Summary:
Pilot's Bill of Rights 2

 This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue or revise medical certification regulations to ensure that an individual may operate as a pilot of a covered aircraft without regard to any medical certification or proof of health requirement otherwise applicable under federal law if the flight meets certain criteria and the individual:

 possesses a valid state driver's license, complies with applicable medical requirements associated with that license, is transporting five or fewer passengers, and is operating under visual or instrument flight rules. "Covered aircraft" is one that:

 is not authorized under federal law to carry more than six occupants, and has a maximum certificated takeoff weight of no more than 6,000 pounds. The FAA may not take enforcement action against a pilot of a covered aircraft for not holding a valid third-class medical certificate if the pilot and the flight meet such requirements, unless the FAA has published final regulations under this Act in the Federal Register.

The Pilot's Bill of Rights is amended to authorize any persons adversely affected by an FAA decision to deny, suspend, or revoke a covered certificate or impose a civil penalty to file an appeal with the National Transportation Safety Board or, without further administrative review, in the U.S. district court or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. This subjects all FAA-issued certificates involving an adverse action to review.

"Covered certificate" means, in addition to an airman certificate (as under current law), a design organization certificate, holder of type certificate, production certificate, airworthiness certificate, air carrier operating certificate, airport operating certificate, air agency certificate, air navigation facility certificate, or medical certificate.

 Requirements are prescribed or revised for FAA:

 failure to notify an individual who is the subject of an investigation regarding the approval, denial, suspension, modification, or revocation of a covered certificate; provision to persons holding a covered certificate of the releasable portion of an investigative report before issuing an emergency order relating to the investigation; response to a written request by a certificate-holding repair station subject to an investigation to withdraw from or settle a proceeding relating to the investigation within 30 days after receiving the request; and reexamination of airmen certificates where there are reasonable grounds to question an airman's lack of competence or believe a certificate was obtained through fraud. The FAA may not take enforcement action against an individual for violation of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) regarding airspace system information until the FAA certifies its compliance with certain NOTAM Improvement program requirements, as amended by this Act.

The FAA, upon receiving a request for a covered flight record not in its possession, shall request the record from a FAA contract tower or other FAA contractor possessing it.

Any individual designated by the FAA to act as an FAA representative shall be shielded from liability in a civil action for actions performed with reasonable care in connection with related duties.

The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 is amended to shield from liability a volunteer pilot that flies for a volunteer pilot nonprofit organization for public benefit an aircraft for which the volunteer was properly licensed and insured. The staff, mission coordinators, officers, and directors of the nonprofit organization shall also be shielded from liability, provided certain conditions are met.

pilot bill rights bill directs federal_aviation_administration faa issue revise medical certification regulations ensure individual operate pilot covered aircraft regard medical certification proof health requirement applicable federal law flight meets certain criteria individual possesses valid state driver license complies applicable medical requirements associated license transporting fewer passengers operating visual instrument flight rules covered aircraft authorized federal law carry occupants maximum certificated takeoff weight pounds faa enforcement action pilot covered aircraft holding valid class medical certificate pilot flight meet requirements faa published final regulations act federal_register pilot bill rights amended authorize persons adversely affected faa decision deny suspend revoke covered certificate impose civil penalty file appeal national_transportation_safety_board administrative review district court district_of_columbia subjects faa issued certificates involving adverse action review covered certificate means addition airman certificate current law design organization certificate holder type certificate production certificate airworthiness certificate air carrier operating certificate airport operating certificate air agency certificate air navigation facility certificate medical certificate requirements prescribed revised faa failure notify individual subject investigation approval denial suspension modification revocation covered certificate provision persons holding covered certificate portion investigative report issuing emergency order relating investigation response written request certificate holding repair station subject investigation withdraw settle proceeding relating investigation days receiving request airmen certificates reasonable grounds question airman lack competence believe certificate obtained fraud faa enforcement action individual violation airspace system information faa certifies compliance certain improvement program requirements amended act faa receiving request covered flight record possession shall request record faa contract tower faa contractor possessing individual designated faa act faa representative shall shielded liability civil action actions performed reasonable care connection related duties volunteer protection act amended shield liability volunteer pilot flies volunteer pilot nonprofit organization public benefit aircraft volunteer properly licensed insured staff mission coordinators officers directors nonprofit organization shall shielded liability provided certain conditions met


Summary:
Passenger Fee Restructuring Exemptions Act of 2015

 Revises aviation security service fee requirements.

Makes an exception to the $5.60 per one-way trip fee for certain passengers for domestic flights that originate at a U.S. airport.

Limits such fees to $2.50 per enplanement, with the total not to exceed $5.00 per one-way trip, for any passengers: (1) boarding to an eligible small community for which essential air service compensation is paid; or (2) on flights, including flight segments, between two or more points in Hawaii or two or more points in Alaska.

passenger fee restructuring exemptions act revises aviation security service fee requirements makes exception way trip fee certain passengers domestic flights originate airport limits fees enplanement total exceed way trip passengers boarding eligible small community essential air service compensation paid flights including flight segments points hawaii points alaska


Summary:
21st Century SCASDP Act

 Revises certain criteria the Secretary of Transportation must apply in selecting communities, or consortia of communities, with an underserved airport for participation in the Small Community Air Service Development Program.

21st century act revises certain criteria secretary transportation apply selecting communities consortia communities underserved airport participation


Summary:
General Aviation Pilot Protection Act of 2015

 Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue or revise FAA medical certification regulations to ensure that an individual may operate as a pilot of a covered aircraft without regard to any medical certification or proof of health requirement otherwise applicable under federal law if the flight meets certain criteria and the individual: (1) possesses a valid state driver's license, (2) complies with applicable medical requirements associated with that license, (3) is transporting five or fewer passengers, and (4) is operating under visual or instrument flight rules.

Defines "covered aircraft" as an aircraft that: (1) is not authorized under federal law to carry more than six occupants, and (2) has a maximum certificated takeoff weight of no more than 6,000 pounds.

Prohibits the Administrator from taking enforcement action against a pilot of a covered aircraft for not holding a valid third-class medical certificate if the pilot and the flight meets such requirements, unless the Administrator has published final regulations in the Federal Register.

directs administrator federal_aviation_administration faa issue revise faa medical certification regulations ensure individual operate pilot covered aircraft regard medical certification proof health requirement applicable federal law flight meets certain criteria individual possesses valid state driver license complies applicable medical requirements associated license transporting fewer passengers operating visual instrument flight rules defines covered aircraft aircraft authorized federal law carry occupants maximum certificated takeoff weight pounds prohibits administrator taking enforcement action pilot covered aircraft holding valid class medical certificate pilot flight meets requirements administrator published final regulations federal_register


Summary:
Drone Aircraft Privacy and Transparency Act of 2015

 Amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to study and identify any potential threats to privacy protections posed by the integration of unmanned aircraft (drone) systems into the national airspace system, including any potential violations of privacy principles.

Directs the Secretary to establish certain procedures to allow for civil operation in the national airspace system of small drone systems that do not meet expedited operational authorization requirements. Requires such procedures to ensure that the integration of drone systems into the national airspace system is done in compliance with privacy principles.

Prohibits the Secretary from approving, issuing, or awarding any certificate, license, or other grant of authority to operate a drone system in the national airspace system unless the application for it includes a data collection statement, meeting certain requirements, that provides reasonable assurance that the applicant will operate the drone system in accordance with privacy principles. Applies the same privacy principles requirement to any drone system to be operated by a law enforcement agency or a law enforcement agency contractor or subcontractor, except that the application for it shall include a data minimization statement, meeting certain requirements, instead of a data collection statement.

Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to make any approved certificate, license, or other grant of authority, plus other specified information, available in a searchable format on the public FAA website.

Prohibits a governmental entity from using a drone system, or requesting information or data collected by another entity through use of a drone system, for protective activities, or for law enforcement or intelligence purposes, except pursuant to a warrant issued using the procedures described in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (or, in the case of a state court, issued using state warrant procedures) by a court of competent jurisdiction, or as permitted under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. Makes an exception to this prohibition in exigent circumstances when a law enforcement entity reasonably believes there is: (1) an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury; or (2) a high risk of an imminent terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization, according to the Secretary of Homeland Security .

Makes it unlawful to operate a drone system in a manner that is not in accordance with the terms of a data collection statement or in a manner violating any portion of the final rule for the procedures for civil operation of small drone systems required by this Act. Grants enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission .

