HANGARS Act

Bill: 117-s-2459
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2021-07-22
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Latest action: action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-07-22
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Hangars Accelerate National Growth And Regional Stability Act or the HANGARS Act</strong></p> <p>This bill establishes grants for constructing, repairing, or improving aircraft hangar facilities at public-use airports.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2459 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 22, 2021 Mr. Inhofe introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To provide for improvements to aircraft hangars, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Hangars Accelerate National Growth And Regional Stability Act or the HANGARS Act . 2. Hangar development program for general aviation airports (a) Program (1) In general The Secretary of Transportation (in this section referred to as the Secretary ) shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities for an eligible project at the airport. (2) Application An eligible entity seeking a grant under the program under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (b) Eligible entities In this section, the term eligible entity means a sponsor of a— (1) public-use airport that is not a primary airport (as such terms are defined in section 47102 of title 49, United States Code); or (2) general aviation airport (as defined in such section 47102). (c) Eligible projects (1) In general In this section, the term eligible project means a project to construct, repair, or improve an aircraft hangar facility. (2) Planning and acquisition costs (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), an eligible project may include costs incurred— (i) to prepare a plan or specifications, including carrying out a field investigation, for the eligible project; and (ii) to acquire land and install utilities connected to the development of the eligible project. (B) Limitation Not more than 10 percent of the amount of a grant awarded under this section may be used for the costs described in subparagraph (A). (d) Federal share The Federal share of the costs of an eligible project carried out with a grant under this section is 95 percent. (e) Priority consideration In awarding grants under the program under this section, the Secretary shall give priority consideration to eligible projects— (1) that will be completed within 2 years of the grant award; (2) that leverage private sector investments to build or improve facilities at the airport; and (3) that— (A) achieve a complete development objective; (B) are located on a statewide aviation master plan; or (C) are located on an airport's master plan. (f) Requirements For any grant awarded under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the eligible project is— (1) owned and operated by the sponsor of the eligible airport; (2) used on a non-exclusive basis; and (3) made available and used for public aeronautical purposes, including aircraft storage and maintenance. (g) Grant limit For grants awarded under this section, not more than $5,000,000 may be made available to a single eligible project. (h) Administration Of the amounts made available under subsection (i), the Secretary may retain up to 3 percent for personnel, contracting, and other costs to administer and oversee grants made under this section. (i) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $1,000,000,000 for the purpose of carrying out this section. Amounts appropriated under the preceding sentence shall remain available until expended. 3. Hangar development program for primary airports (a) In general Title II of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 219. Grants for hangar improvement (a) In general On the application of an eligible recipient, the Secretary may make grants to construct, repair, or improve an aircraft hangar facility to further the economic adjustment objectives of this subchapter. (b) Criteria for grant The Secretary may make a grant under this section if the Secretary determines that— (1) the eligible project for which the grant is applied will, directly or indirectly— (A) improve the opportunities, in the area where the eligible project is or will be located, for the successful establishment or expansion of aircraft maintenance and repair hangar facilities; (B) leverage private sector investments to build or improve hangar facilities at the airport; (C) assist in the creation of additional long-term employment opportunities in the area; or (D) improve the opportunities, in the area where the eligible project is or will be located, for air carriers to establish or increase commercial routes; (2) the area for which the eligible project is to be carried out has a comprehensive economic development strategy and the eligible project is consistent with the strategy; and (3) the eligible project is located on a statewide aviation master plan or on the airport’s master plan. (c) Eligible recipient In this section, the term eligible recipient has the meaning given such term in section 3 and includes a primary airport (as defined in section 47102 of title 49, United States Code). (d) Eligible project In this section, the term eligible project means a project to construct, repair, or improve an aircraft hangar facility at a primary airport (as defined in section 47102 of title 49, United States Code). (e) Federal share Notwithstanding section 204, the Federal share of the costs of an eligible project carried out with a grant under this section is 85 percent. (f) Notice of Federal interest Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any eligible recipient awarded a grant under this section shall record a statement of the Federal Government’s interest in the property improved through the grant in a form acceptable to the Secretary. The Secretary of Transportation shall cooperate with the Secretary as may be needed to facilitate the recording of such statement. (g) Administration Of the amounts made available under subsection (h), the Secretary may retain up to 1 percent for personnel, contracting, and other costs to administer and oversee grants made under this section. (h) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $100,000,000 for the purpose of carrying out this section. Amounts appropriated under the preceding sentence shall remain available until expended. . (b) Conforming amendment The table of contents contained in section 1(b) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3121 note) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 218 the following: Sec. 219. Grants for hangar improvement. .