HR 3935 United States House · 118th Congress

FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024

# Summary of FAA Reauthorization Act (49 USC 40101 note) This comprehensive aviation safety and regulation bill reauthorizes and updates numerous FAA programs and requirements through 2028. Key provisions include: 1. **Safety Management Systems**: Requires implementation across all certificate holders (including commuter, on-demand, and air tour operators) with a focus on scalability for small entities. 2. **International Oversight**: Strengthens oversight of repair stations outside the US, requiring minimum qualifications for mechanics and prohibiting new contracts with Category 2 countries (those with safety concerns). 3. **Organization Designation Authorization (ODA)**: Mandates ethics training for ODA unit members, requiring annual training on professional obligations, safety reporting procedures, and conflict resolution. 4. **Type Certification Modernization**: Requires an independent study on future type certification processes, focusing on digital tools, risk-based models, and international best practices. 5. **Fire Protection Standards**: Directs an internal review comparing foreign and domestic fire protection standards, with potential updates to the Significant Standards List. 6. **Data Management**: Mandates a comprehensive review of FAA data collection, analysis, and use, with a third-party evaluation to improve data accessibility and analytics capabilities. 7. **Weather Systems**: Requires studies on weather reporting systems' supply chain, age, maintenance challenges, and the feasibility of expanding the FAA Weather Camera Program. 8. **Digital Transformation**: Requires digitization of at least 3 paper-based FAA processes (e.g., aircraft certification, registration, and airmen certification) within 180 days. 9. **Workforce Policies**: Establishes telework policies that maintain safety and efficiency while optimizing office footprint and costs. The bill extends numerous existing programs through 2028 (replacing earlier expiration dates), emphasizes international cooperation, and focuses on modernizing FAA processes through digital transformation while maintaining the highest safety standards.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2023
Committee Review
May 2024
House Passage
May 2024
Senate Passage
May 2024
Signed into Law
May 2024
Introduced Jun 9, 2023 Signed May 16, 2024
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed in House Enrolled Bill · 19 edits
MAJOR
The bill was completely restructured from the House engrossed version to reflect the Senate-passed enrolled version, renamed from the 'Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act' to the 'FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.' The most significant substantive changes include: the Freedom to Fly Act's nine explicit vaccine and mask mandate prohibition sections were reduced to two general provisions; FAA organizational reform was expanded into a full title incorporating many items previously scattered in Miscellaneous; General Aviation was moved from Title II to Title VIII (suggesting lower legislative priority); and numerous new sections were added covering consumer protection, cybersecurity, UAS, advanced air mobility, and airport infrastructure. The enrolled bill represents the Senate's comprehensive reorganization of the House bill with both additions and deletions across all titles.
SCOPE

The bill was renamed from 'Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act' to 'FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024,' signaling adoption of the Senate version as the final enrolled text.

The Freedom to Fly Act (former Title X) contained nine explicit sections prohibiting vaccine mandates and mask mandates for FAA employees, contractors, and passengers. In the enrolled bill these were reduced to two general provisions in Miscellaneous (Sec. 1106 'Prohibition on mandates' and Sec. 1107 'COVID-19 vaccination status'), substantially narrowing the scope of the mandate prohibitions.

FAA Organizational Reform was elevated from a subtitle (Subtitle B of Title I with 22 sections) to a full Title II ('FAA Oversight and Organizational Reform') with approximately 31 sections, absorbing many provisions that were previously in the Miscellaneous title (telework, office space review, industry standards participation, commercial preference, franchise fund, etc.).

Several House provisions were dropped entirely, including: FAA management board (Sec. 122), Office of Innovation (Sec. 126), Frank A. LoBiondo National Aerospace Safety and Security Campus (Sec. 127), Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace (Sec. 128), FAA Ombudsman (Sec. 130), Aviation noise officer (Sec. 135), prohibition on N-Number profiteering (Sec. 206), ADS-B safety enhancement incentive program (Sec. 221), exemption of fees for air traffic services (Sec. 255), Samya Rose Stumo fellowship extension (Sec. 324), age standards for pilots (Sec. 330), prohibition on operation over Russian airspace (Sec. 856), prohibition on foreign-made UAS procurement (Sec. 871), and study on hardening satellites (Sec. 873).