Authorizes a state to bring a civil action on behalf of state residents in state or U.S. district court for injunctive relief against violations of this Act or related regulations if the state attorney general has reason to believe that an interest of state residents has been or is threatened or adversely affected by a prohibited act or practice.

Creates a private right of action in state or U.S. district court for persons injured by a prohibited act.

Allows a suit against a governmental entity.

Requires the FAA to revoke the certificate, license, or other grant of authority to operate a drone system operated in a prohibited manner.

Declares that nothing in this Act may be construed to apply to model aircraft flown strictly for hobby or recreational purposes and meeting certain other criteria.

transparency_act amends faa_modernization reform act direct secretary transportation study identify potential threats privacy protections posed integration unmanned aircraft drone systems national airspace system including potential violations privacy principles directs secretary establish certain procedures allow civil operation national airspace system small drone systems meet expedited operational authorization requirements requires procedures ensure integration drone systems national airspace system compliance privacy principles prohibits secretary approving issuing awarding certificate license grant authority operate drone system national airspace system application includes data collection statement meeting certain requirements provides reasonable assurance applicant operate drone system accordance privacy principles applies privacy principles requirement drone system operated law enforcement agency law enforcement agency contractor subcontractor application shall include data minimization statement meeting certain requirements instead data collection statement directs administrator federal_aviation_administration faa approved certificate license grant authority plus specified information available searchable format public faa website prohibits governmental entity drone system requesting information data collected entity use drone system protective activities law enforcement intelligence purposes pursuant warrant issued procedures described federal_rules_of_criminal_procedure case state court issued state warrant procedures court competent jurisdiction permitted foreign_intelligence_surveillance_act makes exception prohibition exigent circumstances law enforcement entity reasonably believes imminent danger death physical injury high risk imminent terrorist attack specific individual organization according secretary homeland_security makes unlawful operate drone system manner accordance terms data collection statement manner violating portion final rule procedures civil operation small drone systems required act grants enforcement authority federal_trade_commission authorizes state bring civil action behalf state residents state district court injunctive relief violations act related regulations state attorney general reason believe interest state residents threatened adversely affected prohibited act practice creates private right action state district court persons injured prohibited act allows suit governmental entity requires faa revoke certificate license grant authority operate drone system operated prohibited manner declares act construed apply model aircraft flown strictly hobby recreational purposes meeting certain criteria


Summary:
Preserving American Privacy Act of 2015

 Amends the federal criminal code to require a governmental entity operating a public unmanned aircraft system to minimize the collection or disclosure of covered information. Defines "covered information" as: (1) information that is reasonably likely to enable identification of an individual, or (2) information about an individual's property that is not in plain view.

Requires such entity to submit to the Attorney General, with an application for a certificate or license to operate such a system in national airspace, a data collection statement that describes the purpose for which the system will be used, the length of time the collected information will be retained, the entity responsible for operating the system, the data minimization policies barring the collection of information unrelated to the investigation and requiring the destruction of information that is no longer relevant, and applicable audit and oversight procedures. Authorizes the Attorney General to request that the Secretary of Transportation revoke such a certificate or license if the operator's activity contravenes such statement. Directs the Attorney General to issue regulations to establish a database indexing such certificates, licenses, and statements.

Prohibits a government entity from operating a public unmanned aircraft system and collecting or disclosing covered information for a law enforcement purpose, except: (1) pursuant to a warrant or court order meeting specified requirements; (2) for the purpose of patrolling or securing the border within 25 miles from any external land boundary of the United States; (3) with the prior written consent of the individual to whom the covered information pertains; or (4) where an emergency situation exists that involves immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any person, or conspiratorial activities threatening the national security interest or characteristic of organized crime, and that requires action before a warrant or order can be obtained. Bars covered information obtained otherwise from being received as evidence in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.

Requires federal judges and state and local prosecuting attorneys to report on such warrants or orders issued or denied each year to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, which shall report a summary of such information to Congress.

Provides for administrative discipline proceedings when there is a serious question about whether a U.S. officer or employee acted intentionally with respect to a violation of this Act.

Prohibits: (1) intentionally operating a private unmanned aircraft system to capture, in a manner that is highly offensive to a reasonable person, any type of visual image, sound recording, or other physical impression of an individual engaging in personal or familial activity under circumstances in which the individual had a reasonable expectation of privacy; and (2) any investigative or law enforcement officer or private individual from operating an unmanned aircraft system that is armed with a firearm within U.S. airspace.

preserving american privacy act amends federal criminal code require governmental entity operating public unmanned aircraft system minimize collection disclosure covered information defines covered information information reasonably likely enable identification individual information individual property plain view requires entity submit attorney general application certificate license operate system national airspace data collection statement describes purpose system length time collected information retained entity responsible operating system data minimization policies barring collection information unrelated investigation requiring destruction information longer relevant applicable audit oversight procedures authorizes attorney general request secretary transportation revoke certificate license operator activity statement directs attorney general issue regulations establish database indexing certificates licenses statements prohibits government entity operating public unmanned aircraft system collecting disclosing covered information law enforcement purpose pursuant warrant court order meeting specified requirements purpose securing border miles external land boundary united_states prior written consent individual covered information pertains emergency situation exists involves immediate danger death physical injury person activities threatening national security interest characteristic organized crime requires action warrant order obtained bars covered information obtained received evidence trial hearing proceeding requires federal judges state local prosecuting attorneys report warrants orders issued denied year administrative_office_of_the_united_states_courts shall report summary information congress provides administrative discipline proceedings question officer employee acted intentionally respect violation act prohibits intentionally operating private unmanned aircraft system capture manner highly offensive reasonable person type visual image sound recording physical impression individual engaging personal familial activity circumstances individual reasonable expectation privacy investigative law enforcement officer private individual operating unmanned aircraft system armed firearm airspace


Summary:
Homeland Security Drone Assessment and Analysis Act

(Sec. 2) Directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) research how commercially available small and medium sized unmanned aircraft, excluding aircraft over 1,300 pounds, could be used to perpetuate an attack; and (2) develop policies, guidance, and protocols for DHS to prevent, or mitigate the risks of, such an attack. Authorizes DHS to provide the Departments of Defense, Transportation, and Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission information regarding how to best prevent and mitigate the risk of such an attack.

Requires DHS to: (1) disseminate to state, local, and tribal law enforcement officials and to state and major urban area fusion centers information regarding how such officials may bolster preparedness for, and responses to, attacks by such aircraft; and (2) submit an assessment of the security risk associated with such aircraft.

analysis act sec directs department_of_homeland_security dhs research commercially available small medium sized unmanned aircraft excluding aircraft pounds perpetuate attack develop policies guidance protocols dhs prevent mitigate risks attack authorizes dhs provide energy nuclear_regulatory_commission information best prevent mitigate risk attack requires dhs disseminate state local tribal law enforcement officials state major urban area fusion centers information officials bolster preparedness responses attacks aircraft submit assessment security risk associated aircraft


Summary:
TSA Loose Change Act

 Directs the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration [TSA]) to transfer annually, based on requests for proposals, unclaimed money recovered at airport security checkpoints to nonprofit organizations that operate multiple airport centers throughout the United States to provide places of rest and recuperation for Armed Forces members and their families. (Currently, such moneys are retained by the TSA for civil aviation security.)

Amends the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2005 to repeal the requirement that the TSA Administrator report annually to Congress on how unclaimed money is being used to provide civil aviation security. Requires the Administrator, instead, to report on the amount of money transferred to nonprofit organizations.

directs assistant secretary homeland_security transportation_security_administration tsa transfer annually based requests proposals unclaimed money recovered airport security checkpoints nonprofit organizations operate multiple airport centers united_states provide places rest recuperation armed_forces members families currently moneys retained tsa civil aviation security amends department_of_homeland_security appropriations act repeal requirement tsa administrator report annually congress unclaimed money provide civil aviation security requires administrator instead report money transferred nonprofit organizations


Summary:
Air Traffic Controller Reform and Employee Stock Ownership Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Transportation to transfer Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control personnel and property to a private corporation. The corporation shall issue securities to such personnel giving them stock ownership in the corporation.

employee stock ownership act bill directs department_of_transportation transfer federal_aviation_administration air traffic control personnel property private corporation corporation shall issue securities personnel giving stock ownership corporation


Summary:
No Armed Drones Act of 2015 or the NADA Act of 2015

 Amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to prohibit the Department of Transportation (DOT) from authorizing any person to operate an unmanned aircraft system (drone) in the national airspace system as a weapon or to deliver a weapon against a person or property.

