zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on August 5, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act of 2015 

 (Sec. 3) Directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security to: (1) conduct outreach to all U.S. airports at which the TSA performs, or oversees the implementation and performance of, security measures; and (2) give necessary technical assistance to verify that such airports have in place individualized working plans for responding to security incidents inside the airport perimeter, including active shooters, acts of terrorism, and incidents that target passenger-screening checkpoints.

Requires the TSA to report to Congress on the outreach findings, including an analysis of the level of preparedness such airports have to respond to such incidents.

 (Sec. 4) Requires the TSA to: (1) identify best practices that exist across airports for security incident planning, management, and training; and (2) establish a mechanism through which to share those best practices with other airport operators nationwide.

(Sec. 5) Requires the TSA also to: (1) certify annually to specified congressional committees that all screening personnel have participated in practical training exercises for active shooter scenarios, and (2) analyze for those same committees how TSA can use cost savings achieved through efficiencies to increase over the next five fiscal years the funding available for checkpoint screening law enforcement support reimbursable agreements.

(Sec. 7) Directs the TSA to: (1) conduct outreach to all passenger transportation agencies and providers with high-risk facilities to verify that they have in place plans for responding to active shooters, acts of terrorism, or other security-related incidents that target passengers; and (2) identify best practices for security incident planning, management, and training and establish a mechanism through which to share such practices with passenger transportation agencies nationwide.

(Sec. 8) Declares that no additional appropriations are authorized to carry out this Act. Requires this Act to be carried out using amounts otherwise available.

(Sec. 9) Requires the TSA to review the interoperable communications capabilities of law enforcement, fire, and medical personnel responsible for responding to security incidents at all U.S. airports at which the TSA performs, or oversees the implementation and performance of, security measures.

Date: 2015-02-04
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Safe Aviation and Flight Emergency Tracking Act of 2015 

 Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to: (1) issue regulations to ensure that a covered aircraft is equipped with technology that provides for the continuous tracking of information regarding the aircraft during flight and the timely and cost effective recovery of the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder in the event of a crash or other serious incident; (2) investigate automatic dependent surveillance, automatic deployable flight recorders, emergency locator transmitters, and satellite navigation and communications; and (3) work collaboratively with the International Civil Aviation Organization and other relevant stakeholders to develop and implement international standards that improve the tracking of aircraft in flight.

Defines "covered aircraft" to mean a passenger aircraft: (1) able to carry at least 120 passengers, (2) ordered on or after January 1, 2016, and (3) providing scheduled passenger air transportation.

Date: 2015-02-05
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Safe Aviation and Flight Enhancement Act of 2015

 Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to require all commercial passenger aircraft ordered by an air carrier on or after January 1, 2017, to be equipped with a deployable recorder system as the second combination FDR/CVR recorder system installed under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) flight recorder standards.

Defines: (1) "commercial passenger aircraft" to mean a jet aircraft with a maximum certificated take-off mass over 15,000 kilograms that is required to be equipped with two combination recorder systems in accordance with ICAO requirements; and (2) "deployable recorder system" to mean a flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, and emergency locator transmitter housed in one crash protected, floatable unit that meets the performance specifications under specified standards of the FAA and the European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment.

Date: 2015-02-05
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Responsible Skies Act of 2015

 Amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to require the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit the operator of an unmanned recreational aircraft (drone) from flying it:

 above 400 feet and within 5 miles of the perimeter of a commercial airport, or where it may be seen from the airport's perimeter.

Date: 2015-02-05
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
This bill requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, for purposes of determining whether an unmanned aircraft (drone) used for aeronautical research qualifies as a public aircraft, to use definitions under federal aviation safety law for determining whether the aircraft is used for:

 a commercial purpose, and aeronautical research and platform-based research. The Administrator must also develop procedures for the safe, beyond-line-of-sight operation of aeronautical research drones in the national airspace system.

