Summary:
Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2016

This bill repeals: (1) provisions authorizing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a human resources management system for some or all of its organizational units, and (2) the authority granted to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish or modify a personnel management system for TSA employees engaged in airport security screening.

Within 60 days after the enactment date of this bill: (1) any such human resources management system and all TSA personnel management policies, directives, letters, and guidelines shall cease to be effective, and (2) all TSA positions and DHS positions that provide transportation security in furtherance of the purposes of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act shall become subject to general civil service provisions.

This bill sets forth transition rules that protect the pay rates and other rights of such employees. DHS shall consult with the labor organization certified by the Federal Labor Relations Authority to carry out the conversion of such positions.

The provisions of this bill do not affect the prohibitions against disloyalty and asserting the right to strike against the federal government.

rights transportation security officers act bill repeals provisions authorizing department_of_homeland_security dhs establish human resources management system organizational units authority granted transportation_security_administration tsa establish modify personnel management system tsa employees engaged airport security screening days enactment date bill human resources management system tsa personnel management policies directives letters guidelines shall cease effective tsa positions dhs positions provide transportation security furtherance purposes act shall subject general civil service provisions bill sets forth transition rules protect pay rates rights employees dhs shall consult labor organization certified carry conversion positions provisions bill affect prohibitions asserting right strike federal government


Summary:
FAA Leadership in Groundbreaking High-Tech Research and Development Act or the FLIGHT R&D Act

This bill reauthorizes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) research and development (R&D) programs for FY2016-FY2019.

The FAA shall appoint an Associate Administrator for Research and Development.

The FAA shall develop a plan in the event of the transition of FAA R&D activities to a non-federal entity.

The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 is amended to revise requirements with respect to the FAA's five-year roadmap for the introduction of civil unmanned aircraft systems (drones) into the national airspace system.

The roadmap shall include, at a minimum, a description of how the FAA plans to use R&D to integrate drones into the system.

The FAA shall coordinate with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to research the collision of drones with manned aircraft.

The FAA shall establish R&D programs:

 to improve the cybersecurity of civil aircraft and the system, on civilian air traffic surveillance over oceans and other remote locations, and in support of single-piloted cargo aircraft with remote piloting and computer piloting. The FAA shall submit to Congress a research plan for certification and implementation of new technologies (including Next Generation) into the system.

faa leadership high tech research development act flight act bill reauthorizes federal_aviation_administration faa research development programs fy2016 fy2019 faa shall appoint associate administrator faa shall develop plan event transition faa activities non federal entity faa modernization reform act amended revise requirements respect faa year roadmap introduction civil unmanned aircraft systems drones national airspace system roadmap shall include minimum description faa plans use integrate drones system faa shall coordinate national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa research collision drones manned aircraft faa shall establish programs improve cybersecurity civil aircraft system civilian air traffic surveillance oceans remote locations support single piloted cargo aircraft remote computer faa shall submit congress research plan certification implementation new technologies including generation system


Summary:
Safe Egress in Air Travel Act of 2016 or the SEAT Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Transportation to issue regulations: (1) to establish minimum dimensions (including width, length, and seat pitch) for passenger seats on aircraft operated by any air carrier providing interstate or intrastate air transportation; and (2) for the safety and health of passengers.

safe egress air travel act seat act bill directs department_of_transportation issue regulations establish minimum dimensions including width length seat passenger seats aircraft operated air carrier providing interstate intrastate air transportation safety health passengers


Summary:
Treating Small Airports with Fairness Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to conduct, and provide all necessary staff and equipment for, security screening at any airport that lost commercial air service on or after January 1, 2013, if the airport operator submits: (1) a request for the TSA to conduct such screening, and (2) written confirmation of a commitment from a commercial air carrier that it intends to resume service at the airport within one year.

The TSA shall ensure that the process of implementing security screening at such an airport is complete by the later of: (1) 90 days after the operator of the airport submits a request, or (2) the date on which the carrier intends to resume service.

The TSA shall carry out this bill in a manner that does not negatively affect operations at airports not described in this bill that are otherwise provided security screening conducted by the TSA.

treating small airports fairness act sec bill requires transportation_security_administration tsa conduct provide necessary staff equipment security screening airport lost commercial air service january airport operator submits request tsa conduct screening written confirmation commitment commercial air carrier intends resume service airport year tsa shall ensure process implementing security screening airport complete later days operator airport submits request date carrier intends resume service tsa shall carry bill manner negatively affect operations airports described bill provided security screening conducted tsa


Summary:
Lap Children Safety Research Act

This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure that research on child restraint devices for use during critical phases of flight on commercial passenger aircraft encourages the assessment and development of new and innovative technologies and devices that improve safety for children, parents, and other passengers.

The FAA shall require the Civil Aeromedical Institute to initiate a research program focused on improving the safety of such devices and report to Congress on the results, including recommended changes to federal laws and regulations to allow additional devices to be used to keep children, their parents, and other passengers safe.

bill requires federal_aviation_administration faa ensure research child restraint devices use critical phases flight commercial passenger aircraft encourages assessment development new innovative technologies devices improve safety children parents passengers faa shall require initiate research program focused improving safety devices report congress results including recommended changes federal laws regulations allow additional devices children parents passengers safe


Summary:
Helicopter Fuel System Safety Act

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration, in accordance with the safety recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board (A-15-12), to issue regulations to ensure that certain fuel system crash resistance requirements are met by requiring that all newly manufactured helicopters, regardless of the design's original certification date, have fuel systems that meet such crash-worthiness requirements.

bill directs federal_aviation_administration accordance safety recommendations national_transportation_safety_board issue regulations ensure certain fuel system crash resistance requirements met requiring newly manufactured helicopters regardless design original certification date fuel systems meet crash requirements


Summary:
Securing Aviation from Foreign Entry Points and Guarding Airports Through Enhanced Security Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a comprehensive security risk assessment of all last point of departure airports with nonstop flights to the United States.

(Sec. 3) The TSA shall submit to Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) a plan: (1) to enhance collaboration, coordination, and information-sharing about international-inbound aviation between the United States and domestic and foreign partners in order to enhance security capabilities at foreign airports; and (2) that assesses the TSA's ability to enter into a mutual agreement with a foreign government entity to permit TSA representatives to conduct inspections of foreign airports without prior notice.

The GAO shall review TSA efforts to enhance security capabilities at foreign airports and determine if the implementation of such efforts and capabilities effectively secures international-inbound aviation.

(Sec. 4) The TSA shall submit to Congress a comprehensive workforce assessment of all TSA personnel within its Office of Global Strategies or whose primary professional duties contribute to the TSA's global efforts to secure transportation security, including whether they are assigned in a risk-based, intelligence-driven matter.

(Sec. 5) The TSA may donate security screening equipment to a foreign last point of departure airport operator if the equipment can be expected to mitigate a specific vulnerability to U.S. security or U.S. citizens.