Permits DOT to establish exceptions to the prohibition for:

 private drones for recreational hunting and animal control, and public drones for operations conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Defense, and certain governmental entities for national defense or in response to terrorism.

armed drones act act amends faa_modernization reform act prohibit department_of_transportation dot authorizing person operate unmanned aircraft system drone national airspace system weapon deliver weapon person property permits dot establish exceptions prohibition private drones recreational hunting animal control public drones operations conducted department_of_defense certain governmental entities national defense response terrorism


Summary:
Air Traffic Controllers Hiring Act of 2015

Directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in appointing individuals to the position of air traffic controller, to give preference to:

 an individual who has successfully completed air traffic controller training and graduated from an institution participating in the Collegiate Training Initiative program (the program) and who has received from the institution either an appropriate recommendation or an endorsement certifying that the individual would have met the requirements in effect as of December 31, 2013, for an appropriate recommendation; a qualified individual who is eligible for a veterans recruitment appointment; a qualified individual who is an eligible veteran maintaining aviation experience obtained in the course of the individual's military experience; a preference eligible veteran; and a qualified individual maintaining practical air traffic control experience obtained at civilian installations of the Department of Defense, FAA air traffic control facilities, or contract towers of the FAA. Allows the FAA to consider additional applicants only after completing consideration of such preferred applicants.

Provides that a preferred applicant shall not be subject to any biographical assessment as part of FAA hiring practices that apply to applicants for the position of air traffic controller. Directs the FAA to revise its hiring practices to eliminate the use of any biographical assessment that unduly disqualifies applicants. Provides for reconsideration of individuals who applied in response to the FG-01 vacancy announcement of February 10, 2014, who were disqualified on the basis of such an assessment.

Requires (currently, allows) the FAA to maintain the program by making new agreements and continuing existing agreements with institutions of higher education under which the institutions prepare students for the position of air traffic controller.

Directs the FAA to take into consideration any training initiatives for air traffic controllers that are locally developed at institutions of higher education participating in the program for use in establishing best practices nationwide.

hiring act directs federal_aviation_administration faa appointing individuals position air traffic controller preference individual successfully completed air traffic controller training graduated institution participating collegiate training initiative program program received institution appropriate recommendation endorsement certifying individual met requirements effect december appropriate recommendation qualified individual eligible veterans recruitment appointment qualified individual eligible veteran maintaining aviation experience obtained course individual military experience preference eligible veteran qualified individual maintaining practical air traffic control experience obtained civilian installations department_of_defense faa air traffic control facilities contract towers faa allows faa consider additional applicants completing consideration preferred applicants provides preferred applicant shall subject biographical assessment faa hiring practices apply applicants position air traffic controller directs faa revise hiring practices eliminate use biographical assessment unduly disqualifies applicants provides reconsideration individuals applied response vacancy announcement february disqualified basis assessment requires currently allows faa maintain program making new agreements continuing existing agreements institutions higher education institutions prepare students position air traffic controller directs faa consideration training initiatives air traffic controllers locally developed institutions higher education participating program use establishing best practices nationwide


Summary:
Aerotropolis Act of 2015

 Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to extend the eligibility for projects of national and regional significance under the surface transportation grant program to certain aerotropolis transportation system projects.

Defines "aerotropolis transportation system" as a planned and coordinated multimodal freight and passenger transportation network that provides efficient, sustainable, and intermodal connectivity to a defined region of economic significance centered around a major airport.

amends safe accountable flexible efficient transportation equity act legacy users safetea extend eligibility projects national regional significance surface transportation grant program certain aerotropolis transportation system projects defines aerotropolis transportation system planned coordinated multimodal freight passenger transportation network provides efficient sustainable intermodal connectivity defined region economic significance centered major airport


Summary:
Leading and Expediting Aerotropolis Development Act of 2015

 Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish an aerotropolis grant program to assist in the development of aerotropolis transportation systems (i.e., planned and coordinated multimodal freight and passenger transportation networks that provide efficient, sustainable, and intermodal connectivity to a defined region of economic significance centered around a major airport). Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to assist in planning, design, environmental review, or land acquisition activities for one or more specified kinds of projects to benefit such systems.

leading expediting aerotropolis development act directs secretary transportation establish aerotropolis grant program assist development aerotropolis transportation systems planned coordinated multimodal freight passenger transportation networks provide efficient sustainable intermodal connectivity defined region economic significance centered major airport authorizes secretary grants eligible entities assist planning design environmental review land acquisition activities specified kinds projects benefit systems


Summary: This bill prohibits the availability of federal funds to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority unless the Department of Transportation certifies that it is complying with appropriate auditing standards.

bill prohibits availability federal funds metropolitan_washington_airports_authority department_of_transportation certifies complying appropriate auditing standards


Summary:
Securing Expedited Screening Act

(Sec. 3) The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security shall, within 180 days after enactment of this Act, limit access to expedited airport security screening at airport security checkpoints to only a passenger who:

 voluntarily submits biographic and biometric information for a security risk assessment and has an approved PreCheck program application; is traveling as air transportation security or a member of the Armed Forces, including any accompanying family member; is a member of a population designated by the TSA as known and low-risk and who may be issued a unique, known traveler number; or is 75 years or older, or 12 years or younger and traveling with a parent or guardian participating in the PreCheck program. The TSA may extend for one year implementation of the requirement for passengers who have been designated frequent fliers.

The TSA may provide access to expedited airport security screening to additional passengers through an alternate method upon submission to Congress of an independent assessment of its security effectiveness.

(Sec. 4) The TSA shall report annually to Congress certain information on passengers provided expedited security screening.

securing expedited screening act sec transportation_security_administration tsa department_of_homeland_security shall days enactment act limit access expedited airport security screening airport security checkpoints passenger voluntarily submits biographic biometric information security risk assessment approved precheck program application traveling air transportation security member armed_forces including accompanying family member member population designated tsa known low risk issued unique known traveler number years older years younger traveling parent guardian participating precheck program tsa extend year implementation requirement passengers designated frequent tsa provide access expedited airport security screening additional passengers alternate method submission congress independent assessment security effectiveness sec tsa shall report annually congress certain information passengers provided expedited security screening


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on July 22, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Keeping our Travelers Safe and Secure Act

(Sec. 3) This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and implement a preventive maintenance validation process for security-related technology deployed to airports.

The maintenance contracts for security-related technology deployed to airports shall include penalties for noncompliance whenever preventive or corrective maintenance has not been completed according to contractual requirements and manufacturers' specifications.

(Sec. 4) The DHS Inspector General shall assess implementation of the requirements of this Act, as well as the utilization of TSA equipment maintenance technicians, and make recommendations for training TSA personnel, equipment maintenance technicians, and other airport personnel.

measure amended reported house july summary version repeated keeping travelers safe sec bill amends homeland security act direct transportation_security_administration tsa department_of_homeland_security dhs develop implement preventive maintenance validation process security related technology deployed airports maintenance contracts security related technology deployed airports shall include penalties noncompliance preventive corrective maintenance completed according contractual requirements manufacturers specifications sec dhs inspector general shall assess implementation requirements act utilization tsa equipment maintenance technicians recommendations training tsa personnel equipment maintenance technicians airport personnel


Summary:
Carry-On Freedom Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Transportation to issue regulations to prohibit a air carrier charging passengers a fee for checked baggage from using a size standard for carry-on baggage that reduces the size standard used by the carrier on June 8, 2015.

carry freedom act bill directs department_of_transportation issue regulations prohibit air carrier charging passengers fee checked baggage size standard carry baggage reduces size standard carrier june


Summary:
TSA PreCheck Expansion Act

(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to continue to administer the Precheck Program (trusted traveler program).

(Sec. 4) TSA shall publish application enrollment standards that add multiple private sector application capabilities for the PreCheck program to increase the public's enrollment access to such program.