New UAS provisions in enrolled bill include: FAA comprehensive plan on UAS automation (Sec. 924), third-party service approvals (Sec. 932), special authority for hazardous materials transport by commercial package delivery UAS (Sec. 933), covered drone prohibition (Sec. 936), and expanding use of innovative technologies in the Gulf of Mexico (Sec. 937).

New Advanced Air Mobility provisions include: Sense of Congress on FAA leadership in AAM (Sec. 952), NEPA categorical exclusions for vertiport projects (Sec. 953), advanced propulsion systems regulations (Sec. 956), and Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies (Sec. 961).

New airport infrastructure provisions include: PFAS-related resources for airports (Sec. 767), progress reports on fluorine-free firefighting foam (Sec. 762), universal changing station (Sec. 774), airport human trafficking prevention grants (Sec. 774A), and Washington DC Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area (Sec. 760).

General Aviation was moved from Title II (second in the House bill) to Title VIII (eighth in the enrolled bill), reflecting a reordering that may indicate reduced legislative priority for GA provisions relative to safety, workforce, and passenger experience topics.

The House bill's Title VI 'Aerospace Innovation' was reorganized into Title IX 'New Entrants and Aerospace Innovation,' with the UAS subtitle expanded from 35 to 37 sections and new AAM provisions added, while several space-related provisions (national spaceports policy report, intermodal transportation pilot program, high-speed aircraft airspace access, ICAO activities) were removed or relocated.

DEFINITION

A new Section 2 was added providing definitions for Administrator, appropriate committees of Congress, Comptroller General, FAA, NextGen, and Secretary.

REQUIREMENT

New position created: Assistant Administrator for Rulemaking and Regulatory Improvement (Sec. 202), a new senior FAA role not present in the House version.

New Office of Aviation Consumer Protection established (Sec. 501), along with new consumer protection measures including: refunds provision (Sec. 503), Know Your Rights posters (Sec. 504), airline customer service dashboards (Sec. 506), and increased civil penalties (Sec. 507).

New cybersecurity provisions added: 'Securing aircraft avionics systems' (Sec. 394) and 'GAO report on cybersecurity of commercial aviation avionics' (Sec. 396), expanding beyond the House's four-section cybersecurity subtitle.

New whistleblower enforcement provision: 'Civil penalties for whistleblower protection program violations' (Sec. 371), adding a penalty mechanism not present in the House version which only had 'Whistleblower protection enforcement' (former Sec. 825).

New passenger accessibility provision: 'On-board wheelchairs in aircraft cabin' (Sec. 551), requiring or studying the provision of on-board wheelchairs, a topic not addressed in the House version.

FISCAL

New airport discretionary program: 'Airport safety and resilient infrastructure discretionary program' (Sec. 714) replaced the House's 'Transfer of AIP supplemental funds to formula program' (former Sec. 413), shifting from a transfer mechanism to a dedicated discretionary category.

New R&D subtitle specifically for UAS and Advanced Air Mobility (Secs. 1041-1045) with interagency working group, strategic research plan, and partnership provisions, not present in the House version.

TIMELINE

Cockpit voice recorder requirement changed from general 'Cockpit voice recorders' (House Sec. 525) to specifically '25-hour cockpit voice recorder' (Enrolled Sec. 366), specifying a recording duration.

ENFORCEMENT

New provision: 'Prohibition on provision of airport improvement grant funds to certain entities that have violated intellectual property rights of United States entities' (Sec. 711), creating a new funding restriction not in the House bill.

