Act to Combat International Terrorism

(Reported to House from the Committee on Public Works and Transporation with amendments, H. Rept. 96-424 (Part I))

Act to Combat International Terrorism - Directs the President to report biannually to Congress regarding acts of international terrorism and to submit lists of countries supporting international terrorism. Specifies the sanctions to be imposed against such countries, which include: (1) no foreign assistance other than disaster assistance; (2) no sales of defense articles or services; and (3) denying export licenses for defense articles or services or for goods with potential military application, if the President determines such denial would reduce the support of the particular country for terrorist actions. Permits the President to suspend application of such sanctions in the interests of national security after consulting with the appropriate congressional committees. Authorizes the President to exercise other sanctions, including the suspension of air services between the United States and the country supporting terrorist activities.

Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require the Secretary of Transportation to assess the effectiveness of security measures maintained at foreign airports and report such assessments to Congress. Authorizes the Secretary to restrict operations at those foreign airports failing to bring their security measures to a standard level of effectiveness. Requires the Federal Aviation Administration Administrator to include in the Administrator's report to Congress assessments of the effectiveness of security measures maintained at foreign airports. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical aviation assistance to foreign governments.

Prohibits the Administrator from exempting from the weapon detection and security provisions of such Act any passenger operations by any certificated air carrier or foreign air carrier unless passenger operations are conducted pursuant to a private charter trip.

Amends the provisions of title 18 of the U.S. Code that specify prohibited acts regarding the destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities to, among other revisions, set forth penalties for committing violence against a passenger which is likely to endanger an aircraft in service, and for communicating false information which results in endangering the safety of an aircraft in flight.

Authorizes civil penalties for carrying an accessible weapon aboard an aircraft and for imparting or conveying information known to be false regarding specified crimes aboard an aircraft. Exempts officers or employees of the Federal Government, where authorized, from such penalties.

Specifies criminal penalties for threatening to commit air piracy, and placing a loaded firearm in baggage on board an aircraft.

Urges the President to seek international agreements to assure more effective cooperation in combating international terrorism. Specifies agreements which should receive high priority.