No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1985 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1985
To improve aviation safety, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 5, 2025
Ms. Cantwell (for herself, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Markey,
Mr. Kaine, Mr. Warner, and Mr. Warnock) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve aviation safety, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Safe Operations of
Shared Airspace Act of 2025''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Expert compliance review of FAA Safety Management System.
Sec. 4. ADS-B Out Reforms.
Sec. 5. ADS-B In requirement to enhance safety.
Sec. 6. Safety reviews of airspace.
Sec. 7. FAA-Department of Defense Safety Information Sharing.
Sec. 8. No disruptions to FAA workforce.
Sec. 9. Extension of FAA air traffic controller max hiring requirement.
Sec. 10. Air traffic controller training improvements.
Sec. 11. TARAM analyses.
Sec. 12. Employee reporting.
Sec. 13. Conflicts of interest.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the FAA.
(2) ADS-B in.--The term ``ADS-B In'' means onboard avionics
technology that periodically receives ADS-B Out broadcasts of
an aircraft's state vector (3-dimensional position and 3-
dimensional velocity) and other required information as
described in part 91.277 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (or a successor regulation).
(3) ADS-B out.--The term ``ADS-B Out'' has the meaning
given such term in section 91.227 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (or a successor regulation).
(4) Air carrier; foreign air carrier.--The terms ``air
carrier'' and ``foreign air carrier'' have the meanings given
such terms in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code.
(5) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives.
(6) Cabinet member.--The term ``Cabinet Member'' means an
individual who is the head (including an acting head) of the
Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department
of Defense, Department of Education, Department of Energy,
Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland
Security, Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Department of the Interior, Department of Justice, Department
of Labor, Department of State, Department of Transportation,
Department of the Treasury, or Department of Veterans Affairs,
or any other individual who occupies a position designated by
the President as a Cabinet-level position.
(7) Comptroller general.--The term ``Comptroller General''
means the Comptroller General of the United States.
(8) FAA.--The term ``FAA'' means the Federal Aviation
Administration.
(9) Powered-lift.--The term ``powered-lift'' has the
meaning given such term in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).
(10) Rotorcraft.--The term ``rotorcraft'' has the meaning
given such term in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (or a successor regulation).
(11) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Transportation.
(12) SMS.--The term ``SMS'' means a safety management
system.
(13) Transport airplane.--The term ``transport airplane''
means a transport category airplane designed for operation by
an air carrier or foreign air carrier type-certificated with a
passenger seating capacity of 30 or more or an all-cargo or
combi derivative.
(14) Unmanned aircraft system.--The term ```unmanned
aircraft system''' has the meaning given such term in section
44801 of title 49, United States Code.
SEC. 3. EXPERT COMPLIANCE REVIEW OF FAA SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
(a) Expert Compliance Review.--
(1) Establishment.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator
shall convene an independent expert panel (in this
section referred to as the ``review panel'') to review
and make findings and recommendations on the matters
listed in paragraph (2).
(B) Purpose.--The purpose of the review panel is to
review and evaluate FAA orders and policies to inform
the FAA's implementation of a comprehensive and
integrated SMS for all lines of business within the
FAA.
(2) Contents of review.--The review panel shall review the
following:
(A) The extent to which the FAA's SMS complies with
relevant FAA orders and policies.
(B) The actual and projected safety enhancements
achieved through the FAA's prior implementation of SMS.
(C) The effectiveness of SMS, including with
respect to the implementation of the following 4
components:
(i) Safety policy.
(ii) Safety risk management.
(iii) Safety assurance.
(iv) Safety promotion.
(D) The extent to which SMS and each of the 4
components described in subparagraph (C) are integrated
among and across all lines of business of the FAA.
(E) The extent to which SMS and each of the 4
components so described are understood, communicated,
and trained to personnel at the FAA.
(F) The efficacy of the FAA's Voluntary Safety
Reporting Programs as part of SMS, including any
actions taken by the FAA in response to reports filed
under such program.
(G) Whether the Federal Government should advocate
for changes to Annex 19-Safety Management of the
International Civil Aviation Organization (in this
section referred to as ``ICAO'') to ensure appropriate
updates to the State Safety Program standards and
recommended practices, including--
(i) a systems-level approach to evaluating
and improving SMS for air navigation service
providers; and
(ii) the implementation of SMS for civil
aviation regulators.
