Airport Alert: House Appropriations Committee Unveils FY23 DOT/FAA Spending Bill
June 22, 2022
In advance of consideration by a key subcommittee tomorrow, House Appropriations Committee leaders released a Fiscal Year 2023 spending bill for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies that proposes $3.35 billion for AIP, an additional $272.6 million for supplemental discretionary grants to airports, and an almost $10 million increase for the FAA Contract Tower Program.
The bill would provide a total of $105.4 billion for DOT next year “ $2.4 billion above the current funding level and $942 million more than the administration requested. House lawmakers are also proposing to increase funding for the FAA by almost $900 million next year. House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Chair David Price (D-NC) commented on the need to continue to invest in our nation's infrastructure.
'The current challenges and needs in our communities require us to think boldly about the future of infrastructure in our nation,' Price said. 'This year's T-HUD bill builds upon the successes of President Biden's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, providing critical funding to augment this once-in-a-generation investment.'
Funding for FAA Programs
FAA: The House proposal includes $18.7 billion for the FAA “ $193 million more than the FY22 enacted level.
Facilities and Equipment: The bill proposes more than $2.9 billion for FAA facilities and equipment, including NextGen programs “ $7.1 million more than the current level.
Operations: The House bill proposes almost $11.9 billion for FAA operations “ $63.8 million less than the administration requested but $456 million more than the current level.
Research, Engineering, and Development: The House measure includes $260.5 million for research, engineering, and development “ the same amount that the administration requested.
Airport Improvement Program
Traditional Airport Improvement Program Funding: The House bill proposes $3.35 billion for the traditional AIP account in FY23 “ the same as the current funding level. Of that amount, the bill designates approximately $137.4 million is for administration expenses, $15 million for the Airport Cooperative Research Program, slightly more than $40.8 million for Airport Technology Research, and $10 million for the Small Community Air Service Development Program.
Supplemental Airport Improvement Program Funding: The House bill includes an additional $272.6 million in supplemental AIP discretionary grants “ approximately $281.6 million less than the amount Congress approved in FY22. Of the proposed amount for FY23, approximately $172.6 million would be reserved for earmarks, which are officially known as 'Community Project Funding' requests. That is $106.6 million less than the FY22 enacted level.
Continued EDS Prohibition: The bill continues the prohibition against the use of AIP funds for 'the replacement of baggage conveyor systems, reconfiguration of terminal baggage areas, or other airport improvements that are necessary to install bulk explosive detection systems.'
Local Match: The bill maintains a narrow provision that allows small airports to pay the lower 5 percent match for any unfinished phased projects that were underway prior to the passage of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.
Small Community Programs
Contract Towers: The House bill includes $187.8 million in dedicated funding for the Contract Tower and Contract Tower Cost Share Programs “ almost $10 million more than the current level. That increase would fund all 260 contract towers currently in the program and allow the FAA to add other airports to the program during the next fiscal year.
Essential Air Service: The House bill includes $386.7 million in discretionary funding for the Essential Air Service Program. Coupled with an estimated $81.3 million from overflight fees, the overall funding level for EAS would rise to $450 million in FY23 “ the same as the administration's budget request. It would also waive the 15-passenger seat requirement.
Small Community Air Service Development: The House bill includes $10 million for the Small Community Air Service Development Program. This is the same amount that Congress approved for the program in FY22 and $10 million more than the administration requested.
Miscellaneous
Cost Free Space: The House bill includes a AAAE-backed proposal that would continue to prohibit the FAA from requiring airports to provide space free of charge in airport-owned buildings.
Airport Cooperative Research Program: As mentioned above, the House bill includes $15 million in AIP funding for the Airport Cooperative Research Program.
Contract Weather Observers: The bill would continue to block the FAA from eliminating the Contact Weather Observers program at any airport.
Additional Info
• The House Appropriations Committee press release may be viewed here.
• The bill may be viewed here.
What's Next?
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies is scheduled to mark up the legislation on June 23 at 4:00 p.m. The full committee is expected to consider the measure next week.
