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Yes: 1,161 • No: 245
118-hr-3935118th Congress
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024
Sponsored By: Representative Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]
Became Law
Summary
Reauthorizes and modernizes the FAA's safety, infrastructure, and technology programs through FY2028. It funds airports and research, tightens safety and cybersecurity rules, expands drone and advanced-air-mobility pathways, and strengthens passenger protections for travelers and people with disabilities.
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- Travelers and families: Requires carriers to give real-time free access to live agents within 120 days and creates a family-seating rule to secure adjacent seats for children under 14 when available. Carriers must also adopt refund and lodging policies for significant delays defined as domestic 3 hours or more and international 6 hours or more.
- Small communities and airports: Creates an Airport Safety and Resilient Infrastructure Discretionary Program funded at about $532.4 million for FY2024 and $200 million each FY2025–FY2028 to support safety, resilience, and new eligible projects at airports. Essential Air Service gets multi-year funding including roughly $348.5 million for FY2024.
- Workers and the aviation workforce: Authorizes multiple workforce and training grants including $20 million per year for pilot education and maintenance workforce programs and $5 million per year for veteran pilot training grants to grow and diversify aviation careers.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
126 provisions identified: 87 benefits, 5 costs, 34 mixed.
Stronger passenger rights and access
Passengers get clearer rights and faster help. If a nonrefundable flight is cancelled or very late (3+ hours domestic, 6+ hours international), you can request a full refund, including taxes and fees; credit‑card refunds must be paid within 7 business days and other refunds within 20 days. Airlines with planes designed for 30+ seats must provide free live-agent phone, chat, or monitored text service within 120 days. DOT will keep an accessible consumer complaint website and accept state digital IDs. The law also starts rulemaking and studies on seating and wheelchair accommodations and sets timelines for accessibility complaint decisions.
Stronger safety checks and cybersecurity
The FAA must protect Safety Management System reports from disclosure. It must set up regular cybersecurity screening for aircraft software, including flight‑critical systems for large airlines. The FAA will update inspection risk models and improve public tools for examiners. The agency must brief Congress on helicopter air ambulance safety work and will not force pilots to continue unsafe landings.
Air traffic controller staffing and training
The FAA must adopt a Transportation Research Board staffing model for air traffic control within one year. The FAA must brief Congress within 90 days if it did not adopt TRB recommendations. The law also funds research on modernizing controller on‑the‑job training and requires a review of the controller skills test within 180 days. Controller Workforce Plans published after enactment must include facility-level staffing, targets, attrition forecasts, and trainee counts.
Better flight safety and family support
FAA rulemaking must require systems that help recover overwater flight data and broadcast an end‑location; rulemaking starts within 18 months and applicable aircraft must comply within five years. The FAA will study evacuation standards and set up a rulemaking committee to improve evacuation safety, including for people with disabilities. After an accident, the NTSB family support director must request passenger lists quickly and keep the lists private except for families and authorized agencies.
Bigger hiring target for air controllers
For FY2024 through FY2028, the FAA must set its minimum hiring target for new air traffic controllers equal to how many the FAA Academy can train, subject to available appropriations. The rule excludes certain individuals described in statute. It aims to grow the controller workforce.
More airport safety and resilience grants
The bill renames and refocuses a discretionary airport safety program and sets funding levels. It provides $532,392,074 for FY2024 and $200,000,000 each year for FY2025–FY2028. At least 50% of funds must go to nonprimary, nonhub, and small hub airports. Grants must fund projects that reduce flooding risks or improve runway and taxiway safety. The Secretary must brief Congress within six months after the first FY2025 award and every year through 2028.
Require secondary cockpit barriers
The FAA must form a committee within six months to recommend secondary cockpit barriers for Part 121 passenger planes. The committee reports in 12 months and the FAA must issue a final rule within 36 months after the report.
Stronger aviation cybersecurity protections
The FAA must set up a national cyber threat management process and report on aviation cybersecurity work. It will monitor major cyber incidents, analyze threats, share data with agencies (including CISA), and coordinate responses. The FAA also must report progress on implementing the aviation cybersecurity framework within 180 days.
Upgrade air traffic data systems
The FAA must install Terminal Flight Data Manager at at least 89 airports within four years and modernize aeronautical information systems. The agency will start an R&D program and seek Volpe Center review to guide system updates. Work depends on available funding and aims to improve safety and efficiency.
Modernize air traffic control systems
The FAA must speed up NextGen and modernize the National Airspace System. A new Airspace Modernization Office starts Jan 1, 2026 and will make a road map through 2040. The law requires deadlines for data communications, navigation, and aeronautical data, and it orders reports on unfunded ATC capital with each President's budget. The FAA must audit old air traffic systems, plan replacements, deploy runway surface detection systems at medium and large hubs within five years, upgrade tower simulators, run pilot conversions of some contract towers, and expand remote tower testing.
More FAA and airport funding
The law authorizes large, multi-year funding for airports and the FAA. Airport planning gets $3.35 billion for FY2024 and $4.0 billion each year FY2025–FY2028. FAA operations, facilities and equipment, and R&D get annual authorizations (operations about $12.7B in FY2024 rising toward $14B by FY2028; facilities roughly $3.2B–$3.7B; R&D $280M–$345M). Weather reporting gets $60 million per year for FY2024–FY2028. The law also lets the FAA issue letters of intent to some small airports (up to the government share or $10 million) and requires a long-term equipment management plan for certain grant applicants.
