Title 49 — Transportation
Part A · Chapter 447 — Safety Regulation
§ 44703. Airman certificates
Statutory text
General.—
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue an airman certificate to an individual when the Administrator finds, after investigation, that the individual is qualified for, and physically able to perform the duties related to, the position to be authorized by the certificate.
Contents.—
An airman certificate shall—
be numbered and recorded by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration;
contain the name, address, and description of the individual to whom the certificate is issued;
contain terms the Administrator decides are necessary to ensure safety in air commerce, including terms on the duration of the certificate, periodic or special examinations, and tests of physical fitness;
specify the capacity in which the holder of the certificate may serve as an airman with respect to an aircraft; and
designate the class the certificate covers.
A certificate issued to a pilot serving in scheduled air transportation shall have the designation “airline transport pilot” of the appropriate class.
Public Information.—
In general.—
Subject to paragraph (2) and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the information contained in the records of contents of any airman certificate issued under this section that is limited to an airman’s name, address, and ratings held shall be made available to the public after the 120th day following the date of the enactment of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century.
Opportunity to withhold information.—
Before making any information concerning an airman available to the public under paragraph (1), the airman shall be given an opportunity to elect that the information not be made available to the public.
Development and implementation of program.—
Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century, the Administrator shall develop and implement, in cooperation with representatives of the aviation industry, a one-time written notification to airmen to set forth the implications of making information concerning an airman available to the public under paragraph (1) and to carry out paragraph (2). The Administrator shall also provide such written notification to each individual who becomes an airman after such date of enactment.
Appeals.—
An individual whose application for the issuance or renewal of an airman certificate has been denied may appeal the denial to the National Transportation Safety Board, except if the individual holds a certificate that—
is suspended at the time of denial; or
was revoked within one year from the date of the denial.
The Board shall conduct a hearing on the appeal at a place convenient to the place of residence or employment of the applicant. The Board is not bound by findings of fact of the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. At the end of the hearing, the Board shall decide whether the individual meets the applicable regulations and standards. The Administrator is bound by that decision.
A person who is substantially affected by an order of the Board under this subsection, or the Administrator if the Administrator decides that an order of the Board will have a significant adverse impact on carrying out this subtitle, may seek judicial review of the order under section 46110. The Administrator shall be made a party to the judicial review proceedings. The findings of fact of the Board in any such case are conclusive if supported by substantial evidence.
Restrictions and Prohibitions.—
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may—
restrict or prohibit issuing an airman certificate to an alien; or
make issuing the certificate to an alien dependent on a reciprocal agreement with the government of a foreign country.
Controlled Substance Violations.—
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may not issue an airman certificate to an individual whose certificate is revoked under section 44710 of this title except—
when the Administrator decides that issuing the certificate will facilitate law enforcement efforts; and
as provided in section 44710(e)(2) of this title.
Modifications in System.—
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall make modifications in the system for issuing airman certificates necessary to make the system more effective in serving the needs of airmen and officials responsible for enforcing laws related to the regulation of controlled substances (as defined in section 102 of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. 802)) and related to combating acts of terrorism. The modifications shall ensure positive and verifiable identification of each individual applying for or holding a certificate and shall address at least each of the following deficiencies in, and abuses of, the existing system:
the use of fictitious names and addresses by applicants for those certificates.
the use of stolen or fraudulent identification in applying for those certificates.
the use by an applicant of a post office box or “mail drop” as a return address to evade identification of the applicant’s address.
the use of counterfeit and stolen airman certificates by pilots.
the absence of information about physical characteristics of holders of those certificates.
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall prescribe regulations to carry out paragraph (1) of this subsection and provide a written explanation of how the regulations address each of the deficiencies and abuses described in paragraph (1). In prescribing the regulations, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall consult with the Administrator of Drug Enforcement, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, other law enforcement officials of the United States Government, representatives of State and local law enforcement officials, representatives of the general aviation aircraft industry, representatives of users of general aviation aircraft, and other interested persons.
For purposes of this section, the term “acts of terrorism” means an activity that involves a violent act or an act dangerous to human life that is a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State, or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or of any State, and appears to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion or to affect the conduct of a government by assassination or kidnaping.
The Administrator is authorized and directed to work with State and local authorities, and other Federal agencies, to assist in the identification of individuals applying for or holding airmen certificates.
1 Records of Employment of Pilot Applicants.—
In general.—
Subject to paragraph (14), before allowing an individual to begin service as a pilot, an air carrier shall request and receive the following information:
FAA records.—
From the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, records pertaining to the individual that are maintained by the Administrator concerning—
current airman certificates (including airman medical certificates) and associated type ratings, including any limitations to those certificates and ratings; and
summaries of legal enforcement actions resulting in a finding by the Administrator of a violation of this title or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this title that was not subsequently overturned.
Air carrier and other records.—
From any air carrier or other person (except a branch of the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard, or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces) that has employed the individual as a pilot of a civil or public aircraft at any time during the 5-year period preceding the date of the employment application of the individual, or from the trustee in bankruptcy for such air carrier or person—
records pertaining to the individual that are maintained by an air carrier (other than records relating to flight time, duty time, or rest time) under regulations set forth in—
section 121.683 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;
paragraph (A) of section VI, appendix I, part 121 of such title;
paragraph (A) of section IV, appendix J, part 121 of such title;
section 125.401 of such title; and
section 135.63(a)(4) of such title; and
other records pertaining to the individual’s performance as a pilot that are maintained by the air carrier or person concerning—
the training, qualifications, proficiency, or professional competence of the individual, including comments and evaluations made by a check airman designated in accordance with section 121.411, 125.295, or 135.337 of such title;
any disciplinary action taken with respect to the individual that was not subsequently overturned; and
any release from employment or resignation, termination, or disqualification with respect to employment.
National driver register records.—
In accordance with section 30305(b)(8) of this title, from the chief driver licensing official of a State, information concerning the motor vehicle driving record of the individual.
Written consent; release from liability.—
An air carrier making a request for records under paragraph (1)—
shall be required to obtain written consent to the release of those records from the individual that is the subject of the records requested; and
may, notwithstanding any other provision of law or agreement to the contrary, require the individual who is the subject of the records to request to execute a release from liability for any claim arising from the furnishing of such records to or the use of such records by such air carrier (other than a claim arising from furnishing information known to be false and maintained in violation of a criminal statute).
5-year reporting period.—
A person shall not furnish a record in response to a request made under paragraph (1) if the record was entered more than 5 years before the date of the request, unless the information concerns a revocation or suspension of an airman certificate or motor vehicle license that is in effect on the date of the request.
Requirement to maintain records.—
The Administrator and air carriers shall maintain pilot records described in paragraphs (1)(A) and (1)(B) for a period of at least 5 years.
Receipt of consent; provision of information.—
A person shall not furnish a record in response to a request made under paragraph (1) without first obtaining a copy of the written consent of the individual who is the subject of the records requested; except that, for purposes of paragraph (15), the Administrator may allow an individual designated by the Administrator to accept and maintain written consent on behalf of the Administrator for records requested under paragraph (1)(A). A person who receives a request for records under this subsection shall furnish a copy of all of such requested records maintained by the person not later than 30 days after receiving the request.
Right to receive notice and copy of any record furnished.—
A person who receives a request for records under paragraph (1) shall provide to the individual who is the subject of the records—
on or before the 20th day following the date of receipt of the request, written notice of the request and of the individual’s right to receive a copy of such records; and
in accordance with paragraph (10), a copy of such records, if requested by the individual.
Reasonable charges for processing requests and furnishing copies.—
A person who receives a request under paragraph (1) or (6) may establish a reasonable charge for the cost of processing the request and furnishing copies of the requested records.
Standard forms.—
The Administrator shall promulgate—
standard forms that may be used by an air carrier to request records under paragraph (1); and
standard forms that may be used by an air carrier to—
obtain the written consent of the individual who is the subject of a request under paragraph (1); and
inform the individual of—
the request; and
the individual right of that individual to receive a copy of any records furnished in response to the request.
Right to correct inaccuracies.—
An air carrier that maintains or requests and receives the records of an individual under paragraph (1) shall provide the individual with a reasonable opportunity to submit written comments to correct any inaccuracies contained in the records before making a final hiring decision with respect to the individual.
Right of pilot to review certain records.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law or agreement, an air carrier shall, upon written request from a pilot who is or has been employed by such carrier, make available, within a reasonable time, but not later than 30 days after the date of the request, to the pilot for review, any and all employment records referred to in paragraph (1)(B)(i) or (ii) pertaining to the employment of the pilot.
Privacy protections.—
An air carrier that receives the records of an individual under paragraph (1) may use such records only to assess the qualifications of the individual in deciding whether or not to hire the individual as a pilot. The air carrier shall take such actions as may be necessary to protect the privacy of the pilot and the confidentiality of the records, including ensuring that information contained in the records is not divulged to any individual that is not directly involved in the hiring decision.
Periodic review.—
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of the Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996, and at least once every 3 years thereafter, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress a statement that contains, taking into account recent developments in the aviation industry—
recommendations by the Administrator concerning proposed changes to Federal Aviation Administration records, air carrier records, and other records required to be furnished under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1); or
reasons why the Administrator does not recommend any proposed changes to the records referred to in subparagraph (A).
Regulations.—
The Administrator shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary—
to protect—
the personal privacy of any individual whose records are requested under paragraph (1) and disseminated under paragraph (15); and
the confidentiality of those records;
to preclude the further dissemination of records received under paragraph (1) by the person who requested those records; and
to ensure prompt compliance with any request made under paragraph (1).
Special rules with respect to certain pilots.—
Pilots of certain small aircraft.—
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an air carrier, before receiving information requested about an individual under paragraph (1), may allow the individual to begin service for a period not to exceed 90 days as a pilot of an aircraft with a maximum payload capacity (as defined in section 119.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations) of 7,500 pounds or less, or a helicopter, on a flight that is not a scheduled operation (as defined in such section). Before the end of the 90-day period, the air carrier shall obtain and evaluate such information. The contract between the carrier and the individual shall contain a term that provides that the continuation of the individual’s employment, after the last day of the 90-day period, depends on a satisfactory evaluation.
Good faith exception.—
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an air carrier, without obtaining information about an individual under paragraph (1)(B) from an air carrier or other person that no longer exists or from a foreign government or entity that employed the individual, may allow the individual to begin service as a pilot if the air carrier required to request the information has made a documented good faith attempt to obtain such information.
Electronic access to faa records.—
For the purpose of increasing timely and efficient access to Federal Aviation Administration records described in paragraph (1), the Administrator may allow, under terms established by the Administrator, an individual designated by the air carrier to have electronic access to a specified database containing information about such records. The terms shall limit such access to instances in which information in the database is required by the designated individual in making a hiring decision concerning a pilot applicant and shall require that the designated individual provide assurances satisfactory to the Administrator that information obtained using such access will not be used for any purpose other than making the hiring decision.
Applicability.—
This subsection shall cease to be effective on the date specified in regulations issued under subsection (i).
FAA Pilot Records Database.—
In general.—
Before allowing an individual to begin service as a pilot, an air carrier shall access and evaluate, in accordance with the requirements of this subsection, information pertaining to the individual from the pilot records database established under paragraph (2).
Pilot records database.—
Not later than , the Administrator shall establish and make available for use an electronic database (in this subsection referred to as the “database”) containing the following records:
FAA records.—
From the Administrator—
records that are maintained by the Administrator concerning current airman certificates, including airman medical certificates and associated type ratings and information on any limitations to those certificates and ratings;
records that are maintained by the Administrator concerning any failed attempt of an individual to pass a practical test required to obtain a certificate or type rating under part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and
summaries of legal enforcement actions resulting in a finding by the Administrator of a violation of this title or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this title that was not subsequently overturned.
Air carrier and other records.—
From any air carrier or other person (except a branch of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces) that has employed an individual as a pilot of a civil or public aircraft, or from the trustee in bankruptcy for the air carrier or person—
records pertaining to the individual that are maintained by the air carrier (other than records relating to flight time, duty time, or rest time) or person, including records under regulations set forth in—
section 121.683 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;
section 121.111(a) of such title;
section 121.219(a) of such title;
section 125.401 of such title; and
section 135.63(a)(4) of such title; and
other records pertaining to the individual’s performance as a pilot that are maintained by the air carrier or person concerning—
the training, qualifications, proficiency, or professional competence of the individual, including comments and evaluations made by a check airman designated in accordance with section 121.411, 125.295, or 135.337 of such title;
any disciplinary action taken with respect to the individual that was not subsequently overturned; and
any release from employment or resignation, termination, or disqualification with respect to employment.
National driver register records.—
In accordance with section 30305(b)(8) of this title, from the chief driver licensing official of a State, information concerning the motor vehicle driving record of the individual.
Written consent; release from liability.—
An air carrier—
shall obtain the written consent of an individual before accessing records pertaining to the individual under paragraph (1); and
may, notwithstanding any other provision of law or agreement to the contrary, require an individual with respect to whom the carrier is accessing records under paragraph (1) to execute a release from liability for any claim arising from accessing the records or the use of such records by the air carrier in accordance with this section (other than a claim arising from furnishing information known to be false and maintained in violation of a criminal statute).
Reporting.—
Reporting by administrator.—
The Administrator shall enter data described in paragraph (2)(A) into the database promptly to ensure that an individual’s records are current.
Reporting by air carriers and other persons.—
In general.—
Air carriers and other persons shall report data described in paragraphs (2)(B) and (2)(C) to the Administrator promptly for entry into the database.
Data to be reported.—
Air carriers and other persons shall report, at a minimum, under clause (i) the following data described in paragraph (2)(B):
Records that are generated by the air carrier or other person after the date of enactment of this paragraph.
Records that the air carrier or other person is maintaining, on such date of enactment, pursuant to subsection (h)(4).
Requirement to maintain records.—
The Administrator—
shall maintain all records entered into the database under paragraph (2) pertaining to an individual until the date of receipt of notification that the individual is deceased; and
may remove the individual’s records from the database after that date.
Receipt of consent.—
The Administrator shall not permit an air carrier to access records pertaining to an individual from the database under paragraph (1) without the air carrier first demonstrating to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the air carrier has obtained the written consent of the individual.
Right of pilot to review certain records and correct inaccuracies.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law or agreement, the Administrator, upon receipt of written request from an individual—
shall make available, not later than 30 days after the date of the request, to the individual for review all records referred to in paragraph (2) pertaining to the individual; and
shall provide the individual with a reasonable opportunity to submit written comments to correct any inaccuracies contained in the records.
Reasonable charges for processing requests and furnishing copies.—
In general.—
The Administrator may establish a reasonable charge for the cost of processing a request under paragraph (1) or (7) and for the cost of furnishing copies of requested records under paragraph (7).
Crediting appropriations.—
Funds received by the Administrator pursuant to this paragraph shall—
be credited to the appropriation current when the amount is received;
be merged with and available for the purposes of such appropriation; and
remain available until expended.
Privacy protections.—
Use of records.—
An air carrier that accesses records pertaining to an individual under paragraph (1) may use the records only to assess the qualifications of the individual in deciding whether or not to hire the individual as a pilot. The air carrier shall take such actions as may be necessary to protect the privacy of the individual and the confidentiality of the records accessed, including ensuring that information contained in the records is not divulged to any individual that is not directly involved in the hiring decision.
Disclosure of information.—
In general.—
Except as provided by clause (ii), information collected by the Administrator under paragraph (2) shall be exempt from the disclosure requirements of section 552(b)(3)(B) of title 5.
Exceptions.—
Clause (i) shall not apply to—
deidentified, summarized information to explain the need for changes in policies and regulations;
information to correct a condition that compromises safety;
information to carry out a criminal investigation or prosecution;
information to comply with section 44905, regarding information about threats to civil aviation; and
such information as the Administrator determines necessary, if withholding the information would not be consistent with the safety responsibilities of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Periodic review.—
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this paragraph, and at least once every 3 years thereafter, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress a statement that contains, taking into account recent developments in the aviation industry—
recommendations by the Administrator concerning proposed changes to Federal Aviation Administration records, air carrier records, and other records required to be included in the database under paragraph (2); or
reasons why the Administrator does not recommend any proposed changes to the records referred to in subparagraph (A).
Regulations for protection and security of records.—
The Administrator shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary—
to protect and secure—
the personal privacy of any individual whose records are accessed under paragraph (1); and
the confidentiality of those records; and
to preclude the further dissemination of records received under paragraph (1) by the person who accessed the records.
Good faith exception.—
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an air carrier may allow an individual to begin service as a pilot, without first obtaining information described in paragraph (2)(B) from the database pertaining to the individual, if—
the air carrier has made a documented good faith attempt to access the information from the database; and
the air carrier has received written notice from the Administrator that the information is not contained in the database because the individual was employed by an air carrier or other person that no longer exists or by a foreign government or other entity that has not provided the information to the database.
Limitations on electronic access to records.—
Access by individuals designated by air carriers.—
For the purpose of increasing timely and efficient access to records described in paragraph (2), the Administrator may allow, under terms established by the Administrator, an individual designated by an air carrier to have electronic access to the database.
Terms.—
The terms established by the Administrator under subparagraph (A) for allowing a designated individual to have electronic access to the database shall limit such access to instances in which information in the database is required by the designated individual in making a hiring decision concerning a pilot applicant and shall require that the designated individual provide assurances satisfactory to the Administrator that—
the designated individual has received the written consent of the pilot applicant to access the information; and
information obtained using such access will not be used for any purpose other than making the hiring decision.
Authorized expenditures.—
Of amounts appropriated under section 106(k)(1), a total of $6,000,000 for fiscal years 2010 through 2013 may be used to carry out this subsection.
Regulations.—
In general.—
The Administrator shall issue regulations to carry out this subsection.
Effective date.—
The regulations shall specify the date on which the requirements of this subsection take effect and the date on which the requirements of subsection (h) cease to be effective.
Exceptions.—
Notwithstanding subparagraph (B)—
the Administrator shall begin to establish the database under paragraph (2) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph;
the Administrator shall maintain records in accordance with paragraph (5) beginning on the date of enactment of this paragraph; and
air carriers and other persons shall maintain records to be reported to the database under paragraph (4)(B) in the period beginning on such date of enactment and ending on the date that is 5 years after the requirements of subsection (h) cease to be effective pursuant to subparagraph (B).
Special rule.—
During the one-year period beginning on the date on which the requirements of this section become effective pursuant to paragraph (15)(B), paragraph (7)(A) shall be applied by substituting “45 days” for “30 days”.
Limitations on Liability; Preemption of State Law.—
Limitation on liability.—
No action or proceeding may be brought by or on behalf of an individual who has applied for or is seeking a position with an air carrier as a pilot and who has signed a release from liability, as provided for under subsection (h)(2) or (i)(3), against—
the air carrier requesting the records of that individual under subsection (h)(1) or accessing the records of that individual under subsection (i)(1);
a person who has complied with such request;
a person who has entered information contained in the individual’s records; or
an agent or employee of a person described in subparagraph (A) or (B);
in the nature of an action for defamation, invasion of privacy, negligence, interference with contract, or otherwise, or under any Federal or State law with respect to the furnishing or use of such records in accordance with subsection (h) or (i).
Preemption.—
No State or political subdivision thereof may enact, prescribe, issue, continue in effect, or enforce any law (including any regulation, standard, or other provision having the force and effect of law) that prohibits, penalizes, or imposes liability for furnishing or using records in accordance with subsection (h) or (i).
Provision of knowingly false information.—
Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply with respect to a person who furnishes information in response to a request made under subsection (h)(1) or who furnished information to the database established under subsection (i)(2), that—
the person knows is false; and
was maintained in violation of a criminal statute of the United States.
Prohibition on actions and proceedings against air carriers.—
Hiring decisions.—
An air carrier may refuse to hire an individual as a pilot if the individual did not provide written consent for the air carrier to receive records under subsection (h)(2)(A) or (i)(3)(A) or did not execute the release from liability requested under subsection (h)(2)(B) or (i)(3)(B).
Actions and proceedings.—
No action or proceeding may be brought against an air carrier by or on behalf of an individual who has applied for or is seeking a position as a pilot with the air carrier if the air carrier refused to hire the individual after the individual did not provide written consent for the air carrier to receive records under subsection (h)(2)(A) or (i)(3)(A) or did not execute a release from liability requested under subsection (h)(2)(B) or (i)(3)(B).
Limitation on Statutory Construction.—
Nothing in subsection (h) or (i) shall be construed as precluding the availability of the records of a pilot in an investigation or other proceeding concerning an accident or incident conducted by the Administrator, the National Transportation Safety Board, or a court.
Temporary Airman Certificate.—
An individual may obtain a temporary airman certificate from the Administrator after requesting a permanent replacement airman certificate issued under this section. A temporary airman certificate shall be—
made available—
electronically to the individual immediately upon submitting an online application for a replacement certificate to the Administrator; or
physically to the individual at a flight standards district office—
if the individual submits an online application for a replacement certificate; or
if the individual applies for a permanent replacement certificate other than by online application and such application has been received by the Federal Aviation Administration; and
destroyed upon receipt of the permanent replacement airman certificate from the Administrator.
Footnotes
- 1 See Termination Date note below.
Legislative history
Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.