Date: 2015-02-09
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Small Airport Regulation Relief Act of 2015 

 Prescribes a special rule to require the Secretary of Transportation for FY2015 and FY2016 to apportion amounts for airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning and programs to sponsors of primary airports based on the number of passenger boardings at the airport during calendar year 2012 if it had: (1) fewer than 10,000 passenger boardings during the calendar year used to calculate the apportionment for FY2015 or FY2016, and (2) 10,000 or more passenger boardings during calendar year 2012.

Date: 2015-02-10
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Saracini Aviation Safety Act of 2015

 Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to issue an order to require: (1) the installation of secondary barriers, other than the cockpit door, to prevent access to the flight deck of each covered aircraft; (2) such barriers on the aircraft with a cockpit door to remain locked while the aircraft is in flight and the cockpit door separating the flight deck and the passenger area is open; and (3) such barriers on the aircraft without a cockpit door to remain locked as determined by the pilot in command.

Defines "covered aircraft" to mean a commercial aircraft: (1) equipped with more than 75 passenger seats, and (2) with a maximum gross takeoff weight of more than 75,000 pounds.

Date: 2015-02-12
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
This bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection port of entry.

Date: 2015-02-24
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Passenger Fee Restructuring Exemptions Act of 2015

 Revises aviation security service fee requirements.

Makes an exception to the $5.60 per one-way trip fee for certain passengers for domestic flights that originate at a U.S. airport.

Limits such fees to $2.50 per enplanement, with the total not to exceed $5.00 per one-way trip, for any passengers: (1) boarding to an eligible small community for which essential air service compensation is paid; or (2) on flights, including flight segments, between two or more points in Hawaii or two or more points in Alaska.

Date: 2015-02-25
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
21st Century SCASDP Act

 Revises certain criteria the Secretary of Transportation must apply in selecting communities, or consortia of communities, with an underserved airport for participation in the Small Community Air Service Development Program.

Date: 2015-02-25
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
General Aviation Pilot Protection Act of 2015

 Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue or revise FAA medical certification regulations to ensure that an individual may operate as a pilot of a covered aircraft without regard to any medical certification or proof of health requirement otherwise applicable under federal law if the flight meets certain criteria and the individual: (1) possesses a valid state driver's license, (2) complies with applicable medical requirements associated with that license, (3) is transporting five or fewer passengers, and (4) is operating under visual or instrument flight rules.

Defines "covered aircraft" as an aircraft that: (1) is not authorized under federal law to carry more than six occupants, and (2) has a maximum certificated takeoff weight of no more than 6,000 pounds.

Prohibits the Administrator from taking enforcement action against a pilot of a covered aircraft for not holding a valid third-class medical certificate if the pilot and the flight meets such requirements, unless the Administrator has published final regulations in the Federal Register.

Date: 2015-02-25
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Homeland Security Drone Assessment and Analysis Act

(Sec. 2) Directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) research how commercially available small and medium sized unmanned aircraft, excluding aircraft over 1,300 pounds, could be used to perpetuate an attack; and (2) develop policies, guidance, and protocols for DHS to prevent, or mitigate the risks of, such an attack. Authorizes DHS to provide the Departments of Defense, Transportation, and Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission information regarding how to best prevent and mitigate the risk of such an attack.

Requires DHS to: (1) disseminate to state, local, and tribal law enforcement officials and to state and major urban area fusion centers information regarding how such officials may bolster preparedness for, and responses to, attacks by such aircraft; and (2) submit an assessment of the security risk associated with such aircraft.

Date: 2015-03-26
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Emergency management
TSA Loose Change Act

 Directs the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration [TSA]) to transfer annually, based on requests for proposals, unclaimed money recovered at airport security checkpoints to nonprofit organizations that operate multiple airport centers throughout the United States to provide places of rest and recuperation for Armed Forces members and their families. (Currently, such moneys are retained by the TSA for civil aviation security.)

Amends the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2005 to repeal the requirement that the TSA Administrator report annually to Congress on how unclaimed money is being used to provide civil aviation security. Requires the Administrator, instead, to report on the amount of money transferred to nonprofit organizations.