(H) Any other matter determined by the
Administrator for which review by the review panel
would be consistent with the public interest in
aviation safety.
(3) Composition of review panel.--
(A) Appointed members.--The review panel shall
consist of the following members appointed by the
Administrator:
(i) Two representatives of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration with
expertise in SMSs.
(ii) Three appropriately qualified
representatives of aviation labor organizations
(designated by the applicable represented
organization), including--
(I) the principal organization
representing the largest certified
collective bargaining representative of
airline pilots; and
(II) the exclusive bargaining
representatives of FAA air traffic
controllers certified under section
7111 of title 5, United States Code.
(iii) Not less than 5 independent subject
matter experts in safety management systems
who--
(I) have not served as a political
appointee in the FAA; and
(II) have a minimum of 10 years of
relevant applied experience.
(iv) Three representatives from the
aviation industry with expertise in SMS.
(v) A representative of the United States
Mission to the ICAO.
(B) Advisory members.--
(i) In general.--In addition to the
appointed members described in subparagraph
(A), the review panel shall be advised by up to
5 employees of the FAA, at least 3 of whom
shall be subject matter experts in implementing
SMS at the FAA.
(ii) Duties.--The advisory members may take
part in deliberations of the review panel and
provide subject matter expertise with respect
to the review panel's work.
(4) Recommendations.--The review panel shall issue
recommendations to the Administrator based on the review of the
matters listed in paragraph (2) in order to inform the FAA's
implementation of a comprehensive and integrated SMS for all
lines of business within the FAA.
(5) Report.--
(A) Submission.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the first meeting of the review panel, the
review panel shall submit to the Administrator and the
appropriate committees of Congress a report containing
the findings and recommendations regarding the matters
listed in paragraph (2) that are endorsed by a majority
of the review panel.
(B) Dissenting views.--In submitting the report
under subparagraph (A), the review panel shall append
to such report the dissenting views of any individual
member or group of members of the review panel
regarding the findings or recommendations of the review
panel.
(C) Publication.--Not later than 5 days after
receiving the report under subparagraph (A), the
Administrator shall publish such report, including any
dissenting views appended to the report, on the website
of the FAA.
(D) Termination.--The review panel shall terminate
upon the submission of the report under subparagraph
(A).
(6) Administrative provisions.--
(A) Access to information.--
(i) In general.--The review panel shall
have the authority to perform the following
actions if a majority of the review panel
members consider each action necessary and
appropriate:
(I) Entering onto the premises of
the FAA for access to and inspection of
records or other purposes.
(II) Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, except as provided in
clause (ii), accessing and inspecting
de-identified, but otherwise
unredacted, records directly necessary
for the completion of the review
panel's work under this section that
are in the possession of the FAA.
(III) Interviewing employees of the
FAA as necessary for the review panel
to complete its work.
(ii) Non-federal government members.--
Members of the review panel who are not
officers or employees of the Federal Government
shall only have access to, and be allowed to
inspect, information provided to the FAA
pursuant to section 40123 of title 49, United
States Code, and part 193 of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations, in a de-identified form.
(B) Nondisclosure of confidential information.--
(i) Nondisclosure for non-federal
government members.--
(I) Non-federal government
participants.--Prior to participating
on the review panel, each individual
serving on the review panel
representing a non-Federal entity shall
execute an agreement with the
Administrator in which the individual
shall be prohibited from disclosing at
any time, except as required by law, to
any person, foreign or domestic, any
non-public information made available
to the panel under subparagraph (A).
(II) Federal government
participants.--Federal officers or
employees serving on the review panel
as representatives of the Federal
Government and subject to the
requirement to protect confidential
information (including proprietary
information and trade secrets under
section 1905 of title 18, United States
Code) shall not be required to execute
agreements under this clause.
(ii) Protection of information.--
Information that is obtained or reviewed by the
review panel shall not constitute a waiver of
the protections applicable to the information
under section 552 of title 5, United States
Code (commonly referred to as the ``Freedom of
Information Act''). Members of the review panel
shall protect such information to the extent
required under applicable law.
