‘‘(B) require appropriate actions by an air 
carrier or repair station in response to any safe-
ty issue identified by the analysis conducted 
under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(4) CONFIDENTIALITY.—Information provided 
under this subsection shall be subject to the same pro-
tections given to voluntarily provided safety or secu-
rity related information under section 40123. 
‘‘(h) APPLICATIONS AND PROHIBITION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may not 
approve any new application under part 145 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, from a person lo-
cated or headquartered in a country that the Admin-
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istration, through the International Aviation Safety 
Assessment program, has classified as Category 2. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—Paragraph (1) shall not 
apply to an application for the renewal of a certifi-
cate issued under part 145 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
‘‘(3) MAINTENANCE
IMPLEMENTATION
PROCE-
DURES AGREEMENT.—The Administrator may elect 
not to enter into a new maintenance implementation 
procedures agreement with a country classified as 
Category 2, for as long as the country remains classi-
fied as Category 2. 
‘‘(4) PROHIBITION ON CONTINUED HEAVY MAIN-
TENANCE WORK.—No part 121 air carrier may enter 
into a new contract for heavy maintenance work with 
a person located or headquartered in a country that 
the Administrator, through the International Aviation 
Safety Assessment program, has classified as Category 
2, for as long as such country remains classified as 
Category 2. 
‘‘(i) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR MECHANICS AND 
OTHERS WORKING ON U.S. REGISTERED AIRCRAFT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Ad-
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ministrator shall require that, at each covered repair 
station— 
‘‘(A) all supervisory personnel of such sta-
tion are appropriately certificated as a mechanic 
or repairman under part 65 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations, or under an equivalent cer-
tification or licensing regime, as determined by 
the Administrator; and 
‘‘(B) all personnel of such station author-
ized to approve an article for return to service 
are appropriately certificated as a mechanic or 
repairman under part 65 of such title, or under 
an equivalent certification or licensing regime, 
as determined by the Administrator. 
‘‘(2) AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION.—Not later 
than 18 months after the date of enactment of this 
subsection, the Administrator shall require any indi-
vidual who is responsible for approving an article for 
return to service or who is directly in charge of heavy 
maintenance work performed on aircraft operated by 
a part 121 air carrier be available for consultation 
while work is being performed at a covered repair sta-
tion.’’. 
(2) DEFINITIONS.—
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(A) IN GENERAL.—Section 44733(j) of title 
49, United States Code (as redesignated by this 
section), is amended— 
(i) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘air-
craft’’ and inserting ‘‘aircraft (including 
on-wing aircraft engines)’’; 
(ii) by redesignating paragraphs (1) 
through (3) as paragraphs (2) through (4), 
respectively; and 
(iii) by inserting before paragraph (2), 
as so redesignated, the following: 
‘‘(1) COVERED REPAIR STATION.—The term ‘cov-
ered repair station’ means a facility that— 
‘‘(A) is located outside the United States; 
‘‘(B) is a part 145 repair station; and 
‘‘(C) performs heavy maintenance work on 
aircraft operated by a part 121 air carrier.’’. 
(B) 
TECHNICAL
AMENDMENT.—Section 
44733(a)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘covered part 145 repair 
stations’’ and inserting ‘‘part 145 repair sta-
tions’’. 
(3) CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—The analysis 
for chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is
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amended by striking the item relating to section 
44733 and inserting the following: 
‘‘44733. Oversight of repair stations located outside the United States.’’. 
(b) ALCOHOL AND DRUG TESTING AND BACKGROUND 
CHECKS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall issue a final rule carrying out the re-
quirements of section 2112(b) of the FAA Extension, 
Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 44733 
note). 
(2) RULEMAKING
ON
ASSESSMENT
REQUIRE-
MENT.—With respect to any employee not covered 
under the requirements of section 1554.101 of title 49, 
Code of Federal Regulations, the Administrator shall 
initiate a rulemaking (or request that the head of an-
other Federal agency initiate a rulemaking) that re-
quires a covered repair station to confirm that any 
such employee has successfully completed an assess-
ment commensurate with a security threat assessment 
described in subpart C of part 1540 of such title. 
(3) DEFINITION OF COVERED REPAIR STATION.— 
For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘‘covered re-
pair station’’ means a facility that— 
(A) is located outside the United States;
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(B) is certificated under part 145 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations; and 
(C) performs heavy maintenance work on 
aircraft (including on-wing aircraft engines), 
operated under part 121 of title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations. 
SEC. 303. ODA BEST PRACTICE SHARING. 
Section 44736(b) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘Not later than 
120 days after the date of enactment of this section, 
the’’ and insert ‘‘The’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (E) by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (F) by striking the pe-
riod and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(G) convene a forum not less than every 2 
years between ODA holders, unit members, and 
other organizational representatives and relevant 
experts, in order to— 
‘‘(i) share best practices;
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‘‘(ii) instill professionalism, ethics, and 
personal responsibilities in unit members; 
and 
‘‘(iii) foster open and transparent com-
munication between Administration safety 
specialists, ODA holders, and unit mem-
bers.’’. 
SEC. 304. TRAINING OF ORGANIZATION DELEGATION AU-
THORIZATION UNIT MEMBERS. 
(a) UNIT MEMBER ANNUAL ETHICS TRAINING.—Sec-
tion 44736 of title 49, United States Code, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) ETHICS TRAINING REQUIREMENT
FOR ODA 
HOLDERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
review and ensure each ODA holder authorized by the 
Administrator under section 44702(d) has in effect a 
recurrent training program for all ODA unit mem-
bers that covers— 
‘‘(A) unit member professional obligations 
and responsibilities; 
‘‘(B) the ODA holder’s code of ethics as re-
quired to be established under section 102(f) of
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the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Account-
ability Act (49 U.S.C. 44701 note); 
‘‘(C) procedures for reporting safety con-
cerns, as described in the respective approved 
procedures manual for the delegation; 
‘‘(D) the prohibition against and reporting 
procedures for interference from a supervisor or 
other ODA member described in section 44742; 
and 
‘‘(E) any additional information the Ad-
ministrator considers relevant to maintaining 
ethical and professional standards across all 
ODA holders and unit members. 
‘‘(2) FAA REVIEW.— 
‘‘(A) REVIEW OF TRAINING PROGRAM.—The 
Organization Designation Authorization Office 
of the Administration established under sub-
section (b) shall review each ODA holders’ recur-
rent training program to ensure such program 
includes— 
‘‘(i) all elements described in para-
graph (1); and 
‘‘(ii) training to instill professionalism 
and clear understanding among ODA unit 
members about the purpose of and proce-
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dures associated with safety management 
systems, including the provisions of the 
third edition of the Safety Management 
Manual issued by the International Civil 
Aviation Organization (Doc 9859) (or any 
successor edition). 
‘‘(B) CHANGES TO PROGRAM.—Such Office 
may require changes to the training program 
considered necessary to maintain ethical and 
professional standards across all ODA holders 
and unit members. 
‘‘(3) TRAINING.—As part of the recurrent train-
ing program required under paragraph (1), not later 
than 60 business days after being designated as an 
ODA unit member, and annually thereafter, each 
ODA unit member shall complete the ethics training 
required by the ODA holder of the respective ODA 
unit member in order to exercise the functions dele-
gated under the ODA. 
‘‘(4) ACCOUNTABILITY.—The Administrator shall 
establish such processes or requirements as are nec-
essary to ensure compliance with paragraph (3).’’. 
(b) DEADLINE.—An ODA unit member authorized to 
perform delegated functions under an ODA prior to the date 
of completion of an ethics training required under section
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44736(g) of title 49, United States Code, shall complete such 
training not later than 60 days after the training program 
is approved by the Administrator pursuant to such section. 
