FAA airs bill supporting technologies, infrastructure

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Friday introduced legislation to reauthorize the programs of the Federal Aviation Administration.    The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Friday introduced the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4), a five-year bill to reauthorize the programs of the Federal Aviation Administration.
   The bill’s sponsors include Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., and Ranking Member Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., as well as Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J., and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Rick Larsen, D-Wash.
   The FAA Reauthorization Act puts emphasis on supporting the development of new aviation technologies and airport infrastructure. 
   “This legislation ensures long-term investment and stability in aviation infrastructure for America’s large, small and rural communities, and it addresses issues to help maintain the safety of our system,” Shuster said in a statement. 
   “This FAA authorization is the culmination of years of hearings and listening sessions to solicit input from aviation stakeholders, commercial passengers, general aviation pilots and our colleagues,” LoBiondo added. “In the truest sense, this legislation represents bipartisan cooperation and compromise to advance the nation’s aviation interests and safety in the skies.”
   Rolled into H.R. 4 is the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, which is expected to help communities better prepare for managing disasters, the House committee said.
   “After spending tens of billions of dollars on disasters in 2017, America needs a better system to ensure the effective use of taxpayer dollars,” said Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee Chairman Lou Barletta, R-Pa. “By incentivizing pre-disaster mitigation, my bill will help us save $4 to $8 on the back end for every $1 spent on the front end.”