Pub. L. 103–272 § 1(e) · 108 Stat. 745
Enacted · 49 U.S.C. § 44703
Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1186
Source evidence
Code source credit
Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1186Enacted provision · exact public law section
Section 1. subtitles ii, ii, and v-x of title 49, united states code (a) Certain general and permanent laws of the 49 USC prec. 101 note. United States, related to transportation, are revised, codified, and enacted by subsections (c)–(e) of this section without substantive change as subtitles II, III, and V–X of title 49, United States Code, “Transportation”. Those laws may be cited as “49 U.S.C. ________”. (b) Title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking the table of subtitles at the beginning of the title and substituting the following new table of subtitles: “Subtitle “I. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION “II. OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES “III. GENERAL AND INTERMODAL PROGRAMS “IV. INTERSTATE COMMERCE “V. RAIL PROGRAMS “VI. MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS “VII. AVIATION PROGRAMS “VIII. PIPELINES “IX. COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION “X. MISCELLANEOUS (c) Title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking subtitle II, except that chapter 31 (comprising sections 3101–3104) of subtitle II is redesignated and restated as chapter 315 (comprising sections 31501–31504) of subtitle VI of title 49, as enacted by subsection (e) of this section. (d) Title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding the following immediately after subtitle I:Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century
Pub. L. 106–181 title VII § 715 · 114 Stat. 61
Added · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(c)(g)
Pub. L. 106–181 added subsec. (c)
Redesignated · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(c)(g)
Pub. L. 106–181 redesignated former subsecs. (c) to (f) as (d) to (g), respectively
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsecs. (c) to (g). Pub. L. 106–181 added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsecs. (c) to (f) as (d) to (g), respectively.Enacted provision · exact public law section
SEC. 715. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF AIRMEN RECORDS. Section 44703 is amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (c) through (f) as subsections (d) through (g), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following: “(c) Public Information.— “(1) In general.— Subject to paragraph (2) and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the information contained in the records of contents of any airman certificate issued under this section that is limited to an airman’s name, address, and ratings held shall be made available to the public after the 120th day following the date of the enactment of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century. “(2) Opportunity to withhold information.— Before making any information concerning an airman available to the public under paragraph (1), the airman shall be given an opportunity to elect that the information not be made available to the public. “(3) Development and implementation of program.— Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century, the Administrator shall develop and implement, in cooperation with representatives of the aviation industry, a one-time written notification to airmen to set forth the implications of making information concerning an airman available to the public under paragraph (1) and to carry out paragraph (2). The Administrator shall also provide such written notification to each individual who becomes an airman after such date of enactment.”.Aviation and Transportation Security Act
Pub. L. 107–71 § 129(1) · 115 Stat. 597
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(g)(1)
Pub. L. 107–71, § 129(1), in first sentence, substituted “needs of airmen” for “needs of pilots”
Inserted · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(g)(1)
Pub. L. 107–71, § 129(1), in first sentence, inserted “and related to combating acts of terrorism” before period at end
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 107–71, § 129(1), in first sentence, substituted “needs of airmen” for “needs of pilots” and inserted “and related to combating acts of terrorism” before period at end.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) in the first sentence of paragraph (1)— (A) by striking “pilots” and inserting “airmen”; and (B) by striking the period and inserting “and related to combating acts of terrorism.”; andAviation and Transportation Security Act
Pub. L. 107–71 § 129(2) · 115 Stat. 597
Added · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(g)(3); 49 U.S.C. § 44703(g)(4)
Pub. L. 107–71, § 129(2), added pars. (3) and (4)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (g)(3), (4). Pub. L. 107–71, § 129(2), added pars. (3) and (4).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(2) by adding at the end, the following new paragraphs: “(3) for purposes of this section, the term ‘acts of terrorism' means an activity that involves a violent act or an act dangerous to human life that is a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State, or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or of any State, and appears to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion or to affect the conduct of a government by assassination or kidnaping. “(4) The Administrator is authorized and directed to work with State and local authorities, and other Federal agencies, to assist in the identification of individuals applying for or holding airmen certificates.”.Aviation and Transportation Security Act
Pub. L. 107–71 title I · 115 Stat. 597
Amended · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(h)(j)
Pub. L. 107–71, §§ 138(b), 140(a), amended section identically
Redesignated · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(h)(j)
Pub. L. 107–71, §§ 138(b), 140(a), redesignating subsecs. (f) to (h) of section 44936 of this title as subsecs. (h) to (j), respectively, of this section
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(h)(j)
Pub. L. 107–71, §§ 138(b), 140(a), substituting “subsection (h)” for “subsection (f)” wherever appearing in subsecs. (i) and (j). See Codification note above
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsecs. (h) to (j). Pub. L. 107–71, §§ 138(b), 140(a), amended section identically, redesignating subsecs. (f) to (h) of section 44936 of this title as subsecs. (h) to (j), respectively, of this section, and substituting “subsection (h)” for “subsection (f)” wherever appearing in subsecs. (i) and (j). See Codification note above.Enacted provision · exact public law
TITLE I— AVIATION SECURITY SEC. 101. TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION. “(a) In General.— Chapter 1 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “§ 114. Transportation Security Administration “(a) In General.— The Transportation Security Administration shall be an administration of the Department of Transportation. “(b) Under Secretary.— “(1) Appointment.— The head of the Administration shall be the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security. The Under Secretary shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. “(2) Qualifications.— The Under Secretary must— “(A) be a citizen of the United States; and “(B) have experience in a field directly related to transportation or security. “(3) Term.— The term of office of an individual appointed as the Under Secretary shall be 5 years. “(c) Limitation on Ownership of Stocks and Bonds.— The Under Secretary may not own stock in or bonds of a transportation or security enterprise or an enterprise that makes equipment that could be used for security purposes. “(d) Functions.— The Under Secretary shall be responsible for security in all modes of transportation, including— “(1) carrying out chapter 449, relating to civil aviation security, and related research and development activities; and “(2) security responsibilities over other modes of transportation that are exercised by the Department of Transportation. “(e) Screening Operations.— The Under Secretary shall— “(1) be responsible for day-to-day Federal security screening operations for passenger air transportation and intrastate air transportation under sections 44901 and 44935; “(2) develop standards for the hiring and retention of security screening personnel; “(3) train and test security screening personnel; and “(4) be responsible for hiring and training personnel to provide security screening at all airports in the United States where screening is required under section 44901, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies and departments. “(f) Additional Duties and Powers.— In addition to carrying out the functions specified in subsections (d) and (e), the Under Secretary shall— “(1) receive, assess, and distribute intelligence information related to transportation security; “(2) assess threats to transportation; “(3) develop policies, strategies, and plans for dealing with threats to transportation security; “(4) make other plans related to transportation security, including coordinating countermeasures with appropriate departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States Government; “(5) serve as the primary liaison for transportation security to the intelligence and law enforcement communities; “(6) on a day-to-day basis, manage and provide operational guidance to the field security resources of the Administration, including Federal Security Managers as provided by section 44933; “(7) enforce security-related regulations and requirements; “(8) identify and undertake research and development activities necessary to enhance transportation security; “(9) inspect, maintain, and test security facilities, equipment, and systems; “(10) ensure the adequacy of security measures for the transportation of cargo; “(11) oversee the implementation, and ensure the adequacy, of security measures at airports and other transportation facilities; “(12) require background checks for airport security screening personnel, individuals with access to secure areas of airports, and other transportation security personnel; “(13) work in conjunction with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration with respect to any actions or activities that may affect aviation safety or air carrier operations; “(14) work with the International Civil Aviation Organization and appropriate aeronautic authorities of foreign governments under section 44907 to address security concerns on passenger flights by foreign air carriers in foreign air transportation; and “(15) carry out such other duties, and exercise such other powers, relating to transportation security as the Under Secretary considers appropriate, to the extent authorized by law. “(g) National Emergency Responsibilities.— “(1) In general.— Subject to the direction and control of the Secretary, the Under Secretary, during a national emergency, shall have the following responsibilities; “(A) To coordinate domestic transportation, including aviation, rail, and other surface transportation, and maritime transportation (including port security). “(B) To coordinate and oversee the transportation-related responsibilities of other departments and agencies of the Federal Government other than the Department of Defense and the military departments. “(C) To coordinate and provide notice to other departments and agencies of the Federal Government, and appropriate agencies of State and local governments, including departments and agencies for transportation, law enforcement, and border control, about threats to transportation. “(D) To carry out such other duties, and exercise such other powers, relating to transportation during a national emergency as the Secretary shall prescribe. “(2) Authority of other departments and agencies.— The authority of the Under Secretary under this subsection shall not supersede the authority of any other department or agency of the Federal Government under law with respect to transportation or transportation-related matters, whether or not during a national emergency. “(3) Circumstances.— The Secretary shall prescribe the circumstances constituting a national emergency for purposes of this subsection. “(h) Management of Security Information.— In consultation with the Transportation Security Oversight Board, the Under Secretary shall— “(1) enter into memoranda of understanding with Federal agencies or other entities to share or otherwise cross-check as necessary data on individuals identified on Federal agency databases who may pose a risk to transportation or national security; “(2) establish procedures for notifying the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, appropriate State and local law enforcement officials, and airport or airline security officers of the identity of individuals known to pose, or suspected of posing, a risk of air piracy or terrorism or a threat to airline or passenger safety, “(3) in consultation with other appropriate Federal agencies and air carriers, establish policies and procedures requiring air carriers— “(A) to use information from government agencies to identify individuals on passenger lists who may be a threat to civil aviation or national security; and “(B) if such an individual is identified, notify appropriate law enforcement agencies, prevent the individual from boarding an aircraft, or take other appropriate action with respect to that individual; and “(4) consider requiring passenger air carriers to share passenger lists with appropriate Federal agencies for the purpose of identifying individuals who may pose a threat to aviation safety or national security. “(i) View of NTSB.— In taking any action under this section that could affect safety, the Under Secretary shall give great weight to the timely views of the National Transportation Safety Board. “(j) Acquisitions.— “(1) In general.— The Under Secretary is authorized— “(A) to acquire (by purchase, lease, condemnation, or otherwise) such real property, or any interest therein, within and outside the continental United States, as the Under Secretary considers necessary; “(B) to acquire (by purchase, lease, condemnation, or otherwise) and to construct, repair, operate, and maintain such personal property (including office space and patents), or any interest therein, within and outside the continental United States, as the Under Secretary considers necessary; “(C) to lease to others such real and personal property and to provide by contract or otherwise for necessary facilities for the welfare of its employees and to acquire, maintain, and operate equipment for these facilities; “(D) to acquire services, including such personal services as the Secretary determines necessary, and to acquire (by purchase, lease, condemnation, or otherwise) and to construct, repair, operate, and maintain research and testing sites and facilities; and “(E) in cooperation with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, to utilize the research and development facilities of the Federal Aviation Administration. “(2) Title.— Title to any property or interest therein acquired pursuant to this subsection shall be held by the Government of the United States. “(k) Transfers of Funds.— The Under Secretary is authorized to accept transfers of unobligated balances and unexpended balances of funds appropriated to other Federal agencies (as such term is defined in section 551(1) of title 5) to carry out functions transferred, on or after the date of enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, by law to the Under Secretary. “(l) Regulations.— “(1) In general.— The Under Secretary is authorized to issue, rescind, and revise such regulations as are necessary to carry out the functions of the Administration. “(2) Emergency procedures.— “(A) In general.— Notwithstanding any other provision of law or executive order (including an executive order requiring a cost-benefit analysis), if the Under Secretary determines that a regulation or security directive must be issued immediately in order to protect transportation security, the Under Secretary shall issue the regulation or security directive without providing notice or an opportunity for comment and without prior approval of the Secretary. “(B) Review by transportation security oversight BOARD.— Any regulation or security directive issued under this paragraph shall be subject to review by the Transportation Security Oversight Board established under section 115. Any regulation or security directive issued under this paragraph shall remain effective unless disapproved by the Board or rescinded by the Under Secretary. “(3) Factors to consider.— In determining whether to issue, rescind, or revise a regulation under this section, the Under Secretary shall consider, as a factor in the final determination, whether the costs of the regulation are excessive in relation to the enhancement of security the regulation will provide. The Under Secretary may waive requirements for an analysis that estimates the number of lives that will be saved by the regulation and the monetary value of such lives if the Under Secretary determines that it is not feasible to make such an estimate. “(4) Airworthiness objections by faa.— “(A) In general.— The Under Secretary shall not take an aviation security action under this title if the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration notifies the Under Secretary that the action could adversely affect the airworthiness of an aircraft. “(B) Review by secretary.— Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Under Secretary may take such an action, after receiving a notification concerning the action from the Administrator under subparagraph (A), if the Secretary of Transportation subsequently approves the action. “(m) Personnel and Services; Cooperation by Under Secretary.— “(1) Authority of under secretary.— In carrying out the functions of the Administration, the Under Secretary shall have the same authority as is provided to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration under subsections (1) and (m) of section 106. “(2) Authority of agency heads.— The head of a Federal agency shall have the same authority to provide services, supplies, equipment, personnel, and facilities to the Under Secretary as the head has to provide services, supplies, equipment, personnel, and facilities to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration under section 106(m). “(n) Personnel Management System.— The personnel management system established by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration under section 40122 shall apply to employees of the Transportation Security Administration, or, subject to the requirements of such section, the Under Secretary may make such modifications to the personnel management system with respect to such employees as the Under Secretary considers appropriate, such as adopting aspects of other personnel systems of the Department of Transportation. “(o) Acquisition Management System.— The acquisition management system established by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration under section 40110 shall apply to acquisitions of equipment, supplies, and materials by the Transportation Security Administration, or, subject to the requirements of such section, the Under Secretary may make such modifications to the acquisition management system with respect to such acquisitions of equipment, supplies, and materials as the Under Secretary considers appropriate, such as adopting aspects of other acquisition management systems of the Department of Transportation. “(p) Authority of Inspector General.— The Transportation Security Administration shall be subject to the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) and other laws relating to the authority of the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation. “(q) Law Enforcement Powers.— “(1) In general.— The Under Secretary may designate an employee of the Transportation Security Administration to serve as a law enforcement officer. “(2) Powers.— while engaged in official duties of the Administration as required to fulfill the responsibilities under this section, a law enforcement officer designated under paragraph (1) may— “(A) carry a firearm; “(B) make an arrest without a warrant for any offense against the United States committed in the presence of the officer, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if the officer has probable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing the felony; and “(C) seek and execute warrants for arrest or seizure of evidence issued under the authority of the United States upon probable cause that a violation has been committed. “(3) Guidelines on exercise of authority.— The authority provided by this subsection shall be exercised in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the Under Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General of the United States, and shall include adherence to the Attorney General’s policy on use of deadly force. “(4) Revocation or suspension of authority.— The powers authorized by this subsection may be rescinded or suspended should the Attorney General determine that the Under Secretary has not complied with the guidelines prescribed in paragraph (3) and conveys the determination in writing to the Secretary of Transportation and the Under Secretary. “(r) Authority To Exempt.— The Under Secretary may grant an exemption from a regulation prescribed in carrying out this section if the Under Secretary determines that the exemption is in the public interest.”. (b) Conforming Amendment.— The analysis for chapter 1 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following: “114. Transportation Security Administration.". (c) Position of Under Secretary in Executive Schedule.— (1) In general.— Section 5313 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security.” . (2) Bonus eligibility.— In addition to the annual rate of pay authorized by section 5313 of title 5, United States Code, the Under Secretary may receive a bonus for any calendar year not to exceed 30 percent of the annual rate of pay, based on the Secretary’s evaluation of the Under Secretary’s performance. (3) Conforming change.— Section 106(r)(2)(A) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “(A) In general.— The Chief Operating Officer shall be paid at an annual rate of basic pay to be determined by the Administrator, with the approval of the Air Traffic Services Subcommittee of the Aviation Management Advisory Council. The annual rate may not exceed the annual compensation paid under section 102 of title 3. The Chief Operating Officer shall be subject to the post-employment provisions of section 207 of title 18 as if the position of Chief Operating Officer were described in section 207(c)(2)(A)(i) of that title.”. (d) Cooperation With Other Agencies.— The last sentence of section 106(m) of such title is amended by striking “supplies and” and inserting “supplies, personnel, services, and”. (e) Security and Research and Development Activities.— Section 40119 of such title is amended— (1) in subsection (a) by striking “Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration” and inserting “Under Secretary of Transportation for Security”; (2) in subsections (b) and (c) by striking “Administrator” each place it appears and inserting “Under Secretary”; and (3) in subsection (b)(1)(C) by striking “air”. (f) References to FAA in Chapter 449.— Chapter 449 of such title is amended— (1) in section 44904(b)(5) by striking“the Administration” and inserting “the Transportation Security Administration”; (2) in the second sentence of section 44913(a)(1) by striking “of the Administration” and inserting “of the Transportation Security Administration”; (3) in section 44916(a)— (A) in the first sentence by striking “Administrator” and inserting “Under Secretary of Transportation for Security”; and (B) in the second sentence by striking “Administration” and inserting “Transportation Security Administration”; (4) in each of sections 44933(a) and 44934(b) by striking “Assistant Administrator for Civil Aviation Security” and inserting “Under Secretary”; (5) in section 44934(b)(1) by striking “Assistant Administrator” and inserting “Under Secretary”; (6) by striking sections 44931 and 44932 and the items relating to such sections in the analysis for such chapter; (7) by striking “Administrator” each place it appears in such chapter (except in subsections (f) and (h) of section 44936) and inserting “Under Secretary”; (8) by striking “Administrator’s” each place it appears in such chapter and inserting “Under Secretary’s”; and (9) by striking “of the Federal Aviation Administration” each place it appears in such chapter (except in section 44936(f)) and inserting “of Transportation for Security”. 49 USC 44902–44906, 44911–44915, 44934–44938. 49 USC 44901 note. Deadline. (g) Transition Provisions.— (1) Schedule for assumption of civil aviation security functions.— Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall assume civil aviation security functions and responsibilities under chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this Act, in accordance with a schedule to be developed by the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with air carriers, foreign air carriers, and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. The Under Notice. Secretary shall publish an appropriate notice of the transfer of such security functions and responsibilities before assuming the functions and responsibilities. (2) Assumption of contracts.— As of the date specified in paragraph (1), the Under Secretary may assume the rights and responsibilities of an air carrier or foreign air carrier contract for provision of passenger screening services at airports in the United States described in section 44903(c), subject to payment of adequate compensation to parties to the contract, if any. (3) Assignment of contracts.— (A) In general.— Upon request of the Under Secretary, an air carrier or foreign air carrier carrying out a screening or security function under chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, may enter into an agreement with the Under Secretary to transfer any contract the carrier has entered into with respect to carrying out the function, before the Under Secretary assumes responsibility for the function. (B) Schedule.— The Under Secretary may enter into an agreement under subparagraph (A) as soon as possible, but not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. The Under Secretary may enter into such an agreement for one 180-day period and may extend such agreement for one 90-day period if the Under Secretary determines it necessary. (4) Transfer of ownership.— In recognition of the assumption of the financial costs of security screening of passengers and property at airports, and as soon as practical after the date of enactment of this Act, air carriers may enter into agreements with the Under Secretary to transfer the ownership, at no cost to the United States Government, of any personal property, equipment, supplies, or other material associated with such screening, regardless of the source of funds used to acquire the property, that the Secretary determines to be useful for the performance of security screening of passengers and property at airports. (5) Performance of under secretary’s functions during INTERIM PERIOD.— Until the Under Secretary takes office, the functions of the Under Secretary that relate to aviation security may be carried out by the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee. SEC. 102. TRANSPORTATION SECURITY OVERSIGHT BOARD. (a) In General.— Chapter 1 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “§ 115. Transportation Security Oversight Board “(a) In General.— There is established in the Department of Transportation a board to be known as the ‘Transportation Security Oversight Board’. “(b) Membership.— “(1) Number and appointment.— The Board shall be composed of 7 members as follows: “(A) The Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary’s designee. “(B) The Attorney General, or the Attorney General’s designee. “(C) The Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary’s designee. “(D) The Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary’s designee. “(E) The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, or the Director’s designee. “(F) One member appointed by the President to represent the National Security Council. “(G) One member appointed by the President to represent the Office of Homeland Security. “(2) Chairperson.— The Chairperson of the Board shall be the Secretary of Transportation. “(c) Duties.— The Board shall— “(1) review and ratify or disapprove any regulation or security directive issued by the Under Secretary of Transportation for security under section 114(1)(2) within 30 days after the date of issuance of such regulation or directive; “(2) facilitate the coordination of intelligence, security, and law enforcement activities affecting transportation; “(3) facilitate the sharing of intelligence, security, and law enforcement information affecting transportation among Federal agencies and with carriers and other transportation providers as appropriate; “(4) explore the technical feasibility of developing a common database of individuals who may pose a threat to transportation or national security; “(5) review plans for transportation security; “(6) make recommendations to the Under Secretary regarding matters reviewed under paragraph (5). “(d) Quarterly Meetings.— The Board shall meet at least quarterly. “(e) Consideration of Security Information.— A majority of the Board may vote to close a meeting of the Board to the public, except that meetings shall be closed to the public whenever classified, sensitive security information, or information protected in accordance with section 40119(b), will be discussed.” . (b) Policies and Procedures.— Section 44911(b) of such title is amended by striking “international”. (c) Strategic Planning.— Section 44911(c) of such title is amended by striking“consider placing” and inserting “place”. (d) Conforming Amendment.— The analysis for chapter 1 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following: "115. Transportation Security Oversight Board,”. SEC. 103. FEDERAL SECURITY MANAGERS. Section 44933 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “§ 44933. Federal Security Managers “(a) Establishment, Designation, and Stationing.— The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall establish the position of Federal Security Manager at each airport in the United States described in section 44903(c). The Under Secretary shall designate individuals as Managers for, and station those Managers at, those airports. “(b) Duties and Powers.— The Manager at each airport shall— “(1) oversee the screening of passengers and property at the airport; and “(2) carry out other duties prescribed by the Under Secretary.”. SEC. 104. IMPROVED FLIGHT DECK INTEGRITY MEASURES. (a) In General.— As soon as possible after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall— (1) issue an order (without regard to the provisions of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code)— (A) prohibiting access to the flight deck of aircraft engaged in passenger air transportation or intrastate air transportation that are required to have a door between the passenger and pilot compartments under title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, except to authorized persons; (B) requiring the strengthening of the flight deck door and locks on any such aircraft operating in air transportation or intrastate air transportation that has a rigid door in a bulkhead between the flight deck and the passenger area to ensure that the door cannot be forced open from the passenger compartment; (C) requiring that such flight deck doors remain locked while any such aircraft is in flight except when necessary to permit access and egress by authorized persons; and (D) prohibiting the possession of a key to any such flight deck door by any member of the flight crew who is not assigned to the flight deck; and (2) take such other action, including modification of safety and security procedures and flight deck redesign, as may be necessary to ensure the safety and security of the aircraft. (b) Implementation of Other Methods.— As soon as possible after such date of enactment, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may develop and implement methods— (1) to use video monitors or other devices to alert pilots in the flight deck to activity in the cabin, except that the use of such monitors or devices shall be subject to nondisclosure requirements applicable to cockpit video recordings under section 1114(c); (2) to ensure continuous operation of an aircraft transponder in the event of an emergency; and (3) to revise the procedures by which cabin crews of aircraft can notify flight deck crews of security breaches and other emergencies, including providing for the installation of switches or other devices or methods in an aircraft cabin to enable flight crews to discreetly notify the pilots in the case of a security breach occurring in the cabin. (c) Commuter Aircraft.— The Administrator shall investigate means of securing the flight deck of scheduled passenger aircraft operating in air transportation or intrastate air transportation that do not have a rigid fixed door with a lock between the passenger compartment and the flight deck and issue such an order as the Administrator deems appropriate to ensure the inaccessibility, to the greatest extent feasible, of the flight deck while the aircraft is so operating, taking into consideration such aircraft operating in regions where there is minimal threat to aviation security or national security. SEC. 105. DEPLOYMENT OF FEDERAL AIR MARSHALS. (a) In General.— Subchapter I of chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “§ 44917. Deployment of Federal air marshals “(a) In General.— The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security under the authority provided by section 44903(d)— “(1) may provide for deployment of Federal air marshals on every passenger flight of air carriers in air transportation or intrastate air transportation; “(2) shall provide for deployment of Federal air marshals on every such flight determined by the Secretary to present high security risks; “(3) shall provide for appropriate training, supervision, and equipment of Federal air marshals; “(4) shall require air carriers providing flights described in paragraph (1) to provide seating for a Federal air marshal on any such flight without regard to the availability of seats on the flight and at no cost to the United States Government or the marshal; “(5) may require air carriers to provide, on a space-available basis, to an off-duty Federal air marshal a seat on a flight to the airport nearest the marshal’s home at no cost to the marshal or the United States Government if the marshal is traveling to that airport after completing his or her security duties; “(6) may enter into agreements with Federal, State, and local agencies under which appropriately-trained law enforcement personnel from such agencies, when traveling on a flight of an air carrier, will carry a firearm and be prepared to assist Federal air marshals; “(7) shall establish procedures to ensure that Federal air marshals are made aware of any armed or unarmed law enforcement personnel on board an aircraft; and “(8) may appoint— “(A) an individual who is a retired law enforcement officer; “(B) an individual who is a retired member of the Armed Forces; and “(C) an individual who has been furloughed from an air carrier crew position in the 1-year period beginning on September 11, 2001, as a Federal air marshal, regardless of age, if the individual otherwise meets the background and fitness qualifications required for Federal air marshals. “(b) Long Distance Flights.— In making the determination under subsection (a)(2), nonstop, long distance flights, such as those targeted on September 11, 2001, should be a priority. “(c) Interim Measures.— Until the Under Secretary completes implementation of subsection (a), the Under Secretary may use, after consultation with and concurrence of the heads of other Federal agencies and departments, personnel from those agencies and departments, on a nonreimbursable basis, to provide air marshal service.”. (b) Conforming Amendment.— The analysis for chapter 449 of such title is amended by adding after the item relating to section 44916 the following: “44917. Deployment of Federal air marshals". (c) Basic Pay Defined.— Section 8331(3)(E) of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “(E) availability pay— “(i) received by a criminal investigator under section 5545a of this title; or “(ii) received after September 11, 2001, by a Federal air marshal of the Department of Transportation, subject to all restrictions and earning limitations imposed on criminal investigators under section 5545a;”. SEC. 106. IMPROVED AIRPORT PERIMETER ACCESS SECURITY. (a) In General.— Section 44903 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “(h) Improved Airport Perimeter Access Security.— “(1) In general.— The Under Secretary, in consultation with the airport operator and law enforcement authorities, may order the deployment of such personnel at any secure area of the airport as necessary to counter the risk of criminal violence, the risk of aircraft piracy at the airport, the risk to air carrier aircraft operations at the airport, or to meet national security concerns. “(2) Security of aircraft and ground access to secure areas.