Date: 2015-04-13
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Air Traffic Controller Reform and Employee Stock Ownership Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Transportation to transfer Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control personnel and property to a private corporation. The corporation shall issue securities to such personnel giving them stock ownership in the corporation.

Date: 2015-04-16
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
No Armed Drones Act of 2015 or the NADA Act of 2015 

 Amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to prohibit the Department of Transportation (DOT) from authorizing any person to operate an unmanned aircraft system (drone) in the national airspace system as a weapon or to deliver a weapon against a person or property.

Permits DOT to establish exceptions to the prohibition for:

 private drones for recreational hunting and animal control, and public drones for operations conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Defense, and certain governmental entities for national defense or in response to terrorism.

Date: 2015-04-22
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Air Traffic Controllers Hiring Act of 2015

Directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in appointing individuals to the position of air traffic controller, to give preference to:

 an individual who has successfully completed air traffic controller training and graduated from an institution participating in the Collegiate Training Initiative program (the program) and who has received from the institution either an appropriate recommendation or an endorsement certifying that the individual would have met the requirements in effect as of December 31, 2013, for an appropriate recommendation; a qualified individual who is eligible for a veterans recruitment appointment; a qualified individual who is an eligible veteran maintaining aviation experience obtained in the course of the individual's military experience; a preference eligible veteran; and a qualified individual maintaining practical air traffic control experience obtained at civilian installations of the Department of Defense, FAA air traffic control facilities, or contract towers of the FAA. Allows the FAA to consider additional applicants only after completing consideration of such preferred applicants.

Provides that a preferred applicant shall not be subject to any biographical assessment as part of FAA hiring practices that apply to applicants for the position of air traffic controller. Directs the FAA to revise its hiring practices to eliminate the use of any biographical assessment that unduly disqualifies applicants. Provides for reconsideration of individuals who applied in response to the FG-01 vacancy announcement of February 10, 2014, who were disqualified on the basis of such an assessment.

Requires (currently, allows) the FAA to maintain the program by making new agreements and continuing existing agreements with institutions of higher education under which the institutions prepare students for the position of air traffic controller.

Directs the FAA to take into consideration any training initiatives for air traffic controllers that are locally developed at institutions of higher education participating in the program for use in establishing best practices nationwide.

Date: 2015-04-22
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Aerotropolis Act of 2015

 Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to extend the eligibility for projects of national and regional significance under the surface transportation grant program to certain aerotropolis transportation system projects.

Defines "aerotropolis transportation system" as a planned and coordinated multimodal freight and passenger transportation network that provides efficient, sustainable, and intermodal connectivity to a defined region of economic significance centered around a major airport.

Date: 2015-04-23
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Leading and Expediting Aerotropolis Development Act of 2015

 Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish an aerotropolis grant program to assist in the development of aerotropolis transportation systems (i.e., planned and coordinated multimodal freight and passenger transportation networks that provide efficient, sustainable, and intermodal connectivity to a defined region of economic significance centered around a major airport). Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to assist in planning, design, environmental review, or land acquisition activities for one or more specified kinds of projects to benefit such systems.

Date: 2015-04-23
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
This bill prohibits the availability of federal funds to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority unless the Department of Transportation certifies that it is complying with appropriate auditing standards.

Date: 2015-04-23
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Securing Expedited Screening Act

(Sec. 3) The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security shall, within 180 days after enactment of this Act, limit access to expedited airport security screening at airport security checkpoints to only a passenger who:

 voluntarily submits biographic and biometric information for a security risk assessment and has an approved PreCheck program application; is traveling as air transportation security or a member of the Armed Forces, including any accompanying family member; is a member of a population designated by the TSA as known and low-risk and who may be issued a unique, known traveler number; or is 75 years or older, or 12 years or younger and traveling with a parent or guardian participating in the PreCheck program. The TSA may extend for one year implementation of the requirement for passengers who have been designated frequent fliers.

The TSA may provide access to expedited airport security screening to additional passengers through an alternate method upon submission to Congress of an independent assessment of its security effectiveness.

(Sec. 4) The TSA shall report annually to Congress certain information on passengers provided expedited security screening.