SEC. 305. CLARIFICATION ON SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYS-
TEM INFORMATION DISCLOSURE. 
Section 44735 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘; or’’ and 
inserting a semicolon; 
(B) in paragraph (2) by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) if the report, data, or other information is 
submitted for any purpose relating to the development 
and implementation of a safety management system, 
including a system required by regulation.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) OTHER AGENCIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The limitation established 
under subsection (a) shall apply to the head of any 
other Federal agency who receives reports, data, or 
other information described in such subsection from 
the Administrator.
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† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(2) RULE
OF
CONSTRUCTION.—This section 
shall not be construed to limit the accident or inci-
dent investigation authority of the National Trans-
portation Safety Board under chapter 11, including 
the requirement to not disclose voluntarily provided 
safety-related information under section 1114.’’. 
SEC. 306. REAUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF 
THE AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION, SAFETY, AND 
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. 
(a) OVERSIGHT OF ORGANIZATION DESIGNATION AU-
THORIZATION UNIT MEMBERS.—Section 44741 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (f)(2)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A) by striking ‘‘Not later than 90 days’’ and all 
that follows through ‘‘the Administrator shall 
provide a briefing’’ and inserting ‘‘The Adminis-
trator shall provide biannual briefings each fis-
cal year through September 30, 2028’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘90- 
day period’’ and inserting ‘‘6-month period’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (j) by striking ‘‘2023’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2028’’.
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† HR 3935 EAS 
(b) INTEGRATED PROJECT TEAMS.—Section 108(f) of 
division V of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (49 
U.S.C. 44704 note) is amended by striking ‘‘fiscal year 
2023’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal year 2028’’. 
(c) APPEALS OF CERTIFICATION DECISIONS.—Section 
44704(g)(1)(C)(ii) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘calendar year 2025’’ and inserting 
‘‘calendar year 2028’’. 
(d) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, SKILLS ENHANCE-
MENT, CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING.—Section 
44519(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘2023’’ and inserting ‘‘2028’’. 
(e) VOLUNTARY SAFETY REPORTING PROGRAM.—Sec-
tion 113(f) of division V of the Consolidated Appropriations 
Act, 2021 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note) is amended by striking 
‘‘fiscal year 2023’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal year 2028’’. 
(f) CHANGED PRODUCT RULE.—Section 117(b)(1) of 
division V of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (49 
U.S.C. 44704 note) is amended by striking ‘‘fiscal year 
2023’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal year 2028’’. 
(g) DOMESTIC
AND INTERNATIONAL PILOT TRAIN-
ING.—Section 119(f)(3) of division V of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2021 is amended by striking ‘‘2023’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2028’’.
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(h) SAMYA ROSE STUMO NATIONAL AIR GRANT FEL-
LOWSHIP PROGRAM.—Section 131(d) of division V of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (49 U.S.C. 40101 
note) is amended by striking ‘‘2025’’ and inserting ‘‘2028’’. 
SEC. 307. CONTINUED OVERSIGHT OF FAA COMPLIANCE 
PROGRAM. 
Section 122 of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and 
Accountability Act (Public Law 116–260) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b) by striking paragraph (2) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) conduct an annual agency-wide evaluation 
of the Compliance Program through fiscal year 2028 
to assess the functioning and effectiveness of such pro-
gram and to assess— 
‘‘(A) the need for long-term metrics that, to 
the maximum extent practicable, apply to all 
program offices, and use such metrics to assess 
the effectiveness of the program; 
‘‘(B) if the program ensures the highest level 
of compliance with safety standards; 
‘‘(C) if the program has met its stated safe-
ty goals and purpose; and 
‘‘(D) FAA employee confidence in the pro-
gram.’’;
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(2) in subsection (c)(4) by striking ‘‘2023’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2028’’; and 
(3) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘2023’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2028’’. 
SEC. 308. SCALABILITY OF SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. 
In conducting any rulemaking to require, or imple-
menting a regulation requiring, a safety management sys-
tem, the Administrator shall consider the scalability of such 
safety management system requirements, to the full range 
of entities in terms of size or complexity that may be af-
fected by such rulemaking or regulation, including— 
(1) how an entity can demonstrate compliance 
using various documentation, tools, and methods, in-
cluding, as appropriate, systems with multiple small 
operators collectively monitoring for and addressing 
risks; 
(2) a review of traditional safety management 
techniques and the suitability of such techniques for 
small entities; 
(3) the applicability of existing safety manage-
ment system programs implemented by an entity; 
(4) the suitability of existing requirements under 
part 5 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, for 
small entities; and
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(5) other unique challenges relating to small en-
tities the Administrator determines appropriate to 
consider. 
SEC. 309. REVIEW OF SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM RULE-
MAKING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall re-
view the final rule of the FAA titled ‘‘Safety Management 
Systems’’ and issued on April 26, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 
33068). 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—In reviewing the final rule under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure that the safe-
ty management system requirement under such final rule 
described in subsection (a) is applied to all certificate hold-
ers operating under the rules for commuter and on-demand 
operations under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regu-
lations, commercial air tour operators operating under sec-
tion 91.147 of such title, production certificate holders that 
are holders or licensees of a type certificate for the same 
product, and holders of a type certificate who license out 
such certificate for production under part 21 of such title. 
(c) DETERMINATION.—If the Administrator deter-
mines the final rule does not apply the safety management 
system requirement in the manner described in subsection 
(b), the Administrator shall issue such regulation, guidance,
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or policy as may be necessary to ensure such safety manage-
ment system requirement is applied in such manner. 
SEC. 310. INDEPENDENT STUDY ON FUTURE STATE OF 
TYPE CERTIFICATION PROCESSES. 
(a) REVIEW AND STUDY.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall seek to enter into an agreement with an appropriate 
federally funded research and development center, or other 
independent nonprofit organization that recommends solu-
tions to aviation policy challenges through objective anal-
ysis, to conduct a review and study in accordance with the 
requirements and elements in this section. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The entity carrying out the review 
and study pursuant to subsection (a) shall provide analyses, 
assessments, and recommendations that address the fol-
lowing elements: 
(1) A vision for a future state of type certifi-
cation that reflects the highly complex, highly inte-
grated nature of modern aircraft and improvements 
in aviation safety. 
(2) An assessment of digital tools, techniques, 
and software systems that allow for efficient and vir-
tual evaluation of an applicant design, associated 
documentation, and software or systems engineering 
products, including in digital 3-dimensional formats
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or using model-based systems engineering design tech-
niques. 
(3) How the FAA could develop a risk-based 
model for type certification that improves the safety 
of aircraft. 
(4) What changes are needed to ensure that cor-
rective actions for continued operational safety issues, 
including software modifications, can be approved 
and implemented in a timely manner while main-
taining the integrity of the type certification process. 
(5) What efficiencies and safety process improve-
ments are needed in the type certification processes of 
the FAA to facilitate the assessment and integration 
of innovative technologies and advance aviation safe-
ty, such as conducting product familiarization, devel-
oping certification requirements, and demonstrating 
flight test safety readiness. 
(6) Best practices and tools used by other certifi-
cation authorities outside of the United States that 
could be adopted by the FAA, as well as the best prac-
tices and tools used by the FAA which can be shared 
with certification authorities outside of the United 
States. 
(c) PARTIES TO REVIEW.—In conducting the review 
and study pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator
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shall ensure that the entity entering into an agreement 
under this section shall, throughout the review and study, 
consult with— 
(1) the aircraft certification and flight standards 
offices or services of the Administration; and 
(2) at least 3 industry members representing air-
craft and aircraft part manufacturing interests. 