— In determining where to deploy such personnel, the Under Secretary shall consider the physical security needs of air traffic control facilities, parked aircraft, aircraft servicing equipment, aircraft supplies (including fuel), automobile parking facilities within airport perimeters or adjacent to secured facilities, and access and transition areas at airports served by other means of ground or water transportation. “(3) Deployment of federal law enforcement personnel.— The Secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding or other agreement with the Attorney General or the head of any other appropriate Federal law enforcement agency to deploy Federal law enforcement personnel at an airport in order to meet aviation safety and security concerns. “(4) Airport perimeter screening.— The Under Secretary— “(A) shall require, as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this subsection, screening or inspection of all individuals, goods, property, vehicles, and other equipment before entry into a secured area of an airport in the United States described in section 44903(c); “(B) shall prescribe specific requirements for such screening and inspection that will assure at least the same level of protection as will result from screening of passengers and their baggage; “(C) shall establish procedures to ensure the safety and integrity of— “(i) all persons providing services with respect to aircraft providing passenger air transportation or intrastate air transportation and facilities of such persons at an airport in the United States described in section 44903(c); “(ii) all supplies, including catering and passenger amenities, placed aboard such aircraft, including the sealing of supplies to ensure easy visual detection of tampering; and “(iii) all persons providing such supplies and facilities of such persons; “(D) shall require vendors having direct access to the airfield and aircraft to develop security programs; and “(E) may provide for the use of biometric or other technology that positively verifies the identity of each employee and law enforcement officer who enters a secure area of an airport.”. (b) Small and Medium Airports.— (1) Technical support and financial assistance.— The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall develop a plan to— (A) provide technical support to airports, each of which had less than 1 percent of the total annual enplanements in the United States for the most recent calendar year for which data is available, to enhance security operations; and (B) provide financial assistance to those airports to defray the costs of enhancing security. (2) Removal of certain restrictions.— (A) Certification by operator.— If the operator of an airport described in paragraph (1), after consultation with the appropriate State and local law enforcement authorities, determines that safeguards are in place to sufficiently protect public safety, and so certifies in writing to the Under Secretary, then any security rule, order, or other directive restricting the parking of passenger vehicles shall not apply at that airport after the applicable time period specified in subparagraph (B), unless the Under Secretary, taking into account individual airport circumstances, notifies the airport operator that the safeguards in place do not adequately respond to specific security risks and that the restriction must be continued in order to ensure public safety. (B) Countermand period.— The time period within which the Secretary may notify an airport operator, after receiving a certification under subparagraph (A), that a restriction must be continued in order to ensure public safety at the airport is— (i) 15 days for a nonhub airport (as defined in section 41714(h) of title 49, United States Code); (ii) 30 days for a small hub airport (as defined in such section); (iii) 60 days for a medium hub airport (as defined in such section); and (iv) 120 days for an airport that had at least 1 percent of the total annual enplanements in the United States for the most recent calendar year for which data is available. (c) Improvement of Secured-Area Access Control.— Section 44903(g)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking “weaknesses by January 31, 2001;” in subparagraph (A) and inserting “weaknesses;”; (2) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the following: “(D) on an ongoing basis, assess and test for compliance with access control requirements, report annually findings of the assessments, and assess the effectiveness of penalties in ensuring compliance with security procedures and take any other appropriate enforcement actions when noncompliance is found;”; (3) by striking“program by January 31, 2001;” in subparagraph (F) and inserting “program;”; and (4) by striking subparagraph (G) and inserting the following: “(G) work with airport operators to strengthen access control points in secured areas (including air traffic control operations areas, maintenance areas, crew lounges, baggage handling areas, concessions, and catering delivery areas) to ensure the security of passengers and aircraft and consider the deployment of biometric or similar technologies that identify individuals based on unique personal characteristics.”. (d) Airport Security Pilot Program.— Section 44903(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “(3) Pilot programs.— The Administrator shall establish pilot programs in no fewer than 20 airports to test and evaluate new and emerging technology for providing access control and other security protections for closed or secure areas of the airports. Such technology may include biometric or other technology that ensures only authorized access to secure areas.”. (e) Airport Security Awareness Programs.— The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall require scheduled passenger air carriers, and airports in the United States described in section 44903(c) to develop security awareness programs for airport employees, ground crews, gate, ticket, and curbside agents of the air carriers, and other individuals employed at such airports. SEC. 107. CREW TRAINING. (a) In General.— Subchapter I of chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “§ 44918. Crew training “(a) In General.— Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in consultation with the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security, appropriate law enforcement, security, and terrorism experts, representatives of air carriers and labor organizations representing individuals employed in commercial aviation, shall develop detailed guidance for a scheduled passenger air carrier flight and cabin crew training program to prepare crew members for potential threat conditions. “(b) Program Elements.— The guidance shall require such a program to include, at a minimum, elements that address the following: “(1) Determination of the seriousness of any occurrence. “(2) Crew communication and coordination. “(3) Appropriate responses to defend oneself. “(4) Use of protective devices assigned to crew members (to the extent such devices are required by the Administrator or Under Secretary). “(5) Psychology of terrorists to cope with hijacker behavior and passenger responses. “(6) Live situational training exercises regarding various threat conditions. “(7) Flight deck procedures or aircraft maneuvers to defend the aircraft. “(8) Any other subject matter deemed appropriate by the Administrator. “(c) Air Carrier Programs.— Within 60 days after the Deadline. Administrator issues the guidance under subsection (a) in final form, each air carrier shall develop a flight and cabin crew training program in accordance with that guidance and submit it to the Administrator for approval. Within 30 days after receiving an air carrier’s program under this subsection, the Administrator shall review the program and approve it or require the air carrier to make any revisions deemed necessary by the Administrator for the program to meet the guidance requirements. “(d) Training.— Within 180 days after the Administrator Deadline. approves the training program developed by an air carrier under this section, the air carrier shall complete the training of all flight and cabin crews in accordance with that program. “(e) Updates.— The Administrator shall update the training guidance issued under subsection (a) from time to time to reflect new or different security threats and require air carriers to revise their programs accordingly and provide additional training to their flight and cabin crews.”. (b) Conforming Amendment.— The chapter analysis for chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 44917 the following: “44918. Crew training.”. SEC. 108. SECURITY SCREENING BY PRIVATE COMPANIES. (a) In General.— Subchapter I of chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “§ 44919. Security screening pilot program “(a) Establishment of Program.— The Under Secretary shall establish a pilot program under which, upon approval of an application submitted by an operator of an airport, the screening of passengers and property at the airport under section 44901 will be carried out by the screening personnel of a qualified private screening company under a contract entered into with the Under Secretary. “(b) Period of Pilot Program.— The pilot program under this section shall begin on the last day of the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this section and end on the last day of the 3-year period beginning on such date of enactment. “(c) Applications.— An operator of an airport may submit to the Under Secretary an application to participate in the pilot program under this section. “(d) Selection of Airports.— From among applications submitted under subsection (c), the Under Secretary may select for participation in the pilot program not more than 1 airport from each of the 5 airport security risk categories, as defined by the Under Secretary. “(e) Supervision of Screened Personnel.— The Under Secretary shall provide Federal Government supervisors to oversee all screening at each airport participating in the pilot program under this section and provide Federal Government law enforcement officers at the airport pursuant to this chapter. “(f) Qualified Private Screening Company.— A private screening company is qualified to provide screening services at an airport participating in the pilot program under this section if the company will only employ individuals to provide such services who meet all the requirements of this chapter applicable to Federal Government personnel who perform screening services at airports under this chapter and will provide compensation and other benefits to such individuals that are not less than the level of compensation and other benefits provided to such Federal Government personnel in accordance with this chapter. “(g) Standards for Private Screening Companies.— The Under Secretary may enter into a contract with a private screening company to provide screening at an airport participating in the pilot program under this section only if the Under Secretary determines and certifies to Congress that the private screening company is owned and controlled by a citizen of the United States, to the extent that the Under Secretary determines that there are private screening companies owned and controlled by such citizens. “(h) Termination of Contracts.— The Under Secretary may terminate any contract entered into with a private screening company to provide screening services at an airport under the pilot program if the Under Secretary finds that the company has failed repeatedly to comply with any standard, regulation, directive, order, law, or contract applicable to the hiring or training of personnel to provide such services or to the provision of screening at the airport. “(i) Election.— If a contract is in effect with respect to screening at an airport under the pilot program on the last day of the 3-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this section, the operator of the airport may elect to continue to have such screening carried out by the screening personnel of a qualified private screening company under a contract entered into with the Under Secretary under section 44920 or by Federal Government personnel in accordance with this chapter. “§44920. Security screening opt-out program “(a) In General.— On or after the last day of the 2-year period beginning on the date on which the Under Secretary transmits to Congress the certification required by section 110(c) of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, an operator of an airport may submit to the Under Secretary an application to have the screening of passengers and property at the airport under section 44901 to be carried out by the screening personnel of a qualified private screening company under a contract entered into with the Under Secretary. “(b) Approval of Applications.— The Under Secretary may approve any application submitted under subsection (a). “(c) Qualified Private Screening Company.— A private screening company is qualified to provide screening services at an airport under this section if the company will only employ individuals to provide such services who meet all the requirements of this chapter applicable to Federal Government personnel who perform screening services at airports under this chapter and will provide compensation and other benefits to such individuals that are not less than the level of compensation and other benefits provided to such Federal Government personnel in accordance with this chapter. “(d) Standards for Private Screening Companies.— The Under Secretary may enter into a contract with a private screening company to provide screening at an airport under this section only if the Under Secretary determines and certifies to Congress that— “(1) the level of screening services and protection provided at the airport under the contract will he equal to or greater than the level that would be provided at the airport by Federal Government personnel under this chapter; and “(2) the private screening company is owned and controlled by a citizen of the United States, to the extent that the Under Secretary determines that there are private screening companies owned and controlled by such citizens. “(e) Supervision of Screened Personnel.— The Under Secretary shall provide Federal Government supervisors to oversee all screening at each airport at which screening services are provided under this section and provide Federal Government law enforcement officers at the airport pursuant to this chapter. “(f) Termination of Contracts.— The Under Secretary may terminate any contract entered into with a private screening company to provide screening services at an airport under this section if the Under Secretary finds that the company has failed repeatedly to comply with any standard, regulation, directive, order, law, or contract applicable to the hiring or training of personnel to provide such services or to the provision of screening at the airport. ” . (b) Clerical Amendment.— The analysis for such subchapter is amended by adding after the item relating to section 44918 the following: "44919. Security screening pilot program. “44920. Security screening opt-out program.”. SEC. 109. ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES. (a) In General.— The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security may take the following actions: (1) Require effective 911 emergency call capability for telephones serving passenger aircraft and passenger trains. (2) Establish a uniform system of identification for ail State and local law enforcement personnel for use in obtaining permission to carry weapons in aircraft cabins and in obtaining access to a secured area of an airport, if otherwise authorized to carry such weapons. (3) Establish requirements to implement trusted passenger programs and use available technologies to expedite the security screening of passengers who participate in such programs, thereby allowing security screening personnel to focus on those passengers who should be subject to more extensive screening. (4) In consultation with the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, develop alternative security procedures under which a medical product to be transported on a flight of an air carrier would not be subject to an inspection that would irreversibly damage the product. (5) Provide for the use of technologies, including wireless and wire line data technologies, to enable the private and secure communication of threats to aid in the screening of passengers and other individuals on airport property who are identified on any State or Federal security-related data base for the purpose of having an integrated response coordination of various authorized airport security forces. (6) In consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, consider whether to require all pilot licenses to incorporate a photograph of the license holder and appropriate biometric imprints. (7) Provide for the use of voice stress analysis, biometric, or other technologies to prevent a person who might pose a danger to air safety or security from boarding the aircraft of an air carrier or foreign air carrier in air transportation or intrastate air transportation. (8) Provide for the use of technology that will permit enhanced instant communications and information between airborne passenger aircraft and appropriate individuals or facilities on the ground. (b) Report.— Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the Under Secretary has implemented or decided not to take each of the actions specified in subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report on the progress of the Under Secretary in evaluating and taking such actions, including any legislative recommendations that the Under Secretary may have for enhancing transportation security. SEC. 110. SCREENING. (a) Review and Development of Ways To Strengthen Security.— Section 44932(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking“x-ray” in paragraph (4); (2) by striking “and” at the end of paragraph (4); (3) by striking “passengers.” in paragraph (5) and inserting “passengers;”; and (4) by adding at the end the following: “(6) to strengthen and enhance the ability to detect or neutralize nonexplosive weapons, such as biological, chemical, or similar substances; and “(7) to evaluate such additional measures as may be appropriate to enhance inspection of passengers, baggage, and cargo.”. (b) Passengers and Property.— Section 44901 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (h); and (2) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the following: “(a) In general.— The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall provide for the screening of all passengers and property, including United States mail, cargo, carry-on and checked baggage, and other articles, that will be carried aboard a passenger aircraft operated by an air carrier or foreign air carrier in air transportation or intrastate air transportation. In the case of flights and flight segments originating in the United States, the screening shall take place before boarding and shall be carried out by a Federal Government employee (as defined in section 2105 of title 5, United States Code), except as otherwise provided in section 44919 or 44920 and except for identifying passengers and baggage for screening under the CAPPS and known shipper programs and conducting positive bag-match programs. “(b) Supervision of Screening.— All screening of passengers and property at airports in the United States where screening is required under this section shall be supervised by uniformed Federal personnel of the Transportation Security Administration who shall have the power to order the dismissal of any individual performing such screening, “(c) Checked Baggage.— A system must be in operation to Deadline. screen all checked baggage at all airports in the United States as soon as practicable but not later than the 60th day following the date of enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. “(d) Explosive Detection Systems.— “(1) In general.— The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall take all necessary action to ensure that— “(A) explosive detection systems are deployed as soon as possible to ensure that all United States airports described in section 44903(c) have sufficient explosive detection systems to screen all checked baggage no later than December 31, 2002, and that as soon as such systems are in place at an airport, all checked baggage at the airport is screened by those systems; and “(B) all systems deployed under subparagraph (A) are fully utilized; and “(C) if explosive detection equipment at an airport is unavailable, all checked baggage is screened by an alternative means. “(e) Mandatory Screening Where EDS Not Yet Available.— As soon as practicable but not later than the 60th day Deadline. following the date of enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act and until the requirements of subsection (b)(1)(A) are met, the Under Secretary shall require alternative means for screening any piece of checked baggage that is not screened by an explosive detection system. Such alternative means may include 1 or more of the following: “(1) A bag-match program that ensures that no checked baggage is placed aboard an aircraft unless the passenger who checked the baggage is aboard the aircraft. “(2) Manual search. “(3) Search by canine explosive detection units in combination with other means. “(4) Other means or technology approved by the Under Secretary. “(f) Cargo Deadline.— A system must be in operation to screen, inspect, or otherwise ensure the security of all cargo that is to be transported in all-cargo aircraft in air transportation and intrastate air transportation as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. “(g) Deployment of Armed Personnel.— “(1) In general.— The Under Secretary shall order the deployment of law enforcement personnel authorized to carry firearms at each airport security screening location to ensure passenger safety and national security. “(2) Minimum requirements.— Except at airports required to enter into agreements under subsection (c), the Under Secretary shall order the deployment of at least 1 law enforcement officer at each airport security screening location. At the 100 largest airports in the United States, in terms of annual passenger enplanements for the most recent calendar year for which data are available, the Under Secretary shall order the deployment of additional law enforcement personnel at airport security screening locations if the Under Secretary determines that the additional deployment is necessary to ensure passenger safety and national security. ” . (c) Deadline for Deployment of Federal Screeners.— (1) In general.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall deploy at all airports in the United States where screening is required under section 44901 of title 49, United States Code, a sufficient number of Federal screeners, Federal Security Managers, Federal security personnel, and Federal law enforcement officers to conduct the screening of all passengers and property under section 44901 of such title at such airports. (2) Certification to congress.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall transmit to Congress a certification that the requirement of paragraph (1) has been met. (d) Reports.— (1) Deployment.— Within 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the deployment of the systems required by section 44901(c) of title 49, United States Code. The Under Secretary shall include in the report— (A) an installation schedule; (B) the dates of installation of each system; and (C) the date on which each system installed is operational. (2) Screening of small aircraft.— Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall transmit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the screening requirements applicable to passengers boarding, and property being carried aboard, aircraft with 60 seats or less used in scheduled passenger service with recommendations for any necessary changes in those requirements. SEC. 111. TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OF SECURITY SCREENING PERSONNEL. (a) In General.— Section 44935 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (i); and (2) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following: “(e) Security Screeners —.— “(1) Training program.— The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall establish a program for the hiring and training of security screening personnel. “(2) Hiring.— “(A) Qualifications.— Within 30 days after the date of enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, the Under Secretary shall establish qualification standards for individuals to be hired by the United States as security screening personnel. Notwithstanding any provision of law, those standards shall require, at a minimum, an individual— “(i) to have a satisfactory or better score on a Federal security screening personnel selection examination; “(ii) to be a citizen of the United States; “(iii) to meet, at a minimum, the requirements set forth in subsection (f); “(iv) to meet such other qualifications as the Under Secretary may establish; and “(v) to have the ability to demonstrate daily a fitness for duty without any impairment due to illegal drugs, sleep deprivation, medication, or alcohol. “(B) Background checks.— The Under Secretary shall require that an individual to be hired as a security screener undergo an employment investigation (including a criminal history record check) under section 44936(a)(1). “(C) Disqualification of individuals who present national security risks.— The Under Secretary, in consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall establish procedures, in addition to any background check conducted under section 44936, to ensure that no individual who presents a threat to national security is employed as a security screener. “(3) Examination; review of existing rules.— The Under Secretary shall develop a security screening personnel examination for use in determining the qualification of individuals seeking employment as security screening personnel. The Under Secretary shall also review, and revise as necessary, any standard, rule, or regulation governing the employment of individuals as security screening personnel. “(f) Employment Standards for Screening Personnel.— “(1) Screener requirements.— Notwithstanding any provision of law, an individual may not be deployed as a security screener unless that individual meets the following requirements: “(A) The individual shall possess a high school diploma, a general equivalency diploma, or experience that the Under Secretary has determined to be sufficient for the individual to perform the duties of the position. “(B) The individual shall possess basic aptitudes and physical abilities, including color perception, visual and aural acuity, physical coordination, and motor skills, to the following standards: “(i) Screeners operating screening equipment shall be able to distinguish on the screening equipment monitor the appropriate imaging standard specified by the Under Secretary. “(ii) Screeners operating any screening equipment shall be able to distinguish each color displayed on every type of screening equipment and explain what each color signifies. “(iii) Screeners shall be able to hear and respond to the spoken voice and to audible alarms generated by screening equipment in an active checkpoint environment. “(iv) Screeners performing physical searches or other related operations shall be able to efficiently and thoroughly manipulate and handle such baggage, containers, and other objects subject to security processing. “(v) Screeners who perform pat-downs or handheld metal detector searches of individuals shall have sufficient dexterity and capability to thoroughly conduct those procedures over an individual's entire body. “(C) The individual shall be able to read, speak, and write English well enough to— “(i) carry out written and oral instructions regarding the proper performance of screening duties; “(ii) read English language identification media, credentials, airline tickets, and labels on items normally encountered in the screening process; “(iii) provide direction to and understand and answer questions from English-speaking individuals undergoing screening; and “(iv) write incident reports and statements and log entries into security records in the English language. “(D) The individual shall have satisfactorily completed all initial, recurrent, and appropriate specialized training required by the security program, except as provided in paragraph (3). “(2) Veterans preference.— The Under Secretary shall provide a preference for the hiring of an individual as a security screener if the individual is a member or former member of the armed forces and if the individual is entitled, under statute, to retired, retirement, or retainer pay on account of service as a member of the armed forces. “(3) Exceptions.— An individual who has not completed the training required by this section may be deployed during the on-the-job portion of training to perform functions if that individual— “(A) is closely supervised; and “(B) does not make independent judgments as to whether individuals or property may enter a sterile area or aircraft without further inspection. “(4) Remedial training.— No individual employed as a security screener may perform a screening function after that individual has failed an operational test related to that function until that individual has successfully completed the remedial training specified in the security program. “(5) Annual proficiency review.— The Under Secretary shall provide that an annual evaluation of each individual assigned screening duties is conducted and documented. An individual employed as a security screener may not continue to be employed in that capacity unless the evaluation demonstrates that the individual— “(A) continues to meet all qualifications and standards required to perform a screening function; “(B) has a satisfactory record of performance and attention to duty based on the standards and requirements in the security program; and “(C) demonstrates the current knowledge and skills necessary to courteously, vigilantly, and effectively perform screening functions. “(6) Operational testing.— In addition to the annual proficiency review conducted under paragraph (5), the Under Secretary shall provide for the operational testing of such personnel. “(g) Training.— “(1) Use of other agencies.— The Under Secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding or other arrangement with any other Federal agency or department with appropriate law enforcement responsibilities, to provide personnel, resources, or other forms of assistance in the training of security screening personnel. “(2) Training plan.— Within 60 days after the date of Deadline. enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, the Under Secretary shall develop a plan for the training of security screening personnel. The plan shall require, at a minimum, that a security screener— “(A) has completed 40 hours of classroom instruction or successfully completed a program that the Under Secretary determines will train individuals to a level of proficiency equivalent to the level that would be achieved by such classroom instruction; “(B) has completed 60 hours of on-the-job instructions; and “(C) has successfully completed an on-the-job training examination prescribed by the Under Secretary, “(3) Equipment-specific training.— An individual employed as a security screener may not use any security screening device or equipment in the scope of that individual’s employment unless the individual has been trained on that device or equipment and has successfully completed a test on the use of the device or equipment. “(h) Technological Training.— “(1) In general.— The Under Secretary shall require training to ensure that screeners are proficient in using the most up-to-date new technology and to ensure their proficiency in recognizing new threats and weapons. “(2) Periodic assessments.— The Under Secretary shall make periodic assessments to determine if there are dual use items and inform security screening personnel of the existence of such items. “(3) Current lists of dual use items.— Current lists of dual use items shall be part of the ongoing training for screeners. “(4) Dual use defined.— For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘dual use’ item means an item that may seem harmless but that may be used as a weapon. “(i) Limitation on Right To Strike.— An individual that screens passengers or property, or both, at an airport under this section may not participate in a strike, or assert the right to strike, against the person (including a governmental entity) employing such individual to perform such screening. “(j) Uniforms.— The Under Secretary shall require any individual who screens passengers and property pursuant to section 44901 to be attired while on duty in a uniform approved by the Under Secretary. ” . (b) Conforming Amendments.— Section 44936(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A) by inserting “as a security screener under section 44935(e) or a position” after “a position”; and (2) in subparagraph (E) by striking clause (iv). (c) Transition.— The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall complete the full implementation of section 44935 (e), (f), (g), and (h) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a), as soon as is practicable. The Under Secretary may make or continue such arrangements for the training of security screeners under that section as the Under Secretary determines necessary pending full implementation of that section as so amended. (d) Screener Personnel.— Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security may employ, appoint, discipline, terminate, and fix the compensation, terms, and conditions of employment of Federal service for such a number of individuals as the Under Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out the screening functions of the Under Secretary under section 44901 of title 49, United States Code. The Under Secretary shall establish levels of compensation and other benefits for individuals so employed. SEC. 112. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. (a) In General.— Section 44912(b)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking “complete an intensive review of” and inserting “periodically review”; (2) by striking “commercial aircraft in service and expected to be in service in the 10-year period beginning on November 16, 1990;” in subparagraph (B) and inserting “aircraft in air transportation;”; and (3) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (F) as subparagraphs (E) through (G), respectively, and inserting after subparagraph (C) the following: “(D) the potential release of chemical, biological, or similar weapons or devices either within an aircraft or within an airport; ” . (b) Additional Matters Regarding Research and Development.— (1) Additional program requirements.— Subsection (a) of section 44912 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (A) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and (B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph (4): “(4) (A) In carrying out the program established under this subsection, the Administrator shall designate an individual to be responsible for engineering, research, and development with respect to security technology under the program. “(B) The individual designated under subparagraph (A) shall use appropriate systems engineering and risk management models in making decisions regarding the allocation of funds for engineering, research, and development with respect to security technology under the program. “(C) The individual designated under subparagraph (A) shall Reports. , on an annual basis, submit to the Research, Engineering and Development Advisory Committee a report on activities under this paragraph during the preceding year. Each report shall include, for the year covered by such report, information on— “(i) progress made in engineering, research, and development with respect to security technology; “(ii) the allocation of funds for engineering, research, and development with respect to security technology; and “(iii) engineering, research, and development with respect to any technologies drawn from other agencies, including the rationale for engineering, research, and development with respect to such technologies. ” . (2) Review of threats.— Subsection (b)(1) of that section is further amended— (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (G) as subparagraphs (B) through (H) respectively; and (B) by inserting before subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, the following new subparagraph (A): “(A) a comprehensive systems analysis (employing vulnerability analysis, threat attribute definition, and technology roadmaps) of the civil aviation system, including— “(i) the destruction, commandeering, or diversion of civil aircraft or the use of civil aircraft as a weapon; and “(ii) the disruption of civil aviation service, including by cyber attack;" . (3) Scientific advisory panel.— Subsection (c) of that section is amended to read as follows: “(c) Scientific Advisory Panel.