Floor votes · Senate May 9, 2024 · House Jul 20, 2023

How they voted

884
Passed · 8 other
Total votes 100
May 9, 2024
D Democratic47
42 Yea 4 Nay 1
89% Yea
I Independent4
2 Yea 2
50% Yea
R Republican49
44 Yea 5
89% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
100
Key actions
38
Committee
32
Amendments
22
May 16, 2024
Signed into law
Signed by President.
executive
May 15, 2024
Introduced
On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 387 - 26 (Roll no. 200). (consideration: CR H3229-3230; text: 5/14/2024 CR H3050-3164)
lower
May 15, 2024
Lower · Passed
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 387 - 26 (Roll no. 200). (consideration: CR H3229-3230; text: 5/14/2024 CR H3050-3164)
lower
May 14, 2024
Introduced
DEBATE - The House resumed debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3935.
lower
May 14, 2024
Introduced
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3935.
lower
May 14, 2024
Introduced
Mr. Graves (MO) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H3050-3170)
lower
May 9, 2024
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, under the order of 5/9/2024, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 88 - 4. Record Vote Number: 162. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: 05/07/2024 CR S3381-3495)
upper
May 9, 2024
Upper · Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate, under the order of 5/9/2024, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 88 - 4. Record Vote Number: 162. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: 05/07/2024 CR S3381-3495)
upper
May 9, 2024
Upper · Passed
Motion by Senator Schumer to commit to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 2027) fell when cloture was invoked on SA 1911, as modified, in Senate.
upper
May 7, 2024
Upper · Passed
Motion by Senator Schumer to commit to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 2027) made in Senate. (text: CR S3495)
upper
May 7, 2024
Upper · Passed
Motion by Senator Schumer to commit to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 1294) tabled in Senate by Voice Vote.
upper
Sep 28, 2023
Upper · Passed
Motion by Senator Schumer to commit to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 1294) made in Senate.
upper
Jul 20, 2023
Lower · Passed
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 351 - 69 (Roll no. 364).
lower
Jul 20, 2023
Lower · Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 351 - 69 (Roll no. 364).
lower
Jul 20, 2023
Lower · Passed
The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
lower
Jul 20, 2023
Lower · Passed
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3935.
lower
Jul 20, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 77, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Larsen (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 20, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 77.
lower
Jul 20, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 76, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Graves (MO) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 20, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 76.
lower
Jul 20, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Graves (MO) amendment en bloc No. 4, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Larsen (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 20, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Graves (MO) amendment en bloc No. 4.
lower
Jul 20, 2023
Lower · Passed
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3935 as unfinished business.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
Mr. Graves (MO) moved that the committee rise.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
Mr. Perry moved that the committee rise.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 75, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 75.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 74, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 74.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 73, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Larsen (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 73.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At conclusion of debate on the Owens amendment No. 71, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Larsen (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Owens amendment No. 71.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At conclusion of debate on the Ogles amendment No. 70, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ogles amendment No. 70.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At conclusion of debate on the Ogles amendment No. 69, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ogles amendment No. 69.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At conclusion of debate on the Obernolte amendment No. 68, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Obernolte amendment No. 68.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Obernolte amendment No. 67.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At conclusion of debate on the Miller (IL) amendment No. 65, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Cohen demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Miller (IL) amendment No. 65.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At conclusion of debate on the Miller (IL) amendment No. 64, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Cohen demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Miller (IL) amendment No. 64.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At conclusion of debate on the McClintock amendment No. 62, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (SD) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McClintock amendment No. 62.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the LaMalfa amendment No. 53.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Kean (NJ) amendment No. 50, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Cohen demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kean (NJ) amendment No. 50.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson (TX) amendment No. 48, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Cohen demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. R. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson (TX) amendment No. 48.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Issa amendment No. 47, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Cohen demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Issa amendment No. 47.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Huizenga amendment No. 44, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Larsen (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Huizenga amendment No. 44.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Introduced
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Miller (IL) amendment No. 36, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Larsen (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
lower
Jul 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 597, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Miller (IL) amendment No. 36.
lower
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors

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