(d) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the review and 
study pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator shall 
ensure the entity considers the availability, cost, interoper-
ability, scalability, adaptability, cybersecurity, ease of 
adoption, and potential safety benefits of the elements de-
scribed in subsection (b), including any digital tools, tech-
niques, and software systems recommended to address such 
elements. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the entity conducting the review 
and study pursuant to subsection (a) shall submit to the 
Administrator and the appropriate committees of Congress 
a report on the results of the review and study that in-
cludes— 
(1) the findings and recommendations of the en-
tity; and 
(2) an assessment of whether digital tools, tech-
niques, and software systems could improve the co-
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ordination, oversight, or safety of the certification and 
validation activities of the FAA. 
(f) CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING.—Not later than 270 
days after the report required under subsection (e) is re-
ceived by the Administrator, the Administrator shall brief 
the appropriate committees of Congress on— 
(1) any actions the FAA proposes to take as a 
result of such findings and recommendations; and 
(2) the rationale of the FAA for not taking ac-
tion on any specific recommendation, as applicable. 
SEC. 311. USE OF ADVANCED TOOLS AND HIGH-RISK 
FLIGHT TESTING IN CERTIFYING AEROSPACE 
PRODUCTS. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall com-
plete an assessment of the use of advanced tools during the 
testing, analysis, and verification stages of aerospace cer-
tification projects to reduce the risks associated with high- 
risk flight profiles and performing limit testing. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out the assessment 
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider— 
(1) instances in which high-risk flight profiles 
and limit testing have occurred in the certification 
process and the applicability of the data produced by 
such testing for use in other aspects of flight testing;
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(2) the safety of pilots during such testing; 
(3) the value and accuracy of data collected 
using the advanced tools described in subsection (a); 
(4) the ability to produce more extensive data 
sets using such advanced tools; 
(5) any aspects of such testing for which the use 
of such advanced tools would not be valuable or appli-
cable; 
(6) the cost of using such advanced tools; and 
(7) the best practices of other international civil 
aviation authorities that permit the use of advanced 
tools during aerospace certification projects. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the assessment 
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult 
with— 
(1) aircraft manufacturers, including manufac-
turers that have designed and certified aircraft 
under— 
(A) part 23 of title 14, Code of Federal Reg-
ulations; 
(B) part 25 of such title; or 
(C) part 27 of such title; 
(2) aircraft manufacturers that have designed 
and certified, or are in the process of certifying, air-
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craft with a novel design under part 21.17(b) of such 
title; 
(3) associations representing aircraft manufac-
turers; 
(4) researchers and academics in related fields; 
and 
(5) pilots who are experts in flight testing. 
(d) CONGRESSIONAL REPORT.—Not later than 60 days 
after the completion of the assessment under subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of 
Congress on the results of the assessment conducted under 
subsection (a). 
(e) REQUIRED UPDATES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall take necessary actions based on the results of the 
assessment under subsection (a), including, as appro-
priate— 
(A) amending part 21 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations; and 
(B) modifying any associated advisory cir-
culars, guidance, or policy of the FAA. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—In taking actions under 
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consider—
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(A) developing validation criteria and pro-
cedures whereby data produced in high-fidelity 
engineering laboratories and facilities may be al-
lowed (in conjunction with, or in lieu of) data 
produced on a flying test article to support an 
applicant’s showing of compliance required 
under section 21.35(a)(1) of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations; 
(B) developing criteria and procedures 
whereby an Organization Designation Author-
ization (as defined in section 44736(c)(5) of title 
49, United States Code) may recommend that 
certain data produced during an applicant’s 
flight test program may be accepted by the FAA 
as final compliance data in accordance with sec-
tion 21.35(b) of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, at the sole discretion of the FAA; and 
(C) working with other international civil 
aviation authorities representing States of De-
sign to— 
(i) identify their best practices relative 
to high risk-flight testing; and 
(ii) adopt such practices into the 
flight-testing requirements of the FAA to the 
maximum extent practicable.
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SEC. 312. TRANSPORT AIRPLANE AND PROPULSION CER-
TIFICATION MODERNIZATION. 
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall publish a notice of pro-
posed rulemaking for the item titled ‘‘Transport Airplane 
and Propulsion Certification Modernization’’, published in 
Fall 2022 in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and 
Deregulatory Actions (RIN 2120–AL42). 
SEC. 313. FIRE PROTECTION STANDARDS. 
(a) INTERNAL REGULATORY REVIEW TEAM.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall establish an internal regulatory review 
team (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Team’’). 
(2) REVIEW.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Team shall conduct 
a review comparing foreign and domestic air-
worthiness standards and guidance for aircraft 
engine firewalls. 
(B) REQUIREMENTS.—In conducting the re-
view, the Team shall— 
(i) identify any significant differences 
in standards or guidance with respect to 
test article selection and fire test boundaries 
and evaluation criteria for burn tests, in-
cluding the use of certification by analysis
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for cases in which substantially similar de-
signs have passed burn tests; 
(ii) assess the safety implications for 
any products imported into the United 
States that do not comply with the firewall 
requirements of the FAA; and 
(iii) consult with industry stakeholders 
to the maximum extent practicable. 
(b) DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.—The Adminis-
trator shall— 
(1) not later than 60 days after the date on 
which the Team reports the findings of the review to 
the Administrator, update the Significant Standards 
List of the FAA based on such findings, as appro-
priate; and 
(2) not later than 90 days after such date, sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a re-
port on such findings and any recommendations for 
such legislative or administrative action as the Ad-
ministrator determines appropriate. 
SEC. 314. RISK MODEL FOR PRODUCTION FACILITY INSPEC-
TIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 12 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and periodically thereafter, 
the Administrator shall—
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(1) conduct a review of the risk-based model used 
by certification management offices of the FAA to in-
form the frequency of aircraft manufacturing or pro-
duction facility inspections; and 
(2) update the model to ensure such model ade-
quately accounts for risk at facilities during periods 
of increased production. 
(b) BRIEFINGS.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
on which the review is completed under subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of 
Congress on— 
(1) the results of the review; 
(2) any changes made to the risk-based model de-
scribed in subsection (a); and 
(3) how such changes would help improve the in- 
plant inspection process. 
SEC. 315. REVIEW OF FAA USE OF AVIATION SAFETY DATA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall seek 
to enter into an appropriate arrangement with a qualified 
third-party organization or consortium to evaluate the col-
lection, collation, analysis, and use of aviation data across 
the FAA.
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(b) CONSULTATION.—In completing the evaluation 
under subsection (a), the qualified third-party organization 
or consortium shall— 
(1) seek the input of experts in data analytics, 
including at least 1 expert in the commercial data 
services or analytics solutions sector; 
(2) consult with the National Transportation 
Safety Board and the Transportation Research 
Board; and 
(3) consult with appropriate federally funded re-
search and development centers, to the extent that 
such centers are not already involved in the evalua-
tion. 