— (1) The Administrator shall Establishment. establish a scientific advisory panel, as a subcommittee of the Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee, to review, comment on, advise the progress of, and recommend modifications in, the program established under subsection (a) of this section, including the need for long-range research programs to detect and prevent catastrophic damage to commercial aircraft, commercial aviation facilities, commercial aviation personnel and passengers, and other components of the commercial aviation system by the next generation of terrorist weapons. “(2) (A) The advisory panel shall consist of individuals who have scientific and technical expertise in— “(i) the development and testing of effective explosive detection systems; “(ii) aircraft structure and experimentation to decide on the type and minimum weights of explosives that an effective explosive detection technology must be capable of detecting; “(iii) technologies involved in minimizing airframe damage to aircraft from explosives; and “(iv) other scientific and technical areas the Administrator considers appropriate. “(B) In appointing individuals to the advisory panel, the Administrator should consider individuals from academia and the national laboratories, as appropriate. “(3) The Administrator shall organize the advisory panel into teams capable of undertaking the review of policies and technologies upon request. “(4) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment Deadline. of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, and every two years thereafter, the Administrator shall review the composition of the advisory panel in order to ensure that the expertise of the individuals on the panel is suited to the current and anticipated duties of the panel. " . SEC. 113. FLIGHT SCHOOL SECURITY. (a) In General.— Subchapter II of chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: “§ 44939. Training to operate certain aircraft “(a) Waiting Period.— A person subject to regulation under this part may provide training in the operation of any aircraft having a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or more to an alien (as defined in section 101(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(3))) or to any other individual specified by the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security only if— “(1) that person has first notified the Attorney General that the individual has requested such training and furnished the Attorney General with that individual’s identification in such form as the Attorney General may require; and “(2) the Attorney General has not directed, within 45 days after being notified under paragraph (1), that person not to provide the requested training because the Attorney General has determined that the individual presents a risk to aviation or national security. “(b) Interruption of Training.— If the Attorney General, more than 45 days after receiving notification under subsection (a) from a person providing training described in subsection (a), determines that the individual presents a risk to aviation or national security, the Attorney General shall immediately notify the person providing the training of the determination and that person shall immediately terminate the training. “(c) Covered Training.— For the purposes of subsection (a), training includes in-flight training, training in a simulator, and any other form or aspect of training. “(d) Security Awareness Training for Employees.— The Under Secretary shall require flight schools to conduct a security awareness program for flight school employees to increase their awareness of suspicious circumstances and activities of individuals enrolling in or attending flight school.”. (b) Clerical Amendment.— The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: “44939. Training to operate certain aircraft.”. (c) International Cooperation.— The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall work with the International Civil Aviation Organization and the civil aviation authorities of other countries to improve international aviation security through screening programs for flight instruction candidates. (d) Effective Date.— The amendment made by subsection (a) applies to applications for training received after the date of enactment of this Act. SEC. 114. INCREASED PENALTIES FOR INTERFERENCE WITH SECURITY PERSONNEL. (a) In General.— Chapter 465 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 46502 the following: “§ 46503. Interference with security screening personnel “An individual in an area within a commercial service airport in the United States who, by assaulting a Federal, airport, or air carrier employee who has security duties within the airport, interferes with the performance of the duties of the employee or lessens the ability of the employee to perform those duties, shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both. If the individual used a dangerous weapon in committing the assault or interference, the individual may be imprisoned for any term of years or life imprisonment” . (b) Conforming Amendment.— The chapter analysis for chapter 465 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 46502 the following: “46503. Interference with security screening personnel.”. SEC. 115. PASSENGER MANIFESTS. Section 44909 is amended by adding at the end the following: 49 USC 44909. “(c) Flights in Foreign Air Transportation to the United States.— “(1) In general.— Not later than 60 days after the date Deadline. of enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, each air carrier and foreign air carrier operating a passenger flight in foreign air transportation to the United States shall provide to the Commissioner of Customs by electronic transmission a passenger and crew manifest containing the information specified in paragraph (2). Carriers may use the advanced passenger information system established under section 431 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1431) to provide the information required by the preceding sentence. “(2) Information.— A passenger and crew manifest for a flight required under paragraph (1) shall contain the following information: “(A) The full name of each passenger and crew member. “(B) The date of birth and citizenship of each passenger and crew member. “(C) The sex of each passenger and crew member. “(D) The passport number and country of issuance of each passenger and crew member if required for travel. “(E) The United States visa number or resident alien card number of each passenger and crew member, as applicable. “(F) Such other information as the Under Secretary, in consultation with the Commissioner of Customs, determines is reasonably necessary to ensure aviation safety. “(3) Passenger name records.— The carriers shall make passenger name record information available to the Customs Service upon request. “(4) Transmission of manifest.— Subject to paragraph (5), a passenger and crew manifest required for a flight under paragraph (1) shall be transmitted to the Customs Service in advance of the aircraft landing in the United States in such manner, time, and form as the Customs Service prescribes. “(5) Transmission of manifests to other federal agencies.— Upon request, information provided to the Under Secretary or the Customs Service under this subsection may be shared with other Federal agencies for the purpose of protecting national security. ” . SEC. 116. AIR TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS In CERTAIN STATES. (a) In General.— Notwithstanding any provision of section 41309(a) of title 49, United States Code, to the contrary, air carriers providing air transportation on flights which both originate and terminate at points within the same State may file an agreement, request, modification, or cancellation of an agreement within the scope of that section with the Secretary of Transportation upon a declaration by the Governor of the State that such agreement, request, modification, or cancellation is necessary to ensure the continuing availability of such air transportation within that State. (b) Approval of Secretary.— The Secretary may approve any such agreement, request, modification, or cancellation and grant an exemption under section 41308(c) of title 49, United States Code, to the extent necessary to effectuate such agreement, request, modification, or cancellation, without regard to the provisions of section 41309(b ) or (c) of that title. (c) Public Interest Requirement.— The Secretary may approve such an agreement, request, modification, or cancellation if the Secretary determines that— (1) the State to which it relates has extraordinary air transportation needs and concerns; and (2) approval is in the public interest. (d) Termination.— An approval under subsection (b) and an exemption under section 41308(c) of title 49, United States Code, granted under subsection (b) shall terminate on the earlier of the 2 following dates; (1) A date established by the Secretary in the Secretary’s discretion. (2) October 1, 2002. (e) Extension.— Notwithstanding subsection (d), if the Secretary determines that it is in the public interest, the Secretary may extend the termination date under subsection (d)(2) until a date no later than October 1, 2003. (f) Reports.— If the Secretary approves any such agreement, request, modification, or cancellation under this section and grants an exemption, the Secretary shall transmit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives within 6 months describing what actions have been taken by the air carriers to which the exemption was granted. The Secretary shall also notify those committees if the Secretary extends the termination date under subsection (e). SEC. 117. AIRLINE COMPUTER RESERVATION SYSTEMS. In order to ensure that all airline computer reservation systems maintained by United States air carriers are secure from unauthorized access by persons seeking information on reservations, passenger manifests, or other nonpublic information, the Secretary of Transportation shall require all such air carriers to utilize to the maximum extent practicable the best technology available to secure their computer reservation system against such unauthorized access. SEC. 118. SECURITY SERVICE FEE. (a) In General.— Subchapter II of chapter 449 is amended by adding at the end the following: “§ 44940. Security service fee “(a) General Authority.— “(1) Passenger fees.— The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall impose a uniform fee, on passengers of air carriers and foreign air carriers in air transportation and intrastate air transportation originating at airports in the United States, to pay for the following costs of providing civil aviation security services: “(A) Salary, benefits, overtime, retirement and other costs of screening personnel, their supervisors and managers, and Federal law enforcement personnel deployed at airport security screening locations under section 44901. “(B) The costs of training personnel described in subparagraph (A), and the acquisition, operation, and maintenance of equipment used by such personnel. “(C) The costs of performing background investigations of personnel described in subparagraphs (A), (D), (F), and (G). “(D) The costs of the Federal air marshals program. “(E) The costs of performing civil aviation security research and development under this title. “(F) The costs of Federal Security Managers under section 44903. “(G) The costs of deploying Federal law enforcement personnel pursuant to section 44903(h). The amount of such costs shall be determined by the Under Secretary and shall not be subject to judicial review. “(2) Air carrier fees.— “(A) Authority.— In addition to the fee imposed pursuant to paragraph (1), and only to the extent that the Under Secretary estimates that such fee will be insufficient to pay for the costs of providing civil aviation security services described in paragraph (1), the Under Secretary may impose a fee on air carriers and foreign air carriers engaged in air transportation and intrastate air transportation to pay for the difference between any such costs and the amount collected from such fee, as estimated by the Under Secretary at the beginning of each fiscal year. The estimates of the Under Secretary under this subparagraph are not subject to judicial review. “(B) Limitations.— “(i) Overall limit.— The amounts of fees collected under this paragraph for each fiscal year may not exceed, in the aggregate, the amounts paid in calendar year 2000 by carriers described in subparagraph (A) for screening passengers and property, as determined by the Under Secretary. “(ii) Per-carrier limit.— The amount of fees collected under this paragraph from an air carrier described in subparagraph (A) for each of fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004 may not exceed the amount paid in calendar year 2000 by that carrier for screening passengers and property, as determined by the Under Secretary. “(iii) Adjustment of per-carrier limit.— For fiscal year 2005 and subsequent fiscal years, the percarrier limitation under clause (ii) may be determined by the Under Secretary on the basis of market share or any other appropriate measure in lieu of actual screening costs in calendar year 2000. “(iv) Finality of determinations.— Determinations of the Under Secretary under this subparagraph are not subject to judicial review. “(C) Special rule for fiscal year 2002.— The amount of fees collected under this paragraph from any carrier for fiscal year 2002 may not exceed the amounts paid by that carrier for screening passengers and property for a period of time in calendar year 2000 proportionate to the period of time in fiscal year 2002 during which fees are collected under this paragraph. “(b) Schedule of Fees.— In imposing fees under subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall ensure that the fees are reasonably related to the Transportation Security Administration’s costs of providing services rendered. “(c) Limitation on Fee.— Fees imposed under subsection (a)(1) may not exceed $2.50 per enplanement in air transportation or intrastate air transportation that originates at an airport in the United States, except that the total amount of such fees may not exceed $5.00 per one-way trip. “(d) Imposition of Fee.— “(1) In general.— Notwithstanding section 9701 of title 31 and the procedural requirements of section 553 of title 5, the Under Secretary shall impose the fee under subsection (a)(1), and may impose a fee under subsection (a)(2), through the publication of notice of such fee in the Federal Register and begin collection of the fee within 60 days of the date of enactment of this Act, or as soon as possible thereafter. “(2) Special rules passenger fees.— A fee imposed under subsection (a)(1) through the procedures under subsection (d) shall apply only to tickets sold after the date on which such fee is imposed. If a fee imposed under subsection (a)(1) through the procedures under subsection (d) on transportation of a passenger of a carrier described in subsection (a)(1) is not collected from the passenger, the amount of the fee shall be paid by the carrier. “(3) Subsequent modification of fee.— After imposing a fee in accordance with paragraph (1), the Under Secretary may modify, from time to time through publication of notice in the Federal Register, the imposition or collection of such fee, or both. “(4) Limitation on collection.— No fee may be collected under this section except to the extent that the expenditure of the fee to pay the costs of activities and services for which the fee is imposed is provided for in advance in an appropriations Act. “(e) Administration of Fees.— “(1) Fees payable to under secretary.— All fees imposed and amounts collected under this section are payable to the Under Secretary. “(2) Fees collected by air carrier.— A fee imposed under subsection (a)(1) shall be collected by the air carrier or foreign air carrier that sells a ticket for transportation described in subsection (a)(1). “(3) Due date for remittance.— A fee collected under this section shall be remitted on the last day of each calendar month by the carrier collecting the fee. The amount to be remitted shall be for the calendar month preceding the calendar month in which the remittance is made. “(4) Information.— The Under Secretary may require the provision of such information as the Under Secretary decides is necessary to verify that fees have been collected and remitted at the proper times and in the proper amounts. “(5) Fee not subject to tax.— For purposes of section 4261 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 4261), a fee imposed under this section shall not be considered to be part of the amount paid for taxable transportation. “(6) Cost of collecting fee.— No portion of the fee collected under this section may be retained by the air carrier or foreign air carrier for the costs of collecting, handling, or remitting the fee except for interest accruing to the carrier after collection and before remittance. “(f) Receipts Credited as Offsetting Collections.— Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, any fee collected under this section “(1) shall be credited as offsetting collections to the account that finances the activities and services for which the fee is imposed; “(2) shall be available for expenditure only to pay the costs of activities and services for which the fee is imposed; and “(3) shall remain available until expended. “(g) Refunds.— The Under Secretary may refund any fee paid by mistake or any amount paid in excess of that required. “(h) Exemptions.— The Under Secretary may exempt from the passenger fee imposed under subsection (a)(1) any passenger enplaning at an airport, in the United States that does not receive screening services under section 44901 for that segment of the trip for which the passenger does not receive screening.”. (b) Conforming Amendment.— The analysis for such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following: “44940. Security service fee.". (c) Specific Authorization of Appropriations.— (1) In general.— Part C of subtitle VII of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “CHAPTER 483— AVIATION SECURITY FUNDING "Sec. "48301. Aviation security funding. “§ 48301. Aviation security funding “(a) In general.— There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 such sums as may be necessary to carry out chapter 449 and related aviation security activities under this title. Any amounts appropriated pursuant to this section for fiscal year 2002 shall remain available until expended. “(b) Grants for Aircraft Security.— There is authorized to be appropriated $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2002 to the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to or other agreements with air carriers (including intrastate air carriers) to— “(1) fortify cockpit doors to deny access from the cabin to the pilots in the cockpit; “(2) provide for the use of video monitors or other devices to alert the cockpit crew to activity in the passenger cabin; “(3) ensure continuous operation of the aircraft transponder in the event the crew faces an emergency; and “(4) provide for the use of other innovative technologies to enhance aircraft security. ” . (2) Conforming amendment.— The subtitle analysis for subtitle VII of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 482 the following: “483. Aviation Security Funding ....................................................................................... SEC. 119. INCREASED FUNDING FLEXIBILITY FOR AVIATION SECURITY. (a) Limited Use of Airport Improvement Program Funds.— (1) Airport development funds.— Section 47102(3) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “(J) in fiscal year 2002, any additional security related activity required by law or by the Secretary after September 11, 2001, and before October 1, 2002, “(K) in fiscal year 2002 with respect to funds apportioned under section 47114 in fiscal years 2001 and 2002, any activity, including operational activities, of an airport that is not a primary airport if that airport is located within the confines of enhanced class B airspace, as defined by Notice to Airmen FDC 1/0618 issued by the Federal Aviation Administration and the activity was carried out when any restriction in the Notice is in effect. “(L) in fiscal year 2002, payments for debt service on indebtedness incurred to carry out a project at an airport owned or controlled by the sponsor or at a privately owned or operated airport passenger terminal financed by indebtedness incurred by the sponsor if the Secretary determines that such payments are necessary to prevent a default on the indebtedness. ” . (2) Allowable costs.— Section 47110(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (A) by striking “or” in subparagraph (B); (B) by inserting “or” after “executed;” in subparagraph (C); and (C) by adding at the end the following: “(D) if the cost is incurred after September 11, 2001, for a project described in section 47102(3)(J), 47102(3)(K), or 47102(3)(L) and shall not depend upon the date of execution of a grant agreement made under this subchapter; " . (3) Discretionary grants.— Section 47115 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “(i) Considerations for Project Under Expanded Security ELIGIBILITY.— In order to assure that funding under this subchapter is provided to the greatest needs, the Secretary, in selecting a project described in section 47102(3)(J) for a grant, shall consider the non-federal resources available to sponsor, the use of such non-federal resources, and the degree to which the sponsor is providing increased funding for the project.”. (4) Federal share.— Section 47109(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (A) by striking “and” in paragraph (3); (B) by striking “47134.” in paragraph (4) and inserting“47134; and”; and (C) by adding at the end the following: “(5) for fiscal year 2002, 100 percent for a project described in section 47102(3)(J), 47102(3XK), or 47102(3XL).”. (5) Airport development.— Section 47102(3)(B) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (A) by striking “and” at the end of clause (viii); (B) by striking the period at the end of clause (ix) and inserting and”; and (C) by inserting after clause (ix) the following new clause: “(x) replacement of baggage conveyor systems, and reconfiguration of terminal baggage areas, that the Secretary determines are necessary to install bulk explosive detection devices.”. (b) Apportioned Funds.— For the purpose of carrying out 49 USC 47114 note. section 47114 of title 49, United States Code, for fiscal year 2003, the Secretary shall use, in lieu of passenger boardings at an airport during the prior calendar year, the greater of— (1) the number of passenger boardings at that airport during 2000; or (2) the number of passenger boardings at that airport during 2001. (c) Expedited Processing of Security-Related PFC Requests.— The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall, to the extent feasible, expedite the processing and approval of passenger facility fee requests under subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49, United States Code, for projects described in section 47192(3)(J) of title 49, United States Code. (d) Amendment of General Fee Schedule Provision.— Section 45301(b)(1)(B) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking “directly” and inserting “reasonably”; (2) by striking “Administration’s costs” and inserting “Administration’s costs, as determined by the Administrator,”, and (3) by adding at the end “The Determination of such costs by the Administrator is not subject to judicial review.”. SEC. 120. CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPON DETECTION. Section 44903(c)(2)(C) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “(C) Maximum use of chemical and biological weapon DETECTION equipment.— The Secretary of Transportation may require airports to maximize the use of technology and equipment that is designed to detect or neutralize potential chemical or biological weapons. ” SEC. 121. AUTHORIZATION OF FUNDS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF AIRPORTS FOR SECURITY MANDATES. (a) Airport Security.— There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for fiscal years 2002 and 2003 a total of $1,500,000,000 to reimburse airport operators, on-airport parking lots, and vendors of on-airfield direct services to air carriers for direct costs incurred by such operators to comply with new, additional, or revised security requirements imposed on such operators by the Federal Aviation Administration or Transportation Security Administration on or after September 11, 2001. Such sums shall remain available until expended. (b) Documentation of Costs; Audit.— The Secretary may not reimburse an airport operator, on-airport parking lot, or vendor of on-airfield direct services to air carriers under this section for any cost for which the airport operator, on-airport parking lot, or vendor of on-airfield direct services does not demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary, using sworn financial statements or other appropriate data, that— (1) the cost is eligible for reimbursement under subsection (a); and (2) the cost was incurred by the airport operator, on-airport parking lot, or vendor of on-airfield direct services to air carriers. The Inspector General of the Department of Transportation and the Comptroller General of the United States may audit such statements and may request any other information necessary to conduct such an audit. (c) Claim Procedure.— Within 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, after consultation with airport operators, on-airport parking lots, and vendors of on-airfield direct services to air carriers, shall publish in the Federal Register the procedures for filing claims for reimbursement under this section of eligible costs incurred by airport operators. SEC. 122. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS. It is the sense of the Congress that— (1) an airport receiving Federal financial assistance should meet with the tenants of the airport (other than air carriers and foreign air carriers) to discuss adjustments of the rent of the tenants to account for losses in revenue incurred by the tenants on and after September 11, 2001; (2) an air carrier that received financial assistance under the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act or under title 49, United States Code, since September 11, 2001, should meet with airport operators to discuss payment of applicable rates, charges, and fees; and (3) the Federal Aviation Administration should maintain its current restriction on carry-on baggage of 1 bag and 1 personal item. SEC. 123. AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS. (a) Competition Plan.— Section 47106(f) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: “(3) Special rule for fiscal year 2002.— This subsection does not apply to any passenger facility fee approved, or grant made, in fiscal year 2002 if the fee or grant is to be used to improve security at a covered airport. ” . (b) Conforming Amendment to Airport and Airway Trust Fund.— Section 9502(d)(l)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 26 USC 9502. (relating to airport and airway program) is amended by inserting “or the Aviation and Transportation Security Act” after “21st Century”. SEC. 124. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. (a) Report Deadline.— Section 106(a) of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act (Public Law 107–42) 49 USC 40101 note. is amended by striking “February 1, 2001” and inserting “February 1, 2002”. (b) Insurance and Reinsurance of Aircraft.— Section 44306(c) (as redesignated by section 201(d) of such Act) is amended by inserting “in the interest of air commerce or national security or” before “to carry out foreign policy”. 49 USC 44306. (c) Federal Credit Instruments.— Section 102(c)(2)(A) of such Act is amended by striking “representatives” and inserting “representations”. 49 USC 40101 note. (d) Maximum Amount of Compensation Payable Per Air Carrier.— Section 103 of such Act is amended by adding at the end the following: 49 USC 40101 note. “(d) Compensation for Certain Air Carriers.— “(1) Set-aside.— The President may set aside a portion of the amount of compensation payable to air carriers under section 101(a)(2) to provide compensation to classes of air carriers, such as air tour operators and air ambulances (including hospitals operating air ambulances) for whom the application of a distribution formula containing available seat miles as a factor would inadequately reflect their share of direct and incremental losses. The President shall reduce the $4,500,000,000 specified in subsection (b)(2)(A)(i) by the amount set aside under this subsection. “(2) Distribution of amounts.— The President shall distribute the amount set aside under this subsection proportionally among such air carriers based on an appropriate auditable measure, as determined by the President.”. SEC. 125. ENCOURAGING AIRLINE EMPLOYEES TO REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES. (a) In General.— Subchapter II of chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting at the end the following: “§ 44941. Immunity for reporting suspicious activities “(a) In General.— Any air carrier or foreign air carrier or any employee of an air carrier or foreign air carrier who makes a voluntary disclosure of any suspicious transaction relevant to a possible violation of law or regulation, relating to air piracy, a threat to aircraft or passenger safety, or terrorism, as defined by section 3077 of title 18, United States Code, to any employee or agent of the Department of Transportation, the Department of Justice, any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer, or any airport or airline security officer shall not be civilly liable to any person under any law or regulation of the United States, any constitution, law, or regulation of any State or political subdivision of any State, for such disclosure. “(b) Application.— Subsection (a) shall not apply to— “(1) any disclosure made with actual knowledge that the disclosure was false, inaccurate, or misleading; or “(2) any disclosure made with reckless disregard as to the truth or falsity of that disclosure. ” . (b) Conforming Amendment.— The chapter analysis for such chapter is amended by adding at the end the fallowing: “§ 44941. Immunity for reporting suspicious activities.". SEC. 126. LESS-THAN-LETHAL WEAPONRY FOR FLIGHT DECK CREWS. (a) National Institute of Justice Study.— The National Institute of Justice shall assess the range of less-than-lethal weaponry available for use by a flight deck crewmember temporarily to incapacitate an individual who presents a clear and present danger to the safety of the aircraft, its passengers, or individuals on the ground and report its findings and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (b) Arming Flight Deck Crew.— Section 44903 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “(h) Authority to Arm Flight Deck Crew With Less-Than-Lethal Weapons.— “(1) In general.— If the Secretary, after receiving the recommendations of the National Institute of Justice, determines, with the approval of the Attorney General and the Secretary of State, that it is appropriate and necessary and would effectively serve the public interest in avoiding air piracy, the Secretary may authorize members of the flight deck crew on any aircraft providing air transportation or intrastate air transportation to carry a less-than-lethal weapon while the aircraft is engaged in providing such transportation. “(2) Usage.— If the Secretary grants authority under paragraph (1) for flight deck crew members to carry a less-than-lethal weapon while engaged in providing air transportation or intrastate air transportation, the Secretary shall— “(A) prescribe rules requiring that any such crew member be trained in the proper use of the weapon; and “(B) prescribe guidelines setting forth the circumstances under which such weapons may be used.”. SEC. 127. MAIL AND FREIGHT WAIVERS. (a) In General.— During a national emergency affecting air transportation or intrastate air transportation, the Secretary of Transportation, after consultation with the Transportation Security Oversight Board, may grant a complete or partial waiver of any restrictions on the carriage by aircraft of freight, mail, emergency medical supplies, personnel, or patients on aircraft, imposed by the Department of Transportation (or other Federal agency or department) that would permit such carriage of freight, mail, emergency medical supplies, personnel, or patients on flights, to, from, or within a State if the Secretary determines that— (1) extraordinary air transportation needs or concerns exist; and (2) the waiver is in the public interest, taking into consideration the isolation of and dependence on air transportation of the State. (b) Limitations.— The Secretary may impose reasonable limitations on any such waiver. SEC. 128. FLIGHT DECK SECURITY. The pilot of a passenger aircraft operated by an air carrier in air transportation or intrastate air transportation is authorized to carry a firearm into the cockpit if— (1) the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security approves; (2) the air carrier approves; (3) the firearm is approved by the Under Secretary; and (4) the pilot has received proper training for the use of the firearm, as determined by the Under Secretary. SEC. 129. AMENDMENTS TO AIRMEN REGISTRY AUTHORITY. Section 44703(g) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the first sentence of paragraph (1)— (A) by striking “pilots” and inserting “airmen”; and (B) by striking the period and inserting “and related to combating acts of terrorism.”; and (2) by adding at the end, the following new paragraphs: “(3) for purposes of this section, the term ‘acts of terrorism' means an activity that involves a violent act or an act dangerous to human life that is a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State, or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or of any State, and appears to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion or to affect the conduct of a government by assassination or kidnaping. “(4) The Administrator is authorized and directed to work with State and local authorities, and other Federal agencies, to assist in the identification of individuals applying for or holding airmen certificates.”. SEC. 130. RESULTS-BASED MANAGEMENT. Subchapter II of chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “§ 44942. Performance goals and objectives “(a) Short Term Transition.— “(1) In general.— Within 180 days after the date of Deadline. enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, the Under Secretary for Transportation Security may, in consultation with Congress— “(A) establish acceptable levels of performance for aviation security, including screening operations and access control, and “(B) provide Congress with an action plan, containing measurable goals and milestones, that outlines how those levels of performance will be achieved. “(2) Basics of action plan.— The action plan shall clarify the responsibilities of the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration and any other agency or organization that may have a role in ensuring the safety and security of the civil air transportation system. “(b) Long-Term Results-Based Management.— “(1) Performance plan and report.— “(A) Performance plan.— “(i) Each year, consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), the Secretary and the Under Secretary for Transportation Security shall agree on a performance plan for the succeeding 5 years that establishes measurable goals and objectives for aviation security. The plan shall identify action steps necessary to achieve such goals. “(ii) In addition to meeting the requirements of GPRA, the performance plan should clarify the responsibilities of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Transportation Security and any other agency or organization that may have a role in ensuring the safety and security of the civil air transportation system. “(B) Performance report.— Each year, consistent with the requirements of GPRA, the Under Secretary for Transportation Security shall prepare and submit to Congress an annual report including an evaluation of the extent goals and objectives were met. The report shall include the results achieved during the year relative to the goals established in the performance plan. “§ 44943. Performance management system “(a) Establishing a Fair and Equitable System for Measuring Staff Performance.— The Under Secretary for Transportation Security shall establish a performance management system which strengthens the organization’s effectiveness by providing for the establishment of goals and objectives for managers, employees, and organizational performance consistent with the performance plan. “(b) Establishing Management Accountability for Meeting Performance Goals.— “(1) In general.— Each year, the Secretary and Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall enter into an annual performance agreement that shall set forth organizational and individual performance goals for the Under Secretary. “(2) Goals.— Each year, the Under Secretary and each senior manager who reports to the Under Secretary shall enter into an annual performance agreement that sets forth organization and individual goals for those managers. All other employees hired under the authority of the Under Secretary shall enter into an annual performance agreement that sets forth organization and individual goals for those employees. “(c) Performance-Based Service Contracting.