FAA Archive
SUMMARY
S. 2658, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2016 reauthorizes the FAA and related programs through fiscal year 2017. The bill supports U.S. jobs, improves safety, advances beneficial drone technology, and helps passengers.
A consumer columnist for the Washington Post called the bill, "one of the most passenger-friendly Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bills in a generation." It does not raise taxes or fees on the traveling public.
This is a bipartisan bill introduced jointly by Senate Commerce Committee John Thune (R-S.D.), Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Aviation Subcommittee Chair Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).
WHAT THE BILL DOES
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)/Drone Safety & Innovation - Addresses safety and privacy issues, boosts enforcement, and clarifies federal and local roles regarding drones while creating new opportunities for testing and promoting innovative uses of this technology, subject to FAA approval.
Aircraft Certification Reforms - Improves international competitiveness of U.S. aerospace manufacturing by improving the FAA’s processes for certifying aircraft designs and modifications, as well as ensuring the benefits of such certification processes for manufacturers competing in global markets.
Consumer Protection & Aviation Access - Includes new consumer protections for the flying public, maintains access for rural communities, and takes steps to help passengers with disabilities and certain medical conditions during air travel.
Airline Safety Improvements - Includes new requirements on the bulk transfer of lithium batteries, mental health screening and records retention for commercial pilots, increasing awareness of human trafficking for airline personnel, and improving communicable disease preparedness.
General Aviation Safety & Protections - Addresses concerns of the general aviation community by including the bipartisan Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2, which reforms the Third Class Medical Certificate process for non-commercial pilots. Also includes new requirements for small tower markings.
Air Traffic Control & NextGen - Acts on recommendations of independent government watchdogs for improving the FAA’s transition to 21st century air traffic control technologies known collectively as “NextGen” as well as addressing cybersecurity concerns.
Infrastructure Investment & Study - Increases authorized funding for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which pays for infrastructure like runways, by $400 million to an annual level of $3.75 billion (well within the projected trust fund surplus), and streamlines the application process for Passenger Facility Charges (PFC). Requires a study and recommendations on upgrading and restoring the nation’s airport infrastructure.
Learn more:
Bill text as passed by the Senate on 4/19/16
Highlights of the bill (5 pages)
Section-by-section bill guide (33 pages)
COMMITTEE ACTIVITY
4/19/16 - Commerce Leaders Praise Passage of Security-Focused, Passenger-Friendly FAA Bill
4/7/16 - Senate Adds Bipartisan Airport Security Enhancements to FAA Legislation
3/16/16 - Commerce Approves FAA Reauthorization Bill (committee amendments considered)
3/16/16 - Commerce Holds Markup on FAA Reauthorization Bill (link to video of proceeding)
3/9/16 - Commerce Leaders Introduce FAA Reauthorization Bill (bill as originally introduced)
5/19/15 - FAA Reauthorization: Air Traffic Control Modernization and Reform
4/28/15 - FAA Reauthorization: Aviation Safety and General Aviation
4/23/15 - FAA Reauthorization: Airport Issues and Infrastructure Financing
4/21/15 - FAA Reauthorization: Certification and U.S. Aviation Manufacturing Competitiveness
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is the older version of the FAA bill that first came to the Senate floor (before 19 floor amendments were added) available?
Yes, it is available here.
Where can I learn more about this bill?
We suggest taking a look at our "full summary" overview that expands on the seven major categories of initiatives in the bill.
If you want to take a deeper dive and find yourself wondering what a section of the legislation does, our section-by-section guide explains every bill provision. The document can also be useful if you're interested in searching for specific parts of the bill that address specific topics like drones or provisions to help passengers.
If this information doesn't answer your question, call us at 202-224-1251 or ask us a question on our @SenateCommerce social media platforms.
We'll also be adding information about amendments changing the bill on this page.
Does S. 2658 include reforms to strengthen aviation security against the threat of terrorism?
On April 7, the Senate passed two bipartisan airport security enhancements to the FAA reauthorization bill. The full text of the Thune/Nelson/Ayotte/Cantwell amendment is available here and the text of the amendment offered by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and ten other Senators is available here. The proposals are designed to bolster airport security for passengers and include provisions from bills earlier approved by the Commerce Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee.
Do policies for expanding drone usage have public safety benefits?
Yes, but since unmanned aircraft systems — also called drones — share airspace with traditional commercial airliners and smaller private aircraft, it is critical that drone operators know and follow basic safety rules. A chief safety advantage is the potential of a drone weighing only 50 pounds or even much less to perform tasks that have traditionally been done by helicopters and airplanes weighing several tons. This would include tasks like inspections of electrical transmission wires or scouting for wildfires in the wilderness. S. 2658 strikes a balance by giving the FAA tools to ensure that unmanned aircraft systems are used properly and to add safeguards against potentially dangerous situations.
Member Floor Speeches
4/6/16: Thune Speaks on FAA Bill to Support U.S. Jobs, Increase Safety, Improve Drone Operations, and Make Travel Easier for Airline Passengers. Read more here.
4/5/16: Sen. John Thune on Recent Terror Attacks, Transportation Security, and TSA Hearing. Read more here.
4/6/16: Nelson Speaks on FAA Reauthorization on the Senate Floor. Read more here.
4/12/16: Thune Urges Colleagues to Support Strong Aviation Security and Passenger-Friendly Reforms in Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Bill. Read more here.
4/13/16: Thune Urges Colleagues to Support Comprehensive Reforms in Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization. Read more here.