(c) SUBSTANCE OF EVALUATION.—In completing the 
evaluation under subsection (a), the qualified third-party 
organization or consortium shall— 
(1) compile a list of internal and external 
sources, databases, and streams of information the 
FAA receives or has access to that provide the FAA 
with operational or safety information and data 
about the national airspace system, its users, and 
other regulated entities of the FAA; 
(2) review data sets to determine completeness 
and accuracy of relevant information;
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(3) identify gaps in information that the FAA 
could fill through sharing agreements, partnerships, 
or other means that would add value during safety 
trend analysis; 
(4) assess the capabilities of the FAA, including 
analysis systems and workforce skillsets, to analyze 
relevant data and information to make informed deci-
sions; 
(5) review data and information for proper stor-
age, identification controls, and data privacy— 
(A) as required by law; and 
(B) consistent with best practices for data 
collection, storage, and use; 
(6) review the format of such data and identify 
methods to improve the usefulness of such data; 
(7) assess internal and external access to data 
for— 
(A) appropriateness based on data type and 
level of detail; 
(B) proper data access protocols and pre-
cautions; and 
(C) maximizing availability of safety-re-
lated data that could support the improvement of 
safety management systems of and trend identi-
fication by regulated entities and the FAA;
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(8) examine the collation and dissemination of 
data within offices and between offices of the FAA; 
(9) review and recommend improvements to the 
data analysis techniques of the FAA; and 
(10) recommend investments the Administrator 
should consider to better collect, manage, and analyze 
data sets, including within and between offices of the 
FAA. 
(d) ACCESS
TO INFORMATION.—The Administrator 
shall provide the qualified third-party organization or con-
sortium and the experts described in subsection (b) with 
adequate access to safety and operational data collected by 
and held by the agency across all offices of the FAA, except 
if specific access is otherwise prohibited by law. 
(e) NONDISCLOSURE.—Prior to participating in the 
review, the Administrator shall ensure that each person 
participating in the evaluation under this section enters 
into an agreement with the Administrator in which the per-
son shall be prohibited from disclosing at any time, except 
as required by law, to any person, foreign or domestic, any 
non-public information made accessible to the federally 
funded research and development center under this section. 
(f) REPORT.—The qualified third-party organization 
or consortium carrying out the evaluation under this sec-
tion shall provide a report of the findings of the center to
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the Administrator and include recommendations to improve 
the FAA’s collection, collation, analysis, and use of aviation 
data, including recommendations to— 
(1) improve data access across offices within the 
FAA, as necessary, to support efficient execution of 
safety analysis and programs across such offices; 
(2) improve data storage best practices; 
(3) develop or refine methods for collating data 
from multiple FAA and industry sources; and 
(4) procure or use available analytics tools to 
draw conclusions and identify previously unrecog-
nized trends or miscategorized risks in the aviation 
system, particularly when identification of such infor-
mation requires the analysis of multiple sets of data 
from multiple sources. 
(g) IMPLEMENTATION
OF RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not 
later than 6 months after the receipt of the report under 
subsection (f), the Administrator shall review, develop an 
implementation plan, and, if appropriate, begin the imple-
mentation of the recommendations received in such report. 
(h) REVIEW
OF IMPLEMENTATION.—The qualified 
third-party organization or consortium that conducted the 
initial evaluation, and any experts who contributed to such 
evaluation pursuant to subsection (b)(1), shall provide reg-
ular feedback and advice to the Administrator on the imple-
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mentation plan developed under subsection (g) and any im-
plementation activities for at least 2 years beginning on 
the date of the receipt of the report under subsection (f). 
(i) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Administrator shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the report 
described in subsection (f) and the implementation plan de-
scribed in subsection (g). 
(j) EXISTING REPORTING SYSTEMS.—Consistent with 
section 132 of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Ac-
countability Act (Public Law 116–260), the Executive Di-
rector of the Transportation Research Board, in consulta-
tion with the Secretary and the Administrator, may further 
harmonize data and sources following the implementation 
of recommendations under subsection (g). 
(k) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed to permit the public disclosure of infor-
mation submitted under a voluntary safety reporting pro-
gram or that is otherwise protected under section 44735 of 
title 49, United States Code. 
SEC. 316. WEATHER REPORTING SYSTEMS STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall ini-
tiate a study to examine how to improve the procurement, 
functionality, and sustainability of weather reporting sys-
tems, including—
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(1) automated weather observing systems; 
(2) automated surface observing systems; 
(3) visual weather observing systems; and 
(4) non-Federal weather reporting systems. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study required 
under section (a), the Comptroller General shall address— 
(1) the current state of the supply chain related 
to weather reporting systems and the components of 
such systems; 
(2) the average age of weather reporting systems 
infrastructure installed in the national airspace sys-
tem; 
(3) challenges to maintaining and replacing 
weather reporting systems, including— 
(A) root causes of weather reporting system 
outages, including failures of such systems, and 
supporting systems such as telecommunications 
infrastructure; and 
(B) the degree to which such outages affect 
weather reporting in the national airspace sys-
tem; 
(4) mitigation measures to maintain aviation 
safety during such an outage; and 
(5) alternative means of obtaining weather ele-
ments at airports, including wind direction, wind
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speed, barometric pressure setting, and cloud coverage, 
including visibility. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study required 
under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall consult 
with the appropriate stakeholders and Federal agencies in-
volved in installing, managing, and supporting weather re-
porting systems in the national airspace system. 
(d) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives a report 
describing the results of the study conducted under 
subsection (a). 
(2) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Comptroller Gen-
eral shall include in the report submitted under para-
graph (1) recommendations for— 
(A) ways to improve the resiliency and re-
dundancy of weather reporting systems; 
(B) alternative means of compliance for ob-
taining weather elements at airports; and 
(C) if necessary, changes to Orders of the 
Administration, including the following:
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(i) Surface Weather Observing, Joint 
Order 7900.5. 
(ii) Notices to Air Missions, Joint 
Order 7930.2. 
SEC. 317. GAO STUDY ON EXPANSION OF THE FAA WEATHER 
CAMERA PROGRAM. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a 
study on the feasibility and benefits and costs of expanding 
the Weather Camera Program of the FAA to locations in 
the United States that lack weather camera services. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the study re-
quired under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall 
review— 
(1) the potential effects of the existing Weather 
Camera Program on weather-related aviation acci-
dents and flight interruptions; 
(2) the potential benefits and costs associated 
with expanding the Weather Camera Program; 
(3) limitations on the real-time access of weather 
camera information by pilots and aircraft operators; 
(4) non-safety related regulatory structures or 
barriers to the allowable use of weather camera infor-
mation for the purposes of aircraft operations; 
(5) limitations of existing weather camera sys-
tems at the time of the study;
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(6) alternative sources of viable weather data; 
(7) funding mechanisms for weather camera in-
stallation and operations; and 
(8) other considerations the Comptroller General 
determines appropriate. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 28 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller Gen-
eral shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
a report on the results of the study required under sub-
section (a). 
SEC. 318. AUDIT ON AVIATION SAFETY IN ERA OF WIRELESS 
CONNECTIVITY. 
(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 an audit of the 
FAA’s internal processes and procedures to communicate 
the position of civil aviation operators and the safety of 
the national airspace system to the National Telecommuni-
cations and Information Administration regarding pro-
posed spectrum reallocations or auction decisions. 
(b) ASSESSMENT.—In conducting the audit described 
in subsection (a), the inspector general shall assess best 
practices and policy recommendations for the FAA to— 
(1) improve internal processes by which proposed 
spectrum reallocations or auctions are thoroughly re-
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viewed in advance to ensure that any comments or 
technical concerns regarding aviation safety from 
civil aviation stakeholders are communicated to the 
National Telecommunications and Information Ad-
ministration that are to be submitted to the Federal 
Communications Commission; 
(2) develop internal processes and procedures to 
assess the effects a proposed spectrum reallocation or 
auction may have on the national airspace system in 
a timely manner to ensure safety of the national air-
space system; 
(3) improve external communication processes to 
better inform civil aviation stakeholders, including 
owners and operators of civil aircraft, on any com-
ments or technical concerns of the FAA relating to a 
proposed spectrum reallocation or auction that may 
impact the national airspace system; and 
(4) better communicate to the National Tele-
communications and Information Administration 
when a proposed spectrum reallocation or auction 
may pose a potential risk to aviation safety. 
