Airport Alert: AAAE/ACI-NA Share FAA Reauthorization Recommendations With House and Senate Committee Leaders
January 18, 2023
AAAE and ACI-NA have shared their list of joint recommendations for the next FAA reauthorization bill with key committee leaders in the House and Senate. The move comes as aviation stakeholders, lawmakers, and the administration are gearing up for the next FAA reauthorization bill.
The current FAA reauthorization bill expires on September 30 - less than nine months from now. AAAE and ACI-NA are urging Congress to pass the next FAA bill on time to avoid the disruptions and uncertainly associated with a series of short-term extensions.
The joint letter that AAAE and ACI-NA sent to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders today conveying the recommendations may be viewed here, our joint letter to Senate Commerce Committee leaders may be viewed here, and our joint list of recommendations for the next FAA reauthorization bill may be viewed here.
AAAE and ACI-NA Collaboration
AAAE and ACI-NA worked closely together in the past year to craft a joint list of recommendations for the next FAA reauthorization bill. The final list is a good blend of thoughtful recommendations from both organizations, and it provides a well-rounded framework of airport priorities for the next FAA bill.
Our list calls for increasing traditional AIP funding, eliminating the outdated PFC cap, and expanding eligibility for both funding sources. It also urges Congress to continue authorizing funds for supplemental discretionary grants to help airports pay for terminals and other projects.
Not surprisingly, the airport list includes several regulatory streamlining initiatives. For instance, we're proposing to fix section 163 from the last FAA bill, which was aimed at limiting the FAA's authority to regulate airport land use. And we're continuing to call for liability protection for SMS.
We have several proposals that would help airports address environmental concerns and mitigate the impact of aircraft noise on their nearby communities. Our list addresses PFAS by calling for a transition plan along with funding for acquisition and remediation as well as liability protection for airport operators. It also calls for a separate pot of funding to pay for environmental, resiliency, and sustainability projects.
Air service cuts and the pilot shortage continue to be hot topics for airports and lawmakers, especially those who represent rural areas. We have recommendations to help preserve small community air service and to increase the pilot pipeline. And we have proposals to enhance the successful FAA Contract Tower Program.
What's Next?
With the 118th Congress now convened and the current FAA reauthorization bill set to expire in less than nine months, House and Senate authorizing committees will continue to focus on crafting the next FAA bill. We expect more hearings in the weeks and months ahead, and lawmakers will likely hold sessions on airport-related matters.
To meet the upcoming deadline, Congressional staff will also need to begin the tricky process of drafting legislation for the next FAA bill. Meanwhile, FAA officials continue to say that the administration intends to release its own FAA reauthorization bill sometime this Spring.
New Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Members
New House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-MO) yesterday announced the Republican roster for his committee in the 118th Congress. The list includes 17 Republicans who are new to the committee and 18 returning members. The entire list of Republican lawmakers may be viewed here. House Democrats and the Senate have yet to fill their committee rosters.
We will need to work hard to educate new and returning House and Senate lawmakers on airport priorities for the next FAA reauthorization bill. We urge you to continue to reach out to your lawmakers, share your priorities for the next FAA reauthorization bill, and invite them to visit your airport to see first-hand how our joint recommendations would help your airport.
AAAE and ACI-NA have shared their list of joint recommendations for the next FAA reauthorization bill with key committee leaders in the House and Senate. The move comes as aviation stakeholders, lawmakers, and the administration are gearing up for the next FAA reauthorization bill.
The current FAA reauthorization bill expires on September 30 - less than nine months from now. AAAE and ACI-NA are urging Congress to pass the next FAA bill on time to avoid the disruptions and uncertainly associated with a series of short-term extensions.
The joint letter that AAAE and ACI-NA sent to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders today conveying the recommendations may be viewed here, our joint letter to Senate Commerce Committee leaders may be viewed here, and our joint list of recommendations for the next FAA reauthorization bill may be viewed here.
AAAE and ACI-NA Collaboration
AAAE and ACI-NA worked closely together in the past year to craft a joint list of recommendations for the next FAA reauthorization bill. The final list is a good blend of thoughtful recommendations from both organizations, and it provides a well-rounded framework of airport priorities for the next FAA bill.
Our list calls for increasing traditional AIP funding, eliminating the outdated PFC cap, and expanding eligibility for both funding sources. It also urges Congress to continue authorizing funds for supplemental discretionary grants to help airports pay for terminals and other projects.
Not surprisingly, the airport list includes several regulatory streamlining initiatives. For instance, we're proposing to fix section 163 from the last FAA bill, which was aimed at limiting the FAA's authority to regulate airport land use. And we're continuing to call for liability protection for SMS.
We have several proposals that would help airports address environmental concerns and mitigate the impact of aircraft noise on their nearby communities. Our list addresses PFAS by calling for a transition plan along with funding for acquisition and remediation as well as liability protection for airport operators. It also calls for a separate pot of funding to pay for environmental, resiliency, and sustainability projects.
Air service cuts and the pilot shortage continue to be hot topics for airports and lawmakers, especially those who represent rural areas. We have recommendations to help preserve small community air service and to increase the pilot pipeline. And we have proposals to enhance the successful FAA Contract Tower Program.
What's Next?
With the 118th Congress now convened and the current FAA reauthorization bill set to expire in less than nine months, House and Senate authorizing committees will continue to focus on crafting the next FAA bill. We expect more hearings in the weeks and months ahead, and lawmakers will likely hold sessions on airport-related matters.
To meet the upcoming deadline, Congressional staff will also need to begin the tricky process of drafting legislation for the next FAA bill. Meanwhile, FAA officials continue to say that the administration intends to release its own FAA reauthorization bill sometime this Spring.
New Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Members
New House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-MO) yesterday announced the Republican roster for his committee in the 118th Congress. The list includes 17 Republicans who are new to the committee and 18 returning members. The entire list of Republican lawmakers may be viewed here. House Democrats and the Senate have yet to fill their committee rosters.
We will need to work hard to educate new and returning House and Senate lawmakers on airport priorities for the next FAA reauthorization bill. We urge you to continue to reach out to your lawmakers, share your priorities for the next FAA reauthorization bill, and invite them to visit your airport to see first-hand how our joint recommendations would help your airport.
