GBAS Act
Bill: H.R.3933 | Sponsor: Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. (R-PA)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
Ground-Based Augmentation Systems in the National Airspace System Implementation Act or the GBAS Act
This bill requires the Department of Transportation to award grants for deploying ground-based augmentation systems (GBAS) at airports and in aircraft. GBAS augment the Global Positioning System (GPS) used in U.S. airspace to improve the accuracy of, and provide integrity for, an aircraft's GPS navigational position when the aircraft is near an airport.

To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for the installation 
     of ground-based augmentation systems, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Ground-Based Augmentation Systems in 
the National Airspace System Implementation Act'' or the ``GBAS Act''.

SEC. 2. GROUND-BASED AUGMENTATION SYSTEMS IMPLEMENTATION.

    (a) In General.--Section 44502 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Implementation of Ground-Based Augmentation Systems.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 12 months after the date 
        of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of 
        Transportation shall establish procedures, criteria, and grant 
        programs necessary for deploying GBAS equipment and avionics at 
        United States airports and in aircraft operated by air carriers 
        in the United States approving categories of instrument 
        approaches and maintaining GBAS.
            ``(2) Funding.--
                    ``(A) To airports.--The Secretary shall fund up to 
                the 39 busiest airports in the United States, in terms 
                of annual air carrier aircraft operations, to install 
                GBAS equipment as a federally funded navigational aid.
                    ``(B) To air carriers.--To the maximum extent 
                practicable and economical, the Secretary shall offer 
                to fund air carriers operating in the United States for 
                the installation and upgrade of GBAS avionics in the 
                regional and air transport aircraft operated by such 
                airports.
            ``(3) Validation of installations and instrument 
        approaches.--The Secretary shall validate the GBAS 
        installations and certify aircraft for categories of instrument 
        approaches.
            ``(4) Oversight and maintenance.--The Secretary shall 
        maintain oversight and control over the operation and 
        maintenance of GBAS at public airports.
            ``(5) Deadline for installation.--To the maximum extent 
        feasible, any installation of GBAS equipment required under 
        this subsection shall be completed not later than 10 years 
        after the date of enactment of this subsection.
            ``(6) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
        shall be construed to require the Secretary to decommission the 
        ground-based navigational instrument landing system.
            ``(7) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the 
        Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
        of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
        Senate a report that--
                    ``(A) describes the status of GBAS installation at 
                airports and on aircraft and an estimate of the 
                timeline for completing any remaining installations;
                    ``(B) identifies any funding shortfalls required 
                for the installation of GBAS at airports and on 
                aircraft as well as for projected annual maintenance 
                requirements;
                    ``(C) identifies any further enhancements or 
                upgrades to improve runways landings under all-weather 
                operations; and
                    ``(D) identifies any administrative and legislative 
                actions that would improve the efficiency of the 
                installation, validation, oversight and maintenance of 
                the systems.
            ``(8) Definition of gbas.--In this subsection, the term 
        `GBAS' means ground-based augmentation systems, including 
        ground equipment and avionics.
            ``(9) Authorization of appropriations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To make grants under this 
                subsection, there is authorized to be appropriated 
                $797,000,000.
                    ``(B) Installation of gbas.--For the procurement 
                and installation of GBAS under paragraph (1), there is 
                authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
                necessary.
                    ``(C) Administrative expenses.--The Secretary may 
                reserve up to 0.5 percent of funds made available to 
                carry out this subsection to cover the costs of 
                additional personnel, contracting, or other costs 
                necessary for the administration of this subsection.''.
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