(c) STAKEHOLDER VIEWS.—In conducting the audit 
pursuant to subsection (a), the inspector general shall con-
sult with relevant stakeholders, including—
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(1) air carriers operating under part 121 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations; 
(2) manufacturers of aircraft and aircraft com-
ponents; 
(3) wireless communication carriers; 
(4) labor unions representing pilots; 
(5) air traffic system safety specialists; 
(6) other representatives of the communications 
industry; 
(7) aviation safety experts; 
(8) the National Telecommunications and Infor-
mation Administration; and 
(9) the Federal Communications Commission. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
on which the audit is conducted pursuant to subsection (a), 
the inspector general shall complete and submit a report 
on findings and recommendations to— 
(1) the Administrator; 
(2) the appropriate committees of Congress; and 
(3) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 319. SAFETY DATA ANALYSIS FOR AIRCRAFT WITHOUT 
TRANSPONDERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in coordi-
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nation with the Chairman of the National Transportation 
Safety Board, shall collect and analyze data relating to ac-
cidents and incidents involving covered exempt aircraft that 
occurred within 30 nautical miles of an airport. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The analysis required under 
subsection (a) shall include, with respect to covered exempt 
aircraft, a review of— 
(1) incident and accident data since 2006 in-
volving— 
(A) midair events, including collisions; 
(B) ground proximity warning system 
alerts; 
(C) traffic collision avoidance system alerts; 
or 
(D) a loss of separation or near miss; and 
(2) the causes of the incidents and accidents de-
scribed in paragraphs (1). 
(c) BRIEFING
TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 30 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress 
on the results of the analysis required under subsection (a) 
and, if applicable, recommendations on how to reduce the 
number of incidents and accidents associated with such cov-
ered exempt aircraft.
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(d) COVERED EXEMPT AIRCRAFT DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘covered exempt aircraft’’ means aircraft, 
balloons, and gliders exempt from air traffic control trans-
ponder and altitude reporting equipment and use require-
ments under part 91.215(b)(3) of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
SEC. 320. CRASH-RESISTANT FUEL SYSTEMS IN ROTOR-
CRAFT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall task the 
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee to— 
(1) review the data analysis conducted and the 
recommendations developed by the Aviation Rule-
making Advisory Committee Rotorcraft Occupant 
Protection Working Group of the Administration; 
(2) update the 2018 report of such working 
group on rotorcraft occupant protection by— 
(A) reviewing National Transportation 
Safety Board data from 2016 through 2023 on 
post-crash fires in helicopter accidents; and 
(B) determining whether and to what extent 
crash-resistant fuel systems could have prevented 
fatalities in the accidents covered by the data re-
viewed under subparagraph (A); and 
(3) develop recommendations for either the Ad-
ministrator or the helicopter industry to encourage
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helicopter owners and operators to expedite the instal-
lation of crash-resistant fuel systems in the aircraft of 
such owners and operators regardless of original cer-
tification and manufacture date. 
(b) SCHEDULE.— 
(1) DEADLINE.—Not later than 18 months after 
the Administrator tasks the Aviation Rulemaking Ad-
visory Committee under subsection (a), the Committee 
shall submit the recommendations developed under 
subsection (a)(2) to the Administrator. 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—If applicable, and not 
later than 180 days after receiving the recommenda-
tions under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall— 
(A) begin implementing, as appropriate, 
any safety recommendations the Administrator 
receives from the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory 
Committee, and brief the appropriate committees 
of Congress on any recommendations the Admin-
istrator does not implement; and 
(B) partner with the United States Heli-
copter Safety Team, as appropriate, to facilitate 
implementation of any recommendations for the 
helicopter industry pursuant to subsection (a)(2).
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SEC. 321. REDUCING TURBULENCE-RELATED INJURIES ON 
PART 121 AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall re-
view the recommendations made by the Chair of the Na-
tional Transportation Safety Board to the Administrator 
contained in the safety research report titled ‘‘Preventing 
Turbulence-Related Injuries in Air Carrier Operations 
Conducted Under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 
121’’, issued on August 10, 2021 (NTSB/SS–21/01) and 
provide a briefing to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress with any planned actions in response to the rec-
ommendations of the report. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
implement, as appropriate, the recommendations in the 
safety research report described in subsection (a). 
(c) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
completing the review under subsection (a), and every 
2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on 
the implementation status of the recommendations in 
the safety research report described in subsection (a) 
until the earlier of—
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(A) the date on which such recommenda-
tions have been adopted or adjudicated as de-
scribed in paragraph (2); or 
(B) the date that is 10 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(2) CONTENTS.—If the Administrator decides not 
to implement a recommendation in the safety research 
report described in subsection (a), the Administrator 
shall provide, as a part of the report required under 
paragraph (1), a description of why the Adminis-
trator did not implement such recommendation. 
SEC. 322. STUDY ON RADIATION EXPOSURE. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to enter 
into appropriate arrangements with the National Acad-
emies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine under which 
the National Research Council of the National Academies 
shall conduct a study on radiation exposure to crew-
members onboard various aircraft types operated under 
part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(b) SCOPE OF STUDY.—In conducting the study under 
subsection (a), the National Research Council shall assess— 
(1) radiation concentrations in such aircraft at 
takeoff, in-flight at high altitudes, and upon landing;
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(2) the health risks and impact of radiation ex-
posure to crewmembers onboard aircraft operating at 
high altitudes; and 
(3) mitigation measures to prevent and reduce 
the health and safety impacts of radiation exposure to 
crewmembers. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 16 months 
after the initiation of the study required under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress the study conducted by the National Re-
search Council pursuant to this section. 
SEC. 323. STUDY ON IMPACTS OF TEMPERATURE IN AIR-
CRAFT CABINS. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
seek to enter into appropriate arrangements with the 
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
Medicine under which the National Academies shall 
conduct a 1-year study on the health and safety im-
pacts of unsafe cabin temperature with respect to pas-
sengers and crewmembers during each season in 
which the study is conducted. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the study 
required under paragraph (1), the National Acad-
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emies shall review existing standards produced by rec-
ognized industry organizations on safe air tempera-
tures and humidity levels in enclosed environments, 
including onboard aircraft, and evaluate the validity 
of such standards as it relates to aircraft cabin tem-
peratures. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study re-
quired under paragraph (1), the National Academies 
shall consult with the Civil Aerospace Medical Insti-
tute of the FAA, air carriers operating under part 
121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, relevant 
Federal agencies, and any applicable aviation labor 
organizations. 
(b) REPORTS.— 
(1) REPORT TO SECRETARY.—Not later than 180 
days after the date on which the study under sub-
section (a) is completed, the National Academies shall 
submit to the Secretary a report on the results of such 
study, including any recommendations determined 
appropriate by the National Academies. 
(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 60 
days after the date on which the National Academies 
submits the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report describing the results of the study re-
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quired under subsection (a), including any rec-
ommendations for further action determined appro-
priate by the Secretary. 
(c) COVERED AIRCRAFT DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘covered aircraft’’ means an aircraft operated 
under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 324. LITHIUM–ION POWERED WHEELCHAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall task the 
Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee (in this section 
referred to as the ‘‘Committee’’) to conduct a review of regu-
lations related to lithium–ion battery powered wheelchairs 
and mobility aids on commercial aircraft and provide rec-
ommendations to the Secretary to ensure safe transport of 
such wheelchairs and mobility aids in air transportation. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the review re-
quired under subsection (a), the Committee shall consider 
the following: 
(1) Any existing or necessary standards for lith-
ium–ion batteries, including casings or other similar 
components, in such wheelchairs and mobility aids. 
