FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018

FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 DIVISION A--SPORTS MEDICINE LICENSURE Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act of 2018 (Sec. 12) The bill extends the liability insurance coverage of a state-licensed medical professional to another state when the professional provides medical services to an athlete, athletic team, or team staff member pursuant to a written agreement. Prior to providing such services, the medical professional must disclose to the insurer the nature and extent of the services. This extension of coverage does not apply at a health care facility or while a medical professional licensed in the state is transporting the injured individual to a health care facility. DIVISION B--FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018 (Sec. 101) In this division, the term "appropriate committees of Congress" means the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS Subtitle A--Funding of FAA Programs (Sec. 111) The bill reauthorizes airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning and programs for FY2018-FY2023 at current levels. (Sec. 112) The bill reauthorizes at increased levels funding from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for air navigation facilities and equipment for FY2018-FY2023. It also authorizes additional expenditures, including for: (1) the remediation and elimination of identified cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the air traffic control system, (2) the construction of facilities dedicated to improving the cybersecurity of the National Airspace System, and (3) the modernization and digitization of the Civil Aviation Registry. (Sec. 113) The bill reauthorizes funding for salaries, operations, and maintenance of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at increased levels for FY2018-FY2023. It also authorizes funding for commercial space transportation activities for FY2018-FY2023 and extends the authority to reduce funding for nonsafety-related activities to meet expenses for FAA salaries, operations, and maintenance. (Sec. 114) The bill reauthorizes the aviation weather reporting programs for FY2019-FY2023. (Sec. 115) The bill repeals provisions allowing adjustments to Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding. (Sec. 116) The bill extends through FY2018 funding for Airport and Airway Trust Fund aviation programs. (Sec. 117) The bill extends funding through FY2023 for: (1) grants for sponsors of airports in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau; (2) compatible land use planning and projects by state and local governments; (3) Midway Island Airport; and (4) the pilot program for redevelopment of airport properties. Subtitle B--Passenger Facility Charges (Sec. 121) The bill revises Department of Transportation (DOT) authority to impose passenger facility charges and extends the pilot program for passenger facility charges to nonhub airports. (Sec. 122) DOT shall provide for a study to assess the infrastructure needs of airports and make recommendations to upgrade the national aviation infrastructure system. The study shall separately evaluate the infrastructure of the large hub airports identified in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. (Sec. 123) The FAA shall publish in the Federal Register a final policy amendment relating to the eligibility of airport ground access transportation projects for funding under the passenger facility charge program. Subtitle C--Airport Improvement Program Modifications (Sec. 131) The bill terminates on October 1, 2023, the authority of DOT to approve an application for an airport development project grant for a large or medium hub airport that requires certain assurances and information from the airport sponsor. The grant requirements do not apply to the construction of recreational aircraft or the use of airport property for a recreational purpose. (Sec. 132) The bill conditions airport development project grants in FY2021 and thereafter on DOT receiving written assurances that a medium or large hub airport owner or operator will maintain a lactation area in the sterile area of each airport terminal and a baby changing table in one men's and one women's rest room in each passenger terminal. (Sec. 133) The bill expands provisions relating to the contract tower program, including criteria to evaluate participants in the program and for cost-benefit determinations. (Sec. 134) The bill revises provisions relating to the federal government's share of aviation project costs. (Sec. 135) The bill updates criteria for the veterans' preference for carrying out airport development projects. (Sec. 136) DOT must use highway specifications of a state for airfield pavement construction and improvement using funds made available at nonprimary airports serving aircraft that do not exceed 60,000 gross weight if the state requests the use of such specifications and DOT determines that safety and the life span of the pavement will not be negatively affected. (Sec. 137) The bill revises eligibility requirements of any current and former military airport for grants to require such airports to be a nonhub primary airport and have been owned by the Department of Defense after December 31, 1965. (Sec. 138) DOT may include closed circuit TV projects in the airport improvement program. (Sec. 139) The bill increases the number of states eligible to participate in DOT block grant programs. (Sec 140) The bill authorizes the FAA to carry out a pilot program for the installation of qualifying nonmovement area surveillance surface display systems and sensors to improve safety. A "nonmovement area surveillance surface display systems and sensors" means a nonfederal surveillance system that uses on-airport sensors that track vehicles or aircraft that are equipped with transponders in the airfield surface that is not under air traffic control. This authorization expires on October 1, 2023. (Sec. 142) The FAA shall initiate a study on technology usage at airports. (Sec. 143) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall study: (1) the exception allowing diversion of airport revenue from payment of capital or operating costs, and (2) the effect of granting an exclusive right of aeronautical services to an airport sponsor. (Sec. 145) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the FAA and DOT should produce a smart airports initiative plan that focuses on creating a more consumer-friendly and digitally-connected airport experience. (Sec. 146) The FAA shall issue a request for a proposal for a study on critical airfield markings. (Sec. 147) The bill allows an airport to transfer, without consideration, to the FAA an eligible air traffic system or equipment that conforms to performance specifications if a government airport aid program, airport development aid program, or airport improvement project grant was used to assist in purchasing the system or equipment. The FAA may not require an airport owner or sponsor to provide to the FAA without costs any: (1) building construction, maintenance, utilities, or expenses for services relating to air traffic control, air navigation, or weather reporting; and (2) space in a facility owned by the airport owner or sponsor for services relating to air traffic control, air navigation, or weather reporting. (Sec. 148) The bill expands conditions for approval of DOT project grant applications to require projects listed as having an unclassified status to be funded by apportionments. The projects must be for the maintenance of the pavement of the primary runway, for obstruction removal and rehabilitation of the primary runway, or for a project DOT considers necessary for the safe operation of the airport. (Sec. 149) DOT must, in evaluating the master plan of an airport, take into account the role the airport plays with respect to medical emergencies and evacuations and in emergency or disaster preparedness in communities served by the airport. (Sec. 150) The bill defines "small business concern" for purposes of minority and disadvantaged business participation in aviation grant programs. (Sec. 151) The special rule under apportionments provisions is revised and made applicable for FY2018-FY2020. Such provisions are expanded to include provisions concerning limitations and waivers and minimum apportionment for commercial service airports with more than 8,000 passenger boardings in a calendar year. (Sec. 152) DOT may provide grants to an airport sponsor participating in the contract tower program for the construction or improvement of a nonapproach control tower and for the acquisition and installation of air traffic control, communications, and related equipment to be used in that tower.

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Written by analysts at the Congressional Research Service and published on Congress.gov, not by Civibrief. Summarized at the "Public Law" stage on October 5, 2018. It describes the bill, it is not the legal text.

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