Upon publication of such standards, the TSA must:

 coordinate with interested parties to deploy TSA-approved ready-to-market private sector solutions that meet such standards, make available additional enrollment capabilities, and offer secure online and mobile enrollment opportunities; partner with the private sector to collect biographic and biometric identification information via mobile enrollment platforms to increase enrollment flexibility and minimize the amount of travel to enrollment centers for applicants; ensure that any biometric and biographic information is collected in a manner that is comparable with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards and that protects privacy and data security, including that any personally identifiable information is collected, retained, used, and shared in a manner consistent with the Privacy Act of 1974; ensure that the enrollment process is streamlined and flexible to allow an individual to provide additional information to complete enrollment and verify identity; ensure that any enrollment expansion using a private sector risk assessment is determined to be equivalent to a fingerprint-based criminal history records check conducted through the Federal Bureau of Investigation; develop and implement a continual process for approving private sector marketing of the PreCheck program and a long-term strategy for partnering with the private sector to encourage enrollment; and report on any PreCheck Program application fees collected in excess of the costs of administering the program, including assessment of its feasibility and recommendations for using such amounts to support its marketing. The TSA shall:

 coordinate with the heads of appropriate Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components to leverage DHS-held data and technologies to verify the citizenship of individuals enrolling in the program; partner with the private sector to use biometrics and authentication standards such as those developed by NIST to facilitate enrollment; consider leveraging existing airport resources to conduct fingerprint and background checks to expedite identity verification; ensure that PreCheck Program screening lanes are available during peak and high-volume travel times at airports to enrolled individuals; provide for expedited screening at standard screening lanes during times when PreCheck Program screening lanes are closed; and initiate an assessment to identify security vulnerabilities in the vetting process for the program, including whether subjecting PreCheck Program participants to recurrent fingerprint-based criminal history records checks, in addition to recurrent checks against the terrorist watchlist, could be done in a cost-effective manner to strengthen the security of the program.

tsa precheck expansion act sec bill directs transportation_security_administration tsa continue administer trusted traveler program sec tsa shall publish application enrollment standards add multiple private sector application capabilities precheck program increase public enrollment access program publication standards tsa coordinate interested parties deploy tsa approved ready market private sector solutions meet standards available additional enrollment capabilities offer secure online mobile enrollment opportunities partner private sector collect biographic biometric identification information mobile enrollment platforms increase enrollment flexibility minimize travel enrollment centers applicants ensure biometric biographic information collected manner comparable national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist standards protects privacy data security including personally identifiable information collected retained shared manner consistent privacy_act ensure enrollment process streamlined flexible allow individual provide additional information complete enrollment verify identity ensure enrollment expansion private sector risk assessment determined equivalent fingerprint based criminal history records check conducted federal_bureau_of_investigation develop implement continual process approving private sector marketing precheck program long term strategy partnering private sector encourage enrollment report application fees collected excess costs administering program including assessment feasibility recommendations amounts support marketing tsa shall coordinate heads appropriate department_of_homeland_security dhs components leverage dhs held data technologies verify citizenship individuals enrolling program partner private sector use biometrics authentication standards developed nist facilitate enrollment consider leveraging existing airport resources conduct fingerprint background checks expedite identity verification ensure screening lanes available peak high volume travel times airports enrolled individuals provide expedited screening standard screening lanes times screening lanes closed initiate assessment identify security vulnerabilities vetting process program including subjecting participants recurrent fingerprint based criminal history records checks addition recurrent checks terrorist watchlist cost effective manner strengthen security program


Summary:
Technical Clarification to Public Law 113-243 Act of 2015

This bill amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 with respect to rollovers to a traditional individual retirement account (IRA) of payments to qualified airline employees in commercial airline carrier bankruptcy cases.

A commercial airline employee shall be qualified for such a rollover if he or she had participated in a commercial airline's tax-exempt defined benefit pension plan that was terminated or otherwise restricted.

 The bill prescribes a special rule for airline payments received by a qualified employee from an airline carrier resulting from a bankruptcy case filed after September 11, 2001, and before January 1, 2007, or on November 29, 2011.

Under this special rule, the period for a qualified airline employee to make a tax-exempt rollover of such a payment into a traditional IRA shall be extended to the period beginning on December 18, 2014, and ending 180 days after the enactment of this Act.

technical clarification public law act bill amends faa_modernization reform act respect rollovers traditional individual retirement account ira payments qualified airline employees commercial airline carrier bankruptcy cases commercial airline employee shall qualified rollover participated commercial airline tax exempt defined benefit pension plan terminated restricted bill prescribes special rule airline payments received qualified employee airline carrier resulting bankruptcy case filed september january november special rule period qualified airline employee tax exempt rollover payment traditional ira shall extended period beginning december ending days enactment act


Summary:
Protecting Firefighters and Promoting Innovation Act

This bill directs the President to establish an interagency working group to study the use of unmanned aircraft systems for wildland firefighting.

The working group shall:

 develop standards and best practices for the use of unmanned aircraft systems for wildland firefighting to assist in fire suppression, to provide real-time updates for firefighters, and to reduce the risk of firefighter fatalities due to wildland firefighting and related aircraft accidents; identify opportunities to use existing federal unmanned aircraft systems to lower the costs of the use of unmanned aircraft systems for wildland firefighting; with respect to the use of unmanned aircraft systems for wildland firefighting, assess opportunities to improve interagency coordination, the efficacy of current technology, and the potential efficacy of emerging technology; assess the implications for the Fourth Amendment of any standards, best practices, or recommendations under this Act with respect to the use of unmanned aircraft systems; and report to Congress and to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group on the results of its work.

promoting innovation act bill directs president establish interagency working group study use unmanned aircraft systems wildland firefighting working group shall develop standards best practices use unmanned aircraft systems wildland firefighting assist fire suppression provide real time updates firefighters reduce risk firefighter fatalities wildland firefighting related aircraft accidents identify opportunities use existing federal unmanned aircraft systems lower costs use unmanned aircraft systems wildland firefighting respect use unmanned aircraft systems wildland firefighting assess opportunities improve interagency coordination efficacy current technology potential efficacy emerging technology assess implications fourth amendment standards best practices recommendations act respect use unmanned aircraft systems report congress results work


Summary:
Wildfire Airspace Protection Act of 2015

Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit knowingly launching a drone near a wildfire threatening U.S. property that recklessly interferes with fighting the fire.

Makes it a defense to a prosecution for such offense that the drone was launched by a firefighter or other public safety officer acting in the course of official duty.

act amends federal criminal code prohibit knowingly launching drone near wildfire threatening property recklessly interferes fighting fire makes defense prosecution offense drone launched firefighter public safety officer acting course official duty


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on November 16, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Partners for Aviation Security Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Transportation Security Administration to consult with the Aviation Security Advisory Committee regarding modifications to the prohibited item list before issuing a determination about them.

The prohibited item list is a list of items passengers are prohibited from carrying as accessible property or on their persons through passenger screening checkpoints at airports, into sterile airport areas, and on board passenger aircraft.

(Sec. 3) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall report to its Transportation Security Oversight Board and specified congressional committees general information on how often the Board has met, its current composition, and what activities it has undertaken, consistent with its duties. DHS may include in the report recommendations for changes to Board requirements.

 (Sec. 4) Committee member term requirements are revised to allow an expiring member's term to continue until a successor member begins serving on the Committee.

measure amended reported house november summary version repeated partners aviation security act sec bill requires transportation_security_administration consult aviation_security_advisory_committee modifications prohibited item list issuing determination prohibited item list list items passengers prohibited carrying accessible property persons passenger screening checkpoints airports sterile airport areas board passenger aircraft sec department_of_homeland_security dhs shall report transportation_security_oversight_board specified congressional committees general information board met current composition activities undertaken consistent duties dhs include report recommendations changes board requirements sec committee member term requirements revised allow expiring member term continue successor member begins serving committee


Summary:
Baggage Fee Fairness Act of 2015

This bill prohibits any air carrier from collecting a checked baggage fee from an air passenger if the fee amount exceeds the total amount of passenger facility charges ($1-$4.50) that could be imposed (without regard to whether the charges are actually imposed) on a passenger by eligible agencies for boarding a flight.

baggage fee fairness act bill prohibits air carrier collecting checked baggage fee air passenger fee exceeds total passenger facility charges imposed regard charges actually imposed passenger eligible agencies boarding flight


Summary:
Families Flying Together Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Transportation to issue regulations directing each air carrier to: (1) establish a policy to ensure that a family that purchases tickets for a flight is seated together during that flight, and (2) make the policy available to the public on the air carrier's website. The bill defines "family" to mean a grouping of individuals that includes, at a minimum: (1) a child age 12 years or younger, and (2) an individual age 18 years or older who is responsible for accompanying that child.