(2) The availability of necessary containment or 
storage devices, including fire containment covers or 
fire-resistant storage containers, for such wheelchairs 
and mobility aids.
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(3) The policies of each air carrier (as such term 
is defined in part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations) pertaining to lithium–ion battery pow-
ered wheelchairs and mobility aids (as in effect on the 
date of enactment of this Act). 
(4) Any other considerations the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate. 
(c) CONSULTATION REQUIREMENT.—In conducting the 
review required under subsection (a), the Committee shall 
consult with the Administrator of the Pipeline and Haz-
ardous Materials Safety Administration. 
(d) NOTIFICATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Upon completion of the re-
view conducted under subsection (a), the Committee 
shall notify the Secretary if an air carrier does not 
have a policy pertaining to lithium–ion battery pow-
ered wheelchairs and mobility aids in effect. 
(2) NOTIFICATION.—The Secretary shall notify 
an air carrier described in paragraph (1) of the sta-
tus of such air carrier. 
(e) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 90 days 
after submission of the recommendations to the Secretary, 
the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress any recommendations under subsection (a), in 
the form of a report.
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(f) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall publish the re-
port required under subsection (e) on the public website of 
the Department of Transportation. 
SEC. 325. NATIONAL SIMULATOR PROGRAM POLICIES AND 
GUIDANCE. 
(a) REVIEW.—Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall review rel-
evant policies and guidance, including all advisory circu-
lars, information bulletins, and directives, pertaining to 
part 60 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(b) UPDATES.—Upon completion of the review re-
quired under subsection (a), the Administrator shall, at a 
minimum, update relevant policies and guidance, including 
all advisory circulars, information bulletins, and directives, 
pertaining to part 60 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the review re-
quired under subsection (a), the Administrator shall con-
vene and consult with entities required to comply with part 
60 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, including rep-
resentatives of— 
(1) air carriers; 
(2) flight schools certificated under part 141 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;
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(3) training centers certificated under part 142 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and 
(4) manufacturers and suppliers of flight sim-
ulation training devices (as defined in part 1 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, and Appendix F to 
part 60 of such title). 
(d) GAO STUDY ON FAA NATIONAL SIMULATOR PRO-
GRAM.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comp-
troller General shall conduct a study on the National 
Simulator Program of the FAA that is part of the 
Training and Simulation Group of the Air Transpor-
tation Division. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the study 
required under paragraph (1), the Comptroller Gen-
eral shall, at a minimum, assess— 
(A) how the program described in para-
graph (1) is maintained to reflect and account 
for advancement in technologies pertaining to 
flight simulation training devices (as defined in 
part 1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
and appendix F to part 60 of such title); 
(B) the staffing levels, critical competencies, 
and skills gaps of FAA personnel responsible for
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carrying out and supporting the program de-
scribed in paragraph (1); and 
(C) how the program described in para-
graph (1) engages air carriers and relevant in-
dustry stakeholders, including flight schools, to 
ensure efficient compliance with part 60 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report on the findings of the study conducted 
under paragraph (1). 
SEC. 326. BRIEFING ON AGRICULTURAL APPLICATION AP-
PROVAL TIMING. 
Not later than 240 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate 
committees of Congress on the amount of time the applica-
tion approval process takes for agricultural aircraft oper-
ations under part 137 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
SEC. 327. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING SAFETY AND 
SECURITY OF AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE. 
It is the sense of Congress that aviation provides essen-
tial services critical to the United States economy and that 
it is important to ensure the safety and security of aviation
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infrastructure and protect such infrastructure from unlaw-
ful breaches with appropriate legal safeguards. 
SEC. 328. RESTRICTED CATEGORY AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE 
AND OPERATIONS. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Ad-
ministrator shall have sole regulatory and oversight juris-
diction over the maintenance and operations of aircraft 
owned by civilian operators and type-certificated in the re-
stricted category under section 21.25 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 329. AIRCRAFT INTERCHANGE AGREEMENT LIMITA-
TIONS. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall conduct a 
study of foreign interchange agreements. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In carrying out the study required 
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall address the 
following: 
(1) Methods for updating regulations under part 
121.569 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, for 
foreign interchange agreements. 
(2) Time limits for foreign aircraft interchange 
agreements. 
(3) Minimum breaks between foreign aircraft 
interchange agreements.
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(4) Limits for no more than 1 foreign aircraft 
interchange agreement between 2 airlines. 
(5) Limits for no more than 2 foreign aircraft 
on the interchange agreement. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the 
appropriate committees of Congress on the results of the 
study required under subsection (a). 
(d) RULEMAKING.—Based on the results of the study 
required under subsection (a), the Administrator may, if 
appropriate, update the relevant sections of part 121 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 330. TASK FORCE ON HUMAN FACTORS IN AVIATION 
SAFETY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and notwithstanding section 
127 of the Aircraft Certification Safety and Accountability 
Act (49 U.S.C. 44513 note), the Administrator shall convene 
a task force on human factors in aviation safety (in this 
section referred to as the ‘‘Task Force’’). 
(b) COMPOSITION.— 
(1) MEMBERS.—The Administrator shall ap-
point members of the Task Force— 
(A) that have expertise in an operational or 
academic discipline that is relevant to the anal-
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ysis of human errors in aviation, which may in-
clude air carrier operations, line pilot expertise, 
air traffic control, technical operations, aero-
nautical information, aircraft maintenance and 
mechanics psychology, linguistics, human-ma-
chine integration, general aviation operations, 
and organizational behavior and culture; 
(B) that sufficiently represent all relevant 
operational or academic disciplines described in 
subparagraph (A); 
(C) with expertise on human factors but 
whose experience and training are not in avia-
tion and who have not previously been engaged 
in work related to the FAA or the aviation in-
dustry; 
(D) that are representatives of pilot labor 
organizations and certificated mechanic labor or-
ganizations; 
(E) that are employees of the FAA that have 
expertise in safety; and 
(F) that are employees of other Federal 
agencies with expertise on human factors. 
(2) NUMBER
OF
MEMBERS.—In appointing 
members under paragraph (1), the Administrator 
shall ensure that—
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(A) at least half of the members appointed 
have expertise in aviation; 
(B) at least one member appointed rep-
resents an exclusive bargaining representative of 
air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 
of title 5, United States Code; and 
(C) 3 members are employees of the FAA 
and 1 member is an employee of the National 
Transportation Safety Board. 
(3) VOTING.—The members described in para-
graph (2)(C) shall be non-voting members of the Task 
Force. 
(c) DURATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Members of the Task Force 
shall be appointed for the duration of the Task Force. 
(2) LENGTH OF EXISTENCE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Task Force shall 
have an initial duration of 2 years. 
(B) OPTION.—The Administrator may ex-
tend the duration of the Task Force for an addi-
tional period of up to 2 years. 