(iii) Protection of proprietary information
and trade secrets.--Members of the review panel
shall protect proprietary information, trade
secrets, and other information otherwise exempt
under section 552 of title 5, United States
Code, to the extent permitted under applicable
law.
(7) Inapplicability of faca.--The review panel shall not be
subject to chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly
referred to as the ``Federal Advisory Committee Act'').
(8) Process improvements.--Not later than 1 year after the
submission of the recommendations under paragraph (4), the
Administrator shall report to the appropriate committees of
Congress on the status of any ongoing actions in response to
such recommendations, including the status of implementation of
each of the recommendations of the review panel, if any, with
which the Administrator concurs.
(b) Non-Concurrence With Recommendations.--Not later than 6 months
after submission of the recommendations under subsection (a)(4), with
respect to each recommendation of the review panel with which the
Administrator does not concur, if any, the Administrator shall publish
on the website of the FAA and submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a detailed explanation for such determination.
SEC. 4. ADS-B OUT REFORMS.
(a) Applicability of Certain Exceptions.--For purposes of applying
section 91.225(f) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any
successor regulation), the term ``sensitive government mission'' shall
be strictly construed and shall not include training flights, flights
of Federal officials below the rank of Cabinet Member, or any routine
flights.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1046(e)(3) of the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (49 U.S.C.
40101 note) is amended to read as follows:
``(3) The term `special mission aircraft' means an aircraft
the Secretary of Defense designates, in coordination with the
Federal Aviation Administration, for a unique mission to which
operating with ADS-B Out equipment installed and activated
creates a unique risk when weighed against any risk to the
safety of the national airspace system posed by non-equipage
and deactivation of ADS-B Out equipment.''.
(c) Administrative Action.--The Administrator shall modify section
91.225(f) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor
regulation), and any pertinent Memorandum of Agreement, to conform with
the requirements of this section.
(d) GAO Review and Report.--Not later than the date that is 1 year
after the date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General
shall--
(1) review the utilization of exceptions specified in
section 91.225(f) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or
any successor regulation), as modified to conform with the
requirements of this section, and section 1046(e)(3) of the
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note), as amended by subsection (b),
to determine whether the Department of Defense and other
relevant Federal agencies, or other applicable operators, have
utilized those exceptions in accordance with relevant law and
regulation and the extent of such utilization; and
(2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report on the findings of the review conducted under paragraph
(1).
(e) FAA Review.--Upon submission of the report specified in
subsection (d)(2), the Administrator shall determine whether any
Federal agencies that have been found to have not utilized exceptions
in accordance with relevant laws and regulations shall be permitted to
continue to utilize those exceptions. The Administrator shall brief the
appropriate committees of Congress on such determination.
(f) Joint Council.--The Administrator, through the Office of FAA-
DOD Coordination established or designated under section 6, and the
Secretary of Defense, shall establish a joint council to regularly
review all operations, including those operated by Federal agencies,
that utilize the exceptions to the ADS-B Out equipage and transmission
requirements to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
The joint council shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on
an annual basis.
SEC. 5. ADS-B IN REQUIREMENT TO ENHANCE SAFETY.
(a) Deadline for Compliance.--Not later than the date that is 4
years after the date of enactment of this section, an air carrier
operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations or
providing service under part 135 of title 14 of such Code pursuant to a
schedule or in conjunction with part 380 of title 14 of such Code may
not operate an aircraft unless the aircraft has Automatic Dependent
Surveillance-Broadcast In (ADS-B In) equipment installed and
operational at all times unless otherwise authorized by air traffic
control, regardless of whether the Administrator has issued regulations
to implement such requirement.
(b) Performance Requirements.--The Administrator shall determine
appropriate performance requirements for the ADS-B In equipment
referenced in subsection (a) for the purposes of providing safety-
enhancing capabilities for flight crews, including but not limited to
increasing situational awareness, receiving indications and alerts of
air traffic conflicts, and facilitating aircraft collision avoidance.
The Administrator shall issue relevant guidance to operators and other
appropriate stakeholders on the types of equipment that satisfy the
requirements of this section.
SEC. 6. SAFETY REVIEWS OF AIRSPACE.