Date: 2015-04-30
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on July 22, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Keeping our Travelers Safe and Secure Act

(Sec. 3) This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and implement a preventive maintenance validation process for security-related technology deployed to airports.

The maintenance contracts for security-related technology deployed to airports shall include penalties for noncompliance whenever preventive or corrective maintenance has not been completed according to contractual requirements and manufacturers' specifications.

(Sec. 4) The DHS Inspector General shall assess implementation of the requirements of this Act, as well as the utilization of TSA equipment maintenance technicians, and make recommendations for training TSA personnel, equipment maintenance technicians, and other airport personnel.

Date: 2015-06-15
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Carry-On Freedom Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Transportation to issue regulations to prohibit a air carrier charging passengers a fee for checked baggage from using a size standard for carry-on baggage that reduces the size standard used by the carrier on June 8, 2015.

Date: 2015-06-15
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Technical Clarification to Public Law 113-243 Act of 2015

This bill amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 with respect to rollovers to a traditional individual retirement account (IRA) of payments to qualified airline employees in commercial airline carrier bankruptcy cases.

A commercial airline employee shall be qualified for such a rollover if he or she had participated in a commercial airline's tax-exempt defined benefit pension plan that was terminated or otherwise restricted.

 The bill prescribes a special rule for airline payments received by a qualified employee from an airline carrier resulting from a bankruptcy case filed after September 11, 2001, and before January 1, 2007, or on November 29, 2011.

Under this special rule, the period for a qualified airline employee to make a tax-exempt rollover of such a payment into a traditional IRA shall be extended to the period beginning on December 18, 2014, and ending 180 days after the enactment of this Act.

Date: 2015-06-23
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Taxation
Protecting Firefighters and Promoting Innovation Act

This bill directs the President to establish an interagency working group to study the use of unmanned aircraft systems for wildland firefighting.

The working group shall:

 develop standards and best practices for the use of unmanned aircraft systems for wildland firefighting to assist in fire suppression, to provide real-time updates for firefighters, and to reduce the risk of firefighter fatalities due to wildland firefighting and related aircraft accidents; identify opportunities to use existing federal unmanned aircraft systems to lower the costs of the use of unmanned aircraft systems for wildland firefighting; with respect to the use of unmanned aircraft systems for wildland firefighting, assess opportunities to improve interagency coordination, the efficacy of current technology, and the potential efficacy of emerging technology; assess the implications for the Fourth Amendment of any standards, best practices, or recommendations under this Act with respect to the use of unmanned aircraft systems; and report to Congress and to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group on the results of its work.

Date: 2015-06-25
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Wildfire Airspace Protection Act of 2015

Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit knowingly launching a drone near a wildfire threatening U.S. property that recklessly interferes with fighting the fire.

Makes it a defense to a prosecution for such offense that the drone was launched by a firefighter or other public safety officer acting in the course of official duty.

Date: 2015-07-10
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on November 16, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Partners for Aviation Security Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Transportation Security Administration to consult with the Aviation Security Advisory Committee regarding modifications to the prohibited item list before issuing a determination about them.

The prohibited item list is a list of items passengers are prohibited from carrying as accessible property or on their persons through passenger screening checkpoints at airports, into sterile airport areas, and on board passenger aircraft.

(Sec. 3) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall report to its Transportation Security Oversight Board and specified congressional committees general information on how often the Board has met, its current composition, and what activities it has undertaken, consistent with its duties. DHS may include in the report recommendations for changes to Board requirements.

 (Sec. 4) Committee member term requirements are revised to allow an expiring member's term to continue until a successor member begins serving on the Committee.

Date: 2015-07-21
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Baggage Fee Fairness Act of 2015

This bill prohibits any air carrier from collecting a checked baggage fee from an air passenger if the fee amount exceeds the total amount of passenger facility charges ($1-$4.50) that could be imposed (without regard to whether the charges are actually imposed) on a passenger by eligible agencies for boarding a flight.

