AGC supports the FAA reauthorization bill which includes increased funding levels for airport runway projects across the country.

During the week of July 17, the House of Representatives debated and passed H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, a bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aviation safety and infrastructure programs for the next five years. The bipartisan bill, championed by Chairman Sam Graves (R – Mo.) who is a pilot himself, includes increased funding levels for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) which funds airport runway projects across the country. The construction industry had several other wins which AGC previously reported on.

AGC formally weighed in with our support of the bill but also our opposition to an amendment from Congressman Scott Perry (R – Penn.) which would have cut funding for the AIP program. The Perry amendment ultimately failed. Other noteworthy debates about the bill include:

• An increase in the mandatory retirement age for pilots – from 65 to 67 (included); and
• A change to pilot training rules that would allow some flight simulator time to count toward the 1,500 hours (removed from the base bill by amendment vote).

Next, the Senate must introduce and pass their version of the FAA reauthorization so the two can debate the difference and send it to the President’s desk. As always, we will keep you updated with the latest.