The TSA shall provide to specified congressional committees within 30 days of any such donation a detailed written explanation of:

 the specific vulnerability to the United States or U.S. citizens that will be mitigated by such donation, an explanation as to why the recipient of such donation is unable or unwilling to purchase security screening equipment to mitigate such vulnerability, an evacuation plan for sensitive technologies in case of emergency or instability in the country to which such donation is being made, how the TSA will ensure the security screening equipment that is being donated is used and maintained over the course of its life by the recipient, and the total dollar value of such donation. (Sec. 6) The TSA may evaluate foreign countries' air cargo programs to determine whether they provide a level of security commensurate with that required by U.S. air cargo security programs. If so, the TSA shall approve and officially recognize such country's program, in which case such country shall not be required to adhere to the U.S. programs that would otherwise be applicable. The bill provides for revocation or temporary suspension of approval and official recognition if the TSA determines that a country's program no longer provides a level of security commensurate with that required by U.S. air cargo security programs.

(Sec. 7) The TSA shall request the Aviation Security Advisory Committee to develop recommendations for more efficient and effective passenger screening processes. The Committee shall consider the following:

 the configuration of a checkpoint; technology innovation; ways to address any vulnerabilities identified in audits of checkpoint operations; ways to prevent security breaches at airports at which federal security screening is provided; best practices in aviation security; recommendations from airport and aircraft operators, and from any relevant advisory committees; and "curb to curb" processes and procedures.

securing aviation foreign entry points airports enhanced security act sec bill directs transportation_security_administration tsa department_of_homeland_security conduct comprehensive security risk assessment point departure airports nonstop flights united_states sec tsa shall submit congress government_accountability_office gao plan enhance collaboration coordination information sharing international inbound aviation united_states domestic foreign partners order enhance security capabilities foreign airports assesses tsa ability enter mutual agreement foreign government entity permit tsa representatives conduct inspections foreign airports prior notice gao shall review tsa efforts enhance security capabilities foreign airports determine implementation efforts capabilities effectively secures international inbound aviation sec tsa shall submit congress comprehensive workforce assessment tsa personnel primary professional duties contribute tsa global efforts secure transportation security including assigned risk based intelligence driven matter sec tsa donate security screening equipment foreign point departure airport operator equipment expected mitigate specific vulnerability security citizens tsa shall provide specified congressional committees days donation detailed written explanation specific vulnerability united_states citizens mitigated donation explanation recipient donation unable unwilling purchase security screening equipment mitigate vulnerability evacuation plan sensitive technologies case emergency instability country donation tsa ensure security screening equipment donated maintained course life recipient total dollar value donation sec tsa evaluate foreign countries air cargo programs determine provide level security commensurate required air cargo security programs tsa shall approve officially recognize country program case country shall required adhere programs applicable bill provides revocation temporary suspension approval official recognition tsa determines country program longer provides level security commensurate required air cargo security programs sec tsa shall request aviation_security_advisory_committee develop recommendations efficient effective passenger screening processes committee shall consider following configuration checkpoint technology innovation ways address vulnerabilities identified audits checkpoint operations ways prevent security breaches airports federal security screening provided best practices aviation security recommendations airport aircraft operators relevant advisory committees curb curb processes procedures


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on March 17, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2016

TITLE I--AIRPORT AND AIRWAY PROGRAMS

(Sec. 101) This bill reauthorizes for the period March 31, 2016, through July 15, 2016, the airport improvement program and specified related authorities, 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; and essential air service. (Sec. 102) 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, July 15, 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 July 15, 2017, 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 passed senate march summary version repeated airport airway extension act title airport sec bill reauthorizes period march july airport improvement program specified related authorities 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 sec 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 july 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 july expenditure authority airport airway_trust_fund fuel ticket taxes exemption ticket taxes aircraft fractional ownership aircraft programs


Summary:
Drone Operator Safety Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to operate an unmanned aircraft (i.e., drone) that knowingly or recklessly interferes with or disrupts the operation of an aircraft carrying one or more occupants in U.S. airspace.

The prohibition includes the operation of an unmanned aircraft within the runway exclusion zone (i.e., defined area of controlled airspace around an active runway) of an airport without approval.

A violator is subject to a fine, a prison term, or both.

drone operator safety act bill amends federal criminal code crime operate unmanned aircraft drone knowingly recklessly interferes disrupts operation aircraft carrying occupants airspace prohibition includes operation unmanned aircraft runway exclusion zone defined area controlled airspace active runway airport approval violator subject fine prison term


Summary:
Free Market Flights Act of 2016

This bill terminates on October 1, 2016, Department of Transportation authority to carry out the essential air service program.

The bill requires deposit in the Treasury for deficit reduction of any overflight fees collected by the Federal Aviation Administration for air traffic control and related services that would otherwise be made available for the program.

free market flights act bill terminates october department_of_transportation authority carry essential air service program bill requires deposit treasury deficit reduction overflight fees collected federal_aviation_administration air traffic control related services available program


Summary:
Transportation Security and Redress Act or TSARA

This bill grants to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and certain other U.S. courts of appeals exclusive jurisdiction to review any claims against the United States or a federal agency arising out of a decision to delay or prohibit a person from boarding a commercial aircraft because that person has been identified as a threat by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) or the Terrorist Screening Center.

A petition for review may be filed by any person who challenges a final administrative redress decision by the TSA to delay or prohibit a person from boarding a commercial aircraft because identified as a threat. No petition may be filed until the person filing has exhausted the administrative redress process.

The court of appeals shall decide any petition for review based only on the administrative record submitted by the United States which shall consist of the information the United States relied upon in support of the final decision under review, as well as any information the petitioner has submitted pursuant to the administrative redress process.

The court shall uphold a final decision issued pursuant to such process by the TSA unless such decision was:

 arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law; contrary to constitutional right, power, privilege, or immunity; in excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority, or limitation, or short of statutory right; lacking substantial support in the administrative record taken as a whole, including in the classified information submitted to the court; or not in accord with procedures required by law. A decision made by a court of appeals under this bill may be reviewed by the Supreme Court.

redress act bill grants certain courts appeals exclusive jurisdiction review claims united_states federal agency arising decision delay prohibit person boarding commercial aircraft person identified threat transportation_security_administration tsa petition review filed person challenges final administrative redress decision tsa delay prohibit person boarding commercial aircraft identified threat petition filed person filing exhausted administrative redress process court appeals shall decide petition review based administrative record submitted united_states shall consist information united_states relied support final decision review information petitioner submitted pursuant administrative redress process court shall uphold final decision issued pursuant process tsa decision arbitrary capricious abuse discretion accordance law contrary constitutional right power privilege immunity excess statutory jurisdiction authority limitation short statutory right lacking substantial support administrative record taken including classified information submitted court accord procedures required law decision court appeals bill reviewed supreme_court