The bill makes it an unfair or deceptive practice for any ticket agent, air carrier, foreign air carrier, or other person offering to sell tickets for air transportation to fail to disclose, prior to an individual's purchase of more than one ticket for a covered flight that includes a ticket for a minor, a notification that: (1) it is not possible to assign two or more seats together on at least one of the flights selected, and (2) the individual may not be able to sit next to other members of his or her travel party even if he or she is traveling with a minor. The term "covered flight" is defined as a flight for which: (1) a purchaser of a ticket may specify an advance seat assignment, with or without the assessment of any charge or fee; and (2) two or more laterally adjacent seats are not available for advance assignment.

families flying act bill directs department_of_transportation issue regulations directing air carrier establish policy ensure family purchases tickets flight flight policy available public air carrier website bill defines family mean grouping individuals includes minimum child age years younger individual age years older responsible accompanying child bill makes unfair deceptive practice ticket agent air carrier foreign air carrier person offering sell tickets air transportation fail disclose prior individual purchase ticket covered flight includes ticket minor notification possible assign seats flights selected individual able sit members travel party traveling minor term covered flight defined flight purchaser ticket specify advance seat assignment assessment charge fee adjacent seats available advance assignment


Summary:
Airplane Kids In Transit Safety Act of 2015 or the Airplane KITS Act of 2015

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration to initiate a rulemaking to ensure that aircraft medical kits contain appropriate medication and equipment to meet the emergency medical needs of children, including an epinephrine auto-injector.

airplane kids transit safety act airplane kits act bill directs federal_aviation_administration initiate rulemaking ensure aircraft medical kits contain appropriate medication equipment meet emergency medical needs children including epinephrine auto


Summary:
Transportation Security Administration Reform and Improvement Act of 2015

TITLE I--AVIATION SECURITY

(Sec. 101) This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to operate a trusted passenger-screening TSA PreCheck Program that provides expedited screening for low-risk passengers and their accessible property based on a comprehensive and continuous analysis of specified factors.

The TSA shall publish PreCheck application enrollment standards to add multiple private sector application capabilities for the program to increase the public's enrollment access to the program.

Upon publication of such standards, the TSA must:

 coordinate with interested parties to deploy TSA-approved ready-to-market private sector solutions that meet such standards, make available additional enrollment capabilities, and offer secure online and mobile enrollment opportunities; partner with the private sector to collect biographic and biometric identification information via secure mobile enrollment platforms to reduce the amount of travel to enrollment centers; ensure that any biometric and biographic information is collected in a manner comparable with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards and that protects privacy and data security, including that any personally identifiable information is collected, retained, used, and shared in a manner consistent with the Privacy Act of 1974; ensure that individuals who have started an application with a single identification verification at one location will be able to save it on any mobile enrollment platform and be able to return within a reasonable time to submit a second identification verification; ensure that any enrollment expansion using a private sector risk assessment instead of a fingerprint-based criminal history records check is equivalent to the fingerprint-based check conducted through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); develop and implement a process for approving private sector marketing of the program and a strategy for partnering with the private sector to encourage enrollment; and report on any PreCehck Program fees collected in excess of the costs of administering the program, including recommendations for using such amounts to support its marketing. The TSA must also:

 coordinate with the heads of appropriate Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components to leverage DHS-held data and technologies to verify the citizenship of individuals enrolling in the program; partner with the private sector to use advanced biometrics and standards comparable with NIST standards to facilitate enrollment; ensure that TSA PreCheck screening lanes are available to enrolled individuals during peak and high-volume travel times at airports; provide for expedited screening at standard screening lanes during times when PreCheck Program screening lanes are closed; and assess security vulnerabilities in the vetting process for the program, including whether subjecting PreCheck Program participants to recurrent fingerprint-based criminal history records checks, in addition to recurrent checks against the terrorist watchlist, could be done in a cost-effective manner to strengthen the program's security. (Sec. 102) The TSA shall:

 conduct a pilot project to establish a secure, automated, biometric-based system at airports to verify the identity of TSA PreCheck passengers; and establish a secure, automated system at all large hub airports for verifying travel and identity documents of non-PreCheck passengers. (Sec. 103) The TSA shall permit access to expedited airport security screening at airport security checkpoints only to a passenger who:

 submits voluntarily his or her biographic and biometric information for a security risk assessment and has an approved PreCheck Program application, or who is a participant in another DHS-trusted or -registered traveler program; is traveling as air transportation security or a member of the Armed Forces, including any accompanying family member; and is a member of a population designated by the TSA as known and low-risk and who may be issued a unique, known traveler number. Implementation of such expedited security screening may be delayed by up to one year for passengers who did not voluntarily submit biographic and biometric information for security risk assessments but who receive expedited airport security screening because they are designated as frequent fliers.

TSA may provide alternate methods of expedited airport security screening access to additional passengers upon an independent assessment of its security effectiveness.

TSA shall report annually to Congress on the percentages of passengers given expedited security screening, including those participating in the PreCheck, DHS-trusted traveler and traveler number, PreCheck security lane, and alternative method programs.

(Sec. 104) TSA shall develop:

 a process for evaluating the root causes of screening errors at airport checkpoints, and for implementing corrective measures to address those root causes; and additional measures to improve the performance of the Secure Flight program. (Sec. 105) TSA shall conduct an efficiency review of itself.

(Sec. 106) TSA may donate security screening equipment to a foreign last-point-of-departure airport operator if it can be reasonably expected to mitigate a specific vulnerability to U.S. security or to U.S. citizens.

(Sec. 107) TSA shall review annually, from a risk-based perspective, the necessity of TSA security directives in effect for longer than one year.

(Sec. 108) This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct TSA to develop and implement a preventive maintenance validation process for security-related technology deployed at airports.

(Sec. 109) The TSA shall request from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence access to additional data from the Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment data and any or other terrorism-related information to improve the credential vetting program for individuals with unescorted access to sensitive areas of airports.

The TSA shall:

 issue guidance for Transportation Security Inspectors to review annually airport badging office procedures for applicants seeking access to sensitive airport areas, including review during a security inspection of applicants' Criminal History Records Check and work authorization documentation; issue guidance to airports requiring that all federalized airport badging authorities place an expiration date on airport credentials commensurate with the period of time during which an individual is lawfully authorized to work in the United States; review any denial of credentials because of issues associated with determining an applicant's lawful status in order to identify airports with specific weaknesses and coordinate with them to address those weaknesses. The TSA may coordinate with the FBI Director to conduct a pilot program of the Rap Back Service to determine if a similar service can be implemented fully. (The FBI Rap Back Service provides authorized agencies with notification of criminal, and, in limited cases, civil activity of individuals that occurs after the initial processing and retention of criminal or civil transactions.)

(Sec. 110) The TSA shall consult with its Aviation Security Advisory Committee regarding any modification to the prohibited item list before issuing a determination about any such modification.

(Sec. 111) The TSA shall establish a pilot program to evaluate the effectiveness of privately-operated explosives detection canine teams using both the passenger screening canine and traditional explosives detection canine methods.

(Sec. 112) The TSA shall annually conduct covert testing of vulnerabilities and weaknesses of measures used to secure U.S. airports. In addition the DHS Inspector General shall conduct an independent covert testing of TSA protocols at such airports.

The TSA shall make recommendations and implement corrective actions to mitigate vulnerabilities identified by such testing.

(Sec. 113) The TSA shall periodically brief Congress on the status of efforts to enhance initial and recurrent training of Transportation Security Officers.

TITLE II--SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY AND OTHER MATTERS

(Sec. 201) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall report to Congress on the efficiency and effectiveness of TSA's Surface Transportation Security Inspectors Program.

(Sec. 202) The DHS Inspector General shall analyze the data and methods DHS uses to identify DHS Office of Inspection employees who meet specified requirements for law enforcement officers and criminal investigators.

The TSA shall:

 certify to Congress those employees who are classified as criminal investigators and receiving premium pay and other related benefits, and reclassify criminal investigator positions as noncriminal investigator or non-law enforcement positions if the individuals in them do not spend on average at least 50% of their time performing criminal investigative duties. The DHS Inspector General shall:

 review the employee requirements, responsibilities, and benefits of criminal investigators in the TSA Office of Inspection with criminal investigators employed at agencies adhering to the Office of Personnel Management employee classification system; and identify any inconsistencies and costs implications for differences between the varying employee requirements, responsibilities, and benefits. (Sec. 203) The bill repeals the mandate for a biennial GAO report on the satisfaction of recipients of transportation intelligence reports disseminated under the Transportation Security Information Sharing Plan.

