House committee releases draft of FAA reauthorization bill

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee today released its draft reauthorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The bipartisan Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act would reauthorize the FAA aviation infrastructure and safety programs for the next five fiscal years, with a total investment of around $103 billion over the lifespan of the bill.

At ATSSA’s Annual Convention & Traffic Expo in February, the Government Relations Committee approved a policy allowing for the Association to get engaged with this reauthorization, with a specific focus on increased investment on airfield and curbside infrastructure. The bill released earlier today would provide $20 billion in grant funding for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The AIP is the main grant program responsible for funding airfield and access road focused infrastructure safety projects. The full list of AIP eligible projects is available online.

The bill has full bipartisan support across House T&I Committee leadership.

“Our bipartisan legislation will improve critical infrastructure for airports of all sizes, streamline the FAA bureaucracy, strengthen the nation’s general aviation sector, encourage the more rapid deployment of safe technological innovations, and address workforce challenges throughout the aviation system,” Sam Graves, R-MO, said.

Ranking Member Rick Larsen, D-WA, applauded the introduction of the bill and its bipartisan nature, stating, “The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act is a good faith bipartisan compromise that creates a safer, cleaner, greener, and more accessible U.S. aviation system.”

The House will review and vote on any amendments during a full committee markup early next week, with the goal of full House passage by July. The Senate Commerce Committee is in the process of introducing its companion bill, with its release coming as soon as next week. The current FAA authorization is set to expire in September.