Date: 2015-07-22
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Families Flying Together Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Transportation to issue regulations directing each air carrier to: (1) establish a policy to ensure that a family that purchases tickets for a flight is seated together during that flight, and (2) make the policy available to the public on the air carrier's website. The bill defines "family" to mean a grouping of individuals that includes, at a minimum: (1) a child age 12 years or younger, and (2) an individual age 18 years or older who is responsible for accompanying that child.

The bill makes it an unfair or deceptive practice for any ticket agent, air carrier, foreign air carrier, or other person offering to sell tickets for air transportation to fail to disclose, prior to an individual's purchase of more than one ticket for a covered flight that includes a ticket for a minor, a notification that: (1) it is not possible to assign two or more seats together on at least one of the flights selected, and (2) the individual may not be able to sit next to other members of his or her travel party even if he or she is traveling with a minor. The term "covered flight" is defined as a flight for which: (1) a purchaser of a ticket may specify an advance seat assignment, with or without the assessment of any charge or fee; and (2) two or more laterally adjacent seats are not available for advance assignment.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Airplane Kids In Transit Safety Act of 2015 or the Airplane KITS Act of 2015

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration to initiate a rulemaking to ensure that aircraft medical kits contain appropriate medication and equipment to meet the emergency medical needs of children, including an epinephrine auto-injector.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Aviation Cost and Expenses Sharing Act of 2015

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration to issue or revise regulations to ensure that persons who hold a private pilot certificate may communicate with the public in cases where operating expenses of the flight are shared between the pilot and passengers.

Date: 2015-09-22
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
(Sec. 1) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the excise tax on transportation of persons and property by air amounts paid by an aircraft owner or lessee for aircraft management services related to maintenance and support of the aircraft or flights on such aircraft.

Aircraft management services include assisting an aircraft owner with administrative and support services; obtaining insurance; maintenance, storage and fueling of aircraft; hiring, training, and provision of pilots and crew; establishing and complying with safety standards; or other services necessary to support flights operated by an aircraft owner.

In the case of an aircraft owner that is wholly-owned by another person, amounts paid by the other person on behalf of the aircraft owner must be treated as having been paid directly by the aircraft owner.

Date: 2015-09-24
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Taxation
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2015

TITLE I--AIRPORT AND AIRWAY PROGRAMS

(Sec. 101) This bill reauthorizes for the period October 1, 2015, through March 31, 2016, the airport improvement program.

(Sec. 102) The following expiring authorities are extended through the same period, including:

 the competition disclosure requirement under a development project grant for a large hub airport or a medium hub airport; the eligibility for small airport grants of sponsors of airports in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau; the air traffic control contract program; state and local government compatible land use planning and projects; Department of Transportation authority to appropriate funds to acquire, establish, and improve air navigation facilities; civil aviation research and development; Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations; essential air service; and the starting date of authority to propose regulations restricting or prohibiting design features or operating practices for the commercial space flight industry. The Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act is amended to extend through the same period:

 the authorization for airport development at Midway Island Airport, and the authority of any final order with respect to the eligibility for essential air service compensation. The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 is amended to extend through:

 FY2016 the requirement for an Inspector General report on participation in FAA programs by disadvantaged small business concerns, March 31, 2016, the pilot program under which operators of up to four public-use airports may receive grants for activities related to the redevelopment of airport properties, and the same date the advisory committee for aviation consumer protection. TITLE II--REVENUE PROVISIONS

(Sec. 201) The Internal Revenue Code is amended to extend through the same period expenditure authority from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, fuel and ticket taxes, as well as the exemption from ticket taxes for aircraft in fractional ownership aircraft programs.

Date: 2015-09-25
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Safety for Airports and Firefighters by Ensuring Drones Refrain from Obstructing Necessary Equipment Act of 2015 or the SAFE DRONE Act of 2015

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to knowingly operate a drone in a restricted area. A "restricted area" is an area that is:

 within a two-mile radius of a hub airport or an ongoing firefighting operation, or subject to a temporary flight restriction issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. The prohibition does not apply to government operations in response to a fire or emergency.

Violators are subject to fines, up to one year in prison, or both.