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

Airport Perimeter and Access Control Security Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration to update:

 the Transportation Sector Security Rick Assessment for the aviation sector, the Comprehensive Risk Assessment of Perimeter and Access Control Security for airports (as well as conduct a system-wide assessment of airport access control points and airport perimeter security), and the 2012 National Strategy for Airport Perimeter and Access Control Security.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house reported version repeated sec bill directs transportation_security_administration update aviation sector airports conduct system wide assessment airport access control points airport perimeter security national strategy airport perimeter


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 20, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to:

 notify air carriers, TSA security screening personnel, and private security screening personnel of TSA's 3-1-1 Liquids Rule Exemption guidelines allowing baby formula, breast milk, purified deionized water for infants, and juice on airlines; and include training on all special screening procedures for TSA security screening personnel and private security screening personnel.

measure amended reported house september summary version repeated sec bill directs transportation_security_administration tsa notify air carriers tsa security screening personnel private security screening personnel tsa liquids rule exemption guidelines allowing baby formula breast milk water infants juice airlines include training special screening procedures tsa security screening personnel private security screening personnel


Summary:
Insourcing American Airport Jobs Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the President from regulating or prohibiting the provision of technical services in the United States for aircraft of a foreign carrier en route to or from another country that are otherwise permitted under an international air transportation agreement.

The requirement shall not apply if:

 the country is a state sponsor of terrorism, or the United States is at war with the country or there is imminent danger to the public health or the physical safety of travelers to the country.

insourcing american airport jobs act bill prohibits president regulating prohibiting provision technical services united_states aircraft foreign carrier route country permitted international air transportation agreement requirement shall apply country state sponsor terrorism united_states war country imminent danger public health physical safety travelers country


Summary:
This bill bars the Department of Transportation (DOT) from issuing a foreign air carrier permit, or an exemption from certain economic regulations, to furnish foreign air transportation under the United States-European Union-Norway-Iceland Air Transport Agreement of June 21, 2011, unless DOT:

 finds that issuing the permit or exemption would be consistent with the intent of the parties, set forth in article 17 bis of the agreement, that opportunities created by the agreement do not undermine labor standards or the labor-related rights and principles contained in the parties' respective laws; and imposes conditions on the permit or exemption necessary to ensure that the foreign air transportation furnished complies with the intent of article 17 bis.

bill bars department_of_transportation dot issuing foreign air carrier permit exemption certain economic regulations furnish foreign air transportation june dot finds issuing permit exemption consistent intent parties set forth article bis agreement opportunities created agreement undermine labor standards labor related rights principles contained parties respective laws imposes conditions permit exemption necessary ensure foreign air transportation furnished complies intent article bis


Summary: This bill declares that the prohibition against overflights of national parks or tribal lands shall not apply to overflights of national recreational areas where the primary recreational activities involve motorized watercraft.

bill declares prohibition overflights national parks tribal lands shall apply overflights national recreational areas primary recreational activities involve motorized watercraft


Summary:
Airline Consumer Protection Act of 2016

This bill prescribes certain consumer protection requirements for air passengers with respect to:

 airline delays or cancellations, whether changes to passenger itineraries are unfair or deceptive practices, refunds for delayed checked baggage, disclosure of checked baggage fees, seat assignments, filing of consumer complaints with the Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Transportation (DOT), and online and mobile access to aviation consumer protection information. The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 is amended to extend through FY2017 DOT's Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection.

DOT shall establish an advisory committee for the air travel needs of passengers with disabilities.

The Federal Aviation Administration shall prohibit air carriers from reducing the seat size on its aircraft.

airline consumer protection act bill prescribes certain consumer protection requirements air passengers respect airline delays cancellations changes passenger unfair deceptive practices refunds delayed checked baggage disclosure checked baggage fees seat assignments filing consumer complaints dot online mobile access aviation consumer protection information faa_modernization reform act amended extend fy2017 dot dot shall establish advisory committee air travel needs passengers disabilities federal_aviation_administration shall prohibit air carriers reducing seat size aircraft


Summary:
Air Traffic Controller Hiring Improvement Act of 2016

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in appointing air traffic controllers, to give preferential consideration to qualified individuals maintaining 52 consecutive weeks of experience involving the active separation of air traffic after receipt of an air traffic certification or facility rating within 5 years of application while serving at an FAA air traffic control facility, a civilian or military air traffic control facility of the Department of Defense, or a tower operating under contract with the FAA.

The FAA shall consider additional applicants by referring an approximately equal number of employees for appointment among two applicant pools. The number referred from each group shall not differ by more than 10%.

Pool one shall consist of applicants who:

 have successfully completed air traffic controller training and graduated from an institution participating in the Collegiate Training Initiative program and have received an appropriate recommendation or endorsement from such institution, are eligible for a veterans recruitment appointment and provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty within 120 days of the announcement closing, are veterans eligible for veterans' benefits who maintain aviation experience obtained in the course of the individual's military experience, or are preference eligible veterans. Pool two shall consist of applicants who apply under a vacancy announcement recruiting from all U.S. citizens.

The FAA: (1) may not use a biographical assessment when hiring, (2) must provide an individual who applied in response to a specified 2014 vacancy announcement and was disqualified as the result of a biographical assessment an opportunity to reapply under the revised hiring practices, and (3) must waive any maximum age limit for such reapplying applicants who met such requirement when they applied under such announcement.

Otherwise, the maximum age limit for an original appointment as an air traffic controller under this bill shall be 35 years of age.

The FAA shall consider directly notifying secondary schools and institutes of higher learning of a vacancy announcement for pool one applicants.

bill directs federal_aviation_administration faa appointing air traffic controllers preferential consideration qualified individuals maintaining consecutive weeks experience involving active separation air traffic receipt air traffic certification facility rating years application serving faa air traffic control facility civilian military air traffic control facility department_of_defense tower operating contract faa faa shall consider additional applicants referring approximately equal number employees appointment applicant pools number referred group shall differ pool shall consist applicants successfully completed air traffic controller training graduated institution participating collegiate training initiative program received appropriate recommendation endorsement institution eligible veterans recruitment appointment provide certificate release discharge active duty days announcement closing veterans eligible veterans benefits maintain aviation experience obtained course individual military experience preference eligible veterans pool shall consist applicants apply vacancy announcement recruiting citizens faa use biographical assessment hiring provide individual applied response specified vacancy announcement disqualified result biographical assessment opportunity reapply revised hiring practices waive maximum age limit applicants met requirement applied announcement maximum age limit original appointment air traffic controller bill shall years age faa shall consider directly notifying secondary schools institutes higher learning vacancy announcement pool applicants


Summary:
Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act

(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that airport checkpoint wait times should not take priority over the security of the nation's aviation system.

(Sec. 3) The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security shall begin and complete, within 30 days after enactment of this bill, an assessment of its staffing allocation model to determine the necessary staffing positions, including use of canine explosives detection teams and technology, at all U.S. airports at which the TSA operates passenger checkpoints.

The staffing allocation model shall be based on staffing levels necessary to maintain minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness.

The TSA shall require each Federal Security Director to engage regularly with appropriate aviation security stakeholders to exchange information regarding airport and security operations.