— To the extent contracts, if any, are used to implement the Aviation Security Act, the Under Secretary for Transportation Security shall, to the extent practical, maximize the use of performance-based service contracts. These contracts should be consistent with guidelines published by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.”. SEC. 131. VOLUNTARY PROVISION OF EMERGENCY SERVICES DURING COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS. (a) In General.— Subchapter II of chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: “§ 44944. Voluntary provision of emergency services “(a) Program for Provision of Voluntary Services.— “(1) Program.— The Under Secretary of Transportation for Transportation Security shall carry out a program to permit qualified law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians to provide emergency services on commercial air flights during emergencies. “(2) Requirements.— The Under Secretary shall establish such requirements for qualifications of providers of voluntary services under the program under paragraph (1), including training requirements, as the Under Secretary considers appropriate. “(3) Confidentiality of registry.— If as part of the program under paragraph (1) the Under Secretary requires or permits registration of law enforcement officers, firefighters, or emergency medical technicians who are willing to provide emergency services on commercial flights during emergencies, the Under Secretary shall take appropriate actions to ensure that the registry is available only to appropriate airline personnel and otherwise remains confidential. “(4) Consultation.— The Under Secretary shall consult with appropriate representatives of the commercial airline industry, and organizations representing community-based law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians, in carrying out the program under paragraph (1), including the actions taken under paragraph (3). “(b) Exemption From Liability.— An individual shall not be liable for damages in any action brought in a Federal or State court that arises from an act or omission of the individual in providing or attempting to provide assistance in the case of an in-flight emergency in an aircraft of an air carrier if the individual meets such qualifications as the Under Secretary shall prescribe for purposes of this section. “(c) Exception.— The exemption under subsection (b) shall not apply in any case in which an individual provides, or attempts to provide, assistance described in that paragraph in a manner that constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct.”. (b) Clerical Amendment.— The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: “§ 44944. Voluntary provision of emergency services.”. (c) Construction Regarding Possession of Firearms.— Nothing in this section may be construed to require any modification of regulations of the Department of Transportation governing the possession of firearms while in aircraft or air transportation facilities or to authorize the possession of a firearm in an aircraft or any such facility not authorized under those regulations. SEC. 132. GENERAL AVIATION AND AIR CHARTERS. (a) Air Charter Program.— Within 90 days after the date Deadline. 49 USC 44903 note. of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Transportation Security shall implement an aviation security program for charter air carriers (as defined in section 40102(a)(13) of title 49, United States Code) with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or more. (b) General Aviation Program.— Within 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Transportation Security shall transmit a report on airspace and other security measures that can be deployed, as necessary, to improve general aviation security to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Under Secretary may submit the report in both classified and redacted forms. SEC. 133. DEFINITIONS. Except as otherwise explicitly provided, any term used in this title that is defined in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code, has the meaning given that term in that section. SEC. 134. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON CERTAIN AVIATION MATTERS. (a) Flight Service Station Employees.— It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration should continue negotiating in good faith with flight service station employees of the Administration with a goal of reaching agreement on a contract as soon as possible. (b) War Risk Insurance.— It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Transportation should implement section 202 of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act (Public Law 107–42) so as to make war risk insurance directly available to vendors, agents, and subcontractors of air carriers for all of their domestic operations. SEC, 135. SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. It is the sense of the House of Representatives that— (1) the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security should develop security procedures to allow passengers transporting a musical instrument on a flight of an air carrier to transport the instrument in the passenger cabin of the aircraft, notwithstanding any size or other restriction on carry-on baggage but subject to such other reasonable security procedures, terms, and conditions as may be established by the Under Secretary or the air carrier, including imposing additional charges by the air carrier; and (2) an air carrier that transports mail under a contract with the United States Postal Service should transport any animal that the Postal Service allows to be shipped through the mail. SEC. 136. SHORT TERM ASSESSMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF EMERGING SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES AND PROCEDURES. Section 44903 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “(i) Short-Term Assessment and Deployment of Emerging Security Technologies and Procedures.— “(1) In general.— The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall recommend to airport operators, within 6 months after the date of enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, commercially available measures or procedures to prevent access to secure airport areas by unauthorized persons. As part of the 6-month assessment, the Under Secretary for Transportation Security shall— “(A) review the effectiveness of biometrics systems currently in use at several United States airports, including San Francisco International; “(B) review the effectiveness of increased surveillance at access points; “(C) review the effectiveness of card- or keypad-based access systems; “(D) review the effectiveness of airport emergency exit systems and determine whether those that lead to secure areas of the airport should be monitored or how breaches can be swiftly responded to; and “(E) specifically target the elimination of the “piggybacking” phenomenon, where another person follows an authorized person through the access point. The 6-month assessment shall include a 12-month deployment strategy for currently available technology at all category X airports, as defined in the Federal Aviation Administration approved air carrier security programs required under part 108 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. Not later than Deadline. 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a review of reductions in unauthorized access at these airports. “(2) Computer-assisted passenger prescreening system.— “(A) In general.— The Secretary of Transportation shall ensure that the Computer-Assisted Passenger Prescreening System, or any successor system— “(i) is used to evaluate all passengers before they board an aircraft; and “(ii) includes procedures to ensure that individuals selected by the system and their carry-on and checked baggage are adequately screened. “(B) Modifications.— The Secretary of Transportation may modify any requirement under the Computer-Assisted Passenger Prescreening System for flights that originate and terminate within the same State, if the Secretary determines that— “(i) the State has extraordinary air transportation needs or concerns due to its isolation and dependence on air transportation; and “(ii) the routine characteristics of passengers, given the nature of the market, regularly triggers primary selectee status.”. SEC. 137. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF AVIATION SECURITY TECHNOLOGY. (a) Funding.— To augment the programs authorized in section 44912(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code, there is authorized to be appropriated an additional $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2006 and such sums as are necessary for each fiscal year thereafter to the Transportation Security Administration, for research, development, testing, and evaluation of the following technologies which may enhance aviation security in the future. Grants to industry, academia, and Government entities to carry out the provisions of this section shall be available for fiscal years 2002 and 2003 for— (1) the acceleration of research, development, testing, and evaluation of explosives detection technology for checked baggage, specifically, technology that is— (A) more cost-effective for deployment for explosives detection in checked baggage at small- to medium-sized airports, and is currently under development as part of the Argus research program at the Transportation Security Administration; (B) faster, to facilitate screening of all checked baggage at larger airports; or (C) more accurate, to reduce the number of false positives requiring additional security measures; (2) acceleration of research, development, testing, and evaluation of new screening technology for carry-on items to provide more effective means of detecting and identifying weapons, explosives, and components of weapons of mass destruction, including advanced x-ray technology; (3) acceleration of research, development, testing, and evaluation of threat screening technology for other categories of items being loaded onto aircraft, including cargo, catering, and duty-free items; (4) acceleration of research, development, testing, and evaluation of threats carried on persons boarding aircraft or entering secure areas, including detection of weapons, explosives, and components of weapons of mass destruction; (5) acceleration of research, development, testing and evaluation of integrated systems of airport security enhancement, including quantitative methods of assessing security factors at airports selected for testing such systems; (6) expansion of the existing program of research, development, testing, and evaluation of improved methods of education, training, and testing of key airport security personnel; and (7) acceleration of research, development, testing, and evaluation of aircraft hardening materials, and techniques to reduce the vulnerability of aircraft to terrorist attack. (b) Grants.— Grants awarded under this subtitle shall identify potential outcomes of the research, and propose a method for quantitatively assessing effective increases in security upon completion of the research program. At the conclusion of each grant, the grant recipient shall submit a final report to the Transportation Security Administration that shall include sufficient information to permit the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to prepare a cost-benefit analysis of potential improvements to airport security Deadline. based upon deployment of the proposed technology. The Under Secretary shall begin awarding grants under this subtitle within 90 days of the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Budget Submission.— A budget submission and detailed strategy for deploying the identified security upgrades recommended upon completion of the grants awarded under subsection (b), shall be submitted to Congress as part of the Department of Transportation’s annual budget submission. (d) Defense Research.— There is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 to the Transportation Security Administration to issue research grants in conjunction with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Grants may be awarded under this section for— (1) research and development of longer-term improvements to airport security, including advanced weapons detection; (2) secure networking and sharing of threat information between Federal agencies, law enforcement entities, and other appropriate parties; (3) advances in biometrics for identification and threat assessment; or (4) other technologies for preventing acts of terrorism in aviation. SEC. 138. EMPLOYMENT INVESTIGATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS. (a) In General.— Section 44936 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by inserting “and a review of available law enforcement data bases and records of other governmental and international agencies to the extent determined practicable by the Under Secretary of Transportation for Transportation Security,” after “check” in subsection (a)(1)(A); (2) by striking “in any case described in subparagraph (C)” in subsection (a)(1)(B) and inserting “and a review of available law enforcement data bases and records of other governmental and international agencies to the extent determined practicable by the Under Secretary of Transportation for Transportation Security”; (3) by striking “will be” in subsection (a)(1)(B)(i) and inserting “are”; (4) by striking “and” after the semicolon in clause (ii) of subsection (a)(1)(B); (5) by redesignating clause (iii) of subsection (a)(1)(B) as clause (iv); (6) by inserting after clause (ii) of subsection (a)(1)(B) the following: “(iii) individuals who regularly have escorted access to aircraft of an air carrier or foreign air carrier or a secured area of an airport in the United States the Administrator designates that serves an air carrier or foreign air carrier; and”; (7) by striking subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) of subsection (a)(1) and redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (D); (8) by inserting after subparagraph (B) of subsection (a)(1) the following: “(C) Background checks of current employees.— “(i) A new background check (including a criminal history record check and a review of available law enforcement data bases and records of other governmental and international agencies to the extent determined practicable by the Under Secretary of Transportation for Transportation Security shall be required for any individual who is employed in a position described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) on the date of enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. “(ii) The Under Secretary may provide by order (without regard to the provisions of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code) for a phased-in implementation of the requirements of this subparagraph. ” ; (9) by striking “107.31(m)” in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, and inserting “107.31(m)(l) or (2)”; (10) by striking “the date of enactment of this subparagraph.” in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, and inserting “November 22, 2000. The Under Secretary shall work with the International Civil Aviation Organization and with appropriate authorities of foreign countries to ensure that individuals exempted under this subparagraph do not pose a threat to aviation or national security.”; (11) by striking “carrier, or airport operator” in subsection (a)(2) and inserting “carrier, airport operator, or government”; (12) by striking “carrier, or airport operator” in subsection (b)(1) and inserting “carrier, airport operator, or government”; (13) by striking “carrier, or airport operator” in subsection (b)(3) and inserting “carrier, airport operator, or government”; and (14) by adding at the end of subsection (c)(1) “All Federal agencies shall cooperate with the Under Secretary and the Under Secretary’s designee in the process of collecting and submitting fingerprints.”. (b) Records of Employment of Pilot Applicants.— Part A of subtitle VII of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by moving subsections (f), (g), and (h) of section 44936 from section 44936, inserting them at the end of section 44703, and redesignating them as subsections (h), (i), and (j), respectively; and (2) in subsections (i) and (j) of section 44703 (as moved to the end of section 44703 by paragraph (1) of this subsection), by striking “subsection (f)” each place it appears and inserting “subsection (h)”. SEC. 139. ALCOHOL AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE TESTING. Chapter 451 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking “contract personnel” each place it appears and inserting “personnel”; (2) by striking “contract employee” each place it appears and inserting “employee”; (3) in section 45106(c) by striking “contract employees” and inserting “employees”; (4) by inserting after section 45106 the following: “§ 45107. Transportation Security Administration “(a) Transfer of Functions Relating to Testing Programs With Respect to Airport Security Screening Personnel.— The authority of the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration under this chapter with respect to programs relating to testing of airport security screening personnel are transferred to the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security. Notwithstanding section 45102(a), the regulations prescribed under section 45102(a) shall require testing of such personnel by their employers instead of by air carriers and foreign air carriers. “(b) Applicability of Chapter With Respect to Employees of Administration.— The provisions of this chapter that apply with respect to employees of the Federal Aviation Administration whose duties include responsibility for safety-sensitive functions shall apply with respect to employees of the Transportation Security Administration whose duties include responsibility for security-sensitive functions. The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security, the Transportation Security Administration, and employees of the Transportation Security Administration whose duties include responsibility for security-sensitive functions shall be subject to and comply with such provisions in the same manner and to the same extent as the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, and employees of the Federal Aviation Administration whose duties include responsibility for safety-sensitive functions, respectively. ” ; and (5) in the analysis for such chapter by inserting after the item relating to section 45106 the following: “45107. Transportation Security Administration.". SEC. 140. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO SUBTITLE VII. (a) Records of Employment of Pilot Applicants.— Part A of subtitle VII of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by moving subsections (f), (g), and (h) of section 44936 from section 44936, inserting them at the end of section 44703, and redesignating them as subsections (h), (i), and (j), respectively; and (2) in subsections (i) and (j) of section 44703 (as moved to the end of section 44703 by paragraph (1) of this subsection), by striking “subsection (f)” each place it appears and inserting “subsection (h)”. (b) Investigations and Procedures.— Chapter 461 of such title is amended— (1) in each of sections 46101(a)(1), 46102(a), 46103(a), 46104(a), 46105(a), 46106, 46107(b), and 46110(a) by inserting after “(or” the following: “the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security with respect to security duties and powers designated to be carried out by the Under Secretary or”; (2) by striking “or Administrator” each place it appears and inserting “, Under Secretary, or Administrator”; 49 USC 46101–16105, 46107, 46110. (3) in section 46101(a)(2) by striking “of Transportation or the” and inserting “, Under Secretary, or”; (4) in section 46102(b) by striking “and the Administrator” and inserting “, the Under Secretary, and the Administrator”; (5) in section 46102(c) by striking “and Administrator” each place it appears and inserting “, Under Secretary, and Administrator”; (6) in each of sections 46102(d) and 46104(b) by inserting “the Under Secretary,” after “Secretary,”; (7) in the heading to section 46106 by striking “Secretary of Transportation and Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration” and inserting “Department of Transportation”; and (8) in the item relating to section 46106 of the analysis for such chapter by striking “Secretary of Transportation and Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration” and inserting “Department of Transportation”. (c) Administrative.— Section 40113 of such title is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by inserting after “(or” the following: “the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security with respect to security duties and powers designated to be carried out by the Under Secretary or”; and (B) by striking “or Administrator” and inserting “, Under Secretary, or Administrator”; and (2) in subsection (d)— (A) by inserting after “The” the following: “Under Secretary of Transportation for Security or the”; (B) by striking “Administration” the second place it appears and inserting “Transportation Security Administration or Federal Aviation Administration, as the case may be,”; and (C) by striking “the Administrator decides” and inserting “the Under Secretary or Administrator, as the case may be, decides”. (d) Penalties.— Chapter 463 of such title is amended— (1) in section 46301(d)(2)— (A) by striking “, chapter 449 (except sections 44902, 44903(d), 44907(a)–(d)(1)(A) and (d)(1)(C)–(f), 44908, and 44909),”; (B) by inserting after the first sentence the following: “The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security may impose a civil penalty for a violation of chapter 449 (except sections 44902, 44903(d), 44907(a)–(d)(l)(A), 44907(d)(1)(C)–(f), 44908, and 44909) or a regulation prescribed or order issued under such chapter 449.”; and (C) by inserting “Under Secretary or” before “Administrator shall”; (2) in each of paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 46301(d) by striking “Administrator” each place it appears and inserting “Under Secretary or Administrator”; (3) in section 46301(d)(8) by striking “Administrator” and inserting “Under Secretary, Administrator,”; (4) in section 46301(h)(2) by inserting after “(or” the following: “the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security with respect to security duties and powers designated to be carried out by the Under Secretary or”; (5) in section 46303(c)(2) by inserting “or the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security” after “Federal Aviation Administration”; (6) in section 46311— (A) by inserting after “Transportation,” the following: “the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security with respect to security duties and powers designated to be carried out by the Under Secretary,”; (B) by inserting after “Secretary,” each place it appears the following: “Under Secretary,”; and (C) by striking “or Administrator” each place it appears and inserting “, Under Secretary, or Administrator”; (7) in each of sections 46313 and 46316 by inserting after “(or” the following: “the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security with respect to security duties and powers designated to be carried out by the Under Secretary or”; and (8) in section 46505(d)(2) by inserting “or the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security” after “Federal Aviation Administration”. SEC. 141. SAVINGS PROVISION. (a) Transfer of Assets and Personnel.— Except as otherwise provided in this Act, those personnel, property, and records employed, used, held, available, or to be made available in connection with a function transferred to the Transportation Security Administration by this Act shall be transferred to the Transportation Security Administration for use in connection with the functions transferred. Unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, and other funds made available to the Federal Aviation Administration to carry out such functions shall also be transferred to the Transportation Security Administration for use in connection with the functions transferred. (b) Legal Documents.— All orders, determinations, rules, regulations, permits, grants, loans, contracts, settlements, agreements, certificates, licenses, and privileges— (1) that have been issued, made, granted, or allowed to become effective by the Federal Aviation Administration, any officer or employee thereof, or any other Government official, or by a court of competent jurisdiction, in the performance of any function that is transferred by this Act; and (2) that are in effect on the effective date of such transfer (or become effective after such date pursuant to their terms as in effect on such effective date), shall continue in effect according to their terms until modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or revoked in accordance with law by the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security, any other authorized official, a court of competent jurisdiction, or operation of law. (c) Proceedings.— (1) In general.— The provisions of this Act shall not affect any proceedings or any application for any license pending before the Federal Aviation Administration at the time this Act takes effect, insofar as those functions are transferred by this Act; but such proceedings and applications, to the extent that they relate to functions so transferred, shall be continued. Orders shall be issued in such proceedings, appeals shall be taken therefrom, and payments shall be made pursuant to such orders, as if this Act had not been enacted; and orders issued in any such proceedings shall continue in effect until modified, terminated, superseded, or revoked by a duly authorized official, by a court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law. (2) Statutory construction.— Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to prohibit the discontinuance or modification of any proceeding described in paragraph (1) under the same terms and conditions and to the same extent that such proceeding could have been discontinued or modified if this Act had not been enacted. (3) Orderly transfer.— The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to provide for the orderly transfer of pending proceedings from the Federal Aviation Administration. (d) Suits.— (1) In general.— This Act shall not affect suits commenced before the date of the enactment of this Act, except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3). In all such suits, proceeding shall be had, appeals taken, and judgments rendered in the same manner and with the same effect as if this Act had not been enacted. (2) Suits by or against faa.— Any suit by or against the Federal Aviation Administration begun before the date of the enactment of this Act shall be continued, insofar as it involves a function retained and transferred under this Act, with the Transportation Security Administration (to the extent the suit involves functions transferred to the Transportation Security Administration under this Act) substituted for the Federal Aviation Administration. (3) Remanded cases.— If the court in a suit described in paragraph (1) remands a case to the Transportation Security Administration, subsequent proceedings related to such case shall proceed in accordance with applicable law and regulations as in effect at the time of such subsequent proceedings. (e) Continuance of Actions Against Officers.— No suit, action, or other proceeding commenced by or against any officer in his official capacity as an officer of the Federal Aviation Administration shall abate by reason of the enactment of this Act. No cause of action by or against the Federal Aviation Administration, or by or against any officer thereof in his official capacity, shall abate by reason of the enactment of this Act. (f) Exercise of Authorities.— Except as otherwise provided by law, an officer or employee of the Transportation Security Administration may, for purposes of performing a function transferred by this Act or the amendments made by this Act, exercise all authorities under any other provision of law that were available with respect to the performance of that function to the official responsible for the performance of the function immediately before the effective date of the transfer of the function under this Act. (g) Act Defined.— In this section, the term “Act” includes the amendments made by this Act. SEC. 142. BUDGET SUBMISSIONS. The President’s budget submission for fiscal year 2003 and each fiscal year thereafter shall reflect the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration. SEC. 143. LAND ACQUISITION COSTS. In the case of a grant for land acquisition issued to an airport under chapter 471 of title 49, United States Code, prior to January 1, 1995, the Secretary of Transportation may waive the provisions of section 47108 of such title and provide an upward adjustment in the maximum obligation of the United States under that chapter to assist the airport in funding land acquisition costs (and associated eligible costs) that increased as a result of a judicial order. SEC. 144. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY FOB ACTS TO THWART CRIMINAL VIOLENCE OR AIRCRAFT PIRACY. 49 USC 44903. Section 44903 is amended by adding at the end the following: “(h) Limitation on Liability for Acts To Thwart Criminal Violence or Aircraft Piracy.— An individual shall not be liable for damages in any action brought in a Federal or State court arising out of the acts of the individual in attempting to thwart an act of criminal violence or piracy on an aircraft if that individual reasonably believed that such an act of criminal violence or piracy was occurring or was about to occur. ” . SEC. 145. AIR CARRIERS REQUIRED TO HONOR TICKETS FOR SUSPENDED SERVICE. (a) In General.— Each air carrier that provides scheduled air transportation on a route shall provide, to the extent practicable, air transportation to passengers ticketed for air transportation on that route by any other air carrier that suspends, interrupts, or discontinues air passenger service on the route by reason of insolvency or bankruptcy of the other air carrier. (b) Passenger Obligation.— An air carrier is not required Deadline. to provide air transportation under subsection (a) to a passenger unless that passenger makes alternative arrangements with the air carrier for such transportation within 60 days after the date on which that passenger’s air transportation was suspended, interrupted, or discontinued (without regard to the originally scheduled travel date on the ticket). (c) Sunset.— This section does not apply to air transportation the suspension, interruption, or discontinuance of which occurs more than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act. SEC. 146. AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS In ENHANCED CLASS B AIRSPACE. Upon request of an operator of an aircraft affected by the restrictions imposed under Notice to Airmen FDC 1/0618 issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other notice issued after September 11, 2001, and prior to the date of enactment of this Act that restricts the ability of United States registered aircraft to conduct operations under part 91 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, in enhanced class B airspace (as defined by such Notice), such restrictions shall cease to be in effect for the affected class of operator beginning on the 30th day following the request, unless the Secretary of Transportation publishes a notice in the Federal Register before such 30th day reimposing the restriction and explaining the reasons for the restriction. SEC. 147. AVIATION WAR RISK INSURANCE. Section 44306(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking “60 days” each place it appears and inserting “1 year”.Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010
Pub. L. 111–216 § 203(a) · 124 Stat. 2348
Added · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(h)(16)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(a), added par. (16)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (h)(16). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(a), added par. (16).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(a) Records of Employment of Pilot Applicants.— Section 44703(h) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “(16) Applicability.— This subsection shall cease to be effective on the date specified in regulations issued under subsection (i).” .Effective date note
Pub. L. 111–249, § 6, Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628, provided that the amendments made by section 6 of Pub. L. 111–249 are effective as of Aug. 1, 2010, and as if included in Pub. L. 111–216 as enacted.Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010
Pub. L. 111–216 § 203(b)(2) · 124 Stat. 2348