(a) FAA-DOD Coordination .--Not later than 30 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish or
designate an office within the FAA as the Office of FAA-DOD
Coordination (in this section referred to as the ``Office''), which
shall--
(1) coordinate airspace usage of military aircraft and
rotorcraft with relevant FAA lines of business including the
Air Traffic Organization; and
(2) carry out the safety review required by subsection (b).
(b) Safety Reviews.--
(1) Review of ronald reagan washington national airport.--
Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Office is
established or designated, the Administrator, in coordination
with the Secretary of Defense and the heads of any other
Federal agencies determined appropriate by the Administrator,
shall initiate a safety review (in this subsection referred to
as the ``review'') of all military, law enforcement, and
civilian rotary wing, powered lift, and unmanned aircraft
system flight operations and flight routes in the Washington DC
Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area, including but not
limited to flight operations conducted by the Department of
Defense and emergency response providers, to evaluate any
associated safety risk on commercial transport airplane
operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
(2) Other airport reviews.--
(A) In general.--The Administrator, in coordination
with the Secretary of Defense and the heads of any
Federal agencies determined appropriate by the
Administrator, shall conduct safety reviews of all
military, law enforcement and civilian rotary wing,
powered lift, and unmanned aircraft system flight
operations and flight routes at other Class B airports
(as listed in section 1 of Appendix D to part 91 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor
regulation)) in Class B airspace in the national
airspace system, including flight operations conducted
by the Department of Defense and emergency response
providers, to evaluate any associated safety risk on
commercial transport airplane operations.
(B) Prioritization.--
(i) In general.--Not later than 90 days
after the date of enactment of this section,
for the sole purpose of carrying out the safety
reviews required by subparagraph (A), the
Administrator shall classify Class B airports
into the following categories based on the
volume of mixed air traffic at each airport, as
determined by the Administrator:
(I) Class B airports with higher
volumes of mixed air traffic.
(II) Class B airports with lower
volumes of mixed air traffic.
(ii) Priority.--In conducting the safety
reviews required by subparagraph (A), the
Administrator shall prioritize the evaluation
of Class B airports in the category under
clause (i)(I).
(C) Deadline of initiation of reviews.--
(i) Class b airports with higher volumes.--
The Administrator shall initiate the review
under subparagraph (A) of Class B airports in
the category under subparagraph (B)(i)(I) no
later than 90 days after the date of enactment
of this section.
(ii) Class b airports with lower volumes.--
The Administrator shall initiate the review
under subparagraph (A) of Class B airports in
the category under subparagraph (B)(i)(II) no
later than 90 days after the deadline for
completion of the reviews under paragraph
(4)(B)(i).
(3) Requirements.--In conducting the safety reviews
required by paragraphs (1) and (2), the Office shall do the
following:
(A) Analyze air traffic and airspace management.
(B) Evaluate the level of coordination the
Administrator exercises with the Secretary of Defense
and the heads of any other Federal agencies, and
emergency response providers as appropriate, to inform
the designation and approval of airspace use and flight
routes for non-transport airplane operations.
(C) Assess any risks posed to transport airplanes
from military aircraft, civil rotorcraft, powered lift
aircraft, and unmanned aircraft systems operating in
Class B airspace in proximity to Class B airports.
(D) Review relevant incidents submitted to the
Administrator through Air Traffic Mandatory Occurrence
reports (as documented via FAA Form 7210-13), Aviation
Safety Reporting System reports, and Aviation Safety
Action Program reports, and relevant reports submitted
to the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration through the Aviation Safety
Reporting System, to identify any safety trends
regarding the operation of military aircraft, civil
rotorcraft, powered lift aircraft, and unmanned
aircraft systems in Class B airspace near Class B
airports.
(E) Select appropriately qualified representatives
of aviation labor organizations (designated by the
applicable represented organization) as participants in
the reviews, including, at a minimum--
(i) the principal organization representing
the largest certified collective bargaining
representative of airline pilots; and
(ii) the exclusive bargaining
representative of air traffic controllers of
the FAA certified under section 7111 of title
5, United States Code.
(4) Deadlines for completion of safety reviews.--
(A) Ronald reagan washington national airport.--The
Administrator shall complete the safety review required
by paragraphs (1) not later than 120 days after the
date on which such review is initiated.
(B) Other airports.--
(i) Class b airports with higher volumes.--
The Administrator shall complete the safety
reviews required by paragraphs (2) of Class B
airports in the category under subparagraph
(B)(i)(I) of such paragraph no later than 2
years after the date on which the first of such
reviews is initiated.