FAA safety, staffing, and drone rules
The bill extends many FAA program authorities through 2028 and keeps core aviation operations funded. It gives airports up to seven years to finish operational readiness inspections and requires at least one EMT‑Basic at hub airports. The FAA must fund advanced materials research. The law also tightens unmanned aircraft (drone) weight and failure requirements, which may raise compliance costs for some operators.
New limits and rules for some drones
The Department of Transportation cannot buy or fund certain "covered" unmanned aircraft systems, and grants awarded after enactment are limited. The ban has listed exemptions for testing, safe integration, and security work. The Secretary can grant case-by-case waivers and must notify Congress within 15 days. The law also extends the public UAS education campaign through 2028 and expands where the FAA can collect airspace hazard data.
Airport fees, grants, and procurement
The law changes how airport passenger fees and federal grants work. Airports may charge PFCs up to $4.50 under a streamlined approval process. AIP eligible projects expand (energy, resilience, hydrogen fuel, runway rehab, cybersecurity) and apportionment formulas and grant shares are rewritten, shifting how federal airport money is split. It also bans certain vendors for passenger boarding bridges, changes small‑airport set‑asides, and lets some small airports get 95% federal shares in 2025–2026.
Airline accessibility and wheelchair rules
If you use a wheelchair or service animal, this law adds protections and clearer rules. Airlines must refund fares, fees, and taxes if your wheelchair cannot be accommodated. DOT will review lithium‑ion battery and storage rules and require training and standards for boarding, stowing, and aisle‑chair use. Airlines must publish cargo‑hold dimensions and DOT will list accredited service‑animal trainers.
Airport accessibility improvements and grants
Medium and large hub airports seeking certain federal grants must promise at least one private room with a universal changing table starting in fiscal year 2030. The Access Board has two years to set standards for the rooms and tables. The law also creates a pilot grant program with up to $20 million per year for 2025–2028 to upgrade airport accessibility. The NTSB must assess its facilities for accessibility within one year.
New passenger rights and protections
The DOT will run an accessible complaint website and create an Office of Aviation Consumer Protection. Big carriers must supply data for public dashboards on delays, compensation, family seating, and seat sizes. Within a year, carriers must set reimbursement policies for meals, hotels, and transport for long delays or cancellations. Airlines must adopt sexual‑assault policies and DOT will publish annual disability complaint reports.
Easier military-to-civilian aviation transitions
The FAA must start rulemaking and outreach to help military maintenance technicians move into civilian mechanic jobs. A proposed rule to add a military mechanic written test must start within 18 months. The FAA must make a plan within 1 year to boost JSAMTCC outreach and brief Congress on progress. The DOT and DOD will form a working group within 120 days to advise on military-to-civilian transitions and report within 1 year.
Grants and training for aviation careers
The bill creates or funds multiple workforce and education programs. Three aviation workforce grant programs are authorized at $20 million each per year for FY2025–FY2028, with a $1 million cap per grantee and at least 20% set aside for the Willa Brown program. A drone education grant program is authorized at $5 million per year for FY2025–FY2028. Veteran pilot training grants are authorized at $5 million per year for FY2025–FY2028 with individual awards capped at $750,000. The FAA will continue minority‑serving internships, support school and college aviation education, and set up an ASSUREd Safe credentialing authority for first responders.
New pilot and instructor certification paths
The FAA must create new certification and training pathways for pilots and instructors. An Enhanced Qualification Program will be set up within six months to let qualified carriers provide ATP-level training for eligible pilots. The FAA must issue a powered‑lift pilot rule within seven months and remove expiration dates on flight instructor certificates within 18 months, replacing them with recent-experience rules. Applicants for replacement airman certificates can get temporary certificates immediately upon application.
Easier drone rules for hobbyists and businesses
The Transportation Secretary must use a risk‑based process to allow drones to carry hazardous materials and hold a public meeting within 180 days. The FAA will approve and publish fixed sites where hobby drones can fly up to 400 feet without prior permission, and allow higher flights only with authorization. The FAA must digitize at least three paper‑based certification processes so applicants can track status. Exemptions that let volunteer pilots be reimbursed for fuel and fees now last five years.
Easier drone waiver approvals
The FAA must use a risk- and performance-based approach for Part 107 drone waivers. The agency will simplify and standardize the waiver form, publish issued waivers (with secrets removed), speed approvals for similar requests, and offer an expedited renewal path. These changes take effect when the law is passed.
Faster, clearer FAA rulemaking and standards
The FAA must speed and improve how it makes rules and joins industry standards. A new Assistant Administrator for Rulemaking will track petitions, exemptions, and regulatory priorities and must acknowledge petitions within 30 days. A short-term review team must report in 120 days and the DOT Inspector General will review FAA guidance processes within three years. The FAA must also coordinate technical work (vehicle-to-vehicle links) and the GAO will assess how avionics cybersecurity fits into FAA plans.
Research on alternative jet fuels
The law creates a Center of Excellence to speed research on alternative jet fuels and reduce noise and pollution. The FAA and Energy Department must also lead research on safe hydrogen use in aviation and finish a hydrogen R&D strategy within 1 year. Reports on work and plans are required to Congress.