The Government Accountability Office shall review the assessment.

(Sec. 4) The TSA shall also:

 require Transportation Security Officers with appropriate certifications and training to be assigned to passenger and baggage security screening functions; use other TSA personnel who may not have certification and training to screen passengers or baggage for tasks not directly related to security screening, including restocking bins and giving instructions and support to passengers in security lines; assess headquarters personnel; and reassign appropriate personnel to assist with airport security screening activities on a permanent or temporary basis. (Sec. 5) Within 30 days after enactment of this bill the TSA shall:

 utilize TSA Behavior Detection Officers for passenger and baggage security screening, including the verification of traveler documents, particularly at designated PreCheck lanes to ensure that they are operational for use and maximum efficiency; make every practicable effort to grant additional flexibility and authority to Federal Security Directors in matters related to checkpoint and checked baggage staffing allocation and employee overtime in furtherance of maintaining minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness; disseminate to aviation security stakeholders and appropriate TSA personnel a list of checkpoint optimization best practices; expand efforts to increase the public's participation in the TSA PreCheck program; and request the Aviation Security Advisory Committee to make recommendations on best practices for checkpoint operations optimization. By the same 30-day deadline the TSA shall direct each Federal Security Director to coordinate local representatives of aviation security stakeholders to establish a staffing advisory working group at each airport at which the TSA oversees or performs passenger security screening to give recommendations to TSA on Transportation Security Officer staffing numbers.

(Sec. 6) The bill defines the term "aviation security stakeholders" to mean air carriers, airport operators, and labor organizations representing Transportation Security Officers or contract screeners.

checkpoint optimization efficiency act sec bill expresses sense congress airport checkpoint wait times priority security nation aviation system sec transportation_security_administration tsa department_of_homeland_security shall begin complete days enactment bill assessment staffing allocation model determine necessary staffing positions including use canine explosives detection teams technology airports tsa operates passenger checkpoints staffing allocation model shall based staffing levels necessary maintain minimal passenger wait times maximum security effectiveness tsa shall require director engage regularly appropriate aviation security stakeholders exchange information airport security operations government_accountability_office shall review assessment sec tsa shall require appropriate certifications training assigned passenger baggage security screening functions use tsa personnel certification training screen passengers baggage tasks directly related security screening including giving instructions support passengers security lines assess headquarters personnel reassign appropriate personnel assist airport security screening activities permanent temporary basis sec days enactment bill tsa shall utilize passenger baggage security screening including verification traveler documents particularly designated precheck lanes ensure operational use maximum efficiency practicable effort grant additional flexibility authority directors matters related checkpoint checked baggage staffing allocation employee overtime furtherance maintaining minimal passenger wait times maximum security effectiveness disseminate aviation security stakeholders appropriate tsa personnel list checkpoint optimization best practices expand efforts increase public participation tsa precheck program request aviation_security_advisory_committee recommendations best practices checkpoint operations optimization day deadline tsa shall direct director coordinate local representatives aviation security stakeholders establish staffing advisory working group airport tsa oversees performs passenger security screening recommendations tsa staffing numbers sec bill defines term aviation security stakeholders mean air carriers airport operators labor organizations representing contract screeners


Summary:
Funding for Aviation Screeners and Threat Elimination Restoration Act or the FASTER Act

This bill repeals the requirement that a portion of aviation security service fees be credited as offsetting receipts and deposited into the general fund of the Treasury.

funding aviation screeners faster act bill repeals requirement portion aviation security service fees credited offsetting receipts deposited general fund treasury


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: (1) provides that calculation of the basic annuity benefits for an air traffic controller with at least five years of service actively engaged in the separation and control of air traffic shall include service as a first or second level supervisor of such a controller, (2) makes such change effective retroactive to December 12, 2003, and (3) provides for a lump sum payment to each affected annuitant equal to the additional total benefit amount such annuitant would have received had such change been in effect on such date.

The Office of Personnel Management shall establish such procedures as necessary to provide for:

 notification to each annuitant affected by this bill; recalculation of the benefits of affected annuitants; an adjustment to applicable monthly benefit amounts pursuant to such recalculation, to begin as soon as practicable; and such lump sum payment.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill provides calculation basic annuity benefits air traffic controller years service actively engaged separation control air traffic shall include service second level supervisor controller makes change effective retroactive december provides lump sum payment affected annuitant equal additional total benefit annuitant received change effect date office_of_personnel_management shall establish procedures necessary provide notification annuitant affected bill recalculation benefits affected annuitants adjustment applicable monthly benefit amounts pursuant recalculation begin soon practicable lump sum payment


Summary:
Restoring Local Control of Airports Act of 2016

This bill reauthorizes through FY2021 and revises the Airport Improvement Program. Specifically, the bill: (1) eliminates the federal cap on passenger facility charges (local user fees) of $4.50 per enplanement; and (2) with respect to airports that increase such charges beyond $4.50 per enplanement, provides for corresponding reductions in program grant funding.

In addition, the bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the federal airline ticket tax.

bill reauthorizes fy2021 revises airport improvement program specifically bill eliminates federal cap passenger facility charges local user fees enplanement respect airports increase charges enplanement provides corresponding reductions program grant funding addition bill amends internal_revenue_code reduce federal airline ticket tax


Summary:
LAX Community Safety Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the Department of Transportation from approving any airport improvement program project for the relocation of Runway 24R, or for construction of a runway north of the location of Runway 24R, at Los Angeles International Airport.

safety act bill prohibits department_of_transportation approving airport improvement program project relocation runway construction runway north location runway


Summary:
Checkpoint Safety Act of 2016

This bill revises minimum requirements for the deployment of armed law enforcement personnel at security screening locations at certain airports.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), formerly the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security of the Department of Transportation, shall order the deployment of at least one armed law enforcement officer within 300 feet of the security screening location and within the terminal during operating hours of each airport having annual enplanements of eight million or more or international enplanements of one million or more. The TSA shall order the deployment of additional armed law enforcement officers at such airports if deemed necessary to ensure airport security.