(d) DUTIES.—In coordination with the Research, En-
gineering, and Development Advisory Committee, the Task 
Force shall—
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(1) not later than the date on which the duration 
of the Task Force expires under subsection (c), 
produce a written report in which the Task Force— 
(A) to the greatest extent possible, identifies 
the most significant human factors and the rel-
ative contribution of such factors to aviation 
safety risk; 
(B) identifies new research priorities for re-
search in human factors in aviation safety; 
(C) reviews existing products by other work-
ing groups related to human factors in aviation 
safety including the work of the Commercial 
Aviation Safety Team pertaining to flight crew 
responses to abnormal events; 
(D) provides recommendations on potential 
revisions to any FAA regulations and guidance 
pertaining to the certification of aircraft under 
part 25 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
including sections related to presumed pilot re-
sponse times and assumptions about the reli-
ability of pilot performance during unexpected, 
stressful events; 
(E) reviews rules, regulations, or standards 
regarding flight crew and maintenance personnel 
rest and fatigue that are used by a sample of
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international air carriers, including rules, regu-
lations, or standards determined to be more 
stringent and less stringent than the current 
standards pertaining to air carriers (as such 
term is defined in section 40102 of title 49, 
United States Code), and identifies risks to the 
national airspace system from any variation in 
such rules, regulations, or standards across coun-
tries; 
(F) reviews pilot training requirements and 
recommends any revisions necessary to ensure 
adequate understanding of automated systems on 
aircraft; 
(G) reviews approach and landing mis-
alignment and makes any recommendations for 
reducing misalignment events; 
(H) identifies ways to enhance instrument 
landing system maintenance schedules; 
(I) determines how a real-time smart sys-
tem should be developed to inform the air traffic 
control system, air carriers, and airports about 
any changes in the state of runway and taxiway 
lights and identifies how such real-time smart 
system could be connected to the maintenance 
system of the FAA;
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(J) analyzes, with respect to human errors 
related to aviation safety of air carriers oper-
ating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations— 
(i) fatigue and distraction during crit-
ical phases of work among pilots or other 
aviation personnel; 
(ii) tasks and workload; 
(iii) organizational culture; 
(iv) communication among personnel; 
(v) adherence to safety procedures; 
(vi) mental state of personnel; and 
(vii) any other relevant factors that are 
the cause or potential cause of human error 
related to aviation safety; 
(K) includes a tabulation of the number of 
accidents, incidents, or aviation safety database 
entries received in which an item identified 
under subparagraph (J) was a cause or potential 
cause of human error related to aviation safety; 
and 
(L) includes a list of causes or potential 
causes of human error related to aviation safety 
about which the Administrator believes addi-
tional information is needed; and
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(2) if the Administrator extends the duration of 
the Task Force pursuant to subsection (c)(2)(B), not 
later than the date that is 2 years after the date on 
which the Task Force is established, produce an in-
terim report containing the information described in 
paragraph (1). 
(e) METHODOLOGY.—In carrying out the duties under 
subparagraphs (J) through (L) of subsection (d)(1), the 
Task Force shall consult with the National Transportation 
Safety Board and use all available data compiled and anal-
ysis conducted on safety incidents and irregularities col-
lected during the relevant fiscal year from the following: 
(1) Flight Operations Quality Assurance. 
(2) Aviation Safety Action Program. 
(3) Aviation Safety Information Analysis and 
Sharing. 
(4) The Aviation Safety Reporting System. 
(5) Aviation safety recommendations and inves-
tigation findings of the National Transportation 
Safety Board. 
(6) Other relevant programs or sources. 
(f) CONSISTENCY.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to require changes to, or duplication of, work as 
required by section 127 of the Aircraft Certification Safety 
and Accountability Act (49 U.S.C. 44513 note).
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SEC. 331. UPDATE OF FAA STANDARDS TO ALLOW DIS-
TRIBUTION 
AND 
USE 
OF 
CERTAIN 
RE-
STRICTED ROUTES AND TERMINAL PROCE-
DURES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 9 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall up-
date FAA standards to allow for the distribution and use 
of the Capstone Restricted Routes and Terminal Procedures 
by Wide Area Augmentation System-capable navigation 
equipment. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In updating standards under sub-
section (a), the Administrator shall ensure that such stand-
ards provide a means for allowing modifications and con-
tinued development of new routes and procedures proposed 
by air carriers operating such routes. 
SEC. 332. ASOS/AWOS SERVICE REPORT DASHBOARD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The applicable Administrators 
shall work in collaboration to collect the real-time service 
status of all automated surface observation systems/auto-
mated weather observing systems (in this section referred 
to as ‘‘ASOS/AWOS’’). 
(b) AVAILABILITY OF RESULTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this section, 
the applicable Administrators shall make available on 
a publicly available website the following: 
(A) The service status of all ASOS/AWOS.
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(B) Information on any actions to repair or 
replace ASOS/AWOS that are out of service due 
to technical or weather-related events, including 
an estimated timeline to return the systems to 
service. 
(C) A portal on such publicly available 
website for the public to report ASOS/AWOS 
outages. 
(2) DATA FILES.—The applicable Administrators 
shall make available the underlying data required 
under paragraph (1) for each ASOS/AWOS in a ma-
chine-readable format. 
(c) APPLICABLE ADMINISTRATORS.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘applicable Administrators’’ means— 
(1) the Administrator of the FAA; and 
(2) the Administrator of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration. 
SEC. 333. HELICOPTER SAFETY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall task 
the Investigative Technologies Aviation Rulemaking Advi-
sory Committee (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Com-
mittee’’) with reviewing and assessing the need for changes 
to the safety requirements related to flight data recorders, 
flight data monitoring, and terrain awareness and warning
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systems for turbine-powered rotorcraft certificated for 6 or 
more passenger seats. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In reviewing and assessing the 
safety requirements under subsection (a), the Committee 
shall consider— 
(1) any applicable safety recommendations of the 
National Transportation Safety Board; and 
(2) the operational requirements and safety con-
siderations for operations under parts 121 and 135 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(c) REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 
1 year after initiating the review and assessment under this 
section, the Committee shall submit to the Administrator— 
(1) a report on the findings of the review and as-
sessment under subsection (a); and 
(2) any recommendations for legislative or regu-
latory action to improve safety that the Committee 
determines appropriate. 
(d) BRIEFING.—Not later than 30 days after the date 
on which the Committee submits the report under subsection 
(c), the Administrator shall brief the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress on— 
(1) the findings and recommendations included 
in such report; and
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(2) any plan to implement such recommenda-
tions. 
SEC. 334. REVIEW AND INCORPORATION OF HUMAN READI-
NESS LEVELS INTO AGENCY GUIDANCE MATE-
RIAL. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) proper attention to human factors during the 
development of technological systems is a significant 
factor in minimizing or preventing human error; 
(2) the evaluation of a new aviation technology 
or system with respect to human use throughout its 
design and development may reduce human error 
when such technologies and systems are used in oper-
ational conditions; and 
(3) the technical standard of the Human Factors 
and Ergonomics Society titled ‘‘Human Readiness 
Level Scale in the System Development Process’’ 
(ANSI/HFES 400–2021) defines the 9 levels of a 
Human Readiness Level scale and their application 
in systems engineering and human systems integra-
tion processes. 
(b) REVIEW.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall initiate 
a process to review the technical standard described in sub-
section (a)(3) and determine whether any materials from
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such standard should be incorporated or referenced in agen-
cy procedures and guidance material in order to enhance 
safety in relation to human factors. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out subsection (b), 
the Administrator may consult with subject matter experts 
from the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society affiliated 
with such technical standard or other relevant stakeholders. 
(d) BRIEFING.—Not later than 270 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the 
appropriate committees of Congress on the progress of the 
review required under subsection (b). 
SEC. 335. SERVICE DIFFICULTY REPORTS. 
(a) CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING.—Not later than 18 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annu-
ally thereafter through 2027, the Administrator shall brief 
the appropriate committees of Congress on compliance with 
requirements relating to service difficulty reports during the 
preceding year. 