Date: 2015-10-01
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Silent Skies Act of 2015

 This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration to enter into a competitive cooperative agreement with an institution, entity, or consortium to carry out a program for the development of aircraft technology that will assist in-service and in-production civil turbojets not meeting stage 4 noise standards to comply with those or more stringent standards.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) must: (1) issue regulations to establish minimum standards to ensure that graduated percentages of civil turbojets weighing over 75,000 pounds comply with the stage 4 noise levels by specified dates, and (2) report annually on the progress made by air carriers in complying with such standards. 100% of such turbojets operating after December 31, 2037, must comply with stage 4 levels.

DOT shall request the International Civil Aviation Organization to add to its Work Programme the consideration of international standards for the phase-out of aircraft that do not comply with stage 4 noise levels.

The requirements of this Act shall not apply to civil turbojet aircraft that operate outside of the 48 contiguous states.

DOT may not issue a type certificate for: (1) a civil turbojet with a maximum weight of more than 75,000 pounds on and after December 31, 2017, unless the applicant demonstrates that such turbojet complies with stage 5 noise levels; and (2) any civil turbojet on and after December 31, 2020, unless the applicant demonstrates that such turbojet complies with stage 5 noise levels.

Date: 2015-12-03
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Comfortable and Fair Flight Act

This bill prohibits an air carrier operating an aircraft from charging ticketed passengers a fee for the use of a lavatory on such aircraft. If an aircraft lacks an adequate number of functioning lavatories at the time of boarding, the carrier shall permit a ticketed passenger to select alternative equivalent air transportation operated by such carrier without charging an additional fee.

 A carrier must refund any baggage fee for baggage that does not arrive within two hours after the passenger arrives at the scheduled destination.

Date: 2015-12-09
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration to increase the rest periods for flight attendants to ensure that a flight attendant scheduled to a duty period of 14 hours or less is given a scheduled rest period of at least 10 consecutive hours.

The scheduled duty period may be reduced to at least 9 consecutive hours if the flight attendant is provided a subsequent rest period of at least 11 consecutive hours that: (1) is scheduled to begin within 24 hours after the beginning of the reduced rest period, and (2) occurs between the completion of the scheduled duty period and the commencement of the subsequent duty period.

Date: 2015-12-18
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) This bill permits the Department of Transportation to authorize the use of a passenger facility charge to finance an eligible airport-related project if: (1) the eligible agency seeking to impose the new charge controls an airport where a $2 passenger facility charge became effective on January 1, 2013; and (2) such airport and the airport at which the project will be carried out were under the control of the same eligible agency on October 1, 2015. Not more than $120 million in passenger facility charges so collected may be used to carry out such a project.

Date: 2016-01-12
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Commercial UAS Modernization Act

This bill amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to permit an individual to operate a small commercial unmanned aircraft without an airworthiness certificate within the United States until the effective date of a final rule based on the notice of proposed rulemaking "Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems" issued on February 23, 2015, subject to the following requirements:

 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive an attestation that the aircraft owner has liability insurance covering its operation; the owner must register the aircraft; the operator must pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test developed by the FAA and a proficiency test administered by a test site for such aircraft; the aircraft may be operated for commercial purposes only in daylight conditions, under visual line of sight rules, lower than 500 feet above ground level, and only after a preflight inspection; and the aircraft shall yield right of way to all other users of the National Airspace System. Such an aircraft may not be operated: (1) until the operator of a test site certifies that it meets the requirements in the rulemaking notice and can operate within such restrictions; (2) unless the operator has prior authorization from the air traffic control facility having jurisdiction over the Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport; and (3) by any individual with any physical or mental condition that would interfere with safe operation of the aircraft.

The operator of a such an aircraft involved in an accident causing personal injury or property damage must report it to the FAA within two days.

The FAA shall provide for a micro UAS classification of unmanned aircraft systems, the aircraft component of which may not weigh more than 4.4 pounds, including payload. The operation of such a micro shall be subject to specified restrictions.