The bill revises air transportation security program requirements to provide that such programs ensure:

 law enforcement presence at each airport is adequate to ensure the safety of passengers, as under current law, and their property; close cooperation between all relevant parties in ensuring airport security; high training standards for all security and law enforcement personnel; prompt notification of, and law enforcement response to, any security incidents at airports, including detention of persons who attempt to evade transportation security screening; and multiple means for TSA Officers or members of the public to request prompt law enforcement assistance in the airport. The bill repeals TSA authority for allowing deputized state and local law enforcement officers to be stationed other than at airport security screening locations.

checkpoint safety act bill revises minimum requirements deployment armed law enforcement personnel security screening locations certain airports transportation_security_administration tsa secretary shall order deployment armed law enforcement officer feet security screening location terminal operating hours airport having annual million international million tsa shall order deployment additional armed law enforcement officers airports deemed necessary ensure airport security bill revises air transportation security program requirements provide programs ensure law enforcement presence airport adequate ensure safety passengers current law property close cooperation relevant parties ensuring airport security high training standards security law enforcement personnel prompt notification law enforcement response security incidents airports including detention persons attempt evade transportation security screening multiple means tsa officers members public request prompt law enforcement assistance airport bill repeals tsa authority allowing deputized state local law enforcement officers stationed airport security screening locations


Summary:
Cuban Airport Security Act of 2016

This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to report to Congress on specified aspects of security measures at each of Cuba's 10 international airports. The Government Accountability Office shall submit to Congress an audit of the report.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall establish agreements with the Government of Cuba to allow:

 the Federal Air Marshal Service to conduct missions on regularly scheduled passenger air flights between the United States and Cuba, and TSA inspectors to access all areas of last point of departure airports in Cuba to assess security. No agreement, dated on or after January 1, 2016, to expand air flights between the United States and Cuba may be permitted until the report and audit have been submitted and the agreements have been established.

DHS (currently, the Department of Transportation [DOT]) shall assess the effectiveness of security standards at foreign airports and take other appropriate actions for those airports not maintaining effective security measures, including requesting DOT to suspend, without notice or a hearing, the right of an air carrier or foreign air carrier to provide foreign air transportation if passenger safety or security is threatened and the public interest requires an immediate suspension.

cuban airport security act bill directs transportation_security_administration tsa report congress specified aspects security measures cuba international airports government_accountability_office shall submit congress audit report department_of_homeland_security dhs shall establish agreements government cuba allow federal_air_marshal_service conduct missions regularly scheduled passenger air flights united_states cuba tsa inspectors access areas point departure airports cuba assess security agreement dated january expand air flights united_states cuba permitted report audit submitted agreements established dhs currently department_of_transportation dot shall assess effectiveness security standards foreign airports appropriate actions airports maintaining effective security measures including requesting dot suspend notice hearing right air carrier foreign air carrier provide foreign air transportation passenger safety security threatened public interest requires immediate suspension


Summary:
NextGen Flight Path Review and Notification Act of 2016

This bill amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as part of the process of applying a categorical exclusion to a new Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) flight path procedure at an Operational Evolution Partnership (OEP) airport (a commercial U.S. airport with significant activity), to:

 notify and consult with the operator of the airport, and consider consultations or other engagement with the community in which the airport is located to inform the public of the new procedure. The FAA shall review each decision that it made between February 14, 2012, and September 30, 2014, to grant a categorical exclusion with respect to a procedure to be implemented at an OEP airport that was a material change from procedures previously in effect to determine if implementation of the procedure had a significant effect on the human environment in the community in which the airport is located. If, in conducting such a review, the FAA determines that implementing the procedure had such a significant effect, it shall:

 consult with the operator of the airport to identify measures to mitigate the effect, and consider the use of alternative flight paths that do not substantially degrade the efficiencies of the new procedure.

nextgen flight path review notification act bill amends faa_modernization reform act require federal_aviation_administration faa process applying categorical exclusion new generation_air_transportation_system nextgen flight path procedure oep airport commercial airport significant activity notify consult operator airport consider consultations engagement community airport located inform public new procedure faa shall review decision february september grant categorical exclusion respect procedure implemented oep airport material change procedures previously effect determine implementation procedure significant effect human environment community airport located conducting review faa determines implementing procedure significant effect shall consult operator airport identify measures mitigate effect consider use alternative flight paths substantially degrade efficiencies new procedure


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

This bill exempts retired air traffic controllers from a reduction to their Federal Employees Retirement System annuity supplement (on account of their earnings for work performed while entitled to the annuity after their separation from federal service) during any period in which they are employed full time as air traffic control instructors under contract with the Federal Aviation Administration.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated bill exempts retired air traffic controllers reduction federal_employees_retirement_system annuity supplement account earnings work performed entitled annuity separation federal service period employed time air traffic control instructors contract federal_aviation_administration


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 21, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill authorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enter into a reimbursable agreement with a state or local government agency for airport construction or alteration projects requiring notice to the FAA, if the agreement:

 includes cost-effective completion measures for such projects, and would not negatively affect the safety or efficiency of the national airspace system.

measure amended passed house september summary version repeated sec bill authorizes federal_aviation_administration faa enter reimbursable agreement state local government agency airport construction alteration projects requiring notice faa agreement includes cost effective completion measures projects negatively affect safety efficiency national airspace system


Summary:
TSA Screening Transparency and Accountability Act

This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), consistent with the General Accountability Office's November 2015 report on the Screening Partnership Program (SPP), to update its cost estimating methodology for federal cost estimates and cost comparisons to conform to certain minimum leading cost estimating best practices, including by:

 incorporating a cost estimate that reflects the total cost to the federal government, including costs incurred by federal agencies other than TSA; ensuring all TSA cost estimates are adjusted for inflation over the duration of the contract; updating all cost estimates when circumstances at a SPP airport result in a significant change to a contract's value; including an analysis that identifies which variables have the greatest effect on cost estimates; and reflecting the inherent uncertainty associated with the cost estimate and identifying the elements of the estimate that present the most risk. TSA shall make the update available to the public.

 TSA shall develop a streamlined method and standard protocol for documenting, tracking, and resolving customer complaints for both federal and SPP airport checkpoints.

TSA shall make available to airport directors, managers, and other individuals in similar positions cleared to handle sensitive security information an assessment of each airport's security screening performance compared to the mean average performance for all equivalent airports.

tsa screening transparency accountability act bill directs transportation_security_administration tsa consistent general_accountability_office november report update cost estimating methodology federal cost estimates cost comparisons conform certain minimum leading cost estimating best practices including incorporating cost estimate reflects total cost federal government including costs incurred federal agencies tsa ensuring tsa cost estimates adjusted inflation duration contract updating cost estimates circumstances airport result significant change contract value including analysis identifies variables greatest effect cost estimates reflecting inherent uncertainty associated cost estimate identifying elements estimate present risk tsa shall update available public tsa shall develop streamlined method standard protocol documenting tracking resolving customer complaints federal airport checkpoints tsa shall available airport directors managers individuals similar positions cleared handle sensitive security information assessment airport security screening performance compared mean average performance equivalent airports


Summary:
Small Airport Regulation Relief Act of 2015

 Prescribes a special rule to require the Secretary of Transportation for FY2015-FY2017 to apportion amounts for airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning and programs to sponsors of primary airports based on the number of passenger boardings at the airport during calendar year 2012 if it had: (1) fewer than 10,000 passenger boardings during the calendar year used to calculate the apportionment for FY2015-FY2017, and (2) 10,000 or more passenger boardings during calendar year 2012.

small airport regulation relief act prescribes special rule require secretary transportation fy2015 fy2017 apportion amounts airport planning development noise compatibility planning programs sponsors primary airports based number passenger boardings airport calendar year fewer passenger boardings calendar year calculate apportionment fy2015 fy2017 passenger boardings calendar year