In advance of consideration by a key subcommittee tomorrow, House Appropriations Committee leaders released a Fiscal Year 2023 spending bill for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies that proposes $3.35 billion for AIP, an additional $272.6 million for supplemental discretionary grants to airports, and an almost $10 million increase for the FAA Contract Tower Program.
The bill would provide a total of $105.4 billion for DOT next year “ $2.4 billion above the current funding level and $942 million more than the administration requested. House lawmakers are also proposing to increase funding for the FAA by almost $900 million next year. House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Chair David Price (D-NC) commented on the need to continue to invest in our nation's infrastructure.
'The current challenges and needs in our communities require us to think boldly about the future of infrastructure in our nation,' Price said. 'This year's T-HUD bill builds upon the successes of President Biden's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, providing critical funding to augment this once-in-a-generation investment.'
Funding for FAA Programs
FAA: The House proposal includes $18.7 billion for the FAA “ $193 million more than the FY22 enacted level.
Facilities and Equipment: The bill proposes more than $2.9 billion for FAA facilities and equipment, including NextGen programs “ $7.1 million more than the current level.
Operations: The House bill proposes almost $11.9 billion for FAA operations “ $63.8 million less than the administration requested but $456 million more than the current level.
Research, Engineering, and Development: The House measure includes $260.5 million for research, engineering, and development “ the same amount that the administration requested.
Airport Improvement Program
Traditional Airport Improvement Program Funding: The House bill proposes $3.35 billion for the traditional AIP account in FY23 “ the same as the current funding level. Of that amount, the bill designates approximately $137.4 million is for administration expenses, $15 million for the Airport Cooperative Research Program, slightly more than $40.8 million for Airport Technology Research, and $10 million for the Small Community Air Service Development Program.
Supplemental Airport Improvement Program Funding: The House bill includes an additional $272.6 million in supplemental AIP discretionary grants “ approximately $281.6 million less than the amount Congress approved in FY22. Of the proposed amount for FY23, approximately $172.6 million would be reserved for earmarks, which are officially known as 'Community Project Funding' requests. That is $106.6 million less than the FY22 enacted level.
Continued EDS Prohibition: The bill continues the prohibition against the use of AIP funds for 'the replacement of baggage conveyor systems, reconfiguration of terminal baggage areas, or other airport improvements that are necessary to install bulk explosive detection systems.'
Local Match: The bill maintains a narrow provision that allows small airports to pay the lower 5 percent match for any unfinished phased projects that were underway prior to the passage of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.
Small Community Programs
Contract Towers: The House bill includes $187.8 million in dedicated funding for the Contract Tower and Contract Tower Cost Share Programs “ almost $10 million more than the current level. That increase would fund all 260 contract towers currently in the program and allow the FAA to add other airports to the program during the next fiscal year.
Essential Air Service: The House bill includes $386.7 million in discretionary funding for the Essential Air Service Program. Coupled with an estimated $81.3 million from overflight fees, the overall funding level for EAS would rise to $450 million in FY23 “ the same as the administration's budget request. It would also waive the 15-passenger seat requirement.
Small Community Air Service Development: The House bill includes $10 million for the Small Community Air Service Development Program. This is the same amount that Congress approved for the program in FY22 and $10 million more than the administration requested.
Miscellaneous
Cost Free Space: The House bill includes a AAAE-backed proposal that would continue to prohibit the FAA from requiring airports to provide space free of charge in airport-owned buildings.
Airport Cooperative Research Program: As mentioned above, the House bill includes $15 million in AIP funding for the Airport Cooperative Research Program.
Contract Weather Observers: The bill would continue to block the FAA from eliminating the Contact Weather Observers program at any airport.
Additional Info
• The House Appropriations Committee press release may be viewed here.
• The bill may be viewed here.
What's Next?
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies is scheduled to mark up the legislation on June 23 at 4:00 p.m. The full committee is expected to consider the measure next week.