(b) SCOPE.—The Administrator shall include in the 
briefing required under subsection (a) information relating 
to— 
(1) operators required to comply with section 
121.703 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;
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(2) approval or certificate holders required to 
comply with section 183.63 of title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations; and 
(3) FAA offices that investigate service difficulty 
reports, as documented in the following FAA Orders 
(and any subsequent revisions of such orders): 
(A) FAA Order 8900.1A, titled ‘‘Flight 
Standards Information Management System’’ 
and issued on October 27, 2022. 
(B) FAA Order 8120.23A, titled ‘‘Certificate 
Management of Production Approval Holders’’ 
and issued on March 6, 2017. 
(C) FAA Order 8110.107B, titled ‘‘Monitor 
Safety/Analyze Data’’ and issued on October 13, 
2023. 
(c) REQUIREMENTS.—The Administrator shall include 
in the briefing required under subsection (a) the following 
information with respect to the year preceding the year in 
which the briefing is provided: 
(1) An identification of categories of service dif-
ficulties reported. 
(2) An identification of service difficulties for 
which repeated reports are made.
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(3) A general description of the causes of all 
service difficulty reports, as determined by the Ad-
ministrator. 
(4) A description of actions taken by, or required 
by, the Administrator to address identified causes of 
service difficulties. 
(5) A description of violations of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations, related to service difficulty re-
ports and any actions taken by the Administrator in 
response to such violations. 
SEC. 336. CONSISTENT AND TIMELY PILOT CHECKS FOR AIR 
CARRIERS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF WORKING GROUP.—Not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, unless 
the requirements of this section are assigned to working 
groups under subsection (b)(2), the Administrator shall es-
tablish a working group for purposes of reviewing and eval-
uating all regulations and policies related to check airmen 
and authorized check airmen for air carrier operations con-
ducted under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The working group established 
under this section shall include, at a minimum—
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(A) employees of the FAA who serve as 
check airmen; 
(B) representatives of air carriers operating 
under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regu-
lations; and 
(C) industry associations representing such 
air carriers. 
(2) EXISTING WORKING GROUP.—The Adminis-
trator may assign the duties described in subsection 
(c) to an existing FAA working group if— 
(A) such working group includes representa-
tives from the list of required members under 
paragraph (1); or 
(B) the membership of such existing work-
ing group can be modified to include representa-
tives from the list of required members under 
paragraph (1). 
(c) DUTIES.—A working group shall review, evaluate, 
and make recommendations on the following: 
(1) Methods by which authorized check airmen 
for air carriers operating under part 135 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, are selected, trained, 
and approved by the Administrator. 
(2) Staffing and utilization rates of authorized 
check airmen by such air carriers.
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(3) Differences in qualification standards ap-
plied to— 
(A) employees of the FAA who serve as 
check airmen; and 
(B) authorized check airmen of such air 
carriers. 
(4) Methods to harmonize the qualification 
standards between authorized check airmen and em-
ployees of the FAA who serve as check airmen. 
(5) Methods to improve the training and quali-
fication of authorized check airmen. 
(6) Prior recommendations made by FAA advi-
sory committees or working groups regarding check 
airmen functions. 
(7) Petitions for rulemaking submitted to the 
FAA regarding check airmen functions. 
(d) BRIEFING TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date on which the Administrator tasks a working 
group with the duties described in subsection (c), the Ad-
ministrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Con-
gress on the progress and recommendations of the working 
group and the efforts of the Administrator to implement 
such recommendations. 
(e) AUTHORIZED CHECK AIRMAN DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘authorized check airman’’ means an indi-
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vidual employed by an air carrier that meets the qualifica-
tions and training requirements of sections 135.337 and 
135.339 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and is ap-
proved to evaluate and certify the knowledge and skills of 
pilots employed by such air carrier. 
SEC. 337. FLIGHT SERVICE STATIONS. 
Section 44514 of title 49, United States Code, and the 
item relating to such section in the analysis for chapter 445 
of such title are repealed. 
SEC. 338. TARMAC OPERATIONS MONITORING STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics, in consultation with relevant of-
fices within the Office of the Secretary and the FAA (as 
determined by the Secretary), shall conduct a study to ex-
plore the capture, storage, analysis, and feasibility of moni-
toring ground source data at airports. 
(b) OBJECTIVES.—The objectives of the study con-
ducted under subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) Determining the current state of ground 
source data coverage at airports. 
(2) Understanding the technology requirements 
for monitoring ground movements at airports through 
sensors, receivers, or other technologies.
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(3) Conducting data collection through a pilot 
program established under subsection (c) and col-
lecting ground-based tarmac delay statistics. 
(4) Performing an evaluation and feasibility 
analysis of potential system-level tarmac operations 
monitoring solutions. 
(c) PILOT PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall 
establish a pilot program to collect data and develop 
ground-based tarmac delay statistics or other relevant 
statistics with respect to airports. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The pilot program estab-
lished under paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) include up to 6 airports that the Direc-
tor determines reflect a diversity of factors, in-
cluding geography, size, and air traffic; 
(B) terminate not more than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act; and 
(C) be subject to any guidelines issued by 
the Director. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 4 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Director shall publish the re-
sults of the study conducted under subsection (a) and the
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pilot program established under subsection (c) on a publicly 
available website. 
SEC. 339. IMPROVED SAFETY IN RURAL AREAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 322 of the FAA Reauthor-
ization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note) is amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 322. IMPROVED SAFETY IN RURAL AREAS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall permit 
an air carrier operating pursuant to part 135 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations— 
‘‘(1) to operate under instrument flight rules (in 
this section referred to as ‘IFR’) to a destination in 
a noncontiguous State that has a published instru-
ment approach but does not have a Meteorological 
Aerodrome Report (in this section referred to as 
‘METAR’); and 
‘‘(2) to conduct an instrument approach at such 
destination if— 
‘‘(A) a current Area Forecast, supplemented 
by noncertified destination weather observations 
(such as weather cameras and other noncertified 
observations), is available, and, at the time of 
departure, the combination of the Area Forecast 
and noncertified observation indicates that
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weather is expected to be at or above approach 
minimums upon arrival; 
‘‘(B) prior to commencing an approach, the 
air carrier has a means to communicate to the 
pilot of the aircraft whether the destination 
weather observation is either at or above mini-
mums for the approach to be flown; and 
‘‘(C) in the event the destination weather 
observation is below such minimums, a suitable 
alternate airport that has a METAR is specified 
in the IFR flight plan. 
‘‘(b) APPLICATION TEMPLATE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall de-
velop an application template with standardized, spe-
cific approval criteria to enable FAA inspectors to ob-
jectively evaluate the application of an air carrier to 
operate in the manner described in subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The template required 
under paragraph (1) shall include a place in such 
template for an air carrier to describe— 
‘‘(A) how any non-certified human observa-
tions will be conducted; and 
‘‘(B) how such observations will be commu-
nicated—
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‘‘(i) to air carriers prior to dispatch; 
and 
‘‘(ii) to pilots prior to approach. 
‘‘(3) RESPONSE TO APPLICATION.— 
‘‘(A) TIMELINE.—The Administrator shall 
ensure— 
‘‘(i) that the Administrator has the 
ability to respond to an application of an 
air carrier not later than 30 days after re-
ceipt of such application; and 
‘‘(ii) in the event the Administrator 
cannot respond within 30 days, that the 
Administrator informs the air carrier of the 
expected response time with respect to the 
application of the air carrier. 
‘‘(B) REJECTION.—In the event that the Ad-
ministrator rejects an application of an air car-
rier, the Administrator shall inform the air car-
rier of the specific criteria that were the cause 
for rejection.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this 
section shall take effect on the date that is 12 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act.