Summary:
Safe Skies for Unmanned Aircraft Act of 2015

This bill requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, for purposes of determining whether an unmanned aircraft (drone) used for aeronautical research qualifies as a public aircraft, to use definitions under federal aviation safety law for determining whether the aircraft is used for:

 a commercial purpose, and aeronautical research and platform-based research. The Administrator must also develop procedures for the safe, beyond-line-of-sight operation of aeronautical research drones in the national airspace system.

safe skies unmanned aircraft act bill requires administrator federal_aviation_administration purposes determining unmanned aircraft drone aeronautical research qualifies public aircraft use definitions federal aviation safety law determining aircraft commercial purpose aeronautical research platform based research administrator develop procedures safe line sight operation aeronautical research drones national airspace system


Summary:
Pilot's Bill of Rights 2

 (Sec. 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 if the flight meets certain criteria and the individual:

 possesses a valid driver's license issued by a state, territory, or U.S. possession; complies with medical requirements associated with that license; holds an FAA medical certificate on the date of enactment of this bill, held such a certificate at any point during the 10-year period preceding the date of enactment, or obtains one after the date of enactment; is transporting five or fewer passengers, and is operating under visual or instrument flight rules. The most recent FAA medical certificate to the individual:

 must indicate whether it is first, second, or third class; may include authorization for special issuance; may be expired; cannot have been revoked or suspended; and cannot have been withdrawn. The individual's most recent application to the FAA for airman medical certification cannot have been denied.

 The individual must also have completed an Internet medical education course, meeting specified criteria and free of charge, during the 24 calendar months before acting as pilot in command of a covered aircraft. Successful completion of the course shall trigger an electronic release authorizing the National Driver Register through a designated state department of motor vehicles to furnish the FAA with information about the individual's driving record.

If diagnosed with any medical condition that may impact ability to fly, the individual must, when serving as a pilot in command, be under a physician's care and treatment.

The individual must have received a comprehensive medical examination from a state-licensed physician during the previous 48 months and met certain pre-examination requirements involving a checklist of medical conditions and medications.

An individual who has qualified for the third-class medical certificate exemption and is seeking to serve as a pilot in command of a covered aircraft shall be required to have completed the process for obtaining an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate for each of a specified list of mental health disorders, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular conditions. The bill prescribes special rules for such disorders and conditions. The FAA shall review and identify additional medical conditions that could be added to the Conditions Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) Can Issue (CACI) program (which allows AMEs to issue airman medical certificates that previously had to be deferred to the Aerospace Medical Certification Division or the Regional Flight Surgeon's Office for further review). The FAA shall also implement procedures to expedite the process for obtaining an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate. Beginning one year after enactment of this bill, the FAA may not take an enforcement action for not holding a valid third-class medical certificate against a pilot of a covered aircraft for a flight, through a good faith effort, if the pilot and the flight meet certain requirements, unless the FAA has published in the Federal Register final regulations for the medical certification of small aircraft pilots under this section. A "covered aircraft" is one that: is authorized under federal law to carry not more than six occupants, and has a maximum certificated takeoff weight of no more than 6,000 pounds. The requirements of this section shall not apply to pilots electing to operate under regulations for operations not requiring a medical certificate or for operations requiring either a medical certificate or U.S. driver's license.

 If it receives credible or urgent information, including from the National Driver Register or the FAA Safety Hotline, that reflects on an individual's ability to safely operate a covered aircraft under the third-class medical certificate exemption, the FAA may require the individual to provide additional information or history so that it may determine whether the individual is safe to continue operating a covered aircraft. The FAA may use such information to request an individual to provide additional information or to take actions to amend, modify, suspend, or revoke the individual's airman certificate.

(Sec. 3) The Pilot's Bill of Rights is amended to revise the authorization for appeal to a federal court by a substantially affected individual from a decision of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to uphold an adverse FAA order or final decision. The bill specifies the suspension or revocation of an airman certificate as the punitive civil action which may be appealed.

A U.S. district court shall review de novo an FAA denial, suspension, or revocation of an airman certificate, which may be by:

 conducting a full independent review of the complete administrative record of the denial, suspension, or revocation (as under current law); permitting additional discovery and the taking of additional evidence; and making the findings of fact and conclusions of law required by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure without being bound to any findings of fact by the FAA or the NTSB. The burden of proof in a U.S. district court for appeal of an FAA denial of an application for the issuance or renewal of an airman certificate shall be upon the applicant denied the certificate. But the burden of proof shall be upon the FAA under any appeal related to a suspended or revoked certificate.

The adjudication requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act shall apply to adjudications of the FAA and the NTSB to the same extent as they applied to such adjudications before enactment of this bill.

 The bill requires any FAA notification to an individual who is the subject of an investigation relating to an airman certificate to specify the activity on which the investigation is based.

Whenever the FAA issues an emergency order related to safety in air commerce, including an order revoking an airman certificate for controlled substance violations, or any other order that takes effect immediately, the FAA must simultaneously give the holder of the airman certificate in question a copy of the releasable portion of the investigative report. In any non-emergency proceeding relating to amendment, modification, suspension, or revocation of an airman certificate, in which the certificate holder is notified of a proposed certificate action, the FAA must, at the holder's written request, give the holder the releasable portion of the investigative report. All information in an investigative report constitutes the releasable portion, with specified exceptions. If the FAA fails to observe these requirements, the certificate holder may move to dismiss the complaint before an administrative law judge (ALJ). The ALJ may order appropriate relief, if the FAA fails to establish good cause for failure to comply with these requirements. (Sec. 4) The FAA may not reexamine an airman holding a student, sport, recreational, or private pilot certificate if the reexamination is ordered as a result of an event involving the fault of the FAA or its designee, unless the FAA has reasonable grounds to: establish that the airman may not be qualified to exercise the privileges of a particular certificate or rating, based upon an act or omission committed while exercising those privileges, after the certificate or rating was issued by the FAA or its designee; or demonstrate that the airman obtained the certificate or the rating through fraudulent means or through an examination that was substantially and demonstrably inadequate to establish the airman's qualifications. Before taking action to reexamine an airman the FAA shall furnish the airman with: a reasonable basis, described in detail, for requesting the reexamination; and any information the FAA finds appropriate to furnish, such as the scope and nature of the requested reexamination, that formed the basis for that justification. The FAA may not issue an order to amend, modify, suspend, or revoke an airman certificate held by a student, sport, recreational, or private pilot, and issued after a reexamination, unless the FAA determines that the airman:

 lacks the technical skills and competency, or care, judgment, and responsibility, necessary to hold and safely exercise the privileges of the certificate; or materially contributed to the issuance of the certificate by fraudulent means. (Sec. 5) 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.