More local input and faster reviews
The FAA will run a Community Collaboration Program and centralize noise complaint data to improve outreach and responsiveness. The Department must track NEPA work for FAA projects and report annually on counts and timing for EAs and EISs. The FAA will review DOT categorical exclusions and consider adopting similar exclusions to speed some FAA projects. The FAA must improve airport notice data and brief Congress on application timing for certain agricultural approvals.
More passenger data and feedback
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics must add a delay cause for FAA command-center instructions and create a family seating complaints category. The law creates a Passenger Experience Advisory Committee to give recommendations within 1 year. BTS will also pilot airport ground-movement and tarmac monitoring at up to six airports and publish results within 4 years.
New aviation cybersecurity committee
The FAA must form a civil aviation cybersecurity rulemaking committee within 1 year. The committee will review cybersecurity for aircraft, airports, air-traffic systems, and aeronautical products. If the group reaches consensus, the FAA must start rulemaking within 180 days or explain why not.
New cabin air safety studies and reporting
The FAA must set up a protected system for airline workers to report fume or smoke events within 180 days. The FAA will ask the National Academies to study cabin air quality within three years and may propose rules within a year after the study. The Secretary will also ask the Academies to study cabin temperature impacts and report results to Congress.
Noise and tiny-particle studies
The FAA must ask the National Academies to study ultrafine airborne particles near large hub airports within 180 days. The FAA must also create an Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee within 180 days to review noise research, metrics, and mitigation and report within 1 year.
Passenger rights: vaccine ban and disclosures
Airlines cannot deny you service for interstate flights just because of your COVID‑19 vaccination status. The law also requires the DOT to update how offline ticket disclosures are provided within 18 months so agents can point passengers to websites for fee and policy information. The bill extends aviation consumer and accessibility advisory committees through September 30, 2028 to improve input and oversight.
Update airworthiness instructions
The FAA must form a committee to review rules about how aircraft must be kept airworthy. The committee will include manufacturers, operators, repair stations, mechanics, and safety experts. The FAA must send the committee report to Congress within 1 year and start rulemaking or update guidance within 180 days after that.
Air traffic towers and frontline workforce study
The FAA must publish a list of air traffic control towers replaced in the last 10 years and towers that need replacement, and report to Congress within 120 days. It will study frontline manager workload in air traffic facilities within two years and brief Congress within three years. The FAA will also form a working group to review Part 135 check airmen and update terms for surface detection and transport airplane definitions.
Annual FAA Compliance Program review
The FAA must do an annual, agency‑wide evaluation of its Compliance Program through fiscal year 2028. Reviews must check long‑term metrics, whether safety goals are met, and employee confidence in the program. The goal is better compliance and safety oversight across the agency.
Better FAA workforce and Alaska safety
The DOT Inspector General will audit FAA workforce plans and report within a year. The law creates the William J. Hughes Technical Center inside the FAA to support technology demonstrations and partnerships. It also establishes the Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative to cut fatal Alaska accidents and requires weather systems, ADS‑B coverage, and other safety actions by set deadlines through 2030 and 2033.
Better weather and turbulence info
FAA and NOAA must publish real‑time status for automated weather systems. Subject to funding, the FAA will do applied turbulence research, buy private data, put instruments on planes, and report to Congress within 15 months. The FAA will also review and act on NTSB turbulence-safety recommendations within set deadlines.
Continuous runway incursion tracking
The FAA must set up a process to continuously track and evaluate ground and air traffic and incidents at airports to reduce runway incursions and surface safety risks. The aim is better airport surface surveillance and safer travel. This is effective on enactment.
FAA cybersecurity and management council
The FAA must name a senior cybersecurity lead and set up a 13‑member Aerospace Management Advisory Council. The cyber lead will manage FAA system security and report to Congress. The council advises on management, rulemaking, and spending and meets at least three times a year.
FAA transparency and process fixes
The FAA must study and improve many back-office and data processes. It will study a public application dashboard and recommend action within 30 months. The Civil Aviation Registry must cut average processing to 10 business days within 180 days. The FAA will publish monthly airmen statistics, set up national oversight for examiner designees, add ethics training for ODA unit members, create a private misconduct reporting process, and hire an outside reviewer to evaluate FAA data use.
Improve runway and tower safety
The FAA will create a Runway Safety Council within six months and must move forward on rules for unmarked towers within a year or explain delays to Congress. The agency will also assess automated foreign object debris detection at airports within three years.
NTSB can require recorders and data
The NTSB can require recorders, recorded data, and design information from operators and manufacturers during accident investigations. The Board can also require data and specs needed to read devices and run independent physics‑based analyses. This takes effect on enactment to make investigations more complete.
NTSB coordinates State investigations
The NTSB must select highway investigations at the same time as State investigators and coordinate access to needed information. For rail, the NTSB will select accidents involving deaths or large property damage, with specific exceptions for some grade‑crossing or trespasser incidents. These rules take effect on enactment.
Review and strengthen FAA inspector staffing
Within two years the FAA must review and update its staffing model for safety inspectors. The review uses past studies and must forecast attrition and workload. The FAA may increase safety‑critical positions compared to counts on September 30, 2023, but any hiring needs congressional appropriations.