(ii) Class b airports with lower volumes.--
The Administrator shall complete the safety
review required by paragraphs (2) of Class B
airports in the category under subparagraph
(B)(i)(II) of such paragraph no later than 2
years after the deadline for completion of the
reviews under clause (i).
(5) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the safety
reviews required by paragraphs (1) and (2) are completed, the
Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report detailing the analysis and results of the
review, together with relevant findings and recommendations,
including any recommendations for legislative or administrative
action determined appropriate by the Administrator.
SEC. 7. FAA-DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SAFETY INFORMATION SHARING.
(a) MOU With the Department of the Army.--Not later than the date
that is 60 days after the date of enactment of this section, the
Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of the Army shall
establish a Memorandum of Understanding to permit, as appropriate, the
sharing of information from the Army's Safety Management Information
System with the FAA to facilitate communications and analysis of any
applicable impacts to the safety and efficiency of civil aviation
operations and to mitigate risk in the national airspace system.
(b) Other Department of Defense MOUs.--Not later than the date that
is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Federal
Aviation Administration shall establish a Memorandum of Understanding
with the following military departments to permit, as appropriate, the
sharing of information from applicable aviation safety information
systems to facilitate communications and analysis of any applicable
impacts to the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations and
to mitigate risk in the national airspace system:
(1) The Department of the Navy.
(2) The Department of the Air Force.
(3) The Coast Guard.
SEC. 8. NO DISRUPTIONS TO FAA WORKFORCE.
(a) Hiring Freeze Exclusion.--
(1) In general.--Any action by the President, the
Secretary, the Administrator, the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management, or other head, officer, or employee of a
Federal executive entity to halt appointment activities in the
Federal service on or after the date of enactment of this
section shall exclude the FAA workforce.
(2) Retroactive application.--Each action by the President,
the Secretary, the Administrator, the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management, or other head, officer, or employee of a
Federal executive entity to halt appointment activities at the
FAA during the period beginning on January 20, 2025, and ending
on the date of enactment of this section is reversed.
(b) Deferred Resignation Program and Voluntary Furlough
Exclusion.--
(1) In general.--Any action on or after the date of
enactment of this section by the President, the Secretary, the
Administrator, the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management, or other head, officer, or employee of a Federal
executive entity to offer a deferred resignation program or
voluntary furlough opportunity to Federal employees shall
exclude the FAA workforce.
(2) Savings clause.--Nothing in this subsection shall be
construed to affect the Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments
program carried out under part 576 of title 5, Code of Federal
Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2025).
(c) GAO Review of FAA Probationary Personnel Terminations.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall
initiate a review of each action by the President, the
Secretary, the Administrator, the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management, and other head, officer, or employee of a
Federal executive entity during the period beginning on
February 14, 2025, and ending on the date of enactment of this
section to terminate an employee in a probationary period of
employment of the FAA.
(2) Requirements.--In conducting the review, the
Comptroller General shall evaluate--
(A) whether a comprehensive safety risk management
analysis evaluating the impacts of the proposed
workforce reduction on the safety and efficiency of the
national airspace system was performed by the Secretary
or Administrator prior to the terminations;
(B) whether the President, the Secretary, the
Administrator, the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management, or other head, officer, or employee of a
Federal executive entity made efforts to notify
congressional committees of jurisdiction of the
proposed and confirmed workforce reductions; and
(C) whether the workforce reductions resulted in a
detrimental impact to the safety and efficiency of the
national airspace system.
(3) Deadline.--The Comptroller General shall complete the
review required by this subsection not later than 180 days
after the date on which the review is initiated.
(4) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which
the review is completed, the Comptroller General shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report detailing
the results of the review together with relevant findings and
recommendations, including any recommendations for legislative
or administrative action.
(d) Prohibition on FAA Staffing Reductions.--The Secretary and the
Administrator shall not--
(1) carry out a reduction in force for employees of the
FAA; or
(2) reduce the number of full-time equivalent positions at
the FAA.
SEC. 9. EXTENSION OF FAA AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER MAX HIRING REQUIREMENT.
Section 437(a) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (49 U.S.C.
