National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-1527
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced: 2003-04-01 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Airline passenger traffic
Authorization
Aviation safety
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Driver licenses
Economics and Public Finance
Employee training
Families
Family services
Federal employees
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Governmental investigations
Health
Labor and Employment
Law
Motor vehicle safety
National Transportation Safety Board
Physical examinations
Railroad safety
Traffic accidents and safety
Transportation safety
Truck drivers
Victims

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-01
text: National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Amends Federal transportation law to extend the authorization of appropriations for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for FY 2003 through 2006, including the NTSB Academy and an emergency fund.
Requires an NTSB employee, in any case in which the employee determines that an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft constitutes an accident (except when there is loss of life), to notify the owner or operator of that aircraft of the right to appeal that determination to the NTSB.
Revises requirements for the Secretary of Transportation's annual report to Congress on each transportation safety recommendation of the NTSB and the Secretary's response. Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress and the NTSB on the regulatory status of each significant NTSB safety recommendation. Requires the NTSB to report to Congress any failure of the Secretary to make such a report.
Relieves the NTSB of the duty to render specified assistance to families of passengers involved in an aircraft accident if the NTSB has relinquished its investigative priority to investigate it and the Federal agency to which it has relinquished such priority is willing and able to provide assistance to the victims and families of the passengers. Requires the NTSB, however, even if it has relinquished such priority, to assist, to the maximum extent possible, the agency to which it has relinquished it in assisting families with respect to the accident.
Directs the NTSB and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to revise their 1977 agreement on the investigation of accidents to take into account the amendments made by this Act, and to submit such revision to specified congressional committees.
action_date: 2003-05-01
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced in the House on April 1, 2003. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2003 - (Sec. 2) Amends Federal transportation law to extend the authorization of appropriations for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), including the NTSB Academy, for FY 2003 through 2006.
Authorizes such appropriations as may be necessary to increase the emergency fund from $2 million to $6 million.
(Sec. 3) Requires an NTSB employee, in any case in which the employee determines that an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft constitutes an accident (except when there is loss of life), to notify the owner or operator of that aircraft of the right to appeal that determination to the NTSB.
(Sec. 4) Revises requirements for the Secretary of Transportation's annual report to Congress on each transportation safety recommendation of the NTSB and the Secretary's response. Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress and the NTSB on the regulatory status of each significant NTSB safety recommendation. Requires the NTSB to report to Congress any failure of the Secretary to make such a report.
(Sec. 5) Relieves the NTSB of the duty to render specified assistance to families of passengers involved in an aircraft accident if the NTSB has relinquished its investigative priority to investigate it and the Federal agency to which it has relinquished such priority is willing and able to provide assistance to the victims and families of the passengers. Requires the NTSB, however, even if it has relinquished such priority, to assist, to the maximum extent possible, the agency to which it has relinquished it in assisting families with respect to the accident.
Directs the NTSB and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to revise their 1977 agreement on the investigation of accidents to take into account the amendments made by this Act, and to submit such revision to specified congressional committees.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2003 - (Sec. 2) Amends Federal transportation law to extend the authorization of appropriations for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), including the NTSB Academy, for FY 2003 through 2006.
Authorizes such appropriations as may be necessary to increase the emergency fund from $2 million to $6 million.
(Sec. 3) Requires an NTSB employee, in any case in which the employee determines that an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft constitutes an accident (except when there is loss of life), to notify the owner or operator of that aircraft of the right to appeal that determination to the NTSB.
(Sec. 4) Revises requirements for the Secretary of Transportation's annual report to Congress on each transportation safety recommendation of the NTSB and the Secretary's response. Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress and the NTSB on the regulatory status of each significant NTSB safety recommendation. Requires the NTSB to report to Congress any failure of the Secretary to make such a report.
Defines the term "significant safety recommendation" as a recommendation included in the Board's "most wanted list" and any recommendation concerning 15-passenger van safety, railroad grade crossing safety, and medical certifications for a commercial driver's license.
(Sec. 5) Relieves the NTSB of the duty to render specified assistance to families of passengers involved in an aircraft accident if the NTSB has relinquished its investigative priority to investigate it and the Federal agency to which it has relinquished such priority is willing and able to provide assistance to the victims and families of the passengers. Requires the NTSB, however, even if it has relinquished such priority, to assist, to the maximum extent possible, the agency to which it has relinquished it in assisting families with respect to the accident.
Directs the NTSB and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to revise their 1977 agreement on the investigation of accidents to take into account the amendments made by this Act, and to submit such revision to specified congressional committees.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: On passage Passed by voice vote.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by voice vote.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1527.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: Mr. Mica reserved a point of order on the amendment and subsequently withdrew his reservation.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: On sustaining the ruling of the Chair. Agreed to by recorded vote: 225 - 200 (Roll no. 191).
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: Mr. Cardin appealed the ruling of the Chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the Chair.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: Mr. Mica reserved a point of order on the amendment and subsequently withdrew his reservation.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Udall (CO) amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1527.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 229 and Rule XXIII.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: The Speaker designated the Honorable Lee Terry to act as Chairman of the Committee.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1527 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be read by section. Bill is open to amendments.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 229. (consideration: CR H4157-4168; text of measure as reported in House: CR H4160, H4162)
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: Rule H. Res. 229 passed House.
action_date: 2003-05-13
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 229 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1527 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be read by section. Bill is open to amendments.
action_date: 2003-05-01
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 47.
action_date: 2003-05-01
text: Reported by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 108-83.
action_date: 2003-05-01
text: Reported by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 108-83.
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-04-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2003-04-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-04-01
text: Introduced in House