Review rotorcraft safety equipment
An advisory committee will review safety requirements for flight data recorders, monitoring, and terrain warning systems on larger turbine rotorcraft. The review starts within 270 days and must report within a year. The FAA will brief Congress on recommendations.
Rules for sea‑craft and firefighting flights
Within 24 months the FAA and Coast Guard must sign an MOU clarifying roles for wing‑in‑ground‑effect craft operating over U.S. waters, including approval, inspection, and training procedures. The FAA must issue a rule within 18 months to allow transporting firefighters to wildfires and to designate them essential crewmembers on covered aircraft, while protecting safety through maintenance and training requirements.
Stronger foreign safety checks and records
The FAA will regularly assess other countries' aviation safety oversight against international standards, ask for fixes, and can limit carriers that do not correct problems. The NTSB must put all public docket records online in a searchable database within 24 months and brief Congress yearly until done.
Studies on runway and aircraft safety standards
The FAA must arrange studies and reviews to improve runway and aircraft safety. Within two years an FFRDC will study runway incursions and surface incidents and recommend fixes. The FAA will analyze accidents near airports for certain exempt aircraft with a report due in 18 months. The FAA must also set up a team to review engine firewall standards within one year and report findings to Congress.
Tethered drones for public safety
Public safety groups (like police, fire, EMS) can operate tethered drones under specified conditions. They may fly at or below 150 feet AGL in many airspace classes without extra approval, with limits tied to UAS Facility Maps. Operations above 150 feet require prior FAA authorization. These rules take effect on enactment to help life‑saving and emergency work.
Tighten aircraft certification oversight
The DOT Inspector General must audit FAA certification offices on a set schedule. The FAA must study future type certification methods and implement GAO registry fraud fixes on a set timetable. The FAA will report and brief Congress on findings and actions.
Update airport project priority rules
Within one year the Secretary must update FAA priority formulas for airport projects to match changes in the law. The Secretary must consult airports, carriers, and state officials. Projects that increase or maintain safety, efficiency, and capacity get top priority.
Aviation medical and mental health work
The FAA must create an aeromedical working group within 180 days to modernize medical certification. A task group will review the FAA medical portal and report within a year. The FAA will ask the National Academies to study radiation exposure for Part 121 crew and receive a study report within 16 months after the study starts.
Expand controller and pilot training
The FAA must plan to expand training capacity, modernize simulation, and increase controller enrollee numbers. It will study instructor needs for five years and review simulator rules within two years. New contracts must fund at least two controllers per shift at small and medium hub contract towers.
Drone special authority extended
The FAA's special drone authority is extended through September 30, 2033. The FAA Administrator (not the Secretary) will run the program. The FAA must create ways to accept safety requirements and can issue expedited approvals for low‑risk beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight flights like package delivery. The FAA may waive certain parts of title 14 when consistent with safety.
Extend BEYOND test program
The FAA will continue the BEYOND program and existing BEYOND agreements with State, local, and Tribal governments until the FAA decides the program is no longer useful. The FAA may expand BEYOND to more governments to test new aviation concepts and may waive some rules for those test agreements, consistent with safety.
Fast-track new altimeter effort
Within 60 days the FAA must start an accelerated R&D program to develop next-generation radio altimeters. The FAA can award grants if Congress funds them. The goal is production and installation of necessary new altimeters by January 1, 2028.
Rules and grants for drones and air taxis
The FAA must set approval procedures for third‑party UAS service suppliers within a year and publish UAS NEPA guidance within 180 days. It creates pilots and temporary exemptions for test ranges and sensitive airspace data, supports AAM and UAS research, and authorizes grants for governmental drone infrastructure ($12 million per year, FY2025–FY2028). The FAA must also publish a public UAS risk assessment method within 180 days.
New aviation research centers and guidance
The FAA must create a Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies by September 30, 2026 and Congress authorized $35 million per year for FY2025–FY2028. The UAS Center of Excellence is continued in statute to support training and research. The FAA will review a human‑readiness standard and update vertiport and heliport design guidance, and Congress urges use of voluntary consensus standards.
New rules for drones and AAM
The FAA must propose a performance-based rule for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone operations within 4 months and finalize it within 16 months. The law also defines advanced air mobility and vertiports on enactment. An interagency AAM and UAS working group must produce a research and coordination report within 1 year and every 2 years through 2028.
Rules for new aircraft and testing
The FAA must submit a plan to integrate autonomous drones and lead work to certify hydrogen-powered aircraft. The agency must form a powered‑lift rulemaking committee within three years of the first commercial certificate and set procedures for supersonic (1 year) and hypersonic (2 years) test corridors. The law clarifies Phase I experimental pilots are not treated as operating for hire.
New insurance rule for contract towers
Air traffic control contractors in the Contract Tower Program must obtain excess liability insurance within six months unless the FAA issues different interim rules. The FAA must consult with industry within 18 months to set final liability limits and brief Congress within 24 months.
Higher FAA and TSA civil fines
The law raises the per‑violation maximum civil penalty from $25,000 to $75,000 for violations after enactment. It also revises amount‑in‑controversy thresholds: pre‑enactment $400,000 (non‑individual) / $50,000 (individual); post‑enactment $1,200,000 (non‑individual) / $100,000 (individual). These changes increase potential fines for those who break FAA or TSA rules.