Under the NOTAM Improvement Program the FAA shall:

 continue developing and modernizing the NOTAM repository, making all NOTAMs Internet-accessible, machine-readable, and searchable; and specify the times during which temporary flight restrictions are in effect and the duration of a designation of special use airspace in a specific area. The FAA shall consider the NOTAM repository to be the sole location for airmen to check for NOTAMs, and may not consider a NOTAM announced or published until it is in the repository.

Except for an enforcement action relating to national security, the FAA may not take any enforcement action against an airman for a violation of a NOTAM during a flight if that NOTAM is not available through the repository before the flight's commencement and the NOTAM is not reasonably accessible and identifiable to the airman.

(Sec. 6) Upon receiving from an individual subject to an investigation a request for a flight record of air traffic data not in its possession, the FAA shall request the record from a FAA contract air traffic control tower or other FAA contractor possessing it. The contract tower or other contractor shall give the FAA, upon request, any covered flight record it created, maintained, or controls.

If the FAA has issued, or subsequently issues, a Notice of Proposed Certificate Action relying on evidence contained in such a flight record, and the individual subject to an investigation has requested the record, the FAA shall produce it promptly and extend the time the individual has to respond to the notice until the covered flight record is furnished.

Compliance with these requirements by a contract tower or other contractor shall be included as a material term in any contract with the FAA.

(Sec. 7) The FAA shall revise certain regulations for FAA administrative disposition of a case under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 or the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act to authorize the FAA legal counsel to close covered enforcement actions with a warning notice, letter of correction, or other administrative action.

pilot bill rights sec bill directs federal_aviation_administration faa issue revise medical certification regulations ensure individual operate pilot covered aircraft flight meets certain criteria individual possesses valid driver license issued state territory possession complies medical requirements associated license holds faa medical certificate date enactment bill held certificate point year period preceding date enactment obtains date enactment transporting fewer passengers operating visual instrument flight rules recent faa medical certificate individual indicate second class include authorization special issuance expired revoked suspended withdrawn individual recent application faa airman medical certification denied individual completed internet medical education course meeting specified criteria free charge calendar months acting pilot command covered aircraft successful completion course shall trigger electronic release authorizing national_driver_register designated state department motor vehicles furnish faa information individual driving record diagnosed medical condition impact ability fly individual serving pilot command physician care treatment individual received comprehensive medical examination state licensed physician previous months met certain pre examination requirements involving checklist medical conditions medications individual qualified class medical certificate exemption seeking serve pilot command covered aircraft shall required completed process obtaining authorization special issuance medical certificate specified list mental health disorders neurological disorders cardiovascular conditions bill prescribes special rules disorders conditions faa shall review identify additional medical conditions added ames issue program allows ames issue airman medical certificates previously deferred review faa shall implement procedures expedite process obtaining authorization special issuance medical certificate beginning year enactment bill faa enforcement action holding valid class medical certificate pilot covered aircraft flight good faith effort pilot flight meet certain requirements faa published federal_register final regulations medical certification small aircraft pilots section covered aircraft authorized federal law carry occupants maximum certificated takeoff weight pounds requirements section shall apply pilots electing operate regulations operations requiring medical certificate operations requiring medical certificate driver license receives credible urgent information including national_driver_register reflects individual ability safely operate covered aircraft class medical certificate exemption faa require individual provide additional information history determine individual safe continue operating covered aircraft faa use information request individual provide additional information actions amend modify suspend revoke individual airman certificate sec pilot bill rights amended revise authorization appeal federal court substantially affected individual decision national_transportation_safety_board ntsb uphold adverse faa order final decision bill specifies suspension revocation airman certificate punitive civil action appealed district court shall review novo faa denial suspension revocation airman certificate conducting independent review complete administrative record denial suspension revocation current law permitting additional discovery taking additional evidence making findings fact conclusions law required federal_rules_of_civil_procedure bound findings fact faa ntsb burden proof district court appeal faa denial application issuance renewal airman certificate shall applicant denied certificate burden proof shall faa appeal related suspended revoked certificate adjudication requirements administrative procedure act shall apply adjudications faa ntsb extent applied adjudications enactment bill bill requires faa notification individual subject investigation relating airman certificate specify activity investigation based faa issues emergency order related safety air commerce including order revoking airman certificate controlled substance violations order takes effect immediately faa simultaneously holder airman certificate question copy portion investigative report non emergency proceeding relating amendment modification suspension revocation airman certificate certificate holder notified proposed certificate action faa holder written request holder portion investigative report information investigative report constitutes portion specified exceptions faa fails observe requirements certificate holder dismiss complaint administrative law judge order appropriate relief faa fails establish good cause failure comply requirements sec faa airman holding student sport recreational private pilot certificate ordered result event involving fault faa designee faa reasonable grounds establish airman qualified exercise privileges particular certificate rating based act omission committed exercising privileges certificate rating issued faa designee demonstrate airman obtained certificate rating fraudulent means examination substantially inadequate establish airman qualifications taking action airman faa shall furnish airman reasonable basis described detail requesting information faa finds appropriate furnish scope nature requested formed basis justification faa issue order amend modify suspend revoke airman certificate held student sport recreational private pilot issued faa determines airman lacks technical skills competency care judgment responsibility necessary hold safely exercise privileges certificate materially contributed issuance certificate fraudulent means sec faa enforcement action individual violation airspace system information faa certifies compliance certain improvement program requirements amended act faa shall continue developing modernizing repository making internet accessible machine readable searchable specify times temporary flight restrictions effect duration designation special use airspace specific area faa shall consider repository sole location airmen check consider announced published repository enforcement action relating national security faa enforcement action airman violation flight available repository flight commencement reasonably accessible identifiable airman sec receiving individual subject investigation request flight record air traffic data possession faa shall request record faa contract air traffic control tower faa contractor possessing contract tower contractor shall faa request covered flight record created maintained controls faa issued subsequently issues notice proposed certificate action relying evidence contained flight record individual subject investigation requested record faa shall produce promptly extend time individual respond notice covered flight record furnished compliance requirements contract tower contractor shall included material term contract faa sec faa shall revise certain regulations faa administrative disposition case federal aviation act authorize faa legal counsel close covered enforcement actions warning notice letter correction administrative action


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:
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:
Saracini Aviation Safety Act of 2015

 Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to issue an order to require: (1) the installation of secondary barriers, other than the cockpit door, to prevent access to the flight deck of each covered aircraft; (2) such barriers on the aircraft with a cockpit door to remain locked while the aircraft is in flight and the cockpit door separating the flight deck and the passenger area is open; and (3) such barriers on the aircraft without a cockpit door to remain locked as determined by the pilot in command.

Defines "covered aircraft" to mean a commercial aircraft: (1) equipped with more than 75 passenger seats, and (2) with a maximum gross takeoff weight of more than 75,000 pounds.

aviation safety act directs administrator federal_aviation_administration issue order require installation secondary barriers cockpit door prevent access flight deck covered aircraft barriers aircraft cockpit door remain locked aircraft flight cockpit door separating flight deck passenger area open barriers aircraft cockpit door remain locked determined pilot command defines covered aircraft mean commercial aircraft equipped passenger seats maximum gross takeoff weight pounds


Summary:
Congress affirms that, for the purposes of modernizing the C-130 aircraft fleet, the Air Force has authority to undertake safety and compliance upgrades in lieu of the C-130 aircraft avionics modernization program of record to meet applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations by 2020.