(Sec. 204) The TSA shall report to Congress on the status of DHS implementation of certain requirements of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, including challenges TSA has encountered with respect to establishing regulations to provide security training to public transportation frontline employees and over-the-road bus frontline employees.

(Sec. 205) The TSA shall assess the feasibility of partnering with an independent, not-for-profit organization to provide venture capital to businesses, particularly small businesses, for commercialization of innovative homeland security technologies within the next 36 months.

improvement act title aviation security sec bill directs transportation_security_administration tsa operate trusted passenger screening provides expedited screening low risk passengers accessible property based comprehensive continuous analysis specified factors tsa shall publish precheck application enrollment standards add multiple private sector application capabilities program increase public enrollment access program publication standards tsa coordinate interested parties deploy tsa approved ready market private sector solutions meet standards available additional enrollment capabilities offer secure online mobile enrollment opportunities partner private sector collect biographic biometric identification information secure mobile enrollment platforms reduce travel enrollment centers ensure biometric biographic information collected manner comparable national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist standards protects privacy data security including personally identifiable information collected retained shared manner consistent privacy_act ensure individuals started application single identification verification location able save mobile enrollment platform able return reasonable time submit second identification verification ensure enrollment expansion private sector risk assessment instead fingerprint based criminal history records check equivalent fingerprint based check conducted federal_bureau_of_investigation fbi develop implement process approving private sector marketing program strategy partnering private sector encourage enrollment report fees collected excess costs administering program including recommendations amounts support marketing tsa coordinate heads appropriate department_of_homeland_security dhs components leverage dhs held data technologies verify citizenship individuals enrolling program partner private sector use advanced biometrics standards comparable nist standards facilitate enrollment ensure screening lanes available enrolled individuals peak high volume travel times airports provide expedited screening standard screening lanes times screening lanes closed assess security vulnerabilities vetting process program including subjecting participants recurrent fingerprint based criminal history records checks addition recurrent checks terrorist watchlist cost effective manner strengthen program security sec tsa shall conduct pilot project establish secure automated biometric based system airports verify identity passengers establish secure automated system large hub airports verifying travel identity documents non precheck passengers sec tsa shall permit access expedited airport security screening airport security checkpoints passenger submits voluntarily biographic biometric information security risk assessment approved application participant dhs trusted -registered traveler program traveling air transportation security member armed_forces including accompanying family member member population designated tsa known low risk issued unique known traveler number implementation expedited security screening delayed year passengers voluntarily submit biographic biometric information security risk assessments receive expedited airport security screening designated frequent tsa provide alternate methods expedited airport security screening access additional passengers independent assessment security effectiveness tsa shall report annually congress percentages passengers given expedited security screening including participating precheck dhs trusted traveler traveler number precheck security lane alternative method programs sec tsa shall develop process evaluating root causes screening errors airport checkpoints implementing corrective measures address root causes additional measures improve performance program sec tsa shall conduct efficiency review sec tsa donate security screening equipment foreign point departure airport operator reasonably expected mitigate specific vulnerability security citizens sec tsa shall review annually risk based perspective necessity tsa security directives effect longer year sec bill amends homeland security act direct tsa develop implement preventive maintenance validation process security related technology deployed airports sec tsa shall request office_of_the_director national_intelligence access additional data data terrorism related information improve credential vetting program individuals unescorted access sensitive areas airports tsa shall issue guidance review annually airport office procedures applicants seeking access sensitive airport areas including review security inspection applicants criminal history records check work authorization documentation issue guidance airports requiring airport authorities place expiration date airport credentials commensurate period time individual lawfully authorized work united_states review denial credentials issues associated determining applicant lawful status order identify airports specific weaknesses coordinate address weaknesses tsa coordinate fbi director conduct pilot program determine similar service implemented fully fbi service provides authorized agencies notification criminal limited cases civil activity individuals occurs initial processing retention criminal civil transactions sec tsa shall consult aviation_security_advisory_committee modification prohibited item list issuing determination modification sec tsa shall establish pilot program evaluate effectiveness privately operated explosives detection canine teams passenger screening canine traditional explosives detection canine methods sec tsa shall annually conduct covert testing vulnerabilities weaknesses measures secure airports addition dhs inspector general shall conduct independent covert testing tsa protocols airports tsa shall recommendations implement corrective actions mitigate vulnerabilities identified testing sec tsa shall periodically brief congress status efforts enhance initial recurrent training title surface transportation security matters sec government_accountability_office gao shall report congress efficiency effectiveness tsa sec dhs inspector general shall analyze data methods dhs uses identify employees meet specified requirements law enforcement officers criminal investigators tsa shall certify congress employees classified criminal investigators receiving premium pay related benefits reclassify criminal investigator positions noncriminal investigator non law enforcement positions individuals spend average time performing criminal investigative duties dhs inspector general shall review employee requirements responsibilities benefits criminal investigators criminal investigators employed agencies adhering office_of_personnel_management employee classification system identify inconsistencies costs implications differences varying employee requirements responsibilities benefits sec bill repeals mandate biennial gao report satisfaction recipients transportation intelligence reports disseminated sec tsa shall report congress status dhs implementation certain requirements commission act including challenges tsa encountered respect establishing regulations provide security training public transportation frontline employees road bus frontline employees sec tsa shall assess feasibility partnering independent profit organization provide venture capital businesses particularly small businesses commercialization innovative homeland security technologies months


Summary:
Aviation Cost and Expenses Sharing Act of 2015

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration to issue or revise regulations to ensure that persons who hold a private pilot certificate may communicate with the public in cases where operating expenses of the flight are shared between the pilot and passengers.

aviation cost expenses sharing act bill directs federal_aviation_administration issue revise regulations ensure persons hold private pilot certificate communicate public cases operating expenses flight shared pilot passengers


Summary:
(Sec. 1) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the excise tax on transportation of persons and property by air amounts paid by an aircraft owner or lessee for aircraft management services related to maintenance and support of the aircraft or flights on such aircraft.

Aircraft management services include assisting an aircraft owner with administrative and support services; obtaining insurance; maintenance, storage and fueling of aircraft; hiring, training, and provision of pilots and crew; establishing and complying with safety standards; or other services necessary to support flights operated by an aircraft owner.

In the case of an aircraft owner that is wholly-owned by another person, amounts paid by the other person on behalf of the aircraft owner must be treated as having been paid directly by the aircraft owner.

sec bill amends internal_revenue_code exempt excise tax transportation persons property air amounts paid aircraft owner lessee aircraft management services related maintenance support aircraft flights aircraft aircraft management services include assisting aircraft owner administrative support services obtaining insurance maintenance storage fueling aircraft hiring training provision pilots crew establishing complying safety standards services necessary support flights operated aircraft owner case aircraft owner wholly owned person amounts paid person behalf aircraft owner treated having paid directly aircraft owner


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2015

TITLE I--AIRPORT AND AIRWAY PROGRAMS

(Sec. 101) This bill reauthorizes for the period October 1, 2015, through March 31, 2016, the airport improvement program.

