Mr. President, I rise today in support of H.R. 302, the Aviation, Transportation Safety, and Disaster Recovery Reforms and Reauthorization Act, a long-term, bipartisan reauthorization of the Federal…
Mr. President, I rise today in support of H.R. 302, the Aviation, Transportation Safety, and Disaster Recovery Reforms and Reauthorization Act, a long-term, bipartisan reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA.
I am pleased that this bill includes multiple provisions designed to mitigate and alleviate community exposure to noise. Aircraft noise threatens the quality of life of Marylanders who live around Baltimore/ Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, BWI, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, DCA, robbing them of sleep, cardiovascular health, and their children's learning.
After anguished pleas from impacted constituents and concerned State and local elected officials, Senator Van Hollen and I drafted multiple noise impact mitigation provisions which are included in H.R. 302. After this bill is enacted, airports will have to submit updated noise exposure maps to the FAA, the FAA will have to consider noise concerns from affected communities when proposing new departure procedures, the FAA will be required to examine the community engagement process, the FAA will study how aircraft approach and takeoff speeds impact communities surrounding airports, airport land use compatibility guidelines will have to be revised, the FAA will create a pilot program to mitigate the impacts of aircraft noise, and the FAA and NASA will study the impact of technologies on fuel efficiency, noise, and aircraft weight.
I am disappointed that my provision to require the FAA Administrator to implement new departure and arrival procedures to protect communities surrounding airports was not included in this bill, and I am determined to continue my efforts to improve the departure and arrival procedures.
Outside of the noise context, H.R. 302 will make the skies safer and more dignified for airline passengers and professionals alike. Airports will be required to provide lactation rooms to be eligible for airport development project grants.
Airline staff who have regular interaction with passengers will be required to have human trafficking identification training. The FAA must examine and improve response to onboard sexual assault allegations. The Attorney General of the United States will establish a process for individuals to report sexual misconduct on aircraft.
The FAA will issue regulations creating minimum dimensions for passenger seats--width, leg room, and pitch--and prohibiting airlines from involuntarily removing passengers from flights after they have cleared the boarding gate.
The bill makes aviation safer for first responders by directing the FAA to consider an airport's role in medical emergencies, medical evacuations, and community-related emergency or disaster preparedness when evaluating airport master plans.
The bill restores power to passengers by directing the U.S. Department of Transportation to examine whether carriers are being upfront with consumers about flight times and requires Secretary of Transportation to develop the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights, listing rights and protections granted to airline passengers.
The aviation industry is critical to the State of Maryland. According to the Alliance for Aviation Across America, Maryland is home to 25 repair stations, 15 FAA-approved pilot schools, 1,389 flight instructors, 2,566 student pilots, 514 active Air Line Pilots Association pilots, 110 National Air Traffic Controller Association air traffic controllers, an aviation maintenance training school, and nine general aviation airports. More than 17 million passengers flew through BWI Marshall Airport in 2017. In 2017, the FAA's Airport Improvement Program, AIP, provided $26,307,253 in grants to airport improvement projects in Maryland.
H.R. 302 balances the needs of Maryland residents, communities, airports and the aviation industry while ensuring continuity for the FAA programs which are vital to the safe operation and economic viability of Maryland's airports and aviation community. I support the bipartisan H.R. 302 which will modernize airport infrastructure, improve service for the flying public, enhance transportation safety and security, and boost aviation industry innovation.