The bill directs the FAA to:

 appoint a Deputy Associate Administrator for Unmanned Aircraft who shall create a research and development plan for the safe integration of unmanned aircraft into the National Airspace System; establish a joint aircraft system research and development data collection and analysis program at the William J. Hughes Technical Center; and implement an air traffic management pilot program to research and test a new regulatory structure for operations of such aircraft in airspace below 1,200 feet.

Date: 2016-02-02
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act of 2016

This bill reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through FY2019 and specified FAA programs for FY2016-FY2022.

The bill revises requirements for the pilot program for passenger facility charges at nonhub airports and airport improvement program.

The bill establishes:

 the ATC Corporation as a federally-chartered, not-for-profit corporation; and an Advisory Board of the Corporation. The Department of Transportation (DOT) shall transfer to the Corporation:

 by a certain deadline FAA employees, property, and facilities; and on October 1, 2019, operational control of FAA air traffic services. DOT shall establish a Safety Oversight and Certification Advisory Committee.

The FAA shall issue a notice of a proposed rule reorganizing the certification of, and streamlining the approval of safety advancements for, small airplanes.

The FAA shall establish:

 the FAA Task Force on Flight Standards Reform, and a Regional Consistency Communications Board. The FAA shall establish a safety workforce training strategy.

DOT shall take appropriate actions to promote U.S. aerospace standards, products, and services abroad.

The FAA shall appoint a Designated Agency Safety and Health Officer.

DOT shall develop a comprehensive plan to accelerate the integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems (drones) into the national airspace system.

The bill establishes in the FAA an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office.

DOT shall establish a UAS detection systems pilot program.

The bill prescribes certain requirements with respect to improving passenger air service.

The bill also reauthorizes for FY2016-FY2022 the essential air service program and the small community air service development program.

The FAA shall submit to Congress a strategic cybersecurity plan.

DOT shall establish a remote air traffic control tower pilot program for rural or small communities.

Date: 2016-02-03
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT), by six months after completion of a safety risk management panel conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration for the Leesburg, Virginia, project, to establish a pilot program under which DOT shall install, operate, and assess the benefits of the technology of up to six remote air traffic control towers.

DOT must complete a safety risk management process for a participating airport before air traffic is actively controlled by a remote air traffic control tower at such airport.

An operator of a public-use airport may apply to participate in the pilot program. DOT: (1) shall establish a list of benefits of remote tower technology to the National Airspace System and criteria that facilities should meet in order to best achieve those benefits; and (2) may select for the pilot program, based on such criteria, one nonhub primary airport, two reliever airports without existing air traffic control towers, one primary airport for the purpose of augmenting the capabilities of an existing air traffic control tower, and two airports classified as local or basic in the national plan of integrated airport systems.

 A selected airport shall be eligible for participation in, and funding from, the control tower contract program.

A remote air traffic control tower and ancillary equipment installed with federal funds under this bill shall be considered an air navigation facility.

The pilot program shall terminate five years after this bill's enactment.

Date: 2016-02-03
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
This bill amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to extend through FY2016 and periodically thereafter the requirement that the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation report annually to Congress on the number of new small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, including those owned by veterans, that participated in the programs and activities of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The list of the top 25 and bottom 25 large and medium hub airports giving disadvantaged small business concerns opportunities to participate in FAA programs and activities, which each such report must contain, shall be drawn only from large and medium hub airports with a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) program.

Beginning in FY2016, the FAA shall require airports to report annually on the number of new DBEs that were awarded a contract or concession.

The FAA shall update annually DBE-connect (or any other successor online reporting system) to include information on the number of new DBE and Airport Concession DBEs awarded a contract or concession for the first time at large and medium hub airports with a DBE program.

Date: 2016-02-03
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Federal Aviation R&D Reauthorization Act of 2016

This bill reauthorizes the civil aviation research and development (R&D) program of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through FY2018.