Redesignated · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(i)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(b)(2), added subsec. (i). Former subsec. (i) redesignated (j)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(b)(2), added subsec. (i). Former subsec. (i) redesignated (j).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(2) by inserting after subsection (h) the following: “(i) FAA Pilot Records Database.— “(1) In general.— Before allowing an individual to begin service as a pilot, an air carrier shall access and evaluate, in accordance with the requirements of this subsection, information pertaining to the individual from the pilot records database established under paragraph (2). “(2) Pilot records database.— The Administrator shall establish an electronic database (in this subsection referred to as the ‘database’) containing the following records: “(A) FAA records.— From the Administrator— “(i) records that are maintained by the Administrator concerning current airman certificates, including airman medical certificates and associated type ratings and information on any limitations to those certificates and ratings; “(ii) records that are maintained by the Administrator concerning any failed attempt of an individual to pass a practical test required to obtain a certificate or type rating under part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and “(iii) summaries of legal enforcement actions resulting in a finding by the Administrator of a violation of this title or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this title that was not subsequently overturned. “(B) Air carrier and other records.— From any air carrier or other person (except a branch of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces) that has employed an individual as a pilot of a civil or public aircraft, or from the trustee in bankruptcy for the air carrier or person— “(i) records pertaining to the individual that are maintained by the air carrier (other than records relating to flight time, duty time, or rest time) or person, including records under regulations set forth in— “(I) section 121.683 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; “(II) section 121.111(a) of such title; “(III) section 121.219(a) of such title; “(IV) section 125.401 of such title; and “(V) section 135.63(a)(4) of such title; and “(ii) other records pertaining to the individual’s performance as a pilot that are maintained by the air carrier or person concerning— “(I) the training, qualifications, proficiency, or professional competence of the individual, including comments and evaluations made by a check airman designated in accordance with section 121.411, 125.295, or 135.337 of such title; “(II) any disciplinary action taken with respect to the individual that was not subsequently overturned; and “(III) any release from employment or resignation, termination, or disqualification with respect to employment. “(C) National driver register records.— In accordance with section 30305(b)(8) of this title, from the chief driver licensing official of a State, information concerning the motor vehicle driving record of the individual. “(3) Written consent; release from liability.— An air carrier— “(A) shall obtain the written consent of an individual before accessing records pertaining to the individual under paragraph (1); and “(B) may, notwithstanding any other provision of law or agreement to the contrary, require an individual with respect to whom the carrier is accessing records under paragraph (1) to execute a release from liability for any claim arising from accessing the records or the use of such records by the air carrier in accordance with this section (other than a claim arising from furnishing information known to be false and maintained in violation of a criminal statute). “(4) Reporting.— “(A) Reporting by administrator.— The Administrator shall enter data described in paragraph (2)(A) into the database promptly to ensure that an individual’s records are current. “(B) Reporting by air carriers and other persons.— “(i) In general.— Air carriers and other persons shall report data described in paragraphs (2)(B) and (2)(C) to the Administrator promptly for entry into the database. “(ii) Data to be reported.— Air carriers and other persons shall report, at a minimum, under clause (i) the following data described in paragraph (2)(B): “(I) Records that are generated by the air carrier or other person after the date of enactment of this paragraph. “(II) Records that the air carrier or other person is maintaining, on such date of enactment, pursuant to subsection (h)(4). “(5) Requirement to maintain records.— The Administrator— “(A) shall maintain all records entered into the database under paragraph (2) pertaining to an individual until the date of receipt of notification that the individual is deceased; and “(B) may remove the individual’s records from the database after that date. “(6) Receipt of consent.— The Administrator shall not permit an air carrier to access records pertaining to an individual from the database under paragraph (1) without the air carrier first demonstrating to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the air carrier has obtained the written consent of the individual. “(7) Right of pilot to review certain records and correct inaccuracies.— Notwithstanding any other provision of law or agreement, the Administrator, upon receipt of written request from an individual— “(A) shall make available, not later than 30 days after the date of the request, to the individual for review all records referred to in paragraph (2) pertaining to the individual; and “(B) shall provide the individual with a reasonable opportunity to submit written comments to correct any inaccuracies contained in the records. “(8) Reasonable charges for processing requests and furnishing copies.— “(A) In general.— The Administrator may establish a reasonable charge for the cost of processing a request under paragraph (1) or (7) and for the cost of furnishing copies of requested records under paragraph (7). “(B) Crediting appropriations.— Funds received by the Administrator pursuant to this paragraph shall— “(i) be credited to the appropriation current when the amount is received; “(ii) be merged with and available for the purposes of such appropriation; and “(iii) remain available until expended. “(9) Privacy protections.— “(A) Use of records.— An air carrier that accesses records pertaining to an individual under paragraph (1) may use the records only to assess the qualifications of the individual in deciding whether or not to hire the individual as a pilot. The air carrier shall take such actions as may be necessary to protect the privacy of the individual and the confidentiality of the records accessed, including ensuring that information contained in the records is not divulged to any individual that is not directly involved in the hiring decision. “(B) Disclosure of information.— “(i) In general.— Except as provided by clause (ii), information collected by the Administrator under paragraph (2) shall be exempt from the disclosure requirements of section 552 of title 5. “(ii) Exceptions.— Clause (i) shall not apply to— “(I) deidentified, summarized information to explain the need for changes in policies and regulations; “(II) information to correct a condition that compromises safety; “(III) information to carry out a criminal investigation or prosecution; “(IV) information to comply with section 44905, regarding information about threats to civil aviation; and “(V) such information as the Administrator determines necessary, if withholding the information would not be consistent with the safety responsibilities of the Federal Aviation Administration. “(10) Periodic review.— Not later Deadlines. Statement. than 18 months after the date of enactment of this paragraph, and at least once every 3 years thereafter, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress a statement that contains, taking into account recent developments in the aviation industry— “(A) recommendations by the Administrator concerning proposed changes to Federal Aviation Administration records, air carrier records, and other records required to be included in the database under paragraph (2); or “(B) reasons why the Administrator does not recommend any proposed changes to the records referred to in subparagraph (A). “(11) Regulations for protection and security of records.— The Administrator shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary— “(A) to protect and secure— “(i) the personal privacy of any individual whose records are accessed under paragraph (1); and “(ii) the confidentiality of those records; and “(B) to preclude the further dissemination of records received under paragraph (1) by the person who accessed the records. “(12) Good faith exception.— Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an air carrier may allow an individual to begin service as a pilot, without first obtaining information described in paragraph (2)(B) from the database pertaining to the individual, if— “(A) the air carrier has made a documented good faith attempt to access the information from the database; and “(B) the air carrier has received written notice from the Administrator that the information is not contained in the database because the individual was employed by an air carrier or other person that no longer exists or by a foreign government or other entity that has not provided the information to the database. “(13) Limitations on electronic access to records.— “(A) Access by individuals designated by air carriers.— For the purpose of increasing timely and efficient access to records described in paragraph (2), the Administrator may allow, under terms established by the Administrator, an individual designated by an air carrier to have electronic access to the database. “(B) Terms.— The terms established by the Administrator under subparagraph (A) for allowing a designated individual to have electronic access to the database shall limit such access to instances in which information in the database is required by the designated individual in making a hiring decision concerning a pilot applicant and shall require that the designated individual provide assurances satisfactory to the Administrator that— “(i) the designated individual has received the written consent of the pilot applicant to access the information; and “(ii) information obtained using such access will not be used for any purpose other than making the hiring decision. “(14) Authorized expenditures.— Of amounts appropriated under section 106(k)(1), a total of $6,000,000 for fiscal years 2010 through 2013 may be used to carry out this subsection. “(15) Regulations.— “(A) In general.— The Administrator shall issue regulations to carry out this subsection. “(B) Effective date.— The regulations shall specify the date on which the requirements of this subsection take effect and the date on which the requirements of subsection (h) cease to be effective. “(C) Exceptions.— Notwithstanding subparagraph (B)— “(i) the Administrator shall begin to establish the database under paragraph (2) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph; “(ii) the Administrator shall maintain records in accordance with paragraph (5) beginning on the date of enactment of this paragraph; and “(iii) air carriers and other persons shall maintain records to be reported to the database under paragraph (4)(B) in the period beginning on such date of enactment and ending on the date that is 5 years after the requirements of subsection (h) cease to be effective pursuant to subparagraph (B). “(16) Special rule.— During the Time period. Applicability. one-year period beginning on the date on which the requirements of this section become effective pursuant to paragraph (15)(B), paragraph (7)(A) shall be applied by substituting ‘45 days’ for ‘30 days’.” .Effective date note
Pub. L. 111–249, § 6, Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628, provided that the amendments made by section 6 of Pub. L. 111–249 are effective as of Aug. 1, 2010, and as if included in Pub. L. 111–216 as enacted.Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010
Pub. L. 111–216 § 203(c)(1)(A) · 124 Stat. 2348
Amended · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(j)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(A), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3)
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(j)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(A), as substituted “Limitations” for “Limitation” in heading
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(A), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3), substituted “Limitations” for “Limitation” in heading.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(A) in the subsection heading by striking “Limitation” and inserting “Limitations”;Effective date note
Pub. L. 111–249, § 6, Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628, provided that the amendments made by section 6 of Pub. L. 111–249 are effective as of Aug. 1, 2010, and as if included in Pub. L. 111–216 as enacted.Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010
Pub. L. 111–216 § 203(b)(1) · 124 Stat. 2348
Redesignated · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(j)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (i) as (j). Former subsec. (j) redesignated (k)
Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (i) as (j). Former subsec. (j) redesignated (k).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) by redesignating subsections (i) and (j) as subsections (j) and (k), respectively; andEffective date note
Pub. L. 111–249, § 6, Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628, provided that the amendments made by section 6 of Pub. L. 111–249 are effective as of Aug. 1, 2010, and as if included in Pub. L. 111–216 as enacted.Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010
Pub. L. 111–216 § 203(c)(1)(B)(i) · 124 Stat. 2348
Amended · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(j)(1)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(B)(i), (iii), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3)
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(j)(1)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(B)(i), (iii), as substituted “subsection (h)(2) or (i)(3)” for “paragraph (2)” in concluding provisions
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(j)(1)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(B)(i), (iii), as substituted “subsection (h) or (i)” for “subsection (h)” in concluding provisions
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (j)(1). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(B)(i), (iii), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3), substituted “subsection (h)(2) or (i)(3)” for “paragraph (2)” in introductory provisions and “subsection (h) or (i)” for “subsection (h)” in concluding provisions.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking “paragraph (2)” and inserting “subsection (h)(2) or (i)(3)”;Effective date note
Pub. L. 111–249, § 6, Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628, provided that the amendments made by section 6 of Pub. L. 111–249 are effective as of Aug. 1, 2010, and as if included in Pub. L. 111–216 as enacted.Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010
Pub. L. 111–216 § 203(c)(1)(B)(ii) · 124 Stat. 2348
Amended · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(j)(1)(A)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(B)(ii), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3)
Inserted · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(j)(1)(A)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(B)(ii), as inserted “or accessing the records of that individual under subsection (i)(1)” before semicolon
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (j)(1)(A). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(B)(ii), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3), inserted “or accessing the records of that individual under subsection (i)(1)” before semicolon.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(ii) in subparagraph (A) by inserting “or accessing the records of that individual under subsection (i)(1)” before the semicolon; andEffective date note
Pub. L. 111–249, § 6, Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628, provided that the amendments made by section 6 of Pub. L. 111–249 are effective as of Aug. 1, 2010, and as if included in Pub. L. 111–216 as enacted.Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010
Pub. L. 111–216 § 203(c)(1)(C) · 124 Stat. 2348
Amended · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(j)(2)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(C), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3)
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(j)(2)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(C), as substituted “subsection (h) or (i)” for “subsection (h)”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (j)(2). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(C), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3), substituted “subsection (h) or (i)” for “subsection (h)”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(C) in paragraph (2) by striking “subsection (h)” and inserting “subsection (h) or (i)”;Effective date note
Pub. L. 111–249, § 6, Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628, provided that the amendments made by section 6 of Pub. L. 111–249 are effective as of Aug. 1, 2010, and as if included in Pub. L. 111–216 as enacted.Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010
Pub. L. 111–216 § 203(c)(1)(D) · 124 Stat. 2348
Amended · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(j)(3)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(D), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3)
Inserted · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(j)(3)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(D), as inserted “or who furnished information to the database established under subsection (i)(2)” after “subsection (h)(1)” in introductory provisions
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (j)(3). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(D), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3), inserted “or who furnished information to the database established under subsection (i)(2)” after “subsection (h)(1)” in introductory provisions.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(D) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting “or who furnished information to the database established under subsection (i)(2)” after “subsection (h)(1)”; andEffective date note
Pub. L. 111–249, § 6, Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628, provided that the amendments made by section 6 of Pub. L. 111–249 are effective as of Aug. 1, 2010, and as if included in Pub. L. 111–216 as enacted.Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010
Pub. L. 111–216 § 203(c)(1)(E) · 124 Stat. 2348
Amended · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(j)(4)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(E), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3)
Added · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(j)(4)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(E), as added par. (4)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (j)(4). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(E), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3), added par. (4).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(E) by adding at the end the following: “(4) Prohibition on actions and proceedings against air carriers.— “(A) Hiring decisions.— An air carrier may refuse to hire an individual as a pilot if the individual did not provide written consent for the air carrier to receive records under subsection (h)(2)(A) or (i)(3)(A) or did not execute the release from liability requested under subsection (h)(2)(B) or (i)(3)(B). “(B) Actions and proceedings.— No action or proceeding may be brought against an air carrier by or on behalf of an individual who has applied for or is seeking a position as a pilot with the air carrier if the air carrier refused to hire the individual after the individual did not provide written consent for the air carrier to receive records under subsection (h)(2)(A) or (i)(3)(A) or did not execute a release from liability requested under subsection (h)(2)(B) or (i)(3)(B).” .Effective date note
Pub. L. 111–249, § 6, Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628, provided that the amendments made by section 6 of Pub. L. 111–249 are effective as of Aug. 1, 2010, and as if included in Pub. L. 111–216 as enacted.Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010
Pub. L. 111–216 § 203(c)(2) · 124 Stat. 2348
Amended · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(k)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(2), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(4)
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(k)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(2), as substituted “subsection (h) or (i)” for “subsection (h)”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(2), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(4), substituted “subsection (h) or (i)” for “subsection (h)”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(2) Limitation on statutory construction.— Section 44703(k) (as redesignated by subsection (b)(1) of this section) is amended by striking “subsection (h)” and inserting “subsection (h) or (i)”.Effective date note
Pub. L. 111–249, § 6, Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628, provided that the amendments made by section 6 of Pub. L. 111–249 are effective as of Aug. 1, 2010, and as if included in Pub. L. 111–216 as enacted.Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010
Pub. L. 111–216 § 203(b)(1) · 124 Stat. 2348
Redesignated · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(k)
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (j) as (k)
Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (j) as (k).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) by redesignating subsections (i) and (j) as subsections (j) and (k), respectively; andEffective date note
Pub. L. 111–249, § 6, Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628, provided that the amendments made by section 6 of Pub. L. 111–249 are effective as of Aug. 1, 2010, and as if included in Pub. L. 111–216 as enacted.FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012
Pub. L. 112–95 § 301(a) · 126 Stat. 11
Added · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(d)(3)
Pub. L. 112–95, § 301(a), added par. (3)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 112–95, § 301(a), added par. (3).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(a) Judicial Review of NTSB Decisions.— Section 44703(d) is amended by adding at the end the following: “(3) A person who is substantially affected by an order of the Board under this subsection, or the Administrator if the Administrator decides that an order of the Board will have a significant adverse impact on carrying out this subtitle, may seek judicial review of the order under section 46110. The Administrator shall be made a party to the judicial review proceedings. The findings of fact of the Board in any such case are conclusive if supported by substantial evidence.” .FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012
Pub. L. 112–95 § 310(c) · 126 Stat. 11
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(i)(9)(B)(i)
Pub. L. 112–95, § 310(c), substituted “section 552(b)(3)(B) of title 5” for “section 552 of title 5”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (i)(9)(B)(i). Pub. L. 112–95, § 310(c), substituted “section 552(b)(3)(B) of title 5” for “section 552 of title 5”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(c) Technical Correction.— Section 44703(i)(9)(B)(i) is amended by striking “section 552 of title 5” and inserting “section 552(b)(3)(B) of title 5”.Pilot’s Bill of Rights
Pub. L. 112–153 § 2(c)(1) · 126 Stat. 1159
Struck · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(d)(2)
Pub. L. 112–153 struck out “but is bound by all validly adopted interpretations of laws and regulations the Administrator carries out unless the Board finds an interpretation is arbitrary, capricious, or otherwise not according to law” after “Federal Aviation Administration”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 112–153 struck out “but is bound by all validly adopted interpretations of laws and regulations the Administrator carries out unless the Board finds an interpretation is arbitrary, capricious, or otherwise not according to law” after “Federal Aviation Administration”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) Airman certificates.— Section 44703(d)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking “but is bound by all validly adopted interpretations of laws and regulations the Administrator carries out unless the Board finds an interpretation is arbitrary, capricious, or otherwise not according to law”.FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016
Pub. L. 114–190 title II § 2101 · 130 Stat. 615
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(i)(2)
Pub. L. 114–190 substituted “Not later than April 30, 2017, the Administrator shall establish and make available for use” for “The Administrator shall establish”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 114–190 substituted “Not later than April 30, 2017, the Administrator shall establish and make available for use” for “The Administrator shall establish”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
SEC. 2101. PILOT RECORDS DATABASE DEADLINE. Section 44703(i)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking “The Administrator shall establish” and inserting “Not later than April 30, 2017, the Administrator shall establish and make available for use”.Pub. L. 118–63 title VIII § 813 · 138 Stat. 1327
Added · 49 U.S.C. § 44703(l)
Pub. L. 118–63 added subsec. (l)
Unresolved: Pub. L. 118–63 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 118–63 added subsec. (l).
29 of 33 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 3 partial · 1 unresolved
Notes
historicalAndRevision
| Historical and Revision Notes | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevisedSection | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 44703(a) | 49 App.:1422(b)(1) (1st sentence, 2d sentence words before 6th comma). | Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, § 602(b)(1), 72 Stat. 776; Oct. 19, 1984, Pub. L. 98–499, § 3, 98 Stat. 2313; Aug. 26, 1992, Pub. L. 102–345, § 4, 106 Stat. 926. |
| 49 App.:1655(c)(1). | Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, § 6(c)(1), 80 Stat. 938; Jan. 12, 1983, Pub. L. 97–449, § 7(b), 96 Stat. 2444. | |
| 44703(b) | 49 App.:1422(a) (11th–last words). | Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, § 602(a) (9th–last words), (c), 72 Stat. 776. |
| 49 App.:1422(b)(1) (2d sentence words after 6th comma), (c). | ||
| 49 App.:1655(c)(1). | ||
| 44703(c)(1) | 49 App.:1422(b)(1) (3d sentence). | |
| 44703(c)(2) | 49 App.:1422(b)(1) (4th, 5th sentences, last sentence words before proviso). | |
| 49 App.:1655(c)(1). | ||
| 44703(d) | 49 App.:1422(b)(1) (last sentence proviso). | |
| 49 App.:1655(c)(1). | ||
| 44703(e) | 49 App.:1422(b)(2)(A), (B). | Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, 72 Stat. 731, § 602(b)(2)(A), (B); added Oct. 19, 1984, Pub. L. 98–499, § 3, 98 Stat. 2313; restated Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, § 7204(a), 102 Stat. 4425. |
| 44703(f)(1) | 49 App.:1422(d). | Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, 72 Stat. 731, § 602(d); added Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, § 7205(a), 102 Stat. 4426. |
| 44703(f)(2) | 49 App.:1401 (note). | Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, § 7207(a) (1st sentence), (b), 102 Stat. 4427. |
In subsections (a)–(d), the word “Administrator” in section 602(a), (b)(1), and (c) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (Public Law 85–726, 72 Stat. 776) is retained on authority of 49:106(g).
In subsection (a), the text of 49 App.:1422(b) (1st sentence) is omitted as surplus. The words “is qualified” are substituted for “possesses proper qualifications” to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “to be authorized by the certificate” are substituted for “for which the airman certificate is sought” for clarity.
In subsection (b)(1)(C), the words “conditions, and limitations” are omitted as being included in “terms”.
In subsection (b)(1)(E), the word “designate” is substituted for “be entitled with the designation of” to eliminate unnecessary words.
In subsection (c)(1), before clause (A), the words “may appeal . . . to” are substituted for “may file with . . . a petition for review of the Secretary of Transportation’s action” for consistency with section 1109 of the revised title. The words “the individual holds a certificate that” are substituted for “persons whose certificates” for clarity.
In subsection (c)(2), the words “conduct a hearing on the appeal” are substituted for “thereupon assign such petition for hearing” for consistency. The words “In the conduct of such hearing and in determining whether the airman meets the pertinent rules, regulations, or standards” are omitted as surplus. The word “Administrator” is substituted for “Federal Aviation Administration” because of 49:106(b) and (g). The words “meets the applicable regulations” are substituted for “meets the pertinent rules, regulations” because “rules” and “regulations” are synonymous and for consistency in the revised title.
In subsection (d), before clause (1), the words “in his discretion” are omitted as surplus. In clause (2), the words “the terms of” and “entered into” are omitted as surplus. The words “government of a foreign country” are substituted for “foreign governments” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.
In subsection (f)(1), before clause (A), the words “established under this chapter” and “to pilots” are omitted as surplus.
In subsection (f)(2), the words “Not later than ” and “final” are omitted as obsolete. The words “Administrator of Drug Enforcement” are substituted for “Drug Enforcement Administration of the Department of Justice” because of section 5(a) of Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1973 (eff. , 87 Stat. 1092). The words “Commissioner of Customs” are substituted for “United States Customs Service” because of 19:2071.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The date of the enactment of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), (3), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 106–181, which was approved .
The date of the enactment of the Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (h)(12), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 104–264, which was approved .
The date of enactment of this paragraph, referred to in subsec. (i)(4)(B)(ii), (10), (15)(C), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 111–216, which was approved .
Codification
The text of section 44936(f) to (h) of this title, which was transferred to the end of this section, redesignated as subsecs. (h) to (j), respectively, and amended by Pub. L. 107–71, §§ 138(b), 140(a), was based on Pub. L. 104–264, title V, § 502(a), , 110 Stat. 3259; amended Pub. L. 105–102, § 2(25), , 111 Stat. 2205; Pub. L. 105–142, § 1, , 111 Stat. 2650; Pub. L. 106–181, title V, § 508(b), , 114 Stat. 140.
Amendments2000–2024 · 6 rounds
2024
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 118–63 added subsec. (l).
2016
Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 114–190 substituted “Not later than , the Administrator shall establish and make available for use” for “The Administrator shall establish”.
2012
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 112–153 struck out “but is bound by all validly adopted interpretations of laws and regulations the Administrator carries out unless the Board finds an interpretation is arbitrary, capricious, or otherwise not according to law” after “Federal Aviation Administration”.
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 112–95, § 301(a), added par. (3).
Subsec. (i)(9)(B)(i). Pub. L. 112–95, § 310(c), substituted “section 552(b)(3)(B) of title 5” for “section 552 of title 5”.
2010
Subsec. (h)(16). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(a), added par. (16).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(b)(2), added subsec. (i). Former subsec. (i) redesignated (j).
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(A), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3), substituted “Limitations” for “Limitation” in heading.
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (i) as (j). Former subsec. (j) redesignated (k).
Subsec. (j)(1). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(B)(i), (iii), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3), substituted “subsection (h)(2) or (i)(3)” for “paragraph (2)” in introductory provisions and “subsection (h) or (i)” for “subsection (h)” in concluding provisions.
Subsec. (j)(1)(A). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(B)(ii), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3), inserted “or accessing the records of that individual under subsection (i)(1)” before semicolon.
Subsec. (j)(2). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(C), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3), substituted “subsection (h) or (i)” for “subsection (h)”.
Subsec. (j)(3). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(D), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3), inserted “or who furnished information to the database established under subsection (i)(2)” after “subsection (h)(1)” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (j)(4). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(1)(E), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3), added par. (4).
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(c)(2), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(4), substituted “subsection (h) or (i)” for “subsection (h)”.
Pub. L. 111–216, § 203(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (j) as (k).
2001
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 107–71, § 129(1), in first sentence, substituted “needs of airmen” for “needs of pilots” and inserted “and related to combating acts of terrorism” before period at end.
Subsec. (g)(3), (4). Pub. L. 107–71, § 129(2), added pars. (3) and (4).
Subsecs. (h) to (j). Pub. L. 107–71, §§ 138(b), 140(a), amended section identically, redesignating subsecs. (f) to (h) of section 44936 of this title as subsecs. (h) to (j), respectively, of this section, and substituting “subsection (h)” for “subsection (f)” wherever appearing in subsecs. (i) and (j). See Codification note above.
2000
Subsecs. (c) to (g). Pub. L. 106–181 added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsecs. (c) to (f) as (d) to (g), respectively.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
“Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection” substituted for “Commissioner of Customs” in subsec. (g)(2) on authority of section 802(d)(2) of Pub. L. 114–125, set out as a note under section 211 of Title 6, Domestic Security.
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Pub. L. 111–249, § 6, , 124 Stat. 2628, provided that the amendments made by section 6 of Pub. L. 111–249 are effective as of , and as if included in Pub. L. 111–216 as enacted.
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 106–181 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after , see section 3 of Pub. L. 106–181, set out as a note under section 106 of this title.
Termination Date
Subsec. (h) of this section ceased to be effective beginning on , pursuant to par. (16) of that subsec. See 14 C.F.R. § 111.5(b).
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 203(1), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of , as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6. For establishment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security, treated as if included in Pub. L. 107–296 as of , see section 211 of Title 6, as amended generally by Pub. L. 114–125, and section 802(b) of Pub. L. 114–125, set out as a note under section 211 of Title 6.
Deemed References to Chapters 509 and 511 of Title 51
General references to “this title” deemed to refer also to chapters 509 and 511 of Title 51, National and Commercial Space Programs, see section 4(d)(8) of Pub. L. 111–314, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.
Enhanced Qualification Program for Restricted Airline Transport Pilot Certificate
Pub. L. 118–63, title III, § 372, , 138 Stat. 1139, provided that:
“(a) Program.—
“(1) In general.—
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall establish the requirements for a program to be known as the Enhanced Qualification Program (in this section referred to as the ‘Program’) under which—
“(A) qualified air carriers are certified by the Administrator to provide enhanced training for eligible pilots seeking to obtain restricted airline transport certificates, either directly by the air carrier or by a certified training institution under part 141 or part 142 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, that is under contract with the qualified air carrier; and
“(B) qualified instructors and evaluators provide enhanced training to eligible pilots pursuant to the curriculum requirements under paragraph (4).
“(2) Qualified instructors and evaluators.—
Under the Program—
“(A) all testing and training shall be performed by qualified instructors; and
“(B) all evaluations shall be performed by qualified evaluators.
“(3) Pilot assessment.—
Under the Program, the Administrator shall establish guidelines for an assessment that prospective pilots are required to pass in order to participate in the training under the Program. Such assessment shall include an evaluation of the pilot’s aptitude, ability, and readiness for operation of transport category aircraft.
“(4) Program curriculum.—
Under the Program, the Administrator shall establish requirements for the curriculum to be provided under the Program. Such curriculum shall include—
“(A) a nationally standardized, non-air carrier or aircraft-specific training curriculum which shall—
“(i) ensure prospective pilots have appropriate knowledge at the commercial pilot certificate, multi-engine rating, and instrument rating level;
“(ii) introduce the pilots to concepts associated with air carrier operations;
“(iii) meet all requirements for an ATP Certification Training Program under part 61.156 or part 142 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and
“(iv) include a course of instruction designed to prepare the prospective pilot to take the ATP Multiengine Airplane Knowledge Test;
“(B) an aircraft-specific training curriculum, developed by the air carrier using objectives and learning standards developed by the Administrator, which shall—
“(i) only be administered to prospective pilots who have completed the requirements under subparagraph (A);
“(ii) resemble a type rating training curriculum that includes aircraft ground and flight training that culminates in—
“(I) the completion of a maneuvers evaluation that incorporates elements of a type rating practical test; or
“(II) at the discretion of the air carrier, an actual type rating practical test resulting in the issuance of a type rating for the specific aircraft; and
“(iii) ensure the prospective pilot has an adequate understanding and working knowledge of transport category aircraft automation and autoflight systems; and
“(C) air carrier-specific procedures using objectives and learning standards developed by the Administrator to further expand on the concepts described in subparagraphs (A) and (B), which shall—
“(i) only be administered to prospective pilots who have completed requirements under subparagraphs (A) and (B) and an ATP Multiengine Airplane Knowledge Test;
“(ii) include instructions on air carrier checklist usage and standard operating procedures; and
“(iii) integrate aircraft-specific training in appropriate flight simulation training devices representing the specific aircraft type, including complete crew resource management and scenario-based training.
“(5) Application and certification.—
Under the Program, the Administrator shall establish a process for air carriers to apply for training program certification. Such process shall include a review to ensure that the training provided by the air carrier will meet the requirements of this section, including—
“(A) the assessment requirements under paragraph (3);
“(B) the curriculum requirements under paragraph (4);
“(C) the requirements for qualified instructors under subsection (d)(5); and
“(D) the requirements for eligible pilots under subsection (d)(2).
“(6) Data.—
Under the Program, the Administrator shall require that each qualified air carrier participating in the Program collect and submit to the Administrator such data from the Program that the Administrator determines is appropriate for the Administrator to provide for oversight of the Program.
“(7) Regular inspection.—
Under the Program, the Administrator shall provide for the regular inspection of qualified air carriers certified under paragraph (5) to ensure that the air carrier continues to meet the requirements under the Program.
“(b) Regulations.—
The Administrator may issue regulations or guidance as determined necessary to carry out the Program.
“(c) Clarification Regarding Required Flight Hours.—
The provisions of this section shall have no effect on the total flight hours required under part 61.159 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to receive an airline transport pilot certificate, or the Administrator’s authority under section 217(d) of the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 [Pub. L. 111–216] (49 U.S.C. 44701 note) (as in effect on the date of enactment of this section []).
“(d) Definitions.—
In this section:
“(1) Air carrier.—
The term ‘air carrier’ has the meaning given that term in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code.