The Carl Levin and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 is amended to declare that, if the Secretary of the Air Force implements the alternative communication, navigation, surveillance, and air traffic management program, that implementation shall be coordinated with the FAA in order to satisfy applicable safety and compliance airspace regulations.

congress affirms purposes modernizing c-130 aircraft fleet air_force authority undertake safety compliance upgrades lieu c-130 aircraft avionics modernization program record meet applicable federal_aviation_administration faa regulations national defense authorization act fiscal year amended declare secretary air_force implements alternative communication navigation surveillance air traffic management program implementation shall coordinated faa order satisfy applicable safety compliance airspace regulations


Summary:
Commercial UAS Modernization Act

This bill amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to permit a person to operate a small commercial unmanned aircraft (drone) without an airworthiness certificate within the United States for the period beginning on enactment of this Act and ending on the effective date of a final rule based on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking "Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems" dated February 23, 2015, subject to the following conditions and restrictions:

 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive proof that the drone owner has liability insurance for the drone; the owner must register the drone; the operator must pass a test developed to assess initial aeronautical knowledge and a proficiency test administered by a drone test site; and the operator must demonstrate the ability to fly the drone in accordance with certain operating restrictions concerning visibility, time of day, air traffic control, airspace, preflight inspection, and operator health. A drone may not be operated until the operator of a test site certifies that it meets the requirements in the rulemaking notice and can operate within the restrictions.

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

The FAA shall:

 appoint a Deputy Associate Administrator for Unmanned Aircraft, 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 drone operations in airspace below 1,200 feet.

commercial uas modernization act bill amends faa_modernization reform act permit person operate small commercial unmanned aircraft drone airworthiness certificate united_states period beginning enactment act ending effective date final rule based dated february subject following conditions restrictions federal_aviation_administration faa receive proof drone owner liability insurance drone owner register drone operator pass test developed assess initial aeronautical knowledge proficiency test administered drone test site operator demonstrate ability fly drone accordance certain operating restrictions concerning visibility time day air traffic control airspace inspection operator health drone operated operator test site certifies meets requirements rulemaking notice operate restrictions owner operator drone involved accident causing personal injury property damage report faa days accident faa shall appoint deputy associate administrator unmanned aircraft establish joint aircraft system research development data collection analysis program william technical center implement air traffic management pilot program research test new regulatory structure drone operations airspace feet


Summary:
Consumer Drone Safety Act

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to publish a final rule containing safety requirements for the operation of consumer drones.

The final rule shall apply to consumer drones that are:

 flown for hobby or recreational use, and not operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization. The final rule shall also contain requirements that include:

 a maximum altitude for flight of consumer drones, circumstances or areas where flights are restricted because of risk of unsafe interactions with manned aircraft and to persons or property on the ground, and conditions that may require limitations on flight (such as weather or time of day). The FAA must also publish a final rule applicable to the manufacturing of consumer drones. This rule shall require modification, at the manufacturer's expense, of existing consumer drones so that they meet the rule's requirements.

The FAA may exempt from the rule applicable to manufacturers certain types of consumer drones if certain conditions concerning feasibility, cost, and safety are met.

No person may operate a consumer drone in the national airspace system without specific authority from the FAA.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection may use existing authority to enforce restrictions on the importation of consumer drones into the United States.

bill directs federal_aviation_administration faa publish final rule containing safety requirements operation consumer drones final rule shall apply consumer drones flown hobby recreational use operated accordance community based set safety guidelines programming nationwide community based organization final rule shall contain requirements include maximum altitude flight consumer drones circumstances areas flights restricted risk unsafe interactions manned aircraft persons property ground conditions require limitations flight weather time day faa publish final rule applicable manufacturing consumer drones rule shall require modification manufacturer expense existing consumer drones meet rule requirements faa exempt rule applicable manufacturers certain types consumer drones certain conditions concerning feasibility cost safety met person operate consumer drone national airspace system specific authority faa use existing authority enforce restrictions importation consumer drones united_states


Summary:
Safe Skies Act of 2015

 Directs the Department of Transportation (DOT), not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act, to modify a specified DOT final rule relating to flightcrew member duty and rest requirements so that the requirements under that rule apply to all-cargo flightcrew members to the same extent they apply to air passenger flightcrew members.

safe skies act directs department_of_transportation dot later days enactment act modify specified dot final rule relating flightcrew member duty rest requirements requirements rule apply cargo flightcrew members extent apply air passenger flightcrew members


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:
Airline Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act of 2015

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to clarify, and to require air carriers (including foreign carriers) to clarify, that 1:1,000 epinephrine ampules included in emergency medical kits carried on aircraft are to be used for the treatment of anaphylaxis.

The FAA shall require an air carrier to:

 carry on each aircraft at least two packs of epinephrine auto-injectors for use as the initial treatment for anaphylaxis, replace them upon expiration or use, and train air crewmembers on how to recognize the symptoms of an acute allergic reaction and administer auto-injectable epinephrine. The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress on air carrier policies relating to passengers with food allergies.

bill directs federal_aviation_administration faa clarify require air carriers including foreign carriers clarify epinephrine included emergency medical kits carried aircraft treatment anaphylaxis faa shall require air carrier carry aircraft epinephrine auto use initial treatment anaphylaxis replace expiration use train air crewmembers recognize symptoms acute reaction administer auto epinephrine government_accountability_office shall report congress air carrier policies relating passengers food


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the excise tax on transportation of persons 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.

bill amends internal_revenue_code exempt excise tax transportation persons air amounts paid aircraft owner lessee aircraft management services related maintenance support aircraft flights aircraft


Summary:
Wildfire and Emergency Airspace Protection Act of 2015

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to knowingly launch a drone for recreational purposes that recklessly interferes with disaster response or firefighting efforts.

The legislation does not affect the use of drones launched for agricultural purposes.

Violators are subject to a fine, up to five years in prison, or both.

wildfire emergency airspace protection act bill amends federal criminal code crime knowingly launch drone recreational purposes recklessly interferes disaster response firefighting efforts legislation affect use drones launched agricultural purposes violators subject fine years prison


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:
Drone Operator Safety Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to operate an unmanned aircraft (i.e., drone) that interferes with or disrupts the operation of an aircraft carrying one or more occupants in U.S. airspace.

The prohibition includes the operation of an unmanned aircraft in the arrival or departure flight path of an airport without permission.

A violator is subject to a fine, a prison term, or both.

drone operator safety act bill amends federal criminal code crime operate unmanned aircraft drone interferes disrupts operation aircraft carrying occupants airspace prohibition includes operation unmanned aircraft arrival departure flight path airport permission violator subject fine prison term