Federal Aviation Administration Revitalization Act of 1995

Bill Summary - H.R. 2276

Date:	March 20, 1996
Bill:	Federal Aviation Administration Revitalization Act of 1995
Bill Number:	H.R. 2276
Sponsors:	John Duncan (R-TN), Jim Lightfoot (R-IA)
Status:	H.R. 2276 was cleared by the House Aviation Subcommittee Oct. 26, 1995, and by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Nov. 1. 1995. The full House passed it by voice vote on March 12, 1996. The bill currently has 63 co-sponsors, including original co-sponsors Bud Shuster (R-PA), and Jim Oberstar (D-WI).
Other Bills:	Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) has introduced a very similar bill, S. 928. There has been no action on this bill. A related Senate bill, S. 1239, sponsored by Aviation Subcomittee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) awaits Senate floor action.

The Duncan-Lightfoot bill is aimed at reforming the Federal Aviation Administration by making it independent of the Department of Transportation, establishing a Federal Aviation Board to oversee the agency, and easing federal procurement and personnel rules. The FY1996 DOT Appropriations Act enacted personnel and procurement reforms similar, but not identical, to those in this bill, and the sponsors of H.R. 2276 believe their bill's reforms will improve on the Appropriations reforms. Unlike S.ï¿½1239, the Duncan-Lightfoot bill does not provide for new user fees or other new financing mechanisms. AOPA Legislative Action strongly supports H.R. 2276.

Major provisions of the Duncan-Lightfoot bill:

Establishes FAA as an independent federal agency separate from DOT.
Establishes a Federal Aviation Board composed of three members appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Board would have the power to appoint or remove a Chief Executive Officer for the FAA, approve major contracts and regulations, and approve the agency's budget.
Exempts FAA from many existing laws and rules governing personnel and procurement practices, and requires the agency to set up its own more flexible management and purchasing system to replace them.
Creates a Management Advisory Committee composed of 17 members from government and industry to make recommendations to the CEO on certain policy matters.
Requires FAA to issue rules within 18 months of proposing them.
Requires FAA to submit most proposed regulations to DOT for non-binding recommendations if the rule will effect other modes of transportation or national defense.
Requires FAA to submit its budget to DOT for non-binding recommendations.
Requires FAA to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of any proposed regulation that is likely to cost more than $25 million for government and/or industry to comply.
Sets up a select panel to study innovative financing mechanisms for FAA.
Terminates DOT employee positions responsible for overseeing the FAA.