summary
Introduced
06/22/2017
06/22/2017
In Committee
06/29/2017
06/29/2017
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018
12/31/2018
Introduced Session
115th Congress
Bill Summary
Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2017 This bill reauthorizes through FY2021 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and specified FAA programs. The bill revises requirements for the airport improvement program and pilot program for passenger facility charges at nonhub airports. Forward Looking Investment in General Aviation, Hangars, and Tarmacs Act of 2017 or the FLIGHT Act of 2017 The Department of Transportation (DOT) shall implement an expedited and coordinated environmental review process for general aviation airport construction or improvement projects. DOT shall establish a public-private partnership program for building or improving hangars, businesses, or other facilities at: general aviation airports, and privately owned airports for public use that do not have scheduled air service. The Government Accountability Office shall review privacy issues and concerns associated with the operation of unmanned aircraft (drones) in the national airspace system. The FAA shall establish a process for the acceptance of risk-based, consensus safety standards for the safe integration of small drones into such system. DOT shall issue guidance for the operation of public drones. The FAA shall develop a plan for the deployment of technologies to detect and mitigate potential airspace safety threats posed by drones. Drone Operator Safety Act The bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to operate a drone that knowingly or recklessly interferes with or disrupts the operation of an aircraft carrying one or more occupants in U.S. airspace. DOT shall establish a Safety Oversight and Certification Advisory Committee. The FAA shall take specified actions to improve airline passenger safety. Commercial Balloon Pilot Safety Act of 2017 The bill directs the FAA to revise federal regulations to apply medical certificate of physical fitness requirements that are applicable to pilot flight crewmembers to operators of air balloons. Fairness for Pilots Act The bill amends the Pilot's Bill of Rights to revise the authorization for appeal to a federal court by a substantially affected individual from a decision of the National Transportation Safety Board to uphold an adverse FAA order or final decision. The bill specifies the suspension or revocation of an airman certificate as the punitive civil action which may be appealed. A U.S. district court shall review de novo an FAA denial, suspension, or revocation of an airman certificate. The bill prescribes certain requirements with respect to improving passenger air service. Transparency Improvements and Compensation to Keep Every Ticketholder Safe Act of 2017 or the TICKETS Act The bill prescribes requirements to prohibit an air carrier from denying an air passenger from boarding a flight without the consent of the passenger cleared to board such flight unless such passenger presents a safety, security, or health risk, to oneself or others, or engages in obscene, disruptive, or unlawful behavior. The bill reauthorizes through FY2021 the essential air service program and the small community air service development program. NextGen Accountability Act The bill amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to direct the FAA to establish annual NextGen (i.e., Next Generation Air Transportation System) performance goals for each of the national airspace system performance metrics to meet identified performance metric baselines with respect to NextGen projects. Saracini Aviation Safety Act of 2017 The FAA shall issue an order requiring the installation of a secondary cockpit barrier on each new aircraft that is manufactured for delivery to a U.S. passenger air carrier.
AI Summary
This bill, the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2017, aims to reauthorize funding and make various policy changes related to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the national aviation system. The key provisions of the bill include:
- Authorizing appropriations for FAA operations, facilities and equipment, research and development, and airport improvement programs through fiscal year 2021.
- Modifying the Airport Improvement Program, including providing regulatory relief for small airports, prioritizing review of construction projects in cold weather states, and updating the State block grant program.
- Establishing a public-private partnership program to improve facilities at general aviation airports.
- Designating certain airports as "disaster relief airports" and providing funding for airport development related to disaster response.
- Streamlining the passenger facility charge process and allowing passenger facility charge revenue to be used for intermodal ground access projects.
- Addressing various regulatory and safety issues related to unmanned aircraft systems, including privacy protections, safety standards, and enforcement.
- Reforming the FAA's aircraft certification and flight standards processes to improve efficiency and safety.
- Enhancing airline passenger protections and consumer rights, such as requiring more transparency in fees, prohibiting involuntary denied boardings, and improving assistance for passengers with disabilities.
- Reauthorizing and making changes to the Essential Air Service and Small Community Air Service Development programs.
The bill aims to modernize the national airspace system, enhance aviation safety, and improve the passenger experience, while also addressing emerging technologies like unmanned aircraft.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 407. (on 05/09/2018)
Official Document
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