Require in‑center aircraft dispatching
Air carriers must dispatch flights from physical dispatch centers or flight‑following centers. Dispatchers must hold FAA dispatcher certificates. Carriers must staff centers with working equipment and security protections. Remote dispatch is allowed only in emergencies or inoperable centers for up to 14 consecutive days per location. The FAA must issue rules within one year.
Clear notice and timeline for reexaminations
If the FAA requires you to be reexamined for an airman certificate, it must send written notice describing the reason. The reexamination must occur within one year of notice. If not done in 30 days FAA may limit passenger flights; if not done within one year the certificate may be suspended or revoked. FAA can reexamine sooner for safety or fraud.
Ban FAA COVID vaccine and mask mandates
The FAA and contractors paid from these funds cannot require COVID‑19 vaccination for contractor employees. The FAA may not require FAA or air carrier employees to be vaccinated, nor may it require passengers to be vaccinated or wear masks under these authorities. This takes effect when the law is enacted.
Faster Part 135 approvals and duty rules
The FAA must speed up Part 135 certificate processing: under 60 days on average within 1 year and under 30 days within 2 years, with Congress briefings every six months until met. The FAA must also require that operations performed without an intervening rest period count toward part 135 crew duty limits (rule due within 3 years) and update part 135 recordkeeping within 1 year. Separately, part 135 carriers may get permission to fly IFR to noncontiguous airports without a METAR when certain weather-observation conditions are met; those changes take effect 12 months after enactment.
New rules for commercial air tours
Two years after the FAA issues a final rule, you cannot operate commercial air tours unless you hold a part 119 certificate and operate under part 121 or 135, or follow the FAA's new rule. People who do 100 or fewer tours a year are excepted. The FAA must run an aviation rulemaking committee, report in 20 months, issue an NPRM, and finalize the rule on a set timetable.
New safety rules for small operators
The FAA must ensure Safety Management System rules scale to small operators and apply SMS to certain certificate holders. The agency will set up a Part 135 conformity working group within 180 days. Air tour and aerial photography flights with removed or modified doors will need FAA approval within 3 years and pilots must get new avoidance training. The FAA will also consider oxygen rule changes for certain Part 135 operations within 1 year.
Airport fuel, foam, and propulsion plans
The FAA will push a national shift away from leaded aviation gasoline and fluorinated firefighting foams. The EAGLE program aims to eliminate leaded avgas by Dec 31, 2030, with a transition plan, airport fuel infrastructure help, and annual briefings to Congress. The law also directs interagency work on new aviation fuels and asks ARAC to study certification for electric, hybrid, and hydrogen propulsion within three years. Reports on foam and fuel deployment must include timelines and guidance.
Airport noise, events, and access changes
The FAA must review and possibly update airport noise rules within one year and get community input first. It must consider noise when changing flight procedures and hold annual meetings to avoid airshow-event conflicts. The FAA will consider NEPA categorical exclusions for vertiports and must brief Congress on steps to increase access for lower-cost carriers to crowded airports within 180 days. The FAA will standardize general aviation parking terms and improve airport record updates.
Limits on China collaborations in projects
The law generally bans using these funds to work with the Chinese Communist Party or China‑domiciled entities unless a later law allows it. The FAA can still do certain safety, security, and counter‑UAS testing with China when necessary. The FAA may grant case‑by‑case waivers but must notify Congress within 15 days of each waiver.
New rules and studies for drones and balloons
The FAA must study and plan how drones and high-altitude balloons operate in U.S. airspace. It must form a rulemaking committee within 180 days for balloon tracking and brief Congress within 180 days. FAA must implement GAO and Inspector General recommendations for drone integration and report annually through 2028. The law also creates temporary no-fly drone rules for very large events, studies ADS‑B equipage, prioritizes Gulf Coast UAS test partnerships, and reviews unescorted federal drone operations.
Helicopter fuel-safety review
The FAA will ask ARAC to review rotorcraft post-crash fire data from 2016–2023 and update a 2018 safety report. ARAC must give recommendations within 18 months. If the FAA gets recommendations, it must begin implementing applicable safety fixes within 180 days or tell Congress why not.
New aircraft cybersecurity and voice recorders
The FAA gets exclusive authority to set cybersecurity rules for civil aircraft and aircraft parts. The law also requires many covered airliners to carry cockpit voice recorders that retain the last 25 hours of data: new covered aircraft made more than one year after enactment and all covered aircraft within six years. The rule protects CVR data from use in disciplinary or enforcement actions and requires the FAA to issue a final implementation rule within three years.
Stronger safety reports and airport oversight
Airlines must report heavy maintenance done abroad each year and the FAA will protect those reports with confidentiality rules. The Transportation Secretary must list airports suspected of grant noncompliance in the NPIAS and describe corrective timelines. The NTSB must list safety recommendations closed as "unacceptable" and the FAA must deliver a bleed-air study and feasibility report within 6 months. The GAO will study the Pilot's Bill of Rights and other oversight briefings are required.
Tighter rules for foreign repair shops
The FAA must start rulemaking and finish a final rule within 18 months to require security-style assessments for some foreign repair station employees. Foreign heavy-maintenance shops must have certificated supervisors and approvers and be available for consultation. The FAA will review reports and can order corrective actions when safety issues appear.