(Sec. 102) The following expiring authorities are extended through the same period, including:

 the competition disclosure requirement under a development project grant for a large hub airport or a medium hub airport; the eligibility for small airport grants of sponsors of airports in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau; the air traffic control contract program; state and local government compatible land use planning and projects; Department of Transportation authority to appropriate funds to acquire, establish, and improve air navigation facilities; civil aviation research and development; Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations; essential air service; and the starting date of authority to propose regulations restricting or prohibiting design features or operating practices for the commercial space flight industry. The Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act is amended to extend through the same period:

 the authorization for airport development at Midway Island Airport, and the authority of any final order with respect to the eligibility for essential air service compensation. The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 is amended to extend through:

 FY2016 the requirement for an Inspector General report on participation in FAA programs by disadvantaged small business concerns, March 31, 2016, the pilot program under which operators of up to four public-use airports may receive grants for activities related to the redevelopment of airport properties, and the same date the advisory committee for aviation consumer protection. TITLE II--REVENUE PROVISIONS

(Sec. 201) The Internal Revenue Code is amended to extend through the same period expenditure authority from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, fuel and ticket taxes, as well as the exemption from ticket taxes for aircraft in fractional ownership aircraft programs.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house passed version repeated airport airway extension act title airport sec bill reauthorizes period october march airport improvement program sec following expiring authorities extended period including competition disclosure requirement development project grant large hub airport medium hub airport eligibility small airport grants sponsors airports republic_of_the_marshall_islands federated_states micronesia republic palau air traffic control contract program state local government compatible land use planning projects department_of_transportation authority appropriate funds acquire establish improve air navigation facilities civil aviation research development federal_aviation_administration faa operations essential air service starting date authority propose regulations restricting prohibiting design features operating practices commercial space flight industry vision -century amended extend period authorization airport development midway island airport authority final order respect eligibility essential air service compensation faa_modernization reform act amended extend fy2016 requirement inspector general report participation faa programs disadvantaged small business concerns march pilot program operators public use airports receive grants activities related redevelopment airport properties date advisory committee aviation consumer protection title revenue provisions sec internal_revenue_code amended extend period expenditure authority airport airway_trust_fund fuel ticket taxes exemption ticket taxes aircraft fractional ownership aircraft programs


Summary:
Safety for Airports and Firefighters by Ensuring Drones Refrain from Obstructing Necessary Equipment Act of 2015 or the SAFE DRONE Act of 2015

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to knowingly operate a drone in a restricted area. A "restricted area" is an area that is:

 within a two-mile radius of a hub airport or an ongoing firefighting operation, or subject to a temporary flight restriction issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. The prohibition does not apply to government operations in response to a fire or emergency.

Violators are subject to fines, up to one year in prison, or both.

obstructing necessary equipment act safe drone act bill amends federal criminal code crime knowingly operate drone restricted area restricted area area mile radius hub airport ongoing firefighting operation subject temporary flight restriction issued federal_aviation_administration prohibition apply government operations response fire emergency violators subject fines year prison


Summary:
Silent Skies Act of 2015

 This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration to enter into a competitive cooperative agreement with an institution, entity, or consortium to carry out a program for the development of aircraft technology that will assist in-service and in-production civil turbojets not meeting stage 4 noise standards to comply with those or more stringent standards.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) must: (1) issue regulations to establish minimum standards to ensure that graduated percentages of civil turbojets weighing over 75,000 pounds comply with the stage 4 noise levels by specified dates, and (2) report annually on the progress made by air carriers in complying with such standards. 100% of such turbojets operating after December 31, 2037, must comply with stage 4 levels.

DOT shall request the International Civil Aviation Organization to add to its Work Programme the consideration of international standards for the phase-out of aircraft that do not comply with stage 4 noise levels.

The requirements of this Act shall not apply to civil turbojet aircraft that operate outside of the 48 contiguous states.

DOT may not issue a type certificate for: (1) a civil turbojet with a maximum weight of more than 75,000 pounds on and after December 31, 2017, unless the applicant demonstrates that such turbojet complies with stage 5 noise levels; and (2) any civil turbojet on and after December 31, 2020, unless the applicant demonstrates that such turbojet complies with stage 5 noise levels.

skies act bill directs federal_aviation_administration enter competitive cooperative agreement institution entity consortium carry program development aircraft technology assist service production civil meeting stage noise standards comply stringent standards department_of_transportation dot issue regulations establish minimum standards ensure graduated percentages civil weighing pounds comply stage noise levels specified dates report annually progress air carriers complying standards operating december comply stage levels dot shall request international_civil_aviation_organization add work consideration international standards phase aircraft comply stage noise levels requirements act shall apply civil turbojet aircraft operate outside contiguous states dot issue type certificate civil turbojet maximum weight pounds december applicant demonstrates turbojet complies stage noise levels civil turbojet december applicant demonstrates turbojet complies stage noise levels


Summary:
Comfortable and Fair Flight Act

This bill prohibits an air carrier operating an aircraft from charging ticketed passengers a fee for the use of a lavatory on such aircraft. If an aircraft lacks an adequate number of functioning lavatories at the time of boarding, the carrier shall permit a ticketed passenger to select alternative equivalent air transportation operated by such carrier without charging an additional fee.

 A carrier must refund any baggage fee for baggage that does not arrive within two hours after the passenger arrives at the scheduled destination.

fair flight act bill prohibits air carrier operating aircraft charging ticketed passengers fee use aircraft aircraft lacks adequate number functioning time boarding carrier shall permit ticketed passenger select alternative equivalent air transportation operated carrier charging additional fee carrier refund baggage fee baggage arrive hours passenger arrives scheduled destination


Summary:
This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration to increase the rest periods for flight attendants to ensure that a flight attendant scheduled to a duty period of 14 hours or less is given a scheduled rest period of at least 10 consecutive hours.

The scheduled duty period may be reduced to at least 9 consecutive hours if the flight attendant is provided a subsequent rest period of at least 11 consecutive hours that: (1) is scheduled to begin within 24 hours after the beginning of the reduced rest period, and (2) occurs between the completion of the scheduled duty period and the commencement of the subsequent duty period.

bill requires federal_aviation_administration increase rest periods flight attendants ensure flight attendant scheduled duty period hours given scheduled rest period consecutive hours scheduled duty period reduced consecutive hours flight attendant provided subsequent rest period consecutive hours scheduled begin hours beginning reduced rest period occurs completion scheduled duty period commencement subsequent duty period


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) This bill permits the Department of Transportation to authorize the use of a passenger facility charge to finance an eligible airport-related project if: (1) the eligible agency seeking to impose the new charge controls an airport where a $2 passenger facility charge became effective on January 1, 2013; and (2) such airport and the airport at which the project will be carried out were under the control of the same eligible agency on October 1, 2015. Not more than $120 million in passenger facility charges so collected may be used to carry out such a project.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill permits department_of_transportation authorize use passenger facility charge finance eligible airport related project eligible agency seeking impose new charge controls airport passenger facility charge effective january airport airport project carried control eligible agency october million passenger facility charges collected carry project


Summary:
Commercial UAS Modernization Act

This bill amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to permit an individual to operate a small commercial unmanned aircraft without an airworthiness certificate within the United States until the effective date of a final rule based on the notice of proposed rulemaking "Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems" issued on February 23, 2015, subject to the following requirements:

 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive an attestation that the aircraft owner has liability insurance covering its operation; the owner must register the aircraft; the operator must pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test developed by the FAA and a proficiency test administered by a test site for such aircraft; the aircraft may be operated for commercial purposes only in daylight conditions, under visual line of sight rules, lower than 500 feet above ground level, and only after a preflight inspection; and the aircraft shall yield right of way to all other users of the National Airspace System. Such an aircraft may not be operated: (1) until the operator of a test site certifies that it meets the requirements in the rulemaking notice and can operate within such restrictions; (2) unless the operator has prior authorization from the air traffic control facility having jurisdiction over the Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport; and (3) by any individual with any physical or mental condition that would interfere with safe operation of the aircraft.

The operator of a such an aircraft involved in an accident causing personal injury or property damage must report it to the FAA within two days.

The FAA shall provide for a micro UAS classification of unmanned aircraft systems, the aircraft component of which may not weigh more than 4.4 pounds, including payload. The operation of such a micro shall be subject to specified restrictions.

The bill directs the FAA to:

 appoint a Deputy Associate Administrator for Unmanned Aircraft who shall create a research and development plan for the safe integration of unmanned aircraft into the National Airspace System; establish a joint aircraft system research and development data collection and analysis program at the William J. Hughes Technical Center; and implement an air traffic management pilot program to research and test a new regulatory structure for operations of such aircraft in airspace below 1,200 feet.

commercial uas modernization act bill amends faa_modernization reform act permit individual operate small commercial unmanned aircraft airworthiness certificate united_states effective date final rule based notice proposed rulemaking operation certification small unmanned aircraft systems issued february subject following requirements federal_aviation_administration faa receive attestation aircraft owner liability insurance covering operation owner register aircraft operator pass initial aeronautical knowledge test developed faa proficiency test administered test site aircraft aircraft operated commercial purposes daylight conditions visual line sight rules lower feet ground level inspection aircraft shall yield right way users national_airspace_system aircraft operated operator test site certifies meets requirements rulemaking notice operate restrictions operator prior authorization air traffic control facility having jurisdiction class class class airspace lateral boundaries surface area class airspace designated airport individual physical mental condition interfere safe operation aircraft operator aircraft involved accident causing personal injury property damage report faa days faa shall provide micro uas classification unmanned aircraft systems aircraft component weigh pounds including operation micro shall subject specified restrictions bill directs faa appoint deputy associate administrator unmanned aircraft shall create research development plan safe integration unmanned aircraft national_airspace_system establish joint aircraft system research development data collection analysis program william technical center implement air traffic management pilot program research test new regulatory structure operations aircraft airspace feet


Summary:
Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act of 2016

This bill reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through FY2019 and specified FAA programs for FY2016-FY2022.