Department of Transportation (DOT) shall:

 arrange with the National Academies for a comprehensive research survey and strategy over the next decade for FAA civil aviation activities, and develop a Strategic and Integrated Research Plan for an R&D program reflecting survey results. DOT shall also:

 ensure that FAA cybersecurity R&D is constantly updated to reflect the evolving nature of cyber risks and threats, and develop an agencywide threat model. The GAO shall review:

 the effectiveness of the six FAA unmanned aircraft (drone) system test sites and the opportunities for coordinating and integrating the research at them with research by the Center of Excellence on Unmanned Aircraft Systems; and federal government research on aircraft noise levels and its use to inform the DOT noise evaluation processes, adjustments to noise metrics, and development of noise abatement procedures. DOT shall:

 develop an R&D strategy to inform any potential regulatory action regarding the safe integration of evolving drone systems into the National Airspace System, hold at least one workshop to discuss the status of R&D on enhancing general aviation safety, develop a research plan on safety risk assessment methods for development of airport design standards, and develop a plan to implement standards for aircraft cabin air contaminants. The GAO shall review the role of FAA's Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee in advising about:

 the organization, management, and budgetary structure of R&D programs across FAA, and both near-term budget planning and long-term strategic planning for the comprehensive FAA R&D portfolio. DOT shall also arrange for an independent external study to identify the implications that a potential nongovernment U.S. air traffic control system could have on FAA's R&D activities.

Date: 2016-02-04
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2016

This bill repeals: (1) provisions authorizing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a human resources management system for some or all of its organizational units, and (2) the authority granted to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish or modify a personnel management system for TSA employees engaged in airport security screening.

Within 60 days after the enactment date of this bill: (1) any such human resources management system and all TSA personnel management policies, directives, letters, and guidelines shall cease to be effective, and (2) all TSA positions and DHS positions that provide transportation security in furtherance of the purposes of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act shall become subject to general civil service provisions.

This bill sets forth transition rules that protect the pay rates and other rights of such employees. DHS shall consult with the labor organization certified by the Federal Labor Relations Authority to carry out the conversion of such positions.

The provisions of this bill do not affect the prohibitions against disloyalty and asserting the right to strike against the federal government.

Date: 2016-02-08
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
FAA Leadership in Groundbreaking High-Tech Research and Development Act or the FLIGHT R&D Act

This bill reauthorizes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) research and development (R&D) programs for FY2016-FY2019.

The FAA shall appoint an Associate Administrator for Research and Development.

The FAA shall develop a plan in the event of the transition of FAA R&D activities to a non-federal entity.

The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 is amended to revise requirements with respect to the FAA's five-year roadmap for the introduction of civil unmanned aircraft systems (drones) into the national airspace system.

The roadmap shall include, at a minimum, a description of how the FAA plans to use R&D to integrate drones into the system.

The FAA shall coordinate with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to research the collision of drones with manned aircraft.

The FAA shall establish R&D programs:

 to improve the cybersecurity of civil aircraft and the system, on civilian air traffic surveillance over oceans and other remote locations, and in support of single-piloted cargo aircraft with remote piloting and computer piloting. The FAA shall submit to Congress a research plan for certification and implementation of new technologies (including Next Generation) into the system.

Date: 2016-02-08
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Safe Egress in Air Travel Act of 2016 or the SEAT Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Transportation to issue regulations: (1) to establish minimum dimensions (including width, length, and seat pitch) for passenger seats on aircraft operated by any air carrier providing interstate or intrastate air transportation; and (2) for the safety and health of passengers.

Date: 2016-02-08
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Treating Small Airports with Fairness Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to conduct, and provide all necessary staff and equipment for, security screening at any airport that lost commercial air service on or after January 1, 2013, if the airport operator submits: (1) a request for the TSA to conduct such screening, and (2) written confirmation of a commitment from a commercial air carrier that it intends to resume service at the airport within one year.

The TSA shall ensure that the process of implementing security screening at such an airport is complete by the later of: (1) 90 days after the operator of the airport submits a request, or (2) the date on which the carrier intends to resume service.

The TSA shall carry out this bill in a manner that does not negatively affect operations at airports not described in this bill that are otherwise provided security screening conducted by the TSA.

Date: 2016-02-11
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works