44506 note) is amended by striking ``2028'' and inserting ``2033''.
SEC. 10. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING IMPROVEMENTS.
(a) Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative Program.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall leverage the
Collegiate Training Initiative program described in section
44506(c) of title 49, United States Code, to maintain an
Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program (in
this section referred to as the ``Enhanced Initiative'') to
support the recruitment, education, and hiring of well-
qualified developmental air traffic controllers.
(2) Requirements.--In maintaining the Enhanced Initiative
under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall, at a minimum,
include the following criteria:
(A) Selecting and leveraging partnerships with
accredited institutions of higher education (as defined
in section 61.1 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations) that administer an accredited air traffic
curriculum to undergraduate students.
(B) Determining criteria for accredited
institutions of higher education to participate in the
Enhanced Initiative.
(C) Soliciting applications from, and provide
guidance to, interested accredited institutions of
higher education that administer an accredited air
traffic curriculum to undergraduate students, including
accredited institutions that participate in the
Collegiate Training Initiative, to help increase
qualified accredited institutions participating in the
Enhanced Initiative.
(3) Selection criteria.--Prior to selecting an accredited
institution of higher education for participation in the
Enhanced Initiative, the Administrator shall--
(A) evaluate the institution's air traffic
curriculum, including the institution's--
(i) access to air traffic educational
resources; and
(ii) proximity and access to air traffic
facilities and equipment;
(B) certify that each institution of higher
education seeking to participate in the Enhanced
Initiative has a qualified air traffic curriculum that
provides, at a minimum, an equivalent level of
education and training for air traffic controller
trainees to that provided at the FAA Academy; and
(C) certify that all evaluations of students at
accredited institutions of higher education seeking to
participate in the Enhanced Initiative shall be
conducted by FAA-approved and certified evaluators.
(4) Program expansion.--The Administrator shall establish a
minimum target of certifying 15 qualified institutions of
higher education that meet the criteria described in this
section for selection to participate in the Enhanced
Initiative. The qualified institutions of higher education
selected for such minimum target shall include any institution
of higher education selected and certified by the Administrator
for participation in the Enhanced Initiative as of January 20,
2025.
(5) Hiring qualified graduates.--The Administrator may
appoint qualified individuals who have successively completed
an air traffic curriculum certified by the Administrator under
paragraph (3) at a participating institution of higher
education selected by the Administrator and received at least a
well-qualified score on the Air Traffic Skills Assessment, or
successor air traffic entrance exam, on a non-competitive basis
for the position of Air Traffic Control Specialist in the
excepted service (as defined in section 2103 of title 5, United
States Code).
(6) Supporting the hiring of qualified instructors.--Using
amounts made available under section 106(k)(1) of title 49,
United States Code, the Administrator may award funds to
support the recruitment and hiring of qualified faculty and
FAA-approved and certified evaluators at accredited
institutions of higher education that administer an accredited
air traffic curriculum to undergraduate students that either--
(A) participate in the Collegiate Training
Initiative and are interested and qualified applicants
for participation in the Enhanced Initiative; or
(B) have been selected by the Administrator for
participation in the Enhanced Initiative.
(7) Review of enhanced at-cti program.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the
date of the enactment of this section, the Comptroller
General shall initiate a study to examine the
effectiveness of the Enhanced Initiative in increasing
FAA air traffic controller education and training
capacity and throughput to grow the FAA air traffic
controller workforce.
(B) Contents.--In conducting the study under
subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General shall, at a
minimum, evaluate the effectiveness of the program in
producing--
(i) students that score at least a well-
qualified score on the Air Traffic Skills
Assessment or successor air traffic entrance
exam;
(ii) developmental controllers that enter
en route and terminal air traffic environments
after completing the Enhanced Initiative; and
(iii) developmental controllers that become
Certified Professional Controllers.
(C) Consultation.--In conducting the study required
under subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General shall
consult with the FAA and appropriate stakeholders
involved in overseeing, operating, and administering
the Enhanced Initiative.
(D) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date
the Comptroller General initiates the study under
subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress and the
Administrator a report describing the results of the
study, together with any appropriate recommendations
for legislative or administrative action.