Air-traffic and ramp safety reviews
The FAA will hire a research center to study consolidating air-traffic control facilities and report within 15 months. It will start a ramp worker safety review within 180 days and publish new training within six months after the review. The FAA must list hiring and training impediments in future controller workforce plans and may train airport staff as non‑Federal weather observers.
Change airport project rules and funding
The law creates streamlined environmental exclusions for many airport projects under set dollar thresholds and lets some airports in populous, previously unserved counties join the NPIAS. It also creates a small runway extension grant pilot and a pilot for alternative delivery of building projects, and allows certain procurement options for contract tower equipment. The FAA must report to Congress on outcomes.
FAA staffing, telework, and oversight changes
The FAA must get a TRB study to compare controller staffing models and report findings within about 180 days. The FAA may set telework policies but must ensure safety and brief Congress annually; it must consult unions before some changes. The DOT Inspector General must peer review the Whistleblower Protection Office within two years and every five years after and report actions to Congress.
Powered‑lift air traffic updates
The FAA must update air traffic orders within 40 months so powered‑lift aircraft can use safe, existing procedures. The FAA will create powered‑lift procedures for airports and study human factors and controller staffing. The updates aim to enable new vehicle operations but may change staffing and procedures at control facilities.
Prioritize non‑safety budget cuts
When reducing non‑safety activities, the Secretary must try to avoid cutting certain named accounts and prioritize reductions from other funding. This rule starts at enactment and ends on October 1, 2028. It changes how the department decides where to make cuts.
Temporary powered‑lift rules
If the FAA has not finished final powered‑lift rules 16 months after enactment, existing airplane or rotorcraft rules will temporarily apply to powered‑lift operations. Pilots with the proper type rating get privileges for that aircraft. The interim ends one month after the final rule takes effect.
Reagan National slot exemptions added
Within 60 days the Secretary must grant ten slot exemptions at Reagan National with allocation rules: eight for certain non‑limited incumbent carriers and two for limited incumbents. Each eligible carrier may operate exactly two of the new exemptions. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority may not fine carriers just for getting or using the exemptions.
Tighter repair and freighter rules
The FAA cannot approve new part‑145 repair station applications from firms in countries rated Category 2, though renewals remain allowed. The FAA has sole oversight over restricted‑category civilian aircraft maintenance. Certain emissions and airworthiness standards for very large purpose‑built freighters are deferred until five years after January 1, 2028, with some operational limits for new certificates.
Modernize ATC and FAA buying rules
The FAA will move toward commercial-style buying and let approved private systems count as part of the air traffic control system. Agencies may be paid after services instead of always in advance. The FAA must lower a radar-installation trigger from 30,000 to 15,000 annual itinerant operations within 180 days. The agency must update Capstone/WAAS rules within nine months.
New airport grant and fuel protections
The law protects airport property and use in several ways. The Secretary must give 30 days public notice before waiving aeronautical-use terms. Airports that supported Air Force or Guard bases cannot be forced to shorten runways. The FAA cannot use funds to process a Homestead joint‑use application through FY2028. Airports that sold 100‑LL fuel in 2022 cannot stop sales until December 31, 2030, or until an FAA‑authorized unleaded replacement is available; violations can bring a $5,000 daily penalty. The law also broadens emissions credit eligibility, adds hangar projects to a conformity list, and restricts some rolling stock procurements.
Modernize aircraft certification rules
The FAA must finish a study on advanced lab and simulation tools within 18 months and act by 2 years after enactment. The agency must also publish an NPRM on transport airplane and engine certification modernization within 2 years. These steps start changes to certification and testing practices.
Easier medical rules for private pilots
BasicMed eligibility is widened to people who held an FAA medical certificate any time after July 14, 2006. Covered aircraft are limited to seven occupants and 12,500 pounds takeoff weight. The FAA must update rules and apply them 180 days after enactment and report effects to Congress within four years.
Airman's Medical Bill of Rights
The FAA must make an Airman's Medical Bill of Rights within one year. It will list rights during Aviation Medical Examiner exams, like having a companion, privacy, choosing the examiner, and reporting misconduct without retaliation. The rights must be in MedXpress, in paper at examiner offices, and posted in common areas. A short procedure sheet for exams must also be provided.
Deadlines and rights for FAA probes
If you get an FAA Letter of Investigation you can respond within 30 days. The FAA must make a final decision or close the investigation within two years. Senior FAA leaders can extend investigations by two years at a time if needed.
More help for crash victims and families
Passengers in covered U.S. aircraft accidents and their families get expanded support, including emotional and psychological care. Rail carriers must provide passenger lists after accidents and try to identify names for unreserved trains. Penalty rules are expanded to cover some rail passenger assistance. The law also clarifies which territories count as a "State" for related investigation rules.
Private aircraft registration privacy
If you own a private, noncommercial U.S. aircraft, you can ask the FAA to hide your registration number and contact details from broad public lists. The FAA must set up the PII‑withholding procedure within 2 years. Owners can also apply for a new ICAO ID code if they show a safety or security need.