The bill revises requirements for the pilot program for passenger facility charges at nonhub airports and airport improvement program.

The bill establishes:

 the ATC Corporation as a federally-chartered, not-for-profit corporation; and an Advisory Board of the Corporation. The Department of Transportation (DOT) shall transfer to the Corporation:

 by a certain deadline FAA employees, property, and facilities; and on October 1, 2019, operational control of FAA air traffic services. DOT shall establish a Safety Oversight and Certification Advisory Committee.

The FAA shall issue a notice of a proposed rule reorganizing the certification of, and streamlining the approval of safety advancements for, small airplanes.

The FAA shall establish:

 the FAA Task Force on Flight Standards Reform, and a Regional Consistency Communications Board. The FAA shall establish a safety workforce training strategy.

DOT shall take appropriate actions to promote U.S. aerospace standards, products, and services abroad.

The FAA shall appoint a Designated Agency Safety and Health Officer.

DOT shall develop a comprehensive plan to accelerate the integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems (drones) into the national airspace system.

The bill establishes in the FAA an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office.

DOT shall establish a UAS detection systems pilot program.

The bill prescribes certain requirements with respect to improving passenger air service.

The bill also reauthorizes for FY2016-FY2022 the essential air service program and the small community air service development program.

The FAA shall submit to Congress a strategic cybersecurity plan.

DOT shall establish a remote air traffic control tower pilot program for rural or small communities.

aviation innovation reform reauthorization act bill reauthorizes federal_aviation_administration faa fy2019 specified faa programs fy2016 fy2022 bill revises requirements pilot program passenger facility charges nonhub airports airport improvement program bill establishes federally chartered profit corporation department_of_transportation dot shall transfer corporation certain deadline faa employees property facilities october operational control faa air traffic services dot shall establish safety oversight certification advisory committee faa shall issue notice proposed rule reorganizing certification streamlining approval safety advancements small airplanes faa shall establish faa_task_force flight standards reform faa shall establish safety workforce training strategy dot shall appropriate actions promote aerospace standards products services abroad faa shall appoint designated agency safety health officer dot shall develop comprehensive plan accelerate integration civil unmanned aircraft systems drones national airspace system bill establishes faa unmanned aircraft systems dot shall establish uas detection systems pilot program bill prescribes certain requirements respect improving passenger air service bill reauthorizes fy2016 fy2022 essential air service program small community air service development program faa shall submit congress strategic cybersecurity plan dot shall establish remote air traffic control tower pilot program rural small communities


Summary:
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT), by six months after completion of a safety risk management panel conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration for the Leesburg, Virginia, project, to establish a pilot program under which DOT shall install, operate, and assess the benefits of the technology of up to six remote air traffic control towers.

DOT must complete a safety risk management process for a participating airport before air traffic is actively controlled by a remote air traffic control tower at such airport.

An operator of a public-use airport may apply to participate in the pilot program. DOT: (1) shall establish a list of benefits of remote tower technology to the National Airspace System and criteria that facilities should meet in order to best achieve those benefits; and (2) may select for the pilot program, based on such criteria, one nonhub primary airport, two reliever airports without existing air traffic control towers, one primary airport for the purpose of augmenting the capabilities of an existing air traffic control tower, and two airports classified as local or basic in the national plan of integrated airport systems.

 A selected airport shall be eligible for participation in, and funding from, the control tower contract program.

A remote air traffic control tower and ancillary equipment installed with federal funds under this bill shall be considered an air navigation facility.

The pilot program shall terminate five years after this bill's enactment.

bill directs department_of_transportation dot months completion safety risk management panel conducted federal_aviation_administration virginia project establish pilot program dot shall install operate assess benefits technology remote air traffic control towers dot complete safety risk management process participating airport air traffic actively controlled remote air traffic control tower airport operator public use airport apply participate pilot program dot shall establish list benefits remote tower technology national_airspace_system criteria facilities meet order best achieve benefits select pilot program based criteria nonhub primary airport airports existing air traffic control towers primary airport purpose augmenting capabilities existing air traffic control tower airports classified local basic national plan integrated airport systems selected airport shall eligible participation funding control tower contract program remote air traffic control tower ancillary equipment installed federal funds bill shall considered air navigation facility pilot program shall terminate years bill enactment


Summary:
This bill amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to extend through FY2016 and periodically thereafter the requirement that the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation report annually to Congress on the number of new small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, including those owned by veterans, that participated in the programs and activities of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The list of the top 25 and bottom 25 large and medium hub airports giving disadvantaged small business concerns opportunities to participate in FAA programs and activities, which each such report must contain, shall be drawn only from large and medium hub airports with a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) program.

Beginning in FY2016, the FAA shall require airports to report annually on the number of new DBEs that were awarded a contract or concession.

The FAA shall update annually DBE-connect (or any other successor online reporting system) to include information on the number of new DBE and Airport Concession DBEs awarded a contract or concession for the first time at large and medium hub airports with a DBE program.

bill amends faa_modernization reform act extend fy2016 periodically requirement report annually congress number new small business concerns owned controlled socially economically disadvantaged individuals including owned veterans participated programs activities federal_aviation_administration faa list large medium hub airports giving disadvantaged small business concerns opportunities participate faa programs activities report contain shall drawn large medium hub airports disadvantaged business enterprise program beginning fy2016 faa shall require airports report annually number new awarded contract concession faa shall update annually connect successor online reporting system include information number new airport concession awarded contract concession time large medium hub airports program


Summary:
Federal Aviation R&D Reauthorization Act of 2016

This bill reauthorizes the civil aviation research and development (R&D) program of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through FY2018.

Department of Transportation (DOT) shall:

 arrange with the National Academies for a comprehensive research survey and strategy over the next decade for FAA civil aviation activities, and develop a Strategic and Integrated Research Plan for an R&D program reflecting survey results. DOT shall also:

 ensure that FAA cybersecurity R&D is constantly updated to reflect the evolving nature of cyber risks and threats, and develop an agencywide threat model. The GAO shall review:

 the effectiveness of the six FAA unmanned aircraft (drone) system test sites and the opportunities for coordinating and integrating the research at them with research by the Center of Excellence on Unmanned Aircraft Systems; and federal government research on aircraft noise levels and its use to inform the DOT noise evaluation processes, adjustments to noise metrics, and development of noise abatement procedures. DOT shall:

 develop an R&D strategy to inform any potential regulatory action regarding the safe integration of evolving drone systems into the National Airspace System, hold at least one workshop to discuss the status of R&D on enhancing general aviation safety, develop a research plan on safety risk assessment methods for development of airport design standards, and develop a plan to implement standards for aircraft cabin air contaminants. The GAO shall review the role of FAA's Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee in advising about:

 the organization, management, and budgetary structure of R&D programs across FAA, and both near-term budget planning and long-term strategic planning for the comprehensive FAA R&D portfolio. DOT shall also arrange for an independent external study to identify the implications that a potential nongovernment U.S. air traffic control system could have on FAA's R&D activities.

bill reauthorizes civil aviation research development program federal_aviation_administration faa fy2018 department_of_transportation dot shall arrange comprehensive research survey strategy decade faa civil aviation activities develop strategic integrated research plan program reflecting survey results dot shall ensure faa cybersecurity updated reflect evolving nature cyber risks threats develop agencywide threat model gao shall review effectiveness faa unmanned aircraft drone system test sites opportunities coordinating integrating research research federal government research aircraft noise levels use inform dot noise evaluation processes adjustments noise metrics development noise abatement procedures dot shall develop strategy inform potential regulatory action safe integration evolving drone systems national_airspace_system hold workshop discuss status enhancing general aviation safety develop research plan safety risk assessment methods development airport design standards develop plan implement standards aircraft cabin air contaminants gao shall review role faa advising organization management budgetary structure programs faa near term budget planning long term strategic planning comprehensive faa portfolio dot shall arrange independent external study identify implications potential nongovernment air traffic control system faa activities