(b) Improving Aviation Medical Examiner Staffing.--Using amounts
made available under section 106(k)(1) of title 49, United States Code,
the Administrator shall exercise all actions necessary to hire
qualified licensed medical physicians with knowledge of or a background
in aerospace medicine, psychiatry, psychology, neurology, cardiology,
or internal medicine in order to--
(1) increase the Aviation Medical Examiner (as described in
section 183.21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations)
workforce; and
(2) achieve maximum staffing capacity within the FAA Office
of Aerospace Medicine.
(c) Air Traffic Control Instructor Recruitment Program.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall develop and
execute an air traffic control instructor outreach and
engagement program to assist with the recruitment, hiring, and
retention of air traffic control instructors at the FAA Academy
and at FAA air traffic control facilities with a demonstrated
shortage of air traffic control personnel to provide classroom
instruction or on-the-job training.
(2) Requirements.--In executing the program under paragraph
(1), the Administrator shall conduct outreach and engagement
activities relating to air traffic control instructor career
opportunities to air traffic controllers who are within 1 year
of--
(A) meeting the age and service requirements for an
annuity under sections 8336(e) and 8412(e) of title 5,
United States Code; and
(B) attaining the mandatory separation age for air
traffic controllers described in sections 8335(a) and
8425(a) of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Consideration.--In developing the outreach and
engagement program, the Administrator may consider the results
of the study conducted in section 416 of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-63, 138 Stat.
1161).
(4) Publication.--In executing the program under paragraph
(1), the Administrator shall make publicly available on the
website of the FAA, in a conspicuous manner, qualification
criteria and hiring materials relating to air traffic control
instructor careers, including active job postings for air
traffic control instructors.
SEC. 11. TARAM ANALYSES.
(a) Assessment.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall conduct a
Transport Airplane Risk Assessment Methodology (in this section
referred to as ``TARAM'') analysis with respect to any
transport airplane accidents in the United States that result
in a fatality, regardless of whether an aircraft design or a
manufacturing issue is believed to have contributed to the
accident.
(2) Report.--Not later than 30 days after conducting a
TARAM analysis in accordance with paragraph (1), the
Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report containing the results of the analysis,
together with recommendations for such legislation and
administrative action as the Administrator determines
appropriate.
(3) Employee designation.--Not later than 60 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
designate multiple employees of the FAA as experts for the
TARAM analysis process who shall be responsible for the
advocacy, maintenance, and training of TARAM guidance and
processes, including updating FAA Policy Statement PS-ANM-25-
05, Risk Assessment Methodology for Transport Category
Airplanes (dated November 4, 2011) to reflect, among other
things, current National Transportation Safety Board accident
rates.
(b) Required Updates.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall revise FAA Policy
Statement PS-ANM-25-05, Risk Assessment Methodology for Transport
Category Airplanes (dated November 4, 2011) and any successor policy
statement in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 130(c) of the Aircraft
Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (Public Law 116-260; 134
Stat. 2349) is amended to read as follows:
``(c) Required Notice.--The Administrator shall provide notice to
the congressional committees of jurisdiction on the findings and
recommendations of a TARAM conducted following a transport airplane
accident in which a loss of life occurred.''.
SEC. 12. EMPLOYEE REPORTING.
(a) Whistleblower Audit.--
(1) In general.--The Inspector General of the Department of
Transportation shall initiate an audit of the FAA, including
the FAA Whistleblower Protection Program, to review whether the
FAA is appropriately processing and acting on submitted
complaints.
(2) Requirement.--The audit conducted under paragraph (1)
shall not compromise the identity of any individual who
submitted a report through the Whistleblower Protection Program
or the FAA Hotline of the FAA Office of Audit and Evaluation.
(b) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of
this section, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
containing the results of the audit conducted under subsection (a),
together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative
action as the Inspector General determines appropriate.
SEC. 13. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.
(a) Interim Final Rule.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue
an interim final rule to require strict adherence to the requirements
described in section 208 of title 18, United States Code.
(b) Compliance Review and Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this section, the Inspector General of the
Department of Transportation shall review the Department of
Transportation's compliance with the requirements of this section and
identify any applicable conflict of interest waivers granted by the
Federal Government for the Department of Transportation relating to
Department of Transportation and FAA employees, contracting,
acquisition, and procurement, and shall brief the appropriate
committees of Congress about the findings of such review.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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