Regulatory Alert: FAA Proposes to Update AIP Grant Assurances
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced April 1 that they are proposing to modify and update Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant assurances to reflect recently issued executive orders, clarify certain public laws, update civil rights requirements, and make technical corrections. As part of this process, FAA also indicated that the agency will accept public comments on the proposed changes. The grant assurances currently in effect were last published in February 2020. 
FAA's notice of proposed modification to AIP grant assurances will be published in the Federal Register on Monday, April 4, triggering a 14-day comment period. FAA is also expected to release a complete draft of the grant assurances on the FAA's AIP website here. The notice released April 1 provides an overview of the proposed changes.  
While FAA does not appear to have made significant revisions to the grant assurances, airports are encouraged to review the proposed changes and submit comments if appropriate. AAAE is also asking that you or your airport send any questions, comments, or concerns to Justin Barkowski at justin.barkowski@aaae.org. AAAE will consider submitting feedback to FAA. 
What's Next? FAA indicated that the agency will accept public comments for 14 days but also stated a deadline date of April 12. AAAE is working to confirm the actual comment deadline, which will likely be Monday, April 18. However, we suggest reviewing the published notice in the Federal Register for the official submission deadline. 
If the proposed changes are adopted, FAA will publish a subsequent notice finalizing the new AIP grant assurances. Any AIP grant issued on or after that notice will be subject to the new grant assurances.