This bill, known as the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act, raises the mandatory retirement age for commercial airline pilots from 65 to 67 years old. It allows airlines to voluntarily choose to keep a stricter limit of 70 years, but once they make that choice, they cannot lower it later. The law also ensures that pilots aged 60 and older must hold a specific type of medical certificate and prevents them from facing stricter medical checks solely because of their age, unless the Federal Aviation Administration determines it is necessary for safety. Additionally, the bill requires that any changes to pilot contracts or benefit plans needed to comply with these new age rules must be agreed upon by both the airline and the pilots' union representatives.
This bill is a non-binding resolution that expresses support for designating May 2026 as 'Renewable Fuels Month.' It aims to highlight the economic and environmental benefits of renewable fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, which are used in vehicles and aviation. The resolution recognizes how these fuels help lower consumer prices, create jobs in rural areas, reduce reliance on foreign oil, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Because this is a symbolic gesture rather than a law with enforceable rules, it does not change any existing policies or regulations.
This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration to equip specific contract air traffic control towers with advanced situational awareness tools within one year of enactment. It mandates the installation of Airborne Position Reference Tools at towers lacking these systems and ensures that towers without Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems receive necessary equipment and maintenance support. The legislation also updates funding rules to cover the costs of acquiring and operating these new tools and establishes training programs to help controllers effectively use the technology. Additionally, the bill provides financial reimbursement to airports that have already purchased similar systems before the federal government installs them.
This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration to update airline baggage rules to specifically include strollers. It requires airlines to include strollers in their contracts of carriage and to tag them with a handled with care notice. Additionally, the legislation sets a specific liability limit of $2,175 for damage to strollers while in the care of an air carrier. The bill defines a stroller broadly to cover collapsible carriages and other devices used to transport children.
The Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026 requires turbine-powered helicopters carrying two or more passengers to follow the same safety standards as commercial airlines, including stricter rules for pilot training, rest periods, maintenance, and equipment. This legislation directly affects helicopter operators currently regulated under Part 135 of federal aviation regulations, mandating compliance with Part 121 airline standards within 24 months of enactment. Key provisions include requirements for terrain awareness systems, cockpit and flight data recording, and the elimination of inconsistent exemptions by the Federal Aviation Administration. The bill also authorizes $50 million annually through 2030 for enforcement, oversight, and hiring additional safety inspectors, while excluding emergency medical services operations from these requirements.
This bill allows airport operators to contract with private companies to perform passenger and property security screening instead of relying solely on federal employees. To qualify, private companies must meet strict standards including employing only vetted staff, demonstrating equal capability to federal personnel, and being owned and controlled by U.S. citizens. The Transportation Security Administration would maintain a public list of approved companies, provide federal supervisors and law enforcement at airports using private screening, and conduct covert testing to ensure performance standards are met. The legislation also requires annual reports comparing the performance and costs of private screening against federal operations, and includes provisions to limit airport operator liability for damages caused by negligence or wrongdoing by private screening companies and their employees.
The Interstate Ferry Fairness Act allows privately owned ferries and ferry terminals operating between two adjoining states to receive federal funding for construction and purchase. Under this legislation, private ferry operators can apply for federal assistance if the Secretary of Transportation determines the project provides substantial public benefits or meets surface transportation needs. The bill also permits privately owned ferries to charge fares that cover operational costs plus a reasonable rate of return approved by the Secretary. These changes expand eligibility for the Ferry Boat Program beyond publicly owned vessels, while maintaining oversight on fare structures and fund usage.
This bill establishes a dedicated Transportation Security Trust Fund to ensure money collected from airline passenger security fees is used exclusively for aviation security purposes. The fund would support the Transportation Security Administration by paying salaries and benefits for its personnel, funding passenger and baggage screening operations, and purchasing security technology and infrastructure. Additionally, the legislation guarantees that aviation security operations can continue without interruption during government funding lapses, prioritizing frontline staff compensation and operational expenses before using remaining funds for technology upgrades.
This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration to install certified airborne position reference tools at certain air traffic control towers within one year of enactment. It specifically targets contract-operated towers that currently lack Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems or similar situational awareness tools. The legislation also mandates the FAA to fund and maintain these systems while establishing training programs for air traffic controllers to ensure proper use of the new technology. Additionally, the bill provides reimbursement for towers that independently purchase these systems before the FAA installs them.
Keep Air Travel Safe Act This bill provides continuing appropriations for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) during any period in which there is a lapse in appropriations for TSA. It also requires the continuing appropriations to be funded using certain unobligated funds that were provided to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The bill provides the appropriations for TSA to continue all programs, projects, or activities (including the costs of direct loans and loan guarantees) that were funded in the preceding fiscal year. The appropriations provided by this bill are available from the first day of a lapse in appropriations for TSA until the earlier of the date on which the applicable regular appropriations bill for the fiscal year becomes law or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations becomes law, or the date that is 180 days after the first day of a lapse in appropriations.