FAA hiring, workplace, and safety changes
The FAA may use direct-hire authority immediately to speed hiring for safety and certification jobs and must report hires through 2028. OPM must remove the FAA medical certificate requirement for air safety investigator applicants within 60 days and update job requirements within 2 years. The law adds workplace protections and training changes: TSA must set minimum standards for crew unruly‑passenger and self‑defense training within 180 days and carriers must allow reasonable accommodations. The FAA must issue lactation guidance for flight crew within 180 days. Whistleblower orders get stronger enforcement routes through DOL and FAA penalties. The Secretary must also produce a national workforce plan and a CAREER Council by September 30, 2025.
Broader experimental aircraft authorizations
Within one year the FAA must allow letters of authorization for all makes and models of experimental high-performance piston aircraft. To qualify you must hold the right category and class rating and have three prior experimental authorizations in the same class. If the FAA misses the one-year deadline it must brief Congress monthly until done.
BasicMed examiners can give tests
Examiners who meet BasicMed medical qualifications can administer practical pilot tests and proficiency checks. This change is effective on enactment, and the FAA must update part 61 within three years. It may expand the pool of examiners for pilots.
More small businesses in CLEEN projects
The CLEEN program must include at least two cooperative agreements that involve a qualifying small business. The small business proposals must meet FAA acquisition and technology readiness rules. This change helps qualified small firms compete for engine and airframe technology projects.
New UAS test ranges and funding
The law creates up to 9 designated drone (UAS) test ranges using 7 existing sites and up to 2 new ones. The FAA gets $6 million each year for FY2025–FY2028 to split evenly among the ranges for matching funds and demos. Sponsors must let private and public entities use the range, protect sensitive data, keep FAA records, and give quarterly recommendations. The program runs until September 30, 2028.
No LODA for private training flights
You do not need a Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) for a private flight training if: the instructor does not both provide the plane and the training, the plane is not advertised for training, and no one was paid more than normal owning, operating, and maintenance expenses. The rule starts when the law is enacted.
Operate during registration renewal
If you file an aircraft registration renewal, you may operate the aircraft after the printed expiration date if you have onboard proof the renewal was submitted and the aircraft meets airworthiness rules. The FAA must give electronic proof at submission. If the FAA denies the renewal, this allowance does not apply. The FAA must finalize rules and guidance within 36 months.
Clean up obsolete aviation laws
The law repeals several old or duplicate aviation law sections to simplify the statute. The repealed items include obsolete workforce and Flight Service Station provisions and an old AIP annual report requirement. These repeals mainly tidy the code and have no direct cost or benefit to most households.
Deadline for airworthiness modernization
The FAA must finish the final rule titled "Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification" within 24 months after the law is enacted. This gives a firm statutory deadline for that rulemaking.
New FAA advisory and diversity panels
The law creates or requires several FAA advisory groups. The FAA must set up an Advanced Aviation Technology Steering Committee within 180 days. A Bessie Coleman committee will advise on women in aviation and must meet publicly and report yearly through 2028. Within a year after one committee ends, an Unmanned and Autonomous Flight Advisory Committee will advise on drones and autonomous flight.
Allow electronic service of FAA notices
Notices, legal papers, and other FAA processes may be served electronically or by fax to the person or a designated agent. The date of service is when the transmission is sent or when you are notified the item is available in an electronic file. Service on an agent can be at their office, residence, or designated electronic address.
Free online safety and accident reports
The National Transportation Safety Board must post safety recommendations and accident reports online for free. If an electronic file is not printable, the Board must provide a printed copy on request for a reasonable cost. This requirement starts when the law is enacted.
Limit FAA use of ADS‑B data
FAA may not start an investigation (except criminal ones) based only on ADS‑B Out data. ADS‑B data can be used if an investigation started for another reason, like a complaint. This limit takes effect on enactment and reduces standalone enforcement use of ADS‑B tracking.
Protect voluntary safety program data
The law strengthens privacy protections for information submitted to FAA voluntary safety programs. Protections now explicitly extend to some third parties. The FAA must review and update its regulations within 180 days to ensure these protections are in place.
Airport grants to fight trafficking
The Department will give grants to airports to prevent human trafficking. The law authorizes $10 million per year for each of FY2025–FY2028. The 75 busiest airports get priority, and other high‑prevalence airports can apply.
COO duties for air traffic control
The FAA Administrator will appoint a Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the air traffic control system. The COO must focus on system repair, continuous safety and efficiency improvements, and plans to integrate new entrants. These duties must be in the COO's performance agreement.
CTO reporting and ethics rules
The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the air traffic control system will report to the COO. The CTO's duties cover FAA and third‑party systems related to air traffic management. The CTO is subject to federal post‑employment conflict‑of‑interest rules similar to section 207 of title 18.
Extend Pacific compact funding
The law extends FAA compact‑related funding authority for the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau through fiscal year 2028. This keeps compact FAA programs funded for those years.
Keep contract weather observers
The FAA may not discontinue or reduce the contract weather observer program at any airport until September 30, 2028. This keeps local weather support that many airports and pilots rely on for safety and operations.
Replace DOT drones with allied-made systems
The Secretary must replace DOT-owned unmanned aircraft that are important to DOT missions with U.S. or allied-made systems. Congress authorized $5 million to pay for the replacements.
Stronger FAA leadership and rules
The law tightens FAA leadership rules and improves internal policy work. Senior FAA officials cannot hold aviation business financial interests. The Administrator must meet new experience rules and serve a five-year term. FAA must audit inconsistent policies and expand an internal consistency board. The FAA will seek to revise a DOD‑FAA committee charter and seek a sunset by agreement.
