FAA REAUTHORIZATION LEGISLATION MOVES TO THE FULL US SENATE

FREDERICK, MD – Legislation to reauthorize the FAA through the 2017 fiscal year will move to the full Senate after being approved by the Senate Commerce Committee on March 16. The committee swiftly moved through dozens of proposed amendments to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2016 (S. 2658), passing more than 50 en bloc at the beginning of the markup session. The legislation includes third-class medical reform language that passed the Senate in December but does not include user fees for general aviation, instead relying on the current system of excise taxes on fuel.

“We’re pleased that the Senate is keeping FAA reauthorization legislation moving,” said Jim Coon, AOPA senior vice president of government affairs. “Past experience has shown that limping along from extension to extension—sometimes for years—can really slow important long-term initiatives. This bill would give the FAA a way forward while addressing many of the big issues that matter to the general aviation community, including third class medical reform and aircraft certification reform.”

Read AOPA’s story.