“(2) Eligible pilot.—
The term ‘eligible pilot’ means a pilot that—
“(A) has—
“(i) graduated from a United States Armed Forces undergraduate pilot training school;
“(ii) obtained a degree with an aviation major from an institution of higher education (as defined in part 61.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations) that has been issued a letter of authorization by the Administrator under part 61.169 of such title 14; or
“(iii) completed flight and ground training for a commercial pilot certificate in the airplane category and an airplane instrument rating at a certified training institution under part 141 of such title 14;
“(B) has a current commercial pilot certificate under part 61.123 of such title 14, with airplane category multi-engine and instrument ratings under part 61.129 of such title 14; and
“(C) meets the pilot assessment requirements under subsection (a)(3).
“(3) Qualified air carrier.—
The term ‘qualified air carrier’ means an air carrier that has been issued a part 119 operating certificate for conducting operations under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
“(4) Qualified evaluator.—
The term ‘qualified evaluator’ means an individual that meets the requirements for a training center evaluator under part 142.55 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or for check airmen under part 121.411 of such title.
“(5) Qualified instructor.—
The term ‘qualified instructor’ means an individual that—
“(A) is qualified in accordance with the minimum training requirements for an ATP Certification Training Program under paragraphs (1) through (3) of part 121.410(b) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;
“(B) if the instructor is a flight instructor, is qualified in accordance with part 121.410(b)(4) of such title;
“(C) if the instructor is administering type rating practical tests, is qualified as an appropriate examiner for such rating;
“(D) received training in threat and error management, facilitation, and risk mitigation determined appropriate by the Administrator; and
“(E) meets any other requirement determined appropriate by the Administrator.”
Civil Airmen Statistics
Pub. L. 118–63, title IV, § 402, , 138 Stat. 1148, provided that:
“(a) Publication Frequency.—
The Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall publish the study commonly referred to as the ‘U.S. Civil Airmen Statistics’ on a monthly basis.
“(b) Presentation of Data.—
The Administrator shall make the data from the study under subsection (a) publicly available on the website of the Administration in a user-friendly, downloadable format.
“(c) Expanded Data Criteria.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Administrator shall ensure that data sets and tables published as part of the study described in subsection (a) display information relating to the sex of certificate holders in more instances.
“(d) Historical Data.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall make all previously published annual data from the study described in subsection (a) available on the website of the Administration.”
Airman’s Medical Bill of Rights
Pub. L. 118–63, title IV, § 407, , 138 Stat. 1153, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
“(1) Development.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall develop a document (in this section referred to as the ‘Airman’s Medical Bill of Rights’) detailing the rights of an individual before, during, and after a medical examination conducted by an Aviation Medical Examiner.
“(2) Contents.—
The Airman’s Medical Bill of Rights required under paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, contain information about the right of an individual to—
“(A) bring a trusted companion or request to have a chaperone present for a medical examination;
“(B) terminate an exam in accordance with guidelines from the Administrator for appropriately terminating such exam;
“(C) receive medical examination with respect and recognition of the dignity of the individual;
“(D) be assured of privacy and confidentiality;
“(E) select an Aviation Medical Examiner of the choice of the individual, as long as the Aviation Medical Examiner has the required designations;
“(F) privacy when changing, undressing, and using the restroom;
“(G) ask questions about FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] medical standards and the applicability to the current health status of the individual;
“(H) report an incident of misconduct by an Aviation Medical Examiner to the appropriate authorities, including to the State licensing board of the Aviation Medical Examiner or the FAA;
“(I) report to the Administrator an allegation regarding alleged Aviation Medical Examiner misconduct without fear of retaliation or negative action relating to an airman certificate of the individual; and
“(J) be advised of any known conflicts of interest an Aviation Medical Examiner may have with respect to the medical examination of the individual.
“(3) Public availability.—
The Airman’s Medical Bill of Rights required under paragraph (1) shall be—
“(A) made available to, and acknowledged by, an individual in the MedXpress system (or any successor system);
“(B) made available in a hard-copy format by an Aviation Medical Examiner at the time of exam upon request by an individual; and
“(C) displayed in a common space in the office of the Aviation Medical Examiner.
“(b) Expectations for Medical Examinations.—
“(1) In general.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop a simplified document explaining the standard procedures performed during a medical examination conducted by an Aviation Medical Examiner.
“(2) Public availability.—
The document required under paragraph (1) shall be—
“(A) made available to, and acknowledged by, an individual in the MedXpress system (or any successor system);
“(B) made available in a hard-copy format by an Aviation Medical Examiner at the time of exam upon request by an individual; and
“(C) displayed in a common space in the office of the Aviation Medical Examiner.”
Improved Designee Misconduct Reporting Process
Pub. L. 118–63, title IV, § 408, , 138 Stat. 1154, provided that:
“(a) Improved Designee Misconduct Reporting Process.—
“(1) In general.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall establish a streamlined process for individuals involved in incidents of alleged misconduct by a designee to report such incidents in a manner that protects the privacy and confidentiality of such individuals.
“(2) Public access to reporting process.—
The process for reporting alleged misconduct by a designee shall be made available to the public on the website of the Administration, including—
“(A) the designee locator search webpage; and
“(B) the webpage of the Office of Audit and Evaluation of the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration].
“(3) Obligation to report criminal charges.—
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise the orders and policies governing the Designee Management System to clarify that designees are obligated to report any arrest, indictment, or conviction for violation of a local, State, or Federal law within a period of time specified by the Administrator.
“(4) Audit of reporting process by inspector general.—
“(A) In general.—
Not later than 3 years after the date on which the Administrator finalizes the update of the reporting process under paragraph (1), the inspector general of the Department of Transportation shall conduct an audit of such reporting process.
“(B) Contents.—
In conducting the audit of the reporting process described in subparagraph (A), the inspector general shall, at a minimum—
“(i) review the efforts of the Administration to improve the reporting process and solutions developed to respond to and investigate allegations of misconduct;
“(ii) analyze reports of misconduct brought to the Administrator prior to any changes made to the reporting process as a result of the enactment of this Act [Pub. L. 118–63], including the ultimate outcomes of those reports and whether any reports resulted in the Administrator taking action against the accused designee;
“(iii) determine whether the reporting process results in appropriate action, including reviewing, investigating, and closing out reports; and
“(iv) if applicable, make recommendations to improve the reporting process.
“(C) Report.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of initiation of the audit described in subparagraph (A), the inspector general shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] a report on the results of such audit, including findings and recommendations.
“(b) Designee Defined.—
In this section, the term ‘designee’ means an individual who has been designated to act as a representative of the Administrator as—
“(1) an Aviation Medical Examiner (as described in section 183.21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations);
“(2) a pilot examiner (as described in section 183.23 of such title); or
“(3) a technical personnel examiner (as described in section 183.25 of such title).”
Aeromedical Innovation and Modernization Working Group
Pub. L. 118–63, title IV, § 411, , 138 Stat. 1156, provided that:
“(a) Establishment.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall establish a working group (in this section referred to as the ‘working group’) to review the medical processes, policies, and procedures of the Administration and to make recommendations to the Administrator on modernizing such processes, policies, and procedures to ensure timely and efficient certification of airmen.
“(b) Membership.—
“(1) In general.—
The working group shall consist of—
“(A) 2 co-chairs described in paragraph (2); and
“(B) not less than 15 individuals appointed by the Administrator, each of whom shall have knowledge or a background in aerospace medicine, psychiatry, neurology, cardiology, or internal medicine.
“(2) Co-chairs.—
The working group shall be co-chaired by—
“(A) the Federal Air Surgeon of the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration]; and
“(B) a member described under paragraph (1)(A) to be selected by members of the working group.
“(3) Preference.—
The Administrator, in appointing members pursuant to paragraph (1)(B), shall give preference to—
“(A) Aviation Medical Examiners (as described in section 183.21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations);
“(B) licensed medical physicians;
“(C) practitioners holding a pilot certificate; and
“(D) individuals having demonstrated research and expertise in aeromedical research or sciences.
“(c) Activities.—
In reviewing the aeromedical decision-making processes, policies, and procedures of the Administration in accordance with subsection (a), the working group, at a minimum, shall—
“(1) assess the medical conditions an Aviation Medical Examiner may issue a medical certificate directly to an individual;
“(2) determine the appropriateness of the list of such medical conditions as of the date of enactment of this Act;
“(3) assess the special issuance process;
“(4) determine the appropriateness of whether a renewal of a special issuance can be based on a medical evaluation and treatment plan by the treating medical specialist of the individual pursuant to approval from an Aviation Medical Examiner;
“(5) evaluate advancements in technologies to address forms of red-green color blindness and determine whether such technologies may be approved for use by airmen;
“(6) review policies and guidance relating to Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder;
“(7) evaluate whether medications used to treat such disorders may be safely prescribed to airmen;
“(8) review protocols pertaining to the Human Intervention Motivation Study of the FAA;
“(9) review protocols and policies relating to—
“(A) neurological disorders; and
“(B) cardiovascular conditions to ensure alignment with medical best practices, latest research;
“(10) review mental health protocols and medications approved for treating such mental health conditions, including such actions taken resulting from recommendations by the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee;
“(11) assess processes and protocols pertaining to recertification of airmen receiving disability insurance post-recovery from the medical condition, injury, or disability that precludes airmen from exercising the privileges of an airman certificate;
“(12) assess processes and protocols pertaining to the certification of veterans reporting a disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
“(13) assess and evaluate the user interface and information-sharing capabilities of any online medical portal administered by the FAA.
“(d) Aviation Workforce Mental Health Task Group.—
“(1) Establishment.—
Not later than 120 days after the working group pursuant to subsection (a) is established, the co-chairs of such working group shall establish an aviation workforce mental health task group (referred to in this subsection as the ‘task group’) to oversee, monitor, and evaluate efforts of the Administrator related to supporting the mental health of the aviation workforce.
“(2) Composition.—
The co-chairs of such working group shall appoint—
“(A) a Chair of the task group; and
“(B) members of the task group from among the members of the working group appointed by the Administrator under subsection (b)(1).
“(3) Duties.—
The duties of the task group shall include—
“(A) carrying out the activities described in subsection (c)(10);
“(B) soliciting feedback from aviation industry professionals or other licensed professionals representing air carrier operations under part 121 and part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and general aviation operations under part 91 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;
“(C) reviewing and evaluating guidance issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization on aviation workforce mental health;
“(D) providing advice, as appropriate, on the implementation of the final recommendations issued by the inspector general of the Department of Transportation in the report titled, ‘FAA Conduct Comprehensive Evaluations of Pilots With Mental Health Challenges, but Opportunities Exist to Further Mitigate Safety Risks’, published on (AV2023038);
“(E) monitoring and evaluating the implementation of recommendations by the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee;
“(F) expanding and improving mental health outreach, education, and assistance programs for the aviation workforce; and
“(G) reducing the stigma associated with mental healthcare in the aviation workforce.
“(4) Report.—
Not later than 2 years after the date of the establishment of the task group, the task group shall submit to the Secretary [of Transportation] and the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] a report detailing—
“(A) the results of the review under paragraph (3)(A); and
“(B) progress on the implementation of recommendations pursuant to subparagraphs (D) and (E) of paragraph (3); and
“(C) the activities carried out pursuant to fulfilling the duties described in subparagraphs (F) and (G) of paragraph (3).
“(e) Support.—
The Administrator shall seek to enter into 1 or more agreements with the National Academies to support the activities of the working group described in subsection (c).
“(f) Findings and Recommendations.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the working group shall submit to the Administrator and the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the findings and recommendations resulting from the activities carried out under subsection (c).
“(g) Implementation.—
Not later than 1 year after receiving recommendations outlined in the report under subsection (f), the Administrator may take such action, as appropriate, to implement such recommendations.
“(h) Sunset.—
The working group shall terminate on .”
Medical Portal Modernization Task Group
Pub. L. 118–63, title IV, § 413, , 138 Stat. 1159, provided that:
“(a) Establishment.—
Not later than 120 days after the working group pursuant to section 411 [of Pub. L. 118–63, set out as a note above] is established, the co-chairs of such working group shall establish a medical portal modernization task group (in this section referred to as the ‘task group’) to evaluate the user interface and information sharing capabilities of an online medical portal administered by the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration].
“(b) Composition.—
The co-chairs of the working group provided for in section 411 shall appoint—
“(1) a Chair of the task group; and
“(2) members of the task group from among the members of the working group appointed by the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] under section 411(b).
“(c) Assessment; Recommendations.—
The task group shall, at a minimum, assess and evaluate the capabilities of any such medical portal and provide recommendations to improve the following:
“(1) The cybersecurity protections and protocols of any such medical portal, including the secure exchange of health information and records between Aviation Medical Examiners and pilots, or their designee, including the ability for airmen to submit additional information requested by the Administrator.
“(2) The status of an airman’s medical application and the disclosure of how long an airman can expect to wait for a final determination to be issued by the Administrator.
“(3) The disclosure of the name and contact information of the Administrator’s representative managing an airman’s case so that an Aviation Medical Examiner has a point of contact within the Administration who is familiar with an airman’s application.
“(d) Consultation.—
In carrying out the duties described in subsection (c), the task group may consult with cybersecurity experts and individuals with a knowledge of securing electronic health care transactions.
“(e) Report.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of the establishment of the task group, the task group shall submit to the Administrator and the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] a report detailing activities and recommendations of the task group.
“(f) Implementation.—
Not later than 1 year after receiving the report described in subsection (e), the Administrator may take such action as may be necessary to implement recommendations of the task group to improve any such medical portal.”
Military Aviation Maintenance Technicians Rule
Pub. L. 118–63, title IV, § 426, , 138 Stat. 1168, provided that:
“(a) Streamlined Certification for Eligible Military Maintenance Technicians.—
“(1) Rulemaking.—
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise part 65 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to—
“(A) create a military mechanic written competency test that addresses gaps between military and civilian experience; and
“(B) develop, as necessary, a relevant Airman Certification Standard to qualify eligible military maintenance technicians for a civilian mechanic certificate with airframe or powerplant ratings.
“(2) Consideration.—
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Administrator shall evaluate and consider—
“(A) whether to allow a certificate of eligibility from the Joint Services Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council (in this section referred to as the ‘JSAMTCC’) evidencing completion of a training curriculum for any rating sought to serve as a substitute to fulfill the requirement under such part 65 for oral and practical tests administered by a designated mechanic examiner for eligible military maintenance technicians;
“(B) aeronautical knowledge subject areas contained in the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards as described in section 65.75 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, as appropriate, to the rating sought; and
“(C) any applicable recommendations by the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee Airman Certification System Working Group.
“(b) Expansion of Testing Locations.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall determine—
“(1) whether an expansion of the number of active testing locations operated within military installation testing centers would increase access to testing; and
“(2) how to implement such expansion, if appropriate.
“(c) Outreach and Awareness.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall develop a plan to increase outreach and awareness regarding services made available by the JSAMTCC and how such services can assist in facilitating the transition between military and civilian aviation maintenance careers.
“(d) Briefings.—
“(1) Initial briefing.—
Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Administrator develops the outreach and awareness plan pursuant to subsection (c), the Administrator shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a briefing on the activities planned to implement the outreach and awareness plan.
“(2) Periodic briefing.—
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a briefing on any rulemaking activities carried out pursuant to subsection (a), including a timeline for the issuance of a final rule.
“(e) Eligible Military Maintenance Technician Defined.—
For purposes of this section, the term ‘eligible military maintenance technician’ means an individual who—
“(1) has been a maintenance technician during service in the armed forces who was honorably discharged or has retired from the armed forces (as defined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code);
“(2) presents an official record of service in the armed forces confirming that the individual has been a military aviation maintenance technician, holding an appropriate Military Occupational Specialty Code, as determined by the Administrator, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense; and
“(3) presents documentary evidence of experience in accordance with the requirements under section 65.77 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.”
Timely Resolution of Investigations
Pub. L. 118–63, title VIII, § 805, , 138 Stat. 1323, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
Not later than 2 years after the date of issuance of a letter of investigation to any person, as required by section 2(b) of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights [Pub. L. 112–153] (49 U.S.C. 44703 note), the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall—
“(1) make a determination regarding such investigation and pursue subsequent action; or
“(2) close such investigation.
“(b) Extension.—
“(1) In general.—
If, upon review of the facts and status of an investigation described in subsection (a), the Administrator determines that the time provided to make a final determination or close such investigation is insufficient, the Administrator shall approve an extension of such investigation for 2 years.
“(2) Additional extensions.—
The Administrator may approve consecutive extensions under paragraph (1).
“(c) Delegation.—
The Administrator may not delegate the authority to approve an extension described in subsection (b) to anyone other than the leadership of the Administration as described in section 106(b) of title 49, United States Code.”
All Makes and Models Authorization
Pub. L. 118–63, title VIII, § 806, , 138 Stat. 1323, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
“(1) Unlimited letter of authorization.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall take such action as may be necessary to allow for the issuance of letters of authorizations to airmen with the authorization for—
“(A) all types and makes of experimental high–performance single engine piston powered aircraft; and
“(B) all types and makes of experimental high–performance multiengine piston powered aircraft.
“(2) Requirements.—
An individual who holds a letter of authorization and applies for an authorization described in paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(B)—
“(A) shall be given an all-makes and models authorization of—
“(i) experimental single–engine piston powered authorized aircraft; or
“(ii) experimental multiengine piston powered authorized aircraft;
“(B) shall hold the appropriate category and class rating for the authorized aircraft;
“(C) shall hold 3 experimental aircraft authorizations in aircraft of the same category and class rating for the authorization sought; and
“(D) may become qualified in additional experimental aircraft by completing aircraft-specific ground and flight training.
“(b) Rule of Construction.—
Nothing in this section may be construed to disallow an individual from being given both an authorization described in paragraph (1)(A) and an authorization described in paragraph (1)(B).
“(c) Failure to Comply.—
“(1) In general.—
If the Administrator fails to implement subsection (a) within the time period prescribed in such subsection, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] on the status of the implementation of such subsection on a monthly basis until the implementation is complete.
“(2) No delegation.—
The Administrator may not delegate the briefing described in paragraph (1).”
BasicMed for Examiners Administering Tests or Proficiency Checks
Pub. L. 118–63, title VIII, § 815, , 138 Stat. 1328, provided that:
“(a) Equivalent Pilot-in-command Medical Requirements.—
Notwithstanding section 61.23(a)(3)(iv) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, an examiner may administer a practical test or proficiency check if such examiner meets the medical qualification requirements under part 68 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, if the operation being conducted is in a covered aircraft, as such term is defined in section 2307(j) of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 [Pub. L. 114–190] (49 U.S.C. 44703 note).
“(b) Rulemaking.—
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall issue a final rule to update part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to implement the requirements under subsection (a), in addition to any related requirements the Administrator finds are in the interest of aviation safety.”
Designee Locator Tool Improvements
Pub. L. 118–63, title VIII, § 816, , 138 Stat. 1328, provided that:
“Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall ensure that the designee locator search function of the public website of the Designee Management System of the Administration has the functionality to—
“(1) filter a search for an Aviation Medical Examiner (as described in section 183.21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations) by sex, if such information is available;
“(2) display credentials and aircraft qualifications of a designated pilot examiner (as described in section 183.23 of such title); and
“(3) display the scheduling availability of a designated pilot examiner (as described in section 183.23 of such title) to administer a test or proficiency check to an airman.”
National Coordination and Oversight of Designated Pilot Examiners
Pub. L. 118–63, title VIII, § 833, , 138 Stat. 1339, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
The Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall establish an office to provide oversight and facilitate national coordination of designated pilot examiners appointed under section 183.23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
“(b) Responsibilities.—
The office described in subsection (a) shall be responsible for the following:
“(1) Oversight of designated pilot examiners appointed under section 183.23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
“(2) Coordinating with other offices, as appropriate, to support the standardization of policy, guidance, and regulations across the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] pertaining to the selection, training, duties, and deployment of designated pilot examiners appointed under section 183.23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, including evaluating the consistency by which such examiners apply Administration policies, orders, and guidance.
“(3) Evaluating the consistency by which such examiners apply FAA policies, orders, and guidance.
“(4) Coordinating placement and deployment of such examiners across regions based on demand for examinations from the pilot community.
“(5) Developing a code of conduct for such examiners.
“(6) Deploying a survey system to track the performance and merit of such examiners.
“(7) Facilitating an industry partnership to create a formal mentorship program for such examiners.
“(c) Coordination.—
In carrying out the responsibilities listed in subsection (b), the Administrator shall ensure the office—
“(1) coordinates on an ongoing basis with flight standards district offices, designated pilot examiner managing specialists, and aviation industry stakeholders, including representatives of the general aviation community; and
“(2) considers whether to implement the final recommendations report issued by the Designated Pilot Examiner Reforms Working Group and accepted by the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee on .
“(d) Report.—
“(1) In general.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [], and biennially thereafter through fiscal year 2028, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] a report that evaluates the use of designated pilot examiners appointed under section 183.23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), for testing, including both written and practical tests.
“(2) Contents.—
The report under paragraph (1) shall include an analysis of—
“(A) the methodology and rationale by which designated pilot examiners are deployed;
“(B) with respect to the previous fiscal year, the average time an individual in each region must wait to schedule an appointment with a designated pilot examiner;
“(C) with respect to the previous fiscal year, the estimated total time individuals in each region were forced to wait to schedule an appointment with a designated pilot examiner;
“(D) the primary reasons and best ways to reduce wait times described in subparagraph (C);
“(E) the number of tests conducted by designated pilot examiners;
“(F) the number and percentage of available designated pilot examiners that perform such tests; and
“(G) the average rate of retests, including of both written and practical tests.”
Applicability of Medical Certification Standards to Operators of Air Balloons
Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title III, § 318, , 132 Stat. 3269, provided that:
“(a) Short Title.—
This section may be cited as the ‘Commercial Balloon Pilot Safety Act of 2018’.
“(b) In General.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall revise section 61.3(c) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to second-class medical certificates), to apply to an operator of an air balloon to the same extent such regulations apply to a pilot flight crewmember of other aircraft.
“(c) Air Balloon Defined.—
In this section, the term ‘air balloon’ has the meaning given the term ‘balloon’ in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation or ruling).”
Designated Pilot Examiner Reforms
Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title III, § 319, , 132 Stat. 3269, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
The Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall assign to the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the ‘Committee’) the task of reviewing all regulations and policies related to designated pilot examiners appointed under section 183.23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. The Committee shall focus on the processes and requirements by which the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] selects, trains, and deploys individuals as designated pilot examiners, and provide recommendations with respect to the regulatory and policy changes necessary to ensure an adequate number of designated pilot examiners are deployed and available to perform their duties. The Committee also shall make recommendations with respect to the regulatory and policy changes if necessary to allow a designated pilot examiner perform a daily limit of 3 new check rides with no limit for partial check rides and to serve as a designed pilot examiner without regard to any individual managing office.
“(b) Action Based on Recommendations.—
Not later than 1 year after receiving recommendations under subsection (a), the Administrator shall take such action as the Administrator considers appropriate with respect to those recommendations.”
Public Aircraft Eligible for Logging Flight Times
Pub. L. 118–63, title VIII, § 826, , 138 Stat. 1332, provided that:
“(a) Forestry and Fire Protection Flight Time Logging.—
“(1) In general.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, aircraft under the direct operational control of forestry and fire protection agencies are eligible to log pilot flight times, if the flight time was acquired by the pilot while engaged on an official forestry or fire protection flight, in the same manner as aircraft under the direct operational control of a Federal, State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency.
“(2) Retroactive application.—
Paragraph (1) shall be applied as if enacted on .
“(b) Regulations.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall make such regulatory changes as are necessary to conform to the requirements of this section.”
Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title V, § 517, , 132 Stat. 3359, provided that: “The Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall issue regulations modifying section 61.51(j)(4) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, so as to include aircraft under the direct operational control of forestry and fire protection agencies as public aircraft eligible for logging flight times.”
Portability of Repairman Certificates
Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title V, § 582, , 132 Stat. 3399, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
The Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall assign to the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee the task of making recommendations with respect to the regulatory and policy changes, as appropriate, to allow a repairman certificate issued under section 65.101 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to be portable from one employing certificate holder to another.
“(b) Action Based on Recommendations.—
Not later than 1 year after receiving recommendations under subsection (a), the Administrator may take such action as the Administrator considers appropriate with respect to those recommendations.”
Medical Certification of Certain Small Aircraft Pilots
Pub. L. 114–190, title II, § 2307, , 130 Stat. 641, as amended by Pub. L. 118–63, title VIII, § 828(a), , 138 Stat. 1336, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue or revise regulations to ensure that an individual may operate as pilot in command of a covered aircraft if—
“(1) the individual possesses a valid driver’s license issued by a State, territory, or possession of the United States and complies with all medical requirements or restrictions associated with that license;
“(2) the individual holds a medical certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration or has held such a certificate at any time after ;
“(3) the most recent medical certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration to the individual—
“(A) indicates whether the certificate is first, second, or third class;
“(B) may include authorization for special issuance;
“(C) may be expired;
“(D) cannot have been revoked or suspended; and
“(E) cannot have been withdrawn;
“(4) the most recent application for airman medical certification submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration by the individual cannot have been completed and denied;
“(5) the individual has completed a medical education course described in subsection (c) during the 24 calendar months before acting as pilot in command of a covered aircraft and demonstrates proof of completion of the course;
“(6) the individual, when serving as a pilot in command, is under the care and treatment of a physician if the individual has been diagnosed with any medical condition that may impact the ability of the individual to fly;
“(7) the individual has received a comprehensive medical examination from a State-licensed physician during the previous 48 calendar months and—
“(A) prior to the examination, the individual—
“(i) completed the individual’s section of the checklist described in subsection (b); and
“(ii) provided the completed checklist to the physician performing the examination; and
“(B) the physician conducted the comprehensive medical examination in accordance with the checklist described in subsection (b), checking each item specified during the examination and addressing, as medically appropriate, every medical condition listed, and any medications the individual is taking; and
“(8) the individual is operating in accordance with the following conditions:
“(A) The covered aircraft is carrying not more than 6 passengers.
