Government Advocacy
 | Issue Brief |
Comparison of House and Senate Reauthorization Bills: 1998
Report Language Indicated in Parenthesis
| AOPA Issues | H.R. 4057 | S. 2279 |
|---|---|---|
| AIP Authorization | One Year: FY99 $2.34B | Two Years: FY99 $ 2.41B FY2000 $ 4.88B |
| F&E | One Year: FY99 $2.13B | Two Years: FY99 $2.13B FY2000 $2.18B |
| Operations | One Year: FY99 $5.63B | Two Years: FY99 $5.63B FY2000 $5.78B |
| User fees | None | None |
| ATC PBO | None | None |
| Cost accounting system | Independent validation by DOT IG; authorized at $1.6M in FY99 | Independent validation by DOT IG: "such sums as might be needed" for audit |
| Conveyance of surplus property for public airports | Public process before land purchased with AIP funds can be sold; (Report language only) GAO review of grant enforcement program | Public notice not less than 30 days prior to issuing grant assurance waiver |
| Surplus airport property (conveyance of government land to public agencies) | None | FAA to waive deed restrictions on surplus property, as long as permitted development supports and complements development of airport and all revenues remain on the airport |
| State entitlement for GA/reliever/non-primary airports | 20% (up from 18.5%) | None |
| Federal matching share for AIP projects at airports other than large and medium hubs | No more than 90% for project funded by a grant issued to and administered by a State | Same as House |
| Grant eligibility for private relievers | None | If FAA issues revised guidance after 7/1/98 for designation of relievers, then those receiving AIP funds before 10/9/96 will be grandfathered |
| State highway specifications for airfield pavement construction | None | At general aviation airports serving aircraft weighing less than 60,000 pounds; if airports take advantage of this provision, they would be prohibited for 10 years from subsequently seeking funds to strengthen the runway |
| Denial of airport access to certain air carriers | Airport owner or operator can deny access to air carrier conducting public charter operations under Pt. 380, with aircraft designed to carry more than 9 passengers per flight | None |
| Grant for noise compatibility plan | 33% (up from 31%) | 35% (up from 31%); (Report language only) allocation should be based on need and merit-based criteria (how many people impacted, etc.) |
| Discretionary spending cap | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| GA & Helicopter Program Office | "Such funds as may be necessary" | (Report language only) FAA should support the office |
| Chief Information Officer for ATC modernization effort | (Report language only) Consider GAO recommendation to name CIO � � | None |
| Wildlife hazard mitigation | $450M | Same as House |
| Park overflights | Commercial operators to conduct tours according to Air Tour Management Plan for parks and/or tribal lands | Same as House, except prohibits commercial air tours over Rocky Mountain National Park |
| Runway incursions | Prevention systems and devices eligible for AIP funds | None |
| Enhanced vision technologies | Requires study; eligible for AIP funds | None |
| Loran C | Maintain and upgrade throughout transition to satellite-based navigation | None |
| WAAS | None | Within 6 months of enactment, FAA must identify/develop, and submit to House and Senate Committees, a plan to implement WAAS for civilian use and determine if backup is needed; "such funds as may be necessary" to carry out function |
| ILS | FAA to maintain inventory in light of WAAS uncertainties | $30M/year to purchase equipment |
| Free Flight | (Report language only) Committee supports modernization and improvements to present ATC system | None |
| Aircraft emergency locators | None | Required by 2002; exception for aerial applicators, and design, testing, manufacture, preparation and delivery of aircraft |
| Bogus parts | Rule to require marking parts exceeding useful life | Denial of certificates to those selling, repairing, installing or manufacturing bogus parts; denial of employment to convicted bogus parts dealers. Certificate can be reissued if conviction is reversed or person is acquitted of all charges |
| Contract Tower Program | $6M for airports with legitimate need; airports share cost of program | "Such sums as may be necessary" to carry out program |
| Weather | (Report language only) Report by 3/31/99 on plan to procure off the shelf ASOS, or explain why plan is not appropriate | FAA to keep human weather observers for ASOS until 60 days after Secretary of Transportation determines ASOS provides consistent reporting of meteorological conditions and notifies Congress in writing of that determination |
| Pilot record sharing | Focus of Pilot Record Sharing Act is on pilot competency; pilot may be hired prior to receiving records from foreign carrier or government � | Same as House |
| Alaska guide pilots | Reissue notice of Pt. 135 compliance for comment; notwithstanding comments, if FAA proceeds, it must publish justification in Federal Register within 90 days of compliance | Same as House � |
| Centennial of Flight Commission | Establish 7 member board to plan and develop programs and activities | Establishes Board to plan and develop programs and activities |
| Year 2000 problem | None | Quarterly report (verbal or written) on data processing problems |
Updated Friday, February 05, 1999 1:21:38 PM
