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The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders have reached an agreement on a final bicameral bill to reauthorize the FAA. The FAA's authorization has been extended again, now until May 10, and a vote is expected soon.
"Now more than ever, the FAA needs strong and decisive direction from Congress to ensure America's aviation system maintains its gold standard, and we have reached a bipartisan, bicameral, comprehensive agreement to do just that," the Committee leaders said in a joint statement.Read an overview of what is included in the bill
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves, Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee ranking member Rick Larsen, and Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chair ranking member Ted Cruz released the statement announcing the joint agreement on a final bipartisan, bicameral bill.
"The American people deserve nothing less than the safest and most efficient aerospace system in the world, and to that end, our bill provides critical safety enhancements, grows America's aviation workforce, invests in infrastructure at airports of all sizes, sets clear priorities for advancing innovative aviation solutions, improves the flying public's travel experience, and ensures a healthy general aviation sector for years to come," the Committee leaders said.
The original bill was introduced in 2023 and would extend the FAA's authority for another five years. With discourse on both sides of the floor, the 2018 bill was extended three times in the last seven months to allow for more time to discuss what is included in the bill, make revisions and finally come to an agreement. The bill includes numerous safety measures like the deployment of surface detection technology at many airports, along with provisions to bolster the workforce, like addressing the air traffic controller shortage and mandating that the FAA implement new staffing models. Reuters reported that the bill included measures to boost ATC staffing and mitigate runway close-calls, but would not increase the airline pilot retirement age from 67 to 65.RELATED STORIES:Senate Committee passes FAA ReauthorizationGAMA President warns Congress of dangers without FAA reauthorizationGA groups urge Congress to pass long-term FAA reauthorization bill
The bill includes changes across the industry, addressing safety and operational concerns. Planes will be required to be equipped with a 25-hour cockpit voice recorder rather than the previous 2-hour CVR. Consumer protections will be strengthened, with a first-ever refund standard for passengers with non-refundable tickers with domestic flights are canceled or delayed and fines against airlines for aviation consumer protection violations will triple. Protections for passengers with disabilities will have improved seating accommodations and evacuation standards. The bill will also authorize over $100 billion in appropriations for the FAA fiscal years from 2024-2028. This will fund safety programs and help to modernize important technology and equipment, airport improvement grants and research and development.
The industry has been pushing for passage since the 2018 bill was set to expire at the end of September 2023, but while Congress remained at a standstill over government spending, temporary action was taken to prevent a full shutdown. A short-term funding bill passed, issuing statutory authorization for the FAA through the end of the year. This was followed by additional extensions while the nation's lawmakers continued to debate the bill.
"The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 is the culmination of months of work between House and Senate committee leaders, and we look forward to moving this agreement through both chambers as expeditiously as possible."