“(B) The individual is operating the covered aircraft under visual flight rules or instrument flight rules.
“(C) The flight, including each portion of that flight, is not carried out—
“(i) for compensation or hire, including that no passenger or property on the flight is being carried for compensation or hire;
“(ii) at an altitude that is more than 18,000 feet above mean sea level;
“(iii) outside the United States, unless authorized by the country in which the flight is conducted; or
“(iv) at an indicated air speed exceeding 250 knots.
“(b) Comprehensive Medical Examination.—
“(1) In general.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Administrator shall develop a checklist for an individual to complete and provide to the physician performing the comprehensive medical examination required in subsection (a)(7).
“(2) Requirements.—
The checklist shall contain—
“(A) a section, for the individual to complete that contains—
“(i) boxes 3 through 13 and boxes 16 through 19 of the Federal Aviation Administration Form 8500–8 (3–99) (or any successor form); and
“(ii) a signature line for the individual to affirm that—
“(I) the answers provided by the individual on that checklist, including the individual’s answers regarding medical history, are true and complete;
“(II) the individual understands that he or she is prohibited under Federal Aviation Administration regulations from acting as pilot in command, or any other capacity as a required flight crew member, if he or she knows or has reason to know of any medical deficiency or medically disqualifying condition that would make the individual unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner; and
“(III) the individual is aware of the regulations pertaining to the prohibition on operations during medical deficiency and has no medically disqualifying conditions in accordance with applicable law;
“(B) a section with instructions for the individual to provide the completed checklist to the physician performing the comprehensive medical examination required in subsection (a)(7); and
“(C) a section, for the physician to complete, that instructs the physician—
“(i) to perform a clinical examination of—
“(I) head, face, neck, and scalp;
“(II) nose, sinuses, mouth, and throat;
“(III) ears, general (internal and external canals), and eardrums (perforation);
“(IV) eyes (general), ophthalmoscopic, pupils (equality and reaction), and ocular motility (associated parallel movement, nystagmus);
“(V) lungs and chest (not including breast examination);
“(VI) heart (precordial activity, rhythm, sounds, and murmurs);
“(VII) vascular system (pulse, amplitude, and character, and arms, legs, and others);
“(VIII) abdomen and viscera (including hernia);
“(IX) anus (not including digital examination);
“(X) skin;
“(XI) G–U system (not including pelvic examination);
“(XII) upper and lower extremities (strength and range of motion);
“(XIII) spine and other musculoskeletal;
“(XIV) identifying body marks, scars, and tattoos (size and location);
“(XV) lymphatics;
“(XVI) neurologic (tendon reflexes, equilibrium, senses, cranial nerves, and coordination, etc.);
“(XVII) psychiatric (appearance, behavior, mood, communication, and memory);
“(XVIII) general systemic;
“(XIX) hearing;
“(XX) vision (distant, near, and intermediate vision, field of vision, color vision, and ocular alignment);
“(XXI) blood pressure and pulse; and
“(XXII) anything else the physician, in his or her medical judgment, considers necessary;
“(ii) to exercise medical discretion to address, as medically appropriate, any medical conditions identified, and to exercise medical discretion in determining whether any medical tests are warranted as part of the comprehensive medical examination;
“(iii) to discuss all drugs the individual reports taking (prescription and nonprescription) and their potential to interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft or motor vehicle;
“(iv) to sign the checklist, stating: ‘I certify that I discussed all items on this checklist with the individual during my examination, discussed any medications the individual is taking that could interfere with their ability to safely operate an aircraft or motor vehicle, and performed an examination that included all of the items on this checklist. I certify that I am not aware of any medical condition that, as presently treated, could interfere with the individual’s ability to safely operate an aircraft.’; and
“(v) to provide the date the comprehensive medical examination was completed, and the physician’s full name, address, telephone number, and State medical license number.
“(3) Logbook.—
The completed checklist shall be retained in the individual’s logbook and made available on request.
“(c) Medical Education Course Requirements.—
The medical education course described in this subsection shall—
“(1) be available on the Internet free of charge;
“(2) be developed and periodically updated in coordination with representatives of relevant nonprofit and not-for-profit general aviation stakeholder groups;
“(3) educate pilots on conducting medical self-assessments;
“(4) advise pilots on identifying warning signs of potential serious medical conditions;
“(5) identify risk mitigation strategies for medical conditions;
“(6) increase awareness of the impacts of potentially impairing over-the-counter and prescription drug medications;
“(7) encourage regular medical examinations and consultations with primary care physicians;
“(8) inform pilots of the regulations pertaining to the prohibition on operations during medical deficiency and medically disqualifying conditions;
“(9) provide the checklist developed by the Federal Aviation Administration in accordance with subsection (b); and
“(10) upon successful completion of the course, electronically provide to the individual and transmit to the Federal Aviation Administration—
“(A) a certification of completion of the medical education course, which shall be printed and retained in the individual’s logbook and made available upon request, and shall contain the individual’s name, address, and airman certificate number;
“(B) subject to subsection (d), a release authorizing the National Driver Register through a designated State Department of Motor Vehicles to furnish to the Federal Aviation Administration information pertaining to the individual’s driving record;
“(C) a certification by the individual that the individual is under the care and treatment of a physician if the individual has been diagnosed with any medical condition that may impact the ability of the individual to fly, as required under subsection (a)(6);
“(D) a form that includes—
“(i) the name, address, telephone number, and airman certificate number of the individual;
“(ii) the name, address, telephone number, and State medical license number of the physician performing the comprehensive medical examination required in subsection (a)(7);
“(iii) the date of the comprehensive medical examination required in subsection (a)(7); and
“(iv) a certification by the individual that the checklist described in subsection (b) was followed and signed by the physician in the comprehensive medical examination required in subsection (a)(7); and
“(E) a statement, which shall be printed, and signed by the individual certifying that the individual understands the existing prohibition on operations during medical deficiency by stating: ‘I understand that I cannot act as pilot in command, or any other capacity as a required flight crew member, if I know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make me unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner.’.
“(d) National Driver Register.—
The authorization under subsection (c)(10)(B) shall be an authorization for a single access to the information contained in the National Driver Register.
“(e) Special Issuance Process.—
“(1) In general.—
An individual who has qualified for the third-class medical certificate exemption under subsection (a) 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 the following:
“(A) A mental health disorder, limited to an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of—
“(i) personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts;
“(ii) psychosis, defined as a case in which an individual—
“(I) has manifested delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis; or
“(II) may reasonably be expected to manifest delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis;
“(iii) bipolar disorder; or
“(iv) substance dependence within the previous 2 years, as defined in section 67.307(a)(4) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
“(B) A neurological disorder, limited to an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of the following:
“(i) Epilepsy.
“(ii) Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause.
“(iii) A transient loss of control of nervous system functions without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause.
“(C) A cardiovascular condition, limited to a one-time special issuance for each diagnosis of the following:
“(i) Myocardial infraction [sic].
“(ii) Coronary heart disease that has required treatment.
“(iii) Cardiac valve replacement.
“(iv) Heart replacement.
“(2) Special rule for cardiovascular conditions.—
In the case of an individual with a cardiovascular condition, the process for obtaining an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate shall be satisfied with the successful completion of an appropriate clinical evaluation without a mandatory wait period.
“(3) Special rule for mental health conditions.—
“(A) In general.—
In the case of an individual with a clinically diagnosed mental health condition, the third-class medical certificate exemption under subsection (a) shall not apply if—
“(i) in the judgment of the individual’s State-licensed medical specialist, the condition—
“(I) renders the individual unable to safely perform the duties or exercise the airman privileges described in subsection (a)(8); or
“(II) may reasonably be expected to make the individual unable to perform the duties or exercise the privileges described in subsection (a)(8); or
“(ii) the individual’s driver’s license is revoked by the issuing agency as a result of a clinically diagnosed mental health condition.
“(B) Certification.—
Subject to subparagraph (A), an individual clinically diagnosed with a mental health condition shall certify every 2 years, in conjunction with the certification under subsection (c)(10)(C), that the individual is under the care of a State-licensed medical specialist for that mental health condition.
“(4) Special rule for neurological conditions.—
“(A) In general.—
In the case of an individual with a clinically diagnosed neurological condition, the third-class medical certificate exemption under subsection (a) shall not apply if—
“(i) in the judgment of the individual’s State-licensed medical specialist, the condition—
“(I) renders the individual unable to safely perform the duties or exercise the airman privileges described in subsection (a)(8); or
“(II) may reasonably be expected to make the individual unable to perform the duties or exercise the privileges described in subsection (a)(8); or
“(ii) the individual’s driver’s license is revoked by the issuing agency as a result of a clinically diagnosed neurological condition.
“(B) Certification.—
Subject to subparagraph (A), an individual clinically diagnosed with a neurological condition shall certify every 2 years, in conjunction with the certification under subsection (c)(10)(C), that the individual is under the care of a State-licensed medical specialist for that neurological condition.
“(f) Identification of Additional Medical Conditions for CACI Program.—
“(1) In general.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Administrator shall review and identify additional medical conditions that could be added to the program known as the Conditions AMEs Can Issue (CACI) program.
“(2) Consultations.—
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consult with aviation, medical, and union stakeholders.
“(3) Report required.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] a report listing the medical conditions that have been added to the CACI program under paragraph (1).
“(g) Expedited Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate.—
“(1) In general.—
The Administrator shall implement procedures to expedite the process for obtaining an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate under section 67.401 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
“(2) Consultations.—
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consult with aviation, medical, and union stakeholders.
“(3) Report required.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing how the procedures implemented under paragraph (1) will streamline the process for obtaining an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate and reduce the amount of time needed to review and decide special issuance cases.
“(h) Report Required.—
Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 [], the Administrator, in coordination with the National Transportation Safety Board, shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that describes the effect of the regulations issued or revised under subsection (a) and includes statistics with respect to changes in small aircraft activity and safety incidents.
“(i) Prohibition on Enforcement Actions.—
Beginning on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 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 if the pilot and the flight meet, through a good faith effort, the applicable requirements under subsection (a), except paragraph (5) of that subsection, unless the Administrator has published final regulations in the Federal Register under that subsection.
“(j) Covered Aircraft Defined.—
In this section, the term ‘covered aircraft’ means an aircraft that—
“(1) is authorized under Federal law to carry not more than 7 occupants;
“(2) has a maximum certificated takeoff weight of not more than 12,500 pounds; and
“(3) is not a transport category rotorcraft certified to airworthiness standards under part 29 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
“(k) Operations Covered.—
The provisions and requirements covered in this section do not apply to pilots who elect to operate under the medical requirements under subsection (b) or subsection (c) of section 61.23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
“(l) Authority To Require Additional Information.—
“(1) In general.—
If the Administrator receives credible or urgent information, including from the National Driver Register or the Administrator’s Safety Hotline, that reflects on an individual’s ability to safely operate a covered aircraft under the third-class medical certificate exemption in subsection (a), the Administrator may require the individual to provide additional information or history so that the Administrator may determine whether the individual is safe to continue operating a covered aircraft.
“(2) Use of information.—
The Administrator may use credible or urgent information received under paragraph (1) to request an individual to provide additional information or to take actions under section 44709(b) of title 49, United States Code.”
[Pub. L. 118–63, title VIII, § 828(b), (c), , 138 Stat. 1336, provided that:
[“(b) Rulemaking.—The Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall update regulations in parts 61 and 68 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, as necessary, to implement the amendments made by this section [amending section 2307 of Pub. L. 114–190, set out above].
[“(c) Applicability.—Beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Administrator shall apply parts 61 and 68, Code of Federal Regulations, in a manner reflecting the amendments made by this section.”]
Federal Aviation Administration Enforcement Proceedings and Elimination of Deference
Pub. L. 112–153, § 2, , 126 Stat. 1159, as amended by Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title III, § 392, , 132 Stat. 3323; Pub. L. 118–63, title VIII, § 807, , 138 Stat. 1324, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
Any proceeding conducted under subpart C, D, or F of part 821 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, relating to denial, amendment, modification, suspension, or revocation of an airman certificate, shall be conducted, to the extent practicable, in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure [28 U.S.C. App.] and the Federal Rules of Evidence [28 U.S.C. App.].
“(b) Access to Information.—
“(1) In general.—
Except as provided under paragraph (3), the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (referred to in this section as the ‘Administrator’) shall provide timely, written notification to an individual who is the subject of an investigation relating to the approval, denial, suspension, modification, or revocation of an airman certificate under chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code.
“(2) Information required.—
The notification required under paragraph (1) shall inform the individual—
“(A) of the nature of the investigation and the specific activity on which the investigation is based;
“(B) that an oral or written response to a Letter of Investigation from the Administrator is not required;
“(C) that no action or adverse inference can be taken against the individual for declining to respond to a Letter of Investigation from the Administrator;
“(D) that any response to a Letter of Investigation from the Administrator or to an inquiry made by a representative of the Administrator by the individual may be used as evidence against the individual;
“(E) that the releasable portions of the Administrator’s investigative report will be available to the individual; and
“(F) that the individual is entitled to access or otherwise obtain air traffic data described in paragraph (4).
“(3) Exception.—
The Administrator may delay notification under paragraph (1) if the Administrator determines that such notification may threaten the integrity of the investigation.
“(4) Access to air traffic data.—
“(A) FAA air traffic data.—
The Administrator shall provide an individual described in paragraph (1) with timely access to any air traffic data in the possession of the Federal Aviation Administration that would facilitate the individual’s ability to productively participate in a proceeding relating to an investigation described in such paragraph.
“(B) Air traffic data defined.—
As used in subparagraph (A), the term ‘air traffic data’ includes—
“(i) relevant air traffic communication tapes;
“(ii) radar information;
“(iii) air traffic controller statements;
“(iv) flight data;
“(v) investigative reports; and
“(vi) any other air traffic or flight data in the Federal Aviation Administration’s possession that would facilitate the individual’s ability to productively participate in the proceeding.
“(C) Government contractor air traffic data.—
“(i) In general.—
Any individual described in paragraph (1) is entitled to obtain any air traffic data that would facilitate the individual’s ability to productively participate in a proceeding relating to an investigation described in such paragraph from a government contractor that provides operational services to the Federal Aviation Administration, including control towers and flight service stations.
“(ii) Required information from individual.—
The individual may obtain the information described in clause (i) by submitting a request to the Administrator that—
“(I) describes the facility at which such information is located; and
“(II) identifies the date on which such information was generated.
“(iii) Provision of information to individual.—
If the Administrator receives a request under this subparagraph, the Administrator shall—
“(I) request the contractor to provide the requested information; and
“(II) upon receiving such information, transmitting the information to the requesting individual in a timely manner.
“(5) Timing.—
Except when the Administrator determines that an emergency exists under section 44709(e)(2) or 46105(c) [of title 49, United States Code], the Administrator may not proceed against an individual that is the subject of an investigation described in paragraph (1) during the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the air traffic data required under paragraph (4) is made available to the individual.
“(6) Response to letter of investigation.—
“(A) In general.—
If an individual decides to respond to a Letter of Investigation described in paragraph (2)(B), such individual may respond not later than 30 days after receipt of such Letter, including providing written comments on the incident to the investigating office.
“(B) Construction.—
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to diminish the authority of the Administrator (as of the day before the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 []) to take emergency action relating to an airman certificate.
“(c) Amendments to Title 49.—
“(1) Airman certificates.—
[Amended this section.]
“(2) Amendments, modifications, suspensions, and revocations of certificates.—
[Amended section 44709 of this title.]
“(3) Revocation of airman certificates for controlled substance violations.—
[Amended section 44710 of this title.]
“(d) Appeal From Certificate Actions.—
“(1) In general.—
Upon a decision by the National Transportation Safety Board upholding an order or a final decision by the Administrator denying an airman certificate under section 44703(d) of title 49, United States Code, or imposing a punitive civil action or an emergency order of revocation under subsections (d) and (e) of section 44709 of such title, an individual substantially affected by an order of the Board may, at the individual’s election, file an appeal in the United States district court in which the individual resides or in which the action in question occurred, or in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. If the individual substantially affected by an order of the Board elects not to file an appeal in a United States district court, the individual may file an appeal in an appropriate United States court of appeals.
“(2) Emergency order pending judicial review.—
Subsequent to a decision by the Board to uphold an Administrator’s emergency order under section 44709(e)(2) of title 49, United States Code, and absent a stay of the enforcement of that order by the Board, the emergency order of amendment, modification, suspension, or revocation of a certificate shall remain in effect, pending the exhaustion of an appeal to a Federal district court as provided in this Act [amending this section and sections 44709 and 44710 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 40101 and 44701 of this title].
“(e) Standard of Review.—
“(1) In general.—
In an appeal filed under subsection (d) in a United States district court, the district court shall give full independent review of a denial, suspension, or revocation ordered by the Administrator, including substantive independent and expedited review of any decision by the Administrator to make such order effective immediately.
“(2) Evidence.—
A United States district court’s review under paragraph (1) shall include in evidence any record of the proceeding before the Administrator and any record of the proceeding before the National Transportation Safety Board, including hearing testimony, transcripts, exhibits, decisions, and briefs submitted by the parties.
“(f) Release of Investigative Reports.—
“(1) In general.—
“(A) Emergency orders.—
In any proceeding conducted under part 821 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, relating to the amendment, modification, suspension, or revocation of an airman certificate, in which the Administrator issues an emergency order under subsections (d) and (e) of section 44709, section 44710, or section 46105(c) of title 49, United States Code, or another order that takes effect immediately, the Administrator shall provide, upon request, to the individual holding the airman certificate the releasable portion of the investigative report at the time the Administrator issues the order. If the complete Report of Investigation is not available at the time of the request, the Administrator shall issue all portions of the report that are available at the time and shall provide the full report not later than 5 days after its completion.
“(B) Other orders.—
In any nonemergency proceeding conducted under part 821 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, relating to the amendment, modification, suspension, or revocation of an airman certificate, in which the Administrator notifies the certificate holder of a proposed certificate action under subsections (b) and (c) of section 44709 or section 44710 of title 49, United States Code, the Administrator shall, upon the written request of the covered certificate holder and at any time after that notification, provide to the covered certificate holder the releasable portion of the investigative report.
“(2) Motion for dismissal.—
If the Administrator does not provide the releasable portions of the investigative report to the individual holding the airman certificate subject to the proceeding referred to in paragraph (1) by the time required by that paragraph, the individual may move to dismiss the complaint of the Administrator or for other relief and, unless the Administrator establishes good cause for the failure to provide the investigative report or for a lack of timeliness, the administrative law judge shall order such relief as the judge considers appropriate.
“(3) Releasable portion of investigative report.—
For purposes of paragraph (1), the releasable portion of an investigative report is all information in the report, except for the following:
“(A) Information that is privileged.
“(B) Information that constitutes work product or reflects internal deliberative process.
“(C) Information that would disclose the identity of a confidential source.
“(D) Information the disclosure of which is prohibited by any other provision of law.
“(E) Information that is not relevant to the subject matter of the proceeding.
“(F) Information the Administrator can demonstrate is withheld for good cause.
“(G) Sensitive security information, as defined in section 15.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar ruling or regulation).
“(4) Rule of construction.—
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the Administrator from releasing to an individual subject to an investigation described in subsection (b)(1)—
“(A) information in addition to the information included in the releasable portion of the investigative report; or
“(B) a copy of the investigative report before the Administrator issues a complaint.”
Medical Certification
Pub. L. 112–153, § 4, , 126 Stat. 1162, provided that:
“(a) Assessment.—
“(1) In general.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [], the Comptroller General of the United States shall initiate an assessment of the Federal Aviation Administration’s medical certification process and the associated medical standards and forms.
“(2) Report.—
The Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress based on the assessment required under paragraph (1) that examines—
“(A) revisions to the medical application form that would provide greater clarity and guidance to applicants;
“(B) the alignment of medical qualification policies with present-day qualified medical judgment and practices, as applied to an individual’s medically relevant circumstances; and
“(C) steps that could be taken to promote the public’s understanding of the medical requirements that determine an airman’s medical certificate eligibility.
“(b) Goals of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Medical Certification Process.—
The goals of the Federal Aviation Administration’s medical certification process are—
“(1) to provide questions in the medical application form that—
“(A) are appropriate without being overly broad;
“(B) are subject to a minimum amount of misinterpretation and mistaken responses;
“(C) allow for consistent treatment and responses during the medical application process; and
“(D) avoid unnecessary allegations that an individual has intentionally falsified answers on the form;
“(2) to provide questions that elicit information that is relevant to making a determination of an individual’s medical qualifications within the standards identified in the Administrator’s regulations;
“(3) to give medical standards greater meaning by ensuring the information requested aligns with present-day medical judgment and practices; and
“(4) to ensure that—
“(A) the application of such medical standards provides an appropriate and fair evaluation of an individual’s qualifications; and
“(B) the individual understands the basis for determining medical qualifications.
“(c) Advice From Private Sector Groups.—
The Administrator shall establish a panel, which shall be comprised of representatives of relevant nonprofit and not-for-profit general aviation pilot groups, aviation medical examiners, and other qualified medical experts, to advise the Administrator in carrying out the goals of the assessment required under this section.
“(d) Federal Aviation Administration Response.—
Not later than 1 year after the issuance of the report by the Comptroller General pursuant to subsection (a)(2), the Administrator shall take appropriate actions to respond to such report.”
Reexamination of an Airman Certificate
Pub. L. 112–153, § 5, as added by Pub. L. 118–63, title VIII, § 801, , 138 Stat. 1320, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
The Administrator shall provide timely, written notification to an individual subject to a reexamination of an airman certificate issued under chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code.
“(b) Information Required.—
In providing notification under subsection (a), the Administrator shall inform the individual—
“(1) of the nature of the reexamination and the specific activity on which the reexamination is necessitated;
“(2) that the reexamination shall occur within 1 year from the date of the notice provided by the Administrator, however, if the reexamination is not conducted within 30 days, the Administrator may restrict passenger carrying operations;
“(3) that if such reexamination is not conducted after 1 year from date of notice, the airman certificate of the individual may be suspended or revoked; and
“(4) when, as determined by the Administrator, an oral or written response to the notification from the Administrator is not required.
“(c) Exception.—
Nothing in this section prohibits the Administrator from reexamining a certificate holder if the Administrator has reasonable grounds—
“(1) to establish that an airman may not be qualified to exercise the privileges of a certificate or rating based upon an act or omission committed by the airman while exercising such privileges or performing ancillary duties associated with the exercise of such privileges; or
“(2) to demonstrate that the airman obtained such a certificate or rating through fraudulent means or through an examination that was inadequate to establish the qualifications of an airman.
“(d) Standard of Review.—
An order issued by the Administrator to amend, modify, suspend, or revoke an airman certificate after reexamination of the airman is subject to the standard of review provided for under section 2 of this Act [Pub. L. 112–153, set out as a note above].”
Improved Pilot Licenses
Pub. L. 112–95, title III, § 321, , 126 Stat. 71, which related to the issuance by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration of improved pilot licenses and required reports to Congress, was repealed by Pub. L. 118–63, title II, § 218(j)(2), , 138 Stat. 1056.
Pub. L. 108–458, title IV, § 4022, , 118 Stat. 3723, which related to the issuance of improved pilot licenses, was repealed by Pub. L. 118–63, title II, § 218(j)(1), , 138 Stat. 1056.
Crediting of Law Enforcement Flight Time
Pub. L. 106–424, § 14, , 114 Stat. 1888, provided that:
“In determining whether an individual meets the aeronautical experience requirements imposed under section 44703 of title 49, United States Code, for an airman certificate or rating, the Secretary of Transportation shall take into account any time spent by that individual operating a public aircraft as defined in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code, if that aircraft is—
“(1) identifiable by category and class; and
“(2) used in law enforcement activities.”
Credits
1994–2024 · 10 acts
- 1994Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), , 108 Stat. 1186
- 2000Pub. L. 106–181, title VII, § 715, , 114 Stat. 162
- 2001Pub. L. 107–71, title I, §§ 129, 138(b), 140(a), , 115 Stat. 633, 640, 641
- 2010Pub. L. 111–216, title II, § 203, , 124 Stat. 2352
- 2010Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3), (4), , 124 Stat. 2629
- 2012Pub. L. 112–95, title III, §§ 301(a), 310(c), , 126 Stat. 56, 65
- 2012Pub. L. 112–153, § 2(c)(1), , 126 Stat. 1160
- 2016Pub. L. 114–125, title VIII, § 802(d)(2), , 130 Stat. 210
- 2016Pub. L. 114–190, title II, § 2101, , 130 Stat. 619
- 2024Pub. L. 118–63, title VIII, § 813, , 138 Stat. 1327.
Show as published
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), , 108 Stat. 1186; Pub. L. 106–181, title VII, § 715, , 114 Stat. 162; Pub. L. 107–71, title I, §§ 129, 138(b), 140(a), , 115 Stat. 633, 640, 641; Pub. L. 111–216, title II, § 203, , 124 Stat. 2352; Pub. L. 111–249, § 6(3), (4), , 124 Stat. 2629; Pub. L. 112–95, title III, §§ 301(a), 310(c), , 126 Stat. 56, 65; Pub. L. 112–153, § 2(c)(1), , 126 Stat. 1160; Pub. L. 114–125, title VIII, § 802(d)(2), , 130 Stat. 210; Pub. L. 114–190, title II, § 2101, , 130 Stat. 619; Pub. L. 118–63, title VIII, § 813, , 138 Stat. 1327.)