More medical flight data and rules
The FAA must publish parts of the helicopter air ambulance safety database online and analyze the data regularly to improve safety. The Transportation Secretary must start a working group within 90 days to set best practices for carrying organs in a commercial plane cabin and report recommendations within one year.
Advance air mobility working‑group changes
The advanced air mobility interagency working group must include more stakeholders like airports, heliports, vertiports, and fixed‑base operators. It must coordinate with the Department of Defense and National Guard, expand topics covered, and extend some deliverable deadlines from one year to 18 months. The changes take effect on enactment.
Drone and powered‑lift industry seats added
Within 90 days the NextGen Advisory Committee must add one representative from the unmanned aircraft (drone) industry and one from the powered‑lift industry. Each rep must show expertise in design, manufacturing, or operations and experience in policy. This gives those industries a formal voice in NextGen advice.
Fuel system rule narrowed for helicopters
A fuel system rule that used to apply to "rotorcraft" is narrowed to apply only to "helicopter." Experimental helicopters and those operating under special flight permits are explicitly excepted from that section's requirements. This reduces some regulatory obligations for those specific helicopters.
Grants for AAM infrastructure pilots
The Advanced Air Mobility infrastructure pilot program gets expanded scope to include modifying existing airports and heliports. The law authorizes $12.5 million for each fiscal year 2023–2026, available until spent. Deadlines and reporting rules are extended and improved to include community engagement and regulatory recommendations.
More flexibility for airport land and trade
The Transportation Secretary can waive old deed restrictions on non‑surplus airport property if the land is sold at current fair market value and the money is used only for airport purposes. The City of Banning can be released from federal airport restrictions if it repays past grants, reimburses a land grant at fair market value, and transfers usable equipment. The Fish and Wildlife Service may add one more wildlife port of entry if funding is available and the airport meets a 2022 cargo threshold.
Higher penalties for airport money misuse
The law doubles the dollar amount airports must pay if they illegally use airport revenue. The change applies when the law is signed and does not apply to diversions that happened before enactment.
End Advanced Aviation advisory committee
The Secretary may not renew the charter for the Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee (chartered June 10, 2022). This stops the committee from continuing after the current charter ends and mainly affects its members and stakeholders.
Arctic unmanned rule covers all drones
A rule for unmanned aircraft operations in the Arctic now applies to all unmanned aircraft, not just "small" ones. The change takes effect when the law is enacted. Larger unmanned aircraft operating in the Arctic will have to follow the Arctic-specific rules.
Laser pointer reporting reduced
Laser pointer incident updates to Congress change from quarterly to a single annual briefing. The reporting requirement will end after September 30, 2028. This reduces reporting frequency and sunsets the requirement.
Public notice for big design exceptions
The FAA must propose a rule within 18 months to require public notice and comment before approving any "impracticality" exception for a significant design change. The FAA must brief Congress in one year and issue a final rule within three years. The FAA will also report annually from 2025 through 2028 on such exceptions approved and denied.
Protect Alaska 100‑octane fuel
Until December 31, 2032 (or earlier if an approved unleaded fuel is widely available six months after FAA finds so), FAA and EPA cannot restrict 100‑octane low‑lead avgas in Alaska. GAO must report to Congress within three years on fuel use and transition costs.
Terminate FAA Office of NextGen
The FAA Office of NextGen will end on December 31, 2025. The FAA must move advanced air mobility functions into the Office of Aviation Safety within 90 days of enactment and transfer any remaining duties, people, and assets to other FAA offices. The change reorganizes FAA functions rather than changing public benefits.
Limited recreational airport land use
In limited, older cases, public airports can allow interim below-market recreational use of airport land or permanently restrict land to parks without violating grant rules. Some pre-1989 properties and certain old agreements qualify. Sponsors may keep lease or sale revenue for airport purposes but may not use airport revenue for community operating costs. The change is effective on enactment.
Review of foreign plane rules and data
The FAA must study foreign aircraft interchange agreements within 90 days and brief Congress within two years to consider limits and rule updates. The FAA will also task a committee to review passenger information rules and issue a final regulation within six years that reflects common exemptions and updates civil penalties for inflation.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]
MO • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
WA • D
Sponsored 6/9/2023
Rep. Graves, Garret [R-LA-6]
LA • R
Sponsored 6/9/2023
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
TN • D
Sponsored 6/9/2023
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 5/15/2024
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendment
Yes: 387 • No: 26
senate vote • 5/9/2024
On Passage of the Bill H.R. 3935
Yes: 88 • No: 4
senate vote • 5/8/2024
On the Motion to Table H.R. 3935
Yes: 12 • No: 85
senate vote • 5/2/2024
On the Motion to Proceed H.R. 3935
Yes: 81 • No: 10
senate vote • 5/1/2024
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed H.R. 3935
Yes: 89 • No: 10
senate vote • 9/28/2023
On the Motion to Proceed H.R. 3935
Yes: 76 • No: 22
senate vote • 9/26/2023
On the Cloture Motion H.R. 3935
Yes: 77 • No: 19
house vote • 7/20/2023
On Passage
Yes: 351 • No: 69